While Shinobu was arranging the documents on the table, the shrine leader took out a few snow globes from his pocket and displayed them in front of him. The violette noticed the items on the table and squinted her eyes at them. They didn't look like ordinary snow globes the decorations in the glass were rather different, at the same time questionable because of where they were placed.
Engrossed by the particles and shimmers of light reflected on the glass, Douma didn't seem to take notice of Shinobu waiting for him impatiently they were in the midst of an important discussion.
It felt like an eternity so Shinobu decided to take it upon herself. She was curious about the specific designs for the snow globes, maybe just by talking about them she might get the answers to her questions. The stars and presumably galaxies in the snow globes piqued her interest. She wondered if they were real because if so, that's fascinating and also scary. Who knew life could be so fragile.
"These are stars, planets, and galaxies I found, real ones." Douma suddenly spoke. He picked up the snow globe in the middle and spun it around to get a closer look at the star in the glass.
"Did you put them in these snow globes?" On the contrary, Shinobu found the designs beautiful even though there could be an entire civilization trapped like mice in a cage. It was unsettling to think about, but maybe Douma knows better.
"Yes, it's like choosing a gem. This star was about to go supernova so I decided to contain it in here so the explosion won't affect space drastically," The star in the glass, was now lifeless which proved Douma's point about its fate. "Man, the star's location is extremely perceptive to such disasters. One blow and everything would disappear. As you can see the star went off in here." Douma pointed at the dead star that was crumbling like ashes. The entirety of it a dull grey.
Douma was glad Shinobu found his art interesting. Turning something valuable into a form of admiration was a brilliant way to keep creativity going. While some may find it strange that the shrine leader uses existential sources, he was doing it to save the universe some trouble.
"What about these galaxies over here?"
As expected, Shinobu would move on to the next snow globe which contained another design of significance. There were snowflakes falling over the galaxies floating in the glass containment. Douma wasn't surprised if Shinobu found it odd that there were galaxies in there, it was a very interesting design to say the least.
"There was a monster chasing me so I trapped the galaxies it was travelling in. Smart move huh?" Douma said with a smile plastered on his face, taking a bite out of the blue mochi he was holding.
"Why would you do something like that? There's probably other lifeforms in here too and now you've imprisoned them." Seems like Shinobu wasn't impressed by this particular snow globe.
Douma frowned and sat up. "Nothing would wanna live in a literal death trap. That monster preys on anything it sees, resident or not."
"But there's always another way."
"Like pest control?"
"Ugh just stop."
Shinobu read through the documents she printed out leaving the third snow globe unattended to. Sitting there relaxed, Douma guessed she wasn't interested in his masterpiece anymore, which was disheartening. What can I say? They are fascinating weird forms of art that need more appreciation! Shinobu you just have to understand them like how you understand me!
"I contacted Hanako Watsume, the same person whom Doctor Gareth was in touch with based on the letter we found at Mr Oshiro's house." The violette took out the letter from her pocket and placed it on the table.
That name rang a bell. Douma remembered seeing that name on the letter. It was great to know that Shinobu got a hold of Hanako Watsume but why was she acting so stressed out? Digging up the information that they need to know was the main focus here and Shinobu accomplished it. Could it be there's a reason why until now, Atlas is missing credentials? Doctor Gareth vanished and he was a respectable figure from what they both heard from Mr Oshiro. Apparently there's more they have been working on together but now it's all scattered.
"And you printed some of the conversations you had with him. Now was he sincere about telling you all this because we gotta take into consideration that the information isn't always true," Douma added on. "The person he had ties with vanished since then. It's left Atlas clueless and Hanako Watsume hasn't admitted anything, has he?"
"That's on him and I too wasn't convinced. When he told me about his memorable affiliations with Atlas it made me wonder his intent. Why would you be part of something that you were ambitious about and then go silent when something major happens? It doesn't make sense." Reading the responses of Hanako Watsume, Shinobu proceeded to read hers to ensure she was firm with her stand at times. There's no letting Hanako Watsume get away whether he's guilty of something or not. Shinobu is going to explain everything to Mr Oshiro and leave the rest to Atlas.
Douma finished the blue mochi and picked up the yellow one in the box, taking another bite. It was fragrant and sweet just like the blue mochi with a stronger succulent taste. I should take a look at the documents before jumping into conclusions. Shinobu knows what she's talking about, we need to break this down together to get a better understanding of what's going on.
"Guys are we starting the discussion? It's been ten minutes and I haven't heard anything." The figure of Reiji emerged from the indoor garden walking towards both Douma and Shinobu. He looked tired which was understandable, it's been a hectic day for him especially after that one incident in Tokyo.
"Anyways why were you guys so mad at each other?" Reiji suddenly asked, he didn't believe what Shinobu told him it was just an excuse to get him to forget about it. "Shinobu said you were trying to help her when that monster attacked you guys. Don't you think her response to your help was horrible? This wasn't a misunderstanding you guys are hiding something from me and it's making me feel alone just by being here."
"Reiji what's the matter with you?! I already apologized to Douma what more do you want me to do we have other things to worry about." Shinobu was boiling up. How dare Reiji instigate her like that.
The documents on the table were taken back by Shinobu. She wasn't sure if they wanted to go on with the next direction they'll be taking from here. We keep changing topics, the case will never be solved if this continues. To her dismay, Reiji didn't say anything about her actions he still insisted on an explanation, one that he mustn't know.
Douma got up from where he was sitting and moved the remaining mochis to a plate. Slowly, he carried the box to a drawer and placed it in an empty compartment to keep it safe.
"The mochis are really good Shinobu. I'm having the green mochi now." The shrine leader sat back down and took a bite of the green mochi, seemingly calm and oblivious to the tension in the hall.
Both Shinobu and Reiji exchanged crossed glances with each other. Eager to claw at the other but annoyed by how peaceful Douma felt despite the unhappiness they were feeling.
"You still have time to eat. Aren't you going to fix this like the goody leader people claim you are? I don't wanna sit in this shrine anymore it's full of liars!"
Douma waved at Reiji who was beginning to zone out. Someone needs reassurance there's been too much going on in his mind now, he was clearly exhausted. "Shinobu's right it was just a small misunderstanding I think my tone might've come off as a mean one which shocked her because I rarely respond that way."
Reiji furrowed his eyebrows. "Really? I'm not stupid you guys are hiding something from me. Whatever, it's not important to me anyways."
Hearing Reiji's response made Shinobu a little relieved. Meaning to say, she won't have to worry about that question coming up again otherwise there would be a lot of explaining to do. Shinobu had to thank Douma later, that was close.
"Alright let's start the discussion now." Shinobu said firmly as she began to put the documents back where they were for the other two to read them as well.