Mysteries of Teardrops Academy

Chapter 1- The Crime

" Netsuro Ichini, Sayuri Minakaze, Yomi Sumimana, Yukari Tashigawa, Takane Oshikagawa, Kazami Tanigawa, Unagi Mishima, Ryuka Kamisachi." Rei Suichiro, school director of Teardrops Academy, reads the annual book and letting out a sarcastic smile on his face.

Knock! Knock! Knock! "Did you called us Suichiro-sama?" Yomi said as he comes in the Dean's office. "As I was looking down my files, I noticed this case paper. This was only a photocopy so the words are a bit damaged and invisible. You, students, are one the finest here in Teardrops Academy. I entrust you with this case. Please, as soon as possible I need the answers." Rei cited. "But where is the original copy? And how come we and all of the community don't know this?" Takane asked. "I don't know where the original copies and we kept it as a secret for their bodies were seen at night by the school guard. I hope my information were useful." Rei said. "Yes it is Sir. We'll start investigating as soon as possible Rei-sama" Unagi replied.

"All we possess is this case paper with not much visible words. This is not even useful to us!" Yomi furiously said. "Yes it is useful. We can have it as a lead. It states here it happened here in the school grounds, specifically in the school garden but the question is, what does a student doing inside that place in the night?" Netsuro asked. "That is what we are gonna find out." Unagi said. "I think this is too risky. We cannot ensure that we are gonna be successful. Remember, it deals with murder. Murder. We don't even know why they were killed." Ryuka pessimistically said. "Preferably, we just have to return this to the dean." Yukari suggested. "NO! we are not returning this. It is entrusted to us so we are gonna do this." Unagi declined. "Perhaps, we shall start now."Sayuri said. "Precisely!" Kazami replied. "Let's all do this together. No otaku is easily giving up! Netsuro, Yukari and Kazami investigate the whereabouts in the library. Takane and Sayuri interrogate faculty and personels. Ryuka, prepare your house for it will serve as our meeting place. Yomi and I will go to the precinct to ask for the case. Let us meet at Ryuka-chan's house later and brainstorm by 4:30." Unagi said. "Let us go guys!" They all shouted.

Creak… a creaking sound of an enormous library door echoed throughout the establishment. "This sure is big. We better start looking." Yukari said. They split up to look for books, Kazami in the left bookshelves, Netsuro in the right and Yukari in the middle.

"1977- The school was founded by Mr. Reiko Suichiro along with his wife Mrs. Tasuki Suichiro. The two manage this school until 2000 and gave up the ownership to their daughter, Saika Suichiro. Saika-sama is fond of rituals and supernatural and tends to be alone henceforth, she entrusted the school to her spouse, Rei Suichiro, who is popular for his profession." Netsuro said as he reads Newsletter that dates back in 2000.

"We are honored to study in a school you heads, Saika-sama. May your soul rest with the almighty – Youri Tenkaichi – 2006 Valedictorian of the high school department." The 2006 annual book stated that Yukari was reading. She was greatly shocked and wrote all the notes. Upon returning the book, she noticed a letter clipped by the shelf. It states "Farewell, beloved school."

"A school registry of 2006? Luck has come to my side." Kazami smiles. "31. Kira Shizume 32. Itachi Minimoto, 33. Yuka Rukamoto. I've never seen them or heard of them since I entered here. I better note them." Kazami returns the book and plans to return back.

"...As far as I can remember, there is a guard here that resigned. Mikaji Nakashima is the name I think. They are very good friends with Saika-sama who unfortunately died. I saw them as they grew here in the school. Their first play and cries that happened here in the grounds of this Academy." Jinma, the school janitor said. "Thank you for the info Jinma-san" Takane said as she bows her haid in humility. "Ask me again if you have more questions Takane-chan" Jinma replied. As Takane is about to turn her head, she saw Rei-sama talking to someone, as if they were on a deal.

Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! Sayuri runs as fast as she could chasing the assigned time. Until… AAARRRGGGHH!THUD! She fell and all the books she carries scattered all over the floor. Upon looking up she saw a hand reaching her. "Are you alright?" A man in nearly 30's helped her. "Yes I am alright." Sayuri replied. "I am Watoshi. Watoshi Chizami." The man introduced himself. "Nice to meet you Watoshi-sama." Sayuri replied. "What's your name little girl?" He asked. "I am very sorry but I am afraid I cannot give my name. Gomenasai." Sayuri said as she ran with all the books.

"Sir do you know about the case in the Teadrops Academy?" Yomi asked a police. "No I don't. We have an archive of original paper cases open for all visitors. It is laminated but is strictly prohibited to be taken out of this establishment." The officer said. "Where is the collection sir?" Unagi asked. "Just follow the left wing of this building. There is a board says: Archives." The officer replied. "Arigatou!." The students thanked the officer.

"Kira Shizume, Itachi Minimoto and Yuka Rukamoto were murdered in Teardrops Academy's school garden at 9:03 evening March 26, 2006. No suspects or witnesses involved in this crime therefore, it is still an open case." Unagi says as he reads the laminated case file. "I've heard of these three. They were I think members of the student council. Specifically, In the year 2006." Yomi stated. "Take note of this. It can give us relevant clues but something bothers me. Why does Rei-sama wants us to solve this case?" Unagi asked. "It is simply because he wants to give Teardrops Academy a good reputation." Yomi replied. "I know. It is the simplest explanation but I think there is really a deeper secret than your statement." Unagi contrasted.

Sayuri and Takane were the first one to arrive at Ryuka's house. In a matter of 2 minutes the 3, Netsuro, Kazami and Yukari arrived with dozens of papers and notes. Lastly, Yomi and Unagi returned holding in their hands information towards the case.

"Whew! This is just too many." Yukari said. "Let's see first what Yomi and Unagi researched about the case file." Ryuka suggested. "Well, It states that it happened 9:03 pm at in the garden." Ryuka said as she reads the note. "Unfortunately, borrowing the case paper is prohibited so we just took the important details." Yomi stated. "It says here the 3 students were Kira Shizume, Itachi Minimoto and Yuka Rukamoto whom are all in age 16." Sayuri reads. "I know them!" Takane exclaimed "Yes me too! I know them too. It shocked me when I saw their names." Yomi said. "They were members of the student council of the year 2006. Kira as the secretary, Itachi as the treasurer and Yuka as the Vice President of Countermeasures. I featured them in my Sun Mag." Takane added. "That's it! I remembered them!" Yomi shouted. "I found their names in the school registry of 2006 in the library." Kazami added. "Now we know all about their identity. We shall move to another aspect." Ryuka suggested. "Do all of us are aware of Saika-sama's death?" Yukari said. "Yes we are." They all replied. "I am just wondering how she died. Adding to that she also was reported dead on the same year the three students died." Yukari added. "But as we all know, since 2000 Saika-sama gave the school ownership to her spouse, Rei Suichiro which is the current director of the academy. It bothers me why would she give up such honor?" Netsuro asked. "Preferably, It can be the thing you called, love." Takane blushed. "No. Saika-sama is fond of supernatural and rituals. I overheard one of the faculty talking about it for the previous years."Sayuri added. "I guess she isn't just the leader type." Unagi concluded. "Exactly! That is why she gave up her ownership. But unexpectedly, she died many years ago. Does anyone think that maybe the killer of the three is as the same as Saika's?" Ryuka asked. "Maybe. We can put it as a hypothesis." Netsuro said. "Rei-sama also said that a guard saw the body of the three students, untouched. Making him the first witness we must investigate." Netsuro continued. "I am gonna add that up but you came beforehand. Yes. Jinmu-san, our janitor said that the guard's name is Mikaji or Mikaju Nakashima. He also stated that Saika and the guard are childhood friends and they've been companions since high school" Takane said. "I have a cousin that has the surname of Nakashima." Kazami added. "Bingo! Then we'll have little time searching for him." Unagi yelled. "But as I was about to meet up with Sayuri, I saw Rei-sama talking to someone as if they were on a deal. He is in his 30s I guess. He wears a formal attire and as if they knew each other very well." Takane said. "I also saw a man like that on my way too. He is a blonde and in 30s. He helped me get up when I fell." Sayuri added. "Does Rei-sama know something how his wife died?" Ryuka asked. "Unfortunately, neither of us knew. No faculty members know about the cause of death of Saika-sama."Takane said. "Let us sum up. Saika-sama died 3 months later after the death of the three students. The guard is a childhood friend of Saika-sama which was the first one to see the crime. The three students are members of student council when Rei-sama is the current head of the school." Ryuka stated. As they were thinking for a matter of 30 minutes, Netsuro exclaimed "NO! It can't be! Is he, the suspect?!"

ere...