The clubroom was heavy with silence. The thin book : Oregairu Doujin Vol.2... sat on the table like a curse. Pages turned under Hiratsuka-sensei's fingers, every rustle tightening the knot in the room.
Then, Yukino's sharp intake of breath.
"The mastermind is…" Her voice faltered.
Hachika leaned closer, eyes wide.
"…Totsuka Ayaka."
The name struck like a blade. Yui's gasp filled the room. "Totsuka…? That's… no way. She's… she's sweet, she wouldn't... Right?"
"Calm," Hiratsuka snapped, though her own knuckles were white around the book. Her eyes softened when she glanced at Ras's empty chair. "We can't assume anything yet."
Hachika's lips pressed thin. Her chest ached, but her mind turned sharp. "We'll talk to her. Carefully."
The Chuuni Club
Ras has been sleeping here since yesterday... And Rikka, Yuuta were the ones with him...
Although Yuuta doesn't know, doesn't mean she can't read the situation.
The clubroom was heavy with silence. The thin book : Oregairu Doujin Vol.2 - sat on the table like a curse. Pages turned under Hiratsuka-sensei's fingers, every rustle tightening the knot in the room.
Then, Yukino's sharp intake of breath.
"The mastermind is…" Her voice faltered.
Hachika leaned closer, eyes wide.
"…Totsuka Ayaka."
The name struck like a blade. Yui's gasp filled the room. "Totsuka…? That's… no way. She's… she's sweet, she wouldn't... Right??"
"Calm," Hiratsuka snapped, though her own knuckles were white around the book. Her eyes softened when she glanced at Ras's empty chair. "We can't assume anything yet."
Hachika's lips pressed thin. Her chest ached, but her mind turned sharp. "We'll talk to her. Carefully."
---
The next day, they found Totsuka near the shoe lockers, tying her laces with her usual serene smile.
"Hm? Oh, Hikigaya-san, Yuigahama-san, Yukinoshita-san, Ras-kun's friends." Her tone was gentle, welcoming.
Yui stumbled through small talk, Yukino pressed lightly about homework, and Hachika stayed quiet until the right moment.
Then, casually, she asked: "Hey, Totsuka. Have you… read anything strange lately? Like, books that don't feel like they belong?"
Totsuka blinked innocently. "Eh? Books? Not really. Just light novels sometimes. Why?"
No flicker of guilt. No sign of knowledge. She was genuine.
And she never noticed Hachika's question had been a probe.
When they parted, Yukino's voice was clipped. "She doesn't know."
Hachika's hands clenched inside her sleeves.
--
next step led them to the Chuuni clubroom. Rikka burst forward the moment they arrived, dramatic as ever.. but the sight of Ras sitting quietly in the corner pulled the theatrics from her lips.
Yuuta was kneeling by his side, carefully offering him tea. "Drink slowly, okay? Don't push yourself."
Ras took the cup, smiled faintly, and drank. His tone was normal when he said, "Thanks, Yuuta."
But his eyes… his eyes were dull.
Yuuta looked up at them, serious. "He answers fine. He laughs sometimes. But look at his eyes. It's like the fire is going out."
Hachika's chest squeezed tight. Yui bit her lip. Yukino's expression didn't change, but her nails dug into her palm.
---
Then...
"Mary had a little lamb~"
Ras's phone lit and rang on the desk. He didn't reach for it, as if he's a deaf person.
Hachika hesitated, then picked it up. The name on the screen made her heart jump.
"Gojo Satoru."
"Hello there~ what's going on with you Ras? Why no chit-chat~??"
Hachika answered "...It's Hachika. Ras… he's not good. His eyes... they're getting duller every day."
For a beat, silence. Then Gojo's voice, usually teasing and bright, was sharp. Deadly serious.
"Stay with him. Don't let him out of sight."
"H-Huh...?"
"I'll be there. Don't you dare let him slip further."
The line cut.
The people in the room were filled with confucious.
"Zen ~"
It didn't even take an hour.
The doors to the Chuuni clubroom flew open, and Gojo strode in, blindfold tilted just enough to show the fury blazing in her eyes.
Her grin was gone. Her usual sing-song lilt replaced by a low, steady voice. "Olala, Ras-kun."
Ras looked up at her, smiling faintly. "Oh. Gojo. You're… early."
Gojo's step halted...
Then, her steps echoed like thunder as she crossed the room, kneeling in front of him. Her hand cupped his cheek, turning his face toward her.
Those dull eyes reflected nothing back.
Gojo's jaw tightened. For once, the strongest sorcerer didn't look invincible, playful, and happy-go-round, she looked angry. At the world. At whoever dared touch someone she'd taken under her wing.
"Whoever did this… Will get a trip to hell"