In the entire storyline, Kasumigaoka Utaha being introduce to four characters.
The protagonist, the "Witch" Ellen, the black cat that serves as the save point, and the little frog.
The little frog requires no further explanation, and as well as the main character, the "Witch" Ellen is naturally significant background to the story.
However, the black cat stands out as particularly mysterious character.
If it were merely for saving progress, the game could have easily implemented a typical RPG-style crystal or something similar.
Yet, in this game, the ability to save comes from the black cat, and the fact that it uses voice lines adds an even deeper layer of mystery.
But the most intriguing part is…
"Thinking back on the interactions with the black cat, the way it's speak was oddly familiar to Viola."
This detail was deeply thought-provoking.
According to the game's backstory, Viola and Ellen were friends, and Viola often visited this place.
But would a talking black cat casually speak in front of ordinary people?
Could such a close bond between a girl and a cat really exist?
The answer was obvious—no.
"Would the developers dedicate so much effort to a character with no real significance?"
As a creator herself, even as a novice, Utaha knew better.
There had to be something more to this black cat.
Could it be that the black cat holds an identity far more crucial than the two protagonists?
Ellen, who lost her parents, undoubtedly caused the tragedy that unfolded.
But without encountering that demon, her life would have ended long ago.
The room filled with countless skeletons and the story's chilling hint that "all my friends who came here were devoured by the house" made it clear that the demon never left.
It simply kept feeding, with the "Witch" Ellen as its accomplice.
This might be a bold assumption, but gathering all the clues, everything points to one conclusion—
The black cat is the demon!
If the black cat is indeed the demon, then the only person it would act familiar with would be…
Ellen.
The moment Utaha realized this, a chilling sensation crawled up her spine, as if she had plunged into an icy abyss.
Even though it was already late May and the weather had warmed up, the late-night atmosphere at 2:00 AM felt unnervingly cold.
It was the fear that came with hindsight.
"Phew..."
Utaha let out a deep breath and glanced around her dimly lit room.
Hugging her arms, she rubbed her goosebump-covered skin, her expression filled with lingering dread.
"I knew I shouldn't have played this kind of game so late at night."
Utaha smiled bitterly.
Staring at the game's title screen, she felt a strange dizziness wash over her.
From beginning to end, the player controls the "Witch" that trying to escape the cursed house.
And that witch… is already become Viola.
This feeling…
"What kind of twisted mental state he was in when writing this script?!"
Even someone with a decent tolerance like Utaha couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with discomfort and fear.
A mix of sadness, disgust, and dread surged through her, wave after wave.
Yet, despite the negative emotions, there was one thing she had to admit:
"This game is truly incredible."
As a creator, she couldn't come up with such a plot.
Let alone design such a cleverly crafted game.
"Is there really anyone who can outdo this guy when it comes to creating despair-inducing stories?"
Shaking her head, Utaha glanced at the clock on the bottom right corner of the screen.
3:07 AM.
"It's already this late?"
Thinking about her meeting with Machida Sonoko tomorrow, Utaha reluctantly closed the game.
"I'll continue tomorrow night. I have to uncover the truth!"
She was confident in her theory.
But speculation alone wasn't enough.
No matter how certain she felt, she needed solid evidence.
And that evidence… was definitely hidden somewhere within the game.
Despite the heavy, suffocating emotions that came with discovering the truth, especially the cruel irony of the game's ending, the game itself was simply too captivating to abandon.
"I can't wait to see the reactions of other players when the truth is revealed."
A faint smile appeared on Utaha's face.
In that moment, she finally understood why that guy was so obsessed with writing depressing stories.
"Should I try writing something like this too...?"
After some thought, Utaha dismissed the idea.
She couldn't imagine staying mentally stable after writing so many dark and despair-filled stories.
"Seriously, how does that guy manage to write this kind of stuff without losing his mind?"
After all, the last time she saw him before leaving Toyogasaki Academy, he was still happily chatting and joking with the girls around him.
That carefree scene didn't seem like someone with psychological trauma.
With these random thoughts in her head, Utaha slowly drifted off to sleep.
———————————————————————
"AHHH!"
Hearing the sudden scream beside him, Akifumi Mugiho sighed helplessly.
"I told you guys not to play it, but you wouldn't listen."
Eriri shot him an annoyed glare. "It's the new game by you! How could I not play it?!"
Despite her words, her trembling hands gripping the mouse betrayed her fear.
"Right, Mahiru? Mashiro?"
"Y-Yeah..." Mahiru nodded tearfully, inching closer to Eriri as the eerie game screen sent chills down her spine.
The only one who seemed unfazed was Mashiro, whose eyes occasionally gleamed with wisdom as she analyzed the screen.
"Go here." Mashiro pointed at a spot on the screen.
Without hesitation, Eriri controlled the character to move there.
Suddenly, a giant skull emerged from the darkness and crushed the character.
"AHHHHHHH!!"
———————————————————————
GAME OVER.
———————————————————————
The bold, ominous words flashed across the screen as Eriri screamed.
Mashiro blinked innocently. "Huh? Dead again?"
No one answered her.
Eriri had already tossed the mouse aside and thrown herself into Mahiru's arms, trembling.
Mahiru, though less dramatic, had turned pale and stiff as a board.
Watching the chaos unfold, Mugiho sighed and shook his head.
"Honestly, I'm warning you guys. The ending of this game is not going to be pleasant."
He remembered watching a review video on a certain streaming site in his past life.
To sum it up, this game would break even the most mentally stable players.
Whether you had a heart or not, you'd still be emotionally wrecked.
The only true winner was the Demon.
But of course, the girls didn't take his advice seriously.