Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

Just like in past experiences, Nogami Sachiyo’s surface-level kindness—hoping he would join a club and enjoy a rose-colored youth like a normal high school student—didn’t have such pure intentions.

Wanting him to join a specific club, and even sending someone to escort him, indicated her target was predetermined. Sachiyo actually wanted him to join a designated club to help out… If Asami-senpai hadn’t intercepted him outside the activity building back then, things would likely have developed as Sachiyo had envisioned. Once the Novelist actually joined, the fox woman would have a hundred ways to make him obediently follow orders, turning him into a useful tool in her hands.

…This roundabout method of deception truly matched Sachiyo’s style, completely lacking the dignity expected of an adult. But that could be set aside for now, as more important facts lay before him.

“Sachiyo, let’s put aside your attempt to set me up for now…”

“Hey, calling it a setup is too harsh! I was acting with good intentions! Don’t you think…”

“Yes, yes, let’s say it was. Regarding the ‘Mystery Novel Research Club,’ could Nogami-san please tell me about it in detail?”

“You finally used an honorific, which deserves praise. But you should call me ‘sensei’ instead.”

The fox woman’s attitude was quite forthright this time. She was probably curious about someone actually joining a fictional club that didn’t even exist.

“…As I just said, Yuihara Private High School doesn’t have a club with that name.”

“Are there any similar ones? Like…”

“Unfortunately, this school doesn’t even have a traditional literature club. It was disbanded several years ago, and currently, related activities are grouped under the unified cultural interest society.”

…Is that for real?

“After all, it’s a college-prep high school,” Sachiyo said, her voice unclear whether expressing regret or mockery.

“…”

The Novelist glanced at Asami Yuko, who was not far away. She seemed to be attempting to learn how to position a pendulum clock again, her body swaying dangerously back and forth.

“In that case…”

He began to recall the scene when he first met Senpai, as well as their conversations at school.

“Does Sachiyo know about the usage situation of the activity rooms in the club building?”

“I do have the registration forms for usage in my computer… What is it?”

“The innermost activity room on the top floor. According to its location… let me think, it should be Room 420. What is its current purpose? Is there any club using it?”

“Click, click.”

A slight sound came from the other end of the line.

“No one. Room 420 is currently vacant and unused.”

…Ah, haha.

Using an empty classroom, engaging in strange social activities, the president of a fictional club that doesn’t exist… Asami-senpai sounded like the protagonist of a school ghost story students would gossip about.

He could ask Class Rep about this, as she was well-informed. Thinking about it, the Novelist felt he might have missed an opportunity to get to know her earlier.

Of course, Sachiyo, who was currently on the call with him, would also be a suitable person to ask, but there was an obvious quality gap as a confidant.

“…Ah, right,” the Novelist suddenly remembered something.

“If I recall correctly, even non-club members can apply for permission to use activity rooms, right?”

Judging from the setup and interior decoration of that activity room, as well as the books on the shelves and the teacups and saucers, it had clearly been in use for much longer than just a day or two—someone had been using it long-term.

“Yes. Students can hold after-school study sessions in activity rooms. Not just those who go straight home, but club members also often need larger venues when organizing school festivals or related activities.”

“…Could you check the records for Room 420?”

“You sure know how to order people around, kid.”

Sachiyo complained in an unhappy tone, but from his end, her fingers were working nimbly on the keyboard without pause.

“Let me see… Wait, this classroom seems to have been consistently reserved by a certain student from June of last year until April of this year. The stated reason was ‘reading group’… Was it a regular extracurricular activity?”

The fox woman’s volume suddenly rose slightly as she spoke. It was as if she had discovered something interesting.

“The applicant is Sudou Rika… This name sounds somewhat familiar, especially recently. Well, it seems there’s an inside story here. Speaking of which, Liang-kun has always been lucky in this regard, always barging into the core of strange incidents at odd times. Will you continue to maintain your score this time as well?”

The Novelist scratched the back of his head, his expression somewhat peculiar.

“What exactly am I competing against?! …Also, Sachiyo, baiting people like this isn’t a good habit.”

“Shut up. Does a current mystery Novelist have the right to say such things? And didn’t I tell you to call me sensei?”

After ending this part of the conversation with her usual line, Nogami Sachiyo sighed heavily.

“…Actually, this is something the school wanted to hide… This child has been missing for a week.”

“…Missing?”

“Yes. Her family has already filed a police report. But just the day before yesterday, Sudou-san was found by the police.”

Ah. That doesn’t sound good at all…?

“What they found was her body.”

“Sudou-san committed suicide by burning charcoal in an underground parking garage of a shopping mall, along with a group of high school students from other schools.”

The Novelist’s hand, which was holding the mobile phone, unconsciously tightened.

“…Can this kind of thing be kept secret? Her family wouldn’t agree, would they?”

Taking several deep breaths as silently as possible, he continued to maintain a calm demeanor while questioning the fox woman about the situation.

“Of course not. That’s why the school feels helpless. To avoid causing panic among students and drawing attention from outside public opinion, they’re currently using the excuse that she’s absent from school on leave, trying to buy time with this pretext… It looks like they won’t be able to hide it for much longer.”

As Sachiyo spoke, she suddenly made an “ah” sound, as if remembering something.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you ask me not to call a school-wide assembly recently? It was actually about this matter… Later, considering the potential social pressure, the scheduled assembly was temporarily canceled.”

Having a student from the school involved in the widely discussed suicide trend was naturally devastating news for the school administration. With the slightest mishandling, it could severely damage their reputation, especially for a renowned Tokyo school like Yuihara Private High School, known for its college admission rates. They must have been busy with public relations in these two days! Sudou-san’s death could not be concealed indefinitely.

…

He put the phone back into his pocket and shifted his gaze to Asami-senpai.

So then—