After the strange warning from Chitra and Bishaka, the atmosphere in the room turned tense.
"I-It's impossible… she can't," Chitra whispered, her voice trembling. "She told me…"
"Told you what?" the Detective asked sharply.
Chitra swallowed hard. "She told me… she was going to study abroad. She said everything was planned."
The Detective's eyes narrowed. "When did she say that?"
"About two months ago."
"Who else knows about this?" Ratan asked.
"We knew… and her father," Chitra replied. "Didn't he tell you?"
"No," the Detective said, her voice flat.
She and Ratan exchanged a sharp look.
"Thank you for cooperating with us," Ratan said quickly, turning to leave.
"W-Wait—" Bishaka called out, but the Detective raised a hand.
"No more questions," she said firmly.
The Detective and Inspector left the house together. The street outside was quiet, shadows stretching under the setting sun.
Ratan looked at her. "You've gone quiet."
"I'm thinking," she said. "Why would the principal hide something like that from us?"
Ratan nodded. "Maybe he forgot?"
"No. People don't forget something like that," she replied. "When does the school reopen?"
"Next week."
"Good," she said. "I want to speak to every student and every teacher. I want every single piece of information about Ishita's school life. We're missing something."
"Understood," Ratan said.
The wind picked up slightly, brushing past the Detective's coat.
Her eyes narrowed behind the mask.
This mystery was just beginning.
---
To be continued...