Case Four: the meaning of farewells

  Chapter 16:

  Amane and Orion had parted on a positive note and Amane sent Orion off with her chauffeur as she prepared for bed. She changed into her pink pajamas and crawled into her bed, pulling up her equally pink winter blanket. She was remembering the embrace she had with Orion today and then the kiss to her forehead. She felt so giddy she didn’t think she’d be able to sleep.

  She could have confessed her feelings back then when Orion confessed but she didn’t want to be hasty. Turning on her side, Amane covered half of her face with her blanket as she blushed deeply. Still remembering how Orion confessed and told her that he loved her, how he wanted to protect her, and just everything he said made Amane feel excited. But she didn’t want to be pushy with her feelings or Orion’s. Eventually Amane fell asleep under her blanket with a blushing face.

  **

  In the next morning, Himura and the team in Tokyo Metropolitan Police discovered the third body in these serial murders case that Orion brought to their attention. The entire department was in an uproar from discovering another body one day after another. The Chief Superintendent Erika Fujioka noted the chaos that Himura was in, so she called Orion for him to report to the third body discovery location. She had already given him the address and everything.

  Orion had been eating cereal for breakfast when he got the call from Fujioka of Tokyo Metropolitan Police. She reported a third body was discovered and that his presence would be appreciated at the location, and then gave him the address for the third body. He contemplated who to bring with him but decided ultimately to go alone this time. He wanted to bring Amane again, but he was afraid of dragging her around when she may not find it interesting. Worst case scenario, she would find it boring and as a result, Orion as well. That would be terrific. Thinking back to when he confessed to Amane, he felt a blush creep up on his face as he remembered.

  Orion had pulled Amane close to him while he was trying to calm his breathing. “Well, I know we’ve known each other for a few months now and all those months have been splendid for me. I’ve loved every moment I spent with you. I really, really care about you and…and I always want to protect you. I love you, Amane.” Then he released her from his grip and tried to keep eye contact with Amane.

  Amane had been silent for a bit, but it seemed she was thinking what to say. She finally spoke: “Um… I’m flattered, really. I…don’t know if I can give you an answer right now. I mean, I really, really like you too, Orion. Trust me, I do. But can you give me some more time?”

  Orion finished his breakfast and washed the bowl and spoon before putting the bowl away in the kitchen cabinet. He started to head out of his house when he got a phone call. He took out his phone and saw it was Kana, so he picked it up.

  “Hey, Kana,” Orion greeted the younger girl. “What’s up?” He asked as he put on his shoes to prepare to leave.

  “What are you doing right now, Orion?” Kana asked sweetly over the phone.

  “Oh, just about to head out to a case,” Orion replied, smiling though he knew Kana couldn’t see the smile. He wasn’t sure when he started smiling more, maybe it was since he met Amane on the school field trip.

  “Oh, oh! Can I tag along?” Kana asked excitedly.

  “I’m not sure…” Orion said hesitantly. He knew Kana got in trouble with Himura for not calling the police about the very first case, but there was an uncertainty about having someone else with him right now. There was also the caution of Kana suddenly confessing to him, too. “Um, I suppose it’s alright. Just stick with me, okay?”

  “Got it! I’ll be stuck to you like glue,” Kana giggled over the phone. “Text me the address and I’ll meet you there!”

  The two hung up and Orion proceeded to text the address to Kana. After texting, Orion walked to the station and took the train to the location he was headed to. He walked to the destination and saw Kana waiting outside the apartment complex. She was wearing a light-yellow dress with frilly shoulder straps and white sandals.

  “Orion, over here!” Kana waved over to Orion with both arms. She looked splendid and graceful with her small stature, but also youthful with her arms waving to get Orion’s attention. It was obvious she had romantic feelings for Orion. She didn’t hide them, but she got jealous of the other girls around him.

  Orion approached Kana with a small smile on his face. He waved back with one arm as he walked toward the girl. As soon as he approached her, Orion knew she was going in for a hug, so he sidestepped and avoided the embrace.

  Orion walked into the apartment complex and looked up to the police officer standing by the elevator. He gave his name, and that Kana was his friend, where the officer nodded and gestured with his head to the elevator. The apartment was on the sixth floor, 6J to be specific. Orion pressed the up button and waited for the elevator before embarking with Kana in tow. He walked over to apartment 6J and knocked on the open door to let the officers know he was there.

  “It’s Minamoto,” Himura said as he walked toward the high school kid. “Take a look around for any clues for yourself, but just don’t disturb anyone on the team. Especially not the forensics team.”

  “Got it,” Orion acknowledged. He never really got along well with Himura for some reason, but he should be grateful he’s being given space to investigate the case himself. Orion trudged his way to the living room where he expected the body to be at. But there wasn’t any body. He walked into the kitchen where Himura and the coroner was, deep in their own discussion.

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  Orion looked down on the floor and saw the body. It looked just like the previous victims. She was dressed in a white negligee, and she had a formal pose, her arms crossed in front of her chest. But Orion also noticed faint dried blood marks from the living room to the kitchen. It made more sense that the culprit had medical expertise, so Orion reported that to Himura.

  “Hm,” Himura said contemplatively. “That’s what the coroner was suggesting. And also, funeral home expertise.” He crossed his arms across his chest as he thought for a few moments. “What I don’t get is how he’s able to kill one victim a day.” It was frustrating for him they couldn’t catch the culprit yet there were three victims already. The numbers were increasing stealthily, and they didn’t have too many clues either.

  “Hmm…” Orion pondered. “I don’t think we have to think too hard on this. He’s had funeral home experience as well as medical expertise. We can narrow it down from there.” He crossed his arms across his chest as he spoke. “There’s also a small radius for his working circle. I think he’s taking the subway to get to each location. Unless you have witnesses of a suspicious car?”

  “No, we don’t,” Himura answered. “That’s right. We do have those clues. I’ll get them to do tests back at HQ.”

  “Did you see the blood marks going between the living room and kitchen?” Orion inquired innocently. He didn’t want to report that fact like they didn’t see them, but he had to make sure they knew about it.

  “Yes, we took photographs of them,” Himura nodded.

  Orion looked around the apartment. Noting Kana just wandering around the entrance, he felt bad he dragged her along. But she was the one who insisted on coming along. “Well, I think this is all I found, so I’ll head off now.”

  “Bye, Minamoto,” Himura said curtly as the teenage kid left the apartment with his friend.

  Orion pulled Kana along and left the apartment complex, pulling her by the wrist. Kana, though surprised, had allowed Orion to tug her along. Orion kept pulling along Kana until they reached the subway station. Noting the short distance from the subway station, he knew he had to be correct that the culprit took the subway. Then he released his grip on Kana.

  “O-Oh, are we here already?” Kana asked, a tad disappointed. She wanted to feel as close as possible to Orion, but he’s always at a distance.

  “Yeah, let’s get back,” Orion nodded as he descended into the train station.

  “Uh, can I come along and visit you?” Kana asked meekly.

  “Oh,” Orion said flatly. “Um… I guess so.” He flushed slightly for a moment. “I wasn’t…actually heading home.”

  “Oh? Where?” Kana asked curiously. “Can I come along?”

  “Err, it’s best if you didn’t tag along,” Orion said worriedly. He had no idea what Amane would think if he brought a female friend to her place. “I really gotta go now. Bye Kana.” As he descended the subway stairs and into the aisle, but before he tapped his card, he pulled up his phone to message Amane.

  Hey Amane…

  Amane: Yes?

  Uh, mind if I visited?

  He hadn’t thought much about visiting, but it just came into his mind after he was done examining the crime scene. He didn’t even consult Amane beforehand. Hoping she wouldn’t refuse him; Orion would feel elated to see Amane again.

  Amane: Uhhh… Okay. That’s fine. When are you coming here?

  I just finished examining another body in Tachikawa, so I’m heading over now. Is that still okay?

  Amane: Yeah! Take your time, Orion. :)

  Will do.

  Orion put away his phone and tapped the Rail pass on the turnstile and went inside. He boarded the train just in time before it left. Tapping his foot on the train as he waited to be transported back to Tokyo metropolitan area before making his transfer to Amane’s area. Once it was his stop, Orion disembarked and travelled to the next subway. As he rode, Orion stared out of the window and watched the scenery pass him by. He finally got off the subway and walked to Amane’s place, which should take about twenty to thirty minutes.

  ‘I’m kind of excited to see Amane again even though I just saw her… When have I become like this?’ Orion thought.

  He arrived at the front door, one majestic yet intimidating door as it was the estate of the well-known Mizushima family. Noticing the door opening slowly, he walked closer to the door and noticed it was Amane. She had been dressed in a pink kimono with cherry blossoms design on it and beige sandals.

  “O-Orion?” Amane asked meekly. “I-Is that you?”

  “Yeah, it’s me,” Orion smiled sheepishly. Not sure why he was feeling embarrassed, he tried to pinch himself to wake up. It was the same as ever, seeing Amane and hanging with her, it shouldn’t make him feel different. Then he figured it must be the aftereffects of the confession.

  Amane pushed the door open harder as Orion went through the gap she left. “Umm, how was the case…?” Amane asked, staring at the floor as they walked inside. Leading Orion to her room, she passed her maid Chika on the way and told her to bring some tea and snacks as she continued.

  “Just another body, but we established a few more facts,” Orion responded.

  As Amane and Orion arrived at Amane’s room, she inquired innocently, “What brings you over?” She looked at Orion sitting on her bed. Heart fluttering and slight shivering out of embarrassment, Amane tried to keep herself paced. Taking a deep breath a few times, Amane felt a tad calmer.

  “Oh… I just wanted to see you. Um… Are you busy?” Orion asked, observing her formal kimono.

  “Oh, this?” Amane looked down on herself in her kimono. “I was just helping out with my parents for some event they’re doing, and they needed someone to try on this new kimono that just arrived. I figured it was a good chance to try on a new kimono, so I…volunteered myself.” A faint blush formed on Amane’s face as she looked up to see Orion staring. “Do I…I look funny?”

  “Absolutely not,” Orion replied honestly. “You look great.”

  “Hehe, thanks, Orion,” Amane smiled. “But no, I’m not busy. I was just wearing it for my parents. It’s nothing big.” A warmth permeated through Amane’s body as she watched Orion, the blush not leaving her face.

  “Ah, all right,” Orion said, smiling. A slight blush crept onto Orion’s face as his heart started racing. “Have you… thought anymore on what I told you yesterday?”

  “U-Umm… A-Ahh…” Amane said, stuttering. It had been on her mind this entire time, but she was afraid of mentioning that to Orion. Heart racing even faster, Amane wondered if this was a good opportunity to reciprocate. “Orion…”

  “Yes?” Orion asked, maintaining eye contact with Amane. Hoping she wasn’t about to say no, Orion felt his heart race as anticipation settled inside of him.

  “Um…” Amane stuttered, unable to maintain eye contact. “I… um… I really do like you, too, Orion… But… I’m still not too sure… Please give me some more time.”

  “Of course, of course,” Orion promised, holding her hand with both of his.

  **

  A tall, young man walked briskly toward an apartment complex, wearing a beige overcoat with his hands stuffed in the pockets. He had on glasses and black messy hair that went over his ears. Takeshi Okumura, thirty-five years old, entered the apartment complex and tapped his entry card before entering. He had his hands full with groceries as he walked into the complex. He climbed up three stories before turning to the right where his apartment was, then put down a few bags on the floor to fetch his key. Opening the door, he grabbed the groceries and put them inside before locking the door.

  Humming to a tune, Takeshi carried his groceries into the kitchen which was near the entrance. Putting in a few groceries into the fridge, he left some others inside the cabinets. He left a small cup of ice cream on the table and took out a spoon to wash before picking up the ice cream and moving to the living room. Flopping down on his couch, he opened the cover and peeled open the cover.

  Digging in the ice cream with his spoon, he popped one into his mouth. ‘Delicious,’ Takeshi thought, licking his lips. In a few minutes, Takeshi finished the ice cream and put the spoon down on his coffee table, which was littered with various magazines, going from a funeral home digest to doctors’ magazines. Takeshi kicked the magazines off the table, scrambling each magazine to the floor.

  “Bullshit,” Takeshi muttered.

  Takeshi was still angry because he was rejected from the University of Tokyo as a result of his sickness that prevented him from taking the entrance exam. Biting his lip, he picked up a newspaper excerpt.

  “A 29-year-old woman was discovered murdered in Chiba. She lived alone in an apartment complex. It was discovered by a young girl living in the same building. Police are working on the cause and are doing their best to find a suspect.”

  Takeshi stared at the newspaper clipping and knelt to pick up the clipping. He wondered why he cut it out like that. Crumbling the newspaper excerpt, he rose from the ground and went to the kitchen to dispose of the newspaper.

  “Useless.”

  He walked to his bedroom and lifted his laptop lid. Sitting down in front of the laptop, he merely stared at the blank screen for a while. Finally turning it on, Takeshi turned to sit on the side of his chair to stare at his dresser.