Chapter 44 - Shadows

---Notice---

I've been busy with college, so uploading has been a bit annoying but here's a chapter

If you dont give me your powerstones, I'll...

Be very sad so please send them my way, as always I appreciate comments and reviews as well, I love hearing everyone's thoughts.

My discord: discord.gg/t6Zttw8E

--------------------------------

"The trust of the innocent is the liar's most useful tool." ~Stephen King

"Aren't you going to prepare for your game today, Light?" Ryuk asked as I got out of the shower.

"No, there's no point. This game, designed by Morishita, has random variables like the players' identities, such as thieves, bankers, or civilians," I responded, changing into my uniform.

"Oh, are you saying there's a chance you may lose this game?" Ryuk asked with a curious smirk.

"No, of course not. That'd be impossible. I'm saying there's no point in expending energy on a game designed like this before it's even begun. It'd be a waste of time and effort."

"But still, I understand that if this game ends in a tie where neither of you guess the correct identity of the thief, you'd be safe. But there is a slim possibility that the thief leaves both you and that girl you're playing against stumped, and through a lucky guess, you could be defeated."

"You love trying to get to me, don't you? Well, it won't work, Ryuk. That's just how confident I am. There will be no loss for me because there's no plan I can't see through."

As I finished speaking and preparing myself to exit my room, there was a knock on my door.

I already had an idea of who this was, so steadily, I walked towards my door and opened it.

"Good morning, Sakagami-sensei," I said, opening my door for his entrance.

"Good morning, Yagami," Sakagami said, entering my room. "I suppose you know why I am here?"

"It's about today's game, isn't it? To tell me the details I need to know?"

"Correct. Since you seem informed, I won't bother with too many details. The participants in this game will be you, Ai Morishita, Miki Yamamura, Ryuji Kanzaki—"

I interrupted Sakagami as he spoke, "Kanzaki?"

"Yes, although the rules say high rollers can only play one game per day, there is a distinction between real players with something to gain or lose—in this case, you and Morishita—and mere participants. In other terms, if there is a random selection of students for a game, that selection is truly random. Anyone may be selected," Sakagami explained.

I simply nodded my head, letting Sakagami continue.

"The other three participants will be Yuki Himeno, Teruhiko Yukimura, and Chiaki Matsushita."

It was quite the stacked lineup of participants. If I have been given the role of thief in this game, I'd go as far as to claim this was a conspiracy by the school to test me. After all, if these participants were truly randomly selected, you'd expect some more lackluster students. Still, everyone that seemed to be selected for this game were students I had an eye on due to their capabilities.

Not only that, not a single member of Class C was selected for this game.

Oh well, it's better not having to worry about someone else anyway.

"Now, as for your role in this game, Yagami, you have been given the role of civilian," Sakagami stated.

"I see. That doesn't give me much to operate with," I responded calmly. "Is that all you can say?"

Sakagami quickly nodded. "It's all I can say, and it is, unfortunately, all I was told. As I explained to you before, these exams are pretty secretive."

"I see. Then thank you. I will contemplate what you have told me," I responded, and following that, Sakagami quickly made his exit.

"What now, Light?" Ryuk said as I watched Sakagami exit.

"Nothing. I still plan on taking it easy today," I replied, exiting my room.

As I walked down the hallways of the cruise ship, Ryuk continued to talk, although he was no longer making simple conversation.

"That weird kid from a few days ago is following you again. He's been doing so since you left your room," Ryuk stated, obviously annoyed. It was something I had noticed about Ryuk; he didn't like the idea of being stalked, even if no one else could see him.

But again? I'm more surprised I didn't notice him for the second time. What could he possibly have to talk with me about?

Instead of leading him somewhere private like last time, I simply stopped moving and stared at the corridor behind me.

Five seconds passed, then ten, and only by the fifteenth second did the boy get the hint and walk around the corner where he had been hidden.

"What a coincidence we randomly meet here," Ayanokoji said, lightly scratching his head as he slowly approached me.

"A coincidence? Come on, stop joking. I doubt you stalk people's living quarters by coincidence," I said with a smile.

"…" Ayanokoji didn't respond at first. He likely assumed I was clueless about how long he was following me, even if I had spotted him in the end. And he was right, if not for the fact I had Ryuk to assist in knowing his whereabouts. "It was really just a coincidence, I swear. It just so happened I was in the area. It isn't that weird we come across each other on a ship like this, after all," he said, now standing in front of me.

"Haha," I laughed lightly. It was half genuine, given that Ayanokoji was definitely an interesting character. "I see. Would it also just so happen you had something you wanted to talk with me about?"

"No, actually. At least not anything specific," Ayanokoji responded, not elaborating further.

"Then, would you like to get breakfast?" I asked.

"I wouldn't mind breakfast, although the dining hall is probably packed at the moment. How about we go to one of the smaller venues?" Ayanokoji suggested.

"Sounds good to me. I haven't had a relaxed meal in a bit," I responded as Ayanokoji led the way.

"Ah, yes. I assume it must be tough being a class representative and trusted by so many."

"It's not that it's tough, but I guess it's better to say I appreciate a change of pace."

As I walked out into public view with Ayanokoji, I received some stares and gazes, mostly from Class D students. I expected this, though. After all, I took advantage of the fact that five of their classmates had been expelled to gain a one-up over Horikita, so my reputation with them would decline slightly. But it would rebound, especially when I am so close with one of the students who almost was expelled and had considerable control in Class D.

"Are you sure you should be walking with me like this, Ayanokoji? It could blow your cover, even if just slightly, or simply cause you trouble in general since Class D currently isn't my biggest fan," I explained to him in a quiet tone.

"They won't suspect a thing. You are known to get along with everyone. Plus, someone trying to keep a low profile hanging out with you would be counter-intuitive. That will be what they think. Plus, I'm not bothered by Class D's thoughts," he responded as we closed in on what seemed to be a small sandwich place.

As we both took a seat, Ayanokoji asked me a question, "What do you think of this? As in the school itself."

"Hmmm, well, it's more interesting than my old schools here, I'll tell you that. But still, it's quite boring, although the people here are interesting," I said, looking at the menu on the table.

"I see. I agree with you for the most part," Ayanokoji said as he did the same as me, grabbing the menu and scanning it. "Why is the status of Class A important to you?"

"It isn't important to you?" I asked curiously.

"For the most part, I can't say it is."

"That answer seems to oppose your actions, though, doesn't it?" I asked.

"It's your turn to answer my question. I gave you an adequate answer to yours," Ayanokoji responded.

"Fair enough. Class A isn't directly important to me, but I am in the race for it because it relates to other things like my classmates or winning. Nobody takes pleasure in losing, after all," I explained.

Ayanokoji nodded his head in understanding as he commenced his response. "I thank you for your details. I guess I will answer your question. I don't think my actions oppose my answer. Like you, what I may be interested in or 'fighting' for may not be the title of Class A but something related."

"That's a very broad answer, but oh well, it is what it is," I replied as a waiter came to our table.

"Have you two decided on what you'll be having?" he asked.

And so we quickly ordered.

"So, how's Class D holding up?" I asked, keeping my tone friendly but my eyes studying Ayanokoji closely.

"They're anxious," he said, "Most of them are freaking out, worried we'll finish this exam without a single class point."

"Hmm, yeah, I get that. It's normal to be worried," I replied, leaning in a bit. "But Class D isn't totally hopeless, right? You've got some capable people there, maybe even more than my class. And with you pulling the strings from the shadows, they've still got a fighting chance." I lowered my voice, almost daring him to admit what we both knew, "With your help, they could turn things around."

But his next words took me completely by surprise.

"I've lost interest in them," Ayanokoji said, "Class D was a little project for me, something to pass the time. But I'm done with them."

I blinked, caught off guard. "Wait... what?"

"Class D is finished," he said bluntly, eyes meeting mine with that unnerving calmness. "I'm done playing babysitter. I'm pulling my support as soon as possible. Whatever happens to them in the future, it's not my problem."

I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. Was he serious? "Why?" I asked curiously.

He shrugged, unfazed. "They're just... irrelevant to me now. Think of this as a thanks—a little gratitude for keeping quiet about me. Do with it whatever you want. Ignore it, act on it, I don't care. It doesn't change anything for me."

His words hung in the air. Was this some kind of trick? Or was he really about to drop Class D like that?

I nodded slowly, "Alright. I'll keep that in mind."

Ayanokoji nodded back, standing up while extending his phone towards me. "We might as well exchange contacts."

I nodded, pulling out my phone. There was no harm in exchanging contacts with Ayanokoji. After all, given my popularity, many have my number. It wouldn't be difficult to get.

"Done," I said as the contacts transferred.

"I guess we will talk some other time," Ayanokoji said, making an exit.

Ryuk then spoke, "What now? There's still a lot of time left till your game."

"Ryuk, I told you today was a break day. I plan on relaxing," I said, taking out my phone and sending and replying to messages.

Ryuk peeked over my shoulder as I sent them. There were messages from multiple individuals asking me to hang out on the ship. Obviously, those in my class, like Ryuen, Ibuki, Shiina, Ishizaki, Albert, and Manabe, messaged me. The same was true for those in other classes. I got messages from the friendly students of Class B, Karuizawa, some of the students, specifically females, of Class D, and even Katsuragi of Class A. But I responded to them all with a similar message.

'I will be busy today, so I won't have much time to socialize. Sorry.'

This was the message I sent to everyone before returning to my room.

"What's the point of lying about your plans?" Ryuk asked.

"There's no real big point, but if I'm not planning to prepare, there's no reason to make that fact evident. Plus, all the socializing on this ship has been a bore. I deserve a break from it."

So when I arrived in my room, I simply turned on the television and waited until the afternoon arrived.

--------------------------------

I'd love to hear any question or really whatever you guys have to say regarding the plot and how things are going; I hope you all enjoyed it; as you can tell, in the next chapter, we will get into the fun stuff with the game against Morishita and Class A.