A/N: Finally this is the last chapter of Love me not. Thank you so much for your supports my beta, Blackfang and all the reader. I might be writing new story after this with the same mystery but..well..let just wait for it. Again, thank you so much for staying with my unpredictable story timetables and length. At last, i present..the final chapter of love me not.
Final: Love me Not
-X-
After a long moment of silence of staring outside the windows, Nao turned around as she too her seat across Shizuru. Yukino turn toward her left and found Haruka already being impatient tapping her finger on her knees.
Inhaling deeply, Nao turn toward Ahn and stare directly at her "I was the green dragon of the Shang". There was no pause in the words, only certainty.
A gasp could be heard coming from Yukino and Haruka who stopped tapping her finger as her right hand immediately reach for her gun in alert.
"Nah...You don't want to do that" Nao smirked pointing at Haruka's hand. "You don't have any evidence to arrest me. Not to mention the government also gave me immunity," Nao paused and turned to Shizuru. "From your reaction, as I expected...she never told you about this, about my family's affair?"
"So, why do you call us here today?" Ahn asked cautiously, her eyes keeping a firm stare at the red haired woman.
"To kill you all" Haruka, Yukino and Ahn stood up quickly, abruptly pointing their guns at Nao, eyes narrowing and fingers ready at the trigger. Whistling, Nao took out her nail file and blow her nail for a starter. "Nah...that's not going to happened..hahah...I'm just joking. If I'm going to kill you, you won't be easily standing here right now. Just in a blink of second, your gun on the floor together with your head, Natsuki trained me, you know..." she pointed her finger towards Haruka which was making Haruka unconsciously swallow hard. "I told you...I was the Shang. It's in the past tense, monkey.. I'm not going to do anything to any of you...so relax...the reason is...hmmm...Personal matters?" She simply answered and turn towards Haruka again with a wide grin. "Did I manage to freak you out, monkey? Geez, you guys don't know how to joke around"
"You...!" Haruka was pissed.
Nao chuckled as the blonde woman's antics.
It went silent again.
"I think...being the people who were close to her, you have the right to know the other side of her, especially you, Fujino-san..." Nao said sorrowfully. "I regret for not telling you earlier. I thought.." Nao sighed "How do I begin...hmmm...yes..." Nao's gaze turned towards the window, looking at nothing outside.
"I still remember clearly my beloved Onee-chan. She's a strong person, gentle inside, and I always look up on her. Although she always tried to hide her soft spot, I know she was very protective of me."
Nao tightly closed her eyes as a tear slid down her cheek. "My training as an assassin is easy because I'm the heir of the Zhang, but not Natsuki. Natsuki rose from the depth, while gritting her teeth and clawed her way out of hell. I know, I've seen her scars. I watch her being torture for my mistakes. I've seen how all those kills slowly changed her and how desperate she tried keep herself together. She sometimes took over my mission for my sake every time I crumbled. I was relieved when father released her and entrusted her to the Fujino. When she was back home with you, for once in my life, I felt so happy. My Natsuki-nee has changed for good. I saw how she looked at you, I saw how she didn't put up any mask, just being honest and open. That face I saw when I was still 6. The laugh and smile when we sparred. Just being herself. Like she was finally and truly had her freedom, like she was being released out of her nightmare. Deep inside I felt grateful and hoped she will stay in this bliss. I was so happy. But, it ended so quickly. I didn't know that Natsuki was going for revenge. Father never told me of Natsuki's past. Ever since I knew her, I have my suspicion she's been hiding something from me. No matter what, Natsuki is my dear Onee-chan and my sensei. If I had known she would go too far without return, I could have stopped her. I thought she was free when I took her Shang crest. I'm sorry."
Nao look into the red orbs, her eyes still wet of tears.
"I'm sorry for not stopping her when I had the chance"
-X-
Unable to find any evidence to related the Zhang Group with the Shang assassin, we had no choice but to leave the Zhang Group out of the investigation. The interference from the China Government was also making it hard for the Interpol to investigate further into the Zhang Group.
We only can confirm that Natsuki Kruger from the Zhang family was definitely one of the Shang, the one who had the blue dragon card. We found that the lighter was the tool that she used to kill her victim. There was a wire attached inside the lighter that was similar to her victims wound. As of now, we can say that Natsuki Kruger has operated separately from The Zhang Group, and another one of the Shang, the green dragon card is still nowhere to be found.
Natsuki Kruger also acted at her own in relation to the case of Kenichi Gin, Kei Kosuke, Mr Hector and Fujino Shirai. Our informer had told us that, Natsuki Kruger was already free from the Triad and the Shang at the start of the Kenichi case. Therefore, under that condition, Natsuki Kruger moving and act because of her own personal reasons, the reason why the victims were different from previous cases involving the Shang.
We have store all the evidence, including the victims pictures she left in front of
Fujino Shirai in the crime archive, label as Case 201.
Fujino Shirai, pleaded guilty of his crime of involvement in the homicide case of the Kuga resident 18 years ago. After much investigation with the crime lab, we found much evidence to support the case from the Kuga remains. Unfortunately, Fujino Shirai was declared psychologically unstable and having an episode of psychotic illness by the doctor. The sentence of his crime had been put on hold as he will be detained in asylum.
Fujino Shizuru officially appointed as the new president of Fujino Corporation with Kanzaki Reito as the CEO. With the change in the management, the Fujino Corporation included Kuga Saeko as one of the pattern owners of the NerveGear Technology, the money of the pattern right will be donated to the ophanage under the Kuga Foundation. The police will open the cold case of disappearances of the founder of NerveGear Technology, Kayaba Akihiko as we believe it also related to the Kuga homicide case. As for now, the lead engineer for the NerveGear Technology is given to Kirigaya Kazuto.
The Zhang Group has appointed Takeda Masashi as their new manager for Japan Branch. The new president of the Zhang Group, Juliet Nao Zhang has announced to the press that her sister, Natsuki Kruger will be taking a long rest after her accident as a cover up.
Both companies still continue their good relationship and cooperation with their new product, the AmuSphere.
Tomoe Marguerite pleaded guilty as the one responsible causing accident to Natsuki Kruger by interfering the frequency of the Sphere. She was also guilty for breaking into personal property of Natsuki Kruger. Therefore, the jurisdiction has put her under parol for a year under Officer Miya Clochette.
The police also helpped in the issue by the officially appointed Harada Chie and Senou Aoi to cover up the press information regarding Tomoe Marguerite, Natsuki Kruger, Fujino Shirai and the Shang Assassin.
As for Natsuki Kruger, after 2 years of searching the area and surrounding, we can only conclude that she has been dead. A torn part of her shirt has been found at the nearby shore area, 12 kilometre from the crime scene. The DNA examination has confirmed it does belong to Natsuki Kruger. The shot wound on her abdomen, plus with an arm still not fully recovered after the accident, making it impossible for her to survive the ocean.
Therefore, I officially close the Case 201: The Shang Assassin.
Natsuki Kruger; the Blue Dragon of the Shang officially announce as Deceased.
By, Leutenant Ahn Lu
Ahn inhaled deeply as she closed the old file.
"Natsuki...ka..." staring blankly at her office ceiling, she felt a tinge of nostalgic. Two years had passed since the case was closed. Lying back in her chair, her eyes drifted out the window as she sighed heavily. Her moment of peace was interrupted by the ringing from the phone on her desk.
"Hello, Leutenant Ahn Lu of the Interpol Police speaking"
...
Standing idly in the middle of bustling people was Haruka as her face clearly showed disapproval.
"Urm...excuse me.."
She jumped and turned to face the person. "Ye...yes?"
"Can you tell me how I can find a taxi?" came an english accent.
Haruka scratched the back of her head.
"Err...anoo...engurish...ermm...no.. no engurish.." Haruka meekly grinned.
The person raised her brow confused. "I'm sorry?"
"Atta...nande..nando mo...wakaranai yo... ahhh... you... lefto... err... no.. no... son-o-fa-vict!?" she answered as she point upward awkwardly grinning stupidly.
A chuckle and muffled laugh came from behind as the words left her mouth in a rush.
"Haruka-san. Your eigo is beyond comprehension" a tall woman with light brown hair walk to stand beside her. After helping the foreigner to find their way, she returned to face Haruka.
"I hate eigo." Haruka pout.
"Ahn-san. I already signed her up for an eigo class but she always skip it. Looks what happened now? son-o-fa-what? What's that?" Yukino sniffled at her laugh.
"Whatever." Haruka grumble.
"So, where's Shizuru?" Ahn glanced around, looking for a familiar brunette.
"Shizuru?" Haruka raised her brow "She had gone there first. You were taking too long to come here."
"Eyyy..." Ahn whined "but you just called me suddenly. I came here as fast as I could, buying the first flight ticket I could find"
"Hummffff..." Haruka crossed her arms.
"Then, shall we go to them?" Ahn smiled as she stepped forward but stopped in her track
"Err..where do we wanna go?"
Yukino smile "Ready for a long trip? The Fuuka Island"
...
The doors to the restaurant opened as waitress greeted the customers.. "Otsukaresama deshita..." the person bowed before she closed the door again.
A basket in one hand, she walk towards a fruit stall and pick up an apple and orange.
"How much are these, obaa-san?"
"Ara...you don't have to pay. Just take it for the kids too" the old woman smiled as her husband came next to her.
"Hai.. arigatou gozaimasu, obaa-san, ojii-san.." she bowed before taking two more oranges and placed it inside her basket.
"Such a nice girl she is, ne? She's taking care of the orphan kids while working at the restaurant. Such a hard working woman" the husband praised after she left
"Yes, such a nice young woman" his wife agreed as she looked at the back of the woman retreating slowly from them.
Her one piece dress softly fluttered as the wind passed and the sound of her flip flop clicked as it tap on the grassy ground. Cicadas singing to the summer could be heard along the road. Humming to herself for yet another calm evening back from her work, she arrived in front of a small house.
"Tad-daima!" she announced happily. Shortly after, three kids came running toward hers. The older one was the last came, taking a basket from her hand.
"Okaeri, Obaa-chan, you're late today...I'm starving" the oldest monotonously said before she returned to the house and closed the door behind her.
"Whyyyyy...you.. Alyssa...don't call me obaa-chan. I'm still young, baka!" she yelled back as she could hear a giggle from inside the house.
"Nee-chan! Nee-chan! Wanna fly..fly!" the youngest one reached her dress and tug it.
"Arika..." she lifted the little girl and raise her highly, laughing as she did so.
"Weeeee..." Arika merrily squeal.
The sound of footsteps on dry leaves from behind stopped her and slowly, she put down the little girl.
The scent of the soft perfume with a tint of green tea told her of the others present that are too familiar yet nostalgic.
Patting Arika head she couching "Arika, go inside with Clarisa. I'll join shortly, kay? Tell Alyssa-nee to ready the dinner as we have a guest today."
"Okay..." Arika smiled brightly as she answered in singsong, running towards the house with her sister.
After the door closed and left her outside with her intruder, slowly she turned around. Her titanium ring adorned her ring finger with her beautiful butterfly pendant glittered under the orange colour sun light. Blunette hair cascaded as soft winds blew them and her delicate hand came up to tuck the stranded hair behind her ears, showing her simple earing. As she raised her porcelain white face, bright green tender eyes captured the red orbs. They showed no malice, just honest and open. But most of all, love.
"Hello..." a pause "...stranger" her intruder greeted with a smile as her voice crack a little trying to supress the bursting feeling she held inside. A tear slid down her cheek betrayed her resolution.
Soft pink lips parted, forming a peaceful smile as the other replied in her familiar husky tone "Hello...Shizuru"
...
The big crystal door swung open as Greta was hastily running to the centre of the hall. Inhaling deeply to catch her breath, she shouted loudly towards the girl that was now turning her back at her.
"Frieyla!"
The girl stopped whatever she currently doing.
"I've told you to leave..." came a cold reply.
"I ain't going to leave you. The feeling I have now is not from your spell. It never was..." Greta slowly walked toward the snow girl.
"Frieyla..." she touched the girl's shoulder, motioning her to turn around and face her.
"Even from the start, your lonely eyes had been trapped me in spell that is love. If this is a spell, then I don't want to wake up from it. I love you, Frielya. Don't ever ask me to leave"
Hearing such words from Greta, tears had fallen from Frieyla's eyes, and with it, the blue eyes turn vibrant black again and a warmth of colour shading the pale skin. She has finally free from her curse.