[https://i.imgur.com/l9Dskul.jpg]
----------------------------------------
The sun is slowly rising on the horizon, heralding the start of a new day. September 09, 2022 came to an end after the arrest of 'Daniel Teri', the culprit behind the murder of 'Ben Tharen'. After a few minutes' massage from her best friend, Deshya managed to rest calmly and happily, sleeping in the same bed as Amora. The latter also sleeps like a real baby, embracing her best friend's fluffy fox tail, unaware that it's actually real, not a fake. For their part, Lam and Frie also sleep serenely. Unlike the other two best friends, they are on their side, Lam with a pillow in her arms, Frie simply on her back. In this hotel, a crime was committed the evening before, but fortunately the news didn't spread and no panic was created. The police have also decided to keep it under wraps, and won't be publishing anything in the newspapers.
Just before 9 a.m., the four friends get up one by one, starting with Amora, then Deshya and Lam, and finally Frie. They brush their teeth, get dressed and chat a little before joining each other in the corridor. This time, the girl in the fox sweater doesn't forget to take her phone with her to the hotel restaurant. While there, she doesn't see Aya anywhere, but since she's come with her three friends first and foremost, she decides not to go looking for her and simply stays with them.
- I'll talk to Aya tonight or tomorrow," Deshya thinks.
Breakfast is spent with much laughter and discussion between the good friends. Deshya talks a little more about yesterday's investigation, something requested by Frie herself. Amora talks about last night's massage and an anecdote about her evening at the hotel on vacation 5 years ago. Then Frie and Lam talk about memories from when they weren't even 12, long before they met. Their discussions are lively and amusing, which delights all four of them. They decide to go to the pool until midday and then play billiards, which all four happily accept. They go upstairs to get dressed in their bathing suits again, get into the pool and don't come out until around 12:30. Deshya is happy to be able to remove that sticky cap from her hair, and as she looks into the bathroom mirror of her hotel room, she sighs with a smile.
- Next time, I'll go to a private pool with my parents. At least I'll be able to wear a bikini without hiding my ears..." she thinks.
She places her bonnet beside her and dresses in her fox sweater. She then exits the bathroom and is greeted by her best friend with long, beautiful pink hair. As always, her energy radiates from her body and her smile is as bright as the zenith sun. Deshya knows she shouldn't be surprised by such behavior anymore, but she can't be. However, Deshya doesn't want her to change. She won't.
Together they go downstairs to the big playroom, where Lam and Frie are waiting for them. On the way, however, Deshya hears the sound of the piano playing. She turns around and Amora asks her what's going on, but she hears the piano too. Her best friend takes her hand and suggests she take a closer look before joining Lam and Frie. Deshya is being dragged along, so she has nothing to say on the subject.
Anyway, she also wants to listen more closely because she thinks she knows who's behind the melody.
And Deshya realizes she's right when they arrive in the large room next to the restaurant.
A girl a little younger than her finishes her melody and is applauded. A man stands next to her, laughing.
- I know another song!!! And by heart!!! But it's not in English! I'll sing it for you, do you want it?
- Do that!!!
- Yiiiis, that would be great
- Ahah, that's my girl!" laughs the man next to her.
Deshya smiles when she sees that she was right about the identity of the person in front of the piano, and Amora admires her.
- It's…
She doesn't finish her sentence: the girl starts to play while singing in a language quite different from English.
- ねこ ふんじゃった ねこ ふんじゃった
ねこ ふんずけちゃったら ひっかいた
ねこ ひっかいた ねこ ひっかいた
ねこ びっくりした ひっかいた
わるい ねこめ つめを きれ
やねを おりて ひげを それ
ねこ ニャーゴ ニャーゴ ねこかぶり
ねこなでごえ あまえてる
ねこ ごめんなさい ねこ ごめんなさい
ねこ おどかしちゃって ごめんなさい
ねこ よっといで ねこ よっといで
ねこ かつぶし やるから よっといで。
In strangely correct Japanese, the girl sings while playing the piano. A cute, feminine, childlike voice emerges from her throat as her fingers tap on the keys of the large instrument in front of her. The crowd of over forty people silently enjoy the little girl's song and melody.
- ねこ ふんじゃった ねこ ふんじゃった
ねこ ふんずけちゃったら とんでった
ねこ とんじゃった ねこ とんじゃった
ねこ おそらへ とんじゃった
あおい そらに かささして
ふわり ふわり くもの うえ
ごろニャーゴ ニャーゴ ないている
ごろニャーゴ ニャーゴ とおめがね
ねこ とんじゃった ねこ とんじゃった
ねこ すっとんじゃって
もう みえない
ねこ グッバイバイ ねこ グッバイバイ
ねこ あしたの あさ おりといで。
She finishes her melody and raises both hands, smiling. Everyone starts clapping, while the girl's father grabs one of her arms, laughing. Amora claps back, with far more energy than Deshya. Two youngsters their own age come over to their side.
- She plays well, though," says Lam.
- I think her Japanese is excellent!" admits Frie.
- Oh, did you hear the piano music too?" said Amora, turning to her two friends.
They shake their heads and Lam gives Deshya a thumbs up.
- We saw his hood from the game room, but you moved away. We came to see what you were doing.
- Eeeh, I see.
As they chatted, the girl who had been playing the piano came up to her, smiling.
- Did you like it?" she asks. It's a song my mother taught me when I was little!
The girl in front of her is actually one that Amora, Frie and Lam met last night: 'Aya Deroom', Maruno Uffite's current girlfriend. Deshya nods as she looks at her friend.
- It's 'Nekofunjatta', the title, isn't it?" she asks her.
- Really? I didn't know it was Japanese," admits Lam.
Frie approves with Lam and Deshya turns to them with a smile.
- The play's real name is 'Flohwalzer', but in Japanese it's called 'Nekofunjatta', which translates to 'J'ai Marché Sur la Queue d'Un Chat' in French. In French, it's called 'La Valse des Puces'. In Spanish, it's even called 'La Chocolatera', which translates into 'The Chocolatier' in our language. It's a simple melody to play, and is taught to some novices, especially children. The composer is unknown, but it has been covered and slightly modified by several authors. Like 'Bent Fabric', a fairly popular Danish pianist who died recently, did a piece called 'Chicken Feed' which is…
Noticing the lost look on all her friends' faces, Deshya falls silent and scratches her cheek.
- Let's just say I like it, ahah....
- It's because they talk about 'neko' in the song! Deshya loves cats!" says Frie.
- She prefers foxes, though," admits Amora.
- We say 'kitsune' for foxes, I know!" says Lam
- Hey, you’ll are getting lost, right now.
Aya starts laughing as she listens to the girls talking amongst themselves. As if it were contagious, they all start laughing together.
At around 3pm, after a good game of pool with her three friends — since Aya had gone to the pool by then — Deshya collects her things from her hotel room and greets first Lam Douce, then Frie Rengoat and finally Amora Takt. She goes to the pool and says goodbye to Aya Deroom and her father before leaving the hotel. With her bag on her back, she heads for the road and waits for a bus to take her to the street right next to the one where she lives. She knows she'll easily make it home in time. When she gets on the bus, she shows her paid card for a free year on the bus and sits down on a vacant seat. Deshya takes out her phone and looks at the message from her father.
"We're leaving around 5pm. Be home by 4. Also, say hello to your friends for me. Kisses."
As she said goodbye, Deshya gave Amora, Lam, Frie and Aya a greeting of her own: she so often forgot to say it that she didn't want to make the mistake again. Even if her father would never know, the mere fact that she herself knew was a weight on her heart. However unserious the action, she always promises to say hello to her friends for him, so for once that she doesn't forget…
The bus journey goes smoothly, unlike what happened a week and a day ago, when Korone's adoptive parents died. She gets off the bus and returns home, thinking of the two of them.
- Korone and her two adoptive parents were supposed to die on that bus, but luckily Korone survived because she put on gloves before touching the pencil and newspaper…
After discovering the truth of the murder and who the culprit was, Deshya stayed on the bus for a few moments with Korone, while the criminal was escorted to the police car. He had struggled and shouted that he had to kill the girl or else…
- Otherwise what? Why kill Mathieu right afterwards? Was it so he'd never reveal anything to the police? But I doubt he knew anything about the sniper who killed him, or who almost shot Korone... If the gunman was prepared enough to shoot him and escape right afterwards, he wouldn't make the mistake of having his identity discovered by Mathieu at the slightest moment, so why kill him...? And above all—
The man in the eagle hood who was spotted fleeing from the dark alley where the man with the sniper had just been killed. A case within a case. Not only do they have no leads on the identity of the gunman, but they don't have any on the eagle-hooded one either. Even Korone doesn't seem to know who she really is, given that her surname is unknown to him. Deshya finds there's a lot of mystery surrounding this little girl, especially as she seems to have good reflexes and a much more developed intelligence than normal…
- She understood who Claire Dochamps' killer was, but she also understood the trick behind her alibi and that of Tom, the guy who knocked me out. She was even the one who suggested that Raiji keep a sensor under her tongue... Can a little girl like her think of all that? Especially since she confessed to me that she didn't say anything to Raiji so that he'd never let the culprits know that the police were around... Her white hair, her purple eyes…
Deshya has far too many questions about Korone, but she knows one thing for sure: she won't get any answers without telling Korone.
But how to talk about it? What's more, she seemed sincere when she confessed that she didn't know anything about herself.
- Is she related to me, or am I just being paranoid?
Deshya arrives at the door of her own house and leaves her doubts to one side. She takes out her key and inserts it into the lock before turning it inside. The door opens, and as Deshya steps into the hallway, a magnificent scene unfolds before her
- Look, I'm a princess!
- Ah, there you are.
In a beautiful sparkling dress, Korone spins around and shows Deshya her beautiful haircut: a fluffy ponytail at the back of her head. Her short-heeled shoes make her look only slightly taller, but they suit her very well. Right next to her, a much more imposing man touches his bow tie: he's dressed in an elegant suit and his beard is completely shaved. His hair is styled as always, but it's clear to her daughter that it's a little neater than usual. In front of Deshya, her father and Korone shine with their beauty, even though she has only just arrived.
CHAPTER 39
⎾Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; Festive Prologue⏌
- Woaaah, Korone is so cute!
Deshya stoops down and picks up the little girl, who jumps into her arms. The red-haired girl rises to her feet, embracing Korone and turning her face towards his father.
- It's rare to see you looking so elegant!" she teases him.
Her father lowers his eyelids and rubs her hood violently before gently pushing her aside. He passes her and heads for the kitchen, his hands in the pockets of his belt-tightened pants. He doesn't utter a single word, but Deshya giggles. Korone questions her behavior, but the girl simply replies that she's amused.
- Eeeh... I see!
Korone is placed on the floor and runs in the direction of the kitchen. Deshya joins her and looks at her father, who is drinking water from a tall glass.
- Are my clothes ready?" she asks.
- They're on your bed. I have to admit it'll be a little weird, but we don't really have a choice.
- Damn fox ears…
- There's nothing we can do about it. I asked my friend to do her best. I think it's beautiful, so it should be fine.
- I see. Thank you.
Deshya thanks him and clutches a glass of water in turn before climbing the two stairwells. She opens the door to her room and notices the clothes waiting for her. She admires them and moves them from left to right to get a good look.
- They're beautiful... It's true that it would be better if I didn't have to hide my fox ears, but I guess there's nothing you can do about it," she thinks.
At around 4.20pm, Deshya came down from her room and presented herself to Korone. Behind the little girl, Gatito waited patiently with his wife, 'Pera Dimera': or rather, Pera Oveja. She herself is in an elegant outfit, but unlike Korone and her own daughter, it's not a dress, but a black one decorated with sequins. Deshya adjusts the hood on her head and Korone opens her mouth wide, stars in her eyes.
Deshya is wearing a beautiful orange dress that reaches below her knees. The black patterns on it are accompanied by white, imitating the colors of a fox. The fluffy tail hanging from Deshya's back is partially hidden behind the dress, but given its length, it's impossible to hide it under the garment entirely. On her head, a hood with numerous black stars hides her fox ears, very similar in color to the dress. The dress itself has sequins, and although it would be preferable not to have to wear it, the four of them understand that they don't have much choice. Deshya had already thought of 'gluing' her fox ears to her hair to keep them out of sight, but it didn't take long to realize how ridiculous the idea was.
- Hehe, I really like this dress, it suits me better than last year's," Deshya says, looking at herself in the hall mirror.
- Deshyshy is so cute!" exclaims Korone, jumping up and down on the spot.
- It's about an hour's drive to get there, so we'd better leave now," remarks Gatito.
- Let's go, then," said Pera. Oh, and Deshya. You look very cute in that dress, you'll have to wear it for another occasion, in the future.
Pera strokes her daughter's cheek with a smile. Deshya approves with a big, beautiful smile, then opens the front door. Gatito grabs a bag and heads for the car with his wife, daughter and little Korone in tow. Pera climbs into the front passenger seat, and the two girls into the back. Gatito places the bag in the car and then sits down in front of the steering wheel. He closes the door, turns on the ignition and the radio. He turns around and checks that the two girls are properly strapped in, and after confirming this, he heads off down the road.
- Let's go, then!" he says.
Korone swings her feet with joy and anticipation. Even though she's dressed like this, she asks herself an intriguing question:
- Where exactly are we going?
She asks with a smile and Deshya turns her face towards her in astonishment.
- Dad didn't tell you?
- Hm, I don't know anything!" she admits.
- It's true that I didn't think about it," admits Gatito.
- Yet you bought her a dress?
Pera turns her head with a smile.
- The party's been planned for a long time, so I figured buying her a dress along with her clothes wasn't a bad idea! Otherwise, I've got some of your clothes, I would have found something, hihi.
- Why are we taking Korone?
- We're not going to leave Korone at home on her own, are we? Besides, she'll be better off with us than with a babysitter, especially since we have to be careful.
Gatito replies in a serious tone and Deshya nods, understanding the situation. What's more, she doesn't mind. Being able to see Korone in a dress like that makes her happy, if she can be honest about it.
- Whose party are we going to?" asks Korone.
Pera, the car driver's wife, is the first to answer.
- It's an annual party, held every September 10! We're invited every year, since we're friends with the man who organizes them.
- Eeeh, really?
- Yes! The man organizing it is called 'Colin Furas', a rather wealthy man we've known for quite some time, a little after Deshya was born!
- I see, I see!
Korone hops in her seat, eager to get to the party. Deshya speaks next.
- I've been going there since I was 11. It's often very friendly, and you should really enjoy it. There are a lot of people, but there's plenty to eat, fun activities and all that!
- Will there be a buffet, then?" asks Korone, her eyes even brighter than before.
Deshya approves, causing the little girl to squeal with delight. The three family members giggle together, amused by the girl's behavior. She watches the road from her window and keeps smiling.
- And what kind of party is it, exactly?" she asks, her eyes riveted on the landscape outside.
She knows little of Tetazo, as she used to live a little further afield than here, when she still lived with her two adoptive parents, so she's very interested in the scenery she can observe: discovering new things is something she loves.
- Colin is celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife, 'Mona Furas'. They're both very happy to have met and their love has probably already given some people diabetes, but they're very cute together," replies Gatito.
- I have to admit, they're super cute together!" says Pera.
- I can't wait to see them!
Korone stops looking at the landscape and now admires Deshya's outfit. It's sparkling and mimics the color of a fox, so Korone never tires of looking at it.
- You're in for a treat at the buffet over there!" said the girl with the fox tail.
- Lots of good food, I can feel it!
- We often eat a little too much, in fact..." admits Gatito.
Deshya puffs out her cheeks, frowning slightly.
- I can't help it if the food is good there.
Gatito shrugs and his wife stares at him with a smirk.
- You're not saying that our Deshya is fat, are you?
His voice sounds like a threat and Gatito swallows loudly. He replies that this is not what he meant, but Pera is not convinced. Korone listens attentively and decides to touch Deshya's belly, which surprises her, but the little girl shakes her head.
- I think Deshya is peeeeeerfect like that!
Silence descends on the car, but is soon broken by the family's laughter. As if it were contagious, Korone starts laughing too, and the journey continues in fine style.
The four of them arrive there just before 5.30pm. Gatito parks very close to other cars, in the only space that seems to be free in the parking lot. As they get out of the car, they are all careful not to hit the door on the vehicle next to it. Gatito retrieves his keys and gets out. Korone opens her mouth and eyes wide at the sight of the huge building in front of them:
- A biiiiiiiiig villa!!!" she shouts.
The architecture is modern, but the villa's facades still have a touch of antiquity about them. The roof is rather pointed, and even from here they can see part of the gigantic garden outside. A statue dominates part of the landscape to their right, a modest fountain to the left. The parking lot is private and reserved exclusively for the guests of 'Colin Furas', the wealthy man who lives with his wife in this beautiful building. A well-tended passageway, decorated with numerous bushes, can be seen in front of them, leading to the villa a little higher up.
- Will there be people we know?" asks Korone, excited.
They move forward together and Gatito reflects.
- Hmmm, I know Mariah and Dash will be there, but you don't know them... I don't even think Deshya knows them.
- I see who Mariah is. It's 'Mariah Sukeni', that's right?” Deshya asks.
Gatito nods. Deshya has never met her, but from what she's heard about her... She's impossible to miss. However, she can't wait to meet her. For the person called ‘Dash', she doesn't see who this person happens to be. Gatito looks at Korone, smiling weakly.
- However, I know Annie will also be at the party.
- You mean Annie? The lady who took care of Mom and Dad when they died?
He nods. Deshya feels a spasm in her right eye.
- When I think about it, except when Kyria's dad was killed, I met Annie at every murder investigation..." she thinks.
Of course, Deshya doesn't think the doctor is cursed, since she only comes to crime scenes to check the condition of the body, the cause of death, and other things she probably doesn't know about. However, Deshya wonders if she's the only police doctor: it would be far too much work for her alone!
- I only know Annie and even then, I've known her since the train affair... I thought I knew more about the Tetazo police, but it looks like I'm wrong, ahah....
She smiles thanks to her own thoughts and continues on her way to the large villa, even if she's not as impressed as the first time she came here. Nevertheless, she can't help but admire such a building. It's not even the only one he owns. She can't even imagine how much money he makes a month.
They arrive together at the front door and two guards step in. Gatito quickly shows his invitation and declares the identity of the four of them. They quickly recognize him and check the four guests, but when they see the little girl, they hesitate.
- Shouldn't you come in threes?" asks one of the two guards. Who is she?
- My name is Korone!" replies the little girl.
- I can check the list, but I don't think she's invited.
- Eeeeh?!
The little girl clenches her fists and places them in front of her, eyes wide open. With a puppy-dog expression, she observes the guard, trembling her lower lip. The man is unaffected, however, and scans the names on the list. Korone sighs and Deshya strokes his head.
- Colin told me I could take hier too," Gatito explains.
- We'll have to check with him before letting you—
- No need, no need!
The guard is cut off by the jovial voice of a man in his early forties. His beard is shaved, unlike his black moustache, and his light blue eyes show plenty of life in them. He touches one shoulder of the two guards and pats them with a smile.
- My dear friend here has already told me about the little one, so she's allowed to come to the party. My wife has even prepared dinosaur-shaped chocolates for her!
Korone asks Deshya if he's indeed 'Colin Furas', the party organizer, and the girl nods in agreement. When she receives this confirmation, the little girl raises her arms in a giggle, a beautiful smile on her face.
- I love dinosaurs! How did you know that?
- Ahah, little kids often love dinosaurs, that's why!" laughs Colin.
- I would have preferred hamsters or foxes, but yuuuuummyyyyyyy!" thinks Korone.
She's already enjoying herself, but she's going to try a bit of everything, not just the chocolates made especially for her. Gatito chats quickly with the moustachioed man and seconds later, the four of them are able to enter the villa. The two guards bow and wish them a happy holiday. Colin turns to the two of them.
- Come and enjoy the party whenever you like!
- Great!
Deshya smiles at their interaction. Even though Colin is a wealthy man who runs a very popular chain of beauty stores, he's one who never hides what's really in his heart: admirable kindness. This is a man who has often offered donations of thousands of euros or more into vaccines funding for very serious diseases, aid for war refugees or even the advancement of a society where LGBTQ+ people won't be mistreated and sidelined. He's a man who knows how to use his money selfishly when necessary, but also knows how to be altruistic and share it with those in need. Deshya is aware that this may just be a façade to make him seem nicer than he really is, but as a friend of her parents — and technically a friend of hers too — she's convinced that he really does have a heart of gold. Attending his parties is always a pleasure. The large hallway they're currently in is festive, decorated with balloons and rainbow colored LEDs. Korone is impressed by the many doors here and there, as well as the grand staircase at the end of the corridor. However, that's not where they're heading: Colin stops in front of one of the doors and opens it while chatting with the Oveja family. The room before them reflects colorfully in the irises of the white-haired little girl. Many people are already here, chatting, snacking or enjoying the festive atmosphere. The room is huge, and at its far end, a stage higher than the floor is waiting to be used. The windows have their hangings open, but the falling daylight is overshadowed by that of the many on the ceiling. Unlike the ones in the corridor, these don't really have any particular color, but their golden tone makes the scenery in front of them even more magical. A musical background can be heard, but the sounds of chatter prevent the four newcomers from recognizing the melody. Korone raises her arms and asks the red haired man if he can carry her so she can see everything, and he accepts directly. Now on his shoulders, she admires with delight the vivid painting before her. In front of them, a woman with long, short, inky-blue hair approaches with a big smile.
- You've arrived! Not many people are missing!" she tells them.
- Oh, darling!
Colin stands beside his wife and holds her waist with a loving hand. ‘Mona Furas' is greeted by the three members of the Oveja family. Korone looks at her and asks who she is, to which Mona herself replies.
- What a cute girl! My name is 'Mona Furas', and I'm Colin's wife. I work in the same sector as he does, especially as I'm the one who sometimes experiments with our own products.
- Eeeh, you're beautiful!
- Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're very cute!
Both smile as they close their eyes, which amuses Deshya and her parents, as well as Mona's husband. The latter notices the girl in the beautiful orange, white and black dress and greets her, approaching her.
- Oh, you're even more beautiful than last time! You've still got a hood with your famous ears on it, hihi!" snaps Mona.
Deshya nods, blushing slightly.
- I have to admit, it does make me look original, hehe…
Deshya places both hands behind her back.
- Well, it's even a unique style, since I'm probably the only one with fox ears..." she thinks.
Mona starts chatting with her husband and Gatito turns to Deshya, the little girl still on his shoulders.
- We're going to say hello to our friends. Are you keeping Korone with you?" he asks, setting her down on the floor.
Korone takes Deshya's hand and she nods.
- Sure, that's fine with me.
- Thank you.
Gatito takes his wife's hand and they pass by Colin and Mona, who leave in their turn. Deshya drops her sight to Korone and asks her what she wants to do.
- I want to say hello to Annie!" she blurts out.
- Dad did say she should be here. We'll look for her together.
- Yiiss!
Deshya and Korone walk between the many guests while scanning the surroundings, looking for the lady in her fifties who works as a police doctor. Some people greet Deshya and the little girl, which slows them down in their search, but sooner than expected, a white-haired woman introduces herself to them.
- Korone came too!" enthuses Annie.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
She lowered herself in front of them and Korone let out a huge smile.
- Annie!! Hiiiiiiii!!
- Good evening, Korone! The last time we saw each other was a few moments ago when Deshya was kidnapped, right?
- Ahah, great moment..." recalls Deshya.
Deshya lets go of Korone's hand, waving them both in front of Annie. She then approves that it was the last time.
- Thanks again for your work!" Korone told her.
- It's my job, I have to do it well!
- Doing it right!
They both giggle, and Deshya admires them with a faint smile. When she's like this with Korone, she has the impression that she's actually…
- My little sister…
Deshya doesn't know whether to feel happy or sad. After all, she's still an only child. She would have liked to have a little brother or sister, even if she sometimes argued with them, but that's not an option. She turns her face towards her parents, whom she can see behind the crowd, and closes her eyes. Korone won't be able to stay with them indefinitely, after all. She has to accept it: she's not her little sister. She's simply a little girl who was almost murdered and is staying with them to protect her, since the identity of the gunman is still unknown. However, he doesn't seem to be recognizable even by his fingerprints, appearance or otherwise. In short, this man is a mystery.
- Deshya?
The fox-tailed girl snaps out of her thoughts and turns her face towards Annie, who just called her.
- Ah, sorry, I was thinking about something..." admits Deshya.
- Never mind. How are you?
- I'm doing well. After last night's incident, I was able to rest and have fun with my friends, so everything's fine.
- I'm glad. I saw Bibi last night and she told me a bit about you!
- Really?
Annie nods and stands up.
- She told me that she hoped you wouldn't get into any big trouble, as you seem to come across a lot of different investigations.
- Ahah, I promise nothing…
Deshya scratches her cheek, which amuses Annie, but at the same time worries her. She wants to insist on her safety, but decides to simply pass her a treat from the table behind her, smiling.
- Well, in any case, let's enjoy the party!" she says.
- Yes!
Deshya thanks Annie by grabbing the treat. Korone asks for one too and Annie accepts, passing her two. The little girl shows them to Deshya, boasting that she has two, which is more than Deshya has. Deshya pouts and they start bickering, but it's obviously all in jest, which makes Annie laugh.
- I'm not going to bother her with all that when it's such a festive evening," Annie thinks.
She feels this is not the time to bother her with her own safety and what she should or shouldn't do.
A few moments later, Deshya and Korone go to the buffet to see what's for dinner. The little girl can't make up her mind and devours the entire table with her eyes. There's so much good food, she just can't decide which dish to start with. She wants to taste everything, but she knows she can't afford to, even if it's a buffet where they're all free to take what they want. Deshya grabs two plates and offers one to Korone. She's about to help herself when the lights go out all at once.
- What's going on?" blurts out one guest.
- Ah?!
- L-Lights?!
Deshya turns and looks around the room with squinted eyes. She can still see a little thanks to the light outside. The moon's rays allow them to see what's going on in front of them, but it's not really enough. Just as they all begin to worry, the door to the room where Korone and Deshya's family have entered, along with all the guests, suddenly opens.
- Who is it?" shouts one person.
No answer. However, the lights come back to them. Rather, lights illuminate the door. From there, smoke rises, blocking everyone's vision. Deshya protects Korone by gently pushing her backwards and frowns. Gatito imitates her with his wife on the other side of the room. Suddenly, something rolls out of the smoke and onto the floor. At the same moment—
A fanfare sound.
It comes from nowhere. Sounds of trumpets and drums are heard. Gatito blinks before clenching a fist, a spasm in his eye.
- D-Don't tell me it's…
He doesn't need to finish his sentence: a female figure emerges from the smoke at the same time as the brass band. Trumpets give their all, drums are banged with joy and energy, sounds of percussion can even be heard. The smoke clears and, walking on the red carpet that has been rolled out on the floor, a woman with long black hair steps forward to the rhythm of the music. With pink locks and hypnotic blue eyes, she enters the room without hiding her tattoo of black wings on her torso. Her ears have heart shaped loops at the lobes, as well as four stars that rise towards the middle of the ear. Her form isn't even concealed: her body is clothed only in a white, black and mauve jumpsuit that perfectly captures her shape. The woman walks elegantly, seductively, sensually, even appetizingly. She pauses in a pose that would make even the most resistant of men cringe, and waves her black and pink hair with a teasing smile. Behind her, a muscular man in revealing military garb, unfastened and short-sleeved, arrives throwing multicolored petals left and right. His pants have holes all over them and his black shoes are tied at the side. His red hair forms a cloud above his head, with a gradient just below. His ears, like the woman's, are pierced and have jewels attached to them. These, though different from those of the woman he's following. It's also clear that on his torso, at the level of his left pectoral, a black tattoo is half hidden by his outfit. On his left arm, the white, blue, red and black tattoos are unashamedly visible, as are his big muscles, which proves the monster strength inside him. The band continues to play their soulful music, although no one can be seen playing a single instrument. The red carpet lights up with a beautiful gold color as the woman closes her eyes and snaps her fingers. The lights in the room all come on at once and the fanfare gets excited before the man behind the woman throws the last petals and presses a small button.
And then, a poster falls from the ceiling, just behind the two of them, and stops a little before hitting the floor, showing letters that form a first name.
- Mariah Sukeni'?" Deshya spoke aloud, unable to comprehend what she had just observed.
The woman shakes her hair again and smiles.
- The real star of the party has arrived.
Gatito approaches her and grabs her neck with his arm, grinning through clenched teeth.
- Isn't she our favorite 'star', huuuuuh?!
- Oh, there you are, Gatito. I said that as if I didn't already know.
She escaped his grasp with an acrobatic gesture and the fanfare suddenly stopped. The red-haired man turns off the radio on his back and smiles at Gatito.
- Hello, Inspector! I mean, good evening!
- Don't play innocent, what are you doing??!" he shouts.
Deshya approaches them with Korone, eyes still wide open.
- Is that the two of them, Mariah and... Dash?" she asks.
Deshya knows one thing about Mariah: she's a totally eccentric woman who never hides her curves from anyone. A woman who likes to show everyone how beautiful, admirable and sexy she is. A woman who likes to be the center of attention, and who loves to be stared at. That's why Deshya was convinced that it was impossible to miss her... but this is way too high for her. She has no words to express what she's feeling right now. The woman is barely smaller than Deshya, yet she seems to dominate the whole room. She looks at Deshya and smiles broadly.
- You're the cute little fox who seems to outshine the police themselves, aren't you?
- Hey, what are you talking about?" asks Gatito.
Mariah crosses her arms under her breasts and lets out a soft 'mhp'.
- It's not my fault if I'm just telling the truth. She should be committed to the police.
- She's barely 16 and then—
- If worst comes to worst I'm right, you're wrong, I want to hug her!
Mariah hugs Deshya tightly and lets out a happy noise. Gatito sighs loudly and the guests are all confused in the room. Colin jumps on stage and takes the microphone in hand.
- Please forgive this... very... special entrance. She told me about it in advance, so I agreed because I owed her a favor. Sorry for the scare," he explains.
The guests start chatting amongst themselves, all reassured that it's nothing serious. The red-haired man looks at the white-haired girl.
- So you're little Korone?" he asks.
- Do you know me?
- The bus case is important, so we often talk about it at the police station.
- Eeeh, but who are you, anyway?
The man smiled and lowered himself in front of her. Mariah lets go of Deshya, who catches her breath: she'd been held far too tightly, she thought she was going to die. She listens to the conversation between Korone and the dark-skinned man, holding her chest.
- My name is 'Dash Tarway', I'm a police receptionist. You know, I answer the calls and I receive some of the people who come to the station," explains the red haired man.
- Eeeh, I see," Korone let out.
- He's kind of like my servant, hehe," adds Mariah.
Dash smiled, scratching his cheek.
- Servant is a big word: more like a fan," he corrects.
Deshya finds it quite special to see a man as big and imposing as he is scratching his cheek and blushing like that. Mariah places both hands at knee level and raises them sensually, closing her eyes.
- I'm 'Mariah Sukeni', the new police detective from Tetazo~...
She raises both hands after rubbing most of her body, and strikes a pose you might see in a popular fashion magazine.
- Small in size, but big in ego.
- I can confirm that," says Gatito coolly.
- Is she really a detective?" asked Korone, talking to the red-haired man.
Gatito approves and crosses his arms.
- She arrived in July, and is the latest addition to the police force. However, she's already solved plenty of cases, even without being at the scene.
- Even without being there? She's like 'Nero Wolfe'?
- So she's an armchair detective?!
Korone hops around and everyone turns to face her. Korone blinks and scratches her hair.
- I-I heard the term while watching... a... television... series!
- Eeeh, really?" asks Dash.
She nods before looking away.
- Don't be silly like that!" she thinks.
The term 'armchair detective' wasn't one she should know, after all. Deshya thought the same, but she didn't remark on Korone's and simply decided to turn to her father.
- Except for Annie, are all policewomen short, or what?" she asks with a teasing smile.
- She may be small, but she's incredibly beautiful!" says Dash.
Mariah approves with her so-called 'servant'.
- You're just tall for your age," she defends herself.
- No, but Hanoka is, like, 1.57m (5.1ft)? Karine is barely taller than me and you must be... 1.60m (5.2ft)?" speaks Deshya.
- You got it. You've got the eye.
- You're small!
- That's just it, it's cute!
Mariah points at Deshya and lets out a teasing smile, but one that's also naughty.
- We're small in stature, so we can be cute and beautiful! If you're too tall, you can't be cute! Mwahahah!!!
- She's right! Mwahahah!
Dash imitates Mariah's laugh and they both point at Deshya. The latter sighs, lowering her eyelids. Korone jumps Deshya and takes her in his arms.
- Deshyshy is soooooo cute!!! She has a fox tai-tail!
- A fake doesn't work," Mariah retorts.
- Even if it's fake, it's magical! Beautiful! Way too cuuuuuuute!
- Hm, you're just a baby, you don't know what—
- Okay, will you stop?!
Gatito screams so loudly that everyone in the room can hear her. Mariah holds both ears and Dash asks her if she's okay. Gatito grabs his daughter and Korone and stares at them intently.
- You can never win against Mariah. It's a losing battle. Just accept that you'll lose.
Korone puffs out her cheeks and crosses her arms.
- Deshyshy is suuuuuper cute!!! Me no lose!
Gatito sighs and puts them down with a shrug.
- As you wish, just don't create a concussion.
- You just screamed so loudly that even with the music on, I think the neighbors heard you..." thinks Deshya with a tired smile.
Gatito returns to the side of his wife and Mariah approaches Deshya and Korone with Dash.
- In any case, delighted to meet the famous 'fox-eared detective'! If there's an investigation tonight that comes out of nowhere, I can't wait to work with you!
- I hope there won't be any need to investigate anything..." admits Deshya.
- I hope so too, but one day I'd like to work with you! After all, you had to solve a murder in a locked room with Hanoka yesterday, didn't you? You've already worked alongside Sammy, the nya-nya detective, Hanoka, the pink detective, and all that's missing is me and the old man!
- The old man?
Mariah pats her on the back a few times, laughing, and waves as she walks away. Dash picks up the poster and leaves the room to put it away somewhere else. Korone watches him go before smiling.
- They're fun.
- I live in a crazy world," Deshya sighs inwardly.
Deshya sighs and asks Korone if she finally wants something to eat. She happily accepts and returns to the buffet with Deshya. When she gets there, she picks up the plate she has placed on one of the tables and opens her mouth wide admiring the dishes she can see from here when—
— a horrible feeling runs through her from top to bottom.
Korone opens her eyes wide and freezes in place. Plate in hand, she stares blankly into space. All her senses are on full alert. She wants to shake, but her body doesn't move. As if the darkness were all around her, closing in on her again and again, she feels oppressed by an imposing, horrible force. It's suffocating her, grabbing her throat, preventing her from breathing. Korone hears her heart beating violently in her chest, she feels abominable, unbearable shivers. She wants to flee, but her feet don't move. At last, however, she begins to tremble.
Eyes stare at her. With all senses. Iris watch her. Analyze her. Recognize her. She's completely naked in front of them. This heavy gaze pushes her into quicksand, hands come to grab her from all sides, forcing her to stay put, frozen and immobilized. There's nowhere to run, even if she wanted to. Korone trembles. Deshya stands next to her and asks if she wants to eat the chicken, but the little girl says nothing. She feels them. Those atrocious stares that give her endless shivers. She's far too weak to face them. There's nothing she can do. She can only accept—
- Korone?
Deshya touches her shoulder and Korone almost drops the plate in her hand. She slowly turns her gaze to Deshya, trembling, tears in her eyes. She feels so bad, so horrible.
- D-D-Deshya…
- Korone, are you...?
Deshya stoops down, worried for the little girl who begins to cry. Korone places the plate on the table, trembling, and grabs Deshya in her arms.
- I-I feel... really bad... T-Toilets…
- Toilet, you say? Okay.
Deshya nods and quickly places the plate next to Korone's. She rushes to the bathroom with the little girl in her arms. She hurries off to the bathroom with the little girl in her arms, wasting no time. Korone feels her stomach churn again and again, as the stares continue to devour her soul, preventing her from thinking straight. It's an unbearable sensation. She wants it to stop... She wants them to stop staring at her like that! She doesn't understand, Korone doesn't know what's going on!
Deshya leaves Korone in the bathroom, while she waits outside, sitting against the wall. She can hear the little girl throwing up at times, and at the same time she hears her crying, which worries her greatly. She had been laughing just a few seconds before, but then froze and started crying all of a sudden. Deshya couldn't understand what had happened: was she simply ill? Is she hiding it?
- It's a good thing I already knew where the toilets were, since I've been here before..." she thinks.
She knows fully well that she has the right to use them, given that several of them are built into the villa precisely for guests. There are others upstairs, but Deshya didn't want to waste a single second: getting puked on would have been the worst thing possible.
Korone finally stopped vomiting and sat down on the floor, breathing calmly but unevenly. Luckily for her, she didn't pee herself: she thought she might. The fear that had gone through her... She didn't think she'd ever felt anything like it in the past. Korone looks down at her feverish hands and bites her lower lip.
- What... What was... Who…
She can't get her thoughts straight. She was confused and her brain hurt, as did her stomach and even her lungs. What she had just felt…
- It was as if my chest was being crushed in every direction..." she thinks.
Korone doesn't know what has caused such a feeling, but a theory is spinning in her head. However, this means that the danger is actually with them at this party. Even if she were right, it doesn't change the fact that she has no idea what's going on. It's a simple resentment:
- Is... someone I know who knows who I am here with us all...?
Korone is afraid that this is the truth. She doesn't want it to be reality. She'd rather it was just paranoia. Because if it turns out to be true... then someone at this party knows who she really is. So maybe one of the sniper's allies is following in her footsteps. If that's true, then... then Korone can't imagine what's going to happen.
For her.
Or for Deshya and her family.
It's a horrible thought that makes her shiver again. She holds her shoulders and grits her teeth. However—
- Are you all right, Korone?
Deshya taps on the door and asks her this question. Korone blinks and swallows loudly. She stands up and takes a drink of water from the sink to remove the foul taste of vomit. She then answers honestly:
- I'm still a little shaky... but I'm feeling better.
- Are you sure?" insists Deshya.
- Yes…
- Shall I leave you here or do you want to go back to the party?
- I'm hungry... I'm really feeling better.
- So, let's go eat, hehe.
Deshya stands up in turn and Korone smiles. At the same time, someone waits outside the door, arms crossed, one foot on the wall. This person squints, but at the same time—
- Would you like to use the toilet?
A woman in her thirties comes into the corridor, startling the person in front of the toilet. They turn and bow politely.
- It looks like someone's already there. I'll go later.
The person quickly leaves, leaving the woman in the corridor. Deshya comes out of the bathroom with Korone in her arms and looks at the woman.
- You can use them," said the girl.
- Thank you," the woman replied in a friendly manner.
Korone holds Deshya in her arms, a little calmer, but she still feels that presence that makes it hard to breathe. If this is indeed a person, then Korone must make herself very small and hide from them.
- But if they already know who I am, then there's no point... I must... I must just feel bad and that's it... There are so many people around it must be that... I guess.
Korone would rather think like that than let her evening be ruined by what she's feeling right now. Although she's not really convinced, there's no point in hiding in Deshya's arms when the party's only just started: she wants to enjoy the good food from the buffet, talk to Deshya and the others, and dance if she can. She doesn't want to spoil the fun! She's dressed in a gorgeous dress, is all pretty and clean, and has been looking forward to this party all morning! Korone clenches a fist and nods inwardly: she's going to enjoy it! Deshya arrives in the main hall, Korone still in her arms, and heads for the buffet. Before she gets there, Annie approaches them.
- I saw you quickly leave the room. Is everything okay?” she asks
- I'm doing better!" Korone admits with a smile a little lighter than usual.
- She felt bad all of a sudden, but once she'd let go of what was in her belly a bit, it seems like she's got her color back," replies Deshya.
- That's good, then. I was worried for nothing, then.
- Exactly! Thankies anyway!
Korone thanks Annie with a bigger smile and is taken to the buffet. There, she decides on her dishes with Deshya, unperturbed by the pressure that continues to be exerted on her.
Minutes pass and the two girls eat several dishes from the buffet together. Mariah and Dash have brought themselves back and are chatting with them, but it's the woman with the black and pink hair who takes up much of the conversation, talking about her investigations since joining the police force. Much to Deshya's surprise, Mariah is barely 24, while Dash is only 28, the same age as Hanoka. Deshya also talks about her exploits since the start of the school year, and it's around this time that Gatito and Pera arrive to talk with them all. Annie is on the other side of the room, close to the stage, chatting with some old college friends. The atmosphere in the room is good, and the good mood can be felt. Korone no longer feels like she's being watched, which is very reassuring. The party is in full swing, the music is good and the buffet is being devoured bit by bit. As Dash talks a little about himself, the sound of the microphone crackles through the speakers. Deshya, Korone and the others turn back to the stage, where drapes rise just behind party organizer Colin Furas. Microphone in hand, he places it in front of his mouth and begins to speak.
- I'd already like to thank all my friends here for coming to our party. It's a real honor to see you all here.
The guests applaud and Colin chuckles.
- As most of you know, we like to show a quick movie of our year, between my wife and myself. We've put together a lot of photos and videos that show a summary of our 22nd year of marriage.
- Already 22 years old!" says Gatito.
- Time flies," smiles Pera.
Korone swallows the piece of chocolate in her mouth and admires the scene where Colin is standing. His wife joins him from the right.
- The short film lasts just 15 minutes, but we've added another 5 minutes of photos and short videos of the time spent with our many friends. Well, just because you're not all on the film doesn't mean we don't value your time!
The applause starts up again and some people start whistling, forcing Deshya to close one eye because of the pain: her fox ears are more fragile than human ears, after all. Gatito turns to Mariah and Dash.
- How long have you known Colin and Mona?" he asks.
- Someone tried to break into her house last month, so I caught the culprit," Mariah replies.
- I went with her because it was my day off," Dash explains.
- I see.
Gatito doesn't remember hearing this story, but since Colin talked about 'owing him a pledge', he assumes it's the truth.
- However, Mariah's field is more concerned with terrorism, bombers or protecting a potential victim, not burglary…
Gatito shrugs and listens to Colin's next words.
- For this film, as every year, I'd like to invite you to stay in total darkness and not to switch on your phones. When the film is over, the lights will come back on!
Some laugh and Mona takes the microphone.
- Can you close the drapes and make sure they don't move? The moonlight mustn't get in!" she asks.
Some head for the windows and comply. Mona thanks them and Korone turns her face to Deshya.
- Will we see them kissing in the film?" she asks innocently.
Mariah chuckles at her question.
- Would you like it or not?
- I don't know... Kisses are cute.
Dash nods with a smile.
- This little girl will go far in life, that's for sure.
Korone lets out a cute 'Hihi!’. The curtains are now all closed and Deshya turns around.
- …
She doesn't know why, but she feels something — something unpleasant. As if something was going to go wrong... However, she can understand it: she's been living on investigations for the past few days. She goes home: explosion and murder. She takes a train to Amora's: two murders and bombs on the train. She returns home by bus: double murder, then the culprit is shot in the head, Korone is almost killed in the same way. She finishes school: she's asked to find the person who kidnapped a baby. She wants to meet a new friend murder and her own kidnapping, with her own death. She goes to a hotel: murder. Should she now add 'Deshya goes to a party: murder'? She prays not to, but can a mere mortal change the future the gods have chosen? She suspects the answer.
- So we're going to project the film onto this wall! The light is very weak, so try not to move from your seat: you'll probably bump into the others. If you have a bladder emergency, feel free to go to the toilet now!" Colin explains.
However, no one moves. Seeing that everyone remains in their seats, Colin nods and the lights all go out, a family friend having pressed the necessary switches. Deshya is amazed at how dark the room is. Unlike real foxes, Deshya doesn't possess the 'tapetum lucidum', which would enable her to see well in the dark, just like cats. However, her eyes remain the same as those of humans. She is almost disappointed, but if her eyes were to change like a fox's, she doesn't think she'd be able to hide them, except behind contacts that would bother her. So she's partly happy about it. Korone grabs Deshya's left arm and holds on tightly. Although she no longer feels a gaze on her, in this darkness, she doesn't want to let go. At any moment, someone could come up from behind and snatch her. If that happens... she'd rather not think about it.
- Here's the film!
Colin pushes himself off the stage and the wall lights up dimly. On it, guests can watch images slowly unfold, showing both amusing and moving moments between Colin and his wife. The room is quiet and everyone admires the film in silence. Korone watches without letting go of Deshya, enjoying every photo and video. The redheaded girl can enjoy the film without fear of anything.
Her fox ears are flapping.
The sound of shattering glass.
At the same moment, a man screams in pain. Deshya suddenly turns around, but in this darkness, nothing can be seen. A second doesn't even pass when—
The sound of shattering glass is heard again.
The curtains move in all directions and a moonbeam enters the room. For a brief moment, it allows Deshya to see the state of the glass at the back of the room: destroyed in the middle, pieces falling to the floor.
And people who step back.
- Turn on the lights!" screams Mariah.
She jumps over the table behind her and the man who had turned off the lights complies. The darkness of the room disappears in an instant and Deshya runs in turn, forcing Korone to let her go, and heads for the back of the room. She pushes past the guests and excuses herself before reaching the back of the room, where the window has been broken. Mariah stops and grits her teeth, Deshya right beside her. The fox-tailed girl clenches her fists and shakes her jaw.
- It can't be true..." she murmurs.
Opposite them is a man lying on his stomach on the floor. Blood flows beneath him…
His own blood. He has just been killed in the darkness of the party. In a room with over 200 people.