The Cipher: Locks and Keys

The next day at Fairy Tale Guild High School, Lockey found himself immersed in his thoughts as he walked through the bustling halls. The mysterious investigation from Pinnochi weighed heavily on his mind, and he knew that his decision would have far-reaching consequences.

As he turned a corner, Lockey nearly collided with Rina, who seemed equally lost in thought. "Oh, Lockey!" she exclaimed, quickly regaining her balance. "I've been meaning to talk to you."

"I have a lot on my mind, Rina," Lockey replied, his brow furrowed.

"It's about our conversation the other day... about forming a cult organization," Rina explained, her tone cautious. "Have you given it any more thought?"

Lockey hesitated, considering the invitation in his pocket. "I've been thinking about it, yes," he admitted. "But there's more to it than just our discussion."

Rina's eyes widened with curiosity. "What do you mean?"

Lockey raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Are you saying you don't know what a cult organization is?"

Rina sighed, her expression turning solemn. "You see, my parents belonged to a cult organization, but that was also what killed them."

Lockey's eyes widened in shock. "Then why do you want to join a cult organization? You know, even if we form one, we would be enemies with the WCM."

Rina looked down, clutching her arm as she hesitated. "You also seem to be hiding some secrets."

Lockey stared at her, his face turning serious. "What made you think that?"

"The other day, I was following you and noticed you speaking with that purple-haired guy that saved us," Rina confessed, trying to remember his name.

Rina continued, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Are you like a spy in the WCM?"

Lockey’s expression remained serious, a hint of worry in her eyes. "So you were spying on me?"

Rina with a serious look also "That's not the question," he replied, his grin fading as he noticed Rina's concern.

"I'm not a spy for the WCM," Lockey explained, his voice turning somber. "It's quite the opposite, actually." Rina's gaze intensified as she focused on Lockey's words. "You see, the WCM is suspicious of me. They believe I possess something they want."

Rina's eyes widened, and she reached out to touch Lockey's arm. "What do they think you have?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lockey sighed, deciding it was best to change the subject. "Forget about it. I need to go." He gave Rina a reassuring nod before heading home.

As he arrived at his house, Lockey cautiously opened the drawer where he kept the mysterious book. "I need to hide this thing somewhere else. There's no doubt that this is what they're looking for." Just as he was about to secure the book in a new hiding place, the door creaked open.

Lockey, caught off guard but not letting his guard down, turned to see Rina standing in the doorway. "What the hell are you doing here?" he asked, surprised. "Let me guess, you followed me again?"

Rina, unsure of what to say, replied, "I guess so." Her eyes caught sight of the book Lockey was holding in his hand. "Woah, so it's in your possession?"

Lockey, surprised by her recognition of the book, questioned, "You know anything about the book?"

Rina seemed confused but intrigued. "Not sure myself, but my brother always talked about the book a lot. He says it's called 'Cyprus' and holds the answers to all questions."

Still not clear, Lockey pressed, "So what do you mean by 'answer all questions?'" Rina, also seemingly confused, admitted, "Not sure myself, but my brother always mentioned the book's ability to provide solutions to any problem."

Lockey raised an eyebrow. "And how did you know it was the book?" Rina explained, "The way it is written... it doesn't seem to be from this world, like a supreme being wrote it."

Intrigued by this new information, Lockey asked, "Could you take me to your brother?"

Rina shook her head sadly. "Sorry, but my brother and I parted ways a long time ago. I haven't seen him since."

Rina apologized, "Sorry for following you. I just wanted to know where you lived." She turned to leave, her footsteps echoing in the hall.

Lockey gazed at the book with even more curiosity, the weight of its secrets heavy in his hands. He knew he had to keep it safe.

As Lockey prepared to eat, a flash of red light caught his attention. Upon closer inspection, he discovered a hidden camera. "Damn, it's a spying cam," he muttered. Realizing he had let his guard down, Lockey knew he needed to hide the book somewhere far away. He carefully wrapped it in a cloth and placed it in a small chest, which he then concealed within a hidden compartment in his closet.

The scene shifted to a dark figure observing Lockey's actions through a screen, their face obscured by shadows. As the figure stepped forward, their identity was revealed – it was Pinnochi. "So it was with him all this time," Pinnochi mused, his lips curling into a sinister smile. "No surprise."

Lockey carefully picked up the book, feeling the soft leather cover beneath his fingertips. He knew the risks he was taking by protecting it, but the potential power and knowledge it held were too great to ignore. With a deep breath, he steeled himself for the task ahead, knowing that he would need to find a secure and secluded location to hide the ancient artifact.

As he gazed out the window into the night, the city's twinkling lights taunted him, each one a potential hiding place. Lockey understood that the journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but he was determined to protect the book at all costs. With a silent vow to keep its power out of the wrong hands, he prepared to venture into the darkness, the book's secrets weighing heavily on his shoulders.