Who I am is not important.
The boy's voice was clear and bright, yet it carried a nonchalant air, as if nothing in the world could catch his eye: "The important thing is, Achiba-sama, your secret has been exposed."
President Achiba's expression changed slightly, but his years of experience as a leader allowed him to quickly regain his composure. He feigned ignorance and said, "I don't understand what you're saying, but this is Satsuki-do, and the finals are about to begin. Please leave."
As he spoke, he gestured for them to proceed.
"Oh?" Yuzuru tilted his head and smiled knowingly. "Are you sure you want me to open the door and go out now?"
Chairman Achiba's raised hand froze.
The walls of Satsuki-do are all made of the latest soundproofing materials, which means that no matter how loud the noise is outside, as long as you are inside, you will not hear any noise.
But once the door is opened, the cacophony of rescue calls and the roar of the fire will come in, and everything will be exposed.
Seeing the man remain silent, Yuu Nan ignored his embarrassment and walked to the reading table. He reached out and picked up the karuta deck that Kazuha's karuta club president regarded as a sacred object.
He then said, "Nagoro Shikao died five years ago, right? And you, Chairman Achiba, are trying to cover up the truth with a few bombings so that everyone will think it's Nagoro's revenge."
Kazuha exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, so all those explosions these past few days were orchestrated by Chairman Achiba?"
She did not doubt what Yuzuru Nanami said.
Since Nan said so, then the murderer must be President Achiba.
Unexpectedly, Chairman Achiba did not offer any explanation. Instead, as if relieved, he readily admitted, "That's right, I did kill Nagoro Shikao. I will confess everything."
Ooka Momiji stood up from the tatami mat, looked at the slightly flustered Achiba president, and shook her head: "You didn't kill Nagoro-sensei."
"No, I killed Ming Qinglu Xiong!!!"
Upon hearing this, Chairman Achiba suddenly became agitated, his expression somewhat out of control, and he loudly retorted.
He wanted to take all the blame.
However, the Ooka family was meticulous in their investigation and even took the Satsuki-kai karuta deck for testing. It not only had Nagoro Shikao's blood on it, but also the fingerprints of another person with his blood on it.
The evidence is conclusive, and the truth cannot be concealed.
"The one who truly murdered Master Nagoro was your wife, Lady Satsuki." Ōoka Kurenai closed her eyes and opened them again, uttering this news that she herself found difficult to accept when she first learned it, but it was indeed the truth.
Chairman Achiba trembled, a complex expression flashing in his eyes—pain, struggle, and a hint of relief at being seen through.
“…That’s right.” His voice was hoarse and painful, as if it had been sanded. “Back then, Nagayoshi issued a challenge, and Satsuki lost… She accidentally killed Nagayoshi Shikao.”
“They used the cassette tapes I kept to replace the readers. Do you understand what that means? Satsuki had listened to those cassette tapes countless times, but she still lost... lost completely.”
His tears fell silently.
“I can’t imagine her fear at that moment… She was about to suffer a humiliating defeat the next day, and that fear… drove her to commit the crime.”
“From then on, Satsuki lost her human emotions… She died two years later.”
Yu Sheng Nan closed his folding fan and said calmly, "So, you planned these bombings to 'resurrect' Naoki Shiro as the murderer in order to protect your wife's reputation."
President Achiba clutched his head in anguish, his voice choked with sobs: "I just don't want Satsuki to be blamed by the world. She has already suffered too much pain. I want her to leave in peace."
He trembled as he pulled a detonator from his pocket.
"I'm sorry, let all of this disappear in the fire. I hope you can understand."
"Ah-da—"
Just a second ago, Kazuha was still immersed in the touching atmosphere, but the next second she flashed forward and kicked Achiba Chairman, sending him and the detonator flying.
Yuzuru: "..."
Ooka Momiji: "..."
Clutching his chest, the painful-looking student council president, Achiba, was speechless.
The energetic girl's reaction truly baffled them.
Was the emotion on your face just now fake?
Kazuha withdrew her leg with a look of annoyance, scratching her head sheepishly: "Sorry, I just have a conditioned reflex when I see someone trying to cause trouble. There have been too many bombings lately, so I'm a bit overreacting."
As she spoke, she nervously glanced at the detonator, only breathing a sigh of relief after confirming that it had not been triggered.
As the daughter of a police officer, these were all subconscious actions.
Ooka Momiji's lips twitched slightly.
—Little Leaf is too violent...it's terrifying.
Yuzuru waved his hand, and the detonator that had fallen to the ground flew over. He picked it up and looked at Chairman Achiba lying on the ground: "Actually, there's something else you might not know."
"What is it?" Chairman Achiba coughed and sat up.
"Lady Satsuki was the first love of Kogoro Shikao."
"First...first love?"
Upon hearing this news, Chairman Achiba disregarded his physical pain and looked on in shock, eager to know what would happen next.
Ooka Momiji nodded slightly and continued, "Yes, I once heard Master Meisho say that he entered the world of karuta because he admired Lady Satsuki."
"I understand!"
Kazuha's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands: "So the reason why Mr. Nagoro went to compete with Lady Satsuki the day before was to first demonstrate his strength, and then let Lady Satsuki win in front of everyone."
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