CHAPTER 9 Act 2

Due to the shocking event, all of the classes were officially suspended. Pupils were not permitted to step on the school grounds until they were told to. Therefore, all of us are now dispersed except for the Representatives of the Main Organizations. Furthermore, there's a media outside the school that raises the hurdles of the entire student population. So, for the sake of safety, they decided to put this day off.

Now I'm here with Mio at the convenience store. Usually, we went to this place after class to pass the time and hang out together.

I can't comprehend what has transpired and why the suspect did all of this. What was the real reason behind the incident happening at the school? There's a possibility that he or she was manipulating us to divert our attention in some way.

This is getting way too complicated.

"Hey, Alice, what do you want?"

Mio said this while marveling at the ice cream section's different flavors.

"Nothing in particular, just pick anything and I'll go the same as you," I replied.

She turned around and cast a glance at me, "You look distracted right now. Is there anything bothering you?"

I looked at her, surprised at myself since I never thought I was that apparent, "Ah no... I'm..."

"What?"

"...I'm just thinking of the earlier occurrence."

My mind is currently out of place because of the fortuitous things I've encountered.

"You don't need to be worried about that, Alice; school will handle that matter."

"I know, but there's still something that doesn't add up."

"Hn? Add up?"

"Yes, I can't tell anything for certain, but everything seems unusual to me; that's all I can say."

I'm not sure about how I feel and what I've heard thus far.

"Alice, if you're feeling unsure, ignore it. But if you're that eager, just ask me and let me help you," she added as she went to get the unusual avocado-chocolate flavored ice cream.

"..."

We don't have any plans to leave after that little conversation, so we remain a bit longer inside. After purchasing food, we proceeded directly to the table. This convenience store isn't exceptionally huge, but the location is ideal for wasting some time.

"By the way, Mr. Wyte and Ms. Hollows, do you hear about them?"

"Are you serious, Mio? This is the first question you're going to ask?"

This girl can't keep her lips and ears shut when she hears such things.

"Well, I'm wondering since I heard a lot that they were always together. Do you hear anything, particularly from Mr. Wyte?"

"Um, I heard that they were together... but Mr. Wyte refused to discuss it."

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

"Eh? That man literally sucks..."

"Stop spouting nonsense, Mio."

"If I had a chance to talk to him, I would do so and bombard him with questions until he surrendered."

"However, you see, we don't know how they're doing well thereafter."

Fair enough, Mio didn't know what had just happened.

"...Huh? What do you mean?"

"Nothing," I said, refusing to discuss anything.

I determined that for the time being, I should keep things hidden. This will reduce the number of false rumors that may harm their relationship.

"Doesn't it feel like you're hiding something secret from me, Alice? You really know a lot of information, don't you?"

"It's all in your mind."

There are a lot of things going on that I need to be quiet about. I'm sure she gets it.

"Anyway, what about the Independent Families?" Mio asked.

Independent Families are keeping their movements as minimal as possible, but we can't relax our guard.

"We haven't gotten any more instructions, so I can't tell for sure. As Mr. Wyte ordered, we must keep a watch on them."

"I see."

Regardless, there are still several things we must keep an eye on, so many things that I'm starting to lose my composure. There are more issues than I've imagined throughout this day. Mr. Seid was correct; the current state of tranquility will not last.

"Come to think of it, Mio, have you ever talked to Mr. Seid?"

"Talk? No; he seemed aloof, right?"

"But do you have any idea of what he was thinking?"

"What's wrong with Mr. Seid and you suddenly bring him up?"

"...I was referring to the request he just made."

"..."

Suddenly, Mio froze and recalled what it was.

"When we think about it, the request is pretty troubling; did you expect the Representatives to do precisely what Mr. Seid said?"

"You're right, I also think the same. How would Mr. Seid do with that request?"

"...It is aghastly strange."

"But we are not involved there, right? So there's nothing to be woried about." She emphasized.

Representatives from Time and Light Family were talking with him, so I assume it's up to them what their objective is. However, I'm not convinced Time Family will allow Mr. Seid to do what he wants.

Mr. Seid stated in his request that he wished to obtain particular prisoners on the death row and use their lives to completely surrender to him. That was a ludicrous request, but Time and Light Family stood up and agreed with him with nothing to say.

"Speaking of which, did you witness what happened to Ms. Hollows?" Mio asked.

Mio was not on the scene, but she has excellent ears.

"Yeah, I'm there, and that was unfortunate of her."

Ms. Hollows is being interrogated, and everyone knows she's a potential suspect.

"I heard she was being questioned, but she insisted that she was innocent. Don't you think she might perhaps be telling the truth?"

"Whether you agree or disagree, the school will make the final decision, and..."

"And?"

"Her request also piqued my interest."

As everyone knows, she also received the request she desired. And Ms. Hollows requested to find Hiram Frestia, but no one spoke up to help her. Mr. Arios was present at that moment, but I'm very sure he was assisting her prior to the matter. Aside from him, no one. All of the students, especially the Representatives in our class, seem unwilling to assist, as if they knew something. They acted reluctantly, but they have chosen to take a step back.

As far as I know, Hiram Frestia was a member of the Aqua Family, but she left and went to a different school.

"Didn't Hiram Frestia already left the school?"

"Exactly, that's why it's odd that Ms. Hollows asked for it."

"I thought requests were unconditional, but Representatives didn't take her request," Mio mumbled.

"I had the same notion, but it is what it is."

Not long ago, before Hiram Frestia transferred out, Ms. Hollows was diligently active in the school's activities, and now she seems different than before.

She skipped the morning class today, which leads me to suspect that she's off to something.

I believe Ms. Hollows' absences, were not due to illness but to something else, maybe busy finding for clues about Hiram Frestia.

"How about you, Mio, did you think the culprit was Ms. Hollows?"

"What was that coming for?"

"Just wondering what you think."

Mio answers me right off the bat, "Even if I had an answer in mind, I can't simply say what I think, Alice."

"So you're unsure too, huh?"

"Honestly, I totally had no idea of what was happening."

"Seriously, what was the reason behind all of this?"

"I think you're delving too deeply into this, Alice."

"..."

"...In fact, there's no reason for you to do so."

"T-that is true..."

If I think about it, she's right.

"Alright, I know you're worried, so just let it out on me. Of course, if it's anything confidential, please keep it to yourself. Now, let me help you unwind a little. Hurry up and let's go have some fun today!"

"Have fun?"

She grinned at me and reached for my arm. We left the convenience store and proceeded to the arcade.

Later that day, we had a lot of fun. And we returned home thereafter.