Story:

Reika looked down at her bound wrists. Then back at him.

Bill’s smile faltered, but he continued. “You know how capable you are. We couldn’t exactly let you run around with that gun.”

“You locked my classmates in a room.”

“I needed everyone to stay put.”

“You filled it with gas.”

“And everyone’s fine.”

Peach’s hands tightened against the connector between her cuffs. Beside her, Violet had become very still.

Bill leaned toward Reika. “Listen. We can finish all this right now. You’re my fiancée. Our families already agreed.”

“Our families,” Reika said.

“Exactly. Ebonhart and Hououin. Together, we’d be—”

“An engagement does not give you authority over me.”

Her voice was hoarse, but each word emerged cleanly.

Bill glanced back at Shiori, as though expecting assistance with a conversation that had become unnecessarily difficult.

Shiori offered none. He turned back.

“I’m offering you a place beside me.”

“Then remove these.”

“I will. Once you promise.”

“What promise?”

“That you’ll submit. Stop fighting me. Help me make this work.”

The gymnasium seemed to grow quieter around them.

“Bill, you have confined students, assaulted them, and restrained them against their will. You have endangered everyone placed in your care.”

His expression hardened. “Don’t make a speech.”

Reika held his gaze. “I will not swear obedience to you. I will not endorse what you have done. And you will answer for every person harmed here.”

Bill rose.

For the first time since entering, he seemed conscious of the four girls watching him rather than waiting for him.

Reika tilted her head to follow the movement.

“You still have an opportunity to stop,” she said. “Release the students. Let them receive medical attention. End this before you make it worse.”

Bill looked down at her. “You’re really going to talk to me like that?”

“Yes.” The answer came without hesitation.

Peach shifted closer to Reika until their shoulders touched.