"Wow, this is lively."
"I didn't expect so many people to show up."
"Looks like some upperclassmen came too, not just us first-years."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had only just arrived at the open field when he was taken aback by the sheer number of students milling about.
"Yo, isn't that Ayanokouji?"
Turning around, he spotted his classmates Hirata Yosuke and Sudou Ken—an unusual pairing. The one who noticed him first was Sudou, who was still chewing on something.
"Good evening, you two."
Since he'd been seen, Ayanokouji approached them calmly.
"Didn't expect you to come too, Ayanokouji-kun," Hirata said with a smile.
"I was just curious, that's all."
Hirata nodded in understanding. With so few entertainment options available at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, it wasn't surprising. Just the other day, the whole school had been abuzz over a visiting fortune-teller. For students confined to campus, anything novel quickly became a hot topic.
Like the endless line of food stalls now stretched along the path, or the familiar student fair activities—ring toss, goldfish scooping, target shooting.
It might seem childish to typical high schoolers, but for students here, it was a welcome change.
In fact, it seemed the older students were enjoying it even more.
"That Kitagawa from Class C might be a pain, but he really went all out with this party, huh."
Sudou tore into his grilled meat skewer and gulped down his drink, sounding satisfied. As the only first-year member chosen to compete with the school's basketball team, he'd recently returned from an off-campus tournament. Though they hadn't placed well, the school still rewarded them with personal points—so he wasn't exactly short on funds.
And in this festive atmosphere, no one seemed to be worrying about spending. Every booth was packed, and students splurged freely.
"I heard Kitagawa arranged for outside vendors through the student council and paid points to get approval from the school."
"Well, his Class C is way richer than our D Class."
The three of them chatted as they walked, with Ayanokouji picking up some snacks of his own. Though food to him was merely for maintaining bodily function, tasty treats undeniably improved one's mood.
"Aside from the lack of fireworks, this feels just like a festival."
Hirata casually took the wrappers from Ayanokouji and tossed them in a nearby trash bin.
"Have you ever been to a fireworks festival, Ayanokouji-kun?"
Noticing Ayanokouji's somewhat blank expression, Hirata asked curiously.
"Only read about them in books."
Ayanokouji gazed up at the dark sky. The moon was bright tonight, but few stars were visible.
Hirata followed his gaze, as if expecting fireworks to burst across the sky any second.
"What are you guys looking at? Fireworks?"
Sudou tilted his head skyward too, neck straining as he searched.
"Fireworks aren't allowed on campus. But the flyers said there would be a special program tonight."
Class 1-C had spent the day plastering posters across campus, one reason why so many students had gathered.
"Oh hey, isn't that Kitagawa?"
Turning a corner, the crowd thinned slightly. Thanks to his height, Sudou spotted Kitagawa Ryo standing near one of the booths.
"There's a girl with him too."
Standing on tiptoe to get a better look, Sudou caught a glimpse of the girl beside him and muttered, disappointed:
"Damn. Even a guy like Kitagawa has a date."
[What do you mean, "even a guy like Kitagawa"]
Ayanokouji sighed inwardly but didn't say it aloud. Hirata, still smiling, offered clarification:
"That's probably Shiina-san from Class C. I heard they started dating a few days ago."
"Hmm..."
Sudou rubbed his chin in thought, then said with uncertainty:
"But the girl I just saw... she looked more like Ichinose from Class B."
-------------------------------------
"Ryo, are you choking? Do you want some water?"
"Just thirty more seconds... mmph."
Kitagawa Ryo stuffed the last of the oversized takoyaki into his mouth, his eyes fixed on the countdown timer on the table.
With only three seconds left on the clock, he managed to swallow the final ball. As the vendor nodded with approval, he quickly took the cold water Ichinose Honami had prepared in advance and gulped it down. Wiping the sauce from his mouth, he finally spoke, still breathless:
"So... did I finish it?"
"Password."
The vendor, strictly businesslike, asked while scooping the next batch of takoyaki.
"Ten little soldiers went out to dine; one choked his little self, and then there were nine."
Reciting the dark nursery rhyme quoted from the famous mystery novel And Then There Were None, Kitagawa accepted a slip of paper from the vendor, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"You kids these days sure come up with the weirdest games," the vendor muttered, not really understanding but satisfied that it matched what the girl had told him earlier.
"Feels like you and Shiina-san are reenacting The Gift of the Magi," Ichinose said, hiding a giggle behind her hand as Kitagawa returned.
"I didn't expect Hiyori to plan a surprise for me at the end of summer," Kitagawa sighed, though excitement crept into his voice.
Just like in The Gift of the Magi, the couple had tried to surprise each other in secret. Earlier that evening, Kitagawa had gone to invite Shiina Hiyori to the event, only to find her room empty. Calls unanswered, no response at the door. He had used a spare key and entered, only to find one word written in red lipstick on the bathroom mirror:
Geschenk
A cryptic German word, left in an empty room. But Kitagawa saw through the game immediately.
The word meant "gift" in German. In a detective novel they had read, a similar German word—RACHE (revenge)—was left at a crime scene. That story was Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet, Holmes' first appearance.
Recognizing it as Hiyori's playful challenge, Kitagawa had found the first clue on the sink.
Follow the instructions, and he would find her—with a special gift.
And Ichinose? She was Hiyori's designated Watson.
With the help of Ichinose, who had been working closely with vendors through the student council, the riddles had been set up flawlessly.
"Don't look at me like that. I don't have any clues on my face," Ichinose teased as Kitagawa squinted at her suspiciously.
Back to the mission: with under an hour before his scheduled drone flight, Kitagawa needed to find Hiyori fast—otherwise, his elaborate plan would be ruined.
He opened the slip:
"Seven little soldiers chopping up sticks; one chopped himself in halves, and then there were six."
"...You guys really watch some grim stuff, huh?"
Ryuuen Kakeru had arrived just in time to hear the dark rhyme. He frowned.
"So what's that mean?"
"Which booth around here matches that description?" Kitagawa shot him a look, then bolted toward a stand and asked the vendor something before blindfolding himself.
"...It's the watermelon splitting game?"
Ryuuen watched in disbelief as Kitagawa walked, blindfolded, toward a watermelon placed on a mat. It was a traditional summer game—usually played on beaches.
"I really don't understand their wavelength."
"Only those two could be on the same channel," Ichinose sighed.
Kitagawa's swing was perfect—he split the watermelon in one clean hit. Ryuuen reached out to grab a piece but stopped when Kitagawa confirmed with the vendor:
"The chopped-off head part?"
It killed his appetite.
"Are we running out of time?" Ryuuen asked, checking his phone. He was aware of the drone plan.
"We're fine. I already sent Suzune to the next station."
Kitagawa showed him the next clue:
"Four little soldiers going out to sea; a red herring swallowed one, and then there were three."
"Nice foresight."
At the goldfish scooping booth, Horikita Suzune stood confidently with a paper scoop in hand, only for it to tear instantly. Water splashed onto her face.
"Again!"
"Ten scoops for 200 points," the vendor said, clearly experienced.
"This is your so-called preparation?" Ryuuen asked dryly.
Kitagawa looked grim. Horikita was so focused she didn't even notice him squatting beside her.
He scooped ten fish in one minute and twenty seconds.
"Give her another hundred scoops—on my card," Kitagawa told the vendor. "And if she still can't catch any, give her mine."
"She's already spent enough to buy a dozen fish," the vendor laughed.
Kitagawa smiled gently: "Take your time, no rush. I couldn't catch one at your age either."
Horikita bit her lip in frustration... and broke another scoop.
"Three little soldiers walking in the zoo; a big bear hugged one, and then there were two."
Reading the next slip, Ryuuen asked, "Don't tell me you invited a circus?"
Kitagawa ignored him and spotted a bustling booth.
"Ring toss?"
In the center sat a massive teddy bear—the most valuable prize.
Kitagawa handed half his rings to Ryuuen. Together, they tossed hundreds over fifteen minutes—none landed.
Then someone tapped Kitagawa's shoulder.
"Ryo?"
"Kei!"
He had no time for small talk. Unless Ichinose could help—which she couldn't as the supervisor—he needed backup.
"Here, help me out." He gave Kei half the rings. "See that teddy bear in the center?"
"You want that?"
"Something like that."
Kei got serious. After testing the distance with two practice throws, her third soared straight onto the bear's head.
"Yes!"
Kitagawa hugged her in excitement, then quickly let go and ran to get the next clue.
"Keep the bear—it's yours!"
Kei stood frozen, holding the fluffy bear.
Four rounds later, she still blushed thinking about that hug. Was that his gift to her?
"Two little soldiers sitting in the sun; one got frizzled up, and then there was one."
"Shooting gallery!"
Ryuuen finally guessed one. The targets were painted like suns, referencing the Chinese legend of Hou Yi shooting down the suns.
Kitagawa rushed over, but his aim was shaky from exhaustion. Ryuuen gave up quickly.
"Arisu!"
He spotted Sakayanagi Arisu walking by with Kamuro Masumi.
"Oh my, calling me so sweetly now?" she teased.
"I remember you were amazing at shooting games."
Kitagawa handed her the gun. "Please, consider it a favor."
"The Hunter returns!"
Arisu chuckled and took aim. She hit every target.
"How was that?"
"Amazing! You only hit the bottom row like before!"
"Are you mocking my height?"
"Never!"
He grabbed the final slip and waved goodbye.
"Thanks! See you next time!"
"Kitagawa seems in a hurry tonight," Kamuro remarked.
"Of course," Arisu yawned. "I'm tired. Let's go."
"There's a special event later…"
"Not interested."
"One little soldier left all alone; he went and hanged himself, and then there were none."
Rooftop, Special Teaching Building
The last note finally gave away Hiyori's location. Kitagawa raced toward the darkened building.
Ichinose moved to follow, but Ryuuen stopped her.
"Let them be alone."
He looked up at the rooftop.
"It's the perfect spot to watch from."
-------------------------------------
"Hah... found you."
Kitagawa Ryo, panting heavily, finally reached the rooftop of the Special Teaching Building. Although the hallways had been dark, the rooftop was brightly illuminated, thanks to the lights from the surrounding buildings. From here, the grandeur of the nightscape unfolded before his eyes.
He stepped forward into the cool night breeze, approaching Shiina Hiyori who stood quietly by the railing.
"I knew you'd find me here," she said with a smile.
Tonight, Shiina wore a long white dress. The wind lifted the hem of her skirt and the ends of her hair. One hand rested on the railing, while the other held down her fluttering hair.
She turned to Ryo with a radiant smile. Different from her usual calm and quiet demeanor, there was a lightness in her heart and expression tonight.
"Can you guess what kind of gift I've prepared for you, Ryo?"
Although he already had a feeling, Kitagawa chose to shake his head honestly.
"No idea."
Shiina's smile softened even more, and she winked playfully.
"It's related to A Study in Scarlet, you know."
A Study in Scarlet — a story of revenge for the sake of a beloved woman.
Besides the bloodstained writing on the wall, the most important clue left at the crime scene was what had fallen from the victim's body—
"A ring," they said in unison.
Like the perfect pair of detectives.
"Will you put it on for me, Ryo?"
Shiina pulled out two small ring boxes. Ryo nodded with a gentle smile and took one of the delicate rings.
In that instant, hundreds of drones launched into the sky. Their dazzling trails lit up the air, soaring in perfect formation like a sequence of dominoes.
The gathered students below erupted into loud cheers.
Letters began to appear in the sky.
As the glowing words formed, more drones flanked them on both sides, erupting in floral-like bursts of firelight.
In the dark night sky, the display shone more brightly than even the moon.
[ I like you ]
"I like you," Kitagawa Ryo said.
In perfect unison, the sky and the earth aligned. He slipped the ring onto Shiina Hiyori's left middle finger.
The finger representing passionate love.
"Mm."
Although she had guessed Ryo might be preparing a surprise of his own, now that it was happening before her eyes, Shiina couldn't contain the swell of emotion rising within her.
She knew she would remember this summer night forever.
Ryo leaned in and pressed his lips gently against hers.
[ We will never be apart ]
The drones continued to dance and shift in the sky.
The crowd below, realizing someone was confessing, began to cheer even louder.
Kitagawa Ryo tightened his grip on Shiina Hiyori's hand, his left arm circling her waist. The kiss lasted longer than he had imagined.
Summer had come to an end.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To Read Advanced Chapters, and support this novel, please join me on [email protected]/geats2000