After being silent for some time,Ichika-san finally arrived to the classroom.After letting her to enter,I urged her to sit down on the vacant chair.
"Hey,Hashimoto-san.Did I still needed to say my story to you?.I'm sure you already heard most of the parts from Tsujinaka and Nene since we are all together throughout the whole time before the earthquake happens.Can we just proceed to your questions itself?."
Ichika-san immediately bombered us with that statement as soon as she sit down.I think just like the othet two gals,she wants to end this interview as soon as possible.Unfortunately,
that will not happen.
"Your suggestion is really good but unfortunately,I still want hear you story,Ichika-
san.It still different when you told your own testimony than hearing it to others."
"Is that so?."
After that,she gave me a 'pissed off' face.She didn't probably like the reason I give.
"Well before that,can I asked you one thing?."
"Go ahead."
"Let say all of us already gave you our testimonies,are your sure will be able to find out the culprit?."
"It depends on your story and to others I haven't ask."
"I think you didn't get me,Hashimoto-san."
She looked at me with her serious and sharp eyes.It was somehow a scary look.It feels like she was ready to kill someone.Anyways,she continue.
"Did you think that asking everyone's testimonies will be enough to solve this case?.Aren't you doing a traditional way to solve a murder case?.Remember that we are not living in nineteen hundreds era,
Hashimoto-san."
I think I get it now what she was trying to say.She mean that the old way to find out who is the murderer is not applicable anymore in this modern era since we already so many ways to find out a culprit through the help of technology.
"You have a point,Ichika-san.But that is the problem.We are not allowed to involve the police here.And there is no really a detective out there.That's why we need to solve in an unthordox way;and that is to asked your testimonies,analyze the information,formulate a way how the murder is done and then finally reveal the culprit."
"But what if you accused a wrong person?."
"That will not happen.Well the most common way is elimination.Eliminate those who have a solid alibi then choose to those who are left."
"Ridiculous.Solivng a crime without involving the police is impossible.If they only allow them to investigate this case,we might already found out who is the culprit."
"Not really,Ichika-san."
"Huuuuh!?."
Although detectives are not really relevant nowadays,it doesn't mean that they can't solve a murder case anymore.The only difference ia that is the time.Though I think it also took for the police some days to find out a culprit in a crime.Well it depends on situation.
"Anyways,Ichika-san.Let's proceed now to your story.Instead of arguing each other,let's finish your interview as soon as possible."
"Well do what you want.But I'm sure at the end,you will not find the culprit.The only way to solve this is to include the police."
She sighed,somehow tired after arguing with me.But it seems like she was willing to cooperate.
"Okay.So we arrived at the school,together with Nene.Since we already know that Tsujinaka is the one who always arrived first among us,she probably in the canteen,waiting for us.Well after we reunited again to each other,we decided to go our usual place.Then I said that I'm already tired on standing so Tsujinaka decided to get some chairs in the storage room.But she come back only bringing one.So she asked Nene to asked Ayumi-san if we are allowed to use the chairs in the classroom.But she came back,saying that she didn't find Ayumi-san anywhere.Then Tsujinaka offered me the chair.But I refuse,
since I don't want to be the only one who are sitting in a chair while my other friend are standing.At the end,we decided to sit down on the ground itself.We just ignored that chair Tsujinaka brought.Then I noticed that Tsujinaka doesn't have a make-up.So she said she will just go to the bathroom to put some.Then the earthquake happens."
Finally,her story ended.I see.As expected,they have same story to each other.It's just a matter of perpective.It's just there is also some differences in the way how they told it
"Thank you very much for answering,Ichika-
san.But first of all,did you saw someone going down to the stairs when Reina-san go to the restroom?."
"Someone?.Hmmm.I'm not sure about that since I been talking to Nene while waiting for Tsujinaka."
"I see."
Unlike to Hoshino-san,she has the same answet as Reina-san.They are not sure.It's just either no one really go down there or someone go down but Reina-san and Ichika-san just didn't noticed it.But it was too much for coincidence.Anyways,I guess I will think about that again later.
"By the way,did you and Hoshino are childhood friends?.I'm just curious"
"Childhood friends?.Hahahaha.I think you get the wrong dea,Hashimoto-san."
"Well,I mean both of you are always coming at school together."
"Just because we arrived at school together doesn't mean we are already childhood friend."
I thought that the two of them will be like Tachibana-san and Onodera-san but I think what Ichika-san said is right.
"Are you perhaps just happen to be neighbors and then decided to go the school together?."
Not me,but Ayumi-san is the one who said.
"Well something like that.Honestly.....wait.
Should I really said it to them..."
Just when she is about tell something,she suddenly stopped.She was probably hesitating.But at the end,she spit it out.
"Well I'm not supposed to study in this school because my original home is far from here.But my parents said they will be busy from their work,starting from the same time when rhe school started.So they have no choice but to send me here,in my grandmother's hometown.
Coincidentally,my grandma needs someone to help in some activities and stuffs so my arrival here was also a perfect timing.In short it was a win-win situation between us.Then when the first day of school,I realized I have also a neighbor;that is of course,Nene,who is also going the same school.We got along to each other as the time goes and we ended becoming friends."
After sharing her little background story about Hoshino-san and her,she sighed.I see.So that's the story huh.It may not help in our investigation but I at least know now one fact these two gals.
"Can't you live on your own,Hoshino-san?." asked by Ayumi-san.
"Well I can but since my grandma needs my help,I decided to stay here.If it was for her,I will probably living alone in my house and attending a different school."
Basing from her answer,it seem like she was good person.Honestly,my impression to these three gals changed after hearing their stories.
Alhough it doesn't change the fact that they still hate me.
"Anyways,Hoshino-san.I want to asked you a complicated question.I hope you answer me honestly.What is your bust size?."
"That was rather a stupid question,Hashimoto-
san."
As expected,they are not easy to agree immediately with this question.Anyways,I continue.
"It was a question that I also asked to others.It was a part of investigation so if you gave me an honest answer then that will mean a lot."
"You are not just messing around,don't you?."
"No."
She sighed again after hearing my serious reply.Then after some seconds,she said.
"B.B cups."
"I see.Thank you very much for asnwering."
I wrote down that information to the notebook.Okay,let's do a little bit of experiment.
"Say,Ichika-san.Let's give you a scenario.After investigating this case,I finally found out that the culprit is Reina-san.But then,you can take the blame.I can report a false answer to the police.Will you take the blame for Reina-san?."
She didn't answer immediately.She didn't burst out just like what Reina-san and Hoshino-san did.She just think quietly.Then after a while,she spoke up.
"Yes.I think I will take the blame.Although that kind of question is a little bit confusing."
"Hoooh."
I was surprised.I didn't know if she was telling the truth but I can at least see the courage from eyes.
"I'm sorry.Just forget it.By the way,if you will gonna pick one,who do you think is the possible culprit among the people here."
"Of course its you.Although I can't prove it,you
are the most suspicious one here,Hashimoto-
san.Or should I say,that is my hunch"
"I see."
Just relying on a hunch huh.Now I remember it.Sometimes the guess of others turned to be right.Anyways,I continue questioning her.
"Now that Chinatsu-san was already gone,how do you feel,Ichika-san?."
"That's already obvious right?.Of course I was sad and surprised.Isn't the same for you and Ayumi-san and also for others.I'm sure this hits hard to Hosokawa-san,her bestfriend.And a murder on a school,I never thought it will happen here."
She was right about Hosokawa-san.I wonder if she already calm down herself in the spare room.And speaking of her.
"Thank you very much for answering all of my questions,Ichika-san.You can go back now in the spare room.And please tell to Hosokawa-
san that she was next."
There are still two no,three people left to interview.Hosokawa-san,Yahiro-san and Sensei.Wait.I,including Ayumi-san,these last
three people are actually the ones I suspect the least.What a coincidence.
Anyways,when Ichika-san was about to leave,
Ayumi-san suddenly called her out
"Uhhhmmm,Ichika-san!?."
She stopped on moving and turn her back.
"What is it,Ayumi-san?."
"Uhhm.I just want to asked one question.Of course,you don't need to forced yourself to answer this if you don't want."
She paused a bit then continue.
"Reina-san is really a good friend,isn't?."
Ichika-san opened her eyes a little bit wide.
She was probably surprised with that last-
minute question.Then after that,she smiled and said.
"You're right.She may hate Hashimoto-san that much but I believe that was just from outside.Afterall,me and Nene know her very well.Just like how she knows us that much."
After saying Ayumi-san the best answer she can give,Ichika-san finally left the classroom.
"What's that,Ayumi-san?."
"Well I'm just thinking that even though I can get along to all,to the point that I can considered all of you as a friend,I just realized that I don't have someone I can considered as 'bestfriend'."
"Really?.Didn't you considered Kanakura-san as one?."
"I dont really know if I can called her as a 'bestfriend'."
After that,I didn't push that conversation anymore.And now I realized.That I also don't have someone I can called 'bestfriend'."
Well at least someone confess her love to me.
But she is not here anymore.
"