---
We walked in silence for about fifteen minutes, the air growing heavier with each step. The trees here were older, thicker. Twisting branches clawed toward the sky like they were warning us to turn back. The atmosphere had changed. Even the crickets sounded different here—more distant. Like they didn't want to be heard.
This was the **mysterious side** of the island. The one the school "recommended" we avoid.
Satoshi's voice broke the silence. "Kei, I have a question."
I turned slightly, not stopping. "What?"
"Why'd you trust Shuto to watch over camp? And why did you even ask for his insight?"
I didn't answer him right away.
Instead, I turned to Haruto. "Haruto… remember two days ago, when we fought? In the rain."
He blinked. "Yeah. What, you trying to show off now or something?"
I shook my head. "Somehow, Shuto figured out that you were in a fight. He wasn't even near the scene. And he **deduced** it, completely on his own."
Satoshi raised his brows. "So… he's some kind of genius?"
Haruto shrugged. "Not exactly. But his dad used to be a detective. And his mom studied brain behavior or psychology or something like that."
Kaito gave a low whistle. "Damn. That's a deadly combo."
I nodded. "Exactly why I trusted him to stay behind. He's no leader, but he's a thinker. And right now, that's what we need more of."
Before anyone could respond, we crossed a line—literally and figuratively.
I stopped walking.
"We've officially entered the mysterious side," I muttered.
Haruto looked around, unease written all over his face. "The school said this area has unknown dangers."
I smirked faintly. "Which is why we brought **bug repellent**."
Satoshi scoffed. "Yeah, but what if there are things worse than bugs? What if repellent's not gonna cut it?"
I stopped walking and turned, slightly irritated. "Can you guys just **trust me** for once?"
Haruto sighed. "As long as you don't get us killed."
I gave a half-smile. "Don't worry. I only do that to my enemies."
We kept walking, deeper and deeper into the uncharted zone. Every branch snap underfoot sounded louder. Every rustle made our grips tighten.
Then it happened.
*Snap.*
Haruto, ahead of us, stepped on something.
"Wait—!"
Too late.
A wire went taut. A net *snapped* from the side, yanking Haruto up into the air. His body thrashed in the net, now dangling from a thick tree limb. Worse—some kind of pulley system had connected the net to nearby trees.
*CLANG!*
Two massive metal bells clashed together above us, ringing out like a war horn.
I froze.
Then cursed under my breath. "Shit. They **know** we're here."
I sprinted to the base of the tree and slashed at the net with my knife. The fabric gave, and Haruto dropped hard into a pile of leaves.
We all dove into the nearest bushes, breath held, muscles tensed.
Haruto whispered, grimacing, "They planned this. All of it."
I kept my eyes on the direction of the sound. "Yeah. We're not just on the wrong side of the island—we're inside **their** terrain now."
Kaito cracked his neck with a grin. "Good. Let them come. I've been looking for a fight all damn day."
Then, from the direction of the bells, a light flickered.
A flashlight beam.
It cut through the darkness, growing closer. And with it… two silhouettes.
Tall, confident, deliberate.
As they got closer, my breath caught for just a second.
Reika Amamiya.
Kenji Kamuro.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Shuto's deduction was correct," I murmured. "They're here. They've been here this whole time."
I felt a faint thrill pulse through my chest—not fear.
Anticipation.
The game had started again. But this time, I was ready to move the pieces.
---
The sound of footsteps got louder—crunching through undergrowth. We all held our breath. But instead of a student stepping out… a chicken bolted from the bush near us, flapping wildly like it was fleeing for its life. I stifled a sigh. Kenji and Reika stopped just a few meters away, just beyond the foliage.
Kenji muttered, "Some of Class X are here, I know it. Our trap was cut, but it wasn't us."
Reika narrowed her eyes, scanning the dark. "I know Kei is here. He has a habit of getting in Class A's way."
So she's noticed my pattern. That's fine. Let her notice.
Kenji asked, "So what do we do?"
Reika's voice turned sharp. "Well, we could always tell the school we accidentally hospitalized them. The Student Government President will pull strings for us."
It took everything in me not to react. Cold, ruthless. She wasn't bluffing either.
Kenji smirked. "Let's find them."
They split up, disappearing into opposite directions. It was only after their silhouettes vanished that Haruto whispered next to me, "You guys heard that, right?"
I nodded slowly. "Yeah. We've got no time to waste."
I turned to the others. "We should split up into two groups."
Satoshi spoke up. "So me and Kaito, and you and Haruto?"
I shook my head. "No. You and Kaito think too much with your fists. You two let your emotions get the best of you. Me and Haruto are the opposite—analytical, restrained. We need balance. So I'll go with Kaito. Haruto, you go with Satoshi."
Haruto gave a subtle nod. "Makes sense. Where do we go?"
I looked toward the trail Kenji had taken. "Kaito and I will tail Kenji. Haruto, you and Satoshi shadow Reika. Stay back. Stay low. Observe."
Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "But she's just a girl."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh yeah, totally. Perfectly harmless. Not like she's ever *threatened the lives of multiple students* or anything."
Satoshi frowned. "What is it with you and sarcasm?"
"It's a coping mechanism," I said flatly. "Now go. Follow Reika."
Haruto and Satoshi nodded. No more questions. The moment they disappeared into the shadows, I turned to Kaito.
"Let's move," I whispered.
He cracked his knuckles. "Finally. Time to mess up their plans."
I wasn't sure if we were heading into a trap, or springing one of our own. But one thing was certain—Class A wasn't going to get the upper hand without a fight.
Not tonight.