Disclaimer: I do not own Servamp or any of the characters
"We're here." Kuro parked the car in front of a house. They planned to speak to Yuri because she claimed to see Licht jump. He would rather not make her recount the events of that day. But he hoped hearing her story would make Mahiru give up his search for his friend's phantom murderer. He couldn't believe that someone in the mansion was a killer.
Mahiru stepped out of the car and looked over the small house. As a curator, he admired the historic architecture of the windows. Even though the foundation was old, his keen eyes could see that it was restored recently. The age worn home was well kept and Mahiru knew how expensive it must've been to maintain it. He forced the curator in him aside and walked to the front door.
He raised his hand to knock on the door but he found himself hesitating. Honestly, Mahiru was a little afraid of the truth. Licht was his best friend and he didn't want to accept his death as a suicide. If he couldn't blame a killer for his death, he could only blame himself for not helping his friend. At the same time, Mahiru had come to know the residents of the Alicein's manor and he liked them.
"Are you okay?" Kuro whispered when he saw his downcast eyes. He could guess what was troubling him from the emotions clouding his face. He took his hand and turned Mahiru to face him. "No matter what she tells us, it's going to be okay. I'll be here by your side if you need me."
Even though he said the words to reassure Mahiru, it caused a stone to sink into Kuro's stomach. As soon as he finished his sentence, he remembered that he couldn't keep his promise. Mahiru would return to his life in Tokyo once he finished his appraisal and discovered the truth of Licht's death. The only reason he took the job was for his friend. After that, he would leave as abruptly as he came into his life.
He let go of Mahiru's hand because he was confused by how sad the thought of him leaving made him. Kuro's only consolation was that his words eased the doubt and worry from Mahiru's face. He smiled up at him and said, "Thank you, Kuro. Knowing that really helps. We should keep our talk with Yuri short. She might've saw something that could help us but I don't want to trouble a child."
Mahiru knocked on the door and they waited for someone to answer. A woman answered the door and her eyes narrowed when she saw the two. They called earlier and the family should be expecting them so Mahiru was confused by her words, "Are you reporters? I told you people that we don't want to answer any of your questions. We already gave our statements to the police."
"We're not reporters." Mahiru could see how suspicious she was. He assumed that she was merely being protective of her daughter. If reporters had been bothering them, he understood why she would be weary. Yet, there hadn't been any reports about Licht's death in the media. The family certainly had the resources to stop the news from being published. He shook his head and told himself to focus on finding the truth.
"We are employees of the Alicein household and we called earlier. Kuro and I merely want to ask a few questions for a follow up report. May we come in?" Mahiru asked her in a kind voice. Kuro took out his employee badge and handed it to the mother to further reassure her. Once she seemed satisfied, she let them into the house.
There was a pair of twins playing in the living room and they jumped to their feet when they spotted their visitors. They both had wide smiles on their face as they crowded around Kuro. "Mr. Sloth! You came to visit us! Are Lily and the others from the mansion coming to play too? Do you have enough energy to play with us? I want a ride."
"Can't deal," Kuro struggled to keep his balance but it was difficult with how they pulled on his arms. Mahiru smiled faintly as he watched him play with the children. Considering Kuro's attitude, he didn't expect him to be so energetic with them. He took one of the girls and lifted her onto his shoulder. "You can ride Mr. Sloth first, Mari. Yuri, this is Mahiru and he came to ask you a few questions. After you're done talking, I'll give you a ride."
"Wait," Their mother shouted and came between them. She took Mari from Kuro and urged the twins towards the stairs. They reluctantly left when she ordered them to play in their room. After they were gone, she straightened and faced Mahiru. "Over the phone, I said I would answer your questions. Yuri is just a child and I don't want you interrogating her. I'll tell you everything she told me."
"I didn't intend to interrogate her but I understand why you don't want me to talk to her." Mahiru relented. He would rather learn what happened that night from Yuri because she was there. But he knew he couldn't persuade the mother and he didn't want to cause a child distress. "I only have a few questions so I won't take up too much of your time. Where should we sit and talk?"
"There is a table in the kitchen. I can make us some tea while we talk." She suggested and Mahiru nodded. They walked down the hall but Kuro excused himself to go to the bathroom.
Mahiru sat at the table and took out his notepad. The woman looked stiff as she set the kettle on the stove. He thought it was best not to push her for answers too soon. "This is a beautiful home you have. It must be difficult to preserve such an old house but it's worth it, isn't it? Your house has so much character and the twins seem happy to be home."
"With the support from the Alicein family, we've been able to keep up with the payments on the house. We owe a lot to the family. My husband and I have wanted a family for the longest time so we're grateful for the Alicein helping us adopt Yuri and Mari." She said. Mahiru remembered Kuro telling him that most of the children in the mansion were orphans.
"They seem like sweet children. It's horrible that Yuri had to witness… She told you everything that happened?" The woman nodded. "I would like to ask you a few questions now. Was Licht alone on the cliff? Did she see anyone else with Licht that night?"
"Yuri, Mari, I want to play with you but I need to get back to Mahiru." Kuro groaned when the twins refused to let him go. The girls were happily braiding his hair and they didn't want him to leave until they were finished. Earlier, he passed their room when he left the bathroom. They wanted to play with him so he stopped briefly. He didn't think it would take so long.
He pictured Mahiru questioning the woman alone and how difficult it must be to hear about Licht's death. They were both adults but he promised to stay beside him and support him. He knew that the twins missed their friends at the mansion and allowed them to finish playing with his hair. Kuro hoped that he could return to Mahiru soon.
"I need to get another bow. Sit still, Mr. Sloth." Mari skipped the vanity after she gave him the order. She rummaged through the mess on the counter.
"How are you doing, Yuri?" Kuro whispered to the little girl behind him. He wanted to see how well Yuri was adjusting without her sister overhearing them. He didn't know how much Mari knew and he wanted to protect them. She appeared happy enough while she told him about the things she did after they returned home.
"If you need anything, I'm sure the Alicein will provide help for you. You might've gotten adopted but we still consider you our family." He ruffled her hair like he would with his siblings. "I know you liked Licht but it's going to be okay. Are your parents taking you to someone to talk about what happened with Licht?"
"Did something happen to Mr. Angel?" Yuri tilted her head slightly. A chill ran through Kuro and he turned to face her. His brows furrowed. Her words were far too nonchalant considering everything. She appeared honestly confused and Kuro was almost afraid to ask her directly.
"Yuri, why did the Alicein send you home?"
"Mr. Alicein said that we've been really good and we deserved a vacation to spend with our new family. It's been a lot of fun." Yuri told him with a smile but the world began to fall around him. If she didn't know about Licht, the Alicein's story about that night was wrong. He needed to tell Mahiru but he couldn't begin to know how. He could barely begin to understand it himself.
"I'm sorry, we really need to go. I'll come back and play with you two another time." Kuro stood sharply. With barely a glance to the girls, he rushed out of the room and down the stairs.
At the bottom of the steps, he almost ran into Mahiru. Kuro caught himself and stopped before he could hurt him. He wanted to tell Mahiru about Yuri but he saw the mother standing behind him. He couldn't be certain how involved she was with the lie. The downcast expression Mahiru had stopped him as well. Kuro's first instinct was to comfort him. He cupped his cheek with one hand. "Mahiru?"
"I finished speaking with her." Mahiru spoke with a small voice. "She confirmed everything about Licht. I guess it's time to go home."
He slipped out of his hands and went out the door. Mahiru didn't bother with saying goodbye to the woman because his lungs hurt too much. It was difficult enough to hold himself together the entire time he listened to her tell him about that night. He still didn't want to believe that Licht jumped but she didn't have a reason to lie.
Mahiru hurried to the car so he would have a private place to cry. His friend was gone and he didn't have a scrap of hope left to hold onto. He cursed when he couldn't open the car door and kicked the car. Then he placed his forehead against the window and sank to the ground. He wanted to sob but there was a lump in his throat.
A warm hand took his arm and gently pulled him away from the cold car. Kuro saw that he was holding back tears. His sympathetic red eyes made Mahiru want to throw himself into his arms. He lowered his head onto his shoulder. "Licht is gone but I wanted answers before I could accept it. It's over, Kuro. I'm sorry I wasted your time and suspected your friends."
He clutched Kuro's jacket because he needed him and didn't want him to leave. Kuro lifted his face and tenderly kissed the tears clinging to the corner of his eye. He knew that he had to tell Mahiru the truth. He couldn't stand to see him sad. "Mahiru, the mom lied to you about Licht. I talked with Yuri and she doesn't know a thing about Licht."
"What?" Mahiru wiped the tears from his eyes. "But that means the story they told the police was a lie. Why would they cover up what happened?"
"I don't know but I'll help you figure this out." Kuro hugged him and stroked his hair lovingly. He wished he could make everything better for him but the only thing he could do at the moment was hold him. "What do you want to do now? I already promised you that I'll stay beside you through everything."
"Thank you, Kuro. But I don't have the energy to go back to the mansion and face everyone. Can we go visit your brother like we originally planned?" Mahiru leaned away from him and gave him a weak smile. He was grateful that he had Kuro with him. "But we should get those braids and bows out of your hair before we go visit your family."
"Yuri and Mari thought it would be funny to dress me up." Kuro blushed, embarrassed that Mahiru saw him with silly bows in his hair. He tugged the bows free until Mahiru touched his hair. He untangled the braids from his hair and then ran his fingers through his blue strands. Even after the bows and braids were gone, Mahiru smoothed his hand over his hair.
"Your hair is really soft. Most people don't wear their hair long like this anymore but looks good on you." His compliment only made Kuro's face redden more. "It would look really nice if you tied it back so people can see your eyes better."
"Haircuts and appointments are troublesome. Please don't play with my hair like they did." He took his hands from his hair. "Let's go see my brother and have a normal, mystery-free dinner."
"So, what's your brother like?" He asked as Kuro unlocked the door. He already met a few of his siblings and they each had colourful personalities. Kuro answered with a nonchalant shrug and told him about the trouble Hyde got into when they were younger. Mahiru could easily picture his childhood being filled with laughter because he had so many siblings. He wondered if they would've been friends if they knew each other then. It was a nice thought.
"Hyde is loud but a good guy. He returned from Europe recently so it would be nice to catch up on things. When I talked to him on the phone, he said that an angel was staying with him. Must be a new friend." Kuro opened the door and held it open for Mahiru. As they walked down the hall to the living room, Kuro yelled. "Hey, Hyde, I'm home! Get out of my favourite spot. I know you're sitting in my chair."
"It's the only recliner in the room! Don't be so mean and assume the worst of your little brother. Anyways, Angel-chan is using it so you're wrong. I told you about him on the phone." A voice echoed through the hall and Mahiru guessed that was his brother. He could tell that they were close from their banter. Even as they exchanged quips, Mahiru could hear how much they cared about each other.
"I brought someone home too. His name is Mahiru and…" His words trailed off when he entered the room. Hyde didn't seem to notice the shock on his brother's face because he was focused on the man next to Kuro. It was rare for Kuro to befriend someone, let alone bring them to their childhood home. He was curious about the man and waited for Mahiru to introduce himself.
"Oh my god," Mahiru's breathed as his body became numb. "Licht?"
"You know Licht?" Hyde raised a brow at him. He had to be suspicious because he could be the person that tried to kill him. He tried to stand in front of him protectively but he was taken aback when Licht kicked him. The sight pulled Mahiru from his shock and he ran to his friend. He pushed Hyde aside so he could reach his friend.
Hyde would've stopped Mahiru except Kuro grabbed his shoulders and forced him to take a few steps away from the two. He was confused but he knew Mahiru must be more so. Kuro told himself that it was best to give them their privacy. He watched Mahiru throw his arms around Licht and clung onto him desperately. He suddenly felt like an outside watching them.
Licht looked down at the familiar stranger holding him tightly with confusion and his brows furrowed. The brunette was sobbing into his chest and his words were incoherent among his tears. He didn't know who the man was but he hugged him. A memory played in his mind but it was mostly blurs and shadows he couldn't catch.
"Are you really here, Licht? They said they never found a body but I didn't think…" The tears finally subsided enough for Mahiru to speak. His voice was a faint whisper since his throat felt raw. He rubbed the tears from his eyes so he could see his friend clearer. He never thought he would find his friend again but here he was. Mahiru touched his face lightly, afraid that he would break the illusion before him.
He took a shaky breath and spoke. "Say, Licht, are you an angel or demon?"
"Can't you recognize an angel when you see one?" Mahiru made a painful laugh at his answer. His curt words were a relief to Mahiru. They made his chest tighten painfully as well. There were so many emotions running through him, everything from joy to confusion, that his body shook. He didn't know if he was dreaming or not but he was happy to be with his friend again.
"I can't believe you're here…" He said more to himself than anyone else. Then he yelled at Licht, "Why didn't you call us if you were well and safe this entire time? We all thought you were dead! They told us that you committed suicide. We were all grieving and none of us knew how to process everything. I travelled all the way here for answers when you could've called me to tell me what happened!"
"He couldn't call you when he doesn't remember you." Hyde interjected. Mahiru didn't understand what he meant at first and looked from him to Licht. Then he realized that there was a hint of recognition in his blue eyes. "He lost his memories. Licht only remembers a few things from his past like his name and that he plays the piano. Now, who are you?"
"My name is Mahiru Shirota." He answered and let go of Licht. His head was spinning and he felt a little dizzy. Even with Licht before him, he was no closer to discovering the answers he wanted. He sat down on the couch and tried to process everything. "Licht and I have been best friends since high school. You really don't remember me, Licht?"
"Are you an angel like me?" Licht tilted his head slightly and tried to place where he knew him. It was impossible and he found himself frustrated. The man seemed faintly familiar but he couldn't recall a single thing about him.
"I'm an angel in training. You've always said that I was a slow learner though." Mahiru laugh but it was pitiful at best. His eyes dropped down to his hands on his lap because he couldn't stand Licht looking at him like a stranger. A warm hand fell onto his shoulder and he looked up to see Kuro standing before him. The concern in his red eyes touched his heart and he was grateful to have Kuro's support.
Kuro sat next to him and a hush fell over the room. No one knew what to say at the moment. Hyde leaned against the wall and glanced at Mahiru. With how he acted when he saw Licht, he had to wonder about their relationship. A hint of jealousy entered him and turned his stomach. But he knew that it was best for Licht to be with someone from his past. Maybe his memories would return faster with Mahiru's help.
"They told you that Licht tried to commit suicide? When I first met him, I saw him fall off the cliff but it wasn't an accident. I was exploring a cave near the bottom of the cliff and I heard a fight. It was lucky that I was there that night and I was able to save him. Someone was after his life and he doesn't remember who so I thought that it was best to hide him here."
"Thank you for protecting my friend for so long. I'll find a way to repay you." Mahiru stood. His fear that someone in the mansion had hurt his friend was confirmed. He walked to Licht and took his hand. "We're going home, Licht. It isn't safe for you here. Your parents need to know you're safe as well. I'm putting you on the first plane back to Tokyo. I'll tell you about yourself on the way back home."
"What?" The brothers shouted at the same time. Hyde shot to his feet and his first instinct was to keep Licht next to him where he could protect him. But he knew that Licht would be safest in another city and out of the killer's reach. He bit his lip and his hands tightened into fists. He knew that he was being selfish and he should let him go.
Kuro was silent the entire time, staring at the ground. He was aware that Mahiru was going to leave him eventually but he never expected it to be so soon. The only reason he came to the Alicein's household was for Licht's sake and they found him now. Mahiru no longer had a reason to stay. Even though those thoughts were going through his mind, he spoke up.
"This is a lot to take in, Mahiru. How about we decide what to do in the morning?" Kuro suggested. His voice was small because he didn't know if he was doing the right thing for Mahiru's safety. "You probably want to stay here with Licht and talk with him. I'll call Lily and tell him that we're staying here tonight."
"Fine." Mahiru agreed reluctantly.
Finally got this chapter finished.