"Please wait! I think I know who the culprit is!"

Not only did everyone fall under a short silence when she spoke, but, in addition to that, no one knew how to react.

There is only one girl with twin-tails in this class and that girl is Arkalee. She often dresses with extravagance and, without a doubt, she is pretty. Too pretty, honestly.

Her angelic face contains the rarest virgin killer asset I've ever seen.

With eyes that express unrealistic vividness and an intangible degree of innocence, her strikingly stunning beauty consumed me in a moment of awe.

The glistening white and silver earrings that synergized perfectly with her enthralling unrivaled charming appearance were only a sub-par factor in comparison to the bewitching divine golden make-up and pink-colored lipstick that infused a sense of balance so powerful enough to give heart attacks to anyone who would dare to bestow their unworthy eyes on her ethereal heavenly figure.

Furthermore, her crystalized-like white skin was enough to make you question whether or not it was genuine due to the unfathomable sheer radiance it transmitted to the outside world. As twins behave accordingly, her luscious brown twin-tails entwined with each other gleaming from the top of her vessel all the way to her bosom, which reminisced heaven itself.

In a truly excusable attempt of attempting to hide her semi-voluptuous chest, the formal green blazer made uniquely for the female gender fitted her with a waterfall of grace. Intertwined with her uniform, a hidden red tie, which would lose its existence the moment you looked at the lustful chest that only herself has stood there superficially.

Additionally to all of this, at her twin-tails' end, the destination where the gender I'm contracted with would fall in a rain of lust was undoubtedly her short green skirt hiding her slender waist and a well-refined-sized bend that her hips would have you lustfully fall in a malevolent storm of excitement.

To contemplate her fascinating passionate image further, blacks tighs with unlimited scenarios of endless paradoxical lust were her most visible alluring asset of today. Plus, the limitation between the tighs' end and her tempting-sized skirt was enough to make armies go to war just for the explicitly of the view that lied beneath the horizons above the imagery.

Ultimately, her soft hands whistled down from her chest to her waist's edge as Arkalee spoke in a marvelous tune.

"Aren't we using a weird set of methods to find the culprit...? In my personal opinion, we should all work together and solve this case...!"

Arkalee, in a cute low-toned voice, spoke out after a swift time span that was occupied with silence and admiration only.

"What are you talking about? First, you say that you know who the culprit is but then you say something like working together? Explain yourself better, please."

Akimiyashika, whose attitude contrasts the shy Arkalee, can't possibly comprehend why Arkalee was suddenly stricken with a searing sensation of reluctance.

Despite that, Arkalee replied back to the feverish Akimiyashika.

"E-Erm...! I do have my opinion on who the culprit is, but then I thought of something better... I think we should all work together in this case instead of splitting opinions like this... I want to find the culprit because I don't think it's fair that Ikkiri has to go through all of this! She doesn't deserve it!"

I think at this point we all have an opinion on who the culprit is, but, she does bring up a good point.

We are using a weird set of methods to decide who the culprit is. As a matter of fact, we might be walking in never-ending circles if we allow Akimiyashika to take the lead here.

Her approach isn't bad.

"I don't agree. The culprit will just find this as an opportunity and will manipulate everyone into thinking that someone else is the culprit. I rather avoid such scenarios. Teamwork is extremely bad here."

Tateyana, this time, differed, on Akimiyashika's steed. According to her, teamwork could be entirely flawed, as the culprit could use this as an opportunity.

It seems that Arkalee's attempts are fastly getting shut down quite often. Against two fierce girls like Akimiyashika and Tateyana, she can't possibly hold her ground for long.

"That type of opinion doesn't help though. If we follow Akimiyashika's point of view, then everyone else should have equally a chance of attempting something like this, then. Let's say for example that, Akimiyashika's table goes through the same as Ikkiri's. I bet you'd just blame it on Susaga just because he was your partner in the last exam and that therefore he has a valid reason to censure you for the loss."

Tatsu quickly stood and defend Arkalee's point by striking down Tateyana's opinion. Essentially, he's saying that the claim that Akimiyashika made a while ago is flawed because it follows very linear reasoning.

"My point still stands regardless. I didn't make that claim, Aki did. Don't get it twisted. Teamwork will not work for obvious reasons."

Tateyana is right. Akimiyashika was the one who made that claim. This was only relevant because Tatsu tried to defeat her logic by crushing Akimiyashika's point of view. I'm impressed she managed to see that.

Usually, people just take that as something that is remotely relevant to what's going on, but that was only relevant to Akimiyashika and not Tateyana.

"Guys...! We should stop arguing! I think I have a suggestion that can help us reach the culprit faster... Will you all listen, please?"

Yet again, Arkalee spoke up to the rest of the class.

Yuka-sensei who was by Ikkiri's side silent additionally spoke in response.

"Permitted."

I can't tell if Yuka-sensei just doesn't have a way or a set of methods of investigation or if she's willingly allowing us to take independent action. It's hard to be certain in these types of scenarios, but considering that she made Akimiyashika question Kawahara's case, this might be it.

All in all, Arkalee's sudden independent take of action is because she thinks that what happened to Ikkiri is unfair and she wants to fix the situation as soon as possible.

"Seeeennnseeeiii, can I leave? This is sooo boring. Like, for real? We're gonna stand here and argue about some random culprit? Who cares? This is her problem, not everyone else's."

In an arrogant and abhorrent manner, Yukishiro spoke. Fiddling with her phone as always, her facial expression resembled tremendous boredom.

However, her last words provoked an intense reaction on certain girls.

"Nobody's leaving. Especially not you, now. I bet it would be nice for you to leave huh? Too afraid to be found out?"

Taunting Yukishiro like that, Akimiyashika glared at her with serious eyes. Her haunting glare was a sign that she was not fucking around.

"But, like, I don't care about Ikkiri. I'm whatever. I just want to have my lunch, or is it too much to ask for? Hey, Ikkiri, why don't you stand up for yourself for once?"

"Your attitude is repugnant! I'm telling you that no one is leaving until the culprit is selected!"

"Doooon'tttt careeeee... Why are you all trying so hard when it's not even your own problem? She's just a coward who can't stand up for herself. Look, she didn't even reply to my own words. Too scared to speak? Probably. No. Certainly. In your table, there is the word 'attention-whore' written and I think I know why now."

Akimiyashika was fuming. She looked ready to knock some sense onto Yukishiro who was lazying around with her phone instead of looking at Akimiyashika in the eye.

Also, why is Rayazaki suddenly so silent? He has not spoken a single word which is just odd in general. Kawahara's orders or something like that?

"I dare you to say that again! I dare you! Say it!!"

Oh no, it's getting real. Someone step up, please. Though, girl fights are nice.

I don't know if it was fate or something, but Tsudo and I crossed glances and it was as if we both had a mutual understanding of ideas.

Unfortunately, this ended quickly, because Yuka-sensei decided to step in by clobbering her personal notebook on her desk, which created silence immediately. 

"Aki, stop. Yukishiro's right. No one here has to care, it's Ikkiri's problem. Still, you are not excused. You are, just like everyone in this classroom a suspect. Disobey my orders and you will feel the consequences. Also, I allowed Arkalee to speak. Why are you two speaking on her turn? I expected better from you two."

Maaan, what a bummer. I wanted to see a girl fight... Hairs getting pulled, period roasts, insulting each other's sizes and whatnot, but no...

Civility it is.

Though, Akimiyashika took this far too seriously and went to her desk while turning to look at Arkalee, who still had to speak up. Furthermore, Yukishiro seemed completely unbothered by this, as she kept on fiddling with her phone.

"Arkalee, if you may, now."

With all attention on her, it was Arkalee's turn to speak, again. Thus, with grace, she spoke.

"I believe the culprit to be attempting to use, either arguments to her/his side or staying silent in order to escape the possibility of being found out. However, doesn't all of this raise a single question...? And that is... How are we going to find the culprit?"

Remarkably, the only thing we know about this situation that is completely verdict is the fact that whoever did this most likely harbors a deep hatred for Ikkiri.

I just can't see why and that's eating me right now. I also want to take into consideration the possibility of all of this being an act, but I can't see how this is an act.

Am I starting to be filled with angst just because unexpected scenarios are always present and I am not able to see them?

Damn it...

"Thus, I've thought of the idea of all of us working with 4 people per table."

"What?!"

Some immediately opposed her idea because they could not tolerate the single idea of being paired up with someone again, especially three other people. I and my table partner are keeping our silence alright.

But if this spirals out of control, I might have to make my stand, but not now.

"Can you guys not interrupt every damn time? Just let her speak."

Angry, Tatsu ordered everyone to let the princess herself speak. Tatsu, I didn't know you were such a beta cuck.

You disappoint me. We didn't need another Sagasuga nor another Rayazaki. This is getting a bit troublesome. This wave of white-knights keeps on swarming like rats.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

We are supposed to be outlaws, not some society rejects who find joy in protecting every girl out there!

"T-Thank you, Tatsu..."

Stop blushing, please. Damn, how do these people even look at the mirror in the morning?!

"A-As I was saying, I believe that instead of thinking individually, we should unite as 4. For example, each table contains two people, right? If we combine the two tables then, there will be four people. Basic, truly! And then, these two pairs will think of who the culprit is! Right now, we are 23, if we count both Ikkiri and Yuka-sensei, so there will be 6 groups! However... one group will have to contain three people only! Though, that's fine! Because three brains are better than just one, ultimately, four are even better!"

With enthusiasm in her words, Arkalee proposed the idea of forming groups. The hell. Just say that from the start.

Why take this long to say it?

"I see, Arkalee. That's a simple but interesting idea. Alright. The already set partners will be paired up with the ones that they so desire. Just be quick about it."

Declaring that, Yuka-sensei made it clear that we had to be fast about this. Arkalee already mentioned that there would be 6 groups in general. Even Ikkiri and Yuka-sensei are not excluded.

Usually, I would complain that Yuka-sensei is part of this, but the ultimate goal is to find the culprit.

Most likely, what's going to happen is that, at the end, when all groups have formed a solid choice on who the culprit is, whoever gets voted the most will be labeled as the culprit.

Fair or not, voting is a method that is massively applied in these types of situations. I know for a fact that I didn't do it. Kawahara didn't do it, supposedly.

Akihiko also didn't.

If we follow an optimistic line of thought, then if we count out Ikkiri, the culprit is midst the other 20 people here.

And..........

Ah.

I hate this.

I really do...

I work better alone, so why do I have to expose myself to this awkward atmosphere...

Groups are already being formed with haste, but my table partner and I are refusing to take action.

"Ara, too scared to act?"

Smug as always. Is she doing this on purpose? I don't know.

"No, I'm just waiting for the selection to be over. The last pair will be paired up with us. No need to do anything unnecessary."

This is true. However, the chances of you getting paired up with a pair that lacks initiative, in general, could prove to be fatal here.

But, does it really matter, honestly? No one is pointing a gun at me right now. I don't have to do anything.

"Wow, you can think? I'm shocked..."

Sarcastic bitch.

Right now, most of the groups have been formed.

Hyunda and Arkalee + Rayazaki and Yukishiro is group number 1.

Ikkiri and Tatsu + Sagasuga and Tateyana is group number 2.

Yulia and Susaga + Ryoken and Gale is group number 3.

Yuka-sensei, Hinagiku, and Akimiyashika being a three number group is group 4.

Sana and Kan + Tsudo and Shizuku is group 5.

Which only leaves...

"Aniki!"

As I looked up in front, I could see Kuzan carrying both his table and Kanawari's. They both greeted us with gigantic smiles.

"Aniki?"

Unfortunately, the bitch caught on to the type of bond Kuzan and I had quickly, and, an evil smile erupted from her lips straight up as she looked at me with malicious eyes.

"It's not what you think..."

That's right. Kuzan and I share a brotherhood type of bond. Mere feeble creatures cannot hope to comprehend the type of bond we share.

I abandoned Yulia on a rainy day just to balance Kuzan's emotions. Tell me that's not brotherhood, I dare you.

"Hiiii!! Wooow, this has turned out to be quite the case, don't you think, Lus?"

"That's true, Kana. However, our 'Aniki' here isn't thinking much about it, it seems."

Stop...

Also, Kana? Are they friends?

Nonetheless, after connecting their tables to ours, both Kuzan and Kanawari sat down. Kanawari and Kuzan are awfully similar in the sense where their attitudes are positive ones.

Kuzan is just hiding his emotions though.

"What? Aniki, you aren't taking this seriously? Don't you want to catch who did this?!"

"That's right, that's right! We gotta avenge Ikkiri! She's been looking down ever since, the poor thing..."

What is this...? Their enthusiasm is so big it almost blinds me in the process.

It's as if I'm facing the sun up close!

But...

"Why do we have to take this seriously though?"

"Eh? Aniki?"

"I'm serious. Was Yukishiro wrong or something when she said that this is Ikkiri's problem? We have no reason to work towards the goal of finding the culprit."

This situation is fruitless. The culprit will be found out, but then what? There is nothing to stand to gain here.

My lack of compassion is completely partial. Ikkiri's situation doesn't mean anything to me. Plus, it's just as Yukishiro said.

She's too weak to stand up for herself. Thus, she's the perfect target for this.

"That's so heartless! She's our classmate! If we don't take care of her, then who will?!"

"Akimiyashika seems up to the task, Kana."

But she's forgetting that Akimiyashika alone can't defeat the opinion of the other 22. We could all vote against Ikkiri by saying that she orchestrated this herself and Akimiyashika would not be able to do a single thing.

"Mhm... I don't think Akimiyashika is thinking this clearly. Her intentions are clear, she wants to save Ikkiri and bring justice to her, but... I think she's more focused on something else... I just don't know what?"

"What do you mean, Kuzan?"

"Ahh, it's just, Aniki.... She could have asked everyone else to cooperate which would make the most sense but she's trying to take it all by herself. Look, she even joined the group that has the most people."

What Kuzan's insinuating is that Akimiyashika is far too independent, or rather, she prefers her own activity over any other.

"More importantly, how are we going to label who the culprit is?!"

According to Arkalee, having four brains is better than one. That's common sense for you. With that in mind, we should be able to draw a plausible conclusion.

Thus, Kanawari was the first to answer Kuzan's question.

"Yooouuu seeee, it's a good thing that I am here! I'm super sociable with the girls! Ain't that right, Lus?"

"Mhm, yeah."

I love how they are both almost physically clingy but they don't notice it. Their enthusiasm for their own expressions and actions is overwhelming so to speak.

Though, Kuzan. Give up. She's way above your league. Your Aniki won't allow you to set foot on the unrealistic land.

Just look at those luscious black-colored lips and blonde silky hair.

"Oh?! You know something, Kanawari?!"

"Sure I do! Well, first things first, what we should evaluate or take into consideration are the messages that are written on Ikkiri's table! Thankfully, I thought ahead and wrote them down for all of us!" 

Taking a wrapped white sheet out of her skirt's pocket, Kanawari showed us the words that the majority of us already knew.

As soon as Kuzan saw them, he couldn't help but feel revolted.

"That's horrible... Why would someone say such things..."

Kuzan is truly kind-hearted, I think. However, something forced him to be this way.

His situation isn't something to laugh at. I'm surprised he hasn't found a way to vent his emotions.

At this rate, he'll just keep on accumulating them until they explode.

"Don't worry! That's why we are here! Here is how this will work! We will give our opinion on all of the words or sentences that were written! That should give us a stronger insight into the situation, don't you think?"

"I see! Let's go then!"

"Aye! First off, 'DIE.'"

Kanawari quite literally shouted that. It even attracted some attention back to us. Though, we remained unphased despite that.

Kuzan took the first chance to give his opinion on it.

"Whoever wrote this clearly doesn't want her alive!"

After Kuzan's extremely obvious opinion, Kanawari followed up.

"As Kuzan said, whoever wrote this message doesn't want her to live! However, what we should question here is why that's the case! Mhmm...! To this person, Ikkiri's existence is extremely troublesome, but... I just can't see how! I'm leaving that to you two now!"

Passing the torch to us, I continued.

"Ikkiri's existence is a problem, but realistically speaking, we have no idea of knowing why. It's pointless to question what we don't know. I've got no opinion here."

"Well, well, that itself is already an opinion though!"

After Kanawari gave her words of consolation, all eyes were on the last person who had to say her personal set of words.

"As 'Aniki' said, it's truly pointless to question something we don't know..."

Can she stop that?

"But, we don't have to question why someone would view Ikkiri like that, but rather, we have to question what would make Ikkiri a subject of such a view. Nonetheless, I can't do the impossible. It's pretty impressive we got this far just based on a single word though."

From our first discussion as a group, we could conclude that we should evaluate the possible reason that would make Ikkiri a subject to the view that she is receiving.

Kanawari, realizing that it was time for the second word, moved on.

"Following that up, we got... 'ATTENTION WHORE!'"

Can she not speak so loud every time? It's sorta funny, but seriously.

"Ummm... Maybe someone is jealous of the attention she gets? I think she's just enthusiastic, but does that make her an attention whore...? I don't know, I'm not good at things like this..."

I'm familiar with attention whores. Rather, I hate the stereotype to the point where I have studied it religiously.

Ikkiri is not an attention whore. Attention whores act on reason, Ikkiri just acts on her curiosity. Whoever wrote this clearly misunderstood something.

"My turn, then! You see, Kuzan, these two words are something that is just about as natural as it gets when it comes to our own gender! Therefore... I think it's fair to call it now but... The culprit might've been a female! No, I'm certain that's the case!"

"What?! How can you be so sure, Kanawari!?"

"Think about it, Kuzan! Would you or Daniel call a girl an attention whore? Doesn't that type of insult only belong in the female gender?"

"Kanawari is right, Kuzan. We would either call the girl a 'thot' or 'hoe'."

"How vulgar. Truly typical of you."

My table partner's comment aside, I can see Kanawari's bizarre logic. Based on this message alone, it's not exactly a crazy thing to label the culprit as a female.

And since it was my turn, I spoke up.

"Kanawari's logic does seem plausible, but... Doesn't this type of insult only apply in love affairs?"

"That's true. You'd have to be crazy jealous to call someone an attention whore. Either that or you are incredibly spiteful."

Is she speaking from experience? Well, in spite of what my table partner had just said, I think it's important to be aware of the probability of a love affair happening.

But that brings up the question, which my table partner, surprisingly caught up to quickly.

"Assuming your opinion is done, I'll say my own. I do agree with you. However, this only works if there is an affair truly going on. Kana, do you know anything about this? Is Ikkiri dating someone?"

"Mhmm... I don't think so..."

I'll change that question a little bit better.

"If there would be someone in the whole class that Ikkiri would be in an affair right now, who would that person be?"

Only one person comes to mind.

Despite that, they couldn't get a clue as they all looked puzzled, thus I answered my own question, however, with my voice low.

"Wouldn't Hyunda fit the bill?"

"Hyunda?"

"Hyunda?!"

"Aniki, Hyunda?"

Why did these three idiots just question my words like this?

"I mean, isn't it obvious? They were both table partners but they got separated."

"That's about it though. They never had any remarkable interactions. Plus, Hyunda is... weird. You can't read him. Sorta freaky."

"Totally agree with you, Lus! He's a living enigma! Though... I could see the scenario that Daniel is proposing. Let's assume that's the case. Then, wouldn't this mean that there is someone who is jealous of their relationship...?"

Truth to be told, I did question that more than once already. Nevertheless, it was meaningless to continue to question, because I know for a fact that Hyunda, in no conceivable way can possibly care for someone romantically.

He just doesn't give that vibe. Still, this doesn't mean that Hyunda and Ikkiri are together. If so, then is there truly this third element that we are insinuating?

"Who though?"

Although Kuzan asked, we had no way of knowing.

"I really don't think there is this third person here. But... I don't know, I just had a hutch."

It's a really flawed hutch, now that I think about it. Hyunda isn't that type of person.

It's dumb to assume that there is a third element. I'll discard that possibility, then.

"We should keep that possibility though! It might help lead to other clues!"

Despite my denial, Kanawari insisted. I doubt it's going to do anything good for us though.

"Next up is... 'NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOU!!'"

Vigorously speaking, Kanawari yet again shouted to us.

And immediately said some additional words.

"Something to notice is how there are two exclamation marks this time!"

"Does it make a difference? I get that it's way to express vividness and exclamation in general, but is there something about it, Kanawari?"

It's not just the additional exclamation mark. This is where it starts to get personal. The last two messages were common ones. This one, not so much.

"Of course it does, Kuzan! The more exclamation marks you use, the more serious you are about what you are writing! It means that whoever wrote it, meant this message more than the previous ones!"

"Ohhh!! I do see your point, Kanawari! Then, I'll start!"

This is sorta intriguing, honestly. My perspective is slowly gaining more life in general.

"Whoever wrote that message wants to let Ikkiri know that nobody cares about her, to hurt her feelings. Hmmm... But why would the writer want to hurt her feelings?"

Something that was being commonly noticed as a pattern here was how it would go from question to question to question and arrive at a conclusion, which additionally would create another question.

It's fine though. We're going somewhere at least.

Kanawari's turn was up.

"If we relate the 'attention whore' and the 'nobody cares about you' insults altogether, it's as if the writer is telling us something. Plus, they came in sequence! We can't just ignore that! I'd say that the culprit is trying to say that it doesn't matter how much attention she gets, no one will care."

Crude.

But that's one way to see it.

My turn.

"What if the culprit's aim isn't to tell her that, but rather, to tell Ikkiri that the message will reflect on the future?"

"What do you mean, Aniki?"

"I'm saying, if we look at the current scenario, you can see that a fair share of people care for her, but what if that stops being the case? The sentence is written in present, but in the future, it will be the present."

Still, Kanawari's guess is better than mine. I just said what I said in order to get progressive opinions and opinions that might differ mine so I can reach faster and better ideas quickly.

And, her turn was up.

"This would be a lot easier if we just knew Ikkiri better as a whole, but none of us does. Therefore, our opinions will come out fragmented. Nonetheless, here is what I think... The culprit might've not seriously meant anything that deep as you three insinuated to be. This could just be psychological pressure."

I really wanted to argue here, but I don't want to ruin the serene atmosphere.

Her logic is somewhat dumb because you could just label all these messages as psychological pressure. Why can't you just admit that you have no take?

Unless... Unless she means to say that there's a hidden meaning to the psychological pressure but she just can't see it.

"Hey, what do you think about this psychological pressure? Does it have any meaning?"

"...It's hard to tell. We are trying to identify the culprit's reasons and behavior. We shouldn't lose too much time overthinking."

"Lus is right! There are more messages up ahead, but let's make a quick resume! We can safely assume that... One, Ikkiri is being viewed with hatred for a reason! Two, there might be a love affair going on! Three, the culprit wants Ikkiri to feel pressured by sending her messages with multiple signals!"

So far, this is basically nothing. Regardless, it's not really nothing. It's something.

Maybe this will change once we evaluate the remaining messages.