26: save4 The Choice Among Four Save Points
At that moment, Lu Lele seemed to have emerged straight from hell.
She bathed in the remains of her childhood friend, frantically coating her entire body with Liu Lili's "scent," rolling on the ground over and over, stuffing anything she could find into her mouth.
With Liu Lili's death, Lu Lele had gone completely mad.
Truly, utterly mad.
Not long after.
Sirens blared. A large crowd surrounded Lu Lele.
Neither the police ordering her to get down, nor the buzzing whispers of the onlookers, could elicit any reaction from Lu Lele.
The light had vanished from Lu Lele's eyes. Like a doll, she was numb and vacant, having lost all interest in everything.
Her body might still be alive, but her soul was dead.
She had become nothing more than a living corpse.
...
...
After Lu Lele's arrest, with the help of her older sister Lu Yanyan, she obtained a certificate of mental illness. This allowed her to avoid prison, instead receiving treatment and recuperation in a psychiatric hospital.
In the White Lily Republic, there were juvenile offenders and juvenile courts. Only children under ten were considered to lack criminal capacity. Those aged ten to nineteen who committed crimes would still end up in jail, though they would be sent to specialized prison schools for reform.
Lu Yanyan was profoundly disappointed in Lu Lele, but as her biological older sister, she still made tremendous efforts. She spent an enormous amount of money to directly purchase a small private psychiatric hospital in Tangerine City. Using her connections, she arranged for Lu Lele to be sent there, ensuring Lu Lele would not suffer any abuse and would not have to take medications that could damage her nerves.
Furthermore, Lu Yanyan spent even more money to settle matters with Liu Lili's parents, obtaining a letter of understanding and agreement. Otherwise, even with the mental illness certificate, Lu Lele would still have had to serve time.
Even so, the latter half of Lu Lele's life would likely be spent within the confines of that small psychiatric hospital.
The moment Lu Lele stepped into the psychiatric hospital, her consciousness blurred.
Yes, the ending had already been determined...
Her ending, and Liu Lili's ending.
The angry yandere picked up a sharp knife and stabbed it toward her betraying lover, and also, toward herself.
One turned into a handful of dust for reasons unknown, the other forever lost her soul.
This was everything of the story, and also its final chapter.
Buzz...
Coming back to her senses, Lu Lele found that this time, she hadn't directly loaded a save. Instead, she had arrived in a pure white space.
[Ah, well, well, although still quite naive, you finally show a bit of the yandere's shape.]
A strange, gender neutral, languid voice came from all directions, surrounding Lu Lele:
[Congratulations, Little Sister Lu Lele, on successfully achieving the Normal Ending: The Bloodstained Rose. It's a proper yandere-style "kitchen knife" ending.]
[You can now start over from any save point. Have you thought about where you'd like to begin your attempt?]
"..."
Lu Lele did not respond.
[What's wrong? Haven't recovered yet? Little Sister Lu Lele, you must understand, you've only just completed one Normal Ending. You're still far from the Perfect Ending.]
"..."
Lu Lele still showed no reaction.
[Withdrawn into yourself, have you? Understandable, given what you've been through. Well then, let me give you a little help~]
In the next second, Lu Lele's consciousness, or perhaps her soul, was suddenly enveloped by a large sphere of light.
Lu Lele's negative emotions were partially purified by this light sphere, though not completely. It merely brought Lu Lele back to a state where she could think normally again.
Before this, every single minute and second, Lu Lele's broken soul had been stuck in a loop, replaying that final moment between her and Liu Lili.
When the light sphere dispersed, Lu Lele was finally no longer haunted by that series of nightmares. She spoke:
"Strange God, you make it sound so easy. After all, you're not the one forced to play the yandere. Playing this damn game makes me feel like I've been molded into the shape of a yandere from head to toe. My mind is almost not normal anymore. If this goes on, I feel like I'll eventually be assimilated by the yandere mindset and won't be able to think straight."
[No need to 'feel.' When the Acting Value is full, Little Sister Lu Lele, you *are* the genuine yandere.]
"... Since I've already played out a Normal Ending, can I go back to my original world? I don't want the wish anymore. I've had enough, completely enough. If I keep acting like this, I'll go insane!" Lu Lele said.
[Not allowed.]
The Strange God stated firmly:
[Only by achieving the Perfect Ending can the game end.]
"..."
Lu Lele couldn't help but retort:
"Hey, Strange God, you must be a pervert, right? If you like yanderes so much, go play the role yourself. Why did you have to pick on me?"
[These questions can all be discussed later. For now, you need to make a choice, Little Sister Lu Lele.]
The Strange God seemed somewhat impatient and began to urge:
[If you don't make a decision soon, I'll pick one randomly for you.]
"Sigh."
Lu Lele sighed and said:
"Let me think about it, okay?"
[Of course you may.]
As soon as the Strange God's words fell, numerous flowing images suddenly appeared before Lu Lele's eyes, swirling around her consciousness. Each image, as it passed "before" Lu Lele's eyes, came with its own accompanying sound:
'I will prove to you, I absolutely didn't do this on a whim. We will definitely have a wonderful future, just as I promised...'
The adorable young girl made a promise to her beloved, causing her beloved to completely abandon any attempt to persuade the girl with words to let her leave.
This was Lu Lele's first save point. At this time, Liu Lili had just been tormented by Lu Lele with the small toys all night, hadn't slept yet, and had just delivered a long, heartfelt speech.
Starting from here was the beginning of the kidnapping route. Everything was full of possibilities. Lu Lele could freely try new methods, seeking a new future for the two of them.
'From now on, Lele, I don't like you anymore.'
The girl, realizing she was being treated as an object, felt utterly disheartened and spoke these resolute words.
This was Lu Lele's second save point. At this time, Liu Lili had just said something akin to breaking off their friendship to Lu Lele and from then on stopped paying attention to Lu Lele. Of course, the current Lu Lele knew this coldness was likely just an act by Liu Lili.
Starting from here, Lu Lele would have to face a Liu Lili who, at least on the surface, no longer liked her and wore a cold expression. Lu Lele could continue using the "neglect play" method to break through Liu Lili's mental defenses, or she could try other methods to see if a new ending could be achieved.
'I love you too... I'll be obedient, I promise....'
The young girl nestled in the kidnapper's arms trembled as she spoke these words.
This was Lu Lele's third save point, the moment Liu Lili's spirit broke after more than ten hours of neglect play.
Starting from here, Lu Lele would face a Liu Lili as obedient as a little puppy, though only temporarily. Lu Lele could use this opportunity to reinforce Liu Lili's obedience to her, and perhaps achieve a new ending.
'But, if it's with you... it might not be so bad.'
The young girl placed her hand in her childhood friend's palm, making a promise to embark on an adventure together. Although, it was all just a lie.
This was the fourth save point, the most recent one.
Starting from here, there wouldn't be any major changes, essentially.
It would simply be Lu Lele exposing Liu Lili's lie, then proceeding according to the original plan.
Where... should she start over from?