October 26, 2017, Thursday. Current time is 1:48am.

It is just like an ordinary night. Everyone is taking their rest while the stars are shining in the dark sky with the half-faced moon reflecting the light from the sun that is giving a faint light on the surface of the Earth.

The night is peaceful and quiet.

Or is it? I shouldn't be narrating if I'm actually asleep.

The silence was suddenly broken because of the endless ringing of my phone that made me woke up in a very unusual time.

“Hello… Tenth. It's still early… what's happening?”

“Come to the school immediately. Akaji Mashido was found dead.”

“What the-

What?! What in the blazes is happening?!”

“Just hurry and come here as soon as possible. We need you to see him even before the police comes down here.”

*beep*

I quickly took my jacket, and in a hurry and panic, I left the house through my veranda and leaped down to the street. The day is still really far away and it is still extremely cold. I won't even bother to use my bicycle because it will be way faster if I just ran to there at my maximum speed output.

~ ~ ~

“Where is… hahh… hahh… Akaji?!”

“I didn't expect 14 seconds. Gin, this way.”

I don't have any time to catch my breath, but with the adrenaline fading, I could feel the pain in my throat gasping the cold air. What's more important however is that a student was left lying dead inside the school.

His body is still untouched and was still lying out cold behind the school stage.

“When was he seen here?”

“3 minutes ago. The guards saw him while they're doing the night inspections.”

I was handed a flashlight and pointed it to the corpse of Akaji.

“There's no blood or any traces. It's hard to have a lead with this. The police are going to be here in any moment, anyways.”

“You're the last person I want to hear that statement from, Tenth.

Look, he's properly lied down. His hands are clasped and he was probably moved a little from where he was killed.”

“Now that makes sense.

Wait, you said he was killed?”

“He was murdered by someone… no, not alone.

Look at both of his forearms and upper arms. They are still a bit red from hand marks. It seems that two people took his arms and forcefully grabbed it.

Now, look at his face. He was probably beaten until his last breath…

Wait, his head is swelling around the temple.”

“If this is homicide, there's a probability that he was hit on the head and his temporal bone may just be severely fractured. One more possibility is internal hemorrhage in the brain.”

“Sir! The police are here!”

“Lead them here.”

~ ~ ~

“We have already covered possible causes of his death, mostly. We just need to know the suspects.”

“Detective Juno Artecus is the name, Principal Juushiro.”

“It's an understatement to greet you a good morning.

Please have a look.”

Juno Artecus. He's wearing a long coat that hints more about being an experienced detective. He has a properly toned build and is also around my height.

“Men, we need more lights.”

“Yes, sir.”

A bigger light source shone in the crime scene, covering more area around the radius of the scene.

“Still untouched?”

“Yes, detective. He was found by one of the guards of my school at 1:37am. I was immediately contacted and went here as fast as I can.

Also, this man will give us assistance in this case. His name is Gin Sakato.”

“It's a very unpleasant morning, is it, Detective Artecus.”

“This is a case of homicide. Are you sure the guards are not to be considered suspects here?”

“That of course isn't out of the question. We're yet to check the security cameras, first and foremost.

Hold on, this is a blind spot… Damn it.”

Tenth started fidgeting as he was looking down. The police started to mark the crime scene but they haven't taken the body yet.

It's a good thing I put that there. It may just be a lead to the suspects.

“Coincidences are really something that is amazing, I'm telling you, Mr. Principal.”

I slightly jumped and reached out on a seemingly hidden space on the top corner between the two walls.

“Darn it. Of all the things… The slim chance of this happening took place here…

Here, I placed a camera in the blind spot yesterday just to be sure.”

“…!

This is why I trust your wits, Gin.”

“Alright, there's no time to be chit-chatting, Principal. That and the security cameras are to be reviewed immediately.

Also, I commend your quick actions, kid. Already pulling out the strings before something even happened.”

“No, I just followed my hunch and the probability of a murder here. I just did my work.

Also, it's Sakato.”

~ ~ ~

His parents were called who was really worried and didn't get any sleep. After they saw the body of Akaji, they came to the state of extreme sorrow and cried every tear they had.

“Damn it, this world is too unfair…”

The first footage that was checked is the time of dismissal which was 3pm yesterday. From the suspended students, the first one to leave the school gates was Ken Ichikawa. Then the three other students followed who went out of the gates together.

The footage was sped up until before the discovery of Akaji's body. The victim himself was never seen leaving the school gates—not even the three remaining suspended students.

They then followed up with the camera I planted.

“We're fortunate that the battery died just after the guards discovered his body. Also, that camera is insanely expensive because of the battery life it had and its giant storage.”

“I'll pay you back later for the cost of that.”

They found four people around 1am but their faces can't be seen. The light is so faint because it's only from the streetlights. Only four moving silhouettes of four people were seen.

Tenth paused the video before it even reached a key proof to the scene.

“Detective?”

“Yes, Mr. Juushiro.”

“Before you even came here, Gin had already made a hypothesis about this case. Now, let's see if his guess is right.”

“Quite a smart one, huh, Sakato. Then tell us your deduction.”

“First, let us play the footage of this scene. If I were to say, one of them is Akaji Mashido, the victim. I guessed from his slightly red arms that he was held by two people on his arms. It feels as if the last remaining person beat him to death.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Actually, no weapons were probably used against him.”

“I also assumed that there is a possibility of severe fracture in the temporal bone or internal hemorrhage in the brain. But I can't say that with certainty.”

It was seen on the footage that both of his hands were grabbed by two people. Just as I have said. He was punched five times by the other person.

“Wait a second, I am certain that the camera I planted recorded audio too. I'm pretty sure that camera records audio separately, so it might also be in the memory card.”

With simple clicks, the video is now playing with the attached audio.

“No, please… Don't do this…”

“Mashido, it's the end of the line. Just accept it already. You've always stopped everything I do, but this time, I'm the one stopping you, you patronizing prick.”

“What are you saying?! I'm only doing what is good for you and the rest of our class! This kind of way is unnecessary! This is plain idiocy!”

“Shut up, Mashido! Because of you showing your so-called discipline and justice, other parties are now interfering with us! It's all you fault it's happening to us.

I've had enough. Grab him!”

“No… no… no!

AAAHHHHHHHH!!!!”

Akaji was hit by a kick on his temple that dealt the fatal blow. After that, all he can do was scream out of pain and pass out.

The three suspects then dragged him a little and clasped Akaji's hands and placed him properly on the floor.

“This may serve as a warning for anyone who wishes to get in my way.”

…

“That person who killed him is sporting taekwondo. That I do know now.”

“Taekwondo?”

“Tenth, we need an immediate summon of three students. Yes, the suspects are students. Marcus Rodriguez, Eissen Lochry, and Stefan Carillo.

All of them are my classmates in Class 4A.”

“Your thoughts, Detective?”

“We'll call their families.”

~ ~ ~

After 15 minutes, the three of the suspects came and was asked to go in a room inside the Administrative Office where they will be interviewed.

“Alright, kids. My name is Juno Artecus and I am a detective. The three of you are called here because you are the possible suspects of murdering Akaji Mashido, your classmate.”

“What the-“

“Kid, I didn't tell you to speak. Sit down.”

It seems that the detective is now extremely mad. His assistant alongside him is sitting on a table in front of the three suspects.

“I don't want to make this long.

First question, where were you all after the dismissal?”

“The three of us didn't come home together but I was the earliest to get home at 5pm.”

“As Eissen said, he's the first one to go home. Then Marcus and I left together at around 5:30.”

Their voices sounded similar to the ones in the footage. It's getting more obvious that they already lied in the very first question. That is, if they are really the culprits.

“Second, were you all with the victim in that duration?”

“Around the dismissal up to 5:30? We're not with Akaji that time. I think he went home with Murasaki at 3.”

Marcus finally spoke, and his voice is the same on the one who beat him up in the video. It was also a lie. Murasaki Seo left the school alone after the bell rang. Also, I have never heard Marcus call anyone with their first names since I was a first year here.

He calls everyone in the class by their surnames even if it's a friend of his. Another thing is that the third person in the video called Akaji in his surname.

“Okay. Third question, do you have any attachments with him?”

“That…”

Stefan shut his mouth as he was about to speak. For a few minutes, the room had gone quiet while I'm still observing in another room where I watch on a monitor.

Eissen then answered the question with a seemingly innocent face.

“Attachments? No, there's none.

All we know is that he's our class representative and to tell you, he's a man of discipline.

Honestly, our class isn't that good because of us being undisciplined so almost every teacher hated us. But he always makes up for our shortcomings so it's sad that he died.”

Alright, I've had enough of listening to their lies. I left the room where I'm watching and went in front of the interviewing room without making any sound.

But I stepped back as I had an idea.

I took my phone from my pocket and searched the social media accounts of the three. I saw a post that really took my attention.

“I have never thought Marcus is really a taekwondo player.”

There's an inserted picture in the post where Marcus is with the national champion in men's taekwondo in junior high school level. It was also posted at the time when I was still inside the Room.

At first look, there's nothing really interesting about the post, aside from him with a famous champion. But it's noticeable that there is a wound on the champion's head and Marcus looks unhurt.

I went back in front of the door and I noticed that all their shoes are placed in a proper holder. If I can recall, I think this is one of the rooms inside the office where you can't take your shoes inside.

I checked the shoes of the suspects, and even the detectives'. I saw Marcus's shoe being leather, but when I touched its toecap, it's extremely hard. His left shoe does have a lighter weight.

“Hmm…”

I quickly removed my shoe and knocked while I wear a slip-on.

“Excuse me, Detective Juno, this is Gin. Can I come in?”

“Proceed.”

I lightly opened the door at a gap where I can already fit and immediately closed it.

“Gin?! Why are you here?”

I didn't answer Marcus's question and I directed my eyes to Detective Artecus.

“If you may permit me, detective—can I ask them a question?”

“If it'll be helpful, then go.”

“Thank you, sir.

Seven students were given a punishment of suspension for seven school days, and the three of them were involved in the suspension.

Now I ask, do you all know what the remaining four students did yesterday?”

The surprised expressions are still seen in their faces, but Stefan and Eissen still answered because the two detectives are in front of them.

The first one to speak was Stefan, and then he was followed by Eissen who is still really tensed.

“I saw Ken Ichikawa go home without saying a word. Out of the seven of us, he was the first one to leave.”

“Then the other three had a talk with us, but they refused to-“

“Eissen!”

Marcus stopped Eissen from talking and his surprised face turned to one with anger.

But what did the other three ‘refuse'?

“Eissen, I told you to shut your mouth…”

Marcus stood and ran towards me. He threw a desperate right hook but I dodged in time.

After I regained my balance from shifting my whole body, I was greeted with a kick from his right foot. It's time same kick that killed Akaji. He's really agile and quick.

Thankfully, I docked before I even got hit by that kick. Should I be hit by a kick like that, I'll probably be lying unconscious in the next second.

As I stood up, I saw him take a pocket knife from his back pocket and managed to touch the surface of my skin that made my cheek bleed in an instant. That ruined my balance and then he raised his right knee that is about to hit my face.

“Not joking around, are we, Marcus…?”

The detectives still can't apprehend him because Marcus made quite a distance to the table and he's attacking me too fast.

I can't take it anymore so I shifted gears and calmly caught the thrusting right knee and mimicked the kick that could damage the brain, but with an increased strength.

Just before I closed the one inch gap to his temple, I stopped. It feels like I pushed a lot of air with that kick that made his hair sway in the same direction of my foot.

With wide-opened eyes, he fell onto his knees and started trembling on the floor.

“My second question, what do you think will happen to you if that kick hit you?”

Marcus is having a hard time speaking while kneeling on the floor.

“I'll… I will probably… die…”

“…

Detective Artecus, I am very sorry for that. He just got on my nerves a bit.

…”

"Gah… What was I about to do…? Of all the times that I will be mad… Why now?!"

“Forgiven. But be very careful on how you act," collectedly, he said as he hit my back with his palm leaving me winded.

"Get him a medic and patch up his wound.”

“I appreciate it.”

“That concludes the interview.

Eissen Lochry, Stefan Carillo, and especially Marcus Rodriguez…

Under the law, what you did is severe enough that you could be sentenced with detention and rehabiliation in the juvenile court, and your parents can also be charged for it and even be sentenced. Further investigation will happen for this incident, and I hope you realize that your actions does not only have consequences on you, but also to those around you.

For now, you are all under my jurisdiction.”

“What's his name again, Juno? I'm writing them down.”

“Marcus Rodriguez.”

“Oh, Marcus. You know, if you didn't make haste like that, this investigation would be more peaceful.”

“Marcus, we didn't tell you three but we already had the lead that's why you were called this early.

You see… everything you said on the first three questions were already null and voided. The three of you are already the major suspects after the reviewing of the camera.”

“Actually, after Juno saw the three of them, he already knew who killed the victim.”

“And I was right that it was Rodriguez. You lose, so you owe me an espresso later.”

“Alright, I've already released all my frustration in that kick so…

One final question for Marcus—why did you kill Akaji?”

…

“I… I have nowhere to run now… so I might… I might as well tell you now.

In every way, I always oppose Mashido in any matters. May it be his philosophy or his action. Since first year, I have always hated him because I thought his disciplinary acts were a way of looking down on me.

So a few days ago, I banded a few people to make a huge prank that I wanted to happen yesterday. I thought that prank will work because Mashido didn't get any information about it.

But when we were sentenced with the punishment, he scolded the seven of us and continued on nagging.

And then Lochry suspected that Ichikawa may have told someone about our plan so he suggested that we should beat him. But I didn't even bother touching him because even though he joined us, it feels like he didn't really care and stood beside me instead of mobbing Sakato yesterday.”

Marcus was helped to sit down on his chair again and answered my last question.

Tenth finally came into the room in a hurry.

“Sorry, I'm late. I was talking with an officer earlier. What happened to your face, Gin?”

“Mr. Principal, that is to be told later. Right now, Rodriguez is in the middle of confessing everything.

Anyways, what time did you make your move?”

“It was around 12:30am. We drugged his drink that made him sleep and we transported him to the abandoned house near the school.

Then I made the two of them grab his arms so I can beat him up and destroy his head. I left his corpse behind the stage as a warning-“

“'…to anyone who wants to oppose me.' Am I right, Marcus?”

“Y-Yes, Sakato… You're right…”

“Well, that should do-“

“Sir! Our medical team just put out a preliminary report.”

“Come in.”

The detective scanned the results briefly and immediately looked at Tenth.

“Mr. Principal, you're more than right.”

“Huh? About what, detective?”

“The probable cause of death is internal bleeding in the head and the left side of his skull was heavily shattered.”

“That explains the metal plate I found inside Marcus's shoe before I entered this room. It's a strong plate of metal but is light. It probably adds weight and strengthens it with force and acceleration. That's the formula of force, alright.”

“I really shouldn't underestimate this kid, Mr. Principal. Your assistant is quite observant. You see, our CSI is currently working on a bigger case that's why they're not present.

If not because of Sakato's observation skills, the police will still be investigating after 6am.

Cheer up, boy. I don't usually commend people.”

He's been here for at least thirty minutes, and this is the first time I saw him smile.

“Then thanks, detective.”

“Alright. The police will send these three children in the station before the right department takes care of them. We'll be doing the contacting so all the principal needs to do is decide what you'll decide with them in your institution.”

“Hahh… I knew it would come to this.

As much as I don't want to, the three of them will be expelled from this school. It's my final decision.”

“Alright then, we'll clean up then we'll be going back to the station.

Goodbye for now, Mr. Principal and you, Gin Sakato.”

“I don't want to say ‘See you later, Detective.' because I actually want us not to meet frequently.”

“Then don't let anyone leave a corpse here in the future.

See ya.”

…

“Bloody… Now, I need to deal with more things now. Not that I care a lot about reputation, but I'm gonna to do a lot of damage control… and right after the sound amplification incident…

Gin, I think we should take a rest first.”

“Yeah. It's just 2am and we're already awake.”

“You know what, I have futons in my office. Let's sleep there.”

“What the heck… futons? This isn't Japan. You do know that.”

“Hey, now… I know you want to sleep on one. You're a KU, right?”

“Hahaha… I lost.”

“Be sure to wake up before the bells ring. I'll be having a meeting with the faculty later.”

“Mhm…”

“I'm just thinking that we should conclude this project this morning.”

“I think you're right."

"Will you lend me a hand, then… for the last time.”

“My left hand is free, but my right hand is not. It's a deal.”