My Seatmate is a Master (7) - Investigating a Crime

A teacher finally guided all of the students back to their rooms as the law enforcement agency, medical examiners, and school counselor worked together and took care of the case. The tragic incident at school is now in the hands of the authorities, and the campus closed off as a crime scene.

Police officers and investigators put caution tapes and markers around the area. Not later that day, the principal also declared a dismissal to all classes and let the investigation run smoothly. 

"We should go home." Kiba proposed to Shira.

"Hmm." 

"Let me walk you home." Kiba offered.

"Alright." 

Kiba accompanied Shira to her mother's house nearest to the school. The security of the housing community is excellent.

But the place was too silent for Kiba's liking. 'Will there be something unusual here? Can crimes happen here? I should ask my mother about it. The silence makes it too unsafe.'

Concerned for Shira's well-being, Kiba asked, "Will you be alright alone here?"

While grateful for the concern, Shira responded with her usual calm demeanor, "I like being alone." Then Shira closed the gate as they went in. 

Shira and Kiba walked inside the house and saw how wide the interior of the house was. As they entered the house, the interior revealed itself to be spacious and tastefully furnished. Everything appeared to be well-prepared, from the furniture to other necessities.

Kiba, however, couldn't help but express his surprise. "Your parents must have decorated this place before sending you in..."

"It was my sister who did the work for me," Shira mentioned. 

Kiba was dumbfounded, "You have a sister?"

Shira nodded, "Yes, but she's mostly occupied with work, so we haven't had much time to spend together. She also studied abroad when I was younger, so we didn't have the opportunity to bond. However, she's always had a passion for interior design, and designing is her side job."

As Shira and Kiba settled into her mother's house, the ambiance was serene, and they both found themselves in the kitchen. 

"Are you going to cook?" Kiba asked.

"Yeah. It's almost lunchtime. There are stocks here. It would be a waste to order a takeout." 

Shira took on the role of a host and began preparing a meal. She moved gracefully, showcasing her culinary skills as she went about creating a delicious and aromatic dish.

Kiba, observing her at work, couldn't help but appreciate her talents, and he felt a renewed sense of gratitude for her presence in his life. 'She looks like a cute housewife like this,' Kiba snapped out of his thoughts and slapped his forehead. 'What are you thinking?'

While Shira was busy cooking, Kiba took the opportunity to get out some learning materials and textbooks. 'My heart feels so fast. But why?'

He spread them out on the table, an expression of seriousness on his face. With the recent events at school and the need to catch up on his studies, he was ready to immerse himself in his academic responsibilities. 

In the kitchen, Shira was in her element as she prepared a mouthwatering meal for her and Kiba. She had decided to cook her specialty dishes, and today's menu included a coconut-coated spicy shrimp soup and sweet and sour fish fillet.

She started by heating a pot and pouring in some coconut milk, letting it simmer gently. The fragrant aroma of coconut filled the air, instantly making Kiba's mouth water.

Shira turned to Kiba with a playful smile. "I hope you're ready for a little spice in your life, Kiba. I'm making my special coconut-coated spicy shrimp soup."

Kiba raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I trust your cooking, Shira, but I'm not usually a fan of spicy food. Is it very spicy?"

Shira winked at him. "Don't worry. I'll make it just the way you like it."

She added peeled shrimp to the simmering coconut milk and let it cook until they turned a beautiful pink. Then, she stirred in some red curry paste, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves to infuse the soup with incredible flavors. The scent of the spices blended with the coconut, creating a tantalizing aroma.

The comfortable atmosphere in the house, filled with the aroma of Shira's cooking, provided the perfect backdrop for Kiba to focus on his studies.

'It feels more like home than my home,' Kiba thought.

As he opened his textbooks and began to absorb the knowledge within, he couldn't help but feel that he was in the right place, with Shira's support and her home serving as a refuge for his academic pursuits.

As she continued to stir, Kiba couldn't help but marvel at her cooking skills. "You make it look so easy, Shira."

Shira chuckled. "It is easy once you get the hang of it. Cooking is all about experimenting and having fun with flavors."

"Can I taste a little bit?"

With the shrimp cooked to perfection, she served the soup in two bowls, each filled with a generous helping of shrimp and aromatic broth. She garnished them with fresh cilantro and served it to Kiba, who couldn't wait to taste the masterpiece.

"Sure. Bon appétit," Shira said with a smile.

As they savored the spicy shrimp soup, Kiba was pleasantly surprised by the delicate balance of flavors. "This is amazing, Shira! I never thought I'd enjoy something spicy this much."

Shira beamed with pride. "I'm glad you like it. Now, let's move on to the sweet and sour fish fillet."

She had already prepared the fish fillet by coating it in a light batter and frying it until it was crispy and golden. In another pan, she sautéed a medley of colorful bell peppers, onions, and pineapple in a sweet and tangy sauce made with a blend of vinegar, sugar, and ketchup.

Kiba couldn't help but admire her culinary prowess. "You're like a master chef, Shira."

Shira blushed at the compliment. "I just enjoy cooking, and I love sharing delicious meals with friends."

As the sweet and sour fish fillet was ready, she plated it alongside the spicy shrimp soup, creating a feast of flavors and colors. The combination of the two dishes was a symphony for the taste buds, with the spicy and sweet notes complementing each other perfectly.

They continued their meal, sharing stories and laughter while savoring the delectable dishes Shira had prepared. The delicious food and warm conversation created a sense of togetherness that made the afternoon all the more special.

After their delightful meal, Kiba, feeling content and a bit fatigued, decided to take a short nap in the cozy living room. He lay down on the comfortable sofa and closed his eyes, slipping into a peaceful slumber.

"He sure sleeps fast, Lemolemo," a piece of blanket appeared on Shira's hand. She gently covered Kiba and lowered the temperature of the house. 

[Milady, the Villain's body, needs rest, too. His condition is a bit special. Milady, do you want to check the evidence I gathered from the site?]

"Yeah, I wanna analyze the details."

Shira was eager to delve into the investigation presented by the side quest. She knew that there was more to the recent incident at school than met the eye, and she was bent on uncovering the truth.

[Milady, are we really going on a spying mission tonight?]

"We need to do so. How will we know what actually happened if we can't get clues? Well, not unless you give me a hand and use your powers to track everything."

[Milady, I can't walk through time like you.]

"I might, but that's still in the future."

With great attention to detail, Shira gathered the evidence recorded by Lemolemo, who had meticulously documented the crime scene. She studied each piece of footage and carefully listed her observations, taking notes on any peculiarities she found.

As she analyzed the evidence, Shira's sharp mind and keen instincts began to piece together a puzzle. She scrutinized the fall angle, the swollen leg, and any signs of injury on the victim. Her notebook was filled with notes and observations as she considered every possibility.

"This is truly a bigger case, Lemolemo."

[Don't worry, Milady. The Main system won't release a task that you, a user, can't accomplish.] With each passing moment, Shira dug deeper into the mystery, determined to unlock the secrets hidden within the recorded evidence.

She was aware that finding the truth was a difficult task, but she was firm in her desire to learn the reality of the tragedy that had occurred at their school. Shira's commitment to delivering justice to the deceased student and discovering any hidden wrongdoing was evident in her unflinching focus as she examined the obtained content.

[Milady, won't it be too dangerous at night?]

Shira, however, was undeterred. "Let's do it now, then..."

Lemolemo hesitated but complied. [But the campus grounds are closed, Milady.]

Shira had a solution in mind. "Can you teleport me?"

Lemolemo understood her plan and agreed, [I can, Milady.]

Shira's unhindered goal shone in her eyes as she prepared to take this crucial step in her quest for the truth. "That's great. We won't have a problem then. Let's start with the victim's bedroom."

Lemolemo's question, [What?]

"Just do as I say. I can prevent myself from getting caught. I also want you to set a three-minute timer for me."