The townsfolk of Nakamura were still recovering from recent events. Some time had passed since the announcement of the young murderer being taken into custody that had the public in a state of unease and unrest. Back at the high school, Senji was putting the final touches on his sculpture. Akashi approached him to take a good long look at what he was making. The sculpture was of a slender female bust from the waist up.

"Damn dude... This is impressive." Akashi commented.

Senji looked at him with a frail smile and nodded. He finished up and went to go wash his hands thoroughly. On his way back he saw that Nanami and Machi had joined Akashi in studying the female sculpture.

"Senji! Is this... Ayame?" Nanami asked.

"Yes. It is." Senji replied in a cold tone.

"It's really beautiful."

"T... Thanks."

Senji cleaned up his work station then left the art club room. He wandered down the empty hallways, passing by the occasional club room with a few occupants. When he turned the corner to head out the front doors he saw Ms. Koyami and Ms. Fujiwaka leaning against the wall chatting with a cup of coffee in each of their hands. A sigh escaped his lips while he kept walking, knowing he'd probably be stopped by them. Just as he predicted, Fujiwaka extended her free hand out to get his attention;

"Hey kiddo."

Senji looked at both of them. They stood close. Shoulders bumped up against one another. He just shyly waved. Koyami motioned for him to approach them. He got slightly closer.

"Hey there. How are you feeling?" Koyami asked.

"Fine. I guess." Senji replied.

Ever since Ayame's incarceration, students had been keeping their distance from Senji not out of fear but out of sympathy. Once the news broke out, chatter amongst the students had exploded regarding their relationship. Basically everyone had viewed Senji as a victim in his own right, not wanting to bring her up to him at all. Nobody knew how to really treat this scenario respectfully so thought it best to keep quiet amongst themselves. Even the teachers were concerned about what this all entailed just as parents were. While he did have the support of his closest friends and his own mother, Koyami was the only teacher willing to talk to Senji about his feelings.

"I know this has been hard on you, dear. I just want you to know that I am here for you." Koyami said.

"We, are here for you." Fujiwaka added, nudging Koyami's shoulder. "I've caught my fair share of student and staff chatter. You two were and still are quite the talk of the school. I guess a lot of students were skeptical about your relationship. It's just, rough that it had to turn out this way."

Senji shrugged. He glanced back and forth between the two ladies. He could read their body language.

"Yeah... But I never cared about what others thought. Um, so... You two... Really are together. Aren't you? It's not just rumors." Senji asked.

Koyami and Fujiwaka looked at each other for a brief moment. They simultaneously nodded, looking back to Senji.

"Love is a strange feeling. But yes... It's not just a rumor. We keep it secret here since if it were to come out, we'd probably lose our jobs." Koyami sighed.

"Students found you two an odd couple. They certainly seem to think the same about us. Really sticking to this rumor of theirs. Point I'm trying to make is... Never let what others think get to you. I'm sure things will get better once your girlfriend is released. Me and Koyami have always only wanted the best for you two. If Ayame really is a changed person after this time passes... Then that's awesome." Fujiwaka stated with a warm smile.

Senji smiled back.

"Thanks. I'll be sure to tell her that when I can. And don't worry... I'll keep your relationship a secret."

He politely waved to them and made his way for the exit. Koyami and Fujiwaka watched him leave, feeling hopeful.

Kaito and Katashi sat on a bench in the city park. A gentle wind blew with the sun just barely peeking through the clouded skies. Children played in the distance while their parents talked with each other. A lady with earbuds in jogged by the two of them. Katashi sighed, resting his arms on the back of the bench. Kaito looked over to him.

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"Surprised you're still in town detective. Thought you would've left after the case closed." Kaito said, scratching his head.

Katashi reached into his coat. He whipped out a pack of cigarettes, flicking a single one out and sticking it into his mouth. He swapped the pack for a lighter and lit the cigarette, puffing on it while his arm returned to resting on the back of the bench.

"After this case... I need a break. Figured I'd stay in this town a bit longer while I rest. Nice part about being your own boss is that you get to make the calls." Katashi replied.

"Huh. Can't say I blame ya' really. You and officer Kojito must've worked your asses off on the case."

"Nailed it right on the head kid. By the way... About your interest in the field."

"Yeah?"

"How would you feel about comin' to work with me after you graduate?"

"Y-you serious??"

"Mhm. You have the drive Kaito. And at such a young age too. I'm honestly impressed you went out of your way to conduct your own investigation. Even helped us out some by narrowing it down. I think you got a bright future as a detective. Under my wing of course."

Kaito's eyes lit up. He felt a jolt of dopamine coursing through his veins.

"I'd be honored sir." He replied. "Only thing is... You live pretty far away though. I'd have to move out of the house. And I don't have the money to do that..."

Katashi took a long drag. The burning ashes from the tip of the cigarette blowing away in the wind.

"No worries about that. Got a guest bedroom in the house. You can stay there if you'd like." He crooned.

Kaito felt a sense of comfort and ease from the detective's words. He almost choked on his words as he replied;

"W-wait... You'd even give me residence...?"

"You're still a kid. I know for a fact you don't have the expenses. If I take you under my wing it's only fair that you come stay with me. Not like I ever have company these days anyway."

"No friends or lovers?"

"Nope. I'm too bitter for socializing and I've had my fair share of flings back in my youth. Now... I'm just a cranky old shit."

"Sounds like my father..."

"Just keep your chin up, kid. The moment you get outta' school at eighteen then you're free to do as your please."

"I... I gladly accept. Teach me your ways, sir."

Seeing Kaito's gleeful expression brought a smile to Katashi's face. He nodded, reaching over and patting Kaito on the shoulder. The man knew he wouldn't be doing this forever. Eventually, he'd have to pass the torch. And Kaito would be the torch-bearer. He even thought some fresh blood in the field may be good in a field full of older men. All he hoped for was to not have another complicated case such as this ever again in his lifetime. Kaito would have to break the news to his friends soon enough.

The walls were a pale white with puke-green tiled flooring. Inside the square-shaped room was a single bed, a lamp, trashcan and a table. On the table were a notebook, a pencil, a sketchbook with colored pencils, and some manga. Knocks rapped on the lone door. The small hatch on the door opened up and a pack of wrapped sushi slid through, landing on the floor. Footsteps approached the sushi pack. It was picked up and brought over to the table. Opening it up with chopsticks now in hand, Ayame slowly eat the sushi.

A woman in a white dress walked down the hallway, returning into the officer. A man in a blue suit stood by her desk.

"How is she doing?" The man asked.

"She's not much of a talker. But what few words she has said seemed... Positive? 'I regret all of this.' 'Why did I do this?' 'I miss him.' "I just want to leave.' That... Sort of thing." The woman replied.

"Hm. I see. Seems rehabilitation is just what she needed. Well-deserved after the atrocities she committed."

"Oh can it, will you?. She clearly hates herself for what she did. Yes, she's paying the price. But she's still just a kid. The poor girl... What did she go through to become like this?"

"I've been studying your notes on her carefully. The head of the community center, who also happens to be a mother of three, is wanting to write a report about the psychology of children and publish it across the entire country. To open awareness to the fragile minds kids have. After all... Our town has been the center of national news ever since these murders all started. And it's only gotten worse since the suspect was revealed to be a seventeen-year-old girl. All this attention from media outlets and reporters is... Goddamn overwhelming."

"I know. I know. Just hang in there okay? She's still got a long while before she's permitted to leave but the progress is there. I think she'll be a better person once she walks free."

"Let's hope so. Question is... Where is she going to go? Her guardian was found dead inside her home."

"We'll figure that out once she's able to be released..."

Ayame remained silent. The clock on the wall ticked away in the eerie silence. She returned to doodling in the sketchbook. Her expression showed a clear sign of loneliness. On the page inside the sketchbook; A boy drawn in blue and a girl drawn in pink. They held hands, walking off into a yellow sunset surrounded by green grass and blooming orange flowers with a red knife left on the ground behind them. A couple tears fell, staining the page.