Chapter 9
"Let's start this interrogation, shall we?"
Es- no, Shiho asked, not really being the most energetic ever.
"...Yeah."
And with that, she got closer to Ichika.
"So, I'm aware you're someone who likes music, is that so?"
Ichika sighed
"I guess you could say that, yeah…"
She scratched the back of her neck, the way Shiho talked making her feel like she didn't even know the former.
"Have you… Ever played an instrument?"
Ichika asked, even though she already knew the answer to that question.
"I can't exactly say I remember doing something like that…"
She replied, making Ichika slightly confused.
"You see, I'm not exactly sure of my background myself-- But that's not important. Let's begin… For real, this time."
A small smile formed on Ichika's face, suddenly recognising her friend again.
"It's been a short time, but I'm sure you've already had quite the experience here. Mind telling me about that, 004?"
"Sure, why not… Uhm… I guess I really didn't expect to see Honami here, or Shizuku…"
She said, not really sure what else to say.
"And well, I guess I kinda do miss the outside world, or something…"
"I see… Were you in some kind of band?"
Ichika shook her head.
"No… Things got a bit rusty with my friends and when yo-- one of them ran away, it was too late to start anything."
Es stood in place.
"These friends of yours… I have to guess you're talking about 007 and this "Saki" girl 001 talked so highly about…?"
Ichika wanted to scream at her, try to make her remember that they were her friends too, that she had the three of them waiting for her, that she had her sister, that Ichika needed her to come back.
"Sure.."
Es noticed the change of tone.
"Huh…? Did something happen, 004?"
She asked, legitimately not knowing what was going on.
"Do you really not remember, Shiho..?"
She whispered under her breath, low enough so that Es couldn't hear her.
"What was that…?"
"Oh… It's really nothing…"
"Well. It doesn't exactly matter if you don't tell me something or lie… I'll just look at your memories and see for myself."
Ichika let out the most huge "huh?" ever.
"Ah, my apologies, I should explain what that means, shouldn't I…
Like you already know, Milgram is a prison, of course. You're all murderers.
But Milgram also is to reveal your sin so that I can judge them as forgivable or unforgivable. All this through songs created with your memories, sounds complicated as shit doesn't it?"
Es explained, looking at Ichika and waiting for a response.
"...I actually think that was understandable… a little bit…"
That was a lie, she didn't understand anything that came out of Es' mouth.
"And if our interrogation goes nowhere near the murder you've committed, I can just look at that.
So, are you confident in your singing,
Prisoner 004?"
The bell rang loud, the two former friends locking eye contact as it did.
"I truly hope your musical gift doesn't disappoint.
Prisoner 004, Ichika,
Come now… Sing your sins."