Cases Uncovered

𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪1 | Lorraine Adriella de Verra

"Zero is where everything starts! Nothing would ever be born if we didn't depart from there!"

-Shinichi Kudo

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Chapter 1:
Lorraine Adriella de Verra

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ZANE

After long, long years of studying, I'm finally a college student now.

Before enrollment even started, I didn’t have any college programs that interested me. Now that I’ve graduated from senior high school, I’m still unsure about what to pursue.

After reviewing the university programs, I’ve chosen the education program, focusing on the teaching profession.

I hope I’ve chosen the right path for myself. I want to make my parents proud.

In a few days, summer will end. As the first day of school looms, a heavy gloom settles over me. My malevolent alter ego waves a banner reading WELCOME BACK TO HELL SCHOOL, while a raucous crowd roars in the background. The sight does nothing to lift my spirits.

I've been accepted into a popular, newly established university in the Philippines and am thrilled to have passed the entrance exam. There's just one issue: it's a long way from home.

The transportation fare to the university is steep, and the distance is considerable. In the end, my parents decided I should find an apartment nearby, much like my older sister, Mary, did last year.

Today, I'm off to Mary’s flat. She mentioned that someone is interested in becoming my flatmate. Alongside the responsibilities of renting, she stressed the high costs and strongly recommended that I consider the offer.

࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

As the taxi eased to a stop, the building loomed ahead, rising three stories with a façade of weathered brick and shining glass windows.

"Is this your stop, sir?" the driver asked.

Lost in my romance comic on my cellphone, I stayed absorbed as the taxi drove on. I was captivated by the unfolding adventures, the realization of characters’ dreams, and the evolution of my favourites.

"Ah! It's about time you spill your darn emotions!" I exclaimed excitedly, my voice filled with anticipation, as the main characters in the comic I was engrossed in finally bared their hearts to each other after enduring a series of unfortunate events.

"Sir?" The repeated question snapped me back to reality, my wandering thoughts abruptly silenced. I turned to look out the window and saw the building my sister had mentioned.

"Oh, yes! Sorry about that!" I swiftly turned off my phone and slipped it into my pocket. Pulling out my wallet, I prepared to pay. "Just a moment, please."

He greeted my payment with a smile, a warm welcome to what would soon be my new home. "Thank you, Sir," he said gratefully.

"Thank you, too." With a nod of appreciation, I lifted my two fully packed bags onto my shoulders, feeling their weight settle as I stepped out into my new surroundings.

I looked up at the building and noticed a few open windows. "I hope my stay here will be alright," I murmured.

Before I could even arrive, my sister told me she had already informed the landlady of the place — our aunt. My sibling said I was lucky because there was another flat I could stay in, and we both got a discount on the rent.