Death's Deception

Chapter 7: The Judgment Day - Part 1

Tatsuya Kuroda exhaled slowly, his sharp gaze flicking across the dim, cold room. The silence was heavy, pressing like frost against his skin.

"Finally, day two," he muttered. "Two days have passed, and all we have left is water. No food."

His jaw tightened. Beneath his calm exterior, rage brewed.

"These people... they're monsters. I will never forgive them for putting us through this."

Aoi Himura stood beside him, her eyes set with quiet resolve. "You said Mei Tsukino is the VIP. We have to protect her."

Tatsuya's eyes shifted toward the others loitering nearby. "Daichi Hayasaka and Ren Sakamoto—both suspicious. Ren's too calm. Detached. Either he's cracking, or he's hiding something worse."

Aoi folded her arms. "Either way, we can't let our guard down."

The tension between them mounted. They had no more room for mistakes.

"Let's move," Tatsuya said. "Second floor. That's where Mei is."

Aoi looked at him, studying his unreadable expression. "Do you trust me?"

"You're not the Killer," Tatsuya said flatly. "And I haven't voted against the Killer. That keeps me in the clear. Mei isn't the Killer either. She's the VIP."

Reluctantly, Aoi nodded. "Okay. And... I'm sorry. I just wanted to understand you. Why you're so cold."

"We don't have time for that now. Mei needs us."

They took off down the hallway.

---

On the first floor, Ren Sakamoto and Daichi Hayasaka leaned against the wall, speaking in hushed tones.

"Things are heating up," Ren said with a faint smirk. "Everyone's on edge."

Daichi adjusted his glasses nervously. "We have to be careful. Trust no one."

"What's your take, Daichi?" Ren asked. "Who's the Killer?"

"I'm not sure," Daichi murmured. "But Tatsuya... he's too calm. Too controlled. Like he's hiding something."

Ren chuckled. "Or he's confident because he knows he's protected. Maybe you're right though. Maybe calm is a mask."

"And Aoi?" Daichi continued. "Quick to anger, always ready to protect Mei. Detective or deceiver?"

Ren's smirk deepened. "Could be either. But her fire keeps people off balance."

They both paused as footsteps echoed faintly.

"Think Mei really is the VIP?" Daichi whispered.

"If she is," Ren said, his grin vanishing, "the Killer's already closing in."

Their eyes locked.

"I'm watching you," Ren said.

"Good," Daichi replied. "I'm watching you too."

---

On the second floor, Mei Tsukino and Shun Hayashi walked side by side in silence. Dust shimmered in the light streaming through a window.

"Can we trust anyone?" Mei asked quietly.

"Trust is just a word people use until they need a scapegoat," Shun replied, hands in his pockets.

Mei stopped. Her eyes caught a folded note pinned to a dusty bulletin board. She approached slowly, pulling it free.

Her breath caught.

YOUR ROLE IS NOT SAFE.

"Mei?" Shun said, seeing her face pale.

"I-It's nothing," she stammered.

"Don't lie," he said. "Let me see."

She handed over the note. He read it aloud.

"They're watching," he said darkly. "This was meant for you."

"Then I'm already a target," she whispered.

"Maybe. Or they want you to panic. Don't let them win."

Mei nodded, her knuckles white as she gripped the note.

---

Footsteps rang down the stairwell. Tatsuya and Aoi arrived at the hallway's end.

"There you are," Tatsuya said.

"Nice of you to join us," Shun replied.

Mei stared at Tatsuya, her expression sharp and conflicted.

"You're angry," he noted.

"What is it you need to do?" Shun asked.

"I'm going to touch all three of you," Tatsuya said plainly.

Aoi blinked. "What? Why?"

"To prove I'm not the Killer. The Killer only gets one secret touch per day. I'll touch all of you now—openly. That way, you'll know I'm not it."

The group hesitated, then nodded.

Tatsuya placed a hand on Shun's shoulder. Then Aoi's. Then Mei's. Quiet. Deliberate.

"You're clean," Shun said.

"Or he's playing the long game," Aoi murmured.

"I need to speak with Mei alone," Tatsuya said.

"Why?" Shun asked.

"Because I understand her fear. And I know how to help her steady herself."

A moment passed. Then Shun nodded.

"Fine. I'll talk with Aoi."

He motioned for Aoi to follow. She glanced at Tatsuya, then walked away with Shun.

The hallway split. Two conversations began. The game continued.

Next In Chapter 8:The Judgement Day(Part 2)