[INTRODUCTIONS]

Sara and I do a quick scan of everyone gathered around.

Let's do this

"Ahem... So then, I think we should all get to know each other a li'l more." Says the blonde. "Meow, so? Mom tells me not to give personal info to strange guys I don't know, woof!" Gin exclaims.

Wow, smart kid.

"Stupendous! A level-headed child who does as his parents teach him! Yet, this is indeed an emergency... Hrmmm. Then we must prove that we adults are not suspicious characters... Mwahaha..." Says the mad scientist guy.

Yeah, good luck with that dude...

"Waugh...super suspicious, woof." Gin hugs his cat plush. "Nothing for it. Well, where should we start?" Asks the apron guy. The blonde speaks up. "Hey, you can keep it simple. Name and occupation... Just take turns sayin' em." He says. "Sounds good." I say in an attempt to move the discussion along. "That's the ticket." He smirks.

...

Everyone stays silent.

"Mm, got it. The wary ones can be for later. Raise your hand if you don't mind blabbin'." The blonde offers. A couple people raise their hands, including me.

[DEVELOPMENT]

"Hello, I am Kazumi Mishima. I teach at a certain high school... Mwahaha..." Mishima introduces himself. "Ehh...? You're a school teacher, woof? The world's gone to the dogs, meow." Gin says and I can't help but agree honestly. "Boohoohoo..." Mishima responds.

He's pretty suspicious looking...

"... Name's Reko Yabusame. I'm a singer-songwriter." The punk girl says. "Oh! I think I've seen you in magazines! You're THE Reko Yabusame!?" Joe asks like the fan boy he is apparently. Reko looks annoyed at him. "...Dude. Is this the time?" She asks. She's got a point though. Joe looks embarrassed. "Sorry..." He awkwardly turns away.

"I am Kai Satou. I'm a rather unremarkable homemaker." Apron guy ends his introduction with a bow. "What's with the stuff behind you...?" Asks the beanie guy. "Yeah I was wondering about that myself..." I admitted. "It's a frying pan...and a ladle...and a spatula." He says slowly. "I... I didn't mean it like that..."

Me neither beanie dude...

"Q-taro Burgerberg! I'm a baseball player! Second-string, though!" The burly man introduced. I couldn't help but giggle at how fitting his name was to his image. He doesn't seem to mind since he didn't speak up about it. "Hwoooah... That's why you're so big!" Says the girl in overalls. "193 centimeters! And strong to boot, y-hear!" He brags.

Well my turn I guess.

"My name's (F/n) (L/n) . You guys can just call me (N/n) though, if you wanna. I'm (Your age) and in high school. I won't bore you guys with my hobbies since that's not important. As for my memories, I went to the bathroom after school and as I was washing my hands I heard footsteps. I got knocked out before I could even process what happened." I finished.

"...Seems no one else wants to talk. Well then, Sara, (F/n) , how about you two try asking things to people you wanna hear from?" The blonde guy asked. "U-us?" Sara gestured to us both. "Yep. Unlike me, people aren't wary of you two, right?" He points out. "I understand." Sara nods.

The first person her eyes travel to is the girl with the bucket on her head who's now standing and hugging herself. "Maybe we should comfort her?" I ask. Sara nods once more. The girl is trembling and barely containing tears as we walk up to her.

"Are you okay?" Sara asks her. "Aaaaa...ooooh..." She's still is making very scared noises while not looking at us. "Don't be afraid. We won't do anything..." I whisper softly. Sara then places a hand on her trembling back.

Wait, won't that scare her more??

I keep on a straight face and keep looking worriedly at the girl.

"Ahh?..." She seems to realize that we don't mean her any harm. She takes a couple deep breaths and looks up at us. "Sniff... T-thank you very much..." She says so quietly, I barely manage to hear it.

It seems like she's calmed down a little. I give her a gentle smile and grab Sara's shoulder. Sara nods at me and also smiles at the girl before we get back to our previous spots.

"Okay who do we talk to next?" I ask Sara. She thinks about it for a second. "Let's start off easy, ask Q-taro something." I nod. "Alright, got it." I turn to Q-taro.

"Hey Q-taro, say something more about your carrer." I say with a smile. He grins excitedly. "Yeah, I'm a ballplayer, but if ya work out too much and hurt'cherself, you'll never hit the big leagues." I nod at him and Sara speaks up. "Hey, what country are you from?" He shrugs. "I don't got a clue where I was born neither! Had parents, but off they went 'fore I could even remember 'em. Still, my nationality's Japanese! ...Dunno about the dialect, but it's a mix. Ain't nothin' can't be fixed if you talk it out!" He gives us a thumbs up.

Dang, heavy story.

"Incidentally, I believe baseball has positions...?" The beanie guy asks. "I'mma pitcher! Confident in batting too, an' I was lucky enough to go to Central League." He proudly states. "I don't really follow, but... Does that mean you're good at both throwing the ball and hitting it with the bat?" The beanie guy tilts his head.

Wow, he really knows that little about sport? I don't even play and I know what Q-taro was talking about!

Q-taro looks awkward. "...W-well... Yeah, that's right." He confirms. "I may not play baseball but I knew what you were talking about big guy, good for you!" I wink at him and do the finger guns. He beams at me before going back to talking.

"I was all happy after a long-in-coming comeback game, so I went drinkin', then I don't remember a thing. Then I wake up, I got a collar on in this place, like I'm a dog or somethin'! Such a bummer! Can't believe I can't get this thing off!" Q-taro gestures to his neck while looking very annoyed.

Even he can't remove it, huh?

I turn back to Sara. "Who's next on the agenda?" I ask her. "You pick someone this time." She shrugs. "Okay uhhh..." I get a good look at everyone but stop at Mishima.

"Let's go with the proffesor." I say. Sara turns to him and asks: "What do you teach in school?". He turns visibly excited. "Incidentally, I teach Japanese and art... Mwaha..." He answers. "Huh, a school teacher? Can't picture it." The blonde comments. "Indeed, I hear that often..." Mishima admits. "I've got no right to say it, but you're suspicious from every angle." The blonde points out.

Can't exactly disagree.

"You truly don't have any right to say that! Apologize to the professor, please!"

The pink haired girl's sudden outburst startled everyone. "Woah now. What's this, little miss?" Blonde guy asks. "Pardon... You see she's a former student of mine, please forgive her..." Mishima apologizes on the girl's behalf. That doesn't stop his student however. "He's a really good teacher! Please don't judge a book by its cover!" She says very quickly.

Christ lady, take a chill pill...

"I suppose my appearance is shady after all... How shocking." Mishima mutters.

You JUST noticed...?

"Well, don't have much else to judge on. Dunno much about you either, little miss." The blonde frowns. "I'll just introduce myself...! There's nothing guilty about us!" She points at him as if that would make the message clear.

Jeez, I get having a favorite teacher but this is a stretch, pinkie.

The blonde smiles. "...Well, excuse me." He says jokingly. "It's time to cool down, yes..." Mishima tries to make peace between the both of them.

This is gonna be a loooong bunch of introductions...

"Hey, professor Mishima, do you remember anything before arriving here by any chance?" I ask him. "Ah, indeed I do. It was joyous day. My students wished to be taught oil painting, so I held a lesson at my secret atelier."

Kinda weird but okay let's say that's normal...

"Everyone loves the professor!" Pinkie smiles. "I drove everyone home as well... And while heading for the last house, there was a security checkpoint. After being stopped there...it seems I lost consciousness. When I awoke, the First Trial began. We emerged safe thanks to our combined wits. Saved by my own student..." Mishima finished with a whisper.

Alright that's enough of him.

Sara and I turn our attention to Pinkie next. "I-I'm a former student of Professor Mishima's! Currently at an art collage! My name is Nao Egokoro! It's thanks to Professor Mishima that I attend an art collage now! The Professor's a good person! Please believe meeeeee!" Nao finished panickly." I-I'm not especially doubting it..." Sara assures her.

That makes one of us...

"Yep, just Mr. Policeman here who suspected him." The blonde tells Nao. "Then please, repent!" She shouts. "Sure. Professor Mishima's not suspicious." He states. Nao immediately looks relieved. "S... So you understand...! In that case, my work here is done..." She sighs. "What can you say about the First Trial, Nao?" Sara asks her. She starts to look tense again. "The First Trial? It was terrifying... It was a game where we were tied to beds...and had to escape with just one key..." She says.

Huh, that's what mine and Gin's trial was!

"I... Professor Mishima instructed me to use the sandpaper on the key...then I unlocked his restraints. Honestly... It's thanks to him I was able to stay calm..." Nao admitted. When Sara doesn't say anything I grow worried. I look at her to see her staring at the floor with rage. I grab her shoulder. "Sara...?" I ask.

Nothing.

"Sara!" I shout this time and she snaps out of whatever transe she was in. "Sara, are you okay?" I ask her. "Y-yeah! You look angry..." Nao mutters. "Ah... I'm fine..." She assures us. To be completely honest, I don't believe her, but I'll let it go. "...I don't like that policeman, but I kind of like you and (N/n)." Nao admits. "Eh...?" Sara and I say at the same time. "Please take good care of your friend Sara...!" Nao tells the girl before backing up. I go to question another person.

"Hey Kai, say something more about yourself." I smile at him. He thinks for a moment about what to say. "Hm... My best meal is Eggs Benedict." He says. "A chef, eh?" Q-taro asked. "No, not a chef, but a homemaker. Akin to a house husband." He corrects. "Same difference if you both make tasty food!" Q-taro laughs. Kai rubs his chin. "I suppose so..."

There goes Sara again, staring at him like she knows him!

Okay, distraction time!

"Say, where did you get those utensils?" I ask Kai. "Oh, the frying pan and whatnot. They were in a room I was in earlier." He says. "So you got them after arriving here..." I mutter to make the fact sink into my brain. Kai nods. "Yes, that's correct. I felt they could offer protection. Ah... It didn't even occur to me. Would you or miss Sara like to use some?" He offered. I guess Sara finally stopped staring at him because she responded. "Huh...? For protection?" She tilts her head. "Yes, I'll offer anything but the frying pan."

Damnit... I wanted to be Rapunzel!

"Then I'll pass.". Sara sighs. "Can I have the spatula, Kai? It's better than nothing." I ask. "Of course, miss (F/n)." He hands me the spatula. "Sweet! Thanks Kai!" I smile at him. "No problem at all. Perhaps I should discard the rest..." He mutters. "Hmm... But it could be useful for something." Sara points out. "At the least, I bet I could make Eggs Benedict..." Kai rubs his chin in thought. "Sounds great, Kai. I have no idea how you cook that but I'll let you use the spatula if you'll need it." I offer with a sheepish smile. I see a very tiny smile on his face. "Thank you, I appreciate it, miss (F/n)." He says. "No problem!" I grin.

Alright moving on...

I stare at Sara to give her a sign that she can pick someone. She clears her throat. "Reko, say something about yourself." Reko speaks up straight away. "Just like the gaudy guy said, my band's made enough of a name to get into magazines." She said. "Don't call me 'the gaudy guy'..." Joe mumbles awkwardly. Reko ignores him. "We'd finally made it to the starting line. The whole future stretched ahead of us..."

This sounds like a monologue...

"Um...is that makeup...for performances?" Nao asks curiously. "Like hell! The fans'd weep if I went on stage looking this plain." Reko answers like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "That's 'plain'?" Both Sara and I say in unison which causes us to laugh. "I finished a new track, so I had plans to meet with my bands mates...and then this shit happens!!" Reko slammed a fist into her palm out of anger.

I'd be ticked off too if I was in her place.

Oh wait

I am!

"Was your instrument taken?" I ask while tilting my head. "...Probably. Damnit... My precious... My precious bongos!" She mumbles.

I'm sorry what?

I cover my mouth to try to stop the laughter but it's hard. "What, you got something to say?" She asks with an eyebrow raised.

Shoot. Better fix this before I piss her off more!

I calm down before replying. "I'm sorry Reko, I just didn't expect you to play bongos of all things." I admit. "Eh... It's fine, kid. I'll let it slide this time. You're forgiven." She says with a smile. It quickly shifts into a scowl. "Godamnit kidnappers! If you threw out my stuff, I'm gonna beat your ass so hard...!" She shouts at the ceiling, hoping the kidnappers will hear the threat. "I-is now the time to worry about belongings...?" Nao asks worriedly. "Some of that stuff's as important as my life!!" Reko retorts. "I-I'm sorry!" Nao quickly backs down with her hands up. I hear Reko mutter a small apology for scaring the girl.

Okay who to ask next... Oh, I know!

"Hey Mr. Policeman, what's your name?" I ask. He looks at me confused. "Huh? Did I not introduce myself?" I shake my head. "Eh, nope. No you did not, sir." He scratches his neck. "My name's Keiji Shinogi. Workin' as a policeman." Keiji says with a smile. "Huh!? Police!?" Joe's eyes widen.

Was he not listening earlier?

"You got it. So don't trouble your friendly policeman... Well not that I'm really that sort of cop." He assures. "T... Then you should have mentioned that sooner!" Joe exclaims. "I got abducted in the middle of an investigation. It was tough to find a chance to spill it." Keiji explains as he looks off into space. "Shouldn't have been wary... Dammit..." Joe curses to himself.

I guess he'll want to talk now?

"...Wonder if we got caught by that criminal group." Keiji wonders aloud. "Criminal group?" I ask. "A group of petty thieves. I doubt they're related to this honestly." He says. "Is your coworker not here?" Sara asks and tilts her head.

Huh, good question...

"...Sure isn't." Keiji mutters.

Now that's sort of fishy... Better remember that. But I guess it's possible that not everyone came in pairs then?

A thought for later.

"Hey Joe, tell us more about you and Sara and what happened before you got here." I tell him. He nods at me before replying. "Me and Sara are highschool classmates. Sara was being harrased by a stalker, so I went home with her that day." He begins.

Huh?...Sara has a stalker?

I look at the girl in question but she doesn't look back at me. I tune back into the story. "Then there was an incident, so I called the police, but... I heard Sara screaming, so I ran upstairs. And there stood that damn stalker!" He said the word with such venom, I'm surprised this happy go lucky guy is capable of that tone! "That's the first I've heard of that!" Sara exclaims.

This just keeps on getting more and more interesting...

"Hehehe... Didn't have a chance to mention it." Joe shrugs. "So, I worked up all my courage to punch the guy. 'Course, I'm awful at fighting, so... Since I don't remember winning, I'm guessing I lost." He says with disappointment in himself. "That's why... I know that stalker is the culprit in this case." He finishes. "...Interesting. Go on." Keiji urges him. "Sorry but that's all I got. Since I fainted... Then again... This isn't a stunt just one jerk stalker could pull by himself. It's an organized crime. Right, mister cop?" Joe turns to Keiji. "...Could be." Keiji shrugs, not really sure himself.

Joe stays silent for a moment before speaking his mind. "Wonder if there's one among us... A collaborator with the culprit, playing the victim to blend in...!"

What...

That possibility didn't even cross my mind!

"Eh!?" I hear Sara let out a surprised noise from behind me while I just gasp.

The panic is cut short by Keiji.

"Hahahaa!"

He laughs as if what Joe said was the best joke he heard in his life. "What the hell are you laughing at!?" I shout at him, confused. "What is it!? You wanna laugh!? You can't say there isn't-!" Joe is cut off. "You sure are funny! Hahaha!" The policeman just keeps laughing. "Dude, you're treating an actual possibility as a joke!" I shout frustrated. "I hate this guy...!" Joe groans with a scowl.

"Ah... I should introduce myself too soon, huh." The beanie guy speaks up, probably to stop Joe and I from having a full blown argument with Keiji. "Fine, I can read the room, woof! It's, you know, the mature response, meow!" Gin chirps in and I smile at him. The teal haired guy speaks up first.

"My name's Sou Hiyori. Err...well. Just a job-hopper. Ahaha..." He laughs awkwardly. "So living hand-to-mouth, meow?" Gin asks bluntly. A snort comes from me as Sou tries to recover some of his pride. "H...Hey, don't put it like that... It's not a ton but I've got savings." He smiles. "Why wouldn't you introduce yourself at first?" Sara crosses her arms. She seems suspicious of him.

Now that I think about it, there is something kind of off putting about this guy...

I can't really put my finger on it but there is just something unsettling about him...

I better watch out

"Naturally, I was wary like Joe was... Plus, saying I'm a job-hopper...is a little embarrassing. Ahaha..." He chuckles. "Just make up some lie, meow! You're honest to a fault, woof!" Gin exclaims. "H...Hey now, I dunno about that... You can't trust people like that, right?" Sou asks.

Everyone stares at Sou. He looked at Sara. "Ahaha... C-Come on now... Don't look at me so pitifully..." He then looks glances between us both. "Miss Sara, miss (F/n), you both seam steadfast and strong. I'm jealous." He grins innocently.

This guy is sketch as fuck...

As Sara is about to speak up I cut in. "Actually I wanted to ask, what do you remember before getting here, Sou?" I cross my arms. "Gosh... Feels like you're asking in such a 'first things first' way." He chuckles. "I was on the way to my usual part-time job at a convenience store. It's a bad part of town...and I was aware of how dangerous it can be out at night... But the night shift wages are good...so... Suddenly, someone attacked me. I can't remember what else happened then. Uh, sorry... I can't remember anything much." He shrugs. "...Well, neither can we." Sara points out. "...Right." He smiles.

"Don't sweat it!" Joe grins. "Once you get home, go find a job, meow!" Gin narrows his eyes at Sou.

How funny, a kid's telling an adult to do that.

"Urgh... Job hunting... Steady work..." Sou mumbles as if he were in pain.

Okay, now you're just being extra, dude.

The last one to step forward is Gin. "My name is Gin Ibushi, woof! I'm a 6th grader, meow!" He introduces himself proudly. "Great introduction, kiddo." Keiji chuckles. "Don't call me a kid! I just introduced myself 'cause most of you guys don't seem like anything special, woof!"

Well I better come forward about me knowing him so that it doesn't come to bite me in the ass later.

I speak up. "He was also my partner in the first trial." This leaves most people surprised because I showed almost no signs of even knowing Gin. "Big sis (F/n) saved me, woof!" He runs over to me and hugs my waist. I smile widely. "Gin you did all the work. I just bossed you around while completely shitting myself." I laugh which causes some chuckles. "Wait, so you two knew each other before this?" Joe asked confused. "No, actually. We met for the first time in the trial. I'm not sure why they put us together. Maybe because I'm good at taking care of kids, I dunno." I jokingly say.

"Do you remember anything about why you were brought to this place Gin?" Joe asked. "Woof...nope. Mom was late coming home, so I stayed up to wait... And I heard the intercom, so I thought she was back and opened the door, meow. A different grown-up was standing there, meow! ...Don't remember anything else, woof." Gin hugged me tighter as he was telling the story.

This poor kid...

"I see..." Sara mumbled. "Gin..." Before Joe could finish, the boy in question spoke up. "Don't give me those looks, woof! I'm a strong boy, meow!" He tries to act tough. Sara kneels down in front of him. "Gin... Let's work together to go home." She proposes. "Work together...? Woof, woof..." Gin mumbles. "Not all grown-ups are bad Gin." The boy looks up at her. "...Can I believe that, meow?"

Sara nods. "Of course!" Gin pulls away from me. "...I'll only trust you, big sis Sara and big sis (F/n), woof!" I grin and Sara's eyes widen. "B-big sis!?" She sputtered. "...Huh? It's not big bro, is it, woof? Maybe I got it all wrong, meow..." Gin asked aloud. "That's not the problem!" She exclaimed. "Just get used to it, Sara." I laughed.

Alright one last thing I gotta do.

I looked down at the boy. "Gin, sweetie, next time when you're home alone remember: you don't open the door to anyone. Not the mailman, salesman, nothing. Anything could happen so promise me you won't do that again." I stuck out a pinky finger. Gin looked at it for a moment before removing his cat glove and intertwining our fingers. "I promise, meow..." I giggled and turned back to the others as Gin put his glove back on.

Alright now back to the frightened girl in the room...

Sara and I walk up to her again. "Are you okay...?" I ask her. "If you've calmed down, could you talk to us?" Sara continues. "...Um..." The girl thought about it before speaking up. "I'll say... I'm Kanna Kizuchi..." She finally introduced herself.

She can talk again!

"Kanna... Could you tell us more about yourself? Any small detail is okay." I said softly. "...Okay..." She nodded meekly.

"...Uh... I'm...in middle school... And...erm, um..." She fumbles over her words. "It's okay, you don't need to rush." Sara reassured her.

We need to be super careful with this girl. One wrong decision and she won't trust us.

"...I was coming home...with my big sister... We were eating ice cream... We were just walking along and talking...about what to have for dinner... Suddenly...some scary people came out from a black car parked on the road... " She started getting dangerously close to crying again so I comforted her. "I see... That must have been frightening." I say sympathetically. "Yes..." Kanna sniffled. "...Could you tell us about what happened after you arrived here?" Sara asked her.

I have a very bad feeling about the answer to that question. Especially with how much Kanna has been mentioning her sister...

"...Here?" Kanna asked. Sara nodded. "After... I came here... My...sister... My sister..." Her eyes start to grow very glossy.

I knew this question would go badly...

"...Ahhhhhh..." Kanna's mouth opened.

Next came the most heartbreaking screams I have ever heard in my life...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!"

Kanna grabs her head. Before I realize what I'm doing, I grab Kanna and hug her to me. She grabs fistfulls of my hoodie as she continues screaming and crying.

"She's dead! My sister! Why!? How!? It's my fault! My sister!!"

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

She screams out all these things as I start crying for the third time tonight.

Suddenly her grip on my hoodie loosens, her eyes close and she goes limp in my arms.

I gasp out loudly as I slowly and gently bring her to the floor. I wipe the tears away from my eyes, not caring if I smear my makeup. I check Kanna's pulse and if she's breathing. Thankfully I could feel both.

Oh thank fuck!

"(F/n). How's Kanna looking...?" Reko asked me after about a minute. "It looks like she's passed out..." I say as I sit next to the girl. "Damnit, this is some messed up shit! She DIED...!? What the hell'd this poor girl do, huh!? Does this culprit even got a heart!?" Reko shouts. "Seems like...this isn't some joke or a prank." Sou mumbles. "Yeah no shit Sou!" I yell at him. He looks at me wide eyed.

Shit... I messed up.

I rub my forehead and take a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Sou... I didn't mean that. I'm just very...emotional...right now..." I say. "It's fine, miss (F/n). I understand." He assures me. "I... I don't like this... This is too awful...just too..." Nao sniffles.

I feel a hand on my shoulder to see that it's Keiji. The so called voice of reason here. "Hey now, everybody, don't lose your cool. You've got your friendly policeman here." He says.

"Hey, Keiji! You're the reliable one here! What should we do!?" Joe asks him. Keiji raises an eyebrow. "...You've sure changed your tune. Well, first things first. Why don't we confirm what each of us has found in this place?" He suggests. "That sounds like a good plan." Kai nods. "I think so too." I say. "Zat's what I was just thinkin' of saying! See, I picked up this thing." Q-taro walks over to a spot to pick something up.

Great, more questionable items!

Q-taro brings in a huge, yellow box in front of everyone with four locks. "It's a huge box, meow!" Gin exclaims. "Bet you could fit a whole watermelon in there..." Nao mumbles.

Now if that isn't the most random thing I've ever heard...

"Was this...from the First Trial?" Sou asks. "Yep. Though I mean, bringin' this box was the point of the First Trial..." Q-taro informs. "Say what!? Did some people have different First Trials?" Joe asked. "I guess so, Joe." I shrugged, not really surprised.

Anything is possible, afterall.

"We can discuss that later. First off, let's open up this box." Keiji says. "It ain't gonna. It's got these keyholes, see?" Q-taro pointed out. "Sara, (F/n), you got any ideas?" Keiji asked. "Wha- why me?" Sara asked. Keiji chuckled. "I just like catching you off-guard." He said with a smirk.

Wait... I just might have an idea!

Sara and I both look at each other and nod.

"This is it!!" We exclaim.

{A/n: I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself XD}

I motion for Gin to come and ask him to hand me the key, which he gladly does. Sara and I get our keys out and stick them into two of the four keyholes.

They fit perfectly!

Nao walks over with her key. "Can we use our key too!?" She asks. "Let's try it!" I say. "I wonder if Kanna..." Sara starts but doesn't finish that sentence. "Sara... Could you look? I want to just leave her be for now..." I plead. "Of course..." Sara nods. She walked over to where Kanna layed and searched her pockets until she found a red, unchiseled key. "Let's give this a shot." I mumble. We place the other two keys in and they also fit perfectly.

Alright! At least something is going right!

Keiji kneals down behind us. "Alright, this might be dangerous, so leave it to the policeman." He says. I nod at him and move away with Sara.

Surprisingly enough, it opened easily...

"And it's open." He says. "What's inside?" Sara asks. "Ahh... You might not want to look." Keiji stated.

Unfortunately my curiosity made me peek into the box just as Keiji was saying that.

Inside was...a person's...head...

Before I knew it both Sara and I started screaming. Soon to be followed by some others.

"Waaah!!" We screech out. "Noooooo!!" Followed by Nao. "F-For real...!?" As well as Joe. As well as a surprised noise from Q-taro.

"Wait... Isn't it just a doll?" Sou asks, confused.

...What...

"Huh...!?" Joe is just as surprised as me. "Oh, you're right." Keiji says nonchalantly. "Keiji you motherfucker!" I say while gripping my hair. "Aren't you supposed to be a cop!? My fucking God!" I curse out.

I swear I will slap him one day...

Keiji looks around the doll head. "Hm? A letter?" He asks himself aloud. He then gets it out and reads the letter to everyone.

-------------------------------------------

"Find my body. 

Bring me back. For I don't have arms or legs."

-------------------------------------------

"Find her body...?" Keiji questions. "Where could the body be?" Kai wonders. "Do we even need to find it, meow? This could be a trap, woof!" Gin points out. "That's true. I don't think there's any need to do what the letter says..." Sou admits.

I really doubt that Sou. I really do...

"Think it's about time we searched outside of this room?" Sou asks. "I... Isn't that dangerous?" Nao asks while shaking a bit. "I wanna get back home... Can't stand to jus' sit still here!" Q-taro exclaims. "L-let's move in groups!" Joe proposes. "So that no one does anything suspicious... Right?" Keiji instigates. Joe just keeps quiet. "Sniff... I'm scared... If there's some other horrible device like the First Trial..." Nao trembled. "Me and Nao can look after Kanna. If you guys're in danger, haul ass back here." Reko stated after putting her hands on Nao's shaking shoulders in an attempt to calm her down a bit.

I turn to Sara. "Should we explore with someone else?" I ask her. She thinks about it for a minute before walking up to Joe with me. "Joe, come search with (N/n) and me." Sara says with a smile. "Sorry, man! I'm going with Keiji!" Joe says and smiles apologetically before walking up to Keiji. "Huh? I-I see..." I can clearly see sadness on her face so I put my arm around her. She grabs my hand and just holds it for a bit.

I guess she wants to show she appreciates it?

I suddenly feel someone tap my shoulder to get my attention. I let go of Sara and we turn our attention to the person to see that it's Sou. "Hey miss Sara, miss (F/n) , could we search together?" He asks with a smile.

"Eh...?" Sara makes a noise of surprise and I just tilt my head at Sou. "S-sorry! If you can't trust me... That's fine..." Sou says timidly as he shifts his gaze to the ground.

Is he...guilt tripping us?

"It's not anything like that, just..." Sara tries to explain but gets cut off. "Oh, I'm glad to hear that. I trust you two as well." Sou says with a smile. "...But throwing around a word like 'trust' just makes you look suspicious, huh..." He realizes and clutches at his scarf.

Dude, we haven't said a word about trusting you! No shit I think you're suspicious!

"No, no... It's not like I really distrust you, Sou." Sara scratches her cheek awkwardly.

Again, that makes one of us....

"Alright, let's get searching around. Don't have any big spills, guys... And be sure to share any info you find." Keiji says before heading off with Joe, followed by the others.

[DISCUSSION END]

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[Author's Note]

WHOO! LONG CHAPTER Y'ALL!

This series is gonna make me pass my writing record A LOT, lemme tell ya.

Next chapter will show up next week on Sunday so be on the lookout for that!

I hope you like the story!

Love y'all! 💖

Kaja is finished here ^^

[Word count: 5542]