11:36 AM
"Present our findings and corner Takashi."
That was the idea, and we all seemed to agree on it.
Once again, we are in the atrium because another extraordinary assembly has been called. This occurred because a certain girl, whose name I need not mention, decided on her own to spread rumors that the poison used in the initial murders was in the possession of the student council.
Of course, it didn't take long for gossip to ignite another internal revolt.
What was she thinking when she did that? We had all the cards in hand; all we needed was to bring Mikoto to our side and put an end to the terror orchestrated by Takashi.
The charming president appears in the atrium, scanning the nearly complete space from end to end, and begins to speak.
"I can see that you are far more impressionable than I could have imagined. It seems we are still failing to instill discipline in you," she says, her gaze hardening. "So I decree that anyone who spreads slander against the integrity of the student council will be subject to punishment. Unless you have irrefutable evidence, you may submit your complaint to the council for us to judge."
I see… They will act as both defendants and judges. Very reasonable. Does she really think everyone will accept such absurd demands? I'm starting to suspect that Ailiss and Mikoto are working together to ruin everything.
Mikoto maintains her authoritarian stance, intimidating anyone who dares to oppose the council. What is happening to her? Has she even considered that the culprit might have infiltrated her ranks? Is it possible that power has gone to her head? Honestly, I didn't know her that well, so maybe she's always been unbalanced, and I just didn't notice.
Amid the crowd, which seems coerced into accepting her terms, a voice of protest emerges.
"How big is your ego? It's obvious the killer is within the student council. The staff room full of poison is proof. Anyone who doubts it can go see for themselves. And it's undeniable that only you had the key to that room."
Unbelievable.
What are you doing? What do you hope to gain by throwing more fuel on the fire? Distrust among the students is already high, which will only make things more chaotic.
Once again, Ailiss takes matters into her own hands, this time confronting Mikoto directly and more aggressively.
We had agreed to act discreetly… How did it end up like this?
It's clear that the proud president won't remain silent in the face of such an intervention, and she responds to Ailiss with equal hostility.
"I am the student council president, and my ego matches my position," she says, locking eyes with Ailiss. "If I were you, I would not make baseless accusations like this. You, of all people, should know how difficult it is for a civilian to access a firearm in this country. However, it would not be surprising if you managed to smuggle one into your belongings when you arrived from abroad," she retorts with a blend of mockery and coldness.
"Those are mere speculations. In my defense, I'll remind you of the strict inspections at your country's borders. Are you demeaning your own nation? Think about it. A simple schoolgirl like me would never be able to bypass security at two international airports. Not to mention that carrying firearms is also illegal in Germany. What do you think I am, a secret agent?" Ailiss laughs dismissively. "Unlike you, I have concrete evidence. Only the council had access to that room."
Secret agent? That's not the word I'd use. It's much worse. Thinking about it, she must be incredibly professional. As she herself pointed out, she passed through two international airports without arousing any suspicion while carrying an illegal weapon in Europe. Security isn't lenient—I know that from experience.
"Spare me. Do you really think this incriminates the council? You gained access to the storage room easily because all you had to do was break in, and the killer could have done the same," Mikoto narrows her eyes. "Even if you proved the cabinets were only broken into today, it would not be enough. Look around you. We're in a supernatural, restricted space. If the killer can create all of this, why would it be difficult to access a room without the key?" She points her finger at Ailiss. "The only suspect here is you. Is it not odd that everything began on the exact day you joined our school? Frankly, there is no more plausible explanation than that."
The argument grows more heated with each exchange. Now that they are acting like enemies, my chance of resolving everything peacefully has gone down the drain. It's all lost. My plan was for the two of them to form an alliance, which would have allowed us to capture Takashi and find an easier way out of here.
The sharp words exchanged between them exponentially increase the tension in the air. The audience's anxiety rises with each moment. It's hard to discern which groups support each of them since, under Mikoto's dictatorship, anyone backing Ailiss would likely face penalties.
However, from the murmurs, it's clear that Ailiss has succeeded in heightening distrust toward the council. At the same time, Mikoto's words have placed Ailiss in a suspicious position. In the end, both were harmed by this unnecessary conflict.
12:11 PM
After the heated assembly, all the students went directly to the cafeteria. The fear and hopelessness are visible on their faces, and the atmosphere is completely different from previous days. The anomaly has weakened entirely, and their behavior now seems coherent for a group of teenagers trapped in a supernatural space.
Some, scared and afraid of dying, withdraw from the situation. Others take an active role and try to organize revolts. Still, some choose to side with the stronger party—in this case, Mikoto and the student council. But all these groups share one thing: an unrelenting sense of fear.
The gravity of the situation is highlighted by the fact that even Manabu and Shou have stopped their usual crazy banter and joined in the collective gloom.
Manabu and Miyu stare blankly at their food. It's hard to maintain an appetite under these circumstances.
Shou, however, is in an even worse state, sitting with an expression of frustration and dejection that I've never seen before.
Just as I'm about to say something, Miyu's voice breaks the silence.
"I'm worried. You know, everything is becoming so confusing and so fast," Miyu says with a distant look.
You should have noticed that the moment we entered this dimension. Since that instant, I believe we were already doomed.
"It's hard to keep faith in Kaichou, especially after today. She seems to have completely lost her mind," Manabu comments.
That's what makes me hesitant to approach her. When we spoke the day before yesterday, her attitude was entirely different. It's as if she's a completely different person now. This definitely isn't her. These decisions can't be of her own making. I'm increasingly convinced Takashi is forcing her hand.
"However, this only reinforces something for me. We need to stick together. We can't fully trust the council anymore but can trust each other as a team."
Ah, perhaps the anomaly has taken root in Miyu as much as I thought. She's still capable of mustering determination without the slightest indication of success.
"Hahahaha," Shou begins laughing maniacally at Miyu's comment.
"What are you laughing at, Shimizu-kun?" she asks, confused.
"At the joke you just made. We're not a team. You clearly only care about Manabu. You've spent all your time alone with him these past few days, and I've been left behind long ago."
Shou stands up after finishing his speech, turns his back, and leaves the table. He doesn't give either of them a chance to respond.
I wasn't expecting that. Has insanity also struck him? Though it's ironic for a madman to go mad.
Miyu sits frozen, her eyes wide with shock at his reaction. It was likely even more surprising to her than it was to me.
"The stress must have scrambled his brain. Come back, Shoucchi!" Manabu tries to follow him.
And how it has. I've never seen him act this way. Having a jealousy-driven outburst of this magnitude isn't normal for him. Usually, he'd make a joke, laughing at his own misfortune.
3:31 PM
We spent the early afternoon in the courtyard. Strangely, everyone seemed to think it would be an unsafe place, so they returned to the dormitories, leaving the area completely deserted. Only Manabu, Miyu, and I remained outside, enjoying the monotony.
The cold is pleasant... As I look around, I notice a bit of snow still lingering on the ground from last night. I persist in contemplating that gentle white hue spread across the lawn... until I'm interrupted by the heat of a volcanic eruption.
"So this is where you've been," a deep voice sounds from my side.
I turn and see Ailiss's wild and very irritated gaze. That expression of hers, which simultaneously conveys anger and emotional detachment—as contradictory as it may seem—always fascinates me. But ultimately, fire on a large scale can produce something very similar to snow: ash. Only upon closer inspection can one distinguish its true nature.
Why is she so upset, as if it took her forever to find me? I've been here the whole time; I was quickly locatable. For now, I should try to keep her in a good mood.
"Ah, what an unexpected visit. Is there something I can do for you?" I try to simulate a bit of cordiality.
"Stop that immediately if you value the current geometry of your face because I'm not in the mood to hear your nonsense."
I really need to figure out a pattern of responses that doesn't irritate her. But is that even possible? Hatred must be so ingrained in her soul that her angry face and voice have become expressionless.
"Oh, the foreign girl," Miyu says upon noticing we have company.
Ailiss glances briefly at her and then back at me. She completely ignores the existence of Miyu and Manabu, continuing her interrogation of me.
"Why didn't you go to the hideout? You made me wait for almost three hours. You've become quite bold lately."
I don't recall her telling me to meet her after the assembly. How does she expect me to guess what I'm supposed to do? Especially when she's been acting independently from me and Keiko. I also hesitated to be seen with her, given her increasingly suspicious position.
"I thought you planned to act alone. That's what I deduced from your actions this morning. You didn't tell me what you were going to do, so I assumed I should stay on standby until further orders," I respond.
"Don't try to deduce anything on your own; just obey what's explicitly given to you," she says, narrowing her eyes. "That's what we agreed on. I don't owe you explanations for my actions, but you certainly owe me yours."
In the end, there's no way to justify myself to her. As she said, her interpretation is the only valid one in our established one-sided alliance. So, I decide to accept what she says and apologize simply.
"Alright, I'm sorry. I promise I won't make such a mistake again."
"You'd better keep that promise because if you make me wait for a third time... it'll be your last."
She then directs her gaze to the two who are nearby.
"Hey, Mistkerl. Where's that third idiot who used to hang around with you?" she asks, looking at them.
Why does she want to know about him? I wasn't expecting this kind of question from her; she's never seemed like the type to notice the outside world.
"We had a little problem with Shou. Do you have any business with him?"
"Nothing specific," she crosses her arms. "Doesn't matter. Just the two of them will do."
Manabu and Miyu exchange confused glances. Judging by their expressions, the thought running through their heads is probably, "Is she talking about us?"
Manabu musters the courage to ask the intimidating presence before him.
"What do you mean by that?" he asks with a friendly smile.
"Isn't it obvious? If I intend to face the entire student council, I need more firepower. Since you're close to Mistkerl, you'll help us."
She didn't even bother asking if they'd be willing to help. She simply declared that they'd join her in the war she just caused.
"Ailiss, at least hear their answers before recruiting them."
She turns to them once more and stares.
"You'll help me. Won't you?" she asks with her fierce gaze.
"Y-yes, of course, we will!" Miyu replies, frightened.
"I-It would be an honor! Please give us your orders right away!" Manabu responds, standing at attention.
The sense of danger was enough for them to answer without even thinking about the mess they're getting into. Not that I think their opinions matter to Ailiss. In the end, like me, they'll have to obey her whether they like it or not. Fortunately, they chose the correct response; I speak from experience, having opposed her before.
With her intimidation, Ailiss gains two more allies for the battle.
"I don't have any missions in mind for these idiots yet. But stay alert, as you could receive orders at any time. When I need you, I'll summon you through Mistkerl," Ailiss explains.
"Mistkerl? You've mentioned that name a few times. Who is that?" Miyu asks.
"It's me. That's the nickname she gave me," I reply.
"Wow, how cool! Is it your country's custom to give new friends nicknames?"
It's a blessing they don't know what that affectionate nickname means. For the sake of my dignity here, I can't let this become public knowledge. The biggest issue isn't even the derogatory nature of the nickname itself but my compliance in accepting such inferiority.
"Actually, it's not exactly what you're thinking—" I try to explain, but Miyu cuts me off.
"Hey, can she give us nicknames, too?" she asks excitedly.
You don't know what you're asking for. Poor innocent creature, have you already forgotten how she treated us a few days ago? Then again, since they probably won't understand the meanings of Ailiss's nicknames, I suppose it doesn't matter.
I look at Ailiss, passing Miyu's question on to her.
"'Tako,'" she points at Miyu, then at Manabu, "'Kimoi.'"
Miyu and Manabu gape at the gratuitous insults.
I didn't expect them to be in Japanese.
"Weren't the insults supposed to be in German?" I ask.
"What purpose would that serve if they didn't know they were being insulted?" she responds with superiority.