A/N: Hey fellow fanfic readers and writers! We have finally come to the chapter everyone has been waiting for: Kanami exposing the criminal! We shall see just how smart and intelligent how favourite Minoseki Toji really is! I hope you all enjoy it!
Chapter 21: The Big Reveal
Steeling herself, Kanami straightened her spine and raised her chin a little, looking at the audience before her. Just five minutes ago, her father carried out her instructions and gathered everyone into the library. Now, the only sound to be heard was the ticking of the ornate library clock as all eyes remained fixed on the Minoseki Toji. Passing a tongue over dry lips, Kanami prepared herself for what she was about to reveal, knowing it would change the lives of everyone in the room.
Leaning back in her plush chair, cigarette in hand, Sana sighed absentmindedly, "Mind telling us what this is all about, Etou?"
Kanami put her hands behind her back with emotionless eyes. It was queer to Hiyori seeing her normally cheerful girlfriend look so stoic and collected. The Elite Guards shared similar thoughts. Maki was sure that if Kaoru was with them, the pink-haired loli would've probably thought Kanami had a long-lost twin.
Leaning towards the men on her left, Suzuka whispered, "Was she always like this before?
Sergeant Tanaka and Inspector Etou only gave knowing smiles, the latter putting a finger to his lips, gesturing for Suzuka to be quiet. Internally recalling what she was prepared to say first, Kanami took a deep breath and started off her presentation with a question.
"Why was Yukari-sama killed? Almost all of our suspects had a possible motive and forgive me for calling them out. First off, Akane-sama..."
The Origami woman jumped in alarm when her name was called. Her aqua-coloured eyes became as round as a deer's when caught in the headlights.
"It's possible that she may have wanted to keep her position as Head," the Minoseki Toji theorized. "Yukari-sama selecting a new one would've removed her from it. Regarding President Takatsu, she clearly wanted to be Yukari-sama's heiress. I don't need to say more about that. As for President Gojou, Yukari-sama wanted to take custody of Hiyori-chan—someone President Gojou has grown to love and care for as if she was her own daughter. And President Hashima...she was indeed taking money from Yukari-sama. Such a deed, she could not have exposed. My apologies, President Hashima."
The look of betrayal Ema gave Kanami cut through the Minoseki Toji like a knife and she quickly averted her eyes. Ducking her head, the brown-haired woman stared at her clasped hands in her lap, trying to ignore the glares thrown at her. Only Yuzuki gave her a guilty and sympathetic look.
Kanami continued, "Now for Director Maniwa. I couldn't find a motive for her, but she was also clearly upset after the meeting that fateful night. She could've been moved by anger and taken it out on Yukari-sama."
By now, everyone's moods had soured. Time was being wasted.
"What are you getting at, Etou?" Yuzuki, at last, demanded. "Did you seriously just call us here to spill everyone's secrets?"
Kanami gave her a pointed look. "No, but there's a question I'd like to ask you, President Souraku. How long have you and Yukari-sama been lovers?"
Heads shot in Yuzuki's direction. Her fair skin turning paler ever so slightly, Yuzuki quickly recovered, putting on her normal hard expression.
"I beg your pardon?" she snorted.
"It sounds extraordinary, yes. Let me explain it all," Kanami said, as she slowly began to walk around the room. "In Yukari-sama's room are sappy romantic poems written by an anonymous lover, who suggested eloping. Akane-sama, tell us all, what made your sister decide to break ties with her sweetheart?"
Not taking her eyes off the Ayanokouji president, Akane said hesitantly, "Nee-sama said she didn't want to set a bad example when it came to choosing the new heiress."
Kanami nodded her head. "Indeed. Yukari-sama...a conservative woman who put traditions first cause of her family's reputation. A love affair would cause a scandal if brought into the light! And then I thought, 'Why would Yukari-sama only call it off when she decided to choose an heiress?' What does the heiress have to do with her love affair? And what makes the heiress so important? And that's where those newspaper clippings come in. Father, do you have them with you?"
Taking the newspaper articles from his jacket pocket, Inspector Etou detached himself from the wall he had been leaning against. He handed them to Kanami, who held them out in front of her so everyone could get a good look. The expressions of shock she received were expected.
"Looks like I owe Kaoru a thousand yen when she gets back," Hiyori heard Maki whisper to Suzuka.
Folding up the clippings again, Kanami let out a heavy sigh. "Yukari-sama knew Hiyori-chan and I were dating. Yet, why would she be so interested in the two of us? Well, after learning about her choosing Hiyori-chan as the heiress, I came to one conclusion: Yukari-sama wanted her as the next Origami Head from the very start."
"What?" Iroha said with a frown.
The Minoseki Toji continued, "Akane-sama said something that stuck in my mind. Hiyori-chan, this is where your eidetic memory comes in. Remind us what Akane-sama said after Souraku Haruto's announcement. She said it was only natural for you to be chosen as Head because you are the sole person who can...?"
"...perform the Fifth-Layer Jin'i," Hiyori finished.
"Exactly. Hiyori-chan—a girl who possesses a special jin'i only the Origami and Hiiragi families can execute. Such an individual is valuable in times of aradama crises! Hence why, as Hiyori-chan explained to me once, the Origami Family stuck to the tradition of arranged marriages. They need more Tojis with that special jin'i! They can't lose the special exorcising power of their bloodline! And then...Yukari-sama and Akane-sama find out they're both sterile, and it is like a slap in the face! They are going to die the last descendants of their family. And it also looks like Hiyori-chan—a girl dating another girl—also won't be able to have children and pass down the Fifth-Layer Jin'i. Unless..."
On edge, everyone waited apprehensively for what the Minoseki Toji was about to say next.
"...Yukari-sama chooses to take her as her own daughter; raise her to be the next Head; force her into an arranged marriage; and have the descendants she's always wanted through her!"
Iroha jumped from her chair yelling, "I knew it! I knew Yukari-chan never cared a smidge for Hiyori-chan! Wanting to selfishly control her and—"
"President Gojou, please," Inspector Etou sighed, gesturing to Kanami.
Rolling her bluish-purple eyes, Yuzuki gave a snort. "I still don't see what this has to do with me though."
Kanami glared at Yuzuki saying, "Oh, it has everything to do with you."
Looking straight at the Ayanokouji president, she added, "Yukari-sama saw my relationship with Hiyori-chan as a threat. Well, what example would she be setting since she was in a relationship with you, an already-married woman? She calls things off—she can't risk being seen with a lover of the same gender once Hiyori-chan comes into the picture. And what is your reaction? Betrayal...love turns to hate. Hate towards Yukari-sama and also Hiyori-chan for ruining everything. And then your mind begins to turn and start forming a plan...
"You decide to choose the night of the meeting to commit your crime. No doubt everybody would be upset by the end of the meeting, which you were right about. There's now plenty of suspects since everyone's spending the night.
"Now, this is how the method of murder comes about. You, President Souraku, did two things that contradict one another that made me suspicious. And Hiyori-chan herself said that she, with her sharp memory, has also been bothered by it since last night's dinner."
Her eyes getting wider every passing minute, Hiyori agreed, "Something was on my mind, but I couldn't figure out what."
"Hiyori-chan, remind me what President Souraku said when Sergeant Tanaka offered her wine last night at dinner?"
Hiyori closed her eyes, picturing the event, before replying, "She said, 'I don't drink. Upsets my liver badly.'"
"Exactly. And then what happened when the beer ran out that fateful night and Yukari-sama wanted more?" Kanami asked.
Slowly realizing what her girlfriend was getting at, the Heijou Toji replied, stunned, "President Souraku told Yukari-sama she could have hers."
Kanami said, "And I thought to myself...why would she have given her own beer to Yukari-sama? Not just that, President Souraku—a woman, who doesn't drink for health reasons—why on Earth would she have a glass of beer in the first place? There can be only one obvious explanation..."
Sergeant Tanaka's eyes widened as he breathed, "The beer...was poisoned with the overdose."
A short sarcastic left Yuzuki's mouth. "Come on, Etou. I was seen talking with Yukari by Ema. Yukari was alive and well."
"Well, it appeared that you were talking with Yukari-sama," was the response.
Her eyes narrowing, Yuzuki demanded, "What are you getting at?"
"At 8:45, Akane-sama gave Yukari-sama the sleeping medicine. Then, at 9:00, you left the library to set up your stage. No doubt your overdose had already taken effect on Yukari-sama's body. And at 9:10, when President Hashima went to bed, you took care to be seen by her—talking animatedly with Yukari-sama while supposedly playing a game of shogi.
"I just asked President Hashima to point out which chair she saw Yukari-sama sitting in. From the doorway, Yukari-sama would've had her back facing it. The only face President Hashima saw was yours, President Souraku. And I bet that the only person she heard talking was you."
Turning to Ema, Kanami exclaimed, "In fact, I don't think you heard Yukari-sama speak one single word! When you asked Yukari-sama if she was okay, who was it you said had responded?"
"Yuzuki-senpai," Ema said.
"And why would President Souraku answer for Yukari-sama? You, President Hashima assumed that it was because Yukari-sama was still mad from the meeting, but no. The answer is clear: Yukari-sama had already fallen victim to the overdose! President Souraku was talking with a dead body!"
Exclamations arose at the thought of Yukari propped up in a chair, dead. There was something so morbid and shivering about the idea of a corpse set up to look as if it was alive, sitting down to a friendly board game. The jaws of Hiyori and the Elite Guards actually dropped all the way. Although he knew Kanami to be a shrewd girl, Sergeant Tanaka still couldn't help being awed at her mental capacity. He looked at Inspector Etou to see that he was nodding his head ever so slightly in agreement.
Maki raised her hand and said, "One thing doesn't make sense to me though. I heard Yukari-sama say she was alright at 11:00."
"But that person was not Yukari-sama. No. Only a person who can imitate voices well," Kanami said. "A person who had mimicked my father's accent, along with President Takatsu's high-pitched shriek for sarcastic fun. You have quite the talent, President Souraku."
Yuzuki gave a sardonic smile, showing a bare glimpse of her white teeth. Kanami did not like that wolfish grin but continued on.
"You've been to the Origami Family mansion several times with your husband and I bet, also occasionally by yourself. As Yukari-sama's former lover, you were also an expert at getting to her bedroom undetected. You knew when and where the Elite Guards would be patrolling. So, at 10:45, when you knew the coast was clear, you left your room—waking President Takatsu up. Using the secret tunnel, you went to Yukari-sama's room, turned on the light, and waited till Shidou-san came. Then, to make it seem as though Yukari-sama was still alive and well at 11:00, you mimicked her voice when Shidou-san knocked.
"Now, the circumstances are perfect for you to add the finishing touches to your crime. You take care to unlock the door, open the window, and pour the rest of the chloral hydrate into Yukari-sama's sleeping bottle before leaving. Then, you head back to your room—waking up President Takatsu again—and go back to bed, making it seem as though you were snug as a bug in a rug the whole time."
Trying to shake off the chilling feeling inside her, Hiyori asked, "But what about that blackmail note?"
Finally, Inspector Etou took charge. "President Souraku sent it. No doubt to frighten you—as the one responsible for her little break-up with Yukari-sama."
He waved the blackmail note in the air saying, "I have a keen sense of smell. Kanami, put your face to the paper if you please."
Kanami obeyed and her expression immediately altered. "Isn't that...?"
"Yes, a smell that has permeated into the paper," her father said. "The smell of the cigarette brand you smoke, President Souraku. As a heavy smoker, you're used to the smell and didn't notice it."
Kanami added, "And also, the note was written in Yukari-sama's handwriting. You've probably kept the love letters Yukari-sama sent you and were able to replicate it easily."
"But what about President Takatsu? Why was she stabbed?" Sergeant Tanaka piped up.
Sana sighed, rolling her eyes, "No doubt she figured out what Yuzuki-senpai was doing. Yukina-senpai likes to snoop her nose into other people's business. Bet my hat she let her curiosity get the better of her and confronted Yuzuki-senpai like a fool."
Inspector Etou nodded his head gravely. "Mm hm. And it was a tragic mistake on President Takatsu's part. That woman had too much fierce pluck in her. Prepared for a confrontation, President Souraku stabbed President Takatsu with some sort of a small knife she probably brought with her. And then, she immediately sent Juujou-san an anonymous text message, before fleeing the scene, deciding to make it look as though Juujou-san committed the crime. She ran back when everyone entered the drawing-room. And then to hide the small traces of blood she probably had on her blazer, President Souraku bent down to cover the wound with it, telling Juujou-san to hold on, so she could step away."
Ema asked, "Then, why did Yukina say Juujou-san killed Yukari-sama?"
"She didn't. We just couldn't hear part of her sentence," Kanami answered.
"Oh my God," Hiyori gasped, "When she was choking, she…she didn't say, 'You killed Yukari.' She said...'Yuzuki killed Yukari.'"
Stepping right in front of the criminal, Kanami spat, "Admit it, President Souraku, the only murderer in this room is you."
Black eyes of anger fixed on the blue-haired woman, as dead silence enveloped the room. Then, Yuzuki uncrossed her arms and jumped from her chair.
"Yukari...had been toying with me! Her love for me was weak and easily broken! She hated me! Because. Of. That. Girl!"
She pointed at Hiyori for emphasis, who in return, glared back. Kanami only raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
The Minoseki Toji jerked her head saying, "Hiyori-chan, look at President Souraku's sapphire ring. Where have you seen one like it before?"
Hiyori stared. "Isn't that...?"
"Yep, the same one Yukari-sama was wearing on the night of her death. Tell me, President Souraku, if Yukari-sama really hated you, why would she have still worn the ring that matches yours?"
Yuzuki's frown of anger slowly began to fade as she stared at Kanami just as intently. The young girl pulled something from her uniform pocket, her expression once again emotionless.
"I found this in Yukari-sama's hidden letter box. I believe it's meant for you, President Souraku."
With wary eyes, Yuzuki slowly took the piece of paper Kanami handed to her. Her heart began to sink as she read the heartfelt words of apology and love. When Kanami spoke again, her voice was far away and soft with a hint of sadness in it.
"I'm certain that in the end, all Yukari-sama wanted was to protect Hiyori-chan and you, the woman she loved the most. She chose to make a hard decision by restraining her true emotions and desires and so, broke up with you. Even though Yukari-sama knew you might end up hating her, she did it for your sake...because she loved you."
Again, there was silence. And then a sniffle. Burying her face in the paper, weak sobs started to come from Yuzuki's throat, as her body shook.
"Yukari..."
"There's still one thing you didn't answer."
"Hm?" Kanami turned to the Heijou Toji next to her.
"Why didn't Origami Yukari say she chose me as the heiress, during the meeting with her sister and the presidents?" Hiyori asked.
Her girlfriend let out something between a chuckle and snort, rolling her eyes.
In a very un-Kanami-like sarcastic voice, she scoffed, "With these 'friends' at the meeting?"
The two Tojis looked at the scene before them. Once again, Akane and all of the presidents were arguing at the top of their lungs. Yuzuki was cursing every swear word she knew at her former friends, as Sergeant Tanaka placed her in handcuffs.
"You friggin' bitch!" they heard Sana yell at the criminal.
Hiyori sighed, "Yeah, I can see why now."
A/N: Were you all surprised about Yuzuki being the murderer? Did any of you guess it was her? The clues were very subtly hidden, huh? ;)
It was fun writing this murder mystery. What drove me to write it was due to how difficult planning the plot was. But, compared to the other mysteries I've written in my childhood, this is probably my best one yet.
There will be one last chapter featuring an epilogue until this fanfic is officially done. However, a lot of you have expressed in private messages that you really like Kanami and Hiyori solving crime with Inspector Etou and Sergeant Tanaka. I'm thinking that if it gets popular enough, I might consider making this a mystery series featuring our four detective sleuths! :D