September 18th.
Lin gazed at himself in the mirror. An expressionless face that couldn't be called majestic but was still full of pressure, eyes as stagnant as a dead person's, and black hair that lacked grooming.
He thought he would be haggard after these few days of toil, but he looked unexpectedly spirited.
So, this is the face hidden under the helmet? Then what is hidden under this face now?
Lin took out the pill bottle, dully took the water glass, and swallowed the medicine.
"..."
After putting down the glass, he picked up his helmet. Just as he was about to put it on, he stopped.
Today, he planned to investigate Einstein's room. Ever since Lin told the "lie" to Kevin, Kevin and other investigators had turned Einstein's room upside down. Even though they claimed no clues were found, they hadn't stopped investigating Einstein.
No clues found? Was that really true?
If no clues were found, why continue the investigation? If no clues were found... why hadn't Einstein been caught?
To create the illusion of fleeing after a crime?
By the time Lin reacted, he noticed that he was already looking at Kevin through the lens of guilt.
Perhaps this is what the collapse of trust looks like.
Should it end here?
If he gave up the investigation now, perhaps things could return to normal. Maybe if he were a bit more careful, the previous situation wouldn't have happened. Perhaps Kevin and the others had a hidden reason for killing Vil-V. As long as he gave up now, this case might just become an unsolvable mystery, and no one would be identified as the murderer...
So, should he give up...
The helmet's visor was dark. This was normal, since he hadn't put it on.
Lin looked at this helmet, which Vil-V had remade for him. All those useless devices she had added, yet she intentionally made the exterior the same as his old helmet.
In the end, Lin said nothing. He put on the helmet and left the room.
"Have you made your decision?"
Chiaki was waiting for the fully armed Lin as expected. On her computer was a page of green code.
Today, she had changed back into the geeky outfit from their first meeting. Chewing gum and sitting in her soft chair, she watched Lin walk in with his head lowered.
The corner of her mouth still held that vague smile that lacked any warmth.
"I've already hacked into Mei mainframe. Unfortunately, as you said, she isn't someone who stores important things on electronic devices. I could only find some trivial matters."
"In the end, we still need to investigate in person. It really feels like when you can't solve a problem online, you agree to meet offline..."
Lin listened silently to Chiaki's talk. Her unhurried tone didn't suggest any discomfort with the current situation.
She seemed to enjoy the thrill of being troubled by riddles, the pleasure of sharp killing intent stinging her spine in a fog full of monsters and killers.
"...Are you expecting something?" Lin looked at her, and she looked back at him.
Chiaki's smile was clearly reflected in his eyes.
"Expecting? Hmm... yes, I am indeed expecting something." Chiaki confessed without hesitation. "Scheming against others is the eternal melody of human society. And right now, this counts as the most thrilling experience of my life, so I'm looking forward to how it develops next."
"And now, who are you playing?"
"..."
This was the first time Lin saw a genuine flow of emotion from Chiaki.
No matter how similar her previous disguises were, they were just counterfeits assembled using her facial expressions and body language.
Now, after hearing Lin words, she opened her eyes in surprise, a flash of confusion crossing her gray pupils.
"Disguise? What are you talking about?" Chiaki's expression cooled instantly.
"...If all your appearances before showing this side were disguises, then is this 'villainous' image you have now also a disguise?" Lin spoke word by word, unhurriedly. "Uncovering a lie doesn't necessarily reveal the truth. And after the second lie is uncovered, is what is revealed the truth, or is it the truth you want me to see?"
"..."
"..."
"So... what's the point?" Chiaki turned around and tapped twice on the keyboard, and the interface returned to a simplified app desktop. Without looking back, she said, "Even if I am pretending, is there a problem? Aren't you enjoying it too?"
"Those who want to see me as weak will find that I'm just a weakling; those who want to see me as a malicious hacker will find that I'm a malicious hacker; and you, you need a 'villain' to accompany you, so I can play the part of a villain. That way, it's not bad for anyone, is it?"
Yes, this way it was good for everyone. Everyone got what they wanted. Chiaki was placed in a suitable psychological position, and she would dutifully play the role in everyone's hearts.
"Then what about yourself?"
Chiaki's body swayed slightly, but the movement was very small. Lin couldn't tell if she was truly trembling or if his eyes were just playing tricks on him.
After that, there was a long, suffocating silence, as if time had frozen.
...
...
"No one needs 'me.'"
When Chiaki spoke again, she had calmed down.
"Don't do that next time. It leads to misunderstandings."
"...Who would misunderstand?"
"Me."
Chiaki spat out the word with bitterness and helplessness.
A familiar dialogue.
"Do you know the fundamental mistake all those women around you have made? They take your kindness as something unique to them. But it's not that your relationship with them is actually that good; it's that you're actually just like a central air conditioner. And because of your special personality, it's hard for people to see it. I hate people like that the most."
"Dr. Mobius should have been the first to see it, so she should constantly remind you that your attitude toward her must be unique."
"Someone like me is also very easily attracted by that trait of yours, so don't let me misunderstand..."
She turned her head, but Lin couldn't see her expression.
"Let's just maintain this not-too-close, not-too-far 'Villain Alliance' relationship. It feels like playing house, and that's fine. You don't need to understand me; you just need to understand the person named 'Chiaki.'"
"..."
"By the way, during high school, besides Kevin and Mei, did you have any other close friends?"
"...No more."
"I see."
Chiaki stretched and smiled brightly. "Alright, let's go. It's time to do what we need to do."