Kyoko Pov:
Today is the day.
Today, Akira and I will make progress on this case.
I've already sent the message to the class: we'll meet in my room at 9:00 PM.
I asked Akira to come at least an hour early, so we'd have time to get ready.
It's 7:50, so he should theoretically be arriving in ten minutes. In the meantime, I watch some TV, trying to distract myself.
The ticking of the clock continues to echo in my head, second by second. I'm anxious.
Anxious to find out the truth behind this whole thing.
After a few minutes, I hear a knock.
I get up and go to open the door. In front of me, with his usual calm, is Akira.
He arrived five minutes early.
"I arrived on time, as promised,"
he said with a smile, clutching some envelopes in his hands.
"Actually, you're early"
I replied, giving a sincere smile.
"Come on, have a seat."
"Thank you, Mademoiselle,"
he said jokingly as we headed toward the living room.
"What's up now? Do you speak French?"
I replied ironically.
"Bien sûr, tu peux le parler aussi, Kyoko-chan?"
My eyes widened.
Okay, I was kidding before, but he actually spoke it.
I think he asked me if I could speak it too… Too bad, no, I can't.
"No, actually," I admitted.
"Where did you learn it? In some club in middle school?" I asked curiously.
"No, I just taught myself at home… intellectual curiosity," he replied casually.
I was shocked for a moment.
I don't think any normal teenager would start learning French on their own.....But Akira is Akira, and sometimes he's a little weird. I'm getting to know him.
"I see…" I said, letting out a light laugh. I don't know why, but I already felt more relaxed.
"More relaxed now?" he asked suddenly.
I froze. It was as if he'd read my mind.
"Y-yes... Did you know I was anxious?"
I asked, surprised.
"Well, yes. From the moment you opened the door, I could tell you weren't completely relaxed. That's why I spoke in French: to lighten the mood and make you relax."
he explained with a calm smile as he placed the envelopes on the coffee table.
"Your classmates won't be convinced to play truth or dare at first. That's normal, after everything that's happened. That's why we need to lighten the mood."
I looked at him in silence.
When I said Akira had a weird side, maybe I should have admitted that he also has some incredible sides.
"How did you figure that out?"
I asked curiously, sitting down in a chair.
"Well, from your voice and the way you opened the door. You opened it a second later than usual"
Akira replied calmly, also sitting down.
A second later than usual... Can he really notice these details too?
"I see"
I murmured simply, but my gaze immediately fell on the bags he had placed on the coffee table.
"What did you get?"
At that question, his eyes lit up.
"Well... popcorn, chips, chocolate, sweets, lollipops, marshmallows, Pocky, cola, cans of tea..."
he continued listing as he emptied the bags, showing me everything he had bought.
"are you a child?"
I commented sarcastically, unable to contain myself in the face of that childish side.
"A little childishness is useful, sometimes."
He laughed lightly.
"Oh, finally..."
From the largest bag, he pulled out a strange machine.
"What the heck is this?"
I asked skeptically.
"A lie detector"
he replied seriously.
"Aren't these just toys?"
I asked, confused.
"This one's different. It's closest to a polygraph, both in effectiveness and in how it works. Lately, a lot of YouTubers have been using it for challenges."
he began to explain, while taking a cuff similar to a blood pressure cuff.
"This one is placed on your arm, above the elbow. It measures blood pressure and heart rate"
he said, then put it away.
Then he took out some small discs.
"And these are skin sensors. They detect micro-changes in skin perspiration, which alter electrical conductance."
I watched him in silence. He wasn't surprising me anymore... or almost.
"We'll use this when we play truth or dare with your classmates."
he said with his usual calm.
I simply nodded, without adding anything.
"Come on, let's start preparing this room."
So Akira and I got to work setting up everything for the sleepover.
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Kyoko Pov:
After about an hour of preparations, we were finally finished.
The atmosphere was enveloped by a soft jazz background coming from the record player.
It wasn't intrusive, just a calm melody that filled the space without overwhelming it.
Akira and I had even changed the light bulbs in the room, replacing them with soft blue ones that he had brought with the polygraph.
He explained to me that blue scientifically lowers the heart rate and promotes tranquility, reducing stress.
In fact, it's often used in nightlights or those designed for relaxation.
Then we lit some scented sticks, filling the room with a relaxing fragrance.
Honestly, he was right: the atmosphere had become calmer, more welcoming... and I myself felt much more at peace.
"We're done"
I said with a satisfied sigh.
"Yeah"
Akira replied with a calm smile, surveying the now-prepared room.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Akira and I exchanged a quick glance, then I moved to open it.
In front of me was my entire class.
"Yo-oh~ we're here, Kyoko-chan, right on time as promised!"
Sae said with his usual infectious cheerfulness.
"Good. Come on, come in"
I invited, leading the way. Little by little, they all began to enter.
As I watched them, my eyes met Rin's for a moment.
I felt a pang of anger burning in my stomach. Just the thought that she might be the culprit behind everything made my blood boil.
But I remembered Akira's words: if it really is as he says, then the best thing is to control my anger and not let myself be consumed by negative thoughts.
"Huh? Is Kondò-Kun here too?"
Rin asked, noticing him immediately.
Akira gave her a quiet smile and replied calmly.
"Yes, Kyoko-chan was the one who invited me tonight."
"Well, we've spent a lot of time together these past few days, and we honestly like your company."
Saeko commented in a sincere and direct tone.
"Oh, thank you. The feeling is mutual,"
Akira replied, with his usual casualness.
"So, shall we start the evening?"
He asked with a calm smile.
"Yes!"
We all answered in unison, as if it were a small opening ritual.
"Let's start setting up the futons"
said Kazuya, pulling out his.
One by one, the others followed suit, busying themselves with preparing their spaces for the night.
"And for dinner? What are we having?"
Chiaki asked, leaning over the futon.
"Akira said he'll make takoyaki," I replied.
"Yes, but not only that"
he added, his usual enigmatic tone showing.
"In the meantime, if you have to put on your pajamas, go change one at a time in the bathroom"
I told the rest of the group.
"Okay," they replied in unison.
I was about to approach Akira, but before I could, Rin walked past me and stood next to him.
"Kondo-kun, you said you'd be making the takoyaki, but not only that... so do you have any other dishes planned for later?"
she asked casually.
"Well, honestly, I thought I'd make a special dessert: kuzu-mochi"
he replied.
"Oh, I know what mochi is, but I've never heard of kuzu. What is it?"
Asked Rin, with a curiosity that seemed genuine.
Akira, without the slightest bit of fluster, began to explain:
"Kuzu is a climbing plant belonging to the legume family. It grows very quickly, so much so that in some areas, like the United States, where it was introduced, it has become a weed. It has large leaves, purple flowers, and robust roots. From the roots, a very fine, white starch is obtained, called kuzuko. It's precious because it's very pure, slightly sweet, and gluten-free. It's even used in our traditional medicine."
"Impressive"
Rin commented, visibly surprised.
I watched the scene almost in disbelief. Before me were Akira and Rin, two people who should be enemies, yet they were talking with complete ease, as if nothing separated them.
I wondered how Akira managed to maintain such apparent calm, and how it was possible that Rin, the prime suspect, even seemed to enjoy talking to him.
After,Rin left Akira and headed to the bathroom to change, so I took the opportunity to approach him.
Akira was washing his hands, ready to start making takoyaki.
"I wonder how you manage to be so calm with her."
I said honestly, leaning on the kitchen counter next to him.
"For me, it's like talking to any other person" he replied calmly. "I know you're deeply angry with her, but we're not here to condemn Rin; we're here to help her."
"Yeah... I know that..."
I replied, a little uncertain, but his smile made me feel more confident.
"Anyway, I have to admit, she's good"
Akira continued, looking at the bathroom door with a small smile.
"The way she acts and tries to create ground for herself so naturally has surprised even me."
Then he looked directly at me.
"Anyway, relax and don't let the stress get to you... just enjoy the evening."
"Okay,"
I accepted his advice with happiness and confidence and so our pajama party began.
End of the Chapter 1.5