Episode 6 - "The Second Time the Captain Came In and the Captain Wavers" - "Wavering Between the Waves, The Courage of That Day"

--Midnight school warehouse search.

Days pass by without any promising clues, although there are suspicious footsteps.

As the surfboard theft drags on, the mood in the surfing club is downbeat.

In such a situation, the advisor, Mr. Shuji Kurokawa (Shuji Kurokawa), onceprodigy surferWhile being called,

He had given up competition after a serious injury in high school--

This information came to light through an investigation by Mizuki Kiryu, the student council president.

Captain Akira Shinoda, senior, with a leg injury,

Kurokawa Sensei's past trauma.

If the two are closely connected, it may have a great deal to do with the truth of this case.

I, Kohei Aizawa, and my friend Tomoki Otani,

And with her manager, Hinata Tachibana,

The Mystery of the Missing BoardThe company is once again moving to unravel the

However, rumors began to circulate again that a "suspicious-looking shadow was seen in the school building at night,

The anxiety of the club members grew even greater.

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1. rumors circulating in the school

They said they heard noises behind the school building again at night!"

The first morning of the week.

The topic of conversation among classmates was the mysterious incident involving the theft of a surfboard.

I heard that Aizawa and Otani checked the warehouse at night before.

　Seriously, there's got to be a ghost in there, right?"

He approached us with half-interest and we had to laugh at him.

The warehouse search should have been top secret to begin with, but where did the leak come from?

It is spreading like a semi-urban legend.

"You're more scared of the killer than you are of the ghost. ......

Otani sighs.

Indeed, rumors of "noises at night" are not uncommon these days.

It is unclear what someone is doing sneaking in, but what if it is the board theft perpetrator?

It is possible that they are sneaking in and out of areas of the school that are only accessible to those involved.

Maybe I'm overthinking this, but there's more than just the warehouse behind the school building,

　Maybe there's some place we don't know about yet."

I'd like to talk to my advisor more properly, but ...... he's in a complicated position."

Just as Otani and I were blabbing, Hinata came running from across the hall.

Good morning, you two!　Did you hear?　The security guard saw a figure entering the staff room last night!"

The "security guard ......?　I know this place is public, but there are people patrolling at night.

　The staff room? Not the warehouse?"

Otani nods his head.

Hinata continued with a small breath.

Yes, but it sure looks like there was someone trying to get into the staff room yesterday.

　Even after I locked the door!　I heard he panicked and ran away."

Maybe you're trying to find that key and do something about the board ......?"

I have an image in my mind of the staff room where the keys to the storage room are kept.

That key allows the board to go in and out.
What if the perpetrator was looking for the key in the staff room at night?

(I knew it was done by someone in or associated with the department. ......)

But it would be possible for the teacher himself to return to the staff room in the middle of the night, wouldn't it?"

When Otani says this, Hinata raises her eyebrows.

Yes, that's why people are making all kinds of suspicions. That's why people are getting suspicious about this and that.

　There's a lot of speculation about how the teacher is hiding it, or how Shinoda-senpai secretly came to retrieve the key, or ...... any number of other things."

(You're totally skeptical. ......)

Now that the truth of the case is out of sight, it is not surprising who we suspect.

At least if I could talk properly with Kurokawa-sensei and Shinoda-senpai,

Maybe we can wipe away some of the misunderstanding and distrust.

If you can talk to your teacher or Shinoda-senpai after school, let's take the plunge and ask them.

　It's a little risky, but if we don't do something about it, we'll lose everyone in the club."

At Otani's suggestion, Hinata nodded vigorously, "Yes, I agree! Hinata nodded vigorously.

After all, we cannot break through this blockage without touching the core.

We made up our minds and headed to class.

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2. after school--The captain's wavering heart

After school that day, we went to the surfing club room as usual.

Inside were Hinata, the manager, and Akira Shinoda, the captain, who had arrived unusually early.

Shinoda Senpai ......!"

When Hinata called out to her, Shinoda-senpai looked up slightly.

The legs are still sore and appear to be taped.

"...... Oh, you're here. Why are you here so early today?"

'You're the senior, you haven't been here early in a long time!'

Otani replies in a cheerful tone, but Shinoda-senpai's expression is gloomy.

"The pain in my leg just wouldn't go away, so I went to the doctor and he said, 'You need to rest for a while.

　But there's not a day left until the inter-high qualifiers, and ...... I really need to get moving."

You know what the doctor says, "If you push yourself too hard, it'll be too much ......."

Hinata calls out to him with concern.

Shinoda-senpai, however, dismissively said, "It doesn't matter.

I can't bring myself to listen to anyone anymore.

　And if we don't find a board, we'll never get into the tournament in the first place."

It pains me to hear that self-mockery.

It seems as if Shinoda-senpai is even resigned to the fact that there is nothing left for him to do.

Senior, have you discussed this with your teacher yet?"

When I boldly ask, the older man smiles bitterly.

We've had many discussions. He's all about, 'Give up the tournament.

　...... Well, it's rumored that the guy himself was badly injured surfing in the past,

　I'm sure they'd like to stop extra."

(I still think so. ......)

Shinoda-senpai, who learned of Dr. Kurokawa's past injuries, is apparently becoming more and more suspicious that the teacher may be the culprit.

Do you really think the teacher stole it ......?"

Shinoda-senpai's answer to Hinata's question is muddled.

'I don't know. But I don't see how anyone else could have the keys at their disposal,

　In fact, it looks like the only reason the board disappeared was to 'get me to give up the competition'.

　I'm injured myself, and that's convenient for that guy."

When I had said that much, the door to the clubroom opened.

What came in,Dr. Shuji KurokawaThat was the man.

Shinoda, you're still here. Didn't you say you were going for a foot checkup today?"

The teacher looks at Shinoda-senpai a little surprised.

Shinoda-senpai kept his eyes down and said nothing.

(Awesome awkward air ......)

As Otani and Hinata cringe, the teacher continues quietly.

How's your leg?"

　Don't make it worse. Rest now--"

I told you it's none of your business!"

Shinoda-senpai interrupts in a fierce tone.

His voice sounds like a mixture of frustration and despair.

I'm not going to let you do whatever it is you want to do to stop me, member or injured."

"Thought: ......?"

The teacher frowns.

Shinoda-senpai smiled bitterly,

"If I still think the teacher is hiding my board, I will never allow ...... to get away with it.

　Even if it prevents me from getting hurt, you'll be depriving me of my 'last try.

With that remark, the senior leaves the clubroom, dragging his taped right leg behind him.

She shook off Hinata's attempts to stop her and disappeared into the hallway with painful steps.

(...... you're already on the edge of your seat, senior)

Hinata, who is on the board, murmurs quietly with a tearful expression on her face.

The doctor couldn't speak to him, he just looked bitter and didn't move.

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3. second intrusion? Shadows of the night

After Shinoda-senpai left, a heavy silence fell over the clubroom.

Kurokawa-sensei also leaves the clubroom, saying only, "Sorry, I'll take ...... off for a bit.

Ohtani muttered worriedly, "Hey, hey, are you sure you're okay with all this confrontation ......?"

Hinata turns her head down and says in a muffled voice.

'If the seniors and teachers don't get along any better, the surf club will fall apart. ......

　Can't we do something about it?"

If we don't find out who the culprit is first, the misunderstanding will only continue to grow.

When I responded, Otani nodded.

He said, "Yes. Let's ...... move on our own. Maybe we should take another hard look around the school building at night,

　Or find out who the rumored prowler is."

"It's risky to act without telling your teacher, but ...... he's losing credibility too."

Thinking with my head in my hands.

The last time I checked the warehouse, I accompanied Mr. Kurokawa on a night patrol of the school building, but we were not satisfied with our search.

In the meantime, there was even talk of "someone entering the school building again.

(If it were, it would be dangerous for us to sneak in at night by ourselves,

　(There may be a way, such as asking permission from Kiryu-senpai or others.)

Hinata looks up as if she has made up her mind and says, "I'll talk to Kiryu-senpai about it.

Otani laughs teasingly, "Oh, you're so motivated," but his eyes are serious.

(That's about all I can do right now.

　(If nothing is done, the gap between Shinoda-senpai and the teacher will never be bridged, and the club members will despair.)

I let out one deep breath in my mind.

'Okay, let's just do it. If we can check the schoolhouse again at night,

　We may be able to find out the identity and purpose of the second intruder."

Both Hinata and Otani nod vigorously.

Somehow, we have to get closer to the "culprit." ......

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4. the captain's deepening frustration

The next day, lunch break.

I was passing by the courtyard when I happened to spot Shinoda-senpai sitting on a bench.

He is resting his leg, or perhaps stretching his right leg a little and looking up at the sky in agony.

"Are you okay, senior ......?"

When I called out to him, the senior frowned and muttered, "Is that you?

I'm sorry about yesterday. It was like taking it out on me.

　But really, I'm trapped."

Does your leg hurt?"

I was told by the doctor that I should rest for a while, but I felt like I didn't have the time. The doctor told me to 'rest absolutely for a while,' but I felt like there was no room for that.

　No board, no time, no legs ...... sucks."

Shinoda-senpai's words are laced with self-mockery.

He is usually a reliable captain, but to see him in such pain is heartbreaking.

Hinata is worried about you too. And her relationship with her teacher. ......"

I don't want to have anything to do with you. We think differently.

　I'm putting my money on the last tournament. He stopped me cold turkey, saying, 'The future is important.

　Then the board can stay gone, can't it?

　If you mean "prevent injury," then go to .......

I can read nothing but despair on the senior's face.

If board theft is for me--I'm not sure I'd want to be a part of it.

This contradiction is probably making him suffer more and more.

"Are you giving up, ...... seniors?"

When I fearfully asked, the older man kept his eyes down and laughed a small laugh.

I feel like we're running out of options either way, "I give up...... I don't give up.......

　Injuries are unlikely to heal and there is no board.

　What more do you want from me?"

Unable to say anything, I fell silent.

I gently put my hand on his back, but he just turns over without looking up.

(If this continues, the senior will go deeper and deeper.

　(After all, if we don't solve the case, neither the seniors nor the club can recover.)

With that in mind, the doorbell rang to end lunch break, and I had no choice but to return to class, leaving my senpai behind.

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5. the night of the work - again

After school that day, I, Otani, and Hinata went to Kiryu-senpai and asked for help in searching the school at night.

He confides honestly, "It's hard to tell my advisor, but I really want to make the night rounds again."

After a little hesitation, Kiryu-senpai said, "I'll go out with you.

He was reliable, saying, "I don't want to put them in danger, and as long as I explain it to the security guards, it shouldn't be a problem."

And that night--

We re-entered the school building at the time Kiryu-senpai talked to the security guard.

The four of us, Otani, Hinata, and Kiryu-senpai, once again decided to check around the back of the school building and around the staff room.

If there was a figure that ran away yesterday while trying to get into the staff room, it might come back."

Otani whispers with uncontrollable excitement.

Hinata grips the flashlight awkwardly, as if her hands are shaking with nervousness.

Kiryu-senpai maintains a calm expression, but says in a low voice, "Be careful.

It is not midnight. The school is still dark and quiet, even though the security guard is on patrol.

Every time my footsteps echoed with a steady thump, my heart raced.

(Please, give me some leads: ......)

Praying so, we searched around the storage room behind the school building, in the hallways, and around the staff room.

But after an hour or so, I didn't see or hear anyone.

I knew that if the guards are on alert, the killer won't come either. ......

Otani says with a wry smile.

The clock strikes 7:30 at night. If I don't leave soon, I will be in trouble with Kiryu-senpai.

And just when I thought that--

A faint cry was heard outside.

"...... now, what?"

Hinata gasps.

Kiryu-senpai suggests, "Outside, let's go," and we leave the school building at a brisk pace.

The schoolyard in the dark night was windy and dusty.

As you follow the path at the edge of the grounds, you can faintly see a figure.

Someone's down. ......!"

As I approached, I found it lying there--

whatShinoda SenpaiIt was.

What's wrong with you, senior?"

When Hinata rushes over to support him and wake him up, Senpai seems to be enduring the pain with a sweaty face.

Gg...... feet are ......"

The senior cannot stand up properly, perhaps feeling intense pain in his right leg.

Was he trying to practice in the dark? What was he doing at this hour?

The senior mutters in a muffled voice, "I was wondering if the teacher was over there ......."

"Sensei? Kurokawa Sensei?"

When Kiryu-senpai confirms this, the senior nods in pain.

I thought, "I'm going to ask him directly now that this is happening, and I'm going to tell him that if that guy really stole the board, I'm going to get it back .......

　So I was looking for the school building at night and my foot hurt and I fell. ......"

What a reckless ...... and I can only be appalled.

With such an injured leg, it would be dangerous to wander alone at night.

（You're in a tight spot, senior.)

Me and Otani support the senior and try to stand him up, but he screams and collapses.

Hinata rushes to the emergency room ...... No, maybe we should call an ambulance now! and pulls out her phone.

But then I saw a light approaching from the corner of the school building, swinging.

I thought it was a security guard, but when I heard his voice--Dr. Kurokawa.It is.

Shinoda! Are you okay?

The teacher comes running up to me with a flashlight in his hand.

The senior looks at the teacher with a frustrated look on his face and scowls at him, saying, "Damn ...... I knew the teacher was .......

So this ...... to stop me."

The senior's gaze is vindictive.

However, the teacher checked the senior's leg in a frantic manner and said, "Now is not the time to talk about that!" He raised his voice.

Don't move your leg, it'll get worse! ...Hey, I'll carry you over here!"

We hurriedly lend a hand and move toward the school building, supporting our senpai.

"Sir, why are you at ...... at this hour?"

Otani asks, and the teacher replies, catching his breath.

'You guys are the ones who are asking me why ......? No, that's okay. Shinoda needs to be patched up first."

Confused, we hurried down the dark night road to the school nurse's office.

Thus, the "night school building search" is no longer a priority, and Shinoda-senpai's first priority is to provide first aid to him.

(I didn't expect to run into the teacher this way, let alone encounter the culprit. ......)

With our chests still churning, we frantically supported our seniors and opened the door to the infirmary.

What will really happen to the senior's legs?

And why was the teacher hanging around the school building this evening: ......?

The only question that arises is.

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--Episode 6: The End