Sitting on a folding chair at the mostly still intact community centre close to the school, Yosuke nervously looks around, watching various adults pour into the large meeting room, some of them carrying treats like trays of biscuits or large thermoses filled with coffee or tea. He’d expected the Citizens’ Council’s meetings to be pretty informal affairs, people sitting in a circle and bouncing ideas off each other, but at this point, the organization had gotten a lot more ambitious. A projector was being used to project the minutes, various people had brought printouts and laptops to take notes on, and there was even a pulpit being set up for whoever got the floor.

Fidgeting, he kept a careful eye on the table on which the various beverages, with assorted cups, were being gathered. Most attendees had already claimed their first cup of coffee or tea as they were making small talk, but people didn’t seem to be in a hurry to sit down, much to his dismay. Hearing the seat to his right being pulled, he jumped slightly, quickly turning to see an unfamiliar face sitting down next to him.

Marian: What’s a young guy like you doing at this dusty meeting?

Yosuke: H-huh? Oh, I’m uh, here on behalf of my mother— my mom. She’s, uh, a civil servant and she’d like to… make a proposal for a project… thing. I’m just here to give it to whoever’s in charge and, err, maybe, like follow along. Since she can’t be here, because, eh, she’s sick.

Marian: Oh my.

Yosuke: Yeah. She’s got… err… tendinitis.

Marian: Tendinitis?

Yosuke: Really bad… tendinitis. (he clears his throat) Well, anyway, anyone’s allowed to attend these meetings, right? I suppose representing the city’s underaged population is important too.

Marian: And your mom, of course?

Yosuke: Huh?

Marian: Your mom. You’re here to pitch her proposal, right?

Yosuke: P-Pitch? Oh, no no, I’m just here to, err, hand over the paperwork. I, err, am just here to… listen and learn. Or to get everyone coffee. Or tea.

Much to Yosuke’s relief, the other attendees finally appear to get ready to start the meeting, taking seats and ending their idle conversation as the Council’s chairperson steps up to the pulpit, causing the man operating the projector to clear his throat.

Katsumi: Okay, thanks for gathering, as always, everyone. First order of business, the elephant in the room… The Bends near Itokai has, unfortunately, been destroyed. It was an explosion of some magnitude, enough to level the area completely, yet for a mercy, the dorms themselves were not damaged. We’re unsure of any casualties at this time, as none of us felt safe enough to venture that far, but we’ll be keeping everyone updated. Next, the plan to commence remote classes. Our shipment of laptops has arrived safely, and we can distribute them to students who wish to continue their studies during this time this coming week. Lastly, food rationing. We’re reaching the point where our supplies are dwindling faster than supply trucks can deliver them, coupled with the constant raids on our trucks. We’re working on shoring up security for these deliveries, but until then, we need to be prepared for some tough times with our supplies. 

As the discussion intensifies, various members of the council voicing their grievances and pitching ideas, Yosuke attempts to blend in, pretending to take some notes and awkwardly answering questions directed at him by attendees eager to let a newcomer contribute to the conversation. When the meeting eventually comes to a voting round and a short break is agreed upon, he is the first to stand up.

Yosuke: I-I’ll get everyone drinks. It’s the least I could do for the hospitality you’ve shown me.

Rikuto: No need to be so nervous, young man. We’re all first-timers here. 

Katsumi: Indeed. We’re grateful for your enthusiasm, it’s inspiring. Now, where were we… ah, yes. (she flips through several papers) As we noted last time, our current plan of action for the… 

The meeting continues for a few more minutes, civil back-and-forth conversation and grievances being aired before Yosuke would return. Quietly, Yosuke gets up from his seat and walks up to the table with the thermoses. Casting one more glance at the circle, where discussions are still underway, he positions himself to block the view to the drinks and with some hesitation, produces a small, zip-lock bag of crudely ground powder from his pocket. Wincing, and with shaking hands, he gathers two dozen cups on a platter.

Marian: (she calls out to Yosuke from the other side of the room) Need a hand?

Yosuke: N-No! I’m good! Just g-gimme some—(he mutters under his breath) Fuck! (hastily, he pours half of the bag’s contents into the thermos with coffee and half of them into the thermos with tea, before turning to the rest of the group) O-On second thought, maybe you should all just come over here and fill your own cups with whatever you want, you know? Coffee? Tea? Both? Carrying forty-odd filled cups over there is gonna take a while!

Katsumi: Ah, thank you. I could really go for a cup of tea right now… (stepping down from the front of the room, Katsumi approaches Yosuke)

Yosuke: One cuppa, coming up! 

Following Katsumi’s example, the various members of the Citizen’s Council all queue up for Yosuke to pour them a cup of their preferred beverage, before they return to their seats.

Rikuto: I’d feel bad taking tea when rations are so short. Good ol’ fashioned water for me! (He heads for a water cooler) 

Yosuke: I-I mean, technically, eh, sir, if that’s your concern, the, eh, the filtered water for the water cooler is a more precious resource than the basic tap water we use to make tea… so I’ve been told. I have a cousin who can only drink bottled water because of all the microplastics in the tap water and stuff… Which are not a problem when you’re making tea or coffee because you boil it, of course.

Rikuto: Eh? Microplastics? I drink from this cooler all the time… I’m sure the ol’ bod can take a li’l plastic for the rest of us. 

Katsumi: Oh, come on now, Tokai-san. It’s one cup of tea, it won’t kill us. (Katsumi pours herself a little cup and takes a rather deep drink) 

Rikuto: Well… I guess nobody’s carting the tea leaves outta here to hand ‘em out on the street, huh. Fill ‘er up, then. 

Yosuke: (as he pours Rikuto a cup of tea) I mean, i-it’s not like I’m not allowing you to drink water, or anything. I’m just saying, if it’s rationing you’re concerned with, the cooler water is probably more valuable than the tea. Eh, nitpicking. Bad habit of mine. S-Sorry.

Rikuto: (Taking a thoughtful drink of tea) Yeah, now that y’mention it, I guess those big water cooler bottles come from somewhere. I ain’t ever seen someone fillin’ one up in the sink. I ought’a introduce myself to the guys who handle that after all this is over. 

Katsumi: I know some people, Tokai-san. If you wish, after all this, I can… (Katsumi holds her hand up to her temple, her eyes briefly unfocused) …hm, that’s odd… I… (she stumbles a bit, briefly flashing Yosuke a knowing stare before crumpling to the floor, falling into a deep and instant sleep)

Rikuto: H-hey, Sasaki-san! (He kneels beside her) Damn, I said not to overexert yourself! Man… I know we’re all on the edge, but… (He places a hand to his head. Most of the other adults have already drifted off to sleep in their chairs) 

Yosuke: I-I’ll call an ambulance! (before anyone can stop him, he darts off, leaving the various attendees to collapse one by one)

Rikuto: (He sits down against a doorframe, shaking his head) Man alive… I knew I was tired, but… (He looks out across the room of attendees who have already fallen asleep) Wh… ‘s goin’ on… 

After about a minute or two, Yosuke re-enters the room, pinching the bridge of his nose in disillusionment. He paces around the room for a while, halfway hoping for any of the unconscious bodies to wake up, but to no avail.

Yosuke: … T-These are good people. (he winces) You… You happy now, you sick freak?

Worldeater: (following behind Yosuke, mask firmly upon his face along with a sickening smile, Worldeater examines the fruits of his schemes) Quite. You see? Even you can produce results with proper motivation. (He pours himself a cup of tea from the thermos) Now then, my work can begin again. (he holds the cup up to Yosuke, as if giving a toast)

Yosuke: Choke on it.

Worldeater: Oh, not you too, Backspacer! This is my evil scheme come to life! The dying gasp of functional society in Mitakihara, turned into nothing more than an impenetrable wall with which to guard myself! Isn’t it grand, boy? 

Yosuke: … You can’t drug the entire world. People will… Eventually, someone will be there to give you what you deserve. You’re just one asshole.

Worldeater: Who? You? You won’t even break my mask while I’m asleep, boy. You know why? Not because of that trinket I pilfered from your purse, no. But because you have no spine, no guts… no will at all! I could smell it on you the moment that rat introduced us to you, so that you could play the good little mole. You’ll think about it, sure. You’ll be tempted. But you won’t. 

Yosuke: (he glares at Worldeater) What even is your plan, aside from being a dick? Couldn’t you have waited for these people to go to bed before doing whatever you’re planning to do with them in the Dreamscape?

Worldeater: If it were so simple, I would have done so the moment I arrived in this godforsaken town. But no, one lawyer goes to bed with the sun, another well into the night, and everyone else everywhere in between. They scatter like ants, even in my domain. This plan was the only way for me to gather them all at once, and form my wall. (he takes a sip of the tea) And before you ask, I needed you to attend this meeting in my stead, because you’re so meek and awkward, the adults would instantly feel a certain affinity for you. Your pitiful nature worked to a strength, Yosuke. You should be proud, for once! You were finally useful!

Yosuke: Does Kyubey even know about this? Is this even part of his plan?

Worldeater: Oh? And do you hope that the rat has enough authority to put me in my place, perhaps? (He finishes his cup of drugged tea in a single gulp, lowering his voice yet again to a cold, harsh tone) You are not clever enough to write this script, boy, nor know the intricacies therein. I will be back on track before our glorious leader even suspects anything is out of place. And we will all be better off for it Now, any other inane questions before my medicine takes hold?

Yosuke: Y-You’re just gonna leave me here?

Worldeater: I’m going to sleep to catch my prey. Time is not a luxury that I can afford. Just like free will is not one you can afford. Now be a good little boy and wait for my next orders. …Mine, and not the rat’s. (He sits down in the closest chair he can find, closing his eyes and easing into a deep sleep)

Yosuke: … There was never really any place for me here, huh?

Yosuke waits for a few seconds to confirm Worldeater really is asleep before whipping out his phone and punching in the code to unlock it. However, to his surprise, the phone remains unusable.

Yosuke: Fuck. (he enters the code again, but the device doesn’t appear to recognize it) You’ve gotta be… He changed my code? How’d he even…? (realizing further attempts to contact anybody would be futile, he rushes towards the only exist, only to find that it is locked) … (grabbing onto the handle, he pushes and pulls, but to no avail) This can’t be fucking serious! This can’t… SHIT! 

After some more futile attempts to brute-force the door open, Yosuke turns back to the sleeping young man in the chair. Luca must have the key somewhere on his person. But taking it from him would mean waking him up. And waking up Worldeater while he is going about his business in the Dreamscape is a risk Yosuke is not willing to take.

Yosuke: (he groans) Ugh… fuck!

It all feels way too familiar. No way out. Not again. He paces around the room, waiting for something to happen, venting his frustrations on the chairs and the projection screen, holding back the memories from flooding in and taking over. It doesn’t work. He sees the hammer he snatches from the kitchen countertop. The way out is right in front of him. In frustration, he kicks a chair. Two of its legs snap clean off, having been worn down by years of use and shoddy craftsmanship.

Yosuke: (he closes his eyes) Not again, man. Not again.

He knows what he has to do. He has done it before. It’s just like back then. And this time, he is doing the right thing. He sees one of the chair’s broken legs, the aluminum being snapped in twain having created a jagged, but sharp edge on one end. He picks it up and turns to the masked menace, sleeping in his chair. He knows where the jugular is, doesn’t he? With shaking hands, he holds his makeshift stake against Luca’s unmoving neck. 

Yosuke: I hope for your sake they serve spaghetti in hell, fucker.

Close your eyes. Just push. Ignore everything else. Kill him. Break his mask. Take the key. And this nightmare is over. You’ve done it before. And this guy, this guy is a monster. Not like all the other people who’re dead because of you. No one will miss him. You won’t have to do a second of repenting if you rid the world of him. So push. Finish this. It’s just like back then right? Except this time—

Yosuke: (with a frustrated groan, he throws the stake to the ground) No, of course it’s nothing like back then! (he takes a few steps back, before screaming) FUCK! (he turns around to face the wall, bringing his fist down onto it a few times, ignoring the pain, before ultimately collapsing to the floor) I’m such an idiot… I’m such an idiot. Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! (burying his face in his hands, he breaks down sobbing, alone, surrounded by dozens of unconscious bodies)