Capítulo 43: Chapter 43: Ace Detective
"Angelie-san didn't say anything when we asked her, if I remember correctly…"
Mimi clasped her hands in front of her chest.
"Yeah, and Akuma didn't tell me when I asked him while we were on the train going back."
Sanaka pointed at Mimi.
"And? All we've managed to ascertain is that we don't know where they went. They could have gone anywhere on their own."
Kiba crossed his arms and looked at Sanaka.
"Then, Your Honor, allow me to present my case."
Sanaka pushed up imaginary glasses up her nose.
"Oh, it seems Sanaka-san has done a remarkable job of gathering evidence…"
Mimi clasped her hand tighter with bated breath.
"First! They were alone during the second day of the trip. Who knows what could have happened that day… But what I am sure of is that Akuma didn't have this on his phone yet!"
Sanaka showed the two of them a picture on her phone. Kiba grabbed it.
"Huh? Is that a… phone strap?"
Kiba tried to stop himself from laughing, but he ended up laughing out loud.
"What? This is suspicious!"
Sanaka furrowed her eyebrows and stared at Kiba.
"No, no. You're right. He would never use something like this, I think."
Kiba had one hand on his stomach while the hand holding the phone wiped a tear on his eye after laughing so hard.
"Hmph. As long as we agree. Now, moving on to the second evidence!"
Sanaka smirked and closed her eyes.
"What is it, Sanaka-san?"
Mimi wasn't able to eat her lunch at all. The bento boxes were just lined up on the floor.
"When we were scheduled to go back to the hotel on our last day, Akuma arrived ahead of Angelie-san. Also, she was late coming back to the hotel. Now, here's the kicker. Akuma went out to look for her when we couldn't reach her through her phone."
"So, what's weird about that? I assume he said something like he did it so he won't be reprimanded or something."
Kiba raised his eyebrow while looking at Sanaka.
"Well, how could you know where to look if you didn't already KNOW where to find her? Kyoto is a large city."
Sanaka glanced sideways at Kiba.
"Oh. Damn, you have a point there. Okay, okay. You're starting to convince me here."
Kiba started to rub his chin.
"Unfortunately for you Sanaka-san, all you have presented are circumstantial evidences. I don't think we can doubt Angelie-san based on those…"
Mimi relaxed her hands and put them on her lap.
"Well, Mimi-san. I have yet to present my strongest and most damning evidence. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you…"
Sanaka then took something from behind her.
"Ta-da! What can you say now?"
Sanaka then held the portrait of Akuma and Angelie in manga style in front of Mimi and Kiba. Both of their jaws dropped.
"W-what is the m-meaning of this… Angelie-san…?"
Mimi slowly took the portrait from Sanaka. Her hands were shaking as she held it.
"So, do you two believe me now?"
Sanaka crossed her arms and smirked at the two.
"Wow… This might be the scoop of the century…"
Kiba leaned back and had his hands support his weight on the floor.
---
After their lunch meeting, the three decided to also meet in the afternoon. They wanted to find out the truth about what they discovered. Angelie didn't go to the rooftop during lunchtime as she had prior arrangements with friends in her class. Akuma chose to sleep on his desk.
The three anxious club members went to their clubroom immediately after the bell rang and classes ended. They then quietly waited on their seats for the two people in question to arrive and explain themselves.
The door of the club room opened and Akuma and Angelie entered. They were bickering about something when they went inside the room until they both sat down. Akuma then noticed how eerily quiet and motionless the three were.
"What the heck is this? Are you guys praying or something?"
Akuma leaned back on his chair while looking at the trio.
"Yeah… It seems awfully quiet here. Did something happen?"
Angelie placed her bag on top of the table as she sat down.
"Oh, something did happen. Angelie-san."
Mimi, who had her head bowed down, spoke without looking at Angelie.
"What is it, Mimi-san?"
Angelie leaned closer to Mimi and looked at her face.
"You betrayed me, Angelie-san!"
Mimi had tears flowing down her cheeks as she looked up at Angelie.
"B-betrayed you? Wait, Mimi-san. What are you talking about?"
Angelie touched Mimi's shoulder.
"There is no use denying your crimes, my dear lady."
Kiba had his arms crossed when he looked at Angelie.
"C-crimes? What is happening here?"
Angelie confusedly looked at Kiba.
"Show her the evidence, my skilled assistant."
Kiba pointed his hand at Sanaka.
"Hey, why am I the assistant?! I'm the lead investigator of this case, so shut it!"
Sanaka glared at Kiba.
"Fine. Go ahead, sheesh."
Kiba looked away.
"So, Angelie-san. I asked you where you went on our last day, correct?"
Sanaka leaned over the table with her elbows on top of the table.
"Y-yes… What has that got to do with—"
"Was it really just not important, or were you hiding something from us?!"
Sanaka strongly pointed at Angelie.
"Um, well… it was—"
"It was something you wanted to hide!"
Sanaka stood up and slammed the table with her hand. Angelie shrieked as she backed up in her seat.
"I didn't mean to…"
Angelie looked at her trembling hands on her lap.
"Now, Angelie. No need to be scared. Here, why don't you eat this cream puff. It was just made this morning. Don't be shy."
Kiba placed a cream puff that was still inside a packaging on the table. He then pushed it slowly toward Angelie.
(What is this 'good cop, bad cop' skit these two idiots are doing for?)
Akuma glared at Sanaka and Kiba.
"I wanted to… hide it because… I was ashamed of what others… might say about me…"
Tears started to well up in Angelie's eyes.
"I see. It all makes sense now, Angelie-san."
Sanaka sat back down and closed her eyes.
"I… I admit it!"
Angelie looked Sanaka directly in the eye. She also sneakily took the cream puff that was on top of the table.
"There it is, we've finally got a confession!"
Sanaka pumped her fist.
"No… Angelie-san, does this mean you've really joined the dark side?"
Mimi mumbled to herself as she looked at Angelie beside her.
"I… went to the Manga Museum because I love manga! There, I said it! I know some would think they're a waste of time, but for me… I enjoy them so much and they help me get through the loneliness of living by myself… Now, laugh at me if you have to!"
Angelie then opened the packaging of the cream puff and took a large bite out of it. She chewed energetically as tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Uh, that's not what we're talking about, Angelie-san."
Sanaka took something from her bag that was on the floor beside her.
"What is it, then? That's all I had to hide—"
"Explain this! Why were you and Akuma together at the Manga Museum?!"
Sanaka chucked the portrait of Akuma and Angelie onto the table.
"Oh! My portrait! You had it all along? Damn, I was sulking I lost it."
Akuma reached out to get the portrait, but Kiba grabbed his arm to stop him.
"You can't touch the evidence. Don't rush, you'll take the witness stand next."
Kiba grinned at Akuma.
"Damn it, let go of me."
Akuma shook off Kiba's grip on his arm.
"That's just a misunderstanding! We didn't go there together nor we planned to do it! Hell would freeze over first before that happens! We just met there coincidentally! You've got to believe me! Mimi-san, you believe me, right?"
Angelie stood up from her chair and then looked at Mimi.
"Angelie-san… I want to believe you. But I'm afraid, right now, there is too much evidence that says the contrary…"
Mimi covered her mouth as she cried silently.
"No… I'm telling you the truth! Hey, you damn Demon Lord! Why aren't you saying anything? Help me clear our names here!"
Angelie shifted her gaze toward Akuma and pointed at him.
"Eh, I really don't care what they think. I just want to get my portrait back. I look good as a manga character here."
Akuma pointed at the portrait lying on top of the table.
"Not to brag, but I can draw you in manga style, too."
Sanaka looked at Akuma.
"What? Really? Oh yeah, I forgot you're as good as me in the field of arts. Draw me without that damn Saint ruining my portrait!"
Akuma stood up from his chair and slammed both of his hands on the table.
"Sure. But it'll cost you. Anyway, let's go to the Art Club and borrow some materials!"
Sanaka took her bag and then stood up as well. She stepped outside of the clubroom. Akuma followed after her.
"I guess club is over for today. See you guys tomorrow!"
Kiba stood up and left the room as well.
Angelie and Mimi were left inside the club room and then stared at each other for a long time. They then both laughed.
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