In the end, after leaving Aria like that after the fight--This is what happened.
I wonder if it's alright like this?
This is... Before, this is exactly what I wanted.
At that bus jacking incident, even now, I showed myself who can't do anything.
That's why Aria was disappointed in me and released me.
Thanks to that, I can leave the assault section. Now I can waste my time in peace in the Inquesta section and transfer to a normal school next year. Then, I can wash the traces of the world of Butei off my hands and become a normal adult.
Isn't that great?
But......What's with this feeling of desolation?
After that, I just don't know. Being bothered by the irritation I was feeling, I wasted away the weekend.
Click......Click.
Even if she was looking at TV or the internet, the clicking sound of the clincher never stopped.
The Sunday morning of the day I heard about Aria's hospital discharge--This morning, while thinking about her, I immersed myself in doing my laundry and cleaning.
But, because of that--
I coincidentally saw Aria at an unexpected place in the afternoon.
At the campus island's beauty parlor on the corner.
I saw her as I was leaving the laundry place that was next to the beauty parlor. My legs unconsciously stopped as I saw her not-so-transformed look.
Since she didn't notice me, it once again looks like I'm peeping......
"......"
With a heavy look, Aria left her pigtails as they were and changed her hairdo just a bit.
She got bangs.
It was cute like that, but that was-- I don't even need to ask. It's probably to conceal the scar on her forehead.
While thinking that, I once again felt a sharp pain in my chest.
Like a cherry with white fur, Aria snorted like a mule and headed to the monorail station.
Those clothes were--normal clothes.
Since I've only seen her C equipment and uniform, seeing her like this, like a normal girl was refreshing.
Aria was wearing a neat, plain, pale pink patterned dress. It was a modern style that looked like it escaped from a fashion magazine.
If you were to take a photo of Aria right now and put it on a magazine cover, the clothes would sell like hot cakes.
But......even if Aria paid attention to her personal grooming usually, I've never seen her dress up so much.
I wonder where she's going.
(For a date?)
There's no need for questions.
It's probably a date.
......Aria's boyfriend.
Does she have one?
I wonder what type of guy he is.
While thinking that I--realized that I was doing it unconsciously and I didn't know why I was.
I was stalking Aria for the first time.
Aria left the monorail at Shinbashi and from there went to the direction of Kanda by JR... She got off at Shinjuku.
While following from a little behind, I saw that the guys on the street were taking fluttering glances at Aria.
It's to be expected. There's seldom a girl as cute as Aria. It would be strange for her to not get attention after she put so much effort into getting dressed up.
Aria went to the skyscraper from the west entrance. She was going slowly and snorting like a mule while walking.
This is also an unexpected direction.
This is an office building where those types of people work at... Then, is her boyfriend a working adult?
While thinking that, I continued to tail her――Aria stopped in front of an unexpected building.
It was the Shinjuku Police Station.
If she was coming here, why did she go to the trouble of dressing up?
"...Pitiful shadowing. I can see your tail wriggling."
When Aria turned around and suddenly said that, I felt like I drank a pole.
――What.
I was found out.
"Ah... Um. You said it to me before. 『Even without a question, if you're a Butei, you'd investigate for yourself.』"
It was awkward so I talked like an offender accusing a victim while Aria stood horizontally.
"If you found out, then why didn't you say anything?"
"I hesitated. I don't know if I have the power to teach you. You're also a victim of the Butei Killer and you're alone."
"?"
"Well, I've already arrived. Even if I drive you away, you'd still follow, right?"
After she said that, Aria became ambitious like usual.
While Aria entered the police station, I followed along with many question marks floating above my head.
In the Imprisoned People Visiting Room were two admins guarding. A beautiful woman came across the acrylic plank; I recognized her.
If I'm not mistaken......There was a cameo embedded in Aria's revolver's grip. There was a carving there of a woman that Aria looked a lot like.
Soft curvy long hair that looks like it was drawn. Almost onyx colored eyes. White porcelain skin like Aria's.
"Oh my...Aria. Is he your boyfriend?"
"N, no, Mama."
Looking a bit surprised from seeing me, the lady who gently raised her voice was...
Aria's mother.
S, she looks so young.
Instead of her mother, she looks like a long separated older sister.
"Then, he's an important friend? Oooh? Aria's at an appropriate age where she gets a boyfriend. Even pitiful Aria can make friends. Fufu. Ufufu..."
"You're wrong. He's Tohyama Kinji. He's a student at Butei High School— We're not like that. Absolutely."
Aria declared that and her mother gently narrowed her long eyelashes.
It would have been fine for her to not so clearly deny it.
"...Kinji-san, nice to meet you. I'm Aria's mother—Kanzaki Kanae. It seems you've been helping my daughter."
"Ah, no..."
Despite being in this kind of room, Kanae-san's gentle atmosphere covered us completely.
To be honest, I'm not good with these types of people.
I don't have any pattern and become nervous so I can't talk very well.
Aria went and—leaned toward the direction of the acrylic plate.
"Mama. I only have three minutes, so we'll only talk for a short while but... This stupid hairpiece is the Butei Killer's. They injured 3 other people too. Last week, the Butei Killer planted a bomb on a bike."
"...Oh my..."
Kanae-san's expression stiffened.
"There's also one more case, the day before yesterday, there was a bus hijacking incident. That guy's actions are suddenly more active now. That means he'll show his tail soon. That's why I'll aim for the Butei Killer and catch him. Even if it's just that, we can prove your innocence and your prison sentence of 864 years can be reduced to 742 in one stroke. Before your case gets to the Supreme Court, I'll definitely do something about the rest of them."
――At Aria's words, my eyes widened.
"And, I'll throw in all the I-U members in here."
"Aria. I'm happy for your feelings, but it's still too early to be challenging I-U — Have you found a partner?"
"That's... I can't find one no matter what I do. No one will follow me..."
"That's no good, Aria. Your talent is inherited. But like your family—you have inherited their excessive pride and childishness. Without a partner, you can't even display half of your ability. You need a partner that understands you and will stick with you no matter what happens. The right partner can more than double your power— Your great grandfather had a great partner, right?
"...They told me that so often in London that my ears got calluses. They even said I was defective because I couldn't find a partner... But..."
"A child who runs too fast will fall. Walk through life slowly."
Saying that, Kanae-san slowly blinked her long eyelashes.
"Kanzaki. It's time."
The admin standing at the wall informed her while looking at the clock.
"Mama, wait. I'll definitely catch the real criminals by the trial."
"You shouldn't be impatient, Aria. I'm worried about you. Don't go charging in alone."
"I don't want to! I want to save you as soon as possible!"
"Aria. My lawyer is working very hard to postpone the Supreme Court date as long as possible. Focus on finding a proper partner first. That scar on your forehead proves that you're mixed up in danger that you can't handle by yourself anymore."
Kanae-san had noticed the bandage that was covering the scar behind Aria's bangs and scolded her.
"No, no, no!"
"Aria...!"
"It's time!"
The admin did a form like a wing judo choke to pull Kanae-san back when she leaned forward from the acrylic plate in order to soothe the agitated Aria.
Kanae-san let out a small gasp of 'ah'.
"Stop it! Don't treat Mama violently!"
Looking like a wild animal baring its fangs, Aria's camellia eyes held rage and she leaped toward the acrylic plate.
But the plate was thick and solid despite being transparent. Of course it didn't budge in the slightest and it wouldn't let Aria pass.
While Kanae-san looked at Aria with worrying eyes, the two guards pulled her away.
The visiting room's interior door was a creamy color and looked soft, but contrary to its appearance, a heavy metallic sound resounded—
The door closed.
"I'll sue them. They have no right to treat her like that. I'll definitely...sue them."
Saying only that, Aria returned to Shinjuku station in weather that threatened rain...
I wanted to call out to her.
But like a shadow, I followed silently behind her.
"..."
Walk, walk, walk.
Snorting like a mule, Aria went in front of a window and suddenly—
Wa...lk. She stopped.
I also stopped.
From behind, Aria's face was down, her shoulders were drooping, and if you looked carefully, you could see her hands clenched and trembling.
Drip.
Drip...Drip.
Drops of water fell and split open at her feet.
That was... I didn't even need to hear it. They were Aria's tears.
"Aria..."
"I'm not crying."
Saying that like she was angry, Aria hung her head and shook.
In the gloomy wind, each and every person walking in the town street grinned at us who were stopped in the middle of the street.
They must be thinking we're having a lovers' quarrel or something.
"Hey...Aria."
I walked in front of Aria and everyone stooped over like peeping toms to peek at her face.
Drop...Drop. Drop.
Her bangs were hiding her eyes, her head was hanging, pearl-like tears traced down her white cheek.
"I'm...not..."
With that said, Aria clenched her teeth and from her intensely closed eyes, tears kept flowing.
And,
"crying... Waa...Uaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Like a thread was cut, Aria began to cry.
I averted my gaze from her face and looked up, but she kept crying like a child.
Her loud voice vibrated in my chest.
"Uaaaaaaaaa...Mamaa...Mamaaaaaa...!"
The evening street had a bright neon sign playing a fun piece of music and advertising the latest electronic appliances and fashionable clothes. The flickering lights played on Aria's pink hair and illuminated it.
Like a final blow, it began to rain.
Every person and every car passed by us.
The girl with a cellphone by her ear went 'Kyahahaha! For real!? I'll take it!' With such a loud voice, she walked past us while talking.
...I.
Aria was still crying in the midst of the noise and I could do nothing.
But, in silence, I stood next to her.
Tokyo had been suffering from strong winds since the beginning of the week. It was normal course lessons and the seat on my right was empty.
Aria was absent from school.
Earlier, after crying in the street, Aria said "I want to be alone", so in the end, we parted there.
On that day, I found Aria by chance, since she was alone I followed her to where her mother was... I learned a lot of things.
I know.
—Aria's mother was suspected of being the "Butei Killer" and arrested.
And she has already been declared guilty in court.
It's likely that they applied to the lower court reserve system— Since there was enough evidence, it quickly went to the higher courts. This system expedites the move from lower to higher courts, thereby preventing delays to the trial.
At that higher court, a 864 year prison sentence was made by the judge. In reality, it was a life sentence.
I thought about the conversation in the visiting room. Aria's mother was suspected of more then just the series of murders by the "Butei Killer". Aria claims all of the charges were false and wants to exonerate her mother. Since she was a Butei, she's trying to find the real criminals.
Also—about the partner thing.
The 'H' bring out their full potential by pairing up with exceptional partners. So, it appears that it's a family well-known to the police, and with a superior partner their abilities rapidly increase and they are able to accrue achievements.
For that reason, Aria is also seeking a partner but—
She couldn't find one.
That's obvious though.
To find someone that can match that child prodigy is no easy task. Aria referred to her 'partner' as a 'slave' because she was looking for a partner and testing out their ability and wanted to lower the standard required. It was probably her way of reducing the psychological burden being placed upon her.
As I vaguely thought about it, I couldn't concentrate on the lesson at all. When the Inquesta lesson ended—a mail came to my cellphone.
It was from Riko.
"Kii-kun. Once classes are over, come to the private room in Club Estella. I have something important to talk to you about."
If I was the normal me, I would have decided to ignore her.
In the first place, I avoid invitations from girls, but because of Riko's 'Important talk' it might be important.
But, this time...the case is rather special.
Riko has been investigating anything related to the bus hijacking incident last week. That's why she wasn't here again today for the Inquesta lesson. And today, Aria is absent, so I'm a bit worried for some reason.
Since I was asked, just to make sure, I headed to the monorail for the club.
I was a bit hesitant when I arrived at Club Estella. It seemed to be a high class karaoke establishment.
I stopped at the shockingly pink modded Vespa in the parking lot for bikes.
What bad taste for coloring. There's a resemblance. It's Riko's.
At first glance, it looks like a normal 50cc Vespa decorated with shockingly bad taste, but without lights and with some modding by Mutou it has become something that is no longer able to pass a vehicle inspection. According to Riko, it goes 150 km/hour and can jump.
Without lights... Honestly Mutou, choose your jobs.
It's 6 o' clock in the evening right now.
The vivid sunset looked awfully like blood. The deep blue sky and the clouds were quickly washed away.
This means a typhoon is nearing Tokyo. The wind is strong.
As I entered the club, I saw an office lady returning from her company and her date pecking at a cake like in a movie. If I look around, there are Butei High School girls here and there too. This place is popular.
"Kiiii-kuuuuuun!"
Riko, wearing her lolita uniform again, came jogging from inside.
Today is...even more amazing. Especially the skirt's carnations, which were like flower petals fluttering and bouncing. That was a pain which was called bloomers.
"You. You skipped lessons... What are you doing here?"
"Kufu. I wore my best clothes. But, since Kii-kun didn't come easily, if you gave me the cold shoulder, 'What would I do?' is what I thought. I'm so happy."
"This isn't about me giving you the cold shoulder or not."
"Aah, you're so cold. This is Riko's route here, you know!?"
"What's with that? I don't get what you mean."
The laughing Riko's upturned eyes were strangely charming, so I clicked my tongue.
Should I have not come? What's up with her?
Riko hung on my arm and intertwined it with her own. With a triumphant look, she proceeded into the interior of the shop.
Seeing that, the Butei High School girls whispered amongst themselves.
"No way. Kinji is going out with Riko-chan this time."
"I wonder if Kinji likes chibis."
"There's also Hotogi-san, so I don't think that's it."
Hey, you guys there. I can hear you. Don't misunderstand twofold and threefold.
Riko pushed through and went into a private room. It was a two person room decorated by Al Nouveau. Riko made me sit on the fluffy and soft couch. She sat down next to me with a skirt that was like something a princess from a fairytale would wear and pointed out the Mont Blanc and the black tea on the table and winked.
"Since I'm the one who called you out, eeeverything is my treat."
With that said, Riko took her sweet milk tea and drank it while staring at me with her big eyes.
"Puha. Heey, Kii-kun. You got into a fight with Aria, right?"
"That... That has nothing to do with you."
"It does. Kii-kun, being friendly with Aria is no good."
"What do you mean?"
"If you are, Riko won't have fun!"
Riko took a sharp stab at her Mont Blanc with a fork and laughed.
Her real intention was on her face.
"Here, Kii-kun, say 'aaaa'."
The cut up pieces of the Mont Blanc were on the fork she held out in my direction.
"As if, idiot."
"—『Butei Killer』—"
Riko showed me the cut up card—
I widened my eyes.
"—You've...found out something, haven't you?"
"If you say 'aaaaaa', I'll tell you."
It's embarrassing enough for me to die, but it's a situation where I have to make some sacrifices.
I took a mouthful of Riko's Mont Blac and looked at her for some answers.
"Kufu. You know. There was some data at the Metropolitan Police Department.... In the past, the people killed in a bike jacking and a car jacking weren't the only victims of the "Butei Killer".
"What do you mean?"
"There's a possibility of an event. It might have been an accident, but in reality, it's more likely that they're just concealing the Butei Killer's acts so people don't know."
"Is there really a record of that?"
"I found it."
Riko took out a paper that was folded four times from her pocket. Like magic, she slowly, slowly, unfolded it and showed it to me.
"—!"
My blood froze.
『2008, December, National Holiday. Uragaoki Shipwreck Incident. Deaths. Tohyama Kinichi, Butei (19)』
"This name is your older brother's, right? Heey, isn't this a sea-jacking?"
I hear Riko's voice frightfully far away.
—Butei Killer.
What are you?
Who are you?
Why do you know that Ani is?
Why do you know who Ani is? Why are you targeting me—!?
"Good."
Feverishly, Riko's voice brought me back.
After meeting my eyes, Riko calmly narrowed her eyes.
"Good, Kinji. Kinji, that—look. I'm chilled."
With an expression as if she was pleased, Riko came closer to the upper half of my body.
"Je t'aime à croquer. At the entrance examination time, Kinji's look—I was taken by first sight."
"—Riko?"
At the entrance examination time, the me in hysteria mode took her baby-like hand and twisted it to bring her down.
Is she talking about that time?
"Kinji."
In the narrow private room, Riko showed me movements that were like a beast.
She clung to me.
All of a sudden, she pushed me onto the couch.
"—Riko!?"
"Kinji, you're so dense when it comes to love. It's like you became dense on purpose. Hey...do you know? This is already an H event scene, you know?
Riko took her long hair and her left and right tail and wrapped it around my head as if to conceal it.
There was just 5 centimeters between my face and Riko's.
She was different from Aria. She smelled like vanilla, almond, and something sweet.
Riko brought her lips near my cheek at a distance where she could touch my lips or not. She came near my ear. Cut. She bit my ear.
I, it hurts.
"Hey, Kinjii. I went out of my way to ask for a high private room... It's okay for you to play a game...."
Together with a hot and painful whisper, Riko approached my whole body.
Ri...Riko. Was Riko such a—sexy girl?
The guys in Inquesta called her 'a loli with a huge chest', but now that she's pressing them against me I understand.
Even though she is always dressing up, acting stupid, and has a taste for childish stuff.
"Kinji. No one will find out since we're in this room. Shirayuki is in the S dorms and Aria went back to England. There was talk that she would be going back on a charter flight at 7PM... Nnn, it's already too late, definitely. That's why... Do something good with Riko, okay? Kufufu."
Because the temptation was so sudden I didn't have enough time to prepare.
When—I realized it,
I was going—into hysteria mode.
"—!"
At that moment, there was a flash inside my head.
The stuff I heard from Riko just now and the past events was like an electromagnet on me that was tied together by one wire.
That wire was...
terrible. The ending that cannot be allowed was connected.
—This is bad.
This is really bad.
If I can just move right now!
"Sorry—!"
The me in hysteria mode slipped away from Riko's hands right in front of her. Pachin!
It was the sound of repelling a finger.
Riko went 'myu' and at the moment blinked.
"Mistress, isn't it about time for you to go to bed?"
"An!?"
I held up that small body.
I switched my bodies with Riko's so she was lying on the couch.
Standing up with my hair waving, I left the room.
My mind inside hysteria mode—
In the end, after leaving Aria like that after the fight--This is what happened.
I wonder if it's alright like this?
This is... Before, this is exactly what I wanted.
At that bus jacking incident, even now, I showed myself who can't do anything.
That's why Aria was disappointed in me and released me.
Thanks to that, I can leave the assault section. Now I can waste my time in peace in the Inquesta section and transfer to a normal school next year. Then, I can wash the traces of the world of Butei off my hands and become a normal adult.
Isn't that great?
But......What's with this feeling of desolation?
After that, I just don't know. Being bothered by the irritation I was feeling, I wasted away the weekend.
Click......Click.
Even if she was looking at TV or the internet, the clicking sound of the clincher never stopped.
The Sunday morning of the day I heard about Aria's hospital discharge--This morning, while thinking about her, I immersed myself in doing my laundry and cleaning.
But, because of that--
I coincidentally saw Aria at an unexpected place in the afternoon.
At the campus island's beauty parlor on the corner.
I saw her as I was leaving the laundry place that was next to the beauty parlor. My legs unconsciously stopped as I saw her not-so-transformed look.
Since she didn't notice me, it once again looks like I'm peeping......
"......"
With a heavy look, Aria left her pigtails as they were and changed her hairdo just a bit.
She got bangs.
It was cute like that, but that was-- I don't even need to ask. It's probably to conceal the scar on her forehead.
While thinking that, I once again felt a sharp pain in my chest.
Like a cherry with white fur, Aria snorted like a mule and headed to the monorail station.
Those clothes were--normal clothes.
Since I've only seen her C equipment and uniform, seeing her like this, like a normal girl was refreshing.
Aria was wearing a neat, plain, pale pink patterned dress. It was a modern style that looked like it escaped from a fashion magazine.
If you were to take a photo of Aria right now and put it on a magazine cover, the clothes would sell like hot cakes.
But......even if Aria paid attention to her personal grooming usually, I've never seen her dress up so much.
I wonder where she's going.
(For a date?)
There's no need for questions.
It's probably a date.
......Aria's boyfriend.
Does she have one?
I wonder what type of guy he is.
While thinking that I--realized that I was doing it unconsciously and I didn't know why I was.
I was stalking Aria for the first time.
Aria left the monorail at Shinbashi and from there went to the direction of Kanda by JR... She got off at Shinjuku.
While following from a little behind, I saw that the guys on the street were taking fluttering glances at Aria.
It's to be expected. There's seldom a girl as cute as Aria. It would be strange for her to not get attention after she put so much effort into getting dressed up.
Aria went to the skyscraper from the west entrance. She was going slowly and snorting like a mule while walking.
This is also an unexpected direction.
This is an office building where those types of people work at... Then, is her boyfriend a working adult?
While thinking that, I continued to tail her――Aria stopped in front of an unexpected building.
It was the Shinjuku Police Station.
If she was coming here, why did she go to the trouble of dressing up?
"...Pitiful shadowing. I can see your tail wriggling."
When Aria turned around and suddenly said that, I felt like I drank a pole.
――What.
I was found out.
"Ah... Um. You said it to me before. 『Even without a question, if you're a Butei, you'd investigate for yourself.』"
It was awkward so I talked like an offender accusing a victim while Aria stood horizontally.
"If you found out, then why didn't you say anything?"
"I hesitated. I don't know if I have the power to teach you. You're also a victim of the Butei Killer and you're alone."
"?"
"Well, I've already arrived. Even if I drive you away, you'd still follow, right?"
After she said that, Aria became ambitious like usual.
While Aria entered the police station, I followed along with many question marks floating above my head.
In the Imprisoned People Visiting Room were two admins guarding. A beautiful woman came across the acrylic plank; I recognized her.
If I'm not mistaken......There was a cameo embedded in Aria's revolver's grip. There was a carving there of a woman that Aria looked a lot like.
Soft curvy long hair that looks like it was drawn. Almost onyx colored eyes. White porcelain skin like Aria's.
"Oh my...Aria. Is he your boyfriend?"
"N, no, Mama."
Looking a bit surprised from seeing me, the lady who gently raised her voice was...
Aria's mother.
S, she looks so young.
Instead of her mother, she looks like a long separated older sister.
"Then, he's an important friend? Oooh? Aria's at an appropriate age where she gets a boyfriend. Even pitiful Aria can make friends. Fufu. Ufufu..."
"You're wrong. He's Tohyama Kinji. He's a student at Butei High School— We're not like that. Absolutely."
Aria declared that and her mother gently narrowed her long eyelashes.
It would have been fine for her to not so clearly deny it.
"...Kinji-san, nice to meet you. I'm Aria's mother—Kanzaki Kanae. It seems you've been helping my daughter."
"Ah, no..."
Despite being in this kind of room, Kanae-san's gentle atmosphere covered us completely.
To be honest, I'm not good with these types of people.
I don't have any pattern and become nervous so I can't talk very well.
Aria went and—leaned toward the direction of the acrylic plate.
"Mama. I only have three minutes, so we'll only talk for a short while but... This stupid hairpiece is the Butei Killer's. They injured 3 other people too. Last week, the Butei Killer planted a bomb on a bike."
"...Oh my..."
Kanae-san's expression stiffened.
"There's also one more case, the day before yesterday, there was a bus hijacking incident. That guy's actions are suddenly more active now. That means he'll show his tail soon. That's why I'll aim for the Butei Killer and catch him. Even if it's just that, we can prove your innocence and your prison sentence of 864 years can be reduced to 742 in one stroke. Before your case gets to the Supreme Court, I'll definitely do something about the rest of them."
――At Aria's words, my eyes widened.
"And, I'll throw in all the I-U members in here."
"Aria. I'm happy for your feelings, but it's still too early to be challenging I-U — Have you found a partner?"
"That's... I can't find one no matter what I do. No one will follow me..."
"That's no good, Aria. Your talent is inherited. But like your family—you have inherited their excessive pride and childishness. Without a partner, you can't even display half of your ability. You need a partner that understands you and will stick with you no matter what happens. The right partner can more than double your power— Your great grandfather had a great partner, right?
"...They told me that so often in London that my ears got calluses. They even said I was defective because I couldn't find a partner... But..."
"A child who runs too fast will fall. Walk through life slowly."
Saying that, Kanae-san slowly blinked her long eyelashes.
"Kanzaki. It's time."
The admin standing at the wall informed her while looking at the clock.
"Mama, wait. I'll definitely catch the real criminals by the trial."
"You shouldn't be impatient, Aria. I'm worried about you. Don't go charging in alone."
"I don't want to! I want to save you as soon as possible!"
"Aria. My lawyer is working very hard to postpone the Supreme Court date as long as possible. Focus on finding a proper partner first. That scar on your forehead proves that you're mixed up in danger that you can't handle by yourself anymore."
Kanae-san had noticed the bandage that was covering the scar behind Aria's bangs and scolded her.
"No, no, no!"
"Aria...!"
"It's time!"
The admin did a form like a wing judo choke to pull Kanae-san back when she leaned forward from the acrylic plate in order to soothe the agitated Aria.
Kanae-san let out a small gasp of 'ah'.
"Stop it! Don't treat Mama violently!"
Looking like a wild animal baring its fangs, Aria's camellia eyes held rage and she leaped toward the acrylic plate.
But the plate was thick and solid despite being transparent. Of course it didn't budge in the slightest and it wouldn't let Aria pass.
While Kanae-san looked at Aria with worrying eyes, the two guards pulled her away.
The visiting room's interior door was a creamy color and looked soft, but contrary to its appearance, a heavy metallic sound resounded—
The door closed.
"I'll sue them. They have no right to treat her like that. I'll definitely...sue them."
Saying only that, Aria returned to Shinjuku station in weather that threatened rain...
I wanted to call out to her.
But like a shadow, I followed silently behind her.
"..."
Walk, walk, walk.
Snorting like a mule, Aria went in front of a window and suddenly—
Wa...lk. She stopped.
I also stopped.
From behind, Aria's face was down, her shoulders were drooping, and if you looked carefully, you could see her hands clenched and trembling.
Drip.
Drip...Drip.
Drops of water fell and split open at her feet.
That was... I didn't even need to hear it. They were Aria's tears.
"Aria..."
"I'm not crying."
Saying that like she was angry, Aria hung her head and shook.
In the gloomy wind, each and every person walking in the town street grinned at us who were stopped in the middle of the street.
They must be thinking we're having a lovers' quarrel or something.
"Hey...Aria."
I walked in front of Aria and everyone stooped over like peeping toms to peek at her face.
Drop...Drop. Drop.
Her bangs were hiding her eyes, her head was hanging, pearl-like tears traced down her white cheek.
"I'm...not..."
With that said, Aria clenched her teeth and from her intensely closed eyes, tears kept flowing.
And,
"crying... Waa...Uaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Like a thread was cut, Aria began to cry.
I averted my gaze from her face and looked up, but she kept crying like a child.
Her loud voice vibrated in my chest.
"Uaaaaaaaaa...Mamaa...Mamaaaaaa...!"
The evening street had a bright neon sign playing a fun piece of music and advertising the latest electronic appliances and fashionable clothes. The flickering lights played on Aria's pink hair and illuminated it.
Like a final blow, it began to rain.
Every person and every car passed by us.
The girl with a cellphone by her ear went 'Kyahahaha! For real!? I'll take it!' With such a loud voice, she walked past us while talking.
...I.
Aria was still crying in the midst of the noise and I could do nothing.
But, in silence, I stood next to her.
Tokyo had been suffering from strong winds since the beginning of the week. It was normal course lessons and the seat on my right was empty.
Aria was absent from school.
Earlier, after crying in the street, Aria said "I want to be alone", so in the end, we parted there.
On that day, I found Aria by chance, since she was alone I followed her to where her mother was... I learned a lot of things.
I know.
—Aria's mother was suspected of being the "Butei Killer" and arrested.
And she has already been declared guilty in court.
It's likely that they applied to the lower court reserve system— Since there was enough evidence, it quickly went to the higher courts. This system expedites the move from lower to higher courts, thereby preventing delays to the trial.
At that higher court, a 864 year prison sentence was made by the judge. In reality, it was a life sentence.
I thought about the conversation in the visiting room. Aria's mother was suspected of more then just the series of murders by the "Butei Killer". Aria claims all of the charges were false and wants to exonerate her mother. Since she was a Butei, she's trying to find the real criminals.
Also—about the partner thing.
The 'H' bring out their full potential by pairing up with exceptional partners. So, it appears that it's a family well-known to the police, and with a superior partner their abilities rapidly increase and they are able to accrue achievements.
For that reason, Aria is also seeking a partner but—
She couldn't find one.
That's obvious though.
To find someone that can match that child prodigy is no easy task. Aria referred to her 'partner' as a 'slave' because she was looking for a partner and testing out their ability and wanted to lower the standard required. It was probably her way of reducing the psychological burden being placed upon her.
As I vaguely thought about it, I couldn't concentrate on the lesson at all. When the Inquesta lesson ended—a mail came to my cellphone.
It was from Riko.
"Kii-kun. Once classes are over, come to the private room in Club Estella. I have something important to talk to you about."
If I was the normal me, I would have decided to ignore her.
In the first place, I avoid invitations from girls, but because of Riko's 'Important talk' it might be important.
But, this time...the case is rather special.
Riko has been investigating anything related to the bus hijacking incident last week. That's why she wasn't here again today for the Inquesta lesson. And today, Aria is absent, so I'm a bit worried for some reason.
Since I was asked, just to make sure, I headed to the monorail for the club.
I was a bit hesitant when I arrived at Club Estella. It seemed to be a high class karaoke establishment.
I stopped at the shockingly pink modded Vespa in the parking lot for bikes.
What bad taste for coloring. There's a resemblance. It's Riko's.
At first glance, it looks like a normal 50cc Vespa decorated with shockingly bad taste, but without lights and with some modding by Mutou it has become something that is no longer able to pass a vehicle inspection. According to Riko, it goes 150 km/hour and can jump.
Without lights... Honestly Mutou, choose your jobs.
It's 6 o' clock in the evening right now.
The vivid sunset looked awfully like blood. The deep blue sky and the clouds were quickly washed away.
This means a typhoon is nearing Tokyo. The wind is strong.
As I entered the club, I saw an office lady returning from her company and her date pecking at a cake like in a movie. If I look around, there are Butei High School girls here and there too. This place is popular.
"Kiiii-kuuuuuun!"
Riko, wearing her lolita uniform again, came jogging from inside.
Today is...even more amazing. Especially the skirt's carnations, which were like flower petals fluttering and bouncing. That was a pain which was called bloomers.
"You. You skipped lessons... What are you doing here?"
"Kufu. I wore my best clothes. But, since Kii-kun didn't come easily, if you gave me the cold shoulder, 'What would I do?' is what I thought. I'm so happy."
"This isn't about me giving you the cold shoulder or not."
"Aah, you're so cold. This is Riko's route here, you know!?"
"What's with that? I don't get what you mean."
The laughing Riko's upturned eyes were strangely charming, so I clicked my tongue.
Should I have not come? What's up with her?
Riko hung on my arm and intertwined it with her own. With a triumphant look, she proceeded into the interior of the shop.
Seeing that, the Butei High School girls whispered amongst themselves.
"No way. Kinji is going out with Riko-chan this time."
"I wonder if Kinji likes chibis."
"There's also Hotogi-san, so I don't think that's it."
Hey, you guys there. I can hear you. Don't misunderstand twofold and threefold.
Riko pushed through and went into a private room. It was a two person room decorated by Al Nouveau. Riko made me sit on the fluffy and soft couch. She sat down next to me with a skirt that was like something a princess from a fairytale would wear and pointed out the Mont Blanc and the black tea on the table and winked.
"Since I'm the one who called you out, eeeverything is my treat."
With that said, Riko took her sweet milk tea and drank it while staring at me with her big eyes.
"Puha. Heey, Kii-kun. You got into a fight with Aria, right?"
"That... That has nothing to do with you."
"It does. Kii-kun, being friendly with Aria is no good."
"What do you mean?"
"If you are, Riko won't have fun!"
Riko took a sharp stab at her Mont Blanc with a fork and laughed.
Her real intention was on her face.
"Here, Kii-kun, say 'aaaa'."
The cut up pieces of the Mont Blanc were on the fork she held out in my direction.
"As if, idiot."
"—『Butei Killer』—"
Riko showed me the cut up card—
I widened my eyes.
"—You've...found out something, haven't you?"
"If you say 'aaaaaa', I'll tell you."
It's embarrassing enough for me to die, but it's a situation where I have to make some sacrifices.
I took a mouthful of Riko's Mont Blac and looked at her for some answers.
"Kufu. You know. There was some data at the Metropolitan Police Department.... In the past, the people killed in a bike jacking and a car jacking weren't the only victims of the "Butei Killer".
"What do you mean?"
"There's a possibility of an event. It might have been an accident, but in reality, it's more likely that they're just concealing the Butei Killer's acts so people don't know."
"Is there really a record of that?"
"I found it."
Riko took out a paper that was folded four times from her pocket. Like magic, she slowly, slowly, unfolded it and showed it to me.
"—!"
My blood froze.
『2008, December, National Holiday. Uragaoki Shipwreck Incident. Deaths. Tohyama Kinichi, Butei (19)』
"This name is your older brother's, right? Heey, isn't this a sea-jacking?"
I hear Riko's voice frightfully far away.
—Butei Killer.
What are you?
Who are you?
Why do you know that Ani is?
Why do you know who Ani is? Why are you targeting me—!?
"Good."
Feverishly, Riko's voice brought me back.
After meeting my eyes, Riko calmly narrowed her eyes.
"Good, Kinji. Kinji, that—look. I'm chilled."
With an expression as if she was pleased, Riko came closer to the upper half of my body.
"Je t'aime à croquer. At the entrance examination time, Kinji's look—I was taken by first sight."
"—Riko?"
At the entrance examination time, the me in hysteria mode took her baby-like hand and twisted it to bring her down.
Is she talking about that time?
"Kinji."
In the narrow private room, Riko showed me movements that were like a beast.
She clung to me.
All of a sudden, she pushed me onto the couch.
"—Riko!?"
"Kinji, you're so dense when it comes to love. It's like you became dense on purpose. Hey...do you know? This is already an H event scene, you know?
Riko took her long hair and her left and right tail and wrapped it around my head as if to conceal it.
There was just 5 centimeters between my face and Riko's.
She was different from Aria. She smelled like vanilla, almond, and something sweet.
Riko brought her lips near my cheek at a distance where she could touch my lips or not. She came near my ear. Cut. She bit my ear.
I, it hurts.
"Hey, Kinjii. I went out of my way to ask for a high private room... It's okay for you to play a game...."
Together with a hot and painful whisper, Riko approached my whole body.
Ri...Riko. Was Riko such a—sexy girl?
The guys in Inquesta called her 'a loli with a huge chest', but now that she's pressing them against me I understand.
Even though she is always dressing up, acting stupid, and has a taste for childish stuff.
"Kinji. No one will find out since we're in this room. Shirayuki is in the S dorms and Aria went back to England. There was talk that she would be going back on a charter flight at 7PM... Nnn, it's already too late, definitely. That's why... Do something good with Riko, okay? Kufufu."
Because the temptation was so sudden I didn't have enough time to prepare.
When—I realized it,
I was going—into hysteria mode.
"—!"
At that moment, there was a flash inside my head.
The stuff I heard from Riko just now and the past events was like an electromagnet on me that was tied together by one wire.
That wire was...
terrible. The ending that cannot be allowed was connected.
—This is bad.
This is really bad.
If I can just move right now!
"Sorry—!"
The me in hysteria mode slipped away from Riko's hands right in front of her. Pachin!
It was the sound of repelling a finger.
Riko went 'myu' and at the moment blinked.
"Mistress, isn't it about time for you to go to bed?"
"An!?"
I held up that small body.
I switched my bodies with Riko's so she was lying on the couch.
Standing up with my hair waving, I left the room.
My mind inside hysteria mode—
