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The darkness of the night. The lack of light in the streets. This room is no exception, however... someone is stirring in bed, bothered by something. They want to scream, to shout, letting their rage escape from their body. The person hits the wall behind the bed. They don't use enough force to create a hole, but they keep hitting, hitting, hitting. They receive a message and turn to their phone with an angry expression, one that could frighten any child.
- ... ... ... !
The message this person receives makes their case even worse. They throw the phone on their bed, not wanting to break it, and scratches their hair violently as they look down at her desk.
- ... ! ... ! ... !
And then an idea pops into their mind. While looking at the ticket on the edge of the desk, the person remembers what's going to happen tomorrow. Where they're all going.
- …
Another idea pops into their head. They smile and start giggling, eventually bursting out laughing. They turn on their desk lamp, continuing to howl their ‘joy’. The evil shadow of this person is projected onto the wall behind them, as they begin to write on a letter without stopping to laugh.
This person is now sure of themself. There's no hesitation. With a smile from the underworld, they admire the letter with an expression as amused as it is enraged.
- Enjoy your last day... demon.
CHAPTER 35
⎾The Last Floor's Locked Room ; Part 1⏌
After a restful Thursday of classes, Deshya went two hours at Raiji's side, getting to know each other. When they had to return to their respective homes, they exchanged numbers and wished each other a good evening, including a good night's sleep. Deshya returns home with a smile on her face and tells her parents about her day, as well as little Korone, who has been watching TV until now. In the evening, Deshya enjoys the live show by Waffie, the Vtuber she adores so much, and discusses it with Raiji. As Amora had told her, this boy likes Waffie a lot, including other Vtubers Deshya doesn't know well. However, she's happy to learn new names and discover different personalities. When Waffie stops her live show, Deshya goes to sleep and gets a good night's sleep, as Raiji had hoped.
The next day, September 09, 2022. Classes continue until 3:25 p.m. for Deshya and her class, except for those who have chosen 'Latin 4' as an elective. The girl in the fox sweater walks alongside Amora Takt, her best friend, but they don't go home: they wait for Lam and Frie, who both arrive quite soon.
- I was looking for something in my locker, sorry!" admits Frie.
- No need to apologize, we've got plenty of time before it's time!" smiles Amora.
The girl turns to her best friend and grabs her hand.
- Otherwise, you didn't tell me!! Did you have a good time with Raiji yesterday?
- Yes, it was very nice!" replies Deshya. I can see why you two are friends.
Raiji has less energy than Amora, but she has noticed the influence they have on each other. Frie takes four tickets out of her pocket and offers one to each of them. Lam grabs it first, thanking her friend, then Deshya and finally Amora.
- I bet it's going to be so cool!" she says.
On Monday of this week, four days before, Frie proposed to Deshya to spend a night at the 'Beleza Verde' hotel in the south of Tetazo. Frie's mother had won four tickets during a radio game, but her father wasn't up for it and his wife already had plans with friends. So Frie invited Lam, Amora and finally Deshya, and all four of them are going today, in the evening: the valid ticket time is '6pm' and will end 24 hours later. However, since Deshya has to join her father for a party the next day, she'll be back before her friends.
- I can't wait!" admits Lam.
The ‘Beleza Verde' is a chic hotel that sometimes welcomes celebrities and has a total of 14 floors. It's not unusual for the hotel to be full, and there are three different swimming pools available, although this evening, the fourth, which will become the hotel's largest, will finally open its arms. From what Deshya has been able to learn on the internet by researching the subject, only those with special tickets — which they hold in their hands — or with a 'VIP' reservation will be allowed in this pool for this weekend. From Monday September 12, it will be available to everyone staying at the hotel. Deshya could never refuse Frie's offer!
- Can we walk there? We'll take about forty minutes to get there, so we'll have to wait just under two hours afterwards..." asks Lam.
The girl with the long white hair is dressed in the same way as she was on Monday, just as Frie is wearing the same clothes. Amora changes clothes almost every day, unlike Deshya who washed her fox sweater last night and is wearing the same one. She had hesitated to take the other one, which she doesn't wear very often, but finally decided that the dark one with the orange markings suits her best, especially for going to a hotel. The only problem she had to solve was about the pool.
- The swimming caps crush my ears and it's a bit disturbing, but at least I'll be able to go too," she told herself.
Diving into a pool in a sweater is a horrible idea, but going without a cap isn't ideal either. She'll put up with going in with one on her head, but… what's more annoying is her fox tail. If she's swimming in the pool in a bikini, it'll be all too easy to see that her tail is a member of her body, not a fake she's attaching to her panties or…
- Yeah, well, lucky I've got a one-piece swimsuit that's a similar color to my fox tail, ahah..." she thinks.
Deshya turns to Frie, who shows her excitement.
- I think we should head for the hotel now and stop off at the little bar next door. The hotel is free for us, but we can still have a snack while we wait!" she suggests.
- We've already got our bags ready and our parents have all been notified, so I guess we have no choice," says Deshya.
- I think it's a great idea," admits Lam.
All on the same wavelength, they decide to leave for the hotel together, talking about everything and anything on the way.
- Ah, it's going to be 6pm soon!!!
Amora stands up, looking at her phone, and Lam finishes her drink before placing her glass on the bar table. The girl with the long pink hair grabs and places it on her shoulders. She turns to Deshya, who stands up in turn.
- The sooner you go, the more time you have to enjoy it," she says.
- Exactly! Well said!
As always, Amora lets her energy out, and her voice reverberates throughout the bar. Lam asks her to speak a little quieter, but Frie just chuckles. Deshya leaves the bar first, smiling.
- Screaming like that will upset people, if she's not careful," she thinks.
She remembers a couple who came to yell at them when Amora was screaming with joy after winning a game of Uno against Deshya. She teased her for several days after that evening. Deshya will never forget it…
The four of them arrive in front of the hotel at precisely 6pm and enter the large lobby. The carpets on the floor are decorated with many beautiful, colorful and modern patterns. The inlaid lamps in the ceiling make the hall even brighter and more pleasant. Opposite them, a long desk awaits them, with several similarly dressed people chatting with arrivals. Plants comfortably placed in vases all along the corridor, glass walls and a small indoor fountain decorate the lobby, which seems to have come straight out of a movie. Amora's eyes shine like stars, but she's not the only one: all four friends have the same expression. They've never been to a hotel like this, so they can't help but be impressed. Lam is the first to move towards the counter, her ticket in her hands. She calls to the others, who follow her, and the four of them arrive in front of a man who is collecting his room key. He thanks the lady and heads for the elevators, a large wheeled bag in his right hand, which he pulls with a thin handle. The lady notices Deshya's fox sweater and gives a big smile.
- Aaah, aren't you Deshya Oveja?!" she asks.
Deshya is surprised by his remark and nods in agreement.
- I see you a lot in the papers at the moment!! I'm glad to see you in good health, especially after what happened on Wednesday.
The lady is dressed like the two next to her, in green clothes and a small floral hat. Such attire is understandable, given the hotel's name: 'Beleza Verde' means 'Green Beauty' in Portuguese. What's more, the walls of the building are decorated with numerous vines and climbing plants. The many vases inside the lobby make sense when you consider the hotel's theme.
- Ahah, thank you.
Deshya's kidnapping was published in several newspapers and even discussed on TV, since it also touched on the death of Claire Dochamps. She has even noticed that her first name is sometimes mentioned online: her popularity is only increasing, albeit rather slowly.
- If it goes on like this, I'll become a star and won't be able to hide my fox-like attributes. It's as much a dream as a nightmare..." thinks Deshya, showing the lady his ticket.
After inspecting the four tickets, the woman rummages for a moment in a small bin under the desk and places two cards in front of her.
- So you're the winners of the game we programmed on the radio! I hope you enjoy your stay at the Hotel Beleza Verde", she wishes them.
Deshya grabs both cards and offers one to Lam.
- Only two?" she asks.
The woman nods.
- These are your room cards. You pass it over the lock and you can enter the room, although you don't need it to leave, of course. There's only one key per room, although we have a card that opens all the rooms, should a problem arise.
Deshya contemplates it with interest. It's a fairly simple map, with several colored lines running horizontally, and the room number in black.
- If you lose it, we can quickly recreate another one, but I'd advise you to be very careful: we may be able to deactivate an old key, but this has caused problems in the past," explains the lady.
- Are the rooms for two?" asks Deshya.
- There are rooms for four people and we can install a crib free of charge, but your tickets are for rooms for two, yes. Is it a problem?
Deshya turns to her friends, but they shake their heads.
- I've already slept with Deshyshy several times!" admits Amora.
- Even if I had to put on my fox pajamas and die of heat in her arms, ahah..." recalls Deshya.
- I don't mind sleeping with Frie," admits Lam.
- Same here!
- Perfect, then.
Deshya thanks the lady and they in turn head for the elevators.
- Enjoy your stay at Beleza Verde!" the woman wished them before welcoming the next group.
They thanked her wholeheartedly and waited outside the elevator door, right next to a family of three. A man with shaved hair, a woman with long black hair and a fairly young child holding his parents' hands with a smile. Amora asks Deshya if she can receive the card and she readily accepts.
- I'll be able to sleep with Deshyshy again!!!" exclaimed Amora.
- Do you like sleeping with someone, Amora?" asks Frie.
- Of course I do! She may not be my girlfriend, but sleeping with my best friend, I like it!
Deshya lets out a wry smile. When she thinks about it, Korone and Amora are similar in the way they sleep: they like to lie on their sides and hug her fox tail. The real difference between them, regardless of size or age, is that Korone knows the truth about her attributes, Amora doesn't.
- If I'm going to admit to anyone that I'm a fox girl, it's Amora... but that's also why I have to keep the truth hidden.
If she has to sleep with Deshya tonight, she'll have to keep her fox pajamas on again... She looks at her bag and smiles.
- Good thing I took it with me just in case. Well, it's always nice to sleep with someone, although one day I hope it's Tessa. Aaah…
The elevator finally arrives and the four friends climb inside together, joined by the family of three. Amora admires the key card and observes the number on it.
- 1308... So the 8th bedroom on the 13th floor?" she thinks out loud.
- It's 1309," said Frie, showing him their key.
So they'll be sleeping on the penultimate floor of the hotel, in rooms close to the elevators. Deshya thinks these are good places, but if they have to use the stairs to get downstairs, she can't imagine what it would be like…
And they get to their floor rather quickly, running to their two bedrooms. Amora and Frie open the door using the electronic key.
- Shall we pack up, get ready and head for the big pool?" suggests Lam.
- Can't wait to get going?" joked Amora.
- I can't deny it…
- I'm fine with it," admits Frie.
Deshya agrees with her white-haired friend and the four of them go to their room.
- So prettyyy!
Amora drops these words as she places her bag on the floor, observing the room with beaming eyes. Deshya closes the door behind her and admires the room where they'll be sleeping. It's not huge, but more than big enough for two people. A closed door leads to a toilet, another to a bathroom with an Italian shower and even a modern bathtub, and a third door which is actually a small dressing room. From what Deshya knows about the hotel, some people are allowed to live here, so it doesn't surprise her that the rooms are built the way they are. Amora jumps on one of the two beds, but they are glued together to form one. The room is immaculately clean and tidy. Although Amora has just unmade the bed, the blankets are still well placed on the beds, even though there is only one for each of them. Deshya puts down her bag in turn and looks out at the bedroom's large French window. She approaches it and opens it to step out onto the balcony. Deshya looks down, but is so far from the ground that she quickly returns to the room. Amora raises her head and sits up in bed.
- Are you afraid of heights?" she asks.
- Ahah, you know me, I don't, but I admit that looking down... Nah.
- I know what you mean! How's the balcony?
- Quite small and I don't think you can join the others on the side. In any case, I'm not going to try... But I've seen plants on the walls, it's amazing how high they go!
- I want to see it!
Amora gets out of bed and observes the view from the balcony, but her main interest is in the plants Deshya has just mentioned. She sits down on the bed, making sure her fox tail doesn't get crushed.
- We'll get a good night's sleep, I bet," she thinks pleasantly.
Meanwhile, Lam and Frie are already taking their clothes out of their bags. They put their things away without speaking to each other, but when Frie pulls out her swimsuit, her friend approaches her before letting out a cute sound from her mouth.
- Your bikini is so beautiful!" she confesses.
Frie thanks her and asks if she can see her. Lam waves her hair and sticks out her tongue.
- You'll see when I put it on!
- Eeeh?
- Hehe!
The two of them laugh together and finish tidying up, looking around the room. Frie looks up and admires the ceiling fan. The propellers are quite long, but she can't see the box to activate it. She asks Lam, who looks for it too, but quickly finds it near the bathroom wall. She asks Frie if she wants to activate it, but the girl replies that it's not necessary.
- I'll just get into my swimsuit, then!" announces Lam.
She grabs her bikini and locks herself in the bathroom without Frie being able to say anything. She smiles and thinks that she doesn't necessarily need to hide, but that she understands her modesty.
For their part, Amora decides to change first, while Deshya looks up at the sky from the French window in their bedroom. Its handle is currently turned downwards, which means it can be opened. Deshya has a very similar French window in her home, to go from the dining room to the terrace. If the handle is not turned upwards, even just a little, the patio door can be opened from both inside and outside. If the handle is turned upwards, whether slightly or not, it's impossible to slide the door open, even with a lot of force. Deshya can't help imagining the scene of her mother cleaning the window for the umpteenth time, soiled by the dog jumping up and down with excitement at seeing Gatito come home. How many times did she bitch about her pet because of it?
- I wonder if Korone will sleep well without me tonight..." thinks Deshya.
Korone can't sleep well on her own, and Deshya's parents may not accept her sleeping with them, so she'll have to spend the night without anyone. Sure, she can take 'Liv's' pillow in her arms or even the big fox cuddly toy, but will that be enough for her? Deshya isn't too convinced…
Moments later, Amora emerges from the bathroom and proudly shows Deshya her outfit, before leaving her to change. Normally, she wouldn't mind getting dressed in her swimsuit in front of Amora, despite her modesty, but she can't show her fox-like attributes... Admittedly, the best moment would be in a hotel like this, impossible for anyone to know that she's confessed her secret to her best friend, but Deshya is far too scared for her safety.
- Korone hasn't been attacked yet, so maybe I'm just being paranoid, but at the same time…
When Deshya thinks of the sniper who almost killed her with a bullet to the head, as well as her white hair, purple eyes and what she managed to do and deduce when the fox-eared girl was kidnapped... Just before Korone leaves their home, Deshya would like to chat with her about her identity. Perhaps she could learn more about her fox-like attributes…
- After that, does she really have anything to do with me? I don't want to tell Amora what I am just because I'm afraid of being watched constantly and that if they find out she knows about me, they'll kill her, but if Korone isn't yet... No, but that's different. Someone tried to kill her, technically, and what's more, she's a little girl. If I get carried away because I want to tell the truth, I'll put Amora in danger... Keep calm, Deshya.
So she goes into the bathroom in her bathing suit and changes, taking a little longer than expected: she has to thread her fox tail through the hole, close part of the zipper and then already place her bonnet on her head. Before performing this last step, she admires herself in the mirror and touches her long, curly red hair.
- I'm still beautiful... My ears... I'm cute, but…
She finally smiles and places the bonnet on her head, accepting the truth: only her parents and Korone need to know who she really is. Unfortunately, until she has confirmation of whether or not it's possible to tell the others, she has to keep this cute side of her hidden under a hood or, in this case, a bonnet.
- Woaaah, too cuuuute!
Amora grabs Frie's hands in the elevator and Deshya presses the button for the first floor. The two white haired girls admire Deshya and smile.
- Do you keep your fox tail even when you go swimming?" asks Lam.
- You're so cute, I could die!" admits Frie.
Amora turns back to her best friend, letting go of Frie's hands.
- Even a cute swimming cap! You really love being a foxy-fox, don't you?
Deshya scratches her cheek, blushing. She much prefers bikinis, like those worn by her three friends, but she has no choice but to wear a one-piece swimsuit. She loves it too, but wishes she didn't have to dress like that…
- Are you sure it won't damage the fur on your fox tail?" asks Frie.
- I've already been to the pool a few times, so I'll be fine…
Deshya holds her fox tail in one hand to keep it from moving back and forth, and rests her back against the wall of the elevator. The four of them are together, no one else with them, as they descend to the second floor. Deshya receives many compliments, but she returns them to her friends. Frie is wearing a white bikini, Lam a red and black one, Amora a pink one and finally, Deshya an orange one-piece swimsuit, similar to the color of her fox tail, as well as her hair. After all, her ears and tail are exactly the same color as her hair, which Tessa already noticed shortly after she returned to school. Amora grabs Deshya's arm with a smile.
- I hope it won't be too crowded at the pool. she says.
Deshya also hopes: not only will the pool be more pleasant if there aren't many people in it, but she'd prefer it if few people saw her there. She's aware that most people think she's very cute, with her fox tail down her back, but some just find her too weird. She's already received some very derogatory, even nasty, remarks in the street or at school. Deshya doesn’t care too much about it, but when someone tries to harass her for it... There's also the other way round: she remembers an evening when she came home from Amora's after a good weekend with friends, when two men found her so cute and "tender" that they tried to take her for themselves. Since then, she's come to realize that some people are crazy or turned on by her, and that they're far more dangerous than those who simply find her strange.
- But hey, that's just being a girl, ahah....
With this rather depressing thought, Deshya and her three friends finally reach the first floor. Lam goes out first and explains to the others that she's going to get their towels. They thank her and all three head for the pool. Deshya chats with Frie while Amora wonders whether the pool will be the right temperature or not. As they walk, a group of men in their thirties pass them by, and three of them turn towards the one with the three girls.
- You're good, lil’ fox!" says one of them.
- We're on the sixth floor if you want, room 615 and 616~!
- We know how to treat animals, I promise!
The latter makes an indecent gesture before they all start laughing. Frie turns her head, glowering at them, but Deshya tells her not to get angry and simply ignore them. Amora pouts as she stares in front of her angrily.
- Mooooh, they're so irksome!
Amora turns around and yells that she's only 16, but one of the men yells back that it's even better. A shiver runs through the three girls.
- W-Weirdoooos..." says Frie.
- I've had worse, ahah..." admits Deshya.
- How do you put up with it...?
Deshya doesn't answer and simply shrugs. Frie sighs and lowers her head.
- There are some men…
- They say Deshya's an animal because she keeps her fox tail, but they're the animals!!!" grumbles Amora.
- I couldn't have said it better myself!
They start laughing together, already forgetting the scene that had just taken place a few seconds before.
Lam returns quickly and the four of them jump into the big pool at the same time. As they'd hoped, there aren't many people there yet. Deshya assumes the place will be more crowded in a few hours, after supper and the adults have finished working. So they enjoy the warm water, at the perfect temperature, on the huge terrace. The pool has different levels and blue and white tiles. A fairly low diving board is located on the south side of the pool, but a slightly higher one shows off its long, beautiful plank to the north. There are plenty of deckchairs around the pool, umbrellas and even two outdoor showers. Amora jumps on Deshya, which amuses Frie, who is directly splashed by Lam. The latter has tied her hair up in a fluffy ponytail, her long wet white hair offering a magnificent sight to anyone who looks at her. The four friends laugh and joke together, enjoying their new pool. Deshya is happy to have the opportunity to rest her mind with people she greatly appreciates. Admittedly, Frie is a new acquaintance and friend, but Deshya already likes her a lot.
- The pool was great! We'll have to go back afterwards!
Lam stretches his arms and her three friends nod in agreement.
- It's going to be a bit more crowded, but I'd love to go back!" admits Amora.
- A little break for supper, digestion and then we're off again?" suggests Frie.
- Okay!" replies Deshya.
Everyone approves of Frie's proposal, but before going to eat, they return to their room for a quick shower, wishing to wash the chlorine from their bodies. Deshya takes the opportunity to free her fox ears from the tight cap and rubs them, apologizing for the ordeal they must be enduring.
- I can hear them well even when they're flattened by the swimming cap, but it's really annoying..." thinks Deshya.
Her shower took just five minutes, and Amora took her turn, leaving her swimsuit on. Since they're going back to the pool right afterwards, they decide not to take them off on the way to the restaurant, especially as it won't be a problem: many of the hotel's residents are in their skivvies, bikinis or swimsuits. While Amora takes a shower, Deshya decides to put on her sweater over her one-piece swimsuit and takes off her bonnet: she doesn't want to keep it on her head all evening, but she has to hide her fox ears. In short, her sweater is perfect for this purpose.
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Just before 8.30pm, the four friends gather around a table and look at the menu. Amora has already chosen what she would like, so the three of them brainstorm together. Deshya sits next to Lam, Frie next to Amora. The restaurant is lively, and the noise of the many conversations creates a pleasant, jovial atmosphere. Of course, the noise may be annoying for some, but Deshya is surprised at how 'quiet' this restaurant is, compared to some she's been to before. The two white-haired girls choose their meal, and Deshya is the last to decide. The waiter comes to take their order and as he leaves, a girl approaches the table with a big, beautiful smile. She stops in front of the four girls and they all turn to her. Although Amora, Lam and Frie don't recognize her, Deshya smiles back and greets the girl.
- Oh, hi!" she said.
The girl who has just arrived shakes a hand in front of her.
- Good evening, Deshya!
Amora admires this young person without uttering a word. Dark-skinned, with black hair that reaches a little below her shoulders, the girl stares at the table where Deshya is standing with her cute, big, clear blue eyes. Her curly hair is tied into two balls on either side of her skull, and her forehead is completely uncluttered, leaving her sweet face to be observed unobstructed. Her pink 'FireCrow' sweater hides part of her hands, while almost her entire thighs are behind her dark gray skirt. Her calves are clad in a garment that looks like white socks, but which become baggy at the end and hide much of the pastel-colored shoes the girl is wearing. Not only does this girl appear to be young, she's also someone Amora wants to hug her as quickly as possible, but she herself knows the importance of decency. Admiring her a little more, Amora notices something hanging behind her. Lam tilts her head, having seen it too, and makes no secret of her astonishment.
- A... cat's tail?" she asks aloud.
The girl turns to the one with the long white hair and nods.
- It's part of this skirt!" she admits. It's because I love Deshya's style, so I wanted to do the same!
Deshya smiled in embarrassment: she'd almost forgotten that this girl liked her style so much. Amora turns to her best friend.
- Who is it?" she asks.
The girl at their table hears his question and opens her mouth wide before apologizing. She places an open hand on his chest and smiles.
- Excuse me, I haven't introduced myself! Only Deshya knows me, between y’all!
She cleared her throat.
- My name is Aya, Aya Deroom! I'm a good friend of Deshya's!
- Nice to meet you, Aya!
- Greetings!
- Good evening.
Frie speaks softly, embarrassed. Aya caresses them with her eyes, keeping her big smile, happy to meet Deshya's friends. Deshya turns to the girls at the table.
- She's also Maruno's girlfriend," admits Deshya.
- Eeeeh?!!! Is that her?!" cries Amora.
Lam asks her to keep her voice down and the pink haired girl apologizes by placing both hands in front of her mouth. Lam then whistles, looking at the girl in the pink sweater.
- Well, you've found a good-looking boyfriend!
- I'm very happy with him!
Aya starts fidgeting on the spot, blushing and hearts flying all around her. Her cute reaction brings a smile to the faces of all four friends, who look at her with delight. Deshya offers to eat with them, but Aya refuses, waving her hands.
- I came here with my dad and we've already eaten, but he is chatting with some friends and I saw you from a distance, so I thought I'd come and say hello!" she explains. Are you with your friends?
The red-haired girl nods.
- You might know her, but this is Amora Takt, my best friend.
Her pink hair flows down her beautiful figure and her beauty is undeniable. However, it's Amora's eyes that attract Aya most of all. The latter greets her and confesses that she has heard Deshya speak of her several times.
- And only in a good way!" she adds.
- Hiiihi, I don't doubt it!
Amora touches her hair while shaking her body, which makes Aya laugh. Deshya then introduces Lam Douce, the girl with long white hair and a quiet smile. Finally, Frie, whose hair is the same color, though a little shorter. What's more, her eyes are blue, unlike Lam's brown ones. Anyway, they don't really look alike, so Aya has no trouble telling them apart. She greets everyone again and asks them what they've ordered. Everyone tells her what they have ordered, and Aya listens attentively before explaining what she has eaten.
- And what are you doing here?" asks Deshya. Isn't Maruno with you?
- My dad only bought two places for tonight, so it was complicated. Maruno could have bought one and joined us, but he wants to enjoy his weekend with friends, especially as we've seen each other all the vacations, so a little time on our side doesn't hurt!" she replies.
- Eeeh, I see!
- What about you?
- We won four tickets thanks to Frie's mother!" admits Lam with a smile.
Aya makes an 'O' with her mouth while admiring the blushing white-haired girl, lowering her beautiful blue eyes.
- Did you enjoy the pool, then? It looks great, but since we're not VIPs, we can't go and enjoy it..." asks Aya.
- She's very cool," admits Lam.
- I like it a lot!" replies Frie.
- The same!" assures Amora.
Deshya repeats Frie's words and Aya jeers at them. They start laughing heartily and moments later, their food arrives. Aya sits down next to them, accepting Lam's friendly offer, and all chatting over good food.
At around 9:15pm, Deshya gets up from the table after a good meal and promises to come back soon. She wants to get her phone, which she has forgotten in her room. Her friends tell her to come back quickly and Aya in turn gets up.
- Can I come with you?" she asks.
- If you like.
Aya follows closely behind her beloved friend, and the two of them leave the restaurant.
- My room's on the third floor, personally!" reveals the dark-skinned girl.
- We're on the thirteenth.
- Penultimate floor?! You must have one of these views, from the balcony!
- Yep! It's a beautiful view. If you like, can I show it to you while I get my phone?
Aya happily accepts and makes no secret of her good mood, which amuses her friend. Deshya hasn't known Aya that long, but she remembers very well how they met, a few days after she and Maruno became a couple, towards the end of the last school year. Her energy doesn't match that of Amora or Korone, but she has more than Lam or Frie, for example. Deshya always enjoys chatting with her, but since she lives almost an hour's train ride from Tetazo, in 'Teuhl', seeing each other is a rare occasion. However, they haven't known each other for long, so Deshya doesn't mind, especially as they have the technology to chat online. They also keep in touch by phone.
- Are you still going to say hello to your boyfriend?" asks Deshya as she gets close to the elevator.
- As long as I'm here, yay! I'll go and see him tomorrow, he already knows I'm here. He was so happy! Did he tell you?
- He didn't say anything to me about it, but I've been busy the last few days, so…
Deshya hasn't chatted with many people except Amora, Tessa and her family — including Korone. She also met Raiji and Frie not long ago, but given her mental state and need for rest, she hasn't chatted with everyone she knows. Her kidnapping hasn't helped the situation, although talking to 'Bibi Derumi', the Tetazo police psychologist, has done her a lot of good. She's glad her father worries about her in this way, too... Deshya presses the elevator button and waits, chatting with Aya.
- Ah... Ah…
A man runs through the lobby, sweating. He bumps into a woman who shouts at him, shaking her fist, but he continues running without listening to her, without even apologizing. He runs towards the elevator and notices that two young girls have just entered.
- W-Wait!!" he shouts.
Deshya pauses before pressing the button for the 13th floor and turns to the man who stops inside the elevator, panting as he holds his knees. Deshya and Aya watch him, asking themselves many questions, especially as he seems to be sweating quite a lot. Like them, this person is in a swimsuit, although he has just the bottom and nothing to hide his many muscles. Clearly this man works his body a lot and is a great athlete, so Deshya suspects he must have done a lot of running to show up in such a state.
- Which floor?" she asks.
- The... Last…
- Shall we go up to 13?
- Yes... Quick…
Deshya blinks, but asks no questions and presses the button before dropping her back on the elevator wall behind her. Aya decides not to worry about the man behind her and turns to Deshya.
- What about you, love? Have you found someone yet?" she asks.
Deshya goes to answer, but the image of Tessa's close up head, kissing her tenderly on the lips, comes back and blocks her. She starts to blush, which brings a smile to Aya's face.
- Eeeh~? Do you finally have a lover?" she teases.
- Not... Not yet..." admits Deshya.
- From the look on your face, there's still something, nooo~?
Deshya has told almost no one about the love she has for Tessa, so even Aya doesn't know. They haven't known each other long, so she's not even aware of her bisexuality: Aya probably thinks she's heterosexual. It's not a subject she finds very important, so she doesn't necessarily mention it to anyone unless the opportunity arises or she's asked directly. Aya continues to tease her, but Deshya's attention is drawn to the man behind her. He seems worried about something... His gaze is fixed on the slowly rising figures, the floors slowly flying by. His swallowing is noisy and his perspiration isn't just from running: it's also the stress he's feeling that's making him in such a state. Deshya squints and Aya asks him if he's all right.
- Yes, sorry," she says.
Aya approaches her and puts her hand next to her mouth.
- Are you worried about the man in the back?
- Hm…
- Or are you turned on by him~?
Deshya's eyelids suddenly droop.
- Huh?
- I mean, he's got a lot of muscle, he's shirtless and he's not ugly! But you know, he's probably too old for you. He's got a beard, after all!
- Aya…
Deshya sighs and tells her that this is not the case.
- It's because of his behavior, then?
- Hm… Yeah.
All three finally reach the 13th floor without being stopped once on the way up, and the elevator doors open. The man abruptly gets out and starts running down the hall, which intrigues Deshya even more. She starts to follow him and Aya shouts at her friend.
- I knew she'd come after him!" thinks Aya.
She admires the fluffy fox tail waving from Deshya's back, smiling all the while. The reason Aya buys clothes with a cat tail on the back is precisely because she thinks the one hanging down the back is far too cute not to try. Her boyfriend loves this style and has told her honestly that he thinks it suits her perfectly, so Aya no longer hesitates to dress this way. Admittedly, it's not every day, but it's not uncommon at all. Whether in public or in private, especially with her boyfriend. Deshya notices the man climbing the stairs to the top floor and continues to follow him closely.
- He's so preoccupied with something that he doesn't even seem to notice I'm there..." she observes.
Deshya makes sure that Aya follows her, since she ran off without warning, but she sees her a few steps behind, which reassures her. They both go upstairs, and the man shouts when he gets there.
- It's... It's good!!
Deshya spots two other people a little further on, violently banging on a certain door. They stop when they realize that their friend has returned, and turn towards him.
- A-Ah, you're here!
The man stops panting, trying to catch his breath. One of the two people, a woman with blond hair, touches his shoulder with concern.
- Are you all right?" she asks.
- I... I just... ran... a lot... ran…
The man next to him grits his teeth, biting his thumb, but stops when he notices the two girls coming up behind the man. He approaches them, squinting.
- Who are you two...?" he asks.
Aya catches her breath behind Deshya, who quickly introduces herself. She then confesses that she followed the man when she saw him running like mad down the corridor.
- A little girl looking to satisfy her curiosity, eh..." says the man with brown hair, a cut similar to that of the girl.
The man in the same elevator as the two girls turned towards them before standing up.
- You... You really followed me…
- What's going on, exactly?" asks Deshya, wanting to get to the point.
- It's none of your business," admits the sweaty man.
The woman behind him watches the girl in the fox sweater intently, and a moment later, she opens her mouth wide.
- It's Deshya Oveja!
Deshya blinks and looks at the woman who grabs her hands with an expression of wonder.
- The fox-eared detective!
- A-Ah?
Deshya doesn't know how to react to this sudden reaction. The two men next to them stare at the girl with interest, but neither recognizes her. Noticing the expression on their faces, Aya steps forward and pats her friend on the back.
- She's been solving police cases since school started! She's the one who helped save more than two hundred people on the train from Tetazo!
The dark-haired man scratches the back of his head.
- Ah...? I've seen nothing like it…
The blonde turns to him and gives him a disappointed look.
- You never pay attention to the news, I must say…
- It's not important!
The man who was followed by the two girls knocks on the wall and grits his teeth.
- Ben still hasn't answered?
The woman shakes her head sadly.
- No answer, not even from his phone... You don't think he's still in his room...?
- Idiot, if that were the case, would we have asked Gaby to fetch a staff member?!
- Yes, but…
The woman bows her head, eyelids lowered. Aya returns to Deshya's side and asks her what's going on, but she doesn't answer. With what little she's just heard of their conversation…
- Is your friend in this room, but not answering?
The three adults turn to her. The two men seem to be disputing an answer, but the woman smiles and agrees directly to explain the situation.
- Ben is in his room and should have joined us several minutes ago, but he doesn't answer the phone or to the knocks on the door. We're all starting to worry.
- You don't have to answer to a kid like that, cousin," confessed the dark-haired man.
The woman frowns.
- She's not just a kid, Daniel! She's the daughter of that ginger police inspector, you know, Gatito!
- Oh, that muscle guy who helped find your sister…
Deshya listens attentively, with Aya right behind her. She has no idea what exact investigation the woman is talking about, given that her father has helped find several kidnapped people, but strangely enough, it pleases her to hear. However, Deshya shakes her head slightly: she mustn't let it distract her. If their friend doesn't answer the many calls, still locked in his room…
- Please, not another case…
On the one hand, she likes to solve them, but on the other, she's come to the hotel to enjoy the evening with her three friends, playing in the pool and chatting. She knows full well that if an investigation shows the tip of its nose, right in front of her, so Deshya…
- …
The woman sighs and turns to Deshya, lowering herself.
- I came with my cousin, Daniel, and our good friend, Gaby, but Ben still doesn't answer. So Gaby went to get someone to come and open the door, since we're really starting to worry," she explains.
- You know, Céline, whether she's a detective or whatever, it's none of her business..." admits her cousin.
- What if we have a case on our hands, huh? She'll be able to help us!
Daniel swallows hard and clenches his left teeth.
- Ben's probably just sleeping with headphones on or something..." he says with little confidence in his words.
- Don't act tough in front of them! She's only 16, you know!
- Huuuuuh?! What are you tal—
- Shut the fuck up!
Gaby knocks again on the wall before knocking forcefully on the door.
- Ben!!! Wake up, Ben!!! Come on, answer me!!!! Hey!!!!
The two cousins fall silent and bite their lower lip. Deshya frowns as she watches the spectacle before her, while Aya turns her head back.
- Oh, there he is!" she said.
Deshya regains a calmer expression and turns to see a man who works at the hotel running towards them. Gaby stops banging on the door and steps back before the man stops in front of them.
- Are you the one who called me?" he asks.
- That's me, yes!" confesses Gaby. Room 1422, right here!
The man nods quickly and stands in front of the door. He pulls out a card with the same pattern as the keys to their rooms, but a different color: instead of a beautiful blue, it's a bright, almost crimson red. The man passes the card over the system, and the little light on the case bursts into green. He opens the door, but something goes wrong.
- Ah.
The safety chain prevents him from opening it, blocking his movement with a metallic clang.
- So he's inside!" exclaims Céline.
- Hey, Ben! What the hell are you doing?!
The man working at the hotel asks them to calm down and calls the resident over. Behind them are still the two girls, but their expressions are very different. Aya shows some concern, but Deshya is already thinking the worst.
- Ben!
The door can only be opened a few centimeters, and the room is so dark that it's impossible for these people to see anything. Deshya clenches a fist and finally makes up her mind. She asks Aya to let her go and walks towards the adults.
- Sir, go and get a power saw or anything that can cut the chain," she orders.
The three men, including the woman, turn to her. The expression on Deshya's face is one of burning seriousness, and her irises glow in the corridor light.
- ... G-Good.
The staff member nods and runs towards the elevators. Deshya almost aggressively asks the three adults to step back from the door and turns to Aya.
- Aya, do you have a mirror on you?" she asks.
- Do you? No, I don't..." replies her friend.
- I guess you three don't either…
Gaby, Céline and Daniel are all in bathing suits, so Deshya doesn't even bother asking them for such an object. Without it, she can't check what's going on inside the room, or whether anyone is hiding there.
- The security chain is impossible to open or close from the outside, so that famous Ben must still be inside," thinks Deshya. However, the lights all seem to be off... The best-case scenario would be that he's showering and listening to music with waterproof headphones, but we can't hear the shower running, so I guess that's a theory that falls apart. Ah. Ahah.
Deshya is tired of herself, able to think of such a play on words when the current situation is so worrying. She looks back at the three adults chatting amongst themselves and can't help but have a bad feeling. Admittedly, it's impossible for her to see anything inside, but that shivers down her spine... What's more, since the start of the school year, she's stumbled across a murder case almost every day.
- First the death of Kyria's dad, then the bombs on the train, including two murders, almost three, and then two more deaths on the bus, who were Korone's adoptive parents, then the kidnapping of Michaël Elrick's brother and finally the murder of Claire Dochamps and my own kidnapping. I had four quiet days... and again, was Saturday so quiet? I was exhausted from all that poker…
Deshya may have received a gentle kiss from Tessa, but her mind was inevitably affected by the accumulated stress of that day. Deshya hopes with all her heart that the famous 'Ben', friend of the three adults, has not been killed or poisoned…
A little over two minutes later, the staff member returns with an electric saw and asks them to stand back. Aya holds Deshya's hand tightly, while Ben's three friends sweat with worry. The saw meets the chain and the man turns it on, holding it tightly. Sparks fly in all directions, startling Céline, who retreats into her cousin's arms. The saw makes a racket that Deshya's ears can't bear, but soon the chain breaks and the man turns off the saw.
- I'm going to check on him!" shouts Deshya.
She forces Aya to let her go and runs for the door. Gaby says it's not her place to check, and the two cousins are about to enter the room when Deshya starts screaming.
- DO NOT ENTER!!!!
The adults freeze and Aya opens her eyes wide, never having heard Deshya roar so loudly. Daniel turns to the teenager, frowning.
- Why is that, huh?!
- Sir, keep them out!!
Deshya pushes Daniel aside and steps between them and the door, turning his gaze to Aya.
- Make sure he doesn't get in!
- Hey, hey, hey!!! What are you doing here?
- If your friend has been killed, you're all suspects.
- !!!
- Huh?!
Deshya cuts Daniel off in a tone that proves she's not joking, and the three friends look at each other. Aya takes a while to understand what her friend is saying and nods.
- You can count on me! No one gets in!
Deshya smiles and turns towards the bedroom. She turns on the light with the end of her sweater, avoiding depositing her fingerprints anywhere, and looks ahead.
- Wh—?!
She opens the door wide and her irises narrow. From the corridor, the three adults take in the scene with shock. The staff man takes a step back, releasing the saw from his hands, and it falls noisily to the floor. Aya turns and her eyes fall on what they all see. They open wide and the 15-year-old girl begins to tremble. Deshya clenches both fists and stares intently at the terrifying sight in front of her.
- I-It's…
- Beeen!!!
- Ben?!!
- What does that mean?!!!
They all scream and Céline, including Daniel, even back up against the wall behind them. Aya's jaw trembles and the staff man clumsily reaches for his phone.
- Call the police! An ambulance too!" orders Deshya.
- O-Okay!!!
The man dials the number and Deshya turns once more to the terrible scene before her. The moon shines white from the bedroom window, which has been dark until now. In the middle of the room, just above a fallen chair, they can all see 'Ben', the one who hasn't answered the many calls.
Hanging from the ceiling fan, his lifeless body presented itself to them all.