CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

LEIGHTON WAJEEH

NAPASINGHAP ANG lahat nung biglang sumigaw si Eun-ji. Both Yuna and I just shook our heads at hindi ko mapigilang mapa-face palm.

Eun-ji looked at us. "Oops! Sorry." she said, letting out a peace sign after she covered her mouth.

"Tss..."

Pati ang mga pulis sa loob ng bahay ay napatingin sa gawi namin.

Wonder what happened?

Well, minutes ago before that, I was inside the school's cafeteria, enjoying my lunch. Walang masyadong tao kasi Wednesday, and by Wednesday, pinapayagan ang mga students na lumabas ng paaralan. It's the only day of the week na pwedeng lumabas ang mga estudyante during lunch.

"It's so good!"

"Tss."

Napatingin ako sa gawi ng mga nagsalita. Yeah, at hindi pala ako mag-isa. It's been how many weeks since the first day of class started. I tried to get rid of them kasi gusto kong kumuha ng mga posibleng lead sa kaso ng daddy ko.

However, I stopped because the aura of the school seems to be too innocent. From the head of the school, to the faculty and staff, and everyone. It seems like maling paaralan na naman ang napasukan ko.

Aside from that, nung una kong pasok sa admin office, may nakita akong confidential files ngunit wala akong nakitang konektado kay daddy.

But I realized, I've been searching for justice for how many years already. And during my weeks here in Levióur Seijin Academy, I was able to enjoy my life as a student. And I guess, that's what daddy wanted.

"Anong 'tss' ka diyan, Yuns?! The milk is so good! Try it," saad ni Eun-ji. She even tried to put the straw in Yuna's mouth but the latter avoided it.

Yuna just glared at her.

Nasa ganun silang sitwasyon when I felt my phone vibrated inside my pocket. I looked at the two and excused myself. As I reached outside, I picked up my phone and answered the call.

"Hello, tito Fred?"

"Leigh, lunch break n'yo ngayon, 'di ba?" tito Fred responded through the other line.

"Yes, tito. Bakit?"

"Pwede ka bang pumunta sa Ford Street?"

"Bakit, tito? Anong meron doon?" I asked. It awakens my interest at this very moment.

"Something happened. I just want your help... again. Sorry for interrupting you---"

"Alright, tito. I'll be there in a minute." I immediately responded.

"Okay... Papunta pa lang rin ako doon. We'll just see outside the gate." he said. "Wait, baka ma-late ka mamaya after lunch break ninyo?"

"No worries, tito. We have 1-hour vacant after this." I replied, recalling our schedule.

"That's good, then. Alright, alright. Kung mauna kang dumating doon kaysa sa akin, just wait for me outside. Mag-ingat ka!"

"Sige, tito. Ingat ka din."

That's tito Fred. Ever since my father died, siya ang tumayong ama sa akin. He's a police officer assigned in investigation team. Siya rin ang natatanging nakaalam patungkol sa ginawa kong imbestigasyon dati patungkol sa pagkamatay ni daddy. He even helped me, however, because of his work, very limited lang ang kaya niyang ibigay sa akin.

I am still thankful to him. In return, I helped him solved cases. Well, solving cases is already my thing. Nakuha ko ito sa daddy ko. He's the best and famous detective in the whole wide world.

Right after the call, I immediately went inside the cafeteria.

"Uhm, alis muna ako. May pupuntahan lang ako." sabi ko sa kanila. I then slowly get my bag on the chair.

"Saan ka pupunta, Waj?" Eun-ji asked. She sipped her milk and I noticed it's almost empty.

Inayos ko ang bag ko. "Tito just called me." maikling sagot ko. Pero napansin kong naghihintay pa sila ng karugtong. I heaved a sigh. "He needs my help..."

"Help in what?" Yuna asked seriously, wiping her mouth with a table napkin.

"Solve... a case." mahinang sabi ko. I don't want to spill it but there, I said it.

Yes, I'll be solving a crime case. Kahit pa hindi sinabi ni tito kung ano ang 'something happened' na tinutukoy niya ay alam ko na agad.

Napansin kong biglang lumaki ang mga mata ni Eun-ji. "Really?! That's amusing. If so, pwede ba kaming sumama diyan, Waj?" tanong niya bigla na ikinatigil ko bahagya.

"U-Uhm..." sabi ko sabay lingon sa paligid. Is she serious?

"Sige na, Waj, we wanted to witness." she showed me her puppy eyes while putting the empty plastic cup on the table. "And besides, may 1 hour vacant pa tayo bago magsimula ang first subject natin this afternoon, it's so boring. Right, Yuns?"

Tumingin lang sa kaniya si Yuna. She's the type of girl na kung ang sagot na ibinigay ay tingin lang, it means yes.

***

AFTER I PARKED my car, we immediately walked across the road. May nakita kaming police cars sa labas ng isang bahay.

"Oh, Leigh. Nandito ka na pala." saad ni titi Fred as he saw me. He then suddenly looked at the two woman beside me.

Yeah, wala akong choice kung hindi dalhin ang dalawang ito. They're persistent to come with me. I just hope they will not cause disturbance while I solve the case.

Tito and I then do our signature fist bump.

"By the way, tito, this is Eun-ji and Yuna..." I then introduced my colleagues. "Eun-ji, Yuna, this is my uncle, tito Fred." As I said that, they shook their hands together.

"It's nice meeting the two of you." tito Fred replied. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagkagulat na may kasama ako. This is my first time na may sinama ako sa paglutas ng kaso.

"And so do we! It's meeting you." Eun-ji answered.

Tito Fred smiled widely. "Alright, tara na, pasok na tayo." Then, he looked at me.

I nodded my head and we altogether get inside the house. In the living room, there are two men and three women who are sitting on the couch. We did not mind them first.

We went directly towards the comfort room where we found a body of a woman lying bloody on the floor. Her both hands were above her head while her legs were open. She just wore simple attire.

I roamed my sight around and I noticed how the area is kinda weird. The things inside and the body did not coincide.

We just got here, yet there are already questions that lingers in my mind. Was this a suicide case, or a murder? Ito ang kailangan nating alamin.

I looked at Yuna and Eun-ji. I wonder kung makayanan ba ng sikmura nila ang ganitong set-up; dead body and blood. But surprisingly, they are seriously looking at the area as well. No signs of discomfort.

Well, I'm not totally surprised kay Yuna kasi like mine, his father is also a detective. Maybe, she was also exposed to this kind of environment. However, I don't know about Eun-ji.

YUNA AYANNE

THIS IS already not new to me. Somehow, this interests me.

After seeing the crime scene, we immediately turn our way back to the living room for us to ask some questions to the said suspects.

Leigh's uncle, tito Fred, and his fellow policemen-slash-investigator stood in front of the five suspects. I, Eun-ji, and Leigh were just beside them, listening to what they have to say.

"Ano ang ginawa ninyo sa bahay ng biktima?" Tito Fred asked them one by one.

"Inimbitahan niya kami dito kaninang umaga para mag-inuman. We were drinking just right here in the living room." the girl with a blond hair responded.

"Iniwan niya ba kayo dito?" tanong ng isang policeman.

"Yes, kasi ang sabi niya ay kukuha muna siya ng maiinom since paubos na ang isang bote namin." said the muscly man.

The police started jotting down something on the note. "Who discovered the body?"

"A-Ako. I excused myself to them kasi naiihi ako. But I just witnessed Shiela's u-unfortunate s-situation." the slightly fat woman with a long, black hair answered with trembling lips.

"Right after the victim, Shiela, left you here, what did you do? I want you to give your alibis." saad ni Tito Fred, looking intensely to the five suspects.

"Listen keenly." Leigh suddenly whispered while looking at us. Binigyan lang namin siya ng isang tango.

"Noong umalis si Shiela para kumuha ng maiinom, Josh and I went to a store, few walks away from here, para bumili ng yosi." the skinny man answered first.

"Oo, doon kami ni Vince nagyoyosi sa tapat ng tindahan. Pinuntahan nalang kami ni Shine para sabihin sa amin na patay na si Shiela." the muscly man, who I assumed his name is Josh, spoke next. May kalungkutan sa boses niya.

"Ako naman ay pumunta sa kwartong inilaan ni Shiela sa akin para i-arrange ang mga gamit ko. S-Sinabi niyang dito muna ako magste-stay para may k-kasama siya. Mag-isa lang kasi siya dito." the slight fat woman answered.

"Was there someone who can confirm your alibi?"

"S-Sila, nakita nila akong pumunta sa kwarto." she said, pointing the other two girls. The two just nodded their heads.

Tito Fred then looked at the rest. "And you two, what are your alibis?"

"Pumunta ako sa underground na sinabi ni Shiela sa amin. I want to go there. I even invited Shine but she declined." The woman in a blonde hair said.

"Hindi ako sumama sa'yo kasi gusto ko ring pumunta sa likuran ng kanilang bahay so see their flowers. Walang nakakakita sa akin kasi umalis na silang lahat." the woman named Shine answered firmly.

Moment of silence then occured after they are done telling their alibis. And I think, those things they have shared were somehow helped me conclude something.

"Clearly, this is not a suicide case because no murder weapon or anything that are near to Shiela. And so, there are two possible scenarios." Leigh suddenly broke the silence. "Either outsider was the one who killed her or... isa sa inyo." he went on.

"What?! Sino ka para akusahan kami?" Shine suddenly stood up.

"He's not accusing anyone. He's just stating the probabilities." Eun-ji suddenly butted in, seriously. Tiningnan ko siya at noong naramdaman niyang nakatingin ako sa kaniya, she smiled. "Right? Hihi."

Tss.

I immediately erased that sudden thought.

"So, 'if' one of you are responsible for this, did one of you have any conflicts or major arguments with the victim?" Leigh asked. He's acting like part of the professional investigation team now.

The woman suddenly laugh. "HAHAHA! Well, kaming lahat." she muttered.

My forehead then creased.

"A-Anong pinagsasabi mo, Alice? Sa ating lima dito, ikaw ang may malalang problema kay Shiela. Tinraydor mo siya, 'di ba?!" Shine suddenly reacted.

The woman named Alice looked at her with a brow raised. "Wow, huh? Talaga ba? Ako lang?! Hindi ba't nagseselos ka kay Shiela kasi 'yong crush mong si Josh ay si Shiela ang piniling jowain?! If someone here killed her, it must be you!" she yelled at Shine.

"Oh, my God." Eun-ji reacted in a low voice.

"T-Tumigil nga k-kayo---"

"At ikaw, huwag kang magmalinis, Grace!" Alice cuts the woman's words short. "They asked us our possible motive and we just gave them. At hindi ba't gusto mo siyang patayin noon? Dahil hindi mo siya gustong mapabilang sa pamilya n'yo-because you don't want to have a half sister?!" she went on and with that, Grace seemed to be stunned.

I suddenly looked at Eun-ji because she suddenly walked out and headed towards the kitchen.

I unintentionally put up my gaze unto Leigh's and there I saw him giving his full attention. I then followed Eun-ji until we both reached the kitchen.

"Why did you suddenly walked out?" I seriously asked her.

"Bakit? Anong problema? Trip ko lang. Hihi." she answered, looking at me. She doesn't look surprised seeing me following her. "Okay. The truth is, I want to see the kitchen. I feel like this area holds something helpful to the case." she went on as she realized that I scrutinized her.

"Oh, I see." I answered.

Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa kitchen area. It has refrigerator, a knife that was on top of the kitchen sink, and other things that were clean and organized.

Though, I find it weird.

LEIGHTON WAJEEH

BIGLANG UMIYAK si Grace matapos iyon sabihin ni Alice. I then glanced to the side where Yuna and Eun-ji were standing a while ago but they're out of my sight now.

My forehead furrowed a bit. Where are they? Ito na nga bang sinasabi ko.

I slowly walked out while the suspects continued revealing ones' secrets. I took my way behind the suspects and I just mischievously laughed on what I just found out.

More proof and I'll expose you. I said in my mind.

I went to the kitchen and surprisingly, I saw the two of them busy looking around the area. They're helping?

"I never thought you will also be invested in this case." I said to them and causing the both of them to turn their gazes at me.

"Yeah, this seems interesting." sagot ni Eun-ji na ikinatango ni Yuna.

I smiled a bit and also roamed the area. "May nakita ba kayong makakatulong sa kaso?"

"A little bit." Yuna shortly replied. She was currently looking at the faucet near the sink.

"You know what, I am confused. 'Di ba sabi ng lima na umalis si Shiela para kumuha ng maiinom?" Eun-ji retorted. She seriously looked at us. "But, why does her body was inside the comfort room, and not here? Nandito 'yong refrigerator. Pero sige, we could tell that maybe she was murdered first inside the restroom before she could get the drinks. But I find it strange."

With that, I caressed my chin. "Actually, I also thought of that one."

She has a point.

Moments later, Eun-ji's eyes widened. "Uh-ha! Alam ko na!" She suddenly relented in an exciting tone. We listened to her. "What if the culprit has superpowers? What do you think?"

My expectations suddenly dropped after hearing it. Seriously? Akala ko ba naman.

"Tss... Hindi ito oras ng joke, okay? Superpowers did not exist." Yuna burst.

"Pero we could not reject that idea! Every possibility matters. What if the culprit made himself invisible and kill Shiela here in the kitchen? And then, he teleported the dead body in the comfort room. That's possible, right? Hihi." she insisted and what I just did was to face palm.

I did not say a word after that. I processed Eun-ji's words---not that I believed the thing she said about teleport and invisible thingy, but it seems an idea suddenly came out. I alternately looked at Eun-ji and the door near the kitchen.

Then, I smirked.

"I know who did it and how it was done." I said to them.

Eun-ji's eyes suddenly widened. "Parang... Oh, me too, hihi. Parang alam ko na rin kung sino."

"Same here."

I smiled as I heard that. We slightly discussed and affirmative, we really have the same culprit in mind. Honestly, they impressed me. Their conclusions support each other's claim that made our theory firm. Hindi ko ito in-expect.

After a moment, we went to the living room where the five suspects have been questioned.

However, our momentum was suddenly interrupted when Eun-ji done something.

"Bakit mo pinatay si Shiela, Shine?!"

She suddenly shouted that caught everyone's attention. The intense scene and revelation was now ruined. Yuna and I looked disappointed.

I just shook my head. Hay, wala na.

Eun-ji looked at us. "Oops! Sorry." she said, letting out a peace sign after she covered her mouth.

"Tss..."

"Mali ba ako? Ano pala dapat ang unang gagawin? Hihi."

"A-Anong sabi mo?!" Shine then yelled, looking in our direction.

Uh-oh. Eun-ji really broke the moment.

"I said, bakit mo---"

"Tito Fred, I know who killed Shiela and how the culprit did it." I said, cutting Eun-ji's words. Baka ano pa muli ang masabi niya.

I heard a sigh and gasp from one of the suspects.

"Alright, Leigh. Go ahead." sambit ni tito, showing his smile.

"Unbelievable! This is absurd!" Shine exclaimed. Her colleagues, on the other hand, looked at her in shock and at the same time, rage.

"Go ahead! Para magkaalaman na!" Alice then muttered in a firm voice.

"First and foremost, the culprit misleads us. Shiela was killed in the kitchen and not in the comfort room." I started right away. "As you can see, the comfort room looks clean---there were no signs of mess and struggle if ever the culprit killed her there."

"As we roamed around the kitchen area, I have noticed something there. I saw a knife on the kitchen sink, but it was clean. However, what caught my attention was the faucet." Yuna spoke next and we all looked at her. "There were blood stains sa hawakan ng faucet. And that itself tells a story that after the culprit killed Shiela, with bloody hands, she turned the faucet on and cleaned her hands, including the knife she used. But she forgot to clean the grip of the faucet that she once hold using her bloody hands."

Teleport.

Invisible.

Those were the things that pops in my mind first before I spoke. "Shiela was dead right after the culprit stabbed her. At matapos niyang mapatay si Shiela, she transfered Shiela's body in the comfort room without others noticing it, given the fact that her colleagues were not in the living room anymore. That explains the position of the victim's body inside the comfort room---na parang hinihila."

I then looked seriously at Shine. Her eyes widened as she gulped many times.

"'Di ba, Shine?" I asked her sarcastically. I saw her fist clenched. "Sabi mo, pumunta ka sa likuran ng bahay. But why? Not because you wanted to see the flowers, only trees were there. That's because you wanted to execute your evillish plan." I went on. "Sabi mo, you are the last person in the living room. You took that opportunity. Pumunta ka sa likuran ng bahay para pumunta sa pintuan papuntang kusina kung nasaan si Shiela. Shiela did not noticed you, that's why you picked up a knife and stabbed her in the nape, a critical point---the reason why she could not shout and died immediately. And the rest was being stated already."

"Aba'y g*go ka pala! H-How sure are you that what y-you are all said are true?! Hindi ako pumunta sa kusina! At sino ba kayo---" Shine shouted in rage.

I was about to say something but Eun-ji butted in. "Eh, kanino 'to?" she asked, raising her hand to show something. "I saw this in the kitchen. Surely, this thing was owned by the person who went inside the kitchen through the door at the back. That person might not noticed her bracelet fell off her hands. Hihi." she went on. The bracelet was already inside the plastic.

"H-Hindi 'yan akin!" Shine denied. "B-Believe me..." she looked at her colleagues but none of them responded. They just looked at her intently.

"Hmm, parang bagay sa'yo, eh." Eun-ji mocked. "Check your hands if you still have your bracelet. Hihi."

"Wala akong bracelet sabi! That's n-not mine!"

"Your right hand says otherwise. There's a mark." Yuna sarcastically said, looking at Shine's hand.

Shine touched her hand and covered it. "H-Huh?! Matagal na ito dito."

"Okay. Hihi." Eun-ji said. "We will give this to the investigator to have a cross matching." Then, she gave it to the policeman beside tito Fred.

I cleared my throat. Too many obvious statements have already been seen. I will now drop what's the most obvious thing. "Hindi na natin patatagalin ito. Shine, if you really did not kill Shiela, why is there a blood stain in your shirt?" As I spill that, they gasped.

With widened eyes, Shine looked at me. "W-What are you talking about?"

"Look at the sleeve of your shirt." Yuna butted in.

Her colleagues looked at the part where we referring to. And they looked shock as they found out.

"H-Hindi. Baka nakuha ko l-lang ito sa comfort roo---"

But Shine was not able to finish her words because Alice suddenly slapped her.

"Ha! I knew it!" Alice snorted. "Huwag ka nang magsinungaling pa! Baka nakalimutan mong hindi ka pumunta sa cr?!" she went on with teary eyes. She is pointing her fingers to Shine repeatedly. "How could you?!"

Shine was out of her words now. She just kneeled on the floor, crying hard.

Sign of Defeat.

"Tss, drama." Yuna suddenly commented in a low voice. Eun-ji and I looked at her. She then looked at her wrist watch. "We better head now to L.S.A. It's already 1:30, our vacant time is almost up."

We then bade goodbye to tito Fred and went to our car, while Eun-ji headed towards her motorcycle.

"Waj, are you okay?"

I immediately looked at Eun-ji right after she asked those words. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na nakahinto na pala ako sa paglalakad at tumingin tingin sa paligid.

Both of them looked at me with a confused look on their faces.

I just nodded my head. "Y-Yes... let's go." saad ko nalang sabay pasok sa aking kotse.

While I'm inside my car, hindi maiwaksi sa isipan ko ang naramdaman ko kanina. Seems like....

Seems like someone is watching me.

##