Episode 036: Suspicion
Author's Note #1:
In the end of the previous chapter, the reason Togami disappeared from work? She claimed that she had game illness. And, Togami's absence from work will serve as a clue to solving the Paragon's true identity, which is the next objective for the two respective parties trying to hunt both Reaper and the Paragon down.
In terms who I write Shingetsu's characterization, while he's technically Affably Evil, depending on how I write his character, there are some chances he would be Faux Affably Evil. The Affably Evil part is that Shingetsu, despite that he's the story's Big Bad, he's very honorable and noble, wanting a fair fight. The "Faux" part is where you will refer to chapter 34, he shows his true asshole nature, he killed a Smash at the same time the human who was experimented on to assume its form. In short, Shingetsu has a misanthropic hatred towards humans to fanatical levels (in his Social Darwinist views, he sees humanity as inferior beings), similar to the Overlord Inves, and him murdering a human after being turned into a Smash solidifies this.
(*Opening: "Eden" by Nana Mizuki*)
[~Sore wa, tokete shimaisou na awai futari no sasayaki~] (The whispers between the fleeting couple seem to be dissolving)
[~Terashite, terashite...aoi hana~] (Shine brightly, shine brightly, blue flower)
[~Nagai chinmoku kakikesu you na~] (The drowned out long silence is like following a path)
[~Hikari no tsubu ga kami wo tsutau yo~] (As thin as a hair with just a grain of light)
[~Donna kotoba mo chinpu ni miete~] (Any cliched phrase and the sight of overlapping fingers)
[~Kasanaru yubi ni kotae wo motometa~] (Are the answer to what I wished for)
[~Mou sukoshi soba ni ite~] (Stay with me for a while...)
[~Jikan yo tomatte...~] (...for a time being)
[~Aisuru imi mo shirazu ni~] (Not knowing the meaning of loving,)
[~Aisaretai to negatta~] (I wished and wanted to be loved)
[~Katte na omoi ga sakibashiru~] (My selfish thoughts are impertinent)
[~Yagate otona ni natte~] (Soon after growing up as an adult,)
[~Okashii to warau darou ka~] (I wonder if I'll laugh it off and say "how strange"?)
[~Oshiete oshiete aoi hana~] (Tell me, tell me, blue flower)
-Goro's Interlude-
"A Chinese philosopher said this, "Don't do unto others what others do unto you." Who said that? What does that even mean? Don't bother answering. If you're familiar of that, then it should be obvious. Once that golden rule gets twisted into a cycle of endless hatred, it's no use running away from it. When people kill anyone you love and know, you start killing others, and that cycle will continue to flow endlessly until you're dead. When you punish evil-doers by murdering them, then the last remaining evil-doer will be yourself; it shows that your actions points out that you are actually worse than them. Hey, if you're reading this, be sure to know the exact moral of this story's arc; in the words Friedrich Nietzsche; "He who fights monsters should see to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." Get it? Because if you don't, who knows you'd end up worse than any of the baddies you've fought."
"For the past three weeks, criminality here in Shouya City began to gradually drop like flies due to inexplicable forms of game illness. And the perpetrator? A Bugster themed after a shinigami called, Reaper. And the one's controlling it, Paragon. Paragon began announcing his will to the world as an advocate of justice, and enforces this ideal by killing even the most hardened criminals around Japan. However, her actions are depraving than beneficial. As far as I'm concerned, I find these game illness-related deaths as an act of murder. The Ministry of Health have becoming more alarmed as far as these deaths continue to escalate; the Space Explorers are trying to trace Paragon and Reaper. Most of the causes of deaths include - the usual heart attacks, organ and body inflation, and even accidental deaths!"
"I managed to help the Space Explorers to lure the perpetrators into a trap - by faking a bank robbery, and it worked. But, what's funny is Paragon made his presence known! It seems the Bugster can kill its victims at a given chance as if it's stalking its prey. And as for Paragon, he caught me off guard with some kind of psychic powers."
"As far I can't ignore all of these killings, there's one reason why I want to put an end to this - there is no justice when criminals are killed without due process. The law shouldn't be taken into one's own hands. Nobody wanted this kind of punishment. How much more people are willing to kill just to find justice or just plain seeking revenge?"
-Togami's Disappearance and Sudden Return-
(*cues: "The Surface of SR388" OST from Metroid: Samus Returns*)
It has been two to three weeks Togami has missed work due to her Game illness. Goro, being her boss, warns her about her absence from work. And the fact she did not told Goro about this, she unwittingly went AWOL. As her first offense, she was given a warning considering that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Granted, Goro might be forgiving to his employers, it shows that they need a chance to make up for their mistakes. And he reminds Togami should she ever go AWOL again, he is left with no other choice but to relieve her of her duties and face absolute termination from ZETA Tech.
Though everything seems to be all going to well now that Togami returns to resume her duty as the secretary to ZETA Tech's CEO; for Goro, something is not quite right. After he learns about Togami getting a game illness as a reason of her absence, he starts to sound slightly suspicious about this.
"Umm, sir? What's going on?", Togami starts to show concern to her boss.
"Nothing.", Goro replied. "Togami-kun, have you heard about recent news of criminals dying of game illnesses?"
"Uh, yes. It's horrible.", she replied. "Whoever is responsible for this should be put to justice."
She then moved on with her tasks. While Goro began to think quietly; as he looked on the latest news on his tablet, he reads on an article about ten members of the Nu Phi Delta fraternity from the Law School department of Aizawa State University who were accused of hazing of a neophyte died of instantaneous game illnesses.
[Fraternity Members Died of Bugster Infection]
"Members of the Computer Rescue Center have once again investigated another recent victim of inexplicable game illness. This time, five members of the Nu Phi Delta fraternity who are accused behind the hazing of a neophyte died in different cases of natural deaths – four victims suffered a fatal organ inflation before succumbing to cardiac arrest;other four members also died in a car accident in the Tsugami Avenue; while two somehow committed suicide. With one of the victims bodies left a suicide note saying; "This is a message to those who oppose the Paragon in his advocation for justice." We have come to conclusion that Paragon is responsible for these deaths. At this moment, the Ministry of Health and the police's investigation with the previously related deaths are still ongoing."
("This time, he's targeting members of fraternity who are accused of hazing a neophyte. This just keep getting worse than I thought."), Goro quietly spoke to himself. ("I swear to God, I'm going to find that Paragon and put him to justice. I just can't ignore something like this, even if I have to risk my own life for that matter.")
As what the news said, ten members of the Nu Phi Delta fraternity died of instantaneous game illnesses. But, the news also said two out of ten fraternity members committed suicide and a note is found in one of the victim's bodies that conveys the message of Paragon.
Goro can't seem to ignore all these killings because the obvious being that you can't achieve justice by means of murder. It's pretty upsetting that when you kill criminals, it also shows that you are actually worse than them. Goro asked himself about when he is confronted that if he's given a chance to kill or spare an individual who has committed a heinous act.
("To be quite frank, I didn't became a police detective and I will never be just to get involve in trying to catch a serial killer who is controlling a Bugster virus to kill people."), Goro sighed and thought to himself. ("While I'm just an average genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist as if I sound like Iron Man, I say that I can't stand here and do nothing. I keep saying that something needs to be done about this Paragon. Whoever that arrogant SOB is, I'll give him a piece of my mind!")
Apart from Togami's explanation of her absence having her game syndrome treated. She should have submitted to him a medical clearance from the doctors in Seito University Hospital. Though he didn't bother asking her about it. But considering the fact that Togami did not gave Goro an evidence in order for her to clear her problem about her absence, it will likely give him a clue...
Suddenly, Goro's phone rang, he reads a message from Sento...
[泉さん、お前は今日利用可能ですか？ー戦兎] (Izumi-san, are you available today? -Sento)
[すいません、俺は取締役会との会合を持っています。ー泉] (I'm sorry, I will be having a meeting with the board of directors. -Izumi)
Goro then replied to the message and sent. Seconds later, the physicist replies...
[何だと思う、スペースエクスプローラたち師表和捕まえるつもりで！おそらく彼らはお前の恐ろしい天才その彼を捕まえる。] (Guess what, the Space Explorers are also planning to catch Paragon. Perhaps they also need your formidable genius to catch him.)
Goro smirked, despite working independently from Samus's crew, as catching Paragon needs a thorough planning even the most convoluted gambits. Even though he messed up back at the time when he finds himself unprepared in confronting Paragon, his plan in luring the Reaper Bugster to a trap worked. That said, he admits that the human mind is the most dangerous weapon compared to your convenient superhero utility belt, and Goro's genius is unrivaled in many ways and he has no problem lording it. Regardless, catching the Paragon is no race, but as the only way to put an end to these unceremonious killings once and for all.
Goro replied to Sento's message.
[俺のシフトは午後5時30分に終了する。今どこにいますか？] (My shift will be done by 5:30. Where are you guys now?)
Then, Sento replied after a few seconds...
[氷川プラザホテルの俺たちわはここにいる。またね。] (We're at Hikawa Plaza Hotel. See you soon.)
-The Meeting-
(*cues: "Gunship Theme" OST from Metroid Prime 3: Corruption*)
After Goro has a meeting with the board of directors in the conference room. He leaves office once it's already 5:30pm. He then drove on his Nissan GT-R R35 to Hikawa Plaza Hotel, where Sento and his party are currently spending their nights. Once he entered the hotel, Sento was waiting for him, and Samus of the Space Explorers, and the Game Master himself, Dan Kuroto.
"Small worlds, isn't it. This is the second time I've met you again.", said Kuroto.
"Who would've thought your plan actually worked, Izumi Goro.", Samus said, unlike the others, the bounty hunter only addresses him with his full name. "Now that we managed to find out Reaper, it also led us to Paragon."
"Yeah, the next question is... Who is the true identity of Paragon?", Goro immediately started cutting through the chase. "For some reason, I was feeling a little fuzzy lately when my secretary returned after three weeks of being AWOL. She claimed to me that she had game illness, but she didn't gave me a medical clearance from the hospital."
Supposedly, it's common to present a medical clearance whenever you got sick and you need serious treatment in workplaces so your bosses can understand your absence. That in mind, Goro is likely suspecting that his secretary, Togami Hikaru is likely connected to his case.
"You're saying that your secretary is missing for about two to three weeks and then she said that she's having her game illness treated?", Kuroto replied. "Does that even related to the game illness-related deaths?"
"The chances of that are 15%.", Goro answered. And yet, he admits that he's still skeptical about Togami is connected to the incidents, or if she is really Paragon. "And for that matter, we still need more clues. I need someone from that hospital to clarify if Togami-kun was admitted there."
"Houjou Emu.", Samus said. She then pulls out her phone and dialed to call the intern.
Samus then passed the phone to Goro when Emu picked up.
"Hello?"
"Houjou-sensei. It's me, Izumi from ZETA Tech.", Goro spoke. "Do you know a patient named Togami Hikaru admitted in the hospital?"
Meanwhile in Seito University Hospital, Emu began asking to Asuna if they had a patient named Togami Hikaru. But, there was nothing of Togami's name written on their lists of patients admitted with game illness. The intern goes back speaking to Goro by his Game Scope...
"Izumi-san, there was no Togami Hikaru admitted here.", the Intern replied.
"Okay.", Goro continued, "For now, keep this phone call a secret. Dan Kuroto will inform you the whole details later."
After ending the call, Goro realizes that Togami wasn't admitted in the hospital. And the possible chances that her connection with Paragon is now 20%. Though he's still skeptical about it, it will take enough time to realize it later on. Regardless, he was right all along... But, it's not yet enough to solve this case.
"I'm likely beginning to suspect that one of my own employees is likely to be Paragon.", Goro deduces. "And the clue about Togami-kun not in the hospital will likely prove it."
"Hey, Izumi-san. I know some online idol in Touto that might help you in catching Paragon. I'll call her if you want.", Sento brings up about an online idol named Mii-tan, who to ask people in the internet for information. Goro agrees, hoping that it will help them in catching Paragon.
In Sento's perspective, Mii-tan is actually the internet alter-ego of the girl who helps him with his Full Bottles, Isurugi Misora. Despite Goro not knowing about this, him agreeing with Sento asking from Mii-tan will sure guarantee will help them lead to Paragon.
Just before both parties can agree, both Sento and Goro are interrupted by a phone call - in Goro's case, he receives a text message from Natsu of a sighting of a robot-themed Smash. The two left the hotel for the time being, and Samus then leaves, presumably returning back to the Space Explorers' HQ.
-Space Time Shattering Double Burst Spinning Punch!-
Sento and Goro meet up with the master and student pair of Taki and Natsu, who are fighting a Smash themed over a robot. Sento transforms into Build GorillaMond Form, and Goro into G7 Icarus XYZ StealthCrow Armor. Taki goes into her powered-up state, Tengen Toppa Evolution, as shown when her demon face mask immediately turned into a star-shaped visor and her hair is dyed blue.
(*cues: "Future Dancin'" OST from Soul Blade*)
Mayhem ensues when two Kamen Riders and two kunoichi fight this robot kaijin. Despite how strong this Smash they are fighting, the downside of this creature is its slow mobility. Though Sento wants its essence, he decides to let Goro take it instead. And that being said, he and Taki make their move.
"Taki, I think it's time to do the you-know-what.", said Goro as he cranks the lever of the Build Driver to charge himself at full power.
*Ready, go! Voltech Finish! Yeah!*
G7 Icarus XYZ begins to channel the energies of his Full Bottles into his fist, he raises his right hand facing the skies as he is drawing power.
"No way!", Sento exclaimed.
"Oh, yes way! Is this what I think it is?!", Natsu seems to anticipate what will it be...
Taki also begins to channel her spiritual energy to full power as well...
"This hand of mine is burning red...", the ninja proclaimed.
"It's loud roar tells me...", G7 Icarus XYZ followed, before the two screamed altogether. "...to grasp victory!"
Taki moved on the Smash's side facing left, while G7 Icarus stayed on the right side. And both charge as they prepare for a double-team finishing move...
"Take this!", Taki shouted, "Space-Time Shattering!"
"Double Burst Spinning...", Goro added. And they both punch the robot Smash on both sides. "WOOOOOOAAHHHHH...!", he continues to add more pressure on his punch.
And the two screamed on the top of their lungs, "PUUUNCHHHHHHHH!"
[時空烈断ダブルバーストスピニングパンチ] (Space-Time Shattering Double Burst Spinning Punch)
With their fists forcefully drilled on the kaijin's midsection, both Taki and Goro lift the Smash up as the energies from their fist began to intertwine together as it is about to burst.
"Evil...", Taki's cry as the spiritual energy of her Tengen Toppa Evolution mode pierces through the Smash before she is about to activate the finishing move's effect. "...begone!"
The end of the attack creates a tornado shaped like a double-helix generated from both Goro and Taki's fists, sending the robot Smash flying into the skies, complete with a twinkle. Within moments, the Smash reverts into a human and is about to descend from an unprecedented height. Goro then calls out Shadow Winger as he speeds up to Mach 3 to rescue the human from falling to his death, he succeeds. Afterwards, he makes a soft descend into a ground, and the person saved by Goro and his kunoichi harem is safe and alive. With Taki sealing the Smash's essence, she then performed her sealing technique that instantly purified the Full Bottle. The end result was the Robot Full Bottle.
"Wow, you guys are awesome! No wonder you two make up the Best Match!", Sento commented.
-Curiosity-
Later that night...
Taki also learns from Goro of what he had in mind recently. One of his employers being absent for about two to three weeks when the criminal deaths by Game Syndrome took place. While the residents of the Izumi mansion are having a dinner, Goro begins to discuss the matter after the meals.
"After I have gathered two important clues that would lead us to the Paragon...", Goro said. "...I'm starting to suspect that Togami-kun, my secretary that she's likely connected with the recent game illness-related incidents since the past weeks. What's funny is that guys in Seito University Hospital did not confirm that Togami-kun was admitted there. It's likely she did not came there."
"Are you saying that your worker is a suspect?", Taki raised her eyebrow.
"It's still 15%. Not to mention, it's still early to jump into a conclusion.", he replied. "But, for the time being. Monitoring her actions would be a better idea to confirm the suspicion."
The ninja reminds Goro not to be fooled of Togami's innocence if possible whether if she's suspected to be connected with these incidents. That said, she begins to think of an idea...
"Is it possible for me to blend in as one of your company's employees. That will be the possible chance to monitor her actions.", Taki suggested.
"Oh, that!", Goro replied. "With that, you could monitor Togami-kun's actions. But, considering we're actually living together. I need to make sure that the connections between us are kept secret. Rest assured that I'll cover things up for you."
In order for Taki to blend is a ZETA Tech employee, she needs to adopt a different name and keeps her connection with Goro in secrecy at all cost. Granted, as Goro comes to accept with that idea, he'll have no problem covering up for her.
-Kitamura Kyoko-
The next day...
Another day at the office again for Goro as a CEO of ZETA Tech. As always, Togami is working hard to make up for her absence.
As Goro is playing a game of chess with himself, a knock from the door interrupted him. Togami opens it for him, and a woman resembling Taki in a set of business outfit - a suit, coat and skirt, appproaches the CEO. But, to differ herself from Taki, she had her hair tied in a single bun and is sporting a pair of glasses.
"Oh, you must be Kitamura-san.", Goro greeted the woman. "I assume you will be taking Nakajima's place as the head of the R&D team."
"Yes, sir.", Kitamura smiled. "I guess Ms. Nakajima is busy working with the police force's Special Reaction Squad."
"Yep. Still, Nakajima will still report to me in regards with the SRS's progress.", Goro continued. "Anyways, carry on."
"Thank you."
Kitamura left the CEO's office. To Togami's surprise, the woman is beautiful, right down to the fact that she noticed her huge chest.
"Now that's my kind of woman!", Goro wolf-whistled, all while secretly reminding her of his ninja girlfriend. "Kitamura Kyoko is a newbie like you, Togami-kun. But, she's experienced as a team leader."
Outside the office, Kitamura walked as she heads to the R&D room to begin her duties. Considering her resemblance to Taki, Kitamura is actually Taki herself; and assuming the alias of Kitamura Kyoko allows her to blend in as a ZETA Tech employee and filling in for Nakajima's duties on the research and development team. Also, Taki as Kitamura will give her the advantage to monitor Togami's actions, something that Goro planned accordingly.
See you next mission...
Kamui Tribe's demons count:
-Destroyed: Rexspider 1, 2, & 3 (Tsuchigumo), Meowitzer (Nekomata), Snorephant (Baku), Fraillow (Yosuzume), Rexspider Queen 1 (Jorogumo), Raywolf (Raiju), Pallyshoul (Karakasa-obake), Armor Dullahan x5 (Oboroguruma)
-Destroyed by Special Reaction Squad: Two unnamed creatures based on the Bake-Bi, One unnamed creature based on the Abura-Dokkuri, Gorgon Queen (Akamata)
-Captured by Taki: Ripperzel (Kamaitachi), Rexspider Queen 2 (Jorogumo), Croc-a-Chomp (Waniguchi), Glaciess (Yuki-Onna), Rexspider Queen 2 (Jorogumo), Shukaku (Tanuki), Kappa
Kamen Riders featured:
-Space Explorers' side: Huntress (Rider Gashat), Lazer (Rider Gashat; both sides with CR), Specter (Eyecons), Necrom (Eyecons), Mach (Signal Bike), Ryugen (Lockseed), Mage (Wizard Rings)
-CR side (all Rider Gashats): Ex-Aid
-Neutral: G7 Icarus (G7 Armor Keys, Full Bottles), Build (Full Bottles)
Genm's Life Count: 99 (refilled)
Full Bottles Count:
- Build:
*Organic: Rabbit, Gorilla, Lion, Harinezumi, Taka
*Inorganic: Tank, Diamond, Soujiki, Drill, Gatling
-G7 Icarus XYZ:
*Organic: Crow, Kamakiri, Kurage
*Inorganic: Stealth, Bakudan, Scope, Ambulance
-Taki:
*Organic: Spider, Tanuki, Kappa
*Inorganic: Reizoko, Launcher, Drill, Robot
-Ryuuga
*Organic: Dragon
-Shingetsu
*Inorganic: Watch
Author's Note #2:
The recent game illness victims in this chapter being members of a fraternity within a university who are accused of hazing on a neophyte is a harsher in hindsight reference here in the Philippines; a law student from University of Santo Tomas died of what appears to be a fraternity hazing. Members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity are said to be suspects of the crime, it has been on our local news lately.
Also, the current arc so far is an allusion to a murder case in Beligum back in 2007 called "Mangamoord" (or Manga Murder). As far as I read about this in Wikipedia, it had has replicas of Death Notes that has something written "Watashi wa Kira dess" - the "dess" actually sounds like "desu", which translates into "I am Kira". Three guys who were involved in that murder case were guilty of murder and were sentenced more than 20 years in jail. For some reason that Death Note is one of my favorite anime that involves a battle between the formidable minds namely the super-detective L and serial killer and self-professed "god of the new world" Light Yagami. And, the plot elements of Death Note is the inspiration for Act III of this fanfic, with Kamen Rider W and Kamen Rider Drive thrown in.
This is the first time a character's interlude is not based on any of the Space Explorers' log entries. Goro's monologue at the beginning of the chapter is almost similar to that in Iron Man 3.
Also, Paragon in general is similar to Shien Yuki from the Death Note film Light Up the New World, who is played by Phillip's actor, Masaki Suda. Considering that Paragon began to preach to social media in her advocating justice by murder is the closest thing to Shien's role as a cyber-terrorist and a devout of Kira.
Goro and Taki doing the Double Burst Spinning Punch combines the actual Burst Spinning Punch of Arc-Gurren Lagann (the tornado effect) and the Double Burning Finger used by the Burning (Domon) and Nobel (Allenby) Gundams.
The "Kita" in Kitamura is basically the last three letters of Taki's name written backwards.