Eight thirty.

The trip to Disneyland ended with a happy laugh.

On the way home, everyone also gave the gifts they had prepared for Tamamo one after another.

Because they are all carefully packaged, they don't know what each other is sending. But what to send is not the point, the point is that everyone's heart has been reached.

Yuzao's eyes were red for a while, and she wanted to say something of thanks, but she couldn't say anything, she just choked up with a bunch of gifts in her arms.

"Xiaoxing, did you have fun today?" Aoi Nakano said softly with concern.

"I... I'm having a great day and I, I don't know how to thank you all, I ......"

As she spoke, she choked up again and kept wiping her tears.

For the first time since her parents died, she was cared for by her friends and received a gift from her friends for the first time.

"Xiao Xing, it's okay, don't thank you so much, we will have a birthday in the future, and you can also give us a gift when the time comes." Aoi Nakano touched Yuki's head and comforted.

"Hmm!"

Yuzao nodded seriously and silently wrote it down in his heart.

Seeing this scene, An Zeliang and Rin Hoshinomiya glanced at each other and smiled in unison.

It was really fun today.

April 11th, Yuki Tamamo's birthday.

An Zeliang silently wrote it down.

Because today, a year later, the killer will strike.

Looking at the cute and sensible Tamamo, An Zeliang felt that he had to do something.

At least within this year, find out the murderer.

Looking at the scenery passing by outside the car window, An Zeliang thought of yesterday's analysis with Sister Chizuru.

The killer may live near Tamamo's fellow student.

It's just time to go to Yumo's house, so I'll take a look around her house and see if I can find any useful clues.

And.

If the killer is really the same as Sister Chizuru's analysis yesterday, then there is a high probability that the other party will appear on Yukoyuki's birthday.

Vehicle driving.

After more than two hours, he arrived at Yuki Tamamo's house.

It was getting late.

At the door of the house, Yuzao Xing hurriedly invited: "That, I have already bought vegetables in the morning, and everyone hasn't eaten today, can you stay and have dinner together?" ”

Because Yuki Tamamo knew yesterday that her friends in the club were going to celebrate her birthday, she took out her savings in advance, bought a lot of vegetables and meat, and thought about inviting her friends to have a birthday dinner at her house.

"Okay, I'm hungry." An Zeliang touched his stomach and said.

It's one thing to rub rice, but it's mainly to check on the neighbors near Tamamo's fellow students.

Seeing An Zeliang open his mouth to agree, Rin Hoshinomiya and Aoi Nakano, who didn't want to refuse, stayed together.

Although the time is a bit late, there is a driver to pick you up, and it will not affect the return home.

"I'll call my sister-in-law first, otherwise my sister-in-law will worry about me."

After entering the room.

Nakano went to call her family to report her safety.

Rin Hoshinomiya drank hot tea, but she was very calm, because her driver was always communicating with the family, so there was no need to worry about this.

Yuki Tamamo is busy cooking in the kitchen.

"I'm going to buy a cake for Tamaki-san. Hoshinomiya-san, do you want to be together? An Zeliang asked.

Rin Hoshinomiya glanced at Yuki Tamamo, who was busy in the kitchen, and agreed.

After the two greeted Tamamo, they went out together.

Walk the streets.

Because of the late hours and the remoteness of the area, the streets were deserted and there were not many people.

"Student Three, do you know that there is a cake shop around here?"

"Well, I saw it last time I came out with Tamamo-san."

An Zeliang replied casually, his eyes checking nearby.

"Student No. 3's memory and observation are really different from ordinary people." Rin Hoshinomiya walked slowly with a calm gaze.

An Zeliang did not deny it, "That's natural, I still can't forget the president's Sebastian, I dreamed it last night." ”

“？”

Rin Hoshinomiya paused, and looked at An Zeliang with a calm gaze: "Student No. 3 is a person who likes to joke with other people's secrets. ”

Her tone was rarely tinged with a yin and yang weirdness.

"Secret? I thought it was just Hoshinomiya-san's hobby...... Actually, I also have the same secrets as my Hoshinomiya classmates, for example, I often secretly cosmy Charles. ”

Anzerian paused, then continued, "However, I lack a servant as capable as Sebastian......"

Hearing this, Rin Hoshinomiya looked straight at An Zeliang.

How dare he joke!

"When I arrived, there was a cake shop in front of me." An Zeliang suddenly spoke up, interrupting Rin Hoshimiya's next words.

The two entered the cake shop and picked out a cake.

An Zeliang paid.

After shopping, I chatted and went back to my cousin.

When they returned, Aoi Nakano was helping Yuki Tamamo cook in the kitchen, and An Zeryo also found out that Nakano-san had not only brought gifts, but she also brought ingredients for Yuki Tamamo.

There was fresh wild boar, and some vegetables.

"Nakano-san is such a gentle and considerate girl." An Zeliang sighed.

I was able to think of bringing ingredients in advance.

I knew that he should also bring some ingredients or something, which could reduce the pressure on Tamamo.

"Student No. 3 seems to be very concerned about Nakano-san." Rin Hoshinomiya said calmly.

"It's just a normal appreciation."

An Zeliang retracted his gaze and responded.

"When I was at the amusement park before, the eyes of student No. 3 fell on Nakano-san about 50% of the time...... Studies have shown that when a person's eyes are too much on another person, they either have a good impression or a bad feeling. Obviously, classmate number three is the former. "Rin Hoshinomiya's analysis is reasonable.

An Zeliang paused, and suddenly looked directly into Rin Hoshinomiya's eyes, "If that's the case, why is the gaze of Xinggong classmate always on me?" Could it be because... Like? ”

"I'm just doing it for observation, not either."

"Oh."

"Student No. 3, I can hear it, your tone obviously doesn't believe me."

"No, I think you're right."

“……”

Just as Rin Hoshinomiya was about to open his mouth to refute, Nakano Aoi's voice came.

"The meal will be ready soon, you can wash your hands and get ready to eat."

"Okay."

An Zeliang responded.

Get up and wash your hands, not giving Rin Hoshinomiya a chance to refute.

Rin Hoshinomiya's words were stuck in her throat, and she felt uncomfortable.

She followed her into the small bathroom.

At this time, An Zeliang washed his hands and said: "On Tamamo's birthday, there are no neighbors visiting the family, it seems that the influence of her parents is indeed not small, no wonder Tamamo cherishes her friendship in school so much." ”

"It's the herd effect. When an individual is influenced, guided, or pressured by the group, he or she doubts and changes his or her opinions, judgments, and behaviors, moving in a direction that is consistent with the majority of the group. Rin Hoshinomiya seemed to have forgotten the purpose of coming in, and then An Zeliang's words responded.

After responding to this sentence, she was ready to refute.

However, at this moment, there was a sudden 'bang-bang' knock at the door.

The two looked at each other.

As soon as I finished saying that no one was visiting, someone came.

Yuki Tamamo trotted out of the kitchen and opened the door.

"Grandpa Watanabe, you're here! Come in! ”

"Xiaoxing, happy birthday, this is a birthday gift from grandpa."

"Thank you, Grandpa Watanabe!"

Hearing the conversation at the door, An Zeliang realized that it was Mr. Watanabe.

After Junichi Watanabe entered the entrance, he was also a little surprised to see so many people in the room, and then showed a kind smile and sighed, "Koyuki, you have finally made a friend." ”

"It's the first time in so many years that grandpa has seen so many friends come to celebrate your birthday."

"Well, they're all my best friends!" Yuki Tamamo glanced at Aoi Nakano, who was busy in the kitchen, as well as Rin Hoshinomiya and An Zeliang, who had just come out of washing their hands, with a happy smile on their faces.

"Grandpa Watanabe, sit down first, and the meal will be ready immediately."

"Okay."

Yuki Tamamo went to the kitchen and continued to be busy.

As if he had known that Grandpa Watanabe would come, Yuzao had specially prepared an extra pair of chopsticks before.

From Hoshinomiya Rin's mouth, An Zeliang learned that Junichi Watanabe would come to see Yuki Tamamo every year on this day, and he was the only neighbor who came to see Yuki Tamamo.

And, every year he brings expensive gifts.

"What a nice guy......"

An Zeliang looked at Junichi Watanabe's eyes flickered slightly, and his thoughts fluttered.

"An Ze, how is the case being investigated recently, do you still need any help?" Junichi Watanabe also saw An Zeliang and asked with a gentle smile.

He is a very kind old man, and he talks and chats very kindly.

But now...... An Zeliang's mind thought of yesterday and Sister Chizuru's analysis and reasoning about the killer.

If the killer really has a special eye on Tamamo, then he will definitely come to the door on his birthday today.

According to the results of this reasoning, in addition to everyone in the school club today, only Junichi Watanabe came to the door, so he was very suspicious......

An Zeliang was also a little suspicious of Junichi Watanabe, and felt that he should test this kind and kind old man.

"At present, I probably have some eyebrows, maybe it won't be long before I can determine the identity of the murderer." An Zeliang responded with a smile, his eyes observing the change in Watanabe's expression.

Junichi Watanabe did not show an abnormal expression, but nodded slightly, and earnestly advised: "If you have clues, you must remember to report them to the police, and the police will definitely make good use of the clues you find." ”

He didn't even ask what the clues were.

"Don't you ask, did I find any clues?" An Zeliang continued to probe, and he felt that Junichi Watanabe's reaction was indeed quite strange.

If he is really very interested in the killer, and he is about to retire and think about catching the killer and confirming the identity of the murderer, how can he not ask himself what the clue is?

Here comes the suspicion!

In the face of An Zeliang's inquiry, Junichi Watanabe sighed slightly, and responded as if he had more than enough strength to do so: "Because I have also experienced your stage, full of vigor and enthusiasm...... When I reported the clues I found again and again, it turned out that it was all false information deliberately left by the murderer, like a mockery of me and the police, that guy is really too smart. ”

"Alas, I'm retired, and now I'm getting worse and worse, so I'm ready to stop tracking."

Junichi Watanabe sighed, and continued, "Although I want to track him down with you, I really feel that I can't bear to lose hope again. ”

"So...... All I can do is wish you good luck and pray for you silently. ”

Junichi Watanabe's tone was heavy.

It's the feeling of experiencing a tone of despair countless times.

"Pray for me?"

An Zeliang showed a slightly puzzled expression.

Junichi Watanabe sighed and responded, "It's not a safe thing to track down all serial murderers, you know, although it may be a bit inappropriate to say that, but they do belong to the hunters at the top of the food chain of human society...... Playing against a character like a serial killer inevitably takes the risk of becoming prey. ”

"Child, you have to protect yourself first and pay attention to your own safety, so that you can hope to catch that murderer."

Junichi Watanabe looked worried about Ahzawa's safety.

"Also, killing people is a terrible thing for us, but for them...... That's their right to be different. ”

An Zeliang nodded silently.

"Yes, right, your description is apt."

Junichi Watanabe replied with a smile.

"So, kid, investigating the murder, you are dancing with death, be more careful."

This last sentence is like an inexplicable reminder.

But.

An Zeliang had some different feelings.

The sense of speculation in my heart became more and more intense.

Rin Hoshinomiya's eyes looked at Junichi Watanabe calmly, thoughtful.

An Zeliang thought for a while and asked, "Mr. Watanabe, you have been tracking the murderer for a lifetime, haven't you also danced with the god of death for a lifetime?" Maybe I'll be as lucky as you are, or maybe the killer will just scoff at my investigation. ”

"Well, too."

Junichi Watanabe touched a ring on the back of his hand and nodded.

"The meal is ready."

At this time.

Aoi Nakano walked out of the kitchen with the dishes.

Yuzao Yuki followed closely and also came out with the dish.

"Tonight's meal is so rich." Junichi Watanabe sighed.

After all the meals are served.

An Zeliang also placed the cake in the middle of the table.

"Anze-san, thank you."

Tamamo Yuki looked at An Zeliang with emotion.

It was the first time she had received a birthday cake from a friend.

"It's okay, you can start making a wish." An Zeliang smiled gently.

Yuki nodded her head movingly, then lit a candle, closed her eyes and began to make a wish.

After a while, Yuki Tamamo opened her eyes and blew out the candle.

Then.

She looked at everyone and said seriously, "Nakano-san, Anze-san, Hoshinomiya-san...... Thank you. ”

"Today is my happiest day...... Thank you so much for your willingness to spend my birthday with me. ”

Yuzao Xing didn't say anything sensational, but thanked him very sincerely, and while everyone sighed, he responded to Yuzao's true feelings.

Then, Yuzao Yuki looked at Junichi Watanabe and thanked him seriously: "Grandpa Watanabe, you have always taken care of me as your own child, and I will always remember you, thank you, Grandpa Watanabe!" ”

"This is what I should do, and this is what I owe to you."

Junichi Watanabe's smile was very kind.

"Next year, next year you will be an adult, Xiao Xing, I will give you a very, very special gift then."

Hearing this, An Zeliang couldn't help but look over.

(End of chapter)