Ozono Rei, 3rd year student. She was in a room — somewhere in Sakurazaka. The most hidden part, where the place is known only to the closest friends she trusted the most. Not even the security guards knew the place's whereabouts, since her first year in Sakurazaka.

For her, the room was almost like her own home. Most of her time as a student she spent in that room. Even during holidays, or at night she would use student ID cards to enter the school and work there, alone.

The room was divided into two and separated by a thick wooden divider. The main room is where Rei sits. There are piles of papers and files on the table, with a few chairs and a small refrigerator. The other room had no furniture other than the board on which the tools hung. In the tool room, the lights used are lamps with low electric currents so that the light produced is not too bright.

She tapped her work desk which was covered with scratches while her left hand holding the cellphone. Waiting for someone on the other side to answer her message. Her eyes glanced occasionally at the CCTV monitor on the table.

"Takemoto already at the location?" asked Endo. She is standing in front of a laptop, its screen showing the interface of the school blog.

"Yes. Inoue with her too,” Rei answered. She walked over to the wall of the room where the paint was peeling off. There were five photo frames displayed, at the bottom of the photos were given a numeric code written in red ink. “That girl in full of doubt. I'm a little worried." she said later.

Endo muttered softly, “Ah, she's still young. No wonder she felt that way. Just remind her with her seniors, she will obey you again like a stray dog that has been tamed."

"Right. Let the kid see this kind of show, let her satisfied feeling of revenge warmed her broken heart." Rei laughed. The sound of laughter echoed through the closed room, along with a notification sound from her cellphone. When she notice the incoming mail, a smile etched on her face. A smile — a grin that is scary and intimidating.

"Our informant has allowed it, apparently," she took the rusty—bloody hammer from the table, waving it. "Hikari, destroy the first pillar." Right after that, the tip of the hammer hit the photo frame with the number one inscribed on it.

-----

"Is this about Yui?"

Hearing that name, Risa's grip on her drinking glass became a bit tight. The ice cubes inside made a clinking sound as she shook her glass slightly. Not answering right away, Risa took a sip of the dark liquid with one sip.

“Don't tell me that you're here to get drunk,” Yuuka said once again.

"Stop diverting the subject. Don't think I don't know how close you are to Moriya." Risa replied. The glass in her hand is now on the table. "Oh, why is your expression like that? Have my assumptions been correct so far? "

Yuuka smiled slightly. “I should have known that sooner or later you would discuss this with me. My answer is, Moriya and I are only friends. My relationship with Yui is still the same."

"You hurt Yui," Risa straightened up, pointing at Yuuka with her index finger. “If you are really her fiancé, you should understand your limits. She was there when you approached Moriya. What's on your mind?"

"Yui told you that?" Yuuka asked and Risa answered with a nod. "You know that our relationship is only limited to our parents' business matters?"

Risa bit her lip, talking to Yuuka about this really made her feel angry. Yuuka's response that didn't take Risa's topic seriously made her have to refrain from hitting her with a bottle.

"Since when you become this annoying, huh?" Risa said in an harsh tone. “I don't know what you think about your relationship. But Yui trusts you, Yuuka. She remained silent when she was hurt by you.”

Yuuka lowered her face. She was completely aware of the fact that Yui was hurt because of her treatment of Moriya at that time. Although Risa couldn't see the expression on Yuuka's face, she continued. "This is just a warning. If I find out you are playing behind Yui .."

She got up from her seat, giving an intimidating smile. "I don't think I need to give any more explanations."

-----

Seeing Yuuka's car entering the main gate made Risa accidentally remember the conversation she had with that girl. She didn't have anything to do with their business, but because Yui is her best friend and her loved one, Risa felt she had to get involved.

Risa didn't look like she wanted to get out of her car. She still felt comfortable watching Yuuka and Yui who looked like they were talking about something. Yui's face was serious as she showed Yuuka something from the screen of her smartphone. Risa narrowed her eyes, trying to read their lips so she could find out what they were talking about.

Ting

E-mail? Did they emailed me? Risa looked at the couple, then switched to her phone.

Again, the email doesn't have the sender info. In other words, a blackmail. The message contains a photo which was taken secretly. Photo of Karin holding a paint can next to Risa's car, which is full of red scribbles. Glancing at the photo was enough to make Risa growl in anger. She opened her car door and immediately ran into the second class building, ignoring Yuuka calling her name.

The students screamed in panic when Risa suddenly pushed Karin with all her might until she fell backwards. The scream turned into a hysterical scream as the basketball captain grabbed Karin's blazer by the collar and forced her to stand up very roughly. Karin struggled, but Risa slapped her face so hard that she staggered to the side. Not caring about the other students' panic, she dragged Karin towards the empty classroom on the third floor.

Risa broke the door, threw Karin down until she fell and was unable to stand up. Karin moved backwards, her body trembling half to death as Risa finished locking the door and turned to face her. The look in her eyes showed enormous anger, full of vengeance. To the point that she felt Risa could kill her with just her eyes.

“Listen to me, please. You get me wrong, I didn't do that!” Karin said, stammering a little. She trembled even more when Risa walked over to her. Gasped when Risa grabbed her neck, "Not me, Risa!"

BANG

She could feel tremendous pain from her head when Risa slammed her head against the wall really hard. She screamed in pain when Risa released her grip and punch her chest with a fist. Her head was leaking, blood streams flowing from her head. Her vision became blurry and her balance was unstable. Blood stuck to the wall, in her hands as she held her bleeding head.

"Aaaarrrrgghhh!" Karin screamed, feeling pain in her head. With a blurry gaze, she could still see Risa standing in front of her without even an expression. She shuffled backwards, trying to get away from Risa.

“I should have kill you since that day, Fujiyoshi. Since the day I suspected you of being a traitor between us and I regretted why I didn't do it back then,” Risa said in a low tone, her gaze even more terrifying as she rolled her blazer sleeves up to her elbows.

The classroom door banged on, someone trying to force it open. Yui and Yuuka's voices can be heard, asking Risa to unlock the door and let Karin go. Risa smiled maliciously. They wouldn’t be able to open the door because she held it back with the heavy table and chairs.

Karin tried to stand up even though she shook a little. Her face was covered in blood, she even rubbed her blood-covered eyes. She looked at Risa, her heart felt hot. A emotion she had never felt before. This time she could feel it. Fear, anger mixed into one within her. She can remember, the last time she felt it was when Yuuka crash the car and killed Hirate's friends.

"What is solidarity, Risa? You never trust your own friends. What does The Elites mean to you? You're just worried about your reputation being ruined if that case gets out? Do you realize that it was your fault too?" Karin said hoarsely. She is now standing straight because her consciousness has fully returned.

"What do you mean?"

“If you didn't bring Hirate to that place, that incident would never happened! We don't have to spend our whole lives covering up this rotten secret, motherfucker."

Risa shouted, she ran and threw her fist to Karin's face. She can avoid Risa's punch so Risa's fist only touches the air. Because of Risa's strength, her body was so twisted that she was unable to prepare herself because Karin hit her stomach with a strong force. Karin stepped back, flung her foot — a roundhouse kick with a head target. Her shins collided with Risa's arm, the girl is still able to withstand the attack.

She was always afraid of Risa. But not this time, she wouldn't allow her pride to be trampled on. The sound of banging on the door and the screams of her friends from outside became increasingly chaotic as if they had disappeared, as if there were only the two of them in the world. Only Risa and Karin, staring wildly at each other. In that instant, it seemed like fear is being pulled out of her soul.

"What do you think I'm doing? It's for everyone's sake!  Risa kick Karin one more time. She became more serious now. “You want everyone to be killed? You want more victims in the grave ?!” she grabs Karin's leg and knocks her down, their bodies overlapping now. She beat Karin's face mercilessly, without the slightest pause.

Blood splattered everywhere, the white uniform turned red, stained with blood, her hands were already aching but her punches is getting stronger. Karin panting, she couldn't stay still. Using her feet, she kicked Risa and reversed their position. She quickly stood up, stepped on Risa's chest with her knee.

Risa's body is bigger than her, that's Risa's weakness. Karin is smaller but she is fast and agile. Still stepping on Risa's body with her knees, she untied the tie around her collar. Then quickly wrapped the tie around Risa's neck and pulled it with all of her strength.

"Karin, shit!" Risa struggled, trying to loosen the rope around her neck. The tie looked like it was going to crush her throat, her breath caught. She would die if she still tried to untie the tie.

"Go to hell!" Karin strengthened her pull, Risa was dying. Her face turned blue, she couldn't breathe because her chest was trampled on and her throat choked.

I can't die here.

"ARGHH TRAITOR!"

When she felt that death was about to pick her up, Risa forced her legs to move. She kicked Karin's other leg and made the girl fall on top of it. Her eyes caught the scissors not far from them. Immediately Risa took the thing, stabbed Karin’s side with scissors and rolled away.

Karin stood up and groanings, felt a sharp object stabbing into her body. Her teeth grinded, in pain as she pulled the scissors from her waist. Blood immediately flowed out from the wound. She fell on her knees, her hands trying to keep the blood flowing. Groaning, how stinging the pain she felt.

Feeling safe, Risa tried to inhale oxygen into her lungs by taking several deep breaths. But Karin didn't just give up. She heard a thump from the corner of the room, Karin took a chair and threw it until the object hit Risa's head. The tall girl immediately fall and didn't move.

The thing that happened next was something Karin hadn't planned at all. Her body seemed to move on its own without her will. She dragged Risa's body to the window. Staring closely at that face full of bruises and blood. She didn't feel scared at all.

She took a table, with a little effort lifted Risa's body onto the table, she had to support Risa's body so that she didn't fall with her. She can feel Risa's breath on her neck as she ties the other end of her tie to the shutters.

"What are you going to do now? You're going to kill me, huh?" Risa said with a gasp. Through her bloodied face, Risa could see her lips twitching into a grin. "You are a fuckin loser."

Karin didn't answer. She rubbed Risa's neck, then her cheeks. A smile still etched on her lips. "Goodbye." Karin jumped down, kicked the table that is still helping Risa stand away and made her hang with her neck tied.

“Bastard! Akh--” Risa tried to loose the tie around her neck even though she knew it would be useless. She was going to die soon, and she knew it.

-----

When the door smashed open from its hinges, they didn't have time to be surprised to see Risa hanging thrashing about. Karin heard that loud voice, instantly realized whatever had gotten into her. She fell down when she saw Risa hanging in front of her. A flash of white passed beside her, it was Yui. She held Risa's feet, gave her a support so that her body weight wouldn't kill her.

Several teachers and security guards helped lower Risa’s body and untied the tie around her neck. They came at the right time because Risa had almost lost her life. Seki and Hono approached Karin, she couldn't hear what her two friends were saying. Karin could only stare blankly at Risa who turned blue with a mouth open, trying to breathe.

"W-What I have done..?" she looked down at her body, blood still flowing from the stab wound to her waist. Meanwhile, the bloody scissors laying not far from her.

From behind the crowd of students, Takemoto Yui stood next to Inoue Rina. Obviously noticing how the medics quickly carried Risa and Karin into the ambulance. Among them was only Inoue who looked shocked and trembling, she even held Takemoto's arm very tightly and made Takemoto grimace a little because her fingernail cut her arm.

She is anot used to blood, and never will. That's why she decided to leave Takemoto to the toilet. Inoue didn't stop when Takemoto called out her name and chased after her.

"I couldn't believe what I saw.." she said when she was inside. Her tears were flowing, her hands were cold.

"Hey, hey. Forget about that. Okay? Listen to me. This will be over soon. Inoue, we will finish this soon.” Takemoto whispered, trying to calm the sobbing Inoue." It's only a few weeks away, and we're not going to do this again. You said you wanted to avenge your seniors? You want to make their deaths in vain, Inoue?”

Takemoto gently stroked Inoue's back which was rising and falling rapidly due to her breathing. She nodded slowly. Right. She can't stop now. Especially after knowing who the mastermind behind the disappearance of her seniors when she was in first grade. Ozono herself was the one who told herself the truth that she shouldn't know.

"Good, let’s go."

Inoue didn't refuse as Takemoto led her back to where her seniors were. The situation was not conducive and the students who were more focused on the incident made it easy for the two of them to slip away without raising suspicion. When Takemoto opened the door and immediately entered, apparently her other seniors had already gathered.

"Two at once?" Marino confirmed to Ozono. "I didn't expect them to kill each other like that."

"No, just one. Our goal is to destroy the Elites' trust in Fujiyoshi by making use of Watanabe. After this, Fujiyoshi will no longer be with The Elites so we will easily execute her first." Ozono explained, she smiled a little. "Of course after getting approval from her." She glanced at Endo, as if giving a code that only the two of them understand.

“By taking advantage of their weaknesses, we can easily destroy their trust in each other. Risa has bad anger management and we are making good use of it. Thanks to our informant, she did a very good disguise inside The Elites."

“You changed your plans, Rei? You said you were going to execute them together?” Takemoto replied.

"Ah, yes. I almost fell off the line a little." Rei turned around. Staring at the five photos on the wall. “As planned. By the way, Moriya and her friends managed to investigate Hirate? Why didn't anyone tell me about it?"

"We already told you, you're just too focused on The Elites." Endo answered in a slightly mocking tone. "We already know what we have to do with them, so don't worry."

"Very nice. Then, turning to the next target, number 4." Ozono said, her friends humming in agreement. “Three months away to the Judgment Day. Remember, we've been waiting for this forever!"

-----

Humans at least once in their life made a mistake that they would regret for the rest of heir life. Maybe for Akane, being at Sakurazaka Academy was one of it. She hasn't even been there for a year, but she is already faced with problems that high schooler shouldn't have.

Today, Sakurazaka Academy forced to free up its class hours. Because the teacher was having an impromptu meeting, and of course what was being discussed was about Karin and Risa. Consider what will happen to them after the deadly fight they had at school.

They certainly couldn't just take out the two important students. Given their position in school, starting from the achievements in academia and non-academics, as well as their position in school. Also their parents' connections with the principal himself.

Taking advantage of the free hours, Akane chose to be alone on the roof leaving her friends who spent their time in class. Actually, Koike asked Akane to go to a café but she refused on the grounds that she had to go to the bathroom. On her way down the corridor, she came across an automatic beverage machine. Looking at several types of drinks available, her choice fell on lime-flavored sodas. Immediately she took out her card and held it close to the scanner, letting the machine do its job.

Unfortunately when she was about to go up to the roof, the only access to get there is closed. To be precise, the access to the third floor so automatically she would not be able to get to the roof. Looks like I have to go to another building. Akane took a deep breath before turning towards the first-class building.

Different to second class buildings, first class buildings are slightly larger than second or third class buildings. That's because the building used to be a combined building between the second and third classes — long ago before Sakurazaka became as big as it is now. The juniors lowered their heads when they passed her. When Akane was about to head to the rooftop, a short haired person caught her eye. Mainly because her small figure.

"Oh, Morita Hikaru?" Akane stopped her steps on the stairs. Gaze at the corridor where Hikaru standing facing the window.

The little girl turned her head towards the source of the sound. A smile crossed her lips when she found Akane there waving. "Senior!" she jogged closer to Akane. "Glad we meet again. You want to go to the roof?"

"Ah, yes. Access to the third floor of a second-class building was closed due to the incident. So I decided to go somewhere else." Akane answered. "Want to join me? If you're not busy."

Hikaru paused for a moment. Considering Akane's offer, “No, I'm free right now. Besides, it's empty hours." She started following Akane to the rooftop.

The sunlight blinded her eyes for a few seconds, making Akane use her palms to block the sun. Hikaru closed the rooftop door and walked towards the barrier, putting her arms there. Akane followed suit.

Feeling the warm breeze on her face, Akane closed her eyes for a moment. "An unexpected morning, right?" she asked.

"I have no comments." Hikaru replied. "What happened to them exactly? To the point that Fujiyoshi hung Watanabe ..” she trailed off, her eyes looking at the main gate of their school.

Akane's hair was shivering. Her brain projected a scene where Karin hung Risa, saw Risa slowly dying, struggling, trying to loosen the tie around her neck. She didn't see it right away but she got information from her classmates. "I don’t know." Akane took a deep breath. She remembered Hirate's words again.

Who are the missing students?

Who is the killer of the five students?

Who is the girl who always comes to see Hirate?

Regarding her second question, it was her very clear premonition that The Elites caused the five disciples to die. But on the other hand, she had doubts. She felt that The Elites were a bunch of ordinary students who had their own problems. And they are pretty good people. Yuuka, even though at first they met her nature was very annoying. Increasingly, Akane's gentle nature showed up.

She really doesn't know The Elites other than Karin and Yuuka. And it looks like she'd be more than happy to try talking to the other Elites.

“Why do you think Fujiyoshi is always their target huh? It was the same time. Risa beat Fujiyoshi,” Hikaru muttered beside her. And made Akane realize one thing.

“There is no need to be afraid. I'm not as bad as those people. "

"What did you have in mind that made you enroll as a student at Sakurazaka Academy?"

Akane gasped. That's right, I've been too focused on Hirate. When in fact Karin had given me a sign. She bit her lower lip, feeling disappointed with herself for missing something so important.

Even Hikaru herself looked at her questioningly. “W-What happened? Did I say the wrong thing?"

Click

“Ah, it feels really good standing here. Enjoying the warm breeze after what happened today, right?”

A voice appeared behind them. Suddenly, Akane and Hikaru turned around, only to find a long-haired student. With a friendly face approached them. Akane glanced at the nametag on her chest.

I think I’ve met her before. But when?

Hikaru spontaneously bowed to the third grade student. Meanwhile, Akane froze a little because her brain still trying to remember who is the person in front of her.

"Ozono Rei. I'm just passing around here, don't mind me." Rei then walked to the empty space beside Akane. "have we met before? Because your face doesn't look foreign to me."

"I don't know, but apparently not." Akane answered. Somewhat surprised because the girl had suddenly approached her.

"Damn, I really didn't expect what would happen today."

Hikaru and Akane turned their heads. Paying attention to Rei.

"I see you also find out about it right?" Akane stared. She is very surprised because how could this senior in front of her know about what she was doing.

"F-Finding out.. what?" Akane replied. Quickly hiding her surprise.

“Elites. I overheard what you and your friends are talking about café. There's no need to worry, I'm just making sure. Honestly, it's nice to find someone who has the same goals as me." Rei explained.

Hikaru looked at the two of them questioningly. She knew they were referring to The Elites of the second class who were very famous in Sakurazaka. But she only knew that much, nothing more. Now she became curious about what the two seniors were going to say.

However, Akane held her hand tightly.

"You.. why you suddenly come and say that in front of us?"

Hikaru raised her eyebrows, not understanding why Akane suddenly being so unfriendly. "S-Senior ..?"

"Forgive me. I was a little harsh when we first met,” Rei smiled a little. Her face had an expression of disappointment at Akane's sudden change. "Trust me. I came to protect you from something worse, Moriya." Rei stepped closer to Akane, while Akane herself moved away and carried Hikaru behind her body. I came to you with good intentions. I was in this school before you, I have more information than you."

"Then?" Akane answered with a cold gaze.

Ah, this girl… Rei shook her head. The strands of her hair fell over her forehead. "We can work together. Exchanging information. You tell me about Hirate, I will tell you about The Elites. And everything I have about the relationship between the two." She said firmly. Her arms folded across her chest.

Akane frowned. Hearing what Rei said made her falter a little. The offer of cooperation made her appear to want to agree immediately. But she also admitted that she was a little suspicious of her senior. Suddenly came to her and offered to cooperate.

Her grip on Hikaru slowly loosened. Akane's body was no longer stiff and tense like before, but her eyes still showed an unfriendly expression.

"Let me think about it," Akane replied. She then took a step closer to Rei. "But I ask you one thing. Whatever happens, don't you dare to involve my juniors."

Rei chuckled. She glanced at Hikaru, who was hiding behind Akane's back, staring at her with an expression full of curiosity. Her smile is full of meaning, no one knows what Rei was thinking at that time. Even Akane didn't notice that there was something different from Rei's brown gaze.

"Don’t worry. Nothing will happen," Rei replied. "am I right, little one?"