Chapter 25: Perfection with Flaws Perhaps Begins His and Her Quest (13)

[It's really... It's a lot of snow. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ]

I don't know when Yubihama looked out the window in a daze, and after gently taking a sip of steaming black tea, he let out this sigh with his hands holding the teacup.

Sitting next to her under the snow, she drew some energy from the library book, cast a little glance out the window, and then closed the book with a "snap", and echoed it

[Eh, indeed... It's not very common. ]

It's not common to say something under the snow that means so much snow... Winter in Chiba is notoriously dry and cold, and of course it doesn't mean that there is no snow at all, but it is not often that snow can reach the point of impressing traffic on Christmas Eve before the New Year, at least at least I have only seen it three times in my long life here.

However, despite the heavy snow outside, I don't feel any cold in this apartment, and even if I am dressed in a short suit, I don't think I need a quilt or a kotatsu or anything like that, so it can be said that it is a blessing for the so-called "high-class apartment", and in any case, there will be an ample supply of heating from the beginning of winter to the end of spring.

I sat under the snow and took a nap on the sofa opposite Yubihama, because there was still some time before the promised party, so after drinking hot black tea, I began to think about the feeling of falling asleep peacefully, and after hearing the voices of the two people, I interrupted the groggy sleep, and unconsciously looked out the window, and shook my head from side to side slightly to wake myself up

[So... What time is it?]

[Ah, it's almost time to go, it's better than Kiya-kun.] ]

The answer to me was another voice from the side, Hayama, who was wearing a white shirt and a standard black tie, glanced at the quartz watch in his hand and said with a smile

[It's 4:40, counting the time to catch the train, and it's time to go.] ]

Ahh I don't feel the flow of time at all. But then again, it seems that I didn't do anything today, just reading, sleeping, and eating. It's just right that you don't want to do anything.

[Let's make sure, Hachiman-kun.] ]

Speaking of departure, it seems that there is something else under the snow that specially nominated me

[What did Komachi say?]

[Oh... He said that he was "not going to disturb my brother's Christmas party", and it seemed that he was going somewhere with his parents...]

Well, it's like this every year, so it's normal, but if you can, it's best to come with Komachi. But don't worry, you'll be able to see Komachi tomorrow night.

[Really... It's still as sad as ever. ]

As he spoke, he covered his head and shook his head gently as if he had thought of something regrettable under the snow.

[Hey, that's not the right name.] ]

Brother, no, no, this title is exclusive to Komachi, okay.

[It's okay.] Small Business... We, we're in this together!]

For some reason, Yubihama suddenly stood up from the couch and looked at me like encouragement and said loudly.

[Oh, oh... No need to stress well...]

If I had to say, I didn't have any thoughts about Christmas, Christmas Eve, or anything else, but mostly regarded these as an obligation, festivals and holiday events or something... It's probably the New Year's worship and cleaning work.

So, I didn't find anything to look forward to at all...

-------------------------------------

[How?]

[Nobody...]

After we went out, we came to the door of Yeyue's apartment, and I went to call the door, but I had already rang the doorbell two or three times and still didn't get a response.

[Could it be... Asleep?]

Yuhihama was a little naïve to put his finger against his chin and make a thinking movement, but yo, Yuhihama... If this guess applies to me, it would be true, but not everyone will feel like they want to sleep because of the warmth...

[Could it be... Out of town?]

[Impossible.] ]

As for the speculation given under the snow, I just denied it without thinking of anything.

Perhaps out of the affirmation of me and the speed of replying, everyone looked at me in a daze. A few seconds later, under the snow, he tilted his head slightly and asked softly

[.... Why?]

[...]

I shook my head wordlessly, not wanting to explain much about the matter, but only answered in a calm tone

[She.] It's impossible to go out alone.]

If I was concerned with speculation under the snow, I would be more willing to believe Yubihama's idea.

[Why don't you give a phone call to confirm?]

The one who can give such a compromise is Hayama at this time, anyway... Rather than guessing here, it's better to ask me directly.

Wish... It's just in the room, so I didn't hear it.

While thinking about it, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number.

Ten times after the phone rang, there was a pleasant autoresponder.

I frowned, and for some reason I suddenly felt an irrepressible irritability in my heart, and I quickly hung up and continued to broadcast.

Just like the first time, no one answered, and it was still an automatic reply after ringing.

And then the third time too.

Put down the phone, and the mood slowly became solemn, and after noticing my change, he looked at me under the snow and asked

[What's wrong?]

[I don't know, no one answered the phone...]

If it was a simple accident, I would have liked to pass it like this... But...

[Hmm... Since it's impossible to go out, considering that it is possible that the phone and the person are separated, let's wait. ]

[If that's the case, I have a better way.]

I don't want to think so, but... What the snow said was not impossible - going out.

So, in their puzzled eyes, I took the lead towards the elevator, quickly came to the hall, and went straight to the duty room without stopping when I got out of the elevator.

[Hello.] ]

[Oh, sir, is there anything you need help with?]

The staff on duty were two middle-aged men in their thirties, perhaps the heating here was not as adequate as in the apartment, so they had to rely on the electric stove to keep warm, and when one of them replied to me, the other cast a puzzled look at us and put down the newspaper in his hand.

[I'll look at the surveillance footage.]

[What?]

I probably couldn't react for a while, so the uncle couldn't help but ask again.

[I'd like to see the surveillance footage, please.] ]

At lunchtime, at half past twelve, the night moon was still there... Well, all I need to see is the footage from that time to the present to confirm that impossible guess.

[I'm sorry, sir, but there's really no way to do this with surveillance footage.]

Denied... As expected.

[If there is something special, please be sure to notify the police to assist.] ]

In other words, do you need the police to come to be eligible to be watched?

Is it too late for the police to arrive? Damn it.

[I'm sorry.] ]

Hayama apologized, walked over to me from behind, and then took out a small book from his chest pocket and handed it to the security guards.

[This time it's more urgent, one of our friends is missing, so we urgently need to know if she's still in the apartment, and if I need a guarantee, I think that's enough.] ]

[Hayama...]

[Well, don't care.] ]

Hayama smiled and shrugged his shoulders with a completely unconcerned smile.

[Oh, since you have a lawyer as a guarantee, it's no problem at all, please here.] ]

After handing over the documents with both hands, the security personnel opened the door to the duty room.

Well, this time .... Thanks for that.

Because a very bad premonition was slowly rising, I ignored all the other details, and only wanted to confirm the truth of the so-called speculation.

With the security staff, we flipped through the video from 12:30 p.m. to the present, there were 7 cameras in the lobby and two outside the hall.

When I fast-forward to 4:45:32 p.m., a lone figure appeared in the hall, which had been empty... Night Moon in a red winter coat. My heart lifted instantly.

After checking it repeatedly, it was confirmed that it was correct, and the night moon was a person... Walked out.