image [https://i.imgur.com/LVeH3t6.jpg]
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'Rosaline Monneige' and 'Sam Strife' are getting married in a church on October 1, 2022, a day that can only be a happy one for them both. After all, they love each other madly and have been waiting for this for a long time. They've invited their family and friends. However, they're not the only ones taking part in the wedding: Lière police officers are there too... as well as Deshya and Gatito Oveja.
Including 'XIII', the legendary criminal who roams the earth.
Indeed, on the evening of Friday September 30, 2022, this unstoppable man sent a letter to the Lière police explaining that he intends to get rid of some of his targets during the wedding — or during the party that follows — and even invites 'Deshya Oveja,' the fox-eared detective, to try and stop him. Although his father, Gatito, initially refuses, given that 'Tom Spidernest', the chief of police at Lière station, and even his own boss at Tetazo want Deshya to go, he has no choice but to accept. However, there is one condition: that he accompanies her. Without hesitation, Deshya accepts and they go to the wedding together. There, they meet 'Ei Anisato', a black-haired police inspector from Lière, 'Mohammed Breizan', a doctor with dreadlocks, as well as 'Shinpei Kioru,' a world-famous police detective: he too comes from Lière, but can often be found during cases against 'XIII'. Although he hasn't caught him yet, he's one of — if not THE — most competent people to deal with a fearsome criminal. They hope they can at least prevent 'XIII' from killing anyone…
But unfortunately, the first victim is born at AzureView, the restaurant where they all eat after the wedding ceremony.
It's 'Kiara Gommon' who gets killed. She falls from the roof of the AzureView and crashes into the terrace, clearly visible to all the guests, the two brides and grooms and the police officers who have remained on the first floor. It's a direct death. Just before, Kiara sent a message to Rosaline asking for help, having made no secret of the fact that she was on the roof. Unfortunately, even with Shinpei and the other policemen rushing in... it wasn't effective.
Later, after some research into the method used by 'XIII', the atmosphere inside the restaurant becomes calm and pleasant again. Most of the guests even eat the dish that is served, although some are afraid of being poisoned or still have the image of Kiara's death in their minds. Rampo goes to the bathroom for the first time, accompanied by a policeman, but 15 minutes after returning, he has to go back again. Deshya, Shinpei and Gatito wonder if he's been served laxative and hesitate to act, but the teenager overhears a conversation between two women behind her: it seems that the blue-eyed one saw 'Rampo' with another man in the restaurant corridor shortly before Kiara's death.
And just after this short chat, someone comes to warn them that they've heard 'Rampo' screaming from inside the toilet.
And over there, not only is Rampo well and truly dead, with a knife in his heart... the policeman parked outside the restroom is unconscious.
CHAPTER 52
⎾Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Our Deduction⏌
- Shinpei!
Deshya calls the detective who quickly turns his gaze to the girl who lands on the toilet floor.
- The policeman outside is unconscious!" she says.
Shinpei frowns and looks through the glass after Deshya has pushed herself aside to let him. He notices that the girl is telling the truth and clicks his tongue against his teeth; a sign of boredom and anger very rare in him.
- Ei, we're going outside! The two policemen outside are asleep!
- Both of them?!" blurts Deshya, not even noticing.
He nods and, before exiting the bathroom, turns back to the girl and her father.
- You stay here with Mohammed and try to find the slightest clue! I'm going to see what happened with Ei!
Immediately afterwards, he grabs his walkie-talkie.
- I want you to be on your guard at all times! Today, 'XIII' seems to be more violent than usual!
Now that Deshya thinks about it, he's telling the truth: knocking out Ei and now putting not one, but two policemen to sleep... Even if he hasn't done anything to seriously harm them — unless, in reality, the two policemen outside are dead — he's the type to avoid resorting to such techniques. He never touches detectives and very rarely to the police.
- This means that when Ei went to the bathroom to check inside, he had no choice but to force her to be unconscious…
Even though Ei blames herself for not paying enough attention to her surroundings, it helps Deshya understand 'XIII's' plan a little better. However, she still doesn't understand how he could have taken Kiara, his first victim, up to the roof without anyone noticing. However, if what she thinks about Rampo turns out to be true…
- But now that he's dead, it's impossible to ask him. Tsk.
Deshya turns to his corpse. His dead expression is horrifying, so ugly that Deshya prefers not to look at him. It's not the first corpse she's seen, but his expression... She's still shivering.
- The stab was precise and killed him in one fell swoop," admits Mohammed. He died within minutes.
- Say…
Gatito approaches the body and crouches down.
- Is it possible to know whether he died before or after returning to the room?" he asks.
Deshya asks herself the same question, but in reality, she already thinks she knows when he was killed. It's obvious that Mohammed will answer—
- He must have died afterwards, between the time he returned to the bathroom and the time we heard him scream.
- !!!
Deshya opened her eyes wide: she'd just been wrong. She'd just thought that by the time 'Rampo' arrived at the toilet, he'd been killed and 'XIII' had simply used a voice box to create the scream, but that's no longer possible. Finally, it remains a plausible theory, but where 'XIII' took the life out of Rampo's body a little later.
- So the Rampo who spoke to us was 'XIII'?" she wonders. But is it possible...?
He continued the conversation as if nothing had happened, after all. Maybe she's just wrong in her theory and that, in reality, Rampo really did die after returning to the bathroom? Before letting her mind take the slightest route, she takes a deep breath and turns to the corpse without concentrating on the body: she has to look for the slightest clue.
- We should have put even more police officers on the case..." says Mohammed after his short sigh.
Gatito understands what he means, but how many cops should they have sent here? 'XIII' is known to get away with anything, and even if he is a threat of the utmost importance, it's impossible to send hundreds of cops. However, if Mohammed is talking about following Rampo to the bathroom, it's still complicated. The policeman in the corridor was being watched by another police officer, and those outside are stationed there to make sure no one leaves or enters the toilets. It's unthinkable that 'XIII' could have managed to act so freely, even as the legendary criminal.
- Or do I dare underestimate him now?" wonders Gatito, squinting.
Perhaps if anyone could do this well, it's him. Nevertheless, Gatito doesn't understand why 'XIII' has rendered the policemen outside unconscious, one behind the women's toilet, the other behind the men's. Did he…
- Escaped...?
Meanwhile, Deshya checks the cabin again without disturbing Mohammed. She can't see any message left during his death, nor the slightest clue as to what 'XIII's' disguise is now. Despite the fact that 'Rampo' is on the pot, his pants are still up, which means he was killed before — or after — he made his commission, be it the small one or the big one. Deshya analyzes Rampo’s body: he's sitting with his legs apart, his wallet visible in the back pocket of his pants and... nothing else. However, after a quick search, Deshya notices that—
- Where's his phone?
She asks as she watches the two adults next to her. Mohammed quickly finds it and squints.
- ...in the toilet itself.
Exactly: it's floating in the "clean" water, which reassures Deshya when she looks at it. If she were to see the slightest excrement inside... Perhaps she would have fallen ill on the spot. It's bad enough being in the men's room... but it's a good thing it was washed for the occasion, otherwise she'd have cried on the spot. She knows the rumors about the men's room... and that it's not just a legend. With his gloved right hand, and without moving the victim's body, Mohammed grabs the phone and looks at it quickly, wondering if it's really Rampo's. Gatito confirms it directly. Gatito confirms it directly.
- I saw him using it while we were talking and he had this phone.
- I can see that. On the other hand, I can't turn it on... It's possible that if it falls into the water, it won't be usable. It'll be easy to find out whether it's his or not, but the data inside…
- Maybe we'll be able to get them back, but it'll be a while before we know what was said. If it's useful, we won't know until it's too late," admits Deshya.
The two adults nod and Mohammed shouts the name of a policeman to put the phone in a plastic bag and take it away, ordered to analyze it. Deshya observes the two booths next door, but nothing of interest can be found. What's more, apart from a bit of toilet paper left on the floor, nothing 'special' can be observed. The toilets themselves are completely normal, and no mechanism can be found that would have allowed a ruse or the like.
- So XIII's tricks are all about his disguise?" wonders Deshya.
Since they're convinced he disguised himself as Kiara for the first murder, he must have planned another for Rampo's. Normally, 'XIII' only takes one — or two, rarely — disguised for these murders. If he can no longer keep that same disguise, then either he decides that he has lost the 'game' to the police and detectives, so he flees without completing the job, or he goes into hiding and continues his plan without resorting to that same disguise. From what Deshya knows about this criminal, if he accepts defeat, then he leaves his next target(s) alive and will never attack them again. Even if this seems to contradict his goal of eliminating them, don’t think he'll just give up: in fact, he'll offer proof of their 'inner darkness'. Video or audio clips, online or private messages, photos or anything that can be considered 'proof' of their rottenness will serve. XIII' will post them online on his Twatter or wherever, will even offer them to a TV channel to show or otherwise if necessary, all to make these people known to the world as 'trash'. Maybe they'll still be alive, but they'll be hated by everyone. They'll be despised, shunned and sometimes even beaten by other people who claim to have the same ambition as 'XIII', even if most of them don't go so far as to kill. In fact, in Shinpei Kioru's business, some twenty people have been saved in this way.
And yet, only three of them are still alive.
Tirtheen finally committed suicide, unable to live with the exclusion of society, friends and even family. Three others were killed, even though their criminals had already been found. The other died of illness due to old age, as he was a 77-year-old man — though his family never came to see him again. It seems that only his neighbor was willing to talk to him. This is the real terror of 'XIII':
If you're being a target, either die by his hands, or live in hell until you're dead.
Getting caught in this spider's web is the moment when your life ends. Survival or death; that's your only two choices.
Deshya can't approve of such methods — those who do don't live in reality, but hide behind a piece of fiction. At least, that's what she believes. Getting rid of someone just because they're garbage isn't 'justice' — she'll never
accept it. Killing is not a heroic act and never will be. Even if she can understand that in fiction, killing your enemy is sometimes the only way to act, that's not the case with reality! With the real world! Anyone who thinks that is a complete idiot, or one who can't distinguish reality from fiction. XIII' doesn't deserve to be idolized, it deserves to be imprisoned. Despised. May his 'God' facade be destroyed forever. But she can't change that. Nor Shinpei. Nor Minos. Not even someone like Kira. ‘XIII' has already gained too much popularity, and he's still killing people along the way, so he never loses that momentum. In an era where losing 99% of your popularity can be done in a single day, 'XIII' keeps growing and growing. He continues to kill only trash, so his 'fans' have no reason to turn on him. The day he makes a fatal mistake will be the same day they can have the answer to that famous question:
"Can a God become human again without people's belief?"
- It's quite similar to what Shinpei told me..." thinks Deshya.
Thinking of ‘XIII’, she turns to her father.
- Also, I wasn't paying attention, but where was mark XIII on the two victims?" she asks.
After all, 'XIII' never forgets to do it, otherwise how would we know it was really him? There have already been imitators, but they are always denounced by 'XIII', promising not to have killed those people. Some say he's lying, but even Deshya is certain that 'XIII' is telling the truth: what's the point in lying when he doesn't hide the fact that he's a criminal?
- On Kiara Gommon, he inscribed it by putting a piece of paper in one of his pockets. For Rampo Cention, he cut part of his pants to show his signature. He also bleeds on that side, so the cut must be at least a little deep," explains Mohammed.
He responds directly without turning his face, observing where XIII has signed. While this may be 'simple' to reproduce, he has a 'perfect' way of signing, so it's complicated to reproduce it well. In any case, Deshya is certain that they are indeed facing 'XIII' during this affair. She still doesn't know why it was Kiara and Rampo who were targeted, especially as from the little she knows about them, they don't seem 'so horrible', even if the man who was killed a few minutes before…
- He seemed to be rather annoying, cold and quickly over nerves, but that's not enough to get into 'XIII''s crosshairs.
Anyway, there must be another reason; they must have done something to earn them the rank of 'trash'. Whatever happens, even without knowing it at the moment, 'XIII' intends to explain the truth about them later by offering proof, so she's not worried about it for now. What she does want to know, however…
- …
She comes out of the bathroom after notifying her father and notices the policeman who has been posted in the corridor to make sure everything's okay. Right beside him is the man who followed Rampo twice to the toilet, so she approaches them both with haste.
- Excuse me, but can I ask you a quick question?
Politely, Deshya asks them this question as she looks up at them. Both men turn to her and nod at the same time.
- What do you want to know?" asks Martin, the man who followed Rampo to the bathroom.
- Can I ask how it went, the two times you brought the victim here?
The man touches his chin and looks up.
- Hm, to be as accurate as possible.
Without giving it much thought, he answers the question from the girl in the fox sweater.
- I arrived at the toilet with Rampo and quickly checked that everything was okay inside. Rampo went into the penultimate stall, so I decided to wait outside as I was ordered. Naturally, I was on my guard and watched over by Mathéo.
He pats the shoulder of the short, dark-haired policeman next to him, letting Deshya know he's talking about him.
- Rampo quickly came back and told me he'd only had to pee, so I figured everything was fine. However, a man went to the bathroom and a policewoman stayed outside, since she was in charge of being by his side. I was a bit paranoid, so I decided to have a quick look inside and this man went into the same cubicle where Rampo was, so I left a bit later.
- W-Wait, you didn't go to check?
Deshya doesn't know what to make of it: there are a total of 6 cabins and the man chose the penultimate one by chance? That's too big a coincidence! Of course, Rampo was beside him at the time, but anyone who was really paranoid or cautious would have decided to check out, whatever happens! Although it's impossible that 'XIII' could multiply and have been Rampo AND this man at the same time…
- No, I can understand that. This—
- I did check the cabin, though!
Mathieu admits it, bringing Deshya out of his thoughts.
- The cabin was empty and I'm sure that's where Rampo came from. The reason the man decided to go into this cabin was because the one next to it was already in use.
- Was anyone in it?" asks Deshya.
- Precisely. When I came back with Rampo for the second time, he went into the same cabin and nobody was in it again. The next cabin was still closed, but I heard the man complaining a bit, so I guess he was a bit sick. Plus, while I was waiting outside, the man came out complaining, touching his belly, and moved down the corridor.
- I saw him!" admits Mathéo, the other policeman.” He seemed to be in pretty bad shape, and since he was sick, he decided to leave.
- …
Deshya listens attentively, not uttering a word.
- When I went to look inside, Rampo was still inside his cabin and the one next to it was open, so I'm sure that the man who came out of the toilet was in that very cabin. A few minutes later, I heard Rampo screaming in pain.
- So 'XIII' would have waited for the right moment to kill Rampo and flee outside...?" wondered Deshya aloud.
The two policemen look on and Martin finally shrugs.
- I'm guessing. I think he's still inside watching the place, whether it's to kill someone else or check how the police and yourself will understand his ruse, but he must have escaped through the outside to get back inside with his disguise.
Deshya understands his point of view and this is not necessarily impossible. If Rampo really was no longer in his cabin with a man standing next to him, then 'XIII' couldn't have moved freely and carried out his crime without taking the slightest precaution.
- ...what if…
Deshya squints, but eventually sighs and thanks the policemen. She runs outside crossing the corridor, turns right and a few moments later finds herself in front of Shinpei and Ei, who are talking to the two policemen who have been rendered unconscious by 'XIII' - probably by him, anyway.
- Did you find anything?" asks Shinpei, noticing the arrival of the girl in the fox sweater.
She quickly explains about the phone, Rampo's death and what Mathieu told her. Shinpei ponders this as he rubs his chin, his gaze fixed on the horizon. With all he's learned... Maybe he's starting to understand something.
- And what about you?" asks Deshya in return.
Shinpei withdraws his hand and turns to the two policemen.
- They were put to sleep with a dart in their neck," explains Shinpei.” It's honestly not the first time 'XIII' has used such a method, given that he's not the type to hit anyone on the head to knock them out. Sure, he did it with Ei, but I guess he had no other choice.
Deshya thinks so too.
- So…
- Inspector Ei!
Deshya is cut off by the distant cry of a man approaching them. The sky slowly darkens and the sun shows fewer and fewer rays as the minutes continue to tick by dangerously. Even if the party isn't in full swing yet — the desserts haven't been served and the dance party afterwards is still to be prepared — it's quite possible that, because of the 'XIII' murders, this will never happen... Deshya could understand that the bride and groom don't want to have any more fun with two of their friends who have been murdered; the same goes for the guests. Some are surely extremely happy to be in the same place as 'XIII', but…
- We found this a little further on.
The policeman offers Shinpei a transparent plastic package, a certain object inside. The detective squints at it.
- It's…
A modified gun.
He can't say what it's for yet, but given its shape, he can only think of one thing:
- Is that what he shot the policemen with?
It's Ei who asks the question as she bends over the bag. Deshya is thinking the same thing, although she wondered how such a weapon could work. After all, she did meet someone who used a selfie stick as a pistol…
- I want an analysis of the gun. Check it for prints.
- Great!
At Ei's behest, the policeman continued on his way, and Deshya watched him go.
- I can't believe he put us to sleep like that..." sighs one of the other two policemen.
The other policeman nods.
- Did he put us to sleep to get away?" he wonders.
Shinpei turns to them and shakes his head.
- XIII' wouldn't run away immediately unless he thought he'd be caught if he didn't," he replies. He likes to hear the detectives' and police's deductions, sticking around to see if they still manage to discover his identity, and enjoys watching us think. What's more, he called Miss Deshya for the first time, so he plans to judge her.
- M-Miss?
The policeman who had been stationed behind the men blink at the girl in the fox sweater. She smiles, scratching her cheek, but says nothing. Shinpei gently tilts his head to one side.
- A problem?
- I know you well, Shinpei, and I know you're a very polite person, especially when you meet someone, but… Isn't she like fifteen?
- Sixteen..." sulks Deshya.
- A-Ah, sorry.
Shinpei admires Deshya for a few moments before returning his gaze to the policeman.
- Sixteen, twenty-five, fourty or seventy-five, she's the detective who was called by 'XIII' and a very brave, very talented and intelligent girl. Even if you're right, I wouldn't dare to be on first name terms with someone I'd met for the first time. Besides, I really respect Deshya as a detective.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
He crosses his arms.
- Maybe 'miss' isn't the right title for her, as a teenager who's neither married nor engaged, but I keep my manners.
- I... Okay, I guess.
The policeman doesn't have a word to say against it. He doesn't often work with Shinpei, but he knows her personality well. However, to go so far as to call a teenage girl 'madam'... He sighs: it doesn't really matter. Why bother with such an insignificant detail? What bothers him most is where 'XIII' is at the moment — or rather, what false skin he's disguising himself in at the moment.
- We don't know whether 'XIII' still has a target in sight or not," says Shinpei.
- That's right. Search the area in case 'XIII' is hiding somewhere and stay in pairs. If anything happens, let us know by walkie-talkie. I'll alert the others.
The two policemen nod politely, and Shinpei suggests Deshya return to the restaurant and discuss the matter with Mohammed and the others. She accepts and follows the detective inside the AzureView, thinking things over. There, in the corridor, they meet Gatito and Mohammed.
- Report, Mohammed," orders Shinpei.
In a rather authoritative voice, the detective addresses the doctor, who responds without further ado. Gatito stays by his daughter's side, asking her what they've learned.
- The two policemen outside were put to sleep with a dart," replies Deshya.” They found the gun further out in the meadow, so they're wondering… if 'XIII' left the window to get a costume or disguise outside, then came back inside.
She rubs her hair as she thinks and tells her father what little she has learned on the outside.
- There's also the possibility that he's just gone for one reason or another, but…
Deshya squints without finishing her sentence. Just after—
— she opens her eyes wide.
Gatito notices and asks her what's going on, but the girl doesn't respond instantly. Deshya is completely in thought, frozen in place, before Shinpei and Ei turn to her. They ask Gatito what she's taking from him, but the father shrugs, having no idea. The girl finally smiles, but-
- …
She then sighs and shakes her head.
- I thought I was on to something... but it looks like I'm wrong. Tsk.
She makes no secret of her boredom and crosses her arms.
- I'm so sorry.
Deshya decides to listen more carefully after apologizing, but Gatito squints: it's clear to her that something else is disturbing her, bothering her, or at least weighing on her mind. What is it? What did she think or discover that made her react the way she did? Was she really mistaken?
- I was wondering, but…
Gatito speaks up and the three beside him turn their attention to him.
- I've always wondered if it's possible to take one dog or the other to the scene to try and find the trail of 'XIII'. Is that something that wouldn't work?" he asks.
- We've already tried, but 'XIII' pretends to change his scent with perfume or other means at every survey. We haven't tried using dogs for some time now," admits Shinpei.
- We once managed to put a transmitter on 'XIII' discreetly, but he's so careful that he always finds them. Sometimes he throws his clothes away in garbage cans and burns them. We always try to do it, but approaching him is complicated enough as it is..." adds Ei.
Gatito nods at the end of Ei's sentence to make a sign that he understands what they mean; he should have assumed they'd thought of it before. He then looks at his daughter, who had been listening to all this, but is now back in his thoughts.
- …
Nevertheless, he doesn't wake her from them, since she seems to have got hold of an important detail. He doesn't yet know what it is, or why she doesn't mention it right away, but he assumes she has her reasons — or that he's misreading her expression and that, in the end, something else is bothering her. While Gatito admires his daughter, Mohammed approaches the group with another policeman. Seeing him coming back, Deshya looks up and runs towards him before he reaches the group.
- Say, Mohammed. On the body…
She whispers her question in his ear before the doctor taps his temple as he thinks about it. A moment later, he approves.
- Yes, we found some.
- !
Deshya squints and looks down, and Mohammed asks why. However, she says nothing other than that she thinks she has a lead, but she's not convinced at all anymore. Mohammed admits it's a pity and joins the group with the other policeman and herself.
Shortly afterwards, back in the great hall, the policeman who had been asleep outside the men's room comes rushing back inside. Ei stands by Shinpei and Deshya, while Gatito is with Mohammed and other policemen checking the other floors — including the roof — in case they find anything interesting.
- Inspector Ei, nothing was discovered outside," admits the policeman.
- I see. No trace of 'XIII' who fled or—
- Nothing, unfortunately.
He bows his head in defeat, cutting the woman off mid sentence. She sits down with a sigh, having hoped for the slightest lead... Shinpei turns to the policeman who has just arrived, his hands tucked away in the pockets of his long beige jacket.
- Forgive me, but I also wanted to ask... Did you see anything observed at the time you were put to sleep?" he asks.
The policeman raises his head and nods.
- I remembered that I heard a little noise inside the toilet, as if something had fallen, but at first I thought it was nothing, as the noise wasn't loud and it could have been someone who slipped on the floor," he explains.” Seeing as we're facing 'XIII', I decided to be a little paranoid and was going to contact you with my walkie-talkie, but at the same time I felt a chill and turning around, I saw bits of brown hair through the window before a black veil fell before my eyes. I'm sorry, I didn't see his face…
He apologizes, bowing his head, and Shinpei squints.
- Brown hair?
He turns his face to Deshya, who mimics his reaction.
- It could be…
They nod at the same time.
- The same hair as the man seen with Rampo in the corridor?
Upon confirmation with the woman who had observed them before Kiara's murder, the man at Rampo's side was the same height as 'Sam Strife', Rosaline's husband, and had brown hair. She didn't pay much attention to his clothes, especially as he had a jacket over his back — a strange get-up, to be sure, but nothing that screamed disguise or the like. However, with what they knew on top of that…
- How did 'XIII' kill Rampo?" wonders Shinpei aloud.
That's the only worry. If his theory is right, then Rampo worked with 'XIII' on Kiara's murder, but the detective isn't sure about this man's death. Besides, who did 'XIII' disguise himself as? How did he use his tricks? He hasn't solved the case yet, and looking at Deshya, she doesn't seem to know either. She rubs her sweater in thought, her fox tail resting on the back of the chair. Shinpei wonders if they can figure it out in time: has 'XIII' taken on a third person as a target, or is this the end already? He warned in his letter that he intended to get rid of several pieces of garbage, but two is still 'several'. If they can figure out the ruse behind Rampo's death, then they'll know who 'XIII' is disguised as and stop him from killing yet another person. Above all, Shinpei hopes that he has no one left in his sights and that this is where it all ends... Even when he thinks he understands some of the details of the murders, he still can't reach the conclusion of 'XIII's current disguise. Yet that's the most important thing right now…
While Shinpei is deep in thought, Deshya sighs. She walks to the front of the room, chats with a staff member and grabs a microphone a few moments later.
- Hm, hm, forgive me.
And so it attracts everyone's attention. The guests, bride and groom and police officers turn their faces towards her or look up to see where the sound is coming from, even though the baffles are in all four corners of the room.
- I'll keep it short, but…
Gatito quickly descended the stairs and reached the first floor: he heard his daughter's voice from upstairs. He suspects she's about to offer her deduction, which means she's understood — or that Shinpei has told her the truth of the matter.
- As you know, 'XIII' killed two people.
She stops on the spot, everyone eagerly awaiting the deduction she'll probably tell everyone. Even those who hate 'XIII' want to know where he is. Those who adore or love him even more. The bride and groom hold hands, having lost a dear friend and an acquaintance of whom he had a modicum of appreciation. They would have hoped that no murder would have been committed, but in 'Sam's' mind, he already suspected that it was inevitable. Contrary to his wife's optimistic, even naive side, he hadn't believed that the police — let alone this young teenager — could have found 'XIII' in time. It's not that he doesn't trust them, but that they're up against the legendary criminal who has rarely been discovered in time. An extremely intelligent person who calculates all his moves with almost too-accurate precision. As his wife said, annulling the wedding wouldn't have changed anything about the deaths, even though no one would have seen them. No one would have been in the same place as them. However, canceling the wedding so late and abandoning this wonderful day to postpone it several weeks later had given him a cramp in the heart. Besides, even if he didn't believe 'XIII' would be caught in time... he'd still been hopeful that he would be in the end. Impossible if they'd called off this wedding.
- To tell the truth about him…
She closes her eyes for a moment, seemingly thinking about something. Even Mina is watching her from a little further away, right next to a man who works in the staff who is holding her shoulder. Kelly stands beside the bride and groom, eyes squinting. Tension mounts in the room, as everyone wonders what will be revealed…
- He's already gone. I guess he got ‘scared’.
... and there's total silence. Shinpei shows confusion on his face and Deshya scratches her cheek.
- I'm sorry if this sounds disappointing, but he put the cops outside to sleep so he could get away... I don't know yet if it's by the lake or by going around it, but with the footprints, I guess we'll be able to find out!
Deshya smiles and her father stares at her with an expression similar to Shinpei's.
- I don't think he got scared or anything, but I guess staying inside would be far too dangerous. It's getting dark, there are lots of people and police all around… Maybe he was even disappointed by my performance and just decided to go home. I'm afraid of what he's going to say about me, ahah…
The girl laughs softly at the end of her sentence, but quickly stops and sighs.
- Sorry.
She finally bowed to everyone, her eyes barely open and an emotion of sadness on her face.
- I've been useless as a detective. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
A tone of sorrow and sadness in the voice. The guests look at each other, talk together, or even glance at the policemen. Gatito steps into the room, but does not join his daughter; not yet. Meanwhile, the bride and groom don't know how to feel, so Sam stands up.
- B-But... Do you know the truth behind the two murders? I mean, the tricks...?" he asks.
The redheaded girl raises her head and places the microphone close to her mouth, turning her face towards him.
- In both cases, we think he was disguised as a man with brown hair. He's about your height, wears a jacket despite the weather, and his hair is medium length. Sound familiar?
- I... I don't know, like this, it's hard to say who it could be.
- He was spotted with Rampo shortly before Kiara's murder, so we think Rampo may have been helping 'XIII', which made it hard for us to know where he was.
Deshya grips the microphone even tighter.
- This would explain why Kiara was taken to the roof: Rampo was able to call her, assuring her that he was indeed himself. 'XIII' finished the job quickly and Rampo pretended to be outside, but unfortunately, he was observed inside," she continues.” For the second murder, he just waited in the bathroom and murdered him quickly. He made sure he wasn't noticed by anyone, put the cops to sleep outside and fled.
- But isn't he staying to see the deductions?!" asks one of the guests at the back of the room.
Voices rise in the restaurant: even without taking too great an interest in him, it's a known fact about this criminal. Deshya clears his throat and then swallows.
- He must have thought I was a real genius when he saw the news about the "FEDER" hotel and learned more about me... He must have had high expectations of my abilities, but he was wrong. I'm not at the level to compete with him. I must have been thinking of the wrong leads, or maybe he even made it easier for me, but I still didn't get it. I'm so ridiculous that hearing my deduction wouldn't do him any good. I should never have been chosen. Sorry again.
She puts the microphone down on the next table and with her head bowed, she approaches Shinpei and the others with a sigh, her eyes barely open. However, she doesn't stop in front of them, but further away: it's possible she's too ashamed to go. Shinpei rubs his head.
- Is she so disappointed in herself that she's given up?" he wonders.” It's unlikely that 'XIII' actually left, especially for such a reason.
Looking at her face, he can only understand one thing: she's really sad. Disappointed at her 'defeat'. She suspects that they won't be able to catch her, but that she'll never be called 'XIII' herself again. That she's been... lousy. Her father approaches her and stares.
- ... Are you sure?
She just nods, but finally lets out a half-convincing smile.
- Maybe I'm a pessimist, but... I tried, didn't I? I'm not a genius like people think, ahah....
She scratches her cheek before turning her gaze to Shinpei. He's no longer focused on the girl, but has grabbed his own walkie-talkie and is talking into it.
- I want a detailed search of the surrounding area within a radius of 2 kilometers. I know it's a lot, but it's possible that 'XIII' is sticking around for some reason.
He orders the police to do this even though he's not even a detective, but seeing Ei next to him, Deshya suspects she's given him the okay. What's more, even though she's talking to someone, it's on the phone. Perhaps her station chief?
- So what do you want to do...?" asks Gatito, addressing his daughter.
She doesn't answer directly, still staring at Shinpei. The latter notices that he's being stared at and turns to her before she pats her sweater, then rubs her fox ear. Shinpei squints, but eventually sighs and shrugs.
- I guess our work is done for today," says Shinpei.
- Are you sure?" asks Ei. You still haven't fully understood how 'XIII' killed his victims.
- I'm going to stay a while longer to search, but I also think that 'XIII' has left, although I don't know if it's really out of disappointment. However, I don't know how he could have come out of the bathroom without being seen, and besides, if he really did come back in from outside, it would be easy to locate him, given that we haven't asked anyone to leave. See what I mean?
Ei thought about it, but finally agreed: what the detective was saying made sense. However, it disappoints her to know that 'XIII' is already gone... They let him kill two victims without even the slightest chance of catching him? It's unlikely that he'll start deciding not to stay around for fear of being caught... At least, Ei hopes so. If 'XIII' makes such a decision, the chances of catching him will drop even further, almost reaching the '0' threshold! This must not happen! She bites her thumb at the thought and Shinpei touches her shoulder.
- I'll check to see if I can find any leads, what do we do about the guests?
Ei doesn't give it much thought:
- If 'XIII' is really gone, then they're safe even going home. I have no reason to force them to stay here, but in case you're wrong, I'd like to keep them inside the restaurant.
Shinpei nods and Ei makes the announcement, heading for the microphone. Meanwhile, Gatito talks to his daughter.
- I'm glad there aren't more victims," he confesses.” Two is already too many, but I guess 'XIII' really is a complex rot to catch…
- I wish I could have stopped him in time, but whatever. At least I'm glad, like you, dad, that he didn't kill more.
A smile and sincere words. Gatito returns the smile.
- You've come up against a criminal that even the police can't catch, and who manages to outwit great detectives like Minos or Kira. You mustn't blame yourself too much.
- Thanks, dad.
She giggles and listens to what Ei has to say into the microphone:
- I won't take up much of your time. I'm 'Ei Anisato', police inspector from Lière. I'd like everyone to stay in the restaurant, but if you really want to go home, you can as long as you let us quickly check that you're not 'XIII'. Thank you for your time.
She ends her sentence with a thank-you and returns the
microphone to a member of the AzureView staff. Shinpei turns to the bride and groom, including Kelly.
- You were close to the victims, so can we ask you to stay here?
- Huuuuh? I didn't really like him, that Rampo," admits Kelly, crossing her arms.
- That's not the point.
- ... Well, I don't have anything to do, I guess.
Kelly turns her head with boredom and the bride and groom accept without hesitation. Rosaline sighs.
- I wish the wedding had gone better, but it looks like I was too optimistic…
- Darling…
- Don't get me wrong, I'm still very happy to be able to marry you before God! I just wish nobody had died, s-specially Kiara... and Rampo…
She feels the tears welling up again, but thanks to her husband's comfort, she manages to keep them in her eyes, not allowing them to run down her soft cheeks again. Shinpei wants to reassure them and talk to them, but he feels he has nothing to say in this situation. As a detective who stalks 'XIII' on almost all his cases, he considers himself ridiculous for not having been able to figure out his tricks in time, and letting him commit other crimes. He knows he's 'naive' not to want to hurt him and that catching her is more complex, but that's no example of being so slow to understand his tricks. He can't always understand in time and that's okay, but when he hears Deshya talking... He really blames himself. Clenching a fist in frustration, he stands up and apologizes to the bride and groom. Mohammed asks him where he's going, but Shinpei admits he just wants to check something. A little earlier, Deshya walks over to Mina and pats her on the shoulder.
- Y-Yes?
The waitress blinks and observes the girl who has just arrived at her side.
- Excuse me, but could I check inside the kitchen to see if I can't find a clue to the case?" asks Deshya.” Even though 'XIII' is no longer here and I can understand the case, I still don't know how he managed to hide Kiara. So…
- Why me?
Mina asks this question, pointing at herself, and Deshya scratches the back of her hood.
- You're just one of the only waitresses in the room, but I can go and ask someone else without worrying. Sorry about the—
- N-No, I don't mind, you just surprised me.
She sighs and agrees to follow her. Deshya thanks her and Gatito approaches them.
- Do you want me to come with you?" asks the inspector.
- No need, Dad! I just want to see if I can find the hiding place where 'XIII' kept Kiara, but if I need anything, I'll call you. I'll be there soon.
- All right, then. I'll stay here just in case.
She nods and Mina directs her to the kitchen. Deshya can see a few guests getting up and quickly being checked by the police. Others stay where they are, but it's clear that they don't necessarily want to stay, and some are talking happily, either because they've been in the same place as 'XIII' or because they're not that affected. Before she reaches the corridor, Deshya can even watch Rosaline being pampered by her man, Kelly at their side chatting with Mohammed. She's pleased to see that they don't seem devastated, so without saying a word, she heads into the kitchen. Mina opens the door and notices that there's currently no one there, but that's not surprising: the cooks have been ordered not to stay here and tell what they've seen and experienced during the evening. Mina has already had a little chat with Shinpei before, so she's allowed to follow Deshya.
- Do you need any help?" asks Mina.
- Just a quick look, nothing else.
Deshya smiles and begins to search around under Mina's calm gaze. The latter sighs and sits back, watching the girl rummage around: under the few tables, inside the furniture, even above her as she climb onto the tables. Mina waits patiently until Shinpei arrives in the kitchen. The waitress looks at him and the teenager in the fox sweater approaches him.
- Did you find anything?" asks Shinpei.” Deshya smiles.
- Yes !
Mina blinks.
- Do you know where Kiara has been hidden?" she asks.
Yet she hasn't seen Deshya stop anywhere... Deshya turns her face towards her with a smile.
- Yes, but I've known that for some time.
- ?!
- What I have found is where our legendary criminal is hiding.
And then her smile changes meaning.
- Isn't that right, Mina— well, 'XIII'?