A/N: Just watched the second installment of the Toji no Miko OVA! Hngh! I want more Toji no Miko stuff—I wish Kadokawa will consider making a second season.

Chapter 14: Conversation Over Luncheon

"I can't do this!" Kanami moaned.

"If you spend less time whining and more time actually concentrating, maybe you would be able to!" Hiyori shot back.

Her girlfriend only released another defeated groan, before turning back to her textbook. The mathematical equations in front of her looked more like strange undecipherable magic runes. They were frightening to Kanami's poor brain. With another sigh, Hiyori shook her head and placed her own textbooks back on her writing desk.

'Looks like I won't be able to study myself today,' she thought, glancing at her watch.

Even though she had a secure job as the Head of the Origami Family, Hiyori still had to advance in her studies in some mysterious way. After all, she never officially graduated high school. The few hours she had to spare, which were mostly at night, she devoted to studying her books. The truth, indeed, was that when Akane first mentored her to become the next Origami Head, she knew she wouldn't have to worry about Hiyori's studies. Hiyori was always too eager to learn to require teachers at all and normally would do fine studying on her own. Give her a book and she'd only have to read it once to know it by heart.

Even so, there were occasional instances of Kanami kneeling in front of her bedroom door and begging for help. And as a result, Hiyori would be forced to postpone her own studying time. Sanae sometimes would tutor Kanami herself to ease Hiyori's burden, but she had her own studies and work to attend to.

Looking into her dressing table's mirror, Hiyori adjusted the black fascinator hat perched on top of her head. "I should get going now."

"Where are you going?" Kanami asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Off to Yanase Chisaki's funeral to pay my respects—not that I'm particularly anxious to attend. It was merely an invitation on her father's part, which I couldn't deny," Hiyori groaned. "If she's not busy, you can ring for Sanae to help you with your homework."

The only guests at the funeral were those who were on board The Royal Diana that fateful night—save for Rui Qin and Ichika, who'd been arrested a week ago. Clearly, Chisaki did not have any close personal friends. Contrary to what her ex-husband ordered, Momoko still attended the ceremony, much to his displeasure. During the entire funeral, Hiyori noticed how every single eye was dry. Nobody shed a tear, not even Mai and Momoko, the only people who seemed to care for Chisaki at all.

"My cousin wouldn't have wanted us to cry," Mai whispered to Hiyori. "She was...cheerful. She would want us to try to be cheerful too."

Even though the words were coming from one of her most trusted friends, Hiyori couldn't help but doubt that was the real reason. They all headed to Azure 45, a Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo for luncheon. Hiyori was hoping for the food to give her an excuse to not talk, but that proved impossible as she was seated next to Louis.

Rina, who was on her left, made no attempt to communicate with her at all, which was something to be grateful about. In fact, the grey-haired woman was more engaged in a staring contest between herself and her son, who only glared back. Although he was only let off with a fine for his smoking habit, Kaito's face looked as red and hot as a pepper.

For the most part, the luncheon was a normal one. Conversation about Chisaki was silently agreed as forbidden. Ninety percent of all the talking was done by Touko, Momoko, and Louis.

"Sweltering weather we have this summer, don't we?" Momoko remarked. "I fear I might get heatstroke again someday. Summers here in Japan are just quite unbearable. Feel like I'm a piece of laundry hung up to dry sometimes."

"Very relatable," Touko chimed in. "I was trying to persuade Takanori that we should go someplace cooler for the weekend."

"Too much work at hand and not enough time," Takanori said, gruffly, carving up his meat.

"What will you be doing for this weekend, Hiyori-sama?" Touko asked, with a smile. "I was wondering if you'd like to join us for tea on July the 14th."

Hiyori shook her head. "Unfortunately, ma'am, I have a meeting I must attend at the Special Sword Administration Bureau on that day. My weekends are rarely free."

"A sacrifice all of us business people must make," Louis laughed.

Trying to hide her disappointment at Hiyori's refusal, Touko asked, "And what will you be doing yourself, Louis?"

"The 14th is like any other day for me. Nothing special. Probably I'll be just relaxing at home," was the Frenchman's reply.

"In that case, would you like to join us for tea?"

"Why, I'd be delighted."

Touko turned to her brother-in-law. "And you, Kentaro? How about you?"

The businessman looked down at his plate and drew his lips tightly together. To Hiyori, he looked as though the sudden attention was an embarrassment. Ever since the start of the funeral, the company around Kentaro was little to his liking, especially the presence of a certain long ponytailed woman. And now, the thought of being amongst his family and all these other people again at one of Touko's ridiculous tea parties made Kentaro almost shudder. He cleared his throat and straightened his back.

"I think it ought to be the time I share a piece of news with you all," Kentaro said.

This sudden proclamation earned the interest and slight suspicion of everyone, as they waited for him to continue. Clearing his throat once again, Kentaro said, "Actually this weekend, I will be leaving Japan forever."

The exclamations that followed were immediate, causing half of the restaurant to turn in the direction of their table. Takanori almost sprang from his chair.

"What do you mean?"

"Staying here has brought me too much sadness. I intend to start a new life," was the reply.

"Where will you go, Uncle Kentaro?" Mai asked, the despair in her voice easily heard.

"To Canada."

"Why Canada?" Kaito scoffed. "Doesn't it snow there all the time?"

"It does not," Momoko said. "That is merely a biased belief. There are some places that are quite beautiful."

Internally thankful towards his ex-wife, something he never thought he'd feel before, Kentaro continued, "Anyway, I do not wish to remain here. My life here has been nothing but miserable. I ask that you all please understand that."

Turning to Takanori and Touko, he added, "I am leaving everything to both of you. I trust you'll take care of everything."

Stammering, Touko gasped, "Kentaro, this is all—"

"I know. I know. But you can't stop me. For once in my life, I'm free and I want to enjoy it."

There was a long pause. A tension of disbelief, awkwardness, and even some malicious satisfaction surrounded the table. Everyone's concentration was mainly turned towards his or her plate and glass.

Sipping the last of his red wine, Takanori asked, "Momoko, you're still investigating Chen Rui Qin's apartment, right?"

"Yes, I'm leaving right after luncheon," was the reply. "Now that she's been arrested for my daughter's murder, it's time I do more uncovering into that scandal fraud of hers."

"Now very noble of you," Rina stated, monotonously. They were the first words she had spoken since luncheon began. Everyone almost forgot she was present.

Only Hiyori frowned. Under her breath, she murmured, "Canada...?"

When Hiyori returned back to her mansion, she found Kanami and Sanae sitting in the library. Her silver-haired lady's maid was tutoring her girlfriend about mathematics.

"And you put the variable over there, Etou-san," Sanae instructed. "And then you use this equation."

With a groan, Kanami slammed her head onto her open textbook. "Iwakura-san, this is hopeless..."

"Don't give up, Etou-san," Sanae encouraged. "You'll understand eventually."

Lifting up her head, Kanami's face instantly lighted up at the sight of her girlfriend. "Ah! Hiyori-chan!"

"I'm back."

"Hiyori-sama," Sanae greeted, standing up to bow.

"How was it, Hiyori-chan?" Kanami asked.

"Interesting to say the least..."

"Well, come on. Tell us!" Kanami said, eagerly, to which Hiyori obliged.

However, it wasn't until Hiyori mentioned about Momoko going to Rui Qin's apartment that Kanami spun around with wide eyes. "Ueda-san said that in front of everybody?!"

Both Sanae and Hiyori were taken aback at the Minoseki Toji's sudden reaction. The latter responded, "Well—yes."

"Quickly, Hiyori-chan! We must make haste. Come on!"

Rui Qin's apartment was the definition of luxury as Momoko soon discovered. As far as the eye could see was a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Tokyo. Designed with a contemporary Japanese interior and complete with a marble bathroom, Rui Qin had definitely been living the life in her brief moments here. To Momoko, it was an outrage...Rui Qin spending other people's well-earned money for her own personal gains. Momoko first made her way to the study and broke open the desk drawer. A triumphant smile crossed her face.

"Let's see what you've been up to," Momoko murmured, flipping through the files she found.

Her eyes carefully read over the details, growing wider with each passing second. With a short gasp, she took out her phone and dialled a number.

It had been a very boring day so far at the Kamakura Police Station for Inspector Etou and Sergeant Tanaka. For the entire morning, the former remained at his desk, signing documents and answering emails on his laptop. The latter was simply propped up in a chair with his feet on top of his colleague's desk, eating a bag of chips. The sound of a ringtone almost scared the living daylights out of them.

Answering his cellular device, Inspector Etou said, "Yes? Etou speaking."

"Sir. It's me, Momoko. I think I've found something regarding that Vancouver—augh!"

"Ueda-san? Ueda-san!"

A/N: In the next chapter, the killer will be revealed. Who do you all think it is? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the reviews!