"Here, this is yours," Shuichi Hayashi said, handing the note to Yukiko Fujimine.
"…Thanks," Yukiko said, taking it hesitantly. After a pause, she couldn't resist asking, "I know the third riddle's answer is 'wind'… Which one was the desk note?"
"The second," Shuichi replied casually, heading for the door.
"Shuichi, you're not eating?" Kogoro Mouri asked, puzzled.
"I'll grab the last note first," Shuichi said, glancing at Eri Hii with a grin. "Otherwise, our dear Lady Eri might not have an appetite for lunch."
"Whether you win or lose doesn't affect my stomach," Eri shot back, her tsundere reflex kicking in. Then, remembering her earlier threat to Shuichi, her face flushed red.
"The last note?" Yukiko said, surprised. "Didn't Ms. Murakami say all three notes are in the classroom?"
"Her exact words were, 'The three notes are in this classroom now,'" Shuichi corrected, stepping out.
Eri didn't hesitate, snapping her lunchbox shut and following him.
"Wait, I'm coming too!" Kogoro scrambled to his feet.
Yukiko wavered, reluctant but overcome by curiosity, and trailed after them.
"Curly-haired vixen, why're you tagging along?" Eri said, eyeing Yukiko suspiciously. "Trying to steal Shuichi's answer?"
Yukiko's own words from earlier—when Shuichi stopped her from climbing—were thrown back at her. Apparently, as Yukiko had said, Eri really could be petty.
"This is my competition with Hayashi-kun, not your business!" Yukiko stuck out her tongue at Eri, then nudged Shuichi. "Hey, what's the second riddle's answer? I still can't figure it out."
Before Shuichi could respond, Eri cut in mockingly. "Idiot, September ninth—two nines. What's that?"
To sate her curiosity, Yukiko swallowed her pride and answered, "Eighteen."
"Ten and eight together make the character 'wood' (木)," Eri explained smugly. "The second half, 'we'll meet again,' puts two 'wood' characters together, forming 'Hayashi' (林)—Shuichi's surname."
"Oh!" Yukiko's eyes lit up. "The only 'Hayashi' in the classroom is Hayashi-kun, and the notes were hidden over the weekend, so it had to be in his desk or chair."
She glanced at Eri's smug expression and, with a sly grin, added, "One more question. Shuichi didn't even hesitate to remove the mat from the bottom-left desk leg. A desk has four legs, a chair has four—how'd he know the note was in that one?"
"If you answer this, glasses girl, I'll admit you're better at riddles!"
"This…" Eri frowned, racking her brain but coming up empty.
"Stumped, huh? I know the answer," Yukiko said with a smirk. "Beg me, and I'll tell you."
"Beg you?" Eri gritted her teeth, fuming. "In your dreams!"
"It's normal Eri didn't guess it," Shuichi said, coming to his childhood friend's rescue. "It's all that dumb teacher's fault. This morning, I noticed the bottom-left desk leg was spotless."
"I thought, 'Was last weekend's cleanup crew so bored they polished my desk leg?' But why only that one? The others were still dirty."
"When I saw the second riddle, it clicked. That clumsy teacher must've left obvious fingerprints on the leg when she hid the note. Afraid someone would notice, she wiped it clean with a rag but forgot the other legs."
"Eri sits to my right and couldn't see the left side, so it's no wonder she didn't guess."
"Tch, always taking her side," Yukiko muttered, pouting.
By now, Shuichi had led the group to the first-year teachers' office.
"The office?" Kogoro asked, confused. "Is the first riddle's answer in there?"
"Yup," Shuichi nodded, pushing open the door.
During lunch break, most teachers were at the cafeteria. Only a few remained at their desks, working.
Ms. Yui Murakami, Class 1-A's homeroom teacher, wasn't eating or working. She was slumped over her desk, fast asleep.
"Ms. Murakami?" Shuichi gently nudged her. "I'm here for the first riddle's note."
"Mmm, you're finally here," she mumbled, eyes still closed. "It's been poking me all morning. Get it yourself."
She shifted slightly, revealing the cabbage print on her T-shirt.
"This…"
Shuichi stared at the "mountainous" cabbage, glanced at his hands, and hesitated. No way he could reach for it—not with other teachers in the room and two girls ready to pounce on him.
"…Got it," Eri said, clapping her hands as she caught on. "Shuichi, it's awkward for you. I'll do it."
"Why's it awkward for Shuichi?" Kogoro asked, clueless.
"Where the cabbage is—would you dare touch it?" Shuichi said, turning Kogoro around.
"The cabbage? Is there even a place to hide something there?"
Kogoro paused, then it hit him. "No way, Ms. Murakami hid the first riddle's note there? No wonder she said it was poking her."
He started to turn back, but Shuichi clamped his head in place. "Seen from the side, a ridge; from another angle, a peak; far or near, high or low, it's never the same," Shuichi mused. "Since ancient times, valleys have been the best hiding spots for treasure."
Yukiko frowned as Eri reached into Ms. Murakami's T-shirt collar near the cabbage print. Staring at the design, she muttered, "Cabbage… white… wait! White (白) is 'hundred' minus 'one' (一). The first riddle's answer is cabbage!"
"Damn it!" Yukiko stomped her foot. "Ms. Murakami teaches Japanese. Why didn't I think her riddle would involve kanji?"
"I got it!" Eri cheered, pulling out the note and handing it to Shuichi.
He unfolded it, revealing the character "class".
With that, all three notes—"member", "leader", and "class"—were found.
(End of Chapter)
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