Disclaimer::::
I do not own Harry Potter or Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro characters. Only my OC Character (s).
I don't make any profit from any of my stories on this website.
Rated M for future sexual content and language
"Characters Speaking"
Characters Thinking
/Author Comments/
~~~Chapter Nine~~~
~~~Previous~~~
Sasazuka asks to meet Yako and me, so we go meet up with him. We lean against the railings. "I'm sorry for suddenly calling you over to not down the notes regarding this case."
"No problem/It's fine." Yako and I agree.
Yako turns her head to look at him. "I have a question... Sasazuka-san, do you have a dream?"
"Dream?" Sasazuka queries.
"For some reason, I had this thought..." Yako trails off.
Sasazuka looks away. "Maybe my dream is to continue working like this for a long time."
"For a long time?" I question.
"Yea, something like that," Sasazuka admits.
The door opens. "Sasazuka-san..." a female calls out.
Yako looks at the door. "Shouko-san..."
Shouko walks towards her. "I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble."
"It's okay," Sasazuka states.
"Shouko-san, please don't feel down." Yako encourages.
A small smile appears on Shouko's face as she places her right hand on her head. "I seem to have lost my confidence to work as a police officer. I was always by Tsukita-san. Yet, I didn't even realise anything. I started thinking, 'What have I been doing up until now?'"
"Please don't give up!" Yako exclaims. "You told me that you want to become the best cop. Even though I'm still not sure of my own dreams...But you found such a beautiful dream! So, don't throw it away!"
"Yako-san..." Shouko trails off.
"Tsukita-san's dream might have been twisted...But I think your dream is very righteous..." I comment softly. "As long as you don't ever forget the reason you wanted to become a cop in the first place, you will be fine."
Tears fill Shouko's eyes as a smile appears on her face. "Yako-san, Yuuki-san, thank you."
Sasazuka walks towards the door, stopping briefly to pat Shouko's shoulder. "Even though a lot has happened, let's both keep working hard towards our own goals, okay?"
She wipes the corner of her left eye. "Yes."
Yako and I share a smile before looking towards the setting sun.
~~~Present~~~
I put on my silver coat and pouch bag over my silver chalice and black princess dress as I leave my cafe/restaurant and head to the office. I had to work longer than expected when my employee called in sick.
When I get to the office, Yako and Godai are watching the TV, listening to Aya's show where she is singing. Walking past the couch, I see Godai's eyes watering as his body shakes. As the tears appear, he covers his eyes with his right hand, hiding them completely from view.
"What are you crying over?" Neuro queries from behind his desk.
"I'm not crying!" Godai denies.
"You're joking, right? Godai-san is crying?" Yako questions, surprised.
"Then why are you crying too?" Neuro asks sarcastically.
Yako looks surprised as she faces Neuro. A tear rolls down her cheek before she wipes it away with her sleeve. "What is this? Why am I crying?"
"Is this woman that popular?" Neuro queries.
"She seems to be with those who are lonely or have a sense of loneliness," I admit softly from next to Neuro, leaning against the window.
Yako is silent as she wipes her tears away before she speaks up. "Her name is Aya Eishia. Even though she is using Japanese lyrics, she captured the hearts of many people with her voice. I heard that she sold over 3 billion records." Yako points at the screen. "Look at that. The audience is collapsing one by one. It's because her voice is so beautiful."
"How interesting. Humans can do something like this?" Neuro comments.
"But you know, it seems like a lot of work," Yako admits. "Her previous producer and manager committed suicide. Maybe it's because of that...she hasn't written any new songs. But her inspiration came back. So, she started writing songs again. Because of this big television studio, the number of people in the audience is amazing."
"So that's why everyone is paying so much attention to her," Neuro states before opening his eyes as the door opens.
"But receiving so much attention must be hard. Even leaving her house is difficult." Yako points out.
"Some tricks can be used to get out without being noticed. Like a disguise." I point out softly.
"Things aren't always what they seem." The female states from the door, gaining Yako's attention. "A pair of sunglasses will do the job."
Yako blinks a few times before waving her hand in denial. "You must be joking; how can someone doing a live show get out?"
Aya tilts her head to the side, a smile on her face. "Really?"
Yako points at the TV. "You see, you look different from the person on the tele..." She stops and stares at Aya, a smile frozen on her face. Her eyes widen, and her mouth opens in surprise before she looks back and forth between Aya and the TV a couple of times.
Aya takes off her red sunglasses. "You really need some time to figure it out, eh? Humans aren't certain of their own instincts when needed."
Yako lets out a surprised yell. "It's really Aya Eishia!"
I tune out their conversation to look at Aya. She has blonde hair in a ponytail and red eyes. She is wearing a silver chain, a light blue shawl, a black strapped dress, and pink high heels and is holding a red purse.
Something about her seems ...fake. Like she is hiding behind her kind mask, ...but at the same time, the mask isn't fake. How weird.
I snap out of my thoughts in time to see Neuro knee Godai in the back, knocking him unconscious. "He fainted because you were too charming."
"I'm sorry to interrupt so suddenly. Are you the female high school detective?" Aya questions.
"Yes, I am Katsuragi Yako." Yako admits.
"I assume you have something for sensei to solve, right?" Neuro queries.
"I hope you can help me find the reason as to why the people important to me died. " Aya admits.
"Are you talking about your previous producer and manager?" Yako questions.
"The police filed it as a suicide case. But I still cannot believe that. So that's why I want someone to investigate it thoroughly. Can you listen...to my request?" Aya requests.
"Um...this..." Yako trails off.
Neuro pushes Yako's head down. "Understood! We accept."
"Please sit." I offer.
Aya sits on one couch while the three of us sit on the other, me in the middle. Neuro is the first to speak up. "You are suspicious about the suicide, right?"
"Yes." Aya agrees.
"Can you explain it in detail, please?" Neuro requests.
Aya nods her head. "It started three years ago. I was still a newcomer and was told to follow the producer, Dajima Takuro. He seemed normal, just like any other day. Patted me like usual and watched me walk towards the stage. The live show was a success. But after I went back inside...There were completely no signs of why he committed suicide. But there weren't any logical explanations other than suicide."
"So that's why the police stopped investigating." Neuro comments.
"What happened to the other one?" Yako asks.
"Was it that same?" I query softly.
Aya opens her eyes as she lifts her head. "Two years later, after the producer's death, my manager Oizumi Hibari, who also supported me when I was still a newcomer...Even though she's my manager, we were also really close friends. She's been very supportive, especially after Dajima's death. But right after I finished recording...And returned to the dressing room...She was also dead. The police investigation concluded it was another suicide." Her hands on her lap clench slightly. "I have lost two people who were very dear to me. These sad feelings get released while I'm singing..."
"I see." Neuro is holding Yako around her neck and shakes her. "Those two committed suicide at a crucial time. Seemingly using similar methods. No wonder you were suspicious."
Aya's phone buzzes from inside her bag. "It's a call from my manager. Please give me a moment. Hello?" She gets up and walks towards the door.
Neuro leans close. "We can't let this chance get away, Yako, Yuuki. Solving this case will make us famous. Allowing more new cases to come."
Aya ends her call as she turns to look at us. "I forgot I had something to do; I must return now."
"Of course, you have your priorities. We can continue our talk there. Right, sensei?" Neuro states, his hand clutching Yako's head.
~~~Inside Aya's Car~~~
Yako sits up at the front with Aya while Neuro and I sit in the back. I listened to the conversation between Yako and Aya with interest.
"You sure are amazing, starting a detective Agency at your age. I would never be capable of doing that." Aya praises.
"What are you talking about? Selling 3 billion records at the age of 20, and they're also songs with Japanese lyrics that sell around the world!" Yako praises back.
Aya looks away from Yako. "Japanese lyrics are more than enough. The most important thing is your voice."
"Voice?" Yako questions.
"A lot of people have different brain structures that bypass the limits of race. Those are the people I am targeting." Aya admits.
"Different structures?" Yako queries.
"People who have these structures will respond to certain sound waves. That means including the waves, melody, chord, rhythm, and tone. Also, the style of how it's sung. If you string all of these together, the brain waves will cause a resonance with the sound waves." Aya points a finger at Yako's head, just above her left ear.
"I never knew something like that was possible. So that's why the audience fainted. People who have these kinds of special structures are...?" Yako questions as we stop due to a red light.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a smirk on Neuro's face. Meaning he is figuring out more of the mystery.
"This...' Wherever I am, I'm always lonely by myself.' Those people are people who think like that." Aya comments.
"Lonely by yourself...? That's why I cried..." I hear Yako murmur.
I narrow my eyes. It will only affect others if the singer herself feels the same…but…I see…so that's why, huh?
"There are currently around 3 billion people in the world who are like that. That's all there is to it." Aya adds.
~~~Aya's Studio~~~
As soon as we enter the building, a man approaches Aya. "Aya-san, what were you doing? The police came already. It was about the stalker since you asked them to come today."
"I'm so sorry." Aya apologises with a smile.
"Who are those three?" He queries.
Aya looks at Yako briefly. "They're detectives. This is my manager, Miki-kun."
"Pleased to meet you/Nice to meet you." Yako and I greet at the same time.
"Detectives...you're still on about the suicide cases?" Aya's manager scolds.
"I'm sorry, I just can't take it anymore," Aya admits.
Yako takes her gaze away from the manager to rest on Aya. "Aya-san, what stalker?"
"Oh, that..." Aya trails off.
"WOW, it's really Aya Eishia!" Ishigaki exclaims excitedly. "Please give me your autograph!" He asks happily as he takes out an autograph paper.
Sasazuka grabs it from his hands, snaps it in half, and throws it behind him. He reaches inside his jacket and takes out his badge. "Greetings, this is Inspector Sasazuka."
"Hello." Aya greets.
"Hello, Sasazuka-san/ Sasazuka." Yako and I greet at the same time.
"We sure meet often, Yako-chan, Yuuki-chan." Sasazuka comments.
Ishigaki is making sputtering noises as tears fall down his cheeks. "That's...Really?"
"By the way, what about the stalker?" Yako asks.
"Oh, you're not here for this?" Sasazuka queries.
I shake my head. "We are here for another issue."
"We've heard that Aya-san can't take the stalking anymore. So that's why the manager called the police." Ishigaki states.
"Oh..." Yako looks up at Neuro. "It seems like everyone has something to do."
"We shouldn't stand here; let's go in." The manager offers.
The others walk on ahead. Neuro gazes at one of Aya's posters. "Minds that can cause resonance...Interesting."
"Neuro," Yako calls out, confused.
"Origin of mysteries - the brain, its structure is even more complicated than mysteries themselves." Neuro looks at Aya. "Even though I'm a demon from hell, I can never control the human brain. I'm surprised someone on the surface would be able to do that."
"Only certain humans can do it," I admit softly so only Neuro can hear me. "And even then, only some of them can use it to the extent Aya can."
We caught up with the others without any of them noticing that we had stayed behind. On the table are pictures of Aya with chains drawn on all of them and red prints, minus the actual print. "This is it."
"This is terrible. It gives me the creeps." Ishigaki admits.
"Because there are crazy fans, receiving something like this is not rare. But it's way beyond normal now." The manager states.
"What about the security forces?" Ishigaki questions.
"Even though we have permission...But it's like we've become laughingstocks. There's graffiti all around, and windows were broken." The manager adds.
"I see," Sasazuka comments, looking down at the photographs.
"Calling us was the right thing to do." Ishigaki approved.
Sasazuka drops the photograph he was holding back on the table. "Ishigaki, bring all the evidence to the car."
"Yes, sir! But the autograph comes first!" Ishigaki says happily.
"No." Sasazuka rejects.
"Oh right, Inspector Sasazuka, regarding the suicide cases, do you know anything about it?" Neuro queries.
Sasazuka looks at Neuro. "I know nothing about it because I don't follow the case."
"Oh, I see," Neuro says, soundly slightly disappointed.
"This case's investigation was basically finished," Sasazuka admits.
"I hope our reinvestigation can bring her mind to peace," Neuro adds.
"I see. I'll fax you the info later." Sasazuka offers.
"Thank you." Neuro thanks with a smile.
~~~Later On~~~
The information is faxed over. Sasazuka gives them to Neuro. "These pictures of the scene and the time of death are all work of the investigation."
"The times of suicide for both are very accurate. From the time of death to the time of the body being discovered, nobody entered the scene." Neuro comments as he reads the information.
"The number of suspects is zero. That's why we can only file it under suicide cases." Sasazuka admits.
"Who knows?" Neuro looks at Yako. "Sensei, do you have something to say?"
"Is it okay that the detective is not participating in the investigation?" Aya asks.
"That's not it; the things that need to be investigated are all given to him. Music that affects people who are lonely...But how did you discover it? The power that was hidden in your music?" Yako questions.
Aya opens her eyes and looks at Yako. "Detective-san, after hearing my song, you felt there is something going on in your brain."
Yako looks surprised as her eyes widen. "That..."
"It seems that you are also very lonely." Aya comments.
"Huh...That's not it, I have Yuuki-nee." Yako denies.
"Yako, you may have me, but you no longer have the person who kept you happy," I commented softly.
"But it's really just loneliness." Yako adverts her gaze. "I am just a lonely person in the world." Yako focuses on Aya, who rests her chin on her hands. "Me being able to compose songs that target people like you is because I am also lonely in the world."
"Aya-san," Yako says softly as she looks at her.
"I'm only composing music like this to find my true self. These sounds can deliver a message to people sharing the same pain as me. To people like you." Aya admits.
I watch as Neuro walks up behind Yako, places his hands on her seat, and pulls it backwards. Yako lets out a yell as she falls to the ground along with her chair. "Detective-san, are you alright?"
"This is how Sensei works her brain." Neuro offers with a smile on his face.
"Really...What is it?" Yako demands.
Neuro lowers his head. "After reading the info, I think I'm starting to get it. This mystery is on the tip of my tongue." Neuro brags low enough for only Yako and me to hear. He stands up, holding his hand out for me to take. I place mine in his, and he helps me stand up but doesn't release my hand. "But, I have a hypothesis. I'll eat the mystery later."
"Hypothesis?" Yako queries.
"Yes, but first, we have to clean up some pests," Neuro comments dryly.
"Pests?" Yako questions confused.
"That creepy pest?" I query.
"Dumb pests that got attracted by the bright light," Neuro states with a smirk.
~~~That Night~~~
~~~Car Park~~~
Yako stays with Neuro while I go off with Aya to get in her disguise. Neuro and Yako hide behind a column as I am dropped off inside the car park near Aya's car.
I walk towards Aya's car when a man with a hood up (wearing a white tracksuit) stops in front of her. "Aya, it's useless; the police won't be of any help. I know everything around your house. No matter how deep the security is, there has to be a flaw." He lets out a creepy laugh as he lowers his hood. "In the end...the person who can save you...Is me! ONLY ME!"
He has no hair, and his pupils are small. His tongue hangs out of his mouth, drool trailing down his chin. His head has a belt of sorts attached. Using the strings from his hood, he is strangling himself.
I could not help but take a step back, completely creeped out. "I discovered something...Humans getting strangled like this will cause pleasure...they will also evolve more..." He loosens his hold on the strings and lowers his arms. His backpack slips down his arms and lands on the ground with a thud. Spilling out the bag is a bunch of handcuffs and locks.
"But even after getting strangled, your fellow companions didn't change...But I think you will be different...I will let you evolve...The only one that can do that...is me."
He walks towards me, handcuffs swinging in his hand. He stops not that far away from me. "A room has been prepared. If you get chained there..." A puddle forms at the top of his trousers as his excitement grows. "We can compose the best song in the world!"
"So, it's really like this?" Neuro comments as we come out from behind the column.
"Who are you?" The man demands.
"We're here to fulfil your pleasure," Sasazuka states as he comes out of hiding with Aya's manager and Aya.
The man looks at Aya, confused. "Aya...these people are..."
I sighed as I took off my sunglasses and the blonde wig. "I'm having a good soak after this," I state with a small shudder.
"Damn you, how dare you lie to me." The man curses.
Ishigaki grabs a hold of his shoulder from behind. "You can't escape anymore."
"Like the feeling of getting chained..." Neuro starts causing the man to look at him. "After analysing your stalking data, we revealed that you commit the crime when there's a high level of security. So, our plan was fairly simple. Let the police do their job while letting your thing. Then, setting a trap that you'll never get away from. I never thought we would have a success on the first day."
"Damn you." The man curses. "Aya, escape with me! That way...I can make you feel good."
"You bastard, what's with all the strength?" Ishigaki complains as he is dragged along, trying to hold him back by holding his waist.
"Only me...only I can become the person you love most. So, escape with me!" The man yells as he struggles to make it closer to her.
Sasazuka lunges forward and kicks him in the face. He is sent flying backwards, his back hitting a column. Ishigaki runs to Sasazuka and has his arms around his chest. "WOW, senpai, you were so cool!"
"Arrest him quickly." Sasazuka orders.
"Moving so fast..." Ishigaki trails off.
Neuro walks up to where the man is breathing heavily, almost panting. "Not bad...Human music can attract someone like this..."
"Aya...Aya..." He repeats as his body shakes.
"But you are a pest. If you came in when I'm about to solve a mystery, my meal would be screwed. I should use what I've learned...Using music to cure you. 777 Tools of the Demon World, Evil Stringer." Neuro grabs a hold of the man's head. "Let me give you a different present."
I don't see what Neuro is doing until the man starts screaming and kicking out his legs. "What's happening? He went crazy all of a sudden." Sasazuka questions confused.
Yako lets out a sigh. "Again...Using some weird tool..."
"Yeah, one to do with music, by the looks of it." I agree, sweatdropping.
Aya walks past us towards the man as he goes silent. "Become the one I love most? Impossible. Even if you're by my side, I can still sing."
Yako lets out a quiet gasp as she gazes at Aya's back. She is finally catching on...ever so slowly.
"What happened to that guy?" Sasazuka questions, standing in front of him.
"I don't know, seeing Aya-san with his real eyes...maybe he got over-excited? Sasazuka senpai, after hearing what he said, do you think it has a relationship with the suicides?" Ishigaki comments as the pair of them walk towards the man.
"I think so; bring him back to investigate." Sasazuka orders.
Aya walks over at the same time Neuro walks over to Yako and me. "Yako, Yuuki, the pest is now gone. It's time to find a good place to feast on the mystery."
Yako follows Neuro's gaze toward Aya. Aya feels Yako's gaze and turns with a smile. Yako lets out a low gasp before Aya turns away and walks off.
This case isn't solved yet, and I know Aya is involved. But it's time for Yako to evolve herself this time.
/Thank you for reading this chapter. Please leave a review. Your opinions are appreciated.\