March Towards Tomorrow (3)

"The Chinese restaurant Oreki-kun went to this morning."

"So that's how it was..."

"Yes, I was reading on the second floor at the time."

"My apologies."

"Please, don't worry about it. A little noise now and then is fine. Besides, it's not a library; there's no rule that you must remain silent."

"Shiina-san is just as gentle as the rumors say."

Oreki sighed.

Where else could you find a girl this gentle?

There are probably only a few in the entire world.

If only Sakayanagi Arisu could learn a thing or two from Shiina.

He thought.

Unfortunately...

Given Sakayanagi Arisu's personality, she would never agree to that.

But that's fine, too.

If Sakayanagi suddenly became gentle one day, Oreki would probably break out in a cold sweat.

Either she'd be plotting something.

Or...

Better not to think about it.

"Ahem... regarding the art gallery incident, how much do you know, Shiina?"

"Well, let's see. I only have some preliminary theories."

"Could you tell me about them?"

"Certainly. For now, let's call the Class A driver 1, the Class D driver 2, and the sponsor's daughter 3."

"Right."

"Based on the existing clues, we can deduce that 1 and 3 have known each other for a long time. They could be classmates, or perhaps they are in an illicit relationship."

"The evidence?"

"3 specifically chose 1 to be her private driver."

"It's a bit of a stretch, but it does hold water."

"Next is the relationship between 1 and 2. If they were strangers, 2 would likely not have retaliated against 1."

"Why?"

"Because if someone isn't very familiar with another person, and they find out that person suddenly got lucky, they might complain a few times at most. They wouldn't go as far as 2 did and secretly tamper with 1's bus."

"True. But we can't rule out extremists."

"If it were an extremist, it wouldn't be as simple as just tampering with the vehicle."

"I suppose that's true..."

Oreki agreed with Shiina's reasoning.

If they were truly extremists, they would have to do something artistic, or it wouldn't make sense.

Art is explo...

"If they aren't strangers, then 1 and 2 must know each other."

"Friends? Or perhaps..."

"It probably isn't a normal friendship."

"Right. 'Fearing one's brother suffers, yet fearing one's brother drives a...'—that's the sentiment, isn't it?"

"Oreki-kun is unexpectedly humorous."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

Shiina nodded with a smile.

She continued her deduction:

"2 must have approached 1. The content of their conversation..."

"Was probably 2 asking 1 to beg 3 to get him an easy job as well."

"Exactly. But that was clearly unlikely to happen."

"Because the relationship between 1 and 3 isn't as simple as 2 thought."

"Correct. And when 1 learned that 3 wanted to hire him as her private driver, he might have been reluctant inside."

"Refused?"

"Yes. Otherwise, 1 wouldn't have hesitated for so long."

"Now that you mention it, 1 indeed didn't quit the job right away."

"Then the relationship between 1 and 3 certainly isn't a normal classmate relationship, let alone friends. After all, it's very difficult for someone from a lower social stratum to even meet someone from a higher one, let alone become friends with them."

"Mm. So, the relationship between 1 and 3 is something that cannot be brought into the light."

"...Secret lovers?"

"If possible, I really don't want to hear that term."

"My apologies."

"No, it's not Oreki's fault."

Shiina Hiyori tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

She extended her right hand toward Oreki.

"You've been very reserved since just a moment ago, Oreki."

What, what? What is happening right now?

Oreki was startled.

The usually quiet Shiina Hiyori...

Was actually being this proactive?

No, it definitely wasn't what he was thinking.

"Don't misunderstand, Oreki. I'm not like this with just anyone."

"I just felt..."

"We are the same kind, after all."

Oreki was swayed by Shiina Hiyori's words.

Without realizing it, he wanted to live up to that expectation.

In the end, Oreki took hold of Shiina Hiyori's right hand.

"How does it feel? Do you feel a bit more relaxed?"

"...Mm."

"Oreki's hands are surprisingly large."

"Is that so..."

"Mm, they feel very safe."

--!!!

He couldn't take it anymore.

A proactive girl was even more formidable than Oreki had imagined.

Especially one who was usually quiet and appeared so reserved.

"Let's get back to discussing the case."

"Understood."

"Where were we?"

"The relationship between 1 and 3."

"Mm... In that case, it wouldn't be strange at all if 1 was being gaslit to death by 3."

"Next is analyzing the motive for the crime."

"Why would the culprit want to steal this painting?"

"Money. Or perhaps, someone instructed the culprit to do it."

"The latter possibility is very low."

"Indeed. However... there is also the possibility of wanting revenge."

"Revenge?"

"No, it's nothing."

Oreki withdrew his speculation.

He didn't really want to believe in that possibility.

If that were the truth, then it would be...

It would be far too tragic.

"Let's split up for now."

"I'll go to the art gallery to investigate the registry."

"Shiina Hiyori, could you look into the staff's evaluations of the former curator?"

Oreki quickly formulated a plan.

Shiina Hiyori readily agreed.

"Remember to contact me via email, Oreki-kun."

She waved goodbye to Oreki.

Cute...

Very cute...

Extremely cute...

It would surely be blissful to date her, right?

Oreki nodded.

However, it was time to put an end to this madness.

He began to ponder ways to examine the registry.

Doing it alone would certainly be impossible for Oreki.

Even though he had money...

He still needed the ability to actually use it.

Bribing the front desk staff had a slim chance of success.

After much deliberation...

There was only one method that was both convenient and swift.

That was...

Oreki dialed Sakayanagi's number.

"How rare. What is it?"

"Could I borrow your beret for a moment?"

"?"

"Don't worry, I'm just going to use it."

"That phrasing is exactly what makes me worried. Fine... I suppose I have no choice."

"Thank you."

"Spare me the pleasantries. Where are you right now?"

"Uh... the restau--"

"Hm? What restaurant?"

Oreki suddenly fell silent.

He realized he hadn't even gone to eat lunch yet, had he?

Neither had Shiina Hiyori.

They had been so engrossed in their deduction that they had completely forgotten about it.

It was truly just as Shiina Hiyori had said.

They were indeed the same type of person.

"The Chinese restaurant near the library, Classmate Sakayanagi. The one you visited this morning."

"!?"

The sudden voice startled Oreki.

He turned around...

It was Shiina Hiyori.

But hadn't she already left just a moment ago?

However, the most serious problem at hand was not that.

It was the person on the other end of the line...

Sakayanagi Arisu.

"I see... You had better tell me what this is all about, Oreki Houtarou."

--To be continue