Part 31: Episode 29: Suspicious Behavior

The return to school was mostly uneventful. I found a student ID card in the hall, though, and I didn’t recognize the name. I didn’t know quite what to do with it, so I thought I’d bring it to Dr. Iwamine. He knows all the students here, right? Surely he can help find its owner.
Doctor?


What is it this time?
Umm… I found someone’s student ID, and I thought maybe you’d know what to do with it.
Isn’t that something for the staffroom? Why bring it all the way here?
It was closer! And they’ve started printing out tests in there already, so I’m not sure I can go in…
There is no need for excuses, young lady. Leave it there and get out, please.
Yes, sir.
…Wait, Miss Lourde.
…?
Where did you find this?
Umm… It was on the staircase between the first and second floors. On the south side.

Asking questions…?
Nothing you need to worry about. Please, do be careful on your way home.

What was that all about? He certainly is as strange as ever.
The music stops.



The first elective day back, and I took Mr. Nanaki’s math class. I needed to make sure I hadn’t forgotten everything over break!



A couple weeks later and the school was bustling with birdies.

I don’t have anything to do, so I guess I’ll go look around.
A whole bunch of clubs have food stalls outside…
They looked good when I was coming in, so maybe I’ll go get something for lunch!



A familiar silhouette floats by on the other side of the crowded schoolyard.

Dr. Iwamine…?

I thought he’d be cooped up in the infirmary doing something boring today!
Maybe I should ask him to eat lunch with me?

Since he’s out anyway, maybe he’ll eat with me and I’ll be able to learn a little more about him!
I have to catch up to him first!
The music stops.



Aah… Did I lose him?
Where did he go? There aren’t even any stands set up here, and there’s nothing in the pamphlet about anything outside the main area…
The only thing back here is-

The incinerator…?
Who goes there!?

!

D-d-d-d-d-doctor!

I was following him up until a minute ago, but now he’s behind me!?


No, I wasn’t…
I was just wondering what you were doing!
Is it a crime to walk about one’s own school?
But there’s nothing back here…
There’s the incinerator.
Wh-why…?
I was placed in charge of the science club’s activities today.

Things…

My hunter-gatherer instincts are telling me to change the subject.

O-oh, right! Sir, would you like to walk around together? I heard the haunted house is-

At least let me finish inviting you before you refuse!
As I said, I am supervising the science club. So I do not have time for fraternization.
Okay…

And so I returned to the café, scared off by his obstinance and my own survival instinct.
I thought I could hear him muttering something, but it was drowned out by the noise of the festival as I walked into the crowd of birds.





…How troubling.