Rieka

I sincerely hoped that I would not come to regret these words in the end, but it wasn't a lie, and now the idea was out there, already I was plotting.

"I think he's right too, actually." I said. "This is an opportunity and we should take it."

"Take it?"

Ritsuka's eyebrows were raised very, very slightly and I threw a grin at her before looking at them all again.

"Since as this one over here said, the place hasn't been investigated yet, I think we should take the opportunity to go there ourselves. In fact, why don't we make a proper trip out of it, an expedition?"

"A road-trip," Otsuka nodded slowly. "We can rent a minivan and go on what would essentially be a road-trip. Though, I'm not interested in wasting time on this-we need to get there as quickly as possible."

"Woah, we're actually gonna do it?"

Mitsuhide widened his eyes almost comically, but I could see the glitter in them, the excitement. He grinned, slightly defiant and I had to laugh.

"Yes, of course we're going to do it! What do you think we're for?"

"Won't it take a long time to get there? It's near enough the other side of the country, isn't it?" Akagi wondered.

"It's not that far, but yes, we'd need to look that up-"

"According to this, the fastest direct route with the best traffic is just under two days. I suspect that considering what real life might be like, it would take something closer to two and a half days."

Akemi held up her phone as she said this, and we could see a journey planning site open, with a map image above a list of different timings, a red line snaking across it, from where we were in Towa City right up to Shirohata, marked by a little pin. A virtual pinboard-I could imagine a map like this on my own board.

"That's good," Otsuka said. "That's not bad at all."

All of us nodded and for a moment the excitement surged, but then Akagi put his hand up, face falling.

"Ah, hold on…there's no way any of our adults are going to actually let us go though, are they…?"

"Obviously, we don't actually need to tell them that's exactly where we're going," I rolled my eyes. "Duh. I mean, we'll have to say something of course so they don't freak the fuck out but we can fudge that. Say something like we're going to have a club retreat or something."

"We're not in a club though?" Akio asked.

Something in his voice made me look over at Akio properly, and I could see his brow was furrowed and he was biting his lip.

"What are you talking about, of course we are? Once we solve this we can become like the detective's club and solve mysteries around New Hope's Peak."

"Oh, like HaruChika?" Akemi asked. "I liked that anime."

"Did you?" I asked. "You're the first person I've met who actually liked it, but yeah, like that except none of us are musicians either. Well, apart from you, I guess, but yeah, precisely. We can just say we've formed our club early and we want to get to know each other better so we can start off our school life with a bang…or words to that effect. Presumably you can provide a cover location or something?"

I gestured at both Mitsuhide and Otsuka, and while the latter glared the former looked thoughtful.

"I could, but I do not think anything in the nearest region would be empty at the moment and I imagine that would be a problem."

"You imagine right, bud," I said flippantly. "Still, we can figure that out eventually. The main thing is when we're going and how we're doing this."

I grabbed up my notebook and was about to ask Akemi about the route she'd looked up when I realised that Akio was still sitting there looking none-too-pleased. If anything, his frown had deepened. He seemed, as far as I could tell anyway, the only one who had any kind of negative feeling about this, which was annoying.

"Hey, what's up, Arisato-kun?" I asked. "Something bothering you?"

Akio bit his lip again, and didn't initially answer, instead fiddling with his necklace for a moment. Akagi murmured an encouraging sentiment and Akemi gave him a smile, and after that he did answer:

"My mum and her class, they were kidnapped while on a road-trip, like you're suggesting this would be, and doesn't the risk increase if we're not actually telling anyone where we're going?"

"Oh, psssh, lightning doesn't strike twice!"

It's not like I was stupid, or anything. After all, Otsuka had been followed. Even if she was a little so-and-so acting as if being the one to write newspaper articles made her better than me, I felt like I understood her. She would not lie about something like that. And of course, Ritsuka could verify, and though she was a bit of a cold fish she struck me as reasonably solid too. I hadn't forgotten my uncle's words either-be careful, have a team with you.

Yes, this'd be risky, but I had a team, didn't I? I was sitting right here, with them. We were doing this as a team, so if anything came up, surely we'd be able to manage it anyway? That's what I wanted to think anyway.

That, and I still wasn't about to back down.

"We can't not take the opportunity! This could actually be our chance to find something key!"

"I know, but…" Akio pursed his lips, worriedly.

"Oh come on, it's not as if we're just running away in the middle of the night," I scoffed. "They'll know we're out of reach, we're just fudging the truth."

"But…."

To my irritation, Akio still didn't look that pleased, but then quietly, Akagi spoke up.

"We can always leave timed messages or something in our emails, to send out if we don't delete them after a certain amount of time. That way, if the worst happens…"

"Yes, that might be a good idea. Then at least we would be able to get help in such a scenario." Akemi agreed.

"Oh yes, naturally I'll be doing something like that myself." Otsuka said.

"See, no problem at all! Besides, if we're smooth about it, chances are nobody will notice a thing-well, until we present our evidence to the police and help to solve the case." I said, grandly. "This is the best way to prove ourselves, and we can have some fun in the process!"

"A bonding activity, right?" Akemi suggested.

"Sure, sure." I said, part dismissively, though I didn't dislike the idea, per-se.

"That's something I can get on board with." Akagi remarked.

Akio was still frowning a little, but he nodded slowly anyway. I supposed I could get him to loosen up a little later on. It was at least something that he wasn't outright opposing the idea, that'd be a downer for sure. Ritsuka just remained quiet, so I had no idea what she was thinking, but that was still better. Otsuka gave them a glance, probably wondering similar things to what I was, and then swiftly moved on:

"So, anyway, we'll need drivers. I know how to drive, but there is no way I'm doing all the driving."

"I can." Akemi said almost immediately.

"Pfft, of course you can," Otsuka shrugged, flapping a hand dismissively at her. "Anyone else?"

"Before this case hit, my dad was starting to teach me, but that doesn't really count as knowing how to drive." Akio said sheepishly.

"That's alright, I can help you." Akemi said almost instantly.

"Let's save the driving lessons for after the trip." Otsuka rolled her eyes.

Akemi blinked, then rather unexpectedly laughed. It was a clear, tinkly sound, like pretty glass bells. We all stared at her for a moment, even Akagi. She looked up at us, a lock of hair draped over her shoulder and she blushed slightly before sitting up again. She laughed a little more again, then nodded at Otsuka.

"Sure, that's not a problem."

"I can drive too," I added. "If you want me to."

"Oh trust me, you'll be doing your fair share!"

"I can, too!"

I really shouldn't have been surprised, but for the zillionth time I found myself gawping at Mitsuhide. Damn, he's practically an onion, isn't he? Still doesn't stop him from being a snooty idiot. I stuck my tongue out at him and declared:

"I'll be making sure you're doing your fair share too."

"Ah, come now, if I didn't want to contribute I wouldn't have said anything. Besides, this was my idea, right?"

"No it was not." Ritsuka said instantly.

"Well, it was Okita-kun's musings that set the idea into motion." Akemi said diplomatically.

Mitsuhide gave a smug smirk and a little sniff, directed at me. I pointedly turned my head away, but thankfully he didn't turn this into the Mitsuhide Parade or whatever, and we were able to hash out our plans for our trip to Shirohata, settling for it to be in a couple of days' time, to give us time to get things packed, work out what we were going to say to our adults (well, for those of us whose adult's would notice, anyway) and get ourselves organised.

Me, and my team.

I couldn't wait.

…

Ritsuka

Soon after it was decided that yes, we were officially going to be visiting Shirohata on the sly like a bunch of overzealous kid detectives in a novel, Akemi had to leave in order to be able to make a magazine interview, so at that point we all decided to pack up for the day. Otsuka dragged me to help book a rental mini-van, though quite why she needed me I was not so sure. As it was, I mostly just stood there, first in the queue as she jabbered in her phone making other arrangements, and then while she went back and forth with the person at the desk. I messed around on my phone, then thought of what we had said about drafting messages and scheduling their send-date, just in case of the worst happening. Or, at the very least, something bad happening. Since we had managed to get the specifics of the fastest route (because unlike Class 78-B, while we would be getting some enjoyment out of it, it wasn't really a proper road-trip as such, not the way they had done it-just there and back, as soon as possible) I knew I could easily put those into whatever message I wrote.

Now, as I opened a blank email, I frowned at the screen and tried to work out the best time to send it. Alright, so if getting there takes two days, then it'll be the same back, I thought to myself. I suppose that we might end up taking a couple of days just in case so altogether that's six days. Thinking it through, that sounded right. That was a lot of days to try and be gone, under the radar, at least for the average teenager. Even with Mum working it would be a stretch for me, and I bet Tasuku at least would wonder. Koume would too, but she'd be easier to fob off. Yet, I was only thinking these things out of obligation, to be able to say to myself that yes, I did stop and think.

Because for all my brain was telling me to refuse this, I knew that I wouldn't be. Though that wasn't really a surprise, considering I was still here in the first place. I was going into this knowing the full stupidity but all the same I was going into it. It was a small comfort that at least Akio, too, had some wariness, when not even Akagi or Akemi, the others I'd pegged as at least having some sense of inhibition, showed it. Akemi especially. Then again, I didn't think someone like her had a concept of not being able to do things, so perhaps that wasn't surprising.

"So…." I murmured to myself, returning to my calculations. "I'll give it ten days. That seems reasonable."

I quickly tapped out a message, just a couple of short paragraphs, no reason to waffle on with it, and then set it to schedule send, and set a couple of reminders for me to delete it if we did come back with no issues. I then sent a quick text to Tasuku, telling him that I'd decided to stick around for a while and get to know these people better, things along those lines. Almost immediately, a text came back

Takkun: woaaah since when did you get so proactive with the socialising

Ritsuka: shut up

Takkun: Ahahahaha I'm joking, u know that. But seriously have fun okay. Want me to tell Maiha-san for you?

Ritsuka: knock yourself out

I shook my head in amusement and put my phone away again, looking out at the window at the people going past and then a few moments later, Otsuka tapped my shoulder.

"You done?" I asked.

"No, the only vehicle that'd be any use for us won't be coming back in till tonight, so I can't sign any of the paperwork or get the keys until tomorrow."

"So, we're coming back tomorrow?"

"You got that right," Otsuka nodded. "So, before then, we better make sure to get some more research in. Let's go."

I rolled my eyes at that, but followed anyway. It wasn't as if I was going to do any different after all.

…

Akemi

Pfft, of course you can. Of course you can. Of course. You.

I was used to having my mind whirr around and around and around, scrambling furiously while on the outside I had to remain as still and serene as fresh snowfall. Nobody cared that a duck's feet paddled furiously as long as the duck was just gliding along the water as it was supposed to, after all. That was how I lived my life-hiding a mess of twigs and leaves under the snow, concealing paddling feet. It was almost second nature by now.

But the thing was, these thoughts were not like the ones I had had to hide before.

Pfft, of course you can.

The way Otsuka had said it, complete with the hand gesture and the slightly bored look. As if it was just another thing about me. Not a big deal something, just a part of me the way…well, any of my traits were. And something so ordinary, so not that dramatic, that it could be something to dismiss like that. Like it was a joke.

Thinking about it, it was what friends did, didn't they? Sitting on my own at lunchtime, I would inevitably overhear the chatter of all my classmates with each other, and they'd say things like 'Oh Hyouta-kun you're such a doof' or 'Of course you'd say that you weird' and 'Kirigaya-san, why am I not surprised?'. Things like that.

Otsuka's comments had sounded exactly the same as those sorts of comments.

And it was that I couldn't let go of, as I sat at the interview, the idea that I had been rendered ordinary enough in someone's eyes to be worthy enough of such a comment. It was that that spun around and around in my head. It was that which made my polished veneer slip, just a little bit. The interviewer didn't seem to really notice, they were smiling in that slightly dopey way that told me that they were completely dazzled by the idea of what I was, and that it'd take something more extreme (like seeing my hands, like seeing me without my make-up) for them to really notice that I wasn't my best. But once or twice, as I had to pause to think and make my face look thoughtfully contemplative to hide my distraction, I noticed my parents out of the corner of my eye, frowning, crossing their arms. They noticed, for sure. They'd made their lives all about my perfection, after all, of course they'd notice.

In any case, I didn't absorb a word of the interview, somehow managing to keep going anyway, and eventually it was over. As we were being driven home, my parents didn't say a word but I could feel the disappointment, the disapproval that I wasn't the paragon of perfection they'd wanted me to be the moment they'd found out how that day had changed me. As soon as we got home, they both mentioned a social engagement they had, heading up to get ready. I looked at the calendar, and sure enough, they did. With people whose names I recognised as just being friends of theirs. Friends, and nothing more.

It was something I would have envied them for. But not anymore. Not anymore.

I bounded up to my bedroom and changed for the third time that day, back into the more casual clothes I'd worn to meet those precious new friends of mine even though they'd technically been used already. It was not as I would be going out into public again for today, after all. Having only barely pulled the top over my head, I then dove straight for my cupboard, with only one thought in mind: packing for the trip. Mentally running over the sorts of things I'd need for running away with my friends (for it was running away, there were no two ways about it, as far as I was concerned, even if the reprieve was just temporary), I started to dig through and look for those things. Piles started to form on my carpet and I started to feel giddy with excitement when a knock came on my door.

As if I was a balloon, and a pin had just been stuck in me, I deflated. I hung my head for a moment, sighing, preparing myself for what was to come. Tucking my hands back under my sleeves, I called out.

"Come in."

My mother opened the door but remained in the doorway, dressed more casually, but a lot prettier. The dress vaguely reminded me of something I'd once picked out with my father years and years ago, for a birthday present. Obviously, this wasn't that actual dress. Not least because she wouldn't want to be seen dead in something over a decade out of fashion when she was the daughter of a prodigy, not unless it was one of those 'timeless' pieces.

She wasted no time in telling me what she wanted to say:

"Your interview was not up to your usual standards, it was clear that Hisakawa-san was pleased with the time spent, and it will nonetheless do a lot to promote you-what are you doing?"

While glad the impeding lecture had been cut short by her surprise, I was extremely glad that I had not pulled out my suitcase yet. My mind spun, and spun again, but I was able to give an answer almost seamlessly:

"Oh, I was just thinking that it would be a good time to sort through all my things and get rid of anything that I do not need, that way I can make room for more fashionable outfits and any other resources I may need in the next few years. I could give anything in good condition to a charity or two."

She looked at the pile of clothes and nodded critically.

"Yes, we do not want you out and about in out-of-date clothes, after all, that would create a bad impression. But donating to charity, now…"

I could see the cogs turning in her head, more or less, which way they were turning. No, if she had anything to do with it, I would not simply be carting a few bags to a building and handing them over before leaving, barely noticed. No, it would be another event.

"Well, I suppose then since you're thinking so well ahead we can forgive your slight lapse-just please remember that you are meant to do better. We haven't put everything into you just for you to decide that you don't need us anymore now you've been accepted into the world's greatest institute."

"Oh, no, I won't," I apologised, adopting the perfect contrite look. "It won't happen again."

"I thought so. You wouldn't have been granted your exceptionality for no reason, after all. Just remember, Akemi, it's a gift, and gifts shouldn't be wasted."

Granted it. That was almost something to laugh about. This was no talisman or charm, no special present, no blessing. It had been chance, fluke. Instead of being here, having this conversation, Mum could have ended up wandering in here, looking at an empty room still decorated like a space-obsessed-but-ordinary-seven-year-old's dream. Or maybe she'd have been the type to box everything away, and she'd just have come in here for a moment to herself. Or maybe, maybe, nothing would have happened, nothing at all. I would have recovered and continued on, ordinary, and then perhaps this conversation would have been something more ordinary. Whatever an ordinary evening conversation between a mother and daughter was meant to look like. Any of those things could have happened.

Any of them.

But of course, I was not that lucky-because this so-called gift was not really luck. No, what had been luck was Akio openly approaching me with an offer of friendship, laughing with the whole group, Otsuka rolling her eyes at me without thinking about it. I had been lucky in getting these things, and for the first time in a while thinking that potential, long-forgotten tragedy wouldn't have been the better option, after all.

"I know, Mum."

"Good, good. Well, I'll leave you to it then-do let me know once you are done and what charities you are thinking of donating to, so I can make arrangements."

She didn't wait for me to answer this time, instead leaving the doorway, not bothering to shut the door. I got up and went over, listening to the sounds of my parents chatting, words indistinct but their satisfaction clear. I knew they wouldn't give any further thought to me for the rest of the day, not unless it was to brag about me to those friends of theirs. Indeed, they wouldn't be back the whole evening, once again. I stood there, waiting until I'd heard the door close behind them, and then I sighed, closing my own.

There was packing to do, after all.

…

Ayuna

My heart was hammering as, once I had changed and eaten my breakfast, I bent down to look under my bed, grabbing the suitcase and pulling it out. Kneeling on the floor, I opened it up and pulled the script out, flicking through it, occasionally tracing some of the letters. It was all typed, and this wasn't the copy that'd had Seiko's handwritten annotations all over it, but all the same. It felt like her last words, in a way, and I didn't know what to think about giving them over to the others.

I needed to though, and really, I should have done it a long, long time ago. But better late than never, right? Would you say that too, Seiko?

I sighed and shook my head, then got up, brushing my knees down with my free hand. I kicked the suitcase back under the bed, not caring if I scuffed it, and then put the script carefully in my bag before looking around the room to make sure that I had everything and heading out.

There were thankfully no reporters lying in wait, so it was easy for me to leave and make my way to Eikichi's hotel, and the journey was largely uneventful. I decided to walk it, though it was would have been easier to take the bus at least partway there, thinking that the motion would help to clear my head. I wasn't worried about not being on time, as I'd planned to do this anyway and had left a little earlier to do so. It did help, a little. Of course, the script in my bag felt as if it was burning a hole in it and I was trying to think of the best ways to make my point, but I thought it'd be okay.

As I turned a corner, something made me look across the street, and I noticed one of the businesses on that side was a vehicle rental company. Vans, cars, anything along that line. The window was quite wide, and I could see clearly inside to see that there were a number of people around, including two teenage girls waiting in the queue. Although I was across the road, I could clearly see recognise them as Otsuka and Ritsuka, but even if they'd just been any two teenagers the sight gave me pause, and I was transfixed.

Why, I wasn't sure. Not only had I not been part of the crew dealing with finding our van, this wasn't even the rental place that we had used-that'd gone bust years back. But all the same I couldn't help but think back to what it had been like for us, planning our trip. Nonetheless, I slowed and stopped, looking over.

We had the map spread out across the tables, and now we were frowning over it, some of us wielding pens, others looking at things on their phone or tablet.

"I've heard Saitama's got some AMAZING food places," Yuri said, tablet in her hand. "I think it would be nice if we could extend just a little to go there and try some of those."

"Their mall is pretty amazing too, so I'm sure if there are bits and pieces we don't manage to pick up on the way, then we would be able to find those things there." Seiko added.

"Hell yeah!" I crowed. "Let's shop 'till we drop."

"FOOOD!" Yuki contributed cheerfully as he swept into the classroom.

"You alright, Yuki?" Yuri asked, looking up.

"Yeah, I am! Gonna play with Kiran but I forgot my bag!"

"Ah, okay! Have fun, then!"

Yuki grinned and pulled a terrible face, and I pulled one straight back. Yuri and the twins giggled, while Seiko chuckled warmly. Fumiaki also smiled as he tapped his pen idly against our map. Seiko looked over at him.

"So, what do you think? Is it doable?"

Fumiaki's expression sobered slightly as he considered the map, and then he looked up, quiet smile returning.

"We might have to shorten stays elsewhere, but sure, why not?"

We all cheered at that.

I shook my head, realising I couldn't just stand here like this starting across, not least because it was more than a little strange. But even starting walking again didn't quite help me to shake off the new heaviness that had settled over me from remembering how excited we'd been. I wasn't sure why those two were in the rental place in the first place, but Otsuka at least had seemed excited as far as I could tell from across the road. We'd been so excited, and it had all so easily fallen apart.

But that's why we have to do this, to come clean, right?

Keeping quiet hadn't helped after all, had it? Not really, not truly? And now we had reached a point where it wouldn't any longer. That was what I thought.

And that was what kept me walking, even though my head was no longer clear.

…

With all of us settled in Eikichi's room, and Shion having gone cheerfully to shop (I'd told her what some of the best places were back when we were here, though of course not all of them existed anymore, which had pleased her a lot), I got straight to the point.

"We need to tell."

"But why?" Mai asked, plaintively. "Didn't we all decide that this was the best way to go about things?"

"Yes, didn't we?" Friede asked pointedly. "What's changed your mind-particularly you?"

This was directed at Eikichi, who glared a little.

"The videos. It's logical that a record of everything else exists out there if those videos exist. It's not going to look good for us at all if we insist on keeping quiet even in the face of that."

"I suppose there is also the fear that without having our accounts of what happened back then, the police could come to their own conclusions." Takaaki mused.

"What sort of conclusions would those be?" Friede asked.

"The worst ones? You know, the reason we initially stayed quiet?" Eikichi snapped.

"Hey, hey, let's try not to argue, okay," Eizo said. "I'm all for telling, by the way. I always was, so I'm actually glad that we're all starting to think of it now."

Mai blinked at Eizo, surprised.

"It'll hurt them, though."

"Would it be easier for you if you talked unofficially to your husband first, and then anything official went from there?" I asked.

From the way Mai's eyes widened and her fists bunched in her skirt, this apparently wouldn't be easier. She opened her mouth to speak, but words didn't come out. Instead, she struggled to take a breath.

"Mai-?"

"What can you see?"

Friede's concern was interrupted by Azami, who reached over and put a hand on Mai's shoulder, making her look over, blinking and confused.

"What….can I see?"

"Yeah. Look around you-what can you see? Can you name five things?"

"Um….you…..the bed….the curtains, the bathroom door, the coffee mugs, a red suitcase?"

"Perfect. What about things you can hear?"

"How many?"

"Four?"

"Traffic outside….people chatting, music coming from a car…..erm….the breeze, a little."

"Three things you can feel?"

"Um…my skirt material, your hands, my hairclip digging slightly into my hair-I should adjust that, huh?"

Mai smiled unexpectedly and reached up to fix the offending accessory, and Azami nodded, moving her hand away.

"Are you alright now?" she asked.

Mai nodded.

"Yeah. I just realised what you were doing-what would you have done next?"

"Two smells, one taste."

"Ah. Well…thank you."

Azami blushed slightly at this and looked away from Mai. Her gaze landed on Eizo, who gave her a huge smile and this made her blush more. Quickly, she turned her head away and then looked at me. I couldn't imagine that was an improvement since I was gawping, and starting to think of how proud I was of all my friends. With the exception of Friede's parenting decisions, one way or another we'd managed to build lives for ourselves from the rubble of our old lives. We'd done so well, we really had.

But yet, we hadn't truly been free, had we? Truly been able to be happy. Always, in the background, there was our fated road-trip and what had happened at Shirohata. We'd spent our life surrounded by ghosts, managing to keep them at a distance, but they'd always been there. They hadn't returned with the reopening of this investigation, they'd just become clearer. Something that hadn't been gone in the first place couldn't return.

We needed to get rid of them.

"What do you think?" I asked Azami.

"I want to talk." She said. "I think…it'll be another clue, for the police, so that they can work out why it happened to us. I'd…like to know why, and who. To understand."

"Sounds like a majority vote for the most part then, huh?" Friede asked.

"What do you think?" I asked her.

Friede shrugged.

"It doesn't matter either way to me, anymore."

She didn't glare, exactly, while saying this but there was something piercing about her gaze that prevented me from probing more, even though I wanted to. Besides, there was something else important that I needed to say first, still burning a hole in my bag.

"Alright then. Alright…what I was thinking was that rather than just say it, unstructured, that we draft a statement from all of us to take in and then see what happens from there. But first, I have something else to tell you."

"Uh-oh, that doesn't sound good." Eizo said.

"No, it isn't," I replied. "It's something that I've been hiding from all of you, even though I shouldn't have…."

And then, I took Seiko's script out of my bag.