The days seemed to pass by quickly, hours moving by like sand through an hourglass. Shi watched as Mitsuo was interviewed, spouting the same insane babble as he had in the TV world. She sighed softly as the chief walked in.
"Have you heard anything from the lab yet?" He asked her.
"Just awaiting the results of their tests." She said before pausing as her phone rang. "Tawakemono." She answered, listening to the voice at the other end. She couldn't keep the smile from her face. "And you're going to send us copies of the report? Excellent. Thank you for fast tracking that." She said before hanging up and looking through the mirror.
"And?" The chief asked.
"The lab has confirmed that they found the suspect's fingerprints on the victim's clothing. They are sending their reports via email and physical copies." She replied, looking sideways at the chief. "As far as the forensic evidence is concerned, it suggests that our suspect bludgeoned Mr Morooka to death." She folded her arms across her chest. "So we can get him on that. But the other two killings will be more difficult to prove. There's no forensic evidence that could support a case." She sighed, pausing as the door opened to reveal Adachi.
"Sorry to interrupt sir, but can I borrow the good doctor?" He asked, rubbing the back of his neck. Shi smiled, not noticing the chief glancing between the two of them before replying.
"I am actually finished with Shi-chan for the night. All I am waiting on now is confirmation from the prosecution service to officially charge our suspect. If we need you, we'll phone you." He said, patting Shi on the shoulder. "I know no one has said this to you recently, but excellent work Tawakemono-Sensei. We couldn't have done this without your hard work." He said to her, making her stare at him before she smiled.
"We all played a big role sir. We all caught him." She replied before heading out of the room with Adachi, their fingers intertwining as they walked. The two of them paused as they saw Dojima walking towards them. Shi considered something for a moment before speaking. "Have you got room for two more for dinner?" She asked him with a smile.
"Provided you don't mind sharing a seat with this fool." Dojima chuckled. She laughed in response, the weight of the case lifting from them all. "Though, I am probably gonna have to get more sushi." Dojima murmured.
"I'll get it, Dojima-San. Nanako doesn't like wasabi right? She and I can share." Shi said as they headed out of the station.
"Oh right, you don't like wasabi either." He murmured as they walked to the cars. They quickly picked up the sushi before heading over to Dojima's home.
"Shi-chan!" Nanako cried happily as she saw them walking in. Shi chuckled, balancing the sushi with one hand whilst embracing her.
"Hey Nanako-chan." Shi smiled before standing straight. She nodded at Yu, stepping into the house and placing the sushi down. Everyone settled into seats, Shi and Adachi sharing a zabuton.
"Sorry you had to share with this fool Shi-chan. I really should buy some more cushions." Dojima sighed as he poured her a drink.
"It's fine Dojima-San. I really don't mind." Shi waved her hand as they sat, enjoying dinner. She glanced as Nanako looked over the two plates of food before pushing one forward slightly. "This one doesn't have wasabi on it, Nanako-chan."
"Do you not like wasabi, Tawakemono-Sensei?" Yu asked her.
"I cannot be certain if it is real wasabi or a fake version that has been used. The food colourant used in the fake one can stimulate my allergies. So I avoid it where I can." She explained as she grabbed a tuna nigiri whilst Dojima passed Nanako a halibut piece.
"As for me, I think I'll go for the uni." Adachi chuckled as he reached over, grabbing the sea urchin from the centre of the platter.
"Hey, they only included one of those!" Dojima snapped as Adachi happily gulped down the sushi.
"Hey, don't get mad at me. You snooze, you lose buddy." He laughed before looking at the piece of uni on the platter Shi and Nanako were eating from.
"Don't even think about it." Shi said, sipping her drink. Adachi glanced at her, flashing her his grin before reaching for the piece. He yelped as Shi slapped his hand with her chopsticks, pulling back as she watched him.
"I warned you." She smiled, glancing as Nanako giggled. She reached for the piece Adachi had been going for, happily eating it. The room was filled with pleasant chatter and happiness. Something none of them had experienced for a while. Shi looked over the table before her gaze fell on Adachi, sharing a smile with him. Nothing was going to take this moment from her.
The conversation had lasted until Nanako began to yawn. Shi and Adachi had taken that as their cue, leaving for the night, his arms encircling her waist as they walked to her bed.
They had passed by excited townsfolk and stalls that following morning, and the station was buzzing with energy. Shi finished her final report for the day, signing it with practiced ease before stretching. The sky was starting to darken as Dojima walked in, knocking on the open door.
"I see you're done for the day." He noted as he leant against it.
"Unless something comes in that requires my immediate attention, I am going to head to the festival." She smiled, getting to her feet.
"Which is what I came to talk to you about." He began, standing up straight. "Would you mind going with Nanako, Yu and his friends and just keeping an eye on them? Nanako would love it and I know I can trust you." He asked her.
"Of course. Are they at your home? I'll need to stop by my house to get ready but, if necessary, I can pick Nanako up on the way there to help her get dressed." She replied as she walked towards him. Both of them jumped slightly as his phone went off.
"Dojima." He answered quickly. "Oh, hey Nanako. What's wrong?" As she stood beside him, Shi caught Nanako's voice from the other end.
"Umm...some of Big Bro's friends asked if I wanted to get ready with them at the Amagi inn. Can I go?" She asked nervously.
"Well, I was just asking Shi-chan if she would come and help you get ready." Dojima began.
"Tell her that, if they all wait at your house, I will pick them up and take them to the Amagi inn." Shi said suddenly, moving past him briefly. She caught Dojima relaying the message to Nanako as she turned the corner to the main office. Immediately she made a beeline for Adachi's desk, standing in front of it.
"So, are you nearly ready?" She asked him.
"Just gotta finish these reports. I'll meet you there ok?" He grinned at her, making her smile before she turned and left the station.
She drove to Dojima's home, quickly knocking on the door. It slid open to reveal Nanako, Yukiko, Chie and Rise all there.
"Good thing there aren't any more of you. This will be a bit of a squeeze as is. Come on, I just need to make a quick stop before we head to the inn." She explained, watching them all climb into her car. She moved to the driver's side, setting off to her home. She pulled up outside before looking at them.
"I'll just be a moment." She said, climbing out of the car and running into the house. The bag with her yukata sat on the table where she had left it that morning. She grabbed it before heading back to the car and continuing onto the Amagi inn. Once inside, Shi immediately began helping Nanako dress in her yukata.
"This is difficult to wear." Nanako murmured as Shi wrapped the obi¹ around her middle. She smiled softly as she sat back on her heels.
"True. But it does look good on you." She replied, tying a bow to hold the sash in place before making sure it was straight. She sat back to examine her handiwork as Yukiko approached, already dressed in her own yukata.
"You look adorable, Nanako-chan." She smiled, watching as Shi stood up. "Would you like a hand with your Yukata, Tawakemono-Sensei?"
"I will be fine. I have plenty of practice." She explained as she picked up her own yukata and headed into a different room. She sighed as she slipped out of her normal clothes, placing the towels and hadajuban² in place before dressing in the Yukata. It was a black on the left side and white on the right, the two colours interlocking together, mimicking the fingers of intertwined hands of lovers. Grey flowers stretched up the body, their stems extending from the hem and reaching upwards. The obi sash was black with white complex patterns twisting and coiling over the fabric.
She raised her arms, looking over the intricate patterns decorating the sleeves. A thin, grey cord with a black and white tassel completed the look. Much like its owner, this look was unique. She examined herself, making sure everything was in place before stepping out. The girls all gasped as they saw her.
"Tawakemono-Sensei, that is gorgeous." Rise commented.
"You look beautiful, Shi-chan." Nanako smiled at her.
"We all do. Now, come on. This festival won't enjoy itself."
—
Also, to clarify, a zabuton is a large, flat cushion used in Japan for sitting or kneeling on the floor for a long period of time. An obi is the broad sash worn around the waist of a kimono and the hadajuban is a type of underwear worn beneath a kimono.