Chapter Text
“GET OUT!!!” That cry alone was enough to send my poor sister running out of the door crying. I stood alone in the laundry room while my thoughts started to bottle my rage.
How could she do this to me?! To the family?! To our mother?! Of course, she would. She always follows our father like a dog on a leash. I knew she was hiding something, I just couldn’t figure it out in time.
I gritted my teeth in frustration and, without a second thought, I punched the wall as hard as I could. It wasn’t enough to leave a hole, but enough to leave a dent. Before I knew it, a familiar two-faced creature suddenly appeared with an annoyed look on its face.
“Hey, you!” said Nyanus.
Shit.
The cat walks over and points to the impression I made. “Look at what ‘ja did with the wall! Do you nyow how much ‘dis will cyaost to get it repaired?!” I stared towards the ground and closed my eyes, preparing for the worst. But luckily, the cat had a change of heart. “Sigh… Oh well, you didn’t break any of my cameras, so we’ll call it even.” My body starts to relax, and all of the breath I’ve been holding in begins to leave my mouth. “You’re lucky this t-yime!” The cat pointed at me, like a mother scolding her misbehaving child. “Don’t go around breaking anything else. Got it?” I scoffed at the thing and left him in the laundry room.
I returned to my room and huffed out a sigh. Nighttime hours had already begun, but I couldn’t bring myself to sleep after what occurred. Instead, I sat down on the chair. Hopefully, waiting for the night to be over. And so I waited…
And waited…
And waited…
And waited…until a flat object slid under my door.
“Huh?” My curiosity suddenly overtook me as I stood and walked over to the door.
What’s this? A note? Who wrote this in the middle of the night? I unfolded the letter and read what was written:
“Dear Moichiro, I think I found something really important in Classroom 1-C. It might be a way outta here. If you could get over as soon as you can, you might be able to help everybody escape.”
- Signed Reiji ♡
My eyes widened at the letter in shock. Seriously?! A hippie like Kutsuki managed to find the exit? And to think it was in one of the classrooms. I knew they didn’t look hard enough, they only wanted to sit on their asses and do absolutely NOTHING!
I stopped to calm down as I soon realized. This is a killing game, maybe Kutsuki wrote this in order to kill me? He must’ve known that I was the most desperate out of everyone to escape and decided to use it to his advantage.
I almost considered ignoring the letter, but… I really want to get out of here. I don’t want to miss my one and only chance of escape. And so, I stuffed the letter into my briefcase and left my room.
I don’t see anyone outside. Good, I’m not in the mood to make conversation with someone besides Kutsuki. I took the elevator down and made my way to the rendezvous point. Inside, Kutsuki was leaning against one of the chairs, and both of his feet were propped up on the desk like a rebellious student. Once he notices me walking inside, he happily waves. I let out a frustrated breath as I walked to him.
“This had better be important, Kutsuki.” I said.
“Dude, c’mon. I’ve seen how uptight you can get.” He said as he rocked back and forth on his chair. “I promise ya, I wouldn’t have called you here if I hadn’t found a way out…”
I looked around the classroom, but I couldn’t see any signs of moving furniture. I’m beginning to doubt him, but I should ask. “So where is it, then?”
He points to the closet as he answers with a soothing tone. “Y’see the closet in the back of the room? There’s a vent in there.”
“...You think that could be a way out?” I questioned, pushing up my glasses.
Kutsuki shrugged. “Dunno. Could be pretty important, but I can’t get the vent off.”
“Did you not think to go look for a screwdriver in the storage room?” I said, rubbing my fingers across the bridge of my nose in frustration.
“Nah, seemed silly to me.” He said, showing no shame in himself.
He can’t be serious. Why would he think using a screwdriver is ‘silly’? Is he really that incompetent?
I slapped my palm against my face. “Even when you might have something important, you’re still a letdown.”
I began to ignore him as I moved to the closet. I didn’t notice him standing up. He’s telling the truth at least. There is a vent inside the closet door. I began to observe it.
“Hmm... It only seems to have been screwed in with a few flatheads...” He couldn’t get a screwdriver for this, can he? What else can I use? I looked down at my prosecutor badge. It's thin and sturdy enough for these kinds of screws, almost like a coin. “I can probably get it off with my badge.” I said to myself.
Kutsuki chuckled. “Yeah, dude! Take your time.” I wasn’t even talking to you… I took off my handcuffs and set my briefcase aside.
“Alright, let’s---” I was beginning to take off my badge as I said that. But in the corner of my eye, I noticed Kutsuki raising his hand with an object. A thin, sharp, steel object. I swiftly dodged his attack. I jumped to my feet and backed away from the homicidal maniac.
“Ah, shit… Hold still, dude…” He said nonchalantly with the knife in hand. I continue to back up as he slowly steps forward, he makes another attempt to stab me, but I jump out of his way, knocking over a few chairs.
“What the hell are you doing?!” I yelled. “I dunno… I think- Ngh! ”He swings his knife at me as he continues his sentence. “I think you can take a guess, man.”
“Get away from me!” I yelled in defense. I shoved him, knocking him against the desks. He quickly got up and chased me around the room like a game of cat and mouse. I looked back at him, and he still had the nonchalant look on his face. It’s like there is no emotion in him. “What the hell are you thinking?!” I yelled again.
Finally, Kutsuki stops to catch his breath. Huh, I guess all that working out at juvenile really paid off. “Damn, dude, hold still--” As he stopped, I took it as an opportunity to pick up my briefcase and swing it at him.
“Gah!”
THWACK!
“--Ow!!”
It hit directly at his nose, causing him to drop the knife. Small amounts of blood splattered across my face, but I couldn’t care less.
“Ugh… Shit, why’s the ceiling that way… Where is it?” I picked up the knife he dropped as he started looking around for it.
“No you don’t. I’m taking this.” I said, holding the knife. I gave him a stern look. “This really is a new low, Kutsuki. Just wanting us all to sit here and wait was one thing, but trying to kill me...” I pointed at him as I explained what I was about to do. “I'm restraining you, and letting the others know what happened when they wake up.” What Kutsuki later said caught me off guard.
“Dude... Gh... What... You think they'll believe you?” I hummed in confusion. His expression suddenly shifts from nonchalant to a sinister look, something I’ve never seen on a guy like him.
“You've made some pretty bad blood... with just about everybody here.” His comment made me think: He’s just trying to get a rise out of me.
I should’ve ignored what he said, but instead, I made it worse by doubting him. “So what? They'll trust my word over yours.”
...Why did I say that?
“Nah… Will they?” Kutsuki said. “They... just think I'm kinda weird, but they think you're a danger.”
What makes him think that?! I’m not dangerous, I’m just trying to motivate everyone to find the exit. Right…?
“...No. No they don't.” I said in defense.
“You blew up at us earlier, dude…” He countered. “Hell, we even heard you screamin’ at your sister, y'know...?” My god-awful ego wouldn’t let me back down. But no matter how I look at it… He’s right.
“That- She- She's not part of this.” I said. Kutsuki slowly steps towards me, but I couldn’t move. His words solidified my legs in place.
“She probably thinks you're a burden, dude. You haven't shown her... any kindness since we got here.”
“Shut up.” I whispered angrily. I looked down at the floor in shame. He’s right, I’ve been awful to Himari ever since we woke up here. She’s my twin sister, and I haven’t been there for her because I’m too selfish and a coward to face her.
“She'd think better of ya if you could just be quiet and calm down, too...” He said as he started getting closer. My impulses got the better of me. I began to tackle him, knocking us both to the ground. I pinned his neck against the floor as I held the knife in my dominant hand. “Shut up!” I exclaimed. Kutsuki showed no fear on his face.
“I didn’t lie to you, dude…”
What?
“There's one way out. You've... got it in your hand right now, Sanada.”
Is…he implying what I think he’s implying?
“If you wanna escape, prove us all wrong so bad...”
He’s telling me to…
“Then do it.”
...kill him.
We looked into each other’s eyes. The look on his face tells me that he’s serious about me killing him. And the look in my eye…tells him the same. I firmly gripped the knife. Kutsuki closed his eyes and smiled, preparing for his upcoming demise. But instead…
“No!” I exclaimed while I threw the knife across the room. I didn’t know where it landed, but I didn’t care to notice.
Kutsuki opened his eyes with unexpected confusion. “Huh? What are you--”
I stood as he continued to lie on the ground. “You’re absolutely right. I’ve been distasteful to my sister and to everyone else as well. But…” I reached out my hand, offering Kutsuki a hand. He took it, and I lifted him off the ground. “I’m better than you, Kutsuki. Even if everyone hates me for how strict I was, I wouldn’t stoop so low to kill for my own survival.”
Kutsuki continues to stare at me, stunned. “I…”
“Come on. I’m taking you to the nurse’s office to get an ice pack for your nose. Then, I’m locking you in your room until further notice. Understood?” I sternly ordered him to leave, and without any word, he did what I was told.
I took him inside the nurse’s office, and he sat down on one of the beds. I ripped out a paper towel, poured alcohol on it, and gave it to Kutsuki. He used it to disinfect his wound, and I used another paper towel to clean his blood off my face.
I left the room and came back with some ice from the kitchen. Surprisingly, he didn’t make a break for the door once I left him alone. I didn’t question it. I poured the ice into a plastic ziplock bag and wrapped a towel around it. “Here. Gently apply this to your nose.” Kutsuki takes the bag.
“Thanks…” He carefully pressed the bag against his nose. “Ack!”
I turned around as he yelped in pain. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, man, it’s just… Geez, dude. You hit me really hard. Real hard.”
“I’m sorry. I--”
“You must be pretty strong… I’m impressed, dude.”
What the hell is he saying? “What are you talking about?” I questioned.
Kutsuki presses the ice bag against his nose. “I’m just sayin’, you’re really strong. I never expected that when I was tryna kill you.”
My face started heating up as I turned away. “Whatever. Are you done? I need to take you to your room.”
“Yeppers, man.” He said with a thumbs up. Without delay, I walked Kutsuki to his room. Once we entered, I took his keys from his pocket and said to him, “Tomorrow, I’m going to inform the group of the attempt you’ve made. Then we’ll discuss suitable punishments.”
“And if they don’t believe you…?” Kutsuki is still doubting me, huh? “Then I’ll use evidence. I still have the letter you sent me. And the mess we made in classroom 1-C.”
“Ah, shit. Almost forgot about that,” he said.
I opened the door and looked back at him. “See you tomorrow, Kutsuki.” He said the same thing as I left his room.
…
What the hell just happened?
…