Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

“By the way, how many people are coming this time?”

“There were fifty who registered online as suicide volunteers, but those who will actually show up… probably won’t exceed ten.”

Asami-senpai had been preparing on multiple fronts since the beginning of the incident, including infiltrating Thick-Brows’ organization and the forum where people arranged volunteer suicides.

In other words, she hadn’t only begun to suspect connections between the suicide cases after receiving the crime announcement from the police.

But Asami-senpai didn’t explain this to the Novelist, deliberately redirecting his questions elsewhere. Even though someone with his intellect would quickly figure it out, she didn’t seem to care.

…Actually, this really has nothing to do with me, the Novelist thought. After all, he was the Detective’s Assistant. Wasn’t he simply supposed to follow behind his partner?

Beneath their feet lay a soft, damp-smelling mat. No sounds came from the closed compartments, making the corridor eerily quiet.

The windows were sealed shut from the outside, thick curtains drawn. Even though it was brilliantly sunny outside, the long hallway connecting the two staircases remained dim, with the main source of light coming from old hanging lamps on the ceiling.

It seemed that there were few daily visitors. Whether due to an atmosphere that couldn’t keep up with the times or the carelessness of the management, this was certainly a secluded corner.

The cleaning staff appeared to be on break, and the only person active was the front desk clerk responsible for registration and watching the door—a young man with a perpetually aggrieved expression who also doubled as the server bringing tea and water to guests.

“According to what was said earlier, does this forum also have connections to previous participants?”

Walking behind the black-haired girl toward the appointed room, the Novelist instinctively lowered his voice as he asked her.

“The group of young people who died by charcoal suicide in the first incident apparently arranged the specific time and location through this forum.”

“…I see.”

The Novelist maintained a thoughtful expression for several seconds.

“We’re here.”

He stopped at the closed door.

“…Something wrong?”

Senpai tilted her head in confusion as she looked at him. She keenly sensed that the Novelist was reluctant to enter and had something on his mind.

“Since this might be related to malicious crimes… no, even if it’s not actually related, in terms of spreading harmful information, shouldn’t that website have been shut down? And those responsible…”

The corners of Asami Yuko’s lips curved slightly upward.

“Mmm, you’re right. That’s exactly it. But our trusted police officers always have various difficulties that are hard for the public to understand…”

As if forcing the Assistant to stop hesitating, the girl decisively pushed the compartment door open.

“Oh my, looks like we have newcomers.”

Accompanied by this strangely familiar line, the interior of the room came into full view.

Seated facing the door was a fashionably dressed, handsome young man with tea-colored hair. He seemed close in age to Miyagi-san, probably a university student or someone who had just started working recently.

However, compared to the others seated in the room, his age already qualified him as an “older brother” figure. Including the Novelist and Asami Yuko, the remaining nine people were all high school students.

“Hello there.”

He greeted the two enthusiastically.

Compared to him, everyone else present appeared gloomy. The oppressive atmosphere was enough to cause stomach pain. Judging from their expressions, regardless of gender, they all emanated a lifelessness inappropriate for their age. Then again, if they were truly enjoying their youth, they wouldn’t so easily participate in such a suspicious gathering!

There might be other reckless fools with abundant curiosity mixed in, but right now, it seemed those idiots were only Senpai and himself…

Perhaps also including this young man taking the lead.

If he wasn’t mistaken, this person was the organizer of the meeting and the administrator of the suicide forum. His pupils were bright and lively, filled with enthusiastic sparkle.

After a polite nod, the Novelist and Asami Yuko went to the sofa, wiped one side with napkins, picked up cigarette butts from the cracks and threw them away, then carefully sat down in the gaps. In the dim light, countless dust particles floated like tiny planets in the boundless universe.

The glass table in front of the sofa was similarly coated with a thin layer of dust, while the wallpaper had yellowed and curled slightly at the corners, giving off an oily, dirty hue. This environment was truly uninviting, but fortunately, neither he nor Asami-senpai were clean freaks.

After sitting down, Asami-senpai moved closer, their shoulders touching and leaning against each other. Mimicking the high school couple sitting opposite, she leaned toward the young man’s ear and whispered.

“Assistant-kun, this guy looks really frivolous.”

“…Mm.”

“Just like those nightclub hosts you see on TV shows.”

“Mm, remember to keep your voice down when saying bad things so he doesn’t hear.”

“Assistant-kun, this guy seemed like he was trying to peek at my thighs when I sat down.”

“That won’t do.”

We’ll have to teach him a lesson later.

“Well then, looking at the numbers, everyone seems to be here. Shall we begin?”

The frivolous man clapped his hands and displayed a kind smile. His voice, like his wandering gaze around the room, was soft and gentle, as if specially trained.

“I’m the administrator who invited you all here. Just call me ‘Jin.’ So, let’s start with self-introductions? Like your personal reasons… Ah, of course! If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. You don’t need to mention your name, age, identity—say whatever you want!”

Finally, under the young man’s inexplicable enthusiasm, the exchange among these suicidal youths began with reluctant words.

After a few brief exchanges, the atmosphere in the room became oppressive and unbearable again. Being poor at expressing themselves and communicating with others was perhaps their common trait.

…Of course, this wasn’t certain. Similar to homicide, suicide cases were typically impulsive actions.

“So, how do you all plan on dying?”

Jin had anticipated this, so he showed no disappointment or dissatisfaction. At this point, his expression finally turned serious, apparently ready to get straight to the main topic.

“Nothing too flashy or it’ll attract attention, right?”

After a moment of silence, someone tentatively offered a suggestion. It immediately received approval.

“Ah, exactly! That’s right. Also, I should mention that between this afternoon and evening, the staff here won’t come in unless something unexpected happens. I’ve already arranged it.”

Jin revealed a sly smile.