Tada, Sore Dake de Yokattan desu Chapter 7 - The Final Puzzle Piece

Though it was a simple act, deserving no praise, I gathered my resolve and responded to Kotomi Ishikawa.

I admit, the fear of uncovering the truth and the terror inspired by the assailant were palpable. Nevertheless, a reason compelled me not to abandon this path. Embracing a pessimistic outlook, I resolved to commence my inquiries.

She was, in fact, the very first girlfriend Masaya had ever acquired in his life.

What exactly had she observed within that classroom? And why did she end up falling down the stairs?

Kotomi and I had subsequently arranged a time to convene.

While I had reached out to her via social media, her eagerness to meet me seemed genuine, leading us to schedule a meeting at the hospital, where I subsequently paid her a visit in her room.

Her hospital room was a well-kept private chamber with a single bed. She was positioned on the bed, and the entire space radiated a stark whiteness, akin to a pure, unadulterated pain, instilling a sense of confinement. Yet, this starkness only served to accentuate her inherent beauty. Her mid-length black hair and the tension etched on her face remained unchanged.

However, the evident lack of proper nourishment, likely due to her extended period of unconsciousness, had left her noticeably thinner. This bestowed upon her an almost ethereal, holy aura. The vibrant youthful spirit that had been so apparent when I first met her had completely dissipated, replaced by an air of profound maturity.

She was seated on the sofa, cradling a large Narcissus flower in her hands.

As I entered the room, she turned her gaze towards me, a serene smile gracing her lips.

“Hello, Sanae.”

Her voice resonated with an overwhelming sense of pity and a compassionate affection that felt remarkably out of place for a fourteen-year-old.

Undoubtedly, she had already been made aware of Masaya’s suicide.

“To be entirely candid…” she gestured towards a vacant chair, seemingly indicating I should take a seat, “I had actually recovered quite some time ago. However, I was not permitted any visitors. Do you not find that excessively stringent?”

“…You did sustain a rather severe impact, so such restrictions are understandable, are they not? Medical research still harbors certain ambiguities regarding the complexities of the brain.”

Upon hearing my response, she exclaimed, “I see, a veritable blind spot!” With a soft chuckle, her gaze drifted to her hands, her expression becoming noticeably serious.

“So… I was afforded ample time, time spent here, contemplating the events that have transpired up to this juncture.”

She was clutching something within her grasp. Upon closer inspection, I discerned it to be a mobile phone.

With an expression of endearing vulnerability, she gently caressed her phone.

“Regarding our class, Masaya, Sugawara, the Human Power Test, and myself. Foolishly, my thoughts were consumed solely by my peers. I pondered my fate should I become an outcast. What course of action would I take if I couldn’t keep pace in conversations or academically, and if I were subjected to bullying? It is hardly surprising that Sugawara taunted me, remarking, ‘What you perceive is merely the reflection of others.’”

“Are you acquainted with him?”

“Not intimately, but prior to the incident, we conversed on several occasions, delving into rather significant depths. Consequently, I resolved to heed Sugawara’s counsel, to disregard others, and to dedicate a period to introspection. After a considerable duration of thought, I came to the realization that Sugawara harbored a form of concern for me, expressed in his own unique manner.”

“What else occupied your thoughts?”

“Such as the reasons behind Masaya’s decision to push me down the stairs.”

She brought the phone to her chest, holding it tenderly.

“I shall divulge the unvarnished truth regarding who was responsible for Masaya’s demise. The transgressions committed by Ninomiya, Watabe, Komuro, and myself.”

There was no question that Kotomi ranked among the most prominent figures within the class; she secured third place in the Human Power Test, and her popularity was undeniably evident. (For context, out of the thirty-five students, Masaya held the first position, while Taku Sugawara languished in thirty-fourth.) Her affable disposition was such that companionship with her was always a pleasant experience; her presence invariably dispelled any somber moods.

However, she disclosed that approximately a year prior, she had endured harassment from a group of girls. Inadvertently, she had revealed her Human Power Test results to her friends, and due to her high ranking, she became the target of envy. Amidst the burgeoning animosity from others, a certain popular individual intervened with a statement that effectively diffused the situation.

That influential individual was none other than Masaya. Their relationship subsequently blossomed, and within two months, they embarked on a romantic partnership.

On one occasion, I inquired about Masaya’s girlfriend, and he responded with a look of apparent distaste, yet he did introduce his girlfriend to me nonetheless. “She’s adept at lightening the atmosphere, so I imagine she gets along splendidly with you. She may appear somewhat simple, but she genuinely cares for everyone.”

Yet, I could personally discern that her benevolent treatment of others stemmed from a deep-seated fear rooted in her past experiences.

“Therefore, when Masaya began to conceal matters from me, the pain was immense. I lived in constant dread of abandonment by Masaya, forcing me to confront raw hatred directly.”

In a quiet, deliberate tone, she recounted,

“I was at a loss for what to do, and I unleashed my pent-up frustrations upon the dolphin plush toy that Masaya had gifted me… I was utterly foolish. It was the cherished doll Masaya had presented to me on our very first date… but it truly unnerved me. Masaya, no, he, and indeed everyone else, including Ninomiya, Watabe, and Komuro, were all keeping secrets from me, effectively isolating me.”

“When did this occur?”

“Approximately two weeks preceding the incident instigated by Sugawara.”

“Do you now comprehend the nature of the secrets they withheld from you?”

“Yes.” She affirmed with a nod in response to my query.

“I believe Ninomiya, Watabe, and Komuro were actively tormenting Masaya. To be precise, it involved both Masaya and Sugawara.”

She began to elaborate slowly, then, abruptly, her words picked up pace,

“Bullying them in secret, unseen by any watchful eyes, makes their story more believable than Sugawara alone tormenting four individuals. Masaya’s gym uniform was undeniably sabotaged by them; I sensed something was off, confirming their intricate plan.”

“…They orchestrated for Sugawara to assault Masaya, setting him up as the fall guy.”

“Yes, your assessment is accurate.”

She confirmed my assertion, her words tumbling out with urgency as she elaborated,

“The online exposé was a fabrication orchestrated by them. Following that incident, Sugawara and Masaya lost all contact. Masaya began exhibiting peculiar behavior. Was it a consequence of the escalating bullying from those three? Or perhaps because Sugawara, the target of their torment, became completely ostracized?”

“Such loyal friends…” I murmured under my breath,

“After Sugawara physically assaulted Masaya, I witnessed Masaya seeking out Toguchi-sensei. The teacher showed no interest, utterly self-absorbed, and doubtlessly dismissed Masaya’s plea. Yet, Masaya did reach out to others. He paid Sugawara a clandestine visit, concealing it from his parents. Although his intentions remain unclear, it undeniably proves their past friendship.”

“Tell me, in that scenario, what transgression did you commit?”

I inquired, and she closed her eyes, the painful truth escaping her lips,

“After the incident involving Sugawara, I joined the rest of the class in tormenting him… everyone tossed his pencil case around, and hurled insults at him. They slipped rubber scraps into his food and concealed his submitted homework.”

Kotomi clutched the white blanket, trembling, tears welling in her eyes,

Her confession of transgressions continued,

“Back then, I was utterly lost… I didn’t know what to believe. For Masaya, no, Sugawara might harbor anger if he learned of this. My mind was solely focused on improving my standing in the Human Power Test, on not faltering, so I punished Sugawara—him, who was once Masaya’s friend—”

“…”

“And that’s precisely why Masaya shoved me down the stairs, perhaps because I had mistreated the one person who could have provided Masaya with emotional solace.”

Finally, tears streaming down her face, she cried out,

“That’s why I believe I am responsible for Masaya’s demise. I never grasped the reality of the situation, driving him to utter despair. Ninomiya, Watabe, and Komuro all tormented Masaya, and I tormented Masaya’s friend—that is the stark truth.”

Her anguished confession resonated within my thoughts.

Suddenly, an idea sparked in my mind. Yes, a realization. Regardless of its contradictory nature or shocking impact, there was something simultaneously unsurprising yet dismissible.

I turned my gaze towards her,

And then, I stated, “You possess the fortitude to acknowledge your wrongdoing.”

She wiped away her tears, a look of bewilderment on her face,

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“Ah, no, it’s just that I perceive you differently from the others. We have the principal who initiated this peculiar educational system, Masaya’s mother, who stands beside me, and even the classmates who must have been aware of the bullying; none of them are willing to accept their culpability in this matter. Although, whether they truly bear responsibility, I am uncertain.”

Every single one of them shifted the blame onto Taku Sugawara, proclaiming their innocence with a simple “I don’t know.” But she did not.

With unwavering resolve, she opened her eyes and firmly grasped my hand, articulating the truth.

She made no attempt to appear virtuous before me, but instead, dissected the situation with an unnervingly calm demeanor.

Upon hearing my words, Kotomi let out a soft chuckle,

“Someone advised me not to run away.” Her smile, the kindest I had seen, graced her lips, “Don’t let others’ opinions sway you from what truly matters. Hence, I resolved not to flee. I can no longer evade reality; I will not escape the fact that I sealed Masaya's doom.”

“Who imparted this wisdom to you?”

“My master.”

“What do you imply?”

Kotomi appeared slightly taken aback, then offered a smile,

“Sugawara.”

Her face flushing, she added,

“Surely Sugawara intended to convey something significant to me.”

She retrieved her mobile phone once more, tossing it towards the ceiling. It twirled in the air before descending onto the bed.

I conjured an image of Sugawara in my mind. The obscure outcast the principal spoke of, the fiendish child described by his mother, the unremarkable student his peers perceived, and the sage-like enigma she portrayed. Which persona was the genuine one? Which one defined the true him?”

“Do not run away.” Sugawara had once uttered these words.

Ah, that was it. I could not simply turn my back and flee. Even this girl, seven years my junior, had unearthed the cruel reality through her own conjecture: “I am the killer.”

Therefore, I—

“Hey, Kotomi, allow me to uncover the truth first. What you’ve just shared, such as the teacher’s apathy, Masaya’s discussion with the teacher, Masaya’s visit to Sugawara’s residence post-incident, the subsequent bullying of Sugawara, and the fact that Masaya was the one who pushed you down the stairs—these are established facts, correct?”

I meticulously listed the facts I had newly comprehended, securing Kotomi’s confirmation, and transcribed them into my notebook, cross-referencing them with the information I had previously received.

“E-erm.” Kotomi inquired with a furrowed brow, “Did my deduction contain any errors?”

“I don’t know. But I’ve made up my mind to stop running and continue fighting. Let me investigate this further; there's a significant flaw in your deduction, Kotomi, regarding how 'Masaya was bullied'. Tell me, how is it possible to control such a genius? I'm not trying to brag, but Masaya possesses the ability to excel in both academics and combat. It's a bit difficult for others to overlook that.”

“That’s a blind spot… let me ponder that.”

“Let’s consider another possibility; perhaps he was coerced. Masaya’s computer showed search history for ‘prevent eavesdropping,’ indicating he was certainly afraid of something. Do you have any insights?”

“Ah, I recall he was keeping something hidden from me, but I’m uncertain what it pertains to…”

As she spoke, Kotomi cast her gaze downward,

“I apologize; I lack concrete evidence. I can’t possibly be a renowned detective.”

“No, I didn’t hold much expectation for evidence… This situation isn’t like a murder or theft; typically, no traces or murder weapons are left behind.”

“I see, that makes sense. That is indeed a blind spot.”

“Is that your catchphrase?”

I let out a soft chuckle. Kotomi’s words sparked my curiosity,

‘Blind Spot’? Could it imply a possibility of being deliberately overlooked?

Could there be— there could be more than one? Blind spots that no one has considered?

Flipping through my notebook, I presented it to Kotomi, reviewing all the gathered intelligence.

Even without conclusive proof, it was acceptable. I could piece together the current circumstances through imagination and logical reasoning.

Grades, popularity, Taku Sugawara’s family background, the suppressed eavesdropping searches, the disengaged homeroom teacher, the absence of overt bullying, the infamous PTA vice president known for being an overbearing parent, friendships—

Gradually, I began to grasp the environment in which Taku Sugawara and Masaya found themselves.

Numerous intricate plots started to surface, revealing themselves as the truth.

“—!” I gasped, a shriek escaping my lips.

It was a chilling revelation, a truly diabolical truth.

I refused to believe it was mere coincidence. It was a meticulously constructed, an utterly perfect control.

“Sanae, your phone is ringing.”

Just as I was formulating a hypothesis,

A familiar ringtone emanated from my bag, a sound I hadn't registered at all until that moment.

“You can take calls here. They permit phone usage in this area.”

Grateful for Kotomi’s information, I retrieved my phone. The call was from Sayo,

“You have a park near your residence, correct? Head there immediately.”

Her tone was stern as she continued,

“Taku Sugawara is currently there.”

“I’m on my way,” I replied, ending the call.

Beside me, Kotomi looked on with a curious expression, prompting me to explain, “I’m going to meet Sugawara.”

She seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation from my words and nodded, gesturing towards the Narcissus blooming by her bedside. The white flower radiated brightly, its faint fragrance permeating the ward room.

“It’s from Sugawara. He asked the nurse to give it to me.”

Then, she took my hand,

“Please, unravel all these mysteries. I, too, desperately want to know why Masaya died. Why Sugawara attacked Masaya. Once everything is clear, please guide them towards peace, allowing Masaya to rest and Sugawara to find happiness.”

I didn’t require any further prompting.

Returning her grip, I left the ward room.

?

Kotomi’s deduction contained an error.

Therefore, it was time to uncover the complete truth.

I needed to confront Masaya’s killer and speak with him directly.

Since the revolution has not yet concluded, I shall bring it to its final resolution there.

?

As fate would have it, Taku Sugawara was seated on the very bench that Masaya and I frequented.

This spacious park featured a large grassy area, and on holidays, it was a lively spot for children playing baseball. A substantial playground occupied the higher ground, and in the distance, a wilting Sakura tree was visible. Discarded rubbish floated in the lake, plastic bottles bobbing on the surface like miniature boats.

The landscape before me was bathed in an orange glow.

It was a truly beautiful evening hue.

The amber light tenderly enveloped me, embracing the entire world. Despite my familiarity with this park, it felt strangely out of place.

For Taku Sugawara had materialized before my very eyes.

How could I best describe my initial impression of Taku Sugawara?

It differed significantly from the accounts I had heard from others.

Certainly, as they had mentioned, his physical appearance was not striking, nor was he particularly tall. He appeared somewhat frail, considerably more subdued than I had anticipated. He bore the semblance of an ordinary middle school student; this simple description aptly captured his demeanor.

Yet, despite his unassuming appearance, there emanated a subtle pressure from him. He seemed to have arrived with a certain resolve, or perhaps my own heightened tension was influencing my perception.

At the very least, I couldn't suppress a small gasp.

These were the feelings that washed over me upon encountering Taku Sugawara.

Taku Sugawara sat on the park bench, his gaze fixed upon me,

“You are Masaya’s older sister, aren’t you? You bear a strong resemblance to him.”

He spoke before I could utter a word.

“Yes,” was all I could manage in response.

He shifted his eyes away from me, leaning his upper body forward, and began to speak. His voice was somewhat deep; perhaps it was undergoing the changes of adolescence,

“I have nothing more to add. I admit to bullying him and causing his demise. While I understand you're seeking the truth, this is it. I do feel regret towards you, his older sister, but I have other means to atone. That's all for today, isn't it?”

“But Sayo told me, ‘You’re going to tell me everything’.”

“Sayo? Oh, the tall one? My apologies, I've reconsidered. There isn't much to say.”

“Please tell me. I won’t shy away from the truth.”

“As if I care about you.”

His arrogant tone and condescending speech were insufferable. It was no wonder my mother never liked him.

“…”

Yet, it was all an act. He didn't sound like the person his classmates described, and upon closer inspection, he appeared quite tense. He was merely an ordinary middle school boy putting on a tough facade.

Therefore, I decided to try and elicit the truth from him. I presented the conclusion I had reached:

“You were the target of bullying, weren't you? By Masaya Kishitani, Shunsuke Ninomiya, Kouji Watabe, and Takayoshi Komuro – those four.”

After piecing together all the evidence, this was the only logical conclusion I could arrive at:

“And it wasn't simple bullying. It was meticulously planned. Four against one, that’s already a significant disadvantage. No one else seemed to notice. There were no electronic records, they ensured no one could overhear their conversations, and your movements were monitored during that period. Even if you attempted to report the bullying, your parents showed no interest in your plight, and the class teacher lacked the motivation to act. If a report had been made, you would have faced the wrath of a 'monster parent,' the PTA vice president, and then the popular students in your class would surely turn against you. You were completely isolated, making everything point to you. It was a perfectly layered scheme… no, so perfect it was practically calculated.”

I continued.

The mysterious force operating behind the scenes, its true identity must be—

“The mastermind was Masaya Kishitani.”

“…”

“Tell me, how did you confront this devil? What transpired between you and Masaya?”

After I stated my hypothesis, Sugawara’s expression finally shifted. The disdainful look disappeared, replaced by a look of shock as he gazed at me.

His mouth moved, then moved again, emitting an inaudible gasp. Suddenly, he clutched his mouth and started coughing, his entire body shaking uncontrollably, like a malfunctioning clock. He then collapsed backward on the bench, gasping for air.

Finally, a genuine smile graced his lips. “You’ve passed,” he managed to say.

However, he did not elaborate on the meaning of those words.

Once his breathing stabilized, he spoke again,

“Please