Hyouka:Volume 2 Chapter 3

Status: Incomplete

18% completed (estimated)

   

3 - "The Invisible Intrusion"

The next day.

As I was rather reluctant to take action the previous day, I received a call from Chitanda early that morning. It was pretty much an order from our club president asking me to come no matter what. As I had no good reason to resist such a gently worded request, I ended up heading to school that day as well. Well, it's not practical to jump off a ship in the middle of its voyage, and I had no intention to.

As I exited my house, I noticed an international mail has been delivered into our letterbox. As it was addressed to my old man instead of me, I didn't bother to open it. I didn't even need to see to guess who the sender was: Oreki Tomoe, my older sis.

My sis was not content with just staying in the country, but desired to wander around the world. She should be somewhere in Eastern Europe by now. Time and again my sis has got me involved in all sorts of bothersome stuff. Though those bothersome stuff are on a completely different meta-level from the type that Chitanda gets me involved in. But as the letter this time was not addressed to me, this probably means I'm more swayed by the frank and honest Chitanda than by my sis, which isn't a bad thing.

...... Or maybe not.

Anyway, we now come to the Geology Room.

We didn't particularly do anything prior to Eba's arrival. As with usual, I would take a seat in the shade and read my paperback novel. Just because I watched a mystery movie didn't mean I would go out of my way to buy a mystery novel. It was just a normal novel bought from a regular bookstore.

Opposite me was Chitanda, who stood by the window side unbothered by the scorching summer sun while looking at the ground below. She sure has a resistant to heat, as she doesn't seem to be tanned at all despite standing under the sun for so long...... She just stood there staring at the ground below, or to be more precise, she may have found something to meddle amongst the people preparing for the Cultural Festival. But it was just her curious eyes sparkling, meaning she too was bored.

Ibara on the other hand was far from bored. As the real person responsible for the compilation of the "Hyouka" anthology, she was busy writing notes about it in this time as well. A while ago I asked her what she was writing when all that's left is just to publish the manuscript, she gave me a terrifying stare and said,

"If the manuscript can be sent to be published right away, there wouldn't be any need to edit them!"

Well, keep up the good work then.

As for Satoshi, he was reading a paperback novel just like me. As he had covered the book cover with his hands, I had no idea what he was reading. Though smiling was his default expression, he doesn't do it when he's reading. Having said that, it was strange to see such an expressionless Satoshi for once.

As I was thinking that, his expression gradually returned to normal. Placing down his book, he lifted up his face and looked around,

"Say, how many detective novels have you guys ever read before?"

Ibara stopped writing upon that question and turned her head around,

"Fuku-chan, what're you trying to say?"

"You know, after listening to Nakajou-sempai yesterday, it got me thinking. Though his method of deduction was qute like those seen detective novels, it was still way off the mark. So I thought maybe I should read a bit more detective novels to help us deduce this better."

Hmm. Indeed, while Nakajou's reasoning sounded innovative at first, after thinking it overnight, it was no different from your average detective show on TV. It was not rare for Satoshi to make such connections at the strangest places.

"Hmm, for me I've only read a normal amount of detective novels,"

"So how normal is your amount anyway? That's why I'm asking."

Satoshi said and smiled, to which Ibara also smiled bitterly,

"Well, for me, hmm, normal would mean having read Agatha Christie and Ellery Queen, I guess."

Was that normal? Though I do know the author names at least...... Satoshi tilted his head as well,

"Rather than normal, that amount of reading should be considered expert. Those are more like classics befitting of the Classics Club, aren't they? ...... Is that all? What about Japanese authors?"

"Though there's many of them, it's not like I read much. I read a few railroad mysteries, but that's about it. While I may be somewhat interested in mystery novels, there are many authors whose works I can't seem to enjoy."

Well it seems the more you read the more you're familiar with them, aren't you? You were the one who showed interest when you heard Class 2-F was making a mystery movie. I suppose amongst the four of us, Ibara was the most proficient in detective fiction.

"What about you Houtarou?"

I closed the book I was reading and replied,

"I don't read those,"

"Are you especially conscious not to read detective stories in particular? You haven't got much honour in your reading methods, you know?"

Oh, leave me alone.

"I've read a few paperbacks with yellow book covers like this one, that's all."

Without being serious, I gave him a suitable response.

"Ahh...... So that means, only Japanese authors huh? You're kinda rigid, you know?"

He gave me an instant reply. Seemed like this answered his question alright. As always Satoshi possesses a wide range of knowledge for no particular reason.

Satoshi now turned to Chitanda, who shook her head slowly,

"I don't read any of those."

"Eh?"

He sounded surprised. Though it was also surprising for me as well, as based on her tendency to seek out an answer for every riddle she encounters, I would expect her to be pretty interested in detective fiction. Satoshi tried to make sure of that,

"Completely none?"

"I think I'm probably not that interested in mystery novels after reading some. And it's been many years since I've touched one."

Rather than not having read any detective novels, she ended up rejecting them after reading them. To think that our lady would be weak at detective novels despite encountering situations not unlike those seen in detective novels. Sounds pretty contradicting. That would be like a businessman who dislikes reading business novels. But thinking closely, that isn't entirely strange.

"Really? But Chi-chan, weren't you pretty enjoying it yourself when we were watching the Class 2-F mystery movie?"

Chitanda smiled gently,

"I was just happy that Irisu-san had invited us to show us something she and her friends had made...... It's not like I particularly enjoy watching mystery movies."

I see, makes sense.

Well, that leaves just one person left. Everyone must be included, after all. I asked Satoshi, who looked as though he had understood everything and was nodding eagerly,

"So, what about you?"

"Me?"

"I presume you've read all the detective novels around the world, past and present?"

I asked jokingly, to which Satoshi flatly denied,

"No, I haven't."

Hmm?

Ibara began to smile from the tip of her lips,

"Oh I know what Fuku-chan likes to read,"

Satoshi hung his head in embarrassment. It would seem Chitanda's interest was piqued,

"Eh? So what is it? Fukube-san, it's not a secret, is it?"

In other words, if it's a secret, Chitanda would definitely not pursue it any further. I know this based on experience, that our lady does have some restraint on her curiosity.

Meanwhile, Satoshi was at a lost for words,

"Well, I......"

What? Say it out already.

As I thought that, Ibara quickly spilled the beans,

"Fuku-chan's an avid Sherlockian!"

...... Ah, I get it.

A Sherlockian is a fan who is passionate of Sherlock Holmes. While I'm not too sure of the details, but I've heard these people actually did research into the fate of the bulldog raised by Holmes' partner. It was a serious interest that was not to be treated as mere child's play or entertainment. Though for Satoshi, it was probably a bit of both.

"What's a Sherlockian?"

"Um, you see,"

As Ibara was trying to explain to an oblivious Chitanda, Satoshi corrected her quietly,

"An avid fan is not called a Sherlockian, it's Holmesian......"

What's the difference anyway?

Just as we were teasing Satoshi, Eba had arrived by the doorstep and bowed her head courteously as usual.

"I'm sorry to inform you that we could not secure an empty classroom today, so we would request that today's meeting take place at the classroom for Class 2-F, if it would not trouble you too much."

I don't see why she finds the need to apologize for that.

"Well then, let's head to Round Two of our Deduction Meeting then,"

Upon Satoshi's intentionally cheerful voice, we proceeded to exit the classroom. Though I think it's a bit too much to call it a Deduction Meeting.

Activities from the various clubs was just as lively today, as music combining instruments and people singing was heard. The tune sounded familiar, turns out it was the theme song of Mito Komon. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mito_K%C5%8Dmon ) It sounded elegant but yet not quite.

As we were walking, Eba gave us a briefing in advance,

"The person you'll be meeting today is Haba Tomohiro of the props divison."

I looked at Satoshi, who shook his head. It would seem this Haba was hardly famous either. Yesterday it was the filming divison, so today it's the props divison huh? We seem to be going on a trend here. Eba continued solemnly,

"Though he wasn't assigned any specific role to begin with, he had decided to barge...... actively involved himself in all sorts of fine detail. Is there anything else you would like to ask?"

Ibara, noticing something specific, asked,

"Umm, if this Haba-sempai was barging...... actively involved in the making of the movie, why wasn't he assigned any acting role?"

Heh, I see. Indeed, such a person should have been standing in front of a camera. Eba turned to face Ibara and nodded,

"He was passed over."

"That means,"

"The roles were decided by a count of hands. He didn't get enough votes."

Now I get it. I finally spoke,

"And why are we meeting this person?"

In other words: Would someone who decides to barge...... actively involve himself in a project accept the opinion of us outsiders? Eba showed an unusually troubled expression,

"I too have doubts about his selection...... but it was Irisu that chose him, so she must have her reasons. If you ask me, it probably has something to do with him being the most proficient in mystery fiction amongst the entire crew. At least that's what he claims himself."

As I could find no response, I decided to force a smile to her.

Still, Satoshi did emphasized "the Empress" Irisu being good at making people do her errands skillfully. If he's correct, then it would be as Eba has said, that Irisu does have her reasons for picking Haba. To begin with, this was just one of the matters that Irisu had got us involved in, so it's not like we haven't suspected such a ploy from her. As I was thinking, Satoshi showed some dissatisfaction,

"Just where on earth has Irisu-sempai gone? She has totally not shown herself since."

Come to think of it, he's right. We've not seen her since the day before yesterday. Though Eba answered our question right away,

"She said she would be looking for a replacement screenwriter while you figure out the 'correct deduction'. She's also having some difficulty on her end."

We came upon the corridor linking the Special Block with the General Block.

Before we arrived at the Class 2-F classroom, Chitanda opened her mouth gently,

"Eba-san,"

"Yes?"

"Are you close to Hongou-san?"

Eba looked briefly confused. Though she didn't look wavered, I could feel she was struggling to find the right words to answer,

"...... Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious,"

Chitanda smiled at Eba and said,

"I couldn't stop thinking about what the person who wrote the script was like. She seemed like a very serious person,"

We now arrived before the Class 2-F classroom. Eba stopped her footsteps, turned around and slowly said,

"Hongou is a good friend of mine. She's sincere, attentive, and has a stubbornly strong sense of responsibility, as well as being kind and tender. But, is there something you would learn from me telling you this? ...... Anyway, Haba is expecting you inside."

She then turned her back towards us and left without even introducing us to Haba.