Chapter CXXIV: Back to School, Part 2
Footsteps echo across the hallway. The corridor outside the Basic Education Department is unusually quiet. Most students remain inside their classrooms as the afternoon lessons continue. Sunlight filters through the windows, casting long rectangular patches of gold across the polished floor. Honoka Shirogane and Reo Momogawa follow closely behind Ms. Soumei, or rather Akiko and Kota beneath their disguises. Neither of them speaks. The mysterious summons has left both curious. Ms. Soumei eventually reaches the faculty room and places her hand on the doorknob. She glances backward.
"Ready?"
Reo scratches his cheek.
"For what exactly, Sir?"
Ms. Soumei smirks.
"Answers."
The door opens. Immediately, the familiar scent of coffee greets them. Inside the faculty room sit several familiar faces. In separate desks are Mr. Amane, Dr. Yamada, Ms. Ezura, Mr. Nashi, and Principal Fukushu. The principal is currently holding a mug of coffee while reviewing several documents spread across his desk. The moment he notices the two students entering, he smiles.
"Ah."
He carefully sets down his coffee.
"Just the students we need."
Principal Fukushu lifts the mug slightly.
"This coffee is in good taste, by the way."
He looks toward Mr. Amane.
"Thank you."
Mr. Amane shrugs casually.
"It's alright, Sir."
He leans back in his chair.
"There are plenty more in my house."
Then he grins.
"And just one call away from Ilocos, Philippines."
Principal Fukushu chuckles.
"I might take you up on that offer."
Akiko and Kota exchange confused looks. Neither understands what exactly is happening.
"What is going on?" Reo finally asks.
Honoka nods.
"Also..."
She glances around the room.
"Ms. Ezura? Mr. Nashi?"
The two former faculty members immediately look toward her.
"I thought you two weren't working here anymore."
Ms. Ezura laughs softly. Before either Akiko or Kota can react, she walks forward and pulls both into a warm hug.
"Hello lovebirds, long time no see." (Ms. Ezura)
Akiko smiles. Kota nearly loses balance. Meanwhile Mr. Nashi approaches from behind. Instead of hugging them, he casually places a hand atop their heads, and pat their heads. Then, he grabs both wigs and lifts them off. For several seconds the room sees the real Kota and Akiko. Akiko gasps.
"Mr. Nashi!" (Akiko)
"What?" (Mr. Nashi)
"What if somebody sees?" (Kota)
Mr. Nashi waves dismissively.
"C'mon."
He points around the room.
"It's not like anyone here is the culprit spying on us."
That earns several chuckles. Mr. Amane folds his arms.
"Kota, Akiko."
Both immediately look toward him.
"As long as you're inside this faculty room..."
His voice becomes reassuring.
"...you are safe."
A brief silence follows.
"There are no spies inside."
He pauses.
"In fact, Assistant Principal Tomaru is still on leave."
The statement immediately relaxes both students. A weight seems to leave their shoulders. At least there is one place inside the school where they can breathe freely.
Setting down his eyeglass cases, Dr. Yamada clears his throat. Everyone turns toward him. The doctor adjusts his glasses.
"I'm here because I learned what those two hooligans did to both of you."
His voice carries genuine concern. Kota and Akiko listen carefully. Dr. Yamada continues.
"I support this investigation completely and extensively."
His expression hardens.
"And whoever the mastermind is..."
A pause.
"...I sincerely hope they rot inside jail."
Nobody disagrees, not even slightly. Mr. Amane gestures toward his desk.
"Come here, I got something to show both of you"
The two students approach. A laptop sits open. Several files are already prepared. Mr. Amane clicks one, and a video begins playing. The familiar footage appears, and it's the footage from Claris street near the convenience store. The setting is nighttime, and illuminated by streetlights. It's the CCTV recording. Akiko immediately recognizes it.
"So this is the other footage."
Mr. Amane nods. The video continues where Homura and Eloise are standing near the convenience store, wearing dark hoodies, and drinking bottled water. They appear to be waiting for something. Then, the white van arrives with no visible license plate. The side door opens, and both enter. The vehicle drives away instantly.
Mr. Amane pauses the footage, then brightens the image.The driver's face becomes slightly visible. Not completely nor enough for certainty. But enough to raise questions.
"The identity remains uncertain."
He zooms further.
"However..."
His finger points toward the screen.
"...the silhouette almost matches one of our staff members."
The room becomes quieter. Mr. Nashi folds his arms.
"In fact..."
He glances toward Akiko and Kota.
"...he's the one currently on leave."
Neither student needs further explanation. Both already know exactly who he means. The possibility has crossed their minds before. And hearing the adults reach the same conclusion sends chills through them. Ms. Soumei suddenly walks forward carrying her tablet.
"There's more."
Several images appear. The old administration building with dust-covered hallways, the abandoned classroom then the map entitled Operation: Kouhai with large arrows, school routes, train routes, and annotations. Next image is their photographs, their faces crossed out by enormous red X marks. Akiko's expression immediately darkens. Then another image and it's the small black jacket resting atop the staircase railing. Too small for either of them.Ms. Soumei watches their reactions.
"What do you think?"
Akiko studies every photograph carefully. Kota does the same. Several moments pass. Then Akiko speaks.
"The map."
She points.
"The handwriting feels deliberate."
Kota nods.
"And the red X marks."
His eyes narrow.
"Those aren't random."
Another pause, then both reach the same conclusion.
"This really looks like Homura and Eloise."
The room remains silent. Then one by one, everyone nods. The confirmation helps more than anyone expected. They finally have validation from the people who know the suspects best. Principal Fukushu folds his hands atop his desk.
"Our internal investigation is continuing."
Kota blinks.
"Internal?"
The principal nods.
"A group inside Class 3-A is helping monitor certain activities."
Akiko and Kota exchange confused glances. Neither knows who exactly is carrying out that investigation. They know their classmates. But they have no idea who among them has been quietly helping the faculty. The mystery remains. Mr. Amane continues.
"The operation itself will require patience."
He opens another file.
"We're observing first."
"Observing?" Akiko asks.
The teacher nods.
"Eloise is already within reach."
A pause.
"She's relatively easy to monitor."
Then his expression becomes serious.
"Homura is the bigger concern."
Everyone understands why. Homura remains elusive, unpredictable, and difficult to track. Mr. Amane closes the laptop.
"Still."
He smiles slightly.
"Your confirmation helps tremendously."
The room feels noticeably lighter. Principal Fukushu stands. The principal's presence immediately commands attention.
"I promise both of you."
His voice is calm, steady, and firm.
"We will do everything possible to bring justice."
The conviction in his words is impossible to doubt. For the first time since returning from Sendai, Kota and Akiko feel that the adults truly have control of the situation. Eventually the meeting concludes. Akiko carefully puts her white wig back on. Kota adjusts his pink wig.
Within moments, Honoka Shirogane and Reo Momogawa return. The disguises are complete once more. Ms. Ezura laughs.
"You two still look ridiculous."
"Thank you," Kota replies.
"That wasn't a compliment." (Akiko)
"It sounded like one." (Ms. Ezura)
The room erupts into laughter. Eventually goodbyes are exchanged with waves, smiles, and encouraging words. Then the two disguised students leave the faculty room. The door closes behind them and they return to Class 3-A.
The moment they enter the classroom, predictable chaos greets them. Asahi and Enmei are currently arm wrestling atop a desk. Toshiro, Katsu, Tengen, and Hanako have gathered around. Gin sits nearby, completely uninterested. A falling block puzzle game occupies his phone screen.
"Come on!"
Enmei grunts.
"I am!"
Asahi responds. Their hands tremble, neither willing to surrender. Then, the classroom door opens. Both immediately look. The distraction proves fatal. Asahi slams Enmei's hand onto the desk, and immediate victory.
"YES! IRON HANDS BABY!" (Asahi)
"NO FAIR!" (Enmei)
Several classmates laugh. Gin never looks up from his game.
"Skill issue." (Gin)
"WHO ASKED YOU?!" (Asahi and Enmei)
Honoka and Reo take their seats. Asahi immediately rolls his chair closer.
"What happened?"
Reo lowers his voice as the explanation begins. He explains what they went through or did at the faculty, showcasing of evidences, footage, observations, the operation, and the possible staff connection. Asahi listens carefully. By the time the explanation finishes, a grin appears on his face.
"That's actually good news."
Gin finally looks up.
"Progress."
Natsuki nods.
"Finally."
For the first time in weeks, everyone feels that the investigation is moving forward. Then, the classroom door opens again. Ms. Soumei enters. Everyone immediately returns back to their proper seats. The teacher glances around, then smiles.
"Alright class, since you're already have finished your Physic class, Class is dismissed."
Silence, and several students blink.
"That's it?" Enmei asks.
"That's it. The curriculum speaks for itself." (Ms. Soumei)
The classroom explodes into celebration.
Not long afterward, the familiar group finds themselves inside Whatevs Cafe at the old mall. The place remains as lively as ever. Arcade machines flash. Pool balls collide. Music plays softly through overhead speakers. The group immediately claims a billiards table. The first match begins. Asahi sinks a ball and celebrates. Then accidentally scratches on the next shot. Everyone laughs.
Meanwhile, Gin dominates another round. Natsuki somehow defeats several arcade games with frightening efficiency. Enmei loses repeatedly yet spectacularly. Reo and Honoka spend much of the afternoon laughing for once. No disguises feel heavy, no investigations dominate every conversation, and no fear lingers. Just friends having fun and no suspicions.
Back at Shinomiya High School, a classroom door finally opens. Eloise Murasaki steps inside, slowly and painfully after surviving what feels like the longest battle of her life against diarrhea. The room is now completely empty. No more students, no teacher, and nobody. Eloise stares.
"...What."
The silence answers. She checks the clock, then the room and the clock again. Realization dawns, and class is over. Everyone has already left. A long sigh escapes her lips. Without another word, she grabs her bag. And begins the long walk home, completely unaware that while she spent the afternoon fighting her stomach, the people investigating her moved one step closer to the truth.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdYnd4rEQb
and then Add to home screen.