Alright, as always, I want to tell you all that the poll for Act 4 FTE's is on my profile page! Vote for 1-4 characters, and Tsukushi will spend time with them somewhere along their trek in this new sector!
Review replies!
HyperBrachydios: The difference between Hitman and Assassin is something I'll explain later down the line - it'll be in-story. As for the rest, I won't confirm or deny anything for spoilers sake, but you have some interesting thoughts going on regarding the next chapters. Thanks for being an active reader and reviewer during the trial section, see you in the next one, and thanks for your review!
Pretty Palutena: I know right? Haha, thank you so much for reviewing!
The SENDER and the TRAVELER: I feel like it was really a tragic end for Kiyo but in a way it fit him to a T. After all, being such an asshole to people, he had to have some underlying reasoning to justify it. Seems like murder was his way out, and it didn't work out too well for him, unfortunately. Thanks for leaving a review! (Also, stay tuned for the end-of-chapter A/N, hehe)
Katastic Writer: These depressing end-of-trials must really be taking a toll on these poor students. I still feel like this didn't top the feels from the end of the second Class Trial, but then again, I really grew attached to Frances and especially Blackjack as characters, so it was no wonder I strongly felt that trial the most. As for the lady in the TV monitor, I'm glad you're noticing that the narration is dropping hints to her identity, good eye. As for how the students will react to our new Hitman, that's up for us to see! Regarding the Hitman-being-normally-hired thing, I'll come clean and say it - that is not the reason why the Talent was important. Kiyoshi acted of his own accord during his entire plan! Thanks for leaving your review as always!
Airune: Thank you for the kind words! I hope you enjoy the next chapters even more. Thanks for the review!
ACT 4: Despair is a Dish That's Best Served Cold
CHAPTER 1: Claustrophobia
LATE NIGHT
Location: ?
For some reason, the outside air felt chillier as we took the first step outside the elevator, quickly slithering away from the newly-revealed Hitman. The dwindling number of people we had with every consecutive trial grounds exit made the cold settle in further, rendering us unable to even use body heat as a way to be more comfortable. But did we even consider that? Would we want to be that close to someone else? Maybe someone had been so traumatized by the trial that they'd snap and kill you off.
N-No! Oh, goddamnit, Tsukushi, what the hell are you even thinking!?
"Your inner monologue is more than correct, Hananari-san." the Hitman commented, making me curse lowly at my thinking aloud. "The human psyche is a fragile thing as we've witnessed before - three times now. Love, sadness, stress, worry and other emotions all make or break the case."
"Yeah, right. You probably know lots about that, don't you?" Kikyo spat, not looking Shizuka in the eye. The Hairstylist kept walking forward, a bit tense after she unloaded the snappy remark, although I couldn't gather whether that was due to regret over spitting so aggressively or fear of being hurt by the Hitman.
Sighing, the boy shrugged at shook his head. "I guess it can't be helped. I'm no stranger to killing, yes. But even then, being much more capable than any of you, I still chose to stand down, did I not, Namikaze-san?"
"Shut up." the Hairstylist quickly shot him down, sharing her tension with the air around us, making us all fall into an awkward group silence. In our minds, the thought was clear though - he was right. He might be a Hitman, but that didn't make him kill anyone. Yuzuru was also a skilled Assassin, yet... all the killers were people previously inexperienced. It just goes to show maybe distrust is the safest approach... "Tsukushi... you don't really mean that, do you?"
Flinching, I fell silent, condemning my loud thinking once more. As the group started looking towards the open door, we quickly noticed it had been different once again - we were about to enter unfamiliar territory, as always, and with even less people to explore and make the most of it. The more time we spent here, the less time we wanted to.
Glancing at the open sky above us, I took a deep breath, still shaken over the events of the third execution. The goosebumps that visibly covered my skin were a result of the colder front emanating from the corridor to the new sector and the sheer fright we'd felt over the trial. Feeling a presence behind me, I turned my neck to the side and saw a hunky wall of muscle and flesh. Snuggling closer, Riou held my hand as we walked forward wordlessly.
The trek through the hallway was quiet, only footsteps reverberating from the City's stone walls. In a few instants, audible shivers and the chattering of teeth joined the fray, muffling the deafening silence. As we left the corridor, its walls decked with stone, and the torches inside it doing naught to heat us up as we reached the end of it, we were met by a curtain of cold white mist, a faint, distant light cutting through the fog, like a beacon or lighthouse trying to guide us to safety - if safety was truly attainable in this place.
Shizuka led the way forward as the others stopped to contemplate their next moves. Hesitant, Riou pulled me to follow suit, Sakurako mimicking us, and the rest of the squad pacing along eventually, Chigusa being at the back of the pack, her small frame being now covered by one of Eita's pieces of clothing, the Estimator keeping up alongside her so as to not leave her alone.
The light growing less and less dim, we finally reached a building, the lit inside making it seem warmer as we trudged through the snow on the ground, some of it touching our bare skin during the ensuing blizzard. It was a massive building - a veritable mansion, compared to the huts of Verdant Views or the lake house back in Marine Views. It even held a candle to the resort where we'd all met. The walls were built with logs and other wooden materials, giving it a ski lodge feel, complimented by the surrounding conditions.
As the Hitman pushed the front door open, he looked around. The entrance to the huge cabin-like structure was, in every sense of the word, grand. Almost luxurious. An expensive-looking carpet decorated the floors, various other gems of interior design lining the perimeter and center of the rooms, such as a couple of sofas to the right, and a massive set of stairs leading to an upper and a lower floor to the left. In the center was a set of double doors, with the words 'Mess Hall' writing on a plaque above it.
"I see there aren't nearly enough rooms for all of us." Eita noted, sounding a bit down in the dumps for Estimator's standards. Gathering around the door on the left hall, in between the flights of stairs that led us below or above our current location, we read the plaque above it. "Snowfall Suites #1-#4" he read aloud.
"Well..." Akahana began, after clearing her throat, so as not to stutter mid-sentence. "Since there are four girls, I believe it to be best if we stay here. There should be enough rooms for the remainder of you elsewhere."
With a pained groan, Yatarou retorted. "Not to be rude, but I don't want to be near Shizuka for the time being."
Although we understood his point, looks of disapproval were shot at the Tour Guide before one of the girls conceded. "I don't mind staying in another suite." Chigusa spoke up, much to everyone's surprise, the previously shy, frightful girl seeming to grow even stronger after our friend's death.
Eyes squinting in disdain, Sakurako couldn't help but shake her head and comment. "You should be ashamed of this, Yatarou."
Before any more animosity could rise, the group separated, the four of them going inside the dormitories corridor while Shizuka, Chigusa, Riou, Eita and I all stayed together, exploring further. Going through the Mess Hall, before heading upstairs, led us to a new door on the far side of the expansive room, a single large table to accommodate for what could be dozens of people, but were only nine. Going through the other door, we found ourselves in a mirrored version of the previous room.
As Riou, hand tight around my own, led me to the left side of the room, where a plaque read. 'Snowrise Suites #1-#5' was written on the wooden slab, and we hastily made our way in, revealing a small corridor with two rooms on one side, and three on the opposite wall. A random draw divided us into our separate rooms, Eita and Riou staying in the left wall, while Shizuka and I took the right wall, Chigusa standing between us.
The room was comfortable looking enough for anyone to feel at home - but the cold winter air and the unpleasant view of the great outdoors led us to grow uninterested in the life we led. I was utterly alone, yet I could feel every bit of pain and sadness everyone in this ski lodge was feeling. Every ounce of despair that surrounded us, tightening its grip around me. I could only lay in bed and curl up into a ball as the realization set in. The cold outside started to creep in through the window, and I sighed.
If only Riou was here to warm me up.
EARLY MORNING
Location: Mess Hall
A banquet boasted itself upon me and Chigusa as we made our way to the mess hall, the door shutting behind us automatically. We'd found each other while leaving our rooms after the morning announcement and a quick shower to cleanse ourselves of a tiny part of our stress. The trip through the main entrance of what I'd gathered was called the 'Snowrise Resort', if the tags on the bathroom towels are to be fully believed, was short and silent. I couldn't bring myself to speak after what the Gardener had been through the day before.
Choosing to ignore the swollen lips and puffy eyes she had, I eyed as she asked me dryly. "Who made all this?"
A dismissive shrug was all I could muster. "Dunno." I replied, throwing in a frown.
Chigusa looked around the empty room before sitting down at the nearest seat and digging in, not even waiting for the rest of the people to come. Following her actions, I took a seat next to her - a bit far away nonetheless, as the table was immense - and picked at my food with the silver cutlery we'd been given, waiting for everyone else to arrive.
A creak on the door to the girls' and Yatarou's dorm made me cock my head left, eyes widening as my stomach started to growl. "Morning." Kikyo greeted with little emotion as she approached me, taking the seat next to me and sliding her own food next to mine, so we could hold a conversation. In the middle of our small talk, Shizuka and Akahana came in, followed by Eita, Riou, Sakurako and finally, Yatarou, who arrived only a few short moments after Chigusa stood up and walked towards the Snowrise Resort entrance, finished with her breakfast.
Akahana stood up, making sure to drag the chair's feet across the ground, making a light noise to catch everyone's attention. As Riou was still dazed, she tapped her fork against the bottom of the glass of water she'd poured, and finally began, the Boxer now half-listening. "I believe exploration is in order."
"Why?" Kikyo asked, munching on a piece of buttered toast.
"Knowing our surroundings is essential, Kikyo." she explained, with good points to make. "It could preven-"
"Prevent a murder?" Shizuka interrupted, making the Prosecutorial Attorney's eye twitch ever so slightly. "It hasn't so far. It has only given the culprits the ability to study their environment further and use it to their advantage. The freezer in Sierra Resort during Yuki's case and the movie theater during Yori and Maruko's case are examples of such happenings."
Akahana sat back down and mused. "Do you believe exploration is unnecessary then? Dangerous, even?"
"Heavens, no." The Hitman shook his head, before taking a small sip of a juice he'd found near the corner of the table he exiled himself on. "Exploration is indeed an asset to all of us. We'd be hard-pressed to run away from this Mutual Killing Game unharmed now, either way."
Yatarou voiced something from the safety of the opposite end of the table. "There's not going to be any more murders..."
A scoff from the Hitman threw the Tour Guide into silence. "You don't really mean that, do you? Truly?" He paused before standing up. "Once the ball starts rolling, stress starts piling up and someone is eventually going to break due to the pressure. I merely asked Nakajima-san for her to not use exploration as a means of protection, as it's been proven opposite." Stopping midway towards the Snowfall side of the mess hall, he cocked his head to the side and eyed Akahana. "And evidence is everything, as they say." he added before leaving.
"He's seriously pissing me off..." Yatarou grumbled, going to eat a bit more of his eggs, the bacon that once accompanied them being long gone. "If someone tries to kill someone, please do it to him."
"Hey! That's not funny!" Kikyo stood up and slammed her hands on the table, making the silverware clatter against each other, producing quite a ruckus momentarily. As I eyed the Hairstylist, her bun a little more disheveled than usual, she pat down her kimono and sat down. "Yatarou, that's really dumb of you to say. We've been through hell together. You yourself said there won't be any more murders! So knock it off."
Fidgeting by himself, he finished his dish and left, muttering lowly. "Sorry."
Numbers growing thinner, Kikyo decided to leave, Akahana and Sakurako following her, leaving me alone with Riou and Eita.
"Um..." Riou mumbled, gaining my attention. He was sitting on the opposite side of the table, only a small basket of bread and a jar of apple juice between us. "Do you want to look around together?" he asked sheepishly, a bit of red finding his way to his cheeks. I force a smile and nod, his blushed cheeks growing more vibrant and a smile breaking through the red. "Good." he nodded back and stood up, making me mimic the gesture.
As I turned left towards the Snowfall entrance, he also went to his left, towards the Snworise entrance. Chuckling at the miscommunication, I turned around, only milliseconds before he did too, earning another giggle from the both of us as we both stopped. Calmly, I asked "Snowrise or Snowfall?"
Combing his silver hair with his right hand, an eyebrow was raised. "Snow what?"
"Right or left?" I smiled, his obliviousness making me feel a little better. At least someone here makes me smile. As he started walking towards the Snowfall side, where we'd first come in from yesterday, me following suit, meeting him right by the door before I gave him a small peck on the lips.
"Er-hem." a clear of the throat made itself hear, making me look behind me, to a drowsy looking Eita.
"S-Sorry!" the Estimator shook his head and gave us a dismissive wave, although he didn't look too bothered by the actual kiss. But would he tease us? Probably not.
MORNING
Location: Snowfall Resort - Dungeon
"Wh-What the hell...?" I could only ask as I reached the downstairs area of the resort, eyes wide as I found myself surrounded by metal. Handcuffs chained to the wall, medieval torture devices, caged cells - this had it all. "What kind of resort is this...?"
The dark, damp cavern sent visible chills down Riou's spine. Approaching him, he was startled, skipping a few inches away from me before sighing in relief, coming back. "This place gives me the creeps, Tsukushi."
"Hm?" a voice came from deeper inside the prison cells, and a few footsteps became louder and louder as the person they belonged to came ever closer. After turning the corner, the red eyed male peeking around it, Yatarou came closer. "I see..." the Tour Guide noted to himself, looking down as if he was deep in thought, a hand squeezing his cheeks together, making his lips poke out.
"Yatarou?" I called. "What are you doing down here?"
Jolting his neck back up, he shrugged. "Same as you, I'm guessing." he replied shortly, stretching his back. Hastily resuming his original position, he eyed Riou and I with a look of disbelief, a bit of embarrassment present in his expression, before he curled his lips into a smirk. "Unless you're here for something else." he winked indiscreetly.
A few short moments of silence later, Riou couldn't help but ask. "Huh?"
"Oh, you didn't get the joke?" Yatarou deflated, sighing away his temporary enthusiasm. "I was insinuating you two were gonna... you know, get kinky with the stuff down here."
"Wh-What the hell, Yatarou!" I defend myself, Riou being unable to do so after shying away from the remainder of the interaction, standing still beside me.
The Tour Guide chuckled lowly and waved his hands in front of him, apologizing. "Sorry, sorry. Someone has to lighten the mood around these parts... I thought you could take a joke, Tsukushi."
"I-I can... I would rather you keep those sexual innuendos to yourself, though! At least in front of Riou..."
Turning to face Riou, who had a bit of shade on his face, making his expression difficult to read, Yatarou giggled. "So, the big hunk over here... gets flustered easily?" As soon as the words were out of his mouth, I felt a twinge in the Boxer's presence, as if he twitched angrily.
"Um, Yatarou, maybe you shouldn't tease him..." I warned, enjoying the banter a bit, but worried for the outcome of the situation as the surrounding tension was still high.
"Why?" the Tour Guide joked, keeping his cheeriness about him. "Would big ol' Riou blush? Maybe he'd even act all tsundere-like!"
In a quick blur, Yatarou was flung to the other side of the dungeon, his back colliding against the hard rock wall before he slumped to the ground, groaning in pain. Muffling my laughter with admittedly heartfelt worry, I approached him while looking towards Riou, whose fist was still out. "You okay?" I asked.
Getting back to his feet slowly, Yatarou's legs trembled as he struggled to find the strength to stand once more. "Not quite..." he complained, still a bit dizzy. Noticing Riou approaching him, he flinched, taking a step back. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please don't do this again, or I might break my spine!" he pleaded, genuine fear in his tone.
The Boxer's posture unchanged, he grabbed the Tour Guide in his arms and lifted him up. "Uh, Riou, what are y-"
"Making things right, wait a sec." he requested as he lifted Yatarou over his head and behind his back, his shoulder muscles tensing under the strain, he then started flexing his arms, making Yatarou's body move like a plastic straw, snapping and cracking bones as the Tour Guide was silent, uncertain eyes wide open. As the Boxer put the smaller boy down, he prepared himself to cave in to his lack of leg strength, but was quickly surprised to notice he could stand just fine. "There. That fixed you up."
"Damn, Riou!" Yatarou swooned, excitedly. "I didn't know you could do that! The pain's all gone!" he smiled, his previous tension and fright having vanished completely, making me chuckle lowly at how fast his demeanor and emotions changed.
Cracking the joints on his fingers and back, he gave a quick explanation as to why. "Boxers get hurt all the time. We need to help each other, pipsqueak. Teamwork makes the dream work, or whatever, right?"
Smiling, the boy simply nodded. "Right!" he smiled.
"Did you find anything worth checking around here?" I asked, moving on from the violence that'd ensued a few minutes prior.
"Unless you're plotting something reeeeeally kinky, nope." At the sound of the sexual word, Riou glared at Yatarou, making the Tour Guide recoil in fear. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to, please don't hurt me!"
Relaxing, the Boxer laughed. "Pipsqueaks like you ain't worth my time." Wrapping his arm around me, I snuggled closer to Riou before tensing as he continued. "I've got Tsukushi if I need a sparring partner!"
"R-Right, babe!" I stuttered, internally worried over my well-being - something I didn't know how to hide, if Yatarou's laugh was to be explained. "Since there's nothing around and this place is... well, creepy... what do you say we go back upstairs?"
"Fine by me." Riou smiled, ruffling my red hair. "You comin', pipsqueak?"
Shaking his head, the Tour Guide put his knuckles to his hips and looked around. "I don't feel like third-wheeling, thanks. That'd be no fun for any of us, am I right?" Taking a step back in caution, Yatarou was surprised to not see Riou making any advances. "I'll just give this place another look. Doesn't hurt, right? And it's not like I have anything better to do."
"Right, right." I nodded, before waving him goodbye.
"Oh, Tsukushi!" Yatarou called. "If you see Kikyo, please tell her to meet me! I'll be around here, or exploring the second floor." Nodding, I made my way up the stairs, thinking of where to look next.
MORNING
Location: Snowfall Resort - Indoor Garden
Going through the main entrance of the resort we'd come in through, the grungy, creepy dungeon aesthetic was quickly - and thankfully - replaced by a more natural, tranquil one emanating from the entirety of the second floor, its expansion being a singular green room with plants, potted or otherwise, of all colors, sizes and shapes. Approaching a few bushes, Riou ventured through the plantation.
"I'm seeing a few berries around." the Boxer commented, before squinting his eyes in the direction of the small gathering of trees that was on the opposite side of the room, farthest from the stairs. "Looks like there's plenty of fruit over there, too..." he smiled, before correcting himself. "Well, not plenty for all of us. If we eat healthy, that food will last us a few days at most... I've never been happier the others' eating habits are so bad!" he chuckled, making me smile as well.
"I think I should start eating well, too." I think aloud, scratching my stomach. "It's not like I'm out of shape or anything b-"
Riou quickly chimed in, jumping-jacking over the bushes and back to my side. "Eating well is not only the trick to maintaining your slim figure, Tsukushi! A healthy diet is necessary for a healthy body, inside and out! You can never hope to reach my amount of muscle mass if you do not have a rigorous food regimen!"
"It's not like I want to be as muscular as you..." I justified, before shrugging. "You wouldn't like me if I was that muscular, I bet."
"H-Hey!" Riou tensed, crossing his arms. "That's not true! I like you for who you are inside!"
"Hm..." I pondered, before asking. "So you don't like how I look? Just how I am, personality-wise?" Flustered, the Boxer started stuttering, trying to dig himself a way out of the hole he'd just thrown himself in, before I laugh it off and shake my head, putting a hand of mine to his shoulder. "I was joking! Don't get so worked up over it."
Riou nodded firmly. "Yes! You're right."
Exploring further, he took me near the small orchard in the far side of the room, where the rustling of leaves caught our attention. Looking up, we saw nothing suspicious - only the beauty of nature, complete with firm trunks, intertwining branches, and green leaves that stood eerily still in the heated interior of the room, all of it completely isolated from the cold of the outside.
I took a moment to appreciate the heat, reminding myself of how cold it was in this new unnamed sector of Anghern, and remembering the trek through the snowy surroundings of the lodge. Thoughts of the wild blizzard making a shiver jolt through my body, making me twitch, which garnered Riou's attention. "You alright there?"
"Yeah, yeah, just remembered how cold it was outside yesterday... we really should start exploring outside the house once we're done." I suggested, and the Boxer fell silent. "Something the matter?"
"I don't want you to worry but..." Riou began, inevitably making me fear the worse case scenario that could possibly be the cause of his worry. "I tried to open the door in our side of this house thing, but..." he trailed off, pausing before his conclusion. "It didn't budge. I think we might be stuck."
Sighing in relief, I shook my head. "We came in through this side of the lodge though! It's probably just that one door that's locked. I'm sure we can leave through the Snowfall side. So don't you worry your pretty little mind, okay?" I smiled, making him repeat the gesture, as we stood there smiling for a few more moments. Breaking the silence, I offered. "Do you want to pick some of these berries and fruit? We could eat them together if we decide to go on a walk or something!"
"You're eager to start eating more fruit, huh?" Riou pumped his fist in the air. "That's my boy! Keep up that spirit and you'll be leaner in no time!" he encouraged, quickly retracting his final words. "N-Not that you need to be leaner!"
A chuckle exited my mouth as I lunged for a hug. "I know, I know, I was joking earlier!" I reassured him as I felt him hug back.
"Er-hem..." a small, high-pitched clear of the throat made us turn around, facing a small girl, two braids falling on either side of her face, green eyes shining behind her white-rimmed glasses. "Hello there, you two." she greeted us, although not as warmly as usual - expectedly so.
"Hello, leaf pipsqueak." Riou nodded in salutation, making Chigusa smile awkwardly at the nickname.
"Hey, Chigusa. What are you up to?" I asked, curious as I approached her, Riou in tow.
"Kikyo told me there was a garden here, so I came to see it." Holding what she had in her hands, she showed us a watering can. "I found this over in a small shed with gardening supplies. It's in the corner if you want to check it out... there's... a few dangerously sharp tools there."
Tension rising inside Riou, his stiffness affecting our grip, I nodded. "I wouldn't worry." I voiced, although my hopes were not as high as they once were. "We'll be done with this in no time." I reassured, before quickly changing the topic, not wanting to argue my slightly dishonest expectations any further. "What part of the garden are you tending to?"
"All of it." she revealed, her voice a bit lower and less emotive than usual - again, expectedly so.
"With that little watering can?" Riou asked, surprised.
Chigusa nodded. "Yeah. It's not that difficult. I'll just need to make a few trips to the hose and back. It'll take a while but..." the Gardener paused for a sigh, and a shrug. "It's not like I have anything better to do, do I?"
"Right..." I responded awkwardly, failing to keep the momentum of the conversation going, which is easier said than done when you're speaking to someone's who just lost a loved one. "Um... would you like any help?"
A dismissive shrug later, the Gardener refused. "I'll be fine, thanks. You can stay if you want though, I won't stop you."
"Right..." I repeated. "We'll, um... be going then. Hit us up if you need anything."
"Hmhm." she remarked uninterested, before Riou and I bid her farewell.
Standing on the tips of my toes to reach the Boxer's ears as we walked towards the stairs, I whispered. "Do you want to get that fruit later?"
"Sure." he answered, getting the hint that perhaps, Chigusa would prefer being alone with her plant friends for the time being. "Where should we go next?"
Leaning against the railing of the stairwell that led to the floor below, I pondered the possibilities. "We haven't checked the second floor or the basement of the other side of the lodge. The one we slept in."
"Let's go see it then."
LATE MORNING
Location: Snowrise Resort - Breaker Room
It was a couple of minutes before we'd finally went down the stairs of the opposite resort. Firstly, examining the front door of the Snowfall Resort, Riou noted that it wouldn't budge whether it was pushed or pulled, and eventually gave up on trying to force it open, as we were both scared to break something and face dire consequences from Monokuma's rules. Passing through the empty mess hall, we arrived at the Snowrise Resort, a mirrored version of where we were previously. After repeating our actions, looking around the living space and the dorm corridor, I led the way downstairs before catching someone moving out of the corner of my eye, approaching the exit.
"Riou?" I call the Boxer, tiptoeing over the railing to see what he was doing. "What's up?"
As Riou shook the door towards and away from him repeatedly, the door simply rattled, unable to move inwards or outwards. A sigh later, Riou shrugged and turned to me. "No luck here either. That bear pipsqueak's got us locked inside."
"You don't think that he'd do that, right?" I asked, pondering a bit before shaking my head. "You're right, maybe he would... wouldn't surprise me. But open an entire sector and have us trapped here? Hardly logical."
"Maybe, maybe. Who cares?" he conceded, cracking his finger joints. "Let's go down."
Nodding, I went down with Riou following closely. At the bottom of the stairs was a door labeled 'Breaker Room'. Opening it, we went inside, entering a dimly lit room, only a weak lamp swinging slightly, hung from the ceiling by a thick thread. The interior of the room was musty, and a few stray particles of dust filled the air, making me cough every so often.
"Hello, Ryielo-san. Hananari-san." a voice came from the far side of the room, in the right hand corner. From behind a cubic object covered by a big, dirty tarp, came a black-haired boy in a black sleeveless jacket and oxford shoes. "Fancy seeing your here. Exploration going well?"
Initially apprehensive, I simply nodded as I felt my nose getting runny, and my vision slightly blurry, while Riou groaned hesitantly. "Yeah. Yours?"
"Likewise, likewise." the Hitman replied, clapping his hands at arm's reach to get rid of the dust he'd gathered on his palms. "I have found a cabinet near that corner over there." he revealed, gesturing towards where he'd just come from. "Lots of dangerous, high-voltage electrical appliances could be found there. They're, as I said, dangerous. So I suggest we don't make them public."
Bewildered by his choice of words, Riou retorted. "What do you mean?"
"They are potential murder weapons, you see, Ryielo-san? It'd be best if we kept them a secret." Shizuka revealed, getting the same reaction from Riou and I - confusion. "I see I don't make myself clear. What is the problem?"
"Why'd you tell us if... you want to keep... those a secret?" I voiced my query, sniffling. My head started to feel a bit lighter as I spoke.
"You okay, Tsukushi?" Riou asked. I nodded, not wanting to worry him with such a trivial detail as this.
Eyes squinted, Shizuka commented. "I do recall you looking like this before. Before my disappearance in the second sector, where Kanzaki-san met her maker." he remembered her name with longing, clearly missing his other cohort. "What seems to be the matter is... beyond me, however."
"It's none of your business." I spat a bit too aggressively. "Sorry. You were saying?" I quickly corrected myself, not wanting to get on a Hitman's bad side, and moving the conversation along to the previous topic.
"Ah yes. You two are the only ones I trust in this game anymore." he stated matter-of-factly, leaving Riou and I in the dust. "Surprised? Don't be."
"Why would you trust us but not anyone else?" Riou spoke, his roaring, booming voice keeping me awake for a few extra seconds.
Shizuka then explained, raising his left hand's fingers as he listed off the other participants. "Takagawa-san has just been through a grave loss, you see? That, coupled with her newfound vigor and strength, can prove dangerous in a murder scenario. Kurogane-san and Nakajima-san are both capable of outsmarting any other competitor in this game. Nekomirin-san and Namikaze-san have been increasingly more and more tired and angrier at each consecutive case, therefore, a hate crime isn't too farfetched to think about, especially when we consider me being the potential target. Finally, Ohwatani-san can commit a crime on a whim, due to her being emotionally unstable after Baishou-san's death, circling back to Takagawa-san."
"And what does that have to do with us?" Riou asked.
"You two have each other, and are in love with each other, correct?" After being met with two awkward, silent nods, Shizuka continued. "That means you wouldn't dare commit a crime and sacrifice each other. Hananari-san's brains or Ryielo-san's brawn would be reasons for me to worry, but the bond that binds you together eases my distrust in you. Clear?"
After a hesitant quietness, Riou snorted. "Right. No telling then." After pondering for a short moment, he nodded. "Yeah, that'll be good right, Tsu... Tsukushi?"
Bam.
A/N: Back for Act 4! Next time we'll explore the rest of Snowrise Resort!
I also want to apologize to The SENDER and the TRAVELER, a.k.a. Kiyoshi's submitter, for completely forgetting to thank them last chapter and for taking so long to amend that. Kiyoshi was a character that, although I didn't like too much at first due to him being such a lazy bum, was still a blast to write from start to finish, and quickly became a favorite among the readers. Thank you for giving me the pleasure to write him, and sorry for not doing this sooner!
Also, sorry for the hiatus this took. I don't really have much of a reason besides laziness, really? I've been starting loads of other projects on the side, like planning out other stories, writing some other stuff, getting really invested in a couple of games, watching anime and maintaining a social life (who'd have guessed that was important, huh?). I've been pushing the SYOC back in my schedule time and time again, so I'll try to get rid of that habit and update more regularly! Bear with me, please.
That being said, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and stay tuned for more! Until next time... Yamazaki out!