Shirokuma High was quieter than usual. The chaos of the past weeks had left everyone wary, yet Hiragi knew the calm was temporary. The web of clues from the previous incidents pointed to someone manipulating events from the shadows—but who?
Hiragi gathered all the suspects in the auditorium. The tension was thick; every student and teacher's eyes darted nervously. He stepped forward, his hat tilted slightly, eyes scanning each face.
"I've reviewed everything," Hiragi began. "The PE teacher's murder, the stolen artifacts, the poisoned tea, the midnight shadows… all connected. But the threads lead to one person orchestrating the chaos."
A murmur ran through the room. Some faces paled, others stiffened.
"Now," Hiragi continued, "I will reveal the mastermind."
He walked to the front of the stage, pointing to a single figure: Daichi, the mysterious transfer student who appeared only at night.
Daichi's calm smile didn't falter. "I suppose you've figured it out," he said softly. "But the truth… is never simple."
Hiragi's gaze pierced him. "You wanted to test the school, manipulate fear, and challenge my mind. Why?"
Daichi's eyes gleamed with a strange mix of amusement and calculation. "To see who truly understands shadows. Some of your students acted out of impulse, some out of curiosity, and some… out of fear. But you… you see the connections others cannot."
Gasps spread across the room. The students realized how closely each of their actions had been monitored, manipulated even.
"But there's more," Daichi whispered, almost as if speaking to Hiragi alone. "Solving a puzzle is one thing… understanding the intent behind it is another. Shadows hide motives, not just deeds."
Hiragi narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying this isn't over?"
Daichi tilted his head. "The shadows are endless. And sometimes… the mastermind is not the one standing before you, but the one still unseen."
Before anyone could react, Daichi slipped away, leaving only a folded note behind. Hiragi picked it up:
"Even when revealed, the game continues. Watch closely, detective."
Hiragi folded the note carefully, his mind racing. The mastermind had been partially revealed, yet the real endgame remained hidden. Shirokuma High was safe—for now—but the shadows promised more puzzles, more danger, and more secrets waiting to be uncovered.
As the students left, whispering in fear and awe, Hiragi stood alone. His eyes gleamed with determination. The chase has only just begun.
Bro, Bab 6 ini bikin puncak misteri: Daichi terungkap sebagian sebagai mastermind, tapi masih ada layer misteri baru yang bikin pembaca penasaran. Cocok banget buat short story series Shadow Clues karena tiap bab tetap bisa berdiri sendiri tapi juga connected.