Chereads / Coded Law / Chapter 22 - Youthful Artistrocats, Part 2

Chapter 22 - Youthful Artistrocats, Part 2

"Kenji" Takashi said

"Takashi, its a pleasure." Kenji said. As the two looked at one another before Kenji would get up and walk over to him. Everyone else continued chatting as he left.

"Walk with me?" Kenji asked as he kept walking past him, Takashi looked at him and then back to his mother before walking with Kenji. As they walked off towards the backyard the same dark haired girl from before would enter the home.

"Stalking around?" Said Rin who was waiting around the corner.

Kenji stopped as he was walking to look at a text from Mi. It was talking about her, Kibe, Jun and Ryota. Kenji gave a smile as he looked at it.

"Just sight seeing, unless you have some damn business with me." Said the girl. Rin stared at how casual she was dressed and then looked back to her face.

"Name?" Rin asked

"...Himmy." Himmy said

"Himmy? Huh, not a common name I've heard of." Rin said as she took another sip of her drink. She looked at her and stared at her body and slouched posture. The girl clearly wasn't sure of herself, she had mounds of self-doubt and is showing signs of immense insecurity. Rin could read her like a book, although she seemed to wear her emotions on her sleeve...and face.

"Why don't you stand up straight? You look like a candy cane like that hehe." Rin chuckled, Himmy frowned as she stared at Rin. She could tell that this girl was looking down at her, she had this sort of standard you could tell she held for women or girls at least. Himmy couldn't put her finger on it though she knew.

"So where's your boy toy?" Rin asked which immediately took Himmy by shock as she looked at her.

"Oh there's that look, so who is he? Is he a tough guy? Broad? Stoic? Or maybe he's super intelligent. Oh come on don't make me wait." Rin smiled

"I-...I don't have anyone right now." Himmy said, her head was filled with the comforts of Juo's words and the things he used to do with her. However the placement of Juo was replaced with Kibe himself, almost like as if he had been burned in place of where Juo belonged in her mind. She knew it was Juo who was most kind to her...yet Kibe was the one who was physically there. Rin looked at her a bit confused.

"I just...don't think I can do romance right now. At least I don't think so." Himmy said

"Theres nothing wrong with wanting one girly. Women are in more of a search for a spiritual connection then men are. Men are just too, hmm whats the word? Ah yes, basic. They're wants are so easy to guess and tell just by looking at them.

But a relationship is more about building a bond, its about helping each other grow into something better. If they're not doing that, then they're not there for you. They're there for your body, your vagina and breast. Oh boy do guys love breast!" Rin said

"Breast?" Himmy said confused and somewhat annoyed.

"Yea, guys like boobs." Rin said, Himmy couldn't help but noticed Rin's very...flamboyant chest. They looked soft, perfectly shaped for what you would dream they would look like. Yet somehow still looked realistic enough to touch.

"Not all guys like tits." Said a voice, Himmy and Rin looked over to see Takashi and Kenji walking over. Kenji's eyes moved to Himmy and gifted her a wide smile while Takashi looked at her for a moment before moving his eyes to Rin again.

"Is that right?" Rin asked

"Yea, guys have a wide variety of things they like about women physically." Takashi said

"I don't think we've met before, I'm Kenji. Nice to meet you!" Kenji said to Himmy. She nodded to him.

"Himmy." She said as she looked to Takashi, she never forgot his face, but just looked over to him occasionally trying to not stare.

"OH MY GOD!!!" screamed Mrs.Otsuka. Kenji, Rin and Takashi ran to the dinner room and saw everyone on their phones. Thats when Takashi would get a message. He looked down and saw it was from a unknown number. It was a photo of his father, Mr.Otsuka. He was naked, looked completely out of his mind, disheveled and was wearing a top hat that looked very similar to the mad hatter's. He was walking down a street.

"What the hell..." Takashi said completely shocked and with a face full of terror. Himmy's eyes looked around the room and thats when she saw one of them, one of her targets.

Kono Satoshi, one of the three heads of the dragon gang. He was slightly taller than Kibe, he was wearing a black suit and had a red scarf with black stripes. He had His nose had a scar on it. Himmy's eyes were on him and scanning him. She could tell a bit about him just from how he stood. Himmy casually made her way over to him, she then "accidentally" tripped over him causing Satoshi's focus to be taken away and causing him to look to her.

"Oh damn, my bad. I was just standing around and I didn't- my apologies." He said as he helped her up.

"Ugh, thanks. Maybe I should have hit a brickwall, at least it would have been easier to see." Himmy said rubbing the her hip.

"Geez, alright then tough guy. Who pissed in your damn sandwich?" Satoshi said fixing his shirt.

"Ugh just the current state of our nation's soccer team." Himmy scoffed, thats when Satoshi looked at her almost suprised at her sudden interest.

"I didn't take you as someone-"

"Into sports? Well looking at your face, I wouldn't say you look good in a suit. Guess I was wrong." Himmy said, Satoshi smiled at her as the two then started chatting. Takashi looked at them and then went to find Kenji. Eventually Takashi would go out to the backyard, as he did he'd see Kenji standing near the pool.

"You...whatever knowledge you gave me wherever its from! TAKE IT BACK!" Takashi shouted as he speed walked to Kenji.

"That day, when you spoke to me. She was alive still! This all started with her!

Kibe was nothing! NOTHING before any of this shit started to happen.

You met with me the day before and then again when I escorted her..." Takashi said, thats when he realized what he was saying. The words that had come out were those belonging to someone who had just figured out they're place on the chessboard. They're words that belong to someone who had discovered they were a mere pawn to a king.

Back close to Ushin and near the city closest to Sawa high, in the now somewhat frosty streets. Mi had invited Kibe, Ryota and Jun out for a small time on the town. They all walked the streets as Mi was looking from her phone and up around her. Everyone dressed a little warmer.

"I can't believe she actually convinced us to go with her." Jun said

"Might as well forget it. Mi usually gets her way. The moment you come to terms with it the sooner the better." Kibe said, Jun looked at him with Ryota being silent as he walked with them. Kibe looked up into the night sky.

"You guys are going to love this place! With all the awful things going on, we can finally have a good and relaxing time." Mi said as they all waited at the stoplight. Kibe's eyes then moved back to Ryota who was looking down.

"The doctors said he made a full recovery, memory a bit foggy. Although apparently he has terrible nightmares, awful thing.

For him." Kibe thought as he looked forward again. Thats when the light turned on and they all crossed the street.

"Did you hear about Takashi's dad? What a awful thing, I'm glad the police found him." Mi said

"No what they found was a mad man. Anyone with eyes could see he was broken, whatever they say the white rabbit did to him. It was cruel and vile.

What they found...was a broken thing. No man or beast, just a thing." Kibe said

"...I just hope they can help him. Maybe asking some things will-"

"It won't work." Kibe said, Jun kept staring at Kibe as she walked behind him.

"No mad man would ever dare to recall whatever it is that haunts their life now. His eyes were dead Mi, whatever life that once lingered in them. Now no longer are present." Kibe said, Mi looked at him almost in fear at his words. Kibe's eyes looked cold, his expression even worse than that. It was alien, indifferent. Thats when Mi got a ping on her phone and she looked up at a sign.

"Ah! We're here!" Mi said as she pointed to the sign. Everyone looked up.

"You've got to be kidding." Ryota groaned

"I don't see a joke in this unfortunately." Kibe said

"No way-"

"TA-DA! Welcome to the singing spirit! Its a nice karaoke place, food, games, but mostly karaoke!" Mi shouted in joy, everyone's faces were a mixed bag besides Kibe's who didn't show anything.

"Whats with the faces? This is supposed to be fun and a time to unwind. Come on i picked out a room for us." Mi said as she opened the door, everyone followed her, but Kibe then felt eyes on him. He turned around. All he saw was more people walking the streets. His eyes looked about the place, his hand still on the door.

"I can see they're line of sight, but I do not know the direction. The Intuition that you are being watched is not paranoia, but merely a sense that humans deem to be absurd.

There are a pair of eyes, no just one pair, watching me. From where though? They're intent...its not to capture or kill me.

No...to observe me. Its stalking me.

It'll make a move tonight, I know it will, for what are humans if not opportunist." Kibe thought as he then got his phone out, he then went to his contacts and called someone. Kibe eventually walked inside where everyone was waiting for him.

"Wherey you been at?" Jun asked

"Phone call, where's our room?" Kibe asked

"Its room 247, but we can get some food and play some before we start singing." Mi said as she rushed over and grabbed Kibe's hand running with him towards the food court. Jun and Ryota looked at them run off together with Kibe looking less than reciprocative.

"This reminds me of a time I went out with my dad once.

Before I got into his work and became obsessed with machinery and technology." Jun said, she looked around at the people around them.

"Better times..." Ryota said

"Yea." Jun said. Elsewhere in the karaoke store, Kibe and Mi were getting at a food court. Mi's nose filled with the beautiful scents and Kibe's eyes looked at her. Mi moved her hair behind her ear as she leaned in closer, her hands on the glass.

"Do you remember when you first came to Japan?" Mi said, Kibe just looked at her.

"You were so energetic, so happy to be away from what had happened with you and your dad. Your eyes looked welcoming, like they were arms spread wide for a new future to brace them to hold them.

I know I can't make your life happy, but I knew when I saw you that day. While everyone was playing and you were alone. Sitting in the sandpit, I knew that I could at least try to dig you out of that hole. That maybe I could show you a new view.

I'm still trying to." Mi said as she looked up to him, Kibe's eyes met hers with them holding eye contact for a brief period. While they were near the food court Ryota and Jun had made they're way to their karaoke room. Ryota looked around, he hadn't been in one of these in a while. Jun' eyes were locked Ryota, she could see his struggle and new walking pattern. Before the incident he was very much alive, active and more well rounded. Now though, he was a bit sluggish and was entirely dead like in how he walked. He was feeling weak, like he didn't deserve to be as physically fit as he was.

"...So, I have a question, do you remember anything specific about that day?" Jun asked Ryota, Ryota looked at her. He put his jacket down on a chair as he reflected on that day. His eyes shaking a bit before going still, focusing.

"Just...I only have brief memories about eating the food and then collapsing. Nothing else." Ryota said, Jun looked at him, her eyes squinting a bit.

"They found you in a bathroom." Jun said

"Did? Huh, funny. I remember being in the cafeteria." Ryota said as he then got in his phone and stepped out of the room. Jun watched before leaning back on her chair. Jun sighed as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Father said Mr.Otsuka has been driven mad, his mind or whatever is left of it. Is in shambles, they said he suffered multiple seizures, drugging and much blood lost.

They don't know where he came from or even how he's survived for as long as he did.

But there's no doubt in my mind. That its the White rabbit." Jun whispered to herself.

"I do agree." Said a voice, it shocked Jun as she turned around to see Kibe standing in front of the door.

"Have...Have you been there the whole time? I don't do well with stalking and especially not pompous nobodies who only seek self-regulation and good grades." Jun said, Kibe looked at her as he walked over to her took a seat next to her.

"Thats quite the profile and observation you made. If I matched what you just said; to the right person, I'd be flattered." Kibe said

"You are the right person! I'm never wrong about these things." Jun said with a bit of an attitude. Kibe was there when she first came to they're school, since then she's been quite the loner. Though its of her own choice as hes seen, he knew to keep at least one of his eyes on her when he could.

"Hello? Your staring." Jun said as she waved her hand in his face. Kibe looked at her unamused.

"I'm not staring. Its called eye contact, I assume you've heard of it." Kibe said

"Well yes, but its still not right to stare at someone like that. My mother taught me that staring is trying to assert dominance over someone who isn't paying attention." Jun said

"Well she's right, just the context for the rudeness is missing." Kibe

"Hm, maybe." Jun said as she rested her head on her hand. Kibe looked to the karaoke machine.

"You'll never reach him with such conclusion making." Kibe said which caught Jun's attention.

"Any rational investigator or detective would be able to deduce and throw away the illogical suspected." Kibe said as he sat in his chair straight.

"...I guess your right." Jun sighed, Kibe looked at her a bit suprised at her quick acceptance of his words. Jun moved her hands through her hair. Her eyes looked tired. There was loneliness in them, thats what Kibe saw in her eyes. He began to think on about Jun, she was standing there not saying anything.

"She is reluctant to speak with me, although she is also one for conversation. My words a few moments ago did well to soften her view on me.

As she would have kept her suspected view on me if I hadn't said what I did." Kibe thought

"Hes trying to convince me that he has my best interests at heart, this good samaritan act also being a double edged sword.

You hurt me and comfort me at the same time...I see, you want information I have. You want to believe because I'm the head detective's daughter that I'm in the loop. It would be logical for me to give it to you though, you did help me and it was our topic starter." Jun thought to herself, her hands gripped her sweat pants tightly.

"That being said, I don't even need to ask you. You will give me the information of the case so far. All because I follow the law of equivalent exchange.

You, will now follow it with me, Jun." Kibe thought, thats when Jun looked at Kibe who was looking at her. Her eyes on his seemed to be looking for comfort, if not for a moment and Kibe's words provided that, yet also showed independence and taught a lesson.

He had answered her perfectly.

"What are you looking to know?" Jun asked

"Hmm, I just want to be sure I can walk safe at night is all. I'm hoping you'll give me something to work with." Kibe said, Jun leaned back for a moment before looking his way again.

"Well, they found some proof that the white rabbit wasn't responsible for the school poisoning.

It really is a third party. They're calling him, The Trickster. My father was able to trace him back to a few other crimes before this.

One involving a missing judge, another with a politician and one with a movie celebrity. And the connection between them all is-" Jun said

"The connection is all were convicted for murder, the judge killed the actor and the actor killed the celebrity." Kibe said

"Do you remember how?" Jun asked, Kibe nodded to her as he looked back at the door to their room and then back to Jun.

"Blackmail. The actor had sent threats and accusations at the judge via email; who at the time was covering a trial.

The trial was about a harassment charge filed aginst the politician." Kibe said

"Yes, but what was wrong with that? Why couldn't they figure out why each of them would kill each other?" Jun asked

"Because before the week of the trial, all three of them didn't know each other. They each were complete strangers to the other.

Meaning they were introduced to one another, which I don't suspect was in person.

If I was the trickster, I'd pin something on one of them. Causing a chain reaction." Kibe said

"He's good, I almost want to say too good. But then again every time I see him, he is in the library." Jun though to herself as she put her thumb to her lip thinking.

"You would be right to suspect me, especially with my capabilities to put the dots together and dimiss and bring in evidence.

You would be right to suspect me.

But only if I hadn't been tracking your walk pattern through the school and making sure that every time you saw me, I was reading. Though not just reading anything. But reading criminal psychology books.

And what other books better for you to see me reading, than-"

"The Red book by C.G Jung and Forensics studies by Tomomasa Ojiro. Both of them are well adored authors and men of the psychoanalysis field.

Hes good." Jun thought

"Of course you would see me as noting more than a genius on the subject, you've been watching me read them since we first laid eyes on one another." Kibe thought to himself.

"So what do you deduce was done first?" Kibe asked

"...The trickster provoked a colleague or at least a friend. That way the actor wouldn't just be believing some rando.

Which means he must have been close with them or knew someone who was.

He blackmailed them via proxy, he let someone else know. So that he could cover himself. After that it all went south." Jun said

"But do you know the connection? The small dots your looking for?" Kibe asked, Jun scratched the back of her head and shook it.

"I'm not seeing the pattern. Just seems too small if there is one." Jun sighed

"Then your not looking deep enough, multiple students the day of the incident at Sawa all confessed to being in line with the trickster. Which means we have two thing, two singular patterns." Kibe said

"Two?" Jun said

"Yes, he likes to he left anonymous, but he also isn't afraid to speak. Thats pride, and confidence.

He likes what he does and has confidence in getting it done without getting found.

The next one is the help, he seems to like having other people do his dirty work. He may get the tools, but he doesn't use them. Because the hands that hold the tools are his tools." Kibe said as he then got up and walked to the door. Jun turned to him.

"Wait! Don't you think you should take your knowledge to the police? They could use someone like you." Jun said, Kibe grabbed the door handle and looked back at Jun.

"I'm already using my intellect on something very important, something that requires my focus." Kibe said, Jun and him shared eye contact for a few moments.

"..."

"Chemistry." Kibe said

"Oh, you made it sound so dramatic." Jun said

"...Sorry, I'm anything, but dramatic. Besides the police already have someone like me." Kibe said, she looked at Kibe again, her eyes having had moved away for a moment. Kibe's emerald green eyes were lighting up her own, she felt like her body was about to fuse with his.

"Don't sell yourself short." Kibe said, as he winked at Jun and then left the room. She turned around and felt her heart.

As Kibe walked down the hall he saw Ryota leaning aginst a window. He then looked over and saw Kibe walking.

"Well, look who it is." Ryota said as he stood in front of Kibe. Kibe looked up at him.

"Greetings, anything I can help you with?" Kibe asked

"Yes actually, do you have a few minutes?" He asked, Kibe looked around.

"Where's Mi?" Kibe asked

"She's getting a lot of food for us, for when we get started. Do you have a few minutes I asked." Ryota asked, Kibe looked at his phone and the time.

7:30 AM

"I can humor you sure." Kibe said as he motioned for Ryota to start talking. Ryota massaged his face and then looked at Kibe.

"I know you want the dragon gang, I don't know what for, but I don't care.

All that matters to me is my sister is safe." Ryota

"And just like that. You've ran out of my patience." Kibe said as he tried to walk away only for Ryota to move infront of him again.

"Wait wait wait! Look, I get it. Your a guy of action and not reaction.

So I won't waste your time my sister has been taken by the dragon gang. It was that son of a bitch Satoshi and his goons. Took her right from home while I was gone, right away from my mother..." Ryota said as he could hardly keep talking. His eyes were getting a bit watery. Kibe just stared.

"What happened?" Kibe asked

"The day everything went down, I owed him my share. So he could send it to Minori. For a job up in Ginza. Says he's getting ready for the damn play with it.

But since I didn't deliver, now hes going to use his little SICK methods to get the rest of the money." Ryota said as he walked back and forth.

"Sick how? Like sex slaves or-"

"Snuff videos man! That sick disgusting shit that those dark web users like. Those sickos." Ryota said, Kibe looked at him with more intrigue and interest as he held his hands behind his back.

"You do know what the dark web is right?" Ryota asked

"I do." Kibe nodded

"Then you know how sick he is, I heard some boys talking about them starting to film tomorrow, 3PM. All we need now is a location." Ryota said

"We? Who's this...we?" Kibe said

"Oh come on, with your impressive skills and smarts. I think we have a real shot at stopping this! Come on man my sister is at stake here! Can't you just help a friend out?" Ryota asked

"Friend? No, what we are is acquaintances. Two people who are seeking the same thing.

Cause it just so happens, I also have my eyes on Satoshi." Kibe said folding his arms. Ryota was taken aback by what he said.

"You've been on him?" Ryota asked

"Of course, doing it for my own reasons. Thats all you need to know." Kibe said as he turned around and looked to his phone again.

"Look, I get it. You don't know me too well, so how abou-"

"Party's over boys!" Said Jun, which shocked Ryota not so much Kibe. She had popper from behind the corner of the hallway near them.

"Shit" Ryota said

"Right on cue." Kibe thought as he turned off his phone and looked towards Jun.

"Spill, I heard everything. Might as well confess." Jun said

"Damnit. Look Jun, we're going to go save my sister." Ryota said

"..."

Jun looked at Kibe.

"And you?" She asked

"Personal reasons, but mostly around the fact that I'm still a suspect for Tatsuo's death. So hopefully going to this, may result in my alibi." Kibe said, Jun raised her arms to him and then put them on her hips, her eyes looking to Ryota.

"Now that's a good reason." Jun said, Ryota rolled his eyes, he opened a window for some air.

"And what's your reason?" Kibe asked, Jun looked at him a bit offended, before she turned her head to look back and then to him again.

"Excuse me?" Jun asked

"You wouldn't be spying unless the information we were just talking about had some value to you. The fact you haven't called your father or even made one remark about how this is definitely illegal.

You want in, which I figured." Kibe said, Ryota looked back at them from the window. Jun scoffed and moved her hair out of the way.

"Don't give me that look. You know that we both know you aren't here to rat anyone out.

You came here in order to do what your father did when it came to the cannibal case. You want to go off the books, under the radar.

Because you know just like I do, that the law is a guiding rail. Eavesdropping annoys me, but what annoys me more is someone who does so and then lies about why they did it." Kibe said, Ryota looked at him shocked and then to Jun who also was suprised. Kibe's cold and straightforward tone was insane and almost incomprehensible tone. So strict and so demanding of your attention it sounded like he was speaking to soldiers.

"...Ok fine I admit, I just..." Jun sighed, Kibe looked at her.

"...Did you know I had a aunt? She was special to me...she use to work to work with him. She took care of me for a long time.

It was during the cannibal case, he was...too busy to see anything. He had his hands full and so did she. I wanted to help, I could have been a big help!

But he didn't want my help, he just wanted me to keep reading and hanging out with girls and getting my hair done. He'd soon accept that this part of me, is a part of me.

...but it'd cost me my aunt. Costed me someone who saw what I could do and who I could be.

I want my dad to just see me as more than just his little girl. He was around my age when he was solving crimes. I should be able to do the same!" Jun said with tears in her eyes, Kibe and Ryota looked at her and then each other.

"...Alright, I think its only fair. We all have something in this. You have your alibi, I have my sister and she might be able to close the case thats going on." Ryota said

"Only if we find what we need to find. The White Rabbit case may still be open, but I believe we'll deal a remarkable blow to the trickster." Kibe said, Jun looked up at them.

"You mean?-"

"Yes, you can come along. Just know this is more than just dangerous. This is illegal and people will die." Kibe said

"You use to killing people Kibe?" Jun asked

"...I killed my father when I was younger than 10 years old. I think I can manage." Kibe said

"...ok." Jun said

"Jesus you guys are insane. So anyway, here's what I'm thin-"

"Don't, I'll handle that." Kibe said

"Who made you leader?" Jun asked

"I did. Just now actually. I have someone on the inside with Satoshi, someone who will get us even closer than I thought they would." Kibe said as he got on his phone, Jun and Ryota looked at each other as they walked over to him.

"Who is it? Someone reliable hopefully." Jun said

"...Not really, actually the exact opposite. She is the most hot-headed, antagonistic and very, very rude.

But she's a good tailer and doesn't stick out so much. I put a tracker on her phone. Its taking us right to where Minori may also be too. Ginza. Alright, I'll send the details tomorrow, don't bother with phone numbers. This is a one time partnership.

We meet back here in roughly 3-4 hours. Good, break." Kibe said as he walked away

"Where are you going? What about karaoke?" Ryota asked

"I'm going home, tell Mi thank you for me." Kibe said as he eventually would leave the group. The eyes he once felt watching him, no longer seemed to be present. Kibe's eyes turned back at the karaoke place.

"I hope I didn't make a mistake, by lettingit go on so long. Its time again. To drown out the humanity and bring out what I am.

Let's just hope, I can come back, after its done." Kibe thought as he kept walking down the street.

Back home Mrs.Mihara would walk into the home, hobbling and drunk, Mr.Miyuki helped her inside. They had just spent the whole day going to investigations and running forensics.

"Oooooh my god! I can't believe we got all the way through those.

I was so certain we'd be there for hours!" Mrs.Mihara said as Mr.Miyuki helped her to the living room.

"God how are you not dead? You had that entire bottle of saki all to yourself and them shots afterwards.

What the hell do you need to drink that much for?" Mr.Miyuki asked as he finally set her down. Mrs.Mihara kicked off her heels and slumped over burping.

"I do it...cause I want to forget home. I want to forget that I'm here." She hiccuped, Mr.Miyuki looked at her and then sat down across the floor-tabel. He knew what it meant to want to forget, to not want to be in the present. He looked around the house, it was nice, tidy and even smelt great. Even though it looked like no one hardly lived here, only a small portion of things made the place feel like it had a soul.

"Wow, my compliments to your home. This place looks fantastic." Mr.Miyuki said

"Well, you can thank my son. Hes the one who cleans and cooks mostly. I just work and drink when I can and of course cook when I feel like it.

But we love and enjoy each other's company." Mrs.Mihara said, her voice sounded exhausted. Like as if she hadn't gotten any sleep in years. Mr.Miyuki just looked at her.

"...Your child, how is she?" Mrs.Mihara asked catching Mr.Miyuki's attention. He got his phone out and checked the time.

"Heh, well she's doing very good actually. She'll be ready for school soon. I can't wait honestly. I'd love for her to get some more friends, anything to distract her from...well, you probably already can tell..." Mr.Miyuki said

"School...Kibe used to like school." Mrs.Mihara said as she got up and went to the fridge to get a bottle of wine.

"...Mrs.Mihara I-"

"You suspect my son right? I know he's a weird boy, but if you want anything about him. Then you'll want to hear thiiiiisss." She said as she took a small sip of wine.

"Ok, what was school like for Kibe?" Mr.Miyuki asked. Mrs.Mihara's eyes shrank as her memories got flooded with noises and screams, the sounds of broken bones and sirens.

"...it was preschool, he was 4 or maybe 5 years old. I was still working in a France psychiatric ward with my master.

His name was was Mr.Tomomasa, he was the head of psychoanalyzing, neural science and of course the human condition/psychology.

He was great. He was like a father to me after all the...well not so good times in France.

He would even look after Kibe for me when I had work, he pretty much is his father. Though Kibe and him haven't had contact with each other since his childhood.

..." Mrs.Mihara took another drink.

"So, Kibe even has a connection with the best psychologist in the world.

And here I though he had too many friends." Mr.Miyuki said

"Like I said, they don't talk and haven't seen he was young. Doubt it's going to change. Since the seven year gap. He doesn't remember much." Mrs.Mihara said as she took a big swig of her wine and then placed it on the table.

"...Not to be a chore, but you did mention something about school." Mr.Miyuki said

"Oh yea...that one. Ok, well, during one year. I got recommended this school for nautrla gifted. Kibe at the ripe age of 4...or was it 5? Eh, one of the two. He could read and write and speak damn near clearly.

But I still wanted him to make friends and get to know others. So Mr.Tomomasa recommend a school for him.

It was rather nice too. Not bad on the toilets and had big rooms for each of the kids.

Most of the kids his age could do some form of math or even read. All the teachers were college grads or long lasting ones with 4 or 10 years under their belts. Had been doing this for a long time basically. All of them with nice big masterys and PHDs.

...24 of them." Mrs.Mihara said, her voice sounded almost dead at that last bit. Thats when everything began to get worse in the room. The air almost felt cold, like as if a bombshell was about to explode ontop of them.

"24?" Mr.Miyuki said

"Yes...thats how many of them died that day when Kibe went there." Mrs.Mihara said, Mr.Miyuki's heart froze. His expression one of complete and total shock.

"...Th-Theres no way he could have done that. He was just a boy. A child." Mr.Miyuki said

"Oh but thats when it starts for most. Killing young animals is how they do so, and aren't humans just animals at the end of the day?

You said he couldn't do it, but what if I told you he confessed it to me?" Mrs.Mihara said her voice a bit shaky

"W-What?..."Mr.Miyuki said astonished, at first he wasn't believing a thing she said, but suddenly he couldn't help but start to fully pay attention.

"He told me he did it, though the police would never find anything.

Not even a hint that he was there, it had only been a goddamn day." Mrs.Mihara said as she looked Mr.Miyuki with fear and shock in her eyes.

"...How could he do that?" Mr.Miyuki asked

"He simply...talked to them.

He convinced the kids to play a game with him, it was called stick eyes. He had somehow tricked the kids to stab themselves in the eyes with sticks, FUCKING STICKS!" Mrs.Mihara shouted. Outside the home Kibe would stop at his first step to his home, his eye would turn to see Mr.Miyuki's car. He then looked back to the front door.

"And the staff! What about the staff!?" Mr.Miyuki asked as he got out his pen and notebook, while accidentally dropping his phone in the process. Mrs.Mihara finished the last of her bottle, her eyes were wild, like as if she was reopening a cage. She was blurring out things and saying many a things Mr.Miyuki just couldn't believe.

"The...the staff...right, the staff...he had, he had blackmailed them." Mrs.Mihara said

"How did he do it?" Mr.Miyuki asked

"The children, they were laying on their faces. So the staff didn't know, but the time they went out to see why it was so quiet.

It was too late. They had their fingerprints on the children. Kibe appeared out of hiding and told the them they'd be in big trouble.

...they panicked and had no idea what to do. Kibe said he'd tell them what he saw and that he saw them kill all those kids.

It was sickening...almost...yea." Mrs.Mihara burped. Mr.Miyuki just kept writting everything down.

"...so they killed themselves, all 24 staff and children dead in one day.

France deemed it the bloody first day. It was all over the news...until it wasn't." Mrs.Mihara said

"What do you mean to wasn't?" Mr.Miyuki asked

"I think something happens to him, like something triggered inside his head.

Some kind of switch, he was fine and acting like a normal boy moments before and after I left." Mrs.Mihara said

"Did someone try to cover this up?" Mr.Miyuki asked

"Whatever it was that I picked up, that wasn't my son. I think he died with the other students...or maybe the big bad machine gobbled him up." Mrs.Mihara said, she was completely out of it. Her mind wasn't here with Mr.Miyuki but back at the preschool. Her eyes then looked to him.

"Kibe! Oh my sweet boy, there you are. How was your at school?" Mrs.Mihara smiled widely, Mr.Miyuki didn't know what to think of what was going on. He couldn't tell if she was having a episode or if she was just too drunk to funtion.

"I need to look into this Mr.Tomomasa." Mr.Miyuki said, but right before he got up-

"Greetings Mr.Miyuki." said a familiar cold and robotic voice. He slowly turned his head and saw nonother than Nori Kibe standing in the entrance of the living room.