I was late to class. Nearly a whole ten minutes but Ms Yukizome didn't say anything about it. She probably saw the letter and knew.

The fourth letter sat on my desk as I stared at it. It seemed so innocent, it had drawings of drawings of Panta and clown masks along with Ouma drawn with a clown outfit and a black hat and cape.

It seemed so happy.

A apart of me wanted to tell everyone right now exactly what I had read. About the true Ouma that existed inside of these pages.

But Ms Yukizome's words rang inside of my head.

"Even if he didn't tell me not too I still wouldn't have...it's Ouma's secret to tell Saihara, hear it as he intended"

She's right, at least for now. I don't know if she had even read the letter she hid. If she did...did she feel anything?

I'm scared on what kind of rabbit hole I have fallen into. It makes me more guilty knowing that if I hadn't ever found this letter...

When Ouma came back nothing would have changed. I still wouldn't have talked to him much, we would have eventually graduated and go on with our lives.

I'm so glad Ouma actually told me about what happened to him. I hope I can help him...

He's coming back though right? I was gaining an aching suspicion where this will lead. And I really hope I am wrong.

-/-/-/-

Over the horizon, follow the northern star, high above the ground, there's a tower hidden for all who don't look up.

What the heck does this even mean? It sounded more like a poem than a riddle! And I don't even know where to even start thinking about what Ouma was talking about.

After class I had made another random excuse about why I couldn't walk home with Akamatsu and strangely enough they believed me.

I had no idea where I was supposed to go as I sat on the roof when my eyes widened. On the rooftop on one of the walls was a large mural of the night sky.

Over the horizon was a large and vast forrest. This could be what he means...there's something in the woods and that's where the letter is!

Determined I ran down and set off towards the woods.

-/-/-/-

Ouma. Why did you hide a letter in the woods? Seriously please tell me what was going through your head when I finally find you.

I walked around the forest clueless and I was considering whether or not I had actually went the wrong way when I thought of something.

high above the ground, there's a tower hidden for all who don't look up.

No...he didn't...

I walked back to the front of the woods and looked up to see a tree house poking out in the distance.

Why do you do this to me?

I walked over to the tree house and ths rope ladder was hanging only halfway down to where I couldn't see it on just eye level.

What? How do you get up?

I then looked at a bucket on the floor filled with rocks and removed some and the ladder dropped.

Huh.

I climbed up into the tiny house. It was filled with junk food and drawings similar to the ones in the envelopes and the bathroom.

The letter was on a small rug in the center and I picked it up to read. This time there was just weirdly drawn faces that looked goofy.

Dear Saihara~

Welcome to this abandoned tree house I found! Seriously. I found this at the start of the year and I decided to show you :p

I searched for three hours Ouma.

I don't really know what to write in this letter to be honest Saihara. I'm actually wondering why I'm even writing these since we aren't really friends are we?

Eh I have nothing better to do. Besides I already finished the other three letters and wrote all the riddles.

Do you know how hard it is writing riddles knowing how dense you can be Saihara chan? I'm just happy I chose you instead of Momota!

I rolled my eyes at that but wad a bit grateful for him going easy on me. I let out a sigh of relief though knowing he wouldn't be revealing any sudden emotional baggage. It made me feel bad though.

I want to help. But at the same time I don't want to think Ouma suffered more than he is telling me.

Oi Saihara what do you like to do? I already know you're an emo detective but I was wondering if you do stuff other than reading detective books.

.....
....

Or if you lead an underground life as the most famous detective to ever live searching endlessly for your beloved phantom thief!

I tried once to help you jump start your career! I stole your cake and sweets in your lunch box! You never noticed though!

And even when you did you never investigated >:l

Don't you know how hard I tried? All those sweets I ate for nothing?! It was obviously the worst!

Yeah sure. I believe that.

Wait that was him?

Oh well since you already made it to letter five, wow you're dedicated! You're already my beloved detective!

Seriously I'm going to need to keep making these harder for you otherwise I'll be found!

All my secrets will be revealed and you'll be able to read me like a book. It sounds awful...

I burster out laughing at what he wrote. I know that no matter how well I know Ouma he still would trick me with his lies.

Hey Saihara in case you don't ever find me or I don't come back can you do something for me?

Totally Saihara: Of course I'll do it

Great! If you look in the corner I had a big idea for a prank but I don't think I'll be able to do it sadly ;(

Did he just answer as me? And did he really ask me to do a prank for him?

It's in the corner over there thanks Saihara! But yeah Saihara you can take over the old place if you want!

When I come back though you gotta take out the trash. You'll probably like it. It's really quiet around here and you seem the type to like that.

I got other places for hanging out anyway. And no it isn't the bathroom.

This place? I looked around and I did admit despite the small size it was comfortable and cozy.

Anyways here's a riddle so you can get on with your day.

Deep underground, the crowds come and joke around.

Well time to go my orginization is having their mandatory tea break! See yah Saihara chan!

PS the view is so cool!

From,
Kokichi Ouma

Mandatory tea break?

I looked at the view. The sun was setting in the distance and the sunset casted shadows below on the tree level. Faint clouds added white but also seemed to be dyed in color as the orange melted and cooled to a soft violet by the tips of the sky.

It looked amazing...thanks Ouma. The view is great.