Death's Deception

Chapter 12: Into the Lion's Den

The sterile air of the Blue Room held its breath as Tatsuya Kuroda tied the blindfold tight around Daichi Hayasaka's head. In his other hand, he held a mask—matte-black, sleek, and unreadable. No reflection glimmered off its surface. The eye slits were deep hollows that revealed nothing.

"You're the first piece moved in this game," Tatsuya said, his voice void of emotion. "Don't give them more than they can handle."

Daichi chuckled, the sound light but edged with danger. "Oh, I won't. But I'll make sure they feel me in their bones."

The steel door groaned open. Cold air hissed through the opening.

"Player transferred. Mask protocol engaged," came the mechanical voice of the Accountant through the speaker.

Daichi stepped forward. The door sealed shut behind him.

---

Red Room

The room was silent. Crimson light bathed the walls in blood-tinged gloom. Ren Sakamoto, Shun Hayashi, and Aoi Himura sat blindfolded and masked, still as statues.

Then—footsteps. Slow, deliberate. The presence of a stranger tightened the air.

"He's here," Aoi whispered.

"Stay sharp," Shun said. "No sudden words. Watch for emotional traps."

Daichi's voice slipped into the silence, laced with amusement. "Three shadows. Three silent souls. And one uninvited guest."

"Speak," Ren said evenly. "Why are you here?"

"Because every good story needs an explosion."

"Are you the Bomber?" Aoi asked, voice trembling but resolute.

He chuckled. "Would I be dumb enough to walk into your den if I were? Or maybe… that's exactly the point."

"What's your strategy?" Shun asked sharply.

"Survive. Lie. Laugh a little. See who cracks first."

"Who sent you?"

A pause. Then, smoothly: "A coin flip. Or maybe a king behind a curtain. You decide."

"Why tonight? Why not Tatsuya?" Aoi pressed.

"Tatsuya plays chess. I prefer poker. He keeps his hand hidden. I flip the table."

Shun's voice tightened. "What's your role? Don't lie."

Daichi laughed again, quieter this time. "Role? In this theater? Let's just say... I know how to steal a scene."

Ren asked, "What scares you the most?"

There was a change in Daichi's tone—a dip into something real. "Silence. True silence. The kind you hear right before something... breaks."

"Is that a threat?" Aoi asked, unsettled.

"No," Daichi replied. "That's a promise. Or a prophecy."

The room fell still again. The clock on the wall ticked louder by the second.

---

Blue Room

Back in the Blue Room, Mei Tsukino sat with her hands clenched in her lap.

"What do you think they're asking him?" she asked nervously.

"Questions meant to provoke mistakes," Tatsuya said. "But Daichi doesn't make mistakes. He makes messes."

---

Red Room – Final Seconds

"Last chance," Ren said. "Give us a reason not to believe you're the Bomber."

Daichi's voice came, low and final. "Because if I were... you wouldn't be talking right now."

The alarm buzzed. Ten minutes had passed.

The steel door opened again. Daichi stepped back through it, leaving the red-hued silence behind.

---

Blue Room

Daichi removed his blindfold and mask. Mei looked at him, her gaze cautious.

"You scared them, didn't you?"

He grinned. "I danced on the line between truth and madness. Let them guess which side I landed on."

"Good," Tatsuya said. "The more uncertain they are, the easier the next move."

---

Red Room – Debrief

Ren pulled off his blindfold. "Well?"

"He didn't give anything up," Shun said. "But he didn't hide, either."

"It was like he wanted us to suspect him," Aoi added.

"Maybe that was the strategy," Ren replied.

---

Intercom Announcement

The Accountant's voice cut through the air like a razor.

"Day One concluded. No hearts lost. But the seed of doubt... has taken root."

---

Closing Scene

Tatsuya stood by the narrow window, its glass cold against his knuckles. His reflection stared back—sharp eyes, unreadable face.

In this game of masks and lies, his thoughts whispered, every question is a blade. And every answer cuts deeper.

Next In Chapter 13:Web Of Lies