Chapter IV: At Last, Johann Geistmann Awakens

In the blink of an eye, she pushes my head to the ground and stomps on me with all her strength. Her attack was so swift that I couldn't even think of reacting.

"How dare you insul-" she stops mid-sentence and ceases stomping on me. "Hey, this word... do we really not know each other? Somehow, you seem familiar to me, and now this word sounds even more common," she steps back a few paces.

Does she also feel like she knows me? I thought only I could access future experiences. Perhaps we're all susceptible to this as long as we find the correct mental trigger.

I assumed this insult was her favorite or something of the sort. Unfortunately, I was mistaken, resulting in my face being smashed and covered in dust because I offended her. But on the other hand, I managed to advance significantly in communicating with her.

All right, then. "Mistkerl" must have some connection to me. In this context, and considering her toxic personality, this insult can only mean one thing.

"I believe that's the nickname you'd give me. Maybe the premonition is affecting you, too, but on a smaller scale. Do you believe me now?" I ask as I stand up.

"Not much. It still sounds like a very absurd explanation. But I admit I'm curious to hear more of what you have to say," she leans against one of the walls and sharpens her gaze at me. "So, what do you want from me?"

Okay, I'm making progress. Now, I can ask her directly about this reality.

"Since you recognized information only a player should know, I can presume you're also a player, correct?"

"Don't answer my question with another question."

"All right, I'll assume you are a player. So, I'd like to propose an alliance with you."

"And what would I gain from allying with you? From my perspective, you appear to be nothing more than dead weight. How could you possibly help me?"

Not surprising. A response filled with depreciation toward me. Indeed, this is the same Ailiss from my premonitions; it couldn't be otherwise. Strangely enough, I feel so comforted talking to her. Even amidst so many insults, I feel a strong sense of nostalgia. My brain is increasingly flooded with information and feelings regarding her.

"Indeed, I must admit I'm nothing compared to a professional assassin like you. But I believe having a player by your side is at least advantageous. There's nothing to lose, and perhaps one of my premonitions might help you at some point."

"A professional assassin? You're aware of this, and yet you came to me? I see your supposed premonitions provide accurate information, like my occupation. Indeed, everything you're saying is extraordinary, but phrased this way... Cooperation with you doesn't seem like a bad idea after all."

I think I finally convinced her. For now, I'm no longer at risk of losing my life. Approaching someone like her was a rather terrifying experience, but everything turned out well in the end. If I draft a script based on my premonitions and follow it strictly, I think there's no way it could go wrong.

"So, can we say we're officially allies from now on?" I ask, relieved.

She sits on a table in the storage room, crosses her legs, and thinks for a few seconds before reluctantly replying.

"You could say so, but I need to clarify some points first," she begins listing her conditions, counting on her fingers one to three. "If I sense any attempt at betrayal, I will kill you. If you hide any crucial information, I will kill you. And if abandoning you is convenient, I won't hesitate."

Apparently, things didn't turn out as well as I thought. This alliance proposal is so one-sided that I'm not even sure it could be classified as one. But there's not much to complain about. Having her working alongside me is already a win.

"That's fine with me," I reply, smiling amicably.

"You're accepting such a unilateral agreement so easily?"

"So you're also aware of the absurdity of what you're proposing? But as I said, I accept."

"Interesting... I thought you'd at least try to negotiate regarding my last consideration," she looks at me, surprised.

I feel that would typically be the course of action I'd take. However, this situation is different. Even though I am aware that I'm making unfounded decisions, I can't help but surrender to this anomaly.

"Would opposing you achieve anything?" I ask. "I'm sure you wouldn't budge on even one condition of this servitude proposal."

"In that regard, you're correct. Still, I'm surprised you accepted so readily."

"If I didn't 'know' you, I'd definitely resist. It's an absurd proposal, at the very least. However, I do know you and trust you completely."

"If you knew me so well, you'd know not to trust me blindly. Didn't you hear what I said? From now on, you're merely a tool for me."

Even if that's the case, I no longer care.

"If that were true, you probably wouldn't expose yourself this way. And in any case, what benefits you automatically benefits me. What I want most is to help you escape from here; that's my goal."

She stares at me thoughtfully for a few seconds, then starts laughing lightly and comments.

"I don't know if I stomped too hard on your head or if you're just insane. But either way, Mistkerl, you're indeed a very intriguing person."

"With that settled, I'd like to address another topic regarding our alliance," I approach her.

"As long as it's not about your submission to me, what would it be?" she returns to a serious demeanor.

Given her suspicious nature, I'm unsure how she'll take this kind of proposal. However, it's something I need to inform her about now, as the sooner she's aware of the president, the better.

"The inclusion of a third member in our alliance. In fact, it's something present in my premonitions. Just as I foresaw meeting you, I also saw her as our ally."

"And who would this person be? Is she trustworthy?" she rests her face in one hand.

"In truth, I've spoken with her only a few times, and my premonitions were more focused on you. So, I'd like to talk with her a bit before introducing her. After all, I must also convince her to help us with the game."

Not to mention that persuading her won't be an easy task.

"Fine, I'll leave that to you. I'll decide later if she's suitable as an ally or not."

Did she agree so quickly? I could say I'm surprised. Perhaps luck has started to turn in my favor.

"All right. I'll try to talk with her as soon as possible. Maybe I'll have convinced her by tomorrow morning, so I'll give you an update by the end of the day."

However, based on the information I got from Haruki, it's not so easy to approach the president. But just like my conversation with Ailiss, perhaps luck will flow in my favor again, as our meeting future has already been set.

"Anything else for me?" I ask.

"For now, nothing. My plans didn't include your presence, so I must reassess how we'll proceed from here. Tomorrow, once you've completed your other task, I'll give you and this other ally instructions. For now, you're dismissed."

"Understood. I'll return to the main block, and if I discover anything else through my premonitions, I'll report it," I bid her farewell and make my way through the debris back to the surface.

9:09 PM

"Lights out in a moment! Make sure you're ready before I return!" orders Takashi.

"Man, it's earlier than yesterday. It's like we're at a boarding school," whispers Shou.

"Yeah, this way, I won't finish my light novel in time," Manabu replies.

Apparently, they're not happy about this, but I find these rules excellent for resting.

It's been a very productive day. I managed to ally with Ailiss, which is already halfway there. Now, I just need to figure out who the third player is and try to explain the situation to the president. I believe the student council can help us with this matter.

"Hey, Johann."

My ears simply filter out Manabu and Shou's attempts to get my attention as I continue recalling the information I gathered during the afternoon.

This premonition ability is precise. Her face, eyes, and hair were exactly as in my dream. However, the emotional aspect surprises me the most; when I looked directly at her, I was overwhelmed by feelings likely to bloom in the future.

"Jocchi, are you listening to us?" Shou waves his hand systematically in front of my eyes.

Yet, what is this sensation filling my chest? My curiosity about these flashes and déjà vus initially drove me to her. However, after a brief conversation, I care more about her safety than I've ever cared about anyone else, not even myself, to the point where I accepted that absurd proposal without hesitation. It's all so strange I can barely comprehend it.

Thinking about this girl, whom I supposedly just met, fills me with so much affection. Could it be that I'm already feeling...

"Wake up, Johann! Please, show some sign of life," Shou interrupts my thoughts, shaking me intensely.

"Stop that! Are you crazy?!" I retort.

What are these fools doing? I can't even think in peace.

"Don't yell at us! You were completely still; we thought you were unwell!" Shou responds, shouting.

"Don't jump to conclusions. I was just concentrating on something," I reply, pushing them away.

"Hey, what's all this shouting about?! Didn't I tell you to get ready for bed?!" Takashi enters the dormitory, complaining.

"Sorry," says Shou, returning to his sleeping bag.

Day 3

7:58 AM

Ailiss.

Mikoto.

These two names keep flowing through my thoughts without pause. This timeless emotional bond I have with them becomes more evident.

I wake up once again from a tumultuous and intense mental confusion. Objectively, I discover nothing more relevant to put into practice. The setting where I was with them remains quite hazy; I only know that I need to bring them together for us to have any chance of winning this game.

From my premonitions in dreams, I only saw some flashes of future events, such as my interaction with the student council president, Yukihara Mikoto.

Obviously, the background is the council room itself, which doesn't provide any new information. Thus, it only reinforces my thesis that I need to go there to talk to her, just as I did with Ailiss yesterday afternoon.

However, the most relevant point I could extract from this future projection experience is undoubtedly the emotional aspect. It's pretty confusing; it's so strange to feel this way. Not only because I've never had these kinds of emotions but because they emerged so abruptly.

It's hard to believe that my feelings for her blossomed through my dreams without even speaking to Mikoto. At the same time, I also became more aware of Ailiss.

I don't know exactly what kind of relationship we'll have in the future, as I remember calling her by her first name instead of her title.

But one thing is sure: I'll fall in love for the first time throughout the game. And curiously, with two girls at the same time...

It's reached the point where I simply ignore the possibility of it being something implanted in me, which, rationally speaking, seems like the most likely hypothesis. How could I develop such strong feelings due to premeditated future events? However, whether it's false or legitimate has become irrelevant.

"Jocchi, you're even stranger than yesterday... Are you sure you're okay?" Manabu comments, approaching me.

Strange? Maybe so... I've been staring into space since I woke up. I think I should hide this new "me," as revealing such a change could create a series of implications. I don't know to what extent my wrong actions might steer me off the course of my premonitions, and this would greatly hinder my plans.

"I already said it's not what you're imagining. Stop assuming I'm thinking about girls."

"I didn't even bring that up; you're the one saying it," he replies suspiciously.

Indeed, I'm so used to this being the type of interruption caused by him and Shou that I already assumed it was the case.

"Anyway, I'm just being thoughtful. And you should be too... this isn't a camp. We're risking our lives; it's a very serious situation. Don't you remember what happened to Asahi and the teacher the day before yesterday?"

Yes, it's essential to keep this in mind. We're all in danger. They're the crazy ones for dismissing this cold fact. I'm perfectly normal in thinking about what's best for my two precious loves.

"If you say so... fine."

"Ah, finally, Johann's back to normal?" Shou enters the dormitory, stops, and comments when he sees me.

I think I should proceed by maintaining my typical response pattern. Well, it's a bit harder to mimic oneself than it seems.

"I've always been perfectly normal. You're the ones who are losing it. Then again, you were never very sane."

"In any case, you'd better get out of here quickly. The vice president is coming back to scold anyone still in the dormitory."

True, I almost forgot about that problematic guy. The feeling that he'll be a nuisance in the near future grows stronger.

"Man, Shoucchi, you should've warned me earlier," Manabu starts packing his things desperately.

"What a pain. Even Kaichou isn't acting this way in the girls' dormitory."

As they mentioned, even without any incident occurring, Takashi's rigidity surpasses Mikoto's. This is possibly due to his veneration for her, making us natural enemies.

However, another possible situation came to mind. Takashi might be the third player. By reprimanding the masses in this way, he might gain some advantage in concealing his position in the game.

In either case, the consequences become obvious. Sooner or later, we'll enter into conflict.

As a player, he needs to be eliminated for Ailiss and me to survive, while I also see him as a potential threat to Mikoto. Otherwise, I admit, I'll have to face him purely out of spite because I don't want him near her.