Ch. 4 "One Lie Could Cost Everything" - Friendly Dinner

                                    

                                          
As I was laying down on my bed, I heard a knocking at my door. Sluggishly, I rolled out of my comfortable bed and made myself look presentable. I opened the door and saw Ayano standing in front of the door. 
                          
Ayano: Hey! Sorry to bother you.
                          
Ari: No problem, what's up? 
                          
Ayano: Hisato, Yuki, and I have prepared a dinner for everyone with appetizers, drinks, desserts, and sides. My job is to invite everyone to the dinner. 
                          
Ari: Sounds great! Just what I need. I'll be there.
                          
Ayano: Can't wait to see you there! I'll meet you there soon!
                          
I walked to the cafeteria and kitchen. I really hope the food is tasty. I may have had some fries earlier, but some more food wouldn't hurt. I walked in the room and only saw Hisato, Nia, Yuki, and Yorua. 
                          
Hisato: Glad you could make it, Ari. 
                          
Ari: I'm happy for this opportunity to be with everyone.
                          
Yorua: Also, the f-food is better than anything I c-could cook.
                          
Yuki: Thanks, but none of us are really the ultimate chefs to be honest.
                          
Nia: I'm just trying to be patient for everyone to get here, so I don't have to feel guilty for eating all the food before they get the chance.
                          
Yuki: I don't think that's exactly the lesson we talked about today, but I'll take it.
                          
We all shared a laugh together. Then, Ayano entered with the three people we had been waiting on. 
                          
Kogo: Hey everyone! 
                          
Mikio: Good evening to all! 
                          
Kazutaka: Hi, I'm here too!
                          
Ayano: Now that everyone's here. I think this would be a good time to allow everyone to dig in. 
                          
Hisato: Sounds good to me. Remember, if you are not hungry, that is fine as long as you stay to chat and enjoy this time together.
                          
Yuki: With that out of the way, ladies first. Help yourselves to anything you would like.
                          
Kogo: Awww c'mon! Why can't everyone eat at once? 
                          
Yuki: It's a gentleman's job to be respectful and polite to all. Women do a lot for us, so in the small ways, gentlemen attempt to reciprocate the gestures. 
                          
Mikio: Well, when you put it that way. 
                          
I grabbed a small plate and served myself anything that would look tasty. After the girls and I were done, the boys helped themselves to the buffet. Then, we all sat at one large table enough to hold all of us. 
                          
Hisato: How is everything?
                          
Yorua: Really g-good. 
                          
Nia: Can I get seconds?
                          
Ayano: No one's stopping you.
                          
Nia: Woohoo!
                          
Nia made a beeline for the tables with food on them.
                          
Yuki: May I get anyone a refill?
                          
Mikio: I'll take that offer.
                          
Ari: Would you mind getting me a refill, too?
                          
Yuki: Not at all, Miss Ari.
                          
Kogo: This is an amazing idea, you guys! We should do more stuff like this more often!
                          
Kazutaka: But do you remember the last time we did something like this? Someone was found dead the next day! All I know is that I don't want to be that someone. 
                          
Ari: Kazutaka, that won't happen again. 
                          
Kazutaka: How can you be so sure?
                          
Nia: For starters, the bear hasn't even given us a motive. 
                          
Yuki: Also, there is no motive that will make us commit murder, right? 
                          
Kazutaka: You say that, but how can you be so sure?
                          
Mikio: We're closest as a group than we have ever been.
                          
Kogo: I would love to get to know you guys more, and I want nothing to get in the way of that.
                          
Yorua: S-see K-Kazutaka?
                          
Ayano: Look at the hope we have right now. I would say it seems pretty strong in our hearts.
                          
Kazutaka: I guess you might be on to something, but I'll still keep my guard up. 
                          
Hisato: I guess it is better to be wary than complacent. 
                          
We all finished our dinners and chatted the rest of the night until the Nighttime Announcement alerted. From there, we went our individual ways to our rooms. It was a sweet gesture what Ayano, Hisato, and Yuki did. I kept thinking about what they said and the fact there is a traitor among us. Was Akihiko truly warning me of possible danger? Or was it a final trick? Before I can think about it for too long, my eyes close to a slumber.