| The information August had collected was perfect. The plan was also perfect. |
| We invaded the target’s building without a problem.
It was supposed to be an easy mission—we would copy the data and return. |
| But our plan had been leaked.
The enemy was on the watch, and we were surrounded. While fleeing, August was struck by a bullet. |
| I lent August my shoulder and somehow managed to escape the building.
But the enemy skilfully drove us to the edge of a cliff with no escape. |
| “I won’t survive. Escape on your own, December....
You can dive from here and swim safely to shore.” |
| “...No. I refuse to leave you.” |
| “Run, you can at least escape alone...” |
| “No! Don’t die!” |
| “I’m, already...” |
| “August, if you can’t be saved, then I’ll die here too.” |
| The moment August’s eyes closed,
I tore the pendant from my chain and opened the vial. |
| “It’s... pointless...” |
| August smiled faintly when I finished drinking the drug. |
| “August...?” |
| “That drug... I switched both of yours out... for a drug that makes you temporarily lose your memory...” |
| “Eh...?” |
| August explained, as his voice and my consciousness began to fade. |
| “I was the one who invited you to the Organization, so I didn’t want either of you to die, no matter what... Forget about me and the Organization, and live a new life...” |
| “Au, gust....” |
| My head was spinning and I couldn’t stand straight.
I tried to say, what do you mean, but my mouth wouldn’t open—because August thrust me off the cliff. |
| “Live....” |
| “—h.” |
| As my vision turned over, the strangely beautiful full moon caught my eye and burned its image into my mind alongside a deep regret. |
| My body slammed into the cold sea, and the suffocating sensation jolted me awake.
After that, I just desperately swam forward. |
| August’s last words took over my whole mind.
When I finally made it to shore, I had exhausted my energy and lost consciousness. |
| |
| And when I woke up... I remembered nothing. |
| |
| |
| Chikage | No... that can’t be.... |
| Hisoka | ...That’s everything August wished for on that day. |
| Chikage | Stop lying! |
| Hisoka | —hh. |
| Izumi | Chikage-san, please stop! |
| Chikage | You killed him! You betrayed the Organization and led August into a trap—! |
| Hisoka | —gh. |
| Izumi | Chikage-san! |
| Chikage | You leaked our plan—! |
| Izumi | (Chikage-san thought Hisoka-san had betrayed the him all this time. Did the Organization convince him of that....?) |
| Chikage | That’s why the Organization ordered me to—. |
| Hisoka | ...That’s the most convenient story for the real traitor. The traitor is probably still within the Organization. |
| Chikage | —Shut up! |
| Hisoka | ...I have proof. |
| Chikage | ...? |
| Hisoka | ...April, your suicide drug should also be switched out. |
| Chikage | ——. |
| ...Hmph. And how will you confirm that? |
| Hisoka | I’ll drink it. |
| Chikage | What? |
| Izumi | No, Hisoka-san! |
| Chikage | What’s wrong with you? If you do that, you’ll.... |
| Hisoka | I won’t die. I’ll just lose my memory again. |
| Chikage | “Just”...? What are you going to do about this so-called family of yours? You’ll forget everything. |
| Hisoka | ...I can make memories again. I know everyone will accept me. |
| Izumi | Hisoka-san.... |
| Hisoka | ...If I can prove this, Chikage will believe in me. My whole family will come back to me. |
| Chikage | ——. |
| Hisoka | .... |
| Izumi | Hisoka-san—! |
| Chikage | Stop! |
| *Vial shatters* |
| Hisoka | ——. |
| Chikage | You really did join a theater troupe. You’ve become quite the actor. |
| Izumi | Chikage-san! Hisoka-san wanted to—. |
| Chikage | I won’t be fooled by that performance.... |
| ...? |
| It doesn’t smell sweet...? |
| |
| August | “This suicide drug smells rea~lly sweet, so December and I need to be extra careful not to accidentally drink it when we get hungry.” |
| December | “...April loves spicy foods, so he’s safe.” |
| April | “Guys, don’t commit suicide by accident, okay?” |
| |
| Chikage | ——. |
| August, did you really...? |
| Then, why did I, all this time.... |
| Hisoka | ...April. I tried putting myself in your shoes. |
| I’m sorry for leaving you alone all this time. |
| Chikage | ...What are you saying. |
| Hisoka | If I were you, I don’t think I could’ve endured it. |
| ...You lost the only two members of your family at once. You weren’t even allowed to mourn; you were made to loathe... |
| Chikage | ...——. |
| ...What should I... what should I do. I was the one who betrayed you—my only family. |
| Hisoka | ...I want you to act on stage. |
| Chikage | ...Eh? |
| Hisoka | ...April, I’m no longer the only member of your family. You’re going to live a new life with a new family from here on out. |
| ...Just as August wished. |
| Chikage | A new family.... |
| Izumi | Chikage-san.... |
| Chikage | ——. |
| Izumi | (What Chikage-san did is something that cannot be forgiven. But I can’t let August-san’s last will and Hisoka-san’s feelings go to waste.) |
| (We took in Chikage-san once; we won’t throw him out.) |
| (I’ll accept him again. Because Chikage-san is no longer the Chikage-san he was up till now.) |
| (I want the current Chikage-san to perform as Oswald. I want him to stand on stage with everyone else in the Spring Troupe.) |
