Chapter 32: The Device's Purpose
The next morning Kaede wakes up and heads to the bathroom to wash up. Kagome spots her closing the door and hear the shower starting. Knowing that this could be her only chance, Kagome goes into Kaede's room to look around. She knows fully well that this is an invasion of privacy, especially to the privacy of her cousin. But this is the only way to get to the bottom of Kaede's issue. She looks around to see her favorite sweater on the end table by the bed. She spots something sticking out of the pocket. Kagome is about to pull it out until, "What are you doing in here?" Kaede asks her as she enters her bedroom.
Kagome turns around to see Kaede in her bathroom with her arms crossed. "Oh, morning. I just wanted to make sure that you have your things ready for today." Kagome giggles nervously after answers the question. Kaede raises her eyebrow. "From the looks of it, the only thing out so far is my sweater. I just got of the shower and I need to get ready for the day. So, can I have my room please." Kaede asks her as she walks in. "Yes, of course. I'll leave you alone." Kagome leaves the room to give Kaede the privacy she deserves.
Ai sees Kagome coming out with a disappointed look. "What happened?" Ai asks her daughter. Kagome is about to speak her answer, "I don't need to know." Ai stops her. "Just let me explain mom." Kagome begs her. "I knew for sure you'd do something like this." Ai gives her disappointed look of her own. "Aunt Ai. There's no need." Kaede stops her from apparent scolding. "She has every right to know about what I found out." She digs into her sweater's pocket to pull out the device she used yesterday to eavesdrop of Tsubaki. "Is there a speaker we can hook up my device onto?" Kaede asks them. "Sure, this way." Ai takes them to the kitchen where a blue tooth speaker and plug in the aux cord from both ends.
Once connected Kaede plays the recording from yesterday's conversation. "Tsubaki, I know fully well what you've done." The teacher spoke first. "What are you talking about, mom?" Tsubaki's voice. "Don't play dumb, Tsubaki. I know it was you who poisoned Kaede's mother." Just hearing that mad Ai balls her hands. "Mom?" Kagome asks her nervously. "So it was Tsubaki all this time." She murmurs in anger. Ai grabs her keys and is about to head to her car. "No." Kagome grabs her wrist to stop her. "Mom, please calm down." She tries to prevent her from leaving the house. Hige spots the scene and helps her out.
"Ai, get a hold of yourself." Hige tells her serious. Ai tries her best to get out of her husband's hold. "I..have...to…tell…my…sister." Ai manages to say. "Ai I know you're angry. I get that. But you have to calm down." Hige tells her seriously. Kaede sees that first hand. "What have I done?" She tells herself as she slowly walks back. "Kaede, stay where you are." Hige halts her. Kaede remains still. "It's a good thing it's the weekend so this is perfect to check on Miyuki." Hige manages to settle Ai down completely.
Hige can tell that Ai is asleep. "Ok. This should help Ai sleep for a few hours. So, tell me what happened?" Hige asks the girls as he takes them to the kitchen. "I had to tell Ai about what happened to my mom via through this device I used." Kaede explains to him as she plays the audio from the device. "I see. It's no wonder Ai freaked out about the confession. Well at least we know who did it. We just need to know why she did it in the first place." Hige calmly said to the girls. "Kaede tell me, where did you get this device in the first place?" Hige asks his niece. Kaede hands over the device to him. Hige suspects the device's design. The device kind of looks like an ipod touch. "Where'd you get this? I can tell that this isn't an apple product." Hige gives it back to her.
Kaede holds the device to her heart. "You're right. This isn't really an apple product but it does look like one, but it works differently." She nods her head. "I got this from Miyuki a year ago. And she told me to hang onto it no matter what." Kagome never saw this coming. "What did you mean that she 'wanted you to hang onto it no matter what'?" Kaede sighs to take a deep breath. "I'm sorry. This is all I know so far. She just told me that and that's that." Hige nods. "Ok. We won't pressure to tell us more about it. For now, we should go visit your mother to make sure that she's ok." He suggests to the girls.
"What about mom? We can't leave her here alone. There's no telling what she could do." Kagome asks him. "Hmm, good point. Why don't you and Kaede go then. I'll stay behind to make sure your mother doesn't freak out." Kagome agrees with his idea. "Come on." Kagome grabs Kaede's wrist and takes her to the garage and get into her car. Hige watches them until they turn onto the main road towards the hospital. He goes back into his bedroom to see Ai still asleep from what he had to do to calm her down.
Kagome and Kaede arrive at the hospital. After getting the information where Miyuki is staying, they head towards the room. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Kagome asks her cousin as they come to the door of Miyuki's room. Kaede only nods. "Ok." Kagome and enters the room quietly. They see Miyuki away reading a book. "Hey, mom." Kaede smiles warmly. Miyuki smiles and gestures her to come to her side. "Oh, Kaede. I'm so glad that you're ok." Kagome can tell that they need to be alone. As she is about to leave the room. "Don't leave, Kagome." Miyuki stops her niece. "There is something that you need to know." Kagome nods and sits in the empty chair. "What is it that you want to tell me?"
Kaede hands over the device that she showed Kagome earlier. "Tell me, Kagome. What do you know about Tsubaki?" Miyuki asks her first. Kagome takes a few seconds to come up with an answer. "I don't know much about her but she was friends with Kikyo." She honestly tells her. Miyuki nods. "Ok, so far what you told about her was partially true." Kagome is confused. "What do you mean by that?" Kaede looks at her. "Tsubaki was the one who caused Kikyo's accident that killed her." All Kagome does is gasps at that revelation.