Chapter 2221: The Stage is Set

Chapter 2221: The Stage is Set



Since I've started chasing the leads with Minami Shouko in mind, everything seemed to start falling into place. It didn't matter if Arisa found her in their clubroom.

I had a solid reason to link her to this one.

After investigating the trace behind the Theater House, I had Misaki return to the Drama Club after pampering her for a while. I also let Shimura return to the Photography Club since it would be better for us to move in smaller numbers now.

Left with Komoe and Watanabe, I told them that I'd separate from them.

While I spend time inspecting the Kendo Club to finally finish our inspection for today, I want them to be on the lookout for the possible appearance of our culprit near their crime scene.

As I walked toward the Kendo Club's dojo, the gut feeling that this was all Minami Shouko just continued to intensify.

The timeline, the missing items, and her perfect alibi of being in their clubroom right when we were inside the Theater House aligned perfectly.

I just needed one more piece of evidence to solidify the connection.

And I believe I'd find it here.

In the Kendo Club itself.

Before heading inside, I took a moment to send a quick message to Arisa.

"Arisa, you can leave that club now. Make sure you tell her about how you're helping me investigate something. Once you leave, go to this place. I need your help."

I sent another message with the name of the place.

Once that was done, I pocketed my phone and stepped into the Kendo Club's dojo.

The familiar clashing of wooden shinai echoed in the space as the members practiced their drills.

I remembered my time with Otoha when I kept on coming back to her Kendo Club only to get beaten by her.

That was a sweet time and I truly benefited from all the beatings I received from her. Not to mention, all the times she treated me after putting her shinai down.

Somehow, I couldn't help but wish I could spend my time sitting on the side, watching her practice again. Alas, we're in a different school.

The third letter with a key slipped in. The one who was pretending to be my admirer.

Yep. I was fairly certain by now that if someone was going to do that, it could only be Minami

Shouko.

As for whether she was targeting me or not, I'd believe yes. Because if I could notice this character of hers, she was probably the same so... she's trying to make contact.

However, I was too cautious or too busy to care about her.

With my rise as a Disciplinary Officer... she found a better ruse to lure me out.

Ah. Of course, there remains a possibility that I'm wrong all along but at this particular instance, I'm fine being wrong.

No. I want her to prove me wrong.

The Kendo Club president's brows furrowed, his usual composed demeanor shaken by the possibility that one of his own could be involved.

"I don't want to believe that any of my members would be caught up in something like this," He said quietly. His eyes darted toward his members who had already returned to sparring or practicing their swings, "But I can't ignore what you're saying. Let me get back to you."

Upon saying that, the Kendo Club President turned around to gather his members. On the other hand, I told him I'd pretend I would be inspecting his clubroom and he accepted, pointing me to the spots where their equipment disappeared.

A few minutes later, Arisa sent me another message, "Ruki, I saw Minami Shouko leaving their clubroom and overheard her talking to someone on her phone. I'm going to your location. Wait for me."

After that, Komoe and Watanabe also sent me a message, reporting from where they were stationed as a lookout, mentioning the appearance of a slender girl sneaking out of the Club

Building and going somewhere.

Yep. They also separated so their reports were sent at a different time.

At this point, I straightened my back, turned around, and found the Kendo Club President

standing there.

Behind him, a girl also wearing a kendo uniform, who looked like another second-year since I couldn't recognize her from the 1st year girls, lowered her head in shame, not daring to look

at me or her president.

Ah. Looks like the stage is set. Minami Shouko, are you not going to prove me wrong?