Poushi Qinglan considered her question and shook her head. "We'll need further appraisal to be sure, but it does look very similar."
The others had also heard the commotion. They looked at Samukawa Ryu's retreating figure, as though they could see the ring he was wearing through him.
Suzuki Shiro, however, was only mildly interested in the matter.
He picked up a glass of wine and suddenly noticed that Nishino, who was holding a tray, was staring blankly into space as well. He quietly reminded him, "The pen in your pocket is about to fall out."
"Ah, sorry." Secretary Nishino came back to his senses and pushed the pen deeper into his back pocket. The pockets on the pants he was wearing today were rather shallow, and the pen had already fallen out several times.
The photographer didn't look back as he returned to the cabin. Still, he could feel the envious gazes of the others behind him.
He weighed the ring in his hand. Thinking of his plan, he gave a sinister smile, pushed open a door into the corridor, and soon vanished from everyone's sight.
Only then did Poushi Qinglan look away.
Her fingertips tapped unconsciously against her leg as a plan swiftly took shape in her mind: I never expected there to be another gain on this trip besides the Memory Egg.
And conveniently, this could provide a reason for Jiang Xia's later disappearance—perhaps "fleeing in fear of punishment" would be fitting.
The beautiful twilight scenery did not last long before night quickly fell.
After dinner in the dining room, everyone gradually returned to their rooms to rest.
But Jiang Xia had no intention of sleeping. He was taking a stroll around the ship when he happened to pass Poushi Qinglan's room just as its door