Regrets, Restarts, and Forgiveness

Chapter 12

My eyes widened, as did Gonta's. Keebo looked beyond shocked at Miu's words. "W-What?! What do you mean?!" He said. Miu spat up, a few more tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Do I have to spell it out for ya, dumbass? I'm done inventing. I never seem to be able to get anything right. And even when I'm done with an invention it's fucking useless. So, why keep bothering?" Miu explained.

"B-But....you love inventing!" Keebo stated.

Miu didn't answer. Instead she tossed the tool aside. Gonta and I watched as Keebo tried again and again to convince Miu to not give up. After a few minutes.....it was getting too much for me to watch.

"Kokichi....what we do?" Gonta asked. I didn't answer. Instead I looked away and started to walk back to the dormitory.

"Kokichi! Where you going?" Gonta called, running after me.

"You heard her. She's done. And if Keebo can't convince her, how the hell are we supposed to?" I stated. "But...." Gonta said. I ignored him and walked to the academy....alone.

*    *    *    *

It should be quite obvious that Miu was very quiet at dinner. She had her gaze fixed on her plate, but didn't bother to eat. She just stared at it soullessly. She didn't even touch her utensils. Her depression didn't go unnoticed.

"Miu, what's the matter? You're so quiet today." Tsumugi said. Miu didn't respond. She didn't even look up.

"Miu? Come on, you can tell us what's wrong." Kaede insisted, sharing a friendly smile. But Miu didn't even acknowledge her. I didn't feel comfortable at the table, knowing I was the reason she was like this.

I decided to stand up, gently pushing my plate away. Kirumi looked at me surprised. "Hmm? Have you finished already? Was the food not to your liking, Kokichi?" She asked.

"Since when is your food ever bad," I said with a smile, "no, I'm just not hungry. But would you mind saving my leftovers for me?"

Kirumi nodded and I left the dining hall, earning a few puzzled glances behind me.

However, somehow, I felt as if someone was glaring at me from behind, but I didn't check.

*    *    *    *

I had returned to my room, writing down a few notes on my note book. Mostly about Miu's inventions, and what could be useful in the future. Although I doubt we'd need something like a Virgin Detector.

"....no. I'm done inventing."

Those same words echoed in my head, and it was bugging the shit outta me. I knew I wasn't wrong, those were some easy fixes with those machines.....but, did I go to far?

Well, I mean I've done much worse things to her before. Called her names, insulted her.....

"I'm sorry! B-But I don't have a choice!" My eyes widened as different words began to echo in my head.

"I can't die here! I still need to invent something that will change the world! I have to!" I had dropped my note book and my pen, remembering that scene.....

Taking off my helmet, seeing the girl sitting on her seat.....with dead eyes, and grasping onto her throat.

A knock at my door snapped me out of my thoughts, making me gasp sharply. I practically jumped onto my feet, reaching out to grab the door knob....till I noticed my hands were trembling.

I'm panicking. Over a stupid memory.

"That happened in the past. In the first time line. Miu is still alive. They all are. The killing game hasn't started...." I took a deep breath, put on a smile, and swung open the door.