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Miyori was only going to get one shot at this, and so she had to make it count. 

The session ended with a reminder about their homework. "We're keeping it simple this week," Shimada said. "Come back ready to discuss how it went. If your first efforts go well, next week we'll be handing out special materials." 

It was a shame she'd be missing that, Miyori thought. 

Everyone lined up to put their folders away, as usual. The large map was still at the front of the room, and a few people were studying it, pointing at the neighborhoods they'd been asked to fill in and discussing their options. 

Miyori was in her uniform, as always, and her uniform had a jacket. There was a pocket inside that was big enough for the camera—barely. As she put away her pen case, she pulled the camera out and slipped it in, then stood to wait at the back of the line. 

She was going to have to be quick, and lucky. 

Shimada was chatting with a few students at the front of the room, and as the line moved forward, the ring of people grew. 

It seemed Miyori wasn't the only one with misgivings. She heard questions about legality and trespassing, but all of Shimada's answers sounded suspiciously like "don't get caught." 

If she just went back to city hall again, told them what to look for—but no. She was still holding the folder with her contract, so she stopped that thought in her tracks. 

Contract magic was tricky. A skilled liar could sometimes outwit it, but Miyori wasn't one. And thinking too hard about intending to violate the contract might just set off the spell prematurely...especially since she was already bending the terms for all they were worth. 

Two people away from the front of the line, Miyori got ready. 

She pulled the camera from her pocket, keeping it behind her folder. 

As the last person stepped away, she aimed as best she could at the map on the wall, coughed, and pressed the shutter. 

Then she slipped the camera back into her pocket as she put her folder in the box. 

She glimpsed the contract circle on the front of the folder as she stepped past. It remained spotless, unbroken. 

She let out a silent breath of relief, and turned to retrieve her bag. 

A voice rang out from behind her. "Wait a moment." 

Miyori jumped and turned, realizing a second too late that she shouldn't have reacted. 

Shimada was staring at her. "Ogimura-san. I'm afraid I need to ask you to show me what you have in your jacket." 

Everyone in the room was staring at her. There was nowhere to hide or slip the camera where it wouldn't immediately be found. 

She swallowed and brought the camera out. 

"And what do you think you're doing with that?" Shimada demanded. 

Miyori couldn't answer. 

Shimada stepped forward, his expression was severe. "I'm sure you're aware of the contract you just signed?" 

It hadn't mentioned cameras, but that wasn't going to save her now.

"I…I just wanted to be sure I remembered what area I'm supposed to be working in," she babbled. "I don't remember things very well, so…" 

"Even then," he said. "I'm sorry I wasn't more clear. You're not allowed to bring information out of the facility. I'm going to need to take this." 

Miyori grabbed at the camera, desperate. "I can take the film out," she said, and popped the back of the camera open, angled close against her chest, just enough to push a fingertip inside. Numbly, she slipped her other hand into her pocket. "See? But the camera isn't mine—I borrowed it—" 

"We'll be happy to give it back to you next week, don't worry." Shimada said. "This is just a matter of security." 

Miyori shook her head, stepping away. "I really shouldn't—"

"It's not optional, I'm afraid." He followed her and grabbed the camera, yanking it out of her hand. The window in the back flew open, likely ruining all the film inside. 

He examined the camera and then slipped it into his own jacket pocket. "Just to be on the safe side," he said, "allow me to repeat myself. If you share anything about this program, your contract will reflect that when you return. And it will create a very unfortunate situation for everyone involved. Do you understand?" 

Miyori nodded rapidly. "I do," she said. "I'm sorry." 

"Very well." He smiled. "We greatly value discretion and caution. Remember that, everyone—do your best this week, but remember. Until the Garden blooms, we need to keep planting our seeds discreetly." 

There was an uneasy murmur of agreement. Miyori wondered if she might not be the only one in the room who was having second thoughts. 

She went back and got her bag, eyes down, and left without looking at anyone there. She speed-walked the route out the door, meeting Shizuka near the entrance. 

"Well, that was—" Shizuka began, and then paused. "Is everything okay, Miyo-chan?" 

Miyori shook her head. "It happened," she said. "The contract you mentioned. They made us sign it, but I just…I can't keep doing this. I'm not coming back."

If she returned next week, and it became clear she violated the terms of the contract, what then? 

She was worried that she knew. They'd probably disappear her just as they had Noa. 

So she wouldn't return. She couldn't risk this much again. 

Shizuka looked taken aback. "…Oh." 

"Let's go," Miyori said. 

Hopefully when Miyori didn't return, they'd just assume she'd chickened out, rather than breaking the terms of the contract immediately.

But she couldn't guarantee that they wouldn't come after her, so there really was no time to waste. 

If the copy machine in her pocket had managed to preserve not just the contents of her folder, but also that last, possibly over-exposed camera negative…then she, Koji, and Sayaka might finally have some places to start looking.