Into the Metaverse

"So," said Futaba, slurping her noodles, "how'd you convince Mom this time?"

"My natural charisma and charm, obviously," said Haruto, putting his own bowl down.

"Bullshit!" Futaba spluttered through mouthfuls.

"Don't speak with your mouth full!" called Wakaba from where she was sitting with Sojiro on the other side of the room.

"Ugh," Futaba rolled her eyes, finally managing to swallow. "Fine, keep your secrets, mystery man."

"That's my favourite hobby."

She stuck her tongue out at him.

"You sure she's turning fifteen this year and not twelve?" asked Sojiro—not particularly quietly.

"I can hear you!"

"Just as well!" he chuckled.

"It's fine," said Wakaba, gesturing with her chopsticks, "I've no doubt that high school will bestow her with a bit more maturity."

"Yeah, 'cause that's been working so well so far," snorted Haruto.

"This is discrimination!" protested Futaba.

"Alright, alright, that's enough, you two," chuckled Sojiro, getting up from his seat and collecting their empty bowls. "Settle down now."

"Totally not fair," fumed Futaba.

"So, how's it been?" asked Sojiro, as he sat back down next to Wakaba. "Enjoyed your stint as Wakaba's research assistant?"

"I can't believe you took him for the whole day, Mom!" whined Futaba. "I wanted to finish the final level of Mortal 2!"

"You still have time to do that," Wakaba insisted, glancing at the clock. "Well, if you start now, anyway."

"Yes!" cried Futaba, pumping her fist and all but dragging him from his seat. "Come on, Haruto, let's go!"

"D-don't let him dodge the question!" stuttered Sojiro.

"I'll tell you all about it, Sojiro, let the kids have their fun," said Wakaba soothingly as Futaba pulled him from the room.

Haruto let himself be dragged all the way up to the top of the stairs and into Futaba's room for their final stint at Mortal 2. Futaba quickly booted up the game and pushed the controller into his hands.

"I'm surprised you're enjoying it so much," he said, sitting down next to her. "And to think you said this game was for filthy casuals."

"It is," she said, as they logged into the menu screen, "but seeing as you'll never be anything but a filthy casual, I suppose I had to compromise."

He chuckled, and the level began to load in. Mortal 2 really wasn't a particularly difficult game—which meant it was easy enough to chat at the same time—something Futaba took full advantage of.

"So, who's that skinny guy you've been hanging around with lately, huh? Your new best friend? Your new greatest pal?"

Her voice was filled to the brim with derision. He'd been sensing this particular conversation coming on practically all week.

"You'll always be my best friend, Futaba," said Haruto, in an attempt to placate her.

"Humph! Says the boy who didn't talk to me at school all yesterday."

"I was busy."

"Busy hanging out with your boyfriend?"

Haruto clicked his tongue exasperatedly. "It's not like that."

"Really?"

"Really."

"If you say so," said Futaba skeptically.

"Listen, just because I can't spend every hour of the day with you—"

"But you said we could hang out at school once I started going to Kosei, and since then you've hardly been doing it at all!"

Haruto glanced at Futaba out of the corner of his eye. She'd gone quite red in the face, holding her controller very tightly. It could be because of the stress of the game, but somehow Haruto doubted it.

"Okay, I'm sorry," he said. "I know I made a promise and I know I didn't keep it."

"Damn right," she muttered.

"It's just been… kind of crazy with the new term and everything. I promise we can hang out more soon."

"You promised last time…" she grumbled.

"Ah, but this time it's a super promise," said Haruto, just about managing to get to the end of the level in time. "Which means that you can… uh…"

"Which means that if you break it, you can get me a new printer cartridge," said Futaba, matter-of-factly.

"Ugggghh," groaned Haruto. "Futaba, I'm poor enough as I am having to pay Sojiro rent now."

"Better not break your promise then."

Well, that was certainly motivation if nothing else. But there was a reason he hadn't had much time to see Futaba, and it definitely wasn't just getting used to the new timetable. That was something he needed to look into too… Tomorrow was a Sunday. He'd have time in the afternoon.

"Nice!" cried Futaba, as the end-game credits began to roll. "We finally made it!"

"I'd call that a job well done," said Haruto, offering his hand for a high-five.

Futaba reached over and clapped it vigorously.

"I guess you're forgiven," she said, finally looking at him directly. "For now."

"That's all I can ask for," said Haruto, smiling.

There was a kerfuffle from downstairs.

"Ugh, I think Mom's calling us," said Futaba, glancing at the door. "Time for you to head home."

"Yep," said Haruto, straightening up. "See you tomorrow, trouble-maker."

"You'd better believe it, pretty boy!"

***

Ah, eleven o'clock. One hour before midnight. His least favourite time of night.

Well then, maybe you should go to sleep, suggested Arsène, very unhelpfully.

"If that was an option, I would have done it," said Haruto. But it wasn't an option. Not tonight, anyway.

He'd been sensing it since that afternoon; an odd weight pressing down on him, a strange presence heavy in the air. He knew that presence. And it never meant anything good.

He'd only have to wait here a bit longer for it to fully materialise. And then… then they'd talk.

He was sitting on the chair next to his desk, but facing towards the centre of the room, towards the empty middle where the… thing always appeared. Not long now…

Are you sure it's smart to talk to it? asked Arsène.

"I don't have any choice," sighed Haruto. Not anymore, anyway.

Be careful, his old friend murmured. It doesn't have your best interests at heart.

"Yeah, tell me something I don't know," muttered Haruto.

Almost as if the being had heard his words, a presence began to manifest in the centre of his room. A kind of strange blue light, shimmering and flickering—one moment there, gone the next. A shift in the very fabric of the world.

So, it announced, in a deep, echoing voice only he could hear, you've made a most interesting deal.

"Hardly any of your concerns," said Haruto.

We disagree. It has given you great potential. Perhaps greater than ever before.

Haruto narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not letting you out. I've told you before."

You might end up doing so unintentionally, boy. We eagerly await that day. 

"None of the doors in Mementos have opened since I got here, and as long as I keep doing what I am, none of them will. You said it yourself."

The being seemed to contract slightly in the air, the blue getting bluer—as though it was angered by his words.

No matter. Greater plans are at work—plans you have yet to even realise. We will have our freedom. No matter your resistance, you cannot conquer the very force of gravity itself. The entropy of the universe will free us, and the precious humans you sacrifice so much for will be the ones to deliver us our victory. It is as they wish it. Why do you fight so hard?

"You and I see the world a little differently," said Haruto, coolly. "And I believe you have no such power. If you had, you would have used it before."

Is that so? The light grew fainter again, the being curling in on itself. Well, I suppose we will see in the coming days.

"I won't let you out," said Haruto, flatly. "It doesn't matter what kind of scare tactics you try to use. Your plan for humanity is barbaric and I stand by that belief."

Ah, said the creature, now projecting an altogether more menacing quiet, but what you think no longer matters, little one. 

"I'm the only one who can free you," said Haruto, though for the first time since he met the creature, he felt doubtful. "That's just how it is."

No, said the creature. Not anymore.

And before Haruto could say another word, it vanished from the room.

Haruto breathed out. It somehow felt much harder than usual.

"What does that mean?" he muttered.

It can only really mean one thing, said Arsène, now hovering ghost-like next to him. Someone else has finally discovered the Metaverse.

"Could it be to do with Wakaba?"

I doubt it. She would not have been so desperate for your assistance had she known of another who could enter the Metaverse. Or if she knew how to get in herself, for that matter.

"So some stranger…"

Did they know of the creature lurking in the depths of Mementos? Had it approached them like it had approached him, not long after he entered Tokyo, with insidious promises of a world without free will? Perhaps not yet, but soon… And would they sense the danger? What if they actually wanted such a world?

We must find this person, said Arsène. The sooner the better.

"I don't disagree," said Haruto. "But even in the Metaverse, Tokyo's not a small place. It could take forever to find them."

Not if they are as promising as that creature seems to think. 

"True…" His activities in the Metaverse drew attention from Shadows, after all. And if this person was at all competent then they would too. "Let's add that to the investigation list."

That's a lot to get done in one Sunday, Haruto, said Arsène. You'll have to tell them you're working a double-shift. 

"Well, there's no rest for the wicked," said Haruto, getting into bed.

There's certainly no rest for you, muttered Arsène.