"Ahem. Thank you all for attending. I'm your principal, Touta Tanaka. Today I wanted to gather the entirety of the student body and staff here together in one conglomerate to address recent events that have been plaguing us. There will be no sugarcoating this situation. Nakamura High School is a proud school of a proud city and it's been that way ever since this school was first established way back in the day. Nakamura as a whole has generally been peaceful for it's entire history. But that tranquility has since shattered. As most or all of you may know, several of our students have been... Well, murdered. What I'm now hearing being called the 'Nakamura Murders.' Ever since March of this year we've seen this tragedy unfold without any slowing down. We've been hurt, heartbroken, angered, frightened, and traumatized. And not just us here at the school. Parents and family have it the worst right now. I know many of you were close friends or at least acquaintances to the deceased. I do want to give my deepest condolences to those affected by these murders. I understand that life here at school has felt... Uneasy lately. Don't think I don't hear what you all mutter about in the halls or at lunch or in class. You're all worried. Fearful. And you have every right to be. But we teachers and staff... We're frustrated! It's one thing if we have to deal with harassment or bullying on a small scale. But for our own dear students to go missing and wind up dead it... It's damn frustrating! We get how you're all feeling! We do! Our guidance councilor has been overwhelmed with speaking to students affected by this tragedy. All of us are affected in some way. Something needs to be done! Something will be done... And that brings me to my next piece."

Normally at school assemblies there is muttering and quiet chatter amongst the students. But this time everyone was dead silent. Not a single word was audible. The occasional whisper into another's ear aside, the students and teachers kept quiet. For Senji, this being his first assembly since he started attending this school had him feeling rather uncomfortable. He glanced over to Ayame, her head lowered, bangs shrouding her eyes with darkness.

"Now to hopefully progress the ongoing investigation being held by the police and veteran detective Katashi Masakuma, he and a local officer known well by the community, Isamu Kojito, will both be visiting us here shortly to conduct a more personal investigation here on school grounds. I spoke with mister Masakuma not too long ago. He stated that they've thoroughly investigated all around town and even set up just outside the woods where the bodies were found. So now with no other options, our school was their next destination. He hopes to finally get to the bottom of this heinous tragedy and find the culprit, who he believes may be residing within our own school. He has his reasons for this that I cannot say out loud. So just know that he and officer Kojito will be here at the school soon. This needs to end. No more of our precious students should be taken! None of us should be coming to school with fear hanging over our heads that another victim will be taken from us! Not a single investigation under Masakuma's name has gone unsolved. While unsolved cases do exist and have been recorded, he assures us that this will not go unsolved. Bless that man's determination for the truth. Let us all pray that this case will close and life can return to normal. So I say to all of you, staff and students alike, to please try and remain optimistic in these dire times. If you are still having troubles feel free to take them to our guidance councilor. She will gladly sit down and speak with you personally. As she has been, bless her heart. We still have a school to run and for you to attend and eventually graduate from. I... Did have plans for a different kind of assembly before these murders started to get out of hand so... That assembly will be postponed until this situation is finally over. Anyway..."

Kaito's eyes widened. His own investigation was about to be overtaken by a real detective and a police officer. This was news he was not expecting. This changes everything for him. He would need to find the detective and speak to him about his current findings. This may be an opportunity to collaborate, he thought.

"... I want to reassure all of you, our wonderful students, that our staff will continue to support you and educate you through this rough patch in our history. Keep close to your friends and classmates. Go to a teacher or the guidance councilor for any help. Make sure you're getting home safe and be extremely cautious if you go anywhere else outside of school and home. We do not want another life to be taken from us. Remember that we're doing everything we can to put an end to this tragedy. I, Touta Tanaka, will conclude my part in this assembly. These two next to me have some things to say as well so I will open the floor to them."

After another half an hour passed of speaking, the assembly came to a conclusion. For the remaining time, students and teachers were free to mingle until the full hour had passed. Aoi, Daiki and Kanako leaned in close to Kaito. He was in a thinking pose so they were all curious what he was going to say. Senji raised an eyebrow but kept quiet. Ayame remained silent, leaning her head against Senji's shoulder.

"I know what you're all thinking or about to say so let me go ahead and speak..." Kaito said raising a finger.

Daiki closed his mouth before even uttering a single word.

"...My investigation will have to change. That detective is coming here... And I've already cleared several students as potential suspects. Perhaps we can collaborate on this. If he's going to be doing what I'm doing and bringing in every student for questioning, I can assist him. We, can assist him. He and I have the same mindset. We suspect someone here at the school is the mastermind behind these murders. You know what this means right guys? Means I might be able to aid in solving this case."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Daiki's eyes gleamed. Aoi and Kanako nodded. Senji thought about it but thinks he's right.

"Perhaps you can Kaito!" Kanako said. "With your natural charisma, you're able to approach anybody and speak to them with ease. Weed out those not suspected of any connection to the murders. You can spot red flags from a mile away."

"Exactly. And we'll keep aiding you however we can as well." Aoi added.

"Y-yeah. You and the detective working together sounds like a good idea. Frankly I-I just want this to end already." Senji stated.

Kaito wrapped his arms around Senji and Daiki, the two sitting closest to him.

"My friends... We will see this through. Who knows, maybe getting in good with that detective may be beneficial for me..." Kaito spoke with enthusiasm.

"Do you... Want to be a detective yourself Kaito?" Senji asked.

"Maybe. I... I'm not sure yet. Never thought about my future. But seeing poor girls being taken and slaughtered like cattle has really irked me. I'll do whatever it takes to put this to an end..."

Kaito stood up to leave, heading down the steps to go and speak to principal Tanaka himself. The others watched him approach the principal and begin speaking. This was quite the surprise to everyone. Kaito was usually a rebellious slacker just scraping by without a care in the world. Now he was actively engaging in conversation with the principal to see about assisting detective Masakuma and his willingness to help in ceasing the string of murders was crystal clear. Sure he may go back to his usual self once this all ends but seeing him acting like this was giving his friends hope.

"Well best of luck to him. Hey Aoi why don't we head over to our next class? I want to get there early and start prepping for that exam." Kanako said tapping Aoi's shoulder.

"O-oh sure. Of course. We'll uh, see you guys later." Aoi said.

Aoi and Kanako stood up and left them. Senji, Ayame and Daiki remained seated.

"Welp. I got nothing better to do. I have to go take a wicked dump. So, I'll see ya' later Senji!" Daiki said.

Hurriedly Daiki got up and rushed down the stairs, bolting out of the gymnasium. Only Senji and Ayaka were left now. She lifted her head off up of his shoulder, brushing it gently with her free hand. He looked to her, not sure what to say. The look in her eyes seemed distant.

"H-hey. You okay? Your head was down for most of that. You uh, seem bothered by something. Does it have to do with the assembly topic?" Senji asked.

Ayame turned to face him. She seemed distraught but he couldn't figure it out.

It's... Nothing. Let's just go." She murmured.

"O-oh. Okay..."

Senji stood up, taking Ayame's hand as she stood up with him. Before they had a chance to leave, two girls were heading down the stairs then stopped to turn and face the couple. There was a sense of resentment in their eyes with their focus on Ayame specifically. One of the girls, brandishing light brown hair in a ponytail with a blue bow pointed a finger at Ayame.

"You're always sulking about like a loner then go and snatch up the new guy, huh? Ha. If anyone in this school is truly a suspect for these fucking murders, it's definitely you ya' weirdo. Either you or that bitch Yunaka. The petty one that hates anyone not in her stupid clique or the shy, quiet girl with no friends. But you have a boyfriend now it seems so... Maybe you're in the clear. But maybe not. Don't trust her new guy. Probably gonna' get bored with you and go back to being a loner." The girl hissed before leaving with her friend in a huff.

Senji scratched his head. He wasn't expecting such a hostile intervention like that out of the blue. Once they were gone the two descended the stairs then made their way out into the hallway, finding a corner away from others.

"The hell was that all about? That was unnecessarily rude. D-don't listen to them Ayame. I don't care what others think of you. I trust you and I love you. But man, some people can be assholes..." Senji said.

Ayame just shrugged her shoulders as if nothing happened.

"I'm used to it. The pettiness of others' words don't bother me anymore. But, thank you. For... Ignoring their remarks. I... Love you too."

Ayame leaned in and gently kissed Senji.

"Yeah of course. Well, we don't have much time left before class. Want to just head off now?"

"Fine. I suppose."

Ayame once again clutched onto Senji's hand. The two stuck close as they walked away from the gymnasium and down the halls on their way to the classroom. The assembly still lingered in both of their minds. Even with the optimism that this case may eventually crack, the looming sense of dread still hovered over the heads of everyone including the two of them. Senji didn't get a chance to see Kaito before leaving but figured he was best left alone in his conversation with the principal. He wondered what was about to come for the school.