Source
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5612jg/83/
Today, when the summer heat still lingers
The program for the festival has been decided and preparations for the festival have begun.
Preparations are done after school and on Saturdays.
Even the students who normally dislike coming to school on vacations seem to be enjoying themselves when it comes to the festival.
“I’m looking forward to the festival.”
I’m taking a break and chatting with Reina on the bench in front of the vending machine.
Perhaps she found it troublesome to change her tone, but in the end she remained using the honorifics.
“However, first year is just balloon art.”
At Koshin’s school festival, each grade is assigned to a specific activity: first year students are supposed to put on an exhibition, second year students are supposed to put on a theater, and third year students are supposed to have a food and beverage stand.
Our class is a simple one called balloon art, where we just make various shapes with balloons and display them in front of the school gate.
“That’s why I’m looking forward to going around.”
“Sure, there’s nothing to do on the day, so we just play.”
“Yes ! So, let’s decide where to go while we’re at it.”
The two of us discussed the day’s events together as Reina opened the bookmark with the schedule of the festival.
Seeing Reina having fun, I felt happy too.
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“Oh, Kenchi, can I talk to you for a minute?”
On the way back to the classroom, Sasagawa speaks to me.
Sasagawa, who was approaching, glanced at Reina.
“I’m going back first.”
Perhaps sensing something from Sasagawa’s gaze, Reina said that and walked towards the classroom first.
After Reina’s back was out of sight, I started talking to Sasagawa.
“What do you want?”
I asked, but there was no response.
“Sasagawa?”
“Ah ! I’m sorry. I never thought you were really going out with her.”
“You mean with Reina? Isn’t that too late?”
“Haha, well, I didn’t see you two walking around together much.”
Sasagawa laughs, looking a little disappointed.
“So? What’s the issue?”
“Ah, right ! Have you heard anything about Miyu?
“What’s wrong with Hananoi?”
“She’s been absent for the last three days. I tried to contact her, but she wouldn’t tell me why. I was wondering if Kenchi would know anything about it.”
The face of that woman flashed in my mind for a moment when I heard that.
Contrary to her appearance, Hananoi is actually a serious person.
She’s not the kind of person who would take days off without permission for no reason.
(I have a bad feeling about this.)
“I understand. I’ll look into it.”
“I’m sorry. Call me if you find anything out.”
I was about to leave with Sasagawa and return to the classroom when someone spoke to me again.
“Mitsui kun, can I have a word?”
When I turned around, I saw Wado, who usually has a playful expression on her face, looking at me with a serious face.
“Wado? What’s wrong? You look scary.”
“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, it’s okay. What do you want from me?”
“It’s not about you, Mitsui kun, but have you seen this girl?”
Wado turns her phone screen to me.
On the screen is an elementary school boy.
“Who is this boy?”
“He’s my little brother, but he hasn’t been home for the past three days.”
“Huh !? Does that mean he’s missing !?”
“No. No, not exactly. We’ve been in touch, but I just don’t know where.”
“Location?”
According to Wado’s story, when she contacted her brother who had not come home three nights ago on her cell phone, he picked up the phone and simply said that he’s not coming home.
She said her family panicked at the suddenness of the situation and contacted her brother several times.
He then said that he would return messages and answer the phone.
However, she said he would not tell them only where he was at the moment.
A bad imagination comes up in my mind.
Wadoi’s younger brother seems to be in the sixth grade, but he is smaller and looks a little younger.
And Wado’s younger brother who hasn’t come home for three days and Hananoi who is absent for three days, lines that I think are connected.
“I’ve been asking my acquaintances like this, but have you seen him, Mitsui kun?”
Unfortunately, I haven’t seen him either, so I shake my head.
But I couldn’t just let it go.
“Have you called the police?”
“I haven’t yet. I mean, it’s hard to say.”?
“Hard?”
“Because we’ve been in touch, you know? It’s not kidnapping, and we’ve been communicating. Frankly, we don’t know what to make of it.”
“…..I think you should contact the police at least once. And I’ll look into it.”
“Thanks. Got it.”
Wado bowed her head and went back to her class room.
Once I was alone, I thought.
There is no way to say that this case is not connected.
And then, Hananoi Misaki’s words come back to mind
[There’ll be next time.]
What if this is about Wado’s brother…
All the things I don’t want to think about keep popping into my head and won’t go away.
It’s easy to dismiss it as irrelevant.
But I can’t do that.
(For now, I’ll just ask her.)
With that decision made, I returned to the classroom.
This was the beginning of the big incident that would truly separate me from Hananoi Misaki
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