A/N: Well, it's here guys: the final chapter of The Musical Massacre. I want to say a huge thanks to all of you for being so patient, and for also interacting in the reviews section. It's been absolutely fantastic, and it's always nice to finish another year successfully! Goodbye 2016- hello 2017 at last. It's been an adventure with Yao and his crew, and I've had a blast with the plot. I love writing mystery, and it was so fun to see what everyone was trying to guess! Also, Investigasians has reached 3,000 views! Thank you all so much!

For all of those who have read my other Fic, Gakutalia: The First Term, then I have a little bit of news in regards to that. First of all, I've been speaking to my sister, who recently got a new drawing pad for digital art, and we've made plans for cover art for Gakutalia. It's currently in the very early stages, but I'll definitely notify you all when it's been released, and you can check that out. The next piece of news for the Gakutalia fans is probably what you've been wanting to hear for some time: I've been plotting out the second installment for that series, and my next Fic will indeed be Gakutalia: Love Is In The Air. I'm very excited to be getting back to the boys at World Academy, and hope to see another term for them go by successfully! I want to thank everyone for your patience: it's hard to wait to find out what happens next!

As for Investigasians, you may have worked out that I do intend to make this a series, too. I do love sequels, and that's exactly where I hope to take Yao and his gang! In a similar way to the second Gakutalia installment, I'll need to take my time planning out what I want to happen in this next case, but I really look forward to it. Moreover, there's unanswered questions, such as "the Target", and I can't keep you guys in suspense forever!

I'm excited about where 2017 will take me, as Gakutalia and Investigasians won't be the only Fics I'll be planning out. I've currently been working on something 'Fairytale Themed', but that's for another time- guaranteed!

I hope everyone enjoyed their New Year! We had a fire pit outside and fireworks at home! Happy New Year everyone, and without further ado: the final chapter!

~XOs xx

Epilogue

By the time Saturday arrived, the snow had cleared considerably. The bad weather of last week was a distant memory of the past, and the winter sun even poked its face beyond the clouds for a brief moment, before being submerged once again. Yao was relieved to find the case was finally over. The rest of the week had been relatively quiet, with him not needing to work on the case, and no others coming in. It was nearing Christmas, so most people were more focused on preparations rather than their cats. Instead, he had contented himself to working at the ramen bar with Kiku and Mr Honda, and the usual flow of customers had swept in once the snow had cleared some more. It had been a busy few days for Yao, but strangely more relaxing compared to beforehand.

However, today things were a little out of schedule once more. Roderich had located Basch's apartment and had gone to investigate the findings there after the police had checked the vicinity for any possible dangers. Naturally, Yao had been invited along and had elected for Yong to assist him as expected. Mei was still working for the next half hour, but said she would join them at the location once she was finished. Yao had been fine with that. They would probably be driving to Basch's room within half of that time. This was probably the last time Yao would have an excuse to speak with Roderich face to face. His inclusion with the elite community was blissful, and whilst he hoped it would be longer, he doubted crimes occurred amongst them so frequently he would be earning hundreds each time.

Yong Soo seemed strangely excited, fidgeting in his chair with a faint smile on his face.

"You OK, aru?" Yao glanced at him. "You seem like you've had too much caffeine."

"This is it, though, right, Aniki?" Yong glanced at him.

"What?" he squinted to express disdain.

"This is where we get paid for our efforts," Yong exclaimed.

"It's not just about the money, aru," Yao scolded.

"Sorry, Aniki," Yong seemed downcast.

"But money has a big part, yes," he shrugged as he drove into the parking lot.

The hotel Basch had temporarily stayed in was fancy and expensive, which only made sense, considering he was of the elite Zwingli family. Yao couldn't envision Basch settling for something such as the Honda Ramen Bar. The pair of them approached, the Old Civic abandoned in the parking lot. Police cars were stationed, but it seemed Officer Arsehole was not present. Yao could only assume the more northern police sector were focused on this part of the city. Roderich was standing not far off, a briefcase in his hands, wearing a dark coat. Yao's heart leapt in his chest, instantly being reminded of the beautiful money that was likely encased within the hard shell. He tried not to look too eager as he approached.

"Detective Wang," Roderich nodded towards him, and held out a gloved hand.

Surprised, Yao took it and shook it. This was the friendliest he had ever seen Roderich. Considering after what had happened, he was surprised his client was in the mood for talking to anyone at all.

"And Yong Soo," their client preceded to shake his assistant's hand.

"It's good to see you again, Mr Edelstein," Yong latched onto the opportunity to network, or suck up. "How are you?"

"Much better, actually," there was relief in Roderich's purple eyes. "Just knowing the truth about my father really helps. I feel like justice has happened and I can finally rest easy knowing that."

"That's good to hear, aru," Yao said. "What about the pen and sheet music? Have those been found, aru?"

"Yes," Roderich opened the briefcase and revealed the sheets of music delicately tucked inside, much to Yao's disappointment. "I read through it. My father truly was a remarkable musician."

"You'll follow in his footsteps," Yao assured him.

"Where's Elizabeta?" Yong Soo blatantly asked.

"Yong," Yao hissed, glowering at him.

Roderich smiled wryly. "No, it's quite alright. It's only natural he should ask, and it'll only be too obvious before everyone else has heard, too. Elizabeta has returned to Hungary, where her parents live. We figured it was for the best."

There was a short silence whilst both Yao and Yong Soo processed this information.

"She told me about her affair with Basch," his gaze became briefly distant, before he returned his eyes to the music in the briefcase. "I'll admit, I didn't see it coming. I had always had it in my mind that we'd been consistently happy together. She suggested we take time apart, and I agreed."

"Time apart?" Yao frowned.

"To think things through," Roderich replied. "I don't know what awaits the end of the line, but I suppose we'll just have to find out."

"So, the engagement is no more…?" Yong Soo sounded disappointed.

"I'm afraid not," Roderich shook his head.

"What about the pen?" Yao hastily changed the subject, before things became too uncomfortable – his payment was still on the line.

"Ah, it's just…" Roderich fished through his coat pocket and took it out. "Here."

He showed Yao the expensive ink pen, with the name 'Edelstein' engraved into the side. It was a deep plum purple in colour, with a slight gold lining along the lid. The writing was also in gold. It was long, thin and looked delicate. Yao could understand why Roderich had been so concerned about its disappearance; it was a beautiful piece of stationary.

"My father never finished the piece," Roderich commented, flicking three pages through and showing the lack of a double bar three quarters through the piece.

"That's not the end," Yao gestured to the continued bars that followed it.

"That's not my father's handwriting," Roderich explained. "Basch seemed to believe he could match my father's quality in music, but he can't… I can tell because of the decline of music."

"What are you going to do with it, aru?" Yao asked.

"Keep it," Roderich closed the briefcase. "I'm having a concert in his honour on the last day of the year, as his funeral has been booked for the thirtieth. I'll play it then."

"Unfinished?" Yong Soo seemed amazed.

Roderich sent him a small smile – his entire countenance lit up when he smiled. Yao believed it did him favours, as it took the harsh expression from his eyes and made him look his age.

"Part of the beauty of this piece is that it was left unfinished," he explained. "I feel it's one last gift my father has left me."

"That's a nice way of looking at it," Yong Soo added. "What are you going to call it?"

"I feel as if it's not within my right to name his work," Roderich admitted. "I can't say anything's coming to me at this moment, but I may consider it…"

Yao nodded, still thinking about his money.

"Speaking of unfinished business," Roderich's eyes widened, and he dropped his pen in his pocket. "I wanted to thank you. For you work."

"Oh?" Yao blinked as Roderich handed him, in paper cash, the glorious payment. "Thanks, aru."

"It's only natural," Roderich shrugged, an edge to his words. "You did a good job and saw the case to the end. You also revealed to me that my fiancée was cheating on me, whence the bonus."

"Bonus, aru?" Yao tried not to sound too excited.

"Ja," Roderich shifted from foot to foot. "It only makes sense. I may not have shown my gratitude for the entire time of the case, but your resilience and dedication to the case was quite something, Detective Wang. There's a way of telling when someone's actually committed the case, and then there are others who do it for the sake of doing it."

Yao nodded as he stuffed the cash in his pocket. "Thank you."

"Hmm, that's not all," Roderich held up a hand, and Yao's heart fluttered. "These."

He took a small envelope from his pocket and offered it to Yao. Hesitantly, he took it from his client's hand and glanced towards it. A Christmas present?

"Open it?" Roderich said, aloof and expectant at the same time somehow.

Yao tore open the thin paper and took out what looked like six tickets. "Aru?"

"Three of them are tickets to the end of year concert," Roderich explained. "For you and your team. The other three are invitations to the New Year's party otherwise. Dress code is black tie."

Yao's heart fluttered at the opportunity to network more than he'd ever been able to before.

"Roderich, I…" he blinked.

"Thank you so much," Yong Soo beamed. "We'd be more than happy to come."

"Good," their client smiled, seemingly relieved. "Just show your tickets to those at the door and you should be given straight access."

"We will," Yao nodded, hiding the tickets away once more and returning the tickets to his pocket.

"Thank you, Mr Wang," Roderich nodded towards him. "Excuse me, but I must speak with the officers now just to make sure that's the last of everything here."

"Of course," Yao nodded. "Goodbye, aru."

Roderich lifted a hand before shifting away through the snow towards the police squad crowed by the hotel's entrance. Yao and Yong returned to the Old Civic.

"Call Mei, would you?" Yao asked. "She needs to know we've already finished."

"I can't believe you didn't try to convince him to consider her," Mei gawked as they wandered into the Honda Ramen Bar. "It was evident she was still in love with him just based on her actions on Sunday."

"She cheated on him, aru," Yao rolled his eyes. "Besides, their relationship isn't any of our business. I'm not allowed to intervene with a client's personal life, aru. It's their decision, and they made it together."

"I guess so," they sat at the bar.

"Can I get you something?" Kiku offered, with a pleasant smile.

"The usual please," Yong Soo beamed.

Yao opened his mouth to protest, but then realised he himself was surprisingly hungry. "Same here."

The pair of them glanced at Mei.

"I snacked at the café," she admitted sheepishly.

"Green tea on the house for each of you," Kiku said quietly, eyes on Mei.

Yao watched a small smile reach her lips as Kiku turned away to start preparing their orders.

"That reminds me," Yao selected the five per cent of Yong and Mei's payment, and handed them each their money.

"Oh, thanks, Aniki," Yong didn't bat an eyelid as he took it.

"You were serious about the five per cent thing?" Mei blinked, tentatively reaching out, as if he would snatch it back as a joke.

"Of course," Yao insisted. "You worked on the case with me, right, aru? You deserve some of the earnings…"

Mei held her small percentage of the payment. He couldn't understand why something so minimal would mean so much to her. However, she smiled, warmed up, and instantly dropped the Elizabeta subject. Kiku served them each their green teas.

"Roderich invited us to this, by the way," Yao handed her the tickets. "It has a fancy dress code."

"Of course it does," she rolled her eyes, but her eyes were strangely thankful as she received the tickets from his hands. "It's an orchestral performance… followed by a party of the elites? You've outdone yourself, Mr Wang."

"That I have," he said proudly.

Kiku served up the ramen. "You'll have a good time."

"I'll give everyone else's payments to them in due time," Yao said. "Let them know the case is finished."

"Keeping with the bright note, what's everyone doing for Christmas?" Kiku asked, leaning against the bar and openly joining their conversation; he seemed a little less busy today.

"Aniki can spend it with my family," Yong Soo offered.

"That's very kind of you, aru, but I'll probably stay here, with Kiku and his family," Yao smiled politely but pointedly; he couldn't imagine anything worse than spending Christmas with Mrs Im.

"Not your family?" Mei asked.

"I haven't spoken to my parents in ages," he admitted awkwardly. "I don't think they'd appreciate me suddenly turning up and expecting normal Christmas celebrations with them. Nah; it's safer to just stay with Kiku, aru."

"It's what we normally do," Kiku shrugged.

"What are you doing, Mei?" Yong asked.

"Gilbert was funny," she chuckled. "He's moved in with his brother now, and he offered me to spend Christmas with them. He must think I'm completely alone. I'm visiting my parents and spending the next few days with them. It'll be nice. I haven't had a proper chance to see them, and it'll be nice to tell them everything that's happened."

Kasam suddenly bustled into the room from upstairs. "Yao? I thought I heard your voice."

"You need me?" he saw the startled expression on the young man's face.

"Mayor Jones needs you," Kasam explained. "He called and wanted to see you as soon as."

"Should probably get going," he slurped up the last of his ramen. "Oh, but, Kasam? When did he call?"

"Not long ago," Kasam admitted.

"Hmm, I should be fine, then," Yao finished the ramen. "Payment, Kasam. I saw Roderich today."

"Oh, Merry Christmas to you, as well," Kasam smiled as he received the money. "Now, go see Mayor Jones, before he forgets what he wanted to tell you."

"The pair of you should come," Yao stood. "This could be about the case."

"Naturally," Mei finished the last of her green tea.

The pair of them waited impatiently as Yong Soo wolfed down the remains of his ramen. Then, as their common trio, the three of them hurried from the Honda Ramen Bar. Mei claimed her seat in the front of the Old Civic, much to the disappointment of Yong, but there was no bickering today. Everyone was too focused on what Mayor Jones wanted.

His office building was central in the city, so not too far from the humble ramen bar. Yao parked the car relatively close to the door, and the three of them got out.

"Do I look OK?" Mei asked.

"Why does that matter?" Yao asked with a frown as they neared the door.

"I've heard the mayor is young, handsome and single," Mei said. "Why wouldn't it matter?"

"Harlot Mei strikes again," Yong Soo snickered.

"If it helps, you look just like your personality," Yao sighed, pushing open the door and mumbling: "Bitterly cold."

"What was that?" she asked, a little on the savage side. It would seem she anticipated him to say snarky things about her.

"A little windswept, but aren't we all, aru?" he called over his shoulder and approached the desk.

"Mr Wang, the Mayor has been expecting you," the secretary smiled. "I'll just call Mr Braginsky to bring you up."

"Right, aru," he motioned for the other two to sit down and joined them.

"I've never been here before," Mei said anxiously.

"It's fine," Yong Soo said, suddenly an expert despite only having been there once himself. "Mr Braginsky will just bring us to a room where they check for any weapons, and then we're allowed to see the Mayor."

"Who is Mr Braginsky?" she asked.

"That's Mr Braginsky," Yao interrupted quietly, before Yong Soo went on a tirade against the poor man. "He's Mayor Jones' PA."

Yao stood just as the harassed looking young man finally reached the desk. He was wearing his scarf, the one piece of clothing that never left him no matter what weather it was. Yao could only assume it was because the intense air conditioning of his office kept him relatively chilled, even on the hottest summer days. He was perfectly nice, and Mayor Jones' somewhat childish behaviour was constantly on check by this man alone. It was probably down to Ivan Braginsky that Mayor Jones kept his job…

He shook Yao's hand briefly. "Mayor Jones is waiting for you."

"Yes, aru," he always found him amusingly blunt.

"You haven't brought your gun with you this time, da?" Ivan asked as he approached the side room, where people were searched. "That was rather awkward to explain last time."

"Oh, right, sorry, aru," he pulled the firearm from his pocket and watched, out of the corner of his eye, the secretary pale.

Braginsky sighed, and gently took it. "I should permanently confiscate this the next time you do this."

Yao, once his gun was no longer in hand, wandered through the machine, followed by Yong Soo, and then Mei. Braginsky cast her a strange glance before hurrying them to the elevator. That was one thing about him that Yao would always find funny; he was eternally rushing around. They were packed into a spacious lift, and then freed at the top floor, where Mayor Jones resided.

The layout was as follows: a small corridor led to a small waiting room. Two offices were attached to the said waiting room, one being Mr Braginsky's where it was likely that he did all the unimportant paperwork on behalf of Mayor Jones, as well as sorting out meetings for the main man and dates and times. The other office belonged to Mayor Jones.

They reached the small waiting room. Mr Braginsky swiftly lifted some mail left before his door, glanced at it, then approached the door and knocked quietly on its surface.

"Come in," the Mayor called from inside.

Upon Braginsky's gesture, Yao pushed open the door and wandered inside, with Mei and Yong seconds behind him. Mayor Jones whirled around on his chair, a wide smile on his face. There was no surprise in his expression as he registered Mei, but he stood up, straightened his tie, and held a hand out towards her.

"New face," he commented. "Welcome to the Investigasians, it seems."

"Investigasians?" she cast a glance at Yao.

He shrugged, not wanting this conversation before the Mayor, and for once she released him of the discomfort, by shaking Jones' hand.

"Good to see you again, Yao – Yong," he nodded to each of them in turn. "Congratulations on Edelstein's case. That worked out well."

"Thanks, aru," Yao nodded, readying himself to leave.

"I, um… that's not really why I called you here," Jones' eyes held some kind of meaning.

The Target… Yao realised.

"Give us a moment, Mei?" he glanced at her.

"Huh?" she seemed momentarily confused.

"A moment, aru," he repeated firmly.

Her eyes darkened and she left the room with the faint dents of a scowl appearing on her face.

Mei wandered back into the waiting room. It was empty. She breathed out a sigh. There was nothing to do. She felt a little betrayed that Yao had suddenly abandoned her. She also felt a little hurt that there was something she couldn't listen in on. What could Mayor Jones possibly want to tell Yao that Yong could hear, but she couldn't?

"Hello?"

She turned and saw the young man from earlier wandering out of his room wearing a frown. A folder stuffed with crinkled papers was tucked under arm, and he also balanced a mug of tea in his hands as he fiddled with the door handle.

"Is something the matter?" he asked, gently closing his office door behind him.

"Oh, no – everything's fine," she assured him. "Happy Birthday, by the way."

"Huh?" he blinked.

"I saw the card earlier," she shrugged. "Sorry – I can be a bit nosy!"

A small smile reached his mouth. "Ah, no, it's fine…"

They stood in silence for a moment. It was a little uncomfortable.

"So, you're new with Yao, da?" he finally asked.

"Yes," she nodded. "Sort of. I help when I can. As much as I can."

"OK," he glanced out the window. "I'm sure they won't be long."

"I hope not," she said, wondering if she sounded rude.

"Hey, do you-" he began, but was brutally interrupted by Yao opening the door.

"We're done," he announced, then glanced between them.

"I'll show you out," Braginsky offered.

"No need," Yao waved a dismissive hand. "My gun, though?"

"Ah, yes," Braginsky pulled it out of his pocket and handed it over. "Goodbye, Mr Wang. Until next time. And have a good Christmas, da?"

That seemed directed to her. "Will do," she smiled as they left.

"Yes, indeed," Yao nodded, then steered both Mei and Yong from the waiting room.

Once they had walked a safe distance, he scrutinised Mei carefully. "Did we interrupt something?"

"No?"

"OK, then, aru."

On the drive back, and with Mei gone, Yao had plenty of time to contemplate what Mayor Jones had asked. Bring the Target in alive? He wasn't sure what that meant, but perhaps, at one point, the Mayor had expected to see the life of his adversary extinguished.

"Is everything OK, Aniki?" Yong Soo asked.

"Yeah, it's fine, Yong," he said. "Why?"

"Is it what Mayor Jones said?" he asked nervously.

"We can do it by the end of next year," Yao assured him. "I'm confident in that."

"I swear there's still a mark on my face."

Yao inspected her cheek carefully. After the blow of the rifle, there had been a malicious bruise that had appeared on the side of Mei's face. However, with enough foundation and time for the blemish to vanish, he couldn't see anything.

"There's nothing there," he insisted, Yong hanging awkwardly by his side. "No one will be looking at you anyway, aru."

"It's the after party I'm worried about," she pouted.

"Then believe me when I say there's nothing left," Yao checked his watch. "Come on, now, aru, otherwise we'll walk in late. We're at the front, so that would just be embarrassing, aru."

The three of them joined the milling streams of people and entered the musical theatre, which had been decorated in mellow whites and blues, pale wintery colours for the New Year. They seated themselves at the front once they had reached the doors, receiving glances from people who hadn't had the pleasure of meeting them yet. Yao wore his finest and only suit, and had styled his hair into a neat ponytail, opposed to the scruffy do he preferred. Mei had opted for a bold red dress, a brilliant set of red flowers adorning her hair. Even Yong had smoothed his hair and wore a suit, although his gangly, insect-like legs made him appear awkward.

Yao watched as Roderich appeared on stage. Silently, he bowed, then set the orchestra into motion. They sat through a perfectly wondrous performance. Yao felt the low notes of the brass instruments thrumming through his veins. It was a medley of music, all directed and probably written by Roderich. All very impressive. To finish, though, Roderich turned to the crowd.

"A last note from my father," he announced, seating himself at the piano, and playing out a melody that sang to Yao's ears.

It was truly beautiful and then- it just ended. You could tell, just from the abrupt finish, that that was not the end of the song, and yet the melancholy feeling of memory reached out to every individual seated in the musical theatre. Faces were awed as they stared upon Roderich, who took his finishing bow. Applause tumbled through the theatre, echoing around Yao's ears and filling the entire room with praise for the man who had lost his father around a month ago. There was a smile on his face, head upturned towards the lights that descended upon him, receiving the standing ovation his deserved. Yao got to his feet, still clapping, and other joined him.

Roderich Edelstein's eyes promised hope for the next year.

"I've never heard something so wonderful," Mei said later at the after party, a glass of champagne in hand. "He really played that last piece beautifully."

"It was written by Niklas," Yao explained.

"I thought that was what he meant by his father's 'last note'," she mused. "Beautiful, nevertheless. He played it to perfection."

"Cheers to Roderich Edelstein," Yong announced, raising his glass.

"Cheers," Yao and Mei followed him, and the three of them took a sip.

"It'll be starting soon," Francis and Germaine were passing by. "You can't miss them."

"Miss what, aru?" Yao frowned.

"The fireworks, of course," Francis chuckled. "Come on; you must see them; the New Year starts in about ten minutes."

Yao glanced at the other two, then followed Francis outside. It was still cold, and the wind was still strong, but the night sky was clear above their heads. Yong stood on one side of him, and Mei found his other side. Francis and Germaine were lost to the crowd, but Yao quite liked their vantage point, where the entire sky was set before them and not a single tree blotted the view.

"You did well, Detective," he glanced to his side and met Mei's gaze.

She raised the glass an inch, and they tapped the fine flutes to one another, before taking another sip – to his career, perhaps? Their reunion? The new year? It could've meant anything. As soon as their glasses touched, though, the first firework shot off into the sky, much to the crowd's delight, and exploded in a plethora of colours. The crowd gushed at the very sight of it, and then an abundance of bright gunpowder shot after the first.

Yao shared another glance with Mei, before Yong Soo shook his shoulder, pointing to individual fireworks. It was a great way to spend the New Year; amongst two of his closest friends.

He was also considerably richer than last year.

Until next time, Yao thought with a smile, eyes scanning the excessively rich, and wondering who would be his next client...