While Akirito was sitting in class, a sudden silence swept through the room as someone unexpected entered.
It was Jhone.
As he stepped into the classroom—the same room that belonged to the boy who had taken his own life—all the students stood up respectfully. The teacher looked surprised and spoke politely.
"Um… Sir Jhone, is there something you need?"
Jhone nodded. "Yes, I'm here to ask a few questions."
"Of course," the teacher said, stepping aside.
Jhone turned to face the students. "Does anyone here know a girl named Diana Rose Fiona?"
The room instantly filled with murmurs. Students glanced at each other, whispering, clearly confused.
Jhone narrowed his eyes. They don't seem to recognize the name.
Then, one student stood up.
"Sorry, sir… but none of us know anyone by that name."
Jhone folded his arms. "I see. Then—did anyone speak to the boy before he... died?"
A girl slowly raised her hand. "Sir… I did."
Jhone's voice grew serious. "And what happened during that conversation?"
She stood up hesitantly. "I saw him looking gloomy, so I asked if something was wrong. He looked at me and said something strange…"
Jhone leaned forward. "What did he say?"
"He said… 'D. R. F. is forcing me to do this.' I asked what he meant, but he didn't answer. He just walked away."
Jhone's eyes widened. DRF… Akirito was right. Diana Rose Fiona… But who is this girl!?
The girl finished, "That's all I know, sir."
Jhone gave her a nod. "Thank you. One last thing—does anyone here have the name Diana, Rose, or Fiona?"
Everyone shook their heads. "No, sir."
"I see. Then… have a good day." Jhone turned and left the room.
Evening – Outside the Main Gate
As Akirito exited the building after class, he noticed Jhone waiting near the front gate.
"Sir!" Akirito called, rushing over. "Did you find anything?"
Jhone smirked. "I did. You were right—DRF definitely stands for Diana Ross Fiona."
Akirito's eyes widened. "Really?!"
Jhone continued, "And I found something even more interesting."
"What is it?" Akirito asked eagerly.
Jhone looked at him with a mix of disbelief and intrigue. "I found the girl."
Akirito froze. He found her!? So… Fiona has entered the story!?
But before he could speak, Jhone added, "But here's the twist… according to records, she died fifteen years ago."
Akirito staggered back in shock. "Wh-What do you mean…?"
Meanwhile – In Fiona's Domain
A sinister laugh echoed through a dark, cold realm.
"Hehehahaha!!" Fiona laughed madly, her eyes glowing with twisted delight. "See, darling? Let's see how you handle that little twist. What's your next move?"
Later That Evening
Akirito looked at Jhone seriously. "Then if Fiona died 15 years ago... why did that boy mention D.R.F. before his death?"
Jhone folded his arms. "That's the strangest part. But before we go deeper—there's something important. The Fiona who died… she also committed suicide."
Akirito's eyes narrowed. "So… the one who forced the boy... was it Fiona's ghost?"
Jhone shook his head. "I don't believe in ghosts. There must be someone who used her name to manipulate him."
"Did you find anyone suspicious?" Akirito asked.
"I've searched every room in the university," Jhone replied, frustration in his voice. "Not a single person stood out."
Akirito clenched his jaw in thought. If no one looks suspicious, then… who's the killer? Damn it—I need to figure this out. I have to solve this story better than her...
He finally nodded. "Alright. Thanks, sir. I hope we'll find the truth soon."
Jhone gave him a small nod. "Yeah. But for now, go home. It's getting late."
That Night – 11:00 PM
Despite Jhone's warning, Akirito returned to the university, under the cover of darkness.
As he approached the main gate, he spotted two guards patrolling. To avoid them, he slipped through a hidden, broken side gate and entered the campus.
Inside the dim halls of the university, the silence was unsettling.
Suddenly—
A scream.
A sharp, high-pitched girl's scream echoed through the corridors.
Akirito's eyes widened. "That voice!"
He sprinted toward the source of the sound… and ended up at the very place where the boy had jumped from the window.
But there was no one there.
"What the hell…? I clearly heard it from here…" he muttered, confused. He moved to the window and looked down—nothing.
"Was that… Fiona's ghost?" he whispered to himself.
Just then, a flashlight beam cut through the darkness.
"Hey! You there!" shouted a guard.
Akirito flinched. "Crap!"
He turned and bolted.
"Stop! Why are you running!?" the guard shouted, chasing after him.
Akirito darted through the halls and finally ducked into the nurse's office, locking the door behind him. Breathing heavily, he noticed something on the floor.
A piece of paper.
He picked it up and read the letters written on it: "F. R. D."
"Huh…? FRD?" Akirito muttered. "Looks like a reverse of DRF. But what does it mean?"
He thought hard. "Fiona Rose Diana… That's just the same name. It doesn't make sense…"
Pacing in the nurse room, he paused.
"Wait a minute… the boy who died was in the nurse room before his suicide. And this room has a almiras…"
His eyes widened.
"There must be something hidden!"
He rushed to the one almira and opened the left side. Just medicine.
Then he flung open the right door—
And inside, tucked behind some containers, was a small card.
He pulled it out and read the message:
" Frozen Right Door—"
" Whar does that even mean..." Akirito said, eyes wide with realization. "FRD—Frozen Right Door! That's what it meant! So this is the clue!"
Akirito looked around the place, suddenly he noticed a fridge.
"Frozen right door.."
Akirito muttered, his eyes widned as he realized that must mean the fridge.
But before he could react—
CLANG!
A heavy metal bat slammed into the back of his head. The blood splashed on the floor as Akirito's head continue bleeding.
"AGHH!!" Akirito cried out, collapsing to the floor.
Blood trickled from his forehead.
"D-Damn it… I was so close… who even is this.." he gasped.
His vision blurred as he tried to read the card again.
Then—
CLANG!
Another blow.
He couldn't move. His limbs were numb. He couldn't see who hit him.
His mind was fading. The world around him fractured like shattering glass.
In his final breath, Akirito muttered—
"Damn… I lost… this stage again…"
Everything went black.
– Stage Failed –