Chapter Text
Es took a deep breath as they walked into the central hall. Hints of anxiety were swirling within their mind. The Jackalope figure had dumped plenty of information onto them earlier. From their job and role, to the people that they were going to meet at this very moment. It was a little overwhelming, yet also unsettling how much they didn’t know.
A pause. Es snuck a glance at Jackalope, who lingered in the corridor behind them. He was a bit of a bizarre creature and Es didn’t really know how to think about him. Especially since they clearly had no memories of this place and their job as warden.
But that doesn’t matter. Es thought to themself. I’m the prison guard and I have to judge these criminals. That’s all I need to know.
Burdening themself with confusion would just hinder them, and so Es decided to throw all of those thoughts in the back of their mind. Clicking a switch, the doors to the cells had opened, and the sounds of these sinners they had to face reverberated in the hall.
Es took another deep breath.
“Nice to meet you, prisoners. My name is Es. I’m the guard of this prison.”
Uncertain and skeptical eyes threw gazes into their direction. Es remembered what Jackalope had told them.
They all look harmless at first glance. But don’t be fooled. They are all murderers .
“Hey!” A rough voice screamed. It was a redhead wearing a face mask. Prisoner 03, Kajiyama Fuuta , Es identified. “What the fuck is this?!”
“This is MILGRAM Prison,” Es answered succinctly. “A place that exists to judge the sins of those like you.”
Exclamations and reactions resounded.
“A-A prison?” A blue-haired boy nervously asked. Prisoner 01.
“Yes.”
“I’ve never heard of any prison like this,” A middle-aged man pondered. Prisoner 07. “Not only that, but there’s no trial. I’m fairly sure I didn’t get here with due process.” He looked at the rest of the confused prisoners. “Is it just me?”
A black haired woman shook her head. Prisoner 10 . “No, it’s the same here.”
Across from her, a young lady with long black hair hummed. Prisoner 02. “I think I would remember if I had a trial and got put into prison.”
“Hah?” Prisoner 03 looked at them before looking back at Es. “Doesn’t this mean this is illegal?!”
“That’s right.” Prisoner 08 —an elementary school-age child—nodded. “This is not appropriate.”
“There’s even a child here…” A brunette whispered at the side. Prisoner 06. She looked at the blonde teenager— Prisoner 04 —who looked upon the conversation cautiously. “Teenagers too.”
Es sighed. “This is going off track.” They glared at the noisy prisoners. “Stop denying the situation. You are here in MILGRAM as its prisoners. End of conversation.”
“Eh?? Wait!” A young man with two-toned hair raised their hand, face filled with confusion. “Prisoners? We’ve done nothing wrong!”
“Prisoner 09, Kayano Mikoto,” Es addressed. He looked startled. “You are all prisoners ,” they emphasized. “Criminals. Sinners. Murderers. All of you have committed a sin, and I am here to judge it.”
Silence. The prisoners looked at Es’ statement with varying emotions—fear, denial, anger, curiosity, regret—
“Very well then.” A silver-haired man spoke up. With a calm and gentle face that Es couldn’t read, he continued, “Frankly, I’m not quite sure yet about this place. Perhaps this is Hell, or perhaps I have just gone mad… but looking at it, this isn’t that complicated.”
“Oh?” Prisoner 05, Kirisaki Shidou , Es took note.
He looked at them with a soft smile. “I’m a little curious, how does all of this work?”
“You’re asking that?” Prisoner 03 grumbled.
Prisoner 07 gave a small chuckle. “Well, that’s a valid question.” He glanced back at Es. “This place is a mystery, after all.”
With a grunt of frustration, Es started to explain, “You are all murderers. However, a verdict has not been passed down onto you yet.” They continued, a little monotonously, “I will have to know more about your sins. After three trials, I will decide whether they’re forgivable or not.”
“So you decide, huh?” Prisoner 10 noted.
“Yes.”
“But how though?” Prisoner 04 asked in a soft voice. “Are you just going to interrogate us?”
“I-In…Interro…? Huh?” A trembling Prisoner 01 stuttered out.
“No.” Es swiftly denied. They tried to recall Jackalope’s explanation. “We don’t use those outdated methods here. What’s going to happen is that we’re going to extract your mental images as music and videos.”
“What?” Prisoner 09 tilted his head. “I’m so confused, what?”
On the other hand, Prisoner 06 clapped her hands and exclaimed, “So it’s like music videos!”
“I… suppose.” Es nodded.
“Hmm…” Prisoner 02 hummed. “I wonder if that’s gonna work…”
“Work?!” Prisoner 03 snapped at her. “It’s an insane idea in the first place!”
She shrugged in response. “Jeez.”
“I see you don’t believe me.” Es paused. How would they convince them? Actually, they were a little unsure if they themselves were convinced. How would music videos give them information for judgment? An idea suddenly popped in their head. One that would not only help convince the prisoners of MILGRAM’s authenticity, but also Es themself.
“Very well.”
With those words, Es turned around and left. The doors closed behind them as they exited the cell area and entered the corridor.
“Jackalope.”
The creature suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
“Yes?”
“I have an idea.”
Es explained their thoughts on the situation, trying to hide their own personal confusion.
“I would like to test out MILGRAM’s functions. Is it possible to do a demonstration?”
Jackalope gave a loud hum. Es didn’t know if it was good or not. With a cheerful voice, he replied, “Very well then! This is gonna be interesting!”
He hopped towards a room that Es hadn’t entered.
“But if we’re going to do a demonstration, someone must be the example, right?” Jackalope looked back at them with his dark beady eyes.
Back in the cell block, the prisoners all stood there, silent and wary of each other.
“So, no one believes this shit, right?” Fuuta asked in frustration. “Some mystery prison, not even a trial… Music videos?!” He let out a scream. “Fuck! None of it makes sense! This has to be some sort of human rights violation or something!”
Shidou continued to stare at the mysterious writing on the walls as he spoke up. “I believe the music videos are supposed to be the trials? If I understand what that guard… Es-kun, was it? If I understood what Es-kun said correctly.”
“Hm…” Mahiru smiled. “Well, I think that would be interesting, wouldn’t it?”
“Interesting is a word for it.” Kazui chuckled in a leisurely manner.
“Ugh, you guys are so relaxed about this.” Fuuta grumbled. “Come on!”
“Well, uh…” Yuno interrupted before Fuuta started yelling again. “How about we get introductions out of the way first? I think this will be hard to talk about if we don’t even know each other’s names, you know?”
“That is a fair point.” Amane nodded.
Everyone seemed to agree, but the tension didn’t disappear. The topic hadn’t appeared in the discussion, yet the young warden’s words all lingered in their minds.
Criminals. Sinners. Murderers .
“Then let’s do it in order.” Breaking through the atmosphere of suspicion, Shidou pointed at the cell doors. “It seems we are all numbered, considering the cells we exited from and the fact that the guard called one of us Prisoner 09.”
At the sudden gazes towards him, Mikoto was startled. “Oh yeah, that…” He weakly laughed. “They knew our names huh… Maybe this is some reality show..?” He looked around at the corners, searching for a camera.
“Well, if it’s a reality show, then introductions are definitely in order!” Yuno smiled at the trembling boy beside her, who had barely spoken. “You’re up first!”
It was easier to distract themselves for now. Thinking about the possible malice of everyone in the room was terrifying, and something they would rather put in the back of their mind.
Entering back into the cell block, Es had noticed that the tension seemed to be lighter as the prisoners continued their chatter. However, as they saw the guard walk in, the atmosphere immediately felt heavy and suffocating, suspicion weighing on them all.
“You were all curious as to how MILGRAM works, correct?” Es spoke up amidst the wary gazes. “I have an example prepared.”
“An example?” Shidou asked. “But I thought you had to extract information from us?”
“Simple, I extracted this from myself.”
“Yourself?” Mahiru blinked. “Ah, so we’ll see your music video?” She giggled. “That’s kind of interesting!”
“How can we trust you?” Kotoko immediately cut in. “You could’ve made the video in advance.”
“Yeah!” Fuuta glared at Es. “You think we’re gonna fall for that?”
Es sighed. “I have checked the video and I’m telling you, once you see it, you’ll know it’s real.” They lowered their voice, gaze serious. “If not, then who cares? We’ll still proceed with the trials.”
“That’s fair, I guess.” Yuno nodded. “Where do we watch it though?”
“Follow me.”
Es turned around and started walking down the corridor. With cautious glances, the prisoners slowly followed after the guard.
The group was led into a room. It was spacious, with red walls contrasting against the dark gray floors. A large screen was fixed onto one of its walls as comfortable-looking seats were arranged before it. Quiet gasps of surprise came from the prisoners as they took in the startlingly pleasant room.
“This is a lot nicer than I expected…” Mu muttered under her breath.
Kazui chuckled. “You’re treating us pretty nice for prisoners.”
Es huffed. “This is for convenience.” They walked towards the screen and fiddled with a machine that stood beside it. “You all take your seats so we can get this demonstration over.”
“Is there any arrangement we have to follow?” Shidou asked gently.
“None.”
“Okay then!” Yuno plopped down on a sofa. “Mahiru-san! Come here!”
Mahiru laughed and looked at Amane beside her. “Come on, Amane-chan, wanna sit with us?”
“E-Eh?” Amane looked confused. She took a few seconds before composing herself and nodding. “Very well.”
On a sofa to their left, Mikoto sat between Kazui and Shidou.
“Man, I wish I could smoke right now,” he muttered.
Kazui shot a glance towards Es. “Maybe we can ask the little warden there for some.”
“Eh…” Mikoto gave a shaky smile. “You sure? They don’t look like they would like that.”
“We won’t know until we try, yes?” Shidou added from the side.
“Hoh.” Kazui examined Shidou. “You smoke?”
“A little, I admit.” He gave an embarrassed smile.
“Since there’s three of us…” Mikoto grinned. “I guess we can try asking the guard for some.”
Beside them was a two-seater, where the pair of Haruka and Mu sat quietly.
“U-Um…” Haruka fidgeted, his eyes glancing everywhere.
Mu looked at him from the corner of her eye before quietly asking, “Yes?”
“Ah! I’m…” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”
At those words, Mu’s gaze seemed to change. “It’s fine.” After a pause, she added, “Call me Mu.”
Haruka smiled shakily. “Uh…! I’m Haruka.”
She smiled back in return. “Let’s get along, Haruka.”
Across them were two solo seats, occupied by Fuuta and Kotoko. The two barely took note of each other’s presence. Under his breath, Fuuta grumbled about missing his phone while Kotoko kept silent as she watched Es finish setting up the device.
Es took a step back before declaring, “Done.” They looked back at the rest of the prisoners, who quietened down. “Now stay silent and watch.”
They took their seat and there was silence, but everyone’s minds were whirling with many thoughts.
Haruka fidgeted as he raised his legs onto the sofa, hugging them as he swayed. Mu had told him it was fine if he wanted to make himself comfortable, but even as he held onto himself tightly, he could only feel fear and confusion. He couldn’t understand what some of them said because they used big words but… the scary guard called them murderers…
He curled into himself more, the guilt rushing in. But… he looked around the room. Everyone was so nice. It felt… a lot nicer than home.
Yuno hummed a little melody under her breath but her gaze sharply looked at the people around her. Murderer, huh? It’s true, she would say that she killed someone. But forgiveness? She snuck a glance towards the weirdly young warden. She smothered the scoff that threatened to leave her lips.
If all of this really works as they said it did, she could already tell the stupid pitying glances she would get.
Fuuta grumbled in frustration as he leaned on the armrest. This was all fucking bullshit. Nothing made sense, and somehow they’re going along with this crap. And there’s no phones or computers or internet to even let out steam! Once he got out of here, he would definitely sue that stupid brat cosplaying as a prison guard.
Besides… He bit his lips. He’s not at fault. Murderer? No, he couldn’t be. It wasn’t his fault..!
Mu tried her best to stay composed. She did her best to not stand out since earlier. Everyone was a murderer… that thought scared her. That meant the others could hurt her if she did something wrong. Even if some seemed nice… she glanced at Haruka who was trembling. No, she shouldn’t let her guard down.
She wanted to go home. After all, she only killed someone to escape the pain… she’s not the one at fault here, isn’t she?
Shidou gave a sigh as he observed his fellow prisoners. Children… teenagers… even those in their early twenties were too young. He glanced at his hands, his dirty, bloody hands that had taken too many lives. It didn’t feel right, to judge him on the same level as the others. After all, he couldn’t even remember how many lives he had ruined.
Perhaps if he could find some time, he should persuade Es to give him the death penalty.
Mahiru reassured herself that everything was okay. The situation was a little troubling, but as she thought about what awaited her outside, this was more fun. There’s nothing left back there, after all. And the others seemed nice to talk to! Perhaps… the image of a man popped in her mind.
If what she did can’t be forgiven then... There’s no reason to live anymore, honestly. She chuckled.
Kazui kept on smiling. He was the eldest in this place it seemed. And well, adults have to smile and hide their true feelings so that the young ones won’t lose hope. He tried to glean information by observing the prison and its interesting warden but couldn’t find anything concrete. What were the motives for this, he wondered.
But for now, he needed to keep all of his nerves under wraps. It was easy. After all, lying was his specialty. (In the back of his mind, he remembered her and his crime.)
Amane prayed. Everything happening right now may be dangerous, but she isn’t scared. She knew God would protect her. Perhaps this was just a trial that she had to overcome. She just had to have faith. She sent a look towards the guard that led this place. Judgment… Amane wondered if their standards would align with hers.
Well, either way, to her, her murder was not a sin.
Mikoto internally screamed in confusion. What in the world was going on? He managed to keep himself together as he talked with the others, but every new information he got, everything just felt more jumbled. Was this really a reality show? A prank? Everyone being murderers… that was impossible! He hadn’t killed anyone—hell, he couldn’t think of a crime he had done to be judged over.
Maybe they got the wrong person? Mikoto sighed at that thought. If he lost his job over this, he was going to be mad.
Kotoko listed out the information in her head. MILGRAM Prison… It seemed like an interesting place. She took a quick look at the others. Criminals, huh? Excitement bubbled deep within her. She wanted to immediately figure everyone out, to interrogate them of their sins. Perhaps that guard would help her if they understood.
She looked at her new outfit. She’s also a prisoner—no, it doesn’t matter. She focuses back on her new targets.
All these thoughts lingered in the air, heavy and suffocating. It was a quick second of conflicting opinions, as the device whirred and the screen flickered with light.
Es - Undercover
The title displayed on the screen.
“Undercover?” someone murmured.
Es felt uncomfortable. They knew that was the title, but couldn’t understand it even if it was about themself.
The music started and what was visible on the screen was a white, almost cloudy area. In the middle was a podium that held a small black box. Es walked towards it, as Jackalope hopped after them.
They took the box and the camera zooms into it. The numbers 000 were written on it. It opens and—
Es is seated, 11 boxes littered around them. The red is ominously bright in the background as the title spells itself there.
“This is dramatic,” Yuno remarked, kind of impressed.
Mikoto whistled. “That shot with the red background is really nice. The contrast…” He stopped, looking sheepish. “Sorry, it’s the design student instinct I guess haha.”
[“UNDER”]
Es jumps off and the screen cuts to a face close up of Es against a dark blue background.
[If you say INNOCENT, you’re complicit and weak]
Haruka is shown in front of a police lineup wall, his face timid as he rubs his hands.
[I’m so lonesome, please love me]
Cuts of Haruka doing a mugshot, and ends with him showing a melancholic look.
“Huh?!” Haruka almost jumped in surprise. “Me…? When?”
“So I’m assuming that means you don’t remember doing this?” Shidou asked. Haruka nodded meekly.
“Well,” Mahiru looked at Es, “Es-kun did say this would prove that this wasn’t a video prepared.”
Es sighed. “I told you.”
“Hm… So it’s real?” Kotoko wondered.
Fuuta on the other hand crossed his arms. “I still don’t believe this.”
However, there were some that had different thoughts.
I wonder. Are those lines describing him? Kazui looked at the timid Haruka. Then why would Warden-kun know…?
Please love me…. Haruka bit his nails. Those words had consumed him for so long.
[“UNDER”]
A close up of Es to the side with a pink background.
[My cord’s being pulled but nothing’s ever enough]
Yuno stood before the lineup wall, a little carefree-looking and with a smile on her face.
[Contractual desires, oh what to do,]
Yuno does a few mugshots, but unlike Haruka, she has a smirk on her face.
FUTURE
She smiles, looking as if she’s lip syncing to the song.
“I don’t remember doing that either,” Yuno said, her voice light and carefree. Internally however, she was trying to grapple at the way the lyrics felt way too accurate for her.
Beside her, Amane frowned. “I can’t believe this is getting convincing.”
The screen transitioned to a of the empty lineup wall, with the prison bars casting a shadow upon it.
It then shifted into a shot of Haruka, looking troubled as he grasped on the bars and then Yuno, who looked at the camera curiously.
“The music is surprisingly good though.” Mikoto gave a hesitant grin. “Warden-kun, you’re a pretty good singer!”
Es looked away. “Don’t think flattery would work on me.”
“It’s just fine.” Fuuta grumbled. Inside however, he didn’t want to admit that he was enjoying the music.
Fuuta is then shown behind bars with an annoyed expression followed by Mu who gave a wary side glance.
[“UNDER”]
A cut to Es with a red background.
[Hiding and seeking from sin / Bring it, submit, and also shut your trap]
Back at the lineup wall, Fuuta does his mugshots with a frustrated look. And at the end, he looked as if he was spitting at the camera.
“What the hell..?” A sound of disbelief escaped Fuuta’s lips.
“The more of us appear, the more apparent it is that this is real,” Shidou said. “Interesting.”
Kazui laughed quietly. “That’s not the only interesting thing.” If you pay attention, the lyrics are clearly hinting about us.
Having similar unvoiced thoughts, Kotoko glanced at Fuuta who sat beside her. Then she looked at Haruka, who seemed deeply uncomfortable, and Yuno, who put on a laidback smile. She tried to trap the anticipation in her as thoughts revolved in her mind at the few chunks of information she had gotten.
[“UNDER”]
A cut to Es with a yellow background.
[Clutching a broken heart / The pain’s still there, after all this time]
The scene shifted to Mu’s mugshot, where she looked scared, holding herself at times as if trying to brace from the pain.
“Mu-san…” Haruka whispered as he looked at the girl beside him. He didn’t catch all of the words, but the expression she gave in the video said everything he needed to understand.
“It’s fine,” she answered back, but her hands gripped onto her lap tightly.
A sharp quick cut to a cutter blade falling.
Mu almost jumped out of her seat.
“Ah… Are you okay?” Haruka asked.
She paused before shaking her head and smiling. “It’s nothing. I just…” She fiddled with her hair. “Seeing myself in a music video was just weird, that’s all.”
Haruka nodded in agreement. He also felt uncomfortable seeing himself on screen, doing something he never remembered doing.
But she didn’t see his look clearly. She had clasped her hands together, trying her best to hide the shaking. There, she could see the cutter blade in her grasp, dripping with scarlet blood as Rei’s eyes darkened with death.
It’s not my fault, she tried to whisper to herself. I did it to get away.
Seeing their interaction, Yuno tried not to say anything. It was clearly not nothing, she thought as the blonde was clearly distraught. But oh well, it was none of her business.
[Take, grab, steal, dissect the thoughts of “Why” / Looking for mistakes in overtime]
Images of everyone looking scared flitted through the screen. They were in a mysterious location under some caged dome. Behind them was an ominous red sun.
“Oh dear. This really is real.” Mahiru tried to chuckle but it came off as a little nervous.
Seeing all of them on screen in a place none of them had seen before had made reality click. They really were in an unknown prison where music videos could be crafted from their thoughts. It was utterly bizarre—but real.
“Fuck.” Fuuta covered his face with his mask, trying to hide his emotions. He had been trying so hard to deny it, but it really was real.
Amane’s frown went a little deeper before she took a deep breath. Everything would be fine, she just needed to have faith.
Seeing how some of them reacted, Es spoke. “I’ve been saying that since earlier.” Their eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.
[To know someone, to bind them in their EGO / Can you really judge them?]
Flashes to the wary and scared faces of Haruka, Yuno, Fuuta, Mu, Shidou and Mahiru. An image of Es with a serious look is then superimposed.
“In the end, it’s about Warden-san, huh,” Yuno muttered under her breath. Can you really judge them? The line stuck with her, as she had been wondering about it ever since the explanation of the trials. If Es had the power to judge their verdicts, then wouldn’t that mean that they’re subject to the warden’s standards? She felt disgusted. It was self-righteous bullshit.
Unbeknownst to her, Es had similar thoughts. Jackalope had told them that they could bestow forgiveness with whatever reason they wanted. But was that really okay? Maybe all of these conflicting ideas are why the song was asking these questions.
It really does work , Es thought with a wry smile.
[The fine line between “Hate” and “OK” / Shouldn’t you look beyond your EGO, before it all ends? / After knowing all, I wonder / Can you really say INNOCENT?]
There were cuts to the fearful faces of Kazui, Amane, Mikoto and Kotoko before transitioning to a shot of Es in the beginning scene. They were standing away from the camera, their head looking back at the viewer as their hand held on their cap.
“Forgiveness…” Shidou whispered. He couldn’t really call himself innocent. Not after all he had done. He hoped that Es would see the same.
On the other hand, Fuuta clenched his fists. He wasn’t at fault, he kept telling himself. But flashes of the events made him want to throw up in stress.
Throughout the room, many had similar conflicting thoughts.
Except for one: Mikoto, who sat there, mind confused as he told himself that he knew that he had done nothing wrong.
There’s an instrumental break, the scenery going back to the lineup wall with prison bars. The video then cuts to Shidou behind bars, his arms crossed and eyes narrowed. After him is Mahiru, her brown eyes pleading as she gave a small smile while holding the bars.
There’s another break with the wall before cutting to Kazui, who is standing with his back to the camera, his eyes looking back. Right after him is Amane, holding onto her backpack as she stared to the side.
[“UNDER”]
A cut to Es speaking with a wisteria background behind them.
[Which way will you throw down your weight / To be the deceived, or the deceiver]
Now it was Shidou, looking serious in his mugshot. At the end, he stares at the camera, holding his chin, his expression hard to ascertain.
Well, that’s ominous . Kazui looked at Shidou, noticing that Mikoto seemed to send the man a wary glance as well. To be the deceived, or the deceiver, huh. He almost wanted to laugh. If he didn’t know, he would think those lines were going to be about him.
[“UNDER”]
Es sings, with an orange background behind them.
[I don’t wanna just give / Giving and taking, this is how to be in love]
Mahiru stands before the wall, her face a little melancholic before giving a bright smile to the camera.
Hearing the lyrics that played over her presence on screen, Mahiru didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry. Love. She was in love, wasn’t she? She was just being herself, being oh so deeply in love. It was incredible and beautiful, but why…?
She thought of the verdicts the young guard had promised them. Would she be forgiven? Or is her love unforgivable?
Beside her, Yuno gave her a curious look, and in response, Mahiru returned a cheerful smile.
[“UNDER”]
Sky blue pops in the background as Es sings.
[I just keep on dreaming / half in, half out, I’m doomed]
The camera takes shots of Kazui’s mugshot. He was laid back, his body relaxed as he gave an easygoing smile.
“Ah, I see,” Kazui said. Half in, half out… That was a way to describe him and his crime.
Beside him, Mikoto tried his best to not send wary looks to him or to Shidou who sat on his other side. Shidou’s seriousness felt terrifyingly ominous, yet somehow, Kazui’s carefree attitude felt equally as disturbing.
Oh god, what if I really am sitting between two murderers?
On another side of the room, Kotoko felt like her thoughts were being affirmed with every new line. These people were indeed suspicious, and perhaps she has new targets to hunt. She glanced once more towards Es, whose cool face hadn’t changed. MILGRAM Prison… Multiple hypotheses popped in Kotoko’s mind as she considered her current information.
Her eyes glinted with interest. She could use this place. And maybe… Maybe that guard would understand. After all, evil must be punished and this place has given them the power.
[“UNDER”]
Es sings, a turquoise background glowing behind them.
[The magic is in believing / There is no righteousness in broken promises]
Amane gave a bright smile throughout her mugshot, really impressing on the image that she’s a child. However, at the end, she lowers her hat, revealing a serious gaze, cut off by falling keys.
Amane nodded at the lyrics that were sung. It seemed that this mysterious method at least understood her and her faith. She then observed the rest of the people in the room with a hint of anger. They might pretend to be subtle, but she could clearly feel them sending pitying glances or worse—gazes of disbelief, based on judging her outward appearance as a child.
She noticed someone whose stare lingered longer than the others. It was the silver-haired man… Kirisaki Shidou, was it? She frowned at him, watching as he gave her an apologetic smile before looking away.
Shidou took a deep breath as he focused back on the screen. He tried to shake his thoughts off. A child in the same prison as him, someone who had committed so much sin. A child so young, as young as them—
He kept on his collected expression, locking his grief underneath.
[Take, grab, steal, dissect the thoughts of “Why” / Looking for mistakes in overtime / To know someone, to bind them in their EGO / Can you really judge them?]
As the chorus started again, the scene shifted to the mysterious dome, where all the prisoners were. This time however, they looked even more restricted than before, and their faces showed distress.
“Ugh.” Fuuta gave a sound of disgust as he saw himself on screen. “This is some all sorts of wrong.”
“It really is uncanny…” Mu muttered. “Seeing myself like that.”
Haruka fidgeted in his seat. “It’s scary…”
[The fine line between “Hate” and “OK” / Shouldn’t you look beyond your EGO, before it all ends? / After knowing all, I wonder / Can you really say INNOCENT?]
Similar scenery played out, this time with the final four prisoners getting close ups. The chorus ends on a shot of Es, standing ominously in front of the bright red background, giving the camera a side glance.
“In that lighting, they look a lot scarier, don’t they?” Mikoto said with a chuckle, trying to cut the dark mood that had been lingering throughout the song.
Seeming to pick up on what he’s trying to do, Yuno followed up, “That’s right! Our little Warden-san here isn’t really that scary but the red makes them seem more intimidating.”
Hearing those words, Es glared at the two. “Excuse me?”
But their young face seemed to sap their expression of any intimidation, making everyone who saw it laugh a little. Es’ expression darkened, yet to some of them, it felt like the young guard was pouting.
The music then turned softer, giving a short instrumental break. On screen, shots of the prisoners’ lives quickly went on before disappearing.
The lighter mood that had come from teasing Es immediately died. The images may have passed by the screen quickly, but they had lived these lives. They could tell immediately which one was theirs, and that bomb had dropped onto their stomach.
“What the fuck…” Fuuta blurted out, but his voice didn’t have any of the fire it had before.
While the scenes with them had convinced them of the reality of MILGRAM, these quick images of their lives felt like the final confirmation. Somehow, it knew. Somehow, their lives were an open book for these videos.
Dread filled many, and at worst, the quick vague shots sent flashbacks of their crimes.
Silently however, there were some prisoners who managed to compose themselves faster than others. And a thought popped in their minds but no one dared to vocalize it: We can know what the others did wrong.
Perhaps Es’ judgment wouldn’t matter. After all, they would have their own judgment of the other criminals beside them.
But the video then quickly cut to a shot of Mikoto behind the bars, his face somber, before cutting to Kotoko, who glared fiercely at the camera as she gripped on the bars.
The transition made everyone refocus back onto the music video. But their thoughts lingered.
[“UNDER”]
Es sings over a bluish gray background. This time however, the music was softer than the previous verses.
[Don’t you lie about Me]
Mikoto stands before the lineup wall, a big dumb smile on his face.
[Me, I’ve done nothing wrong]
His smile disappears as he holds his face. His expression looks more melancholic and somber.
“That’s right..!” The words escaped Mikoto’s mouth. Seeing the glances that suddenly moved in his direction, he added with a sheepish smile, “Nothing. Haha…”
Even the song knows I did nothing wrong . At that thought, Mikoto felt even more reassured. Maybe they really did get the wrong person.
Unbeknownst to him however, his fellow prisoners had different thoughts.
We have someone in denial, huh… Yuno thought. Or maybe he’s one of those people so sure of himself that he really does think he did nothing wrong. She then shook her head. Great, now she was throwing arbitrary judgments.
Kotoko looked at him from the corner of her eye, hints of anger flashing within her. “I’ve done nothing wrong.” Those were the words she heard many evildoers spout out. Kayano Mikoto, was it? Kotoko planned to see whether or not this man did nothing wrong indeed.
[“UNDER”]
A magenta background is behind Es as they sing.
[Dedicating my life]
Kotoko does her mugshot, her expression serious.
[Harrowing, burying the thing I want erased]
She then stares at the camera and out of nowhere, she kicks it with a fierce look.
“Ah!” Haruka exclaimed at the attack that came out of the blue.
Wary glances were sent towards Kotoko’s way, but she didn’t react to any of it.
Internally, Kotoko pondered over the lyrics that were sung over her part. A scoff almost left her lips as she rewound those lines in her head. Huh, no wonder the others looked uncomfortable whenever their section came up. It really was a little disturbing.
[Ravaging, brawling, losers please exit left / Even with accusations full of faults and mistakes]
The prisoners are shown in order, standing alone in a dark room, with the lineup wall behind them. The only source of light was a blurry projected scene of the flashes of their life from earlier. All of them have their eyes hidden and mouths covered.
[You will for sure, with a smile for sure / Be pleased and satisfied]
The video cuts to close ups of their faces as they remove their hands from their mouths. Malicious smiles slowly appeared, as if they were going to laugh.
At the appearance of those ominous smiles, the prisoners felt the suspicion that had been lingering since the beginning suddenly hit them in the face.
They were prisoners. Murderers. Everyone was guilty of a crime, even if right now, they were all interacting with smiles and niceties. Considering most of them knew their own crime, their thoughts had gone haywire: How are the others murderers?
In comparison, Es, who had been silently watching the video, felt their heart steady at these visuals. Right, they shouldn’t trust these people. All they needed to do was watch over them and determine their sins to decide a verdict.
[Take, grab, steal, dissect the thoughts of “Why” / Looking for mistakes in overtime]
The chorus plays back again. Images of the prisoners darted through the screen along with debris, but this time it was merely their silhouettes against a bright red background. Noticeably, the silhouettes were all holding a familiar figure: a silhouette of Es, even wearing their uniform.
[To know someone, to bind them in their EGO / Can you really judge them?]
The video then does quick cuts to close-ups. First it was a silhouette of Haruka, screaming as he sat over Es. Followed by Yuno who was standing over Es, and then Fuuta who gripped Es by the collar. White splatter, reminiscent of blood, scattered all over.
The scenes were flying by fast, but everyone in the room could tell whose silhouettes were those. Haruka, Yuno, and Fuuta squirmed in their seats, clearly feeling uncomfortable at such a visceral depiction of their crimes.
[The fine line between “Hate” and “OK” / Shouldn’t you look beyond your EGO, before it all ends?]
Back to the quick overall images of their crimes.
[After knowing all, I wonder / Can you really say INNOCENT?]
It was all in order: Mu over Es’ body, Shidou against Es, Mahiru holding Es’ body. As Es’ voice continued belting the line, more depictions of crime were shown: Kazui crying over Es’ corpse, Amane beating Es up, Mikoto striking Es from behind, and Kotoko kicking Es.
It was all going so fast but the discomfort was intense. They were murderers and they had killed, and now the video was showing it all in a vague yet visceral manner.
As the others lingered in the sudden shocking imagery, some had thoughts.
Mikoto felt like his gaze was burning through the screen. That silhouette went by quickly, but considering the order, he could assume it was him. But how? He had done nothing like that, nothing like that at all! How was there a depiction of a crime he never committed? It was surreal. Nonsensical. Everything felt unreal. Why was everything and everyone saying he killed someone? He knew he didn’t! Mikoto was so focused on his thoughts that he blocked out everything else.
Beside him, Shidou narrowed his eyes. The imagery wasn’t explicit, and he knew it because of the split second he saw how it depicted his crime. With some self-deprecation, he knew he had more victims than one. So he wondered, why Es?
With similar questions as Shidou, Kazui and Kotoko also wracked their brains for theories. There had to be a reason as to why Es was shown as their victims.
Es tried to remain calm outwardly but it was a little difficult. After all, they were watching images of themself getting brutally murdered by people who were sitting in the same room. They told themself that this was just another reminder that they should not trust any of these prisoners.
[Deceivings, “UNDER”, inerasable]
The previous scenes of the music video were played over quickly, a transparent figure of Es without the full uniform shown on top. The scenes flash by before Es turns around. The camera zooms towards their eye as they seemed a little startled, raising their hand to block something.
The scene transitions into the initial 000 box closing. It’s the box on top of the podium in the very first scene, with the white cloudy atmosphere. Es was no longer there, only Jackalope, who then looked to the side.
The song ends.
At the end of the song, everyone was silent. There was too much information to process, and no one knew where to start.
“Now do you believe me?” Es spoke up, their voice resounding in the quiet room. “MILGRAM will create videos from your hearts, and judgment shall be given.”
“I know we just saw it but it’s still a little hard to believe…” Mu muttered from her seat.
Kazui gave a wry smile. “It’s a little out there, isn’t it?” He glanced at the now black screen. “But we saw it… stuff that couldn’t have been taken for this video.”
There was an awkward silence. From the unknown footage of themselves to the scenes of their lives, there was a lot that couldn’t have been taken without them knowing.
“So,” Kotoko stared at Es, who now stood up and walked towards the machine, “you’re going to have us do this for three trials?”
Es nodded. “Every week, I’ll interrogate one of you.” They looked back at the silent prisoners in their seats. “And you will sing your sins.”
Another awkward pause. Es huffed before messing with the machine again.
After a few seconds, Mahiru said, “I wonder what type of song mine would be like.” She smiled brightly. “I think it would be neat to see how everyone’s songs are like!”
Beside her, Yuno grinned. “Right? Maybe mine would be cute?”
“I can see that!” Mahiru nodded, her eyes sparkling. “Yuno-chan is very cute, so I can see your video be the same!”
“Aw, thanks.”
Fuuta gave out a loud groan. “Really, we’re gonna talk about it this way?” He glared at the two women. “Aren’t you talking this way too lightly?”
“Well, it’s going to happen either way so why not?” Yuno replied, her cheery voice hiding an undertone of annoyance.
“That is true,” Shidou agreed.
“If we can’t escape it, we might as well go along with it. That’s fair,” Kazui commented. He then looked at Mikoto beside him, who was spacing out. “Don’t you agree?”
At the sudden words, Mikoto blinked before facing Kazui. He then realized what the man was saying before laughing. “Right. Might as well go with it.”
“It’s still a little scary though…” Haruka mumbled. “Are we really… gonna be forgiven with this?”
“It depends on their judgment,” Amane answered seriously, their eyes locked on Es. “But as for the value of that judgment, we shall see.”
Kotoko seemed to pause before agreeing. “We’ll see who will be punished.”
The word shook Haruka up. “P…Punished?”
“That seems a little extreme, isn’t it?” Mu asked, her expression meek yet wary.
Es cut in. “You’re all murderers.” They paused. Jackalope didn’t say anything about what would happen after the final verdict. But they couldn’t show that lack of knowledge to them. “There’s a reason for the judgment.”
“That’s a little vague,” Shidou remarked.
Es didn’t reply further.
Sensing that this topic would go nowhere, Mikoto asked, “So every week, we’re just gonna watch everyone’s videos?”
At that question, Es paused. They remembered the conversation with Jackalope during the extraction.
“You really think they should watch these videos?” he asked.
Es took a deep breath before replying, “I think it’s appropriate for them to know what the basis of my judgment was. From the information I know of the outside, isn’t that how it happens? Evidence and arguments are presented, as well as testimony.”
Jackalope stayed silent. Seconds passed by, yet it felt like minutes or hours as Es stared into the creature’s unreadable eyes.
They continued, “Isn’t it better if I can hear the opinions of the perpetrators? I feel like my perspective of their crime would be better if I knew their reactions.” A pause. “The final judgment of whether or not to forgive is still mine anyway,” Es added. “Their opinions wouldn’t color mine.”
In response to that, Jackalope gave a chuckle. “That doesn’t matter. After all, I did say you can choose your verdict on any basis.” He stared at Es. “Even if that basis is rooted in their reactions to what’s hidden in their heart.”
Jackalope hopped before giving a tiny nod. “Have fun then, dear warden!”
Seeing everyone’s curious gazes, Es nodded. “An interrogation will happen at the end of the week where extraction shall happen. Then we’ll watch.” After some consideration, they added, “The video will be left here for convenience.”
“Convenience?” Fuuta asked, his expression still annoyed. “What convenience?”
Es rolled their eyes. “I can’t form my judgment on one watch. I’ll have to rewatch and analyze this in my own time. But as it’s no harm, you’re allowed to do the same.”
“That’s handy,” Kotoko noted. “We can just go here and view them any time?”
“Yes.”
“This is pretty lax for a prison.” Kazui scratched his head. “Surprisingly lax.”
“You can’t escape anyway.” Es walked towards the door. “Anyway, enough of this. Now you know the rules of this place, it’s time for me to explain the rest of the prison guidelines.”
“The rest?” Mu asked.
Es looked back, eyes narrowed. “There are rules here to follow after all.” They then opened the doors and started to walk outside. “Follow me, I’ll show you the rest of the amenities.”
The prisoners sent glances at each other before following the young guard.
With a sigh, Mikoto asked, “I guess… this isn’t a reality show then?”
Mahiru giggled. “I guess not.”
Fuuta rolled his eyes and scoffed as he heard their words. “God, this place really is fucking insane.”
However, as the prisoners shuffled after Es, some of them sent glances back towards the room they had just come from. That entire video had been fascinating as well as terrifying. But it also went by quickly, with many details that they hadn’t managed to properly ponder on.
At the end of the line of prisoners was Kazui, who seemed to ponder something. “I have to look at that again,” he muttered, remembering Es’ remark about the room being open.
“I agree.” Kazui sent a glance at the man that whispered beside him. Shidou gave a gentle smile. “We seem to be the eldest here, Mukuhara-san.” His gaze lingered on the younger prisoners. “Do you want to work together?”
Kazui chuckled before nodding. “Sure,” he lied.
“Let me join,” a low voice came from behind them. It was Kotoko, whose expression seemed unreadable. “I’m curious about the video too.”
“The more the merrier.” Shidou kept on that smile of his. “That video was of Es-kun, wasn’t it?”
The three looked at the walking guard, who was now conveying rules to the prisoners before them.
“If we understand more of it, then maybe we can solve some of the mysteries of this place,” Shidou explained.
“Perhaps.” Kazui smirked. “From what we saw, it really was interesting.”
Kotoko didn’t say anything but just clenched her fists as she watched everyone before her chatter peacefully, as if they didn’t just watch themselves get uncovered as villains. These videos… what they could reveal about these bastards could help her in her judgment.
For now, let’s go along with it… as they said.