A/N: Hey once again! I know a lot of you have been eagerly waiting for the fourth fanfic of the Toji No Miko murder mystery series. Finally, I have written the first chapter. :D
Writing the plot for this story was a tedious process, but overall, I am very satisfied with it. Yes, as you can probably tell from the title, this fanfic references the famous Broadway musical, The Phantom of the Opera—which I'm a big fan of by the way. Lol.
BTW, I am planning to update chapters on Mondays and Thursdays (of the Canadian Pacific Time Zone). There will be no set time as to when during the day I'll update though. As I will be going back to online courses next week, I have to set my priorities. Without further ado, here's Chapter 1 of "The Killer Of The Opera"!
Chapter 1: The Origami National Theatre
When millionaire Mori Shigefumi retired early in 1984, having established an economic empire in the trading business, everyone believed he would build for himself a grand estate in the countryside or overseas. However, Shigefumi had only one passion—the performing arts. And with his vast fortune, he constructed a grand opera house in the heart of his hometown, Kamakura, stirring mixed reactions from the locals. Admiration and respect for the large theatre won over the majority of the populace, who craved entertainment in the sleepy seaside city. Within a short period of time, tickets were sold out and business was booming.
However, the Great Disaster of Sagami Bay in 1998 brought mass destruction to Kamakura, including Shigefumi's beloved opera house. Having faced ruin after the catastrophe, the once-wealthy Shigefumi sold his establishment to an old friend, Kishinouye Hiroshi and his wife, Yoko. Assailed by doubt and exasperation over her husband's "crazy purchase", Yoko thought little of their new obtainment. Her lack of conviction was only increased over the dilapidated state of the theatre. With business failing so rapidly from the start, the Kishinouyes would have ended just as bankrupt as Shigefumi, if it weren't for Origami Yoshikazu.
Yoshikazu, a former theatre producer, generously offered funds to the couple, despite his eldest daughter, Yukari's strong objections. Such a donation certainly caused as much a stir amongst the people as when Shigefumi first proposed the building of his opera house. The theatre was renovated and modernized. Recovering from the wake of the recent aradama devastation, the revamped Origami National Theatre was a popular place for Tojis to repress horrific memories and move on.
It not only presented operas, but all kinds of performing arts from concerts, magic shows, and ballets. But the all-time favourite performance was the theatre's rendition of the popular Broadway musical, The Phantom of the Opera. With high demand, ticket prices soared.
"Ever seen The Phantom of the Opera?"
"The new performers, Chizuru and Nishiyama Keishi...the way they acted their roles and sang...it made my heart flutter."
"You should see it sometime..."
"Iwakura, take this breakfast tray to Hiyori-sama. Her correspondence for the morning is on there as well, so be careful not to spill her coffee on it."
"Right away, Kobayashi-san," Sanae replied obediently with a nod of her head.
After exiting the servants' wing, the silver-haired girl was finally able to release the yawn she had been holding in. Having been a former Toji, Sanae was no stranger at having to wake at early hours. Even so, there were times when she'd believe her new life as a lady's maid to be more demanding and strenuous. Carefully balancing the breakfast tray on one hand, Sanae used the other to knock upon Hiyori's bedroom door.
"Juujou-san—I mean Hiyori-sama? I'm coming in."
She was met with the scene of her ebony-haired mistress still sleeping in bed. Barely visible due to the duvet covering her entire body, Hiyori's long locks were all tangled and spread over the pillow.
'She really is worn out from yesterday,' Sanae thought, sympathetically.
Placing Hiyori's breakfast tray on the nightstand, Sanae opened the curtains before gently shaking the Origami Head awake. "Hiyori-sama, remember you're meeting up with Etou-san today."
If the bright sunlight didn't wake Hiyori up first, Sanae's words certainly jolted her out of bed. "Shit! I'm going to be late."
"Don't worry. You still have plenty of time," the silver-haired girl reassured, before heading into the bathroom to draw a tub of water for Hiyori. "There's mail from the bureau on your breakfast tray, just to let you know."
Releasing a groan, the ebony-haired girl forced herself to sit up, take a sip of her coffee, and attend to the pile of letters. Business negotiations, contracts and documents that needed authorization... Even a few proposals from suitors, which she immediately crumpled and threw in the trash bin. As much as she dreaded the thought of her paperwork piling up, Hiyori was determined to save this day for just her and Kanami.
It took her a lot of effort to clear up her busy schedule for this special day—the anniversary of her and Kanami officially becoming a couple. Upon suggestion from her lady's maid, Hiyori had bought two tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera at the Origami National Theatre.
"I went to the theatre myself once when we still studied at the Heijou Institute," Sanae had told her once. "Saw the production show after I finished a mission."
After finishing her breakfast as quickly as possible, Hiyori took her morning bath before letting Sanae help her dress for her outing. The Origami Head was careful to choose clothes that disguised her well enough to avoid being recognized. The last thing Hiyori wanted was for her date to be ruined by the media swarming up to her.
"What do you think?"
"Perfect. I believe even Etou-san won't realize it's you at first glance," Sanae said, before adding, "Is there anything else you need? Shall I ask the chauffeur to drive you?"
"No, I think I'd only attract even more attention if I showed up in the limo. Thanks for your help, Sanae."
"No problem, Hiyori-sama. Say hello to Etou-san for me."
Standing outside on the sidewalk in front of the Origami National Theatre, Kanami was more than confused when a figure all dressed in black from head-to-toe waved at her. It wasn't until the person removed her sunglasses that the Minoseki Toji recognized those distinct burgundy eyes.
"Hiyori-chan, I didn't re—"
"Ssh! I'm trying not to attract attention. Let's just go inside, shall we?"
The two lovers entered the huge entrance hall which featured a ceremonial grand staircase that divided into two flights of marble steps. Painted on the lofty ceiling was an intricate depiction of High Renaissance artwork. Detailed images of angels and magical creatures soared up above. Everything looked so lurid and uselessly elegant that in Hiyori's eyes, all the decoration was rather garishly incongruous. Really the entire theatre, in general, was an eyesore amongst the traditional wooden buildings of Kamakura.
Despite Hiyori's desire to remain as inconspicuous as possible, she had to formally greet the theatre director, Kishinouye Hiroshi. Being the Head of the Origami Family, it went without saying that she was obliged to communicate with those the family previously provided funding for. Hiroshi was an elderly man with a pleasant countenance and civil, amiable manners. He was most delighted to finally make the acquaintance of the young Origami Head along with her Toji companion and graciously offered the two a tour backstage before the performance.
"I am honoured that you volunteered to continue donating to my theatre, Hiyori-sama," Hiroshi said, as he led them through a room dedicated to costume storage.
"I'm sure if I didn't, I'd have a riot of people outside my estate," Hiyori replied, frankly. "The Origami National Theatre is very popular, isn't it?"
"It isn't in my nature to boast, but I'd say it has become very successful. Of course, if it weren't for the late Yoshikazu-sama, I'm sure it would have been a different story," Hiroshi said.
The three of them were just passing through a huge changing hall, where costume dressers were helping the performers put on their finery. Kanami had never before seen such rich and colourful fabric and so much of it. Evidently, the theatre troupe was not used to seeing special guests and couldn't help staring discreetly at her and Hiyori. The latter was quick to make sure her hair was still tied and tucked into her wide-brimmed hat and took care to not peer over her sunglasses. Despite the oddity of Kanami and Hiyori's presence, there were two individuals that did not turn their heads their way, nor seemed to notice the young girls at all.
Kanami's eyes widened at the familiar sight of them and she caught Hiyori's arm in awed excitement. "Hiyori-chan, that's them! Chizuru and Nishiyama Keishi!"
The two main performers still were not aware of their onlookers, too busy engaging in delightful conversation. Chizuru, who acted as the beautiful Christine Daaé, was of equal beauty to the character she performed as. She was a slim pretty creature with fair skin that showed the faintest blush. Her hair was paper-white and her eyes so piercingly purple that they fascinated anyone who'd gaze upon them. From the way she was conversing with Keishi, one could see that Chizuru's manner was docile and soft-spoken. Though due to her reserved shyness, those who felt inferior to her would easily have the wrong impression of the actress being somewhat arrogant. Nevertheless, despite her self-conscious nature, Chizuru seemed comfortable enough to smile and laugh around her stage acting colleague.
"Chizuru is of inhumane beauty, isn't she?" Hiroshi said. "I knew once she came to audition that she'd fit her role perfectly. Her voice is comparable to even the sweetest songbird, I'd say!"
The theatre director's voice was not as hushed as he believed it to be for Chizuru and Keishi turned to look towards them. The smile Chizuru gave Kanami and Hiyori was a look very few men would have been able to resist. However, when Kanami caught the eye of Keishi, she was surprised to see an expression of displeasure cross his face. The actor was a man of about forty years of age and despite this, he was still an individual with fine, handsome features. Yet, there was something proud and cruel about his countenance. Kanami couldn't exactly say she liked those narrowed blue eyes and twisted lips. There was something even almost familiar about them...
Wisely pretending to take no notice of Keishi's malevolent glare, Kanami looked at her watch and observed, "It's nearly time for the show to begin. I think we should take our seats, Hiyori-chan."
"I can show you there myself," Hiroshi offered.
When they were out of ear-shot, he murmured, "I apologize for Nishiyama-san's scowl earlier. I hope you both won't take it personally. He is a disagreeable man in general, though his singing voice is praiseworthy of acclaim."
"Nishiyama Keishi did not appear unpleasant to Chizuru," Kanami commented.
But Hiroshi's moustache quivered a little at this. "I have reason to believe that he shows favouritism towards my star actress. Never before have I seen him as kind and amiable to others as he is to her."
He hesitated as though wondering whether to reveal something before continuing, "There is...speculation brewing amongst us who work at the theatre that Nishiyama-san doesn't even like his own wife."
"Then why marry her in the first place, if that is true?" Hiyori scoffed.
"Possibly due to her money. If anything, Keishi is most definitely a man who uses people for his own ambition. Taboos and morals mean nothing to him. When he gains something, he'll throw it away if something bigger and better crosses his path."
"You speak very strongly against your employee," Kanami said with no trace of judgement in her tone. "You do not think it wise to lay him off?"
Hiroshi shook his head. "Nishiyama-san may be distasteful, but he has done nothing to cause serious offence worth firing him for. His reputation means too much for him. He hasn't outright antagonized anybody nor caused physical harm. Really, he's just a bad-tempered man with the most forbidding and haughty airs I've ever seen, thinking of others beneath his notice."
"I see," Kanami said.
"But I swear," Hiroshi breathed heavily, "sometimes there are moments when I suspect that man is evil through and through! Couldn't you sense it?"
The Minoseki Toji paused before answering, "You said not to take anything personally for his conduct. However, there is one thing I particularly have against Nishiyama-san—and I don't mean his angry expression when I say this."
Both Hiyori and Hiroshi looked at Kanami in expectation. "What?"
"I do not like his face in general."
A/N: And there is the first chapter! Just a few quick notes if you're interested. The Origami National Theatre is inspired by the Palais Garnier in Paris. For those of you who don't know, the Palais Garnier is the setting for The Phantom of the Opera. :)