existed like Kotobuki said?
With an intelligent look in her eyes, Tohko said, “Mito’s story definitely resembles the Phantom of the Opera. The real-life operas Faust and Don Juan appear in the Phantom of the Opera , too.
“But if we’re assuming that this disappearance is like the one in the Phantom of the Opera , then there’s a major hint you guys missed.”
“What do you mean?”
I placed my hands on the table and leaned forward.
“Why hasn’t Mito been dropped from the lead in the recital? If she’s missed ten days of rehearsals without permission, that’s strange. I know people are saying that she’s taking special lessons in secret or that she’s got a powerful backer, but I think there has to be pressure coming from somewhere.
“That person must be confident that she’ll appear in the actual show, right? In Phantom of the Opera , the Phantom threatens the opera’s owner and puts his beloved Christine onstage as the stand-in for the diva Carlotta. In order to do that, the Phantom changes Carlotta’s voice to that of a toad, and he even sabotages a performance.”
“Are you saying Mito’s supporter is the Phantom—her angel?”
Tohko nodded, her face serious.
“There is that possibility. There’s a limited number of people in a position to interfere with the casting. A teacher at the school, someone in the administration…whoever it is, that person might know Mito’s whereabouts.”
My breath caught.
“Well, Konoha?” Tohko asked. “Are you going to look into it?”
Every other time, she had said, “This is a top-priority investigation, Konoha!” and flown off without the least concern for my situation.
Pursing her lips, her gaze bright, she waited for my reply with great patience, like an older sister watching over the disappointment of a younger brother.
Her eyes said, “You decide, Konoha.”
My heart swelled, and my insecurity and hesitation rose up in my throat, competing with my desire to push ahead.
What more could I possibly do? I hadn’t even told Kotobuki yet that Mito might have been an escort.
But…
With Tohko watching me like this, I no longer wanted to turn my back on this. If I did, things would be the same as they had always been.
I got my breathing under control and answered, “Yes.”
Instantly, Tohko’s face broke into a smile.
Her lips curved upward sweetly, gently, as if light were melting out of her.
She popped her index finger against my forehead; then in a bright voice. Tohko said, “Oookay! This is a top-priority investigation, Konoha.”
“Please go home, Tohko.”
“Whaaa—? Why? ”
I was heading to the music hall on campus; behind me, Tohko shook her head petulantly and chased after me.
“You’re going to see Maki, right? Then it’s definitely better if I go with you.”
“I can’t let someone studying for their exams pose nude and catch a cold. Please go home and study.”
“So you’re going to get naked, then? You’re going to pose nude?”
“That’s not what I—”
“I can’t let my precious snack writer—I mean, my underclassman—fall into Maki’s grasp.”
“But, Tohko, didn’t you send me as a messenger before because you didn’t want to see Maki yourself?”
“I just so happened to have an engagement I couldn’t get out of that day.”
While still butting heads, we ended up reaching the hall in the central yard.
In her personal workroom on the top floor of the music hall, Maki Himekura, aka the Princess, heard us out with a bemused smile.
“And which of you is going to strip for me? Tohko? Or perhaps Konoha?”
She was wearing a work apron over her school uniform and held a paintbrush in one hand.
Her long brown hair was wavy and encircled her face like a mane, then flowed down her back. Maki, who was also tall and voluptuous with glamorous features befitting the name Princess, was the granddaughter of the school’s director. She knew everything and could get ahold of
With an intelligent look in her eyes, Tohko said, “Mito’s story definitely resembles the Phantom of the Opera. The real-life operas Faust and Don Juan appear in the Phantom of the Opera , too.
“But if we’re assuming that this disappearance is like the one in the Phantom of the Opera , then there’s a major hint you guys missed.”
“What do you mean?”
I placed my hands on the table and leaned forward.
“Why hasn’t Mito been dropped from the lead in the recital? If she’s missed ten days of rehearsals without permission, that’s strange. I know people are saying that she’s taking special lessons in secret or that she’s got a powerful backer, but I think there has to be pressure coming from somewhere.
“That person must be confident that she’ll appear in the actual show, right? In Phantom of the Opera , the Phantom threatens the opera’s owner and puts his beloved Christine onstage as the stand-in for the diva Carlotta. In order to do that, the Phantom changes Carlotta’s voice to that of a toad, and he even sabotages a performance.”
“Are you saying Mito’s supporter is the Phantom—her angel?”
Tohko nodded, her face serious.
“There is that possibility. There’s a limited number of people in a position to interfere with the casting. A teacher at the school, someone in the administration…whoever it is, that person might know Mito’s whereabouts.”
My breath caught.
“Well, Konoha?” Tohko asked. “Are you going to look into it?”
Every other time, she had said, “This is a top-priority investigation, Konoha!” and flown off without the least concern for my situation.
Pursing her lips, her gaze bright, she waited for my reply with great patience, like an older sister watching over the disappointment of a younger brother.
Her eyes said, “You decide, Konoha.”
My heart swelled, and my insecurity and hesitation rose up in my throat, competing with my desire to push ahead.
What more could I possibly do? I hadn’t even told Kotobuki yet that Mito might have been an escort.
But…
With Tohko watching me like this, I no longer wanted to turn my back on this. If I did, things would be the same as they had always been.
I got my breathing under control and answered, “Yes.”
Instantly, Tohko’s face broke into a smile.
Her lips curved upward sweetly, gently, as if light were melting out of her.
She popped her index finger against my forehead; then in a bright voice. Tohko said, “Oookay! This is a top-priority investigation, Konoha.”
“Please go home, Tohko.”
“Whaaa—? Why? ”
I was heading to the music hall on campus; behind me, Tohko shook her head petulantly and chased after me.
“You’re going to see Maki, right? Then it’s definitely better if I go with you.”
“I can’t let someone studying for their exams pose nude and catch a cold. Please go home and study.”
“So you’re going to get naked, then? You’re going to pose nude?”
“That’s not what I—”
“I can’t let my precious snack writer—I mean, my underclassman—fall into Maki’s grasp.”
“But, Tohko, didn’t you send me as a messenger before because you didn’t want to see Maki yourself?”
“I just so happened to have an engagement I couldn’t get out of that day.”
While still butting heads, we ended up reaching the hall in the central yard.
In her personal workroom on the top floor of the music hall, Maki Himekura, aka the Princess, heard us out with a bemused smile.
“And which of you is going to strip for me? Tohko? Or perhaps Konoha?”
She was wearing a work apron over her school uniform and held a paintbrush in one hand.
Her long brown hair was wavy and encircled her face like a mane, then flowed down her back. Maki, who was also tall and voluptuous with glamorous features befitting the name Princess, was the granddaughter of the school’s director. She knew everything and could get ahold of