【020】Certainty

【Inoue Reina】

What if. Just hypothetically.

There’s a murder case.

The culprit is perfectly identified.

That intuition has happened several times in my life, a certain identification. In fact, that intuition was correct. I can assert in my heart that this intuition is also correct.

The murder happened.

The culprit surfaces.

But I don’t understand the motive.

I really, truly don’t understand.

That’s where I am now.

It’s the very thing dulling my intuition.

The flow wasn’t good.

So much so that I’m doubting myself, wondering if this intuition might be wrong.

The Tanaka Akio murder case.

That student, Nakano Nanaka.

I believed she was the culprit.

The decisive blow of conviction was Takahashi Mika’s behavior. Takahashi Mika is apparently Nakano Nanaka’s best friend. She might also suspect that Nakano Nanaka is the culprit. Because they’re best friends, she’s suffering from conflict.

However, whatever Takahashi Mika’s reason for protecting her.

There’s no doubt that Nakano Nanaka was the one who spread the rumors about the groping incident.

But here too, questions arise.

Spreading rumors about the groping incident was to isolate Tamura Misaki. But in reality, their relationship has deepened abnormally… What does that mean?

I don’t understand. There’s so much I don’t understand.

Because of the groping incident rumors, Tamura Misaki is being bullied. Because of the bullying, he’s rumored to be Tanaka Akio’s murderer.

If this entire chain of events was created by her hands…

It’s terrifying just to think about.

Who is Nakano Nanaka?

Excellent conduct. Outstanding grades. Popular at school.

Everything that comes up when I investigate is only that she’s excellent.

Just who is she?

That’s why, today.

I decided to make contact with Nakano Nanaka.

To confirm my intuition.

【Nakano Nanaka】

Hehe, hehehe. Hehehe.

I can’t stop smiling.

Another day begins. I wake up before sunrise and prepare breakfast.

I’ve been in a really good mood lately.

Today’s breakfast is an omelet. I’ve made it so many times I can do it while humming. Once breakfast is ready, I get myself ready. I’m in a good mood today, so let’s do twin tails. I tie them low so they don’t look too cutesy.

I stand in front of the glass once and check myself.

“All right!”

I packed the breakfast, left my room, and stood in front of the door next to mine. I rang the doorbell.

Ding-dong, a high-pitched sound.

Belatedly, I heard footsteps.

The door opened.

“Good morning, Nanaka-san.”

“Good morning, Misa-kun!”

My boyfriend is so cool today too!!

Sleepy eyes. Bedhead sticking up. Pajamas worn loosely… A feast for the eyes.

“Sorry, I overslept a bit…”

“No, it’s fine! I’ll wait.”

“Thanks. Ah, it’s cold, so come inside.”

This conversation. Don’t you think it’s already beyond a commuting wife?

I can feel happiness from just this one conversation.

—Throb.

Ow… It’s been happening a lot lately.

“Nanaka-san?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Really, it’s nothing.

◇

“Did something good happen?”

“Huh?”

During lunch break, Mika said that to me.

Oops, my happy aura was showing unconsciously.

“Uh, d-does it look like it?”

“Yeah. Could it be with that person?”

Mika is sharp as always.

“Yeah. Actually, we started dating.”

“I see.”

That response was a bit delayed.

I felt something off about Mika. I wonder why—her expression seemed a bit strained.

Mika’s gaze focused on one point.

It was directed at my neck. The necklace glittering at my neck.

“That necklace…”

“Ah, yeah. We bought matching ones.”

Good eye. It’s couple-like, and I liked it. But after hearing about the necklace, Mika stood up.

“Mika?”

“Sorry, bathroom.”

“Ah, okay…”

Mika said that and left the classroom.

I wonder what that was.

I feel really uneasy.

Am I being avoided? Why?

I can’t shake this feeling like I’m missing something critical.

Could it be.

No, that’s not necessarily true.

Let me keep that in the corner of my memory for now.

I decided that when I saw Mika’s face when she returned.

◇

I’m running a bit late.

It’s because of committee work.

I promised to eat dinner with Misa-kun today. But I’m late. That other class representative… what was his name again? He’s completely useless at work. He’s really all talk. If he has time to chat with me, I wish he’d do his job.

Anyway, I need to get home quickly.

“Um, you’re Nakano Nanaka-san, right?”

Someone stopped me.

Of all times…

Who’s stopping me?

“That’s right.”

I answered as I turned around.

I perfectly suppressed my expression and agitation.

But when I saw that person, I was surprised inside.

Inoue Reina… Sergeant.

Criminal Investigation Division, the woman called a detective.

Inoue Reina looked at me and said:

“Do you have a moment?”

【Inoue Reina】

She’s such a beautiful girl, I thought.

She must be popular at school.

But in her behavior, I don’t sense her being aware of that. Even that gesture is beautiful.

In a way, she’s somewhat artificial.

“I’m in a bit of a hurry today. Could we schedule this for another day?”

Nakano Nanaka shows a perfect response.

Even in front of a detective, she doesn’t show any signs of being flustered. That only strengthened my suspicion.

I anticipated she’d respond that way.

“I really need just a little time. Could you talk with me?”

“I understand. Then, shall we move somewhere? It’s odd to have a conversation standing on the street like this.”

Nakano Nanaka says as if it just occurred to her.

“There’s a small park near here. Shall we go there? There’s a bench where we can sit and talk.”

Dangerous.

I feel like I’m losing control of the pace.

She’s very composed for her age.

“Let’s do that.”

Now, this is the real battle.

I’ll expose what’s beneath that beautiful girl facade.