The sound of footsteps drew closer, growing especially clear in the empty lower deck.
Karuizawa Kei didn't look up. She just sat on the cold floor, mechanically wiping away her endless tears with the back of her hand.
The swelling on her cheek hadn't gone down. The corner of her mouth still stung from the slap, and every breath brought a sharp ache in her nose.
She didn't slowly raise her head until Uesugi Hara stopped in front of her.
When she saw it was Uesugi Hara, she hastily wiped away her tears and forced herself to stand.
Her knees still trembled uncontrollably, so she wrapped her arms around her chest as if trying to protect what little dignity she had left. She didn't want Uesugi Hara to see her in such a pitiful state.
"Y-you... why are you here?" Her voice was choked with tears, with a hint of wariness she could barely conceal.
"Being deceived and bullied doesn't feel good, does it?" Uesugi Hara looked down at her, his tone so flat it revealed no emotion.
"What are you talking about?" Karuizawa Kei looked away, instinctively wanting to deny it.
"You don't have to admit anything. Just listen." Uesugi Hara stepped closer. The pressure of his approach made her shrink back. "Hirata called you here, didn't he?"
"How did you know?" Karuizawa Kei jerked her head up, eyes wide with shock. She'd thought only she and Hirata knew about this.
Ayanokoji had told Uesugi Hara beforehand, of course.
Uesugi Hara didn't intend to explain. He simply said, "Never mind how I know. What matters is that the ones who showed up here weren't Hirata, but those people from Class C." He paused, deliberately slowing his speech. "Why do you think that is?"
"N-no way! That's impossible! Yosuke would