Chaos Mate ~Revenge In This Chaotic Academy~ - Chapter 42: Entry/Exit Data

Chapter 42: Entry/Exit Data

The morning after a day has passed since Kikuchi was killed.

My inner voice slipped out into reality.

“…What’s this situation?”

I was sleeping in a sleeping bag, but now I’m being hugged by the silver-haired girl who was supposed to be fast asleep on the bed.

To an outsider, this might look like a “trade places with me” moment.

If I could trade, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

“Ugh… suffocating…”

My arms are pinned behind my head, my face pressed into her ample chest, and my legs are tangled with hers.

In this situation, I’m her body pillow, and the sleeping bag keeps me from moving.

I shift my face away from her chest to breathe, and I hear her sleep-talking.

“Mmm… don’t… move…”

What’s with that sleep talk? It’s like I’m the one doing something wrong!

No, no, no, let’s not cause any misunderstandings.

I’m a guy with practically zero libido, okay?

And isn’t this situation the complete opposite of me making a move on her?

“What kind of sleeping posture is this…?”

Wriggling in the sleeping bag, I turn around, manage to unzip it, and get out.

For a moment, I feel free.

But then, I feel a soft sensation against my back, and she wraps her arms and legs around me again.

“Is she… really asleep…!?”

Looking back at her face, I see a cute sleeping expression that doesn’t match the cocky, sharp-tongued girl I know.

For a split second, my heart feels purified.

I can’t wake her. That face is unfair.

Resigning myself to being held, I suddenly hear her voice.

“Nn… I missed… you… Arata…”

“…Huh?”

I think she’s awake and ask, but there’s no response. Just sleep-talking.

Arata…? A guy’s name?

If I ask her, she’ll probably just say, “I’m not answering.”

“No running today…”

I give up thinking, sigh, and try to fall back asleep in this position.

The name Arata lingers oddly in my mind.

A few dozen minutes later, when Mogami wakes up and sees me, her expressionless first word is “pervert.”

The world is so damn unfair.

※

Arriving at school separately from Mogami, I barely make it to the classroom before homeroom. The moment I step in, I feel the air shift.

No surprise there. After what I said yesterday, I knew I’d be isolated.

The cold, piercing glares from everyone have no effect on my already icy body. I sit at my desk, about to put my textbooks in, when I see a loose-leaf paper and sigh.

In big black letters, it says, “Stop looking for the culprit.”

“This is silly.”

Muttering in English out of exasperation, I crumple it and toss it in the trash.

The hostile stares around me don’t let up.

Amid that, Motoki, sitting in front of me, talks to me as usual.

“Rough day, huh, Madoka? Heard you were investigating Kikuchi’s case all day yesterday?”

“Yeah, got Mogami to help. …By the way, did you say that line to her? It’s a good one to get closer.”

“About that… When I brought up Neapolitan bread, Emi-chan went on a 15-minute rant… Now ‘Neapolitan bread’ is stuck on repeat in my head. What am I supposed to do with this?”

“So, did you get closer to her?”

“No way! She’s way out of my league!! How the hell do you hang out with her so casually!?”

“Dunno. We don’t even talk that much, but it’s oddly calming.”

“What’s with that weird vibe!? I’m jealous!!”

I feel gratitude and suspicion toward Motoki’s usual attitude while staying alert to my surroundings.

Among these hostile eyes, the enemy I’m looking for might be watching.

※

After school, Mogami and I head to the student council room.

Mogami looks reluctant, but her coming along means she feels the danger to herself.

At the door, I see a familiar face for the first time in a while.

He notices me too, and instead of his usual fake smile, he gives a natural one.

“…Been a while, Mao.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Tsubaki-san.”

Ishigami Mao. My opponent in the class-versus-class werewolf game. I heard he was mentally shaken afterward and hospitalized in a psychiatric ward.

Mogami instinctively hides behind me, peeking out from the side.

“You feeling okay? Back in action, huh? Good. I was worried.”

“Yes, sorry for the concern. As you can see, I’m fine, so don’t worry. …Is that, perhaps, behind you…?”

“Oh, this is Mogami Emi. My classmate now.”

Mao looks at Mogami’s face and widens his eyes for a moment.

“As I thought, it’s Mogami-san! We were in S-Class together… though she hasn’t come to school since the entrance ceremony…”

“Apparently. Even I know that much.”

Glancing back at Mogami, she looks grumpy, lightly pinching my Y-shirt.

“You’re too shy. Work on it a bit.”

“Shut up, it’s none of your business.”

“Ugh, fine. Sorry, Mao, she’s like this.”

“No, it’s fine. It just means Mogami-san trusts you, Tsubaki-san. By the way, do you have business in the student council room?”

“Yeah, I came to see B… the student council president. Is she here?”

“Unfortunately, the president’s out today with the headmaster. Something about a meeting at the main Sakurada family estate…”

“…I see. I’ll come back later then.”

Hearing “Sakurada family estate” sends a chill of rage down my spine. I still hold an indescribable anger toward the head of that family.

As I turn to leave, Mao calls out, “Wait, please.”

“If it’s okay with you, I can help. Can I assist?”

“…Why?”

“I heard about the murder in E-Class. You’re trying to find the culprit, right? As a student council member, I want to resolve this quickly for the academy’s peace.”

I thought this when he infiltrated the school in disguise before, but Mao has an unshakable sense of justice. I won’t say that’s why, but using that justice could be effective.

I step closer and offer my hand.

“Thanks, Mao. Please, lend me your strength. For the academy’s peace.”

“Of course, gladly.”

We exchange big smiles, shake hands, and enter the empty student council room.

“So, what were you going to ask the president?”

“I want to see the surveillance footage of Utsumi Kagetora for the past three days. I think he might be the culprit.”

“Utsumi Kagetora… An even more dangerous person than you, Tsubaki-san. But he’s under strict surveillance by the student council and teachers. It’s impossible for him to leave that room.”

“But what if there’s a way? Like someone opening a window for him.”

“That’s impossible too. The sensors activate when the door’s closed, and the windows have infrared sensors.”

“Then, could someone enter from outside?”

“Sure, that’s possible. High-combat teachers go in for counseling sometimes.”

“What happens to the sensors then?”

“They’re turned off, I believe. So, normally, only teachers enter Utsumi’s room.”

“Got it… Then, if we know which teacher entered Utsumi’s room last, we could find the accomplice…”

Mao narrows his eyes for a moment, glancing at the surveillance camera, and whispers.

“…Are you suggesting a teacher collaborated with Utsumi Kagetora to commit the murder?”

“I just thought it’s a possibility. Is there a way to check?”

“Yes, the surveillance footage results are stored on this computer.”

He starts the computer in the student council room, and the names of teachers who entered Utsumi’s room pop up.

Checking the most recent entry, I can’t help but let out an “Eh…” and stare in disbelief.

Mogami’s expression shifts from blank to slightly puzzled, and Mao narrows his eyes.

The night before last, when Kikuchi was likely killed, one male teacher entered Utsumi’s room.

His name: Kishino Atsushi. Our E-Class homeroom teacher.