CHAPTER 8: Perfect Crime Love Letter pt. 3; Punishable Call
"This is a news flash..." The TV announced. Mikuo cringed and glanced at the television. For sometime now, Mikuo has become sensitive to the sound of the TV and ever since that day, he became paranoid...
Since that day?
Mikuo then pondered in confusion. Just what was he doing during that day? He tried to remember but his mind was to foggy then he placed a hand on his head when he felt a sharp pain in his head. "Ugh.." He groaned
"Today, in Yamaha city, The body of a male student was discovered."
"The male student was inside his room, with a blade stabbed into his body. The victim was discovered with a cellphone gripped tightly within his hands."
Mikuo blinked and turned back at the TV as it continued. A cellphone in his hand? Now that, he thought about it...Len always seemed really engrossed with his phone too- to the point, that Mikuo would often scold him for using his phone while walking and warning him that he might have an accident...
'Len...'
Suddenly, the image of a certain boy popped into Mikuo's mind. He was on the ground, drenched in blood and was loosely gripping on his phone. Mikuo's heart stopped for a moment and he gripped his head. What was that?
He shook his head and gulp. "There's no way...right?" Why did he sound so doubtful? There was no way Len could be-
In that moment, Mikuo's phone started ringing. He flinched in surprise as he looked at his phone. He slowly reached out for his phone on the table and saw that he had a message from one of his classmates. As he opened the message...
The whole world grew silent around him. His eyes were wide and his hands shook a bit as he read the message.
To: Mikuo
From: xxx
The victim of today's was incident Len. Mikuo, you were good friends with him right? You okay?
Len was...killed? Thats impossible, after all everyday Mikuo would monitor Len. There was no way he could be-
Mikuo tried remembering what he was doing the last few days but his memories were hazy. Why cant he remember anything that day? More importantly...that image just now...
Ring Ring
"Huh?" Mikuo looked at his phone to see a message. He looked at it in confusion, he's never seen this number before. Mikuo opened the text and read the contents.
To: Mikuo
From: XXX
Right now, I'm in that place. -Merry.
Mikuo shuddered for some reason. Who the heck was 'Merry'? Mikuo shook his head and climbed the stairs to his room. His parents were out for reasons that Mikuo didnt ask so he was left alone in the house for the whole day.
But aside from that, what was up with that number? He cant remember giving anyone his contact number, much less this 'Merry'. He sat on his bed with a frown on his face. Strangely...he wasnt reacting to this as badly as he thought he would. For now...he didnt feel depress or hurt about the death f is best friend, he was more confused at the strange happenings.
But beside that...who killed Len? and on top of that, so cruelly!
So cruel, So cruel, So, cruel, So cruel, So cruel, So cruel, So cruel, So cruel, So cruel, SO CRUEL!
Mikuo's expression twisted with anger. How could they do such a thing?! Mikuo tried calming himself down before he sighed. "...Oh yeah, I have to tell them." He mumbled and pulled his phone again. He doubt those two know about what happened so he might as well let them know.
The first person he decided to call was Rin. Mikuo has never once called Rin before so this was a first. As he pressed the phone to his ear, he felt confused. There was an awfully lot of noise at the background as the other end rang then finally Rin picked up.
"H-Hello?" Mikuo heard her say. For a moment, Mikuo hesitated. Should he really tell her? He recalled how badly she reacted after the incident at school so there was no telling what she might do after this. After a very long pause, Mikuo finally murmured. "...Len was killed."
Click.
Beeeeep.
Mikuo blinked and pulled the phone away before staring at it with a puzzled expression. The line was suddenly cut off, did she hang up or something? Just when he was about to Miku next...
Ring Ring
His phone started ringing again which surprised him. As he checked who has messaged him, he frowned.
It was that number again...
Mikuo reluctantly opened it and stared at the message.
From: xxx
Right now, I am looking at the moon from that window. -Merry
Moon? What does that mean-
Ring Ring
Another message. Mikuo was starting to think of blocking this number before he opened the text.
From: xxx
Its the same color as the moon from that night-
That night...? Mikuo's heart began to thump as he slowly started to remember.
The night of the red, red moon-
Memories of that night started flashing in front of his eyes. Images of Len being kicked to the ground and him, crawled to grab a discarded pair of scissors but before he get a hold of it, a foot stomped on his hand ever so painfully. "Its pointless." A familiar voice said coldly and then there was red. Everywhere was red. "I win"
AHHHHHH!
Mikuo let out a bloodcurdling scream as he remembered everything. Thats right, on that day...
Few days ago
It was 3 in the morning and Mikuo stood outside Len's house with agitated expression. Despite the fact, he had come to this house numerous times, today it looked a bit different...It felt an abandoned house that no one has lived in for years.
Mikuo gulped and quietly walked towards the front door, he bent down to grab the hidden spare key from among the plants and opened the door. Once it was opened, Mikuo stepped in until his phone started ringing. He flinched in surprise and quickly grabbed his phone from his pocket to turn it off.
He would be in big trouble if he was suddenly found out and Mikuo's heart was beating wildly. He quietly got into the house and then he froze when he heard footsteps.
For a moment, Mikuo panicked and ran to the living room, ducking behind the couch to hide. He carefully peeked over the side to it was Len and he was holding a very familiar pink stuffed bunny in his arms.
What was Len doing here? And why did he have that toy in his hands? But more importantly...why was he down here in the first place?
Mikuo watched as Len walked around the kitchen, gathering materials of all sorts then he noticed Len shiver and dropped the rabbit. Len groaned as he looked over to the living room. Mikuo flinched and hid right away before Len could notice and he heard him click his tongue. "Tch...That gaze again." Mikuo heard Len say. Did he notice?
Mikuo gripped his chest, trying to calm down his racing heart but it just wouldnt stop. If he was found out...he'll be killed! Just like that blue haired student!
He bit his lips and waited for Len to say something but Len continued what he was doing. Mikuo gave a small sigh of relief. Good, he didnt seem to have noticed but what was he doing?
Mikuo watched as Len set the rabbit onto the ground with a cutter at hand and then it started.
Stab.
Mikuo's eyes widened as Len began cutting into the rabbit violently and taking the stuffing out. W-What was he-?
Mikuo felt bits of his heart being ripped in pieces at each slash and stab Len made onto the doll. How could he do this...to that precious doll he gave him? He couldnt believe his eyes. Why-?
He watched Len stitch back the cut he made in a mess manner before staring at it in disgust. "Kinda looks like blood vessels. Gross." Len comment before he picked up the doll and a glass of water from the table before walking out of the room and up the stairs.
Mikuo stepped out of his hiding place with a distressed look but he had to follow them. Mikuo was careful not to get too near as he followed him. He wondered where he could be going until Len stopped in front of his room. "After that, the doll's name..." Len said, staring at the toy. Mikuo observed in confusion as Len pondered on a name.
"...Mikuo." He froze when Len suddenly announced his name. "Your name is Mikuo." Len looked at the stuff toy and nodded.
Wha-?! Mikuo had a very bad feeling about this as Len strolled into the room. After Len placed the glass of water deep into his closet, Mikuo watched as he moved around the house and turned off all the lights and even closing the curtain with only the television in the living room on.
Then Len started moving toward the bathroom. Mikuo watched from behind the door "Lets begin." He said and began chanting. "Len is first to be, Len is first to be, Len is first to be, Len is first to be-"
Mikuo was confused at what he was doing until he saw Len lift the rabbit into the air and dunked it into the bathtub that was completely filled with water. Water splashed everywhere and Mikuo sucked in a breathe. He then quickly moved away from the door when he notice Len got up and walked out of the bathroom.
Len closed the door and just stood in front of it with his usual blank expression. He closed his eyes and started counting. What was the point of all this? Mikuo couldnt help but question to himself then Len's eyes opened and he glared at the door. "Are you ready?"
Len then charged into the bathroom and pulled out the soaked rabbit doll out. Mikuo stood at the door as Len quickly placed the doll to the ground and raised the cutter above his head. Without wasting time, he stabbed the rabbit.
Stab!
Mikuo's eyes were wide and he placed a hand on his lips as he observed Len stabbing the stuff toy over and over again. What...the...? "Next is Mikuo's turn to be, Next is Mikuo's turn to be, Next is Mikuo's turn to be, Next is Mikuo's turn to be-" Len chanted that repeatedly and after that...Len rushed out of the bathroom.
Mikuo didnt know what to do anymore...He slowly walked into the bathroom and stared at the soaked and terribly abused doll on the ground, the cutter was still sticking out of its stomach. He just stood there for a while before...he started laughed.
"Hahaha..." Mikuo continued laughing weakly as he started wobbling a bit. "I see..."
He finally understood now...the Len he knew was no longer here. That Len was him, that thing is surely thinking of killing him the same way tomorrow.
Its impossible for the real Len to think like this. He is childhood friend- his only friend and Len plans to kill him like this? Thats impossible right?
There's nothing doubt about it. This is the evidence that eliminates any speck of doubt but right now, that guy who took the appearance of Len isnt him.
That guy is the "fox"...in other words the traitor.
If he kills him, the game will end!
He has to end this damn game and save Len!
Mikuo gave another small laugh and grinned maliciously. "Fufufu...just wait for me Len." After all, the only one who can save Len was him and him alone. He ripped the cutter out of the doll's body and slowly started making his way to Len's room.
Creak. Creak. Creak.
Where?
Where was he?
Where is he hiding?
The cutter dripped with water as he slowly advanced forward.
Where was the bastard who took Len's appearance?
Mikuo was playing fair at the moment. He was going to kill him the same way as he did with that doll. Oh no, that would be too easy. He will definitely take revenge for Len.
Mikuo opened the door of Len's room and stepped in, observing the surrounding to find a clue to where that thing is. His eyes stop at the closet. There. He was definitely there.
As he approached the closet, a slight wave of nostalgic came to him. He used to play hide and seek with Len like this. Len's lungs are weak so if he hid in a dusty place for too long, he wouldnt be able to stop coughing...
'Didnt you know that? Fox-san." Mikuo thought as he stopped in front of the closet. He slowly slid the door open and stared at that face that stared at him in horror and shock. "Wh-" Len started. "Why are you...?!"
Mikuo grinned sinisterly. "I found you."
"Thats right." Mikuo mumbled in shock. The message on his phone still there on the screen. "I..."
'I killed Len...'
As if slashing at a doll, you used the knife-
Their precious, precious doll had been slashed into pieces.
Even though he called out your name-
While he called out his name...Mikuo stabbed him.
Since you mistook him for the traitor, didnt you?
"Mikuuoo!"
Mikuo screamed again as despair weighed down on him entirely. It was painful, so very painful. Because he thought Len was the traitor...Because he thought of it like that. He killed him.
But he was wrong.
Len wasnt the traitor and when he came back to his senses and realized what he has done...He grew scared. Not with what he has done but what kind of punishment the 'Bookmark of Demise' would give him.
That was why, he had to deceived his own self. If he didnt remember anything, who would know who the culprit is?
But now that he thought of it, someone might have witness it...
Ring Ring
From: xxx
Right now, I'm in front of your room. -Merry
Mikuo had had enough! Screw the book, bookmark, everything! "Come on! I'll kill you!" Mikuo yelled as he took out the cutter from his desk. "Just like how I'd killed Len then!"
No more running. He had enough of all this. "Thats right! I killed Len!" He shrieked. "If you'll grant me punishment then come on out!"
Riiing Riiing
Mikuo looked at his phone. "A-A call..?" He murmured in confusion and without thinking, he answered.
"Right now I am...right behind you."
"This is a news flash..." The announcer on TV said. "Today, in Yamaha city, the body of a male student was discovered."
"A cutting tool was stabbed into the victim's body...he was discovered with a cellphone gripped tightly within his hands...
As the victim was discovered in the exact same state as the body recently found in a nearby residence. Police are proceeding with an investigation with the possibility that both murders were committed by the same culprit-"
BZZZT
Static covered the screen and was replaced by a picture of an unfamiliar street and a high pitched voice started speaking.
"And one more thing..." It began. "Punishment will be granted if the wrong response is given, so please take care. With that, onto the next news..."
Back into Mikuo's room where it was now completely colored with crimson, a certain discarded letter was left at the side, forgotten. On it was the demand that says;
"Do not answer a call from Merry-san"
A/N: Poor Mikuo. He has forgotten all about the demand and now has to pay the price for both killing Len (Im in tears T-T) and for ignoring the demand. What a shame.
Anyways its been a while since I wrote a chapter here and I hope you support this story. The next point of view is Miku's (finally)
And if you have notice every chapter is happening simultaneously but is written in different point of views just to let you know.
Anyways I hope you'll read the next chapter as well. Please send your thoughts about the story for me okay? No flames please!
Next Chapter: CHAPTER 9: Aimless Imitation Musical Chairs part 1; Imperfect First Love
-Yugao702