I entered the meeting hall.
It was crowded as usual.
As usual, I was trying to find my way by walking through people.
Then, I noticed someone extraordinarily close to me.
030 Was in front of me.
''Aren't you the guy who gave this GSL?''
''...Yeah..? Is something wrong?''
Again? I will probably be brutally beaten up this time.
Stupid Enomoto. I shouldn't have given this GSL.
Then,
030 raised her hands. And made a fist.
W-Wait!
Before I could make a reaction, I felt a sensetion.
I opened my eyes slowly.
She grabbed my shoulders.
Her eyes were shining
...
Wait...
She wasn't angry.
''You are the one who trying to protect everyone!''
I was just trying to survive this place as an ordinary participant.
''M-me?''
''Yeah you! Thanks to you, the effectiveness of 686 has diminished on us!!''
''Well... I appreciate that...''
''You should be proud of yourself!''
Proud?
Proud was't exactly the word I would use.
I didn't know what to say.
''Let's have a talk sometime. The meeting will start soon.''
''Alright. My number is 518.''
I started to walk. The crowd had already dispersed to their seats now. When I turned back, she warmly smiled and waved at me.
...
I scanned my card.
''518 is here.''
When I sat down, I realized something.
For the first time since I entered the complex, someone approached me without wanting something.
Except old 104. He was a great guy.
For some reason, I felt bad when I remembered his number.
...
I felt movement on my right side.
''220 is here''
220 had entered the hall.
Suddenly, I remembered she was going to send me something.
I opened my smartphone.
The interface opened immediately.
There was a shining red image on the messages section.
I clicked onto it.
The name ''220'' was on the first row.
I clicked onto it.
''MESSAGES''
''220''
''518, After the meeting, meet me in front of the dark hall where our rooms located. When we both arrive there, we will go to the sports hall located on 3rd floor.''
Pretty straightforward huh?
I decided to leave a response.
''Do you know which sub-floor does sports hall located?''
I immediately got a response.
''We will see.''
So even 220 never been to there. That makes it worse.
I got a message again.
''Afterwards, we will go to the printing station. To print our participant cards.''
I was about to send another message. Then--
The woman entered the hall.
I immediately locked my phone. 220 did the same.
...
''Hello again Participants.''
She cleaned her throat.
''By the way, the participant name had changed.''
The name?
''From now on, you are officially a congressman/congresswoman. Congratulations.''
Participant.
Congressman.
Just a little change. Yet everyone looked happier than expected.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
''Silence!''
Her voice dominated the room.
I felt the voice in my chest. No one dared to move.
As if they were controlling us at this point.
But they were from the start.
...
''We will begin with the motions.''
She paused.
''Are there any motions in the house?''
This time, Silence.
There was no trace left of our state two days ago.
Something must have happened while I was absent.
But then, a seat shifted slightly.
I turned my back.
The new 104.
''Congressman 104''
So our names really changed.
''May I intend a question?'' He said.
''Of course.''
Woman said. But something was different.
Her tone was slightly softer than usual.
104 cleaned his throat. 104 was really younger than us. His voice sounded a bit more childlike.
''I apologize if this is a stupid question. Can motions be about anything? or only matters related to country?''
Woman answered immediately.
''Only matters related to country.''
104 sat down.
Even 104 is trying to gather information like us.
Even a perfect scorer seemed to have questions.
...
''Motion!''
Someone raised their hand.
...
...
This time, Unlike last time, only 2 survived.
Others were clearly rejected.
The ones who were accepted was 369 and 455.
Their motions were accepted almost instantly.
For the role of 369, he presented a good motion about migration and refugees.
The agriculture/food officer, health, safety, and resource utilization representatives participated.
The subject of the next accepted motion was international relations.
Since our country is at war, he said we should build good relations.
he said that we should attach importance to cooperation and seek a ceasefire as soon as possible. He made it clear that we have no profit in this war.
Groups such as security, health, and education contributed.
Unlike most of us, 455 seemed to know exactly what he was doing.
...
''The session has ended. you may disperse to your rooms.''
Everyone started to stood up.
When the meeting ended, it was as if the gloom of the environment had been thrown out. a strong, cold wind blew outside.
I exhaled quietly. And stood up afterwards.
I checked my pockets. My ID card and golden card was still there.
Good.
Let's go.
...
The light in the corridors was darker than usual.
They probably gradually dim the lights as evening falls and it gets darker.
But shouldn't it be the exact opposite?
I don't understand.
I climbed the stairs anyways.
My legs were hurting like always.
I have a long day ahead.
...
I finally reached the middle section on the strangely structured floor.
Somethings off.
The smell of plaster and metal is really strong.
I stopped and looked around.
There were direction signs around. It was telling the distance of the living facilities and on which subfloor It was.
I began the move on again.
...
Finally, when I reached the dark corridor, I saw a vending machine.
Beside it, there was a rubbish bin and bench.
I saw 220 holding something and sitting on the bench.
I approached closer.
...
''Hello.''
I said with a flat tone.
''The vending machine in here is good. Look at it.''
I looked at the products.
There were refreshments.
''Why there are full of refreshments? isn't a vending machinde supposed to sell food or other stuff?''
''I dont know.''
She brought a metal can to her mouth.
''220, what are you drinking?''
''Sour cherry juice.''
As far as I know, all fruit juices contain sweeteners and artificial dyes.
''Can you tell me the contents?''
I said with full seriousness.
''100% sour cherry juice.''
''Wow. That's great.''
I sat down near her.
''You want one?''
I can't say no but...
''No.''
She stood up as she heard it. and started pressing the buttons of the vending machine.
And threw a can of sour cherry juice.
''Here you go.''
''I said no.''
''But you wanted.''
How did she know?
She sat down again.
I opened the can carefully. And poured into my mouth.
''How much?''
She looked at me.
''Only 1. Good isn't it?''
''Yeah. The price is as good as the taste.''
She compressed her can with force and threw into the bin.
''Let's go.'' She said. ''We got a lot to do.''
She started walking. The movement of the items in his pocket could be heard.
I also stood up and started following her behind.
I took a sip from the can. Finally. Something warm.
''So how we convince her?''
She asked.
''We must behave in an interesting way. I have no idea afterwards.''
''That's clear.'' She said. ''We go in the sports hall and join her committe.''
I raised my eyebrow.
''Really?''
''That's the most effective way. You could run, right?''
That's a bit... off.
''I am not into sports. You know. I only do ironing, if you call a sport.''
She turned back. Examining my body and shoes.
''You got the fit, trust me. How much you weight?''
This is a little sudden.
''Acording to the tast measurement, I am 58 at least.''
She turned back again. and started walking.
''That's great. I am 55. We are like a feather. We could handle this.''
What have I gotten myself into like this? Am I going to run now?
That was bad. Really bad.
But I got no other choice.
''Understood.''
We kept walking.
...
We finally climbed the stairs.
The 3rd floor. I have never been there before.
The structure was same as the 2nd floor.
''Let's look at the direction signs.''
I nodded and started searching for the sign.
...
After walking a while, we encountered a giant gap. There was a small grove and benches around it.And a cotton candy seller.
There were people in the grove and at the bench. Sitting or wandering around. There was a sign near the grove. it said:
''A shared atrium, 3rd floor, middle section, 2A''
I looked around.
''There it is!'' I shouted to 220 while I was showing the direction sign with my finger.
We walked closer to it.
...
[Locations]
Grand bazaar: 100 meters ---->
The grand sportscenter: 475 meters <-----
Prayer rooms: 57 meters Î
Atrium 1A: 65 meters ----->
Atrium 3A: 65 meters <-----
WC:32,5 meters <---->
Rooms: v
...
''475 meters?'' I said. ''How big this place is, I really wonder.''
''We will evetually figure out.'' She said with a serious tone.
I took my turn straight to left.
''Follow. I will lead the way.''
She didn't object.
After a while, we eventually reached Atrium 3A. But this time, The trees had changed from oak to pine.
The smell of heavy resin filled the air.
And instead of cotton candy seller, it was roasted corn seller.
it was crowded as 2A.
''Stop looking around. Lets go.''
She said. I fastened my pace.
I looked at the benches one last time.
And--
My eye frowned instantly.
686 and 781 was sitting and eating roasted corn. Watching us.
As he realized I am looking at him, I touched 220 that passing from my left.
''What?''
''Look.''
I pointed them secretly.
She also realized them looking at us.
Then, they stood up. And started walking toward us.
''Hello. What a coincidence.''
781 greeted me.
''I am still sorry for what happened today. Forgive us.''
He looked...genuine about this.
''Ah don't worry. It's nothing. I accept your apology.''
781 looked away with ashamed expression. His eyes were watery.
''I said I accept your apology.''
''No.''
What did he mean by that?
''I want to give you a proper apology. Will you meet me at cafe tomorrow?''
That was sudden.
''Sure, why not?''
686 stepped in.
''And I should make a proper apology too. Anyways, where are you two going?''
''We are--''
220 stepped in almost immediately.
''We are wandering every atrium in this floor. Our last destination is grand bazaar.''
781 locked his eyes toward 220.
''I understand. Goodbye for tomorrow!''
Somethings off with her.
''220 Wh-''
She put her hand toward my mouth. Keeping it shut.
''Shut up and walk.''
I nodded and waved at 686 and 781.
She said quietly.
''Follow the instructions.''
I kept my mouth shut.
''Stay emotionless. We walk, We look at the sign. We turn back.''
I murmured as if to confirm.
We walked hastily and stopped in frond of the sign.
The aspects were same but the distances were different. And 2A is visible now.
We looked for a while and turned back.
While turning, she told me to wave them.
I waved and they waved back.
...
We reached atrium 2A.
''What's wrong with you?'' I said with a confused tone.
''I sensed something wrong. That mood change from a person in one day... isn't natural.''
''That's nothing but a prediction.''
''It is. But we need to estimate every possibility. Let's take a different route towards Sport center.''
I was confused, But listened her anyways.
...
After a long walk, we finally reached the main corridor of the sports center without being seen by nobody.
Just as we took the next turn--
We saw a group of people who dressed like literal detectives. Coffe in their hands. And bunch of stuff on the ground.
Just as they saw us, One of them yelled.
''Stop please.''
We stopped at the enterance. Three people began to move dirrectly to us.
A large map hung on the wall.
The words DETECTIVE BUREAU were written on top.
220 looked suprised.
''What is this?''
''Standard inspection.''
One of them answered.
''Every participant entering this facility is searched.''
They pointed the items laid down on the giant table.
220 crossed her arms and tilted her head.
''For what exactly?''
The detective smiled politely.
''For safety.''
The answer somehow felt less reassuring than it should have.
...
''Please place all carried items on the table.''
220 looked annoyed. But she complied anyways.
One by one, she started emptying her pockets.
A folded map, another folded mao, a compass, a ruler, a notebook, a measuring tape, several pencils, The invaluable golden box, a small flashlight.
The detective blinked.
'''That is... quite a collection.''
220 stared at him.
''I like preparation.''
''I can see that.''
The detective began examining everything.
His attention never seemed to leave her belongings.
...
Meanwhile another detective approached me.
''May I?''
I nodded reluctantly.
He started checking my thin jacket.
My sleeves, Pockets, vest.
Professional and fast.
Then--
his hand stopped.
Right above the inner pocket.
My hearth skipped.
...
Don't touch that
Don't touch that
DON'T TOUCH THAT!
..
His fingers pressed slightly.
Once, twice.
As if confirming something.
A cold sweat ran through me.
Then he continued searching.
A few seconds later, he stepped back.
''Clear.''
That was it.
No questions.
...
Why did he stop there?
Maybe I was imagining things.
...
The first detective was still looking through 220's eqiupment.
''Cartography?''
220 nodded.
''Committee project.''
The detective exchanged a brief glance with other detective.
''Interesting.''
He said while looking at the schematic.
''What?''
Nothing.
He turned the map carefully.
''Ambitious goal.''
''I know.''
''I hope it succeeds.''
For some reason, that sounded like the opposite of encouragment.
...
After another minute the inspection ended.
The detective pushed the items back toward 220.
''Everything is permitted.''
220 immediately collected her belongings.
Much faster than she had placed them down.
Almost defensively.
...
''Are we done?''
''Yes.''
The detective stepped aside.
''You may enter.''
220 walked forward without another word.
I followed silently before her.
As passing by, I looked at the detective one last time.
They were smiling.
...
After several meters of silence, I finally spoke.
''That was weird.''
220 didn't slow down.
''What part?''
''They seemed obsessed with your stuff.''
She looked forward.
''Good.''
''Good?''
''If they are looking at my equipment, they aren't looking somewhere else.''
I frowned.
''What does that even mean?''
''You don't need to know.''
Typical.
...
I glanced back one last time. The detectives were still standing near the enterance.
Watching participants enter and leave.
Watching everything.
For some reason, O couldn't stop thinking about that brief moment.
That pause on my inner pocket.
...
No. I was probably overthinking it.
After all--
If they had found something suspicious, they would have stopped me.
Right?
...
We stopped at the big enterance door. There were people inside, speaking with each other.
...