CHAPTER 24
On the television, the evening primetime news as reported by the presenter:
Another kidnapping, another death. Nine-year-old Abe Umi has been found in a pond by families picnicking in a park yesterday afternoon. The body was placed in a black plastic bag and all the boy's original clothing was changed. The autopsy is underway at the moment; more news will be released soon but police have issued preliminary statements that they believe these kidnappings to be a series of related –
The channel is switched away to a nondescript advertisement about dishwashing liquid when the intercom on the wall beeps – a visitor is seeking access.
The laptop and other documents are cleared from the glass tabletop before the doorbell rings through the house.
"Hurry up and open the door, Kyouya-san!" calls someone who, it seems, has more resilience than Kyouya had at first believed.
Barreling past animatedly, they make themselves very welcome in Kyouya's kitchen as Hikaru says, "'Kay, so it'll take us maybe forty minutes? If you decant the wine now it should be just right when we're ready."
Kyouya feels a spark of warmth much like a smile. "Please, by all means, use the kitchen," he deadpans.
Kaoru halts his rummaging in the cupboards to grin unrepentantly.
Placidly, Kyouya gazes back into that pair of intriguing amber-gold eyes. He wonders why they still look exactly like those in a memory from long ago.
"I told you he'd have top quality pepper," Hikaru interrupts triumphantly. "Kyouya-san's a hopelessly picky eater, isn't he?"
Kaoru turns away immediately.
Kyouya frowns.
"Quite. If this meal is not satisfactory, you may expect a reduction in pay."
"Uwaaah!" Both twins object vehemently, appalled.
He smirks. "You asked for it."
.
17/04/2012