"Want some cookies, Taka-Chan?" an orange red-head asked heading for his kitchen.
Takao shook his head, with his head hanging low. He stared at his tea on the table in front of him and sighed.
"I'll get you some anyway!"
"But…" Takao raised a head and hand for a no, but went against it. Apparently, no means yes and yes means no to Brooklyn when the words are coming from the mouths of people with problems.
Brooklyn came back with chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven and placed a plate of them in front of Takao.
"Go ahead, nothing heals a broken heart but time, love, or anything else that can take your mind off it. Food being one of them," said Brooklyn and smiled. Takao hesitantly reached for a cookie and picked a cookie up. He started switching it from hand to hand because of how hot the cookie was.
"I mean, it worked for me," Brooklyn continued. Takao blew on his cookie,
"Um, how? You're the one that broke up with me, remember?" said Takao with a sweatdrop. Yes, Takao was eating cookies baked by his ex.
"Huh? Oh yeah! That's right! My bad!"
Takao sighed,
"I'm glad things seem to be cheerful for you…" said Takao and took a bite out of his cookie.
"I'm sorry, Taka-Chan. It's been a pretty good year for me. I'm sorry about how yours is going though," said Brooklyn with an apologetic look.
"It's…fine. I just don't understand though. I've replayed what happened between us over and over again in my head. Yet I fail to see why Rei wanted to end this…" said Takao sadly as he slowly finished up his first cookie only.
Brooklyn's face grew a bit more serious,
"In my opinion, just do what you did when I broke up with you. Just move on and forget," Brooklyn advised,
"I moved on…but I didn't forget. The only reason I'm seeing you is because you invited me over," said Takao,
"Well after hearing what happened, from Hiromi-Chan, I was worried. I didn't think your next lover would end the relationship like I did. You're both around the same age so he can't use the age difference reason like I did," said Brooklyn and crossed his arms.
"I still think you're reason is stupid. You're only a few years older! But forget it; I'm not going back to that okay? I hate the fact that I couldn't satisfy Rei…instead I made it worse for him…" said Takao, saddened at the thought.
"…If he doesn't see how great of a person you are, then he's not worth your time," said Brooklyn in a serious one.
"But he said-"
"He can say anything he wants to, Takao. But that doesn't make it true. Especially if he already broke it. Forget about him. Holding onto him will only hurt you more. I know you won't do that right away because you still have feelings for him. But I highly advise you to move on. The longer you hold onto him, the more pain you'll feel and the more complicated it will get between you two. So move on and forget. He isn't worth it…"
"…"
"…"
"…Brooklyn? What are the chances of him coming back to me?" Takao asked, keeping his head down.
"I don't know, I don't know Rei-Kun that well. Or any other members of the Class Boards in the others grades besides Hiromi-Chan, Kyoujyu-Kun, and Garland. I really don't know, Taka-Chan…" Brooklyn replied and picked up his cup to drink his tea.
"…I'll think about what you said. And I'll try to follow your advice. But I want to give things at least a week…maybe he'll come back. That's okay right?" Takao asked.
"You do what you want, Taka-Chan. I don't decide your life for you. I just want you to be happy in life. All your friends will worry about you when you're sad, hurt, or when you cry. But we all feel warm and satisfied and even happy with ourselves when we see you laugh and smile. Ask Mystel or Ming Ming; ask Max-Kun and Kai-San too. I'm sure they care about you just as much as I do. You're my ex but that doesn't matter because that's all behind us. You're my friend and that's why you're important to me. Remember that you'll always have someone there for you. Okay, Taka-Chan?"
"…Okay, Brooklyn. Thank you!"
Rei had to go through a bit of torture everyday for a whole week. All of Takao's friends were coming down on him like he's some kind of criminal. While technically he is one but that wasn't the point. His friends at home as well as Mystel questioned him on what happened.
"Why can't they go bother Takao about this?!"
Well, the answer wasn't that hard to find.
"I yeah, I was the one that did the breaking up…"
Rei was sitting on his roof to avoid anymore of the nonsense he's been getting and to have some alone time. Rei lied on his back to watch the clouds, but the thing he thought of now that his mind was at ease was Takao.
"I wonder what Takao is doing…how is he taking this? Why has he not come running back to me, crying?"
Rei sighed and shook his head to get his thoughts of Takao out of his head.
"Can't be distracted now; I need to have a clear mind to able to pull off a good theft."
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It was night at the Kinomiya residence and the family was enjoying a family night by watching a movie.
Takao's mind wasn't on the movie, it was on Rei. Will Rei come back next Friday when he's not planning on stealing anything, at least he hopes not.
The movie was over before Takao even realized it but he went straight to his room.
A knock was heard on the door,
"Come in," said Takao as he lied on his bed throwing a ball up and down and catching it.
"Taka?" Hitoshi peered into the room,
"Yes, Nii-Chan?"
"Are you alright?" Hitoshi asked coming into the room and closing the door behind him. Then walked up to Takao and sat on the bed next to him.
"I'm fine, why?" Takao asked in the most casual voice he can pull off.
"If you're so 'fine' as you say, why are so many of your friends visiting recently? Not only that, you're sad because you're not smiling as much anymore. Plus, you're not acting stupid anymore which means something serious is going on," said Hitoshi naming the things with his fingers and Takao shot up,
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Sorry, I was just saying. But Taka, what's the matter? Did something happen at school? Are you being bullied again? Do I need to go and beat up someone for you or-"
"No! It's not about school it's…about 20 Faces!"
"20 Faces? What did he do? Say he doesn't plan on marrying you again?" Hitoshi guessed,
"No! He…he…" Takao didn't want to say it; it hurt just to think about it.
"He…"
Tears started forming and Takao started to cry,
"He…broke up with me!" Takao cried.
"What?! Okay, I'm going have a serious talk with that thief…right after you stop crying," said Hitoshi and started rubbing his brother's back and try to comfort him.
It was 10 by the time Takao stopped sobbing and fell asleep. Hitoshi went downstairs and turned on the T.V.
"20 Faces has just gotten away with an artifact stolen from the visiting museum!"
"20 Faces…all you care about is yourself!" Hitoshi said out loud as he sat down and watched the live news.
"I don't care how unselfish Rei Kon is, 20 Faces is the most selfish person I've met to date!"
The next morning, Takao nearly begged his brother not to confront Rei about what happened. Hitoshi kept his promise and did not go find Rei to murder him. On the next Friday, Hitoshi stayed up by Takao's room to see if 20 Faces will come by. Takao was doing the same in his room. He sat in his bed, his balcony door unlocked, lights on, and he waited. Both waited for a very long time, but Takao fell asleep while waiting. Hitoshi came into Takao's room and got Takao in a comfortable position to sleep in. Hitoshi switched the lights off and looked over the balcony door. He left it unlocked and left Takao's room.
Hitoshi was being shaken awake the next morning. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He heard sniffing and immediately looked over to his side where Takao stood, crying his eyes out.
"He didn't come…he didn't come!" Takao cried.
"You sure?" Hitoshi asked and pulled his brother onto his bed and held him. Takao nodded. Last time 20 Faces didn't show up without letting Takao know, he left a gift. Surely Takao must've checked. Of course he checked! He wouldn't be crying if he didn't have proof that 20 Faces really wasn't going to come back.
"Forget about him, Takao! Forget about him, he isn't worth it! I'm sorry for even bringing you two together…" Hitoshi apologized. Hitoshi did blame himself for this. He was the one, after all, that pretty much 'black-mailed' the thief so that he will go out with his brother in the first place. Even though the 2 might've gotten together anyway without his help.
"…Why don't you stay home today Taka?" Hitoshi suggested, "Rest your mind today."
The door bell rang and Mystel was let in,
"Good morning Hitoshi-San, did Takao oversleep?" Mystel asked when Takao wasn't the one that greeted him at the door.
"No, Takao's staying home today," said Hitoshi and Mystel's face grew worried,
"Is he sick? Is he alright?" Mystel asked. Hitoshi looked around to make sure his grandpa or anyone else was around, then he whispered to Mystel.
"20 Faces didn't show up last night."
"Oh…" Mystel was partially surprised and partially angry at Rei.
"Is it okay if I come by to see Takao after school?" Mystel asked,
"Of course, you're always welcome, Mystel," said Hitoshi. Mystel bowed and left.
Takao was up at his window balcony. He watched Mystel come and leave. Never has he felt so sad and alone before. Well when Brooklyn broke up with him, it was similar to this but this pain was much worse. It was like his heart has been stabbed a few times and it kept bleeding.
"Why is life so cruel to me? Why did I go through another relationship that only ended up me as the one that got hurt? Why?!"
"Why…?" Takao asked out loud as he curled up in the corner of his room and cried.
"Rei! Come here!" Kai shouted from one end of the auditorium. They were preparing for the festival and the auditorium was being decorated. Rei hurried over to Kai who also stood with 2 foreigners around their age and someone that Rei's seen before but can't recall who.
"What?" Rei asked,
"This is Eric and Wolfgang. These two are visiting BBA School for a fieldtrip. The two are from the 20 Faces Fan Club and wants to know some things about the latest theft. I can't find Max and I wasn't at the scene of the crime for once, surely you can help them," said Kai and Rei looked at the slightly chubby orange-haired boy and the tall and thin blue-haired boy next to him. Rei shook hands with them,
"I have a fan club?" Rei asked himself.
"Hi, I'm Eric!" said the orange-haired one,
"I'm Wolfgang," said the tall one in a plain voice.
"Hello, I'm Rei Kon of the BBA High School Division Class Board," said Rei. Then Rei heard the person next to Kai speak in Russian.
"-Damn, you're right, he does look like a girl .-"
"Shut up, Yuri," said Kai. Yuri replied in Russian.
"-What? It's not like he can understand me-."
"What did he say?" Rei asked,
"Nothing, just that you really do look like a girl like Kai said and I reminded Kai that you couldn't understand Russian," said Yuri in Japanese this time with a smirk. Rei grew an anime vein,
"Kai, remind me who this is again," said Rei,
"This is Yuri, one of my acquaintances in Russia. I'm sure you've seen him in a photo or two. He's here to see BBA School. He might be transferring here. And I didn't say you looked like a girl," Kai explained,
"Yeah you did, you said it when-"
"Shut up Yuri!"
"I'll just ignore him… Anyway, Eric-San, Wolfgang-San, what can I do to help you?" Rei asked as he took them somewhere else.
"Kai, aren't you going to introduce me to your girlfriend that Max told me about?" Yuri asked as he and Kai walked in a different direction. Kai grew an anime vein.
"Shut up! I'm only here to make sure you don't get lost on this campus not to entertain you with my personal life!"
"I'm going to kill Max for blabbing that!"
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"So Rei-San, is it true that BBA School has one of the best security in the entire world?" Eric asked holding a notepad as they walked and then stopped somewhere in the auditorium that won't get in anyone's way.
"Yes," Rei replied,
"And is it also true that no one can leave or enter the BBA School without permission?" Eric asked,
"Correct," Rei replied,
"And yet, 20 Faces has someone gotten into the school and stole the school's auditorium curtain a few years ago?"
"That is also correct."
"Then there's no doubt about it, 20 Faces must be someone that lives in the BBA School," Eric concluded.
"Well we can't be certain of that," said Rei,
"It's got to be! That narrows it down to a bit more than 10,000 people. 20 Faces looks roughly around the age of middle school through high school which brings down the number even more…" Eric kept talking more.
"I'm sorry; he's just really excited to be here. We're really big fans of 20 Faces. His thefts are amazing to us outside of BBA School and Japan," said Wolfgang.
"It's okay, even if he does narrow it down the last detail, it isn't going to be easy finding out who 20 Faces is," said Rei. Though he wasn't lying. Even if most hints point to Rei, they cannot be certain it's Rei unless they know 20 Faces' hair really is black and long as well as straight. That's only one thing that can keep them from figuring out Rei's secret.
"Rei-San, what do you know about the theft at the museum?" Eric continued his interview.
"Well, the item that was stolen was a pot, an antique…that's all I know," said Rei and Eric was scribbling down notes.
"It's been rumored all over the world, especially on the internet, that 20 Faces has a certain relationship with someone he's stolen from, what do you think of it?" Eric asked and Rei looked surprised,
"There is?" Rei asked,
"Oh yeah! It's all over the internet! People have seen 20 Faces with someone on weekends or holidays but no one has seen this mysterious someone. Some people don't believe in it but others do, I'm just wondering what someone on the BBA School thinks," Eric explained.
"I'm sorry that I'm not much help though. I never heard of this rumor," said Rei which slightly surprised the 2 foreigners.
"Really? Well that's alright. Thank you for your time though! It was a lot of help!" said Eric,
"No problem, anytime," said Rei and smiled. The 2 foreigners left to continue exploring BBA School and anything that has to do with 20 Faces.
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It was evening and the 2 foreigners were heading back to their hotels.
"BBA School is amazing isn't it Wolfgang?" Eric asked and Wolfgang shrugged,
"It's pretty interesting," he replied.
"I guess my Japanese isn't so bad is it?" said Eric and laughed. Then he turned a corner and hit someone.
"I'm so sorry! Gomen-nasai!" Eric apologized,
"Its okay, it's okay, I wasn't looking where I was going," said Takao as he picked his belongings that he drop that he just bought while out shopping for the day.
Eric helped him pick them up until he noticed a bell lying on the ground by itself.
"Is this yours?" Eric asked,
"Huh? Oh, I guess it is…" said Takao and took the bell but looked saddened when he looked at it.
"It is? I could've sworn that bell is worn by 20 Faces himself!" said Eric and sighed in disappointment.
"How can you tell?" Takao asked, surprised.
"Oh, my name's Eric! I came from England and I'm also a part of the 20 Faces Fan Club! As a big fan of his work, I know a lot about his clothing and style," Eric explained.
"Fan Club?" Takao repeated giving a really confused look.
"Yup! Oh this is Wolfgang; he's also part of the club. He's a man of a few words though," said Eric and Takao gave a slight wave to Wolfgang.
"What's your name? Do you go to BBA School? I mean, you live here right? Why are you not wearing a uniform?" Eric asked looking at Takao's street clothes when they stood back up.
"Oh, um, I was kind of sick today but I feel better now so I went out shopping for a bit. Oh yeah, I'm Takao Kinomiya…"
"K-Kinomiya?! No way! My brother is a big fan of yours. He's seen all your battles and all he could talk about is beyblading and Takao Kinomiya! And hey, aren't you a fan of Takao Kinomiya, Wolfgang?" Eric asked. Takao blinked a couple of times. Do all fans act like this?
Wolfgang nodded,
"Yes, I am. It's an honor to meet you," said Wolfgang and shook Takao's hand. Wolfgang then noticed something,
"Your hands are cold on a warm day like this? Are you sick? Or sad maybe?" Wolfgang asked,
"Well, uh…kind of. Sick I mean," said Takao.
"Say, Kinomiya-San! I was wondering if could answer a few questions for me?" Eric asked and took out his notepad.
"Um sure?" Takao replied and releases Wolfgang's hand.
"Now as a fan of 20 Faces, I happen to know that you're also one of his victims. Am I right? A few years ago on your birthday?"
"Yes, that's right."
"He stole that ice dragon with a sapphire worth millions of yen was placed on the dragon?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"How did you feel after that?" Eric asked,
"Well lets see…it was a long time ago. Well…I wasn't very happy. I just got my father's birthday present stolen. That's all I remember at the moment," said Takao with a hand on his chin.
"What do you think of 20 Faces as a person? In general?" Eric asked as he quickly scribble some answers. Takao didn't even hesitate to answer that question.
"He's a selfish jerk and doesn't even know how to appreciate someone! Not to mention he's the most horrible person to ask for as a boyfriend!" Takao blurted out angrily.
"…Do you know who he is or something?" Eric asked after sinking in what Takao just exclaimed.
"…No!" Takao hesitated a bit but lied. Wolfgang's eyes shifted a bit, noticing how strange Takao is answering these questions.
"Have you ever spoken to him?" Eric asked,
"Yes, he's a jerk!" Takao answered without hesitation this time.
After a few more questions, Eric thanked him and he and Wolfgang continued on their way. Takao picked up his stuff and started walking but was stopped by Wolfgang,
"Where do you live, Kinomiya-San?" he asked,
"Right over there, in that mansion," Takao replied and motions his head in the direction he was going, "Why?"
"Just wondering, you seem to know a lot about 20 Faces. We might come back for a short interview or something. You don't mind do you?" Wolfgang asked and Takao shook his head,
"No, don't mind at all."
"Are you a fan of 20 Faces yourself?" Wolfgang asked,
"No! Not anymore at least…"
"What made you change your mind?"
"After I found out what a horrible person he is!"
"I see…well thank you for your time, Kinomiya-San," said Wolfgang and bowed then left to catch up with Eric.
Takao went home without a second thought on those foreigners and stomped up to his room. He dropped his new bought stuff on the ground and leapt onto his bed, grabbed his pillow and hugged his chest with it, and continued to mope around some more. He stopped throwing his belongings around his room like he used to, now he just lies on the bed and feel depressed.
"Stupid 20 Faces…heartless jerk…selfish neko! I hate you! Hate you! Hate you! Hate you! Hate you! Hate you! Hate you!!!"
Takao started to cry again as tears slowly dripped down his face.
"Hate you…"
After everything they've been through, it was hart to let Rei go even if he does hate him.
From the moment, 20 Faces snuck into Takao's room and met; to the moment those three words came from Rei's mouth. Those memories are unforgettable. Both the good and bad. All his friends are trying to help but nothing seems to be working. Everything hurts, only because of 20 Faces. If 20 Faces never existed, he'd still be with Rei! But on the other hand…it was because of 20 Faces that he was able to meet Rei in the first place. Not only that, Rei is 20 Faces. They are, after all, the same person physically and apparently mentally too.
Takao sat up but still hugged his pillow.
"How can I hate but love a person at the same time? My heart…it feels like it's been stabbed a few times. Does Rei even think of me anymore? Does he miss me? Does even care about me? Are we even friends? Does he hate me?" Questions continued to run around in Takao's head until dinner came along but he didn't want dinner. He wasn't hungry at all and went straight to bed.
The next morning:
"Takao! Wake up! Hurry!" Hitoshi was shaking his brother to get him awake. "Hurry!" Hitoshi urged. He gave up and dragged his brother off the bed. The fall woke Takao up right away but that only got him into a bad mood. Hitoshi brought Takao into his room where a T.V. is and showed Takao the news.
"A plane called the 'Golden Goose' has been stolen from the airplane museum by 20 Faces. A guard was injured in the process of last night's theft…"
"What?!" Takao exclaimed as he stares at the screen.
"I know, I thought 20 Faces never hurt anyone before. Do you think that you had something to do with his behavior?" Hitoshi asked as Takao continued to stare.
"…That wasn't 20 Faces!" Takao concluded.
Rei walked in a bit later than usual into the office only to have Kai and Max give him an unusual stare.
"What?" Rei asked,
"Rei…you didn't…"
"Didn't what?" Rei asked Max. Before Max could reply, the phone on his desk rang and he picked it up.
"Yes…yes, he's here…Rei, its Eric from the Fan Club," said Max handing the phone to Rei.
"Yes? Uh huh…what?! The 'Golden Goose' was stolen by 20 Faces last night?!" Rei exclaimed in a realistic surprised look. Max and Kai sighed in relief,
"So it wasn't Rei…" said Max and started breathing again.
"I knew it wasn't Rei after hearing that a guard was injured," said Kai keeping his cool. The door was being knocked on frantically,
"Come in!" Max shouted and Takao burst into the room,
"Max!" he exclaimed, out of breath. It looked like he ran all the way from home to here without a break.
Rei was still on the phone with Eric but he watched Takao run up to Max's desk…without even glancing towards Rei.
"I need a favor!" said Takao eagerly.
"Sure?"
"You guys still have your detective agency open. Right?" Takao asked and Max nodded,
"I'm asking you then, no, I'm asking the BBA School Detectives for help!" (See notes)
"Sorry, you're not a damsel," said Kai, partial joke.
"Yeah? Well I played the girl in my previous relationships!" Takao snapped at Kai who was actually a bit taken back by that sudden outrage.
"What is it you need help with, Takao?" Max asked, more calmly.
"I want you to investigate this 20 Faces case!"
This gave Max, Kai, and Rei the most surprised look ever.
"I didn't do it, I swear!" said Rei when the 4 of them sat down for a talk after school that day.
"Saying that won't prove it to the world, everyone thinks it's you," Kai pointed out,
"That's the whole reason why I asked you guys to investigate this," said Takao, a bit impatient.
Another few knock were heard on the door.
"That must be Eric and Wolfgang; you don't mind if they come in and listen do you?" Rei asked,
"No it's fine, they can come in. Is that okay with you, Takao?" Max asked and Takao hesitantly nodded as Rei went to open the door.
"Oh hey! Kinomiya-San!" Eric exclaimed and Takao gave a light wave.
"Oh, I'm sorry! Go on with your investigating! I didn't know you guys were detectives too! BBA School amazes me!" said Eric as he and Wolfgang sat on another couch. Takao sat by himself while the detectives sat across from Takao. Eric and Wolfgang sat on the detectives left or Takao's right.
"What have you guys concluded?" Eric asked,
"My conclusion is simple: This 20 Faces is a fraud!" said Max and the 2 foreigners blinked in surprise,
"Your reasons and evidence?" Eric asked scribbling down notes.
"That's fairly easy. Would you please, Kai?" Max looked over to Kai who took pulled a folder out of the piles of paper in his arms.
"Here are a few records and notes I've taken on 20 Faces. The clues that lead us to the conclusion that this new 20 Faces is a fraud are as follows: 1. He has injured someone. Violence does not exist in 20 Faces' dictionary. Have you ever recalled him ever hurting someone when he steals?" Kai asked and the 2 foreigners shook their heads.
"Exactly. 2. None of us expected the theft," Kai continued on.
"So?" Wolfgang asked,
"Being a member of 20 Faces' Fan Club, you should know the answer to that. 20 Faces always leaves a notice to tell everyone what he's going to steal and when. Am I correct? Of course I am. A notice wasn't put up so no one knew that the plane was going to be stolen," Kai explained. Everyone nodded.
"3. It was explained on the news and papers that while flying in that airplane, papers like this was dropped," Kai pulled out a red sheet of paper about 5x6 that said "20 Faces has struck again!"
"Now what kind of idiot does this fraud takes us for? There's no one that could believe this is the real 20 Faces after learning about that!" said Kai. Takao stared at the paper, he didn't stick around to watch the news some more but Kai was right, who believes that would be the real 20 Faces after knowing what stunt this fake one did.
"4. Witnesses claimed that this thief was way above the real 20 Faces' height. Not only that, he didn't have long hair. That concludes the evidence that 20 Faces is innocent of the incident last night," said Kai as Eric looked through the folder as well as listened and took notes.
"That's good to hear…" said Takao in relief.
"I thought you told me you weren't a fan of 20 Faces anymore," said Eric and Rei's attention turned to Takao. Did he really say that?
"I'm not…but I have a sense of justice. I frankly don't care what happens to 20 Faces so long as he stays out of my life," Takao mumbled. Kai and Max slowly looked over to Rei with worried expressions.
Rei wasn't sure how he felt, but hearing that…hurt.
"Well now that I know it really wasn't 20 Faces like I expected, I'll be going now. See you guys later," said Takao and got up and headed for the door.
"Hold on, please," said Wolfgang and walked up to Takao who had his hand on the door,
"Yes?"
"I wish to know one thing: What is your relationship with 20 Faces?" he asked calmly,
"I have no relationship with 20 Faces," Takao answered which was really the flat-out truth.
"Then why do you get so wound up about this case?"
"…Because 20 Faces is still human. Getting blamed for something he didn't do and not doing anything about it will leave a guilty conscious in me. I want to live life without regret," said Takao.
"I see…thanks for your time, Kinomiya-San," said Wolfgang and Takao nodded and left the office.
Eric and Wolfgang also excused themselves and also left.
"Rei?" Max looked at Rei worriedly,
"…I'm fine. Takao's just angry, I'm sure he didn't mean it," said Rei and smiled. But it didn't take a genius to figure out from his shaky voice that he's been offended.
That night, Takao sat up in his bed with a white shirt and pants for his sleeping wear tonight.
"Why am I lying to myself? Why?"
It was silent in his home. All Takao could hear were the clocks ticking.
"All I want…is to see Rei again!" Takao sniffed and whimpered.
"But I did today…is that really what I want? Or…do I just don't want to be alone anymore?"
At that moment, he heard sounds outside on his balcony. Takao stared at the shadow and quickly got out of bed, jumped into his shoes, and opened his balcony door.
"20 Faces!" he exclaimed but soon regretted what he did.
"So…you do have a connection with 20 Faces, Takao Kinomiya-San."
Takao couldn't move as he stood there wide-eyed in shock and surprise.
Rei's eyes snapped open and sat up,
"Takao?"
Rei looked around his room. Just as he had left it before he fell asleep. Rei lied back down on his back.
"What's wrong with me?"
At that very moment, cell phone rang.
"I've forgotten why I leave that thing on at night…" Rei thought to himself and picked up his cell phone on his side table drawer and looked at who called him.
"Oh yeah, because Kai told me to," Rei thought when he saw it was Kai that called him.
"Hello?"
"Rei! Get yourself over to Kinomiya's house now!" Kai nearly shouted,
"Why? What's the matter?" Rei asked as he got up from his bed once again.
"Just get over here! NOW KON!"
That did it, when Kai calls him by his last name, he means business.
Rei rushed over to Takao's place by foot. Being 20 Faces all the time at night, it really wasn't that hard to get there fast. When he did, he noticed Kai's limo was out in front and lights were on in only one room …it was Takao's room. Rei went onto the balcony and saw that the door into Takao's room was open so he let himself in.
"Kai?" Rei stepped in to see Hitoshi standing next to Kai who was sitting on the chair and was on a laptop on Takao's desk. Hitoshi immediately went over to Rei and pulled him by his rattail upwards.
"Where's Takao?!" he demanded,
"OW! Let go! And I don't know where his! Ah! I swear I don't!"
"He doesn't know, Rei wouldn't. He's a thief but he's no kidnapper nor does he have any contacts with actual dangerous criminals," said Kai calmly who was paying attention to the laptop and not even helping Rei. Hitoshi still held onto Rei's rattail but took his time in letting go.
"Ow…what's going on?" Rei asked and rubbed the area where his hair was pulled.
"Why is he even here if he doesn't even know where my brother is?!" Hitoshi almost shouted,
"Because I have a feeling this is something only 20 Faces can do," said Kai as he typed on the computer.
"What's going on? Where is Takao?" Rei asked, now worried as he walked up to the two.
"333," Kai read on the computer screen, "I can't solve this..."
"333?" Rei repeated and stared at the screen. There was a box to put an answer in. But what kind of answer can you get from 3 numbers? Rei started thinking, he remember having a conversation that involved these numbers a few years ago…
"Tokyo Tower…" Rei said in a whisper,
"What?" Kai asked,
"Tokyo Tower! You remember how many 3's there was in Tokyo Tower? Remember that conversation we had a little bit before the BBA School Detectives was formed?" Rei reminded and Kai thought back it. Yes! Tokyo Tower had to be the answer! Everything from how many people to measurements, it all had 3's in them!
Kai typed in the answer.
"Someone please tell me what's going on!"
"Shut up, if you happen to be the reason that my brother is missing, I will personally murder you!" Hitoshi threatened.
"Got it!" Kai announced as the laptop screen started revealing a message on its own.
This message is for the masked man, 20 Faces. If he's not here, get him. I know someone else besides Takao Kinomiya-San knows more than what they say about 20 Faces.
The message started and Rei leaned in closer.
"20 Faces, come to Tokyo Tower right after you read this. You may choose not to of course, but if you want to see Takao Kinomiya-San again, you will come. I scratch that, you'll still see him again but he won't be very alive. Unless he someone survives falling off Tokyo Tower because his thief doesn't want to show up. If you're going to call the police, go ahead. So long as you show up, Kinomiya-San won't get hurt. Actually, bring as many people as you can. We need some attention.
We'll both be waiting for you, 20 Faces.
Hitoshi grabbed Rei by the collar right after he finished reading,
"You will go! Or I'll make you!"
"Hitoshi-San! Calm down!" said Kai as he separated the two.
"Rei, as for you, you have to go. There was a reason we didn't call the police. Hitoshi got a hold of me after hearing a ruckus in this room and finding Takao gone, replaced by that laptop. There were riddles and I was able to solve most of them but they were getting harder. Some of them have to do with thefts and that's when I knew you were involved somehow. We didn't want to cause panic to the rest of the Kinomiya family nor do we want people thinking this is 20 Faces' doing…Rei, are you certain you know nothing about what's going on?" Kai asked and Rei shook his head,
"Then get your costume on, get to Tokyo Tower and bring Takao back. I have a feeling that we can't risk that whoever took Takao isn't joking," said Kai and Rei nodded.
"Hitoshi-San, don't wake your family. We don't need your grandfather to get involved. I'll contact Max and we'll all head for Tokyo Tower!"
Rei headed back to his room to put on his costume. Kai got Max out of bed and after picking Max up, they headed for Tokyo Tower.
20 Faces ran along on top of buildings until he reached Tokyo Tower. He looked up, is Takao inside or outside? Then he spotted something. Two figures standing outside of Tokyo Tower, on top of the platform where people would be standing if they were inside.
20 Faces made a leap and quickly made his way upwards with his cat-like grace and balance.
"Takao…"
Notes:
-Yes, Eric and Wolfgang can speak Japanese.
-Yes, Kai, Max, Mystel, and Hitoshi do know that Rei's 20 Faces.
-Yes, Hitoshi was part of the reason why, and how, Takao and Rei got together. It happened in "Neko-Jin of Many Faces."
-The BBA School Detectives are made up of Max, Rei, and Kai who help damsels in distress (Max's idea). For full idea of it, go read and entertain yourself with my story: "BBA School Detectives"!
-It's true; Tokyo Tower does have a lot of 3's in them.
-Hitoshi got a hold of Kai because the Kinomiya and Hiwatari family know each other also knowing the fact that Kai's intelligent and can possibly help figure this out. Of course Kai came by to help, he's not that heartless.
Next: Takao really has been taken and now 20 Faces has to make the most difficult choice in his life if he wants to save Takao: Either reveal his identity to the world or Takao will be shoved off the tower.
Even with quick reflexes, saving someone falling off Tokyo Tower is still too risky making one or even two deaths a possibility. Not only that, calling it a bluff is also too risking. What is 20 Faces' choice? How will it affect the relationship between him and Takao?
Read and Review to find out!
Wow, this is probably the longest chapter I've written ever! On Beyblade at least!