@arfi: Thank you!

Thank you everyone for reading my fic.

Here is chapter 45
Chapter 45: The Coming Storm
The morning before Minami becomes the suspect
At Maeda mansion Minami wakes up and smiles gently while looking at the girl sleeping soundly in his arms. He kisses her forehead and then slowly steps down from the bed.
He comes to the bookshelf and opens the safe. There is a file in there. That is the file of Atsuko’s aunt Ayano. Minami wants to look over them. He takes the file and comes to the sofa.
“Grandpa did a lot of research to look for her” Minami thought while reading all the search reports
“Most of them returning with unknown status” he mumbles
Then he comes across the latest report
“This is three years ago” Minami looks at the date and thought
He opens and looks through the report
“Hum… last seen in a small village in Kobe huh?” Minami thought
He gathers all the information about the report into his laptop.
At the same timeMinami hears the shuffle sound. He looks up and sees Atsuko sits up from her bed while rubbing her eyes.
“Minami” Atsuko calls him in sleepy tone
Minami smiles at how cute his fiancée is.
“Good morning, my love” He walks toward Atsuko while saying lovingly
He sits on her bed and strokes her hair
“How was your sleep, baby?” He asks gently
“Very good, Minami. Especially after the vacation.” Atsuko said
“I’m glad you enjoyed the vacation” Minami smile gently and said
“You woke up early huh?” Atsuko asks
“Uh.” Minami nods
He leans and pecks on her lips. Then he said
“I got good news for you, Atsuko”
“What’s it, Minami?” Atsuko asks
“I read all the reports about the searching for your aunt from the file. There is a report where your aunt about 3 years ago. I already recorded the location and what I need to do. I’ll go there today” Minami said
“I’ll go with you” Atsuko said immediately
“But I have an important meeting today” She continues in sad tone
“It’s ok baby. I’ll call you when I get there” Minami said
“Ok.” Atsuko nods
“One more thing, Atsuko” Minami said
“What’s it, Minami?” Atsuko asks
“Don’t go anywhere by yourself again” Minami said in serious tone
“Ok” Atsuko nods
“Promise me” Minami said
“Promise” Atsuko said and does the pinky promise
“Good” Minami smiles and pats her head
“Now let’s prepare Atsuko. I’ll take you to Maeda building” he continues
“Ok” Atsuko nods and steps down from her bed
In the afternoon
In Maeda building
After the meeting Atsuko walks into her office. She is surprised when seeing Minami standing there.
“You finished your meeting, Atsuko?” He asks
“Minami, you are back” Atsuko rushes to hug him happily and said
“Uh, I’m back” Minami pats Atsuko’s head and said
“I thought you said you will come home late today” Atsuko said
“I miss you, so right after I gathered all the info, I quickly return here” Minami pinches Atsuko’s nose and said
“Sweet talker” Atsuko laughs softly and said
Suddenly
*TKEK*
The sound of broken glass echoes through the place.
“Atsuko” Minami whispers and drops down
There is a big stain of blood on his back
“Minami” Atsuko shouts in tear
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Minami, Minami, Minami” Atsuko struggles on her chair
“Minami” she shouts loudly and sits up
Atsuko looks around and notices that she is in her office. Sweat is all over her face. Suddenly she hears her phone rings. Atsuko quickly picks up when seeing the caller is Minami
(Hi, baby. How was your meeting?) Minami said
“Minami” Atsuko calls him in broken tone
(What’s wrong, Atsuko?) Minami asks
“Minami, Minami” Atsuko calls him in teary voice
(Baby, tell me what happened? Are you ok) Minami said
“I was so scared. I thought I lost you” Atsuko said and cries
Minami is very worry. He quickly turns video call to call Atsuko. His heart is in pain when seeing Atsuko’s painful face.
(Ssh...shh… don’t cry baby. Calm down. Tell me what’s happened) Minami gently said
(See Atsuko, I’m right here. Safe and sound. I’ll never leave you baby) He continues
(Calm down baby, I’m here. I’m here” Minami gently said
Slowly Atsuko calms down.
“Minami, you won’t leave me alone, right?” Atsuko said while wiping her tear
(Of course, I won’t baby. I’ll always be with you. Nothing can separate us) Minami smiles and said
(Now baby, tell me what’s happened?) he asks
“Just now, in my dream, I saw you came back here, in my office. Then someone shoots you through the glass. Blood, a lot of blood and you drop down” Atsuko said and cries again
Because Atsuko already lost a lot of people who are dear to her, she is scared of losing her most important person. Therefore, just a dream can cause her to panic. Minami knows that, so he is very worry. He wishes that he can be there to tell her that he is fine
(Sshhh… Atsuko, calm down. I’m right here. That is just a bad dream. It won’t happen. That’s just a dream) Minami said
“It is so scary Minami. I’m scared. Minami, please don’t leave me” Atsuko said in tear
Minami’s heart is in pain when seeing Atsuko crying. Suddenly he remembers one thing
(You know what, Atsuko?) he said
Atsuko wipes her tear and looks at Minami
(Mom just called me. She said that her and aunt Hinata finished preparing our wedding. Our wedding will be in two weeks. We will be together forever Atsuko.) Minami said
Atsuko smiles widely when hearing that.
“I’m so happy Minami. I’m so happy” Atsuko said while tear of happiness rolling on her cheeks
(I really want to hug you and kiss you right now baby.) Minami said
“Me too. I miss you Minami” Atsuko said
(I miss you too. I’ll go back early and tomorrow we can go and try our wedding outfits together. I can’t wait to see my fiancée in her wedding dress. You will be the most beautiful bride in the whole world) Minami said
“I can’t wait Minami” Atsuko said in happy tone
Minami smiles in relief when seeing Atsuko relaxed smile.
“By the way, Minami, how is your research?” Atsuko asks
(Oh, I asked people around here and showed them aunt Ayano picture. No one know about her. Then I met an old lady. She recognized her. She said aunt Ayano used to rent her apartment for 1 year. The weird thing is she is by herself) Minami said
“She is by herself. Then where is that person?” Atsuko said in confused
(I still don’t know yet, but I’ll investigate more) Minami said
(Ok baby. I’ll go around to investigate more. I’ll call you if I found anything else) he continues
“Ok, be careful Minami” Atsuko said
(I will. I love you) Minami smiles gently and said
“I love you too” Atsuko said
(Ahh… I want your kiss so bad) Minami said in pouting tone
“I’ll make it up to you when you get here” Atsuko said
Minami smiles widely and happily
(Remember that baby.) Minami said
Then they hang up.
In the evening Atsuko arrives home.
“Minami, I’m home. Are you at Tokyo yet?” She texts Minami
Then she comes into the house with Rena and Yuki.
“Rena-neechan, Yuki-neechan” Atsuko calls them
“What is it, Acchan?” Yuki asks
“I want to learn cooking Katsudon” Atsuko said while blushing
“Ohhh… our Acchan is learning to be a wife.” Rena teases while wiping her fake tear
Atsuko already told them about her and Minami’s wedding
“Yeah… time sure fly. Little Acchan is about to become Mrs. Takahashi” Yuki said and also does that
“Stop teasing me, Rena-neechan, Yuki-neechan” Atsuko pouts while blushing
“Aww!!! Our Acchan is shy” Yuki keeps teasing her
“She is just so cute. No wonder Takamina is madly in love. If I were a man, Takamina will stand no chance” Rena adds
“True, I will also compete for her. That baka won’t stand a chance to us, right Rena?” Yuki said
“True, he is just a baka with no real romance soul” Rena said
“Minami isn’t baka. He is honest and serious. He is also very caring and know how to make me feel happy” Atsuko blurs out
It makes Rena and Yuki giggle at her.
“We know that your ‘Minami’ is the best.” Rena said
“She is just so cute to tease” Yuki said
Then they both laugh loudly together
“Rena-neechan, Yuki-neechan” Atsuko pouts at her sisters
“I won’t talk to you anymore” Atsuko pouts
She walks away because of embarrassment
“Ok, ok Acchan. We’re sorry. Let’s go to the kitchen after changing ok” Rena smiles and said
“Ok” Atsuko nods happily and quickly rushes back to her room.
Rena and Yuki look at Atsuko and smiles gently
Atsuko finishes changing and quickly rushes down to the kitchen, and they start cooking. After they finish cooking, Rena said
“Good job, Acchan. I believe Takamina will be very happy”
“Uh, I think so too” Yuki said
Atsuko smiles happily when hearing that.
“Ok, let’s prepare table and waiting for them to go back, Atsuko” Rena said
“Ok”
While they are preparing the table, suddenly Rena’s phone rings
“Hey J…” Rena smiles and said
However, her smile quickly disappears. This worried Yuki
“What’s happened?” Rena asks seriously
“I understand.” She continues and hangs up
“What is happened, Rena?” Yuki asks worriedly
“Takamina is suspected to murder Maeda Itachi…” hasn’t finished her words, they hear the sound of something drop on the floor
Rena and Yuki turn and see Atsuko’s surprised face.
“Acchan” Rena whispers
“Rena-neechan, what is happened to Minami? Where is he now?” Atsuko rushes to Rena and asks her while holding her arms
“Rena-neechan, please tell me” she continues in tear
“Please, Rena-neechan” Atsuko said in begging tone
“Calm down Acchan” Yuki said while holding her arms
She helps Atsuko to sit down on the chair.
“Calm down and listen to me Acchan” Rena said
“Ok” she asks
“Uh” Atsuko wipes her tear and nods
“Good” Rena pats her head and said
“Jun didn’t give me a lot of detail, but he said Takamina is suspect to kill Maeda Itachi. Also Nakamura and Suzuki Akira found dead there, and also a man.” She said
Atsuko is very surprised with what she heard
“How is he now, Rena-neechan? I want to meet him” she holds Rena’s arms and said
“He ran away before Takahashi Tenchi capture him. Jun said they are on the way back here. He will tell us more details later” Rena said
“Minami” Atsuko thought in tear while sitting back down on the chair
Suddenly they hear the bell ring
“I guess that is them” Rena said
“I’ll open the door. Yuki, you take Acchan back to her room. She isn’t in the state to meet Takahashi Tenchi” Rena said
“Ok” Yuki nods
“Let’s go, Acchan” she said to Atsuko
Then she takes her back to her room.
At the same timeRena comes and opens the door. As she expected, that is Takahashi Tenchi. Jun and Mayu are also back.
“You already knew, but I’ll introduce myself again. My name is Takahashi Tenchi, and I’m the chief of police integrity department. I’m investigating about a case relating to the suspect, Takahashi Minami. I have some questions for you two and Ms. Maeda Atsuko.” Tenchi said
“We can answer your questions. However, Ms. Atsuko is resting right now. We can answer your questions in her place” Rena answers
“I need to talk to all the people to get the clues about the suspect. There is no exception” Tenchi said
“We are neither criminals nor suspects. You came here, this hour which is the resting time and demanding us?” Rena frowns and said
“You’re police, but that doesn’t mean you can do anything you want. We are citizens, and we pay taxes for you to protect us not treating us like criminal.” She continues strongly
Tenchi is very angry, but he cannot do anything
“Fine, I’ll come back tomorrow. What’s the good time for you?” Tenchi asks
“Come to Maeda building at noon. We will answer all your questions” Rena answers
“Ok, I’ll” Tenchi said
Then he leaves with the police
At midnight The shadow climbs into the balcony of Atsuko’s room.
“Luckily, I know the secret passage” The shadow thought
He unlocks the door and comes in. He slowly walks toward Atsuko’s bed. Suddenly he hears Atsuko’s panic voice
“Minami, Minami, Minami” Atsuko calls in her sleep with scared tone
The shadow quickly rushes to Atsuko and holds her hand gently.
“Sshh… Atsuko, calm down baby. I’m here. There’s nothing to worry” Minami gently whispers
He strokes her hair gently to comfort her. Slowly Atsuko calms down and goes back to her sleep. Minami looks at Atsuko. He can see tear is still on her eyes.
“I’m sorry Atsuko. If I wasn’t careless, you wouldn’t worry about me and cry.” Minami whispers while wiping the tear on her eye
Flashback
In the Tokyo airport Minami walks out of the terminal while taking out his phone. He wants to call Atsuko. However, before he does that, his phone rings. Minami looks and sees the text from Takahashi agent, the one who he asked to investigate about Nakamura Toka.
He opens his phone and reads the text
“Young master, I found information about Nakamura Toka. Can you come to my house?”
“Sure, I’ll be there around 30 minutes” Minami texts back
Only Minami’s father and grandfather know true identity of Takahashi agents. Minami also knows about their information because he is the heir of Takahashi.
When Minami gets to the agent’s apartment building, he quickly comes to his apartment. He rings the bell and wait. However, no one opens the door. He rings the bell again, but he still gets the same results. He calls and knocks the door
“Shu”
The door suddenly opens a little because of his knock.
“Huh?” Minami thought in surprised
Feeling suspicious, he takes out his gun. Then he kicks the door and quickly points his gun in caution position. However, he doesn’t see any suspicious.
Minami careful checks everywhere, but he can’t find anything suspicious. When he gets to the living room, he sees Shu lying on the ground
“Shu” Minami quickly rushes to him
He sees a lot of blood. Because of too focusing on Shu’s dead, Minami doesn’t notice there is someone stealthily standing behind him.
Feeling something strange behind his back, Minami quickly turns around. However, before he can turn around, someone hits him at the back of his head. Minami falls down and lost conscious.
End flashback
Meanwhile
In Rena’s roomJun, Rena, Mayu, and Yuki are talking to each other about Minami’s case
“What’s really happened, Jun?” Rena asks
“This morning, all of sudden Takahashi Tenchi rushes to our department. He asked for reinforcements from us. He told us that he received the report about Maeda Itachi’s location.” Jun said
“He said he needs assistant from crime investigation department because we also involve in the case. Therefore, we go together with him” Mayu adds
Flashback
In front of an abandoned junkyard A lot of police rushes into the place. The light illuminates the whole place. Tenchi is the one who leads all of them. In the police, Jun and Mayu also join with him
“So as your information, Maeda Itachi is hiding here?” Jun asks
“Yes, I got from trusted sources” Tenchi said
“You all, surround this place” he turns to his people and said
“Why do I have suspicious feeling about all of this” Mayu whispers
“Me too.” Jun said
“By the way, can you contact Takamina?” He asks
“No, I can’t. I tried to contact him since we got the information that Itachi ran away.” Mayu said
“Maybe he is still busy, or he could be in the airplane right now” He continues
“Uh” Jun nods
Then they hear Itachi speaks through the speaker
“Maeda Itachi, I know you are hiding in there. Come out and surrender. Police already surrounded the place”
After a few moments of silent, Itachi said
“I repeat again. Come out and surrender now or I will use force”
Then after a few more silent moments, Itachi said
“I will count to three”
“1”
End flashback
Back to Asuko’s roomMinami sits there and thought.
“Why those things happened just in the right timing like that? Takahashi Tenchi came there just in time”
Flashback
Inside the garage Minami slowly opens his eyes because of the noise. He caresses the back of his head and thought
“What is that noise?”
Then he looks around and notices a strange scenery
“Where am I?” He stands up and thought
Suddenly the door swing opens. Minami sees Tenchi, Jun, Mayu, and a lot of police rush in
“Jun, Mayu?” Minami calls them in confused
“Takamina?” Jun and Mayu calls in surprised
Then they notice Maeda Itachi’s body is covered with blood. Not only that, there are two others dead bodies of Nakamura Toka and Suzuki Akira. What’s more? Minami is holding a gun in his hand
“Put the gun down, Takahashi Minami” Tenchi raises his gun and said
“Gun?” Minami thought
When he looks down, he sees he is holding his gun.
“Takahashi Minami, I suspect you killed Maeda Itachi, and two other victims. Put down your gun and surrender” Tenchi said
“Wait” Jun and Mayu rush between Minami and Tenchi
“Wait, maybe there is misunderstanding” Jun said
“Yes, let’s Takamina say something first” Mayu said
“He can say anything he wants at the testimony. I have to arrest him” Tenchi said
“You two step away if not I will also have to arrest you” He continues
Suddenly Minami throws a smoke bomb out and rushes away
End flashback “Those things are too suspicious. I have to look into it” Minami mumbles
He leans down and kisses Atsuko’s lips gently
“I have to go know baby. Don’t worry, I’ll always be by your side” he whispers and kisses her forehead
Then Minami leaves the place by the secret passage that he came in
Back to Rena’s room“After Takamina throws the smoke bomb, he rushed away”
Flashback
Inside the garage Right after Minami throws the smoke bomb, Tenchi shouts
“Don’t let the criminal escape”
Then they rush out of the garage. However, by that time, Minami already escaped
“What’s going on, Jun?” Mayu looks at Jun and asks
“I have no idea” Jun shrugs and said
In the police department Tenchi comes to report to Kai. Jun and Mayu are also in there. Tenchi reports to Kai the situation in the Junkyard
“Also, sir, this morning, I received a report of a man is killed in his house. His name is Tanaka Shu. He is a photographer. As the witness report, they saw a man who as described is also Takahashi Minami. I ordered my men there and they found the victim and Minami’s fingerprint.” Tenchi said
“As my first summary from the situation, the culprit…”
“We still don’t know who the real culprit is.” Mayu cuts his words and said
“However ,with those evidence, he cannot escapes as a suspect. If talk about motive, he holds a big grudge on Maeda Itachi. Police in the department knew that he hit him at the hallway.”
“As for Nakamura, my man reported to me that he was the one who wants to harm Maeda Atsuko. Suzuki Akira also involved in the plan. One can say, he killed all three of them because of Maeda Atsuko”
“Still that doesn’t mean Takamina kill him. Also, you still can’t find out why he killed the man name Tanaka Shu” Mayu said
“Yes, as long as you cannot find a definite evidence and the connection between two cases, you cannot say that he is the culprit” Jun said
“You…” Tenchi said in angry tone
“Enough” Kai said
The three bows down silently
“This is my office, not a public place.” Kai said while frowning
“Sir, I just want to report to you that a potential killer is out there. Please let me handle this case. Also give out a nation wanted to all police departments in Japan to capture Takahashi Minami.” Tenchi said
“This is both for police and also Takahashi’s face. If we didn’t do anything, they will say that…”
“Takahashi Kai uses power to cover for his son’s wrongful work. That is what you mean right?” Cut Tenchi’s words, Kai said calmly
“No sir, that is not what I meant” Tenchi said
“I know you are a righteous person. You won’t ever do that” Tenchi said
“I already ordered my assistant to do the national wanted. And since you are already in this case, I assign you to investigate about this case.” Kai said
“Yes sir” Tenchi said
“Sir, we also want to investigate about this case” Jun said
“We are also in Maeda Itachi’s case” Mayu adds
“About you two, you aren’t allowed to join this case because you two are his friend.” Kai said
“Sir” Jun and Mayu said
“This is an order” Kai seriously said
“Yes sir” Jun and Mayu said
“Is there anything else?” Kai asks
“No sir” They said
“Then dismiss” Kai said
End flashback “That is all of the things happened today.” Jun said
“However, uncle Kai did called us in to tell us this.” mayu said
“From today, our mission is protecting you three especially Acchan. He said there could be a very powerful party involve in this case” Jun said
“I see. Then we need to tighten the protection. For the future, Acchan will sleep in my room so that I can protect her” Rena said
“That is a good idea” Jun and Mayu said
At the same time
In Takahashi’s secret roomKai and Minami’s Grandpa are talking to each other
“So Minami is in big trouble this time?” Minami’s grandpa said
“Yes, taking this chance Takahashi Tenchi want to push him to the corner. This child why he acted so reckless this time?” Kai said
“Let’s just stay silent and watch for now. I already other our agents to focus into this matter. During this time, watch Tenchi, he is the snake in this house” Minami’s grandpa said
“I understand” Kai said
Three days laterMayu is waiting for Atsuko, Rena, and Yuki in front of the Maeda. Jun accompanies them to the car. Seeing them, Mayu smiles and steps out. Suddenly he feels a strong pain on his left chest.
Yuki widens her eyes in surprised. Someone shot him from afar. Mayu falls down with a big blood stain on his chest
“Mayu” Yuki rushes to him
She hugs him and calls in tear
“Mayu, Mayu please open your eyes”
Then Mayu is quickly taken to the hospital.
TBCThat is chapter 45. Hope you guys enjoy reading it
