Shadows on the Lens

Kudo Shinichi and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stepped into SIVCAMERA, a cramped electronics shop near the dorms, the air thick with the hum of machinery and the faint scent of solder. The flickering neon sign outside cast jagged shadows across the cluttered shelves, amplifying the unease Kudo felt as he clutched Sakura's broken camera. The lens had shattered when she'd dropped it earlier, and time was running out to recover the photos that could save Sudou. Behind the counter stood Yukitsu, a wiry man with greasy black hair and a grin that didn't reach his eyes. His gaze locked onto the camera, then darted to Kudo, recognition sparking in his expression.

"Well, well," Yukitsu said, his voice oily and overly familiar. "That's hers, isn't it? Sakura-chan's little treasure." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter, his fingers twitching like he could already feel the device in his hands.

Kudo kept his composure, holding up the camera. "It needs fixing. Lens is cracked, and we're short on time. Can you handle it?"

Yukitsu snatched it from Kudo's grasp with unsettling eagerness, his fingers lingering over the broken lens as if caressing it. "Oh, I can fix it," he murmured, turning it over. "She's got a gift, that girl. Always snapping those pretty pictures. I've seen 'em—on her blog, you know. Shizuku-chan's a star." His eyes flicked up, gleaming with a disturbing intensity. "She ever mention me?"

Kudo blinked, caught off guard by the name. "Shizuku?" He glanced at Ayanokoji, whose expression remained blank but whose eyes narrowed slightly in confusion. "Who's that?"

Yukitsu's grin widened, a predatory edge to it. "Oh, you don't know? That's her—Sakura-chan. My Shizuku-chan. She's an idol online, didn't you know? Hides it well, but I see her for what she is." He chuckled, a low, grating sound that sent a chill down Kudo's spine.

Ayanokoji's gaze sharpened, though his voice stayed even. "You seem to know a lot about her."

Yukitsu ignored the comment, tracing the camera's edge with a reverent touch. "Shy little thing, isn't she? Comes in here sometimes, all nervous. I've told her she's special—my favorite customer." He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "You've got the memory card, right? I could peek at her latest shots. Make sure they're… safe."

Kudo's patience thinned, his voice sharpening as he pushed past his confusion. "No need. Just fix it."

The clerk's grin faltered, but he pressed on. "Come on, I'm good with her stuff. Could save you the trouble. She'd thank me for it—"

"Fix. The. Camera," Ayanokoji cut in, his tone flat but carrying a quiet menace. His eyes met Yukitsu's, unblinking, and the clerk froze under the weight of that stare.

After a tense beat, Yukitsu muttered something under his breath and shuffled to the back, camera in hand. Kudo exhaled, glancing at Ayanokoji. "Shizuku? An idol? Did you know about this?"

Ayanokoji shook his head slightly. "No. She's kept it hidden. But it explains why he's so fixated."

"He's dangerous," Kudo said quietly, his mind racing. "We need to warn her—after we get those photos."

They settled into rickety chairs near the counter, the wait stretching into an uncomfortable silence. Kudo's thoughts churned—Yukitsu's obsession, Sakura's secret identity—it was a complication they hadn't anticipated. They'd have to tread carefully, but first, they needed the camera fixed.

Finally, Yukitsu returned, holding the repaired camera with a smug grin. "Good as new," he said, handing it over, his fingers brushing Kudo's deliberately. "Tell my Shizuku-chan I fixed it special for her. Maybe she'll stop by to thank me."

Kudo checked the camera quickly—lens intact, screen functional—and pocketed it without a word, tossing the payment onto the counter. "Let's go," he said to Ayanokoji, already heading for the door.

"Tell her I'm her biggest fan!" Yukitsu called after them, his voice dripping with false cheer. "She'll see me soon!"

Kudo didn't respond, stepping into the evening air with a shiver. Ayanokoji followed, casting a final glance back at the shop. "We need to keep an eye on him," he said quietly.

"Agreed," Kudo muttered.

–

The basketball courts were quiet under the lengthening shadows as Kudo and Ayanokoji approached Horikita Suzune. She stood near the sidelines, arms crossed, her foot tapping an impatient rhythm. Her sharp gaze zeroed in on the camera as they neared.

"Is it fixed?" she asked, skipping pleasantries.

Kudo powered it on briefly, showing the restored lens. "Yeah, but the clerk—Yukitsu—was a creep. Kept going on about Sakura, calling her 'Shizuku.' Apparently, she's some kind of online idol. We had no idea."

Horikita's expression darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line. "An idol? That's… unexpected. We'll address it later, but there's something else. Ichinose Honami-san from Class B approached me with her classmate Kanzak-kuni. They're offering help with Sudou's case, and they brought another student with them."

Kudo's brows shot up. "Class B?"

"They claim it's about fairness," Horikita said, her tone skeptical. "Ichinose said she doesn't like seeing Class C targeted unjustly. They want to meet."

Ayanokoji tilted his head, his voice calm. "Ichinose is known for helping others. Could be genuine."

"Maybe," Kudo said, crossing his arms. "But I don't buy charity without strings. We should hear them out."

Horikita nodded. "I've set it up. They're waiting near the dorms. Let's go."

They walked in silence, reaching a small courtyard where Ichinose Honami stood with Kanzaki Ryūji and a third student. Ichinose's warm smile contrasted with Kanzaki's calm, collected demeanor, while the third student—a girl with long, dark hair that shimmered with a faint silver undertone—stood slightly apart, her presence striking yet understated. Her red eyes gleamed with an intensity that belied her calm expression, and she wore the standard ANHS student uniform: a red blazer, white shirt, green tie, and pleated skirt, with a ruby pendant necklace resting against her chest, adding a touch of elegance.

"Hey, Horikita-san! Kudo-kun, Ayanokoji-kun," Ichinose greeted brightly. "We heard about Sudou-kun's trouble. It doesn't sit right with me—Class D ganging up like that. We want to help." She gestured to her companions. "This is Kanzaki Ryūji, and this is Kamiya Yoru. She's usually pretty quiet, so I was surprised when she offered to help too."

Kanzaki gave a curt nod, his expression impassive, clearly present out of obligation rather than enthusiasm. Kamiya Yoru stepped forward with a polite nod, her voice soft but steady. "I don't like seeing unfair fights. If there's anything I can do, I'd like to help."

Ichinose continued, her tone earnest. "We can vouch for Sudou's character if it comes to a hearing, or pool points to offset any penalty. Class B doesn't gain from your loss here." She paused, her smile turning a touch more strategic. "That said, we'd like to propose something in return. If we help you now, we'd appreciate an alliance with Class C in the future—mutual support when the time comes."

Horikita's eyes narrowed. "An alliance? That's your price?"

Ichinose raised her hands, her smile unwavering. "Not a price, Horikita-san—just a partnership. We're stronger together, don't you think?"

Kudo's gaze lingered on Kamiya Yoru, something about her presence felt… off. The intensity in her eyes was subtle, but his detective instincts prickled. Still, the offer seemed fair enough, even if it came with strings. "We'll consider it," he said. "But we're handling this our way first. If we need you, we'll call."

"Fair enough," Ichinose replied, unfazed. "Just let us know."

Kamiya Yoru gave a small smile, her red eyes glinting. "I hope it works out," she said simply, before stepping back to join her classmates.

As they parted ways, Horikita muttered, "I knew there'd be a catch."

"An alliance isn't the worst deal," Kudo said, his mind lingering on Kamiya Yoru. 

Something's off about her

–

The trial hall buzzed with tension as students filed in, the air thick with anticipation. Sudou sat at the front, his fists clenched, while Ishizaki, Komiya, and Kondou from Class D lounged across the room, smirking with false confidence, their teacher Sakagami-sensei standing nearby with a stern expression. Chabashira-sensei, Class C's homeroom teacher, stood to the side, her face unreadable, while Manabu Horikita, the student council president, oversaw the proceedings with an authoritative presence, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. Representatives from each class took their seats, and Kudo, Ayanokoji, and Horikita stood ready, the repaired camera tucked away—its photos unusable without risking Sakura's exposure. They'd need a new strategy.

The trial was about to begin.