Episode 10 "An Argument Over a Key -- A Move Closer to the Real Killer" - "Shaken by the Waves, That Day's Courage"

-- Shocking testimony from a retired student.

I saw Mr. Kurokawa arguing with a student, saying, 'Give me back the key.

We (Kohei Aizawa, Tomoki Otani, and Hinata Tachibana) got this information,

I was excited at the thought that I might be able to find a new clue to the surfboard theft case.

At the same time, captain Akira Shinoda, a senior, is on the verge of running out of time to qualify for the Inter-Highs.

His leg injury is unlikely to heal, and he himself suffers from doubts about his advisor, Dr. Shuji Kurokawa.

If the "real culprit" with the key is revealed, it would clear the doubts about the teacher and possibly bring the board back.

Now is the time to make a move to change the atmosphere of the department at once.

The truth must be close at hand."The following is a list of the most common problems with the

With such anticipation and anxiety,

We set out to search for the "member who had been arguing with the teacher.

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1. whereabouts of suspicious club members

After school, before showing up at the surf club,

Otani picked out several "likely targets".

'The guys who didn't show up the other night when Shinoda-senpai collapsed: ......
　And a student who may have bumped into a teacher: ......
　Then, I suspect A-kun, B-kun, and C-kun."

I know it sounds like I'm not naming names, but I'm pretty sure those three haven't been coming to club activities lately."

Hinata agrees, looking at her notes.

The surfing club originally had about 20 members, but some of them naturally faded out just before the inter-high school.

One of them, apparently.key studentThere may be

"Some of them haven't even left the club, but they've practically stopped coming, like ghost members. ......

I sigh.

Saki-senpai crosses her arms and says with a serious look in her eyes.

"If he was arguing with the teacher about giving back the key,
　He could be a child who may have borrowed a key to a storage room or apparatus room without permission.
　Then you're pretty much limited."

'Yes, that's right. I have an official route to receive the key to the warehouse from the teacher,
　It would take a lot of courage (or malice) to take it out without permission, and ......"

We're of the unanimous opinion, first.Mr. A.The company decided to hit the

Mr. A is a sophomore and has not been coming to club activities recently because there was no indication that he was going to participate in the inter-high school qualifying round.

However, some members of the club remember him complaining in the past that the teacher was too strict and that he never lent me the key.

(Maybe Mr. A kept the key without permission and used it to "commit" the crime. ......)

The key was used illegally somewhere.I've had the hypothesis for a while that this is the case,

New testimony from a retired student concretized that "the teachers were arguing over the return of the keys.

All that remains is to confirm whether or not Mr. A was involved in the "scene.

I wonder how A-kun is doing these days. I heard he goes home early after school.

Hinata speaks with a slightly troubled face.

For now, they decided to split up and search the school before club activities, and Otani and Hinata split into two groups to gather information.

I was to go around the elevator and classroom buildings with Saki-senpai.

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2. chance encounters in unexpected places

While going around the school with Saki-senpai, I look for Mr. A.

However, there is no such appearance.

Just when I thought they might have already left the school,

I could hear the presence of people coming from the path behind the school building.

"Are you by any chance, Mr. ......A?"

When Saki-senpai called out to him, A-kun was indeed standing there.

He is a small boy, in uniform, staring at his phone.

He looked up quickly, surprised to be approached by someone.

"...... Kawakubo senpai? And Aizawa ......"

A-kun looks a little puzzled.

Apparently, he was fiddling with his phone here on his way home.

We approach with great vigor.

'Sorry, I just wanted to talk to you. ...... haven't seen you at the club lately, how are you?"

Saki-senpai made an effort to speak to me in a soft voice.

Mr. A kept his eyes down and was reluctant to answer,

He said truthfully, "I feel bad for everyone in the department, but I just don't feel like doing it anymore. ......."

I see ...... well, that's not an option, but did you know we're actually in trouble right now with a board theft case?"

Yeah, ......, well, I've heard rumors."

Mr. A's eyes swim subtly.

I open my mouth awkwardly.

I want to make sure of something, A-kun.
　"I heard that you and your teacher were arguing about the keys. ...... any ideas?"

A-kun's shoulders shake with a startle.

What's that question ...... key, what are you talking about ......?"

It is obviously behaving suspiciously.

Saki-senpai takes a step closer.

"Tell me the truth. Someone witnessed Kurokawa-sensei saying, "Give me back the key.
　Perhaps Mr. A borrowed the key without permission?"

'Oh, I ...... sure I asked my teacher for a key a long time ago, but I returned it to him!'

Did you really give it back?"

When I asked him about it, A-kun stammered out a few words.

'Because you seemed so busy back then, doctor. ......
　I, as a member of the club, tried to talk to him several times, but he brushed it off as 'later.
　I was going to be late for practice, so I took the liberty of taking the key and going to ......
　Then the teacher got really mad at me afterwards. ......
　I had no choice but to return it, but I missed the timing and ......"

After hearing that much, I inwardly think, "I knew it.

He failed to return the key and may have kept it until now.

And you went straight into an argument with the doctor?"

He said, "Yeah, ......, give me back my key." I said, "I was going to give it back, but the teacher wouldn't take it back. I said, "I was going to give it back, but the teacher wouldn't take it back," and we argued,
　After all, I'm sure I returned it to the teacher's desk properly. But then I stopped going to the club activities themselves, so ......
　I don't remember much detail."

Mr. A scratches his head.

'It really wasn't me. It's not like I'm stealing boards or anything. I don't have any regrets about being in the club."

I see, so this is where the trouble with the key lies.

His actions are certainly rash, but we cannot rule out that he has made a case.

However, a new fact emerges.

'So you don't know where the key went after you returned it to the doctor?

When Saki-senpai confirms this, A-kun nods.

I left it on the teacher's desk, and I don't know what happened to it."

"You just left it there? You didn't hand it to the teacher?"

I ask, and A-kun says with a blatantly batty look on his face.

"Sir, I was away in the student council chambers at the time. ......
　I took the liberty of leaving the key on the teacher's desk in the staff room. I didn't even write a note.
　I felt like I was going to be pissed off later, so I started having a hard time going to club activities, and then I just faded away. ......"

Is that why you did not go to the club room again?

However, if this is the case, "someone could take the key out again in the staff room.

(→ Possibly another person stole the key that was placed on the desk)

Our thoughts are quickly accelerating.

The unauthorized use of the keys to the clubroom and storage room may have taken place at this time. ......

I'm sorry, A-kun. Thank you for your cooperation.
　If you remember anything else, will you let me know?"

Saki-senpai smiles softly, and A-kun half-cries and says, "Sorry, it's not my fault," before leaving.

(I'm sure in his heart he was carrying guilt)

(So this is how the teacher told several students to return the key that night.

　(Not only Mr. A, but it is possible that there were several students who used the key without permission as well ......?)

I still think there may be another "real culprit" out there.

I mutter, and Saki-senpai nods.

Maybe the teacher and Shinoda-senpai both suspect each other because of the trouble over the key, even though they are both innocent."
　Behind the scenes, the real culprits are hiding the board and watching what's going on: ......"

It is highly likely that there are other students who were unmotivated to participate in club activities and who handled the keys in a messy manner.

Actually,B-kunand ... andC-kunhad similar rumors.

He said that there were sometimes members of the club who used the key without telling the teacher and practiced on their own (or acted on their own).

(Then the number of "people who can take out the key" will increase.
　(The environment was ripe to carry out board theft: ......!)

Me biting my lip.

Saki-senpai turns her gaze away and lets out a small exhale.

If that student had a grudge against Shinoda-senpai, it could be a ...... motive.
　But it's not just resentment, it's purely because I want to be the center of attention,
　It could be harassment, it could be ......, it could be any number of things."

'Damn ...... the background of the case is complicated. But I found a clue.
　If the teacher himself is not the culprit, it is highly likely that "someone stole the key again" from the teacher's desk.

The shadow of the invisible culprit was outlined even more clearly.

(If this moves toward clearing Dr. Kurokawa of the charges, the conflict with Shinoda-senpai may ease.

　(If we find out who did it, there is even a chance that the ...... board will return.)

**"I wonder if the captain's feet will make it in time - it's a race against time, "** he thought to himself,

Me and Saki-senpai dash back to the club room.

For what it's worth, I would like to reach out to Mr. B and Mr. C and talk to them today.

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3. members gathering at the end of the club activities

I ran into the surfing club room,

Otani and Hinata had already arrived, and they had approached B-kun but did not catch him.

The teacher said, "C-kun hasn't been coming to club activities recently for 'family reasons.

(Hmmm, is it hard to meet them in person? I'll just have to look for them during my lunch break or something after tomorrow.)

As I was pondering this, Dr. Kurokawa entered the room.

The teacher, in a departure from the confrontational mood of yesterday, looks a little softer and says, "What's wrong?" I call out to him.

'Sir, may I have a moment?
　I just wanted to check on your "key problem" ......"

When I cut him off, the teacher raises his eyebrows.

"Key trouble...... Yeah, I've seen club members take keys out of the club without permission every so often. Especially some of the sophomores."

I heard about it from Mr. A.
　I left my keys on the teacher's desk without permission, or it was unclear when I returned them. ......"

The teacher breathes deeply.

I've warned him a couple of times. I warned him a few times, but I've been in the middle of a lot of things lately, and I may have neglected to manage the situation.
　If it's just placed on a desk in the staff room, other teachers or janitors may move it,
　There were cases where keys were reported missing, but we didn't know who took them.

After all, management was not thorough. ......

This is probably where the clues to the theft were found.

If someone in the department gets the key again," he said,
　If you took out Shinoda-senpai's board, it would be ......"

When Ohtani ducks his voice, the teacher shakes his head with a grim expression on his face.

The hard part for me right now is that I can't say that .......
　Every time a key went missing I would look around for it.
　That's part of the reason I was on campus at night."

(I see, so the reason the teacher returns to the staff room at night is also to "look for the key.)

Hinata's relief is evident as she says, "I knew the teacher was looking for the student who took the key without permission, not the person who stole the board.

Yeah ......, although I didn't even think that the board would be stolen because of that,
　If you doubt his alibi, you can check the surveillance cameras, as Chairman Kiryu said.
　I swear I didn't do it."

Thank you, Sensei. I hope this will help improve my relationship with Shinoda-senpai. ......"

Hinata smiles.

The doctor raises his eyebrows in pain.

All I can think about is whether or not Shinoda's leg will heal completely.
　I want to stop that guy because I see my past mistakes on top of his.
　But I know what he's thinking, so I can't do it. ......"

The teacher's eyes were filled with love for his students.

I look at Hinata and Otani and feel a little relieved.

(After all, Sensei is not a "bad guy. He is seriously worried about Shinoda-senpai.)

Anyway, if we can identify the student who misused the key, we should be closer to solving the case.
　Find them as soon as you can. I'll help you if I remember anything."

The teacher nods vigorously.

The air in the club room felt slightly hopeful again.

(The next step is to interview Mr. B, Mr. C, and other ghost club members.
　(If the culprit is found there, the board may be returned ......!)

On the other hand, there are concerns.

If the killer's only goal was to "make Shinoda-senpai give up the competition," the board might have been destroyed. ......

Or I would like to believe that I have a little more time to let my foot heal, but the time limit for qualifying is approaching.

Shinoda-senpai's legs, will he be able to move in the next few days?"
Unable to shake these questions from my mind, we finished our club activities.

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4. evening -- behind the dimly lit school building

The activity is over and it is dusk outside.

Otani went home first, saying he had a part-time job, and Hinata left, saying she had to go to the staff room for some business.

Saki-senpai also says, "I'll go home first today," and leaves the club room.

I was alone, on my way to the elevator entrance, when I stopped in my tracks.

He thought he heard a noise coming from behind the school building.

(Is someone sneaking in at night again? No, there's still time before night)

Fearfully, I turned the corner and there was an unexpected person - a man I didn't expect to see.

C-kunwas there, one of the sophomore ghost club members.

I hadn't seen him at all in the past few days, but apparently he had been sneaking in here in the evenings.

"......C-kun! What are you doing here?"

His voice rises unintentionally.

Mr. C freaks out and immediately moves to turn away.

What do you mean ......, I'm just running an errand. I have no business in the surfing club."

You're a member of the surfing club, aren't you? Why did you stop coming?"

I try to talk to him, but Mr. C is blatantly wary.

Looking at his feet, he sees that somehow a metal tool has fallen.
Flashlight ......?　This late in the evening?

(...... suspicious)

Were you, by any chance, trying to get into the warehouse or the apparatus room?"

Then Mr. C looked away and replied with a pout.

No. ...... No, honestly, I'm done. No matter what you guys say, you're doubting me anyway.
　...... I don't want Shinoda-senpai's board to be lost.
　All those people get lifted up. ......"

I felt a maddening emotion laced in his low voice.

You don't think she's ......?

Hey, what do you say ......?"

The next moment, Mr. C. said, "Stop it already!" he said as if shouting.

They told me I didn't have any talent!
　It's not like someone like Shinoda Senpai who gets a lot of attention.
　That's why I hate these club activities. ......!"

C-kun tries to run away as if to shake me off.

I tried to follow, but I couldn't help but lose my footing.

I was horrified to see the intense jealousy and anger in his eyes.

(Did Mr. C really steal the board? (Did Mr. C really steal the board? Or not?)

Without a word to stop him, Mr. C runs through the narrow passageway at the back of the school building in a single bound.

It disappeared as if melting into the evening darkness.

Damn ......!"

Me standing there.
Mr. C's words go round my head.

"I don't care if Shinoda-senpai's board is gone."

What's your intention ......?　Are you sure it's the killer?

But I can't be sure.

I was stunned for a while, then regained my composure and tried to return to the elevator entrance,

The phone vibrated.

On the screen.Shinoda SenpaiIncoming calls from.

Hesitantly, I quickly exited and heard my senior's voice.

...... Aizawa? Sorry, I really need to tell you something.
　Tomorrow, even if my feet hurt, I will go to the club room.
　Whatever it takes, I'm going to use whatever last resort I have to get my board back, so ......
　I need your help again."

"Last resort ......! Seniors, what does that mean?"

I'll tell you more about ...... tomorrow. Sorry. ...... please."

The phone hangs up.

A disturbing sense of foreboding buzzes through the room.

C-kun's mysterious words and Shinoda-senpai's declaration of "last resort.
The case became even more chaotic.

(No way, senpai, you're not trying to force me to enter a competition, are you?
　(If I was really going to limp into the competition without finding a board, I'd go to ......)

My chest is painful.
No matter who the culprit is, if Shinoda-senpai's leg is broken, there is no way for him to get back on his feet. ......

Somehow, we have to find out who the real culprits are. ......

With this thought in mind, I put my bag back on my back and started walking down the street.

The blue-purple evening sky was silently colored with anxiety.

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--Episode 10 End--