The Private Eye Of Teito
By Shirogami
Chapter 2
The night is still starry like the night of the incident two days ago.
Ogami is staring at it, as Maria is tying his bowtie. He says, "Maria, make sure everything is okay and going fine as you are in there. Check out every suspicious area and try get some information."
"I know, Ichiro. This is not my first assignment after all. It is you who shall be more careful because you are the one who talks." Taps his chest lightly, Maria continues, "Okay, it is finish." Ogami looks at the mirror on his left and checks himself. He is wearing white tuxedo with marine blue bowtie, under the tuxedo he wears sky blue colored cotton shirt, then a pair of white slacks and ebony leather shoes. In the mean time, he glimpses at the invitation card that is lying on the table.
"Well, everything is set. Now, all I need to know is how to use these things." Ogami thinks as he is checking the trigger device at his right wrist that he received from his friend, Ri Kohran who helps him in making gadgets for investigation and improves guns for Maria. He can still remember the way that purple braided girl demonstrated them yesterday.
"Ogami-han, this bowtie may look odd but it can help you taking pictures within short range as you press this button." Kohran was holding the bowtie under her neck and faced Ogami, then she pressed the device and the flash almost blinded Ogami. Twinkling his eyes a few times to ease himself, Ogami said, "Kohran, I think nobody will like my bowtie if it flashes like that, and please make it adjustable so I can take something further."
"Well… I will fix it then." Then Kohran gave Maria a little black pistol. "Maria-han, this gun is made by high quality plastic to avoid any metal detector, but the weakness is it cannot stand for continuous shooting because the heat may melt the gun itself." Maria was holding the gun but confused to try it. "Kohran, you sure it won't explode this time? I almost lost my hand last time because of that bazooka."
"Don't worry, I just change the material, not the structure." Kohran explained, but Maria was still in doubt and glanced at Ogami. Ogami took the gun, aimed at the practice board and opened fire.
"The aiming alignment needs some adjustment." Then he waved at the girls, "and my hand is still with me." Maria chuckled a bit.
After dropped down the notes for the modification, Kohran continued, "Okay, now the next thing will be this." Kohran was taking out a pair of glasses and passed to Ogami. "This glasses can let you see everything clearly in totally dark area, to ensure you won't miss any suspicious stuff." Then Ogami wore the glasses, "It looks normal to me." Then Kohran turned off the lights, asked, "Now?"
"Clear enough." Just when Ogami finished, a slapping sound was heard and Kohran switched on the light again, she was curious to see that Ogami was rubbing his chin and Maria was covering her breast. "Kohran, can you get Maria a pair as well?" Kohran nodded.
After putting the night vision glasses into his tuxedo's pocket, Ogami takes the invitation card and walks to the door. Maria is waiting right there. She is wearing a coat that covers her whole body and clothes as well. "Maria, I was wondering what will you wear in that party later, you never show it to me even once." Maria keeps her silence and avoids the question. "Well then, we better move, the party is going to start soon."
While Ogami is driving his car and crossing through the colorful streetlights of Teito, he is thinking about the invitation he got from Sakura.
"Mrs. Kayama, we need to know more about your husband. Can you get us to meet in some way?" Ogami asked.
"My husband will celebrate his birthday at day after tomorrow, please be my guest and come to the party. You can come as my friends in the kendo class." Sakura said.
"Kendo? You attend class for kendo?" Ogami asked.
"Actually, it is Yuichi's idea, says that it is another way for meeting clients in stead of party and golf." Sakura explained. "I will give you the invitation cards later, you will need them to go in the party."
After a distance of driving, they finally reach the Kayama Mansion as the card indicates. After Ogami parked his car, he takes a good look at the mansion. The wide courtyard has a fountain with a statue of three mermaids resting on a stone and the one on the top was holding a pot, where the water are poured from it; When Ogami is looking along the small roundabout that surrounded the fountain, it is leading his sight to the route that used to enter this place, there are also large garden of well cut grassland with short trees separate them from the road. A Sakura tree is planted by the mansion's left, its height can reach the first floor of the mansion. An open saloon is built by its side, for the purpose of enjoying the beautiful environment while having teatime. He is examining the mansion carefully and finds out there is a window located at the center and above the space between two balconies of the first floor.
"Gee… I wonder how good will it be if I own this place?" Ogami says as he is opening the car door for Maria.
"If you skip some expenses on beverages, it will help… a lot." Maria steps out, with her coat still covering her.
"You still wear it? Come on, take it off." Ogami says and starts to take off her coat. But Maria stays away and says, "I will do it later, it is chilling out here."
"Whatever…" Ogami raises his palm towards her, says, "Now, may I, my lady?"
Maria blushes and lays her hand on his, and then they walk together to the entrance. Although it is chilling as Maria said, but she can feel the warmth from her partner's hand as he is holding her hand and brushing them between their fingers tenderly. "Hope this can warmth you up." Ogami says and smiles at the blushing Maria. "Thanks, Ichiro."
"Good evening, sir and madam. Your invitation card, please." A group of three maids are welcoming both of them at the entrance, all of them is wearing the same uniform formed by black mini skirts with short semi transparent lace sewed at the below part to show their beautiful thigh, followed by leave green colored blouse with flourish lace sewed on the edge of both of the short sleeves as well, finally they are wearing white apron. Ogami takes out the card from his pocket and hands over to them.
"Welcome to Sir Kayama Yuichi's party, Mister Ogami Ichiro and Miss Maria Tachibana. This way please." The next maid guides the couple into the house, and the other one is helping Maria to take off her coat.
"Mamamiya!" Ogami is really stunned by the time Maria's coat is being taken off. She is wearing a low cut and sky-blue colored ball gown, that shows half of her bosoms and the beautiful curve, with same colored and flourish pattern lace sewed slightly upper of her breast, it sure makes every man in the world hunger to look at her. Her long and smooth hair that lies on her shoulder even makes her looks feminine and magnificent. Followed with her slim waistline, Ogami can ensure that he will be envied for having this beautiful and elegant blonde as his partner tonight.
"Ichiro, please… don't look at me that way." Maria speaks, as she is too shy to show her partner her outfit tonight.
"Why? You look gorgeous! I just don't get it why you don't show to me earlier?" Ogami replies.
"It is just…. I seldom dress in this… this…" Maria finds hard to express the last word.
Ringing her waist with his right arm, Ogami says, "Whatever it is, you look beautiful tonight." Maria becomes speechless and her face starts to blush more reddish. "Now, we had a ball to attend. Let's go."
The couple finally reaches the main hall, Ogami sees many famous people are attending the event and he finds out some businessmen are talking with Sakura not far from him. Holding his partner's hand, they are passing through the crowd and reach the one who invites him.
After she was noticing Ogami and Maria in her sight, Sakura excuses the men and walks towards the couple. She is wearing a pink sleeveless gown with two strings attached and hanging upon her shoulder, then she wears a pair of long white gloves that reaches her elbow. Her red high heels had made her height is almost the same as Ogami's. Like Maria, her gown also shows her thin waist and in order to match the gown, she released her long hair and makes people misjudges her real age, as she looks younger.
"Thank you for coming, Mr. Ogami. And Miss Maria, you look great tonight." Sakura greets them.
"Thank you, Mrs. Kayama. So are you." Maria says.
"Mrs. Kayama, where is your husband?" Ogami asks.
"He will be here in no time, says that he wants to surprise everyone here. In the mean time, please enjoy the party, okay?"
"Mrs. Kayama… we are here for business, remember?" Ogami replies as he is looking at Sakura seriously.
"Hmm… you are really a professional, as you are not forgetting your main purpose, even being distracted. I knew I employed the right person." Sakura says, as she likes Ogami's attitude upon his job. "Anyway, this is a party, so please enjoy yourself around here. I have to go somewhere else, please excuse me." Sakura gives the couple a light bow and leaving them.
"Maria, what do you think? Where should we start?" Ogami asks Maria for any opinion.
"We better split into two ways, it makes the job more easier." Finally Maria shows him a serious look and she knows that they need to act.
"Alright, you will look around here. I take the upper floor, I have something to look over there." Ogami suggests as he wonder the interior structure of the whole building.
"Okay, good luck."
"So are you, take care." Then Ogami takes his move.
As Ogami is crossing through the crowd slowly, he tries to act as gentleman as possible so nobody will suspect him. Ogami takes the T-shaped staircase and reaches the first floor on the right. It is a red corridor surrounding the main hall in U shape. He walks along it and notices there are rooms lining up by its side.
"Let's see. 'Guest Room', 'Theater Room', 'Rest Room', 'Library'…" Ogami is observing the rooms around the first floor carefully, until he reaches a room with the nameplate planted on the door.
"Orihime?" Ogami holds his chin and thinks, "I heard this name before. If I am not mistaken, she is Kayama Yuichi's little stepsister that his parents kept ten years ago, saying that they wanted a daughter and the mother couldn't give birth anymore after Kayama Yuichi." Ogami read it from the article when Kayama Yuichi was interviewed about his family.
As Ogami is still thinking, the door suddenly opens, a person coming out and almost knocks on him.
"What the…? What are you doing here, stranger?" A girl aged around twenties with slightly darken brown skin shouts at Ogami. Ogami is looking back at her and seeing that she is dressing with a black gown that a lace of red rose flower pattern sewed slightly above her bosom and wearing dark red dress. Her ebony eyes stares at the stranger in front of her.
"My name is Ogami Ichiro. Mrs. Kayama Sakura invited me to this party." Ogami is trying to answer politely.
"I don't give a damn about your name, I am asking what are you doing here." The girl shouts like she is thinking that Ogami is either a thief or trying to become one.
"Actually… I am looking for restroom around here, since the one below is occupied." Ogami lies.
"Really?" the girl asks curiously as she is looking at Ogami seriously and carefully.
"Of course. Who else do you think I am, Miss…" Ogami asks to ensure her identity.
"The name is Kayama Orihime. So you are my sister-in-law's guest, huh? Nothing much to be expected." Orihime says as she is crossing her arms. She does not even look at Ogami. "Better take her picture for good."
Snap! Snap! Snap!
"Anyway, I am sorry for scaring you, Miss Kayama. I will leave now, please excuse me." After took her pictures, Ogami leaves the girl alone and looking on another side.
On the other hand, Maria is busy as well. Since she is alone and charming, many man, especially rich and single young businessmen are trying to woo her. Actually, she hates when being surrounded by lots of strangers, especially someone is trying to hook her with his wealth, but she holds her temper as she is working right now. She asks several questions about their opinion about Kayama Yuichi.
"Mr. Kayama? Man, he is a genius! Hard to imagine a young man like him can run a huge company his father left to him. Anyway, mind to give me you number?"
"That playboy? That fellow is famous among the Kabuki's Street. He always lingers around there."
"Hey, pretty girl. I bet you better know me instead of that man. He will not responsible for any woman, even his wife. Come on, may I have the honor to drive you home later?"
"Babe, you are gorgeous. What is your name? Mind to friend with me?"
"My god! I start to regret for dressing in this way." Maria is feeling uneasy as the men start gathering around her. Some of them even take advantage to touch her with the reason of getting drunk.
"Someone…. Please… help…"
"Thank god you are here. I have been looking for you everywhere!" Suddenly an arm rings her waist and it almost makes Maria wants to hit the pervert on impulse. But she stops when she knows who is the actor.
"Sorry for leaving you just now, I was too excited talking with my old friend over there." Ogami says and kisses Maria's cheek, then whispers, "Follow me." Ogami says, "Mind to join my friend now? They are so eager to know my fiancée."
Maria smiles at Ogami sweetly and says, "Okay, honey. Please excuse us, gentlemen." Then they leave the sighing crowd that is cursing themselves for losing to Ogami.
"Are you feeling okay now?" After leaving the crowd, they stand around the corner and Ogami asks while Maria is taking a deep breath.
"Okay? I am relieved. Thanks you." Maria thanks Ogami for getting her out from the crowd.
"However, you got any information?"
"Not much more than rumors. Most of them don't like Mr. Kayama very much." Maria is explaining her analysis.
"No doubt about it. He may be famous as a businessman; but also infamous as a playboy as well." Ogami figures the result because he had researched about Kayama Yuichi's 'social life' around movie star and models.
"Anyway, how about you?" Maria asks.
"I just got chance to meet up with his sister, although it is not a good one after all. It seems like she does not like Mrs. Kayama in some way." Ogami remembers the way Orihime was reacting when she knew that Ogami is Sakura's guest to the party.
"Do you think she is the one who responsible for the assassination?" Maria takes a wild guess.
"May be… may be not… it is too early to judge everything right now. We need more information. In the mean time…" Ogami says as he is passing a glass of champagne to Maria. "We better stay calm now and enjoy the party. We might work harder later."
Words from Shirogami:
I don't owe any character of Sakura Wars / Sakura Taisen. But I do own this story (although I don't know if anyone write this before :P). Anyway, I will try my best.
Thanks you for supporting me all the time, SilverBlue Dragon. Man, great to have you as my friend, really!
And thanks to Iris and JWM for your comments, I always want to write better story but my knowledge of proper grammar and vocabulary are still weak. So feel free to correct me so I can avoid the mistakes.
Please R&R, it helps me to write something that keeps you reading. Thanks