4-38: The Day the Mask Lost (4/5)

4-38: The Day the Mask Lost (4/5)

When Shinichis knuckles dropped on Youko, Ryou and Tomoe reflexively cried out.

H-Hey!? Ryou said.

Kyaa! Tomoe said.

Youko had always been terrible at scheming because her emotions showed too easily on her face.

She could still hide them somewhat if she knew beforehand that there would be a situation that would trigger her emotions, but the completely unexpected situations related to Shinichi were just too much for her.

Apparently, this was a racial trait of theirs.

Meanwhile, the students seated in front of them were also shocked.

Shinichi had just been warned by Wernher to take care when dealing with his amaryllis because it was bad for the heart, and yet this was the result.

Doesnt seem like theres any helping this difference in perspective Ah, whatever. And you need to stop getting flustered too, Shinichi said.

R-Right So, what? Are you admitting it? Tomoe said.

Why would I? In the first place, I dont even understand this mask you keep talking about, Shinichi said.

The circle of the boy known as Nakamura Shinichi knew nothing about the mask.

In the first place, the matter pertaining to the bombing incident was rumor known only to a portion of the student body, so since it was known that Shinichi had little interaction with the other students, he had to play dumb.

The first time I suspected your identity was when I noticed the resemblance between the two of you accidentally, Tomoe said.

Huh? Listen when someones talking to you, will you!? Shinichi complained.

But Tomoe ignored the confused voices around her and just started explaining her deductions on her own.

Although the way you talk is different, your terrible personality, stubbornness, and your minute gestures are the same. Thats why I started suspecting the connection between the two of you, Tomoe said.

Well, excuse me for having a terrible personality Amu.

Shinichi ate the last of his spaghetti while sulking.

Although Tomoe spoke casually, there was nothing casual about her gaze.

There was a sharpness to it that suggested she wouldnt miss the slightest mistake on his part.

What was more was that everything she said was unexpected to Shinichi.

When she mentioned that he resembled the figure he was supposed to be acting as, he was inwardly shocked.

So when I started thinking about it from that perspective, that sword you used came to mind. I realized that adding black mist to that sword could indeed bring about a giant snake.

What mist? What giant snake? How about you start explaining already?

Shinichi acted like he was irritated, but she didnt answer him straight, and just touched the screen of the foster on the table, projecting a small screen in front of them.

On that screen was shown Shinichi using the snake belly sword, and a human-shaped black mist with a giant snake.

When lined up side-by-side, it certainly looked as though the only difference between the two was the presence of the mist.

And when the mask appeared for the second time in the exams, as it turns out, none of them saw you when the mask was there on the battlefield with us. Thats verbal evidence that I got straight from the students that took the exam with us, Tomoe said.

Thats because you suddenly vanished. You know just how sensitive your position is, right? So I had to go through a lot of hoops to make sure that no one noticed you were missing, Shinichi said.

Thats why he couldnt stay there at the goal.

This was actually true, and it was the first reason why he had to leave that area.

Although he did intend to go back to the fields anyway, the reason he left at that time was Tomoe.

Because of that, or maybe it was just him putting on an act, Shinichi showed his displeasure.

You acted on your own in a situation like that. I know you have your circumstances, but at the very least, you shouldve said something, Shinichi said.

Tomoe, you attacked those guys all on your own? Ryou asked.

When the two said that with astonishment and criticism, Tomoes momentum finally weakened.

T-Thats Okay, Im sorry, and Thank you. Id prepared myself to be demoted, but to think you would actually support me Tomoe said.

Tomoe herself was reflecting over her actions, so the atmosphere finally loosened up a bit, and she both thanked and apologized to Shinichi.

Either emotion was genuine, and her face was once again making a bashful expression, but Shinichi found it regrettable that she truly hadnt expected him to support her.

Youre such a dummy. I suggested you be made my assistant precisely because I didnt want you to be demoted. If I didnt support you, all my efforts wouldve gone to waste. Seriously Its good that you came back safe, Shinichi said.

Although that was basically the excuse he came up with to deal with snooping noses, the last part was genuine.

And that seemed to have reached her as well, as she once again apologized.

But despite that she didnt stop her questioning, though she did sound a little apologetic now.

But After the exam ended you never came back, Tomoe said.

Thats because I heard that you came back to the goal already. I was tired, so I just headed straight back to my room. I passed by the guy from a neighboring room, so he should be able to testify for me if you ask him, Shinichi said.

Of course, that was an alibi Youko had prepared using her illusion spell, but even if he was there at that hour, it couldnt serve as evidence that he wasnt the mask to them.

Is that so? But whats important are your actions before that, Tomoe said.

We know nothing about the specific times of that day, so theres no point even if you tell us that, Ryou said.

Despite Shinichis defense, they said that and played the fool.

The various diversionary tactics that hed prepared were of no use against them.

He wouldnt have minded if it was because of how skilled they were or because hed messed up somewhere, but in this case, it was purely because they knew nothing about the information that would serve as his alibi a pathetic, and yet troublesome problem.

Theres no point Even if we asked you where you were after you disappeared. Ryou said.

The detectives didnt have any of those precise information, so the criminal couldnt claim any of his alibis to protect himself.

Were this a mystery novel, the readers would have already started stoning the author.

Though it might work if the story started out from the perspective of the criminal, but it would likely end up being a story about a really dumb criminal.