Volume 8 - CH 12

Tsugaru Madoka’s Seriousness

That day, Madoka and I are having another meeting to discuss the game’s story.

Naturally, our meeting place was the same old riverbank.

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“What’s up with you lately? I feel like you’ve been avoiding me you know?”

“It’s, it’s just your imagination…….”

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I talked with her a few times since the time she suddenly started crying. That said, calling them a full conversation would be a stretch.

Even today, I expected her not to come but she just showed up like nothing happened.

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“Anyway, let’s talk about the story development from now on.”

“Yeah, alright. About that though, the route we have to deal with this time is pretty dangerous don’t you think…….”

“Yes. [Compensation for Weakness] right.”

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After entering high school, the route we should tackle first is [Compensation for Weakness]. 

No matter how I think about it that girl’s Gift is just insane.

Thinking about it normally, she should be dealt with as soon as possible.

……still.

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“Madoka…….”

“Nn?”

“I’ve been thinking that we should leave [Compensation for Weakness] alone for the time being.”

“……Haa!?”

“There’s a possibility that Takeru will lose his life in [Moon&Bell] route so I think an intervention is necessary. On the other hand, [Compensation for Weakness] is…….”

“Why!? You even said that her Gift is too dangerous right!?”

“It’s exactly because it’s dangerous that I’m saying we should stay away from her.”

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Madoka lost her composure and I argued back.

She seems to be quite fond of this route but does she honestly think that she and I are enough to handle it alone?

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“Her Gift is a Pandora’s box, you know that right……”

“That may be so but if no one enters her route then that girl will definitely die you know!? In a way, she’s the same as Emi isn’t she!”

“Her death was caused by Hideyori’s intervention. So, if I don’t get involved with her, she should have no problem staying alive for the next three years.”

“But you can’t say for sure that her Gift won’t harm others, can you!? Besides, it’s more than likely that she might end up dying if we left her alone right!”

“……..”

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No good, the current Madoka has lost sight of our main objective.

I knew that she was going to be like this so I have never suggested leaving the girl alone before.

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“What is our objective?”

“……eh?”

“It’s for us to survive right? Until the end of the game. I saved Eien-chan because helping her would also break my death flag. But this time there’s no need for me to do anything isn’t it.”

“Th, That’s true but……”

“Contrary speaking, I would be putting Madoka and everyone’s lives in danger by getting involved with her. That’s why I’m scared……… I don’t want to die after all…….”

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I don’t want to lose anyone.

The useless protagonist, the foul-mouthed Madoka, Sakuya who didn’t even show up in the game, the one who’s already supposed to be dead Yurika, and Emi whose fate was doomed to die.

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I want everyone to survive this cursed world.

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“Do you still want to intervene even when we have the choice to not get involved and risk our lives?”

“……I want to save her. I don’t want to ignore the life that can be saved. I know that it’s selfish……… but please, save her.”

“Why do you want to save her that much? Is there a reason? Or is it just a whim? Let me hear what you are thinking, Madoka.”

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The heroines of the first game are Yoru Hiru, Juumonji Risa, Miyamura Towa, Mishima Haruka, and Fukamori Mizuki.

……But, Yoru’s route is a normal ending that leads players to the second game, a sequel.

That’s why Yoru can be left alone.

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Mishima Haruka, the heroine of [Compensation for Weakness] is an inconsequential character who has almost no role to play other than inside her own route.

She does have a small role to play in the second game but it was the same for Risa, Towa, and Mizuki. Simply put, Haruka only appears in the common route at the beginning and her own route.

In a sense, aside from the scenario dedicated to her, she’s a character with even less presence than Emi who’s a character that would go off and die on her own without the player knowing.

That’s why I thought that not interfering with her would be the correct choice.

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“…….in my previous life, someone I loved died.”

“Un.”

“I couldn’t do anything……he died……while I was in bed……”

“……Un”

“…..that’s why I don’t want to abandon someone that can be saved. And this is the world of the game he liked so I want everyone to have a happy ending! So……, please…….save her, Akechi-kun…….”

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Madoka lowered her head to me.

Seriously, why do I have to save someone for a man I don’t even know?

Ahh, damn it, what a pain…….

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The determination I had to not get involved with the game’s characters is already up in smoke.

That said, the moment I made that determination, I immediately encountered Emi though.

Since then, it seems like I’ve developed a constitution where I attract the game’s characters like a magnet.

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“Alright, I will do it. Let’s save Mishima Haruka.”

“Akechi-kun…..”

“Seriously, why do I have to……”

“You said that but you actually want to save her right? You just wanted to test me weren’t you?”

“…….who knows.”

“You’re sulking now. Embarrassed that I can read you?”

“……..shut up.”

“So you have a cute side to you too, Akechi-kun.”

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Madoka looks at me with a grin.

I couldn’t stand it anymore so I get up.

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“Oh? Leaving already?”

“[See you later].” (TLN: It’s in English)

“Bye. You suddenly speak English so that was a surprise though.”

“It’s on purpose.”

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I turned back and started walking.

I’ve been caught up in her rhythm all day today.

Fed up, I decided to go home.

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“…….it’s impossible right.”

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[[He died……while I was in bed……]]

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She meant that he died while she was normally asleep right?

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She didn’t mean that he died while she was stuck in bed after a surgery right?

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“……….Haa.”

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I’m really fed up with myself for trying to link everything to Kurusu-san.

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Author Note: Route list for the first [Breaking the Chain of Sadness].

Please see the below recommended capture order.

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Juumonji Risa’s Route

[Forbidden Love]

*Available from the start.

*Recommended first capture target.

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Mishima Haruka’s Route

[Compensation for Weakness]

*Available from the start.

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Fukamori Mizuki’s Route

[Moon&Bell]

*Available after one capture.

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Miyamura Towa’s Route

[The Birdcage Girl]

*Available after two captures.

*Available second to last.

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Yoru’s Route

[Chain of Sadness]

*Since it’s actually a normal ending, Takeru will not be tied to anyone.

*The route leads directly to the sequel.

*Available after capturing Miyamura Towa.

*Akechi Hideyori survives in this route.