The injured female student—her short hair still damp with sweat—lay on the infirmary bed, staring at the bandaged wound on her leg. Her breathing steadied, a faint flush of color returning to her face.
Akira, saw-sword in hand, turned to the survivors. "Her condition is stable. Now, I require information. Anything you know about this anomaly, please share."
He stood by the bed, his voice calm but probing.
Kana glanced at the other two survivors—the male student clutching a broken mop handle and the female student holding a branch. "When you were fighting in the courtyard, did you see anything strange? Something that might explain why the school's like this?"
The male student shook his head. "I was running from the dorm—only saw monsters. Too freaked out to notice much else."
The female student looked down, murmuring, "I'm not sure either… But maybe she knows something." Her eyes flicked to the injured girl.
Kana turned back to her. "Anything you remember? Even the smallest detail could help."
The recovering student closed her eyes, brow furrowing as she sifted through her memories. "Before I got to the courtyard… I was running through the school's halls. And for a split second… I think I saw something."
She opened her eyes, her voice trembling. "It was just a glimpse, from behind… A girl, like a student. She wore an old sailor uniform, like the ones our school used to have. Her hair was long and red—bright red, like blood. It scared me."
Akira's response was immediate. "Details logged. Likely the anomaly's mastermind. Which direction did she go?"
The girl swallowed, straining to recall. "It was so quick… I think she was heading toward the clubroom building. She turned a corner and vanished. I was too scared—I ran the other way. That's all I know."
Kana's eyes widened. "The clubroom building? A red-haired girl in an old uniform… Could she be the one controlling all these monsters?"
"A strong possibility," Akira said, meeting Kana's gaze. "If the mastermind is linked to the clubroom building, we have a new target."
He tightened his grip on the saw-sword. "Prepare to move out."
Kana gave the injured girl's hand a gentle pat. "Thank you—that's huge. Rest up now. Akira and I will take care of her."
The girl nodded faintly. "Be careful… Whatever she is, she's not normal."
Akira addressed the other survivors. "You stay here. Monitor her condition and maintain safety until external aid arrives."
The male student gripped his mop handle, voice resolute. "Got it. We'll hold the fort!"
Buoyed by his enthusiasm, Kana hefted her hammer. "Clubroom building it is. Let's go, Akira!"
"Affirmative. We pursue the mastermind to end this anomaly. Stay behind me."
Akira opened the infirmary door, stepping into the corridor.