Time Turner

It was a slow drive because there's a small storm outside. Although the storm now was not as dangerous as it used to be because of the technology they have now, it was no longer something will hinder transportation because it will be cleaned as soon as it begins to thicken.

Also, the driver didn't drive themselves and it doesn't matter if they can look at the road or not. Zio only needs to click [Home] as their destination, then the car will move automatically.

They welcomed Frans to their home with a warm tea. Zio decided to sit with them because he wanted to know how far the progressed they made in just a day.

Alfizar asked Frans to tell them what Frans told him at school earlier today in the cafeteria. He did so with Alfizar say a few things here and there.

Zio, Aurina, and Henry listen to it with a complex expression.

"Frans, this morning when I unintentionally surprised you," Alfizar said as he try to gain Frans' attention "Were you talking to Rachzi about Harloz? About him not the culprit."

"Yeah. That day when Aurina disappeared, I also get brainwashed with days of Vianzo arguing that Harloz is the culprit. So to make sure, I go to the club because Harloz was usually practicing at that time. He was there as usual, but looks like he was on a phone call with his father."

"Probably about borrowing his men," Zio said in wonder.

Alfizar nodded in agreement.

"It's likely that he already know who you are, Alfi," Henry said. That sentence made Zio looked at him in worry.

"Men? And what do you mean by 'who you are'?" Since their talk today at the cafeteria, Alfizar realize that Frans is surprisingly attentive.

"Did you still suspecting Vianzo?" Alfizar asked quickly to divert his attention. Though Alfizar was not sure Frans will forget it. At least Frans let him go this once.

"I did." Frans nodded. "That day in the Computer club, did you remember what Vianzo say about Aurina breaking into the database?"

"Ah!" Aurina hit her palm with her own fist when she remembers. "Something about breaking the school's rules!" (chapter 22)

"That's right." Frans nodded seriously. "But it was really a small attempt to stop us, probably because he didn't want to say too much or it's going to make him too out of his own character."

"You are too sharp, Frans. I definitely will have you on my side when I'm pranking someone and not you. Because you will easily catch me off!" Henry said in awe.

"Prank? Tell me if you are really going to do it!" Frans' lips twitch up into a wide smile.

"Those clues you said... to me, those are all small clues that can be passed as normal behavior. But for you to notice it." Zio said.

"I also wouldn't notice it if Vianzo didn't suddenly change when Alfizar got transferred into our class." Frans shook his head.

"You took Desta Carazo here, right?" Frans asked, and they nodded as the answer. "What did he said?"

Alfizar hesitated, but so far Frans looks so trustworthy. He told them all of this information. And he hasn't done anything suspicious. Also, what he has said, all of it makes sense to him. Alfizar will make a bet. He will trust Frans for now. So he told Frans everything they know from Desta Carazo.

"He was sure that it was Harloz who threatened him?" Frans' eyebrows furrowed. "just like what Aurina say, why would he hide his face if it was really him?"

"All of this discussion is going nowhere!" Henry suddenly said loudly as he stretched his back with a comfortable m.o.a.n.e.d.

"That's right, basically we 70% sure that it was Vianzo who did this," Aurina concluded.

"But I'm curious about one thing... How did he sneak in a knife to GIPEC?" Henry wondered out loud, then all of them fell into silence as they force their brain to think.

Alfizar thought about the day Desta told them.

"He said it was the same day as the accident. But Desta was threatened early in the morning. So before the class begin. When did he get the weapon?" Alfizar mumbled loud enough for everyone to hear.

'Did Desta see the knife himself? It's impossible to bring something like that around in GIPEC, with all of those sensors around. He will get caught as soon as he stepped into GIPEC' Alfizar frown as he thought about it.

Then he decided to message Desta to ask.

[Desta, did you see the knife he used to threaten you?] [Sent]

It didn't take long for Desta to reply.

[Now that you mentioned it, I didn't see it. But I know it was a knife just by feeling the coldness on my neck.]

"Desta said that he didn't see it was a weapon, but he could feel the coldness against his neck," Alfizar informed the rest of them then they fell into silence again trying to think it out.

'The same day, early, didn't see the knife but it was cold on the neck... That day... Vianzo... Before going to the Archery Club....' Alfizar thought as he forced himself to think and remember in case of finding clues.

***

Clink!

A small sound of falling metal resounded from Vianzo's seat. They turned to see Vianzo pick something up. It's turned out to be a metal spoon.

***

"You gotta be kidding me." Alfizar g.r.o.a.n.e.d as don't know whether to laugh or cry. He covered his face with both palms worried that he was going to show a weird expression after remembering that and can't decide on his own emotion.

"What's wrong? Did you realize something?" Aurina asked curiously. Alfizar looked up at them trying to force himself to show emotionless expression.

"What's with that expression?" Zio asked with one of his eyebrows shot up in amus.e.m.e.nt. Looks like Alfizar failed.

"I think I know what the 'weapon' is." Alfizar raised both his hands and bent two fingers to quote the Weapon.

[Next chapter's teaser:

"Dear lord, I have been taking care of you for years!"

"We didn't ask him that because who cares-"

"But then he insisting that it was enough of a proof."

"Father, can we not talk about this now?"]