A/N: I don't own Mirai Nikki. It belongs to Sakae Esuno-sensei.

Chapter 8: TARGET IN OMEKATA CULT

Aru's POV

It was Saturday at 6 pm, silently I stood near the fence of the traditional big house. Since it was raining, I used my umbrella while looking at the window of ...

... The Kasugano's Residence.

FLASHBACK

Two days ago, I passed the seniors' hall. As expected, I got some hatred stares from the male students (not that I minded), but unexpectedly, I also got some giggles and sweet smiles from the female ones.

Then I came to the promised class to meet my client. Nana Minami-senpai from 3-C.

Actually I barely knew her. But she knew me for being a detective-in-training so she wanted me to help her with something about serious investigation by texting me.

I saw there were not many students in this class and when I entered, a short brown haired girl asked me to come to her.

"Minami-senpai?" I asked to assure.

"Akise-kun, or rather Akise tantei-kun. Finally you come." She smiled. "What a good looking future detective."

"Thank you." I smirked professionally.

"Let's talk about business here. Please sit down."

I nodded before sitting. "How can I help you, Minami-senpai?"

"My boyfriend at Umesato High School, Dai Takada, got an accident yesterday. He was hit by a car. The driver ran away and now Dai-kun is being hospitalized in Sakurami Hospital. His right arm is broken." She explained. "I want you to find out who the culprit was."

"I see. I'll report the result to you and police soon."

"Thank you. I'm looking forward for it. By the way, can you play drums?"

"I don't know if I can play it well. But I've tried it, just for my curiosity."

She looked at me like she wanted to say something, but she held it.

"Minami-senpai?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing, tantei-kun. I think it's not too important right now. But I'll call you later about it."

END FLASHBACK

After interviewing with the only one witness (a very old lady as the cigarette seller from the kiosk near the crime scene) and then searching for the car as described for two days, I suspected the driver was one of the followers in Omekata Cult since I found a similar car inside the building.

I sighed for this inevitable thing.

It seems I'll meet Tsubaki Kasugano.

"Have we ever met before?" A small female servant with long brown hair, stood inside the fence while using an umbrella.

"Hello, Orin-chan." I grinned, knowing her. "So now you work here?"

"Aru!" She was happily surprised, soon unlocking the fence. "What are you doing here?!"

"Detective-in-training's job."

"Something never change," she chuckled.

"Yeah."

She was Orin Miyashiro. An orphan from the same orphanage with me, Mother's Village, run by Kamado Ueshita. However, I was adopted two years ago.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

"Yeah. Does Gin Saito live here?"

"Gin Saito-san? Yes. But he hasn't come back yet since two days ago."

"I see."

Has he been trying to escape?

"What do you want with him?" She asked curiously.

"I'm searching for him and-"

"Whom are you talking, Orin-chan?" The soft feminine voice cut my sentence. A long blue haired girl with red kimono stood at the front yard while using an umbrella.

"Just a guest searching for Gin Saito," answered the small girl.

Hearing the name, the long blue haired girl's expression turned into seriousness.

"Omekata-sama, you shouldn't walk freely at the yard under this rain. I'm afraid you would slip," Orin-chan reminded her.

"Orin-chan, please ask our guest to meet me at the main room. I want to talk to him about Gin Saito," said her curtly.

X X X

"Welcome to Omekata Cult's Base. My name is Tsubaki Kasugano, the temporary leader (her parents were in trip). It's nice to meet and help you, dear guest." Tsubaki sat inside her 'cage' after I sat on the floor.

"Nice to meet you too, Omekata-sama." I bowed politely.

"Could you come closer? I want to see you up close," she asked calmly.

I blinked without giving any response. So she added, "I was born with poor eyesight so I need you to do this to me. I hope you don't mind."

I nodded and did what she asked.

"Thank you," she said satisfied and for some reason, I caught shyness on her face. "What's your name, young man?"

"I'm Akise Aru, detective-in-training, and if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you some questions about Gin Saito, Omekata-sama."

She nodded.

I smiled professionally and started interrogating. It didn't need a long time to finish it since she was so cooperative. She even let me see the car that Gin Saito used three days ago, parked at the back yard. I smirked, satisfied, seeing some blood stain on it. Now my suspicion to Gin Saito was increasingly certain.

"He contacted me last night that he'll come back at Monday evening," she told me. "I could hold him for you. How about ... 6 pm?"

"I'll gladly come again two days later, Omekata-sama." I smiled thankfully at her.

"Please call me Kasugano."

"All right, Kasugano-san."

X X X

Tsubaki's POV

After Orin-chan accompanied him to the gate of my house and he was out of my sight, I covered my mouth with my hand shyly as heat filled my face, recalling the young detective's face.

What a handsome boy! I wonder if he has no girlfriend yet.

"Orin-chan, can you do me a favor?" I asked my little fellow when she passed my room.

"What can I do for you, Omekata-sama?" She sat in front of me and bowed.

"I want you to find out more about Aru Akise. His school. His house. His habits. His friends and maybe ... girlfriend." I said with a bitter tone for the last word.

Orin-chan blinked at me, confused. "Do you want me to stalk him?"

"You can say that. And don't tell anyone that I ask you."

X X X

Yuno's POV

After two days of holidays (Saturday and Sunday), I got better so today I could attend the school. It was a good thing Papa wasn't at home and since Mama already knew my relationship with Aru-kun, he could pick me up from my house.

Mama gazed at me observantly when I ate my breakfast. "When will he pick you up? That boy?"

"Mama, his name is Aru Akise," I pouted. "And he'll come here soo-"

Then we heard his voice from the main door.

Soon I ran to it while carrying my school bag and a lunch bag. Mama followed me silently.

"Aru-kun!" I jumped and hugged his arm.

"Good morning, ." He bowed at Mama politely.

"Good morning." Mama smiled.

"Hi, Yuno." He smiled at me. "How are you?"

"Never been better." I grinned.

After saying good bye to Mama, I let him to take me to our school by his bike.

When we were on the way to school, I felt someone following us. I turned around and frowned, seeing the shadow of a little creature.

A stalker?

But I didn't think to tell Aru-kun right now.

Soon we reached the gate of our school.

"You can't always skip classes, Aru-kun." I protested when he informed me that he just dropped me off as he wanted to go to the police office.

He gave me a quick peck on my cheek and a smile. "It couldn't be helped, Yuno. I'll pick you up when the school time is over."

X X X

At the last class, our homeroom teacher asked us to discuss about our school festival that would be held at next month.

I stood in front of the class with a marker on my hand, ready to write down anything on the board.

"What will we present this time?" Since I was a representative of the class, I wanted to know my friends' idea. Last year we performed "the Sleeping Beauty". I still remembered when Mao was selected to be the princess, Kosaka-kun to be a prince, and Hinata to be the main antagonist, based on the class lottery. This romantic story drastically changed into hilarious and silly one.

"Geez, Yuno-cchi, I think any performance is fine as long as the main couple is you and Akise. Your kissing scene would be so natural," Hinata commented from her seat, making me blush hard. This surely invited ruckus in our class.

"THEY'RE DATING?!"

"GASAI-SAN HAS A BOYFRIEND?!"

"SINCE WHEN?!"

"You all are damn late. It was since last week," Hinata answered.

"NO WAY!"

"But Hinata, I don't think Akise can participate," Kousaka-kun mumbled.

"Why?" Hinata frowned.

"He said he got a call this morning from the senior from class 3-C that wanted him to be a substitute drummer. 3-C would like to perform a rock band but the drummer is being hospitalized."

"Really?" Hinata, Mao, and I eyed the boy bewilderedly.

X X X

Aru's POV

"Romeo and Juliet?" I chuckled when I was taking Yuno home and listened to what she told about the performance from our class for school festival. "Well, it's not bad, actually, although romance isn't my thing. What's your role, Yuno?"

"I'll be the narrator."

"And who get the main roles?"

"Based on the class lottery, Amano-kun got the role of Romeo, and the one who gets Juliet's role is ..." Yuno let her words hang in there as her voice was full with confusion and sadness.

I held my breath.

"... Hinata." It was the first time she mentioned her female best friend in this bitter tone.

I gave a long, relieved, sigh before gradually slowing down to stop my bike. I turned around to see the disappointment on her beautiful face, making me think that she actually wished to get the main female role.

Then I saw someone short person peeking behind the wall not far behind my bike. I frowned. Was it Rei-kun? But I wasn't sure he was. In fact, I thought it was a girl. A short girl.

Orin-chan? But why does she follow me?

"How about we get ice cream before reaching your house? It's my treat." I tried to cheer Yuno up.

I saw delighted sparks in her eyes as she took my offer immediately.

We stood near the display case before I glanced at my pink haired girlfriend. "What flavor do you want?"

She giggled as faint blushes appeared on her cheeks. "I thought you already know my favorite flavor, ."

I chuckled. "Right. It's strawberry."

"Correct!"

So I ordered the strawberry flavor for her and mint flavor for myself. Then we sat on the nearby bench.

We were just enjoying our ice creams silently until Yuno started talking.

"So what kind of case are you investigating now?" She asked before taking a full spoon of ice cream into her mouth.

I glanced at her silently.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"I thought you aren't interested with the crime cases."

"It's true. But I'm curious about what you have been doing."

"It was about hit and run. The victim is our senior, and he's a drummer in his rock band. His arm was broken, and his girlfriend asked me to find the culprit. She also asked me replace him for the school festival."

"I never know you can play drums. I mean ... you never join any club."

"When I was still at my previous school, I played it once as a substitute drummer too. And yeah. No club caught my attention."

"I bet you wish there is a detective club in our school," she chirped.

I laughed as I had finished my ice cream. "You're right. I think I would gladly join it."

"When will you start practicing with the other members of the group?"

"Since tomorrow, after the school time. Every school day. Don't worry, I'll take you home first, Yuno."

"You don't need to, Aru-kun. I can take care of myself. Just for a month until the school festival, right? I don't mind at all." I saw that she had finished her ice cream too.

"But-"

"Please ..." She pleaded, sitting closer to me and attacking with her puppy's eyes.

"Yuno, please stop doing that. They don't work for me."

"Really?" She deliberately leaned in.

I smiled, certainly knowing what this gesture meant. I just wondered if she was doing it to get what she wanted by messing my defend or ...

Is this just her simply cute way to ask me to kiss her?

Not being the one who wasted the opportunity, I pulled her back and leaned in, kissing her sweet lips before breaking away slowly. I swore I could taste the strawberry in my mouth right now.

"Nice try, Yuno. But just so you know, I don't change my decision. I'll still take you home before practicing." I stated, seeing her pout. Then I winked, "Well, if it was more than a kiss, maybe I would re-considerate your wish."

"W-what?!" She blushed frantically as some awkward thoughts ran in her head. "Aru-kun, you're such a ... a ..." She was too embarrassed to finish her sentence.

"I'm not a pervert." I finished it for her calmly. "You're the one who thought something wild. There are so many things that can be interpreted from 'more than a kiss'."

She turned away, still blushing.

Unpurposely, my eyes headed to the clock tower and realizing it was 5 pm.

I should take her home soon since The Kasugano residence was not a near place from here.

I stood, offering my hand. "Let's go home, Yuno."

"Why are you in a hurry?"

"Time rule from your parents." I smirked. "In order to gain their trusts, I don't want to break it."

"Well, they aren't at home tonight."

"How?" I blinked in surprise.

She giggled. "Mama texted me that she left at this afternoon to go to the next city since her cousin will have a surgery there at tomorrow morning. She also texted me that I will be alone tonight because she will spend the night in the hotel near the hospital."

"Your father?"

"He's in business trip and will come back next week." She took my hand and giggled again. "No time rule for today, Aru-kun. May I know where you want to go?"

"I want to go to Omekata Cult's Base to meet the culprit at 6 pm. The leader said she would hold him."

She looked so excited. "Can I accompany you?"

X X X

Yuno's POV

He didn't give me a fast answer as he looked like he was thinking before deciding. Was it too dangerous for me to join him?

I wished he could allow me since it was too boring at home alone until tomorrow morning when he took me to our school.

"Aru-kun?" I asked him hopefully.

"She's not there anymore," he mumbled, looking at the wall far behind us.

"Huh?" Now I knew what he meant. "You mean ... your stalker ...?"

"You have been realizing it?"

"I had it since the morning, when you picked me up to school. A short girl. With long and brown hair. She has just gone a few minutes ago. "

He looked at me in amaze. Maybe he didn't expect me to be this sharp.

Do you forget that your girlfriend is a stalker too, Aru-kun?

"What a female intuition," he said playfully.

"I'll take it as a compliment," I moped.

"Right." He held his laugh.

"Hmph!"

"Hey, don't get mad at me. I let you accompany me to Omekata Cult's base. But firstly, we'll stop by the police station to meet Nishijima-san."

Hearing it, I could not hide my cheerful expression right now. I nodded.

X X X

Tsubaki's POV

"He already has a girlfriend?" My eyes widened when Orin-chan reported to me after stalking my Prince Charming for today. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. He ... he kissed her on the lips at the ice cream kiosk. I saw it," she told me fearfully, revealing the bad news.

"Who is she?" I gritted.

"Her name is Yuno Gasai."

"Gasai?" I repeated that last name. For some reason, I thought I ever heard it some where. Gasai ...? Gasai ...

"She is the only one daughter of the owner of Gasai Bank." She actually wanted to help me to get the answer but unfortunately, the reality was really harsh.

I growled, knowing Gasai Bank is in the top three biggest banks in our country and has some branches abroad.

"Omekata-sama." One of my female followers, Ai-chan, came and bowed at me. "There are three guests who wants to meet you."

"Three?"

"Yes. Their names are Aru Akise and Yuno Gasai, and a police officer named Nishijima."

"I'll meet them soon." I hissed a bit before standing and walking to the main room.

X X X

I sat inside my cage and put the usual cheerful expression on my face to my guests.

"Welcome to Omekata Cult's Base. I'm Tsubaki Kasugano. It's a pleasure to see you, Akise-kun."

"A pleasure for me too, Kasugano-san. I come as agreed." Sitting on the floor, My Prince Charming smiled politely. Beside him, a girl with pink hair sat silently. It was unfortunate that I could not see her face clearly with this poor sight.

"Very well." I gave a sign to Orin-chan to bring Gin Saito to this room. When we were waiting for him, I teased, "What a lovely friend, Akise-kun. Your classmate ... or your girlfriend?"

"Both." I heard his tone full with pride when he introduced her to me. "Her name is Yuno Gasai."

"Nice to meet you," Gasai-san lowered her head a bit.

"Nice to meet you too." I hid my sourness, but my curiosity never fade away to know the type of girl that Akise-kun liked a lot. "Could you ... could you come closer, Gasai-san? I want to see you up close."

She innocently did what I asked. Then ...

I gasped, noticing every detail of hers.

She was so beautiful, I could not deny. Her long pink hair knotted in two pigtaileds. Her big innocent pink eyes. Angelic face. Soft and light colored skin. Proportional female body. Feminine appearance with her purple school blouse and mini skirt. And natural sakura fragrance emitted from her body.

"Thank you." I felt a twinge of envy for her.

"Kasugano-san, my friend, a police officer is waiting outside as we're afraid that Gin Saito will escape," Akise-kun told me.

"I understand."

Not long after that, a man in the mid of 20 entered the room casually. Gin Saito.

"Do you call me, Omekata-sama?"

"Yes. I want you to go with them," I replied.

"These two kids?"

"Yes, and with a police outside."

He gulped, looking so nervous. Seeing this situation, Akise-kun stood.

"Gin Saito-san, could you come with us peacefully?" He smiled.

X X X

A hour later ...

Aru's POV

"Do you want me to take you two home?" Nishijima offered me and Yuno when we arrived the police station and Gin Saito was being taken care by his friends.

"No, thanks, Nishijima-san. I can use my bike to take her home," I refused politely.

"Okay." He grinned playfully, knowing that Yuno was my girlfriend and glancing at her. "What a pretty girlfriend. Take care of her, Aru."

"Of course." I said as Yuno's cheeks flushed.

Yuno and I were walking to the parking area to take my bicycle when Okaa-san called me.

"Yes?" I said after flipping opened my cellphone.

"Where are you now? What were you doing?" She grumbled.

Then I told her that I was at Nishijima's office after picking up my target.

"Okaa-san, I'll go home after taking Yuno home," I muttered, hearing a loud growl from Yuno's stomach as she glanced at me shyly.

"Is that from your stomach, Aru-chan?" Okaa-san questioned from the phone.

"Um ... no ..."

"Who is with you? Yuno-chan?"

I decided to keep silent as it made Okaa-san think that my answer was yes.

"Why don't you invite Yuno-chan to have dinner with us?"

I was sure Yuno heard Okaa-san's offer from my phone as her expression looked so excited. She nodded at me energetically as a gesture that she accepted it.

"Okay. We'll go home now, Okaa-san."

TO BE CONTINUED ...