五話 静寂の図書館
“Subject Yue sleep mode deactivated.”
（被験者ユエスリープモード解除）
“Rebooting successfully.”
（順調に再起動中）
………
“Subject Yue activation confirmed.”
（被験者ユエ起動を確認）
“Starting from Stage 101.”
（ステージ101から開始します。）
「……マリア、君が提示してる数値、前のより1.5倍難しくなってるんだけど」
「ユエは乗り越えてくれるよ. そして、完璧なユエとして生まれ変わるんだ」
「あのさ、君のユエへの執着心……ユエには迷惑だよ。このまま寝かせてあげよ？」
「早く、ステージを再開させろ！！」
「はあ……」
“Yue, poor thing, suffering because of that cruel bastard. I will definitely guide you through this.”
（ユエ、鬼畜な奴のせいで苦しんで可哀想。私が、必ず導いてみせるから。）
なぜか、身体がひどく軽く、心地よい。
「ユエ」
「何？」
「ここで少し休もう」
「休む？ 僕、元気だけれど」
マリアが唐突に提示してきたのは「休憩」だった。
「私の言うこと聞いて。休むの、分かった？」
「……寝ろ寝ろ星人め」
「何とでも言って。私は貴方のために言ってるの。今は元気でも、後々あの時休んでおけば良かったって絶対思うから」
「ウィル、うちのAI……なんだか煩いんだ。しばらく休もう」
ユエは隣の小さなウィルを振り返る。
「お腹すいた。マリア、食べ物持ってる？」
「食べかけのポテトチップス。飲みかけのコーラ」
「なんで君はゴミしか持ってないの？」
「知らないよ。私は預かってるだけだから」
「コンビニは近くにないの？」
「あると思う？」
「ないと思う」
「仲良く食べて。その後、貴方の脳をスリープさせる」
「何が起こるか分からない状況でスリープさせるの？」
「周囲を探った。98%大丈夫」
「何を根拠に」
「勘」
仕方なく、食べかけのポテチと気の抜けたコーラをウィルと分け合いながら、しばらく他愛のない話をした。
「ウィル、どうしてキノコの森で一人でいたんだい？」
「ユエがいきなりいなくなったから」
「僕が？」
「そう」
わけがわからない。
数時間前までウィルと一緒に映画を見ていたはずなのに、気づけばこんな場所に放り出されている。
そして目の前には、小さく縮んだウィルがいて、無言でポテチを食べている。
「ユエ」
「ああ。ウィル、僕は少し眠るよ。君も少し眠るといい」
「……」
「大丈夫。うちのAIは有能だから」
ウィルは小さく頷いた。
「ユエ、ゆっくり休んで」
その言葉を最後に、意識は急速に遠のいていった。
何もない、温かく暗い底へと、僕は落ちていく。
――ジリジリジリジリ。ユエ、起きて。
マリアの声が脳内に響く。
ゆっくりと目を開けると、視界に柔らかな光が差し込んでいた。
一体、何時間眠ったのだろうか。
「合言葉を提示」
「たまごやき」
「おはよう、ユエ。よく眠れた？」
「眠れたも何も、君が強制的に脳をスリープさせたんじゃないか」
「『マリアありがとう』って、そのうち言うようになるよ」
隣を見ると、ウィルがまだ静かに寝息を立てていた。
どこをどう見ても、小さく縮んだただの子供だ。
「どれくらい眠ってたの？」
「八時間」
「ウィルが起きたら出発するよ」
「りょ」
僕はゆっくりと立ち上がり、辺りを見回した。
キャンディーの紐クリップ、ガムの包み紙……手持ちのアイテムは相変わらずゴミしかない。
一つでも、この先で使えそうな武器が欲しかった。
その時、床でキラリと光るものを見つけた。
「これ、何？」
「ペーパーカッター。紙の手紙が主流だった時代に、封筒を開けるのに使っていたんだよ」
刃渡りは短いが、武器らしい武器だ。
それ以外は、本当に何もなかった。
戻ると、ウィルが目を覚ましていた。
「ごめんなさい」
「大丈夫だよ。しっかり眠れた？」
「うん」
再び、拾ったピザカッターを握りしめて歩き出す。
「それにしても、なんで僕、ピザカッターなんか持ってたんだろう」
「道で拾ってた」
ゴミだった。
拾って何をしようとしてたんだっけ。思い出せない。
さらに奥へと進むと、開けたスペースに出た。
そこで「蝋燭」というアイテムと、もう一つ、奇妙なものを手に入れた。
「ユエ！！！」
ウィルが声を上げる。
「本……？」
「でも、おかしいんだよ。真っ白なんだ」
「貸して」
受け取ってパラパラとめくってみるが、どのページを開いても真っ白だった。
「……書くもの、持ってない？ マリア」
「私が持ってるのはゴミだけ」
「ですよね」
「僕、持ってるよ。はい」
小さなウィルが手渡してきたのは、重厚な輝きを放つ高級な万年筆だった。
それは以前、僕がウィルに初めてプレゼントしたものだ。
彼は今時珍しく、紙に日記を記す男だった。「日記なんて書く奴いるんだ」と笑った記憶が蘇る。
僕は万年筆のキャップを外し、真っ白なページにペン
先を落とした。
これを見ている異能者へ。
僕はユエ＝ε。異能者だ。
500億の賞金をかけられた男。
毎日がデンジャラスで、毎日がハッピー。
僕が手に入れた『異能者』への情報をここに記す。
異能者は、政府の義務化によって能力を解放させられる。
それは何故か。
異能者だという目印にするためだ。
そして、いずれ『処刑対象』だということ。
政府は、異能者という異端分子を排除したい。自分たちの理想の世の中を作るために。
だから、僕たちのような異能者が邪魔になる。
僕の言葉が信じられない者は、信じなくてもいいよ。
でも、いずれ君は処分される。家畜を捌くのと同じ要領で。
だから、異能者になるからには、いずれ来る死を覚悟の上でなるんだ。
死にたくない者は、今すぐ政府の言うことを聞いておいた方がいい。
僕が言えるのはこれだけ。
命に価値あれ。
僕は静かに本を閉じた。
「マリア」
「何？」
「この本、誰か見てくれる人がいるかな」
「分からない。……けど、貴方がそれを書き続けていれば、いつか届くかもしれない」
「そうだね。このヘンテコな世界のことを書いておけば、誰かの役に立つかもね」
決めた。僕はこれから、この世界のことについて書き記すことにする。
これまでのステージも、キノコの森のことも、この逆さまの図書館のことも、出会う全ての絶望を。
――ガチャン！！！！
唐突に、重たい鍵が外れるような音が響いた。
閉ざされていた巨大な扉の隙間から、眩しい光が漏れ出している。
「ウィル、行こう」
この先、どんな困難な道が続いているのだろう。
きっと、僕は死ぬ。
けれど、僕が死んだ後、誰がこの本の続きを書き記してくれるだろうか。
そう願いながら、僕は光の中へ足を踏み出した。
【ハッピーエンド】
—————-
English version
Episode 5: The Silent Library
“Subject Yue sleep mode deactivated.”“Rebooting successfully.”…“Subject Yue activation confirmed.”“Starting from Stage 101.”
“…Maria, the numbers you’re suggesting are 1.5 times more difficult than before.”
“You’ll overcome it, Yue. And be reborn as the perfect Yue.”
“Look, your obsession with me… it’s bothering Yue. Can’t we just let him rest?”
“Hurry, restart the stage!!”
“Sigh…”
“Yue, poor thing, suffering because of that cruel bastard. I will definitely guide you through this.”
For some reason, my body felt incredibly light, comfortable even.“Yue.”“What?”“Let’s rest here for a while.”“Rest? I’m fine.”
Maria suddenly suggested “rest.”“Just listen to me. Rest, okay?”“…You sleep-obsessed person.”“Say what you want. I’m saying this for you. Even if you’re fine now, later you’ll definitely regret not resting.”“Will, my AI… she’s being noisy. Let’s rest for a bit.”
Yue turned to look at little Will, who was next to him.
“I’m hungry. Maria, do you have any food?”“Half-eaten chips. Half-drunk cola.”“Why do you only have trash?”“I don’t know. I’m just holding onto it.”“Is there a convenience store nearby?”“Do you think so?”“I don’t think so.”“Well, eat with me. After that, I’ll put your brain to sleep.”“You’re going to put me to sleep in a situation where we don’t know what will happen?”“I’ve checked the surroundings. 98% safe.”“What’s the basis for that?”“Just a hunch.”
Reluctantly, we shared the half-eaten chips and the flat cola, chatting aimlessly for a while.
“Will, why were you alone in the mushroom forest?”“Because Yue suddenly disappeared.”“Me?”“Yeah.”
I didn’t understand.Just a few hours ago, we were watching a movie together, but now, I found myself thrown into this strange place.And there, right in front of me, was little Will, silently eating chips.
“Yue.”“Yeah. Will, I’m going to sleep for a bit. You should rest too.”“…”“Don’t worry. Our AI is capable.”Will nodded quietly.
“Yue, get some good rest.”
Those were the last words I heard before my consciousness quickly faded away.I fell into nothingness, a warm, dark bottom.
—Zzzz…
Maria’s voice echoed in my mind.“Yue, wake up.”
Slowly, I opened my eyes, and soft light poured into my vision.How long had I been asleep?
“Say the password.”“Tamago-yaki.”“Good morning, Yue. Did you sleep well?”“Well, it’s not like you didn’t force my brain into sleep mode.”“You’ll say ‘Thank you, Maria’ soon.”
Looking next to me, I saw Will still quietly breathing in his sleep.No matter how I looked at him, he was just a small child.
“How long did I sleep?”“Eight hours.”“When Will wakes up, we’ll head out.”“Got it.”
I slowly stood up and looked around.Candy string clips, gum wrappers… my inventory was still full of trash.I wished I could find a weapon I could use.
At that moment, I noticed something glinting on the floor.
“What’s this?”“A paper cutter. It was used to open envelopes back when paper letters were common.”The blade was short, but it was an actual weapon.That was the only thing, really.
I went back to find Will awake.
“Sorry.”“It’s okay. Did you sleep well?”“Yeah.”
I grabbed the pizza cutter again and started walking.
“Why did I even have a pizza cutter?”“You picked it up on the road.”It was trash.What was I planning to do with it? I couldn’t remember.
We moved deeper into the area and came upon an open space.There, I found a “candle” item, along with another strange object.
“Yue!!!”Will shouted.“A book…?”“But it’s strange. It’s completely blank.”“Let me see.”I took the book and flipped through the pages, but every page was blank.
“Do you have something to write with, Maria?”“I only have trash.”“Figures.”“I’ve got something.”
Will handed me a luxurious, shining fountain pen.It was the one I had given him as a gift before.He was one of the few people who still wrote in a diary. I recalled the time when I laughed at him for saying, “Who even writes in diaries nowadays?”
I removed the cap of the pen and let the nib drop onto the blank page.
To the beings who read this:I am Yue = ε. An anomaly.A man with a 50 billion bounty on his head.Every day is dangerous, and every day is happy.I will write the information I’ve gathered on “anomalies” here.
Why do anomalies have to be forced to unlock their abilities?It’s simple: to mark them.And eventually, to be marked for “execution.”The government wants to eliminate anomalies, to create their ideal world.Thus, people like us are a threat to their vision.
If you don’t believe what I say, that’s fine. But sooner or later, you will be dealt with, just like livestock.So if you choose to become an anomaly, know that death will come eventually.Those who don’t want to die should obey the government now.All I can say is this:Value your life.
I quietly closed the book.“Maria.”“Yes?”“Do you think someone will ever read this book?”“I don’t know. But if you keep writing, it might reach someone someday.”
“Yeah. Maybe writing about this strange world could help someone.”
I’ve decided. From now on, I’ll write about this world.The stages, the mushroom forest, the upside-down library, and every despair I encounter.
—Clank!!
Suddenly, the loud sound of a heavy lock being undone echoed.From the gap in the massive door, a bright light shone through.
“Will, let’s go.”What kind of difficult road lies ahead?I will probably die.But after I die, who will continue writing this book?I hope someone will.With that thought in mind, I stepped into the light.
[Happy Ending]Episode 5: The Silent Library
“Subject Yue sleep mode deactivated.”“Rebooting successfully.”…“Subject Yue activation confirmed.”“Starting from Stage 101.”
“…Maria, the numbers you’re suggesting are 1.5 times more difficult than before.”
“You’ll overcome it, Yue. And be reborn as the perfect Yue.”
“Look, your obsession with me… it’s bothering Yue. Can’t we just let him rest?”
“Hurry, restart the stage!!”
“Sigh…”
“Yue, poor thing, suffering because of that cruel bastard. I will definitely guide you through this.”
For some reason, my body felt incredibly light, comfortable even.“Yue.”“What?”“Let’s rest here for a while.”“Rest? I’m fine.”
Maria suddenly suggested “rest.”“Just listen to me. Rest, okay?”“…You sleep-obsessed person.”“Say what you want. I’m saying this for you. Even if you’re fine now, later you’ll definitely regret not resting.”“Will, my AI… she’s being noisy. Let’s rest for a bit.”
Yue turned to look at little Will, who was next to him.
“I’m hungry. Maria, do you have any food?”“Half-eaten chips. Half-drunk cola.”“Why do you only have trash?”“I don’t know. I’m just holding onto it.”“Is there a convenience store nearby?”“Do you think so?”“I don’t think so.”“Well, eat with me. After that, I’ll put your brain to sleep.”“You’re going to put me to sleep in a situation where we don’t know what will happen?”“I’ve checked the surroundings. 98% safe.”“What’s the basis for that?”“Just a hunch.”
Reluctantly, we shared the half-eaten chips and the flat cola, chatting aimlessly for a while.
“Will, why were you alone in the mushroom forest?”“Because Yue suddenly disappeared.”“Me?”“Yeah.”
I didn’t understand.Just a few hours ago, we were watching a movie together, but now, I found myself thrown into this strange place.And there, right in front of me, was little Will, silently eating chips.
“Yue.”“Yeah. Will, I’m going to sleep for a bit. You should rest too.”“…”“Don’t worry. Our AI is capable.”Will nodded quietly.
“Yue, get some good rest.”
Those were the last words I heard before my consciousness quickly faded away.I fell into nothingness, a warm, dark bottom.
—Zzzz…
Maria’s voice echoed in my mind.“Yue, wake up.”
Slowly, I opened my eyes, and soft light poured into my vision.How long had I been asleep?
“Say the password.”“Tamago-yaki.”“Good morning, Yue. Did you sleep well?”“Well, it’s not like you didn’t force my brain into sleep mode.”“You’ll say ‘Thank you, Maria’ soon.”
Looking next to me, I saw Will still quietly breathing in his sleep.No matter how I looked at him, he was just a small child.
“How long did I sleep?”“Eight hours.”“When Will wakes up, we’ll head out.”“Got it.”
I slowly stood up and looked around.Candy string clips, gum wrappers… my inventory was still full of trash.I wished I could find a weapon I could use.
At that moment, I noticed something glinting on the floor.
“What’s this?”“A paper cutter. It was used to open envelopes back when paper letters were common.”The blade was short, but it was an actual weapon.That was the only thing, really.
I went back to find Will awake.
“Sorry.”“It’s okay. Did you sleep well?”“Yeah.”
I grabbed the pizza cutter again and started walking.
“Why did I even have a pizza cutter?”“You picked it up on the road.”It was trash.What was I planning to do with it? I couldn’t remember.
We moved deeper into the area and came upon an open space.There, I found a “candle” item, along with another strange object.
“Yue!!!”Will shouted.“A book…?”“But it’s strange. It’s completely blank.”“Let me see.”I took the book and flipped through the pages, but every page was blank.
“Do you have something to write with, Maria?”“I only have trash.”“Figures.”“I’ve got something.”
Will handed me a luxurious, shining fountain pen.It was the one I had given him as a gift before.He was one of the few people who still wrote in a diary. I recalled the time when I laughed at him for saying, “Who even writes in diaries nowadays?”
I removed the cap of the pen and let the nib drop onto the blank page.
To the beings who read this:I am Yue = ε. An anomaly.A man with a 50 billion bounty on his head.Every day is dangerous, and every day is happy.I will write the information I’ve gathered on “anomalies” here.
Why do anomalies have to be forced to unlock their abilities?It’s simple: to mark them.And eventually, to be marked for “execution.”The government wants to eliminate anomalies, to create their ideal world.Thus, people like us are a threat to their vision.
If you don’t believe what I say, that’s fine. But sooner or later, you will be dealt with, just like livestock.So if you choose to become an anomaly, know that death will come eventually.Those who don’t want to die should obey the government now.All I can say is this:Value your life.
I quietly closed the book.“Maria.”“Yes?”“Do you think someone will ever read this book?”“I don’t know. But if you keep writing, it might reach someone someday.”
“Yeah. Maybe writing about this strange world could help someone.”
I’ve decided. From now on, I’ll write about this world.The stages, the mushroom forest, the upside-down library, and every despair I encounter.
—Clank!!
Suddenly, the loud sound of a heavy lock being undone echoed.From the gap in the massive door, a bright light shone through.
“Will, let’s go.”What kind of difficult road lies ahead?I will probably die.But after I die, who will continue writing this book?I hope someone will.With that thought in mind, I stepped into the light.
[Happy Ending]
