Hey. Amp here w/ my first Stopani fanfic. I know, a crime/drama w/ the Strawberry cast(specifically Yaya and Nagisa) , it sounds crazy. And it is. I'll continue this or drop it depending on the reviews but anyway, here's ch. 1 of La Noir (the black). DISCLAIMER: I dont own Strawberry Panic.
Shijuku District, Tokyo, Japan. Hikari Konohana, a small-time photographer, dashed through the desolate streets, the already heavy rain getting worse. She looked over her shoulder, a silhouette appearing to dash across the street. Her small loft was only blocks away. Arriving at the entrance, she felt the presence of two people behind her, the soft sound of footsteps growing louder. The two closed in as Hikari threw open the lobby's doors and ran towards the stairs. Finding the door locked, she ran towards the elevator. She pressed the small arrow button and quickly glanced up at the floor level. It was on floor seven, her loft on floor twelve.
Both shadows slipped across the tiled floor, hardly a sound except for the loud rain pelting the streets. One pulled a small knife, the other brandishing a 9mm handgun. The closest raised its head to meet Hikari's gaze. She was cold, half a sinister smile showing, her blue hair falling over her revealed eye. The other, with gentler features and light orange hair. The blue-haired one, only inches away, grabbed Hikari's wrist with a gloved hand and pinned her to the wall. A small electronic ping sounded as the elevator stopped, only a floor above them.
Hikari started screaming. A hand shot up, covering her mouth. She started flailing around, trying to break the grip of the assailant. The one holding her brought her lips towards Hikari's, slowly kissing her but breaking away, licking the side of her cheek. The blue one took a step back, Hikari still screaming. Two rounds erupted from the 9mm Beretta.
Hikari's slender face shattered as both rounds pierced her forehead and cheek. She was instantly killed, her limp body falling towards the floor. The blue one, knife unsheathed, started carving letters into her corpse. She finished up, licking the blade clean of blood. They left lobby, blending into the darkness of the night. It wasn't until 4:33 A.M. that the body was found.
Nanto Private Investigation Agency, Tokyo, Japan, 5:30. "Yaya-chan! You have a call!" Tsubomi Okiwaka, the small agency's secretary, yelled at Yaya Nanto, one of the two detectives working at the business.
"Not now," drowsily stuttering. She took a sip from her coffee mug, taking in the deep aroma of the freshly grounded coffee beans. Even she had heard about the murder last night.
"Yaya-chan, I know this is YOUR business but it isn't proper to ignore clients, especially if our earnings are down this month..." Yaya's eyes rolled as she turned her attention to the pink-haired goddess in front of her.
"Tsubomi, I love you but you are training all the energy out of the room", spitting dryly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few things to do." She left the secretary along, walking back into her small office. Tsubomi was fuming.
"I swear, you'd avoid anything if you could..." She let out a long sigh. "Sorry, but Ms. Nanto is busy at the moment", returning to the call. "We would appreciate it if you would call back, later." The caller acknowledged her. "Thank you, have a nice day." She hung up the small cordless phone. "That went great. Maybe we'll just go out of business. I bet I could get a better response out of Nagisa", and just as the thought ran through her head, the girl walked right into the establishment.
"Ah! What a great morning", screaming with enthusiasm.
"Nagisa-chan", confused why she was in a good mood. She either didn't care or was an overly positive thinker. Or maybe both. "It's good to see you."
Nagisa Aoi, the second detective, bowed low. "It's good to see you, as well, Tsubomi-chan." She glanced around the office, looking for her superior, but to no avail. "Hey, where's Yaya-chan? She usually here by now, isn't she?"
Yaya walked out, her face still plastered with a gloomy expression. "Nagisa", without any honorific. "Nice to (yawn) see you." She headed back to her office, her appearance hardly noticeable.
"Um, I don't think that now is the best time-", but Nagisa didn't listen.
"Yaya-chan!" Nagisa left Tsubomi, shaking her head, and ran after her boss. The first thing she noticed was the clutter scattered over her superior's desk. Newspapers, pencils, sheets of paper, among other things were strewn about but one object caught her eye. The front page article; that of Hikari Konohana's murder, complete with graphic pictures of the crime scene. "Oh, so you heard about that." Her eyes fell to the floor.
"It would have been hard not to. It's even all over the news", flicking on the small TV in the corner of the room. She flipped through various channels, all with the same topic. "Is that why you're ignoring phone calls?"
"We'll excuse me for not wanting to take the case. She was my goddamn best friend! I don't want to get anywhere near the fucking thing!"
"Yaya-chan. I understand how you feel." Nagisa had lost a close friend, Tamao Suzumi, when a drunk driver struck her one night. She had stayed locked in her small house for more than a week. It also led to her joining Yaya's small business. She wanted justice and eventually received it when another similar incident happened, only this time Nagisa was waiting for him. His death was officially claimed an accident.
"Yes, I suppose you can." She let go a harsh chuckle.
"I doubt that Hikari would like to see you like this. Even more so, I think that of all people, she would want justice and for you to deliver it."
"Don't give me that! She has Amane. That girl could probably do it herself."
"Yaya-chan! Somebody is here to see you!"
"Alright," wandering away from Nagisa. She hadn't even heard the front door open.
"We're not through with this", yelling as Yaya slowly blew her off. "Dammit, why won't she listen?" She followed suit and joined the other two outside, yards behind, however. She couldn't believe who was at the door.
Amane Ootori stood in the entrance, her masculine features easily noticeable despite the fact that she had been crying. Odd, considering she often was thought as the tough, almost-male women out of the people she knew.
"Speak of the devil..." "Ms. Ootori? To what do we owe this honor", the sarcasm in her voice heavy.
"I-i take it you've read today's paper?" She held up the Tokyo Times, the picture on the front worse than the ones Yaya had previously seen.
"Yes, I have." She crossed her arms and her face turned stern. "What do you want? I suppose you'll need help, right? Well, save it! I am not in any mood!" Tsubomi stood up and walked over to Yaya, who started sobbing. She put her arms around her neck.
"Yaya, it's going to be fine. Please, calm down and listen to what she has to say."
"Yeah..." She couldn't remember a time when Tsubomi was this insightful nor caring. They had been dating for well over two years but still she had an angry personality and loved to hassle her. She returned the embrace but let go to turn her attention to their client. "I'll give you one minute", checking the small wrist watch, a gift from Hikari.
"We'll, to cut to the chase, I want you to avenge Hikari. Bring the killer to justice, do anything you must. I just want to see them suffering in some way."
"Huh. Easy enough, I guess." She turned back to Nagisa, who was standing behind her, arms crossed, as well. "What the hell, I guess I'll take the case." Amane clasped her hands together. "Don't get me wrong. The is no way in hell I am doing this for you and you'll still be charged, even though we do know each other."
"How much", pulling her small billfold out of her pocket. Amane never bothered to carry a purse around.
Yaya shook her head and waved her hand. "You'll pay us upon the success of our investigation. The rate is high but there's no one better."
"Fine, I'll pay anything, just get it done." She felt as if Yaya was rushing her, trying to get her out of the place.
"Good, now get the hell out of my shop", pointing a slender finger towards the door. Amane's assumption was correct. She was being unusually cold towards Amane but not that she gave a damn. As soon as the tall woman left, Yaya grabbed her key of the key rack. "Suit up, Nagisa. I want to get this done with as soon as possible." The two walked into the armory, Yaya preceding to unlock the weapons.
"Aye, Aye, captain." There were many small rifles and handguns perched on racks throughout the room. Nagisa grabbed a USP handgun, her favorite, and threw three spare clips on her belt. Yaya, having a small Remington 12 Gauge in her car, also went with a small gun. She grabbed a small Glock 17 and 3 spare mags as well. Holstering the small weapon, she walked out of the room.
"So, what happened to 'I won't take the case'?" Nagisa was ecstatic that she said yes. Hikari was her friend also.
" I have my reasons." Yaya's crush still lingered after all these years. "Tsubomi, do you have my gear ready?"
Tsubomi swiveled in her chair and picked up a belt of tools. Yaya bought the best forensic tools on the market. She wasn't lying when she said they were the best. "Here you are."
"Thank you." She threw her car keys to Nagisa, who was zoning out and didn't notice the projectile object flying towards her until it smashed into her forehead. "Start the car." She ran out the door rubbing her head.
"Yaya. I'm surprised with you. You even conducted yourself well with Amane."
"I can't stand the look of that bitch."
"Shush. Don't be like that. What made you change your mind, anyway?"
Yaya bent down and gave Tsubomi a small, quick kiss. She ran towards the door, leaving a startled and blushing Tsubomi behind. "I can't tell you that!" Laughter followed.
"Yaya Nanto!!" The scream could be heard blocks away. She walked to the large window facing the intersection. Below, Yaya walked into her car, a custom Nissan 350Z Turbo. Before closing the door, she glanced up to the window and stuck her tongue out. The car sped off seconds later. "You're almost too much trouble."
Crime Scene, 6:53 A.M. A thick white sheet covered the once beautiful body of Hikari Konohana. The photos shown depicted the wounds in her forehead but anything below was a mystery. Coroners had arrived along with a few police but they were going to bring in a district examiner for clues on the perps. A few stragglers watched as the two detectives arrived on the scene.
"Hey everybody!" Their attention turned to Nagisa. "Get out of here! We are working in conjunction with the TPD and need everyone to clear the area." The others left, many with faces of disappointment. A few even complained.
"Thanks, now would you please do the honors", pointing at the corpse whilst distancing herself from it.
"Sure, why not." Nagisa didn't want to see her body either but Yaya was almost deathly afraid of it. Slowly, she lifted it revealing a sight more sinister than the facial wounds. "Hey, Yaya-chan. Come get a look at this", waving her hand.
"What is it?" With the cover off, her torso was exposed. Four letters, largely engraved into her skin, sat atop her chest. The word "NOIR" could be seen. Blood from the wound soaked her shirt and pants. She put a hand over her mouth. "What the fuck happened to her?"
Nagisa touched the wound, it still fresh from earlier. They had made the gashes after the two bullets had killed her. She looked up at Yaya, who had started to cry, and quickly covered the body. "Yaya, can I see the fingerprint scanner?" Yaya threw the entire belt at her and fell to her knees crying.
There were no fingerprints on the body. The murderer was meticulous, nothing giving them away. She ran her fingers over the bullet wounds, only the size of a 9mm round. "Nothing." "Yaya-chan... are you okay", getting up and walking towards her.
"NO, I AM NOT FUCKING OK!" Her sobs made it hard to understand what she was saying. "Whoever did this, that son of a bitch is dead!"
"Yaya! Calm down! There's no point in making a scene." She would have none of it and pushed Nagisa away from her. Losing her balance, she fell and landed next to Hikari. Her eyes, soulless and dead, met. Something caught her eye, however. A lipstick kiss located on her cheek and lips. Nagisa straightened herself out and grabbed a small plastic bag, taking a large sample for DNA analysis.
"Nagisa, I am sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you." Yaya was vigorously shaking, her entire body cold with fear.
"No, it's fine. I'll get over it." Her partner stood up and offered a hand, which she took. "Besides", dusting herself off. "You might be able to get that revenge. I found this." She held up the bag, fragments of the lipstick sitting at the bottom.
"They took advantage of her", instantly noticing what it was. "This...this is too much." The sobbing started up again.
"Hey, it'll be okay. When we catch them, you can give them a piece of your mind." She shifted where she stood. "I wouldn't mind it, either." The thought of shooting some scumbag in the face calmed down Yaya.
"Nagisa, thank you. Thank you so much." She grabbed Ms. Aoi and held her in an embrace. It lasted for over five minutes, Yaya pulling herself together all the while. They let go, and having gotten where they came from, headed for the car. "Hey, you drive again, okay? I need to clear my head."
"Alright", starting the car. It roared to life and after putting it into drive, the two sped off to get the sample analyzed. Yaya rolled down the window and lit a cigarette.
Nanto Private Investigation Agency, Tokyo, Japan, 8:05. "So. How'd it go?" Tsubomi had been sitting behind her desk, watching the news for any updates.
"Don't want to talk about it. Never again do I want to talk about it."
"OK?" "Not the response I wanted. Let's try again." "Nagisa, how was it?"
"Gruesome but I have some work to do, okay? I'll tell you later." She rushed off to the lab.
"Strike two... Whatever." She got back to watching TV.
Nagisa took the remainder of the day analyzing the sample. Occasionally, Yaya or Tsubomi check on her, sometimes offering lunch or a cup of tea. Although she had multiple tools at her disposal, she was having a hard time cracking down the coded DNA. She started getting somewhere around 5:00 P.M. Yaya was napping, until an email popped up, waking her with a confirmation ding.
Yaya's email was a little more than she could handle. Disclosed were small snippets of information, mostly pertaining to the Murderer's details. She lit a cigarette, puffed it, and held it in her mouth. She had gotten into smoking, recently. After copying the contents to her cell, she closed the computer down and scanned over the data. The front page of several paper were compiled in it, along with words that some how correlated with the crime. A few words, like Blue, Masculine, Two, Orange, and an address, stood out to her. "7830 W. Daihatsu Ave. huh? Looks like something to look in to. Tomorrow." The exhausting day came to an end as she slowly fell back to sleep, her head making a dull thump on the desk.
Nagisa finished her research around 6:30 that evening. The results yielded the most interesting results. Apparently, the lipstick belonged to one Kaname Kenj, an associate of Ms. Ootori. She knew her, but never formally introduced her. A word or two were passed, that was it. She flipped on her laptop and typed up a quick report, sending a copy to her boss. "This will be news to Tsubomi", thinking as she walked into the lobby. No one was there. "I guess she left already, but... this is pretty important." She grabbed the small office phone and dialed Tsubomi's home number.
The ground was pitch black, with a thick red smear streaking across the void in front of her. "Where am I," asking herself. The void echoed back, distorting the voice deeper every time. Cautiously, she stepped on foot out and it stuck. She slowly started walking, the blood growing larger and clinging to her shoes. A door materialized before her, and she unhooked the belt that held her pistol. Holding it in her right hand, she pushed the door open with her left.
A figure stood on a small patch of concrete, laughing with a sinister grin. It pulled the exact same handgun and fired. The flash was loud and blinding. It also revealed the figure's face: her own. Yaya couldn't believe it and started firing, eventually emptying the entire clip into the impostor. Laughing, "Yaya" morphed into Hikari, suddenly, and she watched in horror as every round ripped into her skin, almost causing a rippling effect. Her back exploded with a torrent of blood that filled up the small room. Yaya started to panic as she slowly drowned in the thick red fluid.
Reality.
One of her eyelids fluttered open. It was night. Checking the small clock, she noticed that it was around ten at night. "I guess everyone should be gone by now." Her head was spinning, thoughts muddled and with a slight headache. "What the fuck was that about?" She stood up but couldn't stop herself from stumbling. Holding on to the walls, she slowly walked out of her office, attempting to regain her balance.
A small bag sat atop Tsubomi's desk, the contents being the shards of lipstick from earlier. As she picked it up , the phone rang. "Who could that possibly be?" She cautiously picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
"Yaya? Oh, thank God you're there. It's me, Nagisa", her voice barely above a whisper.
"What's going on?"
"I found out who the DNA belongs to." Her voice rose in volumn and her speech became quicker. A loud crash sounded, like a door being forced open. "I don't have time for details but you need to get down here, quickly!" Three gunshots rang out, deafening Yaya. In the background, a girl shrieked.
"Nagisa? Nagisa?! Answer me, dammit!" The line went dead. "Shit." She exhaled and bolted for the door, taking the stairs and racing for the ground floor. Her car started, with her checking over her gun. Shifting into drive, the car took off, speeding down the road towards Nagisa's house. She had very little time.
Well, how'd you think? Please review. Anything will do. Arigato. -Amp xP