1:56 PM
Miyu, Mikoto, and I arrive at our destination. We stop in front of a room marked by a small sign on the door.
"Oh, so you plan to use the sound room?" Miyu asks, surprised.
"Exactly. The idea is to muffle one sound with a louder one," I reply.
"Very well, let us get to work," Mikoto says as she unlocks the door.
We enter the room, and it's just as I imagined—a microphone for announcements over the speakers, some paperwork on the desk, and a computer for playing pre-recorded sounds or music during school events.
I sit in the chair and press the button to turn on the computer. Since it is an older model, it takes a few seconds to boot up. Once it's ready, I notice there's no internet connection, just like our phones don't have any signal.
Music seems like the best option since it needs to be a continuous sound. I start searching for any playlists saved in the computer's documents.
"Kaichou, you always speak into this microphone, don't you? I've always wanted to use one—it looks so fun!" Miyu says, pointing to the microphone.
"I only use it when there are important announcements. However, if you would like, you can give an announcement in my place someday," Mikoto replies.
"Really?! I can't wait for that!" Miyu smiles at the permission.
Mikoto nods.
"However, remember that we must win this battle for this to happen. So I expect you to stay fully focused during our task with the lights. I want productivity from you."
"Yes, Kaichou! You can count on me!"
Watching this scene, Miyu seems like a small pet trying to please its master. I'd love to tease her a bit, but unfortunately, my situation is just as precarious.
While they talk, I find an interesting playlist to serve our purpose.
"I think everything's ready. Let me know when I can turn on the speakers," I say.
"For me, the sooner, the better. Let us start working on the lights as soon as possible. Go ahead," Mikoto replies as she flips a switch.
I press the button that activates all the school's speakers, and the selected music echoes through the hallways.
"Oh, how interesting. Vivaldi's Four Seasons? Honestly, I am not surprised this is your taste in music," Mikoto says, turning to comment.
"Johann-kun, I didn't know you liked classical music. Wow, you never talk about your interests! We've been friends for so long, and I know almost nothing about you. We could have gone to a concert in the city," Miyu says.
"I wouldn't say I'm such a fan that I'd leave home for a performance. It's just my favorite genre; I think I inherited the taste from my parents," I reply.
"Is your name perhaps a tribute to Johann Sebastian Bach?" Mikoto asks.
"Actually, it's after his indirect mentor—Pachelbel."
2:32 PM
With the music loudly playing through the school speakers, we leave the sound room. Miyu and Mikoto head to the school gym to help Manabu move the lights. Meanwhile, I take the opportunity to check if Haruki has found the school's electrical circuit breakers.
The first place Haruki should be looking is in the block where Ailiss's hideout is, as there's likely a dedicated breaker for each block.
I head there and begin searching for him.
It doesn't take long to find him, as the breaker is located on the ground floor.
"Have you figured out which switch cuts the basement's power?" I approach and ask.
"No. Unfortunately, there's no label indicating which switch does what. And we can't test them one by one—she'd notice the power outage if something she's using turns off," Haruki replies.
Indeed, the labels are faded due to wear. This building is old, and the electrical system hasn't been maintained since it was abandoned. It's surprising the basement lights still work.
"At first, that's not a problem. We just need to cut all of them simultaneously. But now that you mention it, we should verify if the wiring really goes to the basement."
After some analysis, I'm able to identify which wires lead to the basement. Now we're sure that cutting these switches will shut off all the lights in the block.
"So, is everything ready? Will it work?" he asks.
"Yes, we just need to wait until nightfall for the plan to be functional."
"Okay. I'll wait for further instructions."
"For now, I think you can assist Natsuki. Keep an eye on her—if she acts rashly, our entire plan could be compromised."
"Alright. I'll keep her in check and make sure nothing impulsive ruins the surprise attack."
That's not the only reason it could fail. I hope you don't end up hating us for this.
Noticing the bandages covering his injuries from yesterday's assault, I ask,
"How are you feeling? Are the bruises still painful?"
"To be honest, they are. Sleeping last night was quite difficult," he smiles amicably.
"Compared to you and Manabu, my injuries were very minor. In a way, I feel a bit guilty for being forced to just watch while you took the blows."
"It might seem unlucky for us, but look at what happened to everyone else—they're all dead. Manabu and I were very lucky to survive that demon's attack."
"I can't find solace in things like that. Logically, there's always someone in a worse situation than yours."
"Perhaps you're right. However, for me, just making it out alive is enough. I was surprised to see you and the president taking on the bait role with such confidence—I'm not sure I'd be capable of that," his tone turns serious.
"It also takes a lot of courage to volunteer to test food for poison amidst suspicions."
"True. The truth is, I was very apprehensive about my actions. I don't know if I could keep doing it until the last day. But my desire for recognition fueled my bravery."
"Honestly, I always saw your actions as those of someone aiming to take Mikoto's position next year."
"You noticed that? You're not entirely wrong. However, it was just a means to an end. What I truly sought was approval," he pauses. "After meeting Kaichou, I wanted to be admired like she is. Clearly, I couldn't achieve it as naturally as she does, so I forced some courteous behaviors to create sympathy with others. Unlike me, you're sincere—maybe that's why she likes you so much," he smiles.
How can I be sincere when I'm not even sure what to think myself? Even after everything, my mind is still a mess regarding Ailiss.
I bid farewell to Haruki and head to join Mikoto, Manabu, and Miyu. We might not get the best lighting angle so that adjustments could be necessary.
6:08 PM
The sun has been set for almost half an hour, and all prerequisites for the plan have been fulfilled.
At this moment, Mikoto and I are once again in front of the stairs leading to the basement of the block, where we'll face Ailiss. Meanwhile, Miyu, Haruki, and Manabu are already in their positions.
In terms of combat strength, Mikoto fortunately managed to recruit a few more supporters who volunteered to assist us in the battle. They're currently with Natsuki, who has the most critical role. I'm still unsure if entrusting her with this was the wisest decision, but Natsuki wouldn't have accepted anything else.
"Here we are again. So, are you ready?" I ask the same question Mikoto asked me yesterday.
"To be honest, not really. I am quite scared—I am unsure of what might happen," she replies.
Due to her strong presence, I've become accustomed to associating her with a higher level than me or the others. However, the truth is, despite all her extraordinary attributes, including her connection to the supernatural, she's still just a high school girl. It's unrealistic to expect her to remain unshaken all the time; she's already pushed herself to the limit.
"I thought you believed in the plan's efficiency. Is something bothering you? Did you notice a detail we missed? Maybe we can fix it somehow."
"Nothing specific. Even though I said I trust you, it does not mean I have not considered the possibility of being wrong. I have been wrong about her before... and I am afraid I am making the same mistake now. Remember, she managed to counter every action taken by me and the student council over the past few days."
"I feel the same way. No matter how much we plan, the future is uncertain. And for me, unpredictable things rarely end well."
"Indeed, I have experienced such failures within this conjuration, especially concerning this girl. She is always one step ahead, so it is hard for my subconscious to believe this will not happen again—it has practically become a pattern."
Ailiss's story feels strange to me. If she truly could modify this reality at will, to the point of gaining clairvoyance, I believe she'd make different decisions. I hope I'm right because much of the plan's success relies on the doubtfulness of her claims. There'd be no way to fight someone genuinely clairvoyant—they'd know every move we'd make in advance.
And this conflicts with something she said: fun. She claims to kill purely for fun, but what's entertaining about playing an unwinnable game? It's this incongruity I'm betting everything on.
I turn to Mikoto and see her still lost in thought.
I should say something to sound cool and lift her spirits, but only cheesy movie lines come to mind.
"Strangely, I'm not afraid of Ailiss herself," I hold Mikoto's hand. "Conversely, I tremble just thinking about losing you."
"Johann, you have become quite endearing since yesterday, have you not? Despite being a rather clichéd declaration, I appreciate your words. However, I am not in the mood to tease you back, especially since this type of conversation feels like a bad omen before a confrontation," she says, cutting me off and looking at me. Seeing my reaction, she continues, "Do not tell me you are upset?"
Truthfully, I am, but at the same time, it's precisely this kind of treatment I enjoy receiving. I have to admit—I might genuinely be a masochist.
"No, I actually prefer you treating me this way. It suits your style to mistreat me like this—it'd be far too strange if it were different. I find a certain charm in it."
"You are really not right in the head, are you? But I will not oppose your peculiar tastes, especially since they make you submit to me. So, keep this in mind—dedicate yourself to defeating her. That is all I ask. That way, we will have many more days ahead for me to mistreat you even more," she laughs. "Agreed?"
"Of course. And with that declaration, you've managed to motivate me. Let's go—we have an enemy to defeat," I say as I pull her by the hand and head toward the stairs.
When we reach the basement, I notice the same chaos as before. However, there's now an additional factor that makes this environment even more disgusting—the smell of blood.
Could she have removed the bodies of those she killed from here? The air already reeks terribly. Should decomposition happen so quickly? Based on my basic knowledge of biochemistry, I thought it would take much longer—days, perhaps—for them to reach this state.
Mikoto and I move cautiously between the shelves, keeping a close watch on each other's backs.
We arrive at the part of the basement with fewer obstructions and finally come face-to-face with our adversary. She sits on a table, her demeanor exuding calmness as though she had been expecting us all along.
"So, you finally decided to show up. I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the lovebirds. By the way, what was with that music? Were you practicing a pathetic waltz before your deaths?" Ailiss says, her tone dripping with mockery.
Now is not the time to retreat or let ourselves be intimidated by the oppressive atmosphere radiating from her murderous gaze. We will fight to the end.