Operation Cheating Scene Paparazzi

Last night, after I contacted Karen and Toko-senpai contacted Kamokura respectively, we judged that there was a high possibility the two would meet today. We exchanged messages and decided that I would tail Kamokura-senpai while Toko-senpai would tail Karen.

That said, for now, it was just a matter of keeping watch at the station nearest the university. I, Toko-senpai, Kamokura, and Karen all use Nakano Station for our commute. Therefore, it wouldn’t be unnatural for us to be at the station.
I decided to keep watch at the entrance of the Science and Engineering faculty building once the 4th period ended.

I had already checked the 3rd-year Information Engineering curriculum. Since it wasn’t a practical lab session, Kamokura-senpai was bound to come out soon.
As I watched the main entrance of the Science and Engineering building, Kamokura emerged relatively quickly, just as expected. He began walking straight toward the station.

Karen was also supposed to have classes until the 4th period today. The Faculty of Letters building is on the opposite side of the campus from the Science and Engineering building, so I couldn’t watch that entrance, but the distance to the station is about the same.

I followed behind Kamokura, making sure to stay behind a crowd of other students. Kamokura didn’t seem particularly wary of his surroundings. However, while he was taking out his smartphone to do something, he took a quick glance behind him. He didn’t seem to notice me, though.

…Is it a message from Karen?…

That’s what I thought, but there was no way to confirm it from where I was.

As we reached the campus gate, students whose 4th-period classes had ended were all trying to head out at once. With this many people, it wouldn’t be unnatural for me to be there.

It was the same situation at the station. The platform was overflowing with students. Kamokura was operating his phone here as well.

I looked around from time to time. Kamokura hadn’t noticed me, but Karen might have been nearby. If she spotted me, she would obviously contact Kamokura, and they would both certainly become cautious. But Karen was nowhere in my line of sight. Since Karen often wears bright, pastel-colored clothing, I was sure I wouldn’t miss her.

Eventually, a Sobu Line train bound for Chiba arrived, and he boarded it. I got onto the adjacent carriage of the same train.

Kamokura’s apartment should be in Kinshicho. There are many love hotels in Kinshicho too. Are they meeting there? According to Toko-senpai’s reasoning, they shouldn’t be using their local station for a secret tryst, though.

The train became incredibly crowded around Yotsuya. I could only see Kamokura in glimpses. I thought about moving between carriages, but I stopped myself, thinking it would likely attract his attention. I monitored Kamokura’s figure as it appeared and disappeared through the crowd from the next carriage.

It happened when we reached Akihabara Station. I lost sight of him. Kamokura wasn’t in the spot where he had been standing just moments ago.

Just as I thought that, I saw Kamokura walking along the platform, blending into the crowd.

“Excuse me! Getting off!”

I pushed through the people in the carriage and hurried off the train. But by the time I stepped onto the platform, I had lost sight of him.

Judging by that movement, Kamokura must have headed toward the Yamanote Line platforms. Did he go toward Tokyo or toward Ueno? Which one?

I ran toward the platform for trains bound for Ueno. My reasoning was that Karen’s commute route goes toward Ueno.

However, while I was halfway down the stairs to the platform, the departure bell for the Yamanote Line rang. I sprinted, but I didn’t make it! By the time I reached the platform, the doors had closed ruthlessly.

I stared at the departing Yamanote Line train. I searched through the windows to see if Kamokura was inside.

Then… there he was! Tetsuya Kamokura!

He had indeed boarded the train heading from Akihabara toward Ueno. I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Toko-senpai.

(Yu): Lost tail on T. However, I confirmed he transferred to the Yamanote Line at Akihabara heading toward Ueno.

“T” stands for Tetsuya Kamokura. It might not mean much, but I make sure to write in initials just in case someone else sees the screen. After a while, a reply from Toko-senpai arrived.

(Toko): Understood. I couldn’t find K on my end. I’ll be at Akihabara soon, so let’s talk for a bit.

(Yu): Got it. I’ll look for a place first. I’ll message you again once I’ve found a spot.
After sending that reply, I went further down the stairs toward the Electric Town exit.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Toko-senpai appeared with those words. Today she was wearing a thin white long cardigan over a light brown one-piece dress. Though simple, her outfit was tasteful and, combined with her beauty, it drew the attention of those around us.

“No, I haven’t been waiting that long, so it’s fine,” I replied.

We were at a café in an office building near Akihabara Station. The atmosphere was calm, and the tables were spaced far apart, making it feel spacious. It was a good spot for a conversation we didn’t want others to overhear. Once Toko-senpai took her seat, she ordered a cappuccino from the waitress.

“First of all, let me apologize. I wasn’t able to find Karen-san, so I didn’t gain anything today. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. You took on the harder task of tailing Karen from the start. Anyway, what was it you wanted to talk about?”

“Yes. Thanks to your message, I think I have a lead on the place they might be meeting. I wanted to tell you about that.”