When the Detective Work is Done, I'll Die

Chapter 31

"Detective Chikage......!?"

"I can already prove that I'm better as a detective. Look forward to it."

She appeared right at the moment I loathed detectives the most. If reason hadn't held me back, I would have lunged at her.

I force myself to stay calm. I'll counter her with cold flames in my eyes. I must never rely on violence or emotional ranting.

Still, I lied.

"That's impossible."

I simply hadn't found the clue to solve the mystery yet; there was no need to despair. Yet I did despair, and I wanted to hide it.

I didn't want to show weakness to a detective.

"Huh...? But something... your face said 'I can't solve it.'"

"For someone calling herself a detective, you sure miss details. I was just fretting over dinner tonight. Fried shrimp or omurice?"

"Eh...? Not the mystery? Well, whatever. As long as you haven't given up, I'll give you a little info."

"Huh?"

Because I bluffed, she started telling me about the case. No one else is here; only I will profit from this information.

"Remember when I called it the key to victory? I checked what you said and got new evidence. You claimed the culprit got the props for the setup in blood-stained clothes. I looked around—the library, the drama-club warehouse. All were spattered with blood and the doors were smashed."

"...Huh? You only confirmed that?"

While my mind reeled, I somehow kept responding. I wondered why she kept volunteering these findings.

"Not just that. The ball—you remember? The ball warehouse showed no sign of damage anywhere."

"Huh? The ball...?"

"So the culprit saw a ball lying on the field and thought it would work for the setup. Forgotten balls do turn up in corners of the field sometimes."

"How is that the key to victory?"

"Fufufu... The culprit immediately linked the ball with the seer, which means they must know Werewolf pretty well! How's that? A line of reasoning you never thought of, right?"

I started walking briskly past her, hand on my chin, pondering why she acts so flamboyantly.

Then she placed a hand on my collar and tugged my shirt.

"Hey! Wait! Act a little surprised, will you? I've narrowed down the culprit quite a bit!"

I'll make sure she feels humiliated later. When she hears that the female detective already told me who the culprit is, she'll be furious.

"The police just said so on the broadcast. Didn't you hear? They've got a lead on the culprit."

"Wh-what!? That announcement!? Could it be those kids?"

"Huh? Those kids...?"

I'm not interested in detectives, yet I'm interested in information. Even though I'd given up on them moments ago.

I couldn't stop my mouth from moving.

Detective Chikage answered seriously.

"Those kids are Murayama and Urakawa. They're my kouhai."

"Huh? Detective Chikage, you go to this school?"

"Yep, I graduated. I was the computer-club president until two years ago... so I know Mr. Kitsunesaki and Mr. Kanou and everyone."

"I see... Come to think of it, you called Kanbara-senpai 'Kanbara-chan' during your reasoning."

"Right. She dropped by sometimes. And now this. The detective summoned me to explain the school situation."

Melancholy drifted around her. She clearly doesn't see the incident as a game; she's a party to it herself.

Still, still, I can't help but wonder.

"Then why aren't you grieving?"

"Huh?"

"I'm asking why you aren't grieving when someone precious died. How can you stay calm and act like nothing happened and play detective..."

She started looking at her smartphone again. My eyes went wide; I was too stunned to speak. Maybe that was for the best. If I hadn't bottled up my hostility, I'd have showered her with insults.

While I stood frozen, she showed me her screen, lined with icons.

"Because everyone's here."

"Huh?"

"Because I have followers cheering me on. See these icons? They're all followers who expect things from me."

"F-followers? You mean people on SNS?"

"Exactly. Some of them can't forgive the crime. Some sincerely despise the vile act of murder. Some worry whether someone who committed revenge murder can keep on living."

"Ugh..."

"So no matter what happens, I won't break. I'll solve the mystery so we get a happy ending. As much as possible, so others can end happily too."

...I couldn't understand her at all.

Yet the logic sank in. That's why she gave me the information. That's why she'll solve the mystery despite any ethical dilemma.

By pure chance, this detective had encouraged me.

A detective I can't understand. To others she may look flippant, yet she's utterly serious.

But I couldn't accept it honestly and said this instead.

"Hmph. Chasing a happy ending that doesn't exist? Sounds like a happy head to me. I bet some on that SNS just enjoy theorizing. Completely different theories, right?"

"Exactly. That's where I show my skill! I'll sift through them and find the true truth this time. You bring something that can counter it. Let's clash ideas. Then my slightly warped reasoning can be corrected."

"...Sorry. I'm not into getting chummy. I want nothing to do with helping a detective."

"...Eh?"

I can't read her. I still can't trust her. She might even be bribed by the real culprit.

I didn't want to hand over the info I had. Just as I started to run down the hallway to escape her, a cold wind hit my skin. My gaze went to the source—the window. Outside stood a small dojo-like building. Beside it was the girl with wheat-colored skin.

So she's already moved there, I thought. Then sunlight glinted off something in her hand—

A blade.

Silver flashed. I rubbed my eyes, but I wasn't mistaken. A blade.

"Wha—!?"

"Wh-what is it... Hey! Wh-why!?"

Detective Chikage leaned out the window, drawn by my shout. She saw it too.

Without thinking, we bolted for the shoe lockers and dashed out of the building barefoot.