Chapter 61

"Eh, what do you mean? You noticed her murderous intent?"

When I asked that, the president shook his head vigorously.

"N-no... While we were hunting for cockroaches, didn't I say that Kamezaki-san had entered Room 202?"

"Yes. I reasoned that too."

"Actually, at that moment, I saw it. Kamezaki-san rushing into 202..."

"Eh...?"

I thought, You never said anything, but hearing it now, it made sense. After the cockroach hunt, the president had suddenly suggested cleaning. He must have seen Kamezaki-san enter that room and assumed a pretty woman would help with the job.

"You should've told me earlier... Then you wouldn't have suffered..."

The president sighed in frustration. I felt the need to say something.

"No, it's fine. Even if that info had come up, it wouldn't have immediately linked the incident to Kamezaki-san. Besides, thanks to the evidence you worked so hard to gather, we solved the mystery."

"Oh! Oh!"

Where had that gloomy face gone? His eyes sparkled again as he cheered, "Right? Right?"

"...Why the sudden energy? During the investigation, you were worried about your grandma and so down..."

"Yeah, but now we know she's innocent. Kamezaki-san's crime can't be undone... But if I stay gloomy forever, my whole life turns negative."

"...I see."

"So let's take it easy. Trust people more. Then being a detective gets easier too."

"No, the idea of making detective work easier bothers me...! A detective's actions carry someone's life! And you want me to treat that lightly!? Don't joke!"

My words quickly dampened his lively mood.

"W-well, yeah..."

Maybe I said too much. But I couldn't change this view.

I didn't want to be a detective who lets their guard down for loved ones. Or someone who hides crimes. Doing that only blinds you to the truth.

Like in that manga. They think no one close could be the mastermind, so the case never gets solved.

That's why I hate wishy-washy great detectives.

"...I won't hold back. No matter who the culprit is... No matter who caused the incident..."

"Even if Miiko is the culprit?"

"Yes. That's what she wants."

"Ah, right. She said she likes people who face their crimes properly. You like Miiko too, huh?"

"Wha!? Why so sharp there!? You're usually so dense! President, you're dense!"

"Dense, dense—how many times!? My normal temp is 35.3°C! Not 0.2° lower!"

"That's surprisingly low, man!"

I wondered: if Miiko admits her crime, but what if the president were the culprit? How would I see him? Would I instantly suspect him?

No, he jokes too much; any crime he commits would have some humor. A joyless crime couldn't be his... Wait, is that letting my guard down?

What am I thinking?

While I wrestled with my contradiction, the president put a hand on my shoulder.

"Anyway, I believe in you. No matter what happens. No matter what you've done!"

"...Really? I don't know what I'll do myself."

"It's fine. You know not to forgive crime! You know why killing is wrong, right? You know life's value! That's why you lectured Kamezaki-san at the end!"

He thumped my back hard. Again and again. Endlessly.

"President!?"

When I reacted, his energy only grew worse.

"You're a good guy! Be more confident! How many times do I have to say it!? It's embarrassing!"

"Then stop... Stop it!"

"C'mon, you're making me blush!"

"Stop praising me!"

I resisted with all my might, but he wouldn't quit.

"...If you don't cut it out..."

"If I don't cut it out?"

I considered using Choudou. Maybe it'd shut him up.

But thinking it over, that's wrong.

This guy would probably keep chatting even as a skeleton. As a ghost he'd fly around, unstoppable.

What would happen if I summoned poison insects on him?

He'd say, "Let's all be friends!" and the next day be throwing a party with the deadliest bugs.

"Ugh..."

"Ugh...?"

For this guy, neither the midnight curse nor Choudou would work. Even if you tried to leave him alone, he'd never be lonely—he'd befriend any curse with his trusting heart.

Better to use this instead of curses—it actually works on him.

"I'm gonna scream!"

"Nice! No one's around—wanna psyche ourselves up?"

"Yeah!"

"Then let's scream together!"

So for this type, this method works better than curses.

"Uoooooh! The president has—"

"Whooooa!"

"Over ten erotic books! Prefers older sisters, into breastfeeding play! Favorite adult video site is ○○〇, also uses ×○○○○〇 often! And he even likes maid service play that creeps out his own sister—"

"Whoa, what are you saying!? Just scream normally, dammit! Stop! Stop!"

"And the president once ○○ with his sister, and yet also—"

"Okay! I'll stop! What if someone hears!? Hyoga, stop this rampage! Cut it out! Hey! Hyogaaa! I'm sorry for teasing you! Please forgive meeeee!"

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