/Akari Pov/ Note- {} this means past events, or flashbacks.
(Hey Lila! Do you think we'll be happy when we're older if we have our own family?}
{Of course, we will! Even if our own families abandoned us, does it guarantee we'll do the same? Remember Nana's expression when she told us about seeing her daughter off to her first day of school? She was happy! It made me believe that having my own family would be the best gift I could ever receive in life! Of course, I'm already overjoyed because of you, Ai, and the other kids at the orphanage, as well as Nana! Despite the fact that we aren't biological family members, I already consider Ai to be a member of my family, hehe. Do you consider me a member of your family, Ai?}
{O-Of course I do! I feel very, very happy!}
{See? Having a family makes you happy, right? I can't wait to see their smiles when we have our own family one day!}
{But... aren't we both going to be idols in the future?}
{Of course, we will! We can have our own family after we retire! We can go on trips, sing karaoke, and even celebrate our children's birthdays together!}
{Ch-Children?! But what if... one day they annoy us?}
{What exactly are you on about? Imagine seeing your child smile at you for the first time. Will you be annoyed?}
{Well I... I guess I'd be overjoyed and do whatever I could for my child to be able to smile like that forever...}
I remember your expression on that day when you said those words. Your face was filled with excitement and happiness as you imagined what your future will be. And I just knew in that moment, after seeing your beautiful smile, that you'd make an excellent parent one day.
As I saw your two children grow up strong and healthy, one became an idol, exactly like you, while the other became a wonderful actor. Though they have both matured and become two fantastic people, they have both lost the smile you wished they would keep. So, right now, I promise myself and you, Ai, that I will restore the smile you gave them. And I....
I will exact revenge on the one responsible for your death... Hikaru Kamiki.
"Hey, Akari! Earth to Akari!" Ruby waves her hand in front of my face to snap me out of my thoughts.
Startled, I quickly snap back to reality and focus on Ruby. "Oh, sorry about that. I was lost in thought for a moment. What is it?"
"Anyway, as you said, Akari, you know more about Hikari than we do, can you give us some more information about him?" Aqua asks.
"What are you going to do when I give you this information? Kill him?" I questioned, serious.
Aqua hesitated for a moment, his expression filled with conflict. He let out a sad sigh and said, "I... I don't know, actually. My heart is telling me that I should seek revenge, but my mind isn't so sure. It's a strange feeling, isn't it? Usually, people say it's their heart that tells them not to do it, but for me... it's the opposite. My heart aches so much, and it's tearing me apart."
As I looked at Aqua, a sense of pity washed over me. I realized that it would be a difficult task to bring back the genuine smile that Ai used to bring to his face.
"But after hearing what you told me when I was about to kill him, I knew that Ai, wouldn't want to see his son go down just for revenge. She will not be able to rest in peace if I have done that. So there's a chance when the moment I see him, I might kill him, so please..." Aqua looks at me with sadness in his eyes, "So please, stop me like you did before."
Small tears welled up in my eyes as I uttered, "I promise, I will."
Ai, it will take some time to get back that smile, but I will not give up. We'll take it one step at a time. You can tell he's trying if you look at us right now.
Ruby's voice broke the tension, her words ringing through the room to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "My brother is such a crybaby!" she exclaimed, injecting a much-needed dose of humor into the situation.
Ruby was expecting an annoyed response from Aqua, but instead he burst out laughing, making us all chuckle.
As the laughter subsided, I shifted the topic back to a serious note. "On a more serious note, Hikari has been responsible for the deaths of numerous celebrities in Japan, even those who weren't particularly famous. One of his most notable acts involved the disappearance of camera footage featuring the top-ranked actress-"
Aqua interrupts, his voice filled with surprise and confusion. "Wait, you know about that? Did you go to the security team before me?"
I got startled a bit since I didn't know Aqua had also checked the security team. "Oh, so you also checked. Then you must have noticed why the security footage of him was all gone and replaced with a fake footage."
Ruby questions Aqua, "Why did you go there?"
Aqua replies, "I went there to find evidence that he is the one who murdered Yura Katayose."
Kana exclaims, "Wait! So Hikari didn't make Yura disappear, he actually killed her?!"
Aqua answered, "Yes, I saw him in the camera footage before it got replaced. It was shocking to see that he is capable of committing such acts."
"He wasn't alone," I interjected.
Aqua looked at me and quickly realized, "So you're saying he has an accomplice?"
I nodded my head in agreement and added, "It's highly unlikely for someone to carry out multiple murders without assistance or support. There must be someone aiding him, whether directly or indirectly, to avoid getting caught."
"So what made you think he had an accomplice instead of being able to do all this because of his abilities?" Kana questions.
I paused for a moment, considering how to explain my thoughts. Then I replied, "While it's true that some individuals possess extraordinary abilities, committing a string of murders requires more than just skill. It involves planning, coordination, and covering one's tracks effectively. Considering the nature of Hikari's actions and the various targets he has chosen, it suggests a level of organization and support beyond what a single person could manage alone. Additionally, there have been instances where Hikari was seen in different locations at the same time, indicating the possibility of an accomplice or even a network of individuals working together."
Then, in a chilling moment of realization, a dreadful thought crept into my mind, sending shivers down my spine.
Akane noticed my sudden silence and concerningly asked, "Akari, is something wrong?"
I finally spoke, my voice trembling, and asked, "Aqua, did you happen to see a skull mark on Hikaru's body?"
Aqua was confused for a moment, but then his face lit up with realization. He recalled, "I remember now! When I was fighting Hikaru, I noticed a tattoo on his wrist that looked like a skull."
One of my greatest fears happened, and I realized that we could no longer escape it since we had brought it upon ourselves.
I decided to ask Aqua, fearing what his answer might be. "What color were the eyes of the skull?" I inquired, my voice filled with tremble.
"Umm... I think it was red."
I panicked.
I can't believe I overlooked the chance that that possibility was true. I couldn't believe Ai had ended up with one of 'those' people!
"Is there something related to the tattoo mark?" Akane asks.
I looked at Aqua and the others with a serious expression, "Yes, it means that they are part of a group called the Grim Reapers. They kill people for fun and profit," I explained, my voice filled with concern.
Their faces turned pale with shock and fear as they processed the information about the Grim Reapers and their connection to Hikaru's crimes.
Aqua's voice trembled as he urgently questioned, "Are you saying there's a real group called the 'Grim Reapers' who actually kill people?"
I sighed heavily and proceeded to explain the nature of the Grim Reapers, "The Grim Reapers is a small organization composed of highly skilled killers. They operate globally and target various individuals, including millionaires, renowned athletes, artists, celebrities, and more."
Ruby asked with a trembling voice, "B-But, why?"
"One reason is for financial gain, while the other two reasons are for sheer enjoyment. The existence of such a group is also fueled by individuals who pay them to eliminate their desired targets."
"So it's like an assassination kind of group? Where they get paid to kill?" Akane continued.
I replied with a somber tone, "That's correct. The Grim Reapers also have members who specialize in providing support to the killers. Their role is to ensure the smooth execution of the operations and prevent the killers from getting caught or facing legal consequences."
"That's just horrible," Kana exclaimed.
"Yes, it is..." I looked up at them, a determined expression on my face. "What I'm about to share is crucial information that will aid you in apprehending Hikaru. However, in exchange, I need your assurance that you won't disclose this to anyone and that you'll anything I say."
Kana questioned, "Anything? Are you serious?"
I bowed my head and apologized, "I understand that it may sound strange coming from someone younger than all of you, but if you don't agree, I won't be able to share this information or assist you in seeking revenge against Hikaru."
Please reject!
Aqua looked at me and asked, "While I want to accept your deal, how can we trust that you won't make any unreasonable requests or give us harmful orders?"
At least Aqua is in his right mind.
I raised my head and locked eyes with Aqua, responding, "I understand your concern. It's only fair to establish a sense of equality between us, right?"
Kana looked confused and asked, "Huh? What do you mean?"
I smiled and explained, "In return for sharing my information, I have three requests to make of each of you."
Ruby's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "What? Three requests each?"
I continued, my tone firm, "And you must promise not to disclose my secrets or share this information with anyone without my explicit consent, understood?"
Kana then voiced her doubts, "But how can we trust you?"
Aqua intervenes, putting an end to the doubts. "Enough, guys. We can't afford to miss out on this opportunity to learn more about this group and Hikaru's involvement. Besides..." Aqua's gaze locks with mine, recalling the day we first met. "I believe we can trust her. She doesn't seem like a bad person"
When I heard it, I smiled and was relieved that I had gained his trust.
Akane, influenced by Aqua's trust, nodded in agreement. "If Aqua has faith in her, then we should too."
Reluctantly, Ruby and Kana nodded in agreement, realizing that they had no choice but to trust me, considering Aqua's confidence in my intentions. They understood the gravity of the situation and the importance of gathering information about the Grim Reapers and Hikaru's involvement.
"Before I begin, you may be wondering why I'm going to such lengths to tell you this very secretive information. It's because I want to help you guys get what he deserves as well, but there's more to it than just getting revenge. As Aqua mentioned earlier, he saw red eyes on Hikaru's wrist, which means Hikaru is part of the group's second highest position."
Aqua exclaims, "Second?!"
I nodded and continued, "The group has 5 positions, starting with the highest one, which is black, then red, then orange, then yellow, and finally white. The black eye members are the ones who created the group, and some of them have extreme talent in forgery and hacking, which helps a lot of killers from getting caught. I know one of them is a serial killer who kills royalties and presidents. The red, on the other hand, are the group's second most powerful members; there is at least one of them in each country, and Aqua has just confirmed one of the red eye members' identities for me. Some of them are hired to kill their targets, while others simply kill people that appeal to them, such as Hikaru."
I could see the rage in Aqua and Ruby's eyes as I said those things.
I proceeded to explain, "The orange eye members primarily consisted of supporters who provides assistance to the killers. If a supporter belonged to the red or black branch, it indicated their exceptional skills. As for the yellow eye members, they were involved in smaller crimes such as robberies and minor killings to climb the ranks. Lastly, the white eye members held the lowest position and typically had limited knowledge about the group, merely following orders. Remember that famous soccer player who had died in an airplane crash a few years ago?"
Aqua nodded in agreement and added, "Yes, he was renowned for his consecutive tournament wins over the years."
I delivered the heartbreaking truth, "Actually, it wasn't an accident. He was deliberately killed by a member who's rank is red."
Kana, Ruby, and Akane were taken aback, their voices filled with disbelief, "What?!"
I nodded solemnly, "Yes, the red eye member orchestrated the hijacking, disguising it as an accident to conceal their true intentions."
Akane's eyes widened as a realization struck her. She spoke with a mix of shock and disbelief, "So you're saying that some of the deaths we thought were accidents were actually murders?"
"Yes..."
Akane covers her mouth due to shock and said, "N-No way..."
"How do you know this bunch of information?" Aqua questions, "As you said, this group is very secretive, so how do you know about them? There's no way you know all about this just by researching, right?"
A mischievous grin played across my lips as I responded, acknowledging Aqua's intelligence, "Your smart Aqua."
Aqua get's startled.
"Actually..."
Should I tell them? If I do, they might run into greater danger, putting their lives in danger. Perhaps I shouldn't.
Aqua notices my nervousness and suspects it has something to do with putting them in danger. "No matter what it is, I'm willing to take it," he stated firmly, "You don't have to worry about me, or even us."
I saw them, their eyes filled with determination, and I promised myself that I would also protect them, even if it meant risking my life.
I hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Actually, I'm also a member of a secret organization."
Aqua's eyes widened in shock as he asked, "A secret group? Like the Grim Reaper's?"
"You could say we are a secret group that fights the Grim Reapers; saying this information will get you in trouble, but looking at your faces, I guess you guys are ready to deal with it?"
They all nodded solemnly in response.
"But you have to promise to include me in all of your activities when you try to find Hikaru, and when you find information on Hikaru, you have to tell me every single detail, go it?"
Aqua glanced at the others, seeking their approval. Upon receiving their agreement, he replied, "Yes, we understand. As you mentioned earlier, I'm not alone anymore, am I?"
I smiled and said, "That's good to hear... Alright then! The group I belong to doesn't even have a name, hehe."
Kana becomes perplexed and asks, "What kind of group is that? A group without a name? How do they even know if you're a part of it without proof of knowing the entire group name?"
I laughed and agreed with her, saying, "Haha! I had the same thought initially. But in reality, being part of the group is based on personal connections with the founders. It's like having a family member in the group who vouches for you and ensures your inclusion. So, to join, you need someone you know within the group to recommend you to the leaders."
Ruby, intrigued by the concept, exclaimed, "Whoa! But isn't it challenging if you have a small family or limited connections?"
I responded, "That's true, you can recommend individuals outside your family, but only if their skills are deemed valuable for the group. The interesting part is, you won't even know if someone recommended you since it's highly confidential. They'll secretly monitor you for a year to assess if your skills can be beneficial to the group."
Astonished, Ruby replied, "Ehh, that really sounds complicated and weird. Did they really monitor you for a year before hiring you?"
"Umm..." I nervously laughed and tried to shift the subject, "Anyway, because of this process, the Grim Reaper's never found us until just a few years ago, so right now, we're really in a bind and finding them is much more difficult than before."
Aqua then asks, "I'm surprised that you, being a famous Light Music You*uber, are part of that group. Are you still actively involved with them?"
I replied with a chuckle, "Well, let's just say they don't exactly make me work, hehe."
Akane asks with concern, "Why? Did they... fire you?!"
I quickly respond, "No, it's not like that! Actually, only a few of them know that I got pregnant because I wanted to keep it a secret. One of them happens to be a leader in the group, so they decided to give me a break for a few years to focus on taking care of my baby and my studies..."
Akane's realization dawns upon her, and she speaks, "So, it means we're on our own. We can't seek their help or rely on their information."
I was astounded at how quickly she realized what I meant, "That's correct! If they find out I'm looking for Hikaru, who is a member of the Grim Reapers, I will definitely get in trouble. But good thing I already know a lot of information, and is good at gathering for it as well. The issue is that sometimes interacting with people in person is much more helpful than researching online."
Kana asks, "Why is interacting with people in person more helpful than researching online?"
"Researching provides a lot of information, but it can only give us a partial understanding of someone's intentions or true nature. The internet can't reveal the true self of each person. With Hikaru now in hiding, relying solely on online searches will be challenging, especially with the Grim Reapers' assistance. However, with your significant influence and abilities, interacting with people in person can greatly aid in finding him. Your unique skills will be valuable in apprehending him. Together, we can achieve our goal." I smiled confidently.
Aqua chuckles and replies, "Ahh, we got it."
With a brief giggle, my expression turned serious as I emphasized, "But please remember, under no circumstances should you attempt to kill him. If you do, it will make you a target for the Grim Reapers."
Ruby curiously asks, "But why? What's their reason for targeting anyone who kills Hikaru?"
I sighed, "It's part of their contract. One of our members killed one of their own, and within a week, they found him dead in a mountain cave."
Ruby gasps and looks at Aqua, "Brother... We have to be careful."
Aqua sighs and said, "I won't, but if I'm ever tempted to do so, you know what you guys have to do."
Aqua then smiles, assuring me that everything will be fine.
I smiled and said, "Alright then, since we've settled everything, I guess we're a team now, right?"
Ruby started smiling and said, "Absolutely!"
Everyone then gathered, placing their hands in the middle, like a united team before a crucial game.
Ruby pov, "(But still! I will be working with my favorite music you*uber who is also like a super secret agent! Ahh! I am so excited!)"
Kana pov, "(*Sigh* I guess things will be a lot more hectic from now on...)"
Akane pov, "(I'm glad I will be able to be a part of this! This time, I will try my best to help catch that killer!)"
Aqua pov, "(I used to do this on my own, suffering alone, but this time, I have people working with me to catch him; I won't disappoint Ai again!)"
Thank you, Aqua, Ruby, Akane, and Kana. I will assist you all in catching him since I also want to get revenge on him. But first, I have to make these two siblings smile from the bottom of their hearts once more!
Ruby's eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at everyone, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Three, two, one... Go, Super Duper Cool Agent Team!"
Everyone else chimed in unison, their voices filled with determination and camaraderie. "Yes!"
Kana then playfully exclaimed, "What's with that silly group name?"
Ruby retorted with a hint of annoyance, "Hey, it's cool, alright!"
Kana retorted, "Who names a team with five words? Are you a kid or something?"
Ruby retorted, "Says the kid who licks salt on the floor, Bluhhh!" She stuck her tongue out playfully.
Kana became embarrassed and exclaimed, "Ruby! How many times do I have to tell you that those are just fake rumors!!!"
Akane nervously intervened, "Um, guys, let's just stop, okay?"
Ruby pointed at Kana, exclaiming, "Well, she started it!"
Kana retorted angrily, "No, she did!"
Aqua and I burst into laughter as we watched Ruby and Kana argue back and forth. Their banter was so amusing that we couldn't help but find it entertaining.
"You still have a chance to get him, and I will make sure you do. Well, it's kinda my fault he got away..." I whispered to Aqua, not letting the others hear.
Aqua placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and spoke softly, "You did what you had to do, and it saved my life. There's nothing to blame yourself for. And you're right, we still have a chance to make things right." His words brought comfort and strength to my heart, reminding me that our pursuit of justice was far from over. Together, we would seize the opportunity to confront Hikaru and bring him to face the consequences of his actions.
I chuckled and nodded, "You're right. I should whip up dinner quickly before you all head home. We don't want your parents worrying about you." With renewed determination, I headed towards the kitchen, ready to prepare a meal for our newly formed team, knowing that our journey together was just beginning.
"Ack! Miyako (*Ruby and Aqua's new mom*) will be furious!" Ruby said.
Aqua's eyes widened as he responded to Ruby, "Wait, you didn't inform Miyako that we were going out?!"
"Says the guy who left us letters out of nowhere!", Ruby yells.
"U-Umm... guys?" Akane interjects, attempting to diffuse the situation.
"Waaaaaaa!!!" Baby Ai begins to cry, adding to the chaos.
Kana panics, exclaiming, "Oh no! You guys made the baby cry!"
Ruby apologizes, saying, "Ahh! Sorry Akari!"
I reassured them, saying, "It's okay, I'll take care of her."
As I cradled Ai in my arms, trying to soothe her, Aqua approached us, his gaze fixed on the baby. He looked serious for a moment, but then his face softened into a smile.
"She's beautiful, just like you", Aqua says this while staring at the baby.
Aqua's words caught me off guard, and I blushed slightly. "Thank you," I replied with a shy smile.
Relief washed over me as I realized Aqua's words didn't carry any hint of pain or sadness. I had worried that naming my baby after his deceased mother would bring back painful memories, but his genuine smile reassured me that he had found his own peace.
Aqua recalls something and asks, "Oh, you never told us your family name actually..."
"O-Oh I didn't?"
Aqua nods.
Oops! I intended to try to hide it and then inform them after I created a fake name. Aqua is undoubtedly smart; there is no point in escaping him because I know he is going to start researching me as soon as he returns home, which is understandable given that I did the same.
I then replied, "My name is..."
I'm sure they won't find out...
Right?
"My name is Akari Hayaki! Hehe."
__________
/Narrator Pov/
In a abandoned building, plagued by leaks, rusted iron bars, and shattered windows, a battered and bloodied man stumbled in, collapsing to the ground.
A mysterious figure, tall and adorned in a vibrant suit with a mask, approached with a wicked grin. "Well, well, well! Look who we have here! The illustrious Hikari, adorned in bruises and blood. Oh, what a sight to behold! I can only imagine the laughter that would burst forth from him upon witnessing this own sorry state. Hahaha!"
Hikari's gaze narrowed as he lay on the ground. "It appears you've conveniently forgotten that I hold a higher rank than you, you delusional computer addict! Now, extend your hand and help me up. I have a mess to clean up."
The mysterious accomplice of Hikari extended his hand, aiding him to his feet. His voice carried a mix of concern and curiosity as he asked, "Who in the hell did this to you?"
Hikari's laughter filled the air, tinged with a sinister tone. His eyes gleamed with a hint of madness as he responded, "Someone who is just like me!"
The mysterious accomplice's voice trembled slightly as they spoke, "You truly are fearsome. It has been quite some time since you last paid them a visit. I wonder how they will react... Kekeke..."