9:24 AM
About an hour later, I muster the courage to head to the student council room in hopes of meeting her. I had previously confirmed that Takashi isn't in the student council block, eliminating one possible source of interruptions.
However, upon reaching the floor below Mikoto's room, I find some students standing guard on behalf of the council.
They're blocking the entrance to the upper floors, and there's no way I can get past them unnoticed.
As I approach the stairs, they quickly block the way. This is a little curious, as no significant internal incidents have occurred so far that would justify Mikoto's heightened security.
Unless she suspects a potential attack. But why specifically target her? Just to fulfill her role as a leader?
"This floor is restricted to student council members. We can't let you through."
"I understand, but I'd like to discuss something with the president," I reply politely.
"We weren't informed about any visitors. Do you have written authorization?" they exchange glances, and one of them asks.
I don't know if lying that she forgot to notify them would work. At most, one of them might try to confirm with her, worsening my situation.
Just as I'm about to give up, a coincidental encounter occurs.
"Oh, what brings you here, Johann-san?" I hear a familiar voice behind me.
I turn around and see Haruki and Keiko.
He always finds me in the least convenient situations. Since he already knows I need to speak with Mikoto, there's no point in lying about my intentions.
"Ah, hello, Haruki. I came here because I needed to speak with the president privately. Remember our conversation yesterday? How should I proceed?"
Besides, they are the treasurer and secretary. Perhaps they can help me get past these guards.
"Kaichou requested not to be disturbed for the rest of the day; otherwise, we could've taken you to her," Keiko replies.
"Yeah, she hasn't been in the best mood lately," Haruki adds.
It seems I'll have to postpone my goal regardless.
"Understood. I'll come back at a more appropriate time."
11:16 AM
Ultimately, my attempt to talk with Mikoto didn't work out. What should I do now? Talk to Ailiss? Well, I did promise to report my progress to her today.
No. That's out of the question.
I can't show her that I failed my self-proclaimed mission. She won't tolerate failures.
Initially, I was waiting for lunchtime, but I realized that she's been avoiding eating in the cafeteria lately. Thus, I need a more effective method. Another point supporting this hypothesis is the background of my visions, which can't take place in the cafeteria. The condition for it to happen is, indeed, the student council room; trying to approach her anywhere else is impossible.
However, I've already confirmed that entering there on my own isn't feasible. So, what should I do?
The solution that came to mind was something derived from my visions. During one of my encounters with Mikoto, supposedly the first, I vaguely remember an envelope with terrible handwriting. I believe this is somehow related to triggering that discussion.
Unfortunately, I can't recall what was written in that letter, but its mere physical presence might be enough to set the scene. For that, I must replicate it as closely as possible to the envelope in my memories.
"Hey, Shou. Can I ask you a quick question?"
"Huh? What is it, Johann?" he responds, surprised.
"How's your handwriting? It's terrible, right?"
"What are you talking about? I write very well. Both my handwriting and spelling are impeccable. Right?" he turns to Miyu and Manabu, seeking confirmation.
"Shoucchi, I hate to break it to you, but even Johann, who's a foreigner, writes more legibly than you."
Not only as a foreigner, but my handwriting is already bad in the Roman alphabet. In Japanese, it's even worse. But Shou manages to surpass me to the point that even teachers can barely understand his written answers. If I remember correctly, he almost failed a grade because of this.
That's where the point comes in. I could try to fake bad handwriting, but for safety's sake, I think it would feel more natural if Shou were responsible for the letter. Besides, I'd need someone to deliver it on my behalf; otherwise, this tactic won't work.
"I need a favor from you. Write a letter for me."
"Him? Why? Didn't we just agree that his handwriting is bad?" Miyu asks, surprised.
"I can't go into too many details, but the handwriting needs to be awful. That's why I'm asking him."
Will they buy such a story? Knowing them, I think I can make them believe it if I steer the conversation correctly.
"Fine by me. I'll help you with this. But what do you need me to write?" he laughs. "A love letter, perhaps?"
Coincidentally, he leads the conversation straight to this topic.
"Exactly. Since you have more experience than I do, I believe you can help me with this," I reply seriously.
"What?!" Manabu and Miyu react.
I can use their idiocy and enthusiasm for these matters to my advantage in situations like this.
"Really?! I'm so proud of you, Johann! You finally understand how wonderful the world of romance is," Shou responds, excited.
"Since this is a somewhat embarrassing matter for me, I don't want them to overhear, so can we discuss it privately?"
"Of course! As the master of love, I'll help you. Let's find another spot."
Since I only need Shou for this plan, there's no need for Manabu and Miyu to be involved. The fewer people involved, the better.
Shou and I walk to another room, and he impatiently asks.
"So, Johann? Who's the lucky girl?"
Away from the others, I begin to explain.
"Sorry, but the love letter story was just a way to get you excited and justify leaving the others."
"Aw, I was so excited for you," he crosses his arms, disappointed. "So, what do you need me to do, then?"
"I know this might seem like a strange request, but I need you to write a letter accusing me of being a player and deliver it anonymously to the student council."
"What?!" Shou exclaims, jaw-dropping. "And what's the point of all this? Wait, are you really a player?!"
"Keep your voice down. No, I'm not. But it's the only way to get the student council to hear what I have to say. It'll be essentially a trap to catch their attention."
"And why do you want their attention? You'll end up being treated as a suspect. Isn't that dangerous?"
"It's a long story, one I can't fully explain now. But as a friend, I ask you to trust me. I'm acting with the best intentions. This is all part of a plan to capture a real player, who I believe is responsible for this game."
"What do you mean? One of the players is responsible?" he looks at me, startled. "Who is it?"
"I can't say for sure yet, but I suspect the vice president is involved. This plan is meant to confirm it."
Since he doesn't like the person in question, his confirmation bias will make him cooperate with me.
12:14 PM
The vice president, Takashi, keeps looking at our table constantly. Unlike me, he doesn't even bother to hide his stares.
If everything goes as I hope, he'll take me to the council room to clarify the complaint.
"This food is great, much better than usual," Miyu comments.
"Yeah, I hope I can get seconds. The council is more competent than the school's own cooks," Shou replies.
Shou and the others don't seem uneasy about it either. I can't deduce the cause, but this strange pattern carrying everyone's mood to normalcy is still active, and I can count on it to my advantage.
Takashi remains seated with Keiko and Natsuki while keeping his eyes fixed on us.
"What's wrong, Johann-kun? You're quieter than usual. And by the way, your food is getting cold," Miyu asks.
"It's nothing. I'm just not hungry today."
I think he's just waiting for a moment when I'm alone to intimidate me into clarifying things. All I can do is wait for him to make the first move.
3:33 PM
I'm sure Shou's accusation reached the council, or else it wouldn't have caught Takashi's attention. But why are they taking so long to call me? Could they be trying to verify the credibility of the witness?
Or did they not take him seriously?
"Hey, Jocchi! Where were you? We've been looking for you," Manabu finds me.
I've been alone all this time, but Takashi hasn't tried to approach me. So, I guess it doesn't matter if Manabu is here or not.
"I just needed some time to think and clear my head. That's all."
"Did Shoucchi fail to help you with the love letter?"
"He did, but I'm worried about how it'll turn out. I don't know if, in the end, I'll be able to stay by their side," I let slip a detail about the number.
"Their side?" Manabu asks.
But before I can come up with an excuse, an event unfolds.
I hear footsteps approaching from the adjacent corridor, but I intentionally pretend not to notice and remain facing Manabu.
Takashi has finally decided to act. Now it's a matter of seeing whether he'll follow the script I crafted or take actions corresponding to the ominous feeling I've had about him.
"Hey, you two, stay where you are for a moment. I have some questions."
"And what does the vice president want with two students on the margins of standard school life?" I ask.
He stares at me thoughtfully for a few seconds, adjusts his glasses, and speaks.
"It's a matter that needs to be discussed privately. So, could your friend leave?"
What? He plans to discuss it here with me? I can't let that happen; I must get to the council room to fulfill my premonition.
"That's a good idea. I'll go read a light novel and catch up with you later," Manabu says.
"Manabu, stay. His attitude doesn't seem consistent with that of the student council. An interrogation shouldn't be conducted in isolation like this. And if he insists, I'll personally go to the student council to demand clarification," I say.
He scowls, but since he's likely acting independently without consulting Mikoto, he'll have to back down.
"Tsk. Then follow me to the council room."
3:49 PM
I follow Takashi through the hallways to the room's door designated for the student council's tasks. He stops in front of the door for a few seconds and looks at me.
"So, what is it you wanted to discuss with me?" I ask.
"I've been trying to explain that initially, but your paranoia didn't allow me to. It's not me who will talk to you," he says as he opens the door.
Clearly bluffing, he didn't want to bring me here and now just wants to ensure I don't mention this detail to her.
As I expected, President Yukihara Mikoto sits there. Takashi and I enter the room, and her icy blue eyes immediately fix on me. She then closes some books and documents on her desk and begins to speak.
"Good afternoon. Your name is Johann, correct? May I call you by your first name? It feels strange to address you by your surname, as I am not used to foreign surnames."
Oh, so she plans to start the interrogation in a friendly manner? No... something's off. This kind of cordiality doesn't match her personality.
However, it's impossible to deny her ability to deceive. I can't detect any physical evidence of deceit. Unfortunately for you, Mikoto, my future-driven unconscious already knows you well and has warned me in advance about your dubious nature.
Moreover, for now, I can't reveal that I have prior knowledge of this conversation, so I'll try to act as I usually would.
"Of course, President. Someone of your authority shouldn't even need to ask my permission for such a trivial formality. In fact, being called by my first name is more common for me, too. But I'm surprised you know my name."
"Hmmm? What are you saying? You should not belittle yourself; you are well-known within the school," she glances at some documents and laughs softly. "Although I admit the general impression of you is not the best."
"I'm flattered by your consideration. However, I still don't understand what you, the student council president, want to know from someone like me, a mere unpopular student."
"Very well, with the formal introductions done, I will get straight to the point of what I intend to discuss with you."
Her tone changes completely; now she's speaking more seriously, and her sharp gaze returns.
How will she approach this matter?
"I know you are one of the three players," she continues.
So direct? This could be problematic. Besides, I must continue my little act.
"Me? A player? How did you come to that conclusion?"
"I see you do not plan to admit it openly. So, what do you have to say about this?"
She pulls something from a drawer and slowly extends it toward me—a crumpled envelope with Shou's terrible handwriting on it.
There's my trap...
I'd like to come clean with her right now, but I have an obstacle standing right beside her.
However, something about all this bothers me. The accusation is overly simplistic. In the end, she has no evidence in her hands to prove I'm a player—in other words, it's a mere baseless accusation.
I hadn't worried about this earlier, as I was merely trying to recreate the premeditated scene, but I expected something more to accompany this envelope. Knowing Mikoto's manipulative personality, I believed she would've provided something additional to intimidate the accused.
"Who made the complaint?" I ask.
"It was submitted anonymously, and even if we knew, for confidentiality reasons, we would not tell you. That said, do you have any comments regarding the accusation you received?"
"There's not much to say besides the obvious—that it's false. Essentially, I believe that's my only remark."
"Are you certain this will be your response to the complaint?"
This would be the most sensible reaction for someone falsely accused. I must keep my answers consistent.
"Yes, what else can I say? It's the accuser's word against mine. Moreover, the accuser didn't even bother to report any evidence to support the accusation. In other words, a conclusion without premises. Therefore, there's nothing more to add."
I think I'm playing the defensive role well, albeit reluctantly. Where will she take the conversation?
"Heavens..." she rests her hand on her face, disappointed. "You would need to live for another two thousand years before attempting to lie to me."
In the end, I really am not good at lying. However, she'll at most be able to see one of these layers.
"I've only told the truth."
"Really? Your words seem overly forced. I cannot align the content of what you are saying with your nonverbal behavior. It is a bit absurd even for me, but tell me—are you just following a script you have memorized?"
Did she detect my mental rehearsal? How is this possible? I can't underestimate this girl. At this rate, she won't only discover that I'm a player but also that I orchestrated this entire conversation.