Heart of Justice Chapter 25
5/26
Kyoko had sat quietly in class that morning as Miss Kawakami went on her lecture. The teacher, she could tell, looked even more worn out and disheveled then before, despite her attempts to hide it by leaning against the desk. By the young detective's observation, she was running on pure caffeine, now. It may have had little to do with her, but Kyoko couldn't help but feel a small amount of concern, wondering what exactly was going on in the woman's life.
"...By the way," Kawakami explained, stopping her lecture. "...Sometimes I see people writing exactly the same thing on their essays..." she stifled a yawn. "Don't think you can just copy stuff off a website and thing I won't know, got it? Stealing someone's ideas and passing them as your own is plagiarism, it's as much of a crime as anything else..."
Kyoko closed her eyes a moment, smiling a little at the memory of defeating Madarame. With any luck, his crimes would be known to the entire country, soon.
"You'd be amazed though, what some can get away with these days," Kawakami continued. "Those in high positions can hide their crimes, but sometimes there are those who stumble upon, or happen to have something that can expose their crimes, and bring the truth to light in a way that could potentially destroy them, such as the short story "A Scandal in Bohemia". Kirigiri, can you tell me who wrote this story?"
Kyoko folded her arms. Of course she'd know this one. "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle," she replied.
"Very good, Kirigiri. It's a story about the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and an opera singer named Irene Adler, who had a photo as leverage expose a great scandal of a Duke's past affair with her that would ruin a potential marriage. She was even able to outwit Holmes himself when he pursued her, resulting in him gaining a respect for her as a worthy opponent," Kawakami explained. "Though she was only in one story, she is still quite well-known and was adapted in a number of different ways in modern takes, sometimes as a thief or romantic interest, despite it not being the original character's nature. Interesting how much characters can change over time that people sometimes don't know how they began."
Kyoko couldn't help but resonate with that a little. She was once so sure of everything, from her path in life, her future, and her goals. Now, everything had changed, and the fact now she was no longer in the role of the law but rather the outlaw because of corruption that seemed to be very high up the ladder.
"Still, in other stories, while she did not appear, Holmes would often recall her, possibly as someone who equaled his own cleverness. Perhaps the greatest detectives are partially defined by those they must match wits with," Kawakami mused.
Kyoko recalled having had gone against formidable criminals over the years in her cases, admittedly, but had yet to face any that had managed to persist against her. The thought she herself could become that to the law as the Phantom Thieves became more well-known suddenly crossed her mind. Madarame was much more relevant then Kamoshida had been, it may have only been a matter of time before the law noticed a pattern.
Lunchtime had come, and Kyoko had decided to visit the vending machines outside to get herself a drink. Morgana had elected to stay inside her desk in the classroom, Ann having stayed behind as well to keep an eye on him on the promise Kyoko returned with a drink for her as well. She paused when she noticed Ryuji by the machines, looking eagerly at a bright pink flier in his hand.
"Hey, what's that you got?" Mishima asked, suddenly, coming over before Kyoko could make her presence known."
"Eh, this was just stuffed in my mailbox at home. My mom didn't see it, but... man!"
"Is that some kinda..." Mishima asked, looking at the flier.
Ryuji laughed. "It is! A housekeeping service where a cute maid will do anything for you!" he asked the smaller boy excitedly.
"Like... anything?" Mishima asked, wide-eyed.
"C'mon, you're a guy, you know what they mean!" Ryuji said with a laugh. "Was thinkin' of checkin' it out!
"...In that case, I want in on this!" Mishima said with an eager smirk. "Y-you know, for research purposes!"
"Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" Ryuji replied. "...What kinda "research" did ya have in mind?"
"Nothing bad!" Mishima insisted. "Like, I wanna know what they mean by "anything", and moreso if the maids look exactly like they're advertised! We gotta determine whether or not this company's legit on what it offers for housekeeping services!"
"Don'cha worry! I'm sure we'll find out if we just ask," Ryuji said.
"Yeah, but... won't your mom notice?" Mishima replied.
"Eh, I got that covered! Some guy on my floor just moved out, so there's a vacant apartment in my complex!" Ryuji explained. "They key is behind the mailbox so we can get in anytime, and the landlord doesn't give a shit, either. We hire the maid, have her show us what services she offers, pay her, she leaves, no one's the wiser!"
"So what do we call this? I mean, if we're watching her, then maybe... Operation Maidwatch?" Mishima offered.
"Nice! I like it! I'll make the call after school, we'll meet up at 6, I'll direct ya there, sound good?"
"Works for me, I'll seeya then!" Mishima said, looking very enthusiastic and by Kyoko's assertion, probably already having some interesting fantasies playing out in his head.
Ryuji meanwhile turned and walked in Kyoko's direction, eagerly peering at the flier as he stuffed it into his pocket before nearly running into her. "Oh... uh, hey, Kyoko what's up?"
"Getting a drink," Kyoko replied, "What about you?"
"Heh, gettin' one, too!" Ryuji said, holding up the canned soda he'd bought rather quickly, a nervous twitch fighting his grin as though he were considering both the possibility Kyoko had overheard him and would not approve.
"Doing anything tonight?" Kyoko asked. "I thought maybe you'd like to do more training."
"Sorry, kinda got my night booked, already!" Ryuji said, forcing a smile. "How 'bout tomorrow or somethin'?"
Kyoko considered Ryuji her friend, as hairbrained as this idea was and she did not want to see him risk expulsion. She entertained the thought of busting him here and now, but suspected he'd still go ahead with his plan regardless. Perhaps the better option would be to bust him later at the meetup and talk him out of it, then.
"...I suppose that would work," she said. "Just stay out of trouble until we hear about the change of heart."
With that, Kyoko continued her way to the vending machines to grab her drink. Putting money in the machine and selecting her beverage, Kyoko took the drink out and cracked it open, letting out a sigh as she spoke.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Makoto Niijima let out a slight shudder as she came out from around the corner. "Nothing, I was... just deciding to get something to drink is all," she said.
"Is that so?" Kyoko asked, turning to face the older girl as she took a sip of her drink.
"I couldn't help but notice you've been laying low lately, what's with the change?" Makoto asked.
"I've been the same as always, maybe you're just paranoid from the rumors about me?" Kyoko asked, her gaze gaining a hint of intensity as she took another sip. "Perhaps your fixation on me has been making you imagine things, though I'm curious as to why that is, exactly."
Makoto scowled a little, folding her arms and not letting herself be intimidated. "...Nothing in particular, but with the school dealing with unwanted attention and all, it'd be nice of the culprit came forward, soon. Wouldn't something like that take your interest?"
Kyoko closed her eyes. "Not particularly. My license is suspended for the time being. I couldn't do a formal investigation if I wanted. Besides, who would want someone with a criminal charge on her record handling such a matter?" she asked, her tone making it clear she was being rhetoric.
"...And meanwhile I get tasked with the police's job instead!" Makoto hissed, visibly more annoyed. "I wish he'd considered my feelings before asking this of me. The sooner I get this dealt with, the sooner my own life can get back to normal. Think about that..."
Kyoko watched as the brunette left, taking a moment to finishing her drink before turning to leave, before turning back remembering what she'd promised Ann.
Tailing Mishima had been easy enough. The boy's eyes tended to be firmly rooted to the ground or on his phone when he was outside the school. Kyoko had stayed close when he was on the phone with Ryuji, and kept a distance as he made his way to the station and boarded the train. Afterwards, he'd stopped by Big Bang Burger in Shibuya, before making his way back to the station once more. Kyoko was grateful Mishima was too lost in thought to notice her as she knew she could stand out a little, thankfully the crowds of the hour did a good job concealing her the entire time as she followed him to an apartment complex, busy on the phone with Ryuji.
"Yeah, I'm here! ...I think." Mishima said, looking at the complex.
Kyoko waited around the corner, peering over and hiding again when she noticed he'd begun looking around, anxious.
"You sure? How long? Whoa, will we be ready and-" Mishima paused. "...412? Got it! Let's execute Operation Maidwatch!"
The boy rushed upstairs, Kyoko noting the apartment number he'd given.
"You sure I can't come?" Morgana asked, peering out of Kyoko's bag. "I seriously wanna see the look on Ryuji's face when you bust him!" he said with a chuckle.
"It'd be better you stay," she said, setting her bag down. "Just wait here, until I come back."
"Awww, that would have made my day, you know. Just be sure to tell me about it later!" Morgana said, chuckling again as he climbed out and found a spot to hide.
Without another word, Kyoko made her way up the stairs, pausing when she heard Mishima and Ryuji further up, followed by the opening of a door, both sounding excited and like they couldn't wait. Good, she wasn't too late.
"Is this gonna be alright?" she heard Mishima ask anxiously.
"What, you were so on-board earlier!" Ryuji said. "If it turns out to be sketchy as hell, we'll bail. That's all there is to it! Plus the apartment's vacant so we aren't messin' up anyone's home!"
"I gotta say, Sakamoto, never woulda guessed you'd have prepped everything so well!" Mishima said with a laugh.
"Yeah, I am sharper then people give me credit for!" Ryuji replied as Kyoko heard the sound of the door closing.
The young detective took a breath before making her way up the stairs and, following the numbers of the doors till she found the right one. Glancing at the door knob for a moment, Kyoko leaned against the door, she could hear the boys talking excitedly though she couldn't make out what they were saying. It didn't matter, considering what she was about to do.
Turning the knob slowly and quietly to test it, Kyoko determined Ryuji had not locked it behind him, she suspected as much, he didn't exactly have any reason to with a vacant room and only a service maid as expected company. Closing her eyes and sighing, Kyoko gave the knob a sharp turn and flung the door open.
"Heeeey, what's-WHAAAA?!" Ryuji's and Mishima's expressions both went from delighted to shocked when they saw Kyoko standing at the doorframe, gloved hand gripped tightly on the doorknob and a disapproving glare on her face. "K-Kyoko?! What're you doing here?!"
"Stopping you," she said, her tone making her annoyance clear as she came in, the door swinging closed behind her as she approached the boys, who backed away towards the patio door on the opposite end of the room. "Are you two trying to get yourselves expelled?"
"We weren't doing anything bad!" Mishima insisted. "We just wanted to... meet a pretty maid, is all!"
Kyoko folded her arms, her glare deepening enough the boy went slightly pale before she turned her attention on Ryuji. "Can high school students even use this service? Considering everything else, don't you think getting in trouble for something like this is going to have some very serious consequences?"
"I... uh..." Ryuji stammered. "...W-wait, were you listenin' in on me and Mishima earlier?"
Kyoko raised an eyebrow as if to make it clear how obvious the answer was.
"But... how did you...?" Mishima asked.
"I'm a detective, Mishima. I followed you here after school," Kyoko replied. "Now, for your sakes I suggest you call that service and cancel the order immediately, and we leave right now if we want to see to it no one ever knows this happened..."
"R-right! No sweat, we got plenty of time I'll just-!" Ryuji said, sweating nervously as he quickly got his phone out, only to freeze in place along with the others at the sound of the doorbell ringing.
"Good eveniiiiing~!" a cheerful female voice sang. "I'm from the housekeeping service! Is anyone home?"
"Whaa?! She's here already?!" Mishima protested.
"That's like five minutes earlier then they said!" Ryuji cried out, looking at his phone.
"What do we do?!" Mishima asked, anxious and pale with worry.
Kyoko facepalmed as she sighed heavily. "...I'll deal with this. You two go hide, and don't make any noise," she said sternly.
"Sure! Good luck!" Ryuji said quickly as he and Mishima ran to the patio door, Ryuji swinging it open as he and Mishima ran through before closing it behind them.
"...Is everything alright? May I come in?" the female voice asked from behind the door.
Taking in a breath, Kyoko walked over to the door and opened it. "I'm going to have to apologize, there's been a huge misunder-!"
Kyoko's words never finished as she completely lost her train of thought along with her voice as she immediately froze in place and stared agape, her eyes and mouth wide open to an extent she'd never done before when she saw the maid on the other side of the door.
"K-KIRIGIRI...?!" the visibly stunned maid asked, her expression one of equal shock.
Kyoko normally prided herself on keeping her emotions in check, as well as expecting the unexpected, but seeing her homeroom teacher standing before her, dressed in a French maid costume with a knee-length skirt, white bonnet and apron bow, white tights with mary-jane shoes, and a pink heart badge on her low-cut blouse, and her hair done up in childish pigtails, was beyond the young detective's ability to process right now.
"Miss... Kawakami...?" Kyoko stammered, managing to find her voice but still looking visibly shocked.
"Kyoko! What's going on in there? Is she gone?" Ryuji's voice called from the patio.
"Hey, is someone there?!" Kawakami asked, regaining her senses first at the sound of the boy's voice as she looked past Kyoko, causing her to snap out of her own state of shock and glance back as well.
"Oh crap!" Mishima cried out.
"Quick! Down the fire escape!" Ryuji shouted, the sound of scuffling and shaking metal could be heard outside, prompting Kyoko to sigh in annoyance.
"Mishima?! Sakamoto?! Is that you?!" Kawakami called out, visibly annoyed, now. "Kyoko, what is the meaning of this?! I think I have an idea of what's going on but why in the world are you of all people here?"
"I was trying to stop two idiots from getting themselves expelled," Kyoko replied. "I arrived shortly before you did."
"...I see," Kawakami sighed. "May I... come in before someone sees me? ...Wait is this even your place?"
Kyoko closed her eyes. "...Don't worry about it," she said, stepping aside and gesturing for Kawakami to come in, which she immediately did.
"I'm not sure I want to know the details about this, it's so unbelievable," Kawakami said, trying not to blush too much from embarrassment.
"I'm rather curious about all of this, myself," Kyoko said, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow. "Would this by why you always look tired at school?"
Kawakami fumed. "That's none of your business, Kirigiri," she replied sharply. "...Just can't believe this. Busted by my own students! I really should have taken a job outside the city!"
"Is there a reason you'd choose this one if you were so concerned about something like this?" Kyoko asked.
"It was close by so I could go right after school," Kawakami replied. "How did you find out about this, anyway? Was Ms. Chouno talking about it? That damn harpy! She kept snooping on the other teachers after the whole thing with Mr. Kamoshida!"
"The English teacher? I don't recall hearing anything from her," Kyoko said. "Ryuji found a flier in his mailbox at home, and I overheard him and Mishima planning this during lunch and tried to put a stop to it so they wouldn't get in trouble," she explained. "...Needless to say... things didn't go nearly as planned..."
"I see," Kawakami said, folding her arms and looking down at the floor. "Alright, look, I appreciate your intentions so I'll make a deal with you... don't tell anyone about this, especially not Ms. Chouno. That woman is so loose-lipped I swear she just enjoys it. In return, Sakamoto and Mishima are off the hook. I won't tell the service or anyone that some high school students called them. I'll treat it as if you cancelled so there's no need to pay me. Sound good?"
"Trust me, the sooner I can get this night behind me, the better I'll be," Kyoko replied, rubbing her eyes in annoyance.
"I think that's something we can both agree on," Kawakami said with a nod. "Anyway, I'll take care of everything, you should probably get home. Not a word about this at school, alright?"
"You don't have anything to worry about," Kyoko replied.
"I appreciate it," Kawakami said, heading to the door. "I guess... I'll... see you tomorrow at school," she added, struggling to hide her embarrassment as she left, closing the door behind her.
Kyoko let out another sigh, taking out her phone as she saw she'd received a text from Ryuji.
[What happened? We clear?]
-Yes. Next time, please take a moment to think it over before you do something this foolish. Kyoko replied as she, too, opened the door to make her way back to where Morgana was and head home.
5/27
"Oh, good morning Kirigiri," Yusuke said, catching Kyoko's attention at the train station and prompting her to turn around.
"Yusuke, how have you been?" Kyoko asked, folding her arms and looking concerned.
"Madarame appears to have fallen ill, he's become very quiet lately and is having me handle the exhibit for him, which is still going strong," Yusuke explained, downcast. "After all he revealed to me, I can't respect him as my sensei anymore, but it's sad that I don't have a mentor anymore."
"I'll admit I'm not good as someone for people to confide in," Kyoko replied, brushing back her hair. "...That said, I'd be willing to listen if there is anything you wish to get off your chest."
Yusuke couldn't help but chuckle a little. "I admit, now that I think about it, I don't believe I've ever had someone I could simply just talk to," he said. "If by chance I am in need of a sounding board, sometime, I hope you'll humor me."
"Of course," Kyoko replied.
"Well, anyway, I should be off, I'll keep you updated on any news involving Madarame," Yusuke said, giving a polite bow before heading off to his train.
Kyoko had made her way down the halls of the school at the end of class when something she saw out of the corner of her eye stopped her at the hall leading to the teachers' lounge. It seemed what Ms. Kawakami had been cornered by Ms. Chouno and whatever they were talking about, the former looked extremely uncomfortable. Last night's rather bizarre encounter made the young detective consider leaving things, but decided against it as she noticed Kawakami's continued look of distress.
"Ms. Kawakami, I already know," Ms. Chouno said.
"...As I've been saying," Kawakami replied, sighing before taking notice of Kyoko. "Oh, Kirigiri? Get home safely. I have another matter to attend to, so please excuse me..."
"No, we're not finished talking, here!" Ms. Chouno interjected. "There's been a series of scandals on this campus! We're all being called into question!"
"And why does that have anything to do with me?" Kawakami asked.
"Well, you leave work earlier then everyone else, and you barely make it to any of the faculty meetings! Not to mention you always seem so tired!" Ms. Chouno said. "You owe an explanation! Don't tell me you're out running around at night!"
"If I may," Kyoko said, speaking up. "I had some questions on my assignments and studies I've been having Ms. Kawakami helping me with."
"Oh?" Ms. Chouno asked. "You?"
"Once my time here is over, I intend to transfer out to Hope's Peak. Prior to this I was in a private school and I need to make certain there is no impact on my grades or my standing," Kyoko explained.
"Why, eh, yes!" Kawakami replied, taking the hint from Kyoko and playing along. "Sometimes she asks me for extra help! You know how selective they can be!"
"Oh, giving individual lessons outside of school hours, hmm?" Ms. Chouno asked, only for her face to immediately light up, clasping her hands. "What passion! That's exactly what we need here in times like this! I'm so sorry for suspecting you, Ms. Kawakami!"
Ms. Chouno looked over at Kyoko, seemingly satisfied with the explanation she'd been given. "I wish you luck in your studies, Kirigiri! You and Kawakami keep up the hard work!"
Kawakami watched in disbelief as the other woman turned and left. "Wow... she just... sort of convinced herself," she mused, before looking over at Kyoko. "Still, it did clear up her suspicion, so... thanks."
"It's no trouble," Kyoko replied.
"Hey, could you come with me for a bit?" Kawakami asked, "...There's something I need to discuss."
Kyoko gave a look of curiosity, but decided to comply as Kawakami led her to the doors near the vestibule that led to the practice building before turning to face her.
"Thank you, again, for helping me back there," she said. "I really appreciate it. Ms. Chouno... she's a good teacher but she can not mind her own business! And the minute she gets even a whiff of some kind of gossip about she can't keep it to herself!"
"I'm no stranger to having to put up with rumors and gossip," Kyoko replied. "I'm sure you're aware of that."
"I am, yes," Kawakami replied, looking down with a hint of embarrassment. "Look, after last night, and helping me back there, I may have a way I can repay you, especially if you're so serious about your studies."
Kawakami reached into her skirt pocket and passed Kyoko a folded up, pink flier. "This is the address and number of my night job, call at night and request "Becky". I'll also give you my cell number so if you want to know if I'm there before calling or I can let you know when I am. Don't use your phone, though, so that way it won't be on your call history."
Kyoko quickly slid it into her coat, looking around to make sure no one was looking and far as she could tell, there wasn't. Still, this gestured surprised her. "Why give this to me?"
"The service involves cooking, cleaning, chores, whatever tasks you want. Believe it or not I'm quite good at those, which was why I thought I could handle this job," Kawakami replied, her brow furrowed slightly, though, Kyoko noted, as if it were evident it was not a job her teacher took any enjoyment in. "You need time for your studies and all, correct? I can make sure you've got that while you're at home, in a way that doesn't cause suspicion that having your teacher over would."
"No one would get suspicious of me calling?" Kyoko asked. She did have several questions on the matter but decided to start with the first one that came to mind.
"Anyone can call. Heck, you'd be surprised how many mothers call for their sons as a birthday gift or such, and wives for their husbands," Kawakami explained. "Just use a phone number besides your own, sound mature, request "Becky", and I'll handle everything else."
It seemed plausible to the young detective, still, she had some other questions. "Why this, though? After how things went last night and all. I wasn't getting the impression this job is one you particularly enjoy..."
"As I said, that's not your business to worry about. The service charge is 5000 yen, so if you ever happen to have that handy and don't need it for anything else," Kawakami explained, though not finishing the sentence and making Kyoko even more curious.
"...Anyways, I really need to get going," Kawakami said, taking out her phone and noting the time. "Enjoy the rest of your day."
Kyoko watched as Kawakami left, thinking about the flier in her pocket. Maybe it wasn't her business, but she could not help but feel some concern, and Kawakami had offered to help her out in what way she could, which she saw no reason to turn down.
Kyoko heard a chime on her phone, noticing a message from Takemi.
[Hey, you free today? It's been a while since the last trial, so I hope you're keeping yourself healthy. I'd like to check on you since I don't have any patients today.]
Kyoko only hoped this wouldn't cost her the night again if the doctor had another medicine trial in mind.
-On my way.
By the time she'd arrived, Kyoko saw Takemi watching a video on her phone while seated in the receptionist office.
"It's getting warmer," she said, glancing over at Kyoko. "Between that scandal with the perverted gym teacher, and some fast food employee going nuts on the news today for no reason, I wonder if they ever studied the correlation of the rise in temperature to the rise in weirdos."
Kyoko chose not to respond to the topic. She'd heard the theories, and how heat could certainly make people more irritable, this was something else entirely. "You wanted me to come by?" she asked.
"Yes, I did," Takemi replied, a devious smirk forming on her lips. "Ready for another clinical trial?"
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't," Kyoko said, folding her arms.
Takemi chuckled a little. "I've made some refinements to the medicine, so with any luck this time you might actually be able to make plans after!" she said. "Come this way to the exam room."
The moment Takemi stood up but before either her or Kyoko could go anywhere, the door suddenly opened behind them.
"So this is the Takemi Clinic of Internal Medicine?" a middle-aged man asked. Next to him was a little girl, no more then a grade schooler, and she by Kyoko and Takemi's assertion, was clearly in distress.
"It is," Takemi said, unsure what the man wanted.
"Thank God it's still open!" the man said. "I'm so sorry. It's my daughter, I need her examined!"
"Seems I have a patient with an emergency," Takemi said, glancing over at Kyoko apologetically.
"Do what you need to do," Kyoko replied, looking at the young girl in concern, who was now clutching her chest in pain and coughing. She felt movement in her schoolbag as Morgana peered through its opening, clearly concerned as well.
"Here, have a seat," Takemi said, gently ushering the girl to one of the couches in the waiting room before looking over at the girl's father. "Why come here of all places? Aren't you under the care of another hospital?"
"I am, yes," the girl's father said, clearly worried for his daughter as she struggled to breathe. "But... her symptoms have gotten worse! I've heard the rumors about this place and it was close by, so I'd like for you to examine her, please!"
"Symptoms?" Takemi asked. "What was she diagnosed with, previously?"
"She was diagnosed with bronchitis, but the medicine she was given hasn't been working at all," the girl's father explained. "She's gotten a fever, and she's losing weight because she's not hungry..."
Takemi frowned sternly as the man spoke. "...A girl her age losing weight is not good at all," she replied. "That said, you should go to a bigger hospital. I can't provide a thorough examination here."
"We have been!" the girl's father said anxiously. "A university hospital in East Shinjuku! But all they tell us is it's persistent bronchitis!"
Kyoko noticed Takemi's stern expression falter. "...East Shinjuku's university hospital...?" the doctor asked.
"Yeah, the head doctor there performs exams like he's on an assembly line," the girl's father explained. "...I think he's famous or something."
"...A famous doctor, huh?" Takemi asked, brushing back her hair. "...But I'm just a practitioner out in the sticks. I don't even have any staff... so why come here for a reexamination after seeing someone like him?"
"Well, I heard there's a medicine that can only be acquired here!" the girl's father said, looking at his daughter in worry. "Please, I'll pay you anything you want, just... please, at least examine her!"
Before Takemi could answer, the girl went through another coughing fit.
"Doctor... my chest really hurts!" the girl whimpered, barely able to speak.
"I'm no doctor, but this looks serious," Kyoko said. Seeing the little girl in what was clearly a lot of pain affected even her resolvem prompting the teen to approach her. "Don't worry. She's going to help you."
Kyoko's words prompted a look of surprise from Takemi, who looked from her to the girl's very worried father before sighing in defeat.
"...Very well," she said. "I'll do my best..."
After listening to the man's explanation of the symptoms and treatments, Takemi knelt down to the girl's level after deciding it was best not to move her, Takemi studied her carefully. "Is your vision blurry? How about your throat? Does it hurt?"
"Y-yes." the girl stammered, her words strained.
"Open."
The girl opened her mouth, allowing Takemi to see inside. "No sign of swelling," she said, before looking up at the girl's father. "And you're certain you've told me everything about her symptoms and treatments you tried so far?"
"Yes, everything!" the girl's father answered.
Takemi looked away a moment, thinking to herself before taking out her phone and dialing a number. "Hello? Uehara-san? Is Dr. Schweitzer there?" she asked once she heard a response. "...There's something I'd like to ask him about a case in last month's medical journal... he'll know what I'm referring to..."
Takemi waited a moment before she heard a response, frowning. "...I see..." The doctor hung up, putting her phone away. "...I guess the ones in stock will have to do..." She turned towards Kyoko. "There's a shelf by the reception desk. Bring the contents of the second drawer to the exam room. I'll need your help administering the medicine, so when you get in the exam room, I'll also need the beaker with the red label in the fridge, a towel, wash basin, and a measuring spoon. Hurry!"
Kyoko couldn't help but smile a little, relieved as Takemi's treatment seemed to work nothing short of a miracle on the young girl in terms of how quickly she recovered to the point her symptoms seemed to subside entirely after taking the medicine she'd been given.
"Thank you, thank you so much!" the girls father said. "I wouldn't have imagined she'd recover this fast!"
"It was a unique strain of an infectious disease. It can't be detected through conventional exams," Takemi explained. "I was able to temporary suppress the symptoms, but we'll make adjustments as her condition improves."
The doctor looked down at her clipboard as she wrote some notes down. "It'll be one million yen for today.
"A million?!" the girl's father asked, shocked. Even Kyoko looked a little surprised. "Th-that's outrageous! You're taking advantage of..." the man sighed and shook his head. "...No, I said I'd pay anything you wanted if you helped her and I will. If you don't take credit card I'll gladly withdraw some cash right away!"
Now it was Takemi's turn to look shocked. "Wait, what?! You're actually going to pay that?"
The man nodded.
"...One question," Takemi asked. "The famous head doctor you mentioned, by any chance was it Medical Chief of Staff Oyamada?"
The man nodded again. "Yes it is, are you familiar with him?"
A small smirk crept on Takemi's face. "I knew it," she said quietly. "...In that case, I'll make this free of charge."
"F-free?!" the girl's father asked, once more astonished. "Are you sure about this?"
Kyoko looked over at Takemi, intrigued by her decision upon hearing the name.
"You seem pleased by this," she remarked.
Takemi's smirk grew. "Treating his patient without his permission? How could I not be?" she asked. "Let's just say it feels good, alright?"
"So, is she your assistant?" the girl's father asked. "She's a high school student, isn't she? She seems kind of young."
"Assistant, guinea pig, and for getting me caught up in this," Takemi answered, shooting Kyoko a look, "...She's going to test the limits of the latter..."
The young detective gave a sigh at Takemi's words, though she noticed the doctor seemed pleased with herself for being able to treat the young girl successfully, for reasons other then simply, from what Kyoko could tell, showing up some big name in the medical field. These thoughts were followed by the sound of a chain link shattering within the recesses of her mind.
"Um, Doctor?" the little girl asked, looking up at Takemi anxiously from the red metal stool she was sitting on. "...Can I go back to school, now?"
"Not for a while," Takemi replied. "First, you need to start eating again and regain your strength. Can you do that for me?"
The girl nodded, smiling "Yes, thank you, Doctor!"
Takemi seemed touched, but unsure how to respond to the girl's gratitude. "...Don't mention it," she said softly, before turning her attention to Kyoko. "...Your turn is next, remember. And to be perfectly honest, I'm not 100 percent sure on if I've filtered out the effects that cause drowsiness on the new trial batch. In fact, who can say what this one may do..."
Kyoko noted Morgana's concern from her school bag sitting on the exam room bed.
"That's right, one step at a time," Morgana said, barely hiding his amusement as Kyoko stumbled a bit in her step like she were intoxicated while making her way to Leblanc. The young detective was relieved she'd not run into any police officers on the way back and only got a few stares on the way from some residents.
She hadn't passed out for hours like before but the ground still felt miles away and she couldn't help but wonder if Takemi was getting her back for involving her in the matter with that family for her.
As if on cue, Kyoko heard her phone chime. She leaned, or more accurately, flopped, against the wall near the door leading into the café as she fumbled in her pocket trying to get it out, squeezing her eyes shut a moment to fight off the grogginess she still felt as she turned it on and answered. "Yes?"
"Oh, just seeing how you're feeling, now," Takemi's voice responded. "You barely made it out of the clinic in one piece, after all. Today's drug was a rough one, huh?"
Kyoko gave no response, but it seemed that was all Takemi needed to get her satisfaction. Maybe, the teen suspected, Takemi was getting a mental image of her right now, leaning against the nearest vertical surface and struggling to keep her balance.
"Approving that girl's consultation without my permission? The side-effects means there's still work to do, but for now I'll look at it as a dash of karma for you," Takemi explained. "Seems you have a habit of getting involved in others' matters, don't you?"
The wall now felt like a bed as Kyoko felt her weight pressed against it as though she were laying down. "Apologies," she said. "Still, I'll be frank, I believed in your ability, and I suppose my concern for that girl's well-being may have affected my judgement somewhat."
"Nice of you to acknowledge that, and I'll let it slide this time. Don't think I'm giving your initiative credit, but yes it appears she'll be just fine, now, given enough time," Takemi replied. "That said, the medicine seems more stable then the previous stages. I think I'm getting close so I'd hope you don't go and die on me or anything."
Once more, Kyoko remained silent, unsure how to respond to that.
"I'll let you know when I'm ready again. Also don't worry, that grogginess you're feeling should wear off fairly soon. I'd advise finding somewhere to sit down, though, until it does. No laying down unless you're planning to turn in early for the night," the doctor said with an amused chuckle. "Anyway, take care."
Putting away her phone, Kyoko put Morgana back inside her school bag and stepped inside, doing her best to remain upright as she walked past Sojiro. Unfortunately, her performance was not as convincing as she'd hoped.
"You alright?" he asked.
"Long day," Kyoko replied. "...I'll be fine. Just need to sit down for a few minutes."
Sojiro looked like he wanted to say more, but as he currently had some customers, chose not to pry. "Well, then head on upstairs. It'd be bad for business if you nodded off down here."
"Of course," Kyoko said, heading to the stairs with the couch in her room in mind. She'd sit down a few minutes, wait for the grogginess to wear off, and proceed with the rest of her night, it was simple enough and she had some things on her mind from her visit to Takemi, as well as Kawakami's apparent other job she was too addled by the clinical trial to process at the moment.
Kyoko awoke to the feeling of something pressing against her face, only to discover her entire right side was experiencing it as well. Moving her hand the teen discovered, to her dismay, she had fallen asleep while sitting on the couch in her room, and apparently had fallen into a laying position in the process.
"Oh, good. It's about time you woke up," Morgana said, sitting on the floor watching her.
"You didn't try and wake me?" Kyoko asked.
"I did, but you didn't budge, so I decided to let you rest it off till that medicine was done," the cat said. "That stuff sure is strong, though!"
Kyoko sat herself up, brushing back her hair. "How long was I out?"
"By my guess, a little over an hour," Morgana replied. "...Maybe an hour and a half... maybe two hours, tops... but hey, it means you've still got the rest of the night left after all!"
"Hm," Kyoko didn't feel the energy to go out tonight, she suspected lingering effects of the clinical trial and she did not want to run the risk of grogginess out in the middle of the city.
She felt a crinkle in her blazer pocket as she slid out of it and took out Kawakami's flier, noting the numbers and the address on it.
"Oh, right! Your teacher gave you that! Maybe we can call her over? I think she said we should use a different phone, though," Morgana said. "I think Sojiro's got that one downstairs, doesn't he?"
Indeed, he did, Kyoko recalled. Perhaps she could get started on one mystery, after all.
Changing into her casual clothes, her mind made up, Kyoko returned downstairs to find the customer wave had since ended, Sojiro was leaning against the wall having a cigarette.
"Rise and shine," Sojiro said with a chuckle. "Hope it doesn't mess up your sleeping schedule."
"I'll be fine," Kyoko said. "My detective training has helped me adjust and maintain it whenever necessary."
"I suppose that makes sense. Never know when you'll get a new case or pull an all-nighter on one, huh?" Sojiro asked.
"That would be the gist of it, yes," Kyoko replied. "May I use that phone?"
"So long as your not gonna cause my business any problems, I suppose you could," Sojiro replied.
"I appreciate it." Kyoko made her way over and dialed the number she remembered from the flier.
Kyoko closed her eyes as she held the receiver against her ear as the cheerful female voice picked up to greet her.
"Hellooooo~! This is the Victoria's Maid Service!" the female voice sang. "Do you have one of our fabulous maids in mind or shall we simply send the first available to give you a very spectacular service?"
"Yes," Kyoko said, lowering her voice a little. "Becky, please?"
"Hm? Oh, of course!" the voice replied. A few seconds of silence and Kyoko heard Kawakami's voice.
"Hiiii, this is Becky!" her teacher said, using the same cheery, flirtatious voice she'd used before. "And who might you be?"
"It's me, using the number you gave me," Kyoko answered.
"Oh, right," Kawakami said, immediately breaking character. "Well, that'll be 5000 yen for the service and request fee, I trust you have it, then?"
"I do, yes," Kyoko said, recalling she had plenty left over from the ring she'd sold to Iwai the other day.
"I see," Kawakami replied, sounding a little surprised. "Very well. Since I'm your teacher I've got your residence info, it's... in Yongen-Jaya, correct?"
"It is, Cafe Leblanc," Kyoko answered.
"Right, shouldn't be too hard to find. I'll be right over, then, just have the money ready."
With that, Kyoko heard her hang up, and decided to find a spot in one of the booths, taking out The Alluring Dancer to read a little until Kawakami arrived. The story was, needless to say, fascinating to the young detective as she read how this early femme fatale figure, a concept common in the film noir genre many associated detectives with, used her beauty and charm to lower the guard of others to her will, and cast them aside when she grew bored. Not a remotely admirable person in Kyoko's eyes but it reminded her of the villains Ann found so intriguing. Charm having a way of influencing others was a fact that could not be denied.
Within an hour Kyoko heard the door's bell jingle as she saw Kawakami enter, wearing a bulky brown overcoat that concealed most of the costume Kyoko had already become acquainted with.
"I'm here!" she announced, causing Sojiro to look over.
"Miss Kawakami? What brings you here?"
"Oh, Kirigiri wanted me to come over and help her with some things," Kawakami explained quickly, but Sojiro quickly took notice of her rather comical bonnet and pigtails.
"...What things, exactly?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kawakami looked down, blushing. "I... have another job with a housekeeping service to make extra money, it was faster to just come straight here."
"I see," Sojiro replied, his tone sounding like he suspected there was more to it then that. "Well, if you're helping her keep her grades up, then I suppose I can't complain."
"At any rate, my room's right upstairs," Kyoko said, closing her book and picking up her school bag with Morgana in it then leading Kawakami to the attic.
"So, this is where you're staying?" Kawakami asked, looking around as she took off her overcoat. "...I'm not sure how to put this..."
The teacher folded her arms, looking at Kyoko as the girl sat on her bed in a manner that seemed to Kyoko as though she were being analyzed. Kyoko returned the look with a neutral poker face she normally wore.
"...What kind of kid are you, exactly, Kirigiri?" Kawakami asked at last. "You opposed Mr. Kamoshida... the discussion you had with me when he had confronted me about you... it's clear you were never fooled by him. You're perceptive, earnest, with a strong sense of justice, clearly. I suppose it befits someone attempting to become a detective, correct? That is your family's profession it's known for, after all..."
"It is, yes," Kyoko replied. "As for the rest, I'd say you're perceptive as well. You were never comfortable with Mr. Kamoshida either, were you?"
Kawakami looked away. "I suppose now that he's gone, I can be more open about it," she said. "He's never been... inappropriate towards me, or any of the other female teachers... but I guess now everyone knows why. I had my suspicions but..."
"You were afraid?" Kyoko asked.
"He had the principal tied around his finger," Kawakami said. "Plus, he had other faculty who were complete sychophants to him because of his fame. What difference would one teacher who got saddled with the... reputed new delinquent make? The only thing that would have come of it was me getting fired and blacklisted... still, it's another time I feel like I could have done more and just didn't know how..."
Kawakami looked like she wanted to say more, but didn't.
"You said you wouldn't jeopardize your career again," Kyoko said. "...Again?"
"Nevermind, it's not your business, Kirigiri," Kawakami said. "There's also the matter of you being quite a risk-taker as well, which while I can see that being part of being a detective, it also would add credit to the delinquent rumor, I mean, you were still willing to call a maid service and request me, remember? Don't tell me it's for tutoring, your grades are top notch and I... don't do tutoring."
Kyoko folded her arms, her gaze growing a hint of tension that made Kawakami feel as though the girl were peering right through her. "Having simple tasks handled for me can leave me with extra time. Hope's Peak isn't exactly easy to get into, and my criminal record is a black mark on my credibility as a detective, so I couldn't even get scouted on talent alone until my license is no longer suspended."
"Why Hope's Peak, though?" Kawakami asked. "Despite the rumors you're exceptionally bright, and when your probation's up I'm sure there's a lot of places that'd still take you..."
"...It's personal," Kyoko said, refusing to elaborate.
Kawakami looked away again for a moment. It was evident to both women they had rather personal secrets in their past they did not wish to discuss that motivated more questionable parts of their lives.
"...Alright, how about this," Kawakami said. "I'll arrange to set up study hall sessions in your class a few times, that should grant you some extra free time. Just know I can change my mind on this right away if your grades start to go down, understand?"
"Hey! That'd be a huge help!" Morgana chimed in. "You might be able to make some tools for tougher Palaces we find, or work on something else during school that way!"
"Your cat seems rather chatty," Kawakami remarked, looking at the small black tuxedo cat seated next to Kyoko. "He got a name?"
"Morgana," Kyoko replied. "Right now, he's one of the few... friends I have. I'll admit I wasn't exactly someone who had many friends before all of this, but now people have a reason not to want to be."
"I can understand that feeling like you don't belong," Kawakami said. "But look, in return for that, don't tell anyone about this... other job I'm moonlighting, alright?"
"I can do that," Kyoko said, subtly agreeing to Morgana's point without acknowledging him in front of Kawakami.
"Then it's a deal!" the older woman said with a smile.
?/?
Within the dim lights of the interrogation room, Kyoko continued to nurse the bruise near her eye as she heard Niijima bring up a new question.
"It's occurred to me, the fact you could pull off so many of these "heist" crimes while attending school," Niijima stated. "I find it hard to believe you managed that by yourself, even with your other accomplices or contacts. I believe you may have had someone at the school helping you as well... someone who could make sure you had the extra time to do them..."
Kyoko offered no response, simply staring up at the prosecuter, who simply glared back at her in suspicion.
"What would you have to say about that?" Niijima asked.
5/27
Time seemed to slow to a stop around Kyoko, reality darkening as she heard that soft, mysterious voice speak to her once more...
I am thou, thou art I...
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Temperance Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power...
Kyoko heard the sound of a chain link shattering within her mind as reality returned to normal.
"All that aside," Kawakami said, looking around the attic once more. "The least I can do right now is give you your money's worth, and it'd help if... should you have the extra money again, request me more often as well."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow at her teacher. "You'd ask this from one of your students?"
Kawakami sighed. "To put it plainly, while I am efficient, when it comes to the rest of the... service, I'm sometimes considered a bit "over the hill" for this job, honestly. As a result I'm not requested nearly as much as Yukizome... I mean she mentored me and there's barely an age gap between us but she still looks totally in her prime," she remarked, a hint of jealousy in her tone. "...Then there's that newcomer, Tojo. Those two get booked so fast with requests the others compare it to playing the lottery."
She gave a forced smile. "Sorry, I'm ranting. How about I help you tidy this place up some before I go, hm?"
Kyoko couldn't deny the place still could have used some cleaning up, with all that had happened over the past two months with Kamoshida and Madarame she'd not really taken the time to do so, still, she noted the heavy makeup under Kawakami's eyes.
"You won't wear yourself out, will you?" she asked.
"Oh of course not! It's my job, after all!" Kawakami said, keeping her forced smile in place. "Look, you help me on requests I'll find other ways to make it easier for you to get some extra time on your hands, but it's still hardly fair I take your money without doing something around here! Now, point me to the dusters, I'll at least handle that for you!"
"Very well," Kyoko replied, "In that box, right there on the shelf."
"I'll get right on it, then!" Kawakami said, before setting to work, pausing a moment. "You know, you ought to consider a few personal touches. A tv, or maybe put some things on that shelf. I know you've got your studies but you're still a teenager, you know..."
Kyoko blinked, taken aback at her remark. Morgana glanced over at Kawakami then at Kyoko.
"She's right, you know. No reason not to do a few fun activities every now and then. Who knows, maybe they'll help somehow in improving as a Phantom Thief!" the cat said.
Kyoko took out her book, laying back on her bed as Kawakami worked, not answering Morgana though giving Kawakami a look. She could only imagine what her grandfather would have said to such a suggestion. Any games, such as Chess or Othello, were purely done to test her mind rather then for any sort of recreation. She wouldn't want to admit she probably wouldn't entirely know where to start in such a manner.
"Don't worry about me," she said. "Still, I appreciate your help."
"Like I said," Kawakami replied, "It's my job!"
"Well, that should be all, I should get going!" Kawakami said, her tone forcefully cheerful as she slid on her overcoat once more, before letting out another sigh. "Sorry, force of habit, I guess. Thank god I can put aside the act around you. But I'd say I did a good job, right?"
"I'd say so," Kyoko said, relieved to see the remaining traces of cobweb and dust were now gone from her attic room before leading Kawakami back downstairs. She noticed Sojiro had since left, a note on the table asking she remember to lock the door once her teacher left.
"Thank you," Kawakami said. "As for why this job despite what I told you..." Kawakami paused. "...I used to do this sort of thing to get through college, so... I got experience. Just... some inconveniences sent me back into it for the time being and this was the only one available within commuting distance," she explained, looking very uncomfortable for a moment.
Kyoko folded her arms, the story was plausible, but it still seemed like Kawakami was hiding something from her with how anxious she noticed she'd became while describing inconveniences much as Yusuke had with Madarame, but at the time it was unlikely she'd share. Still, the arrangement would be convenient nonetheless, at least with what Morgana had said.
"...I see," Kyoko said, her tone neutral as possible.
"Well, I'll be going, now. I'll see you tomorrow at school. Just make sure you don't let your grades go down with what I'm doing for you, alright?" Kawakami asked, tightening the belt of her coat.
"I won't," Kyoko answered, unlocking the door and handing Kawakami her money.
"Good, see you later, then!" Kawakami said, forcing a smile again before leaving.
Closing and locking the door behind her, Kyoko was once more left with her thoughts. Her inquisitive side made her want to know more of the story behind what was going on in her teacher's apparent double-life, especially with her brief look of anxiety. On one hand, it wasn't exactly her business, but as a Phantom Thief, and with the Phansite active, they were essentially now acting to save others from trouble in their lives if it could be done. In what felt like so long ago, she'd chosen not to simply ignore that woman's distress at that man's hands, even if she'd essentially been punished for it.
Then there was what Kawakami had also said, which Morgana had agreed to. The thought of her grandfather scolding her for what he'd consider wasting her time on silly and meaningless things when detective work came first and above all else quickly crossed her mind. She wasn't under his guidance for the time being, however, so when she wasn't with her teammates or doing her schoolwork or helping others, these moments made her feel like she had all the time in the world and nothing to fill it with.
Kyoko looked at the clock in the wall, she may have yet had time to get a quick bath in before bed. With everything else on her mind on top of that, and two days until the student cleanup outing, Kyoko found she had a lot to think about.
A/N: Wow, a new chapter sooner then expected! Next time, I promise the start of the Faith confidant. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, anyway, and thanks for everyone's continued love and support for this crazy adventure Kyoko's found herself on!
0 - The Fool: Rank 3
I - The Magician: Rank 3
V - The Hierophant: Rank 3
VI - The Lovers: Rank 3
VII - The Chariot: Rank 4
XI - The Strength: Rank 2
XII - The Hanged Man: Rank 2
XIII - Death: Rank 4
XIV - Temperance: Rank 1
XVIII - The Moon: Rank 2
XIX - The Sun: Rank 1
1 - The Councillor: Rank 3
Kyoko's Personas: Berith, Shiisaa, Kusi Mitama, Kodama, Jack Frost, Ame-No-Uzume