Chapter 2 (h)

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I jump down and so does Satsukawa. I think I have seen enough of this place and its surroundings. In the end you could say that this whole area is pretty much the ideal place for a murder to happen, after 6:00 pm. Not only it would be dark and practically devoid of any students, even the bordering streets would be deserted since nobody has any reason to be near a bunch of abandoned factories.

Whether the murderer came from outside or from inside, it is still a fact that he or she could count on a relatively low chance of being spotted or heard by an occasional witness. There is however the fact that the abandoned shed apparently had been used frequently for months, and the candles may suggest that they gather after dusk. Well, this is not something I can conclude with certainty, that place is so dark that the candles are probably necessary even on a bright day, if the door is closed shut. But at any rate, either Gotsuji was there precisely to meet the people of the abandoned shed, or she knew that they would not be there that day. And in addition the murderer had to know that too if this was planned.

Certainly if this was not planned everything becomes more complicated, but that strange message and the three different fingerprints would suggest otherwise. This murder was planned, and yet many things that were not part of the plan happened. The real question is: what was part of the plan and what was not? Who is involved and how?

Something distracts me from my thoughts. A voice, no... two voices. Two peoples are talking in this isolated place. This is probably completely unrelated to the murder case that I am supposed to solve, but being an innately curious person I just cannot help but wondering who they are and what are they doing.

I look at Satsukawa, he noticed them too. I tell him to keep quiet with the sign language, he frowns, obviously suspicious of my intentions, but for now he is complying.

The voices are coming from behind a structure near the athletic track, they belong to two guys and they seem agitated for some reason. One is dull and sounds really dumb, the other is loud and exaggeratedly dramatic. A change in Satsukawa's expression tells me that he has recognized at least one of them. There aren't really many male students that he should know enough to remember their voices, so I am already getting an idea of who they might be.

Even if I am close enough now to discern what they are saying, I cannot make out the subject of their conversation. They seem to be discussing about something, but their comments aren't articulated enough for me to understand them.

Once I turn the corner I see the broad shoulders of a tall and slender student covered with unusually long hair. In front of him there is an even taller guy, but this one is so massive that he could be mistaken for a sumo wrestler. He notices me.

Kuon: "And that's why, my dear Baba, I regretfully need confiscate them, and may this serve you as a lesson so that you'll refrain from bringing forbidden material to these sacred grounds ever again!"

Baba: "Ah hmmm... Damn you, Kubota! It doesn't end here!"

Kuon: "Rules are rules! If I catch you red-handed again, I fear I'll have to discipline you more severely! Mark my words and repent! Repent!"

Baba: "Hmmm..."

Kuon: "What is it, Baba? Is there a problem? Oh..."

Kubota, the slender guy, turns around and smiles at me. He is holding a suspicious and voluminous bag, which is probably what he just took from Baba.

Kuon: "Oh, but look at who we have here! It's our ever vigilant Satsukawa-dono and the mysterious lady that was with him yesterday! Enchantée, Madame!"

He greets me with an exaggerated western-style bow, and it seems appropriate for me to answer with my signature curtsy.

Erika: "It looks like there are already rumors about me circulating in this school, what a pleasant discovery. But it's a pity I'm only known as a 'mysterious lady'. Allow me to fix that: my name is Erika Furudo, I'm a great detective. As for you, you must be Kuon Kubota, the president of student council."

Kuon: "Unbelievable! Such a splendid lady that I never met before already knows everything about me! While I, so disgraceful of me, couldn't even make the effort to learn her name! Please accept my most deepest apologies!"

I hear Satsukawa groaning, I guess he doesn't really like this guy.

Erika: "It's quite alright, I'm a detective, it's only natural for me to be informed about the persons that are involved in the case I'm investigating. It is more surprising that you know about me."

Kuon: "Ha ha ha ha! I am the president of this fine institution!"

Baba: "You're just the president of the student council..."

Kuon: "Details, my dear Baba! Semantics! What matters is that I have the moral duty to watch over my fellow students and guide them to the right path in our darkest hour! By the way, my dear lady... when you implied that I'm one of the persons involved in the murder case... you meant it in a general sense... right?"

Erika: "Who knows? *giggle* *giggle*"

Baba: "Well, I'm outta here, bye..."

Erika: "Please, stay with us for a little while, Baba. I fear you're involved as much as your friend here."

Baba: "... He's not my friend..."

Kuon: "Ha ha ha ha! My dear lady, you shouldn't say things that might cause misunderstandings!"

Erika: "I see, my bad. So what did I interrupt?"

Kuon: "My fellow companion broke one of this school's rules by bringing here something he should have better left home."

Erika: "And I suppose the forbidden articles are inside that bag."

Kuon: "You're a great detective indeed, my dear lady!"

Erika: "Mind if I take a look, I'm curious."

Kuon: "Ha! A ha ha ha! Forgive my rudeness, but I believe the contents of this bag are not meant for the pure and innocent eyes of a lady such as you!"

Erika: "Hey Dlanor, he just implied I'm innocent and pure, what do you think?"

Dlanor: "..."

Baba: "Uh? Dlanor?"

Erika: "That's her name. She's from England."

Baba: "Heh, no offense, but if they ain't from Japan they ain't for me."

Kuon: "We aren't here to discuss about your fetishes, my dear Baba!"

Baba: "Heh, if you saw my collection of cuties, you'd fall in love with 'em too."

Kuon: "Heresy! There's absolutely no place in my heart for anyone else but... Ha! Ha ha ha! What are you making me saying, Baba? Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Erika: "Ooh? What you were just about to say, Kubota? Please continue."

Kuon: "Nnnooo! No no no! I can't possibly reveal the deepest secrets of my heart! They shall remain hidden under the veil of mystery!"

Satsukawa: "Sigh... are the contents of that bag part of your deepest secrets as well? Because my eyes are neither pure nor innocent, so..."

Kuon: "Oh well! If you put it that way, I guess I've no choice but to disclose that what's inside this bag is a collection of hentai doujinshi, and they're of the most disturbing kind! Traps, futanari, guro, and what not!"

Satsukawa: "Futanari? Guro?"

Erika: "Sometimes ignorance is a bliss, Satsukawa-san."

Baba: "Muhehehe! The chick's a lot less pure and innocent than the cop!"

Erika: "You sure brought a lot of them with you, Baba."

Baba: "Well..."

Kuon: "Aaah! The lust of a boy at the apex of his puberty knows no limits!"

Baba: "Kewl... I need to remember that line..."

Kuon: "Even so, rules are rules! Whatever would happen to human societies if rules weren't respected? As the president of this fine institution..."

Baba: "No, you're just..."

Kuon: "Whatever, my dear Baba! It is my duty to see that these foul publications you've smuggled inside this school will be promptly dealt with! Confiscated!"

Erika: "I see, and what are you going to do with them, Kubota?"

Kuon: "Ha ha ha ha! Nice question, my lady! Of course, I will destroy them, for their very existence is an offense to purity and to all that is good!"

Erika: "Destroy them, uh?"

Kuon: "Of course!"

Erika: "You don't seem to be upset about that, Baba."

Baba: "Uh... whatever, I've got a lot of those still."

Erika: "I see... and you're just fine with that, even though there must be about fifty doujinshi in that bag."

Baba: "It can't be helped..."

Erika: "Ha ha ha ha! Poor Baba! Okay, I'll help you then."

Kuon: "My dear lady! There's no need for you to help such a lowly individual!"

Erika: "Regardless of the man, rules are rules, and we must respect them. Whatever would happen to human societies if rules weren't respected? *giggle* *giggle*"

Kuon: "Nothing would happen! In the end rules are just meant to be broken!"

Erika: "Hey! You're contradicting yourself! And is it really fine for the president of the student council to say that?"

Kuon: "'Omnia munda mundis', my dear lady! It's Latin! It means that everything is right for the righteous!"

Erika: "What a stupid sentence, who the hell said that?"

Kuon: "Julius Caesar!"

Erika: "There's no way he said that!"

Kuon: "Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus!"

Erika: "Did you really memorize his full name?"

Kuon: "Nostradamus!"

Erika: "Now you're being ridiculous..."

Kuon: "I really love the sound of Latin names! They truly are wonderful! So regal, pompous and awe inspiring, just like me! I think I should have a Latin name myself! How about... Kuonus Kubotus Nipponicus?"

Erika: "Stop that already! You're completely evading the subject!"

Satsukawa: "He does that all the time..."

Erika: "What was I saying now? Oh, right! I don't think you have the authority to confiscate a damn thing, and you certainly cannot destroy what substantially belongs to someone else."

Kuon: "What is this trickery?! Are you suggesting that I, Kuonus Kubotus Nipp..."

Erika: "Please, drop that ridiculous name already..."

Kuon: "Are you suggesting that I, Kuon Kubota, do not know which are my God-given rights?!"

Erika: "Precisely."

Kuon: "Unthinkable! Unimaginable! Preposterous!"

Satsukawa: "At the very least I think you should return that bag to Baba when he leaves school. No matter how much questionable the contents are, as long as they aren't illegal, they need to return to their legitimate owner."

Kuon: "Oooh, I see! The laws of the country supersedes the laws of this institute! In that case I'll humbly comply! But as long as we're on these sacred grounds, I'll hold onto this. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have important duties to attend to!"

Erika: "Oh right, 'important duties'. Perhaps you can enlighten me on what exactly these 'important duties' of yours are."

Kuon: "My dear lady! I'd never dare to bore you by recounting such trivial details!"

Erika: "Is that the same thing you said to Meito Oda when all the three of you were supposed to work on a certain assignment? Did you tell him that you had 'important duties' to attend to?"

next->

Chapter 2 (g)

 <-prev

We walk outside and I can finally breathe fresh air again. The stench of that place still haunts me, I hope it didn't get soaked up by my hair and clothes, I hate when that happens.
I wonder if that workplace is really healthy, I don't think it is ventilated enough. The unrefined geeks of that club probably do not care about such details, I doubt any of them has a girlfriend.

Satsukawa: "I'm impressed..."

Erika: "Huh?"

Satsukawa: "It totally blew my mind... how did you know?"

Erika: "How did I know what, exactly?"

Satsukawa: "The fact that the latch of the P.E. shed has been installed by that girl."

Erika: "So you also reached that conclusion despite her denial?"

Satsukawa: "Well... I can't say I'm completely certain, but judging by her reactions I think it's safe enough to assume so."

Erika: "Interesting. What kind of reactions did you notice?"

Satsukawa: "Well, to be precise it's the lack of reactions what I really observed. There are no humans without emotions, only humans that hide them."

Erika: "Very true, but I think she does that on a regular basis."

Satsukawa: "Right, but the less emotions and reactions one shows, the more are the reasons to think he's hiding them."

Erika: "I see, so you realized that whenever Dlanor's questions were bothering her, she became even more silent and still than usual. Not bad, Satsukawa-san, I have a slightly better opinion of you now."

Satsukawa: "Slightly..."

Erika: "So I guess that what you want to know is how come I suspected that from the beginning."

Satsukawa: "Exactly."

I take a look at my surroundings. I need to get a better idea of the school grounds' layout.

Erika: "Let's walk, I'll explain on the way."

Satsukawa: "Sure, where are we going?"

Erika: "Just taking a tour of the school's perimeter."

We begin to walk in the direction of a running track. It's empty, either this school doesn't have an athletic club or today they are practicing elsewhere. Not far from here there is a small baseball field, a few male students are playing what seems to be a training softball match.

Satsukawa: "So, what's your explanation? How did you reason out that Junko Andou was probably involved with the P.E. shed?"

Erika: "Obviously whoever wanted that work to be done needed to do it in secrecy, and it's doubtful that occult freaks would also possess the required skills for such manual labor. When I heard that there was a do-it-yourself club in this school, everything snapped into place."

Satsukawa: "I see... it does follow, but why Andou?"

Erika: "It's just a matter if seeing patterns, Satsukawa-san, there is evidence that only girls are involved with that place. It's clear that our cultist ringleader prefers girls for some reason. Maybe she thinks they are more easily manipulable, maybe she distrusts or hate males, or maybe it's just an arbitrary decision, as in the case where, for some irrational rule of her little circle, only female students must be involved in the private matters of her cult. In the end that's not so strange, secret societies often have sex barriers. Think about Freemasonry, for example."

Satsukawa: "In other words you're claiming that they wanted someone who was part of their 'club' to do the job, because that meant entering in their secret base. However since they lacked the proper competence and skills, they needed to find a suitable member that possessed those. Therefore Junko Andou, the only female member of the do-it-yourself club, was a natural choice."

Erika: "Exactly."

Satsukawa: "But it seems like she's the kind of person that really can't care less about the supernatural, and she claims she told that to Teramoto."

Erika: "I think there's a pretty interesting story behind that, but, whatever happened, in the end they must have reached some sort of agreement. I don't know yet if she lied to us and became part of their group or if they simply made her work for them after making sure she wouldn't talk."

Satsukawa: "It could be, it's not like there's much chance she'd talk either way."

Erika: "Right, she's a girl that can keep her secrets very well hidden."

Satsukawa: "But wait, you didn't explain the most important part."

Erika: "Oh, what still confuses you, Satsukawa-san? *giggle* *giggle*"

Satsukawa: "Why were you so sure that they added the latch themselves? What if it was already there to begin with?"

Erika: "Really, Satsukawa-san? You can't tell?"

Satsukawa: "Did I miss something? Is there a relevant hint that I'm not seeing?"

Erika: "I think it's more correct to say that you're blind to the painfully obvious."

Satsukawa: "Damn... what it is?"

Erika: "I'm not telling you. *giggle*"

Satsukawa: "I guess it's something you noticed by looking at the latch itself... you must've noticed that it was newer than the door."

Erika: "I can't deny that it did look newer, but this is something I was already pretty sure of even before checking the actual site."

Satsukawa: "Is that a trick to confuse me? Even before checking the crime scene you've seen the pictures..."

Erika: "Please, Satsukawa-san, when I want to trick someone I use way more refined techniques. What you just accused me of is nothing but a worthless child play."

Satsukawa: "So in other words you guessed it just by the mere description of the setting?"

Erika: "If it was something that only I noticed and never told to anyone, it wouldn't be fun. Right, Dlanor?"

Dlanor: "The detective must not light on any clues which are not instantly produced for the inspection of the reader."

Satsukawa: "Is that one of the ten Knox's rules?"

Erika: "Correct."

Satsukawa: "You said it wouldn't be fun... Not fair, fun? Is that what Knox's decalogue is meant for?"

Erika: "I imagine that depends on your perspective, for what concerns me it's a matter of fun. It isn't fun if the one who's supposed to solve the riddle thinks that it was impossible to solve when the solution is revealed. It's only fun when he realizes he could and should have solved it... and feels like an idiot about it."

Satsukawa: "I see... So I'm an idiot for not realizing what you did already?"

Erika: "Oh, definitely."

Satsukawa: "I give up... please tell me..."

Erika: "No, I want you to come to the realization of your own stupidity slowly by yourself."

Satsukawa: "That's... very nice of you..."

Erika: "It's a pleasure, literally."

I stop walking. We reached the northern border of the school grounds. Since the Mitsugi Institute's entrance faces south, it means that we are on the opposite side now. Incidentally this is also the side that the crime scene is closer to. A brick fence is running through the whole perimeter, it's about one meter and a half high.

I try to climb on it and I succeed with little effort.

Satsukawa: "Wait! What are you doing?"

Erika: "Can't you see? I Just climbed on the top of this low fence. Not really the best on security, don't you think?"

For some reason Satsukawa decides to join me. He jumps on the top of the fence with a single smooth movement and makes my attempt look awkward in comparison. He is pretty agile, I imagine he trains himself on a daily basis on the off chance he will need to pursue some dangerous criminal or something.

Erika: "Impressive. I see that where you lack in intellect you compensate in brawn."

Satsukawa: "I'll take that as a compliment. Is there any reason we're standing on the top of a fence, anyway?"

Erika: "I just wanted to test how easily climbable this brick wall was. The experiment was successfully completed."

Satsukawa: "Let me guess... you're thinking that anyone could have climbed this fence, including Gotsuji's murderer."

Erika: "To be more precise, I'm thinking that the surveillance camera in front of the main gate is absolutely meaningless and doesn't prove anything."

Satsukawa: "And that means Teramoto and her friends could have slipped inside the school again after they left. Yes, I was already aware of that."

Erika: "The fact that the murderer could be someone who had already left the school grounds doesn't necessarily mean it isn't someone who was still inside. But I think it's important to note that we can't really exclude anyone. How come you never mentioned this?"

Satsukawa: "It must have slipped my mind. Anyway there's always a chance someone managed to get past a fence, unless it's very tight on security."

Erika: "But there are other factors to consider. For example, what's that building over there?"

I point my finger to a huge structure standing on the other side of the street. It runs almost for the whole length of the school grounds. It's in a really bad shape, broken windows, discolored paint, several cracks on the walls on so on.

Satsukawa: "Starting from the opposite side of this street it's all industrial area. That building is an abandoned factory."

Erika: "An abandoned factory, uh?"

Satsukawa: "The last ten years have been quite grim for Japan's economy. This ward was particularly affected by the crisis. I'm no economist but I heard that delocalization is all the rage now. That of course means that in this country there's less demand of factories and blue collar workers as there was in the past."

Erika: "Such a shame. We're no longer doing wonders as we used to after the war and people call it 'grim'. I'm so moved with compassion that I could almost puke."

Satsukawa: "It might not be that bad if you look at the big picture, but for the single persons losing their jobs and the way to support their families it's a tragedy."

Erika: "Satsukawa-san, we're talking about global economies while standing on a fence, maybe we should stop this before someone sees us."

Satsukawa: "Agreed... let's get back down on the school grounds, shall we?"

next->

Chapter 2 (f)

<-prev

We are in front of the building that we were told to go to. This is the place where the do-it-yourself club members perform their activities. This is their workshop, or as Oda called it: this is the "lab".

I can hear strange noises coming from inside, noises of people working with hammers, electric drills and other metal tools. A pungent smell of paint, solvents and other strange chemicals tingles my nostrils.

I open the door wide, without knocking, causing everyone inside to freeze on the spot and to turn their heads toward me.

Erika: "Excuse me for intruding, is this the do-it-yourself club?"

The question is certainly absolutely pointless, the answer is self-evident once you look at the surroundings, but it is a way to start a conversation like any other.

One of the students, probably the president, leaves his station and approaches me. He seems to be a bit distrustful and confused.

Club President: "Yes, this is the do-it-yourself club, can I help you with something?"

Satsukawa: "I'm Keiji Satsukawa from the criminal investigation section, we'd like to make you a few questions."

Erika: "And I'm Erika Furudo, the great detective, pleased to meet you."

Club President: "P-pleased to meet you..."

Erika: "This is a pretty interesting place. Mind if I take a look around?"

Club President: "Uh... sure, there isn't any problem..."

I start moving slowly around the room checking the various tools and the hardware scattered around.

The club members seem to be intimidated by my presence and only pretend to get back to their works. All except one. There is one among them that barely stopped when I made my irruption, and now she doesn't even give signs that she is aware of my presence.

Erika: "I'm positively surprised, this place is very well equipped, looks like a true professional workshop."

Club President: "I'm... very proud of this place. The school provides some basic funds, but we also make money out of our work. We offer repair services to the families living in this ward, and everything that we gain is spent on tools and materials for the club. In a few years it became like this."

Erika: "This must be a pretty popular club."

Club President: "Well... sort of..."

Erika: "No point in being modest. Anyway, I don't seem to see Meito Oda among you."

Club President: "Ah... I see... Well, Oda didn't really came to the club since that day..."

Erika: "What can you tell me about him?"

Club President: "Uh, Oda? Well, he's one of our most talented members, that's for sure. He's very dedicated."

Erika: "I see... hmmm, and what would this tool be exactly?"

Club President: "It's an electrical separator connector."

Erika: "Regarding Oda, what else can you tell me about him?"

Club President: "Hmmm... it's not like we're really friends or anything."

Erika: "I never assumed so."

Club President: "Well... he's a bit grumpy... you know, the kind of guy who always seems to be in his bad day. He he..."

Erika: "He doesn't socialize much with the other members?"

Club President: "Uh, Oda? It's not like he's really introverted, I think... But he's pretty serious when he works and he's a bit... unapproachable. Some of us think he's a bit scary, he's quite a big guy and we heard he gets in fights frequently."

Erika: "Scary?"

Club President: "Ah, I don't mean that in a bad way... maybe just a bit..."

Erika: "What's this?"

Club President: "That's a nibbler."

Erika: "You haven't met Oda at all on the day of the crime?"

Club President: "No, he didn't come here. I heard he's been punished."

Erika: "You didn't see him fighting with Baba?"

Club President: "Ah, no, I wasn't there. It looks that half the school was though, I heard the stories..."

Erika: "What the rumors are?"

Club President: "The only rumors I heard is that Baba was up to no good as usual, and that he's been confronted by Azuma from the female basket club. All the girls in my class were talking about her..."

Erika: "And how did Oda enter in the picture?"

Club President: "I'm not sure... I only heard that he and Baba got in a scuffle soon after that."

Interesting.

Erika: "So you don't know why Oda attacked Baba?"

Club President: "I don't really care, it's not like it matters. Those two are always at each other's throat."

Erika: "Oh, what's this interesting instrument?"

Club President: "That's a micrometer."

Erika: "Do you really need something like this?"

Club President: "No... but it's cool to have it..."

Erika: "I see. Then you and Oda never talked that much?"

Club President: "Well no, not really. We talk a lot about club stuff. This isn't just a place where we work, this is a place where we learn. Everyone has something to teach to and learn from others. Naturally the new members must be followed closely in the beginning. But even they after a while can develop interesting ideas on how to perform certain works."

Erika: "I suppose that Oda, being one of your most dedicated members, has a lot to teach."

Club President: "Well, sure... but he learns too."

Erika: "Who's the most skilled here?"

Club President: "Ah, that'd be me!"

Erika: "Honestly?"

Club President: "No... okay, if I really had to pick one... I'd say Andou..."

Erika: "Junko Andou?"

Club President: "Wha... yeah... you know her?"

She must have heard me calling her name, but she didn't react at all. What an interesting person.

Erika: "This doesn't seem to be the place where you'd expect to find a girl."

Club President: "Ha ha ha... indeed! But it's not like we have ban on women or something. In fact we're very proud of our Andou."

He gets a little closer and adds whispering.

Club President: "She's an oddball, but she's fine... I think..."

Erika: "Thank you, I think I'll have a little chat with her now, if you don't mind."

Club President: "Uh... oh! Yes... sure! Please..."

I leave this awkward guy to his own uncertainties and move closer to the real reason I came to this place. Even when I am barely two steps away from her, she keeps working on her project, seemingly without noticing me.

I seriously doubt she isn't aware of my presence, I guess it is more like she doesn't want to notice me. The club president warned me that she is a weirdo. I can tell at first glance that she really is. Something is very strange about this girl. To say it with a few words, she really seems to live on a different planet.

Erika: "Hello, Andou, my name is Erika Furudo, I'm investigating the case concerning the death of Hitomi Gotsuji. I'd like to have a few words with you."

I wait a few seconds for an answer, but I get none, not even a reaction. She is still focused on her work. This is a lot worse than I thought.

Erika: "You don't mind if I ask you a few questions, right?"

Nothing. There's no connection.

Erika: "Hellooo?"

Junko: "I heard you."

Well, at least I have confirmed that she can understand and speak my language. She isn't really bothering looking at me or stopping tinkering with her project. Come to think of it, what exactly is she working on? I decide to ask.

Erika: "That's quite an interesting thing you're doing, do you mind explaining what it is?"

Finally, she stops.

Junko: "It's an old stereo. I repaired it. I'm adding a remote control."

Erika: "Eeeh? You can do things like that?"

She nods.

At least now she is facing my general direction, I am not sure what exactly she is looking at though.

Erika: "Is working on electronics the only thing you can do?"

She shakes her head.

Junko: "I can do anything. Mechanical improvements too."

I can only see half of her face, a bang is covering the other half. Doesn't that hinder her?

Erika: "Nice tool belt, by the way."

Junko: "..."

What is she looking at?

Erika: "So you don't just limit yourself to repair stuff, you like to improve them."

She nods.

Erika: "What do you..."

I stop, and I finally realize. She is looking at Dlanor, straight into her eyes. This is amazing, did she just recognize a kindred soul in another equally silent character? Oh well, this could be pretty interesting. I guess I will let Dlanor handle her then. I don't need to say aloud what I think to my faithful companion, we can understand each others without words.

Dlanor: "Miss Andou, do you recognize what Miss Erika is holding in her hand?"

You are way too direct, Dlanor. Anyway at this point it doesn't matter, I bring what I am holding closer to Andou's face so she can see it clearly.

Junko: "... Screw."

Dlanor: "Miss Erika just took it from one of the boxes there."

Junko: "..."

Dlanor: "Is this the kind of screws you normally use for appliances?"

She shakes her head.

Junko: "Too big."

Dlanor: "What is this commonly used for?"

Junko: "Furniture. Carpentry."

Dlanor: "Is this the kind of screws you would use to fit a lock on a door?"

Junko: "..."

Erika: "Would you mind answering Dlanor's question, Andou? *giggle*"

She nods.

Dlanor: "Do you know how to do that kind of works too?"

She nods.

Dlanor: "Would you also be able to install a latch on a door, if asked?"

The room is now completely silent. Everyone is watching us, holding their breath.

Junko: "I can do it."

Dlanor: "Did you ever do that before?"

She nods.

Erika: "Where?"

Junko: "Home."

Not the answer I was expecting, but this is fun. Let us play a bit more with her.

Dlanor: "Do you know who Miss Maaya Teramoto is?"

She nods.

Dlanor: "Did she ever approach you?"

She nods again.

Dlanor: "What did she ask?"

Junko: "Talking. Occult."

Dlanor: "Are you and Miss Teramoto in good terms?"

She shrugs.

Junko: "I don't believe. I told her."

Erika: "Ha ha ha! How did she take that?"

Junko: "... Not good."

Dlanor: "Did Miss Teramoto or one of her friends bother you?"

Junko: "..."

Dlanor: "Were you commissioned a work from Miss Teramoto or from any of her friends?"

Silence again. She is practically frozen on the spot, like a statue. It is very difficult to guess what is going on on her mind. We wait for her answer and after a few seconds she shakes her head.

Dlanor: "Did you ever work on the abandoned P.E. storage's door?"

She shakes her head.

Dlanor: "Were you the one that installed the latch on that door?"

Again, she silently denies it.

Dlanor: "Are you aware that the screws used to install that latch are identical to the one Miss Erika is holding in her hand?"

I wonder what Satsukawa is thinking at this moment. He didn't dare to say a thing for the whole time, but I can tell he wasn't really expecting this conversation.

Andou doesn't seem like she wants to answer or comment the last question.

Dlanor: "Are you aware of the method they used to open and close the latch from outside?"

She flinched! It was almost an imperceptible movement, but she flinched!

Oh, you didn't really expect that we would know that much, right, Andou?

Still, this girl is amazing. She isn't sweating, she isn't making any nervous movements, she is almost impossible to read. She isn't even alive, she is like a robot! But how much would I pay if I could just check how fast her little heart is beating at this very moment! What would I give, if I could tear that small chest open and see it with my own eyes!

Junko: "I don't know."

Erika: "A smart girl like you. How disappointing! *giggle* *giggle*"

Dlanor: "Did you know the victim? Did you know Miss Hitomi Gotsuji?"

She shakes her head.

Dlanor: "You must know Mister Oda. Did you never see him with the victim?"

Junko: "I've seen her. Never talked."

Erika: "What do you think about Oda? He's your senpai, right?"

Junko: "..."

I am getting tired of this girl, it is really a pain to make her talk. She is not worth my time anyway, I have already learned what I wanted.

Erika: "Let's go, Dlanor, we're done here."

Dlanor: "As you wish, Miss Erika."

Erika: "Ah, everyone, sorry for this interruption. You can feel free to return to your works, we'll be leaving now."

Satsukawa is strangely silent. It seems he is considering carefully everything that was said during the recent conversation. He just follows me without saying a word, I guess he is probably holding his questions until we are alone. But right when we are just about to leave, something reaches my ears and freezes me on the spot. It was barely perceptible, but I am sure I heard Andou's voice.

I turn around and I notice she is facing my general direction. She is not exactly looking at me, but I suppose that given her character that's the best she can do.

Erika: "Did you say something, Andou?"

Junko: "Liar."

Erika: "Uh?"

Junko: "Oda... is a liar."

I can't help but smile impishly. What kind of dirty story is there behind that affirmation? I want to know more, I want to know what kind of grudge this strange girl is holding against Oda. A liar, she said. It could have several different implications. Does that mean that Oda isn't telling the truth about something important? If so, everything that he told me could require an attentive reanalysis from my part. But unless he is a very good actor, I can't really see that guy willingly lying. Then there could be a completely different explanation, such as in the case he didn't even realize he lied. Didn't I know someone exactly like that? And hasn't he been called a liar... too? Uh...

Uh...

Why?

Uh...

Huh?

Satsukawa: "...Erika? Erika?!"

Erika: "Uh?"

Satsukawa: "What's wrong?"

Erika: "Is something the matter?"

Satsukawa: "You spaced out... and you became pale all of a sudden."

Erika: "I was just reflecting. Did I really space out?"

Andou is no longer facing me, she is back in her own world, completely isolated from everyone and everything else. She has no eyes but for her project now.

Satsukawa: "Hmmm, what do you want to do?"

I take another uncertain glance at Andou. Bah, I guess I have lost my chance at this point, but it is all right. She is not going anywhere.

Erika: "Let's go, Satsukawa-san, we have much to do still."

He shrugs and smiles at me.

Satsukawa: "As you wish... Erika."

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