A wonderful specimen!

((icon by this lovely person))

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

"Hey, Tomoko." Nori crossed his arms, avoiding her gaze. "Did you find anything on this floor?"

Startled, Tomoko quickly turned towards the voice, the book grasped tightly in her hand. Her expression softened into a smile as she realized it was only her green-haired companion, Nori. Gently placing the object onto the workbench where she found the bottle on, she turned her full attention towards the boy.

"Why, I have indeeeed found a few things," The microbiologist replied, moving out of the way to show off her findings, "I found this booook in the library. From it’s contents, it is prooobable that this is a medical dictionary of some sort. You caught me in the middle of exaaamining this bottle over here." She pointed at the pills and continued on, "It contains a good bit of pills, however due to the labeling I was not able to tell whaaat type of tablet it was until I looked at the book. Appaaarently, it is a brand of medication called Namenda, and it is used to treat Alzheimer’s Disease. How ooodd…"

[shslpunkpianist]

"Fiiind anything on the third floor yet?"

Nori jumped slightly when Tomoko approached him. “I…” He hesitated, thinking of the USB drive in his pocket. Then, the pianist shook his head, shoving his hands into his pockets and frowning. “No, not a damn thing. This whole investigation’s just a load of shit and wasted time. That damned bear couldn’t even tell us who the fuck the corpse is, so…” Only two people were missing, so it had to be one of them, but those entries he’d read were still vivid in his mind. If he was right then… he had a guess at who it was. But that was impossible, right? He glanced in the general direction of the computer room for a second, then started to walk towards the stairs to go down to the second floor. 

"You didn’t find anything either?" He pulled his hands out of his pockets and crossed his arms, being careful not to let the USB drive fall out. "I guess we better keep looking, then." Nori was more on edge than he had been before, and his always-irritated face had a definite undertone of uncertainty.

Fuck this school. 

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko shook her head sadly. "My apologies, I cheeecked nearly every room, and did not find any clues," She spoke. There was something off about Nori, something that she couldn't point out. Was he lying to her? There wasn't a reason for him to hide anything from her, so why did he seem nervous? She didn't get the chance to question him on it as he was already heading to the second floor. Tomoko toddled after him, hoping that he was alright.

[shslpunkpianist]

"Have you fooound anything yet, Mr. Watanabe?"

Nori scowled and shook his head. “No, not a damn thing, besides that stuff in the attic we talked about.”  The pot he had broken in the previous room wasn’t out of carelessness so much as frustration at the lack of evidence so far. Okay, well, maybe he slammed it down a little too hard and hadn’t been paying much attention to the fact that it was right on the edge, but… Whatever. “Did you find anything yet?”

He crossed his arms. “I think we’ve covered everywhere on this floor, if you didn’t notice anything.” This was bullshit. 

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

"Unfooortunately, I didn't find anything," Tomoko replied, shaking her head, "Perhaps the third floor will be mooore helpful to us..." She hadn't looked over the other rooms yet, but she figured that Nori did and didn't find anything in them. She motioned for him to follow her down the stairs to continue their search.

[shslpunkpianist]

Nori shrugged. “I guess we’ll figure this shit out eventually.” Hopefully before it was too late. The bastard who was running this was going to pay, or he would die trying to make that happen. The pianist stood there for a moment, then turned. “Keep looking for more evidence. We’re going to check some of these other rooms.” With a glance at Tomoko, he headed for the door, figuring that she’d follow.

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko opened her mouth to reply to Mina's question, she quickly changed her mind when Nori started to leave. Not wanting to leave him alone, she quickly followed after him, calling back to Mina as she did so, "My apooologies Ms. Mina, but thank you for showing us that connection! I wiiish you luck in your evidence search, but for now we must go." The microbiologist waved at the other girl and disappeared out of the door.

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko mimicked Nori and turned around, being blinded by light. She squinted her eyes and made out an outline of the girl. “Ms. I- Mina, good job! Let us take a look at what you have found,” She said, walking towards the shine of the penlight. Perhaps it was a critical part of the case, or at least some form of evidence, really. Tomoko wasn’t picky.

[shslmakeupartist-archive]

Mina flinched a bit at the frown, her smile lessening. He seems really mad… Mina shook the feeling off, shining the penlight on the university book. 

"Okay, so you see this leaf on the cover, right? Well, take a look at this." Mina moved the penlight to the leaf engraved on the desk. She bounced, ever so slightly, her bun bouncing with her.

"Notice anything?"

[shslpunkpianist]

Nori looked at the designs Mina pointed out, and his frown deepened. “They’re… the same? Why the fuck would some random schoolbook match an engraving in here?” That was definitely odd. “What does that yearbook have to do with anything, either? It’s not like it’s for our school, even.” 

He glanced at Mina and Tomoko’s expressions, trying to gauge whether or not they seemed to have any ideas.

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko looked between the book and the desk, her eyebrows furrowing. My, what great evidence Mina had found. The secret of the attic was unfolding one step at a time, however she did agree we Nori that such a coincidence was indeed strange. "Peeerhaps the owner of the desk was a great faaan of the school or attended it?" She proposed, holding her chin, "The laaatter option makes more sense, seeeeeing as there is a schoolbook. Perhaps there is a cluuue on one of the paaaages?"

[shslpunkpianist]

"Nori! Come over here!" Mina shone the penlight in his general direction. "Tomoko, you too! I found something!!" (The second option was telling you both)

Nori paused, then turned towards Mina with a frown on his face. “What?” He crossed his arms. He and Tomoko had just been on the way out of the room, but he supposed they should see what Mina had found. She seemed excited about it, at least. Was excited even the right word? Whatever. 

At any rate, it might help solve this fucking case.

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko mimicked Nori and turned around, being blinded by light. She squinted her eyes and made out an outline of the girl. "Ms. I- Mina, good job! Let us take a look at what you have found," She said, walking towards the shine of the penlight. Perhaps it was a critical part of the case, or at least some form of evidence, really. Tomoko wasn't picky.

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Eh, Tomoko random question but is your dad 'Julius Tenshin'? Like uh /the/ Julius Tenshin? or am I mixing up names...

"Ah? I’m sorry, but my suuuperior’s name is Iwao Tenshin, not Julius. The name iiis a bit familiar, however. Why do you ask?"

[noizenhaze]

"ah sorry about that, it’s just you’re name always sounded familiar and I think I heard my brother babble on about some guy called ‘Julius Tenshin’ is all" Hikari rubbed the back of her neck. "Maybe he’s you grandpa or something… or it’s just an unrelated guy yah. I just thought… yeah"

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

"It's all riiight, Ms. Seto. I can see why you would maaake the connection between him and I, given our last names," Tomoko assured her, smiling, "My apologies, he is not related to me in the sliiightest. Though, I am now quite cuuurious on who he is, given that your brother has shown great interest in him. Wooould it be all right if you could tell me about Mr. Tenshin's works?"

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Eh, Tomoko random question but is your dad 'Julius Tenshin'? Like uh /the/ Julius Tenshin? or am I mixing up names...

"Ah? I’m sorry, but my suuuperior’s name is Iwao Tenshin, not Julius. The name iiis a bit familiar, however. Why do you ask?"

[shslpunkpianist]

Nori glanced over his shoulder briefly when he heard Tomoko call after. Safety reasons? That’s true, it probably was safer in a group if they didn’t know who did it. It seemed like Hikari was in her own little world and hadn’t even noticed they were there. 

She made her way straight to… the attic? Nori frowned. He hadn’t even known this damn school had an attic. 

He entered not far behind Hikari, but the room was dark and everyone was using lights. Damn. From everyone’s movements, he could kind of see the shape of a body over to the side, but he couldn’t make much out. “Tomoko, you have any lights or anything?” If he’d known it would be this dark, he would have looked for a damn flashlight or something on the way. 

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Huh, it seems as if her intuition had been incorrect; the body was in the attic. Tomoko thought she was being clever with her assumption, but she was sadly wrong. "Unfooortunately, Mr. Watanabe, I don't have any access to a light source. Perhaps we could call over Ms. Seto and ask her for a flaaashlight?" She replied, giving a quick glance at the girl. Hikari should have at least alerted the others of where the body is though. They were missing two girls and therefore couldn't scope as much ground.

"Excuse me, Ms. Seeeto," Tomoko called out to the girl, waving to get her attention, "Perhaps you could giiive us one of those so we can search in the dark as well? It would amplify our productivity by teeen-fold."

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Thin-san... I have to ask you, where were you on Friday at midnight and what were you doing...?

"I was in my dooormitory during that time, Mr. Watari," Tomoko stated, "I waaas trying to get to sleep, since I haven’t really been well-rested nowadays. I did have sooome success though, but not really."

[theklassof14]

[shslpunkpianist]

“Mr. Monobear?” A look of disgust crossed Nori’s face. “That damn bear doesn’t deserve any fucking respect. He and whoever the hell is running this don’t deserve shit.” He crossed his arms.”They killed Hideki and the others and I hope they rot.” He knew she usually referred to people poliely, but that fucking bear? That was crossing the line to him. 

So she thought it was the kitchen? That made enough sense, so he turned and began to walk towards the stairs. They would solve this murder, find the mastermind, and they would kill whoever it was doing this. One step at a time, for Hideki. 

Nori was vaguely aware of Tomoko coming along behind him - good, he hadn’t pissed her off too badly with his sudden flare of anger - but when he approached the stairs, he saw someone else. Hikari was carrying some things, hurrying upstairs with a sense of purpose. She actually looked like she knew what she was doing…. she’d probably found the body. He turned to glance back at Tomoko. “Do whatever you want, but I’m following her.” With those words, he started to go upstairs behind the DJ. It would probably be safest for both of them if Tomoko came along too, but he wasn’t going to force her to or anything. 

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Sure, Nori's snappiness hurt her just a bit, but his anger was justified. It was simply polite to address others using titles such as Mister. And really, they would have to be as polite as they can be to the stuffed animal. Tomoko would not like to be "punished" in an execution, thank you very much.

She had followed him for about a minute when suddenly he turned around. Stunned, Tomoko turned back and watched him follow after Hikari. Perhaps she had discovered the body? No, she was probably doing a downward sweep; after all, Monobear had hinted in the kitchen. Tomoko dawdled for a second before chasing after them, calling out, "Heeey! Please stiiick together for safety reasons!"

[theklassof14]

[shslpunkpianist]

"Ask questions later? No." Nori’s tone was starting to get snappish again, but this time it was mostly in relation to the way his heart was pounding. Damn, you’d think he’d be used to bodies showing up by now. But not knowing who it was… "Where is it? Who is it? The whole damn point is to ask questions!" 

He followed after Tomoko, however, stepping out into the open hall of the third floor. He hesitated, looking both ways.

"… where the fuck is it?” Usually, there was some sort of hint in the announcement, but this time… Nori didn’t even know where to begin, so he shot a look to Tomoko to see what she thought. 

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko flinched as Nori's words became more harsh, nearly causing the door to hit her as she went into the hall. Her word choice must be failing her due to the stress; she had to be more careful speaking to avoid making Nori even angrier.

She caught Nori looking back at her and was startled. Tomoko averted her eyes for a brief second before proposing, "Erm, perhaps Mr. Monobear had a clue when he meant, and I quooote 'Monodragon just can’t wait to chomp on their tasty flesh'. I may be going on a liiimb here, but maybe the body is located in the kitchen?"

[theklassof14]

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

She hummed, gently tapping her nose. “I caaannot say that I am unused to this sort of thing, but no matter,” Tomoko exclaimed. She couldn’t help but to smile wider when Nori promised that he would help her as well. Her father must be pretty worried, since they...

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko pursed her lips, looking towards the ground. Nori was right, there wasn't a motive to spark the murder. Still, there was the recent execution. Could it be that it caused one of the students to go on a murderous hunt for the ones who brought the culprit to justice? It was a possibility Tomoko didn't want to consider. However it wasn't the time for thinking.

"I aaagree that the situation is quite bizarre, but we must find whoever committed the crime and ask questions later. If there wasn't a moootive, then the culprit could have acted on impulse, and is still a daaanger to us all," Tomoko gravely answered him, "We must work quuuickly before any more announcements are made." With that, she moved towards the door and pushed it open, motioning with her head for Nori to go through.

[theklassof14]

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

"…I believe you," Tomoko reassured him, "I know fooor certain that you will be able to prove him wrong. I admire your tenacity, to keep going strong despite all obstaaacles. And I will do aaanything that I can do so that you will be able to survive this golden hell."...

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

She hummed, gently tapping her nose. "I caaannot say that I am unused to this sort of thing, but no matter," Tomoko exclaimed. She couldn't help but to smile wider when Nori promised that he would help her as well. Her father must be pretty worried, since they haven't received word from her for a few weeks now. Come to think of it, there was a disturbing lack of police action. While it was true that the entire school was shut from the outside world, Tomoko would figure that the authorities would have found some way into the building. Could it be that their captor had fortified it extremely well or, even worse, word that this sick game hasn't alerted anyone at all?

Disturbed, Tomoko slowly stood up. Her legs wobbled and prickled, causing her to support herself on the counter top. "Ah, don't wooorry, my legs have simply 'fallen asleep', is all," She immediately explained, "I believe that the issue at hand has been resooolved. Do you have any plaaaces of interest you would like to visit, Mr. Watanabe?"

[theklassof14]

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko flinched at Nori’s words, shrinking back into her seat. No one had spoke to her in such a fashion before; she had no clue on what to say to him. She wanted to help him, tell him that maybe his father was worried that Nori wouldn’t have a successful life. The...

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

"...I believe you," Tomoko reassured him, "I know fooor certain that you will be able to prove him wrong. I admire your tenacity, to keep going strong despite all obstaaacles. And I will do aaanything that I can do so that you will be able to survive this golden hell." She smiled, still stressed from Nori's outburst.

She touched her nose. It was tender, yet it didn't hurt unless she put a significant amount of pressure upon it. She couldn't see how red and puffy her nose and underneath her right eye was, now beginning to sport the faintest shade of blue. "I think my injuuury is all right, at the moment. Does it look noooticeable, Mr. Watanabe?" She asked.

[theklassof14]

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko frowned, looking down at the floor for a moment. “Is it because… he wishes to see you more and he feels as though he is blocked by your talent? Or is it because he wishes to have more control over your life and believes that your talent is your way of...

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko flinched at Nori's words, shrinking back into her seat. No one had spoke to her in such a fashion before; she had no clue on what to say to him. She wanted to help him, tell him that maybe his father was worried that Nori wouldn't have a successful life. The term 'starving artist' was created for a reason. But, Tomoko felt that speaking up about this would only make Nori angrier. It seems as if reason will not solve this situation...

"Oh dear...." She mumbled, looking down at the floor, "To be hooonest, I can see why your father wishes you to go into business, though he is wrong to call your talent 'worthless'. Playing an instrument and general usage of creativity reduces stress, and I believe you haaave enough skill to become more successful than any businessman will ever be. That is, if you cooontinue to pursue your talent and disregard your father's criticisms, of course..."

[theklassof14]

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko smiled weakly. “You cooould say that,” She murmured, “In all honesty, when I was little, he didn’t have time to look after me. My mooother is, er… ‘not in the picture’, you might say.” Her smile looked a little more fake as the word “mother” spoken. Tomoko...

[shslmicrobiologistmoko]

Tomoko frowned, looking down at the floor for a moment. "Is it because... he wishes to see you more and he feels as though he is blocked by your talent? Or is it because he wishes to have more control over your life and believes that your talent is your way of 'rebelling', as odd as the belief may be?" She asked. Occasionally, she felt as though the former was her father's motivation and wondered if Nori had the same situation as she did. However, she was careful to note that not all family situations were the same and there was a chance she was misinterpreting Nori's statement.

Tomoko bit her lip. Perhaps this conversation had become too personal. "My apologies, I might have made you uncomfortable talking about familial issues. If you wish, we can talk about something else, if you like?" She said. The ice pack was now melted and warm, so she placed it on the counter next to her. Tomoko clasped her hands tightly on her lap, looking up at Nori for a reply.