I walked into the restaurant the following morning, feeling nothing but a weighing emptiness. By now, I had investigated five corpses, and witnessed four deaths. I didn't know how it could possibly get worse. Would we be stuck here forever? Was there really a possibility that we could find the mastermind and escape?

Looking up, I realized all but one person was missing. Alone at a nearby table sat Satchiko. She was looking up at me, but not really focused. She seemed lost in thought.

I sat down in front of her, causing her to snap to attention and give me a small nod. We were both silent for a moment, before I decided to speak up.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, looking to the empty room.

Satchiko was quiet for a second before responding. "Katashi's a wreck, he hasn't left his room... Michio and Jikkō are investigating the new area that opened up, and I think Willow said that she was going somewhere with Mai...."

"And you?" I asked, but the seeing the confused look on her face I quickly rephrased it. "I mean, what are you doing?"

Again, the lucky student had to think before answering. "Holding onto hope. Every time someone leaves us... I have to remind myself to hold onto hope. Hope that we'll get out of here. Now, I'm going to turn that hope into action...."

Though I didn't fully understand what she meant, I nodded.

~*~

"I hope that there's some good clues here!" Mai said as we walked toward the new area. I was going to investigate with Mai and Willow, and get to know them better on the way. I hadn't hung out with either of them too much, so it couldn't hurt.

The new street that opened up was at the back of all the existing streets that were opened beforehand. It seemed like this would be the last new area we'd get.

"I hope so too, I just really wanna get out of here." Willow replied to Mai, then quickly added, "but I wouldn't kill anyone to do it. I mean, that would cause everyone's deaths if I succeeded...."

"Of course! I know you'd never do something like that, Willow!" The soccer player responded, walking closer to the American girl and intertwining their hands.

Is something going on between them? I thought, but brushed the idea away as we entered the new area. There was a neighbourhood of separated houses to our left, and to our right, a large, important looking building. Was that it?

We approached the building, walking inside with caution. Looking around, I noticed that this looked like a waiting room. Willow let go of Mai's hand and approached the front desk, stepping behind it and dusting off some files that were laying there. She opened one, her eyes skimming the contents.

"This is a hospital." Willow stated.

Mai's eyes widened as she looked around once more. "It is! I remember coming here when I was a kid!"

"This really is your hometown..." I muttered.

Mai gave a small nod. "Well, let's look for clues!"

It took about an hour of us searching the building before we gave up. Once again, there was nothing. It didn't surprise me, but I couldn't help but be disappointed.

Will we ever get out of here?