The skies over Nakamura remained ever so gray and bleak with a light rain drizzling down over the streets. Katashi and Isamu decided to give the couple one last moment alone together before the inevitable separation. Katashi was speaking to someone from the news station over the phone. The news would have to be announced sooner or later. A trial was initially going to be set but Ayame refused to partake, instead accepting her punishment so there was no point in holding a trial in the courthouse. Isamu was speaking to the police chief and Hinaka. After Senji had told his mother about what was going on she started to panic and asking questions. Isamu calmed her down and asked her if she wanted to come to the station. She agreed. Also this way she could take her son home when the time came. He had to explain from the start; From the questionings at the school to Ayame's confession. With Senji's close relationship to the murderer, it was only understandable that she was informed with everything.

While the adults were all occupied, Senji and Ayame sat inside of the interrogation room alone on separate sides of a table. Senji felt absolutely heartbroken. So much so he was on the verge of breaking down. Ayame held his hands over the table to keep him calm.

"At least... Now Usagi can rest easy. I'm exhausted now. I'm done with it all. Senji I... I'm sorry. Sorry you fell in love with a sick murderer like me..." Ayame murmured.

"Don't say that Ayame. Even though... Even though you committed these atrocities because you aren't right in the head I still and will always love you." Senji said as a single tear streaked down his cheek.

Ayame smiled, squeezing his hands tightly.

"Senji. You... Have been the best thing to ever happen in my life. Whenever I was around you, the urges would stay quiet. I guess, being alone so much rotted my humanity away. But then you enter my life... And suddenly I felt happiness. Care. Love. All things taken from me. I just wish you had been here sooner..."

"I'm here now. Not for much longer but... I'm here. Please, tell me you'll get better while you're away. I'm so goddamned worried for you-"

Ayame had climbed up onto the table, grabbing Senji's head and kissing him. He embraced her and kissed back.

"It's okay. I... Think I'll be fine. I'll come back for you. I know you'll be waiting for me."

'Of course. And when you're free then we can be together again."

Life's going to be rough for me when that time comes. Promise me... You'll help me get through it."

"I promise. I love you."

"I love you too."

The door to the room opened up. Ayame shuffled back down into her chair. Isamu stood at the door with a sorrowful look on his face. He sighed and adjusted his hat. He approached the two teens and leaned on the table.

"Sorry to... Break you lovebirds apart. But it's time for you to go, Ayame. Senji, your mom is waiting out in the lobby. Hope you two at least got to share one last tender moment together." Isamu said.

"Yeah. Thank you. For giving us some time." Senji replied wiping his eyes.

"Of course kiddo. Ayame will serve her time and get the treatment she needs. After that, she'll be released. It's not the end of the world yet for you two. I don't think you're a lost cause, young lady."

Isamu then smiled. Senji and Ayame nodded to him then looked to each other and smiled. They shared one last kiss before Isamu took her away and Senji returned to the lobby where Hinaka ran up to him and hugged him. He embraced his mother, fighting back more tears. She took his hand as they left the police station.

Katashi and Isamu met up at a bar to grab drinks together. They were both feeling stressed out.

"So how'd it go with the news anchor?" Isamu asked holding a beer.

"They're gonna make the announcement tonight. Fuck, it's gonna' be a shit storm I just know it. All these parents are about to hear the damning truth that a high school student was responsible for murdering their kids." Katashi muttered as he sipped on a glass of whiskey.

"That poor girl too. I can't imagine how this is going to affect her."

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"Losing her damn mind, barely hanging on by a thread, only to be weeded out and accept the punishment for her crimes. I'll say this: If it wasn't for that Senji kid she may have lost it entirely."

"A bizarre combination of tragic and romantic. You really think she'll recover mentally?"

"I saw how those two were with each other. There's hope yet. Hell he's all she cares about. If getting to reunite with him gets her through this period of isolation and treatment then so be it. A bittersweet ending to what is the most interesting case I've ever had. This one's going in the books for sure."

Isamu and Katashi clinked their drinks together and downed the liquor.

"Shame our partnership is coming to an end. It's been quite an honor working with you." Isamu stated.

"Hm? Oh. Yeah... Could always join the agency. Leave this place."

"Ha! Were it so easy my friend. These are my people. I protect them. Besides that chief position is surely going to be mine someday."

"Fair enough."

"Besides you have an up-and-coming protege. That Kaito kid."

"Oh yeah. Him. Heh. I may just take that kid under my wing once he graduates. Got potential for sure."

"Thought you preferred being a lone wolf Katashi?"

"Yeah well... I'm getting older and frankly having help has been kinda' nice. Maybe I've softened up working alongside you during this whole case."

"Aw how heartwarming."

"Don't push it now."

"Just yanking your chain man. In all seriousness, an apprentice could be just what you need. Gotta' think about the future too and all."

"Yup. I'll probably stop back around once he's done with school and give him an opportunity. Hitomi at the office pesters me every week about finding a suitable replacement once I retire so I can finally shut her ass up with some good news."

"You mean none of the other detectives are suitable?"

"Nah. They stay locally. I'm the one who travels. If that kid really wants to walk in my shoes... Who am I to ignore his hopes and dreams?"

"Well said. I'm sure he'd love to work by your side."

Katashi and Isamu would spend the remainder of their day at the bar chatting away and drinking. After all this would be their last time to enjoy leisure in each other's company before Katashi would have to leave after he finishes his business in Nakamura.

"Good evening Nakamura. This is Kiriko Higarashi of Channel Eight: Nakamura News Network. The serial murder case finally has come to a close ladies and gentlemen. Earlier today at Nakamura High School, seventeen-year-old Ayame Chisato was apprehended by officer Isamu Kojito and detective Katashi Masakuma after confessing to them during a followup interrogation from Friday's that she was responsible for kidnapping and killing all seven victims. In the report provided by Masakuma, he further investigated his notes taken during the first interrogation and concluded that she seemed most likely to have committed the crime. His deduction proved correct in the end. The high school student admitted to her crimes, explaining that her unhealthy mental state and internal struggles caused from a troubled life of loss, abuse and negligence had afflicted her. Claiming, "jealousy, spite and a sickening urge" is what drove her to murder. She will be sentenced to juvenile incarceration alongside mental rehabilitation. For those who were affiliated with the victims in the serial murder case... Our hearts go out to all of you in this time of pain. Just know that each and every one of you may now receive closure. This case has already sparked some discussion within the community about the state of mental health regarding children and teenagers-"

Senji began to tune out the news as he stood up to head to his room. Hinaka sighed watching him leave without either of them speaking a word. Senji entered his room and closed the door. He dove onto his bed face first and just lied there. He would remain there until eventually falling asleep only thinking about Ayame. His heart felt shattered now that she wouldn't be around at school or at home. He did miss a few phone calls but figured he would just catch up with his friends at school. At least he still had them around so he wasn't alone. But a part of him felt hollow without Ayame.

The emotions of the residents of Nakamura were running rampant. Some were still sad and crying over the loss of those they'll never get back. Others felt at peace accepting the justice served and finding closure knowing the murderer had been apprehended. Many were trying to cope with the mixed feelings regarding this outcome, torn between feeling angry at the girl for what she did and feeling some sense of sympathy or pity for resorting to violence and killing at such a young age. The punishment was expected but now this child's life was forever changed. The information given regarding her mental state driving her to murder was scaring parents all over town now. Phone calls were going out everywhere between neighbors and residents, potentially devising a community meeting to discuss this matter. Factors such as bullying and harassment came into play. If one child could devise such a sinister plot to make her victims disappear only to kill them, worries that this could happen again began to sprout in the resident's minds. Nakamura was completely shaken from this serial murder case. And the residents of the tightly-knit community weren't about to just accept this and move on so easily.

It wasn't too long before Usagi's body was discovered by a neighbor and reported to the police. While suspicions were put on Ayame being the culprit, after questioning she claimed that she didn't know anything about it. The knife found at the scene was studied and analyzed. Both Usagi and Ayame's fingerprints showed up. Typical as it was a standard kitchen knife that must've been used prior to the incident. Without any solid evidence beyond that, the case was labeled as a "suicide" and Usagi was put to rest alongside the other victims in Nakamura's cemetery.