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The end of another loop. The first time you’ve experienced it, a Gnosia victory.
The fact that it all feels like business as usual is almost more unsettling than the euphoria of returning Humans to Gnos. But it is business as usual, and all that’s left is mopping up.
I sort of understand why everything ends when the number of Gnosia equals the number of Humans, now…
It’s simple maths. Comet can handle Yuriko, and while you handle Setsu. Simultaneous elimination too fast for anyone to warn LeVi. The D.Q.O still in standby; none the wiser.
LeVi can detect the number of Gnosia infectees, but a Human, a Doctor, needs to confirm if any have been frozen… Is that because of the compromise? Is that why the ship hasn’t detonated?
You tugged at your fringe, thinking it all out. Stalling, really. Despite what Setsu once told you, this is the first time you’ve has had to face them openly as Gnosia. You played your role to the best of your ability, but…
But thinking wouldn’t fill your Keys – only talking, learning, confirming knowledge will.
Don’t doubt – and know.
Is that what it’s supposed to mean?
With a sigh, dismissing your lingering reluctance, you slide open the door to Setsu’s chosen cabin.
“Sorry. You guessed wrong.”
You speak flatly and to the point, eyes flashing red. You’re not exactly sure how you manage that, it just… seems to be one of those things Gnosia know, inherently. But— you pull a hand away from fiddling with the back of your hair. That doesn’t feel like an answer the Key would want...
“Sorry.” You repeat. Setsu sits up on their bunk, as though waiting for something. Somehow, they don’t even seem shocked.
“...You played well. I didn’t realise at all.”
That was all.
Curt and… wistful. A sad smile in Setsu’s eyes you haven’t seen since… since you thought you’d escaped. Setsu must be used to winning and losing by now. A flat reaction like that is just…
Setsu shifts forwards slightly, that sense of expectation still with them. They narrow their eyes, teasing out information, before finally seeming to decide on something.
“Yuri. Are you here to send me to Gnos?” They ask, as evenly as before.
You stop yourself from fumbling with the door’s control panel behind you, almost committing to just leaving, and ending this loop with Comet like you’d planned on.
But Setsu deserved an explanation.
“...N-no. No. There’s no point.” Is this too selfish? You wonder while you force the words out, your bangs covering your eyes. “There’s no point in doing that. Since, since we both reset…”
You’ve experienced being eliminated by the Gnosia already. It wasn’t like being sent anywhere, the loop just began anew. “S-so, even if you tell me to fulfil my role as Gnosia, there’s no point…” Because even with that nagging desire to save the Humans from physical flesh, they were both...
You can’t save Setsu like this. So just keep looking down, at nothing.
But Setsu mutters something you didn’t catch. Your eyes shoot back up. “H-Huh!?”
“...Nah, it’s better if you didn’t hear.” Setsu replied, apparently not being able to look right at you either. That sad smile didn’t get any brighter. “We’re out of order so… it’s a little awkward.”
A-awkward how? You feel, undeniably, a little flush.
Setsu breaks the silence before you can really ask.
“Well. I think I understand what you wanted to tell me. We probably don’t have much more time to chat, just so you know.” Setsu’s Key creeps up their arm and into their palm. Had talking just now filled it, at least? “You sort of get a feel for how long it should last, after a while.”
Wait. Come to think of it.
“...Shouldn’t it have happened by now? Doesn’t it usually—” Setsu motions you to stop with a finger held up, dismissing their Key at the same time.
“If I tell you, we really will be out of time.” Setsu smiled, a little more knowingly. “I can explain my theory if there’s nothing else you need to do in this world.”
“Y-Yeah, I’ll…” You can’t explain why, exactly, but your mood seems to lift at the exact same time as Setsu’s. “I do. I made a promise.”
One I can’t keep. But, Comet should still be able to fulfil her dream!
You nod, confirming your choice to yourself, shuffling around to work the door’s panel. “But I’ll ask again, later. Or figure it out myself!” This wasn’t some executioner’s meeting, even as enemies, Setsu’s still your partner.
You shoot them one last look, one last smile, one last “thank you!” over your shoulder, before running for the bridge.
“Last”, but only for now. Even out of order, you’d meet again. You practially slammed into the back wall of the elevator.
Setsu almost knew what I said before I said it. And… we both cheered up at the same time. I’m just, so glad we met...
There was something wordless between you two. You picked up on each-other so quickly because nobody else knew what the loops were like. Even as enemies. Even as enemies!
That means my words are more important somewhere else, right? Did you know that much?
This was Comet’s only world. You’d see her again, but you wouldn’t meet her again.
It’s messed up! But, that’s exactly why she needs to know I’m sorry… There’s still time!
Setsu was right. You somehow have a feeling you’ll have just enough time to say everything.
And then, when you meet again, you’ll have to ask them why you’re both so sure.