[Replies]
@Llyloo: Mayu has it tough. Mayu has it tough.
@jell_o_jello: Thank you so much! It truly is a lot to type out but I suppose I constantly write in this sort of style, so it's something that I HAVE to have.
@kahem: Let's see what Mayu and possibly Yuki perhaps do at a situation like this.
@fffff: I suppose actually seeing it happen is a different feeling compared to just making assumptions.
@mayuki_daisuki: Thank you so much! And ahhhhh, tissue? *passes tissue box*
@mo-chan: I'm glad that you came back! I'm sure the ride from here will be a bit smoother from now hopefully in terms of sadness. And Minami here is an FBI detective in search of the Origami Killer. Later on in the story, I'm sure her relationship with Mayu will be explained in the future.
@chibiusa: Ahhhhh, tissue to you too? *passes tissue box*
@alexsher99: Thank you for the kind words! And hm~ I'll let you wonder where exactly she is.
@leEwAy: 've SE or HE?' ? I'm not sure if you're asking me that question, but if you are, then I'm not understanding what you're asking there. Sorry.
And yeah, they're divorce. Sometimes couples can't really have much of a happy... relationship.
Jurina's disappearance must've been quite shocking (or not
) Anyway, here's the next chapter~ Enjoy it for Takamina will have some screen-er, writing screen time (?) moment.
[Chapter 7]
Agent Takahashi Minami was found inside of the police department. Sitting on one of the many waiting seats for the police captain's room behind her, she's impatiently waiting for her room assignment. Not to mention she has to speak to Captain Akimoto Sayaka, who is currently in a meeting from the nearby room inside. Her eyes examined her surrounding, watching as the many police and detectives sitting on their desk. Phone calls, keyboards' keys clicking away and the scratching of the writing utensils upon paper was heard nosily in the background. A frown crossed her face, bored.
"How long is this going to take?" Minami asked a nearby receptionist lady. The straight, black hair that reached down just above her shoulder with a dull expression expressed how bored she is. Maybe she's as bored as Minami here. The young lady was furiously typing away on her keyboards, but stopped when she noticed the FBI agent had asked her a question. Looking at her, she answered, "She should almost be done soon."
Then she returned back to her work. That answer didn't satisfy Minami and only made her slightly irritated. She's been waiting for almost a full hour for the woman she seek to come out of the room. A quiet, but frustrated sigh left her closed lips. She shut her eyes, scrunching her eyebrows.
So far, she had headed straight toward the department after investigating the recently found eight victim of the murder. It had a complex feature made inside of the building. Each hallway would only lead to even more hallways and rooms. Though it took her a while to navigate around the place, it was thanks to this lady that she had just spoken to who showed her the place around. If it weren't for her, Minami probably would still be running in circles. Looking over at the lady, she then asked a couple of questions just for the hell of it.
"So... How long have you been working here?"
The girl took a short while to realize that Minami had asked her another question. "I've worked here for... hm... three years? Yeah, three years."
"Three years? Must be a very long time."
She shrugged her shoulders. "It feels long but I know it isn't."
"You seem very bored of what you're doing right now."
A sigh. "Yes I am. I wanted to become a cop, but my father, who is also a cop, didn't allow me to. He's afraid that I might get hurt." Then she rolled her eyes. "I'm not a weak girl, but if father wants that, then I have no choice but to abide to his words."
"I'm sure working as a police in the front line is dangerous," Minami opposed her ideas. "As an FBI agent, if my job is about life and death in both the investigations and protecting myself, then a cop's job is somewhat similar along the line."
"Whatever you say, Agent Takahashi."
Before the two can continue on with their conversations, it was cut short when a woman came out of his office. The door opened and closed just as quickly to reveal Captain Akimoto. She was surprisingly young for her status. The woman had on a black suit with faint silver stripes running through it. White collared shirt underneath with a simple, plain dark brown tie. As expected of a captain, who dressed up prepared for the job.
The captain here is considered the best police individual around this area of the city of Tokyo. All sorts of rumors and legends float around this young lady. Strong and strict but loyal and gentle at heart, she is highly respected by many around her.
"I'm off, Atsuko. I'll look at the reports later. Cancel all appointments for this afternoon," she told the girl on the desk as she paused shortly across from her.
'So Atsuko's her name,' Minami raised her eyebrows with interest as she rise up from her seat. Resisting the temptation to stretch her arms high up into the air due to their lack of activity, she quickly came up to the captain from behind.
"Miss, I forgot to mention but we have Agent Takahashi Minami from the FBI here with us." That caught the girl's attention and she took her time turning around. Her eyes slightly widen from surprise but was then smiling at Minami. "Ah, Takahashi-san. We've been expecting you," she spoke as she extended her hand out. The agent then reached out to shake her hand firmly as she continued to speak. "I'm in a bit of a hurry. Do you mind tagging along? We can talk as we walk of course," she chuckled.
"Of course ma'am." Sayaka walked away to her left while adjusting her tie. Before Minami followed after her, she glanced over at Atsuko. The girl looked up above from her monitor and waved to Minami. 'We'll speak more later,' she mouthed at her. Then she resumed back to her work, typing away with whatever she was working at.
Minami soon trailed right behind Sayaka. "I wanted to introduce myself before getting started, but perhaps there's a better time?" She felt that it was a little rude of her to want to introduce herself at the moment. Sure, it's crucial to get to know each others name at least but if the captain is at a rush, then it can't be helped. Sayaka from ahead shook her head.
"No no, now is fine. I've just got to get to the press conference." There was a sigh coming from her. "We have them everyday now. Believe me, it's not always easy finding something to tell them. Fortunately, today we have some news." Minami just listened silently as the other girl ranted out her thoughts at the moment. She must have it rough for the head captain of any police force is required to speak to the public about the case at hand.
"Have you met Lieutenant Blake yet?" she asked a different question to Minami.
The agent just wished that would have another person to work with. Maybe someone like Sayaka would be nice to work alongside. She hated Blake. Oh so very much already. And it didn't help that the captain just asked her a question pertaining to the cursed man. Even just thinking about him could give her headaches. "Yeah, we met this morning."
As though Sayaka could've read her opinion on Blake, she flashed a nervous grin. "He has his own methods, but he's a good cop. I'm sure you'll get on well together."
'If I can resist the temptation to break his neck, sure we'll go well together.'
Sayaka halted in her spot and turned to look at Minami.
"To be frank with you, I could have done without the FBI on this one, but the press are all over us. This Origami Killer case crept up on us and it's fast becoming a national concern. There are hundreds of killers in this country, but whadda you know, this is 'exotic.' He leaves flowers and origami figures. Work THAT one out. Then the press get on to it and we suddenly become the center of the universe."
It's true. The press media is crazy for any type of story. One can describe them like a bee to a flower. Only to add that the bee is a bee hungry for the flower. The reporters catch one whiff of any story. Any story including false rumors and past incidents that have been resolved long ago and blow it up on the front page of most newspaper. Exaggeration as an added effect. It's annoying but what can one do to shake them off? Give them what they want and they'll fly away. Or not and have them cling onto you like a pesky leech, sucking the living sanity out of you.
As much as Minami wanted to help her, she was only here for one purpose. And that purpose is to not to help Sayaka get rid of these pesky press. "I'm here to arrest a serial killer. With all due respect ma'am, the rest of it... is none of my business."
Thankfully Sayaka isn't the kind of person to be angry easily (as oppose to Minami here). With an understanding nod, she understood where Minami was coming from.
"No, of course not. All I'm asking is that you make progress and fast. The press want a perpetrator and we're gonna have to serve him up on a silver platter."
She then left Minami behind and walked towards a room from the very left. Seen in there could be multiple reporters. Their voices was heard and bright, white flashes seen by the cameras.
"Oh, go see Atsuko. She'll show you to your office. Check in on the press conference if you're interested. It'll give you an idea of the political climate around here." She pat Minami on the shoulder. "Welcome to the club. Enjoy your stay I suppose." With that finally said, Sayaka left Minami alone. Mentally, Minami gave the captain some luck with talking to those reporters. Who knows how it might go?
Wondering whether she should see Atsuko again first or just enter within the press room, she went with the choice of watching Sayaka do her little speech first.
It was very crowded. So crowded that Minami felt that she might suffocate from such setting. Pushing through the massive crowd that was built and blocked the entrance way, she got inside and had a seat. In the very front, there was Captain Akimoto on the podium. There was the signature police crest marked on the podium, showing off its pride. The captain coughed into her hand for a moment before speaking her speech.
"The body of Jeremy Bowles was found this morning on a patch of wasteland in the East End at about 6:30 AM; five days after he was reported missing. An autopsy will be conducted tomorrow to determine the exact cause of death. But going from first indications, it would seem that he drowned. The state in which the body was found suggests the methodology of the Origami Killer. The investigation should confirm this in the coming days. The police are continuing to work around the clock to find the murderer as quickly as possible."
Once finished with her speech, Sayaka glanced at the audience before her. Hungry eyes stared at the pit of her soul as they impatiently waited for her permission to question her on the case. As much as she despised it, she has to let these deprived reporters ask their questions. "I'll field some questions-Ah, yes?"
"You said the methodology indicated another victim for the Origami Killer. Can you be more specific?" one reporter asked as he stood ready with his pen and paper at hand.
She then answered, "An origami figure was found in the victim's hand and an orchid was placed on his chest. His face was covered with mud but there were no visible traces of violence on the body. Alright, next one. Go on ahead."
"The Zodiac killer was never identified. Perhaps the Origami Killer will never be found either?" [A/N: For those wondering if the Zodiac Killer is fake just like the Origami Killer... Funny enough, it isn't. Just Google it if you don't believe me. A famous killer back in the 1960s-1970s in the United States; specifically within California.]
"I don't think there's much chance of that. For the moment, the killer may think he is invulnerable but in the end he'll make a mistake and we'll be there to arrest him."
"Did the killer leave any written evidence? Perhaps a ransom note explaining his actions or anything like that?"
"No. He has not made contact in any way and we have only the murders to help us to understand his motives."
"Some people are saying that the police were slow to take an interest in these murders because the victims lived in poorer parts of the city. What do you say to that?"
A frown crossed on her face. "That's absurd. The police make no distinctions between victims based on their social class. It is true that the Origami Killer seems to choose his victims from the more impoverished parts of town. The higher crime rate in these areas makes the investigation more difficult."
As the captain continue speaking, Minami has enough to hear with this entire Origami Killer case and the common questions that one might ask. So rising up from her seat, she soon was pushing her way again through the crowd in order to get out of the room. Once she had made it safely out of such suffocating room, she then decided to approach the lieutenant. Besides, in order for the case to start, she has to converse with him. He did tell her that he wanted her to share any known information for they were working together. Not like she has a choice anyway.
"I'm ready to start. Maybe we should kick off by talking about the case?" the FBI agent started off about the case as she stood by his desk. He was busy typing away on his computer. Without slowing down his fingers, he glanced over at her and raised a single eyebrow into the air. "I have some work to finish here. Let's talk about that later if you don't mind?"
The agent felt slightly impatient, but didn't push his buttons. So she lifted her two hands into the air in understanding and nodded. "Just let me know when you're available." No answer from the man other than the sound of his fingers punching at the keys. She then left Blake behind and decided to talk to Atsuko.
Minami came upon the desk that the receptionist girl once more. As she walked up to Atsuko, her eyes caught sight of a golden watch encased in a nice box within a light brown basket full of white fluffs. "Nice watch," she commented. Stopping in front of the girl's desk, she crossed her arms and examined the watch at a closer distance. Right behind the watch's box was a white paper written 'Collection For Larry's Promotion Present' in red marker ink. One of her eyebrows raised from reading the message.
"Oh, it's a present we offer to our new lieutenants. We've bought the same model each year for the past twenty years for each promotion. It optimizes everybody's time and it's the kind of thing that always goes down well. You can contribute to our fund if you like. We're still a few dollars short."
'Huh, I guess this Larry guy is lucky to be promoted,' Minami thought to herself as she dug out a wallet from her pant's pockets. With a smile, she tossed out a five hundred yen coin into the basket. It landed without making a sound into it. "Congratulate Larry on my behalf."
"I'll be sure to do that, miss," Atsuko smiled back.
"By the way, Captain Akimoto said you could show me to my office?"
There was a little 'oh' expression on her face when she heard Minami's question. "Yes, of course. Just follow me."
Getting up from her seat, she did a quick stretch of her arms into the air. Wearing a black business attire complete with her natural beauty, she could capture anyone's attention whether young or old. To be honest, Minami felt like she was pulled in when she finally saw the female figure standing up properly before her eyes. There was a slight hesitation with her heartbeat. 'Wow. She does look... cute.' Little did the agent know that she was blushing lightly when Atsuko got around her desk.
She urged the shorter girl to come after her as she went toward the direction behind Atsuko's desk. As she followed her, Minami then asked, "So... your name is... Atsuko?"
A small giggle from her direction, hand covering her mouth. "Yes. Ah, looks like I forgot to introduce myself properly to you." Looking at Minami from over her shoulder, she grinned happily. "Maeda Atsuko's my name, but you can call me Acchan."
"Acchan..."
"And I'll call you Takamina if you don't mind."
"E-Eh? T-Takamina?"
"Yeah. We have another police officer here by the name of Minegishi Minami. Though we call her Mii-chan, I don't think we would want to really mix you both up. Or at least for me." She closed her eyes for a brief moment as she quietly laughed. "So I'll call you Takamina then."
Minami couldn't help but too laugh along with the other girl. "Alright then, that's fine by me." As soon as she finished speaking, they had came upon a door that leads to one of the many offices in this building. She could see Atsuko's hand laid and push against the surface of the wooden door. As it opened, Minami swore she could've seen dust coming from within the room. The door now opened wide, Atsuko backed to the side in order to let the FBI agent take a step inside.
"This... This is my office?" It shocked Minami. It really did surprise her. The office that she was staring at is something that she wasn't expecting.
Dust hanging in the air and cobwebs seen from the corner of the dirty room. Lights from the fogged window from dirt and who knows what shined from below, giving the room a natural sense of lighting. A couple of old cabinets that looks as though it may only contain some files back in the 1900s was seen on the left corner of the room. Bulletin board was barely in use; a couple of old news back ten years ago were hanging up on it. Now the table. The table had a black telephone and a red notebook that must've been left from the old user of this room. Layers of white dust packed on top of each other judged from one's eyes alone. Just the sight makes Minami want someone to have an explanation why she has such... terrible private work setting.
"That's where I was told to take you," Atsuko merely replied with a shrug of her shoulder. Minami looked over her shoulder and saw the other taller girl make a strange facial expression. It seems that Atsuko doesn't seem to like the room either. "But... if you need anything.... you know where to find me." Then with that said, she exited out of the room and left the agent alone.
Unsure of where exactly to start, Minami slowly walked back over to the door. Before closing it, she took one last look at Atsuko. The girl was surely taking her time back to her desk, the heels of her high heels clicking against the surface of the floor. 'At least I have someone to talk to if I need anything,' Minami mentally noted to herself. For some reason... She felt like she'll need Atsuko's support throughout this case. Even if she knows she usually works solo.
Clicking the door close, she returned her attention back to the disgusting room. "Looks like I'll have to make use of it..." she grumbled her complaints as she approached to the desk. In one movement, she pulled out the dark brown colored rolling chair. The chair swiftly rolled behind her and out of her way at the moment. Now staring at the dust-coated surface of the table, with a disgusted expression, she used her hands to wipe it off. Wiping as much as possible from her sight including the telephone and notepad, she grumbled slightly louder. "Damn these dusts. Damn this table. Damn everything about this room." Minami then dusted her own hands into the air, shuddering at the amount she had collected just from the table alone. Who knows how much dust resides in the room in total. "Just the dust alone could make a small dust beach for all I know."
Then her hands gripping on the edges of the table, she pushed with all her might till the back collided against the wall of the office room. Now standing up straight, she pulled back the chair she tossed aside and sat on it. Leaning her elbows on the table, she wondered to herself for a bit. One can wonder how Minami can perform and review her information at hand. But luckily for her, she has the ARI glasses. And the glasses can do what she commands it to do.
Soon she had the glove and glasses put on.
"Step one, change the office."
By her command, she clasped her two hands together and soon retracted from each other. From her view through the glasses, she could see four orbs floating aligned in between her hands. It then revolved around her body, one floating right in front of her face. Inside of the sphere was a hologram of a leaf found in the fall season. With one flick of her hand, she moved to the next orb. It showed a couple of planets from outer space. Then another flick. Mountains. Last one then showed a couple of seaweeds. Each of these orbs were a theme that could change the surroundings of Minami through the glasses. After giving it a couple more flicks, she reached her desired theme. Grabbing a hold of it, she gave it a slam downward the desk's surface.
The floating orb looked as though it had melted through the desk. The setting in a flash transformed around her. Mountains and peaceful waterfalls from nearby rivers were seen. Birds chirping in a relaxing manner. Light fog hovering in the area. The smell of nature could calm one's nerve and instantly provide a relieving effect. A smile crossed through Minami's lips. "This is perfect. Great way to relax if I need a small break from my stressful work."
Without any hesitation, Minami then shoved aside the orbs. They flew to her left side and out of her sight.She then brought up a yellow lighted up outline of a cube from within the surface of the table. With a tap of her gloved hand on the corner, it unfolded itself one move at a time till it became flat on the desk.
A couple of evidences soon came into view for her. All in a hexagonal prism. Minami took the time to review each and every one of them. Giving one of them a tap of her finger, it pulled out an abundant of information listed out with data surrounding the icon of the evidence. The first one she examined was the killer's car.
"The killer's car is probably a Chevrotet Malibu 83."
She then moved onto the next one, the origami that was within the victim's hand.
"No prints or specific clues. Nothing much to go on."
Minami raised her eyebrow. It was strange. Usually when one makes the origami, it would take precision and careful folding in order to creature such figure. But without a single print or specific clue? Is that even possible? She understands that one can make it without prints, but without a single DNA trace of the killer or person responsible for creating it? This puzzles her.
The agent then decided to go through her virtual map. Her hand grabbed in midair and pulled downward. In that one motion, a map was shown. Using her other hand, she tossed the icon of the evidence into the map. A red pointer in the middle of the map suddenly appeared and glowed; marking its location of the evidence. "Just one origami store in the city." She squinted her eyes slightly at the fact. Looks like she'll have to keep note about this one shop in the city here.
The orchid was next.
"Mmmm... A common species... That doesn't help much... The orchid is a common species. It can be found in any flower shop," she muttered as she pulled down the map the second time.
Pushing aside all of the evidences, she sighed out loud. "Looks like it's time for me to look into the profiles of the killer in full depth." Minami clasped her hands together once more and soon was faced with a hologram of a cabinet's drawer. Files were all neatly organized within the virtual ARI's memories. Her hands skimmed the files, fingering at the tip of the folders. She took out two files and soon the cabinet disappeared; left with two files floating around her.
"Eight victims in the last three years. All young child between the age of nine and thirteen. Both male and female. No signs of violence. The victims disappear from public places broad daylight. No one notices anything. The bodies are found three to five days later. Drowned... in rainwater... There is always a railroad line adjacent to where the bodies are found... And all the victims disappeared in the fall. The killer has a large comfort zone. He gained confidence rapidly and moved away from his base. This won't make the geoprofiling any easier..."
Next portfolio.
"Always the same ritual. An origami in the hand, an orchid on the chest... The victims have always been dead for less than six hours when they were found. Which means they remained alive for several days before being drowned... Over 3500 people questioned, over one hundred suspects interrogated. And not a single lead to go on... The killer is white, aged between 30 and 45. He is intelligent, calm and determined. An organized type, he has a car. He's probably employed but his work allows him free time."
A pause. "An organized killer... This really isn't going to be easy... Especially with how many people we have already interrogated and held suspicion of." With a sigh, she pushed aside the portfolio holograms and took off her glasses. Her vision quickly adjusted to the sudden change. She was now staring at the desk that she had just dusted off, inside of the same dirty office room. Taking off her glove, she deposited the two back into her pockets.
Then her vision. It grew blurry. And her hands. They were trembling. Blinking a couple of times didn't seem to improve her sight, so she closed her eyes and brought her left hand up to her forehead. "Here we go again... I'd better go wash my face..." Withdrawal effects of the Triptocaine was coming back again. Luckily she was in her office and away from others view, so she didn't have to worry much about getting caught taking the drug if she has to. But Minami didn't want to take it. She wanted to stop her addiction and it takes a lot of effort. It's like a smoker trying to quit smoking. Only this time the withdrawals were much more severe.
With difficulty, she got up from her seat. Dizziness slapped her upside the head once she stood up straight. Vision growing darker around the borders, she felt her body wobble left and right slightly. "I need to take some... I'm gonna faint if I resist..." her shaky words exited out of her mouth as she stabilized her balance with gravity. Her hands reached up behind her head as she looked downward, squeezing her eyes shut. Minami couldn't take it. The withdrawal effect is going to drive her insane. But she immediately snapped out of it and stood up straight. "That's alright. I know I can make it."
She began walking in a way one might question if she was truly alright. 'I know I can make it. Minami, just open the door and go toward the washroom. It's just the left side of this office, right?' Thank god for the agent that the restroom is nearby. If it were at a farther distance... Well, that probably wouldn't have ended well for this girl. Stumbling toward the door, her hands fumbled around the doorknob before twisting it. As she pushed it open, she quickly regained her cool composure and acted as though nothing had happened. Her left hand quickly ran over to its right and gripped against it in order to cease its shakiness.
"Takamina? Is everything alright?" Atsuko's voice snapped her out of her focus at getting to the restroom. Not wanting to lose her focus, she ignored the receptionist and walked towards the room. Entering inside of the restroom, she did not hesitate to run over to the sink and wash her face. Water splashed at her. Trying to get rid of the effects and in hopes it would calm her sudden withdrawal attack. After a couple of splashes, she raised her head to be faced with one of the many restroom's mirror. On the mirror showed a brown-haired female in a ponytail. Water droplets seen here and there on her face as a couple drops slid down from different parts. Weariness was seen. Minami leaned forth and gripped the edges of the white sink with her two hands. Gripping it so tight to the point her knuckles turned white.
'You're going to be okay, Minami. See? The effects are fading away...' she reassured to herself. Once knowing that she felt better and resisted the strong urges, she straightened her clothing before taking her leave out of the restroom.
Up next is Mayu and Shelby.
Topic: How Far Are You Prepared To Go? [Mayuki] - Chapter 25 [Update: 07/16/14] (Read 48191 times)