Very well Montecchio – Kitagawa replied with a mechanical voice, as if he was speaking through a computer, looking towards me and Andrade in a weird manner – although it is a little hot, I hardly believe that nobles are used into dressing like that, could you please explain me the motive?
We present ourselves like this before you Kitagawa – I pointed my two partners – as I bring to the knowledge of all the nekomimi race facts that will change our story together, because of that – I stared him bravely, even if it was impossible to look at this face with the rain coat and hat – I believe both of us will have to trust on each other or we shall be in complete disadvantage against an enemy that knows exactly who we are and act in unison against us.
I believe you are right Montecchio – he then pointed towards our swords – what would be the motive of having those weapons then?
We brought the just until we are sure as to whom we are dealing with, if needed we shall get naked so as you can see we don't have anything hidden, if you wish you can even do a personal search on us to check we have nothing inside the little clothing we are wearing, if that is needed we shall do the same to you and will ask you to stay on the same level of vestments.
It really makes sense, we have to be in equal conditions this time – the nekomimi then took a cellphone out of his pocket and showed – but having any communication blocked is really needed? – he then placed his together with Andrade's and Enma's.
Yes – I pointed to their devices – as I am afraid that in the case someone that shouldn't listen something regarding this matter ends up doing so, accidentally or not, could contact the outer world, as we agreed just my phone – I then took my own phone from another table and showed it – and just this one in a one mile radius can make or receive calls – I then placed it together with the others – what do you say? Do you wish to search us?
Yes, as we need to really trust each other for this, I want to do this and as soon as I am completely sure there is nothing to fear, I shall take out my clothes as you wish – Kitagawa replied, already nearing us.
Alright – I pointed then to Enma – Enma, stay alert while he searches us – I then looked at Andrade – you stay on your guard in case it is needed to act and I shall do the same while Kitagawa checks you – o then looked towards the nekomimi – as soon as you are finished we shall search you, agreed?
Kitagawa then began searching me first with an electronic device that was similar to what Enma had on her paws, passing it through my body to check if I had an implant or something electronic of the sort inserted into me, then he touched all around my clothing to check if I had small scale weapons hidden, of course nothing was found and that was why the nekomimi did the same to Andrade, reaching the same result; however when he went towards Enma something funny happened, because he began touching her in a way that was visibly not for a search on her body, he took his time into touching the kitsunemimi's voluptuous breasts, that was grinning towards the nekomimi, then she said:
I am honored that parts of my body make someone so important become so excited – she then looked down, towards his face – but don't you think that getting THIS excited can be bad for a person of your advanced age?
His advanced age? – Andrade and I asked at the same time – what do you mean with that Enma?
H… How do you know I am not young anymore? – a shocked Kitagawa asked – as I am sure I didn't allow my face show up for even a mere second and this device at my throat mask my voice perfectly! – he then looked towards the kitsunemimi, asking in sequence – could the marvelous lady tell me how she concluded such a thing?
Several details revealed your true age Kitagawa – Enma replied, using the device she had on her paws and checking the agent – the sound of your breathing and heart were too calm and slow for a young lad with his hormones rushing through his veins, but what most indicated your age to me were your touches; and I admit, if I wasn't a very experienced woman in this subject, you would have made my legs become weak in no time – she smiled malicious while walking away from him – those touches her a subtleness that one cannot learn in mere five, or even ten years of practice, but rather with a lot of experience and experimentation…
Hehehe – Kitagawa laughed, taking the device out of his throat – who could have guessed that the thing I am most proud of, was the one that would give my age away so easily? – he commented then, with a voice that certainly belonged to an old person – can I take out my rain coat now that my disguise has been found out?
Be my guest Kitagawa – I replied, discreetly looking at Enma.
Kitagawa then began slowly taking out his clothes in a way to stay the same way as we are, first then raincoat, then the hat, revealing an already old nekomimi, with white hair and moustache, although the fur on the ears, paws and tail were still black, as soon as he was in the same state as we were, I looked towards Andrade that quickly searched him, as soon as we were certified he was also clean, I said:
Alright, as we just checked each other and none of us seem to have gadgets to trick the others, let's get down to what really matters – I then stared him in the eyes – you wish to confirm if I really know who Mewsus' direct female descendant is, correct?
Yes – the elder replied, adding in sequence – as soon as I confirm the name of that person, I shall give you the password and you can send the message to the nekomimi leader, who will come here in sequence.
Of course, no doubt about that, however… - I decided to be aggressive, as this was bothering me since yesterday – I wanted to know how would you know the name of the descendant if, according to what the nekomimi leader told us, just the members of the Mewsus cult knew who she was and were slaughtered little after her birth – I then stared at him, using my reasoning – that means that we had an information leakage and that surely she is in serious danger at the moment – I bluffed with a small lie, I wanted to see where this would take us – unless there is something that the leader hadn't told us on that previous meeting.
Actually my smart and aware young lad – Kitagawa smiled and continued, visibly happy because he noticed I wasn't as much of a fool he thought of in the beginning – you are very observant to notice that detail, however I assure you that nothing has been concealed from your knowledge – he cleaned his throat in sequence, thinking for some moments and continuing next – to the official history records and including the nekomimi leader until yesterday, the only ones that knew Mewsus' descendant names were the cult member and effectively they were slaughtered as soon as the nekomimi extremists found a way to actually penetrate into our secret society… - he then looked down and commented – it was a stroke of luck that we were already feeling they would try to eliminate the little girl's life, that is why to the son and daughter of the younger elder member was given the mission to take the girl and disappear of Verona's face, it wasn't even two days after that and all members of the cult were exterminated, just leaving as witness behind the corpses of two guards, the previous Mewsus' descendant, father of that girl, and eight elders…
If what you tell me is true, I still doesn't understand how could you know about her real name – Saito commented, frowning – because I bet you guys wouldn't leave a small note behind the shelf with it in case you forgotten!
Once again perfect observation capacity my young boy! – Kitagawa replied, smiling broadly – however, there is a detail that wasn't observed and slipped between the extremists paw's fingers, eight bodies were found at that place, an even number of corpses! What would be done in case we were voting something and the subject ended with four votes to each side and knowing that all elders had the same power to vote and none of their votes could be used as a tie breaker?
That can only mean at least one of them survived! – Enma replied, adding – however this also contradicts again two things, first that all elders were murdered and that, in case this theory were real, if he survived, why didn't he tell all nekomimi the descendant was alive?
That is a logic question – Kitagawa stated, saying in sequence – the biggest problem is that the youngest elder, the only one below sixty years of age, technically "died" at that day as well, for long twenty and six years he kept "dead", however he "resurrected" around six months ago…
What do you mean resurrected? – I asked, intrigued – and how did he die? More importantly, how do you know all this?
Well, this takes us to a long history – Kitagawa then sat in a better position and began telling us the story – days after the birth of that female, all elders reunited and decided that having her near them would be an extremely big risk to all, that is why they choose this younger council member, whose son and daughter admittedly were the most loyal members of the order, to take the girl and disappear on the world without leaving traces behind nor communicate, regarding the father of those siblings, was given him the task to take the real birth certificate with the official girl's name and take her to the most inaccessible possible place, staying hidden forever, seeing that was the only link of that being with her real roots, while the guardians kept her "social" and fake certificate.
I understand, that makes some sense – "he mentioned two birth certificates" I thought "then the chances are good he knows what he is talking about" – but even though I still don't understand how do you know this all Kitagawa.
Well, I know all this… - Kitagawa stared deep into my eyes – because I am that younger elder who, twenty and seven years ago, was given the mission to hide the girl's real birth certificate!
My Saint Meow! – Saito exclaimed, visibly shocked – but what happened that made you "die" and then "resurrect"?
I already was at north Verona, despite the heat I didn't stop for a single moment in order to arrive quicker and burry the paper that was with me that day – Kitagawa had a distant look, as if he was recording something from way to the past – the place was after the end of the world, I didn't know of anyone that lived around those parts, that was when I heard a known sound, something that would really grab my attention normally; at first I thought it would be a trap and quietly I found and climbed a tree, that was when I had an incredible sight!
And what would be so amazing to the point of making you have this kind of reaction Kitagawa? Enma asked with curiosity.
I saw a female of extremely rare beauty, she was bathing naked in a small lake that existed there – the elder eyes shone happily – she was blonde, had fur as white as snow… soon I noticed something even more impressing, that she was actually an usagimimi! Of course that as soon as I was aware of that fact, I couldn't stop admiring that woman's beauty – "a perverted elder" I thought, having the impression that all other present were thinking the same "the world's future depends on this?" – however, I was careless and became victim of the most treacherous thing that can be done to someone in my position… doing what I was doing…
Oh! – I commented, suddenly understanding what might have happened – the enemies knew somehow you were the most "healthy" member of the council and prepared a trap for you?
No… - Kitagawa's face became hard, as if he was going to announce something serious – something much worse than that… - we were extremely curious and paying attention to every word he said, to the point we were sitting on the edge of our seats, murmuring "what could it be?" – the tree I was in… had a rotten branch…
What? – we shouted together after we all fell to the ground as in an anime – you mean that the really serious thing that happened was you falling from a tree? But you are a nekomimi! You would easily land on your legs!
Even being the youngest elder, Montecchio – Kitagawa replied, still serious – I was already somewhat old twenty seven years ago, I was fifty two years old, my feline balance failed me and I probably fell head first on the ground, as that was told me of course, because I remember nothing after I fell down, and not remembering anything else aside my false name for twenty six years after that – the old nekomimi resumed looking towards the ground – that same female that I observed took care of me during over one month of my coma…
However, from what you have told us – Saito said while thinking – you had amnesia, correct?
Yes, flat zero… - Kitagawa replied, nodding to Andrade – aside my false name, I remembered nothing else… not even why I was carrying a suitcase that would only open if I inserted an eight number code… - tears formed on the elder's eyes – that female allowed me to live with her as long as it took for me to remember my past and had a place to go back to, we lived as if she was my daughter and I her father… for a long time, without my mind giving any signs that I would recover from this amnesia, after nine years that female said she was going to marry and if I would take her to the altar, I cried a lot at that day, I felt as part of the family, on the following year the only child of the couple was born, as pretty as her mom…
I understand… - I replied, something sounded somewhat familiar to me – what happened? Why didn't you stay with them? You remembered who you were?
No, but when that girl was born, fragments of my memories began coming back, I knew I had my life tied with another girl, whom I remembered nothing – once again Kitagawa seemed distant – the little girl had just completed five years of age and something kept telling me I should get away from them, as my presence put them in danger… I took that with some of my more disturbing memories that came back and I didn't think twice, I left them saying I had remembered everything and needed to leave… the worst was leaving behind the little rabbit girl… poor Misumi…
Misumi… - "what a familiar name", I thought – well, what happened afterwards?
I spent year roaming randomly, also without managing to open the suitcase until a certain day that my tired legs brought me to a deserted place, in the middle of nowhere, in front of a stone – he then pointed to his own head – everything came back and I remembered everything, including that I was over the cult's hideout entrance! That was around six months ago…
That would explain why not even the nekomimi leader knew exactly what was going on among those of his race – Enma commented – it makes sense, however can you prove you are actually who you state you are? If you are part of the cult, you have two birthday certificates, correct?
If you allow me to take them in the raincoat pocket – he then pointed to the clothes, to which I replied "go ahead"; after he took them out, he placed them where the phones were, one was from "Kitagawa Bernold" which I assumed being the false one and the other was blank as if it was ready to be filled.
But the other one is empty… how can this one be the true one Kitagawa? – I was asking in the exact moment Enma took the paper in her paws, looked at them with shocked eyes and exclaimed.
I can't believe I would live to see this with my own eyes! – she then pointed to the paper – I had heard about this when information about the massacre reached my professional environment, however I believed this was urban legend! – Enma continued to stare at the object as if it once belonged to an alien – this one is filled, but just using a special light it is possible to read it, however just the elders had devices capable of producing it, we never managed to make something like this work…
But that doesn't say much stuff – I commented, pointing to the paper – after they were murdered, anyone could have got then, don't you think?
Negative Richard – Enma replied – the extremists didn't know that the devices just worked while their owners were still alive, that is why after they ended all of the elders, they found out they didn't work anymore.
Perfect then! – I exclaimed, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel – then all we need is you to show us this device and it shall be proved you are who you just said you were!
I don't have it any longer Montecchio – Kitagawa replied, looking down – the little girl liked me quite a lot, and didn't want to allow me to leave so I gave her that as a memento, as I thought it was a simple ornament of mine… at that time I didn't know what it was… after I remembered everything, I actually tried finding them, to no avail since they had disappeared…
How convenient – I sighed, seeing that we were back to point zero – how are we going to prove that you are who you say you are? – that was when I froze solid, as I saw Enmie entering the room through the door on the nekomimi's back, I thought "but why would she leave Akira alone now?" quickly however I understood that she might have sedated her with her powers and came here to tell me that, that is why I stood up and said – oh! Talk about nice timing, I was thinking about you! How is our patient – I tried calling her to come near Kitagawa, if he was lying, she would surely feel it.
Oh Richard! I came here to warn that our patient is sleeping now and nothing less than an earthquake will wake her up! – Enmie then looked to the old nekomimi, who was slowly turning around to look who had entered – forgive me Richard, I didn't know we had guests!
Well well, don't you worry abou… - that was when Kitagawa stopped talking, when his eyes met Enmie's, he became speechless for some moments, standing up with astonishing speed and exclaiming – KARINA? IS IT REALLY YOU KARINA?