Chat

Time to join that server and contact whoever it is that is sending me letters. I only have three days left, so I don't want to waste time.

Yuka scrambled out of bed and walked toward her dusty computer in the corner.

Keeping the computer a bit dusty will keep THEM off my tail. It would be unusual to clean everything right now when you haven't done so in years. Another thing I need to make sure of is not to trigger anything on their tracking systems; there's definitely a way somehow THEY track us.

She settled into the computer chair, adjusted her black and white frilly dress, and shifted around before she found a comfortable spot. Her slim hands swiftly turned on the monitor and the old computer at the same time before a flash of light blinded her suddenly.

Ugh—this is why I don't turn on this thing.

She started clicking around the computer. Her tech skills never extended past powering on. A minute passed, and she finally found it; opening it up prompted her to a login screen.

Address and server code: the letter says address: 55102 and code 'set.me.free.' Talk about a corny code, but have the guts to find my spot and avoid THEM. That is pretty brave.

The login page vanished, a chat appeared, there were no messages, and not a single soul lived inside. I thought this was a whole group! What is this?

???: “Finally, you came.” A message popped up. The user was anonymous.

Is this the person who set everything up? Should I ask or do I wait? Maybe focus on the issue? I'm so curious, though!

Yuka: “Why did you want me here? Tell me how you found my spot as well.”

Why not ask both? I'm such a genius sometimes.

???: “You will bring the letter you have to room 205, where you will meet your new subordinate. Make sure to give a good first impression.”

Who does this guy think he is? He ignored the second part and just gave an order to me; backing down now would be total defeat for me.

Yuka: “Tell me, how did you find my spot, and also, what is your plan? Otherwise, I won't do anything for you!” The anger-filled message quickly got sent into the chatbox.

???: “To free you both from here, free me from here, and free us all. I NEED you both to execute the plan, the only two who are now left.”

Left? It's true that nobody ever comes out or nobody ever interacts with one another; I doubt even this person is fully normal. But this could be different, though.

Yuka: “I will go to room 205 tonight at 9pm. But what about THEM walking around?”

???: “Not tonight; I made sure to check.”

Yuka stared at the message. Do I really trust them? How could he even know THEY are not there? THEY are definitely watched. THEIR knowledge scares me.

Yuka: “I will log in from there.”

Yuka turned off the computer, her face finally resting from the screen. The time was approaching five o'clock, meaning that she had hours of spare time despite waking up just now.

Showering, staring, eating—the rest of her time was spent exactly like that. There was nothing interesting to note; it was all pointless waiting before she had to go.

I have been doing nothing; I can't keep my mind on anything but what's coming up. I'm not as scared this time, but meeting someone new, how do I even talk to someone new? Do we bond over nothing, or maybe just talk about our day-to-day, or—I don't even know anymore.

...

The clock hit the time of departure, leaving at nine o'clock like usual; it's dark outside, and the crimson moon is at the perfect angle; its light always hides her well.​

I guess I will just figure it out when it comes to it; I always adapt somehow. Yuka hastily put the letter on her bed and folded it into her dress like before. She finally opened the door onto the hallways.

Yuka quickly pressed against the wall; her eyes glided over the entire square complex.

Where are THEY? It's just like that person said; I should still remain alert, however.

She forced herself forward.

“Room 205, second floor, row 2, middle door,” she muttered to herself a couple times, hoping she would not forget.

She passed the two neighbors on the staircase; being on the third floor at room 303 means that she only had to go down one floor. Even though every floor was the same, it felt like an unexplored area for someone stuck above.

The room is at the end of this hallway to the right. Don't be caught. I'm quiet; just please don't see me, and I will finally meet someone new. I just can't wait… Oh, and also deliver the letter or whatever.

From the staircase, Yuka rushed past two doors like she would on her floor; the last door of the hallway sat directly below hers. She just had to take a right turn into the next hallway of rooms.

I can’t stop now—I'm too close to stop now; just let this end already. ‘Room 205.' I know, I’m so close now.

She ran past the first door of the hallway, which was 204; then the next door was going to be 205. She didn't waste time, just approached its wooden frame and stood in front of it in silence.

Just knock; it's simple.

She knocked twice. The sound bounced across the empty square complex, then the handle turned and the door opened, revealing a girl of similar stature; her dark grey eyes froze when seeing another girl in front of her.

Yuka couldn't contain her shock either; they just stood still like statues.

This is a real person I am looking at, not THEM, not a bunch of cubes mixed into weird forms, but someone who is truly alive, someone with real eyes, a real face, someone who looks like me.

“Y—you… I never saw you before. Are you with THEM?” The girl's gaze spun side to side, not able to even look at her.

This girl is even more shy than I am! Think, Yuka, just tell them you need to come inside and deliver the letter, and that's it! Have a little chat.

“Can I—” Yuka's voice turned into a small whisper.

“Just spit it out already. What do you want?” The girl's tone instantly changed upon realizing it was just another person.

“This letter, T—take it…” Yuka's hands shook violently as the letter in her hand nearly fell out.

I thought she was shy! Why did she randomly start to order me? And why do I feel so intimidated?

The girl just stared at Yuka's shaking hands.

Am I messing up the first talk? It feels like I'm a wreck. Why is she so calm and cool now?

​The girl sighed and moved aside for her to enter. Her clothing was exactly the same as Yuka’s, but their hair differed. She had short white hair that caught Yuka's gaze instantly before her eyes dropped at the state of the apartment.

It was messy; trash was around the whole room, and spare dresses lay on the ground. Rather expected but still shocking for a first impression. The crimson moonlight snuck through the open window. The floorboards creaked and smelled of rot; the layout of the room was exactly like Yuka’s room. Bed, kitchen, desk, bathroom.

Yuka passed over the letter; her hands calmed a bit seeing this girl had a messy side too. The girl quickly read over the letter before her hand went near her chin, eyes slightly closed now.

I can offer my advice.

“I figured out that—” Yuka’s words were silenced as the girl cut her off; the lack of human touch made her sour-mouthed for talking.

“Really set free from this? This guy is definitely some sort of trap. There is nothing to leave from here. We're trapped forever, but I suppose you see the type to hope.” The letter in her hands crumpled up at her rough handling.

It’s so rude to interrupt me! And why am I getting a backhanded compliment? This is the cost of isolation; I should just deal with it for now.

Yuka gave a nod. “I am not some naive idiot, ok? They knew where you lived, that you were still talkable, and also that nobody was around despite not telling me a time. They also found my secret spot.”

“Sounds like you're just easy to track, but fine, I will entertain you two fools. My name is Himari Sawaya, and what's yours? I don't want to refer to you as a girl all the time.” Her expression just lifted slightly. A person of similar stature and unique color of hair and eyes, they were both so similar yet different.

Yuka spoke up, “Yuka, just Yuka, if that's fine with you?”

Himari nodded before turning over her head towards the computer. "mwchat, I'm guessing that's why you wanted to come in; otherwise, you would just leave it with me. Risking yourself this much with faith they were right, you really are a fool.”

“We're supposed to work together on this, not really separate and argue with each other—"

Himari ignored her comment and went to the computer in the corner. Yuka is standing back just for a split second.

I hope we can get a bit closer by the end of this, but not only is she some tough wannabe gang member, she also has this very smug attitude. My fear of getting to know her is gone; worrying over people who don't care about my feelings is pointless.

The screen of the computer flickered on as Himari entered in the details. "Stop standing and come over.” Yuka hurriedly rushed over before looking at the chat displayed.

???: “I see you made it here. Congrats, Yuka, on succeeding in your mission.”

​Himari turned towards the chat before giving a slight laugh. “This is the guy. Already talking by name, I see.”

“I never told him that! I also do only have one name.” Yuka’s eyes rolled.

The chat flashed again.

???: “Himari, this is your new partner to escape the complex; don't sour the relationship.”

​Himari raised her eyes; they knew her name. She started to assault the chat box with questions as Yuka stared at the immense speed of messages flashing up and down instantly as Himari put all her might into each keystroke.

Himari: “What is your name?”

…

Himari: “Who are you?”

Silence again.

Himari: “ANSWER ME.”

Is she really going to get rid of our only chance of escape? This partnership is worse than I thought. It's like she doesn't care.

Yuka quickly slid in front of the keyboard, nudging Himari aside.

Yuka: ”I apologize for her behavior. Now, answer: What is the goal here? How are we set free when the outside world is just cubes?”

???: "Cubes, that is certainly an interesting way to put it."

A follow-up appeared.

???: “Himari, there isn't a need to explain now. Telling everything now is pointless.”

Yuka's face lifted into a confused frenzy. Do they know something I don't? She looked over towards Himari; a grim face was plastered onto hers; it wasn't one of rage or contempt anymore, just a solemn look before turning back to the chat.

Himari: “I understand. I assume you also know about me? You would be pretty unwise to just do research on her.”

???: “Your situation isn't an issue; don’t feel guilty for who got lost.”

Himari slammed down the desk roughly before exhaling a sigh; the sheer force made Yuka instantly back off.

“Lost?” Yuka muttered under her breath.

​“Shut up, it's none of your business.” Her dark grey eyes turned even darker, and her mouth closed and tightened.

​I crossed a line. I am the only one who doesn't understand anything. Why are they just leaving me out of this? , guilty of what? It's too much.

???: “The final goal is to free us, but to achieve that, we must first find out truths nobody else has seen in the complex. Once we discover the nature of this place, then I will do everything over here to end our suffering.”

Yuka swiftly rushed onto the keyboard.

Yuka: “Are you talking about the three days left? In three days, will I be free?”

Himari: “I got a letter too; it said in two days—Why are they different if we were set to be free together as partners?” Himari put her hand on her hip before going into thought.

Asking her right now might be too personal, but I do want to know about what that letter said.

???: “Freedom is something different depending on the person; her freedom and your freedom are separate in this sense.”

Himari: “Your freedom is?” Her hands swiftly typed out.

???: “So is my freedom; we're all connected."

both of them gave each other a final look, one of confusion while the other was full of skepticism; however, their intrigue couldn't hold back.

“What do you think, Himari?” Yuka stared into Himari’s eyes.

Himari looked conflicted, clearly zoned out. “I don’t like where this is going.”