*CHAPTER 10*

Minako woke up rather early, the clock showed that it was 5.30 in the morning. She looked outside her window it was stil foggy, still she was already seen the morning sunrise that wiped the mist.

"Better start the day then..." she opened the door, she headed to the bath room. She washed her face, and brushed her teeth also she took a light shower. When she's done, she walked toward the fireplace that were in the living room. She lighted the fire and warmth surrounded her. Not long she heard the door bell rang. She opened it and found the shaking Ueda outside.

"Ueda-san?, How long have you been here?, why didn't you call earlier?..." she escort Ueda inside, and placed him on a seat in front of the fire place.

"I'll prepare some cream soup for breakfast. You'll have to wait here..."

"But, Minako-sama I couldn't let the guest do the cooking."

"It's okay... By the way, What business does nii-san have to attend?."

"Well, Minako-sama, it's only five years since your family business comes to life again, but your brother have to finish his studies first. In one year he became a fresh graduate. It's not impossible because you too finish high school studies when you're fifteen. And yet, you entered Gekkoukan rather going to university..."

"I want to enjoy my life as much as I can. Before, I always tried my best, not thinking about my own happiness... so when I received the scholarship to Gekkoukan, I felt happy... to meet new friends even comrades, and the one I loved..." she blushed when she explained the last statements.

There were footsteps running down the stairs, and Akihiko were already dressed up and ready for his work that morning. But it's still 6 in the morning.

"I'll make breakfast then, okay?..." she walked towards the kitchen.

"What're you making?..."

"Cream soup and french toast."

"Sounds good, is Ueda-san still in your brother's house?."

"Nope, he's warming himself in front of the fireplace."

"Oh, I see, then I'll help you in the kitchen."

"Sure..." she smiled, and together they walked to the kitchen and started to cook. She didn't took long to cook the soup. She wanted Ueda-san to taste her cooking. They brought their breakfast to the front the fireplace. Ueda insisted that they should've eat breakfast in the dining room. But, Minako force him to eat there.

"It's delicious, Minako-sama..." seemed that he shed a tear.

"Ueda-san you're exagerating too much." She giggled.

"But Minako, it's true you're cooking is extraordinary." Akihiko smiles and blushed at the same time.

"Thanks, Aki." She blushed.

"What about Maeda and Inspector Edajima? Are they already arrived?." She asked.

"I plan to give them a call later at 9. And I expect Souji-kun would call me now, but he didn't."

"Ueda-san, what time does Nao-chan usually wake up?." Asked Minako.

"On school days, she woke up at 6 but on weekends like this, she woke up at 8..."

"Do you know where she kept her cell phone?."

"I'm afraid not..."

"Then, there's no choice... let me wake her up... it's not nice for a lady to woke up so late..." she smiled at them and run to the stairs towards Naoto's room. She then turned the doorknob, but it seems that it was locked from the inside. She tried harder to turn the door knob. It was opened. She then walks towards the bed, where Naoto was still sleeping soundly.

"Uh Souji you idiot...Nyamm..." Naoto mumbled.

"Hmph..." Minako tried to hold her laugh.

"Nao-chan... Nao-chan..." she tried to wake her up.

"Why are you calling me Nao-chan?... You're not Minako-nee..." she opened her eyes.

"Huwaaa!."

"Nao-chan calm down, it's just me..." Minako said.

"But, you scared me, Minako-neechan." Her face was bright red.

"Haha, I won't tell Sou-kun about this. Breakfast is already served, make sure you won't skip your breakfast."

"Itadakimasu..." said Naoto.

"hai, meshiagare..." replied Minako.

Everyone ate their breakfast, and when they're done, everyone helped Minako cleaning the dishes. After that, Akihiko was making a phone call.

"Where are you guys now?."

[We're almost there, about 10 km we're on a resting area. Where should we meet?.] answered Maeda.

"I think the local police station is good enough."

[Okay, we'll meet you there.]

"Okay." The phone hung up after Akihiko replied. Then he made another call.

"Seta-kun? Are you ready to show me the way?."

[Yeah, Akihiko-san. I'm on my way...] he hung up.

"Minako, do you have any plans for today?."

"No, Aki... but I want to walk around town for today..."

"That's good. Okay be careful, alright?."

"Okay... what's wrong, Aki?."

"No...nothing. it's just I won't be with you today..."

"Because of your work, right?. I'll be fine, Aki." Minako was smiling reassuring Akihiko that she'll be alright.

"Good Morning, Seta-sama..." Said Ueda while he opened he door.

"Morning, Ueda-san, I'm here to pick up Akihiko-san."

"Yup, ready to go." Said Akhiko.

"I'm going, Minako, Ueda-san." Akihiko continued.

"itterashai..." said Minako.

Line

"What kind of case your uncle investigating on?." Asked Akihiko.

"I don't know the details, but he said that it was a murder case." They talked in Akihiko's car while Souji leads him to his uncle's place.

"Okay, we're here." They arrived in a small apartement.

"Where're we going?. Aren't we suppossed to go to the police satation?."

"Nope, my uncle said he wanted to meet you first." Said Souji while he opened the door.

"I'm home..."

"Welcome back..." said a girl with braided ponytails whose head was sticking out from the other room.

"Is Dojima-san awake yet?." Asked Souji to the girl.

"Nope, but he said to wake him up when you arrived with his guest." She turned her gaze to Akihiko.

"You must be the policeman from Tokyo. I'm Nanako Dojima. I hope you could help him with this investigation, it's been two days, and he can't sleep well because of this."

"Okay I'll do my best." Replied Akihiko.

"Huuuh? What's the chattering all about?..." a middle-aged man slide the door, and step out of the room.

"Dojima-san, Good morning." Said Souji.

"Mornin'. Is this the guy from Tokyo?."

"Yes, I'm Akihiko Sanada from Iwatodai, my colleagues will arrive any minute now..."

*rang rang rang

"...Ah, excuse me..." said Akihiko, and he picked up the phone.

"Yes, Sanada here..."

[Sanada, where are you? we're in the police station right now...] Maeda's voice was coming from the phone.

"Alright, but we still need preparations right now..."

[Okay, we'll meet you then.] he hung up the phone while Dojima-san was already washed his face , changed his clothes and munching his toast that was prepared by Nanako before.

"Ready, to go..." said Dojima while he corrected his tie and tug his coat that was hanging on the hanger.

"...Uh, shouldn't you finish your breakfast first, Dojima-san?." Asked Akihiko.

"Nope, better not keep them waiting. I won't be living normally if this case isn't solved yet."

"O...kay?...Let's go, we're going now." Said Souji.

"Becareful, okay." Replied Nanako.

Line

"Oh, there they are..." said Maeda.

"Huh, took them long enough." Said Edajima.

"We're sorry for the delay... I'm Dojima."

"I'm Edajima. This is Maeda."

"I'm pleased to meet you." Said Maeda.

"Let's not waste time, on to the crime scene." Said Dojima. They splitted into 2 groups. Maeda, Souji, and Akihiko were in Akihiko's car. While Edajima and Dojima were in Edajima's car. They led the way, while Maeda followed them from behind. Not long they arrived at the crime scene. The place was surrounded with police line.

"Let's start the investigation. The crime scene was in a Italian Restaurant "Capella Ristorante" which opened about 3 years ago. The victim is Hikaru Manou, the head chief. There were 3 suspects. The high possibility of the murderer was..." Something interupted Dojima's explanation, it was one of the suspects, Yuki Gorou, the sue-chef.

"Officer, enough is enough. We all know that the only person who could've done this is only that person!..." he protested. Then came along a woman with a waitress outfit.

"Yeah, we all know it's him. Why do we hesitate on this?." Said the woman.

"Calm down, Miss Aya Koji. We need you to explain from the beginning for our fella' here." Said Dojima.

"And, this is?..." said Gorou.

"We're from Iwatodai Police Force, I'm Edajima. These are my subordinates, Maeda and Sanada." They bowed.

"Now, let's start from the crime scene..."

Line

"Nao-chan, could you be any faster?...I don't want to miss the fresh air in the morning..."

"Just a moment nee-chan. I'll be right there." Not long Naoto came from upstairs and ready to go. She's wearing a dress and a top coat since it was Spring time.

"Nao-chan, I didn't know you like this kind of dress..." Minako awed at the sight of this.

"Ne..Nee-chan, don't look at me like that!" She blushes in response.

"Aww, but you're so cute... It's too bad that Sou-kun miss this." Minako grinned.

"Ah, Anyway, Minako-neechan we should get going, I know a place where we can chat."

"Okay, lead me the way."

Line

The two suspect was explaining, but in a rather long manner. Because each of them was too busy with their other business over the phone. While the policemen were listening, the suspects said there were another suspect. But, they said he won't be here until lunch time. While the murder case was still under investigation since two days ago, the business didn't stop. In fact, the flow of customers were increased because many people didn't like the victim, but that can't be the reason. The police officers were already shoo-ing away the customers but they've kept coming. Frustrated, Akihiko and Maeda were going to the nearby park that was across the restaurant. They bought some coffee, and talked over on the bench.

"This case is going nuts...A person died there, and everyone would like to enjoy their meal there?." Said Maeda.

"I agree, but there must be something that caused those people to come again."

"My... what are you youngster doing in a quiet park here? You're not from around here, aren't cha." Asked an old lady. It seems that she always come to the park.

"I'm sorry Ma'am, yes, we're from Iwatodai, we're investigating the murder case that happened in that restaurant." Said Maeda while he pointed the restaurant.

"Oh, I see. But, I'm sure that culprit is one of those two."

"Why are you so sure, Madam?." Asked Maeda.

"They have the strong reason to get rid of the chef of the place."

"And, the reason is...?" asked Akihiko.

"That Gorou always being scolded by the chef, I think it was the main reason. Whenever he cooked, he'd be scolded right after..."

"..." they listened to her.

"While that woman, Aya Koji the accountant, always manipulating the income of the restaurant..."

"They say, there's one more suspect. Do you know who he is?." Asked Akihiko.

"Oh, he's a good boy. There's nothing you can say bad about him... although he's quite a potty-mouth. But around us old people he's truly a wonderful lad..." she smiled.

"Do you know where he is now?." Asked Maeda.

"No... maybe he's still in his apartement. Because he never leave this early. He always comes to work before lunchtime. He's the apprentice chef there."

"How long has he been there?, Do you know his name?." Asked Akihiko.

"Not long, about one year ago. He said he's finishing his culinary school first, and applied work there. His name... I can't quite remember... because he never properly introduced himself."

"Okay lady, thank you for your informations." Said Maeda with a smile.

"Oh, it was nothing. It's a pleasure to help youngsters like yourselves." She said.

"We'll be going then..." said Akihiko.

"I guess there's no other choice to wait for him." Said Maeda.

"It won't be long. We chatted quite a while. Look it's already 10 o'clock."

"Yeah, right. Two more hours to go..."

"Be patient." Said Akihiko in a stern voice."

Meanwhile, the girls are shopping.

"Minako-neechan... we're already passed this area..." said Naoto while she catches her breath.

"Nao-chan! This one's cute!." Looks like Minako wasn't listening.

"Nee-chan..."

"Yes, Nao-chan?..."

"Uhm, nothing... maybe we should go to the park, it's nice and we could wait for lunchtime while we eat some ice cream."

"Okay, then you'll lead the way." Said Minako.

"We haven't found the next clue yet..." said Edajima to his subordinates.

"Yeah, we tried questioning other people, but the answers are all the same." Said Maeda.

"This will be a hard case..." said Dojima.

"We haven't ask the last suspect, so there's still hope for us." said Akihiko.

"We should head back to HQ first, the last suspect won't be here until lunch." Said Dojima.

"O...kay? but shouldn't we secure the crime scene?" asked Maeda.

"It's no use. That Gorou and Aya girl insisted that they open the shop. We tried to blockade the restaurant, but..." Dojima's face went pale.

"But?..." asked Akihiko.

"You see, the last suspect was kind of scary, so my subordinates who was suppose to guard the area, left his post, and never want to solve this case again. He asked for an another case. Young kids these days... you can't trust them..." Dojima wiped his face. Then they went inside.

"Gorou-san, I don't see that man's presence. Call me when he's here." Said Dojima.

"Okay, I'll call you when he's here." Replied Gorou.

They exited the restaurant. And it still 9 a.m. they have to wait 3 more hours until lunch. Neither two police department had anything to do to fill that gap of time. So they went back along with Souji who is patiently waiting for his uncle to solve the case. To kill some time he seemed playing with his cell phone, or he was texting someone. Dojima was asleep on the couch while Maeda, Edajima and Akihiko were enjoying their cup of coffee that they bought in the lobby. Not long they've joined Dojima and slept on the couches, Souji to slept on his chair.

*beep beep beep (telephone rang)

"Yeah Dojima here..."

"What? Is it time already?. Okay I'll be there..." he hung up the phone.

"Wake up you sleepy heads." Said Dojima. And everyone woke up in response.

"What? Is it morning already?." Said Maeda who's still rubbing his eyes.

"Nope, but our last suspect has come to the restaurant." Said Dojima.

"Yeah, but why we go all the trouble to meet him on his workplace? Why didn't we visit his home?" asked Akihiko.

"Well, we tried that, but when we came we were kicked out by him, and he said he won't tell anything unless on his workplace. Damn kid! He really won't tell anything!" Said Dojima.

"The data of the suspect?." Asked Edajima.

"They're in my car." They were already in the parking lot, while Dojima and Edajima were entering Dojima's car and Edajima's car was left in the parking lot. Maeda, Akihiko and Souji were in Akihiko's car. They hit the gas and on their way to the restaurant.

Line

Minako and Naoto enjoyed their day out.

They sat on a bench that was under the tree. The cool breeze swept them while they enjoyed their ice cream. The sunlight cascaded through the leaves, and made the lake that was on the center of the park sparkle like diamonds in the day. It was such a nice day, after the finished their ice cream, they decided to take a lunch in a nearby Italian restaurant. A police line was hanging on the door, but it seemed it didn't bother the customers that were eating inside.

"Strange...shouldn't they close the store while police are still investigating?" Said Minako.

"You're right. This isn't funny what if the criminal is on the loose?. What're the management thinking?" Said Naoto

"But it's rather crowded too. Are you sure we want to eat here?" asked Minako.

"Well, I prefer to eat here than in Junes, besides this is the best italian restaurant in town," said Naoto.

"Okay then, if you say so."

They entered the restaurant...

When they entered the restaurant, they were greeted by a woman, which her name tag showed her name. Aya, that was shown on her name tag.

"How may I help you?" She asked.

"Table for two, please." Said Naoto.

They sat on the designated table, and were given the menu. Not long they ordered some food. They didn't wait too long, maybe because there weren't many orders that time. Minako gazed through the windows, and didn't realize that the foods already served.

"You gonna eat that?" A voice rough enough to scare someone, but Minako's gaze head towards to the person who served their meal, her eyes widened. And someone barge in.

"Minako! Are you alright?..." it was Akihiko, and he was suprised too.

That's it for chapter 10! :D

how is it? and next, author note. I already told u that i'm not the author, and this is a message from the real author. see ya soon!

Author's note

Hi, I'm the real author of Hard Choises. I'm really gratefull if my story is to your liking :D. Although the title doesn't have real connection with the story,... maybe near the end of story... .So, please continue supporting me and my friend Traisa here to write more stories. But you see, we aren't a full time writer, so, if you find us to long to update and any miss spelt or un-English-ed word (in Indonesian, or any other languages), we apologize beforehand. Lately I'm developing writer's block and because this semester's final exam, I'm becoming more lazy to write the story. But, I'll keep my promise to update every week :D. And about the request for Akihiko's and Minako's child, there will be children but I'm not sure yet about the names, and I'll take the idea one of their children's name Miki :D. Okay, If there's more request I'll be happy to hear (*to read), and maybe help me with the writer's block that I'm having. Hahaha, that's all from me, see you next...