DAYMARE 19: Get Involved, You’re Shunned part 2

I opened my phone and showed them the pictures I took after I threw away the food.

Other classmates butted in and stared at my phone.

“Yeah, there’s no way that came across as an accident.”

“True. I would believe if only one ball had been contaminated, but there were 4 thumbtacks too.”

“How the heck would there be thumbtacks in your kitchen?”

“What if Lewin inserted the thumbtacks into it, then blamed them?”

“Why would he do that?”

“Not to judge anyone here, but Lewin seems unstable lately. And their friendship is problematic too.”

“They were fighting frequently, so it’s a possibility.”

“The Hestral girl killed Lloyd and Nicole, so maybe the two wanted to get their revenge by taking it out on Lewin.”

What the last person mumbled struck me the most.

***

The recess time passed, and I didn’t talk to the two. Occasionally, I catch Lorean looking at me. Vance, on the other hand, is avoiding meeting my eyes. I’m wondering what they might be thinking. After an hour of discussion, we were tasked to pair with someone sitting next to us.

I raised my hand while the teacher was teaching.

“Gotta piss, Sir.”

“Okay, return to your room immediately.”

“Yes, Sir”

I got up to go to the comfort room when Jethro blocked my way.

“Let’s meet after this. Same place. Bring your bag,” he whispered.

I continued walking and went out of the classroom. I finished my business in the comfort room. I went back to the room. After 35minutes of lecture, it’s recess time. I grabbed my backpack and walked out of the room.

I didn’t know what we were going to do, but I just complied with Jethro’s demands. I saw him at the back of the school already.

"What do you need from me? Why couldn’t you wait after class to do this instead? Lorean would know about my connection to you.”

Aside from Lorean and Vance already knew that I am teaming up with Jethro and working with Mr. Sergio and Sir Johace, we’re actually letting ourselves be exposed by marking ourselves missing in the middle of the class. We still have 3 subjects to go.

“Who cares? You’ve already been found out. Let’s simply go with the flow.”

So, it’s no longer a big deal to him.

"Why did you bring your bag too?"

I noticed he was carrying his bag. I thought he would give me something so I could hide it in my bag.

“We’re cutting classes.”

"H-Huh?"

In my impression of Jethro, he is the type of guy who is not fond of ditching classes. He looks grade-conscious, uptight, and an academics-first-before-romance type of student.

"We will solve this mystery and end it here."

It's noon this afternoon, after Jethro and I cut and ran away from school. I had no idea that Jethro was quite skilled at cutting classes because we successfully evaded the old security guard.

We ate lunch here at Sir Remy's eatery intentionally and waited for his son, Riegel, to arrive.

Riegel studies in another nearby province that takes him 2-2.5 hours on a single trip, so he can visit his parents here anytime. He usually spends his weekends with his parents.

We heard that he is no longer studying at Torinay High School. Although he was there from grade 7 to grade 11. Sir Remy transferred him to another school for grade 12, even though it was farther from their house.

"It's probably because of the incident last year that my son is getting better."

Sir Remy explained to Jethro and me while sitting. We just finished eating.

“My son wasn’t always so distant. He was a good boy, bright, always keeping his calm. But once he entered eleventh grade, I began to sense something had shifted. He started to open up, mingle more, and even smile now and then. I thought perhaps he had found a girlfriend, but no, that wasn’t it. Then, when a girl from his class passed away, he slipped back into his old quiet self. Yet now… It’s even worse.”

Sir Remy’s face tightened with sadness as he spoke.

“He used to be just a bit cold, but now… we barely even talk with his mother. He’s always lost in his own world, deep in thought.”

I looked at Sir Remy with burning curiosity

“Sir, what’s Riegel’s relationship with Hestral? Apart from being classmates?”

Sir Remy shook his head. “I don’t know. My son won’t talk about the past.”

Jethro scoffed, surprised. “Of course they’re not close. Hestral would never get involved with a guy like that.”

I sighed, trying to piece it all together.

“I get it, you’re probing because my son’s caught up in this with that girl. But if he won’t talk about it, maybe you should give him some space. I don’t know what happened, but… please don’t hurt him.”

I could see Sir Remy’s heartache. He just wanted to protect his son.

“Yes, Sir Remy. We’re sorry. Jethro and I won’t push anymore after this.”

Sir Remy stood up. “He’s coming soon. You can wait for him here. I’ll get things ready for the customers.” He went to their kitchen to serve more food.

“Why’d you tell him that? Now we won’t get anything from that guy,” Jethro whispered.

“We should respect Riegel’s family. If he won’t spill something, that’s his choice. At least, we did what we could.”

“How dumb,” Jethro murmured in disagreement.

Hours later, we spotted Riegel walking by. He’s wearing a blue cap, a different school uniform, and carrying a black backpack. He waved at his parents and caught sight of us sitting nearby.

“Hey, Riegel—” I called out, but he ignored me and went straight into the eatery.

“Follow him,” Jethro ordered.

Before I could step in, Riegel came back out, still holding his bag. He stopped by us, looking serious.

“This is our last conversation,” he warned.