Heya, guys! Probably, some of you noticed I just posted another trial fic for Kuroko no Basuke. The response has been so well that I feel that I'm not worthy to write that fic anymore... *sniffs*
Don't worry. There will be a time that I'm going to PM everyone who faved, followed and reviewed this fic. Your inputs have been so overwhelming that I'm so happy! Kyaaaaa~!
Warning: Spoiler/Clue/(probably)Why questions in the last part. Also, common writing errors (grammar, spelling, etc.) are all my sins (T-T).
Disclaimer: Meh...
Chapter 5
[button clicks]
[clears throat] Kagami Taiga here. Dated, August 6. Time check, 23:47.
[loud rumble of car engine passes by] Hyūga-senpai and Izuki-senpai discovered that Reo Mibuchi's car driver, Michikawa Tarō, has been missing for two days, as sworn by his wife who the senpais met instead in his home. [static, winds muffle voice] However, despite this, records from Hicenn Pharmaceuticals showed that Michikawa-san still registered in their system until yesterday, August 5.
[footsteps, soft conversations in the background] Also, with Kuroko's deduction, we came into a conclusion that Reo Mibuchi might have been shot just before he took off from his vehicle. [awkward cough] This tells us that the Michikawa is a possible suspect for this crime.
[footsteps loudens] Kagami, the coach told me.
[yelps] C-Captain… [clothes ruffle] W-What about?
[huffs] And stop pretending that you're doing some recording, idiot.
[squeals] But I am!
[button clicks]
"So what made Kuroko unload to you?" Hyūga Junpei asked snidely, wearing a slightly conspicuous smirk on his face. He watched as Kagami snuck the recorder back to his pockets, with the red-haired detective appearing to be obstinate with his current situation. Kagami did try to look at the slightly shorter senpai, but his pupils wandered somewhere else, fully avoiding any eye contact. The detective acted very stroppy when it came to a circumstance where he ended up being the center of attention – more of criticism, actually. The grin did not left his lips. Hyūga continued to stare at the other detective almost menacingly.
"It wasn't a big deal, senpai," Kagami answered, his eyes rolling towards the sides. It was already bothersome for the issue to have happened in front of the members of the agency, but it was particularly vexing, at to one point, that it was his captain that was picking him off. Well, he felt so embarrassed at the same time; he probably wouldn't give a violent response to defend himself. Besides, Hyūga-senpai was ticking time bomb. Snap the wrong wire, things would go with a blast.
"Is that so?" Hyūga replied. He quickly pinched Kagami's left cheek, stretching it out. Kagami responded with a pained cry, as he tried to remove Hyūga's hands off his face. The captain only belittled the redhead's efforts, nipping firmer as Kagami took a harder try to remove his pincer-like grasp. Kagami must understand then, that his struggles were just as worthless when Hyūga was enjoying… That was just Hyūga's thoughts, though. "It seems to me that is more than that."
"Ow… O-o-ow." Kagami whined, protesting as his cheek was mercilessly squeezed. "Stahp tha', Cawhpteyn." He added, his words almost incomprehensible, unable to properly word out terms since his captain tugged on his cheek. Also, much in particular, it was the same spot where Kuroko's fist landed earlier. It did not sting anymore, but with his captain playfully distending and clutching on his cheek, he felt the pain return over his face. Hyūga only had stifled chuckle before he let go. "I'm really becoming more aware of the poor treatment." Kagami just said, fiddling his fingers at the spot.
"I don't expect something like that from Kuroko." Hyūga responded, sending his lingering doubt as to why Seirin's guest suddenly went violent. "Care to share something?" He posed.
"Same thought, captain," Kagami yet again avoided an eye contact. "I expected a grudge or something, but not an assault," he told his senpai. "Well, I just think I deserve it, since I also hit him even earlier." At his pronouncement, most of the detectives near were visible taken aback. It was both Riko Aida and Koganei Shinji who put up curious expressions, almost running over Kagami when they approached him.
"So that bandage over his face…" Riko began to say. "That's not because he fell from the stairs?" She placed a questioning glance towards the redhead.
"N-No," Kagami answered, sighing as he felt compelled to tell the others the truth. "I kinda lost my temper this afternoon and I uhh…" he unconsciously scratched his cheek, the heavy feeling of guilt weighing down against him once more. "I really punched him hard." He finally said which surprised everyone.
"What the hell is your problem, Bakagami?!" Again, it was Coach Riko who first complained to the misdeed Kagami had done. She really couldn't understand what ran inside the red-haired detectives head. For heaven's sake, they were supposed to protect Kuroko, not bring him any harm! She hissed at him as she remembered one important task assigned to them by not one but three police departments. It was not the time for them to give a bludgeoning treatment at their important person! "What do you think will the police think if they know about this?!"
"Actually, Midorima saw me," Kagami added, which he quickly regretted saying.
"Midorima?!" Hyūga repeated the name. "Shintarō Midorima of the Shūtoku Police Department?!"
"Ahh, yes," Kagami responded, feeling really small that moment. By those reactions from his fellow detectives, Kagami quickly understood that the situation he created wasn't a simple one. He could swear that he forgot who Kuroko was to their detective agency, back then on their way to hospital. His emotions were just riding high that time; even he did not feel any sense of reason when Kuroko muttered those words to him. Wincing at the glares bashed to him by the detectives of Seirin, Kagami could not say anything but a subdued sorry.
"Enough with the apology," Hyūga said as he brushed his hair because of the sudden anxiety. "The one you should apologize to is not here." He pointed out. "We are talking about this back at the agency, Kagami." He told him.
"You know that the other police departments have a sharp eye against us, Kagami-kun." Coach Riko added, trying as well to calm herself down. Things had already happened and they couldn't do anything about it anymore. But, as earlier as possible, they should mitigate the problem as it was now. Probably, with this, they could not afford for the issue to get out of their hands right now. She shared a look with Hyūga, before the chief investigator slung a reassuring arm over Kagami's shoulder.
Kagami Taiga allowed his senpai to guide him further towards the warehouse complex. Their team from Seirin arrived in the area an hour and a half after they left the agency, calling in a somehow groggy Tsuchida Satoshi, to stay in their office and man the communications. The other detective from Seirin was supposed to be on leave, but any important requests that detailed his help remained heeded by Tsuchida. Plus, Kuroko stayed in the agency as part of the protective detail assigned to Seirin. They needed someone in the office to give an eye over their guest.
Hyūga dropped his hands to his side as he and Kagami stopped short at the warehouse's door. According to the last entry from the company's employee registry, Michikawa Tarō was said to have driven an important corporation officer to the outlying Hicenn Pharmaceutical warehouse, located in the same city where the detective agency operated. The warehouse appeared to be a simple three-story, small company office, rather than the typical depository Kagami expected. Painted in white and enclosed by a lawn populated with ornamental plants and short trees, the warehouse did not seem to look like what it had been purported to.
"As expected from a still-growing yet fairly famous company," Hyūga remarked as he looked around. "Hicenn Pharmaceuticals seems to have a lot of cash flowing in." He added.
"Hicenn needs to make an appealing presence," Coach Riko added, as she trailed behind both Kagami and Hyūga. "Pharmaceutical companies need to show their openness to the people. Also, Hicenn is currently in partnership with the government for the manufacture and shipment of the Paralysis Darts." She informed them.
"That's why," Hyūga said, while he landed a commanding look over both Mitobe and Izuki, who followed their coach shortly. "You guys know the drill."
"Koga-kun and I will standby outside," Coach Riko said in a hushed tone, while she marched towards Koganei's direction and helped him unload the hand-held radios. "Kagami-kun and Hyūga-kun will be lead team." She threw the radios to them. Kagami caught them easily. "Izuki-kun, Mitobe-kun," she flashed her face towards them, handing them the same devices, "you will be support group."
"Lead group will enter first and turn to the right. Support group will go left." Coach Riko continued to explain. "I and Koganei-kun will explain the building layouts through the radios as you explore." She told them. "Everyone now go." She ordered. "And keep safe,"
The way inside the warehouse was fairly lit, Kagami noted, as he kept his distance from Hyūga short. The two seemed to have trod in the receiving area of the structure first, since the ambiance of the location was mostly light and refreshing. Kagami looked around, observing that even some of lights used some sensor systems; they flicked open whenever someone passes near them. Kagami felt really uncomfortable with that, since it made his system heightened more in anticipation than necessary. He was both nervous and excited, but with those automatic lighting functioning around, the word 'scared' began to stuck in his mind.
"Hyūga-kun," the static cut through the silence, which made Kagami flinched at the source of the sound, "do you copy?"
"Loud and clear," Hyūga responded through the radio. "I feel frightened by this warehouse." He added – Kagami nodded behind him.
"It seems the whole warehouse is automated." Coach Riko informed them. "According to the blueprints of the warehouse, a block of rooms occupied a fourth of the whole building." Paper rustled through the line. "Particularly at the first and second floors, the rooms serve as offices. Besides that, everything else is the whole storage itself."
"That's huge," Hyūga said, sounding really amazed. "Considering that this is three floors high."
"But that also means that there is less hiding place," Kagami added.
"Izuki here," there was static too even before his voice was carried over the line. "I have to say that Kagami's right. Mitobe and I have just reached the storage section. There are so many shelves here, but, so far, only shelves."
"You're there already?" Hyūga voiced his uncertainty but believed him nonetheless. "So Kagami and I just cut through the offices, coach?"
"Yes," Riko answered. "Izuki-kun's path is straight through the storage area."
"But we have a larger search area to cover," Izuki whined.
"Yes," it was Koganei who answered him. "But that doesn't mean you'll have a harder time to search, Itsuki. According to these details, the shelves are placed in straight rows." He explained over the transmission. "All you have to do is look straight ahead." He added, trying to dismiss Izuki's complaint.
"So," Hyūga lazily droned, scratching the back of his head. "Kagami and I need to make a search through every room here." He stated, sending a wry frown at the red-haired detective. Kagami just shrugged his shoulders, not really liking the idea as well. But they didn't have any choice. He returned a reluctant smile back at his captain. Hyūga finally stopped squeezing the talk button on the hand-held radio. "Are we treating this as a midnight investigation or are we already trying to catch a criminal?" The captain gave Kagami a probing thought.
"A midnight investigation," Kagami responded, pushing open a door towards a certain room in the hall. "I mean, what made us think that Michikawa-san is here?" He added, pointing his flashlight far deeper inside the room. "His registry may have said he was last seen here, but I think it is not necessary to consider he's still here." Kagami said, shaking his head in dissatisfaction since there was nothing else inside the room but furniture and a worktable. He slowly pulled the door behind him but he was not able to close it completely. He gave his Hyūga-senpai an incredulous look, after his captain placed a single foot against the doorframe.
"Leave it open," he said, as he dragged his foot away. "If someone is going to use this room as a hiding spot, we're not going to make his effort any easier."
Kagami held his mouth wide open, before he closed it promptly and smiled behind his captain, who already sped off to the next room. He realized what his senpai wanted. If someone would try to use the room as a hiding spot, human habit dictated that the door must be closed as soon upon entering. If a person, out of panic, did so, it would appear suspicious since they knew they left the door open. The reverse was true, however, even if, by chance, the door remained open even if snuck upon. The object of the trick was that it relied on a certain degree on how much the door was placed ajar – as long as it deviated from the last known position, it would become an obvious mark.
Often times, it was really easy to catch people because of ingrained routines – it was repetitive, not needing much thought. It was one way of looking through people.
Well, that was only if they were dealing with a simple criminal. After all, if one was aware of his own actions, carelessness could easily be avoided. Kagami briefly wondered if this Michikawa-san was capable of such lawless actions.
"I know you're a great detective, Kagami." Hyūga suddenly spoke up, quickly grabbing the other investigator's attention. "Only in the field, though," he added, sending a scornful grin back at Kagami; the latter only rolled his eyes in response. "The thing is that we don't have any idea who the suspect is anyway; the only logical way for us to identify is to patiently follow his trail." He explained to him.
"Well, it's just that––"
"Captain, Coach, we have found Michikawa-san's car," Izuki's voice shot through the radio, which cut off Kagami's words.
Both Kagami and Hyūga stopped in their search for a while, focusing their visions at the radio in the captain's hand. Kagami Taiga now held an anxious expression, which knit his brows together. Hyūga remained calm, although his eyes twitch intermittently, as he waited for more information. "It's the same one used in bringing Reo Mibuchi to the convention at the mall." Izuki's voice pervaded.
"Where are you right now?" Coach answered from the other end.
"Loading bay." Izuki answered immediately. "At the side of the warehouse."
"That's good job for you, Izuki, Mitobe," Hyūga pressed the talk button and praised his fellow detectives. "Do you need some help over there?" He suggested. He shared a blank look back at Kagami.
"No, Hyūga," Izuki answered. "This is not so difficult. I advise to continue on with your search, though." He said.
"Copy that," Hyūga replied. He removed his finger the button and called Kagami. "Alright then," he started. "We should––"
"Hold on," Izuki's voice drowned the chatter once more. "Mitobe says he discovered something inside the car – for a while," the transmission channeled a lot of static, but the lead team could clearly hear the rustling sounds from the other end. There was clang of metal that resonated and then a thud in a much lower pitch. As Hyūga and Kagami listened, they were abruptly felt concerned when Izuki made an audible yelp through the radio. "Izuki? Come in." Hyūga wasted no time to inquire. "Izuki-kun?" At the same time, Riko tried to reach him.
"C-Coach," Izuki finally answered, much to the other's relief. "You won't believe what we saw," he said, he seemed to have pulled his mouth away the piece, since he spoke next in a hushed tone. "We just found Michikawa Tarō inside the car. He is unconscious."
"Unconscious?" Riko repeated. "Please clarify what you mean by that."
"He's breathing, that's for sure," Izuki answered. "His vitals are good, but he is not responding to our calls." He explained to them. "There is an emptied Paralysis Dart bullet on the seat Mitobe found him at." There was a pregnant silence over the line, and an implication that hung in the air, although Hyūga's expression already informed Kagami that his captain already understood the sudden twist of events. "Michikawa Tarō is shot." Izuki finally declared.
"Shot?" Kagami muttered, turning his head towards Hyūga. "But, captain…"
"I know, Kagami." Hyūga briefly answered. "It was not Michikawa who did the crime against Reo Mibuchi." He closed his eyes for a while, as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "There is another person involved here." He brought the mouthpiece of the radio near his face. "Do we have confirmation that it is Michikawa Tarō?"
"Izuki-kun," Coach Riko promptly spoke, sounding very distressed as well. "Please describe him."
"He looks like at his early forties," Izuki began. "Thinning hair, almost already bald at the top, still abundant on the sides. Slightly muscular, although a little round in the middle." Izuki sucked a quick breath. "He seems to stand at no taller than 165 centimeters. Face is angular, slightly snub-nosed––"
"That's him, alright," Coach Riko sighed over the line. "I call for us to pull out from this investigation at first." She said, sounding really frustrated. "It's enough for me to say that what's happening right now is out of our hands." She declared to the detectives.
He was the only person she could not analyze.
It often fell to that conclusion, every time. She prided herself as an expert analyst, thinking all way ahead to the possible outcomes once she held those data. Perhaps, she would always end up as the person who supported in the sidelines, but her output snaked throughout the whole scenario, as if a main character that could dictate the pathways of the conclusion. Her skill was very valuable in her field of work, and, somehow, she could be labeled as a genius as well. As she did back then, she had always stood by the same steps as the Generation of Mercenaries, those detective prodigies.
However, perfection was not a characteristic bestowed to the human race. She knew this, and it was the very thing that held her in her place. She was not going to claim a spot higher than what she could achieve. After all, there was that person who blockaded that very special skill of hers, someone who was capable of sneaking under her very nose. Nonetheless, she did not see it as a real problem. There was that person she could not read, but that only made her more infatuated to him.
Satsuki Momoi smiled. She wondered why she felt even happy at the fact that Kuroko Tetsuya made her haplessly marvel for him.
It was almost midnight, but she walked alone on the sidewalks. She did not really mind, though. There were Tōō policemen lingering around the corners, since they responded to a crime which specifically called their attentions for. Also, Kaijō Police Department was coincidentally low in number that time, which prompted them to call for additional reinforcements from other headquarters. This made Momoi slightly curious. They told them that Kaijō was in a heightened alert, but the number of policemen was practically low. After she tried to mull over it for a few seconds, she then shrugged the thought off, focusing in another important task she volunteered for.
That's their business for now, she reasoned inside her head. I have someone important to visit.
Her bright pink hair fluttered with the wind, as a draft of cold night air sailed throughout the whole street. She shivered as she ran her fingers through her hair, disheveled from the wind. Her rose-shaded pupils bounced off to the sides, scanning the empty road along pavement. She huddled her arms together, brushing her arms in an attempt to lessen down the cold. She should have accepted the offer for the coat before she left the other police officers in the crime scene.
As she thought of it, however, a warm and thick vestment draped by her shoulders, the fur brushing over her skin. Her eyes widened in surprise at that moment, but a warm pale hand that affectionately touched hers instantly calmed her down. Her expression was still startled, but the warm feeling that slowly crept from her chest gradually changed her face. A small smile began to grow on her very lips, her eyes crinkling at the sensation of familiarity that coursed through her system.
"Momoi-san," an icy voice pierced through her ears, quickly snatching her attention, "you should not be walking alone in the streets." The voice was flat, but she heard that hint of reprimand coating the male's words.
"Tetsu-kun," she just regarded the other one, not minding the silent admonishment she just received. She quickly clomped over the male, embracing him tightly. She hadn't seen Tetsu-kun for a long time already; she could not afford to lose this chance to snug herself into his warmth.
"Momoi-san," Kuroko said, his voice slightly strained. "I c-can't breathe."
"I'm sorry, Tetsu-kun~!" She immediately apologized, pulling herself away from him. "I just really, really missed you!"
"It is nice to see you again, Momoi-san." Kuroko just responded in late greeting. "I am surprised that you wanted to see me at this time." He remarked, his face not showing any semblance of emotion at all.
"Since Tōō responded in a neighboring location, I just remembered that Tetsu-kun's currently staying nearby." Satsuki said, smiling playfully towards Kuroko. "I just really want to see you, Tetsu-kun."
"You must be tired from your travel, Momoi-san." Kuroko stated, as he pointed to nearby metal bench festooned in a nearby lamp post, silently telling for them to take a seat. When she nodded at Kuroko's mention of concern, Satsuki and he walked over the bench and rested their body on the seat. Satsuki adjusted the jacket that covered her body, sending a thankful look back at Kuroko. An abrupt silence halted their conversation. Momoi tried to say something, but the wistful expression over Kuroko's face stopped her from voicing her thoughts.
She looked at the highway with a half-lidded stare. "I," she first voiced out, stopping in an awkward pause. "I saw Seirin's current records." She completed her statement. "Kagami-kun…" She suddenly held a dry smile, yet she tried to hide it away from Kuroko. "He works just like he used to work."
"Yes." Kuroko answered, voice finally sounding edgy.
"Looking at it brought back memories." She said, as she feigned a true smile. "I prefer the way Aomine-kun used to work with you." She stood up, shying her face away from Kuroko. "He started working alone. Isolated from his fellow investigators, I thought bringing him a case he could not solve would change him." Silence. "But he doesn't. He solves crimes perfectly by himself. He won't stop."
"Will he change?" Kuroko finally replied. Satsuki whipped her head and looked a little bit surprised. "If someone bests him, will he change?" He continued, looking forward, his almost non-blinking. "I know Aomine-kun's strength." He paused. "If someone knocks him over, will he change?" He repeated.
"But…"
"I promise you, Momoi-san." Kuroko stood up as well, now facing the pink-haired detective-manager of Tōō Police Department. "I promise that Aomine-kun will be beaten." Kuroko declared. There were traces of amusement that curved into Kuroko Tetsuya's lips, something that Momoi Satsuki didn't miss. But, as soon as the subtle smile formed on his face, it disappeared quickly. Momoi wondered, even for brief period, if Kuroko really wanted to help Aomine Daiki.
Because from that tone alone, Kuroko almost only conveyed that he merely aimed for Aomine to fall…
She shook his head. Momoi Satsuki always believed in Kuroko. She was glad that she had met him. She was glad that he gave her that popsicle stick. She was glad for the being that was Kuroko Tetsuya. He was very dear to her. She liked him to the point that she loved him. He was that kindred spirit that was Aomine's shadow back in Teikō… However, even so… every time, it often fell to that conclusion.
He was the only person she could not analyze.
/button clicks/
[Midorima]: Case #111007. Victim, Reo Mibuchi. Semi-formal interview with Kawaguchi Akito, the paramedic who responded to the emergency call last August 3, timed at 10:02. Kawaguchi-san, I apologize for this sudden meeting. /paper drops atop table/ It's already 30 minutes before midnight in my watch.
[Kawaguchi]: No, not at all, Midorima-san. /chuckles/ Although, I'm a bit nervous. Well, probably because of adrenaline. /chuckles/ The last emergency was rough!
[Midorima]: I heard too. /pauses, soft clink/ Kawaguchi-san, I know you have already sworn during your last interview. Please treat this as verification.
[Kawaguchi]: /coughs/ I will.
[Midorima]: I just want you to tell me about the driver who informed you about Reo Mibuchi. /pauses/
[Kawaguchi]: /hums/ Oh! That level-headed one! /clothes rustle/ I remember him.
[Midorima]: Level-headed? /paper rustles/ Please describe him more.
[Kawaguchi]: He was tall, for sure! Like higher than 190 centimeters! He looked anxious that time, but the guy knows what he was doing. /hums/ Has brown hair, I think? He has that hat when I saw him back then. Dark eyes… with thick eyebrows! /laughs/ I can't really say he's just a driver, though.
[Midorima]: Is that so? /silence/
- End of Chapter -
I know guys... either the hitman is so clever or... *smirks*
So, let's all have fu~*coughs* I mean. Let's all think about the mystery!