First part of Chapter 4, enjoy!

Haru and Tokaku were seated at each extremity on the couch in their room, both avoiding the other's gaze. It's been couple of hours since the third class trial had ended. Something important had been revealed during this trial, but Haru still didn't have the courage to ask her questions, and Tokaku didn't seems to be prone to talk from her own will. Haru took a slow deep breath and turned back to see her roommate, ready to ask for answers.

"Tokaku-san, the book that Isuke-san showed us…it was really the truth? Is that really your…talent?"

The blue haired girl sighed, before turning back to face Haru. Her expression looked emotionless, but Haru could see that her eyes seemed to express worry.

"If you still don't believe it, you can see the book yourself. I think that it's Kenmochi who has it now…"

"It's not what Haru wants! It's not from this book that I want to know the truth, but by you!"

Tokaku seemed to hesitate for a moment, before looking away.

"It's the truth. I'm the SMSL Assassin. I already told everyone during the class trial, remember?"

"Haru…wanted to be sure that it wasn't a lie. And I also wanted that Tokaku-san…tells me personally the truth."

An awkward silent took place. Haru turned back, not knowing what to say anymore.

"You hate assassins, so you must despise me now…" Tokaku mumbled.

Haru suddenly turned back and grabbed the blue haired girl's shoulder, forcing her to face her.

"That's not true! Haru would never despise Tokaku-san! And I don't hate assassins…I dislike the act of killing."

Haru released Tokaku's shoulder and lowered her head to look at the floor.

"Why…are you an assassin? Why did you choose that?"

"It wasn't a choice. I'm born to be an assassin. The Azumas are…a clan of assassins. And I'm their heiress."

Haru could relate to this. She knew what it was to be born in a clan that impose you a role since the moment you are born. It was the reason why she accepted to attend Class Black, to be freed from this fate.

"And how…how many people have you killed?" Haru asked.

"Would it really change something if I tell you?"

"Probably not…maybe it's better if Haru doesn't know. It's not because I learned your talent that the situation changed. Tokaku-san is still the same person as before, the only thing that can really change is my perception of you, and…Haru doesn't want to perceive Tokaku-san differently, I still want to view you as my classmate and my important friend…"

Haru suddenly felt something pressing her hand. She raised her head and her gaze met Tokaku's icy blue eyes. The blue haired girl seemed stoic, but Haru could felt softness in the way she was looking at her. She then realised that Tokaku had grabbed her hand.

"Ichinose…it's true that I hid my talent, but it was only because I didn't want you to be afraid of me. I wanted you to view me as a protector on who you could rely, and thought that you wouldn't trust me if you knew who I really am. All I want is to protect you, I want you to survive, I want to escape from here with you."

Haru felt her cheeks becoming warmer, while her heart was racing. Did the thought of being with Tokaku even outside this school make her blush? Haru began to wonder what she truly felt for her roommate.

"Tokaku-san…Haru also want to survive and escape with you, but…what I you planning to do if you go out from here? Are you going to go back to your…assassin life?"

"I…don't know. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. But, it's not important for now, I'll think about it in due course. Let's just not think about the past or the future and just focus on the present."

The blue haired girl released Haru's hand and rose up.

"I'm going to take a shower." Tokaku said before heading to the bathroom.

Haru stayed on the couch and let herself fell, ending up in a lying position. Her heart didn't stop beating fast. She really wanted to escape with Tokaku, and stayed by her side. She didn't want her to go back to her assassin life.

Haru realised that she still had time to convince Tokaku. If they both survive, she'll have a chance to convince the blue haired girl to stay with her and quit being an assassin. But for now, the priority was to survive, along with all her remaining classmates.

"Ichinose…what is she doing here?" Tokaku asked.

Haru turned back when she heard her roommate. She was currently sitting on her couch, in the company of Sumireko. Tokaku was glaring at Hanabusa with hostility, while the lady was acting serene.

It's been three days since the third class trial had taken place. The atmosphere became gloomier and the remaining Class Black's student seemed to have their morale at their lowest. The day Banba never left her room, Shiena shut herself in the sitting room, Suzu was distant with everyone and Isuke looked like she's about to kill every time that someone tried to talk to her.

"Ah, Tokaku-san…Hanabusa-san came here because she has something to say to Haru."

"I don't care. I don't want her here." Tokaku replied.

"Oh my, Azuma-san, no needs to be so defensive. I don't have bad intentions. I came here as a friend."

"You're probably one of the people the less friendly that I've never encounter." the blue haired girl said.

"I don't want to be rude, but I don't think that you know a lot of people. And you aren't friendly either." Sumireko replied.

"At least I'm not acting like a prick. Ichinose, you can't trust her. You saw how she acted during the class trials."

"I won't deny that my behaviour during the class trials may be perceived as mean and insensitive, but I'm only acting this way because my life is at stake. No need to take it personal. You're so susceptive, Azuma-san."

Tokaku looked so pissed, which made Haru worried that the situation might worsen. It was true that she didn't approve Sumireko's behaviours during the class trials, but she didn't hold it against her. Haru knew that when someone's life was in danger, this person could act differently by fear. She considered that Monokuma was the only one to blame when someone acted badly, because he was the one who forced them into this despairful situation in the first place.

"Tokaku-san, Hanabusa-san is our classmate. The least we can do is to listen to what she has to say. Haru doesn't view her as a threat, so I've no reason to refuse."

"…Do as you like. But I'm staying here, so you better not try something stupid, Hanabusa."

"Oh my, doing something stupid? Me? I'm not like the likes of you." Sumireko replied with a smirk.

"Just say what you have to say already!" Tokaku shouted.

"So impatient. Ichinose-san, there is something I need to tell you. I…want to thank you."

"Thank…me? Why?" Haru asked, confused.

"Well, you know, for what you did during the class trial. You…defended Banba-san. So I want to thank you for believing in her innocence. And also because thanks to you, we found the real culprit. Without you, the majority would have vote for Banba-san, and everyone would have been executed. So thanks for having saving our lives, Ichinose-san."

Haru was quite surprised. She didn't expect that Sumireko would ever thank her. But, since the thanking came from someone as prideful as Hanabusa, Haru felt that it must be sincere.

"N-No needs to thanks me, Haru just did the right thing. I was just…convinced of Mahiru-san's innocence, even without facts. No, in fact, her innocence felt like a fact for me. I don't know how to explain it…"

"No needs to justify yourself. You believed in her and you found the culprit, that's all that matter. You have good instincts, I know that I can rely on you now. I shouldn't have underestimated you…"

"It's ok, no hard feelings, it's…"

"Now that you have said what you wanted to say, you can leave." Tokaku interrupted.

"Tokaku-san!" Haru reprimanded.

"There's something else that I've to say. Or rather, ask." Sumireko began to say. "Ichinose-san, would you join me for a tea party?"

"Huh? Well, I…"

"No." the blue haired girl replied.

"Azuma-san, would you mind your own business please? I was asking Ichinose-san."

"Hanabusa-san, Haru won't go anywhere without Tokaku-san."

"Eh, fine. Azuma-san, you're also invited.

"That's not the point! Why do you want Ichinose to take tea with you? You're up for something bad, I'm sure!"

Sumireko suddenly rose up and faced the blue haired girl. She glared at Tokaku with a cold stare.

"Azuma-san, are you taking me for a fool? You seriously think that I would try to kill Ichinose-san? Really? I would be the first one suspected!"

"Then why do you want to take tea with her?" Tokaku insisted.

"Is it really that hard to believe that I just want to be friend with her? All I want is to have a friendly tea party with Ichinose-san, and concluded an alliance with her."

"Huh, an alliance? With Haru?"

Hanabusa sat down again and turned back to face Haru.

"Yes, I want to make an alliance with you. I feel like you're a trustworthy person. If we are allies, I'm sure we'll be able to survive and escape together…"

"No. If you aim to be one of the two survivors with her, give up. Ichinose will survive with me." Tokaku interrupted.

"No, is that your favorite word? How childish of you. Do you really intend to survive alone with Ichinose-san? You expect everyone to die? Hum, what I should expect from an assassin. All I want is to be Ichinose-san's ally, so if another murder occurs we could trust and help each other."

"It's a nice offer, but Haru is already your ally. Haru is everyone's ally, because we are all classmates."

"You…really are a softy. Which is not totally a bad thing. But you need to know that not everyone here is worthy of your trust. The proof is, murders had occurred. Takechi-san and Kirigaya-san were people who looked forward to kill. And who knows what our remaining classmates' intentions are. But, if we conclude an alliance, at least we could trust each other." Sumireko replied.

"You lose your time, Hanabusa. Ichinose isn't interested. Why don't you do try an alliance with Shuto instead? You two are the same kind of person."

"Please, don't insult me. I've nothing to do with Shuto-san. Well, I admit that she's quite smart, but she's also cunning. I thought that we could be allies, but with what happened during the last class trial, I'm convinced that she isn't trustworthy."

"What do you mean?" Haru asked.

"Don't you have notice yourself? Shuto-san doesn't care about her own life. She was really to gamble her life, and all ours, to prove that she was right, like it was just a petty bet. She considers all of this as a mere game. All she wants is to have fun. She finds this situation enjoyable. I don't know if it's Kaminaga-san death that makes her act like this, but whatever the reason, Shuto-san is dangerous. Who knows what she's capable of if she suddenly decided that this 'game' became too boring for her liking." Sumireko replied. "But you, you're different from everyone else, in a good way. You're quite deductive, you're kind-hearted, and the most important, you have the spirit of a survivor. You want to survive with as many people as possible, which make me believe that you'll always look forward the truth and never fall for Monokuma's motives to kill."

Haru did find Suzu's recent behaviour odd, but she didn't think that Sumireko was right. Haru wanted to believe that the gamester wasn't lying when she said that she wanted to allow as many people possible to survive.

"I'm sorry, Hanabusa-san, but I trust Shuto-san. And I trust everyone else. I trust you, and you can trust Haru. Isn't it enough?"

Sumireko sighed, before she rose up.

"Well, it had worth the shot. What a shame, I would have liked to share black tea with you."

The lady began to head to the door.

"Wait! How…Mahiru-san is going?"

Hanabusa stopped and turned back.

"Banba-san? Not really well. She refuses to leave her room. The last class trial really affected her. She was so afraid that Shinya-san might have betrayed her. I would want to help her, but I don't know what I can do…"

"Hum, maybe you could give her something. A gift maybe?" Haru proposed.

"A gift? But I can't buy things here, and I don't have access to my money…"

"You don't have to buy or have money to give a gift, you can make one. A gift makes with your hands is more precious than any luxurious gift."

"A gift with my hands? Uh, I do appreciate Banba-san, but…we aren't that close…not yet."

"Huh? Haru was talking about fabricating her a gift. You know, like a strap."

"Oh! Huh, I see. This is how commoners show their affection. I remember that Shinya-san once told me that Banba-san likes to collect objects she received from people. She calls them 'relic' I think."

"Then it's perfect! Haru likes crafting. Straps are my favorite things to do. You should be able to make one. I believe that you have all the material you need in the art club."

"Well, thanks for the advice. Now I need to go see Banba-san and make sure that she ate something today."

Sumireko finally left the room, which seemed to please Tokaku. Haru really hoped that Hanabusa will be able to comfort Mahiru. But she was also kind of worried about her alliance offer and what she claimed about Suzu.

Haru suddenly woke up. It was still the middle of the night. She had a dream about Haruki. She and the redhead were spending time together. In the dream, they were working together on what seemed to be a background, for a play. They took a break together, ate some pocky, and had a friendly chat. It was a normal and nostalgic dream.

But something felt odd in her dream. Haruki's uniform was…different. She still had her bow and her white shirt, and her skirt seemed red, but her jacket…wasn't the same. It wasn't beige, it seemed to be black. Her vision was blurry in the dream, so she couldn't see well. But since it was just a dream, Haru didn't really worry about this small detail.

Haru looked at Tokaku. The blue haired girl was still asleep. She smiled at the sight of her roommate's sleeping face. She couldn't help herself from finding her cute. Haru closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

Sumireko making a relic to Banba. Yes, it will totally went well.

Who Haru should trust the more? Suzu or Sumireko?

While writing this chapter I realised that I kind of like Hanabusa. In fact, there isn't any character in AnR that I dislike. My least favorite is probably Kouko. I do like her, but she's the one I find the least interesting. But I like her quote "I'm the leader of everything".