Chapter 8: Looking for Miho, part 3
Meanwhile, the Kuromorimine patrol had arrived near Lake Suijin. Maho carefully observed the immense body of water, fearing to notice the corpse of her younger sister floating inertly. Luckily she didn't see it.
"Let's split up: we have to search the shores of the lake. Erika, you come with me!"
The blonde nodded.
"Ja, Kommandant!"
Maho, in the company of Erika and Koume, began walking along the lake shore, walking from right to left. The three girls were looking in three different directions: Maho towards the waters of the lake, Erika towards the nearby trees, Koume in front of her.
Usually would-be suicides hang themselves or fill themselves with medicines until they die of an overdose... Could Miho instead have chosen drowning?
Nishizumi senior wondered, anguished.
She hadn't seen any boats around, but Miho was an excellent swimmer, and she could have swum far enough from shore to then take the final step. She clenched her fists.
Kuso, I feel helpless… My sister is here somewhere, ready to commit suicide (if she hasn't already) and I can only wander around hoping to find her!
After a few minutes Koume exclaimed, pointing in front of them:
"Watch!"
Both Erika and Maho saw something in the distance, a green and white blur lying on the ground.
"Let's check!" The blonde said.
After a short run Maho, Erika and Koume reached the mysterious object, which was none other than a high school uniform, white blouse and green skirt, plus a pair of brown shoes.
"It must be Miho's uniform…" Erika guessed.
She looked out over the lake.
"Ja… Miho undressed herself, then she dived into the lake. She most likely chose suicide by drowning."
"Wait a second… Who can guarantee that that is Miho's uniform? Couldn't it be someone else's?" Koume objected.
Erika turned to her.
"It could… But what are the chances that more high school girls chose to come here to die?"
Meanwhile, Maho knelt in front of her school uniform: she observed it carefully, then she too looked at the lake.
Is it really like that? This is what's left of my little sister?
She wondered, her eyes shining.
"In any case, there is no need to despair! We found the clothes, not the body!" Koume said again, avoiding using the word corpse.
Erika shot her a dirty look.
"And where could she have gone in her underwear?" She asked.
Koume hesitated at first, then said:
"I have no idea. But we have to continue the search!"
The Kuromorimine vice-commander started to reply, but she was interrupted by the ringing of a cell phone. Turning to Maho, she saw her stand up and reach for her smartphone. The latter chose the green icon and said:
"Hai?"
"…"
Erika and Koume saw her nod.
"Arigato."
With that she hung up, and she turned to them, with renewed determination.
"The University Select Team is camping nearby. Maybe they saw Miho…" She said, with a hint of hope.
The two girls reacted differently: if Koume exuded optimism from every pore, Erika remained sceptical.
"And thereby? It is not at all certain that they have met her." She said.
Maho nodded.
"You have. But we have to try. Akaboshi, alert the other search parties!" She ordered.
Enthusiastically, the brunette nodded, grabbing her walkie talkie.