“Me? What?”
“It had to be Alicia. My room is on the other side of the hallway. I couldn’t have gotten into the escape duct...while she could...because her room, which she claimed was locked...could have been opened by her the whole time while the hallway was empty,” Tsukasa quickly said, looking over Alicia with a side look, “I think we finally hit the nail.”
Alicia crossed her arms and closed her eyes, “Clever. I’m pretty sure the real killer is crossing their fingers right now.”
“Funny,” Lan’en scoffed, “Alicia. Come on. Just fess’ up.”
“It wasn’t me, you cretins!” She shouted, “I should have stuck with someone instead of retreating into the library last evening.”
“You’re the only possible culprit though…” Shiria muttered.
The air was tense. Alicia quickly gathered all her thoughts, ready to fight.
“What about Servalia’s murder? I was in the library, and Shiria saw me. I have an alibi too.”
“Servalia’s murder is still a weird grey area. Everybody moved around weirdly...you could have left the library after being seen by me…” Shiria said, “It still would make sense. Everything…”
“Yes, it kind of does. The power outage...the blocked door…they’re both tech stuff, aren’t they?” Lan’en suddenly realized.
Alicia’s breathing got quicker, she tapped her foot against the cold floor as she thought harder. She couldn’t let the killer win like this.
“Tsukasa, where were you when Noir, Servalia, and Youma were killed?” She raised her head, trying to retaliate as hard as she could.
“She was unseen during Noir’s murder. In her room during Servalia’s…” Kaeron said.
“And I was trying to relax in the hot tub during Youma’s,” Tsukasa said, “Besides, the duct problem is still present. My room is on the other side, and Kaeron would have spotted me if I used Shiria’s room.”
Alicia bit her lip hard, growing irritated.
“So quick to point fingers. This is exactly what the murderer wants!” Alicia shouted, “Kaeron…are you sure that when you were left alone in Shiria’s room you had your eyes peeled the whole time before Shiria was back!?”
“Of course she did! What do you suggest? That the killer did everything while she was taking a dump? Nobody kills that fast,” Lan’en rolled her eyes.
“How can you just assume that?!”
“I mean...you have to climb over it...crawl all the way into Youma’s room...kill her...and all the rest! It’s just not possible!” Shiria defended Tsukasa.
“Alright then! It’s decided! I’m the fucking murderer! Come on Kaeron! Trap me in that stupid room! I’m gonna sue ALL OF YOU! I will not stand these stupid accusations! Tartarus will definitely hold a fair trial.”
“Oh come on. You’re sounding ridiculous now,” Lan’en sighed.
“Hmph...to think one of you is…”
Alicia scanned the room once more.
And then...she gasped as her face lit up.
“Wait a second...what about-”
image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/31040yg21lfux50ovzer6/artist_missile_228-amazing-quality-very-aesthetic-absurdres-black-backgroun-s-2864138428.png?rlkey=779id3dpx5i73d9a314rs2ihr&st=vplpb8tf&raw=1]
“Shiria, may I have a word with you?”
Kaeron suddenly spoke up, interrupting Alicia’s sentence. Her penetrating gaze locked onto Shiria's. She looked disappointed.
image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3ry9pl9r5ur2fjkda6rvt/artist_missile_228-amazing-quality-very-aesthetic-absurdres-black-backgroun-s-3695954056.png?rlkey=twqvdm7kjdll1cozrtv3knnn2&st=1ul76asu&raw=1]
“W-What?”
“Shiria? What’s up with her now?” Lan’en asked confused.
“I had a shower last night. When I was done, Shiria was already in bed waiting for me. She’s the only one who knew that, in truth...as soon as she said she was going to get Lan’en...I went to the bathroom to wash. When she was back...I was still in the bathroom...having that same shower.”
“So?” Lan’en asked.
“She didn’t mention it during this whole debate. As if she was trying to pin on Alice the fault at all costs. I didn’t guard the room while she was away. Hence...Tsukasa could have easily been the murderer as well.”
“I just-”
“No. You didn’t ‘’just’’ anything, Shiria. I’m not stupid. You are not trying to help us find out the murderer. Why? You couldn’t possibly have forgotten about this detail. Why did you omit it?”
Shiria grew pale. She couldn’t respond.
“What the hell? Why didn’t you even try to defend me?!” Alicia looked at her.
“I-I just thought it wasn’t important…”
“Not important?” Tsukasa herself furrowed her brows, “The fact Kaeron wasn’t in the room while you were at the arcade fetching Lan’en brings the number of one certain suspect to two suspects. How is this not crucial? We are talking about accusing of murder here. Are we not?”
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“I’m sorry...I’m very sorry…” Shiria started panicking, “I’m just...scared...I want all this to end…”
“So you want to end everything by ruining my life?! Mass murder isn’t something I will get out of easily if the U.O.R. believes you all!” Alicia stepped forward.
“Please don’t yell!” Shiria yelped, “I’m sorry...yes...Tsukasa is a suspect too! Kaeron’s right...I’m very sorry everyone...I just didn’t want to add stuff to the chaos…”
“What the hell are you talking about, stowaway?” Azrael scoffed, “You plainly lied, didn’t you?”
“You just hoped we’d all jump the gun! And the fun~!” Lilin giggled, “Naughty stowaway…”
“Stop calling me that! I’m just...I…”
Shiria started crying. Her face was red, her breathing ragged. A panic attack.
“Woah…” Lan’en rushed to her, comforting her immediately.
“Okay. Let’s take a break,” Kaeron sighed, “I want you all here in ten minutes. Tsukasa, come with me to the pub...I need a drink and I gotta watch you. Alicia, stay with Lan’en and Shiria. Azrael and Lilin...do whatever you’d like.”
Kaeron’s recess was accepted by everyone.
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“Hey now, it’s okay…” Lan’en caressed Shiria’s sobbing face as they both sat on the bed. Alicia stood by the window, deep in thought. “We’re all a bit worked up. I know you didn’t lie on purpose.”
“I just...I’m just...I’m so scared...I didn’t want to make things worse. I’m sorry Alicia…”
“It’s fine, I forgive you,” Alicia sighed, her eyes glued to the outer space, “We must stick to all the facts, though. When we go back to the lobby...please...say anything that may be useful, alright? Believe me, I understand you were scared. We all are.”
“Thank you girls…” Shiria’s sobs stopped slowing down, “I hope we can get out of this soon...I hate it.”
“I hate it too Shiria,” Lan’en hugged her tightly, “And I surely doubt such an angelic girl like you would do something bad on purpose. I know you’re trying your best.”
“T-Thank you…”
Lan’en held her shoulders firmly, her expression was serious and determined. “We’ll find that motherfucker...and I’ll punish them.”
“Really? But Tsukasa-”
“I don’t care about what she and Kaeron say...or about the law…”
image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0mb2kyagpqoixtlt057xu/artist_missile_228-amazing-quality-very-aesthetic-absurdres-dark-background-s-249893661.png?rlkey=76gykwnj8a6d837it8uxrchp2&st=v6islaam&raw=1]
“I’m going to kill them with my bare hands.”
Shiria looked Lan’en in the eye, nodding gently as she kept sniffling.
----------------------------------------
“You truly don’t think it is me, right?”
Tsukasa sat with Kaeron at the pub. She ordered a cup of sake, while Kaeron took her usual glass of whiskey.
“I don’t know. Should I?” Kaeron asked her, letting out a stressed sigh, “And if I shouldn’t, why would I believe it was Alicia instead?”
“Oh well, this is an interrogation, isn’t it?” Tsukasa scoffed her, “You’re good at your job...detective Kaeron.”
“I’m not a detective anymore. I’m just a tired woman who hoped to relax on a cruise,” Kaeron corrected her, sipping on her glass.
“Why were you invited again? I don’t remember.”
“You don’t remember because I never told anyone in the first place.”
“Well, that doesn’t make you look good. What if you’re just tired of life? What if you’re the killer and, despite your abilities to kill us fast, you’re enjoying this sick game before you kill yourself?”
“I’ve gone through thirty years of my life without listening to Xae's void. What makes you think I’m going to do such a thing now?” She replied, looking at Tsukasa with a stoic, cold expression.
Tsukasa smirked at her and nodded, “You have a point.”
“So? Are you going to answer my question?” Kaeron urged her, taking another sip.
Tsukasa leaned back in her chair. Her expression was relaxed, yet contemplative. “I guess it all boils down to trust, doesn’t it? We are all feeling the pressure, and in times like these, it’s easy to turn on one another. I know Alicia’s been acting suspicious, but it feels almost too obvious...like she’s the bait in a trap. The power outage...the killer probably hoped that Alicia would have been blamed since she’s an engineer. The locked door? Alicia’s doing...or that’s what the killer thought we would have deduced. And Youma’s death? Only either I or Alicia could have done it...technically. Either I did it through Shiria’s room while you were taking a shower...or Alicia did it through her own room. So...yeah.”
Kaeron narrowed her eyes, “What are you getting at? You just sold me Alicia with fair arguments...but at the same time, you’re hinting it’s not her. Why?”
“Because of what I just said...it all boils down to trust and gut feelings. Kaeron, this situation isn’t a game or a puzzle. You can’t use logical thinking here...even if that was all you have been doing until now,” Tsukasa leaned forward, finishing her sake, "I don't know if you understand what I mean."
“No. What do you mean?”
“Kaeron. I figured out who the killer was. I did while we were walking here...and it all keeps making sense the more I think about it.”
Kaeron’s heart dropped, “Who, Tsukasa?”
Tsukasa sighed and shook her head, “Think about what Alicia said. Who among the people still alive doesn’t have a single alibi for any of the three murders that occurred?”
“Azrael and Lilin have one in Servalia’s murder…they knew about Keina because they followed Shiria.
Alicia has one in Servalia’s murder as well...she was witnessed by Shiria...even if she could have just left the library thereafter.
Lan’en was fetched by Shiria during Youma’s death and she was unconscious during Servalia’s.
Tsukasa…you have no alibi. You were hiding around during Noir’s death. You were in your room during Servalia’s death. You were in the hot tub during Youma’s death.”
“Good. Now go on. Who’s next?” Tsukasa nodded.
“Shiria?
She slept with Lan’en during Noir’s death.
She was with me at the pub when Servalia got killed.
She was fetching Lan’en while Youma was being murdered.”
image [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wayx37879w0lbqx3cr5ms/artist_missile_228-amazing-quality-very-aesthetic-absurdres-dark-background-s-3611425471.png?rlkey=lqx84rs8j52qk268f0c23zs7a&st=myof9q6w&raw=1]
“Good. All these things you said about Shiria...are they the truth?”
Kaeron narrowed her eyes, “Are yours?”
Tsukasa’s lips curled into a faint smile, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and challenge. "That is the right question, isn’t it? Is it me? Or is it Shiria?”
Kaeron stood up and grabbed her collar abruptly, “Tsukasa. I don’t have the time or patience to play games. Talk.”
“It’s not about playing games, Kaeron,” Tsukasa ignored her violent gesture and kept talking, “Think about it, Kaeron. Everyone is so focused on alibis and having their backs covered...when and where...but we all had the chance to do a killing at some point. The only thing that separates a suspected and a suspicious is when someone can vouch for you.”
“What’s your point, Tsukasa?” Kaeron let her go and crossed her arms. She was finally listening and she was definitely intrigued.
“Our stories. Mine, Alicia’s, and Shiria’s. Whose story looks like it does add up completely? Whose story is believable and perfectly timed?”
Kaeron held her chin and looked at her glass of whiskey, glistening under the pub’s light as her thoughts raced.
“Shiria’s.”
She muttered her name suspiciously for the first time.
“It’s convenient how Alicia and I are acting so suspiciously just because we are telling the truth. Our honesty is so pure and simple that our stories simply aren’t complete or solid.”
Tsukasa slammed her hand on the table, making Kaeron’s whiskey tremble slightly.
“I’ve been working with dirty politicians for hundreds of years. Shiria’s actions aren’t suspicious in the very traditional sense...but they’re just too perfect. They all make her the side character, the one in the middle of the tragedies who is never directly involved. She has always been placed with someone so that they could vouch for her. With Lan’en during Noir’s murder...with you during Servalia’s death...and now with Lan’en again while Youma was killed.”
Kaeron suddenly gasped, “We never looked at her because we took it for granted that she wasn’t involved in any of the murders.”
“Exactly. She put herself in a position that led us to never, ever question her actions.”
“Fuck…”
“Kaeron...your heart still belongs to a detective. Think back to the three murders using Shiria as a focus. How could she have done everything by herself?”
Kaeron placed both hands on the counter and closed her eyes.
Was Tsukasa right? Was that it? Was Shiria the culprit? Or was Tsukasa trying to deceive her?”
Kaeron tried to remember as many details as possible, nitpicking every single action or sentence that could have made Shiria slip.
She tapped her fingers on the bar counter, trying to break through the fog of doubt clouding her mind.
Suddenly, her eyes shot open as something clicked in her mind.
“So?” Tsukasa asked.
----------------------------------------
“Okay. Good. We can build a case on her like this.”
Kaeron gulped down the rest of the glass, feeling a rush of motivation.
“Let’s get this monster once and for all.”