Hizumi's Side by: Kounellii
Comments: It's been a while! I started writing this and Hizumi's and Kiyotaka's thoughts just kept coming, so here it is. Might wanna re-read v7-10 for Kanone's carnival for a refresher.
Disclaimer: Me no own Spiral ~Suiri no Kizuna~, Kyo Shirodaira and Eita Mizuno do.
-+Recalibrate…+-
If a heart is a strange thing, what then is a brain? Would it be like a rose, by, how'd that saying go? By any other name would smell just as sweet? Well, in this case it'd be just as strange. Like our hearts beating faster when we think about that hot girl we like. Or if someone chooses to stay in a bad relationship; the interesting thing would be that both the people involved and not, say it's because the heart overpowered the brain.
But hearts don't create emotions. Brains do. It generates the chemicals that trigger responses. Yet, everyone, our brains without exception, makes us believe that it was our heart's fault the whole damn time.
"Why am I even thinking about this?" he mused aloud.
The young man couldn't quite put his finger on it. This feeling. Sort of like he was reeling backwards even though he was standing still. His blood felt heavy inside of his pale and slender body. An involuntary shudder rushed through.
But it was a warm day. Sunny in fact. He was standing just outside the shade of a bakery. The combination of scents was so… enticing! Cinnamon was the strongest scent. Or perhaps the fresh bread, almonds, strawberries, blueberries, chocolate, pecan pies together smell like cinnamon.
He felt another vibration, this time from his pants pocket. Slipping his hand into his front pocket, he pulled it out and flipped it open in one swift motion.
"Hngh," he uttered.
The caller id read 'Dead Man' calling. He let it vibrate until his ring tone came on. The instrumental tune of Aeris' Theme played on his cellphone.
"Mushy, mushy! Yeah, so it's finally happened? Heh. So when's Mr. Piano's funeral? I know I wouldn't mind a little publicity. Wait! What did you say? Just what did you say? Kiyotaka! ANSWER ME!" he roared into the phone, no longer smiling. A menacing scowl turned his face dark.
He's got quite a set of lungs, thought Kiyotaka, When he's angry. He brought the earpiece of the payphone back to his ear.
"Now don't tell me you were so overconfident that you decided not to keep track of the news. Even in America every news channel must have sound bites about Eyes-kun waking miraculously out of his coma, escaping death like a-"
"Oh, shut up, shut up, shut up! You're lying, obviously. How could Kanone screw up? He's better than anyone far range, and even more fucking better than Eyes in close range stabbing. He couldn't have evaded the blade; his organs must be beyond repair. You're just trying to trick me, Kiyotaka. And I'm not falling for it!" he spat.
Kiyotaka grimaced. He didn't anticipate that Yaiba's mini-me had placed, so to speak, all his hopes that Eyes would be three feet under. Thus, having Kanone reach the point of no return to his sanity and going through with his bloody carnival. But with Eyes' recovery, already Kanone's (But really Hizumi's) plans can't reach fruition. Not while Kanone's sane. Even though he could predict everything, another high ranking piece such as Hizumi could never be under Kiyotaka's control. He could only guess like any other player, but for his sake, it usually is accurate. Usually.
"I told you. And I've told Kanone-kun as well. Deep in his heart, he could never take his brother's life away. Not now, not ever. Are you going to keep using the- Oh, excuse me, Hizumi-kun."
The detective turned slightly around. A young boy stood behind him, exuding an imperious attitude no less. He was a Tsukiomi student judging by the plain blue uniform. Luckily, he was in disguise himself. He donned a plain white shirt, blue jeans, a worn felt utility belt, brown gloves, and a yellow hardhat.
"Excuse me, but when are you going to be done? I really need to use the phone!"
"So do I. A little patience goes a long way."
The young boy frowned. "Listen, I've got an important phone call to make. So how about I use it now, and you can call whoever after I'm done."
Kiyotaka lowered the phone, but did not hang up.
"It's people like you that ruin this world."
"What did you say?"
"You heard what I said. You're young after all so you can't be deaf yet. The clothes that I'm wearing are that of a construction worker. And your uniform's from Tsukiomi private school where those who're smart or athletically skilled can go. You're from a rich family aren't you?"
The boy glared and folded his arms. "That's right; my parents are executives of the biggest tech-"
"No. Your parents are the biggest snobs," interrupted Kiyotaka. His face was drawn and impassive.
"Who do you think you are? You're nothing but low-class trash. I'm going to tell my parents about you! They've got enough influence to make sure you'll never move up!"
"Have you ever read Sherlock Holmes?" the older man asked. He checked his phone card which was still in the slot, more out of boredom than anything. His card was being automatically charged for all the minutes passing by.
"No, I haven't," replied the boy.
"Sherlock Holmes said that one could learn what a person was like by observing and making inferences from their children.* You've heard that growing up. You've heard your parents or their coworkers say they've got enough influence to make anyone who stands in their way, or even slightly irritates them never get a promotion."
"You have no respect. And I know who you are. Because I've investigated your family before…"
Kiyotaka sure likes to hear himself speak, thought Hizumi, rolling his eyes.
"What're you talking about?" asked the boy impatiently, although a feeling of dread seemed to mount inside of him, but he didn't know why.
"Your parents didn't become rich on their own. Your family lost its' wealth in your grandfather's time. But your parents were very clever. And another powerful young man around their age noticed their skills… and their desperation."
The young boy's irises widened, like a thin ring around a black hole. And so were Hizumi's on the other side of the phone.
"Mizushiro Yaiba promised them their wealth and reputation back, if they would cooperate and do all the dirty negotiating for him. If there's one thing that powers this age it would be technology. And your parents used their friends and contacts, manipulated them until they could step on them."
"So in sum, you're a snob because your parents let you see them that way. And I'm a detective, Narumi Kiyotaka. Ah, no doubt your parents mentioned me before! Felt threatened perhaps. I'm glad you realized that. Of course, I'm undercover right now. But here's a word of warning: I allowed your parents to keep their company and reputation because they have children and really, they're so greedy they'd commit seppuku without their luxurious comforts. So if I were you, I'd learn some respect to get a decent life."
And with that, Kiyotaka turned away from the boy.
"Is that true?" asked Hizumi automatically.
Kiyotaka grinned; watching the boy walk away with his previously proud shoulders slumped downward.
"Hmm… yes. His family is just one of the many who were used by your brother. It's not easy for that kid though. I suspect his parents told him some of their anxieties, or at best he learned from snatches of conversation. Did you know that they were one of the threads I used to find out the mastermind behind all this web of corporate corruption going on?* That's how my path led to Yaiba."
He could hear nothing but silence on the other end. He knew that Hizumi finally got his answer as to how and why he targeted his brother. Confirmed, really.
"That voice you heard when you turned 20… It didn't tell you to kill Yaiba did it?" asked Hizumi in a low voice.
"That's right. I had already been seeking out the heads of those manipulating the industries and economies by their power and wealth. You have no idea Hizumi, what it was like. Before you were born, smaller stores or companies couldn't thrive without making a 'deal' with bigger ones just to break into the market. It's something called a 'cartel' in economics. You, know I had a favorite candy store that I liked to go to.
It was a small wooden store with a red and white awning in front. I used to sit on that bench and eat candied apples. Well, at least whenever I could get away from piano practice. Mother was just so adamant about practicing," sighed Kiyotaka emphatically.
"Anyway, I'm getting tired. And it's almost dinner time so I'm going. Bye!" said Hizumi, and added after hanging up, "You bastard."
It was certainly getting darker. The sky overhead was turning to dusk. Hizumi now knew why he shuddered earlier: His senses were telling him not to answer the damn phone. His heart was still beating hard. He couldn't let his plan be beat.
"Damnit!" cursed Hizumi for the trillionith time that day.
He thought he had them. But it failed! No, he failed. But it was perfect!
After gathering his thoughts a few days ago, he thought he could have a new ace in the hole. Eyes Rutherford. Once the key victim needed to push Kanone's buttons, now the key.
Kanone stabbed Eyes. But his conscience must've interfered and he might've missed Eyes' vitals. No problem. Think! I still can use them. Eyes… Yes, that's right. With his survival, he'll want to kill Kanone! Eyes is tied to Kousuke, Rio, and Ryouko. As long as they're there, the other Blade Children don't matter as much. And with his despair of Kanone betraying him and believing himself to be a Hunter, Eyes won't be able to turn back. He'll kill Kanone instead.
If he wants to save Kanone, he'll do it. Letting Kanone live would only bring the Hunters down on him. He'll do it to save the few Blade Children left because he's still hopeful. And since Eyes actually has more influence among some of the remaining Blade Children, the Watchers, Savers, and even the Hunters are wary of him. If he kills Kanone, Eyes may still take a little longer to break before he gives into Yaiba's curse, but he will and the wait will set them all on edge.
But because it's Eyes, they'll react too late and he'll destroy them. If… if he manages it, he'll look to me for guidance. The best part is I won't need to do a thing. Then I'll win! I might not be able to live longer, but I can take back my brother's organization and turn them back into scientists again to cure this condition of mine….. Even Kiyotaka can't protect everyone, there'll be massacres and carnage, and he'll probably just escape with Madoka. What does he care about anything? He'll probably think he did what he could. After all, the voice told him nothing else…. That's why he can't kill me either. Yes, and even if I can't live longer, I don't need to worry about anything, who cares what happens after I'm gone.
But unfortunately, it didn't work out. It was on the news. All over it, but it was just a repeat of scant information. The Savers and Watchers did a good job of making it seem like the news reporters got all the essentials but really, it wasn't a lot. And neither was it even half the story.
Hizumi watched in pure rage as the brunette news reporter from Japan say, with translations at the bottom, that the threat at Tsukiomi Private School was resolved. Kanone was apprehended. Since he was still a minor, his name wasn't revealed. The school would be shut down for a week, with renovations, blah blah blah.
Soon after, Tsuchiya Kirie of the Watchers called. His favorite Watcher. Well, pawn to be precise. She overreacts so much to little things that both he and Kiyotaka enjoy toying with her. She confirmed what he surmised and more. Eyes did enter the battle, using Narumi Madoka to get there. But for some reason, he had stayed out of it at first. He didn't enter until Ayumu 'called' him.
But why? Wasn't he pissed about being betrayed? Why did that stupid fool choose to let his comrades take care of Kanone with their damn attempts with a tranquilizer?
Ayumu. It must be because of him.
Or maybe Eyes was always a softy. Pathetic to the end, he'll keep believing. He cried apparently, when he told Kanone on Kirie-chan's phone that he'll keep hoping… As long as Ayumu lives, Eyes will keep holding on like a moron. He's useless now. Kousuke is even softer than Eyes, more merciful than Rio and Ryouko that's for sure. He spared more Hunters than the others, but did it without letting Eyes and the others know. Maimed them but at least they had their lives. He's skilled but his blade is dull. Who can I use?
I think it's time I return to Japan. Ayumu, you're my trump card. I'll take down Kiyotaka even if it's the last thing I'll do.
*"I have frequently gained my first real insight into the character of parents by studying their children." Sherlock Homes from "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches"
*Also in reference to Sherlock Holmes' rival, Prof. Moriarty. Kiyotaka and Yaiba resemble these characters so strongly. I think Shirodaira-san must be influenced by Sir Conan Doyle's story. Plus I'm a fan so I do lots of references too in my Spiral ficsXD
EXTRA: Last chapter's coming up. I wanted to flesh out the other possibilities of using Eyes or Kousuke and why Hizumi didn't try to pull back Kanone before we go into the conclusion I created. Please review!