Death's Deception

Chapter 8: The Judgment Day (Part 2)

The hallway stretched in eerie silence, dim lights flickering above as Shun Hayashi and Aoi Himura walked side by side. Their footsteps echoed faintly against the tiled floor.

"So, Aoi," Shun began, his voice casual but probing, "you've been pretty vocal about protecting Mei. Why? You don't strike me as someone who does favors."

Aoi shot him a sharp glance, her eyes narrowing. "Because she's the key to this whole mess. If the VIP dies, we all lose. And if the Killer gets her? It's game over. I'm not here to lose."

Shun stopped for a moment, the words hitting him like ice. "Mei… is the VIP?" he said, disbelief creeping into his voice. "That's why I've been so tense. This changes everything."

"Who told you that?" Aoi asked calmly, yet firmly.

A bitter laugh escaped his throat. "You? Tatsuya? Who else?"

She folded her arms. "Tatsuya told me. And now you're acting like you don't believe him—but you look more afraid than ever."

Shun hesitated. "Yeah, well... maybe I'm scared because I don't know who to trust anymore. You were ready to accuse Tatsuya of being the Killer before. Now you're quoting him like gospel?"

"I don't trust him blindly," Aoi replied. "But right now, Mei's survival is all that matters."

Shun turned away slightly, his voice quiet. "If this is a trap, we're all screwed."

"In this game," Aoi said coldly, "trust is the most dangerous weapon. Use it wisely."

---

Meanwhile, down a separate hallway, Tatsuya Kuroda walked beside Mei Tsukino. Their pace was brisk, but the silence between them was louder than any conversation.

"You betrayed me, Tatsuya!" Mei's voice cracked, trembling with rage and heartbreak. "I thought I could trust you… but you're just like the rest."

Tatsuya froze mid-step, eyes narrowing.

What foolishness, he thought. She really believes that? After everything I've done?

Without a word, he raised his hand and struck Mei lightly across the face. The slap echoed through the hall—not out of cruelty, but as a desperate snap back to clarity.

Everything went still. Mei stood frozen, her hand to her cheek, stunned. Tatsuya exhaled slowly.

"Do you really think I betrayed you?" he asked, his voice razor-sharp. "That's how little you understand me?"

He stepped in, eyes locked on hers.

"I'm not here to play nice. I'm here to win—and to keep you alive. You think I'd waste my chance touching someone who's already safe? I wait. I let them touch me first. If they're the Killer, I'll know. There are no warnings. Anyone could be marked."

Mei's eyes watered, her head lowering in shame. "I'm sorry… I just… I was scared."

"I get it," Tatsuya said, calming now. "Fear makes people stupid. But you don't have that luxury anymore."

He turned slightly, voice cold once more. "The real threats are Daichi and Ren. One of them is the Killer. I'm sure of it."

"Then what do we do?" she asked.

"I've told the others to protect you. Whether they believe me or not… doesn't matter. They'll be watching. So will I."

Mei gave a small nod. Her trust was fragile—but restored.

Tatsuya's expression hardened. "We survive. That's what we do."

---

They were just nearing the room where Aoi and Shun had gone when two familiar figures blocked the hallway ahead—Daichi Hayasaka and Ren Sakamoto.

Ren's usual smugness had drained into a calm stare. Daichi, however, carried a thin smile, his posture relaxed, almost playful.

Daichi walked forward and casually placed a hand on Tatsuya's shoulder.

"You look tense, Tatsuya," he said mockingly. "Something happen?"

Tatsuya didn't flinch. "Nothing. Move."

And then, the air cracked with a loud buzz.

The Accountant's voice rang out across the building.

> "Attention, players.

The VIP has been touched twice.

The Killer now has one final chance to touch the VIP."

The hallway froze. Everyone stiffened as if time itself had paused.

> "You have one minute remaining. If the Killer touches the VIP again, the game will end."

Mei stiffened beside Tatsuya. He narrowed his eyes, calculating. Daichi's grin faltered—just a bit.

> "After the final action, results will be revealed.

All players' roles.

How many lives were lost.

How many were saved.

How many guesses were right... and wrong."

The intercom clicked off.

No one moved. The seconds stretched like hours.

Tatsuya reached for Mei's arm protectively and shoved Daichi's hand off his shoulder.

"One minute…" he said coldly. "Let's see who shows their hand now."

He grabbed Daichi's wrist, staring him down.

"Oh… so you're—"

Before he could finish, Daichi lunged toward him, hand outstretched.

Tatsuya jerked away, bolting down the hallway. Daichi gave chase.

"You're not getting away from me!" he shouted.

Tatsuya spotted a chair nearby. Without hesitating, he grabbed it and flung it backward.

"Catch this instead!"

Daichi dodged, but the chair slammed into the wall. A cloud of dust burst into his eyes.

"Argh! My eyes—damn it!" he cried out, stumbling back, hands to his face.

Tatsuya didn't waste the moment.

He turned and charged—delivering a brutal punch to Daichi's side. Then another. And another. Daichi crumpled to the ground, gasping.

And then—

> "Game over," the Accountant's voice rang.

"Game over.

The Killer has been caught and defeated.

The Detective and the VIP have prevailed."

Silence.

> "All player roles will now be revealed.

Remaining lives and final vote counts will be displayed.

Thank you for participating in this judgment.

Prepare for the final truth to be unveiled."

The hallway was dead quiet now. Only the sound of ragged breathing filled the space as players looked to each other—some in disbelief, others in quiet relief.

It was over.

At least… for now.

Next in Chapter 9:The Crucible of Truth