When They Cry Detective Killing Chapter
A/N: I would like to thank you for the reviews. And more thanks to euphinite, who reminded me that I still need to read the TIPS… which are apparently longer than I originally thought, and thanks for telling me of "Dark Rika" using "atashi." Wow… there sure are a lot of TIPS. clears throat ANYWAYS, here's the next chapter.
Part 4- Interference
The teacher dismissed the class. The students started piling up at the door.
"Alright everyone, what should we play today?" Mion asked, even though she already had a game in her hand that she was setting up.
"Actually, I can't participate with you guys today," Ryuzaki said.
"What? Why not? What can be more fun then games?" Mion asked with a look of shock on her face.
"Nothing. I have to work on a case, though. To me, cases are games. And I always win," Ryuzaki answered.
The group looked at Ryuzaki, then to each other, then back to Ryuzaki.
"Okay. We'll come with you," Keiichi said.
"That is completely unnecessary, but it could be helpful if things get out of hand. Who is the head of the clinic?" Ryuzaki said.
"That would be our baseball manager, Irie Kyosuke-sensei. He has a maid-lolicon complex, so he acts like a pedo," Mion answered.
"Really? So even if I don't solve the Watanagashi case, I'll still be able to arrest someone. Fun," Ryuzaki said with the slightest hint of sarcasm in his voice.
The club members exited the school and made its way down a few long roads to get to the clinic. It wasn't that far, so the sun was still up in the sky. The club members looked at the building, the building that could easily be Hinamizawa's largest structure. The clinic was one of the new buildings in Hinamizawa. There were few houses or structures built with that modern of material. The clinic was one; Keiichi's house was another.
"Why is this place so large? You could probably fit the whole village and Okinomiya in it," Ryuzaki stated as he looked up at it.
"This is the Irie Clinic. Satoko and I come here frequently for check ups and tests," Rika explained.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go see Manager!" Keiichi said as he ran for the door with the rest of his friends following.
The group walked into the clinic. The waiting room was fairly small, with a small reception counter and a hallway with several rooms leading out of it. One of the doctors was walking with another; one a man, one of woman. The man was taller and had light brown hair and glasses. The woman had long, blonde hair, and she wore a nurse's skirt. The two seemed to be in an important conversation.
"Hey, Manager! Takano-san!" Mion called out.
The two doctors suddenly looked up, surprised to see everyone.
"Oh, hello everyone," the man said, and then he looked at Ryuzaki. "I don't think I know you. I'm a doctor, Irie Kyosuke. And you are?"
"Ryuzaki Ryugu. Pleased to meet you," Ryuzaki said as he bowed and turned to the woman.
"I'm Takono Miyo," the woman said.
"Takono…Miyo…" Ryuzaki said as he examined her. He turned back to Irie. "Are you the owner of this clinic?"
"That would be me," Irie replied.
Ryuzaki looked at Irie, then around the office. There were two other nurses at the front desk. Then he stared down the hallway of the clinic, past Irie.
"What is it, Ryuzaki-san?" Irie asked.
"Oh, I was just wondering how many people work here," Ryuzaki said as he looked back at Irie.
"Oh, there aren't that many doctors here since this town is rather small. We don't have very many people working here, only the people at the front desk and us two," Irie said as he pointed towards the women at the front desk and then towards himself and Takano.
"Well, why is this place so large if there aren't that many workers? I mean, its good to have room for the sick, but are you planning on keeping the whole village here?" Ryuzaki asked.
Irie looked down at the ground, then to Takano, then back at Ryuzaki. "Well, I guess we just wanted to be safe rather than sorry."
"Well, that is a good reason, I guess. But is it true? In a small town or village, it would be a great place to conduct research that would be unnoticed. Or that would be the case if I wasn't here. Tell me, why is it that Rika is being used for experiments?" Ryuzaki asked with his impassive expression.
Irie looked surprised and then down at Rika, "Did you tell him, Rika? I told you this information is confidential."
"Don't blame her. I was planning on coming here anyways. Say, don't you think this place is a bit big for this village? And aren't there too few workers here?" Ryuzaki interrogated.
Irie looked at Ryuzaki with a surprised look on his face.
"Okay, then. Tell me what you think could be going on in this clinic?" Takano said.
"Numerous things could be going on. It could be a biohazard weapons development center, but the only problem with that is that Rika is being experimented on. Is she immune to it or something?" Ryuzaki asked, even though he expected someone to tell him that that wasn't what was happening.
"Hmm… wow. Okay, so what exactly did you want to learn?" Irie asked.
"Tell me all about anything you know that relates to the chains of deaths," Ryuzaki said.
"Um… we don't do anything that relates to them," Irie answered.
"Tell him about the Syndrome," Rika said.
"Ri…Rika. Why did you tell anyone, especially a newcomer?" Irie asked.
"Why? Because I asked her to. And I also plan on protecting her from this year's curse," Ryuzaki answered for Rika.
"Curse!? What do you mean!?" both Irie and Takano gasped at the statement.
"Simple. Rika is the most likely target for this year's festival, seeing as how it went from Hojo, to Furude, to Hojo already. So if the same pattern is followed, then Rika is the most likely target. Well, that's assuming that the murderer is the same," Ryuzaki explained.
Irie and Takano glanced at each other, giving each other disturbed looks.
"Um… would you please come with us? We want to have a more private place to talk," Takano said.
"Sure," Ryuzaki said as he followed Takano and Irie into a small, clinic room. Takano closed the door as the three entered, leaving the rest outside.
"How much do you know about this stuff?" Irie asked.
"I know that Rika believes that she will be killed this year near the night of Watanagashi," Ryuzaki said. "I believe this, too. To answer your question, I know nothing of whatever research you are doing on Rika, or why it is a secret."
"Um... well, you see… um…" Irie looked towards Takano, then back to Ryuzaki and sighed heavily. "Okay. You see, there is a virus that infects people that live in Hinamizawa. Apparently it is a virus that can control the thoughts of its host and…"
Takano cut him off. She had a stern look on her face.
"I'm sorry, Ryuzaki," Takano said. "You see, it is filed as a virus, but we believe it is a parasite that can control the thoughts of a human. Now, I know you'll say that that is crazy, but…"
This time, Ryuzaki cut Takano off.
"Why do you think I would think its crazy?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Because, if we can prove that this parasite can control all thoughts of a human, then it can be said that it also can control his or her free will. A long time ago, this village knew about the virus, and they even made their religion based on the virus, where oyashiro-sama was sacrificed to quell the "demons" in the hearts of the villagers. However, there was a rule passed down the village that said don't let anyone in or anyone out, because they will begin to get the "Syndrome," Takano said.
"The syndrome?" Ryuzaki asked.
"It is what we call the phenomenon. If someone leaves Hinamizawa, then they will become extremely paranoid and start believing that everyone is out to get him or her, and, sooner or later, they will begin killing who they are afraid of. However, the syndrome is not caused by leaving the city; it is cause by leaving the "queen carrier." The carrier is always someone of the Furude family," Takano said.
"Oh, so if Rika is killed, then what would happen? Would everyone get paranoid?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Actually, everyone becomes insane and tries to kill one another," Takano answered.
"And what would you guys do if that happened?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Oh, um…" Irie looked around at Takano.
"Well, the village will be annihilated," Takano finished.
"Well, that's kind of harsh. I mean, shouldn't Rika have her own bodyguard or something? If she dies, then don't you, too?" Ryuzaki asked.
"We've been able to produce a vaccine, so we can't get it under normal circumstances," Irie answered.
Takano walked over to Irie and whispered something in his ear.
"Ryuzaki-san, how long have you been in Hinamizawa?" Irie asked.
"A few days," Ryuzaki answered.
"Well, there is a chance that you haven't been infected, so we'll give you the vaccine, too," Irie said.
Takano walked over to a cabinet labeled "Tomitake."
"What is Tomitake, the virus?" Ryuzaki asked.
"What?" Takano said, alarmed. Then she noticed that Ryuzaki was looking at the cabinet's label. "Oh, no. Tomitake is someone who comes to Hinamizawa to help us every now and then. This is where we put his stuff. This vaccine was something that we were going to give him when he got here today. But since he isn't here yet, we'll give it to you and have another one made for when he does arrive."
Takano walked over and administered the vaccine. She walked back to the cabinet and got out some materials and started mixing liquids together.
"What exactly are you doing?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Making another vaccine for Jirou-san… I'm mean Tomitake-san," Takano replied.
"So what is this clinic actually for?" Ryuzaki asked. "Is it to find a cure for the syndrome?"
"Yeah, basically," Takano said.
Ryuzaki started biting his thumb so he could think better.
"This facility has no other purposes?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Well, we help patients that are under the symptoms of the syndrome, specifically with L5, the terminal stage of the disease," Irie answered.
"And do you know if anyone would be able to profit from the destruction of the village? I mean, it's obvious that someone will be blamed, and whoever it is will be reduced to nothing while another faction in politics gains more power for it," Ryuzaki said.
"Um… not that we no of," Irie said as he looked at Takano, who had paused for a brief second after hearing Ryuzaki, but then continued making the vaccine for Tomitake.
"Okay, then. Have either of you seen someone in the village that you are unacquainted with? Someone who is about my height, but has brown hair?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Um… no, I think," Irie said.
"Nor have I," Takano said as she put the liquids back into the cabinet and put a syringe in Tomitake's.
"I see. Thanks, anyways," Ryuzaki said.
The three walked to the door and then turned into the waiting room. Apparently there was a bunch of ruckus going on, as another man had come in and started yelling.
"Where is that Irie, bastard!?" the man yelled.
The man turned and saw Irie walking into the room. Then, Ryuzaki and he saw each other.
Ryuzaki smiled.
"Why, hello Teppei. You're still coming to Hinamizawa, I see," Ryuzaki said.
"YOU BASTARD! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Teppei yelled as he darted towards Ryuzaki.
Ryuzaki lifted his leg up, and extended it as soon as Teppei was close enough for him to kick. Teppei ran straight into the leg and fell over and cringed on the ground. Even though the force of impact was extremely powerful, Ryuzaki didn't lose his balance. Instead, he took a step forward and started towards the clinic door.
"Let's go, everyone," Ryuzaki said to Keiichi, Mion, Satoko, Rika, and Rena.
They all just stared at Ryuzaki. Ryuzaki turned around and saw Satoko crying, and Rika comforting her.
"Wait a minute… what are your last names?" Ryuzaki said as he pointed at Satoko and then Teppei.
Teppei stood up, smiled, and said, "Hojo. And now I'll make Satoko pay for what you've done to me."
Teppei walked over and grabbed Satoko and started towards the exit. Just before he walked outside, he turned around and said, "That's right. Irie, don't keep Satoko at the clinic for a long period of time. I'm her uncle and guardian, now, so I should take care of her." Then he continued out the door.
Ryuzaki watched them leave, and then he turned back to the group.
"I did not know that HE was Satoko's uncle," Ryuzaki said.
Everyone looked gloomy, as if they knew something he didn't.
"Oh, I think I get it now. Satoko's uncle is abusive, right?" Ryuzaki asked.
He saw everyone nodding there heads.
"Even Keiichi knew?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Actually, we told Keiichi right when that animal came in and started yelling," Mion answered.
"I see," Ryuzaki said.
"WHAT DO YOU SEE!?" Keiichi yelled as he stood up. "That man will kill Satoko!"
"Well, does Satoko have any other relatives?" Ryuzaki asked.
"No," Rena said in a low, deep voice. "Oyashiro-sama has claimed them all."
"Oh, right. Was Satoko's aunt abusive, too?" Ryuzaki asked.
"Yeah," Mion said in almost a whisper.
"And what about Satoshi?" Ryuzaki asked.
"He was the only person that Satoko ever considered family," Irie answered.
"But he disappeared near the death of their aunt last year," Takano said.
Rika ran over to Ryuzaki and grabbed his arm. She had tears in her eyes and plead, "Ryuzaki! Please save her!"
Ryuzaki looked down at Rika and said, "I was planning on it. However, I need to think of a plan that won't be harmful to Satoko. Where's a police officer?"
"Hello, hello, Irie-sensei," a man said as he walked in. He had his coat in one hand, and Ryuzaki noticed his police badge.
"Was it you that called for me?" the man asked Ryuzaki. "I am detective Oishi."
"Delicious detective?" Ryuzaki asked as he cocked his head to one side.
"Wha… oh. Hahaha! No, "Oishi" is my name," the detective said.
"Oh. Well, back on topic," Ryuzaki said. "Would you mind arresting Teppei Hojo for us?"
"What? He's back here again?" Oishi asked. He made a weird face as if he was in deep contemplation.
"What is it, Oishi-san," Rika asked, as her tears started to stop falling.
"Well, I was thinking whether his timing could be used against him," Oishi answered. He looked up and saw questionable looks on everyone. "That's right, you guys don't know. Teppei Hojo is being suspected of murdering…"
"A woman with pinkish hair that is about Rena's length, but straighter?" Ryuzaki interrupted.
Oishi looked towards Ryuzaki with a suspicious look on his face.
"Yes, how did you know?" Oishi asked, his hand sliding towards his cuffs.
"Well, because Teppei told me that she would pay for not telling him about me," Ryuzaki answered. He looked around and everyone but Rena was looking at him with questioning looks on their faces. "Okay, you see. That woman was two-timing with mine and Rena's father and Teppei. Teppei was going to use that to get money from our father, but I put a stop to it. Teppei didn't know that I was there, and he thinks that he could've gotten the money if it wasn't for the woman's faulty behavior. So, after I beat him in a fight, he said that the woman would pay. I wasn't really thinking that if I let that happen, that he'd come back to Hinamizawa." Ryuzaki turned towards Rena and asked, "What is that woman's name, anyways."
"Rina Mamiya," Rena answered with a sullen look on her face.
"So, even in death that woman can torment our family," Ryuzaki said. "Don't worry people. I think I have a plan to rid ourselves of this turbulent man… but I'm going to have to involve you guys. You, too, Oishi."
"What are you talking about?" Oishi asked, his hand still on his cuffs.
"I am a detective, too. I will need your help and resources to make Teppei confess that he killed her. That is, if he killed her, which I think that he did," Ryuzaki explained.
"Well, what is your plan?" Keiichi asked.
"One is that we can protest to whatever child protection centers around here, but that will take too long. We need to solve this problem long before the Watanagashi for me to be able to stop the next murder," Ryuzaki answered. He looked around and everyone was staring at him. His eyes examined what everyone was doing, and he thought that he noticed a slight smile on Takano's lips. He then continued. "Another way would be to go ahead and eliminate him, which will take care of our time problems, but leave us with life in prison or even capital punishment."
"Do you have any good plans, then?" Takano asked. She seemed to be the only one in the room that wasn't gloomy.
"Why, of course. The best plan would be this one. We have someone look just like Rina and have her 'meet' Teppei. Depending on his reaction would determine whether or not he killed that woman. If he looks as if he's seen a ghost, then he is guilty. If he gives the response of something like, 'I told you I never wanted to see you again,' then he is innocent," Ryuzaki replied.
Everyone looked at Ryuzaki.
"How would we be able to copy her?" Keiichi asked.
"Simple. We take someone that can be made to look like her and that knows how she acts to dress like her and go and knock on the door," Ryuzaki answered.
"Who could be able to do that?" Rena asked.
"I thought that part would be obvious," Ryuzaki said. "You."
"And what will the rest of us be for?" Mion asked.
"Well, you guys and Oishi should prioritize on saving Satoko and Rena if anything goes bad. I'll handle arresting Teppei," Ryuzaki said.
"Alright! We're in!" Keiichi said.
There is hope, even when all is lost.
There is hope, even when you would rather be in despair.
There is hope, even at world's end.
There is hope…