Hester pushed open the door, but the moment she stepped into the hallway, everything went dark—except for the single light shining directly above her head.
At both ends of the corridor, the surveillance cameras simultaneously turned toward her, accompanied by that same mechanical whirring sound she'd heard before—the sound of the lenses focusing.
The thought that Shawn might be watching her through those eyes made Hester's entire body tense. Fear, mixed with anger, surged through her chest, and she clenched her fists—but her face remained completely still.
She refused to let him see her frightened or shaken. After taking a steadying breath, she walked, as calmly as she could, to knock on the assistant instructor's door.
No response.
"Jane—?" came Liz's voice from downstairs. For a split second, Hester flinched.
"I'm here," she called back softly.
The moment she spoke, the light above her head suddenly went out.
In total darkness, she heard Liz's hurried footsteps drawing closer, until Liz's hand finally gripped hers tightly.
Liz was slightly out of breath. "Are you okay? What happened? Why is the power out here…?"
Before Hester could answer, a banging sound came from the nearby restroom.
"Is anyone out there?" a muffled voice called.
Hester immediately recognized it. "That's the teaching assistant."
"Hello? Can anyone hear me? I think the automatic door locked me in!"
"Hold on—" Liz said quickly, already reaching for her universal access key. "I'm coming."
---
On the way back to the dormitory, Hester recounted everything that had happened that evening and asked Liz why she had sent that sudden message.
Liz's expression turned complicated.
"Two weeks ago," she said slowly, "Ms. Molly mentioned she was planning to meet with mason Chiba to discuss Shawn's behavioral restriction order… Do you remember that?"
"Yes," Hester nodded. "I remember."
"This afternoon, Ms. Molly received feedback—Mason Chiba directly rejected the proposal. She demanded that all existing restrictions and punishments against Shawn be lifted. She believes it was just a normal quarrel between students and doesn't need to be blown out of proportion."
"…Is that so."
"Ms. Molly was very upset. She had a video call with Mason earlier today, and they parted on bad terms. The current result is that the adjustments to Shawn's rating and compensation claims fall under the base's internal disciplinary measures—Mason has no right to interfere. Ms. Molly will insist on this. As for how to restrict Shawn's actions, we can think of a plan…"
"Understood."
"…Jane?" Liz looked at her with concern. "You seem very tired."
"Nothing," Hester said, lightly ruffling her hair. "It's just that the things I learned today were too difficult for me."
Along the way, Hester silently chewed over everything that had happened tonight.
Clearly, this was Shawn's doing. During the past half month when she thought things were calm, his gaze had never really left her. He had been watching her from behind some screen, unnoticed—until today, when he appeared in an overly dramatic way.
And the reason he chose today was probably related to the news that the restriction order had not taken effect. Liz had been right before: Shawn does feel some fear of the base's punishment, but that deterrent only exists as long as his misdeeds are discovered.
After a brief shiver, a heavy weight seemed to drop in Hester's chest.
Yes, her judgment was correct—she had recognized the storm.
Liz analyzed beside her, "Tonight's blackout was very likely Shawn's doing as well. He's previously been known to remotely manipulate some smart devices in the old buildings.
"When we get back, I'll report tonight's events to Ms. Molly. Even if we can't immediately upgrade all the firmware in these buildings, we can adjust your daily classes to the underground areas. There, Shawn's little tricks won't be able to—"
"Liz." Hester interrupted softly. "I… my mind is a bit messy. Can we talk about all this tomorrow?"
"Alright…" Liz said, concern in her eyes. "I'm sorry."
Hester shook her head—no matter what, the one who should apologize isn't you.
The two pushed open the apartment door and stepped into the lobby. Mrs. Lavitte suddenly opened a window, smiling and waving at Hester. "Miss Fletcher, Hester, you're back together?"
Hester stopped. "Good evening, Mrs. Lavitte."
Mrs. Lavitte's voice was warm. "There's a package for you. Come sign for it."
"For me?" Hester was surprised. "Who sent it?"
"Hmm, let me see…" Mrs. Lavitte picked up her handheld glasses, squinting at the large cardboard box in front of her.
"Mason Chiba."
---
Back in her room, Hester placed the package on her desk.
She stared quietly at Mason Chiba's name on the package, feeling a bit conflicted.
After a moment of hesitation, Hester picked up a pair of scissors and began to open it.
It was a 40cm square cardboard box. She cut through the tape sealing the top, only to find a smaller box inside. On it was a handwritten postcard in Mason's handwriting:
> "I heard that my ward, Miss Hester, has recently encountered some difficulties. After careful consideration, I have prepared a small gift for you. I do not know under what circumstances you will open this package, so please try to be alone. Even if someone is nearby, control your expression and do not appear too surprised.
"Can you do that? If ready, open the package.
"The solution is inside."
Hester, still unsure, set the postcard aside and cut open the smaller box. Inside, it was packed full of finger-thick white plastic foam cylinders.
Hester reached in to feel what was inside. Just as her fingertips nearly touched the bottom of the box, her expression froze.
Though she had been somewhat prepared, her breath caught slightly when she touched the contents at the bottom.
Hester slowly lifted her hand—and a Beretta 92 pistol appeared in it.
At that moment, she noticed another postcard buried among the white foam. She immediately picked it up. On it, in the same handwriting, were a few lines:
> "If you do not approve of this solution, simply reseal this box and return it.
"If you are interested, visit Sophie Molly tomorrow and schedule a meeting with me this Thursday for a personal discussion."
In the lower right corner of the postcard was Mason Chiba's rather wild signature, along with a self-portrait grinning widely.
---
(End of Chapter)