Clue 2

“Yes. I’m Haruka Usui. May I ask what you want?” Before Futa Kobayashi could step forward and play the part of her shield, Haruka Usui spoke directly, her tone icy cold.

“I’d like to ask you something.” Sei Nishi strode over in a few quick steps, paying no mind to the dark expressions on their faces. It seemed he was on the verge of provoking them. As Sei Nishi approached, Kotaro Maruyama naturally followed.

Both of them were well aware of Kotaro Maruyama’s notorious reputation. With a wary glance in his direction, whatever outburst they had prepared was forcibly swallowed back down.

“What do you want to ask?” Futa Kobayashi frowned, his tone growing unpleasant.

Seeing the hostility in their attitudes, Sei Nishi frowned as well. He wasn’t being petty or vengeful, the sort to repay a glare with wholesale retribution. The fact was, if these two refused to cooperate, he’d get nothing out of them.

That thought flashed through his mind in an instant. Sei Nishi considered briefly, then said, “You’re in danger.”

Not only were the two of them stunned—Kotaro Maruyama, standing to the side, was left momentarily speechless as well.

What did he mean by that?

It seemed so abrupt, so inexplicable.

“What are you talking about? Did I hear you right?” Disgust filled Haruka Usui’s eyes, and Futa Kobayashi looked much the same. The two of them clearly thought Sei Nishi was trying to play the knight-errant.

It made little sense, but that was truly what they believed.

Sei Nishi saw the loathing on their faces but couldn’t guess what they were thinking—though it likely had nothing to do with what he was about to say. Glancing around, he pressed on, “I’m telling you, you’re in danger, Haruka Usui.”

Seeing the seriousness in Sei Nishi’s expression, Haruka Usui felt her patience snap. What on earth was this idiot trying to do? What was his real motive? In a crisis like this, why was he spouting such nonsense? What a worthless man!

Just as Haruka Usui and Futa Kobayashi were about to erupt, Sei Nishi’s next words left her frozen in place—

“How did you know?”

“What are you talking about?” the two of them muttered in disbelief. Though Sei Nishi had spoken quietly, they were close enough to hear every word.

How did Sei Nishi know?

“Is it true, Haruka?” Futa Kobayashi asked anxiously.

Haruka Usui didn’t speak, but nodded.

She raised her head, the disgust gone from her face, replaced by a grave expression. “How do you know about this?”

Sei Nishi smiled faintly. “Let’s just say I found out by chance. I know about you and this hotel. I came here to warn you—the secret likely won’t stay hidden much longer…”

“You told them?!” Haruka Usui’s emotions surged, her hand reaching out as if to seize Sei Nishi by the throat, on the verge of a breakdown.

She hadn’t even acted yet, and already she was cracking—a fact that explained why, in the pages of the Future Diary, the male students drove her to collapse, leaving her unwilling to say another word.

“It wasn’t me.” Sei Nishi caught her delicate hand. Her skin was smooth, her hand soft and boneless, a pleasant sensation in his grasp. She was frail; even Shirazawa Chikada was stronger. She couldn’t break free.

“What are you doing? Let go!” Futa Kobayashi leapt up, ready to rush over.

Sei Nishi shot a glance at Kotaro Maruyama, who immediately stepped forward and forced Futa Kobayashi back into his seat.

“Idiot. Sit down and be quiet!” With that, Kotaro Maruyama tightened his grip.

“Ow, ow, ow…” Futa Kobayashi whimpered, feeling his shoulder was about to be crushed. Fear overcame him.

Sei Nishi ignored him, turning back to Haruka Usui, still holding her hand to keep her from escaping. “Look outside.”

Outside, the male students were battering doors and windows with tables and chairs, sometimes pounding the walls in frustration, cursing and shouting, “Bastard! Die! I’ll kill you!”—completely deranged.

Haruka Usui, following his instruction, glanced outside. At once, she saw the scene, her pupils contracting, her body trembling uncontrollably.

“The secret wasn’t revealed by me. But it’s bound to get out soon. Think back—you might have told someone yourself, and in this chaos, they’ll expose it. That would be your undoing. So now, what you need to do is escape, return to your room, and lock the door.” Sei Nishi spoke to her with patience.

Hearing this, Haruka Usui shrank back, fear written plainly in her eyes. She remembered telling a few girls she’d ridden the train with about it. At the time, the three girls had looked at her with envy, their words full of admiration. She’d enjoyed their attention then, but now cold sweat broke out at the memory.

“Then—I—I’ll go back upstairs…” Haruka Usui said hastily, suddenly realizing just how dangerous it was to stay here.

This place was a death trap! She had to leave!

“This is a friendly warning—you should be grateful and repay me for it,” Sei Nishi said with a slight smile.

“Repay…?” Haruka Usui pressed a hand to her chest, trembling. Was this what Sei Nishi meant by repayment… did he want her…?

Seeing her reaction, Sei Nishi immediately knew what she was thinking and cut her off at once. “Enough. I’m not interested in that. Just answer my questions about this hotel, honestly.”

His stern expression was intimidating, but it also brought Haruka Usui a measure of relief. She would never have surrendered herself to a man she’d only heard mentioned by name, no matter how wanton she might be.

“Just answer honestly.”

“All right…” Haruka Usui composed herself, gathered her thoughts, and began slowly, “This hotel…”

Five minutes later, she finished her account and looked again at Sei Nishi.

He nodded and released her hand. “You may go.”