Chapter Text
Friday, 2:02 PM
"Autumn's here huh?" Reigen looks outside. School trees have turned entirely brown and red. Their leaves falling about. How times have passed... 2nd grade of high school and still barely any friends.
Reigen takes another look at the sheet of paper at his desk, even the view outside starts to bore him. It was an essay on what will he do when he graduates high school. Reigen can't think of anything to do when he's done with school. What does it matter what I write here? Reigen holds the paper with a pinch and flails it around. I'll probably work at an office and in front of a computer anyway. Wasting away my life in a job that I hate... But then again it's money... Reigen can't think of anything to fill the paper, so he tidies his desk and packs his school things at his bag, including the paper.
It was currently dismissal time, and everyone was still chatting with their friends. cliques. Once it's made it's permanent for the rest of the school year. The popular girls, the sporty guys, the 'cool' guys, the gamers- which is usually mixed-gender usually... Reigen tries to think about his classmates to try and not be bored. At this rate, he might try to join one of the cliques. If he tries, he can join the gamers very easily. After all, he does play games from time to time.
But... Why haven't I joined them this whole time then? Even Reigen doesn't know the answer to that. It's not as if he thinks that he is higher or unique or special than everyone else, it's just that he wasn't interested in them at all. Maybe I judged the book by the cover? I haven't even tried hanging out with them... Reigen felt lonely, even after starting high school he hasn't made any single friend. Acquaintances yes, but no more than saying good morning or wishing their safety when it's time to go home.
After some time, Reigen made up his mind to try and talk with the gamers. Reigen stood up from his desk. Well better start with "Oh, you play that game? Me too! didn't know anyone else plays that game! Hi Reigen Arataka so you play-
"WHAT!?" One of the girls from one of the girl group of friends exclaimed loudly. It resonated throughout the whole class. The girl realizing how loud she was apologizes to the class.
Reigen was startled when he heard the girl, as it disrupted his train of thought. Now he has to formulate the conversation plan again... Screw it. I completely forgot what to say. Reigen sat down again, giving up and try to think something else to ease his boredom.
"Really?!" The same girl that disrupted him exclaimed again, but not as loud this time.
Reigen became interested this time. There has to be a reason for her to over exaggerate. Reigen closes his eyes and focuses on the girls talking.
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"Not so loud, oi! It's just a rumor, but I heard some of the teachers were also talking about it too. So it's gotta be true!"
"Yeah but, there's gotta be a reason for it to happen right? I didn't know him that much since he's an upperclassman, but I didn't think he was bullied or anything. Whenever I see him in the halls he's quite big-sized, not sure if that's the type that bullies usually target."
"Well, maybe it's a family issue? Or maybe he was kidnapped?!"
"Now come on, that's impossible... Is it?"
"Hmm... Now I'm curious. It's been a while since anything fun happens, now I want to know what happened to him."
"You call an upperclassman went missing fun?"
"Cmon, you know I don't mean it like that! Just, it's been boring lately! Study and study and study, I need some tension and excitement!"
"Well even if we want to know more about it... what can we do?"
"True... Maybe we can ask someone?"
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Reigen woke up to the sound of 4 different girls calling out to him. "Wha- What?!" Reigen panicked and thought he was being attacked.
The 4 girls laughed at Reigen's reaction. Reigen is visibly embarrassed. "What is it that you want?" Reigen changes to his usual confident demeanor when talking to other people. crap I fell asleep when I was trying to eavesdrop on them.
One of the girls became the first to start the conversation. "We have a request, since you seem the most vacant right now we thought you'll be the best person for the job."
Reigen hums at the statement. so they want to ask me to do something because I look like I have nothing else to do? damn they're right
"So we heard a rumor that an upperclassman went missing. He didn't come to school for about 2 weeks now. I heard from the teachers that whenever the faculty try to contact his parents that there was no answer. We're becoming very curious, so could you help us out and investigate further about his disappearance?" One of the girls says with a joined palm.
Reigen took a moment and thinks to himself. missing student from the school? unresponsive parents? sounds very fishy... Can be caused by foul play from a different party and might be dangerous too... The worst-case scenario is probably Yakuza... But damn, now I'm interested. Could be a nice mystery to solve.
"So can you help us out?"
"Wait, before that. What'll I get?" Reigen said with his hand gesturing money. Reigen didn't care for the reward that the girls will offer, he was just curious at what they were willing to offer.
The 4 girls looked at each other. One of the girls spoke up after some time. "We'll buy you takoyaki?"
"Deal. Okay then, I'll see what I can investigate." Reigen shifts to his serious mode and points his thumb at his face. "I, Reigen Arataka, Shall take this case!" Reigen shrugs, realizing how weird it must've been for the girls. "Or something like that."
The 4 girls chuckled at Reigen's little play.
"So any clues on what's his name?"
One of the girls thought to herself for a moment. "Well... I don't know if you know about him... He's not that popular either even among the upperclassman... but his name is... Seri? Seri something?"
Another girl facepalms at the previous girl's forgetfulness. "It's Serizawa. Serizawa Katsuya. Class 3B."
Reigen hums at the new clue. Serizawa... Serizawa... Nope, never heard of him.
The 4 girls wait for Reigen's response.
"Yup, don't know him." The 4 girls sigh in disappointment. "Give me until next week, I'll probably have some solid info by then."
The 4 girls said their thanks to Reigen and went back to gossip about other things.
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Friday, 3:23 PM
Reigen walks out of the school gate, feeling not as bored as he was when he entered the school this morning. Private detective seems a fun job. Maybe I can do this as a practice? Haha Reigen laughed at his own jokes in his mind. Ah, who cares about the request thing. They'll probably forget that they even talked with me by next week.
Reigen opens his flip phone and texts his parents that he's on the way home. Before he forgot, he opens a notes app and types his target's name.
Serizawa Katsuya, 3B. Get ready, wherever you are!
Reigen runs through the streets of seasoning city, feeling excitement for once in a long time.