Truth or Dare (Satsujin Series #1) | COMPLETED ✔

[34] In The Archives

H O N O K A   O S H I R O

After we watched the video tape, Hidou suddenly called me. I wasn't really sure why but I had a feeling that it was already my turn. When I approached him, he showed me some kind of map. It wasn't really like a blueprint. It was hand-drawn. He gave me a serious look as he gave it to me, putting it on my hand.

"Honoka, truth or dare?" he asked me as I gulped, knowing what choice I would choose.

"Truth," I said as Hidou's face fell. I guess he didn't really expect me to say that. Running a hand through his hair, I could see that he was having a hard time in thinking of something. As he glanced back at me, he asked a question.

"Do you mind saying dare? If not, say dare," he said as I gave him a confused look. Okay, so he really wants me to say dare. Following his instructions – since it seems a bit too important – I said the word he wanted me to say.

"Dare," I answered as he sighed in relief before showing me some pictures. It was like a library, but a little bit dusty. There were a lot of books and files on folders that were arranged on the shelves. Noticing that it was re-arranged into catalogs, I quickly knew that it was the archives. After that, he told me that it was on the Floor B and the hidden passage was the loose wood on the headmaster's office.

"Haru's files are in the 13th shelf. Once you get that, make sure that he doesn't see you. He rarely checks the archives, you see. But once he sees you enter through that door, he'll make sure that you won't get his file. So, be careful," Hidou exclaimed before pushing the door open.

Before I could even react on him fooling me, he said one more thing that made me a bit scared.

"Honoka, don't die on us, alright? We need you to bring those files, alive." I looked back at him and nodded. Fine, I'll get those files. I am not going to die. I glanced around, trying to hear for any footsteps before running towards my right and down the stairs. When I did, a katana quickly flew past my face.

"Damn, I missed." I heard a voice as I looked at my left, seeing a guy with another katana on his hand. Scared, I quickly ran towards the office and pushed it open. Looking for any loose wood, I finally saw it and picked it up. Pushing it on the side, I didn't see any lamp whatsoever in the room. Oh great, luck isn't on my side.

As I heard a series of footsteps, I suddenly went down the ladder and hurriedly tried to escape the guy. As my feet landed on the ground, I heard a sound that made me look up. A katana blade was going down, descending much faster than I did. I closed my eyes shut, waiting for it to kill me.

But, it didn't.

A loud metal clashed on the ladder as I heard someone yelling in anger from upstairs. I opened my eyes, seeing Haru holding his hammer. When I looked back, I saw that the katana was broken into pieces.

"I'll get you next time, Haru. You mark my words!" Matsuko yelled as the guy beside me, Haru, scoffed in amusement. He then picked up the broken katana and tossed it up. 

"Hey buddy, you forgot your broken toy. Next time, make sure it's real like my metal hammer right here, alright?" I could hear Matsuko yelling another curse words as Haru laughs manically. Looking at me, his face fell. 

"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked me, making me glance back at him. His red and blue eyes glowed in anger as I gulped, a little bit scared at him. When he noticed my reaction, his eyes then went back to normal.

"I'm looking for-" he suddenly interrupted me by putting his hand on my mouth. He then went close to my ears and whispered, his breath making me shiver because of its coldness.

"You're looking for my files, aren't you? Well, sorry to say this but, I don't want to be saved." He quickly pulled away, walking back as he dragged his metal hammer through the hallway. Looking a bit dazed, I snapped out of my trance and pulled him back. He gave me a cold glare as I backed away, giving him a frown.

"Let us help you, Haru. I know that you don't want to be stuck down here. I know that you don't want to be here anymore so just, please tell me where the file is hidden," I said, hoping that I could change his mind. Though, he ignored my remark and gave me a scoff. And that made me feel like I failed to do so. He turned back around, taking a few steps to approach me. I just stood my ground, waiting for him to talk.

"I know what you're doing, smart girl. You're trying to act like you're kind to me, aren't you? Well let me tell you, Miss Honoka, I won't tell you anything, And that Jun Kaiyo cannot help you guys escape. We will all be trapped in here before you know it." He then took another step, his face inches away from mine. I closed my eyes as he brushed his fingers on my face, caressing it gently.

"You want to know why? Because she will fail to solve the case like the rest of the students trapped in here before all of you. And someone has to sacrifice just to save all of your pathetic, little lives," he coldly said as he walked away again, pulling his hand away from my face. This time, I let him. I can find those files by myself then. I don't need his help anyway.

Looking at the map that Hidou made, I slowly walked past the other doors. Given that they all made strange noises; I ignored every single one of them. But, one in particular quickly caught my interest. A voice called out my name, making me stop on my tracks.

"Honoka," Ryoto called out as I gave the door a confused look. Approaching it, I knocked once. Suddenly, another knock came as I gasped. Ryoto's in there! Before I could twist the doorknob open, a hand gripped my waist as I was pulled back to someone's arms.

"I just left for a minute and here you are, trying to kill yourself." I then glared and looked up, seeing Haru looking down at me with a bored look on his face. It was most likely an irritated look, by the way. I quickly struggled free, dusting myself before crossing my arms.

"I don't need your help. You said it yourself that you won't help me!" I said as he rolled his eyes in return.

"A simple thank you would've been nice. I just saved your life. I rarely do it but you seem to have caught my interest, you know," he said as I walked away from the door and proceeded to where the archives are – completely ignoring his remark along the way. But before I could even walk away from him, he made me turn around and pulled me towards him.

"You're quite feisty, I like that. But, you should know this. My file isn't in the archives anymore," he said as he gave me a smirk. I tried to pull away from him but he didn't let me go. Instead, he showed me a folder. Irritated at his attempt to flirt, I took the folder from his hands and walked back to where I came from.

"I wouldn't go there, if I were you. Matsuko is still waiting upstairs," he exclaimed as I turned back around and walked towards the other direction. He chuckled as he puts his arms around me – making me a bit angry as I tried to push it off.

Noticing that it was getting a bit brighter, I made a run for the ladder – hearing Haru's last sentence that echoed through the passage.

"Be safe, Miss Honoka."