Coming into this school and entering this program not based on my choice, initially, I felt repulsed and I thought that I would have to endure boredom until the end of my days.

Supposedly, freedom will be guaranteed when this is over but I don't believe it. It won't be that simple.

As I successfully passed this special exam, I thought nothing of it. Simply yet another special exam.

However, something completely beyond my radar happened.

A student, from my class, died. But, not just any student.

This student, the very student that I had firmly witnessed sharing a couple of interesting words with another student from my class, called Daniel.

Awaiting for the usage of those important words, I kept on thinking how to properly use this opportunity in order to defend myself in case something crucial was to ever happen to me.

"Fufufu. How interesting. Suicide, was it? Daniel, Daniel. You're not aware that I know this, but I did witness you and Yulia talking about killing Yuka-sensei. Yet, yet. This. This! Who provoked this event? I need to know."

Daniel, was it you?

No. I don't think so. From my past observations, I was actually spying on you without your knowledge, and you never brought that image to me.

The image of being a mastermind. This means, there is someone in my class that is definitely behind all of this.

And I, Yukishiro Kyoko, will not let this be a mystery.

"However, how...?"

Right now, given that the classes for today were suspended, I was idly standing inside my own room while taking small walks in circles around my room.

I do that a lot. It helps me think far deeply. Staying lethargic in one place for too long gives me the absolute boredom I so seek to erase.

Nevertheless, I eventually let my blinds spread and witnessed the rainy atmosphere on the outside of the dorm.

"No doubt, Daniel is the main component here, but I don't believe he's directly involved. Who did this? Who are you? What are you thinking right now? Are you one of these annoying girls who won't stop crying about Yulia's death even though they never really interacted with her or are you, a boy, and you are just pretending to be a mystery? Try as you might, you can't hide from me. I will find you. And when I do, I will expose you."

Seemingly, this holds the purpose of exposing the mastermind here yet this is simply a way to pass time.

And to additionally test this person. If this person is capable of doing something like this, to provoke a suicide of this level and come out unscathed, then, no doubt, simple conduct will not work here.

"Let's start with the simple things..."

As I went to my desk and softly took a seat in my comfy chair, I took ahold of a pen and my notebook and wrote a simple name in it.

"Yulia."

I did conduct my research on Daniel without his knowledge, however, what's primal and peak knowledge here is that Yulia was undoubtedly romantically related to him.

Yet, Daniel didn't seem to be directly involved in this either.

Two days ago, when Yulia decided to suicide and Daniel went up ahead on our dorm, I did hide behind him a few meters away and witnessed the scene.

Either that's incredibly good acting or he wasn't genuinely involved.

"Daniel, Daniel, Daniel. Would you go that far? Are you the one? Would you by some chance ------ No. You wouldn't. You're boring. You never demonstrated anything beyond normal."

Then again... That might be the clue. The individual is someone who is labeled as normal or even mediocre, thus creating the perfect image. A show-off wouldn't do.

The individual is attempting to hide their image, somehow. However, how would the individual do it?

It would help if I got a clear image of the suspect yet as it stands, anyone could have done it.

"No, not true... Why did Yulia commit suicide anyway? It wasn't someone else that killed her. She killed herself. But that's absurdly strange... Why? Why? From my observations, you and Daniel were quite close to each other. Maybe he wasn't treating her correctly? Suicide in the middle of a relationship can only imply a lack of caring on someone's part. Therefore, you did something, Daniel. But, these are all assumptions that hold no evidence to them. So, instead, I'll round up who Yulia was the most familiar with."

Thus, in the paper, I wrote four particular names.

First of all, the supposed boyfriend, Daniel Lead.

Secondly, the friend that Yulia would hang out with the most, Sana Nasha.

Thirdly, the person who was nonetheless somehow majorly present. Yet, her interactions with Yulia were... questionable. Arkalee Kitsuya.

Fourthly and lastly, the boy who was there for reasons I could never understand, Hyunda Hajime.

"One of you did it."

No.

Strictly speaking, as I already mentioned, Yulia killed herself. Therefore, she did it. Not any of these four individuals.

However, the main trigger, the primal reason for her suicide, is, without a doubt, connected to someone here on this list of four.

"Today in class, I did look at Daniel a few times and he had dead eyes. Barely any motion at all. No doubt, he's not taking this well. Sincerely, a fool would simply go ahead and assume that this was the work of someone else yet what if this was his work all along? No. No. No. I've already come to the conclusion that Daniel does not display the fortitude of a mastermind. Therefore..."

Therefore, I crossed his name out of the list, which only leaves three left.

Out of instinct, I almost crossed the next name out of the list because I thought that Sana's emotions during that day were far too real.

As someone who has faked tears multiple times, I can differentiate real tears between fake tears. Those were not fake.

Sana, undoubtedly, is not involved... But...

"....What if she...No, I already concluded that she couldn't be involved, but... What if Sana or Daniel are on the same page here? They somehow did something beyond their knowledge and that affected Yulia..."

My reasoning here is that... These two, without a doubt, were always the two individual forces of Yulia's emotions. I do know this because every time she would face either of them, her facial expression and overall movements would differ spontaneously.

Multiple times, at the plaza, secretly, I witnessed their interactions.

Ultimately, at the concert, from afar, I saw Yulia hugging Sana with immense force. However, she disappeared after that.

"...That was actually the last time I saw her..."

What happened after that?

Daniel wasn't present.

Arkalee was with Sana.

Therefore...

"Arkalee, you are out. ...Although, although... I did lose sight of them once the concert gained way too much crowd. Given that I hate crowds, I had to leave. Did something happen back then? I don't know."

So... It might be dumb to cross Arkalee out.

Reason, reason. Damn it, nothing clicks. Yulia was the main source here but why would she suicide?

Was she being bullied? No, she wasn't. Even then, you would have to have an incredibly weak and feeble mindset in order to let yourself get swayed by such thoughts.

So... Something far stronger happened.

"....I'm not going to gather anything by standing here on my own. I know. But that means, in order to gather more plausible evidence, I would have to interact with the rest....."

That's the problem. I hate them. However, however... I am dying to know...

I need to know who is behind this. There is no way that Yulia would just kill herself without any reason.

Which means...

"I'll have to swallow my pride and pretend like I want to interact."

Don't get me wrong here. I am not doing this because I want to interact. I simply need to know who you are.

Could it be that you are just like me, who shares a great deal of hatred for human life in general?

I don't know who you are.

However, you are going to take responsibility for breaking this cycle of boredom. For once in these three months here, did something interesting happen.

Prepare yourself.

"......Oh yeah, there's one name left...."

Naturally, before I got up from my chair, I looked at the only name left that I hadn't crossed yet.

Nonetheless, all in all, I had no intention of actually counting them out. They are all involved somehow.

Or at least someone in this list is. Yet as I look upon this last name, I don't know what to think about.

Certainly, from past observation, Arkalee has displayed an obsessive behavior over him and that's undoubtedly noteworthy. However, I never understood why that was the case.

"......Who are you even...?"

I need to check something for myself before I attempt to scout the possible suspects.

Which is why, after I was done writing that list, I went to the main teachers' office, where all the teachers in school, whenever outside of their classrooms, would have to present their reports to the principal.

It appears that it had become a natural topic of gossip in this school, the fact that a suicide took place.

I could witness several stupid gossips about it coming from the students who idly wasted their time outside of their respective classrooms.

"-------Hey, did you hear...?"

"----Yeah, a suicide took place in------"

Just hearing their murmurs make my eardrums bleed. Human hypocrisy is something else.

Despite the fact that the person that just died never being relevant whatsoever, as soon as the person dies, it's a chance to gossip.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Ridiculous.

As I walked towards the main office inside block A, the main block, I had a strange thought. No. Perhaps a thought that I wouldn't label as strange, but rather ---- a peculiar curiosity.

If I were to die, just like that, just for the sake of being turned into a topic of conversation, would I be fine with it?

Hell no.

My life is so much more than just an excuse to relieve your boredom, you feeble creatures. I'm not your source of entertainment. I will die on my own terms.

Suicide? Don't joke with me. Only cowards resort to suicide and I am not one.

"This is it."

On the entrance of block A, I took a few steps in and right in front of me, taking out a cup from the coffee machine, a man who looked to be in his near twenties, glanced upon me with a supremely confident look, as he took a small sip of his coffee.

Not many teachers were around and it wasn't uncommon for students to walk in the block, however, going straight to the office is something that a student wouldn't do.

The ultimate purpose of being here is to seek teachers, staff members, or even the almighty principal himself.

"Yukishiro. What brings you here?"

"Ah, Basara-sensei. I wanted to talk to a teacher but I don't see Yuka-sensei anywhere..."

"What is it? Does it need to be now or can it be later?"

So demanding. However, I can't back down. It all starts here. I have to start gathering every drop of intel that I know about you, my mystery.

I will unravel you.

Thus, with confidence behind my words, I eagerly spoke out to this teacher of mine.

"It needs to be now. If it isn't much, can we talk in your office? It's really, really urgent."

Naturally, I have to come up with a valid point, which is why I will add a valid reason to this.

"It's about Yulia, Basara-sensei."

Of course, I don't care about Yulia. However, however, an investigation needs to be done.

"I see. Follow me."

"Certainly."

Thus, after climbing a few floors, I reached Basara-sensei's office.

Nothing remarkable about it could be witnessed though. It was extremely tidy and everything was in its place.

However, instead of taking a seat in his desk chair, Basara-sensei simply went to one of the mini couches and took a seat while telling the following words.

"Sorry, I got nothing to drink here. Seat in one of the couches."

"Thank you."

Seating paralleled to Basara-sensei, who had a pile of documents in his hand, I allowed myself to feel comfortable.

Still, I immediately went to the point.

"Um, do you have any idea who might be behind what happened recently, Basara-sensei?"

Despite the fact that I looked at him concretely in the eyes, this man kept on browsing his documents, as if to search for something.

That alone triggered my interest.

"Sorry to ask this in addition to what I just asked, but what are you..."

"I've already started to conduct research. As a matter of fact, research itself has already been started. A few events took place this specific month. Do you remember the day that Ikkiri received bullying?"

"Yes..."

I do remember that event, but it just felt mediocre, if I'm honest here.

This, however. Real death? Not just empty threats, but the actual thing? That's captivating. You. Again, I don't know your identity, but this is a dangerous game you are playing.

Did you think that no one would be interested in you? Or is that you're intention?

There's so much to think about when it comes to you.

"Yuki, are you interested in hearing something that might be interesting yet lacks evidence behind it?"

"I don't mind, sensei."

Out of curiosity perhaps, Basara-sensei dropped his documents on the mini table that was serving as a barrier of distance between us.

A small smirk rose on his face subsequently as he readied himself to speak.

"That event and this one... There might be a hidden connection somewhere along the invisible lines."

"How so...?"

"As you know, according to the footage that we have, Yulia was shown to carry a gun. And subsequently, she shot herself. However, the gun's origins are yet to be found. Every room will be investigated, so I thought that you should be aware of that."

That's a bit surprising, however, I have nothing to hide, so I'm fine.

I see though. With every room investigated, whoever is shown to have guns or anything of that sort will automatically be exposed as the suspect.

However...

"Wait, but what if it was Yulia's gun all along?"

There's nothing that says that that can't be the case here. And, would you be so careless to the point of handing out a gun to her? But that would mean that your power is so overwhelming that you made Yulia kill herself with something that you deliberately gave her.

In other words, that alone would automatically confirm that you, my dear suspect, are on another level.

Your way of thinking cannot be breached easily, it seems. Because as of now, you are aware, aren't you?

Have we ever crossed glances with each other, by some chance? When? Tell me something.

"That's an option. There is something that was deliberately concluded already though. Only Yulia's fingerprints were on the gun."

"Then, sensei, that means that was Yulia's gun all along. I don't think there's room to debate here."

"Certainly, that would be the correct assumption. However, I am someone who likes to think outside of the box. Manipulating fingerprints isn't something uncommon now, is it?"

"True."

Let's suppose that what Basara-sensei's saying is true. Does that mean that you also went and thought ahead of that?

Your intelligence then is supremely high. And you are hiding from everyone.

You can't hide from me though. You will pay the price for making me curious in a human being, for once in my lifetime.

If this isn't worth it, then I will, not only kill you, but I will mutilate you, so play this game the way it should be played for me.

"Therefore, Yuki, I believe that the gun didn't belong to Yulia at all. Nevertheless, the main aspect is Yulia's suicide. She shot herself in the footage. That's irrefutable evidence. Ignoring that goes beyond rationality. And, is that why you came here? In order to know the answers regarding her suicide?"

"Ah, yes, sensei. But, even after I've been thinking about it... I can't seem to grasp the suspect's profile... Have you started a profile on the suspect?"

"Yuki, you're assuming that there's someone behind this? Interestingly, I did the same. No, well --- I think everyone at this rate is aware, but, this suicide happened for a reason and someone provoked this. I haven't. However, would you like to help me here?"

"You mean, you want my help in order to create a profile on the suspect here?"

"Yes. If you are willing to help me."

Interesting.

No, seriously. So interesting.

"Alright, sensei. However, for the record, I will be extremely honest, and I won't sugarcoat the truth here. Is that fine?"

"Yes, Yuki. As a matter of fact, I prefer it that way."

Filled with a sudden sensation of curiosity and eager enthusiasm, I cracked a huge smile on my face. My eyes widened so much that they felt like they could fall from my face at any given moment.

However, I composed myself and put on a serious face. Then, as Basara-sensei was ready to take notes, I started speaking.

"Without a doubt, we are looking for a manipulator. I think that the common assumption would be that the suspect contains high intelligence, however, it's easy to mask away this factor. In order to extract the suspect's intelligence, a common way of doing so would be to take a look at the results from the exams. Normally, assuming that someone with incredibly high scores would be the suspect, would be plausible. But, in my honest opinion, it's very much the opposite. We should look for someone who meets the opposite of this quota. Someone who behaves in a secret manner."

Not necessarily in a secret manner though... A normal manner then?

Someone who doesn't try to stand out. Yet someone who doesn't do the utmost effort to not stand out. You're the line in-between.

However, you thought about this good, didn't you? You were aware that our class is full of mediocre students and amidst them, there you are, hiding.

Very good, very good.

Nevertheless, I continued with my opinion, as I saw Basara-sensei taking notes.

"As a girl myself, and as someone who has taken a close look at all the girls in my class, I don't believe the suspect to be a girl. Nobody resented Yulia, so to speak. The suspect, for reasons unknown, held something against her. It could be very possible that this was all for the sake of fun, but I believe otherwise. I believe that the suspect went through a complex process in order to allude us. Furthermore, I also believe that the suspect is a boy. This is strictly biased, but it goes without saying that this person's nature doesn't allow him to feel any remorse."

Yes.

Gale, Hinagiku, Sana, especially Sana, Tateyana, Shizuku, Ikkiri, Arkalee, Lus, Kanawari, and Akimiyashika.

No one you have ever exhibited behaviors of hatred for Yulia.

Specifically speaking, neither did any boy. Which means that...

"The suspect is massively skilled at hiding his emotions. I additionally believe that he did this out of hatred. The hatred that was never concretely shown in the surface, which implies that the nature of this individual is among the lines of apathetic. Also, he did this without anyone's knowledge but Yulia's. Furthermore, I believe that he has multiple alibis. In other words... If we were to question multiple individuals about the suspect's alibi... It could either be extremely advantageous or..."

Disadvantageous. A skilled manipulator, no, a genius-level manipulator would not let this slide. Alibis are important.

Which means...

"...Just in case, I would also assume that he is someone who is under the control of certain opinions. Meaning, he can probably get a few people to lie to his advantage. Trusting opinions too much might backfire. Alternatively, he is a leader. But he will not be open about this. Whoever is under his control most likely does not realize that he/she is being used. In other words, this individual has no qualms about manipulating sentiments, twisting arguments, and even going as far as telling lies that have appealing sides that might be considered as 'truth' to many."

Very good. Very, very good. My expectations have never been this high.

Right now, I can only run assumptions on you based on what I can deduct as reasonable, however, soon enough, when you strike again, I will gain more and more information about you. And when I do, your image will start cracking and your mystery will fade.

Keep up with me and make this worthwhile for as long as you can.

"Is that all, Yuki?"

"Well, I'm not a big fan of assuming too much and since I could be here all day long assuming a plethora of things, I'll hold my breath, honestly. Was my opinion of any help?"

"Yes, Yuki, it was. However, you could also be the suspect."

Ah, I see. Certainly, from the way his eyes have been watching me, from his perspective, I must look like a trapped bird in a cage. From Basara-sensei's view, I might be someone who is behind this and that I am talking my way out of this. Of course.

That sort of perspective is reasonable.

However, in reality, this is also all according to your way of thinking, isn't it?! To let curious people like me, set themselves on such a wildfire beyond recovery?!

"No, sensei. No, no, no. No. No! It's... It's....!"

I never knew. This smile that I have on my face. A smile that's actually genuine and not fabricated in order to allude something. This non-fabricated product! You... It's your damn fault.

I feel again. Don't you dare disappoint me.

"Yuki... You're smiling like a psychopath. Control yourself."

"Ah... Big apologies on my behave. Excuse me."

Regaining my posture slightly, I erased the genuine smile on my face and retook my calm stance.

Furthermore, I went ahead and explained something else.

"You are free to believe me or not, however, I am not a suspect here. Let me put this bluntly, I don't care about what happened to Yulia. I never interacted with her before."

"That's what a suspect would say, Yuki."

"Ah, that is true. Sincere apologies. However... in case you figure something out about this person, let me know as soon as possible. I-I-I... I... I'm extremely curious, so to speak. Also, if it isn't much, and I know I don't have the right to see this, but, I believe it would help..."

"What is it?"

At long last, I got to the real point. I already knew all about the previous things I have said.

However, this, this is what truly matters.

"...Could I take a look at the results of this special exam? I believe it would help a lot. Especially because it would provide a bigger picture. There will be students who will be out of the program, right? Students who have exceeded the three exams limit."

"Yes, there are. Susaga and Ryoken."

"Right. Them aside, the suspect would not allow himself to be out of the program. That's unthinkable. No, no. The suspect is creative. He's intelligent. Witty. He knows how to put up a show. Which is why I would like to take a look at the results."

Do you feel the same way as I do? Do you also look down on everyone?

You're pushing my limits of curiosity right now, mister mystery.

"I can't do that. However, if you are looking for a specific result, then I might be able to help you. Yet that's it."

"Ah, that serves too."

On my command, Basara-sensei went through the folders, and eventually, he looked at a specific page for a bit and I immediately assumed that that was the correct page.

I don't care about my result. I know I passed the exam. However. You.

What was this exam for you? No. What are these exams for you? Do you also find them boring and extremely predictable? Are we on the same page?

"Um, so... Definitely not a high score. Actually, I know this is very unlikely but I would still like to know, but... Is there someone who went out of his way to fail every single event?"

That would be interesting to know. Maybe you went out of your way to show me that you don't actually care about this program whatsoever and that toying with someone else holds a higher priority?

Is that it? Give me more signals, my mystery.

"Why do you wish to know that, Yuki?"

"Ah... He... might have higher priorities than the exam. I believe that the suspect upholds an absurd level of confidence. I bet he could be an exam away and would still fail this exam on purpose just because he is that confident. So, I'm looking for someone who, as of right now, with this past exam done, has three supply exams. However, this someone has no utter care for this program. At all. So, yeah. Tell me, please."

Even so, as I say this, Basara-sensei looks quite puzzled as he looks at his documents.

Why? Did I say something that intriguing? Hey.

I want to know.

"If you have thought of something, then, please, share. I really need to know, sensei."

"No... It's just... Now that you bring it up...----"

Just as Basara-sensei was about to speak perhaps the most important words yet, his phone ringed and he immediately picked it up.

Honestly, what a lack of respect. Nevertheless, my interest only grew bigger.

"I see. I'll be there in a second."

Done with his call, Basara-sensei looked at me and administrated the situation, without telling me what was on his mind.

"I'll have to leave and as such, you'll have to leave my office."

"I see. But, sensei, can you tell me who you had in mind just now?"

I just need to know. Who? Who did you think about, sensei? The clue is major and I need to know.

Yet, despite that...

"I would be exposing the results then and considering the current situation, I'll refrain from doing so. Again, you are still a suspect."

"....."

Accidentally, I almost let out an angry shout yet I managed to contain myself at the edge of the moment.

Without many options, I was forced to leave his office.

On my way back to my dorm, I thought about you.

And how I would approach the mystery behind your identity. On the outside surface, you are probably like the letter omega, deep at the bottom. However, are you like the letter alpha, secretly at the top while masking yourself as the letter omega?

That's it. You are 'Omega'. That's what I will call you from now on.

A few minutes later, I went to my room.

There, with a large amount of time left and frankly obsessed with the idea of unraveling your image, your identity, I, began to obsess over you.

"Are you laughing right now? What are you feeling? What are humans to you? What do you think about the current situation? Hey, you just made someone suicide yet did you feel any remorse? Certainly not, right? You're above the feeling of guilt. Just like me. You don't feel guilt for doing something wicked."

Once again, in my room, I find myself in front of the list that I wrote those four names earlier.

However, instead of going to my chair, I simply grabbed the paper and took a seat in my bed with my back against the wall. There, I relaxed my posture and firmly looked at the zone below.

Furthermore, I fully spread my legs.

Reaching the edge of my waist, sliding inside the elastic waistband, my two fingers started to charge the momentum.

As I pondered about your existence, I couldn't stop.

The breach of my fruit's core had begun, caused by your sole unknown existence.