The Degree
Leo's Secret

Ray went to Erina's room after coming from the library. There the woman was already wearing the equipment Ray had given her.

What kind of black clothes will the policewomen wear. With a bulletproof suit that protects his chest and some pockets to store weapons.

“You don't need to use it this early. We're not going to rob.”

Over the past week Ray's been going to a lot of places to steal some DP from other people. Surely Ray did not kill anyone, he actually made some of those who had stolen his DP become partners.

But unfortunately he found an unexpected situation so he had to do some actions that were outside his situation.

“What about that guy? He killed people who had been affected by my Degree,” Erina said.

This woman could already talk more and not be silent like a puppet. Ray doesn't know if Degree Rani and Rina have faded or Erina has adapted to this. Whatever it is, Ray can't be more vigilant.

If an unexpected circumstance were to occur, Erina would have to be eliminated immediately.

Ray sat on Erina's bed and stared at the ceiling in silence, “That person is indeed troublesome. Even though he doesn't know our identity yet, it only takes him a while until he finds out.”

When robbing people the first thing to do is of course cover their identity. Ray is not a fool who would commit blatant crimes without hiding his face.

“Do we just disappear?” erina asked with an apathetic face.

“No. I'm sure he doesn't know your powers for sure. We can use it. Besides ...”

Ray has made plans to eliminate him. Even if it doesn't work, other plans are already prepared.

“This morning we will act. I hope you're dead this place at three in the morning and hide in the garden.”

“Why?”

Ray took something out of his pocket. A clock that is counting down.

“This is the remaining time we have. When the time comes I want you to do something.”

Ray begins to tell her about a condition he predicted might happen in the future. Erina certainly will not understand it now but when the time comes she will know what to do.

“When it happens, you show up and save them. With that, your Degree will effectively lock onto their movements. Even if later I'm with that guy going to be on the other side, he won't be able to say anything.”

Seeing Erina's stiff face, Ray slowly got up, approached her and pushed her against the wall. Erina hit the wall quite strongly but her face was still without any expression.

Ray had just given him a little surprise in the hope that there was a reaction he got from him but in fact it did not happen.

“You didn't forget the plan, did you?” ray asked her face closer.

“Yes,” Erina replied as she slowly closed her eyes, she already knew what was coming next. This has been considered routine for the past week. “I won't forget.”

Both of their lips touched for a few seconds. Ray then distanced himself before there was another uncontrollable urge.

Without wasting any longer Ray left Erina's room. At the end he said:

“Rest until the specified time. Don't be late.”

Ray went back to his room and got some rest. One second now is precious not to be wasted.

...****...

Ray arrived ten minutes earlier than the schedule had set. There's no one here yet so Ray needs to wait a little longer. Five minutes later, someone came.

“You arrived early, yes.”

Eric stands at the opposite spot from Ray, he looks around before looking at Ray again.

“Termumi and Leo are not here yet? I thought you guys would come together.”

“We're not that close. Although Terumi looks close to me, I honestly still do not know how to react.”

From the outside it is clear that Ray and Terumi look harmonious but in fact Ray does not know how to behave to Terumi.

“Ha ha ha, even you are also awkward towards women.” Eric said it was as if he was experiencing the same thing.

The two had no meaningful conversation afterwards and only spent silence while waiting for the other to arrive. At three o'clock Terumi arrived and Leo arrived a few minutes later.

“With this everything has gathered,” said Ray. “Let's review the plan again.”

From the information that has been known to date, the killer will move the range of hours three and four. In addition, Eric had previously confirmed that his sister would be out at the same hour.

The plan's main goal is not to catch the killer, but to keep only a few blocks that the killer is most likely to target while Eric goes in search of his younger brother.

“Yes. Remember to make a loud noise or a sign if you find my sister or the killer.” Eric says it again.

Ray and the others nodded, they already clearly understood the plan that had been set.

“Then let's split up and keep in the predetermined blocks.”

“Ya, then let's part here.” Leo walked first and waved his hand.

Terumi also smiled and started walking away in the other direction, “Then I also go, you guys be careful!”

Because Ray was on the block where they were gathered so he didn't have to go anywhere anymore.

For some reason Eric stayed on the spot and did nothing, he simply watched Leo closely until Ray coughed to break his silence.

“Sorry,” Eric said. “You must be careful with that man. I've seen it coming from somewhere that there shouldn't be any way.”

Eric explains that he had seen Leo come from a dead end or a wall that locked them in this place.

Ray is certainly interested because from his confession Leo did not come out of his room at all for two months. If any witnesses see him out then it is questionable.

In addition, Ray almost never trusted Leo in any way.

“You saw it? Don't you see it wrong or maybe someone similar?” ask Ray. “Leo says he never left his room.”

Eric then thought seriously while holding his chin seriously.

“I can't be wrong to see. People with short, eccentric hair like him are not much. I think it's impossible to misrecognize Leo.”

That's very true. During this time Ray never saw people who have any resemblance to Leo so it is difficult to mistake Leo.

“Betul also. Everyone has their own secrets. Even you are the same.”

Eric certainly could not break the word. There was no one here who had no secrets even if they already had an alliance like this one.

“I will remember your words well. Thanks for the information.”

“Ya,” Eric said. “Then I go first.”