Naoki Shirayuki's Perspective
The Sports Festival was over.
By eleven in the morning every student had gathered inside the auditorium.
Freshmen.
Sophomores.
Juniors.
Seniors.
Teachers.
Everyone.
I leaned against the wall near the stage and watched them take their seats.
Most of them were smiling.
Some looked exhausted.
Others were already thinking about winter break.
It was almost amusing.
They had no idea what was coming.
At the front of the room, Principal Sobu stepped onto the podium.
The auditorium gradually became silent.
After a few moments, he adjusted the microphone.
"I am pleased to announce that the Sports Festival has officially concluded."
Polite applause followed.
Sobu waited.
"And with that, winter break has begun."
More applause.
Predictable.
Humans always celebrated before understanding the consequences of their victories.
"I would also like to recognize several students for their performances during the Sports Festival."
A screen behind him illuminated.
"If your name is called, please come forward."
I watched the crowd carefully.
Sobu began reading.
"Kei Fuyushima."
A small grin appeared on my face.
Not Fushimiya.
Fuyushima.
An alias.
A pathetic attempt to hide a name that would eventually shake this entire institution.
Still, Sobu played along.
Interesting.
"Scarlet."
"Dusk."
"Iron."
"Kaito."
"Ichika Renji."
One by one they approached the stage.
The audience applauded.
Some out of admiration.
Others out of obligation.
Then Sobu finally reached the part I had been waiting for.
"And finally..."
He looked directly at me.
"The President of the Student Government would like to address the student body."
Silence.
A pause.
Then Sobu spoke my name.
"Naoki Shirayuki."
The reaction was immediate.
Confusion.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Exactly as expected.
I stepped onto the stage.
The whispers spread throughout the auditorium like wildfire.
Most of them had known me for less than a week.
To them I was a transfer student.
A nobody.
A background character.
The realization was entertaining.
I approached the microphone.
Smiled.
And began.
"Good morning, everyone."
My voice echoed throughout the auditorium.
"And Merry Christmas."
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Perfect.
"You may have seen me during the Sports Festival."
I glanced across the crowd.
"A fairly ordinary student."
A few expressions stiffened.
They were beginning to understand.
"I suppose that was partially true."
A small laugh escaped me.
"I have an announcement regarding the next special examination."
The room became noticeably quieter.
Even the teachers seemed attentive.
"On February 14th, 2027..."
I paused.
"...Valentine's Day."
The irony almost made me laugh.
"A new special examination will begin."
I folded my hands behind my back.
"I could stand here and reassure everyone."
I smiled.
"But that would be dishonest."
Several students visibly tensed.
Good.
Fear was an excellent teacher.
"This examination will be unlike anything most of you have experienced."
I continued calmly.
"It will be the most brutal examination conducted at this institution since the Puppeteer Age."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Even among the older students.
That name still carried weight.
Interesting.
So the scars remained.
I slowly turned my head.
My eyes landed on Kei.
For only a second.
Then I looked back toward the audience.
And finished.
"The next special examination shall be known as..."
Silence.
Complete silence.
"Purge Control."
I could practically feel the tension spreading through the room.
Then I delivered the final words.
"The Expulsion Exams."
The reaction was immediate.
Whispers.
Confusion.
Fear.
Questions.
Exactly what I wanted.
I placed the microphone on the stand.
My role was finished.
Without another word I stepped away from the podium.
The crowd continued staring.
Trying to understand.
Trying to predict.
Trying to prepare.
They were already too late.
As I walked toward the auditorium exit, a smile appeared on my face.
At last.
The board was set.
The pieces were moving.
And for the first time in a long time...
I was genuinely excited.
"Let the war begin."
I left without looking back.
---
END OF VOLUME 3
PARP FILE — DOCUMENT 37
Classification: FOUNDERS ONLY
Code Name: Appearance of the [REDACTED]
Location: National Institute for Future Leaders (NIFL)
Date of Compilation: February 15, 2027
Status: Active Investigation
Summary:
On February 13, 2027, during normal academic hours, the NIFL announcement system activated without authorization.
A prerecorded message was broadcast throughout campus.
The speaker concealed their identity through the use of a voice modifier and identified themselves only as:
[REDACTED]
Simultaneously, numerous students received leaked communications originating from freshman Student Government members.
The information exposed evidence related to irregularities during the Survival Gauntlet Examination.
The methodology displayed notable similarities to historical incidents associated with Subject 00 ("The Puppeteer").
Observed similarities include:
• Anonymous identity
• Use of altered voice recordings
• Public exposure of confidential information
• Strategic manipulation of student perceptions
• Indirect influence over examination outcomes
Initial reactions among upperclassmen dismissed the individual as an imitator attempting to replicate the legacy of the Puppeteer.
Subsequent events suggest otherwise.
During the Purge Control: Expulsion Examinations conducted on February 14, 2027, [REDACTED] demonstrated a level of strategic influence previously believed to be unattainable without direct authority.
Through unknown methods, the subject manipulated multiple participants while remaining largely unnoticed.
Notable students affected include:
• Naoki Shirayuki
• Ichika Renji
• Kei [REDACTED]
• Additional unidentified participants
The examination resulted in an unusually high number of expulsions.
Current Assessment:
The appearance of [REDACTED] may represent the first independent reproduction of behavioral patterns previously associated with Subject 00.
If confirmed, this would provide significant evidence supporting core project hypotheses.
Identity remains unknown.
Immediate observation and analysis are recommended.
END OF FILE
RESEARCHER'S NOTE
Author: Paul
Everyone else is celebrating.
I suppose that's expected.
For years the project has been asking the same question.
Can the Puppeteer be reproduced?
Now a student appears from nowhere, leaks information, manipulates examinations, and influences outcomes from the shadows.
Naturally, people are excited.
Some are satisfied.
Others are already discussing future possibilities.
Personally?
I think they're fools.
This situation feels familiar.
Too familiar.
When Subject 00 appeared, they celebrated.
When Subject X appeared, they celebrated.
Now they're celebrating again.
The names change.
The faces change.
The conclusions never do.
Perhaps this new student truly is extraordinary.
Perhaps they aren't.
Either way, the project will respond exactly as it always does.
Observation.
Analysis.
Replication.
Escalation.
And eventually corruption.
The cycle is almost comforting in its predictability.
Sometimes I wonder whether the project studies human nature.
Or simply proves the same lesson repeatedly.
Regardless, I'm not a hero.
Never have been.
I'm certainly not going to stop any of this.
I'll do what I always do.
Record the events.
Make a few jokes nobody finds amusing.
And watch the wheel turn one more time.
— Paul