9. Ties.
T: Apologies for the slightly later than expected update…Christmas shopping got the better of me I fear! Warnings and disclaimer remain the same.
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"Would he have anything to do with Tanaka-san's death?"
"No." Her smile fading and her posture slumping back into something almost foetal, she says, "He knows how much I value the girls…how precious they have become to me and so it is unthinkable that he'd even hurt them let alone…"
"Do such a thing as that?" The sudden subtle tightening of the skin abut the other's eyes is all the prompt she needs to push further and, confidence settling once more into her heart, she enquires, "To say such a thing you must know of the details of –Tanaka-san's death and yet you lead us to believe that was not the case. Why would you do such a thing if you truly believed, in your heart of hearts, that he was in no way involved in her death?"
"Because I truly knew nothing of Tanaka-san's death, however…"
"However?"
"I recently read of the murders of two other girls from my course…the person covering the case gave many details of the oddities surround their deaths and even went so far as to suggest that not only were the murders linked in some manner or another, but also that it was more than likely that the killer had claimed other victims. As the girls had nothing in common other than this course it was logical to assume that, if there had indeed been more victims, they would also have been one of my students. Therefore…"
"Therefore knowing that Tanaka-san had been killed in a strange manner was little more than an educated guess on your part."
"That is correct."
"Would you have a look at this list of names of me?" She enquires as she pulls a folded piece of paper from her coat pocket and passes it into the other's care. After a moment she enquires, "Do you know all of these girls?"
"Yes. Each of them had enrolled in this course within the last four months."
"I had thought that that would prove the case." She remarks as she claims back the slip of paper. "Sakuraiji-san, I am, as you say, the one person in this world who would understand why it is that you are able to trust and to love Muraki even knowing what he is…however…"
"You wish to ask me if I am completely certain of his innocence? To ask if, even knowing that each of the girls on that list is dead, that all they have to tie them together is this place, I can still be assured of such a thing?."
"That is correct."
"He is not a part of this for I know, beyond any doubt, that he would rather die than cause me even the slightest of grief…indeed I have come so very close to having that fact proven to me."
"If not him then who, Sakuraiji-san? Someone with grudge enough against your students to take so drastic an action as murder could not have completely escaped your notice."
"I can think of only one suspect, but she could not have committed these crimes."
"Because?"
"Because she committed suicide five months ago."
"I think, perhaps, I should here a few more details about that matter…"
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The odd, blurry, emotions that are flowing from Tsubaki as she eventually exits Sakuraiji's room echoes his mixed mental state and the desire to talk to her, to discuss no only what she has learned from Sakuraiji-san, but also of what the 'child' had revealed to him, intensifies in his heart.
"I am sorry if I seemed a little abrupt earlier…I had hoped that perhaps, if we were alone…"
"You were trying to help, Tenko-san and thus there is no need for an apology." Takashi-san responds as a gentle smile blooms onto his lips.
"Yet even this I was unable to learn anything new…was unable to shed light onto the matter of Tanaka-san's death."
"Perhaps it is better left that way…perhaps it is better that the matter is left alone and Mira's spirit is allowed to rest." The words have clearly been spoken for Takashi-san's sake as well as their own for, but and instant after they have left his lips, the faintest of 'lights' permeates the cloud of his grief. "Would you allow me to give your brother and yourself a lift back to the station, Tenko-san?"
"Yes, of course. Thank you, Takashi-san."
"I think that it is I who should be giving the thanks, Tenko-san…for at last I begin to feel that I might be able to live my life without Mira."
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T: Next chapter Sunday at the latest. Review?
