-Yuri-
I already know who the culprit is. I stepped out of the office and saw Kuya Xian smiling at me.
"Got it?" Xian asked.
"Yeah. I've got it completely," I replied.
"You do the honors. You tell them," he said.
"Huh? Why me?" I asked.
"Didn't you say you wanted to solve mysteries? Then this is your first chance to present your deductions to the people. The court is yours, kid," Xian said, then winked.
I walked toward them and began to speak.
"The trophy-the missing trophy was for the first-year students' competition. And it disappeared in an instant from the principal's office.
"It was the principal himself and his assistant, Simon Green, who discovered it missing. They found the glass box open and the trophy gone.
"All of you I'm speaking to now were the potential suspects. But the culprit in this case failed to hide the trophy properly-and I found it," I said.
"What? You found where the trophy is?" the principal asked.
"Yes. I found it," I replied.
"Where?" the principal asked.
"Before that, let's review what happened. The first person seen was Watt Montgomery, after running from the principal's guards.
"Then there's Rosemary, found heading to the Fyodor Building, which is near this one.
"And Francis Ross-a student who made himself a potential suspect just because he wanted to know what was happening," I said.
"So? Which of them took the trophy, and where is it?" the principal asked.
"I'm afraid none of these suspects is the culprit," I said.
"What?" the principal gasped.
"The culprit is none other than you, Principal Frank!" I said, pointing at him.
"Huh? How could that be? I wasn't even here when the trophy was stolen," he said.
"Hmm. You're right about that. But a theft from a locked room with no spare key is impossible for a student to pull off. Let's say someone tried lockpicking-but with how thoroughly the guards inspect everyone at the gate, they'd easily find out and stop it," I explained.
"Huh? And why would I even steal the trophy? It's my trophy! Why would I do that?" he asked.
"The answer is simple-just like you said yourself. There was a competition among the first years to prove who among us truly has intellect," I replied.
"Wait-then what about the person Simon saw?!" he asked, raising his voice.
"That's simple too-you two were accomplices in this plan. You fed us false information to confuse everyone," I said.
"Ngh! W-wait, then where would I even hide the trophy? I-it's too big to fit in my p-pocket!" he stuttered.
"Come here," I called out to the crowd.
Everyone entered, except for Kuya Xian, who stayed by the doorway, watching me with a grin.
Looks like my deduction was right.
I walked toward the painting and touched its bottom edge.
"Everyone! Introducing..." I said as I removed the painting.
I took it down-and behind it was the large trophy.
"Voilà! The trophy was right here all along!" I shouted.
"So that means... there was never really a theft, and this was all just a test?" Watt asked.
"Exactly, Watt," said Xian. "All of this was part of the principal's competition."
The principal bowed his head slightly, then slowly raised his hands and began clapping. Clap. Clap. Clap. Simon joined him, both smiling.
"Impressive, impressive. As expected from a detective club member. You've passed the test. Now, as a reward-the trophy is yours and Xian's," the principal said.
I looked at Xian after hearing that. He shook his head.
"Sorry, Principal Frank. But we can't accept that," I said.
"Huh? Why not?" he asked.
"There are still many students here. Maybe give it to one or two of them once they've proven their intelligence. We're here to solve the case-not to show off how smart we are," I replied.
"Hmmm. What a reflective young man. Well then, if you have a request, just say it," he said.
"I only have one request," I said.
"And what is that?" he asked.
"A disciplinary action for that guy," I said, pointing at Watt.
"Huh? Why me?" Watt asked.
"You threatened Francis-that you'd do something bad to him. That's already a threat. I request disciplinary action, Principal Frank."
"Request accepted."
"Huh? I didn't say anything like that-"
"Yes, you did. I can testify that what Detective Yuri said is true," Francis said.
"What do you say to that, boy?" the principal asked Watt.
"You'll pay for this!" Watt shouted.
"Guards!" the principal yelled.
The men in suits arrived again and escorted Watt out of the office. I didn't need to know where they took him.
"You can go home now," the principal said.
"Huh? Go home? Why?" I asked.
"You and Xian need some rest after solving this case," he replied.
"Thank you, sir."
The principal gave me an excuse letter as a reason to leave early. We didn't do anything else-we just left the office and returned to the Poirot Club room.
I slumped down on the sofa and took a deep breath out of exhaustion.
"You nailed everything, huh? Nice work!" Xian said.
"You're still better, Kuya. You figured it out before I even did," I said.
"Makes us equal. After all, a famous teenager once said, 'There are no winners or losers when it comes to deduction,'" he said.
"You're right about that," I replied.
"Congrats on solving your first case," he said.
"Thank you," I replied.
"Come on. Let's go home."
I went up to our classroom to grab my bag and give the teacher my excuse letter.
"You're a member of the Poirot Club, right?" the teacher asked.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied.
"Alright then. You may leave."
"Thank you, ma'am."
I walked out and left the school. The guard even asked if we were dismissed early, and I just told him the truth.
I didn't wait for a ride-I walked home instead.
When I reached our apartment, I felt nervous knocking, afraid that Ate Charlotte might ask why I was home so early.
I knocked, ready to tell her the truth.
"Oh, you're home early! It's only been two hours. Did you skip class?" Charlotte asked, surprised.
"Wow, cutting class? Come on, I'll tell you the truth," I replied.
When I got inside and sat on the sofa, I told her everything-every single thing.
"Ahh, okay. Looks like you've achieved your dream of being a detective, huh? Detective Yuri, is that it?" she teased.
"Haist. Yeah, I guess so. I didn't know it could be that stressful," I replied.
"Well, face it-you wanted this, didn't you? Go change and rest for a while," she said.
I went to my room and lay on my bed, still thinking about how I'd just solved my first case.
First case, huh? There's a new rule now. Does that mean I'll be facing tougher cases next time?
-THE END-