Struggling to fight off her tiredness, the small girl whispered a slight sigh of complaint. Feeling something moving inside her hair, her battle against her own body quickly came to an end and her eyes shot wide open, glancing above her.

Y/N: Took you long enough to wake up.

The librarian was looking down at her, one of his hands placed on her head while holding her hat with his free one. Looking into his eyes, some thing never change and his fatigue was one of those things. Nonetheless, he calmly kept patting her head in a constant cycle, arboring a weak smile in the corner of his lips.

'I hope she doesn't mind.'

Koishi: ...Huh?

Her eyes widening, she could hear loud and clear the voice of the man, yet his lips didn't move. Standing up, she asked him if he said anything, to which he replied by shaking his head. Confused, she reached for her hat and placed it back on top of her head.

Something was wrong, she couldn't tell what exactly but that mysterious voice was confirming her doubts.

'She's clearly confused.'

Koishi: What's going on?

Y/N: ...

He didn't respond, at least not with words. Slowly rising one of his hands in her field of vision, he quietly pointed down. Following that instruction, the only point of interest was her third eye resting around her. Looking closer, the brightness in it took her by surprise for a moment... the eye... wide open...

...Wait.

Koishi: H-Huh?! When did that happen?

She was taken aback by her own voice too, brimming with light. She wanted to be scared to see that, she really wished for that. However, it was like a void in her mind, she couldn't remember why she was so adamant about sealing her third eye. Why was she so scared about opening it? That reason was gone from her head, she didn't know why she took that decision.

Koishi: Why... Why did I forget?

Y/N: I'm afraid that I can't help you with that.

'I don't know what she's talking about anyway.'

In a sense, that statement was a lie but not at the same time, unaware of what she was talking about but still having an idea of what that something was. Knowing who he was talking to, he needed to be careful and never drop his guard, no need to indirectly tell her something he didn't want her to know.

Y/N: I don't think it really matters, are you alright?

Koishi: Hm?

Her curiosity perked up.

Y/N: You were crying in your sleep, did you have a nightmare?

'That was definitely a nightmare.'

Koishi: I don't... remember what I was dreaming.

To her, it was blank, a missing piece that fell out of her mind. No matter how many times she tried to focus, it would only lead her to a headache and nothing else. Sighing, she relunctantly told him that she couldn't remember.

Y/N: ...Better like that.

He quietly mumbled to himself those words and stood up. She looked at the desk she was resting on and saw the book the librarian gave to her as a gift, the one book that contains everything about his life. Not wishing to forget it just like the hours she spent with her eyes closed, she grabbed it and followed the last survivor of this place.

Y/N: However, I'm still surprised that you opened your eye, you never did that before.

Koishi: Well... I don't really have an explanation.

She couldn't remember why she closed it in the first place. Accepting that, she didn't insist and that topic was cut short. That odd feeling was also replaced by a newfound energy that she didn't have before, something deep in her body, something that comforted her. It was a faint voice that would put her worries and questions away.

Koishi: Wait, did you watch me cry in my sleep?

Y/N: ...

His body froze but he did not look back to face her. Taking note of that reaction, she went ahead of him and flashed a quick smile in his direction to calm him down. Seeing her smile, he pushed his worries aside and forced himself to smile as well.

Y/N: I... not like I could do much about it.

Koishi: It's fine, I don't even remember.

Scratching the side of her head, a bead of sweat comically fell down her face, following after her words.

Y/N: Moving on, now that you recovered your thoughts, it would be a good time to end everything.

'To end this struggle to revive the deceased ones.'

Koishi: But why end everything? We don't have to go our own ways.

She understood that he meant to end their journey but couldn't help herself to raise the question, feeling like that wasn't the direction he took it. With the return of her capabilities, she fully used them to question the man standing near her, for her and his sake.

Y/N: Well... you helped so far for only a single reason.

Leaning against a nearby bookshelf, he turned to look in the girl's eyes. Unlike her, who faced her own fears before overcoming them, he was trapped within his regrets and sorrow, only wanting to end everything once and for all, to pull the curtain on his life and move on. Once his goal completed, the flames of persistence would finally die.

Y/N: Now that I think about it, I did wish to complete the ritual without your presence, to end it all as soon as possible.

Koishi: Why did you stop then?

Not angry to know that he wished to go through the ritual without her, she instead asked him about the reason why he didn't do so. Just like he said, he had plenty of time to do it, why would he waste it?

Y/N: I...

'I wanted to say goodbye to you.'

Koishi: I understand, thank you mister Y/N.

Nodding slightly, a shard of happiness that was deep inside herself dug itself free, warming her face up. He could have tossed her aside but he didn't, instead wishing to see her one last time before the finish line. The ritual would be completed, the deceased would rise up and the journey would finally reach its end, the partners now having no reason to remain side by side.

At the end, the duo that became friends would go with their days, forever thanking the other for their assistance.

Koishi: We should prepare the ritual then-

'You can't let him do that.'

Koishi: ?

Y/N: Is something wrong?

She abruptly cut herself in her words and went silent, leaving the man hanging. Her words were clear, he understood what she was trying to say but stopping herself for no reason felt odd to him. Raising an eyebrow, his hollow eyes pierced into her skull with the precision of a drill.

Now connected with the neurons inside her head, she began to question herself in return.

Koishi's mind: What was that voice?

'Don't let him do that.'

Koishi's mind: Who are you?

'You have to stop him.'

The voice that calmed her fears was now warning her, almost aware of the outcome if she didn't listen... No, it didn't predict the future, she knew the real reason but felt too guiltly to acknowledge it. The reason why it was telling her to not let him pursue his objective, it was only her paranoia acting up, trying to overcome her with doubts. After all, he was the one who saved her, prove her that she could rely on people to help her. If he managed to reach the end, he wouldn't need her anymore and maybe toss her aside like many others.

Y/N: Koishi?

It was now the man's turn to be worried. In front of his eyes, the girl was sweating bullets while her eyes were spacing out, terrified of something. During that process, his eyes began to see her figure blur.

However, it only lasted for a few seconds, everything going back to normal afterwards.

Koishi's mind: No, I refuse to be afraid anymore. I'll go to the end!

Her will became solidified with that choice taken. Following the blazes of determination, she decided to not fear anymore about the future, she would stand strong to prove the man that his efforts were not worthwhile.

While that may be the correct path to take, a small part of her mind was still remembering the voice's words, telling her to not let the man complete the ritual. Now that she had a moment of lucidity, she tried to find an explanation.

'The ritual is not the answer.'

Koishi's mind: Then what is?

After so long, she wanted to see the end of their efforts, the satisfaction of doing something helpful. The man struggled for a long time and the finishing line was approaching with steady steps. Now, that voice was trying to tell her the plan was not the solution to their problem, a voice that even she never heard before.

She couldn't remember it but he was the one who pulled her out of her doubts, clearing the clouds in her head by finally making her open her eyes to reality. Her now trying to bring happiness to the man could be considered an effort to reward his achievement and action. She wished for everything to end on a good note.

What is the correct path if it wasn't the solution?

Koishi: ...

She had an idea of what that alternative might be, she could guess if she believed the words said by that voice. She didn't know where it came from nor why she was hearing it but their words seemed to always be connected to her in some way, knowing her fears, her doubts and many other things.

She would have liked to have more time to try and understand why she was hearing such a thing talking to her but now was not the time. Going back to her idea, her mind wandered off into the distance. If the goal they were aiming for wasn't the solution to their problem then what would?

...

...

Y/N: Koishi?

She was dead silent to the man's eyes, focused on something that he didn't know about. Of course, he tried to remain neutral about the situation but his eyes were beginning to sparkle with questions.

Koishi: Oh, I'm sorry, I was... spacing out.

Quickly bowing in apology, her usual attitude returned, like nothing ever happened. He had a hard time believing what she was saying but did not inquire for more details, not like it'll matter in the end. After all, his goal was at arm's reach, he would close his eyes and accept the outcome, accept the fruit of his efforts.

He had to take the life of many people and so, the small fire that pushed him to put his life on the line grew out of control, now unable to accept death until the end was in front of his face. That was why he was intending to fight those that were currently aiming for the library if he had to, all for the sake of the ending.

Y/N: Then we should hurry.

Finally doing what he once wanted to do before being interrupted by the girl's cries, he took a hold of the pills given to them by the doctor residing inside the bamboo forest and the fire of insanity from the previous guest he fought, one who probably didn't expect to meet their end there of all places.

Everything else was back at the circle, waiting for his return so that their role could be fulfilled. Making sure to not peek at the dangerous light that seemed to never extinguish, he glanced in the direction of the entrance, where everything will end, no matter what the outcome is. He could feel a small sense of fear going through his body but he pushed it aside, no point fearing the future.

Koishi: ...

While he was busy gathering his thoughts, the girl standing behind him silently read them all. With her solidified will, she paid no mind to them at first but it soon came to a point where ignorance could not persist. The words she heard left her own mind ponder, think about the voice that spoke to her.

'This will be the final action I take, a good one.'

'No point fearing death, both paths lead to the same outcome.'

Koishi's mind: Is that what it was trying to warn me about?

It told her many times that this ritual would not grant them the solution they wanted... or at least not the outcome SHE wanted to see. Maybe for the man, his decision was based on the fact that the ritual would bring his friends back, whether they come to him or he has to do the travel. That possibility shed some light onto her, her eyes widening slightly.

He was willing to bet his life during the whole ordeal, she should have seen it a long time ago. He didn't have any certitude that it would work, he simply hoped that it would allow him to see those that passed on.

Koishi's mind: I have to do something... but what am I supposed to do?

She innocently helped him gather everything he needed, she couldn't obstruct his path anymore. Fighting him? That wouldn't change anything from the outcome, he yearns for the end and she could tell he would fight until his last breath.

She needed another plan.

Y/N: Is something wrong?

Koishi: I-I'm fine!

Y/N: ...You're spacing out a lot.

'I guess she's still not used to it.'

Clearing the suspicions off of her, she followed the librarian and during that walk leading to the place where they would perform their final act as allies, she desperately tried to call the voice residing inside her head.

Koishi's mind: I want to do something, tell me what to do!

No answer, it seemed to have decided to leave her on her own. The walk they were having felt much more shorter than she would have hoped and time was running thin for her. Repeating the same process, she focused to the point of giving herself a headache.

Koishi's mind: Tell me what to do!

'Free him of his regret.'

Finally giving up, it told her what she wished to hear, a response to her beggings. Now in possession of the key, she needed to utilize it... but how? How was she supposed to know how to release his emotions? Unlike him, she wasn't assisted by the library, like when he entered her nightmare before getting rid of her feelings.

Y/N: While you were asleep, I prepared almost everything so we won't waste much time.

Koishi: Almost?!

Y/N: Is there something wrong about planning in advance?

Koishi: Well... not really I suppose? Did it take you long?

Y/N: Not really, around 5 minutes.

Here goes her idea of buying time by 'accidentally' breaking everything. Her only lead was given to her by the unknown voice, she needed to find a way to free him of his emotions. Her gears turning rapidly, her mind was unable to provide her with a plan of action.

...Should she confront his feelings? How would he react if she tried to do something like that? If she was too persistent, he might try to get rid of her so that she wouldn't be in his way.

Koishi's mind: I need an appropriate time to approach him.

She needed a good time if she wished to have a chance to get through him. After all, her objective changed from assisting the man to a completely new position, her goal was now to make the man unload his emotional baggage so that she could help him without resorting to his extreme method.

Finally concluding her decision, the duo emerged from the thousands, even millions of bookshelves. Standing at the entrance of that infinite well of knowledge, the youkai stared at the entrance and only exit of this place. The last librarian, however, had his eyes on the final piece of his life.

He could feel his cowardice begging him to not proceed but his guilt quickly shun that choice, telling him that it was his only choice. Otherwise, he would never be able to forgive himself for everything that happened.

Y/N: There, you see it?

Koishi: Hm? That looks like a fire.

'It is going to be one once it's done.'

Koishi's mind: Is he going to burn himself?

Once more, she deviated from her choice but realized that mistake, forcing herself back on the path of defiance for the greater good of a single being. She wanted a good ending and now aware that their plan was not the solution, she would have to take actions on his behalf, even if she had to force him into a different solution.

She would be ready for anything, she needed to be strong in order to support him, just like how he supported her. It was time to pay the kindness he gave her in a way that he would not call sympathy. Instead, she would have to become his enemy and dig out the dirt from inside his heart, forcefully extract the thoughts that were guiding him.

Koishi: So why do we need the pills?

She knew the answer but asked so that she could save more time. Looking in her direction, Y/N didn't answer until a few seconds passed.

Y/N: You'll see.

'She definitely will if she wants to assist me to the end.'

Koishi's mind: No, I won't see, I refuse to see this sight. I'll make sure of it.

One way or another, she would stop him. Now, however, was where the most important decision of this journey would take place. At the final gate, it was now time to choose when to plan the defiance, when she would try to inquire about his feelings.

When?

>Intervene during the ritual

>Intervene outside of the ritual