Kiss of Death
Epilogue I
A/N: I'm back! So the epilogue was so long. I had to cut it into half. I haven't written the second half. THERE ARE STILL TWO MORE PARTS! The transitions were so weird. So I injected parts of a poem I had created to make this chapter more weaved and integrated together. Enjoy.
*PLEASE READ THE A/N AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER FOR MORE INFO ON MY THOUGHT PROCESS ABOUT THIS EPILOGUE LATER.
The system's a lie. It claims to be fair.
For every sinner that arrives,
There is one good-doer that dies.
But really, not all have an equal share.
Humans are imperfect creatures.
Some are granted a chance.
While some see the grim reaper dance,
and their remains fed to vultures.
The ones biased for pretend and repent,
in the name of crime and punishment.
The system's a lie. It claims to be fair.
For every sinner that arrives,
"Whoah, where's the fire?" Heiji chortled. He observed his wife leading him to a restaurant that she had always wanted to try in an enthusiastic manner. She had ordered a variety of food from the menu.
After the fiasco, there had been fewer arguments between the two of them and Kazuha managed to overcome her alcoholic tendencies, finding a new career in the process. As a result, their financial status has been stabilised and Heiji could cut some slack in his work in order to spend quality time with her.
Things had been going well - Heiji noted as he watched Kazuha munched onto the food.
"What are you looking at?"
He shook his head, "nothing, just... You look as though you wanted to tell me something."
"Oh..." she stopped eating and composed herself, "well- I do. How do I start...?"
"After that crazy incident... I mean- it's still hard to digest that Conan-kun was Shinichi Kudo all along! How insane was that?! But that's not the point- what I mean to say is... when you got sent to the hospital and I was told you got into an accident... I was worried sick! I couldn't sleep- I thought that I'd lose you..." she was nearly crying. Heiji rested his hand on her shoulder.
"I thought I was going to lose you both. I messed up, you see... After I had that miscarriage, I was just so sad... I didn't mean to blame it on you, or the alcohol... but... I felt like I was drowning in self-loathing. Then thank goodness- that you were still alive! I wanted to- I just knew I have to be a better wife for you..."
"Kazuha... you know that I'll always be here-"
"And I'm glad we're okay. I don't want this to end. And..." she paused and rummaged through her handbag. She handed out the item to him. Heiji took it, perplexed. It took a while for him to digest the news of the two lines that appeared on the test.
"Kazuha... you're pregnant?"
She nodded and said, "I'm happy... and I'm scared- I don't want to screw up this time. But I am really happy that we're going to be parents, I hope you are too."
He moved over next to her in order to embrace her and felt her flat stomach that will soon grow because of the living being inside her womb. He whispered to her, "happy? Of course, I am-"
There is one good-doer that dies.
But really, not all have an equal share.
Doctor Tomoaki Araide placed the bouquet of flowers on the tombstone that belonged to Julias Cisson. Beside it was the tombstones of his other family members: Violette Cisson, Jim Cisson and Amora Cisson. Tomoaki muttered, "such a tragic family mess. The mystery has been solved regarding the murders. Rest in peace, my friend."
The doctor's wife stood behind him, with a frilly umbrella over her head. Ran was solemn and quiet. She had decided to let Tomoaki speak and offer the deceased a moment of silence.
She could only contemplate how this case that Conan and Heiji took turned out to be the ignition key to unlocking the secrets of the Black Organisation.
Elsewhere, a group of officers were offering their silence for the ones that had lost their lives in the line of duty.
"Ready to go?" Officer Sato Miwako asked her husband.
"Okay..."
She noticed Takagi Wataru's disheartened look. "Inspector Megure was a good man, wasn't he?" she commented with a smile.
"Yeah, it's often like that- they take the good ones away too quickly," Takagi lamented, "I just don't understand how-"
"Don't. You'll start to regret something that isn't your fault," she assured him and placed her palm on his chest.
"Everything about this just sounds wrong," he continued, "the fact that we have to hold this remembrance day for those people who died in this ordeal - Inspector Megure, James Black and everyone else that died on that massacre at the headquarters... It took the whole world by shock. The public was so sceptical of the civil defence forces... of us... When these officers, they have families and friends too. They risked their lives for the greater good every day...and for what? What if it was either of us next time? What will happen to our daughter? What if-"
"Shh..." his wife placed a finger on his lips, "don't do that. You've got to tolerate the public... They were in a panic when that happened. Let them slowly regain trust in us. We're liable to danger, but it's to protect and keep this place safe. It's the kind of environment I would want our daughter, as well as other people, to grow up in."
"I just hope, love, that you don't give up on humanity yet-"
"Thanks, dear-"
Humans are imperfect creatures.
Some are granted a chance.
"It's all too overwhelming, Yukiko," Eri Mouri commented as she lifted up the cup of tea. The two women were at the Poirot Cafe.
"The court has been an upheaval in the past few months, with all decision needed to punish the syndicate members. Also what to do with the displaced teenagers who were brainwashed into joining the organisation. There were heated debates about it and the media didn't help. It was a migraine, really. There were so many paperwork and cases we had to look into. Almost gave me a heart attack," Eri described with irritation.
"Yes, I know... It gave me a heart attack too. When I got the call from the FBI that my son had been taken away, I wanted to fly back to Japan. Of course, they didn't let me. They said they wanted to keep my husband and I in a safe place, in case we were targetted. Especially when my husband's a writer and I was an actress. I couldn't sleep knowing that my boy was out there, in the hands of the criminal syndicate," Yukiko recalled and took a sip of her beverage.
"Yeah, that's right..." the bespectacled woman had her lips twitch upwards, "Conan-kun turned out to be... Shinichi-kun."
"About that... I'm sorry for keeping it from you- well, everyone-"
"No, I understand. You had your reasons," Eri interjected calmly, "the question lies in Ran and Shinichi. They were childhood friends. I'm glad they smoothen it out. My husband was furious, of course - even devastated when it confirmed that his 'Sleeping Kogoro' was all because of Conan. He had his suspicions and even was in denial. Kogoro might be lazy and careless, but if he bothered to think - he can piece things out. I remember the day when Conan-kun had to explain things and my daughter was restraining Kogoro from raging at the boy."
"Oh dear... How is Kogoro-san now?"
The lawyer shrugged and answered, "he eventually accepted it. Your son did give all the credit to him and he was able to be financially stable for a few good years. He stopped the detective agency work and got into cooking. Now he owns a cart that's across the street. The man's gotta be good in something. It's a bonus, really - I don't need to cook."
"I'm glad... it turned out fine in the end... you know? I haven't been really there for Shin- I mean, Co-chan. I had been so overconfident that he will always look after himself... it took a kidnapping for me to realise that perhaps, I needed to be there," she confessed.
"Believe me, you're not the only one guilty here-"
"It's just... not easy, you know? When it was finally over- I smothered him. I embraced my child so tightly, like it was the first time I held onto him. And I was so happy, that he didn't flinch - normally he will be so irked when I smother him with kisses and hugs... I just missed him," she ranted, a tear falling, "on mother's day, he gave me a present! He even suggested having a family overseas holiday, along with Ai-chan. He wanted us to get to know her more. It's really cute... He wants to grow up with her."
She paused to chuckle. Eri could only smile and listen to her friend deliver the cheerful news. Eri was glad that their families were working out better than before.
"Since my son decided to stay as a teen, I don't want to miss out on watching him grow up this time."
While some see the grim reaper dance,
and their remains fed to vultures.
The officer working at the detention centre peered into the cellar that contained the inmate and asked, "any requests for your last meal?"
"I'll just have some decent food, thank you," Chianti replied coldly. The request that was more important was the jar of butterfly that she had asked for, which, after a considerable time of the debate, they had granted her the item.
She was one of those syndicate members that had a huge debate on a punishment suitable for her. They did consider the criteria: the degree of the nefariousness of the murders, the motive, the manner of the killings, the number of her victims, outcome of the crime in the society and the victims' family members, her criminal history and personal background; and her extent of repent (or the lack of it).
Based on these factors, the law had arrived a verdict for her: death penalty by hanging.
Chianti, however, felt indifferent. The woman with the butterfly tattoo felt that there was no use to beg for mercy. She had dug the grave for herself, revelled in the killings and has no remorse for her victims. It was strange... really. All her loved ones were dead. There was nothing left to care about, not even her own life.
She hugged the jar with the butterfly even tighter, envisioning how her little boy has the hobby of chasing butterflies.
Chianti realised in awe how she was oddly similar to her son. She too, was chasing something as if they were butterflies - they were often out of reach. Some sense of peace or to ease the pain of grieving... it never came to her. Only until she stopped looking, that elusive butterfly had finally rested on her.
Perhaps Gin and the other syndicate members will have the same fate as hers. Though she was definitely sure that Vermouth had gone off scott-free, that cunning witch. It was not fair! Yet, Chianti, in her twisted perception, that Vermouth will suffer more. She knew the blonde-haired woman lived in immense regret and loss, that carrying that burden was excruciating. She smirked at the thought of Vermouth wallowing herself in self-hate and guilt - Chianti had a way out to remove those pesky feelings away. She did not need to spend years being like that - the higher-power deprived her of her remaining lifespan. She should be pissed and felt unjust. It was not right for Vermouth to escape judicial trial and while the rest-
She shuddered at the thought of a necklace of yarn. She was not afraid of the punishment per se - she had come to terms that she had deserved it. But more of, going out alone. She had to face judgment, whatever people believed in the afterlife (she was not religious and did not want to know what happens after dying). All she knew that she had to face something, all by herself. Chianti decided that she loathed that sentiment and it made her feel weak.
It was better to be numb to all of this. The world hated her anyway, never did her any good - she thought. True, they could give her another chance, but will it really solve everything and others to forget? There was no way they were going accept a loose killer around with open arms and have her to re-integrate into society. Perhaps, she concluded, that she preferred her fate to be this way. Having to bid farewell to the world would mean one less murderer and criminal to them anyway. They do not care about her sufferings.
Who the hell were they to decide her fate anyway? But then again... she was responsible for placing herself in this predicament. She will need to confront the truth. Chianti smiled at the misery...
All her loved ones were dead. There was nothing left for her to care for. Maybe, just maybe, if "they" were nice, she'll join them soon - that thought comforted her as she was about to waltz her way out with the grim reaper.
The ones biased for pretend and repent,
in the name of crime and punishment.
"Remember class! Whatever happens in our next production, brush it off and learn from your mistakes. If you cut out the parts out that are rotten, you'll still get an 'okay fruit'. It may not be whole, but it is still workable," the theatrical studies professor in a prestigious art school in New York announced while the students shuffled out of the class.
"Thanks, Professor Malum! You've always been so sassy and encouraging," a group of girls called out.
"Really, how do you do it?" one asked curiously.
The blonde woman smiled sadly. It was not a matter of capability, but more of a duty and debt. She should be with the rest, perished by the eyes of the law. Yet, she felt that she was already dead inside.
She was an actress, even now, playing the role of a teacher in an acting school, with a new name and identity. Pretending to be content and cheering up the students... ensuring that they do their best, despite what she had been feeling on the inside... Pretending that she did not have a daughter that existed or the fact that she had not committed heinous acts in the organisation.
This was her punishment: to spend her lifetime in pretence, where nothing was real.
It remained a duty though, that she was willing to serve. If she could not make herself happy, then there was no choice but to fill that void with satisfaction - the temporary contentment that she made others smile. To complete the part of giving motherly love to the ones she did not bore in order to compensate for that familial duty she never fulfilled.
It was a sentence she was willing to serve the society, albeit she thinks it is never enough to cover up her sins.
She was the fruit of sins, that rot in age and had been severed. It is not whole but it is still functional. Will it be enough since it is useful? Or not, because it is incomplete? Perhaps it was a secret she was not allowed to know!
"Uhm... Miss Malum?" her student broke her off from her trance. She offered a knowing smile.
"I cannot tell you. It's a secret. A secret makes a woman, woman-" she said cryptically with a wink.
A/N: THIS IS NOT THE END! Just a few pointers:
1- There's still some more characters I need to address in the next chapter. Don't sulk, okay? I know some people like the CoAi romance more than the "other things". But I don't really want a fiction with full blast romance because they are not the only people in the series. Fighting the organisation will affect EVERYONE involved in it. Kazuha and Heiji are one of them, just felt like addressing them first.
2- I try to describe the sentiments of people who work in the police force and how they feel about their colleagues getting killed in the line of duty.
3- I felt like I need to squeeze in Conan's parents into this. And also Kogoro and Eri (Eri because of the law stuff that happens after criminals are convicted). Conan just got caught, I just think it will be super weird if we never address Conan's parents. I had always felt iffy that they are portrayed as a happy family, yet they are often not present around him. I want Conan to be sweeter towards his mom too (though it is evident he respects his parents, I want him to spend time with them).
4- I AM NOT HERE TO DEBATE ABOUT THE PRO-LIFE OR PRO-DEATH PENALTY, okay? There's time and place for that, but not on this platform. What I did was simply research Japan's form of capital punishment (I'm no law student so apologies if it was inaccurate). Because I REALLY wonder what will happen if the Black Organisation members get caught? Based on the criteria for the death penalty in Japan, likely they'll be sentenced to death. Often, we see Conan convicting the murderer but nothing is said about how they are punished. Writing this part was difficult - in the face of death... how would a criminal feel?
I had feedback saying that it wasn't right for Black Organisation members to have background stories because they are supposed to be inherently evil. Though Shinichi canonly expresses not understanding how criminals do the crime, I think that's a very ignorant attitude of Shinichi. Sure there are psychopaths in the world, but really, do you see a baby naturally evil? No.
5- Some of you might feel that it's unfair that Vermouth escaped the judgment. But that's the whole point of this chapter's poem. NOTHING IS EVER FAIR. I feel like it will be better if I show two different fates of sinners: one facing death, the other living with regret. Vermouth did both good (donating blood to Ai) and bad, she suits the latter fate.
Also, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that this will be the last CoAi fanfiction I'll write. You may or may not see my posts on my social media, but I had been struggling with lots of frustrations and stress over this. I feel like it has been giving me unhappiness, rather than satisfaction. I had given up on the series as well, but I am trying to keep up with my promise that I will finish THIS fanfiction at least. It had always wanted to write a fiction of Detective Conan where everything's darker and more... macabre? I don't know.