Volume 1 - Chapter 1.8

“Isn’t the security here a little too tight? I mean, even if there are lots of bad insects around her— I think this is a little too…”

“If she didn’t put it, then there will be cameras filming from every window on the mansion.”

“How extreme!”

“You’d be fine. I guarantee you~”

“If you say so… But still, I want to know about her as much as possible. You are probably the only person who’d know about her personality… Is she the strict type?”

“Only when she’s working. But there are certain things I’m not quite sure. Anyhow, I guess it’s trivial.”

“Even as her vice, there are things you do not understand…? Trivial or not, let’s hear it.”

“Okay then, if you say so.” She said. “Except for the principal, I’d never see her interact with other guys. In fact, it seems she despises every man.”

“What!? That’s crucial!”

Trivial— over my dead body! I had a feeling this girl is literally messing with me!

“Though I’m Kuroyuki’s vice, but the Kuroyuki I know is the Kuroyuki who’s working.”

“And your point?”

“You will be living with her under the same roof, and you might be able to witness a side of her which no one else knew. But then again, who knew how will she react?”

She had a point. But why does the principal design such a system for us to be living under the same roof?!

“…Okay… what is the worst case possible?”

“Death, probably.”

It’s a matter of life and death!?

“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR THAT!!!”

“It’s probably a joke.”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN PROBABLY!? MY LIFE IS AT STAKE ALL OF THE SUDDEN!”

“You will be fine~” She reminded me once again. “Like I said, both you and Kuroyuki are the abnormal ones.”

Abnormal, huh? She worded this way on purpose. If the words she uses are like special or unique… that’d make us no less sounds like a monster. She took our feelings into consideration.

…Quite thoughtful of her.

“Thank you~ Persia is very happy when you praised her~”

Why on earth are you talking from the third person perspective all of the sudden like my little sister?

“Please talk normally, Persia. You just reminded me some sort of nightmare…”

“Nightmare? I see… so you were already planning on which coffin you should buy…”

“I’m not a mummy or vampire and I’m not going to die!”

“But you are the first to pull off a gun using that system you know?”

When she suddenly threw me those words out of the blue, I was stunned for a moment because I need to process her words. As usual, her topic switching skills were too sudden. I had a hard time to catch up.

Gun and system…? And what are we talking about again? Abnormal?

“You mean the old model auto pistol?” I referred.

By the way, the pistols I made were P18C.

“That’s right. Because the system’s main function was to allow something simple to be made, and most students use weapons such as knives, sword, spear, bow, daggers, and so on… You realised your first pistol failed to work, is it not?”

“So that’s why… because the mechanism of a pistol was too complicated. That’s why when I separate the parts and organise them one by one, it works.”

“Yes. Something like think out of the box, I guess?”

“Hold on— then doesn’t this turns out to be super hard!? Those holograms had guns!? What is he thinking? Is he expecting us to be good enough to fight with melee weapons!?”

“It was expected to. But the way you use the swords are quite common among the S Ranks. But as for the shield... no one uses that since it’s not recognised as a weapon. How did you pull that off?”

“Eh? Can’t you just sharpen the edge of the shield and throw it to them?”

My immediate answer leaves Persia to be speechless. Because the answer is overly apparent.

“It feels like I’m taking water with my hands instead of using a container… hahaha…” She murmurs.

It seems a little self-decrepitating for her.

“It’s fine. You merely sort things out a little extreme. You just to think simple enough.”

“Simple enough… Maybe I will. Even if I’m stuck, I’m sure you will help me~”

“That depends. I had my own problems at current hand. So I’m not sure I have the time and power to help you.”

“Then… if I asked for help, will you come and save me?”

“No, I can’t save you. I’m not that almighty. But I can help you to find a way to save yourself or lend you a hand, I guess…”

“Hehe~ Then I will find you when the time really comes~”

The time…?

These two words are on the verge from escaping out from my tongue. But it did not, as the main entrance in front of us was opened, as if someone is pushing it inwards.

“Such a fancy looking door.”

“I know, right~? This academy sure is rich~”

We’d step into it. To a lobby, once again. Unlike the Student Council Presidents Building, this lobby is empty. Though there are several expensive decorations hung and placed all over of it, there’d be nothing but a lift on the left middle of the hallway, a staircase at the end of the hallway, and a door at the right end of the hallway.

“Follow me~” Persia told me.

We’d enter the lift. It then closes and moves to the 1st floor automatically.

I wondered where does that door at the lobby lead to…?

At any rate, I’m getting nervous again. Though my chat with Persia made me calm down for a moment, but now I’m nervous again.

The lift opens.

God, my palms are sweating.

There’s a door right in front of us. Of course, yet another fancy looking door made with glass.

We stepped out from the lift.

If I’m correct, our current position was in the middle of a hallway, similar to the lobby. Though I’d saw a staircase at the left of the hallway, but that isn’t the end of it. There’s a turn after a corner, I guess it leads to somewhere else, I guess I will check on it later. Similarly, the right side of the hallway too— except it does not have the staircase.

Surprisingly, out of the three possible choices, Persia walked forward and pressed the doorbell screen right next to the door in front of us. The closest one.

This was too sudden. My heart was left completely unprepared.

“Hehe~ Nervous, aren’t you~?”

She’s making fun of me.

The door slides up afterwards. There’s no chance for me to make a comeback with a retort.

I took a peek from the outside, but what I saw was nothing but a vast space within.

“Sorry to intrude, but I’m coming in~” Persia said, and enters the room.

I took a deep breath, tailing behind.

“…………!”

The scenery of the room ultimately left me with nothing but a dropping jaw.

WHAT THE HECK!? ISN’T THIS PLACE TOO LARGE TO BE A CLASSROOM!!?

With just a glance, I immediately understood the structure and size of this room. Except for the height, it had the exact same area as the training room!

I then looked around.

If I didn’t check for the air conditioning system, I’d never realised that the ceiling was made of glass. High-class paintings were hanged on the walls, and there were ornamental plants around the room. The interior design looked like a six-star hotel.

Personal study devices, air conditioning system, fridges, the newest model office chair, a kitchen, a meeting room, and so on. This surely has more than enough space, facilities and equipment— for just two students to use…!

And all of them seems to be the latest technology of what this island is able to provide.

But yet…

…apart from all of those, what was most obviously distinct from everything else in the room, was a single girl, reading a book under the light of the sun.

An illusion.

As if it’s like a painting.

The moment I saw it, both my mind and body froze.

“…………”

Realising there were visitors, the girl placed a bookmark in her paperback book and looked up.

After she gave me a quick once-over with a cold look in her eyes, she muttered in displeasure.

“……Why is he here?” She asks Persia as she moves her chair back to the centre.

If I recall back on what I know about Kuroyuki Shiroha, then her question (that looks simple) isn’t something that simple. If it’s about my enrolment, then she’d knew already because the principal might’ve already informed her. She’d already known when she saw my white blazer. She’d already known when she fought me. It shouldn’t be related to something from my identity as a special student, as her partner.

Then what could she mean by that?

My brain immediately traces me back to the source of it.

‘Postscript, one escaped’ immediately pops up inside my mind.

“L-Like I said, I’m not one of them…!”

Crap, I stuttered.

“…SILENCE.”

In that moment.

As if a gust of wind suddenly hurls to me, smacking on my face— though there are none.

As if a scythe was placed on my neck, and moving a single step would’ve sliced off my neck.

As if a gun was placed on my forehead, and even the slightest movement would’ve triggered it.

As if I’m facing at a person that’s even dangerous than a demon.

I tried to run.

But I can’t move.

It’s as if my feet were being nailed to the floor. It’s even worse than getting crushed under several tons of weight. There’s not even a room for my body to tremble. There’s no room for my legs to shake.

What is this…?

Fear?

That can’t be. Something like this was supposed to be useless years ago.

It’s her killing intent.

It’s so strong that one doesn’t even have the strength to react.

Absurd;

Ridiculous;

Disgusting…!

What on earth had you been through…!?

Why on earth do you have those eyes like you’ve taken several thousands of life…!?

I don’t want that…!

“…You passed.”

“Gu— hah…!”

As if everything, like a curse, has suddenly been lifted. My foot that refused to move, finally stepped forward, and I’d managed to take a breath.

“…Persia, why is he here?”

Kuroyuki stared at Persia.

“Well… Instead of sending him to the disciplinary committee, I’d suggest him to be placed under your custody~”

It seems we are back on that topic; about how should they deal with me. So… this means I will be under Kuroyuki’s watch.

I seriously thought that was just a joke, but it’s actually something serious.

If that’s the case, I need to defend myself.

“Custody? I did nothing wrong! It was a coincidence…!” I said to Kuroyuki.

“…Then blame yourself for matching too well with their timing.”

It seems no matter the reason, Kuroyuki will definitely give me a punishment.

“I apologise then.”

“…Apology rejected. You don’t even know what were you apologising for.”

She’s right. I have no idea what have I done wrong. In fact, I’m completely innocent.

“You can’t blame him, it’s not like you don’t know he had a bad sense of direction~” Persia interrupted.

Bad sense of direction…? Me?

“…Having a bad sense of direction isn’t an excuse.”

That said, Kuroyuki glared at me.

“It’s not an excuse! And I don’t have a bad sense of direction!”

"“You do.“”

“…………”

They synchronised at that moment.

“Okay then~ I will not allow any disagreement, objection, protest, questions or retorts! From today onwards, this guy here will officially become your one and only classmate and partner~!”

“…Rejected.” Kuroyuki murmured.

Right… That’s not included in Persia’s vocabulary just now.

Then allow me to add a punchline.

“I’m fine with it.”

“No it’s not! Why are you agreeing with Kuroyuki?!”

Persia was genuinely surprised.

Kuroyuki was genuinely surprised too!?

“…Such humiliation. I take that as an insult, then?”

She shot me a horrifying glare.

…This girl shaved off my pride like it’s something cheap from the supermarket.

“What humiliation?! I’m the one being insulted instead!” I said, “I don’t care whether you hated me or not, until you find someone who can replace me— I will be staying here!”

Kuroyuki’s menacing glare was no longer there. Instead of denying all the way till the end…

“...Sure, if you insist.”

…she agreed to it so easily with a smirk (not an obvious one).

My emotions… Flip-flopped like crazy throughout the conversation with Kuroyuki. It felt like it’s thoroughly being toyed with.

“I knew you’d agree~” Persia said, with a satisfying look. “Well then, everyone… I will be taking my leave~” She looks at me with a smile.

You are going to leave me here alone with Kuroyuki!?

Just as Persia was going to move…

“H-Hey…! Wait a minute!”

Out of confusion, I quickly grabbed Persia’s shoulder with my right hand.

“Ahn~!!?” She made a shiver.

Kuroyuki looks a little darkly when I grab Persia on her shoulder. But I guess she’s merely annoyed by Persia’s moaning voice.

“…Stop it, it’s annoying.”

She said it!

“I… I can’t help it! He suddenly grabbed my sensitive spot…!” Persia retorted.

“Sensitive spot? Be careful with your words young lady…!”

“W-Why did you told me to wait…?”

…She ignored my retorts.

Like something natural, as if she’s breathing.

It’s not like I care, on second thought.

“…Am I not good enough for you?” Kuroyuki interjected, staring at me with her usual cold stare.

“…………”

Though her expression looks cold, but I can tell there’s some discontented tone mixed within.

“Kuroyuki’s not good enough for you, huh…” Persia whispered to me.

…With a glare full of despise.

I’d say, she really respects Kuroyuki from the bottom of her heart. Her glare and whisper were on purpose. She did it so Kuroyuki’s feeling wouldn’t get hurt.

But here’s one thing…

“Allow me to deny your conclusion.” I immediately replied with a whisper and a deadly serious look.

“Go on.”

“It was the other way around,” I whispered. “I’m the one not good enough for her.”

“Kuroyuki, did you hear that~?”

Hah?

My head faced Kuroyuki.

“…Very clearly. Hehe…”

She’d wrap her words with a chuckle. But yet it sounds evil…

Wait a second! That’s not the reason why I stopped Persia to leave! I was being guided along…!

“You say that on purpose just to make me admit it!?”

“……who knows?”

Such a sly one she is.

“Alright~ Back to where we start…” Persia said to me. “Why did you grab my shoulder?”

…Ah.

I quickly retreated my hand…

…and realised something afterwards.

“Hey! That’s not the question you asked earlier…!”

“I messed up~ Teehee~”

Again, it’s on purpose. She’s making fun of me…

That’d leave a bad impression on Kuroyuki… as it already had been.

…This is bad. Though I don’t punch girls, she pushed me to the verge to punch her.

At any rate… I’m quite sure Persia already understood why I stopped her. Perhaps she did so just to lighten up the mood.

“… Don’t worry. There’s plenty of awkwardness to spend for the rest of your days here.” Kuroyuki murmured.

Dang… she’s even sharper than Persia.

She’d start reading at her book again, not giving me an ounce of concern.

“Well… This is all I can do.” Persia said to me.

“…Thanks.” I’d reply.

“Well then, I will be leaving now~” She told Kuroyuki.

“…Take care.” Kuroyuki lifted her head and faced Persia.

Persia then turns to the direction of the door. Perhaps I could use this chance to give Persia a farewell as well as to step outside this room to avoid this tension for a while…

“…On that note. Do you want to face my wrath…?”

…Kuroyuki stared at me.

Coldly.

With that remark, my escape route has been cut off completely.

“Good luck~” Persia winked.

With haste, Persia calmly exits the class with the door closing automatically. Leaving both of us behind.

…Alone.