In other words, the motive for the murder wasn't any of those listed.... But besides those, what other motive could lead to a death?
What is the connection here? Uchiha Ryo picked up the script.
We can call the deceased, the leader of the hiking team, A. Then there's B, the only tall, thin guy with glasses. In the script, he's a bit of a loner and gets good grades, with no obvious conflict with A.
Next is C, a girl with shoulder-length brown hair. She seems very cheerful, is it because she has a lot of lines?
Then there's D, a short, slightly chubby girl with a round face. Although she doesn't have many scenes in the text, she has a good relationship with A in the script setting... they've been classmates for many years.
After that is E, a sunny and friendly boy somewhat similar to Hayama. He has a very good relationship with everyone else, and was the first to rush up to check the body after A's accident.
Finally, there's F, a black-haired girl who was extremely cold from the beginning and dressed slightly plainly. Compared to the others who were hiking for fun, she has a very obvious driving role in the play, like a strategist or detective character?
Wait a minute!
"Is this part of the script Hongo-senpai's original manuscript?"
Uchiha Ryo rarely asked questions, but Nakajo Junya quickly gave an answer, [Yes].
This was Hongo-senpai's original manuscript. Uchiha Ryo looked at the script and recalled the play just now. Was there anything different....
Yes! The ending! The last line of the script is [Everyone opens the room and sees Student A lying in a pool of blood, still bleeding.] Then next to it is a description of the scenery in the room.
The script ends with the discovery of the victim, Student A, but on stage, there was an extra segment, which was everyone's surprised reactions and the boys going forward to check.
This didn't seem unusual. After all, anyone would be surprised if a living person suddenly died. So there was no problem with this part....
....
Since it was already six in the afternoon, today's discussion ended here.
Although the Drama Club and the Classic Literature Club still hadn't decided on the content of the script, fortunately they still had time. And with two talented girls with high literary attainments, Yukinoshita and Amakusa Shino, coming up with a script shouldn't be a problem.
But the problem now appeared with.... Chitanda Eru.
"I want to! I want to investigate why Hongo-senpai stopped writing. She must have had a complete script of her own. Let's restore her script and inherit Hongo-senpai's legacy!"
Yukinoshita: "Eru, Hongo-senpai isn't dead yet, just sick."
Uchiha Ryo: "That's not necessary, is it? Our task is just to come up with a decent second half of the script. I don't think Nakajo and the others want us to dwell on Hongo-senpai's second half either."
"Besides, if the Drama Club doesn't want Hongo-senpai's second half of the script at all, what's the point even if you figure it out?"
Amakusa Shino: "Doesn't want it? You mean... Hongo actually wrote the second half, but the Drama Club doesn't intend to use it?"
Uchiha Ryo spread his hands. "Well. Just a random guess."
In front of the Shuchiin gate, everyone went their separate ways. Amakusa Shino waved and left first, while Hayasaka Ai got into the car sent by the Shinomiya family to pick her up.
Yukino also nodded to everyone, planning to leave first. She already had some ideas for the new script.
But just as Uchiha Ryo was about to accompany Yukinoshita home, he was stopped by Chitanda.
"Uchiha-kun! Regardless of what script we come up with next, or what script the Drama Club wants to use, about the second half that Hongo-senpai had in mind... I'm very curious!"
Uchiha Ryo: "....Even if you say that, we can't find Hongo-senpai's location, so we can't ask her in person."
Chitanda Eru's big purple eyes sparkled constantly, like brilliant amethysts emitting an irresistible magic.
"If it's Uchiha-kun, you can definitely do it! Even if Hongo-senpai isn't here, you can analyze it!"
Uchiha Ryo sighed. "I'll do my best then."
Chitanda smiled. "Mhm, I knew Uchiha-kun has always been a gentle person."
"Oh right, I saw that old lady again yesterday. She said she wanted to thank me, so she gave me a tea bowl. It seems to be her own pottery work."
That old youkai lady with divine status? Uchiha Ryo frowned. Didn't I tell her not to trouble ordinary people! It's better for youkai to have as little contact with humans as possible.
"Chitanda, where did you see that old lady yesterday?"
Chitanda: "On the way to school, right in front of my house.... Speaking of which, how did the old lady know where I live?"
Uchiha Ryo's expression was serious. "Although it's a bit forward to say this, Chitanda-san! Can I stay overnight at your house tonight!"
Chitanda: "Tonight... um, my parents are still in Kyoto for work tonight."
Uchiha Ryo: "Actually, I already have some ideas about Hongo-senpai's script. Even if I don't sleep tonight, I'll help you figure it out!"
Chitanda's eyes lit up, and she happily grabbed Uchiha Ryo's hand. "Then it's settled! We absolutely have to perfect Hongo-senpai's script tonight."
"Uchiha-kun, you have to keep your word. I absolutely won't let you sleep tonight!"
Uchiha Ryo smiled and didn't speak, but left with Chitanda Eru.
What does that old youkai lady mean, running over to give a tea bowl when she knows Chitanda's parents have left home for work?
And looking at Chitanda's excited look, is this girl really planning to stay up all night researching the script?
On the other side, Yukinoshita Yukino, who had deliberately slowed down, stood downstairs at the apartment building and finally looked back.
Contrary to her imagination, a certain someone didn't come back with her as usual. Did he have something to do?
That's right, Uchiha Ryo has a good relationship with his family. If he's not coming back to the apartment at this time, he should have gone to his old home.
Wait a minute! Why am I waiting for him on the road? Why am I standing downstairs analyzing what he's doing?
Yukino sighed and went upstairs. Unlike Chitanda Eru, Chitanda was the type who wouldn't keep things bottled up but would ask boldly. Coupled with her magic spell-like "I'm very curious!", basically anyone would fall for it.
Yukino liked to think when she encountered things, especially independent thinking! She didn't want to rely on anyone, but after learning from her sister that there were two ways to save herself....
To gain freedom in the Yukinoshita family, she either had to defeat her sister and get the position of heir, or.... avoid her mother's arranged marriage in advance, find someone she liked herself, and that person also needed to be approved by her mother.
But the current situation was that Yukino had no confidence in defeating Haruno at all. Moreover, deep down, she didn't want to take Haruno's position away. There was only one heir to the Yukinoshita family. If it were her, wouldn't Haruno also be sent away by her mother as a tool?
So.... thinking of what she said on the roller coaster, it was fortunate that Uchiha Ryo didn't hear her conversation with her sister!
The ringing of the phone interrupted Yukino's thoughts. It was her friend Chitanda calling.
Yukino chuckled lightly. They still had a lot of time, why think so much? Her best friend at school was looking for her, so she certainly couldn't keep her waiting.
"Eru, what's up?"
"Yukino~ I remember telling you that my mom and dad went to Kyoto for a meeting yesterday and won't be back until tomorrow, right? So do you want to come over to my place? We can sleep together tonight!"
Since it was Chitanda's request, Yukino naturally didn't want to refuse. Just as she was about to speak, a familiar voice came from the other end of the phone.
Uchiha Ryo: "Ah? Yukinoshita is coming too?!"
Yukino: "Hmm???"