Chapter Beta Read by: - Specter06.
Chapter 24
Nymph was finally safe, but for how long? That was the question. Settled back at Tomoki's house, Nymph remembered her ordeal and the possible threat that still lurked in the shadows. But she was safe for the moment.
In an effort to cheer her up, Tomoki interrupted the stale silence. "Hay Nymph. If you want, there is a whole collection of sweets in the cupboard I got just for you."
The young man's attempt worked. She jumped to her feet, shuffled around and her overexcited words barely made any sense.
Tomoki was pleased with the result; his eyes flickered at the blue haired beauty that was munching on a bag of sweets. He knew she was easily pleased with such distractions.
However, sat in the corner of the room Eishiro Sugata still had his own nagging concerns.
"Eishiro, why are you in my house?" Tomoki was sure he didn't invite him. But then again, he vaguely remembered inviting Sohara, who was investigating his room for perverted material.
"Your companion was asking me questions on how to keep Nymph out of trouble. So we're organizing a plan to locate the Ambush Angeloids."
"Ho, I must have forgotten." Tomoki made a dismissive gesture.
"You seem to forget a lot of things Tomoki." Eishiro pocketed his glasses. Sohara interjected.
"Tomoki always forgets things, kinda like this magazine I've found."
Sohara held up the adult periodical and Ikaros glanced at it.
"Master, what is this?"
The young teenager jumped, danced and then tried -but rather unsuccessfully - to hide his embarrassment.
"Erm... I don't know how that got there."
Ikaros glanced away from the ruckus and was immediately focused on something. She was particularly interested by a mark near the back door. She felt an aura about the house, as if someone had been trespassing. She remembered this kind of feeling before. It was similar to when everybody returned to Eishiro Sugata's tent.
While Ikaros tried to understand the significance of this discovery, she opened the door and walked out to the garden.
The night was dark and the moon projected shadows on the floor that danced by the movements of trees. A small fountain next door filled the sky with a gentle melody of natural sounds, crickets made their mark and the air smelled fresh.
As Ikaros immersed herself in the cool night, she heard footsteps from behind.
"Ikaros, you're enjoying the night?"
"Yes master, it's very soothing."
"It's been very busy and chaotic today. I wish we could have done more to help Nymph recover from the ordeal she went through."
"I would be happy to grant your wish master, but I'm unable to undo activities that have been done by other Angeloids."
"I didn't know that. So if you are killed by an Angeloid, that means." Tomoki stepped back in shock. "I cannot wish for you to be okay?"
"I'm sorry master, my power cannot conflict with the wishes from another like me."
Tomoki vowed to be stronger, a concept he'd always stretched for, but never achieved. He placed his hand on Ikaros' shoulder. "Don't worry Ikaros, I'll make sure you're not harmed, you are my ang-"
Interjecting, Sohara marched up to the two. "So, this is where you two have been hiding. I can only imagine what kind of things this teenager has been saying."
"Saying, what do you mean? I've been the perfect gentleman to Ikaros."
During Sohara's cheerful speech, Ikaros wondered over to the neighbor's garden and placed her hands on the wooden fence. She looked at the charred remains of the house next door.
"Master, what happened to the house next door?"
Tomoki looked puzzled for a moment, not understanding what Ikaros was talking about. Sohara looked over towards the burned house and then pointed.
They stared at the black empty space for a good five minutes before the silence was finally broken.
"What the hell happened to the neighbor's house?" Sohara said.
Tomoki grabbed Ikaros' hand and hurried her back into the house, Sohara followed behind.
They barged through the front door and onto the street. A small crowd of dispersing people began to leave the scene.
"I don't understand. How did we miss all of this?" Tomoki looked perplexed and dazed.
Eishiro indicated towards the side entrance of Tomoki's house. "We entered through the side entrance and would have missed all the activity."
"But still, we should have noticed something like this. Just what the hell happened?" Tomoki asked, all the while, looking at a scruffy looking man who was heading in their direction.
The group stared at the individual who was in his fifties, gray hair and wearing long coat with deep pockets. He appeared to be the investigator and Tomoki used this opportunity to get some answers.
"Sir, are you with the police?"
The man put a cigarette into his mouth, took some long lazy puffs and then exhaled while removing it. He spoke with a shallow well-spoken voice.
"Yes, I am the lead investigator. So you must be Tomoki Sakurai and Sohara Mitsuki."
The two teenagers backed away in shock. The investigator knew their names, why?
The large man continued, his leering eye watched for any mistakes. "So, do you have anything you wish to tell me?"
That question was like a stab in the back, Tomoki knew he was completely innocent, but it was obvious that the detective had them in his sights.
"What! You don't think we had anything to do with it?" Tomoki became angry. Sohara tried to control him, as it would be pointless to get into a fighting match.
"Ho, I didn't say anything of the sort. You see, I have to follow up on all the leads. Two people have been killed in the blaze and the initial investigation is indicating that this fire was deliberately set."
Tomoki reacted with outrage. "What! Someone killed my neighbors? Who would do such a thing?"
"I was hoping you could tell me son." The investigator went up to the young man. "Would you mind coming to the station with me? I would like to take your statement."
His iron-fisted grip on his shoulder indicated that he had no choice. To the investigator, Tomoki was the only suspect, with or without a motive.
The investigator often heard reports about the unruly teenager and his perverted tactics. Even he didn't believe Tomoki was capable of such a task, but he still had to follow the rules and question everyone that might have been involved.
Eishiro came forward, hopeful to resolve the misunderstanding.
"I can assure you lieutenant, this boy is innocent and he was with us the whole time."
"Good, then perhaps you all should come down to the station and clear this all up. I don't doubt your innocence, but some of you might have seen or heard something."
With no choice left for the young individuals involved, they reluctantly went along to the station house inside the local town.