Part 5
533 Words
“‘Do you like sweets?’... Seriously, Sato?!”
“Ah! I didn’t know what to write...”
He turned red. Well, he’d lose a turn then. Not a big deal—she knew there were still gold mines in there; they had made sure of it. After all, it was so easy to “suggest” ideas to students willing to play along.
Still, it took two more turns before a wave of curiosity—perhaps inappropriate—was stirred.
“Oh ho... Jackpot! ‘Do you like someone in the class?’”
Less trashy than the previous question, perhaps, but still explicit. Even better: it was exactly what they needed to refine the investigation.
Excited, Denki held the bulb right in front of him, one hand over his heart, suddenly becoming very ceremonial.
“I’d say there’s someone I’m a little interested in.”
Not much information, but it seemed enough for the judge, which approved him with a firm olive glow. Mina smiled. Though she had an idea of who, Denki—her former accomplice—had just joined the ranks of the suspects.
Like the others, she wouldn’t hesitate to expose him.
Her partner handed her the magic lamp with an oblivious smile. Poor guy...
“No, I’m not in love with anyone here!”
Unsurprisingly, the bulb turned green. As much as she loved meddling in other people’s love lives, her own was flatter than water. And apparently, it was the same for the people next to her.
Well, at least this time, no overly... surprising surprises.
Then it was Izuku’s turn.
“...Yes, I... I like someone in the class...”
Blinded by the jade flash that confirmed it, he seemed frozen in place. Lips pressed together, he must have spotted a very interesting stain, because he couldn’t take his eyes off it.
The rumor swelled again, triggering multiple reactions among the students. Once again, it was terribly easy to see who had moved to the prisoners’ side.
Koda, sitting right next to the evening’s first target, awkwardly patted his shoulder in sympathy. The shyest students in the class certainly wouldn’t want to be in his place.
Fortunately, Deku’s exposure passed quickly this time. Since he had told the truth, he passed the ticking bomb along without waiting and let out a breath.
Iida had no trouble answering, and the tension eased slightly.
But not for Mina...
“There is someone.”
And bingo.
Shoto had indeed landed on the red list, even as he stood bathed in a green glow. A list that gained more weight with every cleverly placed question they had managed to slip in...
And the game resumed.
One by one, the players drifted into the realm of the insignificant. At this point, Mina figured there would be no one else—aside from the surprises from the previous round.
Meanwhile, Denki suddenly grew gloomy.
Oh... Just as Alien Queen had suspected, he must have feelings for Kyoka. And she had answered no.
In a gesture meant to be comforting, the girl deliberately bumped into her friend. He gave her a far more troubled look than before, and she attempted a warm smile.
- Writer
