It is April 13th.

What's telling me such is my cellphone's screen which has a grand total of 61% battery. Soon enough to be depleted. It's the only way for us to know concretely what day it is, what hour it is, and so on. The reason why I haven't been using my cellphone at all is that I value this information.

"Hm. Hm. Hm...? Hm...?! I just can't see it..."

Mildly insane, Sagasuga was spouting a convoluted sequence of words as he looked at the source of the light; one of the primary reasons as to why we bothered to venture towards this side in the first place. Although I didn't speak first because I was analyzing the ceiling better, it became absolutely clear what was going on.

"Kawahara, you are smart, right?"

"You are too, but not now."

If Sagasuga's mind really operates that hard on the concept of balance then one of his weaknesses would be to make him step out of that balance. Because as it stands, he can't really seem to make a solid balanced decision. Disrupting his sleeping schedule was not in my plans but I could make use of this to extract information out of him.

Nonetheless, the truly important factor to capitalize on was the source of the light that we were basking under. Having everything in mind, I spoke in the middle of the inconceivably narrow bridge.

"It's not a natural light source, Sagasuga."

"Huuuh?!"

Skeptical, I couldn't exactly tell if he was being extra sarcastic or if he really was just expressing genuine shock. Plus, the rapid movement in his neck, once he heard me tell him that the light above was not natural, was extremely eccentric.

"To be way more concrete, it's an artificial light source. Look up there, you can't really determine if the light source is coming from a small ball of light. That small ball of light would usually be the sun, but the light source is scattered all over the place. Well, it's kinda understandable why..."

"Aye, aye! Simpler terms, please!"

Sagasuga couldn't exactly process what I had just said so he clapped twice instead while demanding simpler words. This somewhat puzzled me because I am very sure that my words just now were really simple. But seriously...

This is hilarious!

"See that light?"

"Yesss."

"Good. It's not natural. Do you understand, Sagasuga?"

"Hm... Weird, why?"

It seems he understands that the light is not natural. In other words, I made the mistake of administering my words too quickly. I had to go one step at a time. Still, I must say that this light; despite being artificial, packs quite the heat. The shrouded cold from minutes before has already vanished in this atmosphere.

"Because it's artificial. Made by men. Got it?"

"Waah. That's possible?!"

"It appears so, Sagasuga. There is no other explanation because it's close to dawn and this reflective light is close to a light that would come near midday. Got it?"

"So a fake, Kawahara?"

"Well, yeah. Anything else?"

This time around, Sagasuga took quite the time by himself just to watch his surroundings until he realized that there is something else besides this bridge and the gate up ahead. That's right. Why do we call it a bridge and not just a linear path towards the gate?

That is because... underneath a bridge, often lies yet another structure. Sagasuga and I came to realize that by advancing towards the left edge of the bridge.

"Ehh...!! What's another bridge doing there?!"

He clung to me as fast he could, but I also threw his body away from me as fast as I could.

"If I had to guess it's another bridge that's connected towards a new gate."

Quite profound yet a list of other bridges could be spotted from this elevated surface which brings us to the conclusion that if we can't spot any bridges above us and if we can do so below then it means that we are at the top chain when it comes to bridges. In other words...

This could either be the first bridge or the last bridge, depending on perspective here.

"Whatever though. Let's get going. We wouldn't want to keep our guest waiting, right, Sagasuga?"

"No, no, no. We can't go in yet."

"And why the fuck not?"

I swiftly turned around while Sagasuga was stomping on the ground furiously. He was having trouble explaining himself so I urged him to.

"I don't know what type of shit is going through your brain right now, but snap out of it. Four hours of sleep isn't enough to---"

"I need a way to regain mental balance! It usually works whenever I do something balanced and walking into the unknown isn't a balanced decision! I am requesting a balanced decision, essentially."

Although I really want to be mad at this utter nonsense, I was going to take advantage of this situation to extract extra information out of Sagasuga concerning earlier events. With that in mind, I walked towards the middle of the bridge and sat down which prompted Sagasuga to do the same.

"So? What do you suggest we do in other for you to regain mental balance? And no, sleeping more isn't a plausible answer here. You have a maximum of five minutes, Sagasuga. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly fine with being toyed like that. Well, are you?"

With a light touch on my stiff right shoulder, I contracted it back slightly causing the rupture of several bones.

"Hell no. But this is important and I have a way out of this mindset. All I need to do is an action that has a cohesive balance to it."

"Yeah, and I'm asking you, what the hell is that action?"

Even I am curious to know the pattern here. If he really operates on balance, then there are two sides. Staying in the in-between is extremely tasking, in accordance with the theory of natural balance. As the concept of light and darkness implies; living in the middle of both requires the acceptance of both sides. If I had to guess, he probably feels like he's thriving onto the dark side of the balance as his mind constantly delves into delirium with a slight hint of unorganized thoughts.

"To regain clarity, I need to balance my mentality first. To give it a clear example... Imagine a scale that's tilted towards the left side by 30 degrees. I want the scale to be even! And so, I need to do good actions, Kawahara."

"Why good actions, Sagasuga?"

"Because... well, although I said "left" side, it's more inclined to the dark side of the nature of morality... If anything... it means that I have been affected by thoughts of negativity which strive from actions that contradict a "good" balance... Like not getting enough sleep, for fuck's sake!"

"Looooook, four hours of sleep is correct!"

"Speak for yourself man... I swear I'm not being overly sensitive."

He says that he's not being overly sensitive but balance is like his sixth sense and if I follow that logic then he's being extra sensitive in regard to his "sixth" sense.

Either way, I allowed him to continue and didn't argue this time.

"With that said, I need to do good actions! But we have a five-minute time rule, right?"

"Four minutes now."

"Damn! Alright, Kawahara, you will be the subject of my actions!"

"Excuse me?"

I couldn't really understand what Sagasuga was implying so I urged him without a second thought.

"It's really simple!"

So he said with his index finger elevating to the mighty blazing air.

"Morally good actions can't be towards yourself. You have to help others out. Or, so I think. It's not a matter if others agree with me or not, but my light side of my balance dictates like that. Therefore, I need to help you, Kawahara. In the time span of four minutes."

Usually, questioning his rationality here would be something I would do, but... I questioned something else outside of that.

"You said 30 degrees, right? How do I know if you have reached a stage where there are no degrees inclined?"

"Kawahara, are you asking me the specifics of each action and how they affect the scale of my balance?"

"I am asking you just in case you do operate on a rational scale with the accordance of mathematics. Or, is it purely emotional?"

Perhaps I wasn't exactly clear so I'll specify...

If Sagasuga's balance operates on a scale and if he has mentioned the usage of degrees, then it's not exactly wrong to assume that there is mathematic rationality behind it. A 360-degree scale. If it's only tilted by 30 degrees, then that's really small, no matter how you look at it. Plus, his actions so far haven't been anything alerting which makes me wonder what would happen if his balance was even further inclined.

"No way. Balance comes before emotions, so it's solely based on logic, so, of course there is a mathematical scale behind it."

At this point, I was completely putting aside the factor of the time.

It's true, I am a pure slave to my own curiosity.

"Mind telling me the rationality behind that, Sagasuga?"

"What do you mean, Kawahara...?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. What sort of action is considered good enough for you to revert those thirty degrees?"

Midst this, it's pretty hard to ignore that his personality is more complex than I thought. By incorporating this concept on his own, his actions are hidden through rationality that runs deep in his veins. Did he develop all of this on his own? I am so curious to know...

"That's a bit confidential, Kawahara. Because that would put me in a very weak spot."

"So what, Sagasuga? Am I supposed to blurt out an action that would balance the scale in one go?"

"No such thing! In the first place, I said actions, didn't I? That wasn't a grammatical mistake, for the record. Small actions embodied with a good sense of morality behind them. Through them, the balance will be regained slowly. Got it?"

Certainly, I understood that because he explained it better now. This leaves yet another question...

"I did. That made me understand things a little bit better. However... Out of curiosity what would you once your scale is too inclined to the light side?"

"That's self-explanatory. I make it go to the center. By committing actions with the opposing nature's accordance."

"So you would commit evil just to balance the scale, Sagasuga? Even though if you are already inclined to the brighter side which would mean that you are hap--"

Sagasuga most likely felt like I was speaking nonsense, even though that wasn't really the case, so he interrupted me with a premature heavy laugh.

"Hahaha!! What! Listen to yourself, Kawahara... There isn't a balance if you consume the entire light side by yourself. Ignoring the presence of the dark is foolish. That's the ultimate ingredient for unexpected chaos in your life. Middle. In-between. A place that doesn't interest many due to its unappealing aspects yet it's that place that allows everything to co-exist."

"Freak. So, small actions? Why not go for a big action instead?"

This question sparked Sagasuga quite a bit, so he clasped his hands resonantly loud.

"I would be quite the champion if I could incorporate any action and dictate the amount of light in one-go! But, that's not how nature works. However, there is one way to go about it which I always do. By committing multiple small actions with the opposing nature's accordance, I can swiftly reach a balance without going too over it. Because in this case, if I were to commit a really big action then I would be more inclined to the light side! Far too much, you know? So..."

"So you would have to commit an evil action?"

"Yes, yes! You get it! My man, Kawahara! So, let's get this started. I've decided to go about it with six actions, each packing 5 degrees. Once complete, I will regain the balance. So, tell me six small actions that would help you, Kawahara!"

"Let me think, Sagasuga..."

I firmly looked at the surface of the bridge which contained dark steel covering it. Naturally, the reflection of the heat felt nice but if we were to stay here on this surface for far too long then we could be under the embrace of a hellish mixture. Slightly shaded gray gradients contrasting in their own resonance within the light that's reflecting under it.

Onto the actual matter at hand though. If it's an action that has five degrees incorporated into it, then it must mean that the action that contains good morality within must be very small.

With that in mind, I fired my first suggestion.

"How about telling me a bit of your past?"

"That helps you how?"

"My mind gradually grows happier the more my curiosity is quenched. Is that acceptable?"

How about that?

"Mhm... That's too small of a task. That only fulfills 2 degrees. Be more honest, Kawahara. What can I do to make you happy?"

"Wh--"

2 degrees...? Isn't that way too little? Plus, I just asked him to tell me a bit about his past but labeled that information as something that's equivalent to that of two degrees.

In other words, it needs to be something far more direct and fierce.

Still... It doesn't necessarily have to make me happy. It just needs to be morally right. This is quite hard for someone like me who has a shattered moral compass. Ultimately, it's even harder because it's up to Sagasuga, not me. I make the suggestions, he makes the decisions.

I hate this position so much.

"Tell me your entire past."

"That's too much. It goes by seven degrees. Also, how does information about me make you happy? I don't understand..."

"Understanding my surroundings better and better is a prime example of my happiness. So, if I tone down my suggestion by two degrees, you will answer?"

"Yes---"

"Who came up with the concept of "your" balance?"

"..."

He thought this time instead of completely rejecting it which means it fulfilled the necessary quota. However, his answer wasn't exactly pleasing in any sense...

"That's up to interpretation. But I believe that balance has always existed. My balance isn't a made-up concept. It's the abstract reflection of nature and humanity intertwined. Do you believe that there can be a watch without a craftsman? An egg without a chicken? A wave without the ocean? Do you?"

"Aer you enjoying this, Sagasuga? That literally didn't answer my question, AT ALL."

My shout was so loud it echoed through the two gates and beyond, most likely.

I even went as far as expressing myself by slamming both my hands into the harsh steel that we are seating under.

"No, I disagree. I answered your question quite well, Kawahara. You asked me who came up with it. I answered that a "who" most likely didn't. Just like the examples I gave you. What you meant to ask was... if there is a person that has influenced me in the aspects of this "balance" and who is that person. I'm sorry to say but that's too much of a good action. It exceeds thirty degrees in one go. Still, we are down 5 degrees! Only 25 to go!"

It's not every day that I admit to myself that I was wrong, but he did have a point. My question was far too vague. Even though I referred to his balance alone and not the natural one. This implies that he considers his own concept like a force of nature and not something he came up with it himself. It doesn't take a fool to know that Sagasuga here is probably a bit delusional.

"Tell me one of your weaknesses. I'm not specifying which, just tell me one that goes into accordance with the quota of 5 degrees, Sagasuga."

"Kawahara..."

"What...?"

We both looked at each other with grim eyes. He probably got down to what I have been aiming at the whole time.

"Are you trying to exploit me?"

"Trying? No. I am exploiting you. There's a really big difference."

"That's really messed up, Kawahara. You are telling me that knowing my weak spots is something that contributes to your happiness...?"

"That is exactly what I'm telling you. So, tell me."

If there is one thing I've come to realize is that Sagasuga places an extreme responsibility on himself when it comes to establishing a sense of balance. This means that establishing his own sense of balance reigns above all else.

Moreso, this means in addition that he has no choice but to accept anything that comes his way IF it means that his sense of balance will be established. If he was more emotional about this, then he would reject my offers from left and right, but he has attached a sense of logic to his balance instead of an emotional one. He must've realized that his balance would not be as truthful as it would be if he was running on emotion.

"I'm easy to abuse."

"Care to be more specific?"

"Alright, alright. Listen here, Kawahara... Truth is... I let things slide so much, that it's impressive. And you know why that's the case, right? It's because I have no choice but to let them slide. Incorporating balance means that I have to often make sacrifices and I would argue that that's a pretty big weakness."

"Alright, thank you very much, my lord. 20 percent down to go, am I right?"

"Oh, stop with the sarcasm man, it's sickening. But, it's true. Only 20 degrees left. Not percent..."

That aside, his weakness is only there on paper. In theory, he can be abusable, but only to a certain extent and that's exactly what I'm aiming for here.

To know more about Sagasuga so I can make sure what sort of mindset he operates on. It's never enough to know what, you have to know how and more. Limiting myself is not an option.

"Who do you hate in class, Sagasuga?"

"That contains zero degrees because there is no answer to it."

"So you are telling me that you don't have a slight of hatred for anyone, henceforth no answer is possible?"

He smiled in return just briefly.

"That is correct! But, I don't love or like anyone, because if I did, then I would be forced to hate and dislike others for a sense of balance. I stay emotionally neutral. And... That's ten degrees fulfilled. I told you too much, damn."

"You never exactly specified who would do the good morally actions, anyways, Sagasuga..."

Embarrassed, he hit himself on the back of his head while slightly tilting his posture forward.

Then he recovered a bit before talking back.

"It's hard to control it. Sometimes I just can't help myself, even though I should. Well, go ahead, Kawahara. Two more shots."

Now that he is getting closer to establishing a complete sense of balance, his eyes are more open. Earlier on, everything about him was physically unbalanced. He walked with his posture slightly tilted. His eyebrows were downcast a bit more than usual. His legs were on the edge of falling with his knees barely supporting a standing front. His eyes were barely open.

Almost as if it was all according to one thing in specific...

The fact that his balance was inclined by thirty degrees? No, still, that shouldn't be possible. Your brain won't just produce such noticeable physical results just because you want to. Unless... Unless there have been practices before to the point where your brain just unconsciously produces such results based on the previous times that you have practiced such acts...

"Sagasuga, what word did you insert on your first time here?"

This is a test and everything about him will be unraveled depending on how he answers.

Whether his balance is fake or not.

"That goes by eight degrees, Kawahara."

"So? The next suggestion can just be one that's equivalent to two degrees. No biggie, am I right?"

"No, there is a problem. Skipping rationality is very crucial. Please go at it properly, Kawahara."

So I have to adjust my suggestion by five degrees thus... Three degrees need to go. Yet I don't exactly know what to do to decrease it. Regardless, I have a clear idea which I have put into practice before and that is... to minimize the knowledge I get out of the suggestion.

"Tell me the nature of the word that was inserted here before the two I inserted previously."

"..."

Looking at me with those fiery eyes filled with a malicious glare, Sagasuga took a short span of time before actually answering and something became clear with that answer.

"The nature of that word belongs to its word-wielder."

"Yeah, thanks."

"Last one, Kawahara."

A deep breath aligned with the atmosphere adjoined with an additional movement of looking upwards into the grandiosely illuminated artificial sky was all it took before firing the obvious at Sagasuga.

"Who is that word-wielder?"

"Nine degrees."

"If we had paper, I would make you write down the degree sheet, I swear."

"Hahaha!"

Perplexed, I got a bit troubled.

The question I wanted to really ask was what word he wrote firstly, because although he said it was his own word...

No, I can't reveal that, ever. If he knows what I know, then the suspicion will rise.

Just before I launched the decisive question, I wiped the sweat droplets scouring my throat's surface with its destination being; my chest down below.

"Tell me the initial letter of the first word that was inserted."

"How weird, Kawahara... I already thought I told you that I inserted my word first and that it was "Ultimate". Isn't your question self-explanatory?"

But I didn't answer that in the way that he wanted me to.

Instead, I took a continuous approach.

"Is that your way of saying that my suggestion fulfills exactly five degrees?"

Troubled by the fact that I didn't answer his obvious question, Sagasuga got transiently gloomy but returned back to normal without much effort.

"...It does."

"Then, you should have no trouble answering the question I posed you, Sagasuga..."

His eyes kept on turning grimmer and grimmer; the eyebrows growing lower as each second went by.

Yes.

What I actually wanted to test here was if there was a sense of truth in Sagasuga's concept of balance or not. There was only one true way of testing this in an accurate way.

"True, Kawahara. But well, the answer is the one you already know."

"Really, Sagasuga?"

"Really, really. It's "U". Since, you know, my word starts with a "U" and my word is "Ultimate"!"

Well, this confirms it.

Knowing that, I got up from the warm steel and stretched my back.

Sagasuga did the same, but he took massive inhales before saying anything at all.

"Ufff... Ha! It feels nice! Perfectly balanced! Alright, Kawahara! We don't know what lies beyond us, but it's a promising start, don't you think?!"

"Yeah. Sure is."

Sagasuga walked with a tall standing-proud type of posture towards the unknown gate far faster than I did, because I was walking slowly on purpose while reflecting on some things. I looked at both sides of the bridge but nothing more than a tainted artificial blue was covering the sides; masking itself as a realistic cerulean sky unaware of clouds around.

"..."

It doesn't exactly act according to the real "truth". His concept of balance is exaggerated to an extent. It could be said and implied that Sagasuga's balance only exactly benefits him. Unless there is a greater balance in which this superficial balance is balancing the other greater balance. A chain of never-ending scales made out of self-convenience.

I don't consider myself as someone who strays away from lies at all, but Sagasuga is on a whole new level when it comes to being fake. To even go as far as to lie when your own concept is religiously in play...

Realistically, I can only assume that he lied just now in order to balance an even greater balance and that his concept isn't as fake as I'm making it out to be.

Otherwise, why else would you lie about the word you inserted when the word I inserted was "Ultimate"? If you had inserted the word "Ultimate", Sagasuga... Then the gate lock would've been open, but you clearly didn't, so you had already premature knowledge in that aspect.

It was a true matter of luck, but I gambled on the possibility of Sagasuga making all of that up since he put heavy emphasis on his word already being used. In other words, telling me that putting his word would contribute to nothing. The perfect strategy. By highlighting the impossible, not many are capable of determining whether something really is impossible or not, but I am capable, so that's why it worked.

Aren't you quite the sociopath, Sagasuga?