ACT III - The Puppet Theater

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Finally!

It is time for the curtains to open one last time to reveal the Final Act in the Theater of Life. Oh just how much laughter, how many teardrops were collected during this thrilling Play? I'd say our Main Actor deserves one big round of applause for his incredible performance!

Now: anticipate what he will do, as we rapidly approach the curtains closing on this thrilling Act Three—!!!

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With Tsukumo deeming that there was enough Memory-Power being stored inside the glasses, it was my cue to drag him to the antique shop to withdraw that accumulated Power.

It was time to act on something I had dreaded for the longest time; so much that ever since I had chosen Yuujin to be the Main Actor of this Theater, I had done my best to… Hate him. So that I wouldn't feel a thing as I watched his innocent self fall deeper and deeper into this sinful trap, so that I wouldn't feel one drop of remorse…!

Needless to say, it was completely useless. No matter how much I'd try to dislike him, his kind and thoughtful self would shake my resolve. Just how could I hate such a good person? Even if I tried treating him all harshly and coldly, he was still as sweet and understanding as ever… Making it impossible to truly stop feeling for him.

But I had no choice. After all, I too was a mere puppet getting manipulated. I had to do my part.

Next time I saw him at school, I took out my fan and checked his memories as he took a small nap. I made sure that he'd never get a Reveal from this fan, as it'd be the end of everything. Thankfully, I had managed to come this far without him ever doubting anything.

I couldn't see what he'd see as Reveals, however each and every time he had seen one, his entire face would change into one with purpose, so I could have a rough guess on what had triggered the event, and who it was about. Still, me and Tsukumo needed a direct answer, so I was to drag him to the shop either way. I prepared myself mentally as I waited for him to wake up. Rena, this wasn't the time to chicken out!

I'd ask him right before class, so he wouldn't have much time to think about it, making him more likely to agree. And so he did, when I quickly asked him if he could help me out at the shop after his club activities ended for the day. Ah, Yuujin. How your kindness made everything so easy, yet so difficult for me…

—

"So, what is it that you need my help for? Carrying some things, perhaps? I can help with that no problem!" I watched him sit by the wooden table set we had ordered from Kajimaru's parents, after seeing his memories in his apartment. We thought that my other classmate was a perfect new candidate to be manipulated, given his family situation; and we would use the fact that we had gotten this set from his parents to our advantage to make him trust us more. But since he was a sharp guy, I had my worries if he'd somehow understand we were behind what was about to happen to Yuujin…

Tsukumo sat on the other side of the table, making me gulp with anxiety. It was time.

"No no, it isn't anything like that, young gentleman. I just want to have a conversation with you. I'd be most happy with your cooperation, by giving me honest answers." Yuujin looked at my eyes as if asking for an explanation, but I looked away. There was nothing I could do to save him…

"So… Let's get to the point, without further ado. Your glasses—have you been enjoying the Scenes unfolding right before your eyes?" Yuujin got all tense in his seat. I could see cold sweat dripping from his forehead. After a few moments, he faked a laugh and replied, "Haha, of course! I don't think I ever got to enjoy such good vision before, I can see everything so crisp and crystal clear that—"

Tsukumo laughed too, only to cease it abruptly. The sudden silence after the booming laugh filled the entire shop with an eerie vibe. "No. You know very well what I'm talking about. Tell me, what were the items that caused you to get the Scenes?"

"S-scenes? You mean the… Reveals?"

"Whatever you call them."

Since he didn't provide a reason why he needed that info, poor Yuujin listed them quickly, as if wanting to end the conversation as fast as possible. He seemed very… Scared.

And frankly, he had all the reasons to be.

"Thank you, Seira-kun! Most splendid, as expected from our Main Actor." Yuujin stood up, wanting to take leave. "Uh… I better go, probably dinner is ready back at home—"

"Sit down. Didn't you arrive here just now? There's still lots to discuss." Yuujin tried looking at me for help again, but all I could say was "Please, sit down. It's okay." My shaky voice almost gave away my sadness. It was not okay.

"W-why did you ask me that, 99-san?"

Tsukumo held his chin in his hand, ready to explain. "You see, my dear boy. Memories hold such large sums of energy, one that can be used for a great amount of things. It is my job to collect them, and channel that Power into creating more items which can see into the Memories of people. And then find other suitable objects containing high amounts of Power, and repeat—until the cycle is complete. Your glasses, they're my biggest creation yet. What an honor to be the owner of such an incredible invention, is it not? But, like I always said, there's a price to pay."

Yuujin seemed so confused with that flock of information, that he couldn't say a thing. His widened eyes made me guess that he was wishing all this to be a bad dream. I couldn't help but agree with that sentiment.

"Here's what you'll do: You'll bring those items to me. We will complete the cycle together." This made Yuujin stand up with a fury I never saw from him before. His anger took over all over the room with his loud and unwavering voice. "No. I refuse that. Those are things precious to my friends, I do not want to bring them to you."

Tsukumo sat comfortably in his chair, unbothered by Yuujin's refusal. "My, how heroic. Truth be told, I didn't expect you to agree, but it was worth giving it a shot either way. Do calm down, there's indeed another way to pay the price that's equivalent to such Memory-Power." Yuujin hit his fists on the wooden table. "What is it? I'll pay with it right now!!"

Tsukumo slowly stood up from his place and held on to his dragon-headed cane. I held my breath as I watched him raise the cane up high.

"Your own memories."

He hit his cane on the ground, creating a loud thump sound. The cane's power was connected to the glasses, so Yuujin fell on his knees with a sharp cry of pain. As Tsukumo approached him to collect his memories, I slowly slipped away outside. I couldn't stand watching this part. I bit my bottom lip, trying to contain my tears.

All of Yuujin's memories after obtaining the glasses would disappear in a flash.

After a few minutes, the shopkeeper's bell rang behind me, followed by the tired voice of Yuujin saying "Uh… Kogarashi-san… Thank you for bringing me here and letting me rest a bit. My memory is pretty patchy, but I'll be fine…"

According to our plan with Tsukumo, we would take advantage of Yuujin's shaken state to pretend that he fell and hit his head while running in the streets, and I had found him and brought him to the shop to rest and recover. Then, I'd bring him to his home, informing his parents that he had a bad fall to his head, giving him some sort of amnesia and that it'd be best to take him to the hospital.

I hated everything about this situation, and I didn't know how I'd be able to face and lie to his parents… And to think that the next time his friends would see him, they'd find that he had lost all memories of their friendship due to his 'accident' giving him 'amnesia'... I shook my head. I had done this many times before, just because I had personal feelings for him, I wouldn't let it get in my way. We were both actors in Tsukumo's Puppet Theater, and we had played our parts perfectly. Nothing more, and nothing less…