Case One: the one who fell from the heavens

  Chapter Three: new victim

  It was now the third day of the Yamato High field trip and it was another free day for the students and their final day in Okinawa Island. In hotel room 14C, Orion had risen early at 7:00 AM while Satoru was still asleep in his bed. Orion leaned back on the settee as he toyed with the suspects’ alibis in his mind; he could not sleep well because his brain kept going back to the case.

  The sun started shining through the room despite the curtains being drawn that Orion had to wince and cover his eyes. He moved to the other chair so that his back was to the curtains.

  Meanwhile, in an office building in Tokyo, Satoshi Kagome stared at his computer monitor with a soured expression on his face. There was a sticky note on the centre that read:

  To Satoshi Kagome

  You are now to clean up the meeting room after use.

  Community Team

  Satoshi could only see red. Furious; he clenched his fists as he stared at his monitor. He hated that he was always “assigned” to clean the office every day. It was annoying him. After a few minutes of just staring at the computer screen, Satoshi hung his head low. It was futile to resist; they would always find something to make him do, no matter how trivial.

  ‘Fine… If that’s how they want to play it, I’ll just take another woman,’ Satoshi thought, a devious smile coming on his face. Then someone’s voice came in and interrupted his thoughts.

  “Satoshi? Are you alright?” a young woman’s voice came through.

  Satoshi looked up into the face of Miki Tsushima. She was aged twenty-five and had worked here for a little shy of two years. She wore a yellow blouse, knee-length black skirt and black heels. She was leaning over one of the cubicle walls.

  “Yeah, I’m fine, perfect,” Satoshi muttered to himself more than to Miki.

  “Want to grab lunch together?” Miki asked.

  “Hmm…” Satoshi contemplated before shaking his head. “No, you shouldn’t get lunch with me.”

  “But why…” Miki looked downcast.

  “People will talk.”

  “I don’t care if they talk!”

  “…”

  The two of them were silent for a while.

  “I’ll go… I see you just don’t like me, so I won’t bother you anymore,” Miki mumbled, sniffling.

  “I… didn’t say that.” Satoshi sighed. “But it might be best if you didn’t associate yourself with me anyway.”

  Miki ran off to her desk without listening to Satoshi. She felt rejected; she wanted to spend time with Satoshi, whom she fancied for a while now. But Satoshi never gave her the time of day ever.

  Satoshi ripped off the sticky note from the monitor and tossed it into the garbage bin under his desk. He was furious again, this time about Miki. It was understandable that Miki wanted to eat lunch with him, and he wanted that too, but he was afraid she would become a target for them if he let her close.

  Satoshi sighed again; he could not focus on his work right now. Rising from his seat, he decided to take a walk around the office; he could do so because the top executive liked him and let him take however many breaks he needed. Satoshi stopped by Miki’s cubicle without being aware, who was busy typing away at her computer. He decided it was fated to occur, so he walked up to the booth.

  “Look, Miki…” Satoshi started to speak.

  “I thought you rather talk to your other girlfriends,” Miki mumbled bitterly.

  “That’s not true and you know it,” Satoshi said aggressively. “Look, I’m just looking out for you. You know how the managing team has it out for me. I just don’t want you to be targeted.”

  Miki was silent, contemplative of Satoshi’s words, before she nodded. “Okay.”

  “I really would love to grab lunch with you, if you still want to,” Satoshi exhaled.

  “Of course!” Miki said, suddenly standing up. When she realised what she did, the young girl quickly sat back down. “Um, how about 12:30 PM then?”

  “Sounds good,” Satoshi nodded.

  When it was about time, Satoshi got up from his cubicle and went to the lift. Already waiting there was Miki with her black handbag. Satoshi gave a small wave to the woman before joining her side. The two descended to the ground floor, discussing about various topics such as dinner meals and job-related discussions animatedly. Leaving the building, the two walked around the sidewalk until they found a small sushi conveyor belt restaurant and entered the place.

  The two were seated together by the conveyor belt near the exit. As they waited for the dishes to rotate, Satoshi and Miki discussed their personal lives and background. The topic slowly went around work as they grabbed sushi plates for themselves.

  “Why does everyone pick on you?” Miki asked as she put salmon sushi into her mouth. “Mmm… delicious.”

  “I don’t know,” Satoshi sighed. “But I rather they didn’t start targeting you because of this.”

  “I’ll be alright, Satoshi!” Miki smiled.

  Satoshi smiled slightly. “Well… if you insist. I’m sorry I’m not stronger to protect you.”

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  The two finished eating the sushi and Satoshi decided to pay for two of them. It was time to return to work, so Satoshi and Miki were on their way back to the office, their hands phasing through one another but not quite touching. As soon as they reached the office building, they ascended the elevator to the top and parted ways.

  “Um, do you want to walk home together later?” Miki asked meekly.

  “I can’t today,” Satoshi answered. He looked hesitant, unwilling to reveal his plans to Miki. His goal of killing another woman. “I… have plans tonight. Sorry. Tomorrow would work better.”

  Miki’s face lit up. “Really? That’s a promise then!”

  “Promise,” Satoshi smiled.

  When it was time to leave, Satoshi turned off his computer and grabbed his suitcase. He hurried along to the elevator as his thoughts went to his next victim. The sticky note left a bad aftertaste in his mouth, and he wanted to take one of the Community Team members as his victim, but he had no idea how he would get into their house. Plus, it was too risky to involve someone from his workplace; he didn’t want the police getting on his trail.

  A lightbulb lit in his head. There was one person he could visit; it was Sakura Ito, from middle school. He kept in contact with her for the express purpose of getting revenge. Satoshi took out his phone and texted Sakura to invite her for dinner.

  Satoshi received a reply almost instantly, which had been an affirmative to the dinner plans. She replied saying the Italian restaurant in downtown Tokyo would work.

  An hour passed and Satoshi was seen with a young woman outside a restaurant. The young woman had black bobbed hair and red-rimmed eyeglasses, sporting a fancy red dress that went down to her knees and red heels. The two exchanged an embrace and then disengaged to enter the restaurant.

  Satoshi and Sakura were shown to a table by the window with a view of the street. Satoshi decided to order clams while Sakura ordered foie gras; both agreed on having red wine with their meal. While they waited for their food, the two exchanged small talk.

  “It was such a surprise to see your text asking for dinner,” Sakura murmured.

  Satoshi merely smiled.

  The food arrived and it was shortly consumed, upon which the cocktail was brought in. Satoshi poured a glass for Sakura and then himself. His plan was to intoxicate Sakura and then bring her home. As the time went on, Satoshi deliberately but cautiously poured glasses of margarita for Sakura while they talked until her face was as red as a tomato. He then paid the check and hoisted Sakura up, using his shoulder as support.

  Satoshi hailed a cab and moved with Sakura’s body. He knew Sakura’s address, so he told the cab directly as Sakura had passed out at this point. The cab ride took about ten minutes where Satoshi paid the fare and got out with Sakura leaning on him. Moving to the apartment building, Satoshi reached his hand into Sakura’s handbag and took out the keys.

  Once Satoshi got inside the apartment, he placed Sakura on the settee before locking the door. Wiping the keys with his handkerchief, he slipped the keys back into the handbag. Then he carried Sakura into the bathroom without turning on the lights and turned the faucet in the bathtub. Once the water filled, Satoshi let Sakura down gently into the cold water, feet first. The woman started to stir as she was lifted into the bathtub with cold water, slowly awakening. Uncertain why she was in her bathtub, Sakura began to open eyes and realized what was happening. Trying to get out of the tub, Satoshi quickly pressed Sakura’s head into the water despite her struggling. He kept the pressure until Sakura stopped struggling and then released his grip. Feeling for a pulse, Satoshi was content there were none.

  Rising from the tub, Satoshi took out a handkerchief and wiped the faucet on the bathtub and sink. Then he wiped the doorknobs and left the apartment. His emotions were on a high right now as he just took revenge on three women this time. There was time to contemplate his next victim, to throw the police off his track. He thought about text messaging Miki, but he was also tired at this point, so he decided to resign himself to sleep.

  In the meantime, in Okinawa Island, Orion and his friends were seated in the third-floor restaurant after ordering dinner. Orion stretched and yawned before playing with his utensils at the table. Satoru had pulled out his laptop and begun typing rapidly.

  “Orion, stop that,” Mari scolded.

  Orion frowned. “What are you, my mom?”

  “No, but that’s going to annoy someone around us!” Mari said, her voice rising.

  Orion sighed. “Fine, whatever.” Orion turned away from the group and stared out the window. They were able to get a table by the window again.

  Amane giggled. “You two are rather close!”

  “No way,” Orion said, turning his head to face Amane. “She’s more annoying than anything.”

  Mari stared at Orion, clenching her fists from under the table. She never heard Orion complain about her but suddenly he called her annoying and denied being close with her. Tears threatened to fall but Mari bit her lip and looked away from the table. “Yeah, well, you’re stupid!”

  “What are you getting defensive for?” Orion asked.

  “You’re so stupid!” Mari turned to face Orion. “You think you’re all that but you’re really just stupid!” With that, Mari got up from her seat and ran in the direction of the elevators.

  “Um…” Amane said hesitantly. “Did I say the wrong thing?”

  “Don’t worry about her,” Orion shrugged. “She’ll come to.”

  “She looks really upset though…” Amane trailed off. “I’m going to check on her. You guys can eat first.”

  Amane got out of her seat, toward the elevators. She figured Mari returned to their room, so Amane went to check the hotel room first. Back at the dinner table, Satoru closed his laptop and faced Orion seated next to him.

  “That was way too cruel, Orion,” Satoru scolded lightly. “Mari’s a delicate girl.”

  “What are you talking about?” Orion asked. “She’s the one always tagging along the investigations. You’d think she’d have a thick skin by now.”

  “Not when it comes to the matters of the heart, no,” Satoru shook his head. “Now you’re letting another girl comfort Mari.”

  “Why not? Girls understand other girls.”

  Satoru sighed and shook his head again.

  “I don’t see what got you so riled up.”

  Meanwhile, Amane arrived at the fourteenth floor, she looked around the floor for Mari. She knew Mari couldn’t have gone into the room because Amane had the key. Then she heard a soft crying toward where their room was. She strolled forward and reached out to Mari who was crouching in front of the room with her hands covering her face.

  “Mari…” Amane said softly. “Are you okay…?”

  Mari looked up with her eyes red and nose runny. “Amane…? No… I’m not okay. I didn’t think Orion would say that about me… I… I… I thought we were close. I thought he didn’t mind me tagging along with him to cases. But he… he really thought I’m… annoying.” Mari started crying into her hands again.

  Amane knelt to Mari and gave her a tight embrace. “I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean for my question to end up hurting you.”

  “It’s… not your fault,” Mari sobbed. “I’m just stupid, stupid for loving him.”

  A surprised expression was on Amane’s face, but she wasn’t surprised at the indirect confession to Orion. She noticed Mari had a certain fondness for the boy. “You’re not stupid for that,” Amane said, patting Mari’s back. “It’ll be okay.”

  “I swear… I swear he would like you first before me,” Mari sighed before detaching herself from Amane. She stood up and straightened her orange skirt and yellow blouse.

  “I don’t think so,” Amane shook her head as she rose. “We’re going back to regular relationships once this trip is over. So, please don’t give up.”

  Mari stared and then nodded, wiping her tear-streaked face. “Alright, I’ll try my best.”

  “We should get our dinner now then,” Amane smiled.

  The two returned to the restaurant and their food had just arrived shortly prior to the girls’ return. The group finished their meal and had gone to the hotel lobby where they each ordered a cup of iced coffee.

  “Welcome back, Mari,” Satoru waved to the redhead. “How are you feeling now?”

  “I’m… better now, thanks, Satoru,” Mari smiled.

  “Thanks, Amane,” Orion directed his attention to the other girl. Then he looked to Mari. “Next time, just talk to us, Mari.”

  “Anyway, it’s really ending tomorrow,” Satoru suddenly said. “It feels like time just flew by.”

  “It really does,” Amane nodded in agreement.

  “It’ll be back to the norm tomorrow,” Orion said, yawning. “Let’s stay in contact after this trip, Amane.”

  “O-Oh, that’s fine!” Amane smiled widely.

  Mari looked in pain. Not expecting Orion to bring that up, Mari felt her heart sink to her stomach. Looking away, she sniffled and stared straight ahead at nothing.

  “U-Um… Maybe I shouldn—” Amane started to say, noticing Mari’s movements.

  “No harm to it,” Orion interrupted the brown-haired girl.

  “A-Ah, if you say so,” Amane said uneasily.

  “I-It’s fine,” Mari said unsteadily, her voice sounding like it was about to break.

  “What’s wrong, Mari?” Orion asked, looking at the girl.

  “N-Nothing…!” Mari stammered, clenching her fists. Then turning to face Amane, she said, “Um, I’ll be glad to talk to you again, Amane.”

  “Likewise,” Amane bowed her head, still feeling uneasy because she knew how Mari loved Orion and now Orion is talking about staying in contact. A part of her is thrilled but she still felt the sting in her heart.

  “See, we can all get along,” Orion said, looking quite pleased with himself.

  Satoru merely sighed at Orion’s oblivion. Then he turned to look at Amane. “Anyway, nice to meet you, Amane.”

  “Likewise!” Amane chirped, smiling, placing her hands on her skirt.

  Orion yawned. “We should get to bed early tonight so we don’t oversleep tomorrow.”

  “That makes perfect sense,” Amane smiled as she rose up from her seat beside Orion.

  “Y-Yeah… let’s go…” Mari said dejectedly.

  “Are you okay, Mari?” Satoru asked as he also rose up.

  “Huh? Oh, y-yeah, I’m fine,” Mari said as she also got up from the settee. “Let’s go.”

  As the group went to the lift, they separated to their respective rooms after saying their good nights. Amane unlocked the door and let Mari in first before locking the door. The girls walked to their beds and sat down facing one another before they

  “U-Um… W-What if Orion falls for you…?” Mari said hesitantly, averting her eyes from Amane.

  “I don’t think so,” Amane said cautiously. She watched the other girl avert glances. “He doesn’t seem the type to fall in love.” Admitting she felt some warmth when she was around Orion, that was not something Amane could say aloud to Mari.

  “That’s true…” Mari said, sighing. “You’re right. I just got lost in my own thoughts to think I’d have a chance, but you’re completely correct.” She leaned back on her bed and covered her eyes with her arm. “I wish…” She let her sentence trail off, without continuing it.

  “…I’m sorry,” Amane said, averting her eyes. She changed position and stared at the empty kettle on the table across from the bed.

  “It’s…alright,” Mari said, sniffling. She clenched her fists briefly before turning around. She got out of bed and pulled the bed cover off before hopping into bed again.

  “I really am sorry,” Amane said as she laid back on her bed. She turned away from Mari. She felt guilty because she was happy to stay in contact with Orion. “Um… good night, Mari.”

  “…Good night, Amane.” Mari murmured before she covered herself with the blanket.

  “Good night, Mari,” Amane said, doing the same with the bed.