Chapter Text
Time Skip
00:00:00
—
The theater settled into a familiar rhythm again, soft red seats, low chatter, the faint sound of snacks being unwrapped.
Trey leaned back slightly, glancing toward the blank screen. “I wonder what’s next.”
Riddle, already halfway through a strawberry tart, didn’t even look up. “Considering what we watched yesterday, it will likely be unpleasant.”
He took another bite, plate balanced neatly on his lap, several more tarts arranged with care.
Cater held his phone close, almost protectively. “I just hope I can actually take pictures this time. The last one was so depressing, I barely got anything.”
Ruggie, digging through the chair’s hidden snack compartment like he owned the place, glanced sideways. “Are you really gonna sleep through this again?”
Leona didn’t bother opening his eyes.
“If I can, yes. Watching nonsense is a waste of energy.”
He shifted deeper into the chair, fully committed to doing absolutely nothing.
Behind Trey and Riddle, Floyd leaned forward, grinning. “Hey, Goldfishie… Can I have one?”
His hand barely got close before—
Smack
Riddle didn’t even hesitate. “Do not touch them.”
Floyd pulled his hand back with a wince, rubbing it.
“So stingy…”
Silver sat quietly beside him, posture straight but relaxed, eyes half-lidded.
To his right, Lilia casually munched on an apple he’d apparently acquired from the indoor garden like that was completely normal.
Kalim happily snacked away, completely unbothered. “This is fun! It’s like a movie night!”
Jamil, sitting next to him, sighed. “If you ignore the part where we don’t choose anything, yes.”
Ace suddenly struck a dramatic pose. “You know, in the last universe, Juice was my wife.”
Deuce physically recoiled.
“Don’t remind me. And it’s Deuce, not Juice!”
Ace waved him off.
“Details.”
“I will correct you every time.”
Epel crossed his arms, clearly not thrilled. “I don’t wanna see another version of me.”
Jack nodded. “That would be ideal.”
Vil tilted his head slightly, composed as ever. “At the very least, we are not the ones experiencing those events firsthand. Be grateful.”
Rook clasped his hands together, eyes gleaming.
“Ah, but monsieur Vil… even across worlds, your beauty remains absolute! That alternate version of you—magnifique! A radiance that transcends even reality itself!”
Vil didn’t respond, but the faintest hint of approval showed in his posture.
Azul adjusted his glasses, expression tight. “I, for one, found my counterpart… deeply unpleasant.”
Jade smiled faintly. “I share that sentiment.”
Sebek suddenly straightened, voice booming like he was addressing an entire army instead of a room.
“WAKA-SAMA’S COUNTERPART WAS A BEING OF IMMENSE POWER AND DIGNITY—A TRUE RULER WORTHY OF ABSOLUTE REVERENCE—”
Ace immediately clamped his hands over his ears. “Why are you yelling?! I’m right here!”
Malleus gave a small nod. “Thank you, Sebek. However, there is no need to raise your voice.”
Sebek snapped to attention. “My apologies, Waka-sama!”
Yuu leaned forward slightly, eyes fixed on the blank screen. “I can’t wait…” they murmured under their breath. “…maybe I’ll learn something about my old world.”
Grim stretched out across the seat. “Nyaa… I’m hungry.”
Yuu didn’t even look at him.
“You ate tuna twenty minutes ago.”
Grim turned his head. “And?”
Idia slouched dramatically, clearly suffering. “Can this hurry up? I was in the middle of a game.”
Ortho smiled politely. “I would also like to return soon. I was halfway through the library’s mechanical archives.”
Riddle finally paused, looking thoughtful. “…Last time, I was given the screen to choose. I wonder if it will appear again.”
Right on cue a soft glow flickered into existence.
But not in front of Riddle.
It hovered gently… over Jade’s lap.
Jade tilted his head, amused. “Oh?”
Jamil leaned forward slightly. “That’s different. Didn’t Riddle get it last time?”
“Perhaps it rotates,” Azul suggested.
“Or it is entirely random,” Jade added, already scrolling through a long list of numbered entries.
Yuu leaned forward, attempting to get a glance. “Riddle picked number 492, right?”
“Yes,” Riddle confirmed.
Jade paused. “…I see.”
His finger hovered for just a second longer than necessary.
Then he tapped on #729
The screen shows a younger version of Kalim singing.
Kalim:
Oh my Clematis
Hope bloomed from the abyss
Kalim shot upright so fast he nearly knocked over his snacks.
“OMS!!! That’s me!”
Yuu blinked, leaning forward slightly. “Wow… small Kalim.”
Cater had his phone up instantly. “Okay, wait—this is adorable.”
click click click
“I’m keeping all of these.”
Ruggie squinted at the screen. “He looks exactly the same… just shorter.”
Leona didn’t even open his eyes. “Annoying, regardless of size.”
Kalim turned, offended. “Hey!”
Azul adjusted his glasses, watching carefully. “I must admit, his singing is quite refined.”
Floyd leaned over the seat, grinning. “Heh, Sea otter got a decent voice. Didn’t expect that.”
Riddle nodded once. “At least he maintains proper posture while performing.”
Trey glanced at him. “That’s your takeaway?”
Silver watched in silence, calm as ever. “It’s… nice.”
Grim frowned at the screen. “Is this one of those things where singing gets you food?”
Yuu didn’t even hesitate. “No.”
Grim slumped. “Then I don’t care.”
Idia groaned, dragging a hand over his face. “If this turns into a musical, I’m done. I didn’t sign up for rhythm game trauma.”
Ortho tilted his head. “You enjoy rhythm games.”
“That’s different. That’s controlled suffering.”
A younger Silver is shown approaching Kalim from behind. He seemed to have longer hair.
Silver:
Oh my Clematis
Always be by my side
Silver blinked. “…It’s me.”
Lilia leaned forward instantly, eyes lighting up in a way that was just a little too delighted.
“OMS, Silver. You were absolutely adorable.”
He rested his cheek against his hand, smiling faintly.
“It brings back memories… you used to look just like that.”
Silver watched the screen quietly, something softer settling in his expression.
Cater, of course, had already raised his phone again. “Another cutie? This universe is feeding me today.”
Click
“I’m building a whole album at this point.”
Vil glanced at the screen, then at Silver. “The long hair suits you more than I expected.”
On cue, the Silver on screen turned slightly, the length of his hair catching the light.
Malleus spoke, voice calm but certain. “It does. Long hair suits you, Silver.”
Silver turned immediately, posture straightening just a little as he looked toward him.
“Ah… thank you, Malleus-sama.”
Sebek looked like he was about to explode with agreement but visibly held himself back this time, jaw tight with effort.
Floyd leaned over again, squinting. “He looks even sleepier as a kid. Didn’t think that was possible.”
Ruggie snorted.
“He’s got that ‘just woke up from a 12-hour nap’ vibe.”
Silver didn’t deny it.
Silver turns to Kalim and smiles. It changes as them older.
Kalim:
You bloomed from
The huge black wall
Silver:
The galactic starlight
In your eyes spreads out
Vil’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying every detail. “Your outfits are very nice.”
Ace leaned forward, squinting. “Wait… are they performing or something?”
Deuce nodded slowly. “I mean… people don’t usually just sing like that for no reason.”
Yuu tilted their head, watching carefully. “This is another universe. It could be one where we’re all… performers or something.”
Idia groaned quietly. “Great. Idol AU. I knew it. There’s always one.”
Ortho brightened. “That would explain the synchronization and presentation.”
Jamil crossed his arms, gaze fixed on the screen. “That is possible.”
He didn’t sound thrilled.
Kalim, meanwhile, looked like he was about to combust from excitement. “We look so cool!!”
Ruggie snorted. “You look expensive. That’s what you look like.”
Azul adjusted his glasses again, interest clearly piqued now. “A performance-based world would imply structure, hierarchy… competition.”
Floyd grinned. “Ooooh, so like who’s the best singer gets to become king or something?”
“That is not how that works,” Azul said immediately.
Leona cracked one eye open, just enough to glance at the screen. “…If this turns into a full concert, I’m going back to sleep.”
It changes back to them as kids. Silver was in the stream catching a robotic fish. Kalim was laughing his heart out.
Cater practically melted into his seat. “You’re so cute, Kalim!”
Kalim beamed immediately, like praise was oxygen. “Thank you!”
Epel frowned, leaning forward. “Hold on—why is there a fake fish in the water?”
Jade tilted his head slightly, studying the screen with interest. “It resembles a dog toy.”
Ace blinked. “That’s a huge dog toy if it is one.”
Ruggie squinted. “Looks expensive.”
Azul adjusted his glasses, already analyzing. “Mechanical… designed to mimic real movement. Fascinating.”
Floyd leaned over the seat again, grinning. “Heh, it’s like a weird little sea creature. Kinda cute.”
“Do not encourage it,” Azul replied instantly.
In the endless darkness
It changes to Silver running to Kalim showing him a hologram in his hands with the word ‘Pass’. Kalim looked surprised before also showing his hologram which was also ‘Pass’.
Yuu leaned forward slightly, brows knitting together. “‘Pass’? Is it like… getting accepted into something?”
Ace tilted his head. “Like a test result?”
Deuce nodded. “Yeah… like they passed something important.”
Kalim blinked, looking between the screen and his hands like he half-expected something to appear there too. “So we are competing for something?”
Jamil didn’t answer immediately. His gaze stayed fixed forward, more serious now.
“…Seems like it.”
Vil crossed his arms, expression thoughtful. “It would explain why they were performing.”
Rook smiled faintly, eyes gleaming. “Ah… a trial of talent, perhaps. To shine, to be judged, and to be chosen.”
Idia slumped deeper into his seat. “So it is a competition arc. Great. Stakes, pressure, probably drama. I can already feel the secondhand stress.”
Azul adjusted his glasses again, more focused than before. “If there is a selection process, then there must be criteria… and consequences.”
Ruggie clicked his tongue. “Nothing good ever comes from stuff like that.”
Leona, eyes still closed, spoke without moving. “…Tch. Figures.”
I find you with your scent
Even if I fall asleep in eternity
Silver then tackles Kalim to the ground in happiness. It changes back to the older pair, the screen focuses on Kalim singing.
Kalim:
Don’t leave my universe
SilKali:
Oh my Clematis
Hope bloomed from the abyss
The two face each other as they sing. The screen then moves up, showing a score board.
Round 1
Silver VS Kalim
Deuce leaned forward, eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to piece it together. “They are competing.”
Yuu nodded slowly, following the pattern. “Round one…”
Ace frowned, clearly not sold. “Wait, that doesn’t make sense. Aren’t they singing together?”
Riddle didn’t hesitate. “It is likely judged individually. Even if they perform as a pair, the audience may evaluate them separately.”
Ace blinked. “…That’s kinda harsh.”
Jamil crossed his arms. “Not really. That’s how most competitions work.”
Kalim’s earlier excitement dimmed just a little. “So even if we’re together… we’re not really together?”
No one answered that right away.
Azul adjusted his glasses, tone thoughtful. “A cooperative performance with individual outcomes. Efficient… and ruthless.”
Ruggie clicked his tongue.
“Yeah, sounds like a setup where someone gets left behind.”
Rook smiled faintly. “Ah… to shine beside another, yet still surpass. How cruel, and yet, how beautiful.”
Ortho tilted his head. “It encourages both cooperation and competition simultaneously.”
“Yeah,” Ace muttered. “That’s the problem.”
Oh my Clematis
Always be by my side
It shows Silver and Kalim’s profile pictures before changing to a zoom out video of a planet.
Silver:
Do you believe in God?
It zooms into a bunch of spacecraft attacking humanity.
That escalated like it tripped down a staircase and took the whole plot with it.
Ace stared at the screen, then at everyone else like reality had personally offended him.
“Holy mood swing.”
Epel’s eyes lit up in the worst possible way. “Aliens!!”
Ruggie leaned forward, squinting. “Or… hold on. Is that the past?”
Jamil didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t dismiss it either.
“Might be.”
Lilia, of course, looked pleased, because chaos is apparently his comfort food. “Ah, how lovely… war.”
“‘Lovely’?” Deuce looked horrified. “There are literal spaceships attacking people!”
Idia pulled his hood up a little more.
“Yep. Singing competition to existential annihilation. Classic genre mashup. Totally normal pacing. Nothing to see here.”
Azul’s expression tightened, calculating even now. “If this is part of the same world… then their performance may not be mere entertainment.”
“More like propaganda?” Ace said.
“Or morale,” Ortho added quietly.
Kalim looked genuinely shaken now, the earlier laughter completely gone. “That doesn’t feel like the same place at all…”
Jamil glanced at him, expression unreadable. “…It probably isn’t as simple as it looks.”
Silver didn’t react outwardly.
But his grip on the armrest tightened just slightly.
Once upon a time, man believed in Gog and had religion
It then changes to a stage with a human singing at the centre.
They believed that things that cannot be solved by human strength, are the Will of God.
It goes back to Silver and Kalim holding hands as they lay down on the floor.
“Are they together?” Epel did not look even slightly ashamed.
“Epel!” Vil glared at Epel.
Epel just crossed his arms, stubborn. “I’m just saying what it looks like.”
Vil’s gaze snapped to him, sharp enough to cut glass. “And I am saying you should think before you say it.”
Epel huffed, clearly not backing down. “They’re holding hands. Lying down together. Smiling like that. What am I supposed to think?”
Ace leaned over to Deuce, whispering like this wasn’t absolutely everyone’s business.
“He’s got a point.”
Deuce, for once, didn’t immediately argue. “…It does look kinda… close.”
Kalim’s face went red in about two seconds flat. “W-Wait—! It’s not like that! I mean— I don’t know—!”
Jamil pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re not helping your case.”
Ruggie snorted. “Man, different universe, different rules. Maybe over there you two are just like that.”
“Or,” Azul added smoothly, “their bond is simply… deeper than what you’re used to interpreting.”
“Wow, that sounded fancy,” Ace muttered. “Still sounds like he’s saying the same thing.”
Riddle cleared his throat, clearly done with the direction this was going. “Regardless of interpretation, their behavior suggests a strong emotional connection. That is what matters.”
“…He might not be wrong.”
That made the room pause.
Silver didn’t sound embarrassed.
Didn’t sound defensive either.
Lilia’s smile softened, something quieter slipping into it. “My, my… how straightforward.”
Kalim blinked at Silver, still flustered but now more confused than anything. “You really think so?”
Silver turned his gaze back to the screen, voice calm. “We trust each other.”
Believed that the entire universe revolved around the Earth.
Though that the place that connected with the sky, which they could not dare to reach
Was the place where the Gods lived
The screen shows the current world. A human child is seen leashed by an alien with a bunch more aliens walking around in the background.
Riddle’s expression hardened instantly, eyes sharp with disgust. “How despicable.”
Trey exhaled slowly, clearly unsettled. “Treating them as pets… How cruel.”
Ace grimaced, shifting in his seat. “That’s messed up.”
Deuce nodded, jaw tightening. “They’re people.”
Ruggie squinted at the screen, more blunt as usual. “And those aliens are ugly on top of that. They really got the worst combo going.”
“Focus,” Jamil muttered, though his own expression wasn’t exactly calm.
“This isn’t about appearances.”
Yuu stared, trying to make sense of it. “So… humans in that universe are just… entertainment?”
“Or property,” Azul added quietly. “Which is worse.”
Kalim looked genuinely upset now, hands clenching slightly.
“That’s not right… at all.”
“No, it isn’t,” Riddle said immediately, voice firm with that familiar authority. “To strip someone of dignity like that, unforgivable.”
Lilia, unusually quiet until now, finally spoke. “…Most likely.”
Idia shifted, clearly uncomfortable. “So let me get this straight. Idol competition, war, and now humanity gets demoted to… background props in someone else’s alien zoo?”
Ortho’s voice softened. “It suggests a complete inversion of power.”
“Yeah,” Ace muttered. “And we’re on the losing side.”
From the moment humanity left the universe, we all forgot about God.
Younger Silver is shown again looking across the room. Ignoring all the other children practicing, Silver’s eyes focused on younger Kalim singing. Kalim turns to look at Silver before sticking his tongue out, Silver is seen blushing the entire time.
Epel looked way too pleased with himself, like he’d just solved some grand mystery instead of stating the obvious.
“Ha! I was right!”
Vil didn’t even bother looking at him this time. “Do try not to celebrate so loudly over something so… trivial.”
Jamil’s gaze stayed on the screen, expression unreadable but clearly not amused.
“Romance, even in a situation where they’re treated as pets…”
There was a faint edge to his voice now.
“…That complicates things.”
Ruggie leaned back, hands behind his head, already bracing himself. “Why do I feel like this is gonna get worse.”
Sebek snapped immediately, because of course he did. “Do not invite misfortune with such careless words, human!”
Ruggie shot him a look. “Too late, I already did. Also, I’m not human.”
Ace snorted.
“Honestly, at this point, I trust his bad luck instincts.”
Deuce frowned, still stuck on the scene. “But… even like that, they’re still… acting normal.”
“Not normal,” Azul corrected quietly. “Resilient.”
Riddle stared at the screen. “Even in that environment… his focus never wavers.”
“Yeah,” Ace said, softer this time. “Dude’s got tunnel vision.”
But if belief in god is human
If all I can do as a human is to believe….
It changes back to the older Kalim.
My god...
My universe…
Silver and Kalim finish their song and the score board changes numbers
87 : 86
Ace leaned forward like maybe the scoreboard would change if he stared hard enough.
“That’s… way too close.”
Deuce nodded, tense. “They were basically equal…”
“I won.”
Silver’s voice was calm.
.
Like he was stating the weather.
Kalim smiled—easy, bright, almost too easy for someone who just lost. “Good for you.”
Azul adjusted his glasses, already moving past the surface. “I wonder what the prize is.”
Riddle didn’t even blink. “What I am more interested in is the punishment for losing.”
That landed like a brick.
Ruggie let out a laugh that fooled absolutely no one. “Punishment? Don’t be so negative… ha ha… Kalim will just get disqualified.”
Nobody bought it.
Not even himself.
Jamil’s eyes narrowed slightly. “…If it were just a disqualification, they wouldn’t build tension like this.”
“Well that’s comforting,” Idia muttered. “Totally makes me feel better. Definitely not ominous at all.”
Ortho tilted his head. “The score difference is minimal. Yet the outcome is absolute.”
“Yeah,” Ace said quietly. “Win or lose. No in-between.”
Kalim, still watching his other self, frowned just a little now. “Why do I feel like… it’s not over?”
“Because it isn’t,” Azul said.
Vil’s expression had sharpened again, all earlier amusement gone. “Competitions like this rarely end at the announcement.”
Lilia hummed softly, but there was no playfulness in it. “A single point deciding fate… how fragile.”
It shows the audience, a bunch of aliens waving their glowsticks, before changing back to Kalim. It moves to Silver and a bunch of blood splatters on his face. Silver falls to his knees in shock.
Jamil was on his feet before anyone else could even process it. “KALIM—!”
Kalim didn’t move at first.
Like his brain refused to accept what it just saw.
Then, quietly, quickly, he grabbed Jamil’s sleeve and pulled him back down.
“…Sit.”
His voice wasn’t loud.
But it shook.
Jamil froze, tension still wired through him, before slowly sitting back, eyes locked on the screen, jaw tight enough to crack.
Ace swallowed hard. “…Okay. Nope. I don’t like that.”
Riddle’s expression had gone rigid, controlled but clearly furious. “So that is the punishment.”
Ruggie didn’t laugh this time. Not even a fake one. “…Yeah. Guess I was wrong.”
“Not wrong,” Idia muttered. “Just… wildly optimistic in a nightmare scenario.”
Ortho’s voice softened. “The consequence for losing is immediate… and irreversible.”
Epel looked sick. “That’s messed up…”
Lilia’s smile was gone completely now. “…How cruel.”
Oh my Clematis
The screen goes black and changes to the audience cheering at the sight. Silver stares at Kalim’s dead body.
Cater lowered his phone slowly, like even he had limits. “…This isn’t cute anymore.”
Riddle’s voice came out sharp and cold, every bit of restraint barely holding. “Disgusting.”
Deuce looked genuinely disturbed, eyes wide as he stared at the screen. “Why are they cheering?”
No one answered right away.
Because there wasn’t a good answer.
“There is one,” Azul said finally, tone quieter than usual. “To them, this isn’t a tragedy.”
Ace frowned. “…Then what is it?”
“A result,” Azul replied. “Entertainment. A conclusion they paid to see.”
“Yeah, well, that’s sick,” Yuu snapped.
Ruggie crossed his arms, ears twitching slightly. “Told you it was gonna get worse.”
“Not helping,” Epel muttered, still looking a little green.
Hope withered in the abyss
Oh my Clematis
Please stay by my side
A guard comes from behind collaring the shocked Silver.
My Clematis
[Alien Stage]
[Continue?]
Ruggie threw his hands up like the universe personally offended him. “What kind of first video is that!? First they show Silver and Kalim all close, and then—boom—one of them’s dead?!”
Jamil didn’t even look at him. “No need to state the obvious.”
Sebek crossed his arms, trying very hard to stay composed despite everything. “Alien Stage… an interesting name.”
“Interesting?” Ace shot him a look. “That’s what you got from that?!”
Idia didn’t even lift his head. “Doomed yaoi.”
“…You say the weirdest things at the worst times,” Deuce muttered.
Riddle exhaled sharply, still visibly furious. “This entire concept is abhorrent. Reducing lives to spectacle—”
“Yes, we noticed,” Azul cut in quietly. “The question is why.”
“No,” Riddle snapped. “The question is how such a system is allowed to exist at all.”
“Different world,” Ruggie muttered. “Different rules. Still trash, though.”
Kalim finally spoke, voice small in a way that didn’t suit him at all. “…That didn’t feel like a game.”
“No,” Jamil said, softer now. “It didn’t.”
Lilia hadn’t said a word.
Which, frankly, was terrifying.
The usual smile? Gone.
The amusement? Gone.
What was left looked… old.
Cold.
“…Father?” Silver whispered, as he glanced at Lilia.
Lilia didn’t respond.
So Silver reached out and took his hand.
Lilia stilled for a moment.
Then slowly… his fingers curled back.
And when he finally spoke, his voice was light but it didn’t hide anything.
“…How nostalgic.”
Which, coming from him, somehow made it worse than anger.