I sent the message to Lea before heading inside the dilapidated building. From what I gathered from my classmates the old school building is where the niche clubs are stationed.
Also I learned that our school had tons of weird clubs, I could run my imaginations as widly as I can and still have a similar club like that and all I need to do is find them.
The total number of clubs are unknown by both the school and the student body as even though only those who passed the assessment could be verified as a club there are unverified ones and even hidden and mysterious clubs that only those invited could join.
I don't know how much embellishments are there in those kind of rumors, but there is no smoke without fire.
And the school did not bother to stop them as long as they do not do something that would break the laws or tarnish the school's reputation. Because of that freedom I have a lot work to do just finding the Mystery Solving Club's clubroom.
As I was asking someone the location of it my phone suddenly vibrated, it is a long one which meant that it is a call.
I first gave my thanks to that man who ever so kindly pointed me towards 'maybe somewhere 4th or 5th floor, I am not sure.' I pulled out my phone once he left and saw Lea's name in it.
"Hello?"
"What is it that something you need to do?"
"Uh...well."
I found myself not fast enough to lie as I was faced with the realization that elevator and old buildings rarely works together.
"What? Are you with someone right now?"
I snapped back when I heard the snake in her tone, even though it's a call I could still feel her cold eyes straining upon me. Walking out the failing machine I responded to her before I got choked.
"No, I am not. I'm in the old school building right now."
"Why are you there?"
I deeply sighed inside when I gazed the ascending stairs. I made up a mixed lie and truth as I took my first step.
"Visiting the clubs, and see if there is some that might interest me."
"And here I thought you said you'd rather go home than spend your afternoon with strangers?"
"Why can't I change my mind?"
"You do you. Just don't comeback late."
"Mhm. Right, what club did you join?"
"Tea Ceremony Club."
"Did you just join for the snac—"
Oh, she ended the call. She's not here so I couldn't help but make a joke about it, I only realized how stupid is that later. I put that something out my control and focus more on my objective.
After an ardous task I finally reached the fourth floor, there are barely anyone on the hallway except tables and planks of woods if not for the whispered voices coming out of some rooms anyone would think that this floor is deserted.
Checking the room one by one, I realized that most of it are locked and there was no one inside while the few that is open is not the club I am searching for. I declined a lot of invitations from the clubs I wrongly stepped in to, before I could find someone who knew the right direction.
However one of them left me impressed, their objective and passion are could tie with the sports clubs of the school. I am even almost charmed to joining them due to the blood-boiling speech that the president of Little Sister Appreciation Club gave to me.
Sorry for him I have an older sister, but I am kind of interested on to hear a little Lea call me big brother.
In the end I found myself standing in front of the room at the end of the 5th floor close to the stairs leading to the rooftop. There were no signs that said that this was the one I was searching for but the description they gave me fits with it.
I knocked once and twice to thrice before stopping, however I wasted seconds of my life waiting yet the door did not open nor there is any kind of noise inside.
I did not have appointment so maybe they are out? I knocked three times again this time I made it louder.
"...W-Who's there!? If it's the student council, please leave our clubroom alone! I promise to find members that are willing to join, so please don't take our home!"
I wonder does Lea and Joseph are still in the parking lot, I kinda regretted my choices now.
"I am not from the council. I am here for a consultation—no, job."
I already wasted my time coming here why not make the most of it and bet that they have a way to solve the issue, also climbing down the stairs just after I almost exhausted my legs challenging it is only for those who only have muscles for brains. I am entitled to receive a glass of water from the troubles.
My words seemed to trigger something inside as a loud commotion happened. The person inside must been in a hurry and it did not take long for me to know why.
"Customer!? Did a murder case happened in the school? But if it is as simple as that you did not have to find me, there are good headed police out there too. But you're here so it must meant that it is a tricky case, was the victim found in a locked classroom with no suspect and the key that could open the room is missing? It is a locked room case, then I guess it's time for me, Sir—"
"Stop!"
The bespectacled, messy-red haired man who just slammed the door open and started to rabble about the imaginative crime scene of his had his mouth opened as I stopped him mid sentence.
"Calm down first, and let me in."
"Right! I am sorry about that its just that you are my first client since I joined this club. I am David Patterson First Year, you can call me David."
Looking at the buffed hand that he offers for a shake, I found this guy more like the culprit or the stupid police inspector that is only there to make the main character shine, he has no charm of a detective at all except for the his messy hair, also his glasses are not prescripted it is most likely only sitting on his nose to make himself look intellectual.
Damn, we better exchange places if my hypothesis about him is correct.
"Aster Vonns, I am a First Year too."
"Nice to meet you Schoolmate Aster. The place is a bit of messy, but you are much welcome to come in."
'A bit' is understatement, the clubroom was not littered with trash but stacks of books and newspapers. Reading a few of them as we made our way to the table I noticed that the only connection between them is: mystery.
From the best selling novels to reported crime scenes, all of them tries to test the wit of those who want to read it.
"Tea or coffee?" David asked when I took my seat.
"Do you have water?"
"...Yes. just wait a moment."
I nodded and while waiting for him to fill the glass from the water dispenser on the side, I let my eyes wander around the room. If anyone told me that this is a storage room of the library I would most likely believe it, bookshelves that are filled with books, stands that had newspaper that are printed decades ago, and the calming smell of ink and paper filled the air.
My eyes then stopped at an office desk that are placed in front of the window, what caught my attention was the plaque with a bold 'PRESIDENT' written on it laying on top of that.
Normal clubs are always headed by every third year students, I don't know about those dubious clubs but this one sounds like it does follow the strict rules of student council, that means this club still have one or more members.
"So what kind of consultation do you need?"
David asked before he could even place the glass of water in front of me. I looked at his glimmering eyes and took my time to moist my parched throat.
"I want you to find someone's information for me."
I showed him the picture in my phone. Like Ron said this person is rather well-known around the school that just asking my classmate who is in the neighboring desk earned me his social media account.
"Why did you want me to find info about Kyle Dividad? Did he killed someone, or maybe he blackmailed someone you know?"
If he had the powers I am sure my phone would have a hole in it because of how intense his gaze is. It looks that this bug is famous not for good things.
"No, but if you dig an information like that, it would be interesting."
Oh, his eyes suddenly lost its color.
"...So it's not a murder case?"
This fanatic deflated just like that. He had a high expectations that his luck is below average, its my first time I am seeing this kind of person.
"It's not. And why would you think that I go to this club instead of the police if there is really a murder?"
I felt a bit guilty to be the one who broke it to him that in reality you won't encounter horrifying cases like you are cursed by lady luck.
"Then—"
"Don't turn down your first case so hastily, and its not like I am asking you to do it for free."
"Even you pay me if I am not interested I can't work to the fullest."
I'm not sure if he is telling the truth or posing as a great detective, but he's truly have no interest in money. I've been with Ron for a long time that I forgotten that not all people cares for money, particularly at this school.
Tsk, I should have not let my lazy self made the choice. Again, I am disappointed that I did not go home instead.
Now how should I convince this detective geek?