Handsome Investigator - 1

The soft bell chime indicating that school is over for today sends a sigh of relief throughout the class. We say our salute to Mrs. Sue, the mathematics teacher, then gather our belongings to leave.

I stuffed my notebooks into my bag and went up to Samuel who was already waiting outside with his three other best friends.

"Hey, Lana what's up." Jerry Chon, the boy with the most adorable eyes and sweetest smile welcomed me.

"I'm good, thanks," I replied while giving way to a girl who is flirting with Jason Bak without seeing that she almost bumped into me. Anyway, can't they simply wake up to the womanizer who would never commit his heart to any of them, but then there's Jason, all confident... Good looks are definitely a plus.

I saw Naomi being the last exiting the class, I try my luck to talk to her again as she approached us but Nelson Kim had already overtaken me.

"Goodbye, Naomi," Nelson uttered with a smile. His dimple deepened, showing off his charms.

Now I understand why Naomi ignored Nelson even though she had acknowledged that Nelson is courting her. Because she actually likes Samuel the most.

Naomi had been pushing me aside in the class, as she gives a cold glare at Nelson and then, at last, turn to me, and I sensed that she is officially declared war between us. Without saying a word, she left.

"Naomi..." I tried to catch up with her but Nelson halted me.

"What's wrong with her Lana, she always returns a smile to me right, why today?"

"I'm not sure. She rejected me too," I told him while my eyes darting at where Naomi was going.

"Maybe, you should give her time Lana." Samuel intertwined. "Let her be. We should be heading now, our preparatory class starts in half an hour from now."

"I'm sure I didn't do anything wrong to her. Why me?" Stated Nelson confused.

"Let's end it here guys, go home," Jason suggested, placing his hands over Nelson and Jerry's shoulder, guiding them away from us.

"Why me, Naomi?" Nelson mumbled. "Lana you better make peace with my Naomi." He continued before Jason drags him away again.

"Come on, Lana." Samuel followed.

"Sure." I nodded.

Deep inside, I wanted to go to Naomi, she may be having a hard time that she worried may burden me. She may look brave on the outside, but I don't want to leave my best friend alone.

Yet, time is limited until I find a clue to Mr. Bong's murder, or else I will be the sole suspect and my future will be ruined...

I'm sorry Naomi. I will come to you, I promise.

___________

Today marks day one of me joining the preparatory class with Samuel which my parents are glad to let me join thinking I have finally opened my mind to study. They got sick of me being idle after school with Hansel and we end up a fight most of the time while the monthly mock test comes and goes before the final examination to determine which university we will get into.

Dad won't mind spending extra cash just to get me into the reputable academy with Samuel.

Too much studying is boring, seriously. I can only stay sober in the piano class I attend with Samuel every weekend. I don't remember how many times I have dozed off with the lecturer's sing-song input reciting in the background. Peering at Samuel sitting next to me, he stays calm along the time, not even flinching from his seat.

Hah, perhaps the genius genes aren't running in my blood though mom was a teacher and dad is a legal professional. Am I even their daughter?

"Class is over," He said, turning to me, looking straight into my eyes.

I recoiled at Samuel's sudden acts of flicking my forehead. "Ouch, that hurts!"

Samuel's lips widened into a smile. "We need to solve a case while studying, you have to adjust yourself from now on. Come, let's get us supper before going home."

Brushing away his fingers imprinted on me, I obediently cleared my stuff and followed him out.

"Whoah, my brain is overloaded," I mumbled as we settled our seats at a cafe lounge one block away from the academy.

"Don't you have any goal in life after graduation? Such as landing in a prestigious university? You know our parents couldn't do anything to get us in there, they are all based on our grades and school evaluation."

"Hmm... " I take a sharp inhale before answering him, "Actually, I needed to be as hopeless as possible until dad decided to send me away overseas to study. Since no university can afford me, dad will leave with no choice but to send me away..." I said, avoiding Samuel's gaze.

It's true, I wanted to leave this country, away from my family.

And mostly specifically away from Hansel... 

Hansel is my sole motivation for fleeing that house. I don't despise him; he is, after all, my blood brother, my family. Yet, when he's present, I seem to be the cause of every explosion in his life. I'm either his issue solver or his wrath absorber, and I don't have the authority to channel the injustice I'm dealing with Hansel.

I don't deserve to complain because Hansel is different and I'm growing up normally...

For a brief period, there is a stillness between us until Samuel decides to break it with his casualness. "And so that's why Lana suddenly turns into a knucklehead."

"What? Hey, you are harsh,"

"Yeah, dimwit," he chuckled, knowing I was annoyed by him. "It's amusing that you did that to yourself, Lana. Instead of making a mess, you should at least do something that benefits you the most. What if you go into difficulties as a result of your idea?"

"What... what do you mean? Are you saying that I'm involved with Mr..."

The name had become taboo, stuck in my throat, and I hesitate to continue...