Episode 12: "The Layoff Plaza"

The group rode the elevator to the tenth floor, and after going down a short flight of emergency exit stairs, they arrived at the bridge that connected the hotel to the Layoff Plaza.
According to Tsuruko, the bridge was once a bustling path for the white-collared workers of Shinagawa City. However, these days it's practically a ghost town as they only saw a handful of people as they made their way toward the plaza.

The Shinagawa cityscape flew by as they continued onward. As they were running, a sign with the words "Meeting Plaza Up Ahead" caught their attention.
For a moment, everyone began to worry they were heading the wrong way, but then they passed by another sign that had the word "Meeting" crossed out and replaced by "Layoff."

After running for a while longer, the group arrived at an open space.
It was rather eerie due to a small number of street lights.

Yo Kuronaka
"..."

Tsuki Iroha
"Eugh! It reeks in here!"

Eiji Todoroki
"No kidding. I've never smelled something so foul. Perhaps they laid off the janitors."

As they walked closer to the center, the rotten odor grew ever stronger, stopping them dead in their tracks.

The source of the stench seemed to be the object before them.
It was much taller than Q, who was already very tall, and much wider than Eiji, who was already very wide. It was so big, it was as if it could swallow them all in one gulp.

Yo Kuronaka
"...Just what is up with this thing? It's even got a mask."

As Yo gazed upon it, he noticed a mask that resembled the face of Zero's plushie form.
An unsettling feeling washed over Yo as he continued to stare at the eerie object.

Q
"Looking at its shape..."

Tsuruko Semba
"Could this be...? Aw, I'm getting a real bad feeling about this."

Hyakuichitaro Senju
"What's up? You know somethin' we don't?"

Tsuruko Semba
"Well, back in the Middle Ages, it was a device used for torture—"

The sound of loud echoing footsteps interrupted Tsuruko's explanation. As the group turned to look, they saw Kazuma leading a congregation of people toward them.

Kazuma Ichinose
"Ah, wonderful! You've all finally decided to show up.
It was taking you so very long to get here that I was worried you all ran away."

Manager
"Everyone! Why are you here...?"

The manager was pushed to the forefront.

Yo Kuronaka
"Just hold on, Manager! We'll get you free in just a moment!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"Haha! How very mature of you. But I'm afraid your time is up."

Tsuki Iroha
"Huh? What do you mean times up?"

Gong. Gooooong. Gong. Gooooong.
The sound of a bell suddenly rang throughout the plaza, interrupting the conversation.

Eiji Todoroki
"Eeek! What was that?!"

Yo Kuronaka
"A clock bell? But why would it ring at a time like this?"

Yo looked up toward the clock that was emanating the sound of the bell.
Both the minute and hour hands were pointing straight upward: it was midnight.

An eerie feeling gripped the night as it continue to ring out. All anyone could do was stand there confused.
But, suddenly, the object before them began violently shaking.

???
"Attention, everyone! It's time for this week's layoffs!"

Then the red eyes on the mask lit up and it began talking.

Tsuruko Semba
"Waah! Where in the world did that voice come from?!"

Q
"It seems as though it came from that strange object."

Kazuma Ichinose
"Hush. The CEO has awakened."

Yo Kuronaka
"...The CEO? Is that the guy Zero mentioned back when he was explaining the rules?"

It wouldn't be wise to start causing a commotion, so everyone instead chose to remain stock still.

Kazuma Ichinose
"Good morning, CEO. Did you manage to sleep well?"

As he spoke, Kazuma put on his best customer service smile and faced the object.

CEO
"Oh, yeah, baby! I got a ton of sleep so I'm feelin' GREAT!"

It was likely that the object being referred to as the CEO was in charge of the company. All of this was a part of Zero's plan.
It finally clicked in Yo's head. The explanation from earlier, how they could only reach the level of Director.
The CEO wasn't a role for regular players to fulfill, rather, it was simply just the one in charge of passing judgment.

Kazuma Ichinose
"Perfect, perfect! I'm very pleased to hear that. I apologize, but I'd like to get to the matter at hand. I'd like to nominate this manager here for this week's layoffs.
You see, she's disrespected me, the Director, on multiple occasions. And even aided the Regular Employees without consent."

CEO
"Okie dokie! If it's you reporting this, there's no way it's wrong!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"Thank you very much. Well then, no time like the present."

Manager
"Wait, please, stop! CEO! Please listen to my side of things!"

The moment Kazuma and the CEO's back and forth ended, the Manager pleaded with the CEO.

CEO
"..."

However, it was if it fell upon deaf ears, it's eyes continuing to glow sharply.

Kazuma Ichinose
"There's no use in making a commotion, Miss Manager. Everything's already been decided.
Besides, as I'm sure you're aware, the CEO can only hear my voice. The voice of the Director."

Manager
"B-But!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"No buts. This is also punishment for making a fool out of me. It's far too late to only just now begin regretting your actions."

Tsuki Iroha
"Everyone, something doesn't feel right about this! We have to do something to save her!"

Yo Kuronaka
"Yeah, it's now or never!"

The group nodded at each other.

Kazuma Ichinose
"Really now? You're planning on getting in the way? You all might not be aware of this, but all of this abides by the rules put in place.
Zero explained to you what would happen if you broke the rules, didn't he?"

Hyakuichitaro Senju
"Damn it, is he talking about the laser?"

Yo Kuronaka
"This is bad. What do we do?!"

The Manager was right in front of them, but Yo was powerless to do anything.
All he could do was grit his teeth as he thought about the situation.