The price of trust: Yuuichi’s Confession Journal

”Money is important, but there’s something more important than money.”

Those words echoed in my mind as I stared at the pitiful stack of bills I’d counted for the third time. My mother’s voice, weakened by illness but still determined, cut through the cold of our apartment. I looked up from the kitchen table where I’d been tallying our little savings.

“What could possibly be more important than this?” I asked, gesturing to the money that wasn’t nearly enough for her medication.

Despite everything, she smiled. “Friends, Yiuuichi Friends”

I wanted to laugh. Friends wouldn’t pay our rent. Friends wouldn’t buy her medicines. I nodded anyway, because what else could I do? She believed in it, and I wanted to believe in something too.

I never imagined those words would haunt me years later, as I found myself trapped in a game designed to test that very belief.

Entry I: Why I’m Writing This

Today, I have decided to record the truth. Not the truth they think they know, but my truth. People call me a villain, manipulator, traitor—they see only the calculated moves I have made throughout these games. They don’t understand the necessity behind each betrayal. Each lie I told, each friend I sacrificed, everything had a purpose.

Mother, if you could see me now, would you still believe friendship matters more than money? When I had to choose between loyalty and survival, I chose to survive. I chose to win. Do I regret it? No.

The Werewolf Game: When I First Became the Monster

After completing the werewolf game that revolved around trust, betrayal, and a lot of money, All I was the sight of their shallow faces when they realized I had planned to manipulate them from the beginning. They looked hurt, betrayed, and mainly disgusted. They couldn’t process the reasoning and the audacity behind my actions.

Why did I do it? Because someone had to. Life isn’t a simple matter where everything goes to plan, and when voices are involved, that are telling me to destroy trust, so I can break free? I couldn’t hold it, because it took me a while to grasp and understand it, but the untrusted can truly reign victorious.

When I tricked Tenji into believing I was on his side for this game, which ended up with me exposing him, some described it as cruelty. They didn’t understand that he threw himself to me as a pawn, making him a liability. His awareness and understanding of this game was awful, it would have destroyed our group. I tried every pattern to make him a wildcard, a Jack of all trades, but he failed—while the game was screaming for me to reward him with betrayal and punish his loyalty.

I still recall his quivering eyes; he tried to scratch them as if what I’d done was a sin. But what else could I have done? Mother died believing in the essentials of having to create so many bonds and friendships, I tried to follow that route but where did that get her? Dead, I don’t want to end up like that, I’m not going to end up with unpaid medical bills that I cannot pay off, while bragging about my relationship with people.

Those so-called “friends” would have contributed so I wouldn’t manipulate them, real friends wouldn’t fumble under pressure, they would rise and help me achieve my goals, they would understand my methods…

“Heeheehee~! Welcome, friends, to a brand new game where you will be testing your bonds once again!”

The voice had already echoed through our eardrums a bunch of times, so we could identify who that was. I looked around at the faces of people I once called friends. Their expressions ranged from being terrified to calculating the situation.

How many of them are thinking about betraying me right now?

Entry II: On Betrayal

They never understood why I performed those methods, no matter how dark they got, it didn’t matter if it even seemed like betrayal, hence why it’s nothing personal—it’s tactical for the sake of winning. For example, when I broke my promise to Shiho during the second game, I saw her fall to her knees, for the first time, she looked weak and vulnerable while crying, she started spouting some words that I cannot recall, yet I understood her motive which was to call me heartless. I was protecting you, Shiho, from a greater defeat. Wounds heal; debt doesn’t. Some friendships break and eventually end; survival on the other hand should be a priority that never ends.

They failed to deliver on the spot, the clock was ticking so I offered my kindest service, Mother, I offered the kindest way to show mercy, which is by betrayal.

“He’s at it again, fooling around so he can enjoy the sight of us breaking due to being pressured, truly inhuman,” said Kei Shinomiya while meeting my eyes.

“Does he think we are subjects in his hands? We’ve already won a bunch of Games, it’s about time we leave this darn facility that’s full of corruption,” spouted Tenji while feeling a bit anxious.

Entry III: The Necessary Evil

Everyone thought I enjoyed their suffering, but they were wrong. I never enjoyed it, I simply accepted it as a necessity. Everything I did, from all the lies and manipulations, it was all to reach the end faster. To suffer minimal damage.

The world is never kind to the kind ones. These games taught me that. My mother died as kind, but I refuse to share that mistake.

“What do you think we should do, Katagiri-kun?” While hiding behind my back, Kokorogi went back into covering my shadows after asking me a reasonable question.

While sitting in a circle, I saw through it all; it’s merely pitch black. Hence why I can hear everyone breathing tensely, fear is an emotion that strikes before any move. They’re scared of what awaits us.

Entry IV: Seeing Through the Darkness

I have always been able to read people better than books. In that moment, sitting in the darkness, I could hear their fear ineach breath. It reveals that confidence hides their true self. It’s only when they are terrified that I see who they really are. Not the friends they pretend to be, but survivors willing to do anything.

Just like me.

But the difference is, I itted that fact to myself a long time ago. They still cling to the idea they are better than me. More moral. More human. However, in the end, we will all make the same choices when pushed far enough. I just skip the stage of denial.

It’s about time we play along. As I was about to mutter, Shiho noticed the movement of the facility that we are in and spouted, “Are we perhaps on a ship? Moving throughout the shallow ocean, because I can sense that we are moving pretty slowly.”

A keen sense is what separates Shiho from the rest. Now that she mentions this, I can sense that this place is moving; nonetheless, I can’t seem to comprehend where we are, nor the objective of this game.

“This place reminds me of the cafeteria in a game called Among Us,” claimed Makoto while roaming around the place.

“Heeheehee~! Good memories revolve around this game, especially when a certain illness struck the world, it’s nice to see that some people still recognize this place, because it will be the destination for your new challenge. This is Tomodachi Game: Sus or Bust Edition!” The same sound echoes from the speakers again, it’s Manabu. The one who sets the challenges.

Entry V: The Games People Play

Games within games. That’s what life is, a series of challenges designed to separate the strong from the weak. Manabu understands this. He, in his twisted way, was teaching us what the world had already shown me. Trust is a weakness that others will exploit.

When I first heard the rules of his new games, I was not shocked or disgusted like the others. I was calculating, planning, and preparing to do whatever was needed to win.

“In this scenario, being sus could result in a bunch of losses financially… or winning a huge prize.”

I know most of y’all don’t want to end up in debt again, so you’ll be taking secret roles—some of you will have tasks, while others will pretend to do them only because they were assigned to, those are referred to as imposters. They can eliminate crew mates that seek to escape this place, but here’s the twist:

:x: •Each crewmate has 1 million yen on the line.

:x: ••There is a secret role other than being a regular imposter or a crewmate.**

:x: •••Each crewmate remaining in the game has to complete their tasks, otherwise they will end up deceived or eliminated.

:x: ••••imposter gets bonus payout for every elimination they get before being exposed.

:x: •••••There is only 1 imposter with 4 crewmates roaming around, nonetheless the secret role is a neutral. His goal is unknown as of now, because we assigned many neutral roles with different motives.

“And (here comes) the best part.

If your team wins, even after being eliminated or not, you end up splitting the pot money… or perhaps one of you takes away all your money and leaves this place with 6 million yen. Teehee~ doesn’t this sound exciting?”

“Is that all?” said Kei Shinomiya while being fired up.

Manabu smirked and said, “There might be some challenges midway depending on the situation. Since we are seeking entertainment, we cannot let one of the parties controlling the system and emerging victorious so simply, so perhaps to set the mood we can start with a challenge around the table in the cafeteria in 15 minutes, Heehee~ If you don’t contribute you’ll miss out on a lot of money.”

We sat down in a circle waiting for Manabu to introduce the challenge rules, nonetheless I was mesmerized by how calm my friends were, most of the time they’d complain and start strategizing so they suffered the least amount of losses but this time it was different, the sensation felt off, I’d usually catch the depth and darkness in their eyes, it’s like I can foresee what they are planning, nonetheless it’s the curve of their mouth, it’s when their mouth curved upwards, I sensed the cruel and greedy intentions.

Like the mouth of a child or a kitten that craves for its own desires, yet unaware of what the future beholds. I feel disgusted looking at their faces, but something is telling me to get rid of their cocky glances.

I stared at the ceiling, wondering if all of these people that I know quite clearly are still familiar with their surroundings, they are not anonymous but their presence had more depth and greed than anyone can imagine. Or so I thought until my eyes met Kei’s eyes, it felt like he understood the values of this game, someone who felt the same as me? I wonder there are not a lot of rational people when money is involved, I should keep an eye on him…

“It’s about time to spill the beans, we’ve looked through your histories and gathered up a bunch of stories, we are going to start with a challenge called: Never have I ever.”

“There will be a series of questions. You will be seated in front of tablets with two buttons. One for ‘I have’ and the one for “I have never.”

Manabu’s voice carried that familiar patronizing tone.

“All answers will remain anonymous, but we will display how many people answered ‘I have’ for each question. After each question, you will have 1 minute to discuss among yourselves. Then comes the interesting part—each of you will vote on who you think answered ‘I have.’

Manabu’s giggles as it echoed through the speakers. “If the majority correctly guesses who answered ‘I have,’ their identity is revealed to everyone. But if you guess wrong, the identity remains hidden, and that person earns 100,000 yen from each player who voted incorrectly.”

The tablets emerged from the center of the round table, glowing with ominous red light.

“Oh, and one more delicious detail,“ Manabu added. “The player who correctly guesses the identity of someone who answered ‘I have’ the fastest will earn a special privilege. They get to pose the next question to the group.”

No one spoke. Of course not. No one wants to answer that question when it revolves around intentions, but me? I’m different.

I look towards Tenji with malicious intent while he’s quivering over that question, i smile to give him a sign of relief since the challenge hasn’t even started yet~

“Alright, it’s about time we start with the actual first question. Never have I cheated in an exam.”

This is pretty bad. The cracks will start to show since everyone will start feeling comfortable if it starts with small questions, it’s like this format might lead people to confess more eventually, starting with harmless sins can be captivating to guilt trip into answering with honesty. It starts piling up slowly, it’s like the weight on their chest will start appearing in front of our eyes, nonetheless all I have to do is wait and listen.

“Since Makoto got the most votes, do you feel like itting?”

“I- I don’t mind, actually it helped me learn a lot from the past experiences that I’ve gone through, it didn’t make a difference though, I promise.”

Everyone started spilling too much detail after being voted out, it’s as if they were unconscious of their actions, I felt the need to step in, but I couldn’t help but notice how guilt was controlling these fools.

Here goes another voice — trembling. “I stole money from this man,” another says. “They lied about someone so they can impress others.”

It’s working. They forgot the purpose of this game, no they never perceived this challenge like I did, it’s not about honesty, when a truth drags another truth, their patterns start to shift, and their words start to echo through our ears, the confidence and the gestures while telling the truth, these people have fallen to fear.

After a certain amount of rounds, here came an intriguing turn of events: “Never have I ever killed someone.” The weather shifted and the glances started filling the room, it’s as if all the words they mumbled were meaningless and it’s time to face reality.

“One has claimed that they have, it’s time to find them out.”

Tenji started glancing at me as if he was aware of the results of this challenge. I guess there is no way out of this, especially when I haven’t announced myself as someone who committed any of the less harming secrets.

This is good, I can strike.

I stood tall and said, “My hands aren’t so clean after all, details are plain and boring, I just killed someone when I was younger, why? I felt threatened so I had to protect myself and the future that I’ve assigned to stay loyal to, my answer doesn’t sound convincing but I wouldn’t be lying after all this time to you guys.”

It’s about time for me to pose a question, this should be intriguing…

“Never have I ever pretended to care about the friendship, but in fact they’d throw anyone under the bus if it meant for them to survive.”

Yes, we’ve already had our roles confirmed before this game started, someone here is pretending to be an alibi but in reality they are trying to trick us, I didn’t name anyone.

But I don’t have to.

Everyone is staring around the room, very wary of me and the other competitors. The weather shifts again. That’s when I realized some were confessing their sins, while some fell into the guilt trips, but one of us is afraid so they are trying to fit in, maybe they think I already know their identity?

Maybe I do~

“Heeheehee~ an interesting round, I hope you all enjoyed this beautiful psychological game, the results of this challenge will be announced in your watch that y’all will be wearing for the entirety of this game. It’s about time the darkness strikes, don’t y’all think?” Manabu sounded quite satisfied saying that.

Could this be a sign that there won’t be any interferences? This game has gotten me excited~

As the light starts to disappear, everyone is focused on completing tasks, swiping cards, doing the wires—the boring common tasks that everyone has done once in their life at least. But my main focus isn’t on the tasks.

I’m watching their movement, it’s uncommon to stick around alone throughout the game, but it’s going to be meaningful in the ending, I hope so at least~

Shiho and Tenji are sticking around each other; of course, her senses are saying that he’s the most trustworthy one out of us. It kind of hurts to see that, but I’m glad in some way.

:bangbang: [Lights are turned off]

I just walked out of electric, ran into Kei and Kokorogi in storage. I can go check table, but instead, following Kokorogi’s movements seems promising.

“Hey Yuuichi, you’ve seen Kokorogi? She was around Navigation but she left after the lights turned off without any words.”

“She’s safe, she just walked past me to Electricity.”

Was it being nervous or fear? When I met Kokorogi on her way to lights, she kept doubling back in hallways, I couldn’t comprehend why she’d do that, on the other hand Makoto seems to be on the safer side, doing tasks while lights is off would sound like someone understood their assignment wrong, at times like this you gotta take advantage of every opportunity, otherwise you’d be ejected out of this place.

Kei Shinomiya is sat there doing , but in reality he’s just calculating their movement, just like me.

I guess I underestimated this game. This will be fun.

[Emergency meeting called - No one died]

Kei hits the button and continues his sentence with “Just gathering information. Seeing who panics.”

Although feeling threatened by such words isn’t inevitable, he legitimately is trying to test the responses, a very simple but effective method to catch the imposter.

“No one’s dead yet,” Makoto replies.

“Unfortunately,” Kei replies while pretending to feel comfortable sitting around the cafeteria table.

Everyone starts rolling their eyes as a gesture of frustration. They understood that it was to slow the game down, but they couldn’t analyze that his play style was the opposite of an imposter’s, at least for now he seems safe.

“Don’t waste our time like this, we are already stressed about this game,” says Makoto.

Tenji watches and decides to interrupt, “I understand your frustration, Makoto. Unfortunately, calling the button at this time slowed the momentum of the imposter. This actually helps us splendidly. After this, let’s hang out.”

Shiho starts cheering them up, “You got it, both of you, just keep believing and everything will be alright. Let’s complete our tasks.”

As I sat down at the table, I realized the awkward silence around Kokorogi; it was as if she had no intentions of speaking or hanging with anyone.

[Round continues]

I haven’t visited the left side because it felt like both Tenji and Shiho are covering that place. I’m not worried about them turning on each other, yet I was uncomfortable about the imposter and the neutral meeting up, or maybe I had to make it seem that way. Also, the imposter must have realized that if he wants to win, they have to eliminate that bond sooner than later.

[Lights go out- so much blood spilled everywhere]

“Shiho is eliminated and was found in Electricity. I swear I didn’t do it,” says Kokorogi ionately to avoid any more questions.

“I was with her around five seconds ago, so this must have been recent.”

Kei, who felt fired up, had to ask, “Where are y’all as of now?” This question is the simplest way to determine a lie.

Tenji “just entered the lights”

Makoto “at lights doing a task on the upper side”

Kokorogi “At the light ”

“And what about you? Katagiri Yuuichi?” smiled Kei.

“I was ing at lights as well,” I spouted.

“That’s weird, because I was at ’s table, and I was able to see 4 people at electricity including the eliminated player, so one of y’all is lying about their position.”

“It’s weird to lie when it’s beneficial for yourself, perhaps this was done by the neutral player, or is the isolated player lying to create some tension between us.” I started throwing out common suggestions that might end up justifying the mystery that’s yet to be unraveled.

[Discussion done. One vote for Kokorogi, one vote for Kei. Everyone else skipped]

As I am entering the reactor, I started to process the situation. Although the most suspicious as of now is Kokorogi, we cannot forget Tenji and Makoto, who itted to being around the dead bodies. Now none of them can vouch for the other…

Interesting. It’s been a while since I’ve dealt with a tough game.

[Body reported, Kei got eliminated]

As I sit down and listen to both Makoto and Kokorogi arguing about the other being the imposter, unfortunately for the imposter, I was at security, checking the cameras for any suspicious behavior. I caught them but I decided to enjoy the chaos.

I can’t help but ire Kei’s final play. While everyone argues frantically around the table, my mind replays the sequences of events that led to his elimination. With all the emergency meetings, Kei was not just collecting information, but setting a trap and went on to sacrifice himself for his theory.

Kokorogi faces me and says, “You believe me, right? I couldn’t have done this kill, Makoto timed it so I end up next to the dead bodies.”

“How can I believe someone who’s reported both dead bodies, without any convincing evidence or proof against other contestants, I’ve taken your side most of the time, but your pity act ends here Kokorogi.”

“How could you? I’m being framed, I swear I did not kill anyone, I’m just so stressed. Tenji you believe me right ? I wouldn’t kill Shiho or Kei, I’m not capable of doing so…”

When fear is involved, everyone is capable of committing crimes. Underestimating such an emotion is what led to you being ejected~ Bye bye Kokorogi.

[Kokorogi has been ejected~~]

“Finally the game is over” said Makoto after feeling relieved that we voted with him.

“Who said that?” I said while looking calmly at the table.

The game certainly hasn’t ended, he’s played it very well, but it’s only about time we finish this.

Makoto sprints towards the button and presses it~

[Emergency meeting called- No one died]

“What’s happening here?” Makoto started to feel guilty for voting wrong.

he had every reason to suspect her because the truly imposter is standing there with a smirk on his face, am I right Tenji?

We both stayed quiet but Makoto recalled an important detail that changed the entire conversation.

“Yuuichi you claimed to be around Electricity with Shiho’s death, but that’s impossible because before the lights turned off Tenji was entering electricity, how’s that possible?”

“It’s pretty uncommon for me to kill someone who cleared me the first round, someone who decided to stick around me for the entirety of round one.”

“True but doesn’t this mean it’s just Makoto?” I said confidently while staring into Tenji’s eyes.

“Tenji, he is trying to confuse you, I bet he was near the dead body that me and Kokorogi found.” Claimed Makoto

“I was coming down from cafeteria into ” I muttered slowly

“That’s where the dead body is” spouted Makoto

I started to roam around the table while the clock was ticking, I started touching my hair, pinching my hand, while staring into Makoto.”

“You are not going to win after being suspicious throughout the game.” I said hopelessly but was I seeking for Tenji’s help?

I casted my vote, everyone remaining casted their votes…

[ one vote for Makoto, Two votes for Yuuichi ]

Katagiri Yuuichi was ejected~~~

“We did it, Tenji! Now we can enjoy a cup of coffee together.” said Makoto while feeling ecstatic about the results.

Tenji stared silently at Makoto, his expression unreadable. "Coffee? Is that what you think this is about?" He slowly pulled out a knife from his pocket. "You were right about Yuuichi, but wrong about me."

Makoto's eyes widened in horror. "But... the voting! You helped me vote him out!"

“Congratulations to the contestants, the match has been already decided…

“But I haven’t killed him yet” said Tenji while realizing there was something off..

“I voted you Makoto…” cried Tenji.

Makoto felt confused, and couldn’t resist asking “But wait, how did this occur? Who voted for Yuuichi other than me?”

Winner: Katagiri Yuuichi” Manabu Shirase's voice echoed through the speakers. "

It was a trick after all.

“Yuuichi was the Jester all along.”

"What?" Makoto gasped, his face draining of color.

Tenji slumped against the wall. "So we were manipulated from the beginning."

The screen flickered, revealing Yuuichi's smirking face. "The moment I discovered the imposter, the game became far easier to drag along, with the sacrifice of Kei, and the defensive mechanism of Makoto, i simply needed to stay alive until the end, where I make one of y’all to vote me, it was doomed the moment I was announced as one of the remaining three. Thanks for the six million yen~”

He leaned closer to the camera. “The hardest part was not the acting, nor the manipulation. It was watching you idiots believe that you were making progress with your ‘own choices.’”

With lowered voice, “People have called me a monster for what I do in these games, but do they ever reflect that it’s better to be a monster who its what he is then to be a friend who believe they are better while making the same choices when pushed to their limits.

While moving away from the camera, I looked at my reflection “ Mother always said friendships matter more than money. But she never lived to see how friends can break under pressure. I won six million today, but what did your loyalty and trust win you?”

[As I moved farther, This confession is not meant for your forgiveness, but rather for a reminder. A reminder to myself for who I have evolved into. From the boy who belived that friendship died with mother to someone who understands the rules of survival.”

As I smiled one last time, “To anyone reading, let this serve as a reminder that in every game someone is always playing a role you don’t expect, even me.”

I end this confession journal here by being neither a hero or a villain. Rather by being just a survivor who has accepted what he is and what friend become when pushed to the limit. I simply accept that part before being pushed to make myself stand above them.

The end.

Edits done by Lorida

#VillainsConfession

#GrandNakama