A/N: Just registered for online summer courses. Not sure how they'll go, considering how terrible I am with technology. Also, seems like my professors are using three different online platforms...so, yikes. I may be a Gen Z, but I still suck at using devices like my phone. BTW, as my semester starts on May. 4, yes, this means I might not be able to update chapters as frequently. However, I'll try to write as often as I can.

Chapter 11: Parent Or Guardian

Meanwhile, Hiyori and Sergeant Tanaka were having a most interesting time—more for the latter. The car ride to the bureau only brought a return of awkwardness to the Heijou Toji. Sergeant Tanaka was a jolly man who loved to talk and enquire upon just about anyone's life. His avid readiness for amusement, however, brought an unfortunate habit of him occasionally asking questions founded upon overbold assumptions. The Heijou Toji already discovered this earlier when the sergeant asked Akane about her future marital status. However, Hiyori didn't expect him to also express interest in her own relationships with others—specifically with a certain Minoseki Toji.

"What do you think of my colleague's daughter, Hiyori-chan?" Sergeant Tanaka asked.

Keeping his hands firmly on the wheel, he took a quick glance from the road to the ebony-haired girl seated next to him. Hiyori's mind forcibly dissuaded her to keep from answering such a thing, once she saw the knowing smile on Sergeant Tanaka's face.

"She is an individual of noble character," Hiyori replied, in what she knew to be her stiffest voice. Hearty laughter came from Sergeant Tanaka's mouth and at first, Hiyori was slightly afraid they'd veer out of the lane.

"You are just as sensible as Kanami-chan says you are," the sergeant remarked.

Hiyori really hoped he wouldn't ask more difficult questions she'd need to avoid, but he didn't. To her relief, Sergeant Tanaka instead changed the topic completely, relating numerous past murder cases he and Inspector Etou solved with Kanami. The killing of Suzuki Nanaka, a former Renpu student...the ongoing case of the mysterious Toji serial killer, Jacklyn Ripper... Ceaseless flow of talking poured from Sergeant Tanaka's mouth, as he told his adventurous stories describing a side of Kanami that Hiyori never knew. The Heijou Toji couldn't help letting her mind revolve on how smart and...cool the Minoseki Toji really was.

When they pulled in front of the bureau, Sergeant Tanaka said, "We'll start by questioning the employees. One of them may have been near Yukari-sama's office during her meeting with President Gojou."

The two of them didn't have much luck with that task, except when they asked one woman—Yukari's secretary, Ikeda Shizuko. She was a woman of thirty-two, organized and efficient. Her answers came willingly.

"I did indeed see President Gojou that day, sir," she answered when asked. "And in fact, heard her too during her meeting with Yukari-sama—quite by accident, of course."

"Care to elaborate, Ikeda-san?" the sergeant asked, ready with notebook and pen.

"Well, I was approaching Yukari-sama's office because I had some documents that needed her hanko stamped on them," Shizuko began. "And just as I was about to open the door, I'm sure I heard a yell from inside."

"And that was President Gojou?"

"Oh yes. She was saying something along the lines of, 'You're not taking her from me!' I could tell that it was a conversation not meant for me to hear. So, I quickly scurried away and gave Yukari-sama the papers after President Gojou left the bureau," Shizuko said.

Sergeant Tanaka made sure to finish writing his notes before turning to his younger helper, "Okay, Hiyori-chan. We should start searching Yukari-sama's office now."

Hiyori made no objection as that was one of the first things she wanted to do. She wasted no time in breaking open the drawer to Yukari's desk once they entered the room. Inside was a surprisingly messy accumulation of papers. Sergeant Tanaka and Hiyori went through each of them with careful attention, until a certain heading on one of them caught both of their eyes. It read: Certified Statement for Official Adoption Registration.

"Oh my God," Hiyori gasped with her heart leaping into her throat. "I think I now know why Origami Yukari had that meeting with President Gojou last week…"

Right when they returned to the Origami Family Estate, Sergeant Tanaka immediately made Hiyori get Iroha for a private interview. The Heijou president sat before the two of them placing her hands folded on top of her lap. An expression of irritation was on her face.

"My God, I'm sick of answering your nosy questions. What is it now?" she sighed.

Sergeant Tanaka answered her right away. "The true reason why you were angry…was it because you were against Yukari-sama adopting Hiyori-chan?"

He certainly got the Heijou president's attention. She asked coolly, "So, you found out the truth now, did you?"

"In fact, yes," she admitted, with a vexed sigh. "Yukari-chan was planning to take legal custody of Hiyori-chan. For whatever purpose, I don't know. But that doesn't matter because she had no right to in the first place! Kagari-chan left her daughter in my care, before she passed. I'm her legal guardian!"

Iroha's eyes had a desperate and loving look, when she turned to Hiyori. "I couldn't just let Yukari-chan take you from me. You matter to me, Hiyori-chan; you know you do."

Yes, Hiyori knew—she knew very well. The Heijou Toji thought back to the days after her mother's passing. Iroha had been nothing but kind to her from the start. Sure, they weren't as close as she was to her mother, but Hiyori trusted Iroha. The Heijou president had sacrificed so many things just to take care of her—time, lots of money, and sometimes even her own happiness. And despite both of her parents being dead, Hiyori was given the same maternal love by her guardian.

"It was selfish of Yukari-chan to just immediately decide things by herself. She didn't even ask Hiyori-chan for her consent," Iroha snapped. "Yukari-chan was determined to ruin the perfect happiness of a young girl, for what I can only assume to be duty, the traditional law-abiding woman she was! I refused to let such a thing ensue and was willing to do anything."

Iroha's vehement words perked up Sergeant Tanaka's ears. He stared at the Heijou president's green eyes, which were quite frankly more red than green. Fire flashed in them as she held her chin high.

Apparently, she quickly noticed how intently he was staring at her because she snapped, "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think—that I had—"

"That you…?"

Iroha tossed her head the other way. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

A/N: What do you guys think? Were you expecting Iroha to be Hiyori's guardian? ;) Now with her motive clear in the open, what will our detectives think of her now? Also, yes, I included a little "Jack the Ripper" reference in this chapter. After all, he is definitely one of the most famous murderers ever in history!