Chapter 59
Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Wavering Great Sleuth (3)
The opening ceremony arrived with the end of vacation.
Makoto stood in front of the full-length mirror, dressed to the nines, a smug look on his face. He checked his outfit from every angle, smoothing his hair, clearly aware of just how important a first impression could be.
In stark contrast to Makoto's utterly confident demeanor—without a trace of nerves—the male and female investigators fidgeted restlessly.
"You need to act carefully. Got it?"
"She's a minion of those wicked Prophets, possibly even an assassin. She could spot that you're a secret agent from the slightest slip-up. There's already evidence she's been deployed on missions. Don't let your guard down."
Makoto's lips curled into a grin at his mom investigator and dad investigator's words. It was a far cry from how his biological parents would react. Behind Makoto's constant bragging and overflowing confidence were family members who affirmed everything about him.
"Don't worry too much. Overestimating the target only makes infiltration harder. No one's smarter than me, and no one's sharper than me either. Even a talented secret organization's lackey is just a grunt in the end. A puppet dancing to someone else's plan has no imagination or deduction skills. You think a brute-strength girl would suspect a transfer student from out of town is an elementary schooler on undercover duty? Relax, Mom. Dad."
Makoto swept his hair back with a comb. His perfectly styled part gleamed beautifully under the fluorescent light. Shaking his head with a satisfied smile, he said,
"Everything's under my control anyway."
The male and female investigators felt an odd unease at Makoto's sheer confidence.
Makoto trusted himself.
She was just a secret organization's lackey, at best.
There was no way a puppet being used by the organization could see through his disguise.
That's what he was convinced of.
Opening ceremonies are always packed with surprises.
"Serika! What'd you do over vacation?"
"Huh? Oh...! Yeah, I just took it easy. What about you, Yumi?"
"Me? I went to Okinawa with Dad, fished, scuba dived—had a blast. Next year, let's bring you and Hwayoung too. The water there? It's that sky-blue color like on TV. So amazing!"
"Yeah, looks like it. You had a ton of fun."
Yumi, who usually gave off prim rich-girl vibes, had come back with a deep tan, rocking a gal look.
"The ocean, huh? I'd love to tag along next year. I was a bit tired this time—lots of family stuff at home."
Hwayoung, who must have spent vacation back home, yawned hugely with a face more exhausted than during term time, sparking curiosity. As the like-minded group chatted away, the teacher appeared, tapping the podium to get our attention.
"Alright, everyone. Eyes up here. Quiet down. Vacation's over—no more slacking. You've rested plenty, so let's focus on studies again."
"Aww."
"Yesss."
The strict words shattered the kids' lingering vacation high, drawing boos from around the room. Some shyly flipped thumbs-down under their desks with pouts, while others grimaced but grudgingly pulled out textbooks.
Undeterred by the complaints and jeers, the teacher pressed on, hand steady on the podium.
"And today, we have a transfer student. She's come from far away, so be friendly—no excluding her just because she's new."
A transfer student?
I blinked.
One of the original characters coming in?
Makoto blew air from his mouth at the teacher's intro. Whoosh—the motion flicked his bangs. Checking his reflection in the classroom window, the angled fringe looked pretty good. Smiling at it, he muttered,
"Cliché intro."
Straightening up confidently, he smoothed his clothes. No need to be tense. No one knew he was the son of a police HQ exec anyway. A mere evil organization grunt girl couldn't possibly spot his true identity.
"Come on in, Makoto."
Makoto strode through the door boldly, faced the class, and bowed.
"Hey. I'm Iguchi Makoto. Transferred from Tokyo. Let's get along."
Shiratori was too famous a surname, so he'd made up Iguchi. He didn't stumble on the name or act awkward. Perfect self-introduction. No one suspected a thing.
That's what Makoto thought, smiling.
"Hey. I'm Iguchi Makoto. Transferred from Tokyo. Let's get along."
Oh, an unexpected original character popped up. He brazenly used a fake name like he wasn't that guy, but it meant nothing to me, who'd read the original.
That brown hair, the overconfident attitude, the smug posture, the know-it-all speech. Everything screamed original character.
Name: Shiratori Makoto.
Son of a police HQ exec. In the original, he shone with brilliant deduction and high IQ, becoming the youngest detective. His ability was electricity emission—controlling machines, charging phone batteries in emergencies. Super versatile, nicknamed "portable charger."
"Right. Makoto, Serika's front seat is empty. Take that one."
Anyway, why was Makoto—supposed to be playing cop with his dad at HQ—here at our school? Did he transfer in the original around now to climb the private escalator school ladder?
But using a fake name didn't fit. His real name was Shiratori Makoto, not Iguchi. No reason for a fake unless he was hiding something.
While I pondered, Makoto glanced me over with a confident expression and flashed a weird smile. His bold eyes locked on mine, sending a strange tension through me.
Thinking back, in the original, Shiratori Makoto was on secret investigation for Prophets traces. One of their key bases—in original and now—is in Minato Ward.
Let's think.
World with high school detectives? Elementary ones exist too, right?
With his ability, and dad at HQ? Nepotism like that fits.
This punk.
Undercover at our school hunting Prophets?
Suspicious.
I hadn't done anything weird.
Where'd I slip?
Too fishy to dismiss. That meaningful smile. The sidelong glance.
Not because I'm cute—plenty of eye-catchers in class besides me.
Diagonal from me: angel wings from her ability. Yumi: deep tan drawing stares. Front: Souta-kun, gorilla-transformer gym rat.
Yet he stares at quiet me?
First time in class, ignoring all the obvious magnets?
Definitely off.
Doesn't matter how—cops have me pegged.
Can't let this stand.
I've barely committed crimes, haven't cracked Prophets' goals yet.
Get nabbed by cops now?
Too unfair.
Only I can uncover Prophets' core secrets. Can't get caught here.
They don't seem to know much yet, so best play innocent.
I forced a normal expression, curling my lips up.
A sweet smile to sell "good girl."
Iwamoto Serika.
Among kids with unique quirks, her doll-like face and standout pale skin shone. Beautiful roses have thorns, as they say.
Makoto grinned at Serika's face.
Strong ego, cold eyes—total villain vibe.
Villains can't hide their true nature.
Even sitting still, evil aura poured off her.
Easy to extract info from her type.
Just bruise her pride, and she'll spill everything.
Makoto knew he was handsome and popular with girls.
So.
Seducing a prideful dimwit girl like her? Piece of cake.
"Huh."
Lost in thought, Makoto froze when his eyes met Serika's.
She smiled at him—icy, venomous eyes.
What did that smile mean?
No way.
She already saw through me?
Makoto forced down surging anxiety, smiling back.