The Ant, The Grass Hopper, and The Otogi Bank 03/08/2013
The underground basement room of the Otogi Bank was filled with the sounds of the members going about there daily routine. Ryoko, Ringo and Ryoshi were sitting chatting about their latest request on the one of the long sofas. Otsuu, was sweeping and cleaning. Otohime and Tarou were no where to be found. Majolica was in her workshop, creating something new no doubt. Alice was typing busily away on her computer at her desk. And the President, Liszt, was sitting back and just watching the activities of the other club members. Suddenly Alice stood up and the others turned to look at her. "We have a new client, I'll go and see what she wants" she said as she made her way up to the office. She sat down on the sofa at one side of the coffee table and motioned for the new client to sit down in front of her. "Hello, what is your name and what can we do for you?" she asked bluntly. Otsuu hurried in with the tea and then left. "Well, my name is Keiko Hamasaki and I was wondering if, well…" the girl was rather shy, Alice realised and just continued to sit patiently. The girl had black hair that hung limply to her shoulders. A thick fringe fell over her pale skin, hiding her stormy grey eyes. "I have a twin sister, her name is Namiko Hamasaki, and, well, she's very different from me, she's smart popular and pretty, and well, everything I'm not…" the girl continued. "Alright, now how do we come into this?" Alice asked. I was dating this boy, but then… he dumped me for my sister, he was rather violent so I was glad to be rid of him, but, when my sister turned him down he looked awfully angry. And she, she…" Keiko's eyes started to well up. "She what?" Alice asked, this girl was starting to test her patience. "Namiko didn't come home yesterday, I haven't seen her since and I'm worried about her…" Keiko finished, pulling herself together. "So you want us to find her for you is that correct?" Alice finished for her. "Yes please! I just want my sister back!" Keiko wailed. Once Alice had calmed her down, she asked Keiko many questions regarding her sister and the boy. And once she was satisfied, she let the girl leave and made her way back down to the others.
Otohime and Tarou had appeared. Alice explained the situation to the others and then started typing frantically on her computer. "So we need to find the girl and who's responsible for her disappearance?" Ryoko confirmed and Alice nodded. "That's pretty awful, I hope this Namiko is ok…" Ringo thought out loud. "We're going to need the security camera footage for yesterday to confirm that this boy took her, correct?" Liszt said in his usual airy manner. "Already on it" Alice said as she pulled up the footage on the screen. Everyone crowded round the desk to see. "That's odd" said Alice quietly. "What's the problem?" Ryoshi asked what everyone was thinking. This boy doesn't fit Keiko's description… "I know him!" exclaimed Otohime suddenly. He's in the class above ours He may be friends with this boy Keiko described." She continued. "Alrighty then, I guess some one needs to get into his classroom and see if the boy Keiko suggested is with him" Liszt said. The whole club turned to face Liszt. "What?" he said cluelessly. "You should go in one of your disguises" Ryoko said. Suddenly there was a loud boom. "I'll go and see what Majolica is up to" Otsuu said and hurriedly rushed off. Ryoko, Ringo and Ryoshi had to leave to finish some other rather simple request. Otohime dragged Tarou off as he had been flirting with Ryoko again before she left. Otohime had got to him before Ryoko could punch him though. Leaving just the President and Alice. "Well I think a wardrobe change is needed" the President said as he begrudgingly got up from his desk. Alice was still typing hurriedly and didn't look up. "Oh and Alice?" he continued. "What?" she asked, seeming not to care. "Take a break, don't work yourself too hard ok?" Liszt said as he left. "What was that for?" she thought out loud. However she still took his advice and stopped working. 'He's never said anything like that before' she thought. Alice adjusted her glasses and sat back, 'it wouldn't do too much harm to sit back for a moment' she thought to herself.
The next day, once everyone had arrived, the President told the others his findings. "Our main suspect is in the same class as the boy from the footage, and they seemed rather close…" Liszt explained. "Well, why don't we send someone to follow him and see where he goes, so that we can find Namiko?" Ringo suggested, her eyes fixed on Ryoshi. After a moment, "Please stop staring at me!" he wailed pathetically. " Well, that's settled, Ryoshi, you will follow him after school!" Liszt confirmed cheerfully. 'Geez, why would he be so happy when this is a serious situation' Alice thought while frowning. By the time school ended, Ryoshi was ready to tail the boy, whose name was Kenji, and find the missing girl. Kenji left through the school gates, Ryoshi followed closely behind. The boy walked for ages, Ryoshi still keeping him in sight. Kenji made his way to one of the abandoned factories that surrounded the town. Ryoshi didn't follow him in but moved close so he could hear what was being said. Her heard various noises and then a girl's voice. This was the place. He called Ryoko and informed the club of his location. The Otogi Bank arrived in minutes. "Let's get this creep!" Ryoko said, pulling on her Kitty Knuckles. They burst in to the old building to find a terrified girl tied up and Kenji. "Give it up now, we're the Otogi Bank" said Alice in her usual tone. "You'll have to fight me!" Kenji yelled and he switched to a fighting stance. "Oh please" Ryoko scoffed sarcastically and she easily beat him in seconds while Ringo untied the girl who they assumed was Namiko. Later that evening. Kenji was let off with a stern warning and a broken nose and Keiko was reunited with her sister. All's well that end's well.
Everyone had left for the night and just Alice and Liszt remained. Alice felt herself nodding off, she felt so very tired. "Alice? Wake up, what did I say? Don't over work yourself…" she heard Liszt's voice say. She flickered her eyes open to find his face inches from hers. She started. "You gave me a fright there Litzy" she sighed using her nickname for him. Liszt just grinned that annoying grin of his as Alice sighed. They then left for their homes.
Another request completed, many more to come, the adventures of the Otogi Bank will continue!