Audition results would come later via a call from the crew.
Kurazumi Kyouko, grateful for Hayashi Shuichi's encouragement, insisted on treating them to lunch.
Fujimine Yukiko wanted to bond with her new friend. "Shuichi, you okay with that?"
Hayashi Shuichi checked the time—past noon, lunchtime.
His alibi at home should hold. Even if Hii Eri returned during lunch break, she'd likely notice nothing amiss.
He nodded in agreement.
…
Meanwhile, at Teitan High, it was lunch break.
With Hayashi Shuichi absent, Mouri Kogoro, without a bento, planned to eat at the cafeteria with Hii Eri.
But when he turned to call her, her seat was empty.
"Where's Eri?"
He asked a classmate sitting in front of her.
"Eri-san bolted right after class," they replied. "She seemed in a rush."
Ugh…
Mouri Kogoro facepalmed.
He knew where she'd gone.
That morning, they'd noticed not only Hayashi Shuichi but also Fujimine Yukiko was absent.
Their homeroom teacher, Murakami Yui, said Fujimine Yukiko took leave for an audition.
Mouri Kogoro thought nothing of it, assuming Yukiko was set on an acting career.
But Hii Eri sensed something off.
Yukiko was auditioning, and on the same day, Hayashi Shuichi, who'd never been sick in years, took a sick day.
Too coincidental!
When Eri shared her suspicions, Mouri Kogoro was skeptical.
"This morning, Shuichi looked flushed, like he had a fever," he scratched his head. "Eri, aren't you overthinking?"
"Shuichi's got plenty of tricks. That sick act might be fake," Eri frowned, trusting her gut.
"True or not, we'll check this afternoon," Mouri Kogoro shrugged. "Can't just leave now—security's at the gate."
Eri didn't respond, but her actions now showed she'd made up her mind.
With their trio down to one, Mouri Kogoro headed to the cafeteria alone.
He suddenly missed Ruri. Back in middle school, when the trio split, Ruri was always there.
Now, with Shuichi and Eri gone, he was on his own.
…
As Mouri Kogoro guessed, the moment lunch break hit, Hii Eri left the classroom and school.
Though security guarded the gates, barring students from leaving during class hours, Eri, the model student, easily got a permission slip from a teacher.
Leaving Teitan High, she hurried to the Mouri family's building.
Twenty minutes later, she reached the second floor, unlocking the door with her key.
She went straight to Hayashi Shuichi's bedroom. The door was locked, unyielding.
Despite their closeness, Eri only had the apartment's main key.
"Shuichi! Shuichi…"
She called out twice. No response. With a cold huff, she started toward the third floor to get a key from Mrs. Mouri.
Then, a coughing voice came from the bedroom. "Who?"
"Shuichi, it's me!"
Hearing her childhood friend, Eri sighed in relief. Good, he wasn't out fooling around with that vixen Yukiko.
"Shuichi, you feeling better?" she asked, concerned. "Open the door, let me check on you."
After a pause, Hayashi Shuichi's voice replied, "I'm fine, just a slight fever. Not too bad. I'll rest and be okay."
"I won't open the door—don't want to pass this to you."
"Go back to class. Don't fall behind."
The room went silent, as if Hayashi Shuichi had fallen asleep.
Eri wanted to check on him but didn't want to disturb his rest.
After hesitating, she decided to follow his advice and return to school.
Locking the second-floor door, she was about to leave when Mrs. Mouri came down from the third floor, carrying a tray of food.
Seeing Eri, Mrs. Mouri teased, "So worried about Shuichi you ran back from school?"
"Shuichi rarely gets sick. I was worried it was serious…" Eri's cheeks flushed as she explained. "Auntie, I'll head back now."
"You two are so close," Mrs. Mouri smiled. "Even sick, Shuichi's thinking of you, worried you'd skip class to check on him. And here you are."
Eri's heart fluttered, her smile barely hidden.
She was about to play coy when Mrs. Mouri added, "But this cold seems bad. Earlier, when I checked on him, he didn't even recognize my voice—thought I was you."
"…Auntie, what?" Eri's mind raced. "You said Shuichi mistook you for me?"
"Yeah," Mrs. Mouri chuckled. "He told me to go back to class. Thought I was you."
Eri froze, replaying Shuichi's earlier response. Her face darkened.
"Sick people need to eat to recover faster. I was worried he'd go hungry, so…" Mrs. Mouri stopped, noticing Eri's expression. "Eri, you okay?"
"I'm fine, Auntie," Eri gritted her teeth. "Let me take the food in."
"Sure," Mrs. Mouri, though puzzled, handed over the tray without prying.
Eri unlocked the apartment again and went inside.
She set the food tray in the dining area, then stood by Hayashi Shuichi's bedroom door, waiting silently.
Three or four minutes later, a voice came from the room. "Who?"
Eri's face darkened, fists clenched. She said nothing, waiting.
The room stayed quiet. Moments later, Hayashi Shuichi's voice repeated, "I'm fine, just a slight fever. Not too bad. I'll rest and be okay."
"I won't open the door—don't want to pass this to you."
"Go back to class. Don't fall behind."
(Chapter End)
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