. [ # 15 ]
"Nee nee nee !" Sayumi voiced out the moment she stepped into the office of CIL. She had successfully attracted the attention of both Eri and Miki, who both had arrived early to the office earlier in the day.
"What?" Miki asked uninterestedly as she continued her speed on the keyboard. "Anyway, you are quite daring. Just because our supervisor is currently suspended, that doesn’t gives you the excuse to report in near to noon." Miki continued.
"I was collecting intelligence!" Sayumi argued back.
"Whatever." Miki brushed off. "So what made you being so excited when coming in here, Shige-san?"
"I have grabbed hold of the reason for Takahashi Ai's suspension!" Sayumi replied, successfully getting Miki's attention. Miki stopped her typing and looked curiously at Sayumi. On the other hand, Eri, who was the standing in supervisor, showed no interest in Sayumi's statement.
"What's the reason?" Miki questioned.
"This is definitely the biggest news of the universe. I bet none of you could guessed the reason." Sayumi pulled off as she crossed her arms.
"Cut the dragging! Just say!" Miki reprimanded impatiently.
"Apparently . . . The Takahashi Ai is a mother of a child. She was being filed against abandonment of premature infant and deliberate attempt murder. And she had pleaded guilty on the charged made on her." Sayumi complied.
"EH?!" Miki exclaimed as she pushed herself away from her desk and towards where Sayumi was - by Eri's desk. "Are you sure? She definitely don't look like someone who will break the law, given her strict rules and regulations on our way of working." Miki continued.
"I'm pretty sure about that. That's what I heard from the team 4 leader. The trial was ran yesterday." Sayumi affirmed. She then turned slightly to face the working Eri. She was satisfied with the reaction that Miki gave, but not what Eri had gave her. Even after what Sayumi had announced, Eri remained unaffected, with her eyes still fixed on the computer and fingers on the keyboard. "You are not surprise, Eririn?" Sayumi asked in a low voice.
"I knew it right from the start." Eri stated, with her fingers not leaving the keyboard.
"You knew it right from the start? How?" Both Miki and Sayumi asked surprisingly in unison. "Why didn't you tell us then?" Sayumi added on as she leaned closer to Eri.
"It's not my story to tell. That's why I did not say anything about it." Eri replied. She stopped her fingers for a short while and took a deep breath.
'I don't think Gaki-san will want anyone else to know about it. And especially after the mishap that had happened to Haru-chan . . . And Takahashi-san . . . She didn't seemed to me to be such person as well . . . I wonder . . . How is she taking it . . . ' Eri thought silently in her mind as she sighed deeply. Shaking her head lightly to brush away the depressing thoughts, Eri, once again, picked up her speed on the keyboard, continuing her way through the report she was working on.
Sayumi looked queerly at Eri, knowing the fact that Eri was hiding some stuffs. But she had decided to brush that aside. "And that's not the only thing I'd heard from Team 4."
"Hmmm?" That caught Eri's attention. Eri pulled her hand away from the keyboard and rest in on the table. "Was it regarding the verdict?"
Sayumi shook her head in response. "Even though Takahashi Ai had pleaded guilty, the trial is scheduled for second hearing due to the intervention of your best friend." Sayumi continued as she nodded slightly towards Eri at the mention of Risa.
"Gaki-san?" Eri and Miki questioned in unison. 'Why would Gaki-san intervened? Wasn't she the one who had insisted in the filing of the document?' Eri thought in confusion.
"Apparently. . . Takahashi Ai was involved in a rape crime 8 years ago . . . and the police had allowed the culprit to escape from judicial hearing due to insufficient evidence and . . . " Sayumi paused for a while before continuing "Possible bribery . . . FID had officially taken over the case now. Gaki-san is currently in-charge of this case."
"WHAT?!" Eri exclaimed as she shot up from her seat.
"What happened, Kame-chan?" Why the sudden reaction? You weren't reacting this way when you first heard the news. Haven't you knew this right from the start?" Miki commented.
"Nothing. . . " Eri shook her head returned back to her original position.
'If that was the case . . . Counting the months. . . Haru-chan . . . could be the product of the rape crime . . . which means . . . But . . . How . . . Everything is so messed up. . . If that's the case . . . . the most innocent victim in everything . . . it would be Takahashi-san, isn't that so? And now. . . Did I made the wrong move by following on to Gaki-san selfish request to file the document. . .but . . . What should I do now?' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ai sat motionlessly on the couch of her living room with her newly attained stuffed toy on her lap and her arms encircling round the soft texture. She was staring blankly at the space before her, with her mind bringing her back to the incident the day before.
"You hated me don't you? Let us maintained as this relationship. . . .It's enough. . . .I don't need you to sympathise with me . . ."
"I - It wasn't out of sympathy . . . I -"
Ai interrupted Risa once again before Risa could finish her words. "Say no more . . . What I want . . .is for this . . .THIS . . . to end . . . Don't drag on them . . .You are not helping me . . . " Ai continued, with a softer and gentler voice. Not waiting for any responses from Risa, Ai turned away from Risa and began to travel towards her own vehicle.
"Wait! Listen to me, Takahashi Ai!" Risa screamed after the retreating figure. However, Ai made no effort to answer to that call. Instead, she unlocked her vehicle and climbed into the driver's seat, closing the door straight after that, shutting any attempted communication made by Risa.
'I just want this to be over. . . .I don't want to think about it anymore . . . '
- ding dong -
The clear ringing of the doorbell brought Ai back to the real time. She hugged Daisy closed to herself, stood up from the couch and began to glide across the room to the front door. Not bothering to check through the peek hole, Ai pulled opened the apartment door with her free hand. At the sight of her visitor, Ai had the urge to slam the door close straight on the visitor's face. But she did not do that. In the end, she did not had the heart to do the act.
"Sorry for interrupting." Came the familiar voice.
"What are you doing over here? How did you even managed to get my address?" Ai asked restlessly as she stood at by the door, blocking the doorway for entry.
"Can I come in?" Risa asked nervously as she readjust the sling strap on her shoulder. " I would like to give you some stuffs." Risa paused for a long moment before continuing, " And I have a few questions for you. Just a few questions. Nothing more." Risa explained briefly as sincerity filled her eyes.
Ai's heart wavered at the sincerity. As much as she had wanted to get Risa out of her sight - as the sight of Risa reminded her of Haru, she could not bring her heart to reject her, especially Risa had mentioned that she was here to pass her some stuffs. Ai scooted slightly behind the door, allowing entry for Risa into the simple apartment.
"Thank you. . . " Risa said under breath, took off her shoes, entered the house by the side and straight into the living room. Ai shut the door and followed behind Risa, placing Daisy duck on the dining chair when she passed by the dining room. Risa stood awkwardly in the middle of the living room, unsure if she was allowed to sit down.
"Take a seat. It's unlike you to be so polite. Please be the Gaki that I knew. I liked it that way." Ai breezed emotionlessly as she returned back to the place where she had sat previously.
Risa stood motionlessly at the same place.
'Why did she went back to the cold mask she had created for herself?' Risa thought sadly in her mind.
'There's no way I can see her in the same way I saw her previously. . . not after all these had happened. . . Kame, you were right. . . there were something more about than just a cold face she had carried around her atmosphere. . .' Risa turned around and caught Ai staring at her.
"What do you have to pass to me?" Ai asked tediously as she crossed her legs.
Risa moved towards the other end of the couch and sat down, leaving a big empty space between the two of them. Placing the sling bag on her lap, Risa unzipped the bag and took out a small white parcel shaped cloth with a pink ribbon tied on it and placed it on the empty space. "I - had kept some of the bone ashes . . . and I thought . . . You might want to keep some parts of it. . . " Risa gulped down a mouthful of saliva as pain grew in her chest. "And this . . " Risa took out a photo album and placed it beside the parcel.
Ai kept her eyes on the items placed by her side. The demure that she was faking was fading slowly. Ai turned away and began to focus on her fingers instead.
"I won't believe if you were to tell me that you won't want them . . . Not after I had witness so much from you. So please . . . " Risa continued through her trembling lips. "Don't say that you do not want them."
Ai nodded her head, almost unnoticeable. "Is that what you are for? If you are done, I think you may want to leave . . ."
"Can - can I hear your story? Your story. . . I really want to help you. . . no matter what you say. . . no matter how much you are going to reject the idea, I'm still going to do it. . . " Risa added on immediately upon hearing Ai's request for her to leave. "I don't want to be always guessing about what may happened . . . "
Ai remained silent as she crossed her arms.
"Please?" Risa asked again. However, Ai chose to ignore Risa. She had not replied anything to Risa. "I have read through the case description. Do you mind me asking you some questions?" Risa turned the wheel, but still, failed to get Ai to respond to her. "Did anyone knew that you were present at the bar that night and had left early? According to the alibis reports, they had claimed that you were not even on location that night." Risa asked as she took out her notebook and pen. Ai looked away from Risa's curious stares and at the Daisy Duck at the dining area. " Or did anyone saw you leaving the bar with Tanaka Juncho?" Risa asked again. Risa waited awhile for responses from Ai. However, there was none. " Takahashi Ai, remaining silent won't help you in any way!"Risa cried in desperation.
"Are you done?" Ai finally spoke up. "You said you just had a few questions to ask. That's quite a number you had asked. I didn't say I would answer them. Would you like to leave now, Gaki?" Ai continued as she turned back and glanced at Risa with her old cold eyes.
Risa stood up and went towards the door reluctantly, with her fist clenched tightly by her side. "Why? Why don't you allow anyone to help you?"
Ai remained still at where she was. "Because there's no reason to. . . After all these years. . . Justice still does not exist at all. . . Not at all . . ."
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"Kamei-san, can you please come into my office?" The phone intercom sounded.
"Hai!" Eri got out of the office and into the Chief room. "What is it that you had for me, Chief?"
"I guessed you had heard from the rumours that are going around regarding Takahashi-san, don't you?"
"A little. Sayu was talking about them in the office this morning as well." Eri replied as she settled herself on the chair before the chief.
"Well. . . It's not rumours. . . they are all true facts. Now that Takahashi-san had pleaded guilty during the first hearing, high chances is that she would not be allowed to work in the CIL any more, given the fact that she had broke the criminal law previously."
"But that's . . . "
"I had called Takahashi-san this afternoon and told her about this. She had too accepted this fact. In fact, she had told me that you are a good candidate for the new chief supervisor position. I'm glad to inform you that . . .Kamei-san, you are promoted."
'Why did Takahashi-san do that? She knew I was the one who ran the test for Gaki-san, that I am the one who filed the document. . . Why?' Eri sat at the seat, awestruck. "Is . . . Takahashi-san coming back?"
"She would be back tomorrow to collect the rest of her personal belongings."
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"Kame. . . " Came a distressed voice over the phone receiver.
"Gaki-san? What happened? Why are you sounding so distress? Did you cry again?" Eri asked in concern.
"Why? What can I do to help her? I really want to help her! But why is she rejecting? Why? I don't understand why, Kame. Why?"
"Are you talking about Takahashi-san?"
"Have you heard about it? About her . . . " Risa trial off, being afraid to mention the four words - victim of rape crime.
"Yes." Came a short reply from Eri. "Let's do this together. . . We are the one who had caused this complication. . . let us fix it back together . . "
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Ai placed the very few stationary that were on her desk into the paper box before her as the security stood at the doorway, watching her packing her stuffs. It did not take Ai a long time to pack her belongings as there were not many present in the first place. "I'm done." Ai whispered softly to the security as she brought the box close to her chest. "I'm ready to leave. Do you need to check through them?"
"There isn't such need to."
Ai nodded her head in acknowledgement. She took one last glance around the room.
"Get out, GAKI!" Ai grunted again, slightly louder this time round.
"I know. . . I getting myself out now, can't you see that?" Risa responded with a slight smirk on her face. "Maa, I still curious why had you decided to become a forensic scientist instead of the medical team. I will still come." Risa finished as she shut the door after her.
- - - - -
"What are you doing in my office again, Gaki?" Ai asked in irritation the moment she saw Risa sitting at the usual seat.
"Do I need to have a reason to be here?" Risa rebutted.
Ai rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Gosh. Would you please get out? Can't you see that I don't really like the idea of you being in my office."
"I can see that. But still, as much that I hate your guts, I still like the fact that my presence has the ability to irritate you." Risa finished, beaming a victory smile to Ai.
- - - - -
Risa stood up from the chair immediately and began to search for another way of escape. "Why should I be? I'm here for a mission. Konno-san is asking me to . . . " Before Risa could finish her sentence, she tripped. She had tripped onto the cabinet while trying to escape for Ai, resulting on her falling onto Ai. Worse still, with her lips landing on the wrong position. Before she knew it, she had felt the softness of another lips on her own.
'Why am I remembering all these moments?' Ai thought weirdly as the moments spent in the room came flooding in her mind. She shook her head lightly, brushing away the thoughts. She then followed behind the security guard and back into the main working area of CIL.
"Takahashi-san!" Eri called out in acknowledgement the moment Ai stood out of the individual office. "Are you free? Can I talked to you privately?"
Ai looked at the security guard, who had gave the nod which meant yes. "I guessed it should be alright.
"To the meeting room outside?" Eri suggested. Ai said nothing. Instead she just nodded her head.
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"I was wondering . . . Why did you made me the new chief supervisor. . . I mean I'm always absentminded and slow in my work . . . "
"You have the potential to. Both Michishige-san and Fujimoto-san trusted you fully and I liked your working ethics. That's the reason why . . ." Ai replied shortly.
"But . . . you knew that . . . I was the one who had . . .helped Gaki-san with the DNA report, don't you?"
"That's the kind of work ethic I'm talking about. Impartiality. . . That's what the criminal justice needs right now. . ."
"But - "
"There's no need for buts. It's a fact that I had did that. I am willing to receive the consequences for that."Ai insisted as she interrupted Eri.
Silence began to settle in the meeting room, with Ai and Eri looking at each other awkwardly. "Do you have other things to talk to me about?" Ai asked after long moments of staring and silence.
"Well . . . I . . . "
"I do have . . . Let me say it first then. . . " Ai interrupted again. "I'm sorry."
"EH?" Eri croaked in a high pitch.
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@ alwaysYou : hehehe. . . I'm all well now
heheheh *hide from your glares once again*
let AiGaki be those "i'm willing" kiss rather then such kiss..lol..i'm waiting impatiently.
continue to wait impatiently then =X heheheh it's a long way to go . . . . hehehehehehe . . . .Well . . .I can safely say that I am actually I'm an emofag . . . =X I have something soft towards emo stuffs . . .. and . .. . Anyway . . . the emotions you use very contradicting leh . . . Pretty much .. . I do agree that the flashback is really . . .*sobs*
@ kano-chan : Heehee. yupps you were right. . . How would a child of 7 understand what is the adult world like? with all such complications and stuffs. But there's pretty much the other choice of not telling the child the truth . .. but since. . . I had decided to be the evil person . ..
@ Kikkr4 : HAhaha. . . that's good!! hehehe. . . i think that each and everyone are clever in their own ways. Who is the person who sets the standards between one who is clever and one is not? hehehe I hope that you had enjoyed your vacation!! Well cos I am enjoying mine !!
@ shenlog : *hide* hehehehe *sheepishly* But at least TakaGaki is progressing, isn't that so?? hhehehehee
Chapter 15 is up!!! heheheh
I pretty much had a packed week this week . . .-with my driving test coming up this Friday (oh GOSH!!)- hehehe. . . So the next update may have a longer wait. heheheh! Until then then!!! ^.^
Topic: SEARCH [ . C #28 + Epilogue ] 31 December 2011 (Read 53161 times)