"She's very quiet. But she gets her work done on time and always efficiently."

"Huh? Well I mean... She keeps to herself. Lucky for her we don't do partner assignments ha!"

"Like all of my other wonderful students, she respects me and everyone else during class. Never interrupts or bothers anyone."

"I always see her partnering up with that Senji boy. Seems to me they're quite close friends. Maybe dating? Not sure. None of my business though."

"I guess I could say she's just there? Grades are fine. Most of my students are the same way."

"I'd say she doesn't tend to do much. I understand though. Physical education certainly isn't for everyone!"

Katashi and Isamu were left feeling conflicted after they asked several teachers about their thoughts regarding Ayame Chisato. Not much was gained from the responses. At this point all they had to go off of was Katashi's initial thoughts. The two proceeded down the empty halls out of the school towards the parking lot where Katashi's car was parked. He lit a cigarette along the way, taking long drags. Isamu crossed his arms and leaned against the car with the detective.

"You sure she's really the only one you find even the slightest bit suspicious out of the entire student body?" He asked.

Katashi glared at him, shaking his head.

"You really doubting me of all people, officer?" Katashi replied back snarkily, taking yet another long drag.

"N-no I- Ugh, sorry. You're the veteran detective here. I'm simply your assistant. Hmm... So what do we do from here then?"

"Simple. Come Monday after the last bell we bring the girl in for another conversation. If anyone can truly root out a criminal hidden amongst regular people, it's me. I can read people like fine paperback novels. We need to also contact her guardian. Let's see what she has to say as well about her. And hey if I end up being wrong... Then I don't fucking know. Goddamn it I really don't want this to become a cold case..."

"Me neither sir. Let's stay optimistic though! It's what I'm best at."

"Mhm. Alright let's get out of here. Talking to all those people has worn me the hell out. I need a drink. Gonna' join me?"

"Yeah why not."

Senji and company had decided to all go into town at the local diner. 'Kazashi's' was a popular spot for middle and high school students to meet up at outside of school. Owned and operated by the former principal of Nakamura High School, he found his success in establishing the eatery as a safe space for children and teens to hang out and grab a bite to eat. The group grabbed a large booth for the six of them. Kaito seemed eager to speak to they all held their breath.

"I can't get over this you guys. I may have a chance to finally do something with my worthless life after I'm done with school. This is a huge opportunity. Plus he thought it was impressive that I had already been doing my own investigation. Talk about a wild experience hearing that from a veteran detective..." Kaito explained.

This was the happiest any of his friends had seen him. And the happiest in a long time for Daiki and Aoi who've known him for years. Senji and Kanako were quite surprised. Ayame even seemed impressed.

"That's awesome dude!" Daiki said giving a thumbs up.

"Perhaps you can get an apprenticeship. That would mean moving away though..." Aoi noted.

"B-but if that's what you really want then I'd say go for it." Senji stated.

Kaito shrugged his shoulders following with a hearty sigh.

"...Yeah true. But fuck it. If it means I got a career lined up and it gets me out of the house for good I may just do that." He replied.

"Don't forget to speak to him before he leaves." Kanako remarked. "Don't lose out on this opportunity Kaito. It may be your only chance."

"I know I know. I gotta' wait until this situation with the murders is through. He ain't leaving until the case is closed. And I think it's close. I just know it."

The waiter arrived at their table with the food they all had ordered earlier. They started digging into their meals one-by-one as soon as possible. The afternoon flew by with conversing and consuming delicious food distracting them from noticing the time. Aoi finished his food last as he was known to be a very slow and picky eater. Ayame had finished her food first even before Daiki who always gobbled down food like a garbage truck unloading a dumpster into it's bed.

"How the hell did she finish before me of all people?!" Daiki exclaimed following with a loud burp.

"Ew gross! Cover your damn mouth or lower your head when you do that you slob!" Kanako hissed waving a hand in front of her nose.

Daiki sunk into his spot on the seats. Ayame crossed her arms and leaned back.

"This is a gourmet meal to me. I savored every bite." She said.

"Fuck. What, do you just eat instant ramen and leftovers at home all the time??" Daiki asked.

"Daiki!" Aoi shouted. "That's a very insensitive and mean thing to say!"

Ayame sighed. She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table.

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"He's not wrong. Food at home is slop. Or so easy to make that a child could make it up. Any chance I have for real food like lunch at school or this miso soup and beef pork... I'll destroy it."

Daiki shut up. He didn't even know how to respond to that.

"Ayame..." Senji murmured, resting a hand on her lap.

Ayame turned to him and leaned against his shoulder. She placed a hand over his.

"I'm uh... Sorry to hear that. But hey, you're with good company here. At least, most of us. Daiki is a bit of a loser but other then that we're all fine. Trust us, girl."

"Hey!" Daiki barked.

The rest of them started snickering. A frail smile waned across Ayame's face. She didn't respond with any words but a simple nod. A sense of comfort washed over the entire group that carried on well into the evening when they were ready to leave the diner. Kanako and Aoi departed together to go have a study session at her house to prepare for next Friday's series of tests. Before Kaito and Daiki would take off a set of footsteps approached from behind at a rapid pace. Turning around, Kaito was immediately greeted with a set of hands thrusting down on his shoulders and a shrill voice shouting right into his face, making the others jump;

"I am innocent I swear!!!"

Emiko cried out. Ayame cringed at the sight of her attire; A low-cut cropped short-sleeved pink shirt bearing a black cat with the right sleeve lowered exposing her bare shoulder, yellow and white polka-dot shorts, knee-high white socks and purple sneakers. Daiki had to compose himself from the shock and his hidden lust for the spunky girl. Saito was just taken aback by the surprise. Kaito grimaced and pushed her off of him.

"What the hell are you talking about? And where did you even come from? Were you in the diner this whole time watching me??" He asked. "Well?"

Emiko glanced around trying to look innocent and cute as she usually does around Kaito. He crossed his arms and stepped closer to pressure her for an answer.

"O-okay maybe I was! First you interrogate me then an actual detective does the same thing but scarier! I swear I have nothing to do with the murders! This is all so stressful and I'm glad it's over but I needed to remind you of the truth!"

"Um... Yeah cool. I believe you. Fucks sake Emiko did you really need to jump me like a Yakuza tax collector and scream in my face about it??"

"I- Well you know when you say it like that it makes me seem like an idiot..."

"Good job recognizing your own reckless and stupid actions. Listen, the air is cleared. I'm sure they've figured it out and I guarantee it's not you. Besides you're too scatterbrained to be a killer. You struggle just swatting a fly out of the air."

"I know! That's why I'm confident that I'm in the clear and I-I wanted to reaffirm my innocent with you mister hunky future detective."

Emiko giggled. Kaito rolled his eyes and turned his back on her, placing his hands in his pockets.

"Well uh... Thanks for your confidence in me. I gotta' go though. C'mon Daiki. Show me that new anime you won't shut up about. Later psycho. See you lovebirds later."

With a snarky wave of the back hand, Kaito and Daiki left the area down the street. Emiko glanced over to Senji and Ayame. There was a gleam in her eyes. She smiled and approached the two of them.

"You two are really freaking adorable. You. New guy. This girl already has it rough so you better not break her heart or I'll break your nose!" Emiko hissed. "Alright well byeee!"

Twirling her heel around, Emiko swung around and headed off. Senji and Ayame looked to each other. They both shrugged before leaving the diner and heading home back to Senji's place. She had asked earlier to stay the night to which he agreed.

"So what if it's true? What if you're right in your analysis? Are we really led to believe a teenage girl committed these atrocities?" Isamu asked, scratching his head while his other hand gripped a cold glass of beer on the bar counter.

Katashi was deep in thought. The consequences of his decision could prove disastrous if this turns out to be false. He gulped down the rest of his drink, slamming the glass onto the table and gesturing to the bartender for a refill.

"I know. I know. What else do we have to go off of though? None of the staff seemed to be hiding anything behind their words. Surprisingly I didn't detect any ill intent from any of the boys. The only other possible suspect... Would be that girl with the ego as big as Tokyo itself." Katashi explained while his glass was being refilled.

"I believe her name was Yunaka sir."

"Yeah her. Snobby rich brat. But she has a reputation to uphold according to what she told me. So would she truly risk that reputation if the looming possibility of these crimes being uncovered was in the air? Nah. I don't buy it. A popular student could take the risk by being an asshole and bullying someone the general student body dislikes or cares little for. But if they were committing murder... That's a whole scandal waiting to happen."

"Shit... Well we're putting all our eggs into one basket with this decision then. May we pray to God that this case can be put to rest. Even if... If this is the outcome."

"Amen. I guess. Down the hatch."

Isamu and Katashi gently clinked their glasses together and gulped down their drinks.

Senji and Ayame sat on the floor in his room watching anime. Senji assumed she wanted to stay here tonight for two reasons. To stay out of her house, and catching on to her subtle hints of wanting to get more intimate. Ayame's fingers intertwined with his. She kept glancing at him on occasion as did he despite being very invested in the show playing on the television. His heart was beating fast. Soon the episode had ended. A commercial block began to air.

"Aw. Damn it. Guess we'll have to wait until next week to see what happens to the party and if they can defeat the necromancer." Senji sighed.

"I am, quite invested myself." Ayame murmured.

She stood up, taking Senji's hand. He stood up with her as she walked over to the bed. She motioned her head towards it, signaling for Senji to get onto the bed. He nodded and did just that. Ayame removed her shirt and dropped her pants down. Senji felt a sharp tinge of arousal hit him like a flu shot directly into the shoulder. He shuffled back against the wall. Ayame got up on the bed, her knees sunk into the mattress. She crawled up to him, stroking a finger across his cheek before pressing her lips against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her back deeply.

"Senji..." Ayame whispered.

"Y-yes? Ayame?" Senji whispered back.

"I need you... To listen to me closely. You will not tell anyone about this. Okay?"

"Uh. Okay? About what? Us having sex?"

"No. I don't care if your friends are aware of that. It's... Something else."

"I-I'm listening."

Ayame grabbed Senji's hand and pressed it against her chest above her breasts. He could feel her heart pounding. To him, it seemed like she was about to confess something. Ayame took a deep breath.

"The investigation... Might reveal the truth. So... I will tell you before they potentially tell everyone at school. Should they have figured it out..." Ayame murmured in a hushed tone.

"Huh? A-Ayame? What do you mean...?" Senji stammered.

Ayame then wrapped her arms around Senji's neck. Their faces so close that the tips of their noses were touching. He could feel her breathing on him. His heart was racing, staring deeply into her violet eyes.

"Senji. My love. My everything. The murders... Are my doing." Ayame whispered. "I'm the one who killed them all..."