Note This is the 'sequel' to my CCS fanfiction: 'Spirits of the West'. The only connections are the villain(s) will be serving the same side and Himura and Elena were in 'Spirits of the West', otherwise there is no connection, so this is not a crossover.
In this fanction I will be trying my hand at a murder mystery, or thriller writing. I have a vague plan in my head which I'll need to work on a little. And if possible, I'll blow it completely out of proportion into a Harlan Coben scale investigation because that would suit Hayate no Gotoku's out of proportion events! In any case, enjoy the prologue and read on if you're interested!
Prologue
"Morning, Hayata-kun!" The school council trio cheered, waving cheerfully at Sanzenin Nagi and her butler, Ayasaki Hayate, as the two entered the classroom.
Hayate was the same age as most people in the class, the correct age, as it were. Nagi was a full three years younger and it showed, she was over a foot shorter than her butler but she made up with this difference in sheer ego.
It was a rare occurrence for Nagi to show up at school. She often stayed at home, a huge mansion on an equally gigantic estate in the middle of Tokyo and slouched off indulging in 'nerdy' activities such as reading manga, watching anime and playing video games all day.
The circumstances in which the debt ridden Hayate had come into Nagi's service were still in confusion; and often the events of their meeting cause a great deal of confusion; although more a case of frustration on Nagi's part.
For Hayate, after being dumped with the gigantic debt his parents had accumulated, had escape from the Yakuza and planned to kidnap Nagi. He had confronted her and she had mistaken his words for a confession of love. Hayate, being a kind hearted soul, had failed to kidnap Nagi, revealing who he was upon calling to demand a ransom; but then Nagi had been kidnapped for real and Hayate had saved her, showing inhuman abilities like being able to catch up to a car speeding at 80km/h on a bicycle and then being run over by said car.
Nagi, in return for him saving her and for wanting this boy she had now fallen deeply in love with close to her, had allowed Hayate to stay in her mansion as her new butler. After another series of confusing events, Hayate was instead indebt to Nagi rather than the Yakuza and so stays on as her butler, even though he would not leave the position if the debt did not exist.
Their homeroom teacher, a drunken slob named Katsura Yukiji, entered the room bawling out something about everyone getting into their seats. The class did so slowly and reluctantly, ignoring her rantings about punishment for not listening to her. At last attendance was taken; and then the Yukiji snapped the homeroom folder shut and grinned up all at them smugly, the expression she wore when she was about to reveal a secret, or something she felt was a secret.
"A'right listen up! We've got a pair of new students coming in today. I know it's weird since it's the middle of school but there you have it. They're both from England, one perfect, handsome, blonde haired and blue eyed pretty boy and a pretty, blonde haired and blue eyed girl." The class buzzed with excitement and Nagi leaned forwards so that Hayate could hear her.
"Don't get any ideas!" She warned viciously. Another twist to their relationship was that Nagi thought of Hayate as her boyfriend, whereas Hayate had no clue of Nagi's feelings, what his words on their first meeting had been understood as and so often caused Nagi to become enraged with his actions towards other girls. He answered reassuringly.
"Don't worry, milady. I didn't have any ideas to begin with!" Nagi, not satisfied but at least her warning had been given, sat back with a resentful look on her face.
"Hey, teacher, is the girl single?" A guy yelled.
"Is the guy really that cute?" A girl asked. A lot of the class were screaming out similar question and Yukiji stood there soaking it all in. Despite being a slob and having an extreme personality, she was well loved by her students and understood them quite well.
"Sorry to shatter all you dreams but I believe they're a couple." Yukiji finally said and the shattering of multiple dreams was almost audible. "Well, stop waiting outside and come in!" The teacher called and the door slid open. Now sullen but still inquisitive eyes swerved to stare at the door, waiting for the first glimpse of these mysterious new classmates.
The boy, tall by any standard, walked into the room to stand beside the desk, a kind but slightly mischievous smile playing on his lips. The smile reached his eyes and his entire face seemed to beam happiness at the class but yet with a subtlety that was relaxing and gave off an aura of trustworthiness. As advertised, the boy was handsome with short, wavy blonde locks that were arranged perfectly and warm blue eyes and a well toned body. At first glance he seemed to be a perfect WASP, a social 'elite' in America from rich families, the perfect pretty boy; but his face had a softer look to it and his body was more solid than the typical WASP candidate.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Imanda Himura. I live in England but have transferred here for a while. I give my regards to our future education together." The speech was formal and yet casual, even through his impeccable Japanese the English accent was audible with a touch of upper class mixed in; but lacking pompousness. The girls in the class practically swooned and the smile he flashed broke the last barriers of self restraint before lust. Before the girls could cry out their undying love to this Englishman, the girl entered.
The girl was also tall; but still a good half a foot shorter than Himura. Her blonde hair almost shimmered as she walked, slightly curled as it reached down to her knees. Her face was, in a word, stunning. Even without the dazzling smile and sparkling blue eyes the girl was beautiful beyond what most world class models could ever hope to achieve. An angel, some would say. Like the boy next to her face radiated a calm warmth and friendly feeling. Besides her startling good looks the girl was in good shape. Numerous slang words such as 'fit', 'tight', 'hot' would be words used to describe her, if viewed in a perfectly objective way. While the girl was not as well endowed as some members of the class, she was certainly not lacking. In a bundle, the boy and girl spoke of perfection.
"Good morning. I am Mithran Elena. I too come from England and will be learning here with you all for a short time. I hope we all get along." Elena smiled warmly at the class and now it was the boys' turn to swoon. The girls glared daggers enviously at Elena and were dazzled by Himura, the boys the reverse. Human nature dictated that when faced with perfection one would immediately resent it to put it down to protect oneself.
The only person in the class who seemed completely unaffected was Nagi who now seemed something more than interested in the two new arrivals. She was smiling as if she saw something in the two that no one else could see; and it seemed to be the same for the reverse as Elena and Himura both met Nagi's eyes briefly but firmly.
"Let's see. Himura-kun, you can go sit over there next to Ayasaki and Elena-chan, you can sit next to Nagi-chan." Yukiji said, pointing at the vacant seats. The two nodded and left for their seats, sitting down. Hayate turned to his new neighbour and tried not to notice the envious glares.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ayasaki Hayate." Hayate said, nervous and not entirely what to say. Himura put his bag down on the floor and held a hand out.
"Nice to meet you, Hayate. Please, call me Himura. I hope we can be friends, eh?" Himura said as Hayate shook the boy's offered hand and Himura flashed the butler a smile. "Then again, we'll be seeing a fair bit of each other in the near future." He said. Hayate nodded and smiled back, warming to this friendly boy. They would be sitting next to each other from now on, right?
Behind them, a similar exchange was taking place.
"I didn't think I'd be sitting next to you Nagi-chan. Take good care of me." Elena said and Nagi nodded.
"It's quite helpful you get to sit next to me, it makes things easier for after school." Nagi said.
"Thank you so much for letting us stay in your mansion. We're really not sure what we would have done otherwise." Elena said, Nagi nodded again. Her upper class aura was turned on full, trying desperately not to fall to this overwhelming beauty and friendly aura.
"It's nothing." She mumbled. Elena smiled at her awkwardness and then the class was interrupted by Yukiji who was now starting their first class.
I was lunch time and the two newcomers were surrounded by their classmates before the last bell toll had even echoed away.
Questions were bounced off the two as if they were celebrities and they sat in their seats (not being able to do much else with all the attention) and tried to answer as many questions as they could before a torrent of more overwhelmed the already odd inquiries.
"So you come from England? That's so cool!"
"You speak really upper class, even for here. Are you really rich or something?"
"How long are you staying here?"
"If you don't know your way around here just ask!"
"Are you two going out?" The last, hesitant question made everyone silent. It had been the question they all wanted to know the answer too and the class all leaned in almost crushingly on Himura and Elena as if the answer might somehow be lost over the slightly longer distance. Himura and Elena shared a fond look before looking around at the class.
"Yes." They said together and the class nearly collapsed in despair. Taking advantage of the momentary freedom, Himura stood up.
"Ellie and I need to go see the School Council President, apparently we need to meet her since we came at such an odd time." He said, suddenly he was gentle but firm authority and there were no more swarming questions. Elena turned to Nagi.
"Nagi-chan, can you show us to the School Council Office?" She asked. Nagi sighed and stood up, pushing her chair back.
"If you're that helpless then I guess I've got no choice." She said, trying to sound grudging. Hayate stood up too.
"I'll come as well, milady." He said, Nagi glared suspiciously at Hayate. She was worried that he might too fall for this dazzling beauty Elena; but decided not to deny him.
"Fine then. Come on, I don't have all day." She said, trying for cold but not quite reaching it. Himura and Elena shared another glance, this one full of amusement, before following Nagi and Hayate. Nagi stayed a few paces ahead with Elena while Hayate stayed with Himura. They chatted about not much and somehow Hayate found himself talking about his past. Himura listened without saying anything, nodding with understanding eyes.
"It seems you've had a hard life." He said when Hayate finished and gave the boy a sad smile. "Still, Nagi-chan gave you a new life so you must have some luck." Himura said and Hayate looked forwards, his gaze falling on Nagi who was talking to Elena, her weak façade of distance having broken. There was admiration raw in her eyes as she spoke to this seemingly perfect older girl. Himura's words had rung true; although Hayate had never thought about it in that way and he smiled. He had known Himura less than half a day and the boy had already given him a stronger outlook on his life.
"Here, this lift takes us up to the Office. Usually only School Council members can go up but most everyone seems to ignore that rule." Nagi said, pressing the button for the top floor. The large elevator rose up, speeding towards the top floor. Halfway up Elena and Himura both winced at the same time and glanced at each other, it had been very noticeable compared to their usual demeanour and mistress and butler looked at them.
"What's wrong?" Nagi asked, Elena and Himura looked at each other again, nodding silent agreement.
"Someone just died… from up here and someone else is hurt." Elena said.
"How do you know?" Hayate asked, a mixture of shock, worry and intrigue battling inside him. The School Council President was someone he counted as a close friend and Elena's words had made him worry.
"Ellie and I are a little different to your standard person. You are a butler, you're a special human with special powers. Ellie and I are like you, special humans with special powers." Himura said shortly, anxiously watching the lights move up, showing the rise of the elevator. It seemed tauntingly slow. Nagi's eyes were bright as stars now, the death temporarily forgotten.
"You guys have powers? Like out of manga or anime?" She asked like a, well, like a schoolgirl.
"You could say that." Elena said with a strained laugh. The lift finally stopped and the doors opened slowly, so slowly. Himura jammed his hands into the gap between the doors and shoved them open with monstrous force, forcing the doors fully open. He bounded out of the lift with Elena beside him and the other two close behind. The two foreigners were showing amazing athletic skill, moving with speed and amazing grace.
Himura and Elena yanked the doors to the office open together and they were all momentarily blinded by the real sunlight glaring from the open balcony. The four rushed into the room, looking around. Elena founded the girl first.
"Himie, over here!" She called, vaulting over the desk and crouching behind it. Himura rushed around the side, shortly joined by the other two to find a pink haired and beautiful girl lying in Elena's arms. She winced, grimaced in pain and her eyes half opened, saw blurred shapes above her and then opened all the way open, blinking away the blur.
"What…." She mumbled. There was a small trickle of red, sticky liquid down the girl's face from her right temple. Elena glanced at Himura who nodded his assent. Elena held a hand to the girl's temple and it seemed to glow green. Nagi's eyes widened in amazement and she leaned in close, Hayate watched with concern.
"What are you doing? What is that glow?" Nagi asked. Elena didn't look up.
"I'm healing her injury, this is healing magic. One of my abilities. This is the School Council President, right?" She asked. Hayate nodded.
"Katsura Hinagiku-san. I wonder what happened?" He said, concerned. Nagi shot him a glare; and then Hinagiku's semi-conscious mumble gave the glare strength.
"Hayate-kun…."
"You two, give Ellie some room and look at this." Himura said, Nagi gave up her glare, leaving Hayate confused and half admonished, to turn to the boy's call. A chair had been overturned and part of the sliding window leading to the balcony had been shattered. There was red dripping from the jagged glass and there drips of the same liquid amongst the glass shards.
Himura ran out on to the balcony with a sinking feeling.
"Ellie and I felt someone die. That means…." He looked over the edge and closed his eyes briefly before turning away from the edge. "Whoever did this to the President also did something else… they threw someone off the balcony." He said. Hayate and Nagi rushed out to look down to see a crumpled body lying on the floor far below, a small crowd assembling around it, screams could be heard. There was a large cracked crater around the body.
"What could have happened?" Hayate asked. Himura sighed and walked inside, sitting on a sofa and rubbing his face with his hands.
"Someone was thrown of the balcony. Looks like there was a struggle, judging by the glass and the President was knocked out during the attack. I see no signs of forced entry but besides the stairs the lift is the only way up or down; and the killer will have already vanished by now. We'll just have to rely on the President's memory of the perpetrator when she wakes up."
