The road surrounded by trees seemed to go on forever. Tsukauchi wondered if this was what the world would look like when humans were gone. Nature taking the world back and only cracked pavement to prove that they had ever been there. Kenji was quietly snoring in the passenger seat until they drove over a bump in the old road.
"Dammit." Kenji cursed.
Even after all the years working together it was strange to hear human words coming out of a dog's head. Kenji rubbed his eyes and looked at the forest.
"I can't believe I'm spending my day off like this." Kenji said.
"I already thanked you." Tsukauchi said without taking his eyes off the road.
"And I already told you that a thank you won't cut it. My wife threatened to leave me again."
"Sorry."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. Being a cop's wife is a shit job." Kenji said and looked at his phone.
He growled like a dog when he saw there was no signal.
"You better be right about this. If I came here for nothing you're walking home." Kenji said.
"You didn't have to come." Tsukauchi said.
"God, you sound like my wife. All the kids that were adopted have nothing but praise for Mrs. Ikari. Everyone who investigated it before us found nothing. Even the chief told us to drop it."
"Then why did you come?"
Kenji looked at the forest again.
"Because I think you're on to something. This place has next to no over-sight. Tomura, Stain, that Toga girl. Way too many villains came out of this place."
Everything about Stain's testimony not related to the League of Villains was easy to disregard as the ramblings of a lunatic. Mrs. Ikari was a witch and her orphanage a gate to hell. She buried children alive and made demons torment them for what felt like years. Stain had believed every word he had said with the certainty of a mad man, but… there was something. What that something was he had no idea, but it was something he couldn't ignore.
They drove the rest of the way in silence. When they finally reached Mrs. Ikari's orphanage… it took Tsukauchi's breath away. It was a western style complex big enough for a small village. According to the history of the place it had started as a hospital and then re-purposed as a hotel for the rich and bored. When the rich had found other uses for their money it had become an orphanage.
Mrs. Ikari was waiting for them at the gate. She had to be closer to sixty, but you would never have believed it. She was one of those lucky few who stopped aging at forty. She had the physique of a swimmer and a deep tan. The only signs of aging were crowfeet around her eyes and a single gray stripe in her black-hair. She was wearing a black dress and a white apron.
Tsukauchi rolled down his window and Mrs. Ikari leaned in.
"Feel free to park your car at the yard, detective. Just try not to drive over the children."
"I'll do my best, mam." Tsukauchi said.
The children were on them the moment they stepped out of the car. Although, Kenji got the worst of it.
"Doggy!" The children screamed in delight.
Mrs. Ikari clapped her hands together.
"Come on now. Don't smother our guests." Mrs. Ikari said.
"Yes, mama!" The children said in unison.
"Good children. Mama must go to talk to our guests. You play nicely and listen to your older siblings." Mrs. Ikari said.
"Yes, mama!"
Mrs. Ikari led them inside. Tsukauchi activated his Quirk and a feeling of… love washed over him. He had felt it when he had been interviewing the children who had been adopted from here. Still… there was something… something he couldn't quite place. Kenji didn't need a dog's sense of smell to pick on it too. Fifteen years in the force taught you notice these things.
They followed Mrs. Ikari to the kitchen and she started making tea. The walls were covered in drawings and letters from children who had left the orphanage.
"You had some questions for me." Mrs. Ikari said.
"It's about your former wards. Chizome Akaguro, Tomura Shigaraki and Himiko Toga." Kenji said.
Mrs. Ikari sighed.
"Yes. Them. The ones I couldn't help."
Tsukauchi let Kenji do the talking and concentrated on weeding out lies with his telepathy. Without noticing he had placed his hand on his gun.
"Akaguro told us… some disturbing things about this place." Kenji said.
"This is a place for the children of villains. Some of them… take too much after their parents and try to discredit me. I've been investigated before and found innocent." Mrs. Ikari said.
"We just have to clarify a few things. It's our job." Kenji said and glanced quickly at Tsukauchi.
Tsukauchi nodded.
"There is no secret training here to turn children into villains here. No mental torture. Answer yes or no." Kenji said.
Something shifted in Mrs. Ikari and for a moment Tsukauchi didn't see a human but a giant demonic centipede ready to devour them. Then the illusion passed and Mrs. Ikari was smiling at them. Like a hungry predator.
No words were necessary. Kenji pulled his gun out faster than Tsukauchi did.
"Keep your hands where I can see them and get on the floor." Kenji said.
"No. I think not." Mrs. Ikari said.
Tsukauchi's hands fell off. His gun hit the floor. Then his legs were severed too. Kenji tried to scream but both of their mouths had been sewn shut. They bashed on the floor like limbless worms. Mrs. Ikari was standing over them and smiling.
This was impossible! The woman was supposed to be Quirkless! For a moment Tsukauchi believed in witchcraft.
"Both of you seem like such nice men. You are just… confused. You boys just need some time to think. Clear your heads. Luckily, I have just the room for that. Would you like see it?"
Tsukauchi tried to scream without a mouth.
Yakuza. All for One hadn't even realized they were still around until Shi Hassaikai started showing off their new toy. Quirk nullifiers. It felt like running into a member of a long since extinct species.
I must have missed a few, All for One thought.
The leader of Shi Hassaikai was in no hurry to meet them and made them wait. In an empty room with nothing to sit on except the hard floor. The smug prick. It had been a long time since he'd had to take shit from anyone. He hadn't missed it. The black helmet that allowed him to move around without his life-support was too heavy and made his neck hurt. The constant itching in his scalp was driving him insane. He should have told Kurogiri to bring along a long fork, so he could scratch the itch with out removing the helmet.
It was wise to play with a closed hand. Play up the blindness and other injuries. Make yourself look weaker than you really are. Infrared Quirk allowed him to sense his surroundings and other people in the room. Tomura was moving restlessly. Twice had fallen asleep. The lass was playing with her phone. Only Kurogiri kept his composure.
They were being watched. Naturally.
Men who moved like hunters lurked outside the room. Ready to strike. All for One sighed and pretended they weren't there. Amateurs.
Finally, he heard footsteps and the sliding door was opened. The infrared Quirk could make out a lean man in his twenties wearing a mask like a bird's peak. Or a plague doctor's.
"You wished to speak to me."
Twice jumped awake and looked around.
"What?! What?!"
"Calm down, Mr. Twice." Kurogiri said.
All for One got up to meet their host. The leader was a smug prick but at least he wasn't intimidated by the black helmet.
"Overhaul I presume. You kept us waiting." All for One said.
"I'm a busy man. Make this quick." Overhaul said.
"Watch your tongue." Tomura snarled.
"Tomura. Silence." All for One said.
"But Sensei…" Tomura whined.
"Don't make me repeat myself. Kurogiri. I wish to speak to our host. Alone."
"Very well, master." Kurogiri said and clapped his hands like a mother to get her children's attention: "Come on now everyone. Let's go."
"Be strong, true believer." Toga said before leaving.
"Thank you, lass."
When they had the room to themselves All for One sat down again and Overhaul followed suit.
"Now, shall we discuss business, Overhaul?"
"You better be really convincing. So far I haven't been impressed." Overhaul said.
"I'm sure you'll love this. I suggest a fusion between our organizations."
"And what would I get out of that?" Overhaul said.
All for One pulled out a bullet from his suit pocket.
"We analyzed your drug. Impressive work but crude. Let me guess. Not much in the way of resources. The years have not been kind to the yakuza."
For the first time there was actual emotion to Overhaul's voice besides cold detachment layered with arrogance. Young men hated having their insignificance rubbed in their faces.
"You're pissing me off and that can be very dangerous, cripple." Overhaul said and his hand hovered close to All for One's chest.
"Everyone has to start at somewhere. I know what the bottom is like. Have you heard about the Noumu?"
"Mad beasts." Overhaul said.
"They could be your mad beasts."
"I have soldiers."
"What about cannon fodder?" All for One said.
Overhaul pulled his hand away.
"I'm listening."
"Work with me and you can use my laboratories to make your wonder drug. I'll even gift you some Noumu." All for One said.
"What else?"
Greedy little shit, All for One thought.
"There will also be a test."
"And what are you testing, cripple?"
"Whether or not you're a worthy heir."
Overhaul's face stayed neutral and his voice even but his heart beat like a drum and his body heat flared up.
Got you, smarmy little fucker, All for One thought.
"I'm running out of time. I need someone to leave everything I've built. You have done well for yourself. With my resources resurrecting the yakuza would be more than a pipe-dream."
"And how do I prove myself?" Overhaul said.
"Help me kill All Might."
Overhaul smiled behind his mask.
"You got yourself a deal, Sensei." Overhaul said.
Toga had to admit that the yakuza lived with style. The Japanese style mansion was massive with enough spare bedrooms to house the entire League. That didn't change the fact that the yakuza were a sinking ship or a crippled beast too stubborn to die. The mansion had fallen into disrepair and all the men guarding it were thugs with no other place to go.
Still, she was having fun. That was all that mattered. After a long day Toga slept like a baby but old houses were build for nightmares. She was a child again. A child who had been caught being naughty. Mrs. Ikari always knew when she had been naughty.
"You've been a bad girl, Himiko. Do you know what bad girls get?" Mrs. Ikari said.
She tried to run but Mrs. Ikari had a firm hold of her hair and wouldn't let go. She was so strong. So terribly strong.
"No! Not the Thinking rom! I'll be good! I promise!"
There was no pleading with Mrs. Ikari. When the door was shut behind her the voices were on her.
Disgusting!
Why were you even born?!
Who would ever want you?!
She could hear other children screaming. Everyone screamed in the Thinking room until they were too broken to do anything but weep.
Toga woke up alone in darkness and hugged her pillow pretending it was Izuku-Izuku. Izuku-Izuku was a hero. Nightmares wouldn't dare to touch her when he was with her. She hugged the pillow tighter. Mrs. Ikari had been full of shit. Izuku-Izuku wanted her and she had been born for their final battle. Then she'd be his number one. Forever.
The nightmares had followed her to the waking world. Someone was weeping. The long hopeless sobs of a Thinking room survivor.
"What the shit?"
Toga got dressed and stepped out of her room. She wasn't the only one who had heard it. Major Tom had stepped into the hallway too and looked like a terrified child. His face was bare, and the fear made his scars look fresh. Major Tom looked at her like she was a stranger.
"Hear that? Do you fucking hear that? Make it stop." Major Tom said and fell on his knees: "I'm good. I'm good. Not the Thinking room. I'm good. I swear."
Toga ruffled major Tom's hair.
"It's okay, major Tom. The bitch won't get us here. Where's yer daddy?"
"… the room."
Toga picked up major Tom's dad's hand from his room and placed it on his face. It was enough to calm him down and make him stand.
"I can't sleep with all that fucking crying."
"Now ya speak my language. Wanna go treasure hunting?"
They followed the crying and slowly the weeping grew stronger. The tears led them to a makeshift underground lab. An albino girl with long messy hair, red eyes and a horn growing out of her forehead was strapped to an operating table while her blood was being sucked out. Overhaul was so hypnotized by the blood harvesting that he didn't notice them until the girl turned to stare at them.
"What the hell are you two doing here?! Get out!" Overhaul barked.
He said something else too, but Toga had long since stopped paying attention. The way the girl looked at them was all she cared about. Someone was being dragged again to the Thinking room and she was too weak and scared to do anything to stop it.
… wait.
She wasn't a child anymore. She wasn't weak and scared anymore. And Overhaul wasn't Mrs. Ikari. Just a mortal man and mortal men bled when you stabbed them. If true believer wanted this alliance so bad, she could be Overhaul. She turned to look at major Tom and for a moment there was a perfect understanding between them. Toga pulled out a knife. Major Tom flexed is fingers. They attacked.
For a moment she thought they had the bastard. Then Overhaul grabbed major Tom's face and Toga's hand.
Major Tom exploded, and his father's hand was sent flying. Toga could see the blood and guts fly around the room… and then major Tom was whole again. He was laying on the floor trying to catch his breath and figure out what the hell had happened.
The whole thing was so weird Toga didn't notice her right arm was gone before she looked down. Past the elbow there was nothing. Not even a scar. It was like she had been born with only one hand. The albino girl had closed her eyes and tried to pretend none of this was happening.
Despite the mask she knew Overhaul was smiling.
"Now, what have we learned about this?"
Toga got up.
"Ya unbelievable ass-monkey! Look at this shit!" Toga yelled and pointed at her missing hand: "Ya ruined my favorite shirt! Ya have any fucking idea how much the gal I stole it from payed for it?!"
Overhaul wasn't smiling anymore.
"You're mad."
"Yer damn right I'm mad. Furious even. Aw well. I'm a forgiving gal. Fork over yer wallet and we'll call it even."
Slow clapping echoed in the lab. All for One was standing at the door in his black helmet.
"Impressive Quirk, Overhaul. Most impressive. How are you holding up Tomura?" All for One said.
"… he… he killed me."
"Walk it off." All for One said and turned to face Toga: "How about you? Any pain?"
"Naw. Is that normal?"
"No. As a matter of fact it is not." All for One said and turned to Overhaul: "You wouldn't be interested in giving the lass back her hand?"
"I'll think about it." Overhaul said.
"Well, worth the effort. I apologize for my comrades, but I must ask you not to blow them up anymore."
"As long as they stay out of here." Overhaul said.
"Sounds fair. So… this is where the magic happens?" All for One said and walked to the albino girl: "The Quirk suppressant is literally powered by an orphan? Most impressive, Overhaul."
"Don't get too close. That girl is a demon. A disgusting demon, aren't you, Eri?" Overhaul said.
"… yes." The girl whispered.
"Yes, what?" Overhaul said.
"… I'm a disgusting demon."
"Why?" Overhaul said.
"… I killed daddy."
"That's right. You're a monster who killed her father. But you can make up for it by helping me. Only I can save you."
Eri pushed major Tom's buttons and he started to cry.
"Daddy! I didn't mean it! Don't go! Help me! I'll be good! I promise! Don't send me to the Thinking room!"
Toga picked up major Tom's dad's hand and gave it back to him. He patted major Tom's back until the worst had passed but never took her eyes off Overhaul. Overhaul tried to meet her glare, but his eyes were wavering. Overhaul must have thought he was one bad motherfucker, but Toga had met real bad motherfuckers. They didn't come worse than Mrs. Ikari.
"Lass, take Tomura back to his room before he embarrasses me further." All for One said.
"Sure thing, true believer. Come on major Tom. Let me give ya a hand." Toga said and started giggling while waving her stump: "Get it? Give ya a hand. Man, I'm in top form tonight."
After getting major Tom to his room and returning to her own, Toga finally allowed herself to break down. Good fucking God! This place was a nest of monsters! Worse yet… she was still that scared child who hadn't been able to do anything when her friends were being dragged into the Thinking room. She had left that girl… Eri in Overhaul's clutches and all she had to show for it was a new stump. The bastard had stolen her killing hand! Her goddamn hand! She was…
No!
Toga slapped herself until her cheeks stung. She wasn't done yet. She had lost more important things than a hand. You could get replacements. Bakugou had to move over because Overhaul had just stolen top spot on the shit-list. There was still time to kill before she'd meet Izuku-Izuku for one final time. Time and people. Overhaul was tough, but he was no Mrs. Ikari.
After a sleepless night Toga stepped outside and saw Eri feeding the fish in the pond. She looked small and fragile like even the slightest gust of wind would tear her apart. She was wearing a hat to protect her skin from the sun and hide her horn.
"Sup?" Toga said.
Eri looked ready to run away.
"… don't come closer." Eri said.
"Why not?"
"… I'll kill you." Eri said.
It wasn't a threat or a warning. Just a sad fact. Toga laughed.
"Wanna know a secret? A prophet told me how I'll die, and it won't be cuz of ya." Toga said and pulled out a lollipop: "Ya wanna a lollipop?"
"… I'm not supposed to take candy from strangers."
"Easy problem to fix. Himiko Toga. Villainess extraordinaire at yer service." Toga said and offered the lollipop again.
After hesitating Eri took it. Not wanting to feel left out Toga unwrapped one for herself. It was depressingly hard with just one hand. Eri looked at her own uncertainly.
"… I'm Eri. Isn't it early… for candy?"
"It's evening somewhere. Besides, villains get to eat candy whenever they want."
"… I want to be a hero."
"That's cool. So does my Izuku-Izuku. When ya become a hero come and catch me."
"… who's Izuku-Izuku?" Eri said while unwrapping her lollipop.
"My future widow and the most awesome hero who'll ever be."
"… you're a villain. Villains don't marry heroes." Eri said.
Toga grinned.
"Wanna know a secret?"
Eri nodded.
"Promise not to tell anyone?"
Eri nodded again.
"When ya play heroes and villains, someone's gotta be the villain."
Toga took out her phone and chose a picture of Izuku-Izuku where he had his clothes on. There weren't many of those.
"This is my Izuku-Izuku. The badass hero Agro. Ya need help, go to him. He'll wrestle Stain naked for ya."
"… will he be angry? About your… hand?"
"What this?" Toga said and waved her stump: "Not half as mad as Dabi will be. Sweet God in heaven. The bitching I'm gonna have to put up with."
"… who's Dabi?"
"My big bro although he thinks he's my dad. We had a bit of a falling out and he's thinking what he did in Tartarus. I guess I'll have to bust him out. Ya have any family?"
"… mommy and grandpa, but… mommy doesn't want me anymore. Mr. Chisaki promised she'll come back if I help him. When she sees I'm a good girl again."
"And yer granddaddy?"
"… he's sick and I can't see him but if I help Mr. Chisaki, he'll get better."
A dark shadow fell over Toga and suddenly Overhaul yanked the phone from her hand. Overhaul stood over them like a huge vulture in his weird mask. Eri hid behind Toga. Toga just smiled.
"I wasn't doing anything bad! I promise!" Eri screamed close to tears.
"That's for me to decide. Eri. Go to your room." Overhaul said while staring at Toga's phone.
Eri fled and Overhaul kept staring at the phone. Behind his mask he was smirking.
"Your boyfriend looks like a bitch."
"Looks can be deceiving. I should know. I spent the better part of a year sucking him off." Toga said.
Overhaul started scrolling through the pictures and then fell silent.
"… is that a butt?"
"Izuku-Izuku has the best butt." Toga said.
The phone started humming. Overhaul opened the new message.
"Your master wants to see you." Overhaul said and threw the phone back.
The throw was slow and casual. Catching the phone would have been easy. If she still had her right hand. The left one wasn't worth shit. When she reached down to pick it up Overhaul stomped the phone to bits.
"Look at what you've done now. Clumsy idiot." Overhaul said and grabbed Toga by the chin: "Word of advice, little girl. Stay away from Eri. Put any weird ideas in her head and I'll kill you."
"Is that so?" Toga said.
"I can do so much worse than taking your arm. I'm the future. You're nothing. Stick to sucking your boyfriend off. That's all you're good for."
After Overhaul had left Toga gathered the pieces of her phone and went to see All for One. It wasn't fair that true believer got the VIP treatment, but life wasn't fair. He'd ditched the black helmet and was again connected to his life-support system. He was sitting on the comfiest armchair Toga had ever seen and gestured Toga to take the other one.
"Lass, I think it's time we talked about your future."
"Does it involve sucking Izuku-Izuku's dick? According to Overhaul that's all I'm good for." Toga said.
"Overhaul is a fool and Izuku is a braver man than I'll ever be if he put something that precious near your teeth." True believer said.
"Ya know me too well, true believer. So… what do ya think my future holds?"
All for One told her a story that took place at the dawn of Quirks. Two brothers were born. One seemly Quirkless. The other with the power to take and give Quirks. To keep his weak baby brother safe the older brother gave him a Quirk that enhanced his body. The younger brother thanked his older brother by becoming a constant thorn in his side. Eventually the older brother was left with no other choices but to kill his own brother. Little did he know that his little brother wasn't so powerless after all. He had half of his brother's power. A Quirk to pass on Quirks. That had been the birth of One for All and a war that had lasted well over a century.
"So Izuku-Izuku is not All Might's kid?" Toga said.
"No. I don't think All Might can even get it up after what I did to him. God, I hope not. There would be some justice in the world."
"Okay. So… did you call me here to talk about All Might's boners?"
"For fuck sake, lass. I'm looking for a successor. Someone who can scheme, lead and keep their cool under pressure."
"Got it. I'll let ya know when I find him."
"Lass."
"Yeah?"
"Are you fucking with me right now?" True believer said.
"Naw… maybe… yeah."
"Well, don't. What do you say?"
"I'm not really planning to live that long." Toga said.
"Death would be a waste. Imagine you with my powers. You could do anything. The fun you'd have. Growing back an arm wouldn't be a stretch."
"Could I make Izuku-Izuku immortal too?"
"Well… shit… This is going to be awkward."
"How's that, true believer?" Toga said.
"I really need to kill Izuku Midoriya."
"… oh."
"My brother is too dangerous to be allowed to live and you need to cut that umbilical cord. It's a dog eat dog world out there. Caring doesn't get you anywhere. All you can do is save yourself. Why not play your game with the Todoroki family? Far more suitable enemy for the next All for One."
"That it would, All for One." Toga said.
"So… what do you say?"
Toga looked at true believer... and saw All for One clearly. A beast not that different from Mrs. Ikari. You didn't disappoint either of them if you wanted to live. She was dancing on the edge of a razor.
"To be honest… I was getting a bit bored with Izuku-Izuku. Todoroki sounds… good." Toga said.
"That's a load off my chest, lass. Run along now." All for One said.
Toga stepped outside and shivered. Black mist started forming around her.
"Ms. Toga. Would you like to join me for some tea?" Kurogiri said from the mist.
"Sure."
Toga stepped into the mist and found herself in Kurogiri's bar. Kurogiri was standing behind the bar table making tea.
"Thank you for coming, Ms. Toga."
"My pleasure, mommy Kurogiri."
"Mommy?"
"Come on. Admit it. Ya are totally the mommy." Toga said.
"If you say so." Kurogiri said and glanced at the stump: "How… are you holding up?"
"Ain't gonna lie. Not great." Toga said and pulled out the remains of her phone: "Look what Dickhaul did to my phone."
"I actually meant…"
"I know what ya meant and I ain't in the mood." Toga said.
"If you say so." Kurogiri said and poured her tea: "I'd like to thank you for helping Tomura last night. The boy is very dear to me. I've more or less raised him since he was nine."
"Ya did a bang-up job."
"Sarcasm is unbecoming of you, Ms. Toga. But… you are right. I should have done more. I've decided to do more."
Kurogiri kept talking and Toga listened. She nodded a lot and had another cup of tea. When the tea was gone and Kurogiri had said his piece Toga wasn't cold anymore.
"Sounds good, mommy Kurogiri. Count me in."
"Thank you, Ms. Toga. I'll contact you later about prosthetics." Kurogiri said.
Word got out fast in the underworld and didn't take long for Kurogiri to bring them new allies. All for One brought them back to the old haunts to meet their latest patch of recruits. One was a tall, muscular woman in a man's body with long hair and thick lips. The other was a slim time traveler who had stepped out the 19th century with his red overcoat, black top-hat and walking stick. The only modern thing about him was his mask with its broad grin and blank white eyes.
"Everyone, say hello to our new brothers in arms. Please. Introduce yourselves." All for One said.
The tall woman stepped forward first.
"Magne. Mistress of magnetism and the baddest bitch you've ever seen."
"Sorry to disappoint ya, sis, but that gig is already taken." Toga said.
Magne smiled.
"You just don't know me well enough." Magne said and walked up to Toga: "Where's the rest of you?"
Toga waved around her stump.
"Realized I need only one hand and threw the other away. On an unrelated note don't try to stab Overhaul. Dude gets really pissy about it."
Twice clutched his head like it was about to split.
"I should have been there! I could have done something!"
"Chill, Twice. I'm a happy camper as long as I have one hand to bitch-slap fools with." Toga said and grinned at Magne: "Good to have another sister in this sausage fest."
"Pleasure is all mine, baby sister." Magne said and glanced at major Tom sulking in the corner: "What's with the creepy guy?"
"He exploded." Toga said.
"Sounds bad."
"It was." Kurogiri said and glared at All for One.
"Charming. What about you, masked man?" All for One said.
The time traveler pointed his cane at All for One.
"Mr. Motherfucker, you know who I am?"
Deadly silence followed, and Toga prepared to see a man die. Instead All for One just laughed.
"No, and I don't really give a good goddamn." All for One said with a smile.
"Well, it's plain to see I'm that bad motherfucker called Compress. Mr. Compress."
"Yeah, I've heard your name down the way and I kick motherfucking asses like you every day." All for One said and started laughing: "Finally someone who appreciates music. You play?"
"Drums." Mr. Compress said.
"Kurogiri. You made an excellent choice."
"I know, master."
Mrs. Ikari walked Tsukauchi and Kenji back to their car. Tsukauchi couldn't shake the feeling that he had forgotten something important but when he tried to remember, fear started gnawing his stomach. The kind of fear that drove men to drink.
"Well, detectives. I'm glad I could make you see things my way. What are you going to say when you get back?" Mrs. Ikari said.
"That… that this is a very nice place."
"Yes… very nice." Kenji agreed: "If… something happens to me and my wife, I'd like my kids to be sent here."
"Be careful what you wish for, detective. I might be able to arrange something. Children! Wave goodbye to the nice detectives." Mrs. Ikari said.
Children appeared in the orphanage windows.
"Goodbye!"
