Tohru was surprised to hear those words coming from the hunger detective. Yu wanted Tohru to kill Naru-san. Kill one of his friends and team mate? He couldn't. He wasn't a killer. The glasses wearing teen shook his head.
"I won't do it! I'm not a murderer!"
Narukami then broke into a fit of laughter. As if Tohru just told a really good joke. He truly is mad. How the hell could he be laughing about this? How is any of this funny at all!? Maybe that's why Tohru fears him so much. Yu always act like he had a higher power over everything. Like having a king complex or something along the lines. It's like this is all a game to him. And he's the game master. He always control what happens in Tohru's life and maybe he's already deiced on how to end it. Soon as Yu got control on his laughing fit and calm down some, he said.
"Really? Then what about when you tried to push that bastard Namatame into the TV?" He chuckled as he rested his his chin on his left hand. "Yeah that's right. I saw what you tried to do. And just when I thought you had it in you, here come the brats you call your friends. If they haven't show up, you could have done it. And I know you could have if you really want to. You know why? Because you're every bit like me and you're just scared to say it."
Hearing all of this at once, felt like someone just slap Tohru in the face. But he didn't do it. He didn't kill him. He...no, it was true. If his friends were there to stop him, he would have push Namatame into the TV. At the time he didn't care if the man's shadow killed him, all he cared about was revenge for Nanako. Maybe he is like the true killer standing before him.
"Adachi-san, don't listen to him, he-"
Before Naru could say anymore, the detective point the gun at the fortune lawyer.
"Do you lawyers ever shut the hell up? This is between me and the little bird right now. You'll get your last words before your life ends."
All the blue lawyer could do is glare at the silver haired man. He couldn't get up and stop all of this nonsense. Yu then turn his attention back to the foolish magician.
"Well?" Narukami raise an eyebrow and frowned. "Go on. Be a good boy, pull out your sword and kill your friend."
Tohru then looked over at Naru. He didn't want to do this. He want to lose any of the friends he has left. He couldn't take it. The dark headed teen's hands were shaking. His mind was begging and screaming don't do it. But Narukami was right about one thing. This was all Tohru's fault that this all happen. Every sorrow and every death in this pass year was all of his fault. All of it. And this was almost one more sin to add to it. He took a step forward, then stop. The words he recall came into his mind.
[ Well, you were scared of that man, right? ]
Marie.
[ Maybe he's scared too to face what he's become. I've read in a book somewhere that murder can change a person. So if he did kill those women, it change him and he is afraid of facing his self for what he has done. ]
Even if the poet was talking about the detective, Tohru couldn't help but see that she was talking about him as well. That might sound confusing, but this is how Tohru sees it. He is scared to stop of what he has been doing for a year now. And that's listen to ever word Yu Narukami has told him to do. He's scared that if he does, everything and everyone around him will change and he would be all alone again. He was scared to face his fears at all and was willing to lie to his self that everything was fine. That it was okay for Narukami's mental abuse to keep going. And he knew that if it kept on happening, he will one day snap and everything will be gone.
But this isn't okay! None of what the detective was saying or thinking was fine at all. It was all wrong! All of it! And Tohru Adachi wasn't going to take it anymore! And the look on Naru's face was saying 'I trust you. You'll do the right thing.' Trust. He trust all of this friends, even with that bastard Narukami. He still trusts him that maybe one day, he'll see that every lie is not always the truth.
"I won't do it. I'm not going to do it." Tohru said as he looked back at the detective. "I'm not doing what you say anymore! I won't kill my best friend!"
The expression on the silver hair man's face went from surprising to anger. He got up from the chair. Grasping the gun in his hand, tightly. And before Tohru could blink.,he went from standing one spot and appeared right in front of the teen. He can teleport? As crazy as that sounded, that was he indeed just did. So that's how he was able to shoot Naru on the back of his leg.
"You won't do it? YOU WON'T DO IT!?" Yu grind his teeth in anger. His empty like eyes was staring at Tohru with a fit of rage. "Do you really want to deify me!? Huh!? Well listen here you little shit!" He grab Tohru's collar shirt and pulled him upward till they were on the same eye level. "If it wasn't for me, I would have abandon you. But I didn't you know why? Because without me, you're nothing. Nothing but a waste of space!"
"Shut up!" Tohru yelled. "I'm not a waste of space and you didn't give a damn about me from the start. You tried to control me like your puppet. I hate you! But I hate myself the very most for listening to you and nothing haven't the strength to stand up to you! You're nothing but a worthless criminal!"
Yu let go of his shirt and Tohru landed on his feet. The detective took a few steps back away from the boy. He looked...surprise or wasn't in shock? Tohru wasn't sure. But then Narukami had that twisted smile on his face from before. What was he up now?
"...If you really want to play hero so badly," Yu aims his gun at Naru's head. "Then please, allow me to play as the villain!"
But before Tohru could stop him or even scream for Yu to stop, the gun went off. The smell of gun powder fill the room. Tohru's eyes began to tear up at what he just saw right before his eyes. Naru laying face down on the ground. He wasn't moving. He was shot in the head. He was killed. Naru was dead and Narukami killed him. Tohru lower his head to only see his feet. No no no no no! This can't be happen! Why!? WHY!? That...that bastard! He killed him. He murder him. Yu murdered his best friend and he's just standing there. Laughing.
"Humm? What was that? You're not going say anything else, hero?" Yu taunt him. Mocking him. How dare he treat people's lives like that to proof a point! He'll pay. He'll fucking pay for this!!
"..."
"Haha, was all that big talk for nothing? Come on little bird, go a head and cry you little-"
"I HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR BULLSHIT!!!" Tohru scream out and ran at the detective. He drew his right hand back and punch Yu in the face as hard as he could.
Enough was enough and he wasn't going to take it anymore and never again! The punch hit Yu so hard, he landed on his back. But that didn't stop Tohru wanting to hurt the detective more. So he was on top of the other, grab the collar of his shirt and was punch the man's face over and over again. From all the punching, Yu's nose was bleeding and his face was cover in bruises. Tohru was really in rage by all this. By the time Tohru stop punching Narukami, his knuckles were all bruise up and bits of Narukami's blood on it. And Narukami was passed out, but he was still breathing. If Tohru were to keep going, he surely were to kill him. He stand up and looked down the man.
"I am not a killer." He said out of breath.
He walked over to Naru's body and got on his knees. He was still in shock that his friend was dead. "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." He didn't mean for any of this to happen. Everything went out of control. Maybe if he was a little stronger back then at the hospital, none of this could have happen. But it was too late for that. It was too late to go back, wasn't it?Then the same feeling from before return. Cold metal press against the back of Tohru's head.
"...You should have know I'm one of the best damn liars in the world. Of course I would fake being passed out. You should have killed right then and there. But you didn't." Yu said "And that more reason why you're just a stupid brat."
"...You know what else makes me stupid?" Tohru calmly said. He knew this was the end. It was over. He was going to die here. Dojima-san, Nanako, Yosuke, Teddie, Naru and Marie. He will no longer be able to see their happy face ever again. He so many regrets now. Hell, he wouldn't be able to be the hero he wanted others to see him as. He even tell Marie how much he loved her. It's time for this play to end now. Say what he wants to say now. His final words before Yu Narukami pulled the trigger. "Till the very end, like my friends did for me, I trust you and I'll still trust you to the last. But also...I pity you."
Bang!
- - - - - - - -
This timeline...was too good to be true.
As soon as Tohru was dead and the mad man begin to laugh. Yosuke used his magic and stop time. Yu stand still like a statue and whole world was black and white. The dark headed tower walked forward from the door way. He was watching. He make it in time to Naru. When he knew he was dead, this timeline's hope was good as gone. And to watch his best friend after he stand up on two legs for once, was heartbreaking.
He was so close to stab Narukami in the eye with one of his daggers out of anger. So instead he kick the wall. Fives times he kicked it. "I wish you trusted me more really. But then again I lied to you. I didn't talk to Yukiko about seeing Narukami at the in. I knew it from another timeline. However, there's one thing I'm glad you did and I wish could. You faced your fears to the bitter end. I just pray in the next timeline, you would bring that bastard to justices with us standing next to you. Now, let's go back to when you first arrive to Inaba, partner."
With the flick of Yosuke's hand over his odd star eye patch, everything faded to white. Soon the case will start all over again. And the story will play once more. Hopefully there will be a light to end this darkness Yosuke has trap others in. Maybe one day they'll see a future outside of this maze. And this time, there won't be anymore mistakes.
After being in the hospital for a long time, Tohru could have swear the weather just got a lot colder then it did when he was outside of Aiya's. Everyone around him was wear a depressed expression on their faces. The hunger detective completely destroy their facts and theories like it was a tower of cards. He even made fools out of all of them. Dojima-san was a little up set with them for calling Narukami a killer. And Tohru felt like it was his fault for making things worse for his uncle. The voice from the silver hair man still ring within his mind.
[ See? Look what you and your little friends did, Tohru-kun~ ]
Everyone stop walking and just stood there outside of the hospital entrance. Looking up at the sky and watching the snow fall from the sky. It's true you can't hardly see it due to the thick yellow colored fog.
"...I thought we had everything we needed to take him down. He was the killer, wasn't he?" The poet asked
"I still have a strong feeling that he is the one behind this. I just don't know how to proof it. I thought we had everything we needed to stop him." Naruhodou said
"...We did have everything we need...but" Yosuke looked over at Tohru and he looked very angry. "Someone had to stand back like a coward and let us get chewed out by that fucking asshole!"
Tohru looked over at Yosuke when he said those words. But before Tohru could say anything, Yosuke drew back his right hand, balled up into a fist and punch Tohru in the face. Marie gasped and Naru was completely shock by Yosuke's actions. Yosuke must have punch him really hard. When that punch landed on the foolish magician's jaw, he fell backwards and landed on the snowy ground on his back. Marie walk over and got on her knees next to Tohru and check to see how bad Yosuke hit him. It didn't look too bad. But to Tohru, it hurt like hell. He held the side of his face and said.
"What the he-!?"
"Why!? Why did you just stood there and felt us fail like that!? Don't you see that bastard is using you!? We give a damn about you! He doesn't! All he cares about his self and nothing more! And you just stood there like a scared dog with his tail between his legs! That was our only chance of putting a stop to his abuse and finding out who the real murderer is. But no, it was pissed all away thanks to you! And you were the one who said a cop could be a killer. I..."
Then Yosuke's voice went from yelling to cracking like sound. Like he was going to cry. And he did. His hands were shaking. Warm tears stream down from his eyes. Then like ton of bricks, he fall to his knees.
"I...I wanted the bastard whoever took Saki away. I want to find the bastard who did this to her! I miss her and it hurts goddammit!!" He said between sobs and punching the ground with his same fist that hit Tohru in the face.
Tohru didn't know what to say after hearing all that. What could you say to someone after hearing all of that? Anger, sadness and regret. Those are the feelings you can feel from Yosuke at this point. Naru walked over to help Yosuke up, but Yosuke reject his offer and stand up on his own. Marie help Tohru up from the ground. He could stand lucky. Yosuke could really throw a punch if he really want to. It's a wonder it didn't knock any of Tohru's teeth out. But right now wasn't time for jokes. The broken tower looked over at his best friend and said.
"I'm...sorry. I just..." The dark headed tower sighed heavily. "After everything that has happen this week, I couldn't help but lose it and I didn't mean to take it out on you man."
The glasses wearing teen shook his head. "It's okay...I kind of understand why you're frustrated. I think we all are after what happen with Nanako, Uncle, Namatame and now this. We just have to try again."
Yosuke kind of smirk at the foolish magician's last words. "Try again, huh? Yeah...maybe we should." He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. "Man, this is so uncool. Crying when I shouldn't be. Yeah, I'm selfish huh?"
"Jumpy..." Marie said.
She seems to be worried about Yosuke as much as Tohru was. Will he be really okay? He just had a break down and now he was hiding it with lame jokes. Before Tohru could say anymore, Naru interfere by saying.
"I think we all should go home for the day. We still have tomorrow to go around town and ask people about detective Narukami. Hopefully not everyone in this town is influence by him."
Everyone nodded. Maybe that was their best chance at this point. The other facts might have failed, but maybe they could find something that not even Yu could explain. But he was still scared about all of this. He was scared of Narukami. He didn't want to lose what friends he had left. And maybe he would turn his self in if Tohru can understand him better. But he wasn't ready to face the silver haired man right now. No, not with what happen just now at the hospital. He wasn't ready yet.
"I'm going to keep looking for kindness and fur. I don't want to go home yet." Marie said as she cross her arms over her chest. "It's been almost two days since he went missing."
Marie was right. Teddie has been gone for a while now. And it's not like him to just walk away. Could he be in the TV world? That is one place they haven't check yet. But Junes was closed, wasn't it? Tohru looked on his watch. Yeah, it was pass closing time from what he remember when he help Yosuke and Teddie once on Halloween.
"Yeah, I'm starting to get worried about him." Yosuke said as he pulled his scarf around his neck till his ears were covered. "I'll go back to my house and let you guys know if he's there or not. I think he could be at home now eating all the candy in my room like last week."
"If he isn't there, we can try the TV world." Naru said with a nod. "I miss that crazy thing. He is one of us after all."
"Mmhm." Marie said as nodded as well. She then grab Tohru's hand. "You're coming with me to look." And before Tohru could say a word, she pulled on his hand as she started walking. He should have know better how bossy Marie can be at times. "Whoa! Hey! Ma-Marie, wait!" Said a blushing Tohru as he was being drag away.
"Haha, hey don't pull his arm off Marie-san. See you guys tomorrow." Yosuke said as he shook his head and laugh some more.
"You kids be sure not to stay here too long." Naru said as he yelled at the pair walking away.
"Okay!" Marie yelled back at Naru. Tohru just felt like he was being drag away like a rag doll. But he was able to wave at the tower and the fortune with his free hand goodbye before they can no longer be seen due to the fog.
> Samegawa Flood Plain
It's been almost an hour. From looking through the shopping district to all the way to the Samegawa Flood Plains, the aeon poet and the foolish magician had no luck on finding the star bear. They looked every where for him. They tried calling out for his name and there was no sign for the big ball of fur. Where could he have gone? Marie and Tohru took a break by sitting at bench and table that was around the flood plain area.
"...A bear like him wouldn't be that hard to miss, could he?" Marie asked cross her arms over her chest.
"No, he pretty much sticks out like a sore thumb. I hope he's alright." Tohru said as he place his elbows on the table and used his right hand to cupped his chin.
With so much going on, he kind of felt bad for not looking for Teddie sooner. He just had a lot on his mind from what happen two days ago and today. Nanako was dead, but came back. Detective Narukami could really be the killer, but they couldn't proof anything, thanks to Tohru's cowardliness. And now to top it all off, one of his friends is missing. Why is this happening to him? Is he always going to lose people he cares about all the time now? Was he curse? Is that why people seem to turn and leave him a lot? He always felt he was left behind. All the time he does. And who is always there for him when the people he saved from that TV just end up leaving him? The hunger detective of course. But will he lose his only safety net now that his friends accuse him of murder? Then who's next to leave him? Yosuke? Naru-san?....Marie? Honestly, that would break his heart if all of them left him behind like the others did. Maybe they have every right to after what happen today. Yosuke lost it and even said awful things to him. Even if he didn't mean it, it was still hurtful. Naru-san would leave too after what Narukami said to him. And Tohru felt like it was his fault for not standing up for him. And Marie...would she be angry for keeping the promise they both made together? That together they would save and protect Inaba. But maybe she hates him now too?
"Marie."
The dark headed girl looked over at the glasses wearing teen.
"Yeah?"
"Do you...are you angry with me with happen today?"
"Are you stupid or something? Of course not, youblockheadedjerkface." Marie siad as she reach over to Tohru. And lightly hit Tohru's forehead with her index finger.
"Hey...!" Tohru said as he rub his forehead. At least she wasn't angry with him. "But...how come?"
"Well, you were scared of that man, right?"
"...That's..."
"Look, I understand why your scared of him. He's your uncle's friend, right? And you don't want to hurt him, right?"
"Y-yeah...partly."
"Sometimes I think...humans have sides that they don't want to show and not share with others. But maybe he's looking for someone to accept him? I'm not sure since I don't know him that well. Remember the day you found me in the TV world and I show you who I was. That I was a monster?"
Of course he remembers that. Marie was scared of showing him her true self. But he accepted her by telling her so and he even hugged her when she was crying on his shoulder. That was the first time he ever seen Marie cried he think. He understands how hard it must be when people see their shadows for the first time and reject the feelings they were hiding. Maybe Narukami is doing the same? But he doesn't seem to be the kind of person to fake his emotions, would he? Then again, the teenager didn't know what was real anymore. So anything can happen at this point.
"Yeah, I remember." Tohru said with a nod.
"Maybe he's scared too to face what he's become now. I've read in a book somewhere that murder can change a person. So if he did kill those women, it change him and his afraid of facing his self for what he has done." The poet said as she added. "So he hides it by using this fake mask. Or better yet, he lies to his self till it turns into the truth. Maybe he lost his true self in the fog somewhere."
"Was that a poem?" Tohru asked
"What!?" Marie said as her face turn bright red.
"YoustupidblockheadIHateyou!" She yelled and playfully hit Tohru on the shoulder.
"Ow. hahaha, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" He laughed at Marie's outburst. She's kind of cute when she-whoa! Now not his mind said to him.
But he understands what she was saying. People sometime rather live through a peaceful lie then to see the painful truth right in front of them. But lies always don't make people feel better in the end. It hurts them, even if they are too blind to see it. You have to face the truth. You either deal with it or you'll just end up being drunk in your own lies. Maybe he should face his own truth and confront Narukami when him and everyone in the group find what they need to show him the truth.
"Marie, thank you." Tohru said with a smile.
She tugged on the tip of her hat downward. "N-no problem...blockhead." She said as she pouted.
"Senseiiiiiiii!"
Both Tohru and Marie looked up to see what that noise was. Where did it come from? More importantly, who was that? They got up from their seat to see what that was. And before Tohru could even take a step forward to go where that voice was coming from, he saw something blue and red running this way. Lucky he move to the side and by grabbing her hand, he pulled Marie away from where she was standing before the something red and blue ran into the table they where sitting at. But when it hit the table and landed on it's back. It made a noise like squeaky toy would make.
"Owwwwie...."
"Teddie!? What..." Tohru was really surprised to see him, but that change and asked. "Where have you been!?"
Marie walked and help him up."You better tell us where you were Kindness and fur! We were worried sick about you!"
Teddie seem dizzy when Marie pulled him up. "Wow...four emmy-chans? It's every man's dream to have that many women around them."
The aeon puff out her cheeks and feeling a little annoyed, Marie point her index finger at him. "Zio." A small blue lightning blot came out of Marie's finger and hit Teddie on his forehead.
"Owchies!" Teddie yelp out as he rubs his forehead with his bear paws.
"Emmy-chan can be so mean at times."
"You're the mean one here. You left without saying a word, youstupidbearjerkface! We were worried about you!" Marie said in a pouty voice.
"Anyway, why were running so fast?" Tohru asked. "You were running like you seen a ghost."
Teddie looked over at his sensei. Then the bear had a worried look on his face. "When I was in the TV world, I felt someone was there. I wasn't sure who that was. So I used my nose to see if it was you guys, but it wasn't. So I think there's somebody inside the TV like before."
"What!?" Both Tohru and Marie said at once.
"Are you sure Teddie!?" Tohru asked.
"The nose always knows! It's failed me before. I know there's someone in there." Teddie said proudly.
Someone we don't know is inside of the TV? But lately no one has been on the midnight channel. Who could be in there? What's going on here!? He had to see for him self of who's in there.
"Tohru, we should-" Marie said but she got cut off when Teddie was about to say something.
"There's no time to goof around! The shadows were getting restless when I woke up in there! They might go after the person in there now." Teddie said as he was worried.
"Okay, we'll go now. Can you show us where that person could be?" Tohru asked.
"Just follow me and I'll use my super duper nose to show you the way!" The star said as he started to walk away.
"Wait up! You better tell us too where you were on the way too!" Marie yelled as she and Tohru went to follow the little bear.
> TV world
On the way to the TV world, Teddie told the two what happen when Tohru and the others step out of Nanako's hospital room that day. He said he was crying so much one moment and then he found his self wondering around in some kind of fog. It wasn't the one from the TV world. It was different. Peaceful and doesn't have a sicking feeling to it at all. Then he heard a noise that sounded like a car and before he knew it, he woke up inside of the TV. He couldn't remember how he got here. Teddie thought he could have been sleep walking. But that was weird to as the least. Tohru wonder what kind of place was that? Sounded like a car...? Hey, could it be...no, there's no way he could have show up in a place like that Tohru thought.
Tohru told Teddie that Nanako was alive, but she was still sleeping. Which made the little bear feel better, but he also felt sad again. reason why he said he might stay here in the TV world. The glasses wearing teen wasn't sure why he would want to. However he said he was glad that he got to met his sensei and the others. From the way Teddie talked, it sounded like he was planing on saying goodbye. It made Tohru sad, but then again it's not like it was forever. He could just visit Teddie whenever-no...no he couldn't. He had to leave soon in a few months. So he guessed that will be the day he would say goodbye for good. The foolish magician didn't want to think it at this moment. Not now anyway. When the three finally made it inside of the TV, Teddie started to sniff around the area like a dog.
"Teddie, do you know what your sniffing for?" Tohru asked.
"I smelled this scent around Junes before. I remember this awful smell when Yosuke was telling this guy he couldn't smoke these stick things."
Smoke? Wait...could this be....Is he here? Then that would mean Narukami can go through the TV like Tohru and Namatame can. Is that really him? Tohru had to asked.
"Do you remember what this man looked like?"
"Um...well, I remember he had silver hair and small bits of fur on his face."
This confirm it. Tohru only knew one person who has silver hair and smokes a lot. Yu Narkami. Then everything back at the hospital was the truth. He was the lair. If only he wasn't a coward back there. He could've stand up to him when he attacked his friends like he did. Maybe this where he can get a second chance. He had to go see him alone. Maybe if he could talk to him. Get the truth out of him somehow and maybe they wouldn't have to fight. He could just turn his self in. But Tohru wasn't sure if that was going to work. For his sake, he just hope he can.
"Teddie, what direction is it coming from?" Tohru asked.
"Over there." Teddie said as he pointed to his left with his paw. "It's coming from that place where I met you and Yosuke for the first time."
The room with the chair and rope? He remember that place. That's the place where he thinks Yamano die in when her shadow killed her. Is that where he is? Then...this is were it might end.
"Marie, I want you to take Teddie to the velvet room. And don't leave from that room till I come back and get you both." Tohru said as he step forward and looked in the direction to where Yu might be.
"Huh!?" Both Marie and Teddie said at once.
"The what room?" The blue star bear said as he was confuse.
That's right. He, Yosuke and Naru don't know much about the velvet room. However Marie is from the velvet room. She keeps and sells skill cards from there. That's the only place Tohru knew that would keep them both safe from any harm. And he wasn't going to call Yosuke and Naru-san. This is something he had to do alone. He's the only one who can talk to Narukami. The foolish magician had to face his fears somehow.
"Wait! You just can't-" before Marie could finish, Tohru cut her off by saying.
"I don't want you two to come with me. Who knows what could happen? And this is something I need to do on my own. Marie please...Just do this for me?"
Just by looking at the girl's face, you can see how worried she was. She lower her head till she was looking at her feet. Was she upset?
"You'll...come back right?" Marie asked and then she tugged on the tip of her hat. "You'll come back alive right?" As much Tohru unsure about that, he didn't want Marie to worry about him.
"Yeah. I'd promise you that when this is all over, I'll take you to a city, didn't I? So soon as I'm done, I'll come get you both."
The aeon looked up at him. And without saying a word, she walked over to Tohru and warp her arms around his shoulders. She was hugging him. Tohru's cheeks turn into a bright pink color. She always knew how to make him blush.
"You better come back then, you stupid blockhead."
Even if she call him names, it made Tohru feel better to know he has someone waiting for him when he comes back. He wrap his own arms around her and hugged her back.
"I will."
After trying to explain what the velvet room is to Teddie, he only understand a little. But he also agreed to go with Marie and stay there. Tohru could tell Marie still worried, but she trusts him. And thanks to that, he feels a little closer to Marie. He just hope she'll forgive him if he went back on his promise to her. The promise that he would come back alive might not happen.
> ???
Stepping into that room made Tohru feel nervous. If you look at the walls you can see posters being ripped from the wall. And something red on the walls as well. And in the middle of the room, was a chair and a noose. Seeing that alone would make anyone freak out. The foolish magician notice something odd about this room right away. Right over to where the window was, it was a big hole? Well Tohru wasn't sure hole since from looking at the inside, there was red and black swirl in it. He didn't know what was on the other side. Could Yu be in there? As Tohru tried to get closed to it, it vanish. Like it wasn't there at all to start with. What the-Tohru's eyes grew big when he felt something right behind his head. Cold steel. Was that a gun?
"Looks the little bird is getting close to that edge."
Yu. That's was Yu's voice. Then it was all true. He killed Mayumi Yamano and Saki Konishi by pushing them into the TV. That has to be it. There's no way around. Yu Narukami is a killer. A cold lying murderer.
"...You did it...didn't you?" Tohru asked
"You know the answer already, didn't you? That's why you didn't say anything back at the hospital. You didn't dare to defy me. And you were such a good boy for not saying anything. However you told your friends a little more then you should and I knew you were the one who said my name to them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have a clue to start with to know it was a cop." The detective press the gun firmly against Tohru's head. "Maybe I should punish you for that? After all, bad children who misbehave should be punish. Don't you agreed?"
Was he going to pull the trigger? Tohru felt fear washing over his face. He was going to die, wasn't he? The voice that Yu is talking sounded just like a real psychopath. Maybe if he summons his persona now, no....no! He wanted to settled this without fight. He wanted to talk to him and convince him to tell the truth for once.
"Wait!" The glasses wearing teen said. "You don't have to do this! We can just talk about this and-"
Before he could finish, the sound of a gun going off. But Tohru didn't feel anything. The gun wasn't even against his head anymore. How long has been away from his head? And who scream just now? Tohru turn around slowly and there he was. Laying on the ground holding his leg in pain. You can see blood seeping through the blue pants leg. Tohru's eyes grew wide as they could. His own legs started to shake a little. He never saw anyone get shot in the leg before.
"Naru-san!?" Tohru said almost quietly and tried to ran to side to help the lawyer. However when he saw Yu's gun pointing at Tohru, it made him stop dead in his tracks.
"See, this is what happens when you're not a good boy."
Tohru turn around to where the man was sitting on the chair that was above the noose. The chair was turn backwards so his left arm was on the back of the chair. And in his right hand was his gun. The one he used to shoot Naru. But how did he move this fast? Just what in the hell was going on with the hunger!?
"You know how an adult takes their child's toy away from them when their bad? Well it's the same thing, but I'm taking your bonds away. Or rather what bonds you have left. Then again I don't understand how you have any to start with since people like to leave you behind. Most of the time, it's your fault they leave or get hurt." He laughed a little. "I mean look at Naru-san. Look what you did to him. You did this to him."
That was a pretty low blow to say the least. Every word felt like a knife, stabbing at his heart over and over. Was it really his fault? Maybe it was his fault for happen to Naru-san since he came here on his own. The lawyer must have followed him here and when Tohru and the detective have their backs turn away, he tried to save Tohru by attacking the hunger from the back. But it failed and he's on the floor in pain and bleeding. Maybe it's also his fault for what happen to Nanako and Dojima too? Hell maybe it's also his fault for people wanting to leave him behind!
"Please, don't hurt him!" The foolish magician begged for his friend's life.
The blue lawyer raise his head up."A-Adachi...san, don't worry about-!"
"No Tohru-kun, I'm not going to kill him."
He used his free hand to grab the cigarette from his lips and toss it to the side. His grey eyes were empty and looked like he was no longer human anymore. His lips curve into a twisted smile. A smile of a mad man. Or a smile from death his self.
"A member of the police force...I can see how killer could be a cop from what you said, Adachi-san. It would explain why there hasn't been a lot of witness reports. It could be the same reason why there was no reports what so ever about someone seeing Namatame's truck."
Tohru thought Marie might have said something as he looked over at her. She was looking down at her lap, she looked kind of sad. Was something wrong? She didn't knew him, didn't she? Come to think of it, Marie has never met him before. But before he could ask the aeon poet, he heard Yosuke saying.
"This is a very small town. Pretty much everyone knows who's who in this town. And since he's a detective, people wouldn't even have a thought of him being suspicious."
"Couldn't he hid anything that would point him as the killer?" Marie asked as she looks back up.
Naruhodo-san nodded. "He could really. However we still need to talk about a few things before we go and see him. We can't jump into things without facts or he'll just laugh at us."
"...Well get this. I heard this from Yukiko-san. He was with Ms. Yamano when he was taking her to the inn. I think to guard her from media? And it was on the night of her death." Yosuke said
"What!?" Tohru yelled. "Why didn't you say this before when we were thinking about all this to start with!?" He could have said so from the start of all this when they met up here.
"Whoa! Take it easy will you!? I didn't think at the time if that was important or not. Besides, we didn't know Narukami did it till we started putting the pieces together."
"..."
Somehow, that felt like a lie almost. But Yosuke was right. No one would think that would be important at time since they didn't know that cop could be a killer. "I'm sorry...my bad." Tohru said as he felt a little bad for yelling at his friend like that.
"Don't worry about it, man."
"Then does that mean he might know that news woman?" Marie asked
"That could be one connection to Ms.Yamano. And he could have talk to Saki by either went to Saki's house or pick her up at school. From those files, I remember that Detective Narukami was also the officer who questioned Saki-san, the one who found Ms. Yamano's body, a lot of times due to lack of information about the case. So it's very strange to question someone with an air tight alibi that many times."
"You think he had something else on his mind?" Yosuke asked as he cross his arms over his chest.
"And whatever that 'something' is could tie with both of the victims and Yu?"
Now that Tohru is thinking about it, he does show up either at the wrong times or anytime they have meetings in the Junes food court. Has he been keeping an eye on them or just Tohru? Narukami has also been to his house a few times. So maybe that's how he could send out the warning letters. There was also times when he would tell Tohru what the police were up to before either his uncle hits him on the shoulder or just say 'Oops, I said too much' and then he shuts up. Was that to throw us off track? But that's the part Tohru didn't understand. Why would he do that? What would be the point for that if he was covering his tracks?
"Then is it really that guy?" Marie asked as he look for Tohru for answers.
Looking at all the facts and everything they talk about now, it feels like they were a step closer to the truth. As much as Tohru hated to think it was Narukami who could behind it all, he had to face him sooner or later. And hopefully there was a way to settle this without fighting. Tohru knew somewhere in his heart that he was a good person. Maybe it was an accident or something. Yeah, it was best they go see him right now. Marie looked confuse when he just stay silent.
"Tohru?"
"We need to confirm this right now. We're just talking in theories at this point." Tohru said
"I have an idea. There's was also something that's been bothering me now." The lawyer said as he pulled out his phone, push a few buttons and put it up to his ear. "Hello, this is Naruhodou Ryuuichi, a defense lawyer from Okina. I would like to talk to Detective Narukami about Namatame's-....He's what!?" Naru-san yelled out loudly. Luckily there weren't that many people in here to give him strange looks for being loud. He got up from his seat. He looked shocked or maybe even angry. He then let out a sigh. "I-I see. I'll be sure to meet him there." The lawyer hang up his phone and put it back in his pocket.
"What's up?" Yosuke asked. "You look like you just ate a bug."
"Detective Narukami is headed to the hospital right now for Namatame's relocation."
Tohru eyes grew a little big. If that happens, Narukami could make sure Namatame takes the fall for him. The glasses wearing teen got up from his seat as well and said.
"We have to go now!"
>Yasoinaba Municipal Hospital
There was Yu Narukami, talking to one of the nurses of this hospital. When he saw Tohru and his friend walking up to him from the corner of his eye, he turn around.
"Hmm? Tohru-kun, what are you doing here? Do you know where Dojima-san went? The nurses said he's not in his room again..."
Is he still wanting to see Namatame after what happen with Nanako? He was in condition to be moving around after that car accident. The nurse he was talking to shook her head and she looked very annoyed.
"We've told him several times that he needs to stay in bed, but he keeps wondering on his own..." She said with a sigh heavily and walked away to go look for Tohru's uncle.
The silver hair detective shook his head and also sigh. "With Namatame finally relocated, I looking forward to going home..."
"So, he's already been relocated?" Said Naruhodou as he took step forward bit before Yu could walk away. "You seem to be a awful hurry to get him out of this hospital."
"Well, yeah. I mean, we can't leave him here with Dojima-san and Nanako-chan around. Don't you think so too, Mr.Lawyer?" Then he looked over at the foolish magician with a small confuse look. "What are you doing here anyway, Tohru-kun? Nanako-chan's room is in the other wing. And may I add that you should leave before Dojima-san finds you? If he sees you, he'll just keep on pestering you again."
Was he trying to push them away? He must be. That's why he's telling them to leave. What's was going on here!? Before Tohru could say anything, he saw his uncle walking up to them. There he was. The teen was glad he was safe and his injuries didn't get worse. He stop when he was about to fall and Yu tried to help him, but Dojima push him away and used the reception desk to keep him up on his feet.
"I'm okay, Narukami...But where's Namatame?" He asked. "There's been a lot of noise today for some reason..."
"Namatame's already been relocated. I was looking for you so I could tell you that."
"You did what!?" Dojima said as he raise he voice a little. "who gave you permission to do that!? There's still more I need to ask him about!"
The silver hair detective rubbed the back of his head. "C-come on, Dojima-san. I think you should-"
"Those first two murder have been bothering me...His motives are shaky, and his alibi is rock solid. We may have closed a lot of loopholes on the basis of his testimony, but that part's still nagging at me..."
"Sir, is this more of your 'detective's inition'?" Was Narukami trying to humor him maybe? He wasn't taking Dojima seriously at all with what he was saying. "It's already been done. There is no point in hassling me about it now."
The silver hair hunger then turn around to Tohru and his group. "Shouldn't you kids leave already? You'll just get in the way of police business. And as for you Mr.lawyer," He said in smart ass tone to his voice. "you can visit me in my office tomorrow for those reports if you're defending Namatame. But I'm surprise of someone like you would want to defend a killer like him." He must have got that call when Naru-san called for Yu.
Tohru could see that the fortune lawyer's right hand was shaking as he made a fist like he was going to punch him.
"What did you say!?"
"Narukami, what's got into you?" Dojima asked. "You never got this work up before." He was surprised his partner was behaving this way. To him, normally he wasn't this mean a lot. Tohru was also surprised on how he talked to Naru-san like that. Is he really?
Narukami looked back to Tohru's uncle and put on his normal smiling face that he wears almost all the time. "I'm sorry, sir. With everything that's been going on lately, I can't help but a little excited on somethings. I also have a smoke break today, haha." Now he was acting like the remarks he said didn't happen at all. Or treat it like it was no big deal here. Something wasn't right here.
"What are you all doing here?" Dojima asked Tohru and his friends.
"We need to comfirm something with Narukami-san." Yosuke answered.
"With me?" The silver hair detective raise an eyebrow at what the dark headed tower just said. "Is something wrong?"
Tohru nodded to himself and step forward. Maybe this was a mistake to say anything to begin with. Maybe he should have kept quite about this. But Narukami isn't a bad person. Tohru felt somewhere that really, really, REALLY, wanted to be wrong here. He pray with all of his heart that his best friend wasn't a killer. He first ask Yu about when Ms. Yamano vanished.
"When the announcer went missing...? Well I've only saw her once maybe when she was interviewing a few people. You know when she was on TV a lot before the affair? But I never talked to her face to face personally. That was months and months back and my memory isn't good as it used to be, haha."
Wait a moment...that was wrong! What he just said just now was wrong. It was all wrong. Tohru thought back to what Yosuke said:
[ I heard this from Yukiko-san. He was with Ms. Yamano when he was taking her to the inn. I think to guard her from media? And it was on the night of her death. ]
Yosuke wouldn't make that up, surely someone from the Inn could say something about seeing Narukami that night. But...that's just coincidence, right? Maybe it could have been another cop that was guarding Yamano that night? Then the foolish magician then asked about Saki's interrogation to the hunger.
"Well that's a strange question to ask to someone like me. Why wouldn't I guestion her? She was the one who discovered Ms. Yamano's body. But sadly, she didn't know anything at all. Poor girl, I think she was crying when I asked her a lot of questions about it. So I send her home and didn't ask her any more questions after that first meeting."
No. God no, why? Narukami is doing it again. Why is he lying again!? From what Naru said from those files, Narukami was lying about how many time he kept questioning Saki.
[ From those files, I remember that Detective Narukami was also the officer who questioned Saki-san, the one who found Ms. Yamano's body, a lot of times due to lack of information about the case. So it's very strange to question someone with an air tight alibi that many times. ]
This has to be wrong! That's just his job, right? He suppose to question someone when they seen a body, right? That's Narukami's job! Wait...Stop...What was Tohru saying in head!? Why would he keep making excuses for Narukami? He was suppose to be finding the truth. But why is he turning away from it? Was he...getting cold feet about this? Or was it nerves? It was like he couldn't do it. No, he didn't want to do this anymore. He doesn't want to lose what friends he has now.
"Tohru-kun? Everything right? Say, why asking me all of these questions"
Hearing the detective's voice felt like a needle was piercing through his eardrums. He looked back up at Yu and then took step back to where his friends stood. All three of them had such an expression on their faces. Like 'what are you doing!? Why aren't you going to say more?'
This time Yosuke took a step forward and said. "What about the warn letter!?"
Narukami looked confuse by the tower's question. Like he didn't know what he was talking about. "Warning letter?"
"The one that was send to Adahci-san's house. The police do have don't they?" Naru said as he took a step forward as well.
"Oh that prank letter for Tohru-kun, right?" The detective said with the same smile he was wearing before on his face. "Haha, it was just a harmless joke. I'm sure someone at school made it, right? You know teenagers that age can be so cruel. Anyway, what's with all these questions hmm? ...I wonder what you kids are trying to imply here?"
Yosuke and Naru were really getting pissed off by how calm the silver hair man was. Tohru just stand there. Not saying anything at all. Like he watching all of this from the outside of his body. Not moving and not saying a word. Like that is standing there now was a lifeless puppet. Or a cage with no bird in sight. Then Marie took a hold of his hand which almost made him jump. He looked over at the aeon, she wasn't looking at him, but the silver hair man that was talking right now. And how long has Tohru's hands have been shaking? Did Marie notice something wrong with the foolish magician. But she isn't saying anything. Odd.
"Just answer this one question for me." Naru said. His voice had hint of hatred in it. "We know for certain that the first two murders weren't Namatame's doing. Someone else killed them. Narukami-san, do you have any idea who that might be?"
"Wait. You're saying Namatame has nothing to do with the first two murders? Are you joking!? Of course a lawyer like you would say anything to get their clients off the hook, humm? How else are you going to make money other then making sure murders like him stay on the street?" Then Yu rubbed the back of his neck once more. "Oh sorry about that. It's just lawyers are not my most favorite kind of people really. It's nothing against you of course. Anyway, who do you think killed those two innocent women? I'm actually quite curious to hear who do you think the murderer is." Then the silver hair detective move his head to the side and looks at Tohru who seem like was hiding behind the tower and the fortune.
"Tohru-kun, who do you think did it?"
The foolish magician felt he was frozen in place. His mouth felt dry and it was kind of hard to say any words at this point. So far he's been shooting down facts after facts with his way of lying really good. Maybe he's one of the best lairs in the world. And there's no way they can't make him tell the truth. "I...um-" Then it was Marie's turn to step forward. She glare at the silver hair man and said.
"We think you're the killer."
"Wa-what!?" Narukami said as he sounded surprised.
"What are you kids saying!? Why on erath would you accuse a police officer for-!? Ahh!"
Dojima gripped at his side with his free hand. The other was on the desk as he was trying to keep his balance and not end up on the floor. He's been moving around too much and maybe the stitches are reopen again. Soon as that happen, the nurse from earlier came back.
"Dojima-san, how many time have we told you stay in your room!?" She then put his arm over her shoulder. "What on earth are we going to do with you!? Do you want to get better? Then stay in your room, you are in no condition to be moving around!"
Dojima sigh and then looked over at Tohru and the others. "You four should go on home. Tohru, we'll talk about this later." And that's all he said before the nurse took him back to his room.
"See? Look what you and your little friends did, Tohru-kun."
He did this? What? But he didn't...he didn't mean to...He-
"That's not fair! Blockhead, did nothing wrong!" The aeon shouted.
"Oh really? Then can you tell me why Dojima-san freak out like that? Can you answer that?" Yu said with a smile, but the sound of his voice sounded very cocky.
"...Um" Marie didn't know how to answer that. She still doesn't understand a whole lot about the world, of course she wouldn't have the answer. She looked down at her feet."...I don't know."
"You don't know...? Just like how you don't know what you're saying is true?" The silver hair man said with a smirk. "But I think I get it. Your lawyer friend here is filling you kids with lies and telling you I'm the murderer, right Tohru-kun~?"
Tohru just blink. Just stare at the other and blink. Before he could answer, Naru started to say something.
"I have files that said other wise. That you, Yu Narukami, were lying about how many times you talk to Saki-san. You talked to her more then once."
"Oh? Files huh? Say, weren't you in a case once that was using an out of date autopsy report? If I recall correctly it happen in the during court and the prosecution had to proof you wrong with there up to date report. How do you know that those files you have are up to date, Naruhodou-san?"
For the first time in Tohru's life, Naru-san was at a lost for words and he was mad. You can tell he was by the way his dig at the palm of his hand with his nails. What Yu said, did it make him question about the files he had? Then again, the foolish magician knew that's what Narukami does. He makes you question everything you done.
"Oh yeah!? Then what about when you lied about not seeing Ms.Yamano on the night she was killed? I heard someone saw you at the Amagi Inn guarding her from the press." Yosuke said in a outburst.
"Well of course I there. Me and few other police officers were there at that Inn on the day she was staying there. Of course I was outside most of the time. Since I can't smoke inside of the inn, I had to smoke outside. And I was only there till after five that day. That cute Amagi girl will tell you since she saw me leave and all."
Yosuke was also looked very angry. He lower his head and grind his teeth. His hand were made into a fist. Again, this what Yu is good at. Playing these mind games and there is no way to beat him at his own game. Tohru knew that all along and his too scared to saying anything to help his friends. He felt like a huge coward.
"Well you guys should go on home and maybe you'll understand someday that most grown ups lie so that good little kids like Tohru here will do as their told to do. Don't you agreed Naru-san? I can call you Naru-san, right?"
"...Good evening, Detective." Naru-san said as he turn around and walked away.
Soon Tohru and the others soon began to follow. In the end, they didn't get their murderer they've been looking for a year now. The only thing they got out of that whole mess, was anger and a heavy heart.
The day the foolish magician and his friends went around the town of Inaba to find any new information about the murders in last spring. If Taro Namatame is not the true killer, then who killed Mayumi Yamano and Saki Konish? Still feeling restless about what happen on December third, Tohru Adachi felt like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He still couldn't believe he almost killed someone that night. But to see his poor little cousin take her last breath as she cries out for her big brother and her father, that would make anyone break down in a fit of rage. He was so close to pushing Namatame into the TV.
But if it wasn't for his friends and his sense of humanity, he would have been no better then real killers. However, maybe because thanks to that moment, Nanako came back. She was still asleep, but she was indeed alive. The boy still wonder if he did the right thing by not killing him? Maybe that's one mystery he won't be able to solve to this day. All the more reason to chase after the truth and finally put an end to this.
It's been hours now and half of the day was gone. With everyone in so focus with the mysterious fog, not a lot of people were paying any attention to the murders anymore. And if it's not about that, it's about the midnight channel. That rumor seems to be spreading like wildfire in this town. More then usual lately. But once the killer is found, this will all end, right? That's what the raven haired teen was hoping for anyway. Since there was no one left to talk to, it was time to report in with the others. He just hoped they had better luck then he did. He takes out his flip cell phone and text everyone to meet at Aiya's.
>Chinese Diner Aiya...
After a few moments of waiting and talking with the people who show up, Naruhodo-san was the last person to arrived. And he seems to be carrying a bunch of files under his left arm and holding two more on his right hand. What are those? Yosuke hold the door for him when Naru-san almost trip on the way in. He was kind of clumsy, but he is reliable when it comes to his detective skills.
"sheesh, You know you could have said something before I close the door on you, you know." The tower said as he rub the back of his head and took a seat next to Tohru at the table. Which made Naruhodo-san roll his eyes and sat the papers to the side
"Well, Hanamura-kun, if you take your headphones out once and a while, maybe you can hear better." The fortune said as he took a seat next to a girl with a blue hat and dark hair and set his file of papers to the side.
"What did you say!?"
They still can't get along after a whole year huh? Well after what happen with Yosuke almost killed Naru and his assistant when he thought they were king moron's murders, Tohru guess he would still be a little mad about it too. But they haven't fight like this in a while. While the same time it's bad for friends to fight, it's good to see them acting normal with all that's been going on this week.
"You two are being stupid right now. Quit it or I'll zap you both." The girl with the blue hat said as she stop drinking the melon soda she's been drinking for an hour now. Does Marie like to take small sips of soda? She seems to do that when she's thinking or when she's bored. Hopefully she was thinking, but Tohru didn't want to ask her that. But thanks to Marie's name calling, it got those two to stop fighting. She can be very scary when she's mad or feels annoyed.
"Sorry, Marie-san."
"Sorry, Kusumi-san."
The slight jumpy tower and the fortune lawyer said at once. It's funny that's all it took to get those two behave and not act like children. And Naru was the adult here too. The foolish magician sighed. He thinks he's more grown up here out of everyone in the group.
"Now that's out of the way, did anyone get any information at all?" Tohru asked before he push his glasses up to the bridge of his nose.
"No one was talking about the case anymore." Yosuke said as he fold his arms over his chest.
Marie shook her head no. "Everyone I talked to was either too busy or worried about this fog." She said before taking another sip of her soda. "The killer must be really good if he can get away with something without being notice in this little town."
"Anyone got any ideas on what we should do now?" Yosuke asked. You can tell by the sound of his voice on how tired he was. They were all tired from what happen yesterday. With nothing to go on with what they got so far, this case might be lost for good unless Tohru can think of a name today. If not, this case would forever be lost in fog.
"I want a beef bowl." Marie said and looked at Tohru. "Go order one for me?"
"I don't mean we should eat now!" Yosuke said, but shook his head and place his hand over his face.
"It wouldn't hurt to take a break for now. We are all a little tried from yesterday." Tohru said and then called out an order a beef bowl for the aeon.
"I guess." Yosuke said as he remove his hand from his face and cup his chin. "Oi, order of crab and egg fried rice for me please!" He yelled as he turn his head.
After Yosuke and Marie ate their dinner, everyone was talking about the case and what they only know so far. But Naruhodo-san hasn't been talking a whole during the conversation the group has been talking about.
"Naru-san, you okay?" The foolish magician asked as him and the other two teens looked over at the older man.
"Yeah, you've been quite for awhile now. I thought you would be the one to jump first on talking about this case." Yosuke said
"Sorry." The Naru said as pick up one of the yellow files from his pile of case files. "I was thinking about what I've read from these case files. Apparently, according to this file right here, the police had an unusual large number of officers of their investigation of the first two murders. To any kind of facts or evidence that the police may over looked, would be difficult since almost a year has pass now. There wasn't anything written that any witnesses had seen anything suspicious to start with. They had no connections with each other what so ever. The only connection they had was Namatame."
"Right, Namatame said his self that he tried to warn Saki. Of course everyone took it as a misunderstanding that he was being a pervert or he was crazy." Yosuke said with a nod.
"I also asked if anyone seen kindness and fur too. But no one has seen him." Marie said
"Man...I wonder where he went to. I tried calling him, but he's not picking up. And no one from Junes has seen him as well. They remember him saying 'oh that guy with the monkey costum?' Dammit, doesn't he know we're worried about him!?"
It's true. They don't know where Teddie is. He vanished soon after everyone thought Nanako passed away. Poor little bear, he was close to Nanako too. Tohru remember the star bear made a promise to play with her. Wonder what is he doing now? Would he be in the TV world? Then again Yosuke said no one has seen him in Junes or in town. It's like he just disappear for no reason at all.
"Um...anyway, Naru-san," Yosuke said as he change the subject for now. Noticing how the whole room felt gloomy all of a sudden. "What else did those case files say or do you have any guys have any deductions?"
The blue lawyer shook his head no. "The files pretty much say what we already know so far. And without any new evidence to work with, I can't think of anything. But there has to be someone, someone out there, who fits the criteria for this case. The killer must had some kind of connection with the first two victims. And it has to be someone who knows almost our every move we make. And of course, who ever this is, had no reason to be suspicion when he enter Saki-chan's house." Naru sighs heavy and place his thumb and index finger between the bridge of his nose.
This was a lot to take in what fortune lawyer said. And the foolish magician felt like time was running out for them. He had to think. He had to think long and hard on who fits into this case. Who was the one who killed Saki-san and Ms. Yamano? Who is always one step ahead of them? Who could be the killer that no one in this town seem suspicious of? Tohru felt like his head was going to blow up if he kept on thinking like this. He let out a soft sigh and rub his forehead with his left hand.
"Blockhead, are you okay?" The aeon poet asked. She could tell that Tohru looked really stressed out. Considering what happen yesterday, it's so much to take in at once. And she understood why he would be acting like this.
The glasses wearing teen gave Marie gentle smile. "I'm okay." He said, reassuring her. He didn't want her or anyone else to worry so much. He got up from his seat. He needed sometime to think. "I'm going to go get some air and cool off for a moment." He said as he walk out of the restaurant. Naru told Marie(before she could go out there)that it was best to leave Tohru be for now. He is the leader of this group after all. He needs all the time he could get to think.
As step out to the foggy night on shopping district's street, a cold wind chill wash over him. It was freezing. A sign that winter is indeed here. Folding his arms over his chest as he tired to warm a bit. Even if it was still cold outside, he didn't want to go back in just yet. This was his only time he could think alone. Then as the boy was thinking, he felt something cold landed on his nose. He blinks once and then looked up at the sky.
"Snow...so that's why it's so cold out here." Tohru said to his self.
There's has to be something he's over looking. Maybe the answer is already in his hands, but he just can't grasp it. Tohru thought back to what everyone has said so far about this case. He closes his eyes and began to think as hard as he could. The culprit had some sort of connection with both Mayumi Yamano and Saki Konishi. And going by the warning letters, the real culprit must know about the TV world and what Tohru did in there. And most likely they also knew what Namatame was doing and just stay in the shadows, watching.
Who would know all these things...?
Also to add more about the case is that there were almost no witnesses. Both of the warning letters had to be delivered directly to his house, but no one saw anyone odd or strange. No one unusual was seen around with Ms. Yamano and Konishi-san, either. Even with a high number of officers were dispatch during the crimes there was no way-
Tohru let a gasp escape from his lips.
Wait a minute! Wait a fucking minute here! Could...Could the killer be a cop? Tohru felt like he was on to something here. He looked away from the sky and place his hand under his chin. He thought back to what all Naru-san said about the file.
[ According to this file right here, the police had an unusual large number of officers of their investigation. ]
[ And of course, who ever this is, had no reason to be suspicion when he enter Saki-chan's house. ]
No one would ever find a cop suspicious if they were to ask questions or whatever at your house. But if it is indeed a cop, who is it? And thinking about it now, it had to someone who know Tohru was doing and knows where he lived. That's how they could deliver the warning letters. But the only cops he knows of are his uncle or Narukami. And there's no way it was Dojima-san. He's too good of a person and was shocked when he saw the warning letter Tohru had before all with Nanako happened. So could it be...?
Yu Narukami.
His uncle's partner and...Tohru's friend.
Could it really be him?
Of all people?
That can't be! He was there for Tohru when almost everyone he saved turn and left all alone. His...only friend in the world...
"No, I can't-"
"Hey, mind if I step out here for a moment?"
Tohru looked over his shoulder to see where the voice was coming from.
"Yosuke..."
The tower teen laughed. "Man, it's chilly out here. Oh, wait is that snow? ha, you can hardly see it with all this fog. So you been thinking?"
"Y-yeah..."
"sorry for bothering you then. Marie asked me to check on you while she calls Teddie again. Stupid bear! He goes off and leaves without saying a word. Wait till he comes back, I'll make him work twice as hard at Junes moving boxes for worry us to death over him."
...
No, Yu Narukami wasn't his only friend. The foolish magician had others around. Yosuke, Teddie, Naru-san and Marie. No, he wasn't alone. He has friends. He has a strong bond with them. And it's unbreakable at this point. If Narukami is indeed the killer, then it's up to a hero like Tohru to stop him once and for all. He won't let him get away with this. It's time to share what he knows with friends right now.
"Dude...you okay?" Yosuke asked as he snapped the glasses wearing teen from his thoughts.
It's has to be now, there's no going back if it's true. He will find the truth, starting now. He looked over at Yosuke with fire in his eyes.
Plot Twist: You and Tohru are actually secret agents assigned to keep an eye on the detective!
It was all part of the plan. Ever since Detective Narukami was send to Inaba, the higher up that was helping him knew he was up to something since that day he shot a man in cold blood. Narukami however said he was fighting in self defense that she had no proof that he murder the man. That only made the women even more anger. For his careless act the only punishment he received was being send to Inaba. To the women that wasn’t good enough, but without proof she couldn’t do nothing. So there was one thing left to do.
Frame the son of a bitch!
So she send Tohru Adachi and Mariko Kusumi to spy on the detective. Two of her best agents to get anything on this heartless killer. It was Tohru’s idea to go see his uncle in Inaba and acting as a student of the town’s high school. Mariko went under the code name Marie. She stay in the shadows, following him. While Tohru only got close to the man himself and only act like a kid who was a loner. It was even Tohru’s idea to act like he was going to become his accomplice once the detective trusts him.
It was all part of the plan the women made. She only wants revenge on the man who murder her brother.
Tohru and his friends are having fun during Homusuke's picnic trip idea. Maybe mega beef bowls are not the best ideas to eat during a picnic. And we have our friendly(?) neighborhood serial killer I mean detective not very happy about Tohru having friends.
(reversedhero) "Ah, Tohru! There you are!" he grinned and ruffled his hair, cigarette in his mouth "I've been away sooooo long, I almost forgot how good the air is here!"
Tohru grinned upon seeing the familiar face. How long had it been since he had last seen him? For a moment there, he was starting to get worried.
