PHASE 39 - SCHRODINGER’S DOG CAN LEARN A LOT OF TRICKS

It’s been five minutes, and we haven’t even uttered a word. I saw Miss Awane (The Idol Club leader who dragged me here) getting something from the backstage. Tiara seemed to notice it too. Something’s off about that woman.

Tiara and my eyes widened in shock when the Idol Club leader revealed a baseball bat coated with rusty barbed wire. She glared at us with the smile of the devil! And there, she’s planning to go to our direction! She’s getting impatient!

No good! I have to start a conversation with her immediately!

“U...Ummm… The weather looks nice…” I looked up in the sky and forced a smile. I can’t believe I’m initiating a conversation with something stupid. It’s usually Tiara’s role to say that line.

“Y-Y-Yes, that’s right.” She said. I saw her sweat crawl on the side of her face as she looked at me with a sorry smile.

When Awane already saw us moving our lips, she hid the bat on her backpack. What a weird Idol we have on our school...

Seeing that war freak withdraw made both Tiara and I sigh. When we both realized that we did the same thing, both of us chuckled as if our mind is connected.

If I have to get away from this situation, we should continue talking like friends. Don’t get me wrong, I still hate her for interrupting my vengeance against her twin. I don’t mind for being called as plastic. I will just have to play nice until this stupid thing is over. All I need is that handcuff key.

“...I-I’m sorry… It’s all my fault.” Tiara was staring at the floor with her lifeless swollen eyes. “I’m an idiot for letting my twin brother get away... I should have at least restrained him.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. I know that you didn’t have much time to think.”

“... But you didn’t get your revenge because of me… I feel bad for your friends too, but… please, Rikkun...you need to understand why I want my brother to keep on living… I still think that I can turn him back...”

I kept my mouth shut. There’s no way I could understand her. Not right now. Not when the memory of horrible deaths is still burned in my head. And that of her, that she will become the Brightmore Witch and cut my head off without killing me and torture me until the end of time… I can’t fully trust her.

Tiara made a lifeless chuckle. “Ahahaha… I guess it’s impossible, huh…”

She stood up and reached my handcuffs. She gently removed the shackles off me with her bare hands and superior finger strength. Just before I could stand up and flee from this scene, Tiara blocked my path, and then groveled on the floor, facing at me. She looks like she’s worshipping me as a Buddha statue!

“...Accept my body as indemnity for my brother’s sins!” She cried with all her might.

The whole Idol Club focused their eyes on us for a moment, so I returned an embarrassed smile! Seriously, what is this witch trying to achieve!?

“W-What the heck do you mean, Tiara?...” I whispered. “Chill down a bit, will you…”

She continued to talk with her forehead sticking to the ground.

“I-I know you’ll never forgive me unless I pay for my brother’s sins!... So I’ll offer my body to you! I’ll become your slave! I’ll become your personal secretary! I’ll become your dog! I’ll become your toy! I will do everything you say!”

T-That… That might be a good idea. Maybe I can get her to do dirty things with me, or even better, ask her to kill her own brother. No, I guess it’s too much. But I’ll play with her for a while.

“Interesting…” I whispered to myself as I caressed my imaginary beard. “Fine, I’ll forgive you… a little bit.”

“R-Really!?” Tiara lifted her head and revealed her golden-brown sparkling eyes. She gave the brightest smile I ever witnessed. “Thanks, Rikkun!” She got excited and held my hands.

“Stay,” I said coldly.

With my command, she released my hands and sat like a dog. She even stuck her tongue out and got her breathing pattern in rapid fire.

“Play dead,” I said.

This shameless Idol laid her body flat on the floor.

“Roll over.”

She did what I asked. Now her clothes are dirty.

“Paw.” I offered my hand.

Tiara responded by laying her delicate right hand on top of my palm. It’s so soft and warm as always.

“One plus one?” I asked.

“Woof! Woof!”

Tiara barked happily as if she’s having fun!

She’s the best pup I ever had in my life! That rosy cheeks, that smile worthy of protection, and those puppy eyes. Oh my gosh, she’s so adorable! I can feel warm blood gushing out from my nose! Cuteness overload! She’s really a Kawai waifu hime-chan! So Moeeeee!!!

Wait, don’t get carried away, Alaric. Remember, she’s still the Brightmore Witch. She will torment you for the rest of eternity. If she’s really sorry, then she would do even the hardest command I would say.

“Sing your latest single, dance with only one foot while removing all your clothes,” I said coldly.

Tiara blushed and groaned like “...Auuuu…” But then she mustered all her courage and pumped herself up!

“W-With determination, I will never give up!”

She stood tall in front of me and tiptoed using her right foot. She balanced herself as she reached the lower part of her school uniform. Then her soft calming voice started to sing a wonderful love song.

“Black and white love inside me and you~ Wrapping around just as two~ The change in degrees feels good whenever you’re here with me~”

That song grabbed all the person’s attention in the amphitheater once again. I would let her continue and embarrass herself more to prove her sincerity... but I have to stop her! She’s really taking off her clothes! Everybody will take me as scum if this keeps going! When I had a glimpse of her underboob, I immediately rushed to her and hugged tight to prevent her from exposing her body!

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please stop this at once!” I cried.

My conscience has eaten me whole, and now, I feel guilty. I’m not a trash like most guys, so I’ll be considerate. I’ll have to forgive her… for now.

Besides...

My great brain flashed me a great idea. Considering that Diadem recognizes his twin sister… maybe I can use Tiara as a bait. Diadem would surely come for her sooner or later because he said that he was looking for her for a long time. Tiara is my only ticket to that genocidal bastard.

So my plan is to regain everybody’s trust again. I’ll swallow my pride and ask for an apology to the shrine maidens and even Helena. So when the time comes, we will fight together to neutralize Diadem. Once he’s captured, I’ll kill that genocidal maniac without anyone noticing.

Damn, I’m so handsome and smart that sometimes I’m afraid of myself!

The first step, I have to regain my friendship with Tiara.

“R-Rikkun..?” Her voice is a little bit trembling as if she’s gonna cry any moment.

“I’ll forgive you for real! So stop acting like that!” I cried.

“...A-Are we still friends?”

“Yes!” I said. Tears sprinkled away from my eyes. “I’m sorry for hurting you! I’m sorry for yelling mean words at you! I’m sorry for giving stupid commands at you!”

She embraced my body tight without the intention of letting me go. I did the same to squeeze her soft body. I quite pity this girl. She just wanted to be forgiven. Every time I made a physical contact with her, my soul seems to be at peace. She’s always hitting the soft spot of my heart.

“I...I’m so glad, Rikkun…” I felt warm droplets from my left shoulder. She must be crying right now. “... I...I’m so scared… that you will hate me forever… I d-don’t want to lose a precious friend… I don’t want to lose you...”

Those soothing words… It makes my heart melt. My mind tells me to be wary of her, but my heart trusts her completely. She makes my chest throb, but my hatred is still there. I’m so confused.

Amy and Heushac have a point that Tiara did the right thing to protect his own brother. Chrisprel, Ranley, and Daughty are her friends too, and they were killed by her psychopath twin. And I blamed her for those happenings. If anything, she suffered a lot more emotional trauma than I do. It was only natural for her to act based on her own emotions since I did the same too. I was so selfish for not realizing that she’s getting sandwiched by all these dilemmas.

Then again… she will become a Cursed Guardian when the time comes, and she may be the only one who will lead me to my ultimate demise. I’m sure there will be a time where I have to stab her on the back in order to secure my own future. That’s why I have to regain all the lost trust. As a wise man once said; Keep your friends close, and enemies closer.

Tiara is both an ally and foe. A paradox. She’s like a Schrodinger’s cat, but considering her actions right now, I would call her the Schrodinger’s Dog.

Even with my heart and mind’s clashing opinions, my goal is clear as day. I will stay as her friend but I will use her in order to get my revenge.

Suddenly, Tiara whispered in my ear. “...I-I thought you’ll command me to do seppuku… I-I would still do that if you wanted me to…”

"Don’t do that, everybody will blame me.”

“Ahahaha~” She made a dumb laugh. “I’ll do anything for our friendship.”

There was a long silence. We stared at each other’s eyes while holding each other’s hands.

“S-So…” Tiara broke the atmosphere. “S-Shall we do the Friendly Handshake again?”

“E-Eh?”

Maybe I really should have let her die in the first place.