What did I just hear?
Keiko is dead?
Does that mean someone has started to act? But it's only the second day... Damn it, I didn't expect it to be this quick. It's far worse than I imagined.
No.
Who am I trying to fool? I always knew this would happen. From the moment the game's rules were declared, it became inevitable. It was unlikely the other two players selected would patiently wait for the game to end, like me, and put their lives at risk in the process.
"She's dead?! How did she die?" Shou asks, startled.
"When I was informed about the case, they hadn't yet discovered the cause of death," he pauses to breathe before continuing, "However, it's suspected to be murder."
"WHAT?! Have they found the culprit yet?!" Shou exclaims.
"I just said we barely know the cause of death," he replies, turning toward the dormitory exit. "But let's head there now; that way, you'll learn more details at the incident scene."
We'll unlikely find them so quickly. Being trapped in this environment, we lack any investigative resources. If the game hasn't ended yet, both to your misfortune and fortune, it means the killer targeted the wrong person.
06:35 AM
I've seen corpses at funerals many times, but the impact of seeing a body that has just died is entirely different—outrageous. If I focus even slightly, I can feel the dark odor that governs the body, like a curse lamenting its unjust and forced departure from the world.
Kobayashi Keiko was indeed poisoned. Sooner or later, they'll come after me, and when that time comes, I don't know if I'll be able to react. I'll likely meet the same end as the girl lying before me.
"Johann-kun!" I hear someone call me.
Miyu approaches me as she spots me at the entrance of the girls' dormitory.
"Do you know any more details about the incident?" I ask.
"No, all we know is that she was poisoned. We only realized something had happened when Natsuki tried to wake her up and got no response," she says, averting her gaze bitterly.
Speaking of her...
"Kei-ko. Why Keiko?" The girl is slumped in a corner of the room, crying and murmuring her friend's name.
The huddled figure exudes insecurity, like a small animal that has just lost its guardian.
Haruki stands nearby with a bottle of water and tissues.
"Calm down, Natsuki-chan. Kaichou and Takashi-san will find the culprit. You can count on that," he says, forcing a smile as he tries to console her.
As if bringing justice would bring her back...
The atmosphere, stiflingly dense a few seconds ago, suddenly lightens. A comforting presence enters the room; it can only be her.
"Kaichou!"
"Yukihara-senpai!"
The girls who were utterly terrified seem partially rejuvenated.
"I have already informed all the dormitories about what happened. You can rest assured that the council will definitely find the culprit. Like us, they are trapped in this space, so it is only a matter of time before justice is served," she declares with an expressionless face.
In hopelessness, the only thing they can do is place all their faith in this supposed savior.
"We trust you, Kaichou!" one of them responds.
Besides the queen's arrival in the area, another event unfolds among her subjects. Some girls whisper among themselves without any consideration for those sharing the same room.
"It was definitely some boy; he must've been rejected by her and wanted revenge."
"Yes, I think so too," another responds, laughing.
The ego of these people thrives on gossip. They're like hyenas or crows feeding on the carcasses left by other animals. It's hard to believe they're unaware of the obvious provocation they're causing.
"Stop blaming us! It could've been a girl jealous of her too!" a boy exclaims as he enters the crime scene.
Have we reached this point so quickly? With the three players being ordinary high school students, they probably wouldn't lose their hesitation to kill someone until time became scarce. Yet, this one acted too quickly and, as a bonus, managed to turn people against each other.
The argument continues until the president intervenes to calm everyone down. Her presence is truly impressive; just her cold gaze is enough to silence everyone.
"It is too early to draw any conclusions. You are making severe accusations against each other, so I ask you: do you have any basis for your claims? Any false witness is unforgivable—it is a grave case of slander. So think twice before you speak."
No one dared to retort. After a brief pause, seeing that everyone remained silent, the president concludes her speech.
"As I thought. In any case, Tanaka-kun has already begun preparations for the investigation. So, once again, I ask you to have a little more patience and not take rash actions that might cause disorder. We are in a very delicate situation."
Everyone stares at her, nodding in agreement.
I really wish I understood how this aura of leadership works for some people. In her case, it's something one might see once in a million lifetimes.
"Didn't I say she had a 2D soul?" Manabu whispers in my ear.
I look to the other side and see Miyu with her eyes sparkling as she watches the president.
"Kaichou is amazing, isn't she?"
What kind of brainwashing has the student council done to these students?
I can't let myself get distracted by something so trivial. Someone has been murdered—in other words, the game has officially started. And as spectacular as she is, the president won't be able to stop the paranoia that will result from this.
09:11 AM
After a few hours since the incident, the environment remains restless and surrounded by murmurs. Part of the students is once again splitting into groups to confirm their respective opinions that the culprit must be a rival group member.
The president and the vice president are doing everything possible to maintain order. Since this morning's incident, they haven't stopped working for a single moment.
However, the council must be deeply shaken after two quick losses. Actually, you could say it's three, considering the state Natsuki is in. She's so shocked by her friend's death that she can't help at all right now. In the end, she's more of a distraction, diverting Haruki's attention to comforting her, than she is helpful in any way.
And with this vacuum created within the council, the president has to fill the role of the other four prominent members.
"Worried, Jocchi?"
"And why would I be, Manabu? Believe me, I'm in a much safer position than you are."
Manabu and Shou sit down next to me.
Shou opens a soda can, takes a sip, and then responds to me.
"I would be if I were you," he says, handing me another can.
I accept his offer and reply while opening it.
"Indeed, I am an excellent target to end the game, but there isn't enough desperation yet for someone to sacrifice their own life by killing me."
To be honest, I'm no longer so confident about that. I couldn't predict that a murder would occur as early as the second day, especially with such a simple move as this one.
"Hey, you two. Why did you come after me in the first place?"
Shou puts down his soda can, looks up, and squints, trying to remember why.
"Hmmm… Let me see. I think it was… Oh, right. Miyu-chan was worried about you and couldn't find you anywhere. So we were helping her look for you."
"Exactly. But right after spotting you so deep in thought here in the hall, we veered off-topic and completely forgot our mission," Manabu adds.
I'd like to say, "That's all it took to disturb my peace?" However, that's usually what happens.
And speaking of the devil… There she is, looking around and trying to make her way through this crowded hall after the president's recent speech.
Since she can't spot us, Manabu and Shou start waving, and then she fixes her gaze on us. The expression on her face initially seemed relieved and gradually turned angry.
She's heading our way, quickening her pace; it seems like she's going to say something.
"JOHANN-KUN! You couldn't have disappeared like that! I thought something might have happened. I was worried," she exclaims in a flurry.
"Please, lower your voice. You're drawing attention. However, I don't understand why you're so worried. If I had been taken out, you'd know immediately since the game would have ended, wouldn't it?"
She regains her composure to keep us discreet and replies.
"Yeah… but it doesn't matter," she crosses her arms and looks away, "You should have said where you were going."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but that's my business," I reply bluntly.
"No, it's my business too," she stumbles, "And… Manabu-kun's and Shimizu-kun's too. After all, we're all friends! And we should look out for each other!"
"I agree with you, Miyu-chan, but why am I the only one called by my last name?" Shou expresses himself a little indignantly.
"Uh…" Miyu blushes and waves her hands in denial.
Miyu is left without an answer.
Here's another cultural shock I experienced upon arriving here: placing so much importance on how people address one another. I think I can take advantage of this by doing them the favor of satisfying his curiosity and, at the same time, diverting the topic of conversation.
"Well, isn't it obvious? Simply to avoid it looking like the two of you are dating," I comment.
Shou furrows his brows in confusion and responds.
"Huh? What do you mean? And does that only apply to me? The same goes for you and Manabu!" he points to Manabu.
Manabu, distracted by a manga, reacts to his name being mentioned.
"What? What about me?"
It seems I've succeeded—I'm no longer the focus of the discussion.
I prepare myself and then begin explaining a theory I've just concocted in my head.
"No, you're mistaken. For example, take Manabu. He's in a parallel reality, living a life dedicated to his fantastical 2D world. Would anyone in their right mind even consider he's in a relationship? My case is similar; I'm so closed off to relationships that no one would ever think about it—they'd just assume she calls me by my first name because it's hard to pronounce my foreign surname."
Miyu seems relieved and grateful, looking at me. It's evident she never would have thought of such arguments to justify herself to Shou.
"Hmmmm…" Shou crosses his arms and looks down, "You have a good point," he admits after reflecting for a few seconds.
Is he seriously swallowing this excuse I just made up so quickly?
Manabu also seemed to agree with everything until he caught onto something I said in my defense.
"Hey! Wait a second! My 2D world isn't fantastical!" he protests.