"I didn't deserve to be voted out first!" Yukimura exclaimed.

"Next time you get it in one go, hold it in until a proper meeting starts. It's really annoying when someone calls meeting at the beginning of the game." Matsushita said.

"I ain't listening to the guy who fucked a stack kill."

"Yeah, I messed up, but I had fun being impostor."

"We were doing so good until I killed Rinbayashi..." Akihiro groaned.

That reminded me... earlier in the game, Matsushita entered admin and circled around us before leaving. He had the chance to kill us as he was impostor, but he didn't. Does that mean he recognised we were stacked on top of each other?

"Matsushita-san. Why didn't you fall for Rinbayashi-san's trap earlier?" I asked.

"Oh, I thought something was off as black was named Takanori. Your colour is yellow after all."

As expected of the ikemen of E Class, he remembered the fine details of even the most insignificant of students.

"To be honest, I don't pay attention to names, ha ha." Akihiro laughed.

"Speaking of names... why's your name "ladiesman123", Aki-kun?" Mitsuba asked.

"Oh, it was my old Ybox username. I thought it'd be funny."

"How many girlfriends have you had then?" Sakigamiya said.

"Zilch. Zero. Nada."

"Pfffft, virgin."

Sakigamiya wheezed as Akihiro replied to her suavely. The amount of confidence he had admitting he's never had a girlfriend was scarily impressive.

"Ya know it. I'm a good Christian boi." Akihiro clicked his fingers with a laugh.

"Nah, nah, Ishima's got a girlfriend: his right fucking hand!"

Yukimura started to bellow at his own joke. Mitsuba and Tanaka laughed, while Matsushita started to snigger. I guess even pretty boys like him could enjoy crude humour.

"Hey man, it's better than being making love with a blow-up doll, eh?"

Akihiro snapped back with a burn so deep even I felt it.

"Yikes." Yukina said.

"OOOOOOOOOOOF!" Sakigamiya screamed. "HE GOT YOU HARD!"

"Last time I checked, Mitsuba's the only one horny enough to own one of those fucking things." Yukimura said, sliding the heat from him to Mitsuba.

"Bro, I wish I had a blow-up doll, but I wasted all my points on the Gucci belt before I could get one!!"

While Mitsuba whined about his bankruptcy, I wondered how the school would treat controversial objects like those.

"I'm pretty sure the school wouldn't allow that..." Nora pointed out.

We were still technically minors, but the rules at school state we can buy anything with points, as long as it's within reason. Would they confiscate the blow-up doll, or would Mitsuba not be allowed to purchase it altogether?

"Screw the rules! Let me have my self-gratification!"

When Mitsuba said "screw the rules", my mind immediately jumped to Kaido, because he had money. I wondered if someone of his status would play a casual game like Among Us too.

"Let's play again!" Sakigamiya exclaimed.

"Last game though, I've got plans after 10pm. Tamaki's dragging my ass to some party." Akihiro said.

Tamaki was his sister, who was in the same year. They weren't blood related, as Akihiro is adopted.

"What party? Let me tag along."

"Eh, sure. Anyone else? VIP passes from me baby."

"I'll join!" Katsumi suddenly exclaimed using Nora's mic.

"If it's okay, I'll come too." Matsushita said.

"Party sounds dumb, I'm sleeping instead." Yukimura said.

A respectable choice. I'd choose sleeping over partying as well.

"Wait, you said Tamaki-chan would be there, right? Then does that mean Yogen-san will be there too?!" Mitsuba said.

"You're still on about that psycho chick?" Yukimura said. "Dude it's been two weeks now, give that shit a rest. It was more fun when you were simping over Ichinose for fucks sake."

"She's hot, leave me alone! I'll stick my dick in crazy because I'm a man!"

"If you die, I know who killed you."

"I dunno if Yogen will be there, but since she's Tamaki's friend, probably." Akihiro replied.

"Uuuu... this is a hard choice! I could stay up late at playing eroges or get a chance to talk to Yogen-san again!"

"I mean, you could come by and see how it is."

"Where's the party at?"

"We're going to town to fuck about in the malls since it's a weekend."

"So, uh, how we getting there?"

"Train of course."

"Err..."

"Don't tell me..."

"Ha ha, funny that, I'm broke. I really wanna go though, so... could you please buy me a train ticket? Pretty please?"

"Well... I guess... maybe I could..."

"No Akihiro-san! Don't fall for it! Don't coddle him just because he's broke! If you keep spending money on him like this, he'll never learn and always come back to you when he's in a pinch!" Sakigamiya exclaimed.

"I'll pay him back once I have the cash!"

"You still owe me for that coffee, by the way." I said offhandedly.

"I didn't even ask you to buy me that! I don't owe you shit Takanori-san!"

"Sorry Mitsuba... but I can't afford to spend what I have left on a train ticket for you. I also need these points for tonight's party."

"Ahhhhh! This sucks! Fine then! Playing eroges all night it is!"

Even though he had declared his plans so unashamedly, I could still hear Mitsuba's muffled cries on the other side.

"Riajuu bakuhatsu shiro de gozaru!" Tanaka boomed.

"Dunno what you said, but I'm guessing that's a no. What about you guys?" Akihiro gestured to the rest of us.

"Um... no thanks... I don't like parties..." Nora mumbled.

"Hmm... I guess it wouldn't hurt to check it out." Yukina said.

"Takanori-san, what do you think?" Rinbayashi asked.

I panicked slightly as she asked me for my opinion. I scratched my cheek, considering the benefits of going to such an unfamiliar event. I was slightly tempted as Yukina said she'd go, but considering the probability we'd actually talk at the party was slim to none, I'd essentially be an outcast during the whole event.

A party would also mean socialising with people of higher status and class than me too... while it could be a good opportunity to form connections, most people would ignore me because of my status as a loner in E Class. That much alone makes me completely undesirable to the riajuu.

If anything, I'd be digging my own grave going to that event. I'd probably get peer pressured into drinking shots, or embarrass myself by being forced into unsavoury situations I'd have no way out of. If I went, I'd be prime bully material for everyone else. Mulling over it, the negatives far outweighed the positives. I didn't even know what kind of party they were going to anyways.

"No thanks. I wouldn't fit in anyways."

I told my honest opinion in a surmised fashion.

"Nah man, it's chill. It'll be fun if you joined."

Akihiro encouraged me to come along, but Sakigamiya cut in.

"I think the mood of the party would sink if Takanori-san went. No offence."

"None taken... what you said is accurate."

I admitted my own faults in front of everyone else foolishly. I wanted Tanaka to start the game already before I embarrass myself even further...

"I'll decline." Rinbayashi said.

I felt kind of guilty when she said that. It was like my thoughts had somehow swayed her mind. Though, it's kind of arrogant of me to think that an insignificant bug like myself could change such a mysterious girl's mind so easily.

"Rinbayashi-san, if you want to go, it's fine."

"Like Yukimura-san, I'd prefer to sleep."

"Sleep gang, rise up." Yukimura said.

Tanaka started the game and I muted my mic. To my pleasant surprise, I was impostor, with Rinbayashi as my partner. I checked my fake tasks: the common task was fix wiring, and the other tasks were align engines, download data, and calibrate distributor.

I went to the left of the map, where Rinbayashi followed me. It seemed she wanted to do a double kill. That means we needed to lure our victims in somehow. I went past reactor and security to head into electrical, where I sabotaged lights and waited for two people to come in. Meanwhile, me and Rinbayashi stood in front of the box, pretending to fix the lights.

The first to arrive were Yukimura and Tanaka. Not the most ideal pair to take out, as I'd much prefer taking out Sakigamiya or Matsushita, but they'll suffice. I killed one, and Rinbayashi killed the other. Luckily, we were on the same wavelength, and we vented away once we did the deed. Of course, not long after, Yukina reported the bodies.

"They were both in electrical. I didn't see anyone there though." She explained.

"I was with Yukina-san, and can confirm this." Sakigamiya said.

"My triangle of trust! Whyyyyyyyyyy!" Mitsuba screamed.

"Me and Takanori-san were in medbay." Rinbayashi said. "I watched him scan, so he's safe."

"I thought you guys went to upper engines?" Matsushita said.

"I had align engines there, so I did that before going to medbay to scan."

"Seems kinda sus. Why not do medbay first?"

"Why would I waste my visual task when no one's around to watch? I didn't know Rinbayashi-san would follow me when the round started, so I went to do my other tasks first."

"Then how did you know Rinbayashi-san was innocently following you? Maybe she would've ditched you after that first task you did."

"Takanori-san headed to medbay, so I followed." Rinbayashi said.

"And since she did, I scanned." I added on.

"This seems a little too convenient if you ask me... you should've saved your scan for more than one person to see."

Matsushita was starting to get on our case. I wasn't sure what Rinbayashi was thinking, but I continued to counter his vague words.

"We literally teamed last game. Her strategy got Akihiro-san out. Rinbayashi-san maybe quiet, but she's smart. I trust her."

Matsushita sighed.

"Fine, I'll give you benefit of the doubt. If I die though, it's probably these two."

As a countermeasure, he tried to plant the idea that, if he died, me and Rinbayashi would be the culprits. It's annoying, but I still made Matsushita a high priority target to kill.

"Speaking of medbay scans... I've got one... if anyone wants to see me do it." Nora said.

"I'll follow you." Sakigamiya said.

"Well, I've got weapons if anyone wants to watch." Matsushita said.

"Wait, are we sticking together now?" Mitsuba asked.

"Seems like it. I mean, Takanori-san and Rinbayashi-san are already teaming, so what's the harm in buddying up?"

"I see... uh, Nora-chan, wanna be partners?"

"Um... okay, Mitsuba-san."

"I'll go with Yukina-san." Sakigamiya said.

"That leaves me and Matsushita then." Akihiro said.

Now that our crew had been split up into pairs, we all voted skip to continue the game.

No one was ejected. (Skipped.)

Nora, Mitsuba, Sakigamiya and Yukina headed to medbay to watch Nora scan. It would be smart to stick with the majority, as if we followed Matsushita and Akihiro and killed them, those four would know it's us.

However, while Rinbayashi followed those four, I followed Matsushita and Akihiro. She didn't follow me, so I guess she was putting faith into my plans. Me and Akihiro watched Matsushita shoot asteroids, meaning he was clear. At that moment, I sabotaged oxygen.

Me and Akihiro split up while Matsushita continued to do weapons. Akihiro entered O2, I went into admin. Flooding admin was Mitsuba and Yukina, but Yukina turned around to go back to O2. I took my time putting in the numbers and then regrouped with Rinbayashi, who was waiting in cafeteria.

We ran around the map, trying to find a good place to double kill. It was tricky since everyone was bunched up together, but eventually we hunted down Matsushita and Akihiro who were in navigation. We killed both and vented away.

If we could get one more double kill, we would win.

After some more aimless searching, the bodies were reported by Sakigamiya and Yukina.

"Alright, it's Takanori-san and Rinbayashi-san. Get 'em out." Sakigamiya shouted.

She was catching onto us. I tapped the table, trying to think of a way to get out.

"Why's that?" Mitsuba inquired.

"Well, I'm not impostor, and I've been with Yukina-san the entire time, so she can vouch for me. Nora-chan scanned, and since he's not dead, you can't be the impostor either Mitsuba-san. That leaves only Takanori-san and Rinbayashi-san!"

Using simple reasoning and logic, Sakigamiya deduced it was me and Rinbayashi who were responsible.

"This game is a stalemate if we continue to team like this." Rinbayashi said.

"Huh? What are you even trying to argue?"

"Let's assume the impostors are split up. They can't kill their partner, because then we'd know it's them."

That was true. For example, if Nora died, then we'd know Mitsuba was the impostor.

"But this is obviously a double kill? It's obvious the two impostors are together."

Rinbayashi didn't continue her argument with Sakigamiya. After a pause of awkward silence, Sakigamiya started to laugh.

"God, you're terrible at this Rinbayashi-san. Trying to break us up because the game is a "stalemate" is just an excuse to make it easier for you and Takanori-san to kill."

Sakigamiya voted.

"Well... we can't ignore the possibility that it's Sakigamiya-san and Kazuraba-san either..." Nora mumbled.

"What? Yukina-san can literally vouch for my innocence. Isn't that right?"

"Yeah. Alice-san didn't kill anybody."

"Well... if you two were the impostors, of course you'd cover each other's backs..."

"What? Why are you accusing me when I know what the fuck I'm talking about? Don't let a couple victories on your first try get to your head Nora-chan. Let me remind you that you were the reason we lost that first round."

Like venom, her words pierced Nora's heart and made him go quiet. I balled my hand into a fist, squeezing it.

"No, I agree with Nora-san. You're really gung-ho about voting me and Rinbayashi-san off." I said.

"Because you're the fucking impostors!"

"The only person who's vouching for you is Yukina-san."

"Same shit with you, Rinbayashi-san's the only one saying you're innocent."

I scratched the back of my head. We really need to kill Sakigamiya off since she's becoming a real nuisance.

"If you don't believe in my words, why should I believe in yours or Kazuraba-san's?" Rinbayashi asked.

"Rinbayashi-san. You add nothing to this discussion. Please shut up."

With Sakigamiya's frustrations continuing to rise, she lashed out at Rinbayashi in anger.

"Yikes."

"God, Takanori-san, shut up for once."

"I mean, I'm not the one getting angry because I'm not listening to what you're spewing. I don't think anyone will take your side if you continue being dismissive and telling us to shut up."

"Firstly, I'm not angry."

That sounds like something an angry person would say.

"Secondly, I'm frustrated that you two keep feigning your innocence even though I know that it's you two."

I'm just playing the impostor role as it's meant to.

"Thirdly, I'm the best player in this lobby, yet no one wants to trust me??? What the fuck is wrong with you people?!"

Maybe if your attitude wasn't so sweaty, people might give you a chance.

"Well, just vote for who you think it is." I said.

As the voting time ticked down, I voted Sakigamiya. Rinbayashi, Yukina, Mitsuba, and Nora followed.

In a twist of events, me, Rinbayashi, and Nora, all voted for Sakigamiya. Sakigamiya and Yukina voted for Rinbayashi, while Mitsuba voted to skip. Confusion flooded my face as I watched her be ejected.

sQc was not An Impostor. (2 Impostors remain.)

That... worked out for us? I'm guessing the ghost chat must be pissing themselves laughing at the karma Sakigamiya had been dealt. I don't know what pushed Nora to vote for her, but I'll take it.

Since there were five of us left, if me and Rinbayashi could get one kill, we would win. While everyone huddled together near the cafeteria table, Rinbayashi sabotaged reactor.

We moved out in a group, rushing to reactor to stabilise them. However, it was pointless, as outside security, Rinbayashi killed Yukina in front of everyone.

For some reason, I felt chills down my spine as I watched her kill so boldly.

After Rinbayashi mercilessly snapped Yukina in half, the victory screen prompted for us and everyone unmuted their mics in hysteria.

"For the record, I wanted to kill Kazuraba-san in front of everyone."

Rinbayashi nonchalantly disclosed the reason she targeted Yukina. Her callous and frigid tone sent goosebumps down my body. Even though it was a gruesome thing to hear, the gentle yet seductive quality of her voice made her words seem attractive.

For some reason, I felt like this was why I got that ominous feeling earlier... I couldn't explain why, but seeing Rinbayashi kill Yukina did scare me a little... a small feeling of anxiety lingered in my heart.

"I-I F-F-FUCKKCKINGT-TOLD Y-YOU IT WAS WAS R-RINBBBAYASHIAND TTA-TA-TAKANORI! OH HHOH MY F-F-FUCCKNI-ING GOOOOOOOD!"

Of course, Sakigamiya was the most vocal about it.

"N-NORA YOYOU DUMMBMBAS SASW WH-WHY THE THE FUCKD-DID YOU V-V-VOTEME ME??? ZE-ZERO RE-RE-RE-RE-REASON AS W-WELL!!!"

Sakigamiya was malding so hard, no one else could get a word in.

"B-B-BECAUSE OF YOUWE L-LOST T-THE G-G-G-G-GAME T-TOO! UUUUUURGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

At that point, Nora just silently left the chat while Sakigamiya screamed. I had to take off my headphones to save my hearing.

When I put them back on, Matsushita was trying to calm her down. Even Yukimura, who could shout unbelievably loud when angry, kept silent as Sakigamiya lashed out at her surroundings.

"Alice-chan, calm down... you made him leave." Matsushita said.

"Fuck him, I don't care! We lost because he voted me for no fucking reason! Like Jesus, he thinks he's the shit just because he got one win on his first time playing! For god's sake, and I was right too!"

Nora probably voted Sakigamiya over her intolerable and mind-numbing behaviour. It was my reason for voting her, at least.

"Hey, let's look on the bright side. We've got that party Akihiro-san's going to next. If you bring that sort of energy into it, you'll make it dead."

"Sigh, you're right. I'm taking a shower to cool off. Well, I'll meet you all at the train station." Sakigamiya left the call.

"Yeah, I'll be there in about ten minutes too. Thanks for the games everyone!" Matsushita said before leaving.

"If you changed your mind and wanna come, we'll be rendezvousing at the station. Catch ya later alligators." Akihiro said.

"Fuck me, I'm going to bed." Yukimura groaned.

Slowly, one by one, everyone left in an anti-climatic fashion. Tanaka closed the lobby and I was left alone with Rinbayashi in the voice chat.

"Aren't you gonna go, Rinbayashi-san?"

"I could ask the same for you."

"Well... it only feels right I'm the last to leave. They're gonna kick me out of the server anyways, so..."

"It's okay. Ladies first."

Even though it was a joke, Rinbayashi said it completely straight. It caught me off guard.

"Uh..."

I had no idea how to reply. I never knew this side of her existed...

"So, did you have fun playing tonight?"

"Yes."

"Same here. I still haven't figured out who's your friend though..."

"Unfortunate."

Her dry responses didn't give me much to work with... well, I guess I'll try asking her about what happened earlier.

"So... any particular reason you wanted to kill Yukina-san in front of everyone?"

Unlike before, Rinbayashi didn't reply straightaway. She took a long pause.

Then, she answered.

"Mm... well... I guess..."

It was the first time I was hearing this bashful side of her. Even though she was a cool beauty, I guess she could make embarrassed noises too.

"It's your fault."

"...eh?"

"Take responsibility."

With those slanderous and confusing words, Rinbayashi left the voice chat.

Seriously... what the hell was that?

I left the voice chat and sent a DM to her. I was feeling a bit nervous since it was my first time messaging her, but I think she wouldn't mind, since we teamed in the games we played together. Surely that means we've become a little more closer, right...?

"What do you mean it's my fault?"

She quickly replied.

"You wouldn't kill Kazuraba-san"

Ouch. She got me good...

If I had the choice, I really wouldn't kill her. That's the truth.

"But why in front of everyone"

She sent two replies.

"We would win anyways"

"I don't see the problem"

I scratched my cheek and sent my reply.

"Scary..."

After that, she went offline. I still didn't understand Rinbayashi all that well, but I think I'm starting to see what kind of person she really is through our limited interactions. I closed my laptop and slumped in my seat.

"I guess I'll pay him a visit."

I left my room and knocked on Yukimura's dorm. After a few minutes, he opened it with an annoyed expression.

"What do you want? I said I'm sleeping."

"I don't think you were actually sleeping."

"What would you know? Fuck off."

Just as Yukimura was about to shut the door on me, I put my foot in between it and the frame to stop him.

"Do you want to eat ramen with me? I haven't had dinner yet. I missed Fumio-san's cooking because we were playing Among Us."

"Huh? Why do you want to bring me along? Just go by yourself or something."

Yukimura didn't look particularly angry, just down and tired.

"I'll pay for your portion."

"Man, just let me sleep."

Yukimura's stomach growled.

"Are you sure?"

"Whatever... if you're so persistent, fine. Let's go get some shitty ramen."

Yukimura grabbed his lanyard and phone before heading outside with me.

"Shouldn't we invite those two nerds with us?"

"Mitsuba-san and Tanaka-san? Knowing them, they're already preoccupied with their games."

"Sounds like those horny bastards. What joint we hitting up then?"

"Joint? We're going to the konbini."

"...and here I thought we were gonna get proper ramen."

"Cup ramen's also good."

"Yeah, if you wanna die at the age of 30. The sodium content in them are insane."

Before, Yukimura would've said salt rather than sodium. It seems studying had also started to alter his speech in subtle ways too.

"Salt makes it taste good."

"I swear, if you get salt ramen I'm leaving... how do people eat that? At least get shoyu broth if you want salt."

"Don't worry, I'm not that basic."

"You sure look like it."

Me and Yukimura entered the konbini and headed to the instant ramen section. Of course, I went for my usual tonkotsu and black garlic G cup ramen. The best thing about G cups are the amount of noodles you get inside. It's triple the standard cup size.

"Damn... there's way too many flavours to choose from. Seriously, who eats this shit? Squid ramen? Mushroom ramen?"

Yukimura, who didn't eat ramen often, was overwhelmed by the variety.

"What kind of soup do you like?"

"Dunno. I guess I like spicy or strong soups."

I picked up a Korean brand of chilli cup ramen and handed it to him.

"This one's really good. Try it."

"If you say so."

After I paid for our ramen, we used the cooking station in store to heat it up. We poured boiling hot water from the machine into our cups.

"Fuck, that's hot!" Yukimura exclaimed, blowing on his hand.

"Did some splash on you?"

"Yeah... shit, that's painful."

Even though we didn't talk much, Yukimura's dull expression started to improve. He started smirking to himself as the smell of the spicy broth filled the air.

After my noodles finished cooking, I took a seat on the bench outside, waiting for Yukimura. He joined me shortly after, sitting next to me.

"We're idiots, eating hot ramen in the summer. Itadakimasu." Yukimura said.

"Hot soups on a hot day is more refreshing than a cold soup. Itadakimasu."

"You really are a masochist Takanori."

Yukimura started slurping his noodles.

"What do you think?"

"That really hits different. It's like peppers with attitude."

Yukimura went in for another bite. It looked like he really enjoyed it.

"Koreans are the master at spicy instant ramen. Next time, you should try the dry noodles. I threw up once trying to eat them."

"Gross. I like spicy foods, but if it's spicy for the sake of being spicy, I won't eat it."

"I mean, it tastes good. I just threw up from the spice."

"Weakling. Though, your one looks pretty cool."

"Thanks. The secret is the black garlic oil."

I started to slurp my noodles too. This brand and flavour still never fails me. I think I've eaten this cup ramen at least a thousand times. It's definitely my favourite.

"I dunno how you knew, but thanks for bringing me out here."

For a moment, Yukimura showed sincerity towards me.

"When you're not being loud, there's something wrong."

"Heh. Am I that easy to read?"

In a sense, he was. But I figured that Yukimura was down in the dumps because he purposely chose to exclude himself from the party. I'm not sure why he did that, but not going with everyone else seemed to upset him.

"You don't like parties?"

Yukimura looked at me out of the corner of his eyes briefly, and balanced his chopsticks on the cup.

"Parties are whatever. I just don't want to be drunk or stay up late doing those things. The only thing I've got going is my body after all. No way am I wrecking it over some dumbass party."

Surprisingly, Yukimura said a mature thing.

"Besides, if Ishima's sister is there, those dumbass A Class elitists will be there too. I'd probably start a fight and get into some hot shit again."

He slurped some of his noodles and sighed bittersweetly. It seemed to be painful for him, but Yukimura was proving that he learned from his mistakes and started to make the right choices, even if it meant sacrificing something. He probably wanted to socialise with everyone else, but recognised the situation wouldn't be right for him.

"Hey. Do you think we could consider this a ramen party?"

"...I knew you were a loser, but not to this extent."

Me and Yukimura continued to slurp our ramen while looking at the vast night sky before us.