PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT! YOU MUST MANUALLY SELECT TO OPT BACK INTO RECEIVING EMAIL ALERTS ON THE ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT PAGE TO CONTINUE RECEIVING UPDATES!

Review responses:

MagicxMusicxMelody - Even though writing this arc was tough, I'm glad that I made it work given the characters available to work with. Klaus's association to Sōryūjima will be revealed in another chapter (not this one).

CookieDecor22 - Take a deep breath and just accept the fact that the case is closed! Or you can react as emotionally as Alice did. Baron definitely deserves to be remembered for designing the map. Ah, Shun knows a lot of things, and this final arc is where he'll get to shine (more than Alice?).

pretty-on-point - Consider "swimming" highly recommended for initially entering the police academy! Otherwise, I can totally see Dan swallowing salt water by accident. Alice and her crew will visit Sōryūjima (twice) in this chapter, and there won't be any accidents. All of her investigations will be on the mainland.

Sugar Spice Rush - I specifically chose today (Lunar New Year) to update! I agree that "saved in my heart" is not the same as "unlock my heart". You're on to something about Doctor Michael sudden return at the same time as Klaus! (Who wants to see a jealous Shun again?)

Chapter 13: Lanterns in the Night

xXx

"I clearly underestimated how vast Sōryūjima is..."

"...and we still need to visit the other island."

Shun, Alice, Soon, and Runo rode the ferry to Sōryūjima on an early Saturday morning and disembarked toward the eastern island first. After splitting into pairs and searching through historical locations of interest during the morning, the quartet reconvened at a local campground store for lunch. "The four of us only covered half of East Sōryūjima today," the auburn-haired student clarified. "Much of the land we saw was relatively undisturbed."

"Who knew that treasure hunting would be so tough when there aren't any hints...?" the bluenette sighed.

"You guys are looking for hidden treasure too?" Approaching the quartet was a short boy with curly hair in a baseball cap. "I'm Komba, the storekeeper. Plenty of people come here to search for treasure. There was a nice auntie who visited here last year too. Also, here's the takoyaki you ordered."

"Thank you." The assistant professor introduced everyone to the storekeeper and asked, "Do you remember what that 'nice auntie' looked like?"

"She had green eyes and long black hair. I think she was a teacher or researcher."

The raven-haired secretary pulled up a picture of his mom on his phone. "Do you recognize her?"

"That's her! She tied her hair up most of the time because June is really warm and humid here."

"You saw her last June? What was she doing here?"

"Uh... What's this about?"

Alice stood up alongside Shun and explained. "All four of us here plus the 'nice auntie' you met are from Bayview International University. We've been looking for her since she disappeared last summer. Any information you have is highly appreciated."

"Well... okay fine. When I first met her, she told me she'd be staying here for two weeks to work on research assignments. She slept in a tent on the campground at night, but often ate breakfast and lunch at my store. Since it was June, all the locals were decorating for the Dragon Boat Festival. The auntie asked me about it, so I told her about our local island culture and offered her leftover mochi later that night. When I got to her tent, she wasn't there, so I assumed she went hiking. But the next morning, the mochi container was still untouched, and it looked like she never came back after leaving the night before."

"And you're sure this was during the Dragon Boat Festival?" Shun asked.

"I'm positive. It was the peak season for competition and tourism."

"Then what happened to her camping gear?"

"I packed it away in a safe place in case she ever comes back. Let me get everything."

Komba returned with two hiking canes, tent supplies, a sleeping bag, a backpack, a lunch bag, two water bottles, and an oil lantern. "Maybe Shiori-san left behind some clues in her camping gear..." Alice murmured. "Wait a minute. I thought she disappeared in mid-May, a couple of weeks after the spring semester ended. Why was she here in June?"

Runo checked her phone calendar. "Last year's Dragon Boat Festival was June 22nd. That's more than a month after the police's proposed date of disappearance."

Shun searched through all the camping gear and shook his head. "This doesn't make any sense. What made her think of coming here to look for pirate treasure? And I still don't know where that blue pirate ship flag came from because it wasn't mentioned in the lab report."

"What blue flag are you talking about?" Komba asked. After seeing a picture on Shun's phone, the storekeeper commented, "I don't know about any pirate ship flags, but our dragon boat flags look kind of like that too."

"Your team's colors and designs are based on an infamous eighteenth-century pirate?!"

"We islanders are cool like that. Sōryūjima is known for all things bizarre anyway. Speaking of bizarre, I just remembered—another lady also stopped by and told me that she was also looking for treasure."

"What did this lady look like?"

"She wore business clothes, sunglasses, and a sun hat that covered her hair. She told me she was visiting here while waiting for construction to finish on the western island. I also never saw her eyes."

"In that case, then what's the best way to travel to the other island?"

"I wouldn't go there if I were you. There are construction, excavation, and even land ownership changes. Even the government employees have their hands tied up because of this. Don't ask."

The quartet exchanged confused glances with each other until Alice stood up. "Thanks for your time, Komba. Here's my business card. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you think of anything."

"No problem!"

While Runo and Soon used the restroom before leaving, Shun asked the redhead, "Do you think it's as simple as looking for pirate treasure?"

"That's what all the circumstantial evidence suggests." She checked her phone's weather app and then looked at the sky. "The sky will become very foggy later. It might be too dangerous for us to visit the western island today."

"But when are we coming back again?"

"I'm not sure, but you heard what Komba said about the other island having a lot going on. However, since we know that Shiori-san was last seen in June rather than May, I could ask Julie to post a public notice in the local newspaper and see if we can gather any volunteers to help.

"I can't believe you actually thought of that."

"More people are always better. Anyway, Soon and Runo are back. Ready to leave?"

"Ready when you are."

-x-x-x-x-x-

Alice and Julie entered the campus dining hall while discussing the redhead's proposal for a public service announcement. "If you want, I can publish this in both the school's newspaper and local newspaper for more coverage," the silver-haired graduate student suggested.

"That would be great! What do you need from me?"

"Send me your best draft when you get it done, and I'll make final edits."

"Thank you so much, Julie!"

After watching her friend walk off to order food, the assistant professor then spotted Shun sitting at a table and typing away on his laptop. "What are you doing here instead of inside the department building?"

"I wanted to order iced tea and leave immediately, but since I brought my laptop, I decided to work on a few tasks anyway. What are you doing here?"

"Julie said she'll post the announcement in both the school's newspaper and the local newspaper where she works part-time. Now I need to think about how to write my draft."

"We can work on it now since I have my laptop."

"Perfect!" She took a seat next to her secretary and began typing. "Shiori Kazami, a professor of folklore studies from Bayview International University, has been reported missing since last May. She was believed to have disappeared from Hanayome-no-taki during a hiking trip. A recent discovery suggests that she was actually last seen last June on East Sōryūjima's campgrounds. If anyone has information on Professor Shiori or seen her recently on Sōryūjima anywhere, please reach out to Bayview Police's Missing Persons hotline."

"How long have you been planning this paragraph...?"

"I've been thinking about this since we left Komba's store Saturday. What else should I put?"

"First of all—when do you want to go back to Sōryūjima to search for clues again?"

"This coming Saturday."

"Then let's write it this way." Shun took over his laptop again and continued typing. "The volunteer search party will go to Sōryūjima this coming Saturday to search for clues. Everyone and anyone are welcome to participate."

"At this point, I should also let Dan know so that he doesn't get surprised when people start calling the hotline."

The pair later left the dining hall and began walking back to their department building. "I still don't understand why my mom would abandon all her stuff on the campgrounds. Going off the grid isn't her style at all."

"I can't think of any reason why Shiori-san would be on Sōryūjima at all instead of hiking near Hanayome-no-taki as originally planned."

"Is looking for pirate treasure really that important?" Suddenly, he stopped walking and looked through his laptop bag. "I left my power bank on the dining table."

"Oh, you'd better go back and find it because who knows if a greedy student will claim it as their own..."

"I'll text you when I get back."

Alice returned to her office first to read emails. I'm not sure exactly what I feel right now. Are we actually any closer to finding Shiori-san? What if this new lead in Sōryūjima also turns out to be a dead end? After finishing several incomplete tasks, she left her office to borrow books from the break room, only to see two unexpected visitors sitting at the table. "Grandfather?! What are you—"

"There you there, Alice! We were just talking about you!" While the redhead was still at a loss for words, the physics professor introduced the young silver-haired man next to him. "You might not have seen him since a few years ago, but do you still remember—"

"Klaus von Hertzon?" The assistant professor sighed and walked closer. "Yes, I still remember. What are you two doing here?"

"Good to see you again, Alice. You look as wonderful as the last time I saw you." Klaus grabbed a chair for the redhead to sit on. "Your grandfather returned from Russia early, and I happened to be in town to pick him up from the airport."

Meanwhile, Shun returned to the department of folklore after finding his power bank. "Alice, did you want to—" After seeing the trio in the break room, he hid behind the hallway immediately. Who are these people and what are they doing here?

"Oh... what a coincidence." The redhead sat down and asked, " Grandfather, why didn't you tell me you were coming back early?"

"Well, Klaus and I actually saw each other in Moscow when I was attending a physics convention. I remember he graduated from the undergraduate folklore studies program a year before you. While we spoke briefly at the convention, Klaus mentioned he was interested in my research concentration and might donate to the physics department under his family foundation's name."

"So, this is about donations... But Klaus, how exactly did you happen to be in town to pick up my grandfather from the airport? I thought you returned to Germany after graduation."

"I did, but as Doctor Michael mentioned, I was invited to the physics convention in Moscow and encountered him there. I flew back to Germany and then returned to Bayview afterward. My secretary Mylene and I both went to pick up your grandfather from the airport, and I plan to stay for a while. Anyway, how are you doing, Alice? Doctor Michael said you're a professor now."

"Just an assistant professor. There's not much I can do right now since I'm the only active professor in the Department of Folklore."

"Oh... I heard about what happened to Professor Shiori, but congratulations on achieving this far. How's the funding for your department?"

"I'm doing fine. I hired a new secretary last fall who's very helpful in drafting grant letters, kind of like me back then when I was still in the graduate program."

"Perhaps I can help."

"Thank you, but I need time to think about it. I recently discovered a lead on where Shiori-san may have been and need to focus on that."

"Alright, maybe next time."

After Doctor Michael and Klaus left the break room, Alice grabbed the books that she needed and was about to leave when Shun surprised her at the doorway. "Who were those people?" he asked bluntly.

"You scared me!" The redhead then checked her phone. "I'm so sorry. I didn't see your message. That was my grandfather and a former classmate that I was talking to."

"Alice... I was outside the whole time and heard everything."

"Well, if it makes you feel any better... I wasn't expecting them here. My grandfather's school ID has access to this building for emergencies, so that's probably how he came inside. What they said won't affect our upcoming search party plans."

"Okay... But how do you want to conduct the search party, though?"

"Like I always do—retrace Shiori-san's footsteps to recreate what happened."

-x-x-x-x-x-

Several people signed up to volunteer for the search party and all took the ferry together to arrive at East Sōryūjima on Saturday. Dan and Billy were among the volunteers for the day and took the lead on the search. "Don't you two have work today?" Runo asked.

"After hearing Alice's idea about organizing a search party, Billy and I decided that we would both request a day off from regular police duties and use our mission day hours while we host this volunteer search party with you guys. We also decided that each group must have at least two people. Julie will go with Billy, Runo will go with me, and—"

"Dan, I haven't even taken attendance yet!" his blond colleague interrupted. "At least wait until everyone gets off the boat first before assigning groups."

After the police officers finished the roll call, they assigned the participants into groups to split up and cover different routes and locations. Alice, Shun, and Soon formed a trio and headed toward a hill near the ocean. After half an hour of hiking, they decided to rest on a bench. "Alice, you look really pale," the raven-haired secretary noticed.

"I need time to adjust. Higher altitude means less oxygen saturation. This location has an excellent view of the ocean, though."

"I'll go downhill and see if there are any clues," the auburn-haired student announced before running off on her own. "Professor Alice, look at this! The disturbance in the dirt and grass suggests that someone walked or fell down here."

"Soon, be careful when you—"

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!"

Alice and Shun ran over to see the research assistant tumbling down the hill as well. The latter dropped his knapsack and announced, "I'm going after her."

"Shun, you don't have any safety equipment on you. What if you fall down the slope as well?!"

"Don't underestimate me. I don't want to lose any more people than we need to." The raven-haired secretary ran around the slope and eventually saw Soon, who was sitting and holding onto her left foot. "Are you alright? Don't do that next time."

"I twisted my ankle and likely cannot walk, but I think he's in a more serious situation than me." She pointed to a young man lying down unconsciously in the grass. "Isn't that Komba, the storekeeper?"

"You're right... I'll call Dan first before I carry you back uphill."

After Shun made the call, the brunet and local paramedics arrived to wake up and treat Komba. "Sir, can you explain how you ended up here?" a paramedic asked.

"I just finished delivering a take-out order and wanted to take a shortcut back to my campground store, but then I slipped and fell down the slope."

On the bench nearby, another paramedic was disinfecting Soon's ankle wound while her colleagues stood nearby. "I thought there would be clues downhill that could lead to where Professor Shiori might've gone," she lamented.

"I appreciate your concern, but always put your safety first," her professor advised. "Shun, did Dan assign a location for everyone to reconvene at?"

"I don't think so. If you're thinking about a place to sit and rest, then we could all meet at Komba's store again. Besides, Dan's busy talking to the paramedics."

"I'll ask him later. Soon needs to rest in a safe place while the rest of us keep searching. Can you carry Soon until we reach flatter ground?"

"Of course. If I can carry you in Kashiwagi, then I can definitely carry Soon. I told you not to underestimate me."

Although the search party ended in the afternoon an hour before sunset, Alice decided to stay later into the night, with Shun and Soon also accompanying her. The trio camped on the campground where Shiori previously stayed. "Professor Alice, did you purchase another one of everything that Professor Shiori left behind?" Soon asked.

"Yes I did, because I want to recreate the events from the night she disappeared."

"It's still difficult to believe that she would just mysteriously walk off without leaving a message for anyone, especially Shun or even for Komba, who promised to bring dessert that night."

The raven-haired secretary approached the campfire from his tent with a first-aid kit. "Time for another bandage change."

"Can we do this tomorrow instead? Peeling the bandage irritates my skin."

"What if your ankle becomes extremely infected tomorrow morning?"

"Why do you always think of the worst outcomes?"

"Are you going to replace the bandage or not?"

"I can change the bandage on my own!"

"I need a break..." the redhead announced, although the arguing pair were too busy yelling to pay attention. Alice grabbed her oil lantern and walked into the darkness. After looking at the starless sky, she held the oil lantern to eye level. Shiori-san, where did you go? You were my professor, adviser, and guiding light during my undergraduate and graduate years. It's almost been a year since we last saw you. Should we keep looking? Or should we give—

"Alice!" Sprinting across the field with an electric lantern was Shun. "Aren't you afraid of coming out here by yourself in the dark?"

"At least I have my lantern. But if you ran over here with that lantern in your hands, then that means Soon doesn't have one."

"Don't worry about her. She went to sleep immediately after changing bandages and taking acetaminophen for the pain."

The assistant professor glanced back and forth between the electric and oil lanterns. "I just realized. If Shiori-san left in a hurry at night like Komba said, then why did she leave her lantern behind? How could she navigate in the dark without a light source?"

"Wait... What if she didn't leave on her own, but was taken away by instead? And if so, then was it because of pirate treasure? What if the kidnappers held her captive to force her to give up the location?"

"That escalated quickly... Given that it's been almost a year since she went missing, the chances of survival are very slim if Shiori-san had an accident. However, if someone kidnapped and kept her alive in hopes of finding Stoica's hidden treasure..."

"Then she definitely has to be alive."

"I would assume so. So far, I haven't heard anything about anyone discovering any of Stoica's hidden treasure yet. The other issue is that Komba implied that Shiori-san went to the western island first before camping out near his store on the eastern island, so the kidnapper could be anyone and anywhere. But this is more reason for us to not give up. We'll find—"

Shun pulled the redhead in for a surprise hug. "I knew nothing could outsmart your deduction skills."

"I'm just a professor doing my job." She returned the hug but brushed his arms off gently. "Will you be alright on your own?"

"What do you mean? You won't help me anymore?"

"No, but it's almost the end of the semester and school year. I have a special evaluation to complete because this is my first year lecturing, after all." Alice grabbed the raven-haired secretary's free hand and began walking back to the tents. "I'll still be here but just stuck at my computer more than I want to."

"I see... Either way, thanks for continuing to hold on, Alice."

"I should be thanking you."

Me: As mentioned previously, I'm on vacation (overseas) for CNY. Happy Lunar New Year to those of you who celebrate (any variation of) it!

Julie: OMG am I smelling jealousy coming from Shun?!

Runo: You need to get your head out of their business.

Me: This is the final arc (I don't have an exact name for it yet), so I'm finally going to unleash all the crazy things that I've been holding back for so long. Next chapter will feature preparations for Sakura Festival, preparations for a museum exhibit, and two different murders—

R&J: What did you say?!

Me: Why are you two surprised?! Murder is nothing new here! However, one victim died while the other will still have a pulse. Both cases are really weird. Leave a review on the way out!