The Person in the Game (2)

It was beer.

Although it wasn't a particularly grave issue, this school strictly prohibited alcohol and tobacco.

At least for the students.

"Do you need me to explain further?"

Sakayanagi held the winning hand.

Winning someone over was simple.

All you had to do was get a hold of their weakness.

The current situation was a perfect example.

"...I am willing to accept punishment. But don't think you can control me with this."

Kamuro Masumi spoke as she pulled out her phone.

Just as she was about to dial the school's number...

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Sakayanagi pressed down on her right hand.

If the school found out about this, Kamuro Masumi would likely face a significant penalty, wouldn't she?

After all, they needed to make an example of someone.

By punishing the first offender severely, few would dare to repeat the mistake.

"I know you didn't do it just to drink."

Sakayanagi naturally took the phone from Kamuro Masumi and casually powered it off.

"It was merely to satisfy your own desires. A craving for something called a thrill..."

"Enough, stop talking!"

Kamuro Masumi snatched her phone back.

She sighed, resigned to her fate.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I love talking to intelligent people."

"..."

Sakayanagi quickly assigned Kamuro Masumi her first task.

That was...

"I want you to join the tennis club temporarily."

"Why? I hate joining clubs."

"It's only temporary."

Kamuro Masumi didn't understand what Sakayanagi was trying to achieve.

Why on earth would she want her to join the tennis club?

But Oreki, standing to the side, understood perfectly.

This was clearly to keep him under surveillance.

The trap he had set was located within the tennis club.

If Sakayanagi wasn't sending Kamuro Masumi there for that reason, what else could it be?

"I believe we will surely become friends."

Sakayanagi said to Kamuro Masumi with a smile.

She meant those words from the bottom of her heart.

Though she didn't know if it would ever come to pass, it didn't really matter.

She didn't care about having friends anyway.

Having sufficiently strong opponents was enough.

"Can I go now?"

Oreki raised his hand to speak.

He felt a rather awkward sensation being caught between these two.

Was it because he was the only male present?

Probably not...

"Please, feel free."

"Sigh."

Receiving Sakayanagi's permission, Oreki took his leave.

It was already six in the evening.

Time to consider what to have for dinner...

"Beep--"

Oreki's phone chimed in his pocket.

A text message.

Who would it be at this hour?

Oreki had a vague idea of who it might be.

He quickened his pace.

Once out of Sakayanagi's sight, he immediately pulled out his phone and opened his inbox.

--Can you come here for a moment?

--(A picture of a Western-style restaurant)

Oreki frowned.

He wondered what Kei was doing...

He had clearly told her to keep a close eye on Kiyoko.

--Yeah.

After a simple reply.

Oreki changed his plans and headed toward the restaurant in the picture.

His points were sufficient, anyway.

Splurging once in a while wouldn't hurt.

However...

She doesn't seem to know the truth about the hundred thousand points, does she?

Oreki felt he should tell Kei.

Regardless, he had promised to protect her.

Besides, if Kei spent her points recklessly, it would be a headache for Oreki as well.

Lost in thought.

He arrived at the location where Kei was waiting.

"Over here!"

Kei waved at Oreki from the second floor.

She looked quite happy.

He had no idea what could have happened.

Oreki shook his head helplessly.

He waved back at Kei and walked inside.

--To be continue