Chapter Four: The First Move
The air was still. Not just silent—paralyzed.
Around the school, the others had scattered, absorbed in their thoughts, their fear. Suspicion hung like smoke in the corridors, thick and suffocating. No one trusted anyone, not even themselves.
Tatsuya Kuroda stood up from his spot against the wall and moved without hurry. His footsteps echoed faintly as he stepped into the hallway, his eyes locked on the figure ahead—Mei Tsukino, walking alone.
> "Mei. Wait."
She paused. The tension in her body was subtle but present, like a thread pulled too tight. She didn't turn around right away, only shifted slightly to glance at him over her shoulder.
> "…Why are you following me?"
Her voice was soft, guarded.
Tatsuya's expression was blank, as always.
> "Don't act innocent," he said. "I saw your card yesterday when you dropped it. I know your role."
A flicker of fear passed through her eyes. Just a flicker—barely there. She masked it quickly.
> "What do you want?"
> "Come to the third floor," Tatsuya said, his tone firm. "I have a deal for you."
She hesitated. Searched his eyes. Looking for a threat.
She found none.
Only logic. Cold, unwavering logic.
> "…Alright."
They walked side by side in silence. The halls of Kurohane High groaned faintly with age, dust floating in the dull light like memories suspended in time. The school had once been alive. Now, it felt like a forgotten tomb.
At the far end of the third floor, Mei leaned against a wall, arms crossed. She studied him carefully.
> "We're alone," she said. "What's the deal?"
Tatsuya stepped closer. His voice was low, steady.
> "This game will only get bloodier," he said. "But if you and I align, we can manipulate the system. My plan increases your odds of survival… and mine."
He explained it then—quietly, methodically. The words themselves were never heard. Not by us. The camera of fate lingered on Mei's face as she listened, her eyes widening slightly. Her expression remained unreadable.
When he finished, silence stretched between them.
> "…That's risky," Mei said at last. "But smart."
Tatsuya waited.
> "Okay," she said with a nod. "I accept your deal."
He returned the nod—just a faint incline of the head.
> "Good. Then let's go. Too much absence draws suspicion."
---
Downstairs, four students sat in a circle on the cold floor.
Ren. Aoi. Daichi. Shun.
The air between them was heavy, every movement slow, cautious.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway. Heads turned.
Shun didn't look up.
> "There you two are," he said. "Come. Sit with us."
Tatsuya and Mei said nothing. They joined the circle.
The tension, once manageable, now felt like a rope stretched over fire.
> "Nice stroll, huh?" Ren muttered, half-smirking. "Plotting your escape route?"
> "Or maybe planning their next move," Aoi added, eyes sharp as glass, staring at Mei.
> "Guys…" Daichi's voice was nervous, rising like a boy trying to break a fight before it could start. "Please, not this again."
Before anyone could answer, the intercom crackled to life.
A static hum.
Then the voice.
---
> "Hello, players. Hope you're enjoying the game.
But I must tell you something…"
They froze.
> "The Killer has already touched someone."
The words hung in the air like smoke from a gun.
> "They now have one mark.
Two more, and that person dies.
Be careful who you trust.
Let the second day… begin."
Click.
The intercom cut off.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Then—
> "What the hell?!" Aoi shouted, standing up so fast her chair screeched behind her. "Someone's already been touched?!"
> "No… no way…" Daichi gasped. "Who was it? Did anyone feel something?!"
> "We won't know," Ren said, serious now. "That's the point. The Killer won't announce it."
> "This is getting worse," Mei whispered, wrapping her arms around herself. "Fast. If we don't stop them soon…"
> "Guess wrong," Shun cut in coldly, "and someone innocent loses a life. We don't vote unless we're sure."
Aoi's eyes locked onto Tatsuya.
> "You were gone. With Mei," she snapped. "That's pretty suspicious."
Tatsuya didn't blink.
> "Suspicion without logic is useless," he said, calm as stone. "I told you before—panic plays into the Killer's hand."
> "We were talking," Mei added firmly. "That's all. You can believe what you want."
Daichi looked around at them all, his voice trembling.
> "We said we wouldn't split up. But now… we can't trust anyone."
> "Yeah," Ren muttered, a dry smile tugging at his lips. "That's the fun part, isn't it?"
Aoi clenched her fists.
> "If the Killer touches me, I swear I'll take them down before I go."
Shun's voice cut through the air like a blade.
> "Brave words. But useless if you don't know who it is."
Silence again.
Everyone sank into it. Into the knowing dread that the game had truly begun.
Tatsuya's eyes flicked toward Mei.
She didn't look at him.
But he knew.
He knew what came next.
> The second day has begun.
Now the real game starts.
If I make the wrong move… someone dies.