The Mystery of the Phantom Secret Admirer (part2)

“Um, excuse me,” she began, her tone trembling slightly. “I am sorry to intrude, but I have a problem, and I heard that the Whimsical Matchmaking Brigade might help.”

The members exchanged glances, a mixture of intrigue and curiosity washing over them, as the nervous girl tucked a strand of her glossy ebony hair behind her ear. Her eyes darted nervously around the room, their captivating almond shape revealing her Japanese heritage. Mai approached her with a welcoming smile, encouraging her to continue.

She hesitated briefly, her cheeks flushed with a deep crimson as she mustered the courage to speak. “My name is Maeda Hatsumi, and I am a first-year student.”

Mai gestured for Hatsumi to sit, her curiosity piqued by the girl’s delicate features and timid demeanor. The other club members leaned in, their eyes filled with anticipation as Hatsumi explained her problem.

“I have been receiving anonymous love letters,” Hatsumi confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “They started a few weeks ago, and at first, I thought it was just a prank. But then, the letters became more frequent, and I couldn’t ignore them any longer.”

Ryota and Sato exchanged glances. "What a coincidence! We were just talking about-"

Mai leaned in closer, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.

“Well, well, Hatsumi,” Mai began with a playful tone, “you have come to the right place. Our club specializes in unraveling mysteries of the heart. Tell us more about these anonymous love letters. Do they contain any clues or hints about the sender?”

Hatsumi nodded. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small stack of letters tied together with a ribbon. Handing them over to Mai, she explained, “The letters are beautifully written, filled with poetic verses and declarations of affection. But what intrigues me the most is the way they are delivered. Each letter mysteriously appears in my shoe locker, even when I am the only one with the key.”

The club members gathered around as Mai carefully untied the ribbon and examined the stack of letters. Delicate handwriting and heart-shaped stickers adorned the envelopes.

Mai opened one letter, her eyes scanning the neatly handwritten words. A wide smile spread across her lips as she read aloud, “When I think about you, I see a million stars in the sky.”

Ryota’s gaze shifted to Mai, his heart skipping a beat in that moment of vulnerability. Amid his breathless stare, he caught sight of the radiant glow emanating from her. A rush of warmth flooded his cheeks, causing them to flush a deep shade of red, like the burning embers of a hidden fire.

As words of admiration filled the room, Ryota found himself captivated by the way Mai’s eyes sparkled with delight.

As the clubroom lights reflected in her silky black hair, a mesmerizing shadow fell on her delicate features. The subtle curve of her lips, now painted with a rosy hue, hinted at the enigmatic charm she effortlessly possessed.

“Your hair is like a rainbow,” Mai read aloud, her gaze meeting Hatsumi’s. “Your eyes are like a sparkling jewel.”

Hatsumi smiled softly, her cheeks flushing with a deep shade of red.

“This one is my favorite,” Mai added, opening another letter. “My soul yearns to be closer to yours.”

As she continued to read the love letters aloud, a mischievous glint danced in Mai’s eyes, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. With each word that rolled off her tongue, Hatsumi’s face grew hotter, her embarrassment intensifying. Mai reveled in the effect she had on the shy girl, relishing the way Hatsumi’s gaze shifted uncomfortably, and her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. The room seemed to shrink around Hatsumi, making her feel like the center of attention, and Mai was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

Sato, however, was not amused by the president’s antics. “Hey, slow down there, prez,” he began. “You’re gonna make her cry!”

Mai glanced up at Sato, a playful smile curling her lips. “Ah, Sato-kun, always the voice of reason,” Mai replied, her tone filled with mock innocence. “Don’t worry, I’ll spare poor Hatsumi any further embarrassment... for now.”

Sato let out a sigh, realizing there was no use in trying to rein in Mai’s mischievous nature. He turned his attention back to Hatsumi. “So, Hatsumi,” he began. “Why didn’t you go to the student council for help? They’re usually the ones handling these kinds of matters.”

Hatsumi’s eyes darted nervously between Sato and Mai, her cheeks still flushed from the embarrassment caused by the love letters. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before she responded. “Well,” she started, her voice trembling slightly, “the student council president was the one who directed me to the Whimsical Matchmaking Brigade. He said that this was a job for the pros and that it’s about time the brigade achieved something noteworthy.”

Sato’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, his eccentric nature shining through. “The student council president, huh?” he exclaimed. “Well, well, it seems even the mighty student council acknowledges the prowess of our Whimsical Matchmaking Brigade. How could we disappoint them?”

Mai smirked, clearly enjoying the unexpected validation from the student council. “Indeed, Sato-kun,” she chimed in. “It seems we have a challenge on our hands, and we can’t let it go unanswered. Hatsumi, rest assured, we will do our best to unravel the mystery behind these love letters and find your secret admirer.”

“Actually,” Hatsumi interjected, her voice quivering slightly. “He also said something about the club’s budget and how the Whimsical Matchmaking Brigade should make good use of it.”

Mai’s eyes darted around the room, searching for a distraction to shift the conversation away from the uncomfortable topic. She fiddled with a pen on the table, feigning casual indifference, as if Hatsumi’s words had gone unheard. With a subtle but deliberate shift in her body language, she leaned back in her chair, as if preparing to introduce a new plan.

“Ah, yes,” she said, her voice laced with enthusiasm. “I think it’s time for a change in strategy! You see, Hatsumi, our Whimsical Matchmaking Brigade has a secret weapon - or rather, a secret detective.” She turned her gaze towards Ryota, who was sitting quietly, observing the exchange. “Meet Ryota, our very own Little Poirot. A simple yet very effective weapon.”

Ryota blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden spotlight cast upon him. He glanced at Mai, a hint of confusion flickering in his eyes, but her smile kept him silent.

What did she mean by simple?

Mai continued, her voice filled with theatrical flair.

“Yes, Hatsumi, if anyone can solve the mystery of your secret admirer, it’s Ryota,” she declared, gesturing toward him dramatically. “With his keen eye for detail and sharp deduction skills, he’s unmatched in the art of unraveling romantic enigmas.”

However, amidst the anticipation and enthusiasm, the young man couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. He had known Mai for quite some time, and her behavior seemed off. There was subtle desperation in her eyes as if she were desperately trying to hide something. Sensing an opportunity to uncover the truth, Ryota decided to confront her.

“Wait, we have a budget?” Ryota asked, his voice laced with curiosity, his eyes fixed on Mai. The question hung in the air, and a hushed silence fell over the room as the other member turned his attention towards Mai, waiting for her response.

Mai’s smile faltered for a moment, her eyes darting around nervously. She cleared her throat and managed to conjure a half-hearted laugh. “Oh, lazy-kun, you know how it is. The budget is just a... formality. We don’t have much, but we make do with what we have,” she replied, her tone slightly strained.

“Hahaha! Look at her, Ryota!” Sato’s laughter filled the room, echoing with amusement. “Our dear president, Mai, caught red-handed!”