"There was a photo of Sasayama. Though it was extremely blurry."
In the archives, there was only one photo of Sasayama.
He handed the photo to Akane Tsunemori.
It was an indistinct photograph. The outline of the man in it could be made out, but it truly was not clear enough.
That head of hair was—white? Silver?
"...It was saved in the terminal Sasayama used. My instincts tell me this guy is suspicious, but Gino said, 'It's too blurry to be useful. Digital images without unprocessed verification can't be used as evidence in the first place. Instincts are just delusions,' or something like that."
"...Do you know this man's... name, perhaps?"
"The image file was called... 'Makishima.'"
It was noon at Sakura Frost Academy. The students in the classroom were either chatting in small groups, taking brief rests, or previewing the afternoon's upcoming lessons. Only Mika Shimotsuki sat silently by herself, playing with her portable information terminal.
Beside her, the bored Kawaharazaki Kagami muttered to herself.
"The dead student was Satsuki Kuzuhara."
"Oh, apparently."
There was no change in her tone, no trace of grief on her face, not even the slightest stir in her emotions. What did not concern her was none of her business; Mika Shimotsuki felt nothing about Satsuki Kuzuhara's death. Even if the two had not been particularly close, normally she would have shown at least a little regret, even if it was only an act. Yet Mika Shimotsuki could not even be bothered with keeping up appearances.
"Ashika's been absent since yesterday."
"...Seems so."
"Did you hear what I said?"
"Oh."
Mika Shimotsuki's voice remained completely flat, and her gaze never left the information terminal. She apparently had no desire to discuss the matter.
"Mika."
"Oh."
Only after hearing Kawaharazaki Kagami's complaining voice did Mika