Chapter 33 Four

By the time the sleet stopped, I had completed a virtual tour of the South American continent, from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro.Just as I put the photobook back on the shelf and was about to put on my white coat, a visitor arrived. The sliding door opened with a bang—— "Oreki-san!" Chitanda rushed towards me with a manner that did not meet the quiet requirements of the library.I wanted to remind her to be quiet, but when I looked around, it was only me, the librarian, and the librarian Mrs. Uigawa left in the library. Chitanda's expression was completely different from when she came here just now.She pursed her lips tightly, but her eyes, which were not small at all, were wide open.It is estimated that there is something trivial.Behind Chitanda, Satoshi also appeared with a handbag.Judging from his expression, he seemed to be very tired, and his usual high enthusiasm seemed to have cooled down a bit.

"Houtaro, you haven't left yet." "I'm going to wait for the sleet to stop, didn't I tell you?" I looked back and forth between the two people in front of me, and then said to Chitanda, "It seems that you have something to do this time, but I'm about to leave." Chitanda nodded slightly, and then nodded deeply: "Uh, yes, I know. It's getting late after all. But please do help!" "I'm sorry, let's do it tomorrow. Whether you can help me or not, we'll talk about it tomorrow." After I finished speaking, I was ready to walk out of the library.

However, Chitanda stood in my way.Seeing that I couldn't help frowning, she lowered her head and said, "I'm sorry, but please at least listen to me... It's all my fault for letting the door of the Ancient Books Research Institute open. I'm really sorry Mayaka..." ...It seems that it is not just the usual curiosity.Looking carefully, one can see that Chitanda clenched her fists tightly, and her already fair skin lost all color.I don't know if it was because of her haste or what, but her feet kept shaking. I asked Satoshi succinctly, "What happened?"

"Oh, it's no big deal." Chitanda seemed to want to overthrow Satoshi's words, but her voice was helpless and weak: "Chocolate..." "chocolate?" "Mayaka's handmade chocolate was stolen! The chocolate she made so hard!" I looked at Satoshi.He shrugged with a troubled expression, then nodded. Ibara's chocolate was stolen. Hmph, is that so. It really doesn't stop people from going back and forth. ...Ten months have passed since I entered Shenshan High School and joined the Ancient Books Research Club.During this period, Chitanda used Chitanda as a medium to press down on me, and the amount of troubles that I have been suppressed is estimated to be equivalent to three years of junior high school.

Those coping experiences didn't undermine my energy-saving creed.I might have to admit, though, that they did act as an impetus when I had to act. Reluctantly, I put on the sleeves of my coat and said, "Let's go and look for it." Damn it, the sleet has stopped by now.However, it is always necessary to pay attention to personal feelings in dealing with people.Although the fate between Ihara and I is not very deep, it has a long history after all.What would she look like if she knew that the hard-earned chocolates had been stolen?I don't want to see it! 'Scary' is not my thing after all.

We walked through the connecting corridor and came to the specialist building.The geology lecture room is located on the fourth floor.When I was just about to go upstairs-- "Wait a minute!" Satoshi called to stop me, putting his hands in front of me. I instantly understood what he meant.I saw a yellow and black plastic rope pulling in front of the stairs I was just about to step on.In the past few days, various places in the school are being waxed one by one, and the sign hanging under the plastic rope also reads "The stairs are waxed and no traffic is allowed." There are two stairs, so we went upstairs on the other side.In the stairwell between the third and fourth floors, a curly-haired first-year student approached: "Please take a look, is this level?"

He appeared to be sticking posters to a bulletin board.The poster reads "Engineering Society Graduation Design Exhibition Location: Distance Education Classroom 1-C".I wanted to say "It's okay" casually and leave quickly, but Satoshi behind me said, "It's too low." Hearing what he said, I feel that the right side is indeed a bit low.Then, Chitanda's voice came from behind Satoshi: "Is this poster intentionally made into a trapezoid?" Worker... No, the engineering staff took a step back and looked at the poster for a while, then whispered, "Ah, what happened."

After finishing speaking, he took out a utility knife and a ruler from his pocket, took off the poster, sat down on the stairs, and started cutting skillfully. I hope he can succeed smoothly——I prayed for him, and walked to the geology lecture room. Classrooms are not locked.As soon as I entered the door, I felt a bone-chilling chill.Although just coming out of the warm library is also a reason, but the temperature here is really not high. Chitanda walked to the seat in the middle of the classroom, put his hand on the table and said, "It was originally placed here." That's right, there's no chocolate on the table now.

Before I could open my mouth, Chitanda sorted out the situation on her own: "The chocolate was wrapped in red paper, and there was no ribbon wrapped around it. The size... because it is heart-shaped, the widest part is about... ..." She slowly opened her hands, gesturing for the size.After opening it to the width of her waist, she hesitated a little, and then shortened the distance a little: "It's almost this wide." Chitanda is not only excellent in the five senses, memory and observation skills, but also in spatial perception.But then again, this chocolate is really big enough.

"How about Ihara?" "Haven't told her yet. It might be mean, but I want to do my best to find out first." Chitanda kept stroking the tabletop, as if doing so would bring back the chocolate. "When I left to find Fukube-san - my watch was around 4:45 - the chocolate was still there. I came back a little after five. Because I was lazy and didn't lock it during the fifteen minutes Door……" By the end, her voice was too low to be heard.It's not that I can't understand, after all, Chitanda has a lot of sentimentality.It seemed that she had suffered quite a blow.

Seeing this, Satoshi comforted Chitanda and said, "But please be careful, Chitanda-san. You are not Mayaka's chocolate manager, so there is no need to be so sad." "But I'm also very sorry Fukube-san..." "Didn't I say that this is not your responsibility, Chitanda-san. Compared to you, I have a bigger problem with being late." This is quite surprising.In my impression, Satoshi is not someone who would enlighten others like this, he should be more cold-blooded.But I, who is absolutely warm-hearted and not cold-blooded, chose silence in the end. I looked around the classroom.There is no special equipment in the geology lecture room, only the podium, blackboard, tables and chairs, and cleaning tools, so it is easy to grasp the situation around. But there are more than forty tables.I knocked on the one next to me and said, "Are you sure you're not in this room? Not in the table?" "No. Chitanda-san and I both checked, and it's true." Well, I think so. No, wait a minute. "When it was confirmed that the chocolate was gone, wasn't Chitanda not the only one present?" Chitanda replied, "Yes. I found Fukube-san on the way back, and the two came in together." "It's the stairs over there. Chitanda-san and I met in the stairwell between the third and fourth floors." I see.The stairs over there, right? ... A flash of inspiration flashed in my mind, so I put on my coat again.Although I don't like to move around, but the destination is nearby.Seeing me take a step forward, Chitanda asked, "Where are you going?" "How long has that worker been there?" I walked out of the classroom while talking, and the other two followed. "Staff? Who are you talking about?" "It's that Curly, who put up the poster." "...It's the classmate from the engineering club." Chitanda recalled a little: "When I went out to find Fukube-san, he had just rolled out the posters." "That's easy." Satoshi should have understood what I mean, but what about Chitanda?Sometimes she is unimaginably dull.So just in case, I then added: "If the clerk has been there, he should have an impression of the people passing the stairs. Because of the waxing, the stairs can only be used on this side." "Ah... that's true!" The gloomy Chitanda finally had a gleam of light in her voice.But Satoshi held a cautious opinion: "Could that staff be the chocolate thief?" "impossible." "Eh?" "After stealing something, who has the mood to care about whether the posters are flat or not?" We turned the corner by the women's toilet and went down the stairs.In front of the notice board, the worker is still manipulating a knife.Noticing us, he spread the poster and said, "How about this time?" Chitanda glanced at it, and said mercilessly, "It has become a parallelogram without right angles." "..." "By the way, there is something I would like to ask you for advice. Do you remember anyone who has walked here since you started putting up posters?" The worker was puzzled by Chitanda's serious expression, so he asked us behind, "What happened?" When I was hesitating about how to answer, Satoshi stepped forward and said, "There are some troubles. We suspect that the prisoner is someone who walked here." "Humph……?" Although it didn't seem to accept our statement, the staff didn't pursue it further.I only heard him reply: "Of course I remember." "Yes, how many people are there?" Looking at the anxious Chitanda, the worker smiled and said, "Three people." Three people, is this the case? "Who are they?" Oh my, Chitanda is really slow.I patted her on the shoulder from behind, then pointed to myself and her in turn to the eldest lady who turned around: "We two plus Satoshi, there are three of us in total." That's right——I cast a confirming glance at the staff, and he nodded. "Are you sure that's the case?" The staff reassured Chitanda, who had repeatedly confirmed: "I'm very good at memorizing faces. And I wasn't that focused when putting up the posters. Someone passing by will always notice." Chitanda looked back at me again, wondering, "So, what's going on here?" I glanced at Satoshi and replied, "In short, the guy who stole the chocolate is on the fourth floor, and he should still be on the fourth floor... Satoshi." "Huh? What's the matter?" "Which associations are located on the fourth floor of the specialist building?" Satoshi proudly puffed up his chest: "Use me as a database? It's an honor. Let me think about it. Ancient Books Research Club, Light Music Club, Cantata Club, Astronomy Club, and... By the way, the Thinking Research Institute is also on the fourth floor. Although there are no members." Then he said: "You are quite motivated, which is really rare." It's not because of you——Although I wanted to yell at him like that, I decided to give up because of the trouble.Besides, Chitanda was at the side, so she couldn't say that kind of words. "That is to say, there is still hope to come back... But, what is the purpose of the thief..." Maybe it was a little relieved after finding hope, Chitanda asked a new question.This is the focus of the next question. However, right now... "Let's be more utilitarian now, and we'll talk about motives later. Go explore some clubs that still have people, maybe the progress will be unexpectedly smooth." "fair enough." Chitanda nodded and said.Before going upstairs, she solemnly thanked the staff. After investigating the clubs staying in school one by one, the results were unexpectedly gratifying. The Light Music Club seems to have borrowed a hall somewhere, in order to prepare for the concert without disturbing others.The a cappella department practiced in the atrium as usual.Originally, I thought that tongues should not be avoided in such a cold day, but it seems that they are just playing high-pitched voices.Needless to say, the Institute of Thought, the only clubs left on the fourth floor of the specialist building are the Ancient Books Research Club and the Astronomy Club.Chitanda frowned, "Are you a student from the Astronomical Club...?" "Anyway, let's inquire first." As I spoke, I walked towards the fifth multifunctional classroom run by the Astronomical Society.On the way, Satoshi whispered, "Astronomical Club, maybe that person is here." "Do you know anyone in the Astronomy Club?" Satoshi nodded bluntly: "Actually, you know Houtaro and Chitanda-san. Senior Sawakiguchi is from the Astronomy Club." "It's that one, so you can rest assured...?" It's a bit subtle.Sawa Kiguchi Misaki, I remember the name.At the end of last summer vacation, we had more or less contact with the 'Empress' incident.Later, she stood in front of the Ancient Books Research Society during the cultural festival, but in the end she self-destructed.I remember the one who cooked the banana soup. There is only one classroom between the fifth multifunctional classroom and the geology lecture room.If members of the Astronomical Society really wanted to steal chocolate, it would probably take less than twenty seconds to succeed. Standing in front of the classroom door, I only heard a burst of hearty laughter from the room.We looked at each other, and finally Chitanda nodded and knocked on the door. "Huh? Please come in~" The sound of answering the door was a bit familiar. Chitanda opened the door. As soon as the door was opened, a gust of hot air blew out.The school rules forbid students to adjust the heating temperature, but judging from the unrestrained heat in the room, this group of people must have thrown the rules out of the blue.If someone wears glasses, the field of vision must be covered with a layer of white fog. In the classroom, there are one, two... five students sitting together.They put the table together and put various paper prints on it.For some reason, there were nearly ten dice.Among the five people, there are three men and two women.In this hot greenhouse, all the boys are wearing school uniforms, and only one of the girls is wearing a sailor uniform. And the girl not wearing the sailor suit - presumably the owner of the voice just now - is exactly the Sawakiguchi that Satoshi mentioned.She probably likes that hairstyle. Today she still wears buns in the shape of buns on both sides of her head.She covered her bun with a delicate fabric trimmed in brown and black lace, but she was wearing a rustic tracksuit custom-made by the school. After meeting Sawakiguchi's eyes, Chitanda bowed at a 15-degree angle and said with a smile, "Hi, Sawakiguchi-senpai. Please return the chocolate to us." Should I gag her, or pat the back of her head.Fortunately, Sawa Kiguchi didn't listen to this nonsensical words—— "What happened to the chocolate? Well, your name is... Chitanda?" "Yes, Chitanda Eru." "What's your business?" Perhaps because he was afraid that Chitanda would say something serious again, Satoshi said first, "I want to use senior's help to solve my urgent need." Weird way of expression, but Sawakiguchi laughed like a child.Probably because weirdos are easier to talk to among their kind. "Oh? Time-consuming?" "Three minutes is enough." While they were negotiating, I took another look around the fifth multifunctional classroom.The members casually threw their schoolbags and warm clothes around the table.Although the styles are different, there are five sets of school bags and clothes.There is also a messenger bag, but according to past impressions, it should be Sawakiguchi's.The members of the Astronomical Club cast surprised glances at us, and one of the boys showed a sullen expression, it seems that we disturbed him when he was in the mood. After lightly nodding his head two or three times, Sawa Kiguchi said to the members: "I'll go out for a while. If the acquisition difficulty is 3 before the assault, the purchase price can be increased by 50%." Ze Mukou stood up, and there were boos from members of the Astronomical Club on both sides: "Add 50%!?" "Difficulty 3? Then there's nothing to buy..." Hearing this, Ze Mukou waved his hand and said, "I have released your supplies at the critical moment, and you have also heard about the favor, right? Anyone who dares to fool will be fined twice as much." After that, she came to the corridor.Chitanda bowed politely again: "I'm sorry to bother you at a critical moment... May I ask what you are doing?" Sawa Kiguchi's answer was short: "Huh? SF." "Science Fiction?" I subconsciously confirmed, Satoshi also said at the same time as me: "Space Fantasy?" "Space Fighter, maybe. But let's ignore that..." After Sawa Kiguchi looked me over carefully from head to toe, he folded his arms and said, "Your coat is quite handsome." Satoshi flattered him and said, "Senior, you are so discerning! This is the most eye-catching outfit in Houtaro's winter clothes. Maybe there is a Thompson submachine gun hidden in it!" If I can, I really want to hide a handful, so that I will be useful when you run the train with your mouth full again. Seeing that Sawa Kiguchi was still staring at my clothes, Chitanda finally couldn't help but said, "That, senpai..." "Ah, that's right. Why are you looking for me? Is something wrong?" "yes." Chitanda nodded, then turned around and gave me a wink. ...Being able to stop the car here means that Chitanda has also made some changes in the past ten months.Chitanda was not good at speaking softly.Although her blunt language can often get things done, but now we have to charge the members of the Astronomical Club with suspicion of theft, and going straight will inevitably mess things up.I understood what she meant, stepped forward and said, "That's right, Sawakiguchi-senpai." "You are...by the way, Detective Oreki-kun." Although this fault-finding nickname makes me a little unhappy, but for now, I can only bear with it.I pointed to the geography lecture room and said, "Actually, a piece of chocolate was stolen over there." I felt that Ze Muguchi's gaze seemed to be sharper, so I said sideways: "So, we want to know if anyone saw the thief. Did anyone come to the corridor between four forty-five and five o'clock?" Substitute "Looking for Suspects" with "Looking for Witnesses", I don't know if this little thought can fool her.Sawa Kiguchi smiled with great interest, and whispered: "Stealing Valentine's Day chocolates, right? It's not a heart thief, this prisoner is really coquettish." Where is the wind?I really want to show you Chitanda biting her lip in embarrassment just now. Sawa Kiguchi thought for a while, and then continued: "Four forty-five to five o'clock? I'm sorry, we played too hard and didn't remember the time at all. However, the people who left the table... Zhongshan and Yoshihara, Oda seems to be I also went out, although I sent it out." Three out of five?I knew that Chitanda's expression was getting more and more depressed. But, it's possible to narrow it down even further: "Did anyone come out after packing?" "Why do you ask this? No." "Ah, is Oda that girl?" "Girls are Zhongshan." Faced with one problem after another, Sawa Kiguchi finally became a little unhappy.Although the overall funny temperament is still the same, she still put her hands on her hips and stared at me and said: "I said before, no one came back with chocolates. Believe it or not, you are a little detective, I am a little unhappy gone." After finishing speaking, she suddenly opened the door of the classroom and shouted loudly: "Did you guys see anything like chocolate just now?" The boys from the Tianwen Club laughed loudly: "Senior, can you stop hitting our sad hearts!" "I also want to say that I saw it~" Sawakiguchi pointed at them with open hands, as if to say "this is the proof". "Then, that's all you want to ask? Is that all right?" Sure enough, things didn't go so amicably.No matter how tricky we are, we are doubting them after all, and if we say there is no way, it is indeed nothing to do.It's just based on creed and personality, I don't like disputes...it's really no way. At least put on a good attitude.I bowed to Sawakiguchi and said, "Thank you very much. Senpai, I apologize for my rudeness just now." "Oh, forget it." After leaving these words, Sawa Kiguchi walked into the fifth multifunctional classroom without looking back.I don't know if it is a psychological effect, but the sound of closing the door seems to be very heavy.After a while, the hearty voice of "reopen, reopen" came from the classroom. Chitanda looked back and forth between me and the closed door, and said sadly, "Oreki-san... Sawakiguchi-senpai must be angry." "Of course." "...But! We also have to get Mayaka-san's chocolate back." I turned around and saw that Satoshi had finally lost his expression.The usual smile disappeared from his face, and it all turned into a self-deprecating look. "Houtaro..." He seemed to have something to say. I didn't pay attention to it, but put forward a suggestion to go back to the agency office first.It was getting dark, and it was almost time to put an end to this matter.