Chapter 29: The News About the Missing Coach

The morning at school began as usual. Students were bustling through the corridors, discussing the latest gossip and preparing for their lessons. But this time, the atmosphere was tense. The homeroom teacher entered the class with a serious expression. He stopped at the board, gathered the students' attention, and began to speak.

"Dear students," he began, "I have an important announcement. This concerns our basketball coach, Chang Wo, and his family. Unfortunately, they have gone missing."

A tense silence hung in the classroom. The students exchanged glances, unsure how to react to the news.

"We don't know what happened," the teacher continued. "The police are already working on the case, but if any of you saw anything suspicious or know something that could help, please let us know."

At the back of the classroom, Ming You sat, his emotionless face betraying no feelings. He knew his behavior might raise suspicion, but right now, he just wanted the whole situation to pass quickly. So, he professionally put on the same expression as his classmates—slightly worried, but still with a hint of indifference.

"It's fucked up," Haru Lin whispered to his neighbor. "What the hell?"

"I don't know," came the reply with a shrug. "Maybe they went away for the weekend?"

"Hardly," added Lu Shen, smirking. "If they left, they would have left a note. Maybe the coach just ran away from us?"

"Lu, now's not the time for jokes," Haru Lin said sternly, though a slight smile was in his voice.

"What if he's hiding from debts?" Jung Ho chimed in, unable to suppress a laugh. "That would make sense."

"Enough," Ming You interrupted, trying to sound serious. "We need to focus on the training. If someone knows something, they should speak up. But we shouldn't make foolish assumptions."

"Alright," Jung Ho agreed, though his voice was uncertain. "But still, this is weird. Why did he and his family just disappear?"

The homeroom teacher finished his announcement and left the classroom. In the corridor, a police officer and the club manager, San Liu, were already waiting. They were discussing something with the teacher.

"We need to talk to the basketball team members," the officer said, looking at the group of students. "If any of you have seen the coach or his family, please let us know."

Ming You felt nothing, as though he hadn't been touched by the conversation. He knew there was no place for emotions here.

"We don't know anything," Hong Ren said, leaning back in his chair. "I didn't even know he had a family."

"Seriously?" Haru Lin exclaimed, raising an eyebrow. "He always left with his family after practice."

"I don't know," Hong Ren answered with a shrug. "I just didn't pay attention."

The officer nodded, writing something in his notebook. The club manager, San Liu, stepped closer.

"If any of you remember something, please let us know," he said to everyone. "We all want the coach and his family to return as soon as possible."

After the announcement, the students went about their business. Ming You, Jung Ho, Lu Shen, Hong Ren and Haru Lin headed to the locker room. The atmosphere inside was tense, and each of them understood that the situation wasn't simple.

"Don't you think this is weird?" Ming You asked, trying to divert attention from himself. "It's pretty strange that the coach and his family just disappeared." He said this with his usual lack of emotion, staying true to his nature.

"Maybe they really went away for the weekend or are hiding from debts?" Jung Ho suggested, though his voice sounded unsure.

"Hardly," Haru Lin replied. "I think something's off here."

"Maybe it's something from his past?" Lu Shen chimed in, winking. "Or maybe he really didn't want to coach us anymore after the rookie incident?"

Ming You involuntarily smirked. Lu Shen always knew when to make a jab.

"Let's not forget that we're all on the same team," Ming You said, his voice sounding confident. "We need to focus on training. We can't afford to be distracted."

"Alright," Jung Ho agreed. "But what will we do without a coach? We need someone to lead us, like you."

Ming You felt the weight of new responsibility. He knew that if he didn't propose a solution, suspicions might fall on him.

"Maybe we should talk to San Liu?" he suggested. "He should have more information."

"Good idea," Jung Ho agreed. "Let's go talk to him."

The team made its way to the club manager's office, San Liu. This time, the atmosphere was even more tense than usual. Soon, they entered San Liu's office.

The manager was sitting at his desk, going through documents. When he saw them, his face immediately became serious.

"What's going on, guys? Did you remember anything about the coach?" he asked, putting down the papers and looking at their slightly worried faces.

"We heard about the missing coach," Ming You began, speaking calmly. "We wanted to know if you had any news."

San Liu sighed and shook his head.

"Not yet. The police are working on it," he said, looking at them with understanding. "But I understand this is important to you. How do you feel about it?"

"We'd like you to temporarily appoint someone in his place," Jung Ho suggested. "Maybe Ming You? He's the best fit for the position."

Lu Shen, standing nearby, winked at Jung Ho.

"Yeah, yeah, let Ming You be the coach! We all know he's the biggest strategy nerd here, not to mention his strength in the game."

Ming You ignored his jab, but San Liu seemed to consider the suggestion.

"You know, I'm not opposed to temporarily appointing someone," he said, looking at Ming You. "Since everyone is for you, I have no objections."

"No problem," Ming You said emotionlessly.

"Great!" San Liu beamed. "Then work together until the situation clarifies."

After the conversation with the manager, the team left his office and headed towards the school gym for training.

Meanwhile, in the police department, there was a tense atmosphere. Xin Shi, a young investigator with tied black hair and a perceptive gaze, sat at her desk, sorting through documents. Her thoughts were focused on the disappearance of the school's basketball coach and his student, So Ho. She knew these events couldn't be coincidental.

Lao Han, a man with short black hair and empty, soulless eyes, entered the office. His face showed concentration, and he immediately noticed something was off with Xin Shi.

"Xin Shi, you look upset," he observed, sitting on the edge of the desk.

"I'm just thinking about the situation," she replied, putting down the documents and meeting his gaze. "The disappearance of the coach and So Ho... it's not just a coincidence. His sister, So Yeon, also disappeared. This all looks suspicious."

Lao Han nodded, his face remaining serious.

"I think so too. These three cases are not just random disappearances. I've already connected them. I have a theory."

Xin Shi raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"What's your theory?"

"I think they're dead," he said, his voice sounding confident. "A psychopath is walking free, and we have no evidence to catch him. This guy is probably a professional at what he does."

Xin Shi felt a chill run down her spine.

"Dead? That's a pretty serious accusation, Lao Han. We have no proof."

"But we have a link to the Yoshido school," he continued, ignoring her doubts. "Most likely, the coach had a conflict with someone on the team. That could have led to an altercation. And So Ho and his sister might have become victims of that conflict."

"But why them?" Xin Shi asked, trying to understand his logic. "It doesn't make sense. Why would a maniac target them?"

Lao Han leaned forward, his eyes gleaming.

"Because they were vulnerable. So Ho is a perceptive teenager, based on his parents' descriptions. And his sister could have been a victim to apply pressure on him. This might be part of a bigger plan, or worse, she might have been a victim of rape."

Xin Shi sighed, trying to process his words.

"Do you think one of the students could be involved? That sounds too radical."

"Why not?" he replied, his voice full of certainty. "Fear of losing their place on the team or in society could make people do horrible things. I don't rule out the possibility that one of them could be involved."

"I don't agree with that," she said, shaking her head. "I'm more suspicious of the manager. He has a motive to get rid of them. If the team loses key players, he could simply replace them and keep his position."

Lao Han narrowed his eyes.

"The manager? That's a serious accusation. But we have no evidence that he could go that far."

"But he has access to the team," she insisted. "He could have manipulated the situation to eliminate those who aren't loyal to him or who are unnecessary."

"Or maybe he just doesn't know what's going on," Lao Han countered. "I'm not sure he's capable of such a thing. But if you're right, we'll need to talk to him. But there's one catch—we don't have a single lead or connection, so he might just refuse to talk to us, and we won't be able to do anything."

Xin Shi nodded, realizing they needed to act quickly.

"Okay, in that case, we also need to talk to the players. They won't be as concerned with the law, plus we'll just talk. And maybe one of them noticed something strange."

Lao Han leaned forward again, his face serious.

"And if any of them is truly involved, we need to be careful. We might be dealing with something terrible."

Xin Shi felt the tension growing inside her.

"We have to be on alert. If it's really a psychopath, he may have his own motives. Maybe he wants to be recognized or loved."

"Or it could be an obsession," Lao Han added. "We don't know what's in his mind. But one thing is certain: we need to act as quickly as possible."