Chapter VI: Definitively, Matsumoto Manabu Is Not a Secret Agent (2/2)

4:28 PM

I don't have scopophobia, exactly. Not being observed is just a personal preference. I cannot say it is entirely rational, but it is far from an uncontrollable phobia.

At the moment, I'm being scrutinized from head to toe by everyone we pass in the hallways, and walking alongside someone as striking as the president isn't the most pleasant experience. While she effortlessly overshadows others' qualities, her brilliance only amplifies the shadows of those who orbit her.

"Yukihara-senpai, I don't mean to be rude, but do you really need me right now?" I ask.

"For our plans to proceed, I need you to appear as a new council member. Nothing is more natural than walking with other members. Or can you think of a better way to approach Hasegawa-kun more naturally?"

I already understand that to observe Haruki more closely; I need to seem like a council member, specifically filling Keiko's or Asahi's spot. However, it remains highly inconvenient. Judging by Takashi's expression, he seems to agree with me. Naturally, he is the one glaring at me the most.

"No, I cannot think of another way. It is just uncomfortable for someone who is usually isolated like me, you know?" I reply.

"Relax, you will get used to it soon enough. Even Tanaka-kun felt insecure when he first joined the council with me. However, like me, he learned to ignore them."

That will clearly not be my case. I cannot remain indifferent to so many people wanting to tear me apart.

I don't even want to imagine what kind of excuse I'll need to give if those fools see me in a scene like this.

"Hey, Johann!" I hear a shout.

I turn and see Shou, who freezes in disbelief, mouth agape, pointing at me. Beside him are Manabu and Miyu, who are both equally shocked.

Now it's official. My peace is gone forever; there's no escaping this unfortunate fate. This will give them something to talk about for eternity.

I pretend not to see them and continue walking alongside Yukihara-senpai. Explaining how I ended up in these circumstances would be an unbearable headache. Thinking about it, this is all Shou's fault for ratting me out. Is he dumbfounded because I became her ally instead of being sacrificed? I'm not in a position to boast, as this is highly problematic for me, but it pleases me to see his plans backfire.

"Johann-kun?!" Miyu calls persistently.

Just ignore it… I'm not hearing anything. Just keep walking, and everything will be fine.

Noticing my attention is being demanded, the beautiful girl beside me frustrates my plan to continue ignoring them.

"I told you, there is no need to be so formal. You can stop to talk with your friends," she says, stopping with a serene smile.

She definitely knows I am in trouble. She is doing this on purpose, isn't she? I can see the venom hidden behind her angelic face.

I sigh and turn to Miyu, who just called me.

"We were shocked. We couldn't tell if it was really you. Is this real?"

"Damn Johann, how did you get close to the president?! It's something so distant that even someone like me, loved by all, miserably failed at," Shou exclaims.

Oh, wasn't it your fault? And 'loved by all'? What world do you live in?

I doubt trying to change the subject will help, but it does not hurt to try. Who knows? Maybe being with the council will make them decide not to meddle.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you another time. I'm swamped right now."

"How could you, Jocchi?! How could you betray the club?! You've given in to 3D girls!!! This can't be happening… It must be an illusion or a parallel reality. No! Don't tell me the reptilians replaced you with a clone?!" Manabu cries dramatically.

This is the last thing I need—Manabu is having a meltdown. I am the one who should be in this state. Just when I think it cannot get worse, it does exponentially.

Manabu's outburst is enough to attract the attention of the entire hallway, and my reputation sinks further.

Even Yukihara-senpai starts laughing softly at this pathetic scene. Has she finally understood why I prefer to ignore them? You're partly to blame for this; I only stopped to talk to them because you suggested it.

"I must admit, I did not expect such information. You have quite a unique circle of friends, do you not?" she asks mockingly.

"They're not my friends, just acquaintances," I reply.

"How rude, Johann-kun. What do you mean we're not your friends?!" protests Miyu.

"Hey, jerk, you haven't answered my question yet!" Shou exclaims.

How do you expect me to answer anything with everyone talking at once?! I just want to run away from here as fast as possible.

"Allow me to explain. In short, your friend has just joined the student council, which is why he is with us. Does that answer your question?" Yukihara-senpai interjects into the conversation.

"Y-yes! I understand p-perfectly," Shou stammers, his face in awe that she even acknowledged his presence.

"Impressive! Johann-kun, I'm so proud! Didn't I tell you you'd be accepted if you tried? I always knew you'd succeed," comments Miyu.

"Don't get too excited. I'm just a temporary member helping with the investigation. I'll be filling Keiko's position for the next few days, nothing more," I clarify to Miyu.

Having explained this, will they still be so excited?

"It's a great start! Onward to a permanent position," she responds cheerfully.

A position on the student council is the last thing anyone should consider while stuck in a game that could cost their life.

"Traitor! That doesn't excuse what you did!" Manabu exclaims.

"Well, I will leave you with your friends. If I need your help, I will send a message through Tanaka-kun. See you later," she says, departing with her usual ironic smile.

I nod and wait until both are out of sight. Then, I am ambushed by Shou and Manabu, grabbing my blazer and demanding more explanations.

8:18 PM

After being strangled by my so-called comrades, who asked about matters undeserving of explanation, my first mission was assigned.

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Takashi asks with a look of disapproval.

"To be honest, not at all. It's quite possible he'll be a disaster, if not a certainty," I reply.

"If you have no faith, why did you suggest him?"

"Because I don't trust anyone else, he seemed the best option."

Not to mention the only option.

Manabu is staring at the floor pensively.

"I hate to say it, but your range of contacts doesn't seem very good."

"You're just now realizing this?"

"Fine, we'll use him. If I try to find another helper last minute, it won't work."

Then Manabu starts laughing maniacally.

"And now, what is that about?" Takashi questions, startled.

"A top-secret mission, huh? HAHAHA, obviously, I'm the best choice!" Manabu says, fully embracing the role.

"He's just trying to have fun. Don't take it too seriously," I reply.

"Is he really our best option?"

Unfortunately, he is. After today, trusting Shou with this task is out of the question.

Reluctantly, we leave Manabu to his assignment and walk toward the corridor where Haruki is stationed for guard duty.

Once a vantage point is established, we divide the tasks. Takashi is responsible for observing Haruki while I cover the rear.

Manabu's assumption that this would be fun was deeply mistaken. It has barely begun, and I am already tired and bored.

"Takashi, still nothing?" I whisper.

"Nothing. He's standing there like a statue."

I am a great admirer of winter because I cannot stand summer's heat. However, nothing in the deal said I would stay up all night at school during winter. If only I had dressed warmer...

"You know, I'm starting to think maybe he isn't the killer. So, can we give up and go to sleep? We're not getting anywhere like this."

"If that's what you think, name me a more likely suspect," he usually responds until noticing something. "Wait. He's starting to move—it's progress."

Finally, do something incriminating because I'm freezing and sleepy.

"He's coming this way. Let's move somewhere else. Quickly," Takashi whispers.

We hide in the adjacent hallway and wait for him to pass. Then, we trail Haruki from a safe distance. Ultimately, his destination is nothing more than the men's restroom. A few minutes later, he exits and returns to his post.

"It was a false alarm," Takashi comments.

Can we give up now? If he hasn't done anything yet, he probably won't for the rest of the night.

"Catching him in the act would prove he's the killer, but what would it take for you and Yukihara-senpai to rule him out as a suspect?" I ask.

"If someone dies while he's under surveillance, it seems like a good alibi to me."

Using the principle of falsifiability is an excellent tool to narrow down our suspects. This way, we can disprove the hypothesis that Haruki is guilty. The only issue is time. We can't extend these experiments indefinitely; the game has a fixed end.

Day 4

9:43 AM

Ironically, we had a peaceful morning for the first time since the game began, allowing me a few hours of sleep to recover from the freezing night. However, this also complicates matters, as no one died while Haruki was under observation.