A/N: Just bought another yuri manga. Its release was delayed cause of the pandemic, but I am just so glad that I finally it. Also, purchased a new murder mystery to read. Temperature is getting colder and this week's weather is predicted to be mostly rain. Not a surprise, considering how that's the typical weather where I live. Going to curl up with hot chocolate, a warm blankie, and my books.
Chapter 7: Yukimura Rina
"Let me guess. You are here to ask me about my movements last night because, like everyone on this boat, I am a suspect."
There was no trace of scorn in Yukimura Rina's voice. The same could be said about the expression on her face for she had none at all. Her eyes, which were so grey that they appeared colourless, stared blankly at Hiyori and Sergeant Tanaka. What struck the two investigators mute was not only Rina's apparent apathy but also her physical appearance. It just looked so...dead and colourless. Her medium-length hair was as grey as her eyes, and perfectly straight—not merely flat, but uniform without a split end in sight. The silk blouse and skirt she wore were also grey. To Hiyori and Sergeant Tanaka, there seemed to be no life surrounding Rina at all.
Taking a seat in front of the businesswoman, Sergeant Tanaka said, "You speak quite frankly, ma'am. And we don't mean any offence, but we do need to ask a few questions."
Rina shook her head. "I am not offended in the least. You have your job. I have my job. We all must carry out our responsibilities, no matter what situations they thrust us in—both comfortable and uncomfortable."
The sergeant gave a respectful incline of his head. "You are very understanding, Rina-sama."
On the other hand, Hiyori continued to stare intently at the businesswoman. She just could not believe anyone could be so...emotionless. There was no indication of anger, fear, sadness, self-satisfaction—absolutely nothing! It was as if Yukimura Rina was unaffected at all about the fact that someone just passed away. Her burgundy eyes narrowing a little, Hiyori sat next to Sergeant Tanaka.
"What were you doing between half past midnight and one o'clock?" the Origami Head asked.
Taking a sip of sake from the glass in her hand, Rina answered, "Sleeping. I was in my bedroom the entire time. I turned in for the night at exactly 12:30."
A look of incredulity was on Hiyori's face. "And you didn't get up at any time at all?"
"I know what you are thinking, Hiyori-sama. I know I have no way to prove it, but I assure you that I did not leave my bed at any time during that interval," Rina said, monotonously.
Twirling his moustache around the tip of his pen, Sergeant Tanaka said, "Your son, Kaito-sama, was Chisaki-sama's intended fiancé, correct?"
"Yes, Kentaro was the one who suggested the union. He would offer me the purchase of his company if I granted that Kaito became Chisaki's future husband," Rina explained. "I admit I was at first hesitant. I would have preferred for my son a marriage with a distant cousin on my father's side. But blood ties are seen as scandalous nowadays, so I had no choice. Any other young woman on the candidate list, I viewed as ineligible enough for Kaito."
"But you did not see Yanase Chisaki that way?" Hiyori asked.
"My first impression of her was that she was a lovely young lady. She was talented and good at conversation. Everything Chisaki said was very pleasing. I knew immediately that she would make a good partner for Kaito."
"Your son didn't seem to think the same," Hiyori said, rather bluntly.
If Rina was surprised, she did not show it. "He would complain from time to time, but he does not know what is right. I try to keep telling him so, but he is stubborn. Chisaki had always been nothing but sweet and gentle to me."
Crossing her legs, Hiyori raised an eyebrow. "Not to your son it seems, nor to other people. According to a couple of statements, your son made a verbal threat towards Chisaki, and she also had a hidden streak of double-dipping."
Unbeknownst to the two investigators, Rina was, in fact, very aware of this. The businesswoman had seen her son's behaviour before. How he'd always try to change the subject whenever they'd talk about Chisaki. How he'd suddenly leave the room in anger after receiving a text from her. How he'd tear his room apart, leaving it a complete mess. Rina could not connect with her son's emotions, no matter how much she tried. Every time she did, Kaito would fly into a rage and tell her to mind her bloody business and if she wanted him to be happy, why wouldn't she call the fucking marriage off?
Rina just was incapable of understanding Kaito's pain. Why could he not see that a marriage with Chisaki was essential? With no other children to continue the family line, all hope rested on Kaito. Marriage was a partnership—that was how it had always been with her, her parents, and their parents, and so on.
'People always tell me that I am heartless, but I just don't understand love. I have never felt it before. The world today makes it sound so necessary and wonderful...but what is it?' Rina had thought to herself during many instances.
Placing her hands on her lap, Rina said, "That is a strong claim you are making, Hiyori-sama."
"You don't seem very surprised, Yukimura Rina," Hiyori said.
She sweatdropped a little at how the businesswoman's face was still as blank as ever. 'Not that you show much emotion anyway.'
Judging by the long awkward pause that followed, Sergeant Tanaka decided it was safe to say that Rina intended to make no response. He tore his eyes away from the businesswoman's stoic expression to the scanty notes in his notepad. The sergeant knew that this alone would not be enough to satisfy Inspector Etou.
"So, your own relationship with Chisaki-sama was okay then?" Sergeant Tanaka asked next.
"I would say so. We never quarrelled if that is what you are asking," Rina said.
Sergeant Tanaka would have preferred a longer answer with more information. He sighed, pulling at his moustache in thought.
"Is there anything—anything at all—you can tell us that might help us, Rina-sama? Something you thought of as suspicious? Or even something you may have heard?"
His last question sparked an old memory in Rina's mind. "Well, there is something I thought was interesting, but I am not sure if it is relevant."
"Nevertheless, please tell it to us," Hiyori responded.
"Just something I overheard. After dinner at around ten o'clock, we all gathered in the lounge for post-dinner coffee and petit fours. I overheard Chisaki talking with the Moreaus. Something about a hotel and a vacation. Apparently, she recognized Louis, but he didn't seem to recognize her. Still, he was very polite to her and she to him. I then also heard Louis ask Chisaki what she was planning to do in terms of universities, but she clearly got uncomfortable. What I thought strange was how Ichika, that new little wife of Louis's, also kept trying to divert the subject. I think that she too did not want to engage in conversation upon that."
Sergeant Tanaka's hand had pins and needles from trying to keep up with writing. He cringed at some of the barely legible scribbles.
"Well, you have certainly given us some food for thought, Rina-sama. Thank you," he said.
Before the two investigators rose to leave, Hiyori asked, "Will you regard it as rude if I ask you a certain question, Yukimura Rina?"
"You are the Head of the Origami Family, Hiyori-sama, and of far greater power than most in this country," Rina replied. "You have a right to."
'So blunt,' Hiyori thought, before coughing, "Do you love your son?"
Rina stared. "I want what is best for him."
"But do you love him?" Hiyori repeated, stressing upon the question.
Rina made no response. She could think of none. What was it with this world and its obsession with love? In truth, the businesswoman was frustrated at how she could not comprehend.
Straightening her black tie, Hiyori let out a short exhale. "Let me give you a piece of well-intended advice, ma'am. Your son is fully capable of making his own choices. Do not assume that because his opinion doesn't match yours that you are always in the right. It can be unfortunate to have different points of view, but do not keep on harassing him."
"Hiyori-sama, I do not understand."
The ebony-haired girl tried to keep from releasing a heavy sigh at the woman's cluelessness. "I will be very honest about this, Yukimura Rina, but I am aware that you care about your son's well-being. However, I implore you to actually sit down with him and have a real talk. Try to understand his feelings. Constant persistence on how 'right' you are will only make Yukimura Kaito push you farther away."
The words Rina heard were ones that were never spoken to her before. Always people openly criticized her as emotionally detached and even hard-hearted, but Hiyori had called her neither.
Standing up, Rina gave a humble bow to the Origami Head. "I thank you for your advice, Hiyori-sama. I will try to adhere to it."
She shook hands with Hiyori and Sergeant Tanaka. However, just before the two investigators left, Rina's voice made them turn back.
"I can see why Origami Yukari chose you, Hiyori-sama. You do indeed have the qualities of a good leader."
Hiyori's eyes widened. For a split second, she could have sworn she saw Rina's lips turn up into a small smile. But it was gone in the blink of an eye.
Once they left the businesswoman's bedroom, Sergeant Tanaka flipped through his notes again and exclaimed, "Well, she was certainly something! Looks like we have one more suspect on our list. I wonder how Etou and Kanami-chan are handling theirs?"
A/N: In the next chapter, Kanami and Inspector Etou will question Rina's son, Kaito. Also, I decided to make Rina a kuudere, since I don't have many kuuderes in my stories. Lol. Could this also mean that besides lacking emotions, Rina also lacks a conscience?