Puzzle (パズル)

Students of Tokumen High School

We have taken control of the school

We hope you can play a game with us

There are 2000 puzzle pieces hidden around the school

You have to find all the pieces and complete the puzzle

However, the time limit is 24 hours, up till tomorrow noon

If you are unable to complete the puzzle, the hostages will be killed

Mitome-kun

Let's find a way to escape from the school

To call the police

Yuasa

You are not allowed to do that again. It will only put everyone in danger.

What did you say?

Stop it

Students of Class A, can you hear me?

I have already told you what will happen if you don't obey the game rules

translation: Pearlz

timing: seiret

brought to you by d.r.e.g.s.s.

I'm the vice form teacher of Class 3A, Konno

This case has caused you hardship

You joined this school as a teacher last year right?

Yes.

Where were you working before this?

I was at Kokuritsu High School for about 2 years

What do you think of the quality of the students at Tokumen High School? Quite outstanding right?

Yes, totally different from normal high school students

Different? In what way?

Everyone is very keen to learn

During lessons, the only sounds are those of me teaching and those of students taking notes

No one speaks privately to each other

During breaks, students even come to the staff room to ask questions

Being a teacher, do you find it worthwhile to teach these students?

Yes, well...

Hardworking students and enthusiastic teachers

How did this case happen to such a school?

Then let's go to the main topic

You might not want to remember it

Please tell me in detail the situation when you were taken hostage

A group of criminals have taken control of my school. Please call the police immediately.

Why did you think of contacting others?

The criminals should have told all of you beforehand what would happen if you act rashly

But you still took the risk. Why?

That was because... that was because Mr Yasuda was being badly beaten up

If this carries on, I don't know what the criminals will do to the students

This was what I thought at that time

I see. A teacher's sense of mission, right?

I also tried hard to protect my students

I did this for the students

But your actions caused the students to distrust you

That... might be true

How do you think about this?

Then what should I have done in that situation?

Should I just be silent and do as per the criminals' requests?

I hope you do not misunderstand me

I have no intention of blaming you for anything

What would you have done if you were in my shoes?

This woman did not obey the rules and will have to be punished

No! No!

Wait!

So who should I shoot?

Mitome-kun

The punishment that I give this woman

Is for her to bear the guilt of causing her student's death for the rest of her life

That's all. Let's continue with the game

I'm going home

Nagano-san

I've had enough! I've had enough already!

Wait

Mitome-kun is already dead, isn't he?

Then there is no more meaning in looking for the puzzle pieces anymore

It's not confirmed whether he is dead or not

That's right

He is so badly wounded, he is dead for sure

I'm sorry, I also quit

Tsukagoshi, what are you saying?

That puzzle can't be completed, it's impossible

Mr Yasuda is still in their hands

That's right

Whether Yasuda live or die is none of my business

Nagano-san

How many people here like Yasuda?

Is there anyone who really wants to save him?

See, everyone is the same

Ms Konno

Teacher

You still have the cheek to come back

I'm sorry

It's all your fault that things turned out this way

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

Later, everyone did not say anymore about this

But no matter what, I could not accept it

Tried to send a message for help behind our backs but was caught instead

I've had enough

When Mitome was shot again, how did you feel?

To save Mitome-kun, everyone worked hard to look for the puzzle pieces

But then...

Lost hope?

Even though I encouraged everyone to work together

The truth is that I also felt that looking for the puzzle pieces is not important anymore

I really felt like quitting

Even you were discouraged

But you still continued to encourage everyone to start looking for the puzzle pieces again

Why is this so?

Because from the start where we had to find the puzzle pieces till the time when Mr Yasuda was beaten up

I was the one who decided to continue

You felt that it was your responsibility?

Yes, but there was no progress

At this time, Iikawa-kun...

Were you on good terms with Mitome-kun?

Normal

What do you mean by normal?

I don't like or dislike him in particular, I hardly talk to him

But all our classmates are about the same

Then what was your reason for looking for the puzzle pieces? Can you tell me?

Reason?

Because it seems interesting

Interesting?