CH 19

Vol. 1 Chapter 19: Speculation.

It’s currently 7 PM. The school’s security lights flickered eerily through the pitch night. Paired with the lack of sound, I felt as though I was the only human left in the world, a stark contrast to the lively chipper of the day.

The reason I stayed at school this late is simple: there was a two-day lag between when the culprit scribbled on the desk and the time he sabotaged my friends. However, I expected him to take further action sooner. Even if nothing happens, I’ll just keep waiting on him like this every day.

After telling the teacher what happened, she gave me permission to do what I’m currently doing. Of course, she would keep this matter confidential since I was afraid of them knowing I was cautious. If they did find out, they would also exert more discretion.

Since they couldn’t unlock the classroom, I waited near Kurosaki’s shoe box. The offender would probably wait for a time when no one was around and break in. Hence, if I stood by on the opposite side of school, it’d be harder for them to notice me. Conversely, it would be easier for me to find them. If he brought a smartphone, he wouldn’t be able to use it as a flashlight since he’d lose conspicuousness.

Now, it’s an endurance struggle between us. Watching the crime scene, I ran through a series of simulations to determine the most effective course of action to take.

—Everything is set.

After an hour of waiting, I finally got some progress. Faint clacks—footsteps—echoed from the school’s entrance on the other side of the building, nearing the shoe box where I hid close by. He thinks he’s being cautious, but he didn’t muffle his steps, perhaps not even thinking someone would be around here but himself.

—It’s finally time.

Thanks to the fact I didn’t rely on any source of light, I could see him clearly. He had an average height, but his crooked posture made him look shorter. His hair was thin and curly as if mimicking a perm, but that was probably innate.

His name is Makabe, my classmate as expected. After approaching Kurosaki’s shoe box, he tapped his glasses into position and looked at his right palm, hastily scurrying. He then mumbled something to himself and took a little case out of his backpack.

Looking closer, they were indeed the same thumbtacks I’d seen this morning. He scurried around for a bit until he managed to open the locker, taking care not to be too loud. Reaching out, he was about to build another trap.

Here’s my strategy. I’ll stop him the moment he puts a thumbtack inside the box, and as he’s stunned by my sudden appearance, I’ll take a picture and use it as evidence against him. I could almost smell the honey-like victory, but soon heard another approaching from the entrance.

I almost call him out as the thumbtack barely grazed the shoe locker, but before words even left my lips, the voice of whom I’d least expected to show up boomed through the silence.

“Makabe-kun, stop it!”

I hurriedly turned around, searching for the owner of that voice. Sure enough, she was here…

“A–Asakawa-san?!”

“What are you doing in front of a junior’s shoe box?”

The one who emerged from the shadows was none other than Asakawa. She wore a parka and denim shorts as if she didn’t know the crime would be committed today. Normally, a fanatic would be pleased to see the object of their worship wear something other than a uniform, but Makabe’s face hardened, and the little case in his hand twitched.

I had no clue why she was here, but catching the opportunity presented due to his surprise, I hastily pointed my phone and fired up a flash to record evidence of his misdeeds.

“Hey?! You’re… Miyamoto?!”

Makabe reflexively turned in my direction after the sudden outburst of light. His surprise, however, was short-lived. As he realizes his wrongdoings were recorded, despair scrunches his face.

“I knew it was you, Makabe,” I announce. “And I was sure you’d repeat it again.”

“W, why?! It’s your fault! You made Asakawa-san cry! You should get what you deserve for doing such a heinous crime!”

“…If you feel that’s the case, be my guest. I’ll submit this image to the teacher for proper action regardless.”

Did you really think there would be no repercussions? Impatient, he twisted out a quaky smile. “W, wait a minute… Y, you don’t have to go that far! Look, I’ll apologize properly!”

There’s no room for negotiations. If I was the only victim, fine, but it’s impossible to forgive him for causing damage to unrelated people and crossing various lines. Perhaps realizing there was no point in trying to bargain with me, he turned to Asakawa. His sweat almost made a dent in the floor.

“A, Asakawa-san, say something! I did this all for you, all so you could laugh from the bottom of your—”

“What are you on about? When did I ask you to do anything? You’re guessing my thoughts and feelings, hurting others without me knowing, and now you’re selfishly throwing your selfishness on… —?!”

She kicked any of his excuses before they even left his mouth, but just before she finished with the beat-down, she trailed off as if remembering something she overlooked. However, she quickly regained composure and continued speaking with a strong tone.

“A, anyway, I didn’t ask you to do jack all! You weren’t even in my sight to begin with. Stop playing the victim and just accept your punishment.”

Her rejection was as clear as it could be. Makabe looked at her in dismay, but even that was gradually eroded by the growing fear of whatever punishment may come. In a last-ditch attempt to escape, he ran out of the building.

“…I guess the harassment will stop now.”

“…Guess so.”

Now it was just the two of us left. Even though it was just a coincidence, this was the first time we talked since I cut her off from my life. The awkwardness in the air could be touched, and none of us spoke for a while.

“Why are you here, Asakawa?”

This is the proper time to ask her. From what happened, she was aware of the culprit but didn’t know he’d strike today. If she did, she’d probably stay in school, hence my observation of her not using a uniform.

“W, well…”

Her reply was vague, perhaps due to her thoughts not being in order, or she didn’t know what words to say. I could see her look around a bit, swaying her ponytail around. Seconds seemed like minutes until her eyes widened. Asakawa seemingly arrived at her answer, and she looked straight into my eyes. Maybe to suppress her emotions, she clutched her hand atop her chest.

And she began speaking with clarity.