Chapter V: Calmly, Yukihara Mikoto Makes an Accusation

Waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of someone screaming over the cold body of a friend is not exactly the best experience. Naturally, it's impossible to relax after that, leaving all of us exhausted from the incident that unfolded in the early hours.

"The number of victims just keeps rising. This is terrifying," Shou comments.

If the behavioral anomaly I noticed earlier is consistent, this shock will soon fade, and everyone will move on, almost as if nothing happened.

"And the worst part is, we have no leads on the culprit," Manabu adds.

The murderer likely knows who the players are; otherwise, they'd be playing Russian roulette with their kills. Their level of information proves as much.

"Look, Takashi looks pretty worn out," Manabu notes.

I turn toward the direction Manabu points and spot Takashi, isolated in a corner of the hall.

Even from this distance, his dark circles are evident—at least as prominent as mine. They reflect all the frustration of staying up all night for nothing.

"As much as I dislike him, don't you think we should talk to him?" Shou suggests.

"No. That'll only make things worse," I reply.

The eleven victims are distributed across the dormitories, making it impossible to determine which dorm the killer is hiding in. It also can't be ruled out that there is more than one killer or even a group working together.

10:06 AM

Due to the larger scale of this incident, the council had no choice but to gather the students in the main hall to discuss what actions to take. Despite the effects of the anomaly, this situation couldn't be ignored.

The central ideas presented so far are nothing new. Haruki did a decent job of calming everyone beforehand, lowering the atmosphere's hostility enough for a dialogue.

Currently, President Yukihara Mikoto stands before us, addressing the crowd about possible measures to be taken.

However, there's only one thought occupying my mind at the moment: the murderer's whereabouts. I imagine they're among the crowd. I scan the faces of my classmates, each one under my scrutiny.

Initially, it feels like it could be anyone, but for them to have circumvented the council's previous plan, they must know the president's and vice president's movements well.

"Regarding this matter, I also urge you to adopt safety habits, such as avoiding walking alone through the school. Additionally, report any activity by others that seems suspicious to me," the president continues her speech.

But she's abruptly interrupted by a protest. A student raises their voice, breaking the president's connection with the crowd.

"This is nonsense! How can you still expect us to trust you after everything that has happened?! You committed to solving this and failed!" he shouts, pointing at her and the council members.

The president stops speaking on the megaphone, and everyone turns toward the interrupted student. He's accompanied by a group of peers, likely forming an opposition to the student council.

"Who do you think you are?! How dare you interrupt the president while she's speaking?!" the vice president snaps, stepping forward.

"Of course, we dare! It's our lives on the line! Put yourself in our shoes! How do you expect us to stay quiet when we could be killed at any moment?" the student protests further.

Interesting… despite the collective insanity this school demonstrates regarding the president, some still manage to reason when their lives are at stake.

"You little—" Takashi clenches his fists, glaring at them angrily.

It seems he intends to move toward them, but suddenly, a sound disrupts the brewing confrontation.

Surprisingly, the one who interrupts Takashi's fury is none other than the person he was trying to defend.

A sharp slap lands on the vice president's face.

"Tanaka-kun, please stop this immediately. This is not the behavior of a council member, let alone a vice president. Given your position, you should know they have the right to express themselves," the president reprimands him.

Takashi's expression suggests he's utterly lost, likely frozen by the intense disapproval from his idol. The reprimand itself probably hurt more than the slap, which was far from gentle.

"But Yukihara-san, I was just—" He widens his eyes and tries to explain but is cut off again.

"No 'buts.' They are correct. Compose yourself and apologize for your behavior and last night's failure. Your bad habits tarnish not only your image but also mine," she states firmly.

"I'm sorry, Yukihara-san. I promise nothing like this will happen again," he responds, lowering his head.

"It's not me you owe an apology to. As you can see, I'm unharmed. It's to them you should offer your condolences—they lost someone close. It's to them we owe explanations," the president says calmly.

She then turns back to the protesting group and asks, "Without meaning to intrude on personal matters, may I inquire if any of you were close to one of the victims?"

"One of the girls was my cousin," the student replies, his tone quieter.

Hmmm… This reinforces my hypothesis that the anomaly weakens when the death involves someone close.

"I know this won't ease what you're going through, but I can say that I understand your pain, as I, too, have lost close family members," she says, bowing her head to the victim's relative. "Therefore, I offer my sincerest condolences for our failure, and at the same time, I ask you to give us another chance. I'm well aware that mere apologies won't bring them back, but we can prevent further losses."

"It—it's fine," he stammers in response.

Her leadership ability continues to impress me. She never abandons her iron will, yet she possesses the charisma necessary to regain her subjects' trust.

"I also apologize for what happened and will do my best, alongside the council, to ensure it doesn't happen again," Haruki chimes in with a smile. "And just like you, we have also lost dear friends. I want justice for what was done to Keiko and to escape this reality that took Asahi-kun."

The council manages to regain control of the students, but no further failures will be tolerated.

12:43 PM

Lunchtime arrives, and, as usual, Haruki volunteers to serve himself first and ensure the food is not poisoned. Everyone seems to agree, but something about this unsettles me.

"Something wrong, Jocchi?" Manabu asks.

"Why?"

"You've been staring at Haruki and Natsuki for a while—five minutes, to be exact. And by the way, your food will get cold if you keep spacing out."

I really am not cut out for detective work.

"Don't you find it at least a little strange? How can someone be so confident the food they're about to eat is not poisoned?" I ask.

"Johann?!" Shou exclaims, surprised by my loud tone. Lowering his voice, he continues, "Are you insinuating Haruki might have something to do with all this?"

"Not necessarily. If he assumes the killer doesn't want to die, he might deduce that the food won't be poisoned randomly."

"Guys, this isn't cool. Hasegawa-kun is our friend! I don't think it's fair to talk about him like this, especially without solid evidence," Miyu comments.

"I agree with Miyu-chan. He's the only council member tolerant of students outside the popular crowd," Manabu adds.

"It wouldn't be surprising if he were kind enough to take this risk for others," Miyu concludes.

With that, we drop the subject and continue eating. However, the possibility that the killer is a council member is not something I can simply ignore. Theoretically, they're the only ones who can move freely during the night, reinforcing my suspicion.

1:39 PM

After much thought about possible suspects, I give up. Instead, I decide to seek the opinion of someone who's likely a few steps ahead in the case.

"Hey, Jocchi! Where are you going? Miyucchi and Shoucchi already lost track of us."

"You don't need to follow me. I'm looking for someone I know. I'd like to hear her opinion on the last incident. And something tells me she won't like you much."

"Eh? You've got some strange contacts, Jocchi..."

You're the strangest of them all...

Ailiss has probably paid more attention to the details of what happened in the girls' dorm than Miyu. Depending on the information she has, the list of suspects could at least be cut in half.

Another problem I didn't consider: Where is she? Every time I've seen her, it's been pure coincidence.

While walking through the empty hallways, we suddenly hear a voice calling out.

"Hey, you two, stop for a moment."

Takashi? What does the vice president want with us? Of all times, he chooses now to approach? With this interruption, I'll never find her...

"And what does the vice president want with two students on the margins of typical school life?" I ask.

He stares at me thoughtfully for a few seconds, adjusts his glasses, and speaks.

"There are matters I need to discuss with you."

This can only mean one thing: my role has been discovered. But how? In any case, the only thing I can do is listen to what he has to say.

"Speak," I reply.

"It is a matter that needs to be addressed in private. So, could your friend leave?" he asks, glaring at Manabu with disdain.

"That sounds like a good idea. I'll read a light novel and catch up with you later," Manabu says, heading toward the exit.

I have a bad feeling about this. Takashi's posture and tone convey hostility. If we're alone, I imagine I'll be in trouble.

"Manabu, stay," I say.

"Eh? Did you not hear what he said?" Manabu turns back, startled, just as he was about to leave the hallway.

"I will explain it again: This is a private matter. I am ordering this as the council's vice president," Takashi raises his voice.

"I am merely following the president's order not to walk alone in the school. Or are you suggesting I disobey your superior's directive?" I counter.

He frowns but is forced to concede.

"Tsk. Then follow me to the council room."

1:55 PM

I follow Takashi through the hallways to the door of the student council room.

He stops in front of the door for a few seconds and looks at me.

"So, what is it you intend to discuss with me?" I ask, uneasy.

"I have been trying to explain this from the beginning, but your paranoia did not allow it. It is not I who will speak with you," he says, opening the door.

Inside sits President Yukihara Mikoto, exuding her usual aura of superiority.

So, she is the one I will talk to? What does the queen hope to gain from speaking with a mere commoner who lives on the margins of her reign? Even if she seeks a confession of my role in the game, it is not something she should expect to be handed over quickly.

Takashi and I enter the room, and immediately, her icy gaze fixes on me. She closes some books and documents on her desk and begins speaking.

"Good afternoon. Your name is Johann, correct? May I address you by your first name? I find it strange to use your surname, as I am not accustomed to pronouncing foreign names."

Oh, so she intends to start the interrogation amicably? Considering Takashi's serious approach and her history of antipathy, I expected to be sent to a torture chamber immediately.

"Of course, President. Someone of your authority should not even ask my permission for such a mere formality. Besides, being called by my first name is also more customary for me. That said, I'm surprised you know my name."

I confess I am a bit nervous. Usually, I cannot fake a good mood, and now, with someone like her… I must look at least pathetic, forcing a friendly expression. The words come out of my mouth artificially. Logically, she knows my name because she investigated me; she would not summon me here without at least that knowledge.

"Hmmm? What are you saying? You should not belittle yourself; you are quite well-known among the student body," she says, glancing at some documents and chuckling lightly. "Although I admit, the general impression of you is not very favorable."

"I am flattered by the consideration. However, I still do not understand what you, the highest authority of the student body, would like to know from someone like me."

"Very well. With the formalities out of the way, I will get straight to the point. I believe you prefer it that way."

Her tone changes entirely, becoming more serious, and her sharp gaze returns.

She intertwines her fingers and proceeds with a short yet incisive phrase, enough to shatter any defense and fill me with dread.

"I know you are one of the three players."