It was Friday, very late afternoon and the rain splashed on the windows, creating an eerie and sleepy atmosphere on the fourth floor. Crimson monthly editors were resisting sleep along with others teams.

I was among the brave (or unfortunate) souls. The new storyboard of Insatiable was beyond the schedule and many more of our mangakas fell victim to a virus. We've had some run – in with the same virus as well – Nakamura was infected three weeks ago as I recall... or was it two? I am losing track of time, damn it.

The downpour of rain was hardening and Ishiyama all of sudden stood up. "Ah, I can't focus. Onodera, Nakamura, Mizutani, please come to the lounge with me. We have something to discuss."

Oh, this sounds ominous. I wonder what's so fucking important we abandon our work for the sake of it. It's not like we had much luck with making progress, either. With the lack of storyboards, we had to rely on sub material this month. Women gave the me looks and I shrugged. I knew as much as them about the nature of the discussion. Ishiyama will reveal it once we're there. Why did I have a feeling he was gonna talk about the suspect list he showed us yesterday?

The Crimson team got into the elevator and we went for lobby, and in there we moved to the half – filled lounge. Some female employees at front desk visibly backed from us and Ishiyama -san hung head, leading us to the only vacant sofa we can hog for us four. Nakamura sat down next to me and Mizutani sat down by Ishiyama's side. All three of us expectedly glanced at the chief who slammed the table with his hands and others on break went pale in face and left, one after another. That's one effective way to get rid of to be – eavesdroppers.

"Now that we're alone here, we can talk. Mizutani, did you see anyone here acting suspicious? And I mean anyone."

She shook head, confused by the sudden question. "No, Ishiyama -san. Everyone in here is weird in some way. Some more, some less."

The chief didn't look happy with her answer. "Okay, next, Onodera. Did you see anyone acting strange?"

Well, I was having a little barbecue in a dark alley. Does that count as weird? "Nothing I know of, Ishiyama -san. In a sense, Mizutani is right. A collection of weirdos works at Marukawa. We are the most normal department, so to speak. Aside from Sapphire fangirls, the rest are pretty normal in comparison with other floors." I said my opinion and Nakamura nodded in agreement. "Yes, the strangest has to be the third floor – and the wild horse. He's been showing off that unhappy scowl more than necessary. All since Zen... Kirishima..." Her voice died on her and I knew she was overwhelmed with the brutal murder. Like the rest of office. "Doesn't anyone find it weird that Kirishima was killed on third floor?"

"And what's so strange about it? The murderer must have caught him off guard there." Mizutani said.

"You think so? I think we should focus on the second suspect on the list. Nakamura, you said that Kirishima had an argument with Yokozawa and then, the next day he's found dead. On the third floor, where Yokozawa works. No one finds this highly disturbing besides me?"

Nakamura was deep in thought, frowning. "I don't know, Onodera. Maybe it was a coincidence. Maybe Yokozawa wanted to apologize before... you know he was found."

Uhuh. And I am a harmless shoujo maiden. "I still think he's really suspicious, no matter the outlook – he was the last known person to have a dispute with Kirishima. Those are the facts, Nakamura."

"Even so, there are other people here besides Yokozawa, Onodera. Why the sudden guilt pinning to him?"

Nothing sudden. He's my biggest rival and a major douchebag. "I have no issue with the man, but he's not the friendliest man to be around. I don't say he has to be buddies with everyone in Marukawa, but little more friendliness wouldn't hurt."

They had to agree with this. He was a scruffy grizzly bear, barking and growling. I had ears for such gossip. The things you overhear in lounge or on bathroom...

"He may not be the guy you hang with at lunch, but he does his job well. The sales would be keeling over without him. He's the bones of the sales department. If something were to happen to him... maybe he may be the next target." Ishiyama made a interesting prediction which made me cringe on the inside. He will be killed, but not because he's exceptional at work. He's in my way to Takano's heart. He's the same type of cockroach like An was, relentless in the pursuit.

"I don't know, he just gives off that bad vibe. Doesn't anyone else feel it?"

The short and awkward silence was cut in pieces when we heard a crash in the entryway to lounge. In an instant, we were on our toes. Ishiyama cautiously walked to the entryway and I was right behind him. Nakamura and Mizutani stayed sitting, but they were laden with fear. I would be shaking in my shoes, too if I were in their skin.

Something eerie was going on here. Where did all the staff go? No one was here... This is strange. They can't all have gone to toilet at the same time? This was disturbing. The shadows got larger and the room darkened. Oh, the electricity. The fuses probably fell or we got a shortage. My heart was thumping as with dread we agonizingly slowly approached the source of the sound. Ishiyama bravely took the lead and I had to respect the man for not showing fear in a office riddled with murders.

I wasn't an easily scared individual, but something was... odd. "Ishiyama -san, don't wander too much from me. I don't like this. The electricity isn't working in the entire building. We can't leave and no one else can enter. We're in a trap... unless the windows aren't borded up, we are not in deathtrap yet. This may be the work of the killer. Or not."

"Oh my god. You're right. We should head back to lounge and get Nakamura and Mizutani. They must be freaking out."

We stumbled into the rapidly darkening room, walking close to the walls. Damn, I left my phone in the bag on the fourth floor. "Do you have your phone with you, Ishiyama -san?"

"No, I didn't count on a malfunction. Either way, we cannot dally. Something is not right in lobby. Nakamura, Mizutani, do you hear me?!"

"Y- YES! Please hurry! I am scared!" That was clearly Mizutani's voice. We hurried along the walls, minding the potted flowers adorning the sides. Someone was hastily approaching us, more like running into us. The flashing light blinded me and I hid my eyes from the exposure, until I was confronted with a baffled Mizutani, hugging me desperately. "You're both fine! Me and Nakamura thought something happened to you!" She sniffled and Nakamura flashed her phone at the walls, tiredly sighing. "Dear God, thank you for being alive! I feared you've been targeted by the killer. This sudden shortage doesn't bode well for Crimson. I am sure someone will frame us for this."

All four of us were reunited and I was glad nothing happened to them. Despite everything, I grew fond of them. They were my team. "I am so happy to see you unhinge-"

"-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

The killer striked! But who?! Who else is the murderer? Is it really Yokozawa? Or someone else? At any rate, we have to see what happened!

Ishiyama and Nakamura ran ahead to the stairs and Mizutani frantically ran after them. "Don't leave me behind!" I followed suit and ran towards the staircase and up, up... "Where are we going?!" Mizutani yelled in the darkness and I almost stumbled and fell right there, were it not for Mizutani grabbing my hand and pulling me up. I didn't have much light, that's why I stumbled. "Thank you, Mizutani. I probably owe you my neck for this."

"Nah, let's just keep going up, I don't want to separate from Ishiyama and Nakamura now!" I, too didn't want to lose sight of them. It was fucking pitch dark now. The rain, dark clouds and electricity malfunction did a number on the Marukawa building. It looked straight out from a horror movie, enveloped in darkness. I wasn't a fan of horror movies. But I wasn't the same man. I have changed since then and something like this shouldn't surprise me.

"Ishiyama -san! Where did the scream came from?!" I yelled out and a curt reply came back. "It sounded from higher up than our floor! I bet it's the fifth!"

Fifth? But that is where we're going, right? "I have a feeling we are too late! That sounded pretty bad." I said between running up the stairs. We had to make a short stop. After all, running up five stores wasn't easy on knees. Especially on the older of us – Ishiyama and Nakamura. Two minutes and we resumed running. We finally made it and we saw many people gathered there. The collective lights from the phones and small flashlights were targeted on a spreading pool of red on the west side of the rows of desks.

Then, we noticed the startled sobbing, whispering and accusations flying across the room, none really saw us enter. Not until Ishiyama approached the nearest person and she nearly fainted. "No! Don't kill me!"

Ishiyama – san shook head. "I won't kill anyone. We just arrived. What happened?"

But she was backing away from him, slowly, eyes widening as she raised an accusing finger at him and then us. "They're here! The murderers return to the scene of crime! They came to finish us all off!"

Then, chaos broke out as people rushed by us, running downstairs. Nakamura and Mizutani tried to stop the panic from getting out of proportion, but in my humble opinion, it was far too late for that. This will come and bite us later. I just knew it.

We heard commotion from downstairs, but we didn't know what to do. Check the... corpse? So much blood, the person must be dead, surely. Or maybe we should leave this floor. "I don't think we should be seen here. The higher ups see us here, we can kiss Marukawa goodbye along with our careers."

"Onodera is right, Ishiyama -san! We have to get off fifth floor and return to our own floor."

"How can we just leave? The wounded person may still be alive." Oh, I get it. Ishiyama glanced at me and I nodded, acknowledging his idea. We may get some information – maybe the person saw the attacker's face.

I borrowed Nakamura's phone and lighted our path to the bloody pool on the floor. When the light illuminated the floor, we saw a middle aged woman with dark short hair, her chest was pierced and she barely breathed. "Holy! What happened? Who did this to you?"

The woman's shallow breathing grew more shallows as she tried to talk. Blood bubbled up her mouth and she coughed, but she wasn't giving up on speaking. " -awa... him... glurgh!" Ishiyama knelt down to her. "Please, we need to know who did this. Please, tell us."

But her eyes were glassy. She died.

Oh, fuck. Another sloppy murder. This copycat was going on my nerves. "I'll get the bastard who is killing innocents. The person will pay for this." Ishiyama swore, fists clenching and I averted the flashlight from the dead woman's face. Mizutani was crying her eyes out on Nakamura's blouse, but she left her, patting her back. Ishiyama was looking around for anything that could indicate who was the murderer or maybe the person left behind traces of his crime. I was personally invested in finding the copycat for obvious reasons and checked the area more widely, giving the phone back to owner. I circled around the room, looking for any irregularities and then I came across a patch of soil, leading me to the stairs. "Hey, everyone, come here. I may have found something."

Nakamura flashed light at the location I was at and they all saw the soil and a huge potted flower was missing from its place. Another on the other side of room was still there. The question is, where is the missing one? Nah, I am looking too much into this. Maybe someone moved it days before the murder occurred.

"Hm. I remember that on the fifth floor are mainly the mother – in laws flowers. They grow huge and we had some big exemplars in big pots. What would the murderer want with a potted flower?"

Dunno. Maybe he wanted to sever his victim's limbs and bury them alongside the flower? That's my guess... "I don't know what's going on this crazy place anymore. And when will the fucking technicians fix the electricity?" Namakura said exhausted from the bullcrap we were dealing with.

"Guys, I don't want to alarm anyone, but I heard footsteps. We might have company soon." Mizutani, who so -so calmed down said, pointing at the staircase. Goddammit! I knew we should have left, not linger here. I wager it's Isaka and he sees the corpse of the woman, us and we're in balls deep in trouble.

We anticipated the executive director and other important people. But we got someone else. "Eh, hello? Is there anyone? Crimson team?" That sounded like Kisa's voice. We exchanged quick glances. Should we answer? Will anyone believe us we didn't kill the woman? Everyone is scared shitless of us. Namakura firmly grasped her phone and aimed the light to the elevators and stairs area. "Yes, were are here. Are you with anybody?"

"Yes, Mino -san is with me. We're searching for you guys." Huffing slightly, the short man and Mino -san came up the stairs and went straight for us. Kisa aimed a flashlight at the pool of blood. "What is th..."

Mino -san locked eyes with me and I barely shook head before anyone else caught on to our little exchange. "Is that... a dead body...?" Kisa -san asked, his body shaking. "Yes. We were in lobby when suddenly the lights went out and then we heard a shriek from somewhere way up. We ran as fast as we could. There were already people assembled here. Then I asked a woman what happened, she freaked out and everyone else ran at the sight of us. We stayed behind to search for clues. Onodera here found a patch of soil leading to sixth floor or maybe the roof and then you guys came." Ishiyama -san briefly explained, waiting for them.

Kisa and Mino -san came closer and we didn't expect them to approach us. "So, you stayed behind to find the murder weapon. Did you find anything?"

"No. Only that the woman's heart was pierced with something extremely sharp and that soil. We are at loss at what to do here... And you aren't running from us. I expected that everyone would run from us..."

Mino -san smiled faintly. "We are not like other fools. Emerald believes in your innocence. If you were the murderers, you would have killed us by now. We're still alive, so that speaks for itself."

As expected of my accomplice. Taking care of business. But where is Takano and that Hatori? "Where are the others from Emerald? Are they safe?"

"If by safe you mean downstairs by the entrance with everyone else, then they are safe. However, we should leave. All of us. The higher -ups are coming this way. I overheard Isaka -san's secretary. He said that someone cut the wires and technicians are replacing them with spare ones. It will take some time. It's expected of employees to gather in the lobby and wait until the lights are back on. Nevermind there is killer with us..." Kisa said and Mino – san nudged him, motioning towards the tearing up Mizutani. "Oh, don't worry! We have come for you and we'll protect you from other departments accusations. Takano -san is dealing with the gossipers as we speak."

He is? I want to see him. "Let's meet up with the rest of Emerald. You guys are our only friends who don't see us as maniacs on a rampage." Ishiyama -san proposed and we followed after Mino -san and Kisa who led the way. Mizutani latched into Nakamura's arm, sniveling. Okay, she is afraid. I can relate. It doesn't happen often we are locked in with a killer.

Why do I have the sudden premonition the dead woman wasn't his target? I shuddered at the thought the copycat isn't done yet. Mino -san waited and joined me and the tail of our little group. He leaned closer and whispered: "I saw you shudder. Something is bothering you?"

Ishiyama, Nakamura, Mizutani nor Kisa caught on to our exchange, so I replied. "It's... a hunch. Like the woman wasn't the intended target. The copycat isn't done yet..."

His eyes sparkled and we dryly nodded. "I see. You fear he's after someone you know?"

"I don't know. I certainly didn't know that woman, nor Kirishima -san. I cannot tell who may be the next target..."

He put a hand on my shoulder, reassuringly. "Don't worry. We'll find him or her. I won't leave you alone in this mess."

I was grateful more than ever for simple words. He'll aid me. Of course he will. He's my ally, my friend. "Thank you."

He shortly smiled and we focused on descending the stairs. We reached the lobby which was overflowing with all the employees from all floors. It was like being in a sardine – can. Suffocating. "I see Takano and Hatori. I'll bring them over here discreetly." Kisa said and went to get them so we won't make a commotion with our arrival.

Takano's face lit up when he saw us and Hatori was unfazed. Did anything ever change that poker face? "Thank goodness you're here! Other departments are freaking out. We came to see who was killed on the fifth floor, but you guys weren't there, so we split up. We went to check the roof and Kisa and Mino the lobby. And so you know the rest. But what happened? Why did someone on purpose shorten the circuit? Is this a ruse, a set – up so the killer wouldn't be seen? We can only speculate..." Takano pondered and my ears caught the distressed voice of Isaka, which gained in volume as he was descending. "No, no. This is unacceptable! Find them! Asahina, I don't care how you do it. Find the fucking technicians! I will have order restored!"

He rambled on, but froze on the last stair as he was presented under the sight of most of employees, shrieking obscenities at his phone. Needless to say, he quickly ended the call with his miserable secretary. "Ehe.. Ahem. I know of the murdered woman. She was a friend to many, a mother and a wife. Her name is Risako Hanami. She was completely normal. So, who the fuck killed her?!"

A pregnat silence fell in the lobby when the same woman that pointed her finger at us on the fifth floor scanned the room and she alerted everyone nearby. "THEM! It was THEM! Who else would kill anyone here!"

Fucking great. Why don't people take a hint? "WE didn't kill ANYONE! Please, of behalf of Crimson, I implore all of you, we didn't do it. We had nothing to do with the murders! We are being framed by someone!"

Someone from the crowd yelled. "Don't believe them! They are wolves in sheep's disguise! They came to finish their work!"

Wait a minute. That voice! I wager I heard it before, but it sounded slightly different... who did it belong to? And he got the crowd on his side. They were all fast approaching us, cornering us. Hold on. Hold on. What are they doing?

I found myself backing into the corner, retreating along with my team. Holy shit stains, what do they want? They look like quite the angry crowd mob... I gulped down. What do I do? I can't kill them now. I'll drag my team into it, too... and I had nothing to kill the approaching crowd with, anyway. All my things were in my bag, on third floor. We were trapped. Mizutani screamed and her scream resonated in my ears. "Noo! Leave us alone! We did nothing!"

Takano and the rest of Emerald stood in front of us, shielding us. I couldn't believe my eyes. They had no reason to do this. I have dragged Takano and Emerald into our mess. I had to do something to stop them...

But there was nothing I could do. I gritted teeth, pissed off and holding back from grabbing the nearest large object and throwing it at the angry crowd mob. Isaka was trying his best to calm them down, then it came to threats.

"STOP! I said STOP dammit! If you won't stop ganging up on Crimson, I'll have you all fired!"

They stopped momentarily and in that split second, the lights went back on.

The angry mob seemed to calm down with the lights back on and people only looked around in a daze, all gazes stopping at Isaka -san who stood besides Takano. "Okay. I didn't want it to come to this, but you guys leave me no choice. I firmly believe that Crimson editors are innocent and are being set -up by someone we don't know yet. This... collective attack will stop. I ask everyone to stop expressing this kind of behavior towards Crimson editors. They are scared more than anyone else of you combined. If they are attacked – physically or mentally by you guys, I'll have you fired on the spot. I won't stand for violence towards my employees. Do I make myself clear?"

The crowd stayed quiet and I searched for the grizzly bear. Where was he? I didn't see him...my heart thumped excitedly, but then I found him, scowling at Isaka like the rest of the crowd.

Isaka wasn't done with them. "I said. DO. I. MAKE. MYSELF. CLEAR?!"

Confirming mumbles followed and Isaka sighed, annoyed. "Good, now go back to your floors, and fifth floor employees, please go instantly home after getting your things. In an hour, I'll send you rest home, too. Police will swarm this place and I'll have another headache. Go, just go." He waved to the elevators.

I for one, was stunned by Isaka's speech. I always took him for an imbecile, a goof, but he saw the bigger picture, he knew it wasn't us and faced the angry mob crowd for us. He might have saved our hides now and in the near future. Now everyone will think twice before pulling a stunt like that again.

My heart returned to its usual pace. I didn't know it had me so unnerved. Mizutani sank to her knees, shaking and Nakamura helped her up, soothing. "It's gonna be okay. Isaka -san stood up for us. We are safe."

Isaka -san waited until all of idiots were gone and walked to us, seemingly okay, but he was pissed off to oblivion. "Good riddance. I don't believe what I just saw. Guys, I am sorry you took the blame for the poor woman's death."

Takano snorted. "I see them ganging up on Crimson, I'll give them a piece of my mind. Isaka, with all due respect, you should have inserted yourself sooner. This was bullying. Out of fear. "

"I know, I know, but what should I do? You don't know even the half of it, Takano. Technicians had to replace the wires and fuses. Someone purposely severed them. I have to face it – we have a killer among us and he's laughing in our faces, all the time putting the blame on Crimson's shoulders. The murderer won't stop now. Crimson editors, please be careful. And if anyone seeks trouble with you, give me a call and I'll holler over and fire their asses."

"Thank you, Isaka -san... but do you think it's okay for us to go back? We are the killers in their eyes."

Emerald editors stood beside us. "Don't worry, Isaka. We will be watching over them. Thankfully, we are on the same floor. We won't let harm come to them." Takano said and I found myself looking away, somewhat embarrassed. He wants to protect us...me?

Isaka nodded, smiling faintly. "I see Crimson has found steadfast allies in Emerald. Good."

His phone vibrated and he glanced at the ID of caller. "It's Asahina. If you'll excuse me.."

We started heading to the elevators, Mizutani's shoulders slumped. "Put yourself together, Mizutani. We'll have the last laugh over the killer, soon."

She stopped rubbing her eyes, confused. "Huh? How do you know?"

I shrugged, feeling the eyes of Takano and Mino -san on me, among others. "Call it a premonition or a feeling."

Mino -san nodded shortly and left me close by Takano, slightly aside from others who chatted like nothing happened. Pretending was a first step to forgetting, I guess.

Takano brushed fingers with mine inconspicuously. "Onodera. Are you okay?"

I locked eyes with his. I saw the worry and anxiety in them. Frankly, I am shaken up. "I feel... somewhat. It'll pass, Takano. Thank you for asking." He smiled shortly at me and I felt suddenly more calm. He had that effect on me.

I was thankful for Takano's and Emerald's support. If we were left alone, we'd collapse. Mizutani would be first, then Nakamura would crumble under the pressure and Ishiyama would undoubtedly be next. They all put on iron masks and when we got to fourth floor, other teams ignored us like we weren't even there.

… That's a development. I hope they'll leave us alone.

Takano, Mino -san, Hatori and Kisa stayed true to their promise and kept a close watch over us while we got back to checking the sub material.

An hour passed quickly and all followed Isaka's orders to leave early. We... didn't want to raise an alarm or god forbid anger someone with our presence, so we waited until everyone was gone – ten minutes passed and we got in together with Emerald who waited for us. It was kind of sweet and I felt how grateful the rest of Crimson was for their sacrifice. Takano hung his bag over the shoulder, his eyes dropping at my level. "I suggest we leave now. Isaka said in an hour and it's past that time."

So, Crimson editors got dressed and we dragged our feet to the elevators once more. Nakamura pressed the ground floor button and we waited in obligatory silence for it to take us down.

The elevator clicked and we were confronted with empty front desk and seemingly abandoned lobby.

Since they agreed to take care of us until we get home, they got separated. Mizutani was to go home with Kisa, since he lived in the same neighborhood, Nakamura with Mino -san, Hatori with Ishiyama and I got Takano, since we had more or less the same route.

Lucky!

They all left in pairs and Takano waited until we were alone, then all of sudden hugged me. I got red in face, I felt the blood rush in my face. Takano was so bold. "Ritsu, I am so happy nothing happened to you."

I found myself embracing back. "I feel the same, Takano... if something happened to you..." I'd go mad.

Takano patted my head. "We... should be on our way. Police will swarm this place anytime now."

"Okay, let's move out. "

He let go of me and walked out ahead. I stood there and the feeling something was off intensified.

I should stop being so paranoid. Nothing bad will happen today. I'll text Mino -san once I am home. I walked outside the Marukawa building. The rain has stopped and air smelled of water... falling black – brownish substance... soil?

Alerted, I looked up and saw something huge falling down at rapid speed, aimed at my head.

WAIT A MINUTE!

On instinct, I jumped out of harms way, escaping be mere centimeters before it had me flattened like a pancake. Takano turned back and ran to me, hearing the mighty thud as the potted sansevieria or mother - in law hit the concrete and the soil scattered everywhere.

I looked up, but no one was there on the roof. Who... wanted me dead?! The copycat?

Takano was by my side, shaking with me to snap out of my state. "Onodera! Onodera!"

I hardly fixated my attention on him, still shaken up by the attempt to take my life. Now I knew someone was after me as next. Their attempt failed. Maybe they'll leave me alone. Unlikely. A killer won't stop before the target is dead. So, I'll have to kill him/her first. It can't get any simpler.

I played the scared guy and embraced Takano. "I... was the next to – be victim! Who'd target me?!"

"Ono.. Ritsu... I'll go and see if someone is still inside."

No, no, no! I held him by the hem of his coat. "NO! I don't want to see you get killed because of me!"

The automatic door opened and we saw the startled Isaka -san along with his secretary, with their bags. "What are you guys still doing here? I told everyone to leave." Then they saw the sanseviera, put two and two together and looked up. "Asahina, is someone else in the building?"

"No, Isaka – sama. We were the last ones to leave. I checked every storeroom, every toiled and every work desk twice. You were with me, sir."

Isaka -san buried head in hands. "Gaaaah! Two murders in one day! Surely, no one is that BORED! I am sick of this office. I am glad you are both safe, though. So, who was it aimed at this time?"

Takano glanced at me and I caught his worried expression. "Me. The attack was directed at me, Isaka -san. I don't know why would someone want to kill me. I am still new here and I made sure to be friendly with everyone I encountered at workplace."

The executive director and his secretary looked more miserable than us editors during the cycles. "For fucks sake. I hate this office, Asahina. Ah, great, police is here."

We heard the sirens in the distance and Isaka got impatient. "Go, go before they see you. I've had my share of headaches for one day. Takano, make sure he gets home safely and don't mention this attack to no one. Not even your friends, colleagues etc. Can I count on you, Takano? Onodera?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

He nodded and send us off via the back door while he was left to fend off the police by himself, as his secretary took the detectives inside. Then, they vanished from my vision.

"Onodera. You look pale."

I laughed nervously. "Oh, sorry. This was one heck of a day. I am out of my element, despite I edit crime manga, to live through such events on one's own skin is another matter than editing it."

"I'll protect you, Onodera. It's a promise."

Something fluffy gathered in my gut. He's so attentive, sweet. I find myself falling for him again. A smile spread on my face and he smirked. We walked side – by side to the busy subway, we bought tickets and Takano guarded me like I was a gem to be guarded. It was flattering and the fluffy feeling in my chest didn't go away.

Not until we reached my apartment, where I had to bid farewell from him. I fished out the keys to front gate and he took my face and kissed me deeply. I was in awe of the possessive kiss. We parted and his eyes burned with worry. "Please, wait for me on Monday and be careful until then. I'll pick you up and we'll go to work together. I am holding my promise till the killer is behind the bars."

Or killed. I'll have him killed. This feeble attempt failed and whoever it was will get what's coming their way soon.

I opened the gate and Takano squeezed my hand one last time before he walked off towards his apartment complex. I got in, traipsed to the elevator and then hit the button for my floor and sank to my knees, overwhelmed with all the emotions.

The copycat, I probably knew who it was. When I was talking about the suspect, the electricity went out. Then, a woman was killed as a fucking diversion so he could set up the trap on the roof.

Yokozawa.

You aren't fooling me.

It was you.

And I'll get you for this.

You had your chance.

Now, I'll try my hand at ending your life.

I went inside my apartment and closely locked the door shut, putting the keys on the conference table in living room. Then I took off the coat, set the bag in the entry and took off the shoes. I had no appetite, so I switched on the shower and then after taking a refreshing dip, I plunged into the bed. I'll call Mino -san tomorrow morning before going to work.

I urged myself to sleep because I need to stay on my toes from tomorrow.

Yokozawa will wish he never crossed paths with me.

Author's Notes - Finally I set the stage... don't forget An's funeral people. Ritsu can't catch a break on a discount. So... anyone got ever crowd bullied? It's pretty scary. And doubled with darkness, it has to be terrifying. -shudders- See you guys at funeral... I mean, next chapter that is about An's funeral... or is it? - smirks -