A/N: Hello, everyone! So, I may have made this rather vocal over the past couple of weeks or so, but I actually attended a Comiccon near to me, and dressed as Nyotalia England! It was a seriously fabulous, and I had such an amazing time! It was my first time cosplaying, too, and lots of people liked my outfit, so I'd say it was an overall success! I hope to go to more in the future, and may one day try to cosplay as Japan, as he's always been an aspirational cosplay of mine!

Without further ado, though, the next chapter of Investigasians!

Chapter 22

Yao seated himself at the computer and logged on. It was usually Lei hunched over the blue screen, but today, it would have to be him. He was heavily low on staff, and that was a significant disadvantage. However, he had started his career without help, and he was more than willing to revert back to the original methods. His fingers breezed over the keys and accessed the computer and its secrets. As Lei had instructed, he opened the corrected folders and found the footage of the music theatre.

Scrolling through, he located the direct moment when the janitor was spotted walking down the corridor. He paused and fetched Kasam from his usual desk, as he wasn't doing his shift in the spa that day.

"What do you think?" he gestured to the screen.

"The janitor?" Kasam blinked.

"What if I told you we discovered that that isn't the janitor, aru?" Yao watched his expression.

Kasam's brows furrowed together. "I would be disinclined to believe you. Who is it?"

"The murderer," Yao shrugged. "We don't know, aru. Male or female, would you say?"

"Could be either," Kasam guessed. "Definitely not a large male; probably between a height of five three and five seven."

"That's what we all thought, aru," Yao drummed his fingers on the table.

"I'd say that's either a man or a woman," Kasam confirmed. "What about the way they walk?"

"The way they walk?" Yao played the video and watched them stride purposefully down the corridor.

"Hmm… I was going to say if they had any particularly masculine or effeminate qualities about the way they moved," Kasam looked disappointed. "But it could still be either. Who do you have in mind?"

"I'm hoping not, but things are seriously pointing towards Roderich's fiancée," he said, and watched Kasam's eyes widen. "I know; but she honestly doesn't have a clear alibi for Niklas' party, and she's been acting awfully suspicious recently, aru."

"Do you think she did it?" Kasam asked. "Does she seem like the kind of person capable of murder?"

"Anyone's capable of murder," Yao shrugged. "But I know what you mean, aru. She's a rather independent woman, headstrong, and she's definitely less affected by the death compared to Roderich. When I first met them, she did a lot of the explaining – he was wrought with emotion and joined in only when the case had been explained, or in short bursts during."

"I see," Kasam leant back in his chair. "It was a rather violent murder, wasn't it?"

"Yeah…" Yao frowned as he considered that. "Hit over the back of the head; I'm not one for stereotypes, but that would take a considerable amount of strength to have immobilised him as it did. It was asphyxiation that killed him, though, aru."

"True," Kasam pondered. "I would say look more into Miss Hédeváry before you start making accusations."

"You reckon that figure can't be taller than me?" Yao glanced at the screen.

"Definitely not," Kasam said. "Maybe five eight, and if we were really going to broaden our suspects and push it, five nine, but that last one is very unlikely."

"I ought to start asking some heights, then, aru," Yao pondered.

Kasam nodded. "By the way, Mei called."

"What did she say?" he asked.

"That she wanted you to pick her up tomorrow morning," Kasam shrugged. "I think it'll be an early start for you."

"Oh, great, aru," Yao sighed. "What time does she start work?"

"She needs to be there for eight in the morning," Kasam replied. "But she said she usually arrives earlier, at around seven thirty."

"That would mean I'd need to be at her house for six thirty," Yao complained. "Tell her 'no'. I am not her chauffeur."

"I'll suggest some good taxi services for her, then," Kasam headed for the doorway with a frown.

Some kind of string connecting to the important organ known as Yao's heart was struck and twanged. Guilt wracked his conscience, pulling him to a stop as he was about to flee the scene. Taxis were expensive and costed even more when going to the city.

"Tell her I'll be there," he heaved out a sigh, eyes trained on the glowing screen.

He heard Kasam come to stop. Glancing round, he saw the other young man was smiling warmly at him.

"What, aru?" he muttered.

"Is this morality I see developing in you, Yao?" Kasam chuckled.

"No," Yao pursed his lips. "It's acknowledging that not giving her a lift to work will only bring more consequences not doing it."

"Right," Kasam wandered out, talking over his shoulder. "I'll let her know you'll be there."

Yao waited a few moments, then lowered his head in his hands. How did he always let Mei rope him into things he didn't want to do? Next thing he knew, Mrs Im would be using him as a car service to get Yong to school in the morning. Although, she hated him too much to want him near her son, so maybe not…

It was an early start for Yao. He played it safe, waking at five and giving himself a full hour to get ready before he had to be out of the house. Kiku had been surprised to find his friend awake at the same time, but Yao had left with a brief explanation he was picking Mei up.

The early morning weather was even bitterer and colder than Yao could've wanted. The roads had been salted, which meant he was bound to his promise to pick Mei up. Climbing into the Old Civic, he fit the key in and turned it. The car sputtered and struggled, coughing and wheezing against the cold. With a little more force, he jerked the key from side to side until the vehicle groaned and pulled itself together, rumbling into life and humming as the engine was brutally reminded how to function. He pressed his foot on the accelerator and turned out of the small parking lot, and onto the roads.

Driving had become a daily part of Yao's life. He had become accustomed to sitting in a car for a lengthy amount of time, and it had begun to take its toll on him. His eyelids grew heavy and he was weary of driving around all the time. Long journeys didn't matter anymore; he was doing trips like this almost every day. It had been a little bit of a relief to be able to walk around on his own two feet yesterday, even if he'd been restricted to only searching the city.

He pulled up in Mei's drive, before her comfortable cottage. Pulling his trusty trench coat closer to his body, he shuffled up to the door and knocked, tiredly. There was a moment's silence. The curtains were closed. Had she forgotten? He knocked again.

The door flew open to reveal Gilbert – he cursed himself for having not recalled the German was currently living with Mei. He was wearing a clean pressed shirt and trousers, his hair was freshly washed and he had a healthy glow about him. Something told Yao Gilbert had greatly benefitted from his short time living with Mei. Yao forced a smile; he still wasn't perfectly pleased that Mei had allowed a stranger to share her house.

"Oh, hallo Detective Wang," Gilbert threw the door open wide for him to enter. "Mei's just finishing off breakfast; she's just in the kitchen."

Yao noted he was holding a duster in one hand. The house looked cleaner every time he came by. Stepping inside, he nodded and walked past Gilbert, veering to the side into Mei's little kitchen where her dining table was also crammed. She turned in her seat, a mouthful of scrambled eggs, beans and toast in her mouth. He furiously noted she wasn't in work uniform, instead in a sweater and pyjama shorts.

"You're not even ready," he folded his arms.

"I didn't expect you to come for the early time," she admitted. "But I also had a late start. The short break made me a little lazy…"

"Right, aru," he scowled.

"Don't be too mad," she turned back to her breakfast. "An active mind early in the day is actually supposed to be healthy for you. Think of it like this: I do this every day."

"That doesn't make it any better," Yao leant in the doorway.

"Sit down," she gestured. "I can just feel you watching me eat from behind and it's not normal."

"Right, aru," he threw himself down into a seat opposite her and noted how tasty her breakfast looked.

"Gilbert made breakfast this morning," she gushed as she ate. "Not only that, but he's cleaning the house while I'm gone and offered to do the ironing. He didn't even ask for payment."

"I think living at your house is payment in itself, aru," Yao muttered.

"Whatever," she shrugged. "Free service, and he's really good at it. Once he gets focused, he really does the job right. He told me he learnt to make breakfast for him and his brother when they were growing up; so he made it for me before I go to work."

"Hurry up," Yao checked the time. "I have a case to be working on, aru."

"There's no need to be moody," she sipped a coffee she had beside her; probably something else Gilbert had provided. "I'll only be a moment."

A moment turned out to be a full half hour. Yao was tempted to leave her behind, but she hurried down the stairs just in time, all ready for work. She rushed to the door and threw it open.

"I'll see you later, Gil," she called over her shoulder to Beilschmidt, who lingered in the hallway.

"See ya," he waved, and Yao shut the door behind them.

"Enough goodbyes, aru," he scowled. "I thought you needed to get to work?"

"You're so grouchy in the mornings," she pursed her lips together. "I think I'll get Kiku to give me a lift tomorrow."

"Don't bother Kiku," Yao sighed. "He has work."

He opened his car door and sat before the wheel, igniting the engine once again. Mei took her eat beside him and strapped herself in as he pulled away from her house.

"You know," she said. "There really is no need to worry about Gil; he's innocent, for sure."

"I'm not worried about him anymore, aru," Yao kept his eyes on the road.

"Then why do you still act so unfriendly to him?" she asked. "You know… he asked me the other day if he'd done something to upset you. You're really giving off the wrong messages for someone who's indifferent."

"I never said I was indifferent," Yao added.

"Then, what's your problem?" she demanded. "He physically can't go outside for fear of being taken down or followed or traced."

Yao didn't reply, because he knew she was right. Gilbert was hiding in Mei's house, not just living there.

"But maybe that's your issue," she continued.

"What's that meant to mean?" it was difficult to solely focus on the road when she was pressing him this hard for an answer.

"You don't want someone to trace Gilbert back to my house."

He opened his mouth to protest.

"Wait," she said, and he paused. "I recall you saying that, if anything happened to Yong, then you'd be taken responsible, which is perfectly accurate. However, you feel the same about me."

"What?" he usually didn't associate Mei and Yong in the same category.

"Listen," she stressed. "If something happened to me because of Gil, you'd feel responsible, because it links back to my involvement into the case. You would feel obliged to tell my parents that I was dead. That's why you're so bothered by Gil living at my house."

She was completely wrong. Yao hadn't even considered the possibility of having to tell Mei's parents about her death if something truly did happen to her. This new revelation only made him dislike Gilbert more.

"I don't want to dislike him," he said carefully.

"You dislike him?" he felt her turn in her seat to look at him. "I didn't think you actually disliked him."

"Well, OK, 'dislike' is probably a bit harsh," Yao shrugged. "Perhaps I regret that circumstance has placed you into the position of having a fugitive living with you."

He had no idea where his arguments were going. Perhaps it was better for Mei to draw up her own conclusions?

"I don't get you," she said instead. "I took Gil into my house knowing full well the possible dangers. You need to accept that I'm comfortable with having that burden. Gil and his brother would be in danger otherwise."

"No, I get that, aru."

"I don't think you do," she reached out to the radio and turned it on. "I'm not even sure you've been listening to anything I've been saying."

Yao bristled. "I have actually. How else would I have been responding, aru?"

"I don't know," she sighed. "I just don't think my words have reached you in the slightest. I think I've made things worse."

"Maybe you have," he scowled.

She didn't answer him and the rest of the journey was spent in awkward silence. The radio was on quiet, but at least it separated them from one another. It was the perfect excuse for Yao not to say anything, and he could only guess Mei also used the radio to prevent further conversation. There were still few cars on the road, so the journey was relatively undisturbed. The silence outside only emphasised the low volumes inside the car.

They still arrived before the café where Mei worked before eight. Her hand found the handle.

"How tall are you?" he asked, his next mission playing on his mind.

"What?" she blinked, and he repeated his question. "Well, I heard you… Why do you want to know?"

"Is it a touchy subject?" Yao frowned. "Is it OK to ask a woman her height?"

"No, it's fine," she shrugged. "Four eleven. But why?"

"Would you say you're taller than Elizabeta?" he ignored her desperate questioning.

"Of course not," she scoffed. "Look, I've got to go – I'll see you later."

He nodded as she slipped out of the car, only to backtrack and rummage through her pocket.

"I almost forgot," she pulled out a few notes and held them out to him. "Petrol money. Because I respect that petrol costs and that you went out of your way to come get me."

Yao opened his mouth, but found her strange kindness baffling.

"Take it," she urged. "I have to get to work."

"Thanks, aru," he took the notes – sixty quid in total – and crammed them into his coat pocket.

She closed the door and hurried into her workplace. Yao drove back to the Honda Ramen Bar, considering height. He himself was roughly five seven. If Kasam was right, the culprit was the same height as him, or shorter. He parked beside the Honda family car and wandered into the bar where Kiku was diligently working. He was surprised by the faces that awaited to greet him. There was Yong Soo, who sat up straight as soon as he entered the bar, and Francis Bonnefoy, who flashed him a pleasant smile.

"Hello, Yao," Kiku smiled. "It seems you're going to be quite busy today."

"Oh?" he glanced at the two others.

"I'm going around town with Roderich and Elizabeta today," Francis beamed. "And was offering if you wanted to come along? It's just a friendly outing; nothing harmful about it in the slightest."

Yao noticed Yong's disappointment. "Oh, I thought we'd be working on the case today, Aniki."

Francis glanced at him. "If you really want to come along, you can, but we'll be having adult conversation a lot of the time. It might be a little boring."

"Anywhere Aniki goes will be interesting," Yong Soo boldly claimed, despite having just invited himself to someone else's outing.

Yao could've died of embarrassment.

"First things first," Yao approached the bar and looked into Kiku's eyes. "How tall are you?"

"Me?" his friend pointed to himself, and averted his gaze. "Not very…"

"An exact estimate, maybe?" Yao pushed.

"A bit shorter than you," Kiku fidgeted.

"Probably five feet five," Yong said.

"What? How would you know?" Kiku flushed, alarm in his eyes.

"You're a little shorter than my mum," Yong Soo admitted, adding further humiliation for Kiku.

"There's nothing wrong with being vertically challenged," Francis smiled brilliantly at Kiku. "As a matter of fact, being small and slight is very fashionable nowadays."

There was doubt on Kiku's face, but he nodded nevertheless.

"But why do you ask, Yao?"

"I was just wondering," he told him. "I'm collecting figures I might find important, aru."

He was hesitant to explain his collecting data in front of Francis. Although he wasn't directly attached to the whole murder, he was still a friend of Roderich's, and could report just about anything to Yao. Yong Soo had guessed the person on the film could've been around five feet three, which had been concluded to have potentially been Elizabeta.

"I just need to leave a quick note," he hurried to the back door. "We're not in a rush are we?"

"Not at all," Francis checked his watch. "I told them I'd meet them at the city centre in around ten minutes."

"I'll be right with you, aru," he dashed upstairs, and hurried to the small table Kasam and the other Investigasians proudly called their 'desk'. "Kasam."

The other young man raised his head and smiled. "Hmm?"

"Could you ring or text Lei to give me a call when he wakes up?" Yao asked. "Tell him to contact my mobile, and I should be able answer him almost immediately."

"Oh," Kasam seemed flustered by the flurry of instructions. "Where are you going?"

"Out with Yong and a friend," Yao explained. "I'll be all day. Tell him to call me, aru."

"I'll do that," Kasam noted that down. "Have a good day?"

"Thanks, aru," he turned and hurried back downstairs, where the others were waiting. "I'm ready."

"Excellent," Francis rubbed his hands together as he stood. "I think Elizabeta has quite a few activities planned, so be prepared for a day packed with things to do."

A/N: Thank you for your patience waiting for this chapter to come out! I feel like it may have a few spelling mistakes, as we are nearing midnight at this stage... I've tried checking through, but there's very little to be done when I'm half asleep. I hope it's just coherent enough to understand! Until next time!