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Completed Everlasting Summer - Soviet Waifus, It's Heaven [NSFW]

Baron Dupek

Arcane
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
1,870,765
Luckily lil' Hitler doesn't have a route. Who would want to bang that anyway.
I would read it. Melting ice if you know what I mean... or just for battle with witty words but that required really clever and smart writer, which obviously is not here.

'Semyon' means 'samefag'
that give some answers.

And am I the only one that like the 2nd pic in #197 more?
 
Last edited:

Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
What is 410 bus? Will you let us see both endings? This is intriguing.

Apparently 410 is a meme of bus that goes straight to hell.
Yes, I'll do both endings. We are going for full clear, after all :smug:


3chEzNY.jpg

4faICkA.jpg

nAXNcxa.jpg


MnfQDOr.png
I'll go forward.

I shrugged my shoulders, trying to express a minimum of interest.
Yulya stared hard at me for some time, but then took a couple of steps forward, as if inviting me to follow her.

vHKep29.png
Well, are you going?

...

It seemed like for the first time today we got a bit closer to the city, like a hundred metres or so.
I was almost sure that I would reach it, then I heard sounds of a car horn from behind...
A bus, an Icarus, approached us fast, cutting through the night darkness with its lights.
I stepped to the roadside.

MnfQDOr.png
That's...

Yulya wasn't around.
How does she manage to appear and disappear so unnoticeably?
The bus slowly stopped next to me, the door opened and...

L9ijhpe.jpg


DcPXZTm.png
Semyon! Why didn't you come back? I asked you to!
MnfQDOr.png
I could ask you the same thing! You said a disaster had happened, and now you...
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Okay...

She suddenly softened.

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Get on the bus.
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What...? And what about the city?
G31PX5e.png
That's why we're going there – to see for ourselves!

I hesitated.
On one hand, it would be faster to go by bus, this road should lead to the city. On the other hand, the actions of the camp leader seemed strange.
We're going in the same direction for the time being anyway...

MnfQDOr.png
Okay.

I agreed and got onto the bus.

...

It was too slow in my opinion! I was so tired that my eyes started to close.
And what about Yulya? Did I just leave her alone there?
It looked like all the pioneers who had been in Sovyonok had got onto this bus!

Maybe she wanted to say something to me...
However, regardless of my struggle with Morpheus, my loud snoring sounded from the back seat within a couple of minutes.

...


a0FDJBt.jpg


I wanted to get out so badly and to not fall asleep.
Is exhaustion the reason?
Probably not. It was like I got a dose of sedative. People can't lose conciousness just like that and I never suffered from narcolepsy!

My thoughts flowed fast and calm, like a wide river.
Nothing interfered with their flight, because I was sleeping...
But, at the same time, it felt like I was conscious!
I am about to open my eyes and...

6VhMMUR.jpg


The computer fan sounded peaceful, but strained. Thousands of specks of dust danced beautifully in the air.

fvgHTlu.jpg


The bright, winter-cold moon looked down at my world, winking merrily.

9DbH6ZR.jpg


The realisation didn't come at once.
I was intending to go somewhere yesterday and then...
And I had a strange dream about summer, a camp, pioneers and their camp leader, about a strange cat-girl and a distant city.
I always forget the end of my dreams. Did I get to the city or not?

Wait a minute... Was that really a dream?
I spent nearly a week in that camp!
However, the clock didn't agree with me - according to it, only about twelve hours had passed.

I sat up on the bed and tried to remember.
My feelings and emotions were really vivid, but the events of that dream were covered in fog.
I remembered girls, their tears and smiles, remembered joy and sadness that we experienced together, but their faces and figures were concealed by shadow.
And there was a mine of some sort, a bomb-shelter and then an island and a departure. And those damned grasshoppers, which disturbed my sleep!

And Slavya, and Lena, and Alisa, and Ulyana, and Masha... and Yulya!

But there was something else, something beyond the dream. My life after, seemingly a new level of existence.
Yes, I had woken up many times, met those girls while being awake in this world, and then everything started all over again...
This huge load of information just couldn't settle in my head, my memory was overflowing. I was forgetting something every second and I couldn't understand what was real and what was not.

All the events of the camp blended into one fantastic picture, a collage made from hundreds of works by hundreds of artists with different styles.

Scraps of feelings, shadows of emotions, parts of memories. My life was ripped apart and clumsily sewn back together and the result was something like that disfigured doll I had found in the old camp together with Ulyana. Wait... or was it with Slavya?!

That night search for Shurik flew before my eyes with all its details, but I couldn't remember the face of a girl who was with me that time.
The dream was getting more foggy with every moment. Will it be forgotten soon? I can't let that happen! I must remember!
Even without details, even without faces, maybe even without names...
I am sure it is not just a dream! It's something bigger, something very important to me...

A voice started to ring in my head and it was not mine, it was someone else's.
It was quiet and distant at first, but it was growing louder with every moment and soon I almost could make out the words.
But it was probably just my imaginination. One electrical brain impulse contained more thoughts than a thousand books!

I remembered something in that dream I'd left unfinished.
The city? No, I had reached the city.
Yulya!

From the depths of my conciousness the image of a cat-girl arose. She stared at me furiously and moved her ears in a funny way.
Was it not a dream...? Was the week I had spent in the camp not a dream?!

I walked around the room, looked out the window. The outside world was the same as yesterday.
I was on the verge of going insane!

- RING -

The silence of my flat was disturbed by the ringing of the door-bell.
Who might that be at such an hour?!

I didn't want to open the door at first. I was even afraid, but then thought that it was a good opportunity to check: was this a dream?
People in the dream and in reality are totally different!
I'll open the door and see!

I made it to the entrance in two leaps, pulled on the door handle without even looking in the peephole, and...

hvRaU15.jpg


But something had changed about them.
I didn't remember every detail of their appearance in the dream. However, Slavya's hair-do... And Ulyana seemed taller.
A heavy silence hung in the air for a moment. I was petrified, my thoughts frozen, feeling no fear or any other emotions.
The girls seemed not to be surprised at all...

UdHKQdS.png
...
N2bIq2F.png
Hi!

Slavya said happily.

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Why are you standing around like a dummy?!

Exclaimed Ulyana.

UdHKQdS.png
How do you...

I got words onto my tongue, but couldn't form a sensible question out of them.
I had so many things to ask at once!

G8B1I4Y.png
Calm down, girls. You shouldn't shock a person like this!

I remembered Lena at once, remembered our life after the camp...
And Slavya, that conversation at the night bus-stop.
And Ulyana. Our encounter at the university.
And Alisa at my concert.
And even Masha in the other world.

But how...?

4T4ejbg.png
Well, yes. To cut a long story short...

Alisa started to speak casually.

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Don't be so surprised. Did you think you were the only one...?
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In Sovyonok.
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Yes, yes, in Sovyonok. You weren't the only one!
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We were there too!
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But how do you... all together, here...
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The point is that every one of us had her own camp and you had yours. I mean, in ours you behaved... differently.

Slavya sounded awkward.

IGpqMBJ.png
Really differently! You chased me with that cake, I barely managed to escape!
1SdK5dF.png
It turned out that we remembered everything before you did and understood that they were not just dreams.
UdHKQdS.png
Wait, but how is it... Only one day has passed.
G8B1I4Y.png
No, it's gone on much longer. At first, I thought so too, that only I had dreams about the camp, but then people from there started to become more real. You started too...

She sighed deeply.

G8B1I4Y.png
And those horrors...

Seems like Lena will start crying any second now.

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Stop it already! I told you a thousand times it wasn't him, it was another Semyon!
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What does that mean, 'another Semyon'...?
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You see, there are many such dreams, many camps, everyone has a personal one. And in each of them you behave in different ways. Somewhere it is like that...

She looked at Lena with sadness and went on:

N2bIq2F.png
Many of your incarnations told us about other camps and other versions of us... But we were just dolls there, playing preset roles.
IGpqMBJ.png
I am not some doll!

Ulyana was outraged.

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We got tired of that, of course! We started to look for an exit and one time I got into Miku's world.
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Don't call me that!
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But... I remember... the camp was completely different there, we were shooting a movie and...
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What's the difference? In any case the dream repeated.
UdHKQdS.png
...
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Well, then we managed to connect the rest of the worlds into one for all five of us. And from there, it was all in the bag!

Alisa smiled and I recognised that smile.

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The only thing left was to find you.
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To find me? Why?

I certainly wasn't against it!
Everything fell into place at last! Sovyonok, pioneers, the camp leader, these girls...

UdHKQdS.png
What about Yulya?
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Who?
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Yulya, the cat-girl. Didn't you see her?
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Yes, someone did mention something about that...
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How could that...?

I still felt somewhat guilty about leaving Yulya.

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That's how it is. Each of us had only one world of our own, and you had many of them.
N2bIq2F.png
And then we understood that only you were connected with reality.
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How did you understand that?
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The pioneer told us. I mean the you who claimed to have been in that dream for a long time.
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Some weirdo! Probably gone completely bananas!

I couldn't get everything they were saying straight in my mind.

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Okay, wait...

I put all my thoughts together.

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Then that camp was not a dream? Everything has been going on for a long time? There were many camps which had me and you? But each of you had one and I had many...? No, I don't understand.
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That's about right.
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Stop sulking. You're so boring! It was a lot of fun! For example, I'd never visited a pioneer camp! You probably hadn't either.
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But who was behind all this? And why?
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That's why we came – to find it out.
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But how did you find me?

Suddenly, I felt doubt and even fear.
Ulyana pinched me at once.

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Ouch!
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Just in case you thought you're dreaming!
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It wasn't difficult.
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Your copies could certainly be talkative, if they wanted to.
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Or if you forced them to...

Lena added quietly.

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So, first we met in real life, and then we came to you.
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Greet your guests!
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Unbelievable...

My life turned upside down in the blink of an eye.
Obviously I didn't remember this dream, or dreams as girls said, in full detail, but I felt too that the camp was something bigger than that.
It brought us together, at first there and now here.
Only the question of Yulya still remained. But might I know the answer? I could just forget it, just like I forgot many other things.

UdHKQdS.png
Okay. I hope you tell me everything in detail.
N2bIq2F.png
Sure!
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That's what we're here for.
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Well, come in. Don't stand on the doorstep... Tea, coffee, dance?

I added, trying to calm down and come to myself.
Lena's eyes glared.

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Alright, alright, we'll save the dancing for later...

bRjFH5b.jpg


Every story has its canvas, synopsis, content, key moments, prologues and epilogues.
And there is no book that re-reading it would not reveal new details you hadn't noticed before.
But every book has a last page. And after turning it over, we put the book on the shelf.

eGP3vUP.jpg

xN5Jihh.jpg










309lJiL.gif
 

Baron Dupek

Arcane
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
1,870,765
So... this bus 410 is like "planet ticket, bitch" or something?

and amergad these faces of "adult" version are like dolls from '90 soviet cartoons
:what:.

PS there should be also Olga and Violet nurse with grey hairs, har har har.
 
Last edited:

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Wait. So Yulia route actually leads to the harem ending? That's not how it is supposed to work in VNs!
 

wwsd

Arcane
Vatnik
Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
7,620
You should LP Kara No Shoujo.

I'm actually replaying that right now. I was reminded of it when I read that some of the routes of this game are pretty fucked-up (as we've seen now). I certainly have no intention to play it again after that, though. Come to think of it, did they ever translate the sequel?
 

SerratedBiz

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
4,143
You should LP Kara No Shoujo.

I'm actually replaying that right now. I was reminded of it when I read that some of the routes of this game are pretty fucked-up (as we've seen now). I certainly have no intention to play it again after that, though. Come to think of it, did they ever translate the sequel?

According to VNDB it's set to be released in English in 2015 by Mangagamer.

I also played it once and got pretty far in (as in, I didn't fuck up too soon into the game), so that by the time I got my (bad) ending, my savegames (which reached to something like five path branches before my death) couldn't prevent my death. So I never replayed it.

So I'm serious, you should really go for Mindfuck 3.1 aka Kara no Shoujo! :greatjob:
 

Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
3chEzNY.jpg

ECQYtsc.jpg

YyLGfCt.jpg


I forced myself to speak.

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What?

Yulya was surprised.

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Okay, let's go back. Weren't you expecting this answer?

She smiled cunningly.

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No. Why do you think that?
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Because you always say that everything repeats itself after seven days and I can't get out of here...
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So we'll check it out!
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Oh, check it out? Shouldn't we check out that city for starters?
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It's up to you to decide.

I looked at her intently.
Something seemed to have changed in Yulya, but I couldn't understand what it was exactly.

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I've already decided...

I mumbled.

vHKep29.png
Then we should go!

The cat-girl made her way across the field in the direction of the forest with confidence.

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Hey, wait, where are you going?!
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It will take less time.
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Less time...?

The thoughts started spinning in my head furiously, merging into one, which probably wouldn't be a pleasant one.

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So all this time...

I caught up with her in two strides and grabbed her tail.

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...did you know all this time? That I could go straight here? Without wandering for the whole day?!

Yulya hissed furiously and bared her teeth. I let go of her tail.

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No! I mean, I might have known, but you have nothing to do there!
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In that city?
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Yes.
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Why?
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I don't know. It shouldn't be that way. It's not right! I can't explain, I just know!

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I wonder, could things get any worse?
It is not that everything is really bad right now, but what if that city doesn't disappear? And what's happening at the camp? What do Olga Dmitrievna's words mean? Should I still hesitate, if I have already decided what to do?

MnfQDOr.png
Alright, let's go...

...

Q7DvOhw.jpg


Yulya seemed extremely satisfied with something.

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Would you explain what is happening to you?
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Everything is just so unusual.
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Because it was not like this before, everything repeated itself after seven days... Yeah, I've heard it already.

She just smiled in return.

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I wonder what happened back at the camp...?
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Look!

The camp gates were visible in the distance, beyond the trees.
We started to walk faster.

...

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She said on the radio that something happened...
A strange anxiety had overwhelmed me at once. I looked at Genda and there...

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The city! There's no city!

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Images of possible events flashed before my eyes.
However, I quickly pulled myself together.

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This is just some nonsense!

There was nothing to support the idea of this science fiction story turning into a bloody thriller.
I determinedly pulled the door-handle and entered the cabin.

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Well, no point in staying here then!

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Without dwelling on my thoughts, I knocked on the door...
But only silence responded.
I walked around the cabin and looked in the window.
It was empty.

Well, that doesn't mean anything... They might have gone somewhere!

10GA64b.jpg


Maybe everybody decided to have a late dinner...

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Yulya, who had followed me in silence, asked without much interest.
Well, true. Why did I start panicking...?
Though what if something actually had happened...

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Well, I'm hungry. I'll go look for something to eat.

I didn't object and in a moment Yulya silently disappeared in the night.
It's either some stupid prank (which was hard to belive), or everyone really has disappeared somewhere!
The event itself isn't any stranger than my arrival here, or that mysterious city which showed up and then vanished, but...

I'd gotten used to this camp and its inhabitants. And now, such a twist...
I'd more or less adapted to my new circumstances and now something happens again!

I cursed and covered my face with my hands.
I would probably have sat like that for several minutes until tears started to flow, but...

My eardrums were almost broken by a loud noise. It sounded like a thunderclap.

oFR5Dub.jpg

dNV08tO.jpg


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You... you...

I uttered, stammering.
A thunderstorm rumbled in the clear sky, the lightning flashes obscuring the face of the man standing before me.

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Why the sad face, Semyon?
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Who are you?

I shouted.

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Calm down, you don't have to get so tense. Nervous cells don't regenerate, you know.

My first thought was to run, but my body didn't respond to that idea.
The lightning was still flashing brightly and there was no chance to see the pioneer's face clearly.
However, I was sure that I had heard that voice before.

MnfQDOr.png
Who are you?

I asked in a quieter tone.

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Perhaps you have more appropriate questions?
MnfQDOr.png
Where has everyone disappeared to?
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They have played their parts and we don't need them anymore.
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Parts? What parts?
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Their parts.
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And what about the city?
xCqx4Cm.png
What city?

I wasn't sure whether I caught a trace of surprise in his voice, or I was just hearing things.

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The city. There!

I waved my hand in the direction of Genda.

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Ah, you are talking about...

He went silent for a moment.

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It's your fault!
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I don't understand.
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It's because you don't try hard enough!

The pioneer raised his voice.

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I... I...
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You just need to think! Just think! How long have you been here? Five days? Six? Or twenty six?
MnfQDOr.png
Six... probably...
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Six? Why six? Are you sure about six? Why are you sure? Because you counted the number of dusks and dawns? Or because you looked at the date on your mobile phone?
MnfQDOr.png
I don't know...

The pioneer before me lost his temper. I had no clue what he was talking about.

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Six... Okay, let it be six.

He said calmly.

xCqx4Cm.png
And haven't you been here before?
MnfQDOr.png
No...
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Are you sure about that too?
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I don't know...
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And what if I say that you've been here before?

I had absolutely no idea how to react to his words. Something was happening to me, like on the first day here, something inexplicable, terrifying and maybe dangerous.

MnfQDOr.png
But I don't remember...
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Why do you have to remember?

He fell silent, seemed lost in thought.

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However, you really don't remember. Well, I'll tell you then.

I could hardly hear his words through the sound of thunder.
My eyes were getting teary because of the lightning flashes, but I was afraid to even blink and give this pioneer a chance to disappear.
He might really tell me how I turned up here.

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This is not the first time you've been here. I don't know how many laps you've had, but it doesn't matter.
MnfQDOr.png
But why? I don't remember anything.
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You should not remember! You should not!

He shouted.

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Sorry...

I decided not to interrupt him.

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Yes, it is not your first time here...

He continued in a calmer voice.

xCqx4Cm.png
But this time is special. It will be the last one for you.

I couldn't understand what his definition of the word 'last' was.
Will I get out from here and return to my normal life? Or does it mean that I'll die here...?

xCqx4Cm.png
Well, that's only my opinion.

He went silent for a long time.
I decided to ask a question at last.

MnfQDOr.png
How do you know all this?
xCqx4Cm.png
How? Let's say that I am your brother in misfortune. And...

An explosion sounded nearby. It seemed like lightning struck a tree just a dozen metres away from me.

KqsPsOt.jpg


I don't know how long I was lying there, but by the time I had slightly recovered from the shock, the thunderclaps had stopped.

lIoO3bH.jpg


Yulya was standing where the pioneer had been standing before.

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So, you have met your colleague.

She smiled and offered me a hand. Shocked, I didn't know what to do and kept lying down.

vHKep29.png
How long are you planning to stay there?

I stood up with difficulty.

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Who was that?

If I have to choose the lesser evil, then I would rather trust Yulya than that mysterious pioneer.

vHKep29.png
Well, how should I put it...

She got lost in thought.

vHKep29.png
You know, you are not the only one. To be more precise, you are the only one here, but... There are more of the same camp. Lots of them. And there are more of the same you. A lot of them too.

I didn't understand anything.

vHKep29.png
Some of them can appear in the other places. Like this pioneer, for example.
MnfQDOr.png
So you knew all that, but didn't tell me?
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You didn't ask.

She shrugged her shoulders.

MnfQDOr.png
Should I be afraid of him?
vHKep29.png
I don't think you should... Although...
MnfQDOr.png
Should I or should I not?

My anxiety grew.

vHKep29.png
I doubt that he can take a... physical form... But you should be careful with him.

I had received so much information at once that I would need more than a week to comprehend it all.
Though keeping all that in mind, I understood that this information doesn't explain anything at all.

MnfQDOr.png
So there are lots of people like me...
vHKep29.png
Yes.
MnfQDOr.png
But how did I... we get here?
vHKep29.png
I don't have an exact answer for that question. I just know that it is you who came here. Just one person came here, to be more precise.

Yulya now looked nothing like that strange girl with animal ears who was sprinkling sugar on mushrooms.
She was the exact opposite. There was confidence in her eyes and even some arrogance. And no sign of her earlier childish infantilism.

MnfQDOr.png
Who are you, then?
vHKep29.png
Me?
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Yes.
vHKep29.png
Honestly, I have no idea...

I stared at her with an open mouth.

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How's that... you have no idea?
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The only thing I remember is that I was here. I don't remember anything else. Like there was nothing else. I must watch you... all of you, and I exist in all camps simultaneously.

After recovering from my shock, I continued.

MnfQDOr.png
And you don't know who you are?
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Bingo!

She laughed.

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But that's impossible! Well, I would understand amnesia... But all-powerful beings can't have it.
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And who told you that I am all-powerful?
MnfQDOr.png
Are you not?
DKdVLis.png
Actually I'm capable of nothing. I can't interfere with the natural flow of events.
MnfQDOr.png
But didn't you know... or see?
DKdVLis.png
I know a bit of something. I saw a bit of something...
MnfQDOr.png
And what will... Well, you know...

I had no idea how to put the question.

vHKep29.png
Nothing. Usually, seven days pass and one of you leaves the camp. I would even say... disappears. Then a new one comes and everything repeats... The number of camps is constant.
MnfQDOr.png
We spoke about this before. Disappears... where?
vHKep29.png
I don't know.
MnfQDOr.png
That can't be possible! You told me so much and...
pPj7yMr.png
Do you think that I'm hiding something from you?
MnfQDOr.png
No.

I said exhausted.
I guess I shouldn't doubt her words. At least for now...

MnfQDOr.png
Maybe they don't disappear, they just go for another lap?
vHKep29.png
I can't rule out that possibility, but I don't think they do.
MnfQDOr.png
And what is happening to me now then?
jr9kgh7.png
I can't explain this either. But I know for sure that this was meant to happen. And this is something unusual. The course of events is different this time.
MnfQDOr.png
The pioneer spoke about it too...
vHKep29.png
He might know more than me.
MnfQDOr.png
But how should I understand all of this?

I sighed deeply and covered my head with my hands.

vHKep29.png
I think we will find that out very soon.
MnfQDOr.png
Okay... But finally, who are you then?

Yulya pouted her lips.

AXguIGW.png
I told you before!
MnfQDOr.png
So, do you have memory loss then?
vHKep29.png
No...

She thought for a moment.

vHKep29.png
I don't have a memory at all, probably. There was no me before this camp... I didn't exist.
MnfQDOr.png
But...

I didn't finish the sentence.
Taking into account everything that happens here, there was a lot I could only make assumptions about.
And that means I should not be surprised by a girl with animal ears.

MnfQDOr.png
Are you something like an observer here?
DKdVLis.png
Probably... I think that word is the most appropriate.
MnfQDOr.png
And what about all the inhabitants disappearing after playing their parts?
rAMiPd4.png
What are you talking about?
MnfQDOr.png
The pioneer said that...
vHKep29.png
Parts...

She moved her ears in a funny way, making me smile.

vHKep29.png
There is something to it. Because only you are real here... I mean you, that pioneer, and all other ones.
MnfQDOr.png
How's that?
pPj7yMr.png
I told you – I don't know! You can assume that I appeared here with a limited amount of knowledge, nothing more. There are things that I am not sure about and there are things that I know no more about than you.
MnfQDOr.png
Fine...

On one hand, her words seemed logical enough.
If you can even talk about logic in such a situation...

MnfQDOr.png
And what do you suggest to do next?
vHKep29.png
To wait and see how things will turn out.
MnfQDOr.png
Yes, you can't change anything...

I mumbled.

GlYiB3S.png
Anyway, it's dinner time!

She smiled merrily and waved her tail.

MnfQDOr.png
Didn't you go to look for something...?
vHKep29.png
I didn't find anything! I had no time, I saw the lightning and came back at once.
DKdVLis.png
Let's go!

She went in the direction of the canteen.
She'd better stick with me.
It might be that there was no pioneer at all...
And if I wasn't the only one who can see him, then there would be less grounds to doubt my sanity, which was not feeling very secure lately.

...

h1Kn0lH.jpg


vHKep29.png
So?
MnfQDOr.png
What?
vHKep29.png
Dinner.
MnfQDOr.png
Yes, what about it?

I yawned. The time was long past midnight.

MnfQDOr.png
By the way, how did you open the canteen?
DKdVLis.png
You've got to have the skills!

No need to continue with this topic.

MnfQDOr.png
Maybe it's better to go to sleep?
AXguIGW.png
Cook. Now.

She said in a dictatorial tone.

MnfQDOr.png
Me?
vHKep29.png
I don't see anyone else around.
MnfQDOr.png
O... Okay...

I slowly walked towards the kitchen.
Because of all the talk of food I suddenly felt hungry.
I found a carton of eggs in a fridge and called out to Yulya:

MnfQDOr.png
Hey, how about scrambled eggs?
vHKep29.png
Well... maybe.

I started cooking.
Funny the way things turn out...
Bizarre and incomprehensible events are happening to me, and yet I'm just standing here making dinner. Just hoping for the best.
It's a typical Russian feature, yes...

Nevertheless, I am quite sure that nothing bad will happen.
And in case of unexpected problems Yulya will protect me.
Although she says that she does not know much, in a critical moment I can certainly rely on her. There is simply nobody else to count on.
Just yesterday nothing was up to me, but at least I had a slight idea what was happening. However, now...
The only thing left to do is to comfortably lean back in a chair and wait for the installation to be finished.

I added grated cheese, mayonnaise, salt and pepper and poured the well-stirred mass into the pan.
I also found a salami in the fridge and a loaf of bread on the shelf next to it.
Soon we were sitting in silence and eating scrambled eggs.

DKdVLis.png
Yummie yummie!
MnfQDOr.png
It's nothing special... Ordinary bachelor-style dinner.
vHKep29.png
Never tried anything like this.
MnfQDOr.png
Probably better than mushrooms and nuts?
AXguIGW.png
That's enough.

Yulya answered angrily.

When we finished dinner I said:

MnfQDOr.png
Tell me something about yourself... Though... you probably have nothing to tell.
vHKep29.png
Probably.
MnfQDOr.png
How long have you been here?
vHKep29.png
I don't know. A long time...
MnfQDOr.png
But are you mostly human?
GlYiB3S.png
Well, very likely!
MnfQDOr.png
Then how can you be at several places at the same time...?
vHKep29.png
It's hard to explain, I don't really understand it myself. Let's assume that here and now in front of you I'm the only one.

I could accept such an assumption.
In the end, although the fact that Yulya had many faces was just one mystery among many others happening here, it was definitely not the main one.
At least that's what I thought.

MnfQDOr.png
Well, let's assume that... And what do you know about the world?
X5OhrvO.png
I can read and write, if that's what you mean.

She laughed.

MnfQDOr.png
No, not exactly that. Do you know where this camp is located?
vHKep29.png
No...
MnfQDOr.png
Then maybe you know that I'm not from here... not from this time... not from this reality.
vHKep29.png
Well, I know, but not any details.
MnfQDOr.png
And if I ask you what the year is now...
vHKep29.png
I can't answer.

I took a deep breath and stared out the window.

vHKep29.png
In general, you can assume that there are some things I know more about than you, and some I know less...
MnfQDOr.png
So what should we do?
vHKep29.png
As I told you before – just wait.
MnfQDOr.png
Wait... And what are we gonna do?
vHKep29.png
What do you wanna do?
MnfQDOr.png
I don't know... But forgive me, I don't feel like climbing trees.
DKdVLis.png
Okay, okay. Then maybe you will tell me something about yourself?
MnfQDOr.png
Not now.
vHKep29.png
As you wish... So what then?
MnfQDOr.png
I don't know. Maybe just sit and wait. I don't mind.
vHKep29.png
But that's so boring!
MnfQDOr.png
I don't see any alternatives.
vHKep29.png
So let's go... come on...

She thought for a while.
I looked keenly at Yulya.
Looks like she really finds everything happening here amusing.
Moreover, the current situation doesn't seem strange to her.
According to her, there is nothing unusual about it.

MnfQDOr.png
You know, everything that's happening is not quite normal to me. I don't even understand why I'm not currently hiding somewhere under my bed, trembling at every sound.
GlYiB3S.png
It turns out you are brave.

I said nothing but merely smiled.

X5OhrvO.png
I've got an idea!

I looked at her with interest.

pPj7yMr.png
No, I forgot it again...

Yulya scratched her cat ears.

X5OhrvO.png
Ah! Just remembered! Let's go swimming!

Now I stared at her in disbelief.

MnfQDOr.png
Maybe it'd be better to go to sleep?
pPj7yMr.png
Oh come on!

She pouted.
Indeed, the day had been hot and I was soaked with sweat. It's much easier to fall asleep in this heat when you are clean.

MnfQDOr.png
Okay. Let's go.

...

rOgW4Ks.jpg


I lazily sprawled on the sand and looked at the river.
I immediately felt completely exhausted.

MnfQDOr.png
You know, I don't actually like swimming.

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Yulya sat next to me.

MnfQDOr.png
Well, it's not that I don't know... Anyway that doesn't matter! The pioneers – fine, but how could the whole town disappear?
vHKep29.png
I told you before – I don't know. Let's go swimming!
MnfQDOr.png
I don't want to...

I never liked to reveal that I'm a lousy swimmer.

vHKep29.png
Oh come on! Stop it! You can splash in water near the shore!
MnfQDOr.png
Okay... Wait, I'll go get my swimming trunks.

But Yulya seemed to not hear me and... started to undress.

MnfQDOr.png
Uh. You... ehhh...
vHKep29.png
What?
MnfQDOr.png
Are you going to swim like that?
rAMiPd4.png
Yes, anything wrong with that?

I turned away at right time.

VopEwDR.png
:decline:
MnfQDOr.png
Aren't you shy?

I tried to speak as calmly as possible, but the reason I did not look at her was because my face was burning, rather than out of politeness.

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Shy about who? You?

She laughed.

MnfQDOr.png
You know what!

I turned around. Yulya was already in the water up to her neck.

X5OhrvO.png
Come here!

I decided that nothing bad would happen if I stayed in my underwear. I undressed and entered the water.

MnfQDOr.png
Brrr ... It's cold!
X5OhrvO.png
Move around and you'll get warm! Like me!

She started to jump and wave her hands in the water.

I still felt awkward.

X5OhrvO.png
You've gone red.

Yulya said excitedly.

MnfQDOr.png
Of course I am. Next to me there is a naked girl... or at least a female humanoid.
vHKep29.png
And?
MnfQDOr.png
And that's enough!

eIS2YRF.jpg


MnfQDOr.png
This... is this also a part of your program?

I understood that I was saying complete nonsense, but nothing more meaningful was coming to my head.

sGQgBSs.png
What?
MnfQDOr.png
Well it's... you know...

Suddenly I realised that I was being hugged from behind by a naked omnipotent being which is able to exist in multiple realities simultaneously.
My brain was instantly overloaded by errors about the lack of system resources. Here it is – a blue screen of death.
My legs buckled, and I started to go under the water. Yulya held me up.

sGQgBSs.png
There's no need to drown yourself!

She was still hugging me. I felt it even stronger...

MnfQDOr.png
What are you going to do?
sGQgBSs.png
Swim, obviously!
MnfQDOr.png
So that means you're not suggesting anything?

I tried to say it with a calm expression, but it did not turn out very well.

sGQgBSs.png
Like what, for example?
MnfQDOr.png
Well... even though you don't remember much, you essentially behave quite reasonably... So, you should understand.
sGQgBSs.png
Well, I don't know...

She said slyly.
Suddenly I felt something twisting around my thighs.
I tried to pull myself away, but Yulya held me tight.
Also, motion physics in the water are very different from on the land.

sGQgBSs.png
It's just my tail!
MnfQDOr.png
A tail... Don't you find it strange that you have it at all?
sGQgBSs.png
What, you don't like my tail? If you step on my tail then you're gonna get hurt!
MnfQDOr.png
Wait a minute...

I paused for a moment, trying to phrase the thought I'd just had.

MnfQDOr.png
So you've seen that series too?
sGQgBSs.png
What series?
MnfQDOr.png
The one you just quoted.
sGQgBSs.png
It's just...

She suddenly stopped and thought.

sGQgBSs.png
Don't people say that...? Some kind of saying.
MnfQDOr.png
So you don't know where it's from.
VopEwDR.png
I have no idea where it's from.
sGQgBSs.png
No... And who cares!

Yulya laughed.
Her tail continued to probe my body.
Could it be that Yulya still has memories about her time before the camp?
Maybe they're hidden somewhere, or suppressed.
She got that quote somehow!
Of course, maybe she heard it from one of the pioneers...
But isn't it too early for that show to even exist?
The only conclusion is that Yulya seems to be a prisoner in this camp, the same as I. Just a more mysterious one.

What happened next happened by itself.
Even if what I was going to do was dangerous, in the end I'm a red-blooded man!



amhFKIJ.jpg

ZHQQP4S.jpg

...
EA1H95c.jpg

I put her on a bed, collapsed beside her and closed my eyes...
But all my attempts to get to sleep failed. I felt a terrible thirst.
Quietly, so as not to wake Yulya up, I got out of bed, pulled on my shorts and went outside.

10Wd48O.jpg


I didn't care about whether it was right or not. No, that wasn't the main issue.
I decided that I just didn't have any other choice in that situation.
More important are the possible consequences.

Even if Yulya was a little different from me, we could say, she was closer to who (or what) was behind all this. Just because she knows more than me.
Which means... However, blindly assuming or drawing conclusions about anything is a difficult task in this camp, I was sure of that by now.

...

I quenched my thirst and washed myself. I was going back to the camp leader's cabin, whistling a piece from 'Peer Gynt' by Grieg, when somebody called out to me.

xCqx4Cm.png
How did you...?

92C6a61.jpg


There was no chance of seeing his face clearly in this darkness.

MnfQDOr.png
So it's... you again?
xCqx4Cm.png
Who 'me'? Not in the sense that I am the one I that you have already seen, but in a sense of – who, in fact, I am?
MnfQDOr.png
I don't understand.

I remembered that Yulya told me that he can't do me any physical harm, and I calmed down a bit.

xCqx4Cm.png
Oh, whatever. Besides, I saw how you were getting it on back there.
VopEwDR.png
U JELLY BRO

That gave me the heebie-jeebies.
No matter how fantastic a situation is, it's always frustrating when you're caught doing something so intimate.

MnfQDOr.png
Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's not nice to spy on people?
xCqx4Cm.png
You're upset.
MnfQDOr.png
No. Why would I be...

I snorted and half-turned towards him, trying in vain to see his face.

xCqx4Cm.png
And what has the cat-eared one told you?
MnfQDOr.png
She has a name!

I felt a strong attachment to Yulya, so I didn't hesitate to stand up for her.

xCqx4Cm.png
A name? And what is it? An almighty observer? The double-faced Janus?
MnfQDOr.png
Yulya...

I said a bit uncertainly.

nkcSwr1.png
Yulya?!

He started laughing like a horse on meth.

nkcSwr1.png
And who gave it to her? You, probably.
MnfQDOr.png
Fine, tell me what you want and get lost!
xCqx4Cm.png
Okay, okay, Your Majesty! Just don't be angry!

He bowed awkwardly.
The sight was so grotesque that I even shuddered.

xCqx4Cm.png
And what has the so-called Yulya told you?

I decided there was no point in hiding the information I'd found out recently.

MnfQDOr.png
She told me that there are many other camps. That you are the same as me. And that after seven days we leave and never come back.

It was disgusting for me to be in the same boat as him, but a fact was still a fact.

xCqx4Cm.png
Yes, that's about right. And what did she tell you about herself?
MnfQDOr.png
Do you think it's any of your business? Besides, surely you know everything without me.
xCqx4Cm.png
Yes I know something. I've dealt with her before.

His tone was so disgusting that I didn't even want to continue this conversation.

MnfQDOr.png
Well, if you have nothing more to...
xCqx4Cm.png
No, wait a minute! I haven't finished yet.
MnfQDOr.png
Now what?
xCqx4Cm.png
Want me to tell you what she's hiding from you?
MnfQDOr.png
Go on.

I was sure that Yulya had no secrets from me, but in my situation any information could be useful.

xCqx4Cm.png
"Never come back"?... No, they do come back! And you come back... At least you did before.
MnfQDOr.png
I don't understand.
xCqx4Cm.png
I did tell you that you had already been here. So after seven days it doesn't matter whether you leave on a bus or fall asleep in the forest – you will find yourself sitting in the 410 again.
MnfQDOr.png
But how...?
xCqx4Cm.png
She told you that we just disappear, right?

I did not answer.

xCqx4Cm.png
Well, I can't be sure she is lying. Maybe she just doesn't know everything, but what I said is true! You and I were here many times. Of course I've been here more times, but that doesn't matter.
MnfQDOr.png
Okay, then why I don't remember anything?
xCqx4Cm.png
You will remember them all some time later. That's what happened to me.
MnfQDOr.png
And you're telling me that there is no escape from here?
xCqx4Cm.png
Yes I am.
MnfQDOr.png
I remember you told me that what happened today had never happened before, right?
xCqx4Cm.png
True. This is the first time.
MnfQDOr.png
And how can you explain that?
xCqx4Cm.png
I won't! You're hoping that something will change? No way it will!
MnfQDOr.png
We'll see about that.

I decisively turned and walked away.
To my surprise, the pioneer did not even try to stop me.

REztzzU.jpg


vHKep29.png
You were talking to him again.
MnfQDOr.png
How do you know?

For a moment I had doubts.

vHKep29.png
Just guessed. He is supposed to appear when you're alone.
MnfQDOr.png
Yes...
vHKep29.png
And?
MnfQDOr.png
He told me that nobody disappears. That 'we' come back.

Yulya didn't answer anything.

MnfQDOr.png
Is that so?
vHKep29.png
To tell you the truth, I don't know...

I sat on the bed beside her and began to think.

...

I don't know how long we were sitting there, but soon I started to fall asleep.

DKdVLis.png
Let's go watch the stars.
MnfQDOr.png
Let's go.

I wanted to sleep badly, but at the same time I felt a sense of incompleteness, and was hoping fresh air would clear my thoughts.

P2VLerl.jpg

gqEnrvN.jpg


HP6VolG.jpg


mcONKSO.png
Isn't it beautiful?
MnfQDOr.png
It is...

We sat in silence for quite a long time.

MnfQDOr.png
So what will happen tomorrow?
mcONKSO.png
What do you mean?
MnfQDOr.png
Well, tomorrow is the seventh day... So, it's time to leave.
mcONKSO.png
Do you want to leave?

Suddenly I was struck by a realisation. I have heard this question many times before.

MnfQDOr.png
According to you and him, even if I don't want to, I must.
mcONKSO.png
So let's leave.

She smiled.

MnfQDOr.png
Will you come with me?
mcONKSO.png
Of course I will! After all this you must definitely marry me!
MnfQDOr.png
I don't know of a single administration that would register marriages with catgirls.
vHKep29.png
So we'll look for one.
VopEwDR.png
Try Japan.
MnfQDOr.png
Okay, seriously though, what will happen tomorrow?
mcONKSO.png
In the evening the bus will come...
MnfQDOr.png
You sure about that?
mcONKSO.png
Absolutely sure! It always comes.
MnfQDOr.png
And?
mcONKSO.png
And we will take it.
MnfQDOr.png
And then?
mcONKSO.png
Why are you asking all these stupid questions?!

Yulya protested.

vHKep29.png
How should I know?
MnfQDOr.png
Well, make a guess!
mcONKSO.png
And... we will go back to your world.
MnfQDOr.png
That would be...

I stopped.

MnfQDOr.png
We'll see.

I sighed.

MnfQDOr.png
And what about you and your many selves?
mcONKSO.png
I only look like this here, right? Over there I will just be regular me.
MnfQDOr.png
Sure, with cat ears and a tail...

Yulya hit me painfully in the ribs.

MnfQDOr.png
Hey! I'm just joking!
mcONKSO.png
Maybe without a tail.

She said sadly.

MnfQDOr.png
No, no! I like it! Don't think anything like that!

She said nothing, just closed her eyes.

mcONKSO.png
And what's it like over there...?
MnfQDOr.png
It's different – that's the best way I can put it. Some things are better, some are worse. We've got internet...

I chuckled.

mcONKSO.png
And what would I do there?
MnfQDOr.png
Well, I don't know... Let's solve the problems as they come.
mcONKSO.png
Alright...

...

We sat there for a long time, talking about all sorts of foolish things.
Finally Yulya said:

mcONKSO.png
Let's go sleep!
MnfQDOr.png
Yes, good timing!

I felt a wave of a terrible fatigue.

mcONKSO.png
Tomorrow is time to pack our things.
MnfQDOr.png
But I have nothing to pack.
mcONKSO.png
How about that – he has nothing to pack... But you know what... I have!
MnfQDOr.png
For example?

I giggled good-naturedly.
I just can't imagine what she was planning to take.

mcONKSO.png
What about my supplies for the winter? Apples! Nuts! Mushrooms!
MnfQDOr.png
Do you really think you'll need all that?
mcONKSO.png
Of course!

fLaHucL.jpg


AXguIGW.png
I'm going to sleep and you can do whatever you want!

With these words, Yulya marched briskly towards the camp leader's cabin.

MnfQDOr.png
Hey, I didn't...

I rushed after her.

...

XmwK0nT.jpg


MnfQDOr.png
I didn't mean anything like that... If you want to take your stores, let's take them.

In the end, they could be useful for us, especially in my situation where anything could happen.

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I was just joking!

She peeked out from under the blanket and stuck out her tongue.

GlYiB3S.png
And now – sleep!

Commanded Yulya.

ZSmtVlj.jpg
 

Baron Dupek

Arcane
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
1,870,765
Parts? Are they selling them like in The Island (2005)? Groundhog dog? So much inspirations...
 

wwsd

Arcane
Vatnik
Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
7,620
According to VNDB it's set to be released in English in 2015 by Mangagamer.

I also played it once and got pretty far in (as in, I didn't fuck up too soon into the game), so that by the time I got my (bad) ending, my savegames (which reached to something like five path branches before my death) couldn't prevent my death. So I never replayed it.

So I'm serious, you should really go for Mindfuck 3.1 aka Kara no Shoujo! :greatjob:

Well, I'll consider it way in the future. If life ever gets me down, I could play it just to remind myself that it's still better than what happens to some of the characters in that game. In the meantime, there is an LP here that looks pretty complete.

Other than that, when I played it, I got stuck on the path towards a bad ending twice, and I actually found the solution in some thread here. Now that I'm replaying it, I'm just being lazy and using the walkthrough on GameFAQs to get all the stuff I haven't seen yet. Mostly sex scenes, which lead to a bad ending shortly afterwards most of the time. You could do that if you want to see the end yourself. It's easy to skip dialogue you've already seen by holding down the spacebar.
 

abnaxus

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Dec 31, 2010
Messages
10,849
Location
Fiernes
You get bad endings in Kara no Shoujo just by failing to check clues in a certain order. Or a bad ending hours after failing to click a pixel. It's maddening to get the true end without a walkthrough.
 

Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
3chEzNY.jpg

FqF1p49.jpg


No, of course being here in this camp was extremely strange by itself, incomparable with any normal nighttime dreams.
However, in this dream everything seemed so real that...
But when I woke up I couldn't remember a thing.

There were only vague images of a long driveway, an old rusted bus, the rickety gates of the camp, collapsed statues of pioneers and an abandoned square.
I ran through Sovyonok back and forth, as if trying to find someone. But exactly who remained a mystery to me.

53WTjub.jpg


A bright sunbeam was lighting up the dust drifting in the silence of the room and painting it with all colors of the rainbow.
Reflections on the glass took on different outlines: look from one angle and it's just a spot of sunlight, look from another and it's a pirate waving his cutlass.
I stretched lazily and yawned.

eJnVqu2.jpg


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hpUtbYp.png
Good morning!

Said Yulya, without opening her eyes.

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It's daytime already.
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Morning starts when you wake up.
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You're talking just the same way I did before.
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So now you've changed your mind?
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Well I don't know... During the last week I got used to getting up in the morning.

That was not entirely true, because I didn't always wake up with the sunrise and regularly missed the lineups.

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You want to say that you've changed?

She giggled.

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I think any man in my position would change, at least a little.

It seemed quite natural to me.

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Yes, perhaps. I won't argue.

A long silence followed.
The kind of silence where you are not tortured by the need to say something just to break the oppressive awkwardness. This silence could say more than any words.

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Well, we're leaving today?

I asked finally.

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I think so.
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You think? You mean you are not even sure?
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Not completely. This is happening for the first time.
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You mean the disappearance of the pioneers.
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Not just that...

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I looked at her mesmerised, unable to look away.

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What you are looking at? Get up! It's time to pack!
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You mean your berries and mushrooms?
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Of course!

Yulya stood arms akimbo and looked at me resentfully.

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Do you want all my supplies to be gone?
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Of course I don't...

To tell the truth, I didn't really give a damn about them.
To be precise, I just don't see the point in stocking food for a one-way journey. At least, without a return ticket for sure.

...

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She went behind a tree, threw aside the leaves and pulled out a heavy sack.

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All this...
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This isn't all. This is just what's necessary.

I couldn't put what I planned to say in a nice way, so I decided to say nothing.
The sack was filled with mushrooms, berries, apples, nuts – all mixed up.
I immediately had serious doubts about the fitness for human consumption of this assorted lot.

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Take it.

Said Yulya, pointing at a sack with an easy smile.

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Well, I hope you understand that I won't be able to...
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No, no, you're strong. Look how massive you are!

She used her hands to indicate the difference in our heights.
I tried to lift the sack. It weighed at least thirty kilos.

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Look, let's only take some of it – we won't be able to eat all this anyway.

I was trying to cheat.

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Why not? Winters are long in these lands.
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How would you know that?
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I guessed.

I tried to make the most painful grimace I could.

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I can manage it to the square at most. Have mercy on me!

Yulya thought a little.

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Okay, then throw out the berries!

What a great solution – get rid of the lightest stuff.
However, I didn't object and so put my hand into the sack.

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I can't say it got any lighter.

I said when I finished with the berries.

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I don't want to hear it!

I sighed and sank helplessly to the ground next to the sack.

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Then let's carry it in turns.
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But it's heavy!

Exclaimed Yulya.

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That's what I'm telling you...
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I mean it's heavy for me.
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As if it's light for me...

I muttered under my breath trying to make Yulya not hear it.

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It is light for you!

It seems I should not underestimate her cat ears.

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Okay, let's come back here later, for now it would be nice to have something to eat!
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Well, maybe...

She smiled and held out her hand to me.

...

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Yulya flittered around me, watching me cook.
To tell the truth, I never found any special pleasure in doing this.
I always wanted to start eating immediately, without waiting for all the ingredients to be prepared, the water to boil, the dumplings to float up...
That's why I'm usually fine with eating sandwiches or fast food.

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You're doing so well!
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I told you there is nothing special to it.
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But... But...

She tried to find words.

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But.. You're doing well anyway!
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I'm glad you like it.
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Of course I like it!

Judging by the way Yulya was demolishing the potatoes, she actually enjoyed my simple culinary creation.

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Are you worried?
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Chew first, then speak.
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What a lout!
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You must behave in polite society.
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Says the guy who had to actively try not to pollute his immediate area while eating...
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And what kind of society are we in here?

Yulya spread her hands to the sides and laughed.
That was true, the canteen was empty. Just like the whole camp.

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What do you think, where are they all gone to?
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How should I know...

She picked up the last piece with her fork and deftly popped it into her mouth.

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You miss them?
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Sort of.
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What about me?! I am better than any stray dog!

Another quote... I didn't pay any special attention to it this time.

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No idea where that's from either.
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Given that you're some kind of a cat, you've definitely got your quotes right.
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Are you feeling lonely?
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Well, I'm not alone here.
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Just the two of us...
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But if what had happened didn't happen, we maybe...

I stopped for a moment.

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So, in other realities you and me weren't so...
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Close?

Yulya finished for me.

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Yes.
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No.
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It's strange.
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Why?
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Well, because there are a lot of camps, as you say, and according to the theory of probability... Which means that everything that happened within the last two days is really something exceptional...
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You say that as if it's bad.
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Of course not!

I felt the blood rush to my head.

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Just strange. There are lots of strange things here. That's why I use that word so often. Anyway, you're just nitpicking.
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Who? Me!? Never!

She laughed.

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No, you are seriously nitpicking! Especially when it comes to words!
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Why would I do that?
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I can't even imagine. You'd know better.

Seems like for any of my arguments she already had an answer prepared. As if she knew in advance what I will say.

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Forget it... So let's go.
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Where?

I realised that saying this was a big mistake, now she'll definitely drag me back to that sack.

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Well... there is enough time till the bus arrives. So we could...
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Oh, right! The supplies!

I just scratched my chin and followed her. Epic fail!

...

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Even for a short distance.
I stopped every fifty metres to rest.
Yulya hurried and encouraged me, but it was just making things worse.
I don't know if I deserved a medal in some strange sack-of-catgirl-supplies-short-distance-carrying event, but about an hour later the sack was transported to the bus stop.

I collapsed beside it, exhausted.

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That's it...
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You're such a hero! See, nothing to be afraid of!

My whole body ached, my muscles burned, and rivers of sweat flowed from my forehead, stinging my eyes.
I don't know what reward I was owed for this, but this competition was more like the Olympics for mentally challenged people – though I won, I'm still a retard.

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Look! The bus is coming!
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What?!

I jumped up. My fatigue vanished in an instant.
Something could indeed be seen in the distance.
I narrowed my eyes and saw the Icarus.

But why?

Yulya told me that it would arrive closer to the night.
Moreover, I'd expected the LiAZ bus.

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The driver's seat was empty, but I was not really surprised. Much stranger things had happened here.

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Coming?

Yulya easily jumped onto the first step and gestured for me to follow her.

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Don't you think it's weird that buses go by themselves?
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Well...

She thought about that.

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Of course, it is strange, but you said yourself that there are plenty of strange things here!

Yes, she was right on that one.
Anyway, I had no choice.
In either case, whether I stay or whether I go on the bus I'm not sure about what will come next.
But in case of the second choice I had at least an illusory hope of escaping from this camp.

I sighed, and with one last effort lifted the sack and got onto the bus.

...

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Yulya was constantly chattering about something, but I wasn't listening.
I carefully studied the passing landscapes through the window. Forests, fields, river, forests, fields... Absolutely nothing suspicious.
On the one hand, this gave me some hope, but on the other it was a sign that in the end nothing will change, because in this world it seems everything is slow and measured, following its well-established rules.

That's how it was at least a few days ago.
Although maybe I shouldn't be drawing conclusions after having been there only a week...

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Well! Now I am sure everything will be fine!

I looked at her carefully.
Cat ears, a long tail that moved rhythmically back and forth, slightly enlarged fangs. Yulya seems like a character from a fairy tale.
We can decide what to do with her in the real world later.

I was turning into one big throbbing vein, ready to burst any moment.
I was waiting... waiting for how this will end.
The result could be anything. For me it was important not to go crazy ahead of time.
My nerves were stretched to the limit and I tried not to think about anything.
But it was impossible to distract myself.

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Hey! Are you even listening?
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Huh? No, sorry, I was deep in thought...
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Well, as always!

She pouted.

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Now is such a big moment, you know... We can get out... get out of this camp. So it's a very important moment for me.
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Well, it's important for me too, but I'm not worried.
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You simply can't see this in context.
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What do you mean?
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Before, I lived in a different world – the real one, as it seemed. So I have something to compare this camp to. And you, we can say, were born here.
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No I wasn't!
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How do you know?
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I just know! I know that...

...

The bus peacefully bounced over the bumps, shaking me more and more.
The steering wheel was turning on its own and I soon stopped noticing the absence of a driver.
My eyes began to close and I dozed off...

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She was gently whispering something in my ear... So tenderly, that...

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Am I disturbing you?

I asked in annoyance, rubbing the bruised place.

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You're not listening to me!
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If we escape from here, we'll have lots of time for conversation.
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If...If... And if we don't escape?
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Then we will have even more time.

I tried to smile, but just thinking that we wouldn't ever leave this camp frightened me a lot, so I just gave a stupid grin.

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It's better if we don't escape! Because in your world... I don't know what to expect there, but... You won't pay any attention to me at all!
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I will, I promise!

I hugged her sincerely.

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Really-truly?
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Really-truly!

Yulya leaned against me.

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And you'll listen to me?
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Of course!
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And you'll always agree with me?
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Sure!

She pulled away and looked into my eyes.

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Well then, I forgive you!

A loud laugh filled the bus cabin.

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But be careful, don't you forget about that, or try to deceive me!
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Want to sign a contract?
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A marriage contract?
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I don't have the property for that anyway.
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But I do!

Yulya pointed at the bag, lying in the aisle.

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Well, then...

I tried to remember what I'd bought with my money.

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Here!

I took my mobile phone out of my pocket. By this time it was already out of charge.

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What's that?

Yulya asked curiously, taking the mobile.

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A very useful thing in my world – you can communicate with people at a distance.
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Wow, that's really cool! Excellent, that will do!

She put the mobile on the seat.

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Deal then? My supplies for the winter are from me and from you.... is that thing!
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Okay, deal.
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Alright, now we are husband and wife!

She smiled slyly.

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Hey, wait...

I suddenly remembered that all this conversation had started with a marriage contract.

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Anyway, without an official registration...
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When we get to your world we will register our marriage. A man without a wife is like a kitchen without a knife.
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If we get there, of course...

Yulya said nothing, but just stared straight forward with her eyes wide open.

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All of them were wearing pioneer uniforms and they all looked exactly like that pioneer.
Nobody said a single word. They just looked silently in my direction.
I could not see their faces. Clothes, statures – yes, but their faces were shrouded in shadows that seemed to appear from nowhere.

It was as if instead of the heads that normal people have they had mini black holes.
I started to shiver and my back broke out in goosebumps.
Yulya squeezed my hand.

With an enormous effort I forced myself to look at her.
She was very scared too.
If I was alone at that moment I would have probably fainted. But right now I was responsible for more than only my own life.

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Who.. are.. you...

I gritted out with difficulty.
The pioneers maintained the terrifying silence.
It became hard to breathe. I was gasping for breath, but my brain refused to work on low oxygen, and I lost consciousness for a moment.

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I heard Yulya's shout just as I regained my senses.
A pioneer stood up from the first seat and walked towards us.

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A chorus of voices filled the bus.

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We'll keep you company.

I didn't know what to say.
This was the strangest situation I had yet experienced in the camp.
Neither Yulya, nor the city, nor the disappearance of pioneers, nor this strange person standing before me, were comparable with this...

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I asked you a question!

Seems like Yulya was still able to speak clearly. Not a surprise. In the end she was still, you could say, an extraordinary being.

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I repeat. We are just going home.

His voice sounded frantic.

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Are we bothering you?
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Bothering... bothering...
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What do you want from us?
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Nothing at all.
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Nothing... nothing...
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I don't believe you! I know there is a reason for you to be doing all this!
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It's just your imagination, animal!
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Maybe I am an animal. But what are you? A ghost, a shadow?
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Maybe. Ghosts have their rights too.
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You have the right to get the hell out of here!

Yulya shouted so loud that my ears rang. But neither the pioneer nor his companions reacted.

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I guess we'll stay.

He said maliciously.

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But how did you manage this? And all the others...

At last I gathered the strength to speak.

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It's simple, my dear friend! Collective mind. Heard about it?
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And... so?
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Every one of us wanted to wish you luck simultaneously, that's all.
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Luck... luck...
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In person, I would say. That's the reason we are here.
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But what will happen next?
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Honestly, I have no idea.
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Get out!

Yulya shouted again.

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Be cool, you – settle down!
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You see...

He addressed me again.

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I don't want to hide anything from you. You have a good chance to get out of here now. I don't exactly know why, but your actions broke the cycle. Cycles, to be precise, all our cycles. And there is a chance that we won't have to leave the camp every seven days and return back on the eighth, waking up in this bus.
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Then don't return! Just die!
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It's not that simple. And why shouldn't we have a sense of self-preservation? We should, right?

He asked the pioneers.

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Should... should...

I heard their response.

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So we decided to keep you company. Now, either we will all get out of here together, or we'll all vanish forever together. Or start another cycle. All three options suit us.
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And what if we die because of you?!
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Well, you won't die alone. We'll die with honour.
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Honour... honour...
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Or do you think that our lives...

He laughed...

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Well, what we call lives...
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Lives... lives...
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Are they not as important as yours?

Yulya didn't know how to answer.

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And don't think that all of us are here. In fact, many more of us didn't fit in, but there were enough tickets for everyone.
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You... you...

Yulya hissed.

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It's too late. I suggest you calm down and enjoy the flight. Stewardesses will offer you food and drinks in a couple of minutes.

He grinned and went back to his place.
Yulya jumped up, but I stopped her.

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Let me go! I'll take him down!
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No need... What can you do to him? What good will it do?

She looked at me in surprise, but sat down.

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So what, are you suggesting we don't do anything and just wait?
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What can we do?
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I don't know, but we shouldn't be just sitting...
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I have learned one thing for sure in this camp – very little is up to me. Actually, nothing at all. Especially now. Especially here. I have not the slightest idea what to do to drive them out of here, but even if I knew, I am sure that nothing would change, nothing would affect the final outcome.
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You may be right...

Yulya said in a sad voice.

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We can only wait, then. It won't take long...

She put her head on my shoulder.

...

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Seconds lasted for hours, minutes – for years.
The pioneers remained dead silent, and even that one, the arrogant one, didn't try to start a conversation.

The silence was louder than any shouts.
A quiet clap would be enough to make my ear-drums explode.

Me and Yulya stayed silent too.
Everything had been said today, there were no words left.
I felt totally empty. My head was as heavy as lead and it seemed that I was already dead, but God and the Devil had just forgotten about me, so I would have to spend the rest of eternity alone with this silent mass of pioneers.

Are they really my colleagues in misfortune?
Did they really come to this camp too, spent a week here and then leave...? And then do it all over again...?
Maybe it would be the same for me, as that pioneer said?
Anything is possible. Anything is possible now...

...

I heard a quiet snoring from Yulya - she'd fallen asleep.
All that stress must have been too much for her.
Or maybe she used up all her energy shouting.

In any case, it's better to face the end while sleeping.
Now I was absolutely certain that this was the end.

It's stupid to cling to hope while standing on the edge of the cliff, surrounded by countless enemies.
And even if there was the smallest chance of rescue, you wouldn't really think about it.
Maybe it shouldn't be this way and someone else would have more optimism in my place...

I just had to take the last step.

Why, though? These are not stairs, but an escalator, it will get me to the finish in any case.

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Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
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Nothing surprising about that, it is summer after all.
It's that strange dream again.
Why did I start seeing it so often recently?

Maybe there is a reason!

Still, why?
A pioneer camp, some girls, the camp leader.
I had never been to the camp.

Maybe you just don't remember?

Very funny...

But what if?

Trust me, I clearly remember everything that has happened to me since I was three years old.
And before that I was probably at an unconscious age.

Even if that is true, all of this is not accidental.

Why is it not accidental?

There are people who see a black cat in their dreams every night, and nothing happens!

Did you just made that up?

I haven't made up anything. I read about it recently.

A black cat is one thing, such a detailed dream is something else.

I don't see much difference.

Okay. Then what would you say about that voice?

What voice?

Don't play the fool.

Wasn’t planning to.

Which told you to make a choice.

Well, a voice. So what?

There was a reason.

But I don't remember anything else, the dream ends there.

Maybe you forget it when you wake up?

Maybe, but...

But what?

That means that you actually made a choice.

I don't even remember the options.

Were there any?

There should have been!

You don't even try to be serious about the important things, as always!

Oh my God! It's so important!

There's no point in talking to you...

...

Recently I started to notice that I have something like a split personality.
An inner monologue is certainly a normal phenomenon for any person, but when it turns into a dialogue...
Well, it is still a long way from being a clinical case, because I talk to myself and not another personality inside my mind.
Maybe with my own subconscious...
However, that is not important!

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Choose Yulya
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I turned over to the other side. The bright sun still shined into my eyes.

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Good morning!

I replied.

Choose Slavya
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I turned over to the other side. The bright sun still shined into my eyes.

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Good morning!

I replied.

Choose Alisa
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I turned over to the other side. The bright sun still shined into my eyes.

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Good morning!

I replied.

Choose Lena
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I turned over to the other side. The bright sun still shined into my eyes.

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Good morning!

I replied.

Choose Ulyana
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I turned over to the other side. The bright sun still shined into my eyes.

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Good morning!

I replied.

Choose Masha
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I turned over to the other side. The bright sun still shined into my eyes.
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Good morning!

I replied.


Choice... Did I even have a choice...?

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Every story has its canvas, synopsis, content, key moments, prologues and epilogues.
And there is no book that re-reading it would not reveal new details you hadn't noticed before.
But every book has a last page. And after turning it over, we put the book on the shelf.

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Baron Dupek

Arcane
Joined
Jul 23, 2013
Messages
1,870,765
Don't tell me there's more...

PS. he acted so pushoff for all girls, then acted properly when (s)catgirl appeared. Not nice.
 

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