The Descendants of the Eventful Classics Club (part 2)

"What happened?"

"... I cried. Whether it was something fearful or sad, I cried out loud. My mother was so startled that she came to see what was

going on, and that's all I could remember. The last thing I can recall is that my uncle didn't come to console me like he normally

would."

"You were shocked?"

"Yes, a bit, I believe. I've remembered that day all this time. Afterwards, yes, sometime during Junior High School, I began to

be bothered by that event. Why did my uncle look so regretful? Why did he not console me? ... Oreki-san, what do you think?"

Upon being asked, I started thinking. Why would a person who would so patiently answer every single question asked by a young kid leave her crying by herself at that moment?

I quickly figured out the reason, and explained with as much composure as I could muster, "Your uncle told you something he could not take back. He didn't want to lie to a kid, and probably wanted you to know that what he said was true."

Chitanda gasped and smiled.

"Yes, that's what I thought of as well."

She said while looking straight at me... Umm, when's my coffee gonna come?

"Upon realizing that, I began to wonder in earnest just what it was that he had told me that day. So I began to take things into

action, first by attempting to reenact the environment of that day. I sneaked into the residence of the Sekitanis, whom we have become estranged with."

She's definitely the sort that would go to all lengths in order to get things done.

"I see. So that's what you meant by 'personal reasons' when you said why you joined the Classics Club."

Chitanda nodded. "Yes. I wasn't aware that the Classics Club was nearly abolished

until recently. I knew it wasn't easy, but I didn't expect that there would be no one left behind who would know the truth. I considered asking the teachers, but the teachers who were around when my uncle was a student 33 years ago were no longer at the school."

"So, why are you asking me to help you?"

"That's because..."

As Chitanda stopped her sentence midway, the waiter arrived with my coffee. Working mechanically, the bearded waiter withdrew my empty cup and replaced it with a new one.

After the waiter had left, Chitanda sipped her cup of cocoa as though remembering everything. "...During the incident with the clubroom key, and the library mystery that Ibara-san raised, you have managed to deduce their solutions in ways beyond my imagination. While it may be shameless to say this, I believe Oreki-san is the one who can figure out the answer to my question."

I felt myself frowning. "You overestimate me. I just relied on some insight, which

required some luck in itself."

"Then I'm seeking help from this luck of yours."

"I don't think I can help you."

Firstly, I had no obligation to assist her in such a bothersome errand; secondly, if I

couldn't figure out anything, then I would let Chitanda down, as well as feel very helpless myself.

This wasn't some quiz show, but

merely Chitanda's exaggerated way of finding out the meaning of a moment in her life. You expect an energy-saver like me to bear such a responsibility? Don't kid yourself.

"Why does it have to be me? Surely there are others who could help you."

Chitanda's eyes widened. Without knowing the meaning behind that, I continued, "Wouldn't it be more efficient to rely on

more people to help out? You could ask Satoshi, Ibara, or other

friends of yours."

No response. Chitanda merely remained silent at my refusal. She lowered her head and slowly muttered, "... Oreki-san,

I'm not the sort of person who would tell everyone about my past."

"..."

"I... I've never told anyone else about this story before."

I see; now it makes sense...

Why would Chitanda purposely call me out on a Sunday just to talk to me alone? The answer was simple, she did not want many

people to know about her uncle's story.

Chitanda had decided to put her trust in me, a person she barely knew, and yet I had told

her to 'rely on others'.

It would of course be embarrassing for many people to discover such private information. Who wouldn't have their own deepest

secret they wish to cherish?

I felt myself going red, and I lowered my head. "... My apologies."

Seeing Chitanda smile at me, I felt that she'd forgiven me. Silence then followed. Chitanda seemed to be waiting for me to

speak, yet I couldn't find anything appropriate to say. The steam

from my cup of coffee rose between us. Chitanda's Vienna Cocoa had gone cold by now, as no steam came from her cup.

I held my cup in my hands. As though to break the awkwardness, Chitanda said with a gentle expression, "I've said something unreasonable. I know I've involved you in something I shouldn't, but yet..."

"..."

"Oreki-san, when you managed to solve my queries... you reminded me a lot of my uncle. No offense to him, but you too have managed to answer my questions. That's why... Oh no, I'm being too selfish here."

"You still have three years of high school remaining, so you could take your time finding out. If you're still troubled, then I

won't necessarily stand aside idly."

Chitanda slowly shook her head. "I wish to remember what happened that day with my uncle before he dies. I wish to find out before his funeral why my uncle had told me something that he could not take back, and what it was that he told me."

"Before he dies?"

What a strange way of describing a person. A dead person would already be dead, while a missing person isn't exactly dead.

...Wait!

That's right; people who have gone missing are dead.