The Eccentric, the Beauty, and the Detective: Kiriki Junka's Mystery Log Volume 1 Chapter 24

Sekawa looked pained as he gazed at Takada, “And that’s when the police got involved, your real name being broadcasted on the national news.”

“Yes, as it should have, considering it was clearly a case of assault. What troubled me most greatly, however, was the knowledge that I was not only going to have to step down, but that My Note itself had a high likelihood of being canceled. I am profoundly thankful for the children who gathered signatures at that time. I would like to truly thank you for saving this programme, Sekawsan. I am truly sorry, and reflect on it deeply. I truly have no excuse.”

Junka was glued desperately to the screen until the end of the programme. Then, when the commercials began, he turned a meaningful smile to me.

“I read the national papers every day, and I certainly remember something like that happening. Five years ago would mean I was about 11 years old. Looks like I can’t quite remember the details or the culprit’s name. I’d completely forgotten. Rouji-kun, what do you think of the show?”

I thought hard before answering, “Well, I can understand how Takada felt. That kind of betrayal is a lie that can’t be forgiven.”
Junka held up his index finger, waving it from side to side, clicking, “Metronome!”

I suppose he was mimicking one.

Though his face had been downcast when we left school, in a complete about face, his whole body was now radiating delight.

“Such things matter not. For now, all that matters is that we’ve taken one step towards solving the case of the defenestration of Koshi-kun.”

My eyes went wide, “Seriously?”

“Yeah, the rest is just securing evidence. Now then, I suppose I ought to head home. Later… oh, and that game was fun.”

With that and nothing further, Junka triumphantly left my half-confused self behind as he headed home.

The following morning was lovely and clear, and I went to school with Junka as usual. I didn’t get much of a conversation out of Junka who was thoroughly lost in his speculations about the case, and furthering his thoughts.

“You’re blushing oddly, so it’s not good for you to let on you’re deducing stuff.”

Even if he heard me, nothing changed. Finally giving up, I proceeded to school without any further utterances.

The class had a light atmosphere as people greeted each other. I chatted with Iwai and Nagayama. Nao was surrounded by friends as usual, and Junka was sinking into his chair alone.

That was when Hisakawa burst in with a loud voice, proclaiming news, “1, 1’s Aoyagi-sensei’s back!”

A commotion rippled through the classroom. Aoyagi, having payed penance for his fight with Minakawa, had reappeared after his time to cool off. I supposed that meant our Japanese lessons would return to normal.

Junka, having thought of something, stood, and left the room before looking at the time, and barely making it back on time. I guessed he went to the toilet or something.

At lunch I bought some bread and returned to 1, 3. I happened across Junka in the halls on the way. I had totally thought he was eating his bento in the class.

“Yo, Rouji-kun. Did you come to talk with Aoyagi-sensei too?”

“Hm? Something happen?”

“I told you, didn’t I? ‘All that’s left is securing the proof.’ I should really take you to task as a member of the detective association which I chair, but I’m not in the mood, so I’ll let you off.”

Talking like that wasn’t going to get me to go with him, but there was my curiosity. That was when I realised that Junka’s brief flight from his seat had been to arrange a meeting with Aoyagi-sensei.

We headed to the shadow of the gym equipment storage shed —apparently the meeting place— to find Aoyagi-sensei waiting. I didn’t see anyone else around. Finally, we spotted Aoyagi-sensei, who looked worn out, and I prepared myself not to say anything too rude.

“Oh, Suzaku, eh? It’s been a while.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Don’t say stupid things,”Aoyagi-sensei showed his pearly whites, “You wanted to ask about Mashima and Kahara, right? I haven’t heard anything bad about you two, but this is a matter that requires discretion… keep it quiet, okay?”

“I came here with intentions to do so. I’ll keep this strictly confidential.”

“Good…”

“Please tell me their past.”

Aoyagi-sensei stroked his light stubble as he gazed at the sky.

“Mashima and Kahara both have something in common: they’ve been abused by adults in the past,” he whispered, “Mashima was beaten in the name of discipline by an alcoholic father around age 5. Smacking his head, twisting his arm, hitting his back, spanking him… all maliciously such that the bruises wouldn’t be seen. His mother would pretend like she didn’t see anything and then tell Mashima it was because he was a bad child after his father lay down for some rest. That isn’t how things should be, so it’s a hard topic.”

He elegantly lowered his gaze, “Mashima was alone. With no friends, he was very isolated. It probably didn’t take much effort to make him like that. He got beaten at home, and was alone at school. There was nobody to save him. That mental and physical damage built up to the piont that Mashima stopped seeing reality with clarity. He often loses himself to daydreams and has lapses in memory.”

I felt bad for Mashima. I had no idea he’d been through something that awful.

“Mashima was finally able to make a friend, however,” continued Aoyagi-sensei, “Three years ago when he was in his 1st year of middle school, he started to get along with Kahara Ryouji.”

Kahara finally appeared. Stealing a glance at Junka, his eyebrows hadn’t budged an inch. Had he predicted as much?

“Kahara had his own mistreatment. He had been placed in a care facility for children with disabilities, and in the depravity there, had his body and mind battered by a treacherous care worker there. At any rate, the two had met, and shared tears over each other’s story. As they were both distant from the other students, they formed a strong bond. They became inseparable. One would be injured and the other would feel pain; one would feel sad and the other would cry; that’s how they became. I bet they were thrilled to enter the same high school and even the same class… That’s the story of their past,” Aoyagi-sensei wrapped up his talk, “Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”

Junka was making a very prudent face.

“Three things. How did you get that story out of them, Aoyagi-sensei?”
He beamed, “They told me themselves, ‘We’ve been hurt by our elders and teachers before, so we never really trusted any, but we trust you, so we’ll share our past. Please protect us,” is about it.”

“I see. Are they being mistreated even now?”

“They’ve moved and aren’t being abused by anyone at the moment, it seems.”

“Right, and lastly, Aoyagi-sensei, why did you smack Minakawa Gengorou-kun? You were overheard from the halls shouting ‘don’t mess around,’ and ‘do you realise what you’ve done?'”

Aoyagi-sensei’s face clouded over.

“He was, Minakawa was bullying Mashima and Kahara. He stole their money. They came to secretly tell me, and I lost it. They had finally found somewhere to live in peace, but Minakawa demolished that. Not to mention that his objective was just to pointlessly give money to the gang that Koshi’s running with. That’s why I called Minakawa out and told him to return the money, but he doesn’t take the authority of teachers seriously, and looked down on me with a smirk. That’s why I snapped and hit him.”

“That’s a shame. That coward was probably just posturing hoping that someone would intervene.”

“That’s what I thought. Well, that’s why I had to sit around doing nothing at home.”
Junka gave a crisp bow.

“Thank you very much, I learned a lot.”
Aoyagi-sensei opened his mouth, then shut it, and stayed quiet while almost making words with his lips. He was stuck between wanting to say something and not knowing how or if he should say it. Junka noticed when he raised his head.

“Sensei, did you have something you wanted to tell us?”

“No, well, it’s…”

He wasn’t being clear, which was rare for him.

Eventually, scratching the back of his head, “You’re interested in Mashima and Kahara, so I told you about them, but… Are you really going to keep it quiet?”

Junka jumped in, “It’s already a talk that will stay here, so what is this about?”

Aoyagi-sensei spoke quietly…

Translator's Note:

Was the Takada Satoshi actually Aoyagi-sensei? Or was it secretly Minakawa? Is Junka doing another bridge pose? Find out next time.

Editor’s Note:

The suspense is killing me. Will the editor pull through last second? Will this filler note make it into a release?

Chapter end