As a special thanks to all you guys who continue to read this fic, I am going to give you, my dear readers, a special double-chapter post. Well, treat it as a single chapter though. Really, thanks a lot for taking the time to read, to fave or follow and, specially, to review this story of mine.
Without further ado, although I want to warn again 'bout the grammar and etcs., here is Chapter 6 of The Hitman.
Oh yeah, disclaimer, though: Meh...
Chapter 6
[machine buzzes, computer beeps.] Registering call over the emergency line. Start recording process. [switches flip] Triangulating area of call. Cataloging proxies [pauses, inhales] Good evening [mouse clicks]. You are now connected to Kaijō Emergency line. How can we help you?
Caller: I'm sorry for the sudden call, late at that. This is Riko Aida, general manager of Seirin Detective Agency.
[keyboard typing] Yes. Kaijō maintains a constant watch at your agency. [computers beep] Kaijō appreciates the contact, but I need to inform you that you have been given the direct line for any particular calls… [mouse slides] … as stated in your data here.
Riko Aida: I'm calling in the emergency line because there is an emergency.
[clears throat softly] Yes. I'm sorry to interrupt. Can you please clearly state the nature of the emergency?
Riko Aida: We are currently looking on the lead about Case# 1101007, Reo Mibuchi's incident. We are on our way to the outlying Hicenn Pharmaceuticals Warehouse in the eastern section of the city.
[keyboard typing] Lead? [computer beeps thrice] Triangulation at fifty-two percent, okay. Please be clearer about that.
Riko Aida: We believe we're already pursuing the suspect for the crime. We're sending out a fax to your department.
[minor static over the line] Copy that. [pauses] By the way, to which line are you sending the––
[door slams open] "How can they send this without any proper communication?!"
Riko Aida: That's Kasamatsu-san, I presume?
[whines] Great. You send it directly towards the chief.
At 23:30, exactly thirty minutes before the military and police's nationally-synchronized atomic clock registered a change of date to August 7, the Kaijō Police Department were phoned by people who claimed to be detectives from the newly established Seirin Detective Agency. Fortunately, the headquarters retained a large number of active personnel even at the wee hours of the night, enabling them to respond to calls. This had always been one of the reasons why the police department was regarded by the society and by the different ministries in the government, aside from the fact that it had a good record of cracking crimes throughout the area which they covered. Boosted by individual and team efforts, Kaijō Police Department stood at a dais of prominence and power.
At 23:45, almost half of the available police staff from the headquarters was sent on the road, speeding through the now empty city streets. The deployment went a little faster than expected, since the police themselves were keen to get a case for the night. Staying at the police headquarters while combatting boredom was becoming more stressful for them; a little action was needed to pump their blood up into their system. However, despite the overall enthusiasm the police from Kaijō, the police chief didn't appear to revel in the current situation. With a small but recognizable vein that popped on his forehead, the chief inspector, Kasamatsu Yukio, seemed incensed with the news. He grasped the paper in his hand a little more tightly; the creasing sound of the paper sent obvious shivers to the police detective that sat beside him.
At 23:47, at the back seat inside the Toyota Crown police car, Kise Ryōta was increasingly becoming less comfortable being together with his chief. There was that invisible field that gradually strangled the blond detective in his place, a very somber aura that formed inside the car. His lips in a droll smile, Kise tried to look at Kasamatsu, silently sniffing out if it was okay to talk to his senior. "Senpai––"
"They are so full of themselves," Kasamatsu beat Kise to a complete statement. The chief sent a narrowed glance at Kise. "How can they not tell it to us properly?" He asked, waving the certain piece of paper that caused his irritation.
"Isn't that the exam they asked for us to make a request for?" Kise asked, slightly perplexed. "Come to think about it, senpai, for what reason made you deploy half of our police force?" The blond inquired, although it only sounded more of a cranky whine.
"A drug determination exam," Kasamatsu responded, ignoring Kise's quirks.
"What's special about it, Kasamatsu-senpai?"
"At one point, the CCTV video we gathered and the ballistic exam they made contradict each other," Kasamatsu began to explain. "However, they seemed to have found a link for the two evidences to connect." Kasamatsu had a sigh before he explained thoroughly to Kise. The stupid blond seemed to drown with the overwhelming medical jargon and it was his task to smoothen out the meaning. As soon as he finally conveyed that Reo Mibuchi was possibly shot inside the vehicle and it took some time for the Paralysis Dart to take effect, Kasamatsu nearly kicked Kise off the moving vehicle for his 'oh-yes-I-understand-now' squeal. Well, he did kick him, but he was not able to drop him off the vehicle.
"Wow," Kise muttered, massaging his leg, the target of Kasamatsu's hostility. "That's one abstract theory." He remarked, sounding doubtful of the idea presented to them by Seirin.
"I don't mind abstractions." Kasamatsu replied, still wearing that exasperated expression. "What I care for is possibilities. As long as one idea is likely, then we deal with it." He declared sternly. He gave a side glance at the paper which was now held by Kise, who was still observing it as if an alien object. "However, it's reaffirming."
Kise perked up by that. "Senpai?"
"The other page says that it was that Kuroko who postulated this idea." He declared, while witnessing that cheerful smile laced Kise's lips. Kasamatsu sighed. Here he goes again.
"See?!" Kise howled excitedly. "Kurokocchi's really a good detective, I tell ya!" He said. "I knew I should have dragged him out when I had the chance." He added, suddenly appearing sullen. "Come on, Kasamatsu-senpai, let's haul in Kuroko from Seirin's protective custody! It's a good plan, ne? Ne? Ne?"
"Shut up, stupid!" A fist found its way to Kise's side, which made the blond wince in pain. Kasamatsu had that satisfied look, as he pulled his extremity from the other detective's body. He crossed his arms and then stared through the window, watching the brightly lit, towering buildings from the not-so-far economic district. "I wouldn't mind having him, though." He added, quickly erasing the frown that marred Kise's face.
"Kasamatsu, about Tōō…" Yoshitaka Moriyama, another detective from Kaijō, called out the attention of their chief. As he spun his head behind to give a courteous look at Kasamatsu, he also began to hand out a phone to their chief who sat at the back of the car.
"I thought Kobori had it handled?" Kasamatsu freed up his arms to reach out for the phone. He had a thoughtful countenance at the time, as he recalled of the arrival of policemen from Tōō mere minutes after he and half of his staff left from their headquarters. It all happened so suddenly that Kasamatsu needed Kobori Hiroshi to man of what remained of Kaijō back at their main quarters. "Why do things need to sprout on us like this?" He said in protest, as he waited for additional inputs from Moriyama.
"We tried to contact Imayoshi-san again, but he seems out of reach." Moriyama stated. "However, we are being re-directed to another line. I think it's Tōō's manager-detective, Momoi Satsuki." He told his chief.
"Eh? Momoicchi?" Kise appeared interested.
"I'm going to patch her through." Kasamatsu declared, pushing the 'hold' button from the phone. After which, he placed the call through the speakers. Kasamatsu cleared his throat before he spoke. "Good evening, Momoi Satsuki-san. This is Inspector Kasamatsu Yukio."
"Ah, Chief Kasamatsu, sir," Momoi politely answered. "I was wondering why Kaijō suddenly flooded my contact line." She said.
"We are trying to contact Inspector Imayoshi." Kasamatsu responded. "Anyway, I want to ask if you're currently in your headquarters."
"No. I'm together with the team deployed to respond to the call."
"I see. How does it go?"
"Well…" There was an awkward pause. "I'm not exactly with the team right now. Before I left them, they are handling the situation pretty well by themselves. We didn't even need the assistance Kaijō offered us."
Kasamatsu looked blankly at Kise. The blond merely shrugged. Of course, Tōō was one proud police force. "If you do manage to take a check on your team, please inform us."
"Of course, sir. Also, I'm currently out of the scene because I'm checking on our state witness for Crime number 110007."
It took time for it to register in his mind. Kise was not really appalled with the idea of memorizing the names of the recorded crimes through numbers, since he claimed that those lack allure and were simply easy to forget. However, it did went clearer in his thoughts, however, when the words 'state' and 'witness' resounded in his hear. His eyes widening in surprise, he grabbed his chief's hand and yelled over the phone. "With Kurokocchi?!"
"Eh, Ki-chan?" Momoi quickly identified the owner of the voice. "Ki-chaaan~!" She repeated, squealing in an almost equal tone with that of Kise's.
"You're no fair!" Kise added, sounding comically irate. "What are you doing with––
"––Kurokocchi over there?"
At that point, Momoi had switched to the speaker, placing the phone between her and Kuroko. She had that playful smirk on her face, while Kuroko only regarded her with that ever-impassive look. Even though miles away, they could feel Kise's overwhelming presence through the phone. Kuroko inwardly cringed if that was amazing or creepy. Momoi only felt happy, their bubbly personalities connecting once again.
"I said it; I'm just visiting Tetsu-kun." She smiled. "And I am not certainly trying to recruit Tetsu-kun." She winked at Kuroko.
"W-What? I did not even…" A pause."OI! STOP DOING THAT! Kurokocchi is mine! He will be Kaijō's detective!"
Momoi chuckled. "Is that so? We're actually talking about the contract to work as a detective for Tōō. You know, this takes considerable amount of effort…" Her voice droned out with that frisky hum. "That's why I'm doing it personally. Ne, Tet-su-kun~? She said in a sing-sang manner.
"Noooooo!" Kise responded. "Kurokocchi belongs to Kaijō!"
"Please stop talking like you consider me as an object." Kuroko interjected in his usual deadpan manner, although a childish pout begin to form on his face. Momoi almost dropped her phone when she was startled with the unusual reaction from the short male. She felt her cheeks burn as they brimmed in a deep shade of red. "Also, we are not talking about anything like that." He added.
"Kurokocchi~!" Kise yet again yelled over the line. "I really thought you're going to their side."
"Kise-kun, I spoke to you before, didn't I?" Kuroko calmly replied. "As long as there is that complication, I am not going to accept any offers." He declared.
"Kurokocchi so cool~!" The blond answered. "That's why––ouch! That hurts, senpai!"
"Stop embarrassing yourself, idiot!" Kasamatsu faked a cough. "I'm sorry to interrupt your little reunion, but I do not want to waste your time." He said. "Momoi-san, Kaijō expects a report." He ended, before the line hang up.
Momoi Satsuki was not surprised, since she expected something that went in those words. She did not mind that Inspector Kasamatsu, Kaijō's chief, appeared aggressively neutral. Of course, there was that unspoken rivalry among the police forces all throughout the region. Only that time, the headquarters were becoming more bellicose in their approach, since the Generation of Mercenaries finally occupied a place within their structure. Momoi gave a smile towards Kuroko as she hid the phone back to her pocket. Tōō seemed to tower against its competitors; at least, Momoi Satsuki read the underlying sentiment.
"The call from Kaijō is unexpected, I presume." Kuroko stated, observing the different sorts of reactions that formed over Momoi's face. "Is there something important?"
"No, no," Momoi shook her head. "Nothing's that important." She sighed. "Chief Kasamatsu just wants to check on the situation Tōō responded in this district.
"I see." Kuroko answered. "If it is something that drastic, please tell me immediately." He added. "I do not want to impose on you."
"It's really fine, Tetsu-kun. You sh––"
"Kuroko? Momoi?" A deep voice from behind attracted the two, flipping their heads to look at that direction. As if he just appeared from midair, Midorima Shintarō walked towards where Kuroko and Momoi stood. He gave them a tapered glance that mixed up with trivial interest. He adjusted his glasses as soon as he reached them, looking down balefully especially towards the shorter Kuroko. "What are you doing outside?" He asked, tone sharp that scabbed a minute aggregate of concern.
"It's just Midorin," Momoi visibly exhaled, her hand atop her chest.
"Just?" Midorima repeated, disliking how it sounded to him. "I merely passed by this direction. It's not like I'm trying to stalk someone." He retorted. His face twitched when Momoi simply chuckled at his words.
"Don't be so defensive, Midorin~!" Momoi said. "I'm just surprised." She looked gleefully at Kuroko. "Aren't you shocked by that, Tetsu-kun?"
"Yes." Kuroko answered, although Midorima and Momoi could not believe his answer, as they still tried to discover that evidence of emotions on his face. "Good evening, Midorima-kun." He greeted. Kuroko's eyes drifted at the folder that the green-haired, bespectacled detective. "You are hard-working, Midorima-kun. I am sorry to have disturbed you with my selfish request."
"Oooohh," Momoi mischievously purred. "I thought you said you were just passing by?" The pink-haired female said, nudging Midorima by her elbows.
"I just did not expect to find Kuroko here." Midorima answered, his tone nearly rising. He looked back at Kuroko, handing out the folder to the teal-haired male. "Kawaguchi Akito arrived as soon as you left." He added.
"And you took the effort to interview him," Kuroko said. It was an observation, not just an assumption.
"It's not like I'm interested." Midorima snickered, glancing sideways to avoid the undaunted stare from Kuroko. "Reo Mibuchi's case does not only concern Seirin or Kaijō. Shūtoku also has a hand on this case." He said to Kuroko. "It should be delivered to Kaijō right now. There is important information that should be disseminated as soon."
"Well, most of Kaijō's staff is on their way towards Hicenn Pharmaceutical's warehouse as of this moment." It was Momoi who responded to Midorima. "That's why Tōō is handling some of the situations in the area."
"Tōō?" Midorima appeared inquisitive. "Perhaps even you can benefit from the information."
"Why?" Momoi asked. "What did you find out, Midorin?"
"Kuroko," Midorima called out the other one's name. "You already postulated that the suspect was not the driver, did you?" He asked, gauging the shorter one through his spectacles. It was laughable. He still respected the man he could not stand to be with. After all those months, even though he denied Kuroko outright, there was still that feeling of amazement that he silently gave him. How annoying…
"Yes." Kuroko answered. "I was already sure that Reo Mibuchi-san was shot from the car. However, I also know it took a lot of effort to perform the crime. Seeing the background of Michikawa Tarō-san, I become apprehensive to suspect him." He explained. "Before Kagami-kun and I left Raizen General Hospital, I asked Midorima-kun to ask a question that may have not been posed during their interviews."
"W-What is it, Tetsu-kun?" Momoi was visibly interested, since Midorima declared it himself that the information may be helpful to Tōō as well.
"Ask Kawaguchi-san, the paramedic who responded to the emergency, about Michikawa-san, Mibuchi-san's driver during the convention," Kuroko answered.
"I see," Momoi said. Now that she thought of it, there was one possible implication with such proposal. She regarded Midorima back, knowing that the green-haired detective had been instrumental to one significant discovery.
"Usually, witnesses are invited and questioned privately." Midorima started to speak. "This is done in order to lessen the anxiety of the witness and create an impression that they are being kept safe. However, it is unusual for the witnesses to meet up with each other."
"Michikawa-san was interviewed on the same day, August 03, at 12:03. Kawaguchi-san was interviewed at 16:33, since his duty as a paramedic typically puts him out the field." Kuroko said, scanning the contents of the folder Midorima gave him. "Both individuals provided verified answers, in accordance with the CCTV recording procured by Kaijō from the district mall."
"Detailed information about Michikawa and Kawaguchi are written there." Midorima stated. "On August 03, 12:03, a forty-year old Michikawa attended the interview. Just look at the picture." He told them; Momoi leaned at Kuroko to take a peek at the data. "However, Kawaguchi described him differently."
"Tall at almost 190 centimeters, brown hair, dark irises, thick eyebrows…" At that point, Momoi, who read the words bulleted in the printed material, stood stunned at what she saw. "N-No, that can't possibly be…"
"I am sorry to inform you, but what you are thinking right now is what it sounds." Midorima said, raising his glasses up with his fingers. "But the question still looms. If two different individuals acted as Michikawa, one during the incident and one during the interview, then we cannot rule out the possibility that the original had collaborated with the other one." He explained.
"The series of crimes done to known personalities was suspected to have been done by a certain hitman." Momoi stared at Midorima disbelievingly, her voice shrill. "According to witnesses, these are the exact descriptions of that suspect." She pointed out. Both Midorima and Momoi shared a stare back at Kuroko, who appeared to have unconsciously winced upon understanding the insinuation. He placed his clammy fingers over his chest, trying to push back the pain that seared inside him. Momoi continued. "Do you think he's return to…?"
"I don't know, Momoi-san." Kuroko answered. "I just don't believe he will be able to do it the way he wants." He turned his back against them, refusing for them to see his face. "After all, he still needs to be greater if he is just being discovered so easily… even if he is that infamous hitman."
He didn't know exactly. Midorima had that small idea though that Kuroko appeared unaffected by the situation. If he could say, it sounded that Kuroko was amused, almost challenged by it. Until now, he could not understand, but he always had that feeling that whenever Kuroko spoke, it had some other meaning in it.
Tsuchida held his hand over his chest, feeling his heart raced up due to the sudden appearance of Seirin's guest, Kuroko Tetsuya. Even though he was on leave right now, he always took the time to visit Seirin, to catch up with the recent news almost about everything with regard to their detective agency. Of course, he had been immediately briefed about the teal-head male, assigned to them by three police departments to be secured as a VIP. However, despite Koganei's enthusiastic effort to inform Tsuchida about Kuroko, the detectives from Seirin seemed to have forgotten to tell him one of the most peculiar things about him.
Kuroko Tetsuya had the weird tendency to appear and disappear at his whim.
The first experience he had encountered almost cost him the wrath of their coach, Riko Aida. It was one time that he dropped by the agency, a cup of coffee in hand, conversing animatedly with his fellow detectives. Kagami, their newest detective, arrived from a separate task and announced his arrival, although neglecting a fact that he was then accompanied by a particular Kuroko Tetsuya. The next scene was hell. Surprised by the arrival of this seemingly ghostly existence, the detectives tumbled in their places, especially Tsuchida nearly spilling his coffee over Riko's documents. He received a day of lecture and punishments from her (damn, he was supposed to be in a vacation!) just for being so careless.
He attempted to glare at Kuroko, but he was so sleepy that his lids drooped down on its own. "You're back," he just mentioned, pouring himself a mug of coffee, as soon as he reached the small lunchroom further back the main office. The dripping sound of the coffee being filled in the receptacle was drowned when he managed a yawn, a lone tear appearing by the sides of his eyes. "You've met your friends?" He added, not really minding if his questions remained unanswered.
"Yes." Kuroko answered, voice soft and muffled. Perhaps he went deeper inside the offices. "I just went back to retrieve some documents and papers." Tsuchida nodded as he listened, imagining why Kuroko seemed to work around even though he was presently out of commission. As he turned around, mug in tipped on his lips, his eyes widened when he saw that Kuroko was already standing in front of him. It took a lifetime effort to twist his face away from Kuroko, as the coffee he sipped in his mouth sprayed from his lips. "I apologize." Kuroko said, looking at how the cabinet and the wall were now designed with drips of coffee.
"N-No," Tsuchida said, wiping his face. "It's fine. Just tell me anything to hint me that you're here." He flustered, upon taking the same gaze at the wall. Riko would kill him if it remained dirty that way.
"Senpai, can you please contact Kasamatsu-senpai right now?" He asked, ignoring Tsuchida's earlier remark. "There is some important information that arrived." Kuroko said, a little smile curling the sides of his lips.
Hyūga dashed through the empty foyer between the huge shelves in the storage section. Since Izuki and Mitobe had finally opened up the lights, the whole area was easily illuminated, showing everything inside. Hyūga expertly maneuvered against the huge box stacks that jutted out from the shelves, as he appeared to glide over the obstacle in a perfect parkour. Kagami followed behind him, clicking into his gun's magazine slot a clip of Paralysis Darts. He watched his senpai with astonishment, seeing that 'annoying' captain move out in exact precision. At least he's not wasting his movements, Kagami remarked, observing how the older one meandered through the mountain of objects blocking their path.
As he ran, Hyūga brought up his gun and fired a volley. The gunshot rung throughout the storage area, making Kagami cringed at the beginning of an encounter. He just unlocked the safety mechanism of his gun, concentrating his attention to the person who just entered the scene. He flicked his head to the side, however, when he saw his fellow detective in the periphery.
"Kagami, the catwalk!" Izuki yelled out, calling the red-haired detective's attention to him, as he ran to get to his position. Not here! He yelled in his head. Look out! He mentally cursed, as his efforts in getting Kagami's attention actually created a wrong response. He sprinted faster and used its momentum to lunge towards Kagami, grabbing the detective which then sent them together sprawled to the floor. Kagami was not able to complain when a bullet almost grazed him by his neck.
Izuki quickly crouched over Kagami, tapping the taller male by his chest. "Kagami, are you hurt?" He asked, although he seemed unwilling to wait for an actual reply. "Be in your guard, Kagami." Izuki reprimanded him, as he stood up, swiftly tracking Hyūga's trail.
Kagami's eyes were only wide in surprise, the hard realization slowly dropping atop of him. He had almost been hit by a bullet; his breaths almost stopped by that. Gradually, he craned his head and looked out to where Hyūga and Izuki, watching how the two detectives climbed up the metal stairs to the ramp above the storage area.
"Kagami-kun, do you read? Kagami-kun?" Riko Aida's voice sounded from the radio, the one that his Hyūga-senpai handed him earlier. "Are you alright? I heard gunshots already." She said, the static unable to hide the tone of worry lacing her voice. "Please respond."
"I-I'm fine, coach." Kagami answered, as he attempted to regain his full stature. He picked up the pistol that fell from his hand seconds ago, during the time his Izuki-senpai dove to help him avoid being gunned down. "Hyūga-senpai and Izuki-senpai is still hot in pursuit. They are now following the person on the catwalk above the storage area." He reported, pushing from his thoughts the late feeling of dread that washed over him. He felt his knees wobbled as a late response actually kicked in his system. Not now, please, Kagami hissed, closing his eyes as he fought off the sensation of fright.
"Kagami-kun, do you think you can join up with the others?" The coach said. However, her voice did not sound as a mere question, but a hinted command.
"Y-Yeah," Kagami answered. "I'm leaving the channel open." He added, securely latching the radio on his belt. He looked down at his gun. He pulled the pistol's slide, to ensure that a bullet was always present in the chamber.
Immediately, he sped and followed his senpais. With his remarkable speed and strength, Kagami effortlessly hurdled over the stairs, jumping across several steps than taking each one separately. He hastened through; his sole focus to help his fellow detectives to bring down the real criminal who probably stole Michikawa Tarō's identity to execute the crime. So far, the only thing that fueled Kagami's decision to stop the assailant was his sudden discovery of how dangerous their enemy was. He was almost hit – no, probably he would have fallen even before the encounter began. If not of his fellow detectives…
Kagami finally reached the area where a standoff seemed to occur at the moment. The red-haired detective trod judiciously, watching the cautious expressions worn by his Izuki-senpai, who stood by the edge of the location. Both his senpai seemed to have cornered the suspect in a platform bounded by the very walls of the warehouse itself. The only possible path for escape was the catwalk they strode on lately and a window by the wall itself. Kagami continued to observe, until his gaze landed on a figure that restrictedly stood not too far from where he, Hyūga and Izuki were.
Kagami rapidly elevated his gun at shoulder height, mimicking Izuki's posture as well. However, unlike Kagami who held his weapon in absolute control, his Izuki-senpai did not fare any better. The red-haired detective sent his pupils at Izuki, after he heard the pistol clinked at his senpai's grasp. He was clearly perplexed when he saw Izuki's hand trembled, the always-calm detective from Seirin looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Long time no see," the man's deep voice resonated over their ears. It only made Kagami placed his index finger over his gun's trigger. At that, nonetheless, the cornered figure voluntarily raised both of his hands in a surrendering gesture. Kagami only look in awe as the suspect held a sniper rifle only in his right hand, handling it with perfect ease.
"So…" Hyūga spoke out next. "It's really you." He stated, weakly pointing his gun against the other man.
"Please, do not give me that face, Hyūga." The other person answered, mixing a seemingly amused tone in his voice. Nonetheless, a small frown adorned his face. "I've been out for too long. Aren't you going to treat this as a reunion of some sorts?" He said to them, an obvious grimace telling the detectives of his aversion to meeting them at that kind of situation.
"This is entirely different." Hyūga spat back. "With this, do you think you'll be able to escape the police just so easily?" He challenged the other one, although his frail tone already betrayed his supposed bravery.
"What can I say?" The person calmly replied. "Let's go have fu~n!"
"Kiyoshi!" Hyūga yelled out in frustration.
Gunfire echoed.
- End of Chapter -
The suspense! Oh my! I can finally see the trend that this fic seemed to have a sustained heightened tension from the start! (I'm seriously asking myself if I can have a breather?) Haha!
Of course, guys, click "next" if you want to see the next chapter! Although I won't mind reviews for this part! :3