Jodie: "..." Praying to God was useless unless God was willing to send down a bolt of lightning and strike him dead. Unfortunately, Tokyo apparently wasn't under God's jurisdiction—let alone getting struck by lightning, that guy had lorded it over everyone for so long and still managed to keep his intelligence perfectly tight-lipped, without leaking a drop. Clearly, his luck was excellent.
"But it's not a big problem." Jodie encouraged herself inwardly. "What God can't do, we can. Sooner or later, I'll drag that mysterious guy out from behind the scenes."
Still, meals had to be eaten one bite at a time, and Uzo had to be caught one step at a time.
Jodie could only face the bleak reality head-on.
She quickly composed herself, looked toward Suzuki Sonoko, and smoothly changed her story: "Actually, winning or losing doesn't matter. What matters is the time everyone spends having fun together! I've been in Tokyo for so long, but it wasn't until I got to know all of you that I felt like I'd truly integrated into life here for the first time—you're all wonderful kids. I'm really happy when I'm with you, and now I don't feel that same loneliness I used to."
Mouri Ran had such a soft heart. The moment she heard the word "loneliness," she was deeply moved. "I really like going out with Teacher Jodie too. Just call me anytime you want to have fun!"
Suzuki Sonoko was somewhat touched as well, but then she stroked her chin and suddenly fell into deep thought: "..."
Being with us... made her happy?
Scenes of Jodie going out with them silently flashed through her mind.
—Poisonings, floating corpses, slit throats, shootings, explosions...
Uh...
Suzuki Sonoko stiffened slightly. When she looked again at Jodie's bright, cheerful smile, a silent