Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

Episode 40: An Outsider’s Opinion

A few minutes later.

The class rep approached from nearby. Her expression seemed to have relaxed considerably.

His earlier words had unexpectedly helped ease her mood… No, perhaps it wasn’t so unexpected. The novelist often prided himself on his ability to lighten the mood with jokes, though there wasn’t really anything to be proud of in that.

“Liang-kun, what do you plan to do next?”

Itou Maho sat down naturally beside him and Ogiwara, speaking in hushed tones.

Having calmed down, the class rep must have also noticed the current dangerous atmosphere and the need for immediate countermeasures.

The novelist answered softly.

“This annex we’re in is currently sealed off. The doors and windows are locked, phones can’t call out, the attendants at the entrance have vanished, and no one responds to our calls for help. Most importantly, we know nothing about the situation outside. Therefore…”

He emphasized his next words.

“I believe the key to escaping our current predicament lies in what’s happening at the main building.”

“…I see. But how can we contact them?”

“Generally speaking, places like this have internal phone lines, right? Even though mobile phones are blocked by signal jamming equipment, those might still work. Then we could contact security at the main building.”

The class rep’s eyes lit up.

“Y-you’re right!”

“So we need everyone’s help. With Niwa-kun absent, we need to find any internal phones or other communication equipment in this mansion. With enough people, that shouldn’t be difficult. Also, though I’m not hopeful, we should check all the windows on each floor and emergency exits.”

“However, don’t get your hopes up too high, as there’s a possibility the phone lines have been cut… And before that, we need to confirm the number of party attendees and their status.”

“I understand.”

The class rep nodded and quickly stood up.

Not a trace remained of her earlier dejection and disappointment. As if casting off all negative emotions in one go, she strode purposefully toward the crowd.

*

The class rep’s initiative had exceeded his expectations.

Since students from other classes were present, Itou Maho first approached those she knew, carefully inquiring about the situation before engaging in brief exchanges with each small group.

Subsequently, she had successfully gathered all the high school students present. Then, based on their social circles, they began confirming whether everyone they knew was accounted for.

“Everyone’s here. Thank goodness. At least nothing unexpected happened…”

After completing the count, Itou Maho jogged back to the novelist’s side. After letting out a relieved sigh, she gratefully told him.

Class Rep, aren’t you forgetting someone?

“Ah! Right… Niwa-kun!”

Itou remembered, worry once again clouding her expression.

…

The novelist’s gaze swept over the crowd.

This was just an unconscious action. After all, if even the socially connected class rep couldn’t identify someone missing, someone like him with an extremely limited social circle at school would be even less likely to notice.

Among the high school students who came to the party, he only knew “one person” who wasn’t from Class 2-1…

“…Huh?”

An expression of surprise crossed his face.

No way…?

Miki Yu… the one whose confession to Ogiwara he had witnessed, wasn’t present?

The only student from another class he knew had gone missing?

“Class Rep, are you sure everyone’s here?”

The novelist couldn’t help but ask.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“Someone’s missing… Miki-san isn’t here.”

Ogiwara, who had been silent beside him all this time, spoke softly.

Her face was somewhat pale. It seemed she, like him, had noticed Miki Yu’s disappearance.

“Miki-san…?”

The class rep showed a surprised expression. Possibly not knowing this person, after asking for the full name, she turned around and called out to everyone.

“Has anyone seen Miki Yu?”

The students looked at each other, shaking their heads.

“No one? How strange…”

After thinking for a few seconds, the novelist decided to move past this topic.

…Someone was missing.

If these high school students realized what this meant and began to panic… it could be troublesome.

“Itou-san, let’s split into groups and search the mansion. We also need to look for Miki-san and Niwa-kun. Even if they’ve disappeared, there should be traces left behind. Pay attention to places that show signs of struggle or damage… Of course, to avoid accidents, it’s best to go in pairs.”

The class rep’s brows furrowed slightly.

“But…”

She hesitated as she looked at everyone, probably trying to avoid causing panic. She moved closer to him and lowered her voice.

“Liang-kun, is this really okay…? That person who sent the crime announcement is still in this mansion, right? Even in pairs, we might not be able to handle an armed criminal…”

No, that’s not the case.

Because just ten minutes ago, he had realized something important and reached a conclusion.

After all, the idea of a killer lurking in this mansion like in the movies…

Was. Absolutely. Impossible.

‘My my, how disappointing…’ Miyagi-san might say something like that if she were here.

“It’s fine.”

He gave a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry, Itou-san. Please trust me.”

“…I understand.”

The class rep gave him a long look before turning back to arrange the groups.

“In pairs, huh…?”

This time it was Ogiwara who leaned close to his ear. She spoke in a voice only the novelist could hear.

“Why don’t you stay with the class rep? Even if just to save face, she probably won’t refuse you.”

“…Why?”

“For the grouping, Liang-kun will definitely be left alone, right? The class rep would probably feel bad and pair up with you.”

A slight smile appeared at the corners of Ogiwara’s mouth.

It wasn’t clear whether it was a mocking smile or one of pity.

“Then you…”

“It’s fine, I’ll be okay on my own.”

Ogiwara Yayoi shook her head. Then, without waiting for the novelist’s response, she walked off alone toward the first-floor corridor.

Watching her long black hair swaying as she disappeared into the distance, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

…Would she really be okay?

But he had already made a reasonable deduction.

Besides, if it was Ogiwara-san, he felt that it was her enemies who should be worried.