A/N: Fever is nearly gone. Having high hopes of recovery. Thank you all so much for your encouraging messages and kind words! Here's Chapter 8!
Chapter 8: The Final Accounts
Out of all the presidents of the Five Traditions, Yuzuki was somewhat of a puzzle to both Inspector Etou and Sergeant Tanaka. There was a fine contrast between her and the other presidents. Her manners were cordial but serious; her opinions neutral, but indifferent. The inspector noticed that she didn't readily judge nor try to lay blame on any of the other women. The Ayanokouji president gradually lay the facts before the two men, her story concise and straightforward. Yuzuki's character was decided in those moments. She was probably the most judicious, but apathetic woman Inspector Etou ever came across.
'At least her story so far fits in with everyone else's,' Sergeant Tanaka thought, as he continued to write in his notebook.
Inspector Etou, however, had another question. "So, you said you went to Yukari-sama's room at around nine o'clock to check up on her?"
"Yes. I was concerned about her, considering how much she drank last night," Yuzuki replied. "I simply peeped my head in and she was still awake. She called me over to play shogi with her, even though I protested out of concern for her well-being."
Then, breaking her stoic expression with a slight reminiscent smile, she added, "Didn't want to break our little tradition. We always play a game whenever I come to the estate. Even had an ongoing rivalry—which she led sixty-seven games to fifteen."
Her words stirred something in the inspector. "President Souraku, I know that the Origami Family has close ties with your school and that they sometimes use it as a base in times of desperation. You and your husband likewise visited the mansion often, correct? Were you on good terms with the family, specifically Yukari-sama when she was alive?"
"Yes, Yukari trusted me wholeheartedly," Yuzuki said, then after a pause, added, "Even more than Yukina, she admitted."
Sergeant Tanaka couldn't tell whether she said this jestingly, due to the stoic expression on her face. However, what he could tell was that the temperament of Yuzuki was so similar to the late Origami sister. Both were rather emotionless and carried grand airs of responsibility and common sense.
'The type of people you'd have to clearly pronounce each syllable around,' the sergeant thought. 'It's no wonder that President Souraku got along well with Yukari-sama. Like two peas in a pod.'
Inspector Etou also seemed to notice this. "If I'm not mistaken, President Souraku, I'd almost say you were Yukari-sama's most loyal friend. However, I remember that it was your school's students that became Tagitsuhime's imperial guard. Also, it was you as well, who was in charge of the Myouga Project. Can you explain more about that?"
Yuzuki's face remained closed off. "I admit I've committed many sins because of my weakness. It was wrong of me, I know. However, I've done everything to try to atone for my past crimes. I was devoted to Yukari."
"So then, do you mean after the Great Year-End Disaster, you permanently abolished all related works of the Myouga Project?"
The Ayanokouji president, for the first time, fixed a cold eye on Inspector Etou. It was the dispassionate gaze of a woman of authority, accustomed to disciplining individuals out of order.
Imitating his accented speech for sarcasm, she replied, "Of course I did. For Yukari."
'The woman's lying. I know she's lying,' Sergeant Tanaka thought.
Kanami and Hiyori were slightly surprised when Inspector Etou asked them to bring the Elite Guards last of all. However, his response gave them reason enough.
"If the time of death was after everyone went to bed, Shidou-san and Konohana-san might've seen something when they were on patrol last night," he had said.
He had guessed correctly. Maki had indeed experienced something noteworthy during her nightly rounds.
"Saw light coming from underneath Yukari-sama's bedroom door at eleven," Maki said.
"Was she still awake?" Inspector Etou asked.
"Oh yeah," the orange-haired Toji replied, with a shrug. "I knocked out of concern, asking if I could enter. The door was locked from the inside, but I heard Yukari-sama say she was alright."
Kanami's eyes narrowed at this. 'The door was locked when Shidou-san tried to open it, but Director Maniwa was able to get into Yukari-sama's room this morning. Did Yukari-sama herself unlock it after Shidou-san left…or somebody else?'
Inspector Etou turned to Suzuka next with a polite bow. "And what about you, Konohana-san?"
"Same thing. Was doing my patrolling of the grounds," she said. "Maki-san and I both retired to our quarters at two o'clock. That was when Kanami-san and Hiyori-san were supposed to take our place and do their own rounds."
Suzuka paused, before passing a tongue over dry lips. Inspector Etou could see in her change of expression that she was thinking over something. The ponytailed-girl narrowed her eyes slightly, before continuing.
"And I'm not sure if this is important...but I did see something else at around one o'clock."
"What?" Sergeant Tanaka asked.
Suzuka cleared her throat, before pointing her finger in one direction. "Yukari-sama's sleeping quarters are in the East Wing of the mansion."
"Yes, yes, but what did you see?" Inspector Etou demanded, impatiently.
"Hiyori-san creeping away from the East Wing...even though her room is on the west side of the mansion."
When the two Elite Guards left, Sergeant Tanaka closed his notebook with a snap. "Alright, that's it. Everyone's stories match and are consistent. And all the possible suspects have been questioned."
Inspector Etou muttered under his breath, "Well, not all."
"Kanami, Juujou-san, come in here, please," he called.
The two young girls entered the library with stiff small steps. Kanami side-glanced at the Heijou Toji next to her, trying to read her emotions. By ceaseless employment, Hiyori was trying to disguise the feelings that were making her heart pound against her chest. Feelings that were divided between distress and an overwhelming sense of guilt. Her efforts were in vain, as Inspector Etou could see the thin sheen of sweat starting to form on the Heijou Toji's forehead.
"Konohana-san said that she saw you at one o'clock, walking from the wing Yukari-sama's room is in," he said, with his hands on his hips. "What have you to say about that, Juujou-san?"
Drawing in her breath, Hiyori tried to not look at the suspicious eyes turned her way. "I just had to use the bathroom..."
'Hiyori-chan, you always were a terrible liar,' Kanami thought, rubbing her forehead.
Her father also could observe this, but decided to leave the matter—for now anyway. He adjusted his tie, before taking charge of the discourse.
"Here's what we'll do first. We'll split up to divide the investigation work. Juujou-san, I'd like you and Sergeant Tanaka to go to the Special Sword Administration Bureau. Try to find out what exactly President Gojou had to meet Yukari-sama about. Kanami, you're coming with me. We'll search Yukari-sama's room again, along with the rest of the estate grounds."
A/N: And now, we have all of our suspects. Who do you guys think is the murderer? Leave a comment in the reviews if you like. Hm...and it also seems Hiyori was also acting suspicious last night. What could she have possibly been doing? If you have any theories, likewise, feel free to add them in the reviews.