Three days had passed since the Sudo incident.
Under the leadership of Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo, Class D had mobilized nearly every connection they could.
They then spent three days carrying out an intensive search for witnesses.
Even Honami Ichinose and the others, who were always happy to help, had lent a hand, using their good reputations and social connections to ask around.
However, the results were discouraging.
The area behind the Gymnasium was relatively secluded to begin with, and the incident had occurred close to evening. They could hardly find anyone willing to testify or claim to have seen what happened.
It was lunchtime.
Sunlight filtered through the dense zelkova leaves, casting dappled shadows over the park bench.
Akiyama Shin and Horikita Suzune sat side by side, quietly eating the lunches they had brought.
Several days of no progress had left a faint, barely perceptible impatience hanging in the air.
Horikita Suzune slowly finished her last bite, elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth with a tissue, then turned to look at the silent Akiyama Shin beside her. Her eyes carried the certainty of something she had carefully considered.
"Akiyama."
Her cool voice broke the afternoon stillness.
"I have a theory about the witness."
Akiyama Shin set down his water bottle and turned his gaze toward her, signaling for her to continue.
"I think..."
Horikita Suzune paused slightly, as though choosing her words with care.
"The witness is very likely Sakura Airi from our class."
Akiyama Shin raised an eyebrow, interest appearing on his face.
"Sakura Airi? Why do you say that?"
He did not have much of an impression of the extremely introverted girl who barely had any presence.
He only knew her name and that timid face she always kept lowered.
Horikita Suzune took a deep