"Okay, and pose!" The photographer said, holding his camera up to take a picture of the supermodel in front of him. "Looking good, Usagi!"
Usagi struck another pose, giving the camera man a smile as the lights flashed in front of her, each blinking light catching her best angles. The onlookers gossipped about Usagi's beauty and figure as they watched her photo shoot, some of them using their phones to record and take pictures.
Usagi's son, Damon Ota, watched from a distance, leaning calmly against the wall with his arms crossed and a smile upon his lips. He felt his phone buzzing then took it out of his pockets, looking down to see he was getting a message then stepped out of the photoshoot room, the music muffling the further he went.
Damon read the message from his group chat and rose an eyebrow at the article sent in the chat. "What the..?"
{Breaking News! MHI-30 has REOPENED! Click link to read...}
[Okuni: This is so freaky! Why would the SPA reopen this case?]
[Maeda: Might be clickbait. It's the 24th century, this is easy to discern.]
[Ina: If this is about that Nanako case, they are just wasting their time.]
Damon wiped his mouth and glanced around, noticing a few fashion models walking by behind them then looked back down at his phone. His thumb hovered over the link, his curiosity getting the better of him and causing him to click the link to read the article.
An article written by Mr. Vanheim Mori himself displaying on his screen with information about Nanako's reawakening, the entire article posted with evidence we had so far and the list of suspects to be investigated. He quickly scrolled down, looking at the list of suspects and noticed Usagi's name.
"What..? Are they crazy? They are investigating my mom? She was literally one of Nanako's best friends..." Damon said, looking up and huffed softly before walking off quickly to call Inuoe.
The phone rang against the table, my eyes glancing down at my phone and I picked it up to see Naomi calling. I smiled at the caller ID and set my phone back down, slipping my hands into my pockets with a sigh. "So, you're saying we have the green light to start the investigation?"
Hisu nodded and took a sip of her herbal tea, exhaling softly and setting her cup down. "Yes. As your General of the SPA, you have my full permission. However, your working hours are only on the weekends: Friday evening, Saturdays, and Sundays."
"Can we help in some way?" Aisha asked, leaning forward against the table with excitement. "I mean, I practically lived with the Izunas!"
"Yeah, I agree...plus this story deserves to be known. This is our school we are talking about, and who knows how many more have been out there?" Otsuki agreed, her gaze shifting over to Hisu.
Tsubami scoffed lightly and crossed her arms. "As if! We appreciate the enthusiasm, but this is something we can't have you risking your lives for. It's been 30 years, who knows if they have the same mental state."
"Oh come on, Lotus is in the SPA as a Corporal Rank and she's a fourth year like us! We deserve to do something at the very least," Aisha protested, placing her hand on Lotus's shoulder.
Hisu snapped her fingers and hummed, nodding her head. "You're right, in fact all of you are still in school. Well, except Heido. You're a delinquent just like my brother. Because of that, the rules will change."
Heido chuckled at Hisu's comment and rested his hands behind his head. "No comments there."
"Huh? Whoa now, let's not get too rash here, Granny," Tsubami said with an awkward chuckle, patting Hisu's shoulder.
"Nope, I've already made up my mind. During the weekdays, you all will focus on your studies and are forbidden on Bureau grounds unless it is the Fugigami-Nagagami Residency, the Kojima Shrine, or the Izuna share house across the Residency," Hisu said, clapping her hands together and bowed her head.
A light gust of wind blew in the room, causing the wind chimes to move then a ladybug flew into the room and landed on the Holy Talisman before Hisu. The ladybug rested on the talisman then another gust blew, tipping the stamp over the ladybug and crushing it to form a seal on the Talisman.
"Oh come on, no way you got God to co-sign this," Lotus protested lightly, puffing her cheeks at Hisu with gentle defiance. "What about our Student Council Disguise? The high school itself is still under investigation."
"That will continue, but you'll need more than just you two. However, you can deal with that tomorrow. For now, the Ota Clan is to be properly investigated," Hisu said, finishing her tea then stood up, dismissing the meeting.
{Chapter 21: Bunny Chase!}
Damon sighed softly as he sat in a booth at a fast food restaurant with his friends, his gaze more focused on the article than the food in front of him. Okuni chewed on her burger and glanced over at Damon's untouched food then tugged at his sleeve to get his attention then pointed at his food.
Maeda watched as Damon slid his food over to Okuni and scoffed at him. "Come on bro. You really think our parents are actually suspects in this? So what if they knew Nanako, this is a 30 year old case with literally zero leads."
Ina nodded in agreement, her head gently resting on Maeda's shoulder as she scrolled through her reels on her phone. "Right, as if my Okaasan would do something so heinous like that. Like seriously, how are you so freaked out about this?"
"Because, they already investigated the Yamamoto Clan and that testimony led them toward our family. This website is a live site...it gets updated in realtime and the Ota Clan is next," Damon said, looking up from his phone and sighed softly.
"I'm sure nothing bad would happen. Your mom is literally innocent," Okuni said with a hum, happily munching down on a french fry.
"Yeah..." Damon sighed, leaning back against the seat and closed his eyes.
The front door bells chimed as someone walked in, the friend group looking back to see Inuoe walking inside in a tailor suit. Inuoe looked around the restaurant then noticed Damon's group and began walking over to them, pulling up a chair from another table then sat down with his arms crossed.
"I saw that the Minister published the site, and I don't agree with it like you all don't. I am very close to each of your families just as Tsubami is close to her group. I will make sure this case doesn't harm you all," Inuoe assured, nodding his head at the four.
"Sergeant Tsubami. She's the lead operative on the case right? Who is that new guy she has as her partner?" Damon asked, looking at Inuoe with curiosity.
"Yeah, we tried pulling up his information, but it says it's all classified except one thing. He's the last remaining Izuna? Is he the son of that Erik guy and the Miko Mikoto?" Ina asked, turning her head to look at Inuoe.
Inuoe closed his eyes with a soft exhale. "His name is Izuna Motosaki, and yes...he is Tsubami's partner in the Nanako Case. In fact, he's the cause of all of it."
"He's the cause of this? So why hasn't anything been done about him? If he's gone, our lives don't have to be in shambles!" Damon exasperated, leaning closer to Inuoe.
Inuoe remained silent for a moment, a quick glimpse of a Nanako possessed Aisha flashing in his mind then Tsubami's image played in his head. "It's not that simple. He's protected, as if he has some form of immunity. However, that hasn't stopped me before..."
"We can't let this get in the way of our lives...not now. Not when Mom is about to have her greatest breakthrough yet..." Damon said, clenching his fists against his laps with a stern gaze at the table.
Inuoe opened his eyes with a soft exhale, looking down at his watch and wondered if Heido was going to respond to his message. His watch buzzed and he noticed Heido's text popping up on his screen.
[Heido (White Hair): Sorry bro, family business comes first and since Erik is family to me...you're just gonna have to take this on the chin. Hopefully you understand why we have to solve this case ( ･ิω･ิ)]
Inuoe sighed softly and glanced out the window for a moment, letting out a scoffing laugh and licked the inside of his jaw with slight irritation. "And he once said...he doesn't agree with Lady Hisu. I guess even a serpent can be a white one..."
Tsubami drove down the roads through Fujioka and Matsugaya, entering into a District owned by the Ota and Ono Clans named Otono. The city was adorned with billboards and digital skyscraper screens advertising Usagi's new show upcoming.
As we traversed through the city, the city revealed more of itself to us through the various shopping malls and fashion sites in the city. Everywhere you turned, a phone was out to take a selfie or a group picture, everyone wearing their best outfits and designs.
I opened the van door as Tsubami parked at the parking lot of Otono's City Hall then stepped out of the van, slipping my hands into my detective coat pockets. "Some real Hojin Deja Vu. Another crowd, another investigation."
"Ah-HEM!!! Attention citizens of Otono! This is an official SPAB announcement!" Tsubami began, speaking through the van's microphone and began playing the military fanfare.
"Oh God! That scared the crap out of me..." One young woman said, holding onto her boyfriend's arm for protection.
"The SPAB...is it because of that article? Are they really here to investigate Usagi?" A guy asked, holding his phone up at the van.
The second sliding door swung open, Heido stepping out in his Yakuza kimono with a metal bat resting upon his shoulders. "Ahh, how long has it been since I've been here? This snobby ass city hasn't changed one bit."
Damon and Okuni walked toward the forming crowd, noticing our bureau van in the parking lot of Damon's father's city hall building. He clenched his fists and began marching forward, gritting his teeth then snatched my jacket with force.
"Who do you all think you are? Coming here to investigate my mom and ruin her life?!" Damon yelled, his gaze full of anger and concern for his mother's reputation.
I remained calm and locked eyes with Damon, grabbing his wrist then began applying pressure upon the pressure points upon his wrist, bringing him down onto one knee. "Listen, I've already had a rough Sunday...like seriously, why does everyone do this trope of approaching the one guy who's unarmed. Would you do this to my Ani?"
Damon grunted softly and held his arm, slowly glancing over at Heido, noticing him flirting with a group of women and letting them feel his muscles. "T-Tch...who are you?"
I let go of Damon and held up my SBI Badge, my eyes never breaking away from him. "I am Motosaki Izuna, the man who will bring the truth into the light. You must be Usagi Ota's son. How unfortunate for you..."
Damon noticed my serious gaze, his own gaze sharpening like iron striking against another. He stood up slowly and scoffed at me. "It is unfortunate...my mother is a very busy woman and the last thing she needs right now is a lunatic division of the SPA ruining her life!"
"EEEEEEEGH! Chigau!" Tsubami replied through the van's microphone before stepping out of her van with her megaphone. "We are investigating Usagi because she's directly connected to Nanako and stayed quiet about her death for 30 years! Innocent or not, she has information we need."
"Right. No one is saying she's guilty or committed a murder, but she still needs to talk...and if she won't, I guess I'll be on a bunny chase every weekend until she starts singing," I said, looking around the city with a soft exhale.
"I suppose with a simple request I could transfer to Ono Academy...I am a very persistent person like my mother. I'll do whatever it takes for truth," I said, slipping my hand back into my pocket.
"No! You won't be doing anything! Leave Mrs. Ota out of this!" Okuni protested, pulling Damon away from me.
I smirked at Okuni and closed my eyes, letting out a soft exhale. "I'm afraid it's a bit too late for that...now step aside or we'll have you charged for obstructing Bureau Missions."
Inuoe began walking forward with his hands in his pockets, slipping through the crowd and pat Damon's shoulder for him to stand down. "There's no use in going to such lengths. You're only repeating history and the catalyst to more tragedies in New Japan."
"Or maybe...you all are too cowardly to actually use some deductive reasoning. It seems like the only ones really trying here are the Izunas, Fugigamis, and Nagagami Clans. Aren't your clans supposed to be spiritually intune, yet you won't attempt anything," I said, scoffing at Inuoe and looked around with a judgemental gaze.
"And judging by this city and first impressions...this place has something to hide. Stand in my way, and you will understand the Izuna Clan's retribution. This is more than just about my parents now," I vowed, turning my gaze back to Inuoe.
Inuoe smirked at my determination then let out a soft chuckle, hearing my father's justice within my voice then scoffed with annoyance. "How noble...sometimes I forget that you are a nobleman as well. However...there will be no bunnies for you to hunt right now."
"What are you talking about?" Tsubami asked, looking at Inuoe with confusion and lowered her megaphone.
"Usagi is innocent. I have already investigated her, she already gave me her written testimony," Inuoe said, holding up a character witness letter up to me and Tsubami.
Tsubami snatched the paper from Inuoe's hand and began scanning over it carefully, dissecting each word of Usagi's written testimony. She scoffed and shoved the page against Inuoe's chest, the force causing him to stumble backwards. "Something reeks and the bullshit is coming from you."
"There's nothing I have to say to you. I am just doing my job, and I will be submitting this to Mr. Mori. The Usagi Investigation will be closing by 12 AM Monday, September 1st. I will close this case for the sake of everyone, and get rid of that cursed spirit for good," Inuoe declared, turning away from us and began walking off with Damon and Okuni.
I smirked at Inuoe, my eyes flashing with a conviction I hadn't felt since I was a child, my chest began heating up with adrenaline. "Is that so? Ara...How arrogant of you to think we would just allow you to walk by so easily. Effective immediately...all reports go through the General of the SPAB. Gomen, Mr. Nakamura, but...not even you will escape justice if you forge evidence."
Inuoe paused in his steps, his hand clenching the testimony slightly which I caught immediately. He glanced back at me, watching as a sunray began to subtly gleam down upon me, Tsubami, and Heido. "Forged...? What makes you think I would forge evidence?"
"Oh, I don't know...maybe I'm just talking, but just remember...my mother was well known for her Insight AND her Discernment. Maybe...I have begun to develop her mannerisms," I said, looking down at the page in Inuoe's hand then read the address on the paper.
Inuoe scoffed at me, turning back around and walked off. "Whatever, you brat. Just stand down."
I chuckled softly and pulled my phone out of my pocket, texting Aisha, Otsuki, and Lotus in a group chat the address I read on Usagi's testimony. I turned around to Tsubami with my mother's cunning grin, humming softly at her and gestured for her and Heido to come in the van.
-------------------------
Usagi sighed as she walked into her house and kicked off her shoes at the door before staggering into her living room and collapsing onto her couch. She hugged her white rabbit pillow and looked at her phone, looking at all the comments on the most recent update on the MHI-30 website.
She groaned and tossed her phone on the table, burying her face into the pillow. "Why are they bringing all of this mayhem back..? As if the Matsugaya Festival wasn't already chaotic enough..."
"Hanii, you're back home?" Usagi's husband asked, walking out of the office and entering into the living room. "How was the photoshoot?"
"It was alright.." Usagi replied, her voice muffled due to her face being in the pillow.
"Aww, you sound exhausted..~ You should really learn when to take a break once in a while," Her husband replied, chuckling softly at his wife and gently rubbed her back. "Damon must be out with his friends?"
Usagi sat up on the couch with a soft inhale and sigh. "Yeah... Hey, Arisuta, do you remember Nanako?"
Arisuta tilted his head at Usagi, taking his glasses off and folding them upon his shirt with a soft exhale before placing both hands on the back of the couch. "Mmm. Your best friend from high school right? Didn't she have a crush on this guy named Jeht?"
Usagi nodded and rested her hands between her laps, her gaze shifting over to the pictures of her and Nanako turned down on the fireplace. "They are reopening her case and 29 others with it. I was just interviewed about her case."
"I'm sure you should be fine. After all, no one found her until a few days after the festival ended. No one knows who killed her. They are probably desperate," Arisuta said, leaning down and kissing the top of Usagi's forehead. "Just rest for right now..."
Usagi nodded and leaned back against the couch, looking back to see her husband returning to his work in the office then sighed softly as the door closed. She leaned forward against the couch, her cheeks resting against her palms with her elbows gently upon her thighs. She stared at her phone on the table, wondering if she should check the article again.
She contemplated for moments at a time, trying to distract herself with activities around the house but constantly found herself back on the couch with her eyes on her phone. Unable to resist the urge anymore, she reached for her phone to grab it then jolted back as the phone began to ring.
She picked it up quickly, looking at the Caller ID and noticed it was an unsaved number. She answered it and brought it to her ear. "Moshi Moshi..."
"Moshi Moshi indeed, Mrs. Ono or Ota, which ever you decide to go by on this Sunday. This is Sergeant Tsubami from the Supernatural Bureau of Investigation calling," Tsubami answered, leaning back in her seat on the van, looking back in the back seat.
"I am calling you to inform you that your current testimony is null and void. Did you forget our General was also a once teacher for Matsugaya? How insane of you to think our Headmistress would not cross examine you," Tsubami said, making her way to the backseat and held her phone out to me and Heido.
I looked at Heido's laptop, going over the information in Hisu's old dairy and Usagi's testimony, realizing some of Usagi's testimony did not match up to Hisu's personal observations. "We could pin it on survivor's remorse or whatever...but the information says Usagi was not concerned about Nanako's disappearance.."
"Unconcerned huh? Some best friend huh? Wow, not even I am this bad of a homeboy and I am a whole Yakuza Captain," Heido said, scoffing at the information and shaking his head.
Tsubami brought her phone back to her ear and cleared her throat. "So, Usagi, as you've heard from our Private Detective and Yakuza Sergeant, your testimony isn't forged but it clearly...is false. If you want to be deemed as truly innocent, give a real testimony and we will make sure of it."
Usagi froze on the couch and gulped softly, slowly bringing her phone onto her lap and looked back at the laid down photos on the fireplace surrounded by pictures of her other friends still upright. 'Inuoe...what are you doing? I am not involved with this, so why are they still investigating?'
Hours began to pass, the blue skies gradually becoming a soft shade of pink and orange in the sky as the evening began to arrive. Tsubami parked her van in front of the beautiful gates of the Ota-Ono Residency and turned off the engine, looking back at me, Lotus, Otsuki, and Aisha.
"Alright, it's me, Lotus, and Motosaki by default. Otsuki, Aisha, one of you has to stay behind with Heido. Just in case," Tsubami said, giving each of us a smile.
I looked at Otsuki and Aisha, humming softly as I studied the both of them. I could not tell which of the two was being influenced by Nanako, as if she were dormant the entire time. I knew Nanako had a strong connection with Usagi, and bringing her inside could potentially be dangerous.
"I think Aisha should come with us. Let the brother and sister bond in here for a bit," I said, half jokingly and stood up to open the back door of the van.
"Shoot, y'all sure y'all don't want me to come with? You may never know what these business men is up to these days. Hey, in my time in Kiyoto, I've seen some business men throw some crazy crosses!" Heido said, throwing a cross in the air.
"Whoa! Be careful, you aggressive brute!" Otsuki yelped, leaning back to avoid Heido's fist.
"Yeah, just sit tight, Ani," I said with a chuckle, hopping out of the van then helped Aisha and Lotus out of the van.
Heido chuckled as he watched us leave the van and began making our way to the gates of the residency. He closed the door then opened the laptop, reading Tsubami's notes on how to log into the security cameras around the house. Once he was logged in, he put an earbud in his ear then handed Otsuki the other for her to put on as well.
I walked down the beautiful marble pathway to the mansion, looking around the front yard to see beautiful fountains and golden torii gates arching over the house as if it were a grand shrine. Reaching the front door, I rang the door bell and looked back at Tsubami and the others.
Tsubami gave me a thumbs up then handed me the rolled up warrant. "Here, you've got this."
I smiled at her and took the warrant before turning back to the door to see the door opening, Damon standing in front of me with a surprised expression. "Hello, Mr. Damon. I'm sure you remember us from earlier in the day. We are here to investigate the Ota Clan."
Damon grit his teeth with heightened emotions and balled his hands into fists. "I thought Inuoe already told you, Okaasan is inno—"
"I'm sorry, I don't care about that right now. She may not be the murderer of her assumed best friend, but she definitely knows something. Here, we have a warrant for investigation," I said, handing Damon the warrant to read.
Damon snatched the warrant and held it up in my face, ripping it in two then crumbled it up into a ball before tossing it at my chest. "I don't give a shit about your warrant. I'm warning you, stay away from my family..."
I looked down at the crumbed warrant and closed my eyes with a smirk and chuckled softly, shaking my head and sighing softly. "We have many more copies in the van if you wanna spend time ripping those as well. It doesn't change the fact that we have a job to do."
"I don't care about your job! Get off my property!" Damon said, shoving me back into Lotus and Aisha, who both caught me.
"Hey! You're assaulting an enforcer! That's a crime!" Aisha called out, glaring at Damon as she held my arm.
I got out of Aisha and Lotus's hold and waved at them for them to calm down. I looked at Damon's eyes and locked onto them. "I understand your concern for your mother...I lost mine under the same pretense with this investigation, so I get your pain."
"If you understand it, why don't you just stop?!" Damon asked strongly, clenching his fists even tighter.
I stared at Damon's eyes and slipped my hands into my pockets, exhaling softly. "Because...The truth must come into the light. I can't stop what's happening right now, but I can help bring it to completion. If you cared about truth and your reputation, you'd stand down."
"If your mother fails to comply, she won't be investigated by the SBI, but by the General Detectives. For you all, this is mercy. If you'd rather not lose your mother to the law, you'd do well in letting us inside and I'll let your assault slide," I said, my convicting expression becoming unwavering.
Damon grit his teeth and began weighing his options then sighed softly, finally calming down and stepped back. "Fine...come in."
I bowed at Damon before stepping inside, followed by Lotus and Tsubami. Aisha followed behind us and stared at Damon before stopping and bringing her finger up to his chin. Damon stared at Aisha and felt a chill rush down his spine, his gaze shifting upward to the flickering porch light above him before coming back down to Aisha's intense stare.
"Place your hand upon my Motosaki again...and I'll make sure you regret it," Aisha said in a chilling tone, as if an intrusive thought had escaped her for a moment then she gave Damon her usual sweet smile before skipping inside.
Damon gulped lightly and broke into cold sweats, looking back up at the porch light to see the flickering had stopped. He slowly looked at Aisha, feeling something was off about her but couldn't tell what exactly, only chopping it up to a strange set of eerie coincidences.
Usagi sat in the living room calmly, overhearing Damon's conversation with us then heard footsteps approaching the living room. She looked over to see us entering then watched as I studied her features, humming softly at her beauty then glanced over at Aisha.
Immediately, I could see why Nanako chose Aisha as one of the people to connect with and influence, yet I couldn't complete decipher the reasoning other than similar auras. Usagi seemed nervous and shy, her body language shut in and her energy remaining quiet.
"Miss Ota, it is a pleasure to visit you once again," Tsubami said with a chuckle, sighing softly as she sat down on the couch and crossed one leg over the other.
Lotus sat down beside Tsubami with her notebook ready while Aisha sat in a chair between Tsubami and Usagi. Usagi took a deep breath and exhaled softly, her nervous gaze shifting between each of us as majority of the eyes were on her.
I scanned around her room and noticed many white rabbits motifs in tbe designs of the room and began walking around with my hands in my pockets. As I searched around, a strange glare began forming on the walls as if something reflecting light to lead me somewhere.
Turning around, I noticed the sun slowly moving across the sky, reflecting sunlight off a mirror and toward a place on the wall. Looking at the direction, I noticed the sunlight shining upon a picture on the wall, specifically the time.
'1:19 P. M. What could this mean...?' I asked mentally before continuing to inspect the living room and soon reached the fireplace.
I noticed some pictures were turned down then looked back at Usagi. "Huh, some of these are turned down? Could these be pictures of Mr. Yamamoto?"
Usagi blushed at my assumption and scoffed at me defensively, turning her gaze away from me, her energy lightening up slightly. "Tah! You dare mention his name to me right now? I haven't spoken to that man in years..."
"Oh really? Call logs tell a different story, Ms. Ota," I said, looking back at the facedown pictures and lifted one up at random.
I looked at the photo, seeing it was a picture of her, a younger Mr. Yamamoto, and a beautiful young woman with curly black hair and unusual magenta eyes, the same shade of pink I recognized in Aisha's eyes when Nanako possessed her. I propped up the picture on the fireplace and dusted off the display glass with my handkerchief.
"Listen, Mrs. Ota. I believe you when you said you have nothing to do with Nanako's death, but running from the true story is what discredits your honesty. Nanako is your best friend right? After all...she did get you and Mr. Kaeda Yamamoto together as a couple," I said, turning around to face Usagi with my hands in my pockets.
Usagi locked eyes with me then noticed I was glancing down at her necklace which held a Bible verse upon it from the Book of James. I noticed the sunlight reflecting off the mirror and only highlighting Usagi's neck and the name James. Using my Discernment, I began connecting all the previous clues together to gain an Insight.
'I get it now...James 1:19. Be quick to listen and slow to anger and speak. I suppose I can do that,' I said mentally, walking over to a chair between Usagi and Lotus and sat down.
"Alright, Usagi...tell me about you and Nanako, just anything you know about her," I said calmly, keeping an open mind and heart as I prepared to listen.
Usagi clasped her hands together with a light exhale, looking over at the newly propped up picture on the fireplace. She curled her lips lightly and turned her gaze away from the photo silently. "Nanako...was simultaneously the best and worst possible person to ever come into my life."
Each of us began listening closely to Usagi's words, Lotus beginning to write down what Usagi was saying while Tsubami and I silently listened. Aisha's gaze upon Usagi began to cause the air to tense up, a breeze wafting through the room like a silent whisper. Damon listened from behind the walls, his arms crossed with high tension.
"Nanako loved everyone, was genuinely a happy person and was probably the best person to me in my life. We did everything together...she helped me through so much, yet...she brought so much pain," Usagi continued, clenching her fists tighter and closed her eyes.
"What kind of pain because Mr. Yamamoto describes her differently, albiet he rarely interacted with her before getting in a relationship with you," I inquired, wanting to understand Usagi's feelings deeper.
"She's oblivious to the pain she causes others. Yes, she brought me joy and her friends, but at what cost? I watched her go crazy for our old friend Jeht, she was madly in love with him. Yet, she couldn't see that he didn't like her back," Usagi answered, looking up at me then stood up to walk toward her fireplace and picked up a facedown group photo.
"Jeht exclusively liked this girl," Usagi said, pointing at an insanely beautiful young woman standing between Jeht and another girl. "Her name is Nousagi, and I guess you can call her one of Nanako's rivals."
"Rivals? Like romantic rivals? They had still that 30 years ago?" Tsubami asked with a raised eyebrow, and moved her lips to the side while pressing them together awkwardly.
"It was quite awkward to experience, but I tried to be there for her as much as possible. She was truly my best friend...but her love for Jeht blinded her. Don't think Jeht is innocent either. He led her on, purposely! He even took advantage of her body, I hate that man!" Usagi spoke strongly, setting the picture back face down.
I crossed my arms as I listened to Usagi's testimony and exhaled softly then looked up at Usagi. "If that's the case, why didn't you seem concerned for Nanako's disappearance at the Matsugaya Festival?"
Usagi froze up and stared down at me then lowered her head, holding her arms as the static memory began forcing its way out of the blackspace in her mind to the forefront. She could hear the distinct laughter of the festival, her heart beginning to race as the memory fully came to her mind.
~Usagi's Memory of Nanako~
The Matsugaya Festival was filled with joyful laughter and bright music, banners and streamers risen up on light poles and doorways with the Matsugaya name plastered everywhere. Usagi and her friend group hung out at a table in the courtyard, taking selfies with everyone in the group with a bright smile.
Nanako giggled softly as she hopped next to Usagi in her seat, holding her arm and leaning over to look at the picture. "Ooohh~! This looks so nice with the party lights over us!"
Usagi smiled at Nanako then looked down at the picture on her phone, noticing Jeht's deceiving smirk in the photo then looked back at Nanako with a smile. "It does, doesn't it. So, what are your plans for later? I was thinking that we could go to the Theater and catch the St. Fraskia Musical?"
Nanako beamed at Usagi and giggled softly, glancing over at Jeht with a bashful smile. "Jeht invited me to view the campus cats later, so I might end up missing the musical~"
Usagi's heart dropped at Nanako's answer then looked over at Jeht and noticed him placing his finger upon his lip, signalling for Usagi to not say anything. She knew Jeht leading on Nanako was terrible since he was already seeing Nousagi and in a serious relationship with her. She exhaled softly and curled her lips, staying silent despite her conviction telling her not to.
Jeht stood up from his seat and walked over to Nanako, taking her hand then helped her up. "We shall be back, and I'll try to see if we make it back in time."
Nanako giggled and waved at her friends, oblivious to the plot Jeht had in store. Usagi watched helplessly as Jeht dragged Nanako off, a gut feeling emerging as she felt something terrible would happen.
"That guy is such a slimeball...how can he do this to Nousagi?" Kyoto scoffed, watching as he left with Nanako then looked at Usagi.
~End of Usagi's Memory~
"And...that was the last time...I ever saw Nanako. I wanted to warn her...but the signs could not have been clearer...she brought it onto herself," Usagi said, gripping her arms tightly as her heart sank deeper into her stomach.
Aisha stared at Usagi, processing her words and sighed softly. The air began to grow colder in the room, Aisha's blood beginning to boil over. "So...you had the power to stop it, knowing Nanako was being mislead? You still let her go with Jeht knowing he was up to no good?"
"I-I didn't know what to do..." Usagi said, looking over at Aisha quickly then gasped softly seeing her wide eyed stare.
"You see a snake slithering toward your friend and you don't think to warn her? You knew about everything, you had a choice and stayed silent! You know who murdered Nanako!" Aisha grilled, shooting up from her seat.
"I don't! I don't know who killed Nanako! There's no way to prove that I know anything after she left!" Usagi combated, raising her voice and stomped her foot down.
Aisha let out a stressed yell, feeling her blood pressure suddenly skyrocket. The lights began flickering wildly, the air suddenly dropping to a dreadful chill. She grunted softly as she fell back into her seat, holding her throbbing head with a light hiss.
I looked over at Aisha and exhaled softly, crossing my arms knowing the interview was now ruined due to Nanako's emotional response. I stood up from my seat and began walking in front of Usagi to shield her from Nanako's potential attack.
Aisha let out a soft giggle then began laughing, swaying her head up then opened her eyes to look at Usagi with a grin. "I really trusted you...I trusted you with my life and look where it got me!"
Lotus glanced over at Tsubami quickly then reached for her satchel, but Tsubami stopped her by placing her hand upon her wrist. Tsubami continued to watch me, carefully watching my choices and began to lean forward.
"Every day is a nightmare for me...having to speak to people like this. I can't remember her face...but I just know you know who did this..." Aisha scorned, standing up from her seat and balled her hands into fists.
Damon gasped as he watched Aisha stand up with a vengeance and hurried from around the corner. He noticed the office door slam open, Arisuta walking out of the office with a dagger crafted from rare minerals.
Aisha looked over at Arisuta, noticing the weapon in his hand then smirked at him. "Mmm, Major Arisuta. How interesting to see you here...I don't remember you ever being in the picture."
Arisuta stared at Aisha with pure bewilderment, seeing Aisha but hearing nothin but Nanako's unique cadence in her tone. He looked at the flickering lights and felt a sense of dread filling the room, unable to understand what was going on.
I stared at Aisha while standing in front of Usagi, wondering how to approach this situation and glanced back at Usagi. I processed everything that was said quickly for a Swift Insight, trying to find the best possible words in this moment.
Before I could speak, Damon rushed toward the dresser and pulled out a crucifix and a Exorcism Talisman from the drawer then turned toward Aisha. "In the name of the Lord, I will have you expelled from that woman, you demon!"
Aisha scoffed at Damon then crossed her arms, moving her eyebrow up and down. "Trying to exorcize me? Hmph, you're just a child, you don't even know what you're doing. Mikoto, I know her. Jesus, I know Him, but who are you?"
Arisuta grit his teeth as he listened to Nanako speak through Aisha then quickly stepped forward to stop Damon from attempting an exorcism. "Don't try that...it will only lead to another tragedy."
"If everyone would just shut up, I have something important to say before I forget," I announced loudly, letting out a sigh and closed my eyes. "I believe Usagi in she doesn't know who killed you Nanako. Her testimony adds up, but...this only brings me to wonder. Where is Jeht, Nousagi, and Kyoto?"
Usagi stared at me, her gaze softening with a sense of relief that I believed her. "I only know where Kyoto is...isn't that Otsuki's aunt on the Nagagami side?"
Lotus, Aisha, and I stopped for a moment, each of us glancing at each other about the revelation. Otsuki covered her mouth and sat back in the van seat, genuinely caught off guard that a Nagagami Clan member was involved.
"What the hell..? Obassan Kyoto is involved in this shit..? Is that why she was sent away by Mama..?" Heido asked, leaning back in the seat as well in disbelief.
"The Banished Nagagami? Where is she now?" Lotus asked, standing up quickly with her notebook readied to write down Usagi's answer.
"The last time I spoke to her, she was wandering somewhere in Fujitori. Is she really banished from her clan..?" Usagi asked, looking at us with a hint of regret in her eyes.
Tsubami stared at the coffee table with her arms crossed, sighing softly. "Yeah, she's been banished due to the Nanako Case. Lady Nagagami saw her as an abomination due to the death of Nanako... because evidently she also knew based on your testimony and chose silence as well."
Usagi brought her hands to her face, letting out a soft sob then sunk down onto her knees. "It's all my fault...I should've just said something! If only...I didn't care more about my reputation."
I looked back at Usagi, looking down at her then glanced back over to the Nanako possessed Aisha, gesturing for her to calm down with a pleading expression. The lights gradually began to return to normal, Aisha letting out another soft groan before passing out with shivers coursing through her veins.
I watched as Tsubami stood up and grabbed Aisha to comfort her and warm her up then looked back at Usagi. "Guilt shouldn't just be an emotion, it must be deeply felt and based off your reaction...you are remorseful. I don't hate you, Mrs. Ota...in fact we need you."
Usagi looked up quickly at me, her eyes locking onto mine with surprise, a faint memory of Erik comforting her playing in her mind. "You...need me?"
"You're the only one from that friend group who's honest...we know about everyone except one. If you really want to repent, help us. Use your reputation and call for people to step up..." I said, holding my hand out to her.
Usagi stared at me, a memory of Mikoto flashing in her eyes once she saw my conviction. In the past, Usagi pushed my parents away when they investigated her years ago. Now being placed in the same crossroad again, I was hoping for a change.
Usagi exhaled softly and looked away from me, holding her hand to her chest, tears flowing down her cheeks. "I can't...I won't allow what happened to Erik and Mikoto to happen to you. You're a good kid, I don't want you to end up like them."
"I am their son. I was bound to cross this path at some point because even I question their death. Just give us a chance, work with us..." I answered back then noticed her withdraw and stopped my pursuit.
Everything was falling apart around the same timeframe, in the same way my father began to fail. However, I was able to get more information out of Usagi than he was and my spirit was telling me to try one more tactic.
I kneeled down in front of Usagi then tapped her necklace. "I see you're a God fearing woman and I know that you truly love Nanako. Do you want justice for her?"
"It's been 30 years—" Usagi began then stopped as I shook my head.
"There have been cold cases my father and many others have solved from 70 years ago. The timeframe doesn't matter. The culprits are still alive and I know deep down in your pure heart, you wish Nanako was avenged...but God can't make that happen if you do not allow Him," I said then tapped her necklace.
"Faith without works is dead...you can't vainly hope Nanako receives justice when you don't do anything to make it possible. Please, Usagi," I said, bowing down to Usagi humbly.
Usagi looked around and curled her lips, noticing everyone was awaiting her response. She closed her eyes and looked at the ground, taking a deep breath and exhaled softly. She opened her eyes and looked up at me.