C51

Chapter 51: What the Father Said

Monday evening.

A call came for the Tachibana household from Yamaoka. When the mother answered, Yamaoka told her that today a survey had been conducted with all classmates regarding the recent false confession. As a result, several facts that the school had previously failed to grasp were confirmed. Furthermore, it became clear which students were involved in this incident and in what manner. On top of that, Yamaoka shared one more thing with the mother: a video capturing the events of that day had been provided to the school.

"A... video?" the mother reflexively asked back.

"Yes. We have also verified it at the school. We believe it is a necessary item to confirm the situation of that day regarding this matter," Yamaoka explained, adding that he would like to discuss the details directly in person.

"Understood. Once my husband returns, I'll talk it over with him."

"Yes, I appreciate it."

"Then, I will contact you again later." With that, she hung up.

After putting the receiver back down, the mother stood in that spot for a while.

Around half-past eight in the evening, her husband returned home after finishing work.

"Welcome back."

"Yeah. I'm home."

After exchanging their usual routine, the husband set down his briefcase and turned his gaze to his wife.

"How is Reo doing?"

"He's eating properly and seems to be getting enough sleep. He's calm."

At his wife's words, the husband gave a small nod.

"I see."

Then, his wife began telling him what had happened today.

"I got a call from the school today."

Taking off his tie, the husband looked toward his wife.

"Did they find something out?"

"Yeah. It seems they talked to the classmates about what happened today..."

The wife relayed what she had heard from Yamaoka to her husband step-by-step: that talking to the students brought to light new information about the incident, and—that a video capturing the day's events had been provided to the school.

"A... video?" The husband's hands stopped.

"Yeah. It looks like they've checked it at the school too, and they want to talk about the details in person."

"I see..." The husband fell silent for a moment.

"So, what should we do?"

"I told them I'd contact them again after consulting with you."

When the wife answered thus, the husband nodded quietly.

"Then, I'll go tomorrow."

For a brief second, the wife looked at her husband's face.

"I'll come with—" She started to say, but cut her words short.

The husband gazed straight into her eyes, as if taking in her words. A quiet resolve resided in his eyes.

The wife stared at her husband for a moment, then gave a small nod.

"...Understood." She said nothing more. Trusting her husband, she decided to leave everything to him.

Around five o'clock on the following evening.

Tachibana’s father was visiting the school. Entering through the front entrance and walking toward the reception desk, he was noticed by Yamaoka, who was waiting for him.

"Mr. Tachibana, we've been expecting you."

"No, thank you for taking the time."

Yamaoka bowed slightly and guided the father to the reception room.

"Right this way, please."

As the two began walking down the corridor, Yamaoka spoke to the father.

"How is Reo-kun's current condition?"

"He's calm right now. He's getting sleep, and there are no major issues with his daily life."

"Is that so? Then, I am relieved for now."

Continuing down the hallway, they reached the front of the reception room. When Yamaoka opened the door, two teachers were waiting inside. One was Hirano, serving as the Head of Student Guidance. The other was Tajima, the Vice Principal.

"Thank you for taking the time today." The two stood up as the father entered.

"Thank you as well. I'm Tajima, the Vice Principal."

"I'm Hirano, Head of Student Guidance. Thank you for your time today."

"I'm Tachibana. Thank you as well."

Exchanging greetings with the three, the father took a seat. The Vice Principal sat opposite the father, with Hirano next to him, and Yamaoka following suit. All four were gathered in the reception room.

Once everyone was seated, Yamaoka spoke up again.

"Today, I would like to explain what the school has been able to confirm regarding the matter we discussed on the phone yesterday."

"Yes. Before that, may I ask one thing?" The father quietly interjected. "Regarding this matter, would it be all right if I recorded it as a record?"

"Yes, of course." The Vice Principal nodded.

"Thank you." The father pulled a small recorder out of his briefcase and placed it on the desk. "Then, please go ahead."

"Yes." Yamaoka caught his breath once before beginning. "Today, you are here so that we can inform you of what the school has grasped regarding this false confession through yesterday's surveys and interviews."

The father said nothing, listening attentively to Yamaoka's words.

"As for the details, Mr. Hirano from Student Guidance, who is in charge of this matter, will explain them thoroughly." With that, Yamaoka turned his gaze to Hirano. "Mr. Hirano, please."

Hirano gave a quiet nod and opened his mouth. "Yes. Then, I will explain."

Dropping his gaze to the documents at hand, Hirano continued. "First, it has been found that six students were involved in this false confession."

"Furthermore, it was conveyed to Reo-san that it was a false confession in a place where all his classmates were present."

"It has also been confirmed that on that spot, one of the students involved in this false confession recorded the situation on video." Hirano dropped his gaze to the documents once more. "That video was sent on Sunday to a modeling agency affiliated with one of the students involved in this matter."

"After that, the video was submitted from the agency to the school." Hirano turned a page of the documents. "Currently, the school is verifying what happened on that day by cross-referencing the contents, conducting surveys of the classmates, and interviewing the six students involved, in addition to that video."

The father remained silent for a while, but eventually asked in a quiet voice. "Has the person who sent that video to the modeling agency been identified?"

"They have been identified. The person who did the filming admitted to it in yesterday's interview." Hirano continued while checking the documents at hand. "As for the smartphone used for the recording, it is currently being held by the student's parents."

The father gave a small nod, asking nothing further, and listened to Hirano's words.

Checking the father's expression just once, Hirano dropped his gaze back to the papers. "And... regarding today's video, as you were informed yesterday, we have prepared it here."

Giving a small nod to Hirano's words, the father turned his gaze toward a laptop.

When Hirano operated the laptop, the video began playing.

The father directed his gaze to the screen, staring intently at Reo's appearance projected there. What was he thinking? Nothing could be read from his expression. He simply kept watching the video quietly, without uttering a single word.

Before long, the video showed Reo walking out of the classroom and the door closing behind him, bringing the video to an end.

Even so, there was no change in the father's expression. He continued to gaze at the screen, as if confirming that the video had ended, and that silence lingered quietly in the reception room.

Eventually, he slowly raised his head. The moment his gaze turned toward the three sitting opposite him, the atmosphere, which should have been completely ordinary just a moment ago, tightened ever so slightly.

"...Now then, there is something I want to confirm."

The moment they heard that voice, Yamaoka and the others slightly stiffened their bodies.

He wasn't raising his voice. His expression hadn't changed either.

And yet, it was clearly different from before.

As if the temperature of the room itself had been dragged down all at once, a freezing pressure enveloped the entire space.

"About the person who sent the video."

The father's gaze turned toward Hirano.

"Just now, you said the person who filmed it admitted to it, didn't you?"

"...Yes."

"Then, could you tell me a little more detail about that student?"

It was a flat, emotionless voice.

Even so, hearing those words sent a chill running down the backs of the three teachers.