Scroll 8 { Keeps Getting Better }

The Shiritaka's residence stuck out like a sore thumb, having being practically wrapped around with restriction tape in order to prevent unauthorized outsiders to enter. It looked very much like a ribbon on a child's birthday present.

It was a common looking house. Aside from all the police cars surrounding it, it looked no different from any other house in Tokyo.

It was scarcely believable that a murder had taken place in this very household.

"It.... it looks so normal." Feather commented, scanning the house up and down. "...if you don't count all the policemen."

"It's best not to always judge a book by it's cover." I said forthrightly. "Now... Shall we head inside, then?"

"Right." She nodded firmly, taking a step forward.

"You there," as if on impulse, one of the policeman greeted snobbishly, holding out his gloved hand and blocking Feather's path. "No unauthorized persona allowed."

I sighed. People always seem to like getting in our way.

I pulled out my ID card and airily waved it under his nose, an icy gaze in my eyes.

"We are authorized." I said bitterly in a matter-of-fact tone.

The uniformed man studied my ID card in clear surprise, glancing at me to Feather and to my ID card back again. "O-oh. I apologize for my impudent behavior, Miss Hope." He stuttered, bending over to preform a half-bow.

"Mmm." I snorted uncaringly.

"It's alright, Sir. I'm sure it was an honest mistake." Feather spoke up, flashing the embarrassed man a small smile. "It happens most of the time."

Sadly. She didn't have to say it so proudly. Society just didn't want to accept the fact that not only middle-aged men with hair loss problems can be detectives.

"It's an honor to be working with you both. I've actually heard a lot about your work, Miss Hope." the policeman rambled on, attempting to mend the patch.

"Yeah, obviously you haven't heard enough of me to recognize who I am." I retorted, refusing to spare him the painfully deep sarcasm. I walked past him huffily.

I didn't come all this way to listen to some pathetic excuses.

We entered the house and made our way straight to the living room where the crime scene was. Even more blue-uniformed men were running around busily, absorbed in the intense and serious atmosphere.

Some of them turned away from whatever they were doing to look at me for a few seconds as I crossed the room. I paused at the center of the room to examine my surroundings. Shades of red split all over the carpeted floor caught my eye almost instantly, where the victim spent his last moments on.

I was lost in thought as I rubbed my chin, not moving from my spot. There were white outlines of the victim's body where he previously laid, sprawled out onto the floor backwards.

I beckoned Feather closer with my right hand.

"Go take some pictures of the scene," I told her, shoving a small digital camera into her hands. She nodded and obeyed without any questions.

I moved on from studying the tainted carpet to the rest of the room, memorizing every inch of the place mentally. Then, I turned to one of the policemen and tapped his shoulder.

"Excuse me, may I have a copy of the Autopsy report and a list of the other suspected murderers?" I requested. The man shot me the typical weird look before hesitantly digging inside a file that he was holding.

"Here... you can have these soft copies." He said and handed me a few sheets of paper.

"Thank you."

"I've got the pictures you wanted, Lady Hope!" Chimed Feather's cheerful voice. I turned to look at her and nodded.

"Good work." I complimented her. "Now, let's get out of this boring dump."


xXx


"What's that, Lady Hope?"

"The victim, Seiji Shiritaka's autopsy report." I replied, my eyes glued onto the piece of paper in my hands. I sank back into the passenger's seat, my eyes half closed.

"Apparently, He died at 7:50pm almost instantly last night. He was struck on the side of his head with a metal broom."

"Sounds painful."

"Indeed." I shifted a bit and took out the list of suspects that I had received earlier and showed it to Feather.

"There are apparently three more potential suspects of Seiji's murder aside from Mari-san," I told her, flipping the pages. I showed her three pictures of three different people.




"The first one," I pointed to the girl with fiery red hair, "is Megumi Kato. Also known as the older sister of Mari Shiritaka. She works as a waitress in a nightclub. She's deemed as a suspect because it seemed that she was dating Seiji for a certain period of time before he got together with Mari. They broke up after a nasty argument over an unstated reason and left each other on bad terms. Soon after, Seiji fell in love with her sister, who we all know is Mari, and confessed. Mari accepted his confession, thus the start of their relationship."

"The second picture... is someone called Haru Kinoshi. A college of Seiji. Also deemed as a suspect. He was also some sort of rival for Seiji. Recently, before all this, they had been fighting for a promotion and Haru lost to Seiji hands down. Who knows what feelings he holds inside because of this now. Also... it's said that he has some sort of crush on Mari-san."

"Why weren't the two arrested and kept in the detention center?" Feather interrupted, looking at me with her sky blue eyes.

"Lack of proof." I said. "Plus everyone is pretty damn sure that Mari's the one who did it. Why not? I mean, she lived with Seiji, if she wanted to kill him, she could've done so anytime."

A look of vexation washed over Feather's face. "Then.... it won't be as easy to clear Mari-san's name as I thought."

"Hmm."

I heard a long, depressed sigh from Feather and I stared at her wordlessly. She blinked at me and just smiled weakly.

"... I'm sorry. That was a negative thing to say. I know that you won't fail no matter what, right?" She attempted to sound happier, giggling faintly.

I didn't respond and closed my eyes.

She seemed to be satisfied with my silence, and didn't press further.

I could hear the sound of rustling papers and my eyelids lifted lazily to find Feather studying the pictures of suspects again.

"Um.... what about this third person, Lady Hope?" she asked, showing me the third picture.

I looked at the descriptions of the suspects that was written on a separate piece of paper.

"Cho Shiritaka. Daughter of Seiji Shiritaka."

"D-d-daughter?!" Feather suddenly yelled. Her outburst must've scared the taxi driver because he made a sudden sharp skid to the left.

I held onto the door handle tightly to prevent myself from falling over and gritted my teeth.

"Sorry!" Feather apologized to the Taxi driver before switching her attention back to me.

"Yes, daughter." I confirmed her outburst in a strained tone.

"Umm.... what is she doing there?" She asks softly. "She couldn't have possibly..."

"Anything can happen in reality." I cut her off and fixated a hard look on her. "You should've known better by now."

She look as if my words had shot her right in the head. She hung her head in embarrassment.

".... yeah...."

"Um, Ladies, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think we're here." The taxi driver looked over his shoulder at us and gestured to the outside.

"Thank you." I thanked him without much emotion, getting out of the cab while Feather handled the tab.

There, we stood in front of the house of Haru Kinoshi.

I did the honors of knocking on his door.

I heard a deep, muffled voice shout from the inside followed by the sound of footsteps. "Coming!"

The door opened and the man I saw from the picture appeared before my eyes. "Yes?" he asked, surprised to see me. This time my ID card was already in my hand.

"Haru Kinoshi. We're here to investigate." I told him, raising my ID to his face.

His expression quickly faded to one that looked annoyed. "Again?" he groaned to himself, shaking his head. "I keep on telling you all, I didn't do it."

"It won't hurt to go through just another round of questioning, would it not?"

"I guess not." The man sighed in defeat, running his fingers through his hair. "Please," He said, moving to the side to make way for us. "Come in."

He lead us to his living room and told us to make ourselves comfortable on the sofa as he retreated to the kitchen to return minutes later with a tray of iced tea in his hands.

"Thank you." I thanked him and received the glass with both hands.

"No problem." He said casually, handing Feather a glass too.

He sat in front of us, his fingers laced together.

I sipped my tea without showing any care, ignoring his lingering look.

"So... what would you like to ask me, Miss..."

"Hope."

"Ah. Miss Hope. Yes, well, what is it that you want?"

I placed the already half empty glass onto the coffee table in front of me.

"I'm sure you know very well why we're here, Mr Kinoshi."

"Yes.. it's about Seiji-san's murder, isn't it?"

He sounded so calm about it. He didn't seem like he was hiding anything... or perhaps... it's just an act?

The possibilities were endless.

He shook his head again. "I didn't do it. I can swear my word on it."

"Mmmm." I ignored his words and started my questioning. "About your relationship with Mari Shiritaka-san...."

"Oh, Mari-chan. Ah, hm, well, I really do feel bad for the poor girl... being locked up for something she didn't commit."

"You don't think she did it?"

"How can I? She was such a sweet, young girl. So kind-hearted... never could've hurt a fly. She deserved so much better. Never knew what she saw in Seiji... Never will either..." he trailed off, a distant look behind his spectacles.

I raised an eyebrow.

"I see... and I understand that you and Seiji had a small... 'competition' before all of this? And he was the one ending up with a promotion instead of you."

He pulled out of own little world and blinked before shifting his spectacles. "I see where you're going with this Miss Hope.... and like I said, I did not, I repeat, I did not murder Seiji-san. I am a man of common sense, and I don't really think it's logical for me to go on and take his life just because he got the promotion instead of me. If he got the promotion, it just simply means that he's better than me. Nothing more. It's nothing much to fret about, anyway. In this world, it's either you win or lose. I think feelings like greed or revenge are just simply...." He paused for awhile to think. "What's the word, now? Overrated?"

I was busy watching the water droplets roll off the cold slippery glass as I listened to him babble on and on about his interpretation of the world. What a boring man.

"What do you think about jealousy, then?"

He chuckled at my persistence.

"My, you're quite stubborn. When I told the previous investigators this, they were all pretty much convinced. Is there anything I can do to prove that I'm not guilty?"

"I'm afraid not," I said, watching closely as a few more droplets slid down the glass. "As long as there is no solid proof of your innocence, there would always be a chance that you might be the murderer. I cannot afford to let that chance slip by. However... if there isn't any proof that you are the murder, there is nothing much I can do, either."

"True." He grinned weakly.

"I'll tell you what. Since I am not the murderer and wish to prove it myself, I'll help you in anyway I can to catch the real murderer. Have you heard of Mari-chan's sister, Megumi Kato?"

"Yes. She's also one of the listed suspects."

"And I suppose you've heard of Megumi's and Seiji's bitter past relationship?"

I nodded once.

He shifted his spectacles with his index finger.

"Blinded with rage, Megumi never did forgive Seiji-san or Mari-chan for that. She took it as if Mari-chan had betrayed her. In fact, she's probably still fuming about it now. The two siblings haven't spoken to each other for almost an year now. Poor Mari's been trying to patch things up again, but Megumi just shuts her off like a complete stranger. I don't know Megumi well, but if you think it's worth while to have a little talk with her, I can gladly give you the address of the nightclub she works at. She should be working right about now, so even if you try her apartment, she probably won't be home."

"That's fine... but... since you don't know Megumi well, why do you even have her work place address?" I asked with a skeptical look.

He smiled brightly at me.

"...That's because every single piece of information about Mari-chan's life, including information about her family members, is like a precious treasure to me!"


"..................."


I wrote down the address of the nightclub Megumi worked at and left without a single word more.


xXx


"What a freak." I mumbled. We were, once again, in a cab on the way to a nightclub known as 'Black & Gold'.

"I admit... he did kind of give me goosebumps, but he seemed pretty innocent, don't you think?" Feather added in her thoughts.

"It's too early to say that right now... I still have to investigate further before coming to any conclusion."

We soon arrived at Black & Gold. The place really lived up to it's name. The whole goddamn place was themed Black and Gold. The chairs, the walls, even the dance floor and spotlights... they were all painted black and a tacky, cheap shade of gold.

The choking smell of cigarettes and alcohol wafted to my nose.

Loud, deafening music boomed over the room, sending a migraine straight to my brain and I cringed in annoyance. Some imbecilic guy over the speakers was attempting to rap nonsensical English words and was failing. Badly.

The worst part was, the place was packed full of people, mostly skimpily dressed girls and unhygienic boys that looked like they were highschool dropouts, rubbing up against each other, dancing like nobody was watching.

Well, I tired not to watch. I just pray that I don't get out of here blind.

"It's so noisy in here!" Feather tried to yell, but the music drowned her words out.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her with me to the bar.

"What will ya be having, Miss?" the bartender asks, leaning forward onto the counter. He was using a cloth to wipe a cocktail glass as he spoke to me.

"Actually, I came here to look for Megumi Kato. Do you know where I can find her? It's important." I tried to make myself as audible as possible.

"Oh, ya lookin' for Meggy-chan, huh? Important business, you say? Well, she's somewhere around serving drinks. If ya like, I can go search for her for you. Just wait at that empty VIP room over there." He pointed at a door at the corner of the room.

"Thank you."

The room was like a graveyard compared to the chaos we just indulged in. It was decorated in the main theme, black and gold, but seemed more high-class and fancier somewhat.

"My ears hurt." Feather moaned. She rubbed her templates with her fingers and frowned. "And I think I just got groped by someone!"

The door suddenly flew open and a woman wearing 5-inch high heals strutted in, her black dress flowing behind her.

She looked at us with her cat-liked eyes and shut the door nosily behind her.

"Are you the two girls that wanted to see me?" she asked, putting a hand on her hip.

"We're here to ask you some questions about the murder of Seiji Shiritaka."

The woman's eyebrows knitted together at the sound of his name. Anyone could easily tell that she had some sort of grudge towards him.

Looks like Mr Kinoshi was right about the part where she still didn't forgive Seiji.

"What? What do I have to do with that good-for-nothing bastard? Anyway, I think he deserved what he got."

"That's exactly why we're here in the first place." I crossed my legs onto of one another and stared directly into her eyes.

"Hmph. So what? You think that I did it? That I murdered the moron?"

"Exactly." I replied bluntly.

She snorted and shot me a heated glare.

"I didn't do it." she said.

"Do you have any proof?" I countered back.

"Look, kid. I don't have the time to participate in any of your silly games." she huffed.

"This isn't a game, Miss Kato. Murder, as far as I'm concerned, is quite serious." I said, still staring into her eyes. I could tell that she felt nervous and adverted her eyes away from mine.

"I would like you to tell me more about your dispute with Seiji Shiritaka."

"Look... I don't wanna talk about it, okay?"


"It's not a matter of whether you want to or not. You have to."


"You're.... really pushing my buttons, kid."


"I don't see the harm in answering some questions. And... I am not a kid." I stated the last part dully, as if it was the simplest statement in the word.

Frustration suddenly emerged onto her face as she stared hard at the ground, clenching her fist.


"I... hate that guy so much.... but... F-fine. Whatever. Let's just get this over with."

"I'm glad that you see things my way, Miss Kato." I rubbed my triumph in her face as I got out my phone.

She glared at me but I brushed it off, paying more attention to my phone.

"Let's start... What do you think about the victim, Seiji Shiritaka?"

"Do I have to repeat myself over and over? I hate the guy! Dead or alive, I still hate him! He's a good-for-nothing jerk!"


"Yes, well, but you probably didn't feel this way before, am I right? Afterall, you two were a couple once and you probably--"


"Enough." she cut me off halfway. "Don't remind me. That cheating, lying, no-good jerk... always playing with me... Never taking me seriously... I bet he cheated on me lots of times too... Asshole..." she growled, looking provoked.


"Yes, yes..." I agreed absentmindedly, not even bothering to look at her. "I'm sure he did..."


She was about to shout something at me when I stopped her with another question.

"What do you think of Mari Shiritaka, or... should I say, what do you think of your sister?"

She wasted no time in responding.

"She's as much as an asshole as he is. If not, maybe worse. She's a traitor and a backstabber." She paused for awhile before adding, "I hate her."

I could've rolled my eyes at her over-the-top flaming.

".... tell me, Megumi-san, do you have anger issues?"

"What?"

"Oh, nothing. Let's move onto the next question..."

"Do you think that your sister is the murderer?"

"Truthfully... I find it surprising. Didn't think she'd have the guts to do such a thing. But anything can happen. In fact, she probably is the murderer."

"Where were you yesterday at 7:00pm to 8:00pm?"

"I was here, working."

"You couldn't have been working." I pointed out. "From my research, this nightclub only opens on weekdays, and yesterday was Sunday, it was the weekend."

A look of shocked slapped over Megumi's face.

"Since when did you do research, Lady Hope?" Feather asked, blinking in curiosity.

"About 5 minutes ago," I replied, referring to the access to the internet my phone was capable to pull off. "Ah, I've reached level 7."


'..... she was playing games all this while?' Megumi and Feather thought in unison.


"So tell me, Megumi-san, were you really at work? Because like I said, wouldn't the club be shut tight yesterday? I find it hard to believe that you'd be able to work here."


".... I...." she glared down at the floor.


"Were you lying?"


"No! I'm telling the truth!" She immeditely shouted, raising her head. "Fine, okay... the club was closed... but I was here. But I can't tell you why."


"That makes you very suspicious-sounding, Megumi-san."


"Whatever, I don't care."


I glanced up momentarily to observe her reaction. She seemed to look more and more uneasy.

"W-whatever... I didn't do it...." she said, as if she was trying to reassure herself.


The air seemed to grow slightly tenser.


"but... maybe I would've have. That bastard deserved everything that he got! Yeah, I would love to just take something and bash it against that thick skull of his." she spat, venom dripping from every word. Her feline-like eyes were flashing with anger.

We all sat in a temporary silence.

....



'CONGRATULATIONS! You've completed the game!'


"Ah, I won."


"......"


xXx


We were now standing outside of Black & Gold, finally being able to escape the annoying rap music and bloody idiots.

"Ah, Megumi-san didn't look too happy with us..."

"Doesn't matter. We can see her in court tomorrow." I looked at the dark sky. The street lamps had already been turned on and the streets were filled with zooming headlights. "It's getting late. You should sleep early, Feather."

"Ah... is Miss Hope.... worried?" Feather gushed with an oversize smile, an overjoyed - yet somehow creepy looking- sparkle glittering in her eyes.

"..Not really."

The strange glint in her green orbs quickly faded and so did her smile. Shot down with disappointment.

"...but your presence is still very important to me. I cannot have you to oversleep under any circumstance, understood?"

"H-hai!" The abnormal sparkle returned as fast as it disappeared. She turned around and pumped her fist in the air, cheering mentally. "I'll do my best!" she said to herself in concrete determination. "You should also get a good night's rest, Miss Hope!"

"No... I think I'll stay up to do some more research and investigating to get ready for tomorrow.."

she turned around and faced me again. "Are you going to speak with the last suspect, Miss Hope?"

"I can't." I shook my head. "She's been taken into custody, since no one is there to take care of her now. It's highly unlikely that they'll let me speak with her at this point of time."

"Oh.... I wonder what kind of person Cho-chan is?" the blond said thoughtfully, putting a finger onto her chin. "She looked pretty distant in the picture."

I looked on as the cars zoomed by, the yellow headlights blinding.

"Who knows..."

Three of them were suspects.
And any one of them could be the murderer.

Just the thought of it... made this case just a little less boring.

This mystery was just like a puzzle game, and I've got all the pieces in my hands.

Now, it's just about how I go about in fixing them into place..

If I just play my cards right... I'll definitely win this little game in the end.

We'll see, hmm?

Scroll 7 { Get This Party Started }

"She's the type of person who doesn't like being mocked, isn't she?" L said out loud, putting his thumb to his lips thoughtfully. Hope and Feather had just left the hotel a few minutes ago, leaving only Watari and L himself alone in the room.

"You're still thinking about it?" Watari smiles, pulling off his hat and hanging it on a coat stand.

"Unfortunately." L mumbles wearily. "I can't seem to decide what to think of her. I really never met anyone quite like her before."

"Aren't you glad you met her now?" Watari asks, the pleased smile still plastered on his face.

"Not exactly." L sighs. "But it was interesting. A most unusual personality. However, she was quite... a pain. But somehow I would still like to get to know her more. I can't put my finger on what to feel about her."

"That's not very common, now is it?" L's assistant said, now fully out of his disguise.

"No... It isn't. I can't say what it'll be like if I were to work with her."

"So why did you give her a chance?"

"She.... somewhat reminds me of myself." L reluctantly admits, scratching his head. "Just a little."

Hearing this, Watari laughs lightly. "Is that so? I'm sorry, but I half expected a more complicated reason."

"Oh, really..." L said in an uninterested mumble, chewing on his lollipop stick thoughtfully. He pulls the plastic stick out from his mouth and puts it onto the table that was next to him.

"For now, let's just wait and watch what happens."

xXx

I gazed out of the cab window, chin on palm as I leaned against the door. Regret plunged straight through my stomach as the cab bounced up and down the rough road.

What was I doing, wasting my time and working on a small-fry case like this? Shouldn't I be doing more important things?

I asked myself, staring at my black combat boots, as if that would give me an answer.

Why did I give in so easily? It wasn’t like me. Not at all. The worst thing was, I was actually aware that I played right into his stupid little plan. I’ve dealt with all sorts of irritating types before, but this was the first time that I had let myself give in so easily.

Why…?

I knew he might just be using me for his own entertainment. I couldn’t even say for sure if he would even allow me to work with him after all of this.

That aloof attitude... Messy dressing… The way he challenged me... as if he was a whole level above me and that I needed to prove myself to him...


Sickening.


Who was he?

Who does he think he is?


I didn’t know if I was more disappointed, amused or irritated. Was this really L? A part of my mind kept doubting the fact. I knew L could’ve been anyone, for that matter. From a teenage girl to a senior citizen; It wasn’t impossible. But I really didn’t expect it to turn out this way.

But really, to give in to someone like him… that ignorant, shabby boy… I still don't know why I did such a stupid thing.

Although...

There was something about him... He wasn’t like the others. I can’t exactly say why… but.. It irked me. Quite a bit.

“Am I getting soft?” I grumbled to myself.

“Did you say something, Lady Hope?” Feather, who was seated beside me, asked.

"No, nothing." I replied immediately.

"Are you sure? You seemed bothered."

"I'm fine." I looked from her to back out the window.

"How long more til' we get there?" I asked, attempting to drop the topic.

"We should be there any minute now." Feather said, looking out the window too.

I kept silent after that.

Soon, the cab driver pulled up to a gloomy gray building, spiky wire fencing surrounding it to keep intruders out. This was the detention center that the suspect was in.

Her name was Mari Shiritaka.

And it seemed like she's gotten herself into quite a huge mess, apparently... she was accused of murdering her own husband just the day before.

The girl who had phoned Feather earlier happened to be her sister. I had called her back just moments ago to confirm the situation. I could tell that she was probably still young. Most likely just a teenager. She could hardly speak and her voice was muffled, as if she had been crying her eyes out.

"Please!" she had pleaded with me. "My sister is innocent! She wouldn't have done such a thing!"

I couldn't reassure her that her sister was innocent... yet. I had to get a view of the whole situation and then decide what would happen later. And in order to do that, I decided to visit the suspect herself first.

Both of us stepped out of the cab and went towards the detention center, only to be stopped by a security guard watching the entrance. He let us through once we flashed him our ID cards and directed us to a room inside.

"You two ladies can take a seat there while I summon the prisoner." he offered, pointing to two plastic chairs in front of a wall that had a glass screen that acted like some sort of window. Behind the screen was another chair, probably for the arrested suspect to sit in order to communicate.

I pulled the chair closer to me and made myself comfortable and Feather followed suit.

I looked around boredly, the gloomy atmosphere clinging onto the air, giving out depressing vibes. Feather started to fidget around, but didn't say a word.

A few minutes passed before we finally heard a loud creaking door opening.

A meek-looking woman was being guided into the other half of the room by another guard. She had long, untidy brown hair that looked as if it hadn't been brushed for days. There were obvious eyebags under her eyes which were glued to the ground. She was pale, drained, miserable and scared out of her mind.

"Poor girl," I heard Feather gasp to herself as soon as she set her eyes on her. "She looks awful..."

I studied the woman carefully as the guard helped seated her properly onto the chair that was placed for her. She kind of slumped down slightly, her eyes were forever on the ground.

"Mari Shiritaka?" I asked loudly, attempting to get her attention.

At first, she didn't respond. Then, she moved her head upwards slowly, and her eyes that were previously on the floor changed their focus to me.

She stared at me. Her eyes looked as if she had been possessed, like her soul had been sucked out from her body. They were bloodshot and tired.

But they were not the eyes of a murderer.

I crossed my legs and rubbed my chin in thought.

"Erm.... Hello, Ms Shiritaka." Feather spoke, trying to sound cheery. "We're the detetives that were hired on your behalf."

She continued to stare on with that souless look.

Feather looked lost for a moment but went on.

"Uh, I know this might be hard for you, but if you could just tell us exactly what happened, we might have a shot at proving your innocence... so if you would please--"


"... did it..." she suddenly mumbled.


"... I'm sorry? What did you say?" Feather asked again, scratching her head.

Suddenly, Mari took hold of the sides of the chair and gripped her fingers so hard onto it that her hands were shaking. She stared downwards, a terrified look on her face.

"I....." she started weakly.


"I did it."


I raised an eyebrow skeptically and Feather widened her eyes.


"W-what!" she stammered, trying to figure out what to say.


Mmm... What an interesting reaction...


"A-are you sure!" Feather asked once more, sounding flabbergasted. "If you say that, Ms Shiritaka, we won't be able to help you!"


"It's impossible..."


"No, it's not!"


"Don't you get it...?" the girl strains on weakly. She was shaking even more now. "I don't need your help. And even if you did help me, it wouldn't matter because I did it. Not anyone else. It was my fault and my fault alone. I'm guilty! I'm guilty, okay?! I killed... killed..."


she stops, shaking her head, refusing to finish her sentence.


...


"Killed who?" I asked, unfazed by her abrupt confession.


"I killed..." she repeated, her voice now as soft as a whisper.


"......." I uncrossed my legs and stood up slowly.


I walked nearer to the screen until I was right in front of the girl, aside from the wall that seperated us. I bent down until I was face to face to her and peered back at her through the glass screen.


"You're so stubborn." I said bluntly.


"Lady Hope!" Feather cried from behind me.

I ignored her and continued to talk to the girl. She was looking up at me now, confusion in her eyes.

"Not to mention you're a horrible liar." I added dryly.

Standing up straight again, I looked down on the puzzled girl.

"Kill?" I scoffed, holding back a chuckle. "Nonsense. Look at you. Would a person like you really be a murderer? I highly doubt so. You're so miserable, so washed out, so afraid just being here. I don't think you'd have the guts to kill somebody. Especially when the victim was your own husband. I don't know what your reasons are for lying, but unless you get over yourself and stop making false accusations to land yourself in a more miserable state, it won't get better."


"....I...."


"Isn't it stupid?" I sneered coldly. "How boring. To blame yourself for something you didn't do? Why take the beating?"

Her eyes were squeezed tightly together now, trying to block out my words.


"You... you don't understand..."


She looked down glumly.


"This... it's not worth it... I'm not worth it... It can't be helped... you just... don't understand..."


"What's there to understand?" I tossed my hair behind my shoulder. "Nothing. Except that you're running away. That's it isn't it? You're just running from the problem. Like a coward. You're afraid you'll lose. So you're giving up even before it started."


"No!" she half-yelled, opening up her eyes again. "T-that's not true..."


"Then let us help you!" I said firmly and fiercely. "Look, it's either we help you out of this mess, or you suffer for nothing. I already know that you're not the murderer. I don't have solid evidence, but I can tell. If you just stop with your mindless excuses and cooperate with us throughout this whole ordeal, you'll be as good as free. "


"...How... how can you be so sure?" She looked to the side with uncertainty.


"Because... I can't fail this case. I won't. I will not allow you to be punished for something you didn't do. I will bring Justice. I assure you that I will not fail."


I softened my tone just a little.


"So... just trust us, alright?"


"Lady Hope..." I could hear Feather say softly, a smile etched into her voice. She stood up and walked beside me. Then, she gave Mari her brightest smile and reassured her, "Everything will be fine, Ms Shiritaka! If Lady Hope says she won't fail, she won't! Also, I'll be working hard to fight for your innocence too!"


"......."


"Visiting hours are over!" The guard suddenly announces.


"I'll be taking my leave now. I don't know if you still insist on lying or whatever, but I will fight for your case nonetheless. I have my own personal reasons as to why I have to anyway." I turned my back on her. I could feel her stare on my back as I walked away.

"And please... don't say that you're the murderer anymore. It'll be hard for us if the court takes that confession seriously." Feather adds in happily, tagging along behind me. "We'll see you in court, Ms Shiritaka!"

We left the room.

"What a paranoid woman." I commented boredly, watching the cars zoom by, watching out for a cab to flag.

"I thought you were a bit too harsh, Lady Hope."

"I wasn't. She was being paranoid, and I needed to knock back some common sense into her, is all." I snorted, sticking my arm out at an oncoming taxi. "Honestly, acting that way just because her husband died..."

"Lady Hope! That's going too far!!" My assistant chided disapprovingly. "It's natural to be so broken down when a love one dies."

"Mmmm." I mentally rolled my eyes at her. Not another one of her long-winded naggings.

"Well, you'll find out how powerful love is in the future... you're still young and havn't expirienced it yet, have you?"


I pulled open the car door silently and got in. She sat beisde me and continued to talk.


"I wonder what your first boyfriend will be like!" she chattered exictedly, "You're such a pretty young girl, I'm sure you'll find someone equally good-looking!"


"Junya Road, street #95, please." I said to the driver, trying not to get affected by her rantings.


"Ahh, Lady Hope, you're not even listening to me, are you!"


"I'm sorry," I said dully, glancing at her with a dead expression. "Did you say something?"


"Ugh...! Lady Hope!!"


"What." I turned my head lazily to her, uninterested. "It's not as if I'm worried about getting a boyfriend anytime soon. I'm not a widow in her late fourties desperately trying to get married."


"No... but... don't you want to be in love?"


"That depends. Really, I don't care. Can we please drop the subject now?"


"Oh, fine..."


"Thank you." I dropped my head backwards into the leather chair, and rested my eyes.


"I'm starting to wonder if that attitude of yours would scare the boys away...." Feather mumbled to herself.


"Did you say something?"


"Oh, it's nothing~! I'll wake you when we get there!" Feather laughed nervously and I rolled my eyes before closing them again, the only sound being the roaring engine ringing in my ear. I thought about what happened so far. We weren't that far into the case yet.

In other words... The party has only just begun.

Scroll 6 { I Can Do Better }

"Kira." I answered promptly.

I could hear the clicking of door locks and the door started to open slowly.

I came face to face with a man dressed in black, covered up from head to toe. He had on a thick mask and a hat, so I couldn't tell how he looked like at all. He reminded me of one of those secret agents in those overrated F.B.I movies that they like to air so much on TV.

"You must be Miss Hope," the man acknowledged me.

"Mmm. And you must be Watari." I replied, staring up at him indifferently.

"That is correct," he said.

"Hmmm... so, Watari, can you recall how many emails you sent me in total?" I asked, still staring at him, studying his covered face.

"Why do you ask, Miss Hope?" he said, peering back at me from behind his mask.

"Just to confirm that you're no impostor. I apologize if I sound overly insecure, but it doesn't hurt to always be careful." I explained.

"Ah, so in other words, you don't trust me, is that it?" He said, much more amused than offended.

"Trust never came easily for me," I admitted, crossing my arms. "Especially when I'm being asked for it from total strangers suffocating themselves in black attire from head to toe. It seems that you don't exactly trust me either, Watari."

The man standing in front of me remained silent for a bit before letting out a small laugh.

"True enough, Miss Hope." he said. I could tell that he was smiling from his voice. "Well, if it makes you comfortable, I would say if I'm not wrong, I would have sent you the first email at around 5:15pm yesterday, got your reply at 5:45pm and sent you the second email at 5:46pm. Also, a single fax was sent to your assistant, Miss Feather, who is probably that young lady behind you. Is that enough for you?"

I nodded in satisfaction at the accurate answer. He wouldn't have known so much if he himself hadn't mailed me. My computers were all untraceable and hack-proofed.

"Please, come in. L is waiting for you." He invited me in politely, gesturing to the inside of the hotel room with his black gloved hand.

He stood to aside as I proceeded to enter the high-class room, Feather lingering behind me. I could feel the nervousness emitting from her as she strayed behind me closely, probably because Watari's disguise looked intimidating to her.

I stood in the middle of the room, scanning the area boredly. Everything looked so normal.

Nothing interesting happened so far and I--

That's when my realization struck me right on the head.

Perched up on a high chair. An extra-large bag of Famous Amos Cookies in his hands. A few meters away. Right in front of me.


It was him.


Our eyes met for the second time that day.

And

We

Stared.

Hard.


I froze solid in my tracks, locked in a staring contest with him.

I couldn't find the words in my head, I couldn't move my mouth to speak.

All that ran through my head was; It's Him. It's Him. It's Him.

What. The. Hell...?

What is he doing here? Was I being stalked?

What was going on? What should I say? There were so many things that I wanted to say. But I still couldn't say anything. Why was he here? Where was L? Was this boy somehow related to L? Was I careless enough to fall into a trap?

He was looking at me with curious eyes, not even blinking once.

Messy black hair. Dark circles around his eyes. Long sleeved tee shirt. Faded jeans.

Yes, it was really that boy from just now, I'm sure of it.

I have to calm down. Calm down now. There must be a reasonable explanation for this.

Hopefully.

After making sure there wasn't anything wrong with my eyesight -supposed I was hallucinating? Who knows? - I took a deep breath and forced myself to relax under the intense and awkward atmosphere.

The surprise on my face slowly faded and I resumed my usual expression.

"It's you." I finally managed to speak, but in a quiet voice.

"Me?" He pointed to himself and asked in a voice that sounded too innocent to be true.

"Yes, you." I said, a bit impatient at his attitude. How could he be so calm, while I the opposite?

He continued to look at me in confusion, tilting his head to the side.

"Do I.... know you?"

... What?

I didn't answer his question. I was busy thinking about how ridiculous this whole thing might be if he wasn't the same boy that I met earlier on. Yet, there aren't many people who look like him, are there? Could he possibly have a identical twin running around somewhere? Or was he just playing dumb with me?

"Lady Hope, is there anything wrong?" Feather piped up, rushing to my side. She too, looked at the boy with the same expression that I had on earlier. "Erm... who is this?" she asked.

"I'm afraid you'll have to ask him that. I'm just about as confused as you are." I said, looking at him for a reaction.

"..Are you two the detectives Watari was talking about earlier?" He said, crumpling up the plastic bag that he had been clutching onto. He aimed it at a bright blue waste paper basket in the corner of the room and sailed through the air, falling inside neatly.

"Yes!" Feather answered, smiling politely. "This is Miss Hope, the detective you invited, and I'm Feather, her assistant."

"Oh, I didn't invite you." He stated dryly, sinking into his seat with a 'I-can't-be-bothered' look on his face. "It was all Watari's idea."

I arched a brow at him in question.

"Anyway," he sighed, looking up at the ceiling as he hugged his legs to his chest. "You might be a little surprised... but... I'm L."

Feather was first to react. "You're... L?!" she gasped, taken aback.

"At your service." he said, not the slightest change of emotion in his voice.

"I-I'm sorry..." Feather apologized, bowing towards him in embarrassment. "Ermm.. I was just a bit... surprised. I thought you were just another assistant. I always pictured the Famous L as a much more... older man. I was just surprised that you're so young."

"It's fine."

".... I don't believe you're L."

The two turned their heads to me. I buried my hands into my coat. "Well, I can't believe you're L. Unless you have something to prove it." I received a blank look from the mysterious boy, or should I say, 'L'.

"Lady Hope... what are you talking about?" Feather asked, tugging on my sleeve.

"Ah.... well.... you're right." He scratched his neck casually. "I can't do anything to make you believe that I am L... It's up to you if you want to believe me or not."

"He is indeed, L, Miss Hope." a fourth person entered our conversation. I looked behind my shoulder to see Watari standing behind me. "I can swear on my word that this is the man I have been working under for all my years." He told me sincerely.

"....." I gave the two males a skeptical look each.

"It's not impossible that you might be L... But...." I mumbled. The thing was, I just refused to believe it.

"Then why are you in so much doubt then?" Watari questioned.

"........Mmmm."

"You could say... We've met before.." I said as I removed my coat and threw it over my shoulder. I revealed the new bruise on my arm that was previously an angry red but had now swelled into an unsightly blue-black colour. "And..."

"MISS HOPE!!!" Feather shrieked in worry at the sight of the ugly injury. "You said you were fine!!!! How... When did that happen?!!"

"I am fine, Feather." I said emotionlessly to my assistant. She was ignoring me and busy inspecting the wound.

"Oh!" L said in realization when he saw my wound. "I remember now! You were that annoying girl who chased me all the way to Shigaku Park."


Now he remembers? ...And did he just call me annoying?


"Chased?!" Feather exclaimed in utter shock, giving me a weird look.


"........." I gave her a 'dont-ask' look in return.


"L! You didn't tell me about this!" Watari exclaimed next, probably having the same expression as Feather.

"Was there really a need to?" L said, putting his thumb close to his lips. "It was a very weird incident."

"I agree." I grumbled softly to myself, hoping they'd just stop talking about it.

"She made me run too much. I had to eat a lot of sweets after that. Also, I didn't expect her to jump onto me. That was the first time a random stranger has done that to me."

I groaned mentally recalling the foolish thing that I did. I really wished I hadn't done that now. Never thought the most embarrassing thing I ever committed in my life would come back to haunt me so soon.

"Eh?!? Lady Hope, you did wha--" Feather's jaw dropped to the floor in disbelief and she began to blubber in a high-pitched tone.

"Can we please stop talking about this?" I interrupted quickly. They didn't have to know any more. "We have more important matters to discuss."

The comedic atmosphere transformed into a quieter one.

"Do we?" L said, crossing his hands on his arms. "That's funny. I don't remember agreeing to working with you. Apparently, a certain someone made this decision for me."

"L, we've talked about this..." Watari said in a low, uneasy voice.

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Please. In order to make this work, I'll have to ask for your full cooperation."

"It's fine," L suddenly interjects. "It doesn't matter if we cooperate or not. Because I never intended on receiving your help. You can go home if you wish to, it's fine with me."

I listened to his words calmly before countering back. "Believe me," I said coldly. "It's not like you're my favorite person either."

The atmosphere changed again and we were locked into yet another heated staring contest.

...

"... it suddenly feels really cold in here," Feather comments to herself, rubbing her arms.

Both of us adverted our eyes and looked in different directions, refusing to continue our childish feud anymore.

"Oh, my." Watari shook his head disapprovingly like a parent at our behavior. "Seems like... this is a problem."

"Lady Hope... can't you just try to get along?" Feather pleaded, shaking my arm lightly.

"I did. But all I got back was a negative reaction."

"I don't see why I should take the trouble to work with you," L rocked himself back and forth slowly, his eyes on the ground, staring blankly, as if he were hypnotized by the maroon carpet that layered the floor. "You're too arrogant. And I have never met you in my life nor know what you're capable of. I wouldn't know if you're of any use to me or not. And... you're kind of weird. In short... I don't really like you that much." he moved his head up and tossed a sheepish glance in my direction.

'Well, it's not like I like you that much either.' I grumbled in my head but prevented myself from sprouting my thoughts.

"How boring." I sneered bitterly.

I gazed haughtily at him with my black eyes. He returned it with one of his own dead looks.

"Are you implying that I'm not fit to work with you?"

He remained silent. But that look on his face said everything.

"I--"

A disturbingly merry ring tone that reminded me of Christmas carols started to beep in rhythm, breaking the whole tension of the room.
Our heads were all now turned onto the source of the disturbance. Feather.

"Hehe... erm, sorry." she squeaked, digging around her handbag for something. She took out her cellphone and flipped it open.

"Hello? Feather speaking." she answered sweetly into the device. She pauses for awhile, listening to whoever was on the other line. I watched closely as her facial expression started to change. Her eyes were slowly growing in size and her smile was slowly fading from her lips.

"What is it?" I asked as she pulls the phone away from her ear and looks at me.

"It's... it's another client." she said hesitantly. "Someone got murdered." she finished solemnly.

I sunk into a deep state of thought.

"Put them off." I finally decided. "We don't have time for mediocre cases."

"A-are you sure?" Feather confirmed with me and I just nodded.

".... why?"

I turned to L, still giving him a cold look. "Why? Because they're boring." I said simply.

"...boring?" he questioned, looking a bit more interested.

"It can't be helped. I only take up cases that perk my interest. Otherwise, I have a tendency to get bored really easily, thus not giving it my best work." I explained, looking at my fingernails care freely.

"........ take up the case." L suddenly says. I looked up from my nails and gave him a dull look.

"Why?"

"A test." He says, running his fingers through his hair. "To test how capable you are. If you manage to impress me, I'll consider working with you."

"Hmph." I snorted. "And why should I take up such a boring case just to prove myself to you?"

"Don't you want me to accept you?"

"Not really." I flicked a loose hair that had fallen onto my coat with my fingers. "it doesn't really matter to me what you think. I couldn't give more of a damn, really."

"I understand... there are some people who are just too paranoid to deal with such stressful things... what would you call them?" He scratched his head in thought. "A coward, perhaps?"

"I assure you that I'm no coward, L." I said, my eyes lifeless.

"Prove it." he challenged, a firmness in his voice. "Prove that you're not scared to take on such a sudden case."

The look on his face was serious. I could tell he meant it. I thought about it. It would be really annoying if this particular case turned out to be really boring...

I contemplated further and further into the possibilities of the various outcomes. While waiting for my answer, L reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a vanilla lollipop and stuck it into his mouth and started to suck on it as if nothing was out of place.

.... the case might be boring... but to be looked down by this kind of person... might be a little bit worse.

"I've changed my mind." A tedious feeling ran through me. Still, I wanted to prove him wrong.

"Accept the case." I told Feather and she blinked at my sudden change before doing what I asked for.

"Y-yes! Of course!"

I looked at the ignorant boy with piercing confidence.

"This case will be over in a flash. I look forward to working with you, L-sama." I mocked, sarcasm dripping off every word. L looked with me with a just barely noticeable frown and I shoved back a 'Hey-Guess-What-I'm-Going-To-Make-You-Eat-Your-Words' kind of look into his face.

...Maybe I was enjoying this a little bit too much for my own good.

Scroll Unknown { Under The Spotlight }

Fanart!! Credits to Denzie. :D

Scroll 5 { See You Again }

I hailed a passing yellow taxi in no time and was soon on my way to Northspring hotel. I leaned against the window, watching everything run by from the inside of the speeding cab. I was busy zoning out when I heard the familiar beeping sound coming from my pocket.

I answered my ringing cellphone.

"...Hello?" I said in a sheepish voice.

"Miss Hope!! Where are you? It's five minutes before meeting time!!"

"Ah, I'm on--"

"ARE YOU HURT?! WHERE ARE YOU?!? I'LL COME OVER RIGHT NOW!!"

"No, I'm fine--"

"Should I call the Police?? Or would the ambulance be better?!"

"Feath--"

"Oh, I DO Hope you're alright Miss Hope!!! I'm so worri--"

I hung up calmly, my phone snapping up and swallowing down her nagging voice.

I can't be bothered with her worry for my non-existent injuries. These kind of situations always bore me out of my mind. She can worry for all I care... Just as long as she doesn't complain to me about it. My head ached just thinking about it.

... Just to play it safe, I turned off my phone.

"Northspring Hotel's just up ahead, m'am. This is the place, right?" The taxi driver looked over his shoulder to confirm.

I nodded silently, before looking out of the window again. We were nearing a tall fancy pale yellow building that had several expensive cars parked at the bottom. A five-star hotel that normally wealthy businessmen would stay over at on business trips. Heh, L does have good taste. I'll give him that.

The driver drove up front to the entrance of the forty-story building and stopped right in front of it. I pulled out a few dollar notes and handed them over. Grabbing the handle, I pushed it down and exited the cab.

Just when I was about to take my first step inside, I was ambushed.


By none other than my own assistant.


My very loud, very frantic, very blond assistant.


"LAAAAAAYYYYY-DEEEEE HOOOOOPE!!!!" She squealed, pouncing on me like a predator attacking it's prey.

I struggled to hold still with her weight on me, but it was rather difficult to do so with her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, cutting off my air supply.

"I was soooo worried!" She cried, squeezing tighter. My hands flew up to her arms, in attempt to loosen the grip around me. "I thought something happened when the phone line cut off!! Worst still, when I tried to call you again, I couldn't get through!! I was soo, soo, soooo worried for you!"


".............. Air." I managed to choke out in a small voice, turning blue.


It took awhile for it to get through her brain but when she realized what I meant, she gasped and immediately released her death grip on my neck.

I started to cough and breathe heavily while rubbing my neck, with an annoyed, pained expression on my face. Of all places... my neck...

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!!" She began to apologize profusely, bowing down in front of me.

I shook my head, still rubbing my sore neck, but regained to my emotionless state. "It's fine." I told her dryly. "Don't say anymore."

'If I've known earlier, I would've answered her call to save me from strangulation.' I thought regretfully, entering the hotel. I felt eyes on me and instantly knew that we must've caused quite a scene. Luckily, no one mistaken Feather's actions for attempted murder. Sometimes, it's hard to believe that she's exactly 22 years of age.

Then, I got dragged into the elevator.

"Room 206 should be on the 20th floor," Feather stated, jabbing the yellow button with her manicured fingernail.

I looked on calmly with my usual face, leaning in the corner of the life as we started to move up.

A weird, annoying jazz tune started to play randomly and I blinked. Elevator music was so weird. Somehow, it just reminded me of cheap musicians attempting to form a band and failing badly.

The worst thing was, Feather was humming happily to it, rocking back and forth to the deformed melody.

I immediately forced myself to ignore the sight, glancing over to the wall next to me as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Ding Dong!"

Thank God. I never I thought would be so glad to get out of that lift.

"That was a nice song, wasn't it, Miss Hope?" Feather skipped along beside me while I took long strides to hide my annoyance.

"Mmm." I grunted in response, half-heartedly.

We soon reached the room door with the number "206" plated in gold on it. I rubbed my fingertips against the hard golden material, wondering if it was real. It wouldn't be much of a surprise for such a expensive hotel to have gold plated numbers on each door though. Then again, what morons would just stick on valuable gold on the outside of his doors?

"What is the time now?" I asked, my eyes still on the gold numbers.

"Ermmm..." Feather glanced at her wrist watch. "Exactly 5:59!"


"Hmmm."


I removed my hand from the door, and my arm dropped to my side lifelessly. I stared on with boredom.

"Uh... shouldn't we go in now?" Feather asked, throwing me a weird look.

I simply shook my head wordlessly and resumed my staring contest with the door.

"..."


Seconds passed.


The only sound that could be heard was the impatient fidgeting of my assistant, who looked quite anxious.


"..........."


"Ermm.... Miss Hope?" she finally perked up nervously in a tiny voice.

"Yes?" I asked, my eyes still glued onto the door, as if I was in a trance.

"Should we...."

"Not yet."

"Oh. Okay."


"............................."


"BEEP BEEP BEEP" the sharp alarm that sounded every hour from Feather's wrist watch cried.


6:00pm. Sharp.


I mentally said to myself, recalling the words on the email I had received the day before.


I then raised my hand to knock on the thick wooden door.


xXx


"Was it really necessary for me to return before 6?" L asks, with a chocolate chip cookie in between his teeth. He was squatting, or what he considered sitting, up on a plastic chair in front of the computer filled with complex information, jumbo cookie bag in one hand.

He nibbled on his cookie thoughtfully, gazing back at Watari who was putting on his usual disguise. Slipping on his mask, he looked back at L.

"Yes. Didn't I tell you, already?" Watari said, popping on his hat onto his mass of neatly-combed gray hair.

"Tell me what?" L popped the whole cookie into his mouth, chewing it slowly, savoring the crunchy biscuit.

He stuck his hand back into the huge bag and felt around for another one.

"Oh, I thought I did." Watari said, a little surprised. "It must've slipped my mind! My, how could I forget... I think my age is really starting to catch up with me after all these years..."

The old gentleman turned to face L as he adjusted his coat. "It so happened that I've discovered the perfect ally to help assist us in the Kira case. I've invited her over at precisely 6pm this afternoon."

L stopped munching abruptly.

He stared at Watari through his black eyes, and slowly put the bag of cookies down on the floor.

He swallowed his last bite and said in a firm voice,


"No."


"Why not?" Watari asks, surprised at L's instant disagreement. "I know you have your pride and reputation to think of, but I don't see what's the harm in taking in another detective or two?"

L wiped the brown crumbs off the sides of his mouth with his sleeve before speaking.

"It's not just that," L said, putting both of his hands onto his knees. "Surely you have not forgotten how dangerous of a mission this is? She could be easily killed. Also, I feel uneasy showing my true face around people. That especially applies to strangers who we have not even spoke to face to face in our life."

"Of course I haven't forgotten about the possibility of danger," Watari retorts, turning a bit defensive. "I wouldn't be so careless to forget about such an important thing. I'm not that senile."


"Then...?" L picked up the porcelain mug on the desk behind him and took a sip of his sugar-filled coffee.


"She's willing to risk her life."


The black-haired boy lowered the mug from his lips at Watari's sentence. He raised the mug again to take a big gulp of the sugary caffeine.

"She said she was willing to put her life on the line if it meant taking Kira down. I think she's serious. No... I know she's serious. I have a gut feeling about this one, L. We can trust her. I assure you."


CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP.


The loud, obnoxious sound of munching cream crackers filled the air.


"L!" Watari sighed, shooting him a pleading look. "I know that you don't like to do things against your will, but please. It's for your own good. I'm begging you."


"You always worry too much, Watari." L commented lightly, rolling his eyes to the side. "I'll be okay without any extra help. That's what I'm used to and that's what I always do."


"Well, maybe it's time for something new, then." the old man offered in the best persuading voice he could muster.


"..... Nah."


Watari sighed again. Honestly, sometimes L was so difficult and sturbbon.


"All right, then. " He mutters in defeat. "But at least meet the girl. I've already invited her over and she should be over any minute now. Who knows, perhaps you might have a change of mind then."


Before L could reply, three loud knocks echoed through the room. The two turned their attention to the front door.


"That must be her now," Watari said, turning his back. "I'll go greet her."


"Do what you want." L mutters, trying to stick his tongue inside the now empty bag of cookies to devour the remaining of the crumbs.


"Who is it?" Watari asks loudly just behind the door.


"Kira." the person on the other side says in a soft, but clear voice.

Shifting the lock to open, Watari turns the handle and pulls the door open.


L looked up curiously from the cookie bag only to set his eyes on a strangely familiar emotionless girl waltzing into the room, her onxy eyes looking dazed and dead, her midnight hair flowing behind her with every step she took.


Suddenly, L had a feeling that this wasn't such a good idea...

Scroll 4 { Collide }

It was early afternoon in Northspring hotel. The sound of shifting and shuffling of things came from the kitchen. Someone stood in front of the fridge, squatting in front of it with his head almost buried inside, searching for something in particular. The 'someone' frowned in frustration, but continued to move things inside of the fridge here and there, still looking for that 'something'.


Maybe it's over there...
... Nope, that wasn't it...
Strange...


"Looking for something?" a second person asks, peeking into the kitchen.

"The chocolates." the mysterious person replies shortly in an emotionless tone. Nonetheless, he still looked like he was having a hard time.

"Which ones?"

"The ones that were shipped in from New Zealand." he says, still not looking up.

"Oh, do you mean the ones with Strawberry filling inside?"

"Ah."

"Didn't you just finish the last box yesterday?"

"........"


....Damn it.


"Is it really a must for you to eat the chocolates now?"

"Yes, unfortunately I have a strange sudden urge to eat some." he said as they both walk to the door. He sat down to slip into his sneakers, without socks as usual.

"When will you be back?"

"Not long." was the blunt, emotionless answer.

"Oh, alright. Just make sure that you come back before 6pm. An hour earlier, preferably."

"That's fine."

The door opened and the boy walks out, slouched over with his hands stuffed into his faded blue jeans.

"Don't worry, Watari. I won't be long."

Watari watches as the scruffy-looking boy disappear into the elevator. He watches for a bit more before shutting the door back.

"I'm sure nothing wrong will happen," he tells himself reassuringly, walking down the hall. "This is L we're talking about. He's always careful, if not, too careful."

Stopping at the window, he leans forward onto the pane and peers down below. A smaller figure of L exists the building, looking straight forward, shuffling his way on. Watari watches as he passes a couple resting on a bench and observed how they stopped almost immediately staring lovingly into each others eyes like they did before to staring at the abnormal sight that was before them.

Watari carries on watching as he said something to them - definitely something weird - and walks on as if nothing happened, leaving the poor couple mildly disturbed.

"I wonder what he said now," Watari thought with slight disapproval.

Knowing him, it would probably have been something something like, "Ahhh... you two must be a couple. You two look good together. Do you two ever fight? Strong relationships commonly have to go through fights. First comes disagreement... Then you two would start yelling at each other... then the calls would stop and you two would stop interacting overall. How sad. But, putting aside that, hopefully you two won't break up. You're such a lovely pair..."

The tinge of worry returns to Watari again.

"...he will be careful, wouldn't he...?"


xXx


It was only 2pm. I still had plenty of time until the meeting. I've decided to roam about a bit. Anything to kill the painful, nagging boredom.

The Shadows seem to be more energetic today. They move around too much. Sometimes It's annoying. But then again, I am used to it.

Stopping in my tracks, I glance over to the busy road beside me. I witness as one of the Shadows dash across the road just as an on-coming red Mercedes was speeding by. I watched as how easily the Mercedes passed through the Shadow, as if it was just a thin layer of fog or something. The Shadow had burst into different parts, but it gathered back up together again, returning to it's normal shape, showing no sign of hurt. It probably, at the very most, felt a small tickle.

I resumed walking and soon pasted by a cheery convenient store and went inside. I suddenly had the urge for something sweet to chew on.

The tinkle of the small golden bell was triggered as I pushed open the glass doors and was attacked by a loud bubbly greeting by the salesgirl.

I shot her a bored look and her cheerfulness immediately subsided and the big smile she wore was gone in a flash. She could probably see the words, 'NOT INTERESTED' in bold red font stamped right across my face.

I browsed through the shelves full of unhealthy candy decorated with various unique wrappers, the insides most likely packed full of fattening sugar.
Just the way I like them.

Not like I ever got fat anyway. My metabolism rate is surprisingly high, which is a splendid thing because I hate exercise. It's boring AND tiring.

My eye caught a lonely bar of chocolate with a pink wrapper laying on the bottom self. I bent down and looked at it, wondering why it looked so familiar.

"Oh," A glint appeared in my eye. I recalled watching a commercial on these chocolates. Apparently, they were a new and very famous brand imported from New Zealand and were currently Japan's newest craze, being sold out whenever they were in stock. I've been wanting to try them at least once...

My hand slowly reached out from the chocolate bar...

I was about to place my hand on it, expecting to feel plastic covering...

But instead, I felt warm flesh.

"... Eh?"

I stared at what I was touching. A hand. On MY chocolate bar.

...

Not moving my hand, I turned my head slowly to see who was the culprit squatting next to me. A tall boy with messy black hair and dark circles under his eyes dressed in a long-sleeved white tee-shirt and blue jeans.


My eyes and his met and I felt a strange surge of electricity run down my spine. We didn't move an inch, just gazing into each other's eyes.


then, I made a move.



"......... Can you let go of my chocolate bar?"


I gave him my usual bored look, expecting him to jerk his hand away like a normal person, but instead, he just returned me my look.


"No thanks," he said in an expressionless tone that could have rivaled mine. "Can you remove your hand?"

".... not until you let go of my chocolate."

...

an awkward silence passed by and we just stayed in that position. None of us was willing to budge.

Then, I scanned him from top to bottom and stopped at his shoes.

"You aren't wearing any socks," I commented randomly.

"Don't like them." He said, his eyes still on me.

"I see.... Mmmm..."

....


"Yeah, okay, can you let go now?"

....


My eyes widened a bit as he suddenly made another move, grabbed the chocolate bar and pulling away from my grip and dashing out the door without even paying. The salesgirl stared in shock, not even attempting to yell at him.

"...... What the hell?" I muttered to myself as I got up and ran through the door, pass the flabbergasted salesgirl.

I spotted him making his way through the crowd, and I could see my chocolate in his hand.

I started to sprint towards him, the people around me had their heads all turned towards me as I advanced towards him. Unfortunately, he heard me and turned to look before dashing off again.


"What a pain." I thought, irritably.

We both ended up in the park, both of us not even stopping to take a breath. Can't remember the last time I had so much exercise... and I was just saying how much I hated it. Maybe I should give up... it's only chocolate... but then... I've always been wanting to try it....


Karma's a bitch.


He turned to look at me again. I narrowed my eyebrows at him slightly. He stuck out his tongue.

That's it.

I used up the last of my energy by making a final dash forward before crouching downwards and making a huge leap.

This all happened in a split second, and before I knew it, I was sitting on top on him, feeling shameless triumph.

"I win." I stated bluntly.


"....." he sat underneath me, hands and legs sprawled out, not saying a word. But I could tell that he didn't expect me to jump onto him

Actually, I didn't either. The ridiculous things I would do for chocolate... especially Strawberry- flavored chocolate...


An old couple taking a walk in the park walked by us and stared at the strange sight, AKA us, laying in the middle of the pathway.


"Young kids in love these days..." the old man grumbled to his wife. "They're getting more and more indecent."



"....................."



I opened my mouth to say something.

"Wha-- Ow!" the boy interrupted me by wasting no time using my distraction as an opportunity to shove me off roughly. I fell onto my side and winced in pain as he left me there on the ground, making his escape.


"Oi!" I yelled after him, but he didn't stop until he was totally out of my sight.


What the hell was all that about, anyway...

I sighed, looking and frowning sadly at my new bruise. What a waste of time.

My precious chocolate was stolen... How sad.

"What a boring - yet amusing - incident." I mused out loud, getting off of the dirty ground, dusting the dirt off my pants with my hands. I took a look at my watch, realizing that it was almost time.


"Time to set off.... I wasted too much energy today. What a drag." I thought emotionlessly, dragging my now sore feet to find a cab.


After that, for some odd reason, I wouldn't let go of that damned boy.

Hmmm.

Scroll 3 { I Dare You }

Detective L.

Yes. It was true that I've heard of him before, and even more so, it was quite a long time ago when I wasn't even in Tokyo. Not once, but several times in fact. Also, judging from the all rumors and gossip, this L seemed to be some miracle-making-genius... or just a big hot shot wannabe who ran his mouth off bragging.

Either way, I had to admit that it was enough to make me turn my focus onto this case. That was something all on it's own already. It took a lot to get me to get into something, otherwise, I'd wouldn't give it my fullest. I wouldn't be even bothered. The end results would be me, being as useless as a three-year old toddler.

You could say I was spoiled, in a way.

Or, I would prefer to call it... 'Lack Of Ambition.'

Hmmm.

I heard the small tingling bell of the elevator and the doors slid open. I walked out of the elevator and down the long corridor aligned with numbered doors, finally stopping at the very last one. I took out the silver key out of my coat's pocket. I unlocked the door to my apartment with the key and stepped inside after taking off my shoes.

This was my rented apartment for the time being. It wasn't small, but it wasn't big either. But it was just right for me to live comfortably for now.

I slipped off my coat and threw it over the arm of my comfortable, leather sofa. I plopped down onto the sofa heavily, bouncing up and down a little from all the soft stuffing inside of the sofa.

I threw my head back and let out a long, dragging sigh.

...

"I'm bored, mmmm."

"Beep, Beep! You've got mail!" the message ring tone of my cellphone chirped in an annoyingly happy voice that reminded me much of Feather.

My cellphone always seems to answer my problems. Putting aside the fact that it sounded too much like Feather to the extent that it was slightly creepy. I lifted my head up slowly and glanced over to my cellphone laying flat on the coffee table in front of me.

Speaking of Feather... it might be news from her, perhaps..?

I reached out for my cellphone and grabbed it, flipping open to view the message that was just sent to me.

Just as I thought.

"Lady Hope!!! I've sent the reply fax back to Watari, just like you've requested. He should have gotten it by now. I've told him to contact you via email since I know you dislike giving your number out to random strangers. Please check for his mail on your computer every now and then!!

-Feather <3"

I scanned through the message with my eyes silently, my expression still staying the same.

"Mm."

Forcing myself off my comfortable resting place, I slowly dragged myself across the room to where my computer was and lightly pushed the 'on' button. The screen lite up instantly, and the computer started to buzz loudly, making strange robotic noises as it started up all it's settings. I waited for the set up to finish loading as I pulled my blue roller chair towards me, sitting myself down in it instead.

"Ah, looks like I've got mail."

I began to move the mouse and clicked onto the newly received email that was just sent about half an hour ago by an unknown sender. A window popped up and I started to read the email to myself.

"Dear Miss Hope,

I would like to give you my thanks for agreeing to cooperate with us to work on this case. I am certain that you will be a great help to us. As you may have heard, Kira is a serial murderer currently hiding somewhere in Tokyo. Taking it in mind that he is also a brilliant mastermind who has hidden his identity well."


"I already know that..." I paused and thought plainly, resting my chin on my palm.

"Didn't have to tell me twice..."


I continued reading.


"I have absolute faith and trust in L. However, to be honest, though he might not like he admit it, it probably would be best if we had another detective on the team. That's when you came into view, Miss Hope. I understand that you have only came to finish up a previous case that you had been working on. Your work was all over the local newspapers. I must say, you are quite the detective, if I do say so myself. I have never heard of anyone else as witty and bright as you are. You would make a fine partner for L."



".... is he praising me to get into my good books or something?" I pondered, scrolling downwards to read more.



"In any case, Miss Hope, I still want you to think over this very carefully. I would like you to know that You still have the chance to pull out from working with us. This case is very much different from any other ones that you have solved."

"Eh...?"

"For, if you still wish to stick with your decision, please bear in mind that this is an EXTREMELY dangerous mission that will definitely put your life in danger. The worse case scenario might even case you to end up losing your life."



"Losing my life...?"



I raised my eyebrow at this. What did he mean? Did he really, seriously, possibly mean that I could... die?


"Kira is a danger to us all. As long as he is alive and still free to do as he wishes, he might end up killing the entire world. Therefore, he must be stopped immediately. I expect you to at least know that much, Miss Hope. Yet, I would not blame you if you decide to pull out nor would I force you to stay. Personally, I would think you are still quite young to be handling such dangerous jobs such as this one. A part of me was reluctant to call you forward. You have a bright future ahead of you, and it would be a terrible pity if it were to be ruined. Please take your time to think about it. Remember, only agree to stay if you're willing to put your whole life on the line. It is all completely up to your final decision. When you have made that decision, please reply at once.

-Yours Sincerely, Watari."



I stared at the email. Then I reread it again. Then I stared at it again. And this time, I wasn't even deep in thought. Instead, I was the opposite; thoughtless. I didn't know what to think at all.

And then, all at once, numerous thoughts rushed through my head, all crying out for attention and I soon found myself fighting a mental battle with myself.


If I decided to stick with the offer, I would be putting my life in danger... and there would always be a chance that I would get killed...

However...

If I decided to pull out from the case, I'd be very much safe. And I'd need not worry about getting murdered by Kira. I would have nothing to lose.

What should I do..?

I closed my eyes and pressed my lips together, brain storming hard. This single decision could either change my whole life... or end it.

Hmmm...

....

How troublesome...

....


Suddenly, I remembered that one sentence that Watari had included in the last bit of the letter.

"Personally, I would think you are still quite young to be handling such dangerous jobs such as this one."

Quite young...

Handling such dangerous jobs...

Too young...

to handle such danger?


I found myself snapping my eyes open and gazing over at the screen with a disturbing thought.


Was he challenging me indirectly..?


I wasn't sure if he meant it, but he sounded as if he was mocking me, telling me that I was too 'small and delicate', that I was only a young child or something and everyone knows that children mustn't stick their noses in grown ups' business.


He probably didn't mean that... He probably was only thinking of my safety...

but...


"I hate being mocked." I grumbled unhappily.


Being looked down upon was another one of the few things that I couldn't stand. It made me feel tiny and insignificant.


I thought about it, feeling more and more agitated by the second.


The words on the screen all looked blurry and confusing to me now. Somehow, something was just stopping me from making a decision.

Reluctance.


I've told myself this before.


There was no room for reluctantcy. I won't be afraid. No, I am not a coward. I am anything but a coward. I will bring salvation to this world. Even if it cost my life.


The email was just staring back at me, waiting for my reaction. Provoking me.

It practically screamed, "I DARE YOU TO RISK YOUR LIFE!"

My adrenaline started to pump faster and faster the more I thought about it. Somehow, it made me really excited.

I didn't even realized the smirk that appeared on my face.

Well Then.


I refuse to let myself to look like a fool.


I started to type as fast as I could, the overgrown smirk still on my face.



How amusing.



"Dear Watari,

I have made my final decision. I have decided not to pull out from the case. Afterall, what kind of person would I be if I went back on my word? Believe it or not, I do have a sense of pride. If I was scared to put my life on the line, I wouldn't have wanted to become a detective in the first place. I'm not afraid. On the contrary, I very much look forward to working with L, life-risking case, or not. I'm sure you've been terribly disappointed if I decided to run away like a small child. My one life is less important than the millions of lives that are being threatened this very second. Justice will prevail. I will deliver salvation to the people of Japan. No... I will bring salvation to the world. Mark my words; Kira will be brought down. "


I replied to the email right after, feeling strangely good. Like I had picked the right choice.


How rare.


A few minutes later, while I was still glowing with pride, I received yet another email.


"Meet us at Northspring hotel tomorrow at 6pm sharp.
Go to room 206, knock on the door three times.
Someone should ask you who you are. Ignore the question and answer with the password.
The password will be 'Kira.'
Be prepared."

Scroll 2 { Concrete Angel }

I remained on the bench, resting my eyes.

It was already 3:30 in the afternoon and I had absolutely nothing to do. I had already accomplished what I had first came to Tokyo for and I was pretty much free at the moment. I didn't know where I should go, or what I should do. Should I make a move out of here? Or should I just remain in the city for the time being?

I let my head fall backwards and I narrowed my eyebrows at the slightest prickle of frustration. One of the few things that disturbed me the most was not doing anything for a certain period of time. It causes me to be immensely bored. And when I was bored, I felt lazy. And laziness was not one of my top priorities. I was not one who liked to slow down and take a break.

Just then, deeply lost in my thoughts, I almost didn't notice my cellphone beeping away frantically.

Casually, I reopened my eyes and reached into my pocket and fished out my sleek, black cellphone and flipped it open.

Caller ID: Feather.

"I wonder what she wants this time..." I mumbled to myself before placing the device next to my ear.

"Yes?" I spoke into the cellphone calmly.

"Ah, Lady Hope!" the voice of my assistant chimed away cheerfully. And also a bit too loudly for my liking. "I was wondering when you would pick up!"

"Yes, what is it that you want, Feather?" I responded dully towards her overly-bubbly chatter.

I heard the sound of papers rustling on the other end of the line. I could tell that she was letting her excitement get the better of her. The girl probably forgot how to speak.

"Control yourself, Feather." I reminded her in the same dead tone. So far, I was plainly and painfully uninterested.

"Y-yes, Mam." Feather shuttered, trying to control her emotions. The sound of her inhaling deeply could be heard. Then exhaling. "You wouldn't believe what just got faxed to me!" she exclaimed.

"Shoot me." I said, crossing my legs.

"I just received a faxed invitation letter! They want you to assist in a HUGE case, my lady!!" she gushed, her excitement peeking again.

As so did my interest.

"Finally, something to do instead of exploring every corner and examining every single crack in this damned city." I said, mainly to myself. "What are the details of the case?"

"This is the best part yet!" She squeaked happily. "This isn't just any HUGE case, my lady, this is currently the most difficult and most infamous case Japan has ever faced!"

"Well, spit it out already." I said in a bored tone, even though my hidden anxiety was probably detected.

She took a second gulp of air before squealing like a crazy fan girl who just got to shake her favourite rock star's hand.

"It's the Kira case, Mam! THE KIRA CASE! THEY WANT YOU TO ASSIST THEM IN SOLVING IT!"

I blinked blankly.

.....

Kira case?

My interest abruptly went down the drain.

"Mam?"

"Mmm...."

I took a momentary pause. Then I spoke again.

"I have never heard of it." I said dryly, my voice as bored as ever.

"W-What?" I could hear the previous excitement from before already dropping down a notch. She probably expected me to be... happier. Well, not that I ever was most of the time anyway.

Then, she started to sound surprised - or should I say, more of skeptical - and almost shouted into the phone.

"YOU MEAN YOU HAVE NOT HEARD OF THE KIRA CASE YET?!?!"

I carefully held the phone a good distance away from my ear and waited for her to calm down before making sure it was safe to put next to my head again.

"Please do not shout into my ear. And regarding your question, no, I have not heard of this... 'Kira case'."

"I'm sorry Mam," Feather apologized nervously. "But I was just a bit shocked that, you, of all people, would still be kept in the dark about this amazing case!"

"Do not forget that I have only been in Tokyo for one week." I reminded her, a bit irritably.

"Still! Even so, you should have at least heard of it! The news is all over Japan! Even on the internet! Like I said before, it is practically the most BIGGEST and most DANGEROUS case Japan has ever faced!"

"Yes, I remembered that part." I sighed into the speaker, running a hand through my hair.

"It's terrible! Outrageous! A mass murderer gone by the name of Kira has been killing off criminals off one by one! And the numbers are getting larger every time! No one knows who this mysterious Kira person is, nor do they know the whereabouts or even how he looks like! It's not even confirmed if it is a He or She!"

"Mmmm." I gazed down at my finger nails, half listening to her ranting, half lost in my thoughts once again.

"The worst thing is that it appears that Kira can kill without contact. It really is a tough situation.. Even the current world-famous Detective L is still hard at work chasing him down... The police are rendered helpless at this critical timing too... I--"

"Wait," I interrupted, pressing the phone harder against my ear. Something had caught my attention once more. I uncrossed my legs and sat up straight.

Did I just misheard her?

"Did you say... L?"

"Yes, mam."

"L...? As in THAT L? Japan's number one detective? The one that no one has never seen the real face of? The one that solved several of the toughest cases ever?" I asked slowly, just to make sure.

"Yes, mam. It seems that his personal assistant, Watari, himself faxed the invitation to me. He seemed to have heard about you from somewhere and decided to try and reach you to see if you're willing to lend a helping hand."

"You should have said so earlier, Feather." I said. "Please accept the invitation. Send a reply fax at once. Tell Watari that I would be more than happy to try and help out in anyway I can."

"W-why the sudden interest?" my assistant asked, surprised again at my sudden change of mind.

I bent over, putting my elbows on my knees and shut my eyes tight, not wishing to talk anymore.

"Just do as I say." I simply said, regaining back my dull and bored tone.

"Y-Yes, my lady! I'll get to it at once! Leave it to me!" Feather chirped. She put down the phone and the line went dead.


Click.

I flipped my phone shut and stuffed it back into my pocket again before putting both of my arms behind the back of the bench I was resting on.

I gazed up at the clear blue sky, illuminated by the bright, white sunlight filtering through the clouds. That was when I knew where to make my next move forward in life.

"Detective L, huh..." I said outloud quietly, not taking my eyes off the ceiling of blue.

"Well, it seems like fate wants to make my oh-so-boring life a little less oh-so-boring..."

A small, barely noticeable smirk formed on my lips and I let out a tiny chuckle of amusement.

"We'll see."