A Rainy Day Scandal
The wind felt especially cold that day.
Looking back, it was probably because rain was on the way.
I should hurry back...
I left later than usual after taking care of work for the Journey.
The route back was the same as always, and nothing felt particularly ominous.
But then...
...Huh?
How in the world did this happen...?
He was perfectly fine just yesterday, wasn't he?
Oh dear... How did it come to this...?
A murmuring crowd had gathered along one side of the alley.
And there, among them...
Stood the Professor, coldly staring down at something.
That's... the Professor?
...Hmm?
Professor, what are you doing here?
Why are you here?
...No, that isn't particularly important.
What lies ahead isn't a pleasant sight. You'd be better off keeping your distance.
What do you—
Urgh?!
Despite the Professor's cold warning, I ended up seeing it.
A body lying motionless, facedown in something red.
...I see you aren't accustomed to sights like this.
Of course I'm not!
Besides, anyone can tell this is...
Hmm. That's unexpected. I thought you of all people would have experienced a scene like this, Captain.
In any case... We should move somewhere else.
Town guard coming through! Please step back!
As of this moment, this crime scene is under our control!
...It appears things are about to become rather noisy.
Fortunately, my lab is nearby.
We can take shelter from the rain and dry our clothes there.
Though I'm guessing what you're likely most curious about...
Is an explanation of what just happened.
Were you there from the beginning?
No. I came upon it just as you did.
People had gathered in the alley, so I went over to see what the fuss was all about.
I believe I arrived about five minutes before you.
...I see.
The victim was a middle-aged man.
From what I heard, he ran a small glass workshop.
He apparently spoke little and looked rather intimidating...
But those who actually spoke with him said he didn't seem like the sort to make enemies or cause trouble.
...Of course, I merely overheard the crowd, so I can't vouch for that information.
Everything was so chaotic that I didn't get a good look...
What was the scene like?
It's difficult to say for certain based solely on what I saw...
But I suspect the victim was attacked.
Attacked?
Did you happen to see the wall near the victim?
The scene was chaotic and the rain had begun to fall, so you may not have noticed...
The blood spatter on the wall ran in a direction possible only if the victim was attacked from behind.
Judging by the wound, the weapon appears to have been a sharp implement, such as a knife...
And the wound itself was also on the victim's back.
Its shape suggests the attacker was likely left-handed.
Naturally, we'd need to examine the wound's depth and internal shape.
This is merely a deduction based on what I saw, after all.
But it's still credible information.
Shouldn't we tell the Town Guard?
Hmm...
No, I have no intention of doing so.
...What? Why not?
The Professor took a teacup and tea bag from the cupboard.
With calm, measured movements, she brewed the tea and held the cup in her left hand.
...Was she used to situations like this, or did she simply feel nothing about it?
I told you, did I not?
All of these deductions are based only on what I saw.
Baseless deductions, especially from someone with no investigative authority, could easily create confusion.
And more importantly...
Why should I?
...
To prevent crime and contribute to social stability?
Or perhaps to play the hero and enjoy the sense of fulfillment?
Ah, I see.
I could also cite something called a moral conscience.
Her words didn't sound as straightforward as they appeared.
It almost felt as though she meant that a moral conscience didn't exist at all.
No matter how I look at it...
You're a little different, Professor.
Fufu. Is that how you see me?
But that doesn't make you strange.
Being different doesn't mean being wrong.
...What an interesting thing to say.
It sounds as though you intend to fix me... Or am I reading too much into it?
No, I won't try to fix you.
I'll try to understand you.
You intend to... understand me?
Fufu. Fufufu...
I see. My judgment wasn't mistaken.
My expectations for you have grown considerably, Captain.
Your promise to try to understand me... I'll remember it.
Until the very end of the Journey.
The place where the Professor had touched me felt strangely cold.
But just then, as if it had all been staged, the heavy rain ceased instantly.
...It was time to return.