第５９１堀：噂話の精査 (Part2)
"I see..."
Everyone’s faces twisted into expressions of "oh, boy" upon hearing that story.
Since the student was an international student who studied alongside Kanna and was involved with her, that meant the child was born from that illicit affair, right?
"You certainly speak quite freely about it."
"Well, you see, that illicit affair actually served as the catalyst for the start of our exchanges. It turned into a story about how it led to mutual benefits and a good connection between our nations."
"Ho. That is fortunate. The academy’s records show that we received quite a few complaints for failing to supervise our students back then."
"I suspect they couldn't exactly go around saying they became friends after the fact. It would have been tantamount to admitting that an illicit affair took place within the academy."
"Naturally."
"And that international student spent time in Room 303, found a wonderful partner, and after returning home, sent word that they had successfully held a wedding."
Well, if the people involved are happy, I suppose that’s fine.
Actually, it seems their family even prospered, so it was a win-win all around.
As I was thinking this, Mikos, who had been listening, cut into the conversation.
"Excuse me, Kanna-sama. Then, the rumor that you’ll be united with your lover if you meet them in Room 303 is..."
"Ah. That’s probably a rumor that started while I was still enrolled. That girl was talking about it so happily. Well, the academy couldn't very well acknowledge it, so it just became a simple rumor, I suppose."
"Does that mean it’s true in a sense?"
"Perhaps."
"Onee-sama, but what about the blood on the floor? Doesn't that remain unexplained?"
"What are you talking about? It’s normal for there to be blood the first time, isn't it?"
"Ah, *that* kind of blood."
"Kagura, isn't it just that? Perhaps it was exaggerated or described that way because they were fueled by fear?"
"I see."
We’re talking about this normally, but we men have to keep our expressions neutral. The Academy Principal looks troubled, and I, Taiki-kun, and George-jin exchange glances and offer bitter smiles.
"Ahem. Let’s leave that topic there and move on to scrutinizing the other rumors, shall we?"
"Ah, my apologies."
At the Principal’s word, the verification of the rumors resumed.
"This rumor is..."
"I believe..."
Well, since we had just arrived at this academy, we were just listening to the rumors, but like the previous story, it was interesting enough that I didn't mind. It’s fascinating how many of these rumors are actually just political matters or public relations issues that were turned into tall tales.
For instance, unlike the romance story from before, there was a rumor about a place being a haunt for ghosts, which was actually where they disposed of foreign spies who had broken in to steal the academy’s research. While it wasn't what we were looking for, it was a genuinely dangerous place in a different sense.
Of course, it’s all strictly confidential.
It’s a pity for Mikos, who was sternly warned by the Principal and Kanna, but she learned something bordering on classified information, so it couldn't be helped. I just hope she doesn't let it slip carelessly. If Mikos were to turn up as a corpse while still enrolled, I’d literally have to become a great detective to solve a murder case.
"So, we’re left with six, then."
"Mikos, why do you look so sad?"
"Kagura, you wouldn't understand. Most of the things I’ve spent so much time investigating turned out to be duds! I mean, sure, there were things like the romance Kanna-sama mentioned or the disposal site the Principal talked about, but you don't know this feeling of futility, do you? I knew it, but still..."
It must be tough when rumors you thought were great scoops turn out to be nothing but fabrications. The rumors written in this notebook were things whose truth couldn't be determined—they had the potential to be the real deal—but once the background was revealed, they were just mundane incidents. They weren't genuine mysteries.
On top of that, the ones that were verified are now under a gag order. That’s a terrible result for Mikos, who works in the information department.
"Mikos, don't be so down. You helped us out, and your information-gathering skills are truly impressive."
"You think so?"
"Yes, indeed. There’s no point in thinking negatively. You should think positively. There’s a possibility that the remaining six are, in a sense, the real deal."
"Oh, right. If these six are real, that’s a great result! Alright, Mikos-chan will do her best!"
I see. So she’s the type who refers to herself in the third person.
But she was mindful of her manners during the introductions earlier, so it must be some kind of stress relief for her. I don't intend to meddle in other people's lives, but seeing both Kagura and Mikos, I truly felt that gaining high status unnecessarily just increases one's hardships.
My current situation is, in a sense, also against my will.
What is this, "The Six Mysteries"?
Is this a classic trope of "Seven Mysteries"? Like the one where you die if you learn the seventh? Or is it the kind where a seventh mystery appears once you investigate the first six?
With those anxieties in my heart, I stared at the six mysteries remaining in the notebook.
The long-standing rumors:
One: The statue in the training grounds moves in the dead of night.
Two: There is a secret room in the library.
Three: A strange classroom appears in the evening.
Four: Do not use the second-floor east women's restroom.
Five: A mirror that asks questions.
Six: Ghosts appear in the basement of the dormitory at night.
These are the six.
For now, I have nothing but a bad feeling about this, so I think I’ll call in some reinforcements.
The idea that things which cannot be verified are the "real" ones... In a sense, the fact that local, unique ghost stories remain—rather than standard ones like Hanako-san—might mean there was something to them, so they might actually be real.
Well, I doubt I’ll experience it many times, but everyone has one or two mysterious experiences in their life, right?
For my part, I’ve seen will-o'-the-wisps, and I’ve seen a strange person walking in the classroom across the hall at school.