Gaussian Distribution

Chapter 2 – Part 2: Impatience in Numbers

April 3rd, Eiji's Residence - Study, 08:06AM

Jintetsu. The name was eerily familiar to the tour guide's ear. Anticipating his daughter to ask him regarding this hushed-up case, Eiji felt accomplished, having been able to pass down his only treasured teaching to her daughter, and now his grandson. Details.

Eiji took a moment to sit comfortably in his cushioned chair, before opening the drawer's locks beneath his furnished mahogany table. "Take a look at this, Gin." motioning his daughter to come closer. After releasing the locks, Eiji took out an unlabeled folder and browsed through the pages. "There should be a photograph of him inside."

"That's weird; you actually look like him dad… don't tell me he's-"

The tour guide shook his head violently and laughed at the thought. "Gin, I always reminded you to get details… not speculate. So don't get the wrong idea that he is your brother from another woman." He then stood up from his chair and pointed at the files stacked beneath the photo. "All there in the manual. See?"

"Moonlight Team, huh? I'm actually surprised to see some familiar names here, dad…" the confusion in Gin's voice somewhat bothered the old man, but he was confident that his daughter can actually put the scrambled, if not severely distorted pieces together and make sense out of it.

Eiji ignored her 'discovery' and squatted to take a thick tome from the bottom part of his bookshelf. There are more surprises around the corner, my dear. He patted the dusty cover and placed it open on the table, secured a bookmark on a certain page, and proceeded to take another book from the bookshelf. "Don't mind me, Gin. Once you discover something… or find a loophole in the information, then just call me."

The old man watched as his daughter glanced on the bookmarked page he left on the table. He smirked for a moment. "I sure hope that you are well aware that curiosity killed the cat."

"Dad, the cat died because it wasted all of its lives…" Gin fired back, making the old man chuckle.

Moonlight Team

Schedule: 6:00PM – 3:00AM

Team Leader: Jintetsu

Assistant: Ayase

Eiji stood up, flipped the bookmarked page and pointed at another set of pictures. "You've seen them before, right? You know… those two Shrine guards who we found hugging each other yesterday? They're the Sunlight Team."

"But according to their schedule, they should still be on duty!" Gin stated. "They start from 6:00AM to 3:00PM. Combined, you have six hours wherein nobody guards the shrine's premises."

Nobody? Eiji chuckled even more. "Ichiro guards that Shrine when no one is around. The guards where carrying something with them yesterday, so we'll assume that they've been given an assignment."

The old man was about to take another book out of the shelf to emphasize his point, but he felt his daughter's hand pat him on the back. "I heard that you're involved with Jintetsu's search operation." he heard her say, and responded with a nod.

"That guy disappeared around two months before you and Redschtly arrived." Eiji said, returning the book he was about to pull out. "Hanabi provided me his genuine journal entries, and I found some lines from the 'White Dryad'."

"I can't believe that kind of story actually sold that good." Gin commented. "I found the last two entries written way too short. The others before it are often several paragraphs or so… more or less a formal report. But this…"

25th February

I have received reports from reliable sources regarding a plot to overthrow the Emperor. I immediately relayed this information to my Commander. The land of Tengu shall bleed, that is a certainty.

27th February

Other sources reveal an underground organization working within the city itself. Current members aren't known, but their numbers are believed to be more than a thousand. The organization specializes in assassinations, mostly involving political figures. The blades of the elements may have awakened already.

"That's enough, Gin." Eiji clapped his hands. "If you want to know more about him, then why not join one of the searches tomorrow? I'll be leading it along with Ichiro… so we'll need all the help that we can find."

The tour guide felt her daughter's hesitation. "I would love to help, but my son…"

Mothers are all the same. Eiji patted her on the shoulder, and headed for the door. "Your son needs to learn the ways of the world. Take him with us. Anyway, wake the little runt now so we can have breakfast."

12 Hours Ago, inside The Crimson Wave

Around a dozen porcelain plates were stacked beside an irate-looking man in his twenties, who was sitting beside a lady of the same age group. Given the time, they have apparently left work a few hours ago and decided to celebrate. The words 'Happy Birthday' resounded from within this corner of the restaurant, which didn't bother the owner at all. Apparently, the two were the only customers left, unable to walk properly since they have managed to get themselves drunk.

"Thanks for treating me in this joint, Sayori." said the irate-looking man who was known as Shinji. He turned at his side, revealing another stack of plates where sushi was served on a few hours ago. "Man… the sushi here sure tastes great…" The lady beside him didn't respond. Hey… don't pass out on me like that, Sayori… you're paying for the bill… Hey…

Heavens know if she's drooling. Shinji's mind was getting muddled by the minute. He did enjoy the party earlier, managing to become friends with the Sushi Master who gave them a special discount due to his outrageous outbursts of jubilation. Sayori however, failed to keep up with the celebrant's appetite and slumped on the wooden table. Hey… I wonder if I can have sex now…

Shinji felt someone pat him by the shoulder.

"I'm extremely sorry for interrupting your celebration… but I have to close the restaurant now. Please settle your bill, Sir." the voice of a man in his thirties gurgled. Shinji looked up and frowned at the man wearing a bandana. But Sayori is sleeping… She had the money. The male guard was 'forced' to take matters into his own hand. Literally.

After the man left to get something he forgot, Shinji slowly crept his free hand to Sayori's breast pocket, conveniently located beneath the lady guard's leather armor. I wonder if she'll wake up… Ever so slowly, Shinji made his dexterous fingers travel beneath the thin layer of armor, past a few threads that bound the suit together, down to a small slit that served as a hidden wallet. He took some of the paper money he could grasp, and counted.

Five thousand zennies, still short. Shinji gulped and prepared his hand for another treacherous voyage under the entangled fabric. Like a true professional, he seamlessly managed to get another wad of bills inside Sayori's breast pocket. Oh my goodness… I can't believe you're terribly flat.

Shinji exhaled. You did it. He frowned at his partner's flatness, though.

After a few minutes, the man asking for their payment came back, this time dressed down to his everyday clothes. "I'll help you walk outside. Just pay first, and then we'll go. Capiche? I've got a date tonight!" he said after fixing his bandana.

"I can't believe you didn't recognize me at all." Shinji heard the man carrying him by the shoulder. "…is this what happens when you actually get drunk?"

Shinji shook his head in confusion. He can't focus on hearing what the other man had to say. He was occupied. Too occupied. Very occupied in carrying Sayori by the waist. Well, at least I can figure out your size in this area. After reaching the entrance of the restaurant, Shinji watched as the man who carried them outside pull one lever after another, bringing down a wall of metal that locked as soon as it slammed on the floor.

"Nice to meet you." the man with a bandana told Shinji. "The name's Itsuki. Your sleeping friend right there discovered my joint a few weeks ago, and told me that your birthday was almost up."

Shinji shook his head again. His vision was getting blurred. "You know what, Itsuki-san… you actually look familiar. Have I seen you somewhere before?"

"I hope you are not mistaking me for some kind of food."

Shinji raised his hand. "No."

The night was still young, but Shinji felt that it was going to be a long road till daybreak. Never again shall I touch liquor. By doing so, I assure myself not to meet weird personalities, either.

"My friend is some kind of a celebrity." Itsuki hinted. The male guard groaned in disgust. "Come on, dude… quit playing mind games with me. Just tell me who, what, where, and when I actually saw you before."

"My friend actually came by a while ago, one of the reasons why most of my customers left. They followed him to get his autograph." the Sushi Master grinned.

"Huh? Like I'm going to believe that…"

"He left a note for you. He can't disturb your celebration earlier." Itsuki said, handing Shinji a piece of parchment.

Shinji,

I heard from my friend Itsuki that today's your birthday. Grow strong, so you can take care of that fine lady who's drinking with you right now. I can't get close enough to both you because you were crazily swinging those bottles of sake. I can't risk my life, you know. And before I forget, if there will be future packages from the commander, please hand them to Itsuki instead. I have informed your superior about this, too. I actually met him earlier today. Anyway, enjoy. Happy Brithday! – Kei

Shinji stared at the Sushi Master. "I don't remember swinging bottles…"

3 Hours before The Crimson Wave's Closing Time, Hanabi's Residence

CRANK. TWIST. POUND. SCRATCH. POLISH.

The shrine maiden can hardly cover her ears from the commotion that had been going on at the back of her house. Before the sun could actually rise on the mountainside, her two siblings were already at their workshop, tinkering with all sorts of metal contraptions. I've always reminded them that this was our home, not a factory.

Hanabi sighed. Perhaps it's time for me to intervene with those two. She had been extremely tired from her usual work in the Grand Shrine, not to mention utterly surprised and scared witless when her childhood friend pulled a sword out of nowhere. May the gods bless her soul. She walked with a menacing gait. The noise was already getting into her nerves.

"Welcome home, Hanabi nee-chan!~" the maiden heard as soon as she slid the door of the workshop wide open. Greeting her were two identical females around twenty years of age. They wore matching jumpsuits and overalls, despite their different fields of profession. Hanabi didn't respond to their greeting, though. She immediately raised her hand and reached for a circuit breaker.

The roaring sounds of machinery faded gradually, whirring into obscurity as Hanabi's exhausted twin sisters emerged out of the now dimly-lit workshop. She patted them both on the head, and smirked. "Start cleaning." she ordered them.

"Hikari. Sora. You have five minutes." Hanabi relentlessly went on. While it didn't really bother her at all to take care of her two younger sisters, having them 'destroy' the rear part of the house was another matter.

"Nee-chan, you know that we hate cleaning up." Hikari groaned. Being the older one among the twins, she often speaks out the first thing in her mind in an attempt to become the 'superior' one. "I'd rather forge steel than sweep the floor!"

This however, had no effect on Hanabi. "Let me make myself clear: Hikari. If you don't start, I'll take your spanner as hostage. Sora. I'll burn all of your textbooks."

Similar voices of dismay and protest erupted within the household. Hanabi didn't care. Just get the job done.

"We, the most talented (and single) duo to ever exist in the history of history, shall never bow to your unlawful and inconsiderate demands!" the twins fired back in unison. "Excuse us, but we still have a date with Itsuki-kun! Haha!"

Before Hanabi could react, the twins managed to run straight at the front door and slam it shut. Hey!

Frightened screams echoed across the doorway instead of laughs and giggles. What is going on? Hanabi ran after her sisters as fast as she could, jumping over the pieces of trash strewn randomly on the wooden floor as if it was some kind of parlor game. "Hikari! Sora! Hey!"

Everything appeared to be normal when Hanabi opened the door- in fact, her sisters where still there. A false alarm? She looked at them, noticing that their excitement wasn't as intense before they left her behind.

She could clearly see the two of them, holding each other's hand, and staring at the far end of the grassy lawn that stretched a few meters from the doorstep. Hanabi called out to them. Something's not right here. Answer me, you two…

"What are you guys standing around f-"

Hanabi blinked. "This isn't happening. Hikari. Sora. Take her inside."

Expecting her younger sisters express their disagreement, Hanabi rushed back inside the house and came back after a few moments, carrying a stretcher with her. "Help me out, you runts."

"Do you know her?" the twins asked the maiden as they carried the severely wounded woman inside the house, putting her down in the living room.

Hanabi shoved the lock of hair that covered the woman's face in an attempt to know her identity. "I don't know her at all…" she told her sisters. "…but if you look closely, she's around your age."

"If you can't stand the sight of blood, then just go back to the workshop." Hanabi ordered systematically. "Prepare something for her to drink and eat. Move it!"

The twins rushed into action, leaving Hanabi and the injured woman alone in the living room. Finding the woman's temperature rising, she took out a clean towel and dampened it at the nearest sink she could find. Hanabi gently placed the towel on the woman's forehead, and applied a little pressure. To her surprise, the woman slowly opened her eyes, stared at her, and called out her name.

"Calm down, Ayase. You're in my house right now." Hanabi assured the injured woman. She patted Ayase's forehead once more, applying a little more pressure on the towel. I'm such a terrible liar.

"I can't… stay here for long. I have to find Jintetsu…" was Ayase's final words before fainting.

"You're not the only one worried for him. Everyone else is…"