A/N: We've come to the last chapter of "Whodunnit?" Many thanks to all of you who've followed and favourited this story. I am eager to try making more murder mysteries in the future. We shall see if Kanami, Hiyori, Inspector Etou, and Sergeant Tanaka meet again in perhaps a sequel (and maybe even possibly a whole new fanfic series)! ;)
Chapter 22: Epilogue
Akane was at a loss for words as she watched police cars and media vehicles park in the estate courtyard for the second time that week. So many things had happened in just a couple of days. The death of her older sister; Hiyori's promotion as the new Head; the attempted murder of Yukina; Yuzuki's arrest; and endless amounts of arguing between all of them... The younger Origami sister bit her lip knowing that it would take some time for her and her friends to start talking to each other again. This complication in their friendship was not going to be repaired so easily.
Straightening her back, trying to look as professional as possible, the Origami woman watched as a sulky-looking Yuzuki was taken by two police officers into an awaiting car. Ema, Iroha, and Sana ignored the camera crew and reporters that ran up to them. The presidents emotionlessly entered the three limos that had been waiting for them, before speeding off as quickly as possible. That would be their last gathering at the Origami Family Estate for a very long time...
Akane turned to her left to see Kanami and Hiyori shaking hands with the Elite Guards. The two younger Tojis had officially finished their duties and would be making their way back to their own respective schools shortly. However, Akane understood that it was imperative that she speak to Hiyori before she left. Preparing for any outcome, the younger Origami sister walked towards Hiyori, after she finished talking with Maki and Suzuka.
Turning to the girl beside Hiyori, Akane politely said, "Kanami-san, I need to speak with Hiyori-san, if you please."
"Of course, Akane-sama!" Kanami chirped, giving the two some privacy.
When she left, there was an awkward silence between them, until Akane said, "Hiyori-san, I need to consult with you about conducting the affairs Nee-sama left you. From listening to Kanami-san's recent speech in the library, I am guessing the true reason why you do not wish to be Head is that...you are worried it would sever your relationship with Kanami-san. Am I right?"
Hiyori coloured a little. "I'm sorry, Akane-sama. But I can't accept the position. It would mean—"
"Hiyori-san," Akane interrupted gently, "I am not my sister. I agree with Iroha-san that it was wrong of Nee-sama to decide things without your consent. However, I think Nee-sama always felt as though she wronged you and your mother. And I also believe, in some ways, she also wanted to make things up to you—by caring for you like the daughter she could never have."
Hiyori remained quiet, as the Origami woman added, "I certainly can't force you into anything you are uncomfortable with but..."
She clasped her hands together nervously, "...it's what Nee-sama wanted and I can't think of any other worthy candidate than you, Hiyori-san."
"And why would you consider me a potential effective leader?" Hiyori questioned, raising an eyebrow.
With a warm smile, Akane said, "Because I know you to be a kind-hearted person, Hiyori-san. And unlike someone like Yukina-san, I believe you would have the best interest of the country at heart rather than yourself."
"Although the Origami Family has a centuries-old tradition of arranged marriages," she added, "Nee-sama was clearly willing to break another tradition by selecting you—someone outside of our family. So, perhaps a tradition that's been going on for centuries has been going on long enough."
Akane gave Hiyori an abnormal wink paired with a cheeky grin, before walking back towards the mansion. With a raised eyebrow, the Heijou Toji turned over the woman's words over and over in her head.
"Akane-sama!" she called. "Are you saying that if I do accept becoming the next Head...you won't force me to marry someone I haven't chosen?"
The Origami woman turned around and the gentle smile on her face gave Hiyori her answer. "As I said before, Hiyori-san, I can't force you into anything you are uncomfortable with. For now, let's leave this matter on the table. Let's not decide anything yet—we still have plenty of time."
"Akane-sama!" Hiyori called again. "I-I'm not saying yes, b-but I'm also not saying no. However, could I just have some time to think about it?"
Her question made Akane seem relaxed. "Of course, take all the time you need."
With all of the enforcement vehicles driving back to the Kamakura Police Station, Inspector Etou and Sergeant Tanaka prepared to depart themselves. Kanami and Hiyori said their respective goodbyes to both of them. However, the sergeant lingered back a little so that his colleague wouldn't hear what he was about to say.
"So, do you girls know which field in the Toji workforce you want to join after you retire?" he asked.
When answered with two shaking heads, Sergeant Tanaka winked before saying, "Well, I think you'd both make great private investigators, if you decide to specialize in Toji criminology. Don't tell your dad I said that, Kanami-chan."
"What do you think, Hiyori-chan? Me as a detective?" Kanami smirked after the sergeant walked away.
Her girlfriend made an identical expression of wittiness. "Well, it's certainly something you seem good at."
Kanami says, mischievously, "Who knows? I might need a partner though if the trail goes cold..."
"Well, you'll always have one in me," Hiyori said, before leaning into a kiss with her lover.
About to step into his car, Inspector Etou witnessed the whole scene. He knew he wouldn't be able to get used to the idea of his own daughter kissing another girl. Not in a very long time...
"Well, sir, what do you plan to do now that you know Kanami-chan and Hiyori-chan are two little lovebirds?" Sergeant Tanaka asked him, teasingly.
Inspector Etou didn't respond; his eyes were only observing the happy pair. The inspector couldn't stop staring at Kanami's face of joy. The face of joy she shared with her mother...the face of joy he first fell in love with... A mixed pang of happiness and heartache started to hurt his chest. Just seeing how happy Kanami was, she almost looked like Minato for a few seconds. The Minoseki Toji hadn't worn that same smile ever since his wife passed away. Even though Inspector Etou was not fully certain about Hiyori dating his daughter, Kanami was showing true happiness again. With his lips forming a smile of his own, the inspector flipped open his brass pocket-watch, so he could stare at Minato's face again.
In his head, he heard a familiar laughing voice say to him, 'Let them be happy, Shigeru. Let them be happy.'
Snapping the watch closed, Inspector Etou looked at the two Tojis once more with fatherly affection, before getting into his car. He noticed that Sergeant Tanaka, who had opened up a bag of chips, had already scattered crumbs everywhere. Trying to ignore this, the inspector buckled himself up before driving himself and his colleague out of the courtyard; onto the road; on the way to another adventure...
A/N: That's the end of "Whodunnit?" I hope you all enjoyed it and see you in my next fanfic project! :)