"I don't know why it's funny how you practically exposed yourself. It's as if every word coming out of your mouth only proves more and more that you're the killer."
"W-What are you talking about? Why? Are you saying I killed her? Do you have any evidence? Huh? You can't accuse me without evidence! Didn't it ever occur to you that Lyca could have actually been poisoned by the seeds of Malus domestica ? Maybe you don't know this, but its seeds are mildly poisonous because they contain a small amount of amygdalin," he explained.
I laughed.
I just couldn't help it.
I pity people who talk too much without realizing the consequences of their own words.
Call me arrogant if you want, but I wasn't about to let myself be humiliated at this university again.
Once was enough.
"You're right. Apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which makes them mildly poisonous. No wonder you're a nursing student," I replied.
"But did you know that it takes around two hundred apple seeds to reach a fatal dose?"
I watched his expression change.
"Didn't you notice that Snow White only took a tiny bite of the apple? It's impossible for her to have consumed the seeds you're talking about when her bite barely scratched the surface."
I saw him grit his teeth.
"So you're really accusing me of killing Lyca? Fine! Show me your evidence!"
"To be honest, I don't have any evidence."
"What? You don't have evidence and you're accusing me? Are you insane?"
"I don't have evidence because you're still carrying it."
His eyes widened.
"I'm right, aren't I? The bulge in your pocket looks suspicious. What is it?"
"Are you kidding me?"
He reached into his pocket and showed us the object.
"It's just an ordinary ballpoint pen."
"Then why would someone like you carry a ballpoint pen while performing in a play?"
I smiled.
"It made me think. Maybe that's not an ordinary pen at all. Maybe it's a customized injection pen. You're a nursing student, aren't you?"
"W-What nonsense are you talking about?"
One of the police officers examined the item I pointed out.
Just as I suspected.
It was a customized injection pen.
"That's what you used to inject the poison into the apple. I noticed the tiny puncture mark on it, and I'm certain the forensic tests will match it. They'll likely find the same type of poison in both the pen and the apple."
I crossed my arms.
"That's enough evidence to prove you're the culprit. Do you have anything else to say?"
"L-Lemuel... H-How could you do this to Lyca? I thought you loved her. Why?"
The girl burst into tears.
"Shut up!"
Lemuel snapped.
"I did love her! But did she ever love me back? She led me on! She kept me waiting! Then I find out she already has another boyfriend!"
His face twisted with rage.
"Damn that woman! I worked so hard to court her, but I couldn't even get a simple yes from her! If she wasn't going to be mine, then I'd rather she die so no one else could have her either!"
The girl started crying harder.
"I never knew you were this kind of person, Lemuel. If I had known, I would've never liked you."
His eyes widened.
"B-Because I knew you loved Lyca, I set aside my feelings for you. I thought that's where your happiness was. But now I regret it."
She lowered her head.
"I never should have loved someone as cruel as you."
"L-Lora..."
The police immediately arrested him and escorted him into a patrol car.
"Good job, son. I never thought you'd solve this case. You really take after me."
Dad patted my shoulder and gave me a proud smile.
I simply shook my head.
Then I remembered something.
"No. What he called me."
"As I've told you before, my name is Aedrian."
Dad just laughed.
What was so funny about that?
"Hey, Aedrian! You never told me your dad was a police officer!"
I turned toward the familiar high-pitched voice.
"Why? Didn't you deduce it?"
She rolled her eyes at me.
What was that for?
Then she shifted her attention to Dad.
"Hello, Uncle! I'm Nica. Um... what exactly am I to Aedrian? Wait, what are we again?"
"Girlfriend?"
My forehead immediately creased at Dad's suggestion.
"N-No way!"
"She's my seatmate."
"He's just a transfer student."
"Just friends."
"Just acquaintances."
The two of us spoke at the same time—and said completely different things.
I looked at her.
She looked back at me.
"Whatever."
"Whatever."
Dad burst out laughing again.
What was wrong with him?
Should I admit him to a hospital where people laugh for no reason?
"Anyway, are your classes over?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Yes, Uncle," Nica answered.
"Well then, let's head home. Nica, why don't you ride with us in the patrol car?"
"P-Patrol car? Cool! Let's go!"
My seatmate's eyes sparkled with excitement.
I immediately objected.
"Dad, I brought my bike."
Besides, if I rode in a patrol car, people might stare and think we were criminals.
"Then I'll leave her to you. Take Nica home safely. Goodbye!"
Before I could respond, he was already climbing into his patrol car.
Silence settled between us.
I cleared my throat.
"So... where do you live?"
Her eyes widened.
"Wait. You're actually taking me home? You don't have to!"
"What did you think I was going to do? Come on. It'll be dark soon."
I walked over to where my bicycle was parked and got on.
A few seconds passed.
No one sat behind me.
I turned around.
"What are you waiting for?"
"What if the tire goes flat?"
"You sure complain a lot. Get on already."
She finally obeyed.
"Just show me the way to your house. And hold on tight."
"O-Okay."
I felt her hand gripping the back of my uniform.
"Not there. You'll stretch out my shirt."
I suddenly hit the brakes.
She immediately lost her balance and wrapped her arms around me.
A grin spread across my face.
She quickly pointed out the directions to her house.
It turned out to be fairly close to the school.
Still, my house was even closer, which meant I'd have to ride back afterward.
"T-Thanks! Be careful on your way home!"
I simply nodded before pedaling away again.
A few minutes later, I entered our subdivision.
Then my phone vibrated.
I pulled it out and read the message.
From: Lyca
5:45 PM
Very well. I am impressed.
—End of message—
My attention was so focused on my phone that I didn't realize I was about to crash into a tree.
I instantly let go of the handlebars and jumped off the bike.
My back slammed against the pavement.
Holy cheese.
How could a dead person send a text message?