7/24/12

HYOUKA: Classic Cases

My second fic for the Hyouka fandom. This idea was stuck in my head for awhile, and I just have to write it down. This is not beta'd, so if anyone can help, please do. If not, then please just add recommendations or corrections to spice up my writing :D

Prologue: "The Manager's Death" Case

Why an I doing this? I have no intention to do this job.

"Oreki, who did it? Just tell us!" I can hear Ibara hollering across the room. Anyways, back to the topic. I could have done done a different job. Heck, I could have been a lifeguard, if there were no problems at all. Yet, why this job?

I can't change the past; no one can. I guess I can blame my sis, since she was the one who recommended this to me.

I hear myself speaking in an arrogant tone. "You guys still don't get it? Everything I stated earlier removes everyone but one person."

Ultimately, I have to blame myself.

I calmly pointed at the rather small lady who seems to be in a surprised state. "It's you, isn't it? Tachibana."

I wonder...why did I decide to become a detective?

[x]

Everyone seemed to be surprised about my deduction. Ibara's voice raised a bit and demanded, "Oreki! How do you explain this?"

Let us go back. The deceased man, Ichirou-san, invited a couple of friends to celebrate his promotion. There were three people who were invited: Togata, Tachibana, and Akamatsu. Everyone except Akamatsu entered Ichirou-san's room; Akamatsu went to buy grocery for the party. The guest rooms were on the second floor, while Ichirou-san's room is on the ground floor.

I took a deep breath before staring my long explanation. "Akamatsu is obviously out, since the time of death matches the receipt from the supermarket. So that means it's either Togata or Tachibana. Ichirou-san was found in his locked room. Someone was in there while the door was locked."

"How?" Ibara interjected.

"Someone could have lied about sleeping," I continued. "They could have easily hid in his room while he was occupied. Anyways, Ichirou's room was extremely dark room, making it easier to hide in a dark jacket. You killed him in his sleep; that's why there were no signs of struggle."

I could hear the culprit's harsh breathing.

Checkmate.

I continued, "Tachibana, you could have escaped via window without anyone knowing and entered the neighboring window since everyone was sleeping upstairs."

"H-hey!" The culprit exclaimed. "Your theory works with Togata-san, too! He could've hidden dark clothing and do the same thing!"

"I didn't do it!" Togata rejected.

"I have evidence," I replied. I pulled out a plastic bag from my inside pocket. The plastic bag contained a strip of cloth that was discovered in the neighboring window.

Already understand what's happening?

"Tachibana, this was found in as window. This is the only type of cloth that was found in the house. If we were to investigate the materials of this cloth and your jacket that you're wearing, this is proof that you are the murderer."

I feel the need for a beverage right now.

Finally, the perpetrator gave in. Tachibana did not resist and explained her motive. She was then taken away for more questioning to complete this case.

Ibara Mayaka and I are detectives for the police of the Kamiyama Prefecture. She wanted justice and peace for this small community, while I just want to have some peace and quiet. What I like about this job is the lack of energy I have to use. Solving these cases are like major exercises for my normal gray-matter brain. The case earlier is my third case finished-up-to-date, as murders here are extremely rare to see here. Minor cases, such as robbery or lost items are handled by a different group.

A couple of hours passed since I have solved a case, an I'm still exhausted. At last, I reach my small desk and sat down in a tired position. I heavily breathe as I try to catch the new air in my mouth.

Ibara came afterwards with an annoyed face. "Oreki, you didn't do anything, so why are you tired?"

"The summer heat got me," I simply replied. What's worse is that I have to file a report about the "Manager's Death" Case. Great.

Ibara placed her hands on her hips. "Oreki, you better finish that report, unlike last time. I don't want to do your dirty work again." I just nodded and then proceeded to start this dreadful report. Now, I have to write everything in detail: the time, date, location, and other important stuff about the case. But I have to do this quickly.

As my motto states: If I don't have to, I won't. If I have to, make it quick.

That means I won't aimlessly waste my energy like randomly catching a criminal. Using the mind uses less energy, and much more efficient. All I have to do is to find the criminal and write a report about it. Everything else is someone else's job.

Rinse and repeat.

This lifestyle isn't horrible. And I'm not praising this gray life at all. However, I can say this:

—Being a detective isn't boring.

As I think about this, I continue to finish this report to send to the higher-ups.

Click.

...?

It seems that this pen ran out of ink. The utensil is no use to me anymore, and I threw it away. As I search for another pen, I can hear footsteps. Light, timid footsteps, but loud enough to hear.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

I never heard these type of steps before. It sounds... foreign.

"Ah...hello." A soothing voice, but I ignored it. I have to find a pen.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Chitanda Eru."

I open up all the drawers and rummaged though the boxes and papers inside.

Chitanda...? That surname sounds familiar.

"From this day forth, I will be a part of the group so..."

I finally found one. Before I went to get the pen, something told me to look up. I don't know why, but I just did.

"...please take care of me!" A bow from this person.

And I looked up to see this young lady's curious eyes looking down at me.

[No evidence needed.]

Yes, this is AU. I never read any detective novels (in fact, my Sherlock Holmes book was left untouched until this day) and I only saw Detective Conan and some live action shows that involve crime. So I'm not sure if this is 'realistic' in a way. Of course, not every chapter is going to be a case like Conan lol, I want to make it similar to the original novels, where there is no huge deal about something (excluding murder), and the usual slice of life stuff.

Hold on for the next chapter...!

~NazoLuk3