Episode 399: Rock-Paper-Scissors Victory and Defeat

"……Whoa."

This was a hotel room lined with an array of custom Disney merchandise.

At first glance, it felt like a princess's chamber—luxurious and ornate—but—

"Hmm."

As I moved through the room, a strange sense of unease crept in, and soon I realized the truth.

There were no windows in this room.

That must be why it felt so suffocating.

This room is so cluttered with furniture and belongings that cleaning it must be a nightmare.

The air feels stagnant, and no matter how you look at it, living here is absolutely unbearable.

At the end of the hallway is a living room that’s a bit too large for a single person, cluttered with piles of instant noodle containers, empty plastic bottles, and crumpled bread bags.

"Disgusting room..."

Rika-san seems like the type who can't be bothered to tidy up.

I don't dislike a reclusive lifestyle, but even I find it hard to stay cooped up in this room.

"Um... sorry..."

I call out, but there's no response.

As I step forward past the trash at my feet, I realize—no wonder. It seems there's a soundproof room in another part of the apartment.

"Ugh..."

I feel a brief sense of disappointment as I push against the thick door—then, suddenly, a heaviness settles in my chest.

It was a fundamental anxiety.

Like I'd forgotten something.

Like I'd left the house key behind.

Like I'd gone out without turning off the stove.

Like I might have already made some great mistake.

The "guidebook" holder, Shichireiri, had feared "something" like this.

He seemed to think that if I kept going like this, the worst possible outcome was waiting for me... Hmm.

A true future is forged with your own hands. It shouldn't be dictated by something written in a book like this.

Gathering courage from the words of Tōru Vladimirov, I open the door.

Beyond it, an image of the interior is projected across the entire wall.

There, I can see my own figure too. It seems the footage is recorded.

Apparently, the outcome of the rock-paper-scissors match is being properly preserved.

Sitting in a chair reminiscent of a throne is the woman who greeted me earlier via screen.

This is Rika Shizukawa.

"Ahh... you've come, huh."

She wears an expression close to resignation, slowly turning the chair halfway around to face me.

Her hand, as courteous as ever, remains in the same position as when we spoke on video just moments ago.

"Yes. You've arrived."

"Too bad."

"Be prepared."

"Be prepared... wait, scary." "Anonymous" person, are you actually planning to kill me?

"There's nothing surprising about that. You were the one who tried to kill me first."

"Huh?"

She genuinely looked shocked about that point,

"Huh? Wait—did the 'Hunger People' try to kill you?"

"...Yeah. Probably."

"Is that a misunderstanding? I only asked them to delay you, that's all?"

"Huh?!"

I suppose that's right.

Now that you mention it, they did seem to be trying to prevent me from turning back—somehow.

"True, if I'd died, I'd have been stopped forever—maybe they decided that on their own, but it wasn't my choice. If I had died, I'm sure I'd have been revived first, without a doubt."

"…………"

"Hmm. You look completely unsatisfied. Was it really a mistake to make a deal with something like an 'Overlord'? "

"Y-yes, that's right. Why did you do something like that? "

"Hey? Well, the 'Overlord' seemed like a pretty decent person, actually? — Though I guess the 'Hungerers' aren't quite so great, unfortunately."

Given the state of the world, though, calling anyone 'decent' feels like a joke.

"But really, a total letdown. You really did wipe out everyone called the 'Hungerers' all the way here?"

"Everyone? No... I didn't wipe out everyone. I only defeated one."

"Huh... What about Ryusari?"

"I didn't meet him."

Ryusari might have been among those who stayed behind, so his sudden appearance wouldn't be surprising.

Reika furrowed her brow deeply,

"Damn it! The 'Hunger Ones' said they'd absolutely keep you from getting near here! Useless idiots...!"

"Sorry to hear that. I'm sure they were just overwhelmed with other matters."

She seems completely unaware that the 'Demon King' is in danger?

True, if all the 'Hunger Ones' had attacked me as originally planned, I wouldn't have stood a chance.

"If only I'd made her fight even if it meant pushing her too hard..."

"Even if that were the case, it's still three against one. Besides, she wasn't exactly eager to fight."

"No, she was following me, wasn't she?"

"No way. She's my friend."

"She promised she'd never betray me."

"Likewise, I'm sure she didn't betray me either."

"...Hmph."

Reika puffed out her cheeks in a sullen expression,

"Well, fine. Let's just get this rock-paper-scissors over with quickly."

Yes

Reika, you reach out your hand to me.

The shape looks like a "scissors"...

I let out a smug, chuckling laugh,

No way! I'm not fooled by such childish tricks.

"Uh"

In truth, he hadn't missed the fact that her thumb was modestly raised.

— Oh, by the way, let's make it clear: all trick rock-paper-scissors moves are invalid.

— Like "invincible scissors" or "gun" moves and such.

Once you went out of your way to add rules like that, it was already obvious.

— "That move, 'invincible scissors,' right? It's invalid."

— Ugh.

— So, that casual open hand you're showing... that's actually "paper," isn't it? Right?

— Ugh, ugh!

And so, I pull out my "scissors," wrapped tightly in bandages.

"Uuu... I lost!"

To my surprise, Reika-san honestly admits defeat, more so than I expected.

Huh?

I thought she'd put up more of a fight, given how cleverly she set that trap.

Anyway, this rock-paper-scissors battle is mine — I've won.