The Mystery of the Phantom Secret Admirer (part3)

Ryota woke up to the gentle patter of rain against his bedroom window, creating a soothing symphony of nature’s lullaby. The dim light filtering through the curtains painted a serene atmosphere in his room. The soft glow danced on the walls, casting shadowy figures that seemed to sway with the rhythm of the raindrops.

A fortress of pillows surrounded Ryota in his cozy haven, enveloping him in warmth and comfort. The softness of the blankets was sheltering his body, shielding him from the chill that seeped through the cracks in the window. Despite the cozy setting, sleep eluded him, as if the tranquility outside only amplified the restlessness within.

Closing his eyes, he longed for the embrace of slumber, hoping that the pitter-patter of rain would carry him away into dreams. He longed to drift off into a world of peace where he could forget his worries and the mysteries of the day. Yet, the elusive grasp of sleep seemed to slip through his fingers, teasing him with its tantalizing promises.

His thoughts became entangled in the web of the day’s events, particularly his conversation with Mai. The memory of her mischievous smile and hidden desperation lingered in his mind, creating a disquieting unease. The weight of their interaction pressed upon him, urging him to unravel the secrets veiled beneath her playful facade.

Try as he might, Ryota couldn’t dismiss the nagging feeling that something was amiss. Almost like a persistent itch, it gnawed at him. The mysteries that awaited him, the love letters and Hatsumi’s secret admirer, called out to him like a puzzle waiting to be solved. His innate curiosity urged him to delve deeper, to seek the truth beneath the surface.

In the labyrinth of his thoughts, Ryota found himself caught in the gentle descent of raindrops. The sound of the rain became a distant melody, a backdrop to the enigmatic path he was about to embark upon. Each raindrop that slid down the windowpane seemed to echo his restlessness, a reflection of his restless spirit.

With a sigh, he resigned himself to the wakefulness that enveloped him, acknowledging that sleep would elude him for the time being. Ryota knew he could no longer ignore his intuition as the night stretched before him, shrouded in mystery. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and planted his feet on the cold wooden floor.

The chill of the floor seeped through Ryota’s bare feet, grounding him in the present moment. He stood up, his movements slow and deliberate, as if each step carried the weight of the decisions ahead. He walked towards the window, drawn by the captivating rhythm of the raindrops.

Gently, he pushed aside the curtains, revealing a world adorned in shades of gray. Raindrops cascaded down the glass, distorting the view of the outside world. The streets were empty, drenched in the ethereal glow of the streetlights that flickered like distant stars.

“February, huh? It seems you’re a rainy month,” Ryota mused aloud, his gaze drifting toward the dark clouds overhead. “Let’s hope this won’t be a reoccurring theme for you.”

The sound of the rain intensified as the young man opened the window, allowing the cool breeze to caress his face. He inhaled deeply, the scent of petrichor filling his lungs, mingling with the anticipation that coursed through his veins. The raindrops kissed his skin, leaving a trail of moisture in their wake. Ryota smiled, basking in the freedom of the moment as if his own thoughts had come to life in the form of the rain.

****

The school corridor buzzed with activity as students hurried to their classrooms, their footsteps echoing against the tiled floors. Lockers lined the walls, their metal doors clanging shut with each passing student. Amidst the commotion, Ryota made his way through the bustling crowd, his mind still preoccupied with the mysteries surrounding the anonymous love letters.

As he rounded a corner, he caught sight of Hatsumi standing alone by her locker, seemingly lost in thought. She was dressed in a pea-green sweater, and her ebony hair fell gently over her shoulders, adorned with a silver butterfly clip.

“Maeda-san,” Ryota called out, drawing her attention to him.

“Ah, Asano-kun!” Hatsumi replied with a timid smile.

Ryota’s gaze shifted from Hatsumi’s face to her locker, which was conveniently positioned right next to Mai’s. Due to recent events and the involvement of the Whimsical Matchmaking Brigade, he thought it was an interesting coincidence. The thought sparked in his mind, and he could not resist commenting on it.

“Maeda-san,” Ryota began. “It’s quite a coincidence that your locker is right next to Mai’s. Have you noticed?”

The timid girl tilted her head, her almond eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and confusion. “Mai? Oh, yes, you’re right!” she exclaimed, a blush spreading over her cheeks. Her eyes flickered towards Mai’s locker, adorned with a few stickers and a small paper crane hanging from the handle. “But then again, this school isn’t that big, and lockers are assigned randomly.”

Ryota couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment at that rational explanation. It made sense that lockers were assigned randomly, but he couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that there was something more to this proximity. He had an uncanny ability to remember small details about people, including their lockers, yet he could only recall Mai’s.

He leaned against his locker, his brow furrowing in thought. “You know, Maeda-san, it’s strange. Out of all the people I know, the only locker I can remember besides my own is Mai’s. It’s as if her locker has imprinted itself in my memory,” he mused aloud.

Hatsumi’s smile widened, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes.

“I think I might know why,” she said. “But it’s better if you find out for yourself.”

“What do you mean? Do you think there’s something significant about Mai’s locker?”

Just as he was about to inquire further, the school bell rang, signaling the start of classes. Reluctantly, the young self-proclaimed detective closed his locker, his mind still swirling with questions. As he reached inside to retrieve his indoor shoes, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. His eyes widened ever so slightly, his heart racing with anticipation.

Quickly closing his locker, Ryota shot Hatsumi a cryptic smile and bid her a hasty goodbye. Ignoring the curious glances of his fellow students, he maneuvered through the corridors, his steps quickening with each passing moment.

He arrived outside Mai’s classroom, his breath slightly labored from the hurried sprint. Bursting through the door, breathless and wide-eyed, Ryota scanned the room until his gaze landed on Mai, sitting at her desk with an air of calm confidence. He couldn’t contain his excitement any longer.

“Prez! I think I’ve found the solution to the mystery!” he exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. His words hung in the air for a moment, the anticipation building.

Mai’s lips curled into a wintry smile, and she simply pointed toward the front of the classroom. Bewildered, Ryota turned his gaze in the direction she indicated and felt his heart sink. The teacher stood at the blackboard, chalk in hand, delivering a lesson on history to the class.

“Eeeeh!”

At that moment, Ryota knew he messed up.