Shouko's cssmate?

  This was the first time in all these years that one of Shouko's cssmates had e directly to her home.

  "...?"

  Shouko also gnced over in surprise.

  Wasn't this the same Sakayanagi Arisu who had misuood that she was going to jump off the school rooftop a few days ago?

  She was indeed her cssmate.

  But Shouko couldn't hide her fusion.

  After all, even though they were cssmates, they'd barely ied before. Why was she here now?

  "e in."

  Notig her daughter's subtle rea, Yaeko hesitated for a moment before stepping aside to let Arisu and Masumi enter.

  "Excuse me."

  Arisu nodded politely and stepped inside, with Masumi following close behind.

  From start to finish, Masumi said nothing.

  In fact, Masumi herself was feeling quite fused.

  Earlier, Arisu had only asked her to colleformation about Shouko, which she'd done. But tonight, right after finishing her review of the gathered information, Arisu had dragged her out without any expnation.

  Even now, Masumi had no idea what was going through Arisu's mind.

  Did she discover something in the files that Masumi herself missed?

  The more Masumi thought about it, the more baffled she became.

  "What's with the e?"

  Yuzuru, who had initially been wary, couldn't help but ask as she eyed Arisu walking with a e.

  Yuzuru wasn't particurly fond of her sister's cssmates. After all, her sister had been bullied by some of them before. However, this one seemed… different.

  "Oh, this?"

  Arisu g her e and smiled lightly.

  "Because of my genital heart disease, I 't do any strenuous physical activity, so I need a e to walk."

  There was no embarrassment ione; she stated the fact pinly.

  Hearing this, the room fell into an awkward silence.

  Even Masumi, who already knew, g Arisu briefly.

  As for the others—Yaeko, Yuzuru, and especially Shouko, they looked at her in surprise.

  None of them had expected Arisu to have a genital heart disease.

  The gazes directed at her quickly shifted to one of pity and sympathy.

  "Are you feeling sorry for me?"

  Arisu chuckled softly at their reas.

  "There's no need for that. My father is already arranging for a suitable heart transpnt. Once a match is found, I'll be able to undergery.

  "The procedure might be risky, but as far as money is ed, there's nothing to worry about."

  Arisu's family was well-off, part of the elite, so finances were the least of her s.

  "..."

  Yaeko shook her head slightly and decided not to dwell on Arisu's dition.

  Instead, she looked at her again and asked, "You mentioned earlier that Shouko's dark circles weren't caused by staying up te pying games. Do you know why?"

  Arisu didn't answer immediately.

  Instead, she turned her attention to Shouko, who was visibly flustered.

  "It seems Shouko hasn't figured out how to tell her family yet," Arisu said casually.

  "..."

  Shouko stayed silent, her head l further.

  It was clear to her now: Arisu really knew something.

  Hesitating for a moment, Shouko picked up her phone and typed a short message to Arisu.

  Please don't say anything.

  The sight of those words immediately ged the atmosphere in the room.

  Yuzuru, who had previously been sleepy, instantly became alert. She stood up and demanded, "What do you mean, don't say anything? Sister, what's going on with you?!"

  "..."

  Shouko kept her head down, refusing to respond.

  Yaeko, oher hand, had started to piece things together. She looked at her eldest daughter deeply before turning to Arisu.

  "So, do you know what's happening?"

  "Of course."

  Arisu didn't hesitate to firm.

  "I 't help it. I'm just too kied. I 't stand by and wateone so young throw their life away."

  Despite her usual pyful and mischievous nature, Arisu wasn't heartless. She wouldn't bother helping someone cruel or unkind.

  But someone like Shouko, so gentle and kind her death would be an absolute tragedy.

  Otherwise, why would Arisu be here, so te at night, with no real obligation to intervene?

  "Wait, what?"

  Both Yaeko and Yuzuru froze, panic quickly creeping into their expressions.

  "What do you mean by that? My sister is going to die? That's impossible!" Yuzuru protested immediately.

  "Is it?"

  Arisu didn't answer directly. Instead, she gestured toward Shouko, silently promptio speak.

  Yuzuru turo her sister, her emotions running high.

  "Sister, what's going on? Tell me! You're not going to die—right?"

  Yaeko, too, stared at Shouko, her brow furrowing deeply.

  "..."

  Shoko still didn't speak, her head l further.

  "Shouko!"

  Uo bear the tension, Yaeko called out her daughter's name, her voice trembling.

  Her heart pounded as fear took hold.

  What was going on? Was her daughter really going to die?

  No. No, that couldn't be true!

  But Shouko's tinued silence seemed to firm their worst fears.

  "Do you want to know how I know this?"

  Arisu's voice cut through the heavy atmosphere, this time directed at Shoko.

  Hearing this, Shouko finally raised her head slightly, her expression filled with fusion and apprehension.

  To be ho, even she wao know how Arisu had learned about this.

  There was no way the irl should know anything about her situation.

  "Because all the girls whed you into the video room that day are dead."

  ***

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