Five to zero! Overwhelming victory!

...for the opposing team. Two-on-two soccer was definitely not my sport.

"I'm sorry, Nao," I mumbled. "I said I know the rules, but I didn't say I also know how to play..."

"Come on, don't be disheartened! Rematch!" Iwao exclaimed clapping his hands. "This time we exchange companions, and who knows, the result might change! Choji, come this way!"

"Okay!"

I went to the other "half court" as Iwao's friend Nana joined Nao.

"H-hey! It doesn't seem right!" the latter protested. "Does this seem like an even match for you, Iwao?"

"What do you have to complain about? Does it bother you to be paired with her?"

"No, that's not it... Come on, isn't it obvious? Look at you, you and Choji are... are..." Nao blushed, clearly embarrassed, as if he wanted to seek help to find a word left on the tip of his tongue.

"Maybe I get what he means," I said, to get Nao out of that predicament, while turning to Iwao. "The two of us are sturdy, while they... are not. Physically, it wouldn't be a fa..."

Iwao suddenly put his arm around my shoulders and shook me vigorously.

"But that's the fun of it, Choji! So you can be sure you are on the winning team!"

The idea was tempting... But I didn't want to win so shamelessly at poor Nao's expense!

However, I sadly had to play along, having sworn to Isoka that I would not get into trouble. So, a little uncomfortable, I nodded.

"All right, Iwao. You convinced me..."

"Perfect! Sit in front of our goal and don't move!"

Another violent slap on the back, and without realizing it I found myself on the floor and almost stuck with my butt between the legs of the table that acted as the "goal", so that no shot from the opposing team could pass.

"Hey... is it regular?"

"Of course, Choji! Huh, whoever guards the goal can also use their hands to repel the ball. Three two one... Go!"

You could have told me this earlier, damn it!

That match was, if possible, even more unfair than the previous. Iwao was really good at facing two opponents and scoring goals, and with me barring the door it was practically impossible for Nao or Nana to score. We were on the verge of winning the game within a minute but, unlike Iwao, I didn't feel too excited.

What's the point of being in the winning team, if there's no teamwork?

I stood up, wanting to make at least one attempt at scoring a goal, but unfortunately - or luckily, it depends on one's point of view - just at that moment the bell rang for lunch.

Forgetting about the game, Nao made his way through and was the first to slip out of the classroom, followed by all the others.

"That little guy just isn't capable of having fun," Iwao grumbled aloud as he walked away. "Maybe, just maybe, I should have let him out sooner. Thank goodness that at least you got into the spirit of the game, Choji."

"I hope Nao hasn't become unpleasant for you!... oops."

I shut my mouth too late. I hadn't been able to hold back.

Iwao turned and gave me an indecipherable look. But then, he smiled and shook my shoulder as if to reassure me.

"Oh no, he and his little sister are fine guys, they don't bother me," he explained. "I just find it odd that, since they arrived at the orphanage, they have never tried to socialize with anyone."

"Really? How long have you all been here?"

"Well, let me think about it..."

Iwao started counting with his fingers, but quickly forgot about it.

"...not much long, anyway, before you arrived they were the last ones. How about we play again this afternoon? I'll make you stay up front!"

"Really? Thanks!"

"Perfect! Now let's hurry up or lunch will cool down!"

Iwao ran out of the classroom.

I began to follow him.

But, when I realized what I had just done, I went back inside and banged my head several times against the blackboard.

Why did I say yes? Why? I could have spent the day investigating! But no, now I'm forced to spend the whole afternoon locked up here playing ball like a child! Damn me!

In anger, I also kicked the ball.

Big mistake.

The ball hit a window in full force, tore the glass off and fell down the courtyard.

Desperately I dived forward: almost by a miracle, I managed to pick up the glass plate with the tips of my fingers and bring it back inside, then fitting it as best I could into the frame.

Nobody will notice... I think. I'll come back later to fix it better!

After wiping the raindrops and sweat from my forehead, I left the classroom and ran to the ground floor.

I hadn't even reached the stairs, however, that I found my way blocked by Yori.

In her hand, she held the ball.

"You are really dying to sit at the table next to me, aren't you?"

...

Throughout the duration of the lunch, there wasn't a single moment when Yori didn't take her eyes off me.

"C-can I help with your chores later?" I asked her in a faint voice, halfway through the fourth course.

"To do what?"

"To clear the tables, tidy up... You know, to make amends..."

"You almost knocked out a window. The only thing you can do to make up for it is nothing!"

Stamping her feet on the ground, Yori walked over to ring the bell.

"And now get out!"

"Actually, I still have to finish eating..."

"Then consider this fast lunch as a punishment. OUT!"

Without any effort, Yori lifted me up by the armpits and threw me out of the cafeteria.

"You really made her mad, huh?" Iwao teased me while running past, just to sink the knife into the wound. "Don't worry, with today's soccer tournament everything will pass! Keep fit!"

I raised a hand to salute him as he and the rest of his gang walked back upstairs, but when they were out of sight, I closed it into a fist and slammed it heavily on the back of my neck.

Great, really wonderful. In one fell swoop I got involved in Iwao's activities and antagonized Yori even more. ...I need to take a break to sort my thoughts. Possibly, without dozing off like I did yesterday.

So, I looked for a place where I could be alone for a while. I found it immediately: the stairs at the entrance.

I sat on the highest step, the only one on which raindrops fell only partially. I rested my elbows on my knees and my chin on my fists, and rolled my eyes to the sky, closing myself in contemplation.

Come to think of it, the idea of having to play all day with Iwao's friends isn't that bad. By being in close contact with them I will be able to get to know them better, and get a better idea of who, among them, may or may not be the killer I am looking for. Wasn't this my original plan after all?

I smiled to myself.

It won't be a wasted afternoon, then! I got angry for nothing! If only I had thought about it before...

I sighed, looking down at the forest beyond the courtyard.

I got myself in a really big trouble with Yori. If she was strict before, now that I have given her one more reason to keep an eye on me it will be impossible to continue the investigation in peace! ...mh?

A strange noise from the forest distracted me from my thoughts.

It was a metallic sound of footsteps, and it was getting closer and closer.

Is that a horse?

I stood up and peered into the trees. It wasn't a horse.

It was a huge ox, pulling an equally huge cart, drove by a big bearded man.

The man stopped the cart right in front of the orphanage, jumped off the back of his animal and let out a whistle: after a few seconds, Miss Hiromi appeared at the door to greet him.

"Thank goodness you are here, punctual as always! With this bad weather I feared you would get lost! I'm going to get the money!"

Intrigued, I followed the woman into the hall and stopped her before she went upstairs.

"Excuse me, who is that man?"

"This is our trusted supplier! He comes every month, on the same day and at the same hour, to bring us many boxes filled with food to feed all of you little angels! We wouldn't know what to do without him!"

"I see..."

That latest news, coupled with my current situation, gave me an idea to rehabilitate myself in Yori's eyes.

"Miss Hiromi, can I help you carry everything inside?"

"But of course, darling! You are very kind! Wait for me here, I go get the money to pay and then..."

"AND THEN NOTHING!"

Like a charge of bisons, Yori came out of the canteen and joined us, red with fury.

What kind of hearing does he have? I thought, as I hid behind Miss Hiromi.

"Unloading the goods from the wagon has always been my task, I refuse to be replaced by the latest arrival!"

"Oh, but dear Choji has no intention of replacing you," Miss Hiromi chirped. "He just wants to help!"

"I don't need anyone's help. Least of all his!..."

"What's this commotion, Yori?"

The three of us raised our heads towards the stairs, from which Mistress Azumi was coming down.

"Azumi dear" Miss Hiromi explained to her "Choji would like to be helpful, but Yori doesn't want to give him the chance. What decision should I make?"

"None, Hiromi. Leave it to me. So, Yori, why would you be so hostile towards the newcomer?"

Yori took a deep breath. She put one hand on her hip, and the other pointed it at me.

"Mistress Azumi, Choji has..."

I closed my eyes, convinced that Yori was about to report the damage I had done.

"...Choji is unable to understand that no means no. If I don't want him to help me, he doesn't have to insist."

I slowly peeled one eye. Did I get it wrong, or had Yori really lied to cover me up?

"Yori," said Mistress Azumi, "I understand your reasons. But have you already forgotten about our little speech yesterday? "In any way", I said."

Yori suddenly stiffened. What was gotten into her now?

"In any way?... Ah, of course! I understand! Well... I gladly accept your help, Choji! Wait just a second!"

Giving everyone a very tight smile, Yori ran to get an umbrella from a closet, came back to me, took me by the hand and accompanied me toward the entrance.

"I'll keep the umbrella open for you!" she said very loudly. "I'll leave you the honor of taking the boxes from the wagon and bringing them inside!"

"Really? W-well... thank you for your trust!"

We went outside into the courtyard.

It was only in the rain, away from prying ears, that Yori shown her true colors.

"It's not trust," she added threateningly. "If you break something, and I'm sure you will, Mistress Azumi will change her mind about me needing a hand. Now go on without me, I need to talk with the supplier."

"O-okay, but I don't have an umbrella for myself..."

"Don't make a scene, it's just a couple of droplets!"

With a shove, Yori invited me to run to the wagon.

I stopped in the back, but even though the rain was getting more and more annoying, I didn't go right inside for shelter. The temptation to overhear what Yori had to say to the man was too strong.

"Did you bring what I ordered?" I heard her asking.

"As always, but I can't assure you that I will still be able to get it, in the current times..."

"No, I'm not talking about that stuff. I mean the cleaning products..."

From that point on, both Yori and the man lowered their voices, but I had heard enough by now.

"That stuff"? Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions too quickly, but Yori is hiding something serious. ...uh?

Climbing onto the wagon, which on the inside resembled a storage room, I noticed an oddity.

There were wet footprints of the floor. At first I thought they belonged to the supplier, but when the light of a distant bolt shone on them I realized that not a single one of those footprints was coming out of the wagon. It could only mean one thing.

Someone's hiding in here.

Cautiously, I walked over to the boxes. I moved some of them and leaned to look over.

I could have sworn I saw a shadow moving, when a loud cough from behind startled me.

"So, can you get a move on?" Yori yelled. "One box is as good as another to begin with!"

In that, thanks to a second bolt of lightning, I noticed a sort of closed door on the other side of the wagon. Maybe the owner had really passed by, to leave those suspicious footprints...

But now I could no longer look at them to be sure, having stupidly erased them myself by stepping on them.

Thus began the work.

Or rather, only I could say I was working. While I was focused on carrying the crates and boxes one at a time, all Yori had to do was cover me with the umbrella and lead me to the orphanage's cellar where I was supposed to bring the goods.

Well, this way at least I had the opportunity to enter a place that I would not have been able to visit otherwise.

The kitchen!

It was a very large room: with four hobs - two against the wall and two in the center - it almost reminded me of a restaurant kitchen. Another wall was entirely occupied by the sinks and a tall pile of dishes that Yori had yet to finish cleaning.

That sight made me swallow: if Yori really had to take on all that work every day, I just didn't feel like envying her!

Finally, a door, on the opposite side to the one leading to the canteen, led to the cellar, where all the delicious food with which the orphans were fed every day were carefully arranged on shelves.

Taking the last crate inside, in a gesture of satisfaction and pride I slapped my hand on my chest and gave Yori a toothy smile.

"That's it! I unloaded all the goods, and without breaking even the smallest jar! Was I good or not?"

"This is yet to be seen. Sit there and don't say a word."

What else is there now?

Demoralized, I sat on the edge of a keg and played with my thumbs while Yori was checking the boxes one by one.

At the end of the inspection she returned to me, with an expression that was anything but cheerful.

"Several crates have their lids already open, and the cardboard of other boxes is torn in places."

My jaw hanged open.

"W-what?!"

"Empty your pockets, I'm sure you stole something."

"W-what... No! What are you saying? How could I have stolen something? You were with me all the time..."

"Except when I caught you wasting time inside the wagon. So, how do you explain the open boxes?"

I bit my lower lip. I was framed, and I had nothing to prove my innocence!

The only thing I could do to save myself, for the moment, was to play defensive.

"I don't know how to explain it, but that doesn't give you the right to accuse me!" I exclaimed, raising my voice. "May I know why you are so angry with me?"

"Oh please, drop the victim act already! It doesn't work with me! And I know about these things!"

"In... In what sense? How do you know..."

The cellar door opened, and Miss Hiromi peeped in.

"Is there a problem, darlings?"

I shook my head and, to my relief, so did Yori.

"No problem, it's all right. Thank you for your help, Choji. You may as well go."

"W-what... Of course! No big deal! It was my pleasure!"

I started to leave, but as soon as Miss Hiromi was out of sight and earshot, Yori pulled me by my shirt to hiss a warning in my ears.

"If, when today's stocks are eventually exhausted, I find that some ingredient has run out before others, then I will have proof that you are a thief. You have no escape out of this, Choji."

...

I sadly left the canteen - for the umpteenth time! - and put my hands in my pockets, to suppress the temptation of punching something. Not only had I not improved my relationship with Yori at all but, because of some mysterious greedy thief, it had now gotten even worse.

I took a deep breath and calmed down. Even without this incident, it was difficult for things to improve. If I understood correctly, Mistress Azumi had ordered Yori to keep an eye on me "in any way".

I went back to the day before, to try and remember the exact words they had exchanged in the courtyard... of course, I couldn't: those two had gone away to speak privately and I wasn't able to hear a word.

All I remembered was some irrelevant information.

"Everything is under control. Thirteen kids got dirty, but I cleaned them before the chocolate stains could dry. Just like any other day, Rokuro expected me to follow him to listen to a song he wrote for me, but I didn't get distracted. Isoka continues on hiding who knows where and shows himself only for meals. There's nothing else to report."

...wait a second. Maybe they weren't that irrelevant after all!

So, there is someone in the orphanage who likes Yori to the point of dedicating a song to her, despite her temper! Maybe he has some information that can help me to get to know and understand her better!

I have no idea what this Rokuro looks like, but I know where I can find him.

...

"THE DOOR!"

I received the curses of those in the Painting -and Modeling- Room as I faced the powerful air current with my head bowed, but in the end I managed to enter and lock myself inside the Music -and Reading- Room.

The guy who played the drums had the same enthusiasm as the day before, if not more.

"Hellooo!" I greeted him, putting my hands around my mouth to make myself heard over the noise. "I'm looking for Rokuro! Do you know him?"

"Rokuro? Of course I know him, it's me! Let's shake hands, pal!"

Putting one of the two sticks between his teeth to keep on playing, he squeezed my left hand with such force that he made my whole arm tremble.

I looked at him carefully: he must have been my age, more or less; his hair, blown up and missing in some parts of his head, was as red as the large shirt he wore; his face was long, thin, hollow, and marked on one side by a scary burn; his build was tall and thin as well, skeletal even.

Despite his appearance, however, Rokuro was brimming with energy.

"Your name is Choji, right? Grab a guitar and play me something!"

"Actually, I... Okay, I'll try!"

He was so enthusiastic that I didn't feel like contradicting him. There were several guitars piled on the floor, but I immediately found the one that suited me: metallic gray, it had a plug sticking out the lower part.

If it works with electricity, maybe it plays by itself. Let's try it!

I put the strap of the guitar around my shoulder and plugged it into a socket, but nothing happened.

So, I plucked the strings a little.

A second later, I was praying that my hearing wouldn't fail me for good. A very high and monstrous sound had come out of the guitar, which probably would have been the background music to my nightmares for the months to come.

"YA-HOOO! This is an A!" shouted Rokuro, who unlike me was in seventh heaven. "Come on, don't stop! I'll accompany you with the drums!"

"Er... Wait a second, I have to get ready!"

I had no heart to offend him by asking if he had earplugs, but at the same time I couldn't risk blowing my head up. So I came up with a trick: after turning my back to Rokuro, I squeezed my nose with two fingers and inhaled strongly, so that my ears were blocked by the suction of the air.

"Hewe, I'm weady!" I said, practically in apnea.

"So let's get it on!"

I didn't hear a single note of what we played: more than a music lesson, the session between Rokuro and I seemed like a competition to see who tortured his instrument the worst. Soon enough, my fingers were about to catch fire from all the rubbing on the guitar strings, and as if that were not enough, the brilliant idea of holding my breath was backfiring me.

I'm fainting... No! I can't give up! I have to resist! I have to... I have... To...

I collapsed to the floor, blowing out all the air I had been holding. I was sure I had turned purple.

"Take it easy, Choji!" Rokuro encouraged me, leaning over to pull me up. "You have to be the one playing the instrument, not the other way around!"

"I'll remember... I'll remember... next time..."

"Next time? So will you come back again? YA-HOOOO! Did you hear, Supaida? Finally someone who likes music has arrived! We can become a trio!"

Rokuro turned, to look at somewhere on the wall.

"Grumpy as usual, huh? But I know you, deep down you're happy too!"

I rolled my eyes and pricked my ear with a finger, to make sure I heard correctly.

"Who... Who are you talking to, Rokuro?"

"Ah, right, I didn't introduce him to you! This is Supaida, my vocalist! Supaida, this is Choji!"

Guessing it was some imaginary friend of his, I waved a hand to greet the wall.

"Nice to meet you, Sup..." "Were are you looking at, Choji? Supaida is up there!"

Rokuro pointed to a corner near the ceiling. I kept thinking that there was no one...

Until, looking closer, I saw a motionless creature with a microscopic black body and eight long legs.

"Supaida... is a spider!?"

"He's not a spider, he's THE spider! The best in the world! He's the only one in the whole orphanage who doesn't run away or cover his ears when I start playing! When it comes to music, he and I have the same tastes!"

I noticed how Rokuro's eyes sparkled as he talked about it. He hadn't said it explicitly, but it was obvious that he regarded that little spider as his best friend... if not his only one.

"Did you say Supaida is your... "vocalist"?"

"That's right! I can't tell you what his voice sounds like because he's so small that I don't even hear it, but I'm sure he sings very well! And he'll be able to perform as well, as soon as she agrees to listen to the song I composed..."

Rokuro sighed loudly. The sigh of a boy in love, no doubt.

"She?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"Yori, the fairy who stole my heart since Mistress Azumi brought her here! Read, this is the song I wrote for her!"

From all the pockets of his pants, Rokuro took out and handed me a bunch of folded papers, on which he had written, erased and rewritten a lot of verses.

"Wow, what a work... Do you really love her?"

"I adore her!"

I smiled to myself. Finally the opportunity I was waiting for had arrived,

I could not let it escape for any reason in the world.

"Tell me, Rokuro... What kind girl is Yori? What exactly made you fall in lo..."

"HA-HAH! That's where you are, Choji!"

For the love of...

Iwao had just entered without even knocking.

"We are ready to start the tournament, only you are missing! Have you forgotten?"

Patience, I must have patience...

"No no, not at all! I just lost track of time! Now I'm coming!"

Iwao went out as he had entered. If it hadn't been a silly theory, I would have sworn that he had done it on purpose to interrupt me!

I turned to Rokuro, shrugging.

"I'm sorry, unfortunately I promised him. We'll keep talking another time..."

In that, a lightning-fast idea came to me.

"...hey, can I borrow the song? To... to see if I can fix the lyrics and correct mistakes, if there are any."

"That would be great! Take it, I entrust it to you!"

"Thanks, Rokuro! I'll take good care of it!"

So, I left the room.

I was with one foot out the door, when something convinced me to stop for another second or two.

"Listen, Rokuro... We are going to have a kind of soccer tournament... Would you like to join us?"

"Nah, I've never liked sports. Supaida and I like stay here."

"I would like it too, but I promised to go. Anyway, I'm glad I met you! You're a nice guy!"

"N-nice... Th-thanks! You too! Have fun!"

I said goodbye, smiled and waved again, closed the door behind me and walked inexorably towards my destination.

Having fun... That's what I hoped for too.

...

...all in all, I ended up really having a fine time.

Of course I inevitably sucked at playing football and the times I slipped on the ball were triple the times I managed to kick it, but, making the best of a bad situation and laughing at my own foolishness - a feat I was not at all accustomed to - I was able to gradually integrate.

In the pauses between games, I also had a way to break the ice with all the members of the group. I found them very friendly, but the friendliest of all in the end turned out to be Iwao himself: in hosting the rounds of the tournament, announcing the winners and encouraging the losers he was a real showman, and by the way the other guys called him back to get a high five, it was evident that he was really well liked.

I too, deep down, was starting to get used to his vigorous pats on my back.

Therefore, the dinner was on a totally different level than the day before. At the table Iwao had made me sit between him and Nana, far away from the edge of the bench, and between a spoonful of fish soup and a laugh, the evening passed in complete joy.

I was about to wonder if someone hadn't secretly taken Iwao's place, to turn him into a person much different from the bully he was around Isoka... But then, I understood.

No one, that day, had mentioned Isoka, the only subject capable of really angering Iwao. That's why he and his friends had been quiet and carefree.

Isoka... I hadn't meet him since that morning.

While Yori served us the digestive, out of the corner of my eye I saw him sitting in his spot, alone and closed in on himself as always.

And I couldn't help but feel disgusted with myself.

Even though he himself made me promise to keep our friendship a secret, it was hard for me to cope with his condition. I was supposed to be sitting next to him and cheering him up, not laughing and joking in the company of his worst enemy!

Later, when we all stood in line outside the bathrooms to brush our teeth, I dared to greet Isoka with a silent nod, at least to give him some kind of goodnight. Thankfully, nobody else noticed me.

I, on the other hand, noticed that Isoka from the waist down was completely soaking wet.

Since Isoka was the last in line, with the excuse that "nature was calling me" I locked myself in one of the cubicles, waiting until Isoka was alone in the bathroom to have a talk.

When he saw me appear from the mirror over the sink, he half jumped in fright.

"It's me, take it easy" I told him, kneeling beside him and placing a hand on his back. "What happened to you?"

Isoka stared at me strangely.

He spat the toothpaste into the sink, rinsed his mouth, wiped himself clean, and finally answered me.

"After a snack, since it had stopped raining, I went back to the hiding place. It was full of water. You forgot to close the hatch, Choji."

My heart skipped a beat. I had closed that hatch, it was the first thing I had bothered to do!

If Isoka had found it open, that could mean... that someone else had discovered his hiding place!

In order not to panic him, I decided to take the blame.

"I... I have no excuse. Yesterday I made you miss lunch, and today I deprive you of the shelter you have built with so much effort... I'm a bad friend, I'm sorry!"

"...hey, it's all right," he reassured me with a hug. "I know you didn't do it on purpose. Also, maybe it's better this way."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Now that I have found someone to keep me company, perhaps the time has come to let go of that narrow hole and dig another one, a little bigger, to contain the both of us. What do you think?"

"I... Thank you, Isoka. I don't deserve to be forgiven after the disaster I made, but... Thank you."

"Please, don't think about it anymore. Good night, Choji."

"G-goodnight."

Isoka exited the bathroom, and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Who knows for how long, however, I could feel comfortable. First the food wagon, then Isoka's hiding place... I couldn't say that the two facts were connected, but I was sure of one thing.

Someone who lived in the orphanage was secretly following my moves.

And if that someone was the Masquerader... then I had to be very careful.

I left the bathroom a minute after Isoka and went into the dormitory. Almost everyone, like the night before, had already gone to the dream world.

I put on my pajamas and dropped dead weight onto the bed.

I had just put my head back on the pillow...

when the sound of a crushed paper made me stand up as if I had been hit by a bolt.

The report!

Without wasting any more time, I dived under the covers, turned on the flashlight, picked up the pen and began to write.

First, I drew a line on the title, replacing "First day of the mission" with "Second".

Well, now what? Come to think of it, it's not like I'm doing any progress with the investigation. What have I discovered today that is really useful?

I revisited the whole day in my thoughts. The suspicions about the mysterious individual who had followed me were just suspicions, I needed something concrete!

...and I had it, in fact.

One piece of information I had obtained that day had stuck with me more than others, and it was Iwao who had provided it to me.

"...not long, anyway, before you arrived they were the last ones."

So, Nao and Naoki were the last to find a home in the orphanage. I had to find out when, exactly.

I reached for the bed next to mine and tapped blindly. After a while, I heard a kind of irritated grunt.

"Sorry, Nao," I whispered. "Are you awake?"

"...I am now. What is it, Choji?"

"Well, I wanted to apologize for what happened this morning..."

"It was just a game, there's no need to make a tragedy out of it."

"I know, but I saw you were uncomfortable..."

"I repeat: don't make a tragedy of it. I wasn't in the mood to play, that's all. I heard you had a good time in the afternoon, though."

"Oh, yeah! I didn't even score a goal and I was about to score one against my own team, but I had a blast. Sure, I guess playing in the gym may be better... Tell me, how big is the gym?"

"The gym, you say? I don't..."

There was a pause.

"...I don't know, at a guess I think it's just as big as the canteen. But it's perfect for playing football, also because there are real goals... Now excuse me, but I'm just practically dying for sleep. Night, Choji."

"Goodnight, Nao."

I went back under the pillow and turned on the flashlight once again. So Nao and Naoki had arrived at the orphanage before the gym was sealed off. If they had arrived later, in fact, Nao would not have been able to know what it was like.

This was not enough to make one of them the main suspect, but it was still a small step forward in the investigation.

Perfect, now I can really proceed with the report. "Still no trace of the Masquerader, but I got to know better the orphans who..."