A/N: Fever is now considerably lower than it was two days ago. I think I'm beginning to slowly recover, which is good. My doctor dropped by my house to look in on me and he says that the improvement is a promising sign.

In this chapter, our detectives will be questioning Ema. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 7: Loot And Lies

"President Takatsu mentioned that you were told to come here before the others. May I ask what Yukari-sama wanted you for?"

The inspector kept a scrupulous eye on Ema while rubbing his brass pocket-watch. He couldn't help feeling grateful that she didn't smoke, his nose having already been assaulted by the fumes of two smoking women. The Minoseki president hadn't turned a hair at his question. Instead, she squared her shoulders, drawing herself up. Her lips lifted into the same benign smile those at her school were familiar with.

"I did indeed come to the mansion before the meeting. Came in the late afternoon because Yukari-sama asked me to help set things up," Ema said.

"May I ask about your movements last night?" Inspector Etou inquired.

"I mostly remained in the library after the meeting and then turned in for the night. That was maybe at ten minutes after nine," the Minoseki president responded. "Oh! Also, on my way to my quarters, I happened to look into Yukari-sama's bedroom. She was talking with Yuzuki-senpai."

"Can you describe the scene to us?"

"The scene?"

"Yes. What were they doing and talking about?" the inspector specified.

"Oh, I see. Well, first of all, they were seated at the table in Yukari-sama's room. From the door, I could clearly see that they were playing shogi—it's Yukari-sama's favourite game," Ema explained. "I'm not very sure as to what exactly they were talking about. However, I did hear Yuzuki-senpai telling Yukari-sama to take things easy."

She added, "I was concerned about Yukari-sama not sleeping well, and asked if things were alright to which Yuzuki-senpai said that they were. She said Yukari-sama was not tired just yet and had asked her to play shogi."

"What reaction did Yukari-sama give herself?" Inspector Etou asked.

Ema blushed. "The cold shoulder. No doubt she was still mad over what happened during last night's meeting."

"Now, President Hashima, to my knowledge, out of all your fellow president buddies, President Gojou is your best friend. Is that true?" Inspector Etou asked.

Ema affirmed this, saying, "Yes, Iroha-san and I have always been close."

Stroking his chin, Inspector Etou said, "The reason I'm bringing this up is that there may be things she's told you before the meeting last night."

The Minoseki president leaned in slightly with a raised eyebrow asking, "Such as?"

"Like, were you aware of President Gojou's indignation before the meeting?"

"I'd been very busy, Inspector," Ema sighed. "I didn't have time to notice such things. Although...when we all first arrived at the mansion, I could see that Iroha-san was trying to keep a straight face. When I asked what the matter was, she changed the subject as though she didn't want to talk about it."

'Whatever happened during President Gojou's private meeting with Yukari-sama definitely couldn't have gone well,' Kanami thought. 'Father will surely want to investigate further into that.'

Her Heijou friend's thoughts, however, were more daring. As an individual, who did anything to achieve her goals, Hiyori was beginning to wonder if it were not possible to check out the bureau for clues.

'And I'll bet Yukari-sama kept lots of important documents in her desk,' she thought, with a sly grin.

Sergeant Tanaka was still taking notes in his scribbly handwriting and asked a question himself. "What was your own personal response to last night?"

Ema's eyebrows rose. "My response to the meeting? Well, I was definitely concerned about the rising tension. However, I wasn't personally distraught about it in any way."

Inspector Etou leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "You said you came to the mansion in the afternoon to help Yukari-sama before the meeting started. Did you two discuss anything in particular while you were at it?"

Ema looked at him sharply. "I don't know what you mean."

In a more serious tone, the inspector pressed further, "Did you and Yukari-sama have any sort of strained relationship?"

"I beg your pardon?"

Seeing how the woman before him was not getting the hint, Inspector Etou pried, "Before you came in, ma'am, a little bird—who I must say wouldn't stop yakking like crazy—told me something that caught my attention. So, I googled up some stuff on the web to look into it. You have apparently been...borrowing money from the Origami Family on occasion."

Ema may have been smiling in the beginning, but she was not smiling now by any means. Her olive-green eyes were narrowed and her mouth set into a straight line. Just like all the other women before her, the Minoseki president's kind demeanour had been embittered into an insulted scowl.

"I do not know what lies Yukina has fabricated to make you search up all those other packs of falsehoods, but—"

However, she was interrupted halfway by the raised hand of Inspector Etou. His eyes were just as stern.

"President Hashima, is it true your school is on the edge of bankruptcy? Or is that indeed what you say it is…another lie?"

Yesterday...

Ema stared at the long table before her, along with the seven chairs around it. Yukari and Akane's papers were at both ends of the table respectively. Everything was well-polished and orderly; there seemed to be nothing much else to set up for the meeting. So, why did Yukari...?

The Minoseki president stared at the tall woman before her. Yukari had her back turned towards her and was looking outside into the garden. Because the sun was streaming from the windows, the Origami sister's shadow cast an inky blackness over Ema's figure. They had been standing like this for five minutes and still, neither of them made eye contact, nor spoke a word. Just when the awkwardness was about to drive Ema mad, Yukari broke the silence. Her voice was chilling and had a hostile edge to it.

"Ema, I know those loans you keep asking me for aren't going towards Minoseki Academy like you say they are."

The brown-haired woman froze at these words, alarmed with a foreboding sensation of premonition. It was as though suddenly the room became a few degrees colder, despite the warm sunlight filtering through. Ema couldn't help but feel grateful a little that Yukari had her back turned. Otherwise, the Origami woman would've clearly seen her shiver. Perhaps if she invented another lie, she could save herself from disgrace. Ema very nearly gave in to this temptation but instead remained silent. She knew to do such a thing would be idiotic; Yukari was no fool.

Seeing that she got no response from Ema, Yukari added, "I hear nothing about these renovations you say you'll do. Nor anything about fixing broken plumbing, nor special student activities, nor any other shit—pardon my language."

Ema said, "Yukari-sama, please—"

"You've been cheating me of my family's money, Ema."

Yukari, at last, turned around to face the Minoseki president with her hands behind her back. Her normally stoic face was now set into a stern expression. Ema found that gaze overpowering and let her eyes fall to the floor. She couldn't help feeling like a child that got caught with her hand in the cookie jar. However, it was Yukari's next words that made Ema jerk her head back up in fright.

"After tonight, you'll go back to Minoseki Academy and pack your things."

"W-What?" With her hand on her heart, Ema reeled away slightly, taking a step back.

"You leave first thing in the morning."

Present Day...

Raising her chin, Ema stiffly straightened herself up to her full height. Sergeant Tanaka secretly thought she made herself look a few inches taller. Shooting a look at Inspector Etou, Ema was now alert and vigilant of the threatening situation she was in. To lie or not to lie? The inspector waited patiently for the president's answer.

"Like I said, just a bunch of lies. I haven't been borrowing money from Yukari-sama for Minoseki Academy nor myself. What I can say is that Yukina is a bitch to have started this story in the first place. That is all. I'm sorry, Inspector, but I have wasted your time and you've wasted mine."

And with that, Ema left the room. Before she had entered the room, Ema had said a polite "hello" to the two Tojis guarding the library door. Now, she didn't even cast a glance at them when she exited. Hiyori looked at Kanami to see her with a distressed expression. The Minoseki Toji couldn't help thinking about all of the presidents—their warm welcoming smiles transformed into something more sinister...

'How can a group of such good friends turn against one another so quickly?'

A/N: So, now we know Ema's motive! Last of all will be Yuzuki's and after her questioning, the real investigation will begin. Hope you are all enjoying this story so far. Please let me know your thoughts in the reviews. :)