The First Investigation Division cleared out, taking Teru Hoshino and Hayato Doi's body. With the gymnasium cordon lifted, students swarmed in, eager for gossip.
The Dean of Academic Affairs, curious himself, stopped chasing students away. Suicide turned murder? How'd they catch the killer so fast? He squeezed into the gymnasium, approaching Vice Principal Inoue. "What happened? That student they took…"
Inoue, already sour about Teitan's tarnished reputation, snapped, "Why do you care? I told you to clear the students out!"
"When did you say that?" the Dean muttered, aggrieved, grabbing his bamboo sword to shoo students again.
Inoue, slightly calmer, ordered, "Seal the judo club room. No one uses it. I'm seeing the principal—Teitan's mess isn't my burden alone!"
Mika High School, Principal's Office
The white-haired principal gazed over Teitan's campus from the balcony as Inoue reported the murder.
After listening, the principal asked, "Your plan?"
Inoue grumbled inwardly but said, "We can't hide it. Use connections to keep major media quiet. Smaller outlets won't make waves. Tokyo's busy—this'll fade in weeks."
"Fade?" the principal said flatly. "Competitors will remind people during enrollment season."
Schools vied for top students, and Teitan's scandal was a weapon for rivals.
"What then?" Inoue asked, annoyed. Don't dump this on me, old man.
Inoue coveted the principal's chair, but the old man clung to it, fueling his frustration.
"Sinology says, 'Better to guide than block,'" the principal murmured. "Don't hide it. Let the media report freely."
"Principal!" Inoue gasped. "That'll ruin Teitan's reputation!"
Is he senile?
"We need a strategy," the principal smiled. "You said a first-year student, Hayashi Shuichi, solved the case and caught the killer?"
"Yes," Inoue nodded warily. "Class A, Grade 1. He's worked with the First Investigation Division before."
"Tell the media," the principal said, eyes glinting. "Teitan had a murder, but also a genius detective who solved it, relied on by the police."
Inoue froze. Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that?
Tokyo's daily murders dulled the gym case's shock. A genius teen detective was far juicier news. Highlighting Hayashi Shuichi would shift focus from the crime to his brilliance, making him Teitan's living billboard for recruitment.
"I'll contact the media," Inoue said, bowing with newfound respect. Old ginger's still spicy.
Teitan Campus
The gymnasium reopened, but only teachers and police witnessed Hayashi's deductions. Students, finding no juicy details, drifted back to club activities.
Yukiko Fujimine, heading to drama club, spotted Hayashi Shuichi, Kogoro Mouri, and Eri Kisaki leaving. Curiosity piqued, she asked about the gym.
Kogoro, still fuming over Hoshino's betrayal of sportsmanship, stayed silent. Eri adjusted her glasses, playing the shy nerd.
Hayashi sighed and gave a brief rundown, omitting his role. "Hoshino, for a competition spot, sabotaged a teammate's leg and killed his childhood friend."
"What a jerk!" Yukiko clenched her fists.
"Yeah, a real bastard," Hayashi agreed. Noticing the time, he added, "Gotta go, or the izakaya won't open tonight." He dragged Kogoro and Eri away.
"Hey, you jerk!" Yukiko stomped, frustrated. She hadn't asked why the police let them in, and Hayashi bolted before she could.