sweet!sweet!sweet!(2)

The next morning.

Oreki woke up when it was nearly seven.

He didn't even know when he had fallen asleep last night.

Probably before Sakayanagi finished washing up...

However, that didn't matter.

What mattered was...

Where was Sakayanagi?

Oreki took a quick look around.

Not on the bed.

Not at the desk either.

He immediately put on his clothes, got out of bed, and went to the living room.

"You're up?"

Sakayanagi was wearing an apron.

She was making breakfast.

"...Yeah."

Oreki nodded, puzzled.

Didn't they usually go out for breakfast?

Why had she liked cooking at home these past few days...

Did something happen?

"You don't look very well. Did you have a nightmare last night?"

"No. It's probably just because I've been too tired lately."

"Is that so? Then remember to get some good rest."

"Thanks."

Oreki and Sakayanagi sat together.

The two of them finished eating in about ten minutes.

"Let's go."

"Mm."

After stepping out the door, Oreki felt like something was off.

But he couldn't put his finger on it.

This feeling was uncomfortable.

It was as if he were only one step away.

"What are you planning to do tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?"

"The weekly test. We just talked about it last night."

"Oh... as for that, there's no need to worry too much."

Oreki hesitated for a moment.

He finally spoke up.

"By the way, did something happen?"

"Nothing at all."

"But I get the feeling that you..."

"Have changed? Houtarou, people are always changing."

"No, it's just..."

"Could you give me a ride again?"

Sakayanagi pointed at the bicycle Oreki had parked downstairs.

She seemed very eager for Oreki to take her on his bike.

"Sure."

Oreki didn't dawdle.

He had already done it when school started, anyway.

What did it matter if he did it again now?

He quickly pushed the bicycle out.

Sakayanagi Arisu leaned back in the passenger seat.

Her slender feet dangled in mid-air, her white skirt trailing like a cloud.

A few strands of hair beneath her beret fluttered in the breeze.

After a long silence, she hooked her finger into the corner of Oreki's shirt.

"How wonderful it would be if time could stop at this very moment..."

"..."

Oreki did not reply.

He simply slowed down in silence.

As the wind swept past.

Her hem fluttered like a white bird...

Startling the moonflowers along the roadside.

That morning, Oreki had no heart for the lecture.

His gaze was fixed entirely on Sakayanagi.

Something must have happened.

No...

Perhaps there was something Sakayanagi hadn't told him.

"Don't be in such a rush to leave, I have an announcement to make."

The homeroom teacher tapped the blackboard.

He informed everyone about the weekly test scheduled for tomorrow.

"Therefore, you must decide on a leader before tomorrow. Anyone will do; after all, it's just to draw lots."

"That is all."

Seeing that no one had any questions, he packed his things and left.

The classroom instantly erupted into noise.

But Oreki had no interest in listening.

I'll spend lunch with Sakayanagi, he thought.

If he didn't get to the bottom of this, he would surely regret it.

"Um..."

"I have something to attend to at noon, Houtarou. You should head back on your own."

"Is that so..."

"Yes, goodbye."

Sakayanagi left, leaning on her cane.

I get the feeling...

That there is some sorrow there.

Oreki wanted to reach out and grab Sakayanagi's hand.

But for some reason.

His right hand, suspended in mid-air, could not bring itself to move forward, and he could only watch helplessly as Sakayanagi Arisu disappeared from sight.

The magic known as "love"...

Is not always a good thing.

It makes a person hesitant.

If he stopped her, would the relationship between them change?

This was a gamble Oreki dared not take.

"Houtarou, did something happen?"

Hashimoto Masayoshi greeted him as he walked over.

He was sharp, as expected.

He could tell at a glance that Oreki wasn't himself today.

He had come to ask...

Likely fearing that Oreki might neglect the mission because of it.

That is, ensuring Class A and Class B were placed in the same group for the weekly test.

The importance of this matter went without saying.

If this were to succeed, then Class A and Class B would have established a preliminary cooperative relationship.

Afterward, they could join forces to leave Class C and Class D far behind.

Once it was confirmed that they could no longer catch up.

Then, the cooperation would be dissolved.

Fighting each other, winning against each other, or whatever.

However those two classes wanted to play it.

Regardless, the final victor would not be Class C, and certainly not Class D.

"Nothing else, I'm leaving."

Oreki picked up his satchel and left his seat.

He had no intention of continuing the conversation with Hashimoto Masayoshi.

He probably just found it troublesome.

"How heartless."

Hashimoto Masayoshi shrugged.

He looked at Katsuragi to the side and smiled triumphantly.

On the other side.

Having left the classroom, Oreki arrived at the rooftop.

He picked up his phone.

The screen remained on the contacts list.

Sakayanagi Narimori.

In other words, Sakayanagi Arisu's father.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally pressed the number.

"Beep, beep—"

After a series of rings.

Sakayanagi's Father's voice came from the other end of the line.

"Houtarou? Calling me specifically, has something happened to Arisu?"

"...No. I want to discuss the art gallery incident with you."

"Oh, I see."

"Yes. The true culprit of that case was the janitor, whose goal was to frame the sponsor's daughter to take revenge for his own son."

"As I thought..."

"As you thought?"

"No, it's nothing. Houtarou, please continue."

"Yes. The method was simple. First, he used a timer to cut the power to the main exhibition hall, then hid the painting in the interlayer of a food cart, and finally brought it to the staff dormitory."

"As expected of Houtarou."

"If you go looking now, you should be able to find it under the bed frame."

"No, that is no longer necessary."

"Is that so?"

"The 'culprit' has already been apprehended."

"But..."

"Houtarou, you should be the only one who knows the truth of this matter; do not speak of it to anyone else."

"I understand..."

"Is there anything else?"

"...Yes."

Oreki called out before Sakayanagi's Father could hang up.

He had missed an opportunity just now.

If he missed it again now, there would truly be no more chances.

Otherwise...

He wouldn't have shown his capabilities to Sakayanagi's Father.

Once he knew Oreki's value, surely he would answer his question, right?

"Is Sakayanagi... planning to drop out?"

"..."

"The heart condition has already become so severe that..."

"Houtarou, Arisu is very happy and very lucky to have met you. So, there is no need to say anything more; let her spend the remaining time as she wishes."

After saying this, Sakayanagi's Father hung up the phone.

He left Oreki standing there in silence.

Sometimes, he wished he didn't possess such strong deductive abilities.

In truth, Oreki had known the reason all along.

He simply refused to believe it.

Just like a moment ago.

Oreki was afraid that if he stopped Sakayanagi, he would hear it from her own lips...

Now, it was useless to say anything.

Make a choice.

Should he run to Sakayanagi's side right now to be with her?

Or should he continue to deceive himself?

Deceive himself into believing that Sakayanagi would return once she recovered from her illness.

Nothing would happen.

Now!

Make your choice, Oreki Houtarou...

Sakayanagi IF Route initiated

--To be continue