Author's note:
Chapter is a but short, but has its punchy bits. Really feels like we're entering the last third or so.
Chapter 45: The Disgraced Prosecutor
Tuesday, September 27th, 20XX Night
"Mrgh…" Letting out a stifled groan, Makoto started to blink awake. Her head was killing her. Caught between a state of wakefulness and sleep, her mind drifted between the two like a leaf caught on a soft breeze, never quite able to rise fully into the air.
"You're awake!"
The loud, sharp voice make the decisive push to bring Makoto awake. Her sister's voice the hurricane of force that sent the leaf flying. Blinking away the dregs of drowsiness, Makoto opened her eyes to a face hovering only a few centimeters above her own.
"Ahh!" Letting out a surprised scream, Makoto shoved at the figure as she recoiled.
"Hey!" This time, Makoto recognized the startled voice.
Sitting up, Makoto glared at her sister. "What are you doing all of a sudden?"
"What am I doing? What are you doing?" Sae demanded as she surged to her feet. Silver hair flung out in a loose wave around her head. "All of a sudden some of your friends show up, carrying your limp body, giving vague answers about what happened!"
"Ah, I see…" Makoto could not know why they had brought her home today and not last time, but now that her sister had seen her in that state, she would have to get herself out.
Just as Makoto's thoughts reached this point, and the distaste of having to lie, Sae's features distorted. "It's because of me, isn't it? I've neglected you to the point that now you're breaking down…"
Makoto could not deny that their fraying relationship had put strain on her. Not to the point of passing out, however.
As Makoto was unable to hide her expression, Sae wilted further. "I don't know what has been wrong with me recently. Focussing on cases, gambling on them… I should have known better. I finally lost and have been kicked from the casino we call the justice system."
!? Jerking to attention, Makoto stared seriously at her sister. "What do you mean you got kicked out? What happened!?"
"Hmm… I'll tell you. You deserve to know. However, I want you to tell me what you have been up to. The truth."
Makoto had been trapped. Nodding, she accepted the deal. Pulling up her legs to clear room on the couch, she sat huddled in on herself.
Taking the silent offer, Sae joined Makoto on the couch, matching her posture. Now staring at each other, Sae began to speak, slowly revealing the mystery behind the events she had been attempting to orchestrate.
"Remember how I told you about the slander case? How I was persecuting them, attempting to get the maximum sentence for the employee?"
"Yes?" Makoto frowned uncomfortably. It was not exactly a happy memory.
"Well… something… happened. I'm not sure what, but the higher-ups changed their mind. Turned out the employee was more important than me and so…"
"So?"
Sae shrugged. "So I'm on the way out. Verbally humiliated in front of the judge as everything went wrong. I have been placed on leave."
"You have been…?" Makoto's head was whirling. The developments made no sense to her.
Sae chuckled at her bewildered expression. Reaching out a hand, Sae placed it comfortingly against Makoto's knee. "Don't stress about it. I think the break will be good for me. I have been re-evaluating my principles… What is the point of getting to the top if you tread upon the lives of others to get there? It sounds so obvious to say now… where did I go wrong?"
Freezing momentarily, Makoto shook off the feeling and quickly grabbed Sae's hand that was starting to slide off her knee. Holding it tight in her hands, Makoto stared her sister in the eyes. "It isn't too late! You can still be a force for good!"
"Thank you," Reaching forward with her other hand, Sae stroked Makoto's hands. "You've always been a good girl. It's an honour to be your sister. I'm only sorry I could not set a better example."
Starting to tear up, Makoto shook her head swiftly. "You've done great sis. Ever since dad… Ever since dad died, you took care of me. I know I was a burden on your life and—"
"Don't say that!" Sae cut her off, somewhat roughly. Wincing at the tone in her voice, she continued in a more subdued manner. "Again, sorry. I never should have let you feel that way. Just another failure on my part."
Makoto opened her mouth to argue but seeing the hard look in her sister's eyes, gave up. This would be one topic they would never agree on. "Well, I guess you have a lot of free time on your hands now. What are you going to do?"
Sae smiled slyly, "not so fast girlie. Don't forget your side of the bargain."
"Ah, right…" The good mood and warmth in Makoto's chest collapsed into a ball of ice. The whiplash giving her a bout of nausea.
Seeing the sickness, Sae leaned forward. "Was it really that bad?"
"I… I…" Can I trust her? Makoto thought on that for only a second. Sorry Ren. Apologizing to her absent leader, she told the truth. "I ended up passing out trying to change your heart."
"Change… my heart?" Sae spoke slowly. Her expression growing more and more guarded with each odd action Makoto performed.
"Yes." Makoto nodded. "I'm a member of the phantom thieves. Part of your change in attitude is directly related to our interference in your heart."
"…You're lying. I never received a calling card."
"I did not need one." Makoto replied. "I got through to you with my fists."
Sae's head lowered; her hands being removed from Makoto's as she collapsed in on herself. With head hidden, her muffled voice sounded. "I don't know how to deal with this."
Standing up, Makoto gave her sister a hug. "Think about it, will you? I can take tomorrow off of school and we will talk again then."
"…Okay," Sae let out another laugh. "Now I really feel like the younger sister."
Unable to resist, Makoto rubbed Sae's head. "It's not bad to be spoiled once in awhile, huh?"
"Ah, I finally get to relax… Truly, thank you, Makoto."
Giving her sister one more tight hug, Makoto went to get ready for bed. For the first time in years, Makoto was able to go to sleep with no worries.
Wednesday, September 28th, 20XX Morning
The picture of death, Haru pulled herself from bed. She had been extremely late getting home after dropping Makoto off. On her way to bed, Haru had gotten curious and checked her brand-new business email account.
Even now, waking up the next morning, she was hoping that it was simply a nightmare. After all, there was no way she received nearly two hundred emails in a single day, right? Those were numbers that adults made up to scare people.
Peeling herself out of bed, Haru glanced at her phone and let out a groan at the time. It was a quarter to eight. She'd completely slept in. "I didn't even fight in the metaverse."
Despite her complaints, Haru pulled herself to her feet and began to get ready in record time. With only a quick body shower, Haru did blitz out a small layer of make-up before putting on the pencil skirt and suit from before. Haru would have to expand her wardrobe quickly of CEO worthy clothes.
In part to her speed, it was only eight when Haru was barging from her room. On the verge of heading downstairs and leaving in the car that would be waiting for her, Haru paused. Looking toward her father's room, Haru made a beeline for it.
"Why bother… he's just going to be—"
Cutting herself off as she walked in, Haru gaped at the man that had raised her. Sitting on the floor, Kunikazu had a large part of the spacious area covered in small pieces of plastic.
"W-What is this?"
Reacting to her voice for once, Kunikazu looked up, a dopey smile on his face. The eyes were still unfocused with that glazed, stupid look that Haru had come to expect. However, it was not the exact same. Deep inside, there was a small light. A rekindled fire that Haru had put out.
"A… model."
Haru gasped at hearing his voice again. He had been completely silent since the change. Looking at the box splayed on the table, Haru thought she understood. It was the spaceship. The same one that he could not buy as a young boy.
Somehow, it was here again, and her father was responding to it. What Haru had been unable to, a box of plastic pieces had managed.
Shoulders shaking, Haru wiped away a tear from her eye. "Have fun building it, dad. I'll keep your company safe while you get better, okay?"
"…" Staring at her with a wide gaze, Kunikazu turned back to the model and with inept hands began attempting to click pieces together. It was impossible to tell if he was making progress, but time would tell.
"Boys and their toys, eh? Surprised even me."
Whirling, Haru found a face that she thought she had seen from the last time. "Mariko!" Jumping forward, Haru enfolded the older woman in a hug.
"Oh, come now, that's not very CEO-like of you."
"I don't care. Are you the one…?"
"Of course. Its an old trick. If you want to distract or please a man, give them a toy. The only trick is knowing what toy to give to what man. Thankfully, I know your father."
"Mariko…" Haru sniffled on the verge of tears.
"Now, now, none of that." Mariko berated her gently. "I was told that you're a CEO now. Do you know what you've signed up for?"
"I… I'm not sure but I'm going to do it."
"If your heart is set on that, then go and succeed, I'll take care of your father."
Dabbing away her tears, Haru nodded, accepting the informal deal. "Thank you, Mariko. I know you have your own things in Sapporo. I'll make sure you are fairly compensated for your time here."
The older woman chuckled at that, running a caring hand along Haru's cheek. "I was the coward who fled the first time. Simply getting the chance to help now and redeem myself is all I can ask for."
"…If you say so." Accepting the good deed, Haru turned back for a final look at her father. "How did you do this? He had his desires stolen by the phantom thieves. How did you manage to get him to do this?"
"Well, that is what I heard…" Mariko shrugged. "But they stole his past desires, right? No reason we can't develop, or rediscover, new desires."
It was so simple that Haru almost collapsed in shock. "You're a genius, Mariko! Or maybe, I'm just an idiot. Either way… thank you so much."
"You are very welcome. Now, go get them, tiger."
Sharing another smile and quick hug, Haru left the house reinvigorated. Her second full day as CEO was about to begin.
Wednesday, September 28th, 20XX Morning
The school morning was nearly identical to every other. Failing to get a seat on the crowded train, Ren stood shoulder to shoulder with the other students, business men, and even a tourist or two.
Morgana was grumbling from the bag, head mercifully hidden from sight. He had been called out too many times to continue sticking his head out. Every day, Ren could sense Morgana's building irritation with his cat body. Being almost fully at the mercy of his human keepers with no autonomy must be hard. Yet, he still ignored Ren's prompting to remain at home and continued to come to school with either him or Ann, before her parents had come back to Japan.
Continuing to get squeezed, Ren briefly closed his eyes as the train pulled to a stop. It wouldn't be too much longer at this point. Two more stops and then the walk from Aoyoma-itchome. With no delays, Ren would arrive about five minutes before homeroom.
"Ahh."
Hearing a small sound, Ren opened his eyes. He was standing face-to-face with a beautiful girl about his age. One that Ren knew—or had known at least—extremely well. "Sumire…"
It was unavoidable that the two of them going to the same school would never cross paths. What was unprecedented was that they would get trapped together in a cramped space where they could not even talk.
People filled in the gaps around them, the doors closed, and the train departed. Still wearing a shocked expression mirroring his own, Sumire had been trapped here. Ren was not sure if he was blessed or cursed. On one hand, it was hard to argue that getting to stare unabashedly at her for the next six minutes was a bad thing, on the other, he had been so much closer to her previously.
The difference in their relationship was almost physically painful. It was why he had practically fled from her at the venue. Seeing her standing there, resplendent in her outfit, skin shining with sweat and a smile brighter than the sun had simply been too much for Ren. Remembering that lone message from Kasumi that had never been followed up on, Ren broke societal conventions and spoke.
"Did I… upset you?" Even at a near whisper, he drew looks.
Sumire as well looked even more surprised at getting addressed while the packed train was moving. Then, without even so much as a shake of her head, she pulled out her phone and stared into the screen.
Having been completely ignored, Ren sighed, grabbing at his own. At least doomscrolling would provide a momentary distraction from… Bzzt!
It vibrated sharply in his hand, a new message received. Taking a glance in disbelief at a Sumire that was not reacting, Ren stared at the message. It was indeed from her.
No, it was my fault for being hasty. My apologies for worrying you.
Eyes flitting between his screen and Sumire, Ren wrote back a quick reply. He could feel Morgana shifting in his bag, but that was unimportant right now. I wasn't worried… I just wanted to make sure you're okay.
Watching Sumire's face as he sent the message, Ren studied her for any minor reaction. What he got was far from minor. Sumire smiled at the message, glancing up at him. As the train slammed to a stop before their location, Ren caught himself with the strap. Sumire, however, was using both of her hands to hold her phone.
A small flash of fear crossed her face as she stumbled backwards into another group which repelled her, sending her stumbling into Ren. As her face hit his chest, Ren wrapped his left arm around her, holding her against him.
"S-Senpai!?"
"Stay," Ren whispered into her hair. "Please."
The fervent words that had risen up from his core had such a raw truth to them that he could not even feel embarrassment. Ren was not even scared of her pulling away. For how could one worry about the sun going out?
She stiffened against him, her bag awkwardly pressing against his arm. As the crowds pressed in and out, driving the two of them against the wall, they were also obscured from all observers. Alone in a sea.
"Please stop tempting me, Senpai, I know I'm not worthy yet. I still have to—"
"Shhh…" Ren implored her. "I know. Just for now." It was an illogical statement, but he would have said anything to keep her there. The desperate longing in his chest for their old relationship was starting to overwhelm him.
"Urgh…" making a few sounds, Sumire shuffled her head back and forth, but did not pull away. Her warm breath could be felt through his shirt. "You're so cruel, Senpai…"
Cruel. Ren rejected the epithet. "And from my point of view, it is you who is the cruel one. Is this really so wrong? Do you really hate it so much?"
Sumire started shaking in his arms. With her forehead tight against his chest, he could not see her expression. Ignoring the large physical reaction, Ren felt a small bud of hope begin to blossom again. She wanted this. Of that he was certain.
As the train began moving again, she looked up at him, glasses pushed back against her head, eyes watery with complex emotions. Her mouth was performing acrobatics as Sumire was distorted with indecision.
"I love you."
Ren froze under the direct words, mouth gaping slightly. Even in the midst of the crowded train, weird gazes from onlookers, they were the best words that he had ever heard. An explosion of warmth coating his body as the sun went supernova, dyeing his life a ruby light.
"T-Then…"
"But I have to do this. You said you understood! Please don't… please don't wear away at my inhibition. I-I know if you force me I will accept but…"
Ren covered her mouth with a finger. "Just hearing that is enough for now."
Then, with a sly smile, Ren pulled her tighter, leaning his mouth down to her ear, he whispered for her hearing alone. "I'm going to revise your previous offer, however. I give you until the end of December, actually Christmas, to complete your objective. At that point I will be taking you."
"Ehh!? Senpai!?"
At that moment, the train came to its stop at Aoyoma-itchome. Giving Sumire a final wink, he exited the train with the crowd, leaving her stunned form behind to fend for herself. As the rush of emotions began to fade, Ren thought while walking through the rush. "That was definitely sexual assault…"
As Ren grappled with his out-of-character actions and the surge of emotions that Sumire had drawn from him, as well as her own confessions, Morgana stuck his head of the bag. "Hey, did something happen on the train? I thought I heard Sumire's voice for a moment there."
"Hmm, must have been the wind," Ren replied breezily, voice hoarse as he pushed his glasses up.
"Is that so…?"
Having mollified Morgana, Ren looked ahead at the slowly emerging school, wishing his future was even a fraction as clear.
Wednesday, September 28th, 20XX Noon
Sae jerked out of reverie. She had just spent… how long? Staring into her kitchen. Having absolutely nothing to do now, Sae had collapsed mentally, struggling to generate a desire for everything.
"Maybe Makoto did steal my desires…" Shaking her head, Sae still did not fully believe that her younger sister—always dorky and straightforward—could be a member of the world-renowned thieves utilizing a power that no one understood.
Forcing herself to her feet, Sae started on the dishes. Rolling up her fluffy nightgown sleeves, she waited for the water to heat up so she could start at yesterday's supper and today's breakfast. She had struggled to fall asleep and had woken up to Makoto shaking her, saying that breakfast was ready.
Being so slow, Makoto had been forced to run off before Sae had finished eating to make afternoon classes, but that was fine. As she scrubbed at the first pan, Sae shook her head at her own stupidity. "I lose one job and I'm acting like my life is over…"
Having given herself all night and morning to wallow in some strange mixture of self-pity and world-altering confusion, Sae cast her thoughts to the future. First, Makoto had mentioned that there was something else that she had to talk to her about when she got home from school. Having that to consider, Sae also could not let her suspension stand indefinitely. She either needed to convince the SIU director to reinstate her or find a new position. While her job paid well, the apartment they lived in was a spacious two-bedroom with a full kitchen and living room. In one of the most expensive parts of Tokyo, it drained a large amount of the cash that Sae brought in every month.
"On leave I still collect half salary however…" If she dipped into savings, then livings expenses were not a serious problem in the short term. Plus, if Makoto picked up a part-time job… Dismissing that thought, Sae knew that she would need to solve this by herself. Part-time jobs were the fastest way to kill academic potential and stop a young mind from thriving.
The number of dishes were insufficient to satiate Sae's thinking requirements. Putting the last plate to dry, Sae drained the sink and dried her hands. Moving on from that, Sae set about to the cleaning that had been solely Makoto's responsibility for too long. As expected from a rushed high school girl, however, most of the apartment was only surface level clean. The rarely used TV covered in dust, carpet beneath a coffee table never vacuumed.
Smirking, Sae got out the duster and set to work on a thorough cleaning of her apartment. Humming softly to herself, Sae's mind was still doing what it did best. Analyzing, compartmentalizing, and sorting through information. Despite having practiced those skills which had make her an effective prosecutor, Sae was constantly hitting a snag and the exact same point.
Why had the SIU director acted the way he did? He had been the one to instruct Sae to send a message by pursuing maximum sentence. For a while now, the SIU director had been growing more irate and prone to making emotional decisions. This leave was merely the latest of those.
His exact words had been: Sorry, but we need the help of Ms. Nakano more than you right now. Go relax, find a husband.
Which of course led Sae to the other obstacle that she would need to research, how could the random office worker be more important than she is? And helpful to who? Without Sae at the prosecutor's office the SIU would have to hire someone else to replace the work that Sae does.
A sharp rap at the door brought Sae out of her routine cleaning and reverie. Placing the duster down with a sigh, she strode to the front door in her slippers. On the verge of throwing it open, Sae paused. Did the director…
Peering through the peep hole, Sae caught sight of a middle-aged man with black hair pulled back in a ponytail and a scraggily goatee. Sae had never seen the man before in her life. Something about his bearing and the way his eyes were constantly scanning the hallway indicated that this was not a normal neighbour.
Keeping the chain in place, Sae cracked the door just a fraction, getting a better view of the man visiting her.
"Ms. Nijima, I assume," he greeted her without a single indication of the show of distrust.
"I am. And why are you looking for me?"
The guarded response got a sardonic smile from the man. "I wanted to ask you for a favour. I was initially told that you were on the trail of the phantom thieves before being put on leave. I was hoping that we could work together and—"
"And I am on leave, goodbye." As she shut the door forcefully, the man's expression morphed into one of horror.
"N-No, you can't do that! You're my last hope!"
As the last word was pathetically cut off, Sae rubbed her forehead. Deciding the man posed no immediate threat, she cracked the door a sliver, talking through a crack barely wide enough to let any light stream through. "What do you mean?"
"It's hard to explain. Let's just say I need to talk to the phantom thieves."
"Talk?" Sae questioned, ready to slam the door shut. "You sound like a yakuza assassin. Do you bear them a grudge?"
"I meant it literally," he replied with a hint of exasperation in his voice. "The story is long and hard to tell through a door. Why don't we go for coffee and I can—"
"Try now," Sae demanded. She was still on high alert. With every word, he seemed less and less threatening, but the intricacies of the elite could be confusing before you saw the trap closing around you.
"Argh, damn it! Fine! My wife was killed in a hit-and-run by the former politician Owada Jun. The phantom thieves killed him, bringing his guilt to light. I need to know what they are, villians or heroes."
Sae was silent, absorbing the tirade of words. Of course, she knew all about what had happened with Owada. Although his daughters were a bit of a mystery, his will clearly laid out his regret for the hit-and-run in question. But would the victim of that crime really come all the way to Tokyo to try and find the phantom thieves?
"I think you know the answer," she eventually replied in a whisper. "They are both and neither at the same time. Or maybe it would be fairer to say: they are what society decides they are."
Oh, Makoto…
Continuing, Sae prepared herself to shut the door once more. "That is all you are likely to ever find. I hope you have gotten some closure."
As Sae closed the door, a force stopped her. Freezing with bulged eyes, she was knocked back as the man shoved the door to the limit of the chain, peeping an eye around to look at her. "You know that isn't good enough! Please, I can tell by the way you think that you know these phantom thieves well!"
Sae's shock faded as she assumed a defensive aikido stance. Glaring at him, she spoke coldly. "I may be on leave, but I am still a prosecutor. Are you sure you want to be causing a scene at my house of all places?"
"What? Oh, sorry. Please Ms. Nijima. If you help me I can try to get you a new job. My name is Hasegawa Zenkichi, I'm a police inspector from Kyoto prefecture."
Relaxing a little, Sae stalked forward a step and took the badge that was proffered. Holding it up to the light and scratching it, Sae found no issue with it. Either it was a professional level counterfeit, or the badge was legit.
Giving it back, Sae tried to take stock of the information. From what Makoto had said, Sae now knew pretty much exactly who the thieves were. The leader was almost without a doubt that strange transfer student that had an altercation with Kamoshida.
If the crimes hadn't had such a layer of mystique about them, Sae thought she would have found the culprits ages ago. It was just inconceivable that high school students could have done these crimes. However, there was no way that Sae could let this potentially angry police inspector get his hands on Makoto.
"Give me five minutes. Then we will go get that coffee."
Wednesday, September 28th, 20XX After school
Tapping her foot, Kasumi stared at her prey, unable to make a make a move. While her mind screamed at her to approach, her legs did not move.
If Akechi is right…
Kasumi felt sick. Gymnastics had never been further from Kasumi's mind. She liked Ren. She wanted him to be the good boy that she knew and bantered with. The one she had tried to help with his delinquency problem, courtesy of Kamoshida.
No, she couldn't even… "The puzzle!"
Smiling, Kasumi abandoned her position on the second floor, looking out at the school gates. Rushing down and out, she caught up to Ren, walking by himself a little way beyond the school grounds. Sliding into lockstep beside him, Kasumi gave him a cursory greeting.
"Hey. How'd that whole casino thing work out?"
"I thought you knew? It eventually worked. Ran into some rather serious problems but—"
When he finally looked at her, Kasumi thought his brain shut down. It was hard, but she managed to smirk, "wrong sister?"
"H-Huh? W-Well honestly I think at this point you talking to me is more likely than Sumire. M-My apologies."
Counting them off on her fingers, Kasumi stuck the three digits in his face. "Good job, only three stutters! Far below the number I'd have guessed from your expression."
That got one of Ren's characteristic snorts of disbelief that she often elicited. However, his usually flat eyes were now swarming with emotion even as his face returned to neutral. It was clear that the incredible shock she had given him was quickly fading.
"T-That… I mean, that is hardly fair. It happens when you scare someone."
"Mhmm, so why are you talking about this casino like it's a real place? I hope I didn't help you do some underaged gambling."
"Ah, no. That was just a puzzle as I mentioned." Coughing, Ren changed the topic. "How are you and Sumire doing? I know things were rough for awhile there."
"Not good. She says that she wishes she didn't have a sister. I can't help but wonder if someone is influencing her."
Kasumi's razor-sharp words got a strong reaction from the boy who thought that things had transitioned to a safer topic. "Sumire would never say that!"
"Agreed," Kasumi spoke while staring directly at Ren. The boy struggling to meet her gaze. "So why did she?"
"I-I don't know. When I… I'm sorry Kasumi. Things are worse between you because of me, aren't they?"
He sounds so genuine…
Despite some of his suspicious behaviours, in the face of all of the evidence Akechi had laid out for her, Kasumi wanted to trust Ren. There was a genuine care in his voice. Kasumi decided to give it one more try.
"Not you, I think. Probably the phantom thieves."
Another blink of surprise. His emotions were running wild today for some reason. Kasumi had gotten lucky.
"Why would you say that?"
Kasumi gave him a fake, shocked expression. "Oh, I forgot you are a fan as well. Actually… weren't you the one that turned her into a 'phan'?"
"No, what are you talking about, Kasumi? The phantom thieves are just trying to improve society."
"Improve society? By leaving one man dead and another, 'indisposed' was it? They're no different than the culprits behind the mental shutdowns if you ask me."
"That's not true!"
Kasumi stumbled away as the somewhat crowded street craned their heads in interest at the scene. Many looking on in disbelief that a Japanese schoolkid would create such a ruckus.
Akechi really could be right… Kasumi saw none of the boy that she had set her sister up in that expression. It was twisted with anger and discontent.
"Things are just… confusing right now."
There was no subject. Kasumi waffled back and forth. Two possible meanings. But what if both were the same. For Ren or for the phantom thieves? With her suspicions more or less confirmed, Kasumi stuck up a hand. "Well, I have practice to get to."
She gave no word of farewell and got none in return.
"This is going to hurt you my sister…" Taking one last glance back through the packed street, Kasumi only caught a glimpse of that black hair, already walking further away. "I guess it's good that you hate me already."
Wednesday, September 28th, 20XX Evening
Holding the door for her sister, Makoto entered the restaurant. There was nothing special about it. It was western style, with booths spread around designed for families or groups of friends. At one in the back corner sat two exotic girls that would pass as tourists to someone who didn't know better.
With a wave of her hand, Makoto guided an oddly pensive Sae to the back table. "Here she is, my sister the prosecutor, Sae. Sae, this is Lily and Orchid. Or umm, Suzuran and Ran."
"Two of the Owada daughters…" Sae mumbled staring at them thoroughly. "What I wouldn't have given to have talked to you even a week ago."
"Oh? Didn't get enough from our sister when you had her?" Orchid demanded, going on the offensive with vitriol thick in her voice.
Pausing halfway sitting down, Makoto glanced fearfully between the girl and Sae. As expected of her, Sae maintained her composure, only raising a questioning eyebrow. "Do you always greet people that you have asked for help this way?"
"Come on, Sis. Makoto changed her heart. She's a good person now."
Makoto winced at Lily's words. Sliding awkwardly into the booth, she avoided looking at her sister again.
Sae's next words were directed to the sisters. "The two of you are also aware of my sister's… activities."
"Yeah, we met the thieves." Orchid confirmed with a nod. "They said they were trying to get someone to help our sister… and now here you are."
"Here I am." Sae agreed. "However, what my sister has told me, and your own accusations make no sense to me. What do you mean your sister was arrested?"
"The last time we saw her in person, she was being driven off in a police car." Orchid growled. "Now you tell me she was never arrested?"
Sae lowered her eyes, thinking. "It couldn't be… The lower cells? An off-the-book arrest?"
Makoto wanted to speak up, to give voice to the myriad of emotions rushing through her, but could not find any. Meeting Lily's eyes diagonally over the table, it seemed that the girl was having similar issues.
Sae's head jerked up sharply. "When the search for you was going on, did anything strange happen? Did the police show up to a place that they wouldn't have known about unless your sister told them?"
"Yes." Orchid growled. Even as she was talking, Makoto remembered the tale. Orchid's retelling refreshing her memory. "There was a bar we planned to reconvene at if anything happened. About six hours after Rose was taken the police barged in and we barely escaped. …Not just that they arrived, the man… he smiled with the disgusting air that the worst of men do. That predatory one that makes you feel inhuman. It wasn't just that though, with that one expression he told us that he had done something to Rose. Hurt her in some way…"
With Lily nodding rapidly, Sae's eyes closed. Makoto had only seen such a pained expression on her sister's face before; the day they heard of their Father's death.
With that same pained expression, Sae spoke. "And this was back when the first missing posters of you went up?"
The confirmation only deepened Sae's sorrow. Makoto was compelled to stick out a hand and touch her sister's shoulder. "What aren't you telling us."
"You don't want to know," Sae whispered voice hoarse. "The cells in the deep… Not even the faintest echoes of the screams can be heard outside."
Both of the sister's faces had briefly gone pale. After sharing a knowing look, they rejoined the table. "Umm, actually, the Thursday before last… we got a call from Rose. She didn't say much and hung up almost immediately."
"Impossible." Sae responded immediately, "unless… No, there are too many options."
"So you can't help us," Orchid concluded. "You have no idea where our sister is."
Sae looked ready but eventually nodded. "I'm on leave currently, so I have no access to records, and everyone will be suspicious to be. If only I had inspector level…"
"…Yes?" Makoto pressed when Sae trailed off.
"I know a man," Sae said slowly. Turning to look straight into Makoto's eyes, she knew it would not be good. "He'll want to meet the phantom thieves in return though."
"I…" Unable to meet her sister's eyes, she looked across the table to the Owada girls. Makoto instantly regrated it as they wore expectant smiles, waiting for her immediate acceptance. "Is he dangerous?"
The deflection was safe enough as Sae hesitated. "Potentially. He is the husband of the woman that Owada Jun murdered. If you had simply changed Owada's heart, I am sure that he would be your ally. As is…"
"He is lacking closure," Lily murmured, wringing her hands. "That is something I understand well now."
Feeling boxed in on all sides, Makoto lowered her head. "I'll need… I'll need to talk Ren. This is a big risk."
"I think that's the correct choice," Sae said, laying a hand on Makoto's shoulder. "Girls, please understand. I will do my best to enlist this man's help another way."
"We understand," Orchid spoke up, her voice far gentler than Makoto thought her own would be in that scenario. "Please let us know immediately if there is any help that we can render. No matter what the man wants from us, we offer it freely. …And Makoto, please raise your head. We do not expect you all to take such a risk. No one of any moral standing could gamble away their friends with no hesitation and without consulting them."
"Orchid…" Makoto felt the age difference between herself and the women at the table. I'm still a child… Straightening her back, Makoto tried to face them with some dignity. "We have a responsibility for what happened to your sister as well. Don't think that we will back out of this. Somehow, we will convince this police inspector and find your sister."
"Ahh, I know you will."
Determination rekindled; Makoto enjoyed a pleasant evening as the topic shifted to less serious matters.