— Sector A-3: signal system failure, Aoi said, leaning over the terminal. — That's the third case in the last 24 hours.
— Students from 2-A are there now, Mina added. Do you think it's a coincidence?
I looked at the map. Sector A-3 — a key junction connecting three areas. A convenient spot for intercepting or altering data.
— There are no coincidences here, I replied. We'll check it. Ourselves.
The three of us headed out. It took half an hour — the sector was on the far side of the maze. Along the way, I noticed the stares. Some respectful. Some hostile. But most of all — the eyes of the 2-A students. Cold. Measuring.
At the entrance to A-3, one of them met us. A tall guy with silver hair.
— Area's closed. Technical maintenance.
— By whose decision? Aoi asked.
He didn't answer. Just smirked slightly and nodded toward the surveillance camera.
— We have clearance, Mina stepped in. Given by the curator.
He stepped aside. Wordlessly.
Inside, everything looked fine. At first glance. One of the terminals had been opened. Security codes — reset. And on the floor — faint traces of a cable, running into the wall.
— Someone connected directly, I muttered. Bypassed the system. And left the traces on purpose.
— So we'd find them, Aoi guessed. The question is — why?
I opened my personal terminal. A new message:
> "Some allies become enemies once the goal is reached."
I knew that style. Ai Sanado.
That evening we sat in the common room. Mina held a cup in her hands, but hadn't sipped it in a while. She was silent. Staring into space.
— Something bothering you? I asked.
— Ai, she replied briefly. Do you trust her?
— No. But it's too soon to hate her either. Right now she's an unsolved equation. And until the variable is known — no conclusion can be made.
Mina nodded. Then, after a pause:
— I'm afraid this game will start changing you.
I turned to her.
— It already has, I admitted. But if you're by my side — I remember who I am.
Her gaze lingered on mine. In that moment, the world went quiet.
— Then I won't leave, she whispered.
I didn't know what to say. So I just stayed close.
That same night, I received a new message. No signature. But I knew who it was from.
> "The Holder is closer than you think. But there's another player. Be careful: not all enemies are outside."
I looked into the darkness outside the window. And suddenly I understood:
> We're not just up against the other classes.
Something inside our own team — had started to crack.