Music, music, music.

Kazue Hinku, SHSL Composer. Affiliated with Beyond Despair Bounds 2.

[bdb-niji-blog]

Winding Road , Ch5 | Kazue | Re: Execution, merge. | Open.

This trial had been really the first time he talked to Asa, and they had just lied through their teeth about everything. Hadn’t it been for Yuuki, it would have ended up in a mistrial. which mean they would have been indirectly responsible for two deaths rather than ‘just’ one. Ugh, the thought was making him pretty sick. But of course, the execution extinguished every feeling of anger he had felt, he was far too soft to endure all of this death, and he had had more than enough since day one. Not that being frustrated and angry would help anything, though

But now wasn’t the time to focus on that, instead, everyone started to follow Midoritarou, and naturally, he did too.

To say the following events were confusing was a massive understatement. After all, to Kazue it looked like Maru started fighting this weird, masked person (and lost pretty badly. Not like the stranger was doing any better.)  And then, some girl, along with the mess of a person that Midoritarou is, started talking. He could hardly understand anything, after all, to him the scene looked like something out of a movie with not audio and a strangely convoluted plot involved cat people and kitsune. He frowned, if those two killed each other would they finally be free? Hopefully.

But nope, they started rambling and rambling, whatever, he was too tired to read their lips. He’d ask Kuroi later about whatever new dumb, sadistic idea Maru had come up with.

Now he was more curious about the other students, that is to say, the Aoi group. They all looked as eccentric as his own group. Er, the guy that spend most nights writing music and throwing the failed ones everywhere except the trash can probably shouldn’t be complaining about anyone. Though still, it was quite troublesome to think about the fact that he’d need to explain to even more people than he’s deaf, he was getting tired just thinking about it. But, well, seeing more new people seemed nice., as strange-looking as they were. In the most nonchalant way, he waved in the general direction of the Aoi kids, unsure if anyone would be up to talk at all, wether it’d be that new group, or his classmates.

[bdb-midori-blog]

Ready. Aim. Fire! || Kuroi || Execution & Chapter 4 Start || Open

[sukebunbun]

Kuroi was really needing some coffee, so she thought the perfect thing to do is actually use her skills as a worker in a cafe to good use! After all she didn’t spend hours training to be a maid to just serve people…she had to treat herself…she always treats herself though. 

Waiting for the machine to warm up she glanced at the cafe entrance and saw Kazue, her lips pursed and she then went to speak…but went to sign instead…she’s been practicing in her downtime!

“[ Want something? Coffee…Tea…?]”

She noticed the peace sign and mimicked the motion back to him after signing her phrase.

“[I can make those fancy ass girly drinks too]”

She smirked, venus gap showing and all. She too, looked dead tired.

[signedmusic-blog]

Kuroi looked like she was really capable with that machine than Kazue could ever hope to be, if anything, it was quite a relief to see her offering because he could picture himself burning his hands, maybe more if he was particularly careless, using that.

But in any case, it was really, really nice to see Kuroi had been practicing on her own, there was stuff he hadn’t even shown her how to do, that was enough to make him smile, despite his accumulated fatigue.

When she asked if he wanted something, he immediately nodded, and made gesture to ask for a coffee.though, he had not idea what a girly fancy drink was, and he was not afraid to say so.

-I have not idea what those might be, but, I’d like to try one after the coffee if that’s okay with you.-, he noticed that she also looked very tired, and, again through his hands, he decided to talk once more: -Have you rest well lately?-

[bdb-midori-blog]

Haru | Deduction | Closed for Kazue

[shslbehaviouralpsych-blog]

Haru smiled and bowed politely as Kazue opened the door, smile widening a little at the ‘senpai’. Is he a senpai? Hope’s Peak’s age separation by class seems to be a little random, but how charming! 

[Thank you.]

He enters Kazue’s room, again without express permission… He is so rude. Taking a seat on Kazue’s chair, he types a quick reassurance.

[Nothing the matter at all!]

Putting his chin in his hands, he elaborates, while taking in the bedroom.

[I just thought we haven’t talked outside of trials - and even in those we seem to not speak so much directly as address each other’s points. But I think we have a lot in common, Hinku-san. You seem to have a good analytical mind. So many people seem to become very emotional during these trials. I admire someone who stays cool and looks at the facts.]

[signedmusic-blog]

Oh. Well, it’s not like he minded, but he wasn’t exactly expecting him to go and invite himself like that, and he probably would have invited him in regardless but it was still pretty jarring. Was this the power of being a year older or was it Haru  just being plain rude? Either way, it didn’t offend Kazue and more like amused him to the point that he cracked a smile, a bit forced maybe, but he was trying.

His room was a bit messy, not a terrible mess if you asked him, but having papers cramped up and thrown near the trashcan instead of inside it looked pretty bad, but if Haru asked, he’d just say it was all worthless junk related to work, not biggie.

Though the he started to scratch his head, but gave him a small bow expressing his thanks, but his face showed only confusion at the compliment, he wasn’t very cold or collected at all, let alone being the analytical type.

You think so? I doubt that, I think the Shinto gods are favoring me or I am just really lucky at getting stuff right, it’s flattering you think so, senpai, but I’m just a composer… And I wasn’t too calm the first trial, either

He was still pretty ashamed by that last bit, actually.

In all honestly, I just want to get out of here, along with everyone, as soon as we can, so I’m doing what I can to help... on trials, I suppose.

He started to think about it some more though, was it really the best course of action? It didn’t look like the trials were stopping anytime soon, sure, there wasn’t a motive right now but that would change.

[bdb-midori-blog]

Haru | Deduction | Closed for Kazue

If he thinks about it, Haru pretty much surmises that since he never seems to run into Kazue outside of trials in any of the castle’s many haunts, the boy probably spends most time in his room.

Well, that won’t do. Haru needs to make friends with everyone. He arrives at Kazue’s room, raises a hand to knock, and then shakes his head at his own thoughtlessness, opening up his ONIbook instead.

[Hinku-san? It’s Haru Ikezawa here. I’m outside your room. I was wondering if you’d like to chat if you’re free? I should add that my knowledge of JSL is very limited, I’m afraid, so we may have to type on ONIbook to each other – apologies!]

He sends it off and waits. It’s time to be bothered, Kazue. 

[signedmusic-blog]

And Haru would be very right, ever since the trials started, he had been going less  and less out of his room, especially on the days that the trials themselves took place in, but then again, it looked like most people would o that on that kind of day, so neither day, nor the next, had he waited much.

That was until he felt the ONIbook’s notification, and was pretty surprised to discover it was Haru, the last person he’d expect. well, maybe not the last, but among the last on the list of possible visits, but he wasn’t going to complain, he’d hope to befriend everyone if possible,

Without answering, he stopped writing musical notes to go get the door, and when he opened, there he was, Haru Ikezawa, one of the few that were older than him.

Once he opened the door, he actually started texting:

Hello there, Ikezawa-senpai, sounds like fun to me! And it’s fine, i think I’m the only one here, besides Maru-san, that knows. Though, I’m curious as to why? Is something the matter?

[bdb-midori-blog]

Ready. Aim. Fire! || Kuroi || Execution & Chapter 4 Start || Open

Kuroi kept her thoughts to herself for the most part..ignoring basically everything that occurred throughout the rest of the trial. She participated, but did she really care about the end result of all this? No. Rini knew she was going to die and had accepted it, but that didn’t mean Kuroi felt much better about the fact she had been trying to play victim.

Being asked to find Rinis parents she just rolled her eyes and nodded, she wasn’t going to protest. The more she protested the more Rini pushed herself on her and she learned that. She she just agreed silently, keeping her eye contact away from Rini. She refused to look at her at this point.

But then she asked for a hug after giving her some necklace, what was the explanation to the necklace? She wasn’t paying attention.

“……”

She just patted Rini shoulder, ignoring the request for a hug.

As the execution occurred, Kuroi ignored it for the most part after she saw what was going on. She walked towards the door and once it opened, nodded towards Yuuki and left returning to the dorm room area.

————————————————————————–

When morning came, she could be found in the Neko Neko Nii~ Café making some coffee with one of the machines. She was going to need something to calm the beginnings of what she was going to call a stress headache…and then someone walked through the door and she just looked at the machine…at them…and then back at the machine…rolled her eyes and spoke.

“Since I’m most likely one of the only few who know how to work these damn things without burning the shit out of my hands, do you want something?”

[signedmusic-blog]

Naturally, doing a whole lot of nothing wasn’t the most fun thing in the world, nor the most productive, either. but for a good while, it all he could do, was lay on his bed, not even looking at his ONbook or anything, this whole thing was becoming a bad habit trial after trial. He hadn’t even realized how much time he had been just lying there, and when he finally got his lazy, sloppy ass out of the bed, it was already the next morning. Way to waste time and not even rest. He looked terrible, dark circles under his eyes, and skin becoming somewhat paler, maybe he was getting sick? Possibly, because a shower didn’t improve his looks one bit, neither did changing clothes.

Somewhat grudgingly, he decided to get out of his room after that, it’s not like anyone was forcing him to, but being there was doing him more bad than good, so he headed to café, to be able to recover himself, after all everyone enjoyed some morning coffee, even if he actually preferred tea, he needed something to wake him up.

Luckily, Kuroi was there too, he made a peace sign towards her as a way of saying hello, he sure must have looked terrible though, and he didn’t actually caught what she had said before, not paying too much attention because his eyes were so unfocused.

[bdb-midori-blog]

Same Old Story || Chapter 4 Start

Like the culprits before her, Rini is taken away, and just like that, another one of you is executed. How long is this going to go on? How many people are going to be murdered and punished, and for what purpose? Why are all of you here? How do you get out?

Questions you have yet to find the answers to.

Maru stands slowly, letting out a breath that might have been a sigh.

“It is done. You are free to leave. I encourage you to look around the castle. There are many areas that remained unexplored. Who’s to say an exit is not among those places?”

She laughs wryly.

“But it would be funny if you had all overlooked something like that and continued like this, so by all means, do as you please.”

With that, Maru leaves the trial room. Midoritarou and Hunter trail after her quickly. It doesn’t seem like there are any new areas for you to explore now; may as well make sure you’ve actually found everything there is to find in the ones you have.

[Chapter 4 start!]

[bdb-midori-blog]

Chill | Trial 3.2 | Kazue | Re: Yelling People

He didn’t need to hear anything to know that people were going crazy in there, just taking glances at most everyone’s faces was enough to know they were pissed, and with good reason, too. Although he felt something… like sympathy? It wasn’t quite that, but among those lines.

Either way, it was strange, he realized that some days ago that would have scared him, but now it was more… sad to see everyone, even those he hadn’t yet talked to being so aggressive, and even if they weren’t fighting against each other, it gave that vibe. which is why he thought it’ be a good idea to raise his hand, to catch Maru’s attention and have the furry fuck speak for him once more:

-I know most of you will think this is going to be a bad idea, but I think we all should calm down. I agree with the general notion that the killer is obvious, but I don’t think Rini-san will say much if we all keep yelling, I understand we’re all upset, but things are better if we’re all calm.-, well, he didn’t expect that to calm everyone, anyone actually, down, but it was better to try than do nothing, right?

[bdb-midori-blog]

Tell'em | Kazue | Trial 3.1 | Re: Everything so far?

Kazue was again in a rush to get to the courtroom, but, much like last time, he was calmer, it was awful that he was getting used to it all but, it was better than never ending whining, which is what he thought would come from him at first, but, no, luckily it wasn’t the case for him.

Looking at what Arashi had said, he had to agree with his theory, not much else made sense as to why two collars could be there, it could have been a red herring but, would anyone really had the time for something like that? It’d imply either having an accomplice,someone had their collar stolen after they fell but those things looked so heavy, not all of them could possibly steal them, either. At least he thought he couldn’t, anyway.

Before he replied to Lousie, he thought about the kitchen, there was something, it was minor, but worth mentioning.

-About the kitchen, Haru-san, there was a puddle of water beside the door, it was like someone had been on it for a while… I know because I stepped on it without realizing, as Kuroi-san and Louise-san saw. We don’t know anything else about what could’ve happened in the kitchen, though.-

And then, from his jacket pocket, he took what Louise had been talking about, light coloured hair, kind of pinkish,  medium length, it wasn’t much, but it was visible.for everyone:

-We found this in the pool, we don’t really know whose hair is, but it’s not Mia-san’s, that’s for sure.-, he looked a bit weird making his signs with hair on his hands, sorry Maru, best of luck translating. 

[bdb-midori-blog]

A Single Snail || Motive

It’s been silent for too long, which meant Maru was planning something. This had happened enough that you knew the drill. Another motive, which likely meant another murder.

Additionally, for a certain seven, there was a much more obvious sign. Who knew why, or how, but Aoi, Louise, Rini, Yuuki, Mia, Haru, and Kuroi awoke with a fancy new addition to their wardrobe. A black collar, heavy and noticeable, hung around their necks, with a thick red light along the front… or so you assumed, as it wasn’t lit yet.

They could breathe around them easily, bu it was still far too tight to get over their heads. No clasps nor keyholes lined the collar. From what you could see, there was no way to get them off. A question best addressed to Maru, but fortunately, see called you all to the main hall yet again with her usual message.

As always, she stands there and waits for all of you to arrive, ignoring the demands for answers from those already collected.

“You’ve already noticed your new motive, but allow me to explain it to you. Kuroi-san, Rini-san, Mia-san, Aoi-san, Haru-san, Yuuki-san and Louise-san - you all have collars on. They are lined with explosives, and in 24 hours, they will go off at the same time, effectively executing all 7 of you at once. The explosion likely won’t be large enough to harm anyone nearby, but I couldn’t say that for certain. The only way to remove them is if someone is murdered within that 24 hour time frame.”

She speaks calmly, smoothly, as if she isn’t hanging seven lives above your heads.

“If you attempt to remove or break the collars, I will set them all off immediately. Additionally, suicide will not deactivate the bombs. It will merely create another corpse to deal with, and more trauma for your classmates. You have only one option, and one day from right now. I’m sure you won’t disappoint your classmates.”

With that, Maru walks away. Any protests sent to her retreating back are met with only one sentence;

“Life is simply unfair, don’t you think?”

[bdb-midori-blog]

Expect The Unexpected || Kuroi || Freetime || Closed For: Kazue

[sukebunbun]

“[True. It doesn’t make anything better at all, we could easily avoid all of this if we just ignored Litterbox but I doubt the consequences of even that are very good. It’s a lose-lose situation in the end…I wonder though….]

She sent a message to Maru, afterwards twirling her hair around one of her fingers and letting it go, similar to how Ming Zhu used to do it. Thanks Kuroi.

[She’s not weakling and if she dares hit Yuuki again shes going to have me to deal with. She may be…stronger than she looks but I promise I refuse to hold back on someone who willingly will punch someone innocent as Yuuki in the face]

She had no fear of Rini other than the growing discomfort of Rinis over apologetic and worrying personality….that was all though.

She nodded though, sending off some messages and then sending on back to Kazue.

[Let’s go. Maybe it’s somewhere that we least expect]

[signedmusic-blog]

For the 31th time that day, Kazue sighed before sending something:

To think if it weren’t for her... our situation would be so much nicer, we’d probably be just normal kids and nothing bad would have happened. Nothing as bad as this.

He smiled a little at the gesture, he did miss Ming Zhu a lot, despite how little they actually got to talk or to know each other in general. But he nodded again, he had to agree:

Just punching about anyone here that isn’t Maru-san or any of her underlings seems stupid. We should not be fighting among ourselves, I haven’t had the chance to talk to Yuuki-san but that was unacceptable, I hope it didn’t hurt much, but that looked pretty brutal, so I can’t say I’m eager to talk to Rini-san now.

Another nod, this time in regards to the search:

Shall we begin with the new places, then? They don’t seem like the ideals places to hide something... but I’m curious. 

[bdb-midori-blog]

Expect The Unexpected || Kuroi || Freetime || Closed For: Kazue

[sukebunbun]

It was weird having friends, like jeez. When she wasn’t in murder castle she had Koyote and the maids but…were they even friends? Not so much. More like co-workers. Yuna was in jail anyways. 

[Yeah, I mean it’s not a good feeling. Not like ive done this before or anything, that would be weird. But…I mean murder happens every day.]

That has nothing to do with what’s going on Kuroi.

[…..Yeah Maybe. I mean since we can send mass texts I can try that, I’m not Rini. I’m not going to go door to door trying to find the stupid thing (or sympathy lmao) ]

Kuroi thought of who could have taken it. She knew where to start….but if no luck there she had no idea whatsoever. Maybe she can harass Midoritarou!

[Sure. I guess. Not like there’s much else for us to do right now, unless you want to take a look at the new area together]

[signedmusic-blog]

He nodded, somewhat sadly, ‘murder happens every day’, that was something he knew very well, these last weeks had made him very aware of that fact yet, it was still difficult to hear, or read, as the case may be. 

You’re right.... but it doesn’t really makes it any better, you’d think a handful of people would be able to avert something like murder but... Though, I guess we actually could avert if Maru-san wasn’t here.

He sighed for like the 30th time today after sending that, and then he started to think... remembering, and it clicked, Rini was the one that had a knack for violence.

Wouldn’t want to get on Rini-san’s bad side after seeing her doing that, don’t know if I want to talk bad about her, even if she isn’t her.... she might be physic, after that, I expect anything from her.

That was half a joke, half serious, he really didn’t want to be on the receiving end of those punches, at any rate, nor he did want to see anyone else getting hit like that.

Anyways, you should send that message and we can go and pester Midoritarou-san.

Quickly after sending that, he added:

To look for Luci, of course.

[bdb-midori-blog]

Expect The Unexpected || Kuroi || Freetime || Closed For: Kazue

[sukebunbun]

Kuroi wasnt one to throw the term ‘friend’ around lightly. She really did see Kazue as what a friend should be. He was nice and literally lied to save her ass. What more could she ask for.

Reading the message though, she frowned. Yeah she really didn’t do much either, she thought that the other group that consisted of quite a few of her classmates found most of it to begin with.

[Well you’re better than most I guess. Some haven’t even bothered to try I don’t think. Haven’t really paid attention. ]

She sent that and shrugged.

[Yeah, I mean they took it the first time but someone took it from the crime scene meaning I still don’t have it. Someone else could use it again for a second round of ruining my life. How fun]

She rolled her eyes, sending the message and then looking around in hopes of seeing it lying around. Obviously that was wishful thinking.

[signedmusic-blog]

He smiled at her a little more, they really were friends now, it took a while for it to happen maybe, but it was nice. It probably was time to stop being so awkward about it all, but maybe at this point, it wasn’t only that they were all a bunch of awkward kids so much and more like the situation was plain shitty.

I can’t blame them for not trying, I mean... looking, and touching corpses like that isn’t the most thrilling experience, but it’s... better than letting a killer do as they please. 

He didn’t know about that much, now everyone knew who it belonged to, and his first thought was that someone would probably try the same stunt Nobu had.

You should let people know it disappeared again, maybe they’ll get the wrong idea if there’s a next time, I hope not but....

He sighed after sending that, but quickly added:

Want to go look for it? Maybe we’ll get lucky.

[bdb-midori-blog]

Expect The Unexpected || Kuroi || Freetime || Closed For: Kazue

[sukebunbun]

If Kuroi actually didn’t give two coconuts about Kazue she would have just walked passed him, said thanks for lying on her behalf and that would be that. But no, Kuroi actually did care deep down in that complicated heart of hers about Kazue. Currently only a select few had the luxury of knowing the real Kuroi, Kazue being one of them. 

She did understand Kazue though, luckily.

[I trust you too, I mean after all. Dude you solved two trials in a row? Hell I mean we did know Ming Zhu did it because they told us but. Say we didnt? You sure you aren’t some detective instead of…Composer?]

She kind of was impressed that he had managed to find the things he had…but maybe he was just…really set on finding who did the big bad each time someone died…

[Anyways. Lets hope no one tries to frame me again, can’t say I won’t hold back next time. Don’t even know who too Luci…]

[signedmusic-blog]

It was nice to see it, they were pretty much friends now, if he hadn’t been sure of it before, he was completely sure of that much now and it was a rather nice feeling, enough to make the concern the trial caused to go away, a really nice change of pace to what had otherwise bad experience after bad experience.

Though then he laughed a bit at the idea. Shaking his head, he sent:

I didn’t do much of anything the first time, I didn’t really want to, either... because well yeah. And... trust me, I got lucky there, the only detective-like thing I’ve ever done is watch shows and try to guess the culprit before they say it, and btw, I’m often wrong.

But again, he nodded, even though it was the second killing, he really was hoping they would stop, and that all of them could be free, but that probably wasn’t happening anytime soon.

Let’s hope there’s no more killings... unlikely but I want to hope for the best. About that last bit... wasn’t it Nobu-san? They said they had no accomplices, so it should have been them.... right? Unless I didn’t hear something. Figuratively, I mean.

[bdb-midori-blog]

Expect The Unexpected || Kuroi || Freetime || Closed For: Kazue

[sukebunbun]

Kuroi had done everything in her power to forget that last trial, aside from the new grudges she was going to hold. She wasn’t happy with a certain Idol for sure, and she was glad she hadn’t seen her yet. She didn’t want to see her anytime soon either. 

Kuroi yawned, looking up at her musician friend who seemed to be typing something. She would wait, she actually had patience when it came to a select few and Kazue was one of them. So she would wait for his response, she actually was curious on what it was after all.

When she read the message though….she had a feeling that that was what it was for. She knew Kazue enough to know he didn’t really throw useless words around because he could. He had a reason…after all he had literally found the thing that sent Nobu to their death.

She was grateful in her own way.

[I kind of guessed that may have been a possibility but shit, you sure had be believing it so I guess it looked more authentic of a lie. Thanks…I guess I mean if you hadn’t I wouldn’t be here right now I don’t think. So thanks]

She sent it and…she wasn’t going to dwell on it long but it was true, she did almost die.

[signedmusic-blog]

It didn’t took a genus to know that Kuroi had been less than happy during and after the trial, in Kazue’s eyes at least, Kuroi’s grumpiness written all over her face, it was obvious she wasn’t trying to hide it, either.  Not that he could blame her, trials were stressing by nature, and all the extra factors only made them worse.

But on the good side of things, she seemed like she understood and her message was a confirmation of it, too, to which he smiled with relief, and nodded, it was nice to see her taking things the right way, he’d been scared that everything would end in a misunderstanding or something like that.

Well, but at least we’re all behind that now, so it’s all good, don’t even mention it, anyone would have done that.

He nodded at the last part, he sure hoped anyone would do that, though, just to be sure, he send again:

I do trust you.

And he smiled again, offering to a handshake. Maybe it was a bit too formal but, it felt like the right thing to do anyway.

[bdb-midori-blog]

Expect The Unexpected || Kuroi || Freetime || Closed For: Kazue

After washing her clothes earlier in the day, Kuroi  had thought it was a good time to take a nap..after all she was still sleep deprived from all those nightmares on top of trial…on top of so many other things…so running into Kazue on her way to her room again, it wasn’t a bad thing but she was a bit grumpy…did he really not trust her? Or was it something else.

She tilted her head, looking up at him and signing something.

[Hey, What’s up?]

It was still jerky and not very…good but hey! She was trying…an attempt was being made to make his life a tad easier.

{Do…you….Not…-}

She wasn’t going to beat around the bush, she was just going to say what was on her mind, smirking as she signed…but then giving up and texting it instead…she wasn’t that good with sign language to be able to sign a full phrase yet.

[Do you really not trust me, I mean if you don’t that’s fine.]

[signedmusic-blog]

Ah, guilt had been eating at him since the trial, after all, had he not find the mask, things would have gone differently. But well... he got the right person, and this was the best outcome, but this was the second execution, and that what was really bothered him.

And then there was having told that white lie, too. It  was a matter of time until he ran into Kuroi even if he wasn’t looking for her, and it happened, of course it happened.

Right away Kazue knew that his friend wasn’t in the best of moods, understandably, with everything that had happened both of them looked pretty sleep deprived.

And even though she didn’t finish saying that, he didn’t need to read the text to know what she was asking, the gesture alone had been enough. He scratched the back of his head, nervous before sending:

Of course I trust you. I lied only because Nobu-san had lied, too, and if I didn’t, he would have again tried to direct the suspicion towards you, and I knew you were innocent.

[bdb-midori-blog]

[Mapdate 3.0 || Chapter 3 ]

Your ONIbooks pinged, and when you looked down at them, you could see that they were updated with maps.

Chapter 3 Maps Here!

Basement

[bdb-midori-blog]

Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked || Chapter 3 Start

After Nobu Hanabira is executed, that same atmosphere that came after Ming Zhu was executed filled the room. A tense, rattled silence; noise fills your ears whether people are speaking or not. Something like a buzz resounding in the very corners of the trial room.

That makes four people dead now.

“The trial is over. Please leave as soon as possible.”

With those words, the cage holding Rini finally opens since the beginning of the trial. It’s the only fanfare Maru provides before hopping off of her throne and walking by the dwindling crowd of students. After a few tense seconds, Midoritarou hurries out as well, though you get the feeling it’s not to chase after Maru.

Much like last time, he seems to be in tears.

But, unlike last time, he manages to stumble by Maru when she stops at the top of the stairs.

“Right. Like last time, I’ve managed to open a new area of the castle up. You have another floor to explore at your leisure. Do try to enjoy it.”

Now, Maru descends the staircase, leaving you all behind. Four less students than when you first arrived, and only a head full of questions in return.

Chapter 3 Start!