Taiju and Mai arrived at the café, breathless and frantic. They found Manabu and Mion in distress. Mion, overwhelmed by grief, remained silent, tears streaming down her face. Manabu, feeling the weight of his loss, decided to investigate further. He and Taiju rushed to the crime scene, only to find that the bodies had already been moved to hospital. The emptiness of the place only deepened Manabu's sense of sorrow.
Minutes later, Mai called with urgent news. The television was broadcasting a press conference featuring Detective Kenzo and special investigators. The coverage revealed that Mr. Santa had a history of similar murders across several countries. While the recent murders were consistent with his previous crimes, the addition of the "Merry Christmas" tag and smiley face suggested either a new element or a copycat. Detective Kenzo warned that the killer could be a national threat.
On January 6th
the school began. Manabu followed his usual routine, but the recent events left him feeling disoriented. He noted on a calendar that Mr. Santa had ceased his killings after December 25th. The murder dates were unsettlingly precise, and the absence of further crimes left Manabu feeling unease.
At school, the atmosphere was somber until the principal made an announcement. A new history teacher, Mr. Daima, and his son, Leon, would be joining them.
"Meet your new history teacher, Mr. Daima, and his son, Leon."
Leon's appearance was striking. His deep, dark eyes and ink-black hair, combined with his distinctly non-Asian features, made him stand out. He was half-German, and his multilingual abilities and charm quickly won the students over. Despite his impressive intellect and kindness, Leon's presence unnerved Manabu slightly.
Meanwhile, Mion continued to grieve silently. To lift her spirits, Taiju suggested that Manabu take her out on a date. With Mai and Taiju giving him tips via Bluetooth, Manabu invited Mion to a park where they had first met. Mion, looking ethereal in a white dress with flowing pink and purple hair, was hesitant but agreed.
As they walked, Mion shared memories of Naomi and how she had been her source of strength. Naomi had been her pillar of support after a tragic accident that claimed her parents and left her with an abusive brother. Mion's eyes filled with tears as she recounted their moments together. Manabu listened intently, offering comfort as they reached a bakery where Mion and Naomi had celebrated birthdays. Manabu held Mion, whispering promises of support. Mion cried, finding solace in his embrace.
The following day, Leon noticed Mion's lingering sadness and decided to befriend her. He and Manabu hatched a plan to celebrate Mion's birthday on February 4th, involving the entire class to make her feel valued.
On the big day, Manabu tricked Mion into thinking the school was closed. The class had secretly organized a surprise party. Mion, initially reluctant, was eventually persuaded to join. At the café, the entire class cheered, "Happy Birthday!" Mion, overwhelmed with emotion, broke into tears of happiness. The celebration lifted her spirits, and she bonded with Leon, who showed genuine interest in making her feel better.
Later, as they headed to Manabu's house, they witnessed a thief running frantically. Leon made a comment about the thief possibly being a petty criminal. Manabu and Taiju, quick to act, pursued the thief. They caught up with him, only to find him surrounded by accomplices. The confrontation escalated as Manabu and Taiju demanded the stolen wallet. The gang initially refused, but Manabu's forceful approach and Taiju's intimidating presence caused them to comply. Taiju broke one of the accomplice's hands, and they handed over the wallet. The thief, revealing he was coerced into theft, was handed over to the police.
The man whose wallet was stolen offered Manabu and Taiju a 1000 yen tip, which they initially refused but accepted after he insisted. Leon remarked on their quick action, comparing them to a cheetah.
Back at Manabu's house, the group discussed the recent events. Leon asked if Mion was feeling better, to which she responded affirmatively. Leon expressed his sympathy for Naomi and his regret at not meeting her. He then brought up the ongoing mystery of Mr. Santa, asking for opinions on the killer's nature.
The group was uncertain. Manabu presented his file, outlining Mr. Santa's pattern of killing and speculating that a copycat might be involved. Leon questioned why the killer targeted Naomi if he only went after criminals. Mion, though hesitant, voiced that Naomi would have supported punishing criminals but opposed taking lives. The group agreed and decided to leave the investigation to the authorities.
That night, Mion received a disturbing email:
From:unknown.666.@gmail.com
To:Mion1098@gmail.com
Subject:Naomi and Fukuba Sir
Don't reply, and don't ask who I am. Just meet me at this location...
(Behind the school yard)
Come alone.
The email sent a chill down Mion's spine. Determined to find answers about Naomi's death, she resolved to meet the mysterious sender, hoping it might lead to new insights.
To Be Continued...