A Detective and a Middle School Student Work Together to Defeat Lupin

"So, you're sure this has something to do with my uncle, Arez?" Chestina asked as we walked down the school corridor the next day. After my phone call with Rose, I decided not to wait and to take immediate action. Time was of the essence, especially when it came to dark tragedies.

I nodded firmly. "This is just my suspicion: the words that made you cry, the dark tragedy at this school, and even these hidden clues. And the fact that he's also an alumnus of this school..."

"We need all the old works from those clubs," I said, observing the bulletin board covered with news about the 45-year-old history. The journalism club was really pushing it. That was good, and also troublesome.

"But how?" Chestina asked. "We can't just suddenly show up and ask for all their old collections, I mean...." Her head drooped, her voice trailing off.

"That's my part," I said, with a faint smile. "Trust me. Remember, we mustn't look suspicious. No one should know our true objective." I understood Chestina's meaning. The reason her close friends weren't told, and only I was informed even though we weren't that close—she trusted me.

So, we began our mission to collect the works. The first target was the Literature Club. I saw a club member, a senior named Rebecca, tidying up a bookshelf in the clubroom.

"Rebecca-senpai," I greeted politely, putting on an innocent and admiring face. "Sorry to bother you. I'm Arez, from ninth grade. I heard you're the most dedicated member of the Literature Club."

Rebecca-senpai blushed slightly. "Ah, not really, Arez. What is it?"

"I'm a great admirer of literary works," I said, launching into my manipulative rhetoric. "And I heard the Literature Club has an extraordinary collection of old manuscripts. Especially from 45 years ago. I'm very curious, senpai. I'm working on an essay assignment about the evolution of literary style in our class, and those old manuscripts would surely be very helpful."

Chestina, beside me, just nodded as if confirming my story.

Rebecca-senpai seemed to think. "Old manuscripts? There are some, but they're in worn condition. Are you sure?"

"That's precisely what's interesting, senpai!" I exclaimed with fake enthusiasm. "Their authenticity is what's most valuable. If you don't mind, could I borrow some? Just for task reference. I promise to be very careful."

I looked at her with the most convincing pleading gaze. Rebecca-senpai finally smiled. "Alright then. Just take what you need. But don't damage them, okay?"

Success! We obtained several old theater scripts and poetry collections from the Literature Club.

Next, we visited the Wall Magazine/Journalism Club. They were busy discussing strategies to dig up information about that dark history. I saw the Club President, George-senpai, who seemed very ambitious.

"George-senpai, excuse me," I greeted, with a slightly worried expression. "I'm Arez, from ninth grade. I heard you're digging into the story of the dark history from 45 years ago, right?"

George-senpai nodded. "That's right, Arez. But the data is very minimal. We're having difficulty."

"That's it, senpai!" I said with a tone as if I had found the solution. "I was thinking. Maybe the key is in the 'primary sources.' Aren't the old school magazines a 'window' to the past? Especially the magazines published 45 years ago."

George-senpai frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Your old magazines must have recorded small incidents or even hidden details that might not have been noticed at the time," I explained. "I happen to be working on a personal project, a kind of 'documentation of the evolution of school journalism.' I want to see what the news writing style was like back then, and if there have been significant changes. Perhaps, by looking at that, I can find patterns or details that could help you find the information you're looking for. This could be a great case study for both of us!"

I added a little flair. "Besides, senpai, I see you're struggling. Perhaps an outsider's perspective like mine could help provide fresh ideas. Of course, all my findings will be handed over as material for your club's news."

George-senpai, who was initially skeptical, now seemed interested. He indeed needed help, and the 'outsider's perspective' idea sounded appealing. "Alright, Arez. Take some of our old magazine collections. But don't forget to return them and give us your analysis."

Mission accomplished again! I successfully obtained several old school magazine editions without raising suspicion.

Finally, we visited the Comic Club. I met Lily-senpai, a comic otaku who deeply loved her collection.

"Lily-senpai," I greeted with my most enthusiastic face. "I'm Arez, from ninth grade. I'm a huge fan of comics!"

Lily-senpai smiled. "Oh really? What comics do you like?"

"I love old comics, senpai! Especially from 45 years ago," I said, my eyes sparkling. "The drawing style is classic, the stories have historical value. I'm collecting references to create my own comic, inspired by the style of old-school comics. I heard the Comic Club has a collection of comics from that era, right? I'd really like to see them and learn from the seniors."

Lily-senpai immediately became enthusiastic. "Really?! It's rare for anyone to be interested in our ancient comics! Of course! Just take what you want! But be careful, okay? They're valuable collections."

Chestina and I managed to collect several old comics. The clue-gathering mission was completed without anyone suspecting. Kalet himself knew nothing; he was busy with his basketball practice. I didn't want him involved in Chestina's problem, as Chestina also seemed to be hiding this from Kalet.

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That afternoon, at my house, Chestina and I spread all our "treasures" on the living room floor. Piles of worn comics, yellowed school magazines, and faded theater scripts.

"Okay, Arez," Chestina pointed to the pile. "This is everything we got. Now what?"

I sighed. "Now we have to figure out what all this means." I pointed to the silhouette of the school building in the comic, the classroom sketch in the magazine, and the coordinates in the theater script.

"The students from 45 years ago... they wanted to say something," I said seriously. "The silhouette of the building with a small flame, 'Not just smoke, but tears.' Then the sketch of the messy classroom, 'Laughter turned into screams, where the pen bore witness.' And the coordinates with the inverted hourglass, 'Time is always the judge, before the truth disappears.'"

I explained every detail I found. Chestina listened carefully, her eyes widening as I connected each clue.

"This... this is more than just a ghost rumor, Arez," Chestina mumbled. "It's like a secret code. They want us to find out what really happened."

"Exactly," I said. "And I'm sure this has something to do with your uncle. How about we both hypothesize about what might have happened 45 years ago based on these clues? Just write down anything that comes to your mind. Don't be afraid to be wrong."

I took two sheets of paper and two pens, giving one to Chestina. We started writing, my brain working hard. My own hypotheses branched out in my head: a school fire? A tragic incident during a stage performance? Murder? Or perhaps a hidden scandal? The phrase "the pen bore witness" caught my attention. Did someone write something down?

As I was busy writing, flipping through comics and magazines, my kitchen door suddenly opened. Rose!

I flinched, almost scribbling on the paper. "Rose! My god! You gave me a heart attack!" I was a little surprised because Rose hadn't appeared at my house for several days. "I hadn't even had a chance to call you to come over."

Rose just smiled faintly. "A teenager's instinct. I knew you'd found something interesting." She glanced at Chestina; she seemed a little surprised by something.

Chestina, noticing Rose's arrival, immediately stood up and greeted Rose politely. "Ah! Sorry, good afternoon, Sis...!" Chestina tilted her head, which was understandable since she didn't know Rose yet. I even forgot to tell her that Rose would be coming to help me!

Rose smiled. "Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Rose Claret. Arez's sister!" This was a lie, but I also didn't want Rose's true identity to be revealed.

Chestina was stunned, "Oh... So, Arez has a sister, huh." Rose nodded. "I heard you're having a little trouble. So, I'll help you both out a bit!" Rose swayed her fingers to a rhythm, then winked with a faint smile on her face.

Chestina glanced at me slightly; she seemed angry that I had told someone else. But, what could I do? With a problem like this, I couldn't solve it alone.

Rose glanced at the piles of old works on the floor. "I've been a bit busy with school assignments and my side job lately. It's really upsetting because I've had so little time, that's why I haven't been back home much lately."

I nodded along with her lie; this was to cover up the detective work from Chestina.

I quickly changed the subject, "Okay, Rose, here it is," I said, handing over all the clues I had gathered. I explained everything I found, from the silhouette, the sketch, the coordinates, to the hidden writing. "Chestina and I are trying to hypothesize about what happened 45 years ago. I want you to help too."

Rose meticulously examined each clue, her eyes quickly reading the hidden small writings. Her expression was serious, as if she were solving the most difficult riddle. She didn't immediately state her hypothesis. She just nodded.

"Interesting," she murmured. "A scattered message. Alright, I'll think about it." She took a few blank sheets of paper from the table and began to write.

I returned to focusing on my hypothesis. Possibilities kept swirling in my mind. Images of fire, tears, laughter turning into screams, the pen as witness, time as judge... everything felt overlapping, forming a complex puzzle. I had to find the common thread. There were so many possibilities, making my head spin.