"A flaw in the timeline?"
Shinichi's brow furrowed in genuine puzzlement as he scanned Akihiko's calm features.
Where exactly did this flaw lie?
Shinichi stepped forward, arms crossing. "You and Kawakami-san both left class around 8:30—so where's the discrepancy?"
Akihiko's lips curved into a small, knowing smile.
"It's true we departed at 8:30," he replied softly, "but who said Maki-san headed straight to the bridge afterward?"
He paused, letting the question linger.
"When I finished my run, she was already gone."
Silence rippled through the onlookers.
Officer Megure's voice was sharp. "That's your story—who can vouch you didn't kill her in that window?"
Akihiko tilted his head. "What time is it now?"
Megure glanced at his watch. "Ten o'clock."
"Excellent," Akihiko nodded quietly.
"My autopsy places her death ten to twelve hours ago—between ten and midnight."
Shinichi's eyes widened, matching Megure's stunned expression.
At Akihiko's side, Kimura's hand came down on his thigh with a soft thud. "Of course—rectal temperature."
He adjusted his stethoscope. "Even submerged, bodies cool in ten to twelve hours—accounting for water's effect."
Akihiko glanced up. "Precisely. The corpse registered 19.8°C rectally."
He pointed at the group, voice firm. "Forensics holds that under ideal conditions, reaching 20°C signals ten-hour postmortem."
"And corneal clouding confirmed it—white patches ripe at ten hours."
A hush fell once more.
Akihiko fixed Shinichi with a steady gaze. "I left school at nine. She died later—so who did it?"
Shinichi's jaw tightened as he processed this reversal.
Megure and Kimura exchanged a look of reluctant respect.
"You doubt me over my age?" Akihiko challenged quietly.
"Then take your findings to Todai Medical Institute for verification."
His tone was gentle but unyielding.
Giggles rippled through the fringe of students—science had toppled assumption.
Megure exhaled, the tension lifting. "Remarkable. I never expected such skill from a student."
He faced Akihiko. "What other clues did you find on the body?"
Shinichi leaned forward, curiosity alight in his gaze.
"If you claim expertise," Shinichi prompted, "show us the evidence."
Akihiko's soft laugh echoed, drawing every eye.
"Detective Kudo, curious for the truth?" he teased.
Shinichi met his tease with a wry smile. "Enlighten me."
Akihiko's expression turned serious. "I found two details—first, a scar."
Shinichi's voice dropped. "What scar?"
Akihiko's calm voice carried weight. "An S-shaped laceration—too deliberate to be a fluke."
Every breath hung heavy in the air as realization dawned.
In that silent moment, truth and time stood revealed.
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