All alone is all we are...

All good ideas!

No. One might emerge later on, but for now I want to show everyone and their own perspectives on things.

-Hope Anon.

*The pair begin to walk towards the library.*

So... What did you want to talk about?

I overheard that you had a sleepless night. What was troubling you?

Nothing much, really. Just a hard time falling asleep.

Is that truly all?

Yeah... Maybe I am worried about all of you... Just a bit. But not much else. Why? Did you think there was something else going on?

I thought it would cause no harm to ask. After all, there are some things you are able to discuss with me that you are unable to mention to anyone else.

Right... No, it's not about that. Nothing big is going on. Thanks for worrying, though.

Of course.

*Korekiyo suddenly pauses, glancing over his shoulder.*

Is something wrong?

No. I believe my mind may be deceiving me. I thought I may have heard footsteps behind us.

*They continue walking.*

*Chiaki's eyes dart back and forth quickly to check if anyone is watching, before she makes her way towards Korekiyo.*

D-Do you need something?

I wish to speak with you. I would have done so during breakfast, but I thought it best to ask in a more private setting.

Hm... Are you hanging out in the library after this?

I have not yet decided. However, if you would like to join me there, I would welcome the opportunity to observe you further.

Then we can talk on the way there. There was something I wanted to ask you about, anyway. But we can talk about whatever you need first.

Kehehe... Excellent.

*The pair begin to head towards the library, out of sight of the crowd spilling out of the hotel.*

*People begin to clear out of the restaurant, one by one.*

Remember to find me if you need anything, everyone! Love love!

*Chiaki starts to leave.*

Hey, Nanami.

Oh, good morning Hoshi-Kun. Do you need something?

Just wondering where Tojo is. Haven't seen her yet.

Oh, she's in the kitchen. She's probably cleaning up right now after making breakfast.

Got it. Thanks.

*Ryoma walks away without another word.*

(Good... I'll have to ask him how their talk went later.)

(... Huh?)

*As Chiaki exits the building...*

*She finds herself being beckoned away from the crowd.*

Why do you guys have to make it sound dirty?

Hey, guys!

Good morning, Akamatsu-San!

Hey, Akamatsu! Wanna sit with us?

I was just about to ask if I could, actually!

The seat across from me is open. You can take that one, I guess.

Thanks!

*Kaede sits with the trio.*

Hey guys...

Geez, Makiroll. You weren't kidding.

Whatever. Shuichi, what were you up to last night, anyway?

Akamatsu-San and I were finally able to catch up.

Dude, you could've left us yesterday during the day to do that. I wouldn't have been mad if you left for a couple hours to go hang out with other people. Would've saved you some sleep.

My sidekicks are allowed to have other friends, y'know!

I know, I just... I hadn't seen you in a while.

I missed you.

Oh, sure. How do you make a hormone?

If memory serves, hormones are made through the endocrine systems in the human body. So... Through an endocrine gland?

... You don't pay her.

Oh...

*Hotel Restaurant, morning.*

Good morning, Iruma-San!

Mornin'!

---

Say, where's Shuichi?

He's coming. I woke him up by knocking on his door earlier. He said he stayed up late last night, so he got less sleep than usual.

Well, a good meal should wake him up!

---

Chiaki, are you okay? You look tired...

Yeah, I'm fine... Just...

*Yawn!*

Just one of those nights where it's hard to sleep, y'know?

Oh... Well, let Gonta know if he can do anything to help Chiaki! True gentlemen always help friends!

Thank you, Gonta. I'll keep it in mind.

-Hope Anon.

*Sigh...*

Yeah, I think I need to...

*THUMP!*

*Not even bothering to finish her sentence, she flops onto her bed.*

*All over the archipelago, a silence slowly falls over the island as the moon rises over the water.*

I don't think the answers to these questions matter right now, guys. And they probably won't answer, anyway.

What matters is that I have a lot more work to do. I'm already so sleepy...

(The AI...? What kind of brain hacking are they capable of d-)

Anyways, that's all I wanted to tell you. You have 14 days, and we'll be keeping a close watch on you. I'll check back in with you at some point in the next few days, just to make sure everything is going smoothly.

I... Um... Okay.

Alright, then. Take care!

*BZZZT!*

*And just like that... They're gone.*

B-But... That's barely any time for them to heal...

Nonsense! That's plenty of time. You should be more than capable of setting them up for success. If you feel like you can't do it, then-

N-No! I can! Just... Just be patient.

We will. And we'll be watching closely. You're being monitored on all sides to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Wh-What do you mean, 'on all sides'?

Oh, darling... We can see everything. We have eyes everywhere. Every TV screen... The AI... The anons...

Yes. Well, not all of it. I don't work alone. We've all been watching.

Do... Do you all need something? Is something wrong?

Oh, no. Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to inform you that we have a specific time limit set for you now. You have two weeks before everyone needs to leave here and be released to their families.

Just two weeks?! 14 days?!

Yes. And that's all you're getting. Sundown on day 14, everyone is going home. Plain and simple.