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It was my first day in the prison. The air felt so awkward after the speech they gave us... Murderers? Songs? Whatever...
There were a few prisoners that didn't feel that thick and awkward air. One of them was Mahiru Shiina. She was so smiley and sunny. I was almost surprised when she came up to me to talk, given the situation we were in.
"Hello, I'm Mahiru Shiina!"
She told me with her sweet smile while she waved her hand in the air to me.
"I'm Yuno Kashiki. Nice to meet you"
I answered, smiling back. Even after our first greeting, I could feel a strong bond blooming between us.
As we kept spending time together in the first trial, we were able to befriend the other prisoners too. Even the most shy ones.
"H-Hello Yuno-san.... Hi Mahiru-san..."
Haruka always greeted us and stayed as close as he could. He told us that he feels happy to be around us.
"Good morning Yun-chan and Mappi! What's that?"
Mikoto pointed at our breakfast. Mahiru had made something for everyone. She was so sweet and caring... and a great cook too.
"I made breakfast for everyone! Here's a plate for you, Mikoto!"
Mahiru replied with her sweet voice. I kinda admired her. She was always so kind and... just perfect. Sometimes I wondered how could someone like her be a murderer.
Our first days went by just fine. We just hanged out and talked with the others too, getting to know each other. Mahiru got me in such a good mood, that even the interrogation with Es went smoothly. She told me hers went smoothly too. I was glad.
But after the interrogations... things started getting weird. Everyone looked kinda off. Especially for... Kotoko. She was so weird... seemed to have her guard always up. For what reason? What was she planning...? I was kinda worried. Even if Mahiru told me not to.
I wish that she would've listened to me.
One day, I heard so much noise... so many screams. What was happening!?
I instantly called Kazui and Shidou and went to check out the situation and... a..and... Mahiru...
"M-MAHIRU! WHAT!? NO!!!"
I yelled as I ran to her with Shidou, while Kazui handled Kotoko, who was now attacking Fuuta.
"Mahiru are you okay!? Answer me please...!"
I said as I gently grabbed her body and brought her close to myself. Why... why her? Why did Es have to give her the unforgiven vote?
She did nothing wrong... right? Then why did Es think the exact opposite?
Shidou helped me bring Mahiru in a safe place. I haven't seen both Mikoto and Amane though... I hope they're okay. What was Kotoko on to? The thought made me shiver. What if the same happens to me?
What if Es choses not to forgive me too?
The second trial had just started... and Mahiru seemed to be okay. Well, kind of. Her situation was still critical, and Shidou had to check up on her a lot. She even had to move around in a wheelchair.
But even after all that... her sweet smile was still present. It gave me a little of hope that she could get better.
Even if I had already lost interest in all this.
The interrogations went by again... I told Es all the truth about my murder. But I still was annoyed with them because of their judgments. Were they really able to judge someone? I wonder...
Lately Shidou has been acting really pessimistic. What was going on with this man?
Since I insisted with taking care of Mahiru, he has been teaching me some things about medicine and such.
"...understood, Kashiki-kun? These are really fundamental for Shiina-kun. I'm trusting you with the duty of taking care of her if I'll be gone."
"Don't be so pessimistic all the time, Shidou-san. There's no fun in that."
"Ha... I wish this could be fun, Kashiki-kun..."
"Hmpf."
See? Pessimistic. Every prisoner gave out a weird aura lately. Except for... Mahiru. Even if she was injured, she was still herself. I think that she is the only one that hasn't changed one bit.
"So... how was your interrogation, Mappi?"
I asked to her. Shidou went to take a break, and of course I stayed by her side.
"It was... okay. Es was a little shocked to see me in this state. Hah... to think that I even made them cry... do I really look that pityful?"
"Cry? Pfft... so they can actually feel emotions, huh? And don't worry, you're not pityful. Es thought the same about me, but I don't look pityful."
"...Really...? Well... yeah... You don't look pityful at all, Yuno."
"I'm glad."
I already knew everything about Mahiru. I knew things that Es didn't know, things that they couldn't even see through the extracts. Me and Mappi are... really close. She told me a lot about herself and her crime.
Personally... I wouldn't have unforgiven her. Or at least, not on the first trial.
If only...
To this recent day, things have gotten worse. Way worse.
Shidou wasn't being a pessimist, it seems. He's really gone now, due to Amane. Haruka is gone too. I'm the only one taking care of Mahiru, because the others aren't capable of doing so. Shidou taught me, and only me.
But today... it was different. There was something wrong with Mahiru.
"Mappi, is everything okay? You seem weaker today."
I asked, trying to hide my worry for a little.
"I'm okay, Yuno... ouchie... ugh... well, maybe..."
She answered. She didn't look okay at all.
"Mappi, you shouldn't lie to me. What are you feeling?"
I asked, panic rising in my body. I could feel my heart beating fast. My chest hurt.
"I... I don't know, Yuno..."
"Mahiru. Please. W-What's wrong!?"
I could feel myself panicking even more. I started checking everything on Mahiru, but...
"Y-Yuno... I... I don't think that..."
"W-What!? Mahiru, you- you can't give up!"
"...I'm sorry... Yuno..."
No. There is no way. She can't be dying. I had been doing my best, treating her just like how Shidou taught me. Why wasn't it enough!?
"Mahiru! This isn't funny at all!"
I said as I started shaking her a little, trying to get a reaction from her.
The only reaction I got was... a smile. Her sweet... soft... yet weak smile.
"...Thank you for everything... Yuno..."
She struggled to get out of her throat, as I could see the light of life slowly disappearing from her eyes. This can't be real.
"MAHIRU! MAHIRU- NO! Y-YOU...!"
I started shaking her harder as tears started rolling down my cheeks. She can't be gone. She can't. How can I live without her smile?
"MAHIRU! MAHIRU...! M... Mahiru... Why..."
I cried as I slowly leaned my head against her, who was lying on her bed. I can't believe that in a bit her warmth will be forever gone.
"Mahiru... you can't do this... don't leave..."
I sobbed as my hand reached out to hold hers tightly. I didn't even have the time to tell her what I actually thought about her.
She was everything I was living for.
And now she was gone. How could I go through this last trial without her?
I think that I wouldn't have cared, before.
...We spent too much time together, didn't we?