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Published at 20th of January 2017 01:03:49 PM


Chapter 3

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♦ 3 Locked room case (consultation difficulty II)

「Fuu, today is a good day, isn’t it?」
On my way back home through the quiet residential area illuminated by the street light, I was in a very good mood.
Because, although I couldn’t play an active part by myself, somehow Amami-senpai’s request to the club was solved. The results are that Clair’s life was saved and Amami-senpai must have reconciled with her boyfriend.
I couldn’t feel bad with that. But, there is another reason for this good mood.
Because today, not even one consultant came, I was able to enjoy my hobby in the clubroom after a long time.
Just like my heart was watered after several days, I who felt the happiness throughout my body kept my smile the whole time in the clubroom.
Because Aizawa was reading a fashion magazine happily and Shinonome also read after finishing the work of the student council, there wasn’t any nuisance in particular or anything worth mentioning.
「Un, good. As it is right now then I think I can act the same as before!」 (as in enjoying his hobby in the club) 
Because I speak loudly, the passersby on the street was surprisedーーbut I don’t mind.
A, but wait. We still haven’t cleared all the trials, I think.
The culprit who is the sender of the letter hasn’t come to contact with the literature club yet.
In other words, the busy days like a few days ago may return?
「But if we clear all the trials, a day like today may come again. If so, it’s nothing (to be afraid)」
I don’t know the trials will continue for how long, but next time, without Shinonome’s help, I will show that I can regain the literature club’s tranquility with my own hands. And then, I will enjoy two-dimensional stuffs again like today!
Like that, I quickly reach my house.
「I’m homeー」
I opened the entrance hall door with an unusual cheerful voice.
「A, nii-san. Welcome home」
Sharte who is wearing the uniform of houtou junior high school is sitting on the floor grasping her knees. In her hand is a ladle, it seems like she’s in the middle of cooking.
「I’m home, Sharte. Etto, you waited for me at the entrance today too?」
「Hai. Because, waiting like this is a little sister’s duty」
Sharte stands up and quietly waits for me who is smiling wryly to come in. Despite her expressionless and the voice without any intonation, I understand that Sharte is pleased.
Every time I return, she always acts like this happily. By the way, if the current Sharte had a tail, there’s no doubt that it would be waving with all its strength right nowーーit’s because she’s pleased.
I arrange my shoes and come in to the house. When I look at Sharte, she already opened her arms lightly.
「Nii-san. The usual, please」
「Un, of courseーー」
I gently hug the small body which has a faint, nice smell.
My imouto also hug me gently.
「Sharte, you did your best alone today too, right?」
「……Hai. Because I don’t want to trouble Nii-san」
As if checking my warmth, she tightens moderately.
Because of the war, Sharte lost her real family so there’s no undulation in her feeling now.
If I leave her side even just a little, there will be a gap.
Because of that, she didn’t separate from me who became her new family. But, not going to our schools is no good. Therefore, she always does this when I return.
「Sharte is so admirable. Despite the fact that being separated from me is scary, you do your best and go to school diligently. You was so excellent that you are the student council president now, I’m relieved because of that」
「……If so, I’m happy」
I was surprised when the information came after Sharte became the student council president.
Though I don’t know the reason of her becoming a candidate because she doesn’t tell me……
「But Sharte, you really have grown up. In the past, after I returned from school, you immediately leaped towards and followed me. Do you still remember?」
「Nii-san, please don’t say anymore」
As if embarrassed, she hugs me more.
Peeking at her face from the side, her ear slightly reddened.
I think in those days, when she went to school in the morning, she didn’t want to separate from me and fretted. It was very troublesome, but after I protected Sharte from the bully, she didn’t say any selfish thing anymore.
……Maa, the consequence was I had to go through that instead.
Feeling gloomy by the result of remembering that unpleasant memory, I exert myself to act brightly.
「Other than that, Sharte, is it fine now?」
「…..Hai. I think I can do by best tomorrow with this」
「I see. then it’s fineーー」
I separate our bodies and go towards the living room, Sharte quietly entwines both her hands around my arm.
Inside the house, I and my imouto always have such a feeling. Except the time in toilet, we are together almost every time and don’t separate from others’ side.
When we enter the living room, a nice smell drifted from the kitchen.
「Dinner today is curry huhーーーtte, Yaga. You already returned?」
When I pull the chair of the dinning table out to put my bag on, there was a white, beautiful female cat sleeping on it.
「It returned in the evening. Probably, I think it just played outside again」
「Haha……you are really a whimsical cat, aren’t you? This time, you are outside for five days」 (今回は五日も外にいたってことか)
Yaga was originally a stray, because it was very beautiful, Sharte picked it up in the past.
For the time being, I put my bag on the chair nearby and go to the kitchen with Sharte.
「Yoshi, then Sharte. Though I intend to help, what should I do?」
「Thank you, nii-san. Well……because the curry has boiled well,
Can you cut the vegetables to put in the salad?」
「Okay. Leave it to me」
ーーtee, would the tomato I disliked be prepared today too?
While grieving, I cut the vegetables using my dominant hand while Sharte is using a tool to skim the scum from the already boiled liquidーーafter a short time, Sharte is joining hand with me for the dining table.
「Then, itadakimasu」
「Hai. Please eat everything and grow big」
「Haha, but I’m already big enough」
I fill my mouth with the delicious curry. After having made sure of the situation, Sharte also began to eat the meal.
On the floor next to the table, Yaga is eating cat food.
In the past, Yaga’s feeding ground was near the kitchen,
but because Sharte said 「Cat is also an important family member」 and her request was accepted, its feeding ground changed to next to the dining table.
By the way, Sharte also thinks of her new parents as important. For the two who don’t return form the foreign countries for a long time, there are two big, red and blue bear dolls placed on two seats in front of me. She won’t treat as if they are not here (決していないようには扱わない) 
Precisely because she had tasted the bitterness of losing her precious ones, she regards the happiness in her hand as importantーーFeeling like that’s what Sharte is thinking, I stare at her face from the side as if to watch out for a short while.
「Nii-san, what happened?」
「A, iya……just a little」
「?」
Sharte looks at me in puzzlement. Looking at Sharte like that, I remember the lonely-like purr of Clair who lost its beloved grandma.
I don’t want Sharte, who is my important family, to feel like Clair for a second time.
「Sharte. I, will always be by your side. Therefore, you can feel at ease」
「Nii-san?」
Once again, the promise I took before is mentioned, Sharte now has a wondering look on her face.
But, she seems to understand what I think somehow and nods *kokun*.
「I believe, in Nii-san」
ーー*gyuu* I’m embraced, and two soft swellings are pushed against my arm.
I remember the feeling of embarrassment, and avert my face from my imouto. Then Sharte whispers with a small voice.
「Other than that, Nii-san」
「W, what?」
Somehow, hearing the seemingly pleasant voice of her, I’m startled.
「Tomato, regardless of your preference, please eat them」
I was stared with the quiet, motionless eyes.
I, who admired my imouto’s splendidly growth, reluctantly threw that red evil thing in my mouth.

♦♦♦

The big chorus of the cicadas echoes under the transparent-like blue sky.
The clubroom was engulfed in the heat of the noon, the scenery wavered by heat waves can be seen from the window.
「So hot, Aizawa……」
「U, un……」
Aizawa smiles awkwardly while brushing her forelock to her ear.
She then uses a handkerchief to wipe the drops of sweat which slide quickly from her white nape to her cleavage.
「Other than that, Ikuno, this place……doesn’t have an electric fan?」
「……Gomen. I started to establish the club when summer approached so I couldn’t prepare」
「I, I see…..it can’t be helped if that’s the case」
Today, Saturday is originally a day off. But because we are in preparation for the school festival one week later and for the preparation, we have to go to school in today’s morning only. After school, we finished our class exhibition – the maid cafe’s preparations, but because Shinonome is the executive committee, she hasn’t come to the clubroom.
Aizawa laughingly says in hesitation.
「…..nee, Ikuno, can’t we stop the club activities, for today?」
「Iya, I want to do that too but……hora, other clubs still do their activities soーー」
From the outside of the window is the vigorous voice of students participating in the club activities.
「And, we don’t know then the consultant possessing the assigned trialーーor the sender of the letter will come. Therefore, for the time being」
「A, I see……I didn’t think that far in my head」
The fair-skinned, angel-like beautiful girl smiles *ehehe* That smile alone is the salvation in this heat.
「Etto……Aizawa, come to think of it, the manga you borrowed the other day, have you read it?」
「e……manga?」
「Un. If I’m not mistaken, the other day you said that you would read and return it immediately」
「A」
She opens her big eyes wide and puts her hand on her mouth, her face looks like saying *shimatta* (*oops!*) 
Aizawa, you completely forgot, right? What a very easy to understand girl……
Although it seemed like she immediately listened to the CD borrowed from Shinonome, she still hasn’t read the manga borrowed from me yet?
Previously, Aizawa said she wanted to experience the hobby of people she likes, but seeing this result, it’s obvious that her interest in me is thin.
As expected, she just borrowed on a whim. Maa, in the first place, there is no reason for Aizawa who is a stylish gyaru to have an interest in something like manga ー is what I think but……
「I, Ikuno, you are misunderstanding. Sono, it’s not like I’m not particularly interested in it……but that manga, etto……」
For some reason, she hangs her head in shame and becomes deep red, holding her fist tightly.
And, she is flustered as her eyes are wandering about as if to search for words, then with a small voice.
「Gomen. When I have time, I will read it so……can you wait just a bit longer?」
「U, un……if that’s the case, it’s fine」
While answering so, I remember that unpleasant memory.
The story during middle school. From my beautiful classmate (an extreme fujoshi), I was told that she wanted me to lend a certain shounen manga, a total of 36 volumes (三六巻分) was lent.  But I listened to the remarks similar to a while ago many times and finally, even one book wouldn’t return ーー that’s why I end up being cautious even if it’s Aizawa. (fujoshi = girl who likes yaoi aka boy x boy stuff)
……Iya, but Aizawa is a very good girl. I must not lose my trust in her. She’s busy with study and part-time job, it must be impossible (to read the manga) 
「「……」」
tte, the mood became somewhat unpleasant.
I naturally bring up another subject as I feel like it’s my responsibility.
「Eーtto……Aizawa, other than that, don’t you feel thirsty?」
「……e? a, un……that’s right. When it’s this hot, one’s throat may dry-up as expected」
Aizawa raises her face which is still a little red and smiles femininely.
Thinking more about it, because Aizawa and Shinonome were here, I was able to protect my important literature club, right? And the present time too, as long as we solve the request of the letter’s sender, the future where I can do my activities pleasantly in the clubroom will be saved. Thinking so, I want to do something to show my gratitude to the beautiful girl in front of me.
「Yoshi, then Aizawa, today I will treat you juice!」
「e, treat me……Ikuno, what’s wrong with you, suddenly?」
「Maa it’s just a trifle. What’s good? Just tell me what you want, I will buy it at the vending machine in front of the school cafeteria」
「I, I’m fine already! Such a thing, it feels bad, somehow」
*bunbun* Aizawa waves both hands in front of her face (sfx for shaking/waving strongly)
Fuーmu.
All the beautiful girls I’ve met are bitches, if it was them, they absolutely would make me treat them. Then there’s no doubt that they would say with delight that it was the spoil of war achieved using their own appearance and loveliness.
But Aizawa refused without hesitation.
……How should I say, to me, Aizawa is really ー the first beautiful girl. (as in, he doesn’t think others “beautiful girls” he has met are beautiful girls) 
「Ikuno……?」
Because I became conscious, my face must have become red.
Aizawa stares at me with anxiety.
「Nee, what’s wrong?」
「a, don’t worry about it. I was just in a daze」
「A daze……you, don’t tell me!?」
The hairdo of Aizawa who sits next to me shakes as she suddenly approaches with a serious expression.
「Ikuno, don’t tell me it’s heatstroke!? My face, can you see there is exactly one!?」
「I, I can……I can see it perfectly. Sono, can we separate. I wonder?」
「a……」
Her well-defined, thin eyebrows changed into the letter ハ (ha), this time it was Aizawa’s turn to blush.
「Go, gomen……I was frightened and lost my mind……sono, I was worried about Ikuno」
「U, uun, it was fine」
Aizawa sits down properly, puts both of her hands on her knees and looks downwardーーI also do the same.
The awkward atmosphere is floating. But because Aizawa is someone who can quickly change into refreshed stateーー
「Ahaha. Leaving that aside……can’t we go to buy juice together?」
「E?」
「Hora, because it’s better to buy one’s own share, giving someone a treat is kinda unfair. Therefore, let’s go and buy together. Doing it that way, I think it will taste delicious when we drink it together♪」

GUHA?

Just now, what was that!?
I feel like Aizawa just strangely shined *kirakira*……!
It was such a solemn shine that I completely believed that she was an angel or a saint. Although it’s Aizawa who shows a bright smile similar to the sun, normally she can’t show such a face to others man. Because she shows such a face to me only……
ーーーtte, what am I thinking!?

It’s only because I’m a common, harmless to human and animal existence, Aizawa doesn’t think anything else about me in particular. (ただ人畓無害そうってだけで、別に愛沢は僕のことなんて何とも思ってない。) I must not misunderstand. Besides, Aizawa is a beautiful girl, even if she’s not a bitch but it’s necessary to be cautious just in case.
「Maa, if Aizawa said so. ……Then, let’s go」
「Un!」
Nonetheless, she answers frankly.
Extremely cute.
Somehow, she seems to be extremely happy and checks her purse, although it’s only because she will go to buy juice with me, it feels like she’s a completely unwary girl who is about to go out with her beloved boyfriend.
「Ikuno, sorry for making you wait. Then, let’s go」
And then, when we took one step towards the door of the clubroom.
*tonton*……the door is knocked, and opened slowly.
Standing there is a petite female student, she says with a crying face.
「Ano, I came because of someone’s recommendation. Please, please help me!」
I and Aizawa look at each other, we both smile awkwardly.
It seems like, the juice will have to wait for a while.
While praying that I won’t collapse because of heatstroke, I led the girl to the inside.

♦♦♦

The girl’s name is Tadokoro Nao, she’s a second-year who works as the treasurer in the student council.
With the restless cicada’s sound from my back, I look at Tadokoro-senpai who is sitting opposite to me.
「……」
Such a small girl is a second-year student, it’s a bit hard to believe.
The short-haired, child-faced girl becomes dejected and hangs her head in shame although normally, she’s cheerful.
……But considering the subject of the consultation, it’s natural.
Aizawa who sits next to me talks seriously while looking downward.
「The key of the school’s treasury……why did Kimura-sensei forget such an important thing? If sensei was careful, perhaps it wouldn’t be stolen」
Sensei forgot the key of the treasury in the student council’s room. Because it was stolen, the request for us was to search for it. After being silent for a little while, Tadokoro-senpai opens her mouth.
「Kimura-sensei, because she’s still young and energetic, when she obtained the key of the treasury which contained a large amount of money, she ended up fluttering about a little. I was told that, after the vice principal put the balance of the school festival budget, because it seemed like he became busy, he seemed to entrust the return of the key to Kimura-sensei……and, she came to the student council room to show off」
……Yareyare, sensei is completely like a child.
I sigh just by thinking about it, and ask senpai kindly.
「By the way, who is the one recommended senpai to come here?」
「E…...etto, that」
After suddenly becoming restless, she lowers her head *pekori*
「E, excuse me! I can’t say it because I promised, gomenasai!」
As expected.
「No, it’s all right. Please don’t mind it」
「……」
Aizawa seems to understand too as she sends a meaningful glance to me.
The person who recommended Tadokoro-senpai to come here must be that letter’s sender 『Hanikamu Iyo』. Similar to the time with Amami-senpai, the sender has seen this from the point where he/she muzzles senpai in order not to reveal his/her own name. (天美先輩の時と同様、自分の名前が割れないようにロ土めしている点から見てそうだ) Then, the case this time is one of the trials too?
Because Shinonome hasn’t come today, this is a chance to try my best as the club president. Also, if I leave a result here the moment the literature club regains its peace, the time Shinonome acts like she’s important will end.
Yesterday, the time of supreme bliss when I enjoyed after a long time in the clubroom.
To enjoy this thoroughly without reservation, I will do my best now!
「The key of the treasury which Kimura-sensei left in the student council room must have been stolen by someoneーーwhat we understand is only that part. That’s why, Tadokoro-senpai, firstly, can we hear the detailed situation at that time?」
「Un. We should start from that, right? Tadokoro-senpai, can you tell us?」
Shinonome isn’t here so Aizawa becomes anxious, but when I take the lead, she shows a bright expression.
「Hai, ettoーー」
After senpai stared at the floor as if to arrange what happened inside her head,
「Today, there is a committee meeting about everything related to the school festival after school, right?」
I and Aizawa nod. Because Shinonome attends at the committee meeting, she’s not here right now.
「After that, the student council must participate in the meeting, I, thinking of finishing the accumulated accounting works, went to the student council room immediately after school……because if the works were behind the schedule, the vice president would become scary」
Tadokoro-senpai says so, and her body becomes smaller.
Eーtto, haha……that vice president is such a scary person?
Aizawa seems not to know how to react just like me, she smiles wryly.
Senpai understands and hasten the story in a hurry.
「When I came to the student council room, the lock was already opened, Kimura-sensei and vice president were inside. Because of this heat, the windows were fully opened and the electric fans were turned on. And Kimura-senseiーー」
「Was boasting about her obtaining the key of the treasury, wasn’t she?」
When I ask, senpai sadly nods.
「She was boasting and saying something like 『I have become a billionaire with this! gahaha!』 」
Senpai tells us clearly by mimicking the gesture of something like a monster (kaijuu).
「a, ahaha……Ikuno, Kimura-sensei is an amazing person, isn’t she?」
「Maa, in a sense」
Both Aizawa and I have a dry smile.
「And Kimura-sensei, after boasting thoroughly, remembered some errands and suddenly left and hasn’t returned. Well, she forgot the key…… As all other members of the student council had attended the meeting, if the vice president didn’t begin to go to the meeting soon, it would be badーー」
「Because of that, Senpai was told to return the key to the staff room, right?」
「Hai……I was told so. But immediately after vice president left, I……ano」
Her cheeks suddenly redden, Tadokoro-senpai puts both her forefingers together and fidgets.
I, who try to hasten the story to its main points, don’t understand and become puzzled. And Aizawa seems to be worried.
「After vice president-san left, what happened?」
「e……sono……I……」
While her short hair is fluttering in the summer wind, she shyly looks downward and says.
「Sono……I, came to the, t, toilet……uu」
Perhaps it’s because there is a man here.
The reason for that strange bashfulness of Senpai is because it sounds really erotic.
「I, was thirsty because today was hot, before going to the student council room, I drank the juice brought from the vending machine. So it suddenly came……I couldn’t endure」
「Then, senpai left the room just like that?」
*bunbun* Senpai shakes her head after being asked by me.
「W, wrong! Even I wouldn’t do that. After locking all the windows and the door, I went to the toilet. At first, I thought of taking the key of the treasury with me, but I thought it would be bad if the key was washed away in the toilet, I put it on the desk of the student council room just like before」
E? That, in other words……
Aizawa seems to arrive at that certain answer, I talk to senpai to confirm.
「Perhaps, what you mean is after returning to the perfectly locked room, the key disappeared……?」
「Hai. When I opened the lock and entered, only the key of the treasury was missing. Although I checked again, all the locking was perfect……」
Aizawa looks at me with a firm expression.
「……Ikuno, this」
I notice the real nature of this request and nod seriously.
「Certainly……this request, is a locked room case」
A sealed space where all the intrusions from the outside weren’t possible. The key of the treasury disappears from inside that.
The thing which seems to only happen in mystery novels, is now happening in reality.
「……Ku」
Since Shinonome isn’t here, I thought I could do my best, but this request is obviously a high-difficulty one.
Iya, but I must do my best. After all, I’m the president of the literature clubーー
While thinking hard, a flash runs in my head.
「A, perhaps! While senpai was going to the toilet, Kimura-sensei remembered the forgotten key, she then used the master key to open and retrieved it?」
「No, that’s wrong」
「e……」
「Because, I also thought so, after locking the student council room again, I went to the staff room to confirm. And the teacher managing the keys said that no one had borrowed the master key today. And Kimura-sensei, who went out, seemed like she hasn’t returned」
Then, the key really was stolen by someone?
But without using the master key, how could it be stolen?
The methods to break into a perfectly locked room, I couldn’t think of any.
When I groan and think, Senpai’s eyes slowly become teary.
Aizawa moves next to her and calls out with a very anxious voice.
「Ano, are you okay?」
「uu……I, I’m sorry. When I think about the vice president getting angry, I’m scared」
Is that so? Because the entrusted key of the treasury which contained a great amount of money was taken, she will get extremely angry without fail if it is exposed. I mean, that’s out of question if it couldn’t be found.
I don’t know what would happen to Kimura-sensei too……
Knowing that I’m burdened with a heavy thing, I become anxious.
Aizawa knows that too, she looks at me as if relying on.
「Nee, Ikuno, the request this time, I feel like it’s not at the level that we can do something……After all, after the money in the treasury was taken, it would be too late」
「Un, I understand that too」
Because it seems like the treasury is put in the staff room, it may be all right during the day when there are people. But if it’s night, such a thing won’t happen. I, as the club president, is urged to decide what to do. Informing the teachers or police, or stubbornly trying to settle by ourselvesーー
Either way, it’s obvious that we should better move fast.
However, before I decide, the literature club’s door is opened.
「ーara, we have a guess?」
The girl who could be said as our club’s ace saw my bewildered face and smiled happily.

♦♦♦

We explained the situation to Shinonome and headed toward the student council room.
We moved to the main building, went down one floor and advanced through the corridor, leaving the sound of the students remained at school behind. Due to being in a slump, Tadakoro-senpai walks with Aizawa behind me and Shinonome’s back. ( 落ち込んだ様子で僕と東雲の後ろを歩く田所先輩には愛沢がついている。)
「……」
Perhaps Shinonome had a low body temperature from the start, she didn’t have a sweat despite this weather.
The cool-looking Shinonome who walks next to me notices my gaze and begins to talk.
「Ikuno-kun, at any rate, you was really troubled, right?」
「……it’s a locked room case after all. And it was the key of the treasury that was taken」
I planned not to depend on Shinonome and solve it by myself by any means.
However, why? After Shinonome came, I felt relieved. Therefore now, I don’t think her being by my side is not that much of a pain. If it’s the perfect, superwoman Shinonome, she can easily solve the request this time tooーーperhaps because of that thought, I’m relieved.
「Shinonome, before leaving the clubroom, you said to inspect the actual scene, but what for?」
「It’s simple. because there is a possibility that the key of the treasury only falls under the desk, so let’s check the inside of the student council room carefully first. And if it isn’t foundーー」
Shinonome’s face approaches me.
「The possibility of Tadokoro-senpai taking it is considered too, the need of searching may appear」 (探す必要性が出てくるわね) 
「e, why senpai……?」
「I think you doesn’t read too many detective novels. Not limited to locked room cases, the first discoverer of a case is always the suspicious one. Therefore, senpai becomes one of the suspect too」
That, something like doubting senpai who becomes heart-broken that much……
Perhaps I had a face which seems a little angry, Shinonome says kindly as if soothing me.
「That’s the point I want to say, but listen to the continuation. Seeing senpai’s current state, it’s clear that she’s not the culprit. Because I’m a member of the same student council so I know senpai well, she isn’t the person who can do bad thingsーーbecause I don’t doubt her so be relieved」
「Is that so, then it’s fine」
I heave a sigh of relief.
I feel bad to do something like doubting a person whose appearance is like a child.
Shinonome, seeing that face of mine, smiles mischievously.
「Are you really a lolicon, I wonder?」
「Ha!? H, how did it become like that?」
「Because, Ikuno-kun, you was very sweet in Takatora-san’s case tooーーis is wrong?」
「It’s wrong. I protected Ten-nee after knowing that she was the culprit who planned the case, the reason was only because she is my childhood friend. And, I say this before but I like the oneesan-type. There’s no way I’m a lolicon」
「Hee, is that so?」
Right after hearing a good thing, Shinonome responses, (相槌を打ち) 
「Then, the girls like me and Aizawa-san are your type, right?」
「E……? Maa, I feel like I don’t make any mistake but……uーn」
I recall Aizawa’s figure, and look at the swellings of Shinonome’s poor-looking chest in succession.
「Shinonome is not」
「Please die」 (死になさい)
She pulled my ear with all of her might while smiling just like before.
「Itatatatata, let it go! Let it go I tell you!」
「Wait, Ibuki, what happened!?」
Aizawa who saw the situation calls out from our backs.
「It’s just Ikuno-kun, well, because he said the thing that must not be said」
Shinonome looks back with a wry smile, and finally lets her hand away from my ear.
「The thing that must not be said, Ikuno, why did you say it?」
「……It’s hard to say but….. he said that if the client was someone with small chest like Tadokoro-senpai, he would be excited and very motivated」 (興奮する means excited/stimulated/aroused)

This fellow, what did you say without hesitation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thinking it would be bad if I didn’t deny, I who was being shaken blurted out at once.
「It, it’s wrong, you two! I like bigger ones more than smaller ones!」
「e, bigger ones……a」
Aizawa’s confused eyes became dots, but she looked down at her own well-developed chest and understood.
She holds her chest tightly and averts her face to the slope to the left below while blushing (彼女は胸をぎゅっと抱いて、赤くなりながら左斜め下へと顔を逸らす) 
「Like small chest……lolicon-san, scary」
Senpai seems to believe Shinonome’s words, she holds her body and stares at me with frightened eyes. ……That fellow Shinonome, the client’s evaluation of me was dropped once again.
I glare at Shinonome. But she doesn’t respond as if to say “you reap what you sow” (僕は東雲の方を睨む。けれど自業自得だと言わんばかりに取り合わない。) 
Haa……something like making two girls’ evaluation of me drop at a time, as expected of the cunning, neat-type bitch.
I believed that I was really no match for this womanー
We arrived at the student council room shortly after. The end of the corridor is split into 2, if we turn right and pass the 2nd conference room, we will reach the school cafeteria where the vending machine is put. Perhaps I and Aizawa would go here and buy juice together if the request wasn’t there.
「ーun, for now, the window of the room on the corridor side seems to be locked perfectly.」
I finish checking and return to the girls’ place
「uu……」
Then, Tadokoro-senpai who is still cautious of me hides herself behind Aizawa.
Me……you seriously want to curse Shinonome, don’t you? (he asks himself, that’s why it sounds weird) 
「I, Ikuno, good job」 (otsukaresama)
Aizawa seems to have simply forgiven and forgotten what happened a while ago, she talks to me almost as usual.
「Thanks, Ikuno-kun. Then next is, let’s confirm the locking inside」
Somehow she seems happy when the evaluation of me went down. Maa, because there won’t be any bad insects would become attached to me who is her pet candidate, of course she would be happy.
「……Understood. Then, senpai, can I borrow the keyーー」
「Ikuno-kun, if it’s the key then not only senpai but I also have it」
With a pleasant *charin* sound, Shinonome takes the key out from her pocket (sfx: cling-cling sound) 
I and Aizawa let out a stupid 「e?」 sound simultaneously.
「Why, does Ibuki have the key……?」
「That’s right, Shinonome……why do you have the keyーーtte, don’t tell me! It’s the duplicate key……and you are the culprit……ー」
Shinonome, while closing her eyes and brushing her smooth hair,
「Unfortunately, it’s wrong. To begin with, in the time when the key disappeared, I was attending the committee meeting. It’s impossible to perform the crime. Though I can call the witnesses if you like」
When she says with that much confidence, perhaps it’s truly wrong.
Besides, the house of Shinonome is rich. There’s no reason to steal the money from the treasury.
「ーthen, why is there another key?」
「It’s not really surprising. To allow the student council members to come and be able to do their works any time whenever they want, a duplicate key of the student council room was given to each of them at the time they were appointed」
After Aizawa put her finger on her chin and thought 「Uーn」,
「a, then perhaps, the culprit is among the members of the student council!?」
But that opinion is denied by Tadokoro-senpai.
「I think it’s wrong. The meeting was held during the time when the crime happened, all the student council members except me had attended to it. So the criminal act is impossible」
「……I see. I just thought that I caught a valuable clue」
Aizawa looks down in disappointment. I analyze the current state nearby.
「If everyone is white, there isn’t even a suspect then this……」
If we don’t find out the culprit’s aim at that time, perhaps we couldn’t know how he/she stole the key in a locked room either ー it’s the situation where we don’t have even a clue (現時点では犯人の目星もつかなければ、どうやって密室の中の鍵を盗んだかも分か らない ー 何一つ手掛かりがない状況だった。) 
「a ー kuso, this……makes my head hurt」
「Don’t think too much. But the case this time, perhaps the event’s characteristic is low」 (でも今回の一件、恐らく事件性は低いと思うわ)
「e……Ibuki, is that so?」
「Yes, but it’s just a guess. First of all, let’s try examining the inside」
Shinonome gently says so and opens the door using the key.
That fellow Shinonome, does she mean that she vaguely knows the answer in this situation where there aren’t any clues? It that’s true then what an outrageous fellow! How high-spec that flawless person is……? While being surprised by Shinonome’s awesomeness again, I follow three girlsー.
We entered the student council room and confirmed the outside window, but it was locked properly.
By the way, things like the key of the treasury dropped under the table and the like didn’t happen too. (which means they also checked those places) 
「Fuuー」
As the room is equipped with an electric fan, Aizawa who finished her works is wiping her forehead, looking slightly cool.
But I immediately calm down, stiffen my expression and say.
「Etto, then 『the key dissappeared from the locked room』 information is not wrong, right?」
「Un, that’s true」
This case, it’s in a situation where it can only be thought as a perfect crime. But according to Shinonome, the event’s characteristic is low. Speaking of Shinonome, she is pondering about something in silent since a while ago.
「Ano, Shinonome-san. If you need anything, please say. I, will do anything so……」
Seems like the vice-president is very scary, Tadokoro-senpai is holding her skirt as her eyes become teary. As Shinonome seems to reach the conclusion, senpai becomes worry too much. We need to take a breather here.
「ano, if it’s good, shouldn’t we take a small break? As today is very hot, and I think my throat is dry too, I’m thinking of buying some juices, is it fine?」
「a, that sounds good! Ikuno, let’s go together!」
I suggested that because I was worry about Aizawa too, so when she accepted it with joy, I felt a little happy.
「Juice……」
Shinonome mutters a few words. Then she turns toward senpai,
「Tadokoro-senpai」
「Hya, hyai!」 (shocking sound “hya” + “hai* which means yes) 
Because Shinonome speaks coldly while having a serious face, senpai is surprised and straightens her back.
Shinonome notices that senpai became nervous, she loosens her expression.
「Can I ask, only one question?」
「a, hai. What is it?」
「It’s not really significant. But when Senpai came back from the rest room, except the key of the treasury, was there anything which disappeared too that you haven’t mentioned?」 (a note tho, senpai  used “トイレ-toire” which means toilet – duh, while Shinonome (and later, MC) used “お手洗い-otearai” which means the same but not as blunt and straight) 
「Thing which disappeared? eーtto, well……」
Tadokoro-senpai stares at the ceiling, remembers something then looks around the inside of the student council room.
And then, she lets out a 「a」 as if it comes out from her mind, her face immediately becomes pale and she starts trembling (そして、「あっ」と気の抜けたような声を出し、途端に顔を青くして震えだす。) 
「W, wwww……what to do…….it, it disappeared」
「what disappeared?」
When Shinonome asks, senpai, while pointing at the long table before her eyes,
「Vice president’s wallet which was put next to the key of the treasury……is gone. Surely,
the culprit must have taken them together……it, it’s over for me…….」
Senpai’s voice becomes tearful, she frequently wipes the tears which started overflowing.
But Shinonome who looked at the saddened senpai, was showing a relieved expression.
「Senpai, it’s alright so don’t cry. Because, I already found out the culprit」
「Fue……?」
At the same time as senpai raising her face, Aizawa who had a surprised face asks.
「Ibuki, you found out the culprit……!?」
「Yes, I think it’s probably not wrong」
「……Shinonome, with only the information just now currently, how did you find out the culprit?」
The information we got just now was only 『Vice president’s wallet is gone』 .
With that alone, why did she say she found out the culprit……?
Shinonome tidies up her hair which is fluttering gently because of the fan’s wind and sits down on the pipe chair nearby. When she looks at us with composure, she slowly open her mouth.
「The locked room which was made by Tadokoro-senpai. To temporarily break into this then return it to normal, the only practical, indispensable thing we can think of is the 『key』. In other words, the one who took the key of the treasury is someone among the student council members, except Tadokoro-senpai」
「Everyone has their own duplicate key, right?」
However, a problem arises here naturally.
「But Ibuki, the time when the crime happened, everyone of the student council had attended at the committee meeting, right? I think it was impossible to steal the key」
Right, all of the student council who attended at the meeting, including Shinonome, couldn’t commit the crime.
However, although a hole of her reasoning was pointed out, Shinonome doesn’t break her composure at all.
「Then what if the meeting hasn’t started?」
「e? what do you mean by that……?」
「Don’t think too hard about it. If the meeting hadn’t started, the criminal act would have been possible, right?」
「Maa, that’s true but……」
Having received the confirmation from me, Shinonome continues.
「In today’s meeting, all of the teachers in charge was expected to come. But because of the teachers’ circumstances, the starting time is set to be slightly off subtly. Although at the time the crime happened, almost all the meetings should have been started. But, there is only one meeting which starting time overlaps the estimated time of the crime」 (けれど、一つだけ犯行推定時刻と被る形で始まった委員会があるわ) 
「……By the way, what kind of meeting was that?」
「Right now, the beautification committee using the second conference room」
Even if she says that, nothing come to my and Aizawa’s mind. But, Tadokoro-senpai shows different reaction.
「The student council members participating the beautification committee, certainly……the vice presidentーー」
Then senpai was taken aback and covered her mouth with both hands.
Hearing that name, both me and Aizawa show our astonishment. Shinonome looks at us, smiles gently and says.
「By the way, right after the vice president left, senpai wanted to go to the rest room and left the room, right?」
「T, that’s right. Are there anything……?」
「Just for argument’s sake, but if the vice president forgot something, what would she do? For example, before entering the second conference room, because today was hot and her throat was dry, she planned to buy a drink and decided to come here to take her wallet?」
Leaving this room, turning right at the end point earlier is the second conference room. (he is talking about the split road) Furthermore, by going toward from there, one can reach the cafeteria where the vending machine is putーー
Shinonome continues,
「And that time, she saw the key of the treasury left on the table, what if she felt that it’s unsafe and took it awayーー」
……I see.
This room is a bit better because it has an electric fan, but because today’s temperature level can be said as “intense”, standing still is enough to sweat and naturally, everyone wants something to drink. Taking into account the possibility of being thirsty in case of a long meeting, it’s not mysterious if she thought of buying a drink at the vending machine nearby.
And the matter of the treasury’s key too, she can’t bring herself to leave as it is in an uninhabited room, it’s consistent to think that she collected it.
Aizawa nods many times as if she’s sorting the information inside her head,
「True……And then if she closed the door using her duplicate key after that, the “both the key of the treasury and the wallet was gone” state of the locked room is completedーー」
Shinonome’s reasoning was so unimpeachable that it was perfect.
Soon, Aizawa raises her face suddenly and shows a bright smile.
「Awesome, Ibuki! You could find out something like this!」
「Aizawa-san, it’s nothing to be praised, right?」
Saying as if hiding her embarrassment, she smiles gently without showing the haughtiness.
I have a smile like being amazed, and shrug my shoulders.
As expected, Shinonome is awesome. Because there was barely any hint, and yet she solved it.
If the series of letter disturbance this time remains as it is, everything will be over without me playing any active role. (今回の一連の手紙騒動、このままだと僕、何も活躍しないまま終わっちゃいそうだ) 
I feel like it’s extremely unlikely for me to win against her even though I want to do my best somehow.
Being shown an overwhelming ability face to face, I can’t do anything but laughing.
「ano……The vice president is the culprit, I think perhaps that is true. But, sono, I,
would be scolded after all, right……?」
As if imagining the scene of being scolded by the vice president, Senpai grasped her skirt tightly *gyuu* and slightly trembled. Completely looks like a frightened child, as one would expect, I end up feeling sorry.
「Shinonome, can’t we do anything? Hora, when senpai left the room, she locked it properly and it wasn’t really unsafe」
「Un, that’s true. Besides, wanting to go to the rest room is something can’t be helped. If senpai is scolded because of that, I will say something to the vice president for you!」
Aizawa who has a strong sense of justice raises her fist and says vigorously.
However, Shinonome sitting down on the chair raises her hand straight to hold her back.
「Both of you, calm down a bit. Although it’s bad, I don’t intend to persuade the vice president. Because, I think that she probably won’t say anything」
I and Aizawa don’t understand, we have a face like having a question mark floating overhead.
「S, such a thing won’t happen. Shinonome-san knows too, right? Vice president is a strict person. Because I neglected the important key which was asked to return, I can’t get away with that……」
Looking kindly at senpai whose cheeks become wet again, Shinonome slowly shakes her head.
「No, senpai. Simply because she’s a strict person, it’s fineーー」

And, when we wait for a while, someone enters the student council room.
「a, vice president……uu」
Is it this person? Certainly, she is a bit scary……
As if admiring magical girls, her hair is braided twin-tail and dyed pink. Her height is the same as me, which is high for a girl, she is a beautiful woman whose skin is white like other white-skinned people, but she’s also a person who has cold eyes. By the way, right now she’s staring fixedly as if examining us. Just as we thought, she is holding a partially-drunk PET bottle and her wallet in her hands.
Tadokoro-senpai who saw that is convinced, she timidly takes a step forward and asks.
「a, a, ano……vice president. About the key……it’s」
「…..If it’s about that, I already returned it」
As expected, it’s this person who collected the key. It was just as Shinonome’s reasoning.
「Ss, sorry. I, wanted to go to the toilet before returning it……that’s why, sono」
「…..」
Vice president suddenly squints, she looks down at senpai as if overpowering her. Thanks to that, senpai lets out a small shriek and her eyes become teary, but
「Tadokoro-san, other than that, the works……the accumulated stuff, please quickly finish them」
「Fue……?」
「That reply is?」 (can also means “what’s with that reply?”) 
「a……h, hai!!」
After having opened her eyes in astonishment, senpai sits at the place where the 『treasurer』 name tag is put, and begins to break the mountain of accumulated documents.
「And, you guys」
「Ha, hai!」
Aizawa was in high spirits and said something a while ago, but now when facing the vice president, she immediately straighten her back, looking nervous. Maa, it’s understandable, because I’m scared, too……
「This place is off-limits for outsiders. Leave immediately」
「I’m sorry, vice president. We will leave immediately」
Shinonome answers with courtesy, we quickly go toward the door.
When I looked back just before leaving the room, Tadokoro-senpai lowered her head *pekopeko* many times over.

♦♦♦

We came back to the literature club’s room and after about 30 minutes had passed, Shinonome who had finished the student council meeting returned.
Because the clubroom is humid like the sauna as usual, even Shinonome faintly has big drops of sweat on her forehead. While wiping the sweat along my chin, I thought about the question at once and spoke.
「Then, Shinonome, did you know why the vice president didn’t scold Tadokoro-senpai?」
「Ibuki, I’m interested, too. If possible, please tell me」
I and Aizawa who were interested in the reason, talked about it all the time until Shinonome came. But the answer couldn’t be found, so right now, both of us are bending toward Shinonome lightly. Shinonome who sits opposite to us uses the handkerchief to wipe the sweat of her forehead elegantly.
「It’s fine particularly. But, Aizawa-san, please sit here」
Shinonome whose face is smiling (満面笑顔) softly pats the seat next to her, Aizawa looks puzzled.
「e, why?」
「Because, didn’t Ikuno say he liked big-breasted girls? It’s dangerous to be near him too much」
「a……」
Aizawa glances at me. She said nothing and slowly moved to the opposite.
Ku……as expected, whatever happened, Aizawa still worried about the remark earlier.
Rather, I’m sure that Shinonome couldn’t be able to stomach something like there were other girls next to me.
「e, etto, Ibuki……then, why did you know?」
「It’s simple. Vice president is the person who is very strict toward another person, but she’s also strict toward herself too. Therefore, she wasn’t able to get angry at Tadokoro-senpai」
「? Why??」
Looks like Aizawa didn’t understand, but I understood that somehow.
「Perhaps, because she also left her wallet insecurely too, or something like that?」
Shinonome nods lightly.
「Both the key of the treasury and the wallet are the same. Because she left her valuables, she couldn’t criticize Tadokoro-senpai. Because I knew that vice president was the person who disciplined herself the most,
She wouldn’t get angry ー that was my conclusion」
「……there was such a thing, huh?」
All the mysteries of the request this time are solved, Aizawa nods impressively.
Then Shinonome looks at the things on the table and says.
「Other than that, what’s with these drinks? There are three of them」
「a, two of these three are for us, Ikuno bought me and Ibuki’s share」
After I and Aizawa left the student council room, we went to the cafeteria and bought the drinks from the vending machine.
Though Aizawa said “it’s fine” many times and declined, after all I wanted to show my gratitude to the girls to whom I indebted normally so I bought the juice, including my own share.
「You two, because you saved the club from the danger of being abolished……besides, Clair’s case, this case too, you cooperated properly to find the solution. Therefore, this, I mean, as the minimal gratitude as the club president……maa, because of that feeling, I will be happy if you receive it」
「I see, my throat is saved from this thirst. But, Ikuno-kun is unexpectedly sensible toward this, huh?」
She says while making a joyful face.
If there is one word that’s not too much, kawaii (cute)…….I guess. (一言多くなければ?) 
「……but, didn’t you guys buy this because you were thirsty? Then why do you not drink it yet, I wonder?」
Shinonome asks curiously. Surely, Both my and Aizawa’s throats were dried-up. But, we decided to wait for Shinonome without drinking. The reason wasーー
「Because with Ibuki, the three of us did our best and solved the case. It will be delicious if everyone drinks them together, right?」
I was told so by Aizawa with such a dazzling smile, I couldn’t bear myself to drink (飲むに飲めなかったのだ。) 
「Fufu, it’s indeed an Aizawa-like opinion」
Brushing up her hair with a lovely gesture, Shinonome closes her eyes and smiles gently.
Though it was Shinonome who solved the locked room case very easily, she didn’t seem to know that, huh? (“that” = the question above) 
「Then everyone, choose your favorite」
When I call out, each of us picks up a can, opens the pull-tab and raises it lightly.
「This time too, thank you. And, perhaps the trial will continue, but yoroshiku tanomu」 (thank you here = otsukaresama, and yoroshiku tanomu is like “please count on me” or something) 
I make a light sound with the can and drink it dry (kanpaisuru – 乾杯する) 
Probably because I was able to appear like a club president, even just a little, Carbonic acid tasted extremely tasty.

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