Notes:
Oh Haru, how are you going to save Rin and Gou?
Guys, I'm so in love with you all. Thanks for the favs, follows and comments! I promise I'll work very hard on this story~
Also, what did you guys think of the last episode? I BASICALLY SCREAMED AND CRIED AND BLOGGED ABOUT IT THE ENTIRE TIME. I'm so happy. I really hope a second season comes out!
Disclaimer: I do not own Free!. Any similarities in events or characters living or dead are entirely coincidental.
Enjoy!
The news of a second murder victim in less than three days had become quite the topic of every conversation in all of Iwatobi, which was exactly the sort of thing Haru knew would only make the situation worse. They didn't need panicked masses in addition to the fact that they have a serial killer on the loose.
Sasabe pointed out that by going to the press conference in the afternoon the day after the attack they would be able to settle facts and destroy rumors floating around, but the media always had some way to twist words. It was an unavoidable thing.
"I know you hate this stuff," the Commander sighed from the doorway of the meeting room the publicity staff was rushing about in. "Personally I do too. Let's just get it over with, yeah?"
"Easy for you to say," Haru muttered as he forcefully straightened his blue tie. It was his good luck tie; a present from his parents a long time ago. He wore it to his first job interview and was hired right away. Looking at the impatient reporters in the other room made him feel like he'd need all the extra help he could get.
"Ne, Haru-chan," Nagisa said, skipping over and nuzzling his forehead into Haru's side. "Are you gonna be okay? It's been a while since you did a press conference."
"I will be fine," Haru replied simply. "You're going to ruin your hair if you keep headbutting me like that."
"At least we've got Mako-chan helping out today," Nagisa sighed happily, trying (and failing) to flatten his wavy hair. "Usually I'm the one who's always handing you notes and that can get very confusing when there's a room full of people staring at you!"
"Where is he, anyway?" Haru frowned. "It's almost time."
"In the bathroom, last I checked," Nagisa shrugged as he tried to fix his lanyard. Sasabe, who had been talking to somebody by the doorway for the past minute, checked his watch and gestured towards the two of them.
"Hey! It's time! Where's Makoto?"
"I don't know—"
"I'm here, I'm here!" the brunet called, rushing into the room, jacket buttons undone and a pair of dark framed glasses perched on his nose. To his horror, Haru felt an unfamiliar heat creeping up his face.
"Mako-chan! What took you so long?" Nagisa asked, giggling as the PI hastily did up his suit.
"One of my contact lenses fell out," Makoto said sheepishly. "I couldn't put it back in in time so I had to run back to the registry building to get my glasses."
"Good, good, that's all very good," Sasabe hissed distractedly. "But now you three really gotta get out there or else there'll be a riot on our hands!"
"Right, sorry for the delay," Makoto said apologetically. "Let's get going— Haru? Is there something on my face?"
"No," Haru said at once, spinning around to face the front. His mind was racing furiously, spewing out a litany of Makoto in glasses Makoto in glasses Makoto in glasses and why did the man look so ridiculously grown-up like that? They were just a pair of glasses!
"Haru! Go!" Sasabe hissed, giving Haru a push, and the DI nearly tripped as he walked into the first step on the stage. There was a massive crowd gathered in their media room: reporters, photographers, and television stations were all packed into the plain, white-wall room on chairs facing the platform. There were several tables placed together and microphones set up. Haru took a seat in the middle and both Nagisa and Makoto sat down next to him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if we could get started," the task force publicity manager said from her seat down the row. "This is the press conference regarding the recent murders in Iwatobi City, we'll begin taking questions on your left."
A woman in a dark pink coat raised her hand. "Hello, Yuki Sakamoto, from the Evening News. Is it true that the killer is the rumored serial killer known as 'The Pirate' is behind those murders?"
"The signs indicate that there is a very high chance that it is the same killer, yes," Haru said, his voice slightly distorted in the microphone.
Another reporter held their hand up. "Excuse me, Toshikuni Hisamatsu, with the District Paper. Is there any reason why the Pirate is surfacing now? I mean, it has been two years since he last appeared."
"At this moment, no, we're haven't found any reason as to why he's back, but we've been looking into it since the unfortunate case of Aiichiro Nitori."
"Mayoko Momotani, Chanel 19," a woman wearing a red dress called. "Am I correct in saying that this is your first time returning to active field duty since your injury two years ago, Nanase-san?"
Haru forced himself not to frown, and Makoto shifted next to him. "Yes, you are correct," he replied, tone neutral. "However, I have been working in the homicide division for five years now and I am confident that an old injury will not hinder my deducing abilities."
"But you were injured," Momotani cut in. "Are you sure you'll be able to handle this case? I mean, it's only been the third day and there's a second body already."
Cameras flashed and Haru tried very hard not to scrunch up his face in irritation. Here we go, he thought dryly.
"Then all more the reason for Haru-san to remain on the case, don't you agree?" Nagisa said suddenly, a thin smile on his face. "He was head of the case two years ago and nobody knows the files better than he does. Haru-san worked very hard to catch the murderer and almost died because of it. The fact that he's taking responsibility for the case a second time is more than enough to show his determination to take the killer down! All of us will do our best to catch the Pirate." The and don't you forget it went unspoken but it was obvious that the message had gotten across quite clearly, and Haru ducked his head a little to hide a grin.
There was a very good reason why Nagisa was on the team.
The reporter sat down without another word, and the task force publicist coughed. "Are there any further questions?"
More reporters instantly jumped pounced, several of them talking over each other at once.
"Are there any further plans implemented at this time—"
"Mika Tadashi, from the Local News, could you about some safety tips to follow?"
"Masutaro Asahara from the Iwatobi Daily; Nanase-san, is there any information regarding the steps being taken to catching the killer?"
The publicist turned red, and Haru resisted the urge to slap a hand over his face.
The conference continued; Makoto introduced himself at some point, which seemed to satisfy some more dubious faces, and they took several more questions. When the forty-five minute session was up, there was a lot of jostling elbows and equipment maneuvering as the three of them were quickly ushered back into the publicity room for a debriefing.
"Well, that could've been worse," Sasabe sighed dramatically, scratching at his buzzcut. "I was expecting a fiasco and somebody to get stabbed with a ballpoint pen like the Ando case, but you all handled it quite well. Remind me never to piss you off, Nagisa."
"I only get mad at people who disrespect Haru-chan!" Nagisa announced, leaping onto Haru like a tree frog. "I'm going to be his guardian angel!"
"Get off, you're heavy," Haru muttered, only half-heartedly trying to untangle himself from the blond. Nagisa was a good person, really, and the clinging was acceptable on good days.
"What're your plans for the afternoon?" Sasabe asked as they made their way back to the registry building.
"We're going to grab some files and then we're driving down to the Matsuokas," Makoto said, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose with his long, slender fingers. For a brief second, Haru's eyes trailed after the digits and the next thing he knew he'd walked right into a water dispenser with an almighty crash.
"Haru-chan! Are you okay?" Nagisa shrieked.
"I'm fine," the detective spluttered, face red as be scrambled to push the machine back in place. "I just— that was—"
"You've been distracted all morning," Sasabe noted, raising an eyebrow. "Is something up?"
"Weren't we going to grab some files and head off?" Haru demanded, ruthlessly re-directing the conversation. "It takes half and hour to drive out of town, you know, and we have a lot of stuff to do."
"Straight to the point," Makoto chuckled, rolling up his sleeves to reveal lean forearms. "I'll help Haru grab the files and then we'll off—"
"No, you're going to get the car," Haru said at once, digging his car keys out of his pocket and almost chucking them at the brunet.
"Eh? But Haru—"
"Just get the car with Nagisa and I'll get the files."
"But—"
"Get. The. Car."
"Maa, if you say so, Haru-chan," Nagisa pouted. "Bossy."
"Your comment is invalid I am your actual boss. I'll be down in ten minutes, just get in the car and drive around to the back door. God knows some reporters will still be hanging around trying to corner us at some point."
"Oh, yeah," Nagisa said thoughtfully. "Good plan, Haru-chan! C'mon, Mako-chan, I call shotgun!"
"O-okay, then. We'll catch you in a minute, Haru?"
The PI got a disinterested wave of a hand before disappearing into their office, leaving Nagisa to drag Makoto cheerfully down the hall while Sasabe shook his head and muttered, "Youths," and left as well, presumably to go back to whatever he was doing before.
It was only after the sounds of their footsteps faded away did Haru allow himself to press a hand over his mouth, cheeks flushing furiously.
They're only glasses they're only glasses they're only glasses—
Damn the glasses!
"That was an exciting morning," Makoto sighed as he followed Nagisa out into the more secluded back parking lot, scratching at his cheek. "I haven't been to a press conference since I was part of the Samezuka police force."
"That was the third time I've done one," Nagisa said brightly. "They're usually really boring though, and Haru does most of the talking and I just sort the notes. This is the biggest conference we've had since forever!"
"Well, the Pirate is sort of a big deal," Makoto sighed. "And quite dangerous. It's natural for the public to be very concerned."
They both fell silent for a moment, until Nagisa suddenly piped up, "Ne, Mako-chan, you can protect Haru-chan, right?"
"Eh? W-well, I'm definitely here to help, but I think Haru would object to the term protecting, don't you think?"
But Nagisa shook his head, expression forlorn. "Haru-chan doesn't use a gun, Mako-chan."
The brunet blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Ever since he got shot, Haru's never kept his gun on him. It's either in storage or in a safe at his flat. Marksmanship was his lowest score on his fitness re-test. I haven't seen him hold one since I first started working with him, and it— it's almost like he's afraid of using one, so d'you see how that might be a problem when we're trying to arrest a serial killer? So I think that's why Sasabe wanted you to help even though he knows Haru doesn't like outsiders on his cases. You can protect Haru-chan, and make sure he doesn't get hit again, and—"
"Nagisa," Makoto interrupted, gently catching the blond's arm. "Nagisa, you know you're more than capable of doing the same, right? You defended him at the conference today. Haru trusts you, and we'll all look after one another."
"Like a team?" Nagisa asked, brightening up.
Makoto laughed. "Like a team."
"Awesome! We'll solve this case together!"
"That's the plan, once Haru comes down with the files… what's taking him so long?"
"Maybe he's lost them?" Nagisa suggested as they walked up to a pale grey car. "Should we get in and wait—oh look! There's Haru-chan!"
"Why's he running?" Makoto asked, squinting as the detective came sprinting across the parking lot, papers tucked under his arm and tie flapping.
"Haru-chan, where's the rush?" Nagisa called.
"Keys," Haru said through gritted teeth as he came to a skidding stop in front of the two. "Get in. We're leaving, now."
"Hm? Did something happen?"
"No, but I just ran into a lot reporters," Haru hissed, tossing the folder into the backseat as he jammed his keys into the ignition. "Are you getting in or not?!"
Somewhere in the distance, what looked like a small crowd of cameramen and journalists were advancing rather quickly, dust billowing in their wake, and Makoto and Nagisa didn't need to be told twice.
They leapt into the car, and Haru floored it.
The Matsuoka household was large, sprawling estate with a mixture of traditional Japanese designs and a modern architecture. There was a winding driveway, double doors, massive windows a separate garage, and a garden near the back, where a walkway led straight into the quiet woods. Inside, all the rooms were clean and tidy and gigantic— a clear sign of the Matsuoka family's wealth. Yet, only Rin and Gou Matsuoka lived in their family home.
"Our parents work and live overseas," Gou explained shyly, distractedly playing with a stray strand of hair. "So brother and I get the entire house to ourselves."
She sat stiffly and looked nervous, which was an acceptable reaction when told that one was the next target of a serial killer. Meanwhile, her brother, Rin, was slouched next to her on the leather sofa; scowling and showing his alarmingly sharp teeth.
"How do I know this isn't some shitty prank made to mess me or my little sister up before competition?" the swimmer demanded, cracking his knuckles rather threateningly.
"We've gathered sufficient information to believe that you are at risk," Haru replied shortly, and Rin glowered. "We've shown you identification and all the evidence we've gathered. It would be good for all of us to cooperate with each other at this time."
"People have faked being cops before."
"I can assure you, we're perfectly qualified. We apologize for the disruption in your daily schedule, but this is for your own safety."
"They're just trying to help, Rin!" Gou scolded, smacking her brother on a rather muscular arm. Rin yelped, looking annoyed.
"Hey! It's normal to be suspicious when three guys tell you that you're the next target of some nutjob out of the blue!"
"Didn't you watch TV? That murderer has killed two people already, and many more in the past!"
"I was busy at the pool," Rin defended, and Gou rolled her eyes. Makoto coughed, catching the siblings' attentions before doing his wife smile again.
"Right now, the plan is to make sure both of you remain out of danger," the PI said soothingly, leaning forwards to rest his elbows on his knees. "We're going to assign twenty-four hour detail and keep surveillance on your home at all times. In the current environment, it would be wise to avoid going to public places, but if you really need to, make sure you've got one of our assigned officers with you."
"We spent more time at the gym then we do in our house anyway," Rin snorted, carding a hand through his hair.
"Would your officers mind waiting while we train though? Brother and I spend at least four hours a day for at least six days a week at the facilities," Gou said, looking apologetic.
"That's fine. They'll be taking shifts. Do you have any other concerns?"
"No," Rin cut in, before Gou could speak. "I'll see you to the door."
"Brother, be polite—"
"I know!" Rin said exasperatedly, practically forcing the trio towards the foyer. "Just stay there for a minute, Gou, just gotta have a word with these people."
The four of them stumbled into the spacious hallway, with Rin casting a suspicious look of his shoulder before he rounded on the officers.
"You lot really aren't yanking my chain? This wacko on the news has his eye out on my sister?"
"Yes. And you as well, Mr. Matsuoka," Haru replied.
"Don't you get smart with me, Grumpy," Rin snarled, jabbing a finger in the detective's face. "You and Giggly and Smiley over there may have my sister convinced that you're doing your best, but if you let anybody harm a single strand of hair on her head—"
"Don't tell me, you'll bite?" Haru retorted. Something about the redhead really irked him, and he just couldn't restrain the sarcastic comment. "I will tell you right now that this is a dangerous man, Mr. Matsuoka, so please, cooperate with us. It would be best for everybody if you allowed us to help in any way possible, which we will do so effective immediately, and I can promise you that there would only be minimal disturbances to your daily life."
Rin narrowed his eyes, but he eventually backed away off. "Che. I guess we have no choice then. Send your best and brightest, detective."
"Don't worry, we will," Haru said curtly before turning on his heel and walking swiftly from the room, leaving Makoto and Nagisa to hurry after him.
Once safely back in Haru's car, the PI let out a low whistle.
"That was some guy."
"He's such a meanie!" Nagisa said, kicking his feet like a child. "He called you Grumpy, Haru!"
"And I'm pretty sure Giggly was you," Haru muttered.
"Eh? Is Mako-chan Smiley then? I think it's perfect!" Nagisa laughed, and Makoto chuckled.
"I'm glad you think so, Nagisa."
"Ne, Haru-chan, don't you agree that Mako-chan has the best smile?"
Haru rolled his eyes and forcefully put the car in drive. "Maybe," he answered shortly before stepping on the gas again, taking them back to the station.
Along the whole way back, the little glints that reflected off Makoto's glasses gave away the brunet's occasional glances in Haru's direction.
And this time, Haru pretended not to see.
Notes:
I use a Japanese name generator for all the names.
I'm pretty sure the smart idea would be to ship Rin and Gou right out of the damn country at this point, but hey, they need to stay. They're plot devices, hee hee. By the way, here's a fun fact! I looked up how many hours Michael Phelps, the American Olympic swimmer, spends training. He said anywhere from two to five hours a day for six days a week. Intense!
Also, I just had to include Makoto with glasses because I'm pretty sure I squealed loud enough to wake the dead when I saw megane!Makoto at the end of episode 4! Am I the only one who did that? OvO
Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read. We're already at Chapter 5, can you believe that?!
Koodoos,
Laurie