Infestation V / Under Scrutiny

“Kerne, got any 4s?”

“I do not.”

“Kerne!”

“I refuse to speak that nonsense, Akio.”

“Wow. I didn’t think you of all people would just flat out ignore the rules like that. It’s basically cheating, if you think about it.”

“Hmph. I suppose that is true… Fine. ‘Go fish’.”

Akio, for perhaps the fiftieth time today, snickered at the way Kerne frowned when he said the words.

“What does any of this have to do with fish…?”

Kerne, for perhaps the fiftieth time today, complained about the nomenclature of a children’s game.

God, I have a migraine…

“I’m gonna go check in on Shina. You guys can finish the game without me,” I said, tossing my cards onto the floor and standing up.

Kerne seemed troubled by my words. “But Everett, the rules you laid out did not cover conceding. How are we intended to—”

“Just figure it out, man.”

I’d thought that reinventing playing cards in this world would have made for a good time waster, but I was beginning to regret that decision.

And why are they both so invested in Go Fish? We’ve been playing it for like two hours! Can’t we at least teach him a new game!?

I yawned as I spun around toward Shina. The academy’s dorms were relatively small, but there was enough space for the three of us to occupy ourselves in one corner while she worked at the desk on the other side of the room.

I knew I shouldn’t be bothering her, but those two had drained all of my energy, and I needed to recharge.

Besides, she could probably use a break too. She’s been working hard all evening.

“Hey, Shina.” As I spoke to her, I gently placed a hand on her shoulder to draw her attention, knowing she could get so focused sometimes that she’d filter out sound. “How are things—”

“Uwaaaaaaaaa!” Shina flung her gaze up toward the ceiling and let out a bizarre exclamation. It was strangely monotone, so I had no idea what kind of emotion she was trying to convey.

Regardless, I shot my hand back in case I’d startled her. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just tired,” she mumbled, bending her neck back to its regular orientation. “I just finished reviewing all of the data.”

“Finished? Like, completely?”

She nodded. “Mhm. You couldn’t tell by my victory cry?”

“Is that what it was supposed to be…?”

Akio and Kerne came rushing over to join us as soon as they heard Shina’s declaration.

“Does that mean you have narrowed down the suspects?” Kerne asked.

“Yeah,” she replied. “There’s still a ton of students we don’t have any data for, but of the ones we investigated, I’m confident there are only three who could’ve activated the sigils. At least, assuming our information is accurate.”

Between the direct questionings and whatever academy records our group could get their hands on, we’d collected data on nearly a hundred students. While most were eliminated as suspects right away, many required more rigorous analysis to be certain, and only Shina was equipped with the knowledge to make that determination.

Several books on the topic of sigil magic were scattered across the desk, all serving as key reference materials for Shina’s examination. Combined with the copious notes she’d scribbled across dozens of sheets of paper, it was clear she’d done her due diligence.

I think this a lot, but she really is amazing.

“Good job, Shina. Sorry I couldn’t do more to help.”

“It is remarkable work indeed,” Kerne agreed.

“It’s not that big of a deal, really. Besides, I wouldn’t have been able to work this quickly if you guys hadn’t helped me consolidate and organize everything earlier.” Despite her humble words, her mouth curved into a bashful smile at our compliments. “Anyway, we need to figure out what to do next. Since there are plenty of people we haven’t looked into yet, we’re definitely missing out on some suspects who’d fit the bill. Either way though, the attack had to have been carried out by multiple people, so odds are that at least one of the three we already found is guilty.”

She pointed to the three names she’d circled in a long list, though I recognized none of them.

“Should we take it slow and only strike once we’ve looked over everyone, then? That way, we can expose them all at once and make sure no one gets away,” Akio suggested.

Kerne, however, looked unconvinced. “The more time we spend investigating, the more likely we are to be discovered. It is possible some have already grown suspicious of us.”

“What’s the right option, then?” I asked, assuming either Kerne or Shina would have an answer figured out.

“Unfortunately, I am unsure. Both options are dangerous in their own ways.”

Shina nodded at Kerne’s assessment, and both fell silent as they thought about the situation.

Well, if they’re not sure, then…

A little hesitant, I spoke up to voice my opinion. “I think we should act on what we have now rather than wait. Let’s focus on investigating these three and finding some solid evidence against them, assuming any were behind the attack in the first place. It’s possible not all of the perpetrators activated sigils anyway, so we can’t guarantee we’ve caught everyone even if we keep going on with this method.”

Uncertain of how they’d react to my half-baked gut instinct, I braced myself for ridicule.

“I think Everett’s right. Our real goal is just to help out the academy anyway, so an all-or-nothing approach isn’t required.” Shina was the first to approve.

“I believe both options share an equal ratio of risk and reward, so I shall support this choice if the rest of you are in agreement.” Kerne was next.

“Yeah, sounds fine to me.” Akio, with a casual shrug, was the third.

I should’ve known that wouldn’t be necessary. They’re not like that.

With the plan receiving unanimous consent, Kerne took the lead. “Then it has been decided: next, we will conduct in-depth investigations into the three suspects Shina has identified. If any participated in the attack, we need to collect irrefutable evidence to prove it. Do not act rashly or confront them until then. Understood?”

We each nodded in response.

“Good. Now, as much as I would like to discuss our strategy going forward, we should adjourn this meeting and reunite tomorrow. Shina needs rest.”

“Ah, no, I’m fine,” she insisted.

“Don’t lie about that kind of thing, dummy.” I cut in, annoyed. “It’s obvious you’re exhausted. You need to take better care of yourself.”

Shina grumbled for a moment, but she quickly resigned, well aware we were correct. “Alright, fine.”

“Right after dinner tomorrow, then, we will meet here again. Good work so far, everyone.”

Akio pumped his fist into the air for some reason, while I let out a sigh of relief at the realization I wouldn’t have to hear the words “Go fish” again tonight.

“Actually, before you go, Kerne, I have a question,” Shina said. “How’d you collect so much data? I was stunned going through it all. We’ve only been at this for a few days.”

Kerne froze at the question. “W-whatever do you mean? I simply… spoke to my peers. Yes, my peers.”

I’ve never heard someone sound so suspicious in my life…

“Huh, is that so? I didn’t realize you knew so many first and second-year girls. Why is that?”

“Ngh. I-I simply know many students, including underclassmen. Is that so wrong?”

“Yo, you’re into younger girls? I didn’t see you as the type, honestly,” Akio commented, eager to pile onto the man who was clearly hiding something. “I would’ve expected older, more mature women to be your speed. Crazy.”

Kerne gritted his teeth in frustration, then let out a long sigh. “Fine. I admit it. Much of the information I brought came from Mara.”

“Yeah, I figured,” Shina said, far less shocked than I was.

“She approached me a few days ago, and while I tried to convince her to join us in full, she refused. However, when I explained our plan to her, she agreed to help on the condition I kept her assistance a secret. I will need to apologize to her for my failure to do so.”

Mara wanted to help us? No, she already did help us.

I wasn’t sure what to say, but I could feel a surge of guilt oozing through my chest and compressing my heart.

If it weren’t for me, she’d be here right now. With everyone else.

“I wish she’d just talk to us,” Shina muttered, probably quiet enough the other two couldn’t hear. “I’m sure we’d be able to figure things out.”

“Regardless,” Kerne began again, “we should go our separate ways and get some sleep. I will see you all tomorrow.”

Spurred on by the other’s farewell, Akio waved goodbye and followed Kerne out of my room, leaving Shina and I alone.

For a while, maybe several minutes, we were silent.

“H-hey, Everett,” she finally said.

“What is it?”

“Can you… do that thing you did a few days ago? S-since I worked so hard and all…”

“… What?” I had no idea what she was referring to.

“W-when you were trying to comfort me…”

What is she… oh.

I reached out my hand and gently patted the top of her head. “Th-this?”

“Mhm.” A content smile descended onto her lips.

God, this is embarrassing…

For some reason, the anxiety I had felt earlier washed away, and in its place, an overwhelming warmth took over.

By the time I returned to my senses, I realized Shina had drifted off to sleep in my chair, her body surrendering to fatigue.

“Told you so.” A similar smile to hers found its way onto my face. “Sleep well, Shina. You deserve it.”