All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

Yui Yuigahama clung to Kotomi for a long while before gradually calming down, her small nose twitching as she spoke:

"Kotomi, I almost had a heart attack when I saw the news on TV this morning."

Although her inner tension remained, Yui lowered her voice and whispered cautiously, "How did you end up involved in a murder case?"

Yui knew about her involvement in the murder case?

Hearing that she had learned about it from the news, Kotomi felt an involuntary twinge of anxiety. She knew the police would hold a press conference after the resolution of such a high-profile serial murder case to announce the outcome.

Logically, the press conference shouldn't have much to do with her. Yet, the fact that Yui learned about it through the news suggested that the police might have mentioned her name.

Wasn't privacy supposed to be protected? What's the point of pseudonyms if they're this ineffective?! Kotomi internally raged.

Trying not to confirm anything outright, Kotomi first asked Yui, "Dango, which news broadcast were you watching? Can you show me?"

Yui wiped the tear stains from her cheeks, took out her phone, and opened the recording of the police press conference from that morning.

The speaker in the center was the Police Chief, with the stoic Hidori Inspector sitting to his left, and a burly man—an inspector—on his right.

After summarizing and announcing that the serial murder case had concluded with the accidental deaths of the two perpetrators, the Police Chief handed over the floor to the Inspector and Hidori Inspector to field questions from reporters.

The police had pseudonymized the names of the victims, including the Isshiki father and daughter, replacing them with entirely different surnames. This reassured Kotomi.

This way, no one would connect Iroha Isshiki's mother to the fact that she was a murderer.

Yuuha Yukari deserved her fate, but Kotomi didn't want Iroha to suffer malicious gossip because of it.

The reporters present, representing various prominent news outlets, were seasoned professionals. Their questions came one after another, sharp and incisive, addressing what most people wanted to know about the case.

Both the Inspector and Hidori Inspector handled the situation with composure and professionalism, responding flawlessly.

The last reporter stood and asked, "Inspector Hidori, the report mentioned that one of the perpetrators stalked a female high school student the night before being crushed by a steel beam, intending to harm her. Did this student play a crucial role in solving the case?"

"The perpetrator indeed stalked a female high school student the night before his death," Hidori Inspector began. "I must commend this young woman. Even when confronted with a stalker who turned out to be a serial killer, she didn't panic or run aimlessly. Instead, she strategically and calmly moved to safe locations."

"Not only did she evade the stalker, but she also reversed the situation and tailed him for a while, obtaining a clear view of his appearance. After escaping, she promptly contacted the police, and her description allowed us to confirm that the stalker was indeed the serial killer and that he was currently in Chiba City. This crucial information enabled us to quickly pinpoint and locate our target."

Hidori Inspector's explanation was meticulous and professional.

"May I ask," the reporter continued, "if this person was truly just a high school girl? Did she possess any particularly exceptional qualities?"

"For confidentiality, let's call her Ms. Tomie," Hidori Inspector replied, pausing for effect. "If she had an exceptional quality, what impressed me the most was her remarkable composure and intelligence. She far surpasses her peers in these aspects. And there's one more thing..."

Here, Hidori Inspector deliberately stopped, piquing the curiosity of everyone present. Reporters instinctively reached for their recording devices or positioned their fingers over their laptop keyboards, sensing an unexpected scoop.

Even the Police Chief at the center turned slightly, awaiting Hidori Inspector's statement.

Under the collective anticipation, Hidori Inspector finally spoke:

"She has an extraordinary trait—her appetite."

For a moment, an invisible yet palpable wave of awkwardness swept over the press conference. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.

Not only did those present feel the discomfort, but Kotomi, watching the recording on her phone, also felt her skin crawl. If she weren't wearing shoes, her toes might have carved a detailed little house into the floorboards.

So much for her serious demeanor—Hidori Inspector sure knows how to make things awkward!

The recording ended, leaving Kotomi with a sheepish grin, unwilling to admit that the "Ms. Tomie" in question was her. She stammered awkwardly: "Well, that Tomie... could be anyone, right?"

"They use pseudonyms for the names mentioned in the police press conference. And these aren't just minor changes like altering a letter or two—the names are completely altered. Even if the name 'Kotomi' contains the character for 'tomi,' it doesn't necessarily mean it's me, right? There are plenty of people worldwide with 'tomi' in their names."

"Chiba City and a name containing 'tomi'—those two points alone might not have convinced me. But when that female officer said 'Tomie has a big appetite,' I immediately knew it had to be you!"

Yui sat firmly on Megumi Kato's chair, her tone resolute.

"Ugh, how annoying! If she'd said 'Tomie is extraordinarily beautiful,' and you'd guessed it was me, I would've happily admitted it on the spot! But you figured it out because of my appetite—now I don't even want to acknowledge it! Hmph!" Kotomi puffed her cheeks indignantly.

Though her words brimmed with irritation, she had indirectly admitted it.

Yui and Yukino Yukinoshita both showed surprise upon hearing this. Yui, in particular, reacted with an exaggerated look of shock.

"So it really was you, Kotomi?"

"Didn't you already guess that?" Kotomi tugged at the corner of her mouth.

"I did suspect it might be you after watching the news. But since the police were using pseudonyms, I've been feeling uneasy all morning, like my heart's been on a rollercoaster.

When I got to class and told Yukino about it, she suggested I act like I was certain it was you and then hug you as soon as you walked in to gauge your reaction."

After finishing her explanation, Yui let out a sigh of relief. Her previously tense emotions eased, and she couldn't stop herself from rambling on, even revealing Yukino's advice.

"When I saw the news this morning and heard the police officer say 'Tomie has a big appetite,' I immediately thought of you and became really worried. Then when I found out Yui was just as concerned, I gave her a suggestion."

Yukino spoke in her usual calm tone, sunlight gently illuminating her profile. Although her voice remained as cool as ever, her concerned gaze lingered on Kotomi's face the entire time.

It made sense that Yukino would come up with a plan rather than acting herself. After all, with her reserved nature, there was no way she'd have the courage to hug Kotomi directly.

Meanwhile, Yui hugged Kotomi every day as a matter of routine.

"As long as you're safe," Yukino said softly, her gaze unwavering but her faint smile captivating.

"Waaah, I was so scared! I'm so relieved you're okay, Kotomi!" Yui cried, letting out her emotions before hugging Kotomi tightly again.

When Mashiro Shiina arrived at the classroom, Yui sought Kotomi's consent before recounting what had happened earlier.

As someone who rarely watched the news, Mashiro hadn't noticed the police press conference or the recent string of murders. Upon hearing that Kotomi had been caught up in a murder case over the weekend, Mashiro's face turned pale with worry.

Only after learning that both perpetrators had died accidentally and the case had been resolved did Mashiro breathe a sigh of relief. Much like Yui, she lunged forward to hug Kotomi tightly.

Watching the two of them, one on either side hugging Kotomi, Megumi Kato—seated reluctantly in Yui's chair—tapped her fingers lightly on the desk, her expression faintly tinged with displeasure.

Since their conversation earlier had been so quiet, none of the other classmates overheard what had been discussed. All they saw was Yui and Mashiro hugging Kotomi in perfect harmony.

And so...

At Sobu High School, the rumors surrounding Kotomi escalated in just one morning from version 5.0 to version 6.0.

Shock! Kotomi caught in a classroom love triangle—Yui and Mashiro embracing her without jealousy, in perfect harmony!

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