Izumi:

I didn't want to give up, so I decided to see it through to the end. I still needed to earn your trust, and I wanted to test my abilities in a challenging way.

One morning, I woke up in a good mood. You went to the station to pick up some things, and I eagerly awaited your return, making plans of my own. I tidied up the place and picked some flowers from outside the house. When you came back, you seemed slightly surprised, but you tried not to show it. It was clear that it made you suspicious.

"Finally, you've been gone for so long..." I said with a smile, getting up from the floor. It felt fake to hug you, so I refrained from doing so. In games, you need to know when to hold back.

"Why are you so cheerful?" you smirked incredulously.

"I was bored. Did you bring something?" I showed an unusual curiosity, wanting to see what was in your bag.

You pushed me away abruptly.

"No, nothing important there," you said, visibly on edge. That made my imagination run wild, painting scary scenarios of knives and other things you might use to harm me. I still couldn't understand why I was here.

"Okay, sorry," I replied, pretending as if nothing bad had happened.

You hid the bag in the closet and asked me not to touch it again. I kept quiet. Either way, I didn't really want to see what was inside. I had a feeling that if I saw something that threatened my life, I wouldn't be able to act rationally. Fear would consume me.

That evening, I pleaded with you to take a walk with me in the forest.

"Weren't you scared to go outside?" you looked at me skeptically once again.

"I've gotten used to being here all the time. Ultimately, you were right when you said that all fears are just products of my imagination. Besides, I feel sick of these walls. I really want to get out."

For a while, you looked at me in silence.

"If you decide to run away again, I won't have the strength to chase after you. There's no chance for you to escape to the city anyway. You would just get lost," you coldly replied.

I simply nodded in response.

You took out that red ribbon you usually wrap around tree trunks and tied it to my wrist. The other end you wound around your fist. It made me smile involuntarily. You really were a complete psycho.

Finally, we set out. It was already getting dark, so the forest was enveloped in a bluish twilight and a slight chill. I noticed the sound of cicadas crying. Before, it had seemed completely quiet to me. Self-suggestion.

"I actually like it here," I decided to break the silence.

But you didn't say anything. You just pulled me along by the ribbon tied to my hand.

"Why are you so silent?" I was being too talkative even for myself, but I would do anything to save myself.

"Do you want to talk?" you asked in an indifferent tone.

"Yeah, I don't mind talking," I shrugged my shoulders in response.

We continued walking into the unknown.

"Tired of ignoring me?" your voice had a hint of sarcasm. A good sign.

"Does that surprise you? I think everything is perfectly normal. I'll go crazy if I keep quiet any longer," there was some truth in my answer.

"I can stay silent for a long time and still feel fine," you shrugged.

I started to feel irritated.

"What do you even want?! It's bad when I don't talk, and it's bad when I talk! Why are you keeping me here anyway?" I blurted out all at once.

And at that moment, you chuckled softly, like a child.

"I don't understand anything at all!" I was confused, and you continued to laugh.

"You're just so funny. You didn't last long before confidently trying to gain my trust..."

And suddenly, I found it amusing too. Amusing because of the absurdity of the situation, my own naivety, and your perceptiveness.

While I was laughing, I didn't even notice that the sky above me was full of millions of bright stars. You had brought me to some sort of slope with a view of the mountains.

"This is where the forest ends," you explained.

I stared at the sky and couldn't say anything. I had never seen so many stars or such a clear night before.

You took off your jacket and spread it on the ground. I had to sit next to you because I was tied to you.

"In Tokyo, you don't often see such a sky," I said, not taking my eyes off the stars.

"Another reason why this place is better than Tokyo," you replied.

It's hard to concentrate on the stars when you constantly remind me that I'm a captive. I don't say anything to you. I don't even want to think about it. Not now. I have enough of these thoughts even at home.

I feel you releasing my hand from your grip. It feels so good, I instinctively rub my hand, which has finally started to regain circulation.

"What's the sudden change?" I ask suspiciously.

"Just because," you smiled again.

"You're strange."

"I don't think so."

"Seriously? So, it's normal for you to kidnap someone in the middle of the forest and forcibly keep them?" When I ask you this question, I try not to look at you. Everything would be wonderful here — the starry sky, the beautiful forest, the view of the volcano — but your presence ruins everything. I genuinely want you to disappear.

"Stop reminding me of that. Why not just enjoy every moment of our lives?" you frown, causing even more confusion in me.

I can't take it anymore and stand up.

"Do you even hear yourself? What are you talking about? What exactly should I be happy about? These dreadful nights in the middle of the suicide forest? Complete isolation from the world? Boredom mixed with fear? Seriously? Do you think I have something to be happy about? And how can I be happy if I don't even know if I have the right to be? What if tomorrow or even today you kill me? What if you come up with the idea to torture me or starve me to death? I can't let go of this situation, I don't feel indifferent about my life. What were you thinking when you brought me here? I want to know the truth, I must know it!" I try to speak firmly, so that my voice doesn't tremble out of anger. I feel like lifting that rock and hurling it at your cute face.

"Yes, you're all about that..." I won't kill you, I never had such thoughts, that's the truth. What was I thinking? I thought you were in love with me," you smile foolishly again. Apparently, you really are insane. But the last sentence makes me look down. I was indeed in love. Well, you had all the qualities to attract most girls, but it was your own actions that erased that impression. I can't believe that the guy I liked trapped me here, and that we once had such bright relations. I remember those rainy days in the park and can't believe it was us.

"Fine. Let's say, even if I really liked you, it's not an answer to why I'm here and why I can't leave."

"But why isn't it an answer?" you continue joking.

I'm on the edge of my nerves. I grab a stone and throw it at you. It doesn't quite make it to your face and hits your shoulder. Anyway, it's a strong hit. You automatically squeeze your injured shoulder with your palm, but you keep smiling.

"You want to pretend it doesn't hurt, but you look pitiful," I say with some confidence. In moments like this, it feels like you're not the villain, but me.

"It doesn't hurt me," you cheerfully reply, and then pick up a stone from the ground. At that moment, I think you're going to throw it back at me, and I realize that you won't miss.

I take a step back.

"Take it. It really doesn't hurt me. You don't believe me? You can throw it at me again," you say, offering me the stone.

I hesitate to take a step forward. My hand is trembling slightly. I cautiously touch the stone, and suddenly your hand grabs mine and pulls. You kiss me, but I manage to push you away. It's funny to you. The stone is back in my hands.

"Now you'll definitely want to throw it at me," you say with a laugh.

"Since when have you become so obsessive?" I no longer have the energy to get angry.

"It was just a joke."

"Then don't joke like that anymore. I don't like you anymore. You're dead to me," I declare with a smug smile. You don't laugh anymore. One two in my favor.

"The most important thing is that I like you. And the most important thing is that you're alive and will continue to live," you say softly. As if to yourself. But your words mean nothing to me. If they had been spoken in a healthy environment, I would probably have been pleasantly embarrassed and felt mutual sympathy. But now you only repulse me.

I sit on the ground away from you. I don't want to continue this empty dialogue. I just want to look at the beautiful sky and not think about you.

You didn't say a word all night.