Students From Whiteroom

Theft of State Treasures

This room is so luxurious. Comparable to the person who is the owner who is a commander. Piles of documents and files lined up neatly in the closet. There are also some jars and paintings that decorate this room.

And, don't forget there's a photo of one of the most influential people in Calendsia. He is the Fuhrer of this country, Iskandar the Great.

After getting to know each other, Commander Hans let me and Maya in.

I sat on the couch next to Maya. While Commander Hans was reading the file in his hand across my seat. Between us was a rectangular table that bound us.

"This is the file."

Commander Hans exclaimed. He showed the file to Maya. After that, he explained the case casually.

"We are currently working on a theft case. A heart-shaped pendant belonging to the Governor General's wife has been stolen."

Maybe what he meant was-

"Red Heart."

A girl was muttering beside me.

Commander Hans nodded. "That's his name. The pendant was so big and expensive because it was made from red pomegranate stone."

Maya nodded. "If estimated, the price is likely to reach 1 billion. Maybe more."

I hopped. Commander Hans and Maya compactly looked towards me.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Aria, please don't embarrass me."

That's the response from both of them. Maya looks at me cynically, just like before. I apologized afterwards and tried not to be careless anymore.

Maya also read the case file seriously. There seemed to be some details like the suspect, and the person involved in the case.

"Maybe I should call Corporal Chef?"

Commander Hans nodded. "of course. He's the one who presides over everything about this case."

For a while, Maya took a deep breath as if preparing herself.

What the hell's going on? It seems like there will be danger coming.

"Aria, now our work is just beginning. So, seriously."

He seems to be good at dealing with the police. So, I can't say anything and can only follow behind him.

With no strings attached Maya leaves Commander Hans's room. At least before leaving, I had time to give my bow and say goodbye.

Besides, I really don't know the reason why I had to come with Maya to investigate this. However, he had threatened me and I did not want to fight him. Honestly speaking, with my current abilities, I will not be able to defeat him.

* * *

We arrived at a luxury apartment in the city near the crossroads. According to the file read by Maya, corporal Coki seems to live here. This is the same apartment that the nice guy I met earlier went to. After boarding the elevator, the two of us had arrived in front of the Corporal Coki's room on the 6th floor.

I dare not imagine that I would have to climb the stairs to get here. After pressing the bell, the door opened. Someone who seemed to be young appeared from behind the door.

"Good afternoon. We were both acquaintances of commander Hans."

Maya greeted the young man. He looked surprised.

"Commander? Are you the commander's man?"

Maya nodded.

"Huh so it is. Though I wish the commander would let me investigate this case without his help. But yes, it is."

He grumbled. Even though the target might not be us, it's still uncomfortable.

"Ohh I'm sorry. I addressed that to the commander."

He lowered his head for a moment.

Maya raised her shoulders and turned her gaze away as if she did not want to interfere.

Yes already. After that, the young man stood up and greeted us both.

"Include me, I'm Coki, one of the corporals who is now investigating the red heart theft case."

Looks like he's still in his 20s. However, his rank was already quite high when compared to his young age.

I'm a little jealous of him.

He has also been chairman of the investigation into a major case. This is the achievement I hope to achieve.

We were both welcome to enter her apartment. Looks like Coki lives alone here. I just hope that he can leave this lonely life behind by marrying the girl he loves. Because, I see how bleak this place would be if it lived alone.

"Alright, since you guys are going to stay over, so just relax yeah."

I looked towards Maya. He turned his gaze the other way as he knew I was looking towards him. You sly, I grumbled in my heart. Looks like Maya found out that we'll be forced to stay the night.

It's possible that this has been explained in his file. So this is a danger that threatens us. Grumbling was futile, because it was too late.

The chef told us to sit down and invite us to chat. He seemed very happy to talk. In fact he told me all his neighbors in this apartment building.

"You know, here I have many good and unique neighbors."

He started telling stories. It seemed like this person was a person who could not be stopped when it had already started talking. It's one of the types of people I'm reluctant to have a relationship with.

"On the left side of my room is a cage. Very rarely did he leave his room. Perhaps, this is what is called introvert."

Maya looks sleepy when she listens to him talk. Of course, this person is the only one who can defeat Maya just by talking. Really, it's an amazing sight when Maya can't avoid this.

I wonder why I do so many things today.

"Oh yeah, besides introverted neighbors, I also have other unique neighbors. For example, a very forgetful man. You know, he even went back and forth from the front of the building to his room several times because of the sheer amount of stuff left behind."

Chef chuckled. I can only smile at his words. Really, in my mind I wonder Maya's purpose in doing this.

"Oh yeah the last one was a technician. He's probably pretty good at fixing a variety of electronic devices."

Looks like his last neighbor was pretty normal. There is nothing wrong with the technician.

Instead I feel worried about the state of the Chef who more than half of his acquaintances are 'unique' people'.

When the chef finished telling the story, he immediately prepared the room.

In the midst of the host's busyness, Maya immediately stood up and sneaked towards the door. After he held the iron handle of the door, he immediately said quickly.

"Oh yeah, actually I can't stay tonight, because there's family business. So for you guys, have fun."

He suddenly said it. Before leaving, he blinked his eyes cute, yet flirtatious. And he rushed away after that.

"wait. May-"

He had left his room and left me alone with Corporal Chef. This is the darkest day I've ever had.

Damnit damnit!

* * *

Evening has arrived. I am grateful to have survived this disaster. Honey, my partner must accept his unfortunate fate. I couldn't save him, because I had to choose.

Save him or save yourself. I was quite selfish not to choose the first option.

If I were a character in a shounen anime, maybe I would choose to save my friend and sacrifice myself. But I'm not that naive. Because the world is cruel.

There are many things that make this world go round, and one of them is cunning.

I've seen it all from the beginning, but now it's all getting clearer.

It seems like I have found someone very interesting as a toy, I mean as a colleague. You know 'colleagues'?