Makoto hadn't expected anyone in the art room, especially arriving fifteen minutes late with a sad-looking curry bun. But Naseru was there, standing by the window, red apple in hand. He didn't look surprised when Makoto arrived.
"About yesterday." Naseru tossed the apple toward him.
Makoto caught it, adjusting his glasses. "I wanted to talk to you too."
Naseru waited, saying nothing. His eyes tracked the bruising on Makoto's neck—dark finger-shaped marks, deliberate spacing.
"Katsuo's family owns a deli, not a garage," Makoto said carefully. "Whatever he told you about cars—that's not his business."
"Figured."
"He's been asking questions. About who lives alone, family schedules." Makoto paused. "The kind of information someone would need to know when people are vulnerable."
Naseru's expression didn't change. He waited for more.
"After school he wants you to go somewhere with him. Called it a test drive, right?"
"Yeah." Naseru was quiet for a moment. "He wants me to lure you."
Makoto's eyes widened slightly. "What?"
"Wants me to get you to follow us. Make it look accidental." Naseru's voice was flat. "So he can grab you."
Makoto absorbed this, pieces clicking into place. "The girls are there."
"Has to be."
"So if I follow after school—"
"He'll think I set you up for him."
Makoto was quiet for a long moment, processing. "But you're not."
"No."
"My phone," Naseru said suddenly. "I'm leaving it here. Can't have it on me."
Makoto nodded, understanding. "And when he grabs me?"
"Play along. Act surprised."
"This will clear Hikaru," Makoto said quietly.
"And save everyone else."
Naseru looked out the window at students in the courtyard during lunch break. When he turned back, his eyes were steady.
"After school then."
Makoto nodded. The trap was set.
The afternoon crawled by with deliberate slowness. Naseru sat in his usual spot, watching the clock while his classmates focused on lessons that felt suddenly distant. His phone lay powered off in his locker—deliberately left behind as planned.
Emi had returned to class, pale but determined. Dark circles under her eyes spoke of sleepless nights worrying about Mae. When Officer Ueno called Makoto for another interview, Naseru caught the brief look Makoto shot him—a silent reminder of their conversation.
Across the room, Kaho kept glancing between the clock and Naseru, anxiety written clearly on her face. She'd been trying to catch his attention all day, probably about karaoke plans. Her letters had likely warned her about keeping him away from Katsuo.
Maki whispered urgently with Emi whenever the teacher's attention was elsewhere. Their conversation looked intense—probably comparing notes about the missing girls, building their case that this was connected.
Katsuo sat relaxed in his seat, occasionally catching Naseru's eye with that serpentine smile. Confident. Expectant. He thought tonight would go exactly as he'd planned.
The history teacher droned on about ancient military strategies while Naseru's mind stayed focused on more immediate tactics. Variables to consider: the route Katsuo would take, how many people might be at the location, what condition the girls would be in.
When the final bell rang, students scattered with typical chaos. Athletes like Ryota and Rantaro bolted for practice. Study groups formed around lockers. Normal end-of-day energy filling the hallways.
"Hey! Matsuoka!" Kaho called out, Mariah beside her. "Want to come to karaoke with us?"
"Can't today."
"Maybe another time?" Mariah tried, her smile hopeful.
"Thanks."
He was already moving, cutting off further conversation. Kaho's disappointed expression followed him, but there was no time to explain.
In the hallway, Makoto appeared beside him with practiced casualness as they walked toward the exit.
"Remember," Makoto whispered, voice still hoarse from yesterday's beating. "I'll follow at a distance, then make it obvious."
Naseru nodded once. "When he grabs you—"
"Act surprised. I know."
They separated at the school gates. Makoto headed toward the convenience store while Naseru waited by the bike racks, watching Katsuo emerge from the building. The older student had already started his transformation—blazer loosened, that predatory confidence settling over him like armor.
"Ready for that test drive, Matsuoka?" Katsuo's voice carried that familiar serpentine amusement.
"Yeah."
Katsuo's smile widened. "Good. Let's go see what kind of ride we can find."
"My little scapegoat."