Amai Shi

Chapter 4: Past Angst

Written by AnimayWriteY0

[At the Shibumi Residence, 7:31 A.M.]

Another day to start, Sanada lying dormant on his bed reflecting his thoughts of the case that's been presented to him from yesterday. His first case had turned into something quite major since it led to a closed case previous. Whatever the kid blurted out must have something to do with the girl he mentioned. He even considered asking his sister about her traumatic experience with Ryumo, however he wouldn't want to further create further anguish towards his sister. With that the stern eyed detective decided to stick with what he and Yakimori have planned for today. Going directly to Division 5's Kita department ward.

His initial idea is to try and get as much information regarding to Ai Fujisawa's involvement with Ryumo. Due to the constant tick/tocks from his clock Sanada finally ended his inner thoughts preparing his next day of investigating. Getting suited in his formal uniform Sanada goes downstairs to have a quick breakfast with his grandmother. The elderly woman who's currently cleaning dishes glances at her grandson with a sweet smile. "Good morning sweetie, please sit down I have food ready for ya!" On the dining table presents a tea set with a nice warm green tea aroma, around it is three bowls of udon noodles with beef broth. The stern looking young man helped himself with his own bowl. His bowl of udon has a bit of extra soft-boiled eggs and tonkatsu sliced meat on top. Before he could enjoy this nice warm meal, Sanada notices someone's missing from this set up. Sanada places his chopsticks down and gives off a worried sigh.

"How's she holding up grandmother?" Sanada continuing to lament at that one incident which didn't help his appetite. As soon as he asked his grandmother, she shook her head slowly leaving an impression that she still isn't recovered from her overgrowing shock because of her encounter with Ryumo.

"She hasn't been very active ever since her brief skirmish with that Ryumo boy, the poor girl couldn't even say anything to me let alone giving me a chance to comfort her…" She sighed as her frailly hands shook a bit obviously worried for her granddaughter.

"I honestly couldn't even imagine what she had went through..." Sanada regrettably stated. "If I had my phone on yesterday, I would have been there to stop that kid from ever putting his damn hands on her!" Sanada teeth grits clearly angry yet calming himself down now that Ryumo kid actually brought up the very thing that brought him and Yakimori to investigate. The Ai Fujisawa case which was previously marked as solved. "As much as I want to give that damn kid a piece of mind, he did offer some interest regarding to Ai." Sajime then asks her grandson her thoughts of his involvement. "Sanada what will you be doing during this investigation you're now interested in?" Sanada took a deep breath and informed her his plan as he finishes up the last bits of food from the bowl.

"I may have to visit Division 5 for more Intel of Ai Fujisawa, her relations with Ryumo, her disappearance, and of course her early case closed records. Any clues that can lead to whatever is going on that not even other Division of Kyoto are aware of except for the fifth Division." After that Sanada stretched his arms as he got up, took his sweater and see's himself off for another day at work. The Stern Eyed Sanada says goodbye to his grandmother as he uses his usual public transportation routes which leads him to his workplace.

After finishing up the dishes Sajime then took her time to check up on her silent granddaughter contemplating whether she'll try to help her or give her space so she can regain her cheerful self again. Meanwhile in Himiko's room, the gloomy brunette still laying on her bed staring up at the ceiling completely silent with dry tears on her eyes. Himiko slowly set her eyes on her clock realizing it had turned 8:30 a.m. She couldn't even comprehend how that boy would mistake her for someone else let alone almost killing her. It was scary, it was sudden, and most of all weird, she thought about her encounter with Ryumo over and over again. She thought she's done for given how close she was to lose consciousness.

She would have been dead if not for him to let her go the moment the sun finally showed her face towards the confused young man. Looking back the brunette did notice something up from that encounter, his eyes at first was full of rage, anger, and broken but once he finally realized that he was man handling the wrong person he completely changed into a totally different person, he felt horrible, regretful, and scared himself. Himiko wondered how? How can she be someone Ryumo thought was that girl he mentioned in the interrogation room? Before she could try and point out that confusing notion, her phone rang thinking it's her grandmother checking up on her. Himiko took her phone out and checked her messages and call history to see whose calling? It's none other than Miyazu. Seeing this the brunette is clearly not ready to talk nor text her, yet she just couldn't leave her friend hanging.

Himiko answered her phone doing her best to put up her cheerful mood. "Hi Kanatoshi San…sorry for not picking up your call much earlier. I just had a bad day yesturday."

Miyazu on the other line is stunned to hear that coming from Himiko. "Ehh? A bad day?! I never expected you to have a bad day especially when you just got here! My gosh what happened?"

The brunette now sports a sad frown just vaguely told her without pointing out the traumatic details. "It's a long story...but I really don't want to think nor talk about it..." Her eyes are emotionally drained due to how much she forces herself from not being too overly glum.

"Jeez I never heard you this mopey. But I do hope things turn out okay for you somehow! Hey! I got an idea how about we hang out! Maybe I can take you to someplace fun! That should be at least something to bring back your usual smiling self!" Miyazu enthusiastically offered.

"Are you sure you're okay with that? I mean you really don't have to go out of your way to plan things for my sake but more importantly why now?" Himiko hesitant to ask that question sounding quite rude. Scared that her friend might think she's kind of being greedy, still Himiko felt strange hearing Miyazu talking to her as if she's the only friend she got. Either way Himiko wouldn't turn her down like that.

"There's a little pause until Miyazu replied. "Well, it is an excellent way to build our relationship more and learn each other's interest, our likes and dislikes. Come on it'll be fun and a good way to stay positive! Can we hang out today by any chance?"

"Ok Miyazu, let's do it, you're right I shouldn't feel all down like this. Thank you for helping me cope, so where should we meet?" Himiko finally made a smile.

"Yay! Then how about we meet at Arisugawa station near the Saigu Shrine Temple at 11:00 am yeah?"

"Sounds good I'll get myself ready. Thanks for chatting with me Miyazu." With that, the brunette hung up after they both said their goodbyes. Himiko held her phone close to her core as she gave a faint smile knowing that she's going to be okay knowing that she has such a good supportive friend by her side. And so, she got up and prepare herself for her day out with Kanatoshi San.

[At Kinki Prefecture, Division 3 Police Department, 9:30 A.M.]

Sanada finally arrived to work, the young detective entered into the building and meets his colleagues at the main office. He settles in with his usual spot look into the case given to him from the box full of files. The glaring Sanada scanned through the folders until he picked up the closed file regarding to Ai Fujisawa, he immediately went straight to the active chief of Kinki Division to grant permission of reopening Ai's case. Before he could enter into his boss's office room, he's been stopped by a highly energetic Yakimori. Sanada stepped back from his investigation partner with a huge sweat drop on his head feeling quite worried for his friend's hyperactive behavior.

"Heeeeyyy man how's it going!? Looks like you're really doing the case I see?" The toothpick chewing partner headlocks Sanada comically getting really excited of going into action with this old case. "Would you let me go Jingo San! I can't breathe due to your putrid arm pit!" Sanada's stern look turned deadly venomous which basically shook the other officers who felt his ominous intent as he tried to loosen Yakimori's grip. Profusely sweating at being in the center of Sanada's scary presence Yakimori let's him go.

Catching his breath from the sudden shock of being chocked to death. Most of the workers snickered and even laughed at Sanada's misfortune. "Damn it Jingo San, what is wrong with you? What could you be this excited for on a case that so happened to be connected to our first one?"

Yakimori nervously chuckled as he states his reason for all his hype for it. "Well, you see. We haven't got much of any major response from our neighboring town so it's nice to finally do something for our community in Arashiyama." With that statement Sanada raises an eyebrow and narrowed his eyes the different reactions of other officers who seem to feel the same way. One of the workers came up, Kei Wume, a specialist in computer forensics proceeds her explanation to Sanada about Yakimori's detail.

"Shibumi San I believe what Yakimori's trying to inform you is the way Division 5 handled the cases. You see, the general public have always seen their efforts as efficient since they are solely responsible of ending cases faster than you could say What's the problem?" Kei re-adjust her glasses out of habit.

Sanada with a bemused glare asks about said 5th Division. "So, wait a minute how do they handle the case?" His curiosity peaked as he looked at Kei with a sense of wariness knowing there's more to what is presented to him, and the rest of the 3rd Division staffs.

"Just ask our boss for permission to open the case folder you have on your hand, some of your questions will be answered from him." With further ado Sanada does exactly what Wume San said and went straight in the Chief's office.

Before he could enter in the room properly his boss had already welcomed him in figuring he may want to start his case with the one he's holding. Acting Chief of the Kinki police force Juji Hazuki introduced Sanada the summary, known details, and outcome of Ai Fujisawa's case files. Chief commander Juji clears his throat and proceed to explain this supposedly closed case. "Shibumi San, what you're holding there is one of the recent cases that has been solved by Division 5 Kita Force. It's about a missing person which the victim you already know to be Ai Fujisawa had been missing from her family for 3 months. No one knows why she went missing but her family believed that the boy was involved to her disappearance. Speaking of which before I grant you permission to open this case, what brought you to doing this Shibumi San?" Juji stood up and walked towards the window where some of his fellow officers who initially tried to crack this case but came up with nothing. Which led to the 5th Division to finish the case.

Sanada with immense determination and overwhelming curiosity responds. "Sir, I feel there's more to this case, I don't know why but deep down it just feels wrong to just leave it closed so suddenly, I can't even imagine how her parents must have felt that their call for help was in vain. I just want to do what's right and seek the actual truth to this." Once Sanada spoke his mind out, he wonders what his commanding chief is thinking, after a few seconds of pause he turned around and gave Sanada an affirmative nod.

"Alright, you're now allowed to reopen this case." The Commanding Chief paused and gave a small chuckle for Sanada. "You know this is the first time I have ever seen anyone who has more passion for justice than me back in my old days. Just know this, do whatever you can to find any evidence linking to Ai Fujisawa's death."

"Yes sir." He turned and went out to meet with his fellow team from the other side of the door. As soon as Sanada went back into the main office, he notices a few of his fellow co-workers reactions regarding his decision of reopening a closed case. Some worried, others doubtful, but the majority hoping that they have something to work toward. Sanada nodded and simply told everyone. "It's opened, let's get to work guys."

Just like that the work force started their investigation by reviewing what's in the file. Sanada sat at the gathering post where Sasiki, Kei, Yakimori, and the rest of the officers converge in a circle to check the case reports. Sasiki spoke first regarding to Ai's alleged suicide while Sanada scans through to what he sees in front of him. A note with pictures of different positions of Ai's corpse and detailed background, narrowing his eyes he can indicate the body is in what he thought to be an embalming chamber.

Sasiki spoke to the stern-eyed detective. "Shibumi San, as you can see this is supposed to be Ai's suicide note, and her corpse being preserved in an embalming chamber from Kaminaki mortuary. This note as it stated from Ai Fujisawa. explains her reason of taking her own life." Sanada docilely took the note and read through it from Ai's perspective.

"I have lived a life where things I did was never good enough. Everyone has put me down despite my lowest! Even my own parents won't believe me and my love for Ryumo! I can't take this anymore, if this is how they want my life to go then screw it! Let them know that my existence is better off gone! I wish I never was born!"

"That's all for this note?" Sanada glances at Sasiki as the red head nodded. He thought for a few seconds to take in what he heard and finally he spoke. "Hm, she sure has some serious issues with her own parents and believing everything was against her existence. And going so far to protecting her ma- urr... boyfriend despite her claim of being treated unfairly." The stern detective looked up at Kei for anything off-putting of this note of Ai. "Do you think it was her writing this? How about the scene of her supposed suicide, were there anything substantial?"

Kei shrugs and shook her head in a sense of regret. "No, Division 3 investigators weren't able to gather anything from the scene, since Division 5 came before us and took over under orders from their captain and ours."

Sanada becoming increasingly frustrated began to check more of Ai's file and came across Ai's copy of her death certificate. "Hmm she's officially dead by April 10th 2015...2 months after she went missing again. What about her connections with Ryumo? Given the fact he mistook my sister for his girlfriend, he must have had pent up hatred towards her for some odd reason."

Yakimori spat out his old toothpick at the nearest trash can and placed a new one at the tip of his mouth. "Yeahhh but we weren't expecting him to be the boyfriend of Ai since his mother called us to help find him on a missing persons case. I heard from his mother that he is a model student, the goody goody kid." Yakimori took notice at his ID partner with a very twitchy stern look at him as the laid-back officer sheepishly rubbed his head in an apologetic gesture.

"So... from what I can think of for now is that somewhere along those lines during Ryumo's succession in his early years in high school, he's an honest hard-working person who tried his best to work himself up only to be brought down by his former girlfriend. So, in a way his resentment for her took him far to the point that his harassment not only pushed him down at his lowest in his life but also got his girlfriend to commit suicide intentionally by her own hands?" Sanada stated thinking that this is what Division 5's finalized conclusion to her suicide case ended.

"Yes Shibumi San! You could already tell by what is presented to you and just figure it out like that?!" Kei is ecstatic to see Sanada's potential to solve hard depicted case reports with ease like that. "You're amazing." Kei's explosive praise caught everyone's attention and Sanada's worries of his female companion. "Um...thanks" Awkwardly just coughs seizing his thoughts of such a random compliment and the massive eye rolls from a couple of other female officers towards Kei.

Yakimori point out a very good point. "Hold up. That doesn't explain his attack on your sister, he mistook her for Fujisawa San. If that's the case, then don't you think it's odd, he still thought that Ai was alive?" Yakimori's point drew a lot of attention within the planning room.

Sanada raised both his eyebrows at his claim and nodded. "You got a really good point there, but we aren't sure until more clear-cut evidence is presented to us about this. So, I must find out by going to Division 5 headquarters." As soon as Sanada got up Yakimori stood up in protest.

"Man! you got to be kidding me?! Are you seriously going at their turf? Those guys aren't just guys with badges, it's the fact they view any other police officers and investigators outside of Kita Division 5 as lowly amateurs!" Yakimori shook his head and crosses his arms in agitation. "Well, we got nothing to go from this case file so I might as well try to gain access to anything substantial from them. So, are you coming with me Jingo San?"

"Ughhh...fine but do expect me to get riled up if any of them makes any stupid remark of us barging into their Headquarters..." He gets up and goes to their police vehicle at the parking lot outside. Sanada says his goodbyes to the other officers and enters in the car, Yakimori starts it up and drove straight to Kita police Department of Justice which is not too far from Uzumasa. Once they arrive, they noticed that the guards protecting the front entrance stared at their location with malice and disdain the moment they came out of the car.

"Tch...what a lovely bunch don't you think Jingo San?" A Stern Sanada toned down his voice in order to not gain any unneeded attention from the opposing cops putting their full attention of the presence. "Didn't I tell you it's a bad idea to even try and get close on their turf?...Ugh whatever..." Both detectives went in as Sanada informs the front desk to speak to their chief regarding some needed information about the case both Sanada and Yakimori are currently working on.

The person behind the desk begrudgingly allows them in. After a very tense greeting from the front desk worker, both detectives cautiously move through Division 5's main offices as more bystanders stare directly at the 2 Kinki Division detectives. Some of them gossip in a degrading way possible while others snicker at their cautious behavior.

Sanada couldn't care less of their on-going onslaught of unnecessary banter while Yakimori did everything he possibly could to keep his mouth shut and not cause any commotion that could jeopardize their chance of getting info from this place. And so Jingo San swallowed his pride and follows his calm and stern working partner. Once they're in the main office, what they saw in front of them are a bunch of clutters filled with unnecessary stuff not suited for police work. Lots of manga books and even food scraps left untouched creating that horrible stench of rotten food odor. Both detectives tried their hardest to deal with the stench but couldn't handle it hence forcing the both of them to use their face masks. As things settled down, they heard the captain of Division 5.

A tall bulking man who's at his mid 30's stood behind the two questioning their visit to the Kito Ward Prefecture area. "So, I see you boys need some help from us?" His voice

is toned deep much more accustomed to a crow cawing, to a fork scraping a chalk board. It was an unpleasant feeling leaving the two a bit cagey of this person. Despite that Sanada once again found his courage to address the captain about the case that is now reopened hoping that Division 5 would cooperate by giving them what they know. "So, you boys wanted to reopen the case that was already solved? What was presented to us during that investigation is already done why bother bringing it up?" The chief commander of Division 5 looked down at the two almost patronizing them.

Sanada raises an eyebrow from his choice of words as the stern eyed detective asked why they conclude the proceedings before doing a few tests first? "Sir I don't mean any disrespect of your efforts on it, I was hoping that you can fill us in on anything that we can look into to solve it properly. And to know why Ai's case has been closed so abruptly without evidence to prove she did commit suicide?" Before he could get an answer, Sanada stared at his partner looking pretty dumbfounded at what he just heard placing his hand hard on Sanada's shoulder and gave him the Shushing gesture.

"So you're saying our method of handling are work is considered improper? Well boys' good luck on finding whatever splice of evidence you can find! Now both of you can leave my office now!"

With that both Kinki Ward of Division 3 detectives are kicked out of the building. The two just stood there awkwardly looking at the screen door and at each other contemplating the experience they just had from such a trivial waste of time. So, this is getting them nowhere and must think of other ways to find something that can possibly lead them to a potential clue. Then Sanada's phone began to ring out, he took a glance at it and saw Himiko's name and number. The stern eyed detective immediately picks up the call and listen in on what his little sister is about to say.

"Hey sis, uh hah….alright as long as you bring the pepper spray I left in your room and let her know to keep an eye on anything so she can call me about it. Okay bye." He hung up his phone and sighed.

"Your sister?' He simply stated. "Yeah, she's going to hang out with her friend to Arisugawa station to do some shopping..." He scratches his head and walks straight back in the car. "Tch so much for cooperative support...do these guys have such huge egos in them to think they don't need anyone to help them with? This is just voluntary..." Sanada simply complained.

[Somewhere at Arisugawa Station]

As Himiko is on the train wearing just regular jeans and a turtleneck long sleeve shirt, the brunette got off the train as she arrived at her destination. Arisugawa station, all she needed to do is find a red vending machine that's close to a convenient store a block away from the train station. She walked for a bit using her phone's gps system to map through her current location. Once she gotten close to the said destination Himiko could hear her own name being called out. The brunette looked at her far right and saw Miyazu waving at her.

Himiko moving ever closer to her friend Miyazu, the red twin ponytail haired girl instantly hugs her not because she's happy to hang out with her, but she felt so bad for how she went through. Himiko hugged back and tried to not think of that horribly misunderstood event.

"Thank you for waiting. Oh wow Kanatoshi San! you look great!" She noticed that her friend is presently wearing a long-sleeved white and gray stripped shirt with a hanging belt hanging over the left side of her short jeans covering her thighs with added black and white stockings. Even sports two nicely placed red ribbons on both her side pony-tails.

Miyazu annoyingly pouts. "J-Jeez! You don't have to stare at me like that!?" She puffs her cheeks some more and sighed. "Oh well let's get going, those new clothes don't get worn on their own right?" Himiko chuckled and held Kanatoshi San's hands. "Okay! Lets go! Lead the way Kanatoshi San!"

Both girls enjoyed their time in every moment from their hang out. The two walked past many interesting places hoping to find a shop that peaked their interest. The girls also gorge on some very tasty snack foods from abundant amount of food carts present. They even browse through some interesting merchandises that intrigue the bubbly duo. Finally they came across Uniquo Sango Shop a clothing store that's cheap and have cosmetics that are decent to try on. So the two took their time to try on whatever clothes that fit their likes and personality. So far Himiko had already found a good stylish clothes that is not only cute but also well recognized, as for Miyazu she is packing lots of clothes which caught Himiko off guard at the amount she's planning on buying. Once the clothes were bought the two decided that it's time to go back but under the watchful eye of Miyazu she promises to keep an eye on anyone trying to get to Himiko on behalf of Sanada.

"Himiko, this time I ain't gonna have you go on your own so I'll come along to your place until you get there safe okay?" She ensures her by being by she catches a glance on a familiar face approaching them and to Himiko's dismay it's Ryumo. Himiko stood behind Miyazu evidently frightened of the boy because of his actions towards her.

"Hey! What do you want?!" Her outburst brought the attention of some of the crowd but then instantly walked away without the care in the world. Seeing Himiko in a vulnerable and scared state she assumes that this boy is the same boy who attacked her. "You're the brat who laid your dirty slimy hands on Himiko?!" The spiky haired boy then looked depressed at the thought of his previous actions towards the girl hiding from him. "Well? Mr. Mute are you going to say anything or stand there like a glorified sign post!?"

"I….I want to apologize Miss Shibumi for what I did..." The boy looked down as both his hands start to clench visibly shaken. "I know that you won't forgive me for hurting you I-" Before he could express his guilt Miyazu interrupts.

"Yeah no shit Sherlock! You think saying sorry is enough for me to not punch you straight at your stupid face!? HUH?!" Her continuous rant now have people grabbing their attention even some taking pictures of the unfortunate boy.

"Kanatoshi San…we got to go now…this is getting too uncomfortable..." Himiko in a futile attempt to try and pry her friend away from the boy. Miyazu looked directly at Himiko. "Okay Himiko." She turned back towards Ryumo and gave the boy her final glare warning him to stay away. But to Himiko she starts to pity the boy for having such a broken personality, as if he is in so much pain. She could tell by the look in his eyes. "Maybe...I was being too harsh on him, he did apologize to me for his actions. He even looked completely different from his initial behavior. Now I'm a little curious." Himiko thought before giving a quick glance on the boy.

The two detectives are on their way back to Division 3 HQ,a call from headquarters occured, Yakimori is the one to pick up and discuss whoever is behind the other line with whatever news the caller have for them. Yakimori hung up after ending the discussion which Sanada asked what that was about.

"It looks like one of our respondents have called Ai's mother and requests her to have an interview with us about her daughter and to our luck she accepted the invitation." Confirmed with a confident smile which leaves Sanada readying himself for some well needed answers and sutle clues. "Alright her address is near Sagano Nursery, it's at Kyoto Fu Ukyo-ku." Yakimori said while driving towards Ai's mother's home address. "Okay lets go." Said Sanada with his arms crossed.

[Near Sagano Nursery, Kyoto Fu Ukyo-ku]

The two detectives arrived at Ai's mother's home, as soon as Sanada and Yakimori casually approaches the door and knocked on the door. A woman at her early 40's opens it and stare directly at the two officers. Sanada informs her that this is the police force from Kinki Division 3 waiting for her permission to ask important questions about her daughter. At first glance the mother looked pretty fatigued and damaged. They knew and completely understand her feelings of reliving the loss of her only daughter. Unfortunately, it can't be helped as this is something that needs to be addressed for the sake of figuring out why it happened the way it did for Ai.

"Thank you for your time to have us here Mrs. Fujisawa. My condolences." Sanada bows as he and Yakimori proceeds to enter in the house. The stressed mother insists the two detectives to have a seat and despite her feelings of the details she has to deal with, she's still able to provide some refreshments for the two officers. Sanada respectively accepts and thanks her.

"Gentlemen, I already know why you are here…and I hope you understand that I want this to be done and over with…" She looks down in fear of experiencing any mention of her painful past about her daughter. Sanada being the most cooperative and calm nature understood and not go in depth of details. "About your daughter...does she have clear connections with Ryumo Ekijo?"

Mrs. Fujisawa blinked a few times until she knows what the stern eyed detective is talking about. "Oh the young man who was my daughter's boyfriend? Yes..." She stayed calm as best she can but to Sanada's and Yakimori's surprise there wasn't any sense of aggression coming from Mrs. Fujisawa in fact they noticed she felt quite saddened after Ryumo's name got mentioned.

"Mrs. Fujisawa. I see you are troubled? Would you like to explain more about Ryumo's relationship to your daughter?" Fujisawa San grabbed a few tissues and wipe the tears off her eyes as she gave her thoughts about him. "He's such a kind young man, Ekijo San never showed any hostility within my family, in fact I even want to him to be my son-in-law since he confess to me that he wants to marry my daughter." She smiles quite a bit but this in turn made the two detectives realize that even the mother is pretty close to Ryumo.

"He dated Ai for a while during the time of their early years in high school, the boy was so supportive of Ai he even went out of his way to put her first by doing everything he can to build her up, helping her big dream to work in a medical field." Sanada then asked a question to Ryumo's change in behavior. "Then…how did his transition changed to what he is today? He resented Ai for unknown reasons. Do you think it had anything to do with him just being over-stressed and or burned out from helping your daughter for too long?"That question made the mother give a confused face. "No... there's more to that..." Suddenly before she can say anything her eyes start to tear up for what she's about to say that may shock both detectives. "My daughter was the one who changed so suddenly when she got home 2 weeks after her hangout with Ryumo."

"Wait hold on...why? Was Ryumo responsible for her change?" Fujisawa San denied that thought as she further explains. "N-no…..s-she...she had something going on... she never talked to me...she didn't have the time to tell me what she was doing or how her day was...and when I tried my best to get close, she showed nothing but...overwhelming hatred..." The more she talked about it the harder it is for the mother to continue on her explanation.

Sanada tries his best to keep the broken mother calm. "Mrs. Fujisawa, take your time we'll give you your space until you're comfortable enough to go on. If not, we'll be off and contact you another time when you feel like you're ready." Ai's mother shook her head and apologized for delaying so much.

"No...it's okay...I'm sorry detectives..." As the withering mother took deep breaths and finally got some energy and courage to tell her story she moves on with her thought process. "There's something more, she somewhat changed her career from Medical to tailoring and clothes manufacturing basically a seamstress. What's more she has been completely abusive to Ryumo...It's as if she's a completely different person."

Both detectives have written down what they can get from the mother as Sanada looked at the time and decides they are pretty much done. They got enough information to start with Ai's case and with that both Division 3 officers stood up bowing to Mrs. Fujisawa. "Thank you for your time, Mrs. Fujisawa...and our apologies for having you go through that..." Sanada felt bummed that he had to force the grief-stricken mother to speak out what she had experienced was horrible enough, so he wanted to cut the time short and leave the lonesome mother in peace.

Once in the car driving back to HQ Yakimori re-account the details the mother said regarding her daughter. "Damn so the mother actually really liked Ryumo..."

Sanada sitting on the passenger seat rubbed his chin thinking of that same clue. "Yeah, that got me a little worried...Since Ai's mother spoke highly of Ryumo, she literally broke down when she mentioned her daughter showing signs of aggression towards her and Ryumo. Even going so far to change her career so fast without letting anyone know about it. Something's definitely not right here...and I got a feeling we'll find some more answers from Ryumo." Sanada said which cracking his knuckles.

"Are you sure man? He attacked your sister and..." Before Yakimori finishes that sentence Sanada intervened and told his partner he forgives the young man because of how he remembered his encounter with the boy. He knew deep down the boy was indeed a broken person who suffered a horrible loss. "I saw how he acted, if he truly is a terrible person he wouldn't be as apologetic as the people I dealt with from domestic abuse cases back at the west." Yakimori nodded "I guess you're right bud. Though it's so weird how the daughter is the one who instigated the violence and caused a bit of heart break for her own mother." Sanada agreed while trying to think of any possibilities that could have led Ai to change not only her behavior but also her career path so suddenly. "What could this mean... though…. I must find out more..." Sanada thought.

To be Continued...

[Bonus Content]

Sanada's Journal Part 2

Sanada's Journal Entry #2:

Day 27 – 29

After what happened last week, I finally decide to keep me and my sister distant to any place that have really bad people. But right now, I have no way of feeding my sister without any formula powder. I only have 2,500 yen left, so I don't mind not eating for a while, I just need baby food and formula to keep my sister full…

The times where I fed her, she'll be sleeping soundly and not cry a lot, but when there are times that I don't have the food she would cry so much...It makes me cry too knowing I can't do anything to help her relax… Mom I'm really trying! I tried too hard to keep going b-but this is too much! I...I don't think I can handle another day without food in my stomach right now, I think I lost 7 pounds…

Every time I walk around with Himiko. I have people look at me funny. Like they never seen a boy taking care of his sister… It makes me feel uncomfortable how they talk behind my back...Some even say that I was a kidnapper of my sister! It hurts being called that even though it was clear I'm taking care of her! I just wish there were ways to keep this only between me and my sister.

I always want to say thanks to the people who work at places like a coffee shop or places that have a lobby. They let me in so I can feel a bit of comfort and get free breakfast! But that's only when I'm at a Lobby that have food. Himiko seemed happy though, she always like to climb up on the couches and roll around knowing it's soft! That always makes me smile! But sometimes other places won't allow me in because some people say I could get people sick, or I smelled.

Day 31

Mom...I-I can't take it anymore...it's too much!...I'm so hungry...hurt...dirty...and tired...I am the worst brother ever...I thought I can do it...B-But I was wrong...Please forgive me mom...I'm at my wits end. I no longer have money to keep Himiko full...I always begged people to help out so I can get money to support Himiko but I keep getting excuse saying I'm too young or I should just go away. I know you'll hate me for what I'll do…. I just can't do it anymore!...I'm sorry mom and Himiko!

Day 32

I'm such an idiot! Why did I let myself get so worked up over getting overwhelmed...Mom...someone stopped me from committing suicide? A homeless man, he kept me from acting stupid and calmed me down enough to not go through with it. The man actually gave me his coat and handed me a 10,000-yen bill...He...he did all this to make sure I keep surviving. He even said. "Kid, don't ever give up on doing what you gotta do for your family, if you let your sister alone, god know what happens to her." He reminded the promise I made with you...I can't give up! I realize that I don't feel any stress when someone lift me on my toes. Of course, I asked him his name. His name is Mr. Komura mom, he's one of the people I would remember since he is the first person who keep me from sinking down to further depression…

Mr. Komura taught me how to properly speak to people at my age. Shown me how to make my own fishing pole so I can fish for food! Make my own campfire to keep myself warm from cold weather, and he allowed me to stay at the spots where he and the others stayed. As always when someone was there to help me, I always want to pay a debt to them, and Mr. Komura is no exception. So, to thank him I always clean up the stuff littered around his spot, and help cook food for him. It was a good week staying at the homeless camp, but I knew not to get comfortable. Because on the next day I heard other people planning to use me to do basically all their personal things like washing their clothes and clean after them. All because Mr. Komura gets all the attention. I didn't like that, knowing full well that I CHOSE to help Mr. Komura. So, I had to go somewhere else with Himiko.

I left a note for Mr. Komura letting him know that I really appreciate him teaching me lots of ways to stay alive and picking me back up when I was at my lowest. So, I'm just on my own with my sister again. Luckily, I still have about 7,600 Yen left on my pocket which is enough to buy baby food for my sister. The only true problem that always stuck out to me is the fact that I don't have an actual place to settle. A place where I don't have to worry about the rainy days.

Day 33

Mom, I met one of your good friends who I came across when I was searching for more food to stock up. Mrs. Nanami felt bad knowing I was trying my hardest to keep on living and keeping my sister safe and full, so she offered me to stay at her home for a good break. To be honest with you mom, I never would have expected to actually stay an actual house after a whole month of trying to stay alive out in the streets… But right now, all can say is...I'll make sure it counts for Himiko and me.