Chapter 16: The Culprit

Houtarou's Perspective

We have already settled down after Yuigahama's cries have been answered. We are discussing about the person that is the culprit for the photo. That is after all our objective in the long run. We started interrogating Yuigahama if she has any idea who might have been the person.

"As far as I know, I was surprised when the photo came up. I didn't know somebody is also there."

"Is Hayato involved in your plan Yuigahama?" Hikigaya asked her.

"Yeah, but that is only to get you to the front of the gate. After that, I didn't see him neither have I messaged him." She softly has spoken to us. I was putting together the pieces after I met her yesterday. When Chitanda and I were strolling in the mall, she asked me to find the cause of the problem. Yesterday, I asked her to let me on the situation of Hikigaya and Yukinoshita. She made a call to me and from there I heard everything from their perspective.

For Yuigahama, she is very down when she is rejected by Hikigaya. She had her eyes on him since 1st year, hence making the phrases about her being there for him since the start. I knew she had other thing hidden like about why Yukinoshita-san did run out from Hikigaya. Another is why did she tried to evade my questions when I met her yesterday. When I saw her, she denied at first that she is alone. The second time is that she is with friends and she is discussing something with them. I didn't press her on from that, I knew. She is lying…

"Have you talked to him today Yuigahama-san?"

"No… I turned my phone off after I learned that the picture is already sent…"

Right now, I have a suspect as to whom it may be. But to confirm it is another thing…

"Hikigaya, can we meet with him today?" I asked the man in front of me, using his contact to gather some information.

"I can try calling for him. But what should be the excuse so that he will not have any arguments?"

"Just tell him that I sent you two. I'm sure that he will cooperate with us." Yuigahama cheerfully said to us. Hikigaya made the call to Hayama and made an appointment to the park where both talked before.

"We'll be going then."

"Ehh… Why can't we all go there?" Chitanda pouted at us, eager to know more about who might have been the person.

"Eru, it will be better if there is lesser person to go so that Hayama will not be pressured. Plus, he might get the wrong idea. I don't want that to slip." Rest assured that I will only interrogate him only… Nothing more… I thought to myself. And with that, Chitanda finally agreed to let us go. We are pretty silent on our exit to the building. When we made sure that the girls didn't followed us, we both started talking…

"What is Hayama to you Hikigaya?"

"Ehh… He is someone that I don't consider to be a friend. He is useful at times. And anybody falls into his charismatic zone. I don't like him personally. But I don't hate him also…"

"Hmm… Is that so…" So, there is a possibility…

We arrived at the park a little early. Assuming that the soccer club just finished their practice, Hayama should be on his way right now. When he does, he was a little out of breath, tired from their practice. Hikigaya stood to buy some drinks for the three of us. While Hikigaya is out of the hearing range…

"Hayama-san…"

"Please, just call me Hayato. There is no need to be formal with me. We are classmates after all."

"Then, Hayato. Where are you yesterday after you called out to Hikigaya?"

"I was at the soccer practice. Yesterday and today were hellish. We have an exhibition match before the cultural festival coming up."

"Have you heard anything about the photo of Hikigaya and Yuigahama going around?"

"I only received the picture, but any information about who might have sent it is none." He only smiled at us, looking willing on his intent to help us. Hikigaya returned to us with the drinks. He had three MAX Coffee in his hands, and he gave us each one of it.

"The shot was pretty good too. It was a blind side from where we could see any flash." Hikigaya started to talk as if hearing our topic right now.

"I don't think much about it, but I think someone out there is trying to destroy your reputation to Yukinoshita's family." Hayama intervened while taking a sip of his cold coffee.

"Come to think of it, how are you and Chitanda-san, Oreki-san?" He now redirected the talk towards me.

"Well we are friends from the same school. Come to think of it, she is also my former club president."

"Ah… Is that so? I guess some rumors only add some fact, but not some answers. Is that all you need to ask of me guys?"

"Yeah… Thanks for your cooperation Hayato."

"Sure, anytime." And with that we went separate sides of the park.

"Hikigaya, what does Hayato thinks of you?"

"Hmm… He said about his inferiority complex to me is bothering him."

"Inferiority complex?" I curiously looked at him.

"It was last year when he started to develop it. I was there doing things he couldn't have done so for others. He was amazed at me, and when there was a time that I showed my own way of doing things, he then pitied me for it. I didn't asked for his pittances. But he said that he wanted to equal to me, for his own sake…"

From there I only remained silent. We parted ways so that Hikigaya can go home and rest. I moved along my normal pacing. I reached home just in time that Aneki came back. She is now preparing dinner when she told me that I can take a bath first. I was relieving my body some stress. But I didn't forgotten Chitanda's wish to know. I pieced all of the fragments I have.

Starting with the picture, for sure it would be that someone who resented Hikigaya. Another is someone that cared for Yuigahama to stalk her to that place and take that picture without them knowing. If I separate this two entities I can have a different answer for each. Next is why…

If someone out there wanted to destroy Hikigaya's reputation to Yukinoshita's family, they should have sent it to their email instead of the school body only. That means, they didn't want to damage their reputations also as a conspirator of the photo. That is why sending it to the school is a better option. Next is if there is an ulterior motive for them to do so. One: If they want to prove something or destroy someone… Two: They are planned, and they wanted to obtain an answer…

Someone like Yuigahama Yui, would definitely have a crush on. She is a beautiful girl after all. Let's say, if that person suddenly stalked her and took that photo, the photo can be used to blackmail her to date him. Yet the photo was released publicly, means that person has no intention of doing so or that they are scared to do so.

I was engrossed in my thought while bathing that I was in there now for 15 minutes. Aneki suddenly entered the bathroom to check upon me if I have fallen asleep.

"Houtarou? Are you awake? I have been calling for you for the last three minutes."

"Yeah. Just thinking a little bit…" Then it occurred to me. What if the person that sent the photo, wanted to convey something? After going out of the bath, my objectives are finally set. I have to call Isshiki Iroha, Yuigahma Yui, and Hikigaya Komachi.

The pieces are finally in place…