Episode 15: "The Dream They Want to Fulfill"

Zero
"You appear to be hesitating. I suppose I can give you a few options."

Zero spoke up suddenly.

Yo Kuronaka
"Huh?"

Zero
"You did this often back in the village, did you not? Here, choose."

Three choices appeared before Yo after Zero said that.

Select
"""Create an opening by fighting alongside everyone.""
""Board an undestroyed escape pod.""
""Seek another escape route."""

Yo shook his head, but the options laid out before him didn't disappear.

Tsuki Iroha
"What's wrong, Yo?"

Tsuki glanced over at Yo, expression lined with concern.
From what Yo could tell, he was the only one able to see the options.

Yo Kuronaka
"..."

Yo's mind began to race as he considered the choices Zero had provided for him.

Which option would allow them to escape?

'Create an opening by fighting alongside everyone.'
No, that wouldn't work.
Zero had both the hand-shaped drones and Space Envoy 3 at his disposal; even if everyone fought, it wasn't likely they'd come out victorious.
Any attempt would be repelled by Zero's ability to take them out in one fell swoop. Escape would be impossible.

'Board an undestroyed escape pod.'
Yo's eyes scanned the area to see if any of the escape pods were intact.
But...
That didn't appear to be the case.
Every last one of them had been destroyed in the earlier laser strike.

'Seek another escape route.'
That was the final option.
He briefly considered that they could turn around, go back the way they came, and find another way out.
After a moment, he determined that wouldn't work, either.
Given how quickly the hand drones had stopped Eiji in his tracks earlier, it didn't seem possible to give Zero the slip.

Zero
"Is something troubling you? Could it be that you've already realized none of the options presented are viable?"

The choices began to disappear right before Yo's eyes.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Zero had anticipated this exact outcome.
It was apparent they were still completely under his control.

Yo Kuronaka
"...Damn it!"

Just then, Yo felt the weight of a hand on his shoulder.

Sui Yakumo
"I'm over this."

Sui gently pushed Yo aside and took a step forward.

Sui Yakumo
"Hey, masked bastard! You done yet?"

He glared Zero down, not a hint of fear present in his expression.

Sui Yakumo
"This guy's our oldest friend, and we're takin' him back to Meguro City!
We've got more important things to do there than worry about your stupid-ass games."

Yo Kuronaka
"Sui..."

Tsuki Iroha
"Y-Yeah, he's right!"

Tsuki followed suit, speaking up next.

Tsuki Iroha
"The three of us have our own dreams we're trying to fulfill.
So we don't have time to waste on your games!"

Zero
"Dreams? Do you really believe those to be more important than my games?"

Zero responded, tone incredulous.

Zero
"If that's so, then perhaps I should give you another chance to make a choice."

Yo Kuronaka
"...Another choice?"

Zero
"What is it that you want to do, Yo?
Would you like to play a game with me, or do you choose them?"

To have to make such a choice...

Zero
"Take a moment to consider it thoroughly.
What is it that you truly want, deep within your soul?"

Just as it had happened moments earlier, options appeared before Yo.
This time, he only had two to choose from.

Select
"""Obey Zero.""
""Side with Sui and Tsuki."""

Yo contemplated deeply over the choices that appeared before him.
What should he do?
Well, he knew what choice he wanted to make, but...

Sui Yakumo
"Don't you dare say you don't wanna get us involved."

Sui cut off Yo's thought before he could commit to a response.

Sui Yakumo
"I'll knock you out myself if you say you're gonna go along with this bastard's plans in exchange for our safety."

Tsuki Iroha
"You got that right! You better not say something that lame!"

Tsuki was quick to agree with Sui's assessment.

Yo couldn't help but to let out a chuckle upon hearing that.
He couldn't deny that the thought of doing just that had crossed his mind.
Though he couldn't remember whether or not they'd been friends since they were kids, it was obvious how much they both cared for him.
In his mind, that was reason enough to keep them from being involved.
Yo was the one Zero was targeting, after all.
That was why it seemed like the natural decision.

The both of them saw right through him, however.
It felt to Yo like he was being rescued by them for a second time.

Sui and Tsuki had already gone through the trouble to find him and break him free from where he'd been trapped.
Now, they were fighting for his sake despite the fact that he couldn't recall a single memory of them.

When he considered all of those factors, Yo knew there was only one correct decision to be made.

Yo Kuronaka
"Cut the crap already!"

Yo glared daggers into Zero as he spoke.
No fear lingered in that gaze; they instead shone with the determination to fight.

Yo Kuronaka
"I'm going back to Meguro City with them!"

Tsuki broke into a grin when she heard the conviction in Yo's words.

Tsuki Iroha
"Yo!"

Zero
"You say this, even with no memories of your past?"

Zero responded, tone derisive.

Zero
"You don't even remember what XB is, do you?"

Yo Kuronaka
"I just have to get back the memories I lost. I'm not going to let you control me."

Despite everything, Yo refused to give in.
After he saw Yo's reaction...

Zero
"Interesting. Your stance changed rather quickly."

Zero spat out a response with utter displeasure.