After finishing the business with Reina-san,I go towards the staircase to meet another person.But when I take turns,I met two girls,
sitting on the stairs,talking to each other.
These two are also the ones that I want to talk so this was a perfect timing.
"What a coincidence,Tachibana-san and Onodera-san.I'm actually searching both of you to talk on something."
They stopped talking to each other and looked to me.
"Hmmmm." reacted by Onodera-san
"What do you want,Hashimoto?." asked by Tachibana-san.
"I want to do another interview to both you.
No,its more like confession part."
Tachibana-san narrowed her eyes because of my vague answer.Meanwhile,Onodera-san didn't react and instead just mumble something.
"First is Ayumi-san then now is Hashimoto-
san."
"Did she also visits the both of you?."
I heard her mumble so I asked that question.
Even though the reason for that is because I asked Ayumi-san to watched our classmates.
"Yeah.Although she just consult if there's something bothering from us.She said we can just asked her if we need some help."
The one who answer that is Tachibana-san.I see.Ayumi-san really doing her role well as my assistant.
"So what do you want to talk about,
Hashimoto?." asked by Tachibana-san.
Before answering her,I walk towards the middle of them and sit and on the stair higher than them.Both of them turn their body a little bit to face me.
"Let me get straight to the point.It's about Kanakura-san."
"Kanakura-san?." asked by Onodera-san.
"Well,what can you say about her paiting skills?."
Tachibana-san narrowed her eyes more and throw me a serious look.She might suspicious about my sudden appearance to them and asking a weird question.On the other hand,
Onodera-san still look the same.It seems like she doesn't really care about me.
"She was good.She has the talent to become a professional.But to be honest,I think
Chinatsu-san is better than her.To the point that her skills can match up to those expert ones.Too bad she died early." answered by Onodera-san,as usual,being blunt to other people.
I was honestly a litte bit surprised with her choose of words.She doesn't really hesitating to say those words directly.
I looked to Tachibana-san.She didn't react anything to what she said.But her eyes are still fixed looking at me.
"You're right.But did you know that,
Tachibana-san?.That Kanakura-san was so jealous to Chinatsu-san because of that?."
I asked her to break her intense look to me.
However,she just calm down a little bit but she still almost wears the same expression.
"I heard that rumor.But I think that it's.There's no evil intention behind that."
"Rumor huh."
I never thought it become like that.But anyways,this is where things will be gonna interesting.
"After gathering all the information from the interview,I realized that all of you doesn't have a possible motive except from Kanakura-san.
If we will just based on that,she can easily become the primary suspect from this case."
"But you can't only based on motive,
Hashimoto-san." said by Onodera-san
"That's right.But didn't she run towards the classroom back then when we are in the basketball court?.Maybe that was the time when she killed Chinatsu-san."
"That's impossible!.Didn't you and Ayumi-san followed her just after she runs?.She can't possible kill her quickly.What's more,in that short period of time." said by Tachibana-san,
denying my statement.
"That was a good point.Then if that's the case we can ruled her out and check some possibilites."
"What did you mean?."
"Well for example,if we will just talk about time efficiency to kill Chinatsu-san then there's one or two possible people out there aside from Kanakura-san."
They didn't reply to that since they already know who I'm talking about.Tachibana-san just close her distance to while giving me that serious look.
"Are you suspecting us,Hashimoto?."
"Something like that."
As expected,she already knew what I mean earlier.Tachibana-san and Onodera-san are the closest people in the classroom where the murder happen since they are sitting in the staircase near it.What's more,after Chinatsu-
san entered the classroom,she never go out.
That was probably the time when the murder happen
"But didn't I tell you before,we have no reason to kill her.We don't have a motive."
"Then we will just create one."
"Huh?."
She was surprised by that statement.
Meanwhile,Onodera-san is the same as ever.How should I put it,it feels she already expecting what I'm going to say.
But I wouldn't be suprised if that's really what she thinks.Afterall,she made a BLUNDER while
I asking her earlier in the interview.
"For starters,let's take a look again when I'm doing an interview with Onodera-san.She said something about having someone who is good in sport other than the two of you.She denied that and said just forget it.Then I consulted that matter to you,hoping for some information but you also gave me the same answer as her.So I forget it.But after some time,I reazlied there's more to that statement."
I stopped for a bit to see their reactions.
Tachibana-san was still giving that look and for Onodera-san,it seems like she didn't care at all.Then I continue.
"Then I remember Kanakura-san interview.She said something like 'just when I finally found out my real talent'.At first hear,it seems like it was just a normal phrase but after repeating saying this in my mind,there's actually more about it.Its like she had already a TALENT or should I say,a hobby before but couldn't manage to develop it that much."
"I don't know where this conversation will go,Hashimoto.And why did bring Kanakura's name if you want to talk something about us?."
"That's because she was connected to two of you."
"....."
She widened her eyes.Meanwhile,Onodera-san is still the same as ever.I continue.
"Going back to the topic,what I say earlier is just my theory for now.It's up to you to confirm if it is true or not.Well again,if she really have a talent/hobby before doing paintings then what is that?.Then that time,I start think of something that will fit her.Then I realized something.She was actually had a good body for SPORTS.Her running speed is also excellent,basing to what she did earlier when we are in the basketball court.Then after that I asked myself 'what if her previous hobby is doing basketball'.Of course,I haven't fully confirmed that.But I remember again the blunder that Onodera-san make in our interview.Yes,Tachibana-san.There's only one meaning for this."
I stopped for a bit before delivering the punchline of this whole conversation.I looked to Tachibana-san.She has now somehow a curious lool on her face.Then after that,I continue.
"That Kanakura-san was actually also your classmate in middle school,become teamate in basketball,become friends but for some reason,that bond broke."
Tachibana-san opened her eyes widely.
"How....did you.....know...that?." she asked as she couldn't believe what just she heard.
"Again,that was just my theory.But based on your reaction,it seem like I was right afterall."
She didn't replied back.Meanwhile,for some reason,Onodera-san just show a slight smile in her face.Is she impressed that I was be able to discovered that fact?.
"With that,both of you finally have a motive to kill Chinatsu-san."
"Huh!?."
"What I mean is that since Kanakura-san is your former friend and if you see her got surpassed again by someone with her current talent,then you have the reason to kill Chinatsu-san.What's more,you tried to protect her when I tried to accused her just earlier,
right?."
"How did....you come with that conclusion?."
Of course,they are not as close as when they are in the middle school.Kanakura-san became a basketball player once but she didn't really fully develop her skills to it.She gave up and search for another thing she can shine.She ended up in doing paintings.She tought she can become the best person in this field.Then Chinatsu-san's skills suddenly appeared.She got lose again.But this time,she never give up.She honed her skills until she surpassed Chinatsu-san.But that never happen.She couldn't beat Chinatsu-san in doing paintings.As a former friend,after seeing Kanakura-san's situation,Onodera-san and Tachibana-san need to rid off that person.
Wait,I think I need to clarify this point.
"Of course,only one among the both you can kill Chinatsu-san.You said that you can never kill a human,right?.I did believe that.But if that's the case,there's still one more person who can kill Chinatsu-san."
I looked at Onodera-san after saying.She just looks normal.No reactions from her face.She doesn't care if I suspect her.
On the other hand,Tachibana-san suddenly grabbed my collar and put her face close to mine.I'm sure she was angry right now.I can feel it and I can see it to her eye.Those raged eyes,as if they are ready to kill someone.
"You're joking right,Hashimoto!?."
"I'm not joking.To be honest,this was the best solution I came up so far.No one can prove that you didn't enter the classroom after Chinatsu-san entered first since that time,
Yahiro-san already go inside the classroom.So both of you took that opportunity to commit the murder.Onodera-san proceeds to the classroom and kill Chinatsu-san.You served as a look out for others.Then after that,you return to the staircase like nothing happen."
"You son a bitch!!."
She raised her right hand.I think she is about to punch me.But before her fist landed to my face,a consecutive claps was heard.
Onodera-san was clapping her hands.It feels like she was enjoying the scene that she ws witnessing.
"Kiri...saki?."
Tachibana-san suddenly stopped on her attempt to punch me.She just stunned on what Onodera-san is doing.
After that,she got closer to her and suddenly hugged her.She let her head to lay in her big breast.Then after that,she patted her head softly.
I looked at Onodera-san.She is now showing a caring face.A small smile but a very different compared to what she normally show.What I'm witnessing right now is geniune moment between two bestfriends.
After she finally calm her down,she spoke up.
"It's okay now,Seishirou.I'm always telling you to not burst out in this kind of situations but you still couldn't control yourself.But don't worry,I'm always here to calm you down."
"Kirisaki.....you....don't tell me...."
"Don't worry about that.It was not the final solution that Hashimoto-san came up right?."
She looked at me after saying that.She was probably waiting for me to confirm it.
"She's right.I just presented one of the possible way to kill Chinatsu-san.That's why don't cry anymore,Tachibana-san."
"I'm not...crying."
She said in a soft voice.She was definitely crying.
"See,Seishriou?.He haven't really accuse us.But I want ask him some questions and talk some things to prove our innocence alone.Yes,alone.And if that's the case,can you go first in the restroom or somewhere else first?.You don't want to show that face to him this time,right?.Don't worry,after this I will immediately follow you."
"You're right."
After that,Onodera-san offer her a handkerchief.Tachibana-san received it and left the scene.
"So what is your real goal,Hashimoto-san?."
It seems like she know what I'm really after.
And that was good to hear since I don't need to explain any further.
"I just want to asked you one thing about this murder case."
"Go ahead."
Even though she was hard to read,she was easy to talk.And that was actually one good trait about her.
"After Chinatsu-san go inside the classroom,
did you hear something there that time?.Any kind of sound,be it weird or normal will do."
She couldn't immediately answer because she was thinking for a little bit.After some time,she finally spoke up.
"None.I haven't hear anything weird that time."
"Even like a sound of a closing door?."
"Hmmmm.No.None."
"Are you truly sure about that?."
"Yes.I'm sure about that."
"I see.Thank you very much for answering,
Onodera-san."
"Can I go now?."
I'm about to say 'yes you can go now' but my curiosity risen up.
"Wait.Actually there's one more thing I want to asked.But it's not related anymore to the case.
It's more like selfish question of mine and it's okay for you to not answer it."
"Go ahead.I wouldn't mind answering it."
"First of all,I said earlier that your friendship to Kanakura-san broke up because of something.Is my theory right?."
"Well it's not like that.We still consider her as a friend but we can't go back now to what we used before."
"I see."
If that's the case,my next question is already obvious.
"Then why is that,Onodera-san?.Can you share to me some story about what happen?."
What I mean is why they couldn't go back again to what they used when they are in the middle school.I'm sure there must be some events happen that time and I want to know that.
On the other hand,Onodera-san just looked in the sky and start talking.
"Well it's nothing special.Did Seishirou already told you about the fact that we lose in national tournament way back in middle school?."
"Ah yes.She said you are the who comfort in the middle of her frustration."
"I see.Well that time,Kanakura-san was also a member of the team.After we lose,I also comfort her,just like what I did to Seishirou.
But she said she will quit basketball after that lose.Well I wouldn't say she was the same level as us but she had the potential.She could develop her skills furthermore.But she gave up."
So what I thinking earlier is right afterall.
"Of course,me and Seishirou tried to convice her not to quit.But one time,we have an argument about this.So at then end,we also gave up on her.We just thinking 'well her life,her choice'."
Your life,your choice huh.For some reason,I kinda ended up liking that phrase.Meanwhile,
Onodera-san continue
"But to think we will again in highschool.
This must be fate no,Hashimoto-san?."
"That may be right."
Fate is unpredictable and mysterious thing afterall.
"But I glad so see her doing fine.And the fact that she finally found what she really want to do.It was satisfying to see that she never give up this time."
"I agreed."
"Anyways,that's all.Can I go now,Hashimoto-
san?."
"Yes.Thank you very much for answering my selfish question.You must check Tachibana-
san now to see if she still crying."
"Haha.I'm sure she is not crying anymore.She was a tough girl afterall."
I opened my eyes a little.She laughed.A geniune one.This was probably the first time I saw her laughing.
After that conversation,she finally left the scene.I only came here to confirm something about the case but I ended up learning new things about those two girls.I guess messing up with Onodera-san was worth it.
But on th other hand,Onodera-san didn't heard anything weird that time.Hmmm.How is it possible?.