Inside the chemistry lab of Teitan High School's science building, Ritsu, dressed in a suit, flipped through the bottles and containers stored in the cabinets.
The chemical supplies here were surprisingly complete. Not only was there formalin, but also hydrochloric acid, polyethylene glycol, and persulfates. There were more than enough toxic substances here that could be used to commit murder.
He walked over to the victim, Kawai's body, bent down, and carefully sniffed near her face. Aside from the stench of death, there was also a faint smell of formalin.
So the killer had used formalin to knock the victim unconscious.
"Sensei, if the victim didn't die from acute alcohol poisoning, then what was it?"
After examining the body, Shinichi asked in confusion,
"Her poisoning symptoms look pretty similar to acute alcohol poisoning. Could the killer have intentionally exposed that clue to mislead us?"
"Methanol."
Ritsu pointed toward several empty alcohol lamps sitting in the cabinet.
"Methanol poisoning presents symptoms very similar to the victim's. There are all sorts of toxic chemicals in this lab, yet methanol alone is missing. Why do you think that is?"
"The killer didn't want us to know the true cause of poisoning? After using all the methanol, they removed every trace of it from the scene." Shinichi quickly analyzed.
"Exactly. That's why they bought all those bottles of alcohol, to conceal the real poison."
Suddenly, a commotion came from outside the room and the chemistry lab door was violently kicked open.
The two people inside instinctively turned toward the entrance.
A male student wearing Teitan High's blue uniform stood there with both hands in his pockets and a toothpick hanging from his mouth. Looking every bit like a delinquent, he snapped,
"You cops seriously this annoying?! Interrupting my damn nap, you looking to die or what?!"
Hearing that, Shinichi Kudo couldn't help frowning. He immediately recognized the newcomer—
Nakamura Shunpei, a troublesome upperclassman from Class 3-C. Backed by the fact that his father was a somewhat well-known businessman in Chiba Prefecture, he stirred up trouble all over school behind the scenes.
Shinichi was about to warn him not to be so rude when he saw Ritsu smiling pleasantly as he calmly walked forward and politely extended a hand.
"You must be Nakamura Shunpei from the soccer team, right? Sorry for disturbing your rest."
Seeing a police officer treat him so politely, Nakamura smugly puffed himself up.
"Oh? So you know who I am? Guess my name's pretty—Gah!! That hurts!!!"
Ritsu gradually tightened his grip during the handshake, yet the concern on his face never disappeared.
"Nakamura-kun? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Should I call you an ambulance?"
"You bastard, let go of me—ow! Wait, Officer, please go easy on me!"
A guy like him didn't deserve to hold a toothpick in his mouth the same way class leader did.
As Ritsu released his hand, he smoothly plucked the toothpick out of Nakamura's mouth and said casually,
"As a suspect, you should cooperate properly with the police investigation... right, Kudo-kun?"
Shinichi subconsciously took a step backward.
Ritsu in this state was terrifying. The pressure radiating off him alone was enough to force people back.
"Of course! As a suspect, you should cooperate properly so you can clear yourself!"
Nakamura rubbed his aching right hand.
He now looked like a rooster that had just lost a fight, not daring to curse anymore. His attitude became dramatically more polite.
It couldn't be helped, he didn't want this terrifying police officer to cripple his hand. When it was time to back down, he knew better than to resist.
Ritsu looked toward one of the officers. "Wasn't there another one? Why hasn't Masanobu Ueda shown up?"
The officer explained, "I went to Class 2-A earlier to ask around. Masanobu Ueda took sick leave today and didn't come to school. But I already contacted his parents by phone, they should be on their way here now."
"Sick leave? What a coincidence."
Ritsu looked toward the now well-behaved Nakamura, pulled over a chair, and leisurely sat down.
"So, tell me. How exactly did you kill Hideyo Kawai?"
The moment he heard the accusation, Nakamura became agitated. "Murder?! I—no! I can't even touch fish, how could I possibly kill someone...?!"
There were no signs of lying.
And from the moment Nakamura entered the room, Ritsu had already noticed that his gaze constantly avoided looking at the corpse.
Clearly, he was too afraid to look at it.
As for why... It seemed this guy was just a coward.
"The school forum says you and the victim were dating."
Ritsu stood and walked over to the body.
"Not going to take one more look? Once the case is over, she'll be cremated. After that, all that'll remain is an urn of ashes."
Nakamura lowered his head even further. "Hideyo and I already broke up. This has nothing to do with me. Last night I..."
He hesitated, ultimately failing to finish the sentence. Noticing he was hiding something, Shinichi gently guided him.
"Nakamura-kun, if you don't cooperate properly, you'll become the police's prime suspect."
"Why the hell should I answer you? Officer, why's a student allowed at the crime scene anyway?"
"He's my student. Any other questions?"
Nakamura pursed his lips.
Realizing he'd remain under suspicion unless he told the truth, and not wanting to shoulder a murder charge, he reluctantly confessed where he'd really been last night.
"I... I was in Kabukicho last night. Please keep that confidential, Officer. If my parents find out, they'll cut off my allowance."
At such a young age, already hanging around Kabukicho... He really had learned every bad habit possible.
"Minors should stay away from places like that. It's not good for your mental or physical health."
Whether from the perspective of an elder or a police officer, Ritsu would say the same thing. Even if he disliked this kid, he still hoped he'd choose a proper path in life.
Nakamura lowered his head without replying, but Shinichi noticed the redness forming around his eyes.
Shinichi rubbed his chin in confusion.
Why did he suddenly look like he was about to cry? Did something Ritsu just said really hit him that hard?
In reality, Nakamura used his rebellious behavior to try and attract his parents' attention.
But no matter what happened, his parents only ever solved problems with money. They wouldn't even bother coming to see him.
That cold family environment gradually pushed him down the path of delinquency, and over time... He stopped feeling that the things he did were truly wrong.
The reason he wanted to cry now was because Ritsu, a complete stranger, was still willing to sincerely urge him to turn over a new leaf.
Even a stranger was willing to reach out and pull him back. So why were the family members who raised him unwilling to teach him properly?
"Um..."
A timid-looking boy stood at the doorway. He wasn't wearing a school uniform, and a bandage was stuck to his left cheek.
Ritsu smiled and walked over, taking the initiative to extend his hand. "You're Masanobu Ueda, right?"
"Yes, Officer."
Under Ritsu's guidance, Ueda stepped into the chemistry lab.
The moment his eyes landed on Nakamura, his frail body visibly trembled, and he immediately looked away.
Taking all of this in, Ritsu revealed a knowing expression. Patting Ueda's shoulder reassuringly, he asked softly,
"We brought you here because we wanted to ask... Has Hideyo Kawai from your class been bullying you this whole time?"
Still unaware of why the police had summoned him, Ueda answered quietly, "N-No. Kawai-san and I were friends."
Weakness only encouraged bullies to become even worse. The sight reminded Ritsu of his own past.
He pointed toward the corpse covered by a white sheet and said bluntly,
"Kawai is already dead. You don't need to hold back anymore, right?"
'Dead?'
Ueda's face instantly turned pale.
He shakily stood up and, gathering every ounce of courage he had, lifted one corner of the white sheet.
There lay Kawai, collapsed over the desk, her face bluish-purple and utterly lifeless.
His nightmare... had finally ended.
----
bonus chap every 20 PS
read ahead on my pa reon.com/Siamus404