At the cafeteria, after Sato finished the test, both he and Asahi were slumped over the table, their heads resting on their arms in defeat.
"We're doomed…"
Sato had lost all hope. With everything that had been happening, there was no way he could have prepared properly.
"There's always a next time…right?"
Asahi tried to sound optimistic, but even he knew how hopeless it was.
Just then, Bobby dropped into the seat beside them, smiling happily.
"I see you aced the test."
"Don't rub salt in the wound…" Sato said, turning his head away.
It was a complete disaster. I don't even know if I'll get a passing grade this time… I couldn't keep my eyes off the soccer clubhouse. I swear I saw a strange shadow slip inside, with someone tailing it, but I'm still not sure.
"By the way, don't you think the teach felt a little off?" Asahi asked with a hint of curiosity.
You say this as if that teacher isn't weird every day…but still, now that I think about it, he felt…weirder.
"Now that you brought this up, he looked paler and tired, maybe he's just having a hard time dealing with work."
Well, I guess this is what someone like Bobby would believe, but now with a sudden change like this I doubt it's that easy.
From another table Megumi came to theirs and asked if she could have a moment with Sato, leading him out of the cafeteria. As they headed to the exit all eyes were on them.
"Were Sato and Megumi a thing?"
"I don't know Bobby, but this for sure is more interesting than sulking about that test."
Behind the school they sat on a bench with Sato confused as to why she wanted to talk so soon.
"So, what is it?"
"Did you hear about the suspicious disappearances?"
"It would be quite hard not to."
"Do you have any idea why they suddenly started to vanish?"
"…A hero?"
"More like a psycho."
With that, Megumi proceeded to explain to him that the disappearance of students began on the day the heroes appeared, giving more details about what she knew.
"I see, I guess Butterfly told you all of this huh?"
"Indeed…Didn't Irina tell you anything?"
She didn't strike me like the best person, I wonder how he is holding on with a hero like that.
"...Irina, didn't even want to talk with me until I opened my mana circuits."
"Ohh…so you opened your physical circuit as well?"
I see, so she recognized him for that.
"I mean…yeah. My physical circuit…mind circuit…spiritual circuit."
The moment Megumi heard that, her body froze. Her lips parted, but no words came out. She didn't know how to react, no, she didn't even want to believe him.
"...How? How are you even alive right now?" Her voice cracked, disbelief painted across her face.
She was visibly distressed, her hands trembling slightly in her lap.
Is she ok, she seems quite pale…
"For what it's worth…It was hell. There was a moment when I truly thought my spirit would leave my body. But I caught it. After that, even Irina lent me some of her mana to recover. The pain…hasn't vanished completely, sometimes my legs still give out, but… I'm alright."
He's crazy… How can he be so happy about it? I chose this place because I can barely stand straight. Even now, I want to scream from the pain… but he…
"You know, I wonder who's more of a madman now, you, or that maniac," she said with a wry smile
"Hey, don't compare me with someone like him."
Both laughed together and continued their conversation, getting to know each other better until the break was over. In those moments, Megumi forgot all about her council president responsibilities.
After school, Sato headed home with Irina, his phone constantly buzzing with messages from Asahi about why he hadn't returned to the cafeteria, until he finally turned off his phone.
"That guy really is persistent."
As they got home, Sato remembered that he hadn't told anything to Irina about his odd encounter with Puppeteer.
"Hey, Irina, do you have a moment, there's something I'd like to talk with you about."
At first she hesitated, standing with her back at him, but even like this she decided to lend him an ear.
"So I had quite an eerie dream after you opened my circuits…"
"It wouldn't be impossible to have a peculiar dream after something like that… but still, continue."
"Well, it was this vast, twisted world…The sky was a deep purple, torn by rifts. I stood on an island suspended in midair, while fragments of land drifted aimlessly around me. And if that wasn't strange enough, I saw a house in the distance… and a talking teddy bear."
Hearing this Irina opened her eyes wide.
It can't be…
"After reaching the house and sitting at a table inside, I was welcomed by a mannequin. But the voice I heard didn't come from its mouth, it echoed directly in my head."
Irina clenched her teeth in frustration, already knowing who it was.
"I talked with her for a while. She wanted to know how I felt about this competition… and about you. And just before I woke up, I asked for her name…"
Irina didn't let him finish his sentence before cutting in.
"Puppeteer, right?"
"Yes, exactly! So you know her."
The moment she realized she was right, Irina turned to him, stepping closer, now only centimeters apart. Her hands gripped his shoulders as her eyes locked with his.
"Listen to me, and listen well. Never speak to her again. She isn't an ally, she's an enemy, waiting for the right moment to strike. So stop getting closer to her! Do you understand?"
That bitch. She wants to get in my way again.
Puppeter…an enemy. It's difficult to believe this, yet I hadn't seen her like this before. If that's how she sees it…then I'll believe her.
"I understand."
Irina sighed in relief as he seemed to accept her words, loosening her grip on him before heading into the living room while Sato headed into his room.
It's still hard to see her as an enemy, but I guess this is what I signed up for. Right now, Irina is the only one I can trust. As for my alliance with Megumi and Butterfly… I am sure it will come to an end sooner or later.
While Sato was lost in thought, his gaze fell on the book Irina had conjured. As he studied it, a thought crossed his mind.
"Well, I'm pretty sure someone once said that power is knowledge… Or something along those lines..."
With that Sato sat on the bed and picked up the book, ready to read.