The Silent Desire

Chapter X - Turn of The Tide

"Please state your name, age, and your class," a gruff yet composed voice requested, carrying a subtle note of caution. The voice belonged to a man appearing to be in his mid-thirties, possessing an unremarkable build, light brown hair, and penetrating hazel eyes that seemed to absorb and retain every detail in their vicinity.

His countenance was pleasing, though not particularly extraordinary, marked by a slightly upturned nose, a refined jawline, and a cleanly shaven visage, bestowing upon him an air of aristocracy. This impression was further bolstered by his assured posture and the precise, almost deliberate quality of his body language.

The uniform he wore unmistakably identified his role in the school and his profession - he was a policeman. While school regulations strictly forbade external interference, I had my doubts that even our influential chairman could prevent the involvement of the proper authorities when one of our classmates had taken their own life.

The shockwave of this tragedy reverberated not just through me, but through the entire school. Classes were canceled, curfews imposed shortly after six o'clock, security tightened, counseling sessions offered to anyone in need, tearful classmates, swirling rumors, an atmosphere of unease and fear, and the insensitivity and mockery of some of our peers - the chaos of the past week could be aptly described as pandemonium.

Initially, it seemed as though the school might manage to keep the incident under wraps. After all, suicides were tragically common in Japan, and it wasn't entirely surprising that even in a prestigious institution like ANHS, someone might succumb to the pressure and crack.

However, this had never occurred within the hallowed halls of our school before. If news of this nature were to leak, it would undoubtedly tarnish the school's reputation. The staff had done their utmost to discreetly reach out to Sakura's parents, but the moment it was revealed that it wasn't just Sakura Airi who had passed, but with her, the idol identity of Shizuku, all hell broke loose.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, 15 years old, Class 1-D."

Chabashira-sensei stood nearby, acting as one of the representatives for us - students. Since most of us were underage, the law mandated that we couldn't be questioned without a proper attorney and a parental figure present. Thankfully, the school's charter allowed teachers to act as our representatives in cases like these.

I was deeply appreciative of this thoughtful addition to our school rules. I couldn't fathom what that man would have done if he had to endure an interrogation alongside me, considering the circumstances surrounding the death of such a prominent idol.

If I knew anything about my father, it was that he consumed pride and pettiness for breakfast. It wouldn't be surprising if the idol industry somehow fully disappeared the very next day if he ever had to bear witness to the events of today.

"I'll be straightforward, Ayanokoji. My colleagues and I have interviewed more than 360 students over the past three days. I can't disclose the specifics of the case during the investigation, but I believe you, like most people here, understand the essence of the situation."

I grasped the implications. The essence of the case was that Sakura had taken her own life. Whatever evidence the police had gathered indicated that there was no third party involved in her death. However, this information couldn't be made public. The investigators were also undoubtedly weary after spending time questioning students, most of whom had never even heard Sakura's name. So, I expected the detective in front of me to get to the point without any further delay.

After shuffling through his papers, he placed a clean sheet in front of him and took a deliberate sip of his coffee.

"Tell me, Ayanokoji. What was your relationship with the deceased Sakura Airi like? How well did you know her? Did you or anyone else you know suspect any mental health issues?"