Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

Two and a half weeks had passed since his first meeting with Asami-senpai. Time had flowed by imperceptibly, and looking back now, it seemed like it had happened just yesterday.

Three days after the suicide incident at Yuihara Private High School.

“Today, with heavy hearts…”

The balding teacher in a suit on the stage was speaking on behalf of the school.

Under the vast, empty dome, the atmosphere was solemn and quiet, so silent you could hear a pin drop. Light from outside fell through the skylight grid onto the podium below, creating moderate-sized spots of light in the shadows. The auditorium was filled with students from all grades of Yuihara Private High School.

What was being held in the auditorium was a memorial service for the deceased girl, with everyone maintaining serious expressions. From their highly uniform faces, it was impossible to discern what emotions they held for the deceased.

Among the crowd, the Novelist’s gaze passed over Nogami Sachiyo, who was dressed in black and sitting in the teachers’ section, then quickly looked toward the empty dome.

The “protagonist” of the memorial service was not the girl who jumped off the building yesterday afternoon. She wasn’t even from Yuihara Private High School, but a student from another school.

The girl’s identity was equally delicate—she was the sole survivor from the second mass suicide incident, and so far, the only survivor of the suicide wave. Somehow, she had escaped from the hospital, secretly infiltrated this place, and then, in full view of everyone, leaped from the rooftop of the teaching building, her brains splattering as she died on the spot.

The result was a swarm of media. Naturally, the incident involving Sudou Rika, who had also participated in the mass suicide, could no longer be concealed from the public. After bustling about in confusion, the school leadership of Yuihara Private High School decided to put the previously postponed school assembly and memorial service back on the agenda.

The Novelist rubbed his forehead, feeling a continuous headache from his worries.

Since three days ago, after speaking with Asami-senpai on the rooftop, he hadn’t seen her again. She hadn’t come to the memorial service either.

“I absolutely… won’t let another victim appear. As a detective who has accepted this challenge, I won’t allow any more innocent people to die—”

After making such a cool declaration, yet quickly discovering another victim… no matter how you thought about it, she must have been mentally affected.

However, at that time, Senpai had actually said:

“There shouldn’t have been any oversight, because I had arranged people here too.”

“What? Then why…”

“So, I told you before, didn’t I? ‘The problem is beyond this.'”

When saying this, Asami Yuko’s eyebrows were almost knotted together.

“It’s not just this time. Like how I clearly know where that person is, yet I can’t directly have someone search and question the suspicious subject. Normally, for such major cases, it’s quite common to slightly bypass investigation procedures in terms of methods… but currently, this time we’re facing obstacles from headquarters.”

“Huh? You mean…?”

The Novelist widened his eyes in surprise.

“Yes. I think there are probably people within the police who don’t want the investigation to go deeper.”

Asami Yuko nodded with a gloomy expression.

“Of course, if I had clear evidence in hand, under the pressure from the investigation headquarters, police, and various department leaders, ‘that person’ would absolutely not dare to obstruct.”

But unfortunately, all information about the culprit was currently based on Asami-senpai’s deductions and conjectures.

“That’s why we have to take this passive approach…”

The Novelist understood now.

Originally, after deducing the “background” of the mastermind, Asami Yuko should obviously have adopted a more direct and forceful method; now, due to someone’s covert interference, she could only guess the next move of the opponent and try to prevent it in advance, while hoping to find decisive evidence in the process.

The results were minimal. Although they had prevented the mass rooftop jump, a new death had still occurred. For the currently sensitive and tense situation, this was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.

Afterward, Asami-senpai had said goodbye to the Novelist. And until now, after a full three days, she hadn’t contacted him again. Compared to their close communication during this recent period, this was undoubtedly an unusual change.

“Liang-kun, you seem a bit uneasy?”

The Novelist was startled from his thoughts, somewhat surprised to find that the person who had just spoken to him was Itou Maho, sitting nearby.

It seemed a bit inconceivable that Class Rep, as a representative of the top students, would whisper in such a setting. …However, following rules without being bound by them was also a trustworthy aspect of her.

“What’s wrong? Do you indeed have something on your mind?”

Taking advantage of no one noticing them, Class Rep leaned closer to the Novelist from her chair, tilting her head to ask him. Her smooth hair fell to one side.

“My… a friend of mine is currently trapped in a feeling of helplessness and worry.”

After considering for a few seconds, the Novelist described his concerns in ambiguous terms. A kind inquiry being dismissed with such casual words—she might get angry!

“I see…”

But Class Rep didn’t get angry, nor did she ask for details. Instead, she thought seriously about it.

“Then… has this person given up?”

“Eh?”

“I mean, despite feeling powerless about the current situation, despite constantly worrying… has this person chosen to give up?”

“…No.”

The Novelist shook his head.

His time spent with Senpai wasn’t very long.

But judging from Asami Yuko’s personality, she was unlikely to back down at this point.

No matter what dark and crazy secrets were hidden behind the incident, the detective game wouldn’t end before reaching the truth.

—Moreover, the protagonist could never stop because of such a small matter.

Right now, she must be working hard, continuously striving, persistently moving forward.

The girl seemed to read the answer she wanted from his expression.

“Is that so.”

Class Rep turned her face away.

“Then at this time, the most important thing as a friend, I think, is to stay by that person’s side.”

“…Is that so?”

“Ahaha. Actually, not necessarily… this is from experience. Because I’m quite useless and don’t have anything I’m particularly good at. Most of the time, I’ve always just been cheering for others.”

Class Rep laughed with embarrassment.

It sounded like a rather self-deprecating line.

However, she didn’t show a sad expression despite recognizing her own powerlessness; her face maintained the usual reassuring, calm smile.

“…I understand.”

After a while, the Novelist nodded seriously.