Final Story: Goodbye, 'A' High School

Chapter 4

13 May 2022

"Hey François, I need to tell you something," Thérèse puts down her sandwich and thinks for a while, before continuing. "Lately, I feel like someone's been watching me from afar."

"'Watching'... as in stalking?" François lowers his novel he's been into recently. "Tell me, how long has this been going on?"

"Recently... just last week, I think. That's why I want to ask you two for help. Could you protect me and deal with this creep? I think he's always waiting around the school after lessons for me."

"Well, our schedules are a bit tight," I recall. "Exams are coming soon, so we've been going to cram school almost every day. Even our Sundays aren't spared. But since we're dealing with a pervert here, and your life might be in danger, I don't think we can leave her alone. Right, François?"

"I suppose. I'll phone the cram school and tell them that we'll be absent for a few days."

"So, Mademoiselle, dites-moi [3]. Could you give us a description of the stalker, s'il vous plaît?"

"Now, don't be so formal [4]! We've been friends for a long time. Let's see... He's pretty tall, around 1m80, and lanky. He often wears a black leather jacket and a pair of blue jeans, a brown beret and a face mask."

"I see. That should help me somewhat since his height and stature would make him stand out like a sore thumb. François, could you accompany the lady? I'll be at some distance behind you to observe."

"Oui," he replies energetically, before turning to his girlfriend. "Anything for you, ma chérie."

"Thanks, you saved me!" the French girl claps her hands together.

"This is gonna be my last job as a student detective. I need to study hard after this."

"I'm worried about Thérèse... From the sound of things, he might harm her," François whispers to me.

"I assure you two that no harm will come in your way."

After school, the three of us meet up at the school gate at the stipulated time and we set out at once. Thérèse decided upon an after-school date at Sword Lake, where many people have gathered. It's Friday today, so it's no wonder that the walking streets are more crowded than usual. This won't make my job any easier.

... Or so I'd fear. But after scanning my surroundings for some time, I don't really see anything out of the ordinary. I even walked around to check if anyone's hiding or doing anything suspicious. Perhaps I'm the most suspicious person around here.

The visitors are enjoying themselves: some are eating delicious Tràng Tiền ice cream, people are watching street performances, others are simply just appreciating the beautiful scenery. A few students of 'A' High School can be seen strolling around with their friends. I look at them with a hint of envy. When will be the last time I can live a carefree life like this? As soon as I enter university, I'll be busy juggling my responsibilities: my studies, my family, and my part-time job.

With those thoughts in my mind, I notice that my mood has somehow become a little bit sombre, and I resolve to solve this case. Is the stalker even coming in the first place? Maybe he's got wind that someone's onto him, so he bailed in advance.

It seems the date's going well for them: Thérèse and François are being intimate, and they are chatting merrily. It'll be curfew soon for the former, so François stands up from the bench first and offers his hand to his girlfriend.

I follow my friends at a comfortable distance on the way to Mademoiselle's home. During the escort, we didn't run into any trouble. After exchanging farewells, Thérèse disappears behind the main door of her house while François jogs towards me.