My Measurement: The Villain Desires a Satisfying Payback

Witnessing Saburou emerge from the colourless void he had torn open in the middle of space in front of us, my eyes widened as I saw the person who followed behind him.

"―Truth."

First was Space, now it's Time?

"We come offering a proposal."

Saburou's words fell on deaf ears. I could already guess what said proposal would entail, and I wanted no part of it.

"Look at you, causing a ruckus in broad daylight. What do you think you're doing, huh?"

"If I were you, I wouldn't bother with the pointless remarks, Truth. You know better than I that the Wardens hold full control of this school; we can act however we please."

"..."

While I would disagree with the 'full control' part, it couldn't be denied that the school had pretty much become part of the Wardens' domain. All the faculty and staff that had been replaced by secret operatives in the past couple of months were only one of the ways they had gained control, and they even had special connections with the headmaster and board of education as a whole.

Of course, I could have taken measures in advance to prevent this, but there was no way I alone could win in a competition of persuasion against the Wardens as an organisation; even if I did, they probably would've simply replaced him with one of their own men.

Still, just because I'm in enemy territory doesn't mean I'm in danger.

They know I have people within the school who are on my side like Sophie Asanami, and they're too pure-hearted to even consider harming innocent students, so they would never attack during the daytime.

A proposal was most likely all they really came here for, but they should have known I was never going to agree to it, so why would they even bother?

"Alright, so why are you even here?"

This time, it was Kiryuuin who stepped forward.

It was the first time seeing him since he "died", and I still have no idea what exactly happened that day.

It was Halloween when we last met; that was also the first time.

But even then, it was such a dramatic change that I could tell.

All I knew...

"Cipher... Please, just take a moment to at least consider what I'm about to say."

―Was that he carried a subtly different air about him since the last time.

"So? What is it?"

I didn't even have to hear what he had to say to know what words were going to leave his mouth, but I don't think they would leave if I didn't at least pretend to listen, so I put up with it for now.

"...You have two options."

Raising a hand, he unfurled his index finger.

"The first is to stop causing trouble unnecessarily. No, even if you think it's necessary, we just don't want you to keep acting the way you have been."

Having wondered if I misunderstood him for a moment, I took a second to process what he was trying to say. Of course, I didn't misunderstand, but what he said was just ridiculous.

"Hah."

I let out a dry laugh.

"...What nonsense."

Perhaps knowing I had no intentions to even think about agreeing to that one, Kiryuuin slowly nodded and unfurled his middle finger.

Even these small actions of his seemed distinctly composed compared to his past self, overly obsessed with justice to the point of irrationality.

Really, what happened during that time...?

"The second option is for you to surrender peacefully and come with us back to the Playground where you will stay for an indefinite length of time. I would please ask you to resign yourself and concede; so that no one will be brought any further harm."

His voice earnest, I got the feeling as if he was pleading with me.

But, you know what, Kiryuuin?

"And if I refuse?"

Those who beg are not in the position to make demands.

"This son of a...! Ugh, see Zack? I told you this fucker wouldn't even care to listen. He's never going to change. Let's just kill him and end it right no--"

"Stop. Cipher... Are you sure that's what you want? There's no need for fighting. Really, I just want to give you the easiest out I can offer you, but if you don't even consider it, then there's nothing I can do to help."

Help?

This guy, has he gone mad? Talking about imprisoning me in that place again, but he claims to want to help me?

I thought what he was saying earlier was nonsensical, but this is truly confusing.

"...Idiotic. Just pure foolishness."

There was no need for me to answer his question, nor to explain my thoughts about his offer.

"A snowflake has a greater chance of surviving in Hell than me accepting your shitty "proposal"."

With his hands on his hips as if he could foresee this outcome from the beginning, Saburou's eyebrows continued to furrow. Beside him, Kiryuuin just gazed at me with a strange look in his eyes.

It felt awful being looked at like that; as if he felt sorry for me, but I didn't want to ask what it was for fear of being disgusted even further. If it turned out the way it seems and he's looking at me with some kind of absurd emotion like guilt, I wouldn't know what to think.

"...Fifteen days."

Then, with a slight hesitation, he opened his mouth once more.

"We'll give you fifteen days to contemplate and decide on your answer. Then, tomorrow in two weeks' time... On that Saturday, be at the Weinstell Civic Park at noon."

I caught Saburou glancing quizzically at Kiryuuin; he made an expression as if getting an idea and spoke to me with the same glare as always.

"That's right. And if you don't come to a decision at that time, or if you decide to reject our proposal..."

Looking at him silently, I thought to myself.

Why do they go this far just to torment me, always?

"―Well, I'm sure you know what we'll have to do in that case."

All of a sudden, it seems a ticking time limit was placed upon me.

❖─────❖─────❖

After Kiryuuin and Saburou left just as dramatically as they had arrived, only me and Sophie remained on the rooftop.

"..."

"...What are you going to do?" She asked.

Running my tongue over my teeth, I pursed my lips and responded simply.

"Prepare."

That was all I could do.

I was only recently hit by such realisations, but the methods I normally choose to apply are ineffective against opponents like the Wardens.

Because they aren't ordinary humans.

Things like guns and bombs are predictable and useless; all I have are the people under my command to utilise.

Someone that can manipulate space, someone that can manipulate time... Undoubtedly, when the fifteen days are up, they'll have prepared many more equally powerful measures to bring an end to my resistance.

What's interesting to note is that Avon Laura didn't make an appearance today.

That likely means this proposal was Kiryuuin's idea, which when thinking back on what he was saying earlier, correlates and probably means he truly wants me to just surrender and give myself up.

I imagine he would have liked to come by himself, but trespassing onto school grounds in broad daylight may have been a prick to his over-exaggerated conscience; plus, using Saburou just makes the whole process smoother.

I still wondered why he was looking at me the way that he was, but there was no answer to be gained there, so I reluctantly forewent thinking any further about it.

In any case, preparation.

There are more than a few things I'd like to do to ensure a win, but I don't think most of them will be ready in two weeks' time, if at all.

I had considered recruiting the Concept of Gravity to my side, as my personal ranking would list him as pretty much equal in strength to Kiryuuin and Saburou individually, but the only problem is that that guy is still being held within the Playground. On top of that, he doesn't seem to have that strong of a desire to leave, so convincing him would prove difficult.

The same went for the Concept of Darkness, who I had considered after being turned down by Light.

Neither were huge losses since I didn't really need them, but I thought it might be nice insurance. Either way, since it doesn't seem likely to bear fruit, I'll put that idea on hold for now.

More importantly than those two, who I don't even know will want to help me after thorough persuasion, I should focus on those who I'm certain will be of use.

First of all, I need to perform a sort of test for Selina when we get home; to determine how useful she'll be in an actual high-stakes battle.

It's something I should have done a long time ago, but I've been foolishly putting it off until now.

I can't afford to wait any longer, however, and if I want to guarantee a win, I'm going to need her to perform at least semi-decently.

Though it might not be apparent, she's that powerful, after all.

So long as I can get her to participate with even 10% of her potential, my chances will improve significantly.

After that, there's... Hm...

A certain character popped into my mind when I thought about how to deal with Saburou. Thinking about it further, it only became that much harder to suppress the corners of my mouth from rising, so I covered it with my hand.

Could be interesting... Alright then, let's do that.

It was an entertaining idea, but also one that seemed like it could work somehow.

Having decided to try it and see how it goes, I called out to the quiet Sophie beside me, who appeared to be waiting patiently for me to finish my thoughts.

"Sophie."

Looking at her, I dropped the hand covering my mouth to reveal my grinning expression.

"What's up?"

Hearing my next words, she thought she had misheard something.

"Would you like to come to a hotel with me?"

"...Fuck, what?"