Outsider

Farn gave Hesta a puzzled look, then suddenly laughed after a moment of silence.

"Have you not seen the interviews they gave after disembarking? Other than the female passengers suffering fairly severe psychological trauma, only one person died on the entire ship."

Hesta said nothing.

Farn looked at her, the smile on her face gradually stiffening. "...You're serious?"

"Believe it or not, that's up to you," Hesta replied. "If you don't believe me, just pretend I never said anything."

"No," Farn's expression instantly turned grave. "You know television stations interviewed them, right? After they got off the ship, many of their family members even flew directly from District 3 to the hospital in District 14 to visit them—"

"Mm."

Seeing no change in Hesta's expression, Farn became even more astonished. She pondered for a long while. "...Someone impersonated them? They changed their appearance? But no matter how exquisite the makeup was, it might fool a reporter's camera, but could it fool their friends? Could it fool their families—"

"Let's leave it here for today." Hesta straightened up. "I need to go to class..."

"What class could be that important? Skip it!" Farn grabbed Hesta by the wrist, frowning. "I'm the one grading you during this period anyway. Can't I just cover for you—"

"No." Hesta looked at her. "This isn't something that can be explained in a few sentences, and I don't want to talk about it right now."

"Then when will you want to?"

"When you're willing to tell me why you've been asking about District 15, I'll be willing to talk."

Farn narrowed her eyes and abruptly released Hesta's hand.

"...Fine. If you won't tell me, can't I keep investigating on my own?"

Hesta gave her a thumbs-up. "Good luck!"

After night fell, Hesta hurried to the