Chapter 7
Sucy arrived at the Blytonbury Police Service to visit her best friend while Loa was left in her room at the flat. The plan was for Loa to continue controlling the Sergeant while she showed up at a place where people can vouch for her alibi.
Without further ado, she halted by the Constable right outside the door, yet noticed that the Student Council President and the Vice President were inside.
Sucy knew manipulating people is her advantage. It was proven when she was able to deceive the Inspector who asked her questions about the incident earlier. All she had to do was an act. Not too much though, because she still needed to act on a character.
She was about to head back towards to Akko when Professor Ursula decided to scold her right after she exited the office.
"Please don't do it again." Professor Ursula's features softened. She was so different than her guardian.
This is why a faint smile appeared on her lips that Akko was fortunate to have her.
"I'm sorry, Professor," Sucy said. "But I would do it over and over again for Akko."
The French woman sighed. "I know you would." She patted her on the shoulder before heading into the office.
Sucy glided back towards the medic area, surprised to see that Academy's popular know-it-all blonde was there comforting Akko. It was a weird sight.
Diana Cavendish gazed up she noticed Sucy. Even up close, Sucy's mental picturing of her was still of an arrogant, high and mighty girl with a pointy nose. Sucy walked towards them without even making the smallest of gestures towards each other. Akko was oblivious to the conspicuous discrepancy between the two young girls, as she seldom bothered to compare them in any way.
Truthfully, Sucy doesn't really hate her, but there is nothing more annoying than an entitled blonde girl who likes horses and teas. She just doesn't ride the bandwagon that most of the students in Luna Nova treat the Student Council President. Sucy doesn't mind the indifference from the Cavendish girl as well.
Although she hated it when the Brit touched her, she hated being touched by people she didn't give consent to.
But then, Sucy saw a distinct look that Cavendish's was giving her. It was to some extent perceptive and taunting—as if she was a piece of a puzzle that completed the whole mystery that plagued the blonde girl's mind.
The Brit finished up her conversation with Akko. "Professor Ursula doesn't frail in her guardianship over you, you know. Hence, it's in your best interest to heed your guardian's warning. I'll see you tomorrow at school if you find yourself free." She excused herself and flipped her hair in a dramatic exit.
Akko and Sucy watched her retreat towards the door Sucy just came in before looking at each other. "Why are you guys getting chummy?"
"She's with me on an official business."
Sucy's eyebrow furrowed. "Her words are harsh, but I do get the feeling that she was sincerely concerned about you."
"Well yeah, she saw me knocked over by a police. Not just you." She grinned, proceeding to apply cold compress on her blackened eye.
Sucy got a full view of Akko and gasped. A sharp pang shot through her heart. She did that to Akko.
The bridge of Akko's nose was swollen and bruised; the discoloration continued across her left cheekbone, in what would probably soon become an ugly black eye. Her lips were puffy. They had bled, too, but the only cut there was on the inside of her bottom lip.
Sucy hadn't seen it coming. Though surely next time, she had to specifically emphasize to Loa the force of inflicting harm should be minimal when it comes to Akko.
With shaking hands, Sucy held Akko's cheek with care. "Akko," her lips trembled. "You nearly died, and getting your head smashed onto a desk was more exciting?"
Akko laughed guiltily. "I guess I have more scars to tell."
Sucy quickly wrapped her hands around Akko's neck to a close hug, saddened that she was responsible for what happened to her. Akko was taken aback by the sudden gesture but she welcomed the hug with the same passion.
When the physical contact ended, Sucy's face was still flustered. "Akko, you keep blowing people away with surprise."
"I know right?" Akko shrugged. "I bet you didn't even see it coming, because I didn't! It's like how Chariot builds up the crowd's excitement when she's up for her next trick."
With a small grin of Akko raving about her idol, Sucy watched her silently for a couple of minutes before asking. "Hey, Akko, why were the Student Council here?"
"Oh! She said that she was told to oversee the interrogation by the school."
Sucy's eyebrows connected. If the Student Council President supervised the interrogation meant that the Headmistress or Deputy Headmistress themselves are busy or couldn't be bothered with it at all.
"So you mean to say she's allowed to be here?"
"Yeah, she was being very kind to me and asked me a couple of questions about the murders and suicides."
Shit.
Sucy was well informed that the Cavendish girl is a genius. She could imagine Loa asking her how could a girl like Diana Cavendish possibly scare a powerful practitioner of the dark arts in a voice so faint.
She scowled and pursed her lips. The Student Council President was onto her. If the Brit continued to trek in Sucy's path then in about time she will figure out that it was her all along. Sucy needed to find a way to eradicate her out of the picture fast.
"Uhh... Sucy?" Akko waved a hand near her face.
"Akko, could you do me a favor?"
"What?" Akko scooted away from her. "Become your guinea pig again? We've been through this, Sucy, I don't want that anymore and Professor Ursula says it's hazardous to my health!"
"Not that one, you idiot!" Sucy barked, her razor-sharp teeth becoming prominent. "I meant to do me a favor for something else!"
"Oh, what is it?"
Sucy was so close to foam in her mouth, the anger was palpable. Through gritted teeth, she mustered. "Get me a strand of Cavendish's hair."
"Eh?" Akko frowned. "What for?"
Sucy took two deep breaths. "Don't ask questions."
"Fine!" Akko stood up, heading towards the comfort room. "Don't tell me! But if you're going cast a spell on her, I'll know it's you."
A cold shiver ran down Sucy's spine, to think that Akko basically got her plan. Sucy wasn't sure if it was Cavendish's influence on her or maybe Akko's imagination went wild again.
She merely glared at the empty space grimly for a few long moments, a despicable scheme formulating in her head.
"Diana Cavendish... she needs to die." The words she sputtered were low and menacing.
Andrew waited for her at the room where she left him. The moment their eyes met, his mouth quivered to speak, but Diana beat her to it.
"If you're wondering if we talked, then the answer is yes, obviously."
He seemed unperturbed by her snarky remark. "You're playing good cop, bad cop on her."
"I'm not playing at all. I'm genuinely intrigued by this puzzle."
"Did the visit validate the theory or was it a complete waste of time?"
"It wasn't," Diana said. "Atsuko Kagari is innocent, and not only did my theory deemed valid but it also expanded and explained the flaws."
"Congrats," Andrew shrugged. "Care to share what might that be?"
"The murders are committed because of her," Diana said. "Thomas died because he was bullying her; his friends were murdered because they were in cahoots. Sergeant Kinsley could be ruled out. We saw him take his own life."
"Are you insinuating that you found a connection because it revolved around Miss Kagari?"
Diana inhaled deeply, figuring she needed to tell him and they were a bit far away from any possible listeners. "If Thomas Kinsley wasn't the victim, he would have been the murderer. He was a misguided, antisocial, rebellious 16-year-old. And in fact, he was such a delinquent, that when he was murdered, his classmates and everyone else in the school and those who knew him on the streets never batted their eyelashes. A lot of people harbored animosity towards him, so I'm deadbeat sure his killer is within the school's walls."
"And who do you think would be the unfortunate victim if he ever was the murderer?"
"I think you already know, Andrew. I went off on my own to befriend her."
Andrew's eyebrows shot to his hairline. "What had you gotten so far out of her?"
Diana observed the walls and the security of the place, finding herself distrusting the place. She will tell him as soon as they leave.
"Don't leave me hanging, come on." He said. "Not after minutes ago you were spitting it all out."
"Andrew, you said so yourself. Prideful murderers return to the scene of a crime. Thanks to that reminder, I've got my eye on the possible serial killer." Diana retorted. She knew she had hit a nerve as soon as the words were out,
"Oh God, Diana, please listen to me this time. Please disengage right now." Andrew pleaded. "They know you are looking for her; you interviewed Miss Kagari for God's sake. They know what you look like, your name, where you live and you're younger and smaller than me."
Diana gave him a look, annoyed as a little sister to her overprotective older brother. "My life is not in danger as of now, Andrew."
"Do you have to wait until it does?"
"You know, Andrew. I take it all back—about what I said in your criticisms. I'm beginning to find the chat that accompanying your companionship extremely useful. It's like white noise. It puts me in a state where I think and observe better."
Andrew smiled roguishly. "Oh, I know why you keep me around Diana. You were lying to me when you said I make you want to gouge your eardrums out. You simply didn't want me to come with you because you thought Miss Kagari won't cooperate with you and fall for my charms instead."
"I will have you seduce her when it's necessary, Andrew. You are my last resort. I have to see for myself if I can be able to manage a feat on my own kind, thank you. And before I send you away to her, you need to be debriefed."
Andrew let out a hearty laugh. "If you say so, Diana, may the best seducer of information win."
"I have no need to indulge on that," Diana said. "Idiots rely on luck."
Andrew ticked his tongue.
"And besides, I'm pretty sure I can handle Sucy Manbavaran to a battle of wits."
"WHAT?"
"Voice down, Andrew," Diana scoffed.
Andrew stared at her ludicrously, while pointing a thumb behind him, gesturing at Akko's friend.
"Yes, she has the motive to protect her. I'll tell you the rest of the details soon."