"Two years ago…" Hayashi Shuichi asked, curiosity piqued. "What exactly happened?"
This was the second time today he'd heard about serious incidents targeting girls at Sakuraoka Junior High.
Yukiko Fujimine shook her head. "Yuka, do you know?"
"No clue," Yuka Takahashi replied. "Like you, I've only heard there was something, but I don't know the details."
After some more chit-chat, Yuka said her goodbyes and left.
Past nine in the evening, the izakaya was still bustling when Midori Orikasa pushed through the door.
"Senpai, I found Ruko Nagashima and passed on your message, but she seemed distracted. I'm not sure if she took it in."
"Ruko Nagashima? Who's that?" Kogoro Mouri asked, leaning in curiously.
"She's a girl I saved from a scam this afternoon," Yukiko said smugly.
"Saved by you?" Eri Kisaki raised an eyebrow. "Is there anyone dumber than you out there?"
Yukiko gritted her teeth. "Glasses Girl! Stop picking fights!"
"I'm just stating facts," Eri said, feigning innocence. "How's that picking a fight?"
"Alright, enough," Shuichi cut in, stopping the brewing argument. "Orikasa, what happened?"
"After we parted this afternoon, I took my crew to look for Ruko Nagashima," Midori explained. "We finally found her on the shopping street, heading to a karaoke place with some others."
"Karaoke?" Yukiko frowned. "Wasn't she worried about her health this afternoon? How's she in the mood for singing?"
"I don't think she really wanted to go," Midori shook her head. "She looked reluctant, but since it was her friends, I didn't interfere."
"I pulled her aside and relayed Senpai's warning. She just mumbled that she understood, but then her friends called her, and she hurried back to them."
"Were those friends all girls?" Shuichi asked.
"No, three guys and two girls," Midori recalled. "The girls were from our school, but the guys looked older, probably not students."
"Well, with friends cheering her up, she should be fine, right?" Yukiko said, relieved.
"Friends…" Shuichi's brow furrowed, but he dropped the topic. "By the way, Orikasa, you mentioned those incidents targeting girls at Sakuraoka two years ago. Can you give more details?"
"I don't know much," Midori admitted, thinking back. "I was just a first-year then. Over two weeks, four third-year girls died at school during the night."
"The school reported it to the police, but they found nothing."
"Rumors spread like wildfire. People said a serial killer was targeting girls who stayed late at school."
"To prevent more incidents, the school canceled all after-hours club activities and shooed students out right after classes."
"Things calmed down after three months, and nothing like it has happened since."
"A serial killer…" Yukiko shivered. "That sounds terrifying."
"For such serious cases, even if the police didn't solve them at the time, they'd keep investigating, right?" Eri frowned. "Aren't they worried the killer might strike again?"
"I wouldn't know," Midori shook her head. "The school and police never told us what really happened."
"Inspector Samezaki probably knows something. I'll ask him when I get the chance," Shuichi said with a smile. "Anyway, thanks for your help today, Orikasa."
"It was my fault for jumping in without knowing the situation, causing her to run off," Midori said apologetically. "I was just making up for my mistake. Senpai, it's late, so I'll head home."
After seeing Midori off, Kogoro returned, sighing. "So that's the flower shop girl? She's as pretty as she is badass. Think I've got a shot if I pursue her?"
"You?" Eri rolled her eyes. "Go home and dream about it."
"Huh?" Kogoro blinked, confused. "What's that mean?"
"Big Sis Eri's saying you'll have better luck in your dreams!" Reiko giggled.
"You guys always gang up on me!" Kogoro huffed, turning to his friend. "Shuichi, you've got my back, right?"
"I'd love to, but…" Shuichi said kindly, "Orikasa's a kendo master. The first time we met, she was thrashing three thugs with her wooden sword."
"Also, she runs a delinquent girl gang at Sakuraoka called the Thorn Rose Squad. Rumor has it they've got over a hundred members, all training in kendo under her."
"This afternoon, she and a dozen bike-riding, stick-wielding delinquents surrounded me and nearly jumped me."
"If you're cool with that, go for it."
"Uh, like that, huh?" Kogoro shrank back. "Never mind, then. A thorny rose like her is all yours, Shuichi."
"Kogoro!" Eri snapped, her face darkening.
"Is someone getting jealous?" Yukiko shot Shuichi a sideways glance.
"Big Bro!" Reiko's eyes widened.
"I… I'm gonna greet some customers!" Kogoro, sensing trouble, bolted for the door.
"Oh, we're out of a seasoning a customer ordered," Shuichi said, smacking his forehead. "I'll grab it from the storeroom. Yukiko, you're in charge out here!"
With that, he ducked into the back.
The three remaining girls exchanged looks, silently reaching an unspoken agreement.
The izakaya was crowded enough—no more new faces allowed!
…
The next day, Teitan High School.
During lunch break, Yukiko Fujimine and Yuka Takahashi strolled the campus to walk off their meal.
"Ever since I started eating Shuichi's bento for lunch, I feel like I've been gaining weight these past few days," Yukiko fretted, touching her cheeks. "Yuka, quick, check if I look fatter!"
"Miss High-and-Mighty, it's only been a few days. Even if you gained weight, it wouldn't show yet!" Yuka said, exasperated. "If you're so worried, just stop eating it."
"But Shuichi's cooking is so good," Yukiko whined. "Way better than the cafeteria food…"
(Chapter End)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.