Chapter VIII: Determined, Yukihara Mikoto Makes a Decision (2/3)

8:42 PM

"I understand. I really found it strange to be excluded from some meetings. However, I assumed it was to support Natsuki-chan," says Haruki.

"To be honest, I do not even know how to apologize for this properly. The least I can say is that I am truly sorry. Everything led me to firmly believe the killer had infiltrated the council; there was no other explanation for them having access to our plans beforehand. And unfortunately, you were the only one who fit this profile."

Mikoto decided to rearrange the remaining members of what was once the student council. It now consists of Haruki, Natsuki, and a few lower-ranking members.

"Just say it—we're all going to die, aren't we?" says Natsuki, huddled as she wipes her tears.

However, Natsuki's mental confusion remains concerning. With each new incident, her emotional state becomes increasingly unstable.

"That is not true. We will find a way to escape; believe in me," Haruki tries to comfort her.

Let's be frank—even you do not believe that. We're at a total disadvantage.

"How can you still be so confident in that?" I ask.

"Hope. Because if we abandon hope, what is left for us? Don't you agree with me, Johann-san?"

"Not at all. It's sad to inform you that this hope has already proven faulty many times. After all, ideals don't make us bulletproof."

"How can you say such absurdity? Don't you see that we're trying to do something? And what do you intend to do?!" Haruki's eyes widen, and he slams the table in agitation at my reply.

This irritation he manifested only shows that deep down, he knows that merely believing is not enough. Besides being armed, the killer mysteriously manages to predict all our moves.

"Both of you, maintain your composure. Can you not see that you both have valid points? Johann is correct when he says that hope alone will not solve anything. That is what we have seen recently; no matter how much we believed we would win, we have lost day after day. Simply having hope did not stop the killer from obtaining a weapon," Mikoto interrupts Haruki, her tone cutting.

After a brief pause, her sharp gaze turns to me.

"However, that does not mean we should give up. It is improbable that there is no solution to this battle. Remember, you allied yourself with me. Therefore, you do not have permission to give up now."

Don't have permission? What a troublesome girl I got involved with. Well, I suppose I deserve all this for succumbing to her charm.

I simply meet her gaze and nod slightly, signaling that I will continue to follow her.

"Kaichou… since you and Johann-san have raised the point of our disadvantage, do you have any counterattack plan that takes this into consideration?" Haruki asks.

"I do have some ideas. However, I do not want to act hastily like before. I would like to take tonight to think carefully about how we will proceed and refine these plans."

"All right. You're right. Let's try to use time to our advantage."

"Very well. I intend to discuss this with you as soon as possible. So, can we meet here at ten o'clock in the morning?"

"Yes, you can count on our presence, Kaichou. And if anything comes up, just contact me. Now, if you'll excuse us..." Haruki concludes the conversation and bids farewell.

Haruki stands, turns to Natsuki—who remains somewhat dazed—takes her hand and calls her.

"Shall we go, Natsuki-chan?"

"Ah, yes. Let's go," she says, awakening from her trance.

She also stands, and the two leave the council room.

I look out the window and see that the snow has begun to fall again.

"Well, it's late. I think I'll head out as well. I promised to give Manabu and Miyu an update," I comment.

"You may go. I would only ask that you not be late tomorrow, as we need to determine how we will proceed from here quickly. Our time is very scarce, and each day is valuable."

"Are you staying here? I don't think it's a good idea to leave you alone. With the student council's disbandment, this room is much more vulnerable."

"Do not worry. This block houses students who still support me. Hasegawa-san and Nakamura-san will also stay here, though in a different room," she says, standing and continuing to speak. "Besides, I know very well how to take care of myself. However, I am glad you are concerned about my safety."

Moreover, as a player, she still has some protection. The killer likely won't try to kill us yet. The first reason is evident from the game's rules. However, there is something between the lines of his actions—pleasure. He doesn't want the game to end just yet.

"Well, if you say you can handle yourself, I won't argue."

"Do not misunderstand me. I can take care of myself; however, I cannot win this game alone. That is why I need you as an ally, as well as your support, Johann," she says, stopping beside me and looking at the snowflakes descending from the sky.

Deep down, she has a sweet side. I am becoming more entangled in her web, and I feel I will end up very badly by the end of this story.

Day 5

8:38 AM

As I imagined, the loss of control over the council has been confirmed. Last night, most of the students decided to form their own dormitory groups. As a result, the school is now fragmented into small groups.

As Mikoto herself informed me, a minority who still believe in the council decided to stay in the main block under the old "legislation." At this moment, Mikoto, Haruki, and Natsuki are interacting with their few supporters, who will be essential if we want to advance in this battle. We will need combatants; even the minimum persuasion they can achieve on our behalf makes a difference.

I ended up spending the night in this block along with the other council members, and from this, I concluded that we're indeed outnumbered. Manabu, Miyu, and Shou were among the few who remained here.

Perhaps there is some detail we missed that could change the direction the game is taking—something to avoid this conflict. Some incongruity... I feel there is something out of place in all this. The harmony of events doesn't quite add up. It's like being in a confusing dream where I know nothing makes sense, but I can no longer identify the strangeness upon waking.

Possibly, I'm just insecure about Ailiss, trying to deceive myself. It's not about doubting whether she is the killer—that has always been clear in my mind. I just didn't want to oppose her. After Mikoto, she is the opponent I least want to face.

"I understand. I know what you are feeling. Yesterday, when I learned about the killer having a firearm, I also lost my footing. But as Hasegawa-kun told us, we can turn this game around. We just need to stay united, and we will succeed," Miyu says, noticing my dejected state.

"We don't even know if the killer is connected to the game itself, whether they're a player or even the one responsible for bringing us here."

If the other two players are indeed those two, I won't have much choice. I can't beat either of them and have even less desire to try.

Something is bothering me. I look to the side and see Shou, who is unusually silent. However, he keeps anxiously shaking his legs in an incredibly irritating manner.

"And you? What's wrong with you? Did you eat something spoiled?" I ask him.

"No, nothing like that, dear Johann. I'm doing very well, in fact. I've never felt so enlightened in my entire life," he replies, staring distantly.

Did his brain suffer some kind of intense electrical discharge? I was going to suggest taking him to the infirmary, but there's no one there to attend to him anyway since all the school staff disappeared on the first day.

"In that case, why are you acting so strange? Quiet and not saying something idiotic every twenty seconds... You're definitely not normal."

"So you noticed? The truth is, I was just thinking, Johann. It doesn't take much intelligence to conclude that I've been cast aside. Completely sidelined," he says dramatically.

I personally hadn't noticed anything. Everything seemed to be going as usual.

"Left aside? What do you mean? What are you talking about, Shimizu-kun?" Miyu asks.

"Don't pretend you don't know. That makes it all the more painful for me, Miyu-chan. Admit that this is completely acceptable for you and that my feelings don't matter at all."

"I'd never think that way. I don't know where you are going with all this. If you don't say the problem, we can't do anything about it."

"You want me to say what is already obvious to everyone? Fine, I can do the favor of reaffirming this outrage: You are only hanging out with Manabu and have abandoned me!" he cries out pitifully.

Why did I think it was something important? After all, it is just Shou. Acting foolishly is practically a law of physics or perhaps even logic.

"Huh?! Have you completely lost it?" Manabu responds, surprised.

"I'm not crazy at all, and I can prove it! When you witnessed the gunshot, where was I?! Tell me, Manabu?!" he continues to shout dramatically.

"What?! How should I know where you were? Now let me finish reading—I'm at a critical point in this light novel."

Notoriously, Manabu is more interested in his hobbies than in central conversation.

Shou flails and continues trying to get Manabu's attention, but Manabu keeps pushing him away to focus on his reading.

"That's not the point. Come on, answer me."

"I already told you to let me finish reading my light novel."

Miyu remains silent, her expression impassive as she observes. Apparently, she is not the only one—students nearby have come to see what is happening, as usual.

It is amusing to witness these moments when they taste their own medicine. However, Shou's shouting is drawing far too much attention.

"Could you fools stop this? You are attracting too much attention," I say.

Shou stops tormenting Manabu, turns, and points his finger at me, glaring.

"You'd not understand! Now that Kaichou gives you attention, you'll never understand the drama I am going through," he exclaims, indignant.

Is Mikoto giving me attention? You have no idea what you are talking about. Apparently, you've not realized the way she treats her subordinates. It's the kind of attention anyone in their right mind would gladly avoid.