Character Story 4: The Underclassman Detective Girl

---

Kasumi
Huhun. It was a simple deduction, Assistant.

Kasumi
It wasn't even much of a deduction. I just gathered statistics about where Shadows were seen and their behavioral patterns.

Kasumi
And with that, I made a Shadow distribution map of those locations and was able to determine a focal point.

Kasumi
That is to say, the places Shadows appear... is what I was able to estimate.

Kasumi
It was rough, you know. I had to be direct about it and just plot points on a map...

Kasumi
Then I had to walk to the actual locations, then fill up any discrepancies between fact and fiction.

Kasumi
Though I'm pretty good at it and I love that sort of thing, so it wasn't too much of a pain.

Kasumi
A lot of time sure has passed. I'm sorry for having you tag along, Assistant.

Kasumi
Things like helping me get testimonies, organizing documents, grabbing food... I relied on you a lot, huh.

Kasumi
You can say you were just doing your job, but I'm still very grateful.

Kasumi
There were a lot of conclusions I wouldn't have reached on my own, too.

Kasumi
But, it's not time to relax just yet. From here on out is the real thing, Assistant.

Kasumi
As I said, I believe I have been able to determine where Shadows will appear.

Kasumi
However, I haven't verified anything yet. There's also the possibility that the passage of time may have had an effect.

Kasumi
Additionally, there isn't just one location where they seem to spawn.

Kasumi
Even within just the town, there seem to be around ten locations. That's why even if the locations have been determined, statistically this still has me a bit worried.

Kasumi
For now we'll focus on the place which seems to be the biggest hot spot of Shadows among them. We'll perform our stakeout around there.

Kasumi
Just as planned, if a Shadow appears, we capture it. Once we capture the real thing, through research and observation, we may be able to determine the truth about these Shadows.

Kasumi
I've deduced that a Shadow should appear here within a few days. There's nothing to do from here on out besides wait patiently, so if you've got other matters to attend do, it's fine for you to leave for a bit.

Kasumi
I'm really sorry about the all-night stakeout. My financial situation is also a bit strained, so I can't even afford to pay you for overtime.

Kasumi
And unlike me... You have family awaiting your return, don't you?

Kasumi
...Assistant? At least give a response. Heeeey?

Kasumi
Huh? Assistant, you're not asleep are you...?

Kasumi
Though it's great and all you go to bed on time like a good boy, you're still in the middle of work, you know?

Kasumi
Hya!? What is this, it's bright...!

Scene: A dream. A high school in Japan.

Kasumi
Zzz, zzz...♪

Kasumi
n, nn....? hua?

Kasumi
H-huh? I was asleep...? I feel like I had a weird dream.

Kasumi
Ah, good morning... Yuuki-senpai. Senpai came to wake me up, huh?

Kasumi
But why is Senpai in my... in First Year A class's classroom? Even though you're an upperclassman... It's strange, isn't it?

Yuuki
1. Try to deduce it.
2. I wanted to meet with Kasumi-chan.

Option 1.

Kasumi
Eeh? Ah, yeah I really love making deductions and I really admire those Great Detectives in stories and all...

Kasumi
But the reason those Great Detectives in those mystery novels always seem to be able to discern the truth... is because the author already has the answer in mind, you know?

Kasumi
They themselves set up the problems and just present the answer via the Great Detective.

Kasumi
That's why in this reality without an author, coming up with a solution is a lot more difficult.

Kasumi
Ah, no, I'll still give it a try.

Option 2.

Kasumi
Hu, huh.....? What do you mean...?

Kasumi
By the way Senpai, don’t you refer to me as "Kirihara-san"? W-Why suddenly the "-chan"?

Kasumi
Aah, no, it's not like I dislike it or anything.

Kasumi
I've always looked up to the Senpai that would take the initiative for anyone at anytime... so I also wanted to get a little c-closer to you.

End of branches.

Kasumi
Aah... It just came to me. I might have got the reason Senpai is in First Year A class's classroom.

Kasumi
Senpai. You came to return the mystery novel I lent to you the other day, didn't you?

Kasumi
That's right, I did lend you one, that work I recommended.

Kasumi
It was a bit of a special book since the truth portion was hidden due to the binding...^[1] I attempted to deduce the solution on my own, as well.

Kasumi
I wanted to hear someone else's impressions, so I asked Senpai to also read it.

Kasumi
You've already finished reading it huh~ It's writing style was pretty complex, so I didn't think it would be such an easy read.

Kasumi
Ehehe. I've always yearned to declare various deductions together with someone.

Kasumi
It's just like in those mysteries... Strange deductions, misguided deductions, let's keep on discussing them♪

Kasumi
I don't have any close friends that I can discuss things I love with, after all...

Kasumi
That I got to know Senpai and I'm able to happily talk about these things, I'm very glad.

Kasumi
I'd like to be a little brighter and get along with others normally...

Kasumi
Despite that, I'm still a bit... introverted. I can't really speak well with anyone besides Senpai.

Kasumi
...Senpai? What's wrong, you have a strange expression.

Kasumi
Could it be, my deduction was off?

Kasumi
Then, why did Senpai come to my classroom? Umm~ a hint, please!

Kasumi
Huh? You were passing by and saw me... so you just wanted to call out to me?

Kasumi
It seems like I was sleeping so sorry for waking me up, you say...?

Kasumi
Ahaha. Of course, that's right... that's reality.

Kasumi
The reasons for things aren't always pre-prepared mysteries.

Kasumi
The truth is always such a mundane thing, isn't it.

Kasumi
I've thought about this before plenty of times. And yet, it's still kind of sad, even regrettable, in a way.

End of dream.

Ames
Alright, good job.

Ames
What you saw right now was something like a dream. Once you wake up, you'll forget all about it.

Ames
Something like, well, a movie... used to restore the memories of you and a certain someone you've shared a bond with.

Ames
I'm the director and you guys are the actors. Do you get this explanation?

Ames
I still can't really recover any meaningful memories at the moment, so for now you don't have to worry about it.

Ames
And above all, I've got a bit of advice for you this time so I've interfered like this.

Ames
At the moment, the only time you and I can meet is within these dreams... So I haven't really conversed with you like this outside of them.

Ames
Anyway. Yuuki, I think it's for the best not to get involved with those Shadows.

Ames
Those things are just bugs in this world.^[2] They were somehow warped into being from the ill-will released by the forced "Reconstruction"; just a discrepancy that broke out in this world.

Ames
I have no idea what adverse effects coming into contact with one will have. In the worst case, you might even become buggy yourself... And if you're infected, that would be a horrible turn of events.

Ames
Well at the very least, I can give you a bit of protection. I have my limits, though... Just bear in mind the adage "Don't touch a god and you won't get cursed.", as it goes.^[3]

Ames
Please mention this to Kasumi as well.

Ames
She is a Great Detective... Getting wrapped up in evil intentions and incidents is her job, after all.

Ames
Or at least, the desire to be one is what she clings to.

Ames
If she continues on like this, she'll get exhausted and may even collapse.

Ames
You support her, heal her, and give her protection... Yuuki.

Ames
After all, you're the one that she admires.

Ames
And to not betray those expectations, make sure you show your cool side, okay?

End of Ames conversation.

Kasumi
Zzz, zzz...♪

Kasumi
n, nyuu... hua, huh?

Kasumi
I fell asleep? There's no way! In the middle of the stakeout, no less!

Kasumi
Aaah, Assistant is asleep too! Wake up!

Kasumi
Wait a second, why are you holding on to me as you sleep? I'm not a stuffed animal, you know?

Kasumi
C-can't move... If a Shadow were to appear right now that'd be serious trouble. There's no way to communicate with it, so it'll probably get away.

Kasumi
No wait, in the worst case... A Shadow may have appeared while we were out cold?

Kasumi
I'll try inspecting the area's magical power.

Kasumi
Phew, that's good... It seems somehow a Shadow has yet to appear.

Kasumi
Shadows have that strange magic floating around them. In fact, they seem to produce that strange magic from within themselves.

Kasumi
They leave traces of that magic around when they appear or perform actions. This, too, was knowledge gained from my steady investigation.

Kasumi
Huhuhu. Getting closer and closer to these enigmatic Shadows' true form.

Kasumi
Assistant? At least give a response... Actually, he's asleep so that’s probably not happenning.

Kasumi
Jeez. Where'd all that motivation go.

Kasumi
Even though we're wrapped up in the middle of an unprecedented incident... He just sleeps there so peacefully.

Kasumi
You should feel a bit more tension, Assistant.

Kasumi
That's fine though. This is my case...

Kasumi
You're well-intentioned after all... No, actually, you've only just tagged along as a job. I can't force you to feel anxious.

Kasumi
However, I've always... dreamt of days like this, resolving difficult cases, together with Senpai.

Kasumi
....nn? "Senpai"? Why'd I refer to him in such a way?

Kasumi
I don't really get it. Quite the puzzle.

Kasumi
And for some reason, it feels as if my thoughts are avoiding the solution to the puzzle...

Kasumi
Aah, today's a just a day full of mysterious happenings, huh?

Kasumi
The job of a Great Detective is never done.

Kasumi
And that's why... you need to get up already, Assistant. Let's solve this incident together!