CLUE 5: The Disappearance of Kyotaka Ayanokoji 3

POV : ???

In my classroom, I settled at my desk peacefully, patiently waiting for the arrival of Hoshinomiya-sensei. Since I woke up this morning, there's been a lingering strange feeling, an impression I just can't shake. Something in the air doesn't feel quite right, an oddity that I can't ignore. It's like certain things are out of place or have been arranged differently since yesterday.

"Maybe I'm just imagining things?"

Yes, that's likely the case, but even though I know it, I can't rid myself of this strange sensation. It's really abnormal... Yet, everything seems to be going fine for my classmates. Maybe I should just let it go; it's not that important, right? I could perhaps seek advice from Kushida or Ayanokoji, but I don't want to bother them further. They've already helped me so much in the past.

As I was contemplating this further, I must have had an unusual look on my face because my friends from Class B started approaching me, forming a small group, with concerned expressions. As I looked up when I heard their footsteps approaching, I saw three of my classmates whom I spend a lot of time with: Yume Kobashi, Sayo Ando, and Chihiro Shiranami.

Chihiro: Hey, Honami, are you okay? I noticed you seemed lost in your thoughts. Is everything alright? You didn't even wave to everyone this morning...

Ichinose: Huh?

Yume: Exactly! Are you sure everything's fine? You seemed a bit distant this morning.

Sayo: It's really unlike you, isn't it? Have you faced rejection or something?

Chihiro: Really? Is that so, Honami... Then who is it?

Yume: No, that's not realistic. Who could refuse our lovely Honami? It's simply not plausible, is it? There must be another explanation...

Chihiro: Y-Yes, you're right... All the guys, and even the girls... are fans of her, so it's impossible for it to be that.

Sayo: So, Honami, what's it exactly? Could you explain to us?

Ichinose: Huh? I'm fine, don't worry, really. I was just thinking about something, that's all. I'm sorry if I worried you.

Saying that, I gave an embarrassed smile and raised both my hands in front of them, a small bead of sweat forming on my right cheek.

"I should probably set aside these concerns for now, I think. I don't want to worry everyone without reason..."

They're so caring to be concerned about me, but I can't reveal these strange thoughts I've had since I woke up this morning. It might sound really weird, even freak them out, and I don't want to come off as paranoid. After all, it might just be me overreacting... But there are still several strange things, like having class today when we were supposed to be on vacation... Maybe I'm just making too much of it. I need to give myself a mental break, or it might reflect onto the entire class. Come on, Ichinose, take a deep breath, it's nothing. I'll just go talk to Ayanokoji about it, and everything will be fine... I just hope he won't mind.

Sayo: Well, now that I think about it, could it be related to Ayanokoji's disappearance from Class D? You two seemed really close, didn't you, Honami?

Yume: Oh, now that you mention it, that's right! He's been absent for a week, so maybe it's been making her a little down... I apologize, Honami, I didn't realize how much it could affect you...

Sayo: It's true, Honami, is it because of what happened with Ayanokoji? After all, you two are pretty close...

"What? What did they just say? Did they really just mention Ayanokoji disappearing? What do they mean by that?" 

Don't tell me something serious happened to Ayanokoji, right? It's impossible... No, wait, I really need to take a step back and think about everything they just told me...

They claimed he was missing... But it's impossible for him to vanish without being caught on cameras, right? To disappear in that way is simply unbelievable... So, he must be in his room, right? But... Wait, they mentioned something else... They said he's been missing for... a week? No, in fact, they seem to act as if a whole week has passed since he disappeared... But, it can't be, right? Just yesterday, I saw Ayanokoji, I saw him... So, he can't have been gone for a week, right?

But... Everything that has happened since this morning, these strange feelings I've had... Could it be related? However, none of it makes sense... What rational explanation could justify all this? Nothing seems normal... What's really happening?

No, calm down, Ichinose... I need to keep my composure and wait for Hoshinomiya-sensei to arrive. Yes, that's it... Maybe it's a special exam, right? Even if it seems excessive, even for this school, it would be unreasonable... But it's the most logical and rational solution to hold onto for now... No, it's even... My only source of hope. I refuse to entertain the idea that something serious happened to Ayanokoji or that he simply disappeared... And how could it have happened? There are security cameras everywhere, except in his room, he couldn't have left elsewhere... But if he's been absent for a week, his room must have been checked, probably multiple times.

Ayanokoji... No, Kyotaka... I sincerely hope with all my heart that nothing's happened to him...

Sayo: Hey, Honami! Can you hear me? Ichinose, are you with us?

Chihiro: Ichinose...

After a moment, my eyes widened as I realized that my three friends were still around me, looking increasingly concerned. I watched them for a moment, and after that brief pause, I finally took a deep exhale before inhaling again. But before I could respond to them and express my concerns, the classroom door suddenly swung open. Everyone turned towards the door that had just burst open to see Chie Hoshinomiya-sensei making her entrance, looking unsteady. It seemed that at least on this point, nothing had changed. If I ever saw her arrive normally or just be normal one day, I think I'd seriously worry about her. She hesitantly moved to the desk, placing a hand in front of her mouth as if to suppress what appeared to be a gurgle, before ultimately holding back by leaning on her desk and addressing us.

I could see my three friends giving me one last look filled with concern, and it pricked my heart slightly before they finally returned to their seats.

... Here we go, I sincerely hope everything will be fine. Just tell me, reassure me that Ayanokoji is okay, or that all of this is just some strange and unreasonable special test. I prayed with all my heart for that, and I could feel beads of sweat running down my forehead, sliding down my face.

Hoshinomiya-sensei: Hello, everyone, um... gulp. There's something important I need to tell you before we start the class, so... gulp. Please excuse me; I seem to have a hangover... It's become a habit, I suppose. Blurg Well, here it is. I have some unfortunate news to share, that's right! Our cute and unlucky Kyotaka-kun has been missing for a week now, and no one has found him, not even on the cameras or anything! Please, if you have any information, come and tell me so I can save him and... so he considers me a heroine... No, no, that's not what I meant to say. I meant to say, um, pass on all your information to me or the student council! It's really important; he's completely disappeared for a week... I can't even imagine how sad Sae must be, poor thing... sniff, sniff Losing someone you love like this is so sad... I feel so sorry for her... So, for Sae and for me, do your best for Ayanokoji! Gloups. Ah, I have a headache... Well, let's move on to the... lesson.

What strikes me the most about her is realizing that she's a teacher, and specifically in this high school... Even though her teachings are rather excellent and she displays impressive insight when she decides to, there's no doubt she's... different. Although we've started to get used to her eccentricity.

However, what she just revealed triggered a reaction in me that I never thought possible... My eyes widened, and my breathing became heavy.

"What's happening? Ayan... Ayanokoji, no, this can't be true..."

So, he's really missing? No, this can't be true... No, I can't let panic overwhelm me... Ayanokoji has helped me so much. So this time, let me be the one to help him... I promise to find and save him, Kyotaka! It's a vow I make, yes, I can't give up, no matter the situation! There must be an explanation... The cameras captured nothing? There must surely be some flaw or something else... A hack perhaps? Is it possible that it's a large-scale abduction? ANHS is a very prestigious institution, so maybe these individuals are seeking a ransom in exchange for one of their students... But... Why Ayanokoji? Were there no other students to consider? I mean, it might have been more logical to target someone from Class A, right...? Or perhaps these individuals had no knowledge about it, and by a sad twist of fate, Kyotaka got involved.

And then there's the mystery surrounding the "week"... I can't figure all of this out on my own; it's frustrating! But I can't give up... He might be in danger right now! So maybe other people are facing the same situation as me? Maybe I should talk to Kushida and Horikita first, if there are others in the same situation... They will undoubtedly be just as worried as I am!

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POV : ???

Fu fu fu fu fu... Well, it's undeniable that this is shaping up to be quite exciting, isn't it? Has the masterpiece disappeared? Well, that hardly matters to me. I wonder what move you're planning this time, dear false genius. I never thought I'd see you truly immersed in this battle of classes, but it seems my predictions were wrong. Who would have believed you'd be caught up in this intrigue? I must admit I'm looking forward to discovering your plans... So, you're really changing, aren't you?

Whatever you're up to, Ayanokoji Kyotaka, know that I'll be here to thwart your plans, like a relentless opponent in a chess game planning three moves ahead. I'll unravel the mystery, narrow down the possibilities, and push you to your limits. I'll fulfill your desire, rest assured, because I understand better than anyone else what you're seeking and who you truly are.

So come, join our game, and let's play together, like two grandmasters challenging each other on the chessboard. Let's watch the moves you make next, a game where strategy is everything, where every piece matters. I'm already envisioning an extraordinary plan to overcome the defenses of this place, like a player anticipating the opponent's moves and seeking to counter them. After all, you are the masterpiece of the White Room for a reason.

I'm truly curious... Aren't I? A week, is it? Fufufufufufufu! I really wonder what you've concocted, what kind of maneuver you've planned... But I must admit I'm not all that surprised. In fact, this is exactly what I expected from you! I'm really looking forward to seeing how the events unfold, like a chess player eagerly awaiting their opponent's next move while trying to anticipate every possibility. So, come closer... and let yourself be revealed.

Fufufufufufufufufufufufu! The game is just beginning, Ayanokoji Kyotaka.

Fufufufufufufufufufufufu!