Chapter 2The Blind Side

I jumped. He must have taken the other set of stairs and circled back around behind me.

That was definitely not part of my plan.

But my long-term training as a patient had perfected my acting skills, and I held it together.

I quickly defocused my eyes, frowned, and forced a smile.

「Is someone there? Wh-who is it?」

Toby’s expression was still tense, but his tone was casual:

「It’s just me, T-man... Are your eyes that bad you can’t see me this close?」

I nodded, still smiling, and explained:

「It’s not total darkness. Up close, I can make out a blurry shape, that’s why I asked. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have asked, or come out here in the first place.」

Toby’s gaze was icy, a total mismatch with his casual tone:

「Heh... Good... It’s getting late, though. Ready to head in and crash?」

I nodded again, keeping up the harmless smile:

「Yeah, I am getting a bit tired. Let’s go.」

Then we walked into the room.

My performance was relaxed and natural, exactly how I always was. I couldn't let him see even a hint of suspicion.

He, on the other hand, was still super tense—classic signs of someone who just did something monstrous.

That meant my act had worked. He believed me.

That's why he wasn't bothering to hide his own anxiety.

Before climbing into my bunk, I turned around and casually asked him:

「By the way, where were you so late? Out partying?」

Even with my eyes unfocused and my voice relaxed, the question hit a nerve.

He instantly got more tense, staring at me intently.

He paused for two seconds before explaining:

「Yeah, out grabbing late-night snacks with some guys. Eating this late is normal, you know...」

I thought back; he actually did grab late-night snacks a lot.

I think I’d even met those friends. The one he was tightest with was Kyle.

So, as I climbed into my top bunk, I continued nonchalantly:

「With your boy Kyle? He’s still stuck here on campus too?」

Toby answered without hesitation:

「Yeah, that’s right. It was him. I was out with him.」

I felt a pang of disappointment.

This meant the accomplice wasn't Kyle.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have admitted it so directly.