After waiting for time,Sensei finally arrived at the classroom.She sit down on the vacant down,crossed her legs and get one cigarette and lighter.She is about to light it but Ayumi-san stopped her.
"Sensei,teachers are not allowed to smoke inside the classroom."
"Really?.I thought today was an execption because of the incident."
"Of course not.Another thing is second-hand smoke will bother and harm us students"
"I see,I see.Then I will not argue anymore,
President.
She said in a rigid manner as she put back the cigarette in the pack and putting back the lighter on her right pocket.At least act as a real teacher for once.Well just for a short story,Sensei is always like this.Of course,she is good teacher.She is caring for us and teaching us all subjects in the school year.Honestly that was an insane job.To be able to teach us each subject,it feels like she is some sort genius.But I think the problem lies with her personality.She is not the type of person who will greet you in the morning with a big smile.No,I think she never do that to anyone in the past ten months as far as I know.She it not like Hosokawa-san,the cheerful type.She was the opposite-the cold one.I said earlier that she was teaching us properly but it lacks something.It feels dry.At the end,I just come up with an answer that maybe she just doing this teacher stuff for money.
Anyways,let's go back to the topic.
"By the way,how's your situation,Hashimoto?.I heard that you already asked all of your classmates testimonies.Did you already find out that culprit?."
"Oh,Sensei.I just finished collecting information.The brainstorming part is something I will do after we eat lunch."
"Now that you said it,lunch break will come soon."
I looked at the clock.It was already eleven o'clock in the morning.I guess after this interview with Sensei,we will eat first before forming a hypothesis.Drawing a solution with your empty stomach will not gonna make me think one.Come to think of it,I haven't eat anything since breakfast.It is also the same with Ayumi-san,which is helping me in this case for the whole time.
"Anyways,I remember telling that I will participate in this interview but I just realized that there's nothing to talk about from me,Hashimoto."
"Really?.So what did you do during the whole time before the earthquake happens?."
I asked immediately going straight to the point.
"I only stayed in the teacher's office together with the principal."
Oh by the way,prinicipal office and teacher's office shares the same building,in case you didn't know.Actually,this was a little bit weird since most school are always putting a separate building for them.But since this school only have one teacher,they just chose to mix the two different office.Maybe that was another thing for calling this school-
Hikarigaoka Girls Highschool,special.
Anyways,I continue questioning Sensei.
"You didn't go to the restroom or somewhere?."
"No."
"Are you really sure about that?."
"I didn't go outside and only stayed in the teacher's room together with the principal.
That was the fact."
"Maybe the principal didn't noticed you going outside.It's not like the two of really close to each other,right?.If I remember correctly,there was at least a wall seperating the two of you."
Even though they share the same room,they were at least something separates their places.And that already enough to block the view of each other.
"That was right.There is really a wall separating our places,Hashimoto.But supposing that I really go to the restroom or somewhere,what you could get from me for that scenario?."
That was really a good question.
"Are you suspecting me for being the culprit,Hashimoto?." she added
Is there any possibility for her to become the culprit?.Can Sensei have the courage to kill her own student?.
"Unfortunately,just how much I like to suspect you or to accused you as a murderer,I couldn't imagine that scenario.If we will just base on your personality,I think you can't be the culprit,Sensei.Afterall,you didn't show any interest to us."
"Thank you for the answer but I think you are kinda wrong in the last sentence,Hashimoto.I may have a personality contrast to what you are expecting but I can at least show my concern to my students."
"Really?."
"Yes.It just unnoticable."
Unnoticable huh.If I will be honest,I can't feel that from her.So if that the case,let's take this opportunity to ask this question.
"Anyways,Sensei.How do you feel that Chinatsu-san is already gone?."
"Of course I was sad.It may not showed from my face but that's how I feel inside.It was a tragic incident.I never thought that a murder will happen in a school.And I'm sure the murderer,whoever they are,must be feeling happy right now because their plan succeed."
"You're right."
She has the same opinion as others.And I somehow like the last sentence she said.The culprit must be celebrating right now.
"By the way,how about you President?.Are you also suspecting me on being the culprit?."
Sensei turned her head to Ayumi and asked that question.
"I'm not already suspecting you,Sensei." I interject
"No,Hashimoto.Well you said that earlier but I'm not trusting your words.Knowing you,I wouldn't be suprised if you ended choosing the principal as the murderer."
That would be a great plot twist if that happen.
"But didn't you just also said earlier that you trust me?."
"You probably don't get it or maybe you immediately forgot it.But I just 'thank you from your answer' not 'thank you for trusting me'."
"Is that so?."
I thought those two are just the same.Or maybe I'm just stupid?.Anyways,she stopped talking on me and focus her attenton to Ayumi-san.I also didn't push any further with that nonsense conversation.
"So Ayumi,what's your answer?."
She probably noticed that Sensei is already done messing with me so she braced herself and gave Sensei the answer she needed.
"I'm also have the same opinion as Hashimoto-kun.I can't imagine Sensei killing her student.I can't also think a reason why will you do that.Well,if the one who was murdered is the principal herself,I can at least suspect you since thinking a motive for that easy but since it was Chinatsu-san who got killed,it was a different story."
"See,Hashimoto.Ayumi didn't suspect me at all."
"Well she made a very good point."
I liked how Ayumi-san said that we may have a different story if we have a different victim.I mean if the one who got killed was the principal then it would be hard to determine who was the culprit among the students.
Anyways,let's go to the real business.
"Okay,okay Sensei.I'm now truly believed you.This was already my honest answer.Oh and you said that you really don't have something more to say to us since you only stay in the teacher's office for the whole time before the earthquake.But there's one question I want to asked you.Yes,only one question.And I want you to answer this with honesty.This is the most important you see.And depending on what answer will you give me,I might be able to find out who was the culprit."
I said that with a serious tone and face.Well I'm not lying when I said I can probably tell who was the culprit if Sensei gave me the answer that I'm needed
Meanwhile,Sensei gave me slight smile.She was probably happy that I might be able to determine the culprit after this.On the other side,Ayumi-san was suprised a little bit then looked at Sensei.I think she was curious about what kind of answer she will give to the question I will ask.
"Go ahead.If it is something that will you to solve this case, then I will gladly answer that question."
"The restroom was placed behind the spare room,right?.Because of that,it covers the window part on it resulting to a high temperature.Near that,there is another restroom which was made only for me,a boy.
That restroom was also covering the window at the principal office but only half since that was only a single person restroom.That means there is still a portion of window that was not covered since the window part in the principal is longer than the spare room.Here is the main question.Since the teacher's office and principal office shares the same room,you also share the same window part.Did you saw someone passed by from the window?."
That was a pretty long set-up before going to the main question but I need to explained that in order for her understand what I'm trying to say.
Sensei thinks for some time.After that she finally spoke with somehow an apologetic eyes.
"I'm sorry,Hashimoto.I know you go your way out to explained to me what you want trying to get at.In other words,since the restroom is located at the back of this building,you are asking me if there someone go towards the restroom right?.Unfortunately,I'm not really sure.No,I can't really tell since I'm not the one who was near in the window part.It was principal."
"Really?."
"Yes.Remember when I said there is a wall separating our places?.Actually,that was also blocking my view to the window.Also,when I said that I only stay on the teacher's office for the whole time,I also meant that I only sit from my chair for the whole time.I didn't stand up and go to the window since I'm busy doing my lesson plans and also preparing to the final exam of the school year."
"I see."
It couldn't help.But if that was the case,then.
"If you want,I can asked the principal that question.I will just give you the answers after you eat you lunch."
"Ah.No need for that,Sensei."
I looked first at Ayumi-san and continue.
"Are you already hungry now,Ayumi-san?."
"Well,yes but I think I can still handle myself a little bit longer."
"Can you still handle one more interview?."
"Yes.If I can help you in this case,I don't mind accompanying you."
"What are you planning,Hashimoto?." asked by Sensei,which is somehow confuse to my sudden actions.
"I just changed my plan a little.I did say earlier that I don't need to involve the principal in this interview.But since you said she is the one who might gave me the answes I needed,I will just have to ask her with myself."
"But just like I said,I can do that alone.You don't need to force yourself extending this interview longer.I know that you are very hungry right now."
Well she was right.I haven't eat something since my breakfast before going to school.But right now,I need answers.Answers that will bring me to the truth.
"Don't worry.I also want to ask some personal questions about her."
"Personal questions huh.I wonder what are you going to ask to her."
"Ah.Now that you said it,I actually want to ask one more question to you,Sensei.Oh,this will be also the last."
"Hmm?."
I almost forgot it.Or should I say,I was kinda hesitating to ask it to her because I know this was not the question you can normally ask to a woman.What's more,to your own teacher.
Thank God I manage to ask this to my classmates(although some were got hesitated to answer and angry,which is already an expected reaction).
"Well it is about your bust size,Sensei.Of course,you don't really need to answer this you find it stupid.But it was part of my investigation.I also did the same with my other classmates."
"It is really a very stupid question,Hashimoto.
But you said you also ask this question to your other classmates.Did all of them gave you their bust sizes?."
"Yes."
"Are you serious?."
She looked at Ayumi-san.She probably want to hear a confirmation to her.Ayumi-san quickly noticed it and immediately replied.
"He was telling the truth,Sensei.I also find it weird but since he said it was all part of his investigation,I didn't asked him any further."
"Ho.I see,I see."
She said as she closed her eyes.Did I made a wrong decision?.Did I messed up?.But all my thoughts disappeared when she spoke up.
"You really have guts to asked that question to your own teacher no,Hashimoto?.Well anyways,it was E cup.That was the size."
I got suprised a little bit for that answer.I looked to Ayumi-san.She just smiled to me.At the end,I just also did the same as I wrote down that information in the notebook.
"Thank you very much for answering and taking your precious time,Sensei.You can go back now to the spare room or to the teacher's office.And please asked the principal if we can take her time for a little bit for an interview."
"I see.Then goodluck to your investigation.I can't wait to see who is the culprit behind this murder.She may be celebrating for her temporary success but I'm sure you will find them out right?."
"I will try my best but don't be too excited,
Sensei.You may take your words back if it turned out that you really the murderer."
"I don't care,I will not trust your accusation against me,Hashimoto."
After she said that,she stand up and go to the door.When she is about to open it,I suddenly called her out.
"Wait,Sensei."
"Hmmm?."
"Your phone.I giving it back now."
After saying that,I pulled out her phone from my pocket,unlocked it and looked again with the photo I took earlier.Hmmmm.What is this?.Anyways,Sensei gave its password before she lend it to me so I manage to open it.
After checking up the photo, I reached my hand to give it to Sensei.She recieved it,check a little bit then put it to her pocket.
"What did you borrowed my phone again?."
"To take a photo.Photo of the classroom.You can also check it if you want."
"That's all you do?."
"Yes.Nothing more,nothing less."
"I see.Then that's good to hear."
That was the last words she said to me as she finally left the classroom.Meanwhile,I consulted again Ayumi-san.
"By the way,I think you are already hungry now,Ayumi-san.Actually,you don't need to accompany me with this last interview.You can just forget what I said earlier."
"Ah.Don't worry about it.I want at least to finished my role as an assistant at the very end."
"I see.Then thank you very much for your support."
At the end,I couldn't help but to thank her.Just one more,one more answer.I'm definitely close now to the truth.
But was that really the case?.