"I'm going to need to check your bag."
"Yes, ma'am." Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ayoshi walked towards his desk. He picked up his bag and handed it over to her.
Mrs. Kunahito narrowed her eyes and slowly unzipped the bag. Within seconds, she took out a beautiful ring. "This doesn't belong to you, does it?! What are you doing with someone else's property? Aishi Ayoshi, you're coming with me at this instant!"
Aso's eyes widened, "What?! Aishi-kun would never do that!"
Mrs. Kunahito's frown deepened. "Rito-san, please quiet down. This has nothing to do with you. I need you to return to class."
"Bu-but!"
"Rito-san, if you do not return to class, you will also be in trouble."
Ayoshi turned to face Aso, gently petting his head. "It is ok. Do not worry and go back to class."
Aso's face dropped: "... ok…" After giving Ayoshi one last longing look, he left.
Mrs. Kunahito raised her chin, "Let's go." All that you could hear in the hall was the sound of her heels clicking on the floor, it echoed. The two stayed in a tense silence. When they arrived at her office, the door shut with a loud bang. She sat in her seat, letting Ayoshi stand as she stared him down. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"Will anything I say make you believe that I didn't steal that ring?"
Mrs. Kunahito shot up, slamming her hands on the table. "Such disrespect, how dare you!?" Anger caused her to heat up, "I've seen you hanging out with that delinquent. Nothing good comes from him." Ayoshi didn't respond, angering her further. "Was it him who told you to steal the ring?"
Ayoshi pursed his lips, "Osoro-kun is a good person, he would never do such a thing. I would never do such a thing."
"Since you claim you didn't steal the ring, how did it get in your bag?"
Before he could answer, the door slammed open. Megamo strolled into the room, expression cold. "I think there has been a misunderstanding."
"Council President? What are you doing here?" Mrs. Kunahito stood up, brows furrowed.
Megamo walked next to Ayoshi, placing his hand on his back. "Ayoshi is a close friend of mine and I know he would never do such a thing."
Mrs. Kunahito sighed, "President, I know you want to believe in your friend, but the ring was found in his bag."
"It may have been found in his bag, but that doesn't mean he took it." Megamo lifted his chin, "Ma'am, give us some time to prove that Ayoshi is innocent."
"I believe in your judgment, President, but I must speak to the victim." Mrs. Kunahito picked up her phone, "Hello, please send Basu Sakyu over."
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. A beautiful girl with straight purple hair peeked her head in. "Hello?"
"Hello, I called you here, Basu-san, because we found your ring."
Basu walked in and gave Ayoshi a gentle look. "Yes, I've been informed. Ma'am, I don't think it was him."
"Your ring was found in his bag!"
"I trust his character."
Megamo stepped forward, "So you wouldn't have a problem with us investigating?"
"Not at all."
"Ma'am, with the victims' approval, allow us to find the actual thief."
Mrs. Kunahito stayed silent for a few seconds. "Basu-san, I know you believe him, so for your sake, I will allow the Student Council President to investigate. However," she looked at Megamo, "if you can not find proof that Ayoshi wasn't the thief, he will not be allowed to participate in Sports Day."
"Thank you." Megamo gave Mrs. Kunahito a small bow. After further discussion, the three left. He looked at Basu, "Basu-san, thank you for coming to Ayoshi's defense."
"Mm, how did you know it was not me?"
Basu let out a small chuckle, "Uekiya-chan is my friend. After Mrs. Kunahito took you away, the news spread quickly throughout the school. She rushed to defend you, telling me that you would never do such a thing. I believe her, so I believe you."
Megamo nodded, "There is still time left before the end of the day. Basu-san, if you can, will you come over to the Student Council Room for some questions after school? You as well Ayoshi."
The two agreed, and they all returned to class.
***
It's the end of the day and the three met up at the Student Council Room as planned. They all sat down as Toriyasu Akane placed tea in front of them.
"Ok, Basu-san, we'll start with you. Please give us a timeline of your day."
"I had a very regular day and I followed my usual routine. Nothing unusual happened."
"Do you take your ring off often?"
"No, it's very important to me. I only take it off if I need to wash my hands or shower..." Basu paused and lifted her finger, "Oh! I showered at school today."
Megamo intertwined his fingers and leaned forward. "Why did you shower?"
"It was lunch and I went to throw away my trash when this girl bumped into me and spilled tea all over me. I took a shower to get cleaned up and changed."
"Do you remember what they looked like?"
"I didn't get to see her face because she rushed past me, all I saw was that she had short brown hair."
Megamo let out a sigh, "That narrows it down some. So after spilling tea on you, they must have followed you to the bathhouse to steal your ring. With so many people around, there should be a witness who saw someone follow you, but there wouldn't be anyone in Ayoshi's classroom. I'll ask around. Now, Ayoshi, what were you doing during lunch?"
"I was practicing for Sports Day at the field."
"Do you know anyone who would have a grudge against you?"
Ayoshi looked at the floor, staying silent for a few seconds before looking back at Megamo. "No, I have never had any issues with anyone."
"Then you must have done something unintentional to draw in their hatred. Tell me your day-to-day schedule."
"I walk to school with Taro-kun and Osano-kun in the morning, then before club activities I meet up with Amao to eat sweets, then depending on the day I go to the Martial Arts Club or the Occult Club, today I did martial arts. When the bell rings I go to classes, lunch, then classes again. At the end of the day I go to either of my clubs. Today I go to the Occult Club."
"Are there any club members you don't get along with in either club?"
"I get along with everyone as far as I know. There are people who I talk to more often, but I've never had a disagreement with anyone."
Megamo grabbed a sheet of paper and slid it to Ayoshi. "Write a list of people who you interact with, in school, club, and outside of school."
"Mm." Ayoshi grabbed a pen and wrote down quite a few names. When he finished, he handed it back.
"Thank you." Megamo skimmed the list, "I've interacted with a few of these people and am aware of their character." He crossed out the names of all the boys, "I see you wrote down a rival school and their delinquents. I'll investigate them first, but I doubt they would be able to enter the school."
"Haha, I feel like I'm part of a detective movie! This is the most interesting thing that's happened to me in a while. Can I help?" Basu chuckled as she clapped her hands together.
"Do as you wish," Megamo said. He looked over at Ayoshi, grabbing his hand as he looked deep into Ayoshi's eyes. "I swear to you, I will clear your name."
Ayoshi looked at their hands and let out a small hum. "I believe in you."