Akihiko pointed at a woman in the crowd.
She wore a teal blazer and subtle makeup that lit up her eyes.
It was Ms. Keiko Kato, their third-year English teacher.
"How could it be Kato-sensei, Tou-kun? Are you mistaken?" a student gasped.
"Ms. Kato is so gentle—she helps us with our essays! She couldn't possibly murder Kawakami-san!"
Murmurs of disbelief rippled through teachers and onlookers alike.
The police officers exchanged uneasy glances.
Even Shinichi's confident countenance flickered with doubt.
He'd known Ms. Kato as kind, patient, and entirely incapable of violence.
Yet Akihiko's certainty held the crowd silent.
Officer Megure cleared his throat.
"Tou-kun, on what basis do you accuse Ms. Kato?"
Akihiko's gaze shifted to Maeshima-sensei.
"Check his coat pocket—there should be a ticket."
Maeshima-sensei's face turned ashen.
"I…I don't have any movie tickets," he stammered.
Akihiko spoke evenly.
"But you said you saw Love Letters at 9:30 last night."
"That film's been the evening feature all week," he mumbled.
"How did you know?" Maeshima asked, nervously.
"I attended a screening with my aunt three days ago," he admitted.
Akihiko's nod was slight but certain.
"Love Letters—a story of a letter sent to heaven and a reply revealing a buried, unspoken love."
Its tender narrative had filled theaters nightly.
"So tell me," Akihiko continued, "would you go alone to see such a film at that hour?"
Maeshima-sensei fell completely silent.
Akihiko's tone remained calm.
"The cinema logs every ticket sold."
"One stub per patron."
Maeshima's hand shook as he reached into his pocket.
He withdrew a second, crumpled ticket stub.
Shinichi leaned forward, curiosity sparked.
"Why carry two stubs, sensei?"
Akihiko's smile was faint.
"One was for Ms. Kato—yet she never attended."
He raised his finger toward Keiko Kato.
"Observe her left ring finger."
The crowd obeyed, breaths held as they stared.
Both Ms. Kato and Maeshima wore matching bands.
A pair's ring, delicate yet distinct.
A low murmur spread:
"So they're secretly a couple."
Shinichi's gaze flicked between the two.
At last the pieces fell into place.
Love, betrayal, and a perfect frame.
A classmate whispered nearby, "I saw their rings in the staff room earlier."
Genuine admiration shone in Officer Megure's eyes.
He turned to Akihiko.
"All my questions are answered."
Akihiko fixed Keiko Kato with a measured look.
"Sensei, you've ruined an innocent life—why make me your scapegoat?"
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