Day 7
11:44 AM
I wake up groggy; my biological clock is completely out of sync due to the lack of a standard sleep schedule. These past few days have been exhausting enough to leave me more worn out than usual.
I see Mikoto's delicate face resting against my chest. I can tell she's still asleep from the rhythm of her breathing.
We stayed up late, and I have no idea what time I finally fell asleep. I estimate I got a little more than four hours of rest.
Observing the beams of light passing through the cracks in the curtain, I realize it might be later than I thought.
Wait, it's already quite bright outside. Since it's winter, I'd guess it's around eight or nine in the morning.
I glance at the clock on the wall and realize how wrong I am—it's almost noon.
She's going to freak out when she sees the time.
"Good morning, Johann. Did you sleep well?" she says, rubbing her eyes.
Noticing my silence and fixed gaze upward, she asks,
"What is it? Is something wrong?" She turns toward where I'm looking, and upon seeing the clock, she exclaims while leaping up in alarm, "Heavens, we overslept! How irresponsible of us..."
At least she's taking the blame for once. From what I recall about the game's announcement, the deadline is around eight in the evening. I'm unsure we can launch a counterattack with so little time left.
"Apparently, we're screwed. That leaves us about eight hours to end the game," I comment.
"Time moves in one direction, and the morning we lost will not come back, no matter how much we regret it," she says, standing up. "Let us focus on these remaining eight hours. They will have to be enough—they must be."
"I hate to be so pessimistic, but do you really think we can win with such a tight deadline? I'm really struggling to envision any chance of success."
"To be honest with you, I do not know. Everything is very uncertain. I cannot foresee the future. However, it is our future at stake, and pondering whether we can win is not a relevant discussion. All we can do is act. In the worst-case scenario, failing will have the same result as giving up."
"Your grounded speech reminds me of Miyu. Ever since we entered this madness, she always tried to stay optimistic, saying we'd all escape alive. Unfortunately, fate didn't listen and took Shou. Pretty words don't mean anything."
"As far as optimism goes, you are correct. In truth, we need to be pessimistic and prepare for the worst-case scenario. The power of your friend's friendship was not enough to save that boy. Likewise, the love I feel for you will not save you either. Feelings alone do nothing, but they can serve as a catalyst. Because of them, I will do everything I can," she says with a serene smile.
Okay, I admit it. You've won me over again.
12:12 PM
We spend several minutes brainstorming an alternative approach to corner Ailiss. Based on our last encounter, we come up with a possible candidate.
"So, do you really think this plan can work? It seems way too crazy to succeed," I ask.
"Possibly. However, we have no better ideas, and trying to devise something overly complex at the last minute will not work. So, I am putting all my chips on you," she replies.
"It's an honor to hear that from you. With that, I must work hard not to disappoint you—or at least try."
"Relax. You certainly will not fail my expectations. I do not usually place my trust in someone with dubious potential."
Even so, this plan depends on many independent actions. Mikoto must realize this, but she wants to keep my morale high to increase our chances of success.
"Well then, shall we contact the others to put the operation into motion?" I stand and head toward the door.
"Yes, the sooner we handle the peripheral actions, the better. I will arrange a meeting with everyone immediately to relay the instructions."
Two sudden knocks on the door interrupt our discussion.
If it's an enemy, they wouldn't announce their arrival. But I can't just assume that, as it might be their exact intention.
We exchange glances and nod in agreement to open it.
I open the door cautiously, but I'm soon relieved. It's just Haruki, though he looks apprehensive.
"Kaichou! We have serious problems!" Haruki exclaims.
"First, calm down. If you speak while panting, we will not understand a word. Explain everything in detail," Mikoto responds.
"I think it's better if you see for yourselves," he says, pointing outside.
We leave the council room and follow Haruki through the corridors of the main building. He stops in front of one of the windows and points for us to look outside.
We comply, and what we see shocks us.
It's a horrifying sight—numerous bodies scattered across the schoolyard. There's no escaping the atrocity; they're everywhere.
"What the hell happened here?" I ask.
We didn't hear a thing. This should have caused enough chaos to wake us.
"She's committing a massacre down there. She deliberately spread the word that she's a player to lure more people to her hideout. Everyone is meeting the same fate as our attack yesterday," Haruki explains.
The bodies exhibit something peculiar—red streaks. It's as if they all dragged themselves to their locations, leaving a trail of blood mixed with snow.
I understand now why we heard nothing. There were no screams because they would have been a beacon: 'Hey, we're here. Come kill us.' In the end, she waited until time was running out to lure desperate rats into her lair and then strangled them like a serpent.
"They were not shot where they are lying, were they?" Mikoto also notices something strange.
"Correct. As far as I know, they were dragged there. I don't know what she's planning with this—it doesn't make sense—but she scattered the victims across the yard. Most of them likely tried to invade her hideout and were killed inside," Haruki says.
Her motive isn't complex to deduce; this can only mean one thing.
Once again, Mikoto takes the words right out of my mouth.
"Do you not think what she is trying to do is obvious? Nothing more than a cheap provocation. That girl wants to get our attention."
12:41 PM
After better assessing the condition of the school, we decide to organize our final strategy meeting. We choose a random classroom, as the council room would be too obvious a location for a potential attack, and outline the procedure for the remaining members.
"Basically, this is the idea Johann and I came up with in a hurry. With this in mind, I will now explain the role each of you will need to fulfill until the moment of our attack," Mikoto begins.
"Kaichou, from what I understand, you'll divide these three secondary tasks among us. Is that correct?" Miyu raises her hand and asks.
"Partially, yes. However, we must also address some passive requirements," Mikoto replies.
"Understood."
"Very well. Does anyone have additional comments before I assign your respective tasks?"
The four remain silent, signaling that she can proceed. They then listen attentively as Mikoto gives her instructions.
"Nakamura-san, as you requested earlier, I am assigning you to monitor Ailiss's movements. Hasegawa-kun informed me that she has not left her hideout, so you will be responsible for verifying whether this condition remains until the time of our attack. Any behavior change must be reported to me immediately."
"Thank you, Kaichou. I promise not to disappoint you... that wretched girl won't escape today. She'll pay for all the harm she's done to us and our fallen friends," Natsuki responds with determination, her fists clenched.
"As for you, Hasegawa-kun, your task will be exploring the old block's electrical system. When you locate the circuit breakers, contact Johann—he will know how to proceed."
"I don't foresee many problems with that," Haruki nods in agreement.
"Finally, Yoshida-san and Matsumoto-kun, you will join me in the most labor-intensive task. We will be working on the lighting in the gymnasium. Since I will be involved, there is no need to detail the procedure now—I will explain as we go."
"Excuse me, Jocchi, Kaichou. I have a question. Even if she doesn't intend to leave her hideout, she might hear us moving the gym lights. How should we handle that?" Manabu raises his hand, looking concerned.
"Ah, right. I almost forgot that detail. We will definitely need to muffle the sound somehow. That part of the plan is Johann's responsibility, so blame him if it does not work," Mikoto responds.
"Hey... what happened to all that talk about trusting me and us being in this together? Are you really throwing me under the bus now?" I grumble.
"You are so easily irritated. No need to get upset—I was just teasing you," she replies with a mischievous expression.
It's hard to tell when she's being serious or not; her face is almost always serious. Honestly, I think she only smiles when she's mocking me. It makes me suspect that teasing me is her only form of entertainment.
She turns back to the group, and it seems everyone understands their roles now.
"Since my task is the most independent, I'll head out first to prepare everything as quickly as possible," Haruki comments.
"Alright, let me know when you find the location," I tell him.
"I'm counting on your support, Johann-san," he says as he stands up.
"Oh, by the way, I need to leave too. That wretched girl could make a move at any moment. I'm going to start monitoring her now, and if she lets her guard down, she'll pay for picking a fight with us," Natsuki says, also standing.
Both leave the classroom, with Haruki trying to calm Natsuki down so she doesn't act recklessly.
"Matsumoto-kun, if it is not too much to ask, could you go ahead and start working on the lighting? Johann and I will handle the soundproofing, and it would be helpful if one of you joined us," Mikoto explains, looking at Miyu.
"Alright, Miyucchi, go with them. I'll see what I can do until you get there," Manabu says with a smile, walking toward me.
He stops beside me and whispers,
"Jocchi, I have no idea what to do. What should I do?"
Just as I expected.
"Good luck."
Manabu, like the others, heads to his assigned task.
"So, how exactly are we going to muffle the sound of the lights?" Miyu asks.
"You will find out when we get there," I reply.
"Hey, Johann-kun! That just makes me more curious!" she says, glaring at me.
"Well then, let us get going. This way, you will not have to endure your curiosity for long," Mikoto says.
And so, Mikoto, Miyu, and I set off as well.
Everyone is doing their part to the best of their ability, each driven by their own motivation. With all the pieces in place, our final confrontation with Ailiss is about to begin.