Sakayanagi Arisu was investigating him.
Clearly, this wasn't something he could just brush off.
Even though Asakusa Toru was certain she had no way of identifying him, he still had to consider the possibility of exposure.
Which meant—
It was time to sync the recordings from the voice recorders he had scattered around.
Over the past two months, Toru had been steadily expanding his "voice recorder distribution business."
Of course, he had long stopped advertising.
The recruitment fair at the start of the term had been enough. Continuing to promote it would only get him flagged for disturbance.
Besides, he didn't have the time or patience to chase people down and sell them.
Pushing too hard would only make him look suspicious.
Just like how Sato Maya from Class D had become a customer out of curiosity—
He had already planted plenty of "observation points" in other classes.
Shiina Hiyori and Ibuki Mio from Class C were among the first to receive his recorders—
And the first to abandon them completely.
Ryuuen was even worse.
Despite receiving multiple recorders, he never used them.
Still, Class C had its own "good people."
Not long after Toru started advertising, someone unexpected approached him—
Tokito Hiroya.
The reason was simple.
Toru was an individual seller.
Meaning—transactions didn't need to use personal points.
No records.
Considering each recorder only cost 3000 points, it was easy to bypass the system entirely.
Trade items. Buy meals. Convert value quietly.
And just like that—
Tokito became Toru's recorder inside Class C.
Although…
Despite being opposed to Ryuuen, Tokito hadn't done much with it yet.
Still idling.
Toru sincerely hoped no one would disrupt that.
Class D had Sato Maya.
Even if she barely used it.
Horikita Suzune, on the other hand, was diligently recording daily life.
And if all else failed—
He could just ask Kushida Kikyo or Sakura Airi directly.
As for Class A—
He attended classes there himself.
His main recorder captured everything.
Which meant—
The only place lacking coverage…
Was Sakayanagi's circle.
After all, those "honor students" wouldn't think to buy recorders until they got burned by them.
Originally, Toru had been considering how to plant one there—
But just days after advertising—
Someone came to him.
Morishita Ai.
"Give me one."
She simply held out her hand.
Like she was asking for candy.
Honestly—
Kind of cute.
The same girl who had shouted "Are you insane?" at the recruitment fair—
Now asking for a recorder with wide eyes.
Very cute.
And just like that—
All four classes had been covered.
Not perfect coverage, of course.
It depended on whether users activated recording—and whether Toru copied the data before deletion.
Still—
It was an achievement.
So syncing everything now was the right call.
"…Ah."
Only then did Toru realize—
It was Sunday.
No classes.
If he wanted efficient syncing, weekdays were far better.
Otherwise, he'd have to wander the entire campus.
"…No thanks."
He decided to take the day off.
Back to the dorm.
"—Ding."
The elevator opened.
He stepped in, pressed his floor, and waited.
"…."
Just as the doors were about to close—
A blue-haired girl slipped in.
"…Oh. It's you."
Ibuki Mio entered, looking half-dead as usual.
"Yeah, it's me," Toru replied casually. "First time we've run into each other here in two months, right?"
"…Probably."
She nodded.
She had intended to ignore him—
But then—
"Hey, you…"
She hesitated.
"…Still selling those stupid recorders?"
"…Yeah. Want one?"
"No. The one you gave me is enough."
Then why ask?
"…Just curious."
Silence followed.
Awkward.
"…Why isn't this moving yet…"
She glanced at the floor indicator—
And right then—
The elevator stopped.
Not because someone pressed a button—
But because it malfunctioned.
The lights flickered, then died.
Emergency lighting kicked in.
"…It broke."
Ibuki went pale.
"…Seriously?"
Toru glanced at her.
What were the odds?
They hadn't met in two months—
And the moment they did, the elevator broke.
She must be cursed.
Seeing that she made no move, Toru stepped forward and pressed the emergency button.
Nothing.
"…Figures."
He pulled out his phone and dialed the emergency number.
Thankfully—
Signal was fine.
"They said about thirty minutes," he said, turning back.
Ibuki was already crouching.
"Th-Thirty minutes?!"
Her voice cracked.
"That's impossible."
She jumped up, frantically pressing buttons.
No response.
The air conditioning had stopped.
The heat began to rise.
Sweat formed on her neck.
"…There should be an emergency exit up there…"
She looked at the ceiling.
Normally, she could jump up and open it.
But now—
She couldn't even jump.
Because—
Her bladder was full.
Completely.
Thirty minutes?
No chance.
If she were alone, she could maybe…
Deal with it.
But Toru was here.
…She wanted to die.
Her legs pressed together tightly.
Her body trembled.
The heat made it worse.
She felt dizzy.
"Hey… you okay?"
Toru finally noticed something was wrong.
Her posture.
Her flushed face.
Her unfocused eyes.
…Was she about to pass out?
"…I'm not okay."
She tried to sound tough—
But failed.
"…Then say what's wrong."
"…I can't!"
Her mind was in chaos.
How was she supposed to say it?!
But if she didn't—
It would be worse.
Time ticked by.
She was at her limit.
"…Turn around."
She forced the words out.
"…I need to use the bathroom."
Toru blinked.
Then understood.
Instead of turning away immediately, he glanced at the camera.
"…Want me to block you?"
"…Okay."
She answered quietly.
They switched positions.
He stood in front, shielding her.
Breathing.
Clothing rustling.
She knew the sound couldn't be hidden—
But she had no choice.
Then—
The sound of water.
Moments later—
Silence.
Ibuki poked his side.
"…If you tell anyone, I'll kill you. Then kill myself."
She said it fiercely—
Though it carried no real threat.
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