I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. For a moment, I was disoriented and wondered where I was, but then the events of the previous week came back to me. I sat up and looked around the room. The apartment was still the same as when I had gone to bed: small but cozy, with minimal decorations and personal touches. It was Akibara-san's apartment, but I was living here for the time being as I didn't have a place of my own.
I got up and stretched, feeling sore from yesterday's training session. After taking a shower and getting dressed, I sat down at the small table in the kitchen and started to eat breakfast.
Akibara-san was still asleep, which was unusual for her. She was usually up before me, bustling around the apartment and getting things done. But today was different. We had a big event to attend tonight, and I could tell she was feeling a little nervous.
Plus, it was a weekend, so I didn't bother waking her up and just let her sleep in. It wasn't bad to relax every now and then, and Akibara-san definitely deserves it for all the help she had given me.
As I poured myself a cup of freshly brewed coffee, I looked at my watch and noticed that we still had a couple of hours left until the party, which started at dusk. I decided to use the time to go over my notes and plan out my strategy for tonight.
I flipped open my notebook and began jotting down the necessary information I would need, refreshing myself of the current case and of the possible guests that would be attending the party in order to make sure I'd know which advance to take on talking with them.
"Let's see," I whispered as I arranged all of the documents and notes that I had gotten my hands on over the past week.
"First of all, Okami Katsuo, the prime suspect for the murder of Ishida Miyuki, is currently behind bars as no other suspects have been detained and all evidences point towards his direction."
A sigh escaped my lips as I picked up Katsuo's file, tossing it aside without remorse as it had covered up some of the other important documents.
One of which was the newly updated autopsy that the chief had just given me yesterday. It had confirmed that my suspicions that the stab wounds were deeper than what the rusty knife should have been able to inflict on the victim's body.
There was also a distinct lack of rust that should have clung on the victim's clothes or flesh, but that seemed to be unimportant according to some, for reasons I don't understand.
"Perhaps... a bribery?" I mumbled the worst case scenario that the murdered had paid one of the police officers but decided to shake the thought off and passed it as a mislapse on their judgment.
The time of death was estimated to be between four and three, the exact time when the body was reported by a concerned neighbor who had happened to come by and see the body through the opened doors.
"Unfortunately for me, the neighbors seemingly disappeared after the call was received."
The possibility of the murdered being the one who reported the dead body was highly possible if it weren't for the fact that there wasn't any concrete evidence that could support the claim.
I reached out and played the recorder that lay on top of the pile of documents, replaying the call that had transpired that early morning.
"Hello, I would like to report a dead body." A rather raspy yet calm voice began to play as the officer in charge at that time asked for information.
"I was planning to give Miyuki some pies, but then, I saw her bleeding dead body at the doorsteps of her own house!" The report, which was obviously male from the pitch of their voice, sobbed.
"I don't know who would do such a thing. The last person I saw with her was this man who entered her apartment with her at midnight, I haven't seen him yet, so I think he's still here. Please send help. "
The recording had cut off there, but it had given me enough details for the case. It was laughable to me that the murderer would be the one who had made the phone call to report his own crime, yet it was more laughable that I'm the only one who seemingly made the connection.
As I worked, I heard Akibara-san stir in her bedroom. I looked up just in time to see her walk out of her bedroom, a yawn escaping her lips as he stretched out by the doorstep. Our eyes soon locked together, causing her to grow flustered and dashed across the room and into the bathroom.
I paid it no mind as it wasn't the first time that it had happened. Apparently, I wasn't supposed to see her with bed hair as it just left an awful aftertaste in her mouth.
After a while, Akibara-san came back, still in her pajamas and rubbing her eyes. She flashed a nervous smile when she saw me and walked over to the kitchen.
"Good morning, Raku-kun." She greeted while stifling a yawn,"what are you working on?"
"Just going over some files for the case, I hope you don't mind if I need to leave you for a second to interrogate the host." I flashed an apologetic smile at her.
"It's alright, at least I can enjoy a few minutes underneath the spotlight." She giggled as he poured herself a cup of coffee and sat beside me on the couch.
I chuckled,"Well, I can't argue with that. You do have a way of charming people, especially when you put some effort into how you look."
"Wow, did you just call me ugly when I don't have makeup on?" She deadpanned at me while sipping her coffee.
"Well, you just look better with makeup on—"
"Rude."
"But I like how the way you look naturally," I shrugged as I started gathering up my papers and stuck them in between the pages of my notebook to keep them safe.
"We should probably be getting ready soon,"I informed her as I tucked away my notebook and the files inside one of her drawers.
"Hmm? It's still early, though." She mumbled as she took yet again another sip, emptying her cup.
"Don't push your face on the coffee too much. You're as red as a tomato." I deadpaned at her face had a red hue spreading over her cheeks. " And what do you mean early? It's 20 minutes past 1 pm. "
I pointed out as an entire four hours had passed since I woke up and picked up the empty cups we used to wash them up.
"What!?" She exclaimed in shock and stood up, rushing past me with a flustered expression."Why didn't you wake me up!?"
I couldn't help but smirk as I watched her rush back into her bedroom and dash back out into the bathroom just across the hall.
"Well, time for me to get ready too." I shrugged as I finished washing the dishes and tucked them away.
I had already taken a bath hours ago, which made it easier for me to prepare myself for the party. It didn't take me long to wear the fancy suit that we had bought the other day, and I was pretty much prepared as it was.
As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I suddenly felt a wave of nervousness wash over me as my throat suddenly ran dry. It wasn't because of the sudden realization that I'd be socializing with people or that I looked terrible in the suit.
It was the fact that tonight's ball not only served as a potential breakthrough for my case, but it was also the first date that I and Akibara-san would share and the possibility that she'll answer me tonight.
As I tied my bowtie, Yako walked into the room, looking stunning in her red dress. "You look handsome," she said with a smile.
I chuckled nervously as I gazed at my watch and realized that I had been staring at my reflection for about an hour now.
"Thanks. You look beautiful as always," I replied.
Akibara-san gave me a soft smile before walking over to my dresser and picking up my cufflinks. "Here, let me help you with these," she said, her fingers deftly fastening them onto my shirt.
As she finished, I couldn't help but remember the things she had done for me this past week and how she had held back my loneliness all those years in college.
"Thanks for everything, Akibara-san, I couldn't have done this without you." I expressed my gratitude.
She looked at me with a surprised expression before letting out a soft giggle.
"Well, well, well, Raku-kun, you thanking me? I must be dreaming," Akibara-san teased, trying to hide her blush.
I rolled my eyes at her, but I couldn't hide the small smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. "Don't get too used to it. I'll deny it later," I retorted playfully.
Akibara-san laughed again, a gentle smile on her face as she looked at me with eyes filled with warmth.
With a deep breath and a smile, I straightened my tie and prepared to head out to the ball. The night was young, and I was ready to solve this case once and for all.