~Switch Perspective~
As Shuichi and I walked into class today, and it looks Mr. Harada was right. Rantaro was sitting at his desk and everyone was crowding around the green haired boy. The two of us walked up to him too.
"Amami, how was the tripp, was it funn?" Oma asked the boy.
"It was pretty fun." he responded with a smile. "Hey, I got some souvenirs for all of you."
"Woah, really?" Momota smiled. "Thanks, man!"
"No problem." he whipped out his backpack and poured out a bunch of stuff on his desk. Our eyes widened at the amount of stuff that just came out. "Sorry, some of you may not enjoy it.. Just some stuff I picked from a bunch of shops. Feel free to take anything you want."
"What do you mean, this is great!" Keebo exclaimed as he picked up a shell necklace. "This is really well made.."
Everyone took a souvenir, there was a vast variety of interesting stuff. I myself took a magnet in the shape of a piano, it was pretty cute.
Mr. Harada comes walking in and locks sight on Rantaro. "Oh, Amami is here. Well, I already knew that." Rantaro smiled and waved at him. "You missed a bunch of stuff, but it doesn't really matter. Have Akamatsu tell you what happened or something." he yawned as walled behind class."
"Eh, why me?" I asked him.
"You're the class rep, so. Helping out classmates is something you'd do." Oh, so it's not because he's my ex. No way Mr. Harada would've known that in the first place.
"Oh, you're class rep? Congrats, Kaede." he gave a gentle smile. I gave an awkward one back.
"Thanks.." I responded.
"You can catch up with that later, I'm starting class now." We all sat down as Mr. Harada began lecture.
I whisper to Shuichi as he sets up. "Hey, I'm gonna talk things over with Rantaro at lunch. Sorry I can't hang out today!"
He whispers back. "Oh, no it's okay. I'm glad you're trying to resolve the tension between you two." he gave a gentle smile. He really is too sweet, I smiled back.
"Thanks. I promise I won't do anything, trust me!" I pumped my fists up.
"I know you wouldn't."
As class ended, I walked up to Rantaro. "Hey, I can help you catch up. Want to go over things at the library?"
He had a surprised look on his face, as if he didn't expect me to strike up a conversation with him ever again. "Oh, sure. Thanks." He picked up his stuff and walked out the door. "Let's go." I walked out with him and waved goodbye to Shuichi. He awkwardly waved back, making me giggle.
"I'm honestly surprised you decided to talk to me. I mean, after all.. I kinda broke your heart." he chuckled.
"W-Well, it's okay. I already decided that we'll put this behind us.." I smiled without looking at him.
"I'm glad, I just want us to be friends again at least."
"I hope so too.." Not entirely a lie, I just want all of us to be friends. It would suck if I befriended everybody except for him. I want to forgive him but I just get mad whenever I think about what he did.
We finally arrived at the library and we sat at a table together. I took out my notes. He smiled as he brought out his notebook. "Thanks, I hope you don't mind if I copy it word for word."
I laughed in response. "Not like Mr. Harada would care."
There was definitely awkward tension between us as he wrote down his notes. None of us said anything while Rantaro copied my notes.. I strike up my main point before this silence prevails any longer. "Anyways, I invited you here because I wanted to ask you something."
He didn't look up as he continued copying my notes. "What is it?"
"Why did you break up with me?"
It took some time for him to respond. He stopped writing as he began talking. "Well, that was out of nowhere. It's pretty complicated. If I get comfortable, I'll tell you."
I looked at him a little too angrily, raised my voice a little too much. "Don't you think I deserve it after what you did to me? Can't I at least get proper closure?!"
He finally put down his pencil and gave me a sympathetic look. He placed his elbow on the table and leaned on his hand. "I was trying to make you not worry about me."
"Eh?" I gave a confused expression. What does he mean by that?
"Something happened and uh.. I decided to go on multiple adventures and skip out school." he sighed. "I wouldn't be able to see you at all so I decided to cut ties. I didn't really mean what I said back then. I never really apologized about it yet, but I'm sorry."
My eyes widened as I gave him an agressive glare. "That's stupid, Rantaro!" he gave a shocked look as I yelled at him. "Even if you had gone away, I would've supported you all the way! A long distance relationship wouldn't effect us," a tear formed in my eye, "but you ruined it. So, I've lost feelings for you. You ended our relationship."
He put a hand to my shoulder and I looked into his eyes. He wiped my tear away as he opened his mouth to say something. "..I'm sorry. That's really all I can say."
That's it? That's all he can get out?
I almost wanted to hit him, but I stopped myself. I sighed as I shook his hand off. I promised Shuichi that I would make things up with him. I don't want us to be enemies forever. "It's okay. I just want us to be friends. If we can hang out more, I think I'll learn to forgive you." I gave a gentle smile.
He gave a smile back as he laughed. "I'm glad. I pretty much screwed everything up, but I'm glad that you'll try to be my friend again."
"Can we call each other by our last names again? I want to start as friends, and not as past lovers." I tell him with an awkward laugh.
"Oh sure, Akamatsu."
"Alright!" I pump my hands up. "You better do a good job redeeming yourself to me, Amami!"
"I'll try." he chuckled as he continued copying my notes.
We had a few conversations, had a few laughs together. I heard a few stories from his adventures, and I realized I never really appreciated his adventurer skills.
He stretched as he finally finished copying my notes. "Dang, I missed a lot. Good thing academics don't really matter in this school."
"Yea! Though, Shuichi still helps me a bunch before tests."
"Oh? You have a first name basis with Saihara?" he asked me with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh shoot, I totally forgot to tell you!" I slapped my forehead as I give an embarrassed blush. "I'm going out with Shuichi now." That should've been the first thing to tell him, to be honest.
His eyes widened but then he let out a smile. "Oh, congrats to you two! I'm glad you're moving on from me."
"Thanks!" I smile at him. I thought he would get angry, but he seems fine with it. It looks like we both moved on from each other, I'm glad.
Suddenly, the bell rang. "Oh shoot, we have to get to our development rooms! I didn't even eat my lunch!" I ruffle my hair. I had been so focused on trying to make up with Amami, I forgot to eat!
He chuckled. "Well, it's okay. I can make it up to you if you want. I can make you lunch tomorrow."
"Huh, really?"
"Yea, of course. I always made lunches for my sister before."
I appreciate his offer but.. "Ah, I'm sorry but I can't. I feel it would be disrespectful to accept a lunch from another guy when I have a boyfriend. Especially because you are my ex."
"Oh, no worries. Sorry to impose."
"It's okay!"
"Well, I'll see you later, Akamatsu. Thanks again for helping me out. Cya." he waved goodbye as he exited the library. I smiled, maybe I could forgive Amami. He really is a nice guy, and due to unfortunate circumstances our relationship was ruined. Although I sorta understand, what he did back then was stupid, but it was a blessing in disguise. After all.. I've found someone better.
I walked to my development room and sat down at the piano. I wish I could've hung out with Shuichi at lunch, maybe I'll ask him out on a date later. Though, I went on a date with him yesterday..
He wouldn't mind if I asked for another though!
After we went to our talent development rooms and finished up class, Shuichi and I walked home together.
"Me and Amami made up with each other!" I say excitedly. "Well, kinda.. Things are still awkward and I still have a little grudge against him, but I think I made the first step in order to make things better."
"That's good." he smiles at me. He doesn't even know the impact he had on my decision to do this. If there weren't other students around us, I would've gave him multiple thankful kisses.
"What did you do at lunch?" I ask him.
"Not much.. Keebo got bullied by Oma like usual and me and Momota chatted." he said as he continued walking. "Oh, but I guess something pretty eventful happened. Oma was throwing paper balls at Keebo, and he swatted it away too powerful, making Momota drop all his chips on the ground. You can imagine what happened after."
I laughed out loud. "Oh my god.. I wish I could've seen that!"
He laughs with me. "Yea, I wish you were there. I think it's better you made up with Amami over anything.." He then frowns and looks at me nervously. "Um.. Is Amami mad at me?"
"Don't worry! He isn't. He seemed happy for the two of us, actually."
He let out a relieved sigh. "Okay, I don't want any bad moments between Amami.. He seems nice, so to be the only one he's not nice to.."
I shake my head. "No, he definitely likes you. Don't worry!"
He smiles. "Thanks."
"Anyways.. Do you wanna go on a date after practice today?"
"Eh? You want to hang out with me again?" he says surprised. I give a pout, does he forget that I'm his girlfriend? Of course I would ask him on a date. "S-Sorry, I actually can't today.. I have to go to the agency on Tuesdays and Thursdays."
"Sorry, I completely forgot!" I can't believe I forgot about that.. I was a little disappointed, though.
"It's okay. Sorry I couldn't go.." he says with a guilty look.
"No, it's okay, Shuichi. You don't have to apologize for being the great detective you are!"
"Am I really that great thou-"
I gave him a glare to make him shut up. He really needs to appreciate himself more, he's a great detective! The two of us laugh as we head to my house for our daily piano lessons.
Switch Perspective
After piano lessons, I headed out of Kaede's house straight to the agency. It wasn't exactly a well made building, but it was cozy. You would think the Ultimate Detective would have a better office, but I'm just an apprentice..
Kaede's voice echoed through my head. "Apprentice or not, you're a great detective!"
She's really done so much for me, I really can't stop thinking of her positivity.. Either that or I'm crazy.
I walk in and my uncle was at his desk, talking to a client. The man was dressed in a suit and had slid back black hair. I get some of their conversation.
"Of course we'll help you out! I can get started right away, thank you for choosing us. Especially in a difficult time like this." my uncle says as he gets his suitcase.
"It's no problem. I heard the Ultimate Detective was here, so I just picked this one." the man explained.
"Oh, you mean my boy?" he pointed towards me. I was standing on the door, putting my coat on the coat rack. They both look at me.
Jeez, his eyes were menacing! They reminded me of Mr. Shirokuro's. I gulp as I awkwardly wave at him. "Y-Yea, that's me. Hello."
He bows to me. "I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Taro Kazama."
"Nice to meet you too." I bow back.
My uncle smiles as he walks up to me. "This is a uh.. Different case then what we're used to. Though, you've done it before."
I tilt my head, confused. "What kind of case?"
Kazama answers my question. "My daughter and her boyfriend were murdered."
My eyes open wide. I look at him sympathetically. "I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I just want to catch the bastard who did it. There is no doubt in my mind that they were murdered by a rival company.." he clicks his tongue as he looks away angrily.
My uncle placed a hand on his shoulder. "I promise you, we'll find out who did it. Trust us! But give us time."
"Thank you, Saihara." the man smiles at him. "Ah, I guess there are two Saihara's here.. That's your son, right?"
My uncle chuckles as he corrected him. "I'm his uncle, but I'm his dad's brother. I take care of him though."
"I see.."
"Well, we're off now! I'll see you later, Shuichi." my uncle puts a hand on the doorknob but the man stops him.
"We should bring the Ultimate Detective with us. It gives a better chance to find out who the killer is."
My uncle looks at him. "Well, um. That's his choice. I promise you that even if it's just me, I can do a pretty good job. Shuichi, do you want to go?"
I shrug. "I mean.. I want to find out who the culprit is too, I want Kazama to get some closure."
"Well, if you say so!" my uncle then whispers in my ear. "It's just.. Dead bodies, you know?"
Yea, he had a point. When I first investigated a dead body, I almost puked. I've only seen one, but I think I've gotten used to it after the first shock. "It's okay."
"Thank you, Saihara." the man gives me a relieved smile. "Or, little Saihara." he let out a laugh.
"If you want, you can just call me Yoichi." my uncle offered. "It's my first name."
"Alright then." we then prepared to walk to the crime scene. To be honest, I didn't expect to see a dead body today.. I wasn't really ready, but I want to help as much as I can.
We arrive to the home, and there was police tape all around. Police officers were standing all around. They look at us strangely. "Who are you two?" one of them asks.
Kazama answers for us. "These are the detectives I've hired."
"We can investigate, you know?" one of the officers replied. "We can hire our own detectives anyways."
"I know. I just wanted to get a detective that I can trust will solve this case." he points to me.
"Oh, I know that kid!" one of the officers points to me as well. "That's the boy detective! The one who solved the murder case faster than anyone else!" everyone's attention focuses on me as I look down.
"Y-Yea.. Hello." there was a lot of crowd pressure on me, all the officers were staring at me. If I had my hat, I'd definitely be hiding under it right now. I hope they didn't expect too much of me just because of that one case..
"Hey, didn't he get promoted as the Ultimate Detective too?" one of the officers said.
"Oh yea, that's right!" another exclaimed.
"This was a wise choice, Mr. Kazama. I'm sure the Ultimate Detective would help you out more than we could, we don't even have a lead yet."
"I can't wait to see an Ultimate in action!
All of the officers come walking at me, making me nervous. I take a step back, their eyes filled with anticipation. A greedy smile on all their faces, as if just me being there would solve the case instantly. My uncle glares at all of them and puts an arm out to defend me. "Hey guys. Give him some space, alright? Before anything, he's my nephew. Don't give him so much pressure."
They stop in their tracks as they nod. "My apologies." one of them says as they walk back.
I mentally thank my uncle as the 3 of us head inside. We head upstairs to reveal a not so amazing sight..
Two teens, dead on the floor. It really was a horrible sight, I grimace at what was in front of me. It was gruesome, and I don't want to explain in too much detail. It was clear the both of them were shot in the head. I can see my uncle look away, cursing under his breath.
I hold my breath as I approach the bodies.
"Um.. Were you home when they were murdered?" I ask as I investigate the body. My uncle investigates around the room meanwhile, trying to find anything useful.
He shook his head. "No, I was at work. When I came home, my front door was busted open and when I went upstairs.. I saw this." That must've been awful.. I felt really horrible as I continued looking around.
I nod my head. "Um.. You said it was probably rival companies? Why?"
"I got in a bit of a heated argument with another branch. They sent some threats, but I didn't think they would actually go through with it."
I continued asking questions until a police officer walks in. "Sir, we have found the main list of culprits. We've gathered them all up. Would you like to question all of them?"
"S-Sure.." I was a little surprised to be referred to as sir. Especially because the man talking to me was much taller than me.
My uncle puts a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Yea.. It's just a lot." I give an awkward chuckle as I look at him. "Having the pressure on me is kinda nerve wracking.""
"I get that. Don't worry, you can rely on me if there's trouble!" he gives a confident smile. "And, if you feel uncomfortable, you can drop out at any time."
I shake my head. I couldn't abandon a homicide case like this one. I don't want their deaths to go unsolved. No one deserves that, and if I were to give up just because of some trouble with a client, I would feel horrible. He gives me an unsteady look. "Alright then."
The police officers walk us over to their station. My uncle and I question all the suspects, taking a lot of time out of our day. The officers had went out to review the suspect's alibis during the time of the murder. By the time we were done, it was almost time for our agency to close up.
After we were done questioning, Kazama, my uncle and I met up at the waiting area. My uncle scratched his head and sighed. "Cases like these really are tough. I really can't believe any of them did it. I guess it's my duty as a detective though."
I awkwardly laugh as more officers come in. They give us information about every suspect's alibis, but unfortunately there was no camera footage.. An officer gives an eager smile towards me. "So, boy detective," I tense up hearing that nickname, "you have a clue of who did it?"
"Ah, no actually. I may need to review the notes that my uncle and I took at home later. I promise that I will solve this case though."
Their optimistic faces turned into disappointment. Kazama gave a weird look. "I thought a case like this would be easy for someone like you."
"Um.. I need time, I can't exactly solve a case in a day."
"But you did it with that one case a few months back?" one of them puts out.
I scratch my head as I look away. "I can't do that with all cases." My uncle gives me a nervous look as all the officers start whispering and muttering. Their gazes were on me as they talked about me. I somehow heard their voices.
"Is he really the Ultimate Detective? He doesn't seem all that reliable."
"I thought we could rely on him.."
"I guess you can't expect much from a teenager."
I look down ashamed as they continued. Their gaze on me got more intense than ever. My uncle glares at all of them.
"Isn't there another Ultimate Detective better than him?"
"Aren't Ultimate Talents supposed to be amazing? He seems pretty average."
"Maybe that case he solved was a fluke."
"Shut up!" my uncle defended me. The officers looked at him strangely. "You guys haven't solved it yet either, he's a teen for gods sake! If you gave him time, I'm sure he would've solved it."
"My daughter was murdered, and I want to find out who did it as soon as possible. I would've expected an Ultimate to do it as soon as possible." Kazama gave a frustrated look to my uncle. "I do not want to spend my nights knowing whoever killed my daughter is still out there."
I don't want anyone to experience that pain..
"I expected more, and you're going to make me wait?" he walks up to me.
"If you're going to be like that, we don't have to solve this case." my uncle puts an arm out to defend me once again. My eyes widen at what he suggested. I grab his arm to make him reconsider.
"U-Uncle, it's okay. Really. Thank you for defending me, though."
He gives me a worrying look. "Are you sure?"
I nod my head.
He sighs. "Alright then. Just... Tell me if things get too hard, okay?"
I nod my head once more. Kazama looks at me. "I will be leaving now to give a better place for them.. I need a proper burial. May I get your number so we can contact once you solve it?"
"Sure.." I bring out my phone and exchange contacts with him. He gives a satisfied smile.
"I expect you to solve this soon." he gives a gentle smile, yet I felt intimidated by it.
"I-I'll try.."
"No, you will." he corrected me. "You're the Ultimate Detective, so if you can't solve it in a day you should solve it very soon. Anyways, I hope to hear from you soon." he walked out of the room with the officers, just leaving me and my uncle. I took a step back and collapsed on a sofa chair. The stress had gotten to me now that they were gone. My uncle immediately tried to comfort me.
"Are you sure you want to solve this case? I'm telling you, you really don't have to for these dicks!"
"No.. No, I have to." I say as I try to calm down.
"You really don't, man. Someone else will solve it if we just let this one go!"
"But, then their deaths would go unsolved! I have talent to solve it, so if I just give it up..!" I realized that I was being too aggressive so I stopped myself. "S-Sorry, I raised my voice."
"It's okay. I get it." he says as he puts his hand out. I grab it and he pulls me up. "Wanna get some ice cream on our way back?"
That doesn't sound so bad.. "Yea, sure."
He gives a relieved smile as we walk out of the building together. The two of us order a cone from a random shop and we walked home together. Amazingly, he ate it in less than 30 seconds. It definitely got a chuckle out of me, and I got concerned for his well being at the same time. How did he not get a brain freeze?? My question was answered when he gripped his head in pain two seconds later, making us both laugh.
By the time I arrived at my house, I finished my ice cream cone too. My uncle went to his room, presumably to watch one of his crappy TV shows.
I mentally thank my uncle once more. He's always been supporting me ever since he took me in. I know he did that to cheer me up, but I really needed to focus on the case now. To pay him back, I'll be the ideal detective that everyone wants. I went to my room to review over it again. It would be better to actually go out there, but I don't think my uncle would let me. This is the only way I can help for now.
I'm the only one who can do this, so I have to..
I take out my uncle's notes, my notes, list of culprits, and images of the crime scene. I put my full attention on the case. Everyone expects me to solve it, I have to do it.
I have to do it.
I have to do it!
With this burst of motivation, I review over everything. I study hard on their alibis and things at the crime scene to find anything. Anything at all.
But I found nothing.
Nothing matches, every single one of the culprits could have done it. None of the culprits had a solid alibi backed up, so that had complicated the case even more.. I couldn't even get one lead, I didn't even have a hint of who it was! I didn't expect me to do much from just reviewing notes, but I hoped I could find at least one clue to lead me in the right direction when I investigate later. They expect me to solve this case, so I have to solve it.
Before I knew it, it had been hours. I was so immersed into the case, I didn't even realize it was already 8 PM. I barely heard my phone vibrating in the background..
But, I had to solve this case.
I have to.
If I couldn't, what kind of Ultimate am I?
A.N: I don't know how detectives work, so if someone actually works at a detective agency reading this, I'm sorry LOL.
Due to the pain of writing Saihara suffering, the chapter may suck. I stopped myself multiple times writing out because I felt bad for the guy.
anyways heres starting the serious stuff i mentioned all the way back in chapter 22 oh boy time to put on ur big boy hats !!!