Another day has come. Today we will also be visiting the place where Hasegawa-san claims to practice piano at 1:00 PM. This case about Hasegawa-san still doesn't feel real to me. Or is it just my old personality for not having sympathy for anyone else. Ugh, I don't know anymore. Am I doing this for myself? or do I genuinely want to help. The answer? I do not know.
Then I heard a knock on my door. It's probably Aoi trying to give me my breakfast. The door opens, but it wasn't Aoi. Instead, it was Yui-san.
[Y]"Good morning! Tanaka-san!"
[I look at her in confusion.]
[Y]"Surprised, aren't ya?"
[We were supposed to meet at 1:00 PM, but why is she here? It's still 7:00 AM]
[T]"Y-you a-are early."
[Y]"Well, I came early today because I told mom that I was going to school. That's why I'm wearing my school uniform today."
[Wait! This school uniform. It's the same uniform as my school! So, we have the same school?]
[Y]"What's wrong? You seem shocked."
[T]"Y-your s-school..."
[Y]"My school?"
[T]"Name?..."
[Y]"Oh, I attend Tsukumo High School."
[So, we go to the same school.]
[Y]"Why did you ask?"
[I point to my closet.]
[Y]"Should I open it?"
[I nod in agreement.]
*Yui gets up and opens the closet door.
[Y]"Wait, this is the uniform of Tsukumo High. So, we go to the same school?"
[T]"Y-yes."
Yui-san and I continued to talk about our school. Though, I was only able to say a few words. At least I can speak a bit better than before. Our conversation continued for a few hours. Since Yui-san was already here, we headed out earlier than planned.
We finally arrived at the place where I first met Hasegawa-san. There it was, a tall three-story building. The piano school was on the second floor. The first floor was a restaurant. On the third floor, we couldn't make out. It had this mysterious vibe.
We proceeded to the second floor. As we arrive at the piano school, Yui-san approached the receptionist.
[R]"Good morning, is there anything I can help you with?"
[Y]"Hello, I wanted to ask something."
[R]"What is it?"
[Y]"Is there anyone named Hasegawa Nagisa who attends piano lessons here?"
[R]"I'm sorry, but may I know the reason why?"
[Y]"We are trying to investigate about her. It's important."
[R]"Let me check... Sorry, but I don't see anyone in our current list with the name Hasegawa Nagisa. May I ask when did that person recently take classes?"
[Y]"Uhm, around like two months ago."
[R]"Let me check our previous records... No match either. I'm sorry, but the person you're looking for did not enroll here."
[Y]"I see, thank you."
[R]"My pleasure."
Our curiosity grew even more after knowing that Hasegawa-san didn't take piano lessons. So, why did she come here that day? Was it just a coincidence, or was she hiding something?
We went investigated the area around the piano school. Nothing seemed off nor suspicious. Was it just a joke then? But if it was, then why would Hasegawa-san say that? But there's one place we haven't investigated, the third floor.
With our determination, we continued to the third floor. The moment we arrive on the third floor, the scent of cigarettes filled the air. We had to cover our noses during the entire time. On the third floor, three doors were leading to three different rooms. There were no signs to show what is on the third floor. It was only an empty hallway with a strong scent of tobacco. We had enough of the stench, so we left and went outside.
We got outside. Ah, finally, some fresh air! That place reeks of cigarettes. That place could serve as a clue to us. What was the purpose of the third floor anyway? Apartments, maybe? But it's too hidden to be an apartment. Then what could it be?
For a couple of minutes, Yui-san and I thought of what could be there, but we never arrived at an answer. We got tired and decided to get lunch at the restaurant on the first floor.
[Y]"Ah, I'm tired."
[T]"M-me T-too."
[Y]"What was that place anyway? It stinks. But let's deal with that later. I'm starving."
[T]"T-tonkatsu."
[Y]"Oh, you want the tonkatsu?"
[I nod]
[Y]"I'll order it for you then. But what should I get for myself? Hmm, I think I'll have the same. Is there anything else you'd like to order?"
[T]"N-no."
[Y]"How about drinks? Water?"
[I nod]
[Y]"Ok, then.]
[N]~Tonkatsu is a Japanese dish that consists of a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet. It involves cutting the pig's back center into two-to-three-centimeter-thick slices, coating them with panko, frying them in oil, and then serving with tonkatsu sauce, rice, and vegetable salad.~
As we were eating, I saw a familiar face through the glass front of the restaurant. I looked closer. It was Hasegawa-san! But what is she doing here? She should still have classes. I immediately get the attention of Yui-san and point at Hasegawa-san. She also had the same reaction as mine, shocked. Hasegawa-san didn't seem to notice us inside the restaurant. We saw her go to the stairs. Maybe she's going to the third floor. I look at Yui-san.
[T]"G-go."
[Y]"What about you?"
[T]"I-I W-will S-stay."
[Y]"Wait here, I'll be back."
I stayed in the restaurant for few minutes, waiting for Yui-san. Then I saw her come into the restaurant. She looked stressed while hyperventilating. She ran up to me, looking extremely confused. I could only feel that something went wrong while she was tailing Hasegawa-san.
[Y]"Tanaka-san! My sister! S-She went inside the rooms!"
[T]"R-relax."
[Yui-san inhales deeply, then proceeded to explain a bit more calmly!]
[Y]"My sister went into one of the rooms. There was this man who went inside with her!"
[Is this happening for real?! I may be getting the wrong idea here, but at least it's better than doing nothing. If it was just a misunderstanding, then I'll apologize, but we must do something.]
[T]"C-Call P-police!"
[Yui-san brings out her phone, then calls the police.]
The following minutes, all we could do is wait in agony for the police to arrive. Then finally, we could hear sirens getting louder and louder. They finally arrived. Yui-san rushed outside to tell the police what happened.
I hope that what Yui-san and I were thinking was just a misunderstanding. I'll gladly take on any punishment for false accusation, but please Hasegawa-san, be safe... be safe...