Wana slowed her steps when she reached the music room door.
She reached out, took the handle, and gave it a gentle twist. The door opened.
The classroom was empty.
Riko wasn't here.
Kuroi ran up behind her, her expression turning anxious at the sight of the empty classroom.
"She's not here..."
"Then Riko must be in the chapel," Wana said softly, turning to leave the classroom.
Kuroi straightened and took a deep breath, trying to steady her breathing. She followed Wana out of the classroom, and the two turned to leave.
Footsteps came from the far end of the hallway.
High heels struck the floor with crisp clicks.
Wana stopped.
She looked down the hallway. It was long, lined with classroom doors on either side. Sunlight poured through the windows, painting alternating patches of light and shadow across the floor. At the far end, someone was walking toward them.
Backlit, her face was impossible to make out. Only her silhouette was visible-a tall woman in dark clothes, walking with a swaying gait. She held a long, dark brown whip that gleamed a muted red in the sunlight. Coiled in her hand, it looked like a sleeping snake.
As she drew closer, Wana could see her face.
She was a woman in her thirties wearing heavy makeup. Her foundation was as thick as a coat of wall paint, her eyeliner swept upward, and her lips were painted dark red. Everything about her radiated an air of "I'm the queen."
Her hair was dyed dark brown and styled in large curls that rested on her shoulders, swaying gently with her steps.
Wana frowned.
That outfit, that air-she looked nothing like a teacher or student here. Renji Girls' Academy was a church school with strict standards. The teachers wore understated suits, and