Amai Shi
Chapter 10:The Haunting Past Strikes
Written By AnimayWriteY0
[Somewhere up from Fujushiki apartment tower. During the Sanada/Miyazu Confrontation]
Up on Fujushiki apartment tower, there has been a huge commotion about a loud bang coming from apartment room 221. Many of the of residents near the room have come out of their rooms grouping together at the scene where the noise originated. Most of them thought it was someone from above dropping something heavy and landed on said room. Others believed it was a shooting taking place in the same spot, which explains why none of them dared to step out of fear from getting shot. Out of nowhere a tall man with a muscular physique barge in the room and scans the area, behind him are a bunch of well-suited individuals scanning the area until one of them grab hold of what looks like earphone covers. After that the group rushes through the crowd and immediately disappeared out of sight just as they have arrived the scene. One of the pedestrians mention the group to be officers of Division 5.
As things been cleared up of unwanted attention from the public the masculine man opens the emergency exit leading to the back roads of the apartment, quieter and more isolated. A dark brownish pick-up vehicle arrives as one of their officers open the back door allowing the beast of a man entering while ordering the driver to punch it thus driving off away from the scene. The others followed with their own vehicles. Once the coast is cleared the muscular man turns his eyes on his left looking right at the attempt assailant who utterly failed on his mission to eliminate any undesirables in their covert operation.
"You goddamn moron!...What kind of lousy shooting was that?! You said you were a professional and yet you utterly failed on your mission!..." He took a quick grip and pulls the scrawny sniper up to his eye level staring daggers at him with red, enraged, and angered stare. "How did you even screw up in the first place, now that brat and his little posse managed to escape with their lives!"
"I-I thought it was just going to be one person who may interfere with this! I didn't think it went so horribly when there was another detective involved! I had to put my target on the incoming officer who came for his partner...So I uh...only brought one bullet." This in turn left his officer completely dumbfounded as his grip tighten causing the sniper to choke. He tries his best to loosen the grip of his commanding officer. "S-Sir I can't breathe!"
The massive man loosens his hold letting the sniper go as he let out an irritated scowl. "You better be prepared to deal with our mistress once we pick her up at a safe and secured area with not absolutely no witnesses" He crosses his arms and closes his eyes putting himself into a quick nap.
[Back at an Unknown Location near Kuramaguchi Street]
By the time the group picked up their mistress and drove off to a more reclusive spot of Kuramaguchi street. At their hideout the mistress proceeded to beat the sniper into a quarter inch of his life while she stomps on him with her high heels on top of his groin area while caused agonizing pain to the stupid screw up cursing at him for his missteps and failures. The helpless man watches on helplessly as her ferocious glare looked down at the bloodied sniper. She wasn't done, she picked up the beaten man and threw him to the wall and places her heel on his neck pressing it ever so deeply hearing the desperate cries of the suffering sniper while the others look on in both fear and enjoyment of this abnormal display of violence.
"You impudent worm! How dare you break your promise of keeping me safe from harm! I almost died from that blasted overconfident piece of shit detective back at that alleyway! You even decided to limit yourself believing that you'll only need one bullet to kill just one!?" She slaps the battered man as he pleaded for forgiveness. "Keep your dirty hands off me you insignificant mongrel!" She continues to beat the man senseless with her eyes filled with rage, teeth sharpened gritted like pairs of scissors, along with her voice become eerily menacing as disturbed winds pushes the lifeless leaves away. The raving mistress pushes the sniper away and calms herself down while turning her attention to the big man. "Taizo how will you make up for this….disaster?"
The chief captain of Division stood up from his chair and simply responds without having a shred of fear yet finds his mistress's deadly behavior quite alluring. "Given the fact of what happened back there I can assume that we can at least try and use that newbie as our intended target for our case." He notices that his mistress is shocked and defiant of such an idea. "But mistress why not do it? It will make this so much easier if we try this plan..."
"Are your brain cells lost from that big brain of yours? The reason why I detest your plan is because it could land me as the main culprit to the public for the missing persons/murder cases! What's more, I already have a couple of miscreants viewing me as an attention seeking bitch after the cafe tantrum incident with that blasted Sanada!" She couldn't see the reason for this plan to work, but to commander Taizo it made more sense.
"Please do consider this, it will be the best way for you to gain your prize and eliminate any undesirables along the way." With that being said the commander took his glance to his mistress as she sits down contemplating on his idea. After a few minutes Miyazu tries to think of his idea until she turns her head to him as she let out an unnerving insidious mile long smile.
[On the way to a nearby hospital]
A few moments ago, after a failed scuffle with the actual prime suspect/serial killer/murderer, Sanada is holding onto life with the help of an ambulance's oxygen tank support instrument while his detective partner calls out to him in shock and anxiety. To Yakimori Sanada is his most trusted companion he has on the job and now close friend second to Sasiki. Having to watch him suffer from some sort of disease have made the spunky man become totally scared and grief-stricken. To him, this is a reflection of his younger brother who dealt with the same way in different circumstances. With this Yakimori will not allow this to happen again so he tries to support Sanada with the best of his ability by praying for his wellbeing.
"Come on Sanada!….You can't let whatever is happening to you in there take you down! You're one tough bastard and I won't let you just go away man! Fight it…"
Once the ambulance arrived at the Kyoto City Hospital, the paramedics put Sanada on a stretcher and rushes into the hospital keeping a suffering Sanada steady as they enter into the emergency room. Yakimori stopped at the door and slump himself down onto a nearby bench looking directly at the emergency room sign hoping that his partner is hanging in there. With this, he calls the others about Sanada's life predicament. Sasiki is the one to pick up the other line, Yakimori asks him to put the phone on speaker so that the others who're in HQ can listen in. As soon as everyone's present Yakimori told the situation relating to the cases that were wrongfully shut too early and the event that happened 30 minutes earlier.
He and Sanada have figured out the person responsible for the kidnapping and murder of the victims, Division 5's involvement, and Sanada's wellbeing in the hospital. With this info, most of the officers are now pumped for this investigation to start. While others are shocked of how Division 5 have lied all this time. Along with others who are extremely worried for Sanada's wellbeing. Some of the Division 3 officers will plan to go to Kyoto City Hospital further supporting Sanada's recovery.
After Yakimori had told his part, he sits there feeling helpless to do anything for his stern eyed friend on the other side of the door. For about a few hours, Juji, Sasiki, Kei and other police officers came to lend a hand. Many of the crew are chatting about the misfortune of Sanada as some wishes to get even with those Division 5 bastards for their fake stories to hide from the other Divisions and the entire public. Chief commander Juji is busy talking to Sasiki about the evidence from the Amura Tailor Shop. While Kei is sitting at the closest edge of the door looking distraught and worrisome as her expression tells the whole story between her and Sanada. Yakimori sat next to her placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Kei." After he took a slight cough to grab her attention. "He's going to make it, I can tell Sanada is a strong-willed fighter." He puts in the effort to not go overboard and says his usual puns and sarcastic remarks to lighten the mood. He can tell that Kei is fond of Sanada the moment she set her eyes on him when he joined the force. After what happened between them after Ryumo was rescued Kei developed a closer connection to him and so does his investigation partner. Whenever he sees Sanada in HQ he took occasional glances on Kei. "Right now, we should trust the doctors to handle things from here."
"It's just so hard not to be, Jingo San….having to learn of Sanada's sudden crisis just…." She places her hands over her face trying her best to not shed a single tear from her eyes. "It scares me to even imagine him hurting like that..." Her head down, her hands on her lap gripping tightly as her hair significantly covers her facial features.
"Yeah, I know, I feel the same way the moment I saw my bud go down….almost hitting close to home…." He sighs then notices the emergency room light turned off immediately indicating that the operation is done after 5-6 hours. Once a doctor came out of the room and inform the police group that Sanada is resting soundly. He requests the officers to come in and check up on them stern eyed friend if they want to.
Kei immediately obliges while she walks behind the doctor as the other officers follow behind her trying to keep up. Just as the doctor stopped to a room numbered 29, he instructs some of them that continuous conversation to the unconscious Sanada would help stimulate his consciousness so that he'll be able to wake up much sooner. Before the doctor could leave Kei asks the doctor exactly what kind of disease have brought Sanada into such a critical condition? From what he and the others have observe from Sanada's behavior and symptoms, he believes that Sanada has suffered a very rare disease called the Fatal Familial Insomnia.
"What exactly does this disease do to a person Doctor?" Worried and hopeful that this disease can be curable. She places her hands trying her best to at least hear the good news of this. "Is there a cure for this disease?"
"The FFI virus is a cranial neural disease that puts a huge toll on the persons mental psyche, the symptoms are hallucinations, restrictive mobility to the body, hemorrhaging, lack of appetite, and sleep deprivation due to its influence on the patient. As for the cure….well." That pause has truly made Kei lose her state of mind as her face is left horror-struck. "Miss... unfortunately having to figure out that your friend has suffered this disease, there is no known cure or any medication to lessen the effects of the FFI." He couldn't find any better word to describe it. This took every one of Division 3 who attended to check up on Sanada in shock especially for Kei. Chief Commander Juji steps in to ask the doctor. "Doctor, how did Sanada contract the FFI virus?" The high ranking policeman waits for an answer out of curiosity.
"Seeing his family history…this disease is inheritable, this virus had already claimed the life of his mother when he was at the age of 5 and it's the same day his sister was born. His mother had suffered a great deal of loss, loneliness, and hope that she'd be bed ridden for her whole life. Thus, adding the effects to the disease. So, in theory Shibumi San may have accelerated the FFI's process the more he pushes himself to support his little sister at such a young age, normally a person who is affected by the disease would contract it at the age of 35 but it's been recorded that some at the age of 18 or late 75 are also affected, given the circumstances they have in life."
"So….you're saying..." This brought Juji to a heartbreaking realization to the result.
"Yes sir, Shibumi San's health is doomed the moment he took on the role as the sole caretaker for his little sister and that brought him into critical condition the more he overworked himself without proper care for his own wellbeing. It gradually causes the FFI to become more present as it develops within him overtime. The disease may take his life at any time now…I'm sorry."
"N-No way…?! You can't be serious!" He turns around and places his hand on the wall barely containing his sadness, anger, and guilt. "Is there anything that can prolong Sanada's health?!" In a state of panic Sasiki tries to press on the doctor to see if he may have missed any sort of relief medication, he hasn't looked up yet.
"Regrettably there's none, my deepest apologies...i-if I may I'll see to it that each and every one of you take turns talking to Shibumi San…" The doctor decides to leave to check up on another patient.
"S-so...that's why you want me to keep this a secret from your little sister…." Yakimori turns his head to Sanada unable to take in how selfless he is. "You knew if your little sister had found out, she'd be blaming herself for all the hardships you have to go through taking care of her...she'd lose the will to live…"
Without a second thought Kei rushes in the room as she looks on to Sanada resting soundly on the hospital bed. The heart broken Kei places both her hands onto his right-hand clinging onto it with sorrowfulness and mourning. She didn't want him to go at all, it's way too early. She wishes that once the time comes, she'll be able to express her true feelings for him. Now, all she want for Sanada is to stay alive. After listening in on Yakimori's remark from his promise to Sanada she is even more passionate to getting close with him. Knowing deep down she has found the ideal love of her life but at the worst time. Kei proceeded to be the first to speak out to Sanada while the others wait outside after she expresses everything to Sanada.
"Sanada….if you're listening...I want to let you know that I cherish everything you have done for the people in Kyoto, you are one of the most amazing person I ever met...the moment I saw you working hard inspired me, the moment you put yourself for others, it gave me the strength to do the same...the more you put in so much effort to helping the lost victims it gave me hope. You being a part of Division 3 means so much for the people who work there. But there is more to what I have to say….and this one is personal. When I first saw you after your test, I assumed you're just a simple guy who just wanted a job. But the more I know you by your hard work, experience, and knowledge within the force you were one of the best….That stuck to me a lot..." She took a deep breath readying herself to explain her thoughts for him. "The thing is, I've grown to like...even fallen for you...the way you hold me by your arms when you rescued me from those masked men, it felt as though you wanted me to be safe, like you care for me so much you'd risk your life for me…. We may be just companions but I see you more than that...please all I want from you is how you feel towards me once you wake up okay?" After that, she held up his right hand and kisses it then places his hand back as she got up and leaves the room without making eye contact towards the others. Yakimori steps in next to confront Sanada about his thoughts.
"Hey man, I know you've been sleeping all day right now…letting you know that you're one hell of a friend and a fantastic partner...the moment you joined I always thought of you as someone who doesn't belong, yeah I admit I see you as just a waste of space when you took the job. Luckily, I was dead wrong. You and I have a lot in common...just in the way we work heh… it was hard figuring you out at first but the moment you started the whole bad cop shtick really got me good. I had a lot of fun working with ya bro. I regret putting any doubt on you, the moment you crack those hard cases I was hooked, you really have put in the work, respect, and more importantly honor into those cases. That's why I shared my past to you. To me, you remind me of my little brother, and I wish that things didn't have to go like this..." His hands grip to a fist knowing full well of what's gonna happen to him. "Now I just can't handle losing someone who understands how I feel, if you die man, it's like a part of me vanishes in thin air...so I wanted you to know that I respect you and I hope that you'll get better in no time no matter if it's some dumb disease holding you back. Stay strong man." He fists pumps Sanada's shoulder softly as he gets up and leaves the room. After that Sasiki is the next one to go in.
"Shibumi San…..if you can hear me...I'd like to say that it's been an honor working with you, you are by far the best person to have worked with us in the Division 3 police department. What struck me the most coming from you is how honest you are and how determined you get the more you do your job. It's hard to believe that now, I'm not sure how we'll be able to do future cases without you…It wouldn't be the same if you're gone….I just want you to know that the crew won't forget you, and so will I...you've deserve to be at the higher status, who knows maybe you'll be the next chief commander in Division 3..." Sasiki sighs and gets up, before he leaves the room. He turns his head and sees him leaving a thumbs up for his business co-worker/friend. "Get well my friend."
As rest of the officers took turns to do their part talking to Sanada, the main group are now in the lobby room where they can discuss the situation regarding to the attempt shooting and the ringleader to the whole kidnapping/murder case code name the five-claw case. Commander Juji had already gotten info from Sasiki about the workplace the girls applied to before they disappeared, so he proceeds to ask Yakimori about his experience over at Kuramaguchi outskirts.
"Yakimori, concerning Sanada's health, why were you and Sanada at Kuramaguchi in the first place? What drove both of you to go there?" He inquisitively awaits his explanation believing that it is something urgent.
"Well sir...we actually encountered the true suspect to this hard case that we tried to figure out." His response left everyone stunned. "Yes, turns out she's been under our noses the whole time..."
"What do you mean by that?" She becomes confused to what Yakimori is saying from his explanation. Did the culprit work close from their HQ? Was she tracking down one of the officers to see if they are being too close to her trail? That is until Sasiki mentions his claim and theory to back up Yakimori's idea using the evidence he found.
"Kei, what he meant is that the killer has been keeping track of our search while staying behind by another police force. Because of that she's nearly untouchable thanks to the influence of one of the Divisions...and you could guess which Division is in it for such corrupt misdeeds. Division 5, every time I asked the owner of the tailoring shop on who checked up on the "girls" who worked there, he said that it was one of the Division 5 officers.
"Also the culprit has already taken the claim of another victim as of now." He turns to Sasiki as the stoic officer picks up two pictures showing their prime suspect. "Miyazu Kanatoshi, or what was her based on Sanada's five claw theory. This person is not actually Miyazu but someone wearing her face...and judging from her behavior coming from her single mother and her colleagues she displayed desperation, frustration, and anger. If that was the case, it seems as though her intentions is to do the ritual again." This brought to Yakimori as he spoke right after his commanding chief.
"Sir, this Miyazu tried that but me and Sanada stopped her from doing so. Turns out her next target is Sanada's sister..."
With that said, the others turned to Yakimori in shock, wait why Himiko? It was too strange to even see Himiko as the intended target for the killer because she is accompanied by a family member who is affiliated with the police force. Why would she put her own secrecy in jeopardy since her chances to getting her hands on Sanada's sister are close to impossible. Sasiki thought of a few reasons as to why she did what she did.
"I believe that she intended Himiko to travel alone away from her previous home from the west back to Japan so she can kidnap her without anyone noticing from the other side. Unfortunately, she didn't count on the fact that she brought her brother with her. Meaning that she had to find a way around Sanada's vigilance and sneak past him in order to grab hold of Himiko."
"That explains the attempt capture by the three goons attemped to take Himiko, it's only when Ryumo was there to protect her. Giving the guess that Miyazu was there too with them. Because of Ryumo's presence, their plan to seize her backfired. So, she decided to hire 3 former division 5 officers to conduct an assassination on Ryumo so he wouldn't interfere, luckily Sanada was there on time to stop it." She looks at Yakimori wondering why it took so long for him to arrive when he told her he was on his way. "Yakimori, I also wondered why Sanada took so long?"
"I believe this is the reason why….." Sasiki took his phone and have his screen to full screen mode letting everyone see what he searched up. "This was taken at a cafe, an article about [A Girl Harassing a Police Officer on the Job.] An anonymous journalist posted this on website and look who the girl is on this picture with Sanada…" Once the rest of the crew took a closer look, they pointed out that the girl is Miyazu. "It's obviously clear that she was trying to stop Sanada from intervening as she kept stalling him, she also intentionally tried to downplay Sanada in public to tarnish his reputation."
Chief Commander Juji explains while issuing a new order for a few Divisions 3 officers to take. "Another way to have the public be on her side than Sanada's, luckily on the article it tells a whole different story where the officer who arrived at the same scene managed to save a couple of lives despite the girls rude and selfish actions. Now that we know who's responsible for all the losses, we need to know her current motives. It's clear her target is Himiko, Sanada's sister so we'll have some of our patrols scouting the Arashiyama residential to provide tight security."
Both Sasiki and Yakimori salute and agreed. "Yes sir!"
"Alright, we got work to do tomorrow it's time to wrap this up!" Once everyone is ready to go, Juji notices Kei sitting on the chair near Sanada's room, he approaches her to check if she has anything in mind. "Wume San? Are you planning to stay here with Sanada?" She looks up at her commanding chief and nods turning her sights back to Sanada's room and sighs. "Alright, just be sure not to get into trouble while you're here alright?" The chief jokingly remarks Kei's persistence.
She let out an annoyed pout but then nods to confirm him that she'll be fine. "I'll be sure to keep Sanada company as best as I can...and thank you sir for allowing this."The chief nod. "Sure thing, don't stay up too long, okay?" With that, he's the last to leave the hospital building.
[Back at Shibumi Residence, before the events of Sanada's confrontation against Miyazu]
A few hours ago, before Sanada's health crisis, Himiko and Ryumo are at the living room watching some cheesy sitcom. The bad jokes exhibited by one of the actors in the show just made Ryumo cringe while Himiko giggles just for the fun of it. It was quite a while after Sanada and Yakimori left to do something imperative. Despite that Ryumo must make sure to not have Himiko become suspicious for whatever is going on. Once Himiko decides to ask Ryumo where her phone was, he's ready to think of a story of her phone's screen being glitchy and doesn't work on touch. That way it plays a good alibi to cover up Sanada's tracks when he is on duty to find the bad guy. But he still couldn't believe that the girl hanging out with Himiko is the same girl who took Ai from him. Now that he thought about it, he's not going to allow that sick bastard to take away Himiko, he promises Sanada to keep her safe no matter what and he'll put his life on the line to keep her safe as well.
"Hmmm…?" She searches around the living room table to find her phone. "Ohh Ryumo...did Onii chan take my phone?" This is it, time to act. "He did, he found out that your phone screen is acting up, so he decided to take it to get it fixed." He made sure his facial expression is genuine, if there are any disturbance from his face, she'll suspect he's lying.
"Ohh right….I guess it's happening now since I had that thing for about four years..." She let out a sigh. "I can't imagine how lucky I am to have a brother who treats me like a princess….he spoils me so much even though I didn't want anything..." She places her arms around Ryumo's right arm cuddling close to him. "And I can't believe that he actually allows you and I to hang out...in our own home...my Onii-Chan just knows how to keep everyone happy….right?" She let out a heartfelt smile while her cheeks blushes red.
"Yeah….he's one hell of a guy...awesome, caring, cool, and….humble" The last word stuck to him when it comes to Sanada. Now that he mentions it, it looks as though something was indeed up with him. He never expected an older brother to let someone he met out of a misunderstanding would allow him to see his little sister, just out of nowhere. What if something bad happens to him...but at this point because of Himiko's caressing, this pulls Ryumo back to her attention. "J-Jeez, do you have to play cutesy all the time?" He smirks and staring directly at her. Seeing her smile like that, that pure gentle sweet smile is something that the Spiky haired young man is turned on to. He always wanted to be with the girl who is cheerful, cute, and kind. A few more minutes have passed, and the show ended there, thus having Himiko take Ryumo upstairs and allowing him to be in her room. Reluctant, the young man steps into her domain and witness what looks like a simple room with a bed, office desk, two drawers, one by the table and the other at the middle edge of the wall underneath the curtain covering a window. The thing that's telling from her room is her wall being covered by a bunch of anime posters regarding some anime romance.
"Heh, the romantic type I, see?" He took a seat on the bed and notices that she also has a manga set that he recognizes. "Kosetsu No Unmei? Huh you read that as well?" With this Himiko immediately answers with high enthusiasm.
"Yes! I love this manga! Do you know the plot about it?!" She awaits her boyfriend's answer to see if he knows this so that they can have a fun anime conversation.
"I do, it's about the fate of two worlds, the demon world and the human world at war until a treaty was built, the main premise of the story is about two main characters a human boy and a demon girl coming together as a couple while the male protagonist tries his best to protect the last known survivor of the demon's clan from vengeful high rank demon creatures..." That's what he can remember in a short version.
"Oh my gosh yes! I find the idea of an inter-species relationship a unique thing for romance! Hehe I love how honest and determine the male protagonist is with his new lover!….The thing about this manga I love so much is how it breaks the stereotype for the male protagonist being so dense which makes it hard for the female characters to get some reciprocated love. Reading this story really makes me smile so much!
"Yeah…. That's why I stopped watching any Shonen related anime's I feel like there are so many opportunities that were left unchecked as the developers wanted to play a safe route to the story than expanding upon the plot that was pretty subtle yet still evident to the viewers." Yakimori yawn while the sky turned dark.
"Oh I know! Hmm?...Oh Ryumo can you wait for me I got some messages from my computer."
"Oh, umm sure.." Ryumo now resting on Himiko's the spiky haired young man waits for her to finish, he suddenly overheard a conversation with Sajime talking on the home phone by the hall. "Hmm?" He listens in as Sajime said something about Sanada being in the hospital thus made him highly worried. Then he heard his name being mentioned by both sibling's grandmother. So, with that, Ryumo gets up and let Himiko know he'll be talking to her grandmother about something.
"Why do you have to go see grandma? Did something happen?" Since she's further away from the door she couldn't tell what her grandmother is talking about.
"I think she wanted something, don't worry I got this covered just do what you gotta do okay?" Hoping that she'll understand, knowing this if she realizes that her brother is hurt, she'll be devastated. "I'll try to get back to you...okay?"
"Oh...okay..." Feeling cautious about what's going on, but she'll take her boyfriend's word and go along with it as she texts her messages to her friends from the other side of the world.
As Ryumo leaves the room and meet with the elderly Sajime she has a look of sadness and evident heart ache. Having to try and calm her down, Ryumo wanted to know about Sanada. It's pretty damn clear that the brother of Himiko may have been in trouble is some way.
"This is...awful...my Sanada….he's…..he's got it too!…." The frail elderly woman places her hands on her face to try and contain her tears. "Mrs. Shibumi what's going on? What do you mean Sanada has it too?" Confused, curious, and scared to what he's about to hear coming from the grandmother.
"He's got the same fatal disease as my daughter!….His mother!…" She couldn't contain herself but keeps her grief quiet for what she's been told what to do by one of the Division 3 officers. "Oh no…! Do you mean?!" With a nod and being told that this disease can take his life anytime, has made this all the more painful. "No….if Himiko hears about this then she'll..."
"Y-yes she won't be able to live with herself! She'll end up blaming herself for Sanada's overexertion to take care of her..." Once she regained her composure, she wants Ryumo to do her this big favor. "You must not let her know under the instructions of one of Sanada's police friends...That is the request Sanada made...please I know it may be difficult but Himiko will believe what you say because of how much she cares for you Ekijo San..."
"I….I'll do whatever I can...you have my word!" With that the frail woman holds him tight thanking him for this. And with that she lets go and goes about her way to her room to avoid her emotions be seen by her grandchild. "Oh man…..how did this get so screwed up?..."
[STATIC…..]
Down from the deep and dark shadows of the twisted void, the imagery of blood covering the walls, the loud pitch screams feebly calling for help, the uncanny display of sharp nails that carve the innocence away and place it with despair, pain, horror, and malice has become apparent. The wide screen of each torment that's been displayed throughout such a disturbed sea of nothingness builds upon the mind of the stern eyed detective. He futility tries to maul his way out of this cruel, disgusting view of the murders conducted by the sick, twisted, and evil from a crazed killer girl that continues to taunt him for his failures to fight against her.
"E-Enough! What you did to those girls! I'll make sure whoever you are will pay for their suffering!" He barks out ferociously. But no response, just the tone of a sadistic killer laughing maniacally after the imagery of knives, ice picks, scissors, and scalpels are shown impaling the fragile silhouettes of the victims as they wale, shriek, and cry helplessly as blood gushes out from their wounds. "STOP IT!"
[STATIC….]
From the corner of his eyes, he sees himself from another view as he's placed in a cage trying to break free, Sanada watching this nightmarish hell is left utterly confused and frightened. He feels something splash behind him; he turns himself around. What he saw scarred his mind as he sees his grandmother being placed up in the air pinned to the wall with several needles stuck all around her body as blood gushes out. Suddenly he turns to his left to see his precious friends being shot down by several unknown men with ski masks leaving him in a fit of madness as he rushes at the men only for his hands going through them. He notices them turn their heads to someone…..someone he'll never forgive….the damned monstrous bitch. Abruptly...what broke him the most is what he saw beside that monster. His sister, chained helpless, crying, begging for his older brother to help her as he watches himself trying to break free from the catch but couldn't.
"No…! Please don't! Not this!" His cries of plea are heard by deaf ears from this sick display as the female serial killer places her hands onto Himiko's cheeks looking directly at his caged self getting ready to pierce Himiko's neck while he watches on helplessly. The look on his sisters face...it's breaking him, the overflowing tears from his little sister, the sheer hopelessness, the regret, it's breaking Sanada to the core, he' forced to watches the monster slowly pinning the nail to Himiko causing her to screech turning everything into pure darkness.
"Agh…!" Sanada got up in total shock, taking deep panicked breaths. He looks around aware he's in a hospital. The nightmare he had felt so real, the sweating Sanada rubbed his forehead. To his right he noticed someone being there with him. To his surprise, it's Kei holding onto his right hand sleeping soundly, after his outburst Kei slowly wakes up and sees Sanada up on his bed awake. To her overwhelming relief she instantly hugs him while Sanada gave her a gentle hug as well. "Kei….you've been with me all this time?"
"Of course, I did!….." Her eyes are beginning to overflow with tears as she smiles at the warmth of her significant lover's warm hug. "Do you have any idea how scared I've been when you got hurt!?" She made stern eyed young man look at her directly, face to face as the stern detective turn his pupils the other way. "Sanada….I.." Kei spoke until she's caught off guard when Sanada interrupts.
"You want to know exactly how I feel about you correct?" The serious detective tries to act calm and collected but he does feel something after he felt her hands touching his. She's left silent and surprised to Sanada bluntly asking the question that she wants him to answer. "Y-Yeah…?"
"I do….have feelings for you Kei...I just...don't want you to get involve with anything life threatening….I'm just not good at revealing it to ya.."
"S-Sanada...y-you….." she couldn't find her wording but once she does, she tries to counter his worry with her own. "It's you I'm worried about…..I already know your condition….and its the reason why I asked you…."
"So you know then…..I guess there isn't anything I can do to keep you off my track now, can I?" He stares at her with a solemn expression. "You know that I don't have much time...I can't afford to have any of my comrades, my family be in danger while that monster is still out there seizing the opportunity to strike."
"That is why we're having our patrols scouting your area on a daily basis to keep them from getting to your family...But you can't put yourself through all that...that's why it's our job to handle the rest while you rest….the doctors recommend you stay in bed and rest….it eases your sickness. But I personally want you stay alive so we can….be-!"
Right before she could finish, she's met with a sensational feeling that brought her to close her eyes, cheeks turning dark red, and her whole-body quiver in passion while she places her arms around her significant lover. Both she and Sanada embraces for the first time. Kei wished nothing more but to have her lover Sanada give the love she yearns for as both lovers savor their first kisses together. The two broke off to catch their breath, Sanada held Kei close letting her know his intentions.
"Kei….please understand…I have to do this….if nothing's done to stop those monsters from taking innocent lives...I couldn't live with myself that my death would be wasted.."
"S-Sanada….but...you can't!.." Kei protested until Sanada states his final plot to end Miyazu's reign of terror.
"My life doesn't matter…..all that matters is that I end the tyranny of the monster that hides behind the innocence of the lost…" Sanada pauses as he looks directly at his own palm. "Just you wait…Miyazu...just you wait..."
To Be Continued...