Dark Soul Hunter.
A fan fiction by Aoi Kitsukawa
Disclaimer: Joker Game belongs to Yanagi Kouji and its related committees; I only borrow the characters in the manga/ anime (or related sources).
Author's Note: Ahh...too much works I couldn't follow my real plan so I had to send this second part of the original chapter 4. I'm very sorry...
After long time of thinking and consideration, I decided to change the names of our two beloved spies in the previous chapters back to their pseudo names as well as Tazaki's, with the exceptional of Sakuma since we don't even know his real name (Sakuma usually is a surname).
Summary: An organization called 'Hunter' that having its branches operated whole worldly; which associated with the Keishichou were responsible to deal with several unsolved cases that suddenly increased in Tokyo. It had a small section named 'D-Agency' to help gathering information after one big incident that happened 3 years ago. The team received several new members, but none of them wonders if it was a fate or the consequences of their past karma…
Hunter 05: Unexpected Finding
"There's just too much that time cannot erase."
-Midnight, spring 26th March, Hunter Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Headquarters, Kasumigaseki, Tokyo-
Urgent footsteps ran along the pathway towards the silver building outside the headquarters' building. Seconds later, a flushed but serious Kitami Naoko rushed in through the open doorway. All the members of the Hunter Division and D-Agency turned their heads to her as they gathered at their conference room.
"I'm so sorry. I rushed back immediately when I got the message on my phone. Is something the matter?" she asked.
All of them; the members of Hunter Division –Superintendent Ajuro Iorry, Superintendent Ajuro Akira, Chief Superintendent and Head of D-Agency Yuuki Masaru, Chief Superintendent and Head of Tokyo Branch Hunter Division Konoe Shirou, Secretary Tatsumi Kai, his assistant Kirie Soko, Inspectors –Sakuma Yuuji, Odagiri Hiroyuki and Amari Osamu; Sargent Suzuki Asato and Kurokawa Hisoka were gathering at the seats in the conference room. Only Assistant Inspector Kitami Naoko just arrived and the other two members were not available at the moment.
Medical and computer expert Takada Haruto was off from duty that week, and the other was on medical leave since late February.
"Oh, sorry for asking you come here in rushes Naoko, and yes, there's an urgency here," Said Iorry as he apologized. "Please have a seat."
Naoko muttered "thank you" before taking her seat next to Sakuma and Suzuki. Despite its still cold, Naoko still managed to return to the building with her motorcycle from other ward in Tokyo wearing sleeveless jacket. Iorry was very grateful that Naoko was a very discipline, dedicate and capable member in the team. She did her job fast but still able to do it carefully. She can be relied on to do outside works due to her good PR and deductive skills, however usually she was send for enforcer works along with Suzuki and Hisoka to hunt down the suspects they found, and today was no exception.
But they have some urgent news to be revealed, and had to call Naoko who was riding her motorcycle back to Kasumigaseki from Shinjuku.
"We have two important announcements today, and first it's about our division," Said Iorry as everyone settled down. "Tomorrow, we will receive a visit from our potential candidates to join our division."
Everyone minus Yuuki, Konoe and Akira widened the eyes in surprise.
"It that true, Iorry-san!?" Asked Suzuki, shocked.
"Yes, we have received words from one of our 'supporters' that they agree to come here for visitation, but bear my words that they still not decide to become our members until they come here for confirmation."
Almost immediately, everyone's shoulders went slumped, a bit unhappy with the revelation.
"Oh man…I thought that we finally have additional members," Groaned Suzuki. "I mean, look at our work! We had lots of unsolved cases and yet there will be another pile of work to come here every second!"
"It would be a VERY BIG PLEASURE if you stop playing hooky and focus on your job!" Said Naoko angrily as she pulled Suzuki's ear. The poor man cried in pain. "People might feel weird about this, but we're really understaffed! We need to do more extra works since our D-Agency only consist of Yuuki-san, Sakuma-san, Amari-san and Odagiri-san!"
"While we're always on the crime scene, we actually have to do more on gathering information rather than go and arrest the suspects," Said Amari as he sighed. "Don't you think it's weird that everything slowly piles up on us after 'that' incident three years ago?"
Everyone went stiff as those words escaped Amari's lips. The atmosphere slowly getting heavy, and from what he could see Naoko, Sakuma and Odagiri had dark shadows over their eyes. Suzuki and Kirie went pale, Tatsumi frowned, and the others were silent. Amari felt guilty for bringing up a taboo topic, but he knew he had to say it since it was related to their current meeting.
"I guess you're right…" Said Naoko as she looked at Amari with sad expression. "Everything went upside down after the death of your top agent that time."
"Naoko/ Kitami-san…" Said Suzuki, Kirie and Hisoka at the same time.
"Don't worry, I can deal it, but yeah…after that tragedy three years ago, those bastards had increased their damn activities and we're too busy to find and tried to capture them," Said Naoko as she sat on the table, crossed arms over her chest. "They did it as if they are trying to make fun on us…"
"Or as revenge…" Sakuma's deep voice managed to startled few people including Naoko herself, as she thought Sakuma would not want to talk about 'that incident'. Even Odagiri seemed reluctant to say his opinion.
"Second, about our current case. For some reasons, the case we currently investigate might be related with what Sakuma-kun said…" Said Iorry as he typed on the keyboard that connected to the special table and revealed the photos of the victims. "These are our seven victims; range from 18-25, all of them female and university students."
"Pretty face," Both Akira and Sakuma, who slowly covered his mouth to suppress their chuckle, looked at Amari who grinned slyly. "What? It's true right?"
"Flirty bastard," Said Sakuma that earned small chuckles from everyone including Yuuki.
"Two short and three long hairs," Said Kirie as she took a bit closer to the photo. "Hm? They bleached their hair."
"You're sharp Soko-san! I just see them as natural colour," Claimed Naoko as she widened her eyes. Everyone except Sakuma, Akira, Iorry and Amari started talking in surprise.
"Good point Kirie-san, we have one similarity between the victims, and this is one of the clues we had gathered," Said Akira as he typed something and several information popped up. "These are what he got after digging some investigation and aside from the hair colour, there are some information we managed to gather last night."
"So you use the 'extra cable'?" Asked Iorry.
"Only after we done some re-creation of the suspect's face since his face is too blurry or from side only," Explained Akira as he pointed on one box on the screen. "And this is very important matter. Until we give the permission to tell others, do not mention this guy in front of Tatsuya."
"Eh?" Said everyone minus Konoe and Yuuki.
"This guy is our main suspect as he always appeared in the crime scenes ever since the first victim was found," Explained Akira as he waved his hand and another projection appeared in the air. "After Sakuma-kun re-created his face, we used our 'extra cable' to find his identity. Amari-kun."
"Yes, Akira-san," Said Amari as he revealed a piece of information on the projection. "His name is Aomori Testa, a half-Italian half Japanese. Born in Tuscany but was raise in Japan after his parents' divorce. Age 24, student of Meiji Gakuen University. Came from the same university as our first victim –Kayo Sumire-san."
"How come we didn't realize about his whereabouts before?" Asked Yuuki, curiously.
"Let me be responsible for this Yuuki-san, but at first we thought he's just a passersby just like other people who gathered around the crime scene," Said Akira as he touched the projection and revealed several photos taken from the CCTV copies. "However, according to Sakuma-kun, he said that he had seen Aomori many times and it was proved in these photos taken form the CCTV."
"That's already suspicious," Said Kurokawa Hisoka, the division's youngest member.
"But why we had to keep this matter from Tatsuya-kun?" Asked Tatsumi the secretary. "I mean, he's just a man whom we know as 'main suspect'. Is something the matters?"
"Oh yeah it does," Said Akira frustrated as he held his head. "If Tatsuya sees him, he will be killed on the sport!"
"What do you mean by that Akira?" Asked Iorry, narrowing his eyes.
"Nii-san, our suspect is really a bad news," Said Akira, uncomfortably. "Aomori Testa…"
"…Is one of the "runaways" from the Battle of Sakura Yuuki, 11 years ago!"
Iorry's eyes snapped open and turned sharply to his brother, "Are you serious!?"
"Do you think I want to make a joke nii-san? You of all people should know how deep his grudge is against the people who became the traitors and runaways during the battle!" Everyone except Yuuki, Naoko, Konoe and Tatsumi looked at each other.
What exactly their superiors were talking about?
"And Testa is one of the runaways?"
"The one who left without proper explanations. Also one of the facts that contribute to the death of his close friend during that time," Said Akira as he pinched the screen harder. "I don't think that leader would be happy to hear this as well."
"I know, but let's back to the business," Said Iorry as he quickly ended the serious conversation much to others' disappointed. "So do you know what his motive to do the crime is?"
Amari typed immediately on the keyboard and revealed the picture of the suspect with one of the victims, within somewhere in the middle of a party. "I believe it's a revenge against the girls because the very first victim –Mimasaka Kaori, was reportedly rejected him several months ago."
"What makes the first victim related to the others afterwards?" Asked Hisoka.
"We checked through Testa's background from his childhood until his current status, and apparently among the victims one had the same match with the suspect; apparently both Mimasaka and Testa attending the same university and both had known each other during high school," Explained Sakuma. "We interviewed her family, friends and teachers and according to Mimasaka's friends, she rejected him because she wasn't interested to have any serious relationship as she was aiming to get first class honour in Laws in Todai. But several after the confession she accepted another man's proposal and getting engaged."
"Quite a drama," Said Tatsumi as he pushed his glasses.
"And she's bleaching her hair to brown instead of black," Said Naoko dryly. "And ever since then the suspect hated women with bleach hair because of her, great."
"It's because she's aiming for rich guy and even as far as dying her hair in order to get her goal and Testa looks like a grumpy nerd guy who won't reach her requirement, that's why he killed her and others because of his bad rejection," Said Kirie. "~sigh…why girls always like that?"
"Yeah right, says the one who stole our secretary's heart and got engaged," Said Naoko as everyone laughed and Kirie spluttering in embarrassed, while Tatsumi just smiled.
"So what's our next movement?" Asked Naoko.
"Right now, we're still searching for Testa but under Code Green," Said Iorry as he raised his hand, flashed a glowing green card (poker card's size). "With this order given, I need you people to use your special abilities to search and capture Aomori Testa!"
"So it's time to work?" Said Suzuki as he smirked at Amari who nodded his head.
"There will be no restriction regarding our searching methods but restrain yourself from killing him if he runs away!" Said Akira, sternly. "We need to capture and trial him for the sake of other victims but make sure not to make yourself hurt in the process!"
"Suzuki, Sakuma, Naoko, Hisoka, Amari! You people will be responsible for Aomori Testa! Odagiri, Kirie-san, Tatsumi-san, please help Yuuki-san to search for his current whereabouts and to prepare for the newcomers tomorrow!"
"Yes sir!"
"Good, let's move!" After the final words, everyone scattered, doing their tasks given from their superiors, and disappeared.
"…nee-san? Where are you?"
Hatano walked at the backyard where trees surrounding the said area. The same place where two of Colonel Mutou's underlings were trying to blow up the facility if not because of the black cat named Yoru accidentally fell on one of them. From afar he could see a young woman with short black hair reaching barely her shoulders, was calmly sewing. She raised her head and smiled upon seeing Hatano walked closer to her
"Did you call me Hatano?"
Hatano smirked as he looked at the woman he called as big sister.
"Yeah. It's almost lunch time and Fukumoto asks me to find you. He needs your magic hands to help him in the kitchen."
She chuckled as she slowly collecting her things.
"I wonder what kind of lunch he would make..."
"I hope the miso soup won't burn like last time!"
"That's because you're insist to take an early spoon and Fukumoto tried to stop you from eating first."
"Hey! I just want a taste!"
"It's true though."
Hatano puffed his cheeks and pouted. The young woman just chuckled as her stroke his head gently.
"If you can perform better this time, I'll try to find something better for tonight's dinner."
"Nee-san, you're trying to act dangerous again. Don't you think Yuuki-san was aware of your stunts before?"
"I just went and pick up the mushrooms. It's not like I'm going to hunt a wild boar or a bear!"
"You still were coming home late that time!"
"And you still ate them a lot more than anyone else!"
Once again, Hatano pouted, but still worried about the said woman. She was the only female resident at D-Agency, seriously not related to the army or anyone else except with Lieutenant Colonel Yuuki. Aside from their relationship, nothing more they knew about her background. The reason why the army did not doing anything regarding the said person was probably Yuuki-san had used his position to keep it silent or they believed a maid is nothing to worry about, while Sakuma might be using his own consideration to keep the matter silent. He himself did not mind if she wanted to stay at D-Agency, as long as she did not exposing whatever happens in the building, which she done greatly.
Hatano knew that she also a martial arts expert like him, but he was unsure which kind of martial arts she learned. So far, the only thing he knew that she was skillful with knives, since sometimes she used her skill unconsciously while helping Fukumoto in the kitchen.
"By the way nee-san, what are you sewing just now?"
"This? Oh, it's a Trousseau."
"A…what?"
"I learnt it from a family descended from Central Asia," She said as she showed the cloth. "You can say it's like a large, embroidery linen made by hands with designs inherited from their ancestors and usually as a part of the bride's gifts when she married. I learned a lot, and making it during my free times."
It was no secret that she was skillful in sewing and embroidery; one that people would expect in young women. One time during the spies' lesson on disguising, she helped repairing one dress that Kaminaga accidentally ripped off and covered it with beautiful embroidery. The teacher who teaches them the lesson praised her skill.
"The young girls started making it in their early age until they reached the age of marriage. Then used it during their wedding as well as their wedding gift," She said slowly, and her eyes glinted with mischievous. "Maybe I should make one for you and see how it turns out during your disguising lesson?"
"Like hell! I won't take the same role again!"
She smiled as she chuckled. When Hatano looked at her again, he was sure her eyes were seeing something far away, despite still smiling…
As if…
She remembered something, but happened long, long time ago…
Hatano woke up from his slumber and yawned. He realized that he was dreaming something from his past, but unable to remember with whom he was talking. The sounds of rain hitting the glass window clearly heard.
"Seems like it'll be raining today," Hatano glanced at his side and saw a man with black hair and eyes calmly drove the car and eyes fixed forward. Sometimes he glanced at Hatano and smiled gently.
"Did I disturb your sleep?"
"No, I've good rest, Imai-sensei," Said Hatano. "I'm sorry for troubling you."
The said man just chuckled a little, "No, no. It's a good thing that I decided to drive you two here. I can't let Tatsuya go to his workplace like this or his brothers will kill him! Besides…" Hatano clearly saw how his eyes went dark as his smile turned cold; something he never expected.
"…Raining days could ruin his mood worst."
Hatano remained silent, but took note of his words. He never thought that he would meet one of the teachers from Fudo High School at the resident he was taken after his sudden collapsed, and was the friend of the owner's son.
Imai-sensei or Imai Naoki was a Science teacher working at Fudo High School, the school where Hatano went for entrance exam (but unfortunately failed). He also teaches Biology and surprisingly English, aside from being a couch for the school's basketball team. Rumors said that he himself was a former student of the same school, and a basketball player, playing the role of 'Point Guard' and captain. Currently 26, he is married (sorry girls!) and already had three children (with twin). Hatano was surprise he still remembered him even after he failed the entrance exam and went to different high school.
After the small incident, Hatano woke up at a resident called as 'Ajuro Household', a name he somehow felt familiar. Both Imai-sensei and Tatsuya were there, and he was given the latter's old clothes to replace him. Apparently, it was Tatsuya's home where his parents and some of his young siblings, including him still lived there. They treated him well, given some meals and treated his wounds, before the three of them left the house to go to Kasumigaseki where the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was located. However it was a long journey, given they were in the neighborhood in Fudomae Ward.
Hatano was worried. Although he did give a call to Jitsui not long after he was awakening, he knew his good friend was worried about him. Jitsui was his friend, past and present, knew his problems with his family, but the others did not know. He knew that Jitsui might tell Miyoshi and the others about the abuse, him being missing…
However, he confirmed that they would come to the said place as they promised, so he felt less nervous than before.
The car finally reached their destination as Imai-sensei pulled the car into the parking lot. The rain still pouring down but less than before, so he unbuckled his seat belt and turned around to wake up Tatsuya who was asleep at the backseat. The said man jolted in shock as he was suddenly wake up, before yawned and slowly stretched his body. The teacher then asked Hatano went first since he needed to help Tatsuya out form the car (since he was injured), and the former spy nodded his head and went out.
As he went to the entrance, he saw a group of young men was standing at the said entrance. When one of them turned to his way, his smile turned wide and he quickly raised his hand, as Jitsui patted Tazaki's hand and went to reach for Hatano…
"Did you have a good dream?" Asked the teacher as he leaned against the driver seat and looked at Hatano who greet his friends, particularly a young boy with pale skin and black hair, but beautiful.
"...Not that good either..." Said Tatsuya as he covered his mouth while yawning.
"So what did you got?"
"Seems like Akira-nii-san got hold on the information but even Iorry-nii-san refused to tell others why..."
"You mean...?"
"Seems like the suspect is related to 'that' incident 11 years ago..." He said as his gaze turned cold. "But whatever the current crimes he did, it never related to that bloody incident at all. He's just a 'runaway', that's all."
"Does my wife know about this as well?"
"Beats me..." Tatsuya said as he sighed. "...but knowing her nature, it's impossible to say she never knows about this matter at all. She's just being nice, and let others do their jobs."
Imai-sensei just laughed. Knowing his wife, she will surely kill them if not telling her what had happened.
"However..." Those words made Imai-sensei quiet. "While me asleep, I sense something with Hatano's dream."
Imai-sensei's silence made Tatsuya continued his conversation.
"He seems to slowly having his past memories resurface within his mind."
"There are certain memories that will make us remember no matter how many times has flow."
"Exactly."
"So he's a part of the reincarnation trio and Yuuki-san?"
"Yeah...I just don't know how much he remembers...besides..."
Imai-sensei raised his eyebrow.
Smirking slyly, Tatsuya said, "Seems like Hatano-kun and the other two of his friends had something interesting they won't share with others, no matter what...!"
End of Chapter 2
I'm sorry for being late to update this chapter. As I mention before, I tried to make this part according to my plan but many unexpected things happened that I had to reconsider of making this as the last part of the original chapter 4. I don't have much time with works and exhaustion, so I decided to send this second part as chapter 5.
I'm quitting my job; one of the unexpected things that happened. The main reasons are the because of the internal problems and some of the betrayals that I kept on facing. I'm seriously not trusting people who offended and falsely accused me last March, yet they threw many false and bad news at the school I'm currently work (before resign this end of December) and now they are acting like filthy bastards with snobbish attitude (well, they are a group of fucking bastards!). I don't care anymore, I've done my works so the ones who will replace me will do the next job. I'm no longer have pity on them, except the chairman of the main hq. It's sad because I love the job and the kids, but with ways people are treating us, like hell I want to stay! I rather died!
Worst, another rabbit of us died yesterday (6.12.2016). I don't know why, but it seems like rats attacked him and ate parts of his back, resulting him injured and got maggots on him. I tried my best to treat him, but even the vet said it's impossible to heal since the injuries are way too bad. Farewell my rabbit, will miss you...T~T
Thank you for those who read this story, I really appreciate it.
–Aoi Kitsukawa.