《Fox-Eared Detective》


 1 - ?Fox-Eared Girl?(CASE 1)

    <hr>


    The sound of rain resounds in the dark street. The sound of a car braking violently, twitching in the starless night. The light of the street lamp illuminates the silhouette of a naked girl, her eyes closed, her hair long and wavy. The garbage bags under her back serve as a mattress on which she sleeps peacefully. The car is stopped, the bright red lights light up just below the trunk and the passenger door opens suddenly. With a hurried hand, from a worried woman, with a firm grip. The woman doesn''t even take the time to put her hood over her head, the raindrops end up on her long red hair; the same color as the girl''s. The woman trembles and as she takes another step closer, her heart stops. Her rain-wet cheeks are now also soaked with tears of mixed emotions. The man driving the car gets out in turn and runs to join his wife, before seeing that the unconscious girl¡ª


    It happened about two and a half years ago. Time passed, as slowly as it did quickly, and it''s a story only three people know. A father. A mother. A daughter.


    The reunion between parents... and their child.


    From now on, this girl is heading with unhurried, but not slow, steps towards the school where classes have finally started again. After a well-deserved summer vacation, the children and teenagers are going back to school on August 30, 2022. The penultimate day of this sunny month, and the first day of the school year.


    This girl heading to school, a backpack with barely an empty pencil case and a notebook with blank pages, has a story that only she and her parents know.


    Well, that''s not entirely true. Because in reality, this girl¡­


    Has no memory of the 5 months she was missing.


    Nor why¡­


    She has a fox tail and fox ears.


    CHAPTER 1


    ?Fox-Eared Girl?


    It''s a sunny day, although a little less hot than the old ones. Summer is slowly fading away, preparing to give way to fall, which arrives in precisely 24 days. The students talk to each other as they walk by each other. It is a day when friends meet again after two long months of vacation, but also a day when new friendships will bloom. The sun is shining brightly, happy for the start of the school year, no clouds blocking its warm rays. The teachers are already inside the school, preparing for the arrival of the students. The principal has already checked that the microphone is working, and she feels no trepidation at all about the short speech she is going to give at the start of the year. The boards where the classes and their students are listed are already ready, but they will not be visible until after the principal''s speech. Some of the teachers are waiting outside and watching the students who are filling up the playground of Tetazo High School more and more. The birds are singing and flying together, just as some couples are talking and laughing together. Even if this day means a nightmare for some, the good mood reigns on this August 30th and the trees show their beautiful colors, while the morning breeze refreshes the spirits. The time on the watches and clocks indicates that it is 9:54 am: only 6 minutes left before school starts.


    - ...


    As the students chat together on the way, some of them notice a certain person at their side. She walks leisurely, looking straight ahead, while her outfit is recognized by all. Some smile, others greet her and a minority of them ignore her or don''t know who she is. The girl returns their smile and greets them in return, one hand holding the bag behind her back.


    - Deshyaaaaa!!!


    As she walks quietly, a girl shouts her name and starts running towards her. Deshya stops dead in her tracks and turns around before seeing a girl jump on her.


    - W-Waa?!!


    Deshya doesn''t have time to dodge as she is caught in the girl''s arms and falls to the ground with her. Most of the students around them stop and some of them run to see if everything is okay. However¡ª


    - Deshyaaa, I missed youuuu!!!


    - A-Aaah, Amora!!!


    The girl giving her best friend a big hug waddles over, not wanting to let go so soon. Deshya pats her back and asks her to let go, her cheeks all red, and Amora finally listens.


    - Okay...


    She stands up and puffs out her cheeks, offended. She notices the crowd that has gathered around them and smiles.


    - You have so many fans, Deshyshy!!!" said Amora to her.


    Deshya gets up in turn and puts her sweater back on her before sighing.


    - It is especially your abrupt hug that intrigues them..." admits Deshya.


    - Both of them!


    Amora puffs out her cheeks again and stares intently at Deshya. She puts her hands in front of her and smiles with embarrassment.


    - O-Okay, okay...


    Admitting defeat, Deshya does not try to argue any longer with Amora. The latter shows a beautiful and big smile and grabs the arm of her best friend.


    - We''re going to be late, let''s go!


    Amora starts to run, Deshya''s arm still in hers, and doesn''t care in the least about the many looks on their faces. However, most of the students are not really looking at Amora, nor at Deshya herself, but rather at what is moving in all directions behind her:


    A long, large and fluffy fox tail.


    - W-Wait, Amoraaa!!!" shouts Deshya.


    They finally arrive in front of the large open school gate and both pass through it at the same time, Amora with a beaming smile; Deshya with an amused, but also embarrassed expression. Amora lands on the ground with both feet and finally lets go of Deshya. She takes a proud look.


    - Mph! Our 4th year* can begin !


    (* : 1st year = 13 years old. 6th year = 18 years old (without any failure). It is the opposite of France)


    Deshya properly puts her bag back behind her back and looks around. The playground is just as she remembers it, though even more crowded than normal... The school building hasn''t changed since then; the only detail she can notice from here is that the third floor window of the old science classroom is finally fixed, but that''s not surprising. Deshya hears Amora calling her and she notes that it is already far enough.


    - Wait for me, raaah!" grumbles Deshya.


    She runs to join her and weaves in and out of the crowd of students.


    - Hey, Deshya!


    - Hi, Deshya!


    - How is our fox?


    - I love this sweater!!! I''m glad you put it back on!


    - Yo,yo, fox!


    - W-Waa, your soft tail rubbing my face... Eeeh....


    As she sneaks in, many students greet her and talk to her, but she doesn''t have time to respond to everyone. Her long fox tail rubs against some people, but few would come to complain about such a thing. She finally arrives at Amora''s side and sighs heavily.


    - Always so much energy..." sighs Deshya.


    Amora makes two "V''s" with her index and middle fingers, a big smile on her face. Deshya scratches the back of her hood and looks at the director as she takes the big stage.


    - I arrived in time..." thinks Deshya.


    Not being used to waking up before 10am, she got up from her bed a little too late. Her father was already at work, so it was her mother who had to call her, having set her alarm clock a little earlier than usual in case Deshya had forgotten hers; and she did well. Her mother saved her ass this time... again. Deshya owes her a free breakfast.


    As the students are all talking to each other, causing a rather unbearable commotion, the microphone turns on and crackles. The principal taps it twice to make sure it''s working and smiles.


    - Welcome to all!


    The incessant noise of the crowd calms down little by little and finally, only one or the other disrupter is still heard, even if nobody shouts. Deshya is attentive, like the other students.


    - I hope that your summer vacation went well and that you were able to have fun and rest.


    Deshya lowers her eyelids a little, grinning a little silly.


    - To have fun, yes, but to rest...


    - I know that coming back to class and starting a new school year must be tiring, even depressing, for some of you. However, we will do our best to make sure you have a great year at our school.


    Tetazo High School, like the elementary school, is known to be a beloved school and very respectful of its students. Moreover, in the last two years, its popularity has only increased, and this is because of three people in particular, although one of the three is the major cause. The principal is a smiling and friendly woman who listens to everyone, students, teachers and parents alike.


    - We haven''t changed much in our programs, but the gym has been redone as planned. I hope you will enjoy it.


    Sounds of joy echo through the crowd of students and Amora taps her feet, happy too. After all, she was one of the people who proposed changes to the old gym.


    - Like last year, your classes will be listed on the boards in the great hall. You will be able to go there in a few minutes.


    Deshya wonders which class she will be in. She knows that there are three different classes for fourth graders in the ''general'' function this year. Amora grabs Deshya''s hands.


    - I hope we''ll be together!!!" she drops with big eyes.


    - I hope so," her friend answered honestly.


    This makes Amora very happy and she giggles with joy.


    - Most of the important information will be said by your teachers. As always, there are no classes today or tomorrow. You will simply receive your notebooks, get to know your teachers and classmates, and learn what to buy for each class. Tomorrow will be similar, but even shorter. Don''t forget, classes end at 4:15 pm.


    More or less everyone already knows what the director says, but it is always useful to remind them. In addition, new students come to the school every year, so it is important to explain everything again without taking up their time unnecessarily. The principal places her right hand, extended, on her chest.


    - I am your director, Kana Koweni. Ms. Koweni is my nickname.


    A medium-sized woman whom Deshya likes a lot, but she is not the only one: most of the students like her a lot, and not without reason.


    - Never hesitate to ask me any question, I will be listening.


    Goodness in her voice and a little Swedish accent give her a certain charm. She will soon reach 60 years old, but she doesn''t look old at all.


    - Please respect your classmates and welcome the new ones with great respect. Thank you.


    Applause rings out from the crowd of students. Deshya claps, too, though with less intensity than Amora; but who can match her energy? The principal clears her throat and reaches into her pocket for a piece of paper. Deshya looks almost frightened, knowing what it means; and the beginnings of screams in the crowd prove that she is not the only one.


    - I can see that you are already greatly excited, ahah. Like last year, we are going to offer you a puzzle!


    And then the crowd starts to get excited and shout for joy. Deshya hides under her hood and Amora smiles teasingly. She pushes her forward and the students move aside to let her pass and Deshya sighs heavily, her fox tail touching the ground. She climbs onto the stage along with two others and, having arrived next to the director, she looks at the cluster of students jumping around and raising their arms with joy and haste. Deshya sighs again and looks at the two other students who are smiling at her.


    - Yo, little fox!" the girl says.


    - I was sure they were going to do it again this year," says the boy.


    - I suspected it too..." replies Deshya.


    The director takes the microphone in her hands and walks away from the three students as she speaks.


    - As you all must know, this is the "Fox Incorporated"!


    This name comes to excite the crowd in madness even more. Deshya can see Amora waving pink pom poms in the air.


    - She really took pom poms?!" exclaims Deshya internally.


    The director sits down on a chair a little further away and raises the sheet of paper in her hands.


    - We thought of a tough puzzle and our three geniuses here will try to solve it! Like last year, the first one to solve it will win a human-sized plush toy from ToysNUS!


    ¡®ToysNUS'' is a well known company that makes quality toys. Deshya has already bought many items from them. ¡®MINALAS'' and ''Art Of Play'' are also very popular. The girl between Deshya and the boy cracks her fists and smiles.


    - Still to me the plush...!" she lets go.


    Deshya looks at her with a faint smile. Last year, she was the one who solved the most quickly. Deshya would have liked to have the giant stuffed animal, but she had not been prepared to be put in front of such a huge crowd, so her brain did not work as expected. She had been greatly disappointed and felt no motivation the whole day. Even though she was still a little embarrassed to be in front of so many people, she couldn''t let it happen this time. She looks at the happy crowd in front of her and squints her eyes.


    - ...


    Three years ago, Deshya never thought she would be so popular. After all... she is the one who made this school so much more popular.


    ¡®The fox-eared girl''.


    That''s the nickname she''s given. Her real name is ''Deshya Oveja'' and before the story that happened when she was 13, she was far from being popular. A girl who often keeps to herself, who never gets noticed too much and who, despite her very good points, has nothing special; except her imagination and her brain. She was not known by many people and she never thought that the next year everyone at school would know her.


    Because at the age of thirteen, a few days after school started, Deshya disappeared without a trace.


    She doesn''t even remember what she was doing at the time, but her parents explained that it was just after school ended; in short, she disappeared on her way home.


    5 months.


    For 5 long months, Deshya was missing. The police made a long search, the whole neighborhood was turned upside down, many houses were inspected and even the airports were questioned about the passengers.


    Nothing.


    Deshya was nowhere. Disappeared as if she had never existed. The police couldn''t find her, no one observed her and no ransom demand was made. Deshya''s body, alive or dead, seemed to have left this planet...


    However, after 5 long months of searching and no answers, no findings... Deshya''s father and mother found her.


    She was unconscious, completely naked, lying on garbage bags. An inhabitant of the village where she was found, who had passed by the street only ten minutes before, confessed that he had not seen anyone at that place.


    Deshya had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.


    Even in the present, no one knows what really happened... especially since another, almost even bigger mystery has emerged.


    Deshya''s fox ears and tail.


    Until now, since her birth, Deshya has always been a normal human. Sure, some people teased her because of her red hair and said that being red means having no soul, but Deshya was indeed human. Now, that is no longer the case. Her fox ears are real. Her fox tail is attached to her body and pulling on it or walking on it hurts. Ears or tail, they move and react according to her emotions, her feelings, even her own instincts. She no longer has human ears and hears everything through her fox ears. She runs a little faster and thanks to her long animal tail, she can take turns with even more agility than a normal human. While Deshya remains human in mind and in most of her body ¡ª especially since it doesn''t appear that she has a new or missing organ ¡ª she can no longer be considered fully human.


    She is a fox girl.


    Her parents questioned her an unimaginable number of times, but Deshya always had a sad look on her face.


    Because she doesn''t remember anything.


    She doesn''t know when she disappeared. She doesn''t know why. She doesn''t know if it was someone or something that kidnapped her. She doesn''t remember a single detail of the five long months when she didn''t show a single sign of life. Some psychologists they went to see think that this is a natural mechanism for her to avoid the trauma, but since she remembers everything perfectly, except her five months, nothing is certain. Her friends. Her family. Unimportant details. Deshya remembers it all with ease.


    But those 5 months in particular... Nothing. Complete amnesia.


    Unfortunately, Deshya can''t make her fox ears or tail disappear, but she couldn''t stay home all her life either, so she hesitated to admit to everyone that she is now a girl with fox attributes, but her father flatly refused. It didn''t take Deshya long to figure out why.


    There are many reasons why she does not admit her real identity.


    If it has been kidnapped and altered by someone or some group of people, she can endanger anyone who learns her secret. While this is unlikely, since she did not feel she was being watched and if she had, they would have come back for her, she would rather not take that risk.


    There is also the risk of attracting crazy people. There are many people who want girls with animal attributes to exist in the modern world, so if they find out that she is a girl with fox attributes, there is a great chance that she will get kidnapped and even... She doesn''t even want to think about the horrors that could be done to her. Even big companies, even nations, will come to try to get Deshya to do many experiments on her and try to understand how she can have fox ears and tail.


    In short, if she confesses her real identity and it spreads, she will be in danger every second that passes. An unbearable life.


    Yes, Deshya still comes to school despite this. She can''t really hide her long and fluffy fox tail, but her mother knitted her some sweaters that have fox ears too, leaving room for hers and thus being able to hide them. The material used on the front of these ears is very thin so she can hear while hiding what''s underneath.


    When she came back to class, she had to lie and say that she was seriously ill and had even had to go to the hospital for a few months. She says that she has a fox tail on her back that is attached to a button on her panties and that she likes this style, feeling more like a ''she'' as a fox; this is also why she wears such a sweater. Although many teachers and staff at the school did not accept such an outfit at first, after a long discussion with Deshya and Deshya''s parents herself, an agreement was put in place and the director accepted that Deshya dresses like this.


    Since then, Deshya''s popularity has only increased, like an arrow that wishes to reach the heavens.


    The whole school of Tetazo knows her. The nickname ''the girl with the fox ears'' is shared by all and every day hundreds of students greet and chat with Deshya. Her presence in the school has given a new face to the buildings and in two years the number of students has doubled!


    Nevertheless, Deshya is not the only reason for this popularity. Even though she is the main reason for it, two other people have also helped Tetazo High School''s popularity.


    The two people at her side.


    ¡®Tessa Merossa'' and ''Maruno Uffite''. With Deshya Oveja, they form ''Fox Incorporated''. That''s the nickname they are given. Although they don''t always hang out together, all three are in the 4th year, although


    Maruno is 17 and Tessa is 18, Deshya is 16. All three are the reason for the popularity of the school and are very popular in the whole city; even some outside the city know them, although Deshya is the best known of the three.


    - Ready to lose again?" smiled Tessa.


    Deshya comes out of her thoughts and turns to Tessa. Maruno crosses his arms and looks ahead.


    - Eh, we''ll see.


    He doesn''t look angry; rather, he''s even more determined to win this time. The director''s microphone crackles and Deshya turns to her.


    - Well, I''ll read the puzzle! If anyone in the audience thinks they know the answer before Maruno, Tessa or Deshya, they can raise their hand and shout "I KNOW"! However, remember: if you answer wrong, it''s two hours of detention.


    Everyone suddenly calms down and Deshya does not hide her surprise. It seems to be a very severe punishment...


    - Probably to avoid some idiots disconcerting us..." thinks Deshya with a small smile.


    The director asks the three if they are ready and they nod. Deshya is not sure if she wants to do that, especially on the first day of class, but she doesn''t necessarily want to get off the stage and give up: she''ll draw even more attention¡­


    Moreover, Deshya hates to give up.


    - Well, I''ll read the puzzle! If you have the answer, raise your hand directly," said the director.


    She looks at her piece of paper and reads:


    - 4/6- 10 * 3/6- 4 * 6/6 - 4 * 3/6- 6 * 3/6- 8 * 3/6- 4 * 3/6- 8 * 3/6- 5 * 6/6 - 4 * 3/6- 4 * 4/6- 3 * 3/6- 6 * 6/6 - 4 * 4/6- 11 * 3/6- 2 * 5/6- 4 * 3/6- 9 * 4/6- 11 * 3/6- 4.


    She places the back sheet on her thighs to prevent cheating and smiles. She brings her microphone closer to her mouth.


    - What is the message?


    The silence is complete. Even Maruno, Tessa and Deshya are completely silent. Amora blinks and throws her pom-poms before shouting, pointing at the director.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    - IT DOESN''T MEAN ANYTHING!!!


    The director puts a finger in front of her mouth, signaling her to be quiet, and Amora frowns, but when she sees Deshya''s expression, she remains speechless. Deshya seems so focused.


    - What kind of code is that...?!" she wondered, her eyes crinkling.


    Deshya doesn''t understand at all. Since it''s a code made up of numbers, she suspects it''s a message of different letters, but she can''t even be sure. Moreover, there are many layers to this puzzle.


    Already, the ''number/number'' at the very beginning. They all end with a ''6'', which must be a very specific letter. The numbers before are only ''3'', ''4'', ''5'' or even ''6''. Some of the combinations look the same, but there seem to be only three different ''6''s and only one ''5''... The message is mostly ''3''.


    - Maybe the ''6'' after the ''/'' bar is unnecessary..." she wonders.


    Then there is this ''-'' between the three numbers. First, the ''number/digit'', then a ''-'' and finally...


    Finally, the last number. It varies between ''2'' and ''11''; in short, there is no ''1'' or ''12''. Deshya doesn''t have time to look at the other two beside her, but they don''t understand what it could mean either... Deshya looks ahead, eyes still squinting.


    - There must be a logic behind it. If I remove the ''6'' after the ''/'' bar, it makes... 4 - 10 * 3 - 4 * 6 - 4 * 3 - 6 * 3 - 8 * 3 - 4 * 3 - 8 * 3 - 5 * 6 - 4 * 3 - 4 * 4 - 3 * 3 - 6 * 6 - 4 * 4 - 11 * 3 - 2 * 5 - 4 * 3 - 9 * 4 - 11 * 3 - 4... !


    Deshya seems to be on a track and she rubs her chin.


    - If we do a quick calculation...


    She''s not the best at mental arithmetic, but it doesn''t even take her six short seconds to do it all.


    - -6, -1, 2, -3, -5, -1, -5, -2, 2, -1, 1, -3, 2, -7, 1, 1, -6, -7 and 1...


    The crowd is silent, leaving them to reflect.


    - Then, the ''*'' can be times... If I do the math¡ª


    Just as she is about to begin, the crowd makes a loud bang. Deshya blinks and looks to her right.


    Tessa just raised her hand.


    - OOOH!!!


    - !!!


    - TESSA!!!


    - I WAS BETTING ON YOU, LET''S GOOOO !!!!!


    The crowd starts shouting in all directions and Deshya frowns. She was faster at doing the math...! The director takes the microphone back in her hand.


    - Did you find it, Tessa?


    The girl with the long purple hair shows her beautiful white teeth with the arrogant smile she makes.


    - It''s a pretty simple calculation. Remove the ''/6'' and then do the subtractions...


    Her look proves that she is sure of herself.


    - And then multiply everything!


    She points to the director and shouts her response:


    - The message is a number!!! It''s ''6350400''!


    Tessa swings her hair and gives a fiery look to the crowd.


    - I will even say that ''6350400'' can mean ''MEL'' in SMS code. And then, ''Mel'' is an abbreviation for ''Electronic Messaging'', in short¡ª


    - It''s not that.


    Just as she is in the middle of an explanation, the principal breaks her theory with a simple, short sentence into the microphone. Tessa slowly turns around, an embarrassed smile on her face.


    - I-it''s not that...?" she asks to repeat.


    The director keeps her sweet smile, yet looks so ironic.


    - No. I''m sorry.


    Tessa sighs for a long time and lets her head fall. Nevertheless, she directly resumes her research: she never gives up either! Deshya rubs her right fox ear; or rather the piece of hood that hides it.


    - I thought that was it, too..." thought Deshya.


    She keeps looking for a meaning to this code, but she still doesn''t understand... Maybe the ''/'' bars should not be removed? Then, should we divide all the numbers by ''6'' before calculating everything? Deshya is about to start calculating when she gently shakes her head.


    - If that''s all it is, it''s almost too simple... There must be something else...


    Deshya begins to observe the crowd before her. All the students are thinking too, but some are looking at the three of them, the ''Fox Incorporated'' of Tetazo High School. Three students who are considered ''superior'' in intellectual terms. However, Maruno has failed his year once and Tessa, twice. Of course, Deshya knows that this doesn''t mean anything and she doesn''t consider herself smarter than any of the two, but she finds it amusing that such geniuses have missed at least one year. Deshya watches the students in front of her carefully as she thinks, really not understanding. Of course, there must be a logic behind the message, but which one?


    - ... In any case, they are in all directions...


    She thinks about this as she watches them. Since they are all standing and no chairs have been prepared in advance, they do not form nice rows and columns.


    - ... !!!


    As she thinks about the students out of simple frustration at not finding an answer, a flash of lightning strikes her brain. She stares intently at the floor, thinks for a few moments and squints. Amora has picked up her pom-poms again and is waving them gently, supporting her best friend without making too much noise, when she notices the light in her eyes.


    And then Deshya raises her hand.


    - !!!


    - Ooooh?!


    - Our fox raised her hand!!!


    The crowd starts to get excited again. Tessa and Maruno turn their gaze to her and the director takes the microphone again.


    - Do you think you''ve got it, Deshya?" she asks.


    Deshya lowers her hand, no smile on her face.


    - It''s a message that reveals a criminal, isn''t it?


    Silence resumes. Everyone is silent and most are stunned. The director blinks while Tessa smiles. Maruno slaps his forehead and sighs, having just understood the message. He shrugs his shoulders.


    - Looks like we lost, Tessa.


    Tessa scratches her hair.


    - I admit I still don''t get it..." she said, a little annoyed.


    The boy smiles.


    - Hey, Deshya will explain.


    The girl in the fox sweater cleared her throat before smiling.


    - "The killer is Maxime".


    - !!!


    - Oooh?!


    - Maxime...?


    - How did she come up with that???


    - Is that what you think it is?


    - Eeeh?!!!!


    The crowd starts to get excited again. The director is silent, not yet confirming Deshya''s answer. She brings her microphone close to her mouth¡ª


    - ...


    She doesn''t say anything yet, the paper still on her thighs. The atmosphere becomes more and more heavy and the lady says¡ª


    - ... Ahah!


    Deshya opens her eyes wide. Had she been wrong?! Maruno suddenly turns around, also shocked. He had understood how Deshya had found the code, but this is something else again! Amora lowers her pom poms, sad to see that Deshya was wrong, and the director shakes her head, from left to right.


    - No, no!


    She shouts into her microphone, without hurting the students'' ears, and laughs again. Deshya rubs her franche, grinding her teeth, not being able to believe that she had been wrong... Yet it seems so logical! The principal calms her laughter and puts the microphone back in front of her mouth.


    - I mean, no, no, she is right!


    And there, the silence resumes, again. Maruno and Tessa observe the director and Deshya raises her head. The director taps the paper on her thighs.


    - I laughed because I didn''t think she would say such a thing before saying the code.


    The students all start looking at the girl with the long fox tail. Deshya sighs with relief and lets out a small moan.


    - I thought I was wrong..." she says.


    - Can you explain how you came to that conclusion?" the director asks her.


    - ... Aaah!


    Tessa cries out and scratches the back of her head.


    - Raaaaah, I just figured it out!!!


    She sits on the floor and sighs as she closes her eyes, disappointed in herself. Maruno pats her head in smiling, trying to comfort her. Deshya crosses her arms.


    - At first, it may look like you have to do some calculations because of the ''/'' bars that could mean division, the ''-'' dashes that look like subtraction and the ''*'' asterisks that could be multiplication. Already, the mistake that Tessa and I made like idiots is that we should start with division or multiplication, not subtract first.


    Tessa opens one eye and looks at Deshya.


    - That''s just the way I was calculating, but I figured if it was just mental math, it wouldn''t be for us..." says Tessa.


    - So I thought there was something else going on. It''s when I looked at all the weirdos in the crowd that I understood.


    She points to the students who are standing around, watching the scene, and some of them start screaming.


    - What do you mean weirdos?!


    - Just because you are popular doesn''t mean you can insult us!!!


    - I love it when you insult me, Deshyaa!


    - It is not our fault that we are not¡­ Wait, what did that guy say?!


    Everyone starts laughing when a boy compliments... oddly enough Deshya, and Deshya rubs her eyes and sighs, not being able to believe that someone could say that out loud... She doesn''t think any more about it and looks back at the principal.


    - When I thought about the students being a messy crowd, I thought of a system with chairs. Anyway...


    - Rows and columns... Right?


    Maruno crosses his arms and smiles.


    - I thought of this directly when you said the code. I don''t believe it.


    The students in the crowd still don''t get it.


    - Rows and columns...?!" asks a woman who is close to the scene.


    Deshya nods.


    - If I take the first letter of the code, it''s ''4/6- 10''. I was right to remove the ''6'', because in reality, it is simply there to give us a clue as to what the other two numbers mean; here, the ''4'' and the ''10''.


    Deshya''s fox tail swings gently to the right and she smiles again.


    - The ''6'' behind each ''/'' bar makes us understand that the number before the ''/'' bar is in fact a row... That of a computer keyboard.


    - !!!!


    - Bruuuuh?!


    - What...??


    Even with her explanation, most students don''t understand what she means. She continues.


    - In short, the first letter is ''4/6- 10''. If we remove the ''6'' and understand that the ''4'' is the number of the row, it gives ''4- 10''. The dash ''-'' just makes us understand that we have to separate the ''4'' from the ''10'', nothing more. In short, the fourth row of a AZERTY computer keyboard gives...


    - ... Hmmm, isn''t that where the ''CAPS LOCK'' button is?" asks a student in the crowd.


    Deshya nods.


    - That''s right. Then the ''10'' that''s after the dash ''-'' just tells us what to pick... in that row.


    She waves her hand.


    - In short, the tenth key of the fourth row of the keyboard... is ''L''.


    - !!!


    - OOOOH !!!!


    - Following this logic, we can form the letters of the message that make, in the end, "the killer is maxime".


    - What about the ''6/6''?" asked another boy in the crowd.


    - It is simply to mark the spaces.


    - And how could you know that it was a code on an AZERTY keyboard?!!!


    Deshya''s ears flutter, but they are stopped in her hood.


    - That''s all we have here and honestly, if it hadn''t been clear with AZERTY, I would have just looked with QWERTY.*


    (* : Note that this story is written in french at first and uses AZERTY keyboards.)


    The students look at each other before they all start to scream with joy, throwing their hats or bags. Amora throws her pom-poms towards Deshya who catches them with an embarrassed smile. Tessa stands up with a disappointed look, but pats Deshya''s shoulder with a small smile.


    - This time, I don''t win my stuffed animal, right?" she sighs.


    Deshya shrugs her shoulders.


    - Even the best don''t win every time, do they?


    Tessa blinked, mouth agape, but eventually she chuckled.


    - It''s true, it''s true! But the worst ones never win, that''s why Maruno will never win against either of us.


    - HUUUUUUH???


    Maruno screams and starts waving his fist in front of her, annoyed, but Tessa just ignores him and gets off the stage. The boy grinds his teeth.


    - She''s being a smartass, but I figured out the code right after Deshya said it, and she didn''t!!!" he yells.


    Deshya''s eyelids droop and she smiles mockingly.


    - You still had to wait for me to say it to understand it as well..." she thinks.


    A few minutes later, when the crowd who went wild calmed down and Deshya has chosen which human sized stuffed animal she is going to take, she joins Amora to go and look at the big boards where all the classes are listed. Deshya looks down and observes the students in class 4A, but she is not there; neither is Amora.


    - I am not in the same class as Maruno..." thinks Deshya.


    So Maruno is in 4A, with neither Deshya nor Tessa. Then, in 4B¡ª


    - DESHYA, WE ARE TOGETHER!!!


    Amora takes her best friend in her arms, crushing her and Deshya pushes her a little, telling her that she is suffocating, but Amora''s absolute joy prevents her from hearing it. Deshya sighs and takes her in her arms too with a happy smile. After a few long seconds, Amora lets her go and hops on the spot.


    - I am so happyyyyyyyy!!!" she expresses. We''re in the same class, in 4B!!!


    - Ahah, that''s cool, I agree¡­


    Amora stops hopping around and pouts.


    - Moooh, you don''t have to act cool, I know you''re super happy!!!


    - E-Eh?


    - Yes!!! Look, your fox tail is wagging all over the place!!!


    Deshya blinks and looks behind her to notice... Amora is right!!! She holds it and blushes.


    - A-Ahah, but you know it''s not a t-t-true fox tail, it works... n-not like that¡­


    Deshya stutters and Amora smiles.


    - No big deal!!! You move your pelvis and it moves your fox tail, so you''re still happy!!!


    Deshya sighs with relief.


    - One day, I''ll get caught¡­


    This is her biggest fear: that her sweater will come undone or that someone will find out that she is really a girl with fox-like attributes somehow. If that happens, all her efforts will have been for nothing... Nevertheless, it seems so impossible that Deshya can say whatever she wants, they will believe her. She turns her attention back to the blackboard and looks at the students in class 4C¡­


    - ... Tessa is in 4C, so... The three geniuses who are separated... Why I''m not surprised.


    Deshya gets along well with Tessa and Maruno, so it makes her a little sad, but since she is with Amora and


    some of her friends, she can''t complain.


    - Come on, let''s go!" her friend said, grabbing her arm.


    Deshya follows Amora, being careful not to drop her bag.


    - I''m in the same class as her and I won the stuffed animal... My year is starting well, it seems..." thinks Deshya smiling.


    The introductions of the different teachers and students are done without any problem. Lots of laughter, smiles and joy radiate from the classrooms and Deshya can sit next to Amora. Both are in the second row, second column, Amora on the door side and Deshya on the window side. The introductions go well and, as expected, Deshya is the one everyone comes to talk to, but fortunately, everyone starts talking to everyone else. Amora is happy to see that Alec and Lam are in the class, too, and she offers them to come and eat with Deshya for lunch; both accept.


    The day goes on without a hitch. Deshya was able to get to know the new kids in her class, although there are many faces she recognizes. Despite being a bit shy at times, Deshya is not nearly as unsociable as she used to be. She has many friends and can''t really complain about her popularity... Not everyone comes to bother her at any time of the day either: it is popular, but it is not a street lamp that attracts butterflies.


    It is now 4:25 pm and Deshya is on her way home. The day, although it has been very nice and she is looking forward to getting to know her classmates better, has been long.


    - At least our teachers are the same!" she thought.


    Deshya jumps up to put her bag back on properly and feels her fox tail making some weight on her back. She squints her eyes.


    - ¡­


    Deshya can''t lie: she really likes having fox attributes. She can''t imagine how many people, old or young, would like to be in her shoes... Whether it''s her increased speed or her even cuter side, being a girl with fox attributes is really something she likes¡­


    Unfortunately, she can''t risk letting reality slip out of her sweater.


    Her real ears, which are now fox ears, cannot be revealed. She must continue to hide the truth and make as much effort as possible to not let her fox tail wag on its own, or there will be suspicion. She knows that some people are wondering questions, so she can''t afford to do anything and think no one will suspect anything. She sighs.


    - If only¡­


    Her eyebrows fall slowly and she looks at the ground. Despite all this time¡­


    She still doesn''t remember anything.


    Deshya needs to know what happened... She needs to know why she is the way she is. She can''t just live her whole life without thinking about it. Did someone change her? Something? An alien life, even? She doesn''t believe in that, but now that she''s a fox girl, she can''t deny that she tells herself that the paranormal exists... If she at least knew whether or not she was in danger if she revealed the truth about herself, she could live with a little less worry... She sighs again.


    - ¡­


    Deshya expects to find the truth, one day. She lifts her head and takes a deep breath of air. For now, she has no clue, but one day...!


    As she walks, her left ear flutters. She slowly turns her face toward the house to her left¡ª


    When an explosion sounds.

 2 - ?Explosion At The Blusharks Residence?(CASE 1)

    <hr>


    As Deshya walks quietly down the street, about five minutes from her home, an explosion sounds in the house to her left. Her ear seems to have intercepted something just before, but the sound was so faint that she herself couldn''t tell what she heard.


    The glass shatters from the explosion and Deshya opens her eyes wide. She jumps to the ground and protects herself with her hands, but fortunately she is not hurt. The sound of the glass bouncing and shattering on the floor is accompanied by the barking of neighborhood dogs and doors, including windows opening.


    - What''s going on?!" yells a neighbor.


    - A-An explosion?!" shouts another.


    Deshya stands up and shakes her head before taking a step back, seeing the kitchen catch fire inside the house. She stands still for a few moments, but a woman''s scream wakes her up. She grits her teeth and grabs her phone before running. She punches in 112 and then the police number, 101.


    - An explosion sounded in the house number 47, rue des Pommiers!*


    * (¡°Pommiers¡¯ street¡± in french)


    CHAPTER 2


    ?Explosion At The Blushark''s Residence?


    It takes just four minutes for the fire department to arrive and a minute later is the police. Neighbors have gathered in the street, some watching the ruckus from outside, while Deshya is waiting in the garden, sitting on the porch. She sighs heavily when a man snaps her out of her thoughts by calling her name. She looks up and smiles.


    - I figured you''d be here...


    A man with a serious look and ginger hair, although duller than Deshya''s.


    - Dad.


    The man in the police uniform that slightly takes the shape of his body muscles has both hands in his pocket. He squints as he sees his daughter -- who is his only child ¡ª on the front porch of the house, but he doesn''t say anything back.


    - I heard that you were the one who called the fire department and the police?" he asks her.


    She stands up before nodding.


    - Exactly.


    The red-haired man sighs loudly and takes his hands out of his pockets.


    - You''re an important witness, but don''t touch anything.


    Deshya understands directly what this means: she has the right to follow him inside to see what happened, but she must not interfere with their work.


    - I promise!


    Behind her back, her fox tail starts wagging in all directions. In reality, Deshya has already followed her father in investigations, even if sometimes it was not than an accident or a simple suicide, and she finds it... too interesting! Unfortunately, since she is still young, Deshya is not often allowed to follow him. Besides, police work is a serious job and Deshya is only a teenager who is far from being an apprentice; in short, she is not allowed to do what she wants. Behind her, a man with brown hair runs through the garden before reaching Deshya''s father.


    - Ah, Sammy.


    The man nods and apologizes for the delay. Deshya watches him, but she already knows who he is: Sammy Graton, a police detective. He is easily recognizable thanks to his ears that are a little bit more pointed than normal, as well as his very dark three-piece suit that he wears on his body. Some people think of him as a ''vampire'' because of the way he looks and the way he dresses. He also has a light red scarf that he has around his neck, coming down gently in front of his chest. The vest he wears is often the same and it gives him a style that Deshya finds very elegant; why don''t men wear such a vest more often? Sammy''s attention is drawn to the presence of a young girl with red hair, right next to the policeman.


    - Oh, it''s Deshya, Gatito''s daughter!" exclaims Sammy with a cute smile.


    The girl waves both hands with a little smile and Sammy gently strokes her head. Gatito, the father of Deshya, clears his throat violently, which startles Sammy. He removes his hand from Deshya''s head and puts it in front of his own forehead, a much more serious look on his face.


    - Excuse me, inspector!" he said.


    Deshya blinks and turns her face to her father.


    - Inspector? Aren''t you a police officer?" she asks, intrigued.


    Gatito knocks on the wall next to the open door, alerting the firefighters in the kitchen to her arrival. Sammy stoops a little and answers the girl.


    - Well, even if I''m the one that is the police detective, he''s still an inspector. Don''t you know all the terms?


    Deshya scratches her cheek with an embarrassed smile.


    - The police in our country are a little different than other police, so sometimes I get a little lost, ahah..." she admits.


    - Do you think so? I think it is very similar to the others¡­


    Even though her father is a policeman, Deshya has never been very interested in all the roles and names given to the different functions. She knows some of them, of course, but she is not an expert on the subject.


    All three enter the damaged room: the kitchen of this house. A few firemen are there, checking that everything is okay after putting out the fire that had threatened to spread to the whole house. One of them gets up and comes to meet the two police officers.


    - Gatito. Sammy.


    He greets them personally: he is a great friend of the police, even if Deshya does not know who he is.


    - Hi, Luke," Gatito says.


    The fireman lifts his helmet a little and looks at the big mess in front of him. Deshya does the same, without moving from his place, right next to his father.


    The kitchen is in a bad state. The oven, which sits against the wall of the house, right in front of the house, has its glass completely shattered. The shelves above it are open and some cans are on the floor, along with miscellaneous food and burnt vegetables. The drawers of the cabinets next to the oven show black marks and the microwave is badly damaged, sitting on the left of the oven. Just next to it, near the sink, a totally destroyed blender shows its pitiful state, while the fire that was extinguished a short time ago has left its traces, including its smell... It has been a few minutes since the fire was extinguished, as the members of the police got out of their car after a while, and Deshya could hear everything from outside. She also heard¡ª


    - We have a victim, Inspector.


    Another firefighter gets up and greets the two police officers. He moves aside and lets them see the body lying on the ground, face burned and unrecognizable. Deshya opens her eyes wide and her father places a hand on her head.


    - Who is the victim?" he asks.


    The fireman with the name Luke is the one who comes to answer him.


    - It is a man who answers to the name of ''Miro Blushark''. 61 years old, 1m81.


    - Is he dead?


    - Unfortunately, yes.


    This does not surprise him, considering the state he is in. Sammy passes by Gatito and approaches the body after putting on his two gloves. He crouches down and looks at the corpse for a few moments before getting


    - It is very likely that he died because of the explosion," he said.


    Gatito nods and approaches too, but before he reaches Sammy, he stops and turns around.


    - Deshya.


    Her daughter in the fox sweater takes a step forward, but stops when she hears her father calling her. She looks up at him.


    - Yes... ?


    - I know you''ve been with me on some investigations and you''re no stranger to corpses, but we''re doing our job. You don''t have to stay if you don''t want to.


    He puts on his gloves in turn.


    - If you wish, you can wait for us outside, we will talk to you at the station to find out what you have seen and heard.


    Gatito joins Sammy, leaving Deshya a few steps behind. Her fox ears droop and her fluffy tail touches the ground, head lowered weakly. She puts her hands in her pockets, but she doesn''t leave the house yet. She watches the oven and squints.


    - ¡­


    She finally decides to approach her father without saying anything, even if she knows that he will notice her directly. Nevertheless, he does not retaliate and discusses with Sammy, as well as the firemen.


    - His body is pierced with dozens of pieces of broken glass from the oven, it seems," Sammy notes.


    - His head is mostly in bad shape, as well as part of his body.


    Gatito, still crouching, looks at the oven on his right. He squints and touches his chin.


    - He probably opened the oven by crouching down and it exploded.


    He opens his eyes wide and turns around at the same time as Sammy. It was not he who said such words, but his daughter. Deshya still has her hands in her pockets, her eyes, too, crinkled.


    - The food on the floor and the few open shelves mean he was cooking. The oven exploded at 4:32pm, which is not an abnormal time if he wanted to make a snack or even dinner.


    Deshya rubs her chin, a gesture very similar to her father''s.


    - His face was close to the oven and the force of the explosion knocked his body back, killing him in one blow. This also explains all the pieces of glass that are on his face...


    Even the policemen have stopped working to listen to her. Silence reigns in the room and Deshya blinks when she sees that everyone is watching her. Gatito gets up and hits her on the forehead with his index finger, after creating momentum by blocking it on his thumb. She holds her forehead screaming in pain and frowns.


    - Why?" she asks.


    - This is no place for a young girl!!! And then, don''t disturb us with our work! Don''t touch anything and don''t distract us!


    He clicks his tongue and looks at the oven.


    - That''s what I think too..." he admits.


    - It would just be an accident, then?" asks Sammy, who has just gotten up.


    Deshya assumes that this is the case. A malfunction in the oven and the moment he turned it on, it exploded. However, something is bothering her.


    - ...


    She looks at the body and squints. Would he have turned on the oven at the same time he put a dish inside? If their theory is right, then it must be... or else¡ª


    - Inspectors.


    While she is in her thoughts, a fireman approaches the two policemen, something in his hands. Deshya removes her hands from her pockets and approaches, fox tail raised. Sammy grabs one of the pieces the policeman grabbed and analyzes it before frowning.


    - It''s...!


    Gatito watches him for a few short seconds before turning his gaze to the fireman.


    - Where did you find it?" he asks.


    The fireman turns to the oven... and points at it. The two policemen, including Deshya, squint their eyes.


    - ... That means¡­


    - That this is not an accident.


    Deshya almost says it, but Sammy is the first to speak. He approaches the oven and puts the broken piece back in the fireman''s hand. He crouches down in front of the oven and watches it carefully. Deshya approaches slowly, careful not to let her fox tail touch anything, and puts her hands in his pockets again.


    - The oven door is open¡­!!


    As she watches the oven, a flash of lightning passes through her mind. She frowns.


    - ...


    She remains silent, observing the scene ¡ª but a voice sounds behind her.


    - H-Honey!


    Everyone turns around and Gatito quickly gets up. A woman with short blonde hair is crying, trying to get into the kitchen reaching out. A policeman holds her back, forcing her to stay out of the kitchen, while she lashes out.


    - Who is she?" asks Gatito in his deep voice.


    - I-I''m his wife!! I am the wife of... of Miro!


    - !!


    - His wife...


    Gatito waves to the policeman who lets go and the blonde-haired woman approaches her husband''s corpse, but Sammy makes sure she doesn''t touch him. Her eyes still watery, the tears start to flow even more when she sees her husband''s almost unrecognizable face.


    - H-Honey...


    Crying over the death of the man she loves, she falls to her knees and puts her hands before her eyes. Deshya slowly lowers her eyelids, still not getting used to the sadness of someone losing a loved one. Even though she doesn''t really know this lady, nor the deceased, she can''t help but feel for them.


    - Miro Blushark... His last name sounds familiar..." thought Deshya.


    While she is thinking, another policeman comes into the room. Gatito turns to him.


    - Inspector, a young girl wants to come in! She says she lives here!" shouts the policeman.


    The wife of the deceased sniffs and gently turns her face.


    - Young girl... This must be... be Kyria...


    - Kyria?" asks Sammy.


    - M-My daughter...


    The woman gets up and dries her eyes.


    - There is also Koinu, who is our second daughter... She must be... at work, right now.


    Sammy and Gatito look at each other and they finally nod. Deshya squints and turns back to the oven. Gatito tells the policeman to allow the girl to come in and asks for the other girl''s phone number in Koinu''s name. He dials the number on his phone while the woman recites it, with some sniffing between digits, and Gatito puts the phone to his ear.


    - ... Hello, Koinu Blushark? Is that you? Perfect. My name is Gatito, I am a member of the Tetazo Police Department. I know you are at work, but is it possible that you come to the house right now? Yes ? Okay, fine.


    He hangs up and puts his phone in his pocket. Gatito looks at the body of the deceased and whispers something to Sammy. The woman dries her eyes again, the tears not wanting to stop flowing.


    - ...


    She no longer screams and remains quiet. Sammy asks her to wait in the dining room, which is right next door, and she agrees. As she walks through the door, the girl named Kyria comes into the kitchen and looks disturbed.


    - What''s going on here...?" she asks.


    Deshya turns around and looks at the girl''s short blonde hair. She opens her mouth, recognizing her. This girl! Kyria looks around with concern before stopping dead in front of... the body of a man.


    - ...


    Gatito approaches her and asks her to go to the dining room. However, the girl does not move.


    - ... W-What happened¡ª


    - Everything will be explained to you when your sister arrives. Your mother is waiting for you in the dining room.


    Kyria begins to shake, her mouth agape. She can''t help but look at the body in front of her. Is that... Is that......


    - Hey, Kyria.


    As tears begin to appear in her eyes, another girl greets her. Kyria slowly turns her face and directly recognizes the person who is there.


    - D-Deshya... What are you doing... here?" asks Kyria, her eyes wet.


    - I was passing by on the street when the oven exploded.


    - Hey, Deshya!" shouts Gatito.


    - I''m not going to lie for nothing. Will you wait in the next room?


    - ...... A-All right...


    Gatito lets go of the blonde-haired girl and she walks slowly toward the dining room, skirting the body without daring to look at it. Gatito looks at her with difficulty, but an angry look comes over his face as he turns to his daughter.


    - I told you not to bother with our work...!" he lets out, about to scream.


    Deshya crouches down in front of the oven and her fox tail rises: she doesn''t want it to get dirty on the floor.


    - Kyria is in the class next to me, in 4A," she said.


    Gatito doesn''t answer.


    - Even if we don¡¯t know each other well, it means that the father of a girl as nice as her has just died.


    Deshya clenched a fist and gritted his teeth.


    - Especially since he was murdered.


    Sammy slowly fled the gaze as Gatito clenched a fist in turn. He sighed heavily and patted his daughter on the back, but not too hard.


    - I understand, but don''t forget that you are still a young girl. We are in the police. This is our job.


    - ... I know, Dad.


    Gatito turns on his heels and leaves his daughter in her corner before joining the detective.


    A few minutes pass and a modest car pulls up next to one of the police cars. A woman with round glasses gets out of her vehicle and squints at the mess in front of her. She takes a few steps forward when a policeman stops her, but she declares her identity. The policeman nods and lets her pass. She starts to run in the garden and arrives in the corridor when she brakes by seeing the girl who is sitting on the ground.


    - W-Who are you?" the woman asks.


    The girl stands up and sighs.


    - The policemen are waiting for you in the dining room," Deshya answers her.


    - P-Police...? Huh?


    Deshya walks past the woman, hands in her pockets, and answers nothing. The woman blinks at the long fox tail trailing behind her and tilts her head to the right, confused. She arrives in the next room when she notices the mess in the kitchen. She takes a step back.


    - W-What is¡ª


    - Are you Koinu Blushark?


    She is startled and looks at the man who has just approached her.


    - Y-Yes, that''s me¡­


    - We are waiting for you in the dining room. We''ll explain the situation there.


    Koinu nods with confusion and walks alongside Sammy. She looks at the kitchen mess with eyes moving in all directions, and eventually notices that a sheet has been laid over it¡­


    - A-A body?!" she shouts.


    Sammy tells her to keep moving and Koinu starts shaking too. Deshya opens the door to the dining room and enters just before Koinu. Koinu notices that her little sister and her mother are both there, sad expressions on their faces.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    - O-Oi, what''s going on here...?" asks Koinu.


    - Sit down.


    A man with red hair shows her a chair and Koinu hesitates. However, she finally goes and sits down on the chair next to her mother. Gatito gets up from his and puts his hands behind his back.


    - When my daughter, the one right here, passed by your street, the kitchen in your house exploded.


    Koinu opens her eyes wide and a small ''Huh?'' comes out of her throat. Gatito doesn''t take it into account and continues directly.


    - It was 4:32 pm precisely. The firemen arrived 4 minutes later and, unfortunately... Miro Blushark died in the explosion.


    The sound of the chair scraping the floor makes Deshya tense. Koinu hits the table under her, now raised.


    - P-Papa is dead?!" she shouts.


    Gatito nods.


    - The cause of his death was undoubtedly the explosion caused by the oven.


    - T-The... W-What... Dad¡­


    Koinu gently turns her face towards her mother and sister and Kyria bows her head.


    - ... I saw him... Dad¡­


    With tears beginning to well up, the girl of the same age as Deshya did not finish her sentence. Still speechless, she stands still and looks at her sister with wide eyes.


    - Please sit down.


    Sammy gently asks her to sit down again and Koinu complies. She can''t believe what she has just heard, and it shows in her eyes.


    - It could only be an unfortunate accident¡­


    Gatito stops on the spot and opens his eyes.


    - However, this is not the case.


    The three members of the Blushark family open their eyes wide. Kyria shakes hard while Koinu frowns.


    - What do you mean?!" she shouts.


    The policeman turns to them and squints. He asks Sammy to put something on the table and he does so without delay. Deshya sits in the chair that is close to her father, legs crossed, and slowly glances away. The Blusharks look at the pieces that have been placed on the table and Mary, the mother of the two girls, does not understand what it is. Neither does Kyria; neither does Koinu. Gatito places both hands on the table and the intensity of his gaze increases.


    - Miro Blushark was murdered.


    - !!!


    - Huh?!


    - M-My husband...?!


    Sammy picks up one of the pieces that has been placed on the table and spins it in his hand. He now speaks.


    - One of the pieces was sent to the lab, but it was found in the oven. He is certain of one thing: it is a bomb.


    - A bomb?!


    Koinu begins to tremble in turn and the elderly woman begins to cry. The tears run down her faintly wrinkled cheeks, while Kyria has both hands in front of her mouth. Sammy nods.


    - It''s a type of bomb that does enough damage to kill a man without much trouble, but doesn''t destroy an entire room by itself. Pieces of it were also found in front of the oven, probably propelled when it exploded," explains Sammy.


    He puts the piece of the bomb back on the table and sits next to it in front of the family.


    - It is a type of bomb that you can buy in some areas in the country, but also one that can be made. It reacts to movements and can be activated by pulling a metal rod... and the pieces are just that ''rod''.


    - N-No one in the family knows how to make one..." admits the wife of the killed man.


    - It is possible to buy them on illegal markets or in specialized stores," says Deshya.


    Gatito turns to her, ready to yell at her, but Deshya doesn''t stop talking.


    - Given the damage to the oven, the bomb exploded after it was somehow activated and killed Miro. The problem is that this kind of bomb is easily found and bought in illegal markets, so tracing who bought it would be complicated.


    - DESHYA!!!


    Her father screams into her fox ear and she jumps so high that she falls out of her chair. She closes her eyes from the pain and Gatito sighs angrily. He turns to the family and clears his throat.


    - Forgive her, she is my daughter, a-ahah¡­


    - Is she right?!" asks Kyria.


    Gatito turns to her and, after two long seconds, nods.


    - Unfortunately, this is the truth. We will still ask the stores that sell them.


    Kyria dries her eyes and leaves her hands in front of her face. Mary holds Kyria''s right hand and Koinu''s left hand, squeezing them tightly.


    - Do you have any idea who might be... who might have... killed¡­


    - She can''t even finish her sentence... Poor thing..." thinks Sammy.


    Gatito does not respond directly. Deshya sits back in her chair, rubbing her ear, and breathes annoyedly. She knows her father doesn''t like it when she disturbs him in his work, but he knows how horrible the pain is when someone screams in his ears¡­


    - I''m going to be fairly straightforward: can I have your alibis ?" asks Gatito.


    The Blushark family does not hide their surprise. All three with big eyes, they look at each other before Mary opens her mouth.


    - Y-You mean... say¡­


    - You think one of us killed dad?!


    Koinu screams before hitting the table and grinds his teeth. Gatito squints his eyes.


    - Nothing says it''s you; just like nothing says it''s someone from outside.


    - Are you kidding us? Huh?!" shouts Koinu.


    - M-Mom...


    Mary starts stroking her daughter''s hair while telling her that everything will be fine. Gatito doesn''t answer anything, a still serious look on her face. Deshya observes the three members of the Blushark family with her watchful eyes, saying absolutely nothing. Gatito puts both arms on the table and crosses both his hands.


    - The bomb was in your oven, so¡­


    - So what?! Are you idiots?! Someone could have gone into the house and... I don''t know, and¡ª


    - No.


    Koinu gets cut by Deshya. Gatito goes to yell at her again, but his daughter looks at him with intensity. He sighs and rubs his eyes.


    - We just want your alibi," he said.


    Koinu fiercely puts his back against the back of his chair and grumbles.


    - I was at work. I left for home at about 9:54 and haven''t moved from there. This is a store that takes me almost 25 minutes to drive to.


    Koinu crosses her legs.


    - You can call the store where I work, they will confirm that I have not left.


    Gatito looks at Sammy and nods.


    - What is the number of your store?" asks the police detective.


    Koinu spells out the number and Sammy calls them. Everyone watches him carefully and silently.


    - Yes, hello. Store ''De La For¨ºt''? Yes, I am a policeman from the city of Tetazo. I wanted to ask you, did Koinu leave his post or was not there for a while? Hm? Okay. Thank you.


    Sammy hangs up and puts the phone in his pocket.


    - They told me that Koinu took her lunch break, but it only lasted 20 minutes. Also, she was seen with a friend in the restaurant next door.


    - I see. Thank you," said Gatito. Deshya frowns as she looks at Koinu.


    - If my theory is right, then this alibi is worthless..." she thinks.


    However, she remains silent, sitting in her chair. Gatito turns his gaze to Mary.


    - I-I was home all day..." she admits. I was with my husband most of the time¡­


    - Where were you when the explosion sounded?" asks Gatito.


    - I was reading Agatha Christie in my room.


    - Very good taste!


    Deshya smiles and says these words without meaning it. Mary scratches her cheek.


    - T-Thank you.


    - How long have you been in your room?" asks Gatito.


    - It was...about 3:14pm, when I went upstairs and saw my husband for the last time.


    Sammy notes in his notebook the information they receive, while Gatito questions them. Deshya waits to see if the alibi of one of the three Blusharks will reveal anything.


    - What did you do during the day?


    - I got up a little after 7:00 am. I prepared the breakfast of Koinu and Kyria and then, I tidied up a little in the living room. I sat with my husband in front of a soap opera until 2:12pm... My husband then went out for 1h30 and I cooked for tonight, before going to my room to read.


    When she finishes her explanations, Deshya opens wide her eyes; the same reaction as Sammy. Gatito, him, wrinkles his and turns to the young girl; the last one to give her alibi.


    - I was at school! I left around 7:43 and didn''t come back¡­


    Deshya frowns.


    - Why did you come later?" she asks.


    - What are you talking about?!" shouts Koinu.


    - Calm down," Sammy said, putting his hand on Koinu''s shoulder.


    The woman clicks her tongue violently and Deshya turns her gaze towards her.


    - Kyria goes to the same school as me, after all. It took me about 15 minutes to get to the house level, yet Kyria took almost 15 minutes longer.


    The two policemen turn their glances towards Kyria. This one waves her hands, sweat falling from her forehead.


    - A-Ah, that''s because the gym teacher wanted me to help her...


    - It''s true that class 4A ends with the gym teacher... but why would he need help on the first day?" wonders Deshya.


    - ... I see.


    Gatito crosses his arms and takes a deep breath. Sammy approaches and whispers something to her. Kyria starts shaking again and Mary takes her hand to reassure her. Deshya hears what Sammy says and when he finishes, she looks down. Gatito uncrosses her hands, but crosses them again directly.


    - ...


    The silence is heavy. Nobody speaks; or rather, nobody dares to speak. Koinu bites a nail while Kyria sniffs. Gatito ends up taking a deep breath¡ª


    - You have no alibi, Mary.


    He blinks and turns his face.


    Deshya''s eyes are squinted, fixed with intensity on the


    woman.


    - ¡­


    The woman answered nothing. Koinu and Kyria looked at their mother at the same time, speechless.


    - ...


    Sammy scratches his hair and asks Gatito what to do, but the policeman doesn''t answer. He crosses his arms and Deshya looks at him. He shrugs his shoulders and the girl smiles.


    - The case is strangely simple.


    She gets up from her chair and puts her hands in the pockets of her sweater.


    - You cooked, right?" she asks.


    - ... Don''t tell me that¡­


    Koinu turns her face towards her mother and the lady trembles. She finally bows her head.


    - ... Yes, I used the oven.


    - !!!


    Kyria remains speechless, her eyes wide open. Deshya puts her back against the wall behind her.


    - You used the oven about 2 hours before the explosion and were at home all day. If the person who put the bomb in the oven came from outside, then he would have had to sneak into your house, prepare the bomb and the mechanism that goes with it before running away without being seen. He would only have had about 30 minutes to do this and while it''s not impossible, it seems unlikely to me.


    - W-Why on earth?" asks Kyria.


    - We''ve already questioned some of your neighbors and no one has been seen in the area," Sammy replied.


    He puts his hands in the front pockets of his pants and starts walking.


    - If the person who put the bomb in the oven came from outside, he would have had to wait outside for Mary to get out of the kitchen. Plus, there''s no indication that Miro would be the next to use the oven, so this plan seems way too far-fetched.


    He stops behind Gatito and stares at Mary.


    - Not only are you the last one to use the oven, but you are the only one who could have put the bomb in it.


    - !!


    Mary opens her eyes wide and Koinu starts to shake.


    - M-Mom...?


    - I-I would never have killed my husband!" she shouts.


    - A bomb and a wire.


    - W-What?


    Mary turns to the girl in the fox sweater. This one is still back against the wall of the dining room.


    - You place the bomb somewhere in the oven and attach a wire to the ''stick'' that serves as a detonator. After all, when the wand is pulled out of the bomb, it acts like a grenade and the bomb explodes. This is almost instantaneous with this type of bomb, so even if Miro had seen it, he would never have had time to react.


    - W-Wait!


    Mary stands up in turn.


    - I-I used the oven quickly, I didn''t even spend five seconds in it!" she said. I was just checking to make sure nothing was in it for when my husband used it!


    Deshya squints.


    - So you knew he was going to use it.


    - !!!


    Mary steps back, hitting her chair. The two policemen stare at the woman silently. Deshya continues.


    - You hang the wire on the ''wand'' and then on the oven handle ¡ª no, even simpler.


    She smiles.


    - You hung the can with tape on the top of the oven, where it wouldn''t be seen from the outside, and with another piece of tape, obviously clear, you have the wire stuck to the inside of the oven door. Obviously, the door was almost closed when you did this, and then you closed it completely. Your husband would never have doubted such a thing, so he turned on the oven, crouched down to put something in the oven, and when he opened it, the wire pulled on the ''stick''...


    She frowns.


    - And then, BOOM.


    Without making the gesture of an explosion, she finishes her explanation by returning to sit beside her father. Mary shakes her head, tears starting again.


    - N-No¡­


    - A proof!


    Koinu waves her hand in front of her, from right to left, as if she had just slapped an invisible man.


    - Where is your proof?!" she shouts.


    - Even without proof, it is the only possibility," Deshya admits.


    - She''s not even from the police, why are you letting her talk?!


    Koinu turns to the two policemen, but Gatito stands up in turn and does not hide his inner anger.


    - Even though you are right and it is unprofessional to let my daughter talk like that, Sammy and I have a similar conclusion.


    - N-No¡­


    Koinu calms down and sits down before slowly turning her face towards her mother who is crying. Koinu''s face shows only dismay and non-acceptance.


    - T-That''s not true, is it, Mom...?" asks Koinu.


    - It''s not me!" the woman shouts.


    Sammy approaches the woman and places a hand on her shoulder.


    - We will hear your complaints at the police station," he said.


    - I would never kill the person I love!!! Never!!!


    The woman struggles, but Sammy puts her in handcuffs and tries to calm her down. Not wanting to see this, Deshya walks out of the room and back to the kitchen, where only two firefighters remained. She looks at the oven and everything above it before sighing, hands in her pockets.


    - Poor man, though¡­


    She slowly lifts the sheet to see the corpse and looks sad. To be killed by her own wife, like that¡­


    - She really thought she was getting away with it... Disgusting.


    Deshya understands the idea of wanting to kill someone; however, only THE WANT. Certainly not the action of killing. Only inhuman people would come to kill someone; no matter what the reason.


    - Don''t look at her body like that.


    Deshya looks at her father and apologizes.


    - Sorry, sorry¡­


    She is about to get up and pull down the sheet when she suddenly stops. While Koinu cries softly with her little sister in the dining room, Mary, Miro''s wife, reluctantly follows Sammy, the police detective. They are about to leave the room when¡ª


    - WAIT!!


    Sammy stops suddenly and Gatito turns around. Deshya puts her hands in her pockets and frowns.


    - Something¡­


    She hadn''t noticed it before ¡ª how could she have missed such a detail! Deshya couldn''t believe it... She had seen that something was wrong; so why didn''t she think more about it?


    - Something is wrong.

 3 - ?Alarming Suspicions?(CASE 1)

    <hr>


    As Mary Blushark is about to be led out of the kitchen and into the police car accompanied by Sammy, a girl screams.


    - WAIT!!!


    He stops and Gatito suddenly turns around. The person who just shouted is¡ª


    Deshya.


    She gritted her teeth and clenched both fists, unable to believe she had missed such a detail... Yet, as soon as she had looked at this room, she had noticed this thing that seemed strange.


    - Something... Something is wrong.


    As she says these words, she stares intently at Mary. The woman stops crying, staring at the girl with a gaping mouth. Koinu and Kyria arrive in the kitchen, having heard Deshya shouting.


    - Is something wrong?!" asks Kyria.


    Deshya doesn''t pay attention to her question and turns her face to her father, Gatito.


    - Dad.


    - ...


    Deshya''s fox tail is raised to the sky, stretched out.


    - Can I talk to you for a second?


    CHAPTER 3


    ?Alarming Suspicions?


    - Wait for me, Sammy.


    Gatito asks him not to move and he agrees. Sammy watches Mary with another policeman and he ends up joining Deshya, who is waiting for him on the first floor. He closes the door behind him and crosses his arms.


    - You better have a good reason¡ª


    - I don''t think we were right.


    - ... What do you mean?


    The policeman squints in surprise. He''s seen his daughter be serious before, whether it''s about a riddle, a game of chess, or even her schoolwork, but never has he seen her like this. Her eyes have a certain light that is different from other times¡­ Is it because a real crime has just been committed? After all, she knows ''Kyria Blushark'', so the case must affect her in some way.


    - I also think that Mary is the culprit, but¡­


    Deshya does not finish her sentence directly. She puts a hand under her chin and squints.


    - I don''t think the way he died was the way we said he did," she admits.


    Gatito touches the back of his neck.


    - Yet everything seems to be right. Both girls have an alibi and if one of them would have tampered with the oven, then Mary would have died instead.


    As he says this, Gatito thinks of something. He thinks about it for two seconds, but after a short reflection, he shakes his head.


    - If you think about the fact that she didn''t touch the oven for a long time and that¡ª


    - No, it''s not.


    - ¡ª So what is it?" he asks, beginning to feel impatience gripping him.


    Deshya turns her gaze towards him and puts both hands in the pockets of her sweater.


    - I can''t make any assumptions yet, but¡­


    She begins to whisper in his ear what she has noticed and Gatito frowns. When she finishes, she takes a step back and her father begins to think.


    - Sammy noticed it too and told me about it, but for him it was simply because of the explosion..." he admits.


    - However, I noticed that there are several pieces on his face.


    - !!


    Gatito understands immediately what this means.


    - If he squatted to put something in the oven... Then it doesn''t add up.


    He starts walking in circles, while his daughter observes him without moving from her place. The seconds pass slowly, but Gatito finally stops and turns his head towards Deshya.


    - ¡­


    He closes his eyes... but opens them immediately after.


    - I guess you want us to investigate?" he asks.


    She nods.


    - Even though I still think Mary is the culprit, since it''s very likely that we got the method of the crime wrong, there''s nothing to say that one of the two girls didn''t commit it," she explains.


    - Certainly.


    He puts his hands in the pockets of his pants.


    - However, we are still going to take Mary to the station. Even with what you''re telling me, I don''t see how Mary wouldn''t have seen something like this.


    - But then, how did Miro not see it?


    - ¡­


    Gatito frowns, but does not answer her question. It''s not out of insolence, Deshya knows it very well: he just doesn''t have the answer to that.


    - Deshya.


    He stops before leaving the living room and turns his head to the right, without seeing his daughter.


    - We''re going to leave two police officers by your side and you have the right to investigate, but at least take this.


    He throws something white at her and she catches it in the air. She looks at what she has just received and smiles.


    - I do this quickly," she says.


    Gatito walks out of the room without saying anything and Deshya puts on the two white gloves that her father has passed to her. She smiles as she leaves the room and from the still open front door he watches his father follow Sammy and Mary, all three of them going to the police station.


    - ... Thank you.


    Muttering this word, she returns to the kitchen. A policeman approaches her.


    - Gatito told me you wanted to investigate a little more before closing the case," he said.


    She nods.


    - Exactly. Where are the two girls...?


    - They are still in the dining room. They haven''t touched anything.


    - Perfect. Make sure she doesn''t touch anything, I''ll make it quick.


    - Sure


    Deshya is surprised that she is listened to so well: she is only a 16-year-old high school student. Sure, she is the daughter of Gatito, a highly respected policeman, and one of the three ''geniuses'' of the Tetazo school, but even with that reputation, does it justify her investigating a real crime scene? Thinking no more about it and happy to have her father''s approval, she approaches the body again and lifts the sheet. She observes the body of the deceased again, where pieces of glass are visible. Some are quite clear, but others... are much dirtier.


    - ... I was not dreaming. Black lines¡­


    ¡ª And that especially at the level of the face. She pulls down the sheet and looks around the kitchen for a few moments before approaching a certain object. She doesn''t have to analyze it at length to see how dirty it is... She turns her face toward the dining room door and, after a short thought, heads there. Before knocking, she calls a policeman. This one approaches.


    - What is it?


    Deshya shows him the man''s body.


    - Can you check to see if any of the pieces of glass on his face came from this?" she asks, pointing to another object.


    The policeman seems surprised at first, but he nods and does not ask for more. Deshya knocks on the door and Kyria comes to open it.


    - Yes... ?


    Her cheeks are wet and her eyes are still glistening with the tears that have been shed. Deshya feels bad to see her like this and would like to comfort her, but she doesn''t have time for that; besides, if her theory is right, then Kyria can be the culprit of the story too.


    - Can I just ask you a certain question?" asks Deshya with a soft voice.


    - W-What is it?


    - Do you¡­


    She brings her face close to Kyria''s ear and whispers her question. The blonde-haired girl blinks before nodding.


    - Yes, it was very dirty, especially inside.


    Deshya smiled inwardly.


    - However, we haven''t touched it for a long time, since it''s been broken for a good month¡­


    - !


    Deshya opens her eyes wide.


    - It really didn''t work?!" she asks.


    The change of tone of Deshya surprises Kyria. She shakes her head.


    - No, not at all... We were going to change it soon, as it didn''t work at all, and it wasn''t even plugged into an outlet..." admits Kyria.


    - ... I see¡­


    - Why is that?


    - A-Ah, for nothing! Thank you, Kyria!


    - Okay¡­


    Kyria doesn''t seem very convinced of Deshya''s words and closes the door before joining her sister. The fox eared teenager looks at the object while putting a hand under her chin.


    - ... It didn''t work... But if it was that dirty, then¡­


    She is in her thoughts when the policeman returns with a piece of glass.


    - Deshya!


    - Yes ?


    - You were right! This piece of glass did come from this object!


    Deshya smiled: she had suspected it and had no doubt, but now that it was confirmed, she was certain of one thing.


    Something else killed Miro.


    An explosion? That is certain. From the oven? Now Deshya is convinced that this is not the case. However, she has a question.


    - The oven still exploded and parts of bombs were found there... Why?


    Another question that Deshya asks herself is :


    - If the person guilty of Miro''s death wanted to kill him, they could have simply put a bomb in the oven and it would have worked... So why...!!!


    As she thinks about it, a flash of lightning strikes in her mind.


    She opens her eyes wide and looks out.


    - What if...!


    She thinks of something: however, if she is right, it can only mean one thing. She lowers her head while putting her hands in the pockets of her fox-eared sweater.


    - If I''m right, then Mary... However, I still don''t know how it worked, or how the murder was committed.


    She has several different ways in mind, one being with a remote control which would mean the bomb was activated from a certain location, but in this case, Deshya wonders:


    - If the culprit could activate the bomb from a remote location, there would be no need to pretend¡­


    She squints and looks at the oven.


    - Either the person didn''t know how to make one, or there was another reason to do all this. Also, the range can''t be unlimited¡­


    Without knowing the motive for the murder, or the method used, or why he made such a plan, Deshya unfortunately cannot offer a correct theory. Nevertheless, she is certain of one thing: there must be clues in the house; starting with the kitchen. She walks towards the oven and looks around. Even if the glass of this one exploded and pieces of it were in the skin of the victim, Deshya noticed well what was wrong... Moreover, by analyzing the glass, she sees that there remains one or the other piece all underneath; even if Deshya already knows that she is right and that the murder was not committed with a bomb in the oven, she is happy to see that all the small details that she finds on the way prove it. She gets up and starts to observe the work surface. The damaged microwave hasn''t moved from its place and the sink has a few pieces of it, some of them glass. She grabs one and looks at it, but she puts it down directly after, certain from which it came. She continues to look around the kitchen with her watchful eyes, searching for any detail that might explain how the crime was committed. There are far too many possibilities and if she is right about where the real bomb was placed, then she needs to find the way it was activated. At first she had thought of something, but unfortunately it was proven incorrect with what she was told... Anyway, Deshya has to keep looking.


    After ten minutes of endless searching in the kitchen, she comes out and sighs. One of the two policemen who stayed at home joins her.


    - Did you find anything, Deshya?" he asks.


    - I feel like a police detective..." she thinks with a smile.


    She takes a slightly more serious posture and turns to the kitchen.


    - I am convinced that the method used by the criminal is not what we think, but I still do not understand how it was done..." she admits.


    - So you think another bomb went off somewhere?


    She nods.


    - I am convinced of it¡­


    - Isn''t it possible that the bomb was set to explode at precisely 4:32 p.m.?" the police officer asked.


    - The firemen would have found the mechanism and other parts of the bomb would have been found too. Besides, if that was the case, I don''t see why put another bomb in the oven.


    - So the one who killed Miro is Mary, right?


    - ...


    - I mean, how could she have missed the bomb in the oven? Even if it was hidden, since she used it, she should have seen it, right?


    - ... Mary simply checked to make sure nothing was in there and didn''t take a long look inside, so there''s nothing to say she just wasn''t paying attention. However, why put a bomb in the oven as well and risk being seen by Mary¡­


    - So Mary is the one who killed her husband?


    - ¡­


    She squints and turns to the man.


    - Can you contact my father, Gatito Oveja, to ask him the details of when Mary observed the oven?" she asks.


    - Of course.


    He nods and walks through the front door before pulling out his phone. Deshya returns to the kitchen and squints, her hand in front of her mouth. His index finger touches his lips while his irises observe the whole room.


    - If I''m right and the real bomb is in this place¡­


    Not having found a single clue in the kitchen, she figures that another clue can be found by searching the house; nevertheless, she doesn''t want to search every room, including the bedrooms, without having any idea of what she is looking for. Depending if the method used is the same, the clue she is looking for may be hidden under a mattress or even behind a wall, although she doesn''t think this is the case. If she really doesn''t find anything and doesn''t manage to get a lead, she will be forced to search every corner of the house, although she will then ask the two policemen for help.


    - Tessa always talks about how the time of a crime can reveal clues, but here... 4:32 p.m.... It doesn''t mean anything.


    If Kyria had not arrived late, then she would have been hurt; even killed. She did say that she had to stay with the gym teacher to help her... This is always something that bothers Deshya, but could Kyria have committed the murder?


    - Koinu could have done it too, but I have no proof. I don''t have anything that tells me who the real criminal is... For now, Mary is the biggest suspect.


    Deshya doesn''t really care who committed the crime: they will remain a criminal. A person who took the life of another. Whether it was Mary, the victim''s wife, Koinu, the older daughter or Kyria, the younger daughter, she doesn''t care. What interests her is to discover the truth behind the murder. To know how the crime was really carried out.


    - Deshya!


    While she is in her thoughts, the policeman returns. She turns and looks at him.


    - Did you get an answer?'' she asks.


    The man nods.


    - She opened it to see if anything was in it, but didn''t use it: she just checked in case they had forgotten something inside. She didn''t need the oven to cook, but since they had used it the day before, she preferred to look to see if anything had been left inside.


    - Nothing new, then¡­


    - Also, your father asked me to tell you this, since it might interest you.


    Deshya looks at the policeman with intrigue.


    - He told me to tell you that the dish Mary prepared was quick to make, but that she would not need the oven. However, it was her husband who had to prepare the next dessert.


    - The dessert...?


    - A special homemade cake. They decided as a family to make it today for back to school, so the whole family knew Miro would be using the kitchen.


    - ¡­


    - Moreover, even if Mary does not say that it can not be one of her daughters, she confirmed that Kyria and Koinu knew that she was going to cook today, as well as her father and Miro, the deceased, did not hide that he would come to prepare the cake when he returned.


    - Wait!


    Deshya frowns.


    - So the whole family knew that Miro was going to cook when he came home...?


    The policeman nods.


    - Whether it was his wife or his two daughters, they all knew that he was going to cook, use the oven, make a specific cake and be there by 4:00 pm at the latest.


    - Wait¡­


    Deshya starts biting the nail of her right thumb.


    - Wait, wait, wait¡­


    She suddenly turns her gaze to the kitchen. If the whole family knew such a thing in advance, the murder could have been prepared in advance. Also, if the father had confirmed that he would start cooking around 4:00 p.m... And that the cake would take some time¡­


    Then it would be certain that he would be in the kitchen at 4:32 pm.


    - But there is always the possibility that he is in the bathroom or not in the kitchen at that time. In that case, he would not be dead and the plan would not have worked. Is it bad luck or does the time of the crime not matter?


    In this case, Deshya can only accept one thing: Mary did kill her husband.


    Even though the method used was not what they thought with the bomb in the oven, Mary went to her room, waited for a while, and when she checked that her husband was in the kitchen, she activated the other bomb. Kyria was at school and Koinu was at work, so neither of them could have made sure that their father was cooking. If by chance - or rather, by luck - he had a full bladder or left the kitchen for some reason, then the plan would have failed completely.


    - It can only be Mary... but there are still mysteries I don''t understand...!


    She sighs and walks back into the kitchen. She doesn''t understand this case at all... If Mary wanted to kill her husband, why did she blow up the kitchen? She was alone in the house with him, she could have killed him with a knife and made up a story. Moreover, if she really intended to kill him with the bomb, why not just kill him the way Deshya, Sammy and Gatito thought? Admittedly, this is simple enough to understand and Mary was quickly elected guilty, but in this case it makes even less sense.


    - Why put another bomb in the oven if she was going to kill him otherwise? If she wanted the police to understand directly that she was the killer, why was she crying and shouting that it wasn''t her?


    She grinds her teeth, annoyed.


    - If it was one of her daughters who killed their father and Mary wanted to make it look like it was her, why the show? Moreover, she would never have had the time to put the pieces in the oven, so...?!


    She scratches her head, grumbling, and her fox tail starts wagging furiously behind her. The policeman tilts his head at her a little, wondering if she''s okay, but he doesn''t dare say anything. Just as Deshya is getting upset about not understanding the murder, her phone rings. She calms down and takes it out of her pocket before picking up.


    - Yes, hello?


    - Deshya, we just learned something.


    She opens her eyes wide. She hadn''t checked who had called, but the voice¡ª


    - D-Dad?!


    - Listen to me carefully. We just interviewed Mary a little bit more and asked her if she heard or saw anything strange a little before the bomb went off or during or even after.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    - So what?


    - Even though she said nothing strange happened, she said she thought she heard¡­


    Deshya listens carefully to her father and when he tells her what Mary has heard¡ª


    - ... W-What?!


    With her eyes wide open and her mouth agape, she remains motionless on the spot. The policeman behind her is astonished ¡ª almost more than the girl ¡ª even if it is only because of Deshya''s cry: he did not hear what was said.


    - It may not mean anything, but she keeps saying that she is not the murderer. Do you have a lead of your own?


    Deshya does not answer directly, multitudes of thoughts running through her mind. She remains motionless, the eyes fixed on the ground before her, and there¡ª


    - !!!!!


    She''s thinking about something.


    Even though she still doesn''t know how the murder was committed, she thinks back to what Tessa told her.


    - The time of the murder¡­


    She''s finally moving.


    Deshya smiles.


    - Deshya?


    - A-Ah, sorry, Dad. I think I have a lead, yes. I''ll call you back when I''m convinced of myself.


    - Okay.


    Her father hangs up and Deshya puts her phone away in her pocket. She turns to the policeman and gives him a determined look.


    - Can you search with me?¡± she asks.


    - What exactly are you looking for?


    - Anything that would be a hole in a wall. It can be extremely thin.


    - In the kitchen or somewhere else?


    - Start with the kitchen. Even though I looked around myself, I admit I didn''t pay much attention to the walls.


    - I do this.


    - Thank you.


    As she goes up the stairs, the policeman speaks.


    - E-Excuse-me, I just wanted to ask...


    - Yes?" asks Deshya, having stopped in front of the first step.


    - Is it me, where you answered your phone... by putting your phone in front of your ear... of your sweater?


    Deshya blinks and touches her fox ear before giving an embarrassed smile.


    - A-A-Ah¡­


    She starts to stammer, but ends up waving her hands in front of her, all red.


    - Aaaah, i-i-i-i-it¡¯s because the ears... Well, m-my fox ears o-of this sweater are, well, they have headphones that go to my ears and¡­


    The policeman frowns, not understanding the girl''s gibberish at all. She sighs and puts both fists on her hips.


    - I''m going to tell my father that you''re asking me strange questions!" she says.


    - Pa-Pardon me!!!


    He runs into the kitchen and Deshya sighs heavily before climbing the stairs.


    - I''m going to get screwed quickly, if I''m not careful..." she thought with a silly smile.


    Normally, Deshya always puts her phone in front of where her right human ear should be, since she can still hear the noise coming from the phone from that place. However, she was upset about the current situation and had not thought about it. When she is alone, she puts her phone next to her fox ear, but doing this in front of someone... Thankfully, no one can believe that she really has such ears, otherwise, she wouldn''t keep this secret for long.


    She gets to the top of the stairs fairly quickly and admires the hallway in front of her. It is not too long and the wooden floor does not make too much noise under her feet. She moves forward a little and notices that the first door on her right is a bathroom. Nevertheless, she doesn''t need to go there now. She continues and opens the next door: it is a room.


    - Not the mother''s..." remarks Deshya.


    The bed is quite small, not being able to leave room for two, and almost everything in the room screams that it is a teenager''s room - or a young adult''s room. She feels bad about doing this, but she goes in without asking permission and scans the room. Very tidy and without any clutter, a window with a curtain that is currently pushed to the right as well as a well made bed. This means that she has taken the time to make her bed before leaving... The shelves show chic clothes and a poster of the band ''BRICK ''N WALL'' is above the window. Even if Deshya doesn''t know Kyria well, she knows for sure that she doesn''t listen to this kind of music... Whether she is wrong about her musical tastes or not doesn''t change anything: she is sure that this room is Koinu''s. After all¡ª


    - The clothes are too big for Kyria," thinks Deshya.


    She looks at the walls carefully, but she can''t find any holes or anything that might be a clue. She sighs, but her attention is drawn to something. She turns to it and crouches down in front of the object.


    - If I take into account what Mary said to Dad, then... Maybe¡­


    She touches the object and notices that it is quite basic.


    An alarm clock.


    It''s a digital alarm clock with only three buttons on the top, and others behind. Attached to the wall, it shows the time as ''17:37'' in a dark, almost depressing color. She wonders how to set the alarm on it, but gets up with a disappointed look on her face.


    No matter how it is activated. Deshya is certain that it won''t help her.


    - This means¡­


    She exits the room without even observing the entire room and continues her walk down the hallway. A simple toilet with little toilet paper is next to Koinu''s room, but still next to¡ª


    - Kyria''s room.


    With a little more clutter and a messy bed, she can admire clothes spilling out of the laundry bin. Even though there are no posters stuck to the wall, two long shelves hang there with dozens and dozens of fumo fumo stuffed animals of ''Touhou'' sitting on them. Deshya knows directly that this is Kyria''s room, there is no doubt about it. She enters there with embarrassment and admires the awakening of Kyria. It is already more beautiful than Koinu''s and shows more originality. It is a cube that can open or close with a ballet dancer on a disk. Deshya touches it and notices that it moves. As she fiddles with it a bit more, she notices that it can only go one way, but the metal dancer seems to be blocked by a mechanism.


    - I''ve seen this kind of alarm clock before... It only works when the alarm is on.


    She doesn''t have such an alarm clock at home, but she admits that it would be nice. She notices several buttons on the side. Words in English are written on them, clearly explaining what X or Y buttons are for. Deshya observes the ''ALARM'' button on the alarm clock and presses it. On its sides are two buttons The one on the left is an arrow to the left ''<-'' and the one on the right is an arrow to the right ''->''. When she presses the ''ALARM'' button, the digital digits, which were showing the time just before, start flashing. This time, the time shows ''18:00''. She presses the arrow on the right and the time now shows ''18:30''. She presses again and this time it shows ''19:00''.


    - The alarm can only be activated every 30 minutes? That''s not so convenient..." thought Deshya, finding the concept strange.


    To get up in the morning, Kyria has no choice for the time of her alarm clock... Maybe such a model would not be the best for Deshya. She presses again on the button ''ALARM'' and the current time is shown again. Deshya gets up and looks at the whole room, but doesn''t start analyzing everything in detail: there is little chance that any clues will show up. Nevertheless, she looks at the walls... but finds nothing.


    Absolutely nothing.


    Deshya bites her thumb: would the detail Mary offered be useless? Maybe it was a car that passed by in the street and made that noise? She can''t believe it. She looks again at Kyria''s alarm clock and squints, but while she is concentrating.


    Sounds of hurried footsteps on the stairs.


    This puts the fox-eared girl on alert and she comes out of the room, but fortunately, it is neither Kyria nor Koinu who shows up, but¡ª


    - D-Deshya!


    The police man with short brown hair stops in front of her. Deshya sighs with relief and looks him straight in the eye.


    - What is it?" she asks.


    - I-I couldn''t find any holes, sorry¡­


    Deshya lowers her head. The more time passes, the less Deshya is convinced that she was right. And if this that she had noticed was just a coincidence? Maybe the glass in the oven was dirty, too? What if the circumstances make the murder seem to be done in a different way, but in the end it''s just Deshya''s paranoia? She is only a teenager who is a policeman''s daughter, nothing more... Maybe she should not have said anything: Mary is most likely the culprit, after all. Who could it be, anyway? Kyria mourned her father''s death, as did Koinu. Kyria is just a young girl of the same age as Deshya, while Koinu seems to be a strong woman, but who has no reason to kill her father. Neither does Mary, but women always know sides of their husbands that no one else knows. Perhaps she was beaten? She seems like a nice woman, so she must not really know how to kill someone without making herself look like the culprit, so she must have been clumsy and thought the bomb would totally disappear; in short, pretending that the oven had only exploded. Deshya sighs at her idiocy, disappointed with the result.


    - ¡ª But I found something else!


    Just as she has given up, the policeman finishes his sentence. Opening her eyes slowly, Deshya remains motionless. Staring at the ground, the soft blue color of her irises slowly light up and the light that is mostly there returns again. Deshya lifts her head and looks at the policeman, her mouth weakly open.


    - ... Something else?" she asks, surprised.


    - Follow me, I''ll show you!


    He starts to run down the corridor and Deshya follows him closely. She doesn''t know what he has found, but it gives her hope again: hadn''t she been wrong? Was she right to ask her father to investigate? She tumbled down the stairs right behind the policeman, her fox tail wagging in all directions. She jumps on the floor and arrives in the kitchen at the same time as the man. He crouches down near the door and points to a part of the wall that is very close to the floor. Deshya crouches down in turn.


    - It''s not a hole, but I wonder what it is.


    Deshya squints, and there¡ª


    - !!!!!


    She can''t believe her eyes. With her gloves, she touches the thing hanging on the wall and frowns. She turns her face quickly and violently towards the policeman next to her.


    - Have you found any more?!'' she asks, shouting.


    - Not yet, I was looking¡­


    - ... Not in the kitchen.


    - Sorry?


    The man blinks and admires the little smile that the girl makes. His attention doesn''t even go to the fox tail of the same girl that continues to wag behind his back. Deshya chuckles as she closes her eyes, before opening them to show a new intensity. One of ember; one that can burn everything in its path.


    - There are no others in the kitchen, but in the rest of the house!


    She gets down on all fours and heads down the hallway. The policeman follows her, but Deshya''s fox tail gets in the way. He could be wagging to move her, but she is so gentle that he just stops and smiles.


    - Very sweet..." he thinks.


    Deshya carefully observes the walls of the first floor corridor, more precisely the parts of the walls that are close to the floor. Her eyes move like excited cats, and there


    - Here!" she cries.


    The policeman regains his senses and moves the fox tail before joining Deshya. He looks where she points and sees it.


    - Oh!


    That''s right. It is the same thing.


    - It is at ground level¡­


    - We need to find more!!! Know where it leads!


    Deshya smiles and continues to search, this time up the stairs, but still on all fours. A few seconds pass when the policeman shouts back.


    - Here, Deshya!


    She goes back and notices that this time, one of them is hanging on the ground.


    - In short, it means...!


    She finds another one very quickly on the right side of the wall; in short, the opposite side of the kitchen. The corridor leads to three doors: the one on the left is the kitchen, while the ones on the right are the living room ¡ª where she talked alone with her father ¡ª and a toilet ¡ª where she did her business while waiting for Koinu. The first one she found ¡ª or rather, that the policeman found ¡ª is hung on the kitchen wall. The second one, on the outside wall of the kitchen: in short, the one in the hallway, but on the left side. This time, the third one, on the floor. And now, the fourth¡ª


    - Here!


    ¡ª On the right side of the corridor.


    - Does this mean that it''s headed for the living room ?!" asks the policeman, starting to get excited in turn.


    Deshya shakes her head and smiles.


    - If I''m right, I''ve already figured out how the murder really happened.


    She giggles.


    - Including who really committed it!


    The policeman opens his eyes wide.


    - You mean¡ª


    - Exactly.


    She turns her face towards the man.


    - Mary is innocent!


    Deshya starts to look for the others that are hanging on the wall, accompanied by the man, and this time they find them easily. Even if they are almost invisible to the naked eye, now that they both know their existence and know more or less where they are, they see them easily. Before, they were as invisible as a grain of sand between two stripes of a wooden floor; now, as big as cows in a meadow.


    Following the trail, the policeman and Deshya arrive in front of a room door. The last one they find is on the floor, just outside the room''s door, and they both stand up. The policeman touches his cap and looks at the room.


    - What do we need to find now?'' he asks.


    Deshya bends over something and fiddles with it a bit before stopping dead in his tracks. The policeman notices her sudden immobility and goes to ask her if everything is alright when¡ª


    She laughs.


    - D-Deshya?!


    She turns completely around to him and smiles.


    - I was right! I was right!!!


    She continues to laugh and the policeman joins her, although with less enthusiasm and more¡­ incomprehension. Unfortunately, he is a man who works rather with his speed, including his agility with a gun, and who is not like Sammy or Gatito, who have a brain born for investigations. To put it simply, he has not yet grasped what Deshya has just understood. The latter rubs her chin, a big smile on her face, and takes two steps in the room.


    - Now, I need proof that it was this person who committed the murder..." she murmurs.


    The policeman hears what she says and tilts his head.


    - What do you mean? Given the room we are in, isn''t it obvious that it''s her?" he asks.


    - That''s not really enough evidence. I need something more... concrete... How can I do that¡­


    Deshya looks around a bit before seeing something on top of one of the large pieces of furniture. She squints, but starts to smile again.


    - Since I have no choice¡­


    She turns to the policeman and approaches him.


    - I''m sorry, but could you carry me so I can do something?


    The policeman blinks. She sighs and explains to him the reality of this murder: how it was done, by whom, including how she managed to understand that the oven was only a decoy. The policeman blinks and scratches his hair near his ears.


    - Raaaah, really?! Are you sure about this?!


    She nods and points to her phone.


    - Unfortunately, I have no proof that this is that person," she says.


    - It''s true that without proof... How will you do it?


    She smiles and opens her mouth. The man listens to her and finally looks at the top of the shelf.


    - ¡­


    He takes his time to think: should he accept? However, if she doesn''t do this, should they work together and watch the house? He finally sighs and nods.


    - I take responsibility if your father yells at you," he said.


    - Thank you!" smiled Deshya.


    Three minutes later, a little less than ten minutes before it was 6:00 p.m., Deshya returned with the policeman to the dining room.


    - They didn''t move?" asks Deshya.


    The second policeman, the other one who remained under the orders from Gatito, shakes his head.


    - They stayed here!" he confirms.


    - Perfect.


    Deshya sighs and his fox tail falls to the ground.


    - Looks like I was wrong..." she says.


    - W-Wrongt?" asks Kyria, surprised.


    - What do you mean?" asks Miro''s other daughter, Koinu.


    Deshya touches the hood of her sweater and sighs a second time.


    - I thought Mary was innocent, but after a long inspection, I noticed that I was wrong... Sorry to have kept you here so long.


    She bows to the two girls and Kyria suddenly stands up from her chair.


    - W-Why would you think that?!" she asks


    Deshya raises her upper body and offers her a rather embarrassed smile.


    - Ahah, for nothing, for nothing.


    Kyria begins to tremble while Koinu seems to be surprised and confused. Deshya turns to her.


    - I am sorry that your mother killed your father in this way¡­


    - They got along so well, though..." says Koinu, saddened.


    Kyria looks at her hands and sits back in her chair. She sighs and Koinu asks her if everything is okay. Kyria is startled and smiles.


    - Y-Yeah, sorry. It''s just... the shock¡­


    The policeman who helped Deshya tells the other that they leave without further ado and the girl with the fox sweater puts her hands in her pockets.


    - We''re not bothering you anymore today! The police are planning to come back tomorrow to discuss the case and all that, maybe first thing in the morning!" she said.


    Kyria looks up.


    - But big sister will be at work and I will be at school," she admits.


    - We will come in the early evening, around 8pm. Is that okay with you?" asked the police officer who helped Deshya.


    Koinu and Kyria look at each other for a few moments before nodding in agreement.


    - I''ll be home by then, so I''m fine with that," says Koinu.


    - Okay..." says Kyria.


    Deshya bows again and the policeman who stayed with them opens the door. Before leaving too, Deshya stops and smiles at the two girls.


    - Anyway, good thing you were held back a bit by your teacher, Kyria!" smiled Deshya.


    - H-Huh?


    Kyria opens her eyes wide. Deshya nods before sending her a... rather sly expression.


    - Well, yes. Otherwise, you would have died in the explosion, too~.


    With these words, Deshya closes the door and leaves the room with a small smile. The two policemen in front of her, the girl shows her teeth to the God who surely looks at her with amusement.


    - And with that¡­


    Deshya is convinced that tomorrow¡ª


    - I am sure I have my proof~!

 4 - ?Fox-Eared Detective?(CASE1)

    <hr>


    When Deshya returns home, she tells both her parents about what she did after her father left. She explains everything in detail with an air of pride and Gatito frowns at the end of her story. He thinks about it while his mother claps softly.


    - I wouldn''t have thought of it," admits Pera, Deshya''s mother.


    - ... Hmmm¡­


    Her father, however, does not seem convinced. Deshya pouts after swallowing a piece of baguette.


    - Mooooh, you don''t believe me?!" she asks.


    - ... I don''t know. It''s far-fetched, but I guess it''s not


    impossible.


    He dips his bread in the pumpkin soup that Pera has cooked and crunches the piece of baguette noisily. Deshya''s mother imitates her daughter in her expression and stares at her husband


    - You have to believe your daughter!" she said.


    - A-Ah, you''re not going to start!


    - You see, Mom knows who to trust.


    Gatito swallows the piece of bread and sighs heavily. He waves the baguette in his hand in front of Deshya.


    - And tell me, how are you going to prove that it''s this person and that they did it this way, huh?" he asks.


    He puts his meal on the table, along with an elbow.


    - If your theory is correct, tomorrow, when we go with the police, there will be no evidence and we won''t be able to confirm that it was her," he admits.


    Deshya answers nothing, having stopped pouting. Gatito squints.


    - Even if another officer was with you and his judgment can be trusted, there is no evidence that it was her, or that it had anything to do with the effort, no matter how strange.


    - H-Honey...


    Gatito turns to his wife, Pera.


    - I don''t want to sound mean or harsh with Deshya, she just needs to understand that we are dealing with a real crime! Even if Mary, the number one suspect, continues to say it wasn''t her, we''ve had criminals continue to say it wasn''t them for weeks, even months, and yet we had plenty of evidence and even witnesses!!!


    - I know, but¡­


    Pera looks down, but Deshya chuckles. Her two parents look at her and Gatito frowns.


    - Is it really that funny?" he asks, beginning to feel the


    anger pounding in his heart.


    Deshya shakes her head and bites into her chopstick, not even dipping it into the soup waiting in the beautiful bowl right in front of her.


    - It''s not fun and I''m sure I can''t do half your work¡­


    Deshya chews and chews silently, without finishing her sentence, but when she swallows the fresh piece of bread, she smiles and her gaze is set straight into her father''s.


    - But I am Deshya Oveja, a genius.


    CHAPTER 4


    ?Fox-Eared Detective?


    August 31, 2022: the last day of August of this year. The bells announcing the start of classes ring out, but on this beautiful Wednesday, the second day of school for this new school year, there are no actual classes: they will receive information about the upcoming ones, their final schedules, and will be able to choose which extra ¡ª or elective ¡ª classes the students will take. At least one of them is mandatory, which makes the term ''elective'' a bit strange for some, but Deshya finds it totally normal. She looks at the sheet of paper where she is to write down what she wants to choose, and Amora, her best friend for years, approaches her with a big smile.


    - Are you going to choose like last year?!" she asks.


    Deshya scratches her hair and turns her face towards Amora.


    - I took ''Psychology'' and ''Spanish'' last year... However, if I take ''Psychology'' this year, it means that on Wednesdays, I have to come back to school between 2:35 and 3:25 pm..." says Deshya.


    - Plus, you won''t have two hours of lunch time on Wednesdays and Fridays!" drops Amora with a big smile.


    Deshya sighs and places the sheet on her table.


    - Raaah, I want to take ''Psychology'' too, but the schedules aren''t amazing, raaah!" laments Deshya.


    - Spanish 2, will you take?


    A dark-haired boy approaches the two friends and smiles.


    - Sorry, sorry, my name is ''Raiji Harmony'', I couldn''t help overhearing your discussion, ahah¡­


    He scratches the back of his head with a shy smile and Amora greets him with both hands, waving them with great energy.


    - Hi, Raiji!


    - Hey, Amora!


    He greets her in the same way and this makes Deshya giggle: they seem to hold a rather similar energy. She ends up agreeing.


    - ¡®Spanish 4'' means that I have to come back to school at 5:05 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays I stay an hour longer than planned..." she explains.


    Raiji crosses his arms and nods.


    - I do want to take ''Math 6'', but then I finish a little later on Wednesday and come back at 5:05 on Thursday... Ew.


    Raiji sighs heavily and sits on the bench behind him; his own. Deshya shakes his head and sighs in turn.


    - I''ll see what I''m going to do... What about you, Amora?" she asks.


    - I''ll just take ''Psychology''!" she admits.


    - Even if it''s annoying that we have to come back to school a little later on Wednesdays, it''s ''Rinno'' who presents the classes and from what I hear, he''s a great teacher!


    - Eeeh, is that right, Raiji?


    He nods energetically. Deshya looks at her paper and finally decides.


    - I''ll just take ''Psycho'' then, I''ll study Spanish on my own¡­


    - Raaah, take ''Spanish'' too!!!


    Another girl comes along and screams suddenly, which makes Deshya and Amora startled. The latter trips over her own bag and falls to the floor, knocking over Raiji''s desk ¡ª as well as Raiji himself. Deshya looks at the long white-haired girl who has a darker look on their end and blinks, shaking from the pain in her ears.


    - Don''t yell like that, Shell!" yells a girl on the other side of the classroom.


    - But I want to be in the ''Spanish'' option with Deshyaaaa!!!


    When she shouts these words, the whole class turns to the fox-eared girl and she blinks again, one eye having a spasm,


    - E-Eh?


    And now all the students are running around her desk.


    - Are you going to the Spanish option?! Me too!


    - Now that you mention it, I would love to speak Spanish!


    - Mi habla el espania very bueno!!!


    Deshya sighs heavily and bangs her head gently against the bench, but when she notes on her paper that she is also going to the ''Spanish 2'' option, everyone starts writing in turn.


    When their holder comes to pick up their papers, he reads them on his desk and frowns. He starts reading them in a hurry one after the other and smashes them against the desk with violence.


    - Why did everyone in the class choose ''Spanish 2''?!" he exclaims.


    Deshya sighs again and lays her head against the table, already exhausted.


    The rest of the day continues with more tranquility and Deshya is allowed to breathe when she sets foot outside the school. Amora will meet a friend this afternoon, so she does not return to Deshya''s side ¡ª In short, she won''t have to put up with his endless energy. Of course, she loves Amora and they get along very well, but sometimes even Deshya needs some peace and quiet.


    Nevertheless, this 31st of August is going to end on a rather... exciting evening.


    - ... He.


    She thinks about what will happen tonight and shows her teeth to the sun that still shines in the sky.


    She can''t wait to see how it goes... Especially since she was able to talk with the gym teacher. She puts her hands in her pockets and smiles.


    - You won''t be able to escape me from now on.


    When she gets home, Deshya notices a piece of chocolate cake waiting for her in front of her chair, on a beautiful plate. She looks over to her mother who is sitting on the sofa, also eating a piece of the same cake.


    - Did you make a snack, mom?" asks Deshya as she goes to sit down.


    Pera swallows what she has in her mouth and turns her head a little towards her daughter, without stopping to watch the police series that is on television.


    - No, your dad went to buy a cake !


    - Dad...?


    - He said you''d get a second slice if you were right, tonight!!!


    Deshya stands in awe and admires the piece of cake in front of her. She finally smiles and grabs the fork waiting for her next to the plate.


    - Can''t wait to eat a second slice when we get home, then~ !


    She puts the fork in her mouth and smiles, the taste of this cake even sweeter than usual.


    And time passes.


    It is now 7:55 pm and a policeman rings the doorbell. He moves back a step. It takes only three short seconds before a young woman comes to open the door.


    - Oh, there you are.


    A towel on the hair, Koinu, the big sister of Kyria, welcomes the ''guests''. The policeman named Gatito approves politely.


    - We are here about your father''s case.


    - Your daughter told us about it last night. Kyria just went to the shower, but it will be quick. Is that okay?


    Gatito nods again and Koinu stands to the side, letting the policemen pass. She notices that Sammy, as well as the one who had stayed with Kyria and herself in the dining room, are all there. Two other policemen accompany them and last, the one who shows up is¡ª


    - Hi!" said Deshya with a small smile.


    - Hey.


    The girl with the fox sweater. She is still dressed in the same clothes and the same fluffy tail hanging from her back. Koinu closes the door and dries her hair.


    - Does she plan to remove her fox tail one day or what...?" she wonders.


    Deshya walks into the kitchen and notices that everything has already been put away and cleaned up. Even though the destroyed blender is still on the worktop, next to the microwave badly damaged, Deshya would not have believed that an explosion had sounded here if it had only come today. One of the police officers opens the door to the dining room and Sammy looks back at Koinu.


    - Is it okay if we interview you here?" he asks.


    - Sure. I''ll go upstairs and come with Kyria when she''s done showering.


    - Thank you very much.


    Koinu closes the kitchen door slightly and climbs the stairs. Deshya looks at her father and asks him when she will arrive. Gatito puts his coat on the chair where he is going to sit and answers his daughter.


    - The police car she''s in is a little late, but they should be here any minute. You can just go and open them already and wait for them.


    - All right!


    Gatito sits and watches his daughter run around the kitchen in a good mood. This makes Sammy smile as he lands right next to Gatito.


    - She''s excited about solving her first case, it seems..." he notes.


    Gatito turns his face towards him and crosses his arms, putting them on his belly.


    - Hmph. We don''t know if she''s right yet.


    - She told me that she will have proof for sure and her theory is not stupid, especially with what she saw¡­


    A policeman walks up to them and shows a camera he has in his hand.


    - I took pictures of what we both observed on the walls, so even though they were removed..." he tells them.


    Gatito doesn''t answer anything, not wanting to get ahead too quickly on the truth of this case. In any case, they will soon find out if Deshya is right or if these are just coincidences, fantasies created in the head of a young girl who thinks she is a detective. Even though he fully understands the theory she proposed and everything seems to be intersecting well, he can''t just blindly believe it.


    Koinu waits patiently at the top of the stairs, in front of the bathroom. Kyria finally comes out, her hair now dry.


    - Sorry, here I am!" she said with a smile that looked just like her.


    Koinu gets up and explains to her that the police are already waiting downstairs. Kyria seems bothered, but she just nods and follows her older sister silently. Their father''s death is still on their minds: it happened only a day ago, after all... How can they not think about it? Their mother, Mary, is the culprit in the case and has been taken to the police station ¡ª probably in jail by now. Kyria has just come back to school after a great summer vacation, so she still can''t believe that this just happened... Koinu is also shocked by the situation. While a few days ago, the house was full of life with their two parents, now, they are only two, including their uncle who should come to take care of them from tomorrow. They both arrive at the bottom of the stairs and Koinu opens the kitchen door. She looks at the destroyed oven, unable to help herself, and looks down. Such a drama here... Kyria doesn''t observe her, fleeing from her gaze, and Koinu puts her hand on the door handle. She opens it and the two girls see all the policemen ¡ª including Deshya ¡ª waiting for them, but another person is in the dining room.


    This person¡ª


    - You?!" shouts Koinu.


    Kyria sees her and takes a step back, shocked.


    - M-Mom?!


    Mary sits right next to Deshya, looking at her daughters with a saddened look on her face.


    Koinu enters the room and frowns, turning his face to all the policemen.


    - What does that mean?!" she asks furiously.


    - Come on, come on, sit down~!" says Deshya with an almost amused smile.


    Koinu lets out an annoyed ''Tsk'' and Kyria closes the door behind her, starting to sweat.


    - D-Deshya, what does that mean...?" she asks, uncomfortable.


    - About what?


    - M-Mom is¡ª


    - We''ll explain. Please take a seat.


    It is Sammy who answers her. Kyria complies, not having much choice, and sits down right next to Koinu, close to Gatito and the policeman who had stayed with them yesterday. Noticing that everyone is there, Deshya''s father clears his throat and puts both hands on the table.


    - As you know, yesterday, August 30, 2022, at 4:32 p.m., an explosion sounded in your kitchen and killed Miro Blushark, husband of Mary Office and father of Koinu and Kyria Blushark.


    He turns to the woman.


    - The conclusion we have deduced is that it was his wife who killed him by placing a bomb in the oven after using the kitchen and then when her husband came back and prepared a special homemade cake for Kyria''s first day of school.


    - The whole family knew it..." let go of Kyria, not hiding her worries on the expression on her face.


    - We know that," Sammy replied. Mary explained the situation.


    - I see¡­


    Gatito continues.


    - We were sure of ourselves... but that is no longer the case.


    - !!!


    - ?!


    - H-Huh?


    Kyria blinks, surprised, while Koinu frowns. Even Mary opens her eyes wide in surprise.


    - I-I''m not a suspect anymore...?" she asks.


    Koinu turns to her mother, shocked.


    - Even mom doesn''t know...?!


    The eldest Blushark daughter notices Deshya''s smirk and frowns. Is this all about her...? She clenches her fists and quickly turns to Gatito.


    - Is it because of your daughter?!" she shouts.


    - From Deshya...?" asks Kyria, looking at her sister.


    - Yeah, you know, yesterday she stayed longer with the two cops! What''s the story?!


    It is clear that Koinu is upset, but she is also upset and shows some confusion. Kyria holds both hands, feeling the same emotions.


    - But she told us¡ª


    - I lied.


    Before Kyria can finish her sentence, Deshya speaks. The three remaining Blushark family members turn to the girl in the fox sweater and she crosses her legs


    - Yesterday I found out how the murder was really committed. Also who is the real culprit.


    - !!!!


    - ?!!!


    - ??!


    All three do not hide their great surprise. Gatito clears his throat and sighs.


    - It''s like my daughter said.


    - S... She''s not a policewoman, though?!" shouts Mary, shocked.


    - She''s right!" said Koinu.


    - ¡­


    Kyria remains silent, sending sharp glances towards the ''leader'' of the Fox Incorporated at her school. The red-haired policeman listens silently to the complaints of the two women. The policemen around do not reply; even Sammy does not speak. Noticing the lack of reaction from the men, Mary is silent and Koinu imitates her. The silence reigning again in the dining room, Gatito breaks it with a low voice.


    - You''re absolutely right, but we can''t ignore her testimony, her judgment and her theory," he replies curtly.


    - Her theory ?


    Kyria and Koinu turn their gaze to Deshya who nods, still sitting on her chair, next to the so-called ''culprit''.


    - Am I allowed to say it myself or do you want to, Dad?" she asks.


    Gatito looks at his daughter for a long time and can''t help noticing that her smile is no longer on her face. She was so amused when she explained everything to him in front of her mother and so happy to be able to offer the truth to everyone... He knows that his daughter is very intelligent ¡ª even more than him ¡ª and that she deserves her title of ''genius'' at school, but that she is involved in police matters¡­


    - ¡­


    Of course, it is not as if he himself invited her there: it is by coincidence that the murder was committed when she was passing by. If the circumstances had been a little different, Deshya would never have been invited to the Blushark house. Never. Gatito closes his eyes and crosses his arms.


    - ¡­


    His daughter has changed a lot over the years. He still remembers the way she used to jump in the grass when she was 10 years old or how cute she was when she was playing in the snow... Well, she''s still the same, but what has changed in her is one thing in particular.


    Her innocence.


    She couldn''t look at a dead body without wanting to throw up. She was traumatized by murders, and even though she was always smart, much smarter than the kids her age around her, she didn''t like criminal cases. She might read Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark or even Arthur Conan Doyle, but seeing a dead person in person? She just couldn''t.


    And now she is almost amused to solve a real murder.


    Even though she is still Deshya, his daughter with the big smile, he can''t help but notice the change in her. Sure, she''s growing up and has a lot more experience with time, but he knows something that only his wife, who is therefore Deshya''s mother, knows.


    Her change was sudden, right after her 5 month disappearance.


    - ... You can.


    Gatito crosses his arms and nods, letting her speak. Deshya thanks him inwardly and turns to the two daughters of Mary and Miro.


    - So let me tell you the truth behind the murder of Miro Blushark, your father who died because of a bomb.


    - We already know that!" shouts Koinu.


    She stands up suddenly and one of the policemen grabs both her shoulders, trying to calm her down.


    - You''re just a girl my sister''s age, what are you¡ª


    - I''m not just a girl.


    - ... Huh?


    Deshya stands up in turn, more calmly, and frowns at Koinu.


    However, she does not answer anything else.


    She walks behind Mary and puts both hands on her chair.


    - Your mother is not the culprit. It was not her who killed her husband, the man she loves so much," Deshya says.


    Koinu grinds his teeth.


    - So who is it?! Did you find a man or a woman who could have done it?! I thought it was impossible!


    - This is impossible if the bomb that exploded really came from the oven.


    - !!!


    Koinu is forced to sit down by one of the policemen and Kyria grabs her sister''s hand. Koinu is speechless, while Kyria clenches her teeth, worried.


    - What do you mean...?" asks Kyria.


    Deshya stares intently at them, a not very happy expression on her face.


    - What if the bomb was in your blender?


    - ?!!!


    - !!!!


    Kyria and Koinu open their eyes wide, while some of the policemen, who are not aware of Deshya''s theory, turn to her, shocked. Gatito closes her eyes and lets out a short sigh while Mary turns her head, looking at the girl who is just behind her.


    - The bender?! But it doesn''t work!


    - That''s not all, is it?


    - Not¡­ all?


    Deshya begins to turn slowly around the table, her hands again in her pockets.


    - The blender didn''t work, so there was no risk of you using it, Mary. If someone was trying to murder your husband, they wouldn''t be afraid that you would activate it and detonate the real bomb inside.


    - But then, o-our father wouldn''t activate it either?! That''s stupid!" shouts Koinu.


    - No need to activate it.


    - H-Huh?


    Deshya continued walking and reached her father''s level.


    - Your mixer was right above the oven and although it was close enough to your wall, if the bomb was powerful enough, it would kill your father. Also, even though he was far enough away from the work surface, the glass fragments would still hurt him.


    - But he wouldn''t be dead...?


    Deshya nods.


    - The culprit... was counting on luck.


    - Luck?!


    - ... R-Ridicule¡­


    Koinu crosses her arms, unconvinced. Kyria is shocked to hear all this, while Mary walks slowly towards the table.


    - But why the blender?" she asks.


    Deshya continues to walk around the table, hands in her pockets and fox tail trailing behind her.


    - When I looked at the blender, I noticed something on the glasses.


    - What is it?" asks one of the policemen.


    - Well, how dirty was the mixer.


    - !!


    - Y-You mean...!


    Deshya nods.


    - I''m surprised no one pointed this out to me, but if a bomb was put in the blender, wouldn''t it show up right away? Even if it was Mary who put it in there after cooking, her husband had been there for a while, hadn''t he?


    - Dad didn''t expect this, so¡ª


    - I''d be okay if he wasn''t paying attention for a minute or two, but even that seems implausible.


    Kyria is cut off by Deshya who continues to give her explanations. She stops next to the chair where she was sitting before and looks at Mary, the victim''s wife.


    - Can you confirm that the mixer was really dirty?


    - It hasn''t been washed in a long time and we were going to throw it away after we got another one..." confirms Mary.


    - In short, the bomb could not have been visible behind the filthy glass.


    - But why the blender?" asks again Koinu.


    The policemen are asking the same question. Deshya sits down again and gently shakes her hair.


    - After Mary was arrested, I took one last look at the corpse because I thought it was sad to be killed by your own wife and that''s when I realized what was bothering me so much.


    Deshya crosses her legs.


    - From the moment I observed the kitchen, a certain detail ¡ª no, two details ¡ª stuck in my throat. It was while observing Miro Blushark''s face that I realized.


    Koinu frowns.


    - What''s that...?


    Deshya takes her hands out of her pockets and puts two things on the table. Everyone ¡ª except Gatito ¡ª bends down to see, and there¡ª


    - ... I-It¡¯s!!!


    Deshya nods as she sees the surprised look on the faces of almost everyone in the room.


    - Exactly.


    She grabs one of the two pieces and shows it to everyone.


    - There were many more pieces of glass from the mixer than from the oven.


    The policemen look at each other, while Kyria and Koinu start to tremble. Mary''s mouth is wide open: she is confused.


    - W-What does that mean...?" she asks, incomprehension in her eyes.


    Deshya puts the piece of glass on the table and puts her hands back in the pockets of her sweater.


    - If our theory was right, then he was crouching in front of the oven, opened it and it blew up in his face. However, in the face of the deceased, it was mostly pieces from the blender that were in his face and some in his body.


    - Most of the glass from the furnace was mostly on the floor and didn''t really penetrate his skin," Sammy adds.


    - This is illogical if the bomb that exploded was really in the oven. Briefly¡ª


    - B-But... does this really mean that the blender exploded?" asks Kyria.


    Deshya turns her face towards the girl with blond hair.


    - The mixer was in a terrible state, blown up in all directions. Moreover, the wall behind and next to it was in a bad state and showed signs of explosion.


    - How could you not have noticed it before?" asks Koinu, her eyes squinting.


    - The fire spread throughout the room and it wasn''t that noticeable, although I admit I was silly. I had noticed that the microwave next door had taken a lot of damage and the blender was unnaturally destroyed.


    - What was the other detail that stuck in your throat, madam?" asks one of the police officers.


    - To be called "madam" by policemen is strange, but pleasant!" thinks Deshya with an internal smile.


    She rests her back comfortably against the back of her chair and calmly answers:


    - The oven door.


    - The oven door...?" repeats Mary, confused.


    - Two things: first, the oven door was not lowered enough. In short, if the explosion really came from the oven itself, it would have been in a different position, or even torn out of the oven. However, what really disturbed me was to see that there were still pieces of the glass on the bottom of the oven door.


    She shakes her head.


    - If the explosion really came from the oven, I don''t accept that the glass would not be completely destroyed. Even if the explosion wasn''t as violent as that, I just don''t accept it.


    - This is not evidence!" shouts Koinu.


    She points at her mother through gritted teeth.


    - Nothing proves that the blender exploded! And then, how, even ?


    As she yells at Deshya, music begins to sound. Koinu and Kyria turn their heads to find out where it is coming from.


    - A music...?" asks Kyria, disturbed.


    Deshya smiles and takes something out of her pocket: her phone. Koinu frowns.


    - Are you playing with us?


    - You can think whatever you want about me, I''m not looking for fun at a crime scene, especially when the criminal killed her own father and made her mother look guilty.


    Koinu feels a chill. Deshya''s gaze has suddenly changed and anger ¡ª even rage ¡ª is now present. Her fist crushes the phone in her hand while her gritted teeth prove that the words she said are to be taken literally.


    serious. Mary blinks and, with tremors, turns her gaze to Deshya.


    - W-Wait¡­


    Deshya doesn''t move, her eyes still fixed on Mary''s two daughters.


    - W-What did you just say...?


    Deshya sighs and, with a saddened look, replies:


    - The real culprit of your husband''s death... is one of your two daughters.


    - W-What?!


    - ¡­


    - !!


    Mary shakes her head with a terrified expression.


    - I-It''s not true, is it? Are you lying? She turns to the red-haired policeman.


    - Your daughter¡ª


    - If her theory is right, then she is right.


    And then, a crashing noise resounds on the table. The policemen, including Mary and Deshya, turn to the woman who has just violently hit both fists against the table.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    - ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!


    Her scream echoes in the room. She shakes her head furiously, her hair flying in all directions.


    - You are policemen and you let this KIDDO talk to us in this tone, you let her say... bullshit and even... and even¡ª


    - Be quiet.


    She opens her eyes wide and pulls her head back. Gatito frowns, watching Koinu with both arms crossed.


    - Sit down and shut up.


    - ¡­ I-It''s a joke, right?


    She slams her fist on the table again and turns to Deshya with an angry expression.


    - If it''s one of us, then tell us how?!!! We weren''t even here and what, you''re going to tell us we remote-detonated the bomb?!


    - Yes and no


    - !!! You''re f¡ª


    - SIT DOWN !


    Gatito screams in such a deep voice that Sammy jumps up beside him. Deshya squints one eye because of the pain in her ears, while Koinu starts to shake. Kyria squeezes her sister''s hand tightly and shakes her head. Koinu chatters her teeth before sighing and sits back down in her chair. Deshya sighs and looks at the table in front of her.


    - I wouldn''t have understood the method used if I hadn''t looked a little further than my nose, but the kitchen is only part of the puzzle," she begins to explain.


    - What do you mean?" asks Mary, trembling.


    - I''m sure you didn''t notice, but the mechanism to kill your husband was right in front of you. Not only was the bomb in the blender... but in reality, the wire of death was next to you and under your feet.


    - !!!


    Mary opens her eyes wide, her mouth open and trembling. Sammy gently waves his hands.


    - I-it''s not your fault, ma''am!" he said.


    Noticing that she was a bit too direct, Deshya tries to make up for it by telling her that she could never have seen him. Mary swallows loudly.


    - What do you mean?


    Deshya crosses her legs and explains herself.


    - The can put in the blender is hung with sticky paper or anything that can hold it on its inner surface so that the mechanism can work. Then the person winds a piece of thin, but strong wire and ties it to a certain place.


    Everyone listens carefully. She nods and watches as a certain policeman nods back and places something on the table before returning to his seat. Mary and her two daughters look at what has been put on the tablecloth.


    Deshya continues her explanation.


    - It is thanks to this that the culprit was able to do the method that I will explain.


    - This is¡­


    - ¡­


    Mary squints.


    - A staple?


    Deshya says that this is the case.


    - With the police officer who just put it on the table, we found some... in some very special places.


    - W-Where?" asks Koinu.


    - The first one seems to have been... stapled into the kitchen wall, near the door. Then another one in the wall of the main hallway. And yet another one on the floor.


    - In the ground¡­


    Deshya rests her head against her own fist, elbow on the table.


    - Following this path of staples, we finally arrived at a certain room.


    - ¡­


    The silence reigns now in the dining room. Everyone is waiting for Deshya to finish her explanation. Although some people understand where the girl is going with this, a question arises in the minds of those who do not yet know the truth: how was the bomb activated?


    - If it was Mary who pulled the wire from her room, it would have been understandable, but Gatito''s daughter says that it was one of the two daughters of the killer... So how?" wonders one of the policemen.


    Deshya notices that everyone is thinking and sees that the culprit seems to be feeling less and less confident. Koinu sweats while gritting her teeth while Kyria is silent for a long time, trembling. She feels bad for the other girl who is going to have to put up with her sister being the killer... Deshya finally says which room she arrived in with the other policeman.


    - I''ll have to catch you, sorry..." thinks Deshya.


    When she had walked down this street, she never thought she would come across a murder, let alone a murderer; one that involves the father of a girl she knows, in the same school as her, in the next class.


    Being friends with her... is going to be complicated.


    - In Kyria''s room.


    - ??!!!!


    - !!!!!


    - K-Kyria?!" shouts her mother.


    In the eyes of the blonde-haired girl, sister of Koinu Blushark, terror is visible. No, it is not only visible ¡ª it is palpable. Sweating heavily and trembling like a weak leaf, her breathing is irregular and her heart is racing. She shakes her head.


    - I-it''s not... It''s¡­


    She can''t speak. Koinu looks at her with shock, but her mother is still confused. She chatters her teeth before turning her face towards Deshya, that with speed.


    - M-My daughter couldn''t have done it!!! Kyria would never have killed her father!!!


    Deshya answered nothing, her gaze straight into the woman''s. Her hands in her pockets, she gently squinted her eyes before closing them. Mary shook her head quickly, still trembling.


    - T-That''s not possible!!! Kyria, even Koinu, they would never have done that !!!!


    - ... Madam.


    - ... W-What?


    Deshya opens her eyes again and looks at Kyria.


    - Do you remember what you said to my father, while the police were interrogating you?" said Deshya.


    - ... I-I said full... of...!!!


    And then she understands. She opens her eyes wide and Kyria moves back in her chair.


    - Y-You said... You said what?!" she asks, screaming.


    Mary shakes her head and her tongue sticks out for two seconds, licking her far too dry lips. She breathes heavily and looks at her daughter.


    - N-Nothing against¡ª


    - She said that shortly before the explosion, she thought she heard a certain noise.


    - A...?


    Deshya closes her eyes and opens her mouth.


    - Music. The one... of your alarm clock, Kyria.


    - !!!!!!!


    And then Mary understands. With all that the girl next to her said, she understands. She gets up and grabs Deshya, which surprises her, and Gatito has the reflex to get up, but other policemen come and grab Mary and force her to sit down, as well as to let go of Deshya.


    - IT''S NOT HER!!! IT''S NOT HER !!!


    Deshya coughs and sighs for a long time before putting her hood back on her head. Koinu turns slowly to Kyria and the latter cries, a big ball in the throat.


    - ¡­


    She said nothing, her eyes fixed on the girl with the fox sweater. A ''genius'' of her school, the one who never stops wearing her fox ears and tail in all circumstances; that even in gymnastics. Kyria wants to scream, to shake her head, but she can''t; the muscles in her body don''t respond. Deshya crosses her arms.


    - Not all of you know this, but¡ª


    - THIS IS NOT¡ª MMMH!!! MMMH!!!


    One of the policemen puts his hand in front of the woman''s mouth, shouting at her to calm down, while the other two hold her back. She starts to cry even more, now stopping to scream. Deshya grinds her teeth and, seeing the situation she is in¡ª


    She knocks on the table.


    Gatito opens his eyes wide, same gesture as Sammy, and Mary suddenly calms down. Kyria is startled and Koinu turns to Deshya. She has an angry look on her face.


    - Your alarm clock!!! Yeah, your alarm clock, Kyria!!! When activated, the ballerina dances on herself, causing the disc underneath to spin!


    She clenches her fist on the table and lowers her head weakly.


    - You hang the other end of the wire on the base of the record and set the alarm clock at 4:30 on the dot. This kind of alarm clock runs for 5 minutes, unless you set a


    reminder; and you can even set three reminders, on this kind of alarm clock. The disc turns slowly and winds the wire and after a while... BOOM!


    She slaps her hand on her table again and her father frowns.


    - Deshya.


    The girl with the long red hair grits her teeth and stares at the woman next to her; she has calmed down, but her expression is such that one can believe she is dead inside. Deshya takes a deep breath of air and sighs heavily before putting her buttocks on the chair below her.


    - ... Sorry.


    She clears her throat and continues.


    - The staples are there to hold the wire to the walls and the floor so that it could pass without being seen. Otherwise, Mary or even Miro could have seen it. Moreover, since the wire has to pass through the kitchen, the hallway, then the stairs, the upstairs hallway and all the way to Kyria''s room, the wire would have been stretched over and over again and it is clear that the father would have noticed it. Seeing this, he would have observed the inside of the mixer and would have had plenty of time to run away or simply cut the wire.


    - If the wire is hung on the wall and floor by staples, it might already be tight enough and when it is pulled by the disc¡­


    - It could not be seen so easily.


    Deshya nods at the policeman''s word and turns to Mary.


    - It seemed impossible and you would probably have to know in advance to notice that thread; especially since it was put on yesterday, the morning your husband was killed.


    - I-It''s stupid!


    Koinu screams and clenches both fists.


    - The bomb exploded at 4:32 pm! This would have required the wire to be wound for about 2 minutes and then there would have been only 3 minutes to rewind it all?


    - What do you mean?" asks Mary.


    Koinu looks at his mother with a small smile, although he is nervous.


    - I guess Deshya is saying that the wire was wrapped around the alarm clock''s disc, so it would be almost impossible to notice it unless we went looking for it there precisely, huh? Even the wire would be invisible to our eyes, for the police looking for clues, it would have been visible, huh?!


    Koinu throws a kind of challenge to Deshya, but the latter shrugs her shoulders.


    - Did I say that? We can set reminders in advance, on the alarm clock.


    She crosses her arms again.


    - Just put one or two of them on and you''re done.


    - B-but mom... mom was in her room, she... she would have heard, right?" asks Kyria, still crying.


    - Her room is not far from yours, of course, but she was reading peacefully, and with the door closed. And then she heard the sound of faint music in the distance, but how can you believe it''s anything other than the radio from your alarm clock?


    - ¡­


    She snaps her teeth and shakes her head again. Koinu frowns, getting more and more annoyed.


    - Go, go, go! Accuse my sister, but do you have... proof? Proof? PROOF?!!!


    Koinu takes at first an innocent air, then a mocking one, and finally explodes. Gatito slams his hand against the table and tells him to calm down with an almost scream. Koinu chimes in and sits down on his chair. Deshya lets out a weak smile, which only she can see.


    - Finally I am asked for proof¡­


    Before giving it to her, the fox-eared girl moves a little on her chair and crosses her legs the other way.


    - Kyria''s alarm clock can only set an alarm at 4pm, 4:30pm or 5pm. It was not activated at 4:00 pm because it could have been early, nor at 5:00 pm because Kyria would have been at home; nothing says that she would have died at the same time as her father, but nothing says that she would not have gone to the kitchen at that precise moment and been seriously injured, if not dead.


    - So what?


    - Well, the wire wasn''t fully stretched so that it exploded at about 4:32pm because ''4:30pm'' is the only time possible to kill Miro without risking missing or killing Kyria at the same time. Also, if the wire was too tight, there was a chance Mary would hear the music and then the explosion afterwards, so she would have pointed it out to the police because of the coincidence, and then¡­


    - We would have looked for the alarm clocks or telephones and would surely have found the wire wrapped around the alarm clock.


    Deshya nods. As Mary listens to what the girl is saying, she thinks of something. She remains frozen in place for a few moments, totally immobile. Deshya continues.


    - In short, everything was thought out in advance and honestly, without seeing the mixer pieces, I wouldn''t have looked for and understood the truth so quickly; maybe never, really. After all¡ª


    - W-Wait.


    Just as Deshya was about to finish her explanation and show her proof, Mary cut her off. The girl in the fox sweater turns her head towards her.


    - What is it?" asks Deshya.


    - Y-You said... that Kyria would be greatly injured?


    Deshya nods.


    - But if it is... her, then¡­


    Mary slowly turns to her two daughters, mouth agape. Deshya smiles as she notices that she has figured out what is wrong with her words and turns on her phone.


    - You wanted proof, didn''t you, Koinu?" asks Deshya.


    Koinu blinks and turns her face towards Deshya.


    - Y-Yes. Do you have any proof that Kyria killed my father?


    - ¡­


    Deshya does not answer anything for a few moments, but then¡ª


    She laughs.


    The policemen look at Deshya with surprise and shock. Koinu squints with a confused expression, while Kyria shakes even more. Mary continues to watch her two daughters, while Sammy approaches Gatito''s right ear.


    - Your daughter is a bit scary..." admits the detective.


    Gatito sighs.


    - I know.


    - That''s your girl!" thinks Sammy with an urge to smile.


    Deshya finally stops laughing and, after calming down, stares Koinu straight in the eye.


    - You ask me... do I have any proof that Kyria is the culprit?


    She shakes her head, as if she can''t believe it.


    - You think I''d say all that... without having proof?!


    - T-Then show it, your proof!


    Koinu smiled in turn, though it was mostly nervous and a sign of defiance to Deshya.


    - What, pictures taken of the wire?! Staples?!!! Will this be enough, ahah?!


    - Yes.


    - Y-Yes?


    Koinu blinks and turns his head towards Gatito, the male police officer who has just answered him.


    - Even if you have cleaned everything and the staples are no longer in the walls, the photos taken and the glasses that are stuck in the body of your father or especially those of the mixer are sufficient evidence.


    - ... Is that your proof ? That''s not enough!


    - I agree.


    - W-What?!


    Koinu grinds her teeth and stares straight at Deshya. Is she saying that...?!


    - Proof that Kyria is the killer, right?!


    Deshya puts the phone down on the table and smiles broadly. Kyria starts to cry even more intensely while the policemen sweat and Deshya shouts¡ª


    - I have absolutely none!!!


    And then, silence. A total silence. Kirya''s eyes are wide open, her mouth wide open, and it''s as if time has stopped around her. Mary looks at the girl with the fox sweater with the same expression, while Koinu is stunned.


    - N-Non¡ª


    But before Koinu could even speak, Deshya cuts her off. While the girl who plays the detective was showing an amused look just before, this time¡­


    An enraged and victorious expression shows on her facial features.


    - BUT I HAVE ONE THAT IS YOU, KOINU !!!!


    And at his words, she takes her phone back and holds it out to show everyone¡ª


    - !!!!


    - WHAT?!!!


    - Wha-What?!!!!!


    - !!!!


    And the screen shows¡ª


    A video of Koinu taking up the thread in the awakening of Kyria.


    - !!!!!!!


    - K-Koinu?!


    - B-Big... sis¡¯?


    The video continues and Koinu correctly puts the alarm clock back in its place before leaving. Deshya pauses the video and smiles as she puts her phone in her pocket after turning it off.


    - Come and tell me that Kyria told you the truth and that you decided to take over the thread yourself.


    Deshya cracks her neck.


    - Say that this evidence is not evidence because you just saw the staples and had the same conclusion as I did and to protect your little sister, you decided to remove the evidence from the alarm clock disk, as well as remove the staples.


    Deshya chuckles before looking at Koinu with an almost terrifying look.


    - And go ahead and explain why you called the gym teacher to watch your sister for a few more minutes!!!


    - W-What?!" shouts Gatito, unaware of this.


    - What did you just say...?" asks Sammy.


    Deshya nods.


    - The gym teacher is a good friend of Koinu and he told me everything without hesitation. Koinu asked him to keep Kyria for a few more minutes so that they could surprise her when she came home. Even though Koinu asked him not to tell anyone about it, he said he didn''t see the problem in telling me since the surprise should have already passed.


    Koinu shakes, mouth wide open, eyes wide open. Deshya shakes her bangs and smiles again.


    - Go ahead and explain why you protected your little sister like that?


    All the policemen have their eyes turned towards her. Mary is in tears, watching her first daughter, while Kyria shakes her head in denial. Koinu clenches her fists and goes to scream¡ª


    ¡ª but she ended up crying in turn.


    - Fuck, a hidden camera in the room...?


    The policeman who accompanied Deshya turns to Gatito and bows politely.


    - If you want to yell at someone for doing such a thing, you can¡ª


    - You knew about it and you helped her, that''s right ?


    The policeman does not deny it and nods. Gatito sighs.


    - ... Deshya.


    The girl sends her phone to him by sliding it on the tablecloth. She puts her hands in her pockets and crosses her legs.


    - You can check it out, but she ran over to look for the wire just minutes after I put the phone up. I didn''t look at anything after that and Kyria''s bed isn''t really visible on the video. I didn''t look at anything and you can delete it any time you want, I don''t care.


    Gatito''s eyes crinkle, but he eventually puts the phone in his pants pocket and turns to Koinu, who is still crying.


    - Do you confess to having committed the crime?" asks Gatito.


    - ... Yes.


    - Wh-Why...?


    Koinu opens her eyes wide and looks at her little sister ¡ª who is also crying. Koinu grinds her teeth and calmly sits down on her chair.


    - Dad... He was sexually harassing me.


    - He would never do that!" screams Mary.


    - HE WOULD!!! He hadn''t done anything to me yet, but more and more, he wanted to do me... it disgusts me... At first, I just ignored him, but¡­


    - But...?" asks Kyria, still crying.


    - ... But¡ª


    - Did he threaten to do things to your little sister?


    Deshya cuts her off by asking her that and Gatito yells at her, but Koinu smiles and chuckles.


    - You really see through everything... fox-eared detective.


    Deshya closes her eyes and sighs, hands in her pockets. Mary trembles.


    - Y-You are lying¡­


    - Dad used to tell me how he and you... you didn''t do much anymore because you didn''t want to and¡­


    - ¡­


    - ... I couldn''t take it anymore. I didn''t want Kyria to... I... Raaah¡­


    She scratches the back of her head.


    - I thought my plan was perfect¡­


    - What were you going to do about the evidence left behind?" asks Sammy.


    - I was just going to remove the staples and make sure that the traces were no longer visible, while for the wire, I just threw it away... I was convinced that the police would not find the truth directly, so I thought I would have time to do it after you arrested my mother...


    - So you planned for your mother to be seen as the culprit? I must confess I don''t understand why you would let your mother be arrested.


    Just like Sammy, Gatito and Deshya do not understand such a thing. Her reason for killing Miro is understandable ¡ª although no one in the dining room can accept such an act ¡ª but for the mother... Koinu looks at Mary with a sigh.


    - Because when I told her I was going to be raped by Daddy, she just told me I was lying.


    Deshya frowns and looks at Mary. The latter begins to tremble and Koinu stands up, looking at Deshya.


    - She didn''t want to believe me because she trusted her husband too much, and I''m sure she didn''t even mention it during the interrogations. Eh, ridiculous.


    - You will tell us everything at the police station.


    - I don''t have a choice, right.


    She allows herself to be handcuffed and two policemen accompany her out of the room. Mary puts both hands in front of her face, crying even harder and Deshya looks sad-


    - Waaaa!!!


    However, Kyria jumps on her crying even harder.


    - W-Why......!


    Deshya doesn''t even try to get agitated and takes her in his arms while caressing her hair, not finding a single word to comfort her. Gatito calmly stands up and orders the policemen to follow him.


    Later that evening, the video is checked again and the short part where Koinu is seen picking up the thread is kept, used as evidence for the investigation, along with


    the photos taken by Deshya and the policeman. Afterwards, the video is deleted from Deshya''s phone and her father returns it to her.


    - Thank you!" she said.


    Gatito brings his daughter home in his police car and both of them say nothing to each other. A few minutes pass silently, but finally the man speaks.


    - ... Well done.


    - Eh?


    He sighs.


    - Don''t make me repeat myself.


    - Please!!! Say it again!!!


    He grumbles, but he concedes.


    - ... Well done. I wouldn''t have thought of it.


    - Hihi, I told you, I am a genius!


    - But no more hidden videos like that! It''s illegal!


    - Sorry, I didn''t know how to get a proof¡­


    - Rahlala.


    The father looks at the road, not showing his smile to his daughter. Deshya puts both hands behind her head.


    - As a result, the bomb in the oven was really just pieces cut up in advance and used to lure us... I wonder how she got the real bomb, though.


    - She told us at the station that she had put two in the blender to be sure of the damage and had simply cut off pieces of the one that was not attached by the wire, which she then put in the oven being careful that her mother did not notice. For the bombs themselves, she bought them in an illegal market.


    Deshya looks out the window, her cheeks puffed out.


    - Hmmm¡­


    - When exactly did you know it was Koinu?" he asks.


    - Time.


    - The time?


    Deshya nods.


    - Kyria is the kind of girl who takes hours to wake up and always ends up getting up five minutes before she leaves. Although it was possible that this time she would not make the same mistake, I thought that she would not be able to change such a habit¡­


    Deshya smiles.


    - Even though, in reality, I must admit that I didn''t want to believe that a girl like her could commit any crime.


    Gatito doesn''t answer anything, but eventually looks in the rearview mirror and lets out a small smile in turn.


    - Let your feelings affect your judgment; I didn''t think a genius would do such a thing, Deshya.


    She giggles.


    - I still have work to do, don''t I?


    It''s raining softly in the streets of Tetazo, while Gatito brings his daughter home. The real criminal is arrested and Kyria is sleeping at home, after an abominable day, while Mary cries in the living room, apologizing to her other daughter who can''t hear her that she should have believed her.


    If Mary had listened to Koinu, none of this would have happened.


    As Gatito''s car makes its way to their house, a man in a long jacket walks outside in the soft rain. He is in the town of Tetazo, but much further away than Deshya''s house. He places his phone next to his ear after dialing a certain number and three seconds of waiting later, a voice echoes from the other side.


    - Yes?


    The voice is not clear: is it a man? A woman ? It is impossible to say. The man walking in the rain pays attention to his surroundings so that no one can hear or observe him, and when he is convinced that no one is in the street, he speaks.


    - It''s me.


    - What''s up?


    - It''s about you know who.


    - Worrying news?


    The man shakes his head.


    - Nothing to worry about. Everything is going well.


    - Is she well monitored?


    - For the moment, nobody seems to know the truth about her, except her parents, as we already knew.


    - Does she know nothing about her?


    - She still has amnesia, yes.


    - ... Why do you call me, then? Do you want someone else to watch over her? Isn''t our little cute ¡®Hari¡¯ on watch with you?


    - It was her who told me to tell you this: our beloved fox has just solved an investigation of her own¡­


    - Oh?


    - A policeman was close to her, but he didn''t seem to suspect that her fox tail was real. However, even if nothing is worrying for the moment, Deshya seems to be more and more sociable.


    - ... Are you afraid that someone will come and find out the truth?


    The man nods. The rain begins to fall a little more violently, a storm comes to sound in the distance.


    - That''s our fear, to ''Hari'' and myself.


    - ... I see. You know what to do if anyone finds out, don''t you?


    - I know very well.


    - Perfect. Thank you for the news. Knowing that our little beloved fox seems active, healthy and even manages to solve an investigation makes me happy...! Very happy!


    Even with her voice changed by an application, her laughter and the way she talks prove one thing: she is a woman. The man smiles and approves.


    - Very good news, yes.


    - Keep watching her, you and ¡®Hari¡¯. Don''t hesitate to call me to tell me anything about her.


    - Of course.


    - Good. Talk to you later, my little ¡®Dem¡¯.


    The woman hangs up and the man puts his phone in his coat pocket. He stops and looks at the sky before smiling.


    - ... Our beloved little fox, eh¡­


    He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He exhales everything, and takes a deep breath again. Exhale, inhale. Exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale.


    - It is clear that we all love you¡­


    He opens his mouth and speaks words that only God himself can hear.


    And with that, he continues on his way before disappearing in the heavy rain, the sky tearing with multitudes of lightning.

 5 - ?The Other Genius, The Sun and Frie?(CASE2)

    <hr>


    - Starting with ''English'' is not the best way to start the day, waaaa....


    Amora lowers her head, as if already defeated by the day yet classes have not yet begun.


    Deshya and Amora walk together, one next to the other, towards the school. Classes start at 8:25am and it is currently 8:11am. After a very complicated night, filled with sudden awakenings, Deshya had to get up and eat her breakfast looking quite tired. She ''dreamed'' of Kyria yelling at her and crying, while Koinu tried to kill her¡­ Rather, she ''nightmared''* it. It''s not the first murder case she''s encountered, but since it''s the first time she''s solved something like this, she couldn''t do anything but think about it... There''s little chance Kyria will come to class today. Amora looks at Deshya while lowering her body.


    (*: ¡®Nightmared¡¯ is a real verb in french, but not really in english.)


    - Are you okay?" she asks.


    - I could have slept better..." admits Deshya.


    She doesn''t plan to hide the fact that she solved a murder and had to explain it all in front of the Blushark family, but she also doesn''t see the point in talking about it for no reason. There''s no way she''s going to find out on her own ¡ª or from anyone, currently ¡ª because Deshya isn''t going to be mentioned in the papers. At least, that''s what her father had said last night.


    However¡ª


    - DESHYAAA!!!


    - It''s her, it''s her!!!


    - Say, can you give us details about the murder you solved?!


    - How did you do it? What clues?!


    - I love you, Deshya!!! You are too strong!


    As soon as she arrived at the school, everyone jumped on Deshya. She is startled and starts to run away while the excited crowd of students starts to chase her. Amora blinks and behind her, a girl appears.


    - Eeeh, everyone has already seen this morning''s newspapers?


    Hands in her pockets and a chewing-gum being chewed ferociously between quite white teeth, the girl stops beside Amora. This one turns the face towards her and blinks.


    - What are you talking about, Tessa?" she asks.


    Tessa, the second female ''genius'' of the Tetazo school, smiles without even looking at Amora.


    - Your best friend found out who was behind a murder that happened two days ago.


    Amora blinks and remains speechless.


    - Really?


    - Really.


    Amora blinks again before passing her bag to Tessa who questions it with her eyes, but then¡ª


    - DESHYAAAA, YOU ARE THE BEST !!!!


    She starts to run in turn, chasing the crowd. Tessa smiles and places Amora''s bag on her back before heading back to the playground, not paying attention to the crowd behind Deshya.


    CHAPTER 5


    ?The Other Genius, The Sun and Frie?


    - A-Ah... Ah... I-I thought we were starting with ''English'', not gymnastics!!!


    Deshya screams as she walks back to class, a sticky Amora right beside her.


    - But you are so cooooool!!!" she said. You figured out who the murderer was when school had just started again!!!


    - I know, I know¡­


    She sighs and looks ahead angrily.


    - Why did you lie to me, Dad?!


    She assumes that this is her ''revenge'' for using a hidden camera to prove Koinu''s non-innocence. The policeman who helped her was warned by the chief of police of Tetazo, but he will continue his work as if nothing had happened. Without Deshya and the video she took that became proof that Koinu was the one who killed her father, perhaps Mary would have been sent to prison unjustly. Even if what she did was not a good thing, Deshya couldn''t think of a better way to hold evidence in her hands. She looks at her best friend who starts to turn her face all over.


    - Is everything okay, Amora?" asks Deshya as she arrives outside their classroom.


    - I-I forgot... my bag¡­


    Deshya blinks and turns to her.


    - Where?


    - I gave it... to Tessa¡­


    - Eeeeeh?


    - Well yes, I had to run after you too!


    Deshya lowers her head with a grumble and shakes it. Amora is so absent-minded... Even with time, she doesn''t change... Deshya tells her that the English teacher will let her go and get her bag, but at the same time¡ª


    - Yop.


    A girl throws a bag towards Amora who catches it on the head and falls on Deshya. She catches herself on the wall and the students who are already in class turn towards them, surprised. Amora gets up and turns around, pouting.


    - Moooh!!!


    She stops puffing out her cheeks as soon as she sees the girl in front of her, the one with the black cap on her head.


    - I was just returning your bag, kid.


    Tessa greets her as she turns on her heels, heading to class with one hand in her pocket. Deshya watches her go as Amora picks up her bag and smiles. She raises a hand and shakes it energetically.


    - Thank you, Tessa!!!!


    Tessa doesn''t answer anything and Amora looks back at Deshya with eyes full of stars.


    - Tessa is soooo cooooool !!!!!" she shouts.


    - A-Ahah, yeah, clearly¡­


    Deshya scratches her cheek and walks into class along with Amora, both greeted with a round of applause.


    - W-Why?!" said Deshya to herself, a reflex forcing her back against Amora.


    - You didn''t have a quiet day¡­


    - A-A-Ahah¡­


    After the gymnastics class, which is the last one for Deshya on Thursday, she waits for Amora who undresses to cover herself with her normal clothes.


    - You''re funny, though!" she tells her.


    - Funny?


    - Well, you still put on a sweater when we''re doing gym and when you get dressed, you often go to the bathroom because you''re so embarrassed, hehe!


    - ¡­


    Deshya always uses this excuse, since she became a girl with fox attributes. Even though having a sweater makes her warmer and she sweats more, she doesn''t have much of a choice: everyone would see her fox ears and it would soon be understandable that they are currently real... She doesn''t have that option in front of her.


    - I would like to do sports without my sweater, ahah..." she thought.


    She always takes a good shower when she gets home, not being able to do so in the locker room. Unfortunately, she has no way to hide her fox tail and just has to rely on everyone believing her lies. However, Deshya is sure that some students have their suspicions... even if most of them think she''s cute like that or just very, very weird.


    - I''m done!


    Amora stands up, her gym stuff in her bag and her normal clothes on her body. Deshya gets up in turn and places her bag behind her back. Unlike Amora, who has one bag for school and one for sports, Deshya has everything in the same school bag. When it''s fuller, she plans to take two different ones, but for now, since it''s the beginning of the year, she''d rather not pack for nothing.


    - Oh, Frie!!!


    As they both walk out of the nearly empty locker room, a girl comes up behind her. The second to last to come out of the little room where the girls change, right across from the one where the boys do. However, as always, the boys take longer because they are laughing with each other and... laughing at each other.


    - How are you doing?" asks Frie.


    Deshya watches her, hands in the pockets of her sweater. She''s a girl with white hair tied back, bleached by choice. Her dark blue eyes and small purse that sits at her hip, attached by a beautiful chain that sits around Frie''s neck, give her a cute style that Amora loves. Although she changes her clothes and even her hairstyle often, it''s hard not to recognize her, especially with her bleached hair. Deshya knows Frie since last year, but they are also not as close friends as Amora or even Tessa.


    - I''m fine, how about you?" answers Deshya.


    - I''m fine too!" admits Amora.


    - A little tired, but I''m fine.


    - I must admit that for the first day of class, it is quite tiring¡­


    - It''s not exactly the first day of school.


    - Yes, but the two days before, we didn''t really have class!


    - It''s true¡­


    The three friends start walking together, leaving the long, gray-paved hallway and arrive at the mass of students who have just finished gym class. The students of classes 4A and 4C are also in the main hall of the building. Maruno is on the phone, while Tessa is talking to someone Deshya doesn''t know.


    - By the way, Frie!!!


    - H-Hm?


    With her usual energy ¡ª which is at the limit of the paranormal ¡ª, Amora takes Frie''s hands, as well as Deshya''s. With a big smile on her face and a radiant good mood, she offers them this:


    - Why don''t you come to our house for dinner tonight?


    - Eat... at your place?" asks Frie.


    Amora nods.


    - My parents will be suuuuper happy to see you!


    - Can I come too?


    Amora turns around and Deshya, as well as Frie, look at the girl who has just arrived. A black cap still on her head, she smiles while putting her hands on her hips.


    - Tessa! Do you want to come to my house?


    - My parents aren''t here until late at night and that would be cool for the start of the year, right?


    Amora lets go of Deshya''s and Frie''s hands and comes to catch Tessa''s. Tessa takes a step back, as if frightened by Amora''s resplendent energy.


    - All right!!! All four of us are going!!!


    - I-I didn''t say¡ª


    - YOU MUST say YES, Deshya!!!


    Everyone in the room turns to Amora, some of them startled by the girl''s scream. Deshya closes her eyes and shakes before clenching both fists.


    - Okay!


    She screams back, though not as loud as Amora, and Tessa starts to laugh. Maruno clenches a fist, the one not holding his phone, but he restrains himself from yelling at them. Frie scratches her cheek.


    - I''ll be happy to come too!" she admits.


    - I''m going to tell my parents..." says Deshya, grabbing her phone.


    - I''ll do the same.


    Frie quickly dials her parents'' number and chats with them rather quickly. A few seconds later, she puts her phone back in her pocket and nods while admiring Amora.


    - As long as I don''t get home too late, they''re fine with it," she said.


    - Perfect!" smiled Amora.


    Tessa looks at Deshya who is whispering into the phone. She finally sighs and puts her device away.


    - My mom told me it was fine for her, too," she said.


    - Yaaay!


    Amora starts hugging her best friend and Tessa giggles.


    - A real sunshine, eh..." she said.


    - We still call me that?!" asks Amora without stopping to hug Deshya.


    - Why would we stop?


    The ¡®Sun of Tetazo''; or simply ''Sun''. This is the nickname that people have been giving Amora for years. It''s no wonder: she glows tremendously and her smile shines on sadness, so everyone started calling her ''Sun''. Even Deshya renamed her that way on her phone. Amora likes this nickname, but she always thought that after a while people would stop; however, the more time passes, the more it seems to her that the number of people using this nickname is only increasing... One day people will stop calling her ''Amora Takt'', but ''Amora Soleil'': she knows it.


    - I think it''s cute," Frie admits.


    Amora turns to her with a sunny face.


    - I think it''s cute too!!!


    They both smile at each other and Deshya pats her best friend''s shoulder. Amora questions her with her eyes and Deshya closes one eye.


    - You''re going to... choke me¡­


    - A-Ah, sorry!!!


    Amora lets go of her endless hug and Deshya sighs with relief. Tessa approaches her with a giggle.


    - Ya''re going to end up traumatized from hugs and physical contact one day," Tessa teases her.


    Deshya turns her gaze towards her with an amused and tired expression at the same time.


    - I sometimes wonder if it''s not already the case..." she says.


    Gymnastics class ends at 3:15pm to give the students 10 minutes to get ready, maybe take a quick shower, and when the bells ring, they are allowed to leave. Those who have chosen ''Spanish 4'' as an option must stay, but since Deshya has taken ''Spanish 2'', she can leave with Amora, Frie and Tessa. On the way, Amora and Frie are mostly talking to each other, while Tessa is enjoying the scenery and Deshya is not thinking about much. She has already been to see her parents several times over the years, so she knows which train to take, at which hours it runs as well as the length of the trip. When she was 14 years old, Deshya even had to take a go-pass because she was invited almost every week to Amora''s house, so she preferred to take a subscription than to pay every time. Even though it''s not uncommon for Amora to invite several people to her house at once, seeing Tessa with them¡­


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    - Why do you want to come, Tessa?" asks Deshya.


    The girl with long purple hair with pink streaks turns her gaze to her redheaded friend.


    - Hm? Why not?


    - I know you know Amora, but to go to her house¡­


    Tessa smiles.


    - Well, I''m friends with ya and I know Frie, so it could be fun. Also, I want to see if Amora''s parents have bright smiles like her.


    - Ahah.


    Deshya lets out a small chuckle before looking at Amora''s long pink hair as it sways back and forth energetically. ''Fran'' and ''Fay'', which are the names of both of Amora''s parents, are a couple... that could create a new star between them. She wants to leave the surprise to Tessa and she can''t wait to see her face when she sees the energy they give off. Deshya hopes wholeheartedly that they will be in a good mood, although she doesn''t doubt it, since Amora is bringing three friends to her house; two of them not actively coming. It''s been a while since she''s been to Amora''s house, so this will do her good... Her parents are really friendly and even though Deshya has been feeling pretty good lately, she''d like to say hello to them. Going with Tessa will feel a little weird, but nothing too strange. However, Tessa is a girl who is very sociable as well as unsociable; sometimes Deshya has a hard time understanding her, but that''s not a big deal. Tessa is just a girl with her own personality: and that''s what makes her her.


    All four arrive at the station after a few minutes of walking and are sitting next to each other, on metal chairs that form a kind of bench with an almost futuristic design. Amora is next to Frie who is next to Deshya who is next to Tessa.


    - When is the train coming?" asks the latter.


    - In 7 minutes and it will leave 10 minutes later," Amora answers.


    - Hmmm, so we leave here at 3:56 pm, I see¡­


    - Exactly!


    Amora smiles, her legs moving one after the other in the empty space under her chair. Frie turns to Deshya.


    - Anyway, I can''t believe I can be friends with a girl like you!" confesses Frie.


    - A girl like me...?" asks Deshya, surprised.


    Frie nods with a smile identical to Amora''s.


    - The girl with the fox ears, the one with the genius mind and who even helped find a murderer...! You are very popular at school, but even outside!


    - Ahah, but I''m just another girl¡­


    - Do ya think so?


    This is Tessa saying that. She lifts the front brim of her cap a bit and looks at Deshya with an amused smile.


    - Ya''re a girl who walks around with a long fox tail, keeps wearing fox-eared sweaters, and ya even keep it on for sports. Ya can add all that to yar sometimes more mature side, but mostly, what''s in there.


    She touches with her index finger Deshya''s forehead and forces on it, although in a friendly way, gently pushing the girl who closes her eyes.


    - It''s true, you''re super smart!!!" says Amora while shaking her head.


    - Tessa is too!" said Deshya.


    - And does it make a difference?" asks Frie.


    - E-Eh?


    Deshya blinks at the girl next to her. Frie looks up at the sky, visible behind the large and beautiful colored glass ceiling.


    - I mean, even if Tessa is also a genius, and Maruno is, does that mean you''re not special too?


    - ¡­


    Deshya would like to retort something, but does she have anything to say against it? After all, Frie has a point. The only reason Deshya wants to fight this idea is for one that only she could understand... It doesn''t concern her genius: she herself says with a proud look that she has a very powerful and intelligent brain. It''s more about the other point: her side... different. Something that affects her... and surely only her.


    - Still, I know ya love yar sweaters with fox ears, but ya don''t wanna do sports without them... And ya even keep yar tail!


    Tessa grabs the girl''s fluffy fox tail and puts her head in it, enjoying its softness. Deshya blushes and scratches her right cheek with an embarrassed smile.


    - I-I can''t help it, I feel better... like this.


    Tessa continues to rub her head against the fox tail and Frie touches her in turn. Deshya feels an inner urge to explode ¡ª of shame. Also, both of them don''t know it, but when someone rubs her fox tail like that, it makes her shiver... She holds back so as not to show any reaction.


    - It''s still super soft..." admits Frie. Where did you buy it?


    - A-Ah, at Bexel," lies Deshya.


    - The capital?


    Deshya nods, still blushing.


    - There was a store...very nice, and they sold tails of all breeds of animals.


    - Why a fox and not a cat?" asks Frie.


    - If only I knew..." thinks Deshya.


    She has asked herself the question so many times: why is she a fox girl and not another animal? If she had been a hamster girl, for example, it would have been easy enough to hide her attributes. Even as a cat, perhaps her cat''s tail could have stayed in her sweater. But here, as a fox... She has no choice but to leave her very large fluffy tail outside her sweater.


    This is the only option.


    - I just love foxes!" Deshya explains succinctly.


    Tessa stops rubbing her head against Deshya''s fox tail and watches the train brake in front of them. All four girls look at it and Amora is the first to stand up. She grabs Frie, forcing her to stand up as well.


    - Let''s go and take our place already!" said Amora.


    Tessa and Deshya stand up in turn and nod. Amora already has her go-pass, as does Frie. Tessa has a special pass, similar to what Deshya has: if they get checked, they have everything they need. Amora is the first to enter the train, with Frie''s right wrist still in her hand. Deshya enters right after Tessa and they go to the second car. It''s a train that is single decked and despite its interior beauty, it''s far from being one of luxury. It''s a simple train that follows a very specific route and passes through several cities in the country, although it''s only used by people who want to get to their homes or workplaces. It''s not the kind of train that is really used for long trips. Amora sits right next to Deshya, who is across from Frie who is next to Tessa. So Amora and Tessa are both sitting on the window side. Between them, a small table in polished wood shows its beautiful surface.


    - No one had to take those seats that day, considering how clean they were," Tessa notes.


    Deshya nods and Amora places both hands on the table in front of her.


    - We chose good seats!" she admits.


    Deshya smiles as she looks at her best friend, but her attention is drawn by the sound of a flash. She looks to her right and sees a man walking by with a selfie stick in his hands, a girl next to him. Tessa sticks out her tongue as if she is going to throw up.


    - People still use this...?" she wonders.


    - It looks like it..." says Frie, shocked to see one in the hands of a man who doesn''t look very old.


    They leave the car and behind them both is a dark haired woman who seems to be... bothered by something. She sighs and cracks her shoulder. Deshya squints, but Amora''s voice distracts her.


    - I remember when we took the train almost every week together, Deshyshy!!!


    Deshya turns to her and nods with a smile.


    - You were always worried about me because I had disappeared for 5 months.


    - Your disease sucks right now!!! Good thing you beat it and came back alive or I would have cried!!!


    Amora pouts and crosses her arms, which makes Frie laugh. Deshya joins her, even though in the corner of her head she still finds it sad that she has to lie about being ''missing'' for 5 months. However, if word gets out that she was probably kidnapped the whole time, she''s afraid it will freak some people out or that they''ll come to question her every day. She can''t even imagine the hassle it would cause in Amora''s heart... It''s not something she wants to see. Even if she has to take this secret to her grave... Even if she has to lie forever.


    - You gained so much popularity when you came back, it''s amazing..." says Frie.


    - She went from Mrs. Unsociable to Mrs. Fox!" said Tessa, amused.


    - E-Eheh¡­


    Deshya doesn''t know if she should enjoy being so popular and talked about, but she accepts it with open arms. Nevertheless, it does not prevent her from feeling quite embarrassed.


    - I told you I wouldn''t accept to see you !


    As they smile at each other, a deep male voice rings out at the end of the car. They turn to the man shouting into the phone and put it to his mouth.


    - I won''t touch your case and you can go fuck yourself... Raaah!!!


    He picks up the phone violently and starts walking quickly through the car before getting out. Frie blinks and Amora sighs, shaking her head.


    - These people who dare to shout like that in public..." she says.


    - I agree that they scare me a bit..." admits Frie.


    - My dad is like that," Tessa doesn''t deny.


    Deshya would rather not say anything, considering how she screamed in front of all the police officers last night. Even if it''s not considered being in public, Deshya is the kind of girl who can probably show a bit of craziness even in front of hundreds of people, despite being quite embarrassed.


    - I wonder what he was talking about..." she thinks.


    She''ll never know, but it intrigues her now. Screaming and getting angry like that... Given what he said, it''s possible that it was his ex-wife who cheated on him? That''s not uncommon ¡ª not enough, anyway ¡ª so Deshya assumes it could be a story in that style. It''s far too common for his taste, even if the reverse is also true. Women cheat on their men; men cheat on their women.


    - I don''t see the point of coming in this car and then leaving, though..." admits Tessa, touching the brim of her cap.


    - I agree¡­


    Frie turns toward the automatic door that has just opened. A woman in a long coat, accompanied by a man with dark brown eyes, sits behind the group of four friends. Frie looks at her watch, then outside from the large glass window to her right.


    - The train will leave in a minute..." she said.


    Amora smiles and grabs Deshya''s left hand.


    - I''m sure mom will be so happy to see you all!" she says with a beautiful smile.


    - Another radiant smile... Worthy of the Sun, eh?


    - Moooh, you like calling me that, Tessa!


    Tessa nods, shrugging her shoulders.


    - That''s a cute nickname, I like it!


    Amora smiles and a little ''Hihi'' comes out of her mouth.


    The doors close. The train causes a very weak and short jolt before a voice comes from the speakers. A man says the name of the next stop before, a few seconds later, the train starts. The landscape behind the clean window begins to move slowly, but it doesn''t take long before it moves faster, though it doesn''t become a blur.


    - This train is not the fastest, but it doesn''t move much, which I like!" explains Amora.


    - I can easily get motion sickness, so it''s fine with me..." admits Frie.


    She touches her belly with a small smile and Tessa settles a little more comfortably in her seat.


    - Well, let''s enjoy the ride. How many stops do we have before we get there?" she asks.


    - Two stops! The third one will be at my place !


    - I see... I''m going to rest for a while, the gymnastics made me tired.


    Tessa pulls the brim of her cap down in front of her eyes and closes them, sitting firmly in the seat. Amora waves to her, as if saying goodnight, and then turns to Frie.


    - Do you live far from me?" she asks.


    - I live in Shiru, but more on the Tetazo side.


    - Oh, so you don''t live next door!


    - You are in the east, opposite Tetazo, right?


    Amora nods.


    - And you in the west of Shiru!!!" she smiled.


    - Exactly.


    - And Tessa and Deshya, both in Tetazo!


    Tessa doesn''t live that far from Deshya, and Deshya knows it. She knows the way to her home by heart and could almost make the trip with her eyes closed; something she wouldn''t dare, really. Deshya almost moved out after she was found, but for various reasons and after some thought, they decided to stay there. She loves her home very much and Tetazo is a town she enjoys immensely, so that made her happy. One of the reasons they didn''t move is because it would have meant that her father would have had to change police stations, since he would have left Tetazo, although he could have continued to work there by being in another town, but the commute would have been longer and he would have had to take more time to get there in case of an emergency: not ideal. Living in Tetazo was better for her work, and whether Deshya is in Tetazo or somewhere else, it doesn''t matter: she is still a girl with a long fox tail in the back. She is quickly noticed.


    - I can''t wait, hihi!


    Amora murmurs this as she waddles on the spot. Deshya looks at her with a smile, letting the time pass.


    The train continues to move along the tracks, coming close to the next stop. Passengers are sitting and waiting patiently for their stop, some on their phones, some reading, some chatting. From the inside, passengers can see the landscape of Tetazo changing little by little into the landscape of Shiru, the first stop in this city. Little vegetation, but the city is quite beautiful. Deshya talks with Amora and Frie, Tessa resting on the side.


    As the train approaches the next stop... It does not brake.


    And it continues its way without stopping.

 6 - ?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 1?(CASE2)

    <hr>


    While the passengers wait patiently for their stop, some in a while, others now, the train does not stop. The stop which is in the west of Shiru, the first one after the one of Tetazo, passed without the train coming to brake. At first, some people wonder if it is a mistake and that they have not arrived yet, and those who do not stop here do not notice it, but a woman in the car of Deshya and three others comes to stand up.


    - What does that mean?!" she shouts.


    Deshya turns to her. Amora looks up to observe her, while Frie stares back at her. Tessa''s eyes are still closed, but her expression changes slightly.


    - What''s going on, ma''am?!" asks a young boy next to her.


    - Why doesn''t the train stop?!


    Deshya squints. Even before the lady speaks, another girl does.


    - We missed the stop.


    Deshya turns and looks at Tessa. Her eyes are still closed, behind the brim of her cap that falls in front of her face, and yet¡ª


    - What...?


    - Is it true?!" asks Amora, a surprised look on her face.


    Tessa lifts the brim of her cap and frowns.


    - The train didn''t brake, so it wasn''t going to stop in any case.


    - But... this is its stop, the west station of Shiru, no?!


    Tessa agrees and turns her face towards Deshya.


    - I don''t know why, but it missed that stop on purpose.


    CHAPTER 6


    ?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 1?


    - ¡­


    Deshya says nothing. Tessa shrugs and rests as before, closing her eyes again.


    - Well, it''s not our stop, so I don''t give a damn about it.


    - T-Tessa¡­


    Deshya sighs and Frie smiles with a surprised laugh. The lady who screamed sits down under the man who is the young boy''s father and crosses her arms.


    - What is the driver doing...?" he wonders aloud.


    Deshya hears him and asks herself the same question. If there was a change of schedule or a change of stop, he would have said so before... So why? He has no right to do such a thing, at least not without warning.


    - No, even with advance warning, the driver is not allowed to continue without stopping¡­


    Deshya frowns. Something strange is happening¡ª


    - Deshya!


    - A-Ah?!


    While she is in her thoughts, Amora shouts next to her. Deshya turns to her, confused. Her best friend shows her a big smile while wiggling on the spot.


    - Say, say, to pass the time, you want to talk to me about the biiiiiig detectives?!" asks Amora.


    Frie opens her mouth wide and turns to Deshya in turn.


    - Oh, it''s true that I don''t know many!" admits Frie.


    Deshya drops a quick glance at the lady who stood up and screamed when the train didn''t stop. Can she really not think about what has just happened and talk quietly with them?


    - I''m interested too, to be honest," Tessa admits, opening one eye.


    - ¡­


    Deshya thinks for a long time, but finally sighs and smiles. This is a subject that interests her greatly and she knows a lot about detectives ¡ª which Amora knows, since they know each other almost perfectly ¡ª, so she accepts with a nod.


    - Okay, okay.


    She turns her entire body to Frie and Tessa, while Amora makes no secret of her eagerness to learn more. Even though she''s not totally into all things police, detective and murder, she''s still interested in what Deshya tells her. She knows one or the other because Deshya sometimes talks about them, but not enough for Amora to know enough.


    - I guess all three of you know ''Kira Miname''?" begins Deshya.


    - Of course!


    - A legend.


    - I don''t¡­


    Tessa and Amora nod, but Frie lowers her head with an embarrassed expression. Amora opens her mouth wide in surprise.


    - Don''t you know Kira Miname?!" she shouts.


    Frie shakes her head, even more embarrassed. Her cheeks red as a tomato and her lips pushing together from shame, she dares not look up and watch her friends. Tessa smiles.


    - Eeeh, I''m surprised," she admits.


    - Is... T-T-This person so famous?" asks Frie.


    - Of course!" shouts Deshya.


    She places both hands on the table in front of her.


    - Kira Miname is a real legend and the most popular detective of all! No one knows his real identity and it seems that even he has forgotten it on purpose to never remember his past!!! He is sometimes seen in beauty magazines and he does a lot of interviews!!!" explains Deshya, her excitement felt in her voice.


    - He did an interview on a YaTube channel not long ago, although I can''t remember the name..." adds Tessa.


    - I saw it!!! He is so cool!!! He''s soooo strong and soooo smart!!! He is inhuman, even!!!!


    Deshya waddles on the spot, blushing weakly. Amora giggles, still amused to see her best friend being such a fan of a person.


    - They call him ''The Legendary Divine Eye,'' don''t they?" says Tessa.


    Deshya nods. Hearing this nickname, Frie opens his mouth and eyes wide, a spark crossing her brain.


    - Ah! I''ve heard that nickname before!" she admits.


    - He is very famous, after all! He''s the one who arrested all the Merkann members, after all!!!


    - Merkann... Merkann¡­


    Frie thinks as she rubs her chin, but quickly remembers what it is.


    - Isn''t this the group of robbers who were behind the theft of billions of euros?


    - Yes! They had planned everything for several months and they managed to steal a majority of the capital of the country of Firuede!


    - I remember that! I was little when it happened, but everyone was talking about it!" says Amora.


    Deshya remembers it too. It happened a little over 8 years ago. She was still young, but Kira was on every TV channel for days at a time.


    - No one could catch this group, but because of a tiny detail they left behind, Kira managed to discover the identity of one of the members and a few weeks later they were all caught. Some people think this is the best detective work ever, although some think it''s in the top 10, but surely not first," Tessa explains.


    - Is he still a detective?" asks Frie.


    Deshya nods.


    - Although his real age is unknown, he is still quite young; he must not yet be in his forties.


    - I see!


    - Even though we see him less on everyday television, he actively solves a lot of crimes and mysteries, although often for the government or very important people," Deshya explains.


    - I saw that he caught the murderer of the daughter of the former president of Firuede," recalls Amora.


    - I saw it! It was impressive.


    - And how beautiful and stylish he is!


    Amora admires Deshya and smiles. She sounds like a completely different person when she talks about him. How many times has she talked to her for hours about investigations that he has solved? Of course, Amora is interested in this and always listens with a big smile, but she doesn''t understand how someone can be so perceptive and see all the details like that. Amora doesn''t imagine she can do a quarter of the work of a detective; Kira''s, not even a tenth.


    - Although he is the most popular detective and considered the best in the world, he is by no means the only one who is recognized!" says Deshya.


    - I don''t really know any..." admits Frie. However, I do know that there is one called... Mmmh... Oh yes!


    She knocks her fist gently into the palm of her other hand.


    - ¡®The Best Detective in Belium''!


    When Frie says these words, Deshya''s face takes on a sunny expression that can rival the one Amora usually makes. Tessa smiles and speaks first.


    - ''Minos Kiyon,'' a man who hasn''t even reached his thirties yet, right?" she said.


    - Exactly!!!" shouts Deshya excitedly.


    - Oh, a fan of his too?


    Tessa gives her a teasing smile and Deshya nods so violently that her hair moves in all directions.


    - I love his style so much!" admits Frie.


    - He wears red contacts and his hair is beautifully blond!!!" says Deshya. He deserves his title as the best detective in our country by far!!!


    Minos Kiyon is a very popular detective in Belium, but even outside the country, he is a household name. Deshya grabs her hands and looks at the roof of the train, blushing softly.


    - I would love to meet him in person, he is the one who inspired me to start reading ¡®Sherlock Holmes¡¯ or even ¡®Nero Wolfe¡¯!


    - Doesn''t he solve cases in public sometimes?" asks Frie.


    Deshya nods.


    - Yes, he does! But it is often in the capital and places are rarely available... It''s complicated, honestly¡­


    She clenches both fists in front of her and exhales furiously, determination in her eyes.


    - But next year, I will go to see it, whatever it takes !!!" she says with an expression that could burn a whole field.


    - I know that detectives are quite popular in books, but in real life, I didn''t think so¡­


    - We''re in a time where detectives are becoming more and more popular, so you''ll have to start to study!" smiles Amora.


    - Eeeh?


    Frie sighs and lowers her head. Amora starts to laugh.


    - I''m kidding, I''m kidding! Well, half kidding.


    - W-What do you mean by half...?


    - You don''t have to study, but it''s true that detectives are becoming more and more popular.


    Amora talks with Frie while Tessa stretches both arms. She correctly puts her cap back on her head and turns her face towards Deshya, noticing that she is staring at her.


    - Hm?


    - A-Ah, I thought¡­


    Deshya scratches her cheek and Amora stops chatting with Frie. All three look at the girl with the fox sweater who blushes even more.


    - I-I said my favorite detective, Frie mentioned one she knows, so, I was thinking¡­


    - Mine?


    - Exactly¡­


    Tessa begins to think, crossing her legs in the other way. She looks through the window silently, her right cheek swollen, then her left. The three girls wait impatiently for her answer. Deshya has several detectives in mind and wonders which of them might be her favorite...? A woman? A man? Is he from this country or even this continent, or...? Maybe even one of the ones they just said! After all, both Kira and Minos are detectives beloved by all. Tessa turns her gaze back to Deshya, determined.


    - Well, I love Kira too, but my favorite¡­


    She nods.


    - I will say that it is ''Ayumi Steel''.


    - !!


    - Oh, I know her!" drops Amora with a sunny smile.


    Frie scratches her cheek, even more embarrassed than before.


    - W-Who...?


    Tessa removes her cap and produces wind by waving it in her direction before closing her eyes.


    - Ayumi Steel, the one who is often referred to as ''The Detective with a Thousand Truths,''" Tessa explains.


    - Why that nickname?" asks Frie, interested.


    - I let Miss Fox answer, if she wishes.


    Tessa opens one eye and observes Deshya. The latter blushes again and flees from her gaze, but she ends up speaking, too excited to just keep quiet; especially since Tessa offers to explain, so why refuse?


    - That''s because she solved 1,000 investigations in a single year.


    - O-Only one year?!" shouts Frie, surprised.


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.Deshya nods with a small smile.


    - When she was 25 years old, the year after finishing her studies, she decided to become a private detective. In one year, she solved 1000 investigations, although it is said that she did 1005, but 5 of them did not have real answers.


    - 1000... That''s huge!


    Frie didn''t need to do any complicated math to figure out that this meant she was solving about 3 investigations a day. That is... unthinkable!


    - She is considered by many to be the best detective around today," says Tessa. Some say Kira, some say Ayumi. I don¡¯t have an opinion on it, though.


    - She is impressive, I must say," adds Deshya.


    - I have all her books at home, even the ones she wrote that are fiction. The investigation of ''The Flaming Rose'' is my favorite.


    - I have only read ''Les Douze Coups de Minuit''..." Amora admits, lowering her head.


    - Ah, her first work? It''s inspired by a real investigation she solved; I loved it too.


    Amora hops around looking at Tessa, glad she loves this book too. Deshya smiles as she listens to them.


    - The criminal behind the murder is almost unfindable, especially since we are led on the wrong track from the first sentence..." she thinks.


    It''s a book she''s read twice in total, and even on her second read, she was sweating so much stress in this book. She also prefers ''The Flaming Rose'' like Tessa, but that doesn''t mean her other works aren''t amazing.


    - What about you, Amora?" asks Frie.


    - Me?


    She looks up, a finger on her lower lip.


    - Well, I love Kira too, but¡­


    She claps one hand against the other, her eyes closed and a big smile beaming on his face.


    - I like ''The Gentle Breeze of Kretel'' best!" she admits.


    - K-Kretel? Where you live?" asks Frie, having never heard of this detective.


    - Exactly! She''s from the same town as me, hihi! Frie turns to Deshya.


    - Is she a known detective...?" asks Frie, unsure.


    - Maybe not on the same level as the other three, but she is very popular, yes. To be honest, she does a lot of police business.


    - She can aim a gun, that''s for sure," says Tessa.


    - I love her, I love her!" shouts Amora.


    Frie keeps her rather surprised expression on her face for a few moments before giggling. Tessa questions her behavior, but Frie quickly explains.


    - I didn''t know Amora knew that much, or even Tessa or you, Deshya!


    - Well, detectives have been very popular in recent years," Deshya admits.


    - Deshya tells me about it so often that I have a good knowledge base on it, hehe!


    Amora takes her best friend in her arms without warning and Tessa frowns. Here¡ª


    - HEY!!!


    A howl sounded behind them.


    Amora freezes, while Deshya opens her eyes wide before turning abruptly. A man gets up from his seat and exits the car with a fast, furious walk. A woman with a big hat gets up and tries to catch up with him.


    - Honey, come back!


    - I¡¯m goin¡¯ to fuck him up, that fuckin¡¯ driver!!!" yells the man before the door closes behind them.


    - ¡­


    Frie looks outside from the window and scratches the back of his hair.


    - We talked for a long time, but now that I think about it¡ª


    - We have just passed the station.


    Frie gets cut by Tessa and Amora doesn''t hide her shock.


    - But that means¡­


    - The train doesn¡¯t stop.


    Tessa crosses her arms and sighs.


    - It seems that somethin¡¯ is wrong.


    - Should we go see what''s going on?" asks Deshya.


    Tessa shakes her head.


    - Idiot, what do ya want us to do? The driver won''t let us pass, we''re just two teenagers.


    - Yes, but¡­


    - If the train doesn''t stop, there must be a good reason. Our stop is the next one, just pray it stops for this one.


    As Tessa speaks, a noise rings out from the train''s speaker. The four friends look up at the same time.


    - Hello everyone. I am your train driver. I apologize for the two missed stops, a problem has occurred, but it will be fixed soon. I apologize again.


    The male voice no longer sounds from the speaker and Tessa frowns; Deshya imitates her by lowering her gaze. Frie sighs heavily.


    - At least he gave us some news..." she said. I hope they fix this problem before the next stop¡­


    - Hey, Deshya.


    Tessa talks to the girl without even looking at her.


    - ...


    - Don''t ya think there''s something¡­ really wrong?


    This time, Tessa stares her straight in the eyes. Deshya turns her head toward the door of the car, where the man left with his wife. Amora looks at the two girls one after the other before tilting her head to the left.


    - Something wrong?" she asks.


    Deshya stops looking behind her and looks ahead, one elbow on the table and her hand under her mouth.


    - Exactly.


    - What is it?" asks Frie.


    - The train never braked, so it didn''t stop. However, if it was a simple problem in the engine or on the rails, I would be surprised if the driver let it run like that.


    - ¡­


    Tessa twirls her cap with one finger and looks at her with squinted eyes.


    - The fact that this train does not stop means that other trains that take this same track can¡¯t stop or they will be hit.


    - !!!


    - ¡­


    - A-Ah?!


    Frie understands, now. She watches Tessa with wide eyes, while Amora shakes her head from left to right with speed.


    - Are we going to crash?! I don''t want to die so young, I want to get married and have childreeeeeen!" shouts Amora.


    - Hey, hey, calm down!" said Deshya, trying to reassure her as best she could.


    - That''s what''s so weird about it," says Tessa.


    - H-Huh?


    Amora blinks, calming her shaking of her own head. Tessa stops playing with her cap and sets it down in front of her.


    - We already missed two stops, so we should have run into another train, since¡­


    - What if the driver had warned the other trains?" asks Amora.


    - That''s probably what happened, but I don''t know of a single problem that would prevent a train from stopping; quite the opposite, actually.


    - If the brakes are broken?


    - We are not in a car, it does not work totally the same¡­


    - A-Ahah, I don''t really know anything about trains¡­


    Amora scratches her cheek and Deshya sighs. Frie hesitates to get up from her chair, starting to feel unwell.


    - W-We just have to wait and hope for the best, so...?" she asks.


    Tessa touches her shoulder, preventing her from getting up, and nods.


    - If we didn''t meet another train on our route, it means most probably that they have already been warned. Nevertheless¡­


    Tessa frowns again and turns to the girl with long pink hair.


    - Amora. Can you look on the internet to see if any trains have been delayed or canceled?" asks Tessa.


    - E-Eh? Uhm, okay¡­


    Amora takes out her phone and after typing her long code, she goes on the internet.


    - Look at the stations we pass through," adds Tessa.


    - Okay.


    Deshya and Frie look at Amora''s phone while they go to check on the station site.


    And there¡ª


    - !!


    - ... !


    - I thought so.


    The trains on the track where they are... are all canceled.


    - ¡­


    - W-What does that mean?


    Frie begins to tremble softly and Tessa begins to think. Deshya grabs Amora''s phone without telling her and frowns as she watches the trains pass by the station.


    - This is just our track... All trains are canceled and...!


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and Tessa squints her eyes.


    - Did you see anything?" she asks.


    - ... The trains were all canceled... a few minutes after we got on this one.


    - What?!


    Amora begins to shiver, while Frie feels worse and worse. Tessa finally gets up from her seat and clenches her fists. Deshya watches her, Amora''s phone still in her hands.


    - ¡­


    Tessa slowly turns her face to Deshya and finally smiles, though it is different from a happy smile.


    - I take it back. We''ll see what happens," Tessa says.


    Deshya stares for a few moments, but eventually she smiles back. She turns off the phone and gives it back to Amora before standing up. Frie lets Tessa through as she pushes herself up and Amora puts her phone away before grabbing the sleeve of Deshya''s sweater.


    - Are you going to see the driver?!" she asks. Deshya nods.


    - But¡­


    - He probably won''t tell us anything, but you never know.


    Deshya grabs Amora''s hand that has been clutching her sleeve and puts it on the table, causing Amora to stop holding it. As Tessa moves on, the couple returns to the wagon.


    - ¡­


    - Fuck!


    The man swears before returning to his place and Tessa observes them with interrogation in the eyes.


    - What did they learn or see...?" she wonders.


    They don''t look very happy, let alone reassured, and the woman even has her head down. Tessa doesn''t need to see her face to tell that something is bothering her. The man is frustrated and sweating, which is not a good omen. Tessa grabs Deshya and squints.


    - Let''s go," she said in a serious tone.


    Deshya nods and as she takes the first step¡ª


    ¡ª Her fox ears react. Deshya turns around, eyes wide open and mouth agape.


    - W-What?!


    Tessa stops and some of the passengers have heard the same thing as Deshya. The latter grinds her teeth, facing the third car, the opposite of the driver''s cabin.


    - What is it...?" asks Tessa, confused. A woman gets up from her chair, trembling.


    - Did I hear right...?


    Deshya clenches her fists and Tessa grips her arm firmly.


    - What is it, Deshya?!


    Deshya starts running to the opposite side, where the third car is, her fox tail swinging back and forth behind her. Tessa lets out a curse before running after her. Deshya weakly turns her gaze to the right and frowns.


    - What I heard... It''s...!


    The car door opens automatically in front of her and Tessa opens her eyes wide. She didn''t hear anything. However, Deshya would not lie.


    So¡ª


    - I heard a gunshot!

 7 -?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 2?(CASE2)

    <hr>


    As Deshya goes to the driver''s cabin, one car over from theirs, Deshya suddenly stops.


    - !!


    Her fox ears, more sensitive and powerful than a human''s, pick up a sound coming from the next car. Not the one they have to take to reach the cabin, but the one opposite. Deshya starts to run, some passengers start talking to each other and feel uneasy, and Tessa catches Deshya running in turn. They pass the automatic door and Deshya tells her what she heard:


    - I heard a gunshot!


    - W-What?!


    Tessa opens her eyes wide, as well as her mouth, not having heard such a sound. The moving train, her lack of focus, and the fact that the sound was coming from the car next door, separated by two closed automatic doors and the sound of the train moving, meant that she couldn''t have heard that sound. She doesn''t know how Deshya heard it, but not believing her would be foolish of her. They both pass through the second door that separates them from their car and there¡ª


    - !!!


    - A-Ah?!


    Deshya and Tessa stop and look at the scene in front of them. Some of the passengers scream in fear and others look back at the two girls who have just arrived.


    - W-What?!" shouts Tessa, her eyes wide open.


    A little further on, the body on the ground and a puddle of blood underneath it¡ª


    A man has just lost his life.


    CHAPTER 7


    ?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 2?


    Deshya is immobilized by her own emotions, unable to move her gaze from the body in the pool of blood. A passenger wakes her from her mind as he shouts and pushes the two teenage girls. He runs out of the car screaming, while Deshya falls onto the thighs of a man who catches her.


    - Woah!


    Tessa blinks and grits her teeth before picking Deshya up again and pulling her forcefully towards her, bringing her to her feet again. Deshya sighs and closes her eyes. Tessa looks at her for a few moments before putting her hands in her pockets.


    - If such a sight shocks you too much, you can¡ª


    - N-No.


    Deshya clenches both fists, teeth gritting. Tessa glances at her with one eye before smiling and stepping into the train corridor. Behind them, Frie and Amora arrive.


    - A-A man just ran into the car screaming, wh¡ª?!! W-Waa?!!!


    Amora starts to scream and Deshya quickly turns around and signals her to be quiet. Amora puts her hands in front of her mouth, her eyes wide open and fixed on the man who is lying in a pool of blood... Which is most likely HIS blood.


    - ... !! ... !! ... !!


    Amora begins to fan herself and Deshya asks Frie to return with her to the next car. Frie is immobilized by fear, unable to remove her gaze from the body beyond; yet she wants to do anything but look at him. This man bathed in his own blood, no life left in his eyes... Despite the distance between her and the dead man, she can see the man''s calm, yet lifeless expression. Frie shakes, her teeth touching and spreading rapidly, as if she is shivering from the cold. Tessa stops before approaching the body and Deshya shakes Frie. The latter blinks and looks at Deshya.


    - Go back to the car!!!" she shouts.


    Frie steps back and nods with difficulty before grabbing Amora.


    - W-We leave..." said Frie gently.


    Amora starts to run, passing through the door even before Frie and the latter follows her, holding one arm. Deshya bites her lower lip, watching them leave with a saddened look. Tessa approaches the girl and touches her shoulder.


    - You don''t want your friends to see a dead person, but you can without worrying?" she jokes.


    Deshya lowers her head and a small ''Hm'' sounds from her throat.


    - ¡­


    Deshya turns around and looks at the dead body. While they were in the other car, a gunshot rang out here. Thanks to her hearing, which is more developed than normal human ears, she was able to identify it as a gunshot despite the noise of the train and her lack of concentration on the driver''s failure to stop. Deshya walks toward the scene of the murder and Tessa smiles.


    - ¡­


    She says nothing and follows her, right behind her. The passengers don''t shout anymore, but the fear is still in everyone''s heart and one of them grabs Deshya before she can get near the body.


    - W-What are you doing?!" the man shouts.


    Deshya stops and looks towards the man who caught her. Tessa also stops behind her and watches him. He looks like he feels terrible, but that''s not surprising, considering someone just died. Deshya turns to him.


    - I just want to see what happened..." she admits.


    - A-A little one like you...?" said the man, shocked.


    - ¡­


    Deshya doesn''t like to be called ''little'', but she understands that from an adult''s point of view, she is not very... big. She is a young girl who is still a teenager: she herself knows it very well. And yet¡­


    - Exactly.


    - D-Don''t mess with me!


    Suddenly, his tone changes and he becomes more aggressive. As he pulls Deshya towards him, Tessa hits him in the face with a quick fist and the man holds his left eye, dropping the girl in the fox sweater. The man clenches a fist.


    - HUU¡ª


    - Shut up.


    - !!!


    Tessa grabs him by the collar and an enraged expression crosses her face. Her two eyes staring intently into the man''s, she lets go:


    - Who do you think you are, grabbing my friend like that?!


    - T-Tessa¡­


    The girl lets go by pushing the man and hesitates to him spit on him, but she swallows her saliva and clicks her tongue against her white teeth. Deshya smiles softly, but that same smile quickly disappears as she turns to the man''s body. She goes closer to observe him better when¡ª


    - Hey, Deshya don''t touch a corpse like that.


    A hand grabs her wrist and Deshya turns her face towards the voice that has just spoken to her. An elderly lady, a little over fifty, with hair already white, is standing there. Deshya blinks and Tessa stops again, hands in her pockets.


    - Do you know her, Deshya?" she asks.


    Deshya observes her carefully: she has just pronounced her first name, so it must be a woman she knows. A friendly look and a long scarf around her neck, as well as hair reminiscent of Frie''s, but with drooping strands on the other side of her face. It is also tied up, although the lady has a bouncy ponytail, unlike Frie''s which is tied on the right side in a very particular way. Nice brown eyes and two earrings hanging from the lobes, the lady doesn''t even try to hide the passing of time, proven by the wrinkles on her face. She wears navy blue jeans a little too tight and some kind of orange boots on her feet. With the gray vest on her body and the pinkish lipstick around her mouth, this woman proves that she knows how to have style. Deshya winks her eyes...


    - ... Are you Frie''s mother?" she asks.


    Tessa giggles: she thought the same thing. After all, the lady''s hair is similar to Frie''s, just a little different in the way it''s tied. Also, the side that falls in Frie''s is on her left, but this lady is on her right. The woman still holding Deshya''s wrist is blinking¡­


    - ... F-Frie?


    She tilts her head, having no idea who it is. She shakes her head and finally lets go of Deshya''s wrist, a smile on her face.


    - No, no, I know your father!" she admits.


    Deshya gets up completely and observes the woman for a long time.


    - My father...?


    ¡®Gatito'', Deshya''s father, is not unknown, so this does not surprise him. However, not everyone knows Deshya because they know who Gatito is. From what she knows about him, he is not a man who would come and talk about his daughter ¡ª or even his family ¡ª to anyone except close people or the police. Besides, how can she be sure that she is Deshya...? Sure, she always wears a fox sweater, but she''s not the only one who does. Yes, she is a redhead, but is it enough to affirm that she is Deshya...?


    - ... I guess.


    She says this to herself with an amused smile, but the woman stands up in turn and explains:


    - My name is Annie, ''Annie Terru''. I am a doctor for the police of Tetazo.


    The lady waves her ponytail and smiles as she looks at Deshya. Tessa whistles as she removes her hands from her pockets.


    - Mademoiselle has contacts, I see!" joked Tessa.


    Annie turns to her with a surprised expression.


    - Joking in front of a crime scene... Strange girl.


    - I am anything but normal!


    Tessa smiles, proud of what she has said. Annie questions her with her eyes and Deshya lets out a nervous little laugh. Annie crouches down in front of the deceased, while the passengers look at each other, still afraid, but now also surprised. To see the woman show up like this and two teenage girls arrive on the scene when they weren''t even in that car... It''s all very special. Deshya crouches down in turn and Annie puts a hand in front of her. Deshya questions her with her eyes.


    - I know that you are Gatito''s daughter. I know that you are considered a genius at your school and I know that you solved a murder yesterday.


    Annie turns her face toward her, a serious expression on it. It''s clear she''s not saying all this without thinking about her own words.


    - But whoever shot him is still on that train; even worse, in that car. It''s dangerous.


    Her tone. Her expression. Her look. Everything about Annie makes Deshya realize that she can''t do anything but take her seriously. She swallows loudly and Tessa, who has remained standing behind her, squints.


    - The murderer is still in that car... Nobody got out?" she asks.


    Annie turns her face to the girl with the long purple hair.


    - Only the man who pushed you came out, but I''m sure he couldn''t have done it, especially since his reaction was far too real. He was not in a position to kill him. Besides¡­


    Annie now turns her face toward the door that might lead them to the next car, the fourth. The one that approaches the middle of the long train where they are.


    - This door does not open. It is blocked.


    - !!


    - R-Really?


    - YES!!!


    As Deshya wonders, a woman screams. The girl in the fox sweater is startled and looks behind her. A woman points at Annie, tears in her eyes.


    - S-She told us that we were not allowed to go out d anyway because the killer is here!!! But she is stupid!!!" said the woman.


    - Stupid?! Calling me such a thing, mph.


    Annie puffs out her cheeks, pouting. Deshya blinks and looks at the older woman, surprised.


    - Shouldn''t we evacuate everyone, instead?" asks Deshya.


    Annie puts gloves on her hands and smiles.


    - If everyone runs in any case, the criminal will surely escape from here without us finding out who it is. Plus, only car two and one are available, so there''s not really any escape, when you think about it.


    Annie clenches her fists and unclenches them several times before looking at the body of the deceased.


    - Now that everyone is on guard, killing someone in this car is impossible, or they''re going to get screwed," she explains.


    With a serious expression, she observes the man''s trunk. Deshya does the same and squints: a hole is in his jacket... right in front of his heart. Briefly¡ª


    - If he didn''t care about getting caught, he would have simply killed without hiding, or at least not in the way he did.


    - What do you mean?" asks Deshya.


    - I haven''t asked everyone what they saw yet, but no one seems to have observed anyone firing a gun in the car.


    - I didn''t see anything!


    - No one got up¡­


    - W-Who could have done this?!


    People start getting excited in all directions again. Annie puts a hand under her chin, always observing the body in front of her.


    - It''s probably someone who wanted to kill this particular target for some reason and doesn''t want to be caught. She plans to get off the train as soon as it stops, so if I let everyone get away, then whoever killed this man will get away with it.


    Tessa crouched down in turn and squinted her eyes. This lady is a doctor and yet she talks like a real police woman. Sure, she said she was a doctor for the Tetazo Police Department, but she''s still perceptive. Tessa still wonders if this is the best way to go... Annie clearly has a point and Tessa, nor Deshya, would dare contradict her, but is this really the safest plan? Tessa looks at the automatic door, which, it seems, doesn''t open, and frowns.


    - ...somethin¡¯¡­


    She keeps staring at that door.


    - ... Somethin¡¯ strange is happenin¡¯ on this train¡­


    Tessa thinks while Deshya talks with Annie.


    - But how do you keep them all in the car...?" asks the teenager.


    - Oh? Well, I''m still the police and these two gentlemen are helping me.


    She points to two burly men. Their muscles are even visible through their shirts and heads to scare children.


    - We won''t let anyone out!!!" shouts one of them.


    - A-Ah, I see¡­


    Deshya lets out a nervous laugh before looking at the body again. She is a little disgusted by it, but it is not too... ''horrible'' death.


    - A bullet in the heart..." she thinks out loud.


    - Exactly.


    Annie is leaning over the body and observing it without touching it too much. Meanwhile, Tessa scans the train passengers from her position, still standing. Deshya also observes the corpse in front of her. It is a man who seems to be of a certain age, probably the same as her father; in short, in his forties. Blood is coming out of the wound and although Deshya can''t tell exactly what the bullet pierced, she is certain of one thing: it killed him with one shot, penetrating his heart and punching a hole in it. Annie squints.


    - One shot in the heart... He died directly," she observes.


    - Do you know who could have killed him?" asks Deshya.


    Annie turns to the mass of passengers toward the front of the car, from where Deshya and Tessa are coming.


    - No one observed the killer in action and I was quietly reading the autobiography of an author I love, so I didn''t pay attention... I was also distracted by the train that didn''t seem to want to stop," she admits.


    - We were just going to see the driver to see what''s going on," says Tessa.


    - ¡­


    Annie observes the colorful teenager without saying anything before getting up. Deshya remains crouched, looking at the doctor.


    - ... I can discuss it with you, but sit here for a second.


    Tessa and Deshya look at each other before going to sit next to each other. The man in front, a lack of tranquility on his face, observes them without really understanding what is going on.


    - Deshya, I know you well and I know you''re smart," Annie begins. However, we''re talking about a real murder scene here.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    - I know, but¡ª


    - But what?


    Deshya gets cut off in her sentence and Annie continues without giving her a chance to defend herself.


    - You''re just a 16 year old girl. And your friend¡­


    - My name is Tessa Merossa, I am a member of the ''Fox Incorporated'' of the Tetazo school.


    - ... I see, I heard about it¡­


    Annie crosses her arms.


    - You are young and have no experience in the field; and even though you are both smart, there is a criminal in that car. Do you really think you can just look for clues and find out who the killer is without danger?


    She stares at Deshya.


    - You are the only daughter of a man I greatly respect. I can''t put you at risk like this.


    Deshya doesn''t know what to say and Tessa doesn''t see what she could possibly say back. Deshya slowly lowers her head, the words of the woman named ''Annie'' creating a heavier and heavier weight over her head.


    - I know you probably want to help, but even if I am a doctor, I work alongside the police. It''s far too dangerous.


    - ¡­


    Deshya still does not reply. Silent and with her head down. Annie waits a few moments and finally sighs: it seems that Deshya has understood.


    However, the girl opens her mouth.


    - ... I know, but¡­


    Annie squints as she turns her gaze towards her. Deshya looks up.


    - I can''t just sit around with my arms crossed!" she says.


    - D-Deshya!


    - I know! I know...! I''m a young teenager who runs headlong into the ground thinking I''m invincible. I''m a young girl who thinks nothing will happen to her, but I can''t sit still when I know a criminal, male or female, is on that train!


    Although she seems to be shouting, Deshya speaks softly enough that only Tessa and Annie can hear; although one or the other passenger is listening too.


    - I want to help!


    Deshya stands up, Tessa and Annie staring at her with big eyes. Deshya''s expression is determined, almost angry, her teeth clenched as well as her fists. Annie blinks, watching in the girl''s expression¡­


    - ... Eh.


    Annie smiles, which surprises Deshya. The woman removes her scarf and places it on the table in front of Tessa before giving Deshya a determined expression of her own, albeit different than that of Gatito''s daughter.


    - You really look like your father.


    - ... ?


    - If you want to help, then make sure you find out who is behind this death.


    Annie walks down the hallway and pulls a sign from her pocket.


    - I am Annie Terru, I work for the police of Tetazo ! Anyone who makes the slightest suspicious move or leaves the car without my permission will be seen as a suspect!


    Deshya turns to Tessa who shrugs her shoulders. The two teens stare at each other for a few moments before Deshya turns around, looking at Annie with a small smile.


    - If you see anything strange or anyone acting suspiciously, report it to me directly. I promise you that we will catch whoever killed this man quickly!" ends Annie.


    She tucks her sign into her coat pocket and turns back to the two teenage girls who stand up one after the other. Tessa crouches down in front of the dead body and rubs her chin.


    - A bullet in the heart... It looks like the shot was pretty accurate, since it killed him in one shot," she notes.


    Annie puts her hands in her coat pockets and stops in front of the body, just behind Tessa and Deshya.


    - To make such a shot, the perpetrator must have taken his time to shoot, must have been certain that the target was not moving or was lucky.


    - In any case, not everyone could make such a shot, right?" asks Deshya.


    Annie nods at the young teenager''s question.


    - The people are all in their seats as they were at the time of the shooting, so we can remove from the list of suspects those who are sitting behind the victim, from the other row where I am sitting who do not have a proper angle to shoot or those who are sitting in the opposite direction.


    - Nobody turned around to shoot, does that mean?


    Annie shakes her head and looks around at the passengers talking to each other, some on their phones.


    - Maybe someone turned around at the same time, but I didn''t see it. However, no one seems to be reporting any suspicious gestures, so that means either no one turned around, or he''s too scared to talk about it. Maybe threatened, even.


    Deshya stands up and squints, scanning the train. She turns her face toward the seat where the man was killed. A woman with black hair and emerald eyes is standing next to the seat where the victim was sitting before he fell to the side, to the left, dying. Tessa gets up and brings her mouth to Deshya''s ear; well, where her human ear should be.


    - The three people next to him are the most likely to have killed him¡­


    Deshya nods and squints at the dark-haired woman. She remembers seeing her in their car, behind the man with the selfie stick.


    - W-What is it...?" the woman asks, noticing that the girl in the eared sweater is staring at her.


    - A-Ah, nothing, sorry¡­


    - T-That''s not me!


    - ... I did not say anything.


    - ¡­


    The woman starts to tremble and bites her own nail; to be more precise, the one of her left thumb. Deshya pays no attention to this and looks at the two people in front. Another woman with red hair, though not as orange as Deshya''s, and a bald man are both there. There is a good chance that the culprit is one of the three... but Deshya wonders if it is possible to kill the victim without being noticed.


    - ... And if¡­


    While she is in her thoughts, Tessa touches her shoulder. Deshya blinks and turns to her friend.


    - We should ask the driver to stop the train before, shouldn''t we?" suggests Tessa.


    Deshya looks through the clean windows of the vehicle as she sees the scenery continue to roll by without the sign of an expected brake. Annie goes to the various passengers asking them if they saw anything and Tessa smiles. Deshya nods at her friend''s question and tells her that they should go now, but Tessa shakes her head


    - Why?" asks Deshya, surprised.


    Tessa hides both her hands in her pants pockets and smiles, showing her beautiful white teeth.


    - I told you before, right? We''re just two teenage girls playing detective, but we''re also two high school girls with brains that work a little bit more than the others, nothing else.


    She makes a movement of the head that points to the white-haired woman.


    - If you go with a real police woman, you''re much more likely to get him to talk to you.


    Deshya looks at Annie and smiles back.


    - You are much smarter than me, I am ashamed¡­


    Deshya waves to her and runs to Annie. Tessa gently lowers her eyelids as she watches her go, her fox tail wagging back and forth behind her back.


    - Smarter, you say¡­


    Tessa sighs.


    - Don''t say that... please.


    Tessa turns to the body of the deceased and notices his face.


    - ... Isn''t he¡­


    While Tessa is beside the corpse, Deshya arrives at the height of Annie. This last one notices the daughter of Gatito arriving beside her and turns to her.


    - Did you find a clue?" asks Annie.


    - No, Tessa pointed out to me that we should probably ask for the train to stop.


    - It would not be stupid, but if the train stops, there is a chance that the culprit will take advantage of it¡­


    - Let''s at least warn the driver!


    - ¡­


    Annie turns to the teenage girl who has just crouched down in front of the corpse, right next to the muscular men who promised Annie to watch the wagon. She rests her gaze again on Deshya''s young face and then on the door that leads to the second car.


    - ¡­


    Annie is in deep thought, Deshya right beside her waiting for her answer. If the lady doesn''t want to go with her, then what will she do? Will the driver really agree to talk to her alone...? When she''s just a teenager? Tessa has a point... and Deshya knows it. She hopes with all her heart that Annie will accept, otherwise, the mystery of the constantly moving train will not be solved right away. Annie looks at Deshya again and¡ª


    - All right. Let''s make this quick.


    ¡ª She accepts. This reassures Deshya who smiles and nods. Annie passes in front and observes one last time the two men who agreed to help her so that everything goes well in the wagon. One of them, seeing Annie leaving, shows her his thumb with a smile. Now a little more reassured, Annie passes the automatic door that leads to the second car, followed by Deshya. Both silent, they advance in the car where Deshya and Tessa come from, where some people are waiting. There are fewer people in this car than in the other one, but that is only by chance.


    - W-What''s going on?" asks a man.


    - Is everything okay?" asks another.


    - What''s going on with this train?!" a woman shouts.


    Ignoring them all, Annie continues her journey with Deshya, and that towards the first car; to then join the driver''s cabin. Deshya passes by the two seats where Frie and Amora are, both next to each other.


    - D-Deshya!" shouts Frie.


    - Everything is going well?!" asks Amora.


    Deshya brakes in front of them and smiles.


    - We''ll quickly talk to the conductor to see if we can stop the train, although I guess there''s a big problem there," Deshya replied earnestly.


    What she doesn''t say is what she''s thinking in the back of her head. She follows Annie with a specific concern. As she makes her way to the conductor''s cabin, where the conductor should be checking that the train is okay,


    Deshya wonders¡ª


    - Considering the situation... Considering that a murder has been committed while the train is not stopping¡­


    ¡ª Deshya wonders if the train is being hijacked.


    - ¡­


    If the driver is not really the driver, but a friend of the killer, then it means that all the passengers of this train are in danger. Deshya only thought about it when Tessa talked with her about stopping this train, but going with Annie is not simply the best solution; it''s the only possible solution. She still doesn''t know what the couple who went there saw or heard. Nevertheless, they both came back safe and sound, without injuries or trauma, just frustrated... So Deshya is hopeful that nothing bad happened. A lack of response from the driver, perhaps?


    - But that doesn''t mean anything good... Tsk.


    Deshya squints in frustration and, just behind the woman who is friends with her father, she walks through the door into the next car. She notices that this one is already more crowded than the second one, as well as the third one where the murder was committed. They don''t seem to be too bothered, so they must not know what happened a few minutes before.


    - Don''t say anything," Annie says softly.


    - I know," Deshya replies directly.


    They cross the car silently, avoiding the eyes of the many passengers. Some are angry and others impatient, probably because the train never stops. Deshya puts her hands in the pockets of her sweater and slowly lowers her head. They arrive in front of the door that leads to a part that is neither car nor cabin; the ''corridor'' before arriving at the place where they have to go. Deshya swallows loudly, the stress becoming more and more noticeable. What will they find in the cabin...? A real driver... or a traitor? Annie arrives in front of the closed door of the cabin and, before knocking on it, talks to Deshya without looking at her.


    - If I tell you to run or if I sense danger, you run right away, okay?" she said.


    - Of course.


    - Before you ask me, I already contacted your father that the train is not stopping, but I haven''t heard back from him yet.


    Deshya squints. A lack of response from her father means he is either busy or has lost his phone; but sometimes he can be quiet when a very complicated situation is in his hands. The other trains on this track are all canceled, so maybe...!


    - Okay.


    Annie knocks on the window where a man is standing in front of a dashboard and another even bigger window so he can see what''s in front of him. The man hears the noise in the window and turns around. Deshya is behind Annie, ready to flee if necessary, while the female doctor remains unmoved. The man approaches the window quite slowly and Annie shows her police sign. This greatly surprises the man who takes a step back.


    - !


    Annie squints, ready to warn Deshya, but¡ª


    - Y-You''re really from the police?!


    The man opens the door, which can only be opened from inside the cabin or with a key that only he has. Annie nods, still on her guard.


    - Exactly.


    - ... Y-You''ve been alerted to what''s going on, so... ?


    - What''s going on...?


    Annie frowns and Deshya stands up. The man looks at the girl behind the woman, but does not question her about herself. Sweating on his face and looking unquiet, the man lowers his head, grinding his teeth. Deshya notices that he is shaking.


    - What''s going on...?" she asks herself.


    Given his expression, his lack of aggression and his words, Deshya assumes that he is not a traitor, but the real driver. However, now she wonders what he is talking about. He returns to the dashboard and lets the two girls into the cabin. Annie closes the door behind her just in case and the man sighs, lowering his head as much as possible.


    - What the fuck..


    He lets out an expletive, on the verge of tears. Annie approaches him and stands beside him.


    - Can you tell me what''s going on?" she asks gently, with a friendly tone.


    The man turns his face towards her.


    - ¡­


    He sighs again and sits down in his chair. Deshya stands next to Annie.


    - ... I can''t stop this train¡­


    - But why?" asks Deshya, intrigued.


    - ¡­


    The man places his own head in his hands, a few tears forming in his eyes.


    - W-Why me... why¡­


    - What''s going on...?" asks Annie.


    - ... I got... We got a message from the station manager. Just two minutes after the departure of this train, after the station at Tetazo¡­


    The man closes his eyes, a tear running down his cheek.


    - I-I¡­


    His arms are shaking, his head still in his hands.


    - I-If I stop or brake this train... bombs planted here will explode... killing us all!!!

 8 -?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 3?(CASE2)

    <hr>


    Deshya and Annie have just arrived in the driver''s cab. Reassured that the man is the real conductor and not a hijacker, they return with him, hoping to get some answers about the strange course of the journey. After three unsuccessful stops, the train shows no sign of stopping or even braking at any time in the future. Annie, the doctor who also works for the Tetazo police, knocks on the door, and the man who opens it is showing signs of stress. Still not knowing what''s going on, Annie and Deshya ask him why the train is behaving so strangely. Then he explains:


    - If I stop the train, b-bombs that have been put on it will explode... and we''ll all die!


    Both girls open their eyes wide, their hearts missing a beat. Annie quickly regains her seriousness and speaks without further ado.


    - What do you mean? How do you know such a thing?


    It''s the same question Deshya asks herself. The train drivers can''t accept anyone in the cab ¡ª or anyone at all ¡ª and it''s impossible to slide anything under, over or around the door. The windows are all closed and very solid, so how would he have known, especially two minutes after the departure of this train...? The man, who is also the driver of this train, sniffs.


    - I-I didn''t learn it myself, b-but¡­


    - The station chief?" cuts in Deshya.


    He''s just told them that he''s received a message from the station, so why didn''t she think of it! The shock of learning that bombs are planted on the train must have disturbed her to the point where she didn''t pay much attention to what the man told her. He nodded.


    - It''s him... He''s received a private message... Bombs have been planted in all the carriages and... and if I stop the train or try to brake, he''ll make them... all explode..." he explains, stammering.


    Deshya turns towards the cabin door, teeth clenching together. Before they even got on this train, bombs would have been planted...? If the person who sent this message is so certain of doing enough damage to kill everyone, then he must have placed them beforehand in various places, in all the carriages¡­


    - What exactly did the message say?!" asks Deshya.


    The man gently turns his face towards her.


    - ¡®Until further notice, if the train brakes or stops, I''ll detonate the bombs I''ve planted in the entire train¡¯.


    Deshya suspected it: the bombs had been planted in advance. However, even though they now know why the train won''t stop, many questions remain. For a starter, where exactly are the bombs? It''s hard to believe they''re in bags or hidden under seats¡­


    - Is it your station manager who''s forcing you not to stop this train, then?" asks Annie.


    The driver nods.


    - The message was sent a few seconds after the train started... and all the other trains were ordered to return or take another track and stop so that our train didn''t hit any of them.


    - I-It means¡­


    Annie is thinking the same thing as Deshya. The message that was sent just seconds after the train started and the murder that was committed¡­


    - Maybe... Maybe...!


    CHAPTER 8


    ?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 3?


    - I don''t want to die!


    The man begins to cry, his head in his hands. Annie reaches down and touches his shoulder.


    - There''s nothing to say that the message isn''t a fake," she admits.


    The man pauses in his lamentations and slowly looks up at the woman, who is observing the landscape in front of her. The train continues at the same speed, and the town of Shiru has already passed: the train is now in Kretel.


    - A fake...?" asks the man.


    Deshya also turns to Annie, interested in what she''s going to say. Annie nods.


    - The message may be a fake, designed to throw you off balance," she admits.


    - So-So, why do I have to go on?! Do I¡ª


    - You''d be risking the lives of almost 300 passengers," cuts in Deshya again.


    - ¡ª!!


    Annie nods.


    - I think that''s why the station manager told you not to stop. It may be wrong, but if it''s a real message and you dare to stop, even brake, the lives of more than two-hundred passengers may come to an end here.


    - I-I know that, but¡ª!


    - Something''s troubling me¡­


    Annie turns to Deshya who has just spoken. She has her hand under her chin, her head bowed.


    - Why put bombs on the train just to say that at the next recall, the train will be allowed to stop..." she asks.


    - ¡­


    - Does the message really say that, though?" asks Annie.


    - ¡­


    Annie stares at Deshya for a long time, but she doesn''t let her gaze disturb her.


    - ''Until next recall'' is what it says, so I guess whoever sent the message is going to ask for the train to be diverted somewhere, for someone on that train to be brought to him, or he''s just playing with the station.


    - So your latest theory means it''s all a lie.


    - Not necessarily. Bombs can actually be planted, and if the station decides not to listen to his messages, then he''ll punish them by blowing him up.


    - Hiiii!!!


    The man shouts in a high-pitched voice. Deshya apologizes with an embarrassed smile and Annie looks at the dashboard.


    - ... But you''re thinking about something else, aren''t you?


    - ¡­


    Deshya doesn''t answer directly. Annie remains standing in front of the dashboard, while the driver returns, eyes wet, and checks that all is well. Annie turns back to the girl behind her.


    - There''s another theory on your mind, isn''t there?


    Deshya squints. Annie is right, there is another one she can think of, but she can''t be sure... However, given the situation with the murder that has just been committed¡­


    - If I''m right, then the reason why the message wasn''t sent until after the train had left that stop¡­


    She''s thought about it. She''s almost certain she''s right. Nevertheless, a question lingers in the back of her mind. She looks at Annie.


    - What if the one who planted the bombs is the one who committed the murder?" suggests Deshya.


    Annie frowns, and at the same moment, the driver is startled. He turns around quickly, his eyes so wide open you''d think they''d pop out of their sockets.


    - A-A MURDER?!!!


    He screams so loudly that Deshya holds her fox ears, while Annie grumbles, tensing up. The man puts his hands in front of his mouth, shocked himself at having shouted so loudly. Annie sighs.


    - A man has been murdered, shot through the heart


    - WHAAAAAAT?!!!!!


    Screaming even louder, the man staggered back to his dashboard, sweating. Deshya crouches down because the sound is way too loud, her ears unable to bear such a howl.


    - Don''t shout like that!!!" shouts Deshya.


    - B-But what do you mean, a m-m-m-m-murder?!


    - That''s why I wanted to ask you¡­


    Annie turns to the driver, her hands now in her pockets.


    - Do you know why the door to the fourth car, from the third, is impossible to open?


    - A-Ah really...?


    He blinks and scratches his hair.


    - I can''t do anything from here, so... I-I don''t know¡­


    Annie frowns. This is probably not a technical problem, but an incident caused by the murderer ¡ª or someone helping him. She turns back to the cabin door and thinks.


    - We should go back there.


    As Annie ponders, Deshya wakes her from her thoughts. The woman turns her face to the little girl and finally nods.


    - I agree.


    She turns to the driver.


    - If you need me, don''t hesitate to come and find me in the third car," she says.


    - A-Ah, s-s-sure¡­


    The train driver watches the two girls leave and turns his attention back to the dashboard in front of him. He''s reassured to know that a policewoman is on the train, as well as an ''apprentice''; at least, that''s what he assumes. He can''t stop this train, but he can make sure the passengers stay safe until the next message the person sends. He sighs as he bows his head, wondering why this is happening to him¡­


    - And to think I''ve just gone back to work after two months'' illness... I''m out of luck..." he complains inwardly.


    Meanwhile, Deshya and Annie are running through the carriages again. The first is quickly passed, but as they arrive in the second¡ª


    - D-Deshya!


    As she walks quickly alongside Annie, a familiar voice calls out to her. Deshya stops and turns her head to the left, where Amora is; and Amora grabs the sleeve of her best friend''s sweater.


    - Is everything really all right?" Amora asks, shouting.


    - A-Amora!


    - We want to know!


    This time, an elderly passenger screams. Then a man joins her and stands up.


    - W-What''s going on with this damn train?!" he yells.


    - We want to know!!!


    - Yes!! Why won''t it stop?!!


    Passengers'' voices clash and Deshya can no longer make out what they''re saying. She turns her face all around, unable to make out who''s shouting what. Amora continues to pull at the sleeve of her sweater, a frightened expression on her face. Frie is beside her, having calmed down, but still worried about the situation inside the train. Deshya doesn''t know what she should say. Should she reassure them? Lie to them? Should she say anything at all?


    - SHUT UP!


    - !


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and looks behind her. Annie has stopped too, and she''s the one who''s just shouted that way. She turns around with a firm movement and her expression shows a strict side she has no intention of hiding.


    - The train has a mechanical problem, but your lives are not in danger!" shouts Annie. It''ll stop when it''s fixed!


    - A-Annie¡­


    - Please take your seats and stay where you are.


    - W-What gives you the right to give us orders?!


    - He''s right!


    - Who do you think you are, you biddy?!


    The passengers start to get excited in all directions, insulting and criticizing the lady. Deshya turns to Annie, worried about her. The woman bows her head and closes her eyes, as if saddened by the passengers'' comments. Frie looks back at the woman, while Amora shakes her head in all directions. Deshya clenches her fists, feeling her anger rising, but before she can say anything¡ª


    - I''M WITH THE POLICE!


    ¡ª Annie screams and the passengers suddenly fall silent. She pulls out her badge, which proves what she''s just said, and grabs Deshya, pulling her towards her.


    - ANYONE WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH MY ORDERS WILL BE PUNISHED !!!!


    She screams again, hurting Deshya''s ears, and pulls the girl out of the carriage. Everyone watches them go, Amora and Frie both speechless. They look at each other and Amora scratches her hair.


    - A-Ah...?


    Annie arrived at the second carriage with firm, angry steps, a mute Deshya trailing behind her. The teenager can''t believe she screamed like that... Her strict, impatient side... is truly frightening.


    - I mustn''t piss her oooooooff..." thought Deshya with a spasm in her right eyelid.


    Annie approaches the body of the deceased and looks in its place, noticing that the teenager named ''Tessa'' is there, legs crossed and eyes closed. She smiles and opens her eyes, looking at the woman with the white hair that has just arrived at her side.


    - Have you figured out what''s going on?" she asks.


    Annie nods and Deshya moves to Tessa''s side, unintentionally nudging the doctor. She puts her mouth next to Tessa''s left ear.


    - Bombs have been planted in the train and if it stops, we''ll all be killed," she whispers.


    Without even hesitating over her words, and telling the truth without taking shortcuts, she explains to Tessa the truth behind the train''s failure to stop. She opens her eyes wide and offers an expression she rarely does: one of fear.


    - B-Bombs...?" she repeats softly, not wanting everyone to hear.


    Deshya nods. Tessa lowers her head, turning pale, and Annie observes the two muscular men who have remained in the same place.


    - Did no one move or touch the body?" she asks.


    - Except for that teenage girl who stayed by his side, no one. And nobody moved, except that gentleman over there.


    He points to the back of the train, where a man in a black hat is sitting by the window. Annie squints, but to her, it meant nothing. Nonetheless, she wondered why he''d changed seats... She thanked the muscular man and made her way over to him. She notices that the passengers are already calmer, some having even closed their eyes, resting quietly on the train. Annie arrives in front of the man in the hat.


    - Forgive me, sir.


    - Yes... ?


    He has a restful, non-masculine voice. With a fairly slim body and a rather warm outfit over his body, he turns his wrinkled face towards the woman. Looking at him, Annie thinks he must be even older than her, but only by a few years; he must be close to sixty, but no more.


    - Can I ask you two questions?" asks Annie.


    - Sure thing.


    - Why did you change places?


    While she questions the man, Deshya approaches them with Tessa. The man touches his umbrella, holding it firmly in his left hand.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    - I don''t like staying in one place... I need to move my legs..." he replies.


    Deshya analyzes the umbrella. It seems to be in a quite bad state, probably unusable for rainy days. Macabrely black with a stylized handle mostly hidden behind his hand, it looks lived-in. On his hands, velvety gray gloves show their coolness, making sure the man who is their master doesn''t get cold. There''s also a small suitcase at his feet, closed by a metal zipper.


    - Where were you when the murder was committed?" Annie then asks.


    The man seems surprised by the woman''s question.


    - P-Pardon me? You-You think I did it?!


    - I never said that. I''m just asking you where you''ve been.


    The man doesn''t seem too convinced. Showing displeasure on his face and holding his umbrella tightly, he finally replies to the woman.


    - I was at the back of the train, close to the door leading to the other car.


    He points to the door in front of him, where Deshya and Tessa arrived from. Then he points with his index finger to the place where he was standing before. No one is there at the moment, and only a young girl, Deshya''s age, is standing nearby. With headphones on and her head bobbing to the beat of the music she''s listening to, she doesn''t seem to be listening to anything, not bothered by the train situation. Annie squinted and Deshya walked over to the girl.


    - Sorry, but¡­


    Deshya tries to call her, but the music the girl is listening to is far too loud for her to hear. Even Deshya can distinguish it faintly, which proves that the volume is probably almost at its maximum... Deshya has never understood how they can listen to music at such high volumes; after all, since she''s got fox ears, she''s become more sensitive to sound, so she has a rather different perception of things. Annie stops looking at Deshya and turns back to the man.


    Meanwhile, Tessa looks at the three people sitting right next to the place where the deceased was shot.


    - ¡­


    She doesn''t stare at any of the three people, though she does notice that all three are uncomfortable. She can understand: after all, a man died right next to them.


    - Who could have done it...?" wonders Tessa.


    She knows that the list of suspects is bigger than just these three people, but it''s hard to imagine that anyone on the train could have shot her without being noticed by anyone else. If the person has accomplices, then that''s going to make the case a lot more complex, but at this point it''s entirely possible that the murderer is sitting further away from the victim. Tessa must also ask herself: was this man really a particular target?


    - To dismiss the possibility that the person who shot this man did so simply to kill someone, and not because he was a specific target, would be foolish on my part.


    Tessa squints. The shot seems to be accurate and if this man has been randomly killed, then one thing is certain: one of the three people is the culprit. Because he''s sitting next to the killer, he was able to pull out the gun unnoticed and fire without complication, since he was right in front of him.


    - The woman at his side... could it really have been her?" wondered Tessa.


    Given that the bullet hit the heart, which is on the left of the body, and that the woman is on the right of him, then she should have shot him when he turned towards her. She turns her eyes towards the woman and the man, who are both sitting in front of the place where the deceased was.


    - These two are the main suspects. If the police were on board, they could simply check the passengers for traces of gunpowder. This is surely one of the reasons why the train is forced not to stop¡­


    The red-haired woman clenches a fist and turns face towards the teenager.


    - W-Why are you just standing there?!" she shouts.


    - !


    Tessa is roused from her reflections and stares at the woman. The man next to her, the one with the bald head, also turns to Tessa, but without showing it too much.


    - ¡­


    Tessa says nothing, which irritates even more the woman, who starts nibbling her hair.


    - F-Find the killer and let us off the train...!" she shouts


    - I''m not the one who can stop this train," admits Tessa.


    - I-I-I don''t care!


    She bites into her hair and spits it out with an angry, but also nervous expression. The woman in front of her still says nothing, her head bowed. Tessa quickly turns her face towards Annie and Deshya.


    The latter returns to the lady doctor''s side.


    - What did the girl say?" asks Annie


    - When the shot was fired, the man seemed to stand up slowly, but as soon as the shot was heard, he froze and sat straight down," replies Deshya.


    Annie squints and turns to the man. The latter swallows loudly.


    - W-What...?


    Deshya spoke softly enough that he couldn''t hear what had been learned; Annie wondered if she should question him about his behavior. She didn''t see anyone get up, and nobody seems to have seen anyone stand up, but he would have moved from his chair, as if he wanted to leave at the same time as the shot rang out...? Annie wonders if this is just a coincidence... or¡­


    - ¡­


    Deshya says nothing and turns back to Tessa, who is chatting to the three people sitting around the same table where the deceased was killed.


    - So none of you did anything when the shot was fired?" asks Tessa, hands in her pockets.


    The red-haired woman clicks her tongue against her teeth and replies with a sigh:


    - I looked out the window and wondered why the train wasn''t stopping.


    The bald man is next to respond.


    - I was just resting¡­


    The last to reply is the woman opposite them.


    - I was talking to Nikolas, but¡­


    - Nikolas?


    - I-It''s the name of... of the one¡­


    She flees with her eyes.


    - ¡­ Nikolas Aidalro. That''s his name¡­


    Tessa looks at the corpse at her feet, observing it carefully. The man''s first and last name... This man¡­


    - ... I''ve heard his name somewhere... but where...?


    Tessa can''t remember it. It''s on the tip of her tongue, but she can''t remember. She looks at the woman and intends to ask her when Deshya calls her. Tessa turns her head towards her and the girl in the fox sweater stops in front of her friend.


    - Any important information?" asks Deshya.


    Tessa takes her hands out of her trouser pockets and sighs.


    - The woman next to the man was talking to him, the bald man was resting and the woman next to him was looking outside.


    - I''ve got a name!" shouts the bald man.


    Tessa looks at him without even moving her head.


    - I don''t know your first names, not my fault," she replies.


    - ... Tsk.


    This doesn''t please the bald man, who crosses his arms.


    - May I ask your identities, then?


    Annie comes up behind the two teenagers and places a hand on Deshya''s right shoulder and Tessa''s left. The woman with the beautiful red hair reaches into her little bag and pulls out a rather special lipstick.


    - My name is ''Dera Nomura'', I work in a beauty agency," she replies.


    As she answers Annie, she puts lipstick around her mouth, observing her reflection in the train window. The bald man keeps his arms crossed and responds in turn.


    - Megure Afronai''. I''m unemployed.


    He''s embarrassed to have to confess to such a thing, but he doesn''t want to cause himself any more trouble than that. He''s the one who was in front of the victim, so he knows full well he''s the prime suspect. What''s more, his padded clothes and gloved hands can''t help but make him more suspicious.


    - My name is ''Trisha Keryun''," replies the last woman. I''m a simple cleaning lady who''s about to get married¡­


    - I see. Well, congratulations!


    - T-Thank you¡­


    She gives the doctor an embarrassed smile, blushing softly. Deshya looks at the three people before turning her attention to the place where the deceased lay. She doesn''t think she''ll find anything interesting in it, but something intrigues her. She squints¡­


    - ... !


    She suddenly turns to Annie.


    - Say...!


    - Yes ?


    Deshya moves closer to Annie''s ear and whispers her question. Annie listens attentively, while Tessa waits for them to finish, having once again sat down in one of the wagon''s empty seats. Deshya pulls back her face when she''s finished with what she has to ask, and Annie watches the seat for a few moments. However, she shakes her head.


    - That''s not saying much, although I understand. If other members of the police were here, and I had a bit more space and equipment, I''d surely be able to find out more about the weapon used, and even where it was fired from," replies Annie.


    - What are you talking about?" asks Tessa. Deshya turns to her and whispers what she''s noticed.


    - The bullet didn''t pass through the victim''s body, so I wondered if that meant it was fired from further away.


    - Ah, I see¡­


    Tessa would have answered like Annie: it doesn''t necessarily mean much. Some guns are more powerful than others.


    And there¡ª


    - !


    Tessa frowns, thinking of something. She puts a hand under her chin and thinks carefully. Meanwhile, Deshya returns to the girl in the helmet. She stops in front of her.


    - Anything else you''d like to tell me?" asks Deshya.


    The girl stood up and shook her hand to call her over. She nodded and pointed to the man two seats in front of her.


    - You can ask if they didn''t see anything, since they were taking photos together," she says.


    She takes a piece of gum from her pocket and puts it directly into her mouth. She starts chewing it and changes the music. Deshya gives a disturbed smile.


    - S-She is a special teenager..." thought Deshya.


    She turns and looks at the man standing right next to her friend; or maybe she''s his girlfriend? It doesn''t take her long to notice who this person happens to be and runs towards him. She stops beside him and the man turns his face towards her.


    - Yeah?


    - Sorry, but that girl over there said you might have seen something...?


    The man puts down his selfie stick beside him and touches his cap


    - Ma pal and I were takin¡¯ pictures heeeere, but we didn''t see anythin¡¯.


    Deshya watches him intently. She doesn''t focus on his rather old-fashioned and colorful get-up, not to mention his cap, which is a little too big for him, but rather on where he stands.


    - Were you here when it happened?" asks Deshya.


    The woman next to him nods, holding him in her arms, one hand touching his chest.


    - Yeah, we were here takin¡¯ pictures when it went BOOM! I was sooooo scared!


    The woman''s style is even worse than the man''s, and her torn outfit almost disgusts Deshya.


    - Are they from the 2000s or what...?!" she wonders.


    She doesn''t try to think about it any longer and looks at the selfie stick right next to them. So they would have taken photos with it... during the crime scene? If so¡ª


    - Can I see if you took a photo right at the time of the murder?" asks Deshya.


    The man looks at his friend and shrugs.


    - If ya want.


    The woman next to the man chews... something, and loudly at that.


    - Sayyyyy, ya''re such a cutie, what''s ya name?" she asks in an almost unbearable voice.


    The girl in the fox sweater waits for the man to unlock his phone and looks at the woman.


    - A-Ah, my name is Deshya¡­


    - Aaah, that''s such a cooooool name! My name''s ¡®Minervaaa¡¯, his name''s ¡®Mistaaa¡¯! He''s so sexy, isn''t he?


    - Minerva, don''t come out with such stuff in public.


    - Whaaaaat? I only said ya looked good, not that ya¡¯re a beast in be¡ª


    - Anyway!


    The man shrieks as he closes his eyes and unlocks his phone with his fingerprint. He goes to his photo gallery and Deshya leans over to the phone. She suspected he wasn''t just going to give her his phone, so he starts scrolling through the photos he''s taken with his friend in the name of ''Minerva''. On the other side of the car, Tessa''s eyebrows are still furrowed.


    - ¡­


    She stands up and scans the entire carriage. The train has just missed its fourth stop, but that''s not what''s bothering her.


    - In such a crowded carriage¡­


    Tessa turns to Annie. The woman is chatting to some passengers to see if they''ve seen anything, but nothing has been discovered yet. Tessa leans over to one of the two muscular men who have agreed to help Annie keep the car calm and asks them something. He listens attentively and his friend does the same.


    - Hm, yes. It hurt my ears.


    - I already knew that, but then¡­


    Tessa turns around and observes the carriage with lively eyes. This question she''s asking herself... She doesn''t know if she''s overthinking it or if it''s just clumsiness-or even on purpose-but she can''t stop thinking about it. Even if Annie or Deshya don''t seem to have mentioned it, Tessa still wonders¡ª


    - Why didn''t the culprit use a silencer...?

 9 -?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 4?(CASE2)

    <hr>


    The train continues on its way, its last stop being the one that took Deshya, Tessa, Frie and Amora into its bosom. Since then, the train has not stopped moving at a constant speed, unable to make the slightest stop: if the driver dares to slow down or make the slightest stop, bombs planted in the train will explode. The lives of 247 passengers - including the driver - are in danger, but one of them has nothing to worry about; or rather, he won''t have to worry about being blown up by one of the bombs, because a bullet has passed through his heart. From now on, he lives in the world of the dead.


    The man''s name is ''Nikolas Aidalro''.


    In the third carriage of the train, he was killed by a culprit who has yet to be found. Three people are the prime suspects: ''Trisha Keryun'', the woman who was chatting with him when he died, sitting right next to him. ''Dera Nomura'', a red-haired woman sitting opposite Trisha, simply looked through the window when the man died. The final suspect is a man by the name of ''Megure Afronai'', who was sitting opposite Nikolas, resting. An elderly man with a battered umbrella is also on the list of suspects, as she slowly stood up when the shot was fired. The murder weapon has not yet been found and it''s been a few minutes since Nikolas was shot; but no message has yet been sent to the station that would allow the train to stop. It has to keep going, going and going. Keep going without a moment''s rest.


    Deshya and Tessa are at the crime scene with ''Annie Terru'', a doctor who works for the police. She recognizes Deshya directly, not only because of her good looks, but also because she''s friends with her father, ''Gatito Oveja''. She agreed to let the two teenagers investigate to find out who the murderer was¡­


    But so far, no clues have been found. No clue as to who did it.


    While Deshya, Annie and Tessa are still trying to work out who might have killed him, and how, Tessa thinks of something.


    - ... !


    Observing the car she''s in, she thinks about something. She''s wondering something. She''s asking herself a question that has just flashed into her mind. Her eyes squinted, her hands in her pockets, she wondered¡ª


    - Why didn''t they use a silencer...?


    Now that she thinks about it, no one seems to know where the sound of the gun came from when he shot Nikolas. But why take such a risk? Why risk getting caught on a crowded train when, with a silencer, the culprit wouldn''t have risked so much...? Tessa touches her chin.


    - Is it because he''s an amateur? Or is it¡­


    She frowns.


    - Is there another reason...?


    CHAPTER 9


    ?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 4?


    Tessa thinks for herself, while Deshya stands by the man called ''Mista''. He shows her the photos he took with his phone, which was hanging on the edge of the selfie stick. Deshya can''t believe someone is still using one, but considering their styles don''t really surprise her that much... Two old-fashioned people from head to toe.


    - ¡­


    Deshya carefully observes the slowly scrolling photos. For the moment, she doesn''t notice anything strange. This takes place a little before the crime. The photos are taken to focus mainly on the two of them, in the center of the picture. Some show a little more of the train in general, and Deshya even notices Annie''s stylized ponytail in one of the chairs in the distance. So the photos are well taken today; it''s not a bad shot. They scroll by one after the other, but no detail stands out. The man in the hat can be seen moving, but he''s simply moved to the window side. Deshya squints, looking for the slightest detail, but¡ª


    - ...is it over?


    The man nods.


    - This is the last photo.


    Deshya looked at all the photos... but nothing special was observed. Nothing at all. Despite one or two people moving places or standing up during the train''s journey, nothing was photographed that could offer her the slightest clue. The last photo taken by this camera was one that took place just before the shot was fired. In short, Deshya can''t have the slightest clue as to who might be responsible for this murder.


    - Shit...!" she said inwardly.


    She clenches a fist and turns around. Tessa is thinking, Annie right beside her. How are they going to find out who the murderer is...? Search everyone? Even if it seems the best option, Deshya isn''t convinced.


    - The weapon used is a gun, so it should be easy to find, but if we act carelessly, the culprit could get up while we''re searching someone else and shoot us... If we let ourselves get distracted or... Tsk.


    She clicks her tongue and observes the man guarding his umbrella at her side. She''s tempted to run over and take it, since it''s highly likely to be the murder weapon, but if not, what''s she going to say? She can''t do as she pleases: there are rules and laws in place in this country. Even if she''s not going to be confronted in court, she can''t risk doing just anything. What''s more, Deshya is convinced of something else.


    - There are 3 of us looking, and yet we don''t really have any leads... Whoever is the culprit must be laughing in the shadows.


    In short, they must think they are in a good position. Even if they don''t say so, it''s clear that they don''t have any leads yet. They have a hundred passengers to search, and there''s no guarantee that in an act of stress, the culprit won''t take another person hostage or shoot one of them. Deshya doesn''t want to take such a risk. She''d like to play it smart, but she has to remember one thing.


    - It''s a real crime scene. This is a real train that could explode at any moment. This is the real thing.


    She''s not in a book where the main character won''t die. She''s not in a story where the main character is certain to solve everything. She''s not in a fictional story where the main character is protected by the author''s pen.


    She''s in the real world. The real thing.


    The culprit she''s looking for is a real murderer. The one who shot another man through the heart and probably the one who planted bombs on the train. Although the train has no intention of stopping or braking for the moment, all their lives are in danger. If Deshya can stop the culprit, then there''s a better chance that the train''s passengers will be safe¡­


    - But no. I can be optimistic, but I can''t take the second option into account.


    An unpleasant thought. One that means catching whoever is the culprit is a ''GAME OVER'' for them.


    If the murderer on the train and the one who has planted bombs and can detonate them are not the same person, it''s possible that catching the murderer will force the other to detonate everything.


    If that''s the case, then Deshya can only do one thing: giving up. Stop looking for whoever is to blame for this murder. Just accept defeat and that their plan is perfect. Ask Annie and Tessa to wait for a message from the station and warn the police that a criminal will get off the train when it stops. Isn''t that the best solution?


    - No... Even if we take a photo of everyone on the train, finding the criminal is going to be very complicated..." thinks Deshya.


    She stops a few steps from Annie and observes the carriage. Her idea might be a good one if they can discover the criminal''s identity first. Let him escape and have him arrested when he gets off the train... Annie can send a quick message to the police and even Deshya can contact Gatito if need be. However, she''s not always sure it will work. After all, they need to find the culprit before the train is stopped; given that the murder has been committed, it shouldn''t be long before a message is sent to the station... In short, their time is limited. With this in mind, Deshya raises her head and frowns.


    - After committing the murder, why didn''t they send a message directly...?" she asked himself.


    The more she thinks about it, the more Deshya thinks there''s something odd about the whole thing. After all, if whoever planted the bombs on the train just wanted to kill someone inside and make sure he didn''t get caught, wouldn''t there have been a simpler way? Why risk the lives of almost 250 passengers to commit a single, simple murder? Deshya opens her mouth and looks at Tessa. The latter turns, feeling watched, and stares back at Deshya.


    - ... Deshya?


    She calls her by her first name and approaches her. Deshya closes her mouth and Tessa whispers this to her:


    - Did you find out anything?


    Deshya shakes her head.


    - The photos don''t show anything..." admits Deshya.


    Tessa sighs, but Deshya keeps talking.


    - However, I thought of something¡­


    - What is it?


    Deshya checks that she can''t be heard and whispers in Tessa''s ear. The latter opens her eyes wide, as well as her mouth, and turns back to Annie. Tessa finds it hard to believe at first, but it doesn''t take long for her to realize that it makes sense. Nevertheless, if that''s the case¡­


    - ¡­


    She looks at Annie, wondering if she should tell her. Has she figured it out yet? If so, then¡­


    - ... against the clock.


    - ¡­


    Deshya doesn''t respond to Tessa''s remark, but she knows what she means. Their time is running out; finding the culprit is even more important than before. Tessa asks Deshya if she really hasn''t found anything interesting in the photos.


    - Really nothing, sorry..." she admits.


    Tessa scratches the back of her head: so they don''t really have any leads. Megure is the prime suspect, but given that the victim was chatting to Trisha when he died, she''s also a prime suspect; she may even be the real number one suspect. Searching them seems the best thing to do... Annie can do this on her own, while Deshya and Tessa check that no one is doing anything stupid; there are also the two muscular men who can check the wagon. Tessa turns to Annie and speaks her mind. The doctor listens to everything silently before turning towards the end of the wagon.


    - ¡­


    Annie says nothing directly. Soundlessly observing her surroundings, she thinks about everything Tessa has said.


    - I feel the same way," Annie finally admits.


    Deshya suspected: Annie had thought of it too.


    - I really think that searching the main suspects is the best solution," she says. It might be risky, especially since I''m the only one on the force and you''re just teenage girls, but if we don''t move in time, there''s nothing to say it won''t turn ugly soon enough.


    Tessa and Deshya both agree with Annie. They don''t have time to sit in a chair and just think. Deshya turns to Trisha and asks Annie who they should start with. Annie loosens her scarf a little and stares at Deshya.


    - I''ll look around, you check that nothing strange is going on.


    - A-Ah?


    This surprised Deshya, who made no secret of her surprise. Annie moves towards Trisha without detailing her thoughts, leaving Deshya and Tessa behind. The latter takes a step towards Deshya, touching her arm with hers.


    - Who do you think could be the criminal?" asks Tessa.


    Deshya answered nothing and Tessa finally turned her face towards her. She blushes softly, her gaze downcast. Tessa questions her with her expression.


    - You don''t know, do you?" asks Tessa.


    Deshya blinks as she looks up, blushing even more.


    - A-Ah, no... I-I¡­


    Deshya scratches her right fox ear, red as a tomato. She calms down by gently moving her body.


    - I-I don''t know yet¡­


    - Why is she acting like this...?" wonder Tessa.


    Deshya clears her throat and sighs heavily before looking at Annie. The latter is chatting with Trisha while looking through her things. Her small suitcase is in the doctor''s hands, while the woman and man opposite seem to be feeling stressed.


    - ¡­


    Deshya watches them attentively without saying a word. Although they look uncomfortable, they don''t seem to be in a position to attack. Tessa starts walking down the long corridor of the carriage, observing all the passengers. She notices that the racket has resumed and that people are starting to get excited again.


    - Will the train ever stop...?!" cries a woman.


    - I''m scared, Mommy..." cries a little boy.


    - We''ll be there soon, darling¡­


    Tessa doesn''t like this atmosphere. Even though no one knows about the bombs in this carriage ¡ª except the three of them and the driver ¡ª, knowing that a criminal is on the train and that it is not stopping, it''s impossible to sit still in your chair as if nothing were happening. Even as Tessa puts on a cool face and searches alongside Deshya and Annie, she feels a certain pressure and stress inside her. The bombs have no reason to explode if the train doesn''t stop or brake, but there''s no guarantee that after a while, if no message is sent, the station won''t force the driver to stop. If that''s the case, and the message wasn''t a joke¡­


    Then they''re all dead.


    It''s this stress that makes her heart beat faster, but she doesn''t like it. She doesn''t want to think about dying so young. She doesn''t want to think about what will happen if the train stops. Even if the story about the bombs is false, the crime committed is not. A real human being has been shot by a culprit who remains hidden in the crowd of passengers. Even as Annie searches some of the suspects, Tessa can''t help but feel a certain unease. Not from the train that won''t stop, but from someone else.


    The instinct that made her who she is today.


    Even if she never talks about it or follows it, she has always felt something at times. It''s an instinct she thinks is silly, but one that helped her a lot as a child. It''s nothing supernatural; nothing more than a sixth sense inside her. She can''t explain it, nor really understand it, but even if she''d rather follow her logic than her instinct, she knows she''s got it in her.


    - And then it tells me¡­


    Tessa frowned. She can''t see what lead to take, or who could have killed Nikolas except one of the three next to him. Trisha. Megure. Dera. One of the three. She''s convinced, but watching Annie search the man now, her instinct tells her¡ª


    - It''s not going to be as simple as that. A search... won''t help.


    She knows she could be wrong. She knows it doesn''t mean anything. She knows it all.


    But she thinks about it.


    However, whether her instincts tell her that or not, it doesn''t matter: after all, she''s just a teenager considered a ''genius'', nothing more. This woman is a police doctor, one who has surely been working with them for some years and has not only experience with them, but also experience in life. She''s willing to risk her life rather than let two young people do anything; Tessa can''t say anything in this case. She can look for the culprit alongside Deshya, but that''s where it ends. She can''t give orders to the passengers.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    And as she thinks about it¡ª


    - I''ve had it!


    A man throws his hat on the ground and rises from his seat. Deshya and Tessa turn towards him and he attracts everyone''s attention. Annie stops her search and stands up, wondering what''s going on.


    - What''s going on with this train of death?!" he shouts.


    He approaches the doctor with clenched fists, pushing Tessa out of the way. A woman who gets up from her chair in turn catches up with Tessa and asks if she''s all right. Tessa nods her thanks and watches the man walk towards Annie. Without flinching, the doctor fixes him with neutral eyes.


    - You''re doing a search, aren''t you?!" he yells. So that means you still don''t know who the criminal is?!


    - Sorry, but no.


    - !!!


    The man grits his teeth and waves his hand, almost hitting Deshya.


    - You''ve got to be kidding me!!! Search everyone if you have to, I don''t care, just find him!!! I''ve got kids on board !!!


    - M-Me too!" says a woman in the background.


    - Why doesn''t the train stop...?


    Voices start to ring out in all directions. The man remains in front of the policewoman, challenging her with his own gaze. Deshya moves to Tessa''s side and Tessa gently grabs her to make sure she isn''t pushed by anyone. Deshya observes the carriage as passengers start to stand up and move around in every direction. The situation is starting to get worse, but she''d expected it... after all, people are losing their patience. Several stops have been missed, no one really knows why the train won''t stop, and they don''t know who killed the man still in the car. His corpse can''t really be moved anywhere else, after all... In short, the tension inside the carriage is getting worse and worse.


    - I want to get out!


    - Go wake up that idiot driver!


    - My mother is worried!


    - We''re going to miss my stop!!!


    - Aaah, why is this happening to us?!


    Some of the passengers get up and start walking down the aisle of the car, pushing each other or wanting to get out. The two muscular men get up and try to calm everyone down, while Annie grits her teeth and doesn''t know what to do. Shouting at them to calm down won''t help this time. Their patience was already stretched to the limit, but with this man making the first move to shout out his frustration, they can''t take it anymore. They can no longer stand by and let this train continue; but they don''t know they have no choice. All they''re doing is preventing them from finding the culprit: if they start to leave the wagon, then whoever killed the man will take the opportunity to run away or even throw his gun out the window...!


    - And if he wears gloves, then... then... !


    Annie imagines several possibilities: and nothing reassures her. As people push each other and one threatens to move to the other car, a figure jumps on one of the chairs and runs to the door with the man.


    - What are you doing?!" he yells.


    The girl looks up, having just landed on all fours in front of him, and opens her mouth wide.


    - RETURN TO YOUR SEATS!!!!!


    Screaming at the top of her voice, the hooded girl blocks the way by spreading her arms wide. The man in front of her backs away in surprise, jostling another woman. The noise stops, but quickly resumes when the man starts shouting back.


    - Mo-Move from there!


    - NO!!!


    - A-Ah?!


    Deshya absolutely refuses to move and takes an even more aggressive tone. The man shouts again, but Deshya speaks first.


    - If you get out of the car, the criminal will take advantage of it!!! You''ll let the culprit get away!!!


    - W-Whatever, we have to stop¡ª


    - The train won''t stop!!!


    - W-What?!


    The man doesn''t hide his surprise, his eyes wide open.


    - How do you know, little one?!" yells the man.


    Deshya frowns.


    - We already went to see the driver !!! It won''t stop now!!!


    - B-But why¡ª


    - Technical problems!


    The mass of passengers start to look at each other, some on the verge of tears and others sweating. Deshya is still in front of the door, which is open, automatic and responsive to the things in front of her. Deshya lowers her arms a little, but her pose proves that she''ll never let anyone through.


    - All the other trains have been warned, so we''re not going to crash with another train," Deshya reassures them. Go back to your seats and let us find the culprit.


    She stops frowning, another expression now on her face.


    - Please.


    Her tone is less aggressive, much calmer and more passive. Her arms are completely down and if the man were to run at her, she''d be pushed off without a care in the world. He could go up to the driver and yell at him, as expected. This girl is defenseless, much smaller than him and without any muscles.


    - ... Tsk.


    The man crosses his arms and finally turns around to face the crowd of enraged passengers.


    - Let''s do as she says.


    - Eeeh?! Why, even?!


    - SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!


    - A-Ah?!


    The man clenches a fist in front of his face.


    - She''s right! If we let the murderer escape, it won''t help! Right now, he''s stuck with all of us! If he dares to pull out his gun again, he''ll be no match for us!!!!


    Deshya smiles as he looks at the short-haired man''s back. A woman lifts her tearful child into the air.


    - We have children here! We can''t risk their lives!!!


    - She''s right!!! And the train must be stopped!!!


    - You idiots!!! She just said the train can''t stop because of mechanical problems!!!!


    - Who says she''s not lying?


    - She doesn''t lie! I''ve been there too!


    Annie shouts from the other side of the train. Most of the passengers turn towards her. The woman in the blue scarf touches her chest, a serious expression decorating her face.


    - The train won''t stop any time soon! If you''re going to yell at the driver, you''re going to keep him from concentrating on solving all the problems!!! Go back to your seat and leave the rest to us.


    Silence descends on the carriage. As the passengers look at each other, wondering what to do, one of them squints. They remain silent, observing the scene taking place inside the train at the moment; or more precisely, in this carriage.


    - Looks like I haven''t been spotted yet... I don''t have time, shit.This person is the culprit. The one who shot Nikolas Aidalro through the heart. They remain unnoticed, patient and confident that their plan is working perfectly. Whatever happens, they won''t get caught: even with the policewoman and the two teenage girls who think they''re heroines, they¡¯re convinced they''ll get away scot free. The train still hasn''t stopped and it shows no signs of braking: in short, their plan is still on track. They let out a smile that only they can see¡­


    Because they¡¯re convinced of their success.


    - I''m willing to go back to my seat, but...!!!!


    A woman screams in the crowd of passengers who have risen to their feet. She has no child in her arms, but her only daughter is still seated, huddled in her chair and frightened by the adults'' behavior.


    - You''d better find the criminal fast and let us get out of here unharmed!!!!


    People start nodding along with her, shouting at her side that they want to get out of here as soon as possible. Annie listens attentively, as silent as a carp, but finally nodded in her turn.


    - I promise we''ll find them soon. Go back to your seats and leave the rest to us.


    Some passengers start grumbling, but most accept without struggling. Deshya sighs and Tessa passes between the people going to their seats, careful not to be pushed by anyone. She arrives at her friend''s side and pats her on the shoulder, which surprises Deshya.


    - A real heroine, I see!" says Tessa with an amused smile.


    - They bother me doing whatever they want... They don''t think," admits Deshya.


    - Eeeh, that reminds me of someone~...


    Deshya squints as she turns to Tessa, but the latter puts her hands behind her head and whistles with a smile that just won''t go away. Annie returns to them and observes the carriage with eagle eyes. She stops right beside Tessa and tucks both hands into her jacket pockets.


    - I don''t suppose they had any weapons on them," Deshya says, noticing Annie''s almost disappointed look.


    The woman nods.


    - Unfortunately, they don''t seem to have anything that could be used as a pistol or anything else. Perhaps they''ve hidden it or passed it on to someone else who''s in league with them. Otherwise¡ª


    - Is someone else the murderer?


    Annie gets cut off by Tessa, the latter with her hands in her pockets too. Annie doesn''t say anything, but she doesn''t need to hide them, especially as they''re helping her with this investigation. If only she weren''t the only policewoman, it would be more useful¡­


    - The train can''t stop and we''ve got several different suspects... and then some. There are too many people who could have done it and there are only three of us to search the others. It''s not enough.


    Annie begins to think, lowering her head slowly.


    - I can''t take these three off the list of suspects even if I haven''t found anything... There''s nothing we can do but search everyone and keep an eye on the surrounding area. Otherwise, we''ll have to check with the other members of the police force to see if anyone in this car has any particular connection with the victim¡­


    - I was wondering if we could just wait for the train to stop?


    While Annie is deep in thought, Tessa speaks, removing her hands from her pockets. Annie looks up and looks at the teenager with the long purple hair.


    - What do you mean?" asks Annie.


    - If we can''t find the culprit, all we have to do is force everyone to stay here when the train stops. Then the police arrive and a general search is carried out. The murder weapon is found, so we know who did it, and that''s it.


    - Have you forgotten what we were talking about before?" asks Deshya, unconvinced.


    Tessa turns to her and shakes her head.


    - I''m not saying we shouldn''t be on our guard or look for someone to blame, but I don''t think there''s much we can do if he doesn''t act again.


    - But that''s if¡ª


    Deshya wants to speak, but the situation doesn''t allow it. The end of her sentence will never come, because at the same time as she''s trying to justify herself, at the same time as the three girls are talking amongst themselves, and at the same time as calm has settled over the carriage¡­


    BAM


    Everyone tensed up. Deshya holds her ears as the noise begins to echo in her head, even forcing her to stoop from the pain. Annie and Tessa both turn around suddenly, their eyes wide open. A woman screams. A man follows. Sounds of terror and fear echo through the wagon and some people stand up. Annie runs from the car, while Trisha clings to the window, her heart pounding in her chest. Mista and Minerva, the two old fashioned friends standing next to the two teenagers, also stand up, startled by the noise they''ve just heard. Some passengers'' ears ring and hurt, while a baby starts crying at the noise. Then another. Children follow, and even some adults get wet eyes.


    - Let me through!!!" cries Annie.


    Tessa starts to shake and turns to Deshya. She''s on the floor, clutching her sweater over her ears, tensing. Even the teenager listening to her music loudly is shaking, her jaw snapping. The man with the destroyed umbrella blinks and looks back, wondering what just happened. Annie struggles to pass between the passengers, who start moving in all directions. Some start running towards the door, where Tessa and Deshya are standing. The still-standing teenager steps to the front and yells at them to calm down, especially as Deshya is still down.


    Terror in the wagon.


    People yell at Tessa to get out of the way, but she yells back that she can''t let them. Annie finally makes it through and gets close to the two muscular men, who make no secret of their shock.


    - W-What?!!


    Annie screams and recoils at the sight in front of him. A woman nearby is crying, traumatized and standing in a ball.


    A man has just been killed, shot in the forehead. A direct fatality.


    Annie looks at the corpse before turning away. People start running to the door, begging to get out. The door to the second car, the one leading to the third, opens. Passengers on the other side start running towards the other car, having heard the shot. Tessa turns and grits her teeth: at this stage, she won''t be able to stop them


    all! Finding the culprit is going to be borderline impossible. She frowns, standing in front of Deshya and continuing to yell at everyone to get back to their seats. People are crying and screaming: they''re terrified.


    Because a man has just died. One more time.


    - RETURN TO YOUR PLACES !!!!" screams Tessa from all her strength.


    But that''s not enough. A murder has just been committed: they fear for their lives. For the lives of others. They can''t sit in the same car with a criminal. Annie asks the two men to help Tessa, and they nod in agreement as they enter the pile. It''s a mess. An unbearable noise that hurts Deshya''s ears; so much so that she can''t get up. Tessa lowers her head without doing the same with her gaze, making sure that no one can get through that door; because if she lets anyone get to the other carriage, then their investigation is going to be impossible to finish. The culprit will get away with it, and they can abandon any thought of catching them. A defeat on their part.


    - Plus... Plus... !


    Tessa heard it. Something that was so fast and so powerful that few people probably noticed, but Tessa did. The anomaly. Something that surely shouldn''t have happened. Something she has to understand; but to do that, she has to calm everyone down.


    The train continues on its way without stopping.


    It has now been 1h12 since it left the stop at Tetazo, maybe the last one of around 250 people.

 10 -?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 5?(CASE2)

    <hr>


    A shot rang out in the carriage. Just as calm had returned and the passengers had agreed to sit down again so as not to disturb Annie, Tessa and Deshya in their investigation, a man was shot: to be more exact, shot in the head. A bullet in the forehead that takes his life instantly. The cries of babies, children and even adults clash with the sound of frightened screams. Passengers push each other to get out, but a wall gets in the way. Not only to stop them getting out, but also to protect the girl behind it. That wall is ''Tessa'' and the girl behind it is ''Deshya'', on the floor and suffering from the unbearable noise caused by the gunshot.


    - LET US THROUGH!!! THERE''S A KILLER HERE!!!


    A woman screams and even slaps Tessa, but she gives her a black look that could scare a bear. The woman takes a step back, pushing a man who pushes her back. Tessa grits her teeth and quickly observes Deshya, who seems to be slowly recovering. People from the other carriage arrive, but they are stopped in front of the teenager with long purple hair, beautiful pink strands intertwining in her long braid and others decorating the frank in front of her forehead. The black cap she loves so much is still on her head, despite the lady''s rather violent slap. The two muscular men take their turn shouting, asking everyone to sit down, and even using force on some who struggle. Annie stands in front of the corpse, fists clenched, teeth gnashing. A bullet in the forehead and right in the middle. Whoever shot this man had good aim. He must have been the culprit''s target.


    - So Deshya was right¡­


    Annie would have preferred her to be wrong, but as she expected, it was her theory that turned out to be right. Unfortunately, the second victim has already died. Annie tries to reassure the crying lady, huddled in her corner, sitting right next to the man who has just been killed. Annie looks to her left and notices that the body of the other man, called Nikolas Aidalro, is very close to that of the second victim. However, their places are not in the same row, which may reduce the number of culprits. Nevertheless, given that the three main suspects ¡ª ''Dera Nomura'', ''Megure Afronai'' and ''Trisha Keryun'' ¡ª the three people around the same table as the first victim, are not far from the second¡­


    - The culprit is between the three of them... I''m convinced of it..." Annie thinks, her eyes crinkling.


    Even so, something''s bothering her. After all, she''d searched them. Them and their suitcases or bags. So... how? How did the culprit do it?! Where did he get that pistol or gun?!


    The passengers return to their seats one by one, forced out by the two muscular men and others who agree to help. Mista and Minerva stay in their seats, looking at each other, both shocked by what''s happening in this carriage. Ketty too, the man with the umbrella, remains in his place silently, his arms trembling gently.


    Five minutes later, everyone is back in their seats, but even if the noise has died down, that doesn''t mean the passengers'' hearts are free of worry. Tears continue to flow, and some are praying to their God for safety and protection. An invisible smell wafts gently, but fiercely through the carriage.


    The one of Death.


    Deshya struggles to her feet and Tessa helps her. She thanks her and touches her head before gesturing to the woman at the end of the corridor: Annie.


    - Let''s see what happened...?" asks Deshya.


    Tessa nods, but before she starts walking, she turns her face towards her friend. Deshya questions her with his eyes.


    - Deshya¡­


    - Yes... ?


    - You know... when the shot rang out, actually¡ª


    - I know. I heard it too.


    Tessa squints and Deshya imitates her.


    - There were two in a row, weren''t there?


    CHAPTER 10


    ?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 5?


    Tessa doesn''t respond directly to Deshya, but she does eventually chuckle and nod.


    - Yup. D¡¯you think the victim was shot twice or nah?


    - I don''t know¡­


    Deshya began to walk down the corridor, but Tessa stayed behind, motionless for the moment. She looks to her right, then to her left, her eyes attentive, but finally moves forward in her turn, catching up with Deshya. Both approach Annie and see, at the same time, the corpse still seated in its chair. Deshya grimaces and Tessa scratches her cheek.


    - It''s not as gory as the movies I watched as a kid..." she says to herself.


    Here, however, it''s the real thing. There may not be as much blood, guts spilling out of bellies or even expressions that seem to come out of the underworld, but it''s still real murder. She''s not disappointed that she''s not traumatized just by looking at a corpse. She''s just making an observation. Despite this, she closes her eyes and sighs inwardly.


    - Someone''s just been killed and I''m thinking that... I really have no heart.


    She puts her hands in her pockets and looks at the corpse again. Deshya moves to Annie''s side and she touches the scarf around her neck.


    - One shot to the head... instant death.


    Deshya observes the man in front of her. He must be almost the same age as the other victim, but their physiques bear absolutely no resemblance to each other. His short blond hair and a much more professional air give him a different style from the first victim. His glasses, set before his open but lifeless eyes, threaten to fall off his nose. A ballpoint pen emerges from his jacket pocket and a full suitcase, still closed, lies at his feet. Deshya notices the frightened woman being comforted by Annie. She''s no longer crying, but it''s clear that she''s let the tears roll down her face because of the man who was killed beside her. Even if she didn''t see the bullet coming, knowing she was inches from death must have traumatized her. Deshya looks at the corpse again before turning around.


    - The murderer¡­


    - It''s not her, is it?


    Deshya hears Tessa speak and turns to her.


    - What?" asks Deshya.


    Tessa gestures with her head towards the woman who is still curled up in a ball.


    - If you want to kill someone discreetly, you don''t shoot them in the head like that, but rather in the heart or stomach, otherwise it would be too easy to see you firing the weapon. The woman next to him and the man opposite can''t possibly be the murderer, especially since they could never have killed the first victim anyway.


    Tessa closes her eyes.


    - Given that he died from a bullet to the head, the culprit must have been further away and surely didn''t have a good view of his heart or stomach¡­


    - Or maybe it didn''t matter how they killed him, since they were guaranteed not to be seen, right?


    Deshya finishes Tessa''s sentence and she opens her eyes again, nodding.


    - The three next to the first victim are probably the most suspicious, although I wonder how Trisha could have done it..." admits Tessa.


    - Trisha should have stood up or done something to make her notice..." says Deshya.


    She turns to the three of them and Tessa squints.


    - Go ask them. I''ll look for... you know what.


    She starts to move towards the back of the train, where the impossible-to-open door is. Deshya watches her go, smiling. She turns around and observes the three passengers, who are chatting uneasily among themselves. Inside are probably the culprits of the two murders that have just been committed. Yet even after Annie''s search, no weapon has been found. If Deshya can figure out how the culprit shot without being seen by anyone and with what, then this case will be settled more quickly. Then this train will be able to stop without the risk of exploding, and people will stop dying from a murderous bullet. Innocent people will finally be able to get out and join their jobs, their homes, their families. Even if Amora and Frie are safe in the other car, as long as the bombs are still on the train and they can''t be sure of getting off unharmed, they''re as much at risk as Deshya, Tessa or Annie. She''s got to find out who''s responsible... and as quickly as possible! Deshya nods blankly and leaves Tessa to look for her search, while Annie stays by the corpse and comforts the traumatized woman. The girl in the fox sweater is careful not to crush the corpse and arrives at Megure''s side. The bald man turns to Deshya and questions her with his eyes.


    - Excuse me, can I ask you a few questions, and this quickly?" she asks, hands in her pockets.


    - Few questions?" replies Trisha, shocked.


    - Y-You still think one of us is guilty?!" shouts Dera.


    Deshya nods and the woman grits her teeth: she''s clearly unhappy that she''s still being taken as a suspect.


    - The three of us were having a rest!" she shouts. I chatted with Trisha while Megure wrote in his newspaper!


    The man takes out the newspaper Dera is talking about and opens it at a certain point. Deshya looks at it carefully and notices that the page is¡­


    - Crosswords..." remarks Deshya.


    - Exactly. I was doing my crossword when the shot rang out. Check it out.


    He points with his index finger to a certain line that shouldn''t be there. She doesn''t need his explanation to understand what it means.


    - He jumped as he was writing..." she thinks.


    The line that speaks of the letter ''a'' in the word ''creation'', a word that was never finished. Deshya doesn''t know if this is proof enough that he couldn''t have shot the man from his seat, especially as Dera only knew that he had his nose in the newspaper, not that he was concentrating on a crossword. He could have drawn the line in advance to create an alibi, for example. Deshya turns his face to Trisha.


    - So you were chatting to the woman opposite when the shot rang out?" asks Deshya, wanting to be sure.


    Trisha nods, trembling. Deshya wonders if she too is traumatized by the shot that rang out. She wasn''t standing next to the second victim, this time, but given that she was for the first, it''s not impossible to think that she feels a certain fear inside: Deshya won''t judge her. She doesn''t want to tip her over the edge, but she''s still a suspect and one of the main ones. Deshya can''t cross her off the list simply because of the fear she shows: there''s nothing to say she''s not playing the game. However believable a person''s emotions may be, Deshya can''t tell herself that means he or she isn''t the culprit. Deshya squints, but Megure prevents her from concentrating when he grabs her sleeve. She looks at him in astonishment.


    - Say¡­


    - What''s wrong?" asks Deshya.


    - ... You really think one of us is the killer?


    Deshya doesn''t reply. Silent, her eyes fixed on the man''s worried face, she finally nods.


    - You''re standing next to the first victim and all three of you have a chance to shoot the second, especially as if the two women were talking to each other, you''d be able to kill him without being noticed.


    - W-What?


    The man didn''t seem happy to hear this. However, Deshya didn''t finish her sentence


    - Of course, there''s nothing to say that it wasn''t one of the two women who shot him. However, Trisha would have found it difficult to shoot without being noticed. In short, you''re the prime suspect in my eyes, Megure.


    Deshya makes no secret of her suspicion. She frowns as she stares at Megure, not hesitating to challenge him with her eyes. Megure grits his teeth, but at the same time, concerns tears at his face. Deshya, however, isn''t concentrating on him, but on the woman who''s still trembling: Trisha. Something seems to be bothering her greatly... but what?


    - Does she know anything...?" wondered Deshya.


    While she''s at the side of the three suspects, Tessa is looking for where the second one might be. What she heard when the first shot was fired. This is... the second shot.


    - The victim was shot just once. There doesn''t seem to be a wounded or dead body, or we''d have noticed by now. Anyway, the second bullet must have been fired somewhere else¡­


    But where? And why? Two questions that Tessa considers important. If she can find out where the other bullet was fired, it''s not impossible that she''ll be able to understand why and where it came from. This could be the key to their victory: the way to find out where the culprit might have fired from by discretion. She turns her face to one of the train''s windows and squints. The landscape is still unfolding, but¡­


    - None of the windows are open or broken, so the culprit can''t have come from outside. What really bothers me, though¡­


    She starts looking around and Annie notices that Tessa seems to be looking for something, and quickly. The doctor apologizes to the other woman and approaches Tessa.


    - What''s going on?" asks Annie.


    Tessa''s face is up, her eyes scanning the entire train with great attention. She answers Annie without even looking at her, unable to stop looking even to chat.


    - I''m looking for where the second bullet might be," she admits.


    - Second bullet...?


    Tessa nods.


    - After the first shot, a second rang out directly. Deshya heard it too.


    - I didn''t hear anything¡­


    - The first shot disturbed us all and the second was really left right afterwards.


    - Yet the victim was only shot once¡­


    Annie finds this very strange and looks around. There''s no broken glass ¡ª and besides, if a bullet had gone through one, they''d have heard it. Annie squints and turns around.


    - Is anyone hurt?!" she shouts.


    The passengers all turn to the doctor and she moves a little further down the corridor. Deshya stops asking questions of the three suspects and looks at Annie too.


    - I repeat, is anyone hurt?!


    Annie looks around the car... but no one raises a hand or steps forward. No passenger stands up to warn her that the person next to her has been hit by a bullet or is even feeling ill. Annie continues to move forward, passing Deshya, but no particular movement is made. She gets very close to the door that joins the third carriage to the second and it opens automatically in front of her, but Annie doesn''t go through it and simply turns around.


    No one reacted.


    Tessa notices this and continues her search. She doubted that anyone had been hit... but then, why had he fired the bullet? Would the culprit have missed the first time? Tessa isn''t convinced.


    - If they''d missed the first time, they''d have fired a second time a moment later, but not as quickly¡­


    The timing between the two shots was too short for the culprit to notice that the first bullet hadn''t hit his victim. In short, whether it was the first bullet or the second, something must have happened that caused him to fire a second time. Perhaps his gun malfunctioned? Or maybe he was frightened by the noise of the gun himself and pulled the trigger because of the noise?


    - I don''t really believe that one..." Tessa thinks, looking around a bit.


    Tessa can''t see a bullet in the wagon walls, so it''s either in the floor, one of the chairs or the ceiling. She makes a quick glance towards Deshya and notices that she has joined Annie. She turns her gaze back to her face and puts her hands in her pockets, having to search for that ball at all costs. After all, she knows very well that the train can''t go on indefinitely. It must have been on the tracks for over an hour, so if they don''t hurry¡­


    Then the train will be forced to brake and stop, even if the driver doesn''t want it to. Anyway¡­


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    - Have you learned anything about the victim?" asks Deshya.


    Annie nods and leans against the wall next to the automatic door, forcing it to stay open. Annie speaks softly so that only Deshya can hear her.


    - His name is ''Simon Baybook'', 45 years old. Like me, he''s a doctor, but he works in a small hospital near the capital. The woman at his side is a friend with whom he used to visit Tetazo. But¡­


    - But...?


    Deshya notices the disturbed expression of the woman in front of her. Annie sighs and looks left, then right, but no one seems to be able to hear her. Deshya moves her head a little closer to her to make sure that only she can hear what Annie has to say.


    - She told me he''s in a group of ten people who were invited to Tetazo.


    - !!


    Deshya frowns. Does that mean...?!


    - Was Nikolas among these ten people?" asks Deshya.


    Annie nods.


    - And who''s the person who came up with this schedule?" asks the girl.


    - You won''t like the answer.


    - Why...?


    Annie''s words don''t reassure Deshya at all. Why shouldn''t she be ''happy'' with the answer she''s about to offer? If they can find out who planned such a trip, then they can probably discover the identity of the culprit. However¡ª


    - The person who proposed this trip is anonymous and does not appear to be one of the ten people.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide, but quickly crinkles them in frustration. Annie continues her explanation.


    - She told me that Nikolas and Simon knew each other from afar, but I couldn''t make a real connection between the two. Besides, the other members of the trip aren''t all in this car.


    - Who are the other people in this car, then?!


    Annie tells her the two first names she could have gotten from the woman and Deshya turns around with shocked eyes. This person''s first name has just been spoken...! Does that mean she''s the culprit or...?


    The next victim?!


    Meanwhile, Tessa continues to search on her own. The lost ball must be somewhere: she can''t have been dreaming! She heard it! Deshya heard it too, which proves that it couldn''t have been her imagination. Tessa begins to feel frustrated, which leads to a certain anger inside her. The train isn''t going to go on forever, and if they don''t find out who did it before then, they''re all going to die! Tessa strides down the corridor, watching the ceiling.


    - Still, I''m intrigued by the message the station received¡­


    Tessa turns her gaze to the right, then the left, but still sees nothing.


    - Two men just died, and it''s probably the same person who wrote the message that killed them both. However, they are taking their time: in short, they got to know that after a while, the train''s going to stop on its own, right? If they intended to kill everyone on the train with themself, they wouldn''t bother killing them one by one and risk getting caught, so the bombs must be an excuse to commit their crimes without interruption. They¡¯re probably taking their time because they have noticed that Annie was in the same carriage as them, and the arrival of Deshya and myself.


    Tessa watches from behind the seat of one person or another, bombarded by various looks from the passengers.


    - They no longer have the opportunity to do what they want, and they know that if we see them doing it, then we''ll stop them. They must have their phone on them and probably something to light the bombs, so if we prevent them from activating them, the train can stop without a problem.


    Deshya told her about it. Tessa initially thought that the bombs reacted according to the speed of the train, but her friend in the fox sweater told her that this couldn''t be possible: the bombs had to be planted in advance, probably the night before. Even if the bombs were only activated now, Deshya doesn''t see how they could work with train speed alone. In short, he must have a remote control to activate them if the train slows down or stops. Tessa can''t help thinking that it''s not impossible for the bombs to react to speed, but she''s also thought of something: even if they do, they have the possibility of being deactivated somehow. Why else would the culprit say he''ll send a message when the train can stop? If these are bombs that go off if the vehicle drops below a certain speed, then whatever happens, they''ll go off. Tessa lets out a frustrated noise without hiding the annoyance of the situation on her face.


    - What am I supposed to think?!


    Tessa wants to hit something and let go of some of her frustration, but she has to concentrate and find that damn bullet. She lifts her head, eyes raging, and there¡ª


    - !!!


    ¡ª she finally finds the bullet.


    She turns and starts running down the corridor of the wagon, avoiding crushing the corpse of the first victim, and stops in front of Annie and Deshya. The passengers, still worried, watch them, wondering what''s going on. Meanwhile, Mista and Minerva take photos together with their selfie sticks.


    - Nice duck face the GOAT!" says Mista.


    - Riiiiight!


    Tessa feels like throwing up when she hears them, but she shakes her head and approaches the two in front of her.


    - I found the bullet," she admits.


    - Really?!


    - Where?" asks Annie.


    Tessa tells them to follow her, which they do. Annie walks slowly, looking around at everyone, while Deshya takes a more hurried step forward. Given what she''s just learned from Annie, she figures she now has a good lead. The problem is figuring out which way that lead is going. She doesn''t have time to think about it any longer: Tessa points to where the bullet is. Deshya and Annie see it quickly enough and observe.


    - So the second shot¡­


    - Almost in the ceiling.


    The bullet can be seen with the naked eye and without having to pull it out: it''s in the wall of the carriage, but just above the ceiling of the train. It''s embedded in the wall, but you can see its backside sticking out, having failed to penetrate the wall any further than that. Annie tells them to stand back and asks one of the two men standing nearby if they can help her take the bullet: it''s vital evidence of the case they''re working on. Deshya explains to Tessa what she''s learned from Annie, while in the distance, in the same car as them, a figure gnaws their teeth.


    - They found the bullet... Shit! Shit!


    The culprit is inwardly annoyed, not being able to believe that such a mistake could have been made on their part. They¡¯ve almost finished with their revenge, so they can''t let these three women get away with anything... The train is almost to its destination, so they need to think. If they rush in headlong, they''ll get caught; if they¡¯re too passive, it''ll be too late to finish the job. They¡¯re sure they''ve already noticed.


    Even after this second murder, the train doesn''t brake. This can only mean one thing¡­


    - The culprit still intends to commit a murder, if not two.


    - I feel the same way.


    Tessa nods at Deshya''s assertion and Annie crosses her arms. She puts the ball in a plastic bag and stows it in her little bag. It''s next to her suitcase, guarded by one of the two men. She''s sure they didn''t commit the murder, given where they are, so she trusts them: especially since they''ll be helping them keep calm in this car.


    - No one''s come or gone, have they?" asks Deshya.


    - Nobody," says Annie.


    Deshya turns her gaze to the long wagon corridor and observes her attentively. Tessa does the same, but she''s thinking more about the bullet she found in the wagon wall. Why was it there? Could it be proof that the culprit missed his target the first time? It''s hard to believe, especially as the second bullet was fired directly after the first.


    - So why...?" wondered Tessa.


    Deshya continues to observe the long corridor of the carriage silently. One of the passengers, male or female, happens to be the culprit in these two murders. The one who ended the lives of two people... both from the same trip. Deshya can''t believe it''s a coincidence, but it means that the next victim¡­


    - ¡­


    If the culprit had wanted to kill the woman standing next to ''Simon'', the second victim, then he could have done so directly afterwards. The time between the two murders is also something that disturbs Deshya. Why wait so long? Tessa and herself weren''t in the car yet, and he couldn''t have known Annie was from the police, the way she was dressed. Even if they knew her face, why did they need to wait so long?


    - Probably because the murderer could quickly be noticed if he dared to shoot several times in a row... but this gives us more time to ponder.


    - Shouldn''t we get the potential victims out of the car?" asks Tessa.


    Deshya has thought of this too and agrees. However, Annie doesn''t seem convinced, which surprises both teenagers.


    - If we leave them here, they''ll probably get killed... says Deshya.


    Annie rubs her scarf against her cheek, her gaze fixed on the automatic door on the other side of the carriage.


    - I agree with both of you... but it''s more complex than that," she admits.


    - H-How so...?


    - Already, there''s nothing to say that the next victim will be one of these three. What''s more, there''s nothing to say that the culprit isn''t one of these three. More like two, since the woman next to Simon couldn''t have committed the murder, especially given the angle and location of the second bullet.


    Annie noticed this and discussed it with the two teenagers: the angle of the bullet is such that only someone in the left-hand row could have fired it. If someone in the right-hand row, where Simon was shot, had fired the bullet, it would have gone through the wall much straighter, since it''s on the right-hand side of the wall. In short, the three main suspects ¡ª Megure, Trisha and Dera ¡ª are in the sights of the two detectives and the doctor. The man with the umbrella, the one with the first name ''Ketty'', is not to be crossed off the list either, especially as he moves between several places, perhaps to get a better angle on his target. Annie continues her explanation, arms folded.


    - What''s more, if the culprit notices that you''re taking out their next target or targets, they may start shooting at them to finish the job. That could be a solution, though: you bring them out, hoping he''ll decide to finish the job without thinking about it, and one of you tackles him to the ground at the same time. Nevertheless, I''m afraid of the other possibility.


    - The other possibility...?" repeats Deshya.


    Annie nods.


    - The reason the bombs have been placed on the train is to prevent it from stopping, so that he can commit the murders undisturbed: that''s probably why he''s managed to get the door to the third carriage, the one that leads to the fourth, blocked. The door to the second car, however, is not blocked.


    - It''s true that I find it weird..." admits Tessa.


    - I don''t know if it''s a mistake on their part or if there''s some other reason, but I''m thinking it''s possible that it¡¯s to have the road clear in front of them.


    Deshya and Tessa look at each other, not understanding what Annie means. She notices the troubled looks on the faces of the two teenagers and smiles gently.


    - What I mean is, they can go to the driver if they need to," she says.


    - Aaaah, I see!


    - However, that''s way too extreme, isn''t it?


    Deshya asks the question with an almost amused air. Annie nods again.


    - If bombs are really being planted on the train, it''s far too extreme to simply kill them off like that. If the murderer''s targets really are the Travellers, why put so much in place? They knew they were going to be on the train, but why wait until they were in the carriage to kill them? Couldn''t they have taken advantage of their trip to Tetazo?


    - I don''t think that''s possible.


    - Really?


    This time, Deshya nods in agreement.


    - While you were analyzing the bullet in the wall, I had a quick word with the lady who was right next to Simon''s body. She explained that on this little trip to Tetazo, they were all together and out in the wilderness, so if the murderer had tried anything at that time, they would inevitably have been seen.


    - I''m guessing the culprit''s targets aren''t the ten people either, otherwise he could have found a better way of killing them all together than shooting them one by one on a train," says Tessa.


    Annie looks at Nikolas'' corpse, still in the long corridor of the wagon, and feels her heart beating faster and faster. The more they think, the more this case seems to move forward... as well as backward.


    - The bombs on that train¡­


    Deshya and Tessa look at Annie at the same time. The woman bites her lower lip.


    - The bombs on that train... I was thinking of something.


    Annie turns her face towards the two teenagers.


    - As soon as this train stops, the police are bound to be around to search everyone, and I don''t know how the culprit is going to avoid being fooled. Even if they want to force the train to stop suddenly, Gatito has sent me a message to warn me that two helicopters are watching the train and that the police in the other towns have already been notified. Whatever happens, I don''t know how they''ll escape without getting caught.


    Deshya understands what Annie''s getting at and her mouth opens weakly, unable to close. Tessa squints, but she understands in turn and turns her face to Annie with speed.


    - Y-You don''t mean...?!


    Annie looks down the entire corridor, her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes fixed on the door in front of her.


    - Yes.


    With a single word, she manages to stop both girls'' hearts. Deshya clenches her fists and yells at Tessa to stay there before running out into the corridor. Annie grabs her phone and looks at the time: it''s been 1h40 since the train left. It''s not going to be on the rails much longer...! Tessa touches the brim of her cap, biting her lower lip.


    - But if Annie''s right... He''s a maniac! This fucking murderer is a dirty son of a... Son of a bitch!!!


    She starts to move down the corridor in her turn, but doesn''t reach the second carriage like Deshya. She watches everyone with enraged eyes and starts to sweat. She almost feels like laughing: it''s been a long time since she felt this bad. Her instinct alerts her too.


    - If Annie is right... !


    She didn''t like feeling her heart racing like that. The stress preventing her from breathing properly, her throat dry and tight... Annie didn''t know if she should have said such a thing to the two girls, but she couldn''t keep it to herself. She rested her back against the impossible-to-open automatic door and sighed.


    - For pity''s sake, God, let me be wrong... or for pity''s sake, let''s find the culprit in time.


    Because if Annie''s right, then that means that even after killing his targets, the culprit intends to blow up the train in any case.


    A journey that will never reach its destination, because only death awaits them at the end of this affair.

 11 -?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 6?(CASE2)

    <hr>


    As Annie, Deshya and Tessa talk, the female police doctor talks about what''s on her mind. She doesn''t know if it''s the right thing to do, but she''s doing it anyway. The bombs on the train are too much for them, especially if it''s just to kill certain targets one by one. Admittedly, they know it''s to ensure he can commit the crimes undisturbed, which is why one of the two carriage doors is closed, but activatable bombs still seem a bit much. Annie discusses this with the two ''detectives'', but as she nears the end of her explanation, they understand. What Annie means is¡­


    - Y-You don''t mean...?!


    Deshya can''t believe it, but unfortunately, the woman doesn''t deny it.


    - Yes.


    Both girls'' hearts miss a beat and Deshya clenches both fists. She runs down the long corridor, telling Tessa to stay in that car. She jumps over Nikolas'' corpse and makes her way to the second carriage, gnashing her teeth. If Annie''s right, then no matter what happens, the train will never stop. They''ll never reach their destination, and they''ll never see their families: the bombs will go off when the culprit realizes he can''t escape. In short, there''s only one solution.


    - We''ve got to find out who did it!


    Deshya thinks about this as she stares at the second carriage, where a certain person stands up to see Deshya returning.


    - D-Deshyshy!


    The girl with the long pink hair wants to run to her best friend, but it''s no use: Deshya rushes past her and stops beside her. She notices that Frie is still there, but she seems to be doing better than before. Amora grabs one of Deshya''s hands.


    - A-Are you all right?!" asks Amora with a worried expression.


    - ¡­


    Deshya doesn''t respond instantly. Annie has dared to talk about her doubts with Tessa and Deshya, but can she do the same with her two friends? Is there any point in admitting that if she doesn''t find out who did it, they''ll all blow up with this train...? Deshya smiled inwardly: of course not. Why frighten Amora and Frie, who are already worried enough? Deshya can''t tell them the truth to their faces, especially as it would serve no other purpose than to worry them even more. She has to keep the truth from them and simply make sure that they don''t end up dead along with the other passengers on the train.


    Or rather, Deshya must catch the culprit before the fatal hour. Save everyone in this unstoppable vehicle.


    - ¡­


    - H-Hey, reply¡ª


    - All is well, but we still don''t know who committed the murder.


    Deshya puts a hand in her sweater and smiles at them. Frie stands up in turn.


    - D-Deshya...?" she asked.


    - As soon as we find the murderer, we''ll come back to you and Tessa. I think I''ve got a lead, but I can''t go off half-cocked.


    - A-Ah really?


    Deshya nods. Amora is still holding her hand, but Deshya pushes her gently and forces her to sit down, albeit kindly. Deshya puts her other hand in her sweater and looks at her two friends.


    - Hopefully, the train will stop soon. We need to find the culprit before it does," explains Deshya.


    Amora and Frie look at each other for a moment before returning their attention to Deshya. The latter observes them with a friendly smile, but one that is weaker than normal. Amora being her best friend, she notices that something seems to be bothering her, but she surely doesn''t want to talk about it; otherwise, she would have already told what was wrong. Amora isn''t as smart as Deshya, so trying to find out what''s wrong without being at the scene of the crime won''t be possible. She can sometimes understand Deshya''s heart, but here¡­


    - Is Tessa okay too?" asks Amora.


    Deshya nods and sits down next to Frie. The latter pushes herself a little towards the window to make room for her, and the girl in the fox sweater rests both elbows on the table.


    - I just need you to look something up for me, Amora.


    CHAPTER 11


    ?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 6?


    - Something...?" asks Amora, surprised.


    Deshya nods.


    - I forgot to charge my phone and I don''t want to bother Tessa while she''s doing her research. I also wanted to see how you were doing, so I came to ask if you could do an internet search for me.


    - A search...? Which one?


    Amora takes out her phone and unlocks it. She presses the button that gives her 4G and goes online to type in the search for Deshya.


    - You can look up the name ''Nikolas Aidalro'' for me ?


    Meanwhile, Annie is still in the other car, where two crimes have been committed. Tessa is also there, watching the passengers carefully.


    - Given the angle of the bullet in the wall and the one that killed Simon in the front, the criminal is clearly someone in this column. Who could have killed him without being noticed, though...?


    Tessa is frustrated, confused and worried. The train will eventually have to stop and they still have no definite leads. Although they have three main suspects, and Ketty seems to be behaving in a peculiar way, after Annie''s search, nothing has been found. It''s highly likely that Ketty''s umbrella is the weapon of both crimes, but if they verify this and the criminal takes this time to commit their third crime¡­


    - I¡¯m thinking ¡®bout shit things! Even if we do nothing and stay on our guard, the culprit can shoot whenever he wants... We''re useless now!


    She knows it. Even if one of the three of them starts looking for Ketty or another suspect, it won''t stop the culprit from shooting; just like the other way around. They can wait and hope to see where the shot came from, but it won''t make any difference. If they don''t start looking right away, another murder will be committed¡­


    And then they''re all going to die. All the passengers on this unstoppable train.


    Tessa looks at the left-hand row, currently on the right for her. Where the three main suspects are sitting, the two nerds at the back and even Ketty, the man with the umbrella, who has moved again. Tessa also wonders who might be the next victim. From what Deshya has learned with Annie, both deaths came from the same trip. The woman sitting next to the corpse of Simon, the second victim, is also a member of this trip. Deshya has told her that there are two other members of this trip in this car, but she hasn''t yet pronounced their first names. Is the culprit planning to kill them all one by one, or would one of the three remaining members be the culprit? Or rather, one of them: after all, the woman next to Simon couldn''t have done it. However, if Deshya hasn''t spoken to Tessa about it, then she assumes it won''t help the investigation. Annie is observing the carriage from her seat, her back against the wall of the car, while chatting to the two muscular men. Tessa frowns with annoyance at the many passengers in the left-hand row.


    - Who... who could do such a thing?! And how... ?!!


    Tessa wants to start searching everyone, expressing her rage. The only real lead they have is that the culprit is in the left-hand row, has to face the two victims and has a gun that he manages to hide well. So Trisha is probably not the culprit, leaving Megure, Dera and Ketty as suspects. However, Megure and Dera don''t seem to have any weapons, since Annie has already searched them. So Ketty is the only¡ª


    - Thank you.


    Tessa turns and looks at Annie. The woman sighs.


    - What''s wrong?" asks Tessa


    - I asked one of the two men to check Ketty''s umbrella right after the second shot, but there didn''t seem to be any strange mechanism or anything that would prove it was a weapon," admits Annie. Even if a search is in order, it doesn''t look like anyone owns a gun.


    Tessa stared at her with her mouth gaping, her eyes wide open. Just when she thought she was the prime suspect because of her umbrella... Just when she thought it was her only lead, thin as it was... Just when she thought they had a chance of finding the culprit behind these two murders¡­


    - T-Then¡­


    Who? How? It seems impossible. Did no one actually see the culprit shoot? How could he aim at his target without being observed by anyone? The first time, Tessa can understand, since no one can suspect that a crime is about to be committed, but the second time? Even with people in a more relaxed state, it doesn''t change the fact that everyone was on edge. Tessa ponders everything that''s been said and found so far, but she can''t see anything that might give her the slightest lead. Should they be much more focused and wait for the next murder to hopefully find the culprit? Tessa can''t accept such a thing. Let someone else dying because of her inability to find the culprit is more than unacceptable to her. She''d rather be the next victim. Tessa wonders what Deshya is doing in the other carriage. Has she gone to reassure Frie and Amora...? She doesn''t see her going to tell them that they''re all going to die on this train if they don''t find the culprit in time. Frightening them and making them cry like that is not Deshya''s style, even for a laugh¡­


    - Or is there something else?


    Deshya rises from her seat. After Amora has done the research she wanted, she thanks her with a smile and starts running into the carriage. She passes through the automatic door that leads to the first carriage and continues on her way, unperturbed by the many eyes on her.


    - I don''t know if what Amora found on the Internet has anything to do with Nikolas'' murder, but¡­


    Deshya couldn''t find what she was looking for, but at least she learned something about Nikolas Aidalro. He was the man talking on the phone when they got on the train, and one of the women behind him was Trisha. However, she was unable to make any connection with the victim and other passengers. She hasn''t done any research on Simon Baybook, as Annie was quick to tell them about him, but she feels she could have. Nevertheless, there''s something she wants to check out first. She knocks on the door in front of her and waits for someone to open. Two seconds later, a man opens the door, a beaming look of hope on his face, although the sweat of worry continues to drip from it.


    - K-Kiddo!" said the driver.


    - Forgive me, I just wanted to check if everything was okay," Deshya explained.


    The driver lets her pass, but she doesn''t get into the cab. This surprises the man, but he doesn''t notice and wipes some of the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.


    - E-Everything''s fine, but I feel... bad..." he admits.


    - Nothing wrong with the train?


    - Nothing, but he''s not going to be able to keep going much longer, especially at this speed. D-Did you find out who did it?


    The hope in his eyes makes Deshya ache. It''s not because it''s embarrassing, but rather because she doesn''t want to tell him the truth. However, lying would be pointless and she can''t really hide from him the fact that they have no conclusive leads. She shakes her head sadly, which brings a heartbreaking expression to the man''s face.


    - N-Not again?!" he shouts.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    - Sorry.


    She really means it. Not finding the criminal when he committed a murder while she was in the same car with her... Shooting a man while they were in the middle of a search... Deshya is ashamed of herself.


    - Has the station still not heard from this person?¡± Deshya asks.


    The driver looks at the large window in front of him before returning his attention to the girl. His face is torn with stress and he''s sweating more and more. He shakes his head, lowering it weakly.


    - Nothing... Nothing at all... They told me to keep going and that they''d try to find a solution before the train stopped on its own¡­


    - I see¡­


    Deshya already suspected: no message was sent. So they¡¯re not going to allow this train to stop... or maybe it''s just because they are not finished with their murders. Either way, what Annie said before makes sense. They are not getting off this train without getting caught, so they¡¯re probably planning to blow the whole thing up at the end; or part of it, anyway. If so, they''re all in danger. Finding the culprit is more than necessary. Given what she''s learned on the Internet, she may suspect the reason for Nikolas, but who could be connected to this case...? She hasn''t been able to find a single first or last name that could lead her to a conclusive lead. She scratches her brow as she watches the driver unable to stay put. The situation''s getting worse and worse... They know which row the culprit is in, but is it enough? Megure and Dera are the two most likely suspects, given that Trisha would be hard-pressed to shoot without being able to face the second victim, but Ketty is also a rather suspicious man. Which of these three could well be the criminal...? Deshya is about to leave when the driver asks her to wait. She turns towards him.


    - What?" asks Deshya.


    - F-Find the criminal, please¡­


    - ¡­


    - I don''t want to die on this train¡­


    He collapses to the floor, tears streaming from his eyes. Deshya stares at him for a long time, her mouth unable to close. This man is begging a little girl like her for her life¡­


    - Save... everyone¡­


    But also that of all the passengers on board this train. Deshya doesn''t know what she''s feeling right now, but it''s an emotion that makes her heart beat faster than usual. She both hates and loves it at the same time... What is it? This burning feeling... ? She finally moves her head and blinks... before leaving without saying a word. The door closes behind the tearful driver and Deshya walks down the long corridor of the first carriage. Passengers talk to her and look at her, but she takes no notice. Staring ahead with eyes that are anything but happy, she ponders. Who could the criminal be? What weapon does he use? She doesn''t know much about guns, so she can''t even use that knowledge to find the slightest clue. Should she just frisk the suspects, hoping to stumble across their weapons? Does she have to find the culprit by chance? Is that even possible?


    - Think, think, think...!


    Deshya continues down the wagon corridor, ignoring all calls and glances. Putting everything into her head, she thinks, feeling frustrated. She doesn''t know how much time she has left before the criminal chooses his next target and shoots him. She''s got to find... She''s got to find them now!


    - Megure, Trisha, Dera, Ketty... Which of them? Who?! Who?!!!


    She grits her teeth as she passes through the automatic door. She quickly reaches the second carriage, her head still bowed. The bullet in the wall is what''s still bothering her. Why shoot twice in a row...? What forced the criminal to make such a mistake? Deshya had thought that he would have tried to kill two targets at the same time, but given the height of the bullet, this seems unlikely¡­


    - Then why... why¡­


    She wants to scream her frustration out by hitting the ground beneath her. She reaches Amora and Frie, who are calling her name. Deshya stops and looks at them. Her best friend looks saddened.


    - The train isn''t going to stop again, is it...?" she asks.


    The expression she shows is one Deshya doesn''t want to see on Amora''s face... or that of anyone she loves. Deshya grits his teeth, unable to tell her the truth.


    Unable to tell her she has no leads.


    Unable to tell her that she doesn''t understand what''s going on in the other car.


    Unable to admit that the train will explode if they don''t find anything.


    Unable to admit her weaknesses to her.


    Frie avoids Deshya''s gaze and observes the landscape as it continues to unfold. They''ve been on this train for 1 hour and 50 minutes and their stop is long past. There''s a murderer in the other carriage, and she realizes that it all seems too complicated for her. Even if Deshya is seen as a genius and Tessa is seen as such in turn, they''re just teenagers going to school like everyone else. A real murder is different from the ones you see in books. Reality is far from being like fiction: it''s much crueler. It doesn''t allow everyone to succeed. It doesn''t offer any gifts, and there''s no author to save or protect a person or a group of people. That''s not how this reality works, and Frie knows it better than anyone. If this train doesn''t stop, it''s not because there''s a technical problem, but surely something darker behind it: Frie understands this from Deshya''s worried face.


    - Say, Deshya¡­


    The girl in the fox sweater turns to Frie. The latter is still staring out of the window. She doesn''t dare face her new friend.


    - Do you believe in God?


    - ¡­


    Deshya doesn''t answer at the moment, not having expected such a question. Amora blinks.


    - F-Frie?


    She gives a faint smile.


    - Nothing, sorry.


    She shakes her head and looks at Deshya, flashing her a smile; one that worries the red-haired teenager.


    - Maybe I should pray to Him, now.


    Deshya feels her heart skip a beat and she takes a step back, eyes wide open. Frie''s words... her expression... her smile... Deshya begins to tremble and ends up running, as if fleeing. Amora tries to catch her, but Deshya is too quick. She passes through the two automatic doors and returns to the third carriage, leaving her two friends behind. Frie rests her head on the table in front of her and closes her eyes. Amora asks her if she''s all right, feeling the tears welling up.


    - D-Deshya?!


    Tessa notices Deshya running back into the car. Annie stops resting against the wall and observes the teenager. Tessa runs to her and asks if she''s all right, but Deshya yells at her.


    - Did you find the culprit?! Any leads?!


    - A-Ah?


    She doesn''t care if everyone hears her. Her heart is beating too fast. It''s going to explode if this keeps up. The passengers turn to the two teenagers and Annie runs to them. Deshya grabs Tessa, her eyes showing an emotion she doesn''t fully understand.


    - P-Please find it!!


    - D-Deshya¡­


    Deshya shakes her head violently.


    - I don''t want it to be¡ª


    - Deshya!


    Annie forces the teenager to be quiet and separates them. Tessa stares at Deshya with incomprehension, noticing that she seems to be greatly bothered. Deshya starts running down the corridor and looks at everyone, gnashing her teeth. Tessa follows her slowly, wondering what''s gotten into her. Has she learned something disturbing...? Has a message been sent to the station, but one announcing that they''re all going to die? Tessa holds her head, starting to feel sick in turn¡­


    - I was sooooo scared!


    Then she hears someone talking. Tessa blinks and turns towards the person. Her eyes can''t see the woman from here, but she can see a bit of the man laughing.


    - Don''t stress, ahah!


    Mista continues to laugh and pulls Minerva closer to him. His selfie stick in his hands, he starts taking pictures of the two of them. Tessa doesn''t understand how he can take selfies in such a situation... Don''t they understand how dangerous this wagon is?! Tessa hears the camera flash and Deshya returns to her side, clenching her fists.


    - Who... who¡­


    Tessa wants to comfort her, but she hears Minerva laughing again. A new flash sounds and Tessa sighs¡ª


    - ... !!


    But here¡ª


    - !!!!!


    At this very moment¡ª


    - !!!!!!!!


    Tessa opens her eyes wide, as well as her mouth. She turns around suddenly and her heart stops in her chest. She''s staring wide-eyed at this thing and her terrified expression worries Deshya. She''s going to shake her by


    asking what happens when she gets pushed by Tessa. Annie holds out her hand.


    - T-Tessa?!" shouts the woman.


    A new flash noise. Tessa suddenly stops in front of someone and jumps.


    - WE''RE TOO STUPID !!!!


    She exclaims this as she jumps on this person and takes her in her arms. Deshya and Annie stare at her with big eyes, totally bewildered¡ª


    Then a shot rang out.


    The passengers all start to get excited and some hold their heads in fright. Deshya can''t even scream when she sees Tessa¡ª


    ¡ª take the shot in her body.


    - Argh!


    Tessa grits her teeth and hits the glass as she falls, the person in her arms. Deshya suddenly turns around and Tessa opens her mouth wide.


    - DESHYA !!!


    Screaming with all her might, she opens one eye.


    - CATCH HIM!!!!


    Some of the passengers start screaming in fear or crying, and Deshya observes the culprit. She understands who it is. They''ve been completely stupid. The culprit is¡ª


    - STOP THIS PERSON RIGHT NOW!!!!

 12 -?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 7?(CASE2)

    <hr>


    Deshya has returned to the carriage where the two murders were committed looking more than just worried, but also pissed off. When Tessa returns to her side and asks if she''s all right, she grabs her, begging her to find out who the murderer is. The train they''re on continues to move forward, nearly 2 hours on the tracks and its final stop slowly approaching. No convincing leads have yet been found, so Deshya, Tessa and Annie can''t help but feel horribly stressed, not understanding how the culprit can get away with this. Deshya starts running down the corridor, gnashing her teeth as she watches everyone, while Tessa stays put, Annie behind her. As she stares at Deshya, Minerva begins to speak without dosing her voice. When Deshya returns to Tessa''s side and Tessa tries to comfort her, the sound of the flash of Minerva and Mista''s selfies irritates Tessa. However, this is also what makes her understand¡ª


    - !!!!


    The sound of the flash. That''s what makes her understand. She runs into the car and stops right in front of a certain person. She jumps on him and there¡ª


    BAM.


    The sound of a gun. Passengers start screaming and others hide, while Deshya suddenly turns around, now understanding what''s going on. She understands their idiocy. Tessa, hit by the bullet, screams at Deshya:


    - CATCH HIM!!!!


    Deshya, with her ears ringing from the gunshot, struggles to run, even though she knows what to do in this moment, and Tessa screams again.


    - STOP THIS PERSON RIGHT NOW!!!!


    Annie is frozen in place, still not understanding where the gunshot came from. How did Tessa figure it out? Fortunately, however, Deshya starts running in the opposite direction to Tessa. She jumps on one of the seats and, before that person comes to shoot, she grabs him and a second shot rings out.


    Annie turns to Deshya with a worried expression.


    - D-Deshya!!!


    Fortunately, the bullet hit the ceiling of the carriage. The person Deshya had caught began struggling, shouting at the teenager to let go.


    - SHUT UP!!!" she screams.


    Annie approaches Deshya and notices the woman beside her, trembling with fear. Her knees are on his torso and arms similarly, her fists clenched in front of her trembling mouth. The man continues to struggle, but Deshya holds him in a way that prevents him from escaping.


    - At last we catch you, murderer!


    The person below Deshya, the culprit in this story, is¡ª


    CHAPTER 12


    ?The Never-Stopping Train ; Part 7?


    - Annie!


    The doctor blinks, returning to her thoughts.


    - Go and check on Tessa!" shouts Deshya.


    - ... Sure.


    She nods and Deshya asks the woman in front of her if she can help her make sure the man can''t run away. The woman finally nods and helps Deshya, even if she''s not very confident about what she''s doing. Meanwhile, Annie runs to Tessa thinking she''s lying on top of her, but she''s already up and smiling.


    - Don''t move!" Annie told her.


    - Eheh, lucky me.


    She points to her arm, which is injured, but only slightly. Annie analyses it for a few moments before sighing.


    - There''s nothing wrong, as the bullet just grazed you¡­


    The woman sighs in relief and Tessa nods before walking down the long wagon corridor, hands in pockets. Annie helps the woman to her feet, and she bursts into tears as she runs into Annie''s arms. She clutches her like a child who has lost her mother, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Annie understands her: she has narrowly avoided death. If Tessa hadn''t understood at the time, she would have been killed.


    Trisha would have lost her life as the third victim of this wagon.


    It was her, the woman Tessa saved by jumping on. By forcing her down, functioning like a shield, Tessa managed to prevent her from meeting the Reaper. Deshya also acted in time, jumping on the culprit and preventing him from firing a second shot, which would have seriously injured Tessa ¡ª or even killed her. The murder weapon fell to the seat and the man stopped struggling, grinding his teeth in frustration. The woman standing next to him, with her very special style of dress, pointed at him, trembling.


    - W-W-What does that... m-m-m-m-mean...?


    Tessa comes up to them and clicks her tongue as she gets in front of him. Annie returns and tells Deshya and the other woman to move over, before grabbing him in a very particular way and handcuffing him. He screams angrily as he struggles, but Annie tackles him to the floor, shouting at him not to move.


    - So you were the criminal¡­


    Deshya shakes her head as she stands up and grits her teeth, not believing it.


    - Mista!!


    The man with the strange clothes and the selfie stick. A man with a 2012-2013 look and a cheesy way of talking. He''s sitting next to Minerva, a rather similar woman. He wasn''t even on the list of suspects.


    - H-How?!" cries Minerva.


    She''s still shaking, can''t believe it. Tessa smiles as she watches Mista, still on the ground because the woman doctor is making sure he can''t move.


    - It''s quite simple. The murder weapon is what he had in his hands at all times.


    She grabs him and squeezes violently.


    - This selfie stick.


    - !!!


    - S-Sorry?!


    Some of the passengers start to react and shout. Those who have heard rise from their seats and look at Tessa and Deshya in surprise. Deshya shows it to Annie, who squints and asks if she''s sure. Deshya nods with the slightest hesitation.


    - How it works remains to be seen, but I suppose that pressing the button here at the bottom will fire a bullet into the little hole I see there... It''s a rather strange selfie stick, I must say.


    The part where the phone is attached is longer and great. Deshya hadn''t paid much attention to these details, since she thought it was simply a special design. The force of the bullets shouldn''t be as powerful as a normal pistol, but enough to kill a human being not too far away. Tessa squints.


    - That''s why he didn''t use a silencer..." she thinks.


    Annie forces the culprit to sit down, his hands now handcuffed. Tessa watches them without moving.


    - So you had handcuffs..." she says.


    - I always carry them in my suitcase just in case, and I equipped myself with them after the first murder in case the culprit was unmasked.


    - You did the right thing.


    Annie gives her a small smile, right next to the culprit.


    - A teenage girl telling me that... Am I supposed to take it well...?" thinks the woman.


    Deshya grabs the phone at the end of the selfie stick and plays with it in her hand. She blows it up and catches it again, performing this gesture several times in a row.


    - The murder weapon was right under my nose¡­


    Deshya felt ridiculous: the culprit was right in front of her, showing her photos he''d taken with the murder weapon. If only she''d known this object was suspicious... If only she''d thought a little longer... If only she hadn''t been a complete idiot...! Deshya grits her teeth and stops playing with the phone before turning to Mista, the man responsible for both murders and probably for the bombs on the train.


    - I couldn''t believe you were the culprit..." said Deshya.


    - Why?" asks a passenger listening in from his seat.


    Deshya turns to him and, before answering, hands the phone to Annie.


    - Our main suspects were Megure, Dera and Trisha, all of whom were standing next to the first victim. Ketty, the man with the dubious umbrella who moved places quite often, was also a suspect. When the second victim was killed, Trisha was no longer a real suspect, for good reason. One that meant Mista couldn''t be on the list of suspects.


    Deshya puts her hands in her sweater and looks up.


    - Because they had their backs to the victims.


    Tessa rests her back against the wall of the carriage, watching Deshya with boredom. What she''s saying makes sense, but it pisses her off, because now that she''s talking about it, Tessa thinks she''s a total idiot.


    - Mista couldn''t see the victims from his seat, as his back was to them. He could have stood up and fired, but he would have been spotted straight away. What''s more, I wouldn''t have doubted that it was his selfie stick that was the murder weapon, since nobody noticed anything strange with it or any recoil that would have made it suspicious," continues Deshya.


    - I didn''t see any smoke coming out of it, or the slightest recoil..." confessed the woman opposite Mista and Minerva.


    - I guess it''s got a lot of power and the system means that not much smoke comes out... I''m not sure how this thing works and I don''t really care.


    Deshya glares at Mista, who smiles broadly, as if mocking her. She wants to shake him off and insult him, but she restrains herself. She sighs heavily before looking at Nikolas'' corpse.


    - When Annie told me the first names of the people on the trip, I realized that Dera couldn''t be the culprit, though.


    - A-Ah?


    Deshya smiles and turns to the passengers.


    - Nikolas Aidalro, Simon Baybook, Caroline Ushi, Dera Nomura and Trisha Keryun, the five who were on a trip to Tetazo. I couldn''t understand how a member of this trip could come up with such a plan when there were so many simpler things to do. I could have been wrong, but it didn''t seem so.


    Deshya crosses her arms.


    - However, Tessa seems to have understood before me¡­


    The teenager in the fox sweater turns to her friend, who observes her with an almost amused smile.


    - When he took photos, I understood. However, it wasn''t the noise, but the gestures he was making.


    - Gestures?" asks Annie.


    Tessa nods and turns her gaze to the woman doctor.


    - He was taking selfies with Minerva, but he seemed to be aiming at something. I was lucky, but since I knew the names of the travelers as well as Deshya, I knew straight away that Trisha was the one being targeted. Dera wasn''t really visible and given the position of the camera, I thought it couldn''t possibly be Caroline.


    Tessa crosses her arms.


    - He didn''t move that much during the photos and seemed to take them all, trying to aim where Trisha was. Even if you could say I was just lucky, it looks like I was right.


    - I see¡­


    Annie looks at Mista and frowns.


    - Why did you kill them?!


    He doesn''t answer directly. Trisha approaches Deshya and the latter looks at her. The woman watches Mista carefully, but she doesn''t recognize him. She doesn''t see why this man tried to kill her... She doesn''t know who he is, so why...?


    - Does this have anything to do with Nikolas Aidalro''s corruption?" asks Deshya.


    Mista opens her eyes wide and screams at the teenager.


    - HOW DO YOU KNOW?!


    - A simple search on the Internet and you''ll find it right away.


    - What corruption are you talking about?" asks Annie.


    Deshya continues to stare at Mista with a disgruntled expression.


    - Nikolas Aidalro is a lawyer who has been known to take money from the other side and do everything, even if his client is innocent, to make sure he''s considered guilty. He was recently fired from his job and has to pay a hefty sum... but now that he''s dead, I guess it''s a different story from now on.


    Trisha listens carefully before looking at Mista. This man... could he be...


    - ...Mista Koinaru...?


    Annie, Tessa and Deshya turn their faces towards the woman. She holds her hands and observes Mista attentively. He smiles broadly.


    - Remember me, bitch?" he said.


    - Do you know who he is?" asks Annie.


    Trisha opens her mouth, but it''s not her who answers. Mista''s male voice is the first to sound.


    - Hey, I''m not surprised she recognizes me this late.


    He closes his eyes and his smile doesn''t show its teeth anymore. He sighs.


    - It''s their fault... Without them, my father would never have¡­


    - ... Mista¡­


    - Shut up!


    He shouts and stares angrily at Trisha.


    - My father trusted you! You were his closest friend, someone he counted on so much!!! And you... And you!!!


    Apart from the culprit''s cries, silence now reigns in the carriage. Passengers listen to them without saying a word, and the crying has stopped.


    - He trusted you, but when everything went wrong, you let him go!!! You left him behind and didn''t answer him simply because you were too focused on your little husband... Your shitty husband!!!!


    He starts to struggle, but with such handcuffs on his back and Annie preventing him from moving, there''s nothing he can do but gesticulate wildly to prove his rage. To show her with sincerity how he feels about her.


    The woman next to Annie, tears in her eyes, rises from her seat.


    - B-But why kill them?!" cries Minerva.


    Mista turns her gaze to her and smiles broadly.


    - My father was falsely accused... and that son-of-a dog Nikolas let himself be bribed!!! He refused to help and


    even pushed him down for nothing more than money!


    - Just as I suspected..." thought Deshya.


    When she saw the article on Nikolas Aidalro, she thought of this. She hadn''t seen any names of his ''victims'', but at first she''d thought the culprit had been one of them. However, it''s now clear to her that the son of one of this corrupt lawyer''s victims is the culprit¡­


    - But why killing Simon?" asks Tessa.


    She doesn''t need the whole story to understand his need for revenge against Trisha, since she understands what Mista''s father did, but she doesn''t see the connection with Simon. The culprit grits his teeth.


    - It''s the same story as Trisha... He was his friend and his doctor, but when he was wrongly accused, when he needed support, this man told my father he didn''t have time to take care of him¡­


    - I suppose all the other people on this trip are in your sights?


    Mista shakes his head.


    - Only six of them... The other three are in the other cars.


    Tessa sighs and approaches Mista''s bag before searching him. Annie asks her what she''s doing, since she has no right to do such a thing even if he is guilty, but Tessa doesn''t seem to listen. She finally gets to her feet and waves something in front of Mista''s face. He grits his teeth and Tessa smiles at him.


    - Idiot.


    She keeps the thing in her hands and turns to Deshya.


    - You can say that the train can stop without any problem.


    Deshya immediately understood what the object was: the remote control to detonate the bombs on the train. So they were right: the message sent was a real threat. If the station had believed it to be a joke, then perhaps the lives of some 250 people would have come to an end on that day, on that train itself. It was a wise decision. Deshya nods and runs out of the carriage, while Tessa looks at how the remote control works: she doesn''t want to risk pressing it unintentionally and killing them all. It looks complex and has several buttons, probably for different bombs¡­


    - This kind of toy should not be in the hands of people like you¡­


    - No one.


    Tessa blinks and looks at Annie. The woman shakes her head.


    - No one should have access to such weapons. Whether it''s this remote control¡­


    Annie looks at the selfie stick with a saddened expression.


    - Or even this gun.


    Tessa watches Annie''s face carefully. She looks so... sad. So... devastated. Tessa doesn''t dare say anything, just looks at the remote control in her hand before sitting down opposite Mista. He bows his head and Trisha returns to her seat, crying.


    - I miss my father..." says Mista.


    - He killed himself after being let down by the people around him because they thought he was guilty in his case, I suppose?" asks Tessa, looking at him.


    - I''m convinced he was innocent. The judges just didn''t believe me because I''m his son, but he had an alibi¡­


    - Corruption is a horrible thing, hm.


    Tessa sighs and finally relaxes on the seat. She looks out of the window, where the landscape continues to unfold. At last, they''ll all be able to get out... It''s been more than two hours since the train last stopped¡­


    And it''s after 2h09 of travel that the train finally stops.


    The police arrive on the scene immediately, and the helicopter gets a little closer to the ground. On some TV channels, you can see [LIVE] the passengers running, crying or calmly exiting the train, even though their hearts are pounding in their chests. A certain policeman waits with his arms folded in front of the doors of the second carriage, another policeman at his side. Passengers exit one by one, being questioned by the police or running into the arms of family and friends. The person who finally emerges from the car is¡ª


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    - Annie.


    The woman doctor approaches the policeman and others come to catch the culprit. Mista yells at them not to hurt him and Minerva follows with a saddened look on her face. Annie settles down next to the red-haired policeman and undoes her own scarf to better place it around his neck.


    - I asked Minerva, the culprit''s friend, to follow him and offer her story to the police.


    Annie turns her face to the man and smiles.


    - Your daughter is impressive, Gatito.


    The policeman sighs and scratches his hair.


    - First she witnesses an explosion and solves the case, and now she''s on the same train as a murderer who''s planted bombs on it¡­


    Annie giggles and looks at the wagon, where Deshya is going out with Tessa and their two friends.


    - This girl impressed me too... She understood in time and was able to save the third victim without hesitating to sacrifice herself. Fortunately, she was not seriously injured.


    - Young people these days¡­


    - But can you imagine? They managed to hear that a second shot had been fired directly after the first, and Tessa knew that the shot had come from a certain column of passengers just by looking at the angle, which was nonetheless very shallow.


    - ¡­


    - Besides, your daughter understood that the second shot was provoked because of Minerva.


    Gatito squints.


    - What do you mean?


    - In the photos taken between the two of them, Minerva was holding Mista''s arm. When she heard the second shot, she jumped up and pulled Mista''s arm, who pulled a second time without meaning to.


    Annie and Gatito both look at Deshya, who has just answered. Tessa places her hand on her friend''s hood and smiles.


    - She''s also the one who created an opportunity for me to understand," admits Tessa.


    - What do you mean?" asks Amora, behind them.


    Tessa puts both hands behind her head and looks at Amora, turning her head.


    - As she started to lose her mind and ran into the carriage, I think the culprit thought he had free rein and wouldn''t be noticed when he shot the third victim. However, that was when I was most aware of my surroundings, so I figured it out pretty quickly," explains Tessa.


    - Eeeh¡­


    Frie grabs Deshya''s sleeve and she turns towards her.


    - Is it because of what I told you...?" asks Frie, worried.


    Deshya stares at her with an open mouth, but eventually closes it with a smile


    - Who knows?


    - Deshya¡­


    Gatito grabs Deshya and pulls her towards her forcefully. The teenager cries out in surprise, but falls silent when she sees that her father¡ª


    - P-Papa?*


    ¡ª had taken her in his arms.


    - Silly.


    - ¡­ Sorry.


    (*: ¡°Papa¡± means ¡®Dad¡¯ in french. We decide to keep it for a reason.)


    Tessa smiles as she looks at them, and Annie does the same. Amora and Frie look at each other for a few seconds before giggling.


    - Amoraaaa!!!


    A female voice sounds a little further away. Amora turns towards the source and opens her mouth wide, a magnificent smile on her face.


    - Mom!!!


    - Mom?


    Tessa turns her face and sees a woman running towards Amora... and Amora runs into her mother''s arms. They give each other a big hug as a man comes running up behind, exhausted. Tessa watches them and Gatito lets Deshya go from his arms, hiding as best he can what he''s feeling right now; however, Annie knows him well enough to know how fast his heart must have been beating, bathed in worry in his chest. She doesn''t need to see his face redden or hear him yell at Deshya to understand it; so she smiles as she watches him. Amora lets go of her mother and hugs her father, who has just arrived, and Frie, Tessa and Deshya approach them.


    - I was so scared..." admits Fran, Amora''s father.


    - I thought my heart was going to explode!" admits Fay, Amora''s mother.


    The woman with the long blond hair notices the three teenagers and takes Deshya''s hands.


    - Deshya!!! I''m glad to see you''re doing well too!!!!


    Deshya notices that her cheeks are a little red: she must have been crying on the way. She can understand, since Amora must have told her parents they were coming by message. Noticing that her daughter still wasn''t there, she sent her a message and Amora either told her the truth or saw the TV... In any case, Deshya has no doubt that the mother of the two children is still there.


    of Amora must have felt very bad... The same goes for her father, who is currently cuddling his daughter.


    - I''m glad we all came through without injury," admits Deshya with a smile.


    Fay nods as she feels the tears welling up. Tessa turns and watches the policeman, Deshya''s father, approach them.


    - Deshya.


    - Yes, dad?


    - When we get home, you''ll have to go to the police station for the reports," he says.


    She nodded.


    - And... even though it was dangerous, you saved a woman''s life and probably those of everyone else on the train. Thank you.


    Deshya and Tessa look at each other and smile, but Deshya gently pushes Tessa forward.


    - We have her to thank," admits Deshya.


    Gatito looks at her and Deshya puts her hands in the pockets of her sweater.


    - She saved Trisha and it was she who first realized who the culprit was. I was slow and overwhelmed,


    but¡­


    She looks up at her father with a smile.


    - I was scared, honestly. If Tessa hadn''t been there, I don''t think this trip would have had such a happy ending.


    - Deshya¡­


    Frie looks at Deshya with wide eyes, similar to the expression Tessa possesses. Gatito smiles and touches the long-haired purple teenager''s left shoulder, nodding in agreement.


    - You saved the lives of over 200 passengers. I don''t know how to thank you.


    - ... Hm.


    Tessa turns to Deshya and hugs her, smiling.


    - Thank your daughter most of all. I don''t need such praise.


    Tessa lets go of Deshya and winks at Gatito.


    - But if I can have a big fox plush for myself, I might be willing to be thanked!


    Gatito starts to giggle and Tessa goes to greet the parents of Amora, leaving a flushed Deshya behind. The policeman approaches his daughter with a smile.


    - She''s a strange girl, all the same..." he admits.


    - H-Hm, y-yes¡­


    Gatito asks Deshya if she''s all right, especially as he feels she''s about to explode. She shakes both hands and stutters, blurting out incomprehensible words. Deshya hides her face behind her hood and runs to Annie, thanking her for everything and returning to her father''s side.


    - Would you like to eat with us as planned?" asks Fay.


    - Come on!" her daughter shouts, jumping up and down.


    Deshya looks at her father and asks him if she has the right just by looking at him, and he nods.


    - But you have to come¡ª


    - I don''t forget! I''ll be back after dinner and I''ll come straight to the station!


    Deshya gives her a kiss on the cheek before joining Amora, Tessa, Frie, Fay and Fran. She shakes her hand to greet her father and Annie and chats with Amora, her fox tail wagging in all directions behind her. Gatito smiles with a little sigh and Annie takes her place next to him.


    - Your daughter does look like you, though," admits the lady.


    - Hm.


    Gatito stops smiling, but continues to watch Deshya go off into the distance.


    - She''s a girl who thinks she''s invincible and can solve anything with just her brain. A real idiot.


    - It reminds me of someone.


    - Huh?


    - Hehe, nothing!


    Annie nudges him with her elbow and they both start laughing.


    The car journey is pleasant and doesn''t take too long. After barely an hour, they arrive at Amora''s house and Tessa whistles as she gets out of the car.


    - What a beautiful house!" she said.


    - I have to admit, she''s really beautiful..." says Frie as she leaves the room.


    Amora grabs Deshya''s hand and gets out of the car with her. Fay gets out too, and Fran parks the car in the garage before opening the front door to let them inside. He lets them pass with a big smile and the four friends thank him, followed by Amora''s mother. They arrive inside and Tessa clears off her shoes, observing the corridor.


    - Even the interior is beautiful..." she remarks.


    - Riiiight?!


    From the energy in her voice, you''d have thought it was Amora who answered, but in fact it was Fay who started fidgeting.


    - We worked too hard to get a house like this!" she said.


    The father sighs and crosses his arms, so Frie thinks he''s going to tell her to calm down, but the truth quickly sinks in:


    - I''m tooooo happy too!


    The bride and groom start cuddling, giggling and wiggling. Tessa blinks and Deshya sighs, lowering her head, though she smiles.


    - You know where Amora''s personality comes from..." said Deshya.


    - I should have known..." said Tessa, watching the two parents run down the corridor, followed by their daughter.


    Frie comes up beside them when she has cleared away her shoes and smiles.


    - At least they look friendly... We''ll be able to think of something else!


    Deshya returns her smile and nods, while Tessa puts her hands in her trouser pockets and shrugs.


    - I''m not traumatized, I don''t need to think about anything else."


    Tessa moves forward first and Frie pouts at her before grabbing Deshya''s arm.


    - Look at her acting cool..." says Frie.


    Deshya smiled as she watched Tessa, not immediately answering Frie''s question. Seeing her walk like that, like the scum you see in the movies, leaving without being able to assume what she really felt¡­


    - Idiot, I saw it¡­


    Deshya turns to Frie and flashes her beautiful smile.


    - Shall we go too?" asks Deshya.


    - I hope we eat well!" says Frie.


    - I don''t doubt it!


    Deshya and Frie walk down the corridor together and join Tessa in the kitchen.


    The four teenage girls leave the house three hours later, just after 10pm. After a good meal prepared by Fay and a game of ''Smash Bros'' on Amora''s console, Frie decides to go home, and Deshya and Tessa agree that they should too. Deshya will have to go to the police station to offer her version of events and then sleep in time to go to school... She shouldn''t be too late. Amora accompanies them to the front seat of the car, still full of energy.


    - Even though the train journey was awful, I''m still glad I had you home!!!" she blurts out, looking back.


    Tessa attaches herself last, between Frie and Deshya. The latter nods.


    - It was great to see your parents again. Thanks again for the meal, Fay!


    - Hihi, you''re welcome! I''m so glad I got to see you and meet Tessa and Frie!" replies the mother.


    Before starting the car, the woman looks at her daughter, giggling.


    - You have very pretty friends, all you need is a boyfriend!


    - Mooooh, Mom!


    - Hihi, I''m teasing you!


    Deshya lowers her eyelids with an amused smile.


    - But she says that every time..." she thinks.


    - Let''s go!


    Fay starts the car and pulls out of the garage, opened by Fran. The father shakes his hand, saying goodbye to his wife, daughter and three friends.


    Frie is the first to get out of the car and thanks Amora and Fay for the evening. She looks at Tessa and Deshya and smiles.


    - Thanks for the evening and¡­


    Frie bows to them.


    - Thank you for saving our lives!


    Frie closes the car door and runs off blushing, holding her bag in both hands. Tessa watches her go before smiling and Desha scratches her cheek, embarrassed.


    - You could have let us tell her ¡®you¡¯re welcome¡¯..." she says.


    Tessa crosses her arms and nods.


    - How rude, hehe.


    Deshya laughs and Amora smiles at them.


    Then it''s Tessa''s turn to be dropped off. She cracks her neck and bows gently to the car.


    - Thank you for the ride, ma''am.


    - Mooow, you''re welcome, little Tessa!" the mother said, waving her right hand in front of her.


    Tessa smiles and looks at Amora.


    - Try to get a good night''s rest, Amora.


    - I promise! You too, Tessa!


    She nods and grabs the back door of the car, looking at Deshya. The two stare into each other''s irises for a few moments, before Tessa closes her eyes and bares her teeth, a small, amused sound coming from her mouth.


    - Do I really need to tell you this for you to understand, genius?" blurts out Tessa.


    Deshya smiles at her and winks.


    - I''ll sleep well... like a little fox.


    - I''ll believe you if you''re back in shape tomorrow.


    She closes the car door and thanks Fay and Amora again before walking away, returning to her house with her hands in her pockets. Deshya changes places and goes to the middle, watching her go. With a happy smile on her face and eyes that can only observe Tessa, she says nothing and doesn''t even notice that her best friend is staring at her with an amused smile. Tessa rings her doorbell and a few moments later, the figure of a man comes to open the door. She takes one last look behind her, but doesn''t make a hand gesture before entering. The door closes directly behind Tessa and Deshya sighs with an expression¡­


    - Say, Deshyaaa?


    The girl in the fox sweater blinks and turns her face to her best friend.


    - Y-Yes?


    Amora moves her head closer to make sure her mother can''t hear her and whispers the following:


    - That''s when you confess... you know what?


    Deshya stands still for a few moments before laughing. Amora puffs out her cheeks, but Deshya strokes her hair and part of her forehead, smiling broadly.


    - Maybe someday, maybe never.


    - You have to be honest about how you feel!" shouts Amora.


    - About whaaaaat?" asked Fay.


    - E-Eh! N-N-No-Nothing mom, let''s go!!!


    Amora gives an embarrassed laugh and her mother pouts at her, but she finally agrees and looks the other way, acting like a little girl bitching at her friend. Deshya laughs and hangs up her belt, taking one last look at Tessa''s house.


    - ...when I tell her, eh¡­


    She murmurs her words before closing her eyes.


    - My love for Tessa... Dare I ever admit it? Good question, Amora.


    Fay takes to the road again and Tessa watches them go from her living-room window.


    On this first day of September, the 247-passenger train making the loop between Tetazo and Li¨¨re managed to stop without exploding. After a few hours of searching, all the bombs were removed without the slightest problem, with the exception of the two Mista victims, no one was injured or killed. The second day of September arrives quickly and in the newspapers, everyone is talking about the two teenage girls who saved all the passengers on the train with the help of a female police doctor.


    Deshya, Tessa, Annie.


    Although school has only just started again and Deshya has been 16 for just three weeks, she''s already making the headlines and her name is even more widespread than before.


    And all the passengers on this unstoppable train rest without a care in the world, all saved from near tragedy.

 13 -?Tranquility of a Bus Trip?(CASE3)

    <hr>


    The girl next to her best friend starts waving her hand. A few increasingly violent shakes later, the other starts to sulk and frowns at her.


    - What''s happening?!" asks Deshya, annoyed by Amora''s shaking.


    Her long pink-haired best friend puffs out her cheeks as she stares violently at Deshya.


    - Why won''t you answer me?!" she asks.


    - Sorry, sorry¡­


    - Did you sleep badly? Is it because of what happened on the train...?


    Seeing Amora''s worried expression, Deshya starts waving her hands around in a much straighter posture, stopping to place both elbows on her desk.


    - No, it''s not that!! It''s just that I was harassed again this morning... Luckily, Tessa stole all the attention so I wouldn''t be bothered too much... I owe her one.


    Deshya smiled, thinking of Tessa. She''s the one who managed to save Trisha, the one who would have been Mista''s third victim, the culprit, and she''s the one who first understood the way he was killing people on that train. Although Deshya likes to be praised, she feels she doesn''t deserve any for what happened there. What''s more, given that she went to bed later than planned, her father having forced her to stay at the police station for a long time to tell everything, she prefers not to be bothered too much today. Amora smiles, realizing that Deshya isn''t grumbling at her, and claps her hands together.


    - I''ve got an idea!" she says.


    Deshya turns her gaze to her, moving her head slightly, and questions her with her blue eyes.


    - Why don''t the two of us go after class to a tea room I know well?" suggests Amora.


    - A tea room...?


    She nods.


    - It opened during the summer vacations and is only about 40 minutes from the school! If you take the bus back, it should take about 40 minutes for the return journey too!


    Deshya doesn''t answer at the moment, observing Amora with a fairly neutral expression. She looks at the class in front of her, the teacher not yet having arrived.


    - It''s Friday, can''t we treat ourselves?" asks Amora with a cheerful smile.


    The last day of classes of this first week at school. Deshya scratches her bangs in thought, but Amora insists again.


    - Please! I know you like tea, and they make great tea over there!


    Deshya sighs and rests both elbows on her desk again. She closes her eyes and chews something non-existent before nodding with a small smile, now looking at Amora.


    - I''m sure it will do me good, so of course," replies Deshya.


    - Hooorayyyy!!


    Amora jumps out of her chair to hug Deshya, attracting everyone''s attention. At the same time, the math teacher comes into the classroom and notices the girl hugging the other. He puts his hands on his hips and crinkles his eyes in surprise, puffing out one cheek.


    - Miss Amora...?" he blurts out.


    The girl with the long pink hair opens her eyes and looks at the teacher, smiling.


    - What is it?


    He approaches them and observes for a few moments before tilting his head to the right.


    - ...classes are about to start. Can you¡­


    Amora lets go of her best friend and nods, her hair moving in all directions.


    - Forgive me, I wanted to do this too much!


    - A-Ah, right... right.


    The professor prefers not to bother with this and heads for the board, leaving a smiling, energy-filled Amora and a sighing Deshya behind.


    - I''m going to die before this day is over..." thinks Deshya, looking ahead with tired eyes.


    CHAPTER 13


    ?Tranquility of a Bus Trip?


    - Here it is!


    Amora raises her arms and points to the beautiful building, which looks as if it came out of the 1950s, smiling. Deshya has her hands in the large pockets of her sweater and observes the building carefully. The wood used is quite old, but yet looks new. The windows, the front door and even the signs all look as if they''ve come from the past, but there''s a slightly modern air about this tea room. A bell is installed above the front door, designed to be rung when opened. Deshya stretches her arms and Amora tells her to follow with a sunny expression. It''s clear that she''s very happy to be able to come here with her best friend. Deshya hasn''t heard anyone mention this tea room, yet given its slightly old-fashioned style, it should have been rather popular. Looking through the lounge''s large windows, she notes with sadness that there doesn''t seem to be many people around. Classes ended about an hour ago for them, so this should be about the most crowded time... Amora grabs her hand and pushes the door open, Deshya forced to follow. The girl with the long pink hair raises her free hand in the air and greets the lady behind the wooden counter.


    - Oh, Amora!


    - Hello, Miss Ikura!


    The woman turns to Amora, but notices that someone is accompanying her. She goes to ask who this person happens to be, but on seeing her attire, the woman simply smiles.


    - Is this Deshya, your best friend?" she asks.


    Amora lets go of Deshya''s hand and nods with a smile to rival the sun. She hugs her best friend, rubbing her cheek against hers.


    - That''s her, she agreed to come with me today!


    - Hello.


    Deshya bows her head gently and politely in front of the woman. The woman smiles and tells them they can have any table they like. Amora thanks her and grabs Deshya''s hand again before running off.


    - Which table do we take?" asks Amora.


    - The one you like..." replies Deshya.


    - This one!


    Deshya has barely finished her sentence when Amora chooses a table and sits down on one of the chairs, smiling. Deshya takes a seat on the one opposite and admires the large room they''re in. Only a fairly young couple and a relatively young girl accompanied by her two parents ¡ª or grandparents ¡ª are present in the tea room. The ceiling is made of wood and the lamp is in an antique style. Furniture with fairly clean glass jars is close to the two friends, as is a table with several miscellaneous objects, just in front of the living-room windows. On the glass jars are papers inscribed with the names of the scents inside them. Beautiful paintings are also visible on the walls of the room, some of cats set up like war generals and others that are expressionist in origin. Deshya recognizes one painting: ''Street scene in Berlin''. It''s a painting her father is very fond of, after all... Amora rests both elbows on the table in front of her and her head in her hands.


    - Do you know what kind of tea you''re going to have?" she asks.


    - Hmmm, let me see the menu¡­


    She grabs the card waiting for her in front of her, standing in a crack made on purpose inside a wooden rectangle. Amora tells her she can have her tea, since she already knows what she''s having. Deshya takes a few moments to look at the different teas and after a moment''s thought, she puts the card back where it was and raises her hand to call the lady. She nods and comes over to take their order.


    - White tea for me," said Deshya.


    Amora turns her gaze towards the woman without moving her head and smiles.


    - Chamomile tea, please!


    - All right!


    The woman returns their smile and nods again. She walks away from the two best friends with their order in mind and Amora starts talking to Deshya about the tea room.


    - Thanks again!


    Amora shakes her hand to say goodbye to Deshya and starts running down the street before disappearing at a crossroads. Deshya smiles and rests her back against the bus stop billboard, hands in her pockets. She grabs her phone and turns it on, looking at the time.


    - My bus arrives in just three minutes," she remarks.


    Deshya puts her phone away and waits patiently. The tea room Amora has introduced her to has been a real pleasure and their tea is a real delight. Even though Deshya had a bit to keep up with all the stories of her energetic bestie, she enjoyed knowing a little more about the history of this place, as well as the reason why Ikura and her husband decided to build this teahouse. It would date back to their childhood, when they still had na?ve, childish dreams... Ikura is said to have promised that she would build a teahouse when she married him, and that she would pay homage to the abandoned house where they often played together. The story is long and moving, but Deshya enjoyed every bit of it. From now on, the weekend awaits and all Deshya can hope for is to go home, eat a nice supper and cuddle her giant fox stuffed animal that she won for the riddle she solved on the first day of school. Even though school has j u s t started again and Deshya doesn''t hate it, she''s happy that the weekend is already here for her. Solving a murder on the first day of school and having to find the identity of a culprit just two days later has been exhausting for her. She feels she deserves a relaxing weekend where she can simply play without thinking about anything, chat with her friends and watch the live stream of ''Waffie''*, a Vtuber she adores.


    (*: ¡®Waffie¡¯ is based on a real friend of the author, ¡®JaWaffle¡¯. Check them out!)


    - She''s going to stream the next installment of Alien Survivor, too!


    Deshya already played it during the vacations and loved it: for her, it''s the best ''Alien Survivor'' ever. Waffie had to finish another game before she could play it, so she''s getting on with it a bit later, but they''re all going to enjoy it. Her fans know full well that she''s always playing new games late, which isn''t necessarily a bad thing. It''s worth noting that this Vtuber isn''t the most popular in her field, but she has a community that follows her closely and enjoyed some success when part of her stream had around ten million views on YouTube.


    Vtubers are people who use a certain software program ¡ª although there are several ¡ª to create a 3D avatar that moves according to their own movements. Using a camera that tracks their movements, often only their upper body and head, and after creating a model and modifying it so that it can be tracked and have certain emotions, the Vtuber can use it as a model and pretend it looks like this in real life. Models are often Japanese anime or manga characters, but this depends on the user''s tastes and colors. Deshya isn''t totally into them, and she''s not too fond of their communities, but Waffie has managed to capture her heart thanks to her good humor and the way she plays and reacts to the different games. What''s more, she''s close to her community and talks a lot on social networks. In short, she''s a Vtuber Deshya loves to watch, as well as someone who makes her laugh, amuses her and sometimes lulls her to sleep. How many times has she fallen asleep in front of one of her live shows...?


    Just as she''s thinking about what to do tonight, her bus pulls up in front of the stop. The front doors open to let them in, while the back doors open to allow some of them to get out. Deshya boards the bus after a man and a young boy, the only three waiting at this stop. She passes her card in front of the screen and a sound is heard, a green ''V'' indicating her agreement. Deshya nods to the driver before sitting down in one of the bus''s many empty seats. She looks at her phone again to make sure she hasn''t had any messages, but apart from a "Have a good trip!" from Amora, nothing. It''s 6.21pm and the sun is slowly beginning to set on the horizon, still showing its rays for a few minutes. Deshya turns around and looks at the accordion bus for a few seconds, but notices that not many people are there. Without further ado, the vehicle starts up and Deshya looks out of the window. Unlike the train she took yesterday, the landscape passes by quite slowly. This doesn''t necessarily mean that the bus is slow, rather that it can''t match the speed of a train. She stretches when a little girl starts running down the long corridor of the bus. Deshya looks at her and blinks, tilting her head to the right to see where she''s going. The fox-tailed teenager notices the little girl turn on her heels, in front of where the driver is, and raises both hands.


    - Can I have it, please?" the little girl asks in a cute voice.


    The driver smiles at her and looks for something before passing it to her. The little girl thanks her, but before leaving, the driver tells her to wait and she stops, turning around.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    - Take this pencil too!" said the driver. How else are you going to write?


    - Ooooh!


    The little girl nods and runs up to the driver again before grabbing him with her bare hand and thanking him. She then runs off into the bus, probably to join her parents. Deshya continues to watch her with a surprised expression.


    - Her hair is... beautiful.


    She''s small, both in size and age, and yet she has hair¡­


    All white.


    It obviously suits her, but Deshya can''t help but be amazed. Bleached hair at such a young age? All white, yet silky, swaying to the rhythm of her footsteps and reaching to the middle of her back. Deshya doesn''t know exactly how old she is, but she''s sure she can''t be 10 yet. Is it a good idea to bleach the hair of such a young girl? Deshya prefers to shrug her shoulders and simply say to herself that they''re beautiful: she''s not her mother and has no reason to judge her choices or those of her parents, so why bother? Deshya still thought you had to be a certain age to be able to color or bleach your hair, so it intrigues her, but no one seems to be surprised on the bus... She turns and gives a somewhat silly smile, lowering her eyelids.


    - It has to be said that there''s hardly anyone around and they''re all concentrating on something else..." she thinks.


    For example, a woman with long blond hair who is standing very close to where the little girl has just stopped, but has her nose in her book. She''s holding it up with her dark gloves, which surprises Deshya: it''s quite warm at the moment. Summer hasn''t even started yet... Deshya can''t see herself wearing gloves in weather like this, but she shrugs again: is it any of her business? She knows it''s not. So she stares out the bus window, thinking of her own life instead of those of others.


    - ¡­


    What she''s looking at isn''t actually the landscape that''s just stopped moving because the bus is at a bus stop, but her own reflection. What she''s staring at... is her physique. It''s not because she''s self-centered and thinks she''s beautiful, or the other way around and thinks she''s horrible, but because of what''s hidden under her hood: her fox ears. Her animal attributes she doesn''t understand. It''s been just under three years since she disappeared without a trace, and yet she still has no idea what happened. She has searched long and hard on the internet for clues. Maybe cases like hers. People talking about it on unfrequented sites. Something that happened during the 5 months when she disappeared. However, apart from the death of a corrupt politician, robberies and murders of popular groups and an attack in southern Firuede, nothing special had happened. Nothing that could explain WHY she had been released. Deshya has no idea what she''s doing here. Of course, she''s happy to be free, alive and well, but why is she? Now that she''s a girl with fox ears and a fox tail, she should be a biologically extraordinary person and someone we''d like to keep around for further experimentation or analysis. Deshya thought it possible that she''d been tested extensively and that they didn''t need her anymore, but why release her, then? Why not keep her under wraps to prevent her from opening her mouth too much or confessing to others who she is? If one day she comes out and admits to the media that she''s a fox girl and manages to prove it, the world will only talk about it. The truth will be bathed in light and sooner or later, the person, group or thing that transformed her in this way will be discovered one way or another. Of course, this doesn''t benefit Deshya because she''ll be harassed every day, but if she wants to make the person or people who kidnapped her regret it, then¡­


    - I don''t understand¡­


    She continues to stare at her own reflection, frustrated. She can''t see what she''s doing out there. Whoever kidnapped her managed to give her fox-like attributes in the space of 5 months, so if they can now create other humans like her, why hasn''t anything happened since then? It''s been three years since she was kidnapped! If she had somehow managed to escape, then why hasn''t she been caught again? If we can keep her captive for 5 months without a trace, we''ll have no trouble getting her back unseen, especially as Deshya isn''t afraid to walk home from school alone¡­


    So why...?


    - Waaa!


    Deshya is deep in thought, increasingly frustrated, when the little girl''s voice rings out. Deshya lifts her body a little and turns her head to see the little girl with long white hair in the lap of a rather elderly man. Is he her father or grandfather...? At her side is an old woman holding a pencil, probably the one given to them by the driver. She seems to be writing in the journal she borrowed from the driver. Deshya smiles.


    - They have to do crossword puzzles," she thinks.


    The man beckons the little girl to be quiet and she quickly places both hands in front of her mouth, before closing her eyes and smiling. Deshya finds this cute and rests both her buttocks on the seat before looking at the glass again, but this time it''s the landscape she''s observing. She doesn''t necessarily like to stay on her phone when she''s on the bus, and in any case, she''ll write to Amora when she gets off the bus. She doesn''t need to bother answering other people''s questions so quickly. She can rest, and luckily there''s not much noise on this bus... She wouldn''t dare fall asleep on a bus, even on a short journey, but at least she can enjoy the silence without thinking about much. It''s the weekend and her bed awaits her impatiently. Even if she''s being a bit cheeky, the murders she''s witnessed over the last few days are no picnic at all. It''s already been a very... complicated vacation.


    - I don''t want to remember any of this¡­


    She sighs as she looks through the car window.


    - Ever since that night, Dad''s been checking up on me. He even wanted me to see a psychologist. Tsk.


    She understands his concern and Deshya didn''t sleep well for the next few days, but how many times did she have to tell her father that she wasn''t traumatized...? She doesn''t even want to think about it.


    The bus continues on its way, stopping several times, the hands of the clocks go forward and it''s 6.48pm. The bus stops and two men get out, while another gets in, hands in pockets. Deshya puts her phone away and looks outside: only three more stops and she''s a few steps from home. Deshya wonders what she''ll eat tonight... She''s hoping for chicken!


    - Thank you.


    The man who has just boarded the bus bows to the driver after giving change to make the journey in the vehicle and walks slowly down the corridor, holding on to some bars. He doesn''t look very fit, but that''s probably age. Deshya figures he''s not as old as the man and woman with the white-haired girl. The old man keeps walking and the bus starts off. He holds on to a bar and threatens to fall, but the woman who was previously reading his book holds him back with both hands, letting his book fall to the ground. Deshya was ready to go and help the old man, but it looks like she won''t have to do such a thing... Deshya smiles: this woman''s reflexes must be pretty sharp, considering how quickly she caught him. The man thanks her and continues on his way when¡ª


    - Oh, Ginner!


    A male voice rings out, but one that makes no secret of its human''s age. The elderly man who has just entered the bus turns to him and smiles.


    - Oh, it''s you, Roger.


    He stands at the bar that runs from the chair to the roof of the bus and starts chatting with his friend. The little girl on Roger''s lap stares at them silently, not remembering having seen this man before. The woman next to him stops writing in the newspaper and greets Ginner in turn, and the three of them chat together. Deshya can hear them from here, thanks to the quiet of the bus and her slightly better developed hearing, but she prefers not to meddle in matters that are none of her business: in short, she doesn''t listen to their conversation. She observes the few children playing outside, but the bus takes a new street and she can unfortunately no longer see them. She sighs: it reminds her so much of the time when she was barely 10... She''s still very young, yet she feels like calling it her childhood... Deshya turns around out of curiosity and notices that the man has already moved away to sit a little further on, beyond the center of the bus. This is where the ''accordions'' are, and Deshya used to think it was great fun to go there when she was younger. Now it''s a pleasure lost with age. An amusement that exists only in the past for her. As she goes to look in front of her, she notices that the woman standing next to the couple and the little girl stands up. She chats briefly with them and grabs something. She thanks them and starts walking on the bus before passing Deshya, but continues on to the driver.


    - Thank you.


    Orianne bows to him and turns to go back to her seat, but Deshya calls out to her.


    - What is it?" asks the woman with a friendly smile.


    - I was just wondering what you gave him back..." asks Deshya, embarrassed.


    - Oh, this? Hihi, I just gave him back his paper and pencil, since he asked me to.


    After answering, the woman continued on her way and Deshya watched her return to her seat with a surprised expression.


    - He asked her...? But when...?


    She didn''t hear the driver shouting for them... Besides, why didn''t the little girl return them herself? Deshya shrugged and looked at her phone. Amora has sent her three messages, one of them a picture. She doesn''t open them now, since she''s almost there, but she should have suspected that her best friend would talk to her right away... Deshya is always amused by her energy and eagerness to chat at any moment... A real sweetheart. Deshya notices another notification and expands it by pressing on her phone before starting to read.


    Minos Kiyon, the best detective in Belium, has managed to uncover the hideout of the three jewel thieves who have stolen more than six small jewelry stores in two weeks!


    Deshya doesn''t hide her joy while showing her teeth to her phone. She continues to read.


    Although the thieves have not yet been found, Minos Kiyon is on the case alongside the country''s police force. Some of the stolen loot has already been recovered, but more than half is still with the thieves.


    Deshya has heard about it on the news and even her father is talking about it. Although it doesn''t necessarily concern the police in Tetazo, but rather in the north of the country, it''s a case worth discussing. The thieves are only stealing small jewelry stores and don''t seem to want to stop, so Minos has decided to take care of it himself. Deshya is so happy to know that the case is moving forward! She turns off her phone screen and tells herself that after answering Amora, she''ll read this article before eating. Deshya can''t wait!


    - A-AaaaAAAAAAAH!!!!


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and the driver turns his head. The woman next to the couple does the same, and the man sitting behind them clicks his tongue.


    - Don''t shout like that!" he yells, rising from his seat.


    Deshya jumps out of his and runs towards the source of the scream.


    - AaaaaAaaAAAAAhh. Aa¡­


    - ?!!!


    Deshya suddenly stops, as does the bus, which brakes violently as it comes to a halt. Deshya grabs the bus bar and looks at the couple. There¡ª


    - What''s going on? Daddy? Mommy? Mommy?


    Deshya opens her eyes even wider. On the man''s lap, the little girl touches his torso with her index finger, cute gloves on her hands. She looks innocent and yet¡ª


    - Daddy? Daddy? You don¡¯t answer anymo¡¯e?


    ¡ª she''s crying.


    The woman named Orianne stands up and begins to shake. The driver hurries out of his cab and the man behind the couple sits down again, breathing hard. Some people at the back of the bus run to see what''s going on, but¡ª


    - STAY AWAY!!!


    They stop suddenly and the driver himself freezes in place. Deshya clenches both fists and stares angrily at the couple in front of her, while the little girl slowly turns her face towards the teenager.


    - Say...?


    - ¡­


    - My parents¡­


    The little girl with the long white hair. So beautiful, such sweet, childlike eyes, marred by hot tears running down her cheeks. She opens her mouth, while a woman screams at the look on the faces of the little girl''s parents. The driver approaches and takes a step back, while Deshya continues to grit her teeth, watching the whole thing with rage. The little girl''s white hair, pure as snow, sways gently as she tilts her head and finally shows an expression... truly sad.


    - My parents... They''re dead, aren''t they?

 14 -?Pure Snow * Double Murder in the 38 ; Suspects?(CASE3)

    <hr>


    Deshya stares angrily at the scene before her. While the ride on this bus had been lulled into a restful tranquility, she now had a vision of horror in front of her. After the scream that rang out from the man''s dying throat, Deshya ran to see what was going on, while the driver soon parked opposite the bus stop, where two women waited wondering what was going on, the doors not opening. The bus passengers wanted to know what was going on, but Deshya yelled not to approach. The little girl in front of her continues to cry, waiting for an answer from the teenager in the cute sweater. Deshya bites her lower lip so hard she hurts herself. The little girl smiles.


    - I was sure of it.


    - ?!


    Deshya is stunned by the little girl''s smile, and she hugs the man in front of her, always crying.


    - Why¡­


    And there...


    - Why¡­


    Her cries began to flow faster and more abundantly, a Deshya unable to speak or move in front of her.


    A true vision of horror.


    CHAPTER 14


    ?Pure Snow * Double Murder In the 38 ; Suspects?


    - C-Call an ambulance!


    The driver shouts this as he takes a step back, but Deshya responds directly:


    - No need.


    Without speaking loudly, without shouting or screaming, she lets out these words. She looks at the little girl sadly, the marks of her teeth still visible on her lower lip. Deshya takes out her phone and quickly dials a number before sighing. The person on the other end of the line picks up quickly and his voice echoes. Deshya closes her eyes and turns her gaze to the left, then to the right. The look of sadness on her face, the passengers'' anxiety, the horror in the driver''s eyes and the little girl''s cries... The whole atmosphere inside the bus has changed in less than a minute. Deshya sighs and opens her mouth:


    - Papa¡­


    The little girl continues to hug the man, crying, repeating the word ''Why'' over and over. Deshya closes her eyes again, her fox tail touching the ground energetically.


    - Two people died. On the bus.


    It doesn''t even take ten minutes for the police to arrive. Deshya has managed to keep everyone inside the bus, and the driver has only opened a window or two at the front without letting the doors open. The two women waiting at the stop were told that the bus couldn''t get back on the road, and they left grumbling, a Chihuahua barking from one of their bags. Three police cars pull up, and one of them pulls out a silhouette of a woman. Deshya knows it well. The driver finally opens the doors and the man flashes his police badge. He is let through and the passengers wait in their seats, talking amongst


    themselves, all anxious. The policeman arrives in front of Deshya and the two observe each other for a few moments before the girl sighs.


    - I¡ª


    - Deshya.


    She looks up and gazes into her father''s eyes: they''re so serious, yet full of compassion.


    - I know you solved a murder case. I know you helped catch a criminal on the train and saved people alongside your friend, but¡­


    - If it''s too much for me, I can just get some fresh air, right?


    - I¡¯m serious about it.


    Deshya clenches a fist and lowers her head.


    - I''m serious too. What makes me like this is¡­


    She sighs and tells him to follow her, which Gatito does. His daughter''s fox tail doesn''t move much behind her back, which doesn''t reassure the policeman. Behind him, a woman arrives.


    - Gatito!


    - Oh, Annie.


    Deshya turns and greets Annie in turn.


    - First the train, now a bus? You''re not spoiled!" admits Annie.


    - I''m off to a great start in September!" jokes Deshya.


    Gatito is surprised to see her smile like that, but he doesn''t mention it. If she can still joke in this kind of situation, it means she''s not fooled by the gruesome atmosphere of a murder scene. He doesn''t know if this is reassuring or rather worrying... Deshya stops in front of the body of the elderly man and woman, both with mouths and eyes wide open. Annie has already put on special gloves and tells them to stand back before analyzing the body. While waiting for her to say what happened, Gatito turns to Deshya.


    - Do you want to tell me the situation?" he asks.


    - Okay, but first¡­


    Deshya turns her face and her father follows her gaze¡­ only to come across a little girl talking with a woman, snow-white hair streaming from her skull. Gatito looks at her for a few moments before speaking to Deshya.


    - Is that their granddaughter?


    - She says they''re her parents... but¡­


    Deshya''s ears droop beneath her hood.


    - All she did was cry, and the woman was kind enough to take care of her in the meantime.


    - Who is she?


    - ¡®Orianne Nuame¡¯ is her identity from what she told me, but I didn''t interview anyone.


    - ...I see. And this girl...?


    Deshya puts her hands in the pockets of her sweater.


    - I think it would be better if she got some fresh air. Staying on the same bus where her parents were killed¡­


    - I couldn''t agree more. Sammy!


    Gatito calls out the name of someone Deshya recognizes and the police detective re-enters the bus, leaving the conversation with the driver to his partner. Sammy climbs the steps and nods. Gatito asks him to keep the girl out of the bus for the time being and try to question her about what she saw later. Sammy nods, but before calling the little girl, says hello to Deshya. Deshya says hello with a wave of her hand, a very faint smile on her face. Sammy gets off the bus with her, asking how she is and what her name is. Deshya and Gatito watch them for a few moments, and when they''re both outside, she turns her gaze to her father''s face.


    - Basically, I was sitting there, thinking about nothing.


    She points to the seat she''s been sitting in for the whole journey, and Gatito looks at it. It''s at the front of the bus, the seat behind the bus driver''s cab, on the left-hand side of the vehicle. Gatito turns around and looks at the two elderly people who are the victims of this case. They too are on the left-hand side of the vehicle, two seats behind the middle of the bus, where the ''accordion'' is. Behind them is a man who must be in his early twenties, violently chewing a piece of waffle with a helmet around his neck.


    - This man was behind the couple, all alone. I don''t think anyone has been there before or after and he was there when I got on the bus," Deshya tells him.


    - When did you go upstairs?" her father asked.


    - 6:21pm.


    - And they died at 6:54pm, right?


    Deshya nodded. That''s when she yelled at the man screaming, but he fell silent right after. What it means is that he died at that precise hour. Deshya wonders why the woman didn''t scream, since she seems to have died in the same way. Her face shows less pain than her husband''s, however... Deshya turns her face to the left.


    - This woman named Orianne has always been sitting there, even before I got on the bus," Deshya continues.


    Gatito squints and Orianne nods.


    - I got on the bus at the stop just before this girl," she says.


    - How do you know?


    - Well, someone in a fox sweater like that, I couldn''t miss it¡­


    - I see¡­


    Deshya isn''t surprised that she''s quickly being noticed, especially as she''s already been approached several times on the bus or in the street by different people who ask her why she''s dressed like that. Sammy returns to Gatito''s side and Deshya looks a little further along the bus. When she sees the figure she''s been looking for, she points at him.


    - This man.


    Gatito and Sammy both turn towards the person Deshya is pointing at. A man slightly younger than the victims, with gray hair that doesn''t cover his entire head and wrinkles on his face, sits alone in his seat, waiting patiently without doing anything. Sammy turns to Deshya, questioning him with his eyes.


    - What''s up?


    - When he got on the bus, Orianne caught him up when he fell and he chatted with the couple for a few moments.


    - I can confirm that," says the woman.


    The woman nods and Sammy blinks.


    - She hears everything we say, you know¡­


    Deshya shrugs.


    - Doesn¡¯t matter, everyone knows there''s a murder scene.


    - But she''s one of the culprits, isn''t she?


    Sammy crosses his arms and Gatito does the same.


    - Do you know what time the man you showed us went upstairs?


    - I heard his first name: Ginner. Otherwise, he went up around .... 6:48pm. The stop just before this one.


    Sammy squints and walks over to the bodies of the dead couple.


    - Anyway, Orianne is next to them. This man is behind and Ginner has approached them... Someone else...?


    Deshya begins to think and climbs onto the seat in front of the couple. She puts her knees on the seats and supports herself with her arms, which touch the metal bars.


    - A little after I got on, the little girl went to get a newspaper and a pencil to do, I suppose, some crosswords. She did them with her parents for most of the trip. When this man, Ginner, got on, he stumbled and was helped by Orianne. He then chatted with the couple for a few moments before sitting down in his current position. Orianne then picked up the pencil and newspaper when the driver seemed to ask her to, and it was three minutes later that the man screamed in pain," explains Deshya.


    - Seems to have asked her, you say...?" asks Sammy.


    Deshya nods.


    - That''s what she told me, but I didn''t see her pick up her phone to see a message from the driver. Especially since he could have just asked her by shouting on the bus, but he didn''t. I wonder why he didn''t.


    Sammy squints and turns back to the woman. This time, she didn''t hear them, since Deshya spoke less loudly: only Gatito, Annie and Sammy heard her, as well as the other police doctor accompanying the woman. Sammy looks at Orianne with interest.


    - In short, the suspects are Orianne, who approached the couple three minutes before their deaths, the man behind them, who could have done something unnoticed, and Ginner, who approached the couple two to three minutes before Orianne. No, this person too... but¡­


    Sammy thinks of another culprit, but he finds it hard to believe, so he prefers to stick with the lead he''s got now. In any case, as long as they don''t know how they died, it''s going to be difficult to get any clues as to who might have done it. Deshya thinks of the little girl with the long white hair and looks at her through the bus window: she''s talking to a man, a sad look on her face. She must have seen both her parents die in front of her, and that can''t have been easy¡­


    - Why did she say ''I was sure of it'', though...?


    Deshya thinks it''s a strange way for a girl like her to talk, but her thoughts are interrupted when Sammy approaches Orianne.


    - Excuse me, I''d like to ask you a quick question," he says.


    The woman rubs her gloves together and turns her attention to him.


    - Yes ?


    - This girl says you took back the newspaper and pencil from this couple at the driver''s request, but she doesn''t seem to have heard him shouting at you.


    Deshya is intrigued about this, so she can''t wait for the answer. There''s the possibility that she used this excuse to kill the couple by approaching them without appearing suspicious: if she doesn''t have a good excuse to give, then Deshya already knows who the culprit is...!


    However.


    - Oh, this? I see you don''t know much about this bus.


    Deshya and Sammy squint.


    - What does she mean...?" wondered Deshya, surprised by the woman''s confident reply.


    - What do you mean?" asks Sammy.


    - Mathieu!


    She shouts the name of a man they don''t know, but they soon realize that this person is¡ª


    - What is it, Orianne?


    ¡ª the bus driver. Gatito turns back to them, having finished talking to Annie: they now know how the couple died. However, before discussing it with Sammy and his daughter, he looks at the man who has just arrived.


    - He asked me why I''d been looking for the newspaper and pencil," Orianne told him.


    - Oh, this?


    The man bows gently to the police detective.


    - I''m the driver of this bus. My name is ''Mathieu Desudo'', nice to meet you.


    - Pleased to meet you. Sammy Graton, police detective.


    Deshya squinted as she watched them. Not only had Orianne and Mathieu not been talking together at the very moment the woman stood up, she didn''t remember hearing them talk about it before either. If the driver had mentioned it to the little girl when she asked for the newspaper, she would surely have heard him, even if she wasn''t paying full attention... Moreover, Deshya wonders why it was Orianne who brought him back and not the little white-haired girl. It seems strange¡­


    - In fact, I know Roger and Maurine quite well.


    - ?!


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and Annie stands up, having finished checking the state of the two corpses. Mathieu scratches his hair.


    - With their daughter, they come every Friday on my bus, at the same stop, to go home," explains the bus driver. I know them well, and to pass the time, the little girl likes to do crosswords with both her parents.


    - So it''s a crossword puzzle..." thinks Deshya.


    - Orianne gets home from work at about the same time as Roger and Maurine come in with their daughter, so they''re used to it. They often sit in the same place, and I know Orianne outside work, so I asked her if she could bring me my newspaper and pencil around 6.50pm so that I could read the paper a little on my side, since that''s the stop they normally get off at.


    The driver looks at the couple''s body with sadness.


    - This must be the third time we''ve done this..." he confesses. Orianne brings me my own newspaper because I don''t want the little one to stumble and she can stay with both her parents.


    - Hmm, I see..." mumbles Sammy.


    - ¡­


    Deshya remains silent. Orianne picks up her book and opens it.


    - See? That''s why," she explains.


    Sammy thanks the driver and he returns to a policeman outside. Gatito touches his shoulder and Annie removes one of her gloves. She approaches them both, but makes sure Deshya can hear.


    - They died of cyanide indigestion," she told them.


    - C-Cyanide...


    Sammy suspected this from the state of the corpses; the same goes for Gatito and Deshya. Now, however, they know for sure. Sammy writes it down in his detective diary and the other doctor approaches them.


    - We also found... chips on them.


    Gatito looks at him angrily.


    - Chips...?


    He nods.


    - I guess it''s the little girl''s," said the doctor.


    - I see.


    Deshya smiles at the look on her father''s face: he doesn''t like it when people talk about trivial details at a crime scene. Nevertheless, Deshya finds it important. She doesn''t remember hearing the little girl eating chips, nor opening a packet, so... maybe... Deshya stands up and pats her knees. Sammy looks at her.


    - Are you leaving?" he asks.


    - Were the chips eaten by the little girl or by the couple? Do you know?" she asks.


    Sammy smiled.


    - Do you think cyanide is in potato chips?


    - Exac¡ª


    - No.


    - ¡ªtly¡­


    Deshya stops in her tracks and turns to Annie. She removes her other glove and puts it away while talking to Deshya, without even looking at her.


    - I thought so too, but there was no trace of cyanide on them. What''s more, it was the little girl who ate them, since she had an empty packet in her pocket.


    - A-Ah¡­


    Deshya hadn''t even noticed the package on the granddaughter. She scratches her cheek, a little embarrassed: she mustn''t forget that these adults come from the police, they''re far from idiots. She thinks of something and asks Annie without delay.


    - However, does having the packet of potato chips in her pocket mean she was the one who ate them?


    Annie smiles and Sammy turns around.


    - You can ask her if you like, but if she''s the one with the packet in her pocket, I assume she''s eaten them too. Besides, whatever happens, there''s no trace of cyanide on the chips, so that''s irrelevant to the case.


    - ...you''re right.


    - I''m always right.


    Annie winks before stepping out of the bus. Deshya lets out a little laugh and looks to see where her father is. She notices that he, too, is outside, while Sammy is talking to the man behind the slain couple. Deshya prefers not to bother him and touches her chin with her hand.


    - Anyway, someone managed to give them cyanide... I thought it was in the potato chips, but if that''s the case, then why would the little one still be alive and kicking? So how did the culprit do it?


    Deshya looks out the window again and notices that the granddaughter is still chatting with one of the policemen, looking a little more smiling this time. Her cheeks are still wet, but she doesn''t look as sad as before. This reassures Deshya, even if a certain detail about the granddaughter bothers her. She can''t see the packet of chips from here, but she totally believes Annie¡­


    - Sammy! Gatito!


    While she''s deep in thought, the woman doctor calls out to them. Deshya turns towards them, squinting, and approaches in his turn. The police detective stops chatting with the man in the back and stops in front of Annie. Deshya stands on the seats and looks at what Annie has found. What she shows¡ª


    - !!!


    Taken out of the man and woman''s bag, what Annie is holding surprises everyone, but now they know how the murder was committed.


    - ... A hole in both, isn''t it?" asks Sammy.


    Annie nods. Deshya grits her teeth as she watches what Annie is showing them.


    Cartons of strawberry juice, both empty.


    Annie asks the doctor next door if he can analyze them and check for fingerprints, saliva on the straws and any traces of poison inside. He takes it with his gloved hands and nods. Sammy turns to Deshya.


    - In short, someone poisoned their drinks. When they drank, they drank the cyanide inside, injected with a syringe..." he says.


    Deshya nods and looks at the man behind the couple, finishing his waffle. She then looks at the man even further back, named Ginner, and finally at Orianne. She frowns.


    - Who could have done this...? Was it the old man talking to them? That would have been too obvious. Or Orianne when she talked to them about taking over the newspaper...? Would she have had the time and opportunity to do so without being noticed? And the man behind the couple? Could he have done it from underneath...? Is this really possible...?


    Deshya doesn''t know who could have done it¡­


    - The murder could have been committed earlier, so..." says Sammy.


    - What?


    Deshya turns her gaze to him and he nods, bringing his head close to hers, making sure no one can hear her.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    - Someone could have poisoned their cartons before they got on the bus and simply waited for them to drink them," he explains.


    She hadn''t thought of that, but he''s right. Sammy turns to Gatito and asks if they can check when his juice cartons were purchased. He nods and Deshya squints at someone. Could she find out who did it? Sammy talks to Gatito and asks him to look for the syringe on the road or on the street.


    - If not, do a body search," says Gatito, speaking to another policeman.


    He nods and Deshya gets off the bus without telling her father. She approaches this person, hands in her pockets, as she chats with someone. The policeman notices the teenager approaching and doesn''t finish his sentence before turning to her.


    - Oh, isn''t that Gatito''s daughter?!" he said with a smile.


    The person who had been chatting with him turns her face towards her in turn. She looks at her for a long time with wide eyes, but Deshya doesn''t immediately take notice. She nods at the policeman''s words and smiles at him.


    - That''s me, all right. Can I have a little chat with her?


    Deshya finally looks at the person beside her: the little girl with long white hair, pure as snow. The man turns his face towards her and nods.


    - We were talking quietly about our day, but you can talk to her without any problem," admits the policeman.


    He gets up and tells Deshya he''s going to see if Gatito needs help. Before entering the bus, he whispers the following to Deshya:


    - Don''t ask her too much about the case. She may be smiling, but she still feels terrible.


    - Of course," replies Deshya.


    The policeman is satisfied with Deshya''s answer and gets on the bus. Still with her hands in her pockets, Deshya approaches the little girl before sitting down on the bench where she is.


    - Hello again," Deshya said gently.


    - Helloooooo¡­


    - I don''t want to bother you for long, I''d just like to ask you something first, if you don''t mind.


    - What is it?


    The little girl has an innocent, puzzled expression, one that strangely comforts Deshya. She''s seen both her parents die, but she seems to be able to keep a smile on her face... Of course, she''s well aware that she probably wants to cry, but knowing that she''s not bursting into tears in front of her allows her to take a breath. When she saw him on her father, understanding that he had died at his wife''s side... She doesn''t even want to think about it anymore.


    - Have you been eating chips?" asks Deshya.


    The granddaughter nods and points to something behind her. Deshya turns around and notices that she''s pointing at... a garbage can.


    - I always eat chips on the bus!!!" she confesses. I threw the packet away as I got off the bus because I''m a big girl!


    She strikes a proud pose and a small ''Hihi'' comes from her mouth, her white teeth reflecting the few rays of sunlight. Deshya squints and turns back to the girl, an idea having crossed her mind. As the policemen begin to search for the syringe, one of them moves towards the police and she waits patiently. The little girl looks at her quizzically, but finally claps her little fist into her other hand. This intrigues Deshya.


    - Would the syringe have been disposed of in the trash? asks the little girl.


    Deshya frowns.


    - What...?


    Both of the girl''s legs start to sway and she looks at the bus in front of her.


    - When I was talking to the policeman, I noticed he was pointing at things. Since she looked in mama and papa''s bag, I assume it was their juice box. They like to buy it for themselves, while I have my chips and sometimes milk!


    The little girl smiled as she looked at Deshya.


    - From their lips and expressions, I quickly realized that they died from cyanide! So I guess if it''s by drinking from their beverage, then the only way to put it in would be with a syringe. However, I don''t think that''s possible.


    She touches her lips with her index finger, while the teenager beside him watches with wide eyes.


    - It''s true that mama finished her drink just after Miss Orianne came to fetch the driver''s crossword and pencil, but Dad had already finished it before. If that''s how they really died, then I wonder why Dad didn''t die then¡­


    Deshya couldn''t say anything. Watching the little girl with a gaping mouth, she couldn''t believe what she''d just said. An innocent look on her face, a childlike voice and cute eyes, yet¡­


    - ¡­


    She finally closes her mouth, but the voice of a policeman wakes her from her immobility.


    - Inspector Gatito!


    Deshya turns around and the little girl beside her bends her head to see what''s going on. The policeman, Deshya''s father, hurries out of the bus and arrives in front of him. Grabbed by gloved hands, two things can be seen: the packet of chips thrown by the little girl... and a syringe. Deshya stands up and asks her to wait, and she nods, continuing to swing her legs.


    - The syringe was inside this packet of potato chips, Inspector!" said the policeman.


    Gatito rubs his chin and looks at the syringe. He turns his attention to the packet of potato chips and squints.


    - Isn''t that so¡ª


    - Yes.


    He blinks and looks at the girl who has appeared out of nowhere. She turns around for a moment and the little girl nods again. Deshya clasps her hands and then looks at her father.


    - It''s the bag of potato chips the little girl threw away," confirms Deshya.


    - Hm...


    Gatito calls Annie, who arrives without delay. He asks her to analyze this syringe and she puts it in a plastic bag and asks them to wait. She runs, but before leaving, she stops and turns around.


    - Also!


    - Yes ?


    - There are traces of cyanide in both juice cartons.


    - !!


    Annie bows politely and continues her run. Deshya places a hand on the right side of her head and grits her teeth.


    - But¡­


    - Looks like I was wrong.


    - W-Wa?!


    Deshya almost flinches when she sees the little girl arrive. She looks at the cute gloves on her hands and sighs.


    - I wonder how Dad died so late¡­


    The little girl sighs and returns to sit on the bench. Gatito approaches Deshya and tilts her head gently.


    - What did she mean by that...?" he asks.


    Deshya puts her hands in the pockets of her sweater and keeps her gaze fixed on the girl''s white hair.


    - She told me that her mother finished her drink a little before she died, but her father had finished it long before," she explains.


    - Strange, then.


    Deshya really jumps this time and turns around. Sammy blinks and waves his hands gently in front of him.


    - S-Sorry, nya!


    - N-N-Nya...?


    Deshya questions him with her eyes and Sammy blocks his mouth with both gloves. Without moving her head, she looks at Gatito, who sighs.


    - He tends to say ''Nya'' sometimes. Don''t listen to him¡­


    Deshya freezes for a moment before laughing. The three policemen look at each other, wondering what''s so funny, but decide not to waste time and Gatito speaks first.


    - If the syringe turns out to be the murder weapon, all that''s left is to find out who did it¡­


    - No fingerprints were found on any of the boxes except the couple''s," Sammy tells them.


    - No wonder..." admits Deshya.


    - You never know.


    Deshya nods at Sammy''s words and turns back to the girl. Although the case intrigues her, something else is drawing her attention even more. It seems that the murder was simply committed by a passenger on the bus who managed to insert cyanide into the drinks of the two elderly people, but it''s not true. Deshya wasn''t entirely convinced... Who could have done it? Besides, what that little girl said... Deshya walks over to her and sits down next to her again.


    - I didn''t ask for your first name," Deshya admits.


    The little girl looks at her with her big eyes before smiling. Gently tossing her white hair, she pronounces it:


    - Korone! My name is Korone!


    In a cute, childlike voice, she lets Deshya learn her name. The teenager smiles back.


    - It''s a lovely name.


    - What about youuuuuu?


    - My name is Deshya.


    - Oh, so cute!


    Her legs sway a little faster and Deshya scratches her cheek, blushing softly.


    - Thank you, thank you¡­


    However, she soon regains her seriousness: she''s at a crime scene and the culprit has yet to be found. Unlike yesterday''s train case, the passengers aren''t going to be forced to stay there all evening, so they have limited time... Deshya could let Sammy, her father and the other policemen do the work, but she doesn''t want to sit there and do nothing. She got on the same bus as a murderer who killed elderly people, this in front of a small child who appears to be their daughter: this is unforgivable. Whoever did this deserves to be imprisoned for life, and Deshya doesn''t accept anyone contradicting her. She grits her teeth and Korone bows her head.


    - You get upset over people you don''t even know¡­


    - E-Eh?


    Deshya blinks and looks at her. The little girl has a sad smile on her face, watching her feet as they sway more gently.


    - Dad... Mom... They didn''t deserve to die. But you didn''t know them, so why get upset?


    - Korone¡­


    - You look so angry and sad. Thank you. I''m sure mom and dad would be happy to know that people who don''t even know them are working so hard to find the culprit. I''m so happy!


    Korone raises her arms, but quickly lowers them.


    - They didn''t deserve... to die¡­


    Her eyelids droop, while her air becomes even more saddened. Deshya doesn''t quite understand what Korone is saying, but despite her incomprehension, she can''t help stroking his hair with a soft, friendly smile. Korone blinks, forcing the beginnings of new tears to leave, and turns her face to Deshya. Her kind expression, the sunlight on her face and her beautiful eyes.


    - We''ll find whoever killed your parents. I promise, Korone.


    The little girl remains silent in front of Deshya. The light continues to illuminate her face, and her beautiful expression. Korone grabs the teenager''s hand in front of her and smiles back.


    -Yey!


    She closes her eyes and flashes her teeth in an even bigger, more beautiful, more hopeful smile. Deshya looks at her with a small smile of her own, promising herself to catch this criminal. She crosses her legs and, still with her hand in Korone''s, asks for his version of events.


    - Do you want to know what I saw to see if I have any clues for this investigation?" asks Korone.


    Deshya nods, a small drop of sweat dripping from her forehead. Korone sometimes speaks oddly for a little girl like her... She still doesn''t know her age, but Deshya continues to assume she''s just under ten. Korone stops holding Deshya''s hand and puts hers under her chin, starting to think.


    - Hmmm, okiiiie.


    Korone closes her eyes as she speaks.


    - Before getting on the bus, mama and papa and I went shopping, as we do every Friday. If you look in Dad''s bag, you''ll see two shopping bags. That''s also where we bought my bag of chips and the juice for mama and papa.


    - Is it impossible for anyone to have touched the juices before getting on the bus?" asks Deshya.


    - Mom and dad buy different juices every time, even though they really like raspberries, but I don''t see how anyone could have touched the juices, since they were in mom and dad''s bag.


    Deshya squints and puts a hand under her chin, too.


    - Anyway, it was someone on the bus who used that syringe... It''s not surprising, given that it ended up in the garbage can, but it''s certain now," she thinks.


    - Afterwards, we waited for the bus as we always do and got into the place we always go.


    - And during the trip?


    - Dad chatted a bit with Miss Orianne and mom grumbled a bit about the man in the back making too much noise. I went to get the crossword as I always do, and the driver gave me a pencil too, because otherwise I wouldn''t be able to write.


    Deshya remembers it well, as she was already on the bus at the time. It was also when she ran down the bus corridor that she noticed his beautiful white hair, pure as snow.


    - The man in the back was a little annoying and moved around a lot, but he didn''t make too much noise, so mom didn''t say anything, but you could tell she wasn''t happy.


    - What was the man doing?" asks Deshya.


    - I don''t know, but he bumped into our seat once and mom almost yelled at him.


    Deshya looks at the bus and squints, but Korone keeps talking and prevents her from thinking any further.


    - Then Miss Orianne took the pencil and crosswords and handed them back to the driver. I waited on daddy''s lap and started to read their book, but¡­


    - But...?


    Korone looks down.


    - Mom started to hold her throat and seemed to be in pain... and then Dad started to scream.


    Deshya squinted and turned her gaze towards the bus. She hadn''t learned much more except that the man in the back seemed to be moving around a lot... Could this be considered a lead, though? Could he have slipped cyanide into their drinks from his seat and done so without being noticed? Even with everything Korone tells her, she can''t acquire a single clue in this case. She sighs and the little girl tugs at her sleeve.


    - What''s wrong?" asks Deshya.


    - I wonder why mom and dad were killed..." Korone admits.


    Deshya opened her mouth... but was unable to answer his question. She thinks long and hard about what she might say, especially as the little girl seems to be looking sadder and sadder, tears beginning to form again. Deshya finally puts her hand on Korone''s head and stares angrily at the bus.


    - I don''t know who did it, or why, but it doesn''t matter.


    - H-Huh?


    Korone blinks and looks up to see the teenager''s face. Deshya grits her teeth.


    - I don''t care what drives someone to kill another. These are feelings I never want to understand, forbidden feelings.


    Real boredom, real anger and another emotion incomprehensible to Korone''s ears came out of Deshya''s voice. She starts rubbing the little girl''s hair before standing up. Her fox tail catches Korone''s eye, and he asks her why she has such a thing on her back. Deshya turns around and her serious expression changes to one of embarrassment.


    - A-Aaaah, you see, I think it''s very cute..." explains Deshya with an embarrassed smile.


    - It''s true that you''re very cute like that!" said Korone, swinging her legs.


    Her fox tail starts wagging from left to right, Deshya happy to hear this. Korone giggles, hands in front of her mouth


    - She starts swinging like my legs, hihi!


    - Hm!


    Deshya nods, blushing softly, but her attention is drawn to the hand touching her shoulder. She turns around and notices that it''s... Sammy, the police detective.


    - Can I talk to you for a moment?" he asks.


    Deshya nods again and looks at Korone.


    - I need to have a little chat with him, don''t do anything stupid,¡± said Deshya.


    - I''m not moving from this bench!" replies Korone.


    Sammy tells Deshya that Annie will come and see how she''s doing as long as she has nothing to do, which reassures Deshya. The detective starts walking down the sidewalk, with the teenager at his side.


    - What do you want to talk about?" asks Deshya, hands in her pockets.


    He takes out his notebook, but doesn''t even look at it.


    - I chatted to ''Thomas Gibonn'', the man behind the slain couple. He told me that he moved several times during the trip because he doesn''t feel well on bus trips and had drunk too much coffee, so he felt compelled to move. Whether it''s an excuse or not, Orianne also admitted to me that she didn''t see him approach them or even do anything suspicious," explains Sammy.


    - I had a little chat with Korone and she told me that her mother yelled at him and got angry every time he got agitated," Deshya told him.


    Sammy stops by the garbage can, where no one can really hear them. He remains silent for a few moments before sitting down on the metal seat of the bus stop.


    - Deshya.


    - Yes ?


    He sighs and rubs the back of his head before looking up at the teenager.


    - I''ll be honest with you.


    - ...?


    Deshya watches him carefully, not understanding Sammy''s expression. The detective crosses his hands in front of her, a serious look on his face. He stares at Deshya, taking his time to tell her what''s on his mind.


    Seeing that the teenager was staring at him, perplexed, he decided to speak directly.


    - Thomas couldn''t have committed the crime unseen, Orianne didn''t have time to do anything about it and even after talking to Ginner for a while, I don''t see how he could have done it. No one''s been near them and the syringe shows signs of cyanide, still a few milligrams inside. Like me, you know how the murder was committed... but no fingerprints were found inside.


    Deshya listens attentively, even though she knows everything that''s being said at the moment.


    - Even if the person who used the syringe wasn''t wearing gloves, he or she could easily have wiped away the marks without anyone noticing.


    Sammy sighs.


    - Deshya, after analysis, there is only one person who could really have committed this murder.


    - ...!!


    She doesn''t directly understand what he means, but by following Sammy''s gaze, she now knows what he''s thinking. She shakes her head violently.


    - Seriously?!" she asks.


    - Seriously.


    - S-She couldn''t have done it!


    Sammy squints.


    - She was with both her parents along the way. She didn''t eat a single potato chip, she didn''t have a drink and she threw away the syringe along with her packet of potato chips. She was the only one who could have committed the crime, and being a little girl, no one would think she could do it.


    Deshya grits her teeth.


    - Korone is just a little girl, of course¡ª


    - Deshya.


    - !!


    She gets cut in her sentence and Sammy gives her a... different look. Even more serious. One that asks her to be quiet.


    - We''ve already had cases of child criminals. All the clues point to her. What''s more, she''s wearing gloves while it''s still quite warm.


    - O-Orianne too!


    - How could she have poisoned their drinks?


    - ... She... I¡­


    - Deshya.


    The teenager clenched both fists and turned to the little girl with long white hair. So pure. Her face so innocent. Her big eyes full of love... Deshya turns to Sammy and, in turn, offers him a serious look.


    - I''m going to find them.


    - ?


    Sammy questions her with his eyes. Deshya frowns.


    - The real culprit. I''m going to find them! And prove that Korone isn''t the one who killed them!

 15 -?Pure Snow * Double Murder in the 38 ; Theories?(CASE3)

    <hr>


    Deshya was on her way home from the teahouse she first visited alongside her best friend, Amora Takt. After spending some quality time with her, Deshya took the bus, number 38, in the direction of Tetazo, where her house is located. As she neared her stop, a man shouted in color. Clutching his throat, pain audible in his voice, he screamed before coming to a dead stop. Deshya got up from her chair and ran to see what was happening, the passengers worried and surprised, but she could do nothing. On top of the man, her long haired daughter ''Korone'' began to cry as she realized the situation.


    After calling her father, the police arrived at the scene of the crime, the bus having stopped and the passengers still in their seats. Annie, a doctor from the police, and another doctor analyzed the two bodies and quickly deduced that both the woman and the man had died of cyanide poisoning. It didn''t take long either to find out how they ingested this poison: holes made in their strawberry juice cartons, drunk entirely by the couple. However, with the testimony of Deshya, Korone and even the suspects, it would seem that no one could have committed the crime inside the bus; and before the couple and Korone boarded the vehicle, it would have been borderline impossible. Especially as they are now certain that the culprit is on the bus: the syringe used to insert the cyanide into the juice cartons is found in the bus stop''s garbage can, inside the packet of potato chips. With all this in mind, Sammy asks Deshya to follow him and listen, but after a bit of beating around the bush, he confesses what he''s thinking:


    - For me, Korone is the only one who could have committed this crime.


    Deshya just can''t believe it. Even though she understands what Sammy means, and had thought about it after talking to the little girl, she refuses to believe it''s possible. The way she cried when she realized that her parents had just died in front of her, her little hands gripping her father''s body tightly and the sadness in the ''Why?'' she let out at regular intervals... All this... Everything Deshya has seen... The discussion she shared with Korone on the bench¡­


    - I don''t believe it!" she shouts.


    Sammy sighs and gets up from the metal seat before walking, but stops next to Deshya.


    - Then find the real culprit, as you think. But don''t forget that the difference between the two of us is that I went to school to get here. I''m literally a policeman. And if I decide that Korone should be taken to the station as the culprit, it''s my choice to be listened to, not yours.


    Sammy continued walking, tucking his little notebook into his trouser pocket. Leaving an annoyed Deshya behind, he gives the little girl a quick glance before squinting softly.


    - ...I''m serious, Deshya.


    He boards the bus, determined to find the reality behind the murder.


    - I don''t want to believe it''s her either. Then let''s find the real culprit.


    CHAPTER 15


    ?Pure Snow * Double Murder In the 38 ; Theories?


    Deshya gets on the bus too, still angry. Even though she understands Sammy''s point and that he''s absolutely right about children being murderers, she can''t believe that a little girl like her could have acted so credibly. Even if the detective is right about her being the only one who could have committed the murder, she refuses to give up and accept this judgment. If she was smart enough to pretend to cry and kill both her parents, then why hide the syringe in the potato chip packet? No one would have doubted that she would have gone and hidden the syringe somewhere, so she could have thrown it in the bottom of the garbage can or somewhere else. Besides, if it''s her, then why kill them on the bus...? She doesn''t know much about her relationship with her parents, but if they really are her mother and father, then killing them at home by dropping cyanide in their food would have been even smarter: the police would never have doubted that she was the culprit. Deshya bites her lower lip as she reaches the seat where she''d been the whole trip, and observes the entire bus.


    - I''m thinking too much... She''s a little girl. Sammy provoked me so we could find the real culprit, I''m convinced...!" she says to herself.


    She sits down on the seat and looks at the scene again. Orianne is reading her book, her hands still gloved. She can''t see Thomas, the man behind the couple, from here, nor Ginner, but she''s sure they''re still where they belong. The question now is: how do you get through the juice boxes with the syringe without being seen...? She thinks of something, but the policewoman who arrives at her side answers Deshya''s question, as if reading her mind.


    - Holes were found in both bags, so whoever inserted the cyanide into the juices didn''t take the time to open the bags and puncture them. I talked to Sammy about it and he came to two conclusions," says Annie.


    Deshya turns her face towards her.


    - Firstly, the culprit is indeed on the bus: nobody could have done it in the street without being noticed, and from the little I''ve discussed with Korone, I don''t see how anyone could have done it. If the cashier had done it, there''d be no hole in the bags. Secondly, Sammy concluded that it was someone who knew where the juices would be, since the holes are directly in them, but only Korone would know that.


    Deshya grits her teeth: even more leads to Korone as the culprit... She turns to Annie.


    - Would it have been possible for someone else to do it?" asks the teenager.


    Annie sits on the seat next to her, just to Deshya''s left.


    - Roger and Maurine were used to coming on this bus and always take some juice and a packet of chips for their daughter, but to know exactly where the juice is? I''m not sure how you can know that. There were only two holes in the two bags, so each of them was only punctured once : the culprit was certain of what they were doing. Honestly, even with what Sammy said, I found him hesitant..." admits Annie.


    - Hesitant?


    Annie nods.


    - I think even he thinks that for Korone, it would have been complex. We can''t have the testimonies of the dead to know if the little girl touched their bag, but as expected, we can observe her fingerprints on it. For the moment, we''re analyzing the books to see if there''s anything on them.


    - Books...?


    She remembers Korone talking about the books her parents read. She hadn''t been paying attention when she saw their bodies, but she understands why they''re checking the books for clues to the case.


    - I do wonder, though¡­


    Annie blurts out these words as she stares ahead. Deshya turns her face towards her and Annie squints.


    - Why are Korone and Orianne wearing gloves? Why didn''t Ginner gripped something when the bus started? And why was Thomas moving so much?


    Deshya puts her hands in the pockets of her sweater and rests her back against the seat.


    - I''m not sure about Korone and Orianne, although I don''t see why they''d keep their gloves on if they committed the crime.


    - It just makes them more suspicious," says Annie.


    - Exactly. For Ginner, I guess he just wasn''t paying attention, while for Thomas, it is because of the extra coffee as well as some motion sickness.


    - For Ginner, I can understand, but being suspicious of everyone is important during an investigation. I can also understand for Thomas, but I don''t see why moving in all directions, to the point of knocking on the opposite file, is going to help you feel better.


    Deshya can''t deny it: she doesn''t really understand it either. However, could moving around have helped him to poison the two juice boxes...? How could he do it from behind...? Annie places two hands on her thighs, her legs crossed.


    - It''s highly likely that the crime was committed at the same time as they boarded the bus.


    - So Orianne is the most suspicious, at this point..." reflected Deshya.


    Deshya agrees with the lady and what Sammy has said. For the moment, the only thing she refuses to admit is that Korone, the little girl with the beautiful hair, could be the criminal. But even with their theories, they have no clue as to who really did it. No proof.


    - I should have been more careful..." Deshya sighs.


    - What do you mean?" asks Annie.


    Deshya scratches the back of her head as she looks at the doctor.


    - When I noticed they were dead, I went to warn everyone on the bus, checking that no one had moved, so for three or four minutes I paid no attention to the corpses, nor to Korone¡­


    - I see¡­


    - Even if Orianne, Korone or the driver could have seen if someone had approached the two bodies, there''s nothing to say that no one went to look or approached Korone to see if everything was all right at the time... And... And¡­


    Deshya grits her teeth, fists clenched. Annie gets up from the seat and asks her to wait before getting off the bus. A few moments pass before she returns with a sigh.


    - I asked Korone," Annie confesses.


    Deshya turns to her.


    - Orianne went to see if everything was okay, the driver passed her some tissues she hadn''t used yet and talked to her for a few moments, Thomas went to check on the condition of the bodies, but Ginner didn''t go near the bodies, nor did anyone else... except you.


    - Ah... I see¡­


    Deshya realized she''d made a mistake: during the time she hadn''t been paying attention, someone could have tampered with the bodies or even hidden some evidence. If a method had been used to poison the two drinks without paying attention, then it wasn''t impossible that the culprit had gone to hide the evidence on the pretext of chatting with Korone or even observing the bodies.


    - It''s also possible that the culprit hid the syringe in Korone''s potato chips packet at the time," admits one man.


    Annie and Deshya turn their attention to Sammy, not even noticing his presence. The teenager slaps her forehead.


    - I''m an idiot..." she said to herself.


    - So Ginner is no longer on the list of suspects?" asks Annie, looking at the detective.


    He sits down beside them and looks at the old man, who is still in the same place, staring silently at the ground.


    - He did approach the couple and knew them well, so there''s nothing to say he couldn''t have found a way to poison them. He almost fell over and could have used the syringe then, although I don''t really believe that... I don''t think it was him, though," he admits.


    Deshya thinks the same. However, she''s been asking herself a question all this time and finally puts it to the police detective:


    - Do any of them have a reason to kill them?


    Annie turns her attention to Sammy with great interest: she''s been asking herself the same question for a few moments. They had a child with them... Killing them on that bus while she was with them... Either a very strong feeling is behind this murder, or whoever is the culprit has no heart¡­


    - Killing someone means a certain madness in any case..." thought Annie.


    Deshya rises from her seat, unable to stay on and runs towards the crime scene. Annie and Sammy look at her and talk together about the two murders. Deshya stops beside her father, who turns to him.


    - Have you found any leads?" he asks.


    She shakes her head and Gatito sighs.


    - Are we really going to have to interrogate a little girl as a prime suspect...?" he asks himself, scratching his hair.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    - Do you think it could be her too, Dad?


    - I''ve had one case or another where a child killed his or her mother or father, or was even trained to be capable of murder. I wouldn''t be surprised, but I hope not¡­


    He confesses all this while looking at Korone through the window. The little girl is chatting with the driver and a policeman beside her. Deshya watches them in turn, a sad look on her face. Her father notices and strokes the top of her hood.


    - Sometimes you have to accept that the person you don''t want to be guilty is guilty," he tells her.


    - But the way she cried, the way she screamed... I can''t believe it was her¡­


    - I''ve already had to deal with some people who were so good at acting that even with proof, I hesitated if they were really the culprits.


    Gatito crosses his arms, but doesn''t move his gaze from the little girl sitting on the bench outside.


    - Of course, I''m not saying that Korone is necessarily the culprit and that she''s the one who killed her parents, but so far, no one seems to have been able to do it, sorry Deshya.


    - ... I''m not giving up.


    She looks at the corpses for a few moments before continuing her walk. Her father watches her walk along the bus without smiling, a rather neutral look on his face. He understands how she feels, but if she''s going to act like this, then¡­


    - ¡­


    He sighs and walks over to Annie and Sammy on the other side of the bus. Deshya stops very close to Ginner and asks him if she can sit next to him. He seems surprised to see her arrive like this, but pushes himself a little toward the window to show her that she can. Deshya thanks him before sitting down on the uncomfortable seat, like all the others on the bus.


    - I''m going to be blunt, but you''re a good friend of Roger and Maurine, aren''t you?


    Without missing a beat, Deshya asks her question, looking at the man next to her. Not even surprised by her brusque approach, he responds by looking ahead to where several policemen are standing.


    - A good friend, I suppose. Someone who likes them a lot and has spent a lot of time with them, yes.


    The tone of his voice is sad and old age is not hidden in the words he uses. Deshya tries not to think about it and continues.


    - I''m sorry to ask this, but do you think anyone would want to kill them?


    The man smiles.


    - Them? Impossible. Roger is a wonderful person who likes to help others around him and has even adopted the little girl.


    - A-Adopted... ? Korone is adopted?


    Deshya blinks and the man nods slowly.


    - They didn''t adopt her that long ago, so I was a bit shocked too, but it didn''t surprise me on their part. Maurine is a little aggressive at times, but she has no enemies and donates a lot of money to charities for orphans. A beautiful woman who loves the world and wants to make it a little better with her little gestures," explains Ginner.


    It reminds her of someone she knows well, even though she''s probably a little older than Maurine... Deshya looks at her father chatting with Sammy and smiles.


    - I see¡­


    - Why would you want to kill them..." says Ginner.


    - ... I don''t know, but we intend to find the culprit.


    Ginner rubs his hands together and his eyelids droop.


    - ...little Korone¡­


    - ... ?


    Deshya waits for the end of his sentence, tilting her head towards him. Ginner sighs and gently turns his gaze to the teenager.


    - Little Korone doesn''t deserve this. Whoever killed my two friends, never let them out of prison, I beg you.


    - Hm.


    Deshya can''t promise such a thing, since she''s not a judge or a policewoman, but she can promise something else: find the culprit. She gets up from the seat and thanks the man for his time before walking towards the crime scene again. As she walks, a woman on the bus makes a quipping remark.


    - That''s a cute fox tail ya''ve gat thar¡¯!


    Deshya stops and turns around. The woman doesn''t avoid her gaze and even challenges her by sticking out her tongue. The teenager sighed and continued on her way, but the young woman spoke to her friend next door loud enough for Deshya to hear.


    - Walkin¡¯ ar¡¯und lik¡¯ that, imagine?


    Her friend laughs.


    - She has ta return her accessories, it''s nat Halloween!


    Both laughed together, but Deshya thought nothing of it, as she''d already had several such remarks. However, as she arrived beside the bodies of the slain couple, she thought back to the woman''s words.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide¡ª


    - Return...?


    Deshya stares ahead, motionless. A certain idea crosses her mind and she turns to Korone, the little girl observable from the open bus door. Deshya remains transfixed with wide-open eyes, in awe.


    - Return... Return... Return!!!


    A simple word that comes from a simple mockery¡­


    And yet, Deshya¡ª


    She starts to run, almost pushing a policeman out of the way, and stops in front of Sammy, braking violently. Gatito and Annie turn their gazes towards her, questioning her with their eyes, while the police detective blinks and flinches when she brings her head close to his.


    - Can I talk to you?!" she asks with a touch of aggression.


    - S-Sure, nya?!" replies Sammy, blinking.


    Deshya forces him to get up and runs out of the bus, Sammy following as best he can. Gatito and Annie watch them go before the doctor starts to giggle.


    - Do you think she''s solved the case?" she asks.


    Deshya''s father stands up and cracks his shoulder before looking away.


    - If that''s the case, I''m going to start thinking that my daughter is more useful than professional detectives..." he says.


    Annie watches him return to the crime scene, smiling: even with his back facing her, she can see Gatito''s amused smile. He can hide it from his daughter, but not from her...!


    Korone notices that the teenage girl in the fox sweater has run off the bus and is now chatting with the pointy eared detective, but from where she is, she can''t hear him. In fact, she''s gone a little further so that no one can hear them. The bus driver notices them too, but he doesn''t keep his attention on them for long. He rubs Korone''s hair and smiles at her.


    - In any case, I hope all goes well!" he says.


    - Hm. Thank chu!


    She smiles at him and the driver gets on the bus. A policeman calls out to him and they start chatting, but Korone doesn''t have a chance to listen: someone suddenly stops next to her. Korone and the policeman next to her both look at the girl who has just arrived, and the little girl smiles again.


    - What is it, Deshyaaa?


    Korone looks at her with innocent eyes and Deshya squints.


    - I need you to confirm something!


    - Hm?


    Korone questions her with her eyes, and Deshya brings her mouth close to her ear to whisper her question. Korone looks at her gloves for a few moments before nodding.


    - That''s right. I put on my gloves because my fingers were cold, since I''m a bit sick¡­


    - And yet you don''t cough," says the policeman, surprised.


    - Hihi, it''s not a serious illness! But my hands and feet get cold very quickly, so I''m careful!


    Korone turns her attention back to Deshya and shows him her gloves.


    - You can see! You can see bits of potato chips on my gloves!


    Deshya smiles and thanks her without even stroking her hair, running back to Sammy. Korone watched her go, not really understanding Deshya''s behavior, but she finally smiled.


    - ... I see.


    Korone looks at the bus in front of her, where her two ''parents'' have been murdered by poison.


    - If she asks me that question¡­


    Korone gently swings her legs, her eyes now closed.


    - So I guess whoever did this¡­


    The little girl starts humming a tune, thinking she''s finally understood how her parents were killed ¡ª and why she''s not dead.


    The reason why, unlike her parents, she can still breathe and live.


    Deshya smiles and Sammy starts rubbing his chin, looking at the bus.


    - It''s a possibility, but¡­


    Deshya shows the detective her teeth with a determined look.


    - I''m sure that''s the truth of the matter!" she asserts.


    Sammy thought for a few moments, but finally sat down on the metal seat.


    - If that''s really the case, there should be traces of cyanide there too... Plus, there should be some on her too.


    Deshya nods and turns to the culprit in this case.


    Orianne, who is still reading her book.


    Thomas starting to get impatient.


    Ginner waiting patiently.


    Deshya can''t wait to reveal to everyone who the culprit is, as well as how the murder was committed. However, if this is really the case, then¡­


    - The only unsolved mystery is WHY this person killed that couple¡­


    She turns her gaze to the little girl and observes her long, pure white hair, while she clenches a fist. Not out of anger, but out of hope. Out of an almost certain victory.


    She''s going to prove that Korone is innocent.

 16 -?Pure Snow * Double Murder in the 38 ; Resolution?(CASE3)

    <hr>


    It''s Friday, September 02, the last day of classes in the first week of the 2022 school year. Deshya and her best friend, Amora Takt, have both gone to drink tea at a fairly new salon, and after spending some time there, Deshya has taken the bus home. However, when she is going to arrive at her destination¡ª


    ¡ª A man dies screaming in agony.


    She calls the police and makes sure no one gets off the bus, checking that everyone is feeling well. When the police arrive, it''s soon discovered that the slain couple had been poisoned with cyanide: moreover, syringe holes are found in the juice cartons in both the man''s and the woman''s bags. After discussions with Sammy, one of Tetazo''s police detectives, and the adopted daughter of the murdered couple, he says to Deshya that he concludes that it was probably Korone who killed them, since no one else could have done it. However, Deshya refuses to believe such a thing and searches the bus, talks to one person or another and thinks hard. It''s only after talking to Ginner, a friend of the couple and one of the suspects, that she finally understands. When a woman on the bus laughs at Deshya with her friend, a certain word she uses makes her eyes open wide: she finally imagines what method was used to kill the couple...!


    - Return...!!


    Deshya runs to talk it over with Sammy and, after checking something with Korone, is convinced of her theory. Sammy thinks about it for a few moments before admitting he finds it plausible.


    - So the culprit can only be this person..." he thinks aloud, looking in the direction of the bus.


    Deshya nods and smiles, looking at Korone. If she is indeed right, then the little girl will be proven innocent...! Then they''ll catch the real culprit...! Sammy turns his gaze to the teenager.


    - Do you want the honor of telling everyone about it?" he asks.


    Deshya places her hands behind her head and looks at the detective.


    - You''re the detective, though.


    - Eh. When you realized the truth behind Mirio Blushark''s murder, you really wanted to confess in front of everyone¡­


    - I don''t want to ruin your reputation.


    This remark makes Sammy laugh, and he takes a while to calm down, but finally sighs with a smile.


    - You know, when I was your age, I was almost like you.


    - Ah?


    Deshya stares at Sammy with intrigue. He pulls out his detective notebook, watching her intently, unable to help but smile as he looks at her.


    - An excited little boy who couldn''t stop solving everything and anything. I''d look at unsolved cases in the papers and go to crime scenes as a detective, but I was often quickly grabbed by the collar and forbidden to touch anything, even if I had my gloves on¡­


    He opens his notebook and leafs through it, without necessarily reading what''s written in it.


    - When I found the culprit in a certain case, the police took me a little more seriously, but I was just a teenager poking his nose into everything. Maybe that''s why I''m so keen to let you reveal everything by yourself," he admits.


    He tucks his notebook away in his pocket and now looks at Deshya, a beautiful smile on his face.


    - You''re the one who came up with this theory, without my help. I can''t steal your thunder.


    - Sammy¡­


    - Well, I''m still a real detective and you''re just a teenage daddy''s girl, but I can''t deny you''ve got a brain that works better than I do!


    He rises from the metal seat and quickly strokes her head before moving towards Korone, not uttering another word. Deshya looks at him with a smile and finally nods.


    - Eh, thanks.


    She turns to the bus and shows it her teeth, ready to solve the mystery of the couple''s death.


    - Let me tell them the truth, then.


    CHAPTER 16


    ?Pure Snow * Double Murder In the 38 ; Resolution?


    Sammy asks Annie to check something for him, and when she does, he discusses it with Deshya. Now both convinced that her theory is right, the teenager asks everyone to get on the bus and listen to her deduction¡­ thus pointing out who is the real culprit behind the death of Roger and Maurine, little Korone''s adoptive parents.


    - Everyone''s here, perfect!


    Deshya stands beside Sammy, Annie and Gatito in the seats just to their right. The policemen and passengers face them, with the driver sitting next to Orianne, who has put her book away. Thomas raises his head a little and squints.


    - Are you going to be quick or not?!" he shouts. I''ve got a show to watch in an hour, me!!!


    - We''ll be done before then, I promise," Sammy replies gently.


    Some of the people at the back of the bus approach, remaining in the accordion section of the vehicle. The two corpses have been taken elsewhere, and little Korone sits right next to Deshya, watching her with puzzled eyes. She thinks she''s understood how her parents were killed, but wonders if that''s really what happened... However, if it is, then Korone wonders:


    - Why did they kill my parents...?


    She has no idea what the answer is, but hopes to have it after Deshya has explained to the passengers and the police. The teenager cracks the back of her neck on both sides before taking a deep breath of air and stares at the people in front of her. Even though she''s convinced that no one else could have done it, and even has the evidence, she wonders why Korone''s parents were murdered, especially as they seemed to be well-loved people¡­


    - Here''s my deduction for what really happened," begins Deshya.


    She doesn''t hesitate to look at the people in front of her without flinching. Even if a feeling of stress settles in her chest, she doesn''t lower her gaze and proves to the culprit that she''s understood their trap. Exactly. The reason they couldn''t figure out who could have killed the couple except Korone was because they''d been tricked. If Deshya hadn''t figured it out in time and the police had let the bus go, then... they could never have caught the real culprit.


    - As some of you may have heard, the man named ''Roger Taketa'' and his wife, ''Maurine Kissana'' died of cyanide poisoning. They got it in their mouths and died quickly afterwards.


    Deshya crosses her arms as she explains.


    - Very fine holes, almost invisible to the naked eye, were found in the juice cartons as well as in the bags, proving that someone had stuck a syringe in them while knowing where Roger and Maurine''s drinks were," she continues.


    - Does that mean the little one did it...?" asks one of the passengers.


    - The little girl who kills her parents...? I don''t believe it!" replies her friend.


    - How can you be sure it''s a syringe?!" asks one woman.


    Sammy raises his hand, holding a clear plastic bag with something inside.


    - The syringe was found in the garbage can at the bus stop, in the packet of potato chips thrown away by Korone," he explains.


    - So it really was Korone who killed them...?" Orianne asks.


    Deshya turns her gaze towards her.


    - It would seem logical. She knows her parents and their habits well, she should know where the juice cartons are, she can hide the syringe in the packet and throw it away without being noticed and just like you, she has gloves on her hands.


    Orianne looks at her gloves and squeezes them, but says nothing. Mathieu, the bus driver, watches her for a few moments before Deshya continues to speak.


    - Even though I didn''t pay attention for a few moments and anyone could have poisoned the juice cartons during that time, it was after they were dead, so it wouldn''t make any sense.


    - In short, Korone did it?!" asks Mathieu, surprised.


    Deshya uncrosses her arms and puts her hands in the pockets of her sweater with a small smile on her face.


    - Everything points to her as the person who committed the murders.


    - I don''t believe it¡­


    Ginner is still sitting in the same place, listening to what the teenager is saying. He can''t accept that she''d say such things, since he''s sure she''d never hurt her adoptive parents, but he can''t accept that she''d say such things, since he''s sure she''d never hurt her adoptive parents, but he can''t accept that she''d say such things. Before he can even raise his voice, Deshya frowns and says this:


    - That''s what they''d have us believe, anyway!


    She shouts it, which surprises Korone, the little girl next to her. It''s not what''s said, but how she says it. Ginner keeps his head raised towards her, while Orianne squints.


    - What do you mean...?" she asks, surprised.


    Deshya smiles, closing her eyes.


    - There''s every reason to believe that Korone is the one who committed her parents'' murder, since with this method, no one else could have pierced the juice cartons with the syringe without making a mistake and going unnoticed. In short, Korone seems to be the only suspect in this case... but there''s something else we can''t forget.


    - Something else, you say?


    Deshya nods and her fox tail swings gently behind her back. Korone notices and silently admires her, while Deshya takes a hand out of her sweater pocket.


    - Korone can be the only one who committed the crime¡­


    Deshya smiles broadly.


    - If this is really how the murder was committed.


    - ?!


    - What do you mean by that, little one?!


    - Do you mean¡­


    Deshya nods.


    - The murder was committed in a different way.


    Mathieu looks at Orianne before turning his attention to Deshya, even more surprised than before.


    - How were Roger and Maurine killed, then...?" he asks.


    Deshya rests her back against the yellow metal bar of the bus, looking at the driver without smiling. She''s about to speak when she jumps up, a frightened expression on her face. The passengers stare at her, not understanding her reaction, while Sammy asks her if she''s all right. Annie herself tilts her head towards her, wondering. Deshya stammers an apology and turns back to Korone.


    - Hoy!


    - Hmmm?


    The long, white-haired girl questioned her with her eyes, stroking her fox tail. Deshya''s right eye spasms faintly as she looks at her with some anger, albeit not very intense.


    - Don''t touch my fox tail like that!" she whispers to her.


    - She''s so soft, hihi!


    Korone rubs her face against the tail and Deshya is about to order her to stop immediately when the bus driver starts talking.


    - Tell us how they were killed!


    Deshya blinks and turns her attention back to the people in front of her before sighing: she''s going to have to try not to think about the little one playing with her fox tail, right behind her. For Korone, it''s a fake, so there''s no problem, but for Deshya, it''s a completely different story... She''s quite sensitive and although it can be comfortable, she''s not comfortable when it''s in public, either for herself or the person touching her fox tail.


    - Everything made it look like the murder was committed when they drank their drinks and died a few moments later, but talking to Korone, I realized that something wasn''t right," Deshya continues


    - By talking to me?


    Deshya nods.


    - Maurine finished her drink a few seconds before she died, but Roger had already finished it. I thought it was pretty strange, but given all the leads, I figured he was just tougher than his wife, but¡­


    - It sounds a bit far-fetched," admits Sammy.


    Both hands in his trouser pockets, he speaks in turn.


    - It''s clear that they died from cyanide in their mouths, but after a bit more research, we found the real cause of death. Eh, it''s almost silly, honestly," admits Sammy.


    - Silly...?


    The man nods, but lets Deshya do the talking. The teenager takes something out of her pocket and shows it to everyone. Orianne, the driver and Korone immediately recognize the object, while Ginner has trouble seeing that far, but notices that it has a rectangular shape... The little girl smiles.


    - So I was right... If I''m not dead, it''s thanks to you, eh?


    She looks down at her hands, smiling. She can''t believe she almost died, just like her parents whom she loves so much. She wants to laugh as much as cry, but she remains silent. Deshya, with one hand in her pocket and the other holding the object, flashes a victorious smile: for the expression the culprit has just shown proves her deduction right. So, without hesitation, she says:


    - The key to this murder is that book, the one Maurine was reading. And of course¡­


    She reaches out with her other hand, now raising another book.


    - The one her husband Roger also read.


    She holds them with her bare hands, since they''ve already been analyzed and, except for the couple''s fingerprints, none have been found: so even if she puts her own on them, it makes absolutely no difference. Orianne frowns.


    - What do their books have to do with murder?!" she asks, screaming.


    Ginner is as astonished as the driver, although their expressions are different. Deshya hands the books to his father, who takes them with gloved hands, while Deshya tucks his hands into the pockets of his sweater. Thomas, the man behind the couple along the way, gets up from his seat.


    - Are you kidding us?! You are mocking us right¡ª


    - Not at all.


    - !!


    He knocks on the file in front of him and grits his teeth.


    - So why do these books have anything to do with murder?!


    Deshya doesn''t respond directly, which angers Thomas even more. He grips the seat tightly and his anger is more intense, wrinkling his face even more.


    - Explain!! We''re not going to stay here for years!


    - Eh.


    Deshya smiles and scratches the back of her head.


    - I was so happy to have understood everything that I wanted to take my time, but it''s true that it would be better if I explained without beating around the bush." she says.


    Sammy gives her an amused smile, seeing as he understands her: sometimes he himself beats around the bush when offering his deductions to several people at once. Deshya clears her throat and turns her face to a certain person.


    - The murder was indeed committed with cyanide, but contrary to what we initially thought, the drinks were just a diversion," explains Deshya.


    - What do you mean?" asks Orianne, noticing that the teenager''s gaze is fixed on her.


    - It''s simple. In the few minutes I was distracted after the murder, the real culprit approached the bodies using the excuse of comforting Korone or simply seeing the state of the corpses, for whatever reason. After quickly checking where the juice cartons were in the couple''s bags, the culprit simply used the syringe they''d kept on them and inserted some cyanide into the drinks, making us believe that''s how they were killed... when it''s just a diversion to lead us down the wrong path.


    The passengers start looking at each other, wondering if this is really what happened. Orianne clenches her fists in annoyance, but refrains from shouting for the moment.


    - What if you''d turned around and seen him? What if someone had noticed?!" she asks.


    Deshya shrugs.


    - Maybe it was a bet the culprit made themself?


    - Huh?


    - If I''d been smarter and stayed close to the bodies, maybe they had another plan. Perhaps they had intended to approach the bodies and ask if all was well, not thinking that someone like me would be on the bus.


    Deshya continued to stare in Orianne''s direction, which irritated her even more.


    - No fingerprints were found on the syringe, and it was discarded along with Korone''s potato chip packet, which leaves only two options: either the culprit placed it there afterwards, or¡­


    - He hid the syringe in the packet of potato chips without Korone noticing," says Annie.


    Deshya nods at the woman''s words without moving her body.


    - I wasn''t paying attention, I don''t know..." admits the little girl, no longer rubbing the teenager''s fox tail.


    - Well, it doesn''t matter," admits Deshya. Because I already know who did it.


    She shows her teeth and Orianne stands up, furious. She couldn''t stand being watched any longer, she yelled at the girl in the fox sweater.


    - Why would it be me, huh?!! Just because I wear gloves?!!! Is that it?!!! Because I was next to Roger and Maurine, because I was with Korone the whole time, it would be me?!!! What proof do you have ?!!!


    Deshya watches her for a few moments before she stops smiling. She looks down and sighs.


    - Orianne.


    - What?!


    - When I heard the word ''return'' from one of the idiots at the back, I understood.


    Deshya smiles and opens her eyes, shaking her head and flashing her fiery gaze. Pulling a hand out of her sweater, she points to the person guilty of this affair. With a brilliant, victorious smile, she doesn''t hesitate to show everyone who killed Korone''s adoptive parents.


    - I figured out how you killed him!!!


    Orianne falls back on the back of her seat, surprised and frightened. Everyone turns to her¡ª


    - You, the driver of this bus, Mathieu!!!


    ¡ª but she''s not the one being pointed at. Nor is she the one Deshya was staring at, but the man sitting next to her. He opens his eyes wide, dumbstruck but speechless. Orianne stares at him in amazement, unable to believe what she has just heard. The passengers make astonished noises, some of them fidgeting, while Korone smiles.


    - So that''s what I thought..." she thought, looking at Mathieu.


    Deshya starts walking slowly from left to right, unable to stay still.


    - Honestly, right from the start, I had my doubts about him, but unfortunately, there''s no way he could have poisoned the drinks while driving the bus, so I figured I was on the wrong track... but it looks like my instincts didn''t fail me," she admits.


    - Why should you have any doubts about him?!" shouts Thomas from his seat.


    - T-That¡¯s true! I didn''t do it! It wasn''t me!!!" yells Mathieu.


    Deshya smiles.


    - When I learned that he wanted to pick up the pencil and newspaper a little before the bus stop, I thought something was wrong. Besides, why ask Orianne to pick them up when Korone could just as easily return them when the bus is at the stop? If it''s simply because she''s afraid of being pushed around by passengers, that''s a completely ridiculous excuse in my book.


    - When I asked him why I couldn''t return them myself, he said he didn''t want to bother me and that Madame Orianne had agreed," says Korone.


    Deshya turns her gaze to her, still smiling. The bus driver shakes his head.


    - S-Simply because of that, you''re going to say it''s my fault?!


    - No.


    Deshya replies curtly, looking at him angrily.


    - When you ran out to see what was going on, I wondered about it too. I understand wanting to learn more, but you''re the driver: asking from your cab is much simpler. You ran to get close to them and fabricate your alibi by poisoning the drinks, didn''t you?


    Deshya suddenly stops and squints.


    - Your plan had been in your head for some time, but you didn''t expect someone like me to be on that bus, did you?!


    - Y-You''re just talking nonsense! It doesn''t mean a thing!!!" shouts Mathieu, held back by Orianne who prevents him from charging at the teenager.


    Gatito looks at his daughter with folded arms, not knowing whether to be proud of her or worried. He understands why she thinks this and analyzes people on their behavior, but he''s afraid that one day, this will become a weakness in her... Because relying on other people''s reactions and emotions can be the worst mistake a detective can make. Sammy feels the same way.


    - You''ve been planning this for a while, getting Orianne to give you back your stuff a little before two or three weeks, just to make it seem like a normal thing for all of you to do. Now that it''s become almost a habit, you''ve decided to kill them off by creating an alibi with the holes in the bags.


    - T-That¡¯s dumb!


    This time, it''s the woman next to him, Orianne, who screams.


    - What if you''d stayed close to the bodies the whole time?! How would he have done it?!" she asks, anger crossing her face.


    - No idea.


    - What?!!


    Deshya crosses her arms.


    - Maybe he had another plan, or maybe he''d hoped the police wouldn''t figure it out in time: either way, I don''t know what he was planning to do if I hadn''t made the mistake of diverting my attention for a few minutes. In a way, it was good for him, I suppose.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!Mathieu grits his teeth and frowns, his right eye twitching with emotion. His heart is beating so fast and so hard that Orianne can almost hear it pounding in his chest. A man in the passengers moves his body forward a little to be seen by Deshya before asking the following question:


    - And how did he manage to kill them? He was in the cabin the whole time!


    Sammy turns his gaze to him before slowly lowering his head. He''d love to explain what really happened, especially as the police now have enough evidence to arrest Mathieu Desudo, the driver of the 38 bus, but he has to accept that Deshya figured it out before he did. In fact, he wonders whether he would have been able to figure out the trick... In the murder of Miro Blushark, he''d been fooled too, although he''s sure he could have figured it out with a little time. Nevertheless, Deshya had been the quickest and if it hadn''t been for her, they wouldn''t have had proof of the wire Koinu had retrieved. He can''t deny it: this teenager has a certain talent for research and detective work. Despite all this, Sammy isn''t sure she can become one at such a young age, or with the mentality she possesses...


    - Three elements.


    She raises her index finger.


    - One, the books Roger and Maurine have read.


    Then she raises her middle finger.


    - Two, their habits Mathieu knew.


    And finally, the thumb is one who raises itself.


    - Third, crossword puzzles.


    - Whaaat?!


    The passengers didn''t understand the connection between the three, even though Korone had already guessed everything. When Deshya asked her if she''d put on her gloves after Orianne returned the pencil and newspaper, she''d guessed Mathieu''s plan. A clever one. Deshya looks at Mathieu and sees that his face is ruled by fear, which amuses her: she wants to see him fall to his knees, his head drooping and his gaze blank as he realizes he can''t escape prison. She wants to understand why he killed Roger and Maurine, as well as why he tried¡ª


    - Not only did you kill Maurine and Roger, but you tried to take Korone''s life at the same time !


    She points a finger at him again, her eyes filled with rage. Mathieu flinches and Orianne hits the back of the seat behind her.


    - How dare you say that!!!" she screams.


    Deshya smiles at her, even though no trace of amusement can be found on her face.


    - Cyanide is highly toxic, and it doesn''t take much to kill a person. Simply putting a little on a lollipop, even a milligram, can kill a man! With that in mind, there''s no need to put it in a drink and hope the victim drinks it all, or even put it in food.


    Deshya does a head gesture and Sammy agrees. He hands something to Deshya, who shows it to everyone. In one plastic bag... is the newspaper and in another, which she holds in the same hand, the pencil offered by the driver.


    - Korone and Orianne. Both have gloves on their hands, and that''s important in this case. In fact, they''re not the only ones¡­


    Deshya makes an elegant gesture with her head to put her bangs back on properly, staring into Mathieu''s eyes.


    - It''s just a detail that popped into my head, given that a couple had just died on the bus, but you had them too, Mr. Driver.


    - ?!!


    - Is this true?!


    - Do bus drivers need gloves...?


    - It''s not compulsory, stupid!


    - Is she telling the truth...?


    A background noise builds up in the bus and Gatito asks them to calm down, but Deshya doesn''t wait for the silence to return before continuing to talk.


    - When you ran to me after the man''s painful scream, you had your gloves on. In fact, I bet you had them on when I got on that bus. I don''t know where you hid them, but there''s a very specific reason you put them on your hands.


    Deshya clutches the two plastic bags in her hands.


    - Because you didn''t want a trace of cyanide on your hands when you gave Korone the pencil and newspaper, did you?!


    - !!!


    - Oh, so...?


    - Does she mean that...?


    Some of the passengers now understand how the murder was committed, and Deshya nods with a smile.


    - Exactly. When Korone told me about her parents'' habit of drinking juice on the way from your bus, her habit of eating potato chips or even their habit of reading a book after doing a crossword puzzle, I understood. After analyzing this diary and the pencil, traces of cyanide were found on it. You don''t even have the excuse that it was the hands of the couple and the little girl that were already poisoned before, since it''s in the drink that the cyanide should be.


    Deshya shrugs, while Orianne watches the man next to her with fright. His head is bowed, teeth gritted and pupils contracted. Ginner has his eyes closed, listening to the story from his seat, his heart beating in sadness. Deshya gently shakes the two plastic bags in her hands.


    - After putting cyanide on the pencil and a few pages of the newspaper, you gave them to Korone, who took them to her parents. Since you knew that they liked to do this, and that all three of them were touching the newspaper and the pencil, you were sure you''d done the right thing.


    - I see! I see! All three have cyanide on their hands next!


    Deshya nods as a woman shouts these words.


    - I don''t know if it''s a coincidence or because Orianne wears gloves, but you decided to commit murder today, because when she came to return the goods, she''d only have cyanide on her gloves, not her hands. No one would lick her gloves, and I suppose you were confident that she wouldn''t poison herself. Maybe it is out of affection for her, or maybe it''s because if she were to die too, your plan would quickly be discovered and you wouldn''t be able to get out of it.


    - T-That¡¯s false!" shouts Mathieu.


    - In any case, you retrieved the newspaper and pencil. Then you put them in the small space in your cabin, hiding them from the police without looking suspicious. Of course, you kept your gloves on right up to the moment of the murder, since that way your fingerprints wouldn''t be on the syringe when you used it.


    - I-It''s¡­


    - You probably even grabbed the pencil by the tip and newspaper it in a certain place so there''s no trace, so you can rest easy if your gloves are found. What''s more, there''d be no trace of it anywhere, like the syringe or the steering wheel, so that''s all there is to it," cuts in Deshya.


    Mathieu is trembling and all attention is focused on him. He doesn''t even try to defend himself, doesn''t offer the slightest resistance. Shuddering like defenseless prey in the face of a bloodthirsty predator, his gaze doesn''t dare challenge Deshya''s burning one.


    - But how were they poisoned, then?" asks Thomas.


    Sammy turns his gaze to him and Thomas rubs his cheek, looking at the roof of the bus.


    - After all, even if it''s on their hands, they shouldn''t die..." he says.


    - It''s quite simple. As I said, the key to this case is actually the books read by the victims.


    Deshya crosses her arms.


    - Because Mathieu knows their habits, in one way or another, he knew very well that they''d get their books out by the end of the trip, that¡¯s probably even why he picked up the pencil and paper a few minutes early," she explains.


    - That doesn''t really answer my question..." he says, staring at Deshya.


    - So ask yourself this: how would you hold a pencil to write?


    - How did...?


    Even if he doesn''t understand the link between this gesture and the crime, he does it anyway, observing his hand.


    - With my forefinger, middle finger and thumb, I''ll say... ?


    Deshya nods and bares her teeth.


    - And when someone reads a book, sometimes they go...?


    - ... Ah!


    Thomas blinks and finally shakes his head.


    - Y-You can''t say¡­


    Deshya turns her face towards Mathieu, staring at him intently, as if trying to crush him with her lonely gaze.


    - Korone admitted it to me.


    The little girl crosses her arms in turn, unable to believe that such a reflex would kill her parents. She doesn''t know whether to laugh or cry.


    - They lick their thumbs to pass the pages.


    - I-It can¡¯t be?!


    - I was right, hihi!


    - Do you think she''s right...?


    - Whaaat?!


    The background noise caused by the passengers returns, but even louder. Orianne shakes in her seat, looking at Mathieu with a gaping mouth.


    - I-It''s true that they always... always do this, when they pass... pages..." she said with difficulty.


    Mathieu grits his teeth before raising his head, finally daring to challenge the teenager''s gaze.


    - So you mean they poisoned themselves while reading, when they licked their thumb?!


    Deshya nods.


    - That''s what makes the most sense. The reason Korone is still alive¡­


    The little girl rises from her seat and cuts Deshya off, showing both her hands.


    - When I finished doing the crossword with mama and papa, I put on gloves because I was cold. I''m sure mister Mathieu wanted me to die too when I ate my chips, but bad luck for him, the bad not good poison he put on me is on my hands, not my gloves!


    She giggles before sitting back down on the seat, disappearing from everyone''s view. Mathieu strikes the metal bar in front of him, almost destroying the ''STOP'' button.


    - It''s not me!!! These are just theories you come up with from your overactive imagination!!!!


    - Hmmm, is that so? So, what are the cyanide traces on the newspaper and pencil for?" asks Deshya, squinting.


    - I don''t know, but it''s not me!!! It''s not me!!!!


    - Why did you take off your gloves?


    - I always wear them when I drive, that''s all!!!!


    - And if we check them, there will be no trace of cyanide?


    He takes them out of his pocket and throws them at them, now smiling like a sick man.


    - Check it out if you like, check it out, go for it!!!! Ahah!!!


    He rises from his seat and points at Deshya, seeking to reverse the roles. Gatito rises from his seat, ready to pounce on the suspect at the slightest strange gesture.


    - Y-You have no evidence against me!!! I didn''t do anything !!!! This is all your imagination !!!


    He gives a good laugh before flashing an enraged look at the teenager.


    - I never poisoned their strawberry drinks!!! I''ve never touched the pencil or newspaper!!! I''ve never done anything like this !!!!!


    - Ah?


    Deshya bends a finger under her lower lip, looking at Mathieu with surprise.


    - I''m astonished.


    - Ahahah, you see! You see, she didn''t¡ª


    - When did I mention that the drinks were strawberry?


    - ¡ª......


    Mathieu remains motionless, as if frozen in time. Sammy picks up the gloves the man has thrown away, his hands protected, and puts them in a plastic bag that Annie takes. Deshya bobs her head from side to side, waiting for a response from the driver, but the silence doesn''t stop. As the atmosphere becomes increasingly unbearable for Orianne, she finally explodes.


    - Answer something, Mathieu!!!


    - ... I-It''s just that they''re... used to... having strawberry drinks¡­


    Korone rises from her seat again and smiles at the driver.


    - But, but, but, mister Mathieu the driveeeeeeer.


    She tilts her head, giggling.


    - Papa and mama prefer banana flavor, you know!


    - I-I¡ª


    - Plus, you said it with such confidence. Did you look in our bags? Bad driver!


    - ¡­


    - I guess that''s when you knew where to pierce mom and dad''s bags with the syringe!!! Ooooh, soooooo clever, hihi! But Deshya''s smarter than you, I guess!


    Korone hopped up on her chair and Deshya looked at her with a tired smile.


    - Oi, you''re overdoing it¡­


    Gatito takes a step forward and frowns.


    - So, what do you have to say in your defense, Mathieu Desudo?


    The man retreats, but falls on his buttocks when he persecutes one of the seats. Gatito approaches him, like a predator coming to finish off its prey once and for all. The man starts to cry and shakes his head.


    - P-Please, d-don¡¯... I didn''t mean to... P-Please, I have to... I have to...!!!!


    Gatito forces him to his feet and handcuffs him without the slightest sign of hesitation.


    - You can explain all this back at the station.


    - P-Please!!! N-No, l-listen to me!!!


    Gatito forces him forward and tells Sammy to follow. He nods and Korone jumps into Deshya''s arms without warning, which takes her by surprise and her back hits the metal bar of the bus.


    - Hihi, you''re tooooo smart, Deshyaaaa!


    - A-Ah, Korone!


    - Well done.


    The teenager''s hair is stroked violently and she pulls her hood up tightly as she watches her father exit the bus. She smiles and pats the little girl''s back with her long white hair. Seeing this unnatural color, Deshya tilts her head.


    - I wanted to ask you a question, Korone.


    The little girl continues to embrace the teenager and looks up.


    - What is it?


    - Why is your hair as white as snow?


    Korone stares wide-eyed at Deshya, no answer coming from her already open mouth. Their eyes meet, but there is complete silence between them. As the passengers exit the bus in turn, some congratulating Deshya and others grumbling about how long it''s taken, Gatito is on his way to the police car. Mathieu struggles, but Annie and Deshya''s father make sure he can''t get away.


    escape.


    - FOR PITY''S SAKE!!! I DON''T WANT TO!!! YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME!!!


    - Raaah, stop shouting!!!" yells Gatito.


    - I WAS FORCED!!! FORCED!!!


    - Forced...?


    Gatito squints and Mathieu turns around, struggling in all directions.


    - IF I DON''T KILL THIS LITTLE GIRL, THEN... THEN!!!


    Gatito holds him back, preventing him from escaping.


    - Then what...?!


    The policeman asks this question with a touch of boredom and anger, but unfortunately, no answer is forthcoming.


    Because just as he''s asking his question, a bullet goes through Mathieu''s skull.


    No sound. The gun that was fired didn''t make a sound. Gatito opens his eyes wide as he sees the culprit fall to the ground, lifeless, and forces Annie to lie down on the floor.


    - TAKE COVER!!!!


    He screams at the top of his voice and hides behind the bus with Annie, while most of the passengers who have just exited the vehicle freeze, not understanding what has just happened. Gatito opens his mouth wide.


    - I SAID TAKE COVER !!!!


    And then panic sets in. Men and women are either on the ground or running around, while Deshya and Korone look out, not knowing what has just happened.


    - TAKE COVER, DESHYA!!!!


    She opened her eyes wide and Korone pushed her violently, falling with her¡­


    And a bullet misses them by a centimeter, passing through strands of Korone''s hair.


    They fall to the floor of the bus, and Gatito looks eagle eyed over the roofs of the surrounding houses, but sees nothing.


    - Tsk.


    Noticing that he had just missed the little girl''s head, the man clicked his tongue and stood up before reloading his sniper. Realizing that he won''t be able to kill this little girl, he throws away the earpiece that allowed him to listen to the words of ''Mathieu Desudo'' and crushes it with his foot before taking out a small bottle from the inside pocket of his jacket. He drips the liquid from the bottle and throws it away before lighting a match with a sharp strike, throwing it on the kerosene. The remains of the transmitter burn away as the man puts the sniper behind his back and runs to the roof where he had landed. He climbs down the ladder and, when he lands on solid ground, pulls out a fairly new telephone and dials a number. He puts it next to his ear and continues running between the houses, careful not to be seen by anyone. With a large hat on his head and a dark jacket over his body, as well as square glasses in front of his eyes, it would be difficult to know what he looks like without getting very close: and even then, his physique is well hidden behind his many clothes. A few seconds later, the phone finally picks up.


    - Hello? Yes, it''s me. Mathieu managed to kill her parents, but our target is still alive," said the man, stopping in front of an alley.


    - How is this possible?! Did he get caught?


    - It''s just bad luck that Korone wore gloves today because of her illness.


    - I don''t believe it, what is this shit?!


    - He was stopped by the police and I had to shoot him in the head, but I missed the bullet into the girl¡¯s head.


    - WHAT?!!! Why did you shoot her?!!!! I already told you¡ª


    - I know, I know. I arrived late and got carried away. Besides, I don''t see why we''re obliged not to act ourselves¡­


    The man on the other side of the line answers nothing. The one with the sniper sighs and moves slowly down the alley, having made sure no one is there.


    - In any case, we''ll have to find someone else to eliminate this little one. I''ll go back to HQ and we''ll see what we can do.


    Noticing that the person on the other side of the line is still not answering, the man gets angry.


    - Oi, can you hear me?!


    - He can''t hear you, sorry.


    The man stops and squints at the person approaching him. With his head slightly lowered and a long, torn jacket over his body, he approaches with a confident stride. The man slowly lowers the phone.


    - What do you mean?


    The other man stops and raises his head, showing his gentle glance, yet one who makes the sniper take a step back. Just as he''s about to touch the weapon in his back, a noise rings out in the phone.


    - I''m done here. I''ll leave you to deal with him.


    The sniper-guy frowns, but this brief moment of concentration is all the other man needs. Running at full speed towards the man in front of him, he pulls a pocketknife from his pocket while staring at his target. The man throws down his phone and aims the sniper at him, but his shot is easily dodged and the man leaps over the other. With a sharp, precise jab, he slices through his target''s carotid artery, landing on the ground before snatching the phone out of the air. Without even checking that the man is dead, he places the phone next to his ear.


    - Yooo, ¡®Bura¡¯ talkiiiiiing!


    - It''s me, ¡®Titi¡¯.


    - Hihi, helloooooo!


    - Be serious.


    - We''re just being serious these days¡­


    The man takes a step forward, avoiding the sniper''s body, which falls to the ground, his eyes blank and his breathing non-existent. His life has been taken in one swift stroke, with a simple slice from a worn penknife. The man begins to walk quietly down the alley, hiding his head with a... rather special hood.


    - Mission accomplished, then?" he asks.


    - I think they''ve all been eliminated. Let''s not tell anyone.


    - Even to her, right...?


    - Exactly. With the exception of you-know-who, we''re probably the only two in¡ª


    - I know, I know. Lips sealed, if I snitch, it¡¯s a knife in my ass. I know, I know.


    He plays with the phone and smiles.


    - Well, see you soon!


    - Don''t do anything stupid.


    - I return the compliment.


    He cuts off the call and violently throws the phone against the wall before crushing it with his right foot, yet keeping a fairly calm look on his face. He looks left, then right, before stepping out of the alleyway as he hops along. He then starts to run, getting as far away as possible from the corpse he''s left behind. Careful that his hood doesn''t fall from his head, he jumps over a fence and continues his run with a smile, paying no attention to the few stares he receives. In any case, he couldn''t care less: even if someone claims to have seen him running away from the scene of the crime, he knows full well he''ll never be caught.


    Then the man runs off smiling, having accomplished his mission without the slightest difficulty.


    That man in the eagle hood.

 17 -?Like A Little Sister?(GAME1)

    <hr>


    - S-Seriously?!!


    - I swear it¡¯s true... Don''t shout in my ears.


    Gatito sighs and takes a sip of his coffee as he accompanies Deshya back home. The teenager starts biting her thumb and her father gives her a quick glance.


    She''s just told her that the person who shot at them has been found dead in an alley, five minutes from the bus.


    After a bullet in the head of ''Mathieu Desudo'', the culprit of the murder of ''Roger Taketa'' and ''Maurine Kissana'', Korone''s adoptive parents, and another bullet that almost killed the little girl, the man fled and lost his life with a simple stab wound to the carotid artery. Deshya bites down even harder on her thumb, because it''s what she learned afterwards that bothers her even more.


    A man in an eagle hood was observed fleeing the scene.


    No one could see his physique behind his long clothes, but he must have been a man of average height. Unfortunately, they have no further information on him.


    - I don''t think it''s anyone related to your case," admits Gatito.


    Father and daughter are both in the policeman''s police car, returning home after a long day and a complicated start to the evening. Fortunately, Korone escaped without injury and remained at the police station, questioned and protected, while Mathieu''s body was transported by Annie and other members of the police force. It has now been over three hours since they emerged safely from the bus, after a few minutes without moving, lying on the ground. Korone was the one who protected Deshya by pushing her along¡­


    - My reflexes¡­


    - You can''t blame yourself.


    - But if Korone hadn''t been quick enough, then¡­


    - I think Korone was the target, not you.


    - ... It''s because of what Mathieu said, isn''t it?


    Gatito nods and Deshya frowns. The last words of this man, bus driver and murderer of Roger and Maurine, were :


    - IF I DON''T KILL THIS LITTLE GIRL, THEN... THEN!!!


    From what Gatito could gather from these words, he would have been obliged to kill Korone... for one reason or another. The bullet he took in the head must have been to prevent him from revealing everything to the police, which makes the case more mysterious than expected. Although the murderer of Roger Taketa and Maurine Kissana has been confirmed and arrested, Gatito blames himself for failing to protect him. Some criminals try to maintain their innocence until the very end, even when all the evidence points to them: Gatito has already faced many such murderers and culprits. He has to stay strong and take them to the police station: there, he''ll agree to listen to them. It''s up to him and the other police officers to judge the veracity of the culprit''s words, as well as deciding whether the case is solved or whether there''s a possibility that another culprit is behind it all, having managed to deceive the police''s vigilance.


    - A bit like Mary Blushark¡­


    He turns his gaze to his daughter, who is deep in thought. It''s clear that this affair has left him an aftertaste, especially as it grazed a sniper''s bullet... A ''Remington 700'' model in .223 caliber was found with the body, without even the slightest fingerprint on it. The corpse that was found has yet to be identified by the police... Gatito is waiting for answers, but perhaps he''ll get them tomorrow or next week. Whatever happens, the policeman has to wait, hoping to understand why Mathieu was shot in the head... What could he have said to the police that made him deserve such a death? Who hired him... and why did he want to end little Korone''s life? What''s more, her adoptive parents were killed simply because they had a connection with her, and this upsets Gatito enormously.


    - What I don''t understand, Dad¡­


    Gatito parks precisely in front of their house while listening to his daughter.


    - Is why that man hired a man like Mathieu to commit the murder, when he had a precision weapon on him?" she asks.


    Gatito stops the car and turns the key before giving Deshya a quick look.


    - What''s more, when he saw that Korone hadn''t been killed, he shot her... It would have been simpler to finish off the three of them directly, rather than by this... rather strange method.


    - Why did¡­


    Gatito gets out of the car at the same time as his daughter before clicking the button on his key, locking the doors. Deshya moves to his side and his father pats him on the back.


    - Really, don''t think about it too much. Maybe we''ll get some answers when we know who this man is," he told her as he opened the door to his house.


    Deshya wants to reply, but finally closes her mouth and nods in defeat. She knows very well that he''s right: she can think for hours, she''s unlikely to come up with a conclusive answer on her own. Most likely, it''s far too complicated for her to understand, or simply a case that can''t be solved with more clues. What worries her most about this story is the man in the eagle hood. She doesn''t believe that this person, who is the prime suspect in the sniper''s death, is like her, but it bothers her all the same. She still doesn''t know if she was kidnapped a few years ago, but it''s the most likely theory... and unfortunately, she has no leads on a potential culprit. She''s aware that this is probably paranoia, but if this man has anything to do with her case... she needs to know more. Even if it''s a red herring, she promises herself that she''ll discover the identity of the man in the eagle hood one day. Even if it takes months or even years, she won''t go back to her grave until she''s figured out why she has fox ears and a fox tail.


    As he took off her shoes and headed for the kitchen, she vows to find the truth, with even more determination than before.


    CHAPTER 17


    ?Like A Little Sister?


    A ringtone as beautiful as it is unbearable sounds. A girl grunts, but after a while, mostly because of the light shining through the glass and illuminating her closed eyelids, she opens her eyes with a grumble. The teenager would have liked a little more sleep, especially as the weekend has just begun, but she''s aware that if she doesn''t keep a regular rhythm, she''ll have trouble getting it back when she goes to school. She turns over and turns off her alarm clock with a sigh, before getting out of bed and stretching. Right arm, then left; right leg, then left. She gently cracks her neck and back before running a hand through her long red hair, noticing that she already has several knots forming in it.


    - What''s the point of detangling my hair at night if it gets tangled up while I''m sleeping?


    Such is the fate she must accept, having long, curly hair. She leaves her room at a slow pace and descends the stairs without worrying about the noise she makes. She skips the last few steps and both feet land on the wooden hallway, which could do with a complete makeover: the age is clearly visible on the floor, which is at least 10 years old. Deshya moves a little to the left before opening the bathroom door and flicks the light switch outside, but sighs and flicks it again to turn off the light.


    - No need when it''s morning..." she said to herself, sighing inwardly.


    It''s a reflex she''s caught and can''t get out of her brain: why turn on the light if daylight is enough? She''d just be wasting energy... Yet she always makes the same mistake in the morning. She closes the door behind her and looks at herself in the mirror before taking the brush head out of its little box, placing it on the black and white toothbrush. Deshya turns the toothpaste cap several times before gently applying some to the soft bristles of the brush head, a gesture she could do in her sleep. Without even replacing the cap, she places the toothbrush in her mouth and activates it by pressing the top button once. As she watches her red hair and wide awake face in the mirror, she tries to remember what she dreamt last night... but she can''t. She''s convinced, though, that she''s not the only one. Yet she''s convinced she remembered when she woke up¡­


    - The human mind fascinates me..." she thinks as a first sweet smile shows up on her face.


    After the three minutes of morning brushing, she spits into the sink and puts the toothbrush away, removing the brush head with ease, placing it back in its little box, which she gently closes. She drinks a little water and spits it out, then shows her teeth to the mirror to check for cavities or gunk. Reassured that her teeth are showing their everyday whiteness, she takes out her brush from her usual drawer and starts running it through her hair, detangling it without making the slightest noise from her mouth. Sometimes she hums a tune in her head or even talks to herself a little, but given that she had to get up quite early this Saturday, she''s not in the mood for that. After a relatively quick brushing, she puts away her fuchsia-pink brush and checks the condition of her hair before nodding. She takes another brush out of the same drawer and sits cross-legged beside the bathtub before looking into the large mirror that stands on the wall, allowing her to see behind her. Thanks to this, she brushes her fox tail for a few moments before standing up. She moves it from left to right and runs her hands through it before smiling: her morning cleaning is now complete! She puts the brush away and grabs the bra she sometimes wears to sleep, in the same style as the panties she wears as pajamas. She''s not quick to get cold in bed, so she sleeps with nothing but a single pair of underwear, weakly protecting her genitals. After fastening her bra, taking care that her hair doesn¡¯t get caught in it, she leaves the bathroom and descends the stairs without even putting socks on her feet. She quickly regrets this when she touches the cold first floor in the entrance hall of her house. She shivers a little, but that doesn''t stop her from running to her kitchen and opening the door by turning down the handle. Deshya looks at the large dining room window and notices that her dog is resting outside, lying on the terrace. However, with senses sharper than any human''s ¡ª even Deshya''s ¡ª he notices that his mistress has just arrived in the kitchen and looks up, opening his eyes. Deshya closes the door behind her and greets her dog with a smile, before noticing that her mother, ''Pera Dimera'', is eating breakfast on the table.


    - Hi, Mom!


    - Oh, good morning, Deshya. You''re up awfully early for a Saturday.


    - I can''t sleep too horribly, or I won''t be okay¡­


    She grabs a glass from its usual place and places it under the sink before running water into it. When it''s full, she drinks it in one gulp and sighs with relief.


    - How good it feels to drink a glass of water in the morning!" she thinks out loud.


    She sets the glass down on the worktop and heads for the table, where her mother is eating a crepe she''s made herself. Others wait in a round blue tupperware, the transparent lid on the side.


    - How are you?" asks Deshya.


    - I''m fine. I''m fine. Sleep well?


    - Hm, it was fine! I hate myself for not sleeping more, though....


    She sighs and sits down in her usual chair, but is careful not to crush her fox tail. Her ears twitch softly as she sees all the jams in front of her: she''s going to eat well this morning! She grabs a cold crepe and puts it on her plate before spreading strawberry jam on it. Pera smiles.


    - Don''t you want to heat up your crepe?" she asks.


    - They''re really good when cold, you know!


    - Moh. You have strange tastes sometimes.


    - My mother telling me that¡­


    They start laughing together and Deshya bites into her crepe when she has finished spreading the jam on it. Pera looks at her with a small but sweet smile, while ''N¨¦ro'', their German shepherd, barks from outside. Deshya tells him to calm down by turning towards him, but the kitchen door opens and draws Deshya''s attention. She is surprised to see that it is her father who has just entered.


    - Aren''t you at work, Dad?


    Gatito notices that his daughter is already awake and stops immediately.


    - And you, up so early?


    Deshya gives a petty smile.


    - Eeeh, avoiding my question...?


    - You do the same.


    - Hewwooooo!


    - Oh, hello Korone. So, Dad, why aren''t you... at...... wo........ ek.........


    Deshya blinks and looks down. The little girl points at Deshya''s fox ears with a big, innocent smile.


    - It¡¯s real!


    Deshya blinks again, the crepe in both hands. Pera scratches her cheek while Gatito sighs.


    - I told you to stay by my side, Korone.


    The little girl with the long, snow-white hair crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks.


    - Mooooh!


    She sulks at the policeman, who sighs and starts walking. Deshya drops her crepe and screams before jumping out of her chair.


    - W-W-W-W-Wha-What''s she doing here?!" she screams.


    She hides behind her chair and trembles.


    - Dad !!!! B-But she''ll¡ª


    - I know, I know.


    Gatito places a hand on Korone''s shoulder and looks at his daughter.


    - No matter how much she knows about your ears and fox tail, she''ll figure it out eventually. Plus¡ª


    - When I touched your fox tail, you reacted like it was the real thing!!!! I didn''t know fox girls really existed, hihi!


    Korone waves both legs before jumping into Deshya''s arms, but in reality she''s cuddling the teenager''s fox tail. She flinches and struggles, which forces Korone to back off, and Deshya now hides behind her mother.


    - W-W-Why is she here?! S-She knows about my fox attri-attr-attri-attributes?!


    Gatito sighs as he rolls his eyes, beginning to get fed up with his daughter''s almost exaggerated reaction. He picks up Korone and puts her on the chair where Deshya was a few seconds ago, and the little girl smiles as she takes the crepe in her hands and bites into it. Deshya points at her.


    - That''s my crepe!!!


    - Who goes hunting loses its place!


    Deshya clenches a fist and grits her teeth, but her mother strokes her hair to calm her down.


    - Come on, come on.


    Deshya turns her attention to herself and takes a deep breath of air. Her heart beats less and less rapidly and she manages to calm down, even if it takes a while. Her two parents wait patiently for her to listen to them, while Korone eats a second crepe without even spreading anything on it. Deshya sits down opposite the little girl and observes her for a long moment before turning her gaze to her father.


    - Shall I have it explained to me, then...?" she asks with incomprehension.


    Gatito sits down next to the little girl, who eats her crepe with a smile. Pera gets up from her chair to warm one up, while Deshya looks at the little girl, squinting.


    - It''s a complex yet very simple situation," admits Gatito.


    - What do you mean?" asks Deshya.


    Korone swallows the piece of crepe and flashes Deshya an even brighter smile.


    - I''m like your little sister now!" she replies instead of Gatito.


    - My little sister¡­


    Deshya doesn''t have time to finish her sentence as Gatito cuts her off.


    - After what happened yesterday, my boss called me. You know the police have held and questioned Korone, but they can''t just keep her there or send her to an orphanage, because that would be dangerous.


    He crosses his arms and looks at his only daughter.


    - Even before they proposed anything to Korone, she told them directly¡ª


    - I want to live with Deshya the fox!" cries out Korone, raising her arms.


    - ...there you go.


    - B-But why?!


    Deshya cuddles her own fox tail, looking at Korone and her father one after the other. The sound of the microwave breaks the short silence and Pera takes out the plate where the hot crepe lies, lying and eager to be devoured. Deshya''s mother returns to her seat and offers the crepe to Korone, who accepts it with a big smile. Gatito finally answers Deshya''s question, having been silent long enough.


    - I''m a policeman, so I can take care of her, especially since when she played with your fox tail, she pulled on it a bit and was convinced it was real. She didn''t want to go anywhere except here, but I''ll let Korone tell you exactly why she wants you and not someone else.


    The white-haired girl takes a bite out of the plain crepe and looks at the male policeman, chewing with big cheeks. She then turns to Deshya and swallows what''s in her mouth before smiling.


    - Well, I love Deshya! Deshya is very cute, very strong and very, very, very smart!!! I''m impressed with her, if I have to live with anyone, it''s you or no one!


    Korone sways her body with joy, hearts floating around her.


    - Besides, if your dad hadn''t screamed, my head would have KABOOOOOM!!!!


    - H-Hey!


    Gatito beckons him to calm down, but Korone chuckles before biting into his crepe.


    - Me I wan¡¯ to be wi¡¯h De''hya the fo¡¯y!!!


    - Don''t talk with your mouth full, Korone," Pera told her gently.


    The little girl nods and swallows all at once before putting both hands on the table.


    - I want to be with Deshya the fofox, no one else!!!! Otherwise, I sulk!!!!


    She imitates the gesture by crossing her arms and puffing out her cheeks, but then starts to laugh and hurriedly finishes her crepe. Deshya holds her head with a sigh, but a small smile can be seen there. Gatito exhales loudly before turning to his daughter.


    - There''s no guarantee that we''re going to keep Korone here for very long," he admits. Until we learn a little more about the gunman, and if the danger continues to hang over Korone, we intend to keep her here.


    He pulls out a piece of paper and shows it to Deshya. She stops stroking her fox tail and reads the paper, but quickly understands what it means.


    - So we act as a home for her..." she says.


    Gatito nods. Pera grabs the paper in turn and places it on the counter behind her. Then she turns to the little girl with a smile.


    - Your father told me about it last night, while you were asleep, and also this morning, a few minutes ago. He''d gone to pick her up quite early, it seems," she said. We were going to tell you as soon as you woke up, but we didn''t expect you to be up so early.


    Deshya grabs a crepe and spreads it with a different jam, thinking it over. Gatito gets up from his chair and fetches a cup of coffee, while Korone drinks a glass of water served to him by Pera, thanks to the almost empty carafe on the table.


    - Since Korone can''t even remember her own surname, we''ve decided to call her ''Korone Daiski'' for the time being," says Gatito as he prepares his coffee.


    Deshya rolls her crepe and raises an eyebrow.


    - Daiski...? In reference to the word ''Daisuki'' which


    means ''to love'' or ''to adore'' in Japanese...?


    - It''s the imaginary surname your father gave himself when he was younger, hihi!" confesses Pera.


    - No need to admit that¡­


    - I know that you are blushiiiiing, honey!


    - I like it, Korone Daiskiiiii!" smiled Korone, placing the glass on the table.


    - Hmmm, I see¡­


    Deshya bites into her crepe and chews before squinting. She swallows noisily and rests an elbow on the table, blocking her head with her fist.


    - But is it safe to admit to Korone that I''m a fox girl...?" she asks. Even if she was already sure, she''s just a little girl who can probably be made to believe a lot of things¡­


    - Moooh, you dare to lie to me?!


    Korone pouted at her and Deshya bit into her crepe, chewing with her mouth closed. The little girl turns her head, puffing out her cheeks even harder, which makes Deshya giggle.


    - It''s not so bad, is it?" asks her mother.


    - Do you think...? We do everything we can to prevent anyone from discovering the truth just to... admit it directly to her.


    The sound of the coffee machine can be heard in the kitchen, the same room as the dining room: there are no doors separating them, which is much more convenient for the family. Gatito approaches the sink and looks at his daughter from the counter.


    - I couldn''t really refuse to keep Korone at home and I don''t see the problem. Haven''t you always wanted a little sister?


    Deshya tenses up, but she can''t deny the facts. Korone looks at the fox-eared girl and opens her mouth wide.


    - B-B¡­


    However, nothing comes out. She finally closes her mouth, bowing her head, and Deshya asks her if everything''s all right, but Korone soon smiles again.


    - Hihi, sorry! I meant... B-b-b... Big¡­


    Seeing that she can''t, Korone closes her mouth again, lowering her eyelids, a sad expression on her face. Pera touches her shoulder, asking in turn if she''s feeling well, but Korone nods and asks if she can have a crepe. Pera accepts without concern and goes to heat up another, while Gatito collects her now-ready cup of coffee. Deshya touches her fox ears: she doesn''t yet know about her disappearance a few years ago and that she''s probably been kidnapped: but they don''t need to tell her in any case. She''s just a little girl who hasn''t turned 10 yet, so even if she were to tell someone that Deshya has fox ears or a fox tail, they''d probably think she was cute and innocent. Deshya should feel soothed to have someone else to show her fox ears to, but Korone''s arrival is so brutal that she can''t find that comfort... She''ll surely feel it as the days go by.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    - Anyway, we won''t keep her forever, it''s probably just for a few weeks," Deshya thinks.


    She finishes her crepe and her two parents arrive at the table. Gatito puts down her cup of coffee and Pera offers the plate where Korone''s last crepe awaits her. The girl thanks the lady and spreads a little strawberry jam on it before rolling it up with her little hands. She goes to bite into the crepe, but stops just short. Deshya, Gatito and Pera look at her, wondering about her behavior, and Korone puts the crepe down.


    - Aren''t you hungry after all?" asks Deshya''s mother.


    - No, I''ll eat it, I just wanted to say¡­


    Deshya noticed that Korone was trembling slightly, but


    it stops when she smiles.


    - I wanted to tell Deshya ''Big sister'', but I can''t consider you my family, hihi¡­


    Korone takes a bite out of his crepe and chews it happily. The family looks at each other silently, preferring not to say anything. Deshya''s eyelids droop as she looks at the little girl.


    - She''s just lost both her beloved parents, after all..." she thinks.


    Although Deshya may see her as her little sister, it''s only temporary. She doesn''t need to get too attached to her, even if she''s happy to have someone like that by her side. Deshya sips the rest of her drink and sighs with relief.


    Korone watches the dog barking outside.


    - He''s probably seen a neighboring dog or cat..." admits Pera.


    - He''s a cutie. What''s his name?" asked Korone.


    - His name is N¨¦ro.


    - Nice name!


    - Deshya called him that.


    Korone turns to the teenager, who nods in agreement.


    - I was eleven when we got him, and since I was learning a bit of Spanish, I decided to call him N¨¦ro," she explains.


    - Does ''N¨¦ro'' mean ''Black''? I thought it was a reference to the Roman emperor¡­


    - N¨¦ro'' is pretty close, but since Deshya couldn''t pronounce it well, we decided to name him that!" smiles Pera.


    - How do you know about the Roman emperor...?" asks Gatito, raising his eyebrows.


    Korone doesn''t answer Gatito''s question and claps her hands.


    - N¨¦ro, it''s very cute !!! He''s a big dog!


    - A German shepherd who''s very nice, but can be scary," admits Deshya.


    - Hm, that''s right!


    Korone eats the entire crepe before jumping out of her chair, running to the large sliding window in the dining room. Deshya''s mother leans over to her daughter and offers to show Korone around the house today, especially as she has time, given that it''s the weekend. Deshya nods and tells her she''ll do just that, but before she can get up, Gatito calls her.


    - Yes ?


    Deshya turns to her father, who is sipping his coffee. He places the cup on the small plate he has fetched and dips a speculoos into it.


    - I''ve already told her that she mustn''t tell anyone about your fox ears and tail, as it''s a secret, but she confessed to me that she wasn''t going to in any case," he says.


    - She wasn''t going to talk about it in any case...?" wonders Deshya.


    He nods, gently shaking the speculoos into the black coffee.


    - From what she''s told me on the way here, she suspects that you don''t want to show your ears to anyone or have anyone find out, because otherwise you wouldn''t hide them behind a hood. She also suspects that you can''t hide your fox tail, so you have to pretend it''s a fake.


    Deshya blinks in surprise and looks at the little girl, who shakes her hands, waving to the dog running around the big garden. Deshya is amazed at her intelligence... Even if it seems to be simply common sense that anyone could understand, Korone met her just yesterday in the early evening, in a simple bus ride and her deduction. To suspect all this in such a short space of time isn''t given to everyone, especially for such a young girl¡­


    - How old is she?" asks Deshya.


    Gatito wolfed down the speculoos before answering.


    - I wanted to tell you about it quickly, but Korone remembers almost nothing. She says she remembers being called Korone by her former father, but she doesn''t know who he is. She also knows she''s 8 years old and says her birthday is January 30, even though it was her adoptive parents who decided to set that date for her, since she didn''t know anything about it beforehand.


    Deshya squints.


    - She remembers so little... What happened in her past...?


    Gatito shrugs and turns his face to the little girl.


    - Good question... She didn''t want to talk about it because she doesn''t remember much, but she remembers having a father who often stayed by her side.


    - Almost nothing¡­


    Gatito frowns, turning his face sharply towards his daughter.


    - It''s not amnesia like you. She''s very young and has been taken in by her adoptive parents for quite some time and pretty early on, it must be complicated for her.


    - Calm, darling¡­


    - I''m calm, but I don''t want Deshya to create unnecessary scenarios, especially after what happened on the bus yesterday¡­


    Deshya smiles and thanks her father, reassuring him that she didn''t think she was related to Korone in any case. This comforts Gatito, who sips his coffee. Pera rises from her chair.


    - I''m going to buy more clothes for Korone this afternoon," she says. I''ll need her size and measurements... I''ll do that after she learns a bit about the house!


    - Tomorrow''s closed, so it''s wise to pick this up today," says her husband.


    - Yes.


    Deshya looks at them with a small smile before heading towards Korone. She stops beside her and looks out over the garden with her.


    - It''s a very big garden!" admits Korone, raising both arms in the air.


    - So true! The trampoline over there is a bit broken, but if I get my dad to fix it, we can play on it for a bit, if you like!


    - Yeeeeay, I want to! I''ve never jumped on a trampoline before!


    - It''s a lot of fun, I promise.


    - I believe you, Deshyshy!


    - You''re going to call me like Amora does, aren''t you¡­


    - Who''s Amora?


    Deshya crouches down beside Korone and looks at her.


    - My best friend. Given the energy you two have, I''m sure you''d get along just fine," she replies.


    - I''m sure too, hm, hm!


    Deshya''s parents look at their daughter together, smiling, before Gatito rises from his chair. He finishes his coffee and puts his cup back in the cupboard. dishwasher before kissing his wife.


    - Are you going to work now?" she asks.


    He nods.


    - I had every right to stay a while to introduce Korone to Deshya, but since that''s done, I''ll get to work.


    - Work well and hard!


    Pera waves to her and her husband thanks her. Before leaving the kitchen, he looks at his daughter, who is chatting with Korone. He smiles and closes the door behind him, leaving them together and hoping for the best.


    - So, I''ll show you all the rooms, shall I?" suggests Deshya, rising to her feet.


    Korone nods and grabs the teenager''s hand, smiling.


    - I follow the guide fox!" said Korone.


    - Ahah!


    Deshya laughed at her remark and moved forward with her, her hand in hers.


    - So, this is the dining room. On the right is the door to the laundry room.


    - What''s an lound rie room?


    Her innocent eyes and cute voice make Deshya laugh again as she strokes her hair.


    - Let''s just say that over there, we''ve got our own tumble dryer, our second fridge and plenty of supplies!" explains Deshya.


    - Ooooh, I see!


    - There''s also the garage, although we use it more as a large storeroom, since our car stays outside most of the time. There''s also a toilet behind the door there, but it''s often cold, so I don''t necessarily recommend going there.


    Deshya opens the laundry room door and points to the wooden door at the back. Deshya starts to show off her kitchen, which makes Pera smile. She thought Deshya would take longer to get used to Korone, but just by looking at her happy face, her mother understands that she''s very happy. Even without looking at her face, her fox tail wagging happily behind her back is enough to understand how she feels.


    - Great and beautiful cuisine!" says Korone.


    - You see? So follow me!


    - I''ll be right behind you!


    Deshya opens the kitchen door and enters a room that''s well lit by the sunlight streaming through the drapery free windows. The room consists of a wooden desk that faces them, but runs along the wall on the kitchen side. A computer from the 2010s, but working very well, waits to be used, its screen totally black and the tower turned off. On the right, a large piece of furniture with figurines of all kinds and a beautiful painting that Korone doesn''t recognize.


    - This is Mom and Dad''s office!" Deshya explains.


    - How often does your dad use it? He must have his own office at the police station, right?


    - It''s more for using the computer, doing research or just entertaining, honestly. In the bottom drawers over there, there are several board games.


    Korone notices that the far wall of the room is actually not a wall, but several closed doors that are painted the same color as the walls and ceiling. The paving beneath them, however, is a slightly orange marble, a color totally different from the room''s metallic gray. Deshya takes a few steps forward with Korone and arrives in the entrance hall. It''s large and spacious, tidier than the office she''s just seen. To the left is a small corridor with two different doors.


    - What''s over there?" asks Korone, pointing to the spot.


    - Oh, there? A toilet for the door on the left, the one on the right leads to the cellar. They keep lots of different wines and ice creams in a fridge, but I avoid going there personally, because last time I had cobwebs all over my fox tail... I still shiver¡­


    She doesn''t want to remember that horrible moment when she felt a long-legged spider¡­ She could get sick just thinking about it. Deshya passes by the front door, where a painting depicting a scene from the film ''The Green Line'' reigns over the small piece of furniture beneath it. They move away from the door and arrive in front of a stairwell. Deshya opens the door on the right and Korone looks in.


    - What''s here?" asks Korone with wide eyes.


    - This is the living room we sometimes use when we''re with guests, but there''s also Mom''s computer. It''s on that table there!


    Hidden behind the half-open door is the table Deshya speaks of, and Korone observes it. It''s very tidy, even if a few papers are scattered about. She sees Deshya''s mother''s gray laptop, closed and switched off. On the right, the windows let in daylight, but unlike the others in the corridor and office, there are stains waiting to be used. Deshya asks Korone if she''d like to see upstairs, and Korone accepts with a big nod. She closes the door on her own and climbs the stairs one by one, happy to discover her new home. Even if it''s only temporary, she''s overjoyed! At the top, Korone notices the long corridor leading to a door at the end that''s a little newer than the others. On his left, the corridor continues and leads to a stairwell to the top floor, but also to two different doors. One is straight ahead on the left, but the other requires a slightly longer turn to the left, just above the ground-floor lounge.


    - The door on the left is the bathroom we all use, while the one you see behind the stairwell is the guest bedroom. I think you''ll sleep there!


    - Oooh, I see!


    Deshya turns towards the long corridor in front of them.


    - The door over there is like a second living room with a big TV, but there''s also my parents'' bedroom. The door closest to us is still a toilet, while the one next to it is for storing our mess.


    - Hihi, I see!


    Korone hops around and notices that the floor beneath her is creaking. Deshya reassures her that even if it''s old wood and one or two places are broken, there''s no risk of falling through this one. Korone trusts Deshya and, still with her hand in his, climbs the stairs to the second and top floor. The steps are much newer and make more noise than those leading from the ground to the second floor. Metal rungs prevent them from falling, and the staircase winds its way up to the very top, after twelve long steps. Korone notices that there are only two doors: one on the right and one on the left. In front of her is a huge mess, but Deshya tells her that one day they''ll tidy it all up.


    - The door on the right is our old attic, but the one on the left... That''s my bedroom!


    She lets go of these last words as she opens the door, and Korone enters the room, letting go of Deshya''s hand. A large bed that could at least hold three people ¡ª no, four ¡ª presents itself right in front of her. The ceiling is the roof of the house, so it slopes at around 45 degrees, even though the wall opposite is straight. To her right, where the skylight allows the room to be illuminated by natural light, is a somewhat oddly shaped desk, but one that has several items: a computer screen with keyboard and mouse, a large tower that must have cost some money, a half-filled bottle of water next to a glass that has numerous mouth marks around the edges and fingerprints. A console controller is wired to the tower, an electric blue color, right next to glasses that would accept being washed. Papers and even Deshya''s phone lie next to the tower, while the space right next to the window is almost empty: Deshya''s phone cable and a packet of tissues lie there. Korone notices that the computer screen is off, as is the tower, but that''s not what interests her at the moment: she jumps onto Deshya''s bed and smiles with great intensity.


    - Your bed... is sooooo comfy!


    She throws herself onto the mattress and grabs the blanket in her arms. Deshya leaves the door open behind and puts her hands behind her head, smiling.


    - Comfortable and big, but I''m all alone in it, ahah!


    - You''re not alone! You have her!


    Korone grabs the large cushion that makes Deshya blush. The little girl analyzes it, trying to figure out who the figure on the cushion is.


    - The pillow is bigger than I am... Who''s that giiiiiirl?


    - A-Aah... Ahah¡­


    Deshya scratches her hair before sitting on the edge of the bed. Korone passes the 1m60 cushion to Deshya, who takes it in her arms.


    - Eheh, that''s because sleeping with a human-sized cushion like this is comfortable¡­


    - I believe you! I like to sleep with a pillow in my arms, hihi!


    Deshya smiles and Korone repeats her question, pointing to the cushion in the fox-eared girl''s arms.


    - What''s her name? Who''s she?


    - L-Liv... It''s a character from a series that has gained a lot of popularity... called ''Gato Lana'', eheh....


    - Liv...? What a cute name!


    A girl with green hair flowing down to yellow is depicted lying on the cushion, cat ears on her head and beautiful minnow eyes. Korone notices that there''s another drawing of her on the back of the cushion, but Deshya turns as red as a tomato and refuses to show it to Korone. The little girl pouts, but Deshya changes the subject by pointing to the large, human-sized fox plush she won at school.


    - That''s because I solved a riddle before Tessa and Maruno during the first day of school!" Deshya told her.


    - Sooo cooooool!!! Hello, foxy!


    Korone catches the cushion in her arms and giggles, which reassures Deshya, who places the cushion on the bed.


    - Your house is great!" Korone told her with a big smile.


    Deshya agrees: she''s lucky to live here. Not only does she have plenty of room, she also has supportive parents who can sometimes be a little too protective for her, but how can you blame them: after disappearing for 5 months, it''s only natural that they want to make sure their daughter stays alive and well. If she were to disappear again, as she did when she was 13, she can''t even imagine how her parents would react... Deshya chats a little with Korone, both illuminated by the sunlight, both smiling and laughing together.


    - Yuuuuuum!


    Korone stretches out both legs, holding the fork firmly in her right hand. She has just tasted the midday meal that Pera has prepared especially for Korone and her daughter. Deshya''s fox tail sways in delight, the good smell caresses her nose and the good taste of the dish is appreciated by her taste buds. As usual, her mother prepares a real delicacy. Korone eats with great gusto, much to the delight of Pera, who looks on smiling.


    - You like the house, don''t you?" asks the woman.


    Korone nods and takes another bite.


    - Nyeees! Your house is so cool and it''s so big!" she replies.


    - For a family of three like us, I even wonder if it''s too big," smiles Pera.


    - Clearly, there''s too much space for just the three of us, even with Korone, we''ll have plenty of room," adds Deshya.


    N¨¦ro approaches the table when he smells the good food, but Pera tells him not to get too close. Korone is surprised to see the dog understand the woman''s words.


    - He understands pretty quickly, he''s a smart dog," Pera tells her.


    - I can see that!


    Korone smiled, shaking her head in high spirits.


    Deshya gets up and goes to put her plate away when a certain sound is heard. Korone raises her head and turns her face all around, wondering where the noise is coming from, but Pera reassures her straight away by explaining what the melody is:


    - It''s just the sound of the doorbell!" she smiles.


    - Oh, your doorbell noise is fun!


    - Right?


    They giggle together and Deshya says she''ll open the door. She quickly runs down the corridor so that no one outside can see her with her fox ears and grabs the blue sweater she keeps on the coat rack before putting it on herself. Although she always remembers that with knickers on, the sweater is rather long, so the person won''t see anything. After putting on the sweater, she opens the door by pulling the handle downwards.


    - Hey, Deshya.


    The person behind the door greets Deshya first. When the red-haired girl hears the voice, she immediately recognizes who has spoken her first name. She doesn''t hide her surprise and tilts her head to look at the person who rang the doorbell.


    - T-Tessa?!


    A very close friend, an 18-year-old teenager with long purple hair and pink streaks. Unlike last time, she''s not wearing a cap on her head, but her clothes remain relatively in the same style as usual. With one hand in her pocket, she makes a quick movement with her hand, smiling.


    - You''re cute, like that.


    - A-Ah?!


    Deshya starts to blush and runs away, which makes Tessa laugh.


    - On a more serious note, I wanted to propose something to you, Deshya.


    - P-Propose what...?


    Tessa takes her hand out of her pocket and, with a sudden movement, makes something appear between her two fingers. Deshya looks at her in amazement and blinks in surprise.


    - A joker card?


    Tessa nods and smiles broadly.


    - How about a game of poker between you and me, Deshya?

 18 -?The Red And Black Clash ; Rules?(GAME1)

    <hr>


    Deshya stares into Tessa''s eyes, mouth agape. The joker card has disappeared from her hands, but that''s not what''s freezing her in place.


    It''s her proposal that keeps her from moving.


    - A game... of Poker...?" asks Deshya, not sure if she heard correctly.


    Tessa nods and looks down a little with a smile.


    - At home, a game between the two of us. You against me. Ya''ll also have to remember to wear pants.


    - I-I''m at home, I do what I want!


    - Yes, but if you come to my place¡­


    - A-Ah, not wrong...


    Tessa tilts her head gently and notices Deshya''s tail wagging behind her back, which makes her smile. As always, when Deshya is happy, she swings from left to right automatically¡­


    - But why offer to play such a game?


    Tessa turns her attention to her friend''s face and stops staring at her fox tail before smiling.


    - I don''t want to play for real money, but a simple Poker game without rewards would be boring. Hmmm, I suggest this.


    Tessa snaps her fingers and closes her eyes, but when she opens them, her smile looks... different.


    - If you win, you ask me whatever you want.


    - W-Whatever I want?!


    Tessa nods.


    - As long as it''s not illegal, I''ll do it. Even if I have to come to school in bunny pajamas and say ''pyun'' at the end of every sentence for an entire day, I''ll accept it.


    Deshya blinks several times, her head about to explode. However, she is quickly brought back to reality when Tessa shows her teeth.


    - But if I win.


    And then she points to Deshya''s hood.


    - Then you must show me what you''re hiding on yar head, Deshya~!


    C<em style="font-weight: bold">HAPTER 18


    ?The Red And Black Clash ; Rules?


    Tessa remained in the same position for a few moments, her index finger aiming at the top of Deshya''s head. Deshya looks up, her mouth open. Seconds pass without the slightest sound. Tessa sighs.


    - You don''t have to accept, I won''t force you," she says.


    Tessa tucks her hands into her trouser pockets and Deshya scratches her cheek.


    - I... But¡­


    - I just don''t wanna bet real money with ya, but if we play poker without any real ''risk'', then we won''t give it our all.


    Tessa gently shakes her head to pull her bangs back into place.


    - Ya never want anyone to see what''s behind yar hood and I don''t see myself forcin¡¯ it, but I''m too intrigued to simply stand by and patiently wait for you to reveal it one day.


    Tessa smiled.


    - If you win against me, not only can you make me a pledge, ask me anything you want as long as it''s not illegal or over the line, but I''ll never bother you again with this hood thingie.


    Deshya rubs her index finger against her thumb: even though Tessa is the person she secretly loves and sees her as a role model, Deshya can''t deny that she''s often been insistent with her fox tail and hood. As Tessa herself says, she''s not going to force Deshya to confess the truth or remove the hood alone, but she''s so intrigued that she asks the question several times a month ¡ª or even a week.


    - If I win, you''ll really stop asking me¡­


    Deshya asks her, still unsure. Tessa nods with a friendly smile.


    - I know I''m a very bad friend, because I should just shut up and accept that this is your identity, that you like to have a hood on your head and if it turns out, there''s nothing more to it than that, but it''s a question that comes up so often in my head that I can''t just shut up and stop thinkin¡¯ about it.


    Tessa throws her a card which Deshya catches in mid air: it''s the joker she showed when she arrived, the one she made disappear into her hand.


    - I thought it would be perfect for us. A game between ya and me, with no cheating allowed, where if I win, I can find out the truth without having to force it. If I lose, I''ll accept my defeat and keep my word not to bother ya with it again, as well as letting you give me the slightest token. I know I get on your nerves sometimes, when I ask what ya''ve got under your hood and why ya always keep a tail behind your back, so if I lose to ya, I''ll even agree to eat mud. Not shit, though.


    - I wasn''t going to ask that!!! Nor mud!!!


    Tessa starts to laugh and Deshya sighs heavily, but smiles back. However, when she thinks of Tessa''s proposal, her heart begins to beat rapidly. Deshya hesitates greatly, because on the one hand, playing poker against Tessa could be great fun and interesting, but if she loses, then... she''ll have to show her fox ears. She won''t be able to lie and say they''re fake, at which point Tessa will learn her secret.


    - I want her to know¡­ but at the same time, I don¡¯t want to..." thinks Deshya.


    The problem she faces is that Tessa is the person she loves most outside her family. The girl she''s in love with and hopes one day to date. The one she wants to be happy and healthy for the rest of her life, the one she loves to see smile and know she''s safe.


    If Tessa learns the truth about her fox ears, about this mystery still without a lead, then how can we be sure she''s safe?


    Deshya can''t be convinced that someone is watching her and would kill anyone who learns the truth, especially as her parents have never been threatened, but she knows she can''t base her doubts on this alone. Deshya still knows nothing about what happened to her, but she and her parents are almost certain of one thing: when Deshya was found, it was deliberately done so that her father and mother would find her. Although she can''t explain why or how the person(s) knew where her parents were that night, or what route they were going to take, Deshya is willing to bet her fingers that she was found by her mother and father on purpose. In short, it''s fitting that they weren''t attacked or threatened, given that they must have been the only ones who knew about her fox attributes. Of course, Deshya and her parents know full well that these are just suspicions: perhaps there''s no danger at all¡­ Deshya can maybe confess everything to the world. Maybe no one kidnapped her, and in the end it''s just an inexplicable phenomenon that has nothing to do with anyone but nature or life itself.


    Nevertheless, Deshya isn''t one to believe in the paranormal so easily, even with fox ears and a fox tail on her body.


    She wants to confess everything to Tessa. She wants Tessa to fall under her spell when she sees her extreme cuteness, to be even more beautiful in her eyes... but she doesn''t want to put her in danger. It''s precisely because Tessa''s safety is at risk if she learns the truth that she''d rather she didn''t know. She''s under no obligation to confess the truth, and Tessa isn''t the type to come up from behind and pull back her hood to see what''s on her head. Deshya has had it done to her several times by other students, but she''s always very careful and watches her surroundings at school, even on the street.


    - If I agree to play against Tessa and I lose, I''ll have a reason to tell her everything, but I''m too scared for her safety... However, if I win, she''ll stop bothering me with it and I''ll be able to ask her... whatever I want¡­


    She blushes just thinking about it. Although she had no intention of asking him anything indecent, she had several ideas in mind that interested her enormously. Tessa waits patiently for her answer, her hands still in her pockets. Deshya closes her eyes and thinks, not wanting to give an answer too quickly.


    - Korone knows the truth and has nothing yet, but it''s only been a few hours... I want to play Tessa, but I have to win... If I play her, I MUST win. My relationship with Tessa will get even better, since I''ll never be upset with her when she insists a little too much on my fox sweaters and the tail on my back... I''ll be able to ask her for something I want, but if I lose, I''ll live in constant fear... If Tessa gets killed or kidnapped because of me, I don''t think I''ll be able to forgive myself... Do I play it safe and refuse? But if I do that, she''ll suspect even more that something''s going on under my hood. She''s very smart, so I wouldn''t be surprised if she already suspects I''m a fox-girl, but it seems so unlikely that she must think there''s something else going on. What do I do, what do I do?!


    Deshya keeps her eyes closed, deep in thought. Tessa is silent, having no desire to sway Deshya''s answer to a ''yes'' or ''no''. With her hands in her pockets, she stares at her friend with a neutral expression. Deshya finally opens her eyes and looks back at Tessa.


    - Aren''t we going back on our word? Whether it''s you or me?" she asks.


    - Never.


    Tessa smiles and Deshya returns it directly.


    - Then I''m in.


    Deshya crosses her arms and glares at Tessa, which makes her laugh out loud. Korone jumps out of her chair and goes to see what Deshya is doing, running with small steps. She notices that she''s closing the door and Korone stops in front of her.


    - Who was it?" asks Korone.


    Deshya crouches down in front of the little girl and strokes her hair.


    - She''s a dear friend of mine. I''m going to her place to play a game of poker," admits Deshya.


    - OOOOH!!!


    Korone jumps up and down, startling Deshya.


    - Can I come?! Can I come?!


    - A-Ah?


    Korone insists again and again, clenching her fists in front of her little body. Deshya''s mother comes into the corridor and carries Korone, laughing softly.


    - First, I have to take your measurements so I can get you some clothes!" she told him.


    - I want to go and see Deshyshy play Poker against his


    freeeeen!


    - Oh, poker? I hope it''s not with real money...?


    Deshya shakes her head and puts her hands in the pockets of her sweater.


    - No. If I lose, I have a pledge and if she loses, she has a pledge, that''s all.


    She doesn''t want to tell her mother about the real consequences of losing, because Deshya is sure she wouldn''t want her to go. Korone struggles in Pera''s arms.


    - I want to see Deshyshy play poker!!!" she shouts.


    - I''m leaving in 15 minutes. Can I take you there if you want?" offers Deshya.


    - YEEEEEAY!!! We have to take my measurements!!! Hurry, hurry!!!


    Korone''s smile is as bright as Amora''s, which makes Deshya smile... and worries her too. Having a ''little sister'' with so much energy... Deshya doesn''t know yet whether this will be a good thing or a real ordeal. She watches her mother carry Korone upstairs as she climbs the stairs, and before she goes to put on a pair of pants, she turns back to the front door.


    - I agreed because I thought it would be beneficial, but I''m afraid of doing something stupid here... If I lose... If I lose¡­


    She sighed and climbed the stairs in turn, going up to her room to dress properly.


    - Thanks, Mom.


    - Enjoy yourselves.


    Deshya closes the car''s rear door and greets her mother, accompanied by an energetic Korone. Pera starts up and drives off directly, while Deshya looks at Tessa''s house in front of her. Korone grabs her hand and smiles.


    - I can''t wait to see Deshya''s friend!!!" she said.


    - Ahah, Tessa is very cool.


    - Is she smart like you?


    - I''d say she''s even smarter.


    - Waaa!


    Korone opens her mouth wide, stars in her eyes. Deshya smiles and arrives on the porch with her, but before she can knock, Korone does it for her. Banging her little fists against the door a few times, she lets out a joyful ''Hihihi''. Deshya gently pushes her back, telling her to stop, but the door swings open. Korone raises her arms.


    - Hewwooooooo!


    Deshya looks at Tessa and apologizes for Korone''s behavior, but she blinks when she notices that it wasn''t Tessa who opened the door for her, but¡ª


    - M-Maruno?!


    A boy with black hair tied back came up to them and smiled. Standing at the door with an elbow on the handle and his foot behind his right leg, he greets Deshya with a beautiful smile.


    - Yo, yo!


    - W-What are you doing here?" she asks.


    - You know a thing or two about poker, don''t you? There has to be a dealer, right? So Tessa asked me if I''d accept and I couldn''t refuse. The fox-eared genie versus the purple-haired genie, I couldn''t pass that up!


    ¡®Maruno Uffite¡¯, the third member of the ''Fox Incorporated¡¯'' of the Tetazo school. A popular boy with black hair and green eyes. A good friend of Deshya''s and one of Tessa''s best friends, he loves to cook many different dishes. Deshya gives him a tired smile.


    - I should have known..." she said.


    - He is a gentleman, he is not the friend you were talking about, is it?" asks Korone.


    Maruno notices the little girl at Deshya''s side and crouches down to observe her.


    - She''s so cute, who is she?


    Korone stretches out her hand and places it in front of her forehead, like a military salute.


    - My name is Korone Daiski!!! I''m living with Deshya and her family until I find another family!


    Deshya asked her in advance not to admit that she was in probable danger, even though she was sure that there would be people around her who would understand that she was the girl in yesterday''s affair. Even if Korone has to go out as little as possible, Deshya would rather she came with her than leave her at home on her own or with her mother, who doesn''t like to be disturbed when she''s out shopping. What''s more, knowing that she''s with her and safe reassures her.


    - Eeeh, you didn''t tell me that, Deshya¡­


    Maruno slowly turns her face towards Deshya, an unhappy expression on her face. She waves her hands in front of her.


    - Aaah, I only found out about it this morning when I woke up!" she says.


    - Exactly !!! Nice to meet you, mister handsome !!!


    - M-Mr. Handsome...?" repeats Maruno.


    - Nyes! You are beautiful, veeeeeeery beautiful!!!


    Korone blushes as she swings her head around and Maruno stands up. He coughs to clear his throat and snaps his fingers with a smile that shows his teeth, a forced expression on his face.


    - You have good taste, you," he says. I accept your presence among us, little one.


    - Oi, what are you saying right now...?" wondered Deshya, looking at him with a tired smile.


    Korone applauds.


    - Thanks for letting me pass, Mr. Handsome!


    - You''re welcome, little one.


    - Hihi!


    Korone lets go of Deshya''s hand and enters the house first. The teenager walks past Maruno, shaking her head, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Maruno closes the door behind her and Tessa hurries into the hallway.


    - Oh, there you are!" she said.


    - Hi, Tessa.


    - A very beautiful other one!!! Heewwoooooo, my name is Korone Daiski !!!


    Korone raises her arms and Tessa watches her for a few moments, but eventually lifts her and analyzes her face, her hair and even her clothes. Deshya kicks off her shoes and approaches Tessa with Maruno.


    - So you have a daughter at your age? You''re enjoying yourself, I see..." says Tessa.


    - She''s not my daughter!" cries Deshya.


    - But, but, but, I''m not her daughter !!!


    Korone struggles into Tessa''s arms and Tessa laughs before dropping her to the ground. Korone runs into Deshya''s arms and smiles.


    - So this is the friend you were talking about?" asks Korone.


    Deshya nods and takes her in her arms in turn. She''s rather light and about 30 centimeters shorter than her, so she has no problem keeping her in her arms. Tessa rubs her head.


    - On a more serious note, who is...? Your cousin?


    - She doesn''t have any parents, so we act like a foster family for her," replies Deshya. She only arrived this morning, but she really wanted to come and see the poker game between the two of us.


    Korone nods as she cuddles Deshya, her smile reaching his ears. Maruno enters Tessa''s living room, where the game will take place, and the teenager with the long purple hair shrugs her shoulders.


    - Well, if she wants to see you lose, that''s fine with me!


    - Deshyshy will win!!! I believe in her!!!" shouts Korone.


    - Deshyshy...? Do you imitate Amora?


    - I came up with the nickname myself, nah.


    Tessa giggles and invites Deshya into the living room. She follows, but as soon as she steps into the room, she is startled and takes two steps back.


    - Deshya is here!!!


    - Yeeees, it''s about to start!!!


    - My money''s on Tessa!


    - Me on our foxie!!!


    - I''ve been waiting for this !!!


    More than twenty people are in the back of the lounge, the three sofas packed.


    Deshya remains wide-eyed, surprised, while Korone laughs softly.


    - Lots of fans!" she says.


    - W-Who are these people?" shouts Deshya.


    Tessa sits down on one of the three chairs at the table and looks at Deshya.


    - Them? They wanted to see us play poker together, that''s all..." replies Tessa.


    - B-But¡­


    - Don''t worry.


    Tessa winks at Deshya.


    - If I win, your pledge will be seen only by me. The opposite too. They''re only there for the game itself.


    - But if Deshya wins and asks Tessa to get naked, I want to see!" shouts one of the group.


    - I don''t know who said it, but eat shit.


    - Not nice!


    Everyone starts laughing, even Maruno. Deshya prefers not to think about it so as not to be mentally tired even before the game, so she drops Korone on the floor who runs to the table, followed by Deshya herself. She notices that the only empty chair is opposite Tessa, while a new, unopened pack of cards lies in the middle of the table: nothing else is on it except an empty glass of water opposite each seat and a bottle of water for everyone. Deshya sits, analyzing the table in front of her, while the small crowd chats amongst themselves about who will win and what''s going to happen. Korone asks Maruno if she could sit next to him and he accepts. Tessa looks at the little girl with a smile.


    - Don''t cheat for your ''big sister'', eh?


    Korone jumps on Maruno''s now-free chair and sticks out her tongue.


    - Never cheat! If Deshya loses, she loses! No cheating, no good!


    She crosses her arms and glances away, as if sulking, which cheers Tessa up.


    - Don''t sulk everyone either.." thinks Deshya with an amused, tired look.


    Maruno returns with a chair and puts it next to him. Korone jumps on it and thanks him, but she slams the table.


    - I don''t have a glass of water. Nor a bottle. Me ask for it!" she says.


    - Hey, I''m not your butler!


    - Pweaaaase, sir the most handsome handsome!


    Korone stares at her with wide eyes, a beaten-dog expression on his face. Maruno observes him with a neutral, almost annoyed expression, and turns to Deshya.


    - Where did you catch this little one?" he asks.


    - On a bus.


    - On... Huh?!


    Deshya smiles at him and nods.


    - Fetch a bottle for Korone, sir the handsome," she said.


    - Faster, slave," Tessa tells him.


    - Oi, oi¡­


    Maruno sighs, but finally complies. Korone waves her hands in the air, laughing at Maruno.


    - I have my own slave, hihi! And he''s beautiful!


    Deshya tells her to calm down, but the crowd behind her starts repeating her words in song. Tessa looks on, giggling, while Deshya pinches her cheek, wondering if she''s dreaming. Unfortunately for her, she''s wide awake... Maruno returns with a bottle of water and a glass and sets them down right next to hers, sighing.


    - This is your house, not mine, Tessa..." he blurts out as he sits down.


    - But you''re our little love slave!" she taunts.


    - Gneu gneu gneu.


    He sticks out his tongue and Tessa starts laughing. Deshya smiles, happy to be with the other two members of the school''s ¡®Fox Incorporated''. Even though she''s going to have to play hard and win against Tessa, a clever girl full of surprises, she''s going to give it her all to protect her secret and not be bothered about her hood again. Amora, Maruno or most of her friends just accept that she dresses this way because she needs to express herself in a way that''s different from the others: however, Tessa seems to suspect that there''s something else behind her clothes. She can understand, given that she keeps her sweater on when she works out, but she doesn''t want to have to lie to Tessa again... If Deshya wins, then she can breathe. She prepares herself mentally, staring at Tessa. Tessa calms down and claps her hands.


    - I assume you know the rules of poker, right?" she asks.


    - Can I know the rules? I don''t know what they are!" says Korone.


    Tessa smiles at him. Deshya puts both elbows on the table.


    - I know the rules and the different hands, but I suppose you''ve added a few instructions to make the game more intriguing?


    Tessa shows her teeth, pleased by this remark.


    - You know me well, I must say.


    - I guess poker for two can be really short and it can be uninteresting... Besides, I can''t see you playing without putting your own spin on it," Deshya told her. I guess we will have a different version of Poker, and not the real one?


    Tessa takes the unopened pack of cards and holds it up, making sure everyone can see it.


    - So I''m going to keep this as short and simple as possible," she begins. I hate cheating, but I know neither of us would dare use illegal techniques, so I''m not too scared. However, I still took a deck of cards that had never been opened for this game, so that we could start without doubting each other.


    Tessa slides the package towards Deshya, who catches it before it falls off the table and checks that it is not tampered with. The plastic wrapping has never been opened and she doesn''t see how Tessa could have tampered with it, especially as she''s not the type to cheat: in short, she trusts her. She passes it on to Maruno, who checks it too, but he''s been convinced all along that they''d never dare to cheat in this match. So he opens the package and Tessa stoops to pick something up. The crowd on the sofas let out surprised noises as Tessa places a white plastic box on the table.


    - What...?" asks one of them.


    - I wonder..." replies another.


    Deshya suspects what it is... and she sees she''s right when Tessa pulls a bag out of the box.


    - It''s... !!


    - Ooooh!


    Deshya grabs the bag and opens it before looking at the black tokens inside. She''s surprised to see so many¡­


    - Two hundred.


    - Two hundred... You mean it''s two hundred chips? Deshya asks.


    Tessa nods and Maruno hands her two cards. Tessa puts them in her pocket and Korone points to them with her finger.


    - Waaa! Deshyshy, they''re cheating!


    Deshya smiles.


    - Maruno just passed her the jokers, nothing more," she explains.


    - Why...?" asks the little girl.


    - In poker, you play with all the cards except the jokers. Four cards from ''2'' to ''10'', followed by ''jack'', ''queen'', ''king'' and ''ace''.


    - ''Ace'' can be considered a ''1'' too," explains Maruno, showing him an ace card.


    - Aaah, I knew that!


    Korone grabs the card, avoiding bending or damaging it, and analyzes it curiously. Tessa takes out her own chips and places them in front of her.


    - As I was saying, there are 200 chips for you, 200 for me. A chip represents ''5€''," Tessa explains.


    - So we have ''1000€''...


    - Yes, that''s right. Of course, it''s fake money, like I told you. Now, about the rules.


    Tessa grabs a token and Korone returns the card to Maruno looking at the girl with the long purple hair, interested in the game. She''d heard the name poker before, but she didn''t really know anything about the rules. All she knows is that some people lose or win a lot of money when they play it. It''s a good thing Deshya and Tessa won''t be betting real money¡­


    - You start with ''1000€'', I start with ''1000€''. When one of us falls below ''75€'', we lose the game. I''ve decided that ''75€'' isn''t included in that, so that''s the minimum you can get without losing the game," explains Tessa.


    - Just one game, then?" asks Deshya.


    - I prefer it, since it''s going to take a while and I''m sure that, given our abilities, it''s going to take a few games for one of us to win.


    Deshya nods: although she knows that Tessa is good at strategy and money games, Deshya is confident in her own abilities too. She can''t say to herself that she''s not as strong as her opponent, otherwise it''s a psychological defeat for her. This would greatly reduce her chances of victory, so she prefers to have confidence in herself that she can win hand-in-hand. That''s the mentality she''s decided to employ for this match, one that often works very well for her. Even if she''s not as strong as her opponent, she likes to tell herself that she''s at the same level, if not stronger: a strategy that many professionals use in all sports, even online.


    - Before I talk about anything else, I''d like to talk about the different ''hands'' you can have in poker, so that everyone can understand.


    Tessa said this as she reached for a deck of cards she had kept behind her. Unlike the one Maruno had, it was older and clearly different: in short, it would be impossible for Tessa to cheat by keeping a card from this deck up her sleeve. She places five cards in front of them, all of different values.


    - Before explaining the hands, the poker is very simple: two cards will be put face-up in the middle of the table by Maruno, and will therefore be seen by everyone, including Deshya and me. Then Maruno will give us three cards each, which will be face-down, but we can look at them. It''s forbidden to say what cards we have, even to bluff. We then have the right to exchange one, two or all three cards with Maruno, who will give us one, two or three in return, but only one exchange is possible. Of course, this exchange is strategic, as we need the best possible hand to win.


    Tessa taps the five cards in front of her. Korone stares at them, increasingly interested.


    - This hand is the ''high card'', poker''s weakest hand. This is when it doesn''t follow any combination, so it''s not a ''straight'' or a ''straight'' or anything like that. It''s the card with the highest value that''s counted, so if Deshya and I have a high card, then whoever has the card with the highest value wins. If I have a queen in highest value and Deshya a 10, then I win. Oh, I say value so everyone understands, but we call it ''rank''," explains Tessa.


    She swaps one card for another and Korone notices that it''s the same value as the one on her right.


    - This hand is called a ''pair''. It''s when two cards are of the same rank.


    A ?10 and a ?10 are placed next to each other.


    - If Deshya and I have a pair, the better pair wins. Anyway, here I have a pair of 10s, but if Deshya has a pair of kings, then I lose. If she has a pair of 10s too, the highest card outside the pair wins.


    Deshya places four aces in front of her in a particular order and taps on them.


    - In poker, it''s all about color and sign. Hearts are stronger than diamonds, which are stronger than clubs, which are stronger than spades. The color red is stronger than black, but in our case, I decided to ignore that," explains Tessa.


    - So if I have a red pair and you have a black pair, but they''re of the same rank, it''s an equal pair?" asks Deshya.


    Tessa nods.


    - If we don''t play by the exact rules, that''s okay, because we''re not in a casino, we''re with each other. If you don''t like it, we can play with colors.


    - If we both have a ''color'', I suppose we still take into account that the heart is stronger than the others, et cetera...?


    - It''s not possible, since there are already two cards we can''t move..." Tessa tells him.


    Korone looks confused, but Maruno whispers that she''ll soon understand. The little girl replies that she trusts him. Tessa again changes one card for another. Alongside the two 10s are now two ladies.


    - This time, it''s what we call a ''two pair''. It''s obviously a bit stronger than the simple ''pair'' and as you can see, it has two pairs. It''s simple, honestly¡­


    Everyone understands, so Tessa continues without pause. She takes the five cards and puts in three new ones. Korone notices that this time, three cards have the same rank: three 5s.


    - When three cards have the same rank and the other two don''t form a pair, it''s called a ''three of a kind''. In case there''s an idiot in the room, I show the hands in order from weakest to strongest, so it''s above ''two pair''.


    - What a free insult..." thinks Deshya.


    Tessa changes all the cards again and takes a few moments to make the hand she wants. Korone notices that this time it''s a sequence: a 5, a 6, a 7, an 8 and a 9 one after the other.


    - Some people call it a ''straight'', but I''ll keep the official name and say it''s called a ''straight''. It''s very simple: it''s when all five cards follow each other, in any order, except if it''s from 10 to ace, but I''ll talk about that later.


    - Even if the colors aren''t the same?" asks Korone.


    Tessa nods.


    - The colors don''t matter. If the colors are the same, in reality, it''s not even a ''straight'' anymore, but I''ll talk about that afterwards too.


    Tessa changed the cards again and Korone felt her heart beating faster and faster in her chest: she was excited just thinking about Deshya and Tessa playing together. She could see Deshya when she solved her adoptive parents'' crime case, but she says Tessa is even smarter. Is she right, or is she just being humble with her friend? Korone can''t wait to find out...!


    - Above the ''straight'' is the ''suit''. Simply put, it''s when all five cards are the same suit.


    Tessa snaps her fingers to get everyone''s attention, although everyone in the room is already focused on her.


    - But when it comes to color, it''s not just red or black. As you know, red is hearts and diamonds, while black is clubs and spades. If I have five red cards, but they''re not all hearts or diamonds, that''s not a suit. I want to be clear on this.


    Everyone understands and nods to Tessa''s words, although Korone is surprised: nevertheless, she doesn''t retort, as she''s just learning poker, so what would she have to say? Tessa knows the terms better than she does. After a small change of cards, Tessa continues her explanation.


    - This is called a ''full house''. This is when the hand consists of a pair and a three of a kind.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Tessa''s ''full house'' is currently a ?4, a ?4, a ?4, a ?10 and a ?10. Korone understands that the chances of having such a hand are minimal, but When she thinks about it, she says to herself that having more than one ''two pair'' is already complex... Tessa touches the cards and presents them to people.


    - Above the full house are four of a kind. This is when a person has all four cards of a certain rank, here being the ace. The four of a kind is obviously the strongest and nothing can beat it, except the two most powerful hands I''m about to tell you about.


    After a quick change, Tessa shows the cards to the others. Korone wonders if she''s made a mistake, since it''s only a straight... However, she soon realizes that it''s different: the cards are all the same color.


    - This is the second highest hand, the ''straight flush''. It''s a straight, but of the same suit.


    Tessa picks up the cards after this short explanation and lays down five new ones. Korone is genuinely surprised this time and points to the cards.


    - It''s another straight flush, nooo?" she asks.


    Deshya shakes her head and explains for Tessa.


    - This hand is the strongest of all, the ''royal flush''.


    - What''s the difference?" asks the white-haired girl.


    - It''s a ''straight flush'', but a very specific one: when it''s 10, jack, queen, king and ace. This is the only possible combination for a royal flush. You have one chance in 2,598,960 of having such a hand in normal poker.


    - That''s a lot¡­


    - You can play for a year and never have a hand like this, even after thousands of games," Maruno tells him.


    - Eeeeh¡­


    Korone can understand: it''s a very specific combination that requires the same five cards in a unique order. For this to be possible, the two cards placed in advance have to be of the same suit and rank between 10 and ace... Tessa puts the deck of cards back in its box and throws it against the wall, where it bumps into it and falls on the piece of furniture where the medium-sized TV with the screen turned off rests.


    - I hope that was clear to the hands.


    - Nyeeees!" said Korone.


    - I already knew about it, but it''s always nice to have a refreshed memory¡­


    - So for the rules, I''ll keep it simple.


    Tessa cracks the back of her neck and places both hands on the table.


    - Maruno knows how to shuffle very well and has no reason to cheat to help you or me, so he''s the perfect dealer. When we finish a match, he shuffles all the cards together for a few seconds before putting two new ones on the table. Above all¡­


    Tessa rolls a €1 coin across the table and Korone catches it before Deshya does. Tessa blinks, but just smiles.


    - Deshya, heads or tails?


    - Tails," she replies directly.


    - I''ll go heads, then.


    Korone launches her into the air with just her thumb, having already understood what she has to do. She spins and spins, all eyes on the room. She reaches the room''s light bulb, but doesn''t touch the ceiling, and returns to Korone due to gravity. Heads or tails? Deshya or Tessa? The coin falls as quickly as it does slowly, and finally Korone blocks it on the back of his hand with his other hand. Silence reigns in the room: everyone waits to hear the result. Korone slowly moves his hand, revealing to the three friends which way the coin has fallen. A boy in the crowd swallows noisily, his heart racing.


    - It''s heeeaaaaads!" says Korone.


    She doesn''t give a big smile, because that means Deshya has lost this bet, but she knows very well that it''s just a matter of luck. Besides, Korone wonders if it really matters... Tessa looks victorious, but she doesn''t tease Deshya about it. She picks up the coin Korone tosses her and thanks her before continuing her explanation.


    - So I''ll start first for the bet.


    - The bet...?" asks Korone.


    Tessa nods and raises her index finger.


    - When we both have our hand, one of us will place a bet. Let''s say it''s me, since I''m starting. Let''s say I have three of a kind, and I obviously don''t know what Deshya has. Logically, with three of a kind, I''m convinced that everything will go well for me, so I''ll bet a certain amount. Then Deshya has the choice of ''calling'', dropping out or betting another amount, as long as it doesn''t exceed the minimum. She can also bet and ask to see my cards, which stops the bet here. Otherwise, it''s my turn. I have only three choices: either I call, bet a little more or a little less, or give up. If I give up, my money and her money go to her. If she bets €500 and I only bet €50, even if she wins, she''s still on the hook.


    only earns €50, since the €500 comes from his own stake. I think that''s easy to understand.


    - Yay!


    - However, if I have a high card with the highest card being a 6, for example, and I''m the one who starts the bet, I can give up straight away: I''m then said to be ''folding''," explains Tessa.


    - When it''s the second person betting, I can stop the bet whenever I want by betting myself and saying I want to see the other person''s cards. If I give up, however, Tessa doesn''t have to show me her cards and I don''t have to show them either," adds Deshya.


    - Well, I want to see the games," says Maruno.


    Tessa and Deshya giggle and Korone squints.


    - So there''s an advantage and a disadvantage in both cases..." she thinks.


    She discreetly turns her gaze to Tessa.


    - When one of them starts first, they have the option of simply folding if their hand is too bad. They also start the betting, so they can lead from the outset... However, if the person opposite makes a certain bet, they can''t stop the game by asking to see the cards of the other, creating a conflict: to continue or to accept defeat? Dare to put more on the line or simply lose the money already staked?


    Korone then turns his gaze to Deshya.


    - On the other hand, the second person can''t lead the game from the start, but he can try to steal control with a certain bet or simply give up if his hand looks too bad. Unlike the one who starts, she can stop the match by asking to see, or put pressure on her opponent, since she''s the only one who can stop the match without giving up. And then¡­


    Korone touches her chin, lowering her gaze.


    - Even if being second seems to be more advantageous, there''s another problem. If Deshya has a very good hand and Tessa a bad one, and it''s Tessa who goes first, if she feels she can''t do anything with that hand, she may just fold. In short, Deshya''s hand won''t matter at that point. This can hurt the ego, given that it''s a game of 52 different cards and poker is only played with one deck, so having two cards the same is literally impossible. In short, a royal flush can only be obtained by one person, just like a certain three of a kind or four of a kind, a full house... Aaaah, it''s simple yet complicated.


    Korone looks up again and notices that Tessa is still talking.


    - A little rule I decided to put in myself, but it''s forbidden to go to bed three times in a row or to give up three times in a row. So folding once, giving up directly the second time and then folding still counts as three quits in a row. However, you can fold, bet once and then give up, then fold, and it won''t count as three. When a bet is made, it restarts the count at 0, but I prefer to make this rule so that we don''t play like wimps.


    - I like it.


    - Given the other rule I''ve added, which I''ll explain, there''s no need to make sure that at the end of the umpteenth round, we get that count down to two.


    - What rule?" asks Deshya, intrigued.


    Tessa lets out a soft "Hehe" before showing Deshya her teeth.


    - Minimum stake.


    - Minimum stake...?


    - What''s that?


    - I don''t know.


    - Well, a minimum stake, I suppose¡­


    - You keep quiet.


    The crowd creates a background noise, but the four around the table don''t think about it. Tessa explains without creating suspense.


    - It''s very simple. Given the chips, you''ve already understood that you can only bet in multiples of 5. You can''t bet €18 or anything like that, it would be too much trouble otherwise.


    - No worries about that," admits Deshya.


    - As for the minimum stake, it''s easy to understand: the first game has a minimum stake of €10. I''m the one who starts this one, so I can only bet €10 or more. The second match is yours to start, so the minimum stake is still the same. However, when it comes back to me, for the third match, the minimum bet increases by 10€. That''s €20. The fourth match is you, with the minimum bet still at €20, and then the fifth match, when it''s my turn to start, the bet increases to €30.


    - In short, every time we come back to you, the minimum bet increases by €10. We''re not idiots," Maruno tells him.


    - Oh, but there''s a little girl here and I''d rather be clear, even if I talk more.


    Korone smiles at her, but she herself would have understood with Maruno''s abbreviated explanation. Tessa asks Deshya if it''s all right, and the teenager in the blue fox sweater nods without hesitation.


    - That way, the game doesn''t last for hours, and we have to think about how much money we have. The more the matches progress, the more we''ll be forced to bet a higher payout... So you don''t want to lose too much right from the start, but playing it too safe can be dangerous," thinks Deshya.


    - Luck is one of the main factors in poker, it seems... So trying to do everything when the minimum bet is high is too risky. Hoping to get luck on your side by folding and giving up a lot without betting in matches where the minimum stakes are €200 and above is probably a completely idiotic strategy..." Korone muses.


    Tessa rubs her chin: she wonders if she''s said everything.


    - Hmmm, really¡­


    - Yes?


    Deshya looks up at Tessa.


    - To spice things up, let''s do this!


    She slams her fist into her hand.


    - During the 21st match, it is forbidden to fold!


    - But is giving up after the bet allowed?


    - Once, not twice in a row.


    - ¡­


    Deshya wonders if it''s all right with her, but takes a few seconds to accept Tessa''s proposal. The latter is delighted and smiles.


    - To ask to see the other player''s cards and stop betting, say ''I''m betting €30 and I want to see''. Well, obviously, 30€ or any other amount, it''s up to you¡­


    - Understood.


    - I have nothing to add. Any questions?


    - None," Deshya told him.


    - All understood, boss," smiled Maruno.


    - It''s fun!!!" lets out Korone, fidgeting in her chair.


    The crowd on the sofas start cheering the two teenagers and Tessa waves her hand towards Maruno.


    - So I''ll let you mix and begin?


    - Go go!!!" shouts Korone, raising a fist to the ceiling.


    Maruno nods and starts mixing. Meanwhile, Deshya stares straight into Tessa''s eyes and vice versa. Both remain focused on each other, waiting patiently and impatiently for the two cards to be placed between them, as well as their three cards. Deshya has never played poker in her life, but she learned the rules from her father a year ago. She knows how to bluff and thinks of different strategies in her head, but she wonders whether she can play well against Tessa... In any case, she''s aware that she has no choice but to play well: losing isn''t an option. Even if she doesn''t lose money and doesn''t care about her ''reputation'', she doesn''t want Tessa to learn the truth. At least, not this soon: Deshya has to make sure she doesn''t endanger anyone if she reveals for her fox attributes. This poker game may allow her to ask Tessa for anything as well as stop her from bothering her, so she has to win... Not only for the rewards, but also for her own ego: Deshya hates to lose. She''s not a bad loser, but she hates to lose! Maruno stops shuffling and lays two cards in front of them. The crowd rises to observe the cards without making a sound, not wanting to disturb the two players. Korone watches too, her eyes shining with excitement and suspense. The two cards placed by Maruno are¡ª


    The ?5 card and the ?A card.


    While Maruno offers the three cards to the two players, Deshya and Tessa ponder over the two cards.


    - They are of different colors and their ranks are too far apart to form a straight¡­


    Deshya squints.


    - No, wait a minute. We can make a straight from ace to 5 with the cards ''ace'', ''2'', ''3'', ''4'' and ''5''. The ace can be considered a ''1'', after all..." thinks Deshya.


    The three cards are placed in front of her and she takes them in her hand: she doesn''t do the technique of the professionals who observe them for only a brief moment, as she can''t see what good it would do her. Without showing the slightest emotion to her opponent or the spectators, she analyzes the three cards she has received.


    The ?8. The ?Q and the ?3.


    She has two cards of the same suit, but none that would make a pair. Deshya thinks as she looks at them, not even allowing herself to squint or show frustration. She was unlucky at the start of this game, but she wasn''t expecting anything in any case, so she can''t be disappointed.


    - The only useful card is my ?3, but if I swap the other two cards, I''d have to have a ''2'' and a ''4'' to have a straight..." she thinks.


    Deshya glances quickly at Tessa, wondering what cards she might have. All Deshya can deduce at the moment is that she doesn''t have any of the three cards Deshya currently has, nor will she ever have them in this round. She places the three cards on the table and, after a moment''s reflection, offers them to Maruno.


    - I exchange all my cards," she says.


    Tessa lets out a small smile and offers Maruno her cards too, but unlike Deshya, she keeps one in her hand. Deshya squints so weakly that Tessa can''t see the change in her expression.


    - If she keeps one, it''s probably a pair, or maybe she''s trying to make a straight..." thinks Deshya.


    Maruno sets the five cards aside and offers three new ones to Deshya, as well as two to Tessa. They take them and look at their deck, while Korone tilts her head to try and see which cards they have: however, they make sure that only they can see them. The crowd is silent so as not to disturb the two players, as they analyze their hand. Deshya keeps a neutral expression on her face, but inwardly¡ª


    - ... Eheh.


    The three cards she has just received are as follows:


    The ?A, the ?4 and the ?9.


    Although she doesn''t have a straight, she does have a pair of aces. Although this is the weakest hand above the high card, it''s still a bit of a chance for Deshya. The pair of aces can only be beaten by a two pair or a slightly stronger hand, which isn''t necessarily the easiest to get. She has a very decent hand, but her highest card is only the 9. Deshya glances sharply at Tessa, but she doesn''t show the slightest expression. Deshya had suspected it, but she''d hoped she''d be able to work out which hand she had just by looking at her face, but that doesn''t seem to be the case... Tessa puts down her cards and touches a chip in her hand.


    - The minimum stake is currently ''10€''... Hmmm¡­


    She plays with a token while watching Deshya. She neither smiles, nor pouts, nor seems disappointed: a real neutrality is on her face. Deshya lays down her cards in turn, staring at Tessa without showing the slightest emotion. She''s pretty happy with her hand, but is it enough? Tessa could have a straight or even two pair, especially as she''s kept one card with her. Tessa finally stops playing with the black token and nods.


    - I''ll start with ''65€'', then.


    She pushes 13 chips in front of her before crossing her arms. Deshya looks at her with surprised eyes, but shakes her head and calms down.


    - Don''t show emotion... Don''t show emotion¡­


    She sighs and begins to think. The minimum bet is barely ''10€'', but she puts a total of ''65€'' on the table right from the start...? Isn''t that a bit too much to start with? Especially since Deshya can give up straight away and refuse to play her game, since it''s obviously a bluff... Is she confident in her hand, or does she want to upset Deshya right from the start of the game? Deshya closes her eyes for a few moments, while the crowd remains on its guard, wondering what move she''s going to make next. Continue or give up? Korone looks at Deshya and waits patiently.


    - Betting that much must be a bluff..." thinks the little girl. She must have no better than a pair, because otherwise, what would be the point?


    Korone is sure: if Tessa has a better hand, then she''d start with a fairly low bet and try to convince her opponent to bet more. With such a bet, it''s as if she''s asking Deshya to give up straight away. Korone folds her eyes.


    - Wait, with this rule¡­


    Now that she thinks about it, getting the other to fold is a good strategy: if Deshya refuses to bet now, she''ll have to watch out for the next round. If she has a bad hand and has to fold, then next time she won''t be able to give up. Despite this, Korone wonders why Tessa is betting so much from the start: is it really to discourage Deshya from betting, or is it to confuse her? Korone doesn''t know which hand they have, so she can''t imagine a strategy for them: in any case, she''s just an observer of this game. Deshya finally moves her hand¡ª


    - Oooh!


    - It''s our fox!


    ¡ª and puts ''80€'' on the table.


    - F-Four twenty?!" shouts internally Korone.


    Deshya stares into Tessa''s eyes.


    - I continue with ''80€''.


    A total of 16 chips on the table, compared to Tessa''s 13. Confidence pulses through her veins and Deshya refuses to let her opponent upset her: she has a pair of aces, the best possible pair, and colors don''t count in this version of poker. She tries to employ a strategy similar to Tessa''s, and makes it clear that she''s not here to be manipulated: Deshya proves to her right away that she''s here to play... and win.


    - A bet like that... is she also trying to discourage her opponent?" wonders Maruno.


    Even if he''s the dealer, like Korone or a spectator in the crowd, he doesn''t know what cards they''re holding. All he knows is the rank and suit of the two that are face up on the table in front of them. Maruno looks at Tessa: she has to decide whether to continue betting or give up. However, her choice only takes the space of five seconds. And then¡ª


    - I bet ''25€'' more.


    A total of 18 chips on his side, ''90€'' bet. Deshya squints: her opponent doesn''t intend to give up so quickly, even when Deshya puts so much on the table¡­


    - This is just the beginning, I can''t afford to be too crazy¡­


    Despite having a pair of aces in her hand, Deshya loses some of her confidence when she sees that Tessa doesn''t back down a bit: she does the opposite. She could have bet ¡®10€'' in doubt that Deshya has a good hand, but she strides heavily towards her, challenging her with a big smile. Of course, this is just an image in Deshya''s head: Tessa always has a neutral look on her face, far from ready to show her opponent the slightest weakness. This is a game where both want to win at all costs. Maybe there''s no real money at stake, but both have their reasons for winning: the difference is that Tessa wants to win more than anything, whereas Deshya doesn''t want to lose more than anything. It''s a difference that may seem small, but it''s one that drives a real wedge between the way she sees this poker game. Deshya thinks no further and pushes a total of 2 chips in front of her. A €90 bet.


    - I bet ''10€'' more and ask to see!


    She refuses to go any further: despite her pair of aces, nothing says Tessa doesn''t have a superb hand like a straight. Tessa grabs her cards and lays them face up in front of her. The students in the crowd raise their heads to see the cards, while Korone squints at Tessa''s hand. If Deshya has less than that, then she loses a total of ''90€'' right from the start¡­


    A sum that represents almost 1/10th of his entire income.


    - I''ve got a pair of aces," says Tessa.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide. Both have a similar hand. The strongest possible pair, aces. Maruno and Korone turn to Deshya, while the crowd holds its breath. The only tie-breaker now is the rank of his highest card. Everyone is waiting to see who will win this sum from the start. Deshya opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. She turns her cards over and Korone looks at them.


    - Pair of aces too..." says Deshya.


    Tessa squints. The white-haired girl looks directly at the other two cards and when she sees them-


    - The ?4 and the ?9... So that means¡ª!!


    Korone turns his gaze directly to Tessa''s cards. They''re right in front of the sum she''s bet, the 18 black chips that represent a total of €90 on her part. A similar sum to the one Deshya has placed in front of her. The two cards on the table are the ?5 and the ?A. Deshya''s are the ?4, the ?9 and the ?A, the card that forms her pair. Her highest card is therefore the ''9'', while for Tessa¡­


    She has the ?A. The card that gives her a hand we call a ''pair''. A ?3, a low-ranking card, just one higher than the lowest, the 2. Her last card, the one highest below her ace... The card that decides whether Tessa or Deshya wins... This card is¡­


    - Ooooh!!!


    - So she''s the winner?!


    - A loss of ''90€'' !!!


    - Tsk.


    This card is¡ª


    ¡ª the ?K.


    Four ranks higher than Deshya''s highest card, it easily crushes her opponent''s and thus defines the winner between them: Tessa is the one who wins the other''s ''90€''.


    - I''ll take it~!


    Tessa moves the 18 chips closer to Deshya before handing her cards back, and Deshya sighs as she hands her cards to Maruno. Korone watches him shuffle the 52 different cards with a slightly sad look on her face.


    - Even though they both had pairs of aces... It''s already almost 1/10th of Deshya''s sum that''s gone. In the very first round.


    Maruno quickly finishes mixing and Korone, having satisfied herself that he hadn''t cheated, turns to Deshya. She doesn''t seem to be affected by the defeat, but it''s certain to leave a bitter taste in her mouth. Losing first affects the mind no matter what, Korone is certain. Maruno places the two cards on the table and the crowd suddenly falls silent as they look ahead. Deshya and Tessa do the same. The two cards on the table are :


    The ?7 and the ?8.


    - !!!


    - Ooh, another straight possibility!" blurts out a student from the crowd.


    - They follow each other and have the same color! Wooo!


    - Less noise," asks Maruno, offering the three cards to the two players.


    Deshya grabs his cards and squints. Not only is it possible to have a straight, it''s possible to have even better: a straight flush. That would mean having the best possible hand in this round, and the winner no matter what. If Deshya can get it, then whatever Tessa''s hand is, she''ll win. It''s impossible to have two straight flushes, or a royal flush in this round: in short, if Deshya manages to get very lucky, she can rest assured that she won''t lose. She looks at her three cards with these thoughts in mind.


    The ?7, the ?A and the ?Q.


    - I have a pair of 7¡­!


    She hides her emotions with a neutral expression, but her heart starts to beat a little faster. Deshya doesn''t have a straight flush, or a normal straight, but she does have at least one pair with an ace in her hand. She looks at the two cards lying face up on the table and begins to think. Meanwhile, Korone rises from his chair and looks at Tessa''s hand. Maruno asks her to be quiet and not to disturb her. The little girl nods and looks at the three cards without saying a word.


    - I''ll swap two cards," says Tessa, keeping one.


    - It makes sense..." thinks Korone.


    She returns to her seat without making a sound and Deshya speaks in turn.


    - I''ll swap two too," she says.


    Maruno puts the four to one side and the two opponents stare at each other, but Deshya quickly flees the gaze. Korone settles comfortably in his chair and watches the two players, wondering how it''s going to go. Given the card Tessa has held, this round could be very interesting... as well as dangerous. Deshya doesn''t need to see her opponent''s cards to know that: she''s already lost ''90€'', and in just one round, which is also her first. She''s the first to bet this time, so she has to be careful. She now looks to see which hand she has.


    The ?7, the ?4 and the ?3.


    A simple pair of 7s with a 4 as the highest card... In short, nothing to write home about. Deshya wants to sigh, but to do so would give away far too much information to Tessa, so she stands still and lays the cards on the table, their rank and suit hidden for all to see. Tessa does the same and waits to see what her opponent will bet.


    - I bet¡­


    Everyone looks at her. Korone crosses his fingers secretly, while Maruno plays with a card in his hand. Deshya pushes a number of chips in front of her and looks up.


    - ''50€''.


    A total of 10 tokens.


    - 50€'' as a first bet..." thinks Maruno.


    - They''re really into it!


    - We''ve got a real show, ahah!


    Some people raise their voices, but quickly quieten down so as not to distract Tessa. Deshya stares straight into her eyes, having just made her first bet.


    - My hand isn''t incredible, but I don''t think Tessa will get any better... She''s held a single card, but knowing her, it''s possible she''s looking for a straight¡­


    Even if Deshya''s bet isn''t too high, she''s still doing something familiar: bluffing. The hand she has isn''t one that merits such confidence. What''s more, Deshya didn''t even have an 8 in her cards: in short, the chances of Tessa having one aren''t that low. If that''s the case, then Deshya will lose again. However, she tries to discourage Tessa from betting: after all, it is possible to have a straight flush in this round. Although the probability is quite low, Deshya may have such a hand, which would mean a mandatory win.


    - I follow.


    Tessa pushes 10 chips in her turn. Korone turns to Deshya, wondering what she''s going to do. Unlike the last round, she can''t stop a match unless she gives up. However, Deshya doesn''t take more than two seconds to decide what to do.


    - I bet ''10€'' more.


    - I follow.


    - ?!


    - Oh?


    Maruno smiles: Tessa pushes 2 chips straight in, not hesitating for even the slightest millisecond in her decision. Deshya bites her lower lip, worried by what Tessa has just done. Although ''€10'' isn''t much ¡ª including the current minimum bet ¡ª the fact that Tessa didn''t hesitate for a second to call... Deshya thinks back to her own hand: she only has a pair of aces. Is it worth risking any more money on it...? She looks at her chips, then at Tessa''s. Since she lost the first round, she''s under Tessa''s amount: she can''t afford to play too risky, especially at the beginning. At least, that''s what she thinks. She puts her hand on her chips and then says:


    - I still bet ''10€''.


    - And I still follow.


    At the same time as Deshya, Tessa pushes 2 black chips. The crowd starts to get excited as Korone grits his teeth and turns to Deshya.


    - Tessa doesn''t even hide her confidence... Will Deshya decide to give up?" wonders the little one.


    Deshya clenches a fist without showing it to Tessa and looks at the chips she''s bet. That''s already a total of ''70€''... If she gives up here, then she''ll have a sum of ''840€''. Just over 3/20ths of her total sum in Tessa''s hands. Although she could get it back in future matches, Deshya knows full well that reality isn''t that simple: losing two in a row from the start will affect her mind. What''s more, giving up when she''s started the bet is a defeat in itself... She pushes three chips in front of her and glares at Tessa, unable to give up now. However, if Tessa continues to bet, then Deshya will have to accept that she can''t bet more¡­


    - I bet ''15€'' more.


    A total of €85. That''s only ''5€'' less than the sum she wagered in the first round, the previous one! Korone turns to Tessa with a worried expression, as she sensed Deshya''s lack of confidence. If she could feel it, then Korone is convinced of one thing.


    Tessa felt it too.


    She takes a token in her hand and spins it. She''s not eager to decide what she''s going to do, which worries Deshya. A drop of sweat finally appears on her forehead and slowly, gently and calmly runs down her face. Tessa plays with her mouth, as if she were blowing two kisses into thin air, and smiles. Her white teeth reveal themselves to her opponent and the chip in her hand joins the others that have already been pushed, but Tessa pushes even more. With absolute confidence, she sends her soldiers forward, unable to see defeat in sight.


    - I bet ''50€'' more!


    10 more chips join the growing pile in front of her. A total of 24 chips, a sum of ''120€'' in front of her! If Deshya wins them, then she''ll have more than ''1000€'', the total amount she had at the start of this game! If she continues to bet, perhaps Tessa plans to put even more on the board and if Deshya is lucky, if her pair of 7s proves to be sufficient, then she will gain some advantage!!!! The crowd eagerly awaits a response from Deshya. How much will she bet? How many chips will she push? Maruno looks at the teenager with the blue sweater, both hands on the table. Korone keeps her eyes squinted, because she''s convinced that what Deshya is about to say is¡ª


    - I¡­


    Deshya closes her mouth, but finally sighs.


    - I give up.


    A ¡®give up¡¯! She bets nothing! Deshya stops here and with a disappointed look on her face, she doesn''t try to take on Tessa. Head down, it''s not just an ''85€'' win for Tessa, but a psychological one too. Korone clicks her tongue and looks at Tessa''s cards. With the confidence she''d built up during this round, she suspects she had this hand, but she can''t be convinced without seeing her cards. Tessa grabs the 17 black chips from Deshya''s entire stack and places her three cards between her index and major fingers on her right hand.


    - What kind of hand did you have, Deshya~?" asks Tessa.


    Deshya raises her head and squints, but turns over her cards.


    - Oh, a pair of 7s?" said Maruno.


    - Besides, your highest card was only a 4... Did you bet a lot hoping I''d give up? I''d never give up.


    - Never...?" asks Deshya.


    Korone squinted: had she been right about Tessa''s hand? However, it takes a lot of luck... so much luck that she wonders if it''s possible. Tessa makes a sudden movement with her hand and her three cards arrive in her palm.


    - My hand was... this one!


    She violently lays down her three cards on the table and the force she uses causes a few chips to shake. Korone gritted his teeth and Deshya opened his eyes wide, his mouth gaping. Maruno whistles in surprise, while that most of the people in the crowd jump up to see. One of them opens his mouth wide and points to the cards she''s laid down.


    - T-This hand... It''s... It''s...!!!!


    Korone rests her head on her fist, strangely disappointed to have been right.


    - Given that her base hand consisted of ?5 cards, ?2 and ?10, I figured she''d try for a hand like that, but she really did, that crazy girl....


    Exactly: the card Tessa had kept when she swapped them was the first one, the ?5! With the ?7 and the ?8 on the table, it was normal to look for a straight flush¡­


    But that''s not even the hand Tessa got. Indeed, what she has¡ª


    - A color?!" cries Deshya.


    The ?5. The ?Q. The ?K. Three cards of the same suit, all of diamonds ?!!! Since the two on the table are also diamonds, this forms the hand we call ''suit''! Tessa returns her cards to Maruno with a smile.


    - I had the ?5, so I figured there was no way you were going for a straight flush. Besides, since I have a flush, my hand is even better than a straight, so I figured whatever happened, I''d win. Tessa licks her lips.


    - I couldn''t lose. My confidence was sky-high.


    - Whereas Deshya''s..." thinks Maruno as he collects all the cards.


    Deshya grits her teeth and clenches her fists. To have a ''color'' is extremely lucky, she couldn''t have doubted she''d have such a hand... !!! Should she have folded when she saw she only had one pair? Should she play it safe and wait until the end of the match to dare more? Deshya isn''t sure anymore! She doesn''t know what to do! She''s lost again: her first two sets ended in defeat! She''s lost almost 2/10ths of her total sum in just two sets.


    While Tessa smiles with confidence, Deshya bows her head in frustration.


    Tessa has ''1175€'' while Deshya has only ''825€''.


    The third match is about to start... and Deshya has already lost the confidence she had at the very beginning.

 19 -?The Red And Black Clash ; Folds?(GAME1)

    <hr>


    They day after the death of ''Roger Taketa'' and ''Maurine Kissana'', Deshya learns within minutes of waking up that the two victims'' adopted daughter, ''Korone'', will be living with them for a few weeks, until the case of the armed man found dead in the alley is resolved. Deshya is delighted to welcome Korone into the family, even if only for a short time, but at midday, someone knocks on her door and changes everything: it''s ''Tessa Merossa'', one of the three so-called ''geniuses'' at her school, so called by the students, as well as the one Deshya loves. What she proposes will surprise Deshya:


    - How about a game of poker between you and me?


    What will sow doubt in Deshya is not the game itself, but what happens if she loses: indeed, if Tessa wins this game, then Deshya will be forced to remove her hood in front of her to show her what she''s hiding under it. However, if Tessa loses, Deshya will never bother her again about her fox sweater and will agree to do anything that Deshya wants to a certain extent. After agreeing, Deshya goes to Tessa''s house with Korone and is surprised to find that ''Maruno Uffite'', the third member of the ''Associated Foxes'' from the Tetazo school, is the dealer for this game. What''s more, in Tessa''s living room, where the poker game between Deshya and her is to be played, there are a good twenty students! All spectators to this game between two ''geniuses'', they don''t hide their excitement when the first round begins. Deshya is confident that she''s going to win ¡ª or rather, that she MUST win ¡ª but that same confidence is soon shattered¡­


    Because the first two runs were won by Tessa.


    Deshya has ''825€'', while Tessa has ''1175€''. Almost 1/5th of Deshya''s total sum is in Tessa''s hands.


    - Calm down... Calm down..." Deshya said to herself, clenching her fists.


    Even with these defeats, there''s nothing to say that Deshya won''t be able to win back her sum within the next few rounds. With the exception of cheating, it''s impossible for Tessa to always have a better hand than Deshya: in short, her luck will eventually change. Everyone in the room knows it, and so does Tessa. Even if the beginning of this poker game is complex for Deshya, that doesn''t mean she''s in a position where victory is no longer possible. Nevertheless, these two defeats right from the start are taking their toll on her mental state. Deshya isn''t that weak, but her self-confidence is taking a hit.


    With Deshya 35 chips down, the third round begins.


    CHAPTER 19


    ?The Red And Black Clash ; Folds?


    Without waiting, Maruno places two cards on the table between the two players. Korone looks at them and wonders if their rank and suit will be interesting. The first round didn''t allow for any great combinations, but the second offered the possibility of a straight flush. This time, what will the two cards on the table announce...?


    - T-This...?!!


    The students in the crowd start to get excited. Deshya and Tessa look at the cards, not believing their eyes. Even though they have to show as little emotion as possible, even before the round begins, they both make no secret of their feelings: crazy excitement. Because the two cards in front of them, face up and new¡­


    The ?A and the ?10. Which means¡ª


    - A-A possibility of a royal flush," exclaims Deshya.


    The strongest hand in poker. Beginning with ''10'' and ending with ''ace'' and of the same suit. Thanks to the two cards in front of them, this hand is possible... but the luck involved is immense. In short, the chance of one of them getting a royal flush is very low. Despite this detail, it doesn''t change the fact that they both stare into each other''s eyes as Maruno offers them their cards, challenging each other. Even without saying a word, everyone in the room knows what they''re saying to each other.


    - If I have a royal flush, I can''t lose...!" thought Deshya.


    She picks up her cards with a quick hand and looks at them with fiery eyes. She recovers some of the confidence she''d lost, but only until she knows which hand she''s holding.


    And this hand¡ª


    The ?K. The ?3 and the ?9.


    - !!!


    Deshya observes her game with the most neutral gaze possible, but she''s unable to completely hide her feelings. Even though Tessa seems a little too focused on her game and pays no attention to what Deshya is showing on her face, Korone and Maruno see it clearly. The little girl hesitates to look at Deshya''s cards, but stays put and tries to calm her heart.


    - There''s no way she''s going for a royal flush... Right?" wonders Korone.


    Her doubt is directly answered when Deshya asks Maruno to exchange two cards. Tessa is next, returning all the cards in her hand. Korone takes a close look at the one Deshya has kept: is it a card that offers her a pair, or is it one that allows her to have even better...? She jumps out of her chair, unable to stay put, and goes to see.


    - A ?K!


    Korone notices that she''s showing too much emotion on her face and shakes her head before returning to her seat, calming down. If she''s not careful, she could be acting as an unwanted spy for Tessa... By showing certain emotions, Korone could be harming Deshya. She therefore decides to remain in her chair while Deshya looks at the two cards she has just received from Maruno. The first is¡ª


    - !!!!


    Deshya can''t believe it. One of the two cards she has just caught is¡­


    The ?J.


    - T-This means¡­


    She slowly turns her gaze to the second card. If she has the ?Q, then... then...!


    - !!!


    The card is red. The possibilities are limited to 2: either it''s a ?, or a ?. If it''s a ?, then it has at least one color. Plus, there''s nothing to say it couldn''t be a royal flush... The best hand in poker...!


    However, his heart misses a beat. Not only is this card ? in color, but it''s only a 7. A card that not only shatters her hopes, but wipes her out on the spot.


    Because that means the hand she has... is just a high card.


    - R-Really?


    Deshya grits her teeth and hides it, but she wants to hit the table and scream. With a hand like that, there''s nothing she can do. Although she''s convinced that Tessa can''t have a royal flush, that doesn''t stop her from having a flush again, a straight flush or even a single straight.


    - N-No, but a pair beats me¡­


    She quickly understands: if Tessa has anything better than a high card, then she can''t win. She can''t do anything with a hand like that, and yet two of the three cards give her a royal flush. By such a small margin, she misses a phenomenal chance. A chance that may never come again! A chance that would have restored her confidence! Nevertheless, she''s not allowed to see the light any time soon!!! It''s Tessa''s turn to make the first bet, but as this is the third round, the minimum she can place is now ''€20''. Tessa ponders while observing her cards. Meanwhile, her opponent is watching her, hiding her emotions as best she can, but her nervousness prevents her from being entirely neutral. Whatever happens, Deshya has already decided what she''s going to do. When Tessa comes to say her bet, Deshya already knows what to do...!


    However¡ª


    - I''m folding.


    Tessa places the three cards on the table and sighs. The students in the crowd start talking amongst themselves, while Maruno picks up the cards again without even being surprised. In fact, only Deshya is really surprised. Korone puts one knee on the table and picks up the two cards for Maruno. Maruno thanks her and grabs Deshya''s cards before shuffling.


    - I don''t know what hands they both had, but if Tessa didn''t have at least double pair or even three of a kind, it was too big a risk. I guess she didn''t get any cards that would give her a chance at the royal flush, so she''d rather choose safety," she thinks.


    Deshya sighs in relief and Tessa watches, squinting. Maruno shuffles quickly and efficiently before laying down the next two cards, both shouting the start of this fourth round. Everyone watches.


    The ?2 and the ?10.


    Unlike the old two, these mean that no straight is possible. In short, ''four of a kind'' is the strongest possible hand for this round. This reassures Deshya, who takes the three cards offered by Maruno. She looks at them carefully and wonders what she should do.


    The ?2, the ?2 and the ?K.


    Deshya refrains from opening her eyes wide and even bites her lower lip. It''s not a sign of frustration, but rather to hurt herself: in this way, she doesn''t show her real emotions.


    - I have... three of a kind.


    Although this hand is only stronger than the two pair and therefore below the straight, it''s a lucky hand that can only say one thing. Deshya gives Tessa a sharp look and, before she knows it, slips Maruno a card, face down.


    - I only exchange this card," admits Deshya.


    - Oooh?!


    - Just one!


    Deshya turns to Tessa, wondering if this will upset her, but it backfires on Deshya. Just when she''d hoped to see her squint or show the slightest hint of surprise on her face, it''s Deshya herself who comes to be shocked.


    - One too.


    Tessa... only asks to exchange one card! Like Deshya, she keeps two in her hands and glances sharply at her opponent in turn. Maruno offers a card to each of them, while Deshya has her doubts.


    - If she exchanges a single card, then that means she must have a good hand... Right?


    Deshya was convinced less than a minute ago that her hand was very good: now she hesitates. She hesitates, she hesitates! She tells herself that it''s just a set: even if it''s impossible for Tessa to have a set of ''2s'', there''s nothing to say she doesn''t have a set of ''10s''. ! Maybe even a square ''10''! Because the card Deshya has just received is a simple ''8''. In short, her hand remains unchanged ¡ª or rather, it''s a little weaker than before.


    - W-Why am I thinking about this?! Who cares?" thinks Deshya.


    She''s right: even if the highest card in her hand has just dropped in rank, it doesn''t matter. Even if she only had a ''3'' in her hand, it would make absolutely no difference. Deshya bites the inside of her cheek, wondering why she thinks of such trivial things. Admittedly, she''d never played poker seriously before, but to worry about such trivial details¡­


    - It''s my turn to start... With three of a kind, I can''t fold¡­


    It doesn''t take her long to think. Even though she''s filled with doubts because of the two cards Tessa has held, she refuses to believe she can lose this round. She refuses!


    - I bet ''€20''," she says.


    The minimum amount allowed. She pushes 4 chips in front of her without hesitation, confident for this round. She has no reason to start with an exaggerated bet, so she sticks to her decision. Tessa imitates Deshya.


    - I follow.


    Deshya is now pushing 6.


    - I bet ''30€'' more.


    A total of 10 chips: ''50€'' is in front of her. Still without flinching or hesitating, Deshya bets while looking at Tessa. Tessa rubs a strand of her hair and pushes in some chips of her own. Like her previous bet, she places 4 next to the ones she''s already put on the carpet.


    - I bet ''€20'' again and ask to see.


    So she stops the bet here. Deshya grits her teeth and shows everyone her cards.


    - A three of a kind of ''2s''," she says.


    Tessa smiles and turns over her cards, tossing them to Maruno.


    - I only have a pair of ''10s.


    One of the students stands up, clenching her fists.


    - Deshya won, ooooh!!!" he shouts.


    The crowd starts to get excited as Maruno starts to mix, but Korone can''t quite match the enthusiasm of those behind her. Looking at Deshya, she notices that she herself doesn''t seem to be so happy. She collects the 8 black chips she''s just won, but even with a win, her total sum has only increased by ''40€''.


    In short, Deshya currently has ''865€'' while Tessa still has ''1135€''.


    Although the gulf between them has narrowed, it''s not a big deal, especially for a hand like three of a kind. Korone understands this very well, and Deshya even better. She managed to get lucky, but without being able to stop the bet when she wanted to, she couldn''t force Tessa to bet more. It was at this point that she came to understand the advantages and disadvantages of starting first. The way she sees this poker game changes completely, and it''s as she waits impatiently for Maruno to finish shuffling that she thinks silently. Tessa plays with a poker chip and looks at the little girl next to Maruno, admiring her beautiful white hair. She hesitates to ask her what product she used to make such a fade, but she mustn''t lose focus on the game. Even if it''s only a total of ''40€'', she''s just lost a little of her money. What''s more, this little defeat must have restored some of Deshya''s courage. Although Tessa''s own confidence has not wilt, she refuses to let Deshya get back on track: she has to force her to fall and fall some more, to have all the chances on her side. The more confidence Deshya has in herself, the better she''ll do against Tessa. Even if it''s only by sheer luck, Tessa has managed to shatter much of Deshya''s confidence with her two early wins. She has to make sure that her opponent doesn''t manage to see the light of the tunnel.


    Prevent her from believing in victory.


    Maruno finishes shuffling and places the two cards between the two players.


    The ?5 and the ?8.


    Tessa squints and turns her gaze to Maruno.


    - Oi, oi.


    - What?


    - Are you sure you''re not cheating?" she asks.


    Maruno frowns.


    - You really think I''m gonna cheat?! Am I the kind of guy who cheats?


    - I know you''re not the cheating type, but maybe you''re mixing it up wrong...?" asks Deshya.


    - Whaaaaat?! I mix very well!


    - We''ve still got two cards left for a straight!" shouts Tessa. What''s more, we can even make a straight flush right now!


    Tessa crosses her arms.


    - I swear, if this keeps up, I''ll get the little one to do the mixing.


    - I don''t know if I''ll be mixing it right..." admits Korone.


    Maruno sighs and hands the three cards to the two players before crossing his arms.


    - I have no reason to cheat, since I adore you both. Besides, how would I chea¡ª


    - Yeah, yeah, whatever. We need to concentrate.


    Maruno clicks his tongue and sighs loudly. Korone chuckles, but quickly regains his composure as he turns to Deshya. With the two cards they can all see, this round could be very interesting¡­


    The ?7, the ?A and the ?4.


    - Wait, I still have a chance of getting a royal flush...?!" thought Deshya.


    This is just the 5th round and the minimum sum has just increased to ''30€'', which is still a rather small sum. Yet the Gods allow Deshya to have a royal flush again. If she manages to get the ?6 as well as the ?4 or the ?9, then she''ll have the best possible hand... However, Deshya can''t imagine such a scenario. She almost had such a hand during the third round and again, chance means she has this chance again...? She keeps only the ?7 and asks to exchange her other two cards, while Tessa returns her entire hand. Maruno offers the cards to Deshya and Tessa, and it''s with a rapidly beating heart that Deshya looks at the hand she''s just had. Although she doesn''t think she can get a royal flush, part of her decides to hold out hope. That ''maybe it is possible'' that remains in her heart.


    Unfortunately, his current hand consists of the ?7, the ?Q and the ?K.


    - A... high card¡­


    She feels nothing but disappointment. Once again, she misses out on the chance of a royal flush and has the weakest possible hand. Although she holds a queen and a king, she''s not convinced she can win with such a hand. Given the inexplicable luck they''re having during this poker game, Deshya refuses to believe that Tessa has just as high a card as she does. It''s obviously a possibility, but one she considers unlikely. Deshya ponders when Tessa sighs and throws her cards in the air.


    - I''m folding..." she says.


    - E-Eh?


    - Oh...?


    The cards fall in front of the two already face-up, and Deshya observes them.


    - The ?Q, the ?J and the ?A... She also had a high card, but... better than mine....


    Deshya shows her cards to Tessa, who clicks her tongue.


    - Well, I wasn''t just going to try with a high card..." she says.


    - I wasn''t going to try either," admits Deshya.


    - Eeeh, but wait¡­


    - Oooh! If Tessa is folding¡­


    Tessa smiles as she turns her face towards the students, who start to make more and more noise.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    - Exactly," she said.


    - Ooooh!!!


    - That''s super interesting!!


    - Waaa!


    They start shouting and Maruno shuffles the cards carefully, not wanting to be insulted as a cheat: it''s only a matter of chance, after all. Korone frowns, staring at Tessa.


    - She can''t give up on the first bet, nor can she folds... How will Deshya take advantage of this?" she wonders.


    Naturally, Deshya thinks things over as she waits for the round, but she quickly comes to the conclusion that she can only decide on a strategy by seeing the hand she''s going to possess during this sixth round. The sixth round begins quickly, and the two cards shown to everyone are:


    The ?7 and the ?10.


    Tessa crosses her arms.


    - It''s the little girl who mixes it up afterwards, I don''t give a damn," she says.


    - It''s not my fault!!!" shouts Maruno.


    Deshya blinks at the two cards: they still have the possibility of a straight flush... The possibility of a flush also exists! Tessa glares at Maruno, who grumbles and passes the cards to Korone, crossing her arms. Deshya turns to the little girl, who passes him three cards with a smile. Deshya returns the smile and thanks her, before Korone passes three cards to Tessa. Maruno watches the little girl to make sure she''s not cheating, since she''s arrived at Deshya''s side. However, Maruno doesn''t think she''s cheating: he''s just vexed that he''s no longer the dealer. Deshya looks at her cards, hoping to get lucky, especially as Tessa is in a situation that can quickly turn against her. Deshya''s cards are as follows:


    The ?Q, the ?8 and the ?3.


    She notices that she has an ''8'', which could give her a straight, but she doesn''t know if it''s worth keeping, especially as it''s not the same suit as the two on the table. She decides quickly and without hesitation to exchange her three cards, which she offers to Korone. Korone smiles and gives her three more cards, while Tessa offers her just one.


    - She keeps two cards...?!" wonders Deshya.


    Korone gives Tessa a card with a smile and waits for them to start betting. Maruno takes a quick look at Tessa''s deck, but doesn''t react: he wouldn''t want to give Deshya the slightest clue, which would almost be cheating.


    The ?5, the ?4 and the ?K: these are Deshya''s three new cards, which is nothing to write home about. Deshya scratches her hair and looks at Tessa, but she decides to fold and sigh.


    - Another one down..." says a student in the crowd.


    - I think she just had a high card," assumes another.


    - Eeeh, where''s the excitement?


    - We''re not here to entertain you..." thinks Deshya, handing back her cards.


    Tessa offers the little girl hers and sighs.


    - I just had a pair, but if you give up, you only had a high card, I bet," she says.


    Deshya answers nothing and waits silently for the next round. This lack of response makes Tessa smile as she watches her opponent closely, but she prefers not to say anything herself and, like Deshya, waits for Korone to finish mixing. The little girl tries to imitate Maruno, but to no avail. Seeing that she can''t copy him, she decides to do it the simpler way, but which may not be the most effective. Maruno asks her if she wants help, but Tessa forces him to stay put. He wants to grumble at her, but prefers not to say anything and just sighs. Even if Korone''s technique isn''t perfect, the way she mixes is good enough to make it work. When she''s done, she takes the first two cards of the deck and lays them down in front of everyone. When they see them, they open their eyes wide. Korone lets out a cry of surprise and Maruno starts laughing. Deshya and Tessa turn to Korone, who bows his head.


    - I-I''m worse than Mr. Handsome, I guess..." she mumbles.


    Tessa sighs and asks Korone to give them three cards, accepting the two in front of them. Indeed, the two cards in front of them are unthinkable. Improbable, even.


    The ?Q and the ?Q. A pair from the start.


    So it''s impossible for Deshya or Tessa to have a high card this round. Whatever they do, the minimum they can have is a pair of queens with ''4'' as their highest card. The crowd does its best to be quiet, but it can''t help but make a little noise in the background. Whispers between its members and sounds of excitement can be heard. Not only has the minimum amount accepted just been increased by ''10€'', there''s another factor that gets the crowd excited:


    Tessa can''t go fold.


    Even if she believes that Deshya has a square, which would then be unbeatable, Tessa is obliged to put in a certain amount. She can, of course, give up after Deshya bets, but she''ll come to lose at least ''€40'' during this round. This is only a possibility, as Tessa could be the lucky one and receive a queen that would allow her to get three of a kind: at that point, the chances of Tessa losing will drop significantly. However, it''s all a matter of luck. Korone watches Deshya and Tessa one after the other, wondering what cards they have in their hands. Did one of them get a queen? Perhaps they have a two pair?


    - I exchange my three cards.


    - So do I.


    However, they both return their cards in full... at the same time. Tessa and Deshya stare at each other, squinting, but eventually smile, understanding what this means. Korone picks up their cards with her mouth agape, but she too begins to smile. Maruno rubs his chin, excited to find out what''s going to happen next. The crowd gets a little louder in the background, as some of them understand the situation. Korone first gives three cards to Tessa, then three to Deshya. Both of them don''t wait a moment to look at their hand, praying for luck to fall into their lap. Even without looking at the cards the two players have dealt him, Korone understands exactly what this means. If they decide to return their entire hand, it means they didn''t get a two pair or a full house, but something else as well. A situation where luck could strike Deshya or Tessa like a bolt of lightning to ensure a probable victory in this match. A situation that excites them and makes the round even more interesting. If they both decide to give back the whole of their hand, it''s because neither of them is in their hands. Exactly¡­


    The other two queens are not out yet!


    There are 52 cards in the poker deck. If we subtract the 2 already on the table and the 6 returned, Korone''s deck has 44. There is therefore a 1-in-22 chance of receiving a queen. In reality, the little girl gave Deshya an ''advantage'' when she gave the three cards to Tessa. Because Tessa had a 1-in-22 chance, but Deshya had a 1-in-20.5 chance. Even though Korone knows that the probabilities don''t really work like that, and that in the end, one of the two queens - or even the two remaining queens - may be in the three cards given to Tessa. It''s not impossible that if Deshya had received the first three cards first, she''d be the one with the best hand in this match, but given that Korone decided to start with Tessa, she''s prevented her from having a three of a kind, or even a four of a kind. Korone is well aware of this, but she still decided to offer cards to Tessa first. It''s not really cheating: just a preference. Deshya waits patiently for Tessa to choose her bet, since she''s not allowed to fold. It''s not a choice, but the only decision she has to make is how much to bet. Tessa takes a long look at her cards before laying them down in front of her, hiding their rank and suit from view. She touches a black chip, but doesn''t push it yet. The silence is total. Everyone wonders what she''s going to play. No one except Tessa herself knows her hand, and therefore knows what strategy to employ. Without challenging Deshya with her gaze, the teenager pushes her chips before smiling. She looks up at the crowd, as if asking for praise for her move. The current minimum bet is only ''40€'', but the one Tessa puts on the mat is higher.


    - I bet ''100€'' !


    A tenth of their original total! Twenty or so black chips she pushes with both hands, ''€100'' in one go!!! A first bet that excites everyone, even Maruno who doesn''t hide his surprise!!!! Deshya holds her deck firmly, but decides to lay the three cards on the table, squinting. She didn''t want to show any emotion, but how could she not be shocked by this bet?! Tessa had no choice but to put chips on the table, but Deshya would never have believed so much on the first try!


    - Does she have a queen...?" wonders Deshya.


    She doesn''t know what to do. She''s the only one who knows her hand, but unfortunately her luck has run out. Indeed, Deshya has received no queen... but the reality is even worse.


    Deshya has the cards ?7, ?10 and ?9 in her deck! She only has a pair of queens with ''10'' as the highest card!


    This is a weak hand, given that Tessa starts with a default queen pair, too. If she has a jack, king or ace, then even if Tessa only has a pair, Deshya will come to lose this round. If she gives up now, then she''ll find herself in the same situation as Tessa: in short, she won''t be able to fold for the next round. Deshya wants to play it safe, given that she''s more than ''100€'' short of her initial sum, but if she drops out here, then the next round could be a real worry. If she''s unlucky and can''t fold, then she''ll lose at least ''40€'' no matter what. She has to play strategically this round: she has no choice! She blows out her breath and finally makes up her mind. Deshya knows she has to do it if she wants to keep playing... and hope to win this poker game! Preserve her secret!


    - I bet... ''50€''.


    She pushes a total of 10 chips, half of Tessa''s own. She smiles and, without even the slightest hesitation, pushes more.


    - I''ll put back ''40€'' more," she says.


    A total of 28 black chips, a sum of ''140€'' on the carpet! Enough to show Deshya above the initial sum of ''1000€''!!! A sum that can save her from her doubts, give her back the big chunk of her lost confidence!!!! Deshya looks at her own sum, thinking about her sum. Giving up here means she only loses ''50€'', but if she follows through and loses, then she''ll come to lose ''90€''. She''ll go from her ''865€'' to ''775€''... ! She''ll only have ''700€'' left before she''s at the minimum amount she can have and still stay in the game! She doesn''t know if she should take this risk, she''s hesitating! She doesn''t trust her own hand, herself! She only has a pair with a ''10'' as the highest card! An almost ridiculous hand for this round! However, she has already bet: so maybe stop here? Maybe accept that she''s made a mistake and avoid losing even more? Give back the ''40€'' she managed to win during the 4th game, while giving ''10€'' more?! Should Deshya continue and face her fears, or simply crumble under the pressure and refuse to lose any more than that?! Deshya hesitates, she hesitates a lot!!! Time passes and all eyes are on her: her answer is awaited by all!!! No one knows what she''s going to do, no one knows what hand she''s holding, so no one can even imagine what she''s thinking !!! Seconds pass, but Deshya raises her head. She''s made up her mind! She''s made up her mind! After a thought that seemed like an eternity, but actually only lasted about thirty seconds, she lets everyone know the choice she''s just made!!!


    - I follow... and I want to see!


    She doesn''t back down in the face of fear! She faces it head on! She refuses to give up those ''50€'' and even decides to add ''40''! Her 10 chips are now 18 and Deshya asks to see Tessa''s cards! A ''90€'' bet from Deshya against Tessa''s ''140€''! If Deshya loses this bet, then his initial sum will have fallen by almost ? since the start of this game. !! A sum which may seem to be insignificant, but which is actually immense ! Gigantic !!! A sum too low, especially for the beginning of the game !!! Deshya must win, she must have a stronger hand than Tessa''s if she wants to regain some of her confidence! To be able to move forward without hesitation! Tessa squints and with a sudden jerk shows her cards to everyone. If her hand is a ''two pair'' or higher, or even a pair with a jack, king or ace as the highest card, then Deshya will know defeat for this 7th round! A defeat she doesn''t want!!! Everyone turns to Tessa''s cards, eager to know the result of this round! Her cards are¡ª


    - The ?4, the ?8 and the ?9. I have a pair of queens with the highest card a ''9''.


    Tessa says her hand to everyone while crossing her arms. Everyone then turns to Deshya: if she has better than that, she wins the ''140€'' that was bet by Tessa. A sum that would allow Deshya to be ''5€'' higher than the initial sum. Deshya opens her eyes wide, so Korone assumes she''s just lost, but a toothy grin decorates Deshya''s face. She grabs her three cards and shows them to everyone.


    She wins this round, and rightly so!


    - A 10!!!!


    - That was close!


    - Lucky!!!


    - I was too scared for our foxy, waaa!!!!


    - My heart couldn''t take it anymore!!!


    - Oooh, Deshya wins!!!!


    Tessa clicks her tongue against her teeth before clenching them, while Deshya smiles as she can finally breathe. The ''90€'' she bet isn''t lost and Tessa''s 28 black chips become hers!!! She collects them after returning her cards to Korone and passes them on to her side. Deshya now has a total of €1,005! Not only does she get back everything she''s lost since the start, but she also manages to win an extra ''5€''! In short, this is the first time since the start of the game that Tessa has fallen below the initial sum! A small step towards the victory Deshya is looking for! A way of restoring her confidence in her!!! Korone mixes with a smile, happy to see that Deshya has managed to win this round. However, Korone wonders if this would have been possible if Tessa didn''t fold twice in a row. The little girl understands very well why she had refused to bet those two times, but she wonders if it was a wise idea. Moreover, it was clear that she had tried to bluff by placing a bet high enough to force Deshya to back down and give up, trapping her in the same situation she had just experienced. A strategy that could have worked, but failed because of Deshya''s courage. Korone stops shuffling and places two cards on the table. The crowd calmed down, but the excitement they had felt during this round prevented them from remaining silent. The two cards shown to all are:


    The ?3 and the ?K.


    - No straight, no color..." thinks Deshya.


    After retrieving her three cards, Deshya observes them carefully, but notices that she has nothing good. The ?8, the ?A and the ?J. In short, all she has is a high card. Nothing very impressive. She''s about to ask to swap her three cards when she hesitates. She blocks by herself and looks at her cards one last time.


    - I''ll swap two cards," says Tessa.


    - Okii!" said Korone.


    Deshya looks at the little girl and finally makes up her mind. She passes him two cards in turn, repeating what Tessa has just said. Korone nods and gives her two new ones. Deshya hopes to have at least one pair, however¡ª


    - ... Well, a high card.


    The ?5 and the ?10. With the card she kept, which is the ?A, this makes her hand as weak as possible, even though she has the highest attainable card. Unfortunately, Deshya isn''t too convinced that this will help her win. She looks at Tessa and then turns her face to her chips. It''s up to her to bet... She can fold and keep her full amount, but Deshya doesn''t want to give up just like that. Admittedly, Tessa has kept a card too, which could mean being a pair, but perhaps she''s done as Deshya has?


    - I won quite a bit just before. I''ve got enough money to dare... Besides, it''s possible that Tessa doesn''t have a good hand... If I bet a little, maybe I can scare her or force her to give up.


    Deshya makes up her mind and pushes the minimum amount she can bet.


    - 40€'' on my side!" she smiles.


    - I follow.


    Without hesitation. 8 chips starting from the sum of Tessa and join the fight. A sum similar to Deshya''s. The latter bets again, refusing to give up her ''40€''.


    - I bet ''40€'' more.


    A total of 16 chips on the mat from Deshya. Both show no hesitation and the tension in the room increases. Tessa goes to bet, but stops before pushing her chips. A first sign of hesitation! She''s not betting, but she''s not giving up! She''s thinking, she''s thinking!!! Tessa keeps everyone in the living room waiting, unable to choose!


    - Perfect...!" thinks Deshya.


    Deshya likes this hesitation and hopes Tessa will give up, but the reality is quite different.


    - I follow and ask to see.


    16 chips against 16 chips. 80€'' against ''80€''. Tessa crosses her arms and waits for Deshya to show her cards. She blinks and blows out a sort of groan: her heart had started to beat with joy when she saw that Tessa was hesitating, but she quickly comes to her senses and bets back. However, Deshya remains hopeful: chances are that Tessa''s hand isn''t as good as hers. Having pairs all the time isn''t possible, after all. Deshya turns over his cards and shows them to everyone. Maruno inclines his head gently towards them.


    - A high card... with an ace as the highest card," he declares.


    Tessa stares at them silently for a few moments. All eyes are on her, but Tessa doesn''t let a single word leave her mouth. Deshya begins to feel hopeful: can her opponent sense her mounting frustration? Is losing ''140€'' and now ''80€'' shattering her confidence, like what happened with Deshya?! That would be a great scenario for Deshya, who''s out to win! If she can steal Tessa''s confidence and bring her down, while she climbs the ladder by leaps and bounds, then victory will light up for her! Then she won''t be afraid anymore! Then she can keep her secret under her hood, her fox ears won''t have to see the light of day in front of Tessa!!!!


    - ... I see.


    Tessa returns the cards to Korone and touches her chips. Deshya lets out a big smile, while Maruno squints. Korone looks at Tessa''s cards and¡ª


    - ... Oh.


    Korone turns to Deshya.


    - Deshyshy. Tessa wins.


    - ... Huh?


    Korone shows Deshya the three cards.


    - See? She''s got the ?K, so she''s got a pair.


    - O-One-One pair¡­


    Deshya blinks, and Tessa, too, smiles broadly.


    - The card I kept was this one. I hesitated because I thought you had a pair too, and given that my other two cards were a 4 and a 7, I admit I wasn''t too confident¡­


    Tessa brings Deshya''s 16 chips closer to her own, once again surpassing the initial sum of ''1000€''.


    - But it looks like I did the right thing by betting again~!


    Tessa chuckled and Deshya gritted her teeth, staring straight at her opponent. She''d thought she''d succeeded in unsettling Tessa, but it looks like that was just an illusion... a false hope.


    - On the other hand¡­


    Korone starts mixing and Deshya touches the side of her head. She looks at Tessa, squinting.


    - What is this feeling...?


    She can''t figure out what she''s feeling. Like an inner frustration, as if something was asking her... to get out. A feeling Deshya herself didn''t understand... but one that annoyed her.


    Deshya goes down to ''925€''. Tessa has ''1075€''.


    The ninth round finally begins and the minimum bet is now €50.

 20 -?The Red And Black Clash ; Mistrust?(GAME1)

    <hr>


    The poker game between Tessa and Deshya began a few minutes earlier. In the living room are the two players, Maruno who was the dealer, Korone who is now the dealer, and around twenty students who are spectators. After a bad start for Deshya, who lost a total of ''175€'', she managed to come back thanks to the third set and the seventh. However, Deshya lost a total of ''80€'' in the eighth. Deshya now has ''925€'', while Tessa has ''1075€''. The ninth round is about to begin and the minimum amount is raised to ''50€''. Korone places the two cards on the table and Maruno shouts when he sees them. This attracts everyone''s attention and one of the twenty students jumps up.


    - I don''t believe it!!! I don''t believe it!!!!


    Korone blinks as Tessa begins to tap the table as if she were playing the piano.


    - Oi, oi. Are you kidding me right now...?


    Deshya can''t believe it either. She turns to Korone, who shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head: she didn''t do it on purpose. She''s not the one cheating or trying to make the game super interesting: it''s just a coincidence.


    The two cards are the ?A and the ?K. And again¡­


    A royal flush is possible this round.


    CHAPTER 20


    ?The Red And Black Clash ; Mistrust?


    - I can''t believe it..." thinks Korone as she hands the cards to Deshya and Tessa.


    It''s lucky enough to draw two cards of the same suit during a round, but to do it several times seems impossible. Korone can''t even imagine the likelihood of it happening... It''s highly likely that they''re experiencing a poker game that''s so ''lucky'' that it would be suspected of cheating by anyone. In fact, even Korone wonders if this deck was rigged, but when she quickly looked at the cards before shuffling, she didn''t see anything that looked like cheating... It''s all a matter of chance. A simple chance that will surely never happen again. Korone places the deck of cards in front of her and waits for the two players to make their choice. Tessa asks directly to switch hands, but Deshya is slower. With the three cards still in front of her, she analyzes them, wondering what to do.


    The ?J, the ?3 and the ?J.


    Although she has a pair of jacks and tells herself she doesn''t have to hesitate in this way, there''s a good reason she''s thinking this way. She sees only two choices in front of her:


    - Either I keep my two jacks to keep a pair, but then I shatter all my chances of having a royal flush or even a normal straight¡­


    She squints gently.


    - Either I just keep the ?J hoping that luck will finally fall my way, but if it''s not on my side, then I''ll end up with a high card....


    Deshya knows that holding a royal flush requires astronomical luck. However, the improbability of this poker game makes her hesitate. The luck seems to be entirely on the two cards in front of them, but there''s nothing to say that Deshya can''t be lucky in her turn. Plus, Tessa just switched all three of her cards, so she didn''t have any cards that would give her a royal flush. In short, if Deshya is lucky, then she can have it. The strongest hand in poker. She closes her eyes... and makes her choice. She tends¡ª


    - I exchange a single card.


    Exactly. She decides to keep the pair of jacks! She doesn''t want to rely on luck, so she plays it safe! It''s also not impossible that she''ll manage to get a two pair, or even three of a kind! Deshya bets on this chance, not on the chance of a royal flush! This is safety!


    - Here," Korone smiled at her.


    Deshya picks up her card, praying it will show him a J... however!!!


    One ?5.


    A card that does her no favors at all! She only has a pair of jacks, but in reality Deshya isn''t disappointed: even if she''s not convinced of her hand, she has more than a high card. What''s more, it''s impossible for her opponent to have a royal flush, so that''s reassuring. Admittedly, the chances of her holding such a hand would have been very low in any case, but it''s this kind of ¡®certainties'' that succeed in calming Deshya. When she can be certain that her opponent doesn''t have a certain hand, then she can win a confidence game. She expects Tessa to bet, though...!


    - I¡¯m folding. I only have one high card.


    She refuses!!! She folds directly, all the while saying the hand she owns!!!! Tessa returns her cards before resting her head on her fist, disappointed. While the two cards in front of them showed the possibility of a magnificent round, she doesn''t trust her own hand and prefers not to risk a single chip: and rightly so! Deshya doesn''t show Tessa her hand, but Tessa is convinced she would have lost anyway. She didn''t receive a single card that could have led her to the royal flush, but she did come close to holding a flush. Unfortunately, one of her cards was a ?... Korone starts shuffling, while Maruno waits impatiently to see the next round. Given the unlikely combinations of the two cards they put on the table, he''s expecting more surprises! Meanwhile, Deshya looks at Tessa with puffed-up cheeks, which makes her opponent smile.


    - She folds too often... Does she want to take the game to huge minimum stakes? Does she want to make the pleasure last, or does she just like to play it safe...? She won''t always be able to lie down, though¡­


    Deshya wishes she could have read minds at that very moment. She understands why she went to bed and didn''t risk anything, but she wonders if it''s really the best strategy. If the rules didn''t forbid three lies in a row, she''d have understood: but right now, Deshya isn''t sure it''s the best thing to do. However, when she sees that she has fewer chips than Tessa, she smiles, telling herself that she''s the fool.


    Korone lays both cards on the table.


    The ?7 and the ?8.


    - Oddly enough, I''d be more surprised to have two cards that have nothing to do with each other than two cards that allow a flush or a straight..." jokes Maruno.


    Everyone in the crowd nods at the same time, and Korone looks at the deck of cards with a spasm in her right eye.


    - I-I think I''ll mix it differently..." she swings.


    - No prob¡¯s, it makes the game more interestin¡¯," smiles Tessa.


    - You''re the one who was bitching about it in the first place!" shouts Maruno.


    - I''ve decided to change my mind because you''re no longer the one mixin¡¯.


    - Sometimes I wonder if you really like me.


    Tessa smiles at him and asks Korone to give them the three cards they are to receive. The little girl apologizes and hurries off. First Deshya, then Tessa. Both look at their cards and¡ª


    - !!!


    Deshya opens her eyes wide. Unable to contain herself, she shows how she feels on the spot. Tessa notices and worries, but Deshya quickly closes her eyes and bites her lower lip: she''s just made one of poker''s worst mistakes. If Tessa doesn''t think she''s bluffing, then Deshya may have just ruined her chances of winning this round. Indeed, her hand is incredible. In fact, it''s so good that she has only one choice:


    - I keep my three cards.


    She exchanges nothing! The hand she holds will not change during this round! Tessa squints before making her choice:


    - I exchange my three cards.


    The opposite! She has no cards left in her hands, she keeps nothing! The crowd starts to get excited little by little, wondering what cards Deshya could possibly have! Even Maruno !!! Even Korone !!! Even Tessa !!!! No one knows what Deshya owns, except herself! Will Tessa give up after Deshya''s bet? Will she refuse to bet in this possibly losing round?


    - Then Tessa won''t be able to lie down for the next round..." Korone thought to herself as she offered the three cards to the teenager.


    A situation that has already arisen during this round. One of the rules set by Tessa herself! Will she fall for it again, or will she call Deshya''s bluff? What''s going to happen in this tenth round?! What strategies will they use? It''s with so many questions in mind that the spectators wait at the edge of their seats, impatient for Deshya to make her first bet!!! She lays her cards on the table and thinks, but finally decides! She''s pushing chips, she''s starting this round that gets everyone excited!


    - I bet¡­


    And then, it''s madness! Tessa squints and Maruno opens her eyes wide! The students in the crowd shout with joy, excitement and surprise! Deshya''s black tokens advance onto the battlefield and form a wall in front of her, confident of their general!!! It''s war!!!


    - I bet ''120€''!


    A total of 24 chips at once!!! A grandiose first bet!!! Deshya points a gun at Tessa and asks her to give up directly: defeat is not in her dictionary!!! She can''t lose, she can only win this round !!! It''s with conviction that she throws her wager, that she challenges her opponent!!!!


    - It doesn''t matter if I don''t win, you''ll have to give up and bet on the next round. You''re not going to back down, are you?" thinks Deshya with a faint smile.


    True, she mustn''t show any emotion, but that smile isn''t one that means she''s certain of victory, but one that taunts Tessa! They stare into each other''s eyes, they can''t escape each other''s gaze! The tension increases, the air becomes thinner and everyone waits for some kind of response from Tessa! Will she bet? Will she give up?! That''s the question! Such is the uncertainty of this round! 120€'' are in front of Deshya ! 24 chips ! More than 1/10th of her total amount! A daring bet, but one she has no intention of retracting !!! She''s waiting!!! They''re all waiting !!!! Tessa looks down at her cards, which are face-down, then at her chips. Should she bet? Should she dare? No one can know what she''s thinking right now, but everyone wishes they could read her mind! Although barely five seconds have passed, for them it''s a minute! A wait that prevents them from breathing properly! When Tessa''s lips finally move, they catch their breath: she''s finally going to answer the question. Deshya''s challenge! Tessa''s going to speak at last! After what had seemed like an eternity to them, an answer will finally see the light of day!!! At last!!! She moves her hand and there, and there!!!!


    She bets !!!!


    - I bet ''50€''.


    The minimum amount, yes, but she bets!!! She answers Deshya''s challenge hesitantly, but she doesn''t back down! She doesn''t run !!! She doesn''t give up!!! Even after her opponent doesn''t exchange any cards, she''s not afraid to face her army of chips!!! Sure, her bet isn''t as big as Deshya''s, but she''s facing the enemy! She''ll protect her honor! Deshya wants to smile, but she refuses to show her emotions again. Without keeping the sweaty crowd waiting, Deshya bets again!


    - I am.


    10 more chips! A total of ''170€'' lies before her!!! Her army is growing, and so is the risk! Korone looks at Deshya''s cards, hidden behind the chips and face-up, wondering which hand she has.


    - A straight... No, a straight flush?!


    A chance that would be astronomical, given the context of this poker game that seems improbable if it''s a possibility that exists! A straight flush, the strongest possible hand in this round! Would Deshya have managed to have such a hand from the start? Or is she bluffing?! Korone doesn''t know, but she wants to know the answer! She wants to understand where Deshya''s confidence comes from! Having lost hope at the start of the match, she''s regaining her color! She''s not afraid and faces her opponent, ready to protect the secret that''s on her head! Ready to prove to Tessa that she can win this game!!! All eyes are on Tessa, but she hesitantly decides to follow. A total of ''100€'' at stake, 20 chips against Deshya''s 34! She doesn''t give up! Even in the face of her adversary''s confidence, she doesn''t back down! While playing it safe, while refusing to sacrifice too many soldiers, she defends herself!!! Deshya stares at her with a neutral expression, but inwardly, she smiles. Her teeth are crooked and her eyes show flames that envelop her pupils.


    - She needs to bet more...!" she thought.


    Deshya doesn''t believe in defeat. There''s a very specific reason why she hasn''t exchanged a single card. An explanation for her eyes that opened wide when she saw her cards. The hand she holds, the three cards she possesses¡­


    The ?J, the ?4 and the ?A!!!


    A ''flush'', poker''s fifth strongest hand!!!


    Even if her opponent were to have a color as well, it''s Deshya who has the ?A! In short, she can only win! Sure, Tessa could have, say, a straight flush, but Deshya refuses to back down from that tiny possibility. She''s got a lucky hand, and Tessa''s hesitation can only mean one thing: she doesn''t have a straight flush! She doesn''t have a hand strong enough to beat her!


    Deshya believes in her chances of victory more than anything!!!!


    And it is with this confidence that she makes her first choice. With a strong, powerful hand, she commands her soldiers to advance. The tokens tumble over each other and join the fight! Facing Tessa''s weak army. Yes, she bets! She bets a total of¡ª


    - I bet ''130€'' more!


    A total of 60 chips are in front of her!!!! 3/10th of her initial sum, ''300€''!!!!


    The crowd erupts in cheers of excitement, and Korone can''t help but smile. Tessa bites her thumb, while Maruno watches Deshya in amazement. She''s not backing down! She''s advancing, advancing, advancing! She''s sending her troops to war, she can''t lose! It''s a victory she can only be sure of! Her 60 chips threaten Tessa''s 20: they outnumber her three to one! They''re standing tall, piling up, preparing to swallow them whole! They''re going to win, win, win!!!


    - Deshya!!!


    - 300€'', my word !!!


    - Tessa, what are you going to do?!


    - Deshya, Deshya, Deshya!!!!


    The crowd goes wild! Deshya, who has played it safe for so long, challenges Tessa, staring into her eyes. !! She asks him telepathically what she intends to do. She makes him understand that giving up is the reasonable choice, the one to take!!! A real psychological battlefield! Tessa closes her eyes, stopping to challenge her opponent.


    - It''s good.


    One sign. Two words. Tessa... Tessa... !


    - So¡­


    She crosses her arms. She no longer stares at Deshya, she doesn''t even look at what she has in front of her: is this abandonment?! Will she accept that wagering more is suicide? Will she give in to Deshya''s soldiers who stand proudly, sent by their general? Give up in the face of their flamboyant determination?!! It seems the best solution, the most certain path¡­


    However, however, however!!!


    - I BET ''300€'' THEN!!!


    Tessa advances!!! She sends her soldiers into battle, she shouts!!! She doesn''t back down in the face of this determination, but she wraps herself in an even more powerful one!!!! More burning, more flamboyant !!!!!


    A total of 60 tokens advancing towards war!!!!! ¡®300€'' versus ''400€'' !!!!


    - And I ask to see!


    It stops here! Tessa bets 4/10th of her initial sum, 2/5th of ''1000€''!!! A huge sum!!! One that could very well mean the end of this game for Tessa!!! A sum, if lost, that could shatter her confidence with a blow from a rock!!!! The crowd screams, Maruno stands up and Korone can''t believe it!!! It''s madness in the living room!!! It''s unbelievable! Unthinkable!!! A war between two players!!! It''s Deshya''s determination against Tessa''s!!!! The teenage girl in the fox sweater smiles and turns over her cards before crashing against the table, causing the chips to shake with shudder and fear!!! She screams, she screams, she screams!!!


    - Color!!!


    She shouts out the hand she holds!!! One that exceeds the straight!!! Three cards that are the same suit, that are ? !!!! An incredible hand!!! Korone and Maruno open their mouths wide and the crowd screams in all directions: she''s incomprehensible!!! Cheers, excitement, senseless screams!!!! Deshya smiles broadly, she challenges Tessa, but for her, the war is over!!! It''s her victory, hers, her ''400€'' that becomes theirs!!!!


    - Are you really going to beat that, Tessa?!!" she screams entirely.


    True, his army is smaller than Tessa''s, but that doesn''t matter: they''ll win! They will defeat their enemy!!! They''ll take them home!!! Deshya catches Tessa''s ''400€''! The 80 chips that thought they could win!!! Deshya will arrive at a sum of ''1325€'', while Tessa will find herself with ''675€'' !!!! A sum that will shatter her confidence!!! Deshya refuses to believe that she can lose with a ''color''! It''s unthinkable! To be so lucky doesn''t exist !!! Korone didn''t shuffle badly enough for the possibility of a straight flush to exist!!!! Tessa can believe in herself all she wants, Deshya refuses to believe she can lose this fight !!!!


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    - A-A color?!" exclaims Tessa.


    - That expression...!


    Astonishment! Shock! Surprise!!! Tessa doesn''t hide how she feels, she can''t believe Deshya has such a hand! Even though she hasn''t exchanged a single card, it seems unthinkable!!! An almost impossible chance!!! Tessa turns to Korone.


    - Oi, better mix!" she shouts.


    - A-Ah, sorry..." apologizes Korone, lowering her head.


    - Whatever! Your chips are mine, Tessa!


    A cry of victory! A rise to the light, Deshya can finally reach for the top, she can protect her secret !!! She can''t lose, she''s not going to lose!!! Tessa sighs and stands up, her three cards in hand.


    - Whatever you hold, I win! I win!" thinks Deshya.


    She returns her three cards to Korone and just as she''s about to sit down, a shiver goes down her spine. An excruciating thunderbolt strikes her back and Deshya looks up. The crowd suddenly falls silent, and Korone and Maruno turn their faces towards Tessa.


    A devilish smile.- You don''t want to see my hand... Deshya?!


    And then she slams her three cards down on the table with an even more violent movement. The chips shake, some fall under the pressure and the two cards laid down in advance, the ?7 and the ?8, fly off. Tessa pulls back her hand and shows everyone what she''s got. The ranks and suits of her three cards. And here¡ª


    And then...!!


    And there!!!!


    - W-What?!!


    - IMPOSSIBLE!!!


    - HUUUH?!


    Deshya freezes in place, mouth wide open. Eyes wide open. Breathless! Korone recoils in surprise and Maruno grabs the cards, refusing to believe it.


    - Y-You''re cheating?!


    Tessa shakes her hair and cracks the back of her neck.


    - No cheating. I''d rather die than cheat.


    She sticks out her tongue while staring at Deshya.


    - I''m just blessed with good luck!


    Exactly, the hand Tessa owns... The three cards she received from Korone... She''s... They''re...!!!!


    - A-A¡­


    A ''square'' of 8 !!!!


    The ?8!


    The ?8!


    And the ?8!!!


    A hand even stronger than the flush, a hand made up of four cards of the same rank. A hand that can only be beaten by a straight flush or royal flush. A hand that''s almost impossible to beat! The crowd screams, screams!!! Excitement! Of incomprehension!!! Of despair!!! Of euphoria!!!!


    - A-AaAaAaa...?!!!!


    Deshya''s world is spinning! It no longer makes sense! She can no longer see straight ahead! Her army is swept away by the demon, who laughs as he shows his fangs even sharper than Deshya''s! He towers over her by several meters! Tessa looks down on Deshya as she retrieves her booty, leaving her opponent petrified on the spot! Only Deshya''s jaw moves, as if trying to speak. She sees her soldiers die before her, carried away by the demon and screaming in agony. They''ve lost the battle. Their general can''t even get them back, she doesn''t even try to reassure them: she''s lost. She''s lost. She''s lost...! Lost! Lost! Lost!!!!


    Even with a ''color'', she lost!!! She couldn''t face Tessa''s hand, she was crushed like a mosquito!!!!


    A square of 8! A horribly lucky hand! Way too lucky!


    Deshya clenches her fists, but two cards drop in front of her. She blinks and looks at them. Tessa snaps her fingers and Deshya looks at her.


    - We''re starting round 11, Deshya," she told her.


    - ... A-Ah¡­


    Deshya bows her head towards the three cards Korone offers her. Her eyes have lost their determination, the confidence she had managed to gain. Her body is cold, the flames in her mind gone with a single breath of wind. A determination that seemed like it could burn through anything, but was only a bluff. One who had that looked strong enough to hold back the highest waves, but was destroyed by a mere breeze. Deshya looks at her sum total before even observing the hand she''s holding.


    125 chips. A total of €625.


    Tessa has ''1375€''. 275 chips.


    In short, Tessa holds more than twice as many chips as Deshya. A huge advantage. A defeat that shatters Deshya.


    Her cards are the ?K, the ?A and the ?3. A straight is possible if she exchanges the ?3 and manages to receive a queen, but in Deshya''s mind this is a possibility that doesn''t exist. She understands very well the reality of her situation. She doesn''t need to be told for her to guess.


    Luck is not on her side. The gods favor Tessa. She''s bathed in their blessing, while Deshya has only herself to contend with.


    She has to protect her secret, but they won''t let her. The vipers circle around her, hissing and sticking out their tongues impatiently. They''re waiting for her to fall, for her to lose this game and for Tessa to be the one on the throne. Deshya doesn''t deserve to win: that''s what she thinks right now.


    So she exchanges the three cards.


    Tessa keeps just one, which worries Deshya. When the latter collects three more from Korone, she gently lowers her head. Unconsciously, she lets Tessa know that she doesn''t have a good hand. Without even knowing it, Deshya is already losing this round. Tessa doesn''t wait a single second before pushing a total of 15 chips in front of her. 75€'' on the board. Deshya shakes his head and hands the cards back to Korone.


    - I give up.


    She refuses to bet this round: she only has a high card. Tessa shrugs and returns Korone''s cards in turn: she has a pair of jacks, but she suspects that Deshya didn''t have anything better. She''s completely weakened and has lost the light in her eyes. Korone looks at her, shuffling. She wants to shout at her to pull herself together, not to give up and to believe in herself, but would it be right of her? Can she encourage one player, but not the other? As much as she wants to see her win, it''s a game that doesn''t concern her: it''s Deshya against Tessa. One against the other. Korone is just a spectator who has become the giver, nothing more.


    - If I''d shuffled better, Tessa would never have had a square..." she said to herself as she placed two cards in the middle of the table.


    The little girl is convinced that it''s her fault that the tenth set went the way it did. She can''t believe that a color and a square in each other''s houses is anything other than a mixing error. If so, it''s all Korone''s fault. If she had mixed things better, this situation would never have arisen.


    Then Deshya wouldn''t be so devastated.


    For this second round, the two cards in the middle of the table are the ?7 and the ?A. Two cards that don''t allow much. As always, three cards are offered to Deshya, then to Tessa. Korone smiles at the red-haired one, but she doesn''t even notice.


    - Deshya¡­


    Korone understands why she feels so bad about losing ''300€'' all at once, but at the same time, isn''t this a game where a pledge is at stake? Is she so competitive that losing a game, even a friendly one, affects her that much? After all, Korone doesn''t know Deshya well. Then perhaps¡­


    - I''ll swap my three cards," says Tessa.


    - The same.


    Korone returns their cards directly and Deshya, barely a second after grabbing her cards, speaks:


    - I''m folding.


    - Eeeh?!


    - W-What? Already?


    Deshya returns her cards and sighs. She tries to calm down and regain her confidence, but she feels terrible. She didn''t even try to play this round, as she only had a high card with a jack as the highest card: far too weak a hand to dare try anything. However, this means that for the next round, whatever happens, she''ll have to bet.


    - Thirteenth round, so the minimum accepted is ''70€''. declares Maruno.


    If Deshya bets once and gives up right after, then she''ll drop to ''€555''. A total of 111 chips. She can''t afford to go that low, so she takes a deep breath and exhales as she calms down. She has to bet this round, so she has to concentrate. She mustn''t show her emotions to her opponent, nor let him know she''s lost confidence. She needs to win a certain amount of money again, so that she can get back on track and reach out for the light again; for victory. It is with this conviction that Deshya looks at the two cards in front of her.


    The ?10 and the ?4.


    Impossible to make a straight or even a flush. Deshya grabs the three cards due to her and observes them, forcing herself not to react. Her cards don''t allow her to do anything, so she decides to exchange them all. Tessa gives him a sharp look before smiling.


    - Personally, I don''t exchange a single card.


    - N-Not even one?!


    - Ooooh!


    Deshya picks up her cards, staring at her in surprise, but she shakes her head and tries to calm down, gritting her teeth.


    - Don''t think about it! She''s playing with you, manipulating you...!


    Tessa announced in the tenth round that she was blessed with good fortune, but Deshya refuses to believe it: it''s not impossible...! Even with everything she tells herself, she can''t believe that the Gods are advantaging Tessa for some reason! Why would she say all this when she doesn''t even believe it... ?! She wants to hit her head, wake up! This is a very important game, one she must win! To preserve her secret!!! To keep Tessa from digging too deep and discovering the truth!!!! Deshya must not lose! She must win, defeat her! Her opponent must accept defeat!!!


    Her hand is just a pair of 10s, with the highest card being a jack.


    A decent hand, but far from magnificent. Deshya looks at Tessa, hoping to see the slightest emotion on her face, but that doesn''t happen. As soon as Deshya looks up, Tessa moves her hand.


    And she pushes 14 chips.


    - I bet ''70€''.


    The minimum accepted for this round. While she has kept her three cards, she bets no more. This gives a courageous leap into Deshya''s chest as she lays down her cards. She has no choice, anyway: she has to bet. After giving up once and folding the last time, she has to move on and face her enemy! Running away is not an option! She has to fight!


    - I bet... ''85€'' !!


    17 black tokens advance towards the battle, fearfully facing Tessa''s army. Tessa pushes her soldiers forward again, not even pausing to think.


    - ''130€'' !!!


    - Ooooh!


    - Tessa is on fire!!!


    - I''m going to explode!!!


    She pushes them! The 26 chips join the 14! A total of 40 chips, a total of ''200€'' for the bet of Tessa!!! Deshya pulls her head back, gritting her teeth: the pressure is preventing her from breathing properly. Should she continue? Should she give up? What should she do? Dare to bet more, believe Tessa''s bluff?! If she continues to bet and loses, then she''ll sink into the abyss, she won''t even be able to see the light of victory ¡ª no, even the light of hope will disappear from the darkening sky! The vipers are more numerous, telling her to dare, to bet, to push her chips! Whether it''s ''70€'' or ''200€'', his body is telling him to bet! Don''t give up! Not to back down!!! Don''t trust Tessa''s games!!! She''s lying! She''s bluffing!!! She must not have a good hand!!! This is not possible!!!! Luck can''t just be with her!!!!! The Gods don''t bathe her in their blessings, they''re just nonsense created by her brain!!!!!!


    - I-I bet ''70€'' and I ask to see!!!


    And she bets !!!! She pushes her soldiers, creating a wall of 31 chips in front of her! One that''s less imposing than Tessa''s, but one that''s big enough to please her opponent! A bet that can change everything! A bet that can sink her even deeper, or allow her to cling to the light of hope! Get back on track, even if it''s just a few steps!!! Seek balance, equality!!!! Tessa smiles and turns over her cards, showing them to everyone.


    - A pair of 10!


    - I-I also have a pair of 10s!" admits Deshya.


    Deshya knew it was a bluff! A way of putting pressure on her, preventing her from thinking straight and breathing!!! From now on, the highest card will play everything!!! Deshya''s is a jack, so only a queen, king or ace can defeat her!!! There are only three different cards that can sink Deshya, otherwise, she''ll win! She can recover a third of her lost winnings! She can come back and try to even the match!!!!


    However!


    However!!


    HOWEVER!!!!


    - Tessa wins!!!


    Her highest card is a king!!! A king of hearts, a ?K!!!!!


    - W-What?!!!


    - Raaah, Deshya loses again!!!


    - She is sinking¡­


    Deshya steps back, her breathing short. He soldiers leave, narrowly defeated by Tessa''s. Deshya falls on her buttocks and trembles. Maruno asks her if she is okay and Korone takes her hand.


    - Is everything all right?" she asks.


    Deshya smiles tremulously, but the sweat dripping from her forehead, his clammy hands and her lifeless expression prove that this smile means nothing. She''s neither happy nor amused.


    - I-I''m going to lose¡­


    She refuses to believe it, but¡­


    - I''m going to lose¡­


    ''155€'' which flew out before her eyes.


    - I''m going to lose!


    Deshya clenches both fists and grits her teeth. Korone steps back and blinks, but Deshya is so devastated she can''t even notice she''s standing next to her. Tessa asks the little girl to return to her seat to mix and start the 14th round. She observes Deshya for a few moments with a sad look on her face before nodding and complying. In the crowd of students, the sounds of many conversations, all intertwined, can be heard, but far from understood. Some are convinced that Tessa will win, others refuse to believe that Deshya will go down easy. Korone starts shuffling after collecting Deshya''s cards, while Maruno worries about Deshya. They''ve known each other for some time, so he knows exactly what she''s like. Even if this game doesn''t involve their lives or real money, he knows how much victory means to Deshya, especially against Tessa.


    However, only Tessa and Deshya can understand why she''s so devastated; and even then, Tessa doesn''t know the truth yet.


    However, the same truth that Deshya is trying to hide seems to be about to be discovered by Tessa¡­


    Deshya has ''470€'', less than 100 chips. Tessa has ''1530'', a total of 306 chips.


    The fourteenth inning begins... but Deshya already seems to have lost this fight.

 21 -?The Red And Black Clash ; Lack?(GAME1)

    <hr>


    The poker game between Deshya and Tessa continues, with a bad start for the one looking to protect her secret. However, she manages to increase her bankroll as well as rise above her initial sum of ''1000€'', but after losing a bet of ''300€'', Deshya''s confidence is shattered again, with even more violence than at the start of the game. Unfortunately, that wasn''t all for the teenager: the thirteenth round ended with her losing again. A loss of ''155€''! She has only ''470€'', a total of 94 chips, while Tessa has 306: a disastrous gap for Deshya. Not only does she lose her chips, her confidence vanishes before her eyes. The light, the life, the flames in her eyes are extinguished, and she who had hoped to reach the top and win this game can only sink into this abyss. As she climbs the steep slope with her hands, Tessa climbs with wings on her back. As if she were truly blessed by the Gods! Deshya doesn''t seem to deserve a chance, while Tessa manages to dominate her with ease! A chasm created between them, the spectators are all beginning to think that Deshya no longer has a chance of winning! She no longer has the mentality to snatch victory from Tessa''s hands: she''s just trying to survive, now. Find a way to stay in the game, not get crushed by the pressure! Deshya reaches for the only light she can still see: hope! Even if victory is too far away for her, Deshya has to keep reaching out in the hope that someone will come and save her. Giving up here would be far too soon: she knows it! She knows it! But how can she believe in hope when she''s lost so much? How can she keep her self-confidence when she can''t defeat her opponent? Is it because she''s not good enough at poker? Is it because Tessa is just smarter than she is? Maybe she''s just luckier? Maybe the gods don''t want Deshya to win! Deshya refuses to believe any of this, but the longer the game goes on, the more she wonders if this isn''t reality!


    The fourteenth round begins as Korone lays both cards on the table, but unlike Tessa, Deshya feels no excitement. In fact, she''s scared! She''s afraid she''ll lose even more chips, and that she''ll fall into the abyss and stay there forever! Then she''ll have to show Tessa her fox ears! She won''t be able to run away any more and will have to confess everything!!! Putting her in great danger!!! Everyone turns their attention to the cards. These are :


    The ?9 and the ?A.


    Korone offers the three cards to the two players and tries to comfort Deshya, but she says nothing. The little girl closes her mouth and just hopes, inside, that Deshya won''t give up so quickly. Losing her determination and self-confidence is a great defeat in itself, but Korone believes in Deshya. Even though they hardly know each other, she''s seen it. On that bus, when she offered her deduction, she saw it!


    - But here¡­


    Deshya looks at her three cards, her hands trembling gently.


    - Something¡­


    Deshya herself doesn''t understand. What is this oppressive feeling she feels? Certainly, the fear of losing and the pressure that prevents her from breathing properly are in her heart, but something else is there too. She can''t explain it, she can''t understand what it is!


    - Why... am I frustrated like this...?


    Deshya knows herself very well: when she loses, she feels a certain disappointment, but not frustration. The feeling she''s feeling now isn''t there to annoy her: in fact, it''s trying to warn her. To make her understand something important!


    - But what...?!


    Deshya clenches her cards, as well as her teeth.


    - What am I missing?!


    CHAPTER 21


    ?The Red And Black Clash ; Lack?


    Deshya finally observes her three cards.


    The ?A, the ?8 and the ?Q.


    Deshya should feel happy to have an ace, which gives her a pair of aces right from the start, but she doesn''t feel much of anything. Sure, it''s the best possible pair, but is it enough? If Tessa continues to be so lucky, won''t she have a better hand? What should she keep? Certainly she''s not going to trade her ?A, but should she keep the ?Q? If she keeps a queen, she''ll be sure to have a pair of aces with a fairly high card on the side. So if Tessa manages to get a pair of aces on her turn, she''ll need a king to beat her. What''s more, if she exchanges just one card, Tessa may be reluctant to bet... In any case, if she doesn¡¯t have a good hand.


    - It''s my turn to bet first, so I can just fold if I hesitate too much..." she thinks.


    Deshya considers that she can''t play too risky: she has three times less chips than Tessa, so unlike Tessa, who has a big advantage, she can''t afford to put too much on the table and hope her strategy works. Deshya swallows loudly and notices that Tessa is swapping her three cards. So she didn''t have a good hand... which means that if she manages to get lucky, then she''s bound to have a pair on her turn. She didn''t have an ace or a 9: otherwise she''d have kept it. With this in mind, Deshya finally decides what to do.


    - I exchange two cards.


    She keeps only her ?A: she has to try to win back some money, so she prefers to keep just one card. In her logic, if she keeps two and Tessa has too weak a hand, she''ll give up straight away. Although Deshya may play on this and try to put her in a situation where she''ll be forced to bet during the sixteenth round, she considers it far too risky: why not try for a ''two pair''? In that case, she''ll probably have a good enough hand to bet a little... After all, even the minimum bet, which is currently ''€70'', seems huge to Deshya. If she bets and loses straight away, then it will drop to ''400€''. The ?th of her initial sum, so ridiculous that she''ll probably never be able to take another step without a flush in her hand. She continues to cling to the little hope that shines in the dark sky, so she must make sure it lights up right away: otherwise, she''ll come to fall so far into the abyss that she won''t be able to climb any higher. Whatever happens, she will lose. The summit will no longer be visible, and that will be the end of her.


    The game will end up defining Tessa as the victor before it''s even over.


    Korone offers the two cards to Deshya, who eagerly grabs them and observes.


    Her hand is composed of the ?A, the ?K and the ?5 .


    A pair of aces with the king as the highest card, an even better hand than the one she had before. Even if it''s not a two pair or even three of a kind, it''s a hand that allows her to dare to bet. She doesn''t need to fold with such a hand, because she still refuses to believe that Tessa is bathed in the light of the Gods. Even if she proves again and again that luck is on her side, Deshya won''t accept that only one of them deserves to be lucky! She refuses!


    And with this refusal in mind, she pushes a total of 14 chips, the minimum amount she can: ''70€''!


    - She always dares to bet, that''s good!" Korone says to herself with a smile that she tries to hide.


    Tessa is not impressed by his wager and decides to follow without even a second''s hesitation. Both opponents'' armies are the same number! Deshya is now the one who has to bet... or give up!


    And she hesitates!


    - S-She didn''t even hesitate¡­


    She can''t believe it! Deshya looks at Tessa and feels her confidence: she can''t see defeat! For Tessa, she''s already won! She''ll crush her opponent like an ant, she''s like an indestructible wall! Deshya feels oppressed by this absolute confidence, these powerful feelings that she doesn''t hide! She crushes him with her spirit, her will! Deshya looks at her chips and trembles: she hesitates! She hesitates! She doesn''t know whether to bet more and risk losing too much or simply give up her 14 chips! Give them to Tessa and try to keep as many as possible on her side: in short, run away! Run away from this fight which seems to be already won in advance on Tessa''s part! She''s smiling! Tessa smiles! She''s not afraid of Deshya, she''s fearless !!!!


    - Deshya...!" worried Korone, noticing the teenager''s frightened expression.


    She wants to give up, she doesn''t want to lose any more chips than that! She''s only got a ''400€'' margin before she''s beaten by Tessa, and without any difficulty at all! A victory so simple that Tessa could sigh, annoyed! Deshya clenches her fist, hesitating. What should she do? What to do?! What should she decide in this position?!!! Believe in her hand or believe in Tessa?!!!!! She can''t think straight, she wants to give up! She doesn''t want to lose more chips!!! She wants to keep as much money as possible on her side!!!


    - I-I should have fold... I... Aah¡­


    Her vision becomes partially blurred: her eyes tremble in their sockets! The pressure crushed her more and more, she could no longer resist! Her heart is pounding, her mind is clouded with doubts! She doesn''t know what to do, she wants to ask for advice! She wants to call for help, for someone to play for her !!! She regrets: yes, she regrets having accepted Tessa''s proposal! She''s no match for her!!! She''s too weak, not smart enough, way out of her league!!!


    She accepted a challenge against an angel, she, a simple human!!!!


    - I-I¡ª


    Deshya is going to give up: losing more chips would be far too risky. She has to win, whether it''s for her honor or to protect her secret! She doesn''t want to put Tessa, the person she loves, in danger! She mustn''t know, she must be safe in her ignorance! Hope loses its shine, reaching out is no longer enough: she''s sinking in on her own! Tessa doesn''t even do anything anymore, she''s the only one who lets herself be dragged along at the bottom of the abyss! She can no longer imagine victory, even in one round: this game is already lost in advance for Deshya!!!! A pair of aces is weak in her eyes, whereas before the first set, she considered it lucky! She doesn''t know what to believe, or what to do! She doesn''t want to lose, she doesn''t want to lose, but she can''t risk it! She doesn''t want it!!! She regrets coming here!!!!


    - ¡­


    But she doesn''t say it!


    She won''t give up!


    Because her mind refuses him. It screams at her: PLAY! PLAY DESHYA! Giving up now would be too soon !!! You have a pair of aces, a king as your high card! If you give up now, you fall in! Yes, you''re falling into Tessa''s trap! You let yourself be taken in by her smile, which is only there to get you down!!! If you believe in your opponent, you can''t win! You can only lose! Hope shining like a dull star above you means nothing if you no longer believe in him, but only in Tessa! You''ve got to move on! Face the fallen angel that is Tessa!


    Bet!


    Bet!!!


    Bet !!!!!!


    - I-I follow!


    14 more chips join the fight: they''re moving forward! With a firm, angry hand, Deshya bets ''70€'' again! A total of ''140€'', an astronomical sum for Deshya, is on the mat! Tessa''s double!


    Her smile didn''t pierce Deshya''s heart!!! An almost convincing attempt, but Deshya survives! She''s hanging on, not giving up !!!!


    - Tsk.


    Tessa crosses her arms and there¡ª


    - I give up.


    She refuses to bet again: Deshya wins this round! The crowd goes wild, Korone clenches her fists in victory and Maruno glares at Tessa.


    - I think Tessa is making a mistake, but all the better for Deshya¡­


    Deshya sighs with relief, her shoulders finally able to rest. Her heart is still racing, but at least she didn''t lose! She survived the round! Tessa smiles as she hands Korone her cards.


    - What kind of hand did you have?" asks Tessa.


    - A-A pair of aces..." admits Deshya as she collects the 14 chips she''s just won.


    - Ah, I only had a high card. Good thing I didn''t bet more.


    Korone begins to stir, while Maruno squints, arms folded.


    - You''re wrong, Tessa..." he thinks.


    Maybe she didn''t notice because she wanted to play it safe and wasn''t looking to offer Deshya too much, but Maruno is convinced she made a mistake: she should have bet even more. Even ''500€'' if she had to. It''s probably because he''s a spectator and Tessa is playing, so she sees things differently and even if she doesn''t show, she must be feeling some stress. Tessa is the one with the advantage in this game, and the one with the most self-confidence, so she must want to play without risking too much so as not to offer Deshya anything. Even if this is a totally understandable strategy, Maruno knows she''s just missed a great opportunity.


    Because Deshya would clearly have given up if Tessa had bet even more.


    - She managed to bet more, which is probably why Tessa didn''t follow, but she would have succumbed to the pressure and given up... I''m convinced of it," he thinks.


    Deshya calms down and closes her eyes: she''s won this round. However, for some reason she still can''t quite understand, she''s not happy. She''s reassured not to have lost any more, but she can''t get excited about winning either. This feeling of frustration, as if something in her heart wanted to... get out.


    - What is it... what exactly am I feeling?!" she asks herself.


    Korone places the two cards between the two players and the fifteenth round begins.


    The ?Q and the ?J.


    A straight possibility surfaces. The opponents look at each other quickly, but when all three cards are offered, they stop challenging each other. Deshya turns her gaze to Korone with a jerk.


    - I exchange my three cards.


    - ?!


    - She didn''t hesitate!


    - Without hesitation, I see¡­


    - Eeeeh, they must be really crappy cards!


    The crowd starts talking and Maruno asks them to be quiet. They comply, and silence quickly returns. Tessa asks to exchange two cards and Deshya looks at the only one she has left in her hand. Is it a pair or the one that allows her to try for the straight...? Deshya looks at her own cards, clenching her teeth behind her closed mouth.


    The ?K, the ?3 and the ?8.


    Three cards that don''t even give her a pair. In short, a hand that doesn''t really make her happy.


    - I bet ''80€''.


    Deshya looks up and observes the 16 chips advancing on the table. Tessa waits for her opponent to respond, while Deshya holds her cards firmly in her hand. Just like the previous round, she''s hesitating about what to do: however, she knows that this very hesitation is bad for her. If she shows her opponent too much, how can she bluff or gain a psychological advantage? She needs to make up her mind much more quickly! Give up straight away so as not to risk a single chip, or bet a certain amount, hoping that Tessa has tried for a straight, but hasn''t succeeded! That the card she kept in her hand is not a pair, but a failed attempt! Should she believe this card or not? She doesn''t know. She''s hesitating!


    But she''s betting!


    - I follow and I want to see!


    She pushes 16 tokens in turn and challenges Tessa with her gaze, but there''s no flame left inside them: it''s an empty stare, devoid of fire! One that Tessa can''t take seriously, one that even makes her laugh inwardly. She shrugs and shows Deshya her cards.


    A pair!


    Tessa has a pair of jacks, she owns the ?J!!!


    - A-Ah¡­


    Deshya bows her head and closes her eyes, a gesture that lets everyone know she''s just lost. Another defeat! She''s down to ''460€'', a total of 94 chips! She sinks back into the abyss, the light grows dimmer and dimmer! However¡ª


    - Why... why do I feel so frustrated?! It''s not defeat, but... But what?! Why do I feel this way?!!!


    She wants to get mad at herself. She wants to yell at his heart and ask him why he won''t make it clear to her in a simpler way, but she keeps her cool: she has to win the next round. The minimum amount is ''80€'', so it can all be decided quite quickly. Going below ''400€'' is forbidden if she wants to see that faint light of hope that allows her to see the slope in front of her. She can''t lose any more! She can''t!!!


    The sixteenth round begins with the following two cards:


    The ?A and the ?A !


    - ?!!


    - Impossible !!!!


    - Oooooh!!!


    A pair of aces!!!! An impossible high card, a round that begins with excitement in everyone''s heart! Korone offers the three cards first to Deshya, then to Tessa, and finally sighs. Maruno touches his shoulder with an amused smile.


    - At least it''s going to be an interesting round!" he says.


    - I hope I don''t mix like a foot..." she mumbles.


    Deshya and Tessa look at their cards quickly, praying for an ace. Having an ace in their hand must be considered a victory, because a three of a kind would have very little chance of being defeated! A four of a kind would be unbeatable! So they pray! They want the ?A or ?A in their hand!!! They want it!!!


    However, this wish did not come true for either of them!!!


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The ?J, the ?Q and the ?10 for Deshya!


    The ?K, the ?8 and the ?7 for Tessa!


    The other two aces have yet to show their faces! They''re still hiding in Korone''s 44-card deck! One chance in 44 to get it after swapping cards! Deshya is the first to ask for three new cards, while Tessa surprises everyone.


    She only exchanges two cards! She keeps one! She doesn''t offer her ?K to Korone and holds it in her hand!!


    - A-A-Are they aces?!" wonders Deshya.


    No one can know, but Deshya, even before she receives her new hand, sees defeat engulfing her! She already hesitates to just give up this round and fold straight away!!! She shakily grabs the three cards due to her, while Tessa confidently takes them. One lowering her head towards her cards, the other holding it high. Korone encourages Deshya in her mind, but she can do no more! She''ll never agree to cheat, even if it''s for herself, so she can only pray that Deshya manages to get an ace! Korone turns to Tessa and squints: would she have one¡­


    - Or did she continue to play it safe and keep a big card, like the king or queen?" she wonders.


    However, this is something she can only learn from seeing his game. The two opponents observe their cards for a few moments before Deshya places them on the table and turns to her chips. The minimum she can push is 16 chips at a time, so she has to be careful. She has to make sure her move is the right one! She has to fold if she thinks she can''t win! Maruno, Korone, Tessa and the crowd remain on their guard, waiting patiently for Deshya to make her decision. A pair of aces is already in front of them all, so this round can quickly become interesting if Deshya comes to bet. If she doesn''t fold, then how many chips will she send to the front? Will she believe in her hand or believe in Tessa? After all, she hasn''t traded her three cards, so how can she not hesitate? How do we know whether she''s decided to keep an ace or another card? How do we know?! This is impossible! Tessa doesn''t show the slightest emotion, apart from a hint of amusement, so she can''t guess! She just has to decide whether to believe in her hand or in Tessa, her opponent! Her choice is¡ª


    - I bet... ''80€''!


    16 chips coming forward! Deshya doesn''t fold! She dares! She faces Tessa: she doesn''t run!!! The crowd gets excited, shouts ring out and Maruno smiles. So this round, which starts with a pair of aces, isn''t going to end with a bang: if Tessa follows or bets even more, then Maruno may find this interesting.


    - I follow!


    And she does! She follows!!! 80€'' against ''80€''!!! 16 chips against 16 chips!!! None of them run, they face each other: they are confident! They''re going to win! The faint light of Deshya''s eyes has returned, a part of her life and her usual expression is back on her face!!!


    So¡­


    So!!


    - I follow too!


    ''160€'' !! She bets again!!! The crowd gets excited: if she loses, she''ll only get ''300€'' as a total sum!!! Less than a third of the initial sum!!! This will be the total destruction of Deshya''s confidence!!!! That will probably mean the end of this game, so if Tessa keeps going and doesn''t run away from adversity, then... So¡­!


    - I follow!


    She follows!!! She doesn''t give up!!! She advances a total of 16 chips, but! But!!!


    - And I demand to see!


    Tessa refuses to go any further! She doesn''t run away, but she doesn''t want to place more soldiers on her side, nor does she want Deshya to bet even more!!! She wants to know Deshya''s hand!!! If Tessa wins, then Deshya will only have a total of ''300€'', exactly 60 chips!!! In short, almost nothing! That would devastate Deshya! Deshya hesitates, but has no choice but to show her hand. Everyone looks at the table with wide eyes. Hearts beat wildly, only the Gods can know who will win! Is it Deshya who will lose ''160€'' or Tessa?! Who will succumb to defeat in this round, the one that could ring the final bell for Deshya? Who will win? Who would have the best hand?! Deshya''s cards are finally all showing! All three are face up, the tension is immense! Korone is sweating slowly, even Tessa is starting to feel bad!!! If Deshya doesn''t have a good enough hand, it''s the end!!! Hope will disappear and then it will take a miracle to get back up this immense slope!!! Then who?! WHO''S GOING TO WIN?!!!


    - T-This!!!


    Tessa opens her eyes wide. This hand¡ª


    - A trio of aces!


    Deshya holds the ?A! After switching cards, she''s managed to grab an ace! She has a set of aces, a hand that exceeds a ''two pair''! Unless Tessa has a full house in her hand, then it''s impossible to overcome Deshya''s hand! However, Korone and Maruno already know the outcome of this match. If Deshya holds such a hand, then Tessa¡ª


    - Eh.


    Tessa turns over her cards and smiles.


    - My luck ran out this round.


    She doesn''t have any cards that would allow her to have a three of a kind or a full house! In short, Deshya wins this round!!! She wins the ''160€'' bet by Tessa and keeps hers!!!! Deshya sighs with relief and runs her sleeve over her forehead: she''s sweating. She was confident during this round, given that a set of aces would have been complicated to beat, but Deshya can''t forget the moment when Tessa managed to get a set of 8s... A stroke of luck. Although this may have been the result of a bad shuffle on Korone''s part, Deshya doesn''t think it was her fault: the cards had already been shuffled several times during the game, so a bad shuffle couldn''t have caused this luck. Deshya is convinced that she was just blessed that time, that round.


    - Because of that, I feel like Tessa''s like an angel now..." thinks Deshya as she collects the 32 chips she''s just won.


    Tessa pours herself a glass of water and drinks it in one gulp before sighing softly. Even though she''s lost this round, the difference between her is very great: ¡®1380€'' versus ''620€''. Tessa still has double what Deshya has, so she''s not afraid.


    - Besides, the look on your face, Deshya¡­


    She''s simply reassured that she hasn''t lost any more, but Deshya doesn''t show this emotion on her face. Tessa can see it: she feels no satisfaction.


    - You just want to survive, not try to live. You don''t want to lose, but you don''t want to win. Unlike me, who''s been wanting to know what''s under your hood for so long¡­


    Tessa smiled broadly.


    - I can''t see defeat: I MUST win. I MUST know what you''re hiding, so I MUST beat you.


    A fiery determination, while Deshya, even after this victory and she manages to climb that rocky slope, doesn''t show the slightest flame. Korone begins to shuffle as she looks at Deshya, happy that she''s managed to win this round. She doesn''t even want to imagine what would have happened if she hadn''t... It would probably have been the end of this poker game. She stops shuffling and lays two cards on the table, but she''s afraid of what''s going to happen. Deshya had been lucky on this one, but could she keep her luck? Can she regain her confidence¡­ or has she lost it forever in this game? If she can climb above the ''1000€'', then nothing is impossible... but she still has to get there. It''s not the easiest thing to do. Everyone turns to the two cards.


    The ?J and the ?7.


    A straight is therefore possible during this round, which excites some of the crowd. However, the possibility is so remote that Tessa and Deshya don''t even think about it. Korone offers all three cards to the two teenagers while hoping that Deshya will win this round.


    - You have to..." she thinks.


    Deshya looks at her cards and notices that she has a pair of 7s, but the other two cards won''t get her anything. Without even hesitating, she swaps two while keeping the ?7, giving her at least a pair. Tessa imitates her, but Deshya can''t tell which card she''s kept: is it a 7 too? Maybe a jack? It''s also possible that she''s looking to make a straight, but Deshya doesn''t imagine that''s possible, especially as the 7 and the jack are the beginning and end of the straight, so there''s only one straight possibility: would she try something so risky?


    - A pair of 7s... Does that deserve a bet from me?" wonders Deshya.


    Although she has managed to get back on her feet and now has just over ''600€'' in her hand, the minimum bet is getting higher and higher: for this round, it''s ''90€''. Soon, they won''t be able to bet below ''100€'', which can end the game in a single round... In short, Deshya can''t fool around. Tessa looks at the cards for a few moments, but then puts them down in front of her and pushes out a total of 20 chips. Without hesitation. With a firm hand. With a neutral expression, but with bright eyes.


    - I bet ''100€''.


    10 more than the minimum amount requested: 1/10th of the initial sum! Everyone turns to Deshya: will she dare to follow? Maybe bet ''90€''? Or even more? Does she have a hand that can give her confidence? Does she think Tessa has a better hand or not? Deshya clenches her fists, raises her hand and¡ª


    - I give up.


    She doesn''t think she can do any better. She doesn''t even try to bet, she just gives up! This disappoints some people, even Tessa sighs. However, she doesn''t grumble at her: she has the right to give up and it''s a viable strategy, so she has no right to say anything. Korone retrieves Deshya''s cards and notices that she has a pair of 7''s. She then grabs Tessa''s, wondering what she was holding. And there¡ª


    - !


    Korone opens his eyes wide and turns to Deshya, pointing at Tessa''s cards.


    - Deshyshy.


    - Hmm?


    Deshya turns to Korone and looks at the cards.


    - You both had a pair of 7s, but¡­


    - A-Ah¡­


    Deshya sighs as she closes her eyes, one hand on the side of her head.


    Tessa''s highest card was a 10. Deshya a king. In short, she could have won if she had bet.


    Tessa is speechless in front of Deshya, but she lets out a wry smile.


    - She had a decent hand, but she was too scared¡­


    Tessa feels sorry for Deshya as a friend, but as an opponent, she can only be happy: the other''s mind is destroyed. Deshya no longer dares to take the slightest step she considers risky, so until she holds a very good hand, she will hesitate. She''ll back down in the face of challenge, and as she''ll want to survive rather than fight. She''ll run away when she thinks the fight is lost, crumble under the pressure when Tessa bets big.


    - I can win even with a single high card as long as I show him superiority on my side. Even if she has three of a kind, she''ll hesitate. That''s the worst possible thing for her. I can play with more risk, I don''t have to try to keep as many chips on my side as possible," she reflects.


    She holds 276 chips, so she can afford to bet a little more than that to put even more pressure on Deshya. As long as she doesn''t allow him to regain her confidence, as she did at the very beginning of the game, Tessa doesn''t see how she can lose. She sees victory ahead of her, and if she can reach out a little further, she''ll make it to the top before Deshya, without even a hint of a problem. She''ll finally be able to find out what her friend is hiding! After all this time!! She wants to win, she wants to defeat Deshya!!!!


    The eighteenth round is about to begin and Deshya lowers her head, looking down at her chips. Her expression is tired and lifeless, as if she has no energy left in her. She takes a sip of water while Korone mixes as best she can and lets out a short sigh.


    - Why do I keep getting so frustrated...?" wonders Deshya. What makes me want to kick myself and wake up... What do I do that makes me want to kick myself and wake up... What do I do that makes me want to kick myself and wake up... What do I do that makes me want to kick myself and wake up? What pisses me off that much...?!


    Deshya doesn''t have time to think about it any further: Korone places the two cards on the table and Deshya watches them with tired eyes.


    The ?3 and the ?5.


    Cards of low rank and different suits, but which allow several possible straights. The minimum bet is always ''90€'', 18 chips in all! Korone first offers the three cards to Deshya, this with a smile, and then to Tessa. Maruno takes a drink of water in turn and asks the little girl if she''d like to be served, but she tells him she''s not thirsty. Deshya looks at her cards and her eyelids droop.


    - The ?5, the ?2 and the ?7, huh... I have a pair of 5s, I guess..." she thinks.


    Once again, she holds a pair in her hand. Even when luck is smiling on her, Deshya doesn''t seem to notice. Tessa directly exchanges her three cards, but Deshya hesitates. She has three choices in front of her: either she keeps the ?5 and therefore keeps her pair, or she keeps the ?2 or the ?7 and tries to have a straight, without which she returns her three cards and looks to have even better. However, she soon realizes that this last option is completely idiotic: it''s far too risky. She will trade two cards, deciding to keep the 5 to at least hold a pair and hope to have better, like a three of a kind or even a four of a kind.


    - I think too much..." she said to herself.


    She''s about to exchange two cards when she freezes. Korone hands Tessa three cards with a smile before turning to Deshya, waiting for her choice.


    - I... I¡­


    Deshya understands. Suddenly, like a flash of genius, she finally understands.


    - If I''m frustrated... If I feel this lack... It''s... Why didn''t I notice it before...?!


    She opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. She turns slowly towards her opponent, a heart beating quietly in her chest. Deshya blinks before opening her eyes wide.


    - It''s because... It''s probably because I''m playing against Tessa... and I want to protect my secret so badly¡­


    She understands it better. The feeling of frustration finally disappears and Deshya feels liberated. She now knows the cause of this pressure from elsewhere.


    - Since my head is full from the murders I had to solve¡­ Since I didn''t really have time to rest... I see... I hadn''t thought of that... Ah.


    Deshya finally closes her mouth and turns her face towards Korone. Her decision is this:


    - I keep my three cards.


    She doesn''t trade any of them! Tessa looks at her, intrigued, but doesn''t think too much about it: she must have a very good hand, that''s all. Korone accepts Deshya''s decision and everyone waits for her to make her bid. No one expects her to fold, otherwise she''d at least have exchanged a card. The room is silent. Tessa watches Deshya, trying to understand what she''s feeling, but her face is perfectly neutral. However, Tessa always notices: this lack of fire in her. Even though she''s kept all her cards, she seems to be unconvinced of herself... She has no self-confidence. She''s still psychologically destroyed. Tessa knows she''s been through a lot this week, since school started, so she feels bad putting Deshya through it, but it''s to her advantage. Even though this wasn''t her aim when she came to Deshya to propose a poker game, now that she''s noticed it, she figures she''s picked the best time to fight her. So even before she''d started this game, Tessa was at an advantage. She''s looking forward to finding out her stake, but she doesn''t think Deshya will dare to bet more than ''90€'', or even ''100€''. She''s still the lowest in terms of money, so would she really dare to bet much? She''s only got €620, which isn''t enough to risk anything. What''s more, Tessa understands that Deshya must earn money little by little, so she can''t scare her into giving up!


    - I can play in a risky way to beat her psychologically, but if I don''t think it''s worth it, I can always bet the bare minimum. I don''t need to bet unnecessarily, I''m still the one with the most chips~" she thinks with a wry smile.


    Deshya finally puts down her cards: she''s made up her mind. Tessa is ready to face her: she''s going to push her down psychologically and prevent her from thinking straight. This way, even if Deshya gets lucky, she won''t dare to step onto the battlefield!


    - Whatever you do, I''ll win!" cries Tessa.


    Deshya slowly raises her arms, ready to make her bet: as expected, she''s not going to bed. Tessa looks at her with an impatient smile, while Korone bites her lower lip in the hope that Deshya will manage to pull herself together. Maruno and the crowd are breathless, eager to know what Deshya will decide. She finally pushes her chips and¡ª


    - I bet ''620€''.


    She pushes... everything. All her chips. Absolutely¡­


    - I''m all in.


    ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!!! ALL OF IT!!!! A TOTAL OF 124 CHIPS !!!!


    - W-What?!!!


    - EVERYTHING?!!!


    - Is she crazy?!!!


    Tessa stares wide-eyed at Deshya, almost frightened by her sudden decision. Korone stands up in her chair, mouth agape, while Maruno frowns, perspiration dripping from his forehead.


    Deshya has just bet everything she owns on this round!!! If her hand is weaker than Tessa''s, it''s game over for her! Then she''ll be the loser of this encounter between her and Tessa!!!!!


    Deshya stares at Tessa with a neutral expression¡­


    But the flames in her soul are burning hotter than ever.

 22 -?The Red And Black Clash ; Craziness?(GAME1)

    <hr>


    After losing her chips several times, Deshya manages to get back on track a little, without being too happy about it. She doesn''t win much, and Tessa continues to be the one with the advantage in this game: whether it''s her sum or psychologically. Deshya is tired and doesn''t understand the feeling of frustration that has been gnawing at her for several rounds, but when she plans to swap two cards and keep only the ?5, a flash occurs in her mind. After sighing, she finally understood. She now knows the reason why she feels this lack! The feeling of frustration suddenly disappears and she decides to keep all her cards, now free of a feeling that was preventing her from concentrating and playing well. When it''s her turn to play, she makes a decision that shocks everyone in the room. Even her opponent.


    Because she bets a total of ''620€''! 124 chips!!!


    Everything she owns, absolutely... EVERYTHING!!!!


    - I-Is she crazy?!" shouts a student in the crowd.


    No one can stay put. The crowd goes wild, the excitement is insane! Nobody could have expected such a bet! Tessa stares wide-eyed at Deshya, unable to close her mouth in the face of this... madness!!! Deshya has bet it all! If she loses this round, it''s the end of the game!


    - W-What''s she doing?!" wonders Korone, staring at Deshya.


    She doesn''t understand such a move at all. Why bet it all? Does she have a straight and then consider that she can''t lose? Korone can''t believe it: not only does it require too much luck, but it wouldn''t make sense to bet it all! An incomprehensible decision! Tessa thinks, tries to understand this madness on Deshya''s part, but she can''t! She doesn''t know what to think! Deshya shows no emotion, but the flames of her mind return! They scorch the whole room, suffocating everyone! While engulfing everything in their midst!


    For the first time in this game, Tessa''s heart is racing! It''s madness! Madness!!!


    CHAPTER 22


    ?The Red And Black Clash ; Craziness?


    The crowd didn''t even try to calm down: they just kept shouting, euphoric. Such a bet was unpredictable! Perhaps the poker game will end on this eighteenth round!


    - Has she lost her mind...?" wonders Tessa through gritted teeth.


    She looks at her hand, sweating, hesitating what to do. If she wins this round, then she wins the game: should she bet on that and decide on her hand... or¡ª?


    - I-I give up!


    She refuses to face Deshya! She retreats, she flees !! She gives up!!! She furiously lays her cards on the table and the crowd''s howls increase in intensity: she''s not happy! She didn''t dare accept Deshya''s challenge, so they don''t hide their displeasure. Maruno turns abruptly to Tessa, perturbed.


    - Hey, Tessa! Do you give up?!" he shouts.


    Tessa stares at him, her teeth clenched and her expression angry.


    - D¡¯ya really think I''m goin¡¯ to give her a chance to win any more chips?!" she replies. I''m not stupid!


    - But if she''s bluffing, then you could have won!


    - Ya don''t think I asked myself that question?! But I''ve only got one high card, I''m not going to risk my chips for any reason. If I had a pair, that''s another thing. Besides, I do what I want, I''m the one who plays!


    Tessa aggressively passes him his cards and slams her hand on the table.


    - Deshya, what the hell are you doing?!


    She''s upset ¡ª or rather, confused. She can''t understand why Deshya has bet it all. Deshya takes all her chips back and looks at Tessa without smiling, without showing the slightest emotion. You''d think she''d be lifeless, but the flames burning all around her prove otherwise! She''s woken up! Her heart finally beats in real determination!!! Her goal in this game is no longer not to lose, but to win!!!!


    She wants to defeat and crush her opponent... but that''s not all!!!


    - Let''s move on to the next round, Tessa.


    She doesn''t answer her! She''s taunting her! She offers him a sweet smile, but it''s the one that annoys Tessa!!! She pisses her off!!! She annoys her!!! Tessa clenches a fist and Deshya hands Korone back her cards. She looks at them, imagining she must have a straight, but then¡ª


    - I-It''s just a pair?!" cries the little girl.


    - W-What?!!


    - A pair, hardly???


    - While she kept all her cards...?


    Maruno snatches them from Korone''s hand and looks at them.


    A pair of 5''s... with the highest card being a 7. A decent hand, but much weaker than they thought! Tessa frowns.


    - A pair of 5s, barely...?


    True, Tessa would still have lost, but if she''d had a bit of luck and a pair of her own, she wouldn''t have hesitated to face Deshya''s challenge. She wouldn''t have given up and would have bet the bare minimum before asking to see... and she would have won. She would have put an end to this poker game!


    - She bet it all on such a weak hand...?! Was she really bluffin¡¯? So I wouldn''t bet? But even to bet EVERYTHING? She went crazy from the pressure...?" she wonders.


    Tessa shakes her head: she mustn''t be fooled by Deshya''s bluff. She''s just trying to unsettle Tessa and gain a psychological advantage: as long as Tessa doesn''t fall into her trap, she''s convinced she''ll win outright. This is just one last desperate attempt to survive, so as long as she keeps her cool, the situation doesn''t change. Tessa is certain of it! She can still see victory ahead, within her grasp: Deshya''s attempt has failed! When she notices that Tessa isn''t falling for it, she''ll lose what little hope she has in herself! She''ll fall into the abyss and no more light will shine for her!!! This will be the end, the end, the end!!! Tessa smiles as she looks at Deshya, but the latter faces her without returning it: she remains neutral. Korone shuffles and the crowd calms down, impatient to see what''s going to happen for this nineteenth round: from now on, the minimum bet is ''100€''! 1/10th of the initial sum, a total of 20 chips. Korone places the two cards on the table and everyone turns their attention to them. Everyone''s hearts are pounding! What''s going to happen in this game? Everyone wants to know!!! Everyone!!! The cards are as follows: the ?Q and the ?10.


    This means... !


    - A-A royal flush!!!


    - A color is even possible!!!


    - I don''t believe it, I don''t believe it!


    - OOOOOH!!!


    - All in again, Deshya!!!!


    - I''m going to explode my skull!!!


    One more time! Once again, it''s possible to have a royal flush! The strongest hand in poker, the luckiest hand possible, a guaranteed win!!!! Deshya and Tessa challenge each other with their eyes: they want to hold her! The ?J, the ?K and the ?A! The royal flush! Is it possible?! Will this hand finally see the light of day during this nineteenth round?! Everyone is waiting for just one thing: the answer to this question! Korone offers the three cards to the two players with sweaty palms: Deshya''s behavior worries him. Has she hit rock bottom and can''t think straight? Does she want to finish this game, even if she loses? Has the pressure finally eaten away at his spirit?! Korone doesn''t want such a thing to happen: Deshya must get her act together quickly, or else...! Tessa looks down and observes the three cards she''s just received: the ?9, the ?10 and the ?K.


    - If I keep my ?10, I''m certain to have at least a pair. However, if I keep the ?9 and the ?K, I can have a straight if, by chance, I manage to get a jack. Or maybe I just keep the ?9 and pray for a straight flush or even a flush..." she thinks.


    If she keeps her ''10'', then she''s playing it safe and making sure she has little better than a high card; if she keeps one or both of the other two cards, then she''s betting everything on luck. However, Tessa makes up her mind quickly.


    - If I don''t have a straight or a flush, then chances are I''ll have to give up this round... So next time, I''ll be forced to bet after Deshya: if I''m unlucky, then I''ll lose chips. Is this really what I want? I''m still in the lead, even psychologically, so don''t give her a chance, stupid!


    With these thoughts, she asks to exchange two cards So she keeps her ?10, which ensures she has at least one pair. Deshya asks to exchange her three cards before cracking her neck on both sides and keeping her composure. She still shows no smile, or any other emotion. Yet Deshya can feel them. The flames of her mind!


    - Here.


    Korone offers two cards to Tessa, who graciously grabs them. She looks at them hoping for at least a ''two pair'', however¡ª!


    The ?A and the ?8.


    Her hand is a pair of 10s with an ace as the highest card. A hand that Tessa likes, but that worries her a little: if Deshya does indeed hold better, she''ll lose a few chips. Tessa is the first to bet in this round, so she has to decide without keeping everyone waiting. After a little thought, she decides what to do.


    - I bet ''120€''!


    A total of 24 chips join the fight! 20 more than the minimum amount! The crowd starts to get slowly excited, but the calm is still not broken. They''re glad Tessa didn''t go down, but what they''re really interested in is whether Deshya will give up or not. Tessa looks at her opponent, waiting for his decision. There''s also the possibility that she''ll give up, noticing that her hand isn''t good enough: losing even the minimum possible, which is ''100€'', would be disastrous for Deshya, both in terms of his total sum and his mind. In short, Tessa expects her to play it safe if she doesn''t even have a pair, or even a ''two pair''.


    - You gave me a good scare with your €620 bets, but you didn''t fool me. I''m not that stupid," Tessa smiled inwardly.


    Barely a second has passed since Tessa staked her ''120€'' and she''s made up her mind. Everyone in the living room is watching her intently: what will she decide this time? Give up or bet? How many chips will they join the fight? 20? 25? Perhaps 30? Calm may have returned, but it can quickly be shattered depending on Deshya''s decision. She moves her hands and¡ª


    - I bet¡­


    She won''t give up! She believes in her hand! She closes her eyes and pushes in several chips. Deshya has decided that her bet will be¡ª


    - ''500€''.


    A total of 100 chips in one go !!! 500€'' from the first bet!!! A huge amount! Astronomical!! Almost all of her money!!!


    - WHAT?!!


    The silence is suddenly broken: the crowd roars! Excitement! Of incomprehension !!! Of euphoria!!! Tessa hits the table with her right fist and stares straight into Deshya''s eyes: she''s bet ''500€'' without the slightest hesitation!!! She doesn''t show the slightest fear: she''s confident! She''s confident in her hand! She''s confident in her cards! She doesn''t back down, she doesn''t run away, she doesn''t give up!!!!! She does it! She dares! She bets a total of 100 chips!!!!


    - She''s gone mad!" exclaimed Korone.


    The flames in Deshya''s eyes burn everything! Absolutely everything! It''s almost impossible to breathe, they''re suffocating! The spectators shout and cheer Deshya, encouraging her! No one can believe it: she''s lost her mind! She''s lost all sense of fear! Tessa stares at Deshya''s 100 advanced chips, trembling, unable to make a decision without even hesitating.


    - W-What the hell is she doing?!" wonders Tessa. I-Is s-she-she trying to piss me off?! She''s... What''s she doing?!! I don''t get it!


    Tessa clenches her fists, while the crowd continues to get excited in all directions. The shouts and screams don''t even reach Tessa, who is too focused on the absurd wager Deshya has just uttered. It''s huge! If Tessa manages to win this round, Deshya will only have ''120€'' left: in short, the next time she loses, it''ll be the end! She''ll be below the minimum ''75€'' and the game''s over! Tessa will be victorious!


    - Then why do you bet so much?! Are you that confident in your hand, Deshya?!!" wonders Tessa, her heart beating even faster than before.


    She bites her fist, trying to calm herself: she has to understand this behavior. She has to decide whether to give up here or continue betting.


    - Give up... I see! She''s trying to do that, I''m so stupid!


    Tessa stops clenching her fists and smiles: she challenges Deshya with an ember gaze. Their flames but Tessa takes a step forward.


    - I bet ''100€'' more and I ask to see !


    She doesn''t give up, even in the face of this immense sum of money! She bets! She adds 20 chips to the fight! She faces Deshya''s 100 with her 44! Tessa smiles broadly.


    - You want me to crumble under the pressure of your chips and give up so as not to give you any more of my chips, don''t you? I won''t let you! I''m gonna gobble you up, crush you, defeat you, DESHYA!!!!


    Her flames are growing! Her smile portends victory, Tessa believes in herself with all her spirit! She''s got a good pair, so she''s moving forward! She doesn''t flinch in the face of Deshya''s immense army, and she faces it without fear! The only question now is whether Tessa will win Deshya''s 100 chips, her ''500€'' bet, or lose her 44 chips, her ''220€''! If Deshya is the loser of this round, then she''ll drop to ''120€''! Hardly enough money! 24 chips!! A total which is almost the same as the current minimum possible bet!!! That would be disastrous! This could herald the end of this game!!! Deshya will lose hope, she''ll be sunk so far into the abyss that she won''t be able to see any light at all! Surrounded by darkness, hope will no longer exist for Deshya! Tessa will be the only one bathed in light, the only possible winner!


    But!


    - S-She smiles!


    - OOOOH?!!!


    - Does she have a flush?!


    - I don''t believe it, I don''t believe it !!!


    - I should have brought a camera, raaah!!!!


    Deshya smiles!


    Deshya smiles!!!!!


    Tessa begins to breathe more rapidly, her eyes wide open: Deshya is bathed in her own flames!! Fear no longer exists in her world ! Darkness is not allowed in her world! She grabs her cards with confident hands. The crowd roars with excitement, Maruno even rises from his chair. Korone''s mouth is dry, but she can''t afford to drink: she has to know! She must know Deshya''s hand! Will she win Tessa''s bet or lose ''500€'' all at once?


    ?! Go up the slope smiling or fall into the abyss with no way back?!!! What''s going to happen?!! Nobody knows! Even the Gods are sweating over this round: even they have no idea what the outcome will be!!!!


    - GO!!!


    - DESHYA !!!!


    - TESSA !!!!


    - A QUINTE!!!


    - A COLOR!!!


    - A STRAIGHT FLUSH !!!!


    Maruno gives a big smile.


    - A ROYAL QUINTE FLUSH!!!" he shouts.


    Tessa shakes her head, her mouth unable to close.


    - Y-You can''t have a royal flush, can you... D Deshya?!


    She can''t believe her luck! She switched all her cards, so it''s unthinkable that such a thing could happen! Sure, Tessa managed to hold a four of a kind while shuffling all her cards, but a royal flush?! Tessa refuses to believe it! Is she really going to lose? Has she fallen into Deshya''s real trap?!!!! Her opponent''s cards fall face-up on the table! They''re out in the open! They''ll know which hand Deshya has!!! They''ll finally know who''s going to win this round!!!! Is it the girl with the purple hair or the one with the fox ears? Who will win the other''s money? Who?!! The tension is unbearable!!!! Everyone turns to Tessa: if she has a better hand than Deshya, then she wins this round! Then she wins! She''ll be one round away from beating Deshya once and for all!!!


    - Are you winning, Tessa?!" yells Maruno at her.


    She doesn''t offer her answer directly. She looks at Deshya''s three cards with wide eyes and a short breath. She freezes, as if time has stopped around her. Deshya''s hand¡­


    It''s not a royal flush.


    The hand she holds... Her three cards... Tessa has a pair of 10s, the highest card being the ace... While Deshya, she... She...!


    - ...I¡­


    Tessa finally blinks: time resumes. Whoever wins this round... This abominable pressure eating away at everyone''s heart... Every eye is fixed on Tessa: her hand can put an end to all Deshya''s hopes. If her pair of 10s is better than her opponent''s three cards, she''ll win ''500€'' in one go. Tessa stares at Deshya for a few moments before dropping her cards.


    - ...you¡­


    Deshya smiles broadly. The gleam in her eyes is not only that of the flames... but also of something else. Her expression is¡­


    - ¡­


    Maruno shakes Tessa and yells at her to say what hand she has. Tessa looks at him and opens her mouth¡ª


    ¡ªbefore laughing.


    - S-She''s laughing...?


    - Has she lost her mind too?


    - I bet it''s contagious! We''re all going crazy!! Waaa!!!


    - Shut the fuck up.


    - I''m sorry.


    Tessa grabs her cards and turns them over, staring at Deshya. She tries to calm her laughter, but just as they think she''s about to stop, she resumes. Maruno opens her eyes wide at Tessa''s cards and one of the crowd points to them.


    - T-This means that the winner of this round is... is¡­!


    Deshya sits down and cracks the back of her neck. She doesn''t say a word, just looks at Tessa and smiles. The latter continues to laugh and throws away her cards before smiling broadly.


    - It''s me!" she screams.


    Deshya only has a high card. Tessa has a pair. So Deshya''s ''500€'' goes to Tessa.


    - S-She has only ''120€''!!!


    - No more¡­


    - Deshyaaaaa, I was betting on you!!!!


    - Waaaa, she''s nuts, I must say!!!!


    - I have to admit that ''500€'' in one go... Plus, with a high card?! Stupid.


    - However, if Tessa had taken a little more time and thought things through without worrying, she probably would have understood that asking to see was a bad idea..." thinks Maruno. If she had bet her money without asking to see, Deshya would have had to put it all on the line or give up: at which point Tessa would surely have ended the match or destroyed Deshya completely. She was fooled in her psychological game.


    Tessa picks up Deshya''s 100 chips with a sigh of relief, a smile still on her face. She''d been so afraid of losing this round... but no: it had all been a bluff. An astronomical bet designed to make Tessa give up.


    However, it didn''t work.


    Before mixing, Korone drinks to dehydrate herself, but she doesn''t pour the water into her glass: she finishes her whole bottle in one go. She sighs happily and holds out the bottle with her two small hands to Maruno.


    - Can I have another drink?" she asks.


    - O-Okay¡­


    Maruno grabs the empty bottle and rises from his chair, complying without grumbling. Korone starts mixing, but she does so slowly: she stares at Deshya, squinting.


    - 500€'' in one go, even for a bluff, was far too much... She''s really lost it..." she thought.


    Tessa felt the same way. At first she was afraid that Deshya really did have a superb hand, like a straight, and all that pressure made it hard for her to breathe: when she noticed that Deshya didn''t even hold a pair, she was able to reassure herself and began to laugh like a madwoman. However, even if she finds the situation amusing, she doesn''t understand Deshya''s decision at all. 500€'' is too high a bet when she only had ''620€''. So she goes down to ''120€'', while Deshya goes up to ''1880€''.


    24 chips against 376.


    Tessa has about 15.5 times more chips than Deshya. It''s hard to believe that this game won''t end in victory for Tessa. Not only does Deshya have almost nothing left, but whether she shows it or not, this defeat is bound to play on her mind: she must be devastated. She must be at the bottom of the abyss, and not even the flames that have managed to revive in her eyes can light her way.


    - It''s over..." thinks Tessa.


    She can play it safe and wait until she has a very good hand before betting. Maruno returns with the filled water bottle and places it in front of Korone, right next to her glass. The little girl thanks him with a beautiful smile and finally stops shuffling. She places the first two cards of the pack on the table and everyone turns to them:


    The ?A and the ?6.


    - No straight or flush this time..." sighs a student in the crowd.


    Stolen story; please report.


    The three cards are offered to the two teenagers, who observe them for a few moments, but both give them back to Korone at the same time: they exchange their whole hand. Korone puts them to one side and offers three new cards to Deshya, then to Tessa. Tessa looks at them and prays for a good hand, like three aces, but¡­


    The ?6, the ?10 and the ?2.


    - A pair of ''6s'' with the highest card a ''10''... It''s not much, but it''s still a pair.


    Tessa looks up to observe Deshya, but before she can, sounds of excitement ring out.


    - I''m all in.


    Deshya''s 24 tokens advance. His entire army. Her remaining ''120€'', the little bit of her army that still allows her to survive in this poker game! Tessa wonders why anyone should be surprised: after all, she doesn''t really have a choice. She could bet ''100€'', which is the current minimum stake, but it wouldn''t make any difference: if she loses them, she''ll only have ''20€'' left, which is well below the ''75€'', the minimum accepted to stay ''alive'' in this game. In short, Deshya prefers to bet it all: this seems logical to Tessa. She turns to Maruno, who also seems to be mildly shocked.


    - Why...? Did she do something I didn''t notice?" she wonders.


    Tessa doesn''t understand the excitement coming from the spectators, but she finally shakes her head.


    - It''s just because it''s possible that we''ll end the game with this round, nothing more! Don''t think about such trivial things, Tessa," she thinks.


    She looks at Deshya and notices the confidence emanating from her, which surprises her. Shouldn''t she be in the depths of the abyss, unable to see the slightest light of hope or victory...? So how can she smile like that? If her hand isn''t stronger than Tessa''s, she loses this game, after all. Given all the effort she''s put into surviving, Deshya can''t simply not care anymore: that''s what Tessa thinks. In fact, she''s convinced of it.


    - Do I bet or not?" she wonders.


    If she doesn''t back down from this challenge, she can finish this game with just €100. The minimum amount she can place on the board. Just 20 chips, which would take Deshya from ''120€'' to ''220€''. From 24 to 44 chips. In short, nothing at all. Tessa scratches her head, but decides quickly.


    - I bet ''100€'' and ask to see.


    It doesn''t move backwards, but stops dead in its tracks. The tension is back in the living room: it''s possible that this twentieth round will be the last of the game. It''s not impossible to think that Deshya will lose to Tessa, 0 chips to 400, a defeat caused by the absurd bet Deshya made the round before. Nevertheless, Deshya turns over his cards with a smile and shows them to Tessa. If this hand is less strong than a pair of 6s, then Tessa wins, the only exception being if Deshya has as his highest card a rank above 10, such as jack, queen, king or even ace. Like everyone else, Tessa looks at Deshya''s three cards and swallows loudly: this poker game could end on this run¡­


    - S-She has a pair...


    Tessa blinks. Deshya''s hand is¡ª


    A pair of aces!


    The cards ?5, ?J and ?A present themselves to Tessa, which means only one thing...!


    - ...you win.


    Deshya wins this round! Students in the crowd sigh in relief or grunt in displeasure, as Deshya grabs the measly 20 chips she''s just won. In reality, even if she manages to survive, she only has a total of 44 chips, compared to Tessa''s 356: the difference is so enormous that it''s impossible to celebrate this small victory. Korone can''t even smile, because this game is far from over if it goes on like this. Tessa can always bet the minimum and ask to see directly if she feels like it, which will prevent Deshya from taking a good win. In short, Tessa allows her to climb the slope little by little, but so slowly that Deshya will be mentally exhausted, unable to think straight and falling for Tessa''s trick. She''ll have to back down in the face of numerous challenges, and will be afraid to make the slightest risky move: her mind would be completely defeated. Korone obviously doesn''t want this to happen, but having lost her ''500€'', she really thinks it will. She glances quickly at Deshya before mixing and doesn''t hide her astonishment.


    Deshya is still smiling.


    - Is she amused, or is she just pretending to hide her doubts and fear from Tessa?¡± Korone wonders.


    Tessa tilts her head towards Maruno.


    - Why did you all seem shocked?" she asks.


    - What, this round?


    - Yes.


    - Aaah, that''s because Deshya grabbed the cards Korone gave her, but she put them down without even looking at them.


    - Ah...?


    - She did it so fast you probably didn''t notice, hehe.


    Tessa settles back in her seat and stares at Deshya with squinted eyes.


    - She didn''t look at her hand like that, she wouldn''t have been disappointed if she had bad cards...?" wonders Tessa.


    She can understand his strategy: in any case, she would have lost on her first bet. However, what Tessa doesn''t understand is that she could have looked at her cards, and if it wasn''t even a pair, she could have folded. Tessa crosses her arms, but has no more time to think about it: Korone places the two cards on the table. Everyone is watching.


    The ?J and the ?10.


    - Another possibility for a royal flush...?!" shouts one of the students.


    - Hmm... I''m starting to think it''s rigged.


    - Are you sure the kid''s not cheating?! And you too, Maruno?!!!


    Maruno turns around, gritting his teeth.


    - Why would I cheat, huh?!


    Korone offers the three cards to Tessa and Deshya before observing each of the pack, wondering if there''s cheating in the air. Although Tessa doesn''t always have the best cards, it seems impossible for her to lay down two cards of the same suit or almost the same rank every time. Are the Gods so amused by this poker game that they''ve decided to make it even more interesting? Korone is certain to get the shuffle right this time and would never dare cheat.


    - I guess we''re just spectators to an incredible game, that''s all..." she decides to believe.


    Tessa looks at her cards, but they don''t show a flush, a straight or a pair, so she decides to swap all three. Unlike her, Deshya keeps one in her hand. Tessa squints, suspicious of this card.


    - She must have a pair or is looking for a color..." she thinks.


    Although she managed to win ''€100'' in the previous round, she can''t play too risky or she''ll lose it all: in short, Tessa is convinced that she''s not looking for a straight, but has a pair. There''s also the possibility that she''s going for a ''flush'', but that seems to be just as likely. Tessa picks up three more cards and looks at them with a neutral expression.


    The ?6, the ?3 and the ?A.


    - I''ve only got one high card¡­


    However, she still has an ace, so she can''t be beaten. Nevertheless, if Deshya holds a pair, then Tessa can''t win... She immediately understands that the best solution is to fold and not give Deshya a chance... However, a flash crosses her mind.


    - W-Wait, it''s true¡­


    Tessa grits her teeth as she stares at Deshya. She just remembered something she herself said before the game started. That rule she made all by herself¡­


    - We''re in the twenty-first inning, we''re not allowed to lie down any more..." she thinks.


    From this round onwards, no one can fold. Whether Deshya or Tessa, an opening bet is mandatory.


    - Shit, I''m going to lose money on my own rule¡­


    She regrets this decision, but she could never have imagined in advance that it would bother him directly, or that it would make him feel bad. Rather, she hadn''t really thought about it. Tessa smiled quickly.


    - It''s not impossible for her to bluff by keeping a card, like when she bet everything and kept her three cards... Besides, even if I can''t fold now, I only have to bet once or twice the minimum and I''ll be fine. I mustn''t forget that she won''t be able to fold afterwards either, so it can quickly turn to my advantage~!


    These thoughts immediately put a smile on her face, and the frustration of not being able to go to bed goes away as quickly as it arrived. So she decides to bet the bare minimum, a total of 22 chips, ''110€''. She glares at Deshya, asking what she''s going to do without speaking a word. Tessa already suspects that she''s going to call and then decide what to do: bet ''110€'' more or give up in the face of risk this round? It seems the most logical choice.


    - Everything.


    But is Deshya still acting logically? Deshya smiles broadly and pushes all her chips in. She bets¡ª


    - I bet my ''220€''!


    Absolutely everything! These 44 chips, she bets them all! She doesn''t even play it safe: she doesn''t hesitate at all!! With a crazy smile, she bets everything she''s got on her!!! If she loses this round, it''s the end of this game!!! The crowd can''t help but get excited: Deshya may have lost her mind, she manages to make things even more interesting! Maruno smiles as she sweats, while Korone still can''t figure out what''s going on behind her head: is it because she''s crazy, or is it because she''s completely confident in her hand? Does she have a high card or a straight? Is it even possible to understand her actions? Are they worth understanding?! She doesn''t know! Korone can''t grasp Deshya''s thoughts!


    - T-That chick!" exclaims Tessa.


    Her smile taunts Tessa. She challenges her, calls her a coward and makes one thing clear: she''s going to lose. She''s going to lose this round. She''s going to lose her 22 chips and pass them all to Deshya! Deshya could bet her clothes, her house even: she''ll never lose this round! It''s a smile without hesitation, an evil expression! Tessa can''t stand it! She can''t believe she''d dare bet everything like that!!! It''s not the first time she''s done it, and this time it''s with an even more intense smile that she bets everything she''s got!!! She challenges her: if Tessa bets again and asks to see, she can defeat her. She can dominate Deshya and force her to her knees, she''ll be the winner of this poker game! She''ll be the one who reaches the top first, no problem! If Tessa gives up, she only gives Deshya ''110€'', but then she runs away! Then she thinks more in her opponent than in her own cards! So she refuses to face her and calls her bluff! Perhaps this is the best solution, perhaps fleeing the battle and abandoning her troops is what she must choose¡­


    But Tessa refuses! She refuses to give up!


    - I... I bet ''110€'' more and I ask to see !!!


    She continues! 220€'' against ''220€''! 44 chips against 44 chips! This round can be the last of this game if Deshya has only one high card that has no aces!!!! It''s not an impossibility! Tessa didn''t succumb to Deshya''s pressure, she dared to face her without backing down a single step!!!! All eyes are on Deshya: they want to know. Which hand does she have? Is it better than Tessa''s? Will this be her last round? They all want to know the answer to this gnawing question! Deshya stops smiling and grabs her cards. She turns them over gently, eyelids lowered. Tessa smiles broadly: has she lost hope...?! Had Deshya used a bluff and really believed it would work? If she holds a high card with no aces, then Tessa wins!! She''ll beat her!!!


    However... However¡­!


    HOWEVER !!!!


    - Tessa¡­


    Deshya looks up and smiles broadly in turn.


    - Thanks for the ''220€'', stuuuuupid!!!!


    - OOOOOOH!!!!


    - I DON''T BELIEVE IT!!!!!


    - I''m going to piss myself, I can''t believe what I''m seeing!!!!


    - Waaaa!!!!


    - I really should have filmed the whole thing, damn it!!!!


    Korone, Maruno and Tessa watch Deshya''s hand with bewildered expressions. His cards... What Deshya has is... It''s...!


    - A straight?!


    The ?8, the ?9 and the ?Q!!! A straight that starts at the ''8'' and ends on the queen!!!! So Deshya was certain of victory as soon as she saw her cards!!!! Deshya collects the 44 chips, laughing, while Tessa grits her teeth: she didn''t even show her hand! Deshya dares to take everything for herself! She doesn''t care what Tessa has: she knows she''s won. She doesn''t need confirmation! Tessa throws down her cards and clicks her tongue. Maruno picks them up and looks at them before handing them back to Korone.


    - You only had a high card, why did you bet a second time...?" he asks.


    - I''d already started this round and I thought she was bluffing to force me to give up, so I thought I''d have a chance of winning the game if I didn''t fall for it... but it looks like I''ve fallen into her real trap.


    With a straight in her hand, Deshya could never have lost: it would have been highly unlikely, in any case. Tessa now understands that her strategy was to make her think she was bluffing to force her to bet again, and thus win more than just a bet. Tessa clenches her fist: with a simple high card, she should never have bet again. She should have given up and accepted defeat. She let Deshya play on her mentality, which is not a good thing at all: she needs to calm down. Tessa needs to think about the game and not get ''corrupted'' by Deshya''s madness. If she gets carried away, then the roles will be reversed: Tessa will be led on a leash by Deshya, which could mean the game taking an unpleasant turn for her. Tessa has managed to break Deshya''s spirit throughout this game, but now that her opponent has started to stake everything on it, she''ll have to do better. As if she didn''t care about losing, Tessa has trouble playing with her mind. What to do then? She doesn''t understand what Deshya is up to, and the way she''s taunting her is so irritating that Tessa can''t stand still... She feels like getting up and losing her temper, frustrated by her behavior. Tessa manages to calm down, but her heart is still beating rapidly. Korone finishes shuffling and puts down the two cards, swallowing loudly, praying that they''re not yet the harbingers of a possible straight.


    The ?9 and the ?5.


    - E-Enjoy the possibility of a straight..." sighs Korone.


    - Damn!" smiled Maruno.


    Possessing the ''6'', ''7'' and ''8'' cards is a guaranteed victory Both players understand this immediately. They challenge each other''s eyes before turning their attention to the cards they have just received. In this Twenty-second round, Deshya has ''440€'' and Tessa ''1560€'': 88 chips to 312! Tessa prays for good cards and looks at them.


    The ?A, the ?6 and the ?J.


    Unfortunately, it''s not a straight from the first hand. So she can''t do anything with her three cards, however, Tessa still decides to keep the ?6: if she manages to get lucky, she can receive a ''7'' and an ''8'' to have a straight: so her chances of winning will be at the maximum! She could trade all in and hope for a pair, but Tessa decides to go for it: she wants the straight. She wants to hold a hand that would shatter Deshya''s hopes! Force her to play like crazy and lose everything! If she can do that, the whole advantage of this game will be on her side! Tessa wants to beat Deshya to the punch! So she swaps two cards and lets out a smile as she turns to Deshya, but it quickly disappears and she looks at her in shock.


    - I''m not trading anything.


    Deshya... keeps her three cards. She gives none away! She believes in her hand!


    She''s the one smiling!!!


    Tessa grits her teeth and violently grabs the cards Korone offered her before holding them firmly. Unfortunately for her, she''s holding cards ?6, ?8 and ?J.


    - I-If only that jack were a ''7''...!!


    She wants to scream in rage, but does her best to keep a neutral look on her face: if she shows Deshya her frustration, she''ll let her know that she hasn''t managed to get a straight, or a good hand. Tessa only has a single high card, so she doesn''t think she can bet anything with that, especially as Deshya hasn''t exchanged any of her cards.


    - I bet ''265€''," says Deshya.


    - ... Huh?


    Tessa looks at her with wide eyes. Deshya smiles and pushes a total of 53 chips. Some time passes before the crowd starts to get excited. Tessa grits her teeth as she shakes and puts down her cards before clenching her fists.


    - D-Deshyaaa!!!


    She just bet €265! Anyway, if she loses all that¡­


    She''ll only get ''75€'', the minimum accepted to survive in this game!!!


    She pushed her chips without hesitation!!! She faces defeat with a big smile, she''s not afraid of anything anymore !!! Does she still know what fear is?! Does she still have a good head on her shoulders?!!! People doubt it!!! Deshya just risks victory in every round, as if losing doesn''t matter to her anymore!!!! It''s as if she''s asking Tessa to defeat her and prove that she''s stronger!!!! Tessa wants to bet, to make her understand that SHE''S the one who''s going to win, though!!! Tessa wants to push her chips, her army, crush her opponent laughing, though!!!! Tessa wants to bet an astronomical amount and then prove to Deshya that she won''t lose to her, though!!!!!


    HOWEVER !!!!!


    - I-I give up!! I won''t bet against you!!!


    She refuses!!! She backs down from Deshya''s challenge!!!! This disappoints everyone and the students start grumbling, which pisses Tessa off even more. She bangs her fist on the table and throws her cards away.


    - You think I''m going to bet anything with my high card?! She''s got at least a pair, if not better!" she shouts.


    - I have a high card too.


    - ... Huh?


    Tessa freezes and turns to Deshya. The latter picks up the 53 chips she has pushed to her side before showing her cards with a totally neutral air, as if life had left her body.


    - See?


    The ?7, the ?4, the ?3. Three cards of the same suit, but of low rank. She has an even weaker hand than Tessa!


    - If I had... bet¡­


    Deshya nods.


    - You would have won.


    She returns her cards to Korone before tilting her head.


    - I could have swapped the ?7 or ?3 hoping for a straight, but oh well.


    Deshya looks Tessa straight in the eye before smiling broadly.


    - It''s more fun this way, don''t you think, Tessa~?


    Tessa clenches her fists and jumps to her feet. The crowd goes wild as Maruno moves to calm her friend down, but Tessa stays put before shaking her head in rage.


    - What are ya doin¡¯, Deshya?!" she screams.


    Her opponent didn''t reply, still staring straight at her. Her smile irritates Tessa even more, preventing her from maintaining her composure. Her lack of response makes her want to punch the wall behind her, but she holds back.


    - Answer!" shouts Tessa.


    Deshya finally stops smiling and touches her lips with her forefinger. She tilts her head with a teasing expression, but so faint that only Tessa can see it.


    - Let''s play, shall we?


    Tessa is speechless, unable to reply to anything. The room is completely silent, and Deshya finally breaks the silence by turning to Korone.


    - Would you mind mixing it up? So we can start the next round?" she asks gently.


    - O-Oh... Yes.


    Korone nods slowly and picks up the two cards on the table, including Tessa''s three discards. Maruno helps her and Korone thanks him. He replies ''You''re welcome'' with a small smile before turning to Deshya. Tessa sits up and grits her teeth, frowning, not at all understanding what''s going on with Deshya. At first, she thought she''d simply lost her mind under the pressure, but now she understands there''s something else to her madness. Unlike Tessa, Maruno knows exactly what''s going on. He can understand it because he''s already seen Deshya play seriously, just under a year ago, but also because he knows someone else who''s like Deshya, although probably a little different all the same. If that''s what he thinks, then any round can probably be the last one from now on.


    - Will you survive her madness, Tessa?" wonders Maruno with a smile.


    Korone shuffles and the twenty-third round is about to begin. Deshya smiles not out of madness, but because she''s happy: she''s managed to understand what was wrong with her. What was frustrating her? What was preventing her from playing well? The feeling of lack that had been eating away at her from the inside. She''s so happy to be free at last.


    - All because I was playing against Tessa and my head was a little elsewhere¡­


    Deshya looked at the one she loved, squinting happily. She''d played it too safe because she was afraid of losing, so Deshya had completely forgotten that part of herself.


    A side that loves danger.


    Playing with defeat and death every second.

 23 -?The Red And Black Clash ; Devil?(GAME1)

    <hr>


    A total of 88 chips for Deshya. A total of 312 for Tessa. ''440€'' versus ''1560€''.


    The poker game between the two friends continues to rage, but after Deshya''s psychological defeat at the start of the game and all that followed, the roles seem almost reversed: Tessa can''t understand her opponent''s actions, while Deshya acts illogically. After finally understanding what he needed to play better, Deshya bet her entire ''620€'' without hesitation, causing Tessa to give up: and yet, Deshya only held a pair of 5''s. Since then, Deshya has continued to bet almost her entire fortune, like someone who taunts death itself with fun. Tessa can''t even believe it''s a strategy on her part: she''s just gone mad. At first she thought it was because of the pressure of the game, but now she believes in something else. She can''t explain it yet, but she feels that this part of Deshya is not due to psychological terror, but rather... that it''s a part of her. It''s simply who she is.


    A crazy one.


    The twenty-third round begins as Korone lays down the cards in front of the two opponents. Even more than before, the crowd is impatient and even Maruno, including Korone, can''t wait to see how the next few rounds unfold. Because of Deshya''s crazy behavior, they all understand that the poker game could end at any moment, so it''s only natural that they''re all on the edge of their seats. The first two cards of this round are as follows:


    The ?5 and the ?10.


    - It''s impossible to get a straight or a flush this time..." thinks Korone.


    She offers the three cards to the two players before turning her gaze to Deshya, without moving her head.


    - I wonder if the way she plays is simply a defense mechanism on her part to cope with the defeat she was about to suffer or simply the way she normally plays¡­


    Korone finds it odd that Deshya judged a shy hand at first, but started acting crazy afterwards. Is this the way to play poker? Is this the right technique to defeat her opponent...? Korone can''t answer her questions, but she can observe the results of this technique: Deshya is still alive in this game. If she hadn''t lost ''500€'' all at once, perhaps she could be around ''1000€''. Since the twenty-first round has begun, neither Deshya nor Tessa are allowed to fold: they have to bet, even if they think they''re going to lose. What''s more, the minimum bet has been increased by a further €10 to €120.


    Tessa and Deshya look at their cards: the round can begin.


    CHAPTER 23


    ?The Red And Black Clash ; Devil?


    Tessa sighs and promptly returns her three cards, convinced she can''t do anything with them. Deshya keeps just one, which intrigues her.


    - It''s probably a pair, since it''s impossible to have a straight..." she thinks.


    She picks up her cards, but no sooner has she taken them than Deshya puts hers down. Tessa squints at her, her expression the same as most spectators. She plays with her hair and smiles. She doesn''t say a word, which surprises everyone: she''s waiting for Tessa to play.


    - S-She¡­


    Tessa hates this behavior... or rather, it frustrates her: not being able to understand Deshya''s thoughts and the reason behind his actions is horrifying to her. Illogic is like her sworn enemy.


    - She didn''t even look at her cards!" exclaims Tessa.


    Exactly: Deshya laid down her cards before she could even know their ranks. The only one she can know is the one she''s kept on her person, but does she trust that card that much? Is it the one that gives her a pair of ''10s... ? Tessa squints.


    - The more I think, the more frustrated I get... She knows me. That''s it, she''s playing on it¡­ Fuck, Deshya.


    Tessa wants to get angry just as much as she wants to have fun. Even if she can''t be convinced, she thinks she finally understands the logic behind Deshya''s illogic. So it''s highly likely that this is a real strategy for dealing with Tessa.


    - Ya know I get frustrated quickly when I can''t understand the logic of a person or a situation, so ya''re playing on that... Ya want me to think in vain and get angry, which will prevent me from playing well, right? Ya make me nauseous, but at the same time, I adore ya!


    Tessa thinks she finally understands Deshya''s strategy and smiles, but what she doesn''t know is that she''s wrong. Sure, Deshya could do this, but she would never try to play in such a risky way that she would lose if she used this strategy. She wouldn''t want to lose just to upset Tessa. The reality of this behavior is quite different: it''s simply the way Deshya really plays. She doesn''t mind losing, on the contrary: she wants to win.


    But she hates playing without feelings.


    Sure, during that poker game, she felt frustrated, but it wasn''t an emotion that came from the game itself, but from a lack. This same lack is easy to understand: she felt nothing. She was playing the game far too simply and was simply trying to survive, not to win. She didn''t see Tessa as an adversary to be crushed, but as her friend. She played without feeling the joy of winning, nor the pain of losing: she was empty.


    When she realized this, she was finally able to free herself from the chains she had placed around herself.


    She wants to win, that''s for sure. But she also wants to feel emotions. To feel her heart beat with joy when she wins a risky bet, to feel her guts churn when she loses a large sum. Even as she approaches defeat, she wants to be able to smile, to feel the pressure of the game and to feel alive.


    That''s the kind of person Deshya really is. Despite all this, she has a certain limit: when she''s in real danger, it''s a whole different story. She values her life and that of others enormously, so she would never risk it without hesitation. Although she sometimes likes to taunt death, she would never play against the reaper if she didn''t need to. When she was on the train with Tessa, Amora and Frie, for example, she would never take a risky gamble if she didn''t have to. She would never have risked the lives of hundreds of people, including her friends, just to feel anything: for Deshya, life is not a game. Of course, she agrees with the saying ''We only have one life'', but losing it means not being able to live afterwards. It''s a logic that hardly needs debate, but you still have to understand it.


    That''s why Deshya can allow herself to risk everything in this poker game, because she doesn''t have to stake her life on it.


    However, Deshya herself doesn''t fully understand herself. She believes that no life is at stake, but she completely overlooks a certain point. If she loses, Tessa will come to know the existence of her fox ears, as well as her five-month disappearance.


    Tessa''s life could be in great danger when she learns the truth. Deshya forgets this detail because of the emotions she''s now feeling in this poker game, but if she comes back to reality at some point, then she''ll get stuck again. Then she won''t dare risk it all and will try to win at all costs while trying to survive: at that point, Deshya will lose. Whatever happens, Deshya will return to her reality and will no longer be able to concentrate properly. If the game goes on too long and Deshya notices, then Tessa will end their encounter victorious. The fox-eared girl''s secret will be revealed to the one she loves. But that''s not all. Deshya thinks she understands herself correctly, but she''s wrong. In reality, this part of her is more present in her than she realizes... but she doesn''t know it yet. It''s with this ignorance that Deshya smiles at Tessa, daring her to bet any amount she wishes. Her expression leaves no room for the thought of defeat: she intends to win this round... and then this game. All she can see now is the summit in front of her.


    - I won''t be fooled by your shenanigans!" thinks Tessa as she places her three cards on the table.


    She finally pushes her chips, which excites everyone.


    - I bet ''130€''!


    A total of 26 chips, ''10€'' more than the minimum amount required! She''s confident in her own hand! Deshya uncrosses her arms after a short hesitation and takes her turn: she''s not giving up! She faces Tessa''s challenge!


    - I follow you.


    She bets 26 chips in turn. Some people seem disappointed by this low bet: after such madness, they were expecting her to bet more than ''200€''. However, Deshya plays it safe and pushes the equivalent of ''130€'', as does her opponent. Tessa grits her teeth, but immediately calms down.


    - She doesn''t know her cards, and she''s not going to risk everything when she''s not on the verge of death. Nevertheless, Deshya¡­


    She goes to push her chips, but freezes. She stops in time and everyone watches her. They wonder at her sudden immobility and Tessa blinks.


    - What do I do...? I''ve only got one high card and my highest card is a queen... If Deshya has a pair thanks to the card she''s kept, then I''m going to give her back some advantage... I thought I''d calmed down, but am I still frustrated? I can''t think straight or what?


    She goes to move her hands back, but again a thought crosses her mind.


    - But wait. What if she''s bluffing? She doesn''t even know her cards. She doesn''t know what hand she has, just as I don''t. She doesn''t know if I''ve just had a pair or even a three of a kind in my hand. She only has €440, so she can''t just bet either... I just have to bet and hope she quits! I''ve got more than ''1500€'', I''ve got the margin! Do you really want to play like a coward, Tessa?! You''re going to play like Deshya played, like a chicken! You''re going to win, so if you back down from her and give up, you give her ''130€'' for free!!!! Sure, you can''t fold or you would have, but don''t fuck with me!!!! Are you a woman or a wimp?!


    She grits her teeth before deciding to push, which elicits shrieks of excitement from the crowd.


    - I bet... ''170€''!!!


    34 chips join the army! A total of 60 chips, ''300€'' on the mat! She dares! Tessa doesn''t flinch from Deshya''s challenge !!! What''s more, she doesn''t ask to see! She leaves her opponent the choice of continuing to bet towards his misery or giving up and rushing towards defeat!!! Tessa may only have a high card, but only she knows: Deshya may believe she has a good pair, or even a three of a kind! It''s not an impossibility, despite the hesitation in her gesture!


    However!


    - I bet ''130€'' more!


    Deshya doesn''t back down! She''s not giving up! ''260€'' from Deshya against Tessa''s ''300''! If Deshya loses this round, she''ll be down to ''180€''! If Tessa wins, it could mean the end of the game! Tessa decides to bet straight away, without the slightest sign of hesitation.


    - I bet ''120€'' more and I ask to see!


    - She''s asking to see!" wonders Maruno, surprised.


    Nevertheless, the confidence in Tessa''s eyes is real: she''s convinced she''s doing the right thing! She adds 24 chips to her 60, forming an army of 84! A total of €420 on her stack, against Deshya''s €260! Tessa smiles as she looks at Deshya, even showing her teeth. Deshya turns over his cards with an amused look on his face and everyone watches. Her hand is¡ª


    THE ?A!


    The ?10!


    And the ?J!


    In short¡ª


    - A-Ah?!


    Tessa falls back in her chair and grits her teeth. The crowd roars with excitement and joy, even despair!


    - Thanks for the ''420€'', Tessa!!!


    Deshya sticks out her tongue before laughing and, like a demon, snatches the lives of the 84 soldiers to place them on her side. Tessa hits the wall behind her with a firm fist and Maruno bends his head towards her.


    - Why did you bet so much with a hand like that...?" he asks.


    Tessa doesn''t answer and continues to watch Deshya with an angry expression. Maruno sighs and squints.


    - Why did you ask to see? She should have bet more, and if you''d won, you''d have finished the game¡­


    - I have to admit that I felt like I was going to lose, so I didn''t want to bet even more and put it back at almost ''1000€'', but I played dumb. Tsk.


    Tessa returns her cards to Korone, cursing to herself in her head, while Deshya swings her head from left to right, happy to be approaching the ''1000€'' mark. Another ''140€'' and she''s back to where she was at the very start of the game, the original amount. A total of 200 chips. Korone starts to shuffle, but this time the two opponents don''t challenge each other''s eyes. Although Deshya admires Tessa, the latter looks to her right, where the living-room window shows a glimpse of her glasses behind the closed drapes, trying to calm herself down. She regrets having dared to bet more, and Maruno was right: why asking to see so soon?


    - Whatever happens, I won''t ask to see it anymore," she decides. If I dare, I dare. I''ve got to take her down as soon as possible, so stop fucking around, Tessa.


    She bites her thumb before Maruno tells her that the two cards are placed in front of her: in short, the twenty-fourth set begins without delay. The crowd can''t calm down. The spectators are all wondering who will emerge victorious from this friendly encounter between Tessa and Deshya. All eyes are on the two cards.


    The ?5 and the ?5!


    - A pair of ''5''s!!!


    - Right from the start, oooh!


    - Once again, a pair from the start!


    - OOOOH!!! A square?! A possible square?!!


    - Ahahah, I don''t believe it! I don''t believe it!!!


    The crowd roars and even Maruno lets out a few words. Korone looks at the two players: both smile as if they''ve seen a treasure. So the little girl offers them her three cards, all abruptly snatched from her gentle hands by the two adversaries. Korone brings them closer to her chest, watching them with surprise, but she understands their haste: if one of them manages to get a ''5'', or even two, then it''s very likely that victory is certain for them. Tessa opens her eyes wide as she looks at her cards, but returns to neutral as quickly as possible so that Deshya doesn''t notice the change in her expression.


    - I-I''ve¡­


    Tessa owns the ?5. Her other two cards are the ?J and the ?3, so she decides directly to swap them, but she doesn''t make the move before Deshya: she wants to pretend to hesitate so as not to make her opponent understand that she has a ''5''. Deshya decides to exchange her three cards and thanks Korone when she passes her three more. Tessa smiles inwardly and offers the little girl two cards.


    - I only keep one," she says.


    As she waits for Korone to pass her due cards, she watches Deshya, taunting her inwardly. Although Tessa''s holding a card can be seen as a strong possibility that she has a ''5'', she may also want to hold a high card, such as the king or ace: that way, even if she doesn''t manage to get a ''5'', she''ll at least have a pair with a high ranking card. Deshya lays down her cards before Tessa even manages to get hers.


    - Whatever happens, whether I manage to get the last ''5'' or not, Deshya will only have four of a kind. The only way Deshya can beat my three of a kind is with a full house, but since she''s traded three cards, I don''t think that''s going to happen. Sure, I managed to get three of a kind in a previous round, but I can''t believe it''ll happen again in the same game. Right now, I refuse to believe that this game is cheat-free.


    Of course, Tessa doesn''t believe Korone was cheating during this game, but she can''t imagine the odds of having three identical cards in a poker game that''s only lasted 24 rounds. Although Tessa still can''t believe she managed to get three ''8s'' in one go during the tenth round, she''s convinced it won''t happen again. Korone offers Tessa the other two cards and she watches. She hopes for a full house, but it doesn''t happen.


    Because it has a square.


    Her hand consists of the ?5, the ?J and the ?5. In short, she has the only two possible ''5''s to get... and therefore has a square.


    She has the best possible hand in this round. Whatever Deshya has, Tessa can''t be defeated. She could bet her €1140 and never lose. She could even offer her house and everything in her possession that she would win. The square of ''5'', the best hand of this round.


    - Victory assured!!!" exclaims Tessa.


    She wants to smile and clench her fist above her head in joy, but she tries to keep a neutral expression on her face: if Deshya understands that her opponent holds four of a kind, then she''ll only bet once before giving up. Tessa lays down her three cards without hurrying and waits for Deshya''s decision. Whatever she does, Tessa knows she''ll win, so now she has to play the way Deshya will come to bet as much as possible.


    - I''ll bet ''€160''," says Deshya.


    She pushes 32 chips in front of her, which pleases Tessa: she doesn''t start with the minimum amount! The more she bets, the more Tessa recovers! The more chances she has of getting her as low as possible! She has to make sure that she bets as much as possible, that she doesn''t give up until the end, and that her madness becomes the reason she loses the game! The same madness that has allowed her to live so long against her opponent will then become the reason she loses her entire army!!! Tessa pretends to hesitate before pushing her chips, in turn.


    - I follow.


    - I bet ''120€'' more.


    As soon as Tessa''s chips are pushed in, Deshya bets straight away. Not only does she continue this fight, she does so with the inability to see defeat in front of her. Tessa smiles so hard inwardly that a wry smile forms on her face. She does her best to hide it, but it''s difficult for her: Deshya has to bet even more! Let her madness scream and bet everything she''s got! Let''s get this round over with! Let this poker game come to an end with Tessa bathed in applause!!!!


    - I bet ''150€'' more!


    Tessa pushes her army of 62 chips against Deshya''s 56!


    - Bet!!! Bet even more!!! Bet!!!!


    Tessa orders her opponent to continue this fight, to bet and bet until the end: let this be the last war between them, because Tessa cannot be defeated! She holds the ultimate weapon in her cards, so she doesn''t want it to end here! She prays that Deshya won''t give up, that she''ll decide to believe in her own hand and refuse to believe that Tessa could have a ''5''!!! Tessa wants her to bet even more!!! Let her madness speak for itself!!!!


    However!


    - I give up.


    Retreat! Escape! Deshya gives up this fight lost in advance!!! The spectators were holding back from screaming with excitement, but with this abandonment, they scream! Of joy or anger!!! Deshya has given up!!! She didn''t dare, she didn''t try all the way!!!! Deshya pushes the chips towards Tessa after recovering the two cards and her opponent pouts at her.


    - Don''t ya dare go any further?" asks Tessa.


    Deshya smiles broadly.


    - I''d rather not, nah.


    - What kind of hand did you have?" asks Korone, having just picked up Deshya''s cards.


    - Eheh¡­


    Tessa giggles before showing Korone her cards.


    - A-A square of ''5''?!!!!


    - S-She couldn''t be beaten !


    - A sure victory!


    - That''s why she looked so happy in the end!!!!


    Deshya rubs her bangs.


    - Second time you''ve had a square. Lucky you.


    - The Gods want me to win this game, I suppose," Tessa taunts her.


    Deshya smiles as she closes her eyes and Korone begins to shuffle. Deshya counts her chips: she has 284, which means her opponent has only 116.


    - I''m still in the lead... I''ve got to win it!


    Tessa clenches her fists and watches the little girl with the long white hair, praying that luck will continue to bathe her and not Deshya. If she manages to win this round, then Deshya will have to bet the next and will most likely lose the game. Tessa will be able to find out what''s behind her friend''s hood, as well as beat her at poker! Although she really wants to know if something is really under her hood, what she really wants is to beat her. She has her own reasons, but Tessa doesn''t want to lose to Deshya: she wants to be superior. To be better!


    Korone stops shuffling and places the two cards on the table.


    The ?7 and the ?A.


    Deshya''s three cards are offered to her by Korone''s little hands before Tessa gets hers back.


    The ?7, the ?Q and the ?8.


    - OH?!


    Tessa wants to get down on her knees and thank the Gods: a ''7''! She already has a pair! If luck really is on her side, by swapping her queen and her ''8'', she could perhaps get a three of a kind, or even a four of a kind! If she manages to snatch the two remaining ''7''s from the deck, then she''ll still be the only one who can win this round! That would be a stroke of luck! She exchanges two cards and Deshya imitates her: both keep a single card in their hand.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    - If she also has a ''7'', then we both have a pair of ''7s''. If she has an ace, then she beats me, but if I can get three of a kind, or even four of a kind, I''ll have to win outright¡­ There''s no way I can make a straight, so I guess it''s a pair she''s got," Tessa reflects.


    Korone gives her back her cards and Tessa thanks her with a smile before sighing: if one of her two cards is a ''7'', then she considers that she can''t lose. She looks at the first one and¡ª


    The ?7!


    She holds a third ''7''! She holds at least a three of a kind! Now, if she has another ''7'', she holds four of a kind. If it''s an ace, then a full house! If it''s anything else, it''s still three of a kind! Tessa closes one eye and looks at her other card. This one is... Its value is... Its rank is¡­


    - Please, a ''7'', a ''7''...!


    She prays! She prays to the Gods who have been bathing her in their light and luck since the beginning of this game! She''s convinced they want her to win, so she mustn''t disappoint them! A ''7'' and she can''t lose! Deshya will never have three aces, so Tessa prays!!! She implores the Gods to give her the card she wants!!! A ''7'' and that''s it!!! A ''7'' and Deshya will have to eat defeat!!!


    HOWEVER!!!


    It''s a ?J that shows itself to Tessa''s wide-eyed!!


    Neither a 7, nor a full house! The Gods have blessed her with one card, not two!! Nevertheless, Tessa doesn''t sigh. Although she keeps a neutral look on her face, she smiles inwardly: although she''s slightly disappointed not to own a four of a kind or a full house, she''s very happy with her three of a kind. Thanks to this hand, she can only see the victory in front of her. If Deshya has kept a ''7'' in her hand, then she only holds a pair and can never defeat Tessa. If it''s an ace, then she''d need luck to receive another ace, which she refuses to believe: she''s the one blessed by the Gods in this game, not Deshya. She''s going to seize victory and crush her opponent. Tessa puts down her cards and drinks from the bottle, since she''s been sweating for a while. Although she sees the light shining brighter and brighter for her, the pressure of this part begins to take effect on her body. She pulls her sleeve over her mouth after finishing her bottle and cracks the back of her neck: it''s her turn to start the betting. This sleeve won''t accept a bet below ''130€'' and of course, Tessa can''t lie down. It doesn''t take her long to decide how much she''s going to put down.


    - I bet ''150€''.


    30 chips go to war for her. Tessa could have bet more, but she doesn''t want to discourage Deshya: she wants her opponent to bet as much as possible and fall into the abyss as low as possible. She didn''t bet enough in the previous round, so Tessa wants to make sure she bets again and again. After a moment''s thought, Deshya decides to call. 30 chips against 30.


    - Eh.


    Tessa smiles and quickly looks around at the students in her living room. They all get excited especially when Deshya bets, so she wants to steal some of that excitement. She wants them to scream for her too, so Tessa challenges Deshya and bets¡­


    - I bet ''270€'' more!


    54 chips join the front line! 420€'', 84 chips that go to battle! Tessa smiles broadly and challenges her opponent: ''Come and beat me! She asks him to come and steal her money, but that''s not going to happen! Tessa trusts her cards! Her three of a kind will beat Deshya no matter what! She believes it!!! She totally believes it!!! Deshya opens her mouth, but closes it straight away. Tessa feels her own heart racing in her chest: will she succumb to the pressure and give up directly? Will she gamble even more, refusing to back down in the face of this challenge? Will she run away? Will she go forward? What will Deshya do?! The crowd stops shouting and turns to Deshya. She bows her head. She looks at her own tokens and finally opens her mouth, but with alarming slowness. Will she give up?!


    - ¡­


    She mumbles, but no one can hear what she''s saying. Tessa doesn''t believe it: doesn''t she even dare say she''s giving up?! Has her madness come to an end and the burning flames of her mind disappeared, smothered by the lack of air? Has the pressure finally reached her and Tessa wins this psychological battle?! Tessa smiles, but Deshya looks up.


    And with an amused look, faces Tessa.


    - I BET IT ALL, I SAID !!!


    - WHAT?!!!!


    - A-All?!!


    - Are you serious, Deshya?!


    - She''s doing it again! She''s doing it again!!!


    - Waaa!!! Waaaaa!!!!!


    - Deshyaaaa!!!!!


    - Tessa!!! Don''t let it get to you!!!!


    The cries are so loud and numerous that Tessa can''t understand what they''re saying. She can only watch as Deshya''s tokens move forward like tanks off to war, unafraid, fearless, no doubt!


    The whole Deshya army! Her 116 tokens are at the front, all sacrificing themselves for their general!!! They believe in her!!! They don''t tremble!!! They''re convinced they''re going to win!!!!


    - You want to bet more, Tessa?!" shouts Deshya, smiling.


    Tessa was speechless at his reaction, but her shock quickly turned to another emotion: joy. She was happy. Yes, she''s so happy: Deshya has just let her madness speak again... and for the last time!!!!


    - Naaaah, ya wanna see my cards, don''t you?!" replies Tessa with a smile.


    - Then show them, Tessa!


    Tessa laughs as she turns over her cards and slams them against the table with such violence that her chips shake. Everyone turns to Tessa''s hand.


    - T-This...!!


    - Ooooh!!!


    - Three of a kind! Three of a kind!


    - Tessaaaa!!!


    Deshya looks wide-eyed at Tessa''s three cards. She has a set of 7s... A hand that exceeds even a ''two pair''. Korone grits his teeth.


    - Why did you bet it all, Deshya?!" she screams inwardly. T-Tell me you''ve got a better hand, eh...?


    However, Korone notices the expression on Deshya''s face. Maruno squints and Deshya lowers her head with wide eyes. She clenches her fists and catches chips in them.


    - ¡­


    She says nothing. Tessa stands up and shakes her hair, giggling. Some in the crowd are already celebrating victory, while others are trying to accept defeat. Deshya opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. Maruno asks her if everything''s all right, but she nods with a tired smile.


    - I should have known¡­


    She closes her eyes and Korone doesn''t hide her shock.


    - Deshya just... lost?" she wonders.


    Deshya sits down gently and Tessa stops laughing, finally calming down. She shows him her white teeth behind her victorious smile and shrugs.


    - We can''t all be lucky, ahah.


    Tessa sits down in turn and Deshya sighs.


    - You''re right¡­


    She shrugs her shoulders in turn before slowly raising her gaze. She looks at Tessa and blinks slowly¡­


    Before showing her a devilish expression.


    - You''re out of luck, Tessa.


    Deshya turns over his cards in one go and the two basic ones, including Tessa''s three, fly into the air. The chips start to shiver with fear and all the spectators open their eyes and mouths wide. Korone even leans back in her chair and Tessa observes Deshya''s cards¡­


    - W-W-W¡ª?!!!!


    She can''t even finish her sentence. The Deshya cards...! The hand she''s holding...!!! Tessa feels her heart stop, time pause!!! Nothing moves in her world! She can''t look away from the Deshya cards!!! No one can!!! Deshya throws a token in the air and laughs.


    - I should have known, Tessa.


    The black token falls to the floor and stands in front of Deshya''s field of vision, as if replacing Tessa''s head... before grabbing it with a brusque, almost aggressive hand. Tessa steps back in her chair and time resumes. Deshya lowers his fist and continues to show her a diabolical, almost inhuman expression.


    - I should have known that I would NEVER lose to your cards!!!!


    Because Deshya also holds a set... but a set of aces!!!! The ?A and the ?A!!! So Deshya wins this twenty-fifth round! She bends over her head and hugs the 84 chips she''s just won. Once again, she passes Tessa''s soldiers to hers. Korone doesn''t even think of retrieving the cards, shocked by what she''s just witnessed. Not only has Deshya pretended to have lost, she''s let the seconds pass only for the moment when she reveals the truth to everyone to turn the whole atmosphere upside down.


    - She''s... Has she done this to break Tessa?!" wondered Korone.


    The little girl turns to the purple-haired teenager, who is biting her lower lip so hard it''s starting to turn red. Her set of ''7s'' has been defeated... by her set of aces.


    - No wonder she bet it all... She''s crazy... She''s nuts... We''re back at the beginning¡­


    Tessa looks at her chips: she has 200... and so does Deshya.


    1000€'' against ''1000€''. A tie. A return to the first round. The initial sum. Korone picks up the cards after Maruno wakes him from his thoughts and Deshya plays with a chip, whistling. The background noise of students sweating and talking to each other is louder than ever and Korone finds it hard to mix, his mind having just gone through several emotions in the space of a few seconds. Maruno finishes his water bottle and goes to get one for Tessa and himself before Deshya finishes hers. However, she doesn''t ask Maruno to bring one back for her and continues whistling. Tessa clenches her fists.


    - She does everything to make me angry... She does everything to make me the one who is psychologically beaten... Deshya¡­


    She clicks her tongue and crosses her arms: Tessa can''t believe Deshya has made it this far, but she continues to believe in her victory. She thought she''d been bathed in the luck of the gods, but now she understands that it was just an illusion: it doesn''t exist. In this poker game, it''s Deshya against Tessa; the Gods are mere spectators. She''s been lucky, but that doesn''t mean she''s received any blessing from anyone. She has to believe in herself and not rely on divine help: after all, Tessa doesn''t really believe in it. She got carried away when she noticed her incredible luck. Korone finishes shuffling and all eyes are on her: they want to know which cards will come out of her hand. Now that the sum of the two opponents is equal and Deshya seems to have recovered psychologically, although she''s still crazy, they''re all wondering if the next round is going to be the last. Korone swallows loudly, noticing that everyone is staring at her, and puts down the two cards one by one.


    after another. And here¡ª


    Just like the third round, the cards just released are the ?10 and the ?A.


    - Straight flush¡­


    - Royaaaaale!!!


    - Oooooh!!! It''s like the third round!!!!


    - A royal flush or nothing!


    - Even a color, imagine! Imagine!!!


    - Aaaaah!!!


    It''s madness in the living room. Korone offers three cards to both players, shaking his head in disbelief: once again, a royal flush is possible. Is it luck, or is it just normal poker? The little girl doesn''t know, but she plans to find out after the game... Does she have lucky hands, or the opposite? However, she remembers that the original dealer was Maruno, not her.


    - Please, a good card!" begs Tessa.


    She observes them, but... No possibility of a royal flush, or a straight flush at all... so impossible to get a straight either. Not only is she out of luck on these hands, she notices something else: none of her cards have ''?'' as a suit, so she can''t even hold a single card and hope for a flush. Anyway.


    - I''m swapping all my cards!


    At the same time, both opponents pass their entire hands to Korone while shouting the same thing. They stare at each other before smiling broadly.


    - Eeeh, interesting!" blurts out Tessa.


    - Which of us will be the luckiest, Tessa~?" asks Deshya.


    The tension is real and Maruno starts drinking from the bottle. Korone first offers three cards to Deshya and then to Tessa. All the spectators pray that one of them will miraculously get a royal flush. It would be a grandiose stroke of luck, but given what they''ve witnessed during this poker game, it no longer seems impossible. Deshya and Tessa look at their cards for a few seconds before placing them face-down on the table. They look at each other before Deshya begins to smile.


    - I bet ''200€''!


    She pushes a total of 40 tokens without the slightest hesitation into his eyes and shakes her head gently to put her hair back correctly. Tessa returns her smile before shrugging her shoulders and pushing out some chips of her own.


    - I''m with you, Deshya~!


    200€'' against ''200€''! They believe in their cards! They challenge each other with their eyes and their voices! They say it to each other! They let their opponents know they''re going to win! Deshya has no fear! Tessa has no fear!!! They fight!!! They won''t give up !!!! Deshya must now choose: how much is she betting? How much does she believe in her hand? Only she can offer answers to these questions! Everyone wants to know how the round will continue: will she call? Will she bet more or less? Deshya closes her eyes and takes her time to think. Tessa waits impatiently, ready to answer her bet.


    - Go ahead, keep betting ''200€'', Deshya. I''ll win this round, I''ll take all your money. Go on, go on! Come on!" thinks Tessa.


    The living room is now silent. Even the students in the crowd have fallen silent. Deshya opens her eyes at last and looks at her opponent with her blue eyes. A second passes. She doesn''t make a move. Two seconds pass. Deshya opens her mouth. Three seconds pass. She closes it again... but smiles. Four seconds pass. Deshya finally makes up her mind.


    - I bet¡­


    She''ll say it. Korone thinks she''ll bet ''200€'' more if she''s confident, otherwise ''130€'', the minimum possible. Now that Deshya has managed to win a good profit, it is certain that she has regained her confidence. So she dares to bet several hundred euros. Tessa waits patiently, her gaze fixed on Desha. How much will she bet? More than €200? Less? How much does she believe her cards? What''s she going to do? The tension is intense! The atmosphere is oppressive! The wait is unbearable! They all want to know! What will Deshya do?! What has she decided?


    And then she says it.


    Her decision is :


    - I BET EVERYTHING!!!! ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!


    200 chips!!! 1000€'' in one go!!!! Deshya bets absolutely everything she owns!!! She laughs as she pushes her chips, she faces death as she grabs it by the collar!!!! She moves forward!!! She advances!!!! She advances!!!!!! The crowd erupts in euphoria!!!! Even Maruno starts shouting, and Korone slams her fist down on the table.


    - W-What''s she doing?!!!" she exclaims inwardly.


    While it''s not the first time Deshya has made such a decision, Tessa grits her teeth as she clenches her teeth.


    her fists so hard she hurts herself. She''s done it again! She''s bet it all again! She doesn''t believe in defeat!!! Deshya taunts Tessa and insults her with her decisions!!! She''s not cold-blooded, she''s not afraid, she doesn''t know fear!!!! It''s madness in the living room!!! Everyone is screaming with excitement, patting the floor, shouting Deshya''s name and cheering Tessa on. It''s an incomprehensible mess!!! The flames of Deshya''s madness are burning everyone in their path! They''re so hot that Tessa''s sweating like she''s just run a marathon! Breathing is complicated! For Tessa! For Maruno!!! For Korone!!! For everyone!!!! She bet it all... and that with a smile!!!! Deshya risks everything on this round even though she has 200 chips, the initial amount!!!! If Tessa doesn''t give up, the game can end in this round! On this twenty sixth hand! Tessa stands up, pounding the table with an angry fist, and stares at her opponent, frowning.


    - Ya do it again!!! Ya''re doin¡¯ it all over again!!! Don''t ya care about losin¡¯ that much, ya crazy bitch?! Ya think I''m gonna let that slide, huh?!!!! Ya think ya''re the only crazy one in this room?! I''m gonna win!!! I''m gonna win!!!" she screams at the top of her lungs.


    - Fight me if you dare, Tessa!!! Come on, fight me!!! I''ll win! I''ll beat you, you''ll never beat me!! My secret will remain sealed under my hood!!! I will win! You will lose!!! Come on, dare!!! Come on, be the woman I know!!!! Prove you''re a genius, Tessa!!!!" Deshya replies mentally.


    They smile at each other, eyes wide open.


    - I WILL CRUSH YOU!!!!" they roar at the same time.


    Their determination is so powerful, so violent and so intense that even without uttering a single word, anyone watching can understand what they''re thinking: victory! They see only victory in front of them!! Losing is not an option!!! Losing is their death!!!! Tessa smacks the table with her palm and laughs before opening her mouth wide. She says it!!! She answers Deshya!!! She makes her decision!!!!


    SHE FIGHTS IT WITHOUT FEAR !!!!!


    - I BET EVERYTHING TOO, DESHYAAAA!!!!


    SHE DOES IT!!!!!! SHE BETS ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING SHE OWNS!!!!!! ''€1,000'' AGAINST ''€1,000!!!!! 200 CHIPS AGAINST 200 CHIPS!!!!! THE LAST ROUND OF THIS POKER GAME!!!!!


    - OOOOOOH !!!!


    - TEEEEEESSAAAA !!!!!!


    - DESHYAAAAA !!!!


    - YOU WILL WIN !!!!


    - YOU''LL CRUSH HER!!!!!


    - DESHYA!


    - TESSA!!!


    - LET¡¯S GOOOO!!!!!!


    The students scream and even Korone starts shouting. It''s a party! It''s euphoria!!! They can''t sit still!!! It''s the last round of this game!!!!


    Their entire sum against each other!!!! Whoever wins this round will be the winner!!!! This twenty-sixth round is the last, the last, the last!!!! They scream as the flames of Deshya and Tessa''s determination burn absolutely all!!!! They''re sweating!!! They''re sweating!!!! Will Deshya have to reveal her secret or will Tessa have to give up the search?! Who will win?!! Who has the best hand?!!! Who has been blessed by the Gods for this final round?!!!! Even they, from their cloudy seats, are screaming with excitement: nobody knows what''s going to happen!!!! The universe itself has no idea who''s going to win this round of poker!!! All attention is on them. They want to know! What are their cards?! Who will crush the other?!!! Who will win the other''s 200 chips?!!!! They all want to know!!!! So they grab their cards. They turn them over. They slam their deck onto the table with such force that the chips fly off. It''s Deshya''s three cards against Tessa''s! Only one person can win this round and this game!!!! Only one of the two opponents can be considered ''victorious''!!! The other will lose!!! The other will have to accept defeat!!!!! So everyone turns to their cards.


    Tessa holds the ''?A''! She has a pair of aces! The best possible pair!!! If Deshya only holds a high card or a lower pair, then she loses! If she holds better, then she wins!!! Everyone turns their gaze to Deshya''s cards. Will she win? Will she lose?! What does she have?!! A better hand or not?!!! The crowd continues to roar, it''s a real cacophony in Tessa''s living room!!!! They all open their eyes wide. Tessa can''t believe it.


    Deshya... Deshya...!!


    Deshya holds the ''?A''! She also has a pair of aces!!!!


    - AAAAH !!!!


    - PAIR OF ACES AGAINST A PAIR OF ACES!!!!


    - LOOK AT THE OTHER CARDS!!! HAVE A LOOK!!!!!!!


    They''re screaming!!! They can''t calm down: it''s way too late now!!!! 1000€'' against ''1000€'', pair of aces against pair of aces !!! Who?! Who will have the highest card between them ?!


    Tessa has a ''?3''. Deshya has a ''?2''. However, it''s not the cards that count. If they have the same highest card, then Tessa wins this game!!! If Deshya holds a higher card, then she will win!!!! Who?! Who has the best card between them?!!! It''s impossible to breathe in such an atmosphere: their flames burn everything!!!! It''s impossible to escape!!!!! The room is burning hot, they feel the heat of their determination!!! They only see victory in front of them!!!!


    - I''M GOING TO WIN!!!!


    - I WILL BE THE WINNER!!!!


    Deshya and Tessa look at their opponent''s third card. This is the moment that will decide everything! Whoever wins this round, whoever wins the other''s 200 chips, whoever gets their opponent''s ''€1000'', whoever emerges victorious from this room... that person is...!


    Deshya?!


    Tessa?!!


    The person with the best card is...! This person is...!!! Tessa has a ''?J''! And Deshya, she¡­


    She has¡ª!!!!!

 24 -?Revealing a Secret?(GAME1)

    <hr>


    - TESSA!!!!


    - DESHYA!!!!!


    - GO!!!!


    - PLEAAAASE!!!!!


    The audience goes wild. The living room becomes a real furnace because of the determination of the two players, and the poker game reaches its climax, its end! The twenty-sixth round is also the last! Deshya''s ''€1000'' bet against Tessa''s ''€1000''! 200 chips against 200 chips!!! Whoever has the best hand wins it all! She''ll emerge victorious from this poker game with all the other player''s chips! Who will make it to the top first?! Was it Tessa, who managed to gain a psychological advantage and only once fell below the initial sum of ''1000€'', or was it Deshya who managed to turn the game in her favor thanks to her madness and her illogical decisions?! They''re all going to find out !! The two opponents'' cards are turned over on the table and all eyes are on them. Both have a pair of aces, so the highest card will determine who wins this game!!! Deshya holds an ''?2'', while Tessa holds the ''?3'', which means that if the other card is of the same rank, Tessa wins!!! If Deshya holds a card higher than the ''?J'', then she will succeed in defeating her opponent! Then she''ll protect her secret! Then she won''t put her in danger!!!!


    - I''M GOING TO WIN!!!" she screams inwardly.


    She believes!!! Deshya totally believes it!!!


    However!


    - I''M GOING TO WIN, DESHYA!!!!


    Tessa is just as determined and convinced of her victory! She doesn''t doubt her own game! She''s reaching for the top!!! Her army will crush Deshya''s!!! She''s the one who''ll manage to collect all her opponent''s chips!!! She believes!!! Tessa wants to beat her!!! She wants to win this game she started herself !!! The crowd is going wild! In euphoria!!! The winner is... Will Deshya protect her secret?! Will Tessa find out?!


    The Deshya card that will determine the outcome of this battle ¡ª no, this war ¡ª is¡­


    This card is...!!


    - TESSA!!!!


    - OOOOH!!!!


    - SHE¡­


    Deshya opens her eyes wide. Some of the crowd raise their fists in the air, shouting.


    - SHE WON !!!!!


    CHAPTER 24


    ?Revealing a Secret?


    Korone doesn''t believe what she sees in front of her. Maruno finally breathes again and Tessa opens her mouth wide. Some students hug each other: the one they''ve been supporting has just won this game!!! They scream with joy! They''ve just experienced a historic moment they''ll never forget!!!! Deshya''s jaw trembles gently and she freezes, while on Tessa''s face a smile begins to form.


    She is victorious! She has succeeded in overcoming her opponent!!! She is the one who reaches the first!!! She can only accept her defeat, painful as it is!!!!


    - TESSA!!!!


    - D-DESHYA!!!!!


    - BECAUSE OF A SINGLE ROW, REALLY?!


    Exactly: Deshya''s card has only one rank of difference with Tessa''s card! A narrow victory!! If she hadn''t bet the whole amount, then she wouldn''t have lost!!! Then this game would have gone o !!! Then she could have kept fighting!!! However, she lost everything! Her 200 chips!!! Her ''1000€''!!! Her chances of winning this fight!!!!


    It''s her defeat! It''s a crushing defeat, even psychologically!!! She can''t believe it!!!


    - D-Deshya!" shouts Korone.


    Some students start running towards the winner, and one of them even jumps on her: they can''t calm down! The pressure and tension that have reigned in this room for the last few minutes are finally released, so they, too, are letting off steam! They''re happy to have been spectators to such a game!


    Some are disappointed that their favorite didn''t win, but they have no regrets! Who could have guessed that this poker game would have been so exciting! It started with Tessa as the dominant player, Deshya managed to tame the beast and proved to her adversary that she wouldn''t be denied. However, her madness also worked against her! She lost several chips! She may have been able to recover, but in the end she bet it all!!!! Deshya believed in her hand, even though it was only a pair of aces, she decided to believe in her game!!! Was it worth it? Tessa smiles broadly and Korone trembles. This game is over! She''s won! She''s happy!!! Her heart is beating so fast in her chest! It''s madness in her heart! Everyone is buzzing around the winner!!!


    Deshya wins this game !!!!


    - I CAN''T BELIEVE IT!!!!!


    Tessa smiles, but it''s not out of joy: she''s stunned! She''s lost everything in this round... by Deshya''s ''?Q''!!! A card just one rank higher than her ''?J''!!! A queen against a jack! The cards that determined this game!!! Deshya wins!!! Deshya won!!! She overcame the abyss and sent Tessa to the bottom, grabbing the top!!!!


    Deshya protects her secret!!!!


    - DESHYAAAA!!!!


    - What an incredible game!


    - Tessa, you were gorgeous too!!!


    - My heart exploded at least ten times in my chest, I have to drink water!!!!


    All the students start talking to each other or to the two players. Deshya asks them to move away a little because she feels oppressed, although she''s smiling thanks to the victory. She can''t even understand all the emotions running through her, but she knows one thing: she''s happy. She''s relieved to have won, to have beaten Tessa in this game. It came down to almost nothing, and she even thought she''d lost at the very end, but she''s done it: she''s protecting her secret. She takes a breath and rises from her chair before saying she''s going to the toilet. Everyone applauds her and starts chatting to Tessa, who has stopped smiling and is watching the Queen of Deshya with a bemused expression. She just can''t believe it. She lost everything. Having started the game with a chip and psychological advantage, she managed to get corrupted by Deshya''s madness and bet it all... and lost it all. By a single round.


    - Tessa, you played well!


    - Waaaa, I can''t believe you bet it all in the end!!!!


    One of the students pats her on the back and the crowd chats with the loser, but they don''t taunt her. Some tease her, but even those who were rooting for her don''t dampen the mood: they''re happy. They''re happy to have taken part in this crazy game and can''t calm their hearts. They''ll never forget what they''ve just seen today. A battle between two geniuses. Tessa, the one you''re afraid to approach because of her aura. Deshya, the one you want to cuddle because of her cuteness. Two dangerous adversaries who would have gobbled up their opponents with ease if they weren''t facing someone as monstrous as themselves. Korone stands up and says she''s going to check on Deshya. Maruno nods and looks at Tessa. Although she''s lost, she starts smiling again and begins chatting to the spectators. She doesn''t insult Deshya or say she was just lucky, but¡­


    - I got soundly beaten. She was just better.


    Tessa fully accepts her defeat: Deshya has managed to climb that slippery slope all by herself, so there''s nothing she can do but stoop with a smile. Next time, she''ll win: she promises herself.


    The students leave the house one by one and Tessa goes to her kitchen to get a can of soda. She opens it using the nail of her index finger and rests it on the worktop. She sighs before taking a drink, closing her eyes.


    - What a game, though.


    Tessa bows her head and looks at the boy who has just entered her kitchen. The third member of the ''Fox Incorporated'', Maruno Uffite. He sits down next to her and dangles his feet, smiling.


    - I really thought I was going to explode at the end," he admits.


    - I was convinced I was going to win, but I guess I''d blown my chance.


    Tessa starts to smile, noticing what she''s just said.


    - Or rather, Deshya ate all my luck with her madness. Craziness.


    She continues to drink and Maruno turns his gaze to her.


    - Honestly, Deshya is someone I''d like to play against once," he says. However, I must admit that she lost her mind completely at the end.


    - I told myself in the middle of the game that she was only doing it to confuse me, since I play well against other people''s logic, but considering what she did at the end, I''m not so sure," admits Tessa.


    - I think Deshya was herself.


    - Perhaps¡­


    - When she bet everything at the end, she could have done it to force you to give up, but at the same time, it would have been totally idiotic. If you''d kept your cool, you could have bet the minimum amount and asked to


    see, then only Deshya could have lost.


    Maruno cracks his fingers with a smile.


    - She just liked the risk. That''s who Deshya is," he admits.


    Tessa drinks the whole can before throwing it into the garbage can, but just misses. She stretches her right arm, then her left, before smiling broadly.


    - She loves risk too much. Faced with a pro or in a game where her life would be a danger, would she act the same way?" she asks, addressing Maruno.


    The boy returns her smile and chuckles before replying.


    - If Deshya is like someone I know, then I fear for her life. However, they are different¡­


    - Oh, you mean her?


    Maruno nods. Tessa scratches her cheek.


    - I still think that Deshya''s madness and her madness are different..." she retorts.


    - I''m sure of it too. However, whether it''s Deshya or her, these are opponents who have to play on their opponent''s nerves¡­


    He chuckles before jumping off the worktop and facing Tessa.


    - I mean, you were completely in her game at the end.


    Tessa sighs and crosses her legs.


    - I could have kept my cool and not bet it all like a madwoman, but I admit I was pissed off that I hadn''t managed to win before, so I wanted to totally crush her!


    She slams her fist into the palm of her other hand with a smile, but sighs with a grumble and drops her head back.


    - I should have played better. I suck¡­


    - No, you don¡¯t!


    - I still lost. I''ll have to take a forfeit, and what''s more¡­


    Tessa doesn''t finish her sentence, but she''s disappointed that she doesn''t know what''s under Deshya''s hood. From now on, she must take it upon herself not to bother him with it... Tessa totally regrets having lost this game and realizes how foolish she has been. She swings her legs in frustration and wishes she could go back in time a few minutes to stop gambling like an idiot. Maruno looks at her with a smile and shoves his hands in his pockets.


    - I''m going too, I hope Deshya doesn''t ask you to come to school in a cute dress!" he teases her.


    - I expect worse..." admits Tessa.


    Maruno laughs and leaves the kitchen, heading for the entrance hall. He notices the little girl coming down the stairs one step at a time and stops before leaving the house.


    - Is Deshya all right?" he asks.


    Korone jumps up the last two steps with one foot and nods with a big smile.


    - She''s been holding back for a loooong time, so she makes a big poo-poo!" she smiles.


    - I didn''t want to know, but good for her!


    He sticks out a hand to show her his thumb and winks an eye. Korone places both hands in front of her mouth and Maruno opens the front door.


    - I''ll see you again sometime, little one!" he says.


    - Yiss! Bye bye, handsome guy!!


    Korone waves both hands in front of her and Maruno closes the door behind him. The little girl joins Tessa in the kitchen and jumps up onto the chair. Tessa gazes at Korone, arms crossed.


    - It was a superb match! I loved it!" says Korone with a smile.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.- I''m disappointed to have lost anyway," admits Tessa.


    - Deshyshy is crazy! Maddie!


    - M-Maddie...?


    - Yes! She''s so crazy!


    - Ahah, she really is.


    Tessa smiles, bowing her head. Korone claps her hands.


    - But Tessa was very strong! You imressed me! Impressed, I mean, hihi!


    Tessa giggles and gets off the worktop before opening her fridge.


    - Poker is a lot of luck, I was just luckier for a few rounds. When Deshya started acting crazy, I was completely dominated.


    Tessa crouches down and grabs the bottle of orange juice. She stands up, closes the fridge and asks Korone if she''d like some too. The little girl nods and the sound of footsteps can be heard on the stairs. Tessa grabs three glasses and pours some juice into the first. She turns and offers it to Korone, who takes it with both hands, thanking her. As she dips her lips in the juice, Deshya enters the kitchen.


    - I took my time..." she says, scratching her cheek.


    - As long as you flush..." replies Tessa.


    - Aaaah? Who do you think I am?!


    Tessa smiles and pours herself some orange juice before asking her friend if she''d like some too. Deshya accepts and sits down next to Korone.


    - Deshyshy, too strong! Too crazy, you even scared me!


    - S-Scared...?" exclaimed Deshya.


    She scratches her cheek and Tessa passes her a glass of juice before sitting down opposite them.


    - You didn''t scare me personally, but you made me want to hit you a few times," she admits.


    - A-Ahah¡­


    - Deshyshy was like ''Wraaa! I''m a demooon!! I bet it all, blaaah!''!


    Korone puts down her glass and pushes it away before looking proud.


    - I''ll stake all my money on it. Challenge me if you dare, Tessa!!" she says.


    Deshya and Tessa admire the little girl before breaking into hearty laughter. Korone picks up her glass and smiles, amused by her own performance. Tessa leans back against the back of her chair and looks at the two girls in front of her.


    - So, Korone is going to live with you for a while?" says Tessa.


    Korone nods and answers for Deshya.


    - I''m going to live with Deshyshy! She''s like my... b... b¡ªb... Big-sister!!!


    Deshya questions the little girl with her eyes, but Korone scratches her cheek.


    - I still find it hard to say, hihi....


    - Why is that?" asks Tessa.


    - A-Ah, it''s¡­


    Korone looks down and opens her mouth, but says nothing. She lowers her eyelids before closing her eyes... and begins to smile again.


    - It''s because I won''t be living with Deshyshy for long, so when I part with her, I''d rather think I''m parting with a friend than a big sister.


    Korone finishes her glass of orange juice and jumps out of her chair.


    - I''m waiting for you in the living room, Deshyshy!!!


    - H-Hey! Korone, wait!!!


    The little girl runs out of the kitchen and into the living room. She settles on the sofa and looks through the windows: the curtains have been opened after the game. She closes her eyes and smiles.


    - Just... one more time, eh..." thinks Korone.


    Meanwhile, Deshya stays in the kitchen with Tessa and sighs, resting her head against her fist


    - Why did she run away like that...?" she wondered.


    - You''ve got a bet to make, I must say.


    Deshya blinks and turns to the one she loves. Tessa finishes her orange juice in turn and leans back to place the empty glass on the worktop. Tessa smiles as she stares at Deshya.


    - As promised, I won''t bother ya again with what''s under yar hood, if ya really have something.


    - B-But do you really think I''m hiding something... Like what?


    It''s a question Deshya has been asking herself for some time: does Tessa suspect she might be a fox girl, or is she thinking about something else? Tessa tilts her head gently to the left.


    - Go figure, but you don''t want us to see you without a hood, so my first thought was that you didn''t want us to see your hair... I''m thinking, do you have a wig or do you already have a bald spot?


    - H-Huuuuuuh?!


    Deshya stares at her with a bewildered look and Tessa shows her teeth with a smile.


    - Maybe you don''t want us to see your gorgeous hair, so I wanted to see it first!!! Ahah!!


    Deshya sighs with relief and relaxes in her chair, eyes closed. Tessa asks if she''s all right, but Deshya nods.


    - I just can''t believe I''ve managed to win..." she admits.


    - You were crazy enough to upset me, I must say.


    - A-Ahah, that''s the way I play¡­


    Deshya scratches her cheek as she sits down comfortably in her chair. Tessa sighs and rests her chin on her head, staring at Deshya.


    - Anyway, what do ya want me to do as a bet?


    Tessa crosses her legs.


    - Do ya want me to eat grass? Do ya want me to do the chicken dance? Do ya want me to go to school dressed as Sailor Moon or even Yuni?


    - Y-You''ve got one of Yuni''s outfits at home...? I didn''t know you liked Precure.


    - We all have our secrets~!


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and finally smiles. Tessa is right: everyone has a secret - or rather, several. Deshya has managed to protect hers and is relieved, but she wonders how long she can keep it secret. Her two parents have always been the only ones to know, but Korone is a new addition to that list. Although her situation is different from that of people like Tessa or Maruno, Deshya has to get used to the idea that one day, for one reason or another, someone will learn of her fox ears and understand the truth. Hiding them under false ears is complex and impractical, so the hood is the only solution. She has to protect this secret from everyone for as long as possible, until she can at least find out if discovering the truth about her animal attributes is a danger to anyone. If Korone can manage to be safe for a few weeks, then maybe she''ll start to believe that knowing the truth about herself isn''t a danger.


    Maybe then Deshya will agree to explain everything to Tessa and a few other friends, like Amora or Maruno.


    For the time being, however, she must protect this secret as much as possible. She mustn''t risk being caught out like today: she must refuse such proposals. Deshya has learned her lesson and touches her stomach, reassured that she hasn''t developed an ulcer from all the stress. Tessa taps her fingers on the table.


    - Would ya like to give me a bet some other time?" asks Tessa.


    Deshya blinks and shakes her head.


    - N-No, I''m just thinking..." she replies.


    Deshya has had an idea for a bet since the moment Tessa arrived at her house, but she hesitates to ask... Is it respectable? Can she ask such a thing? If Tessa refuses, Deshya won''t be able to stand it, so should she dare? Should she give up? Deshya starts to giggle and Tessa questions her with her eyes, but her friend tells her that everything''s fine.


    - I feel like I''m playing poker again, asking myself such questions, ahah!" she says to herself.


    Deshya stands up and takes a deep breath. She could put this idea to rest and choose a game that requires less courage, but Deshya refuses to give up. It''s because she was able to fight fearlessly and daringly that she defeated Tessa during the poker game: so she must continue with this strategy. She''s got to be fearless! Deshya starts to blush and grits her teeth: it''s more complicated than she thought. Tessa raises her eyebrows, surprised to see Deshya''s expression change like that. The girl in the fox sweater smacks her cheeks and bites her lower lip.


    - Y-Your bet is....


    Deshya closes her eyes and takes courage. If she doesn''t ask now, she''ll never get another chance! She must ask him! Order him, even! It''s her token for losing! It was in the rules! Deshya opens her eyes and stares


    Tessa.


    - Y-You''ve got to k-k-ki-kiss me... o-o-on the mouth¡­


    Her head turns as red as a tomato and she purses her lips together, wanting to escape the gaze, but she continues to stare at Tessa. The latter observes her with a stunned look, not even blinking.


    - Ya... Ya want me to kiss you... on the mouth?


    Deshya nods furiously.


    - My bet is to kiss ya?


    Deshya nods again and holds her hood. Tessa stands up and squints.


    - Are you... sure?


    - Yes!


    Tessa blinks again and Deshya puffs out her cheeks.


    - So-Sorry, I''ll find a¡ª


    Before Deshya can even finish her sentence, Tessa grabs his chin and raises it without warning¡ª


    ¡ª before kissing her on the lips, eyes closed.


    Deshya''s eyes are wide open. Time has stopped for her and her heart is beating so fast it threatens to explode in her chest. Not only is Tessa kissing her for real, it''s not just a short kiss: seconds pass. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. On the eighth second, Tessa removes her hand from Deshya''s chin and spreads her mouth before running her tongue over her lips. She nods with a shrug.


    - You taste good," she says. Probably the orange juice.


    Tessa doesn''t even bother to pull her sleeve over her mouth and places her hands on her hips.


    - Is that all it was? I was expecting something horrible.


    Deshya is frozen in place, her only movement the blinking of her eyes. Tessa tilts her head and waves her hand in front of her gaze, waking her up. Deshya feels the warmth of her face and claps her hands against her cheeks before nodding several times.


    - T-T-Thank you! I-I mean, hm, yes, yes the bet, yes, it''s good! W-We''ll see you Monday, I lov¡ª I WANT TO SAY see you soon!!!


    Deshya runs to Korone and takes her in her arms. The little girl lets out a cry of surprise and Deshya dashes into the entrance hall before opening the door. Tessa waves her hand in confusion and watches them go, observing her fox tail wagging in all directions with speed. Deshya closes the door behind her and hops out into the street, Korone still in her arms.


    - Deshyshy blushes a lot!" laughs the little one.


    - We''re having a sushi party! Lots of sushi!!!" said Deshya.


    - Waaa!!! Yiiiiss, I''ve never tasted them!!! Sushiiis!!!


    Tessa watches Deshya start to run down the street, her fox tail still excited. Shaking her head, she closes the drapes and looks down at the table she''s been tidying up as the spectators leave. She grabs her phone with a smile.


    - What a strange girl, though..." she thought aloud.


    Before turning on her phone, Tessa sees her reflection on the black screen. She blinks and takes a quick look at herself with the ''Camera'' application. She touches her cheek and squints.


    - I-I''m blushing...?


    She turns around and looks at the place where Deshya was before slowly opening her mouth. She touches her lips and her eyes slowly widen... but eventually she closes them and sighs.


    - Well, whatever.


    This poker game ends with a Deshya victory... or rather¡­


    Two wins.

 25 -?The Three Geniuses of Tetazo?(CASE4)

    <hr>


    - Thanks for picking us up, Mom.


    - I hope I haven''t kept you waiting too long!


    The woman with long red hair, though a little shorter than her daughter''s, smiled at him as she turned around. Deshya nods, but tells her to watch the road. Next to her, in the front passenger seat, is the little Korone, their ''temporary little sister''.


    A few minutes after the poker game at Tessa''s house had ended, Deshya''s mother ''Pera Dimera'' came to collect them both when she was called by her daughter. The three of them are on their way home, the sky gradually turning orange. Korone watches from the window, swinging her feet with joy. Pera stops at a red light and turns back to her daughter.


    - So you won, did you?" she asked.


    Deshya nods.


    - I was lucky, but yes, I won.


    - Deshyshy was crazy, but strong! She was way too crazy,  hihi!!!" chuckles Korone.


    - Hey, hey!!!


    Pera starts laughing and Deshya sighs. She''d like to retort, but Korone isn''t entirely wrong: Deshya has really used her ''inner madness'' to win this round. That side of her that loves danger so much and wants to feel emotions, even if it''s disappointment, it''s this part of Deshya that managed to defeat Tessa. It was by using illogic that she was able to win against the one she loves. However, she has no regrets whatsoever about playing this poker game. After all¡­


    - What did you bet to Tessa?" her mother asks, starting the car again.


    Deshya bows her head, covering her mouth, and starts to blush more and more. Her mother is concentrating on the road, so she doesn''t see her daughter react like that, but she repeats her question, noticing that Deshya doesn''t answer anything. Korone turns around and questions her with her eyes. Deshya waves her hands and scratches the back of her hood.


    - I-I haven''t decided yet! I think I''ll make a bet like doing a ridiculous dance in front of me, I''d really like to see her dance, ahah!" lies Deshya.


    - Eeeeh, I see! Film it, I want to see too!" Korone lets out with a smile.


    - Eeeh, me too!" adds Pera.


    - Your mom understands me, she''s funny!


    - Korone too, you''re funny!


    - Eeeeh? Thankiiiiiies!!!


    - They''re crazy too..." Deshya thinks with a sigh, but ends up smiling.


    Deshya turns her gaze to her mother, her head still bowed.


    - At least she looks a little better¡­


    Seeing her mother like this reassures her and puts a smile on her face. However, Deshya knows very well that, depending on the day, her mood can change dramatically, without any reason at all. She hopes this ''phase'' will last as long as possible¡­


    The three of them arrive at the house a few moments later and time passes without anything special happening. Deshya talks to Korone about the poker game, Tessa and her many friends. Deshya doesn''t admit to the little girl that she''s in love with Tessa, even though she''s never lied to Amora about these feelings. In fact, it was Amora who realized this when she saw Deshya admiring Tessa during a gymnastics class at the end of last school year. Deshya couldn''t hide the truth from her, and since that was when her feelings really began to blossom inside her, Deshya wanted to talk about it with her best friend. Since then, her feelings have only grown inside her, but now that she''s been able to kiss Tessa, even if only as a token, she feels as if the flower of love in her heart has revealed all its petals. She doesn''t know how to explain it, but she wants to taste Tessa''s mouth again. She wants to kiss her again and again, but she wants the next time to be sincere on both sides, not just for a bet.


    As planned, Deshya orders sushi for everyone. She gets all kinds for Korone, several tuna and springs for Pera, and Dengaku Rolls for her father. Gatito returns from work a few minutes before the sushi arrives, and Deshya tells him how her day went. The whole family eats happily, and Korone devours a variety of sushi with stars in her eyes. It may be the first time she''s eaten sushi, but it won''t be the last: she refuses to not taste it again, one day! Korone tells his side of the poker story to the two adults, and the four of them chat until the clock alerts them that it''s time to go to bed: it¡¯s 11pm. Deshya clears the plates and boxes with her parents, while Korone brushes his teeth in the bathroom. Gatito and Pera go to their rooms after wishing Korone good night.


    - Sleep well, Korone," Deshya told him.


    - I really like these pajamas!!!" smiled Korone, looking down at herself.


    Blue pajamas with a fox under the stars and a gray moon adorn her. A long-sleeved t-shirt and pants at her waist, both in the same color.


    - It was mine when I was little," Deshya explains.


    - So cute!


    Korone cuddles herself and giggles. Deshya strokes her hair and joins her in her room, looking at her pajamas. She finds it amusing and ironic that her favorite pajamas from when she was little are the ones with a fox drawn on them... which is what she is now. Is this a sign from the gods or just a coincidence?


    - I love sheeps too, but I didn''t become a sheep girl after all¡­


    She prefers to be a semi-fox, as it''s easier to hide her ears. On the other hand, she figures she can''t hide her tail, so it''s the same thing... Nevertheless, people find it easier to believe in a fake fox tail than fake sheep horns. Deshya shows Korone''s bed to the little girl and wishes her good night again, but stops when someone holds the sleeve of her pyjamas. Deshya turns to Korone and questions her with her eyes. She looks... worried.


    - What''s going on...?" asks Deshya.


    - In fact... In fact¡­


    Korone withdraws her hand and her two index fingers touch several times as she lowers her head, puffing out her cheeks.


    - Actually... I-I can''t sleep... on my own¡­


    - E-Eh...?


    Deshya blinks and Korone looks up at her without moving her head.


    - Can I sleep with you?" Korone asks her with puppy dog eyes.


    Deshya takes a step back. It''s not because of her request, but because of her expression: she''s so cute her heart can''t take it. Deshya blinks and scratches her hair.


    - B-But I sleep almost naked..." she admits.


    - Yet you''re in your pajamas right now?" remarked Korone.


    - It''s because I was going to have a little chat with Amora before going to bed and I didn''t want to be too cold, plus it was so you wouldn''t see me almost naked¡­


    - Eeeh, but I''m a girl too.


    - But I''m still embarrassed¡­


    - It doesn''t matter! I don''t care if Deshyshy is a nudist or not!


    - I''m not a nudist!!!


    Korone starts laughing before blinking and resuming her hangdog look.


    - Can I sleep with youuuuu, I''m going to sleep badly otherwiiiiiise..." she lets out in a voice that''s more than cute.


    Deshya sighs and leans towards Korone, threatening her with his gaze.


    - Are you really saying that or is it just an excuse to sleep with me?" she asks.


    Korone blinks, a little frightened by Deshya''s expression.


    - I''m telling the truth! I was always sleeping with mommy!


    - Hmmm...


    Deshya agrees to believe her and takes her in his arms before sighing again.


    - Well, it doesn''t make any difference to me.


    Deshya climbs the stairs one by one, with a happy Korone in her arms.


    - Are you sure you don''t enjoy sleeping with someone?!" she teases.


    - Hush.


    Korone starts laughing and Deshya simply smiles. They arrive upstairs and Deshya opens her bedroom door. She sets Korone down on her bed and walks over to her computer, sitting down on the desk chair. She closes the door with her foot and turns to Korone.


    - Big pillow!


    - A-Ahahah¡­


    Deshya wanted to talk to her, but Korone was too busy cuddling the body pillow containing ''Liv'', a character from ''Gato Lana''. Deshya sighs and shrugs before turning on her screen and chatting a little with Amora on Twatter while watching what''s happened today.


    A few minutes later, after switching off her computer, Deshya goes to bed and sleeps at Korone''s side. Deshya wishes her good night and takes her human-sized pillow in her arms. Korone cuddles Deshya''s fluffy tail and is soon fast asleep. In a few moments, both are back in the world of dreams, and the night goes on without a hitch.


    CHAPTER 25


    ?The Three Geniuses of Tetazo?


    - Deshya, heyooooooooo!!


    Deshya stops walking and looks to her right. A girl with long pink hair starts running towards her, waving her hand above her. Amora jumps on Deshya and the latter catches her in her arms, smiling, her fox tail wagging gently behind her back.


    - Hey, Amora.


    - How are you?!


    As always, Amora''s energy is inexplicable. Deshya tells her she''s fine and returns the question. Unsurprisingly, Amora replies that she feels great and can''t wait to start school. It is Monday, September 05, two days after the poker game between Deshya and Tessa. Fortunately for the teenager in the fox sweater, she had managed to rest her mind on Sunday. Admittedly, Korone proved to have a lot of energy, but that didn''t bother Deshya: she''s already used to her best friend Amora. The latter raises her eyebrows.


    - So like this, smooooch with Tessa, eeeeh~?


    - We promised not to talk about it!


    - Ahah, sorry, sorry!


    Amora stops hugging Deshya, laughing. Before going to bed last night, she confessed what happened between her and Tessa to her best friend, but only to her. Although she''s not the only person to know about her love for Tessa, Deshya doesn''t want to tell everyone and let the rumor spread. Besides, she doesn''t think she''d dare tell other people anyway... Deshya and Amora continue on their way to school.


    - We start with the French class, right?" asks Amora.


    Deshya nods. The two best friends arrive a few minutes early at the school and when they reach the large gates, they notice a girl coming to greet them. She runs towards her, without going too fast, and stops in front of them.


    - H-Hello, Deshya! Amora!


    - Oh, Frie! Hiii!


    Amora waves both hands with a big smile and Deshya does the same, but with much less energy. Frie smiles at them.


    - Are you all right?" she asks.


    Amora approaches Frie and Deshya correctly puts the bag back on her back.


    - I had a good weekend, and you, Frie?" replies Deshya.


    - I looked at a lot of stuff, it was just too good!


    Frie smiled as she looked at Amora before turning her face to Deshya.


    - I''m fine, but my parents were very worried about me, they were a bit clingy, ahah....


    - Worried?


    Amora tilts her head and Frie scratches her cheek.


    - Hehe, because of what happened on the train, they are worried that I''m traumatized... After all, they saw on TV that if Deshya and Tessa hadn''t managed to find the criminal, we could all have died," Frie explains.


    - Aaah, yes¡­


    Amora stops fidgeting and touches her lower lip with her index finger.


    - My parents told me they''d come and get me this week, because they''re afraid the next train I take will be just as dangerous, but otherwise they haven''t bothered me..." says Amora.


    Deshya smiles: she understands their concern. Unlike their parents, hers haven''t bothered her with any of this. However, it''s clear that they''re a little worried about her because of the murders she''s facing... Deshya can''t blame them: it''s understandable.


    - But I''m ready for our real first week at school!" says Frie with a happy smile.


    - Me too!" says Amora, jumping up.


    - I hope we''ll have a good year," admits Deshya.


    Amora giggles and the three of them set off again. However, they stop short when another girl comes up to them. Amora recognized her immediately. This student is¡ª


    - Aaah!


    A girl in the same class as them, with hair the same color as Frie''s. She greets the three friends with a cute smile.


    - Hi, you three.


    - Lam! How are you?!


    Amora jumps on the girl, giggling. Lam grabs her and hugs her too. Frie and Deshya approach her and greet her in return.


    - Hey, Lam.


    - How are you?


    - I''m fine, I just wish I''d slept a bit more, that''s all.


    ¡®Lam Douce''. This is the identity of the girl with long white hair who has just joined them. A student from class 4B, friends with Deshya, Amora and Frie since last year. Amora looks down and admires her torso, smiling.


    - What are you doing, Amora...?!" shouts Deshya, noticing where her gaze has just landed.


    Amora blinks and turns to Deshya.


    - Well, I was looking at his clothes! Look, on her t-shirt, it says ''Angel'' ! It''s mims !


    Amora resumes her usual smile and cuddles Lam again. Lam laughs and Deshya scratches her cheek. Frie giggles, understanding what was going on in Deshya''s head. Lam strokes Amora''s hair, still in her arms, and turns her attention to Deshya.


    - I hear you solved two... no, three crimes, last week?" asks Lam.


    - More like two... Tessa figured out long before I did who the criminal on the train was," Deshya replies.


    - It''s still a lot. I''m impressed¡­


    - Deshyshy is too strong!" cheered Amora.


    Lam giggles before pushing off some Amora and patting her clothes. Deshya admires them: a cute dark gray top, with the word ''Angel'' in yellow inscribed in front of her chest. At the waist, her orange skirt with black buttons reaches above her knees. As usual, Lam wears tights and small white shoes. Her long hair reaches a little beyond her pelvis, and today it''s not tied back, but sometimes she trims it into a ponytail or even pigtails. However, she prefers to let it breathe, so it flows down her body. Deshya is very fond of Lam, whom she met through Amora, who spoke of her every day about her beauty. Deshya even wondered if Amora hadn''t fallen under her spell, but as the weeks went by, she finally decided that wasn''t the case. Lam turns to Deshya.


    - Either way, you''re going to be a star in this country, if this keeps up," she teases.


    Deshya waved her hands, blushing.


    - I wouldn''t go that far¡­


    - You won''t forget me, if you become famous?!"


    With a hangdog look on her face, Frie grabs Deshya''s hands. Amora imitates her and pretends to cry on her chest. Deshya stutters as Lam laughs off to the side.


    - You make your girlfriends cry? You''re becoming a real woman, little fox.


    A girl comes up and violently strokes Deshya''s hood and withdraws her hand violently, but in a friendly manner. Deshya shakes her head and notices that it''s Tessa who has just passed by. Amora stops pretending to cry and greets Tessa by raising her hands, while Frie starts laughing in turn. Deshya sighs heavily and bows her head: she can''t stand this Monday any more. School hasn''t even started yet and she''s feeling tired, which doesn''t bode well.


    - Anyway, see you in class!" Lam tells them.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    She waves to them as she walks away. Amora tells her to wait and runs after her, eager to chat. Frie rubs her hair beside Deshya.


    - I''ll leave you too, see you in class!" she told her.


    - Yes.


    Deshya nods and watches her go, smiling. She cracks the back of her neck and continues on her way through the playground, observing her surroundings. She arrived at school early, so there''s no need to hurry to class. She puts her hands in her pockets and admires the students chatting and playing together. This time, they''re not all running after her, which reassures her. She can breathe without having to run away from the many teenagers who want her autograph or discuss the crime she''s solved with her. She assumes that the bus affair hasn''t been fully revealed to the public, even though Frie knows: it''s probably because Amora discussed it with her, given that Deshya didn''t hide it from her best friend. She just hopes Amora isn''t going to talk about it with everyone... Walking through the playground, she notices a certain boy calling out to her, waving his hand above his head. She quickly recognizes him and the girl sitting next to him is Tessa, so she heads towards them both. The boy smiles at her and Deshya stops in front of them both.


    - Yooo, Deshya!" greets Maruno..


    - Do you leave your girlfriends out?" teases Tessa.


    - Girlfriends?


    Maruno blinks before smiling with a long ''Mmmmh'' that remains in his throat. He turns to Deshya, his teasing smile still on his face.


    - Deshya with girlfriends? You''re finally dating Amora, right?


    - F-Finally?!


    Maruno crosses his arms and nods, his bag right beside him.


    - When we see the relationship you two have, we sometimes wonder if you''re dating," he admits.


    - I must admit I''ve wondered about that," adds Tessa.


    - Not you!!!" cries Deshya inwardly.


    She sits down next to the one she loves, sighing. Tessa pats her back with a laugh: obviously, they''re just teasing her, and Deshya knows it. Tessa''s backpack sits on her thighs, very sparsely packed. Its very dark colors and the key rings hanging from the pocket make it very clear to everyone that it''s Tessa''s bag: if she were to lose it, anyone would know who it belonged to. Maruno''s bag is more basic and small, as well as monochrome. Deshya touches the strap of her bag, which is a brighter color and larger than those of her friends.


    - Starting a new school year is going to feel weird..." admits Maruno.


    - And to think that if I stopped being stubborn, I''d already be in my final year..." sighs Tessa.


    She crosses her arms and shakes her head. Maruno chuckles and Deshya nods. After all, Tessa is two years older than them and yet in 4th grade, just like the two of them. Maruno''s reason for repeating is different from Tessa''s, who just wasn''t working and seemed to have repeated twice simply out of laziness. She hardly ever talks about it, but almost everyone knows that Tessa just doesn''t like working at school. It''s no secret. Deshya looks at the playground in front of her with a smile: she can''t deny it, she''s missed this atmosphere. School has never been something that really bothered her, so she doesn''t mind coming here, although she prefers to stay at home most of the time. Here, she can find her friends like Amora, Tessa or Maruno, but she also learns interesting facts, whether during geography or science class. Even in language classes, she learns a lot. Deshya loves discovering new things she''s never learned from books or TV shows. She also learns from videos on YouTube and sometimes checks their sources, although she''s careful about what she consumes and whether it''s true. There are so many things that aren''t told by her school that she can''t trust the school alone: researching on the Internet is very important to her too. Everything she knows about space is thanks to what she finds on the net, and a lot of history too. Tessa begins to yawn, which wakes Deshya from her thoughts and turns to her.


    - Not slept enough?" asks Deshya.


    Tessa rubs her left eye.


    - Not really... I learned to play mahjong that way, so one day we''ll play together and I''ll win." she admits.


    - You''ve still got it across your throat, eeeh~?


    Maruno lets a teasing smile cross her mouth and Tessa frowns. However, she doesn''t deny the facts:


    - Yeah.


    - Maaaaw, the little one is sad to have lost against the little fox! So cute!!!


    Maruno starts tugging at Tessa''s cheeks, laughing. Tessa closes her eyes and grits her teeth. Seeing that Maruno doesn''t stop, she kicks him in the feet, forcing him to fall to the ground without being able to catch himself. Tessa grabs Deshya and places her at her side, throwing Maruno''s bag a little further away.


    - I''m not cute and eat shit!" yells Tessa.


    - E-Eat shit...?" repeats Deshya, surprised.


    Tessa nods and grabs both Deshya''s hands, making her blush instantly.


    - Sayyyyy, you didn''t tell everyone you''d beaten me, did you?!" asks Tessa.


    - I-I told Amora, Korone and my family, b-but otherwise I didn''t say anything!" Deshya replies honestly.


    - Aaah, so it was the students in the crowd who spread that rumor... Tsk.


    Tessa withdraws her hands and crosses them, sulking. Maruno sits down next to Deshya with a sigh and dusts off his bag. Tessa squints and tilts her head towards him.


    - It wasn''t you who spread the rumor, was it?


    Maruno puffs out his cheeks.


    - For the tenth time, I only told my girlfriend¡­


    - Yeah.


    Deshya smiles as she looks at them: they really get on well. They seem to bicker every day, but she knows just how much they adore each other. Deshya and the other two geniuses turn to her, questioning her with their eyes. She apologizes and admires the beautiful sky-blue of her similarly colored eyes. Tessa and Maruno look at each other and shrug. As the three of them wait quietly on their benches for classes to start, two people come running up to them. Deshya recognizes them. They are¡ª


    - Yo, Deshya!" said the shaved boy.


    Tessa and Maruno turn to them in turn. Another boy, his hair hidden under a black cap, arrives at the same time as his big brother.


    - We found an envelope addressed to you," he confesses.


    - An envelope?" asked Deshya.


    The little brother frowns as he looks back at the other boy.


    - At least you could have said hello!" he yells at him.


    - I''d rather get straight to the point. Call me Mbappe*, don''t worry.


    * (In french, the joke is ¡®Straight to the goal¡¯, but it doesn¡¯t work as well in english.)


    He puts his hands in his pockets and smiles, looking at Deshya.


    - There was an envelope sticking out of your locker with your first name on it, and I couldn''t resist grabbing it," admits Abdoul Ferino.


    - I stopped him straight away because it''s not done, but I had to fight," says Minoru Ferino, his little brother.


    Tessa stands up and grabs Abdoul by the collar with a frown, but the boy simply smiles.


    - Before you beat the shit out of me, I''d just like to say that I wasn''t going to read it, just hand it to Deshya," he explains.


    - And why did your brother have to fight to get it back?¡± Tessa asks.


    - Because I just like to piss him off.


    Minoru sighs heavily and nods. Abdoul removes Tessa''s fist from his shirt and takes a step back, remaining next to his big brother. Deshya''s eyelids droop and she looks at the two brothers.


    - So what? Where''s my envelope you stole...?" she asks, judging them with her eyes.


    She knows very well who her two boys are because they''re in her class this year. She''s known Minoru for two years and his brother is often with him, so Deshya has learned a lot about him. She likes them both, but Abdoul is a boy she sometimes finds unbearable. He''s fun and friendly most of the time, but he''s very teasing, provocative and teases his little brother every day, even when he tells him it''s not the day for that. However, their relationship is far from bad, and Deshya knows it well: the day Minoru was robbed of his wallet, Abdoul went to beat the two thieves single-handed. He came back with many wounds, but he had won and returned the wallet to his brother with even more money in it: after beating the two robbers, he robbed them himself. Minoru wanted to return the money, but in the end decided to keep it and used it for a movie night with several friends, including Deshya herself. She vividly remembers the horror movie that scared Amora so much she had to sleep between Deshya and Lam to get to sleep. Minoru still sometimes calls them ''The Three Sandwich Foods''. She wants to punch him every time he calls them that, but she knows how to keep her cool, so she just sighs when he calls them that. Amora finds it amusing, but given her personality, it doesn''t really surprise Deshya. She''s not sure whether Lam appreciates the nickname or not. Minoru grabs something from his pocket and hands it to Deshya. It''s an all-white envelope, with her first name written on it in beautiful handwriting. Deshya grabs it and thanks Minoru before turning it over. Tessa and Maruno watch him, curious to know what might be written on it. Deshya notices that the four around her are staring at the envelope with attentive eyes.


    - Hey, that''s for me, don''t look like that..." she blurts out.


    - Maybe an admirer?" wonders Maruno.


    - The family member of a criminal you''ve successfully


    to catch?" suggests Abdoul.


    - Nonsense. I say, someone who''s going to confess his love!" says Minoru.


    - Maybe there''s money in it?" says Maruno.


    - Money...?!


    Deshya can hardly believe what she hears from her friend. She looks at the envelope, but is convinced that inside is a letter. She wants to open it, but¡­


    - Would you... Would you please NOT APPROACH ME LIKE THAT?!!!!


    Deshya screams at the four heads that are almost glued to her and they all back off. Abdoul taps his cross shaped earring and giggles.


    - Everyone''s curious like me, it seems," he admits.


    - I hope it''s a declaration of love! Since the writing is so beautiful, it must be a woman!" Minoru enthuses.


    - They''re crazy¡­ them too..." thinks Deshya.


    She opens the envelope unhurriedly, but the stares on her face urge her on. She grabs the letter, which is folded in half, and is about to start reading it when Maruno sticks his cheek to hers, trying to see what it says. Deshya pushes him and Abdoul starts laughing.


    - We''re real kids, I must say!


    - If it''s private, you''re not allowed to read!" shouts Deshya.


    Tessa nods and forces Maruno to his feet, making him join Abdoul and Minoru. She crosses her arms and stares at them.


    - She''s right. Only girls can read," says Tessa.


    - Exa... Hey!!


    Deshya pauses in her sentence and turns to Tessa, squinting. Tessa smiles at her.


    - Right?


    - Nah. Let me read this alone... I''ll read it out loud to you if it''s not private... You kids.


    - We''re all children," Abdoul points out.


    Deshya sighs and reads the letter from her side, making sure even Tessa can''t read it. Her eyes pass over each word and when she has finished, she looks at the three boys in front of her with a surprised expression. Maruno asks her what''s going on and Deshya lays her eyes on the letter again.


    - This is a letter challenging the ''Fox Incorporated'', you three geniuses.


    It''s on this letter that you''ll find the directions to find the ''gift''.


    Find the invisible dots; the enlightened ones will lead you to the answer.


    The place of the offering is in the school, look up and see.


    Before classes end, find me, that coded message invisible to idiots.


    I challenge you, Deshya, Maruno and Tessa. This letter is your only clue.


    She finishes reading the letter and squints. The four others around her do the same, but Tessa is the first to react and steals the letter from Deshya''s hands to read it in turn. Its contents are exactly the same as Deshya''s story.


    - Everyone''s really going to call us ''geniuses'', aren''t they?" sighs Maruno.


    He sits down next to Deshya and puffs out one cheek. Abdoul stares at him, surprised by his remark.


    - Isn''t that what you are?" he asks him.


    Deshya answers before Maruno can.


    - We''re called that because the three of us solved the famous science room mystery, but I don''t know if we''re geniuses¡­


    She says so humbly. While she would never deny that she has a brain that probably works better than most, she doesn''t know if she deserves the term ''genius'' to stick to her image.


    - I like being called that, but I agree with both of them. We''ll always be called that, so it''s better to play along, but I know some people who are smarter than me at school. I flunked classes twice, I must say.


    - Yes, but you didn''t fail because you''re stupid," Deshya points out.


    Tessa shrugs.


    - Even so. If we were really geniuses, I don''t know if we''d be here, working at school," she admits.


    - Well, we''ve already got our fox solving murders, so I guess she deserves the title," says Maruno.


    Deshya wants to reply, but ends up closing her mouth. Minoru scratches his cheek.


    - Everyone''s been calling you that ever since you solved that mystery, it''s true... Me, I think you deserve the title," he said honestly.


    - Tessa is too good for math and everything that revolves around general knowledge. Maruno is good at riddles and languages, while Deshya has the eyes of a hawk and never gets a bad mark," says Abdoul. I also think you deserve the title.


    - Whether you deserve it or not, it''s... I don''t know, banal? It''s even embarrassing, a little¡­


    Maruno reads the letter in turn after speaking, and Deshya nods in agreement.


    - It''s great for our egos, but I admit that sometimes it''s... Ahah, I''m embarrassed, I don''t feel like I deserve it..." she confesses.


    - Still, you deserve it more than either of us," replies Tessa.


    - You''re smarter than me!


    - Nonsense.


    - But you were the one who figured out who the criminal was when we were on the train!


    Tessa crosses her legs and sighs.


    - Yes, but that''s because he was an absolute idiot. A rifle in a selfie stick... I''m sure you''d have understood too, if you hadn''t let yourself go¡­ because of Frie and Amora.


    - Aaah? I don''t think so!


    - Are you competing here? Why don''t you find out what this letter means? After all, we have¡ª


    Maruno was about to finish his sentence, but a noise sounded. All five look up and Maruno returns the letter to Deshya.


    The school bell rings.


    - I remember what it says on the letter, so I''ll think about it on my own," admits Maruno. We''ve got until the end of school, I must say.


    - Likewise, it''ll make this Monday a bit more fun," Tessa says, rising to her feet.


    Deshya squints at the letter. Abdoul pats her on the back and nods.


    - Shall we go to class? You can think there!


    - A-Ah, right.


    Deshya nods and puts the letter in her bag. As she walks alongside the two brothers, she thinks.


    - Who sent me this letter... and what does it mean?


    Deshya has until 4.15pm to discover where the ''gift'' referred to in the letter is hidden.


    Deshya, Tessa and Maruno have 7 hours and 50 minutes to solve this puzzle dedicated to them.

 26 -?The Challenges Letter ; Fox Incorporated?(CASE4)

    <hr>


    After a weekend that was as tiring as it was relaxing, Deshya heads off to Tetazo school to start her first week of classes in her 4th year. She first meets ''Amora Takt'', her best friend, before running into ''Frie Rengoat'', a new friend in the same class as her. It''s while they''re chatting that a fourth person shows her face: ''Lam Douce'', a friend she''s known for some time. After chatting for a while, the four friends separate and Deshya goes to meet ''Maruno Uffite'', a member of the ''Fox Incorporated'', just like the one she loves, ''Tessa Merossa''. Moments after their conversation begins, two boys come running up to them: ''Abdoul and Minoru Ferino¡¯, both brothers and in the same class as Deshya, 4B. They come to bring their friend what they''ve found: an envelope sticking out of her locker, addressed to her. When she opened it, she found a small letter reading:


    "This is a letter challenging the ''Fox Incorporated'', you three geniuses.


    It''s on this letter that you''ll find the directions to find the ''gift''.


    Find the invisible dots; the enlightened ones will lead you to the answer.


    The place of the offering is in the school, look up and see.


    Before classes end, find me, that coded message invisible to idiots.


    I challenge you, Deshya, Maruno and Tessa. This letter is your only clue."


    This is the content of the letter Deshya has received, addressed to the three teenagers who make up the ''Associated Foxes''. They don''t yet understand where this ''place'' is, but they don''t have time to look anyway: the school bell rings. The three of them separate, and Deshya keeps the letter for herself, since it''s dedicated to her.


    - The handwriting is very beautiful, but done on purpose so that it''s impossible to recognize... Also, someone may have asked their sister or a friend to write it... I assume it''s someone who knows me, otherwise it would have been sent to Tessa or Maruno. Maybe it''s a coincidence, but it''s definitely someone at school who knows me a little, since my record isn''t public knowledge... Maybe it''s someone from the class? Another one? In any case, whoever sent it is challenging all three of us with this letter. Even if I know who sent it, it doesn''t mean I know where I''m supposed to go... I wonder where this place is? Who knows?


    - D-Deshya...?


    The red-haired girl blinks and turns to her best friend, who tilts her head, questioning her with her eyes.


    - What''s this letter...?" asks Amora.


    Deshya holds it in her hands: it arrived in the classroom a minute before, but the French teacher hasn''t arrived yet, so she takes the opportunity to figure out the clues in the letter. For the moment, however, she has no real clues. She puts it in her pocket and smiles at her best friend.


    - Someone sent me this letter in my locker, and Abdoul and Minoru brought it to me," she confesses.


    - A letter?


    Amora touches her mouth with her index finger. She really opens her mouth wide and brings her head close to Deshya''s before whispering:


    - A love letter?


    Deshya had expected such a remark and sighed, so she reacts simply by resting his head against her fist.


    - You''d like that, wouldn''t you?" says Deshya.


    - Not really.


    - E-Eh?


    - Well, if it was a love letter, that means you should have rejected that person, and Tessa''s not the letter writing type, so all the better if it wasn''t!


    - Girls¡­


    Deshya and Amora froze and slowly looked up at the woman who was staring at them with an unhappy expression.


    - First hour of the first real week of school... and you two are already talking so much...?


    A woman with purple hair, the teacher of French, English or even Latin. She tilts her head towards the two best friends and looks at them for a few moments before sighing.


    - Silence, please..." she asks before returning to the painting.


    - I''m so sorry.


    - Pardon, madame.


    They apologize at the same time, and the students giggle, but calm soon returns. Deshya concentrates on her lesson, but she can''t stop thinking about that letter¡­


    - I''ll think about it more during playtime..." she says to herself.


    CHAPTER 26


    ?The Challenge''s Letter ; Fox Incorporated?


    - So, have you thought about it?


    Deshya sits next to Maruno and Tessa, who are eating their snack next to each other.


    - I haven''t thought about it yet," admits Maruno before swallowing what''s in his mouth.


    Tessa responds in kind and Deshya takes the letter out of her pocket with a sigh.


    - Well, we''ll have to think about it¡­


    Tessa grabs the letter and her two friends look at it. The three of them are on a bench in the playground, so they can''t think in silence, but they are used to it.


    - Well, it says on the letter that you''ll find directions to a¡­ gift¡­


    - What could this gift be?" wonders Maruno.


    - As long as it''s not just ''The gift is the adventure you three had'', I''m fine with it..." smiles Tessa.


    - It''s not impossible, either..." thinks Deshya, hoping that it¡¯s not this either.


    Maruno rubs his chin, holding the letter in his other hand.


    - Find the invisible dots; the enlightened ones will lead you to the answer, eh?


    - I wonder what that means¡­


    - Same.


    The three of them ponder. There aren''t many leads written on this letter, after all.


    - Invisible points... enlightened..


    - What could ''the enlightened'' mean?" wonders Tessa, looking up at the sky.


    - I don''t think it''s about the three of us, that wouldn''t make any sense. Could an ¡®enlightened¡¯ be an academic genius...?


    - There aren''t many of them, and even if you think like that, what are the invisible dots? If they''re invisible, how can we see them...?


    - Dots... Dots... Points at school¡­


    - Points on a test?


    Tessa and Maruno turn their gaze to Deshya, who is pinching her lower lip with her thumb and the proximal phalanx of her index finger. She notices her two friends watching her and nods softly.


    - I don''t know why it would be invisible, but at school, when I think of points, I think of test or exam points," she explains.


    Maruno squinted.


    - Stitches on the computer?


    - The director''s room, perhaps?


    - It''s not impossible that this sentence refers to the control points on the computer, but I don''t see what it has to do with the word ''invisible''..." says Tessa.


    After a few moments of intense reflection, they agree that even if the term ''invisible'' doesn''t seem to have anything to do with the computer or the director''s room, they''ll go and have a look there. However, they haven''t finished analyzing the sentences in this letter.


    - The place of the offering is in the school, look up and see," reads Maruno


    He rubs his cheek.


    - So it confirms that we have to look for a place nearby, at the school, but the end...?


    - Look up and see... See what? The sun? The sky? The clouds?" wonders Deshya.


    The three of them look up and observe their surroundings, searching for the slightest clue. Deshya points to a certain room.


    - The director''s office is on the top floor, so wouldn''t that confirm what we were already thinking?


    - So the ''place of offering'' would be at the director''s office? Y-You don''t mean¡­


    A frightened look appears on Tessa''s face and she looks in the same direction as Deshya. Maruno chuckles.


    - Do you think the director wrote this letter?" he asks her.


    - She likes us a lot, so it''s not impossible..." replies Deshya.


    Maruno reads the next sentence to see if their theory holds water or not.


    - Before the end of class, find me that coded message invisible to idiots... I-Idiots?!


    Maruno clicks his tongue.


    - The letter insults us, too!


    - I suppose it''s because whoever wrote this letter is confident that we won''t find this famous place..." sighs Tessa.


    Deshya squints as she looks ahead. Is this just a phrase to tease them or does it mean anything else?


    - This letter is our only clue, it''s written at the end... Well, the lead to the director''s office is surely correct, I think?" surmises Maruno.


    - Although I feel we''re looking a little too far afield and I''m not sure what this has to do with the invisibility of the dots, I also think it''s the right track," admits Tessa.


    Deshya shrugs and nods. Even though she was the one who suggested going over there, the more she thinks about it, the less she believes it. What''s more, something''s bothering her... When she touched the letter, she had a strange feeling, but she couldn''t explain it. Perhaps she knows who wrote the letter, but can''t find the name?


    - Shall we check it out at lunchtime?" suggests Tessa.


    - Yes, we don''t have time now..." admits Deshya.


    Maruno is about to speak when two girls approach them. Both have bleached white hair, though not as light as Korone''s.


    - Say, Deshya.


    Frie speaks first. Lam remains silent beside her, smiling.


    - What''s up?


    Deshya turns his attention to her. Maruno wants to give her back the letter, but she beckons him to keep it.


    - I wanted to ask you if you wanted to come with Lam, Amora and me to the hotel south of Tetazo, the ''Beleza Verde''.


    - Aaah, I heard about it... When, today?


    Lam shakes her head and offers her a piece of paper. She looks at it carefully, Maruno and Tessa bending over to see what it says. It''s a brochure advertising this famous hotel. They read it silently, Lam and Frie waiting patiently for her to reply. Deshya finally looks up.


    - A night at the hotel on sale this weekend and the opening of their big new pool in the evening... I suppose you''d like to go?


    Frie nods and takes something out of her pocket. The three members of the ''Fox Incorporated'' notice that there are four tickets in her hand.


    - My mother managed to win four tickets yesterday morning, during a game on the radio. We were going to go as a family and invite someone else, but my father isn''t interested and my mother has planned an outing with friends that day, suggesting I invite my own friends.


    - Aaaaah, I understand better.


    Deshya smiles at her and grabs one of the tickets, analyzing it.


    - So you invited Lam and Amora and you want me to come too?


    Frie nods happily.


    - They''ve already said yes, but I hope you can!


    - Yes, I can come, but from what time to what time, exactly?


    - It''s written on the ticket," Tessa points out.


    Deshya looks down and sees the time written at the bottom.


    - From 6pm, Friday September 09, until 6pm, Saturday September 10... 24 hours in all, eh¡­


    Deshya gives Frie back the ticket, which worries her, but her friend smiles at her.


    - Sure, why not.


    - R-Really?!


    Frie looks at Lam with a big smile and she returns it with a giggle. Deshya nods.


    - I know I have to go somewhere with my dad on Saturday night, but if I let him know, they can pick me up or I''ll come home a little early.


    - Great! Thanks!


    Frie doesn''t hide her joy and Lam leans gently towards Deshya, smiling.


    - We can finally do something all together,¡± she tells her.


    - We''ve already been to the beach with Amora and Alec, so it''s not like we''ve ever done anything together," Deshya replies.


    - But not with Frie, hihi.


    - That''s right¡­


    Lam chuckles before turning on her heels after greeting the ''Fox Incorporated''. Deshya gently waves her hand towards her before turning to Tessa and Maruno.


    - Shall we go there for lunch?" she asks.


    Maruno puts the letter in his pocket and pats it


    - I''ll think again if I find another clue, but I think we''re on the right track.


    - I think so too," admits Tessa.


    They nod simultaneously. Maruno smiles as he looks at his two friends.


    - What is it?" asks Tessa. You smile because you''re thinking that Deshya will probably sleep with Amora at the hotel and they''ll


    - Shut up," orders Maruno with a tired expression.


    Deshya sighs, shaking her head.


    - She''s teasing me so much about this ''fake'' couple between Amora and me that I''m beginning to wonder if she doesn''t really mean it..." she says to herself.


    - It''s not that, it''s just that I thought that even though we''re called the ''Fox Incorporated'', apart from that famous mystery in the science room, the three of us have never really done anything... Even if it''s just a letter sent by the headmistress or a student, I think it''s cool that the three of us could be solving something," he explains with a smile.


    Tessa turns her gaze to the boy, gently opening her mouth.


    - I just think it''s nice, that''s why I''m smiling.


    - Since you''ve been in a relationship with your sweetheart, you''re getting more and more sentimental, I see," Tessa points out.


    - It''s true that I find you hide your emotions less than before," admits Deshya.


    Maruno scratches his cheek, embarrassed.


    - I''ve grown up since¡­


    - We''re still babies.


    Deshya smiled as she said this and Tessa squinted.


    - You''re a baby, Maruno''s a little kid and I''m all grown up. I''m the only adult here.


    - Ah?! Don''t get a big head because you''re two years older than us, and you''re in the same class as us!" shouts Maruno.


    - Not cool.


    - But real, hehe.


    Tessa grabs Maruno''s head in her arm and starts violently scratching her hair, smiling. Deshya watches them laughing, happy to see them getting on so well together. Maruno has a point: the three of them form a group called ''Renards Associ¨¦s'', but they haven''t solved much together. We''ve seen them ask for help, but the three of them don''t necessarily work hand in hand, but rather on their own. The only time they were really together was for that famous mystery in the science room... It''s a name they''re given and they''re popular with the students, but all they do is solve riddles that some people pass to them, nothing else... Admittedly, it''s not their job to deal with criminal cases or robberies, but Deshya would love to ''work'' with the two of them more often. Maruno is a very close friend and Tessa the one she loves, after all... They know each other well and know how they work and think... for most of the time. Tessa leaves Maruno alone with a chuckle and Deshya turns to the two of them.


    - Otherwise, what about your summer vacations?" she asks.


    - Great, and you?" replies Maruno.


    - I had to fight a kid who stole my bike.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Her two friends stare at her silently, mouth agape. Tessa''s eyelids droop and she rests her cheek against her fist.


    - What?


    - Seriously?


    - Why would I lie? If not, were yours great too, Deshya?


    - Don''t change the subject!


    - I''m not changing the subject.


    - Why did you have to fight...?


    - To get my bike back.


    - But did some kid really steal your bike?


    - He threw a rock at me while I was riding. So while he was driving, I threw a stone back at him.


    She crosses her arms.


    - I had to fight his parents, but verbally. It was exhausting, but it was vacation, so we never saw them again and I never will. I hate kids like that, so I don''t care.


    - I don''t have the words..." admits Deshya.


    - Why does that only half surprise me..." sighs Maruno.


    Tessa smirks and looks at Deshya.


    - What about your vacation?" she asks.


    - They were very good, but a little tiring at times....


    - Still, you look good. You''re solving murders before the police, you beat Tessa at poker and you seem to have a lot of energy," remarks Maruno.


    - Well, that doesn''t mean anything¡­


    Deshya smiles.


    - If they only knew what happened during my summer vacations¡­


    Maruno puts both hands behind his head and looks up at the sky, playtime almost over. Deshya and Tessa follow suit, thinking about what they''ve been up to this summer. All three of them much prefer the vacations to school, but they''re also happy to be able to see friends they wouldn''t be able to if they were at home. Of course, they talk to each other on the internet and by message almost every day, but it''s far from being the same as talking to each other in person. Deshya really missed friends like Lam, but Tessa missed them even more. There are so many people she likes so much that she wants to talk to in real life, not on a phone. She''s very happy to be going back to school simply because she can afford to without any problems.


    - In any case, why don''t we meet again at lunchtime to go to the director''s office?" suggests Maruno.


    - Yup, yup.


    - Sure.


    The end-of-school bell rings at the same moment and all three rise from the bench simultaneously. They greet each other and Deshya moves her bag behind her back to put it back on properly. As she walks to class, Abdoul Ferino stands beside her, holding his school bag tightly.


    - Did you understand the meaning of the letter?" he asks.


    - I think," Deshya doesn''t deny.


    - Eeeh, where is it?


    Her friend smiles.


    - Good question.


    - Aaah?


    Deshya runs to join Lam and Amora, leaving Abdoul behind. However, she stops halfway and beckons him to join her. He stares at her for two long seconds, but finally smiles back and tucks both hands into his trouser pockets.


    - Always the same..." he mumbles, amused.


    He joins them running, his brother already in class. A minute later, the playground is completely deserted: all the pupils and teachers are in class.


    The minutes ticked by, and after two long hours of science, Deshya emerged from her classroom, Amora, Lam and Minoru at her side.


    - Are you coming to eat with us?" Minoru asks, addressing Deshya.


    - I have to do something," she admits with an embarrassed smile.


    Amora stops and turns abruptly towards her best friend.


    - Eeeh, aren''t you going to eat with us? But it''s our first Monday together!" she shouts.


    - Don''t shout, everyone''s looking at us..." Lam told him.


    - Sorry¡­


    She apologizes, lowering her head gently. Deshya smiles at her as she walks up the stairs to the floor below.


    - I won''t take long!" she reassures them. I''ll come eat with you in a few minutes!


    Deshya climbs the stairs two at a time, not wanting to delay joining her two friends and then eating with the others: she''s hungry and doesn''t want to waste too much time. She runs up the stairs, making sure her bag doesn''t fall off her back, reaching the top floor to check if their theory is right. Deshya skips the last step and when she reaches the corridor on the top floor of the school, she notices that Tessa and Maruno are both already standing in front of the office door.


    - You took your time..." sighed Tessa.


    - We''ve been waiting for you!" smiled Maruno.


    Deshya catches her breath and walks towards them.


    - You... you''ve been here a long time...?" she asks.


    - Not really, but I wanted to make looks like it," replies Tessa in an amused tone.


    - A-Ahah¡­


    Now that the three of them are together, the members of the ''Fox Incorporated'' decide to check out the office. Maruno is the one who knocks on the door, and the voice of Kana Koweni, the headmistress of this school, rings out.


    - Come in!


    Tessa abruptly opens the door and enters the office without missing a beat. The headmistress looks at the three students who have just entered and blinks.


    - Tessa, Maruno and Deshya?


    She moves slowly to the right, withdrawing from the computer, and looks at the three members of the ''Fox Incorporated'' with surprise.


    - What do you want?


    Maruno approaches the desk and shows the lady the letter. He asks her if she wrote it, while Deshya and Tessa look around the room. Kana grabs the letter and reads it carefully before giggling. The two girls stop and watch her. The headmistress returns the letter to Maruno with an amused expression.


    - Do you really think that, as a director, I''d enjoy writing such a letter?" she asks.


    - You''re one of the few adults who consider us to be the ''Fox Incorporated'', so it''s not impossible..." Deshya replies honestly.


    Tessa stares out the window, squinting. The director touches her ponytail as she speaks.


    - Maybe, but I don''t have time to write such a letter for you. Whoever wrote it must be a student.


    Deshya scratches her cheek: she thought so too, but she can''t see what else the letter could mean.


    - Is it possible that something was left here and that the letter does indeed point to this room, but that it wasn''t you who wrote it?" asks Deshya.


    Kana looks around and shakes her head.


    - I always lock the door and haven''t seen anything out of the ordinary. Even if it''s just a little game between you and I don''t have a problem with it, if a student has actually placed something in my office, I''m afraid I''m going to have to crack down¡­


    Which all three of them understand. Tessa returns to her two friends'' side, hands in her pockets.


    - I guess it''s not here, then," she says. Maybe it''s on the roof.


    - I suppose so. If we''re going to look up... Maybe the invisible dots represent... I don''t know, actually.


    Maruno rubs his chin and Kana smiles at them.


    - If that''s all, I''ll keep working. Is it possible that you''re leaving now?


    - A-Ah, we apologize for the inconvenience!


    Deshya bows politely and Maruno follows suit. Tessa runs out of the room, wanting to get to the roof first.


    - Ah?! Wait for us!


    Maruno runs after her and Deshya laughs to see them getting so excited. She is about to go out when the headmistress calls her. Deshya turns around and notices Kana looking at her with a sweet, beautiful smile. The sunlight streaming through the glass draws her silhouette in a beautiful golden white, creating a sublime image in Deshya''s eyes.


    - I''m glad you''re feeling better.


    Deshya stares at the woman with surprised eyes, mouth agape. Kana tilts her head gently, a few strands of her hair flowing over her forehead and eyes radiate.


    - If you need anything, don''t hesitate, okay?


    Deshya blinks and nods. She smiles back and thanks the headmistress with a polite bow of the head. She leaves the room, closing the door behind her, and runs down the corridor to join her two friends, smiling. Kana continues to work on her computer, a cheerful expression on her face.


    - We finally found nothing¡­


    Deshya sighs as she descends the stairs to the cafeteria in the basement. It''s a large, brightly lit room with lots of tables and benches decorating it. Some eat there, others outside or even outside the school, but Amora likes to eat downstairs a lot, for some reason. Sometimes Deshya goes outside at lunchtime and enjoys the sun, but she likes to eat with her best friend, so she follows her. Deshya opens the cafeteria doors and Lam stands up to greet her. Deshya hurries over and sits down next to the three of them: Lam, Amora and Minoru are already halfway through their meal.


    - Did you find what you were looking for?" asks Lam.


    - We seem to have made a mistake..." admits Deshya.


    She had hoped that this famous ''place'' would be on the roof, but even that hadn''t been the case. So, like Maruno and Tessa, she didn''t know where to look. The clues in this letter don''t make much sense, and searching every room is one possibility, but one she doesn''t wish to employ.


    - I bet it''s not as simple as that anyway..." she thinks as she starts to eat.


    A strawberry jam tartine and a cheese and ham tartine are in a beautiful box that Deshya often takes to school. She can prepare her own lunches, but her mother is almost always the one who cooks them. Sometimes it''s just toast, but she once cooked a paella for her last year. Deshya is spoiled by her mother, and she''s very happy about it.


    - Here, Deshya! I heard something on TV that might interest you!


    Deshya turns to Minoru, who is putting away his lunch box.


    - What is it?


    - I''ve heard that a new detective series based on real investigations by ''Minos Kiyon'' is coming out next month!


    - Aaah, I heard about that. I hope it will be good, given that it''s highly romanticized and the author is rather well-known.


    Deshya bites into her toast, looking at Minoru. Amora applauds with joy.


    - I''ll read that too! If you buy it, will you pass it on to me, Deshya?


    - Of course.


    - I don''t read much crime or detective fiction, so I''ll have to start..." admits Lam.


    - It''s a genre that doesn''t appeal to everyone, it has to be said.


    - Yes, but I''d love to!


    Amora pulls out her phone and shows her a few references to books she really likes, to Deshya''s great delight. She continues to eat her toast, looking at her two friends with colored hair. She had wanted to dye it red to see how it would look, or pink to imitate Amora, but decided she liked her ginger hair too much to change it. Plus, since she''s now a girl with fox-like attributes, it fits perfectly.


    - Me, who loves foxes, my red hair, my personality, which is said to be a bit feline... It''s a case of serendipity.


    She''s already wondered if it was really a chance, but she can''t believe in a ''God'' who decided to transform her in this way to please him. She''s certain there must be another reason... more obscure or more complex. Perhaps even both. Lam notices Deshya in her thoughts and waves her hand in front of her.


    - Yes ?


    Deshya tilts her head, questioning her with her eyes. Lam smiles.


    - Nothing, you seemed to have your head in the clouds," she replied.


    - Ah, sorry...


    Deshya munched on her toast and turned to Minoru. She hasn''t seen him, but her big brother has arrived and is chatting with him. It''s a rather surprising scene, given that Abdoul bothers her almost every time, but this time they talk with a smile. Lam also notices Abdoul''s sudden arrival and asks him if he''s all right.


    - Fine and you, princess?


    - P-P... Princess?!


    Amora opens her eyes wide when she hears Abdoul''s nickname. The latter nods in agreement.


    - Lam is beautiful, don''t you think? She deserves that nickname," he compliments her.


    - I don''t remember you calling her ''princess'' before..." replies Deshya.


    - He calls her that because he thinks she''s so beautiful, don''t let him get to you," sighs Maruno.


    - But he''s right, I''m a princess!


    Lam gently shakes her head to move her hair with a proud, almost haughty air. Abdoul nods and Amora follows.


    - I agree! Lam is super beautiful!


    No one would contradict them, but they''re not ashamed to shout it out and be heard by everyone, which makes Deshya, Minoru and even Lam a little uncomfortable. Of course, they all know Amora''s personality, so they''re not going to criticize her for her enthusiasm, which seems to know no bounds. They all love her like that.


    Math class is drawing to a close, which means Deshya will only have Spanish left before the end of lessons... and she still hasn''t understood the meaning of the letter they''ve been sent. The ''invisible dots'' don''t seem to be associated with anything in the school, but the place they''re looking for is definitely inside the building, if not in the playground. Deshya had thought of the stars shining in the night, but it isn¡¯t possible, since they have to find this ''place'' before 4.15pm, the end of Deshya''s classes. She gently taps her bench with her pen, annoyed by this letter. What should be a simple message to solve is actually very complex. She wonders if Maruno or Tessa have figured out the meaning, since it''s always the dark-haired boy who has it on him. The math teacher passes by one of the students'' benches and looks at the sheet for a few moments before smiling.


    - Be careful: without the comma, the meaning of the sentence is no longer the same.


    Deshya turns her gaze to the professor, pen in mouth.


    - A comma can change a whole sentence, so you have to be careful where you put it, too.


    - ¡­


    Deshya squints.


    - The meaning of the sentence... Coded message¡­ Invisible? Invisible!


    Deshya opens them wide and turns to the window, where the sun still shines with its many rays. She stares out for a long moment before smiling with a touch of anger.


    - I-It''s not what I think, is it...?


    At the end of math lessons, Deshya hurries through the corridors to the playground, without even saying goodbye to some of her friends. She tumbles down the stairs and jumps the last four steps before reaching the outside of the building. She turns her gaze in all directions and finally finds Maruno, who is chatting with Tessa as she walks. She runs towards them and almost bumps into a student saying hello.


    - Excuse me and hello!" replies Deshya.


    She finally arrives in front of her two friends and catches her breath. Maruno tilts her head gently to the right.


    - Why are you running like that?" he asks her.


    - You... You solved the letter?


    Tessa shakes her head and shrugs.


    - I was too focused in my classes and I feel like the letter is just taking us for a ride," she replies.


    - I think I understand, but if I do¡­


    Deshya asks for the letter back and Maruno takes it out of her pocket. She catches it and looks at it for a few moments before smiling and shaking her head.


    - I think that''s it¡­


    Deshya raises her head to the sky, chuckling, and her two friends question her with their eyes.


    - I''ve already checked, but there are no invisible words," says Maruno.


    - That''s not it... Ahah! Check it out!


    And then she shows the letter, illuminated by the sun. Tessa and Maruno don''t hide their surprise. What they see...!

 27 -?The Challenges Letter ; Illumination?(CASE4)

    <hr>


    When Deshya went to class on this first Monday of the new school year, she was greeted by several of her friends: Amora, Frie, Lam, then Maruno and Tessa, and finally Abdoul and Minoru, brothers who are in the same class as her. Her two friends bring her back an envelope


    from her locker addressed to her, but on reading the letter inside, Maruno and Tessa notice that it''s addressed to them, the ''Associated Foxes''. After reading it aloud, Deshya pondered its meaning all morning and finally theorized that it''s possible that this ''place'' mentioned in the letter happens to be the headmistress'' office... but that''s unfortunately a red herring. All three searched the roof of the school, but found nothing there either. It''s during the last few minutes of math class that Deshya thinks of something after hearing the teacher talk about ''sentence sense''. When class ends, Deshya hurries out of the building and joins Maruno and Tessa, who are walking together in the courtyard. She takes up her letter, left for Maruno to ponder on his own, and raises it to the sky. When she does, a revelation lights up in their minds. They all see it¡­


    The fine dots that pierced the letter.


    CHAPTER 27


    ?The Challenge''s Letter ; Illumination?


    - I-Invisible dots!" exclaims Maruno.


    - Is that what ''look up and see'' means, then...?" asks Tessa.


    Deshya nods and Maruno looks closely at the dots that have been pierced. They''re so fine they''re impossible to see without the light shining through. Feeling them by running your finger over them is impossible too, but some of the dots are very close together, so those can be faintly felt if the person has sensitive fingers: like Deshya. She understands better what she felt when she touched the letter, even if she didn''t understand it at the time.


    - Is it a message... in Morse code?" asks Tessa.


    Maruno nods and asks them to wait: he is reading the sentence that has been written ''invisibly'' on this letter. Deshya holds it up, giggling, unable to believe that the real message is written this way. She''s also a little embarrassed: she should have understood it long before. The ''invisible dots'' were talking about that Morse code message impossible to observe without light. She''s ashamed of having taken a whole day to figure it out.


    - ''For your reward, join the pure angel after the end of the last class''," reads Maruno.


    The three friends look at each other and then start laughing, which surprises some of the students in the playground. Deshya puts the letter in her pocket and waves to them, but Tessa tells her they''ll wait for her in the playground to ''get their present''. The girl with the long fox tail joins the building to go to class, and Maruno sits down on a bench, sighing but smiling.


    - It''s a shame we took so long..." he says.


    Tessa sits down and crosses her legs, taking her phone out of her pocket.


    - Well, I''d never have thought of that, especially in a letter like this," she admits.


    - It''s true that I didn''t think the message would be hidden away like this! Morse code inscribed with super fine dots? Rah.


    - If you ever cheat on your girlfriend with another girl by sending her letters, you can use this method and she''ll never know.


    - What are you talking about? Aaah? Me, cheating on my girlfriend?! Are you crazy?


    Tessa smiles at him, but keeps her gaze riveted on her phone.


    - Just kidding, just kidding.


    - I hope so, because I''m not cheating on my sweetheart.


    - Too sweet.


    - Don''t care.


    - I don''t care if you don''t care.


    - You''re impossible.


    - My name isn''t Kim, by the way.


    Maruno grabs his phone and shakes his head: Tessa''s sense of humor has never changed, even with the passing of time. He opens the ''Messages'' application and warns one of his two mothers that he''ll be a little late. Tessa happily admires the photos posted by one of her favorite cosplayers: she''s dressed up in one of her favorite characters! Tessa had always wanted her to, so seeing him after all this time makes her so happy!


    - Aren''t you going to tell your parents you''ll be back later?" asks Maruno.


    - They don''t really care, honestly," she replies, scrolling through her phone.


    - I thought so¡­


    Maruno knows her and her family well, so he finds his question silly, but he''s always been like that. He spends his time on his phone watching Twatter and the news on the internet. They both have to wait for Deshya to finish her course before they can go and see this person and tell her that they''ve understood the letter''s message. Maruno finds its content a little ridiculous now that he thinks about it, but he also finds it amusing and well thought out. The Morse message was very simple to solve, but Maruno doesn''t see the connection with a ''place'' or ''location''. Rather, it''s a ''person'' they have to meet¡­


    The minutes pass quickly enough and the students leave the building talking amongst themselves, although some leave without starting any conversation, wishing only to get home as quickly as possible. Tessa puts her phone away and stands up, a gesture which Maruno imitates immediately afterwards. They notice Deshya chatting with Amora and Frie, Lam and the Ferino brothers behind them. Tessa moves towards her red-haired friend, who turns to face her. Deshya waves her hand and wishes Amora a good day as she turns around. She asks Lam if she can follow her and Lam accepts after greeting all her friends. Deshya and Lam head towards Tessa and Maruno, and the four of them look at each other. The dark-haired boy sighs with a smile and shakes his head, admiring Lam.


    - I''m amazed that you''d make a Morse code message like that..." he says.


    - It''s clever, I admit," smiles Tessa.


    Lam blinks and watches them silently. Deshya takes the letter out of his pocket and waves it in her hand.


    - Don''t try to lie to us. You wrote it, didn''t you?


    - Eeeh, why?


    An innocent, cute smile gently settles on Lam''s face. Tessa crosses her arms and closes her eyes.


    - The ''invisible dots'' you mention in the letter refer to the Morse code message you inscribed using fine dots.


    - I don''t know about the ''place of offering'', but you''ve got us ask you to look up and observe the letter by placing it in front of the sun or the light of a lamp," explains Maruno.


    - You''re not saying it''s a coded message that''s invisible to idiots, but an invisible coded message that''s made for idiots because you yourself think what you''ve done is silly, don''t you?" speaks Deshya, offering the letter to Lam.


    Her friend catches the piece of paper, staring at it, and finally giggles. She tucks the letter into her bag and rubs a lock of her hair with her other hand.


    - I thought you''d find it quicker, but I was hopeful this plan would work," she admits.


    - When the math teacher talked about the ''meaning of the sentence'', I thought of the ''coded message invisible to idiots'' and even though I''d already thought about this sentence, I didn''t think it would be a message like that¡­


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    - So how did you find out?


    - There wasn''t really any other way, and it''s a technique I''ve seen used before in some stories, so I just figured that must be the answer.


    - Is that all?


    - That''s all there is to it.


    Lam stares at her for a few moments, dumbfounded, but eventually laughs and starts rummaging through her bag with haste.


    - Ahah, I see! Good thing I thought of that letter during my weekend, ahah!


    - But why?" asks Tessa.


    Lam beckons her to wait and grabs something from her bag. She hands them to Deshya, blushing faintly, a big smile on her face.


    - Here are your presents!


    - I-It''s¡­


    Lam nods.


    - Chocolate!


    Small pastel-colored bags with long ribbons that form the ears of an animal, probably a fox, containing a variety of chocolates. Some are white, others brown or black. Deshya grabs it and looks at the package, while Lam passes some to Tessa and Maruno.


    - There are two chocolates of every taste inside! Two manon chocolates, two milk chocolates, two hazelnut chocolates, two caramel chocolates and two dark chocolates! My mother bought some for my father and I at the end of the vacation, so I thought I''d give you a present of my own with this letter!


    Lam holds her hands behind her back, gently moving her pelvis out of shyness.


    - Even if you hadn''t managed to solve the letter, I was going to give you the chocolates, even though I''d have done it tomorrow morning..." she confesses.


    - Oooh, thanks... but why?


    Maruno analyzes the chocolates while asking the question. Lam questions him with her eyes.


    - Why would you write a letter like that and offer us chocolates? I suppose that''s the ''offering'' you''re talking about in the letter¡­


    Lam nods. Deshya tucks them into her bag, thinking she''ll taste them when she gets home. Tessa already opens it and quickly chooses a chocolate to eat, unable to be patient.


    - Well, to be honest¡­


    Lam wraps a few strands of her hair around her index finger, smiling at them.


    - I just wanted to see the three of you together¡­


    Tessa chews her chocolate, looking intently at Lam. The latter blushes even more.


    - We all call you the ''Fox Incorporated'', but we never see you working together... I thought this letter would bring you closer together... even more..." admits Lam.


    - So you thought about it this weekend...?


    - I was going to make a looooong coded message, but I thought of making thin holes in the letter while watching a certain anime! I thought it was a good idea, hihi.


    The three members of the ''Fox Incorporated'' look at each other. Deshya finally laughs and turns to Lam.


    - I see, was it such a pure feeling that prompted you to write this letter?


    Lam nods quickly and watches Tessa.


    - After all, Tessa is super stylish! Maruno is super smart! And you, Deshya, are super cute!


    - I''m not smart, am I?" says Tessa, raising an eyebrow.


    - Oh? No, I don''t mean that! It''s not what I meant!!


    Lam gently waves her hands in front of her.


    - All three of you are intelligent, that''s for sure! You don''t have the same qualities, nor the same intelligence, but that''s why the three of you are doing so well! However, you''re rarely seen together, so¡­


    Lam correctly puts the strap of her bag back on her shoulder and lets out a little chuckle.


    - Even if it was just a silly letter like that, I thought it would be a pleasure for all of you to look around a bit together... I was happy to know that it took you the whole day, so you could enjoy it right to the end!


    Lam pats the letter she''s put away and turns on her heel, hands behind her back.


    - I hope you''ll work more often hand in hand, you''re all too cute, the three of you.


    It was with these words that Lam walked away from the ''Fox Incoporated'' with a smile. Tessa swallows the chocolate and tucks the small bag into her bag before grabbing Maruno and Deshya and forcing them to approach her.


    - Well, looks like we''ve got fans!" she tells them.


    She holds them tighter before stepping between them and walking away, her hands in her pockets.


    - Well, she''s right, we should get together more often, all three of us¡­


    Tessa stops suddenly and turns around with a petty smile.


    - Right, boss?


    Deshya recognizes herself immediately and touches the edge of her hood with a sigh. However, she answers with a smile.


    - Yeah, Lam''s right," she replies.


    Maruno pats her on the back and gives her an amused nod.


    - Your fox tail wags in all directions, Deshya,¡± he teases her.


    Deshya blushes softly as she notices, and Maruno laughs as she walks alongside Tessa. Deshya admires them for a few moments before walking towards them in turn, but stops when a male voice calls her name. She turns part of her trunk and head and notices a boy running towards her. He stops a few steps from her and looks up.


    - De-Deshya¡­


    - Yes ?


    She didn''t recognize the boy. She''s sure she doesn''t know him. His expression proves to Deshya that he''s worried and that something is weighing on his heart, but she doesn''t know what. She blinks and the boy grits his teeth. A few seconds pass without anything happening, but finally the boy speaks.


    - Deshya, could you help me...?


    - Help you?


    He nods and tears form in his brown eyes. He stares at Deshya and tries not to cry.


    - Please... My little brother... has been kidnapped...

 28 -?The Disparition of Byron Elrick ; The Request?(CASE5)

    <hr>


    A boy with black hair and dark brown eyes drowning in tears stares at Deshya with a worried, saddened expression. His lower jaw trembles with a fear she can''t yet understand, but when he finally speaks to her, her heart misses a beat.


    - Please... My little brother... has been kidnapped¡­


    Deshya opens her eyes wide. There''s hardly anyone left in the playground. Tessa and Maruno haven''t turned around, nor have they stopped to notice that Deshya isn''t following them. The girl in the fox sweater stares at the boy she doesn''t know, frozen in place, but her mouth finally answers him.


    - Ki-Kidnapped...?


    The boy runs his hand over his eyes, drying his tears, and nods.


    - Y-Yes¡­


    Deshya takes a step towards him and calms her heartbeat. The worried look on the student''s face makes her pity him, and her empathetic side can''t help but feel bad. They''re both almost the same height and age, but Deshya really can''t remember ever having seen him before.


    - Can you tell me more about what''s going on...?" Deshya asks him gently.


    The boy dries his eyes again and asks the member of the ''Fox Incorporated'' if they can sit down on a bench to talk about it. Deshya accepts without any problem and joins the same bench where Tessa and Maruno had been waiting for almost an hour while Deshya was in Spanish class. The boy sits down first and sighs, closing his eyes. Deshya pushed her fox tail back so as not to crush it as she sat down and looked at the student next to her.


    - You can take your¡ª


    - My little brother, ''Byron Elrick'', was kidnapped last night.


    He cuts her off, having enough courage to be able to talk about it. Deshya closes her mouth and listens to the boy silently.


    - Well, it was more today, I suppose... He''s only 8 months old and... And¡­


    Tears well up in his eyes and he swallows hard. Noticing that he''s about to cry again, Deshya puts her hand on his shoulder and smiles.


    - Don''t force yourself¡­


    He shakes his head and pushes Deshya''s hand away.


    - He... You''ve got to find him! My parents are worried, I''m worried, it''s... I haven''t been able to concentrate all day, I almost cried several times in class¡­


    He bows his head and his hands shake.


    - We... We don''t know who kidnapped him, but... But we saw them!


    Deshya squints.


    - Have you seen...?


    He nods and clenches a fist.


    - On the video of the camera¡­


    The boy turns his gaze to Deshya.


    - My name is ''Micha?l Elrick'', I''m in Maruno''s class!


    Deshya can''t remember ever having heard of him before. Whether it''s his first name, his surname or his looks, she''s convinced they''ve never met before.


    - I need your help, please! I want my brother back! He''s only 8 months old, he can''t even talk or walk!


    He cries out and the tears run down his red cheeks again. Deshya listens attentively, a hint of sadness gently piercing her heart. Although Micha?l is someone she doesn''t really know, seeing him cry like that hurts her. The tears streaming down his face are real, as is the worry in his voice that echoes in Deshya''s eardrums. She understands his concern, given that his little brother has been kidnapped, but she can''t hide it from him:


    - You know, it''s better to contact the police... I''m just a teenager.


    She admits it with a touch of affection, hoping he''ll find his brother. However, Michael grabs her arm, though she wasn''t going to get up again now, eyes drowned in sadness staring at her.


    - We¡ªWe have already called the police, but they haven''t found anything yet!" he told her. I... I saw you solved several crimes last week, so... Please... I... I want to find my brother¡­


    He collapses on the bench, crying his eyes out. He lets go of his arm due to a lack of strength and sniffles several times without hiding his feelings. Deshya wants to refuse to help him, not for lack of empathy, but because it''s police work, but she can''t get the words out. Seeing the weakened, collapsed boy in front of her, this ''Micha?l Elrick'' she doesn''t even know, makes her heart beat with a melody that prevents her from speaking. He asks her for help, while the police themselves are on the case. Professionals are already on the lookout for Micha?l''s little brother, but he comes to her anyway, begging her to look for him. Deshya suspects he must have heard from his parents that Byron hasn''t been found yet... He must have been worrying all day in class, hoping every minute that his little brother would be found, but no good news came out of his phone. Even with the police on the case, Byron Elrick still hadn''t been found. So he asks Deshya for help. He cries in front of her, clinging to what little hope he can. He doesn''t know whether to trust the police or not, because of everything he''s heard in the papers and the lack of seriousness some policemen show. He wants Deshya, this student he''s been respecting for a few months and who managed to solve some murder investigations last week, to help him find his little brother, whom he adores. Micha?l doesn''t know if she''ll agree to help him, and he understands that it''s the police who have to do it, but he still wants to beg Deshya to help him. Even though he understands that she''s just a teenager, he also knows just how smart she can be. She isn¡¯t just a cute girl who always keeps a fox sweater on her body, but also a nice person who does her best to solve mysteries... even murders, now. Micha?l hesitated all afternoon before daring to ask her, but when he noticed that Deshya was going home, he managed to make the first move. He knows full well that she''s likely to refuse and not waste time on someone she doesn''t know, given that Micha?l is rather shy, even associable at times. He assumes that he must go home and hope that the police manage to find the culprit behind this kidnapping. Unfortunately, he doesn''t think he''ll have enough energy to return to school the next day. At least, not until his eight-month-old grandson has been found.


    - ¡­ Okay.


    Micha?l raises his head slowly towards the girl. On her face, a serious expression of surprise the student beside her, her tears stopped by Deshya''s sudden response.


    - It''s the police who have to look for your little brother, but¡­


    She helps him sit up again, supporting him, and nods, her eyes lit up by the sun still shining high in the sky, as well as her own emotions.


    - I''ll see if I can help you, Michael.


    CHAPTER 28


    ?The Disparition of Byron Elrick ; The Request?


    - Thanks again, Deshya! Thanks again...!


    The girl blushed weakly as she ducked her gaze, one hand stroking her own red hair, the other on the strap of her bag.


    - You''ll thank me if I can help..." she says without even looking at him.


    They''re both in the direction of the Elrick house, about a 15-minute walk from the Tetazo school. Micha?l has done nothing but thank her since she agreed to help him with the kidnapping of Byron Elrick, his baby brother. Deshya can''t believe anyone would kidnap an 8-month-old baby. Whoever''s behind this must be someone who deserves to be behind bars... for a long time. Deshya doesn''t think it''s smart to kidnap someone in general, but a little one who can''t talk or walk? She doesn''t give a damn about such a person''s motives: she just wants Micha?l to find his little brother as quickly as possible so that his parents could hold their son in their arms.


    - You told me you saw the kidnapper in a camera, but which camera were you talking about?" she asks.


    - I''ll show you over there," Micha?l replies directly.


    She accepts without complaint, but the questions pile up in her head: if the police still haven''t managed to catch the kidnapper, there''s a good chance they just don''t know their identity. In that case, either the person they saw in the camera is someone unrecognizable, or the quality of the video is too poor, or the culprit is hidden by a hood or long clothes, or even a wig... Deshya wants to imagine several theories, but she realizes it''s no use: she''ll learn more when she gets there. Of course, she managed to find the criminal before the police did, but that doesn''t mean she''s any better at it than they are: she''s sure Sammy could have figured it out too. He''s far from stupid or incompetent.


    - I''m glad you accepted in any case¡­


    Micha?l blushed and smiled.


    - I was afraid you''d say no... You''re probably busy and you''re so popular, it''s scary to get close to you sometimes¡­


    - Is he afraid to approach me...? Besides, I''m never really busy, ahah..." thinks Deshya, looking at Micha?l.


    She knows her own reputation at school and is well aware that some students see her almost as a celebrity, but this is something Deshya doesn''t fully understand. Certainly, her habit of always wearing a sweater and a fox tail on her back makes her popular within the town, as everyone recognizes her easily, but that doesn''t mean she''s become a celebrity for all that. If she doesn''t answer the phone and looks ''busy'', it just means that she''s so immersed in her book or series that she doesn''t want to bother answering anyone, even Amora or her parents. What''s more, she has the impression of being friendly and approachable with everyone, so it always surprises her to hear people tell her they don''t dare talk to her¡­


    - Here it is.


    Micha?l stops in front of a rather simple house, but one which proves that the buyers earn a good sum of money every month. It''s a little smaller than Deshya''s, with a retro garage door and six steps up to the porch. Deshya notices several cars parked in front of the house, one of which she recognizes¡­


    - He''s here, all right," she said with a smile.


    This person she likes so much and sees every day. Micha?l beckons Deshya to follow him and hurries up the steps. The girl takes her time, her hands in her pockets, her bag still on her back. She admires the neighborhood and notices that most of the houses are rather humble and medium-sized. The neighborhood seems quiet and comfortable, the cars are mostly outside and the street ends in a cul-de-sac a few meters further on. Micha?l arrives at the oak front door and presses the small bell on his right. A brief second later, a female figure appears.


    - Oh, darling.


    With short blond hair curling at the end and a wrinkled face that doesn''t hide her old age, Deshya immediately deduces that she''s Michael''s mother. She strokes her son''s hair with a smile and, before asking him how he''s doing, notices the girl standing behind him. Long, beautiful red hair hidden by a dark hood with fox ears, a sweet, young face with a cute little smile and a long, fluffy tail that''s too big to hide behind her beautiful thighs clad in leggings. The woman blinks at her, her mouth half-open, but she finally speaks.


    - Aren''t you¡­


    - Deshya?!!


    The lady is getting her hair cut by a much younger man, with shoulder-length brown hair. The tips of her ears are pointed and her expression is as shocked as it is happy.


    - What are you doing here, nya?!


    - Hearing you say ''nya'' at the end of your sentences makes you sound surreal, you know?" teases Deshya.


    The police detective lets out a faint ''mph'' before crossing his arms.


    - Says the girl who wears a fake fox tail every day.


    - I guess I can''t win this fight..." she sighs.


    Micha?l''s mother looks at the young girl, wondering what she''s doing here. Her son answers her question:


    - I''m the one who asked him to come and help us find my brother!


    Sammy contemplates the boy before turning his gaze to the girl, who beckons to the detective.


    - Aren''t you fed up?" asks Sammy.


    - What do you mean?


    - First a murder that happens right next to you, then on the train, then on the bus, but now you''re into kidnappings? A week hasn''t even gone by yet¡­


    Deshya scratches her cheek with an embarrassed laugh. She doesn''t know what to say to Sammy''s words, so she prefers to keep quiet. The police detective agrees to let her pass and Deshya thanks him. Michael chats with his mother on the porch, while another man is inside the house. When he sees Deshya, he frowns.


    - What are you doing here...?" asks Gatito.


    - Hi, dad!


    Deshya takes off her shoes and smiles at him.


    - "Hi, dad!" my ass! What are you doing here?!


    - It was Micha?l who asked me to help out at school, and I accepted, that''s all..." admits his daughter.


    - Micha?l? Ah, the Elricks'' son¡­


    Gatito scratches his hair, grumbling, but he realizes that there''s nothing he can do about it: now that Deshya''s here, too, there''s no point in forcing her to come home. He approaches her and looks her straight in the eyes


    - I suppose you want to help find Byron Elrick?¡± he asks.


    She nods seriously. Her father rubs the back of his neck and beckons her to follow. She complies immediately and follows him into the living room, where a man sits patiently waiting. His leg spasms and his foot taps the floor rapidly. He notices that the policeman has returned and turns around, but his expression changes directly from hope to disappointment. He sighs and bows his head.


    - It''s not someone who brings our son back, then..." he says sadly.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.- Sorry, that''s not the case," replies Gatito, understanding his disappointment.


    Deshya admires the living room, decorated with various vases on shelves scattered everywhere. The large television sits on a large wooden cabinet with many drawers, in front of several sofas surrounding a small glass table. The Elricks'' father is sitting on one of them, on the sofa facing the switched-off TV. His blond hair is fairly short, and Deshya can see that his brown eyes bear a strong resemblance to those of Micha?l, her son. She wonders if Byron has taken on his mother''s genes instead, although she realizes this is a question she''ll have to ask for later. She sits down on the sofa to her right and presents herself to the man.


    - My name is Deshya, and I''m this policeman''s daughter.


    - Why are you here...?" asks the father, still disappointed.


    - I''m the one who asked him for help!" replies Micha?l, who has just arrived in the living room with his mother.


    Sammy joins them. The son sits down next to his father, and his mother imitates him. Gatito remains standing, Sammy beside him with a detective''s notebook in his hands. Deshya admires them all, finding the situation amusing: she really does look like a real detective. The man turns to the girl in the fox sweater.


    - And why did you ask her for help...?" he asks, addressing his son.


    - You know, she''s the one who solved those murders last week!


    - Oh, the two murders on the bus, that was her?


    Deshya nods with a smile. Elrick''s mother introduces herself.


    - My name is ''Sally Crownin'', this is my husband, ''Gammy Elrick''. Thanks for your help, little detective.


    Her smile radiates across the room, and although age doesn''t hide on her face, with an expression like that, she looks much younger than she really is. Gatito clears his throat.


    - I''ll go over the details again so my daughter can learn more about the case, if you don''t mind?


    They both shake their heads. Of course, Micha?l smiled happily: the police would accept Deshya''s help. This had been his fear after the girl had agreed to help him. Gatito nods as he looks at Sammy, who understands that he can talk about the kidnapping without any problem. He flips through his newspaper before explaining the situation to Deshya.


    - At 01:35 a.m. on Sunday night, an unknown person broke into the bedroom of Byron Elrick, an 8-month-old toddler and son of Gammy and Sally. It was around 01:33 that the person allegedly broke into the house without making the slightest noise, waking neither the two parents, nor Michael, nor the baby himself. The culprit was filmed on the surveillance camera installed in the ceiling of Byron''s bedroom.


    - So that''s the camera he''s talking about..." thinks Deshya, remembering Michael''s words.


    Before Sammy can continue, Deshya cuts him off to ask her question.


    - Wasn''t it filmed by another camera?


    Sally shakes her head.


    - Unfortunately, the only camera we have is in our second son''s bedroom. We can talk to him from our room through the camera''s microphone, we can see if everything''s okay without having to move if we don''t need to, and sometimes we like to see him sleep before we go to bed," she replies.


    - We think it''s possible that the camera has been hacked, but that doesn''t solve everything..." admits Gatito.


    - What do you mean?


    His daughter is intrigued, but Sammy beckons them to calm down.


    - Let''s go in order, otherwise it''s going to be complicated¡­


    They all fall silent and Sammy continues his explanation.


    - The person filmed in the room''s surveillance camera was dressed in a very long black jacket that reached about knee level, with the hood pulled up over his head, so it''s impossible to discover whether he''s a woman or a man. What''s more, his height is very approximate and we can''t see the color of his hair, nor its structure, so we can''t discover anything about the suspect from this camera. Well, physically.


    - Physically? Have you found any clues?" asks Deshya.


    - I''ll show you the video later. I''m wrapping up.


    Sammy tucks his detective notebook into his pocket and crosses his arms.


    - No fingerprints, no shoe prints and no clues were left inside, but that''s true of the outside too. We have no clues as to the identity of the culprit, but it''s precisely this lack of clues that made us realize something.


    Deshya squints. It''s Gatito who finishes the police detective''s sentence.


    - There are no signs of tampering, and the Elrick family leaves a spare key outside, albeit hidden, so it''s certain that the culprit used it.


    - Some of our friends know where the key is, just in case, because we trust them..." admits Sally.


    - Is the key well hidden?" asks Deshya.


    - It''s not under a flowerpot or somewhere basic, but the key was still there. However, Gammy told us that it wasn''t positioned the same way as the last time he put it there," Sammy replies. In short, it''s certain that the culprit entered the house through the front door, opened it and left with the baby in his hands. We asked a few neighbors if they heard a car or saw anyone in the street around 01:30 in the morning, but unfortunately, no one seemed to be awake at that hour or to have seen or heard anything. There are one or two neighbors who are still at work whom we weren''t able to question, but the Elrick family confirmed that they are people who sleep very early, or at any rate, before 1am.


    - Could it have been someone who saw them hiding the key and therefore knew it was there?


    Deshya has another, even more important question, but she decides to question Sammy and the family right afterwards. However, she gets an answer pretty quickly.


    - We''re being careful, and the key is currently on the side, so only the next-door neighbors, who don''t know, could know..." replies Micha?l''s father.


    - The question we''re asking is about this kidnapping. Why kidnap Byron Elrick?" says Gatito, rubbing his chin.


    That was the question Deshya was asking herself. If there had been blackmail or a ransom demand, she would have understood, but if that had been the case, she was certain that she would have learned this from the start. This case seems stranger than she expected... It''s probably not just a simple kidnapping. Nevertheless, as long as she doesn''t know all the details, she prefers to keep quiet and theorize later.


    - Anyway... We don''t have anyone who seems to have seen a single car, or anyone suspicious last night in the neighborhood or even a little further afield. The surveillance camera that films the outside closest to here is on the main road, one of the many for the big bank in Tetazo," continues Sammy. Unfortunately, even after watching it for a few minutes before and after the kidnapping, nothing can be gleaned from it. Some police officers have gone even further and others are searching the area very carefully, but unfortunately¡­


    Deshya understands that nothing has been found yet. This means that the culprit was well organized and careful not to be noticed.


    - I took it from this that the person must have been one who gets on well with the baby and knows how to look after one without worry, otherwise he would have been awake and crying when he was taken from his bed. Although it''s not very clear on the video, which was taken by the camera in the child''s room, when the culprit bends over the baby, you can see him quibble a tiny bit before taking him in his arms. I think the culprit wrapped a blanket around him to make sure he wouldn''t be cold when they went outside, but that''s just a guess.


    - Why would you think that?" asks Deshya.


    - It''s the way the person moves. However, I''m going to show you the video, as I don''t have much more to say about this case... We don''t have many suspects and we were going to ask the Elrick family for the names of people who might have committed the crime, but then you came along.


    - Haven''t you done this before?


    This surprises Deshya. Sammy shakes his head.


    - We asked if they had any idea who the culprit might be, but they told us that no one around them could have. It''s only recently that they''ve come to accept that the truth is probably quite different. What''s more¡­


    - What''s more?


    She questions Sammy with her eyes, but Gatito answers for him.


    - You''ll see it on the camera, but the culprit managed to find his way there in complete darkness, without even bothering to turn on a flashlight. We don''t know if he turned on the lights downstairs, but Byron''s room is very dark and the window had a closed hanging in front of it. In short, Sammy deduces that he''s someone who knows the house well.


    Deshya looks at the dark-haired policeman intently. She can''t forget that he''s a real detective who''s earned his place in the Tetazo police force, one who''s solved several murders and kidnappings in the past. He''s far from stupid or unobservant, even if she is the one who has managed to solve crimes before. What''s more, he''s had to be on this kidnapping case since morning: the mere fact that he can''t figure out who the culprit is means that the situation is very complicated. Sammy suggests that Deshya analyze the few seconds of video and she accepts, standing up. Before she can go, Micha?l grabs her arm.


    - I hope you find my little brother¡­


    Deshya flashes him a reassuring smile, but answers nothing. Micha?l lets go of her apologetically and the girl follows Sammy, while Gatito stays in the living room with the Elrick family. Deshya climbs the stairs behind the detective without even paying attention to the surroundings, pondering everything she''s just learned. If they didn''t get a ransom note, then there must be another reason why the culprit kidnapped Byron. What she hopes with all her heart is that he hasn''t already... killed him. However, she quickly removes this thought from her mind: if that were the case, why take him from her home? Why kill him, an 8-month-old baby? She knows that some people have serious mental problems, but she can''t imagine a situation where a criminal would come into a house illegally to simply kill a little child, without even bothering about the family around them. So she wonders what the culprit''s purpose is... Nevertheless, she doesn''t have time to think about it further, as Sammy opens the door to the parents'' room and lets her go first. Deshya enters the room and notices the laptop open and switched on, showing black-and-white images on the screen. She approaches it and notices that it''s the paused image of an infra-red surveillance camera... of a child''s bedroom. In the wooden crib with its large rails, no baby can be seen. Immobile toys are attached to a bar above the mattress. Deshya recognizes these: they can spin in circles while a melody plays at a moderate volume, serving as a lullaby for the baby who should be sleeping in the cradle. Sammy offers Deshya a seat on the office chair with wheels. She accepts and wags her fox tail to avoid crushing him, before observing the computer screen attentively.


    - The scene doesn''t even last a minute, but it''s the only lead we''ve got. Maybe you can discover something we haven''t seen," Sammy tells him.


    She doubts it very much, but prefers not to say anything and waits to analyze the video. She already knows what to expect, so she doesn''t think she''ll get anything out of it, but she''d rather take a look anyway. Sammy takes the computer mouse in hand and touches the bottom bar, including one of the application options, before letting the video play in front of Deshya''s eyes. The sleeping baby is now visible on camera, sleeping calmly and comfortably in his cot. It''s absolutely quiet. She notices that the camera also records sound, so she hopes to get any clues from the noises, although she doesn''t hold out much hope. It films a good part of the room, although it focuses mainly on the cradle and probably zooms in on it. Deshya is impressed that the camera manages to capture such a large part of the room while focusing mainly on one part. This means that the room isn''t very big either, even if she can''t see everything. She notices that the door opens slowly and a first step is heard. It''s a faint sound, but the camera''s volume is turned up to maximum so she can hear it. The culprit in the long dark jacket strides silently towards the cradle. Deshya can now see the person''s hood, hair completely hidden behind it. She leans towards the cradle and stays there for a few moments, moving her arms to surely place a blanket around the baby. The person lifts her body without making the slightest sound and starts to move away from the cradle, exiting the room, before closing the door behind her. Sammy pauses the video and crosses his arms.


    - Well?" he asks.


    Deshya touches the bottom of her lower lip, squinting.


    - It''s true that the person doesn''t hesitate, and yet the room is totally dark... The curtains are closed and we can''t see a single light source. What''s more, even if we zoomed in on the person, I''m sure we wouldn''t be able to see anything that would give us the slightest clue to their identity¡­


    Sammy agrees with the teenager''s words.


    - Something''s bothering me, though..." she admits.


    - What is it?


    She asks him if she can watch the video again, and he agrees. Deshya sees the person come into the room, stoop down, quibble for a few moments before rising again... and leaving the room. A short video that doesn''t seem to give any further clues about the culprit. She goes back a few seconds, to the moment when the person takes the baby in his arms and squints. Deshya analyzes the scene again¡­


    - Ah!


    Now she notices what''s bothering her. Sammy approaches her and places a hand on the back of the chair, questioning Deshya about what she saw. Deshya rewinds the video by a few seconds and points to the culprit, who leaves the room.


    - This person... She seems to have a bit of a limp, doesn''t she?


    Sammy frowns: Deshya is right. When the kidnapper takes the baby in their arms and heads for the door to leave the room, they limp slightly. It''s hardly noticeable, but Deshya noticed it just as quickly... Sammy hadn''t even thought to observe this almost insignificant and invisible gesture of the culprit.


    - What does that mean...?" wonders Sammy.


    The video is now paused and the two detectives stare intently at the camera image.


    - It may be the only lead we have to find the culprit..." thinks Deshya.


    Someone close to the Elrick family who knows the hidden location of the key.


    As well as a person who limped after catching the baby, although she seems to be hiding it.


    These are the only two clues they have to find the culprit.

 29 -?The Disparition of Byron Elrick ; The Search?(CASE5)

    <hr>


    When school ends and Deshya is ready to go home, having solved the riddle of the letter sent to her, the girl with the long fox tail is called by a boy she doesn''t know: ''Micha?l Elrick'', a pupil in the same class as Maruno Uffite. He asks her to help him with the kidnapping of his little brother, ''Byron Elrick'', who is barely 8 months old. What''s more, he was abducted from his own room late at night, at 01:35 in the morning. After some hesitation, Deshya agrees to help Michael and accompanies him to his home, where they meet the police officers handling the case: Gatito Oveja, Deshya''s father, and Sammy Graton, a detective she knows well. She learns the details of the investigation from the two of them, sitting on a sofa in the Elrick¡¯s household, the family in the same room as them. Next, Deshya is taken by Sammy into the parents'' bedroom to observe the video captured by the surveillance camera in Byron''s room. The images are in infrared, and the culprit can be seen entering the room with almost no noise, before snatching the baby away without showing the slightest hint of identification. However, something is bothering Deshya. She watches the video again and quickly understands the feeling: the culprit is seen limping weakly and discreetly as he carries the baby. Deshya points this out to Sammy, who wonders what it could mean. They now know two things about the kidnapper: he''s someone close to the Elrick family who also knows where the key is hidden, as well as someone who has a reason to limp. The list of suspects is thus reduced, but they still have no names. What''s more, no blackmail letters or ransom demands have been sent to the family or the police, making the situation more complicated than expected. Deshya rises from the desk chair, wondering who might be responsible. The clock strikes 5 p.m. and the case continues.


    CHAPTER 29


    ?The Disparition of Byron Elrick ; The Search?


    - Maybe by learning more about the potential suspects, we''ll get an idea of why he limped?" tells Sammy.


    - It''s very likely," admits Deshya.


    Before leaving the room, Deshya takes one last look at the computer.


    - There''s also a moment when the culprit seems to be slowly tilting his head back... Was he checking something, in that darkness...?" she wonders.


    They both leave the parents'' room and descend the stairs together. They arrive in the living room, where another policeman is chatting with Gatito. Deshya recognizes him: he''s the one who helped her with the Miro Blushark murder case. She greets him and he smiles.


    - Deshya! Are you here too?" he asks.


    She quickly explains the situation and the man listens attentively. Sammy asks Gatito if the family has offered a list of suspects, but Gatito says he''ll talk about it when Deshya is focused. Micha?l gets up from the sofa and hastily approaches Deshya.


    - You''ve discovered the culprit or a clue?!" he asks with worried, hopeful eyes.


    Deshya stops mid-sentence and turns to the dark-haired boy. His hand firmly grasps his own garment, a kind of polar sweatshirt on his body. Deshya is saddened by his worried expression and can''t afford to lie to him.


    - Nothing yet.


    Michael''s smile gradually disappears and he finally sighs. His mother tells him to come close to her and his father taps his foot on the floor. Gatito approaches the other policeman, Sammy and Deshya, a small notebook in his hand. He addresses the three in front of him without yet putting his nose in the pages of the notebook.


    - We have four potential suspects," he tells them.


    - Only four?


    - It''s not much, so much the better..." admits Sammy.


    Gatito nods.


    - They didn''t tell many people where the key was, and some of them live far away and don''t visit often. Given that the house has been rebuilt on the first floor and a few rooms, as well as Byron''s room, which is new and not in the same place as before, there are only these four people who could have committed the kidnapping," he explains.


    - I''m already amazed that someone can tell you where your house key is like that..." says Deshya. I''d be too afraid of being robbed.


    - Some people are quicker to trust others than others. They are far from wealthy and have only told people they know very well and would have no reason to wish them ill. They''re a pretty modest family and friendly to everyone, so there''s no reason to wish them ill.


    - But it could be this kindness and almost naivety that is the cause of this kidnapping¡­


    Sammy, Gatito and Deshya turn to the policeman who has just spoken. He notices the many eyes on him and bows politely.


    - An-Anyways, I''m leaving.


    He turns on his heels and hurries out of the house. Deshya smiles at him, because she likes him, but Gatito sighs.


    - Why is he here?" asks Sammy.


    - He came to give me a report on the surroundings, but they haven''t found anything yet," the policeman explained.


    - So there are no outside leads?


    He shakes his head, playing with the notebook still in his hand.


    - Nothing was left behind. Not a tire mark. Not a footprint. They keep searching, even for fingerprints, but the culprit was holding the baby in his hands, so with or without gloves, we shouldn''t find anything either way.


    - Anyway, we''ve got to find out who''s guilty among the four suspects, so..." thinks Sammy out loud.


    Gatito agrees and looks at his notebook carefully.


    - Here are the names they gave me. The first is called ''L¨¦o Serron'', he''s a 41-year-old bachelor who lives by himself a few minutes from here. He''s been a friend of Sally''s for a few years and they know each other very well and she told him where the key was in case he wanted to borrow books from their personal library.


    - Their library...?" asks Sammy.


    - The Elricks love to read and have a huge library on the second floor, at the very end of the corridor. Since Leo loves to read, but wants to save as much money as possible, he sometimes borrows books here and reads them at home. He never forgets to return them, and he adores Micha?l and Elrick, so he''d have no reason to hold a grudge against them.


    - Could it be for money?


    As soon as Deshya asks this question, she lowers her head and squints.


    - No, wait... If that were the case, there would have been a ransom. I didn''t say anything¡­


    - Anyway, although he saves a lot, he''s far from poor. He invests heavily in his sport and just likes to waste as little as possible. If he can borrow books here for free, why go out and buy them? Sally also explained that Leo buys books on his own when Sally or Gammy don''t have what he wants.


    Deshya ponders, but in this description, nothing can make this ''Leo'' a prime suspect. She listens carefully to the rest.


    - The second person is a 27-year-old woman called ''Mishra Joyti''. They don''t see each other as often as with the others, but she''s a good friend of Michael and Byron''s parents. Like Leo, she lives alone and her parents live a few houses away, but they''re not sure what their relationship is. She works in a supermarket in Izambar, the town above, but doesn''t seem to be short of money.


    - Why does she know where the key is?" asks Sammy.


    - I was getting to that. Since she lives alone and can have paranoid phases, the Elrick family allows her to sleep in the guest room if she needs to. They told her where the key was if she arrived late enough, so she wouldn''t have to get up for her. However, this is very rare and Mishra sleeps quite early, from what they told me.


    - I see¡­


    - The third person is a 30-year-old man by the name of ''Anthony Guetteur''. He still lives with his parents, but pays them rent. He works mainly from home, remotely, and is an artist. He asked for the key to their house a little over a year ago, so he could sometimes surprise them with gifts or drawings for the children. When Sally gave birth, he worked on a large drawing and waited for her to return with her baby, waiting a few weeks after her stay in the hospital, to prepare a little party for them on the sly. This summer, he even drew the family together on a picnic basket and left it on the living room table, with lots of various goodies inside. He adores Byron and Michael and is one of their best friends.


    - He seems to be very nice..." remarks Deshya.


    Gatito puts his notebook away while talking about the latest suspect.


    - For the fourth, it''s ''Tommy Sabbot'', a 25-year-old man who has his own little popularity within badminton. He plays for a national team and hopes to compete in the world championships in the next few years, but he also works on the side as a part-time waiter in a bar in Tetazo. He is the son of a very close friend of Gammy''s, who sadly died of liver cancer a few years ago. They keep in touch with Tommy, who sometimes comes to train at their place, since their son loves badminton. The only time he knows the hidden location of the key is when he comes to play with Michael and the parents aren''t around.


    - Why does he need to know where the key is for that...? He can ring the doorbell and Michael will open it for him, right?


    Deshya asks her in surprise.


    Sammy asks the same question and Gatito confesses that he asked them when they were talking together.


    - Micha?l is often in his room with the music loud in his ears, so he doesn''t always hear when someone''s at the door. Even though his parents have told him to be careful, Tommy often shows up unannounced, and since they trust him so much¡­


    - I... see¡­


    Deshya looks at the sofa where the three members of the Elrick family are chatting. So far, there''s nothing to place any of the four suspects above the others on the list, so they''re going to have to find out who the culprit is by talking to them. She comes up with the idea, but Sammy is quicker.


    - Why don''t we talk to the four suspects? If one of them has an alibi, we can take them off the list.


    Gatito ponders his proposal, lowering his gaze. Deshya waits for an answer from him, all the while asking what the kidnapper''s goal is. If it''s not for money, or any other blackmail, what is his purpose? What is he trying to do? These are the questions she wants answered¡­


    - Taking a little 8-month-old child... It''s not human. Whoever did this... I want... I''m going to¡­


    She clenches a fist and starts to grit her teeth, but her father''s voice brings her back down to earth. She turns to him and Sammy questions her with his eyes.


    - Are you feeling good?


    - Yes, sorry¡­


    - Perfect, nya.


    He smiles at her and Deshya giggles: his habit of saying ''nya'' is as strange as it is cute.


    - We''re going to question the four suspects, do you want to come with us?" asks her father, addressing Deshya.


    - Ah, wait!


    Gatito stops at the first step and turns to his daughter.


    - What if I went alone?" she suggests.


    - Alone?


    - Yes! They won''t doubt that I''m on the case, will they? You''re known to a lot of people here, so maybe they''ll get suspicious if they see the police coming.


    - Sammy can go with you, so¡­


    Sammy shakes his head.


    - Maybe my head isn''t as well known as yours, but if I go with her, it can look a little suspicious. If she takes care of questioning the suspects quickly and then comes back and tells us what she found, I can focus on the video again or find a clue nearby. There are still a few neighbors I want to question.


    - But my daughter isn''t so unknown... If suspects have read the papers, they might know it''s her.


    - I think we''ll be okay. I don''t think just going to one of their houses is going to make us understand who the culprit is, anyway.


    Gatito rubs his chin.


    - It''s true that we can''t really enter their house without proof... We might get lucky and find the culprit on the first try, but if not¡­


    He thought aloud for a few moments before turning his gaze to his daughter.


    - I''m counting on you to find out who did it, Deshya.


    She smiled at him.


    - Sure, Dad!


    - I''ll stay with the family. I''ll stay with the family and see if they have anything else to tell us. It''s not impossible that they''ll receive a ransom call or send them a photo of their son.


    - I''m going to ask some people in the neighborhood, a little further away, if they''ve seen anything.


    The police detective leaves without saying goodbye to the other two, and Gatito asks Deshya to follow him. She accepts and arrives at the Elrick family''s side.


    - Excuse me, could my daughter know exactly where your four friends live? She''ll go and see for herself if they have alibis or if she could hear a baby in their house.


    The parents show their surprise at their expression, but eventually nod together and make a note of the addresses in the policeman''s notebook. Micha?l gets up from the sofa and approaches Deshya.


    - I hope you find the culprit!


    - I''ll do my best.


    Micha?l smiled at her, wet, beaming eyes gazing with joy and hope at the girl his age in front of him.


    - Thank you¡­


    - It''s mainly the police you have to thank. I''m only helping," Deshya tells him.


    - I thank you all, then!


    He takes her in his arms, squeezing her tightly. Deshya freezes, surprised by this sudden reaction, but eventually pats him on the back with a smile. Michael dries his eyes and thanks Deshya again before turning to the other policeman.


    - Thank you, thank you¡­


    - Micha?l!" shouted his father.


    Gatito waves his hand, gesturing that he doesn''t mind.


    - There''s nothing to worry about. We''ll find him, your brother. We will.


    Gatito gently strokes his hair and lets him return to his parents, still seated on the leather sofa. He turns on his heels and passes Deshya without stopping, but slips something into her hands. She observes what she has just received and smiles. This is the notebook with the four addresses of the suspects. She reads quickly and notices that the houses are all within a few minutes of this street. She won''t have too far to walk, so she can afford to do it on foot. Deshya tucks the notebook away in the right-hand pocket of her sweater before glancing sharply at the Elrick family. They''re all worried about Byron, so she can''t take her time: she has to find out who the culprit is as quickly as possible and give them back their child, including Michael''s brother. With this in mind, she runs down the corridor and hurries out of the house. She skips a few steps and accelerates down the street. She''s going to pay a visit to each suspect in the same order as her father pronounced their first name, as written in this notebook.


    - Looks like Leo lives pretty close to here. I''d better get there first¡­


    She fervently hopes that the culprit will drop his guard and that she''ll manage to uncover the truth quickly.


    She arrived in front of Leo''s house after a few minutes'' run. He lives on a street she knows well, but she doesn''t remember this particular house. It''s simple and doesn''t give off anything special, but she doesn''t think it''s ugly or rubbish either. In fact, she quite likes it. Some of the windows are open, but there''s no sound from inside. There are no stairs leading up to the porch, just a simple stone path through the grass that could use some work. She arrived at the front door and knocked. Five short seconds pass and a man with brown hair opens the door without removing the lock. He looks at the girl in the dark sweater.


    - Good evening!" she says with a smile.


    - Good... evening?


    The man seems surprised by her visit. The young teenager places both hands behind her back and brings out her cute side.


    - You are ''L¨¦o Serron'', aren''t you?


    - That''s me... Do we know each other?


    - Hm, hm, not really.


    The man notices that her sweater has fox ears, as well as pink markings in the shape of inverted fangs on her cheeks. Although she''s cute, he can''t help but find her clothes and appearance a little strange. He hesitates to


    close the door without asking any questions or getting any answers, but the girl speaks directly to him.


    - Say, say! I wanted to ask you something!


    - What then...?


    - Last night I thought I saw you on the next street... I was sleeping at a friend''s, but we went to sleep quite late, so we played outside a bit and enjoyed the night, but we heard a biiiig noise and went to look and I think I saw you.


    - Huh?


    She nods.


    - He had a physique similar to yours... He seemed to want to leave as soon as possible. It was around 1:30 a.m... I think?


    - Huh? I didn''t do it.


    He frowns and closes the door, which worries Deshya: would she have exaggerated her cuteness and scared off the suspect? What''s more, she begins to doubt his manner, but a metallic noise sounds and the man opens the door fully before showing the girl the truth:


    - I was sleeping soundly at home, and what''s more, my left hand hurts so much that I''m staying home to rest!


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    - His hand hurts...?


    Deshya noticed that the man was rather large, and his clothes didn''t hide his muscles. Short chestnut hair and dark, aggressive brown eyes, as well as a long, large bandage around his left hand. Deshya tilts her head and looks up, kind of thinking.


    - But why?


    - Huh? What do you really want from me?


    He holds his arm, squinting one eye.


    - That was two days ago, I was just fooling around in the kitchen... Come on, move!


    He closes the door violently behind him and Deshya takes a step back with an annoyed expression. The man''s behavior and tone might put her in a bad mood if she didn''t have better things to do, but on the other hand, she can understand: she''s come to ask him questions while lying, so he has every reason to be annoyed. So she decided to turn on her heels and run towards the second house, Mishra''s. From the window of Leo''s living room, he watches the girl go, squinting.


    Deshya soon arrives at the second house, just five minutes away from L¨¦o''s. This one is just as normal and beautiful, although a little smaller. This one is just as normal and beautiful, if a little smaller. The garage is closed and the garden inaccessible from the front, but unlike the other man''s house, two small steps must be climbed to reach the porch. Deshya arrives at the door and knocks without waiting, looking for a new excuse to introduce herself.


    - Yes ?


    A woman opens the door and looks intently at the girl on her porch. Both are more or less the same height, although 11 years apart. Her hair is a similar color to L¨¦o''s, but her blue eyes are quite different.


    - Good evening, are you Mishra Joyti?


    - Yes, that''s me... What''s wrong?


    Deshya immediately notices the woman''s lack of energy. She looks tired and exhausted, her eyes threatening to stay closed and force the woman to sleep.


    - I was... I was in a bar last night and at about 1:30 I thought I saw you leave the same bar. I only saw you from the back, but a friend told me it was you!" explains Deshya. I noticed you dropped a coin on your way out, so I wanted to give it back to you¡­


    - Me? It wasn''t me.


    Deshya puts both hands in her vest with a bewildered look on her face.


    - Eeeh? But I''m sure it was you.


    - It''s not possible... I didn¡¯t sleep well¡­ for a few weeks, but I fall asleep very early. By 9pm, I was already asleep. I only wake up because of nightmares and noises in the neighborhood, since I''m a light and restless sleeper, but I''d never go to a bar that late... Maybe it''s a woman who looks like me?


    Deshya gently puffs out both cheeks.


    - But her beauty was similar to yours... It really wasn''t you?


    Mishra smiles at the girl and calmly strokes the top of her head.


    - It wasn''t me, I''m sorry. I hope you find the person who owns this piece.


    She closes the door after giving Deshya a final wave, and the latter jumps down the two steps with an air of dissatisfaction.


    - As Michael''s parents said, she sleeps early... They told me about paranoid phases, but she just said she was a light sleeper. Well, that could be because we don''t know each other, so¡­


    She didn''t hear a single child''s noise, but she did notice something interesting: her driver''s license in the pocket of her coat, hanging right behind her. Admittedly, she couldn''t get a good look at it, but she was certain that it was a driver''s license: in short, like Leo, she can drive. She''s sure it''s an important part of this investigation.


    Fifteen minutes later, she arrives at the home of ''Anthony Guetteur'', the artist who still lives with his parents. The house is much larger, but has no neighbors. She can see a shed in their large garden which she can easily access from the front: just walk along the walls to the left or right and she''ll get there. She hears barking in the background, but since there''s no fence around the house, she''s convinced the dog is leashed around a post or in some other way that he can''t get away. However, she finds it strange that there are no gates... Aren''t they afraid of thieves, or that the dog will leave of his own accord if he''s not properly tied up? She thinks no more about it and, before ringing the bell, notices the two cars parked in front of the house. One is a Jeep with a slightly worn coachwork, while the other car is a simple Mercedes with few qualities. It''s old and unlikely to reach high speeds. She presses the doorbell and waits for someone to come and open it. Deshya hears the sound of the handle and goes to greet Anthony, but to her surprise, it''s an older man, probably in his fifties, who opens the door.


    - What''s the matter, girl?


    - A-Ah, could I speak to Anthony, please?


    - Anthony? Is this man talking to a girl as young as you...?


    The man stoops low and gazes gently at the girl.


    - You know, a young girl like you shouldn''t be talking to a man almost twice your age¡­


    - A-Ah?


    - If he says strange things to you, then¡ª


    - W-Wait, I''m not talking... with him¡­


    The man ¡ª whom Deshya assumes is Anthony Guetteur''s father ¡ª blinks in surprise.


    - So what do you want with him?


    - I wanted to ask where he was at 1:30, since a friend spotted him on a street not far from here and thought he was a bit suspicious, but she''s too scared to come, ahah....


    She''s not entirely convinced of this excuse, but she assumes it will suffice. The older man touches his chin and thinks.


    - 1:30 in the morning...?" he asks.


    She nods.


    - I don''t think it''s him, then," he replied.


    - Why is that?


    - My son has been ill for a few days and can''t stop coughing, especially when he''s doing physical tasks. He stays in his room drawing or walks the dog for a few minutes, but the doctor told him to rest at home without contaminating anyone. He chats a lot online and sleeps very late, which isn''t perfect for his health, but he doesn''t listen to me.


    - Does he cough that much?


    - Sometimes we fear for him. He seems to be doing a little better, but his coughs are more greasy.


    Deshya lets out a long ''Eeeh'' before thanking the man in front of her.


    - I don''t think it''s him, then! I''ll tell my friend, thanks!


    - It better not be him. He already brought us back a girl ten years younger three years ago..." the man let out as he closed the door.


    Deshya stands frozen in front of the entrance.


    - Three years old? He was 27 and the girl... Uh.


    She feels a chill down her spine and shakes her head before leaving. At the time, she hopes he''s the culprit, simply because of what she''s heard... However, this man seems the least likely to be the culprit, given what she''s just learned. Still, she can''t rule him out as a suspect, especially if his love for younger girls could be more serious than she realizes¡­


    She finally arrives at the last house and notices on her phone that it''s nearly 6.10pm. It''s the furthest house from the Elricks'', though only about 15 minutes away. This time, it''s the sporty man who is the son of a friend who died a few years ago. She catches her breath and knocks on the door, hoping he''s home. In the meantime, she observes the beautiful garage just to her left. The house itself proves a certain wealth, and its beauty is hard to deny. She can''t see the garden from where she''s standing, but she bets it''s pretty big. The windows are almost covered with an inner curtain, probably so no one can peek inside and take photos without permission: after all, he may be a future badminton player for the whole country. Even without that title, she checked his name online and confirmed what her father told her: he owns his place in the community. He has several pages dedicated to him alone, as well as Twatter accounts that talk about him incessantly. Deshya has no doubt that eccentric fans could come here and take pictures from afar, and without any permission.


    - Oh?


    The girl notices that the curtain in the lower room, just to her right, has just moved. Just then, the door makes a few strange noises before a woman with long black hair appears.


    - Who are ya?


    Aggressive in tone and almost gothic in physique, his expression almost frightens Deshya, who takes a step back. His question is full of animosity and his gaze pierces Deshya. Deshya loses even her words.


    - I-I wanted to talk to Tommy¡­


    - Huh, another fan? Nah, we can''t stand people like ya. Leave my darling alone!


    - So he''s got a girlfriend?" thought Deshya.


    The woman is about to close the door fiercely when Deshya asks her to wait.


    - Would ya like an autograph, lil¡¯ fox? Wait, I saw ya on TV¡­


    Deshya scratches the back of her head and the woman opens her mouth wide.


    - Ah! It was ya who solved the murder of the two old farts on the bus?! I even saw that ya helped save people from a train that was about to explode! So stylish!


    The woman is much taller than Deshya and so stoops before her with a playful expression. What''s more, her eyes sparkle with a childlike curiosity that doesn''t quite match the woman''s physique.


    - Do ya wanna tell me how ya did it, please, please?" she asks.


    - I can explain if you want, but can I just know something?


    - Tell me everythin¡¯!


    - Do you know where Tommy was, around 1:30 in the morning?


    The woman squeezes both cheeks with her thumb and part of her index finger with the same hand and looks up, thinking.


    - Hmmm... We''re usually asleep by 2:30, but last night I was at a friend''s house until 3am. I don''t know where he was, but I sent him a message around 1.40am," explains the woman.


    - What did he say?


    - Normally, he''d be practicing a bit of badminton or going for a walk at night, as he likes to run when ya can see the stars, but as he injured his leg a few weeks ago, he has to be careful. He told me he was at home watching ''Great Star Academy'', but that''s not necessarily his style, so I was surprised... It''s maybe I''m the one who managed to infect him, that would make me soooo happy.


    She tosses her long black hair around with glee, showing off her many earrings that are normally hidden behind her dark locks. Deshya stares at the ground, squinting.


    - He''s got a sore leg and was watching a series that''s not his genre... It''s very suspicious, but if he can''t do anything all evening because of a sore leg, maybe he was bored and waiting for his girlfriend to come home while watching something random? Hm¡­


    She blinks and looks up slowly, noticing that the woman is staring at her with a big smile.


    - Or... Yes?


    - Do you want to tell me about the train affair?! I want to know!!!


    - A-Ah?! Uh¡­


    She wants to tell him she doesn''t have time to talk about it today, but the woman pierces her with another dark look.


    - Whaaaaa?! Ya''re not goin¡¯ to refuse, are ya?!


    - I-I''d be delighted, ahah....


    - Great! Come on, come on!!!


    The woman gets up hastily and pushes Deshya to go home.


    - Please don''t let it last long¡­


    - Took you long enough.


    Gatito stares at his daughter disgruntledly, Sammy right next to him telling him to calm down. The policeman doesn''t care for his words and Deshya apologizes again.


    - Tommy''s wife forced me to tell her what happened on the train... I couldn''t help it.


    - She''s his girlfriend, not his wife," admits Micha?l.


    Deshya turns to the boy in his pajamas and proposes: she immediately understands that he has just washed.


    - Ah, I see.


    - Have you seen all the suspects?" asks Deshya''s father. I hope so, as it''s almost 8pm.


    - I was able to learn more about all four, but it''s Anthony''s father who spoke to me and then Tommy''s wife, since I didn''t see them directly¡­


    - Neither Anthony nor Tommy? Why not?" asks Sammy.


    - I think Anthony was in his room, while Tommy probably didn''t answer because he must have lots of fans coming to see him, so his girlfriend opens the door for him. I was able to check part of his alibi when I was at his house, but unfortunately it proved useless¡­


    - What are you talking about?


    Deshya takes out her phone, unlocks it and shows her father the screen. Sammy leans in and watches with intrigue.


    - Last night''s schedule...?


    - His girlfriend told me that at 1:40 he told her on the phone that he was watching ''Great Star Academy'', but it didn''t come on last night. When she went to ask him what that meant, she came back to tell me that he''d explained to her that he was watching programs they''d recorded during the week and that he wanted to see one of the singers'' terrible performance again.


    - I heard that in the program for the last day of August, a singer started singing off-key right from the beginning of her song, which was catastrophic... She''s the laughing stock of the internet, for the moment," recalls Sammy.


    - I''ve seen a lot of memes on it!" admits Micha?l.


    - So his alibi is shaky?" asks Gatito, addressing his daughter.


    She replies that this is the case, but explains to the two policemen everything she has learned.


    - For ''L¨¦o Serron'', the man who loves to read, he was asleep at home and his left hand hurts too much to do much.


    Sammy writes it down in his little notebook.


    - For ''Mishra Joyti'', the early sleeper, she told me she fell asleep around 9pm and even though she had insomnia, she didn''t move from her house. She seemed really tired.


    - ¡­


    - Secondly, for ''Anthony Guetteur'', he''s been ill for some time and coughs a lot, so he stays in his room all the time. I don''t know if he''s been out, so I don''t have his alibi... And finally, for ''Tommy Sabbot'', he was at home watching TV and sent a message to his girlfriend at around 1.40am. I was able to see the message and it wasn''t a fake, so I can confirm that he really did send it at that time.


    - In short, none of them has an alibi?


    - None of them.


    This greatly annoys Gatito: the situation remains unchanged. They still have four suspects on their hands, and from what his daughter tells him, it''s impossible to discover the culprit in this way. Nor can they enter someone''s house simply by checking, and if they have to follow procedure, they''re going to take some time checking all four houses. What''s more, there''s nothing to say that Byron Elrick is in any of their homes: he may be held somewhere else, by an accomplice for example.


    - From what I''ve seen, all four of them have licenses and cars," says Deshya.


    - So they could have used their car to get here... Going to their car and then checking the camera to see if one of them is visible there seems to be the best solution," suggests Sammy.


    - Hopefully we''ll see something..." says Gatito.


    Deshya feels a strange discomfort. There''s something there that''s a clue to finding the culprit, but she can''t quite put her finger on it. She''s convinced, but this feeling alone isn''t enough: she has to find the answer herself.


    - In the video, the only movements that can give a clue to who is the culprit is that he knows the room well, probably protected the baby in a blanket, didn''t wake him up, a little upward movement of the head and a slight limp after picking Byron up¡­


    When she thinks about it, all four suspects have an ailment, and any one of them can explain the limp at the end of the video. She turns to Sammy.


    - Can I watch the video again? I have a feeling I''ll find something," she asks.


    - No worries.


    Deshya thanks him and hurries up the stairs. Sammy looks at the inspector beside him and talks to him for a few moments before going out. With all that Deshya has said, he tells himself that it''s impossible to find the culprit with these words alone... They''re going to have to act somehow. He observes the house opposite, the one whose neighbor had been gone all day, but notices something that catches his eye: the man''s car is now parked at his place. He tumbles down the outside steps and asks a policeman how long the car has been there.


    - He arrived barely ten minutes ago, I''d say," replies the man.


    - Great, thanks!


    Sammy runs to the neighbor''s house across the street, hope returning to his heart. Although it''s possible that he didn''t observe anything or was simply sleeping, he prefers to think of himself as an important witness. Perhaps he saw or heard something, which could give them a viable lead to the culprit.


    With this hope in mind, Sammy heads for the neighbor''s house, while Deshya thinks it over, gritting her teeth as she watches the video intently.

 30 -?The Disparition of Byron Elrick ; The Intentions?(CASE5)

    <hr>


    On Monday, September 05, after Deshya¡¯s classes had finished, a student stopped her in the playground to ask for help: his 8-month-old grandson, ''Byron Elrick'', had been kidnapped by someone whose identity remains unknown. After a moment''s reflection, Deshya agrees to accompany him home to find the culprit, with the help of the police, who are already at his house. There, she meets up with Gatito and Sammy: in short, her father and a pointy-eared police detective. She trusts them greatly and learns the truth of the matter from their own explanations. After learning the details, she is allowed to watch a few seconds of footage from the surveillance camera in Byron Elrick''s room. There, she can see the culprit, hidden behind a dark coat, snatching the baby without giving enough clues. What Deshya and Sammy notice is that the culprit seems to stagger after grabbing the baby in his arms. The girl also observes a movement of the head that would make it look like she''s staring at the ceiling, which astonishes her: why did she do that? Deshya knows full well that this may mean nothing, but this detail surprises her all the same. After visiting the homes of the four suspects, all of whom are close friends of the Elrick family and have knowledge of the location of the house''s hidden key, she returns around 8pm, explaining to the detective and her police father what she''s learned from the few conversations she''s been able to have with all of them. So far, there''s no sign of a viable lead... None of her suspects can be considered the culprit with sufficient evidence.


    - I''ve got to find something... whatever it is!" thought Deshya.


    For his part, Sammy notices that the neighbor across the street has returned and is running home. He''s the only person in the area who hasn''t yet been questioned, so the detective wants to know if he heard or saw anything last night. He arrives at the porch of the rather large house and knocks twice. He waits a few seconds before the door is opened. The man behind the door is wearing a heavy sweater and his blond hair isn''t long enough to hide his blue eyes.


    - Yes... ?


    - Forgive me, my name is Sammy and I''m a police detective.


    - The-The police?!


    The man opens his door wide and a worried look comes over his face. Sammy watches in amazement.


    - Why are the police here...?!" asks the man.


    - Calm down¡­


    The detective doesn''t answer his question directly, wanting to see his reaction to this announcement. The stress he shows... Sammy finds it suspicious.


    CHAPTER 30


    ?The Disparition of Byron Elrick ; The Intentions?


    - Why the police? Why the police? There has been a murder?!


    The man turns his face in all directions, analyzing the street with concern. Sammy sighs and tells him to calm down.


    - So-Sorry, but¡­


    - Yes, I know. Don''t worry, I''m not here to arrest you, but I''d still like to ask you some questions," Sammy told him.


    The man swallows loudly and agrees to answer the detective, knowing he has no choice anyway. Sammy takes out his notebook and taps a nearly completed page with his bic.


    - What were you doing at 1:30 in the morning?


    - Wh-Why do y¡ª


    - Just answer me," insists Sammy.


    - Right, sorry!


    The man tries to regain his composure and plays with his hands, chattering his teeth. When his heart stops beating so fast, he finally answers Sammy.


    - That late... I was watching videos on my computer, in my room.


    He points his thumb in the air and Sammy steps back to see his bedroom window. It''s currently closed, and the drapes make it impossible to see what''s inside. The man stands beside the detective and stares back at the window.


    - That''s where my bedroom is. I always leave my window open, including the drapes, to let the air in and sometimes look at the stars," he explains.


    - I see... You were always awake, then?


    The man nods and pulls a packet of cigarettes from his trouser pocket. With a skilful movement, he takes one out and puts it in his mouth before lighting it with the lighter he''s pulled out of nowhere: in any case, Sammy hasn''t seen him make the slightest move to retrieve it. Nevertheless, he doesn''t question him and watches him light his cigarette.


    - I fell asleep around 2:30 last night," confesses the neighbor. I was a bit tired, but still wide awake at 1:30. Why?


    His personality is very different from the one he had a few minutes earlier, when Sammy arrived at his house. His frail, fearful demeanor has been transformed into a confident, almost defiant one. The detective gently shakes the notebook in his hand.


    - We''re just investigating something that happened around 1:30 a.m., but no one saw or heard anything, since most people were asleep. We were wondering if that was the case for you too," Sammy explains clearly.


    The blond man withdraws his cigarette and exhales the smoke, looking at the street behind him. He takes his time to think, poised on the bars around his porch. He now notices the two extra cars in front of the Elrick house, but he doesn''t mention them. Sammy waits patiently, but that same patience is beginning to crumble. Just as he''s about to insist on his question, the open man sighs and turns to the detective.


    - I don''t necessarily watch my videos with headphones on, as I have fragile ears, so this late in the day I could hear what was going on outside. I remember one car passing by at around 1.10am and another leaving at around 2am, but at 1.30am there was no noise.


    - No noise at all?


    He nods, crushing his cigarette against the ashtray waiting for him on the small table to his left. He looks up at the starry sky, admiring the stars shining tenderly in the canopy.


    - The sound of my video was quite low and I''m convinced I didn''t hear anything outside. It''s often quiet, so if there had been a commotion or someone was there, I would most likely have heard it¡­


    - Were you looking outside around 1:35 a.m.?


    - What? It''s precise... I don''t think so, anyway. I was concentrating on my video. And if I looked outside, it was to see the stars. You can''t see much in the street when it''s so dark.


    - Ah¡­


    In a flash, a thought passes through the detective''s mind.


    - Heard nothing?


    He''s sure he''s on to something, but he can''t figure out what it is. However, as he repeats the word in his head, he finally gets it. He opens his eyes wide and turns towards the Elrick house with haste. He freezes while observing the building, which worries the man next to him.


    - What''s going on...?" he asks.


    Sammy blinks and smiles. He turns to the man and gently shakes his head from top to bottom.


    - Got it. Thank you so much!


    Sammy waves his hand and runs to the Elrick house. He''s now convinced which suspect is the culprit in this case. The one of the four who abducted Byron Elrick so late, in his own bedroom. He must warn Gatito, and right away!


    Two minutes before he figures it out, Deshya is still in the bedroom of Michael and Byron Elrick''s parents, watching the few seconds of video that show the culprit over and over again. She still doesn''t understand why he limped off at the end, or why he seems to be staring at the ceiling for a moment. She thinks of the four suspects, but none of them has an alibi and none of them has a reason for having slightly weak legs. Deshya sighs, vibrates her lips and pauses the video at the moment the culprit begins to limp, after grabbing the baby and starting to walk out of the room.


    - Who could be the culprit among the four suspects...? The one with the injured hand, the one who tires quickly, the one who''s sick or the one with the injured leg...?


    She''s certain it''s one of the four, but can''t quite put her finger on who the kidnapper really is. It''s starting to get dangerously dark, so if she doesn''t find out soon, or Sammy doesn''t get a lead from the neighbor across the street, then they''re going to have to wait until tomorrow to rescue Byron Elrick... if they actually find the culprit.


    - It has to be someone who knows the house and where the hidden key is... It''s one of the four of them, but who?! Who?!!


    She begins to feel the frustration of not finding the truth. Michael has come to see her himself because he trusts her. He even cried in front of her, didn''t hide his emotions and is clearly worried about his little brother: she has to find out who kidnapped Byron Elrick and this tonight! There''s got to be something in this video to make her realize who the kidnapper is... Deshya plays the video again, biting her thumb, and watches the person leave the room.


    - Limping after catching the baby... is it because his hand hurts and it has touched Byron, preventing him from walking properly? Because he''s tired and can''t walk straight? Because he''s ill and suddenly feels weak? Because his leg hurts and he simply can''t walk...?


    She bites her lower lip as a thought passes through her mind. She stands motionless in front of the video and finally stands up suddenly. Deshya presses the ''Pause'' button and stares intently at the screen in front of her.


    - I see! I shouldn''t be looking for what the person in the video is doing, but what they''re not doing! So... So it has to be that person!!!


    Deshya jumps out of the chair and runs into the room, having just realized which of the four suspects is the culprit. Byron Elrick''s kidnapper, that someone who dared to abduct an 8-month-old child in the middle of the night. She finally knows his identity...! She''s sure of it! Deshya tumbled down the stairs to the second floor and into the living room. The three Elrick family members turn towards the source of the racket and notice the girl in the fox sweater.


    - What''s going on?" asks Gammy, father of Micha?l and Byron Elrick.


    - Where''s Gatito? My daddy?


    - He''s in the kitchen," Sally replies.


    - Thank you!


    Deshya quickly turns on her heel and rushes into the kitchen. There she comes across Sammy, who is about to have a chat with Gatito, but before he can say a word, Deshya speaks up.


    - I know who the kidnapper is!" she confesses.


    Sammy turns his face to the girl who stands in front of her father, right next to the detective. Gatito squints.


    - You too?" says Gatito.


    - M-Me too?


    He crosses his arms and nods.


    - Sammy has just come to tell me who the culprit in this case is.


    - Exactly! This person¡ª


    - The kidnapper¡ª


    - It''s ''Mishra Joyti''!!!


    Deshya and Sammy shout it at the same time, in the same tone, with the same haste. Both open their eyes wide and turn towards each other before laughing together. Gatito sighs and uncrosses his arms before violently placing a hand on their heads.


    - Laughing in a situation like this, hey.


    - Sorry, but I thought he was wrong!" chuckles Deshya.


    - She doesn''t know what I know, so I thought the same thing!" jokes Sammy.


    Deshya rubs her chin as she looks at the detective beside her, ignoring her father''s words.


    - What do you know that I don''t?" she asks, addressing Sammy.


    He replies that the neighbor across the street offered him the clue that led him to this conclusion. Noticing that the two opposite him are no longer paying attention to him, Gatito grits his teeth and clears his throat violently. Deshya and Sammy finally turn to him and a frightened expression comes over their faces. When Gatito squints like this, it means he''s about to scream, so the two detectives excuse themselves and the policeman laments, lowering his head. He ends up staring at them intently and intrigued.


    - You say it''s Mishra Joyti, right? May I ask why?" asks Gatito.


    Deshya asks Sammy if she can explain first and he accepts with a shrug. Gatito grumbles at them, lecturing that this isn''t a game, but Deshya half-ignores him, while Sammy apologizes for his behavior. The girl in the fox sweater sits down on the wooden chair and crosses her legs, ready to explain their reasoning.


    - Wouldn''t it be better if I explained myself on the way, so we don''t waste any time?" she says.


    - Why did you sit down, then...?" asks Sammy, surprised.


    - Ah... Eeeh¡­


    - No.


    Gatito responds coldly to Deshya''s proposal and refuses. His daughter stares at him open-mouthed, but eventually smiles and explains herself.


    - That''s because out of the four suspects, she''s the only one who can behave this way,¡± she begins.


    - This behavior...?" repeats Gatito.


    She approves and waves her index finger, the only finger raised on her right hand.


    - When she limped off at the end. But not only that.


    - Don''t beat about the bush. We''ve got to look for Byron," her father told her curtly.


    - That''s why I wanted to talk about it on the way¡­


    Deshya scratches his cheek.


    - Well, take ''L¨¦o Serron'' for example. He has an injured hand, and touching anything with it hurts. What''s more, just moving it is complicated for him. In short, there was something wrong with the video.


    She tucks her hands into her pockets as she continues her explanation.


    - I could have understood if he wasn''t strong, but given his muscles, he''s clearly a big man. I thought he might have limped a bit because his hand hurt from holding the baby and so he felt weak, but it wasn''t right.


    She smiles.


    - After all, given his build, he could simply have carried the child with his pain-free hand. There''s no reason for him to hold the child with both hands.


    Sammy touches his lips and lowers his head.


    - It''s true... Having one hand free would give him more freedom of movement. What''s more, given the pain in his hand, he''d have no reason to carry Byron with both¡­


    - What if he did it to fool the surveillance video?" asks Gatito.


    - I don''t think so. Hurting yourself this much when you can''t see anything of the suspect anyway because of the long jacket and hood is bad enough. Carrying the child with one hand wouldn''t have greatly changed the way we''d see things, since an 8-month-old baby can''t be that heavy. In short, Leo is not the suspect.


    Sammy didn''t see it that way, but listening to Deshya, he finds himself a bit of an idiot: he should have thought of it much sooner. What she''s saying makes a lot of sense, after all.


    - For Anthony, I thought it was possible that he was the suspect because he''s just sick and probably has the strength to hold a child without problems, but given that his body isn''t healed, maybe he would have limped because of the illness. Come to think of it, though, it couldn''t have been him. His father told me he coughs a lot, so he probably would have woken up either Michael''s parents or him, I''m convinced. You don''t hear him coughing or holding back in the video.


    - Plus, with what I''ve learned, I think it''s clear that he''s not the culprit," admits Sammy.


    - What if his father lied to cover it up? It''s a possibility," admits Gatito.


    - I''m sure he wasn''t lying. He could have, but it''s too easy to find out the truth about his illness if the police come to see him. If he''d wanted to lie to cover it up, he''d probably have come up with something else.


    - Hmmm... I trust you.


    - That''s better!


    Gatito begins to think.


    - The last one has a sore leg... He could have been limping because of the pain, but you''re convinced it''s not him, aren''t you?


    Deshya nods and rises from the chair.


    - He would have gone limp before catching the child or would have had to force himself to hide him, but I didn''t feel that way when I saw the video. Besides, if he''d wanted to hide it that badly, he''d also have been careful after catching Byron in his arms. Even if his message seems to be an attempt at an alibi and so he seemed suspicious on that point, he would have kidnapped Byron another time, when his leg had healed. Now, since I don''t know what the reason for this kidnapping is, I didn''t want to base my deduction on just that, but I''m convinced it''s not him because of what I said before.


    She shows her white teeth behind her amused smile.


    - What''s more, the head movement we can quickly observe is probably a yawn. This is something any one of them could have done, but since Mishra confessed to me that she''s very tired at night, I take it as confirmation that it''s her.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    - This doesn''t confirm anything..." admits Sammy.


    - Well, let''s just say it''s an added detail!


    - Why is she limping?" asks Gatito.


    - I think it''s fatigue. She had to get down for a few moments, carry the baby when she doesn''t have that much energy in her and she got up pretty quickly, so it must have made her dizzy and she couldn''t walk properly. She had a baby in her arms and seemed to be holding on to it, so she did her best to get out of the room, unable to hold on to a wall or something," explains Deshya.


    - I see... So none of them would have lied?


    Gatito rubs the back of his neck, but Sammy reassures him that he''s convinced she''s right. He turns to the detective and questions him with his eyes: he wants to know how he came to the conclusion that Mishra is the suspect in this kidnapping. Deshya admits she also wants to know the truth. He tells them he''ll explain on the way.


    - We can''t waste any more time here. Let''s go rescue Byron," he adds.


    Father and daughter nod in agreement. The three of them emerge from the kitchen and are greeted by the Elrick family, who ask how the investigation is progressing. Gatito explains that they now know who the suspect is, but prefer not to say anything until they''ve recovered the child from his hands. Sally is so moved by this that she starts to cry. Her husband takes her in his arms and reassures her, while Micha?l approaches Deshya with eyes full of hope.


    - Have you really found the suspect?!" he asks Deshya.


    - I''m convinced it''s this person, yes.


    Micha?l swallows back a sob and hugs the girl, thanking her several times. She smiles and strokes his dark hair, promising that they''ll bring his grandbrother back very soon. Deshya looks at him with gentle eyes, but sad to know how Micha?l feels. Not knowing how his little brother is doing, if he''s okay, if he''s properly fed and cared for... He must have woken up to the news and then gone on with his day, repressing his emotions in his heart. Having to endure this horrible feeling, this pressure to know nothing. This woman, ''Mishra Joyti'', whatever her reasons, Deshya wouldn''t forgive her. To kidnap someone, who moreover is a baby less than a year old, is unforgivable. It''s not human. Deshya doesn''t care what her reasons are: she wants to return this child to his parents and his worried older brother. If she has to confront her, even fight her, she will. She won''t let Byron Elrick spend another minute with her. He deserves to be with his loving family. Michael stops hugging her when the policeman asks him to let her go. The teenager returns to his parents, and his mother keeps him by her side with a gentle arm. Deshya takes one last look at the family before turning on her heels and walking out of the house with her father. Sammy waits for them outside and when he sees them arrive, he explains that he has called some policemen to look for the house. Gatito approves his decision and tells the other three policemen to follow him. On the way, as planned, Sammy explains why he''s realized that ''Mishra Joyti'' is the one who kidnapped Byron Elrick.


    - The neighbor across the street told me that he was still standing, with the window open, when the kidnapping happened. However, he also confessed that he hadn''t heard anything, even though he wasn''t wearing a helmet.


    - Heard anything?" repeats Gatito.


    Sammy nods.


    - If he didn''t hear anything, that can only mean one thing.


    The policeman thinks for a few moments, but understands quickly enough. Deshya, who''s walking right beside him, already thinks she''s made the connection between his conclusion and the neighbor''s words.


    - If he didn''t hear anything... Then the person didn¡¯t come with a car?" surmises Gatito.


    Sammy nods with a smile.


    - Even if it was an electric car that didn''t make much noise, the closing of the door or even the machine at a standstill should have been heard. He wasn''t necessarily looking outside at the time, but I''m sure he would have seen or heard it.


    - It''s clear," says Deshya.


    - How did you come to the conclusion that Mishra was the culprit?


    - Just like Deshya, by elimination.


    The sky grows darker and darker, as the police and Deshya walk towards the woman''s house, she who is most likely the person who kidnapped Byron Elrick.


    - If we believe what the people in Deshya said, then it''s normal to think that only Mishra could have come to the Elrick house without a car," explains Sammy.


    - Hm¡­


    - If it were Leo, for example. With his bad hand, it would seem logical that he shouldn''t drive, especially as he doesn''t live very far away, but I think he would have driven just to be on the safe side. Even if the moon offers a few rays at night, which he could have seen in the street, having to carry the child with one or both hands, but in pain, isn''t worth it. Driving quietly would have meant he wouldn''t have to bother with his hand, since he didn''t have to hurry.


    Gatito makes no secret of the fact that he''s not entirely convinced by his explanation, but he doesn''t cut him off. Deshya herself thinks this reasoning is a bit too hasty, but she totally understands what the detective means. It''s not without logic.


    - For Anthony, given his illness, he would have simply used his car so as not to have to walk in the cold for 5- 10 minutes with a frail baby in his arms. If Deshya is telling the truth and owns a car, that would have been preferable. What''s more, if he coughs a lot, it''s better to be comfortably seated in his car so that no one can hear him from outside. It''s impossible to be sure that no one would pass by in the evening, even this late.


    - It''s true that even if you know the neighborhood very well, at any given moment, young people are playing the fool outside, or someone''s coming back from a party... We''re maybe on Monday, so it''s less risky, but relying so much on luck isn''t worth it. If he has a car, he might as well use it, it would be less risky," Gatito thinks aloud.


    - Exactly! And for Tommy, I think it goes without saying.


    The red-haired policeman next to him nods.


    - If he has a sore leg, using the car is much smarter than walking ten minutes to the Elricks'', then another ten to get home," he explains.


    - I''m sure none of them lied," admits Deshya.


    All the police around the girl turn their attention to her.


    - It''s too easy to check whether Leo''s hand really hurts, and the same goes for Tommy and his leg. For Anthony, all you have to do is ask the doctor if he''s really ill, and Mishra is the only one with an alibi that''s not totally credible. When I went to see her, she looked really tired, but at any given time, it''s simply because she has to look after the baby and can''t sleep much, as he cries a lot.


    - Hmmm¡­


    - On the way home, I asked her neighbor if she was really weak and had insomnia, but what he told me was almost the same as what the Elrick family said, so I didn''t doubt his words.


    - In short, Mishra seems to be the one who''s holding Byron... Now we need to know where she''s keeping him, as well as her reason," lets loose Gatito.


    - Whatever the reason, kidnapping is unforgivable.


    In contrast to the gentle tone she''s used so far, Deshya''s words are sharp and aggressive. Her gaze is nowhere near as friendly and amused as before. Gatito watches her advance, but before he can say anything, they arrive in front of Mishra Joyti''s house.


    - It''s nice here," says Deshya.


    A small, single-storey house with windows all closed and a garden that''s impossible to reach without going through the interior of the house. The interior is impossible to examine from the outside because the drapes are all closed. Gatito quickly explains to the police that they will search every room and that they must keep an eye on the woman at all costs. They all nod and Deshya asks what she should do.


    - You can stay outside and make sure everything''s okay," his father tells him.


    She''s not too happy about it, but doesn''t retaliate. Sammy and the other policemen head for the next-door neighbor, and when they arrive at the door, one of them touches the doorbell. Deshya follows to check that all is well inside, but she has no intention of searching the rooms with them. Seconds pass, and eventually a woman opens the door. Seeing the mass of men in front of her, Mishra takes a step back and observes them with surprise. Gatito pulls out his police badge and, looking serious, speaks to her.


    - I''m Inspector Gatito of the Tetazo police force. Are you Mishra Joyti?


    - Or... Yes, it''s me?


    - Can we search your house for our current investigation?


    - ¡­


    The woman doesn''t answer directly. Deshya notices out of the corner of his eye that the woman''s driver''s license, including part of her wallet, is still sticking out of her jacket. Briefly¡ª


    - Since I''ve been here, she hasn''t come out¡­


    Deshya squints, but everyone''s attention is on Mishra, so no one sees her expression. The woman gently pushes herself aside and allows the policemen to enter. Gatito thanks him with a nod and turns back to the other men.


    - You two, upstairs. You and I will check the first floor. Sammy, you check the cellar, if there is one. Madam, is it possible for you to stay here under my daughter''s supervision?


    - Is this a good idea...?" asks Deshya.


    - I admit that at any moment... Follow my two men upstairs, then.


    Deshya looks at his father with a teasing expression, but Gatito takes no notice. Mishra complies and climbs the steps between the two policemen. Deshya scans her surroundings before entering the house in her turn, but before continuing her walk, she looks at the woman climbing the narrow stairs. Deshya is convinced that she is the culprit in this case, but she hopes that everything will turn out well. That they''ll find Byron Elrick healthy and unmolested. That he has eaten and drunk well. That when they bring him back to his real family, they''ll be able to look at him and cry with joy, without having to worry about injuries or malnutrition. It hasn''t even been 24 hours since he was taken, so she assumes she doesn''t have to worry¡­


    But at the same time, Mishra violently pushes the policeman behind her.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and the policeman in front of her suddenly turns around, but she grabs one of his feet with both hands and forces him to tumble down the steps in turn. She runs upstairs and Gatito hurries back into the hall.


    - What''s going on?!" he shouts.


    Deshya dashes past him, but he doesn''t have time to catch up. The policeman who was pushed points upstairs and quickly explains that the suspect escaped there. Gatito yells at the policeman accompanying him and Sammy to stay on the first floor, while he and the other two head for the second floor. The detective is pushed by the girl, who runs into the kitchen.


    - Deshya?!


    He shouts at her, but she doesn''t respond and goes outside to the garden. Meanwhile, Gatito pulls out his pistol and loads it before giving quick directions to the two policemen behind him. They nod and check the rooms, but need go no further: Mishra emerges from the back bedroom and stands in front of Gatito, eyes wide open.


    A baby in her hands.


    - Stop!" shouts Gatito, raising his gun.


    She turns to show her breasts, the baby in front of her. Gatito grits his teeth and Mishra escapes through another door, before closing it behind her. The red haired policeman runs after her and forcefully opens the door.


    - Stop it!


    The window of the room is open and Mishra is on the small roof of the room below, which is the laundry room. With the baby in both hands, she leaps off the roof and lands on her feet against the terrace. Gatito orders the two policemen behind him to come down and warn Sammy and the other man that the culprit is in the garden. They comply immediately and Gatito takes the same route as Mishra, but his jump is more fluid. When he lands on the garden grass, he raises his pistol and shouts at the woman, who suddenly turns around.


    - I said stop!


    - Ah... Ah¡­


    Sammy and the other policeman come out in turn and stand at the inspector''s side, before the other two men arrive outside in turn. Mishra trembles, the baby in her arms. The baby stirs gently and moans, eyes closed.


    - Don''t-Don''t come near me!" shouts Mishra.


    - Mishra¡­


    - I said, stay away from me!!!!


    And then she lifts the baby into the air.


    - !!!


    Gatito clutches his pistol and stares at the woman with even greater intensity.


    - If-If you take another step, I''ll... I''ll kill him!!!


    - Mishra... Calm down¡­


    The woman takes another step back. She checks behind her for any policemen, but sees no one. She can only see the small shed she uses as a storeroom and the tall wooden planks that demarcate her garden.


    - Why are you doing this?" asks Gatito in a softer tone.


    - Wh-Why...?


    Mishra sneers and takes another step back.


    - All my friends... Everyone has a child or children, they''re all happy with their babies and their perfect families... But me? What have I done to God, eh?!


    The baby becomes even more agitated before sobbing.


    - Why can''t I have a child?! Why do the men I sleep with leave me right away?! Why do I have to suffer from infertility, huh??!!!


    Byron Elrick, the baby she holds so high in the air, begins to cry. Gatito still holds his pistol, aiming at the woman''s body, holding it steady. The policemen beside her, as well as the detective, don''t move a step, while Mishra continues to back away, but notices that the fence is soon against her back.


    - I have to see everyone happy to have a family, but me... I can''t? Why?! What have I done?! Sally... She looks so happy to have a second child, but I can''t? Byron is exactly like the perfect baby of my dreams... When I saw him¡­


    She begins to smile, her mouth wide open. Her expression is sinister and her human side fades from her face. The baby continues to cry into her hands, waving its tiny arms and legs.


    - Byron is perfect... I should have given birth to him, not this woman who already has a child¡­


    Mishra stops smiling and bites her lower lip so hard it starts to bleed. She squeezes the baby, who cries even harder, and the rage inside her, caused by her jealousy, twists her face. This emotion wrinkles her and makes her... almost inhuman.


    - Byron should have been mine! Out of my body! Be MY child!! If... if I can''t have him¡­


    She leans her body back and starts screaming.


    - THEN NO ONE WILL HAVE IT!!!


    Noticing that she is about to throw the child to the ground, the policemen run towards her, while Gatito hesitates to shoot her. However, someone jumps over the fence and uses the woods to leap towards the woman and grab the baby being held aloft. The girl rolls on the ground, protecting the child she has just retrieved, and quickly gets up again, her eyes riveted on the woman. The policemen stop in their tracks and all look at Deshya, who has just saved Byron Elrick. The girl with the long fox tail quickly passes the baby to her father and runs at Mishra, screaming.


    - Deshya?!" calls Sammy.


    She jumps on Mishra and forces her to fall back first onto the ground before forcefully grabbing her clothes.


    - Will you shut up?!!" shouts Deshya.


    She starts shaking the woman.


    - Adopt a fucking kid if you want!!! Why take someone else''s baby away for such a stupid reason??!!!


    - You can''t un¡ª


    - I DON''T WANT TO UNDERSTAND YOU!!


    The policemen run towards Deshya, who screams angrily at Mishra.


    - No wonder you''re infertile! You don''t deserve a child! You don''t deserve to be loved by a man!!! You don''t deserve to live!!! Die, die!!!


    - Deshya!!!


    Sammy forces her back, but Deshya hits Mishra''s head with an enraged foot and flails in the detective''s arms.


    - Taking someone else''s kid is inhumane!!! You don''t deserve to see the light of day again!!!! I hope... I hope you die!!!!


    Deshya screams one last time into the night, still flailing in Sammy''s arms, but two more policemen come to check on her. Another pins Mishra to the floor and handcuffs her, while Gatito watches the scene with wide eyes, gun lowered and crying baby in his other arm. So strong is the rage in Deshya''s heart, tears of anger form in her red eyes and she can only think of one thing.


    On the night of September 05, when Mishra Joyti is arrested for kidnapping and assaulting two policemen, as well as attempted murder, Deshya understands for the first time in her life.


    A feeling she never wanted to understand.


    The desire to see someone die¡­


    That of wanting to kill someone.

 31 -?Bibi Derumi ; Raiji Harmony?(CASE6)

    <hr>


    The silence. The dark night. She waits patiently in her room, her cushion between her arms. A drawing of ''Liv'', a fictional character from a popular work, can be seen on one side, as well as on the other, but different. The girl is silent, recalling what she has just experienced, what she thought, what she said. Her room is not lit, and her window is slightly open. Her computer screen is off, but the tower is still spinning. The lights inside are the only source of light in the room, since the window is too dirty to let the moon''s rays illuminate the room. What''s more, the other two small windows are hidden behind drapes. The girl is dressed in her other fox sweater, the blue one that reads ''I DON''T GIVE A'' with the drawing of a fox at the end, a pun that only works in English.


    It''s 10:11pm. Deshya says nothing and her fox tail is clutched by Korone, who is already asleep. The reason why Deshya doesn''t sleep is not simply because of lack of sleep, but because she waits for someone to knock on her room so they can talk together. It was her father who forced her to meet this woman she doesn''t know, because of her behavior with ''Mishra Joyti'', the woman who kidnapped Byron Elrick. It happened about two hours ago, but she sees the scene before her eyes as if it had been seconds. When Deshya noticed that the woman had pushed the police and fled upstairs, Deshya went out into the garden and acrobatically jumped over the fence in case Mishra had tried to escape on the other side. Noticing that this wasn''t her plan and that she simply stayed in the garden, threatening to kill the baby if anyone approached, Deshya decided to retrace her steps and waited for the right moment to save Byron Elrick from the woman''s hands. Hearing her bullshit excuses for kidnapping the baby enraged her more and more, but she''d had to wait for the right moment. When she was able to leap into action and rescue Byron, she couldn''t hold back her rage and finally pounced on Mishra, hitting her. She knew it had been irresponsible and foolish of her, but her heart couldn''t take it. Deshya really wanted this woman¡­


    - Ah¡­


    Deshya sighed as she held ''Liv''s'' cushion firmly in her arms, the large fox plush she''d won at the start of this school year behind her back. Korone tried her best to reassure Deshya, but unfortunately it wasn''t enough. She continues to feel this anger inside her, as well as an urge to howl with rage. In contrast, she feels bad for what she''s done and doesn''t like feeling such an intense, burning emotion... One that crackles inside her, but hurts. She''s never felt like this before... She''s never wished anyone dead. She finds herself... pitiful. She feels ashamed.


    Deshya refuses to believe that she can think of killing anyone, and yet that''s what she had wanted when she jumped on the woman.


    That''s why her father, Gatito, asked her to wait in his room and that she would have a little chat with a psychologist who also works for the police, although Deshya doesn''t really know her. Today''s session is going to be quite short, as far as she knows. She has school the next day and doesn''t want to stay up too late, especially as it''s already dark. One of Deshya''s two fox ears twitches and she looks up: she hears someone coming up the stairs from the first to the second floor, where her bedroom is. Deshya drops her pillow and gently pushes Korone aside before heading for her bedroom door. She pulls down the handle and opens it before the woman knocks and the two face each other.


    - Ah.


    - Good evening," Deshya whispers to her.


    She points to the girl sleeping in the bed behind her and explains that she doesn''t want to wake her up.


    - Let''s go downstairs to the living room, if you don''t mind," Deshya suggested.


    - No problem with me.


    She accepts in a soft tone and descends the noisy staircase again, trying to make her steps as quiet as possible. Deshya closes her bedroom door behind her and follows the psychologist closely. They both descend to the first floor and Deshya opens the door to the left of the staircase, in the entrance hall of the house. She turns on the light and the woman looks around the room attentively.


    - It''s more like an office that doubles as a living room, isn''t it?" she asks.


    Deshya moves a chair from the back of the room and places it in front of the table, just opposite another one. She nods at the psychologist''s question and offers her a seat. She closes the door behind her and gladly accepts. The woman places the papers she has brought with her on the table and sits down at the same time as the girl.


    - Your father is a good acquaintance, so I couldn''t refuse to come and see you," said the psychologist.


    - You''re very kind.


    She takes out a sheet of paper and twists the bic between her fingers before tapping it against the sheet on the desk.


    - First of all, I should introduce myself! You don''t know me, do you?


    Deshya apologizes, shaking her head. The woman chuckles, reassuring him that it''s no problem. She gives her a gentle, friendly smile. With calm eyes, she admires the girl in front of her.


    - My name is ''Bibi Derumi''. I''m a psychologist who works for the Tetazo police, but I obviously have my work on the side. I''m a good friend of your father''s," she introduces herself.


    - Nice to meet you.


    - I''ve only come to see you for a few minutes today to chat a little, I don''t intend to steal too much of your sleep.


    - No worries.


    Bibi removes the cap from her pen and then sets it aside before pulling the white sheet towards her.


    - Good, Deshya. First of all, how do you feel?" begins Bibi.


    - I''m fine, but a little tired¡­


    - Both physically and mentally?


    Deshya locks both hands between her thighs and nods.


    - Your father told me what happened on the phone, but would it be possible to get your side of the story? Even if you don''t go into detail," Bibi asks him.


    Deshya tells her what happened, starting with Michael''s request, her acceptance, her search for clues and her visit to the victims'' homes, as well as the moment when she saved Byron Elrick and started raging at Mishra. Bibi listened attentively without writing anything on her paper, her eyes riveted on the face of the girl in front of her. When she had finished speaking, Bibi wrote a few words on the paper and put the pen down.


    - I see. I see. I''ve heard that you solved a murder that involved the family of one of your friends, that you helped catch a murderer who planted bombs on a train, as well as discovering the identity of a criminal who killed the parents of the girl you''re babysitting, Korone?


    - She even knows that..." thinks Deshya.


    The girl doesn''t want to lie to him, so she asserts that everything she''s just said is true. The woman in front of her rubs her long white hair and smiles.


    - Isn''t it complicated?


    - What do you mean?" asks Deshya.


    - Seeing murders everywhere. Having to look at dead bodies, killed people. Traveling on a train that could explode at any moment if you made a mistake. I''ve even heard that a sniper shot into the train and killed the culprit and almost hit you. Isn''t that a complicated thing to live with?


    - ...I¡­


    Bibi waits patiently for an answer from the girl, not wishing to rush her. Deshya remembers everything she''s been through in the last few days. It''s not even been a week since she went back to school and she''s had to go through all this. With the exception of Sunday, she hasn''t really had time to rest. She also has to worry about her fox attributes. She was psychologically troubled during the poker game against Tessa too, because she thought she was going to lose and should have confessed about her fox attributes. Although she doesn''t feel that uncomfortable around bodies, she can''t deny it:


    - It''s... hard. Yes.


    Bibi watches her with a restful gaze. She crosses her arms gently.


    - You know, even policemen need a rest sometimes. They need psychologists too, or people to check on them," explains Bibi.


    - I don''t doubt it... But¡­


    - But what? Don''t forget, Deshya, you''re still a child. A 16-year-old who goes to school. I don''t doubt for a second that you''re not psychologically weak and that you''re very intelligent, but we''re talking about real murders here.


    - I know, but¡­


    - If you want to be a private detective or like solving murders, I''m not going to stop you. Nevertheless, you have to understand that this is reality. Seeing corpses, enduring the presence of murderers by your side and listening to them talk isn''t as easy as you might think. It''s not easy for anyone.


    This time, Deshya says nothing. She''s aware of everything the woman is telling her, but hearing it from someone else feels strangely good. Perhaps it''s because of her soft, reassuring voice? Bibi continues to rub a few strands of her white hair and admires the girl in front of her with her red eyes, special lenses on her irises.


    - Your dad''s worried about you, but I''m sure Sammy is too.


    - It''s true that I created a scene over there, ahah..." Deshya doesn''t deny it.


    Deshya can''t even imagine what he must have thought when he saw her. Seeing him get so angry. She who often laughs, jokes and teases him... She showed a side of herself she didn''t really know.


    - Can I ask you a question that''s a little... indiscreet?" asked Bibi.


    - Yes...?


    - Did you ever think about or even want to kill that woman?


    - Hey!


    Deshya recoils in her chair, surprised that Bibi has discovered this so quickly. Nevertheless, she remembers what she shouted to Mishra:


    - Die... die... That''s what I was telling her..." the girl in the fox sweater thinks aloud.


    - Your father told me. I want to check something with you today.


    - Yes...?


    - Don''t lie to me, okay?


    - I promise.


    - Could you have killed her? Would you have dared to kill her if the police weren''t around?


    A question that grabs Deshya by the gut. She freezes in her chair, unable to answer Bibi''s question. She thinks about it, but her mind is a mess. Which answer is the real one? Would Deshya have dared to kill this woman...? She had really wanted her to die, at the time, but now that she''s rested and calmed, it''s a thought that disgusts her. She can''t believe she dared to feel such an emotion. One that burned her from the inside out. Deshya opens her mouth, but she''s still unsure of her answer. Bibi reassures her that she needn''t rush to answer.


    - I don''t think so..." Deshya finally admits.


    - So you wouldn''t have killed her?


    - I''m... not a murderer, I just... My emotions exploded and¡­


    - I want to be clear with you, Deshya.


    The girl looks up at the woman with the long, beautiful white hair.


    - I don''t think you''re a murderer. Or a madwoman. We all have a darker side to us, it''s just the truth of being human and of all things.


    Bibi puts down his pen again and smiles.


    - Like a gun that can be used to protect or kill, our emotions can hurt or heal. It depends on how you use them, how you control them and whether you accept them," she continues.


    - If I accept them..." repeats Deshya.


    - Exactly.


    Bibi smiles and waves her finger.


    - ¡®But feelings can''t be ignored, no matter how unjust or ungrateful they seem¡¯.


    The woman speaks with a good, if not excellent, english accent* and increases the intensity of her smile. Deshya understands the phrase and confirms to Bibi that she knows what it means.


    * (In the story, she says it in english even though they all speak french.)


    - If you really thought you could kill her, that doesn''t make you a murderer. You haven''t killed anyone yet, you just need to find a way to control them a little more and also accept them. You can''t ignore what you feel. Nobody''s perfect, after all.


    It''s a truth Deshya will never deny. She never thought she was above the rest, let alone perfect. Sure, she can get a bit carried away and think she''s smarter than some, but she doesn''t brag about it all that much. She knows herself well, but when she thinks back to what she thought and yelled at Mishra, Deshya wonders if, deep down, she doesn''t know much about herself. She admires Bibi before asking her a question she''s been thinking about for years in her head.


    - Should I be afraid of myself...?


    The sudden question seemed to surprise the psychologist, but her look of surprise quickly disappeared, giving way to a much softer expression.


    - That''s a question only you can answer, but if I can give you my opinion, I don''t think you should. I only know you from your father, but he speaks very highly of you. You''re not violent, you''re fun and you radiate joie de vivre, but you''re not good at controlling your own emotions. What''s more, you may be holding on a little too tightly, so things can spill over, but since you''ve never been in such a stressful situation, it''s normal for things to be complicated and new for you," Bibi calmly explains.


    - What do you mean?


    - Whether you understand it or not, seeing so many dead people, in real life, in such a short space of time, plays on your mind. You know yourself a lot better than I do, but as strong as you are psychologically, your stress level must have been very high. You couldn''t hold it in any longer, so you exploded. You let it all out, screaming, flailing and redirecting everything you felt towards that woman. I learned about the situation from your father, and why this woman had taken the child. She wasn''t an innocent woman, so I can understand why you felt a lot of rage towards her, especially as she wanted to kill the baby in the end.


    - That''s what made me angry..." admits Deshya.


    - I can understand that. I can''t stay too long, but I can give you some advice.


    Bibi tucks her bic into her jacket pocket and lays both hands bound on the table in front of her.


    - Even people like your father, some of your friends and even me have felt very intense emotions. Some are more sensitive than others, but I don''t know any human being who has never wanted to hurt another. You can find the nicest person in the world, but I''m convinced that there''s at least one time, even several times, when they''ve wanted to hurt someone. That she was jealous, that she felt anger towards someone. Even if it takes time, we all end up feeling hatred towards someone, something, or even a certain group.


    Bibi folds the sheet of paper on which she has written a few words while continuing her sentences.


    - We all have our reasons. Some feel hatred towards people who are generally nice, but who are not compatible with them. Some wish death on people they don''t really know simply because they belong to a certain group. Some hope their friend, or even partner, will suffer. Even people who love each other can think horrible things. But does that mean they really mean it? Will they go so far as to hurt or even kill each other?


    Bibi passes the folded sheet to Deshya as she closes her eyes, her smile as calm as ever on her face.


    - I think humans are full of bad vibes, negative feelings, forbidden emotions, but we have to accept ourselves that way. You may have wanted the woman in front of you to suffer, you may even have wanted to hit her, maybe even kill her, but would you have done it? Only you can know the answer. If you think you''re capable of killing another human being without feeling pain, then talk about it: it can be cured, or you can be followed. If you think you could kill, but it would make you sick, then know that it doesn''t make you strange or different.


    Bibi slowly rises from his chair and places her hand on Deshya''s hood.


    - You''re a normal human like the rest of us.


    The psychologist''s words act like an arrow piercing Deshya''s heart, but without hurting her: no, it''s the opposite. Deshya swallows a sob and trembles, to which Bibi replies with:


    - If we think that all humans can kill under anger or emotion, then I think it''s the end of the world in a few hours. I''m willing to follow you once a week, or once every two weeks, but I haven''t felt any malice on your part.


    Deshya doesn''t dare answer for fear of starting to cry: she doesn''t like to be seen shedding tears. She even hates it. Bibi notices the girl''s silence and decides not to insist. She picks up her things, except for the unimportant leaf she leaves Deshya, and stands up completely.


    - Just be careful not to let your emotions get the better of you, and don''t hesitate to let go of everything, whether you''re meditating or discussing what you''re feeling with a friend, even anonymously on the internet.


    - A-All right¡­


    Deshya rises in turn and bows politely and in thanks. Bibi simply smiles at her and explains that she will speak to her father about seeing her again, but first asks Deshya''s opinion.


    - Do you think you need a few sessions with me or do you want to believe blindly in yourself?


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Deshya replies that she is happy to talk to Bibi about her emotions and to be followed. Bibi is happy to hear this and promises to meet up again and quickly. Deshya thanks her again and opens the door.


    - Good night, Deshya," Bibi said gently.


    - To you too, Bibi!" replies Deshya, a big smile on her face.


    She then closes the door behind the psychologist, after waving her hand in the air several times, and turns around. There she sees her father in the stairwell, hands in his pockets.


    - So you''ll see each other again..." he says.


    - She seems very nice, very friendly and seems to use her words well. I like her.


    Gatito descends the few steps and places both feet on the stone of the entrance hall.


    - Bibi is a very good person, still young, who understands people very well. Honestly, she impresses me sometimes," he admits.


    - Even though it was short, it felt good to talk about it¡­


    Deshya sighs with relief and removes her fox sweater before letting it hang on the coat rack. Unlike most of the time, Deshya is dressed in a pajama that looks like a t-shirt, as well as comfortable shorts that reach her mid thighs. Gatito takes her hands out of her pockets and crosses her arms, one foot against the other wall behind him.


    - I haven''t listened to your conversation, but I''d still like to say something to you as a father and a policeman.


    - What''s that?" his daughter asks, rubbing her red hair.


    - As a policeman, I just want to warn you that murder in real life doesn''t have the same effect as in fiction. Seeing a real corpse in front of you, who moreover is someone killed, is not a game. Police investigations aren''t there to amuse people by finding out who the murderer is. It''s not a game of Cluedo.


    - I know, but¡­


    - You may know this, but I hope I don''t have to remind you of your behavior during the investigations?


    Gatito offers his daughter a rather cold look, but the latter is aware that her father''s words are full of truth and good intentions. Deshya replies that she doesn''t need a reminder from him: she remembers perfectly. The way she was almost amused when she revealed that Koinu was the murderer, her newfound love for offering her deductions to others in front of her, as well as her hot bloodedness that led her to jump on a culprit, as well as hit him and wish him dead. Deshya blames herself for her behavior, but she knows herself: it''s her way to be. Mystery intrigues her, even if it involves real life. From enigma to murder. From code to crime. Gatito approaches his daughter and looks down on her, which worries the half-fox, especially as he raises a hand¡­


    But he simply strokes the part of his skull between his ears.


    - As your father, I just want to say that I''m proud of you and that you''d make a great detective.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and admires her father.


    - You still have a lot of work to do, especially on your way of doing things, your emotions and your own mind, but I''m impressed with you. On the other hand, please take care of yourself.


    - Dad¡­


    - I mean it: take care of yourself. Both physically and psychologically.


    He stops stroking his daughter''s head and stretches before scratching his right ear. Deshya flashes him a big, beautiful smile before putting her arms around him.


    - I swear. Sorry again about tonight.


    - Don''t yell at someone to go die anymore, it hurts me to hear it from you.


    - Hihi, sorry.


    - Well, she kind of deserved it¡­


    Gatito gives a wry smile and her daughter starts to laugh. Just when she thought the night was going to go badly for her, she happily returns to her room and promptly falls asleep, Korone having caught the big fox plushie in her own sleep. Recalling the words of Bibi Derumi and her father, Deshya plunges into the world of dreams without nightmares of the investigation she has solved today.


    CHAPTER 31


    ?Bibi Derumi ; Raiji Harmony?


    - How are you Deshya?


    - Hi, Deshya!


    - Hello, our little foxy!


    Like almost every school morning, Deshya is greeted at school with many greetings. She answers everyone with a smile, Amora right by her side. Some students wish Deshya a good day as well as the girl with the long pink hair too, giving her even more energy for what''s to come. However, she saw almost no one on her way to school, given that today, like all future Tuesdays, she starts 2 hours later than normal. Anyway, the students who say hello to her are in the playground, after she''s arrived alongside her best friend, Amora Takt. Deshya arrived just as recess was about to begin, to have time to chat with some friends before classes started. A girl comes running up to her and Amora, waving high. Deshya turns to the long-haired girl and returns her smile. However, it''s Amora who pronounces her name first.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    - Laaaam!! How are you?


    The two friends hold hands and Deshya approaches them in turn.


    - Yo, Lam. Are you okay?" she asks.


    - Yes, everything''s fine! And you two?" replies Lam.


    - I''m doing great!


    - A little mentally tired, but all''s well.


    - Mentally tired? What''s going on?


    Lam takes an interest in the case of his friend with the fox sweater, and Deshya explains what happened yesterday without telling her the end of the story with her screams of rage. Even Amora doesn''t know the truth: it''s just between her father, Sammy and Bibi.


    - Also Korone... It''s true she knows," Deshya thinks.


    She couldn''t hide the truth from her, as she had started crying in her bed, where Korone had heard her. The little girl had chatted with her for a few moments before falling asleep, which had managed to calm Deshya down. She forgot to thank her for this: she won''t forget to do so today.


    - It''s great that you managed to stop the woman! Kidnapping an 8-month-old kid, that''s not a good idea..." says Lam.


    The girl sighs, shaking her head, unable to understand the mind of such a person. Amora agrees with her bleached-haired friend and crosses her arms.


    - I''m glad Micha?l was able to find his brother, but still! That woman, grr¡­


    - We didn''t think she''d dare take Byron away from us, but we''ve changed where the key was and won''t tell anyone else.


    A boy comes up behind Deshya and her friends, startling the girl with the long fox tail. He gently shakes his hand and greets the group of friends.


    - Sorry to surprise you, I just saw you arrive and wanted to say hello, Deshya," Micha?l told her.


    Unlike yesterday, his expression is livelier and happier. He''s no longer as pale, and the tears he couldn''t hold back yesterday have left no mark on his cheeks. Deshya smiles at him and asks how he''s doing. He answers honestly and explains that they''ll be more careful with their home security, which reassures Deshya. Lam greets Micha?l when he has finished his sentences.


    - Do you know each other?" asks Deshya.


    - Not a lot, but yes!" replies Micha?l.


    - Just goes to show¡­


    Micha?l tells them he has to talk to some friends, but before leaving, he hugs Deshya and thanks her again before running off, his cheeks all red. Amora stands next to her best friend and flashes a radiant smile, even brighter than the sun over their heads.


    - You''re going to be a living legend, if this keeps up!" she says.


    - I think you''re exaggerating..." admits Deshya. Besides, the police didn''t need my help.


    Sammy had also understood that ''Mishra Joyti'' was the one who had kidnapped Byron Elrick at the same time as Deshya. Admittedly, they hadn''t understood each other in the same way, but that didn''t really matter: they could have solved the case without her. She was pleased that Michael had come to thank her, but felt that she hadn''t been as much help as she had been with the murder of Korone''s adoptive parents or Kyria Blushark''s father.


    - I still saved Byron from death, but would my father really have let him?


    Deshya had been enraged, so she hadn''t paid much attention to her surroundings, but she clearly remembered seeing her father point the gun at the woman. He would most likely have shot her in the arm or leg to stop her, and one of the other policemen would have jumped in to save Byron in any case. Deshya sighed, not wanting to think about it any more, and then another boy approached the group. This time too, it was someone Deshya didn''t know well, but unlike Michael, whom she''d never met, this one was a boy she recognized and had already spoken to this year: it was the second day of school, the day she went to confess the truth to the Blushark family about the murder committed. What''s more, he''s a friend of Amora''s. With a wireless headset around his neck and messy black hair, this boy is called¡ª


    - Raiji!


    Amora jumps on the boy, who takes her in his arms, giggling. The two of them start chatting while Lam stands by Deshya.


    - They always get on so well," she remarks with amusement.


    - I don''t know him well, personally..." Deshya admits sadly.


    - Oh, I thought you''d know Raiji well, given his personality!


    - His personality?" asks Deshya, interested.


    Lam smiles and pats her friend with her elbow.


    - Well, get to know him and you''ll see what I mean!


    - Ah¡­


    Deshya is disappointed that she can''t find out directly, but she understands Lam: it''s more fun to get to know someone than to know everything at once. Amora stops hugging Raiji, who makes sure his helmet is securely fastened around his neck before facing Deshya.


    - Deshya, I wanted to ask you something!


    - What is it?


    - Would you like to get to know each other a little more, both of us??" he suggests. I like to go to the park near here on Wednesdays, so I was wondering if you''d like to come.


    A proposal without hesitation, without even blushing in embarrassment or beating around the bush for fear of her answer. Seeing her confidence, Deshya accepts directly, without even thinking about it, which greatly pleases Raiji.


    - But which park?" she asks.


    - Linda Park, if that''s okay with you!" replies Raiji.


    - Perfect for me.


    - Tomorrow, around 1:10 pm?


    - Of course.


    - Great, thanks!


    Raiji shakes his hand in the air and thanks her before running over to Abdoul Ferino. The two start chatting together, leaving the three friends behind. Amora happily grabs Deshya''s arm.


    - I hope you get on well together!" wishes Amora.


    - If he gets on well, it should be fine," Deshya replies honestly.


    - He''s cool, I''m not worried!


    Deshya has no doubts about her friend''s words and watches Raiji walk further away. Being able to chat and meet a new person would do her a world of good and would allow her to rest, not think about everything she''s going through and even reduce the stress that''s been building up inside her. Deshya happily accepts Raiji''s offer and really hopes she''ll get on well with him. Amora smiles.


    - Plus, as far as I know, he''s a fan of ''Waffie'' too!" she tells him.


    Deshya turns his face towards her in astonishment.


    - Really?!


    - Hm! You''ll have to ask him though, but I think so, hm hm!


    ¡®Waffie¡¯ is the pseudonym of the vtuber Deshya actively follows and adores. This week, she announced on her Twatter that she wasn''t going to be around much, which saddened Deshya who would have liked to clear her head by watching her streams. However, this is not a possibility, given that she has announced that she will only be free on Thursday. Deshya is therefore looking forward to her return. The end-of-school bell rings a few moments later, before Deshya has a chance to chat with Maruno or Tessa. She goes to class hoping to talk to them during lunchtime.


    Deshya returned home around 5.00 pm after chatting for a few minutes with Amora and Lam on the way. It''s been a restful day and she''s learned a lot of interesting things. She is greeted by little Korone, who opens the door with a big smile. Deshya lifts her into the air and greets her, returning her beautiful smile.


    - How are you?" asked Korone.


    - I''m doing great, how are you?


    - I''ll feel better if you give me a hug!


    Deshya closes the door behind with her foot, laughing as she takes the little girl in her arms, one hand on the back of her head. Korone joyfully embraces the girl, and Deshya''s mother Pera comes to meet them.


    - Did you have a good day at school, darling?" asks the woman with the long red hair.


    Like most of the time, she''s dressed in comfortable pajamas, albeit a little too big for her. Her daughter puts Korone down and nods in response to her mother.


    - And how are you?" asks Deshya.


    - Not up to scratch, so it''s okay if I buy pizzas for tonight...?


    - ...okay.


    Deshya looks at her mother with a chagrined expression, but Pera smiles and reassures her that it''s nothing serious and that she''ll get better with sleep, given that she slept badly last night. Deshya decides to believe her and kicks off her shoes, Korone moving about beside her.


    - Saaayyyyyyy, why isn''t your mom doing so well? You seem worried about her¡­


    Deshya stood up and stripped off her fox sweater before turning her attention to the little girl. She doesn''t answer her directly and goes to hang her sweater on the coat rack. Not wanting to leave the little girl without an answer, she stoops in front of her and simply tells her that sometimes her mother doesn''t feel at her best, but that she needn''t worry any more than that. Korone finally nods and watches Deshya head for the kitchen.


    - Not to worry¡­


    Yet Korone knows something Deshya hasn''t seen. Her mother''s behavior... or rather, her crying. Korone squints, but when Deshya calls her, she smiles and follows her, jumping up and down with joy: she doesn''t want to think about it any more, preferring to enjoy the return of the daughter she adores so much. Time passes and the pizzas arrive a little before 8pm. Gatito has returned from his police work and tells them that he may have to return to his post sooner than expected, so he talks with his daughter while eating his supper. She tells both her parents and Korone that tomorrow, after school, she''s going to meet a boy called ''Raiji Harmony'' who is a very good friend of Amora''s and wants to meet her and learn more about her so they can become friends. Her joy can be felt in her voice, and her beaming expression proves even more that she''s really looking forward to meeting him tomorrow. She explains that they''re going to meet at 1.10pm, in Linda Park, the one about 10 minutes'' walk from the Tetazo school where she studies. Korone asks her if she can come too, but Deshya says she''d rather go alone. The little girl accepts without grumbling, but she doesn''t hide her disappointment. She takes a bite of her pizza and Pera giggles, saying she thinks Korone is super cute. Korone blushes and thanks her, which makes Deshya and Gatito laugh. The supper continues and ends with a smile.


    A few minutes later, Deshya and Korone go up to their room, but before going to sleep, the girl with the fox-like attributes sits down in front of her computer and quickly taps the keys on her keyboard. Korone sits on the corner of the bed and watches the screen, asking the girl what she''s doing.


    - I''m just checking the news on the internet... I''m also going to say good night to some friends, that''s all," she replies.


    - Anything interesting on the internet so far?


    - I don''t see anything special... Minos hasn''t given any news... No detective that I am has said anything, anyway.


    Deshya is disappointed not to see anything interesting on the web, so she decides to have a quick chat with some friends before turning off the light and lying down on the soft bed.


    - Good night, Korone.


    - Good night, Deshya.


    The little girl grabs Deshya''s fluffy fox tail and smiles as she closes her eyes, falling asleep in a comfortable pose.


    As expected, it was a good night''s sleep for both girls. Deshya is the first to get up, but as she gets out of bed, she is forced to wake Korone in turn. They both brush their teeth together, and as Deshya has only a few minutes before leaving for school, she takes a quick shower. She then gets dressed and decides that today she''ll wear her blue fox sweater instead of the dark orange one. Korone first eats breakfast with Deshya before taking her turn in the shower.


    - See you tonight! Have a nice day!" said Deshya.


    She leaves just as Korone has finished showering and heads downstairs to the entrance hall. She waves her hand at Deshya, who returns the gesture before closing the door behind her. Korone looks at Gatito and smiles.


    - Are you going to work too?" asks the little girl.


    The man turns to her, coffee cup in hand, and shakes his head.


    - I''m off today. If something very serious requires my intervention, then I''ll go, which is why I keep my phone in my pocket. It''ll make a sound if I''m called," he explains.


    - He, I see!


    - Since I''ve got the day off, I can look after you while my wife goes shopping and gets some rest. She didn''t sleep very well today.


    - Again? She didn''t sleep well yesterday either¡­


    - ¡­


    Gatito says nothing to Korone and suggests a little board game with cards. The granddaughter accepts with a big smile and runs to the kitchen, initially wanting to play with the big dog named ''N¨¦ro''. Gatito leaves her to it, heading for the office that doubles as the living room, where the big cupboard with all the board games is also located. On the laptop in the room, his wife is looking at a few sites with little eyes. Gatito simply asks her if she''s okay, but when she replies that she''ll go and rest after shopping, he just kisses her on the cheek and begs her to rest. She smiles and promises she''ll sleep well, which reassures the policeman.


    Hours go by, and finally the bell rings to warn the students in the three 4th grade classes that they can now leave the school and that the school day is over. Raiji greets Deshya and warns her that he''ll be there on time: he needs to have a little chat with his family and return a book to a friend before coming.


    - No problem!" replies Deshya.


    She leaves happily, but Amora catches up with her and starts chatting. The two talk until their paths diverge, and Deshya heads for Linda Park, south of the Tetazo school. She hasn''t been there often, but as far as she knows, it''s often quiet and few people go there. This isn''t because it''s not worth visiting, but because Am¨¦lie Park attracts more people. It''s a bigger, more diverse place, with a soccer pitch right next door. On weekends, Linda Park receives far more visitors, so going there during the week is often a good idea and recommended. Deshya understands why Raiji wants to chat with her there, as there will be less noise and passers-by everywhere. She hesitates to pick up some food on the way, but decides to go straight there and wait for Raiji: she''ll pick up food later if she has to.


    She soon arrives at Linda Park and admires it with pleasure. There''s no sound, and although she notices an adult couple on a bench near the small forest that borders the park, she can''t see anyone around. As always, Linda''s park is quiet and almost empty. The grass is a magnificent green, and the few trees are well tended, healthy and as beautiful as you''d find in a nature book. The air is fresh and the fountain in the middle of the park is visible even from the street. Deshya heads for an empty bench, right next to a half filled garbage can, and waits there. She wonders what Raiji''s personality is like, given that he''s a very good friend of Amora''s. She remembers the time they had a quick talk during class, but she can''t make much out of it, except that he seems to have a lot of energy in him. She can''t imagine the conversations between him and Amora... She''s tired just thinking about it. Deshya looks around, enjoying the relaxing chirps of the birds. She can''t see them, even with her keen eyes, but she can hear them clearly. Unfortunately for Deshya, she doesn''t know much about bird breeds, so she can''t guess which ones she''s hearing now. She can guess, but that''s where her limit lies. While she admires her surroundings, she noticed something out of the corner of her eye and turned her attention to the forest bordering the park. The girl with the long fox tail can''t quite make out what she''s just observed, but she''s certain it was a glint... One that was quick and feigned, meaning that a beam of light probably bounced off something in the forest. Deshya wonders why she can''t see him anymore. Her curiosity begins to get the better of her, and after turning her head in all directions to check whether Raiji has arrived, she decides to get up from the bench and run towards the source of the light. She just wants to know what she''s perceived out of the corner of her eye. Deshya arrives at the edge of the forest and looks ahead, since she can''t go directly there: high bars separate the park from the dark forest, although it''s possible to simply walk around them without difficulty. She squinted her eyes and finally saw what she had glimpsed so quickly before.


    A person hidden by a long black coat with a hammer in their hand. Having just killed someone else.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and takes a step back. The murderer quickly turns his face to his left, where the girl in the fox sweater is standing. They stare at each other for a few moments before Deshya turns on her heel and runs off, grabbing her phone. She quickly types in her code and opens her message application before opening one of the boxes. She begins to write down as briefly as possible what she''s just seen, but as she runs¡­


    Someone hit her on the head.


    Deshya closes her eyes in pain and tries to scream, but a black veil obscures her vision before she can: it''s her eyelids. She falls to the ground, dropping her phone which bounces a little further away. The person who has just hit her walks over to her phone and observes carefully, noticing that the girl hasn''t turned it off, but must have wanted to write to someone or make a phone call. When they turn back to the person with the fox sweater they just knocked out, who saw the crime, they think it over and finally recognizes her.


    - It''s Deshya Oveja...!


    The person moves towards her and stops in front of her unconscious body. Deshya is still breathing and is now sleeping peacefully because of the blow to the back of her head. The person looks at Deshya''s phone and smiles broadly.


    Five minutes later, Raiji arrives at Linda Park and removes his helmet from his ears to place it around his neck. He checks once again that he has enough money to invite Deshya for a snack afterwards and then stops by a bench. He observes his surroundings, but doesn''t see the girl anywhere. Raiji wonders where she is, given that she told him she''d come straight here, but decides to simply shrug and sit down on the bench.


    At the same time, Gatito Oveja watches a soccer match on another continent, that of Ar¨¨pe. One of his favorite bands is playing, and so far the score is still 0 - 0. Right beside him is little Korone, happily eating a peanut butter sandwich. Pera Dimera came home with three bags of shopping and put everything away with her husband''s help before going upstairs to rest. Korone admires the TV with the imposing man sitting in the chair right next to her, although soccer is not her favorite sport. Neither to play nor to watch. Nevertheless, Gatito''s reactions make her laugh and make the experience more enjoyable. As the two of them dine together, the policeman''s phone begins to buzz: it''s ''La Stravaganza'', a symphony by ''Vivaldi''. He hastily swallows what''s in his mouth and looks at his phone to notice that it''s his daughter calling. He picks up and locks the phone between his right ear and his shoulder, taking his meal in his hands.


    - What is it, Deshya?


    - She''s not your daughter.


    Gatito squints and stands still, stopping the fork just in front of his mouth. Korone notices and turns to him in surprise.


    For his part, Raiji wonders where Deshya is. He grabs his phone, which he has put on silent, and checks to see if she''s told him she''ll be late or if there''s any inconvenience: he can''t believe she''d leave him hanging without saying anything. Before starting to doubt, he decides to check her messages. He notices that Deshya has sent him something. He opens the message box, but frowns when he sees the message.


    Gatito puts down his fork and takes his phone in his hand.


    - Who are you? What do you want?


    - I have your daughter as a hostage. She''s beside me, unconscious.


    Gatito grits his teeth. Korone stands up on her chair and puts her ear to the phone to hear what her sister is saying, but she notices that it''s an incomprehensible voice: it''s impossible to tell whether it''s a girl or a boy, or even a man talking.


    - I''m not going to repeat myself: I want the sum of 300,000 euros in cash, in a bag that will be taken to us discreetly. If there''s the slightest sensor or microphone in it, I''ll kill your daughter with one shot, Gatito Oveja, Mr. Inspector.


    Korone swallows loudly and Gatito clutches his phone.


    - I''ll call you back in a few minutes with instructions. If you try to do anything or lie about the money, I won''t hesitate to kill your daughter with a single edge.


    - Wai¡ª


    Before Gatito can speak, the person on the other end of the line hangs up, having no interest in listening to him. Korone jumps out of his chair and Gatito stands up, banging a fist against his own thigh. He puts his phone away and turns off the TV before running down the hall. Korone follows him and asks where he''s going, to which he hastily replies:


    - Linda Park.


    For his part, Raiji looked at his phone with incomprehension. The message he had just received from Deshya, some 7 minutes earlier¡­


    - What does this mean?


    The message he received from her was as follows:


    ¡°Killer Gl¡±*


    * (In french, it¡¯s ¡®Tueur Lune¡¯, which translates to ¡®Killer Moon¡¯. In this context, it wouldn¡¯t make sense, so it will be changed. Remember this to understand what will happen in the next chapters of this Case. Sorry for not being able to translate it better. Really sorry.)

 32 -?The Fox-Eared Eye Witness Kidnapping Case ; Suspects and Alibis?(CASE6)

    <hr>


    Raiji Harmony asked Deshya Oveja to meet him at Linda Park this Wednesday, September 07, a park just south of the school that''s only a five-minute walk away. The girl in the fox sweater happily accepted, and that very day she went to the park straight after school. Raiji had warned her in advance that he would arrive a few minutes late to chat with his family and a friend. As Deshya waits patiently for him on a park bench, a small sliver of light from the forest that runs alongside the park, separated by large metal bars, catches her eye when she sees it out of the corner of her eye. She runs over to check what it is, but what she sees there shocks her.


    A murder.


    The culprit is dressed in a long black jacket, but he turns to Deshya who quickly runs off, grabbing her phone. She writes a message, but on the way she gets hit on the back of the head and falls to the ground, unconscious, her phone still on. The person who knocked Deshya unconscious takes it in his hands and observes her before recognizing the girl he has just assaulted: the daughter of Gatito Oveja, a popular police inspector in Tetazo, as well as a girl who is no stranger to the town''s inhabitants. Taking this into account, the culprit smiles and a few minutes later calls Gatito on Deshya''s phone and asks for a total of 300,000 euros in cash, although instructions are not yet given on his part: he''ll call back in a few minutes to explain what needs to be done. For his part, having arrived at Linda Park just seconds before Gatito receives the call, Raiji arrives as planned to meet Deshya, but doesn''t see her.


    After waiting a while, he decides to check his messages for one from Deshya. When he looks at what he''s received from her, he frowns in puzzlement and incomprehension. The short message Deshya had sent him a few minutes earlier¡­


    - ¡®Killer Gl...?¡¯¡± wonders Raiji, thinking out loud.


    He scratches his hair, trying to figure out what it means. He hesitates to send her a message, but prefers to put his phone away, turn it off and keep waiting: he thinks there''s a good chance she didn''t send him that message on purpose.


    - Come to Linda Park, right now!" shouts Gatito in his phone.


    He gets into his car and turns it on. Korone jumps in behind him and he turns to her.


    - Korone?!


    - I want to help find Deshya!" she replies, closing the car door.


    - But¡ª


    - I don''t want to stay at home on my own¡­


    Gatito clenches his hands on the steering wheel, but having no time to think about it any longer, he closes the door in turn and orders Korone to fasten his seatbelt. She accepts and complies directly, a serious look on her face. Gatito turns on the radio, which is currently playing ''Sweet Child O'' Mine'', and backs up with the car to find himself on the road to his street. He''s called Sammy, who claims to be on his way to the park, and has only one thing on his mind: finding his daughter. What''s more, he''s already called his banker and the chief of police. Now they must find Deshya before anything bad happens to her.


    CHAPTER 32


    ?The Fox-Eared Eye Witness Kidnapping Case ; Suspects and Alibis?


    - Maybe I should send her a message¡­


    Raiji taps his own chest with his forefinger, looking sadly at the phone in his other hand. Deshya still hasn''t arrived even though it''s 1.20pm, which is starting to worry him. Has she simply given up on seeing him, or is she late for some unexplained reason? He even imagines that she''s met a friend on the way and simply decided to follow and chat with him, forgetting about her appointment with Raiji. The latter sighs and hesitates to send Deshya a message to find out the truth. If she doesn''t want to see him after all, he''d prefer her to be honest with him¡­


    - Yet Deshya seemed happy to meet me... Plus, she sent me a strange message... Killer Gl? Why did she send me this¡­?


    He doesn''t understand the meaning of these two words at all, but he doesn''t think about it any further: he''s just disappointed that Deshya isn''t coming. He sighs and decides that if she''s not here in five minutes, he''ll send her a message to find out what''s going on. He''s wanted to talk to her and meet her for so long, especially since he sees Amora as his best friend and she herself is Deshya''s best friend, and vice versa. He was so happy when Deshya agreed to get to know him, so now that she''s leaving him in the lurch... He sighs again and stares at the ground.


    - Maybe I''m not good enough...?


    He''s about to listen to some music when he hears the sound o f an approaching car. He looks up and admires the vehicle as it suddenly brakes and stops on the opposite side of the street. A red-haired man gets out and then a little girl with snow-white hair. Raiji watches them from his bench, his phone still in his hands. He notices that they are both running towards the park. The man grabs his phone and answers someone, while the little girl stops in front of the boy.


    - Are you Raiji?" she asks.


    - H-Huh? Do we know each other?


    She shakes her head.


    - Deshya told me she had to meet you here today.


    Raiji stares at the little girl in surprise. She offers him a very serious look, her violet eyes staring into Raiji''s green ones.


    - That''s me, but you''re...?


    - My name is Korone! I wanted to ask you, have you seen Deshya?


    - No, she hasn''t arrived yet¡­


    - ¡­


    Korone slowly bows her head. At the same moment, two new cars arrive on the street, attracting the attention of the two children. Gatito returns to their side and heads towards the vehicles. Raiji rises from the bench and squints.


    - What''s going on here...?" he thinks aloud.


    Korone doesn''t answer his question and walks calmly towards the cars in turn. Raiji decides to follow her, since she seems to know Deshya. Her beautiful white hair attracts his attention, so he observes it as he walks alongside her. From both cars, men and women from the police get out, and Korone recognizes two of them, one being the detective who was at Deshya''s side during the murder of her adoptive parents, Sammy, and the woman being the one who analyzed the two corpses, Annie. The latter is chatting with Gatito, but on noticing the snowy-haired little girl, she stops and stoops down.


    - Oh, Korone! How are you?" asks the woman.


    - All''s well! How about you?


    - I''m okay, too. What are you doing here?


    Sammy nods after chatting with Gatito and calls two policemen before running to Linda Park. Gatito turns to Annie and Korone, but his attention is directly redirected to the black-haired boy.


    - Who are you?" asks Gatito. Would you be¡­


    - My name is Raiji Harmony. I need to see Deshya today, here¡­


    Gatito tucks both hands into his trouser pockets and Annie stands up after stroking Korone''s hair.


    - Have you run into my daughter, by any chance?" asks Gatito.


    - I was waiting for her, but I didn''t see her... What exactly is going on...?


    He''s confused to see the police arrive in the park like this. Annie is called by a woman in uniform, who shakes her hand high in the sky. Gatito watches her from a distance before thinking. Korone and Raiji stare at him intently, distracting the man who finally lets out a grunt.


    - Rah, I have to see what''s going on over there, I''ll explain right after. You two can follow me.


    Gatito starts running towards the woman who is called Annie, followed by Raiji and Korone. The boy turns his gaze to the little girl.


    - I hope Deshya is well...?


    - She should do well.


    - S-Should...?


    Korone''s answer didn''t exactly reassure Raiji. He swallows loudly and continues to run behind the red haired policeman. At last they reach the policewoman, who points to the forest just behind the metal bars.


    - Go and see over there!" she said.


    - All right.


    Gatito nods and runs towards the forest, where several policemen are. Raiji is still confused and his heart is racing. He wants to know what''s really going on... Why does his father seem so worried? They arrive at the bars and there¡ª


    - What the¡ª?!!


    Raiji stepped back, eyes wide open. In front of him, in the darkness of the forest, a motionless body lies in the arms of one of the policemen.


    - De-Deshya?!


    Raiji takes another step back, but Gatito suddenly turns and shouts at the boy.


    - She''s not my daughter!


    - A-Ah?


    Raiji blinks and the policeman bites his thumb.


    - On the other hand, what does it mean...?" wonders the red-haired man.


    - Inspector!


    Sammy walks around the bars back into the park and stops right in front of the policeman.


    - Annie will check the cause of death and we''ll look for the girl''s identity, but her body is still quite warm and not yet in the rigor mortis stage.


    - Is she dead?


    Sammy sadly replies that this is the case. Gatito squints, but before he can say anything, Korone speaks up.


    - Is it possible that Deshya was kidnapped because she saw the criminal?


    They all turn to her. Korone watches Gatito with serious eyes, standing right next to Raiji.


    - Ah... Wait, kidnapped?!


    Raiji opens his eyes wide and screams. Sammy looks at Gatito with surprise and the inspector scratches his hair.


    - Raaah, that''s annoying... I''ll explain everything, but find out the girl''s identity," he orders.


    He tucks his hands into his trouser pockets before gesturing with his head for Raiji to follow. Korone watches them go, but she''s not going to listen to their conversation: she passes between the two metal bars and goes to observe the girl''s body.


    - Ko-Korone?!" shouts Sammy.


    He tries to catch her, but she''s faster. She slips between two policemen and looks at the girl''s body. She''s bleeding from the back of her head, staining her long, beautiful blond hair. Her expression is rather calm and her mouth is still open. It''s clear that she died from the blow to the back of the head, but Korone understands that it''s best to check whether this is the real reason or just a cover-up. The little girl wants to analyze the corpse a little more, but a policewoman grabs her by the collar and lifts her off the ground.


    - You can''t be here..." she said.


    - Sooowwyyyyyyy..." replies Korone with beaten-dog eyes.


    The policewoman forces her back to the park and Korone touches her chin.


    - Deshya must have seen the murder while she was waiting for Raiji... She was abducted by the criminal precisely because she knows who did it. If that''s the case, it''s highly likely that Deshya will be killed, even after paying the ransom..." she thinks.


    This greatly worried the little girl, who stopped in front of the man chatting with the boy. Gatito explained the situation to Raiji, about the call he had received and the ransom demand of 300,000 euros. The teenager feels bad for having started to believe that Deshya had simply abandoned him, when in reality she had arrived here straight from school. He feels like punching himself in the face for his stupidity, but remains calm and touches the phone in his pocket.


    - So, this message¡­


    Raiji takes out his cell phone and looks at him wide eyed. Korone questions him with his eyes, the same reaction as the police inspector next to him. The boy thought that what he had received from Deshya was simply a mistake, but now he understands that the reality behind those two words is totally different.


    - I see... So¡­


    He turns on his phone and returns to his messages application before gritting his teeth.


    - This message¡­


    - What are you talking about...?


    Raiji turns his gaze to the policeman.


    - If it''s like the little girl said and she was kidnapped because she saw the murder and most likely the criminal, then the message she sent me makes sense," he says.


    - Any message?


    - That''s why the criminal managed to call from Deshya''s phone, because she sent a message to Raiji!" thinks Korone.


    She was just wondering how the culprit managed to call from her phone, given that her phone is blocked by a long code. What''s more, given Deshya''s personality and intelligence, Korone is convinced that the password is a long and complicated one to find, if not impossible without getting into the girl''s brain. If she sent a message to Raiji because she saw the murder, Korone would understand how the culprit managed to call Gatito from the phone. Raiji shows the inspector his, and Korone stands on her tiptoes to watch the message about the murder.


    - Killer Gl...?" wonders Gatito.


    - That''s the message I received from him at 1:06pm, but I didn''t see it until a few minutes later, as my phone was on silent and I didn''t take it out until I was afraid I''d been raked over the coals by him¡­


    - A rake... Is this a date to go out with Deshya?" questions Korone with big eyes.


    Raiji looks down at the little girl and, blushing softly, shakes his hands.


    - It''s not that! Deshya is very cute, but I''m not interested in her in that way, I just wanted to become friends with her, since I think she''s super cool.


    - I don''t want to sound annoying, but this isn''t really the time to talk about all this¡­


    Gatito taps his crossed arm with his index and middle fingers, staring at the two youngsters in front of him. Korone smiles apologetically and Raiji admires his phone.


    - Killer Gl¡­


    - She wrote quickly and suspected she wouldn''t have all the time in the world to explain what she saw, so she gave us a clue about the criminal. One that has to do with¡­ Luck? ¡®GL¡¯ as ¡®Good Luck¡¯?


    While Korone ponders this, Sammy returns with new information. Raiji puts his phone away and concentrates on the two men in front of him. An elderly woman runs towards them and stops beside the detective. Korone looks up at her.


    - We''ll check for any poison in her body, but it''s clear that she died from a fatal blow to the back of the head," she says.


    - I see. Thank you, Annie.


    - We also found a faint trace of blood a few yards from the corpse, in the park. Given that the grass appears to have been trampled several times and that someone was lying on it, it''s very likely that this is where Deshya was attacked.


    - I see.


    Gatito asks Sammy if he''s learned anything about the victim, and the detective nods, pulling out his notebook.


    - The victim''s name is ''Claire Dochamps'' and she is a student at Tetazo high school. She is 18 years old and lives with both her parents a few minutes from the park, on the street going downhill. We haven''t contacted them yet, but we found her phone and wallet next to her," he explains.


    - In short, the murder was not committed because of theft?¡± Raiji asks.


    Sammy approves and puts his notebook away.


    - Nothing seems to have been stolen or touched. She was simply killed and left there, without even trying to hide her. The hammer was found a little further away, but no fingerprints were detected.


    - So it''s a homicide..." Korone thought as he looked out over the forest.


    Whoever killed this girl most likely had gloves on and knew what he was doing. Raiji takes his phone in his hands again and, a few moments later, starts tapping on it, which attracts Gatito''s attention.


    - What are you doing?" asks the man.


    - I''m writing to my mother to say that I may be a little later than expected," he admits.


    - Huh...? Ah!


    Gatito frowns in the boy''s direction.


    - You''re not going to follow us, are you?


    Raiji blinks and Korone smiles.


    - Sounds like Deshya!


    - Do all young people these days want to be detectives?" thinks Annie out loud.


    Raiji puts his phone away and puffs out his cheeks.


    - You''ll excuse me, but I feel guilty!" he replies.


    - Guilty?" asks Sammy.


    - I''m the one who asked her to come here, and now she''s been kidnapped by someone who wants 300,000 euros in ransom! If I hadn''t asked her to come here, she''d be sitting at home, eating toast and watching TV.


    Raiji grabs the headphones around his neck and pulls it over his ears before releasing a fiery, determined gaze.


    - I''ll help whether you like it or not! She trusts me enough to have sent me a message before she was kidnapped!!!


    The tone of his voice resonates with everyone next to him. Korone admires him wide-eyed and open-mouthed, while Sammy and Annie break into smiles. Gatito is about to yell at him when the pointy-eared detective places his right hand on the man''s left shoulder.


    - Well, he can come if he likes. I don''t blame him: I want to rescue Deshya as quickly as possible," he says.


    - Sammy?


    - He''s right. You don''t need me, but if I find out anything, I''ll call you," says Annie.


    - You too, Annie¡­


    The lady giggles as she returns to the corpse''s side, even though it''s already being carried in a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance. Gatito turns and sighs, having to accept the truth.


    - If you want..." drops the man. Sammy, let''s go talk to the parents, maybe we''ll get a lead there.


    Sammy accepts, but before they can start moving, Gatito''s phone plays its melody: someone is calling him. He jerks his cell phone out of his pocket and everyone turns to him. Korone jumps into the arms of the police inspector holding her and answers the call.


    The one from Deshya''s phone.


    - Hello?


    - Let me be very clear and quick. I want 300,000 euros in a bag with no microphone or anything but money in it, or I kill Deshya directly.


    - There''s no need to be aggressive like that.


    - I just want to be understood.


    - Where would you like us to deposit the money?


    Korone''s facial expression changes after the man''s words. She''d have thought he''d be stalling for time and wouldn''t accept the kidnapper''s terms, especially as Deshya''s chances of survival are very slim. So she assumes he has an ulterior motive or is lying about the ransom.


    - I want someone who isn''t a member of the police to take the money to us. For example, the dark-haired boy next to you. He''s perfect.


    Gatito opens his eyes wide and yells at Sammy to look around for someone watching them. Korone squeezes Gatito''s arm, turning his face in all directions. However¡ª


    - There''s no point in looking for me. I saw you a few minutes ago, I''m not here anymore. If the boy is no longer with you, call him back or find another student from Tetazo''s school," says the voice on the other side of the phone.


    - We can''t risk the life of a teenager without being convinced of his safety and that of the hostage.


    - If I receive money, I have no reason to kill your daughter or the boy. I won''t accept the bag with the bills if it''s not from him.


    Gatito turns to Raiji, who questions him with his eyes. The policeman holds out the phone and takes a deep breath.


    - He wants you to take the bag with the money," explains the inspector.


    - Me?


    Raiji points at himself, surprised. Gatito nods and takes his phone away from his mouth.


    - You don''t have to accept.


    The boy removes the headphones from his ears and stares at the man in front of him, his cell phone in his hand. He freezes, wondering what to answer. Noticing the boy''s lack of response, Gatito brings the phone up to his ear again and continues his discussion with the person on the other side of the line.


    - Can I have confirmation that Deshya is still alive?" he asks.


    - She''s still unconscious, but you must have received the picture, right?


    - The picture?" wonders Korone.


    - I''ve received it and that''s why I''m willing to listen, but we can''t risk a boy''s life like this. Change¡ª


    - No, it''s okay.


    Raiji approaches Gatito and removes the phone from his hand before placing it next to his ear.


    - Hey, I don''t know who you little prick is, but I swear, if anything happens to Deshya¡ª


    - No need to be so violent, ahah!


    The kidnapper''s short laugh increases the anger Raiji feels. Korone asks Gatito which photo the other person was talking about.


    - After the phone call, while you were putting on your shoes, I received a photo of Deshya tied up, which proved to me that the call wasn''t a fake. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have called Sammy and the other cops.


    Korone had thought about it, but now she understands why he decided to take the threat seriously.


    - Can we tell from the photo where Deshya is being held?" asks the little girl.


    Unfortunately, Gatito shakes his head. Raiji clutches the phone in his right hand.


    - So you agree to give me the money in person?" asks the person on the other end of the line.


    - Yeah, I''ll do that. Then I''ll take Deshya back to her family and¡ª


    - You''re boring me to death by talking so much. One more useless word and I''ll punch her in the face.


    - !!


    Raiji wants to scream, but closes his eyes and regains his composure.


    - ...sorry.


    - That''s more like it. You can tell the policeman next to you that you need to be at the Tetazo station by 2.20pm, using his phone. From there, I''ll give the necessary instructions to receive the money. I''ll make sure you''re watched, so if you try any trickery, I''ll refuse to give Deshya back and I''ll kill her.


    - Good.


    - I''ll call you back at 2:30pm. Be there with the money in a bag, Tetazo station.


    The person on the other end of the line hangs up and Raiji hands the phone back to Gatito, explaining what has been said. The police inspector puts away his laptop and sighs angrily as he sets Korone down on the floor.


    - Sammy, you go with Korone and Raiji, along with another policeman, to see Claire''s family. For my part, I''ll get some money and prepare everything for Raiji.


    Before leaving, he turns his gaze to the boy with disheveled black hair.


    - Are you sure about this? It''s dangerous.


    Raiji smiles broadly, but his eyes show a burning emotion inside him, far from amusement.


    - As if I''d let Deshya be in danger any longer.


    The answer satisfies Gatito, who thanks him and runs out of the park. Sammy looks at the two children in front of him and sighs.


    - Why do I have to take you with me...?" he asks himself.


    Raiji turns to him, hands behind his head.


    - Leaving the little one alone would be silly, and maybe I can help?" he surmises.


    - Yeah, but... Well, I don''t have time to bitch about it. Excuse me, can you come with me to Claire''s family home?


    The dark-haired detective calls a passing policeman. He accepts without hesitation, and the four of them head for Claire Dochamps'' residence.


    - Why?!!


    A man cries, supported by his wife who can''t hold back her tears either. It''s 13:37 and Claire Dochamps'' parents have just learned the truth about their daughter. Korone is sitting on Raiji''s lap, the latter between the two policemen. They watch the scene with sadness, feeling the pain of the man and woman who must come to terms with the death of their only daughter. It''s a scene that breaks little Korone''s heart, given that she must have experienced the opposite. She can''t imagine how her adoptive parents would have reacted if she had been killed instead of them¡­


    - We''ll catch the criminal," promises Sammy.


    It was the detective who had to confess everything directly to them, and with great difficulty. He would have preferred to find another way of telling them the bad news, but they don''t have much time and need to find a lead on the criminal. If it''s someone who hates Claire, then maybe her parents know something. If not, they''ll probably never find the criminal if no one else witnessed the scene or Deshya''s abduction. ¡®Claire Dochamps¡¯ mother dries her tears and looks up at Sammy.


    - Why... Why would anyone want to kill our daughter...?" she asks with great pain.


    - That''s exactly what we''re here to find out," admits the dark-haired detective.


    - I don''t know¡­


    - Is it possible for you to think about it? I''m sorry to ask you this when you''ve just lost your daughter, but we want to catch the culprit as soon as possible.


    Sammy braces himself for angry remarks from both parents, but to his surprise, they both nod and calm their tears as best they can. The husband speaks first.


    - Our darling... Claire was loved by just about everybody, so I don''t think she really had any enemies... I can only think of three people. Right, honey?


    His wife approves and turns her gaze to the detective in front of her.


    - I don''t know if they''d dare kill her, but they''re the only ones who''ve really been mean to her..." she says.


    - Who are you talking about?" urges Sammy.


    Stolen novel; please report.The bride and groom look at each other before the man responds.


    - Our daughter''s ex, the ex of that ex and the best friend of that guy.


    - Our daughter''s ex is called ''Jean Boketsu'', Jean''s ex is... ''Adam Evans'' and Adam''s best friend is called ''Tom Loston''.


    - You remember their first names well..." remarks Raiji.


    - Jean often came to the house and we knew Adam''s parents, before they started to hate us after Jean left him for Claire," admits the father.


    - Tom was a childhood friend of Claire''s, but when Adam started hating and harassing Claire, he did the same. We''ve already had to talk to their parents about their behavior, but they''ve never done anything.


    - Harassing, you say?


    They nod at the same time.


    - Jean suddenly left Adam to go out with Claire, which enraged Adam and his family. They targeted our daughter instead of Jean, since they adored her, and Tom followed his best friend and helped him harass Claire. Our daughter didn''t care much and didn''t let it... didn''t let it affect her, but¡­


    The woman tries to continue talking, but bursts into tears and hides her face behind her hands. Her husband strokes her back and finishes her sentence for her.


    - Even though Claire didn''t worry about them and was harassed less and less over time, they never stopped. The worst they did was push her into a puddle, but they sometimes sent serious messages to Claire. She simply ignored them and they stopped, but when they crossed paths, she had to flee quickly because she was afraid they would commit a bigger crime on her.


    - Have you ever called the police about harassment?" asks the policewoman next to Sammy.


    - Adam and Tom received a warning from the police, but nothing more.


    - And why does Jean hate your daughter...?" asks Korone.


    - Claire left him a few weeks ago because she didn''t feel as comfortable with him as she used to. He plays video games a lot and sometimes leaves Claire out, so she had to leave him because she didn''t feel the same love. He blames her because he thinks that if they''d talked more, he''d have changed, but he was hitting on a friend from his class while they were still a couple, so¡­


    - In short, it''s a piece of shit," thinks Raiji.


    - I don''t think... anyone would have wanted... to hurt Claire, otherwise..." whines the woman.


    - I see. Thank you. We''ll look into it. May we have your telephone number so we can contact you if we find the culprit? You can also contact me if you think of anything else.


    - Of course¡­


    The man spells out his number and Korone jumps off Raiji''s thighs. She starts walking around the living room and the policewoman stands up in turn, followed by Raiji.


    - Nothing was stolen, and to take Claire into the woods, it had to be someone who knew her. However, would she really have followed her ex, who hates her, her ex''s ex, who also hates her, or even Adam''s best man, who is stalking her with Adam?" wonders Raiji.


    Sammy gets up, thanks both parents and promises again that they''ll catch the criminal. He decides not to mention Deshya''s kidnapping and leaves with the two children and the policewoman. Now he has to find out where the three young men who hate Claire live and verify their alibis... As he leaves the house, talking to the policewoman, his phone rings and he answers it directly.


    - Hello, Inspector?


    - I''m glad you answered quickly. Can you send me Raiji now? The preparations are ready," asks Gatito.


    - Of course you can.


    Sammy calls Raiji and explains that he has to get to Gatito right away. The boy agrees, and after he learns where he has to go, he starts running. However, Korone calls him and he stops in mid-stride.


    - Yes?


    Korone runs to him and beckons him down so she can whisper something in his ear. He listens and squints before standing up, a look of surprise on his young face.


    - I can do that, but¡­


    - Just drop it off at the station, under one of the benches on the track you''re going to!


    - ...okay¡­


    Raiji accepts before running off again. The policewoman approaches the little girl with Sammy and asks her what she discussed with the boy. Korone turns and smiles broadly.


    - Nothing special, I just don''t want him to do anything stupid!" she replies.


    - I see... I''m going to look for the house of the three, will you come with us, Korone?" Sammy asks him.


    - Nyes!


    Korone turned and watched Raiji disappear into the next street. If he can do what she asked, then¡­


    - ¡­


    - We''ve arrived.


    It''s now 1.50pm and they''re standing in front of the house of the first suspect: Claire Dochamps'' ex boyfriend, ''Jean Boketsu''. Sammy asks the policewoman to wait outside just in case, and she agrees. The detective approaches the door of the one storey building and presses the small bell. Korone looks at the carpet beneath his feet, but his attention is quickly drawn to the young man who opens the door for them. His black hair is rather short and his dark brown eyes give him a somewhat aggressive look. In front of them are rectangular glasses that fit him oddly well.


    - Yes? Who are you two?


    Sammy pulls out his police detective badge and the young man squints.


    - Huh?


    - Could you quickly answer a few questions?


    - I guess I have no choice..." he replies.


    He lets them pass and Korone thanks him with a jump. He watches her with astonished eyes, but since the detective next to her doesn''t retort, he just shrugs and closes the door behind him. The three of them head for the living room, where Jean''s two parents are admiring the television, on which a baseball game is being broadcast live. They turn to see that their son has returned and then stand up to see the man who has just arrived.


    - Who are you...?" asks the father.


    - Detective Sammy, I work for the Tetazo Police Department.


    The woman stands up and frowns, shocked.


    - The police...?


    - I''m only here to ask your son a few questions," he confesses.


    Both parents turn their gaze to Jean, but he shakes his head and shrugs again. Sammy sits down on one of the chairs and Korone follows suit.


    - I promise to be quick. Are you Jean Boketsu, Claire Dochamps'' ex-boyfriend?


    Jean sighs and sits down.


    - If this is about the threats I sent by message, I''ve already apologized. I won''t let my anger get the better of me.


    - Threats...?" wondered Korone.


    - Ah, I''m not here for that..." admits Sammy, scratching his cheek.


    He takes out his detective notebook and a pen he always keeps with him. He presses it and the mine comes into view.


    - May I know where you were between 1pm and 1:10pm?" he asks.


    - He was here!


    Before Jean can reply, her mother yells at the detective. The detective turns to her.


    - He was in his room, playing video games! He still had his headset on, but I could hear him tapping away on his keyboard. He even answered me when I told him we''d be eating soon!" explains the woman.


    - Have you seen him in his room...?" asks Sammy.


    She shakes her head, but it''s Jean who answers this time.


    - She couldn''t have, since I always lock my room. I deserve my privacy, I don''t want my mother to open the door at the wrong moment¡­


    Seeing that there''s a little girl next to the detective, he decides not to say any more, as he doesn''t want her to hear such a thing. Korone raises his head and stares at Jean.


    - What were you playing?" she asks.


    - I was playing On Top of The Hill, an online game. If you want, you can look at my history or ask my buddies who I played with, you''ll see that I was online," replies Jean.


    - Did you wiiiin?


    - Huh? Does it matter?


    - I want to knooooow¡­


    - Hey, Korone¡­


    Sammy asks him to keep a low profile, but Korone insists. Jean sighs and smirks.


    - Of course we won. 13 - 7. You can check anytime.


    - I don''t need this verification. Are you sure your son was in his room?" he asks, addressing the man''s parents.


    - I didn''t see her directly in his room, since it''s locked, but he was on his computer, I''m sure of it! What''s more, his door was locked and he answered while I was standing at the door, so I''m sure of myself.


    - What did he say?" questions Korone.


    - I told him we''d be eating soon and he said, ''I''ll finish my game and be right over!'' I''m sure it was his voice.


    - When did he come down?


    - When...? He came for lunch around 1:20, but seeing that the matches of his game are quite long, it''s not anormal. What are you implying?


    - Are you sure he didn''t come through the front door or-


    - Huh? No, I saw him coming out of his room!


    This time, it''s the father who answers. What''s more, he talks to Sammy aggressively, losing his patience. Jean sighs and taps the table.


    - Why all these questions?" he asks.


    - You see¡­


    - That''s because we think you went to the park around 1:05pm!


    Korone answers for Sammy with a smile. Everyone looks at her differently and the detective asks her to be quiet. Jean starts laughing, which attracts Sammy''s attention. He gets up from the chair and shakes his head with a petty smile.


    - I couldn''t have been there! From here to the park, it takes like 10 minutes by car. I could never have been at the park.


    Korone squints and Sammy rubs the little girl''s head, apologizing for her behavior. Jean crosses his arms, staring at the two in front of him.


    - I may have a driver''s license and could even have used my scooter, but I could never have gone to Linda Park and come back if I was in my room playing. My buddies can prove my alibi. What happened in the park?


    Sammy gets up and puts his notebook away after writing in it, replying that it''s nothing important. He apologizes for the inconvenience and wears Korone, wishing them a good day. The three family members look at each other in incomprehension and Sammy puffs out his cheeks as he leaves the house.


    - Korone... Don''t do that again.


    - Sorry, but we don''t have time, do we?


    - Yes, but... Ah¡­


    He sighs, bowing his head, and drops Korone off in the street. The policewoman returns and asks them what they''ve learned.


    - He couldn''t have committed the crime, as he was in his room playing an online game. I could check his alibi with his online friends, but there''s no guarantee they wouldn''t lie for him¡­


    - I know the game he''s playing!" Korone told them.


    - Ah?


    The two policemen turned to her and she agrees.


    - When I was still at mama and papa¡¯s, I''d sometimes watch people playing it on the computer. If you go to the game''s official website, you can see all the games played. If he''s actually played a game, you can see it on the site. If not, he''s lying.


    - Really? Oh, I see. If need be, I''ll go and check the veracity of his alibi. In any case, if his parents aren''t lying, which I doubt very much, then he couldn''t have done it¡­


    Korone agrees with him, but on the other hand... She decides not to say anything and follows the two policemen to visit the next suspect.


    - Yes ?


    Sammy and Korone stand in front of a group of friends, all five of them around a table at a WacDonald''s. It was Adam''s parents who explained to the detective that their son was still at the fast-food restaurant with his friends. Luckily for him, the WacDonald''s is just a 1- minute walk from his house, which in turn is quite close to Jean''s, where he''s from.


    - It''s me, Adam Evans. Can I get you something?


    A boy who recently came of age with a fashionable haircut. His chestnut hair is quite short, but still longer than Jean''s. His dark blue eyes appear a little lighter than they really are, due to the sunlight. Around them are several tables where people are quietly eating their meals. Noticing that Sammy isn''t responding directly, Korone again takes the initiative.


    - Sayyyyy, were you all eating at 1pm here?


    - Huh? Why do you want to know that?" asks one of the boys, red and black hair in a strange cut.


    He bites into the burger and chews noisily, annoying one of his friends, who punches him on the shoulder. Adam looks at the man with astonished eyes, and the blond-haired man next to him replies to the little girl with a gentle smile.


    - We all met here around 1pm, after school," he says.


    - Except Adam showed up around... I don''t know, what time was it, man?


    - I arrived a little before 1:20pm," admits Adam.


    - 15 minutes after the murder..." think Sammy and Korone.


    Adam steals a French fry from one of his friends and dips it in ketchup, but before swallowing it in one go, he continues to talk to the little girl and the man beside her.


    - But my buddy here called me around 1:10 pm and asked me what the hell I was doing, so I answered the phone and told him I was just finishing my chess game. My house isn''t far from here, by the way.


    - It''s not the first time he''s arrived late because he plays chess... All to lose to people who don''t even have 1500 elo.


    - Hey.


    Adam''s friends all start laughing and he bites into the fry with a bored, almost annoyed expression. Korone opens her mouth wide and asks if she can have a fry too. Adam readily accepts and gives her one of his. The granddaughter thanks him and chews happily while thinking.


    - We''re a little further from the park than Jean''s house, so it would also take about 10 minutes to get there by car, as well as back... If he arrived 15 minutes late, with a shortcut or speed, maybe it''s possible, but he couldn''t have hidden the body¡­


    She turns to Sammy, but notices that he''s on the phone. Korone wonders if it was Gatito who called him again.


    - Why did you want to know that, lil¡¯ one?" asks one of Adam''s friends.


    - Because I saw this gentleman at a park and wanted to know if it was him!


    They look at each other and Adam tilts his head.


    - The park...? Linda Park, I presume?


    She nods with a smile.


    - Around what time?


    - 1pm!


    - I suppose I could have been there and back in time, but the shortest way from my house to the park is 21 minutes... Plus, I don''t have my license or a car.


    Korone and Sammy all react with shock. The detective explains that he no longer needs the verification and puts his phone away directly afterwards. He asks Adam if this is true and he nods.


    - He still doesn''t have his license, because he''s an idiot!" laughs the red and black-haired man.


    - One day, he''ll get it, we believe in you!" says the blond.


    - Guys¡­


    Adam sighs and rests his head on his fist, tired of their behavior.


    - If that''s all it was, I guess you don''t have to ask me anything anymore?


    - I want to know something!


    Korone raises his arms and stares Adam straight in the eye.


    - You know Claire Dochamps, don''t you?


    Adam opens his eyes wide and grits his teeth. He slams his fist on the table and frowns.


    - Why?!


    Sammy asks him to calm down and observes his friends: they all seem to have a different opinion of Claire. The one with blond hair is calm, while the one with red and black hair is almost as upset as Adam. The little girl lowers her arms and gently waves a foot, as if embarrassed.


    - Well, because I talked to her a few minutes ago.


    - A few minutes...?


    This seems to surprise Adam and Korone nods, jumping up and down.


    - Nyeeees!! I love Claire!! We talked around 1:30pm!


    Sammy admires the girl in amazement. Why is she lying? Adam grits his teeth and keeps his fist clenched.


    - Yeah, I know her, but I''m not answering any more questions. Come on, out.


    - Eeeh? But Claire¡ª


    - GO!!!


    Adam slams his hand down on the table again, startling Korone. The customers in the WacDonald all turn towards the group of friends and the blond man at Adam''s side grabs his arm, whispering for him to calm down. Adam pushes him away and clicks his tongue before turning his head to the right, about to shout at the granddaughter and the man again, but both are already exiting the building together. Adam stares at them from his seat, his friends asking him why he reacted the way he did.


    - He was violent when you told him about Claire..." says Sammy thoughtfully.


    - I lied, it''s not right, but he doesn''t seem like a nice guy¡­


    Korone looks up at Sammy.


    - What were you talking about on the phone?" she asks.


    - I asked the policewoman following us if she could look for Adam''s car, since if he''d killed Claire and kidnapped Deshya, he''d never have had time to drop them off somewhere and get here in time. So I figured if we checked the trunk of his car, we might find something if it was him. But if he doesn''t have a car, I don''t think he could have gotten here in time¡­


    - Unless his friends are lying, right?


    The policewoman drops these words as she walks back towards them, sweating from the run she''s just completed. Sammy nods and Korone turns back to the building behind them.


    - If you start here, you''ll reach Adam''s house a minute later on foot, and then Jean''s house, another minute later¡­


    Korone wants to think about it longer, but Sammy warns them that it''s already 1:55 p.m.: in short, time is running out. So they rush to the third and final suspect: Tom Loston, Adam''s best friend.


    - Where was I around 1:05 pm?


    The boy the same age as Adam stood on his front porch, his back against his open door. What surprised Korone when he arrived at his house, which lies between the homes of the other two suspects, was just how much Adam''s family had to offer. His hair also resembles Adam''s. Unlike Adam, his eyes are a much lighter, brighter green. His physique isn''t the same either: he''s much more muscular than Adam. Tom has his arms crossed and, on hearing the police detective''s question, he smiles.


    - I went to the gym around 1:12pm using my car," he replies. I''m sure I was seen over there. It''s the room right next to here, not far from here down the street.


    - And around 1.05pm?" repeats Sammy.


    - I was here getting ready. I only stayed there for 45 minutes, as I didn''t feel up to continuing, so I''ll be going a bit more tomorrow. Unfortunately, my parents are both at work, so I don''t have anyone who can verify my alibi. Maybe someone saw me leave with the car?


    - I see... Thank you.


    - Wait!


    Sammy is about to leave when Korone claps his hands once and stares at Tom.


    - Have you seen my big... Well, my friend?


    - What friend?


    - Her name is Deshya Oveja!


    Tom squints before rubbing his chin.


    - I''ve heard that name before... Isn''t she the girl who always keeps her fox sweater on? Too weird, that chick.


    She shakes her head with a sigh and Korone nods happily.


    - Yes, it¡¯s her! She sent me a message saying she''d run into you at the park!


    - Huh?!


    Tom uncrosses his arms and looks at the little girl with surprise. She keeps smiling and Sammy, right behind her, watches her intently.


    - It¡¯s not possible, I didn''t go to the park!


    - Are you sure?


    - I couldn''t be at the park, I was at the gym! You can go ask them! Don''t waste your time!


    - I must be mistaken, she mentioned a Tommy, not a Tom... It''s not you, actually¡­


    Korone bows his head, defeatist, and apologizes for the disturbance before turning on his heel and heading back to Sammy. Tom grits his teeth and slams the door behind him, growling. The detective and the little girl explain that they have to go to the gym to check Tom''s alibi, and she explains that she''s already heading for Tetazo station, since there''s not much time left. They greet her together before Sammy looks down at Korone.


    - You''re just lying to all the suspects to get them to confess to something, aren''t you?" he asks.


    - Deshya would have done the same!


    - Unfortunately, all three had rather strange reactions, so we can''t base anything on them. What''s more, we can''t rely on a simple reaction.


    - I understand.


    Korone apologizes for her behavior, but Sammy doesn''t hold it against her and hugs her before running off to the gym with her. The little girl looks ahead with a smile, but in the back of her mind she''s thinking hard.


    - We''ll see what we learn there, but maybe... Maybe whoever killed Claire... Whoever took Deshya¡­


    She has a certain scenario in mind, but she''ll decide whether to believe it or not when they can verify Tom''s words at the gym.


    - Tom Loston? Yeah, he came in between 1:10 and 1:15 and said hello, but he got a call and stayed out for a few minutes before coming back in.


    - Was it really him?" asks Sammy.


    The shirtless muscular man says he''s sure of it.


    - After his call, he went into the gym and was wearing the same clothes as when I''d seen him outside. What''s more, I recognize his physique.


    - I see...


    Sammy writes it all down in his notebook before sighing. The man scratches his hair.


    - Is he still in a complicated situation?" he asks.


    - Again?


    - Yup. Tom harassed a girl I don''t know, but apparently he got a police warning. Strangely enough, I''m not surprised, but I said next time I''d kick him out of the room. If he did anything¡­


    - He''s just a suspect, but his alibi sounds perfect, so I guess he didn''t do it.


    Korone gazes at the parking lot with piercing eyes.


    - That''s right. From here to the park, it would take at least 15 minutes by car. The room is a little lower than Adam''s fast-food joint and not far from Jean''s house, or Adam''s or Tom''s, for that matter. They may have crossed paths for a moment... but¡­


    Korone is becoming convinced of her theory: she''s almost 100% certain that the killer is that person. However, she still has no proof, and without it, Korone can do nothing. Sammy thanks the muscular man and returns to the little girl''s side with a sigh.


    - It looks like we''re back to 0..." he says disappointedly. I guess it was someone else who killed Claire.


    - Sayyyyyy, Sammy the nyanya.


    - Sa-Sammy the nyanya?!


    - Could we go back to one of them?


    - She ignores me..." thinks Sammy, lowering his eyelids.


    He crouches down in front of the little girl with the long white hair and questions her with his eyes.


    - Where do you want to go?


    - I think I have a lead!


    - A lead?


    - Yiss!!


    Sammy blinks at her.


    - What do you mean?


    Korone shows his teeth to the detective and gives him a look that surprises the man.


    - He said something strange. This young man," she admits.


    - Huh?


    Sammy thinks about it, but he can''t see what she''s talking about. Korone crosses her arms in turn, but almost maliciously.


    - Will you help me prove that he''s the killer?


    - The¡ª!!


    Sammy opens his eyes wide and Korone nods.


    - Sooooo?


    If she can find what she thinks in this young man''s house, then she''ll be completely convinced of how this person has managed to create an alibi for himself.


    - Let''s go to his house and find the proof that he''s the criminal.

 33 -?The Fox-Eared Eye Witness Kidnapping Case ; Suspicions and Ransom?(CASE6)

    <hr>


    While Deshya was at Linda Park waiting for Raiji Harmony to arrive, she observed the murder of a young girl in the forest nearby. She grabbed her phone and while fleeing, wrote a message and sent it to someone, but unfortunately, she got hit on the head and fainted straight away, leaving her phone switched on and recovered by the culprit. What''s more, Deshya has been kidnapped! Moments later, just as Raiji arrives at the park, Gatito receives a call from his daughter''s phone, but the voice is not Deshya''s: it''s the man who kidnapped his daughter and is scrambling his voice so as not to be recognized directly. A ransom demand of 300,000 euros is offered in exchange for Deshya''s life, but that''s not all: the money must be taken to him by Raiji himself, all in a bag with no transmitter or microphone. Although Gatito refuses to let Raiji take such a risk, the boy, feeling guilty about the kidnapping, agrees to take the money with him and will respect the conditions. Gatito has no choice but to agree and goes to collect the money, leaving Sammy to talk to the suspects. Korone and Raiji join him, as does another policewoman for their safety, but the boy has to leave after chatting with ''Jean Boketsu'', the victim''s ex boyfriend. Korone stays with Sammy throughout and tries to confuse them by lying a little, but as all three react strangely at every turn, it''s impossible to work out who the culprit in the case is.


    Jean Boketsu'', Claire Dochamps'' ex-boyfriend, was in his room at the time of the crime, so he couldn''t have gotten to the park and back in time. He was playing on his computer and even answered his mother''s phone at one point.


    Adam Evans'', Jean''s ex-boyfriend, was with his friends a few minutes late, but he doesn''t have a car or a driver''s license. Between the time he arrived to chat with the three of them and the time Claire was killed, he could never have made it back in time and therefore has an alibi that seems valid.


    Adam Evans'' best friend, ''Tom Loston'', went to the gym at around 1:12pm and, after chatting on the phone outside for a while, came back in and worked out for three quarters of an hour before going home. It takes 15 minutes to get from the park to the gym, so he couldn''t have committed the crime either.


    In short, all three seem to be innocent, but Korone asks Sammy something strange: to return to the home of one of the three suspects to search for the evidence that will prove this young man is the culprit behind Claire Dochamps'' murder.


    A few minutes earlier, Raiji arrived at the place where Gatito had asked him to join him: the sports hall next to Tetazo school, a few minutes'' walk from the town''s railway station. There, he is greeted by Gatito and several other people in everyday clothes. Raiji closes the door behind him and stops in front of a bag filled with... money!


    - There are¡­


    - 300,000 euros inside, yes.


    Gatito closes the bag and stands up before turning to a table where several small objects can be observed. Raiji analyzes the people around him, but as if he can read his mind, Gatito answers his inner questions.


    - They''re all members of the police force. They''re going to follow you discreetly to ensure your safety and find out where the person who kidnapped Deshya is hiding. We''re not going to just give him all that money without a fight.


    Gatito untangles some threads and turns back to the dark-haired boy.


    - Especially since, even if we give him what he wants, he won''t let us get Deshya back. Not alive, anyway," he says angrily.


    - I''d thought of that too..." admits Raiji.


    - Given the message she sent you, she must know who''s responsible for Claire Dochamps'' death. If he gives her back to us, she''ll confess who it is and we''ll be able to arrest him directly, so it makes no sense to give her back to us alive. However, since we don''t know who''s behind all this, or where she''s being held, we''re obliged to listen to him if we hope to see Deshya alive again. Don''t move, please.


    Raiji raises his arms as requested and remains motionless. Another policeman approaches him and places something on him, but hides it so that it stays behind his clothes.


    - We''ll fit you with a few microphones and sensors so we can track you at all times and hear what''s going on around you. Although police officers will be following you closely, they can''t get too close or all accompany you to where Deshya is, so this will allow us to follow you from a distance while making sure we don''t lose you.


    Raiji also suspected that they were going to install microphones and sensors on him, but he wondered how Korone had guessed it too. He observes the table and focuses mainly on one of the sensors over there.


    - What Korone asked me¡­


    He thinks about it again. He understands the proposal, but finds it strange that a little girl like her should make such a request. After Gatito and the policeman have finished hiding the microphones and sensors under Raji''s clothes, he walks over to the table and observes the sensors carefully before turning around and admiring the dark bag with all the ransom money. So much money in one place... He''s almost sweating just thinking about having to carry it to the person who kidnapped Deshya and killed Claire Dochamps. Now that he''s accepted Korone''s request and made his ''plan'' possible, he decides to concentrate on Gatito and the cops: he can''t afford to screw things up.


    - Raiji, let me be very clear.


    Gatito touches both the boy''s shoulders and stares at him with blazing intensity. Raiji swallows loudly and the policemen feel the pressure exerted by the police inspector.


    - Whatever happens, the priority is to save Deshya, but you have to be safe too. If you feel in danger, then you give up. Agreed?" said Gatito.


    Raiji''s eyes are fixed on the man in front of him, but he ends up smiling.


    - I''ll bring her back, your daughter. I won''t let her die until I''ve had my rendezvous with her.


    CHAPTER 33


    ?The Fox-Eared Eye Witness Kidnapping Case ; Suspicions and Ransom?


    - Perfect, then.


    Gatito lets go of Raiji and looks at his watch.


    - There''s still time before their call comes, but let''s not delay. Before we go to the station, I''ll quickly explain what you have to do, Raiji.


    The red-haired inspector turns his whole body towards him and shoves his hands in his pockets.


    - The bag you''re going to take to them is indeed without any microphone or sensor, since it''s all on you. When you meet the person who kidnapped Deshya, don''t be a hero: you ask for confirmation that Deshya is alive and safe, but if he forces you to give him the money, you accept whether you see him armed or not. Maybe you don''t want to risk your life trying to escape and get shot while your back is turned to him," he explains.


    - Even if we''re not sure Deshya''s all right, I''ll pass him the bag with the money...?" asks Raiji, surprised.


    - That''s right. We''ll be watching you, so he''ll have nowhere to run. It''s more likely that he''ll let his guard down after receiving the money and will have to return to Deshya at some point. That''s when we, the police, will act.


    Raiji carries the bag with one eye closed: it''s heavier than expected. On the one hand, he''s not really surprised: 300,000 euros in cash is a lot of bills. One of the policemen asks him if he''ll be okay, but Raiji manages to carry the bag and places the strap on his right shoulder, smiling broadly.


    - Less weight than my schoolbag!


    He shows his thumb, which makes the policeman laugh. Gatito makes an amused sound, but regains his seriousness immediately afterwards.


    - I don''t know if you''re like my family, but I''d like to remind you just in case: this is real life. This isn''t some fictional story where you can have all the fun you want and hope to get away with it. Whatever happens, I''m serious, but your safety is¡ª


    - I''m aware of that. I''m not that stupid. I promise I''ll do everything I can to get Deshya out of this situation. The disheveled boy turns his gaze solely towards the police man, his expression one of fiery determination.


    - I won''t let my best friend''s best friend die. I won''t. Gatito approaches him and pats his shoulder.


    - We''re counting on you.


    - Of course you can.


    The inspector turns back to the policemen disguised as normal residents. Some of them are men, others women, and their clothes are all different, although most have a cap on their head.


    - I''m going to Tetazo station with Raiji directly, but come gradually. There are five of you, so one of you will arrive a few minutes later, then two of you and two more after that. It''s plausible that the suspect is watching us, so it''s best to take precautions.


    - Yes !


    The five policemen answer at the same time, and Raiji holds the bag carefully over his shoulder. He should be able to run while carrying it, but he''ll never be as fast as usual. He also needs to be on his guard in case someone tries to steal his bag... He doubts anyone could escape with so much money, especially as the police will be watching him, but he doesn''t want to make the slightest mistake on the way. Gatito motions for them to go straight away, and he nods in agreement. Raiji follows the police inspector out of the building and out into daylight.


    Much later, at 2:18 p.m., Raiji waits patiently at the station, watched by the five policemen who are disguised as normal inhabitants around him, but scattered in all directions so that the culprit won''t suspect a thing in case he''s watching the disheveled black-haired boy. Gatito, for his part, checks Raiji''s position and listens through his helmet, where he can hear through the microphones hidden on the boy. One of the five police officers watching Raiji more closely has an earpiece that can hear from the second microphone: he''s going to be a little further away from the boy and in case they lose track of him for some reason, he''ll still be able to know what''s being said through his earpiece. Other residents of Tetazo and the surrounding towns are waiting for their trains. They''re on track 2, but in reality, Raiji and the police don''t know exactly where they''re supposed to go, since the kidnapper simply ordered Raiji to come to the station, not a specific place.


    - In a minute, he''ll call me and give me instructions..." thinks Raiji.


    He feels anguish, whether for himself or Deshya, but also a certain excitement that he can''t help but can''t help loving. He finds himself in a situation that may be complex and dangerous, but that''s what he oddly enjoys. He''d rather this hadn''t happened, but since he has no choice but to help Deshya, he''s more than willing to be the one on the spot.


    - On the other hand, I wonder if the culprit is Jean, Claire''s ex-boyfriend... I didn''t get to meet the other two, but Sammy and Korone should know their alibis by now. I hope they''ve found something.


    He''s worried about Deshya, and although he''d love to be the one to offer her ransom, he hopes with all his heart that they catch the culprit before it''s too late. If Deshya is seriously injured or even dies today, he''ll never be able to forgive himself. He''ll never be able to believe that it was his fault she died. That if he hadn''t wanted to meet her simply so they could become friends, Deshya could have gone on living. Even if he has to sacrifice his own safety for Deshya''s, he will save her. He will take the girl''s place and accept the consequences of his actions.


    - Sorry, Deshya''s dad. I promised I''d do anything to be safe, but I''d go so far as to sacrifice myself to save your daughter. My life isn''t worth hers.


    He''s determined to save her, whatever the cost. While he''s deep in thought, the phone he''s carrying rings. He grabs it and answers directly.


    - He''s calling!" shouts Gatito from his room.


    He gave Raiji his phone so that he could receive the call on his own and save time: they are certain that if the police had stayed with the boy, the kidnapper would have asked them to stay away from Raiji. Raiji puts the phone next to his ear.


    - Hello?


    - Ah, Raiji. The police aren''t by your side, are they?


    - Gatito gave me the bag with 300,000 euros in it and I arrived at the station as planned. I''m on track 2.


    - If you''re lying to me, you know what''s happening to Deshya.


    - I''m not lying. You can check the bag if you want, I don''t care. I just want to find Deshya.


    The person on the other side of the line sneers, which annoys Raiji. However, he keeps his cool and doesn''t argue too much so as not to make the slightest mistake. He hesitates to explain to the kidnapper that no microphone or sensor was put in the bag, which is true, but he quickly decides not to say anything: he doesn''t want these words to sound like a means of reassurance rather than the truth.


    - I like you. Go to track 3 and get on the train that''s going to Izambar and has Bexel as its last stop," orders the person on the other side of the line.


    - Bexel... The capital?" wondered Raiji inwardly.


    Izambar is Tetazo''s annex town, just to the north. Bexel is even further north, close to the border, a little lower than Floria. Raiji agrees and the phone cuts out. So off he goes to lane 3, whispering to the microphones hidden on him what he should do, and Gatito orders the five policemen close to Raiji to follow him discreetly to the next lane. Fortunately for them, this is not complicated. Track 3 is right next to track 2, so they don''t even have to go down the escalators and walk all the way. Gatito grabs his own phone and calls a certain number.


    - ... Ah, it''s you. Excuse me, but could you watch out for the train from Tetazo to Bexel? We''re doing a ransom deal with someone who kidnapped my daughter. He''s talking about going all the way to Bexel, so it''s possible that the culprit is heading there. Also, could you notify the Izambar police? The fact that the person mentioned the name of that town tells me that it''s possible that Raiji will have to go down to Izambar. I see. Thank you for your cooperation and I apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your cooperation.


    He hangs up and bites his thumb. Raiji is now on the train, sitting on one of the many empty seats. He places the bag beside him and blows out a breath.


    - I''ve finished what I had to do for Korone... I hope it will be of some interest.


    He stretches and cracks his shoulder before letting his head fall against the back of the seat. The train will leave in 2 minutes, but he wonders where he''s really going... If the man responsible for Claire Dochamps'' death is one of the three suspects the victim''s parents have said he is, would he really go that far? If he disappeared from her house, it would be very simple to discover his identity. Raiji moves his tongue gently, feeling a slight discomfort. He thinks about what''s going to happen, but his thoughts are quickly cut off: the phone rings again. He grabs it and answers the call from Deshya''s phone.


    - I''m on the train, what''s wrong?


    - I''m just warning you that I''ll call you again at the next stop to explain where you have to get off. If I don''t see the money with you, I won''t hesitate to kill Deshya on the spot," the voice replies.


    Raiji wants to yell at them, asking them to stop talking about ending Deshya''s life, but angering them would be a big mistake. He approves and the person hangs up directly. Raiji whispers again what has been said and Gatito crosses his legs from the room he''s in.


    - Raiji will surely be asked to sneak out at some stop along the way, probably Izambar which isn''t too far from here," he thinks.


    If that''s the case, they only need three or four policemen following him. With this in mind, Gatito calls Sammy and slowly turns his wheelchair around. A few seconds pass before the police detective finally answers.


    - Hello?" says Sammy.


    - Oh, Sammy. I''ve come to see how you''re doing.


    - I see. We''ve finished questioning the three suspects and we''re heading for Tetazo station for now.


    - The station...? Why do you ask?


    - Korone asked me to go and get something she thinks she forgot there, but then we go back to the house of one of the three suspects.


    - Korone...? But she''s never been to the station.


    - That would be Raiji having something on him that belonged to Korone. If he noticed it in time, he probably left it at the station, so she wants to v¨¦rifier if she can get it back in time. In any case, it''s a quick detour.


    - No problem. For suspects, if you return to one''s home, does that mean you have a potential culprit?


    - All three have alibis that hold up, but all three also behaved a little strangely when we talked about Claire or even Deshya. So it''s impossible to determine anything from their reactions, however, Korone told me she knows who the criminal was.


    Gatito frowns and raises his body.


    - Does Korone know...?


    Sammy passes the phone to the granddaughter, who holds it with both hands.


    -  Heyooooooo!


    - Korone, is it true what Sammy just said?


    - I can''t prove it yet, but we''re going to his house to verify if I''m right, hihi!


    - Who is it?


    - First of all, has Raiji already left? Which track?


    - Huh...? Yes, he''s already on the train, leaving on track 3 for Bexel. Who did it, Korone?


    - I''d rather not say, or we''ll disturb you. Ah! Here we go! Bye byyyyyeeee!!


    - Ko¡ª


    Before he can call her, the granddaughter leaves the call, leaving the police inspector speechless. Korone hands the phone back to the driver, who grits his teeth.


    - You-You hung up on the inspector?!" exclaims Sammy, tucking his phone away in his trouser pocket.


    - We''re about to arrive and we don''t have time to chat!


    - But¡ª


    - Quiet, driver!


    - Huh?!


    Korone starts to laugh, but quickly regains her serious look and squints.


    - If I tell Gatito who I think the criminal is, I''m afraid it''ll ruin everything. If I get yelled at afterwards, I have to keep it a secret, except from Sammy..." she says to herself.


    Sammy stops the car in front of the station and Korone undoes his seatbelt before hastily getting out. The man with the short brown hair asks her to come back soon, which she promises to do. The little girl starts running between the people in the crowd, hoping with all her heart that Raiji has done what she asked. It''s not too bad if she hasn''t, but the chances of success will go way down without it. Korone is pushed by a young adult rushing between people, but she catches herself on a woman''s leg and apologizes. She continues her run before arriving at track 3, where Raiji has taken the train to Bexel. If he''s respected their arrangement, then she should be able to find what she''s looking for under one of the benches. She looks carefully and quickly finds it. The little girl grabs it and smiles as she admires it. Korone clutches it tightly in her hand and turns on her heels to run out of the station, back to the police detective''s car. Sammy opens the door for her and she thanks him with a beautiful smile.


    - Did you get back what you owed?" the man asked.


    - Yes !


    - Let''s go to his place, then. Are you sure he did it?


    The little girl closes the passenger door and fastens her belt, tucking what she''s come to retrieve into the fold of her dress. She turns her face to the man.


    - I''m convinced of it!


    - ... First, a 16-year-old girl finds the culprit before me, now an 8-year-old¡­


    Sammy sighs as he starts the car. Little Korone gently pats his right shoulder, giggling. So off they go to the house of one of the three suspects, the one Korone thinks is the suspect. What''s more¡­


    - If I''m right about how he fabricated his alibi, then... Then¡­


    They finally arrive at their destination and Korone gets out of the car first. Sammy turns off the ignition and follows the little girl, but she turns around and asks him to listen carefully. The man stoops to hear the little girl''s whispers. When she finishes, Sammy agrees to follow her plan, hoping it will lead to something. Korone thanks him and starts running for the front door. Sammy remains outside, hiding behind his car. She knocks on the door, unable to reach the bell, and waits patiently. Two seconds later, a young man opens the door.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    - What''s up? Ah, you''re the little one.


    - Hihi, good morning!


    - What do you want, kid?


    - I lost my little toy when I came! Can I have it back?


    - Huuuuuh?


    The young man rubs his black hair and begins to grumble. Korone gives him a hangdog look, eyes wide open and lower lip pulled down. The person in front of her is one of the three suspects... Jean Boketsu. The ex-boyfriend of Claire Dochamps, the victim of a murder in the forest next to Linda Park.


    - Raaah, make it quick, then," Jean replies.


    - Thank you!


    Jean pushes himself slightly to the right and watches the granddaughter run into the dining room, the same room where Sammy questioned him. There, she finds Jean''s two parents watching television next to each other. Korone doesn''t disturb them and pretends to be looking for her ''little toy''. A few seconds later, Korone smiles and turns around. She walks slowly into the dining room and back to the door between this room and the entrance hall. At the end of the latter, Korone sees that Jean is chatting... with Sammy.


    - Perfect!


    As expected, he listened to her and did as she said. Using this opportunity, Korone slipped into the entrance hall and climbed the stairs with as little noise as possible. She reached the second floor undetected.


    - His alibi is that he was in his room when the crime was committed. So, if I want proof that he did it¡­


    The first door she opens is strangely the same room she''s looking for: Jean Boketsu''s bedroom. She''s convinced that this is not his parents'' room, given the lack of cleanliness and the very recent computer on the large desk. Korone wonders where she should start looking, but when she thinks about it, she thinks she knows where one of the proofs of her lie lies.


    - He must have no idea that I''d come all the way here looking for proof, and it''s only been a short time since we questioned him. If he thinks all is well with him¡­


    She opens one of her desk drawers, but finds nothing of interest. Convinced that such an object must be in her room, she doesn''t stop rummaging through the drawers. The bottom one, to the left of the desk chair, does not hide the treasure within. Korone grabs the object and quickly figures out how it works. She presses it and smiles when she hears the sound.


    - I was right... So, what I thought was¡­


    Korone turns and observes Jean''s bedroom window. She jumps onto the bed and looks out from the window. The little girl stoops down and notices a mark on the bottom of the window. She squints, but doesn''t touch anything. She looks at what she''s stolen from Jean''s drawer and wonders if she should take it to Sammy¡­


    - ... I must get back downstairs, quickly.


    Korone returned to the bedroom desk and opened the bottom drawer, putting the object back inside. She runs into the hallway and down the steps quickly, without making the slightest noise, and skips down the corridor.


    - I found my toy, thank you, sir!!!


    Korone passes Jean and returns to Sammy''s side. Sammy looks down and admires the little girl.


    - Is that all right, then?" he asks.


    - Mui!


    Korone turns to the dark-haired young man and waves her left hand.


    - Bye bye, mister! Oh, also!


    She places both hands behind her back.


    - If you see Deshyshy, well, Deshya, can you tell her to come back at hoooooome?" she asks.


    - Deshya? A-Ah, okay, if I see her.


    - Thank you!


    Korone bows politely and turns on his heel to return to Sammy''s car. The man imitates the little girl and Jean stares at them, clenching her jaw. He violently closes the door behind him. Korone stops in front of the vehicle.


    - Did you find what you were looking for?" asks Sammy.


    The little girl begins to think, which intrigues Sammy. She finally looks up at him.


    - If you go into his room and look in the bottom drawer on the far left, you''ll find something that proves his alibi was fabricated," she confesses.


    Sammy turns toward the house.


    - So¡ª


    - Just a moment.


    Sammy stops and admires Korone. She gives him a serious look. One that a little girl shouldn''t be allowed to show.


    - Will you listen to me again?


    Korone is convinced that her reasoning is right. In short, she knows who killed Claire Dochamps and who kidnapped Deshya. She knows full well how his alibi was fabricated, but there''s still a mystery: where the hell is Deshya?


    - Deshya''s life is at stake," says Korone.


    For his part, Raiji is still on the train whose last stop is Bexel, the capital of Belium. Sitting next to his bag full of money, he approaches the first stop, on the border between Tetazo and Izambar. He has no idea what he''ll be asked to do, but he''s ready to carry out the orders of whoever took Deshya at any moment. He looks around: he can see two of the five policemen who followed him on the train. It''s unlikely that the culprit in this case would know that such people were following him, otherwise¡­


    - Oh, we''re already at the first stop?" thinks Raiji out loud.


    Indeed, the train slows down more and more and comes to a halt a few moments later. The doors open and one passenger after another steps out. He touches the helmet around his neck and blows out a breath, the pressure starting to get to him.


    And then the phone in his pocket rings.


    The policemen around him all turn their attention to Raiji. The teenager grabs the phone and answers the call, keeping one hand on the bag at his side.


    - What''s up?


    - You''re going to get off this train just before the doors close and run to the field below.


    Raiji frowns. Before he can say a word, the person on the other end of the line asks him to keep quiet or he''ll cancel the deal. Raiji closes his mouth and agrees to say nothing.


    - I see you''re not answering anything, perfectly. When the train is about to leave, you get out at the last moment so that the policemen following you can''t follow you any further.


    - Does he know there are policemen with me?!" exclaims Raiji inwardly.


    - You''ll see a large field a little further down. You get there as quickly as you can and you''ll see a small shed a little further on. That''s where you''ll go and say nothing. If anyone follows, it''s over.


    Raiji replies with a simple ''Okay'', but says nothing else. The person hangs up and Raiji puts his phone away. Come to think of it, the fact that the culprit knows about the police isn''t all that surprising: it''s even logical. Anyone who would think of that probability and wish to find a way around the police. Raiji wasn''t that far from the train door, but if he wanted to run away at the last moment as the one who''d kidnapped Deshya had ordered, he''d have to get up right now, bag slung over his shoulder. He grabs it and carries it as he moves from his seat.


    - I''m going to the toilet quickly," Raiji whispers.


    He could confess to the order he''s just received on the phone, but he doesn''t know whether he''s being closely watched or not: if he dares to confess the truth and the culprit hears him, then Deshya will be in great danger. He therefore prefers not to say anything and moves slowly into the carriage, as the train will be closing its doors in a few moments. Raiji isn''t necessarily afraid of what''s going to happen: there are always microphones and sensors on him. When they notice that he''s run away, they''ll realize that he''s been ordered to do so, and other policemen will come looking for him.


    - So it''s in a little shed on the edge of a field where he''s staying... I see," Raiji thinks.


    Raiji arrives in front of the toilet, close to one of the train doors. He waits a few moments and pretends to go in, but there¡ª


    He suddenly turns and escapes from the train just as the doors close.


    He throws the bag in front of him and rolls to the ground, but suddenly gets up and grabs the container of 300,000 euros. He starts running out of the train, the police officers watching him through the window with shocked expressions.


    - Raiji just ran away!" shouts one of them.


    - Inspector!


    - Calm down!" shouts Gatito. This must be the order given to him by the man who kidnapped Deshya. The Izambar police have already been notified, so I''ll just call a friend there and give Raiji''s position in real time. Get out at the next stop and come back as soon as possible.


    Gatito leans back in his chair: he''d suspected such a scenario, which is why they''ve installed so many sensors and microphones on the boy. Now all they have to do is find where Deshya is being kept and arrest the criminal. He wonders how far Sammy''s investigation has progressed, so he calls him on his mobile... but the detective doesn''t answer.


    - It''s rare..." thinks Gatito.


    He puts his phone away and decides not to worry: he must be looking for a lead. Korone is still by his side, but after they''ve picked up Deshya, Gatito will go straight to her. Although she''s allowed to go out as long as she''s with someone, he has a lot of fear for her safety. She was the target of a sniper, after all.


    - Plus¡­


    He closes his eyes and breathes slowly. First he must concentrate on his daughter''s abduction.


    - This is it, I suppose¡­


    Raiji looks up at the shed just beyond the field. He runs with his bag in hand, hoping that all will go well for him when he gets there. The weight of the money is growing on him, but he''s far from tired. When he reaches the shed, he opens the door and notices that there''s hardly anything inside, except a small table with some clothes.


    And then the phone Raiji had borrowed rang again.


    - Hello?


    The boy answers quickly. The call is coming from Deshya''s phone, but he''s sure it''s the same person who kidnapped that girl on the other end of the line.


    - You did get to the shed, didn''t you?


    - It''s true. How can you tell?


    - You''ll undress completely and then change into the clothes in front of you. I bet there are microphones and sensors on you, so you''ll quickly do this and get back to the station, track 12.


    Raiji frowns and quickly analyzes the room. He notices that in one of the corners of the ceiling, a small webcam is clumsily hidden, filming the interior of the shed.


    - So he''s looking at me that way... On the train, it''s possible he was one of the passengers following me too," Raiji thinks.


    However, the boy had one question that wouldn''t leave him: how had he planned so much? Clothes in that shed, a webcam to check that Raiji was following orders, such a meticulous plan to receive the ransom... If Deshya had planned to be abducted all along, then he''d understand, but it was only by chance: she saw the criminal and wanted to flee the scene by revealing who was behind the murder of Claire Dochamps, but was caught in time. That''s why Raiji received this strange message, the "Killer Gl".


    - So how did they plan so much? Even if they thought of this plan just after kidnapping Deshya, driving to Izambar from Tetazo would take at least thirty minutes. Or else¡­


    - Stop thinking and put on the clothes!!! Even your shorts!


    - Watching me expose myself... Fucking pervert.


    - Speak again and I''ll¡ª


    - And you kill Deshya, I know. I carry out orders, sorry.


    - I prefer it that way. I can hear you from the webcam, so if I see you trying to explain what''s going on to the microphones on you, I''m calling off the deal. You go to track 12 and catch the train back to Tetazo. You''ve got about 15 minutes. Don''t screw up.


    The person hangs up and Raiji sighs, looking at the clothes in front of him. He thinks he knows who killed Claire Dochamps, but even if he''s right, he can''t see how he came up with his alibi, or how he planned so many elements. What''s more, the message sent by Deshya¡­


    - What''s a culprit got to do with a ¡®good luck¡¯?


    He drops the bag on the floor and undresses as quickly as possible, having to catch the train back to Tetazo on track 12. He doesn''t understand the point of coming to Izambar to change and go straight back where he came from, but he assumes it''s a plan to get away from the police.


    - So complicated for nothing..." he sighed inwardly.


    Nevertheless, he has no choice if he is to rescue Deshya. Most likely, the criminal will decide not to let the girl go until he''s convinced he can escape with the money, but at least his chances of survival won''t be zero. He just has to hope.


    Time passes and the police arrive at the shed around the same time that Raiji takes the train back to Tetazo. Wearing a cap on his head that hides his hair and colorful clothes that don''t really look like him, he waits patiently on the train with his bag in his hands. The telephone is in front of him, on the small table. Raiji waits for another call from the kidnapper, but at the same time, he listens. For his part, Gatito receives a call from the Izambar police explaining the situation. The police inspector knocks on the desk in front of him and storms out of the room. He thanks his friend, hangs up and heads back to his car. He still has no answer from Sammy and Raiji has just disappeared with the money. Although Gatito is convinced that these are the kidnapper''s orders, he had asked the boy not to put himself in danger...! Now they don''t know where he''s headed and therefore where Deshya is! He''s about to call a member of the Tetazo police when his phone rings. He takes the call hastily.


    - Hello, Sammy?


    He listens and opens his eyes wide.


    - Y-You''re...!


    While Gatito is receiving the call, Raiji has also received one from the man who kidnapped Deshya.


    - As soon as the train stops at the first stop, Tetazo, you''re going to run out of the station without being noticed by anyone from the police. Then head down the street alongside the park to the abandoned warehouse a little further on.


    - The warehouse that''s going to be destroyed next week?" asks Raiji.


    - Exactly," he confirms.


    The boy accepts and the other person hangs up. Raiji tucks the phone away in the pocket of his slightly too tight pants and sighs. This situation gives him adrenaline, but now that the police are no longer on his trail, he''s starting to feel a real sense of dread: for himself and for Deshya. Nevertheless, he now knows how the culprit managed to create his alibi, as well as who killed Claire Dochamps. He knows the whole situation and smiles.


    - I won''t let you kill Deshya. Not in this lifetime.


    As ordered, Raiji runs away from the station, avoiding to be seen by anyone, but he''s aware that the way he''s running with such a big bag looks suspicious. He was able to rest on the train, so he managed to run to the abandoned warehouse and arrived there 20 minutes later. It''s nearly 4 p.m. and Raiji has received several calls from his mother. He sent her a message promising that he was all right: if he answered, he was afraid the kidnapper would get angry and think he was cooperating with the police from his own phone. Raiji admires Gatito''s phone in his hands and puts it away under his breath.


    - I can''t believe he left me his personal phone, anyway... He could have just transferred my number to the kidnapper," he thought.


    However, he doesn''t have time to think about all this, so he decides to move forward into the warehouse courtyard. As he suspected, this place is very quiet and straight out of a movie. This place is about to be demolished and renovated for a large supermarket, which doesn''t please the neighbors, but unfortunately they have nothing to say about the situation already chosen by the town council. Raiji enters the main building through the half open door and admires the interior. Large crates are still in some corners of the warehouse, including pieces of wood that will surely be used for future constructions. To his left, a metal staircase leads up to a large platform offering a view of the entire interior. A door is also visible, but Raiji has no idea what''s there. He''s never been to this warehouse before and doesn''t care to know the answer: he just wants to find Deshya. He continues to make his way through the rather dark room, illuminated only by the faint rays of sunlight coming in from outside through the broken windows.


    - ... Hm?


    Raiji stops as he sees someone emerge from his hiding place behind one of the warehouse''s large crates.


    - I don''t see any policemen around... I guess you really have honored our arrangement, Raiji Harmony.


    - Do you even know my last name? I''m only here to give you the ransom, nothing more, so don''t come attacking me.


    Raiji smiled.


    - So put down that gun you''re holding, will you?


    The young man in front of him, whose head is hidden by a large, dark hood, holds a weapon in his hand, pointing at Raiji''s body. He smiles back and even sneers.


    - Talking to me like that when I could just shoot you and run, what a strange boy.


    Raiji shrugs and raises the bag he''s still holding.


    - I''ve got 300,000 euros in cash right here. You can check to make sure there are no sensors in it, no problem.


    - Put the bag down a little closer to me and then step back. When I''ve checked that everything''s in order, I''ll tell you where Deshya is and we''ll never see each other again.


    - You''re the boss¡­


    Raiji takes a step forward and shows his teeth.


    - ... Jean Boketsu.


    The young man opposite squints and Raiji stops after a few steps. He puts the bag down and blows out his breath.


    - What a heavy bag¡ª


    - How do you know it''s me?


    Jean removes his hood, but continues to point the loaded gun at Raiji.


    - But I know how to change my voice," admits the kidnapper.


    Raiji takes a step back and touches the brim of his cap.


    - I know it was you who killed Claire Dochamps, and I even know how you fabricated your alibi. I know you did it.


    Raiji smiles again and looks up at Jean, his eyes illuminated by the few rays entering the warehouse.


    - Or rather, that you are THE culprits.

 34 -?The Fox-Eared Eye Witness Kidnapping Case ; Raiji and Korone?(CASE6)

    <hr>


    On September 07, a Wednesday that should have been like any other, Raiji suggested Deshya meet him at Linda Park, about five minutes from Tetazo''s school. Raiji warns the girl in the fox sweater that he will arrive a few minutes late, having to chat with a friend and his family before coming to the park. Deshya goes straight to the park and waits for him there, but as she sits quietly on a bench, she notices a bright glint in the corner of her eye, on the side of the forest that borders the park. When she heads there to satisfy her curiosity, a shocking scene presents itself to her eyes: the murder of a girl by a young man hidden by a long dark garment, his head under a loose hood. Deshya flees and texts Raiji to confess what she has just seen, but before she can escape the park, she is hit on the head and loses consciousness on the spot. Unfortunately, her phone is still on, so the kidnapper takes the opportunity to call Deshya''s father, ''Gatito Oveja'', the inspector of the Tetazo police force. A request for 300,000 euros in cash is made in order to free Deshya. Left with no choice, Gatito agrees, while Sammy and Korone go to talk to the victim''s parents. They learn that three young men could be potential culprits:


    Jean Boketsu, the ex-boyfriend of Claire Dochamps, the latter being the one who broke it off. However, when they go to check his alibi, Jean''s mother explains that he was in her room at the time of the crime, playing an online video game, and even answered her call to eat dinner. He arrived a few minutes later from his room.


    Adam Evans, Jean Boketsu''s ex-boyfriend, who was dumped by Jean when he took up with Claire. Adam feels hatred for Claire, not Jean, to the point of harassing her. He''s arrived a few minutes late at the fast-food restaurant to eat burgers with his friends, but the time he should have taken from the crime scene to where he is is far too long for him to have killed Claire: besides, he doesn''t have a driver''s license or a car.


    The last is Tom Loston, Adam Evans'' best friend. He was stalking Claire at Adam''s side for fun, but doesn''t seem to have a motive for murder. He was at the gym a few minutes after the murder, but there''s no way he could have committed the murder and got back in time.


    In short, all three have alibis.


    However, Korone asks Sammy to return to the home of one of the three suspects so she can find proof that this person is the criminal. When she returns, she discovers a certain object in the suspect''s room, as well as a strange trace very close to the window: she is now convinced that Jean Boketsu is the criminal, as well as her theory about the case and how he managed to create his alibi. Korone emerges from the house at Sammy''s side and again asks for his help in rescuing Deshya, which seems to surprise the detective.


    For his part, Raiji took the train to Bexel, first passing through the town north of Tetazo, ''Izambar'', alongside five policemen who hid under normal clothes and kept a close eye on him. Unfortunately, this plan didn''t work out so well: Raiji received a call from the kidnapper, who ordered him to get off the train at the last minute with the money and head for the field below to escape from the police. Which he does without question. There, he enters a small shed monitored by a webcam. Colorful clothes await him on a short table: he has to undress and put them on to ensure that no microphone or sensor is hidden on him. Raiji must then join a train at track 12 of Izambar station to return to Tetazo, where he will finally know where he must offer the ransom to save Deshya. On the way back, he finally learns the final location: an abandoned warehouse close to Linda Park, scheduled to be destroyed shortly. Raiji runs to it, and at around 4 p.m., he arrives inside and meets the culprit of this affair, hidden under a long, dark, hooded garment. He sets the bag down a few steps away from this person and smiles.


    - You''re the boss... Jean Boketsu.


    He pronounces the identity of the culprit in this case, which shocks the kidnapper. The latter removes his hood and finally shows his face: short black hair and dark brown eyes behind rectangular glasses. The weapon in Jean''s hands continues to point at Raiji''s body, but this doesn''t stop the teenager from smiling broadly.


    - I know it was you who killed Claire Dochamps, and I even know how you fabricated your alibi. I know you did it.


    He finishes his sentence by looking up at him, the cap still on top of his head.


    - Or rather, that you are THE culprits.


    CHAPTER 34


    ?The Fox-Eared Eye Witness Kidnapping Case ; Raiji and Korone?


    - That WE are THE culprits...?" repeats Jean, his finger trembling on the gun''s trigger.


    Raiji drops the brim of his cap and tells him that''s what he just said. Jean squints, staring at the boy in front of him, interested, but feeling a strange, even disturbing feeling.


    - What do you mean...?


    Raiji took another step back, the bag with the money as far away from him as it was from Jean.


    - I mean, I figured out how you made up your alibi. You may have killed Claire Dochamps, but¡­


    Raiji frowns.


    - Jean Boketsu. Adam Evans. Tom Loston. You''re all three accomplices.


    As he utters these words, he points at the young man in front of him with a serious expression. Jean takes a step back and an unpleasant shiver runs through his body. He almost pulls the trigger on his gun, but holds back and simply squeezes. Raiji almost crouches when he sees Jean''s reaction, but fortunately for him, he doesn''t shoot. The boy sighs in relief and shakes his head, as well as his body.


    - I thought I was going to get shot... Aaaah¡­


    The fear he''s just felt is one he''s never experienced before. Nevertheless, he doesn''t have time to breathe on his own, happy to have been spared: he continues to speak, staring at Jean.


    - You''re the one who killed your ex, Claire Dochamps. A fatal blow to the back of the head at the edge of the forest, right next to the park. I suppose you were going to take her further away first, but she refused, huh?


    Jean swallows loudly and keeps his gaze on the teenager in front of him, dozens of steps away.


    - Given that the police found Claire''s phone next to her body, I assume you contacted her a few days ago to arrange a meeting, or else you deleted your message from her phone. You were a couple before, so it''s not impossible that you knew her number and she simply forgot to change it," Raiji talks to him.


    - ... Eheh. Ahah, ahahah!


    Suddenly, Jean bursts out laughing. Raiji remains in his place, staring intently at the dark-haired young man. He who killed a girl for probably some macabre reason, simply because of a break-up. His laughter echoes in the warehouse, the atmosphere plummets and Raiji swallows loudly, feeling uncomfortable. Jean calms down and points the gun at Raiji again.


    - I guess there''s no point in lying, now that you''ve seen my face and you seem to be convinced of yourself. But you say Adam and Tom are in on it, too? Why is that, tell me?


    Raiji tucks his hands into his trouser pockets, where he finds his phone and Deshya''s father''s phone.


    - Since it''s you, but you''ve got an alibi, you couldn''t have done it on your own. Well, it''s possible, but given the situation, someone had to help you," explains Raiji. You asked one of your friends to stand in front of the computer, play a certain online game to prove that ''you'' were really on the computer and probably recorded a few lines on a sound box. When your mother knocked on your door to tell you that you were going to eat, the person who was really in your room simply used this box to answer with the right phrase. You could have used keyboard and mouse noises as an alibi and simply confessed that you were too concentrated in your game to hear your mother, but that wouldn''t have been a convincing alibi, so you decided to think of a ''perfect'' plan with one of your exes and his best, both of whom hate Claire as much as you do it has to be said.


    - Hey, I could have found another way to create my alibi, couldn''t I? Why should it be Adam and Tom who help me? Why them, huh?


    - True, it could be anyone, but I understood that there had to be three people-no, FOUR people-helping you.


    When he hears this from Raiji, he opens his eyes wide in shock. Raiji shakes his head.


    - I have no idea who the fourth person is, but I''m convinced there are four of you. You''re the one who killed Claire Dochamps, Adam and Tom helped create your alibi and a fourth person helped you with the plan to prevent me from contacting the police. From your house or Tetazo, you''d never have been able to check my movements, except by hacking into the station cameras, but I don''t know how you''d have done it in the shed in the field. There were clothes prepared for a boy like me, and a webcam you could access. That''s too well prepared, for someone who kidnapped Deshya because she saw who was guilty of Claire''s murder. So there must have been a fourth person, because if it had been Adam or Tom, we wouldn''t have been able to talk to them when Sammy went to find them, otherwise they''d never have had time to prepare everything.


    Raiji stayed put, although he felt like circling Jean as he explained the reality of the situation. He felt like acting like a predator showing dominance over its prey, but with Jean in possession of a gun that''s probably the real thing, Raiji doesn''t want to risk his life for nothing. He''s already on his guards in case Jean loses patience and decides to shoot him, but for now, he has to stall.


    - I don''t know who it is, but this fourth person followed me on the train, keeping a close eye on me while chatting with you on the phone or by message, or even e-mail. Nothing says you knew about the microphones, sensors and policemen, but you took every possible precaution. I''m impressed. Well, almost," admits Raiji.


    - But how is that possible, tell me?


    Jean smiled back.


    - I spoke with Adam and Tom after the detective came to question me and they explained what they were doing at the time and both have alibis too. How could they have helped me, eh?!


    The bespectacled young man takes a step forward.


    - Adam arrived a little later at the rendezvous with his buddies and Tom was at his gym a few minutes after the murder too, but how could they have helped me?! Or rather, why, hmm? Why put the blame on both of them, when with what you''re saying, I''d only need one person to create my alibi!


    - Three.


    - Huh?


    Jean squints. Raiji holds up three fingers and frowns, staring at the captor.


    - One, it''s you. Claire Dochamps'' killer and the one who called me on the phone.


    Raiji takes a step forward.


    - Two, this is Adam. The one who helped you create an alibi.


    He takes another step forward and shakes his head, enraged.


    - And thirdly, it''s Tom, the one who came with you and knocked Deshya out!


    Jean took two steps back and clutched his pistol, gasping for breath. Raiji wanted to smile to mock him, but he couldn''t calm what he felt inside: in short, smiling was impossible for him.


    - W-What are you talking about?!" shouts Jean, threatening him with a pistol.


    - It''s quite simple. You went to kill Claire Dochamps in the forest near the park, but you weren''t alone. I wondered how Deshya managed to get hit in the back of the head while fleeing. She even sent me a message, "Moon Killer", before she was caught. However, with the bars between the forest and the park, how would you have caught up with Deshya? I may not be friends with her, not yet, but I know her well: she''s fast and agile. The only way she could have been fooled... is if someone else was with you.


    - B-But... T-That can''t be!


    Raiji squints.


    - If it was Tom who hit Deshya and knocked her out, time doesn''t work!!! He has an alibi! He could never have been at the gym if he was at the park when the crime was committed, so what you''re saying isn''t possible!!! In short, Tom had nothing to do with this crime! Nor Adam!!!


    - Double alibis.


    - Huh?!


    Raiji crosses his arms.


    - You and Tom go to Linda Park around 1 p.m., the two of you hidden by long clothes that prevent anyone from recognizing you. Then you kill Claire and return home with a perfect alibi on both sides. I''m guessing that Tom would accompany you in case Claire managed to escape or if anyone saw you... like what happened with Deshya," he continues to explain.


    - I told you, it can''t be!


    - Let me finish.


    - ... Tsk.


    - Adam is at your place, playing computer games for you and a box of recorded sentences in your voice so he can answer your mother if he has to. After all, you''ve been living with them for a long time, so you figured you''d be eating at this point. Since Claire is a girl who goes to Tetazo high school, you couldn''t meet her before her classes were over.


    Jean moved towards the closed bag, listening to Raiji, the weapon still pointed at him, but less steady than before.


    - As soon as you''d finished with Claire, you had to get straight home as quickly as possible using Tom''s car, so no one would see you on your scooter. However, Deshya saw you and you had to waste some time bringing her here, which must have taken a few minutes. Maybe it was the same fourth person who did it, but that''s a detail that doesn''t matter to me.


    Raiji shrugs and Jean opens the bag while continuing to stare at the boy.


    - Before you got home, Adam left your room using a rope placed at the window in advance. There''s even a rubbing mark on the windowsill that proves this theory.


    Jean frowns before checking the bag for sensors.


    - How could you possibly know that?


    However, Raiji ignores his question and continues.


    - Since Adam had already answered your mother using the box, she wasn''t going to come back into your room, so getting out a bit before you arrived wasn''t a problem. Meanwhile, Adam was being used again.


    Raiji smiled.


    - To create Tom''s alibi.


    Jean clutches the pistol in his hand, but decides to look after the money in the bag. The interior of the warehouse is rather dark, but he still notices that it''s not fake. What''s more, he doesn''t see any microphones or sensors, although they may be in the background.


    - Since Adam and Tom look so much alike, Adam ran towards the room and when he got there, he stayed outside and even answered his friend''s call, pretending that Tom was receiving someone''s call. He wandered off a bit, chatting away, and when Tom arrived, Adam went to join his friends. I didn''t notice at the time, but it''s true that their pants are similar, but not their shirts: anyway, Adam must have had a certain sweater that he passed to Tom when he arrived, because if they didn''t have the same clothes, it would never have worked.


    Raiji shakes his head with a grin. Jean takes the bag with one hand and the other, threatening Raiji with a shot.


    - I don''t know how you found all this out, but what proof do you have, eh?" asks Jean.


    - It''s easy for you, since you''re standing right in front of me, threatening to shoot me and run off with the money. What''s more, the rope marks on the window sill and the box with your voice in it are enough: we can ask your mother if this is what she heard you say to confirm that this is how you created your alibi.


    Jean takes a step back without looking away from Raiji.


    - As far as Adam is concerned, you only have to look for his fingerprints on the mouse, the box or anywhere else in your room to prove he was there. He could have worn gloves, but I doubt it. In any case, there are probably footprints in the garden. As for Tom, I don''t suppose there''s any real proof, except for his clothes or simply that Deshya must have known he was there. There''s no way you''ll be able to catch up with her in time, and you''ll just have to check the footprints in the park.


    Raiji takes off his cap and throws it in the air, gritting his teeth behind an angry smile.


    - Ya¡¯re all full of shit.


    Jean takes another step back and swallows loudly. He looks behind him, but there''s nobody there. Another step back and he starts to laugh.


    - Ahah... Ahahah!!! You''re so clever, my little Raiji !!! But it changes nothing, even if you can see through our plans, it changes nothing!!! The police don''t know you''re here and all I have to do is run away with the money so they don''t catch me!


    - You''re going to kill Deshya and then kill me, aren''t you?


    - Of course yes! You know too much! However, I want to know one thing before I shoot you: how did you know it was me, eh?


    Raiji began to sweat. Although he''d been warned that Jean was going to shoot him, he wasn''t confident in his ability to dodge the bullet. What''s more, he was unfortunately right: the police had no idea where he was now. He was alone in that warehouse... but¡­


    - Two things. Deshya and what you said," Raiji replied, hesitating to flee.


    Jean stops and frowns.


    - What do you mean?


    - When Sammy questioned you, you said you''d never been to Linda Park. However, he never once mentioned Linda Park. They could have been talking about Am¨¦lie Park.


    - Eh. It made sense that it was Linda''s!


    - Still. And anyway, we know you''re the killer either way.


    Raiji taps one of the two phones in his pockets.


    - Before she was knocked unconscious, Deshya sent me a message as she fled. She wrote "Killer Gl".


    Raiji points again at Jean.


    - What she really wanted to tell me was, "Killer Glasses¡±*. Of the three suspects, you''re the only one wearing glasses, you little shit.


    * (In french, the original language of the story, the message was ¡®Tueur Lune¡¯ who can be translated to ¡®Killer Moon¡¯. The message she really wanted to send was ¡®Tueur Lunette¡¯, who would be ¡®Killer Glasses¡¯. That¡¯s why I had to change.)


    Jean grits her teeth and clenches her finger on the trigger. Raiji prepares to dodge the bullet, but the interior of the warehouse is far too dark for him to see when Jean intends to fire.


    - But how the fuck do you know all this?!" shouts the kidnapper, about to flee too.


    Raiji smiled, sweating.


    - I hate to admit it, but I''d never have found all this. I''m not smart enough, even if I had come to question you.


    - Huuuuh?


    The confusion is clearly present in Jean''s voice, which Raiji understands.


    - Unfortunately, I wasn''t the one to figure it all out, but it was explained to me on the train home.


    - No way!!! My buddy was watching you closely !!!


    - Hey.


    Raiji opened his mouth wide with a teasing expression and finally lifted his tongue. Although Jean couldn''t see very well from where he was standing, he could see the boy catch something under his tongue and raise it to the sky.


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    - Everything was explained to me from this microphone... which serves as a sensor.


    Jean opened his eyes wide and just as he was about to shoot Raiji, a noise sounded behind him. He suddenly turns around, but before he can understand what''s happening, someone hits him in the back of the knee and forces him to lose his balance. Another person runs up to him and tackles him to the ground, knocking on his pistol and causing it to slide out of the kidnapper''s grasp. Jean starts screaming, whether in pain or anger, and Raiji drops to the ground with a sigh of relief.


    - I thought I was going to die..." he says.


    - How?!" shouts Jean.


    - Shut up!" shouts a male voice.


    The man holding Jean is someone Raiji recognizes: it''s Sammy, the police detective who went to interview the three suspects. At his side, the girl throws her bat behind her and, after moving a little in all directions for a reason Raiji doesn''t understand, approaches him with a smile.


    - You said everything I told you, hihi!


    - It was weird, listening to all that stuff you''d figured out on the train, coming from my mouth... Sounds like your plan was perfect¡­


    Korone, the little girl with long, snow-white hair.


    The smile on her face is innocent and bright, but Raiji can''t see it that way. He stands up and scratches the back of his head, still sweating, though reassured.


    - How did you manage to find all this...?" he asks.


    - Hihi, Sammy helped me understand!


    She looks back at the detective, who is about to pull out his phone to call the police.


    - Well, that''s a lie, since I''ve got it all figured out. myself, but Raiji will ask me too many questions if I answer honestly..." thinks Korone.


    When the boy had gone to join Gatito in collecting the ransom, she had stopped him, asking him to hide a microphone under his tongue and give her one in return. Korone wasn''t familiar with the various ''toys'' possessed by the police, but she knew that there were some that could speak and hear, like walkie-talkies. Korone had thought about the possibility of Raiji being searched or forced to change clothes in case the kidnappers were smart enough to understand that the police wouldn''t offer ransom without a plan. Raiji could move his lips gently and speak so that Korone would hear him and know where he was going, while she could explain the case to him and save time by revealing everything to Korone.Jean, while disturbing him. Sammy will call the police when¡ª


    - FREE JEAN!!!!!


    A voice shouts from the warehouse. Raiji jumped and looked up, the same reaction as Sammy. On the metal platform above the detective''s head, a young man was holding a girl with a knife to her throat.


    - D-Deshya!!!" shouts Raiji.


    Her mouth is bandaged, her hands and feet tied. She is conscious, but closes one eye and breathes with difficulty. Sammy grits his teeth and the young man looks down at the scene below him through the holes in the platform.


    - Release Jean and let him go with the money, or I''ll kill her!


    - It''s Adam!" remarked Korone.


    Sammy puts his phone in his pocket and stands up, placing his hands on top of him. Jean pushes him violently and grabs the bag again before running off.


    - Get moving!


    He forces the little girl and Raiji out of the way and runs out of the warehouse, panting. Adam laughs and squeezes the knife in his hands.


    - Let her go, now!" shouts Sammy.


    - Ahah... Ahahah!!! She knows too much, just like you!!! You should never have intervened in the case, just given us the ransom!!!


    Deshya wants to get agitated and try to run away, but the knife is right in front of her throat: that would be too risky. Raiji throws up his hands and promises they won''t tell the police if he lets Deshya go, but Adam just starts laughing at him. Sammy stays where he is, his phone in his pocket and his gun in its place. Unfortunately, by the time he catches it, loads it and fires, Adam will surely have the reflex to dodge or kill Deshya before he''s hit.


    - Besides, I''m below them, so I can''t shoot accurately from here...!


    Korone stares at the chestnut-haired young man holding Deshya right next to him with angry eyes. If they try to climb the stairs to their left, they''ll never get there in time, and Adam will slit Deshya''s throat, probably killing her instantly. From their position, there''s nothing they can do, and it''s impossible to reach Adam without climbing the stairs: in short, nothing seems able to save Deshya. She looks a few steps away and squints.


    - I''ve got no choice¡­


    Adam continues to laugh before calming down and presses the knife against the girl''s throat, pulling her head back.


    - I want you all to watch her die!!!! All!!!!


    Raiji begs him not to do anything and Sammy is about to grab his gun, but he''s convinced that from where he''s standing, there''s nothing he can do. However, he has no choice. Korone frowns and realizes that she, too, has no other option. The little girl shouts to Adam that she has an idea and the young man squints. She starts to run forward and Adam yells at her that he''s really going to kill her. Sammy and Raiji ask her what she''s doing, but Korone suddenly stops and stamps her foot hard underneath her.


    - WATCH HER DIE AND SHUT HER UP!!!" screams Adam.


    He''s about to slit her throat when Raiji notices something flying beside Korone. As her foot hits the ground beneath her, a metallic noise sounds and he now understands what it is. The little girl catches the object in flight and raises her hands with almost inhuman speed. Closing one eye, she took aim at Adam without a second to be precise.


    And Korone fires Jean''s pistol.


    With no time to prepare, she falls because of the gun recoil and the bullet hurtles towards Adam. Surprised by the shot, he stops before slitting Deshya''s throat and catches the bullet right in his hand. He screams in pain, drops his knife and takes two steps back. Deshya pushes him down and forces him to fall, before sitting up and grabbing the knife from her still tied hands. She starts to cut the ties, but Adam runs towards her. However, Korone, sitting on the ground, aims again at the man and lowers the hammer before firing a second time. The bullet enters the young man''s arm, and he collapses against the wall, holding it and moaning. Sammy starts running up the metal stairs and Raiji stands still, transfixed by what he has just witnessed. Deshya manages to undo the ties around her wrists and cuts those around her feet too. She removes the sticky paper from her mouth and steps back, staring at the young man who is holding his arm, suffering and letting out rales. Sammy arrives and asks Deshya if she''s all right, which she affirms with a nod. The warehouse door opens violently and adults arrive on the scene, pistols in their hands. Raiji suddenly turns around and notices that one of the people¡ª


    - The police?" he wonders aloud.


    Gatito lowers his weapon at the sight of the teenager and approaches him, but before he can even ask his question, Sammy shouts from above.


    - He''s got a bullet in his arm and one in his hand, I need a doctor!!!" shouts Sammy as he carries one of the


    kidnappers.


    - Who?" asks Gatito.


    - Adam Evans! He had your daughter hostage, she''s right here!!!


    - Adam? I thought that¡­


    - The three suspects are all together in the case, but there''s a fourth who seemed to be helping them," Raiji explains.


    - ... I see¡­


    Gatito blinks, but shakes his head and asks if everything''s all right. He nods and Korone approaches the man with a smile.


    - Deshya is saved!


    - What were those gun sounds?


    Korone doesn''t answer and simply keeps smiling. Raiji gazes at her with wide eyes, while other members of the police inspect the scene. The little girl touches her lips with her index finger.


    - Did you catch Jeaaaan?" she asks, ignoring Deshya''s father''s question.


    - Yes, he''s already in the police car with the recovered bag.


    Gatito holstered his pistol and watched his daughter descend the stairs two at a time. She finally jumps into her father''s arms and closes her eyes.


    - I thought I was going to be killed..." she complains.


    - Sorry, we were too slow¡­


    Korone admires them with a joyful expression, but his smile has since disappeared. Raiji stoops down beside the little girl and frowns.


    - Who are you?


    Korone blinks and turns to him.


    - You shot him right in the hand to keep him from cutting her throat, and then you shot him in the arm again, even though the lack of light means you can barely see. What''s more, you''re a little girl who understood their plan and foresaw that I''d be fitted with sensors and microphones, but also foresaw that I''d have to remove them. What are you?


    - My name is Korone Daiski, and I''m an 8-year-old little girl! Pleased to meet you, Raiji!


    She shakes his hand and Raiji stirs, almost pushing her.


    - I''m se¡ª


    - Korone!


    Deshya stops hugging her father to take the little girl in her arms, which makes Korone smile. She hugs her back and smiles that she''s happy she''s okay. Raiji admires the spectacle and finally smiles as he looks back at the pistol Korone used to shoot Adam. He squints, but eventually retrieves the cap he''s tossed into the air and shrugs.


    - Buh, what the hell..." he said to himself.


    A few minutes later, Jean Boketsu and Adam Evans leave in a police car, both arrested for murder and complicity. A patrol also heads for Tom Loston''s house, since it was he who hit and abducted Deshya, along with an accomplice of the other two. Jean still hasn''t admitted the first name of the fourth accomplice, the one who prepared the clothes in the shed in Izambar. Gatito thanks Annie for healing Adam''s wounds.


    - It''s nothing," Annie replies. We have little Korone to thank for saving Deshya, hehe.


    Gatito insisted on knowing where the shots had come from, since it hadn''t been Sammy who''d fired them, and Raiji had finally confessed what he''d seen. Korone scratches his cheek.


    - It was either that or Deshya getting killed..." admits the little girl.


    - I''m still impressed that you managed to aim for his hand," Deshya tells him.


    - I was lucky, hehe¡­


    Raiji walks a little further, phone to his ear: he''s calling his mother to ask her to come and get him. Sammy approaches the small group and bows to Deshya.


    - I''ve been useless. I''m very sorry.


    - You weren¡¯t, what¡­


    - Yes, it is. I''m really sorry. I really am.


    Deshya smiles and promises him it''s no big deal. Her father sits down and sighs.


    - Would you like me to ask Bibi to come tonight...?


    - I''m fine, but it wouldn''t hurt, ahah....


    - You''re a real handful these days.


    - Yeah¡­


    Korone caresses Deshya''s shoulder, promising that all will be well, while Raiji returns to their side.


    - My mother''s coming to pick me up in a few minutes, so there''s no need to bring me back," he explains.


    - Are you sure?" asked Deshya.


    - Of course you can.


    He bows in turn, a saddened expression on his face.


    - If I hadn''t arrived late or asked you to do something together, you wouldn''t have been kidnapped. I''m sorry. I''m sorry.


    - Everyone''s going to apologize to me...? It''s not your fault!


    Deshya stands up and strokes her hair, smiling.


    - Tomorrow, we''re going for a little walk together after school, if that''s okay with you?" the girl suggests.


    Raiji raises his trunk and nods happily. He thanks her with a big smile, much to Annie and Korone''s amusement. Sammy puts his phone away and sighs.


    - Also, the reason Claire Dochamps'' murder was committed was because Jean saw her already flirting with another boy, which made him very jealous and he couldn''t control himself. He asked Adam and Tom to help him, and they agreed," explains the detective.


    - Such a stupid reason? I can''t believe it..." says Raiji.


    - I have to admit that...


    Deshya is not surprised, but to kill someone for such a reason¡­


    - We''re going back to the station, so can you come by tomorrow evening to talk about it, Deshya?" asks Annie.


    - Of course you do. Tonight, I want to rest... just rest.


    - I''ll call Bibi when we get home," says Gatito.


    - Thank you.


    - I''m going to take a walk around the neighborhood while I wait for my mom, so I''ll see you tomorrow!" says Raiji.


    - All right, see you tomorrow! Thanks for coming to save me, too.


    Raiji stops walking and smiles at him, but doesn''t say a word. Gatito tells him they''ll collect his clothes and return them to him this evening. Raiji thanks him and waves his hand over his head before leaving. For her part, Annie takes a box out of her bag and grabs a pill before swallowing it without even drinking water. Deshya watches her in amazement. She and Sammy leave in turn, joining the same car. Korone turns to the police inspector.


    - Why did she take medicine?" she asks.


    - It''s because of the car. She always takes a tranquilizer before getting into a car," Gatito replies honestly.


    - Really? Why?


    His daughter questions him with her eyes, but Gatito stands up and puts both hands in his trouser pockets.


    - A story from the past¡­


    He squints.


    - One that doesn''t necessarily concern you.


    Deshya admires her father with wide eyes: it''s a part of him she''s hardly ever seen. When he speaks sadly. The man offers the two girls a ride home, and they happily accept. Korone turns and admires one last time the warehouse behind her, where she was forced to shoot the culprit to save Deshya.


    - I was right to call Gatito and explain the situation..." she thinks. I didn''t say anything to Raiji or Sammy, because it was better that they didn''t know anything and played along, but I wonder if I did the right thing¡­


    The reason Korone didn''t confess everything about the main reason which is why the police were on the lookout was because they knew Jean wasn''t the only kidnapper: in short, at least one person was helping him. Had they understood that the police knew where Raiji was, perhaps they would have killed Deshya without waiting a second and probably done the same to the boy. Korone therefore decided to talk to everyone on their side, and let everyone play their part without them knowing what anyone else was doing. This way, the kidnappers would never have realized that the police were outside, waiting for them to come out thinking they''d won. Korone had also confessed where Raiji was going when he whispered his orders to her. She doesn''t want to imagine the current situation if she hadn''t asked the boy to place a microphone under her tongue, where no one could have guessed its existence. What''s more, Raiji was probably very efficient, given that to speak to Korone, he had to move his lips as little as possible without being noticed by the person following him.


    - He could have pretended to whistle a melody, but I''m sure they would have been suspicious¡­


    On his thoughts, Korone climbs into the car at the back. Deshya sits in the front and Gatito at the wheel. Before starting off, the man bites his thumb. His daughter asks him if he''s all right, but he takes a few moments before answering.


    - I don''t know if this is the best time to admit it, but we''ve had some news about the man who shot ''Mathieu Desudo''.


    - Ma-Mathieu?!


    - !!


    The two girls stare wide-eyed at the man. Mathieu Desudo is the bus driver who killed Korone''s adoptive parents and was shot by a sniper. The sniper almost killed Korone with a bullet to the head, but at the last moment, she pushed Deshya aside and hid from the gunman.


    - Who?! Who is it?!!" urges Deshya.


    Gatito drops a sharp glance behind, watching Korone, and finally fires up the engine.


    - Unfortunately, he''s a man with no identity. He''s not on file. His fingerprints lead nowhere. We don''t know who he is, and no one seems to have seen him before.


    A revelation that shocks both girls. Deshya remains frozen in her place, but when her father asks her to fasten her belt, she complies, gritting her teeth. Korone imitates the fox-eared girl''s gesture and looks down, biting her lower lip.


    - It-it''s not someone who... I... I thought...?


    She would have liked to believe something else, but if the police can''t discover her own identity, Korone can only come up with one explanation. Gatito starts the car and finally drives down the road, returning home with his daughter and Korone, all three silent.


    Until they arrive, no one speaks. Deshya turns once to Korone, remembering that it was actually she who figured out that Jean was the criminal, helped by Adam and Tom. What''s more, she''s managed to shoot Adam''s hand off in a dimly lit room, as well as a girl who''s being targeted by someone with no identity. With everything revolving around the little girl, Deshya wonders¡­


    If Korone could have anything to do with her.

 35 -?The Last Floors Locked Room ; Part 1?(CASE7)

    <hr>


    The darkness of the night. The lack of light in the streets. This room is no exception, however... someone is stirring in bed, bothered by something. They want to scream, to shout, letting their rage escape from their body. The person hits the wall behind the bed. They don''t use enough force to create a hole, but they keep hitting, hitting, hitting. They receive a message and turn to their phone with an angry expression, one that could frighten any child.


    - ... ... ... !


    The message this person receives makes their case even worse. They throw the phone on their bed, not wanting to break it, and scratches their hair violently as they look down at her desk.


    - ... ! ... ! ... !


    And then an idea pops into their mind. While looking at the ticket on the edge of the desk, the person remembers what''s going to happen tomorrow. Where they''re all going.


    - ¡­


    Another idea pops into their head. They smile and start giggling, eventually bursting out laughing. They turn on their desk lamp, continuing to howl their ¡®joy¡¯. The evil shadow of this person is projected onto the wall behind them, as they begin to write on a letter without stopping to laugh.


    This person is now sure of themself. There''s no hesitation. With a smile from the underworld, they admire the letter with an expression as amused as it is enraged.


    - Enjoy your last day... demon.


    CHAPTER 35


    ?The Last Floor''s Locked Room ; Part 1?


    After a restful Thursday of classes, Deshya went two hours at Raiji''s side, getting to know each other. When they had to return to their respective homes, they exchanged numbers and wished each other a good evening, including a good night''s sleep. Deshya returns home with a smile on her face and tells her parents about her day, as well as little Korone, who has been watching TV until now. In the evening, Deshya enjoys the live show by Waffie, the Vtuber she adores so much, and discusses it with Raiji. As Amora had told her, this boy likes Waffie a lot, including other Vtubers Deshya doesn''t know well. However, she''s happy to learn new names and discover different personalities. When Waffie stops her live show, Deshya goes to sleep and gets a good night''s sleep, as Raiji had hoped.


    The next day, September 09, 2022. Classes continue until 3:25 p.m. for Deshya and her class, except for those who have chosen ''Latin 4'' as an elective. The girl in the fox sweater walks alongside Amora Takt, her best friend, but they don''t go home: they wait for Lam and Frie, who both arrive quite soon.


    - I was looking for something in my locker, sorry!" admits Frie.


    - No need to apologize, we''ve got plenty of time before it''s time!" smiles Amora.


    The girl turns to her best friend and grabs her hand.


    - Otherwise, you didn''t tell me!! Did you have a good time with Raiji yesterday?


    - Yes, it was very nice!" replies Deshya. I can see why you two are friends.


    Raiji has less energy than Amora, but she has noticed the influence they have on each other. Frie takes four tickets out of her pocket and offers one to each of them. Lam grabs it first, thanking her friend, then Deshya and finally Amora.


    - I bet it''s going to be so cool!" she says.


    On Monday of this week, four days before, Frie proposed to Deshya to spend a night at the ''Beleza Verde'' hotel in the south of Tetazo. Frie''s mother had won four tickets during a radio game, but her father wasn''t up for it and his wife already had plans with friends. So Frie invited Lam, Amora and finally Deshya, and all four of them are going today, in the evening: the valid ticket time is ''6pm'' and will end 24 hours later. However, since Deshya has to join her father for a party the next day, she''ll be back before her friends.


    - I can''t wait!" admits Lam.


    The ¡®Beleza Verde'' is a chic hotel that sometimes welcomes celebrities and has a total of 14 floors. It''s not unusual for the hotel to be full, and there are three different swimming pools available, although this evening, the fourth, which will become the hotel''s largest, will finally open its arms. From what Deshya has been able to learn on the internet by researching the subject, only those with special tickets ¡ª which they hold in their hands ¡ª or with a ''VIP'' reservation will be allowed in this pool for this weekend. From Monday September 12, it will be available to everyone staying at the hotel. Deshya could never refuse Frie''s offer!


    - Can we walk there? We''ll take about forty minutes to get there, so we''ll have to wait just under two hours afterwards..." asks Lam.


    The girl with the long white hair is dressed in the same way as she was on Monday, just as Frie is wearing the same clothes. Amora changes clothes almost every day, unlike Deshya who washed her fox sweater last night and is wearing the same one. She had hesitated to take the other one, which she doesn''t wear very often, but finally decided that the dark one with the orange markings suits her best, especially for going to a hotel. The only problem she had to solve was about the pool.


    - The swimming caps crush my ears and it''s a bit disturbing, but at least I''ll be able to go too," she told herself.


    Diving into a pool in a sweater is a horrible idea, but going without a cap isn''t ideal either. She''ll put up with going in with one on her head, but¡­ what''s more annoying is her fox tail. If she''s swimming in the pool in a bikini, it''ll be all too easy to see that her tail is a member of her body, not a fake she''s attaching to her panties or¡­


    - Yeah, well, lucky I''ve got a one-piece swimsuit that''s a similar color to my fox tail, ahah..." she thinks.


    Deshya turns to Frie, who shows her excitement.


    - I think we should head for the hotel now and stop off at the little bar next door. The hotel is free for us, but we can still have a snack while we wait!" she suggests.


    - We''ve already got our bags ready and our parents have all been notified, so I guess we have no choice," says Deshya.


    - I think it''s a great idea," admits Lam.


    All on the same wavelength, they decide to leave for the hotel together, talking about everything and anything on the way.


    - Ah, it''s going to be 6pm soon!!!


    Amora stands up, looking at her phone, and Lam finishes her drink before placing her glass on the bar table. The girl with the long pink hair grabs and places it on her shoulders. She turns to Deshya, who stands up in turn.


    - The sooner you go, the more time you have to enjoy it," she says.


    - Exactly! Well said!


    As always, Amora lets her energy out, and her voice reverberates throughout the bar. Lam asks her to speak a little quieter, but Frie just chuckles. Deshya leaves the bar first, smiling.


    - Screaming like that will upset people, if she''s not careful," she thinks.


    She remembers a couple who came to yell at them when Amora was screaming with joy after winning a game of Uno against Deshya. She teased her for several days after that evening. Deshya will never forget it¡­


    The four of them arrive in front of the hotel at precisely 6pm and enter the large lobby. The carpets on the floor are decorated with many beautiful, colorful and modern patterns. The inlaid lamps in the ceiling make the hall even brighter and more pleasant. Opposite them, a long desk awaits them, with several similarly dressed people chatting with arrivals. Plants comfortably placed in vases all along the corridor, glass walls and a small indoor fountain decorate the lobby, which seems to have come straight out of a movie. Amora''s eyes shine like stars, but she''s not the only one: all four friends have the same expression. They''ve never been to a hotel like this, so they can''t help but be impressed. Lam is the first to move towards the counter, her ticket in her hands. She calls to the others, who follow her, and the four of them arrive in front of a man who is collecting his room key. He thanks the lady and heads for the elevators, a large wheeled bag in his right hand, which he pulls with a thin handle. The lady notices Deshya''s fox sweater and gives a big smile.


    - Aaah, aren''t you Deshya Oveja?!" she asks.


    Deshya is surprised by his remark and nods in agreement.


    - I see you a lot in the papers at the moment!! I''m glad to see you in good health, especially after what happened on Wednesday.


    The lady is dressed like the two next to her, in green clothes and a small floral hat. Such attire is understandable, given the hotel''s name: ''Beleza Verde'' means ''Green Beauty'' in Portuguese. What''s more, the walls of the building are decorated with numerous vines and climbing plants. The many vases inside the lobby make sense when you consider the hotel''s theme.


    - Ahah, thank you.


    Deshya''s kidnapping was published in several newspapers and even discussed on TV, since it also touched on the death of Claire Dochamps. She has even noticed that her first name is sometimes mentioned online: her popularity is only increasing, albeit rather slowly.


    - If it goes on like this, I''ll become a star and won''t be able to hide my fox-like attributes. It''s as much a dream as a nightmare..." thinks Deshya, showing the lady his ticket.


    After inspecting the four tickets, the woman rummages for a moment in a small bin under the desk and places two cards in front of her.


    - So you''re the winners of the game we programmed on the radio! I hope you enjoy your stay at the Hotel Beleza Verde", she wishes them.


    Deshya grabs both cards and offers one to Lam.


    - Only two?" she asks.


    The woman nods.


    - These are your room cards. You pass it over the lock and you can enter the room, although you don''t need it to leave, of course. There''s only one key per room, although we have a card that opens all the rooms, should a problem arise.


    Deshya contemplates it with interest. It''s a fairly simple map, with several colored lines running horizontally, and the room number in black.


    - If you lose it, we can quickly recreate another one, but I''d advise you to be very careful: we may be able to deactivate an old key, but this has caused problems in the past," explains the lady.


    - Are the rooms for two?" asks Deshya.


    - There are rooms for four people and we can install a crib free of charge, but your tickets are for rooms for two, yes. Is it a problem?


    Deshya turns to her friends, but they shake their heads.


    - I''ve already slept with Deshyshy several times!" admits Amora.


    - Even if I had to put on my fox pajamas and die of heat in her arms, ahah..." recalls Deshya.


    - I don''t mind sleeping with Frie," admits Lam.


    - Same here!


    - Perfect, then.


    Deshya thanks the lady and they in turn head for the elevators.


    - Enjoy your stay at Beleza Verde!" the woman wished them before welcoming the next group.


    They thanked her wholeheartedly and waited outside the elevator door, right next to a family of three. A man with shaved hair, a woman with long black hair and a fairly young child holding his parents'' hands with a smile. Amora asks Deshya if she can receive the card and she readily accepts.


    - I''ll be able to sleep with Deshyshy again!!!" exclaimed Amora.


    - Do you like sleeping with someone, Amora?" asks Frie.


    - Of course I do! She may not be my girlfriend, but sleeping with my best friend, I like it!


    Deshya lets out a wry smile. When she thinks about it, Korone and Amora are similar in the way they sleep: they like to lie on their sides and hug her fox tail. The real difference between them, regardless of size or age, is that Korone knows the truth about her attributes, Amora doesn''t.


    - If I''m going to admit to anyone that I''m a fox girl, it''s Amora... but that''s also why I have to keep the truth hidden.


    If she has to sleep with Deshya tonight, she''ll have to keep her fox pajamas on again... She looks at her bag and smiles.


    - Good thing I took it with me just in case. Well, it''s always nice to sleep with someone, although one day I hope it''s Tessa. Aaah¡­


    The elevator finally arrives and the four friends climb inside together, joined by the family of three. Amora admires the key card and observes the number on it.


    - 1308... So the 8th bedroom on the 13th floor?" she thinks out loud.


    - It''s 1309," said Frie, showing him their key.


    So they''ll be sleeping on the penultimate floor of the hotel, in rooms close to the elevators. Deshya thinks these are good places, but if they have to use the stairs to get downstairs, she can''t imagine what it would be like¡­


    And they get to their floor rather quickly, running to their two bedrooms. Amora and Frie open the door using the electronic key.


    - Shall we pack up, get ready and head for the big pool?" suggests Lam.


    - Can''t wait to get going?" joked Amora.


    - I can''t deny it¡­


    - I''m fine with it," admits Frie.


    Deshya agrees with her white-haired friend and the four of them go to their room.


    - So prettyyy!


    Amora drops these words as she places her bag on the floor, observing the room with beaming eyes. Deshya closes the door behind her and admires the room where they''ll be sleeping. It''s not huge, but more than big enough for two people. A closed door leads to a toilet, another to a bathroom with an Italian shower and even a modern bathtub, and a third door which is actually a small dressing room. From what Deshya knows about the hotel, some people are allowed to live here, so it doesn''t surprise her that the rooms are built the way they are. Amora jumps on one of the two beds, but they are glued together to form one. The room is immaculately clean and tidy. Although Amora has just unmade the bed, the blankets are still well placed on the beds, even though there is only one for each of them. Deshya puts down her bag in turn and looks out at the bedroom''s large French window. She approaches it and opens it to step out onto the balcony. Deshya looks down, but is so far from the ground that she quickly returns to the room. Amora raises her head and sits up in bed.


    - Are you afraid of heights?" she asks.


    - Ahah, you know me, I don''t, but I admit that looking down... Nah.


    - I know what you mean! How''s the balcony?


    - Quite small and I don''t think you can join the others on the side. In any case, I''m not going to try... But I''ve seen plants on the walls, it''s amazing how high they go!


    - I want to see it!


    Amora gets out of bed and observes the view from the balcony, but her main interest is in the plants Deshya has just mentioned. She sits down on the bed, making sure her fox tail doesn''t get crushed.


    - We''ll get a good night''s sleep, I bet," she thinks pleasantly.


    Meanwhile, Lam and Frie are already taking their clothes out of their bags. They put their things away without speaking to each other, but when Frie pulls out her swimsuit, her friend approaches her before letting out a cute sound from her mouth.


    - Your bikini is so beautiful!" she confesses.


    Frie thanks her and asks if she can see her. Lam waves her hair and sticks out her tongue.


    - You''ll see when I put it on!


    - Eeeh?


    - Hehe!


    The two of them laugh together and finish tidying up, looking around the room. Frie looks up and admires the ceiling fan. The propellers are quite long, but she can''t see the box to activate it. She asks Lam, who looks for it too, but quickly finds it near the bathroom wall. She asks Frie if she wants to activate it, but the girl replies that it''s not necessary.


    - I''ll just get into my swimsuit, then!" announces Lam.


    She grabs her bikini and locks herself in the bathroom without Frie being able to say anything. She smiles and thinks that she doesn''t necessarily need to hide, but that she understands her modesty.


    For their part, Amora decides to change first, while Deshya looks up at the sky from the French window in their bedroom. Its handle is currently turned downwards, which means it can be opened. Deshya has a very similar French window in her home, to go from the dining room to the terrace. If the handle is not turned upwards, even just a little, the patio door can be opened from both inside and outside. If the handle is turned upwards, whether slightly or not, it''s impossible to slide the door open, even with a lot of force. Deshya can''t help imagining the scene of her mother cleaning the window for the umpteenth time, soiled by the dog jumping up and down with excitement at seeing Gatito come home. How many times did she bitch about her pet because of it?


    - I wonder if Korone will sleep well without me tonight..." thinks Deshya.


    Korone can''t sleep well on her own, and Deshya''s parents may not accept her sleeping with them, so she''ll have to spend the night without anyone. Sure, she can take ''Liv''s'' pillow in her arms or even the big fox cuddly toy, but will that be enough for her? Deshya isn''t too convinced¡­


    Moments later, Amora emerges from the bathroom and proudly shows Deshya her outfit, before leaving her to change. Normally, she wouldn''t mind getting dressed in her swimsuit in front of Amora, despite her modesty, but she can''t show her fox-like attributes... Admittedly, the best moment would be in a hotel like this, impossible for anyone to know that she''s confessed her secret to her best friend, but Deshya is far too scared for her safety.


    - Korone hasn''t been attacked yet, so maybe I''m just being paranoid, but at the same time¡­


    When Deshya thinks of the sniper who almost killed her with a bullet to the head, as well as her white hair, purple eyes and what she managed to do and deduce when the fox-eared girl was kidnapped... Just before Korone leaves their home, Deshya would like to chat with her about her identity. Perhaps she could learn more about her fox-like attributes¡­


    - After that, does she really have anything to do with me? I don''t want to tell Amora what I am just because I''m afraid of being watched constantly and that if they find out she knows about me, they''ll kill her, but if Korone isn''t yet... No, but that''s different. Someone tried to kill her, technically, and what''s more, she''s a little girl. If I get carried away because I want to tell the truth, I''ll put Amora in danger... Keep calm, Deshya.


    So she goes into the bathroom in her bathing suit and changes, taking a little longer than expected: she has to thread her fox tail through the hole, close part of the zipper and then already place her bonnet on her head. Before performing this last step, she admires herself in the mirror and touches her long, curly red hair.


    - I''m still beautiful... My ears... I''m cute, but¡­


    She finally smiles and places the bonnet on her head, accepting the truth: only her parents and Korone need to know who she really is. Unfortunately, until she has confirmation of whether or not it''s possible to tell the others, she has to keep this cute side of her hidden under a hood or, in this case, a bonnet.


    - Woaaah, too cuuuute!


    Amora grabs Frie''s hands in the elevator and Deshya presses the button for the first floor. The two white haired girls admire Deshya and smile.


    - Do you keep your fox tail even when you go swimming?" asks Lam.


    - You''re so cute, I could die!" admits Frie.


    Amora turns back to her best friend, letting go of Frie''s hands.


    - Even a cute swimming cap! You really love being a foxy-fox, don''t you?


    Deshya scratches her cheek, blushing. She much prefers bikinis, like those worn by her three friends, but she has no choice but to wear a one-piece swimsuit. She loves it too, but wishes she didn''t have to dress like that¡­


    - Are you sure it won''t damage the fur on your fox tail?" asks Frie.


    - I''ve already been to the pool a few times, so I''ll be fine¡­


    Deshya holds her fox tail in one hand to keep it from moving back and forth, and rests her back against the wall of the elevator. The four of them are together, no one else with them, as they descend to the second floor. Deshya receives many compliments, but she returns them to her friends. Frie is wearing a white bikini, Lam a red and black one, Amora a pink one and finally, Deshya an orange one-piece swimsuit, similar to the color of her fox tail, as well as her hair. After all, her ears and tail are exactly the same color as her hair, which Tessa already noticed shortly after she returned to school. Amora grabs Deshya''s arm with a smile.


    - I hope it won''t be too crowded at the pool. she says.


    Deshya also hopes: not only will the pool be more pleasant if there aren''t many people in it, but she''d prefer it if few people saw her there. She''s aware that most people think she''s very cute, with her fox tail down her back, but some just find her too weird. She''s already received some very derogatory, even nasty, remarks in the street or at school. Deshya doesn¡¯t care too much about it, but when someone tries to harass her for it... There''s also the other way round: she remembers an evening when she came home from Amora''s after a good weekend with friends, when two men found her so cute and "tender" that they tried to take her for themselves. Since then, she''s come to realize that some people are crazy or turned on by her, and that they''re far more dangerous than those who simply find her strange.


    - But hey, that''s just being a girl, ahah....


    With this rather depressing thought, Deshya and her three friends finally reach the first floor. Lam goes out first and explains to the others that she''s going to get their towels. They thank her and all three head for the pool. Deshya chats with Frie while Amora wonders whether the pool will be the right temperature or not. As they walk, a group of men in their thirties pass them by, and three of them turn towards the one with the three girls.


    - You''re good, lil¡¯ fox!" says one of them.


    - We''re on the sixth floor if you want, room 615 and 616~!


    - We know how to treat animals, I promise!


    The latter makes an indecent gesture before they all start laughing. Frie turns her head, glowering at them, but Deshya tells her not to get angry and simply ignore them. Amora pouts as she stares in front of her angrily.


    - Mooooh, they''re so irksome!


    Amora turns around and yells that she''s only 16, but one of the men yells back that it''s even better. A shiver runs through the three girls.


    - W-Weirdoooos..." says Frie.


    - I''ve had worse, ahah..." admits Deshya.


    - How do you put up with it...?


    Deshya doesn''t answer and simply shrugs. Frie sighs and lowers her head.


    - There are some men¡­


    - They say Deshya''s an animal because she keeps her fox tail, but they''re the animals!!!" grumbles Amora.


    - I couldn''t have said it better myself!


    They start laughing together, already forgetting the scene that had just taken place a few seconds before.


    Lam returns quickly and the four of them jump into the big pool at the same time. As they''d hoped, there aren''t many people there yet. Deshya assumes the place will be more crowded in a few hours, after supper and the adults have finished working. So they enjoy the warm water, at the perfect temperature, on the huge terrace. The pool has different levels and blue and white tiles. A fairly low diving board is located on the south side of the pool, but a slightly higher one shows off its long, beautiful plank to the north. There are plenty of deckchairs around the pool, umbrellas and even two outdoor showers. Amora jumps on Deshya, which amuses Frie, who is directly splashed by Lam. The latter has tied her hair up in a fluffy ponytail, her long wet white hair offering a magnificent sight to anyone who looks at her. The four friends laugh and joke together, enjoying their new pool. Deshya is happy to have the opportunity to rest her mind with people she greatly appreciates. Admittedly, Frie is a new acquaintance and friend, but Deshya already likes her a lot.


    - The pool was great! We''ll have to go back afterwards!


    Lam stretches his arms and her three friends nod in agreement.


    - It''s going to be a bit more crowded, but I''d love to go back!" admits Amora.


    - A little break for supper, digestion and then we''re off again?" suggests Frie.


    - Okay!" replies Deshya.


    Everyone approves of Frie''s proposal, but before going to eat, they return to their room for a quick shower, wishing to wash the chlorine from their bodies. Deshya takes the opportunity to free her fox ears from the tight cap and rubs them, apologizing for the ordeal they must be enduring.


    - I can hear them well even when they''re flattened by the swimming cap, but it''s really annoying..." thinks Deshya.


    Her shower took just five minutes, and Amora took her turn, leaving her swimsuit on. Since they''re going back to the pool right afterwards, they decide not to take them off on the way to the restaurant, especially as it won''t be a problem: many of the hotel''s residents are in their skivvies, bikinis or swimsuits. While Amora takes a shower, Deshya decides to put on her sweater over her one-piece swimsuit and takes off her bonnet: she doesn''t want to keep it on her head all evening, but she has to hide her fox ears. In short, her sweater is perfect for this purpose.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Just before 8.30pm, the four friends gather around a table and look at the menu. Amora has already chosen what she would like, so the three of them brainstorm together. Deshya sits next to Lam, Frie next to Amora. The restaurant is lively, and the noise of the many conversations creates a pleasant, jovial atmosphere. Of course, the noise may be annoying for some, but Deshya is surprised at how ''quiet'' this restaurant is, compared to some she''s been to before. The two white-haired girls choose their meal, and Deshya is the last to decide. The waiter comes to take their order and as he leaves, a girl approaches the table with a big, beautiful smile. She stops in front of the four girls and they all turn to her. Although Amora, Lam and Frie don''t recognize her, Deshya smiles back and greets the girl.


    - Oh, hi!" she said.


    The girl who has just arrived shakes a hand in front of her.


    - Good evening, Deshya!


    Amora admires this young person without uttering a word. Dark-skinned, with black hair that reaches a little below her shoulders, the girl stares at the table where Deshya is standing with her cute, big, clear blue eyes. Her curly hair is tied into two balls on either side of her skull, and her forehead is completely uncluttered, leaving her sweet face to be observed unobstructed. Her pink ''FireCrow'' sweater hides part of her hands, while almost her entire thighs are behind her dark gray skirt. Her calves are clad in a garment that looks like white socks, but which become baggy at the end and hide much of the pastel-colored shoes the girl is wearing. Not only does this girl appear to be young, she''s also someone Amora wants to hug her as quickly as possible, but she herself knows the importance of decency. Admiring her a little more, Amora notices something hanging behind her. Lam tilts her head, having seen it too, and makes no secret of her astonishment.


    - A... cat''s tail?" she asks aloud.


    The girl turns to the one with the long white hair and nods.


    - It''s part of this skirt!" she admits. It''s because I love Deshya''s style, so I wanted to do the same!


    Deshya smiled in embarrassment: she''d almost forgotten that this girl liked her style so much. Amora turns to her best friend.


    - Who is it?" she asks.


    The girl at their table hears his question and opens her mouth wide before apologizing. She places an open hand on his chest and smiles.


    - Excuse me, I haven''t introduced myself! Only Deshya knows me, between y¡¯all!


    She cleared her throat.


    - My name is Aya, Aya Deroom! I''m a good friend of Deshya''s!


    - Nice to meet you, Aya!


    - Greetings!


    - Good evening.


    Frie speaks softly, embarrassed. Aya caresses them with her eyes, keeping her big smile, happy to meet Deshya''s friends. Deshya turns to the girls at the table.


    - She''s also Maruno''s girlfriend," admits Deshya.


    - Eeeeh?!!! Is that her?!" cries Amora.


    Lam asks her to keep her voice down and the pink haired girl apologizes by placing both hands in front of her mouth. Lam then whistles, looking at the girl in the pink sweater.


    - Well, you''ve found a good-looking boyfriend!


    - I''m very happy with him!


    Aya starts fidgeting on the spot, blushing and hearts flying all around her. Her cute reaction brings a smile to the faces of all four friends, who look at her with delight. Deshya offers to eat with them, but Aya refuses, waving her hands.


    - I came here with my dad and we''ve already eaten, but he is chatting with some friends and I saw you from a distance, so I thought I''d come and say hello!" she explains. Are you with your friends?


    The red-haired girl nods.


    - You might know her, but this is Amora Takt, my best friend.


    Her pink hair flows down her beautiful figure and her beauty is undeniable. However, it''s Amora''s eyes that attract Aya most of all. The latter greets her and confesses that she has heard Deshya speak of her several times.


    - And only in a good way!" she adds.


    - Hiiihi, I don''t doubt it!


    Amora touches her hair while shaking her body, which makes Aya laugh. Deshya then introduces Lam Douce, the girl with long white hair and a quiet smile. Finally, Frie, whose hair is the same color, though a little shorter. What''s more, her eyes are blue, unlike Lam''s brown ones. Anyway, they don''t really look alike, so Aya has no trouble telling them apart. She greets everyone again and asks them what they''ve ordered. Everyone tells her what they have ordered, and Aya listens attentively before explaining what she has eaten.


    - And what are you doing here?" asks Deshya. Isn''t Maruno with you?


    - My dad only bought two places for tonight, so it was complicated. Maruno could have bought one and joined us, but he wants to enjoy his weekend with friends, especially as we''ve seen each other all the vacations, so a little time on our side doesn''t hurt!" she replies.


    - Eeeh, I see!


    - What about you?


    - We won four tickets thanks to Frie''s mother!" admits Lam with a smile.


    Aya makes an ''O'' with her mouth while admiring the blushing white-haired girl, lowering her beautiful blue eyes.


    - Did you enjoy the pool, then? It looks great, but since we''re not VIPs, we can''t go and enjoy it..." asks Aya.


    - She''s very cool," admits Lam.


    - I like it a lot!" replies Frie.


    - The same!" assures Amora.


    Deshya repeats Frie''s words and Aya jeers at them. They start laughing heartily and moments later, their food arrives. Aya sits down next to them, accepting Lam''s friendly offer, and all chatting over good food.


    At around 9:15pm, Deshya gets up from the table after a good meal and promises to come back soon. She wants to get her phone, which she has forgotten in her room. Her friends tell her to come back quickly and Aya in turn gets up.


    - Can I come with you?" she asks.


    - If you like.


    Aya follows closely behind her beloved friend, and the two of them leave the restaurant.


    - My room''s on the third floor, personally!" reveals the dark-skinned girl.


    - We''re on the thirteenth.


    - Penultimate floor?! You must have one of these views, from the balcony!


    - Yep! It''s a beautiful view. If you like, can I show it to you while I get my phone?


    Aya happily accepts and makes no secret of her good mood, which amuses her friend. Deshya hasn''t known Aya that long, but she remembers very well how they met, a few days after she and Maruno became a couple, towards the end of the last school year. Her energy doesn''t match that of Amora or Korone, but she has more than Lam or Frie, for example. Deshya always enjoys chatting with her, but since she lives almost an hour''s train ride from Tetazo, in ''Teuhl'', seeing each other is a rare occasion. However, they haven''t known each other for long, so Deshya doesn''t mind, especially as they have the technology to chat online. They also keep in touch by phone.


    - Are you still going to say hello to your boyfriend?" asks Deshya as she gets close to the elevator.


    - As long as I''m here, yay! I''ll go and see him tomorrow, he already knows I''m here. He was so happy! Did he tell you?


    - He didn''t say anything to me about it, but I''ve been busy the last few days, so¡­


    Deshya hasn''t chatted with many people except Amora, Tessa and her family ¡ª including Korone. She also met Raiji and Frie not long ago, but given her mental state and need for rest, she hasn''t chatted with everyone she knows. Her kidnapping hasn''t helped the situation, although talking to ''Bibi Derumi'', the Tetazo police psychologist, has done her a lot of good. She''s glad her father worries about her in this way, too... Deshya presses the elevator button and waits, chatting with Aya.


    - Ah... Ah¡­


    A man runs through the lobby, sweating. He bumps into a woman who shouts at him, shaking her fist, but he continues running without listening to her, without even apologizing. He runs towards the elevator and notices that two young girls have just entered.


    - W-Wait!!" he shouts.


    Deshya pauses before pressing the button for the 13th floor and turns to the man who stops inside the elevator, panting as he holds his knees. Deshya and Aya watch him, asking themselves many questions, especially as he seems to be sweating quite a lot. Like them, this person is in a swimsuit, although he has just the bottom and nothing to hide his many muscles. Clearly this man works his body a lot and is a great athlete, so Deshya suspects he must have done a lot of running to show up in such a state.


    - Which floor?" she asks.


    - The... Last¡­


    - Shall we go up to 13?


    - Yes... Quick¡­


    Deshya blinks, but asks no questions and presses the button before dropping her back on the elevator wall behind her. Aya decides not to worry about the man behind her and turns to Deshya.


    - What about you, love? Have you found someone yet?" she asks.


    Deshya goes to answer, but the image of Tessa''s close up head, kissing her tenderly on the lips, comes back and blocks her. She starts to blush, which brings a smile to Aya''s face.


    - Eeeh~? Do you finally have a lover?" she teases.


    - Not... Not yet..." admits Deshya.


    - From the look on your face, there''s still something, nooo~?


    Deshya has told almost no one about the love she has for Tessa, so even Aya doesn''t know. They haven''t known each other long, so she''s not even aware of her bisexuality: Aya probably thinks she''s heterosexual. It''s not a subject she finds very important, so she doesn''t necessarily mention it to anyone unless the opportunity arises or she''s asked directly. Aya continues to tease her, but Deshya''s attention is drawn to the man behind her. He seems worried about something... His gaze is fixed on the slowly rising figures, the floors slowly flying by. His swallowing is noisy and his perspiration isn''t just from running: it''s also the stress he''s feeling that''s making him in such a state. Deshya squints and Aya asks him if he''s all right.


    - Yes, sorry," she says.


    Aya approaches her and puts her hand next to her mouth.


    - Are you worried about the man in the back?


    - Hm¡­


    - Or are you turned on by him~?


    Deshya''s eyelids suddenly droop.


    - Huh?


    - I mean, he''s got a lot of muscle, he''s shirtless and he''s not ugly! But you know, he''s probably too old for you. He''s got a beard, after all!


    - Aya¡­


    Deshya sighs and tells her that this is not the case.


    - It''s because of his behavior, then?


    - Hm¡­ Yeah.


    All three finally reach the 13th floor without being stopped once on the way up, and the elevator doors open. The man abruptly gets out and starts running down the hall, which intrigues Deshya even more. She starts to follow him and Aya shouts at her friend.


    - I knew she''d come after him!" thinks Aya.


    She admires the fluffy fox tail waving from Deshya''s back, smiling all the while. The reason Aya buys clothes with a cat tail on the back is precisely because she thinks the one hanging down the back is far too cute not to try. Her boyfriend loves this style and has told her honestly that he thinks it suits her perfectly, so Aya no longer hesitates to dress this way. Admittedly, it''s not every day, but it''s not uncommon at all. Whether in public or in private, especially with her boyfriend. Deshya notices the man climbing the stairs to the top floor and continues to follow him closely.


    - He''s so preoccupied with something that he doesn''t even seem to notice I''m there..." she observes.


    Deshya makes sure that Aya follows her, since she ran off without warning, but she sees her a few steps behind, which reassures her. They both go upstairs, and the man shouts when he gets there.


    - It''s... It''s good!!


    Deshya spots two other people a little further on, violently banging on a certain door. They stop when they realize that their friend has returned, and turn towards him.


    - A-Ah, you''re here!


    The man stops panting, trying to catch his breath. One of the two people, a woman with blond hair, touches his shoulder with concern.


    - Are you all right?" she asks.


    - I... I just... ran... a lot... ran¡­


    The man next to him grits his teeth, biting his thumb, but stops when he notices the two girls coming up behind the man. He approaches them, squinting.


    - Who are you two...?" he asks.


    Aya catches her breath behind Deshya, who quickly introduces herself. She then confesses that she followed the man when she saw him running like mad down the corridor.


    - A little girl looking to satisfy her curiosity, eh..." says the man with brown hair, a cut similar to that of the girl.


    The man in the same elevator as the two girls turned towards them before standing up.


    - You... You really followed me¡­


    - What''s going on, exactly?" asks Deshya, wanting to get to the point.


    - It''s none of your business," admits the sweaty man.


    The woman behind him watches the girl in the fox sweater intently, and a moment later, she opens her mouth wide.


    - It''s Deshya Oveja!


    Deshya blinks and looks at the woman who grabs her hands with an expression of wonder.


    - The fox-eared detective!


    - A-Ah?


    Deshya doesn''t know how to react to this sudden reaction. The two men next to them stare at the girl with interest, but neither recognizes her. Noticing the expression on their faces, Aya steps forward and pats her friend on the back.


    - She''s been solving police cases since school started! She''s the one who helped save more than two hundred people on the train from Tetazo!


    The dark-haired man scratches the back of his head.


    - Ah...? I''ve seen nothing like it¡­


    The blonde turns to him and gives him a disappointed look.


    - You never pay attention to the news, I must say¡­


    - It''s not important!


    The man who was followed by the two girls knocks on the wall and grits his teeth.


    - Ben still hasn''t answered?


    The woman shakes her head sadly.


    - No answer, not even from his phone... You don''t think he''s still in his room...?


    - Idiot, if that were the case, would we have asked Gaby to fetch a staff member?!


    - Yes, but¡­


    The woman bows her head, eyelids lowered. Aya returns to Deshya''s side and asks her what''s going on, but she doesn''t answer. With what little she''s just heard of their conversation¡­


    - Is your friend in this room, but not answering?


    The three adults turn to her. The two men seem to be disputing an answer, but the woman smiles and agrees directly to explain the situation.


    - Ben is in his room and should have joined us several minutes ago, but he doesn''t answer the phone or to the knocks on the door. We''re all starting to worry.


    - You don''t have to answer to a kid like that, cousin," confessed the dark-haired man.


    The woman frowns.


    - She''s not just a kid, Daniel! She''s the daughter of that ginger police inspector, you know, Gatito!


    - Oh, that muscle guy who helped find your sister¡­


    Deshya listens attentively, with Aya right behind her. She has no idea what exact investigation the woman is talking about, given that her father has helped find several kidnapped people, but strangely enough, it pleases her to hear. However, Deshya shakes her head slightly: she mustn''t let it distract her. If their friend doesn''t answer the many calls, still locked in his room¡­


    - Please, not another case¡­


    On the one hand, she likes to solve them, but on the other, she''s come to the hotel to enjoy the evening with her three friends, playing in the pool and chatting. She knows full well that if an investigation shows the tip of its nose, right in front of her, so Deshya¡­


    - ¡­


    The woman sighs and turns to Deshya, lowering herself.


    - I came with my cousin, Daniel, and our good friend, Gaby, but Ben still doesn''t answer. So Gaby went to get someone to come and open the door, since we''re really starting to worry," she explains.


    - You know, C¨¦line, whether she''s a detective or whatever, it''s none of her business..." admits her cousin.


    - What if we have a case on our hands, huh? She''ll be able to help us!


    Daniel swallows hard and clenches his left teeth.


    - Ben''s probably just sleeping with headphones on or something..." he says with little confidence in his words.


    - Don''t act tough in front of them! She''s only 16, you know!


    - Huuuuuh?! What are you tal¡ª


    - Shut the fuck up!


    Gaby knocks again on the wall before knocking forcefully on the door.


    - Ben!!! Wake up, Ben!!! Come on, answer me!!!! Hey!!!!


    The two cousins fall silent and bite their lower lip. Deshya frowns as she watches the spectacle before her, while Aya turns her head back.


    - Oh, there he is!" she said.


    Deshya regains a calmer expression and turns to see a man who works at the hotel running towards them. Gaby stops banging on the door and steps back before the man stops in front of them.


    - Are you the one who called me?" he asks.


    - That''s me, yes!" confesses Gaby. Room 1422, right here!


    The man nods quickly and stands in front of the door. He pulls out a card with the same pattern as the keys to their rooms, but a different color: instead of a beautiful blue, it''s a bright, almost crimson red. The man passes the card over the system, and the little light on the case bursts into green. He opens the door, but something goes wrong.


    - Ah.


    The safety chain prevents him from opening it, blocking his movement with a metallic clang.


    - So he''s inside!" exclaims C¨¦line.


    - Hey, Ben! What the hell are you doing?!


    The man working at the hotel asks them to calm down and calls the resident over. Behind them are still the two girls, but their expressions are very different. Aya shows some concern, but Deshya is already thinking the worst.


    - Ben!


    The door can only be opened a few centimeters, and the room is so dark that it''s impossible for these people to see anything. Deshya clenches a fist and finally makes up her mind. She asks Aya to let her go and walks towards the adults.


    - Sir, go and get a power saw or anything that can cut the chain," she orders.


    The three men, including the woman, turn to her. The expression on Deshya''s face is one of burning seriousness, and her irises glow in the corridor light.


    - ... G-Good.


    The staff member nods and runs towards the elevators. Deshya almost aggressively asks the three adults to step back from the door and turns to Aya.


    - Aya, do you have a mirror on you?" she asks.


    - Do you? No, I don''t..." replies her friend.


    - I guess you three don''t either¡­


    Gaby, C¨¦line and Daniel are all in bathing suits, so Deshya doesn''t even bother asking them for such an object. Without it, she can''t check what''s going on inside the room, or whether anyone is hiding there.


    - The security chain is impossible to open or close from the outside, so that famous Ben must still be inside," thinks Deshya. However, the lights all seem to be off... The best-case scenario would be that he''s showering and listening to music with waterproof headphones, but we can''t hear the shower running, so I guess that''s a theory that falls apart. Ah. Ahah.


    Deshya is tired of herself, able to think of such a play on words when the current situation is so worrying. She looks back at the three adults chatting amongst themselves and can''t help but have a bad feeling. Admittedly, it''s impossible for her to see anything inside, but that shivers down her spine... What''s more, since the start of the school year, she''s stumbled across a murder case almost every day.


    - First the death of Kyria''s dad, then the bombs on the train, including two murders, almost three, and then two more deaths on the bus, who were Korone''s adoptive parents, then the kidnapping of Micha?l Elrick''s brother and finally the murder of Claire Dochamps and my own kidnapping. I had four quiet days... and again, was Saturday so quiet? I was exhausted from all that poker¡­


    Deshya may have received a gentle kiss from Tessa, but her mind was inevitably affected by the accumulated stress of that day. Deshya hopes with all her heart that the famous ''Ben'', friend of the three adults, has not been killed or poisoned¡­


    A little over two minutes later, the staff member returns with an electric saw and asks them to stand back. Aya holds Deshya''s hand tightly, while Ben''s three friends sweat with worry. The saw meets the chain and the man turns it on, holding it tightly. Sparks fly in all directions, startling C¨¦line, who retreats into her cousin''s arms. The saw makes a racket that Deshya''s ears can''t bear, but soon the chain breaks and the man turns off the saw.


    - I''m going to check on him!" shouts Deshya.


    She forces Aya to let her go and runs for the door. Gaby says it''s not her place to check, and the two cousins are about to enter the room when Deshya starts screaming.


    - DO NOT ENTER!!!!


    The adults freeze and Aya opens her eyes wide, never having heard Deshya roar so loudly. Daniel turns to the teenager, frowning.


    - Why is that, huh?!


    - Sir, keep them out!!


    Deshya pushes Daniel aside and steps between them and the door, turning his gaze to Aya.


    - Make sure he doesn''t get in!


    - Hey, hey, hey!!! What are you doing here?


    - If your friend has been killed, you''re all suspects.


    - !!!


    - Huh?!


    Deshya cuts Daniel off in a tone that proves she''s not joking, and the three friends look at each other. Aya takes a while to understand what her friend is saying and nods.


    - You can count on me! No one gets in!


    Deshya smiles and turns towards the bedroom. She turns on the light with the end of her sweater, avoiding depositing her fingerprints anywhere, and looks ahead.


    - Wh¡ª?!


    She opens the door wide and her irises narrow. From the corridor, the three adults take in the scene with shock. The staff man takes a step back, releasing the saw from his hands, and it falls noisily to the floor. Aya turns and her eyes fall on what they all see. They open wide and the 15-year-old girl begins to tremble. Deshya clenches both fists and stares intently at the terrifying sight in front of her.


    - I-It''s¡­


    - Beeen!!!


    - Ben?!!


    - What does that mean?!!!


    They all scream and C¨¦line, including Daniel, even back up against the wall behind them. Aya''s jaw trembles and the staff man clumsily reaches for his phone.


    - Call the police! An ambulance too!" orders Deshya.


    - O-Okay!!!


    The man dials the number and Deshya turns once more to the terrible scene before her. The moon shines white from the bedroom window, which has been dark until now. In the middle of the room, just above a fallen chair, they can all see ''Ben'', the one who hasn''t answered the many calls.


    Hanging from the ceiling fan, his lifeless body presented itself to them all.

 36 -?The Last Floors Locked Room ; Part 2?(CASE7)

    <hr>


    On September 05, 2022, Frie proposed that Deshya to join her, Lam and Amora at the ''Beleza Verde'' hotel, south of Tetazo: her mother had won four tickets in a game show on the radio, but her parents decided not to go in the end. Deshya didn''t hesitate to accept her proposal, especially as the tickets would allow the four friends to go to the new swimming pool, which only opens its arms for the first time this Friday, September 09, and which doesn''t accept everyone, only VIPs and those with special tickets.


    It''s now that one Friday and Deshya, Amora, Frie and Lam are all on their way to the hotel after a good day''s lessons. Once there, they wait until 6pm, the minimum time they can enter the ''Beleza Verde'', and then have a quick chat with the lady at the entrance. After receiving two electronic cards, which are actually their keys, they take the elevator to their rooms. Deshya shares hers with Amora, Frie with Lam. The four friends put on their bathing suits and head straight for the pool, especially as there''s no pool to swim in. It will be much more crowded once the adults have finished their day''s work.


    After a good hour in the water, they return to their room for a quick shower and then head off to the restaurant to enjoy a nice meal. No sooner has supper been ordered than a dark-skinned girl with big, cute eyes arrives at their table and greets Deshya: her name is ''Aya Deroom'', the current girlfriend of ''Maruno Uffite'', one of the three members of the Associated Foxes; she''s also a good friend of Deshya''s. She introduces herself to the other three girls and the five of them talk over dinner, but afterwards Deshya excuses herself and goes up to her room to fetch her phone. Aya follows and chats with her for a while, but Deshya''s attention is drawn to someone else: a muscular man in a swimsuit who is sweating profusely and seems bothered by something. He climbs with them to the 13th floor before running down the corridor to the stairs: Deshya decides to follow him, with Aya right behind her. As they arrive on the 14th floor, which is also the hotel''s last, a disturbing scene presents itself: a man and a woman banging violently on the door of one of the rooms. Deshya learns of the situation quite quickly: a man called ''Ben'', a friend of the three adults, does not answer their numerous calls, either to his family or to his friends¡¯ telephone and voice calls. The man Deshya and Aya followed, ''Gaby'', went to get a member of staff to open his door in case something had happened to ''Ben''. Right next to him are two cousins, ''C¨¦line'' and ''Daniel'', the ones who were banging violently on the door. A member of staff arrives shortly afterwards to open the door for them, but unfortunately this doesn''t seem possible: the security chain, impossible to move from the outside, is still on the door. With no response from the room and the lights off, the friends become even more worried and Deshya orders the man to fetch an electric saw to cut the chain. He complies, and a good three minutes later returns with the machine and splits the chain. Deshya forbids anyone to enter the room: after all, if a murder has been committed, then all three of them are suspects. Aya makes sure no one enters the room and Deshya switches on the light. However, it was a second after flipping the switch that the horrific scene presented itself to them all.


    The man who answers to the first name ''Ben'' is hanging from the ceiling of his room, in the middle of this room, in front of a bright full moon.


    CHAPTER 36


    ?The Last Floor''s Locked Room ; Part 2?


    - The police will be here in a few minutes!" says the staff member.


    - Ben?! Ben!!! Tell me it''s not true!" shouts Daniel.


    - B-Ben?!! That''s the one! Why is he¡­


    C¨¦line falls to her knees and Gaby starts running inside the room, which attracts Deshya''s attention. Aya steps in and tells him not to go, but the man clenches his fist.


    - You''re just kids, our friend is hanging in the bedroom!


    - As long as it''s not certain that it''s suicide, nobody goes in!" shouts Deshya.


    Gaby grits her teeth.


    - I don''t care if you''re a detective or saving people from a train, you can''t d¡ª


    - I''m also a policeman''s daughter, so don''t underestimate me.


    Deshya frowns as she stares at the man.


    - One foot inside the room and you''ll be a prime suspect. I''d advise you not to challenge me.


    Gaby feels a shiver and freezes in place. C¨¦line looks at the girl in the fox sweater with wide eyes, her cousin right beside her trying to comfort her. What she just said, the way she said it... C¨¦line herself felt a real threat from Deshya.


    As if daring to defy it were to play with danger itself.


    Gaby diligently calms down and takes a step back, unclenching her fist. Deshya takes a breath and, before checking the condition of the body, which she''s convinced is already lifeless, she turns to the staff man.


    - Make sure no one approaches the scene, and check that no suspicious person has been seen. There''s a good chance this was a suicide, but it''s best to be cautious.


    The man nods and takes out his phone again as he walks away. Aya continues to shake and doesn''t dare turn around, but asks Deshya a question without looking at her.


    - You-You think it''s possible that this was murder¡­?


    - My father told me that once, when he was with Sammy, a police detective, they thought a woman had committed suicide by hanging herself in her bedroom with the door locked.


    Deshya answers Aya by examining the room around her, moving towards the body hanging from the ceiling fan.


    - They found a farewell letter, written on the woman''s computer, and she had been depressed since the death of her husband from cancer.


    Deshya stops in front of the body of ''Ben'' and scans the room.


    - She should have been home alone, locked in her room, but in reality, she had invited a man who often bought her meals. What''s more, she was prostituting herself just for him, and seemed to be close to him.


    Deshya doesn''t notice any surprising details in the room: her attention is drawn to the chair under the man.


    - She hadn''t told anyone, even her parents, but she''d invited this man to her house that day and had to spend the whole day with him. However, he was killed because she demanded far too much money from him and was unbearable. Everything pointed to suicide, especially since her paranoia meant that no one but her had the keys to her house and she made sure that everything was locked up. Nevertheless, what she never admitted to anyone was that this man had duplicates of her house in case he wanted to surprise her. He was the only person she trusted, apart from her late husband.


    Deshya frowns as she observes the chair. Unsure of what she believes, she hides her hands in the sleeves of her sweater and makes sure she remembers how the chair is positioned, as well as where exactly.


    - There wasn''t even really a trick or trickery to the investigation, it was simply a murder that had been set up like a suicide, and the reason everything was locked up despite the woman having the keys on her was simply that the man had doubles.


    Deshya raises the chair and places it under the hanged man''s feet.


    - True, there were no fingerprints anywhere, but with a little more thought and research, they would have noticed the few hairs the culprit had forgotten to clean off the woman''s bed. However, my father and Sammy quickly decided it was suicide and looked no further. This same man had killed twice before being caught and confessed to everything when he was taken to the interrogation room. He even confessed to the murder of the woman I''m talking about.


    Deshya stands up and clenches her fists as she looks at the chair. She then looks at the hanged man and grits her teeth.


    - If my father and Sammy had been more careful, they would have been able to stop him sooner, and save two innocent people. Since then, they''ve assumed that an accidental death or suicide can be a homicide, until proven otherwise.


    Deshya looks back at Aya and the three adults.


    - Like this case, which is a murder hidden as a suicide in a closed room. An impossible crime.


    ¡®Impossible crime'' or ''Closed room''. A name given to a murder committed in a room or place where the culprit could not have escaped, but was not found there. This is the situation in which Deshya finds herself.


    - The door was closed by the safety chain, a system that prevents anyone from moving it from the outside, as the door has to be fully closed to put the little metal ball into the channel.


    Deshya turns towards the bedroom window.


    - What''s more, the handle is mounted upwards, which means the French window is closed from the inside. The rubber seals prevent any wires or mechanisms from being installed from the outside to force the handle, so¡­


    Deshya doesn''t finish her sentence: her attention is drawn to the same handle.


    - It''s lifted up, but not all the way..." she remarks.


    C¨¦line stands up and swallows loudly.


    - Ho-How do you know it''s murder...?" asks the woman.


    - He''s hanged, isn''t he?" adds Gaby.


    Daniel nods, looking surprised and bewildered. Deshya tucks both hands into her sweater pockets and approaches them.


    - The chair that was placed under your friend... It''s too small.


    - Too small...?" repeats Aya.


    She wants to turn around and understand what she''s talking about, but the idea of seeing a real dead man in her retinas prevents her from doing so. Deshya places a hand on her curly hair and stares at the three adults in front of her.


    - If Ben had stood on the chair, put his head around the rope and kicked the chair under his feet to hang himself, his body should have been lower down. Unless he jumped to hang himself, which makes absolutely no sense, then this isn''t suicide, it''s murder.


    - Maybe the rope was just too small...?" asks C¨¦line, trembling.


    Deshya squints, turning to her.


    - The rope is attached to the fan and part of it still hangs from the other side, so it''s not a length issue. The criminal simply miscalculated the length like an idiot.


    Deshya smiles broadly.


    - A mistake that will cost them time in prison. I promise.


    Even Aya feels that chill again. Deshya returns to the room and puts the chair back in its place before resting her back on the corridor wall, right next to Aya.


    - We''re waiting for the police now. You''re all three suspects, sorry," Deshya told him.


    - All three, you say?


    Daniel sits on the floor and sighs.


    - Then there''s ''Justin'' too.


    Deshya squints.


    - Justin...?


    - A-Ah, don''t listen to him¡­


    - Call him.


    C¨¦line opens her mouth and looks at Gaby. He has also sat down, looking downcast and saddened.


    - Call Justin here. If she''s telling the truth and it''s murder, then I''m sure the police will ask him to come down in any case¡­


    - A-Ah... Okay.


    C¨¦line nods slightly and takes out her phone. Aya sits back and sighs.


    - I''m still impressed that you managed to guess that the chair was too small," she admits.


    - It''s the same chair as in our bedrooms, so when I saw how high the body was, I had my suspicions.


    Deshya squints.


    - The culprit must have climbed onto the chair, tied the rope around the base of the fan and quickly carried the victim''s body to put his head around the rope, but he must have thought the height was right, given that the victim''s feet reach a tiny bit higher than the seat. However, if he had really hanged himself, his feet should have been a little higher, since when he pulls the chair away from his feet, gravity pulls him down and so he drops a little lower than the level of the seat.


    Aya listens attentively and Deshya sighs, shaking her head.


    - But that''s not possible. What''s more, even though the fan is at a certain height, I can reach it on tiptoe, so these three could have done it, since none of them is shorter than me.


    The woman, with the first name ''C¨¦line'', must be 1 or 2 centimeters taller than Deshya, which means she too could have committed the crime. What''s more, her exposed belly proves to both girls that she''s far from weak: although less detailed than the men''s, she too is adorned with abs, and her arms are anything but slender. Deshya is certain that if they were to fight, taking a punch from her could knock her out on the first try. C¨¦line puts away her phone and explains that Justin will be there shortly, which reassures everyone. The girl in the fox sweater wonders who could have done this¡­


    - And how did the culprit manage to get out of this locked room...?


    Fifteen minutes later, two police cars and an ambulance arrive discreetly at the ''Beleza Verde'' hotel. From one of the cars, a woman with long pink hair emerges, waving it around. She closes the door, looks at the hotel in front of her and whistles.


    - What a beautiful building!" she says.


    - We''re not here to have fun.


    The woman turns to another, but her physique is quite different. Short, quickly coiffed blond hair sits on her head and her green eyes show a certain boredom, but far more seriousness than the other pink-haired woman. The latter twirls her detective notebook on her finger before tucking it away in the garment above her gray sweater, between her two breasts.


    - I know, I know: we''ve got a murder case on our hands," she announces, wiping the smile from her face.


    Other policemen get out of the other car and the pink haired woman stretches before entering the building.


    On the fourteenth floor, Deshya continues to wait alongside Aya and the victim''s three ¡ª or rather, four ¡ª friends. Between the time Deshya realized it wasn''t a suicide, but a murder disguised as a suicide, and the time the police arrived, the notorious ''Justin'' arrived with them. Like his three friends, he''s in a bathing suit, but wearing a fur sweater. Gaby, C¨¦line and Daniel also wore sweaters over their swimsuits: they were getting cold. Deshya made sure they hadn''t hidden or fiddled with anything, and Aya even checked everyone''s pockets. She too is in her swimsuit, but her upper body is clad in her fox sweater. She feels the cold on her legs, but the inside of the hotel is warm, so she doesn''t complain and waits patiently for the police to arrive. She could have called her father herself, but since her phone was still in her room - the very thing she''d come to get when she got on the elevator - she left the job to the staff member. The latter had just gone down to the first floor to fetch the police. Deshya doesn''t know if it''s going to be her father who arrives or someone else, but she suspects that Sammy will be the one to take charge of this case: he is the detective who deals mainly with murders and kidnappings, after all. Deshya doesn''t know much about the workings of their police force, but she does know that each policeman has his own area of expertise. Her father is a detective and deals mainly with murders, kidnappings and even protection, but Deshya knows that anything to do with terrorism, arson and even bombs are not occupied by him. Deshya doesn''t know much about the police, as she''s mostly accompanied Sammy on certain investigations, and the former detective she saw other than Sammy quit over the summer due to a serious injury.


    - The police are here!


    Deshya turns her head to the left, from where the staff man is running towards them. The victim''s four friends stand up at the same time, Deshya and Aya right after. The girl in the fox sweater checks to see if it''s Sammy who''s coming towards them, but to her surprise¡ª


    It''s not him.


    A woman with long pink hair and a skirted outfit approaches them, walking in an almost sexy manner, just to her left is another woman, but with a fuller figure and much shorter hair, not even reaching her shoulders. Wearing a police uniform, this woman''s expression is much more serious, even angry, while the one next to her smiles faintly and looks much more composed. The pink-haired woman notices the six people in front of her, but her attention is immediately drawn to one of them:


    - Ah, Deshya!


    She opens her mouth wide and runs towards her.


    - Ah?!


    The policewoman next to her is pushed slightly by the detective''s run and clicks her tongue. Deshya blinks and pulls her body back as the woman stops right in front of her.


    - I can finally meet Gatito''s little fox, so cute! Can I stroke your head?


    - E-Eh?


    - We''re going to have to investigate a crime scene, so I want to enjoy the calm before the storm! To be able to stroke your reddish hair and¡ª


    - Hanoka.


    The woman stops suddenly and turns around slowly.


    - Y-Yes, Karine...?


    The woman with the short blond hair grabs her ear and forces her back. The pink-haired detective lets out little cries of pain, startling everyone in the vicinity. The policewoman next to her pushes her back a little and pulls out her badge, showing it to the people in front of her.


    - I''m Karine Shineki, policewoman from Tetazo station. We received a call that a murder had been committed in room 1422 of the hotel ¡®Beleza Verde'', we''ve come to see the scene. I suppose you are the one calling us?


    She turns to the staff man. He nods, but shyly points at the girl in the fox sweater.


    - That''s me, but it was this girl who asked me to call you," he replies.


    Karine sighs with an annoyed expression.


    - Deshya Oveja, the little girl who finds all kinds of things, eh?


    - Good evening!" greeted Deshya.


    - I''ll be frank with you two s''condes, lil¡¯ fox.


    - E-Eh?


    - Unlike little Hanoka behind me, I''m not a fan of a teenager like you sticking her nose where it doesn''t belong. Enjoy your adolescence and let the police do their job. We may be seen as incompetent by most people, but at Tetazo, we''re neither racist nor stupid.


    Karine beckons Deshya to move over, which she does, looking at Karine with astonishment. She then turns to the pink-haired detective, showing her badge.


    - I''m ''Hanoka Atege'', police detective! I mostly deal with murders, but I specialize in protection and even kidnappings. I''m so happy to see you in real life!


    The woman asks Deshya again if she can stroke her head, which the girl accepts with an embarrassed smile. Hanoka thanks her and rubs Deshya''s fox hood, letting her joy radiate from her body. Aya contemplates the scene with amusement, but the question she''s been asking herself takes up more and more space in her mind. Hanoka stops caressing Deshya and goes to join the crime scene when the dark-skinned girl takes courage and asks her:


    - Say, are you our age?


    The woman blinks and stops dead in her tracks. Karine has only just entered the room, but on hearing this question, she starts laughing. Hanoka sighs and lowers her head, a black cloud rumbling in the air above her head.


    - That question again..." she blurts out.


    - You''re just a samll girl!" says Karine.


    - And you yelled at me for having fun when it''s a crime scene¡­


    Hanoka raised her head and scratched the back of her hair. Deshya was asking herself the same question for the simple reason that this police detective is even shorter than she is. She must be a little taller than 1m55.


    - No, I''m not your age. I turned 28 on September 1st! I know I''m 1.57m tall and small, but I''m not a child!


    Hanoka passes between the two girls and enters the room in her turn. Deshya turns to her with a smile.


    - I''m 6 centimeters taller than her..." she thinks, amused.


    Deshya isn''t necessarily surprised that some women older than her are shorter than her 1.63m, but she had also thought, on seeing her arrival, that she was a teenager. After observing Hanoka more closely, and listening to her voice, she realized that she really was an adult. Deshya finds her beautiful, especially her fluffy, prickly ponytail, which she has carefully trimmed, but Deshya is aware that this is neither the time nor the place to admire other people''s looks: they must uncover the truth behind this murder in a closed room.


    - Keep an eye on them, will you?" drops Deshya, addressing her friend who''s barely younger than she is.


    Aya nods and opens her eyes wide at the suspects, which amuses Deshya. Before entering the room, Hanoka notices the state of the door and turns to the hotel staff man.


    - I see that the security chain has been sawn through. Does this mean that the deceased was in this room, locked in by the security chain?" she asks.


    - Exactly," confessed the man. The man came and asked me to open the bedroom door, as their friend wasn''t answering, which I did, but as the security chain prevented us from entering the room, I went to get the electric saw.


    - Eeeeh... Has anything in the room been touched?


    Deshya stands in front of the detective.


    - I went into the room to check the state of the body and confirm that it was murder, but I didn''t touch anything except the chair. However, it''s back in its place and I didn''t touch the body.


    Karine looks at the hanged man and turns around.


    - Are you sure it''s murder? It just looks like suicide, especially as the French window seems to be closed," says the policewoman.


    Hanoka turns back to the hanged man and looks at the chair. She smiles and before Deshya can reply to Karin, the detective speaks.


    - The victim was killed or put to sleep and then placed around the rope to conceal the murder, but the culprit miscalculated the height and the body a little too high compared to the chair beneath him, right?


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and nods, surprised that she''s figured it out so quickly. Deshya expects to be congratulated for figuring it out, but Hanoka shakes her head.


    - Although I''m not surprised you found out, you''ve been to a crime scene, you''ve touched the chair and I suppose it was even you who asked for the chain to be sawn to get in?


    - A-Ah, but¡ª


    - You don''t have gloves on, I''m guessing, so I hope you didn''t put your fingerprints anywhere. I bet you used the sleeves of your sweater, but that''s risky. The chair is probably in the exact place you found it, since your dad told me you had a good photographic memory, but it''s still something you shouldn''t have done. What''s more, if it really is murder, that means it''s an impossible crime; in short, murder in a closed room. If the chain had been tampered with to allow the culprit to get out, but that trick is now gone because the chain has just been sawed off, it means we may never understand the trick.


    Hanoka shakes his head again, admiring Deshya.


    - On the cuteness level, you''re at 200%. On the intelligence level, the same score. However, on the ¡®I-was-going-to-be-a-private-detective-or-in-the-police-when-I-will-be-a-grown-up'', you still don''t have 50% of the points.


    The detective smiles and pats Deshya''s head.


    - But hey, I''m going to trust you and hope that the security chain wasn''t rigged in some very specific way and that we''ll never know the truth, which would make you guilty of dashing my hopes of finding the trick to this locked room. I love you anyway!


    - Hanoka, serious business.


    - Agreed.


    Hanoka pouted and joined Karine in sulking. Deshya blinks several times and Aya puts her head close to hers.


    - I don''t know whether you''ve been congratulated, insulted, scolded or forgiven..." she confesses.


    - I don''t know if she was aggressive or passive... Both or neither..." murmured Deshya.


    However, Deshya totally understood what Hanoka had just told her: she was absolutely right. Deshya had wanted to get into the room as quickly as possible in case Ben was in danger, and had then touched the chair to confirm whether it was murder, but she should simply have called the police even if it was suicide, without moving anything. She''s been incompetent and amateurish, which makes her angry with herself, but she can''t let it go: to make amends for this mistake, she vows to find the culprit, as well as the trick behind this closed room. Deshya asks Hanoka if she has the right to help them, and Karine is the first to reply.


    - Stay where you are!


    Hanoka turns to Deshya with a smile.


    - Of course!


    The two policewomen look at each other, an angry look on their faces. Karine is the first to give up and shrugs her shoulders.


    - Have it your way, kiddo.


    - Ki-Kiddo¡­


    Aya starts to giggle and Deshya quickly turns to her, but her friend whistles, moving her body from left to right, as if she hadn''t heard a thing. Deshya enters the room in turn, making sure not to touch anything. She notices that to her left, on the hallway cabinet, a drone stored on its stand is silently displaying its beauty. Deshya turns to the suspects.


    - Is that his drone? I mean, the victim''s, Ben?


    Justin, the last of his friends to arrive, nods in agreement.


    - Ben has always loved drones. He''s also a huge fan of magic, and must have taken some special magic boxes with him.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.- Nothing like that has been found yet," admits Karine, checking the body''s condition.


    Another policeman arrives and checks the cupboard drawers, but nothing of the sort is found, which intrigues Deshya. She advances towards the two policewomen and Hanoka smilingly passes her a pair of gloves.


    - Given all the investigations you''ve had to deal with, you should probably keep some gloves on!" she admits.


    - I''m thinking of doing that, yes..." smiled Deshya as she placed them on her hands.


    She prefers this to using the sleeves of her sweater. Not only is it more comfortable, it''s less risky when she''s touching things. The policeman behind her continues to search the wardrobe drawer, while another checks the bathroom. The long pink-haired detective, Hanoka Atege, analyzes the corpse, assisted by Karine.


    - Help me lay the body on the ground," said the blonde policewoman.


    - Okay.


    Hanoka complies, while Deshya walks past her and looks at the French window. She looks again at the handle, which is not fully raised, but even so, it would be impossible to open the French window. She tries in any case, but as expected, it doesn''t move an inch. Karine yells at her not to move and Deshya promises not to play dumb. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices something on the bedside table:


    - The room key¡­


    Deshya approaches it, but doesn''t take it in her hands. It''s identical to his, except for one detail: the number in black is ''1422'', the number of this room. Deshya then looks at the bed, but apart from the fact that it''s a mess, there''s nothing noteworthy about it. She returns to the corridor and speaks to the hotel''s male staff member.


    - Has a key been requested for this room?¡± Deshya asks.


    - No key has yet been lost or claimed," he admits.


    - Hmmm¡­


    Aya clenches her fists with joy.


    - Did you find anything?!" she asks.


    - Not yet. In any case, even with another key, it''s impossible to leave the room with the security chain still on¡­


    While she''s deep in thought, an elderly lady greets Deshya. Her white hair tied back in a quirky ponytail and her gentle air are so recognizable that the girl could spot her in a crowd of 1,000.


    - Hello, Annie!" greeted Deshya.


    - Again in a case, right¡­


    - I''m the one who came running this time, ahah¡­


    - This time, it''s not with your dad, though. Or Sammy.


    - Looks like it.


    - Gatito''s resting and Sammy''s on another case, so I''m not surprised. You haven''t met Karine yet, have you?


    - Nor Hanoka.


    - Oh, nor Hanoka? Well, she only arrived a few months ago, just like the other detective.


    - The other detective?" repeats Deshya.


    Annie smiles and tells her it''s not important.


    - Hanoka is intelligent, so everything should work out fine. I can''t promise that Karine will be very nice to you, as she''s often cold, especially with children," she told her. Anyway, I''m going to check the state of the corpse, and thank you for notifying the police as soon as possible, Deshya.


    Annie thanks her with a nod and enters the room first. Aya notices that her friend seems to know some members of the police force, which doesn''t really surprise her, but makes her admire her even more. One of the victim''s four friends approaches the girl in the fox sweater.


    - Do you really think the culprit is one of us?" asks Daniel.


    Deshya turns to him and doesn''t answer. The man bows his head.


    - We came here to have fun and now... Ah¡­


    - Leave it, Daniel. I''m sure it''s someone from the outside," Gaby tells him.


    Deshya squints and returns to the bedroom, where Annie is analyzing the body, surrounded by Hanoka and Karine. She doesn''t want to admit to them that it''s unlikely that this is the case, but she needs to find out more first on the surrounding area. Deshya passed by the policemen and stopped in front of the French window. When she went out onto her bedroom balcony, she could see the balconies of the rooms next door, so¡­


    - Say, can I check if there''s anything on the balcony Deshya asks.


    Karine approaches her and places both hands on her hips.


    - Did we photograph the balcony from the inside, as well as the position of the handle?" asks the blonde woman.


    - Yes, everything is photographed!" a policeman replies.


    Karine agreed to let Deshya open the French window and step out onto the balcony. The girl thanks her and turns the handle downwards, before opening the door with less noise than expected. She admires the starry sky, where the moon shows its beautiful roundness to the world, as well as its pure white rays. Nevertheless, Deshya has no time to enjoy the scenery and scans the balcony, but sees nothing out of the ordinary. The pot full of colorful flowers is where it should be, and the bars of the balcony don''t seem to have been moved, broken or damaged.


    - We''d have to check just in case, but anyway... Deshya turns her face to the balcony on her right.


    It''s far too far to reach, even by jumping.


    Deshya rests her head on her arms, the latter on the balcony rail. Even with her fox attributes and momentum, she doesn''t think she can reach it. A normal person, with as much training as she''d like, simply couldn''t get from one balcony to the other.


    - The vines and climbing plants on the walls are far too fragile to support anyone, especially as it''s far too risky. You''d need a ladder to get from one balcony to the other by laying it flat, but if the culprit wandered the corridors with it, they''d be noticed straight away. If the culprit came from one of the two rooms next door, even further, finding the ladder wouldn''t be complicated in any case.


    She still has to confirm the residents of the rooms next door, just in case. Deshya is about to return to the room when Hanoka arrives next to her.


    - Did you find anything~?" asks the detective with the long pink hair.


    - I don''t see it that way, but maybe if I look hard enough¡­


    - I''ll ask Karine to check out the balcony in detail, then.


    - Hm, that would be best.


    Deshya nods and returns to the bedroom. Hanoka stays on the balcony a few moments longer, analyzing the walls and the part of the roof visible from there. Annie gets up and chats with one of the policemen. Deshya shoves her hands in her pockets and stops in front of the old lady doctor.


    - Did he die of strangulation?" she asks.


    Annie turns to Deshya and nods, a serious look showing on her face.


    - He was strangled before he was hanged, judging by the marks on his neck, and we didn''t find any drugs or sleeping pills in his blood,¡± she replies. Also, the murder was committed between 6:30 and 7:15 p.m., but I''d even go so far as to say it was between 6:30 and 7 p.m..


    Deshya thanks Annie and leaves the room with her before observing the victim''s four friends.


    - Between 6:30 and 7 p.m... I was at the pool with Amora, Lam and Frie at the time¡­


    While she was having fun with her friends, someone was killed in the same hotel where she was staying. This disgusts her.


    - I''m going to find out who''s responsible for this murder and go back to having fun with the others.


    Hanoka arrives with Karine in the hallway and stands in front of the four adults. Deshya looks at the policewoman in astonishment.


    - Shouldn''t you¡ª


    - I''ve asked my colleague to take care of it," Karine cuts her off. I''d like to have a quick chat with the four of you.


    She addresses the victim''s friends in a cold, strict tone. Hanoka pulls an object out from between the folds of her clothing, between her two breasts. She then takes out a bic that was hidden in her shoe and presses it down before twirling it in her hand and placing the lead on the white paper of the notebook.


    - Are you all friends with the victim?" asks the detective.


    - Right," Justin replies briefly.


    Aya warns Deshya that she''s going to the bathroom and returns just afterwards. Her friend waves back with a smile and concentrates on the conversation next to her.


    - We''d like a little more information about the victim and your relationship with him," says Karine.


    - We know his name is ''Ben Tharen'', he''s 31 and lives alone in the south of Izambar," explains Hanoka.


    - He''s also the leader of our swimming group," admits Daniel.


    - Swimming group?


    Daniel nods, but it''s his cousin who speaks up.


    - Ben and the four of us belong to the same group, which we created ourselves. Twice a week, we meet up at the big pool in Bexel or Li¨¨re to train and chat amongst ourselves," she explains. Ben is the one who created the group, so we think of him as the leader, but it''s almost a fictional role.


    - I see... I suppose the five of you have come here?" asks Karine.


    - That''s right," confesses Gaby. We arrived a little after 4 p.m., as we all had the weekend off and Friday was a day off from our work.


    Hanoka takes quick note of what she hears, attentive to their words.


    - Were you planning to stay at the hotel all weekend?" she asks, still with her nose in her notebook.


    - Only tonight," admits C¨¦line.


    - Even if I don''t have to work this weekend, I''ve got a wife waiting for me at home, so I don''t want to keep her waiting too long," smiles Gaby.


    - I''m planning to go back tomorrow morning too, as I''ve got some series to catch up on, and even though the hotel is incredible, the price of a VIP ticket isn''t cheap..." admits Daniel.


    Deshya looks up at him.


    - Do you have VIP tickets?" she asks.


    - That''s right, all five of us," confirms the man.


    - So you''ve already been to the pool?


    - The pool?" asks Karine. What kind of question is that?


    - Because they''re all in bathing suits and there''s a big pool in the hotel that just opened today, but apart from a special or VIP ticket, it''s impossible to get in. I thought they''d gone to another pool, but I guess they went to the same one as us.


    - You were in the pool, then?" asks Hanoka.


    They nod and Deshya squints at them.


    - I vaguely remember seeing Justin there, but that''s it... If they were all at the pool when the crime was committed, then the murder could never have been committed by them," thinks the girl.


    - Forgive me, but before I ask you to state your identity, can I have confirmation of your rooms?" Hanoka asks them.


    The woman with blond hair, a little longer than Karine''s, nods and speaks first.


    - I live in the room just to Ben''s left and sleep with my cousin.


    She points to the man with the similar haircut and he speaks up.


    - We''re both from room 1421, as she just said.


    - The two of us, in room 1423," confessed Gaby, giving Justin a quick nod.


    - So Ben was sleeping alone?" Karine confirmed.


    - He doesn''t like sleeping with anyone, as he can''t rest well afterwards," Justin replies.


    - I see¡­


    Hanoka writes down everything she has just learned and closes her notebook, looking back. A policeman is carefully scanning the balcony, assisted by another, while a third is checking every nook and cranny of the room for the slightest clue.


    - Can you state your identity one by one?" asks the detective. And where you were at the time of the murder, between 6.30pm and 7.15pm.


    One of the men, the one with the short black hair, speaks first.


    - I''m ''Justin Berouette'', a member of the swimming group like the others. I''m a good friend of Ben''s and sometimes play Mahjong or Poker with him, outside swimming. Between 6.30pm and 7.15pm... Around 6.50pm, I got out of the pool and got back in around... Well, 7.15pm, actually.


    - Why?" asks Deshya.


    - I just wandered around a bit looking at the evening activities. The hotel is big and I wasn''t sure where all the information was, so I got lost, to be honest.


    - In short, no alibi..." notes Hanoka.


    Justin rubs the back of his neck and clicks his tongue, but doesn''t reply. C¨¦line is next to speak.


    - I''m ''C¨¦line Oveni''. I''m the only woman in the swimming group and I''m Daniel''s cousin. Like the others, I was in the big pool for about two hours, but between 6.30pm and 7.15pm¡­


    - You left about 5 minutes before I did," Justin admits.


    - Exactly! Around 6.45pm, I went to the bathroom, but I stayed there until 7.15pm, as I came back at the same time as Justin.


    Hanoka squints slightly, but doesn''t answer, just notes. Karine bites part of her lower lip before asking her question.


    - 30 minutes to go to the loo?


    C¨¦line blushes and nods.


    - I was on my phone, I didn''t pay attention to the time¡­


    - And yet, you came back at the same time as Justin¡­


    Hanoka taps the pen on her notebook with a smile.


    - Well, I hope you''re not lying about your ''alibi'' because you were conceiving a child in the¡ª


    Before she can finish her sentence, Karine hits her on the head and apologizes on her behalf. Deshya lets out a smile as amused as it was a surprised one, stunned by Hanoka''s remark.


    - And yet, that''s what I think too, ahah..." thought Deshya.


    However, such an assumption has no place in this investigation, so Deshya quickly regains her seriousness. Daniel then introduces himself.


    - Me, ''Daniel Teri''. I put our towels on our deckchairs and all that before going for a walk at around 6.25pm, but I came back at 6.55pm.


    - Can anyone prove it?" asks the long pink-haired detective.


    - I don''t know, I don''t think anyone was paying attention to the people around them... I couldn''t even tell who was there.


    - Same here," admits Justin.


    - I was in the ladies'' room, so maybe someone saw me, but I don''t remember running into anyone there..." says C¨¦line.


    Karine sighs and turns to the last man, Gaby.


    - I hope you''ve got an alibi or that you haven''t left the pool, you..." she throws at him.


    Gaby scratches the back of his head.


    - I stayed in the pool for a few minutes, but around 6:35pm, I admit I went out to spend some time on my phone... I went back to the pool at 7pm sharp, though," he explains.


    - Did anyone see you?" asks Hanoka.


    - I was in a quiet place with no one around to write lyrics for a song I''d been thinking about in the pool, but since I wasn''t convinced about it, I finally deleted it all myself¡­


    - In short, no proof that you''ve written anything?" asks Deshya, her eyes trained on the man''s face.


    - Nothing at all... I didn''t run into anyone.


    - Do you all agree that what we say about others is true?


    Hanoka asks for confirmation and, unsurprisingly, everyone agrees. Nevertheless, she is annoyed and scratches her skull with her pen, looking at her notebook. Deshya understands her:


    - None of them has a valid alibi and they all left the pool at the time of the murder... In short, any one of the four could be the culprit.


    They have four suspects in front of them, but Deshya asks herself a certain question. She hesitates to ask, but Hanoka is quicker.


    - I don''t want to seem indiscreet, but do any of you four have a motive for killing the victim?


    This sudden question takes the four friends by surprise. They give each other quick looks, but no one answers t h e detective''s question. Karine becomes impatient and even starts tapping her foot on the floor. Noticing the lack of response from anyone, Deshya decides to step forward and smiles at C¨¦line.


    - If nobody says they has anything against the victim, I guess you all have something against him?" asks the girl with the fox sweater.


    The woman blinks, but says nothing. However, the man she followed from the elevator takes a step forward, clenching his fists.


    - Me... Me, I''ve got nothing against him!" he shouts. Daniel frowns and is instantly annoyed.


    - What are you talking about?!


    - H-Huh?


    - Like us, he listened to your music on YouTube, but unlike us, he criticized it every time!! You even stopped for 6 months because of his negative reviews!


    Gaby grits her teeth and pushes Daniel.


    - What about you? I''m sure you hate him because of what he did to C¨¦line!


    - Calm down!" orders Karine.


    The two men stare angrily at each other, but Justin steps in with C¨¦line. The latter apologizes for their behavior, a forced smile on her face. Hanoka squints at her and taps his notebook hard.


    - What did Ben do to C¨¦line?" she asks them.


    The blonde woman bows her head and bites her lower lip, offering Hanoka the answer.


    - Sexual harassment? Rape? Bullying?


    - ...he¡­


    Daniel signals C¨¦line to be quiet and answers for her, remarking that she feels sick just talking about it.


    - Ben was annoying with her, hitting on her even when she asked him to stop..." he admits. We all know that here, especially since he''s already touched C¨¦line''s buttocks without her consent... In front of all of us, with no shame.


    - I see. So Gaby was being criticized, to the point of losing her motivation, C¨¦line was touched without consent, hit on relentlessly, and you, as her cousin, must resent her for the same reason, right?


    Daniel wants to reply, but closes his mouth and offers his silence as an answer. Hanoka, Karine and Deshya turn to Justin, just as Annie returns to them all. However, she remains silent and waits for them to finish their interrogation.


    - Do you have a grudge against him for some reason?" asks Karine.


    - We often played together, as I said, but he''s a dirty cheater, so I got angry with him several times. He''s also a sexual abuser, given what he did to C¨¦line, so I found it hard to see him as a true friend, but he''s still someone I liked a lot.


    - So they all have a reason to kill him... If Justin was indeed with C¨¦line in the bathroom, or even outside, maybe... No, if they were together, then they couldn''t have committed the crime... Unless they were together committing it? Hm¡­


    Deshya ponders the situation: if Justin and C¨¦line aren''t lying, then all four of them had the opportunity to kill Ben, find a way out by ''fabricating'' the locked room, and then return to the pool. If Justin and C¨¦line were together when they committed the crime, then it means that the two of them found a way to leave the room without a trace, hiding their murder as a suicide. Deshya turns to Karine.


    - They never came back, did they?" asks Deshya.


    - Who, the four of them?


    - Exactly.


    - Don''t play the detective.


    - Eeeh?


    - So, I want to know," Hanoka asks him.


    - They stayed in the hall for a minute to get a closer look at the victim and confirm it was him, but immediately afterwards, they came out. My colleague was standing next to them, so I''d be surprised if they touched anything.


    - Didn''t we... Didn''t we tell them not to come in?" asks Annie, deciding to break her silence.


    They turn to her and Karine crosses her arms.


    - If there''d been something near the door to create the locked room thing, we''d have seen it before. They didn''t touch a thing, DID THEY?!


    - N-No, ma''am!" the four reply in unison.


    - If they''d dared, I''m sure my colleague would have noticed. We check fingerprints anyway.


    Annie understands and says nothing else. Deshya is less convinced, as is Hanoka, but they assume that Karine had a point: if something had been installed close to the door to escape, this mechanism should have been seen. If it''s a hole in the door or in the glass, they''ll end up finding it in any case. So far, however, nothing of the sort has been found. Deshya turns to Hanoka.


    - What if we check out the two rooms next door?" she suggests.


    The police detective agrees.


    - I was going to do that.


    She then turns to Annie.


    - I know they probably already know, but can you ask the police to look for any holes in the door, the balcony glass or the wall? Maybe it could give us a clue as to how the culprit got out of the room," Hanoka asks her.


    - Sure.


    - Karine, we''ll do a quick check of the two rooms next door. If nothing is found in the victim''s room, we may need to request a more thorough search of the rooms, or even the entire corridor.


    - H-Hey, wait!


    Gaby approaches them, sweating again.


    - Do you still regard us as suspects? Sure, we all have a reason to dislike Ben, and we''re all missing an alibi, but we''ve got nothing to do with this!


    - He''s right!" says Daniel. Plus, are you sure it''s not a suicide and you''re just wrong...? Safety chains are made to ensure that no trick or trickery is¡ª


    - It''s one of you four, I''m sure.


    Hanoka cuts him off and tucks her notebook back between her breasts. She points at the man with her pen and squints.


    - There are only two ways out of the room: through the front door or the balcony. However, the door was locked with the security chain, and the window was also closed. What''s more, from the balcony, it''s impossible to reach another... except with someone''s help or by preparing something already on the balcony.


    It''s the same reason why Deshya is convinced that one of the four friends is the culprit. Aya, who has remained silent until now, rests her chin in her hand.


    - So, it must be one of the people sleeping in the room next to Ben... so one of the four of them,¡± she asks.


    - That''s exact," confirms Hanoka.


    - Tsk.


    Gaby clicks her tongue and C¨¦line moves towards them.


    - Even if we don''t necessarily like it, we''re not the type to kill someone!" she admits.


    - No matter.


    They all turn to Deshya. She has her eyes closed, her hands in her sweater pockets and her head bowed.


    - Even the nicest person in the world has thought about hurting someone... It''s just being human.


    Deshya thinks back to Bibi Derumi''s words and wants to smile, but she holds back. She places one foot on the wall behind her and turns her eyes on the victim''s four friends. The four suspects in this case.


    - The truth will be found, and the culprit will only have to think about what they did behind bars.

 37 -?The Last Floors Locked Room ; Part 3?(CASE7)

    <hr>


    On September 09, 2022, a Friday with clear, cloudless skies, Deshya Oveja went with Amora Takt, Lam Douce and Frie Rengoat to the ''Beleza Verde'', a fairly luxurious hotel south of the town of Tetazo. Thanks to four tickets won by Frie''s mother, the friends went together and entered the hotel at 6pm. After a short chat with the lady at the front counter, they hurry to their respective rooms: Deshya sleeps with Amora, Frie with Lam. A few moments later, having each put on a swimsuit, they meet in the corridor and head for the hotel''s new large swimming pool, the one accessible only to VIPs and those with special tickets. They spend over an hour inside the pool, having fun and laughing with each other. Then they go to the restaurant and order food. At the same time, a girl shows up at their table: her name is ''Aya Deroom'', the current girlfriend of Maruno Uffite, one of the three members of the ¡®Fox Incorporated¡¯. Deshya goes up to the thirteenth floor to fetch her phone and Aya follows, her father still chatting with his friends. A sweaty, panting man joins them in the elevator and the three of them go up to the 13th floor, but when they get there, the same man runs down the corridor and takes the stairs to the top floor above. Deshya, needing to satisfy her curiosity, decides to follow him, right behind her is Aya. When they reach the top, they see a surprising scene: a man and a woman violently banging on a bedroom door, shouting at someone. The situation is soon revealed to the two girls: the three people''s friend, a certain ''Ben'', is not answering their calls while still in his room. A staff member, called by ''Gaby'', finally arrives and opens the door on his special card... but unfortunately, the security chain is still in place. Three minutes later, he returns with an electric saw and breaks the chain, then showing the truth of his horror room: a man hanging from the ceiling fan. The friend who answers to the first name of ''Ben'' who was no longer in touch.


    After a quick inspection, Deshya realizes that the suicide is actually a homicide. A few minutes later, the police arrive at the hotel, but to Deshya''s great surprise, it''s neither her father nor Sammy who introduce themselves to her: the inspector is called ''Karine Shineki'', a woman with short blond hair, and the police detective ''Hanoka Atege'', one with long pink hair. Also, a man called ''Justin'' has joined the group of the victim''s three friends.


    After some research, they confirm that Ben''s death was caused by strangulation with the same rope, although before his head was wrapped around the rope hanging from the ceiling. They find no sign of forced entry, nor any trickery to create a murder in a closed room, but Deshya and Hanoka are certain that it''s a homicide concealed as a suicide. Next, Karine and Hanoka ask Ben''s four friends to identify themselves:


    The blonde-haired woman''s name is ''C¨¦line Oveni''. Between 6.45pm and 7.15pm, she was absent from the swimming pool, being at the ladies'' room. The reason she took so long is because she was on her phone and didn''t see the time go by.


    The man with medium-length brown hair, a cut quite similar to C¨¦line''s, is called ''Daniel Teri'' and is also the woman''s cousin. Before going into the pool, he took a walk between 6:25 and 6:55 pm.


    The man who arrived last is called ''Justin Berouette''. Between 6.50pm and 7.15pm, he went to the hotel to see what else could be done in the evening, but got a little lost in its vastness.


    For the man Deshya and Aya followed, his name is ''Gaby Guerric''. Between 6.35pm and 7.00pm, he left the pool and went to a quiet, uncrowded corner to write lyrics for a song he was inspired while in the water, but not being convinced of it, he finally erased everything and then returned to the pool. They had gone into the same pool as Deshya, Lam, Amora and Frie, while Ben had stayed in his room. This surprised Karine.


    - Why exactly did he stay in his room?" she asks.


    C¨¦line answers her question.


    - He just told us he wanted to watch a video and get ready," she confesses.


    - If by getting ready he meant putting on his bathing suit, then he was killed quite early, since he''s still dressed..." thinks Hanoka.


    - What kind of video?" asks Aya.


    - No idea, but he usually watches little shows on video games or swimming shows on YaTube. I think they''re all at least 45 or 50 minutes long, but sometimes they go on for hours. That''s why we didn''t worry until we got out of the pool and started eating together," Daniel tells her honestly.


    - Eeeh, I see¡­


    Aya rubs her hair, unable to tell who the culprit is in this case. The pink-haired detective asks a policeman to search Ben''s video history. Deshya squints at the four suspects. She''s convinced it''s one of them, since the two rooms next door are where they sleep. Not only do they have to figure out who did it... they also have to find out how the murder was committed.


    CHAPTER 37


    ?The Last Floor''s Locked Room ; Part 3?


    - So we can go into your room?" asks Hanoka, addressing C¨¦line.


    The woman nods and pulls out her key from the bottom of her shirt. Hanoka asks about the card and C¨¦line turns to her.


    - What''s the matter...?" she asks.


    - Were you the one with the key to your room all this time?" Hanoka repeated.


    - That''s right. I''ve kept it in my bag and nobody''s touched it, otherwise I''d have noticed it, especially as it''s at the very bottom.


    - Even when you left the pool?¡± asks Deshya.


    - Impossible, I had the bag with me.


    - Eeeh, I see.


    Before C¨¦line opens the door, she squints.


    - Why is that?" she asks.


    Hanoka smiles.


    - Simply because it could give us a lead: if someone had stolen it or borrowed it, if anything was found in your room, it could have given us an idea of another culprit," she replies.


    - Why did you put it in your pants...?" asks Aya. You could have taken your bag.


    - I-I didn''t think we''d take so long! Besides, Justin kept it for me.


    The man nods and raises the small bag in his hand.


    - I didn''t touch anything inside, I just took it away like she asked me to," he admits.


    - And from your room, does Gaby or Justin have the key?" asks Deshya.


    - It''s me," Justin replies. I don''t have it in my swimsuit like her, though, but in my sweater.


    He takes it out and shows it to the two detectives. They thank him at the same time, and C¨¦line becomes impatient, asking if she can finally open the door. Hanoka agrees, but first asks them to stay outside. Deshya approaches Aya and tells her to watch their every move, in case the culprit is trying to hide something. Aya places her hand in front of her forehead and nods with a serious expression, which both reassures and amuses her friend. Deshya enters the two cousins'' room with Hanoka and Karine.


    - I''ll check the balcony, you check the bedroom," Hanoka told them.


    - Okay.


    - Hm.


    Deshya takes a look at the state of the room, but apart from the mess, there''s nothing out of the ordinary. The wardrobes and drawers are all closed, and a large suitcase stands beside the unmade bed. Blankets and cushions are all over the place, as if they''d been sleeping in them or playing between the sheets. Hanoka pulls down the handle of the French window, which was closed when they arrived, and goes out onto the balcony. Karine checks the bathroom, but it hasn''t been touched. Deshya stops in front of the bed and looks around, but still can''t see anything unusual. She gets down on all fours and observes the underside of the bed, but there''s nothing hidden there. Deshya gets up and turns back to the cupboard. Still wearing gloves on her hands, she opens it and checks inside. However, nothing is found: only clothes in storage. Deshya closes the wardrobe and continues to analyze the room, but finds nothing. Karine exits the bathroom and heads for Hanoka, ignoring Deshya. Deshya follows and Karine knocks on the French window.


    - Did you find anything?" asked the policewoman.


    Hanoka turns and shakes his head.


    - I don''t see any marks on the bars or on the balcony," she replies. The flowerpot isn''t in the same place as the others, but it could simply be that they moved it when they got here.


    Karine turns and heads for the suspects. Deshya looks at Hanoka, who enter the room.


    - Did you find anything?" asked the long-haired pink detective.


    - The room is a mess and the bed is unmade, but nothing else.


    - Eh¡­


    Karine returns and explains to her colleague that they''re not sure if they''ve touched the flowers, but that they both went out onto the balcony to enjoy the view. Hanoka inspects the room, but ends up lowering her shoulders.


    - In any case, I don''t think you can get from one balcony to the other. Nothing long enough, like a ladder, is here. Can you do a quick search for something like that?


    Karine nods and Hanoka returns to the corridor alongside Deshya. She asks if they can search the room as a courtesy. The two cousins stare at each other for a moment, but finally nod.


    - Can we check your room now?" asks Hanoka, addressing the other two men.


    - Yeah, sure.


    They all silently make their way to room ''1423''. Once there, Deshya confirms with Aya that no one has made any strange or suspicious gestures, but she assures her that this has not been the case. Deshya is reassured, so she can concentrate on the quick search of the other room. Nothing was found in ''1421'', the two cousins'' room, so she hopes to finally find something in this other room. If not, then¡­


    - Here we are.


    Justin opens the door with his electronic key and lets the two detectives through. They thank him and Aya steps between the room and the corridor as they both pass.


    - You like to play your part, don''t you..." remarks Gaby.


    - Yay!" says Aya.


    - Ahah¡­


    For their part, Hanoka checks the balcony and Deshya the room itself. Unlike C¨¦line''s and Daniel''s, this room is clean and tidy, even though it''s clear that two people have been here during their stay in the afternoon: the sheets are slightly untidy and one of the cushions is on the left side, when it should be on the right. Apart from that, nothing is out of the ordinary or could have been used to commit the crime. Deshya checks the cupboards and drawers, but again, nothing. She opens the bathroom door and notices that the shower has been used: one of the wet towels and the shower head are on the floor. Deshya finds it amusing that the bathroom is a mess compared to the bedroom, but it''s also a detail that intrigues her. She closes the door behind her and asks the two men who used the shower.


    - That''s me, because I wanted to go to the pool with a minimum of cleanliness," confesses Gaby.


    - I see¡­


    Deshya scratches her cheek and turns back to the balcony: if Hanoka doesn''t find anything unusual, then the mystery will persist. So she hopes she''ll come back with some good news, but when the pink-haired woman approaches them¡­


    - Nothing special there.


    In short, no clue to the trick behind the locked room. Now they have to work without knowing where to start. Deshya sighs along with Hanoka, and they look at each other.


    - Well, shall we search Ben''s room, then?" asks the young girl.


    - No choice," replies the other.


    The four suspects start grumbling, asking if they can go, but the detective promises that she''ll find the truth and the culprit soon enough. As they talk together, a girl shouts Deshya''s name and runs down the corridor. The girl in the fox sweater turns her gaze and admires her best friend''s pink hair bouncing behind her back.


    - Amora...?" thought Deshya out loud.


    Behind her, two white-haired girls follow close behind, running at the same speed. Aya approaches them, smiling.


    - What are you doing here?" she asks.


    - It''s up to us to ask the question..." says Lam.


    - You''re taking too long!" shouts Frie.


    Deshya apologizes to Hanoka, who shrugs her shoulders. Karine comes to fetch her colleague, but the latter tells her to wait.


    - You''re really interested in their discussion...?" sighs Karine.


    Hanoka smiled, not answering her question.


    - Come back!" says Frie, addressing Deshya.


    - But¡ª


    - You''re on a murder case again, aren''t you?" asks Amora, looking worried.


    Deshya closes her mouth and remains silent. Aya turns her gaze sharply to her friend and wonders if she''ll decide to abandon the investigation to join her friends. After all, that''s why she came here in the first place, so it wouldn''t be all that strange. Noticing Deshya''s lack of response, Amora grabs her hand, almost startling her best friend.


    - Aren''t you fed up?" asks Amora.


    - F-Fed up?" repeats Deshya, unsure of understanding


    Amora nods.


    - You''ve already stumbled across plenty of murders! You''ve even been kidnapped!


    - ¡­


    - I''m worried about you!


    Amora''s words hit Deshya''s heart right in the middle. She opens her eyes wide and stares into Amora''s face, which has a worried, tormented expression. She looked as if she were about to burst into tears. Frie wants to speak, but Lam hides her mouth with her own hand. When her friend looks at her, Lam just shakes her head, so Frie agrees to keep quiet. Hanoka asks the four suspects to follow her, under her supervision, and Karine sighs.


    - Did you really want to hear their conversation...?


    - Nah, I have to keep an eye on the suspects, that''s all," Hanoka smiled.


    - Yeah.


    - And it''s true.


    Karine shrugs and tells Hanoka that she''ll be keeping an eye on the suspects: she can check if anything is found in the victim''s room. The detective thanks her, but takes one last look at Deshya and her friends.


    - I''m afraid it''s really affecting you!" insists Amora.


    - It''s not like I decide to have murders or kidnappings around me," Deshya says.


    - That''s not what I meant¡­


    - No, I know, sorry.


    Deshya scratches her cheek.


    - What''s more, I''m the one who came here. I''m the one who went to the survey, not the other way around.


    - I followed her!" adds Aya.


    The girl''s smile amuses Lam, but Amora pays it no mind. She pulls off a piece of her own swimsuit and drops it, talking to Deshya.


    - We''re already in our swimsuits and ready to get back in the pool. However, we don''t want to go without you¡­


    - I was so focused on the case that I completely forgot to warn you or come back to see you... I''m being selfish here.


    Deshya sighs to herself and shakes her head. She turns around, but can''t see Hanoka anywhere: she must be in the victim''s room. Deshya''s fox tail sags to the floor and the girl apologizes, bowing to her best friend, who is astonished.


    - I need to find out the truth so badly that I forget the rest, sorry.


    - Deshya¡­


    Amora bites part of her cheek.


    - I''ll tell Hanoka she''s working alone, but that''s all right.


    Deshya smiles at her best friend. The words she''s just said greatly surprise Aya, but she considers it the right thing to do. This is police work, after all. Deshya turns on her heel and is about to warn the detective when a hand grabs her sleeve. Deshya turns around and notices that it''s Amora herself who has just stopped her in her tracks.


    - It''s not that," she says.


    - Ah...? Then what...?


    Confusion shows on the face of the girl in the fox sweater. Amora sighs and smiles again, albeit with less energy than usual.


    - I love Deshya for solving cases. When mom or dad sees your name in the papers, the three of us talk about it together. I just wish you''d warn us and think of us. We were worried.


    Deshya is frozen in place, her sleeve still held by Amora''s hand.


    - I''m your best friend and I know you very well. Maybe you haven''t been a fox-eared detective for very long, but I know how much you love mysteries and discovering the truth.


    Amora now smiles with more intensity, one that earns the nickname ''sunshine''.


    - Find the culprit and come back to have fun with us!


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    She doesn''t need to say any more for Deshya to understand absolutely everything Amora''s words mean. Her best friend lets go of her sleeve without removing her smile and waves both arms.


    - I''ll even give you a full-body massage if you want!


    Frie starts blushing just imagining the scene, while Lam and Aya look on in amazement. Deshya''s tail begins to wag, but it''s not because of the words she''s just said, but just before. Deshya approaches Amora and, before she even smiles, gives her a hug. A kind of hug Amora often gives, but very rarely from Deshya. One so unusual that even Amora is shocked.


    - I''ll find out directly who it is so you can see my name in the papers again. I''ll find out directly who it is so you can see my name in the papers again. And then, when I''m exhausted from the investigation, I''ll return to your arms.


    Deshya smiled as she closed her eyes, Amora firmly in her arms.


    - Thank you for being the best friend in the world.


    Deshya lets go of her before Amora can hug her back, and turns back to the four suspects. Instead of looking at them angrily, she smiles and shows real determination. She doesn''t need to be enraged at them, even if they''re preventing her from concentrating to enjoy her rest: all she has to do is make them eat the truth out of their mouths.


    The truth she''s about to discover is the truth behind this closed room.


    Her fox tail moved more briskly behind her back and Deshya reached Ben''s room with a brisk walk. Amora, who was looking shocked at the time, smiles again and turns to her two friends with white hair.


    - She''d better find it fast, I want to get in the pool!" she says.


    - People say I''m the angel, but I really think you''re the best angel ever," smiles Lam.


    - I''m just being a good friend, hihi!


    Amora asks Aya if she wants to join them, but she tells her that she will help Deshya to join them as soon as possible. Amora strokes her hair in thanks and returns to Lam and Frie. The three of them chat together, leaving Aya in the corridor. Aya smiles as she watches Amora laughing with her friends.


    - You''re right, it is being a good friend. But isn''t that considered angelic these days?" thinks Aya.


    She turns on her heels and faces the four suspects. She moves towards them and thinks about what she has just heard.


    - I''m amazed that my little sweetie says Amora is considered a sunshine. I even wonder if that''s underestimating her, hehe.


    For her part, Deshya has joined Hanoka, who turns to her with joy.


    - Oh, they left you?" she asks.


    - I find the truth of this murder and join them directly. I want to be quick.


    - Eeeh, I see~! So much the better, if you stay! Your presence is welcome!


    Deshya smiles, but wastes no more time than that. She goes straight for the room, looking for nooks and crannies she hasn''t scratched yet, leaving Hanoka behind. The latter goes out onto the balcony and asks the policeman there if he''s found anything, but unfortunately for her, a negative answer comes out of the man''s mouth.


    - So no leads here..." she thinks aloud.


    - No holes were found in the walls, ceiling, floor or French window glass," he explains.


    - Nothing strange was discovered in the room either?


    - Not at the moment. We don''t have access to his tablet''s code either, so it''s impossible to verify what he was looking at, but given that it was found under the sheets, it''s possible he was looking at it in bed.


    - I see. I see. Thank you for your time.


    Hanoka had thought of a certain possibility, but if nothing had been found there, then she assumed that this was not possible... Nevertheless, she still wonders about this detail. Deshya thinks the same, but still doesn''t understand how to get out of the room afterwards. She looks at the bathroom, but there''s nothing there.


    - I don''t think the method of getting out of the room is always in the room, anyway..." she thought to herself.


    She sighs and shoves her hands into her pockets. She assumes it''s a wire that''s been used from the outside, but until they find out from where, or how, they can''t deduce anything. She looks at the drone on the cupboard and wonders if it could have been used by the culprit, but she can''t see how it could have been used if nothing was found on it. She checks it too, but sees nothing on it. Looking for the remote control, she notices that she can''t see it, which intrigues her. Deshya searches the drawers, but finds nothing. Under the cabinet¡ª


    - Ah?


    And then she sees the remote control that''s fallen underneath. She grabs it and looks at it.


    - If the remote control was still in the room, there''s no way someone could have used it... Another dead end.


    Deshya leaves the room for a few moments, thinking. Aya approaches her and asks if she has found something interesting, but her friend tells her that nothing in the room seems to be a clue.


    - I wonder how it''s possible, then..." says Aya. If it really wasn''t suicide, the culprit couldn''t still be inside, could he?


    - Well, I had an idea, but I just got confirmation that it wasn''t possible.


    - Can I know which one?


    - But that''s not possible.


    - No problem!


    Aya''s smile reminded her of Amora''s, so she couldn''t refuse his request. She whispers her theory to her and the 15-year-old considers it, but ends up scratching the top of her head.


    - It''s not possible, right...?


    - I told you, ahah," laughs Deshya.


    - No, not for that.


    - Ah?


    The girl in the fox sweater blinks. Aya explains to her why it wouldn''t be possible in any case and Deshya rubs her chin. She turns towards the door and finally sighs, lowering her arms, shoulders drooping.


    - It''s true that now that you mention it, it''s not feasible... Not without a camera¡­


    Aya pats her head and smiles with her eyes closed, preventing Deshya from feeling too ill. She thanks Aya and returns to the room. Meanwhile, the suspects are really starting to get impatient, under the serious and concentrated gazes of Karine and Annie.


    - I''m really not a fan of leaving the girl at a crime scene," says Karine.


    - Deshya has been very helpful, so don''t be too hard on her," smiles Annie.


    - I wonder if this doesn''t mean that Sammy isn''t talented.


    - You''re going places. Sammy has solved plenty of cases single-handedly and without a hitch. Deshya is just faster.


    - A kid with no business being at a crime scene, I won''t change my mind.


    - Even if you''re right, she doesn''t have to.


    However, even with what Annie says, she knows that Bibi is looking after Deshya personally. From what she has learned, Deshya lost control when the woman who kidnapped Byron Elrick almost killed him. Too much pressure and stress had built up inside her, since she wasn''t telling anyone... Annie doesn''t want it to happen again. She saw Deshya, who was beginning to lose hope, on the train from Tetazo¡­


    - It''s good to let your daughter live freely, but take care of her, Gatito.


    She keeps her gaze fixed on the suspects, making sure they don''t try anything strange, arms crossed and back against the wall.


    - Still no luck?" asks Deshya, addressing Hanoka.


    - Hm, I don''t understand.


    Hanoka rubs his chin.


    - If the culprit went out through the front door, I don''t see how the security chain could have been set to block it afterwards. If a mechanism had been used, I''m sure you would have seen it, especially since apart from about a minute, the suspects didn''t come into the room. What''s more, this was after we''d already searched a good part of the room. In short, nothing was touched at the door. The same applies to the French window. Admittedly, the handle wasn''t all the way up, but that doesn''t change the fact that it was closed and impossible to open or close from the inside. The seals are intact, as is the glass, no holes in the walls, no secret passages, no nothing.


    Hanoka looks back at the rope, which remains in its place, even though the victim''s body has already been taken away in the ambulance.


    - If the culprit had been a little more careful with the height of the body, this case would have been concluded as a suicide with no questions asked," admits Hanoka.


    Deshya agrees with her. She would still have called the police with suspicions of homicide, but she wouldn''t be as convinced as she is now.


    - We''ll just have to hope the cops find a strange detail on one of the walls, otherwise¡­


    Deshya sighs and returns to the corridor once more, but this time it''s to check if there are any tricks up her sleeve. Hanoka joins her, but she''s not actively searching, talking to Karine to see if everything''s okay. Aya approaches Deshya and asks her what she''s doing.


    - I''m looking for something that might explain the locked room... Otherwise, it''s a really impossible murder," Deshya explains.


    - Hmm... With what you''ve told me as a theory, isn''t it possible that it''s been used?" asks Aya.


    - I can''t see how to use it to get out of the room... I think something else was used, but I don''t know what¡­


    If the culprit wasn''t alone, but helped by one or more people, then finding the truth is probably going to be even more complicated. Hanoka arrives next to Deshya, the latter looking up at the corridor ceiling.


    - I''ll probably ask Karine and a colleague to check out the room below. It''s possible that a rope was placed from there," Hanoka told her.


    Deshya turns her face to her and nods. The long pink haired detective observes the four suspects.


    - I suppose we''ll soon be able to let them go¡­


    - I suppose.


    Aya approaches them.


    - You really can''t find anything, then...?" she asks.


    Both detectives shake their heads at the same time. Aya makes no secret of her disappointment.


    - We''re in big trouble, so¡­


    Deshya and Hanoka look at her with faint smiles.


    - Still, I wonder why... Hmm¡­


    Deshya squints as she recalls this certain detail. Hanoka asks her what''s on her mind and Deshya explains what she''s thinking. The detective admits that she finds it strange, but that it could be completely natural. They reflect and Annie approaches them, while Karine continues to stare intently at the suspects.


    - I''ll have to go soon," the old lady tells them. I''ve done my work, so I''ll be going home.


    - Ah, I see. Thank you for your work, Annie.


    - No worries. I hope you find the culprit.


    - The sooner the better, ahah..." says Deshya.


    Annie smiled at her.


    - I''m sure you''re not far from the truth!" she told her. The culprit couldn''t have flown through the air, though, could he?


    Deshya laughs at her remark, but suddenly¡ª


    - !


    - !


    The two detectives look at each other with wide eyes and open their mouths at the same time.


    - Ah?!!


    Hanoka runs to Karine and whispers words to her. Deshya asks Annie to keep an eye on the suspects and runs into the bedroom. Aya looks at them with incomprehension.


    - W-What''s going on?" she asks.


    - Go figure..." replies the doctor.


    Deshya goes out onto the balcony and looks at the two next door.


    - Is it possible... But then, why haven''t I found anything... Ah!


    The girl in the fox sweater runs back to the suspects and is about to ask them something when she closes her mouth.


    - No, wait¡­


    She squints and Aya grabs her friend''s sleeve. Deshya turns her gaze to her.


    - Do you understand? Is something wrong...?" asks Aya.


    - I''ve figured out how it''s done, but I need confirmation... well, two of them.


    - Karine is checking on one of them. The other mystery should be answered by one of the suspects.


    Hanoka smiles: they''ve both understood the trick at the same time. Deshya returns the smile and shoves her hands in her pockets.


    - I think we could find the proof now, but I think it''s better to start with the explanation of this closed room," admits Deshya.


    - You''re mad at them for ruining your fun with your friends, hihi!


    Hanoka asks her with a laugh.


    - Exactly... I wonder why you don''t tell me I''m a kid, right now.


    - You, me, or you, us?


    - I''m also talking about Annie, Karine and the others.


    Annie is beside them, listening. She rubs her chin.


    - Well, you''re 16, of course you''re a kid," the woman replies.


    - I enjoy making the guilty eat the truth. Showing them that their murder isn''t perfect.


    - Then we understand each other.


    Deshya looks at the four suspects, but in her eyes, only two can''t be the culprit. However, she still doesn''t know who¡­


    Five minutes later, Karine returns and confesses to Hanoka¡ª


    - I haven''t found anything like it.


    Hanoka bites her thumb, but when she turns her face to Deshya, she notices that the latter is... smiling.


    - ... Ah?


    Hanoka then thinks of something. She asks Deshya if


    that''s what she''s been thinking, and the girl agrees.


    Hanoaka starts laughing, which intrigues the suspects,


    Karine and Annie, but Aya smiles back.


    - Eeeh, but is it possible?


    - There''s only one way to find out," says Hanoka.


    She turns to Karine and asks her to prepare something that she mutters. The policewoman looks at her with incomprehension, almost anger, but she sighs and nods.


    - You''d better really understand, or I''m going to knock some heads together.


    - I can''t~!


    Hanoka waves her pelvis from left to right in an imitation of cute fright, which makes Aya laugh. Deshya giggles, but then focuses on the four suspects.


    - I think I know who committed the crime," she admits.


    - The same!" said Hanoka.


    They both say the name of the culprit, but¡ª


    - Eh?


    - Ah?


    Their response is different. Aya blinks and tilts her head.


    - Who is it, then?" she asks. I think Hanoka is right, personally.


    - ... Well, we¡¯ll see.


    The detective waves her pink hair under her hand and smiles broadly.


    - We''ll find out soon enough.

 38 -?The Last Floors Locked Room ; Part 4?(CASE7)

    <hr>


    During Deshya Oveja''s overnight stay, accompanied by her three good friends Amora Takt, Frie Rengoat and Lam Douce, a man by the name of ''Ben Tharen'' was killed in his own room, ''1422''. Hanging from the ceiling fan, a chair dropped under his feet, the scene is set like a suicide: the door was closed by the security chain and the French window is also closed, the handle of the door is closed. the latter raised upwards, although not all the way.


    Deshya, with the help of Hanoka Atege, searches the scene for clues, but nothing is found. What''s more, the distance between the balconies is far too great for anyone to get from one room to the other, should a trick be found to close the French window. Left ''1421'', one of the two next to the victim''s, is occupied by ''C¨¦line Oveni'' and ''Daniel Teri'', two cousins who belong to the same swimming group as Ben. Room ''1423'', next door to the victim''s, is occupied by ''Justin Berouette'' and ''Gaby Guerric'', two men who are also members of Ben''s swimming group. All five are staying at the hotel ¡®Beleza Verde'', but between 6.30pm and 7.15pm, the leader of the swimming group was killed by one of his four companions: that''s what Deshya and Hanoka assume.


    No leads are found, but as they ponder certain details and hear Aya and Annie talk, they understand. Even if Karine doesn''t find what Hanoka asked her to look for, Deshya understands how it was done. The detective with the long pink hair understands immediately afterwards, and they both say who they think did it. However, the first names pronounced by the two are different¡­


    - I think Hanoka is right!" says Aya.


    - I wonder why you think that, Deshya..." admits Annie.


    Deshya looks at her prime suspect and squints. Finally, she shrugs.


    - I have my reasons for thinking like that, but anyway, it doesn''t matter: catching the culprit is what matters. If we look for that object, we''ll find who''s got it on them.


    - First, let''s explain to everyone how the locked room scenario was created, and then let''s arrest the culprit," smiles Hanoka.


    Deshya nods and cracks the index finger of her thumb.


    - Let''s get this over with so I can enjoy myself without any hassle!


    CHAPTER 38


    ?The Last Floor''s Locked Room ; Part 4?


    - All set!


    A policeman approaches Karin and Hanoka and makes a gesture of greeting. The detective thanks her and clears her throat.


    - Sorry for the wait, but we finally know who the culprit in the case is," she says.


    The four friends don''t hide their surprise and Gaby even lets out a shocking noise.


    - You mean it''s really one of us four?!" he shouts.


    Hanoka nods and tells them she''ll explain everything... with Deshya''s help! The latter is drawn towards the detective when she grabs hold of her neck with one arm. Deshya almost loses her hood, but manages to hold it over her head. Aya starts to giggle, while Karine sighs. Annie looks at her watch, but decides to stay: she wants to know the truth about this closed room. She may have a family back home waiting for her, she doesn''t want to miss Deshya and Hanoka''s deduction! Daniel crosses his arms.


    - Are you so sure of yourself?" he asks.


    - I''m convinced of it," replies Deshya.


    - So please explain!" says C¨¦line.


    - Of course.


    Hanoka steps forward and begins her explanation.


    - The problem is that it''s impossible to get out through the front door, sealed by the security chain, or through the balcony, with the French window closed. Even if it were possible to get to the balcony by rigging the room, the question is how the culprit got away after that.


    - The balconies have quite a long distance between them, and even if you build up some momentum, jump over the safety railings and grab the one opposite, it seems to be quite dangerous, if not impossible. The distance between each floor means that the balcony below is only accessible by a rope, but after that, you need to know how to get into the room," explains Deshya.


    - So it could be the occupant of the room below, then?!" shouts Justin.


    Hanoka shakes her head.


    - Although it''s a possibility, the reason Ben Tharen''s murder is disguised as a suicide is most likely because the culprit is in one of the two rooms. By making the police think it''s a suicide, he won''t need to be questioned or searched.


    - That could be true for the person downstairs, couldn''t it?" asks C¨¦line. If... If, I don''t know¡ª


    - It''s not possible anyway.


    Karine returns, hands in pockets, and everyone turns to her.


    - The person who lives on the floor below, in room 1322, was at the hotel bar between 5.53pm and is currently at the restaurant. Several people have seen her and she has a perfect alibi. There''s no way she could have done it, especially as she always has her key with her.


    Hanoka and Deshya smile, but even without this confirmation, they already know how the murder was committed. So the long-haired pink detective speaks again.


    - Anyway, you see, it''s one of the four of you.


    - Nothing says it''s one of us!" shouts Gaby.


    - You are wrong on that one.


    - Huh?


    - Even if, with a ladder or a long rope, it would be possible to get from one balcony to the other, and thus have committed the crime even from a remote room, it''s far too much work for nothing. Killing him in his room after knocking on his door and then taking the murder weapon and hiding it somewhere, or even throwing it away, is much simpler than creating a closed room. There''s no reason to disguise the murder as a suicide and then spend time and energy finding a way out of the room, making sure everything is locked up.


    - I... I guess¡­


    Gaby keeps quiet and C¨¦line bites her thumb in concern. Daniel and Justin grit their teeth, casting quick glances at the others. The tension is palpable and Aya doesn''t like it, but Deshya''s voice catches her attention.


    - Between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m., directly after leaving the pool, one of the four of you took the elevator, climbed the fourteen flights of stairs, arrived in front of Ben''s room, knocked and managed to get in. Then, with the rope used to hang him, he strangled him from behind, probably in his bed.


    - However, no claw marks are to be found on his neck, right...?" asks Daniel.


    - Nothing like that has been found," admits Annie.


    - If his hands were blocked, it''s not impossible," says Karine.


    Deshya nods and Hanoka speaks next.


    - Even though Ben is a big man, the four of you are able to immobilize him without too much trouble. With the length of the rope, I''m almost tempted to say that in a perfect scenario, the culprit ties his hands at one end and strangles him at the other, but that''s perhaps see too far. However, given the murderer''s plan, he must be meticulous and has done everything in his power to make the police and others believe that Ben committed suicide. I''m expecting anything.


    - But how to get out...?" asks Gaby.


    - That was the most complex part. Nothing was found in the room or in yours. It''s impossible to escape through the front door, so it had to be through the balcony, didn''t it?


    - He could have climbed onto the roof and¡ª


    - Impossible," stops Aya.


    All eyes are on her. The girl starts blushing and shakes her hands.


    - The roof door can''t be opened without a staff key, so apart from stealing one¡­


    - She''s right," admits Karine. I can check with the people who work here to see if such a key has been stolen, but in any case, a surveillance camera is constantly filming the roof. If the culprit managed to get out of there, I''m sure we''ll soon find out the truth.


    C¨¦line pulls out a hair and clicks her tongue.


    - But in any case, the French window was closed. ? You talk about balconies, but how do you get there in the first place, eh?!


    The four suspects all ask the same question, which makes the two detectives smile. Gaby clenches a fist.


    - It''s no fun!


    - What amuses us is simply that the culprit between you pretends not to understand," replies Deshya.


    - It''s true that the French window handle was raised, but not all the way.


    - Certainly, but you''re not going to tell me that the culprit pulled it violently forward, keeping the handle horizontal, and that she rose from the shock?" Justin asks.


    Deshya shakes her head.


    - It''s impossible. The seals are made of rubber and it would take literally inhuman strength to pull the French window with such speed. Even if it were possible, it wouldn''t work, so it''s not a possibility," she replies.


    - Then how?" said an impatient C¨¦line.


    Hanoka pinches her index finger with her thumb, but does it with both hands. She joins them... before pulling them away, as if showing¡ª


    - A wire.


    - A-A wire? T-That''s it... Is this a joke?


    Gaby hits the wall behind him.


    - You said it yourself! The seals prevent anything from getting through, otherwise the wind and cold would get in and there''d be no point, right?


    - The wire was in the bedroom.


    - Whaaaa?


    - We didn''t find it, but that''s because one of you still has it.


    Hanoka smiles broadly, staring at the four suspects with amusement: she wants the culprit to eat the truth. That their ''perfect crime'' has been understood, making it imperfect.


    - The wire attached to the victim''s drone.


    All four friends open their eyes wide at the same time. Karine squints and Annie doesn''t hide her surprise. Aya smiles as she looks at Deshya.


    - She thought it was the drone that had placed the security chain on the door, but without seeing it with a camera, it wasn''t really possible, hehe..." she thinks.


    Aya had told her what she thought: that it wasn''t even a possibility. Gaby frowns at Hanoka''s words.


    - Huh...? To the drone?" he blurts out.


    Hanoka nods.


    - How can you do that...?" asks Daniel.


    He crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow. Deshya answers his question before Hanoka does.


    - You attach one end of the wire to the drone, the other to the handle. Obviously, the wire is measured so that it''s not too long, but I''ll explain why. You switch on the drone, take the remote control from your side and step out onto the balcony. You then close the French window from the outside, but slowly, controlling the drone so that it is not forced by the French window, as the wire is already attached to the handle and the drone. When the window door is securely closed, you lower the drone as far as possible, controlling it, and then¡­


    Deshya raises one arm.


    - You make it fly upwards at full speed, which in turn pulls the handle upwards.


    The explanation shocks Annie and the suspects. C¨¦line frowns.


    - But if the wire was attached to the handle like that, wouldn''t the drone have stayed there?!" she shouts.


    - Exactly!" say Daniel and Gaby.


    - I''m not done yet," admits Deshya, arms crossed.


    The two men click their tongues and Deshya finishes his explanation.


    - The wire must be measured so that when the drone flies, it doesn''t hurt itself against the ceiling. After all, if the drone doesn''t fly off at full speed, the handle won''t be pulled up enough and it won''t work. What''s more, the French window handle must already be almost horizontal.


    - Yes, but¡ª


    - I''ll finish.


    Justin bites his lower lip, starting to sweat. Deshya uncrosses her arms.


    - The wire around the handle doesn''t need to be tied, either. Tight enough to keep it in place, but not so tight that when the drone flies to the ceiling, the wire slides right off the handle. With the force exerted and the drone''s momentum, the handle will inevitably be pulled upwards, closing the French window.


    Deshya smiled.


    - That''s why the door handle wasn''t all the way up. It wasn''t carelessness on the part of the victim, simply because that''s where the culprit''s trick lies," she concludes.


    - A-Ahah, maybe that''s possible, but then...?" asks C¨¦line.


    - What''s next?


    The woman nods.


    - It''s impossible to escape from the balcony, isn''t it?


    - Exactly, the space between two balconies is too big!" says Daniel.


    - It''s true that you''d need a rope or something really long, but none of that was found in our rooms or anywhere else, was it?" asks Gaby.


    Hanoka agreed with her question, but that didn''t stop her from remaining confident. She hadn''t thought about it until she saw Deshya''s amused look, but come to think of it, the way the culprit used to get from one balcony to another wasn''t that complex... but thinking about it wasn''t easy. Deshya had figured it out before she did, which could have frustrated her, but she''s just happy to know that the culprit is going to be caught.


    - It''s true that to get from one balcony to another, you''d need something quite long," admits Hanoka. Of course, we didn''t find any rope, but¡ª


    - It''s not impossible to create your own," says Deshya.


    Hanoka opens her mouth, but smiles. The four suspects look at her, incomprehension filling their eyes. Only the culprit among them doesn''t have the same look, because he''s trying to understand something: they really know the technique they''re using.


    - What do you mean...?" asks C¨¦line.


    - Creating a rope...?" repeats his cousin.


    Hanoka nods.


    - With sheets, for example.


    - S-Sheets?!


    - Y-You mean...?


    - Huuuuh?!


    Hanoka puts one foot on the wall behind her.


    - That''s what''s so complicated to understand. Making a rope out of sheets isn''t the first thing you think of.


    - Is it really possible...?" asks Daniel, dumbfounded. Deshya stands in front of Hanoka and answers for him.


    - Would you like to see?


    - See...?


    She agrees, but Hanoka tells them that they have to stay here: the culprit could take advantage of the situation to hide the evidence that he is the criminal. Deshya admits that this isn''t necessarily possible, but that she''ll prove to them that the technique they''ve been thinking about works. Deshya runs into C¨¦line and Daniel''s open bedroom, while Hanoka explains from the corridor.


    - I think it''s pretty simple to understand. This hotel has several blankets, and even the cushion covers can be used. Tying them together can form a rope that''s well long enough to go from one balcony to another, but even more¡ª


    - Nonsense!


    C¨¦line waves her arm in front of her. Hanoka stares at her, but she doesn''t say a word.


    - I-It''s ridiculous!" continues C¨¦line.


    - That''s what you think. It''s not ridiculous, I promise.


    Hanoka shows great confidence in her voice and doesn''t let herself be swayed by the words of suspects. Although she''s a new detective in the Tetazo police force, she''s used to manipulators and people who won''t believe the truth. She can understand their suspicions about their deduction, but that''s why Hanoka is going to prove to them right here, right now, that they''re right. That the murder of ''Ben Tharen'' was committed the way they think it was.


    - We can''t see anything from here, so what''s the point of ''showing'' us how to get from one balcony to another?" asks Gaby.


    Hanoka taps the wall behind her with her little finger and forefinger, still staring at the four of them.


    - We asked a policeman to use the sheets in C¨¦line and Daniel''s room as rope.


    Deshya will simply execute the technique and move from one balcony to the other, proving to you that it''s possible," replies Hanoka.


    - It''s not dangerous, I hope...?" worries Aya.


    - I''m not stupid enough to put myself in mortal danger like that!


    Deshya returns to the corridor and puffs out her cheeks. Aya asks her to swear it and Deshya does so confidently. This reassures her friend, who decides to believe her, albeit hesitantly. Deshya whispers to her that, in any case, a policeman is standing nearby to make sure she doesn''t fall.


    - It''s... I''m not reassured right now," thinks Aya.


    However, Deshya heads for the balcony of the victim''s room, which surprises Annie and the four suspects, as well as Karine and the other police officers. Hanoka smiled.


    - It''s simple: the culprit first creates a rope from the bed sheets and ties one end to his balcony rail. He then throws it across to the balcony of the victim''s room, where he walks from the corridor, making sure that the bedroom door is unlocked. So he knocks, the victim opens the door, unsuspecting of being killed, and lets the culprit in, since they know each other. Then the murder is committed.


    As she explains, one of the victim''s four friends starts laughing. Hanoka turns her gaze to him, annoyed by this reaction, and Karine asks him to calm down right away. Justin, the man who was laughing, shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head.


    - The technique for the French window handle is well thought out, but I can''t believe you''d make such a mistake.


    Deshya returns to the corridor and asks Aya about the laughter she''s just heard. She simply explains that it''s that blond-haired man who seems to disagree with their deduction about the rope. Deshya shrugs and doesn''t even bother to listen, heading back to the next room. Justin explains, noticing that Hanoka doesn''t respond.


    - You don''t even see the problem in that deduction, do you?


    - Hey, Justin, if you don''t calm down¡ª


    - I know, Gaby, but I don''t care. She''s clearly wrong! Why don''t you say something?


    Justin addresses Karine, who frowns, unhappy to be spoken to in that tone. However, she keeps her composure and lets out an aggressive ''Huh?¡¯.


    - You didn''t find any rope when you searched the balcony when you arrived, did you?" asks Justin.


    - That''s right," replies Hanoka.


    Justin starts giggling again, which annoys Aya: she just doesn''t like his fat laugh. He sounds like a man who wants to play a villain in a 1960s movie, being an amateur and not understanding the difference between antagonist and villain. She doesn''t know why she''s thinking of this so precisely, but it''s what she''s imagined. Justin takes a step forward, which provokes a reaction from Karine who is about to jump on him to stop him, but the man doesn''t move any further.


    - So tell me, Miss Detective~...


    Justin points to the balcony in front of him, at the end of the victim''s room, who was his friend.


    - If the rope was attached to both balconies, how did he get it back, huh?!


    Annie was thinking just that. If the rope is attached to the balcony of the room next door and that of the victim, then it wouldn''t be possible without leaving it on one side. If the rope wasn''t tied tightly enough to retrieve it on one side, it wouldn''t support the weight of an adult man or woman and would give way, taking the culprit with it. Although Annie thinks it''s possible to simply jump and tie the improvised rope to the balcony of the next room, then use her strength to climb back up, this is far too dangerous and risky. Even confident of her knot, Annie can''t see anyone going that far to disguise the murder as suicide. Deshya comes back into the corridor, angering Justin who grabs her by the sleeve. Aya frowns.


    - Why are you moving around?" shouts Justin.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    - Calm down," Annie says. For real.


    - You''re talking about a stupid deduction as if it was really one of us who did it, be serious!


    - We are.


    Deshya responds coldly and removes her hand from her sleeve. She heads for the victim''s room and apologizes when she collides with a policeman. Daniel looks at her and blinks.


    - What exactly does she do...?" he asks.


    - I''m wondering the same thing. To tie the rope from one side to the other, you don''t have to go back and forth so much, do you...?" asks her cousin.


    Hanoka nods, but explains:


    - That''s because we''re not that stupid.


    Justin frowns, feeling his heart racing with frustration and annoyance.


    - What do you mean?!


    - Calm down!" shouts Annie.


    Justin clenches his fists, a reaction similar to Daniel''s. Deshya finally goes out onto the balcony and turns towards the corridor, showing her thumb. Gaby bites her lower lip.


    - So she''s going to go from one balcony to the other and manage to get the rope of sheets, then...?" he wonders, speaking aloud.


    Hanoka nods.


    - It''s simpler than you might think. First, tie part of the rope to the highest rail of the balcony in the room next to the victim''s: the guilty party''s room.


    The four friends stare intently at the fox girl, who jumps onto the balcony rail and disappears behind the wall. Aya looks at her with great anxiety: so much so that she runs to the next room to check on Deshya. Hanoka continues his explanation.


    - As you said, if the rope is tied from one side to the other, then it''s impossible to retrieve it unnoticed. It would also be impossible to return to the balcony to retrieve it, even with some kind of long pliers, since untying the knot would be far too complicated, if not time-consuming. After all, the method of murder and disguising murder as suicide takes some time. Your alibis vary between 25 and 30 minutes, so by the time the drone plan is complete, I''m sure there won''t even be 10 minutes left to get from one balcony to the next by completing the rope stage.


    - The last stage?" asks Annie, intrigued.


    They hear Aya screaming, which worries Hanoka, but Deshya screams back: not out of fear, but out of surprise. The four friends go to see what''s going on, but Karine stops them from entering Daniel and C¨¦line''s room. On the balcony over there... they can see the dark-skinned girl embracing the one in the fox sweater.


    - She''s really done it, so..." Daniel thinks aloud.


    - But that doesn''t change the fact that we have to get the rope back now!


    Deshya hears the blonde-haired woman''s scream and smiles. She apologizes to Aya and fusses at the balcony rail. Her friend looks at her and opens her eyes wide.


    - So that''s how it''s done...!" she thinks.


    The four suspects wait impatiently, but when Deshya emerges from the balcony and returns to the room, everyone is shocked.


    Deshya holds the whole rope in her hand, showing it to everyone.


    - How did she...?!" exclaims Gaby.


    - It''s not possible, is it?" says Daniel.


    - W-What¡­


    C¨¦line can''t even finish her sentence. She turns to Hanoka, frowning.


    - Part of the rope is always on the side of the other balcony, isn''t it?!" she shouts.


    Hanoka wants to answers, but Deshya is faster.


    - I''ve got the whole rope in my hand. All that''s left to do is undo it and put the sheets back where they belong, without necessarily taking my time. The room is a mess and the bed was no different, because if the room was too tidy, then the crumpled and misplaced sheets would have been too suspicious.


    Deshya let go of the rope and stopped in the bedroom corridor, right in front of the astonished faces of the four friends.


    - That''s why it has to be either C¨¦line or Daniel who committed the crime. The sheets in Gaby and Justin''s room are far too clean for either of them to have done it.


    The two cousins open their eyes wide and take a step back at the same time. Deshya walks past them and stands next to Hanoka, with Aya running towards her. Annie sighs with relief to see that Deshya is all right. Justin clenches both fists.


    - How did she manage to¡­


    - On the same side.


    Deshya just drops these words, leaving all those who haven''t yet understood totally confused. Deshya closes her eyes and says no more, leaving Hanoka to explain what happens next: she has to calm down, since she was frightened when she went from one balcony to the other. Although she was convinced that she wasn''t going to fall, especially that she was currently being held by a rope hanging from the balcony, put in place by one of the police officers, knowing that fourteen floors stood between her and the ground... scared the hell out of her.


    - At least it''s certain that it''s possible, even with someone heavier and wider than me," she thinks.


    Aya touches his shoulder and asks if he''s all right, but his attention is drawn to Hanoka, who starts explaining the trick with the improvised rope.


    - It''s like Deshya just said. Both sides.


    Hanoka gestures back with her head, pointing to the balcony.


    - Both ends are attached to the same bar, the one on this balcony.


    Annie finally understands how to do it and smiles: she wouldn''t have thought of it. Hanoka doesn''t wait to continue his explanation.


    - The culprit ties one end of the improvised rope to the bar of his bedroom balcony and throws the rest of the rope over the balcony. No weight is needed to keep it in place, as the remaining length of rope means it''s sure to stay there. Then, after committing the murder in the victim''s room by closing the door behind her, she goes on the balcony, grabs the end of the rope and pulls it under the top bar to hold it in place. The culprit then throws the end of the rope onto his balcony.


    - I see... Then he goes back to his room to tie the end of the rope to the same bar?" asks Annie.


    - Exactly," agrees Hanoka.


    Silence reigns among the suspects. The two cousins are sweating profusely and even trembling.


    - Finally, the culprit returns to Ben''s room, probably using his room card to gain entry, since leaving the door open would be too risky. All that''s left to do is put the key on the bedside table, place the security chain in front of the door and use the trick with the drone. The rope is stretched so that you can walk on it from one balcony to the next, but you can also simply use it to hold on with both hands and move from one room to the next.


    - I stepped on it, personally," Deshya admits, opening her eyes again.


    - It''s madness..." says C¨¦line.


    - I agree... You really think one of us did it?!" asks Daniel.


    Hanoka and Deshya look at each other. After a few moments, Hanoka nods at her, so the girl understands what she has to do. She moves off the wall and takes two steps forward to find herself in the middle of the corridor, opposite the four friends ¡ª two of whom are suspects in the murder.


    - There''s a reason that not only was the drone on the hall cabinet, but the remote control had fallen behind it," she says.


    - If the remote control was there, it would be impossible!" says Gaby. If there were no wires on the drone, then¡ª


    - There was one.


    - Ah...?


    Gaby blinks and Deshya nods.


    - Before the culprit retrieved it by hiding the remote control behind the cabinet.


    - W-What?!


    Deshya tucks her hands into her pockets and her fox tail moves gently behind her, attracting the attention of Aya, who devours the cute movement with her eyes.


    - I don''t know if it was when I opened the door of the room or during the brief minute you were in the bedroom hallway, but it''s certain that the culprit retrieved the wire, pulled out the remote control he''d been hiding who-knows-where and discreetly placed it on the floor, pushing it behind the furniture with his foot.


    Karine hopes this isn''t the case, because otherwise her decision to let them see the body a little closer one last time while being watched would mean she''d almost let the culprit hide the evidence of the trick behind the closed room.


    - The reason the remote control has been placed here is to make it look as if it''s been dropped and couldn''t be seen beforehand, because putting it on the cabinet would be far too suspicious and we''d know straight away that something wasn''t quite right.


    - If there''s no more proof, then how are you going to do it, eh?" says Daniel.


    - I agree! You can''t stop us with such... nonsense!" shouts C¨¦line.


    Karine agrees with both of them: although deduction on Hanoka''s and Deshya''s part seems the most plausible solution, without proof it''s pointless. There''s no way of arresting either of them, nor is there any way of declaring that the locked-room trick is that.


    However¡ª


    - It''s that simple. The proof is still on you¡­


    Deshya points at one of the two cousins. The girl in the fox sweater frowns and opens her mouth.


    - Daniel Teri!


    And she pronounces the first name of one of the two cousins. The one she''s certain is the culprit. He opens his eyes wide, grits his teeth and takes a step back. Hanoka smiles and asks Karine to search him immediately. The woman with the short blond hair asks if she has the right, but if he refuses, he''ll be far too suspicious. He sighs and shakes his head, not agreeing, but for one reason.


    - No need, here.


    He throws a thread towards the lady, who catches it, and Daniel puts his back against the wall behind him, pushing Gaby along the path.


    - I can''t believe it, it was so perfect¡­


    Daniel drops to the ground and Karine offers the thread to Annie. The culprit turns his gaze to Deshya.


    - How did you know that I was the one who killed Ben? It''s C¨¦line who has the map to our room, so it would make the most sense for it to be her, wouldn''t it?" he asks.


    - I''ve been thinking about that too..." Hanoka admits inwardly.


    Deshya''s fox tail stops at his back.


    - It''s the time. You didn''t know when Ben was going to come out of his room, but you were sure it was going to be a while before he came, so killing him a few minutes after you were all in the pool was the best solution. If Ben was watching a video that wasn''t too long, he could have come down and joined you, and that would have ruined everything. What''s more, if you got wet when you went into the pool, even if you dried off, you could have left drops in the room, which would have looked suspicious to the police, who were bound to come to the scene of the crime.


    Daniel smiles and closes his eyes.


    - Bingo. Rah, I can''t believe it... I so don''t want to go to jail¡­


    - You killed Ben because of what he was doing to your cousin¡­


    Gaby asks, unable to believe that he''s the culprit.


    - Is that really it, Dani...?" questions C¨¦line in a small voice.


    Daniel sighs heavily before opening his eyes again.


    - I hated him for it, but killing him just because he was a redneck seems like overkill to me. However, when he called me, totally drunk, thinking he was talking to one of his other friends, I have to admit I lost it.


    - What call?" asks Justin.


    - He said he''d found naked pictures of C¨¦line that she''d made for one of her exes and was going to force her to meet his expectations if she didn''t want his pictures posted on the Internet. Well, he thought I was a friend of his, being drunk and all, but it was clear that he was going to harass C¨¦line to no end. I''ve been protecting her since I was a kid, so¡­


    - And so you killed?


    Deshya walked towards him, hands in her pockets


    - Is killing really justice?" she asks.


    Daniel shrugs.


    - Go figure. I agree that it''s horrible and deep down I wanted to confess everything to the police, but I''m not sorry that the bastard died. There are people in this world who don''t deserve to live and consume food, water and air. The world is better off without them.


    Deshya wants to retaliate, but Hanoka comes between them.


    - We''ll listen to you as much as you want at the station," says Karine.


    She forces him to his feet and handcuffs him, without a thought for his comfort. C¨¦line shouts Daniel''s name, but he doesn''t respond. She starts crying, which saddens Aya.


    - I never want to have a mentality like that..." she thinks aloud.


    Deshya agrees with her wholeheartedly.


    - It''s true that some people are inhuman, but the concept of ''deserving to live''....


    She squints, but decides not to think about it any further. She turns to Hanoka, who sighs again.


    - So you were right about the culprit..." she says. I''m as disappointed as I am surprised.


    - What counts is catching the culprit, right?" smiles Deshya.


    - You would have said something else if you were wrong, wouldn''t you?


    - Mmmmh, go figure.


    They start giggling and Annie comes over to congratulate her, but before Deshya can say anything, Aya grabs her hand firmly.


    - You''ve had your fun, now you must join your friends!


    - Of course, but¡ª


    - No but!!! You can talk to them later!


    - She comes to the station every day to give us details, but this time there''s no need, Deshya," Annie told her with a smile.


    Deshya nods before being dragged off by Aya, who starts running down the corridor. Hanoka touches her ponytail as she watches the woman behind her cry, her cousin taken away by the police.


    - Stealing a life is a horrible act, but the consequences it has on those around you are just as terrible," admits the detective.


    Annie agrees and watches them silently, having no words to say. With that, the mystery of the locked room is finally revealed.


    Deshya joins Amora, Lam and Frie, while Aya returns to her father, who drinks without limit with his adult friends. Deshya discusses the affair with her friends and a few minutes later, the four of them head for the pool. Of course, she''s changed in the toilet, wearing her bonnet over her head and hiding her fox ears from everyone. There are more people, but miraculously no one comes to bother Deshya about the fluffy tail on her back. In fact, no one bothers either of the friends, and they enjoy the rest of the evening together.


    After just over an hour and a half of laughter and teasing, they go up to their respective rooms and shower one after the other. Deshya dresses in her fox pajamas and carefully dries her hair before going to bed. Before she could sleep, however.


    - I promised you a massage with my body!" said Amora, jumping on her.


    Deshya catches her in his arms and falls onto the bed, laughing. Her laughter spreads to Amora, but the latter admits she''s serious. Deshya thinks for a moment, but finally agrees. Amora taps her shoulder with her elbow.


    - You''d rather it had been Tessa, admit it~!


    - I like it from you too, but I can''t deny it....


    - You''re cheating on her already?!


    - What are you talking about?!


    - Ahlala, you deserved a harem, but still.


    - I don''t want any¡­


    - Hihi!


    They start laughing together again, one in the other''s arms.


    A soft step. It echoed in the half-light. Another step, as quiet as the other. Comfortable shoes on her feet, she descends the steps one by one, in no hurry. The darkness prevents her from seeing the end, or the beginning, but she keeps going. She knows where she''s going. Although it''s past midnight, she hasn''t changed her clothes yet. The woman continues, her hair loose and swaying quietly behind her back. It''s been a pleasant evening, but now she needs to check hheir condition before going to sleep. Another step, another step, another step. She finally sees the end of the stairs: a metal door, a depressing gray. The handle is rusty, but it''s still possible to lower it without using too much force. The woman stops in front of it and cracks her shoulder before gently opening the door. She enters the large room, illuminated by machines and the occasional flickering light. In front of a desk lit by computer screens, someone turns and looks at the woman who has just arrived. They greet each other and talk for a few moments before the woman turns to what really interests her.


    A person lying in a dusty bed, pipes running through it on several sides.


    Their breathing can be seen in the transparent mask over their mouth, a pipe leading from there too, heading for one of the machines in the room.


    - What''s their condition?" asks the woman.


    - Always the same," replies the other person.


    - No change at all?


    - None at all.


    - Estimated wake-up time?


    - Still impossible to determine.


    - No treatment possible?


    - Only patience.


    - I see. Thank you.


    - No worries.


    The woman sighs, disappointed, but it''s a result she''s come to expect. She grabs one of her locks and starts rubbing it, beginning to grow impatient in her turn. However, she knows that only time can bring them back to consciousness. The woman sits down on the ramshackle chair waiting for her beside the bed and crosses her legs.


    - How much longer are you going to make me wait¡­


    The woman looks at the person lying on the bed with her beautiful blue eyes. There''s no tiredness or boredom in her gaze: only impatience. Her long hair flows from her head, but it''s not as long as the white and black hair of the person opposite her. Their color isn''t identical either, since the woman''s is much more feminine.


    A beautiful pink.


    - You know, I met a lovely vixen today~," Hanoka blurts out, addressing the unconscious person on the bed.


    She smiles, thinking of the evening she''s just had at the hotel.


    - She understood the murder method before I did, so I''m disappointed by myself, but impressed by her abilities. Nevertheless, I''m not surprised. You know very well why, don''t you?


    Hanoka plays with another lock of her hair, still with a calm smile on her face.


    - She really is a beautiful, cute fox, I can''t wait to see her again~! She''s smarter than I thought, but she still needs training to become a real detective or someone who can be considered a real genius... However, I have faith in her.


    Hanoka grabs the hand of the person on the bed and stops smiling.


    - Please, come on. Wake up so we can dominate our enemies.


    Hanoka blinks slowly and the blue of her eyes is replaced by the silhouette of the unconscious person.


    - Please, ¡®Papa¡¯.

 39 -?Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; Festive Prologue?(CASE8)

    <hr>


    The sun is slowly rising on the horizon, heralding the start of a new day. September 09, 2022 came to an end after the arrest of ''Daniel Teri'', the culprit behind the murder of ''Ben Tharen''. After a few minutes'' massage from her best friend, Deshya managed to rest calmly and happily, sleeping in the same bed as Amora. The latter also sleeps like a real baby, embracing her best friend''s fluffy fox tail, unaware that it''s actually real, not a fake. For their part, Lam and Frie also sleep serenely. Unlike the other two best friends, they are on their side, Lam with a pillow in her arms, Frie simply on her back. In this hotel, a crime was committed the evening before, but fortunately the news didn''t spread and no panic was created. The police have also decided to keep it under wraps, and won''t be publishing anything in the newspapers.


    Just before 9 a.m., the four friends get up one by one, starting with Amora, then Deshya and Lam, and finally Frie. They brush their teeth, get dressed and chat a little before joining each other in the corridor. This time, the girl in the fox sweater doesn''t forget to take her phone with her to the hotel restaurant. While there, she doesn''t see Aya anywhere, but since she''s come with her three friends first and foremost, she decides not to go looking for her and simply stays with them.


    - I''ll talk to Aya tonight or tomorrow," Deshya thinks.


    Breakfast is spent with much laughter and discussion between the good friends. Deshya talks a little more about yesterday''s investigation, something requested by Frie herself. Amora talks about last night''s massage and an anecdote about her evening at the hotel on vacation 5 years ago. Then Frie and Lam talk about memories from when they weren''t even 12, long before they met. Their discussions are lively and amusing, which delights all four of them. They decide to go to the pool until midday and then play billiards, which all four happily accept. They go upstairs to get dressed in their bathing suits again, get into the pool and don''t come out until around 12:30. Deshya is happy to be able to remove that sticky cap from her hair, and as she looks into the bathroom mirror of her hotel room, she sighs with a smile.


    - Next time, I''ll go to a private pool with my parents. At least I''ll be able to wear a bikini without hiding my ears..." she thinks.


    She places her bonnet beside her and dresses in her fox sweater. She then exits the bathroom and is greeted by her best friend with long, beautiful pink hair. As always, her energy radiates from her body and her smile is as bright as the zenith sun. Deshya knows she shouldn''t be surprised by such behavior anymore, but she can''t be. However, Deshya doesn''t want her to change. She won''t.


    Together they go downstairs to the big playroom, where Lam and Frie are waiting for them. On the way, however, Deshya hears the sound of the piano playing. She turns around and Amora asks her what''s going on, but she hears the piano too. Her best friend takes her hand and suggests she take a closer look before joining Lam and Frie. Deshya is being dragged along, so she has nothing to say on the subject.


    Anyway, she also wants to listen more closely because she thinks she knows who''s behind the melody.


    And Deshya realizes she''s right when they arrive in the large room next to the restaurant.


    A girl a little younger than her finishes her melody and is applauded. A man stands next to her, laughing.


    - I know another song!!! And by heart!!! But it''s not in English! I''ll sing it for you, do you want it?


    - Do that!!!


    - Yiiiis, that would be great


    - Ahah, that''s my girl!" laughs the man next to her.


    Deshya smiles when she sees that she was right about the identity of the person in front of the piano, and Amora admires her.


    - It''s¡­


    She doesn''t finish her sentence: the girl starts to play while singing in a language quite different from English.


    - ¤Í¤³ ¤Õ¤ó¤¸¤ã¤Ã¤¿ ¤Í¤³ ¤Õ¤ó¤¸¤ã¤Ã¤¿


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    ¤Í¤³ ¤è¤Ã¤È¤¤¤Ç ¤Í¤³ ¤è¤Ã¤È¤¤¤Ç


    ¤Í¤³ ¤«¤Ä¤Ö¤· ¤ä¤ë¤«¤é ¤è¤Ã¤È¤¤¤Ç¡£


    In strangely correct Japanese, the girl sings while playing the piano. A cute, feminine, childlike voice emerges from her throat as her fingers tap on the keys of the large instrument in front of her. The crowd of over forty people silently enjoy the little girl''s song and melody.


    - ¤Í¤³ ¤Õ¤ó¤¸¤ã¤Ã¤¿ ¤Í¤³ ¤Õ¤ó¤¸¤ã¤Ã¤¿


    ¤Í¤³ ¤Õ¤ó¤º¤±¤Á¤ã¤Ã¤¿¤é ¤È¤ó¤Ç¤Ã¤¿


    ¤Í¤³ ¤È¤ó¤¸¤ã¤Ã¤¿ ¤Í¤³ ¤È¤ó¤¸¤ã¤Ã¤¿


    ¤Í¤³ ¤ª¤½¤é¤Ø ¤È¤ó¤¸¤ã¤Ã¤¿


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    ¤Í¤³ ¤¹¤Ã¤È¤ó¤¸¤ã¤Ã¤Æ


    ¤â¤¦ ¤ß¤¨¤Ê¤¤


    ¤Í¤³ ¥°¥Ã¥Ð¥¤¥Ð¥¤ ¤Í¤³ ¥°¥Ã¥Ð¥¤¥Ð¥¤


    ¤Í¤³ ¤¢¤·¤¿¤Î ¤¢¤µ ¤ª¤ê¤È¤¤¤Ç¡£


    She finishes her melody and raises both hands, smiling. Everyone starts clapping, while the girl''s father grabs one of her arms, laughing. Amora claps back, with far more energy than Deshya. Two youngsters their own age come over to their side.


    - She plays well, though," says Lam.


    - I think her Japanese is excellent!" admits Frie.


    - Oh, did you hear the piano music too?" said Amora, turning to her two friends.


    They shake their heads and Lam gives Deshya a thumbs up.


    - We saw his hood from the game room, but you moved away. We came to see what you were doing.


    - Eeeh, I see.


    As they chatted, the girl who had been playing the piano came up to her, smiling.


    - Did you like it?" she asks. It''s a song my mother taught me when I was little!


    The girl in front of her is actually one that Amora, Frie and Lam met last night: ''Aya Deroom'', Maruno Uffite''s current girlfriend. Deshya nods as she looks at her friend.


    - It''s ''Nekofunjatta'', the title, isn''t it?" she asks her.


    - Really? I didn''t know it was Japanese," admits Lam.


    Frie approves with Lam and Deshya turns to them with a smile.


    - The play''s real name is ''Flohwalzer'', but in Japanese it''s called ''Nekofunjatta'', which translates to ''J''ai March¨¦ Sur la Queue d''Un Chat'' in French. In French, it''s called ''La Valse des Puces''. In Spanish, it''s even called ''La Chocolatera'', which translates into ''The Chocolatier'' in our language. It''s a simple melody to play, and is taught to some novices, especially children. The composer is unknown, but it has been covered and slightly modified by several authors. Like ''Bent Fabric'', a fairly popular Danish pianist who died recently, did a piece called ''Chicken Feed'' which is¡­


    Noticing the lost look on all her friends'' faces, Deshya falls silent and scratches her cheek.


    - Let''s just say I like it, ahah....


    - It''s because they talk about ''neko'' in the song! Deshya loves cats!" says Frie.


    - She prefers foxes, though," admits Amora.


    - We say ''kitsune'' for foxes, I know!" says Lam


    - Hey, you¡¯ll are getting lost, right now.


    Aya starts laughing as she listens to the girls talking amongst themselves. As if it were contagious, they all start laughing together.


    At around 3pm, after a good game of pool with her three friends ¡ª since Aya had gone to the pool by then ¡ª Deshya collects her things from her hotel room and greets first Lam Douce, then Frie Rengoat and finally Amora Takt. She goes to the pool and says goodbye to Aya Deroom and her father before leaving the hotel. With her bag on her back, she heads for the road and waits for a bus to take her to the street right next to the one where she lives. She knows she''ll easily make it home in time. When she gets on the bus, she shows her paid card for a free year on the bus and sits down on a vacant seat. Deshya takes out her phone and looks at the message from her father.


    "We''re leaving around 5pm. Be home by 4. Also, say hello to your friends for me. Kisses."


    As she said goodbye, Deshya gave Amora, Lam, Frie and Aya a greeting of her own: she so often forgot to say it that she didn''t want to make the mistake again. Even if her father would never know, the mere fact that she herself knew was a weight on her heart. However unserious the action, she always promises to say hello to her friends for him, so for once that she doesn''t forget¡­


    The bus journey goes smoothly, unlike what happened a week and a day ago, when Korone''s adoptive parents died. She gets off the bus and returns home, thinking of the two of them.


    - Korone and her two adoptive parents were supposed to die on that bus, but luckily Korone survived because she put on gloves before touching the pencil and newspaper¡­


    After discovering the truth of the murder and who the culprit was, Deshya stayed on the bus for a few moments with Korone, while the criminal was escorted to the police car. He had struggled and shouted that he had to kill the girl or else¡­


    - Otherwise what? Why kill Mathieu right afterwards? Was it so he''d never reveal anything to the police? But I doubt he knew anything about the sniper who killed him, or who almost shot Korone... If the gunman was prepared enough to shoot him and escape right afterwards, he wouldn''t make the mistake of having his identity discovered by Mathieu at the slightest moment, so why kill him...? And above all¡ª


    The man in the eagle hood who was spotted fleeing from the dark alley where the man with the sniper had just been killed. A case within a case. Not only do they have no leads on the identity of the gunman, but they don''t have any on the eagle-hooded one either. Even Korone doesn''t seem to know who she really is, given that her surname is unknown to him. Deshya finds there''s a lot of mystery surrounding this little girl, especially as she seems to have good reflexes and a much more developed intelligence than normal¡­


    - She understood who Claire Dochamps'' killer was, but she also understood the trick behind her alibi and that of Tom, the guy who knocked me out. She was even the one who suggested that Raiji keep a sensor under her tongue... Can a little girl like her think of all that? Especially since she confessed to me that she didn''t say anything to Raiji so that he''d never let the culprits know that the police were around... Her white hair, her purple eyes¡­


    Deshya has far too many questions about Korone, but she knows one thing for sure: she won''t get any answers without telling Korone.


    But how to talk about it? What''s more, she seemed sincere when she confessed that she didn''t know anything about herself.


    - Is she related to me, or am I just being paranoid?


    Deshya arrives at the door of her own house and leaves her doubts to one side. She takes out her key and inserts it into the lock before turning it inside. The door opens, and as Deshya steps into the hallway, a magnificent scene unfolds before her


    - Look, I''m a princess!


    - Ah, there you are.


    In a beautiful sparkling dress, Korone spins around and shows Deshya her beautiful haircut: a fluffy ponytail at the back of her head. Her short-heeled shoes make her look only slightly taller, but they suit her very well. Right next to her, a much more imposing man touches his bow tie: he''s dressed in an elegant suit and his beard is completely shaved. His hair is styled as always, but it''s clear to her daughter that it''s a little neater than usual. In front of Deshya, her father and Korone shine with their beauty, even though she has only just arrived.


    CHAPTER 39


    ?Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; Festive Prologue?


    - Woaaah, Korone is so cute!


    Deshya stoops down and picks up the little girl, who jumps into her arms. The red-haired girl rises to her feet, embracing Korone and turning her face towards his father.


    - It''s rare to see you looking so elegant!" she teases him.


    Her father lowers his eyelids and rubs her hood violently before gently pushing her aside. He passes her and heads for the kitchen, his hands in the pockets of his belt-tightened pants. He doesn''t utter a single word, but Deshya giggles. Korone questions her behavior, but the girl simply replies that she''s amused.


    - Eeeh... I see!


    Korone is placed on the floor and runs in the direction of the kitchen. Deshya joins her and looks at her father, who is drinking water from a tall glass.


    - Are my clothes ready?" she asks.


    - They''re on your bed. I have to admit it''ll be a little weird, but we don''t really have a choice.


    - Damn fox ears¡­


    - There''s nothing we can do about it. I asked my friend to do her best. I think it''s beautiful, so it should be fine.


    - I see. Thank you.


    Deshya thanks him and clutches a glass of water in turn before climbing the two stairwells. She opens the door to her room and notices the clothes waiting for her. She admires them and moves them from left to right to get a good look.


    - They''re beautiful... It''s true that it would be better if I didn''t have to hide my fox ears, but I guess there''s nothing you can do about it," she thinks.


    At around 4.20pm, Deshya came down from her room and presented herself to Korone. Behind the little girl, Gatito waited patiently with his wife, ''Pera Dimera'': or rather, Pera Oveja. She herself is in an elegant outfit, but unlike Korone and her own daughter, it''s not a dress, but a black one decorated with sequins. Deshya adjusts the hood on her head and Korone opens her mouth wide, stars in her eyes.


    Deshya is wearing a beautiful orange dress that reaches below her knees. The black patterns on it are accompanied by white, imitating the colors of a fox. The fluffy tail hanging from Deshya''s back is partially hidden behind the dress, but given its length, it''s impossible to hide it under the garment entirely. On her head, a hood with numerous black stars hides her fox ears, very similar in color to the dress. The dress itself has sequins, and although it would be preferable not to have to wear it, the four of them understand that they don''t have much choice. Deshya had already thought of ''gluing'' her fox ears to her hair to keep them out of sight, but it didn''t take long to realize how ridiculous the idea was.


    - Hehe, I really like this dress, it suits me better than last year''s," Deshya says, looking at herself in the hall mirror.


    - Deshyshy is so cute!" exclaims Korone, jumping up and down on the spot.


    - It''s about an hour''s drive to get there, so we''d better leave now," remarks Gatito.


    - Let''s go, then," said Pera. Oh, and Deshya. You look very cute in that dress, you''ll have to wear it for another occasion, in the future.


    Pera strokes her daughter''s cheek with a smile. Deshya approves with a big, beautiful smile, then opens the front door. Gatito grabs a bag and heads for the car with his wife, daughter and little Korone in tow. Pera climbs into the front passenger seat, and the two girls into the back. Gatito places the bag in the car and then sits down in front of the steering wheel. He closes the door, turns on the ignition and the radio. He turns around and checks that the two girls are properly strapped in, and after confirming this, he heads off down the road.


    - Let''s go, then!" he says.


    Korone swings her feet with joy and anticipation. Even though she''s dressed like this, she asks herself an intriguing question:


    - Where exactly are we going?


    She asks with a smile and Deshya turns her face towards her in astonishment.


    - Dad didn''t tell you?


    - Hm, I don''t know anything!" she admits.


    - It''s true that I didn''t think about it," admits Gatito.


    - Yet you bought her a dress?


    Pera turns her head with a smile.


    - The party''s been planned for a long time, so I figured buying her a dress along with her clothes wasn''t a bad idea! Otherwise, I''ve got some of your clothes, I would have found something, hihi.


    - Why are we taking Korone?


    - We''re not going to leave Korone at home on her own, are we? Besides, she''ll be better off with us than with a babysitter, especially since we have to be careful.


    Gatito replies in a serious tone and Deshya nods, understanding the situation. What''s more, she doesn''t mind. Being able to see Korone in a dress like that makes her happy, if she can be honest about it.


    - Whose party are we going to?" asks Korone.


    Pera, the car driver''s wife, is the first to answer.


    - It''s an annual party, held every September 10! We''re invited every year, since we''re friends with the man who organizes them.


    - Eeeh, really?


    - Yes! The man organizing it is called ''Colin Furas'', a rather wealthy man we''ve known for quite some time, a little after Deshya was born!


    - I see, I see!


    Korone hops in her seat, eager to get to the party. Deshya speaks next.


    - I''ve been going there since I was 11. It''s often very friendly, and you should really enjoy it. There are a lot of people, but there''s plenty to eat, fun activities and all that!


    - Will there be a buffet, then?" asks Korone, her eyes even brighter than before.


    Deshya approves, causing the little girl to squeal with delight. The three family members giggle together, amused by the girl''s behavior. She watches the road from her window and keeps smiling.


    - And what kind of party is it, exactly?" she asks, her eyes riveted on the landscape outside.


    She knows little of Tetazo, as she used to live a little further afield than here, when she still lived with her two adoptive parents, so she''s very interested in the scenery she can observe: discovering new things is something she loves.


    - Colin is celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife, ''Mona Furas''. They''re both very happy to have met and their love has probably already given some people diabetes, but they''re very cute together," replies Gatito.


    - I have to admit, they''re super cute together!" says Pera.


    - I can''t wait to see them!


    Korone stops looking at the landscape and now admires Deshya''s outfit. It''s sparkling and mimics the color of a fox, so Korone never tires of looking at it.


    - You''re in for a treat at the buffet over there!" said the girl with the fox tail.


    - Lots of good food, I can feel it!


    - We often eat a little too much, in fact..." admits Gatito.


    Deshya puffs out her cheeks, frowning slightly.


    - I can''t help it if the food is good there.


    Gatito shrugs and his wife stares at him with a smirk.


    - You''re not saying that our Deshya is fat, are you?


    His voice sounds like a threat and Gatito swallows loudly. He replies that this is not what he meant, but Pera is not convinced. Korone listens attentively and decides to touch Deshya''s belly, which surprises her, but the little girl shakes her head.


    - I think Deshya is peeeeeerfect like that!


    Silence descends on the car, but is soon broken by the family''s laughter. As if it were contagious, Korone starts laughing too, and the journey continues in fine style.


    The four of them arrive there just before 5.30pm. Gatito parks very close to other cars, in the only space that seems to be free in the parking lot. As they get out of the car, they are all careful not to hit the door on the vehicle next to it. Gatito retrieves his keys and gets out. Korone opens her mouth and eyes wide at the sight of the huge building in front of them:


    - A biiiiiiiiig villa!!!" she shouts.


    The architecture is modern, but the villa''s facades still have a touch of antiquity about them. The roof is rather pointed, and even from here they can see part of the gigantic garden outside. A statue dominates part of the landscape to their right, a modest fountain to the left. The parking lot is private and reserved exclusively for the guests of ''Colin Furas'', the wealthy man who lives with his wife in this beautiful building. A well-tended passageway, decorated with numerous bushes, can be seen in front of them, leading to the villa a little higher up.


    - Will there be people we know?" asks Korone, excited.


    They move forward together and Gatito reflects.


    - Hmmm, I know Mariah and Dash will be there, but you don''t know them... I don''t even think Deshya knows them.


    - I see who Mariah is. It''s ''Mariah Sukeni'', that''s right?¡± Deshya asks.


    Gatito nods. Deshya has never met her, but from what she''s heard about her... She''s impossible to miss. However, she can''t wait to meet her. For the person called ¡®Dash'', she doesn''t see who this person happens to be. Gatito looks at Korone, smiling weakly.


    - However, I know Annie will also be at the party.


    - You mean Annie? The lady who took care of Mom and Dad when they died?


    He nods. Deshya feels a spasm in her right eye.


    - When I think about it, except when Kyria''s dad was killed, I met Annie at every murder investigation..." she thinks.


    Of course, Deshya doesn''t think the doctor is cursed, since she only comes to crime scenes to check the condition of the body, the cause of death, and other things she probably doesn''t know about. However, Deshya wonders if she''s the only police doctor: it would be far too much work for her alone!


    - I only know Annie and even then, I''ve known her since the train affair... I thought I knew more about the Tetazo police, but it looks like I''m wrong, ahah....


    She smiles thanks to her own thoughts and continues on her way to the large villa, even if she''s not as impressed as the first time she came here. Nevertheless, she can''t help but admire such a building. It''s not even the only one he owns. She can''t even imagine how much money he makes a month.


    They arrive together at the front door and two guards step in. Gatito quickly shows his invitation and declares the identity of the four of them. They quickly recognize him and check the four guests, but when they see the little girl, they hesitate.


    - Shouldn''t you come in threes?" asks one of the two guards. Who is she?


    - My name is Korone!" replies the little girl.


    - I can check the list, but I don''t think she''s invited.


    - Eeeeh?!


    The little girl clenches her fists and places them in front of her, eyes wide open. With a puppy-dog expression, she observes the guard, trembling her lower lip. The man is unaffected, however, and scans the names on the list. Korone sighs and Deshya strokes his head.


    - Colin told me I could take hier too," Gatito explains.


    - We''ll have to check with him before letting you¡ª


    - No need, no need!


    The guard is cut off by the jovial voice of a man in his early forties. His beard is shaved, unlike his black moustache, and his light blue eyes show plenty of life in them. He touches one shoulder of the two guards and pats them with a smile.


    - My dear friend here has already told me about the little one, so she''s allowed to come to the party. My wife has even prepared dinosaur-shaped chocolates for her!


    Korone asks Deshya if he''s indeed ''Colin Furas'', the party organizer, and the girl nods in agreement. When she receives this confirmation, the little girl raises her arms in a giggle, a beautiful smile on her face.


    - I love dinosaurs! How did you know that?


    - Ahah, little kids often love dinosaurs, that''s why!" laughs Colin.


    - I would have preferred hamsters or foxes, but yuuuuummyyyyyyy!" thinks Korone.


    She''s already enjoying herself, but she''s going to try a bit of everything, not just the chocolates made especially for her. Gatito chats quickly with the moustachioed man and seconds later, the four of them are able to enter the villa. The two guards bow and wish them a happy holiday. Colin turns to the two of them.


    - Come and enjoy the party whenever you like!


    - Great!


    Deshya smiles at their interaction. Even though Colin is a wealthy man who runs a very popular chain of beauty stores, he''s one who never hides what''s really in his heart: admirable kindness. This is a man who has often offered donations of thousands of euros or more into vaccines funding for very serious diseases, aid for war refugees or even the advancement of a society where LGBTQ+ people won''t be mistreated and sidelined. He''s a man who knows how to use his money selfishly when necessary, but also knows how to be altruistic and share it with those in need. Deshya is aware that this may just be a fa?ade to make him seem nicer than he really is, but as a friend of her parents ¡ª and technically a friend of hers too ¡ª she''s convinced that he really does have a heart of gold. Attending his parties is always a pleasure. The large hallway they''re currently in is festive, decorated with balloons and rainbow colored LEDs. Korone is impressed by the many doors here and there, as well as the grand staircase at the end of the corridor. However, that''s not where they''re heading: Colin stops in front of one of the doors and opens it while chatting with the Oveja family. The room before them reflects colorfully in the irises of the white-haired little girl. Many people are already here, chatting, snacking or enjoying the festive atmosphere. The room is huge, and at its far end, a stage higher than the floor is waiting to be used. The windows have their hangings open, but the falling daylight is overshadowed by that of the many on the ceiling. Unlike the ones in the corridor, these don''t really have any particular color, but their golden tone makes the scenery in front of them even more magical. A musical background can be heard, but the sounds of chatter prevent the four newcomers from recognizing the melody. Korone raises her arms and asks the red haired man if he can carry her so she can see everything, and he accepts directly. Now on his shoulders, she admires with delight the vivid painting before her. In front of them, a woman with long, short, inky-blue hair approaches with a big smile.


    - You''ve arrived! Not many people are missing!" she tells them.


    - Oh, darling!


    Colin stands beside his wife and holds her waist with a loving hand. ¡®Mona Furas'' is greeted by the three members of the Oveja family. Korone looks at her and asks who she is, to which Mona herself replies.


    - What a cute girl! My name is ''Mona Furas'', and I''m Colin''s wife. I work in the same sector as he does, especially as I''m the one who sometimes experiments with our own products.


    - Eeeh, you''re beautiful!


    - Thank you, thank you, thank you! You''re very cute!


    Both smile as they close their eyes, which amuses Deshya and her parents, as well as Mona''s husband. The latter notices the girl in the beautiful orange, white and black dress and greets her, approaching her.


    - Oh, you''re even more beautiful than last time! You''ve still got a hood with your famous ears on it, hihi!" snaps Mona.


    Deshya nods, blushing slightly.


    - I have to admit, it does make me look original, hehe¡­


    Deshya places both hands behind her back.


    - Well, it''s even a unique style, since I''m probably the only one with fox ears..." she thinks.


    Mona starts chatting with her husband and Gatito turns to Deshya, the little girl still on his shoulders.


    - We''re going to say hello to our friends. Are you keeping Korone with you?" he asks, setting her down on the floor.


    Korone takes Deshya''s hand and she nods.


    - Sure, that''s fine with me.


    - Thank you.


    Gatito takes his wife''s hand and they pass by Colin and Mona, who leave in their turn. Deshya drops her sight to Korone and asks her what she wants to do.


    - I want to say hello to Annie!" she blurts out.


    - Dad did say she should be here. We''ll look for her together.


    - Yiiss!


    Deshya and Korone walk between the many guests while scanning the surroundings, looking for the lady in her fifties who works as a police doctor. Some people greet Deshya and the little girl, which slows them down in their search, but sooner than expected, a white-haired woman introduces herself to them.


    - Korone came too!" enthuses Annie.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    She lowered herself in front of them and Korone let out a huge smile.


    - Annie!! Hiiiiiiii!!


    - Good evening, Korone! The last time we saw each other was a few moments ago when Deshya was kidnapped, right?


    - Ahah, great moment..." recalls Deshya.


    Deshya lets go of Korone''s hand, waving them both in front of Annie. She then approves that it was the last time.


    - Thanks again for your work!" Korone told her.


    - It''s my job, I have to do it well!


    - Doing it right!


    They both giggle, and Deshya admires them with a faint smile. When she''s like this with Korone, she has the impression that she''s actually¡­


    - My little sister¡­


    Deshya doesn''t know whether to feel happy or sad. After all, she''s still an only child. She would have liked to have a little brother or sister, even if she sometimes argued with them, but that''s not an option. She turns her face towards her parents, whom she can see behind the crowd, and closes her eyes. Korone won''t be able to stay with them indefinitely, after all. She has to accept it: she''s not her little sister. She''s simply a little girl who was almost murdered and is staying with them to protect her, since the identity of the gunman is still unknown. However, he doesn''t seem to be recognizable even by his fingerprints, appearance or otherwise. In short, this man is a mystery.


    - Deshya?


    The fox-tailed girl snaps out of her thoughts and turns her face towards Annie, who just called her.


    - Ah, sorry, I was thinking about something..." admits Deshya.


    - Never mind. How are you?


    - I''m doing well. After last night''s incident, I was able to rest and have fun with my friends, so everything''s fine.


    - I''m glad. I saw Bibi last night and she told me a bit about you!


    - Really?


    Annie nods and stands up.


    - She told me that she hoped you wouldn''t get into any big trouble, as you seem to come across a lot of different investigations.


    - Ahah, I promise nothing¡­


    Deshya scratches her cheek, which amuses Annie, but at the same time worries her. She wants to insist on her safety, but decides to simply pass her a treat from the table behind her, smiling.


    - Well, in any case, let''s enjoy the party!" she says.


    - Yes!


    Deshya thanks Annie by grabbing the treat. Korone asks for one too and Annie accepts, passing her two. The little girl shows them to Deshya, boasting that she has two, which is more than Deshya has. Deshya pouts and they start bickering, but it''s obviously all in jest, which makes Annie laugh.


    - I''m not going to bother her with all that when it''s such a festive evening," Annie thinks.


    She feels this is not the time to bother her with her own safety and what she should or shouldn''t do.


    A few moments later, Deshya and Korone go to the buffet to see what''s for dinner. The little girl can''t make up her mind and devours the entire table with her eyes. There''s so much good food, she just can''t decide which dish to start with. She wants to taste everything, but she knows she can''t afford to, even if it''s a buffet where they''re all free to take what they want. Deshya grabs two plates and offers one to Korone. She''s about to help herself when the lights go out all at once.


    - What''s going on?" blurts out one guest.


    - Ah?!


    - L-Lights?!


    Deshya turns and looks around the room with squinted eyes. She can still see a little thanks to the light outside. The moon''s rays allow them to see what''s going on in front of them, but it''s not really enough. Just as they all begin to worry, the door to the room where Korone and Deshya''s family have entered, along with all the guests, suddenly opens.


    - Who is it?" shouts one person.


    No answer. However, the lights come back to them. Rather, lights illuminate the door. From there, smoke rises, blocking everyone''s vision. Deshya protects Korone by gently pushing her backwards and frowns. Gatito imitates her with his wife on the other side of the room. Suddenly, something rolls out of the smoke and onto the floor. At the same moment¡ª


    A fanfare sound.


    It comes from nowhere. Sounds of trumpets and drums are heard. Gatito blinks before clenching a fist, a spasm in his eye.


    - D-Don''t tell me it''s¡­


    He doesn''t need to finish his sentence: a female figure emerges from the smoke at the same time as the brass band. Trumpets give their all, drums are banged with joy and energy, sounds of percussion can even be heard. The smoke clears and, walking on the red carpet that has been rolled out on the floor, a woman with long black hair steps forward to the rhythm of the music. With pink locks and hypnotic blue eyes, she enters the room without hiding her tattoo of black wings on her torso. Her ears have heart shaped loops at the lobes, as well as four stars that rise towards the middle of the ear. Her form isn''t even concealed: her body is clothed only in a white, black and mauve jumpsuit that perfectly captures her shape. The woman walks elegantly, seductively, sensually, even appetizingly. She pauses in a pose that would make even the most resistant of men cringe, and waves her black and pink hair with a teasing smile. Behind her, a muscular man in revealing military garb, unfastened and short-sleeved, arrives throwing multicolored petals left and right. His pants have holes all over them and his black shoes are tied at the side. His red hair forms a cloud above his head, with a gradient just below. His ears, like the woman''s, are pierced and have jewels attached to them. These, though different from those of the woman he''s following. It''s also clear that on his torso, at the level of his left pectoral, a black tattoo is half hidden by his outfit. On his left arm, the white, blue, red and black tattoos are unashamedly visible, as are his big muscles, which proves the monster strength inside him. The band continues to play their soulful music, although no one can be seen playing a single instrument. The red carpet lights up with a beautiful gold color as the woman closes her eyes and snaps her fingers. The lights in the room all come on at once and the fanfare gets excited before the man behind the woman throws the last petals and presses a small button.


    And then, a poster falls from the ceiling, just behind the two of them, and stops a little before hitting the floor, showing letters that form a first name.


    - Mariah Sukeni''?" Deshya spoke aloud, unable to comprehend what she had just observed.


    The woman shakes her hair again and smiles.


    - The real star of the party has arrived.


    Gatito approaches her and grabs her neck with his arm, grinning through clenched teeth.


    - Isn''t she our favorite ''star'', huuuuuh?!


    - Oh, there you are, Gatito. I said that as if I didn''t already know.


    She escaped his grasp with an acrobatic gesture and the fanfare suddenly stopped. The red-haired man turns off the radio on his back and smiles at Gatito.


    - Hello, Inspector! I mean, good evening!


    - Don''t play innocent, what are you doing??!" he shouts.


    Deshya approaches them with Korone, eyes still wide open.


    - Is that the two of them, Mariah and... Dash?" she asks.


    Deshya knows one thing about Mariah: she''s a totally eccentric woman who never hides her curves from anyone. A woman who likes to show everyone how beautiful, admirable and sexy she is. A woman who likes to be the center of attention, and who loves to be stared at. That''s why Deshya was convinced that it was impossible to miss her... but this is way too high for her. She has no words to express what she''s feeling right now. The woman is barely smaller than Deshya, yet she seems to dominate the whole room. She looks at Deshya and smiles broadly.


    - You''re the cute little fox who seems to outshine the police themselves, aren''t you?


    - Hey, what are you talking about?" asks Gatito.


    Mariah crosses her arms under her breasts and lets out a soft ''mhp''.


    - It''s not my fault if I''m just telling the truth. She should be committed to the police.


    - She''s barely 16 and then¡ª


    - If worst comes to worst I''m right, you''re wrong, I want to hug her!


    Mariah hugs Deshya tightly and lets out a happy noise. Gatito sighs loudly and the guests are all confused in the room. Colin jumps on stage and takes the microphone in hand.


    - Please forgive this... very... special entrance. She told me about it in advance, so I agreed because I owed her a favor. Sorry for the scare," he explains.


    The guests start chatting amongst themselves, all reassured that it''s nothing serious. The red-haired man looks at the white-haired girl.


    - So you''re little Korone?" he asks.


    - Do you know me?


    - The bus case is important, so we often talk about it at the police station.


    - Eeeh, but who are you, anyway?


    The man smiled and lowered himself in front of her. Mariah lets go of Deshya, who catches her breath: she''d been held far too tightly, she thought she was going to die. She listens to the conversation between Korone and the dark-skinned man, holding her chest.


    - My name is ''Dash Tarway'', I''m a police receptionist. You know, I answer the calls and I receive some of the people who come to the station," explains the red haired man.


    - Eeeh, I see," Korone let out.


    - He''s kind of like my servant, hehe," adds Mariah.


    Dash smiled, scratching his cheek.


    - Servant is a big word: more like a fan," he corrects.


    Deshya finds it quite special to see a man as big and imposing as he is scratching his cheek and blushing like that. Mariah places both hands at knee level and raises them sensually, closing her eyes.


    - I''m ''Mariah Sukeni'', the new police detective from Tetazo~...


    She raises both hands after rubbing most of her body, and strikes a pose you might see in a popular fashion magazine.


    - Small in size, but big in ego.


    - I can confirm that," says Gatito coolly.


    - Is she really a detective?" asked Korone, talking to the red-haired man.


    Gatito approves and crosses his arms.


    - She arrived in July, and is the latest addition to the police force. However, she''s already solved plenty of cases, even without being at the scene.


    - Even without being there? She''s like ''Nero Wolfe''?


    - So she''s an armchair detective?!


    Korone hops around and everyone turns to face her. Korone blinks and scratches her hair.


    - I-I heard the term while watching... a... television... series!


    - Eeeh, really?" asks Dash.


    She nods before looking away.


    - Don''t be silly like that!" she thinks.


    The term ''armchair detective'' wasn''t one she should know, after all. Deshya thought the same, but she didn''t remark on Korone''s and simply decided to turn to her father.


    - Except for Annie, are all policewomen short, or what?" she asks with a teasing smile.


    - She may be small, but she''s incredibly beautiful!" says Dash.


    Mariah approves with her so-called ''servant''.


    - You''re just tall for your age," she defends herself.


    - No, but Hanoka is, like, 1.57m (5.1ft)? Karine is barely taller than me and you must be... 1.60m (5.2ft)?" speaks Deshya.


    - You got it. You''ve got the eye.


    - You''re small!


    - That''s just it, it''s cute!


    Mariah points at Deshya and lets out a teasing smile, but one that''s also naughty.


    - We''re small in stature, so we can be cute and beautiful! If you''re too tall, you can''t be cute! Mwahahah!!!


    - She''s right! Mwahahah!


    Dash imitates Mariah''s laugh and they both point at Deshya. The latter sighs, lowering her eyelids. Korone jumps Deshya and takes her in his arms.


    - Deshyshy is soooooo cute!!! She has a fox tai-tail!


    - A fake doesn''t work," Mariah retorts.


    - Even if it''s fake, it''s magical! Beautiful! Way too cuuuuuuute!


    - Hm, you''re just a baby, you don''t know what¡ª


    - Okay, will you stop?!


    Gatito screams so loudly that everyone in the room can hear her. Mariah holds both ears and Dash asks her if she''s okay. Gatito grabs his daughter and Korone and stares at them intently.


    - You can never win against Mariah. It''s a losing battle. Just accept that you''ll lose.


    Korone puffs out her cheeks and crosses her arms.


    - Deshyshy is suuuuuper cute!!! Me no lose!


    Gatito sighs and puts them down with a shrug.


    - As you wish, just don''t create a concussion.


    - You just screamed so loudly that even with the music on, I think the neighbors heard you..." thinks Deshya with a tired smile.


    Gatito returns to the side of his wife and Mariah approaches Deshya and Korone with Dash.


    - In any case, delighted to meet the famous ''fox-eared detective''! If there''s an investigation tonight that comes out of nowhere, I can''t wait to work with you!


    - I hope there won''t be any need to investigate anything..." admits Deshya.


    - I hope so too, but one day I''d like to work with you! After all, you had to solve a murder in a locked room with Hanoka yesterday, didn''t you? You''ve already worked alongside Sammy, the nya-nya detective, Hanoka, the pink detective, and all that''s missing is me and the old man!


    - The old man?


    Mariah pats her on the back a few times, laughing, and waves as she walks away. Dash picks up the poster and leaves the room to put it away somewhere else. Korone watches him go before smiling.


    - They''re fun.


    - I live in a crazy world," Deshya sighs inwardly.


    Deshya sighs and asks Korone if she finally wants something to eat. She happily accepts and returns to the buffet with Deshya. When she gets there, she picks up the plate she has placed on one of the tables and opens her mouth wide admiring the dishes she can see from here when¡ª


    ¡ª a horrible feeling runs through her from top to bottom.


    Korone opens her eyes wide and freezes in place. Plate in hand, she stares blankly into space. All her senses are on full alert. She wants to shake, but her body doesn''t move. As if the darkness were all around her, closing in on her again and again, she feels oppressed by an imposing, horrible force. It''s suffocating her, grabbing her throat, preventing her from breathing. Korone hears her heart beating violently in her chest, she feels abominable, unbearable shivers. She wants to flee, but her feet don''t move. At last, however, she begins to tremble.


    Eyes stare at her. With all senses. Iris watch her. Analyze her. Recognize her. She''s completely naked in front of them. This heavy gaze pushes her into quicksand, hands come to grab her from all sides, forcing her to stay put, frozen and immobilized. There''s nowhere to run, even if she wanted to. Korone trembles. Deshya stands next to her and asks if she wants to eat the chicken, but the little girl says nothing. She feels them. Those atrocious stares that give her endless shivers. She''s far too weak to face them. There''s nothing she can do. She can only accept¡ª


    - Korone?


    Deshya touches her shoulder and Korone almost drops the plate in her hand. She slowly turns her gaze to Deshya, trembling, tears in her eyes. She feels so bad, so horrible.


    - D-D-Deshya¡­


    - Korone, are you...?


    Deshya stoops down, worried for the little girl who begins to cry. Korone places the plate on the table, trembling, and grabs Deshya in her arms.


    - I-I feel... really bad... T-Toilets¡­


    - Toilet, you say? Okay.


    Deshya nods and quickly places the plate next to Korone''s. She rushes to the bathroom with the little girl in her arms. She hurries off to the bathroom with the little girl in her arms, wasting no time. Korone feels her stomach churn again and again, as the stares continue to devour her soul, preventing her from thinking straight. It''s an unbearable sensation. She wants it to stop... She wants them to stop staring at her like that! She doesn''t understand, Korone doesn''t know what''s going on!


    Deshya leaves Korone in the bathroom, while she waits outside, sitting against the wall. She can hear the little girl throwing up at times, and at the same time she hears her crying, which worries her greatly. She had been laughing just a few seconds before, but then froze and started crying all of a sudden. Deshya couldn''t understand what had happened: was she simply ill? Is she hiding it?


    - It''s a good thing I already knew where the toilets were, since I''ve been here before..." she thinks.


    She knows fully well that she has the right to use them, given that several of them are built into the villa precisely for guests. There are others upstairs, but Deshya didn''t want to waste a single second: getting puked on would have been the worst thing possible.


    Korone finally stopped vomiting and sat down on the floor, breathing calmly but unevenly. Luckily for her, she didn''t pee herself: she thought she might. The fear that had gone through her... She didn''t think she''d ever felt anything like it in the past. Korone looks down at her feverish hands and bites her lower lip.


    - What... What was... Who¡­


    She can''t get her thoughts straight. She was confused and her brain hurt, as did her stomach and even her lungs. What she had just felt¡­


    - It was as if my chest was being crushed in every direction..." she thinks.


    Korone doesn''t know what has caused such a feeling, but a theory is spinning in her head. However, this means that the danger is actually with them at this party. Even if she were right, it doesn''t change the fact that she has no idea what''s going on. It''s a simple resentment:


    - Is... someone I know who knows who I am here with us all...?


    Korone is afraid that this is the truth. She doesn''t want it to be reality. She''d rather it was just paranoia. Because if it turns out to be true... then someone at this party knows who she really is. So maybe one of the sniper''s allies is following in her footsteps. If that''s true, then... then Korone can''t imagine what''s going to happen.


    For her.


    Or for Deshya and her family.


    It''s a horrible thought that makes her shiver again. She holds her shoulders and grits her teeth. However¡ª


    - Are you all right, Korone?


    Deshya taps on the door and asks her this question. Korone blinks and swallows loudly. She stands up and takes a drink of water from the sink to remove the foul taste of vomit. She then answers honestly:


    - I''m still a little shaky... but I''m feeling better.


    - Are you sure?" insists Deshya.


    - Yes¡­


    - Shall I leave you here or do you want to go back to the party?


    - I''m hungry... I''m really feeling better.


    - So, let''s go eat, hehe.


    Deshya stands up in turn and Korone smiles. At the same time, someone waits outside the door, arms crossed, one foot on the wall. This person squints, but at the same time¡ª


    - Would you like to use the toilet?


    A woman in her thirties comes into the corridor, startling the person in front of the toilet. They turn and bow politely.


    - It looks like someone''s already there. I''ll go later.


    The person quickly leaves, leaving the woman in the corridor. Deshya comes out of the bathroom with Korone in her arms and looks at the woman.


    - You can use them," said the girl.


    - Thank you," the woman replied in a friendly manner.


    Korone holds Deshya in her arms, a little calmer, but she still feels that presence that makes it hard to breathe. If this is indeed a person, then Korone must make herself very small and hide from them.


    - But if they already know who I am, then there''s no point... I must... I must just feel bad and that''s it... There are so many people around it must be that... I guess.


    Korone would rather think like that than let her evening be ruined by what she''s feeling right now. Although she''s not really convinced, there''s no point in hiding in Deshya''s arms when the party''s only just started: she wants to enjoy the good food from the buffet, talk to Deshya and the others, and dance if she can. She doesn''t want to spoil the fun! She''s dressed in a gorgeous dress, is all pretty and clean, and has been looking forward to this party all morning! Korone clenches a fist and nods inwardly: she''s going to enjoy it! Deshya arrives in the main hall, Korone still in her arms, and heads for the buffet. Before she gets there, Annie approaches them.


    - I saw you quickly leave the room. Is everything okay?¡± she asks


    - I''m doing better!" Korone admits with a smile a little lighter than usual.


    - She felt bad all of a sudden, but once she''d let go of what was in her belly a bit, it seems like she''s got her color back," replies Deshya.


    - That''s good, then. I was worried for nothing, then.


    - Exactly! Thankies anyway!


    Korone thanks Annie with a bigger smile and is taken to the buffet. There, she decides on her dishes with Deshya, unperturbed by the pressure that continues to be exerted on her.


    Minutes pass and the two girls eat several dishes from the buffet together. Mariah and Dash have brought themselves back and are chatting with them, but it''s the woman with the black and pink hair who takes up much of the conversation, talking about her investigations since joining the police force. Much to Deshya''s surprise, Mariah is barely 24, while Dash is only 28, the same age as Hanoka. Deshya also talks about her exploits since the start of the school year, and it''s around this time that Gatito and Pera arrive to talk with them all. Annie is on the other side of the room, close to the stage, chatting with some old college friends. The atmosphere in the room is good, and the good mood can be felt. Korone no longer feels like she''s being watched, which is very reassuring. The party is in full swing, the music is good and the buffet is being devoured bit by bit. As Dash talks a little about himself, the sound of the microphone crackles through the speakers. Deshya, Korone and the others turn back to the stage, where drapes rise just behind party organizer Colin Furas. Microphone in hand, he places it in front of his mouth and begins to speak.


    - I''d already like to thank all my friends here for coming to our party. It''s a real honor to see you all here.


    The guests applaud and Colin chuckles.


    - As most of you know, we like to show a quick movie of our year, between my wife and myself. We''ve put together a lot of photos and videos that show a summary of our 22nd year of marriage.


    - Already 22 years old!" says Gatito.


    - Time flies," smiles Pera.


    Korone swallows the piece of chocolate in her mouth and admires the scene where Colin is standing. His wife joins him from the right.


    - The short film lasts just 15 minutes, but we''ve added another 5 minutes of photos and short videos of the time spent with our many friends. Well, just because you''re not all on the film doesn''t mean we don''t value your time!


    The applause starts up again and some people start whistling, forcing Deshya to close one eye because of the pain: her fox ears are more fragile than human ears, after all. Gatito turns to Mariah and Dash.


    - How long have you known Colin and Mona?" he asks.


    - Someone tried to break into her house last month, so I caught the culprit," Mariah replies.


    - I went with her because it was my day off," Dash explains.


    - I see.


    Gatito doesn''t remember hearing this story, but since Colin talked about ''owing him a pledge'', he assumes it''s the truth.


    - However, Mariah''s field is more concerned with terrorism, bombers or protecting a potential victim, not burglary¡­


    Gatito shrugs and listens to Colin''s next words.


    - For this film, as every year, I''d like to invite you to stay in total darkness and not to switch on your phones. When the film is over, the lights will come back on!


    Some laugh and Mona takes the microphone.


    - Can you close the drapes and make sure they don''t move? The moonlight mustn''t get in!" she asks.


    Some head for the windows and comply. Mona thanks them and Korone turns her face to Deshya.


    - Will we see them kissing in the film?" she asks innocently.


    Mariah chuckles at her question.


    - Would you like it or not?


    - I don''t know... Kisses are cute.


    Dash nods with a smile.


    - This little girl will go far in life, that''s for sure.


    Korone lets out a cute ''Hihi!¡¯. The curtains are now all closed and Deshya turns around.


    - ¡­


    She doesn''t know why, but she feels something ¡ª something unpleasant. As if something was going to go wrong... However, she can understand it: she''s been living on investigations for the past few days. She goes home: explosion and murder. She takes a train to Amora''s: two murders and bombs on the train. She returns home by bus: double murder, then the culprit is shot in the head, Korone is almost killed in the same way. She finishes school: she''s asked to find the person who kidnapped a baby. She wants to meet a new friend murder and her own kidnapping, with her own death. She goes to a hotel: murder. Should she now add ''Deshya goes to a party: murder''? She prays not to, but can a mere mortal change the future the gods have chosen? She suspects the answer.


    - So we''re going to project the film onto this wall! The light is very weak, so try not to move from your seat: you''ll probably bump into the others. If you have a bladder emergency, feel free to go to the toilet now!" Colin explains.


    However, no one moves. Seeing that everyone remains in their seats, Colin nods and the lights all go out, a family friend having pressed the necessary switches. Deshya is amazed at how dark the room is. Unlike real foxes, Deshya doesn''t possess the ''tapetum lucidum'', which would enable her to see well in the dark, just like cats. However, her eyes remain the same as those of humans. She is almost disappointed, but if her eyes were to change like a fox''s, she doesn''t think she''d be able to hide them, except behind contacts that would bother her. So she''s partly happy about it. Korone grabs Deshya''s left arm and holds on tightly. Although she no longer feels a gaze on her, in this darkness, she doesn''t want to let go. At any moment, someone could come up from behind and snatch her. If that happens... she''d rather not think about it.


    - Here''s the film!


    Colin pushes himself off the stage and the wall lights up dimly. On it, guests can watch images slowly unfold, showing both amusing and moving moments between Colin and his wife. The room is quiet and everyone admires the film in silence. Korone watches without letting go of Deshya, enjoying every photo and video. The redheaded girl can enjoy the film without fear of anything.


    Her fox ears are flapping.


    The sound of shattering glass.


    At the same moment, a man screams in pain. Deshya suddenly turns around, but in this darkness, nothing can be seen. A second doesn''t even pass when¡ª


    The sound of shattering glass is heard again.


    The curtains move in all directions and a moonbeam enters the room. For a brief moment, it allows Deshya to see the state of the glass at the back of the room: destroyed in the middle, pieces falling to the floor.


    And people who step back.


    - Turn on the lights!" screams Mariah.


    She jumps over the table behind her and the man who had turned off the lights complies. The darkness of the room disappears in an instant and Deshya runs in turn, forcing Korone to let her go, and heads for the back of the room. She pushes past the guests and excuses herself before reaching the back of the room, where the window has been broken. Mariah stops and grits her teeth, Deshya right beside her. The fox-tailed girl clenches her fists and shakes her jaw.


    - It can''t be true..." she murmurs.


    Opposite them is a man lying on his stomach on the floor. Blood flows beneath him¡­


    His own blood. He has just been killed in the darkness of the party. In a room with over 200 people.

 40 -?Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; Mysterious Murder?(CASE8)

    <hr>


    On Saturday, September 10, at around 5:30 p.m., Deshya arrives with her two parents and little Korone at Colin and Mona Furas'' annual wedding anniversary party. After leaving the ''Beleza Verde'' hotel and saying goodbye to her four friends, she arrives home and gets ready in a beautiful orange, black and white dress to go to that party. Once there, they are stopped by the guards in front of the villa''s front door, as Korone is not normally invited, but that''s all to the good: Colin comes to meet them and lets them through. The little girl can admire the interior of the big house and can even see the party room, where a little over two hundred people are eating, chatting and having fun. They meet Annie, the police doctor... when the lights go out. From a grand and extravagant entrance, ''Mariah Sukeni'', a detective who likes to show off her curves to everyone, arrives on a red carpet, from smoke coming out of nowhere. The lights come up again and Colin apologizes for the ''strange'' moment, before Mariah introduces herself to Deshya and Korone. The man behind her, who was throwing flower petals of all colors, is called ''Dash Tarway'' and is a receptionist for the Tetazo police. A very muscular man, with dark skin and hair dyed a light red. After some hectic introductions, Deshya and Korone head for the buffet to grab a bite to eat¡­


    But at the same time, Korone felt a horrible chill run through her.


    She feels oppressed, as if eyes are staring at her with violence and hatred. She doesn''t know exactly how she feels, but it shocks her so much that Deshya takes her to the bathroom and vomits. Outside the toilets, someone waits patiently for them to come out, but when a woman comes into the corridor, this person escapes apologetically, avoiding being seen by Deshya and Korone, who come out of the toilets immediately afterwards. Then they return to the party, have a bite to eat and chat with Mariah, Dash and the other guests. It''s at this very moment that Colin warns the guests: a short 20-minute film will be visible from the wall of the room. The guests will watch it in total darkness, with the drapes all closed, the lights off and all sources of light forbidden. In total darkness, they begin the film¡­


    However, the calm and serenity are quickly shattered.


    A sound of breaking glass is heard. Then a man screams, and finally the sound of breaking glass is heard again. Deshya turns around and the drapes at the back of the room dance furiously, letting moonbeams show the scene: the glass is shattered and a man is lying on the floor... bathed in his own blood. Mariah, the pink-and-black-haired detective, orders the lights to be switched on and rushes to the scene of the crime. Deshya follows, and when they get there they can see the atrocity: an elderly man is dead.


    - No one¡ª


    Mariah wants to finish her sentence, but screams of terror ring out, some people start running out of the room and Mariah waves her hand violently at Dash.


    - NO ONE LEAVES THE ROOM!" she shouts. DASH, CATCH THE PEOPLE WHO JUST RAN AWAY!!!


    - STAY WHERE YOU ARE!!!" shouts Gatito.


    The screams continue, but Annie, including Gatito, manage to keep some of the crowd under control. Some help them, and Dash runs out of the room to catch up with those who have just fled. Korone observes the crime scene from the table where she''s standing, but with a jolt¡ª


    - Kh!!


    She holds her chest and scans her surroundings, hyperventilating: someone has just stared at her. She jumps off the table and hides in the crowd, her heart racing.


    - Somebody... We''re gonna... What''s going on¡­


    While a murder has been committed in a room of over 200 people, Korone still feels someone opressing her with just a look. She runs into Pera''s arms, and the woman tells her everything will be alright. The redheaded woman believes that little Korone must be afraid of the crime that has just been committed, but the reality is quite different. Deshya and Mariah force everyone away from the body and Annie approaches, the crowd now quiet. She kneels down and checks the body.


    - A bullet in the back. It most likely pierced his heart... He died instantly.


    While touching her carotid artery, she lets go of her guess before shaking her head. Deshya looks at the broken window and grits her teeth.


    It''s highly plausible that someone fired from outside, killing the man with a bullet. However, what she doesn''t understand¡­


    That''s why the glass was broken a second time.


    CHAPTER 40


    ?Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; Mysterious Murder?


    - I managed to bring everyone back!


    Five minutes later, Dash returns with a total of seven people: two women and five men. Mariah thanks him and before approaching them, she looks back at Annie and Deshya.


    - I''m going to ask them questions to find out why they ran, as well as where they were when the victim was killed," she says. Deshya, if you find anything, let me know, okay?


    Deshya points to her thumb and nods. Her hand is clad in gloves given to her by Mariah, since she''s always coming across stuff: as Hanoka had told her, it would be better if she kept some on her just in case. Annie stands up and looks at Colin Furas, the party organizer.


    - Do you recognize the victim?" asks the lady.


    Colin observes the man with difficulty, a corpse being an unbearable sight for him, especially on his wedding anniversary. However, he summons up the courage to observe the man''s macabre, lifeless face. It doesn''t take long before he knows the identity of the victim:


    - It''s Georges...!


    - Georges?" repeats Annie.


    - ''Georges Hedown'', a candy store manager. Why... Why is he¡­


    Colin takes two steps back, only to be caught by his wife, who strokes his hair, trying to calm him down as best she can. Annie doesn''t want to press him with questions, but luckily for her, one of the seven people who was being questioned by Dash Tarway walks up to her and answers.


    - His name is Georges Hedown and as Colin said, he works as the head of a popular chain of sweet stores. He''s 49 years old and came alone. I passed him in the parking lot, as we arrived at the same time.


    A man in his thirties with clean, neat blond hair. A small backpack slung over his shoulder by a rope. Annie turns to him and asks him to identify himself.


    - My name is ''Antoine Darrain'', but I don''t think I need to talk too much, since the woman behind me said she was going to question us to get our alibis. But the criminal escaped out the window, didn''t he?


    The man turns to the broken glass and sighs softly.


    - I ran away because I saw my friend''s body like that¡­ Even if I managed to regain my composure, why¡­


    Deshya remains silent and observes the window. Then she squints.


    - If the culprit really did escape outside by jumping out of the window or breaking it in some way, then why was the glass broken in the first place?


    Deshya touches her chin.


    - Was the shot fired from the outside, shattering the glass? That would explain only one part of the story, but it''s highly likely, given that the victim screamed in pain at the time. But then, why break the glass again?


    Deshya doesn''t understand the logic behind the two noises they''ve heard. However, she doesn''t expect to find the answers by staying put. Before checking the state of the glass, Deshya heads for the seven people who have fled. Mariah is still chatting with them, but seeing the girl in the fox-dress approaches, she smiles and turns back to her.


    - Ah, that''s good timing!" she admits.


    Deshya blinks.


    - Ah?


    Mariah approves and places both hands on her hips.


    - Of the seven people who ran away, four seem suspicious. However, before we can deduce this, we need to know whether the culprit comes from the outside or the inside. You''ve found something ?


    - I didn''t look for much, but¡­


    Deshya whispers in Mariah''s ear the following:


    - When pondering about it, I think the first time the glass was broken, it was a gunshot from outside, which explains why we didn''t hear anything. However, I don''t understand why the glass was broken again, especially as I noticed something¡­


    Deshya and Mariah turn to the broken window. Over there¡ª


    - There''s a bit of broken glass inside, which could come from the window that weakly shattered when the shot was fired and came from the outside. However, there''s no more glass... which means all the other pieces are outside. In short¡ª


    - In short, that window was first broken on the outside, then on the inside? Okay.


    Mariah cuts her off and asks Dash to check outside the house, where the window has been broken. The muscular man agrees and asks for Gatito''s help, who follows directly behind. Pera and Korone watch them go, and the little girl squints at the window.


    - If the victim was killed from the outside, then why did someone break the glass from the inside? Even if it was an accomplice, then¡­


    Korone wants to think about it some more, but the woman in her arms squeezes her a little tighter.


    - And to think the party was going so well up to now..." she says.


    - For my first party, I''ve liked something a bit better..." Korone thinks with a sigh.


    She no longer feels the strange stare that used to oppress her, but she''s convinced that whoever caused it is still inside this room. But why is someone staring at her like that...? Could it be that the person is from those who seek to kill her? If so, then¡­


    - Why...?


    Korone doesn''t give it any more thought so as not to start shaking again. She turns to Deshya, who is with Mariah in front of the broken glass. A good majority of the guests are asked to stay towards the front of the room, where the stage where the film was being shown is. The rest of the guests are in the large lounge upstairs. They are guarded by a policeman and a bodyguard hired by Colin for the party, the other always at the entrance. Deshya, who is standing in front of the glass with the pink-and-black-haired detective, squints as she observes a certain detail. The woman touches her chin.


    - The broken glass in the window is indeed from the window itself. Given the small number of pieces, it''s certain that a small object penetrated the window from the outside, entering the interior.


    From where they stand, they can see the many broken pieces outside, in the bushes and grass of the garden. Gatito is analyzing the surrounding area for clues as to what happened. Deshya frowns.


    - Say, Mariah¡­


    The woman turns to her.


    - Isn''t there a detail missing?


    Mariah smiles: she too has noticed. She approves and crosses her arms.


    - There''s clearly something missing from the scene, but even without that, it bothers me.


    She squints and Deshya stands up.


    - Are you talking about the broken window from the inside?


    Mariah admits that it''s a detail that bothers her, but she''s talking about something else. She quickly explains what she''s talking about and Deshya turns back to where the victim was. Annie, with the help of someone she trusts, has taken her outside so that the smell and sight of such a horrific scene doesn''t traumatize everyone, even though the damage has already been done. Deshya bites her lower lip and finally admits that she finds it strange too. In fact, Korone has already thought of this detail, which makes her say something.


    Maybe this murder is more of a mystery than they thought.


    However, without the details of Gatito and Dash checking outside, they can''t say anything yet. The seven people who escaped, still under the watchful eye of one of the house guards, are waiting on their side, some sweating and others with their heads down, unable to believe that a murder has been committed in the room where they were all having some fun a few minutes earlier. It''s a traumatic event for many of them, even Colin and Mona: the victim is their friend, after all. Gatito stands up in the garden, something in his gloved hands. He approaches the broken window and calls out to Mariah. Deshya approaches too. His father shows them what he has caught in the garden.


    - A broken brick..." remarks Deshya.


    - Is that what broke the glass from the inside, then?" asks Mariah.


    Gatito approves and places the piece on the floor.


    - The grass is trampled in the vicinity and one bush is even in a bad state, so I think saying the culprit was right here is reasonable," he says.


    - The question is, why did someone break the glass from the inside?" says Deshya.


    - It''s unthinkable that someone would throw the brick at the culprit from the inside. It''s the only theory I can come up with if the culprit did indeed come from outside, but it''s also so fanciful and strange that I''d rather not go into it," Mariah thinks aloud.


    Gatito and Deshya nod in agreement. At the same time¡ª


    - Mariah!


    Dash arrives from the garden, just behind the police inspector. He stops in front of the broken window and shows what he has in his hands.


    - We found this outside the house, close to one of the walls, hidden in a bush!


    The muscular man holds a pistol with a silencer attached. Gatito, Mariah and Deshya watch in amazement.


    - That means the murderer came from the outside... but why would someone on the inside break the glass?" wonders Gatito, speaking aloud.


    Mariah asks Dash to hand over the gun for analysis and he accepts directly. Deshya turns around and observes the seven people who fled when the murder was committed. Whoever threw the brick from inside must be one of the seven, she senses. Four of them have backpacks, two have nothing and the other woman has a banana around her waist. Deshya now understands why Mariah told her she thinks she knows who the four main suspects are: the four with backpacks are the only ones who could have kept a brick hidden. However, Deshya wonders how Mariah considered them the four suspects before she even knew about the brick. Does she know something else? Deshya wants to ask her, but she''s still analyzing the gun Dash found outside. Seconds pass and finally Mariah returns the gun to Dash, having no further leads. Deshya approaches her.


    - How did you know that the four people with backpacks were the four main suspects?" she asks.


    Mariah turns to her and smiles.


    - Of the seven people who fled, they were the four who were next to the victim when the film was projected on the wall. What''s more, the other three were more in the middle of the crowd, so I don''t think they could have destroyed the glass, let alone killed the victim from where they were standing," she explains.


    - You still think the murderer is inside? And yet¡­


    Deshya doesn''t finish her sentence and Mariah doesn''t reply. They understand each other with just their eyes, but they don''t talk about it any further. Gatito explains that he will continue to search the area and call for help from the station. Dash circles back inside, while Deshya and Mariah move towards the four suspects. The detective explains to the other three that they can go to the front of the room or to the upstairs lounge. They thank her and one of the other four stands up, looking surprised and annoyed.


    - Only three of them? And us four?! We''re not suspects, though?" the young man with the short black hair asks angrily.


    The detective asks her to be quiet and waits patiently. Deshya watches her, wondering what she''s doing, but after a few moments, Dash comes back into the room. He goes to speak, but Mariah cuts him off and snaps her fingers.


    - Can I have it?" she asks, without even specifying what she would like to receive.


    Dash approves directly and rummages in his trouser pocket before pulling out a small notebook and a pink pen. Dash hands them to Mariah, who thanks him before opening the notebook and pressing the bic.


    - It would appear that someone shot the victim from outside, at exactly 7.58pm. It''s now 8.34pm and he still hasn''t been found, but that''s only a matter of time. From inside, a brick was thrown through the window for a reason as yet unknown to us. Although the murder of ''Georges Hedown'' doesn''t seem to concern you, we''d like to know who threw the brick and why.


    Unlike before, her tone is serious and cold ¡ª even icy. She explains clearly and without forking her tongue, every word has its weight and her gaze places pressure on the four suspects; even Deshya feels it. Dash, accustomed to her way of being, just rests his back on the wall behind him and watches the three men and the woman in case they try to run away again. Two of them almost escaped the house, after all.


    - And why is it just one of us¡ª


    Before the young woman with all-pink hair could finish her sentence, Mariah cut her off.


    - You''re the only people with a backpack, so you could have kept a brick in it. After all, it''s rather large, and although it''s currently broken, it does weigh a certain amount. What''s more, even if it''s out of fear, you''ve all left the room for a few moments trying to escape, so you become prime suspects because at any moment, you''ve managed to get rid of a certain detail, whatever it is, that would make you the culprit behind this brick-throwing.


    Mariah turns back to the room and raises an arm, startling most of the guests.


    - Before I come to ask you any questions, we''re going to ask everyone to join Dash and Annie in the dining room next door to quickly check that no one has any powder on them, as well as search you all thoroughly!


    She shouts loud enough for everyone to hear, but because of the resonance inside the room, Deshya suffers from her fox ears. Mariah closes her detective notebook, which has served her no useful purpose for the moment, and jumps on a table to get up.


    - One by one, you''ll be summoned by my assistant and subjected to a quick inspection. For the men, my assistant will search you. For the women, Annie.


    Annie comes into the room and sighs with a smile.


    - Is she deciding everything on her own now?" she wonders.


    - I''m her assistant, eh..." Dash smiles weakly.


    Mariah taps her foot gently on the table beneath her.


    - Although we have our four main suspects for the brick throwing from the inside, we don''t yet have any leads or news about the murderer. If you have any idea who might have wanted ''Georges Hedown'' dead, tell us about it when you''re searched! That''s all there is to it.


    Mariah jumps down from the table and Dash approaches her, accompanied by Annie. The woman lowers her arms, moaning.


    - I''m fed up with having to work every day... I''ve had my day off since August, but every day I get calls..." she complains.


    Deshya approaches and Annie gives her a tired look.


    - If you''re cursed, will you at least make sure it''s not murder?" she blurts out.


    - C-Cursed? Don''t talk nonsense, ahah¡­


    Deshya scratches her cheek and Dash pats Annie''s back.


    - Well, it''s not her fault, Belium is known for its not-that-low crime rate!" he says.


    - I know, but¡­


    Annie sighs and Deshya pats her back in turn, albeit awkwardly. Dash asks Colin and Mona if they''re allowed to inspect their dining room, shouting across the room. Colin asks the guests to let him pass and arrives at their side before approving, but he tells them he''ll help them.


    - Georges is a dear friend of mine, and I want to know who killed him...!


    He clenches both fists, as well as his teeth, letting his anger stare him in the face. Dash quickly turns his face to Mariah. Mariah nods and Dash accepts Colin''s invitation to accompany them. Deshya stands beside the pink-and-black-haired detective.


    - Even with the four main suspects for the brick throwing, it''s still possible that the culprit is someone inside the room, isn''t it?" asks the girl in the fox dress.


    Mariah crosses her arms and approves.


    - If the shot really came from outside, there''s nothing to say that the culprit didn''t somehow join the crowd, or that the brick allowed him to enter the room and mingle with the crowd. However, it''s such a risky and complicated scenario that I''d rather not let my mind go into fiction like that.


    Deshya agrees: if someone sent the brick from inside, shattering the glass, all so that the culprit from outside could jump inside, then this plan is more likely to fail than win the lottery. Not only would the shards of glass scratch the person, but when the people inside the room turned around to see what was going on, they would have seen the silhouette of the culprit thanks to the rays of light coming from the moon. In short, the reason the glass was broken was something else.


    - If the culprit comes from inside the room, anyone can be the culprit," says Mariah.


    - But the victim was shot in the back, not in the head? It would have been impossible for anyone other than those behind or next to him to have committed the crime, wouldn''t it?" asks Deshya, a ton of questions on her mind.


    - I agree with you, but I know someone who once told me this.


    She crosses her arms and squints.


    - ¡®It''s by thinking the impossible is impossible that we drown in an impossible situation.¡¯


    Mariah smiles at the thought and closes her eyes, lowering her head gently.


    - Although this quote they told me seems to be completely idiotic, it''s actually thanks to it that I solved my first investigation here.


    Deshya rethinks the sentence and touches her chin.


    - So you have to think of all the probabilities, even the seemingly impossible ones¡­


    She understands the meaning of the sentence, but she really doesn''t see how it could be possible to kill the victim in the dark and from the front, especially with such a crowd. Not even Colin or Mona Furas, both on the stage where the film was being shown, could have committed such a murder, even aided by the frail light of the projector. Mariah notices Deshya in her thoughts and smiles.


    - This sentence doesn''t apply to everything, does it?


    - What do you mean?" questions Deshya.


    - In this case, I really think the culprit is either from the outside, or one of the four suspects with the backpack, so there''s no need to go into the impossible to find our culprit or the truth. However, it''s always better to suspect everyone, even your friends, than to believe everyone.


    Mariah bites part of her lower lip and Deshya admires her with wide eyes. Mariah notices the look on the girl''s face and shakes her hands, her notebook and pen still in the one on her right.


    - Well, I''m talking about surveys, not life in general! Don''t start thinking that all your friends are lying to you because of what I say, ahah!


    Deshya giggles and tells her that''s not what she has in mind. Mariah is reassured and tells her she''ll check outside to see if she can find anything, while the guests are all searched. Deshya greets her and then turns to the front of the room, where over a hundred people are standing, along with her mother and Korone. She frowns.


    - Yes, I''ll never doubt everyone... but I''d better be on my guard. Because at any moment¡­


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    One of the people in the room looks away from Deshya. The latter hasn''t noticed them, but they prefer to take precautions. Deshya weakly clenches her fist.


    - I could be in danger.


    As long as she knows nothing about her condition and the reason for her abduction when she was younger, she prefers to remain paranoid about a group behind her fox ears. What''s more, now that she knows that someone tried to kill Korone, a special-looking 8-year old, she has a lot of questions. Perhaps they have nothing in common, but Deshya feels a strange emotion when she looks at Korone. Not one that''s bad, but like one¡­


    - Like we''re related?


    Deshya doesn''t know how else to explain it. It''s probably because Korone has a strange history, nothing more; but Deshya prefers to listen to her feelings. What''s more, Mariah has a point: sometimes we have to accept that what we consider ''impossible'' is just a point of view. That the impossible is possible. Admittedly, this is contradictory, but Deshya understands herself.


    Minutes pass, and after about an hour, all the guests are searched and checked for gunpowder on their clothes. However, nothing strange is found, nor is there any trace of powder from the gun found outside. It''s now 9.41pm and Mariah joins Deshya with a sigh.


    - Nothing¡­


    - Nobody suspicious has been arrested outside either?" asks the girl in the fox sweater.


    Mariah plays with her pen and shakes her head: in short, they''ve made no progress. She sighs and admires the broken window again, letting a pleasant draught pass inside the room. Mariah taps the pen on her shoulder and thinks.


    - I suppose we''ll have to ask the other four what they were doing to see if it was one of them who threw the brick... Maybe we''ll learn more after that," she admits.


    Deshya nods and turns back to the hall stage: all the guests are outside, except Colin, his wife and the four suspects over there. Deshya quickly scans the surroundings and notices that they''re not there. She turns her face to the detective.


    - I know Dad''s with Annie and Dash, but where''s Mom and Korone?" she asks.


    Mariah stops and looks her straight in the eye.


    - Ah, that¡­


    A few minutes earlier, a little after the murder of ''Georges Hedown'', Pera holds Korone in her arms and heads for the dining room, where they''ll have to be searched and tested for possible powder on their clothes. The woman is certain that she''s not the culprit in this case, whether it''s because she''s an 8-year-old girl, that she was at his side or simply because Korone isn''t that kind of girl, but she understands that they must all be searched by the police. She wonders who could have committed such a crime, especially at such a fun, festive and packed party. Whoever the culprit is is a horrible person, she''s sure. Fortunately, she has been able to calm her trembling. Her husband helps with the search, while her daughter helps the detective uncover the truth behind the case. She feels ridiculous not to be able to help, but Pera has nothing useful to be useful about. As they walk to the dining room, a small hand grabs her tightly. She stops in front of the door, one hand on the handle, and looks down at the little girl.


    - Are you all right, Korone...?" asks the woman.


    Korone''s breathing is labored and her eyes are wide open. Pera questions her with her eyes, but the little girl with her hair tied back in a ponytail says nothing. Pera wants to insist, but Annie opens the door and asks them to come in. The red-haired woman finally agrees, still worried about the little girl.


    After being tested for powder and a rather quick search, Pera and Korone exit the dining room together, but instead of going upstairs, Pera wanders a little further down the corridor, approaching the front door, and stops there. Korone blinks and looks up at the woman.


    - What''s the matter...?" she asks.


    - I should be the one asking you that question," admits Pera. You''re trembling.


    Korone opens her eyes wide and analyzes her own hands. As the red-haired woman had just said, she was trembling. Korone herself hadn''t even noticed. Pera asks her if it''s because of the murder that''s been committed.


    - I can''t admit to her that it''s because I feel I''m being stared at..." Korone thinks.


    She finally nods and Pera strokes her hair, promising that all will be well. Korone enjoys the pleasant sensation: the woman''s hand is softer than Deshya''s, though the sensation is different. To be reassured in this way... Korone appreciates it immensely. However, her heart is still racing, and for a disturbing reason: she feels the presence of someone probably very dangerous close to her. Korone doesn''t know who it is, but she''s convinced she''s in danger. What''s constricting her chest, what''s preventing her from breathing properly, what''s hurting her so much... The beginnings of tears start to form in her eyes and Pera notices them immediately.


    - You want some fresh air? Are you sure you''re okay ?!" worries the woman.


    Korone swallowed loudly, as if she were trying to swallow the lump in her throat, and nods again.


    - I''d love to get some fresh air..." she admits.


    Pera agrees and takes Korone with her to the dining room. As a man makes his way in, Korone feels even stronger tremors. Breathing becomes almost impossible. Her heart is beating too fast. The man touches the handle and notices the red-haired woman with the little girl with long white hair. He apologizes and gently lowers his hat.


    - Would you like to go first?" he asks them.


    - I just want to talk to my husband so I can go out, after you," Pera replies gently.


    The man nods and opens the door. Korone holds the woman tightly in her arms... but¡ª


    - I-It''s not him... It''s someone else... Who... Why... Why do I feel this way¡­


    She turns her gaze slowly down the corridor, but sees no one. Yet she''s convinced that this man isn''t the one staring at her like that. She grips Pera tightly and sniffs: she wants this unpleasant sensation to stop. Anyone watching her... she wants them to stop. She knows it doesn''t work like that, but Korone can''t stand the feeling. She wants it to stop... She wants it to stop! Pera goes behind the man and sees her husband in the corner of the room. The inspector rises from the chair and questions his wife with his eyes.


    - Korone isn''t feeling very well, are we allowed to go outside?" she asks.


    - The murderer may still be around, but I don''t know if that''s wise," Gatito admits.


    - But Korone really needs to go outside¡­


    Gatito scratches the back of his head and looks at the teary-eyed little girl. Her small hands grasp the woman''s beautiful black garment, while her expression showed some internal pain. What''s more, she''d gone to throw up in the bathroom, accompanied by Deshya, a few minutes after the party had started. In short, she''s not faking it. He sighs.


    - Stay in front of the house, where the guard can keep an eye on you, then," he says. It''s unlikely that with so many police around, the murderer will return to the scene.


    His wife thanks him with a kiss on the cheek and runs out of the dining room, leaving her husband to do his work, him blushing faintly. He scratches his cheek and the muscular man beside him clears his throat.


    - Our cold inspector is blushing, hehe?" blurts Dash.


    Gatito smacks him upside the head and puts both his hands in his pockets, preparing to search the man who had just arrived.


    - Whether it''s the first time or the 50,000th time, getting kissed by your wife is better than watching a sunset. Not my fault," he retorts.


    Dash chuckles as he holds his head and sighs.


    - I don''t doubt it..." he lets out in a whisper.


    Pera is now outside with Korone, enjoying the fresh air.


    - Does she really feel so bad...?" asks Deshya, having listened to Mariah''s short explanation.


    - That''s what your father told me, anyway," admits the detective.


    Deshya looks out from the broken window and shakes a fist.


    - So all we have to do is solve the mystery of this brick and this murder, and I''ll go and see how she''s doing.


    Mariah smiles.


    - You seem to like the little Korone, don''t you?


    Deshya doesn''t try to deny it: she nods and turns her gaze to Mariah.


    - It''s... She is like a little sister.


    Mariah opens her eyes a little wider, mouth agape, but hides her feelings and turns around, pushing Deshya off her buttocks. The teenager catches herself before falling to the floor of the room and questions Mariah with surprised eyes.


    - Let''s get this over with as quickly as possible so you can check out what''s wrong with your ''little sister'', then!" blurts out Mariah.


    Deshya smiles and nods. Gatito joins them, Dash at his side.


    - No news from the station. It seems that the culprit didn''t borrow a car, so he must be hiding in the vicinity. However, it''s been nearly 2 hours since the murder, so he may be long gone... No fingerprints on the gun, the serial number probably won''t lead us anywhere and nothing else was found outside," he admits.


    Mariah touches her chin. She turns to Deshya and asks if she can go upstairs to ask the guard if everything''s okay. Deshya agrees and Gatito chats with Mariah and Dash. Climbing the stairs, Deshya stops and turns quickly towards the front door. Behind it, outside, her mother and Korone are both chatting or simply resting.


    - If you''re cursed, will you at least make sure it''s not murder?


    That''s what Annie told her, albeit in jest, moments before. Although Deshya didn''t take it seriously, she wonders herself if she isn''t a murder magnet... It seems impossible and irrational, especially since there''s no reason for it to start with this school year, but she''s always in places where dead people are. She shakes her head: this is nonsense. This is just a coincidence. If someone was trying to test her, then they wouldn''t all be different criminals with different reasons. So it wouldn''t make sense. However, Deshya is getting tired of being in the same place as the murders, she can''t deny it. Arriving upstairs, she knocks on the door of the room where the vast majority of the guests are, and a guard comes to open it. He''s close to 1m90 tall, so he stoops to chat with the girl.


    - Mariah asked me to come and see if everything was going well," admits Deshya.


    - No one has been acting strangely, and the atmosphere seems to have improved," admits the guard. In any case, everyone''s already been searched, so I''d be surprised if anything happened, especially as pocket knives, sharp objects and the like are kept in individual bags outside to avoid any attack inside.


    - I see, thank you!


    Deshya thanks him and turns around before heading downstairs again. In the upstairs room, two people stand next to each other, unnoticed by anyone. One hides her hands in her jacket pockets, the other has a cigarette in her hand, even though she can''t smoke.


    - It''s annoying to be here," admits the person with the cigarette in hand.


    The other doesn''t reply, their eyelids lowered.


    - Though, everything''s fine. I don''t need to move from here.- I do.The other person, the one with their hands in their pocket, finally speaks.


    - There are only three guards watching the room. I''ll have no trouble leaving unnoticed." he says.


    - Why do you have to go away like that? Is something wrong? Didn''t you¡ª- It''s none of your business, nor is it about her.The person with the cigarette smiles and places it between their lips, but doesn''t light it, as they''re not allowed to. What''s more, they don''t even have their lighters with them.


    - You¡­ Always keeping secrets. Everyone has some, do what you want.As the two chatted amongst themselves, Deshya returned to Mariah''s side, who placed her hands on her hips and smiled as she saw the young ''detective'' arrive.


    - I was going to ask the suspects some questions, but you''re just in time!


    - It only took me a minute to get back..." says Deshya.


    - Whatever. Everything''s going well upstairs?


    - Yes, nothing to report.


    - Perfect. Let''s make this quick.


    Mariah wants to finish her sentence by saying "Although I don''t think it will do any good", but she prefers to remain optimistic, especially as Deshya wants to get it over with as quickly as possible so she can join Korone, which Mariah can understand. So the two of them head for the four suspects, the four of them waiting next to Colin and his wife, who are chatting together. All six of them are on the stage of the room, their backpacks still behind them and getting impatient. Seeing the two detectives approaching, they stand up.


    - Do you have any clues as to what happened, then?" asks the only woman among the suspects.


    Mariah shakes her head and opens her notebook.


    - Nothing was found on anyone. No traces of gunpowder on clothing. Before we start questioning you one by one, do any of the four of you wish to confess that you threw the brick and explain why, or do we have to guess ourselves?


    As expected ¡ª and unfortunately ¡ª no answer comes out of the suspects'' mouths. They look at each other, and the black-and-white-haired one knocks on his chair.


    - Will whoever did this please come clean?! I''ve had it!" he shouts.


    The pink-haired young woman clicks her tongue and points at the young man, barely older than her.


    - You talk, you talk, but there is a possibility that it''s you!" she says.


    - Shut up!


    The older man, with tousled blond hair, turned to face the two bickering men, and came within a hair''s breadth of hitting them.


    - One of my best friends is dead and you''re talking and you''re fighting! Shut up! Shut up!


    He suddenly turns around and points at the pink-and black-haired detective.


    - Do your job and do it fast! I want the asshole who killed Georges caught!


    He then turns to the girl in the fox dress.


    - So hurry, hurry, hurry!


    - Hey.


    Mariah clutches the pen in her right hand and squints.


    - Those who act like you are often the first ones I suspect.


    The man pulls his head back and the youngster with the black and white hair starts laughing. Mariah sighs and asks the short black-haired man to come down first. He silently accepts and lands on both feet after jumping from the stage.


    - State your identity, explain what''s in your bag and your relationship to the victim, as well as where you were when the murder was committed," Mariah asks him.


    - I''ve already shown what I''ve got in my bag to the policeman who searched me," confesses the young man.


    - I''d still like to know, it might tell us who the culprit is.


    The young man doesn''t understand how it works, but he decides to believe her and begins.


    - My name is ''Manny Furas'', and I''m the only son of the two on stage.


    Deshya blinks: she didn''t even recognize him! He''d cut off his long hair, making him unrecognizable... Yet Deshya knows him, however vaguely. That doesn''t mean she can cross him off the list of suspects.


    - I was standing next to the young woman you named as a suspect, the one on the stage.


    He points at her with his thumb and continues his explanations.


    - Georges was right in front of me, but I could still see the film from where I was. Anyway, I was the one who helped my parents edit the pictures and stuff, so I knew what to expect.


    He places his backpack on the floor and opens it. It''s one with baffles inside, as well as a very modern and spacious design.


    - I have my phone charger, my laptop that I use for my classes, a USB mouse, the computer charger and a bag of sweets that I have started eating. Nothing else.


    Mariah checks its contents with Deshya, but nothing comes out of the computer. The bag has several pockets in all directions, as well as adjustable straps, but nothing more. They thank him and let him put away the things he''s just taken out.


    - My son wouldn''t have done anything to Georges!


    Mona strides towards the stage and almost stumbles, but she manages to keep her balance and holds her hands in front of her torso. Manny turns to her.


    - Mom¡­


    - My son is not a criminal! What''s more, he was very fond of Georges, and even went to see how the sweets were made in his stores!


    Mona has her arm grabbed by her husband, asking him to remain calm while the police do their job. However, the woman refuses to let her son be a suspect. Mariah goes to talk to her, but Manny is quicker.


    - I was behind Georges and my bag is big enough to hold a brick, especially as I was perfectly positioned to throw it and break the glass.


    Manny returns to the stage and sighs.


    - So, before you ask, I''ve fled because even though I''m strong, I''m actually a chicken. When the glass broke the first time, my ears couldn''t take it and I even let out a high-pitched scream.


    With this explanation out of the blue, he returns to the side of the other suspects and waits patiently in his chair. Deshya smiles: she recognizes him well. However, that doesn''t mean he isn''t the culprit behind the brick-throwing: talking a lot can be seen as a way of appearing less suspicious than the others. In short, Deshya needs to think objectively and not let the fact that she knows him lead her astray from the truth. Mariah asks the girl in the fox hood if she''s noticed anything strange, but Deshya just shakes her head. So Mariah calls out to the pink-haired girl. She sighs and imitates Manny.


    - I was right next to my buddy, Manny, as he put it. My name''s ''Sally Corem'', I''m the daughter of a CEO, but that doesn''t matter in my position. For me, I fled because when the window was broken, I saw the victim''s body on the floor, I''m not crazy enough to just stand there. Plus, I saw Manny running away, so I unconsciously followed him," she explains.


    - Your relationship with the victim?


    - I don''t know him, honestly. I''m just here because I''m good friends with Manny, so I know his folks.


    - And your bag?" asks Deshya.


    The young woman doesn''t take too kindly to being asked such a thing by a girl younger than herself, but she keeps quiet and removes it from her back. Unlike Manny''s, Sally''s backpack is much simpler: it''s a school satchel that looks like it came out of the 2010s. A small ''Gato Lana'' accessory also hangs on it, which makes Deshya smile. However, she quickly withdraws her smile: she mustn''t let her mind drift where it doesn''t belong.


    - Let''s see..." says Mariah.


    Sally lists everything she has in her school bag:


    - My school materials, pencil case, canvas and pencils, including used brushes. I came straight from my art class, which is why I always carry my satchel with me. Ah, I opened my bag while the film was being shown because I wanted to eat my snack ¡ª it''s in the back, as I didn''t finish it.


    Deshya noticed that the pencil box was full and that there was a stain at the end of the binder. Could it be the result of water or some other fluid ¡ª or something else? Mariah doesn''t notice anything in particular about the satchel, except that it seems very sturdy. He thanks Sally and asks the older man, who must be in his thirties, to come down from the stage. Unlike the two younger men, he doesn''t jump and takes his time, although his expression shows a certain impatience.


    - My name is ''Antoine Darrain'', I''m a very good friend of Georges. I work as an artist, just like the little girl here, but I also make websites for those who want them.


    - I''m not a little girl!" shouts Sally.


    - Yes, yes, we don''t care.


    Antoine sighs and puts down his bag.


    - I was just watching the film like everyone else, but I was right next to Georges. When I heard him scream, he fell beside me and I must admit it gave me the willies. I didn''t run away because I was as scared as the others, but because I thought the criminal was one of those running, so I just wanted to catch up with them and make them tell the truth. However, I was soon caught by the other muscular policeman.


    - He''s talking about Dash," thought Deshya.


    - I''ve got nothing against Georges either, he''s an incredible mate. Well, he was, now that he''s¡­


    Antoine grits his teeth, but quickly calms down and shows us the contents of his bag.


    - I have my camera and my films, nothing else," he admits.


    Unlike the bags of the other three, this one is much smaller, but could have easily held a brick. Deshya is surprised to see the camera in Antoine''s bag: it''s an old camera, not even digital, from a brand she doesn''t know. The bag is in poor condition and a few holes are visible here and there, but nothing in particular about its contents or condition. Mariah thanks him and asks the last suspect to come forward. He accepts with a sigh and jumps to land on his two feet.


    - My name is ''Rei Polley'', I live with my grandparents and I''m good friends with Manny and his parents. I know Georges well too, he''s someone I like a lot... When I heard the glass break behind me, I turned around, but at the same time, I heard Georges shouting.... When I saw that he was dead, I... I didn''t want to die either. After all, the ball must have passed me by, as I was next to Manny, just behind Georges too.


    Rei drops her backpack and opens it.


    - I had to take some time to calm down, as did they, but the window shattering behind me really scared me. It was too dark to see anything, so¡­


    Rei sighs and shakes her head.


    - I''ve got my course stuff, my pencil case, which isn''t too full since it''s the beginning of the year, my crushed snack because I forgot it, my sandwich bag that I ate for lunch and my bottle of water that I filled in the kitchen during the party.


    Mariah checks its contents and notices that Rei''s backpack is quite similar to Manny''s. Some of the Velcro fasteners are visible on the outside. Some Velcro fasteners are visible on the outside. When she touches them, she notices that they allow the bag to be opened from the bottom or even the sides, but the holes are thin and would never let a weapon through, let alone a pencil box or brick. Baffles are also built in, which is a style Mariah doesn''t understand. As he packs up, Deshya and Mariah have a quick chat.


    - I didn''t see any brick crumblings in any of the bags," admits Mariah.


    - Their backpacks are nothing special either," adds Deshya. What''s more, I didn''t hear anything strange in their explanations.


    Deshya and Mariah watch as the four suspects wait impatiently to be let go, all on stage to the right of Colin and Mona.


    - Finally¡­


    Mariah squints.


    - Except for Sally, who doesn''t know the victim ¡ª if she''s not lying ¡ª they don''t seem to have any motive for killing him.


    Deshya agrees.


    - We seem to have reached an impasse here," she says.

 41 -?Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; Lurking Shadow?(CASE8)

    <hr>


    During the party organized by ''Colin Furas'' and ''Mona Furas'', a wealthy couple who live on the borders of Tetazo, a murder is committed: that of ''Georges Hedown'', the owner of a rather popular chain of candy stores. Also at the party are ''Deshya Oveja'', her family and ''Korone'', currently under the false surname ''Daiski''. The murder was committed while they were watching the short 20-minute film sharing the couple''s past moments, as well as some photos and videos of their friends. The room was plunged into darkness, with only the projector projecting the film to be seen: even the curtains were closed, not letting the moon''s rays into the room.


    Unfortunately, tragedy ensued: the sound of shattering glass echoed through the room, followed by a man''s frightened scream, and then the shattering sound of the glass breaking again. The victim lies on his stomach on the floor, a bullet having penetrated his back and pierced part of his heart. He died instantly. Outside, after the lights have come back on and the seven people who fled the premises in fear have been caught by ''Dash Tarway'', a muscular male police receptionist, as well as a fan of ''Mariah Sukeni'', an extravagant new police detective in Tetazo, Gatito finds the source of the broken window: a broken brick, thrown from inside. The pieces of the window prove that it was thrown from the room, while the first time the glass was broken was because of the bullet that came from outside. The grass and bushes are trampled: someone was standing in front of the window and left. Moments later, the silenced pistol is found outside, close to the walls of the house. Gatito calls the station to search the area: they must find the criminal.


    Still inside, Mariah and Deshya must find the culprit behind the brick-throwing: what''s the purpose behind it? Who could have done such a thing? With these questions in mind, they interview four suspects, all four from the seven people who fled when the crime was committed, as well as the four of them with different rucksacks on their backs.


    The first suspect is ''Manny Furas'', son of the family organizing the party. He was standing next to ''Sally Corem'', a friend of his, right behind the culprit. His bag is modern, with built-in baffles, as well as pockets on all sides, making it even more spacious than you''d expect. Its contents are the next: the charger for his laptop, a laptop computer, a charger for it, a USB key mouse and a bag of candy. Nothing else. Also, he liked Georges, so he has no motive for the crime.


    The second suspect is ''Sally Corem'', the only young woman of the four. She was standing next to Manny and didn''t know the victim, but like her friend, she was standing behind him. Her backpack is a school satchel stained inside with the following contents: a filled pencil case, canvas and pencils, as well as paintbrushes. Also a half-eaten snack, one she took while the movie was on. Nothing else.


    The third suspect was an older man in his thirties, by the name of ''Antoine Darrain''. He''s a very good friend of Georges, and was standing right next to him. He even fled to catch up with the other young people who ran out of the room, wanting to know who had dared to kill his friend. His bag is smaller than the others, and contains only his old camera and some film. Holes caused by old age can be seen here and there.


    And the fourth and final suspect is ''Rei Polley'', a young man who lives with his grandparents. He was very close to Manny and Sally and is an acquaintance of the victim, but someone he also liked. His bag is quite similar to Manny''s, with built-in baffles. Some areas can be opened from the outside, allowing small holes in the bag, but the holes are small and can''t even let a pen tray through. For its contents: his course materials, a half-filled pen tray, a crushed snack, an eaten sandwich bag and a bottle of water.


    None of the four seems to have a motive for killing Georges, so the reason behind the brick-throwing remains unknown. Meanwhile, Pera and Korone are both outside: the little girl needs to get some fresh air, too oppressed by a guest who seems to have his or her gaze fixed on her. Korone doesn''t know who it might be, but she has her own idea of who it might be. However, if that''s the case, then¡­


    - I''m afraid¡­


    Korone looks at the ground. She and Pera haven''t spoken since they arrived outside. It''s a chilly day, but the temperature is just right for staying outside. Pera admires the starry sky: it''s not every day she gets to see the stars. Unlike the inside, where the crime took place, the outside is calm and quiet. Not a sound. Occasionally, the sound of a car or an animal can be heard in the darkness of the landscape. The woman wonders if her daughter has found any clues to the crime, but Korone''s head is empty: she can''t think of anything special and is trying to calm herself down. The terrifying gaze she felt on her until now is gone, but she can''t seem to slow her heartbeat. So she keeps her hand in Pera''s, wondering about the one who could be the cause of that oppressive feeling in her chest. Korone raises her head in turn, but she''s not looking up at the sky: she''s simply looking at what''s in front of her. Trees on the horizon, the large parking lot where numerous cars wait for their masters without knowing what''s going on inside. The soft night breeze blows through the little girl''s tied-back hair, her big, tired purple eyes.


    - ¡­


    She wants to talk, but doesn''t know what to say to the woman next to her. The silence bothers her, but at the same time it comforts her. So she prefers to keep quiet and enjoy the calm.


    - But... who? And why would that person be here?


    A question she''d like to know the answer to... yet wishes to remain ignorant, because she''s afraid of learning the truth.


    CHAPTER 41


    ?Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; Lurking Shadow?


    - Nothing strange was found on the brick, so¡­


    Mariah clicks her tongue: if a certain stain had been on one of the pieces of brick, or even a special trace, perhaps it would have given them a clue to the contents of the bag containing the object that broke the glass from the inside. What''s more, none of the four suspects will admit to what they did. In short, they still have no leads. Annie crosses her arms.


    - Nothing was found anywhere, even on the gun," she admits. Whoever committed the crime paid attention to detail.


    - What''s more, the four suspects had no gloves on. Unless they threw them away when they fled, they could never have held a gun without leaving the slightest fingerprint¡­


    Mariah scratches her hair.


    - So the criminal really does come from outside, raaah!


    Dash blinks and asks her if she really thought the murderer could have been inside. Deshya answers for the woman.


    - There''s a certain detail that''s strange, if the criminal comes from the outside.


    She explains quickly, and Dash squints as he looks back at the broken window, from where the now-open drapes move serenely in the night breeze. Annie touches her chin.


    - It''s true that it''s strange..." she thinks aloud.


    - That''s why I thought whoever threw the brick was the culprit, but I guess they are just an accomplice..." speaks Mariah.


    The three policemen and the ''detective'' girl think, but they can''t understand the mystery of the brick. Deshya looks back at the four suspects, wondering who could have kept the brick with them. Besides, if one of them had such a thing in his bag, then they must have been planning to use it all along.


    - It''s unthinkable to think that he wanted to use it in the dark to kill Georges, then throw it out the window, but that Georges was killed first, which enraged the person who then threw the brick in frustration, right?


    It''s the only thing Deshya can think of, but it''s a theory she finds too... ''fictitious''.


    - So... why?


    For their part, Korone and Pera continue to observe the landscape in front of them. Silence reigns between them, but after a few minutes without a word, the red-haired woman finally says:


    - Are you feeling better?


    Korone turns her head slowly towards Pera, but doesn''t answer directly. Finally, she nods. Pera smiles.


    - I''m glad. Aren''t you cold?


    - Not too much¡­


    - If you need, we can go home or I can get a sweater.


    Korone refuses: she doesn''t want to go back to that party. Although all the guests are upstairs, she''s convinced that if she goes back, she''ll feel that terrifying stare or horrible pressure all over again. However, having to be frightened like that is unbearable for her mentally: knowing that she doesn''t even dare enter the house simply because of it makes her feel pitiful. She''s well aware that she''s still young and that even without taking this into consideration, she feels in danger, but she wants to be stronger. She dared to push Deshya onto the bus to save her when she was the target. She dared to save Deshya by grabbing the gun and shooting the kidnapper. So why is she so scared this time that she won''t go back to the villa?


    - It''s a beautiful night, isn''t it?


    Korone snaps out of her thoughts and turns his face to Pera. Pera points to the dark but starry sky. The little girl raises her head and opens her eyes wide.


    A real sparkling picture. White sparks breaking the infinite darkness of space. A scene that is almost unknown to Korone, because observing the night is unusual for her. Her eyes reflect the stars and the night itself. She can''t move her gaze from such beauty. Korone is not the type to admire such a painting in the sky, even during the day... and now she regrets it. Pera smiles beside her.


    - It''s beautiful, isn''t it?" she asks, staring into the night with her brown eyes.


    - Yes..." Korone answers briefly.


    - When I''m feeling down, I like to let my imagination take me to the stars. I wonder what''s out there, which stars are still alive and which have disappeared, but whose light we can still see.


    Pera raises a hand to the sky with an even bigger smile.


    - After all, some stars are still visible in our sky, but they are currently dead.


    Korone knows the reason for such a phenomenon: it''s simply because light takes time to get from one place to another, so stars so far away, even when they die, their lights continue to be visible for years and ages. Korone smiles back, but says nothing yet. Pera lowers her hand and speaks again.


    - But then again, I avoid enjoying the starry sky with Deshya, because she''s very knowledgeable about space and sometimes she answers questions I''ve been wondering about, but wanted to know the answer to myself," she quips.


    This makes Korone laugh. Although she''s only known Deshya for a few days, she''s not surprised. Korone gently moves her feet and lets her legs dangle under the bench where they''re both sitting. Pera looks back at the city just behind them.


    - Still, my darling is meeting with all kinds of businesses, for the time being," says the woman.


    Korone thinks so too: Deshya seems to stumble across murders every day ¡ª or almost every day. Last weekend, she was able to rest, if you don''t count the poker game that mentally tired her. Then, on Tuesday of this week, nothing happened. Same thing for Thursday. Korone is impressed and shocked to see her investigating so many murders.


    - If this keeps up, everyone at Tetazo will be dead by the end of this year, hehe..." Korone jokes inwardly


    Pera rests her head between her palms.


    - Even if she has a psychologist to make sure she doesn''t lose her mind, I hope she takes care of herself..." sighs Deshya''s mother.


    - Deshyshy is strong, physically and mentally! She''s going to be fine!" says Korone confidently.


    Pera turns her head towards her and lets out a small smile.


    - You''re probably right!" she said.


    - Yiss!


    They both start laughing softly, in the softness of the night.


    Back inside the house, Deshya spins in circles in the great hall. Mariah and Dash have gone outside, while Gatito and Annie question the four suspects again, as well as Colin and Mona Furas to see if they remember a certain detail. Deshya''s fox tail drags across the floor as she ponders the investigation. There must be a clue to the reason for the brick-throwing, but she doesn''t know what it is. Nothing was found in the bags of the four suspects, and even if they had all fled the room when frightened by the murder committed in front of them, it would have been complicated to throw anything away in or around the house without being found by the police


    - So... I''ve got a headache thinking about it, I''m fed up¡­


    Deshya sighs and stops walking. She looks back at the four suspects who are talking with Gatito and Annie.


    - If one of them threw the brick for a good reason, like trying to stop the culprit, then they''d have no reason to hide it. Either way, it''s certain to be for another reason, since that means whoever threw it had it on him from the start of the party, even before¡­


    What''s more, it was confirmed by Colin Furas and two of his guards that the brick had not been there before. In short, it is indeed the reason for the window''s destruction ¡ª at least, the second time around.


    - The first time was because the bullet went through the window and into Georges'' back, killing him instantly. However, even if everything suggests that whoever fired the gun came from outside¡­


    The detail that bothers Deshya and Mariah remains a problem. She can''t forget it, especially since it changes the way she sees the murder. Besides, as Mariah says¡­


    - ¡­


    Deshya crosses her arms.


    Meanwhile, Korone quietly admires the starry sky. As she watches the twinkling lights of the canopy, she can''t help remembering her two adoptive parents. The ones who were killed ¡ª no, murdered ¡ª on the bus on their way home. From now on, she''ll never be able to experience a Friday like that with those who adopted her and raised her in their home with such love. They who showed her so much affection when she wasn''t even their real daughter. She could never forget them, even with time. Even with age. Even when she''s adopted by a new family. Korone squints, stopping to smile.


    - They should never have died... It¡¯s my fault¡­


    Korone knows: if she hadn''t been who she really is, they''d never have been killed. If they hadn''t adopted her, if they''d stayed away from her, then they wouldn''t have suffered such a fate. She had believed that she could have stayed with them without thinking about her unknown past, that she could have been a normal 8- year-old girl. A simple child. However, this was not what life seemed to want. The reality was quite different. Korone looked down at her two hands and sighed softly, so faintly that Pera couldn''t hear her. Thinking about her two adoptive parents made her sad. Knowing that they died because they decided, out of the kindness of their hearts, to keep her by their side, even to adopt her... They who prepared many dishes simply to please Korone, who gave her the best of themselves, showed several beautiful places, and bought toys to please her. Their cozy, pleasant home, their adorable, family-like mood. All this is lost. It can''t be recovered. She can''t find her adoptive parents. She can only be a girl with bleached hair and unnatural eyes.


    An 8-year-old girl whose intelligence is too developed for her age.


    An abnormality.


    If Korone had been just a little girl, then they wouldn''t have had to die. She doesn''t regret having been able to live by their side, even for such a short time, but she does regret that they crossed her path. Given their goodness, they should never have suffered such a death, such a fate from nowhere. Only Korone should have died that day. They had done nothing. They knew nothing. Korone herself knows nothing, but she knows she''s not just an 8-year-old girl. She wants to know the whole truth about herself, but that''s not possible without her memory. Korone bows her head even further.


    - Yes, like you¡­


    Like Deshya.


    A girl with fox ears and a fox tail. An intelligent girl with a friendly smile, a comforting voice, but not entirely ''human''. Korone didn''t know if they were related, but she had hoped to find some kind of answer by staying by her side. However, it was in vain. Deshya remembers nothing of her past, given her amnesia. They might not be related, but Korone couldn''t believe that theory so soon. When she noticed that Deshya is currently a real girl with fox-like attributes, she thought it was fate. That the luck of having found someone who may have a past very close to her own is outweighed by the misfortune of losing her adoptive parents. Yet no answer is found. She makes no progress. She still knows nothing.


    - And I''ve really grown attached to her... Even to her parents who take such good care of me¡­


    Korone can''t deny their kindness. Deshya may be a more special girl than expected, especially when she saw her ¡®lose her sanity¡¯ during the poker game against Tessa, the girl she''s in love with, but she''s still thoughtful and sympathetic. Gatito is a man with a cold stare and a sometimes frightening tone, but a heart of gold beats in his chest: he just doesn''t always show it. As for Pera, the woman standing silently beside him, she''s worried about Korone and has taken her outside. She stays with her, looks after her, like her own daughter; when that''s not even the case. Korone is only a transient girl who is kept by this family because she insisted on staying with Deshya. Admittedly, Korone has become quite attached to her on the bus, when she saw her intelligence and her desire to solve the case, but she wanted to go with hier because she really thinks they have a connection ¡ª that their pasts aren''t so different.


    But now Korone adores Deshya with all her heart. Just like his family.


    While she misses her adoptive parents, continues to have nightmares about them and can''t hide her sadness, she already feels an attachment to this family.


    - And yet, soon, I''ll have to leave... Join another foster family. A new family to whom I''ll have to hide everything¡­


    Korone suspects that Deshya must have suspicions about her, especially after she solved the case of her kidnapping, the death of Claire Dochamps and managed to shoot Adam''s hand in the dark. Given Deshya''s intelligence, it''s unlikely that she won''t start to doubt herself. Yet Korone has nothing to say about her own identity: she''s just a young girl with very high intelligence, as well as some reflexes that seem inhuman. Korone doesn''t know why her eyes are purple, she doesn''t know whether her white hair is due to an experiment, a birth defect or prolonged stress, but she does know one thing:


    Something happened when she was even younger. Maybe when she was 2. Maybe when she was 5.


    Perhaps even at birth.


    Korone wants to know the answers to her many questions, but that''s easier said than done. She can pray to the Gods as much as she likes, but only they can answer her questions. She''s just an abnormal human in this world... just like Deshya. Admittedly, unlike the teenager, she doesn''t have a cute animal tail sprouting from her back, nor fluffy ears on her skull, but she possesses this abnormality too. It''s for this very reason that she wonders if there isn''t some kind of link between them.


    - But how do you know?


    Time. Korone suspects it''s the only answer. Whether her memory or Deshya''s unlocks, memories return or they find a clue to what happened in their past. However, while waiting is something Korone doesn''t mind, another problem intervenes. One she hadn''t thought of until she saw both her adoptive parents die in front of her, on a perfectly normal bus journey. Although she''s willing to wait¡­


    Some people seem to think otherwise.


    She has absolutely no idea who the gunman is who killed Mathieu, the one who must have forced him to kill Korone and her two foster parents. She has no idea whether he''s from a special organization or a small group, or something even bigger, even mysterious. Perhaps he was even acting alone, but that seems highly unlikely. Korone has no idea who killed him, but even if he had an eagle hood over his head, that doesn''t mean he''s related to Deshya, who wears a fox hood over her head. Admittedly, it''s a big coincidence and Korone wants to believe in a link, but then the questions contradict and a headache is created. Even with her tenfold intelligence, even with her quick thinking and more knowledge than she should have in her 8-year-old brain, she can''t figure out what''s going on behind Deshya''s fox ears, or behind her own identity. Korone has no idea how it''s possible for a human girl to turn into a girl with fox-like attributes. This is genetic magic, but one that is not natural.


    Because Deshya wasn''t born with such attributes: someone or something has transformed it in this way.


    Korone wants to find answers about herself and Deshya, but whereas normally this would only be out of her own selfishness, she now wants to help Deshya. Perhaps she''s getting attached too quickly, but Korone knows herself well. She knows very well that her heart is bigger than it looks. She clenches her fists and Pera leans towards her, asking if she''s all right. Korone nods softly, but this doesn''t convince the redheaded woman at all, who repeats her question. This time, Korone doesn''t let a word out of her mouth. In fact, she''s afraid.


    Not for her own life, but for Deshya''s. Gatito''s. Pera''s. This family who welcomed her without question. Who fed her, who spoke to her sincerely, who let her sleep where she wished for her own good, who thought about her, who cared about her,


    who loves her.


    That''s precisely her fear. Korone doesn''t want to get attached to them because that means she''ll find it hard to part with them. She doesn''t want to start seeing them as her family because she can''t get rid of that sad view.


    That of her former family, dying in front of her.


    Her step-mother breathing her last without a word, her step-father screaming as he fails to understand that he is losing his life at this very moment. His eyes were opened without a soul; they left without even a goodbye. All because Korone is a girl who must be eliminated, though she doesn''t know why. She was separated from her biological family, then lost her adoptive family... all because she''s her.


    Korone may be a mistake to eliminate.


    So she doesn''t want to get attached to Gatito. Nor to Pera. Nor to Deshya. Because then she''ll want to stay with them. She won''t want to part with them. She''ll want to live with them. Let them be their parents, let her be¡­ her¡­


    - Mo¡­


    She can''t say it. Not because it''s too complicated a word for her, but because it means she sees them as her new family. However, if that happens¡­


    Then they too will be in danger.


    Because those around Korone must be eliminated. She understood it on that bus, but she''d felt it before: that she shouldn''t be here ¡ª or rather, out there. She doesn''t know why she feels this way, but she knows what it is: her only trace of what she''s been through. The only clue to who she really is. Now that this feeling is proving to be real, now that people are looking for her, staying with Deshya and her family is too dangerous. There''s a good chance they''ll get killed too, and this time Korone won''t be able to do anything about it. Even with a close ''guard'' like them, it won''t change her fate: she''ll have to die. Not of old age or disease, but of assassination. If she stays with them, makes friends, meets people, visits places, one day it will all disappear. Perhaps all the people who crossed her path will be exterminated. Korone holds her head. She can''t think of them as family. She must suppress her feelings and not embark them on her dangerous journey. For their own safety. Because she''s become attached to them.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    - Korone?


    - Sorry, I think of too many things, I''m an idiot, hehe.


    Korone apologizes with a smile that cannot be considered joyful. Pera watches her with her small eyes and shakes her hand. The little girl opens her mouth, but nothing comes out.


    - I''m here, everything''s going to be fine.


    Pera smiles.


    - Take all the time you need.


    Korone remains motionless, her eyes riveted on the woman''s face. She radiates golden kindness. She emits... goodness. This woman Korone can''t quite understand, who is sometimes happy and energetic, sometimes tired and sad, staying in her room and out of sight for hours at a time. The way she acts is really that of... that of... that of¡­


    - Are you all right?


    The front door opens and the feminine voice of a teenage girl rings out. The guard asks her to identify herself, but the muscular man called Dash comes out at the same time and tells her she has the right to come in. He runs outside and grabs his phone, dialing the police. Korone and Pera watch him, but Deshya answers their inner question directly.


    - It seems that a suspect has been identified, so he wants to confirm that they are the criminal in this case. However, I''m convinced that¡­


    She wants to end her sentence with ''the criminal is inside'', but seeing Korone''s wet cheeks, Deshya shuts up and closes her mouth. She doesn''t sit down beside her, but stands right next to them, just in front of a step that leads to the front door. Korone notices her expression and offers her a small smile.


    - Everything''s fine, we''re just enjoying the night," she admits.


    - The sky is beautiful, you know, darling!" says Pera before pointing to the sky.


    Deshya looks up and admires the sparkling stars breaking the calm darkness of the night. Deshya smiles and nods.


    - If only the party had gone on quietly¡­


    When the murder was committed in the ''Beleza Verde'' hotel, it was Deshya who went to the investigation, then she had no one to blame but herself. Here, the party had to stop because of the crime: it''s not the same situation. She can''t simply look away and carry on enjoying herself, knowing that a criminal is lurking nearby, whether they are really from the outside or a guest at the party. It''s not just Deshya: her parents, Korone, all the guests, even the organizers. This party has always been festive and fun, but tonight, some of them will go home unable to sleep. Some are already traumatized, and in the hearts of many, fear has already set in. Fear of being next. Fear that it could happen to them at any moment. Deshya, under Bibi''s guidance, calms her heart and mind by breathing softly, not letting her emotions set her on fire, but what she feels won''t go away: whoever committed the crime, for whatever reason, has just terrified over two hundred people with their own selfishness. Even if Georges admits to being a criminal, a pedophile and a rapist, he should never have been killed in front of so many people, especially at a party like this.


    - He should never have died in the first place. Fuck.


    Deshya clenches a fist, her heart racing. She tries to calm herself, but just thinking about it enrages her. She can''t believe how common murder is, especially around her. Will she have to live like this for much longer? Is there nowhere she can go where death won''t stink up the place? When they go on their school trip next month, will she come across another crime?


    - Are you okay, Deshyshy?


    Deshya hears Amora''s nickname and turns to her, but it''s actually Korone who has called her that. The fox dressed girl sighs with a smile and nods.


    - I''m just pissed to see another murder where I''m standing," she confesses. Even though I''m really pissed off because the party''s now ruined... Even after catching the criminal, I don''t think many people are going to want to keep having fun.


    - We''ll see. Some people will probably want to think about something else and will lose themselves in drinking and dancing, I think," his mother surmises.


    Korone listens silently as they discuss, sitting between the woman next to her and the girl standing to her left. Deshya stoops down to the little girl and observes her attentively.


    - Did you cry, Korone?" she asks.


    - A little, but it''s... It''s nothing.


    Korone nods and lets out a big smile. Deshya is preoccupied with her as she continues to look at her, but she stands up and believes her. Deshya stretches and notices Dash coming back to her.


    - It seems he''s not the one we''re looking for..." admits the muscular man.


    He apologizes and goes to warn Mariah as she passes them. Korone blinks and questions Deshya with her eyes. The latter touches her dress and finally sighs.


    - We''re not getting anywhere... Don''t you have any ideas, Korone?


    The little girl points at herself and doesn''t hide her surprise. Even the red-haired woman next to her is intrigued.


    - Are you asking Korone?


    - You never know," admits Deshya.


    The little girl rubs her chin, but she doesn''t know the details of the murder scene, so it''s hard for her to come up with any theories. In order not to say anything stupid, she prefers to shrug her shoulders and confess that she has no idea who the criminal is, how they managed to escape, or the reality behind the brick that shattered the window. Deshya sighs and thanks her in any case before waving them off.


    - When I find the criminal, I''ll come back and see you!


    She promises. She returns to the villa, leaving Korone and Pera alone on the bench. The little girl touches her left breast with her soft hand and smiles.


    Deshya arrives at the main hall and notices that Dash chats with Mariah. The latter nods and asks the man something before turning her attention to the girl who has just returned.


    - Ah, back again!" she said.


    - Yes. Korone seems to be doing well, so it''s okay.


    - I see.


    - Any leads at all?


    Unfortunately, Mariah shakes her head and crosses her arms.


    - Still nothing. Nothing has been found in the surrounding area, the guards are searching the house from top to bottom, but nothing has been found. If the culprit did indeed come from inside and is one of the suspects, it''s highly likely that he flushed the gloves in the toilet and while they wer running away, but I think he would have been heard¡­


    Mariah squints.


    - However, Dash took a while to catch up with them, so it''s possible¡­


    - What''s more, with the cries of fear coming from the room, we could never have heard the noise coming from the toilet.


    It''s Annie who''s speaking, approaching them and taking off her scarf.


    - Checking the sewers would take far too long and get us nowhere, anyway," admits Mariah.


    Annie nods.


    - I understand why you''re convinced that the culprit comes from within, but there''s something missing, then," she says.


    Deshya and Mariah stare at her. They both know exactly what Annie is talking about. If a shot had been fired inside, even with a silencer, it should have been seen.


    The shot.


    In total darkness, it should have been observable. Even if everyone was paying attention to the film, it''s unimaginable to think that no one would have seen it, even in the background. What''s more, silent or not, the sound of a pistol in such a quiet setting would have been heard by the guests in the background, as well as a good many of the people inside the room.


    - But if the culprit came from outside, not only could the shot not have been visible, but the sound of the gun would not have been heard, as the window was closed," Deshya thinks.


    In short, it seems that everything points to the murderer really coming from within. However, three points remain to be resolved.


    Firstly, and most importantly, the mystery of this brick that was launched from the inside. Secondly, how the criminal knew where to shoot. Third, explain what''s missing from the drapes. If the crime was really committed from the outside, then something is really missing from the hangings. These mysteries mean that Mariah and Deshya can''t rule out the possibility that the criminal is inside. That whoever threw the brick is the same person who shot the victim.


    - Excuse me?!


    Mariah grits her teeth. Dash nods.


    - I''m sure no one went to the bathroom while they were all running away," Dash repeats. Of the four suspects here, I can tell you who went where.


    He turns to them and explains.


    - As for Manny, he went upstairs with Rei, but one of the guards stopped them before they could do anything. When I asked them about it, Manny said he wanted to go to his room and lock himself in, and Rei just instinctively followed him. Sally fled outside, but I caught up with her before it was too late. As for Antoine, he followed Sally because she wasn''t going upstairs. Dash crosses his arms.


    - The other three were in the kitchen and one almost locked himself in the toilet, but I managed to stop him before that, just after preventing Antoine from getting too far away. The guards helped me catch Sally and another was upstairs watching the area, so he was able to stop Rei and Manny fairly quickly.


    He sighs.


    - However, nothing says that Manny or Rei managed to hide gloves or anything else upstairs.


    - Sally or Antoine could just as easily have thrown the gun or hidden something outside..." Mariah thinks aloud.


    - But how did they avoid getting powder on their clothes? It''s unthinkable that they changed their clothes, isn''t it?" says Deshya.


    - Gatito has already verified this theory by looking at photos of the party and comparing their clothes then and the ones they have now. Nobody''s changed," admits Annie.


    Mariah smiles.


    - Either way, they would have been quickly found and the culprit arrested by now. It''s also possible that they just turned their clothes inside out when they fired, but we checked for gunpowder inside the clothes of all four suspects.


    The four of them begin to think. Moments later, Dash shrugs.


    - What''s the worst that can happen? Is the criminal really isn''t one of us all?" he suggests.


    - So I want to know why it''s missing from the hanging. Also, how do you aim in the dark...?


    Mariah frowns.


    - Wait, but even if the criminal is not one of the people here, this problem persists. How can¡­


    The detective clenches a fist and turns suddenly to Annie.


    - Annie, I need you to call whoever has the body right now. I want them to check the body in total darkness.


    Annie blinks, but accepts directly. Mariah then turns to Deshya


    - I don''t know the purpose of the brick yet, but we have to think as if we were the culprit inside.


    Deshya nods, although she doesn''t yet understand Mariah''s sudden excitement.


    - I''ll have to watch the night more often, hihi.


    Korone admits as he gazes up at the sky, legs swinging one after the other. Pera nods and goes to speak when the front door opens. This time, it''s not Deshya or Dash showing their heads, but¡ª


    - Oh, darling.


    Gatito, the police inspector, and Pera''s husband. He comes down a few steps to check on Korone and his wife.


    - We''re doing well, but I''m thinking of going home soon, as it''s starting to get chilly," admits Pera. Korone is also feeling the cold.


    The little girl nods and rubs her shoulders, smiling. Gatito sits down on one of the steps.


    - It''s true, with your clothes on too¡­


    - The party got off to a good start, but it looks like Korone couldn''t enjoy it very much..." says Pera sadly.


    - I still had a lot of fun! It''s just unlucky that there was a murder.


    - If Deshya keeps getting into trouble, we won''t be able to let her out..." sighs Gatito.


    Pera gives her a pout, the same expression Korone has on his face.


    - Moooh, not good!" said Korone.


    - How do you treat your daughter?!" cries Pera.


    Gatito blinks, but eventually laughs and apologizes, waving his hands, two dark eyes on him. They stop pouting and smile at each other, while Gatito admires the sky in turn.


    - I''m still worried about her. It''s a good thing Bibi agreed to look after her..." he says.


    - It''s true that even though our daughter is strong, she sometimes tends to express herself honestly¡­


    Korone doesn''t give her point of view on the subject, as she''s only known Deshya a short while, but she understands what they mean. However, she was able to comfort Deshya when she cried after ''Byron Elrick'' was almost killed in front of her. Korone admired a Deshya who dared to confide, who dared to let her heart speak rather than her mind.


    - But it''s true that I want to get to know... her¡­


    Korone shakes her head, which intrigues the man and his wife.


    - No, don''t get attached! Don''t get attached to them! You''re going to have to leave soon anyway, so don''t!" thinks Korone.


    When she notices that she''s moved her head unconsciously, she smiles as she looks at Gatito and confesses that she was just thinking about the murder, since Deshya asked her if she had any idea who did it. The man sighs, lowering his eyelids.


    - Is she even asking a little girl now? Is she that desperate?" he blurts out.


    - Well, if she knows I was the one who single handedly solved her kidnapping and Claire''s murder, I can understand..." she admits inwardly.


    She admires Gatito and smiles.


    - First Pera takes care of me, then Deshya comes to see how I''m feeling and then Gatito... They really¡­


    She wants to finish her sentence, but she cuts herself off: she''s getting attached. She keeps getting attached to them, but that''s a bad thing. The more she clutches them, the harder it''s going to be to separate from them. Becoming a member of their family would put them in danger and the chances of them accepting are too slim. Even if she has to sacrifice what she feels, she can''t stay with them.


    So she has to hide her feelings and stop thinking about such things. Even if all three of them are beautiful, interesting characters with hearts of gold, she has to think with her logic too. This makes her giggle.


    - Deshya needs to let her heart speak a little more and I need to silence mine. Ironic, considering we may have come from the same past.


    As she thinks this, from the parking lot, someone watches Korone with squinted eyes. Without a word¡­


    They wait.


    Deshya turns in circles, in the opposite direction to Mariah. Annie watches them from her chair, while the four suspects stare at them with lots of questions on their minds. Annie sighs.


    - You''re going to make me dizzyi¡­


    - I feel like I''m on the right track!" admits Mariah.


    She scratches her hair and bites her thumb. Annie smiles.


    - Oh, you bite your thumb when you stress now? Aren''t you the one who uses your own breasts as a stress ball?" teases Annie.


    Deshya stops and watches them with an expression of... astonishment. Mariah points at Annie, frowning.


    - I''m not doing it out of respect for the little one who''s here with me!


    - Yeah, yeah.


    Annie shrugs and Mariah grunts. Deshya wants to laugh, but she''s too focused on the murder.


    - There must be a reason for throwing this brick... There must be a reason... Think, think, think!


    She bites her thumb in turn, half-listening to Annie and Mariah talking amongst themselves.


    - You now know that behind his back is what you thought, so you''ll be able to find the truth of the matter, right~?" teases Annie again.


    - It''s easier said than done!" says Mariah. You should help us!


    - I must admit I don''t have a mind like yours, ahah....


    - Even so!


    Mariah puffs out her cheeks and brings her face close to Annie''s. The old lady waves her hands.


    - Come on, come on, don''t make too much noise.


    - I''m not overdoing it!


    Mariah crosses her arms.


    - If I made too much noise, I''m sure... Ah.


    Mariah pauses in her sentence. Deshya opens her eyes wide and turns to the detective with a gaping mouth.


    - Aaaaah!!!


    Annie is startled and the four suspects rise from their seats. Deshya lets out a big smile.


    - That''s why the brick was launched!" she says.


    - So the reason the culprit fled is precisely for that reason!!!


    - Exactly! So, within four¡­


    They both turn to the suspects and flash similar smiles.


    - It has to be that person!


    Korone admires Deshya and Mariah from the half-open door of the room.


    - They seem to have understood... I must confess I still don''t know who did it¡­


    Korone shrugs.


    - As long as they know.


    - Korone, are you coming?


    She turns to Pera, who takes her hand, and Korone nods with a smile. Gatito is still outside, Dash coming down the stairs ahead of them. He excuses himself and walks past them back into the room where the detectives are, along with the suspects, Mona and Colin Furas, including Annie. Pera opens the bathroom door.


    - I''ll wait for you in the next room, then, okay?


    Korone nods and thanks her. They''ve gone inside because of the cold outside, but also because the little girl needs to go to the bathroom. So she goes and relieves herself, thinking about the murder: how can Deshya and Mariah have discovered the truth? Was there a particular detail that triggered their interest?


    - All I have to do is ask them!


    Korone comes out of the toilet after two minutes on the potty and hops happily down the corridor.


    And at the same moment, someone comes from behind, grabbing Korone''s mouth with one hand.


    - !!!


    Korone wants to scream, but her feet can''t touch the ground and her mouth can''t open. The person runs outside at full speed, right next to the guard. The guard looks at the person... but smiles.


    For it was this guard who was with this person upstairs.


    Or rather, the other person disguised himself as a guard to let the other pass outside.


    - All this to kidnap a little girl? Why on earth?" wonders the fake guard.


    Nevertheless, this person doesn''t give it a second thought and shrugs before looking at the bush next door, where the real guard is sleeping peacefully, sound asleep. Korone flails violently in the person''s arms, but there''s nothing she can do.


    And without even being able to scream for help, she disappears into the darkness of the night.

 42 -?Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; New Family?(CASE8)

    <hr>


    September 10, 2022. An annual party organized by ''Colin Furas'' and his beloved wife, ''Mona Furas'' begins at around 5pm. Just afterwards, Deshya''s family and little Korone arrive. All four go and greet those they know, but it''s barely after that that an extravagant woman arrives: ''Mariah Sukeni'', the new policewoman from Tetazo, a detective dressed only in a jumpsuit that only half hides her breasts. The muscular man accompanying her is ''Dash Tarway'', a dark-skinned man who works as a receptionist at this town''s police station. After this extravagant entrance, Deshya and Korone decided to grab something to eat... but that''s when Korone started to panic. She first froze in place, feeling a terrifying gaze upon her, before going to the bathroom with Deshya''s help to vomit, so unbearable was the pressure. It was when she returned to the party a few minutes later that she managed to calm down and ate some food from the buffet with Deshya. While chatting with Mariah, Dash and the parents of the girl in the fox dress, Colin Furas, organizer of the party, took the stage and explained that they were going to show a short 20-minutes film of their year. The curtains were closed, allowing no moonbeams through, and the lights were turned off: the room was therefore plunged into absolute darkness, with the projector emitting only a faint, insignificant light. At this very moment, however, disaster strikes: a man is shot dead in the back of the room, a bullet in his back piercing his heart and taking his life in one fell swoop. Before that, the sound of breaking glass is heard, followed b y another similar noise, but this time caused by a brick thrown from inside. When the lights come back on, the scene startles all the guests, but seven of them flee from the horrific sight. Dash manages to catch all seven, aided by two guards, and brings them back into the room. The victim is named ''Georges Hedown'', the owner of a chain of candy stores. However, of the four main suspects who could have thrown the brick, none seems to have the slightest motive for murder. What''s more, there''s no trace of gunpowder on them, nor is anything strange found in their bags. In short, the murderer really must have come from outside... However, Deshya and Mariah realize at the same time who the culprit is. Someone who really did come from inside the room, the same person who threw the brick at the window! They''re excited to catch the culprit and explain the truth of the matter¡­


    But at the same time, Korone, who was in the bathroom at the time, was abducted by someone! This same person runs past the guard from outside... but the guard is actually a fake: it''s the other person accompanying the one who kidnapped Korone!


    Deshya and Mariah talk amongst themselves and, a few moments later, ask Dash to bring the guests back down here: they''re going to explain the reality of the murder. He accepts and runs upstairs, while Annie asks them to explain. They remain silent, however, and Mariah strokes her head with her arm, since she''s much smaller than she is.


    - You''ll understand at the same time as the others!


    - ... I see¡­


    Annie sighs and removes the detective''s hand from her head.


    - You have concrete proof that the culprit is who you think he is, I hope?


    Deshya makes a ''V'' with her index and middle fingers and smiles.


    - Two.


    - Two proofs?


    She nods. Mariah confirms and turns back to the four suspects.


    - One in their bag. The other in their mechanism that allowed them to break the glass once. Or rather¡­


    Mariah crosses her arms and smiles broadly.


    - The reason why a brick had to be thrown at the window.


    CHAPTER 42


    ?Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; New Family?


    - In any case, it took us a while to understand..." sighs Deshya.


    The guests join the room one by one, calmly, without anyone shouting or pushing anyone else. The four suspects are still on the stage, each sweating. The culprit of the four grits their teeth without letting the others know.


    - Do they really know that I killed this guy?!" they wonder, one fist clenched.


    They were so sure they''d prepared everything perfectly. Admittedly, their plan wasn''t perfect, but they''d managed to execute it all without missing a beat! So how would they know? The culprit can''t understand it! They can''t accept it!


    All the guests finally arrive in the room and Mariah cracks her neck with a smile.


    - Let''s tell them what happened, Deshya!


    However, the girl in the fox dress remains motionless. Mariah stops after her first step and turns to her.


    - What is it?" asks Mariah.


    Deshya keeps her mouth weakly open while staring at someone. This person is chatting with another, a worried look on his face. Deshya apologizes to Mariah and says she''s on her way while running towards the two of them. The detective scratches her hair.


    - You''re the one who was excited about telling everyone the truth..." she thinks boredly.


    Nevertheless, she says nothing back and, accompanied by Dash, heads for the stage. Deshya passes between the many guests and finally arrives in front of the woman and man chatting together.


    - What''s going on, Mom?


    The two adults whom Deshya observed, talking worriedly, are Pera and Gatito Oveja, her parents. The long-haired woman turns to her daughter and grabs her hand.


    - You haven''t seen Korone, have you?" she asks her with alarming haste.


    Deshya shakes her head and Gatito clicks his tongue.


    - Where is she, then...?" he wonders aloud.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide.


    - Korone is no longer with you?!


    - I let her go to the bathroom on her own for a few moments, but I got worried when she didn''t come back after five minutes.


    - However, she''s not there and nobody saw her coming. Even the guard outside.


    Deshya clenches her fist and bites her lower lip. If she hasn''t returned from the bathroom and hasn''t been seen by the guard means she must be inside, but yet it seems her parents haven''t seen her yet. Deshya asks if it''s possible she''s in the crowd of guests in this room, but Gatito answers for his wife.


    - Korone hasn''t been seen coming out of the bathroom once and if she was in the crowd, I''m sure she would have come back to us. In any case, I asked the guard in charge of the corridor and he said he hadn''t seen her anywhere.


    Deshya bites her lower lip even harder and looks out into the corridor.


    - ...you don''t mean¡­


    Deshya apologizes and runs out of the room and out of the villa. When she arrives outside, she scans her surroundings for the guard... but he''s nowhere to be seen. She takes a closer look around, and there¡ª


    - W-What the...?!


    A man sleeps in the bushes, a blindfold around his mouth and a rope around his wrists and ankles. Deshya opens her eyes wide and starts to fan herself before turning to the parking lot in front of her.


    - It can''t be... It can''t be, can it?!


    She starts to panic and shakes her head. She swallows hard and stamps her foot on the ground. Deshya feels her heart racing and her muscles contracting. With eyes that are almost beginning to water, she rushes inside the villa and quickly passes her parents. She pushes past the guests and jumps onto the stage. Mariah smiles when she sees her, but that same expression quickly fades when she notices the one on Deshya''s face.


    - Is something wrong?" asks Mariah.


    Directly, Deshya replies with a worried look.


    - Have you seen the little girl, Korone?


    - ¡­


    Mariah shakes her head and Deshya clenches her fists.


    - I''ll go get her, you can reveal everything without me!!!


    - A-Ah, wait!!


    Mariah tries to catch her, but Deshya runs into the crowd and Mariah sighs.


    - Well, I''d say she found it first¡­


    Mariah smiles and cracks her neck. However, when she thinks about how worried she looks, how the little girl seems to have disappeared and how Deshya worries like that¡­


    - ¡­


    Mariah frowns, but simply grabs the microphone and prefers to leave this ''business'' to Deshya: she must reveal the truth to the guests and expose the real culprit in front of everyone. The four culprits are still behind her, all seated in their respective chairs. Mariah brightens her voice and begins to speak without further ado.


    - Forgive me for waiting!


    Dash arrives on stage and Gatito stands in front of the door, making sure no one leaves or enters without permission. Deshya has just run past him to go outside, but she''s one of the only people allowed in and out without asking. What''s more, she''s probably going to look for Korone, although two guards have been called in to search. What''s more, Gatito has sent a message to the station to say that there''s no longer any reason to check the surrounding area, given that the criminal has been found by Mariah. The latter starts walking across the stage.


    - As you knew, during our viewing of the film, a man named ''Georges Hedown'' was killed in total darkness. We took our time, but the culprit was finally found. Identified at last.


    She shakes her hair and pauses in a stylized pose.


    - By Deshya Oveja and myself!


    The guests start chatting amongst themselves, the four suspects sweating behind the detective, watched by two guards and the two party organizers.


    - From now on, I''m going to reveal the truth of this affair and pronounce the identity of the culprit!


    She raises a finger to the sky with a big smile. Sally Corem'', one of the four suspects, the only young woman among them, stands up and waves her hand in front of her.


    - You talk, you talk, but do you really know the truth?! You''ve struggled and struggled suddenly, you find the truth?!


    Dash forces her to sit back in her chair, asking her to calm down. She clicks her tongue and correctly places her backpack back on her before crossing her arms and legs, staring aggressively at the detective. The latter nods after hearing the suspect''s question.


    - Sure, we know who the culprit is, but we also have one¡ª no, TWO pieces of evidence!


    Like Deshya''s gesture in front of Annie, Mariah raises two fingers in the shape of a ''V'': the index and middle fingers of her free hand, the one not holding a microphone in its palm. The guests start to get excited, as if this were part of the party itself.


    - Since the party was ruined by the culprit, I''ll do my best to entertain you by revealing all about the case!


    She raises a finger to the sky, but unfortunately it''s not a concert stage: there''s no light at all focusing on her from the ceiling. Yet her confident air and beauty make the atmosphere not at all awkward. Mariah brings the microphone close to her mouth again and continues to speak.


    - There''s no point in prolonging the suspense, so let me explain.


    She bows politely and points to the back of the room ¡ª more precisely, to the broken window with the open drapes.


    - As you know, the sound of breaking glass was heard at the same time as a man screamed in pain: the victim in this case. Then, a second pane of glass sounded, coming from the same window. We checked all the windows and other objects in the vicinity, but nothing was broken, so it''s certain that both sounds came from the same window... but at the same time, that''s what gave us the problem.


    - What do you mean?" shouts a guest in the crowd.


    No one understands what she means. In reality, only the guilty party knows what Mariah is talking about. This person clenches their fist and looks frightened at the small woman detective in front of them. So she really understood... It''s not nonsense. It''s not a lie.


    - It''s simple," says Mariah.


    She starts walking slowly across the stage, microphone held firmly in her hand.


    - In our minds, this is how the crime happened: an outsider fired a silenced pistol inside the room, killing the victim with a precise bullet to the back, piercing his heart. The sound of shattering glass came from the moment the bullet passed through the window. Then, someone on the inside, standing in the back of the room and possessing a backpack, capable of holding many objects, threw a brick they had inside it through the window for some unknown reason: it was this mystery that slowed us down in the case, especially as in any case, something was wrong.


    - Something...?" repeats another guest, this time a young man.


    Mariah nods and points to the back of the room again.


    - On the curtains. First of all, if the murder was really committed from the outside, how could the culprit have fired precisely when the drapes were closed? What''s more, the room was so dark that there would have been no way to shoot correctly and kill the victim.


    - However, I''ve heard that traces have been found outside, as well as the murder weapon..." says a man in the crowd.


    - That''s exactly what happened. Crushed bushes and trampled grass. However, this could have been done in advance, even during the party. Going out is common, so it wouldn''t have been suspicious.


    Mariah shakes her head.


    - However, these traces that prove someone was there are just a means of entertaining us about reality.


    She smiles.


    - That the criminal is inside!


    The guests make even more noise in the room. Manny and Rei tap their feet on the floor, the pressure building inside them, while Sally bites her lower lip. Antoine remains calm, but the atmosphere still gets to him and doesn''t stop him from sweating. Mariah walks across the stage with a smile on her face.


    - Everything was done to make us believe that the culprit came from the outside, but in reality, it was indeed from the inside that the culprit was to be found. The one who threw the brick, the one who shot the victim, the one who threw the gun outside¡­


    Mariah turns around suddenly, stopping with a firm foot and squinting eyes, she points to the four suspects behind her.


    - That one of you four is the criminal!!!" she shouts.


    The guests continue to stir, talking amongst themselves, listening intently to Mariah tell the truth of the matter. Pera holds her husband''s hand tightly, watching the scene intently. The man sighs, eyelids lowered.


    - Deshya and Mariah like to give their deduction like it''s a show or a game, eh..." he thinks, wanting to shake his head.


    The difference between the two is that one is a real police detective, while the other is nothing more than a slightly smarter-than-normal teenager. Yet both see the cases almost as fun, something Gatito can''t understand.


    - One of the four of you kept the brick in your bag, but it was in that same backpack that you had the silenced pistol that was used to kill ''Georges Hedown'', the victim," Mariah continues.


    Rei stands up and frowns.


    - How can you say that?!


    - He''s right, just because we have a backpack doesn''t mean we''re the only ones who can do this, isn''t it?" asks Antoine, sitting back in his chair.


    The other two suspects nod, but Mariah simply smiles.


    - It would have been virtually impossible for anyone to take a brick inside without a bag like that. The culprit is someone who was behind the victim, and there weren''t many of you. What''s more, you all ran, so even if three of you did run because of fear, the other simply ran to get rid of it.


    Mariah snaps her fingers and squints.


    - To get rid of the gun.


    Manny hits his chair and stands up.


    - You... You''re talking nonsense!" he shouts. If nobody had run away, how would he have done it?


    - It doesn¡¯t matter. Even if he were to be the only one to flee, it would make absolutely no difference.


    - W-What?!


    Mariah starts walking again.


    - Since the culprit was in the background, they could simply have thrown the pistol through the window without looking, dropping it in the bushes, to make it look like the criminal simply left the gun in the same place where they fired it, not wanting to be caught with it in their hands. However, as some of you all fled, the culprit could have followed you and thrown the gun further away, which tells us that none of you could have committed the crime from inside, as you would have had to leave the house after killing the victim and then disposing the gun.


    - But isn''t running the same thing?" asks Sally, feeling impatience grip her heart.


    - The culprit knew full well that they were going to be stopped by a guard or a member of the police, but there was little they could do other than throw the pistol outside.


    Mariah stops again, turning back to the four suspects.


    - Sally and Antoine went outside, so it might have been possible to throw the gun from there discreetly, especially as the gun was in a place where it could be swung. Manny and Rei went upstairs and the gun could have been thrown from one of the upstairs windows, almost all of which were open to let the air in.


    - So they could all have thrown the gun away...?" wonders Annie.


    She doesn''t yet know the truth of the matter, unlike Deshya and the detective herself, but Mariah''s energy is beginning to affect her. The doctor would prefer her to say her deduction more quickly and not to amuse herself at the scene of a murder, but she can understand that it may benefit the poor guests who have had to experience something so traumatic.


    - Even if Mariah is just childish, ahah..." Annie thinks with an amused smile.


    The detective nods blankly, as if she''s heard Annie''s thoughts.


    - Now, let me explain the reality of Georges'' murder.


    She crosses her arms and slowly lowers her head towards the microphone, still in her right hand.


    - As you all know, a sound of breaking glass was heard first, followed by the victim''s scream and finally a second sound of glass. If we take the theory that the culprit came from outside, then it''s easy to guess that the first sound of glass came from the bullet going through the window.


    Mariah smiles broadly.


    - But it was exactly because we were wrong about its origin that the mystery of the brick persisted. That we couldn''t understand WHY the brick was thrown through the window.


    The guests are all confused, but Gatito frowns.


    - If the culprit comes from within... then...!


    And then... he understands.


    - Has the brick been thrown...?!


    If he''s right, he just doesn''t understand why she''d go that far. However, Mariah will confirm his thoughts confirm that he''s thought of the right theory.


    - If the shot came from inside, then there should be evidence of the bullet in the glass, right?


    Mariah shrugs before shaking her head, letting her hair fly in a beautiful scene.


    - But since the shot came from inside, there were never any holes in the glass. So to erase the lack of holes, the culprit smashed the window with the brick... preventing us from discovering that the shot didn''t come from outside.


    The four suspects stare at Mariah''s back, frowning, and the culprit between them chatters his teeth. The crowd grows restless and some turn back to the glass. Annie rises from her chair.


    - Why go so far as to throw a brick from the inside?!" she shouts. That''s the thing that made the police realize that someone in this crowd had thrown it away.


    Mariah snickers, telling the doctor that it''s a good question.


    - There had to be a way to hide the lack of hole in the glass somehow, so the culprit chose to throw a brick through the glass because it''s not complicated, no one would see it in the dark, and it would be certain that this way, it would be impossible to notice the lack of hole. It would have been smarter to use a mechanism from the outside to break the glass or simply find another trick... but the smartest thing would simply have been not to kill at all.


    Mariah shakes her head before resuming.


    - The reason a brick was thrown from the inside was because they thought it would go another way, right?


    Mariah smiles and turns back to the four suspects.


    - He thought the brick would shatter the window, but would be stopped by the corded curtain, making it impossible for the brick to penetrate the glass.


    The culprit opens their eyes wide. Mariah continues directly.


    - They wanted to take the brick back into their bag, flee as planned, get rid of the gun and hide the brick somewhere, or simply throw it away. Although the police would still have thought that the glass had been shattered by the brick we would have found later, I suppose the culprit would have used the excuse that they ran into the glass because it was so dark when they got scared, so they couldn''t see where they were going, or they would simply have said nothing and thought that whatever happened, they would never have been arrested without evidence. Unfortunately, the brick did go through the window, which is silly for them.


    Mariah cracks her thumb before showing her teeth.


    - I mean, he''s the idiot, using such a method to commit the crime.


    - But that''s not possible, is it?


    One of the guests shouts into the crowd. The people around him step back, letting him speak. He makes himself smaller, not expecting to be in the middle of the attention like this, given that he spoke without thinking, but given that Mariah is waiting for his explanation, he takes courage and says what he thinks:


    - If it was one of them who fired, then wouldn''t the culprit have powder on him? And wouldn''t the shot have been visible in the dark?


    People start nodding and asking the same questions. The culprit smiles, hoping Mariah won''t have any answers to them, but unfortunately for him¡ª


    - I said it, didn''t I?


    The detective plays with a lock of her hair.


    - The criminal has a backpack to keep the gun and the brick, so the backpack comes in handy.


    She curls her hair around her index finger.


    - And it was with this same backpack that he hid the shot.


    The culprit opens his eyes wide again, realizing that whatever happens, he''s done for. Although he doesn''t yet know what evidence they''ve found against him, his confidence is down to 0. He wants to run away from here, but just as he''s about to get up, the muscular man at his side will stop him for sure.


    - Shit, shit, shit¡­


    One of the guests asks what Mariah means and she explains:


    - If the shot is made inside the bag, it''s impossible to see, right?


    - Huh?! Did you find a hole in one of our bags?! And then there''d be gunpowder on our sleeves or our hands!" shouts Rei.


    Mariah smiles.


    - Funny you should say that.


    Mariah grits her teeth as she smiles at Rei, the man with black and white hair.


    - Doesn''t your bag have holes from the start, Reiiii?


    And then the culprit felt his heart skip a beat in his chest. The other three suspects turn to him... to Rei. He wants to reply, but he feels all eyes on him, even Mariah''s. She continues without delay.


    - The holes aren''t very big, but they''re enough to get a bullet through without damaging the bag. On top of that, there''s a scratch at the bottom of the bag, so I''m convinced you used that one to commit the crime. You probably had the brick lying right underneath you... Hm, with a gun like that, I suppose you could shoot one handed, but it''s risky.


    Mariah starts to think, but ends up shrugging.


    - Whatever happens, one way or another, the technique remains the same.


    - But if the gun came out of one of the holes, the shot would still have been observable, wouldn''t it?" asks Dash.


    - There''s no need to get the gun out of the hole, just make sure the shot goes through. The hole is big enough for the ball to pass through without any trouble. Even in the dark, it''s easy to make sure the gun is firing at the right spot, even if there''s nothing to say it hasn''t fired from another hole.


    - But isn''t it risky?" asks Antoine, one of the four suspects. If the bag fell a little and he fired, the bullet would have pierced the bag and the trick would have been directly revealed.


    Mariah nods.


    - I''m sure Rei was careful when he fired and was convinced he wouldn''t miss.


    - How could he shoot the victim so precisely?" shouts one of the guests.


    - We have sought confirmation from the hospital, but there is still a small trace of fluorescent paint on the victim''s clothing, where he was shot.


    She crosses her arms.


    - It''s not a very strong fluorescent paint, so Rei, who was concentrating on the victim, could see it, but those next to him, watching the film, didn''t see that little fluorescent dot on the victim''s back. Given the darkness, it''s clear that no one could have seen the culprit lift his bag, pull the trigger and then throw the brick. He obviously put the bag back on his back at the same time, without even closing it, to make sure he got rid of the gun right afterwards," she explains.


    Silence has no place in this room: everyone is talking to each other, surprised by this method of murder. Rei trembles, clenching her fists. Manny asks him to defend himself, but the young man can''t find a word. Gatito rests his back against the wall again and squints.


    - Mariah!


    He shouts, which attracts the detective''s attention.


    - Even if it''s not impossible, how can you not have any powder on you, if you do that? For the pistol to be accurate enough to shoot through the hole without damaging the bag, as well as all the space inside the bag, a good part of the arm would have had to be put inside. Not only were no gloves found, no traces of gunpowder were on him. It would have been impossible to get rid of it all that quickly, so I suppose you have an explanation?¡± Gatito asks.


    Mariah listens attentively, the microphone a little more than her mouth, but she ends up smiling.


    - Ah, I''m finally being asked.


    Gatito frowns, waiting for her answer. Mariah plays with the microphone before deciding to answer herself.


    - A bag within a bag.


    - Huh?


    - A bag... in a bag?


    - What do you mean by that, Mariah?!" shouts Gatito from the back of the room.


    Mariah smiles broadly.


    - If Rei had picked up the gun while hiding his hand with his sleeve, it would be too complicated to pull the trigger, so he took advantage of something that we wouldn''t consider anything other than normal, but which is actually important to this case," she explains.


    - A bag...?


    The guests don''t understand, but Mariah is there to explain the truth.


    - A plastic bag around his hand, protecting it from any powder on his clothes, preventing his fingerprints from getting on the weapon.


    She shakes her hair.


    - The plastic bag from his sandwich. Simple as that.


    - I suppose it''s a theory that holds water..." thinks Annie, rubbing her chin.


    Manny gets up from his chair, accompanied by Sally.


    - If everything you say is right, then what are your two proofs?!! Besides, how did they break the glass the first time, then?!" shouts Colin and Mona''s son.


    - It just never happened.


    Mariah shakes her head and sighs.


    - Don''t you get it, Manny?


    - H-Huh?


    - But you''ve got a pretty similar bag, don''t you? In fact, if you had holes like Rei''s bag, I''d have thought you were the culprit.


    - What are you talking about?!" Sally asked aggressively.


    Mariah sighs again and clicks her tongue a few times against her teeth.


    - The resemblance between the two bags is easy to understand, isn''t it?


    Sally squinted, looking at Rei''s backpack... before realizing.


    - The... speakers?


    Mariah nods.


    - Just the sound of breaking glass. He could have recorded it in advance by breaking a similar window, or simply bet that nobody would notice the difference with a video taken on YaTube, but either way, it''s certain.


    Rei, the supposed culprit in this case, stares at Mariah with bated breath. She reveals everything without a care, as if she had read Rei''s mind. Just when he thought he''d thought of everything... just when he thought he''d thought of everything¡­


    - The pieces of glass in front of the window on the inside were put there in advance, probably while watching the film. Given that few people were at the back of the room, it couldn''t have been complicated.


    - It''s true that at one point you pushed me backwards..." thinks Antoine.


    Rei clenches his fists, as well as his teeth. Mariah squints.


    - The other proof is easy to obtain: we may have verified traces of powder on your clothes, but we didn''t check inside your bags. Plus, I don''t think he really had time to clear his history or erase the recording on his phone, so it can be used as evidence," the detective explains, ending her and Deshya''s deduction.


    The noise picks up even louder. Mariah lowers the microphone and stares intently at Rei, the young man shaking in his boots. He can''t say anything, his eyes wide and his irises staring into space. Manny asks him if this is true, but Rei answers nothing. Mariah asks Dash to take her backpack to be checked, as well as the contents of his phone if Rei accepts, but this won''t happen: Rei falls to his knees on the floor and hits the wood of the stage with a violent fist.


    - I thought it was perfect...!! I... I didn''t think that when the drapes were closed... How did I miss this¡­!


    Mariah sighs and shakes her head.


    - The brick could have caught on the drapes and you might have been able to hide it in your bag, but I''m sure we''d still have realized that something had been thrown from inside. In any case, the simple fact that you fled after the crime would have struck me as odd, as would the other three at your side, given that the other three could never have committed anything on their own. In short¡ª


    - I understand... It''s okay, it''s okay !!!


    Rei starts to cry, realizing that his plan has fallen through and that he will now have to face the consequences of his crime. The three beside him can''t find words to comfort him ¡ª or rather, they don''t feel like arguing with a killer. Dash shakes his head gently, unable to believe that a young man like him would dare commit such a crime.


    - You''re too young to spend time in prison... Idiot," Dash thinks, looking at the culprit.


    Mariah turns back to the crowd, but her gaze is currently somewhere else: beyond the walls of this villa. She squints softly.


    - Deshya... where are you now?" she wondered.


    After Korone came out of the bathroom, a man grabbed her from behind, one hand around her waist to carry her, the other in front of her mouth to prevent her from shouting for help. He flees from the entrance, but unfortunately the guard doesn''t act: after all, it''s the other person who was at the side of the one who has just kidnapped Korone. The latter runs helplessly away from the villa, beating the arm of the person who is aggressively embracing her with her small fists. The little girl wants to scream for help, but it''s impossible for her to open her mouth. No matter how hard she struggles, it''s no use. She moves further and further away from the villa. She wants to cry, to let the tears flow, to scream, to be let go, but she remains strong. She tries to think of a way out, but... But¡­


    The man doesn''t utter a single word along the way. He continues to run and comes to a building in the woods, resembling a small abandoned storeroom. Korone already knows what''s going to happen to her. Pera won''t notice her disappearance for a few minutes, so she''ll alert Gatito and Deshya far too late: Korone will already be dead, in that small building, before help arrives. Even if she is agile, has a certain talent with weapons and is very intelligent, against this person, she won''t be able to do anything. What''s more, she''s now certain that the look on her face during the party came from the person who''s just abducted her.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Of this man with black hair.


    He enters the storeroom and closes the door behind her without slamming it. Korone quickly scans the surroundings, but there''s almost nothing left inside the place. Wooden crates here and there, less large as those in the warehouse where they rescued Deshya, but there are no floors or trunks. The floor is dusty, and even in this darkness, some of the cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and between the various abandoned crates are visible. Korone hasn''t struggled since she saw this storeroom, since whatever happens, she doesn''t have enough strength to escape. If this man''s aim is to kill her, then she can only accept fate. Nevertheless, even if she has to die, then¡­


    Before she can finish her inner thought, the man runs to the middle of the room before dropping her to the floor. Both her feet land on the concrete floor of the storeroom and dust flies around her. She coughs and steps back, but the man grabs her shoulder. Korone opens one eye and watches him, but that oppressive pressure returns. She holds her chest and takes another step back, coughing with small tears in her eyes. Noticing the little girl''s expression, the man takes another step back.


    - You are Korone, aren''t you?" he asks.


    In this darkness, Korone can''t quite make out his physical attributes, especially as he wears a dark hat on his head, probably to prevent anyone from recognizing him. His clothes, too, are very dark and cover his whole body. The only thing Korone could notice was the color of his hair when she looked up, having just been removed: black hair, the same color as his unshaven beard for at least three or even four weeks.


    - Snow-white hair, big purple eyes, short stature, little girl.


    He continues to speak, but Korone can''t answer. Her heart beats as fast as it can, but the man''s pressure continues to crush her chest, preventing her from breathing properly. She feels as if someone is trying to flatten her entire trunk, to crush her ribcage to powder. An unpleasant, painful sensation, one that Korone unfortunately can''t silence. The man sighs when he notices that the little girl doesn''t seem to want to answer ¡ª or rather, she doesn''t seem to be able to. He takes a step towards her, but Korone steps back, eyes glinting in the few moonbeams that shine through the holes in the storeroom. However, a small bump in the concrete is hit by her foot and she falls to the ground... before the man grabs her arm, preventing her back and buttocks from touching the ground.


    - If you fall, you''ll get your clothes dirty," he says.


    - H-Huh?


    The person in front of her lifts her up and crouches down in front of Korone.


    - I repeat: you are Korone, aren''t you? Although I already know the answer, and even if you don''t reply I''m sure you''re my target, I want confirmation from you.


    The girl blinks, unsure if she understands what he really wants. Nevertheless, not wanting to upset this bearded man, she decides to nod, the words failing to come out of her mouth. The expression of the person in front of Korone is impossible to see in the darkness of the storeroom, but it seems to the little girl that she can see a... strange smile. Like malicious, but¡ª


    - Korone, eh. The one who was almost killed, but whose task was not carried out.


    He shakes his head, as if disappointed. Korone feels her own hands trembling, her eyes hesitating whether to let go of the tears or hold on to them, her heart beating as fast as ever. The man''s calm voice and the beating of her heart: these are the only two sounds she can hear. Not even a bird, not even an animal rustling in the night. The night breeze doesn''t make a sound, the shabby storeroom they''re in doesn''t emit the slightest lament.


    - You''ve got a new family, haven''t you?


    A question that immobilizes Korone. She freezes in place, her hands stop shaking, but her heart beats no less rapidly. The man in front of her is simply waiting for an answer, crouching down and holding his hands. forearms on his knees, but the silence continues. He sighs... but it''s at this precise moment that Korone finally opens his mouth. His voice rings out at last, echoing off the facades of the storeroom.


    - Don''t... Don''t kill them!


    The man blinks. Korone finally dares to take a step forward, her eyes finally deciding what to do.


    Tears stream down her cheeks and drops fall onto the dusty floor.


    - They... They didn''t do anything! They¡­


    Korone took another step forward, coming within inches of the man.


    - I don''t want them to die! They know nothing, they know nothing at all!


    Korone sniffs and opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. The man frowns and sighs again before reaching into his coat. Korone''s whole body is screaming at her to run, her heart beating wildly, her arms shaking even more than before. Her voice locks in her throat, but she grits her teeth and tears flow more abundantly into her shining eyes, as she shakes her head in anger ¡ª in determination.


    - PLEASE DON''T KILL THEM !!!!


    The man stops and admires her. He catches the object in his coat, but doesn''t take it out yet. Korone falls to her knees, unable to stay on her feet.


    - They... They didn''t do anything!!! They simply... They simply took me in out of kindness!!! I''m the one who asked... I''m the one who wanted to be with them, not the other way around!!! Please, I love them... I don''t want them to die or suffer¡­


    Korone raises her face to the man, showing him an absolutely terrified, frightened, but also desperate expression. The grief she feels is mixed with another, even more powerful feeling:


    Love.


    - Kill me... but not them. I''ll do what you want... but don''t bother them... don''t bother¡­


    Korone falls to all fours and sniffles, letting out cries of sorrow, of mental pain. Her arms shake violently, threatening to let Korone fall entirely to the ground. The man remains silent in front of her, now taking out what he has in his pocket and pointing at Korone. Korone screams one last time:


    - PLEASE DON''T KILL MY NEW FAMILY!!!


    The silence broken by his grief. The breeze blowing through the trees and the many holes in the reserve. Korone stands still, fully accepting her fate. Even if she has to suffer, she refuses to let people as kind and good as them come to know her fate simply for taking her in. She doesn''t care if her life ends here, but before she leaves, she wants to do everything she can to protect them. She wants them to live happily ever after. The man brings the object in his hands close to Korone''s head¡­


    - Sorry, Deshya... Sorry... Big-s¡ª


    Before she can finish this thought, her head is lifted by the man''s hand.


    And he dries her tears with a white handkerchief, pure as snow.


    - Come on, come on.


    Korone doesn''t even blink. Her eyes remain wide open, as does her mouth, and the little girl doesn''t move. Her trembling arms won''t stop, while she can''t even figure out what she''s thinking.


    - Your new family, you say?


    The man tucks the handkerchief away in his coat pocket and this time¡ª


    Smiles in a beautiful way.


    - Did you dare tell them how you felt? How you feel about them?


    - ... W-What...?


    Korone can finally say her first word. The man keeps smiling and helps the little girl up.


    - Expressing how you feel is important. No matter what.


    Korone is back on her feet. The tears in her eyes have stopped, but her cheeks are still wet. The person in front of her claps his hands, as if he''s about to start applauding, but he stops dead in his tracks.


    - You thought you were in danger and yet, in your last moments, you begged me not to kill them.


    The man chuckles softly, but quickly regains his seriousness. Nevertheless, his smile widens and his eyelids lower gently, but his expression is not one of madness or strangeness: but one that is happy, reassured, comforted.


    - You''re strong, Korone. I congratulate you," he says honestly.


    The girl stands motionless in front of him, her mouth agape. She can''t decide whether she''s dreaming or not.


    - You can be proud of who you are. Of your strength. However, you must confess to them.


    With his index finger, he touches Korone''s left breast with a smile.


    - In your heart, it''s clear that you see them as a new family. You mustn''t be afraid, Korone: they''ll protect you. You''ll protect them. You''ll protect each other, like a real family.


    Korone''s eyes widen even more... and her mouth trembles as it closes. The tears return and the man gently strokes her hair with his gloved hand. As silence reigns between the two of them¡ª


    - Korone!


    A shout rings out from outside. The man squints before standing up and stops smiling.


    - It looks like it''s time for me to go," he murmurs.


    His voice is so low that Korone can''t hear him. However, before the man flees, he turns one last time to the little girl with the beautiful snow-colored hair and says:


    - Tell her how you really feel. This is a girl who was destined to meet you.


    With that, the man salutes Korone and leaps onto the crates, exiting the storeroom through the damaged roof. She watches him go, but it''s seconds later that the storeroom door bursts open. A girl peeks out and immediately notices that the one she''s looking for, Korone, is standing in the middle of the abandoned storeroom. Deshya runs up to her and asks if she''s all right. The little girl doesn''t answer directly, observing Deshya with wide eyes.


    - Hey, Korone? Korone?


    Deshya then notices the girl''s wet cheeks, as well as her eyes where tears have formed, but are not yet flowing. Deshya calms down and lowers himself in front of her.


    - Korone, what''s going on?


    The little girl closes her mouth before opening it again, gently, slowly.


    - A... man¡­


    Deshya frowns.


    - A man...?


    Korone lowers her eyelids


    - I... He brought me here... but¡­


    - ...but...?


    - ...I''ve¡­


    Korone swallows hard, as if trying to swallow the lump that has formed in her throat. She thinks back to the man''s words and clutches Deshya''s dress. And there¡ª


    - ...I''ve... I''ve been so scared¡­


    Korone trembles again. Deshya opens her eyes wide. The little girl continues to speak, tears threatening to fall again.


    - I thought... that he was going to kill you... that he was going to kill me and then... and then come and kill you¡­


    Although she includes herself among this man''s potential victims, it''s clear to Deshya''s fox ears that she''s thinking mainly of her parents and herself, not Korone herself. As she grips Deshya''s fox dress tightly, she lifts her head and shows her cheeks, where her sadness flows.


    - I don''t know... I don''t understand... I don''t know why he brought me here, but I was afraid... I thought... I¡­


    Korone can''t organize his words, and neither can her thoughts. She can hardly pronounce a single sentence in its entirety, the lump in her throat is an almost painful discomfort and her heartbeat may be calmed, what she felt can''t get out of her mind. Not only did she think she was going to die on this reservation, without being able to say goodbye to anyone, but she also thought she was going to cause people''s deaths. That she was going to be the reason for the loss of such incredible people.


    - He... I¡­


    Before Korone can finish his sentence, Deshya grabs him in her arms and closes her eyes.


    - I''m sorry. I''m sorry. Sorry, Korone.


    The little girl keeps her eyes wide open. Deshya grits her teeth.


    - We promised to protect you and yet we let you be taken away. No, it''s my fault. I should have looked after you better. I''m sorry. I''m sorry. I''m sorry.


    - From... No... This... No¡­


    Korone shakes her head gently, refusing to let Deshya take all the blame. Korone doesn''t even blame Pera, since she never really admitted what was going on. That the reason she felt so bad was because of someone''s presence inside the party.


    - I promise, Korone, even when we''re apart, I''ll protect you. I won''t let you lose anyone else.


    Words from the heart. Even though they haven''t known each other for long, even though Deshya knows nothing about Korone and Korone knows almost nothing about Deshya, a real bond has formed between them. Whether it''s one formed by fate, one created by a similar past or one brought about by real feelings, it doesn''t matter in the slightest to them: what matters is that they truly adore each other. That even if it''s only the beginning of a relationship, the love they feel for each other is real. That''s all that matters to them. It doesn''t matter WHY.


    - I was afraid for you, Korone," Deshya finally admits.


    Her fox tail moves gently behind her. Deshya is reassured to know that Korone is neither dead nor injured. Her clothes are dirty around the knees and her hands are dusty, but nothing more. No wounds seem to run through her body, but perhaps her heart has just been scarred. By fear. By trauma. By grief. Holding Deshya tightly, she opens her mouth. At first, nothing comes out, but the man''s words ¡ª to be more exact, his last words ¡ª are still there.


    They came back to her mind. She was scared, so scared. She thought she''d put people she loved in danger again, and yet this man had left her¡­ quiet. He dried his tears, spoke to her amicably, smiled honestly. He posed no danger to her, and yet Korone was certain that it was he, the horrifying gaze that rested on her. Had she misunderstood? Did he really have something to do with her past? Perhaps, but¡­


    Nevertheless, Korone understood something. No, she already knew, but it''s precisely because she was so scared that she could say it ¡ª that she wants to say it. If she continues to be scared like this, if she keeps everything in her heart, then nothing will change. She doesn''t want her life to go on like this, no matter how short it gets. So she opens her mouth wide.


    - B-B¡­


    So she has to accept that this is what she wants. Even if they refuse¡­


    - ......


    She at least wants to admit how she feels.


    - Big sister¡­


    And she dares to say it. Deshya opens her eyes wide and gently turns her gaze to Korone, who is now cuddling Deshya in turn while crying at the same time.


    salty tears.


    - Big sister... Big sister¡­


    - K-Korone...?


    - I want... I don''t want to leave... I don''t want us to be separated¡­


    - ¡­


    - I don''t want to part with you, I want¡­


    - ......


    - I want to stay with you... You''re so nice to me and... And I couldn''t bear to leave... Even with another family... I don''t want another family... I... I¡­


    This is Korone''s limit. She can''t stop sobbing, she just keeps on crying and crying, the lump in her throat far too big, far too strong. She holds on tightly to Deshya, the one she has finally dared to call ''big sister'', and lets her fear, her sadness, her fright run down her cheeks, touch Deshya''s dress. She dares to let her heart open honestly. The red-haired girl beside her rises to her feet, holding Korone in her arms. She bows her head and observes the ground with eyes that are... moved. Finally, she smiles and gently strokes the little girl''s hair.


    - I see.


    Deshya wants to laugh, but she can''t. With little tears in her eyes, Deshya lets the little girl express herself and cry over her.


    - I''m glad you think like I do, so..." she confesses.


    Korone slowly opens her eyes, still crying. Deshya raises her head and observes the patch of sky she can see from the holes in the roof.


    - I don''t want to break up either. Actually, I was sad just thinking about it, but I couldn''t let my selfishness do the talking. But you''re a cute, smart, special little girl. Besides¡­


    Deshya stops stroking Korone''s hair and hugs her even tighter.


    - I''ve always wanted a little sister. You''re the perfect little sister, the one I''d always dreamed of having.


    Totally sincere words.


    - I just didn''t dare say it because I thought it was too selfish. You''ve just lost your adoptive parents and we haven''t known each other very long, but¡­


    - I know, I know, I know. I know you do.


    Korone cuts her off and hugs her neck, smiling, her tears now as salty as they are sweet.


    - I miss them and I always will, but there''s nothing I can do about it," Korone admits. So I''d like to at least... be your little sister.


    - ... Are you sure?" asks Deshya.


    Korone doesn''t answer with his voice, but with a confident acquiescence. A real ''yes'' that''s stronger than any vocal confirmation. Deshya smiles again and turns towards the entrance to the storeroom, the door still open.


    - Then I''ll do everything I can to keep us together, little sister.


    Korone thanked her again and again, while the two girls, both with tears in their eyes, left the reserve and walked away. They were able to express themselves honestly to each other. Maybe their words weren''t perfect, maybe they hadn''t expressed themselves in the right way, but it didn''t matter to them: because they understood each other. Because even though they''ve only known each other a week, it''s the feelings that beat in their hearts. They care about each other, and when Korone appeared in the Oveja family, even if only for protection, a bond was formed. Not only between Korone and Deshya, but also between Korone and Gatito, between Korone and Pera. However, it''s the two girls, the ones walking towards the villa, who have the strongest bond.


    The beginning of sisterly love.


    From the darkness of the night, two people watch them. One is the man who spoke with Korone, the other is the one who pretended to be a guard. The man smiles and turns around.


    - Enjoy your new family. I know you''re afraid they''re in danger because of you, Korone... but don''t worry.


    The man walks away, hands in pocket, admiring the moon above him.


    - With this little fox, you risk nothing.


    The person behind him squints as he watches Deshya leave with the little girl, so he grabs his phone and calls someone. Before the person on the other end of the line answers, she squints at the man in front of her.


    - Are you sure you don''t want to explain anything to me? She''s the little girl who almost died on the bus, isn''t she? Then why did you take her?


    The man smiles, but the person behind him can''t see it.


    - Because watching them, I understood.


    The man takes off his hat and lets his long black hair float in the soft night breeze.


    - That she was simply afraid of endangering them in turn.


    The person on the other end of the line answers and the one behind that man excuses himself to talk to them.


    - Yes, it''s me. It''s very likely that the little girl will join Deshya''s family. Yes. No, they didn''t know each other before, they met on the bus. Yes. Yes, it''s only been a week, but it seems they''ve already become attached to each other. Yes. Isn''t that a problem? No problem.


    The person hangs up and puts the phone away before stepping up to the man''s side.


    - It seems to make her happy, so who cares?


    The person shrugs his shoulders and, with the man, they set off well beyond the villa. However, the bearded man takes one last look at the villa behind him.


    - They must both know it. That they''re connected. Maybe that''s why they bonded so quickly¡­


    He smiles and turns to look at what he finds in front of him.


    - But I know they really love each other. So stay together, here''s my vow... as someone who knows who you really are, Korone¡ª


    And with that, the two disappeared into the darkness of the night.


    Back in the villa, Deshya still holds Korone in her arms and passes through the entrance without a guard, the latter sleeping too soundly. Deshya hadn''t tried to wake him, since she ran as fast as she could to find Korone, but she intended to warn her father and the other guards: maybe they''ll have more information about what happened. In any case, Deshya hugs Korone tightly, making sure she doesn''t fall. She''s had a good cry and on the way in, she''s drifted off to sleep, although the noise inside the room will probably wake her up. Nevertheless, she enters and is greeted by a woman with hair the same color as hers.


    - Darling! You found¡ª


    - Shh, she''s asleep.


    Pera places two hands in front of her mouth and Deshya smiles as she turns, letting Korone''s face be seen by her mother.


    - I''ll quickly tell you what happened later. Is Mariah finished with her deduction?


    Pera offers to come and have a look and Deshya accepts. The doors to the room are open and the girl in the fox dress notices that the guests are making a lot of noise. Mariah brings the microphone up to her mouth.


    - Why did you kill him, though?" she asks, staring at Rei, the culprit in this case.


    Deshya admires the scene, but her attention is quickly diverted to the police inspector who hastily approaches her.


    - You seem to have found Korone. Good, I was worried," admits Gatito.


    - I''ll tell you all about it later. Is ''Rei Polley'' really the culprit?" asks Deshya.


    The muscular man nods.


    - You were right all along. I don''t know how you do it.


    - When I noticed that there was no hole in the drapes, I said to myself that it wasn''t possible to have committed the murder from outside. The pieces of glass inside the room were a real nuisance, though¡­


    Deshya sighs, but smiles as she looks at Mariah.


    - Well, as long as we catch the criminal, who cares, right?


    Her parents looked at each other before tilting their heads in admiration of their daughter.


    - You seem strangely... happy?


    They say it in chorus and Deshya blinks before laughing. Gatito and Pera don''t understand what''s happened, but they don''t have time to ask: the culprit stands up and clenches a fist before shouting:


    - That guy... That guy was following me!!! He was threatening me!


    Even without speaking into the microphone, everyone could hear him, even at the back of the room. The guests all fell silent, and only Rei could be heard.


    - He used to come and see me at school, hidden in his car! I''d never noticed him before... Until I moved into the parking lot next door, where he could watch me without me noticing! But I recognized his car, ahah. Ahah, he was... He was stalking me!!


    He stamps his foot on the ground, gritting his teeth.


    - He even went so far as to ask my grandparents to let me down!!! When I lost my parents young and they''re my only family, he dared to say such a thing... Shit!!!


    He starts to cry again, head down.


    - I didn''t even dare leave the school anymore, because I felt I was being watched... He was nagging me, telling me I wouldn''t have to work at my miserable job anymore, so I killed him at the party he loves so much here! Now he''s sorry he dared follow me like that! So he regrets, he regrets!


    Rei starts laughing and Mariah looks at him with bored eyes. Dash goes to calm him down when Antoine, the oldest of the four suspects, stands up.


    - What are you talking about?!" he yells.


    Rei opens her eyes wide and looks back at him. With a toothy grin, Rei replies:


    - You were his buddy, so you probably don''t know anything, but¡ª


    - But you''re completely stupid!


    Antoine punches Rei in the face before being caught by Dash, forcing him to stand still. Antoine, tears in his eyes, continues to scream.


    - If he was watching you at school, it''s because he heard you were being picked on there!!!! He just wanted to see if you were okay!!!!


    Rei froze.


    - He adored you and was friends with your parents, so he wanted you to live a better life! He asked your grandparents to let you live in the wild instead of always living in the same place, because he wanted you to live in one of his houses!!! He wanted to keep you under his guardianship!!!" continues Antoine.


    - You... you''re lying¡­


    Rei shakes his head. Antoine bangs his head against the stage floor, sobbing.


    - He wanted you to work for him, since you like sweets so much, which is why he told you you wouldn''t need your job anymore... but he needed to finish his next store before offering it to you... And you... and you¡­


    - It''s okay," Dash told him.


    Antoine fell silent, leaving a paralyzed Rei on the stage between Mariah and Antoine.


    - You... are lying¡­


    Manny scratches the back of his neck.


    - He''s telling the truth," he admits. He offered me a job over there with you, but since I refused, I couldn''t see the point of telling you about it¡­


    Rei watches his own hands, his eyes wide. His arms begin to tremble and he shakes his head from side to side several times, as if he refuses to believe what he has done.


    - You... I... G... Georges¡­


    Rei bangs his head against the floor, screaming in rage. One of the guards arrives to stop her, while Mariah cuts the microphone and puts it back.


    - WHAT HAVE I DONE?! WHAT HAVE I DONE?! WHAT HAVE I DONE?! WHAT HAVE I DONE?!!!!!!


    Rei''s tears burst against the stage, while the guard and Dash came to stop her from banging her head against the wood. Mariah approached them and clicked her tongue.


    - I''m glad Georges never took you under his wing, then.


    She shakes her head just once and, with an angry look on her face, finishes her sentence.


    - A killer like you doesn''t deserve a caring man like that.


    At his words, she stepped aside and left the stage, her heart pounding with rage, caused by what she had just heard. The crowd of guests creates one hell of a noise and Deshya puts a sad look on her face. Gatito touches his daughter''s shoulder.


    - This isn''t the first time I''ve seen someone killed because of a misunderstanding. Sad as it is, it''s not uncommon.


    - Not rare enough," admits Annie.


    Gatito nods and Deshya smiles faintly.


    - I suppose there are killers of all kinds in this world..." she whispers.


    Only Gatito could hear her, but he didn''t react. With this sad scene ending, the guests left one by one.


    While Saturday September 10 should have been a day of incredible celebration, it ended in such disaster.


    However, it doesn''t all end in the worst way. Colin and Mona proposed to the guests that they come back tomorrow for a real party and make sure no murders were committed. Although not all the guests accepted, most return, even Deshya''s family. This time, the party goes off without a hitch and lasts even longer than usual, starting earlier than usual. Much to the surprise of the organizers, apart from thirteen guests, everyone came back to enjoy themselves and their birthday. Even though Deshya, Annie, Mariah and Dash were there, nothing bad happened. Everyone was able to laugh, have fun and enjoy a wonderful buffet. The window was quickly repaired and by 10 p.m., the Oveja family was on their way home, a similar time to most of the guests: after all, Deshya has school tomorrow. However, before they could really go home¡ª


    - Are you sure?


    An elderly man in his sixties sits on a chair opposite four people. The little girl nods and raises her arms.


    - I''m sure of it!


    The man turns to the two adults.


    - You''re more than 25 years old, you''re at least 15 years older than the girl and you''re both consenting. Everything seems in order, but¡ª


    - It takes about 4 months, doesn''t it?


    The man is cut off by the other girl, the one in the fox dress.


    - Preparation takes about a third of the year, while a social survey must be carried out within 2 months of the judgment. After all, such a process cannot be completed in just one signature.


    The notary sighs and Gatito waves his hands gently.


    - Don''t mind her..." he says.


    - She''s not wrong, though. Did she find out in advance?


    Deshya nods, but in reality, she''s known for a long time. The little girl beside her, the one with the beautiful white hair, smiles.


    - Big sister knows a lot!¡± Korone chuckles and Deshya scratches her cheek.


    - Sorry, I''m excited, ahah¡­


    - I can understand that. However, I''ve heard from the chief of your police station that you''re also protecting the little girl, aren''t you?" asks the notary.


    Gatito nods and quickly explains the situation. After listening, the man in front of them smiles and puts away some paper.


    - Good. As your daughter just said, preparation lasts 4 months and is compulsory. However, I don''t think I need to go into too much detail, as you seem to know the process. The group part lasts about 20 hours in all, but the individual part is totally optional, so it''s up to your decision.


    The notary lowers his head and looks for something in his drawers.


    - Then you''ll have the judgment of suitability and the matching, and finally the recognition of adoption. I''m offering you some papers to explain all this, but please come and see me in the next few days with the little one to discuss it.


    He offers Deshya''s parents some papers and then lays her shoulders on the desk before looking at Korone with a smile.


    - Let me ask you again.


    The little one nods.


    - Are you sure you want to be adopted by Gatito and Pera Oveja, thus becoming Deshya Oveja''s little sister?


    Korone lets out a gigantic smile and replies:


    - Yes!


    She then jumps into the arms of her future parents and the notary laughs.


    - As you were formerly adopted by ''Roger Taketa'' and his wife, ''Maurine'', we''ll have one or two extra things to do, but we''ll talk about that next time.


    He arranges more papers and forms a ball with both hands, right in front of him, resting on the desk, smiling weakly.


    - Although she is not officially adopted by you yet, as she has nowhere else to go and is under your protection, you the police, we authorize you to already call her ''Korone Oveja'' if the adoptee consents.


    Korone nods again and then jumps on Deshya.


    - Korone Oveja, it¡¯s so cuuuuuute!!" says the little one. The name of big-sister!


    - Calm, calm, ahah!!!" laughs Deshya.


    The notary has a few more words with the two parents before the five of them stand up. Gatito and Pera thank him before taking their daughter''s ¡ª or rather, their two new daughters'' ¡ª hands. As they leave the room, Pera dries her eyes.


    - Looks like we can finally have a new girl, eh..." she says.


    - Even if your body doesn''t accept it, it looks like we''ve finally got the courage to adopt," smiles Gatito.


    Pera looks down at her belly and squints, but instead of looking depressed, she smiles.


    - Two girls... It''s always what we wanted.


    Gatito nods and Korone lets go of their hand, offering to race them to the car. Deshya crosses her arms and says it will be too easy for her, given her fox attributes. Korone sticks out her tongue and says she''s allowed to take the elevator with her parents, but Deshya has to take the stairs down all four flights. She''s about to grumble when Gatito takes Korone on his shoulders and rushes into the elevator with the little girl and his wife. Deshya gets agitated and starts to run, grumbling, while Korone laughs. Nevertheless, it''s Deshya who arrives first and Korone pouts, but the four of them laugh in the night rain before getting into the car and heading home.


    And when they arrive home, Deshya and Korone go to sleep together. Before closing their eyes, they wish each other good night at the same time:


    - Sleep well, big sister.


    - Sweet dreams, little sister.


    And after all this time, the Oveja family''s dream has finally come true.


    To have a second daughter.


    To have a little sister.

 43 -?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; First Line?(CASE9)

    <hr>


    - We have news about the incident... Unfortunately, the rumors were true!


    - At 7.57 this morning, a resident of the small village next door was jogging as usual¡­


    - The victim... The victim is ''Conri Tanisha''!!! The communication officer... of the m-minister!!!


    - On September 2, tragedy struck in the town of Shiru.


    - We have new information about the death of Conri Tanisha.


    - This¡­


    - A homicide!


    - Murder. He didn''t die naturally.


    - Or suicide!


    - Hello, I''m ''Micha?l Mourni'' and this is BTV3.


    - You''ve reached the Bexel News Channel!


    - We are live from the town of Shiru, where the corpse¡ª


    - It''s now 10:52 a.m. and the police have yet to find a culprit or potential suspect!


    - We have new information¡ª


    - So¡ª


    - We¡ª


    The sound of the television fading out, accompanied by a long male sigh. The man standing in front taps his chair with the three middle fingers of his left hand. He squints at the black screen, but then presses down on the floor with his right foot to turn towards a very luxurious laptop. A thin screen, gorgeous colors and a multicolored keyboard. Unlike the screen on the big TV, the computer is still on, showing a certain site. As he admires it, his phone vibrates, accompanied by a snippet of the ''C2C - Down The Road'' song. The man grabs the phone and answers the call before putting it to his ear.


    - This is me.


    He listens to what the person on the other end of the call has to say and ends up smiling.


    - Really?


    - Yes.


    - I see.


    He hangs up and looks around the site again.


    Ten days later, just before 8am.


    This same man stretches as he steps off the train, his head hidden by a black cap and a scarf around his neck


    He smiles broadly and looks up.


    - Let''s hunt the cute little fox~!


    And with that, he strides into the station, suitcase in hand and blond hair escaping from his cap.


    CHAPTER 43


    ?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; First Line?


    - So we STILL solved a murder, Miss Fox?!


    A boy a year older than the girl next to her. French classes start in just twenty minutes, but Deshya has arrived early alongside Amora, her best friend of several years. Deshya scratches her cheek.


    - They all seem to fall on me, ahah..." she confesses.


    - Are you cursed?" interrogates Abdoul, the boy she''s talking to.


    As he ask this question that many are thinking, a girl grabs his ear and forces him back. Abdoul cries out in pain and the white-haired girl smiles.


    - He''s talking nonsense, don''t worry," Lam reassures her.


    Deshya sneers, but inwardly, as she asks herself the same question. However, just like the sunday of the week before, nothing happened. Colin and Mona''s party wasn''t a disaster again, and they decided to keep Korone at home, which made her Sunday beautiful. Her meeting with Raiji went well too ¡ª well, rather the second time, during Thursday. She doesn''t think she''s cursed, just unlucky. What intrigues her is what happened during the party: Korone''s sudden disappearance. Korone explained to her why she had really felt ill, why she had suddenly been kidnapped... but also about his strange words.


    - Is it possible that this man is linked to my own fox attributes...?


    She knows it may be fanciful and that she can''t link everything ''strange'' with her situation, but the man''s last words are what make her say such a thing.


    ''- Tell her how you really feel. She''s a girl who was destined to meet you.''


    This is what Korone told her, what the man expressed to her before fleeing. Deshya thought long and hard about it, but she couldn''t possibly know anything about this man, especially as she asked Colin Furas if he''d have any idea who he was, especially as he hadn''t come to the party the day after, but he confessed he didn''t know. Deshya had wanted a list of all the guests, but looking for everyone would be complex, and there was nothing to say that this man was really invited to the party, so she abandoned the idea. Besides, the joy of finally having a little sister dominated her heart, so she didn''t bother with the story, especially since if the man had really wished Korone harm, he would never have let her live or join Deshya again.


    - He wouldn''t be connected with the sniper who almost killed Korone, so... Is it possible that he''s the one who killed him?!


    If the man wants Korone to live well and be happy, then it''s a possible theory. All she knows about the probable culprit behind the death of the gunman who almost killed Korone is that he was seen running down the street, an eagle hood over his head. Although one of the eyewitnesses is convinced that it was indeed a man he observed, nothing is certain, especially if his face was hidden behind a hood. Korone doesn''t seem to be in any danger, but Deshya won''t let her guard down. She won''t let anyone harm her new little sister. She won''t.


    - Deshya?


    A female voice calls her. Deshya turns her face to her best friend and smiles.


    - Sorry, I was in my thoughts.


    - Oh, that''s all right!¡± Amora smiled back.


    - I just wanted to know if on wednesday you''d like to go for a WacDonald''s with Frie, Lam and Abdoul!" she suggests.


    - Maruno might come, but it depends on whether he''s with his girlfriend or not," admits Lam.


    - You can ask Tessa if she wants to come!


    Amora winks at her and Deshya rubs her chin, keeping her smile.


    - It''s true that I haven''t eaten any for a while. I''ll ask Tessa if she wants to!


    Deshya accepts, which makes Amora very happy ¡ª and she''s not hiding it! As always, to show her joy, she takes her best friend in her arms and lets out a cute noise, accompanied by her feet flapping, a reaction that more or less everyone in Amora''s entourage knows. Abdoul shakes his head and sighs, though he smiles faintly too.


    - Only Amora could be so tactile," he says.


    - Weren''t you the one who wanted to hug Lam to thank her for giving you an answer to a test, but she refused?" teases Frie.


    - Since when do you tease like that?


    Abdoul blushes with shame as he scratches his cheek, which makes everyone laugh. Lam strokes his hair ¡ª or rather, the cap on his head ¡ª and tells him everything''s going to be fine. Abdoul nods, smiling broadly. Amora giggles when she hears Frie''s remark, as this is not her style. Deshya is also amused, but quickly stops smiling as she pats Amora''s back.


    - You''re... choking me¡­


    - Oh, sorry!


    Amora apologizes and backs away from her best friend. Deshya assures her that everything''s fine, but she coughs anyway and sighs, giggling. The friends laugh together in the playground.


    A few minutes later, the bell rings and classes begin. Class 4B, where Deshya and her best friend are, starts with ''French''. The class teacher is on time and greets the class before making introductions. As expected, no one is late or absent this Monday.


    Immediately afterwards, the ''Religion'' class begins. Another teacher joins the class, barely older than the one in the previous class. She doesn''t make the introductions and so starts the class rather quickly, first asking the students if they have all their belongings, which she has asked them to take exclusively for ''Religion'': a binder specially used for this class, as well as a book she considers important. With the exception of two students, everyone is in order. Deshya had almost forgotten to buy the book because of her tiring week without rest, but fortunately her mother has a good memory for such things. The woman turns to the blackboard and is about to write on it when someone knocks on the classroom door. The teacher turns her face towards it.


    - Yes ?


    Just then, the door opens and someone enters the classroom, his face partially hidden by the many items of clothing on him, such as a scarf or a bonnet. All the students are intrigued, even the teacher, who squints. The person arrives in front of the blackboard, a few steps away from the teacher, his eyes and part of his face barely visible behind the long scarf. Deshya clenches a fist and swallows.


    - He hides his body and face... Don''t tell me that¡­


    If that''s what she thinks, then they''re all in danger. Should she stand up and take action? Scream danger? Warn everyone that he may be a person with evil intentions...?


    - ?!


    However, as Deshya ponders, she notices that the person next to the teacher turns his gaze towards her, as if he had noticed her agitation. The girl in the fox sweater therefore doesn''t move, frozen under such a gaze.


    - Hm.


    The person smiles behind his scarf and turns back to the class before bowing gently.


    - Forgive my intrusion, I''m not staying long. I need the help of one of your students, that''s all.


    The students don''t hide their astonishment and Amora leans towards Deshya.


    - He''s a strange one, isn''t he...?" she asks.


    Deshya frowns.


    - Wait... That... That voice¡­


    The person''s voice is masculine, but there''s a feminine side to it, albeit a very faint one. Noticing the reactions of the students, as well as the teacher who seems wary of the newcomer, the person apologizes again and gently waves his hands.


    - Ah, sorry, I didn''t want to be recognized in the street, that''s why I''m dressed like this!! I''m not a strange person, I''m¡ª


    Clearly, this person is a man. After apologizing, he touches his cap and removes it, showing the top of his head. Immediately afterwards, he undoes his scarf and shakes his head when it''s removed, showing the whole class his long, smooth blond hair. He then opens his eyes, now visible to all.


    Long blond hair, red eyes. The man is recognized by all at once. Deshya''s eyes open wide, mouths agape, and even before some of the cries have been heard, the man pronounces his identity:


    - Minos Kiyon, you know me as ''Belium''s Best Detective'', don''t you?


    He winks and some cries can be heard; cries of joy. Deshya holds her fox ears and Amora gently smacks her best friend.


    - It''s him, Deshyshy!!! It''s Miiiinooooos!!!


    - I-I know!!!


    She closes her eyes, the pain of the shouts of joy piercing her ears, but the teacher strikes the table and yells at the students to calm down instantly. They comply, but some can''t contain their excitement, which makes the man with the long blond hair laugh. He winks again and Deshya admires him attentively. Even though she seems calm, her legs are moving under the desk, her heart beating rapidly. The man who appeared before them all... ''Minos Kiyon'', one of the best detectives in the whole world, the one considered to be the best in all Belium... She, as well, wants to scream with joy and jump on the spot, but she keeps her composure and simply devours him with her eyes. The man scratches his cheek and turns back to the teacher.


    - It''s like I''m creating a scene... I don''t want to take up your time and I''m in a hurry myself, so I don''t delay," he admits.


    He grabs a bic from the teacher''s desk and raises his hand.


    - I have to leave soon, but who wants an autograph first?!" he offers.


    As he expected, hands go up and students are already pulling notebooks and sheets of paper out of their briefcases. The teacher tries to stop the man, but finally gives up when she sees that the students all seem to be in ecstasy. She knows very well who the man is, so she can understand their excitement, however¡­


    - What do you really want?" asks the woman.


    - I just need one of your pupils, that''s all," Minos replies without looking at the teacher, who is signing the sheets, satchels and pencil cases of the schoolchildren.


    - Wait, you want to borrow one of the kids...?


    He nods with a smile, offering no further context, and finally arrives in front of the desk of the girl he''s interested in.


    - Yo.


    He smiles.


    - Fox-eared detective.


    Deshya''s eyes open wide, riveted on the face of the man in front of her. A living legend, a handsome man with an effeminate side who is often seen in the newspapers.


    - M-Me?


    Deshya points to herself and blinks. All the students turn their attention to the girl in the fox sweater, even the woman who''s their teacher. Minos smiles broadly and approves.


    - Deshya Oveja, the girl who solves case after case.


    He holds out his hand.


    - I need your help. I mean it.


    Whereas he had been smiling a second earlier, he now showed a piercing, serious gaze. Deshya finds no words to reply, staring at the man with the long blond hair with a mouth agape. Seeing the girl''s lack of reaction, Minos sighs and steps up beside her.


    Before carrying her.


    - A-Ah?!


    He takes her in his arms like a bride and grabs her satchel with his other hand, asking the pink-haired girl to put the things on the desk into the bag. Amora doesn''t move immediately, her brain on overload. However, she finally complies, blushing. Minos winks, sticking out his tongue.


    - Thank you~!


    Amora nods several times and Minos leaves the classroom carrying Deshya. Before leaving, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a 200 euro bill to place on the teacher''s desk.


    - For your trouble. I''ll borrow her for the day!


    Minos is about to leave when Amora knocks on her desk. The man turns around.


    - D-Deshya is gorgeous and sooooooo cute, but she''s a mi-minor!!! I don''t¡ª


    - I''m not borrowing her for that... Are you out of your mind?!" shouts Minos.


    At her words, he closes the classroom door and walks down the corridor, pouting.


    - I''m 29... Like I''d be interested in a 16-year-old! Mph.


    Deshya blinks, cheeks flushed, while Minos walks on, looking ahead. In the classroom, the pupils watch Amora, who has sat down again, bowing her head in embarrassment at having dared to think such a thing. Lam chuckles.


    - The courage to dare say such a thing to Minos, you really are a true friend!" she said.


    - Hmmm¡­


    Amora makes herself very small, but nobody blames her, as they still can''t believe they''ve all just met Minos Kiyon. The teacher grabs the 200-euro bill and blinks.


    - ... What just happened there?


    But no one can answer her question: they have no idea.


    Minos Kiyon whistles his way out of the school building. Deshya remains silent, unable to utter a single word. Her blush has subsided, but her heart is still beating rapidly in her chest. She hasn''t stopped staring at the face of the man with the first name ''Minos''... after all, he''s her favorite detective along with ''Kira Miname'', the one considered to be the best in the whole world. To see him for real so soon, to be held in his arms, to have been ''chosen'' by him for some as yet unknown reason¡­


    - And he knows I''m known as the fox-eared detective¡­


    How could she ever calm down under such conditions? Even if her heart is totally set on Tessa and she feels no attraction for Minos, meeting a celebrity like this, the person who inspired her to read detective stories and take an interest in detectives in general, can only make her crazy with joy. It''s a different feeling from love.


    - Sorry to pick you up like this, especially since you had class... but I really need you," Minos confessed.


    The man arrives at the school gates and exits the playground through the back entrance. He drops Deshya and hands her back her satchel before grabbing a suitcase that had been patiently waiting for his master''s return. He waves his blond hair and admires the girl in front of him with his red eyes.


    - I''d rather not waste a single second, so introductions aren''t necessary, I think?" he says.


    Deshya opens her mouth, but shakes her head without saying a word, which makes Minos smile. He nods, as if convinced of something.


    - Before I explain, would it be possible to talk about this at home? I can''t really show what''s going on in the street, especially as I''m afraid I''ll be recognized¡­


    As he says this, he once again hides his face behind a simple cap and long scarf. Deshya blinks, mouth still gaping.


    - Y-You... You want to come to our house?


    - I have my face hidden, it looks like I''m kidnapping you from your classes, I''m carrying you in my arms and now I''m saying I have to come to your house... If I wasn''t known like this, you''d think I was a sexual abuser¡­


    He scratches his hair through his cap.


    - If I didn''t have to rush like this, I could have told you meet after school, raaah!!


    Minos grumbles as he holds his wheeled suitcase, while Deshya continues to watch him in amazement.


    - Am I dreaming?" she wonders.


    She pinches her cheek, but doesn''t wake up. This means that the man in front of her is real... That what she''s experiencing isn''t fake. That Minos Kiyon has really come for her, knowing her identity¡­


    - Can I give you a hug?


    Deshya spread her arms aside, blushing. Minos tilts his head, watching her.


    - I beg your pardon?


    - I''ve always dreamed of meeting youuuuuuuuuuu!!!!


    Deshya hops around and waves her arms in front of her. She takes the popular detective''s hand and opens her mouth wide, eyes wide.


    - It was you who inspired me to read novels by Arthur Conan Doyle, Rex Stout, Agatha Christie or even Dorothy L. Sayers!!!!


    - Even Dorothy?!


    - Yes!!! You''re the one who inspired me to take so muuuuch interest in the subject, to become who I am!!! When I see you''re on a new investigation, I can''t wait for you to come and solve it!!! Sometimes, when you post mysteries on the internet, I just jump right in and try to solve them before anyone else!!!


    - Is that you, ''FoxyDeshy''?


    Stars appear in Deshya''s eyes.


    - You even know my pseudonym...?!


    Minos scratches his cheek with his free hand.


    - Once, you solved the case so quickly that I actually understood who the murderer was just by reading your message.


    - I helped Minos?!


    Deshya hops on the spot and lets out cute noises that even Amora has probably never heard ¡ª except when she''s talking about Tessa. The man blinks and Deshya grabs his other hand.


    - I don''t believe it, I don''t believe it, I don''t believe it!!!


    - I confess I''m amazed that the famous fox-eared detective has so much energy of her own.


    Deshya lets go of Minos'' hands and bows several times.


    in front of him.


    - Sorry, sorry!!! It''s just that¡ª


    - No, I''m fine.


    Minos waves his hand, laughing.


    - It''s not like I''m someone who''s going to complain about that, I think it''s sweet, but... Ah, you want a hug that bad?


    Seeing the girl''s puppy-dog eyes, he sighed and spread his arms.


    - Okay, but¡ª


    Deshya leaps into his arms and embraces him with great joy. Minos looks at her and smiles.


    - Well, I can''t say I blame her.


    However, when Minos notices that they''ve been embracing for five minutes, he forces Deshya back to the ground and crosses his arms.


    - I understand that you''re very happy to meet me and that you want to ask me lots of questions, but I''ll be honest and clear.


    He frowns.


    - I''m not here to have a meeting with a fan, but with a detective. I need your help.


    As if she''d just been struck in the heart, Deshya opens her eyes wide and her playful expression immediately calms down. She opens her mouth wide, then closes it and sighs all the air out of her lungs. She clenches a fist and nods.


    - Okay, I''ve fangirled enough, sorry.


    - No worries.


    - On the other hand, no disrespect¡­


    Deshya looks up at Minos.


    - I''m just a simple teenager who loves mystery, I''m nowhere near your level. If anyone could use another''s help, it''s me.


    Deshya remains humble, but that''s how she really feels: she can be treated like a genius all you want, be praised by the police themselves or even recognized in the newspapers, she''s sure to be nowhere near the level of Minos Kiyon, considered the best detective in the whole country. He is a living legend, a man who is popular even with those who have no interest in detectives. The man smiles and strokes her hood.


    - It''s good to be humble, but I''ve seen your accomplishments. A mere teenager, you say?


    He shakes his head, showing his teeth.


    - So we have a generation of geniuses, if you''re a ''mere'' teenager.


    Minos''s words touch Deshya, who lowers her gaze and pinches her lips. Minos pats his suitcase and sits down.


    - I promise I''ll talk about the case soon, but it''s really impossible for me to explain here. If you don''t want it to be at your place as a precaution, since we don''t know each other, there''s no problem. I can quickly rent a hotel or somewhere else, but I just think it''s weirder. I don''t mind being Minos Kiyon and you seem to be a fan of mine, but safety is important to me.


    He points to the pockets of his fox sweater.


    - You can talk it over with your parents, it''ll be better. I can promise to be the real Minos, but you''re still a minor and I''d rather not get into trouble, especially since if I used my status and popularity to my advantage, I''d be sad on my own.


    Deshya nods and grabs her phone. As she''d suspected, Minos is a formidable man who never abuses his power or popularity. She only knows him from the newspapers and the Internet, and his exploits are reported everywhere, but she''s pleased to note that she hasn''t been mistaken about him. Being able to be at his side makes her want to jump with joy again and again, but she keeps her cool and calls her father, hoping he''ll answer. Fortunately, he quickly picks up.


    - Hello, Deshya?


    - Ah, dad! You''re not going to believe this!


    - Can I ask you why you''re calling me when you should be in class? You don''t dare skip, I hope, do you?!


    The man''s scream rings out so loudly that even Minos can hear it. Deshya grits her teeth, closes her eyes and pouts.


    - You''re hurting my ears...!


    - Are you holding your phone in front of your sweater''s ears?


    Minos blinks at the girl. Deshya opens her eyes wide and waves her hand that''s not holding the phone, smiling embarrassedly.


    - A-Aaaah, it''s just because... This way I''m playing the game to the hilt, since I can hear well like that too, a-a-ahah!


    - Eh, I see.


    Minos stuffs his hands into the pockets of his pants and stands up.


    - Who''s that next to you?" asks the girl''s father.


    - You''re not going to believe this! He came to get me in class and it seems he needs me for an investigation!!


    On the other side of the line, she can hear her father sighing heavily.


    - An investigation...? Who are you talking about? Wait a minute, huh?


    Gatito''s confusion amuses Deshya, but her excitement prevents her from laughing. She tenses with joy and answers him with great glee:


    - Minos Kiyon!! You know, THE Minoooos!


    On the other side of the line, Gatito remains silent. Time passes with Deshya unable to stop smiling, Minos amused and Gatito speechless. Finally he speaks:


    - I''ll call your school and tell them you''re skipping classes. Bye.


    - A-Ah!! Wai¡ª


    - Hello, Deshya''s father, right?


    Just as Gatito is about to hang up, Minos grabs Deshya''s phone and places it next to her right ear, smiling.


    - I suppose it''s hard to believe your daughter, but she''s telling the truth. If you want someone to scold, it''s Minos himself, since I''m the one who forced her out of class.


    - ... No kidding?


    - I can make a voice call if you don''t believe me!


    - ... No, I believe you. Anyway, my daughter wouldn''t lie to skip school, but¡­


    He sighs.


    - I''ll believe in you. Why does she call me?


    - I need her help with my investigation, but I can''t really look after her on the street, so I asked her if it would be possible to discuss it at her place, as it would be easier and I have to work there, but it''s impossible from here. However, your daughter is still a minor and I''d prefer her parents'' agreement, as well as one of you coming to get us, because you can''t trust just anyone, even someone like me who''s very popular all over the world.


    He rubs the underside of his nose.


    - Well, I trust myself and I''m attracted to women older than me, but that''s not enough.


    - Still speaking with honesty, not knowing what a filter is, eh?


    Gatito sighs and Minos smiles.


    - Of course, Inspector Gatito!


    - I''ve got time to pick you up, since I''ve got nothing to do at work. I''ll talk to the boss, but it shouldn''t be a problem. Where are you?


    - In front of Deshya''s school, behind the playground.


    Gatito lets out a muffled sound of agreement and picks up. Minos hands the phone back to the girl, who looks at the man in astonishment.


    - Inspector Gatito... That''s what you said, isn''t it?


    - I''ve already worked with him on a murder investigation nearby, two years ago. What''s more, I know more or less all the members of the Belium police force, especially in the main cities like the capital, Tetazo and Beita.


    - Eeeh... EH?!


    Deshya opens her mouth wide.


    - Y-You''ve worked with my dad before?!


    Minos nods, smiling broadly. Deshya clenches a fist in front of her.


    - He never told me...!


    Even though he can''t hear her thoughts, Minos understands what she must be thinking and starts laughing. Deshya admires him again and refrains from laughing, but ends up imitating Minos.


    At exactly 9:32 a.m., Gatito''s car pulls up in front of Tetazo high school, where Minos and Deshya are waiting. When they see the muscular, red-haired man roll down the car window, they stop chatting and head for the car. Gatito sticks his head out the window.


    - Well, I''ve confirmed that it really is Minos, but I''m not surprised," admits the man.


    - But you thought I was lying to you to get out of school!" his daughter yells at him.


    - I was teasing you, you''re the type who wants to go to class even if you''re sick. Well, I doubted you''d actually met Minos, but it looks like you have¡­


    The two men look at each other... and then both smile. Deshya opens the car''s rear door and invites Minos to get in, taking his suitcase and stowing it in the boot. The man with the long blond hair thanks her and happily complies. After taking care of the suitcase, Deshya sits down on the front seat, right next to her father. She thanks him for picking them up and Gatito starts the engine.


    - Well, that''s normal. On the other hand, I hope it''s really important, because to go and make my daughter skip school... Whether you''re the best detective in Belium or not, I don''t accept it.


    - Honestly, I''d have preferred to contact her after class, but I want to waste as little time as possible," admits Minos.


    - I see.


    Gatito begins to roll down the narrow road and Deshya turns her head and part of her body towards Minos after tying herself up.


    - Can I know which investigation it is?" she asks.


    - Of course, of course. I''ll talk about the details when we get to your place, but it concerns a case you must have seen a little while ago.


    - A case that happened only a short while ago?


    He nods and takes his seat.


    - The assassination of Conri Tanisha, the Minister of Defense''s communications officer.


    Gatito and Deshya frown at the same time and the girl''s fox tail suddenly stops. The red-haired man stares intently at the road, but gives a quick glance at the car mirror, quickly analyzing Minos''s expression. From the look on his face, it''s clear he''s totally serious... In any case, Gatito has no reason not to trust him.


    - As far as I know, we still haven''t found a suspect, let alone a culprit," says Gatito.


    - But it''s been a week since it happened, hasn''t it? Not even 10 days now?" asks Deshya.


    - His body was found on September 2, and the time of death was the morning of the same day. As you just said, Gatito, the authorities still have no leads on the criminals... Well, that''s not entirely correct.


    - Not entirely correct?


    - We have a lead, but we can''t find out who''s behind it. We''ve tried to find a way to find out more, but we can''t: we''ve hit a dead end... What''s more, something unexpected has happened along the way, so we''re dealing with a follow-up to the investigation.


    Deshya frowns again.


    - A follow-up, you say?


    - Conri''s murder is still a mystery, since we don''t know why he was killed, or who might have done it. However, one thing is certain: whoever is behind this first murder has no intention of stopping there. This is the case I''m currently working on: to prevent another person from dying.


    Deshya opens his eyes wide and Gatito turns a corner, clutching the steering wheel in his hands.


    - How did...?


    Deshya doesn''t finish her sentence, as Minos cuts her off immediately.


    - It''s on my computer that I can show you what I''m talking about, since what I''m about to explain has never been publicly stated. However, this is where the disturbing element appeared," the detective explains.


    - Which is...?


    However, Gatito won''t have his answer immediately. Minos promises to explain everything using the laptop he has in his suitcase when they get home, since his mouse is a USB key and he prefers to sit quietly to talk about it. Gatito nods and accelerates down the road. Deshya observes the landscape through the windshield and lets her feet move in happiness, something Amora often does when she''s feeling very happy. Deshya is intrigued by the whole affair, but continues to be in heaven at having been chosen by Minos Kiyon to help him. Nevertheless, she remains astonished: why her? Sure, she''s solved several murderous investigations since then, as well as a kidnapping, but she''s still a teenager who''s far from being a real detective... Would the great Minos come ''fishing'' for a girl like her to help him in such a serious case, a life on the line?


    They arrive home at around 9.50 a.m. and Deshya gets out of the car first. Gatito follows her, eventually by Minos, who first goes to the trunk to retrieve his suitcase. The policeman takes his house keys out of his pocket and inserts them into the door lock before opening it, Minos closing the car boot. When Deshya enters her home, she is greeted with a big, beautiful smile.


    - Big sis!


    A little girl not even 1.40m tall came to her, jumping up and down. With her beautiful white hair and big mauve eyes, she raises her arms to be held by Deshya. The latter giggles and cuddles her before turning back to her father and Minos.


    - We can sit down in the kitchen, if that''s okay?" suggests Deshya.


    - No problem, but we''ll probably have to use your computer too, it''ll be more efficient than just having one," Minos replies.


    Korone stares at the man before pointing.


    - Who''s this?


    Deshya smiles and replies happily:


    - Minos Kiyon, the man considered to be the best detective in the country!


    Korone opens her mouth wide and hops into the arms of her new big sister.


    - Oooh, I know, I know! Is it really him?


    Stolen story; please report.


    - Ahah, yes! I wouldn''t lie to you!


    - Hiiii!


    Unable to confine her joy within herself, Korone decides to embrace Deshya more firmly, and her reaction unleashes a ''Maaaw'' from Minos. Entering the house, he gently strokes Korone''s hair and smiles at her.


    - You''re Deshya''s little sister, aren''t you?


    Korone nods and stares at Minos, blushing softly, his eyes full of bright stars.


    - My name is Korone! Even if I''m not officially part of their family yet, I was adopted yesterday! Nice to meet youuuuuuuu!


    She holds out her arm, letting the tip of her tongue slip out of her mouth, and Minos laughs, squeezing her grip.


    - Nice to meet ya!


    Minos rolls his suitcase onto the floor and heads for the kitchen, accompanied by Deshya and the police inspector whose first name is Gatito. On the short way, he chats with the red-haired girl.


    - So you adopted her yesterday?


    - She can be considered a real member of our family next year, of course, but she''s been living with us for over a week and we already see her as part of the family," Deshya replies honestly.


    - Eeeh, I see. Her hair is beautiful, though.


    Korone waves them off with a proud smile.


    - White as snow!


    - Ahah, exactly!


    Gatito opens the kitchen door and lets Minos and Deshya through first, Korone still in his daughter''s arms. When they get there, the dog named ''N¨¦ro'' gets up and runs towards them, not recognizing Minos'' scent. However, he''s such a gentle German shepherd that he won''t attack anyone unless he feels hostility from them. His dog-like tail moves faster than Deshya''s fox-like one, but Deshya can''t stop it. Korone brings his mouth close to his older sister''s face.


    - Does he know you''re a fox girl?" she murmurs, asking this question while making sure he can''t hear her.


    Deshya hadn''t thought of it and remained frozen, but eventually smiled softly and shook her head.


    - Minos or not, I can''t reveal it to anyone. He doesn''t know anything," she replies honestly.


    - I see.


    She can''t let her joy get the better of her: even though he''s the best detective in all Belium and she''s always dreamed of meeting him in person, let alone talking to him, she can''t admit anything to him about her fox attributes. Sure, it''s possible that he knows something about them, but in Deshya''s mind, if he doesn''t, he''ll never know. If anyone had a clue as to who could have done it, they''d have talked to her by now. Admittedly, her fox sweater hides her ears and one might think that Deshya simply has a belt with a fox tail that she can move with an app, but if someone or something really can turn a human into a fox girl, then it was highly likely that anyone who knew would know the truth about Deshya. What''s more, she still believes it''s possible to put those around her in danger if they learn the truth about her fox attributes, so she has to keep quiet. If she doesn''t admit it to her best friend, the one she loves or even a detective she''s a big fan of, it''s precisely to protect them. Even though he''s Minos Kiyon, he''s still human: if a strange organization is behind her fox-like attributes, it''s possible they''ll go after him if they learn that Minos knows the truth. Admittedly, she''s already checked the house and found no hidden cameras or hidden microphones, but she can''t rely on that alone.


    - And what''s more, the man who kidnapped Korone during the party... Nothing says he didn''t act when he knew she knew the truth about my ears and fox tail¡­


    - Can I set up my computer on the dining room table?


    Deshya snaps out of her thoughts when she hears Minos Kiyon''s voice. It''s as if she''s just woken up, she turns to him and notices that her father has just accepted. He then walks over to the coffee machine and offers Minos one. He accepts, thanking him and petting the dog that has since sat in front of him. The sound of the toilet flushing can be heard from the kitchen and moments later, a woman in pajamas and long red hair arrives in the kitchen. She is initially intrigued to see her daughter back, but her attention is redirected to the blond man with the wheeled suitcase. Deshya goes to explain to her mother what''s going on when she passes by and scrutinizes the man. Feeling watched, Minos turns and sees the woman with the long red hair. He bows gently to her.


    - Forgive my intrusion. I¡ª


    - Minos Kiyon?!!


    She screams suddenly, cutting the man off, and Deshya is startled. Gatito closes one eye, tensing. The woman grabs both hands of the man with the long blond hair, blinking.


    - Y-You''re Minos Kiyon?!


    - That''s me!


    - Hiaaa!


    The woman lets out a big smile, one that could reach the tips of her ears. Gatito sighs and Deshya turns to him.


    - You shouldn''t be jealous~?" she teases him.


    - I''m sure you felt the same way when he came looking for you. Do you want me to go tell Tessa you switched targets?


    - I''m losing the battle.


    - And the war.


    Gatito grabs a cup and places it under the machine before waiting for the coffee to brew. Pera is chatting to Minos about anything and everything ¡ª rather, she''s talking to him, since she doesn''t give him time to respond. Korone chuckles, one hand in front of his mouth.


    - Is she a Minos fan too?" she asks, although she knows it''s a rhetorical question.


    - I know she likes him a lot, but I didn''t think so, ahah..." replies Deshya sincerely.


    Five minutes later, Deshya, Korone, Gatito and Minos are seated around the dining room table, while Pera prepares pancakes as breakfast for her family and the detective. Sure, they''ve already eaten this morning, but she can''t miss this opportunity! Minos sits next to Deshya, who sits next to Korone, who sits next to Gatito,


    in front of the detective with long blond hair.


    - So, can we have the details?" asks the police inspector.


    Deshya nods and Minos opens his computer before beginning his explanations.


    - I''m repeating myself, but this way you get all the details. On September 2 this year, between 7am and 7.30am, the Minister of Defense''s communications officer, by the name of ''Conri Tanisha'', was murdered in his home, as the luminol showed traces of blood in his living room.


    Minos was reluctant to talk about all this in front of the little one, but his new family assured him that there''s no need to worry if she hears the details.


    - He was murdered in Shiru, but his body was found on the path through a small forest in the next village, by a local man who was out for his daily jog. The body was hidden behind some bushes, but the man noticed it when a stray dog was barking at the corpse," explains Minos.


    - The case concerns the town of Shiru, so I wasn''t put on the case," adds Gatito. So why come here?


    - Once again, it''s your daughter I''ve come for. However, I don''t intend to put her in a dangerous case, since there''s no need for her to move from here.


    Gatito raises an eyebrow, but Deshya is simply astonished. Korone keeps staring at the handsome blond-haired man and smiles.


    - Is it because big sister Deshya solves a lot of cases?" she asks.


    However, even without him answering, Korone has no doubt that there must be another reason. She doesn''t know Minos Kiyon well, but she does know that he''s considered one of the best detectives in the whole world, living or dead. He may have the title ''Best Detective in Belium'', he''s known the world over and travels the entire continent, sometimes even beyond the borders of ''Rellusie'' ¡ª which is the name of this continent. While Korone doesn''t deny Deshya''s intelligence and her ability to see certain details that anyone else might miss, this doesn''t make her on par with the likes of Minos either. As she expected, the man with the long blond hair shook his head.


    - Even though Deshya is clearly a smart girl and, from what I''ve seen, has the makings of a great detective, if I''m stuck on a case, I won''t come to someone like her. I am not saying this in a mean way, okay?


    - I know, heh.


    Deshya smiles and nods, totally in agreement with him. Sure, her ego takes a hit, but that''s not like if she''d expected the opposite in the first place. The mere fact that Minos knows her identity makes her feel like she''s on cloud nine, it''s totally enough for her. However, she''s intrigued as to why he''d come looking for him in the first place.


    - Then why my daughter?


    Gatito asks the question that''s on everyone''s mind, even Pera''s, who whistles as she prepares the pancakes. Minos types his password on the keyboard and answers when the computer finally shows the desktop.


    - It''s not because she''s smart or solves a lot of cases or because I''m blocked. In fact, I was planning to come this afternoon, but when I woke up at 6.50 this morning, I was bombarded with messages. Since I was staying at ''Lamur'' for the time being, I was able to catch the 7.10am train to Tetazo," he explains. I''ll be honest, I didn''t know Deshya''s identity before, but a friend of mine told me about a girl who always keeps a fox sweater on and who has solved police cases despite her young age. I did some research on the internet and found her identity quickly enough.


    Deshya blushes again: knowing that she can be found on the Internet makes her very happy. Admittedly, the more she''s known, the greater the chances that someone will discover that she really is a fox-girl, but she can''t refuse to gain popularity.


    - That''s how I found out that the fox-eared detective is Deshya Oveja, a 16-year-old girl who is also the daughter of an inspector I know. I know it''s Monday and coming in so early is disrespectful of me, especially as I''m making her skip school, but I don''t like wasting time, as every second counts for me.


    Something Deshya already knew about Minos Kiyon: a man in a hurry when it comes to investigations. Not because he wants to solve a case as quickly as possible, but because for him, wasting even the smallest second means losing a certain percentage of possible success. The more time passes, the more clues can disappear, the more leads can become obscured, and in cases such as serial murders, it''s also possible that wasting even the smallest second means letting the culprit kill a new victim. Deshya totally agrees with him, even if it''s mainly thanks to Minos and his way of thinking that she''s begun to see time as very important, even more so than before.


    - We don''t yet know who''s behind his murder, but we do have a lead. However, this lead doesn''t lead us to the identity of the culprit(s)... more a pseudonym.


    - A pseudonym?" repeats Gatito.


    Minos nods and asks for the wi-fi password so he can connect to the Internet. Deshya gives it to him and she spells it out, Minos thanking her before continuing.


    - You know ''Readit'', don''t you?


    - A website that brings together communities of all kinds. It''s very popular and you can find everything on it, even if there''s a lot of controversy surrounding it.


    Minos nods at Deshya''s words and googles a certain name.


    - At the very end of August, on the 31st, a topic was posted on a subreddit about internet mysteries. Although the post itself didn''t attract as much attention as others, the discussions multiplied on that same day and a search began. When the crime was committed on September 2, the people who had been looking into the mystery came to me with a huge number of messages saying that there was a strong possibility that Conri Tanisha''s murder had something to do with what they had found," explains the red-eyed detective.


    He turns the computer towards them and Korone stands up in his chair. Even Pera, from the kitchen counter next door, tries to see what''s going on. Minos squints.


    - A site called ''Sleeping Little Beauty'' on which codes have been posted... codes which seem to have a link with Conri Tanisha''s death.


    On the computer is the site with the address ''https://www.sleepinglittlebeauty.com''. Nothing special is to be said about it: simple photos of women of all kinds can be seen, most of them without even the slightest comment. At the top of the page, four phrases are visible: ''PHOTOS'', the tab Minos is currently on, ''POSTS'', presumably for comment, ''CONTACT US'', and ''EN SAVOIR PLUS''. The site seems to have been created in the years 2005 - 2010 and the white background without the slightest decoration is unpleasant; even the photos of the women are nothing spectacular. From what Deshya, Gatito and Korone can currently see, none of the photos are sexualized or of children, but simply of celebrities or women easily found on the internet.


    - What''s wrong with this site?" asks the little girl with snow-clear hair.


    - It''s a simple photo-sharing site that''s nothing special or professional, especially as the comments sometimes struggle to load and the presentation isn''t even pretty," admits Minos. The photos are limited, and even if some are sexualized, there are no nude women or pornographic content posted, let alone minors.


    Korone blinks and Minos gives him an embarrassed smile.


    - Don''t worry if you don''t really understand¡­


    Korone smiles back at him, but for the moment, nothing seems to be really complicated. Minos continues directly.


    - Few photos are added and you have to ask whoever owns the site to post photos, but they don''t reply to anyone and just add them whenever they want. I''ve tried to contact them, and some members of the ICT police have tried to discover their identity or trace the location from which they post, but no convincing results have yet been forthcoming.


    - Where are the codes you were talking about, then?" asks Gatito, increasingly interested.


    Deshya remains silent, observing the site and wondering about the connection between the murder of Conri Tanisha, Readit and this site in the name of ''Sleeping Little Beauty''. Minos clicks on the ''MORE'' tab.


    - It''s a long story, but I''ll keep it as short as possible. This site was discovered by a Readit user who noticed that a user with the pseudonym ''Alveva589'' was often replying to posts of all kinds, whether about politics, restaurants or even TV series. Even though most of their messages are not very interesting, and they seem to be a normal user who must be in their forties, something kept popping up in certain messages: the term ''Sleeping Little Beauty'', accompanied by the site you see here. The current page is a horrible white background with little text explaining the site:


    "The purpose of this site is to share photos of women who please us and you. Female beauty is the most beautiful thing in this world, so let''s make the most of it. If you have a suggestion or a photo you''d like to share on our site Sleeping Little Beauty, please don''t hesitate to contact us via the e-mail address you''ll find in the '' CONTACT US'' tab.


    We do not accept sexualized photos of minors, nor pornographic or vulgar content, as we aim to be accessible to all.


    Thank you."


    Nothing in particular seems to be in these sentences, but Deshya is convinced that there must be something hidden in them: after all, if Minos looks into it and assures her that there is a link between Conri Tanisha''s murder and this site, then she can only believe him.


    - The user I''m talking about is still active and has never replied to the many messages asking him what''s going on with his site, as well as his real identity. In fact, we don''t even know if the person who owns this site is ''Alveva589'' or someone else.


    - I don''t see any coded messages..." admits Deshya.


    - It''s hidden, but I''ll explain.


    Minos right-clicks on the page and a window opens. He then presses ''Inspect'', the last word in this window, and another opens on the right-hand side of the page. Before showing them the truth of this site, Minos continues his story.


    - The user who discovered the existence of Sleeping Little Beauty was interested, but when they saw the state of the site, they simply assumed it was a man trying to draw attention to his unprofessional project. After all, there''s nothing special about a site where photos of women are posted. However, noticing the user ''Alveva589''''s strange biography and their sometimes strange words, they decided to look into it. On August 28, just a few days after they discovered the site''s identity, they noticed that Alveva589 had posted a strange message on their own wall.


    He squints.


    - ¡®I''ve just announced the first message of our party. I hope many of you will come!¡¯.


    - What?


    - A... party?


    Gatito, Deshya and Korone frown. At the same time, Pera offers them their first pancake. Minos accepts by raising his hand and the woman comes to bring it to him.


    - Maple syrup? Anything else?" she asks.


    - I''ll take the syrup, thanks again," Minos replies.


    She smiles and heads for the laundry room. Minos watches his pancake with glee, but concentrates on the business in hand.


    - Seeing the strange message, the user who found out about the site got interested and checked the whole site... before coming across something strange. When they went to ''Inspector'' on the ''MORE'' page, in the same place where I am now, this was shown.


    Minos minimizes the Firefox tab and opens a folder on his desktop. Inside, several images are waiting to be opened, and Minos clicks on the first one. On it¡ª


    - This code was visible to him.


    ¡ª is a strange message. It reads as follows:


    }@FD 2==@?D 7¨ºE6C =6 _a $6AE6>3C6]


    Incomprehensible. A message that doesn''t seem to make sense, symbols, letters and numbers that don''t make sense, a message that appears to have been entered when the person behind the site hit their keyboard for some reason. However, they all realize that it''s not just a random message, but a code, as Minos has just admitted.


    - I''m not going to tell the whole story of the user who found the site, nor that of Alveva589, but then, every day, a new message was posted in the same place, replacing the old one.


    It shows the next messages. The the first code was updated at August 28, 2022, at 11:17.


    The next one is on August 29, 2022, at 8 a.m. sharp. The code is as follows:


    {6 =:6F 56 =2 7¨ºE6 6DE ¨¤ $9:CF[ 496K r@?C:]


    The next one was posted on August 30, 2022, 1:01 am.


    !C6?6K 56D #6G@=G6C pC>:?:FD w(b E@FE AC¨¨D 5F 4232?@?]


    The next day, August 31, 2022, the same day the post on the internet''s mystery subreadit was born, at 11:49 am.


    {6 4232?@? D6 EC@FG6 EC@:D CF6D ¨¤ 4?E¨¦ 5F =:6F 56 =2 7¨ºE6]


    Finally, on September 1, 2022, at 9:30 am.


    {2 7¨ºE6 D6 E6C>:?6 DFC =6 496>:? 56 =2 7@C¨ºE]


    And on the same day, at 11:11 a.m.:


    [6:55am]


    Minos closes the image and exits the folder before returning to Firefox. Before continuing, he takes the bottle of maple syrup that Pera has just brought and thanks her. He pours some on his pancake and licks his lips before cutting off a small piece with a knife. He then places it in his mouth and enjoys the taste with a smile, but takes back his seriousness at the same time as he swallows the delicacy prepared by the redheaded woman.


    - Even if the messages seem to be totally incomprehensible, the code behind them is bizarrely simple. Too simple, I''d go so far as to say," he admits.


    - Really?" asks Korone.


    - It''s ''ROT-47'', isn''t it?


    Minos, Gatito and the little girl turn towards the girl in the fox sweater, who keeps her arms crossed. The seriousness of her gaze might frighten some, but it amuses Minos, who nods in agreement.


    - Exactly.


    - What is ''ROT-47''?" asks Gatito.


    - An offset cipher," Deshya replies simply.


    Minos nods again and takes another bite of the pancake. He replies in turn to Gatito.


    - It''s a simple way of coding messages. As your daughter just said, it''s an offset between the real message and the message coded in ROT-47. Basically, it''s used to shift a character 47 rows further into its alphabet. For example, ''a'' becomes ''2'', ''z'' becomes ''K'' and ''5'' becomes ''d''.


    Gatito blinks and frowns, turning to Deshya.


    - How could you possibly know that?" he asks.


    - The ''ROT-13'' and the ''ROT-47'' are the most popular, but as far as I know, they''re also the only ones. The ROT-13 has the same concept, but simply 13 rows and further on. However, with ROT-13, there wouldn''t be such symbols and characters, but simply letters of the alphabet or numbers. Given the spaces between certain characters, it''s easy to assume that it''s a basic message that''s been coded in such a way, so my money''s just on ''ROT-47''. If Minos says it''s a simple code, I''d be surprised if the person who created this message would go to the trouble of making another code with an offset other than 13 or 47, which would require a lot more work, so for me, it''s ''ROT-47''.


    Pera places a plate with a pancake in front of Deshya and strokes her hood.


    - You don''t get your intelligence from your father or your mother! You''re the biggest mystery in the world!" she grins.


    Deshya smiles back.


    - It''s your combined intelligence, that''s all.


    Minos laughs and applauds.


    - What confidence!!! Even if I didn''t come here for your intelligence, I''m convinced that we''ll be able to prevent another person from dying, ahah!


    Minos can''t help laughing and Korone in turn applauds. Gatito would sigh, but he himself is impressed by his daughter.


    - We didn''t do anything to make her like this, though... I guess she was just born that way... or else¡­


    The man''s thoughts are cut off as Deshya continues to talk to Minos.


    - But simple code like that shouldn''t be a problem, so how come you need anyone''s help with it?" asks the girl.


    Korone asks the same question. Minos sighs.


    - Herein lies the problem of the small popularity the site has gained because of the Readit post.


    Deshya frowns and Minos taps his mouse.


    - First and foremost, you need to understand the connection between the codes I''ve just shown you and the murder of Conri Tanisha. How we understand that these strange messages are linked to his death," he says.


    He returns to his folder of images and shows them the resolution of the codes. He decides to explain everything to them vocally while they analyze what they see.


    - Just know that all the codes, so far, were written in French. The first code means ''We''ll be celebrating on September 02'', which fits in with the day of the murder. The second code is ''The party is in Shiru, at Conri''s house'', I think that''s clear. The third code is ''Take some Arminius HW3 revolvers near the shed. Four bullets were found in the victim''s body and match the model of revolver that''s in the code, especially as they don''t even try to hide in this code who the victim is. As for the fourth message, it reads ''The shed is three blocks from the party venue''. It''s been found, but the police haven''t discovered anything interesting there. They''re still looking for an eyewitness who might have seen people going in or out, but nothing. Plus, it''s an abandoned shed, so nobody''s been there for months. As for the last coded message, it''s ''The party ends on the way to the forest'', which fits in well with where they left the body. The ''6:55am'' at the end is just when their ''party'' started.


    - A party... A coded way of talking about a murder.


    Deshya notices, gritting her teeth. Minos nods and finishes her pancake, remaining silent. Gatito is next to speak.


    - What''s more, the last message was posted the day before Conri Tanisha''s death... It''s certain that the culprits were exchanging messages via this site.


    Gatito then stares at Minos.


    - I totally understand, but how do you know there''s going to be another victim? Besides, I still don''t understand why you need my daughter to understand the coded messages.


    The private detective folds his hands and rests his head on them.


    - I was hired by the Minister of Defense himself to investigate these messages. I''m not the only detective on the case, but he relies on me the most.


    - Is he afraid for his life?" asks Korone.


    - That''s right, but there''s nothing to say he''s the next victim. In fact, it was I who told him about the Sleeping Little Beauty site and the connection between the murder of his communications manager and the coded messages. He hired me on the morning of September 10 because some people working for him had been monitoring the site to see if any new messages would be posted.


    - Why not before?" asks Deshya.


    - Between September 1 and September 9, no coded messages were posted. Even the user ''Alveva589'' didn''t say much on Readit. However, on September 10, a new message was posted in the same place as the codes, however... It''s different.


    - Different?" asks Gatito.


    - You see, the problem with the rise in popularity of the site and the people who turn to it to solve its mystery means that if assassins use it, they''ll need to communicate differently, or act differently.


    Minos frowns.


    - The kind of code they''d been using up to now was far too simple to solve. Admittedly, it''s not something just anyone can figure out, but with a little digging into the various codes out there, it would be very easy to figure out that it''s ROT-47. If the site hadn''t gained in popularity, we could have hidden the fact that we know about Sleeping Little Beauty and decoded future messages.


    - But it''s also thanks to this popularity that you know about the site, isn''t it?" asks Deshya.


    - There''s no denying it. It''s a double-edged sword.


    Minos sighs and shakes his head.


    - However, after the radio silence on the site, we thought they''d decided to communicate differently, or that their sole target would be Conri Tanisha. However, three days ago, we realized that this was not the case," he confesses.


    Korone asks Pera if she can have the next pancake and the woman nods with a smile, which makes the little girl happy. She turns her attention back to the conversation and Minos strikes a straighter pose on the chair.


    - I''ll show you the message that was posted on September 10 at 7:07 am. You will understand why I decided to visit your daughter for this case.


    Minos presses another image and turns the computer to the family so they can see the message on it. They all open their eyes wide, except for Pera who can''t read it from where she is.


    - I-Is that...?!


    - What...?


    It reads:


    ''September 15, let''s celebrate. For information on this party, please refer to the new method. If you don''t know which method I''m talking about:


    The fox detective offers you the horned path''.


    - Fox...


    - Detective?


    Korone and Gatito turn to Deshya, who swallows hard. She gently shakes her head before staring at Minos, perspiring.


    - Is it¡­


    - Before you worry too much, it''s certain that you''re not the next target, Deshya. It''s all too obvious, and if the simple coded message they''d decided to send is that, then perhaps you''d have been protected by the police and even other organizations. But that''s not all.


    Minos cracks his shoulder and turns the laptop towards him.


    - There''s no denying that ''The fox detective'' is about you. You''ve been gaining popularity since the end of August and I can''t think of anyone else they could be talking about. The reason I decided to come and see you is that you might have a slight, even the slightest, lead on them, and even if it''s certain that you''re not their target, there''s nothing to say that someone close to you isn''t their next victim.


    Deshya feels an unpleasant chill run down her spine. Minos apologizes, admitting he shouldn''t have been so direct, but Gatito shows him his palm, signaling for him to stop.


    - No, you''re doing the right thing. Even if you''re convinced that Deshya isn''t their next victim, and I''m convinced too, I have to admit it worries me," confesses the father.


    - Someone close to me..." Deshya repeats, her heart racing this time out of fear, not joy.


    - Calm down, honey.


    Her father puts a hand on her shoulder and stares straight into her eyes.


    - If Minos is here and ready to assist, it means we can stop them from committing another murder.


    Although he seems calm and seeks to reassure his daughter, it''s clear that he''s upset and gnashing his teeth as he turns to Minos.


    - That they would dare link my daughter to their actions is unacceptable. We''ll do everything we can to help you, but I can''t put Deshya in danger," says Gatito.


    Minos smiled at him, happy to see the inspector with such determination in his eyes.


    - That was never my intention. I''ve come to Deshya to help me find out who their next victim is, especially as if she''s involved, even if it''s just a message like this, she could be the one to solve this case. However, I don''t intend to put her in danger, as I promised. If she wants to help me discover the reality behind their new code, then she has the right. If she doesn''t want to have anything to do with a story of mystery and murder, then I accept that too," admits Minos. Whatever would happen, I needed to come and consult her to find out if she had any clues about their identity or their next target, because I refuse to let them act like that.


    Minos clenches a fist.


    - That they dare to continue their shenanigans on the internet and almost openly mock us like this pisses me off too, Gatito.


    - Are they laughing at you?" asks the little girl.


    Minos nods and calms down.


    - Surely, with the popularity their site has gained, the police or detectives have figured out the link between Sleeping Little Beauty, Alveva589 and the Conri Tanisha murder, and yet they don''t change their methods; just the way they code their message. They''re so confident in themselves that they''re not afraid of having hundreds, if not thousands, of people checking out the site. Maybe they even like it, in fact.


    Minos crosses his arms and clicks his tongue.


    - In any case, they''re certain of one thing: they''re the ones behind Conri Tanisha''s murder. There''s not a shadow of a doubt," he admits.


    - Do we know how many of them are behind the crime?" asks Deshya.


    - Impossible to know. We don''t even know whether or not if these codes are intended for a particular group, just one or two people, or whether they recruit people via a particular method or simply when people are intrigued by their Readit messages.


    Korone touches her chin.


    - Is it possible that by using certain words and turns of phrase, as well as promoting such an old-fashioned and strange site, certain people in the field of assassination and illegal business understand Alveva589''s real goal, this being its means of recruiting?


    She then squints and rubs her chin.


    - So when someone stumbles across their account, they can quickly come across the Sleeping Little Beauty link and discover the codes with a little searching. All that''s left is to understand the messages and act as requested. There are millions of users on Readit and on the internet, if not billions, so an account like theirs would go unnoticed by normal people, but for people in the business, it''s a different story. If the site hadn''t gained a certain popularity thanks to the user who stumbled upon Alveva589''s account unintentionally, it''s highly likely that they would have continued committing the crimes without being discovered...


    Korone then crosses her legs.


    - If we take this into account, we can also say that the site hides other things in certain photos or other sections¡­


    She blinks and looks up at the people around the table. Pera has placed a pancake in front of her, but she freezes in place when she hears Korone speak. The little girl slowly turns her face towards Minos, who makes no secret of his confusion. Korone sticks out her tongue.


    - ... I''m hungry, waa!!


    Korone grabs the maple syrup and puts some on her pancake, smiling. Minos shakes his head and points at Korone with his right thumb.


    - Um, did I just hear what I heard there?" he asks, still confused.


    - It was big-sister Deshyshy who taught me!" says Korone, biting into her pancake.


    - I haven''t taught you anything!" yells Deshya inwardly.


    Minos grimaces as he looks at Korone, but finally sighs with a smile.


    - I''m not going to ask any questions... In any case, what she said is true. Certain terms come up, and it''s not impossible that they talked about their Readit account on illegal sites," says Minos. Unfortunately, nothing has been found yet, and we can only hope either to trace the source of the site, or to learn the man''s identity ¡ª if it really is a man behind Alveva589''s account ¡ª to prevent the next murder.


    - Speaking of the next murder¡­


    Gatito leans back in his chair.


    - How do you know? Are the codes they use so different?


    Minos is speechless for a few moments, but then closes his mouth and smiles.


    - Well, see for yourself.


    He touches his keyboard as he speaks.


    - I was planning to come and see Deshya after school, as I told you, but a new code was posted this morning at 6:49. When I saw this new code, I decided to hurry. If we can figure out today how they form their code, that would be optimal. I thought about it on the train, but I didn''t get anywhere.


    He sighs and touches the top of his laptop screen, but doesn''t turn it over yet.


    - It''s still in the ''Inspect'' section of the ''MORE'' tab on the ''Sleeping Little Beauty'' site, written in green. Just scroll down to the bottom of the ''Elements'' section and... well, see for yourself, as I said.


    He turns over the computer and shows them the code.


    - I''ve already taken a screenshot in case they plan to remove it quickly, but the code is still on the site, as you''d expect.


    Deshya, Gatito and Korone frown.


    - This code¡­


    Deshya would have thought something more understandable, but... Minos nods.


    - It''s September 12, so we''ve got all day, tomorrow and the day after to find out where they''re having their next ''party'', on September 15. If we don''t figure it out by this Thursday¡­


    Minos grits his teeth.


    - So we''re sure to have another victim on our hands.


    The code in front of them is as follows:


    [1]592aPoET9¨¨mme)xq


    50[2]8841*--Oc4p


    8034[8]BmDAh


    [7]982Ads2o*dA


    486[2]1--%


    2862[0]8+2[0]89%lMQa82s^l9+9


    30[7]8^$ad


    [5]118mlS7fA/m.r=$^


    [6]5358FXa0e..


    0[2]88^$xCnOD-


    04[9]951XDadt49:8e++a


    2862[0]8+2[0]89$*ax.


    It''s the whole code, all written in green in the ''Inspect'' window. They all look at it, but no one can make sense of the gibberish before them. Deshya is speechless, observing the numbers, symbols and letters that dance between them in a real mess. Gatito gets a headache just looking at the screen, while Korone''s right eye spasms, a small smile on her face. Pera returns with a plate and serves her husband a pancake before observing the code and standing still.


    - What''s this...?" she asks, blinking.


    Minos sighs and finally laughs.


    - I''ve no idea. But that''s why I''m here, I must say


    He opens his eyes and in the red that comes from his special lenses, he shows a determination that''s very much his own. His sleek, golden hair streaming from his skull gleams in the morning light and Minos Kiyon clenches both fists, showing his white teeth to the family in front of him.


    - Whether or not I''m alone on this one, I''ll stop them from committing yet another crime.


    Deshya never thought she''d be involved in such an investigation, one that could save the life of someone who doesn''t even know he''s in danger. Preventing a ''party'' from taking place on September 15, at an hour still unknown to them all.


    The mystery of the ''Sleeping Little Beauty'' website they have to solve. The strange code they have to decipher¡­


    They only have three full days to stop a murder.


    - I swear it as the best detective in this country. I''ll stop them from killing again... I''ll stop the scythe of death with the sword of my genius.

 44 -?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; Second Line?(CASE9)

    <hr>


    On September 12, 2022, a school Monday that should have been like any other, something special happened during religion class, the second hour of classes for Tetazo High School: ''Minos Kiyon'', the man considered the best detective in the whole country of Belium, came to class unannounced.


    After revealing himself by removing his scarf and cap, he offered offer his signature to everyone in the class and takes Deshya in his arms to leave the school, needing her for a case. Unable to let her excitement stay inside her, Deshya starts flailing around as she walks out of the school with Minos, unable to believe she can meet him for real after all this time. What''s more, he''s come to Tetazo for her: Deshya is over the moon. However, the reason for his visit isn''t for fun or simply to meet one of his fans: it''s for a real investigation, one that has to do with the assassination of ''Conri Tanisha'', the communications officer for Belium''s Minister of Defense. On September 2, 2022, between 7 a.m. and 7.30 a.m., this man was murdered at his home in Shiru and then dumped in the bushes in the next village. No culprit has yet been found, but they currently have a lead: Minos discusses it with Deshya and her family after Gatito comes to pick them up. While Pera prepares a new breakfast - pancakes - for Minos'' arrival, he tells them about the mystery of ''Sleeping Little Beauty'', a site that is sometimes promoted by a ''Readit'' user with the pseudonym ''Alveva589''. Strange codes were posted in the ''Inspect'' window of the site''s ''MORE'' tab, codes that announced a ''party''... the murder of Conri Tanisha. The messages were posted between August 28 and September 1, but between September 2 and 9, nothing was posted on the site. However, on September 10, at 7:07 a.m., this message saw the light of day, in the same place as the old codes:


    ¡®September 15, let''s celebrate. For information on this holiday, please refer to the new method. If you don''t know which method I''m talking about:


    The fox detective offers you the horned path''.


    It was this strange message that gave Minos the idea of meeting Deshya, the so-called ''Fox-Eared Detective''. He hopes he may be on to something through her, as she seems to be indirectly involved in the case; Minos also raises the possibility that their next target may be someone in Deshya''s circle of friends or acquaintances, or even a member of her family. He reassures her that this is only a possibility, but whatever happens, they must decode the messages before September 15 to save the next target. Minos shows them the code for today, September 12, which was posted at 6:47 am. It reads as follows:


    [1]592aPoET9¨¨mme)xq


    50[2]8841*--Oc4p


    8034[8]BmDAh


    [7]982Ads2o*dA


    486[2]1--%


    2862[0]8+2[0]89%lMQa82s^l9+9


    30[7]8^$ad


    [5]118mlS7fA/m.r=$^


    [6]5358FXa0e..


    0[2]88^$xCnOD-


    04[9]951XDadt49:8e++a


    2862[0]8+2[0]89$*ax.


    Code that seems to be randomly generated, without meaning, without any human thought behind it. However, they are all convinced that this is not the case and that it is possible to find the meaning behind these messages


    - I swear it as the best detective in this country. I''ll stop them from killing again... I''ll stop the scythe of death with the sword of my genius.


    - The sword of your genius...?


    Korone repeats Minos''s words and the man smiles broadly.


    - Exactly.


    - So stylish..." says Deshya, with stars in her eyes.


    - Minos..." sighed Gatito.


    The family''s reactions are quite different, but Minos doesn''t mind in the least. He crosses his arms after closing his laptop.


    - Whatever happens, it''s an urgent matter. We''ve only got three days, which isn''t much," he admits. Even though I''ve already looked at the code on the train, I have no idea what it could mean, but I intend to look into it today. If Deshya does agree to help me, that would be the best, as she might have an idea why they used her nickname in the message. Besides, two heads are better than one.


    - Can I, dad?


    Deshya rises hastily from her chair and stares at her father with wide, hopeful eyes. He doesn''t answer directly, observing his daughter, then the detective with the long blond hair. Finally, he sighs and cuts off part of his pancake.


    - I''ll write you an apology note for today, but no missing school tomorrow," he finally replies.


    - Thank you!


    Deshya hugs her father, thanking him several times. He pushes her away, grumbling at her since he wants to eat his pancake, but Deshya just laughs and pats his shoulder.


    - You''ll never change, dad!


    - Hm, hm.


    He nods and Korone chuckles. Minos taps his laptop, smiling.


    - All I''ve been able to observe on the code so far is that line 6 and 12 repeat the ''2862[0]8+2[0]89'' at the beginning of the sentence," he says.


    Deshya turns to him.


    - I''ve also seen that there''s always a number between ''[]'' on each line, I guess that means something?" she asks.


    - We''ll check it out upstairs.


    He gets up from his chair, but before he can leave, Gatito stops him.


    - I trust you enough to be in the same room as my daughter, but are you sure the code means something?" he asks.


    - What do you mean?


    Minos stops, the laptop wedged between his right arm and his body, the USB mouse in his other hand. Gatito swallows another piece of his pancake before explaining.


    - Isn''t it possible that it''s a code that''s only understood by the person who posted it and explained how to translate it to his acolytes? Trying to decode it would be pointless, since the meaning is impossible to understand unless the site owner explains it.


    However, Korone rises from her chair and places both hands on the table.


    - It can''t be! If it were, there''d be no reason to pass messages via codes on the site! They could just use an internet chat or even a website to talk, or even talk in real life together. If they''re using messages coded by the site, it means that whoever''s posting the codes is certain that it''s possible to understand them by analyzing them or by paying attention to the clues he left behind," she explains.


    The room is now silent, with a little girl with snow-white hair swallowing before jumping up from the chair and laughing.


    - I''m sure mister Minos would have said that!


    She grabs his hand.


    - Right?


    - Are you sure she''s eight...?" asks Minos.


    - I don''t know," admits a bemused Gatito.


    - K-Korone..." drops Deshya with a confused smile.


    CHAPTER 44


    ?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; Second Line?


    - In any case, Minos.


    Gatito stands up and frowns, staring at Minos.


    - If I find out you tried to touch my daughter using the excuse that you''re popular¡­


    Minos sighs loudly.


    - Nah, but why do you take me like that?!! I like older women!!!


    - Dad, I know you want to protect me, but Minos wouldn''t do that! Besides, I know how to protect myself.


    Deshya crosses her arms and shakes her head.


    - Not good.


    - No good, big man!" laughs Korone.


    Gatito blushes softly and crosses his arms in turn.


    - It''s my job as a father," he admits.


    - If the paparazzi were to overhear our conversation, my reputation would be ruined..." moans Minos.


    - Nobody really thinks you are like that, I promise!" drops Deshya, trying to reassure the detective.


    Minos thanks her and laughs. Pera asks them if they want her to bring them pancakes when she has cooked some more and they happily accept, which also pleases the redheaded woman. Before they can continue on their way and think things over in Deshya''s room, Korone grabs Minos''s sleeve.


    - Say, say.


    - Yes?" asks the detective.


    - How do the people who work for them know how to decipher this code?


    Minos stares Korone straight in the eye.


    - If they don''t talk to each other via chat and all that, they must have some place where they have instructions on how to decode messages, nooo?" she poses, intrigued.


    - That''s a good question," admits Minos, but that''s exactly where I think Alveva589''s account is going to come in very handy.


    - Why is that?" asks Pera, still listening to their conversation.


    Minos smiles and taps the laptop he''s carrying.


    - The user sometimes writes, so it''s possible that they are offering leads in their messages. What''s more, they''ve written a few words in their biography and it''s rather strange, so it''s possible that it''s the key to unlocking the lock of resolution," he explains


    - Their biography?" repeats Deshya, interested.


    He nods and tells them:


    - It reads: "God''s creation. In my first moments, I''m between 1 and 1000 of the I754 constant. Observer of the five."


    Except for Minos, everyone in the kitchen is shocked. Deshya rubs her chin, trying to work out what it all means, but she realizes that if Minos Kiyon still hasn''t figured it out, it must be a much more complicated coded message than she''d expected. He shrugs, stopping smiling, a slightly more annoyed look on his face.


    - Unfortunately, I don''t know what it means, and some people looked it up, but we couldn''t see what it had to do with Sleeping Little Beauty. Besides, his biography has been there since their account was created a few months ago," he explains.


    - So either this has nothing to do with the codes, or they were planning to publish coded messages beforehand?" asks Deshya.


    Minos smiles again and nods.


    - Insightful! I think so too, honestly. They must have foreseen that one day they probably would need to change their code method and so, already planned to offer leads on solving codes in advance. However, does this mean that all those behind Conri Tanisha''s murder will know how to solve the codes and thus be able to participate? Either they''re counting on them to understand, either they''ve explained to them that you have to use one method or another way to understand the codes, either... Either, I don''t know.


    - But I thought they didn''t chat with their employers?" asks Korone, confused.


    - It''s possible that they sent a message on Sleeping Little Beauty at some point or by Readit which you have to look at their biography or some of his posts to understand. However, I can''t say for sure, but it would surprise me if they simply prayed for people to understand, because otherwise, it''s highly likely that no one would be able to decode the messages and cause their next assassination to fail because of it. Of course, that''s still a possibility, and let''s hope they trusts their employers.


    - Is it also possible that they talked about it during Conri Tanisha''s assassination?" asks Deshya.


    - It''s not impossible, but I don''t see the point of talking about clues on the site, then. Maybe they''re just hoping to lure more people into decoding the messages so they''ll join them in their plans, but... I don''t know what to think. An assassin''s mind isn''t always clear.


    Deshya includes Minos in its entirety, but a small pain touches her heart: after all, she did think of killing a woman last week. Granted, she understands that this is different and that she''s far from an assassin, but even with the few conversations she''s shared with Bibi Derumi, she still feels bad about having thought of it. If Minos learns what she thought that day, that she let her emotions get the better of her and dared to desire someone dying, would he come to hate her? Would he want nothing more to do with her?


    - Anyway, there''s no reason for me to tell him..." thought Deshya.


    So she prefers to leave her thoughts to one side, not allowing them to play on her mind. Wanting to concentrate on the investigation, even before they go upstairs, Deshya speaks with Minos.


    - I''ll use my computer to do some research on my own," suggests Deshya. I guess that''s why it''s best to go there.


    Minos nods.


    - Most teenagers and people have their computers in their bedrooms, so I figured you would too. I could search on my own, but we have Alveva589''s account to analyze, including Sleeping Little Beauty''s site, but probably other things too. If we can find the identity of the man ¡ª or woman, though unlikely given that he''s confessed to being male several times on Readit ¡ª behind this account, so we can stop him before the assassination happens," he admits.


    - I understand!


    Deshya suggests they go, and Gatito tells his wife he''s going back to work for the time being. She wishes him good luck, but also tells her daughter and the best detective in Belium the same. They thank her and Korone walks behind them. Deshya notices her and questions her with her eyes.


    - Do you need anything?" she asks.


    - Can I come with zyouuuuu?


    Korone looks up at her, making her look dangerously cute. Deshya smiles and goes to answer, but Pera takes Korone in her arms, lifting her off the ground.


    - Let the detectives work, we''ve got to get on with our ''SUTOM'' games!" she told him.


    - A-Ah... It''s true we were doing this before they arrived, hehe.


    Korone scratches her cheek and Deshya giggles. She strokes her head and winks.


    - I swear we''ll get to the bottom of the codes in no time


    Korone stares at her open-mouthed, but she smiles and nods.


    - I believe in you!


    - Thank you!


    Deshya strokes her head again before running to Minos, telling him she''ll show him where her room is. The man thanks her and Pera suggests Korone continue their game. The little girl agrees, but first reminds her that she has to finish the pancakes.


    - Oh yes, that''s right!" says Pera. Thanks for getting back to me, I''m so absent-minded!


    - You''re welcome, ma... You''re welcome!


    She lets out a ''Hihi'' before being deposited on the floor.


    - Woah, beautiful room, really!


    Minos arrives on the second floor, accompanied by Deshya, and sees the girl''s room. Deshya thanks him and tells him he can use her bed to sit on, but as she says this, she remembers the human-sized cushion on it. She blushes and yells at him to wait before placing a blanket over the cushion. She then turns around, cheeks flushed, and Minos blinks. He chuckles and finally bursts out laughing, which makes Deshya even more uncomfortable. He places his laptop on the bed and sits down, laughing.


    - Don''t worry, ahah! I''m not here to judge, ahah!


    He calms his laughter and gives her a wink.


    - We''re all allowed to have stuff like that. Some would faint if they saw to my private phone wallpaper.


    - E-Eh?


    - So let''s get to work!


    Minos gives no further details, which greatly intrigues Deshya, but she shakes her head: it''s none of her business! She''s already glad Minos doesn''t judge her, since he must have figured out what she''s been hiding. So she sighs with relief and opens the skylight on the roof before sitting down on the office chair on castors. She turns on the computer and waits patiently. Minos asks where the sockets are to charge his computer when he needs it, and Deshya shows him. Five minutes later, the girl in the fox sweater is able to log on to her computer and quickly goes to the Sleeping Little Beauty website. She''s bombarded with messages on her Twatter, but pays them no mind and quickly exits the application. She concentrates by tapping her cheeks and then goes to the site''s ''MORE'' tab. Deshya can now see the code which Minos was talking about, and before she thinks about it, she turns back to the man.


    - Is it safe to look at the site? If they can get my address¡­


    However, Minos reassures her directly without even looking up, still observing his own laptop.


    - The site has gained traction and attention, so I''m sure there are more people than you think who are on it. You''re just a drop in the bucket, there''s no danger to you.


    He admitted it without even hesitating, allowing Deshya to breathe a sigh of relief. In any case, she was going to believe him: he was far from being a foolish man. So she turned back to her computer and looked at the green code before her.


    - Well, let''s start with the simplest," she thinks.


    First, she looks at the numbers between [ ] at the beginning of each line. There are a total of twelve lines, but 14 numbers between [ ]. Deshya opens a notepad, which she quickly renames ''sdfjqdj'', and writes in the numbers she can see in square brackets. As she does so, she lists them aloud.


    - 12872007562900. Those are the numbers in square brackets," she admits to Minos.


    The detective man squints and tells her to wait, as he''s going to check if they mean anything. The sound of his fingers actively typing on the computer''s inlaid keyboard isn''t as horrible a racket as Deshya would have thought, which reassures her. However, her keyboard has ''red switches'', so the noise of each key can start to annoy her ears... However, she prefers this when playing video games, as it''s more pleasant to the touch.


    - Hm¡­


    Minos scratches his hair.


    - Unfortunately, even using the T9 code, this large number doesn''t seem to mean anything," he admits.


    T9 code is also known as SMS code. Deshya knows it very well, as it''s a very simple way of coding, but it''s unlikely to be exploited by professionals, as it''s far too simple to understand. Deshya asks the detective if it''s possible that the numbers mean something else, but Minos rubs his chin and replies:


    - Unlikely. While it''s nice to think about the simplest way to solve the code, since it might lead to the answer, I think it would be far too simple, for that matter. There''s probably some meaning behind the numbers in square brackets, but I don''t think you should simply put them in order to obtain a code... They must be equivalent to something else.


    Deshya stares at Minos, but eventually nods and apologizes for being silly. The man blinks and shakes his head.


    - I never said that! As I just said, you also have to consider simple ways of solving a code, so you weren''t wrong to start with that. I''ve had murder, code or even mystery cases where the answer was strangely simple, but because it was so simple, I had trouble seeing it.


    - ... I see, thank you!


    Deshya regains her smile and her color and turns back to her computer screen.


    - I''m going to find the truth of this code... I want to impress Minos!


    She smiles and observes the strange messages with even greater intensity. Minos admires her and smiles back before looking down at his own computer. Before looking anywhere else, he looks at the code in turn.


    - Hmmm¡­


    - Did anything catch your eye?" asks Deshya.


    - Yes, but first, could you be informal with me?* I don''t necessarily like being addressed in the formal way, it''s too... respectful?


    (* The ¡®you¡¯ Deshya used to Minos until there was the ¡®formal you¡¯ in french. I was not sure how to translate the formal way Deshya spoke, so I¡¯m just telling you now. I am keeping Minos saying this in the english translation.)


    - A-Ah, sorry!!


    - It''s nothing, ahah!


    Minos tells her she can calm down and then explains what he''s noticed.


    - In line 6 and 12, with the same combination of numbers "2862[0]8+2[0]89", there''s a ''+'' sign between the two. However, the number between the brackets is a 0, so adding it up doesn''t change anything, but maybe we need to... Hm.


    He scratches his hair.


    - If we add the two numbers together, we get ''288297'', but then we lose the number in square brackets. Even if we did that and removed the ''0''s from the code, it wouldn''t give us anything in T9 code, or any code, really," he admits, puzzled.


    - I can still check, if you... Well, if you want.


    Deshya catches herself halfway through her sentence, which amuses Minos.


    - You can, I''ll see if I can find something on my side!


    Deshya agrees, and they look to see if the ''+'' sign can mean anything¡­


    But a few minutes later, they realize that it''s not leading to anything very convincing. Deshya sighs and crosses her legs, wondering why some of the numbers are in square brackets.


    - One number per line, except for two ''0''s in a row, separated by a ''+'' sign¡­


    She suspects they are a means of forming a coded message, but which one? What''s more, what they''re looking for must form either letters to create a sentence that informs the assassins of the details of the next assassination, or else numbers that will then be used to become a message with letters. Deshya doesn''t doubt that it''s also possible to form a code with numbers alone, but she doubts it very much. She then wonders how they could have formed a code with these messages... Each line starts with several numbers, followed by different characters: letters, symbols or even more numbers. Yet there''s nothing logical about them. From what Deshya can see, it''s impossible to form a single word, and while it wouldn''t be silly to try and decode the messages with ROT-47 or some other way, she doesn''t think they''d use such a similar method. It''s not impossible, so she tries to place the visible letters next to each other. First each line separately, then all the letters in order of the whole message¡­ but nothing. No convincing leads. So she decides to try another approach.


    - Maybe... If it''s a totally random code, maybe the number of characters per line?


    This gives her: 19 - 17 - 12 - 14 - 10 - 28 - 10 - 19 - 14 - 14 - 21 - 20.


    She scratches her hair and tries to add the bracketed number to each line, but even doing this and looking for a way to decode like T9 gets her absolutely nowhere. She sighs and Minos looks up at the girl.


    - Can''t you find anything?" he asks.


    - Nothing..." she admits.


    - I have to admit I''m having trouble understanding it too... Before I look into Alveva589''s account, let''s check together what we can find out about the messages.


    He smiles.


    - It''s often better to have a clear idea of what you''re seeing, even if you have to repeat it out loud. Sometimes we say something that helps us, when we''d never have noticed it just by thinking it," he explains.


    Deshya knows he''s right, even if some people find it unnecessary. The girl in the fox sweater doesn¡¯t really have to do it, but that doesn''t mean she''s smarter than Minos: they probably work differently.


    - But he''s much better at investigations than I am, so it''s best to go along with him. Hiii, I can see Minos solving an investigation for real, hihihi!


    She can''t stay serious for very long, but she only shows it physically by blushing faintly, which the man doesn''t even notice as he begins to analyze the code he sees in front of him.


    - Note that there are a total of 12 lines. The number 12 may have something to do with the hours, the constellations or even the 12 Marine stars. It''s also the atomic number of magnesium, but I don''t think it has anything to do with the code. If each line refers to a certain time, then maybe it does, but I don''t think so... In any case, each line starts with a certain grouping of numbers, with one in brackets. In the case of line 6 and 12, which are strangely related lines, the beginning is repeated and a ''+'' sign is visible between the two sets of numbers. The numbers in square brackets range from 0 to 9 and are sometimes at the beginning, sometimes in the middle, sometimes at the end of the groupings. After the numbers, a letter or symbol begins the second part of the line, which appears to be totally random, with no brackets and characters of all kinds. Some letters are uppercase, others lowercase. The last line ends with a dot, but two others can be seen at line 9, which probably means that the one at the end of line 12 is either random, or there on purpose to signify that this is where the message ends. It''s possible that the number groups and the part that starts with a symbol need to be separated, but it''s also possible that each line needs to be seen as a whole... Each line also has at least 10 characters, although line 5 has just 10, with 4 characters with the number group. Line 6 is the longest with 28 characters, line 11 the second longest with 21 characters and line 12, which is also the last, is the third longest with a total of 20 characters. However, this is probably a trivial detail and shouldn''t be focused on, although I should keep it in mind as I focus on Alveva589''s account posts and biography. It''s also possible that clues are posted on the Sleeping Little Beauty site or hidden elsewhere, such as in lines of code or in certain photos.


    Minos shows his teeth behind his big smile and turns his gaze to Deshya.


    - Did you follow?


    - Y-Yes¡­


    The teenager blinks: she''s just listened to Minos speak for 2 minutes and 16 seconds without stopping... and she doesn''t know whether to wiggle with joy or remain speechless. She is simply glad that she was able to follow him, which reassures Minos.


    - Some people lose the thread pretty quickly, as I sometimes speak quickly, sometimes slowly, when I''m in my own thoughts.


    - I already knew that, so it''s okay~!" thinks Deshya.


    She often listened to his interviews and even certain podcasts in which he was a guest, so she knows some of Minos''s facial expressions. She''s a big fan of his, after all! The detective strikes a tailored pose and squints, staring at his laptop screen.


    - I think it would be better to focus on the biography again, since I think it''s the one that should contain the clues to solving the coded messages.


    He opens his own ''Readit'' account and goes to see Alveva589''s profile. He rubs his chin.


    - God''s creation. In my first moments, I''m between 1 and 1000 of the I754 constant. Observer of the five... Huh.


    He reads the biography aloud and squints.


    - God''s creation... What an ego.


    Minos shakes his head, lifting a corner of his mouth. Deshya asks him if this could be a clue for the code and Minos reflects.


    - If we''re talking about God''s creation, we can imagine the earth, humans or almost anything, so it seems to me a very... vague clue. I''m thinking more along the lines of 1 to 1000 and a constant of... I754?


    - I754... I don''t think that gives anything in T9 code, does it?" asks Deshya.


    Minos opens his eyes a little wider and turns his face towards Deshya.


    - Do you know what 754 means in T9 code without even looking it up on the internet?" he says.


    - PJG, PJH, PJI, PKG, PKH, PKI, PLG, PLH, PLI, QJG, QJH, QJI, QKG, QKH, QKI, QLG, QLH, QLI, RJG, RJH, RJI, RKG, RKH, RKI, RLG, RLH, RLI, SJG, SJH, SJI, SKG, SKH, SKI, SLG, SLH or SLI. Well, in its possibilities, I suppose ''PLI'', ''SKI'' or even ''SLI'' are the words that sound French¡­


    Deshya looks up at the ceiling and crosses her legs.


    - 7'' can only mean P, Q, R or S, ''5'' is ''J'', ''K'' or ''L'', while ''4'' is ''G, ''H'' or ''I'', so it can only be that, even if I don''t understand the ''I'' just before¡­


    Minos blinks, but finally laughs. Before he could say anything, Deshya scratches her cheek and blushes.


    - After that, it''s not very complicated... As soon as you learn a bit of the T9 code, it''s easy to know what a code can mean," she admits. Here, there are only three digits, so it''s all right¡­


    - Still, I''m impressed! With just a glance, I can also decode T9 if it doesn''t go too far, but... Let''s just say I underestimated you a little at the time. I''m sorry, but I mustn''t forget that you''re very intelligent.


    Deshya doesn''t hide her surprise and Minos asks her if he''s said something bad, but she shakes her head and promises he hasn''t.


    - It''s just that a lot of my friends, even though they''re often my age, call me a genius, so I confess I expected to hear it from y... your mouth," she confesses.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    - Are you disappointed?


    - Quite the contrary.


    - Well, whether you are or not, using the term genius isn''t necessarily my style. I''m called that too, some of my friends in the police or detective force are called that, even famous scientists are said to be geniuses. Maybe we''re geniuses in our field, but people like you have the right to be called a ''genius'', I could call you that without any worries, but well, I don''t really know you, so I''d rather not use such a term. I''m getting a bit lost in my own words, but what I mean is¡­


    He remains silent and shrugs his shoulders.


    - Nah, I talk and talk, but I have no idea what I''m talking about.


    Silence descends before they both start laughing in chorus. Minos quickly calms down and shakes his head.


    - We don''t have time to laugh, we have to concentrate!


    - I agree!" says Deshya.


    Minos frowns as he stares at his laptop screen.


    - I754... I don''t know what that would mean. I''ll see with different ways of creating a cipher," he says.


    - I''ll see if I can find anything on the internet!


    - We''re all about thinking!


    - Yes !


    They put their noses in front of their computers, ready to find something interesting.


    - We''re all about the food!


    Minos licks his lips, now at the kitchen table with Deshya and Korone, while Pera prepares asparagus risotto for lunch. Deshya sighs.


    - We finally found nothing..." she thinks, disappointed that she hasn''t yet understood the meaning of ''I754''.


    They searched for several hours, but couldn''t find anything. Of course, they didn''t focus solely on ''I754'' and also looked a little at the theories of some ''Readit'' users, but nothing interesting caught their eyes. It''s now 12:37 and they''ve decided to go downstairs to eat the risotto that Pera is preparing, as Korone has come to call. The long-haired granddaughter is sitting next to Deshya, between her new grand-sister and the detective she adores so much.


    - Have you found a lead?" asks Korone.


    - Unfortunately, apart from ruling out certain possibilities, we haven''t made any headway," admits Minos, admiring the empty plate in front of him, eager to fill it with a good meal.


    - Eeeh¡­


    Korone has only been playing ''SUTOM'' with Pera all day, so she hasn''t really thought about the code, but she suspects she won''t be able to help if even Minos doesn''t find anything. Nevertheless, she''d like to be part of the investigation, since she doesn''t need to put herself in danger¡­


    - It''s almost ready!" says Pera cheerfully.


    - I can''t wait!" replies Deshya.


    She loves her mother''s risotto and knows how to prepare it in a very unique way, so she can only let her fox tail wag from left to right in a hurry. She would have loved her father to be with them, but he''s currently at work, so it''s impossible to eat with him. He could simply come back for his wife''s risotto, but she realizes that''s not really possible. Korone turns her face to the man with the long golden hair.


    - Saaaaaay, how long have you been a detective? she asks.


    Minos is surprised by Korone''s sudden question, but doesn''t hesitate to answer directly.


    - I''d say I''ve had a detective''s soul since I was a kid, but I''ve been known for a good ten years. I became more popular around the age of 18, but it wasn''t until I was 21 that people started calling me such a title. Even if I have to say, 2014 is not a year I like very much¡­


    - Yet that was the year you solved the case of the serial murderer nicknamed the Night Raven, wasn''t it? It was that investigation that gave you the title!" says Deshya.


    - Ahah, that''s another reason that I don¡¯t like the year, but whatever.


    Deshya doesn''t know what he''s talking about and would like to know more, but when he sees Minos'' more saddened look, she decides to simply keep quiet and accepts that she shouldn''t press the issue. However, she wonders what happened 8 years ago, in 2014, given that it was a wonderful year for him... at least, as far as the audience knows. Noticing Minos''s expression, Korone decides to keep talking.


    - Eeeh, I see!! And do you like what you do?


    Minos smiles again and approves.


    - Being a private detective is something I really enjoy! However, some people think it''s the most fun job in the world, that I''m allowed to go wherever I want, that I''m connected to the police, that I''m loaded and can do whatever I want... They''re wrong!


    Minos sighs and crosses his arms.


    - Even though I don''t just get calls for murders, seeing a corpse is never fun. Even if discovering the truth behind a case, stating one''s deduction and the joy of being right can be pleasant, a murder is still a murder. What''s more, even though I live quietly and admit I''m far from poor or average, to say I''m loaded... I''m only well paid when I have to work for a wealthy client, like this case, but that doesn''t happen every day. Of course, I''m well known, but I don''t want to work only for powerful, high society people, although I don''t accept everything that''s asked of me.


    Minos scratches his cheek.


    - Some people have so little faith in police detectives and the police in general that they come to see me, but for fairly basic investigations, I''m not needed...


    - It''s true that the police aren''t as well regarded as they used to be," says Pera, checking the state of her risotto.


    - I know Dad''s a policeman and I think the police here do a good job, but I can understand why, given what happened in Oturica," Deshya admits.


    Korone asks what happened there and Deshya crosses her arms in turn, imitating Minos.


    - On the Oturica continent, the police are often corrupt, lazy and even, for the most part, racist. A few years ago, there was a civil war that caused an enormous number of deaths because of an act captured on camera that created a scandal.


    - Tell me about it, the months to come were horrifying..." says Minos, remembering the tragedy. Unfortunately, this created an anti-police movement and began to affect every country and continent in the world.


    - And yet, the police here seem to be just fine!" smiles Korone.


    Deshya chuckles and nods.


    - Belium''s police force is often regarded as very fair and far more highly regarded than most, but not everyone agrees. I can understand not trusting them, but personally, I know that the police here deserve our trust.


    - The Belium police force is the one I prefer," Minos replies honestly. Well, to be fair, I mostly do business here, so¡­


    He scratches the back of his head, blushing faintly, a big smile on his face, and Deshya chuckles at his remark. Korone imitates her big sister by placing two hands in front of her mouth, but she quickly withdraws them: the special homemade risotto presents itself to them.


    - There are plenty, but leave some for Gatito!" Pera tells them.


    The slightly pasty texture of the risotto makes the three seated people salivate, with Deshya''s tail wagging incessantly behind her back. The beautiful white of the rice colored by the spices, the wall-green bits of asparagus and the few orange sparks of paprika make the dish artistic. Deshya asks Minos if he''d like her to serve him, and the man with the long golden hair bows his head.


    - If you please, mademoiselle.


    The three girls start laughing and Minos licks his lips, ready to devour the risotto in the greatest of pleasures.


    At around 2pm, after a well-deserved meal, Minos and Deshya return to their second-floor bedroom, Korone playing with N¨¦ro, the Oveja family''s German shepherd, in the house''s garden. Minos sighs with relief as he sits down on the bed, and Deshya does the same in her desk chair.


    - Your mother knows how to make risotto, eeeh¡­


    Minos pats his belly and Deshya giggles.


    - She''s a great cook! My dad''s not so bad either!


    - I can only believe you!


    After their short discussion, they both decide to return to their research. Minos opens his laptop and talks to Deshya without looking at her.


    - I''m going to take a closer look at the user ''Alveva589'' to see if I can find a clue to his identity or even the code. Will you take care of the message posted today and see if you can figure out Alveva589''s biography?


    - I''ll take care of it!" Deshya cheerfully replies.


    Minos smiles and goes to Google to start his research.


    - Alveva589... The ''589'' can mean JTW, JTX, JTY, JTZ, JUW, JUX, JUY, JUZ, JVW, JVX, JVY, JVZ, KTW, KTX, KTY, KUW, KUX, KUY, KUZ, KVW, KVX, KVY, KVZ, LTW, LTX, LTY, LTZ, LUW, LUX, LUY, LUZ, LVW, LVX, LVY or LVZ... ''Jux'' could be short for ''juxtapose'', which could mean juxtaposing something in your messages, biography or codes. KTX is a transportation network, but I''d be surprised if that had anything to do with it. KUW... Hm, could it mean Kuwait? They speak Arabic there and it''s in the south of Arepe. Is it possible that the coded message has Arabic words in it? I''ve seen no such thing and there are no Arabic characters in any case, but I''d better keep that in mind. Kuy... Kuy is a language spoken in Inukania, which is also a Mon-Khmer language*. I don''t think the messages are in such a language either... Unfortunately, I can''t speak Kuy in any case, but I''ll send a message to a friend right after, you never know. Kvy''s an artist, but... No, that''s irrelevant, I''m sure. Luw can mean something in Dutch if I''m not talking nonsense, but what was it... I think it can mean fluid, in the sense that something is fluid, like traffic? Hm, but it doesn''t mean anything, especially as Alveva doesn''t seem to me to be a word that exists, even if a company is called that, but it''s a construction company and deals with piping, so... Could there be a connection? I don''t think so. After that, what seems most likely to me is ''LUX'', given that it''s a unit of measurement for illuminance. If memory serves, it''s a unit equivalent to that of a surface that receives perpendicularly and uniformly a luminous flux of 1 lumen per square meter. What''s more, its symbol is lx. LX is 60 in Roman numerals, so Alveva60? 60 in T9 is either M, N or O. Alvevam, Alvevan, Alvevao... Gee, Alvevam means nothing in Latin¡­


    (* : Kuy is a real language spoken in the North-East of Thailand).


    Minos scratches his hair.


    - Alveva is probably a random pseudonym and I don''t think the 589 means anything, except if it''s LUX and the pseudonym''s clue is about the unit of illumination, but the coded message doesn''t call for such a process, so I think I''m going too far. Still, I''m going to write it all down and send it to a few friends to see if they can come up with anything. I''ll also have to talk it over with Deshya, but that''ll probably upset her more than anything else. Unlike the user''s biography, there''s nothing to say that the pseudonym is useful for solving the code.


    He makes up his mind rather quickly and sends the messages to his colleagues. When he''s finished, he leans over Readit and squints.


    - Let''s have another look at the messages sent by the account¡­


    Messages are plentiful and the majority reply to posts of all kinds. Alveva589 follows political, economic and leisure topics of all kinds, but nothing too modern. Most of his messages are uninteresting, and no strange figures present themselves to Minos. When he mentions Sleeping Little Beauty, he sends the link after a quick chat about its content and that they accept photos of women of all kinds. Alveva589 is always strict about refusing pornographic content and asks that women be respected.


    - Sleeping Little Beauty... A reference to the Sleeping Beauty? No, it''s normal to call your site that, it must have nothing to do with the cartoon.


    Sleeping Little Beauty can also be seen as ''SLB'', but this is not an acronym for anything special, unlike a name like ''Little Sleeping Daddy'' which could have been seen as ''LSD''. Minos continued to search the messages on Alveva589''s account for over an hour, but nothing stood out. The messages are terribly banal, and some are mere political opinions. Never does Conri Tanisha''s first name or his title of communications manager appear in any of his messages, even if he did quickly mention the assassination indirectly. However, this message is short and just expresses his strange feeling that he''s afraid to leave his house.


    - He received a lot of responses under this message, considering everyone is accusing him of this very same murder... Ironic.


    However, this doesn''t amuse Minos: it''s more than likely that Alveva589 is behind Conri Tanisha''s murder, so that he would dare say this on the internet is disgusting in his eyes. A murderer like that, posting coded messages to invite other murderers to take part in their murders... He can''t forgive that. That they should dare to continue communicating in the same way, simply by changing the means of decoding the information, is an insult to all.


    - I''ll find out who you are, my little Alveva.


    So he goes back to Google and starts looking for any leads Alveva589 might have left behind. Unfortunately, because of the popularity caused by Sleeping Little Beauty''s site, most of the finds are from users on the internet talking about Alveva589 and what they think they''ve found. Nevertheless, Minos doesn''t notice anything interesting or that might offer him a real lead on solving the code or even the identity of Alveva589 himself. A woman confesses that she knows him in real life, but Minos immediately notices that this is a lie, especially as the user isn''t even a woman in the first place.


    - I can''t believe people would believe that... But I can believe even less that people would lie like that on the internet! Don''t you have anything better to do with your life?!


    He sighs and would prefer not to get worked up over such a thing, so he continues his search. Alveva''s other searches lead directly to a company, but even looking that way quickly, the detective finds nothing of importance.


    But at around 5.12pm, in the total silence that had reigned for hours, Minos came across a user called Alveva_01 on an old site.


    Even though this discovery may be trivial, Minos looks into it with interest.


    - Alveva_01, registered on the site on July 13, 2006. Impossible to know when he was active, but his last post was on May 30, 2008. It''s a site that simply lets you import images, but he also has a biography there.


    Minos clicks on the profile and reads it, without saying it out loud, not wanting to disturb Deshya who is still thinking.


    - Beauty is everywhere, in life or in death''... Is that all? Wait... Beauty...?


    He frowns and analyzes the photographs posted by this user, but Minos finds nothing of interest. Most of them are images of different landscapes, but they''re so different that Minos can''t use them to find out where he lives. The only picture that stands out is a blurred one that seems to show a fire¡­


    - !


    Minos opens his eyes wide and opens another tab.


    - If I''m not talking nonsense... Yes, that''s it!


    He found exactly what he was looking for: a fire in June 2007 caused by a magnifying glass that had been left on a windowsill. The case was closed as an accident and no one was hurt, but one person died: the 14-year old boy who was asleep in his room and couldn''t escape in time. The parents tried to say that someone had committed the crime, but the victim''s sister tearfully confessed that she had forgotten her magnifying glass after playing with her archaeologist''s game.


    - The photo was posted two days after the fire, but I''m sure it was an accident¡­


    Minos thought he''d managed to get a lead on Alveva589''s identity, but it''s now clear to him that it''s just a tasteless photo, probably taken in the crowd.


    - But¡­


    He doesn''t give up and returns to the fire case.


    - It happened in the north of Shiru. The fire was extinguished 23 minutes after it started, as the fire department was called quickly and it was on the 11th floor of the building. The photo is blurred, but given the intensity of the fire, it must have been at least 10 minutes since then. No water jet is visible, so the firefighters hadn''t arrived yet. Okay.


    Minos opens his phone and calls one of his friends before turning around, observing the bedroom wall behind the bed.


    - Ah, it''s you. Yes, I won''t bother you for long, but could you check if you have any photos of the fire in northern Shiru that happened in June 2007? Yes, whether it''s the crowd or whatever, but the culprit behind Conri Tanisha''s murder was there. Yes. I know it''s unlikely we''ll find any leads, but it would give me great pleasure. All right, then. Thank you for your time. Thank you.


    Minos hangs up and smiles.


    - Have you found a lead?


    Deshya asks her question as she turns around in her wheelchair. Minos looks at her as he picks up his computer again.


    - There''s a good chance that the man behind the Alveva589 account was in Shiru on June 6, 2007, between 2:37 and 2:50 pm, so I asked a friend in the Shiru police if he could look for photographs of that day, during the fire," he confesses.


    - You move forward, while I can''t find anything¡­


    Minos blinks and looks up at the girl, who has her head bowed, a sad look on her face. Minos looks at the clock and smiles.


    - Bah.


    He closes his computer and gets out of bed, which surprises Deshya.


    - I have to admit that I''ve been looking for the slightest clue for hours, but I only have one lead dating back to 2007, so I have to admit that I haven''t really advanced. You have no idea what the biography or the code means?


    Deshya shakes her head as she turns back to her computer screen. Minos whistles at the girl''s filled notepad.


    - You''ve done a lot of thinking!


    - I quickly asked one or another friend about I754, but no one knew. I also don''t know what the Observer of the Five might mean, or if it has anything to do with the messages," she tells him.


    - It''s true that it''s a strange message¡­


    Minos pats her on the head.


    - Though, don''t blame yourself, if it were that simple, I''m sure the case would already be closed. Detectives like me who have been summoned to investigate Sleeping Little Beauty will be notified as soon as someone has found who the criminal is behind Conri''s death or the reality of the codes, but I haven''t received a single call yet.


    Minos shows her his thumb, winking.


    - I''m sure we''ll find the truth before Thursday. We can''t solve everything that quickly.


    Deshya doesn''t move or blink, but she finally smiles and nods.


    - That''s right.


    - Rest is important too! We can search a little more tonight before going to bed, but there''s no point in overworking and forcing ourselves.


    - You''re right!


    Deshya approves and quickly hops up on her chair, which amuses Minos. She then rises from her chair and, making sure not to touch Minos''s laptop, lies down in his bed, her back on the mattress. She sighs and the man loads his computer silently before sitting down on the girl''s desk chair.


    - I''m amazed that a teenager like you is already considered a detective, anyway," Minos admits.


    - I''ve come across investigations, it''s not really my fault... It''s only in the hotel that I''ve gone to see for myself.


    - Oh, the Beleza Verde murder? I heard about it, it was good work.


    - T-Thank you¡­


    Deshya blushes and grabs a cushion ¡ª not Liv''s ¡ª and smiles. The two of them were chatting for a few minutes about anything and everything when someone knocked on Deshya''s door.


    - Yes?!


    The door opens and little Korone waves both hands in front of her, greeting the two people in the room.


    - It''s because your mom''s asking what pizza you want for dinner tonight!" Korone explains.


    Deshya raises her upper body and admires the little girl.


    - Are we having pizza tonight?!


    - Yes! I''ve already chosen mine!


    - I''ll have a... Hmm... Four-cheese pizza!


    - Okiiiiiie! What about you, Minooos?


    Korone then turns to the man, who shakes his head gently.


    - As much as I appreciate you welcoming me like this and even allowing me to eat some good risotto, I can''t abuse your hospitality. I don''t want to¡ª


    - Hmmm!


    Korone puffs out both cheeks and frowns as she stares at the man in the chair. Minos lets out a confused smile and the little girl places both fists on his waist.


    - Not nice! Pera''s glad you''re here, so order a pizza, sir!


    - Y-Yes ma¡¯am! At your service!


    - I prefer it that way, little insect.


    Korone smiles broadly and Minos starts to laugh.


    - I''ll have pizza... Greek pizza, for me!


    - Okiiiiii, soldier!


    Korone jumps once in the air before leaving the room, not forgetting to close the door behind her. Minos continues to laugh and turns to Deshya, unable to calm down.


    - You''ve adopted a funny little girl, and I love her already!


    - She''s great, I can''t lie," admits Deshya with a beautiful smile, one big and happy.


    - She''s the little girl who lost her parents on the bus, isn''t she?


    Deshya nods and Minos apologizes for bringing it up. She promises him it''s nothing serious and they talk about it a little before Deshy got out of bed.


    - There''s a room next to mine, if you want to sleep there.


    Minos rises from his chair and stops Deshya.


    - Wait, I''ll eat with you, but I can rent a hotel room... I don''t need lodging either¡­


    - I don''t doubt it, but you''ve got plenty of room here and I don''t think anyone would mind, especially as it''s a room that''s meant for guests," Deshya told her.


    - No, but... Well¡­


    - I''d be super happy to have someone like you here! Even if it''s only for the time being, I must admit I don''t want you to leave just yet!


    - I''m not leaving, not until we solve this case! However, I can''t afford to accept any more! For one thing, I''m going to pay for my pizza, I can''t afford to play poor like this.


    Minos crosses his arms and shakes his head once. Deshya imitates him and raises part of her mouth without smiling, her eyebrows raised.


    - Yeah, but it''s my suggestion.


    - A-Ahah¡­


    - Seriously, I don''t mean to insist, but while I''m not home, you can even use my computer if you need to.


    - I''m glad you have so much confidence in me, but again, be careful. Sure, I''m me, so I''m the best, but you shouldn''t offer your trust like that to popular people, even if you''re a fan of theirs.


    Minos''s words light up Deshya''s eyes and she grabs his hand.


    - You''re the best.


    - The best detective in Belium!


    - Hmmmm... Nyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesss!!!!


    Deshya jumps and Minos laughs... but they continue to fight to keep the man at home for a good ten minutes.


    - Aaah¡­


    Minos sighs and Korone pats his head, standing on her chair.


    - Big sister always wins, I guess!" she says.


    Deshya looks proud and Gatito washes his hands, eyelids lowered and a bored look on his face.


    - I can see that we are housing someone without telling me first," he remarks.


    - Sorry, dad, but¡ª


    - No, no, I understand. However, let me put three surveillance cameras in his room, a motion detector, and six interior locks in your room.


    - H-Huh?


    Minos blinks before sighing heavily.


    - What a daddy¡­


    Gatito lets out a weak smile before finishing off his bottle of water. Deshya starts laughing in chorus with Korone, and Minos looks on smiling.


    - Well, it''s better to stay here for a while than the hotel, but Deshya, you''re still too quick to trust people.


    He knows the problems this can lead to, especially for a teenager ¡ª especially a girl. However, her mother has insisted that he stay too, and Minos doesn''t see the problem, even though it bothers him. He intends to pay the family back for their kindness, even if he suspects that they will refuse and pay him back instantly.


    They all eat their pizza together, chatting about everything around the table. Korone is allowed to taste Minos''s Greek pizza, while he can have a slice from the little girl who has chosen a 4 Seasons. The atmosphere is jovial and Minos even tells them a riddle, one that only Deshya manages to solve, but that takes several minutes.


    Then, for a few minutes until 9 p.m., Deshya and Minos searched a little more about the code, but found nothing more. So they decide to call it a day, especially as Deshya has to go to school the next day. Korone goes to her big sister''s room, already dressed in her night clothes, and Minos lets out a ''Maaaw'' when he sees her.


    - Fox pajamas, that''s cute!" he confesses.


    Korone turns to him and strikes a proud pose.


    - Korone is always cute!


    - You''re so right!


    - Yiiiss!


    She jumps on Deshya''s bed and Minos asks her if they sleep together. The teenager admits that Korone can''t sleep on her own, so they sleep in the same bed.


    - Eeeh, I see.


    Minos rises from the desk chair and stretches.


    - I''m going to get some sleep too. I''ve got everything I need in my suitcase, so there''s no need to lend me anything," he says.


    - All right!" said Deshya. I''ll let you use the bathroom first, and then I''ll brush my teeth.


    Minos nods, but before leaving the room, he turns to her and takes out his phone.


    - First of all, shall we exchange numbers?


    Deshya blinks, mouth wide open.


    - So-Sorry?


    Minos nods and shows her his number.


    - I trust you enough and it would be good to communicate during the investigation if something goes wrong. Well, I once had someone who dared to put it on the Internet, but I quickly changed it. However, I trust you!


    Deshya is immobilized, unable to say anything. Minos smiles.


    - Well, you''re going to school and if you find anything, I''d rather we could text. Besides¡­ if a new code is posted, I''d like to send it to you, even if you have to concentrate on your courses.


    Deshya nods several times and inscribes Minos''s number into her own with a beating heart. Minos does the same and thanks her before leaving his room. He closes the door behind him and Deshya turns back to Korone. The little girl sighs softly and stands up, stretching her arms out to either side.


    - If you want to get excited, you can¡ª


    She doesn''t even have time to finish her sentence when Deshya jumps on her, screaming with joy. Korone also screams, but in surprise, and falls onto the bed''s mattress, an extremely happy fox girl on top of her.


    - I have his numbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!!! I have Minoooooooooos nuuuumbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!!!


    She wiggles her feet and Korone starts laughing, although she feels a little crushed underneath her. Nevertheless, she lets her have this moment of pleasure and simply laughs.


    Just before 10.30pm, Deshya is already sleeping with Korone, both in each other''s arms. For once, the little girl doesn''t grab her new big sister''s fox tail to fall asleep. For his part, Minos observes the red crescent-moon pendant around his neck, the starry sky through the skylight being his backdrop. His air is rather neutral, but what he feels inside is far more intense. He finally sighs and puts it away, not wanting to wear it while he sleeps. He places it gently in its box and smiles softly.


    - Good night.


    With that, he turns off the light and goes to bed, resting to make sure he''s up for the next day.

 45 -?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; Third Line?(CASE9)

    <hr>


    Minos Kiyon, a 29-year-old man with long golden-blond hair and red eyes ¡ª which are actually contact lenses made on purpose. This person is better known as ''Belium''s Best Detective'', a living legend among detectives. This same man came looking for Deshya Oveja, increasingly known as ''The Fox-Eared Detective'', during her religion class. He then confesses that he has come to find her to help him with an investigation that has a very close link with the murder of ''Conri Tanisha'', the Defense Minister''s communications officer. He was killed in his home on September 2, 2022, and to this day, no leads have emerged. No potential suspects, no culprits caught. On Monday September 12, Deshya meets Minos and is thus led into the mystery of ''Sleeping Little Beauty'', a website with the address ''https://www.sleepinglittlebeauty.com''. On this site, coded messages are sometimes posted in the ''MORE'' tab, when they inspect the page. And on September 12, 2022, a new coded message was posted. It reads as follows:


    [1]592aPoET9¨¨mme)xq


    50[2]8841*--Oc4p


    8034[8]BmDAh


    [7]982Ads2o*dA


    486[2]1--%


    2862[0]8+2[0]89%lMQa82s^l9+9


    30[7]8^$ad


    [5]118mlS7fA/m.r=$^


    [6]5358FXa0e...


    0[2]88^$xCnOD


    04[9]951XDadt49:8e++a


    2862[0]8+2[0]89$*ax.


    A message that seems to have been entered randomly ¡ª as if typed on a keyboard. However, Minos is convinced that it''s the next instruction for the ''party'' that''s coming this Thursday, September 15: the next assassination by the group behind Conri Tanisha''s. The reason he asks Deshya for help is not because she''s considered a ''genius'' or for her intelligence, but because of the message that was added on Sleeping Little Beauty on September 10, 2022 at 7:07 am:


    ¡®September 15, let''s celebrate. For information on this holiday, please refer to the new method. If you don''t know which method I''m talking about:


    The fox detective offers you the horned path''.


    Minos is therefore convinced that, albeit indirectly, Deshya is involved in this case and wants to see if she can help them. It''s also possible that their next victim is a member of Deshya''s family or in her entourage, although unlikely.


    After a long day of searching, Deshya and Minos decide to rest and stop investigating for September 12. Minos stays with Deshya, having finally accepted their hospitality, and goes to sleep around 10.30pm.


    It''s now September 13, and this time Deshya won''t be skipping school despite the ongoing investigation. Not only will Gatito not accept it, Minos himself doesn''t want such a thing. As the clock strikes 7:15, Deshya moves to the right in bed and begins to open both eyes slowly. Her human-sized pillow with ''Liv'' on it and underneath her, while little Korone holds her hand in her sleep. Deshya wakes up slowly, smiles as she gently lets go of her new little sister''s hand and yawns as she stretches. She gets up without making too much noise, but as she approaches her bedroom door, a delicate, almost silent sound is heard behind her: the blanket moving.


    - Hmmm¡­


    Korone rises in turn, struggling to open her eyes. Deshya turns to her and says hello.


    - Hello, big sis¡­


    She yawns and rises from the bed, but remains on the mattress, before joining Deshya''s arms. Deshya carries her and suggests they go and brush their teeth, and Korone nods, her eyes heavy. The teenager leaves her room with Korone and heads for the bathroom. On the way downstairs, Deshya remembers that Minos is asleep in the next room, so she mustn''t forget to get dressed straight away so that he doesn''t understand the truth behind her fox-like attributes. He''s the best detective in all Belium, a living legend and a very clever person, so he might understand straight away if he saw her like this... This time, she dresses in her blue sweater, which is already in the bathroom, and puts it on in a hurry ¡ª or rather, as quickly as possible despite her muscles not responding perfectly. When she''s finished, after of course dressing in a t-shirt and bra, she puts toothpaste on her toothbrush and does the same for Korone''s. Her father went to buy one especially for Korone on Sunday, just before Colin and Mona''s ''second'' party, the same day they went to see the notary.


    to adopt the little girl. So they brush their teeth together, sometimes looking at each other and smiling. They rinse their mouths one after the other and Korone dresses in turn. Deshya puts on a pair of pants and heads downstairs with the little girl. They head for the kitchen and notice that Gatito and Pera are already up.


    - Hi dad, hi mom!" said Deshya.


    - Hiiiiiiiiiiii!" says Korone.


    The red-haired man has his nose in the newspapers, but withdraws it when he sees his two daughters in the kitchen.


    - Hello, Deshya, Korone.


    - Hello my honeys!


    Pera waves a hand, sitting next to her husband. Korone joins them, while Deshya stays in the kitchen to get a bowl from the cupboard.


    - Would you like some cereal too, Korone?


    - I don''t mind!


    Korone jumps up on her chair and happily accepts her big sister''s proposal. Deshya nods and grabs a second bowl before placing them on the table. She fetches three different types of cereal and presents them to Korone, explaining that she can have any she likes. Korone thanks and quickly chooses the chocolate chip ones. Deshya takes the more natural cereals made for the figure. Gatito eats a sandwich he made himself, while Pera drinks the last of her coffee. The family doesn''t chat over breakfast and silence reigns over the place, the dog currently outside and quietly poses on the terrace, not even chasing the other dogs in the neighborhood. Just as they''re about to say nothing, the door opens again and a dressed man yawns.


    - Aah, hello!


    He greets the family and Deshya turns to him.


    - Hi, Minos!


    The man with the long, slightly tousled golden hair smiles and asks if he can join them for the breakfast. They all agree, and he asks Deshya where the bowls are: he''d like some cereal too. So they all eat together after Deshya tells him where they are, including the spoons.


    CHAPTER 45


    ?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; Third Line?


    - Thanks again for agreeing to put me up for the duration of the investigation. I promise to pay it all back!" says Minos as he eats his chocolate-chip cereal.


    Pera turns her face to him with a smile.


    - You''ve already paid for last night''s pizza and you''re not asking for much, so you don''t have to reimburse us for anything!" she admits.


    - I''m not saying no," says Gatito without looking away.


    Pera frowns as she watches him, which makes Minos laugh and insist that he wants to repay them for their kindness, especially as he stands to earn a good sum if he succeeds in uncovering the identity of the man behind Conri Tanisha''s murder.


    - If you can figure it out..." joked the red-haired man.


    - Hmm, what does that mean?!" shouts Minos.


    - If it''s big sister who finds it, she''s the one who must have plenty of money!" says Korone.


    Minos turns his face towards her, but smiles and nods.


    - Even if I''m the one who finds it, she''s doing her best to help me, so I''ll share without any worries!" he admits.


    - Big sister will finally earn money for her work, yippee!


    Deshya asks Minos if this is really okay, especially since she''s underage, but Minos raises his eyebrows with a smile, staring at her.


    - Would you turn down money? If we manage to save the next victim, I can earn around 30,000 euros, so I''ll give you 10,000 without any worries.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and rises from the table, staring intently at Gatito.


    - I want it.


    - I don''t care as long as it''s not money we''re not declaring," admits Gatito.


    Deshya and Pera are surprised at Gatito''s lack of resistance. He finishes his sandwich and rises from his chair before addressing Minos.


    - You''re letting my daughter go to school today, I hope.


    - I already said it yesterday, I don''t intend to keep it any longer. It was irresponsible enough of me to do that yesterday, I don''t intend to repeat it," Minos explains. I only intend to stay as long as it takes to find out the truth behind the codes and stop the next murder, so I won''t overstay my welcome.


    - Hm.


    Gatito replies nothing more and kisses his wife before leaving for work, greeting Deshya, Korone and even Minos. The girl in the fox sweater turns to the detective at her side.


    - What happens if we don''t find out the truth in time?" she asks.


    - I''d rather not think about it, but it will simply mean that we can''t prevent another victim from being taken by their hands. That''s the worst possible thing for me.


    Deshya is familiar with Minos'' sense of justice and smiles.


    - We''ll figure out how to solve the codes first. If people on the internet could do it and join the murders, there''s no reason we can''t, is there?


    Minos blinks and approves.


    - Even if there''s no guarantee that many of the assassins will find the truth, I''m convinced that those behind the assassination of the Minister of Defense''s communications officer will do their utmost to decipher it all. It''s highly likely that they''re communicating with each other privately to understand the codes, too.


    - Hm.


    They both nod in chorus and Pera, including Korone, admires them with glee. The detective with the long golden hair stretches before sighing in relief, his cereal already finished.


    - I still haven''t received any message that the case has been solved by anyone else, so the mystery continues today... Even if I hope to find the money first, I hope above all that we''ll be able to stop the next murder¡­


    - Minos likes money, eeh?" smiled Korone.


    - Who doesn''t?


    They all laugh together, which makes the atmosphere in the room even more jovial than before.


    They all finish breakfast and Deshya approaches Minos before going to school.


    - I promise to look even when I''m at school !" she said.


    - Just concentrate on your studies, okay? I''ll do my own research and there''s no point in overthinking things when you also have to listen to your teachers.


    - Hm, that''ll do!


    - Deshya.


    - Okiiiiii¡­


    Deshya bows her head and her fox ears do the same, though they''re blocked by her sweater which hides them. Minos chuckles and thanks her before turning to the red haired woman, Deshya''s mother.


    - I don''t want to use Deshya''s room while she''s away, would it be possible to work for the time being in your office downstairs?" he asks.


    - No worries. I''m staying home with Korone for now," she replies. If you need help, I''ll be here.


    Deshya grabs Minos''s sleeve.


    - I have no problem with¡ª


    - I know.


    Minos cuts her off and fixes her with a serious look.


    - However, it just doesn''t happen. Again, I understand your trust in me and I thank you for it, but I''m the kind of person who likes to be trusted over time and by proving that I deserve it. When you get back from school, I''ll go back to your room to search for the truth with you if I haven''t solved the mystery yet, but for now, I''m going to work downstairs.


    Deshya blinks, but eventually smiles and nods.


    - It''s precisely because you think like that that I can trust you.


    - ¡­


    Minos answers nothing and smiles back.


    - Go to school.


    - Yiss!


    Deshya nods and turns hastily, running into the kitchen. She then climbs out and puts on her shoes, grabbing her bag and heading outside to join the school. Korone watches her do so before turning to Minos.


    - Saaaaay, can I ask a question?


    - What''s wrong?" replies Minos.


    - Isn''t it possible to protect the likely victims on Thursday? That way, they won''t be able to murder anyone.


    Minos crouches down in front of the little girl and shakes his head gently.


    - We can''t ask such a thing to the police. We have no idea what kind of target they''re looking for, given that they''ve currently only committed one crime, so I think almost anyone could be a potential suspect. Even if it''s possible to protect the next target by chance, it''s relying solely on chance with little probability of success, including invoking far too many members of the police force. If an urgent matter arises, they''ll be forced to leave their posts and stop protecting, but they won''t be in perfect conditions to act. It''s just impossible," he admits.


    - Eh, it''s true¡­


    Korone apologizes for her silly question, but Minos tells her it''s far from silly. He explains to the girl and the woman that he''ll get to work without further ado, and they wish him luck in finding the truth. He thanks them and Korone squints as she watches him go.


    - I''d like to help, but I suppose he''ll figure it out... Besides, I was able to watch a bit last night, but I don''t understand it either¡­


    Korone heads for the table where her mother is waiting to play a little together.


    Deshya walks to school without even seeing Amora, which surprises her. Unlike most of the time, she has to go alone, and not with her best friend. Not being next to her, receiving morning cuddles and even receiving its natural energy¡­


    - I thought so, but it''s a bit sad... I wonder if she won''t be there today," says Deshya.


    Yet Amora didn''t mention this last night, when they talked before going to sleep. What''s more, her pink haired best friend was very worried and excited for her, given that Deshya had met Minos Kiyon. The girl in the fox-blue sweater continued on her way to school without passing many people, but when they reached the front gate, something happened that forced her to step back, eyes wide open.


    - Deshya!


    - Tell us all about it!


    - You met Minos, didn''t you?! What happened?


    - Why did he come looking for you?!


    - Do you have his autograph? Even pictures taken with him?!


    - Can we know more?!


    A crowd of students falls on her as soon as she arrives at school.


    She''s surrounded by dozens of teenagers her own age, but some are also younger or older. Deshya can''t even hear what they''re asking or saying anymore, as the voices collide and it''s impossible for her to fully understand what''s being said. She stammers as she tries to answer them, but all she knows is that they want to know more about Minos Kiyon. However, she can''t tell them about the case they''re currently working on. What''s more, even if she wanted to explain what''s going on right now, she couldn''t: they''re all shouting and it would be impossible for them to hear her. Deshya feels increasingly oppressed, and a sense of claustrophobia grips her heart tighter and tighter. The teenagers squeeze around her more, they all talk at the same time and Deshya feels sick. She wants to escape from the crowd, but it''s impossible. Her breathing becomes more labored and the pressure increases, as if her chest were being crushed more and more. Deshya turns her head in all directions, no longer even trying to speak, but she sees no way to escape. As the crowd closes in on her¡ª


    - Yes, yes, we get it.


    - GO!!! MOVE!!!


    Two people jostle the others in the crowd and force them to move aside, one of them even shouting in annoyance. Student after student moves off, and finally Deshya turns to those heading towards her. Before she can find out who they are, both her wrists are grabbed by one hand each and she is whisked away from the crowd of over a hundred students. They continue to force her to follow them, and it''s when Deshya sees their hair from behind that she realizes who they are. She smiles and watches the disappointed crowd behind her, most of the students understanding that they will have no answer to the death of the girl in the fox sweater. They stop in front of a bench and let go of Deshya at the same time before sitting down. The girl has her arms crossed, while the boy shakes his head and sighs.


    - They''re impossible to handle. Where did they think they were, at the zoo?!


    He looks up at his friend with a desperate expression.


    - As soon as you wake up in the morning, everyone''s jumping on you, and I''m almost jealous..." he admits.


    - If you''re that popular next month, I wouldn''t be surprised if you become known all over the world," admits the girl, a year older than him.


    Deshya scratches his cheek.


    - You''re talking nonsense..." she says, embarrassed.


    - Oh, it''s the Fox Incorporated!


    A male voice sounds behind her and Deshya turns to notice another girl and boy walking towards them. Both greet the three friends and smile.


    - Sorry Deshyshy, I got here a little too early today!" apologizes Amora, the girl next to the black-haired boy.


    - I met her on the way, ahah!" admits Raiji.


    - Look, there''s the Sun," smiled Tessa, sitting on the bench.


    - And if it isn''t Raiji, the guy who saved our little fox," teased Maruno, standing right next to her purple-haired friend.


    - Hehe, you''re going to make me blush.


    Raiji stops in front of Deshya with Amora and scratches her hair. Maruno smirks and the pink-haired girl grabs her best friend''s hand.


    - Sorry, I forgot to tell you this morning that I''d arrived early! But there were so many people talking about Minos and you that my head was in the clouds!


    - It doesn''t matter," promises Deshya.


    - Hihi, thanks!


    She rubs herself gently over her and Deshya tells her, while being embarrassed, that she shouldn''t be so clingy in public. Tessa smiled with a chuckle.


    - Deshya embarrassed to have a girl rub up against her?


    - Deshya, tell her that she''s a good kitten!" jokes Raiji.


    - She''ll purr if she does that," says Maruno.


    Amora stops and frowns, pouting.


    - You really think I''d do that?!


    - Yes.


    - Yes.


    - Yes.


    - Yes.


    Amora looks at her best friend with shock.


    - Even you, Deshyshy?!


    - I mean¡­


    The girl in the fox sweater scratches her cheek with a smile. Amora sighs as she lowers her arms, accepting that they''re probably right. Raiji laughs and pats her on the back, while Tessa stares intently at Deshya. The latter feels her gaze and turns to her.


    - Y-Yes?" asks Deshya, confused.


    - Say¡­


    - ... ?


    - Could I know why Minos came looking for you?


    Tessa smiles at him and Deshya blinks. Maruno nods, crossing his arms.


    - I''d like to know, too. We''re all three members of the Fox Incorporated, aren''t we? I deserve to know too.


    - I''m your best friend!


    - And I saved you from being kidnapped.


    - It was Korone who pulled the strings, understood the tricks behind the alibis and shot Adam, though..." thinks Deshya, squinting.


    She sighs and tucks her hands into the pockets of her fox sweater.


    - It''s private," she admits.


    - Hmmm?


    Tessa frowns.


    - Don''t you want to tell us about it?


    - It''s not that I don''t want to, it''s just that it''s private.


    - We won''t tell anyone, we''re not like that!" says Raiji, taking a seat next to Maruno.


    - I know, but¡­


    - It''s about a case, isn''t it?" smiled Tessa.


    Deshya answers nothing and Amora massages her shoulders with a big smile.


    - You can tell us anything, hihi! Plus, I''m intrigued to know why the great Minos came to see you, although I bet it''s because you''re getting popular!


    - That''s not why, even if it does play a part¡­


    Deshya admits it, blushing softly. Maruno crosses his legs, a gesture directly imitated by Raiji.


    - Is this a super-private investigation?


    - An investigation that could jeopardize the security of the entire country? Or even the whole world?


    Deshya closes her eyes with a sigh, hesitating whether to smile or growl.


    - You''re exaggerating¡­


    - But this is a survey, hm?" drops Tessa with a teasing smile.


    Deshya rubs her eyes and sighs heavily.


    - All right, fine. But promise you won''t say anything!


    - Of course!


    - Good, boss!


    - Thankiiies, Deshyshy!


    - Mouth sewn.


    A few minutes later, just before the school bell rings, Deshya stops talking and puts her phone away, having just shown the code to her four interested friends. They are all greatly surprised that Deshya has been "invited" by Minos to investigate such a case, but even more so that she is mentioned in the clue to solve the code. Amora looks down, hands clenched.


    - Does that... Does that mean you''re in danger?" she asks worriedly.


    - I don''t think so, this must just be a clue with my first name, my last name or something I''ve done. Chances are it''s not even me they''re talking about, although Minos seems convinced of that," reassures her best friend.


    - A connection with the murder of Conri Tanisha, damn¡­


    Raiji whistles, impressed that Deshya is on such a case.


    - On the other hand, for a complicated code, it''s... complex," admits Maruno.


    He''s only been able to see it for a few moments, but he''s already certain that it''s sophisticated and will take time and effort to solve. Unlike the ''Lam Douce'' letter they received last week for fun, this code is totally different and solving it before Thursday is almost a must. If they don''t find the truth before then... then a person ¡ª or several ¡ª will come to die.


    - If even Minos couldn''t figure it out yesterday, then I can''t even imagine how complicated it''s going to be for people like us to solve it," admits Raiji.


    - You talk as if you were on our level," Maruno teases him.


    - I must admit it hurts¡­


    They all start laughing and Tessa gets up from the bench, fixing Deshya.


    - Well, I''ll look around at my house for any clues to the code, but I bet we won''t really be able to help, unfortunately," she says.


    - As long as you don''t tell anyone... Be careful though," Deshya replies.


    - I return the compliment.


    Tessa shakes her hair violently, albeit amicably, and walks away from the friends. Amora turns to her, blinking.


    - Are you leaving?" she asks.


    Tessa doesn''t respond and makes a ''3'' with her fingers. Then a ''2'', then a ''1''...


    And the school bell rings.


    The playground is now full of students moving in all directions, some grabbing their bags and running inside the building. Maruno and Raiji get up from the bench and smile.


    - I didn''t even realize that classes were already starting..." sighs the boy who often wears a helmet around his neck.


    - Me neither..." smiled Maruno.


    Deshya watches Tessa walk away and blows her nose with a smile before suggesting to Amora that they go to class without further ado. Her best friend nods happily and they set off.


    - It''s too complex a code for me, so I think I''ll just watch the anime that comes out today,¡± admits Amora.


    - Which one?" asks Deshya.


    - It''s called Mochi Neko, it''s about cats who become idols, but from what I hear, there''s a plot twist to episode one!!! Can''t wait to see it!


    - Why doesn''t it surprise me that she plans to watch this?


    Deshya is already reading the manga that''s going to be adapted and she likes it a lot, although she thinks it''s going to create controversy for some reason... She''s not looking forward to seeing the idiots fight over it, but she knows she''s going to have to put up with it. As she walks towards the school, her phone vibrates in her pocket. She grabs it and turns it on to see that the person who sent her a message... is Minos Kiyon! She hurries to read its contents and sees this:


    "I hope I''m not disturbing you. A new code was posted today, Tuesday, September 13, 2022, 08:11am. Here is the code:


    96[2]82a1B+S52r


    8034[8]/-aa


    0[5]118548rmAP


    926[5]L;:aa45?Rl++s


    0[2]884!aX8i)¨¦&$


    [9]5974SPsMd6969a69++ [6]4338+-+¨´


    4[8]253421170:>ksd1$AmeLRl 62[0]89+62[0]89D12slDZdz 775[1]mM


    62[0]89+62[0]89dcO


    612[8]47TTS+


    95[3]43014654--dzs12


    [3]70277$¨¦zEoKDs


    [4]159;:SsllL%


    9310[5]$''(5


    4[9]95)0sa


    0[2]88PRrO.''


    If you find anything, don''t hesitate to text me and I''ll get right back to you.


    Focus on your classes first, though!!!! Minos :3"


    The code is longer than last time, but it seems to be written in a similar way to the last one, but Deshya doesn''t have time to concentrate on it, as she has to get to class. However, as she flies over the code, something bothers her... as if there''s a clue that could lead her to the trail of the code''s resolution... but she can''t work out what it is. So she decides to send Minos a quick message saying she''ll look at it over lunch and puts her phone away straight away. However, she can''t forget the message... but it''s not because of the code itself, but what Minos has written at the end.


    - He put a '':3'', hihiiii~!


    She thinks it''s too cute and can''t help smiling and showing her contentment physically. Amora notices this and asks her if she''s all right, but Deshya nods happily without telling her why she feels this way.


    Time flies at school, and after the 2-hour English class, Deshya heads downstairs with her friends to the basement, where the school cafeteria is located. She sits down at her usual table with Amora, Raiji, Lam, Frie and Abdoul. She takes out her toast, but before she starts eating, she looks at her phone and opens the message that was sent by Minos again. He reacted to her message with an ''?'' and hasn''t said anything to her since, but it suits her perfectly. She''s looking forward to continuing to ''work'' alongside him, but for now, she needs to concentrate on school; which is no simple matter. As she watches her phone, she senses stares being directed at her, which disturbs her. She looks up and sees three heads concentrating on her phone.


    - Do you mind?!" she asks.


    - I just wanted to know who had sent you a message, hihi..." admits Amora.


    The girl with the long pink hair scratches her cheek, but the boy next to her just crosses his arms.


    - I just wanted to see the second code," replies Raiji.


    - A code?" asked Lam, who was also interested in Deshya''s phone.


    - She''s playing a detective game on her phone, but I seem to have got it wrong.


    He shrugs and leaves the table to heat up his pasta. Amora wonders what he''s talking about, but remembers that they must keep Deshya and Minos'' secret investigation, so he simply lied. Abdoul takes a bite of his baguette and turns his attention to Deshya.


    - I don''t know what you and Minos talked about, but he surprised me by coming to class like that," he says.


    - I''m even more surprised than you are, to be honest¡­


    Deshya smiles before crossing her legs, pondering the code. Amora pats her on the shoulder, saying she should eat, but Deshya replies that she just wants to concentrate on the code for a few moments to see if she can come up with anything. Amora agrees, since she has nothing to say about it. Deshya rubs her chin, admiring the message sent by Minos.


    - The message is longer, but I don''t see anything different to the old code... Some lines are very long, others quite short... I wonder if each line means a sentence? Hmm¡­


    As she ponders, Raiji sits down next to her again, his pasta reheated.


    - You''ll have to show it to Tessa and Maruno," he whispers.


    Deshya nods and simply puts her phone away: with Abdoul, Lam and Frie talking amongst themselves, she''ll never be able to concentrate enough. She''ll look into it a little more after she''s eaten, in the few minutes before she returns to class, while showing the new code to Tessa and Maruno. Raiji starts eating his pasta and Deshya her toast. Abdoul flirts with Lam, while Frie takes turns chatting with Amora and Deshya.


    - I''m impressed that someone like Minos knows you, Deshya!" she admits.


    - I''m no less surprised," replies her red-haired friend.


    - Soon you''ll be famous all over the country!


    - Let''s not exaggerate, ahah!


    Deshya lets out a little laugh and Frie admits that she''s sincere, which pleases her greatly. Lam comes out of her conversation with Abdoul to tell Deshya that she also thinks it''s a possibility, but that if she becomes so popular, she wants her to talk about her in her lectures. This makes Deshya blush and she continues to insist that this won''t happen, but Raiji smiles and waves his fork.


    - Will you talk about how I saved you?


    - Stoooooop¡­


    Amora, Lam and Abdoul laugh as they see Deshya hiding behind her hood. Frie and Raiji chuckle and continue eating in good spirits. Five minutes before the school bell, Deshya went to speak with Tessa and Maruno to show them the new code that had been published today. Raiji joined them, while Amora stayed behind with Lam, Abdoul and even his brother, Minoru.


    - What''s that¡­ code¡­


    Tessa touches the front of her cap with a grimace, not at all understanding what this code could mean.


    - Sure it''s not ROT-47 code or something like that?" asks Maruno.


    Deshya shakes her head.


    - Minos and I have checked several combinations, but nothing seems to work. What''s more, there''s always a number in square brackets at the beginning of each line, or even two numbers, so I don''t think it''s just a trick," she admits.


    - So the biography of Alveva''s account must really be the main lead to follow..." remarks Raiji. Is it by understanding what he means that we could solve the code?


    Deshya nods and tells him it''s highly likely, since there must be a way of solving the coded messages, otherwise it would be impossible for the assassins to follow these codes.


    - So there are several of them... Do we know how many there are?" asks Maruno.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    - Impossible to say, especially since it''s likely that some of them don''t understand how to solve these ciphers. Well, we talked to Minos about it and he said it''s possible that the assassins ''hired'' by Alveva589 are talking to each other somewhere else, so if anyone understands, they should all be able to understand the messages.


    - I bet if nobody understands, whoever''s behind the site will come up with an even bigger clue..." adds Tessa.


    - Korone said that when we were eating the pizzas, but Minos admitted he wasn''t convinced.


    Tessa is astonished and asks why. Deshya answers her directly:


    - The reason he''s changed the way he enciphers his messages is because the site''s popularity has increased, but it''s not just a change of code: he''s really spiked the messages. So he''s aware that his site is attracting views, and that there''s a good chance the police and detectives are already on the case. If he gives too big a clue, committing the next murder will be far too risky.


    - Is it possible that the codes are decoys and that the culprits are talking to each other? I know Minos assumes that the boss wouldn''t send such messages to the site if they were all talking in a different chat room, but¡­


    Maruno doesn''t finish his sentence: Deshya cuts him off.


    - Even if it''s a possibility, it''s highly unlikely. Sending out a clue like this and changing the codes in such a complex way is far too much work to be a simple decoy, especially as the old codes actually indicated the murder that was about to take place with precision. This isn''t just a joke that some Internet user decided to play to pass the time, but a real affair.


    - Internet user¡­


    Raiji chuckles and Deshya sighs.


    - Yeah, well¡­


    - Mamy Deshya?


    - You can''t be serious.


    - I mean, I don''t think it''s possible to solve such a code without more information. The codes in square brackets isn''t even what surprises me the most, but what''s next.


    Tessa points to Deshya''s phone and shows the last line of code.


    - The only dot there is at the very end of the last line, so is it possible that every line is a sentence?" she asks.


    - I thought about it, but there were other points in the old post... Wait, there.


    Deshya fiddles with her phone and shows the screenshot she took last night while pondering the code.


    - The ninth line, the one with the message ''[6]5358FXa0e..''. There''s a colon at the end, so it''s possible that it''s just a symbol they''re putting there. After all, it''s true that coded messages always end with a period... Wait¡­


    Deshya frowns. The thing that disturbs her¡­


    - It''s¡­


    She switches back to the old code, but just as she does, the school bell rings. She looks up and grumbles as she puts her phone away. Tessa jumps up from the bench and pats her on the back.


    - Well, the only thing that really changes in both codes is the length of the lines. There seem to be more short lines this time.


    - Yeah¡­


    Deshya lets her shoulders drop and her three friends say they''ll try to figure it out on their own when they get home: if they find anything, they''ll come and warn her. Deshya thanks them and heads off to class with Raiji, deep in thought.


    - What is this feeling that''s bothering me...?


    However, she doesn''t manage to fall on it, and at 4.15pm they are allowed to leave the school after gym class. Deshya greets Frie and Raiji before going for a walk with her best friend.


    - You were even faster than last time today!" says Amora.


    - I was just going for it!


    Deshya hops around holding her bag, which amuses Amora, who can''t help laughing. Deshya smiles and checks her phone again, but she hasn''t received any important messages since. Amora watches her best friend''s face.


    - Anyway, how are you these days?" she asks.


    A question out of the blue, one that surprised Deshya, who couldn''t help questioning her with her eyes. Amora touches the strap of her satchel.


    - You''ve seen a lot of deaths these days..." she admits, worried.


    Deshya closes her mouth after blinking and smiles.


    - Are you still worried about me?


    Amora pouted at her.


    - Of course I do! You''re my best friend, and I want you to feel good about your life!


    Deshya lets out a quick laugh and Amora strikes her gently with her fists. Deshya apologizes, promising she wasn''t laughing.


    - Sorry, sorry, it just makes me happy to know you care about me like that!


    Amora stops and lowers her head, but doesn''t look away from Deshya.


    - I know you''re seeing a psychologist, but¡ª


    - I''m fine.


    Deshya cuts her off as she looks ahead.


    - Bibi is a great help, but since then I haven''t felt any sudden rage.


    Amora knows the truth about the night she found Byron Elrick, Mich?el Elrick''s 8-month-old grandson. Deshya didn''t hide from her what she had dared to say to the guilty woman, nor how she felt at the very moment. Yet this didn''t faze Amora, who replied directly¡ª


    - I know you''d never dare do that! You''re a good person, but you keep too much inside you!


    Bibi also told her that she shouldn''t let the pressure, stress and emotions swell her heart to the point of exploding. Deshya received similar advice from Korone, but in a different way.


    - If Deshyshy needs to cry, she can cry on me!!!


    That''s what she told him the very night the Byron Elrick affair happened, minutes before Bibi came. In fact, Deshya is convinced that these words from Korone''s mouth are one of the reasons she wanted to keep her as her little sister.


    - I''m happy if you''re well, but if you''re not, don''t hesitate to tell me, oki?


    Amora shows her white teeth behind her smile after saying this. Deshya nods.


    - I promise, Amora.


    - Perfect!


    She stops at an intersection and waves to Deshya: their paths diverge here. Before Amora can run to the bus stop, Deshya takes a step forward and¡ª


    - Thanks for being there for me!


    Amora brakes and stops before turning around, seeing Deshya walking on the opposite side, continuing towards her house. Amora stands still for a few moments, but eventually smiles and closes her eyes, moved.


    - I''m the one who should be saying that¡­


    On these murmurs, Amora continues on her way with a big smile, unable to stop.


    On the 15-minute journey from the moment she parted company with Amora to the moment she arrived home, Deshya asked herself questions about the code, the biography of Alveva589''s account and their meanings, but unfortunately, she found nothing. She hadn''t received any messages from Minos all day, so she assumed he hadn''t found anything either... The red haired teenager arrived at the front door of her house and opened it with her key, but she was greeted by no one this time ¡ª well, yes, but by her dog. The dog wags his tail at the sight of his mistress, and Deshya closes the door behind her, before smiling and lowering her gaze.


    - Hi, Nero.


    She strokes his head and body for a few seconds before throwing off her bag and shoes and almost pulling down her hood, but then remembers that Minos is at home, so she can''t afford to do that.


    - The truth is, even though I''m super happy he''s here, I hope he doesn''t find out that I''m a real fox girl..." thinks Deshya.


    He''s an extremely intelligent and perceptive man, so it''s far from impossible, but it would worry her greatly: if he knows the truth, then he is in danger. Admittedly, it''s highly likely that this would never be known by whoever had kidnapped him in the past, but until she has more information about his fox-like attributes, she''d rather choose the safe route and continue to worry, even if it turns out to be pointless. When Deshya arrives in the kitchen, she notices that her mother is preparing supper... alongside Korone.


    - How was school?" asks the redheaded woman.


    - Heyoooo, big siiiiiis!" greeted Korone.


    She jumps out of her chair and approaches Deshya happily. The fox-like teen gently rubs her head and looks at her own mother.


    - Nothing special to say," she admits. Did you have a good day?


    Pera nods, concentrating on the meal.


    - I played with Korone most of the time and gave her your old phone, since you weren''t using it anymore, so she could contact us if she needed to. I gave her your number, but asked her not to disturb you," explains Pera.


    - I''ve already renamed you ''Big Sister'' on it, hihi!


    Deshya smiles at Korone''s words and tells her she''ll do the same, calling her ''Little Sister'' afterwards. This greatly pleases the girl with the long white hair.


    - We''re both making supper, but if you want to see Minos, he went to your room a good five minutes ago, as you were on your way home," adds Pera.


    - I''ll have a bite and go. Did he find anything?" asks Deshya.


    Pera shakes her head.


    - It doesn''t look like he''s made much progress, and he has some information to share with you, but I don''t know much more than that. Korone had a look at the two codes with him, but she didn''t find anything... She just wanted to ask you if you had any idea what... Er¡­


    - Observer of the Five, what do you think that meaaans?


    Korone finishes Pera''s sentence, since the latter had forgotten the exact words, and Deshya looks down at her, stopping to stroke her hair.


    - Even if the beginning is important, I''d like to know the end.


    - Minos has already looked to see the position of the ''5s'' in the codes, but it''s come to nothing," admits Deshya.


    - Yes, he looked again with me, but we couldn''t find anything¡­


    Deshya shrugs.


    - I''ll do my best to understand!" she promises.


    - Yiss!


    Korone returns to her chair and continues cooking alongside the red-haired woman. Deshya notices that N¨¦ro, their dog, is back in the kitchen, and pats him again before eating her snack. She decides to have strawberry yogurt, as she can''t eat walnut yogurt: she''s allergic to it. Some fruits are also forbidden to her, but she''s always careful. When she''s finished eating, she decides to go up to her room to see Minos Kiyon and find out how he''s getting on with the investigation. She climbs the two flights of stairs rather quickly and notices that her bedroom door is already open. The golden-haired man stops writing on his laptop and looks up: he''s sitting on Deshya''s bed, as she''d expected.


    - Hi," he said simply.


    - Hi, Minos! How are you?


    - A little tired of searching and searching, but I''m fine. How was school?


    Deshya sits down in the chair at her desk and turns on her computer before nodding.


    - Nothing major, but it was far from bad," she admits.


    - Good for you. I hope you''ve been concentrating on your classes and not just the business.


    - I admit that at times my mind was a bit elsewhere, but I concentrated mainly on the lessons!


    Minos judges that she''s not lying and so smiles before gently pushing aside the laptop in her lap.


    - Above all, did you find anything while you were looking during lunchtime or on your way home from school?" he asks.


    Deshya shakes his head sadly and Minos sighs with a smile.


    - Well, that''s to be expected, since you didn''t really have time to think. I didn''t really get anywhere either¡­


    He gets out of bed and starts walking in circles around the girl''s room.


    - Do you remember I called a friend from the Shiru police yesterday to get photos of the fire that happened in 2007?


    - I remember," admits Deshya.


    - I received some photos from him this lunchtime, but unfortunately, not only are there not many, but some of them are blurry or don''t show the crowd. Well, that''s not surprising on the one hand, but I still expected to see more... However, the few photos that do show the crowd have hardly anyone recognizable or they''re hidden behind the others. The only people we''ve managed to identify are incapable of being the culprit, even though we have three of them under surveillance at the moment. Well, it''s unlikely that the culprit we''re looking for is one of them, especially as there are two women.


    - Why couldn''t most of the people in the crowd be the culprits?


    - Too young.


    - Too¡­


    Deshya thinks about it, but soon understands what he meant.


    - If Alveva_01''s account was created in 2006, it''s true that the person behind it must currently be over 35, even 40 years old.


    Minos agrees.


    - The fire happened in a neighborhood heavily frequented by young people, although less so now, so most of the people in the crowd were teenagers. While that''s not a possibility to rule out, I really don''t think it''s a probability. Well, after all, the impossible must be considered possible.


    Deshya is surprised to hear him say this and unconsciously repeats:


    - It''s by thinking the impossible is impossible that we drown in an impossible situation¡­


    Minos squints.


    - Where did you hear that?


    - It was a woman by the name of Mariah Sukeni who told me this during the case of the invisible gunshot that was this Saturday," Deshya admits, remembering the detective''s words.


    - Mariah Sukeni... Isn''t she the female detective who likes to dress lightly? Black and pink hair?


    Deshya nods.


    - You... I mean, do you know her?


    Minos sits back down on the bed and crosses his arms.


    - She has a certain popularity and likes to shine in other people''s eyes, so of course. She''s a pretty smart detective, but she''s just an acquaintance," Minos admits. So she told you that¡­


    - She explained that it was someone she had met who had told her that.


    - I see.


    Minos smiles and Deshya asks him if he knows this person too.


    - Well, you''ll meet her someday, too. I mean, I think.


    - A-Ah really?


    Minos agrees and turns his attention back to the case.


    - In any case, it''s impossible to find a potential suspect and even if we tell ourselves that Alveva was in Shiru that day, during the fire, there''s always the possibility that someone else took the photo or stole it from the internet. I''ve looked into it a bit and a friend is helping me, but it seems that the photo is unique, so it''s highly likely that it was Alveva himself who photographed the fire, but finding a potential suspect just with that¡­


    Minos clicks his tongue against his teeth.


    - Almost everyone was filming or taking photos in front of the building that day, so it''s almost impossible to find someone who would remember the man who captured that particular image. Plus, it happened 15 years ago, so looking for an eyewitness who would remember the people in the crowd that day... I think it''s understandable that it would be completely pointless.


    Deshya agrees with him and touches her chin.


    - So we haven''t really made any progress since..." she remarks.


    - I still don''t understand what the code could mean, especially since I searched hard, but I must confess that I was mostly focused on finding the identity behind Alveva589''s account. Even if I didn''t find much information around, knowing that he had an account named ''Alveva_01'' between 2006 and 2008, that he was in Shiru and also his email address might help.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide.


    - His e-mail address?!" she repeats.


    - Using a reverse lookup method, I found that the email address for the Alveva_01 account is ''[email protected]</a>'', but¡­


    Minos grabs his laptop and doesn''t hide his grimace.


    - The e-mail address has not been used since 2010 and nothing confidential or useful has been found on it, especially since it was used to receive advertising of all kinds or to chat with one or other person on the image import site.


    Deshya listens attentively, but remains focused on the e-mail address.


    - Alveva589589..." she repeats.


    Minos agrees.


    - Alveva589. At least it proves that Alveva_01 and Alveva589 are related and the same person. There''s always the small chance that it''s just a coincidence, but they''re related no matter what. I sent an e-mail to the address hoping for a reply, but the chances of a return message being sent are close to 0. Obviously I used a secondary e-mail address, I''m not stupid.


    Minos winks, which makes Deshya giggle, but she quickly regains her seriousness.


    - I guess this means that decoding the message is our only way of stopping the assassination now..." she blurts out, unhappy that this is the case.


    Minos sighs and approves.


    - I haven''t found any other account named ''Alveva'' on the internet and I''ve spent way too much time trying to find the slightest clue about his identity, so I think focusing on Alveva589''s actual account, biography, Sleeping Little Beauty site and codes are our priorities. Finding Alveva589''s identity is something friends are still trying, but it seems the account is well protected and doesn''t want us to find out where it came from... Eh.


    He lets out a weak smile before opening his laptop, but it lights up straight away, since he''d just closed it, not turned it off.


    - Well, if we can find the truth in the codes, then we''re good," he admits. We don''t really have a choice, unless a miracle happens... but as a detective, I prefer not to believe in them too much.


    - I couldn''t agree more. Also, something bothered me looking at the code that was posted today, so I''d really like to understand what I saw that bothered me.


    - Something bothering you...?


    Deshya nods and returns to the Sleeping Little Beauty website on her own computer. She wastes no time and starts searching silently, accompanied by Minos who looks at Alveva589''s account and the code simultaneously.


    However, after supper, now at 7.55pm, they still hadn''t found anything. Not a single clue. Deshya still doesn''t know what''s bothering her either... In short, they''re still stuck on the coded messages. Minos suggests that Deshya look around a bit before going to bed, but she admits she can''t right now.


    - Why?" asks Minos, shocked.


    Deshya goes to explain why, but someone knocks on the door, which cuts the girl off. She opens it, as they are already in the entrance hall, and the feminine form of a woman with white hair, but faintly tinted blue, presents itself to them. Deshya smiles.


    - Good evening, Bibi!


    The woman enters, greeting the teenager with a big smile, but stops when she sees the man with the long golden hair in the house. Minos observes the woman in turn, and silence reigns in the hall until Deshya closes the door behind Bibi. The latter finally smiles.


    - Hi, Minos.


    - A-Ah, good evening.


    Minos greets Bibi in turn and Deshya looks at the fair haired woman in amazement.


    - Do you know each other?" she asks.


    Bibi turns her face to the red-haired girl, questioning her with her eyes. However, noticing how she has just greeted Minos, she apologizes and turns back to the golden-haired man.


    - Ah, forgive my rudeness!


    She bows to the man, who waves a hand and smiles.


    - It doesn''t matter!" he admits.


    - Still, it''s unprofessional of me. I do apologize.


    - I''d rather be too friendly than too formal with me either way, ahah.


    Minos smiles at him and Bibi returns it with pleasure. Deshya now addresses the man.


    - She''s my psychologist, even though she works for the police here," she explains.


    - Ah, I see. Pleased to meet you.


    - Pleased to meet you, my name is Bibi Derumi. You''re Minos Kiyon, aren''t you?


    - That''s right! In the flesh!


    Minos strikes a proud, upright pose, closing his eyes like a superhero. This amuses the two girls, who can''t help laughing, and Bibi presents Minos with her gloved hand.


    - Once again, a pleasure!


    Minos shakes her hand and repeats her words almost exactly. Deshya watches them with a smile.


    - I''m surprised to see you here. What are you doing at Deshya''s?" asks Bibi.


    - You can call be informal with me, ahah!


    - I return the compliment.


    - Arf, touch¨¦.


    Minos touches his left breast and they all laugh together.


    - But I''m here for an investigation, the one concerning Conri Tanisha," he admits.


    - I suppose he could be sincere with a member of the police force," Deshya thinks.


    - Oh, I see. I haven''t looked into it too much, but the best detective in our country is coming to see our little fox girl... I''m impressed.


    - Ahah, but that''s not why he came¡­


    Deshya is embarrassed and blushes softly as she tries to explain, but Minos nods.


    - She''s a smart girl, I''ll give her that," he admits.


    Deshya starts to blush even more strongly while remaining silent.


    - W-Well, it''s good for my ego, I guess¡­


    Bibi and Minos chatted for a few more seconds before the psychologist suggested the girl go and have a little chat in the living room next door. She nods and Minos starts to climb the stairs.


    - I''ll wait for you upstairs, then. We can think a little longer before going to sleep," he said.


    - Okay," Deshya replies briefly.


    He quickly climbs the stairs and Bibi goes into the living room accompanied by Deshya. They settle down quickly and the psychologist takes some papers out of her bag, along with two pens: one pink and one black. The two of them start chatting, talking about what happened over the weekend, Deshya''s mental state these days and whether she''s managed to calm down. The teenager in the fox sweater answers her honestly, explaining that everything''s better on her side, that she hasn''t had a dark thought since, that she hasn''t wanted to kill anyone or let her emotions control her. Bibi writes a few words on her index cards and continues talking when, about 30 minutes into the conversation, someone knocks on the living room door. Deshya goes to open the door and notices a little girl coming towards them.


    - I''m sorry to bother you, but your dad said it would be nice if I came and talked to you both for a bit, around 8.30pm," she confesses.


    - Really?" asks Deshya.


    Bibi puts down her pen and smiles.


    - He told me about Korone and said she might affect how you''re feeling these days, since you''ve always wanted a little sister," she blurts out. I wanted to talk to both of you at once, so let her in.


    Deshya approves without replying and closes the door behind Korone. The little girl asks where she can sit, but Deshya settles on the chair first and offers to sit on her lap. Korone accepts with a big smile and looks at the leaves on the table.


    Korone, Deshya and Bibi chat together until 9.07pm. The psychologist tells Deshya that she seems to be doing very well and not letting her heart get the better of her, which is very good news. What''s more, now that she has a ''new little sister'', it could help her feel better and she shouldn''t hesitate to talk to her if she needs to, although given Korone''s age, she won''t be able to tell her everything either. Deshya told her sincerely that she''s trying to confide in her more, and even with the murder she saw on Saturday, she hasn''t ''exploded'' again.


    - It''s true that knowing Korone is by my side now comforts me greatly," admits Deshya. I know we haven''t known each other long, and she''s not technically my adopted little sister yet, but I can already see her like that... I''m sure our relationship will grow even stronger as time goes by!


    Korone nods and says she thinks so too. Bibi stands at the front door and smiles at them. She crouches down to stroke Korone''s hair and gives a little nod.


    - I''m sure of it too," she admits.


    She then gets up and, before leaving, addresses Deshya and Gatito, the man on the staircase behind his two daughters.


    - I still plan to come and see how she''s doing, especially as it seems that people like Minos are interested in Deshya now.


    - I''ll pay you for the next few sessions," confesses Gatito.


    - I''m not necessarily asking for money, don''t worry. I''m paid by the government for what I do and the police themselves pay me, so I''ll be fine.


    Bibi opens the front door, smiling at Gatito.


    - My job is to make sure my customers keep their heads on their shoulders. I already make enough money, so don''t worry too much about that.


    With these words, she greets all the members of the Oveja family ¡ª except Pera, who is already upstairs ¡ª and closes the door behind her. Korone tells Deshya how much she likes this woman, and her older sister nods in agreement.


    - She''s kind and knowing she''s coming to check on my mental state helps me, honestly.


    - Bibi is a good woman, let''s face it.


    Gatito stands up and gently cracks the back of his neck.


    - She''s sweet and friendly and a good therapist. But I still feel bad about not paying her directly, although it''s true that the government pays her for what she does, so¡­


    He scratches the back of his neck and climbs the stairs.


    - I think I''ll pay for it next time..." he murmurs.


    Deshya can hear her words thanks to her acute hearing, unlike Korone. Deshya suggests to her new little sister that they go upstairs now and brush their teeth before going to their room, where Minos Kiyon should be waiting for them. Korone accepts and climbs the stairs holding Deshya''s hand, happy to have met Bibi this evening.


    A little after 9.15pm, Deshya arrives in her room with Korone, finding there the golden-haired man sitting on the teenager''s bed, laptop switched on in front of him. Seeing the arrival of the two girls, he looks up and smiles.


    - Everything went well?


    - Like always. Everything seems to be going well with my mind," Deshya replies honestly.


    Deshya is greatly reassured by this: with what happened during the Byron Elrick affair, she was afraid it would come back often, but since then she''s never had such a thought. She''d just built up too much pressure and stress and exploded, but now she''d understood her mistake, it seems she wasn''t going to do it again. Korone is there for her, but so are Amora, her parents, Bibi and even friends like Tessa, Maruno and Lam. Deshya couldn''t tell them everything, but at least she knew she had to let go a little more and not keep everything in her heart. Deshya sits down in her desk chair and Korone jumps up on the bed, staring at the screen of Minos''s laptop.


    - Have you found any clues?" asks the little girl.


    Unfortunately, Minos shakes his head.


    - Not much... I''ve been thinking about the messages, but I don''t understand how to decode them. Is every line a sentence? Are there any symbols to take into account? What do the numbers in square brackets represent? I''m also wondering about the phrase ''Observer of the Five'' in the biography of Alveva''s account.


    Korone was asking herself the same question, but she couldn''t see what it could mean either. Deshya admires the coded message on her own computer and thinks silently.


    - What bothered me when I looked at the code...?


    It''s a question she''s been asking herself since the morning, but she hadn''t been able to think about it any longer when she was in class. She looks at each line carefully, hoping to understand now. First she looks at today''s code, then at yesterday''s message. She analyzes each sentence, looking to see what she''s noticed¡­


    And here¡ª


    - I get it!


    She screams, opening her eyes wide. Minos and Korone are speechless.


    - Have you figured out how to decode the message?!" they shout at the same time.


    Deshya blinks and turns around before smiling awkwardly, cheeks flushed.


    - A-Ah, no, not that much¡­


    Minos sighs, disappointed, and Korone pouts.


    - Moooh, big sis!


    - No, but I understood what was bothering me when I looked at today''s code!" she admits.


    - What is it?


    - It''s because of yesterday''s code!


    Minos questions her with his eyes, not sure he understands her. Deshya rises from his chair and jumps on her own bed to show them. She pulls out her own phone, goes to her gallery and shows the screenshot of the coded message that was sent yesterday. Then she goes to the Sleeping Little Beauty website from Minos''s laptop and shows them what she''s seen.


    - Look at the second line of the first code and the fifth line of the second code!


    Korone and Minos do it directly.


    - The second line of the first code is "50[2]8841" and the fifth line of the second is "0[2]884"... Ah!


    Minos squints and, before saying anything, checks the other lines.


    - The last line of the second code is "0[2]88" and the tenth line of the first code is "0[2]88" too! Wait, 0[2]88... 0[2]884... 50[2]8841... Ah!


    Minos opens his eyes wide and smiles.


    - Not only is the ''2'' always in square brackets, they all come from the same number grouping?


    Korone just noticed it too: "0[2]88" is part of "50[2]8841" or "0[2]884".


    - It can''t be a coincidence, can it?" asks Deshya, excitedly.


    Minos ponders and analyzes the numbers, thinking he''s onto something, but he''s not convinced at all. He crosses his arms.


    - Hmmm... No, it''s clear there must be a connection, but does that mean they all mean the same thing... That¡­ Hm¡­


    Minos rubs his hair and stretches before sighing.


    - I''ll think about it. Well, we''ll think about it. However, it''s already past 9:30pm, let''s get some sleep now and we''ll figure it out tomorrow. As long as we decode it tomorrow, we''ll be fine.


    So he closes his laptop and smiles, looking at Deshya.


    - I feel like an idiot for not noticing before, but that''s my fault... I was too focused on Alveva589''s identity first, I should have... Bah.


    He gets out of bed and blows his nose without losing his smile.


    - There''s a little fox-eared detective here who helped me track down Alveva589 while she was looking for the code, so I don''t feel I''ve wasted any time. Tomorrow, we''ll concentrate solely on the code: I think we''ll discover the truth very quickly.


    He turns to her and nods gently up and down


    - Tomorrow is Wednesday, so we''ll have more time to think," he admits.


    - Yup yup!


    Deshya rises from his bed in turn and Korone frowns.


    - The numbers... I''ve seen them before... Right?


    However, her attention is drawn to the conversation between the two detectives.


    - Tomorrow, I''m going to the WacDonald with my friends, but I''ll be right back afterwards," she explains. I''m sure we''ll figure it out by evening!


    - I''m convinced of it too!" he confesses. It''s possible that we understand the link between numbers and bracketed figures in our sleep, as it''s already happened to me. Sometimes rest is more useful than thinking!


    Deshya nods happily: Minos is absolutely right! She doesn''t know if she''ll get a good night''s sleep, since she''s on the trail of the coded messages. She''ll do her best, but she hopes she''ll soon be able to return to the world of dreams. Otherwise, she''ll be tired tomorrow and that would be a bad thing. Minos wishes her a good night and Deshya does the same, Korone greeting the man with both hands. He then leaves the room and goes brushing his teeth immediately afterwards, while Desya and Korone chat for a few moments together before turning off the computer and the lights. Deshya quickly gets into her pajamas and they both go to bed. Korone grabs the fox tail, unlike yesterday''s cuddle, and wishes her big sister good night before remaining silent. Deshya does the same, and a few minutes later it''s Minos who joins the guest room. He places his necklace in its box and goes straight to bed, not even looking at his phone. Before falling asleep, he thinks back to Bibi''s words, but if she''s a psychologist from the Tetazo police force, then it doesn''t really surprise him that she''s already met him, but it does amuse him.


    - I''ll have to send her a message tomorrow, but she''s probably on a survey right now¡­


    Minos settles comfortably into his bed and decides to leave it on the side.


    They have just one day left to discover the truth behind Sleeping Little Beauty''s coded messages and stop their next murder.

 46 -?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; Fourth Line?(CASE9)

    <hr>


    On September 12, 2022, a school Monday that should have been like any other, ''Minos Kiyon'', the man nicknamed and considered Belium''s best detective, turns up at Deshya Oveja''s class. He takes her in his arms and leaves the school with her for a very specific reason: he needs her for an investigation concerning the ''Sleeping Little Beauty'' site, at the address ''https://www.sleepinglittlebeauty.com''. This same site is closely linked to the assassination of ''Conri Tanisha'', the Defense Minister''s communications officer. The reason is as follows: coded messages were posted between August 28 and September 1 on the site, hidden behind Sleeping Little Beauty''s ¡®MORE'' page. Inspecting this tab, it was possible to see messages in green that spoke of a ''party'' on September 2, at dawn... The same time that Conri Tanisha was murdered by a group of culprits still unknown to society and the police. Between September 2 and 9, nothing was published, but on September 10, at 7:07 a.m., this was posted on the Sleeping Little Beauty website:


    ¡®September 15, let''s celebrate. For information on this holiday, please refer to the new method. If you don''t know which method I''m talking about:


    The fox detective offers you the horned path''.


    The end of the message is the reason why Minos came to talk to Deshya, since she''s nicknamed ''the fox-eared detective''. He would have liked to meet her at the end of class, but was pressed for time because of a message that was posted on September 12, at 6:47 am:


    [1]592aPoET9¨¨mme)xq


    50[2]8841*--Oc4p


    8034[8]BmDAh


    [7]982Ads2o*dA


    486[2]1--%


    2862[0]8+2[0]89%lMQa82s^l9+9


    30[7]8^$ad


    [5]118mlS7fA/m.r=$^


    [6]5358FXa0e...


    0[2]88^$xCnOD


    04[9]951XDadt49:8e++a


    2862[0]8+2[0]89$*ax.


    A new coded message, but in a different way to the old ones. A far more complex and advanced method. Minos decided to hurry to Deshya and discuss the code with her, as he thought she might understand the connection between the clue and himself... but Deshya still didn''t understand. However, on September 13, 2022 at 8:11 a.m., a new coded message was posted on Sleeping Little Beauty:


    96[2]82a1B+S52r


    8034[8]/-aa


    0[5]118548rmAP


    926[5]L;:aa45?Rl++s


    0[2]884!aX8i)¨¦&$


    [9]5974SPsMd6969a69++


    [6]4338+-+¨´


    4[8]253421170:>ksd1$AmeLRl


    62[0]89+62[0]89D12slDZdz


    775[1]mM


    62[0]89+62[0]89dcO


    612[8]47TTS+


    95[3]43014654--dzs12


    [3]70277$¨¦zEoKDs


    [4]159;:SsllL%


    9310[5]$''(5


    4[9]95)0sa


    0[2]88PRrO.


    It''s longer, but coded in the same way as the previous day''s. It should also be noted that Minos found an account by the name of Alveva_01 on an import site, created in 2006 but abandoned in 2008. After searching there, he discovered that Alveva_01 was most likely in Shiru in 2007, during a fire that affected a building and took the life of a teenager. However, after talking to a friend in the Shiru police, Minos realized that this lead would come to nothing, so he decided to concentrate mainly on the coded messages. Before going to sleep on Tuesday, September 13, Deshya noticed something strange:


    In both codes, certain groups of digits appear to be identical or very close to each other, such as "0[2]88" and "50[2]8841".


    However, Minos decides to go to sleep at the time and suggests they look into it further tomorrow, especially as it''s highly likely that on Wednesday September 14, the last day before the next assassination, a third and final code will surface on the Sleeping Little Beauty site¡­


    CHAPTER 46


    ?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; Fourth Line?


    It''s 7.10am when Deshya wakes up. Korone follows directly behind her, especially as in her sleep she has started cuddling the girl herself, not her fox tail. They get out of bed at the same time and say hello to each other.


    - Are you all right, Korone?" she asks.


    - Nyes, I slept well. How about you?


    - I slept well too, thank you!


    Korone says "You''re welcome" and they leave the room at the same time. Careful not to wake Minos, who is in the next room, they descend the stairs silently and arrive in the bathroom without making a sound. When they get there, Korone suggests she dress in her fox sweater so as not to be seen by Minos. Deshya thanks her, admitting she''d forgotten, and notices that her dark sweater is hanging on a hanger her mother prepared yesterday in advance. She thanks her mother in her mind and smiles before dressing without further ado: if Minos comes downstairs now and sees her in the bathroom in her pajamas, not only would he understand the truth, but she''d feel extremely embarrassed to be almost naked in front of her. Unlike some people she knows, Deshya still possesses a great deal of modesty. Of course, she has no problem with Korone, but that''s another story. She doesn''t have much of a problem with Amora either, but she''s been her best friend since she was 10... Besides, she''s a girl just like her. In any case, Deshya can''t afford to be seen without her sweater by anyone but her family. So Deshya dresses up and then brushes her teeth alongside her new friend. in the mirror. Her hair is rather messy, but she thinks it suits her, since it''s used to being all over the place. After brushing her teeth, Deshya puts on a pair of leggings and helps Korone put on some more clothes than usual, before going downstairs with her. When they get there, Korone takes the opportunity to pet the dog and let out some "Good big doggie!", leaving Deshya to go to the kitchen first. When she gets there, she notices that her parents are already up and around the table, as they are most of the time. Deshya says hello and they turn to their daughter.


    - Hello, darling!" said Pera.


    - Did you sleep well?" asks Gatito.


    She nods and asks if they''ve had good dreams too. They both answer positively, which makes her very happy. Deshya wonders what to have for breakfast, since there''s not much cereal left, so she decides to choose some dry sweets she really likes from the ''Lunas'' brand. She takes some and notices that Korone has just arrived in the kitchen too. She asks her what she''d like for breakfast, and the little girl doesn''t think for two seconds:


    - More cereal, hihi!


    - You like that, Korone!" drops Pera with an amused tone.


    The little girl approves and Deshya takes a bowl from her, as they are placed too high for Korone to reach. The white-haired girl thanks her big sister and takes the bowl. She then goes to the table and Deshya takes the milk out of the fridge. She eats her cookies next to Korone and chats with her parents. It''s 7:30 a.m. when Minos Kiyon arrives in the kitchen, yawning. He notices that the whole family is already around the table and greets them all at once.


    - Did you sleep well?" asks Deshya with a smile.


    Minos nods and takes a glass before pouring himself some water. Gatito rises from the table, having just finished his sandwich, and chats a little with his wife before going into the kitchen, where Minos drinks his glass of water.


    - Good job!" says Korone.


    - We''ve got a murder case on our hands, but it looks like Sammy already knows who the culprit is," he confesses. I''m going to go anyway.


    - Hey, I haven''t seen Sammy for a few days..." thinks Deshya.


    The last time was during Byron Elrick''s kidnapping, even though he was on the case of his own kidnapping. Then she met the police detective by the name of Hanoka Atege and finally, Mariah Sukeni. Deshya is always amazed that a woman like Mariah is on the police force: not because of her intelligence, but because she loves to be seen, observed and even checked out. She''s a special woman who''s easy to notice in a crowd. However, Deshya likes her a lot, from what she''s seen of her. The same goes for Hanoka and Sammy.


    - Did you two sleep well?" asks Minos, addressing the two girls.


    - Yiss!" admits Korone.


    - Yes, perfectly. How about you?


    - Yes, the bed in that room is comfortable!


    He smiles and sits down next to Deshya. He doesn''t take any food and yawns again, but places a mouthful out of respect. Gatito leaves the kitchen and closes the door behind him.


    - Well, today, it''s going to be hard work!


    Minos lets out these words as he touches his arm, smiling. Deshya chuckles and approves.


    - We need to understand the codes today, after all," she says.


    - Exactly. Did you think of anything while you were sleeping?


    The girl shakes her head sadly and asks the blond haired man the same question. He sighs and shrugs.


    - Unfortunately, not at all. I don''t even know what I was dreaming about anymore.


    - There should be a code today, so I think we''ll find the truth," admits Deshya.


    Minos smiles and nods hopefully. Korone swallows the cereal in her mouth and turns to the private detective.


    - I''m sure we''ll find something today!


    - We? Do you want to help me, little Korone?


    Minos gently lowers his body towards the snowy-haired girl, who smiles broadly.


    - I have nothing to do, so yiiiiiss!!!


    - It''s true you don''t go to school..." Minos remarks.


    - It seems that her former adoptive parents kept some money on the side to pay for her to go to school, but they didn''t want to force her to go because she didn''t feel well at first," Pera replies.


    The woman rises from her chair and gently strokes Korone''s hair.


    - We talked about it yesterday and we''re planning to place it at Tetazo elementary school in a few weeks'' time, but we''ll have to discuss it with them and all that.


    - Eeeh, I see.


    - I can''t wait to go to school!" admits Korone, raising his arms.


    In reality, she''s only half looking forward to it: she''s afraid she already knows too much and won''t enjoy it, but she understands that she can''t just stay at home all the time. Even though her new family continues to protect her and the identity of the sniper has yet to be discovered, Korone can''t forget the words of the man she met on Saturday night. She doesn''t know who he is, or what connection he has with her, but strangely enough, Korone trusts him. She truly believes that she is no longer in danger, and that with Deshya and her parents, she can feel safe: so going to school suits her. She can''t stay scared of going out all the time, especially since since the bus incident, she hasn''t felt in danger... Well, except during the party.


    - I wonder why I was so afraid of the man before he spoke to me... Is it¡­


    She could only receive answers if she managed to meet him again, but it seems he doesn''t wish to be seen by Deshya and, what''s more, she highly doubts she''ll come across him again, especially as he''s probably operating in the shadows.


    - Would you like to help me while your big sister is at school, then?


    Minos addresses Korone with a big smile and the little girl nods quickly, almost forgetting that she''s currently eating. Minos laughs and asks Deshya if it''s all right with her, to which she replies that she has no reason to refuse.


    - Besides, with Korone''s insight, maybe they''ll find something even before I do..." thinks Deshya with a smile.


    She turns her attention back to Minos and a small sparkle touches his eye. Deshya focuses on it and notices the necklace around his neck. Now that she thinks about it¡ª


    - Can I ask you a question?


    Minos turns his face to her.


    - What is it?


    - Even when I watch your interviews or see photos of you, you always have that necklace around your neck.


    She points to the necklace, which ends in a crescent moon-shaped jewel.


    - You never talk about it, but is it important? That is, if you don''t mind me asking.


    Minos touches the pendant and admires it for a few moments before smiling, observing it attentively. He doesn''t answer right away, which leaves everyone impatient for the answer, but eventually he drops it and crosses his legs under the table.


    - It''s just a burning memory.


    His answer shocks everyone. He decides to get up from his chair in turn and tells them he''s going to get some donuts from a nearby restaurant, but insists he''ll pay for them himself. He''s about to leave the kitchen when Deshya gets up from his chair, squeaking it on the floor.


    - S-Sorry!


    Minos stops in front of the door and turns towards her.


    - I suppose my question was indiscreet..." she apologizes.


    - It''s not the first time I''ve been asked, so I don''t mind. Looking at the crescent moon that is my pendant just reminded me of a croissant that made me hungry and crave donuts. Hihi.


    He winks before leaving the kitchen and Deshya blinks.


    - A-Ah? Ah, well... Good, then.


    His logic seems to her to be strange, but she''s just reassured that Minos wasn''t hurt by her question. However, his answer continues to intrigue her, especially as if she''s not talking nonsense, it''s the title of a song, but translated into French... She assumes it''s just a coincidence, but wonders if it has any connection.


    - It''s music about demencia... No, I''m looking too far ahead.


    Deshya holds her head and sighs.


    - I''ve been thinking about the code so much, I''m seeing links everywhere... I can''t wait to get some rest after all this¡­


    Technically, Deshya considers that she''s resting, since she doesn''t need to see dead people in front of her or arrest a criminal who''s still at the scene of the crime, but time marches on anyway and they''ve only got a day left to stop the future assassination that''s going to take place on September 15. The pressure is gradually building up inside her, but knowing that she''s working alongside Minos Kion helps her to relax: she''s convinced that they''ll find the answer soon enough.


    - In any case, I think his necklace is beautiful.


    Pera admits this after drinking her glass of water. She sets it down on the kitchen counter and returns to the table with Korone. Deshya smiles and nods.


    - It''s simple, but I like it too.


    A red crescent moon: that''s all the necklace pendant is. However, it shines and its simplicity is a form of beauty.


    Just before going to school, Minos returns with the donuts and warns Deshya that he''ll do as he did yesterday: when a new code is posted on the Sleeping Little Beauty website, he''ll send her a message. Deshya thanks him and happily heads off to school, leaving Minos and Korone behind. The little girl wishes her big sister a good day, and when the front door is closed, Minos looks down at Korone.


    - Let''s get to work, then!" he says.


    Korone hops up and asks if she can go into Minos''s arms. He laughingly accepts, and the two climb the stairs, singing along.


    Unlike yesterday, Deshya is accompanied on the road by Amora, who apologizes again for arriving too early yesterday morning. The girl promises her that it''s nothing serious and confesses that she doesn''t need to be forgiven, since Deshya doesn''t hold a grudge. This greatly reassures Amora, who sighs with relief. Deshya pats her back, laughing, but at the same time, two boys approach them.


    - Say, say, Deshya!


    The girl in the fox sweater turns to them.


    - Yes ?


    - Can we find out more about Minos? Why is he here? Like, why did he come looking for you?


    Deshya sighs, her lips trembling, already annoyed by their question. She doesn''t even have time to answer as other students approach the four of them.


    - Can we know too?


    - E-Eh?


    - Me too!


    More and more people, sometimes a little younger or older than Deshya, form a real moving crowd around her.


    - I heard that Minos was on a suuuuper important case, but so you''re on it too?!


    - You''re going to be so famous!


    - Can I have your autograph when you''re done?


    Questions and comments have an impact. Deshya feels uncomfortable, not only because of the tightening crowd, but also because her fox ears are starting to sizzle. Amora turns her face in all directions and blinks, but seeing her best friend respond to nothing and lower her head, she squints and takes a deep breath¡ª


    - MOVE!!!


    However, she''s not the one shouting. The crowd comes to a halt and Deshya looks up to see that a girl with long purple hair is coming to grab her and grumble, forcing Deshya ¡ª and Amora ¡ª out of the crowd.


    - She won''t answer you, go away!


    - Raah, Tessa! Let us know too!" shouts one of the students.


    They all start to retort and sulk, but Deshya turns to them with an annoyed, even annoyed look on his face.


    - I don''t intend to talk about something so confidential. Don''t bother.


    She answers coldly and some continue to retaliate, but Amora continues on her way with Deshya, Tessa in front of the crowd.


    - They look like flies circling a turd, except that the turd here is y¡¯all.


    - Huh?! What kind of rotten comparison is that?" shouts one of the students.


    - My comparison is like UY Scuti: the brightest.


    - UY Scuti is not the brightest star in the universe, just the biggest¡­


    - Huh?! Who said that, come on, ya wanna fight?!


    Tessa dashes through the crowd, leaving Deshya and Amora behind. The girl with the fox tail shakes her head.


    - I can¡¯t believe it¡­


    - You love her for that, though~.


    Amora giggles after teasing her best friend, but Deshya pouts at her.


    - I love her for more reasons!


    - Who do you love?


    Deshya is startled and turns to her left, noticing that Frie has just arrived. Noticing the red-haired girl''s flushed face, Frie can''t stop the corners of her mouth from turning up and a teasing look appears on her face.


    - Eeeh, you''re in love...~ ?


    - I won''t talk without my lawyer," Deshya says, continuing on his way.


    - Is that Tessa~?


    - I never said that.


    - Maaaaw, it''s so cute!


    - I never said that!


    - Speaking of Tessa, is she coming with us to WacDo after school?" asks Amora, wanting to change the subject as quickly as possible.


    Frie walks beside them and admits she doesn''t know either. Deshya nods with a smile.


    - She told me she''d come, yes," she replies.


    - Perfect!


    This greatly pleases Amora, who makes no secret of her delight. Frie asks Deshya if she can find out why Minos has come, but on seeing her friend''s changing expression, she excuses herself.


    - Sorry, I guess that''s confidential.


    - I''m not upset with you, I''m just thinking of all the guys who come and bore me with it... But yes, I''d rather keep it to myself, although when it''s over I think Minos will be talking about it on TV.


    She doesn''t even ''think'' that: she''s certain of it. She wonders if she''ll be mentioned by Minos... She strongly hopes so, although she''d understand if he didn''t pronounce her first name during the press conference. Besides, they still have to be the ones who understand the codes first. Although she doesn''t doubt that Minos is intelligent enough to arrive at the truth before tomorrow, she hesitates about her own skills. True, she has successfully solved murder cases, but the current investigation is different. She doesn''t want to doubt her own abilities, but she also can''t get a big head and thinks she''s ''too smart''. What''s more, Deshya is disappointed that she hasn''t yet figured out the biography of Alveva589''s account, even though she has no doubt that it''s far from simple.


    - Between 1 and 1000... What can have 1000 numbers, words, symbols... 1000... Years ? Between year 1 and 1000?


    Deshya wants to think about this theory, but Frie''s voice pulls her out of her thoughts. Just then, Tessa returns to them with a sigh.


    - What a bunch of idiots..." she lets out boredly.


    - Did you get into a fight?" asked Amora, smiling.


    - Not really, I''m not that violent.


    She tucks her hands into her pants and spits on the floor.


    - But I fought with my words. I beat them verbally.


    Amora, Deshya and Frie turn to see the crowd of students looking... depressed. They''re all looking down at the ground, and some are sighing so loudly they can hear it from here.


    - I-I crush on a monster..." thought Deshya with a spasm in her right eye.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    The first two hours pass off without a hitch, and Deshya manages to concentrate without thinking about the code or even Minos. The ''psychology'' class just before the 10:55 break is a bit of a mess due to a student causing a ruckus outside, but otherwise, Deshya finds the subject very interesting. It''s during the break that she looks at her phone. She stayed in the corridor and promised Amora she''d join her right after.


    - Minos sent me two messages... A new code must have been posted.


    She opens her application and reads what has been sent to her:


    "Greetings, Deshya! I hope you''re working well o7. A code was posted today at 8:53 am and I give you its content:


    15[9]265=-P9Hldxj


    [3]43R¡ãmSoS15mt+56


    1693[9]/14meiu


    30[7]8>_?Dl1=4x


    11[9]8¨´*$o


    [2]653589793238462P0mMa15+Pzppm)


    10[5]11^^p$uLP3.l


    2[8]475.:


    05820[9]Sx)9b''?.drl4¡ê.imd¡§


    [4]159llllllllllll


    804[9]95!^cbaz1


    26[5]3_l_8n0hj?t696


    27950[2]Chapeaux


    19[8]9F1N1.


    See you this afternoon.


    Minos (again) :3 "


    Like yesterday''s message, Minos sends her his code and ends with the smiley cat '':3''. Deshya finds it even cuter than yesterday ¡ª although she doesn''t know why ¡ª but she concentrates on the code, not wanting to deviate from her main task. However, she reads the second message first, before trying to figure out how to decode it.


    "I''m just sending you this message to let you know that I understood part of the message and your little sister (strangely?!) understood Alveva589''s account bio. Well, part of it. Anyway, I''ll tell you about it when you come back, since it remains a mystery."


    Deshya opens her eyes wide as she finishes reading the message.


    - They''ve... they''ve already understood part of it?!


    She''s shocked to hear this, especially since Korone has managed to understand part of the biography. For her part, Deshya still has no idea what it could mean¡­


    - Only part of it, though. Could it be about the constant? The observer of the five? Perhaps even God''s creation...?


    Obviously, she can''t know until she asks them face-to face or by message, but since Minos says he''ll tell her when she gets home, she''d rather not bother them. However, she wonders whether it''s worth it for her to think it over on her own while she''s at school: wouldn''t she be wasting more time than anything else...?


    - ¡­


    However, the flame in her mind tells her otherwise: she must look for it on her own. Even if they understand everything before she does, Deshya wants to find the truth if she can. She''s happy to know that Minos has already understood part of the code, but that doesn''t stop her thinking about it on her own. What''s more, it reassures her: she''s now certain that they''ll succeed in stopping tomorrow''s assassination. She doesn''t need to stress about it, so she can concentrate on her lessons and the code without worrying about what''s going to happen tomorrow.


    - But not everything has been solved... I wonder what they''ve figured out in the code?


    Is it the beginning with the numbers or the symbols that follow? Perhaps even the meaning behind the numbers in square brackets? Deshya would like to know, but she''s willing to be patient and ask when she gets home. She observes the code for a few moments, but nothing strange jumps out at her, so she puts her phone away and runs down the corridor to the playground, where Amora is waiting, chatting with one of her many friends.


    Classes continued until noon for Deshya, but she had to wait until 12.50p.m. for Maruno and Tessa to finish their lessons. Amora, Frie, Abdoul and Lam were already at the playground gates, patiently waiting for their last two friends, those not in class 4B.


    - Isn''t your brother coming?" asks Maruno, addressing Abdoul.


    - He''s with his girlfriend," he admits.


    - Ah, I see.


    With that, the seven of them start walking towards the nearest WacDonald, chatting along the way. Lam talks mainly with Abdoul, but nobody is left out. Deshya talks mainly with the two members of the Fox Incorporated, especially with Maruno, as Tessa listens to his music through her headphones in the right ear, the left one used to listen to friends talk.


    They soon arrive at WacDonald''s and notice that there''s more room than usual, which pleases them greatly. A table of eight presents itself to them and they go without further ado. Amora and Lam sit at the back, while Tessa and Deshya stand to fetch the food. Maruno writes down everyone''s order on a small piece of paper he''s torn from his post-it pad. He tells them he''ll come and help them carry everything, since seven trays for two people... It''s complicated. They thank him and go without further ado.


    A few minutes later, they''re all at the table enjoying their food. Except for Lam, they''ve all gone for the big burgers and medium fries. The girl with the long white hair has only ordered nuggets, but lots of them, so she''s getting enough to eat: she''s not too hungry in any case. Some people talk to each other while they eat ¡ª especially Tessa and Abdoul ¡ª but Deshya remains silent for most of the time, as she doesn''t like to talk while she eats. Amora doesn''t even try to chat with her, since she knows that her best friend prefers to enjoy her food and wouldn''t want to chat with her mouth full, which doesn''t bother people like Tessa, Abdoul or even Maruno. It''s not unusual to hear laughter coming from the group of friends, even if they remain relatively quiet so as not to disturb all the WacDonald''s customers.


    Around 1.40pm, after long conversations, Deshya stays with Tessa and Maruno on the side, while Lam, Frie, Amora and Adoul chat amongst themselves. Tessa holds her friend''s phone in her hands, cross-legged, and carefully observes the code.


    - There were indeed messages today, so..." remarks Maruno.


    - Still a lot of lines, but¡­


    Tessa scratches her head as she looks at the code.


    - This time, two words can be read very clearly... Chapeaux and F1N1 which surely means FINI*..." she remarks.


    (* Chapeaux means ¡®Hats¡¯ and FINI means ¡®DONE¡¯ in French.)


    - It''s probably to throw us off the scent," admits Maruno.


    - I feel the same way," adds Deshya.


    Tessa sighs and says she knows, but it''s so obvious that she''d rather see if it could be a clue to the resolution. However, Deshya and Maruno aren''t convinced ¡ª and neither is Tessa, really.


    - There weren''t such clear words on the lines yesterday and the day before, after all..." smiles Deshya.


    Maruno asks whether groups of numbers look like those in the old codes, but on a quick glance, they don''t see any. He points to one of the lines of code with surprise.


    - This grouping is super long... [2]653589793238462? I wonder if the number of digits in the numbers at the beginning is important or not¡­


    - I don''t know, I wonder too," admits Deshya.


    Tessa agrees with them both, but like her friends, she has no idea whether this is essential to decoding or not. The three of them keep thinking... but they can''t come up with anything interesting.


    Nothing that could help them understand the meaning of the coded messages. Absolutely nothing.


    At around 2.30pm, the friends parted company. Tessa and Maruno thank them for inviting them, and the black-haired boy heads straight home, while the purple haired one takes a stroll with Deshya and Amora.


    - We didn''t find anything, so..." sighed the girl in the fox sweater.


    She''s disappointed that she hasn''t managed to make any progress on the codes. Meanwhile, Minos and Korone have already understood some of the messages and biography, making them far more advanced than she is. She¡¯s not really jealous of them, but she would have loved to understand it first¡­ It''s the first time she''s met him in real life and she won''t have this opportunity very often, so she''d like to make the most of it and try to shine as brightly as possible; however, she can see how far she is from Minos''s level. The latter has been concentrating mainly on the identity behind Alveva589 and Alveva_01''s account and yet, within a few hours, as soon as he turned his full attention to the coded messages, he managed to figure out how to decode part of them. She''s done nothing but think about it, but apart from noticing that some of the numbers seem to be part of the same grouping of numbers, she hasn''t come up with anything more, even when thinking with Tessa and Maruno¡­


    - Well, as long as we can stop the killing¡­


    Deshya thinks out loud and her two friends turn to her, but they say nothing. Deshya finally smiles and prefers not to let her inability to understand the codes break her spirit: after all, her ally is Minos Kiyon, one of the best detectives in the whole world, one of the living legends. Of course she can''t compare herself to him... but she would still have liked to understand at the same time or before he did, even if it''s only a question of ego and personal envy. She can''t let these feelings get the better of her, especially during such a serious and important investigation.


    - Say, say, Deshyshy!


    - Yes ?


    Deshya turns her gaze to her best friend.


    - Will you tell us the truth about the codes when you can?" asks Amora with a cute smile.


    - I''m interested too," admits Tessa, hands in her pockets.


    Deshya giggles and nods, promising that when she knows the truth and can tell it, she will: in short, tomorrow at school. Her two friends thank her and a few steps later their paths separate, Tessa and Amora turning left, Deshya continuing straight ahead. Now on her own, she turned her attention back to the code... or rather, the ''clue'' offered on the Sleeping Little Beauty website about her.


    - The horned path... Horned... Horned¡­


    Deshya scratches his hair through her hood.


    - Horn... Sheep?


    She thinks of something, but she lets out a stupid smile.


    - My surname is ''Oveja'' which means ''Sheep'' in Spanish... but that can''t be it, can it...?


    She would find it very silly, especially as she didn''t understand the connection between the Spanish language and the coded message. She hasn''t seen any words that could be read in such a language inside, especially as she speaks fluent Spanish. However, she doesn''t see what ''cornea'' could mean in any other context... There''s no investigation she''s solved that could have anything to do with that word and she''s a girl with fox-like attributes, not sheep-like.


    - If it has anything to do with my last name, is the clue sheep? Wool? Soft? White? Spanish...?


    She searches, but doesn''t understand: she sees no connection between this clue, her surname and the coded messages. Deshya sighs.


    - Well, I''ll ask Minos what he''s found..." she thinks finally.


    Deshya quickly arrives home and opens the door to her house. Her dog greets her and, as is often the case, she pats him as she closes the door behind her. She gets rid of her things, keeping her fox sweater with her, and heads for the kitchen to tell her mother that she''s already eaten at WacDonald''s with her friends.


    - Don''t worry, we''ve eaten a slice of toast in any case," Pera replies. Minos and Korone are already in your room, they told me they were close to the truth!


    - He informed me by message that they had understood some of the codes," admits Deshya.


    - I''m glad to see the investigation is coming to an end!


    - So do I.


    Deshya nods with a smile and runs down the hall to climb the stairs to the second floor, then the second, and hurries to her room. When she gets there, the door is already open and she has only to push it gently to see Korone in her desk chair, while Minos is in his usual place, on Deshya''s bed. Nevertheless, Deshya is startled when she sees him.


    - W-What¡ª?!


    Minos looks up at Deshya and smiles.


    - Sorry, sorry, I like to have something in my arms when I''m thinking sometimes!


    Minos limply embraces Deshya''s human-sized cushion, the one where ''Liv''''s drawing is visible. Korone laughs.


    - He didn''t sniff it, don''t worry!!!" she said.


    - No, but who do you think I am¡­


    Minos sighs and places the cushion on his side, arms now crossed. His laptop is in front of him, switched on. Korone jumps up from the chair and asks Deshya if she can go into his arms, which the teenager accepts with no problem. Korone lets her joy out in her childlike voice and Deshya cuddles her happily before turning her attention to Minos.


    - So you''ve understood part of the code..." she said.


    The man smiles broadly.


    - I thought about what you said yesterday, about the word ''constant'' and then about the numbers. There was a certain group of numbers that bothered me, but I couldn''t work out why, but I soon figured it out, even though your little sister seems to have figured it out right after me," he replies.


    - Korone is really... clever, isn''t she..." drops Deshya, unsure whether to smile or not.


    The little girl in her arms giggles and nods.


    - Very intelligent, in fact!" she corrects.


    - Sorry, sorry.


    Minos laughs as he overhears the conversation between the two sisters and takes some time to calm his laughter. When he does, he clears his throat and uncrosses his legs to move them.


    - You probably want to know what we''ve figured out, don''t you?


    Minos asks teasingly.


    Deshya asserts that this is the case with a hint of embarrassment, but her curiosity gets the better of her with ease. Seeing this, Minos can''t help but smile and gets up from the bed to stretch his legs.


    - Today''s messages confused me a little because of the word ''Chapeaux'' and the ''F1N1'' at the end of the code, but I had quickly understood that this was only to confuse us. I concentrated mainly on the first part of the message with the numbers and figures in square brackets and Korone pointed out again that in Alveva589''s biography, the beginning of the code is mentioned by the ''In my first moments'', which doesn''t follow ''I''m between 1 and 1000 of the constant of I754.''. In short, even if it''s something we''ve already understood, the I754 constant and the ''between 1 and 1000'' track are linked to numbers. The truth is¡­


    Minos explains to Deshya what they''ve figured out and how... which shocks her. She''s speechless, unable to believe it. Her eyes wide open, she listened to Minos''s explanation - shorter than she would have thought - in amazement. Finally, she sighed, holding Korone firmly in her arms.


    - And I didn''t understand that earlier...?!" complains the teenager.


    - You make it sound so simple. The reason he used ''I754'' is very complex and Korone understood it simply when I found out which constant the biography is talking about, but it is complex. You can''t blame yourself for not figuring it out before, it''s not like it''s simple.


    - ...it''s true.


    Now that she knows the truth, she tells herself it''s ''simpler'' than she''d thought, but Deshya knows that reality isn''t like that: when we learn the answer to a question, we often think it''s easier than we thought. She has to leave her thoughts aside, especially in a case like this. Deshya is actually impressed that they''ve already solved part of the code.


    - Even if we know about the numbers in square brackets, there''s still the whole end," admits Minos.


    Deshya snaps out of his thoughts and observes the golden-haired man.


    - Although, with what we''ve discovered, I think we can prevent tomorrow''s assassination, we still don''t have the place or time of the murder. Well, we know who their target is, so that''s enough, but at any moment, they''re using bombs or weapons from afar, which would be nice to know.


    - It''s true," agrees Deshya.


    The teenager puts Korone down and sits down on her desk chair to think. She looks at the new code, but puts aside the other two from the previous two days. Looking at the three one by one, she fails to notice anything special that might help her solve the end of the messages. Korone remains standing, right next to his big sister, watching the computer and looking for an answer; Minos has returned to the bed and is trying to find the answer too. All three are silent, thinking with concentration. Deshya thinks again of the clue with ''the corneal path'' and wonders if it might be one that could solve the second part of the messages. She can''t help thinking too of the ''Watcher of the Five'' in Alveva589''s biography.


    - Five... Five... Horned path... Me... Hmm¡­


    She looks at the symbols on the side of the codes and tries to see a link between them; a link that might lead to the answer they''re all looking for.


    - Corneal path... Sheep... Hmm... Five¡­


    She thinks of something and analyzes this theory¡­


    - !


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and verifies more precisely what she has just seen. She then observes the other codes under Korone''s intrigued gaze; even Minos looks up at the teenager, who suddenly moves her head from left to right. Deshya finally stops, mouth agape¡­


    And laughs.


    - E-Eh?" says Minos, surprised.


    Korone blinks as she stares at her older sister, also taken aback by her sudden reaction. Deshya continues to laugh without stopping and shakes her head once, lowering her gaze. Korone asks her what is happening Deshya finally calms down, taking a deep breath. She turns around in her chair, careful not to bump into Korone, and stares at Minos with a smile.


    - I just figured it out. This code that has two sides.


    Minos returns the smile and lets out a long "Eeeeeh? She nods and explains what she''s just realized and the meaning of the three codes. Korone opens his eyes wide and the blond-haired man closes his laptop before nodding, but this is not to tell Deshya she''s wrong, but¡ª


    - Rahlala, so the meaning behind the ''horned way'' clue is this? This is ridiculous¡­


    - I couldn''t agree more.


    - So ''Watcher of the Five'' meant this... Ahah!


    Korone lets out a short laugh before applauding.


    - Well done, big sister! You''re the best!" laughs the little girl.


    - Eheh... Anyway, I just found that part, not with the numbers¡­


    - No matter.


    Minos gets up from the bed with this word. He approaches Deshya and smiles.


    - It''s not a competition. Even if I''ve found everything, it doesn''t matter. Even if you''ve discovered everything before me, it doesn''t matter.


    - Minos¡­


    - All that matters is that the criminals are caught. The two of us have solved the case ¡ª no, the three of us, considering your little sister who supported me and figured out the biography, even if it was after I''d figured out the numbers. Now that we know how to solve the whole code, it''s simple to stop tomorrow''s assassination," he says.


    Deshya finally returns the smile and agrees with the private detective.


    - It''s far from simple, I must say. Hasn''t anyone on the internet figured it out yet?" she asks.


    - I confess I haven''t looked too closely, but I doubt it. Now that we know, all we have to do is prevent the next victim from dying at their hands... but that should be easy.


    Minos grabs his laptop and leaves the room.


    - Let''s have a quick word with your dad.


    - Of course!


    Deshya smiles and happily leaves the room with Korone. All three descend the stairs silently, but their hearts beat strongly in their chests: they''ve finally understood the mystery behind Sleeping Little Beauty''s codes, after all. When they reach the first floor, Deshya rushes into the kitchen, leaving Korone and Minos in the entrance hall. There she meets her mother, who is reading in the folding chair.


    - Oh, darling. Have you finished?" she asks.


    Deshya smiles broadly and nods.


    - Exactly. We finally know what the codes mean.


    Pera places her book on the large stool next to her and smiles.


    - Hey, congratulations!


    - I wanted to ask you, could you¡­


    Pera listens to her daughter and chuckles, nodding in agreement.


    - Really?


    Mariah nods and pats the shoulder of the man in front of her. Gatito sighs and forces her to take a few steps back.


    - You''re too close," he admits.


    - Hey, are you embarrassed?


    - No.


    - Eeeeh?


    - Mariah.


    - I''m so sorry.


    The woman apologizes with a bow, but keeps smiling, so the red-haired man can''t take her seriously. He doesn''t reply, however, and looks at the cards she''s just given him.


    - It''s annoying..." he admits.


    - Well, that should settle it quickly.


    - I''m counting on you.


    He puts them away in his desk and turns to Mariah, who nods in agreement.


    - Of course.


    - ¡­


    Silence reigns between the two of them, but the very next second, someone knocks on the office door. Gatito shouts that he can come in, but is astonished to see five people come in... all of whom he knows. He even sees¡ª


    - P-Pera?


    His wife is beautifully dressed, and in her arms is their new adoptee. Dash goes first.


    - They came to me and said they needed to talk to you.


    Mariah notices that in the group, a man taller than the others, three centimeters taller than the police receptionist, is standing right next to Deshya... and she knows right away who it is.


    - Ah! Minos! If you are here¡­


    - It''s just the kind of job that might suit you, Mariah.


    - Eeeh?


    The woman smiles and approaches the group, but is blocked by Deshya running towards her father. She reaches him and smiles.


    - Let me guess¡­


    Gatito smiles back.


    - We''ll be able to prevent an assassination, I suppose," he says.


    Deshya nods, but it''s Minos who steps forward, grabbing Mariah and smiling broadly.


    - Didn''t I tell you?


    Everyone turned to him, and Minos squinted without letting his smile escape.


    - That I''ll stop the scythe of death with the sword of my genius~?

 47 -?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; Fifth Line?(CASE9)

    <hr>


    It''s now Thursday, September 15. The sun has still not risen, its rays barely showing on the horizon of the land of Belium. The gentle calm is gently broken by the occasional sound of early birds and cars heading off to work. Some of the inhabitants are slowly waking up, the children are gradually waking from their slumber for the school day, and a few souls are going to sleep now, after a long night''s work or play. Cats are already meowing outside their front doors, asking for their well deserved food. So life is waking up, but in the land of Belium, some people are already on the move... ready for what''s coming.


    - ¡®SLB5'' here.


    A hooded man walks down a narrow alley into a small abandoned garden. There, two other men are waiting for him.


    - ¡®SLB2''.


    - ¡®SLB6''.


    - Just the two of you?


    One of the two men waiting on the wooden bench shakes his hand.


    - No, they''re all already in position.


    - I see... Are we sure this is the right place?


    - This is the only way to solve the Chef''s codes.


    The man who has just arrived remains standing and catches the pistol thrown at him.


    - You never know if something''s going to go wrong, so it''s best to keep that gun with you. Have you packed a getaway vehicle if you have to?" asks the man who goes by the nickname ''SLB2''.


    The man tucks the pistol away under his clothes and smiles behind his balaclava.


    - A motorcycle and I even have a bike if I really have to.


    - A bike, huh? Eh. An assassin who rides a bicycle to escape¡­


    - I won''t need it if the code isn''t wrong.


    - He can''t be wrong, otherwise we''re in deep shit.


    - I hope so¡­


    - We all brainstormed together to come up with this code. Tsk, if the Chief would agree to talk to us directly instead of having fun like that... This was much more complex than the other one!


    The man who goes by the nickname of ''SLB6'' is banging on the floor, but ''SLB2'' orders him to calm down immediately, which he does reluctantly. All three are hooded and dressed quite similarly, the only difference being the different-colored number on their jackets. Their clothes are dark and indistinct. The two men sitting on the bench stand up and look at each other before nodding.


    - The clock''s ticking and we don''t seem to have much time," confesses one of the men, looking at his watch.


    - I was just looking for you, since you''re the ones who''ll be playing the role of death. Are you convinced you''ll be able to get out of this in time?


    - We won''t get arrested. We promise.


    The man with the nickname ''SLB5'' smiles behind his balaclava before turning around.


    - Let''s not delay, then.


    He steps into the narrow alley, out of the abandoned garden.


    - We''ve got one person to put to sleep as soon as they wake up.


    CHAPTER 47


    ?Sleeping Little Beauty : Internet Mystery ; Fifth Line?


    ¡®SLB2'' and ''SLB6'' take a different route and run down the street, making sure no one can see them. Some cars pass in the street, but the sun hasn''t risen yet, so there are few people outside or looking through their windows: so they can move without risking being seen. They finally arrive at the front door of a building with only a few floors, not even more than a dozen. They enter using a key they''ve taken in advance, and make their way in, taking care not to be seen by anyone. At the moment, they''re both wearing hoods over their heads, so no one will notice the marks over their faces. They climb the stairs with speed, avoiding the surveillance cameras in the elevator, and hurry up the steps. They arrive at the door leading to the roof and use a screwdiver to open it, since it was locked. They arrive on the roof of the building and scan the surrounding area, but quickly find what they''re looking for. They approach the metal box, open it and smile.


    - Hey, that''s quality!


    ¡®SLB2'' catches the sniper rifle that was there and his companion catches the other one, analyzing it.


    - It''s true that it''s a good weapon. Do you know how to use it?


    - Hey, I''ve used several long-range weapons in my life, so I''ll be fine.


    - ...I believe you.


    Without even doubting his partner, whom he barely knows, he steps onto the roof, looking at the metal door behind him, the one that leads into the building.


    - I hope ''SLB4'' is checking to see if anyone is coming from behind¡­


    - Everything should be fine. Let''s get our work done quickly just in case.


    They look at each other and nod together before moving to the edge of the roof, two snipers in their hands.


    The sun''s rays are showing up more and more in the city. A certain man who had been sleeping until now slowly opens his eyes, feeling the morning warmth on his skin. A few moments later, he lifts his trunk and yawns before turning his face towards the hotel''s closed window, hidden behind curtains. From the outside, it would be impossible to see him inside. He rises from the bed calmly, eyes still heavy, and scratches at his gray hair. Without even thinking of putting on his slippers, he walks across the carpeted floor of his hotel room and heads for the bathroom. He turns on the light and grabs his toothbrush before applying toothpaste. The man admires himself attentively in the mirror and touches his hair, but decides to comb it before leaving. So he brushes his teeth, gently moving the electric toothbrush in his mouth, gradually waking up inside. When he''s finished, he quickly grooms himself before styling his gray hair. Convinced that he''s handsome and can go out like this, he returns to his room before reaching for the hotel telephone. He dials a number and waits a few moments for it to be answered. Seconds pass before someone picks up on the other end of the line.


    - Yes...?


    At last, a tired, feminine voice rang out. The man smiled as he heard it.


    - You''re already awake, my love.


    - I had set an alarm clock¡­


    She yawns and the man removes his pajamas, jamming the phone between his shoulder and his right ear.


    - As planned, we''ll be leaving early in the morning, at dawn. Getting ready?


    - Okay... I''ll wait for you in the hall.


    He nods and hangs up. He''s disappointed not to have been able to sleep with his wife tonight, but she needed some peace and quiet because of her grandfather''s death, especially as she''s less tactile and clingy than he is. He can''t help it, and he loves her anyway, especially as she''s making an effort, but he can only leave her alone if she needs it: he''ll enjoy a cuddle when she''s feeling better. He dresses with her in mind and admires himself in the mirror once more, checking that his buttons are fastened properly. Just then, someone knocks on his door. With no answer, he goes to the door and opens it after checking the visitor''s identity through the glass lens.


    - Is everything all right?" asks the man who has just arrived.


    A straight, square build, muscles sculpting his clothes and a neutral look on his face. A thick chin and piercing eyes: this is the man who has just arrived at the door of the man he''s there to protect. After all, he''s the bodyguard of this man with gray hair and incipient wrinkles.


    - I''m fine, I barely woke up.


    - The other bodyguard is with your wife. We''re leaving now.


    - We''re in no danger here, so don''t be in too much of a hurry¡­


    The gray-haired man sighs and stows his suitcase under the piercing eyes of his bodyguard, who checks the state of the corridor. No one passes through, and the place is completely silent.


    - Let''s go.


    The hotel resident closes the door behind him and walks alongside his bodyguard. They move quietly down the corridor, the man keeping his suitcase with him, in one hand: it is on wheels, after all. They arrive at the elevator, but stop there.


    - I hope the journey won''t be too long..." sighed one woman.


    - There shouldn''t be any traffic jams straight away, don''t worry," replies her husband.


    The woman''s bodyguard greets the other man he has to protect and gently shakes his hand. They then call for the elevator and wait patiently. As they wait, a man walks down the corridor, his hands in his pockets, a cap on his head. He continues on his way and passes by the four people before glancing quickly at them, but they don''t pay the slightest attention. Sure, the two bodyguards make sure he''s not an enemy, but the young man just continues on his way with a far from straight pose. The elevator finally arrives and the four of them get on, while the man continues on his way... before stopping in the middle of the corridor. He brings the top of his garment up to his mouth and squints.


    - This is ''SLB7''. The target is in the elevator.


    - This is ''SLB13''. I''m at the front door of the hotel.


    Another man with bleached hair smokes his cigarette and lowers his head, talking to the almost invisible microphone hidden in the folds of his clothes.


    - I''ll let you know when the target is just coming out," he says.


    - I''ll let you know when the target is about to come out, then," says another man in the entrance hall.


    He''s eating breakfast around a table, alone. The elevator gradually reaches the first floor, without anyone disturbing them. On the roof, two people with snipers in their hands bring their garments up to their mouths.


    - We''re ready too," admits one of the two.


    - Eh.


    They all smile, and the elevator finally arrives at the first floor. The man comes out with his wife, holding her hand and chatting with her. The two bodyguards walk up to the front and into the long corridor. A woman at the counter greets them. The man who eats alone coughs before wiping his mouth on his garment, but this is to speak to his companions:


    - They''ll be out in six seconds.


    The people on the roof don''t respond and their target continues down the corridor. The hotel doors open by themselves and all four are now visible from outside. The man throws down his cigarette and turns around.


    - Now!


    He let out a muffled scream, preparing to flee without delay. He expects to see the man behind him fall with a bullet in his temple, the life draining from his body in an instant¡­


    But nothing happens.


    The man stops and turns around before frowning.


    - Oi, what are you doing?!


    He whispers again, avoiding being seen by the four people coming out of the hotel.


    - ¡®SLB5'' is talking to you!" he then says.


    - I''m very sorry.


    A voice answers through his earpiece. He opens his eyes wide and quickly turns his face towards the roof where ''SLB2'' and ''SLB6'' should be... but¡ª


    - Let''s just say they don''t have their weapons or their hands free, hihi!


    ¡®SLB5'' instantly understands what this means and wants to flee, but a red-haired man arrives in front of him and knocks him to the ground before placing handcuffs on him.


    - Don''t move!" shouts Gatito.


    - H-How?!


    - It''s all thanks to them.


    The man with the nickname ''SLB5'' opens his eyes wide and the police inspector above him smiles.


    - Thanks to two ¡ª no, three ¡ª geniuses.


    The man who has just come out with his wife and bodyguards stops and looks back at the policeman approaching him, a handcuffed man gnashing his teeth beside him.


    - Looks like everything went well?" asks the man.


    - Exactly," replies Gatito.


    The bodyguards and the woman breathe a sigh of relief and the woman scratches her hair.


    - If you''d screwed up and my husband died¡­


    - The men inside the hotel were all arrested. The two on the roof were caught by Mariah and another policeman. It looks like two others have been arrested, but we''re checking that no one else is in on the assassination plot. Finally, we know there''s one more¡­


    Gatito smiles.


    - The leader of this operation.


    - Thanks again for your rescue.


    - Yes, if you hadn''t told us about it yesterday, I''d have been too scared!


    The woman grabs her husband''s arm and smiles.


    - But at least we can go home without being afraid!" she says.


    - You''re embarrassing me¡­


    The man blushes softly, but doesn''t even push his wife away. Gatito watches the hotel doors open and notices that the other police officers are leaving with the other two culprits.


    - We''ll take them to the police station as soon as possible. You can go home now.


    The man who was the target of the assassination smiles and bows to the policeman.


    - As Mayor of Venniers, I''d like to thank you for your work.


    - There''s nothing to worry about. It''s what we do.


    The burgomaster excuses himself and returns to his car, accompanied by his two bodyguards and his wife, all with smiles on their faces: they''re sure they''re going to live another day, avoiding being murdered in the early morning. The man Gatito has caught growls, but the policeman''s furious gaze silences him in an instant. He turns and squints.


    - All that''s left is to catch the chef... and you''re done.


    A little further on, a school bus waits on a street corner. A man is at the wheel, a cap on his head hiding his hair and part of his face. He waits patiently, though his patience is wearing thin. He looks at his watch and grits his teeth.


    - What are those idiots doing...?!


    He''d made sure they''d come and understood the codes he''d entered on the ''Sleeping Little Beauty'' site, so he wasn''t afraid they''d be there. What''s more, the guns were still there an hour before he got here, so he wasn''t worried that the police or anyone else had figured out the code. Sure, one day they''d figure it out, but he''d just have to change the way he coded, especially since he already had some ideas in mind. If too much attention is paid to the site, he might even find another way of posting codes and assassination jobs. He looks behind him at the bags under some of the seats.


    - Having to pay them is annoying, but they won''t accept it otherwise.


    In reality, there''s no money in the bag: if they get paid while he''s still on the bus, there''s no guarantee that one of them won''t kill him on the spot, so he prefers to give them the money to ensure his own safety. During Conri Tanisha''s murder, he had given the money to each of them in a small abandoned house. Here, he already had his plan in mind.


    - Afterwards, these are assassins who accepted without being sure of getting paid in the first place, but considering what they put on their private wall¡­


    He hadn''t forgotten the messages indirectly addressed to him: death threats if he didn''t pay them. He could have stayed hidden in his corner, but assassins like that would probably find out his real identity if they really wanted to, so he preferred to play it safe. In any case, he has enough money and has stolen a fair amount a few years back, so he can use it for these assassinations. However, he''s afraid that if he continues down this path, he won''t be able to pay everyone... While he''s in his thoughts, someone knocks on the bus door. The man behind the wheel stands up, observes the person in front and blinks.


    - I beg your pardon¡­


    The man is dressed in an open jacket and his red hair contrasts with his darker skin.


    - All your men are under arrest.


    Dash Tarway smiles and the man behind the wheel opens his eyes wide. He turns on the power directly and prepares to flee, but that''s not an option:


    - Don''t move!!!


    - Stay where you are!!!


    Several men shout and come out of the corners; even the one who just knocked pulls out a pistol and aims at the driver, frowning.


    - I''d advise you not to make the slightest move.


    The driver grits his teeth... but complies by bowing his head. The police enter the bus and grab the man, handcuffing him and forcing him outside without delay.


    - So the police figured out the codes in time... Shit.


    The man spits at Dash, but Dash avoids the spit by smiling.


    - We had a lot of help from smart people.


    - ¡­


    The man doesn''t respond and is taken away by several policemen, while others go to look inside the bus.


    Meanwhile¡­


    The girl with the fox tail eats her breakfast while chatting with Korone and Minos, amused by their jokes. While she''s laughing, her phone vibrates in front of her, left on the table in case someone should call or text her. She grabs it and stops her laughter before looking at the message. Korone and Minos look at it, interested, and Deshya reads them the message with a smile.


    - ¡®A total of 8 people were arrested and the mayor is safe. Well done, you three.¡¯


    A message from Deshya''s father, Gatito Oveja. Minos and Korone smile and the three of them clap their hands in delight: they''ve just saved someone''s life, after all.


    The day before, when they had just arrived in Gatito''s office, they all sat down on chairs, and Mariah was the only one who sat cross-legged on the desk.


    - So you''ve figured out how to solve the codes, I take it?" she blurts out, looking mainly at Minos Kiyon.


    The man nods with a smile.


    - I know who is going to be murdered tomorrow, the exact time and even how it''s going to happen. Well, I wasn''t alone, so I won''t take all the credit.


    He gently turns his gaze to the two girls beside him and they smile happily. Gatito clears his throat and crosses his arms.


    - No need to beat about the bush and throw flowers at each other, is it possible to know what the codes say?


    - We''ve taken a long time to work this out, so can I have the joy of explaining everything?" asks Minos.


    Gatito sighs, but Mariah hops on the desk.


    - I want to know!


    - Same, to be honest," Dash admits.


    - ... Well, okay.


    Gatito''s eyelids droop.


    - We''re members of the police force and we have time to do this..." he thinks.


    Minos thanks them and begins his explanation.


    - I''ll get straight to the point, then; there''s no point in taking all my time.


    He crosses his legs and keeps smiling.


    - The coded messages are separated into two parts: the first with numbers and the second with symbols of all kinds.


    - Yet there are numbers even at the end of the lines?" says Gatito, surprised.


    - It''s just to make it hard to see. For example.


    Minos takes out his phone and looks for his screenshots before showing them to the police.


    - If I take the line "04[9]951XDadt49:8e++a", it''s possible to see that the "X" separates the "049951" from the rest, even though there''s a 49 and 8 after it. For the line "95[3]43014654--dzs12", the "95343014654" is separated from the rest by hyphens, even if a 12 is at the end.


    - Okay, I understand.


    - In the biography on the account of Alveva589, the man who started talking about the Sleeping Little Beauty site and never denied being the author, it says the following: "God''s creation. In my first moments, I''m between 1 and 1000 of the I754 constant. Observer of the five.


    - ¡­


    Gatito still doesn''t understand, thinking. Mariah and Dash listen without trying to find the answer, since Minos, Deshya and Korone already know the truth. Pera, who is sitting next to her daughter, remains silent with a smile. Minos continues:


    - ¡°God''s Creation" offers no clues to the code, as it must simply reflect the egocentric personality of the man behind Alveva589.


    But the rest is important.


    Minos turns to Deshya, who speaks in turn.


    - As Minos just said, there are two parts to the coded messages: in short, in the biography, we can understand that the "In my first moments" refers to the first part.


    - So the numbers," Mariah thinks out loud.


    Deshya agrees.


    - What we didn''t understand was especially from the constant of I754, but also the "between 1 and 1000".


    - However, what allowed me to discover the truth was not necessarily the biography, but two things: what Deshya said and then, one of the numbers at the beginning of the lines.


    So Minos continues, seeing as Deshya isn''t the one who figured that part out. Mariah smiles as she looks at the girl in the fox sweater.


    - What number are you talking about?" asks Dash, intrigued.


    - 4159. This is the tenth line of the third message. However, the 1592 in the first line of the first message made me realize the truth.


    - 4159 and 1592¡­


    Mariah ponders and squints: she''s taken in by Minos''s deduction and so decides to think about it in turn. Desha speaks next.


    - I''ve noticed that some numbers come from the same grouping! Like 0288, 02884 and 5028841.


    - Taking all this into account¡­


    Minos stares at Mariah with a smile. The woman opens her mouth and finally smiles.


    - 4159... 1592... So 41592¡­


    She sighs and turns to Dash, who blinks.


    - I don''t know..." he admits.


    - Why don''t you put a number in front of it?" she suggests.


    - A number?


    She nods. Dash looks up.


    - Which one?


    - Go for the first one!" says Korone.


    - With the 1? 14159... Ah!


    Dash and Gatito open their eyes wide and Minos smiles broadly.


    - You mean¡­


    - The first few decimal places of "pi"?!


    They say it at the same time, so Mariah laughs. She plays with a curl of her hair while staring at Minos.


    - So you mean that the numbers at the beginning of the lines are decimals of pi?" she asks.


    - That''s right.


    - Wait, is that really possible?


    Gatito asks this question.


    - There''s an infinite number of decimals, so how can you tell?" he asks, shocked.


    Minos is about to speak, but it''s Korone who speaks first.


    - The biography tells you how!


    - Really?


    She nods.


    - Between 1 and 1000. In short, between the first and the thousandth decimal places!


    - Aaaaah!


    Korone chuckles when she sees them react like this. Dash swallows and turns to Minos.


    - But if you didn''t understand these numbers, how could you understand that we''re talking about pi?" asks Gatito.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    - It says so in the biography.


    It''s Mariah who answers, but she looks at Korone with a smile.


    - I want to know how you could know such a thing, though," she said, addressing the little girl.


    Korone blinks and then smiles.


    - That''s because when Minos the handsome figured out that they were probably decimals of pi, I looked it up on the internet and saw that pi is called ''Archimedes'' constant''!


    - How does I754 translate into ''Archimedes''? Gatito asks him in astonishment.


    In reality, Mariah isn''t sure, even if she suspected that''s what it was. However, she gets her answer from Korone, who replies with her usual smile:


    - It''s the Syracuse cadastral code!


    No one speaks. Even Minos and Deshya, who already know this, watch the little girl with the same silly grin.


    - She figured out it was the land registry code without even looking on the Internet... That''s not even being a genius anymore, that''s being inhuman..." thinks Minos.


    - I really need to understand how she can know that..." sighed Deshya inwardly.


    - T-The cadastral code?" asks Dash.


    - It''s called a cadastral section prefix," replies the blond haired man. It''s what makes it possible to uniquely identify parcels that come from merged or absorbed communes.


    - Why choose something so complex?! And why Syracuse?!


    Dash can''t quite figure it out, but Minos answers him without hesitation.


    - Because they needed something findable, but something that would require an enormous amount of research. Using Syracuse''s zip code would be far too simple, as simply putting ''96100'' on the internet would give that on the first search. He could have put in Syracuse''s ISTAT code, which is ''089017'' and would have appeared to be a T9 code or something like that, but that might be far too complex. Well, looking for the various possible constants, I''m sure that coming across Archimedes'' constant, which is therefore ''pi'', would lead to the same answer we have.


    The policemen are all stunned, even Pera. Minos doesn''t stop explaining.


    - Once you''d understood that the numbers at the beginning of each line are decimals of pi between the first and the thousandth, it was easy to work out what to do next. If there''s only one number in square brackets, it''s because that number has to be taken into account, which is easy to deduce. You simply have to find out which decimal place that number is. For example, the "05820[9]" in the third coded message is the fifty-fifth decimal place. In short, the ''9'' in square brackets means ''55''.


    - Why do it in the first thousand decimal places?¡± Pera asks, agreeing to speak during this exchange.


    - Because, as I said before, there are far too many decimal places in pi, so certain groupings of numbers are bound to repeat themselves, making the code very complex to understand, if not impossible. Also, it didn''t really need to go above 1000 decimal places, but I''ll explain why.


    When he finishes his sentence and goes to continue, Korone cuts him off by addressing the policemen in front of her.


    - Also, since Minos forgot to answer, the reason Syracuse was chosen is because it''s the city where Archimedes was born and where he died!" she explains.


    All eyes are on her now, and she scratches her hair.


    - I saw it on the internet while searching, hihi.


    No one retaliates and Minos continues.


    - Before understanding the actual code, we simply had to solve the mystery of the ''+''.


    - The mystery of the ''+''?" repeats Gatito.


    Minos nods.


    - 62[0]89+62[0]89" and "2862[0]8+2[0]89". You might think that the ''+'' symbol means the end of the first part of the message, but in reality it''s not the case. The same number is in square brackets and it''s the same number grouping, so it''s the same place in the decimals. Why do this, though?


    No one answers, so Minos explains without delay.


    - At first, I thought I had to add the two together, but it didn''t make sense to me when I realized which decimal place it was.


    - Which one is it?" asks Dash.


    - 77.


    - ¡­


    Mariah is the first to understand.


    - Wait a minute, wait a minute. If it''s 55, 77... Eh.


    She smiles.


    - Let me guess.


    Everyone turns to her and the police detective speaks.


    - It''s multi-tap code, isn''t it?


    - What''s this?" asks Pera.


    Mariah closes her eyes and lowers her head, still smiling.


    - The SMS code, or T9, could be something like this: ''627424''. What I said means ''Mariah'' when coded like that. With multi-tap, it would be more like ''6 2 777 444 2 44''.


    - That''s right," smiled Minos.


    - C'' is ''222'', ''S'' is ''7777'', ''A'' is ''2''. To do it again simplest, ''A'' is ''2'', ''B'' is ''22'', ''C'' is ''222''. Next, D'' is ''3'', ''E'' is ''33'' and ''F'' is ''333''. It''s as simple as it sounds.


    Gatito wasn''t familiar with this way of coding, so he listens carefully. Dash is impressed by Mariah, but even more so by Minos, Korone and Deshya.


    - And you understood that?" he asks.


    The man with the long blond hair nods.


    - We have to take into account the decimals between the first and the thousandth, so the ''S'', which is ''7777'', can''t be put in. So he put the ''77'' twice, and the ''+'' symbol between the two doesn''t tell us to add them, but to put them together, which makes ''7777''. The ''Z'' is ''9999'', for example, and he should have put the ''99'' twice, but this letter wasn''t used once in the whole code.


    - Eeeh¡­


    Dash lets out this little noise without adding anything. Gatito is next to speak.


    - What does it mean? What does it mean?


    - Before I say anything else, there''s also the second part of the code.


    - It''s true that it sounds like a lot of gibberish... It''s not just to lead people on a false trail, then?" asks Mariah.


    Minos shakes his head, but offers Deshya the chance to explain, since she was the first to understand. She happily accepts and starts talking.


    - In the biography, it refers to the ''Watcher of the Five''. He''s not talking about the numbers ''5'' or the letters ''C'', ''I'', ''N'' and ''Q'', but about another way of looking at the message. That''s also what the clue posted on the Internet about me is about.


    - What clue?" asks Dash.


    He hadn''t looked into Sleeping Little Beauty, so he didn''t know much about it. Mariah had taken a brief interest out of boredom and because it seemed to concern Deshya, but knowing Minos was on it while talking with Gatito, she figured they wouldn''t need her help.


    - "The fox detective offers you the horned path" is what was posted on their site before the codes began," Deshya admits.


    - Fox detective... I understand it''s about you. However, the ''horned''... path? What about it?


    Dash scratches his cheek, unsure if he understands. Deshya smiles.


    - It''s really stupid. It''s so silly that, honestly, I''ve been thinking about it, thinking of the silliest thing possible," she confesses.


    - Ah? And so...?


    - My surname is ''Oveja'', which means ''Sheep'' in Spanish. When they say ''horned'', they mean sheep''s horns. Anyway, that''s not a clue as to how to understand the code, but it does explain that part of it is in Spanish.


    - And how do we understand the second part of the code?" asks Gatito.


    - Simply observe the five. Ignore the decimals of pi and observe them.


    - The-The Five?


    His father sighs and crosses his arms.


    - Just tell us.


    - Not funny," Deshya pouted.


    However, she complies.


    - For example, in the first line of the first code, it''s "[1]592aPoET9¨¨mme)xq". If I remove the decimal points of pi, it''s "aPoET9thm)xq". Now it''s time to look at the five.


    She smiles broadly.


    - Take into account all characters 5 by 5.


    - How''s that?


    Her father is still lost and Deshya turns her gaze towards him.


    - In "aPoET9thme)xq", ''a'' is the first character. P'' is the second, ''o'' the third and ''E'' the fourth. In short, ''T'' is the fifth. Then ''9'' is the sixth, ''¨¨'' the seventh, the two ''m''s the eighth and ninth, then ''e'' the tenth. The '')'' is the eleventh, ''x'' the twelfth and ''q'' the thirteenth, so who cares? So you have to take into account the characters that are in a place that is a multiple of ''5'': in short, the ''T'' and the ''e''.


    - Te¡­


    - Simply do this for each line and repeat. If any lines are short, it''s because there are no more than five characters after the decimal points of pi, so you don''t need to take them into account.


    - ... I believe you can understand that.


    The police inspector touches his head and Mariah laughs. Pera tries to reassure her husband, but the latter places one hand in front of him, the other still on his forehead, and looks at his daughter.


    - So what? What does this code mean?


    Deshya looks at Minos and he nods, signaling that she can explain. She smiles and stands up.


    - The first code is "3 33 88 99 0 7777 66 444 7 33 777 7777" and "Techo al frente". In short¡­


    She smiles.


    - "Two Snipers and Roof Across the Street.


    Her fox tail swings behind her back.


    - The second code is "333 88 444 8 33 0 22 88 7777 0 7777 222 666 555 2 444 777 33" and "Salida del sol. ". Anyway¡­


    She turns her face to her father.


    - "School bus escape" and "Sunrise", i.e. dawn.


    Korone and Minos rise in turn and Deshya finishes.


    - The third code is "5 666 44 66 0 6 444 222 55 2 777 8 33 999" and "Hotel azul brillante". Which is¡­


    All three have a determined look on their face.


    - "John Mickartey" and "Hotel Bleu Vif". Basically, the burgomaster of Venniers and the hotel in Sl¨¦ron, the town just at our north.


    - The Sl¨¦ron police were kind enough to let us act," admits Gatito.


    He''s eating a pudding surrounded by his wife, two daughters and Belium''s top detective, Minos Kiyon. It''s 4.45pm and he''s chatting with them.


    - We managed to arrest the seven murderers who were at the scene, as well as the man behind the Alveva589 account: he was the one on the school bus," he confesses.


    - Why did he go there? I thought he would have posted codes like that so he wouldn''t have to meet them in person..." asks Deshya.


    - He hasn''t confessed to everything yet, but when we asked him, he simply said that he intended to explain to them that he''s just an assassin like them, since no one can know that he''s their leader. However, we went to his house and found his account, his plans and some stolen money.


    - Who was he?" asked Minos.


    - ¡®Maurice Herod'', a 47-year-old man who''s already been in prison for a few months for assault in the street. 1m82 and a resident of Shiru, he doesn''t really have any friends and spends a lot of time on the internet talking about his views on life and death. A detestable man whose head has been eaten away by religion¡­


    - Is that why he put ''Creation of God'' in his biography?" says Korone.


    - When he created his Alveva589 account, that was all he had in his bio, but he quickly added the rest when he thought of this plan. He wrote in some very dubious and illegal sites about Sleeping Little Beauty and was writing in a way to make assassins, murderers and ill intentioned people understand that he''d like to make assassination plans. Honestly, he''s very lucky that this worked, because most of the time, they assassinate their target, take the money owed to them and do everything to find the leader of the operation to kill him or give him to the police, then gain popularity, money or recognition from us, which can help them in case they''re captured.


    - I can''t believe it''s that simple..." says Deshya.


    Gatito finishes his pudding and places his spoon on the table.


    - Well, he''s especially lucky that he ran into people who just wanted to have fun killing. There''s shit in this world.


    - Darling, your language¡­


    - Bad word!" says Korone.


    Everyone starts laughing, but Minos quickly regains his composure and addresses the policeman.


    - Do we know more about the operation, the site and the man?


    - Although Maurice didn''t speak with his employers, they themselves were chatting online to solve the code and find out who would do what. So we knew there were indeed seven of them on site, but we managed to locate the other eight, but one of them managed to escape and another ended his own life. Well, we shouldn''t worry too much about the one who got away, as he seems to have been more of a ''spy'' in their camp.


    - A spy?


    - Apparently, he was a man known on the Internet for infiltrating certain operations and giving details to the police, but this time he didn''t act. This is most likely because the other members of the operations didn''t trust him and had created a different chat box without him knowing.


    - Why run away, then?" asks Deshya.


    - There''s one man left who was in their group, so he''ll be sent to the police station and questioned there. I suppose that''s his reason for fleeing, but I wonder how he knew they''d been spotted..." replies Minos.


    - It''s a mystery that doesn''t interest me. Anyway, a suspicious man has been spotted in the town of Lamur, where he lives, so there''s a good chance he''ll be caught soon.


    - Perfect!


    Minos is happy to know this, but Gatito keeps talking.


    - It seems that the name for the site has a meaning, too. Sleeping'' does speak of ''sleeping'', but rather of rest: eternal rest, sleeping forever, hence death. Little'' is because he saw each of his victims as ''small'' in this world, men and women who are seen as popular, powerful or ''big'' in the eyes of society, but ''small'' in Maurice''s eyes. Finally, ''Beauty'' is about the beauty of death, as he considers life to be beautiful only because we die. In short, he''s a weirdo.


    Everyone nods and Deshya feels a chill down her spine, thinking that such people exist in this world.


    - Finally, Maurice had intended from the start to make coded messages like these, but he started simpler to make sure that the few people whose attention he drew to the illegal sites would understand without too much trouble: he wanted people with a modicum of intelligence.


    - I see... At least this site will be able to rest for good.


    Minos smiles and stands up, making the chair creak on the floor, which makes Deshya tense up. She is patted on the shoulder and the blond-haired man flashes her his handsome smile.


    - You''ve been a great help, and it was you who came up with some of the code, so as promised, I''m giving you a third of my money! Oh, you can say you don''t want it or don''t think you deserve it, but I don''t give a damn!


    - I wasn''t going to turn it down," admits Deshya.


    - Perfect then! You have to accept that money isn''t all bad!


    They both start laughing, while Deshya''s parents squint.


    - I hope it doesn''t go to her head, our darling," says Pera.


    - I''ll kill him otherwise," replies Gatito coldly.


    Minos stretches and looks at the time on his phone, his suitcase ready and stowed beside him.


    - It''s barely 6.30pm¡­


    He smiles and turns to Deshya.


    - How about a little dance?


    She blushes and blinks.


    - A-A dance?


    His question had been direct and out of the blue. The man nodded.


    - I know a good bar not far from here. Don''t worry, no alcohol for you and I won''t touch it neither!


    - B-But why dance?" she asks.


    - Why?


    He remains speechless for a few moments before smiling broadly.


    - We stopped an assassination! We stopped someone from dying, Deshya!


    He grabs her hands and nods.


    - Even if I''ve already solved several cases and saved many lives, what difference does it make? Whether I''m saving a life for the first time or the thousandth time, it doesn''t change the fact that I''ve saved a life! Well, most of the time I''m called in to find out who the murderer is and I can''t save the person, but who cares!


    His smile is brilliant.


    - We allowed the police to arrest Maurice and his men, and save the burgomaster of Venniers! Don''t we deserve a bit of fun? Plus, we''re going to get paid, hehe!


    Deshya chuckles and then laughs, amused by the man''s radiant energy. She finally nods and tells him she''ll ask her parents if she can. He accepts and Korone arrives next, descending the stairs.


    - Are you leaving?" she asks.


    - We''re just going to a bar to dance a little, but I think you''re too little for that. Don''t worry, I''ll make sure your big sister doesn''t do anything stupid!


    - Don''t be stupid either!


    - I''m an adult, I won''t do anything stupid!


    - Adults are the ones who make the most mistakes.


    Minos wants to retort, but thinks before shrugging.


    - You win this point.


    - Korone is better than Minos! Wahoooo!!


    She leaps into the air before running down the hall, stretching her arms out to either side like the wings of an airplane. Minos starts laughing as he sees her run, but when she reaches the kitchen and he can''t see her anymore, he squints weakly.


    - This girl... White hair, mauve eyes... Is it possible¡ª


    - My parents don''t mind!


    Minos turns his face and Deshya returns to him. He smiles and extends his hand, turning it over.


    - Let''s celebrate our success, Deshya!


    - All right!


    And as planned, they both go to the bar Minos was talking about. There aren''t many people there, given that it''s a Thursday and not even past 8 p.m., but that''s just as well for both of them: Deshya doesn''t need to be too self-conscious, and Minos won''t be recognized by everyone. On the dance floor, which isn''t the biggest, but big enough for several dozen people, Deshya and Minos dance together to the rhythm of the different music that''s playing. Minos grabs Deshya''s hand and twirls on the floor herself, around him and even once at the door for a few moments at the end of the music. She laughs happily and her fox tail can''t help but wag in all directions. She has to be careful that her hood doesn''t fall off, but she''s lucky and it doesn''t happen once, especially as she sometimes holds it up. They drink different juices - but no alcohol, of course - and enjoy the two hours they have left there, happy to have solved the mystery of Sleeping Little Beauty and saved the burgomaster''s life. They dance until they have no energy left, and Deshya drops into Minos''s arms to finish, fanning himself but smiling. An evening that makes Deshya feel like she''s living life to the full.


    - This is where we part ways," admits Minos.


    Deshya has joined Minos as far as Tetazo''s guardhouse, accompanied by her father who is driving them: walking alone in the evening can be risky. Minos bows gently to the two of them ¡ª or rather, the three of them, as Korone is in the car, greeting the man.


    - It was an honor to be on a with you!" said Deshya, bowing in turn.


    - Ahah, same for you!


    He stands up and clutches his suitcase in his hand.


    - I hope to see you soon, Deshya Oveja.


    The girl blinks, but eventually smiles back and nods.


    - I hope so too, Minos Kiyon.


    He then turns to the police inspector.


    - Gatito, a pleasure to see you again.


    - Don''t hit on my daughter over the phone.


    - Would you stop?


    The police inspector smiles and apologizes.


    - More seriously, a pleasure. On the other hand, more seriously, you can come see my daughter whenever you want, but please.


    He squints.


    - Don''t put her in danger, okay?


    The detective rubs the underside of his nose.


    - It''s not my aim and it never will be, you know that. After all¡­


    He squints in turn, but his expression is different from Gatito''s.


    - ... Eh.


    He doesn''t finish his sentence and greets the girl in the car.


    - I''ll see you again, little Korone!


    - Okiiii, handsome sir 2 !


    - N-Number 2?! I''m not first?!


    - Hihi, that''s for Maruno!


    - Maruno...?


    - A-Ah, a school friend," Deshya explains.


    - Eeeh... I see!


    Minos laughs before turning around, suitcase in hand.


    - My train''s coming and I''ve got to get back to Bexel, so I''ll see you soon! I don''t promise to talk every day, since I''m pretty busy, but I''ll send you one or the other message when I can! Oh, and I''ll reply as soon as I can if you send me anything, but don''t spam me, ahah!


    - No promises!


    - Ahahah!!


    Minos laughs as he waves them off, pulling away and rejoining his train. Deshya smiles with joy radiating from her body and Gatito gently grabs his daughter with one arm.


    - Let''s go.


    - Hm.


    They return to the car and Gatito starts the engine. Deshya takes one last look in the direction of the station and can''t help smiling: she''s become ''friends'' with Minos Kiyon, one of her favorite detectives, so how could she possibly feel anything else? So they all return home, Sleeping Little Beauty''s case solved¡­


    - Oh, big sister!


    - Yes?


    - What are you going to buy with the money Minos is going to send you?


    - ...No idea.


    - Save it for later," his father replies.


    - ... I''ll see!

 SP1 - [In The Heart] (Case SPECIAL1) [1/2]

    There''s nothing more beautiful than love. I''ve always believed that. Even today, I believe it.


    Bonding with someone you love with all your heart is something science will never be able to explain. There''s no ''logic'' behind it, just desire and compassion.


    Perhaps this is what makes us most human?


    Love.


    I''ve never stopped loving her. I never will. Maybe I''m naive to believe that, maybe reality will catch up with me and one day she and I won''t be together anymore. Maybe I''ll be the cause of the break-up, maybe she will. It''s even possible that love will fade, that the warm sunshine under which I stand will collapse. That the blue sky takes on the colors of embers, that the melodious birds lose their voices, that the tears of joy become salty and bitter. Yes, it''s impossible to know the future, but am I a fool to believe in a happy ending for me? Can I keep this heart flower in my chest? Can I keep her feelings for me, hold her in my arms with love and vice versa? Because I want to love her until the end of time. Because she''s the person who set me free. She speaks soft, reassuring words to me too, and I know she''s not lying, so I want to believe it.


    And yet, I''m pointing a gun at her.


    - Woaah, but it''s so coooooool!


    Amora hops on the spot, looking at the bundle of money in Deshya''s hands. The latter lets a proud, teasing look cross her face as she lets out a little bourgeois laugh.


    - The average person can''t earn that in a week, mohohoh!


    - That''s right, hihi!


    After a very quiet day at school for Deshya this Friday, September 16, she invited her best friend, Amora, to sleep over at her place today. It''s just under 10 p.m. and Korone is in the bathroom while Deshya finally shows what she''s won with the Sleeping Little Beauty case, the one she solved alongside ''Minos Kiyon'', the most popular and successful detective of all Belium. Although he''s still not seen as the best detective in the whole world, he''s always placed in the Top 5, minimum Top 10. Since he won 30,000 euros from the Minister of Defense for solving the Sleeping Little Beauty case and catching its members, Minos decided to offer Deshya a third to thank her for her help with the investigation. He would have liked to offer a little for Korone, but since she''s only 8 years old, he figured it wouldn''t do any good; however, by message, he confessed that he''d like Deshya to leave a little for her, which she accepted.


    - I''m here, big sister!


    Korone finally arrives in the room and Amora lets out a "Awwww" at the sight of her fox pajamas. Korone smiled.


    - This is the fifth time Amora has fallen under my spell!" Korone says with amusement.


    - But you''re soooo cute! If only I had a little sister as cute as you¡­


    Korone climbs onto the bed and gently pats Amora''s head before jumping onto Deshya''s cushion, the one with the ''Liv'' character drawn on it. Amora is amused by the little girl''s attachment to it, but Deshya admits that Korone doesn''t care about the character on it: she just likes to be able to hug it as if it were a real person, but it¡¯s softer and more "marshmallow" as she calls it, which she seems to really like. Amora admits she understands, although she loves to hug a real person more than a body pillow.


    - I know..." smiled Deshya.


    - Yiss!


    - Wait!


    Korone shouts as she gets to her feet, standing up on the beds and pointing his fingers at the two teenage girls.


    - I forgot to ask, but how do I sleep? Is Amora going to take up all the room?!


    The little girl asks her question with a pout, already preparing herself for the answer. Deshya and Amora looked at each other before the pink-haired girl pouted back.


    - Well, I''ve been her best friend for about 6 years,¡± she replies.


    - I''m her little sister!


    - You can sleep with us, but I''ll hold Deshyshy.


    - Ah! But I want to hug big sister!


    - And I want to cuddle Deshyshy!


    Lightning flashes from both girls'' eyes, clashing, causing electricity that could kill a small animal ¡ª at least, that''s how Deshya feels. Deshya lets them have their fun, while thinking of her own fox-like attributes. When she sleeps with Korone, she''s allowed to wear her real pajamas or almost nothing at all, letting her fox ears breathe. When she''s with Amora, she has to keep a hood on to hide them... She was almost discovered once, when Amora woke up first and Deshya''s hood had almost completely come off, so she''s more careful now. However, Deshya can''t deny it: she almost wishes Amora had come to find out the truth that night. Her heart forbids her to reveal anything to Amora for her own safety, but Deshya doesn''t like lying to her... She hates lying to everyone, especially Tessa, Amora and Maruno, but also people like Lam or even Sammy. There are some people she trusts less, like Abdoul, but that''s because she wouldn''t want everyone to find out: she''d be in real danger. Even if she doesn''t take into account the possibility of an organization that has transformed her in this way, if people learn of the existence of a real fox girl, then she''s going to be hunted by everyone. People who want to go out with her, touch her ears or her tail, those who want to analyze it and find out how it''s possible to create a future where half-humans, half-animals exist... Although Deshya certainly wouldn''t say no to such a future, she''s convinced she''s going to be treated horribly and perhaps even killed in the process: in short, she needs to look after herself. Deshya is certain that if she confesses the truth to Amora, Lam or Tessa, they''ll keep it a secret if she asks them to, but that''s not the case with everyone... Anyway, Deshya''s mostly afraid that an organization is watching her and that if one day they learn that she''s confessed the truth to someone, then they''ll get killed. For now, only her parents and Korone know about her fox attributes: in short, her family. It''s obvious they know the truth, since they live with them, but someone from the outside... Deshya wonders if she isn''t paranoid, especially if one day she''s seriously injured... then she''ll have to be analyzed by doctors. If that day comes, how will she manage to hide the truth? Even if Gatito asks them not to reveal anything to anyone, Deshya won''t be able to feel safe anymore... At least, she thinks so. So far, she''s never had to live through a day like this. True, she was analyzed by a doctor who checked Deshya''s body thoroughly when she was found by her parents, but he is the precise reason why Deshya feels so bad. Although her parents keep telling her it''s just a coincidence¡­


    The day after he had analyzed Deshya and given her the results, he committed suicide in his bedroom.


    Gatito had told her he felt bad before and tries to convince her, sometimes even now, that he just couldn''t take it anymore because of a message he received from his ex-wife, but Deshya finds the coincidence far too... strange. He had been the only person outside his family to know about her fox attributes, and yet he died... barely a day after discovering the truth. Since then, Deshya has always been afraid to admit the truth. Even if it really is a coincidence, she doesn''t want to take any chances. If Amora finds out about her fox attributes and dies because of her, then Deshya doesn''t know how she''ll dare go on.


    - Then why isn''t my family under attack?


    That''s the question Deshya asks herself. However, she knows she won''t be able to get the answer by thinking: she must either discover the truth about her animal attributes, or must she discover someone who knows anything at all. She''d love to ask Minos, but it''s far too risky... Besides, if he knew anything, he''d probably have figured out that she was a half-fox girl, so she assumes he''d have no leads to offer her.


    - Are you listening, Deshyshy?!


    Deshya blinks and turns her gaze ¡ª and her attention ¡ª to the two pouting girls, hands on hips.


    - W-What?


    - Who can hug you when you''re asleep?!¡± asks Amora.


    Deshya chuckles before bursting out laughing, patting the two girls on the head.


    - You really are abnormal, ahah!


    - Aah?! That''s not nice!" says Korone.


    - The three of us aren''t normal, it wasn''t mean," admits Deshya.


    She sighs with relief and stands up, smiling.


    - You''re not planning to sleep right away, are you?" she asks.


    They nod.


    - We said we''d make a movie on your computer first,¡± says Deshya.


    - I want to see the ginger cat swinging and swunging his sword!


    - Let''s have a look, then!


    - But for¡ª


    - Korone can take me one way and Amora the other?


    The two girls look at her as horrified as they are surprised, before Deshya grumbles.


    - I mean cuddle me.


    - Not good.


    - If you want to be taken like that, we can call Tessa and see¡ª


    - I hate you.


    Amora and Korone start laughing and Deshya asks the little girl how she can know such a term, but her little sister is too amused laughing to answer. So Deshya gives up, her fox tail touching the ground, preferring to set up the film and accept that she simply used the wrong verb in her sentence.


    The following day, Saturday September 17, Deshya, Amora and Korone all play in the garden for the whole of the early part of the day, even looking after ''N¨¦ro'', the Oveja family''s German shepherd. Around midday, they eat sandwiches together while watching Minos Kiyon on TV. This time, it''s not about Sleeping Little Beauty, but about a murder that took place i n northern Bexel. Minos Kiyon is on the case to help the police, as it seems that it was a criminal who has been wanted for just over three months who committed the deed, but Minos admits that he has yet to find a single clue that could help him discover his identity. Deshya talks it over with her best friend and little sister a few minutes before sending Minos a message of courage. She gets an answer late this afternoon, a few minutes before Amora has to go home: she has a family party tomorrow, so it''s impossible for her to stay any longer, even if she''d like to. Amora is amused by the answer Minos offers:


    "Ahah, thank you!!! I''m sure we''ll find out, don''t worry! If not, I''ll ask your father to send you here so you can discover the truth by my side! "


    Korone asks if it''s true that they''re going to Bexel, but Deshya explains that it''s a joke and that her father wouldn''t accept anyway. Amora prepares her things a few moments later, thanking her best friend for inviting her and for two wonderful days at her side. Korone accompanies them to the station, all three driven by Pera, Deshya''s mother.


    At the same time, a boy and a girl are laughing together.


    - Ahah, is it true?!


    - I swear!


    He holds her in his arms as they watch TV, but they''re more focused on their own conversation than what they''re watching, especially since this is a series that started strong only to continue its own decline, becoming almost uninteresting and filled with pointless references.


    - Do you know what we''re having for dinner tonight?" asks the boy.


    - Yes, but surprise!


    - Maaaw, you know I like to know!


    - Too bad~!


    He pushes her down on the bed insisting, but she waddles away admitting she won''t say anything at all! He gives her a teasing grin, saying that if she doesn''t say anything, then no more kisses. However, the girl returns a similar smile and raises her eyebrows.


    - Eeeh, you dare not kiss me again...?


    He nods, but after 10 seconds of silence, he sighs.


    - Okay, I lied.


    The girl laughs and takes him in her arms, forcing him to join her in bed, and they both start laughing.


    - I''ll see you soon, I swear!


    - I can''t wait, my angel!


    The girl hops on the spot waving, her parents behind greeting the boy who turns on his heel with a smile. His girlfriend does the same, humming, as they leave the station and head back to their car.


    - You really love your boyfriend!" says her father.


    - He''s the best!


    The girl has dark skin, dark curly hair that reaches a little below her shoulders, and bright blue eyes. Her name is¡ª


    - Don''t forget the you-know-who tickets, okay, Aya?


    ¡ª Aya Deroom.


    A 15-year-old girl who lives in Teuhl, the town below Tetazo. She is the current girlfriend of a 17-year-old boy who goes to school in Tetazo, but is still in 4th grade. One of the three people considered ''geniuses'' by the students, a member of the Incorporated Foxes


    - Yes, I''ll give it to them! I have to get one for my little Maruno!


    ¡ª Maruno Uffite.


    He''s the only boy who sits on the train with a smile on his face, reminiscing about that wonderful day he spent with his girlfriend. With black hair that he ties back almost every time, green eyes and a look that could be considered cold, he''s a popular boy at his school and is often seen with his two best friends, ''Tessa Merossa'' and ''Deshya Oveja''. He''s a boy who attracts attention and some girls his age fall under his spell, but Maruno only sees Aya in his life. They''ve been dating for almost 5 months and have known each other for just over a year, but he has no regrets about being in a relationship with her ¡ª just the opposite. The train finally leaves, Maruno eager to see his girlfriend again as soon as possible, although that will have to wait until next weekend. Even if they live in adjacent towns: Aya''s house is to the south of Teuhl, while Maruno''s is to the north. The distance doesn''t really bother them, as Maruno has a go-pass that allows him to take the train between Tetazo and Teuhl for free. He only has to buy it again every six months, but it''s not very expensive for what it is, and well worth it! So far, he''s only taken it once, but at the end of November, he''ll have to buy it again.


    The train arrives at its destination at around 10.10pm and he gets off, stretching. He takes out his phone and looks at it, the background being him and Aya in cosplay, but notices that his parents still haven''t answered. He doesn''t believe they''re sleeping, so they must be too focused on the TV or haven''t paid attention to their phone, which has happened in the past. So he puts it in his pocket and takes the usual route home. It never takes very long, given that the station isn''t that far from his house, but he prefers to walk faster than expected, given that it''s already quite late. He''s not too worried about his own safety, since he''s a boy and Tetazo isn''t very dangerous at night, but he prefers not to take any risks. Without running, he whistles his way home. He thinks of Deshya and the investigation she solved alongside Minos.


    - Tessa even helped him find the culprit on a train that could have exploded, but I haven''t done anything since¡­


    He was temporarily the dealer during a poker game... and that was more or less it. Sure, he''d helped with the challenge letter, but that had been nothing and more for fun, especially since it was Deshya who''d figured it out. Maruno scratches his cheek, thinking that he hasn''t shown too much of the ''genius'' that some students talk about at the start of the year. Nevertheless, he doesn''t care: he doesn''t necessarily want to be drawn into an investigation, let alone risk his life unnecessarily.


    - And yet, even my baby has come across a case¡­


    When she was in the ''Beleza Verde'' hotel with her father, she met Deshya again and followed him to a murder scene. She told him at length by message and explained how Deshya was too cool, given that she''d had right on the criminal, unlike ''Hanoka Atege'', a police detective from Tetazo, which had made Maruno happy. Nevertheless, he prefers her not to come across corpses, which is understandable. He continues on his way and looks up at the moon, finding it beautiful today. He smiles, wondering if Aya has arrived home safely.


    And that''s when we grab him from behind


    The person places a handkerchief in front of his mouth, forcing Maruno to breathe it in as he struggles, both hands locked. He does his best not to inhale the chloroform in the handkerchief, but eventually he has no choice and calms down before falling asleep in the person''s arms. The latter smiles broadly.


    - ...


    Maruno wakes up slowly without opening his eyes, but when water is thrown on him, he coughs and shakes his head, opening them slowly. Before he can even figure out where he is, he notices that his hands are tied, so looks behind him: a rope holds them together, preventing Maruno from breaking free. What''s more, he''s tied to a wooden chair with a particularly familiar design... He struggles, but it''s no use. What''s more, as he looks ahead, he notices that someone is standing there, having just deposited a now empty bucket, its contents having been dumped in Maruno''s face.


    - ¡­


    The young boy doesn''t utter a word, his eyebrows furrowed. Seeing this expression, the person smiles, but it''s difficult to see: they are wearing a hood in front of their face.


    - I had to throw water on you twice to get you to wake up, you''re annoying, Maruno Uffite.


    The way they pronounce the boy''s identity is disturbing and full of mischief. Maruno notices that his feet are also tied, and the chair is nailed to the floor, so he couldn''t even knock it over: in any case, he''d be caught directly by the person standing a few steps away from him. This same person is not only hooded, but masked too. A long sweater-like garment costing no more than 30 euros adorns their body, with a very dark t-shirt just underneath. Their legs are hidden by long, dark gray jeans and their shoes are boringly normal. Maruno''s attention is again drawn to the words of the person who has just called him aggressively. Their voice is robotic and sizzles on certain letters, so it''s impossible to tell this person''s gender.


    - I want you to listen to me carefully, Maruno. You will obey my orders.


    Without moving his head, which is still facing this person, he turns his gaze to find out where he is. Rather quickly, he realizes he''s being held... in the cellar of his own house. The wine shelves from which they''re missing ? of their contents, the light bulb that was replaced not long ago because it exploded when Maruno turned on the light, the small glassy space at the bottom of the cellar to let outside air through, but currently closed... Moreover, the chair on which he''s sitting is one of his kitchen chairs: the design is the same. Maruno can even tell that this chair belongs to his father, given the fine markings on the seat.


    - But if I''m in my own basement¡­


    - Maruno, you listen to me right now.


    He blinks and stares angrily, but remains calm. Maruno''s mouth isn''t blocked by cloth or a blindfold, so he could scream, but he''s in his cellar, so no one will be able to hear him, especially at this hour. Even if, by some miracle, someone were to pass through his garden for some reason, Maruno would be risking his life needlessly. In short, he prefers to keep calm and listen to what the person has to say.


    - I repeat: I want you to obey me. I want you to listen to me and do exactly what I ask.


    - And what exactly do you want me to do?


    Maruno doesn''t try to provoke the person, but he can''t help letting a layer of aggression settle into his voice. The person approaches Maruno aggressively, and their face is inches from the boy''s.


    - I want you to kill your own girlfriend, Aya Deroom.


    A shiver runs down Maruno''s spine and he widens his eyes widely, a shocked expression on his face. The way the person has just pronounced ''Aya Deroom'' is hateful. Like a snake planting its venom in Maruno''s body, the person grabs the teenager''s shoulder without hiding the rage that makes his heart beat. Maruno freezes in surprise and can''t reply, unable to believe he''s being asked such a question, but finally closes his mouth and¡­


    Laughs.


    The person in front of him steps back, eyes squinting, and Maruno continues to crack up, as if he''d just heard a hilarious joke. The person sighs and leaves him laughing as they head for the cellar freezer, this one lying half-filled with ice cream and frozen treats. However, they don''t open it, but take what''s on top in their hand. Maruno finally stops laughing and stamps her feet violently on the cellar floor.


    - I''d rather die than do such a thing, you son of a bitch.


    The person turns to him, a closed laptop in their hands, and smiles.


    - Straight to the insults¡­


    - Ahah, what do you think, huh?! You''re asking me to kill my own girlfriend??? Who do you think I am?!


    Maruno fidgets in the chair, unable to calm the tone of his voice, but the person in front of him simply opens the computer without letting the boy affect it. Maruno grits his teeth and frowns, wondering above all why this person wants him to perform such a task. Is it because...?


    - Maruno, Maruno¡­


    The person sighs and shakes their head, touching the keyboard of their laptop.


    - I don''t remember asking for your opinion or hearing you bark.


    They show the boy the screen of his laptop, standing a few steps away.


    On top is the image of Maruno''s parents. Their hands and feet bound, their mouths bandaged and both unconscious in a dark, almost empty room.


    Maruno stands still, mouth agape, eyes wide open. He didn''t even dare speak, let alone tease the person in front of him. He would have preferred to be wrong, but he had been right: if he was in his cellar with this person, then it meant that his parents were both in a position of danger. At first, he''d thought both his mothers were in their bedroom, tied up and unable to move, but he didn''t recognize this room. It''s not a closet, not a room in the house, and certainly not the garden shed. However, he has no more time to try and discover where they''re being held: the person turns the computer towards themself and places it back on the freezer.


    - You see, Maruno Uffite¡­


    The person approaches the boy before holding his throat, preventing him from breathing. They force angrily with their gloved hand.


    - Your two beloved mothers are being held somewhere you''ll never find. If you refuse to help me, then I''ll gladly kill them. If you refuse even after their deaths, then it will be with sadness that I will find someone else to take care of Aya Deroom and end her life.


    Maruno opens his mouth with difficulty, but he can''t let out a single sound ¡ª breathing is also impossible.


    - If you want to keep being a smartass, then say goodbye to your parents. I''ll kill you too, right after you''re devastated to see your darling girlfriend DIE!!!


    The person finally lets go of Maruno''s throat as they step back, grabbing a bottle of wine and shaking it angrily.


    - She''s going to die, do you hear me?! Even if you refuse to help me, I''ll make sure she dies!!!!!


    The person screams, not even afraid of being heard from outside. They finally throw the wine bottle at Maruno, but misses on purpose. It shatters into several pieces on the cellar wall, leaving the purple drink inside to spill onto the floor and part of it onto the wall. The person sighs for a long time before calming down, even if their heartbeat continues to be excited. Maruno finally closes his mouth, trembling in his chair. He''s certain that the two women he saw on his laptop are indeed his two mothers, the ones who adopted him years ago from here. His much-loved parents. What''s more, it''s not a still image he could have taken anywhere, as Maruno saw an insect swiftly pass in front of the camera filming his two parents. He clenches his fists and closes his eyes, trying to calm his own heartbeat... but it''s almost impossible. Just a few hours earlier, he was having a great time with his girlfriend, but now he''s in the middle of the night trapped in his own cellar, his parents are in danger and he''s being asked to kill the girl he loves. Sure, he''d rather die than hurt her, but his parents'' lives are on the line. What''s more, even if he refuses, this person will ask someone else... So¡­


    - ... Is it... can I have the details?


    He speaks at last. He''s sweating and can''t stop shaking. Without accepting directly, it''s clear to the person that Maruno has understood that he really has only one choice in front of him. So they smile and happily approach Maruno and speak to him.


    - Good, good, you''re learning fast, Maruno.


    The person crouches down in front of him.


    - I want you to kill your girlfriend on a specific day, where I tell you to, in the way I choose. If you change the plan along the way, or try to be a little genius, then it''s going to go very badly for you, even though I''ll start by punishing you by eliminating your two poor mothers.


    Maruno grits his teeth, but stays put, accepting that he''s in a weak position for now. Not only can he not escape the grip of the ropes, he could never defeat an adult like this person. Although he''s still unsure of their gender, it makes no difference to him: there''s nothing he can do about it. Without knowing where his parents are being held, he can only listen to them, hoping that someone will come to save him¡­


    - Let me be clear, Tetazo''s little genius.


    The person stands up and without looking away from the teenager''s face for a second, they say:


    - If you try to warn anyone about your situation, if you try to talk about it with your friends or even worse, the police, then you can kiss your parents goodbye. Then I''ll stop using you for my plans right now," the person explains.


    Maruno frowns as he stares at them.


    - Why me?


    - Hm?


    - Why not take care of it yourself? Why not hire a hit man or an assassin? Why a boy like me, huh?


    Legitimate questions: the person knows perfectly well. Maruno expects answers, but at the same time, he suspects that they don''t intend to offer him many answers.


    - Because that wouldn''t be enough.


    - Enough...?" repeats Maruno, astonished.


    The person nods, clenching a fist in front of them.


    - I want someone close to the Deroom family to take care of their daughter... I want someone they trust and adore to carry out my revenge.


    - Your¡­


    Maruno doesn''t finish his sentence, preferring to remain silent as he stares at the ground. He''s in a position where refusing is the worst solution and will get him nowhere. Someone wants his girlfriend, Aya Deroom, dead, and seems to be willing to do anything to achieve ''revenge''. Accepting... is the only solution. So¡ª


    - ¡­ okay.


    The person is smiling broadly, an expression so exaggerated that their balaclava takes on that shape. Maruno grits his teeth, enraged by the situation, but there''s only one thing he can do:


    - I accept.


    <hr>


    SPECIAL 1


    ?In The Heart?


    - H-Hmm¡­


    With difficulty, the girl''s eyes open. The sun''s rays are already streaming through the skylight on the roof of the house, and the room is illuminated by the day that has already begun. The little girl blinks before raising her upper body, sitting down on the bed''s mattress. She notices that she''s no longer cuddling her big sister''s fox tail: after all, she''s no longer in bed.


    - Hewwo, big sister¡­


    With a tired voice, she greets Deshya, who is already at her computer, still in her pajamas. Hearing her adopted little sister''s gentle voice, Deshya turns around in her desk chair and stands up. She then sits down on the bed and kisses her cheek, asking if she slept well.


    - Yis, but I don''t remember my dream," admits Korone.


    - Me neither," Deshya says with a smile.


    - Have you been up long?


    The teenager shakes her head.


    - I woke up a few minutes ago, but since you were still asleep, I had a look at the messages you sent me," she says.


    - I see...!


    It doesn''t take long for Korone to smile again, but her excited side is still not awake. Deshya suggests they go and brush their teeth, get dressed and then have something to eat, but Korone shakes her head.


    - No need to get dressed! We stay at home!


    Korone hops off the bed with his arms and Deshya scratches his cheek.


    - I suppose, but I''m only in my underwear¡­


    - I''m staying in my pajamas, wahoo!


    In fact, her excited side is quickly awakening, so Korone is already letting it shine. Deshya chuckles before telling her little sister that she can do what she likes, but given that the weather is slowly getting colder, she''d rather at least put on a fox sweater. As Korone descends the stairs, she asks her big sister what she''d do if she and Tessa were dating.


    - What do you mean?" asks Deshya, not quite sure she understands.


    - Would you sleep naked with Tessa~?


    - Hm, we''re not there and I don''t think Tessa likes me. I think she''s straight, anyway¡­


    - Boring.


    Korone skips the last few steps and arrives in the bathroom, opening the door herself.


    - Tessa is miss so cool, so she has to date the cutest girl, so my big sister!


    - I''m not the cutest¡­


    - Big sister is a fox girl, so no one can get past her! Now, big sister shuts up and accepts the words of the most beautiful little girl in the world, Korone Oveja!


    Korone stands on a small stool, which she uses to reach for her toothbrush, and places both fists on her hips.


    - Then big-sister will accept that she''s sooooooo cute and will then tell Miss-so-cool like this.


    Korone clears her throat before starting to speak, imitating Deshya as best she can.


    - I''m Deshya Oveja and I love you! So let''s smoochies!


    - I would never say something like that.


    - Hm, you still have a lot of practice to become as cute as me.


    Korone shakes her head, like a disappointed parent, and grabs her toothbrush, squinting.


    - Today''s young people are disappointing¡­


    - W-What did you eat last night...?


    Korone starts laughing, which infects Deshya, who can''t help but imitate her. Korone apologizes for her morning energy, but her big sister admits that at least it woke her up! Korone is delighted and they brush their teeth, both with smiles on their faces.


    When they come downstairs together, they arrive in the kitchen to find that both Pera and Gatito are already at the table. The dog comes to greet his mistress and then the new girl, petted in all directions by the two girls'' four hands.


    - Did you two sleep well?" asks Pera before sipping her glass of water.


    - I would have liked to have slept a bit more, but the sun''s rays woke me up..." admits Deshya.


    - I''ve had a good night''s sleep!" Korone then said, heading for the dining room table.


    Deshya leaves the dog, stroking it one last time, and asks her parents if they slept well too.


    - Your father snored a little too much this time..." admits Pera with a slightly annoyed smile.


    - I just ate too much, hm," replies Gatito without even looking up.


    Deshya smiles: that''s just like him. She remembers that she once wanted to sleep with him, but she couldn''t stand all his snoring... It was just after she''d been found by the two of them, when she was still traumatized by being abducted again. Since then, she''s been doing much better and isn''t even afraid of walking alone at night, although she prefers to avoid it. Tetazo isn''t a very dangerous town ¡ª despite the few murders she''s come across lately ¡ª but being a girl, she prefers not to risk her life unnecessarily. Deshya doesn''t want to think about all this early in the morning, so she sits down in her usual place, gazing at the freshly baked bread already cut into several pieces, as well as the few jars of jam, chocolate and even peanut butter just waiting for her. A background noise from the TV makes the atmosphere strangely familiar, and Korone asks her big sister if she can give her the jar of strawberry jam. She complies immediately, before looking at the time on the oven: 09:15. Deshya notices that there''s even cheese and ham on the table, but this doesn''t greatly surprise her: her father loves to eat dagoberts for breakfast. The salad is a delight for him.


    - Here, did you do anything with the 10,000 euros Minos gave you for the business, darling?" asks Pera.


    Deshya spreads apricot jam on her piece of bread before answering her mother.


    - I''ve given it a bit more thought, but as much as I''m tempted to spend at the moment as I''m still young, I''d rather keep as much as possible for special occasions. What''s more, I''d like to use a small part of it to give Waffie a little donation.


    - Ah, the... the... Er... V¡­


    - Vtuber.


    - Ah, exactly. The Vtuber you follow?" asks his father, taking a little interest in their conversation.


    Deshya nods.


    - Well, all my money is cash, but I''d like to put it all in my account!


    - As long as you ask us first, you know you can,¡± said her mother.


    - Yis! Thank you! There are a few streamers whose donations I''d like to offer, even if it won''t be more than 10 euros, but I''d also like to support one or another artist on Twatter, so I might ask them for a drawing... But I''ll be careful!


    - Any normal girl would have already spent half, thinking that 10,000 is a lot¡­


    Gatito lets out a sigh of relief.


    - I''m going to believe it''s our upbringing that''s been good. I''m proud of it.


    - All you have to do is stop yelling in my fox ear and you''re the limit of perfection.


    Even though the girl''s remark is teasing and amuses the two girls next to her, Gatito stares at her, squinting, an almost annoyed expression on his face. Deshya would tell her she''s joking, but she really hates it, so she prefers to eat her toast with a smile, watching TV.


    - I''m standing in front of the large hotel that''s nearing completion in Teuhl, the famous "FEDER".


    It''s a woman with tied-back blond hair speaking, a microphone firmly held in her hands and lovely blue eyes. Her ponytail isn''t clearly visible in this angle, but as she moves, it can be seen gently fluttering at the back of her head.


    - "FEDER" is a 55-storey hotel designed and built by the great "Lordly" company, a company you should all be familiar with. Although access to the building is still not permitted and finishing touches are still being applied, it is possible to approach the building and observe its grandeur from the outside. It''s impossible to miss a hotel like this!


    - The world''s tallest hotel is 75 stories high... 55, that''s huge," admits Gatito.


    - ¡®Lordly¡¯ are still working on quite a few interesting projects, I think!" says Pera.


    Deshya nods as she chews her jam toast, silently admiring the television.


    - This same hotel will open its doors on September 24, but only for VIP members invited by the Lordly company itself! The exact date when "FEDER" will open its doors to the general public is still unknown, but the head of Lordly has confessed that it will be before Halloween, probably around the end of October.


    The woman speaks clearly and her voice is pleasant to listen to. She works for the ITB1 television channel. "The most popular and watched in the whole of Belium.


    - "FEDER" was conceived in late 2011 and construction began in 2015. After 7 years of waiting, it will finally be completed and open its doors!


    - 7 years to build it!" says an astonished Korone.


    - It takes a long time to build something so impressive..." admits Gatito as he finishes his dagobert.


    - This is going to be the biggest hotel in Belium, isn''t it?" asks Pera.


    Deshya nods and answers with her father.


    - The largest hotel in Belium was the Hotel Deus Naturae, in Bexel, the capital.


    - 48 floors and magic tricks every week. There''s even a basement with a sort of insect zoo, if I''m not mistaken," confesses Gatito, not wanting his daughter to answer on her own.


    - I want to go!" says Korone.


    - It''s expensive and if you have no reason to stay, it''s useless¡­


    Deshya and Pera agree with Gatito, which disappoints Korone, who continues to watch TV while eating his bread.


    - Although we don''t yet know what''s going to happen, it seems that on September 24, the Saturday of the coming week, when the hotel opens, a game will be offered to VIP members staying at the hotel. Farho¨¹ Deroom'', the head of the "Lordly" company, has promised to talk a little more about it when the day arrives.


    - Oh, they''re talking about Farho¨¹!" says Pera.


    - Do you know him?" asked Korone.


    - I''m sad I didn''t see him last time..." recalls Deshya.


    The little girl turns her gaze to her smiling older sister.


    - Ah, Farho¨¹ Deroom, Aya Deroom''s father. You don''t know her, but it''s¡ª


    - Wait, she''s almost finished talking.


    Gatito cuts his daughter off as she puffs out both cheeks.


    - The hotel "FEDER" is the first major project in a line of hotels that "Lordly" intends to create, but for the moment we have no further details. Farho¨¹ Deroom has promised to talk about it when the "FEDER"opens its doors to the public. Thank you, that was Annah for you.


    The news continues, but they change the subject to the scandal affecting the chocolate factory in the north of Ferouz, the country adjacent to Belium. Deshya explains to Korone what she was going to tell him.


    - So, I was saying that Aya Deroom is Maruno''s current girlfriend! You know, Maruno Uffite!


    - Oh, Mr. Handsome''s girlfriend?" confirms Korone.


    Deshya nods. Korone asks to see a photo and her older sister agrees, taking her phone out of her pocket. She searches her gallery for a few moments, under Korone''s excited gaze, and finally finds the photo she took of herself. Deshya can also be seen on it, taking a selfie with Aya.


    - Oh, so she''s Mr. Handsome''s girlfriend?" asks Korone, big curious eyes on the screen.


    Deshya nods and explains that this photo was taken at the end of the school year, in June 2020. Aya smiles brightly and her blue eyes radiate sunshine, joy and good humor. Deshya herself seems to be enjoying herself and is probably laughing at the situation. Korone immediately understands from the scenery that they were both in an amusement park, but she doesn''t even ask the context: she''s too focused on admiring the beauty of Aya, Maruno''s girlfriend.


    - She''s so beautiful!" she finally says.


    - Riiight?!" smiled Deshya.


    - It''s Miss So Pretty, then!


    Deshya blinks before laughing. Korone''s remark amuses the whole family, and the little girl thanks her big sister for showing her Aya. Deshya strokes her hair before spreading another piece of chocolate bread, preparing one for Korone too. They continue to eat their breakfast in silence, with the sound of the television in the background.


    At around 1pm, someone rings the Oveja family doorbell. Pera, who is in the bathroom on the first floor, lets her two daughters open the door for them, especially as she doesn''t know who might be coming at this hour. Deshya went downstairs with Korone, even though she was faster than the little girl, and skipped the last few steps before opening the front door. She was already dressed in her fox sweater, so she didn''t need to catch the one waiting on the door. coat rack. When she opens the door, she notices that the person who rang the bell is¡ª


    - Oh, Aya!


    ¡ª Maruno''s girlfriend. Her hair is loose, but her beauty is no less. Korone skips the last step and runs to the front door, admiring Aya as she looks up.


    - How are you, Deshya? We haven''t spoken since the case at the hotel, hihi!" said Aya with a smile.


    - It''s true. I''m fine. I''m fine. How are you?


    - All is well! I was able to spend two wonderful days with my darling!


    - Hey, it''s good to be a couple¡­


    Deshya says it with joy, but also with a drop of jealousy: she''d also like to have someone to cuddle, kiss, call ''my love'' and all that... Aya giggles and goes to promise that it will happen to her soon, but her attention is drawn to the girl at her side.


    - Oh, it''s Miss so pretty!" lets out Korone.


    Aya blinks, unsure why she''s being called that, but Deshya tells her not to pay attention. Aya smiles and thanks the little girl before peering behind Deshya.


    - Aren''t your parents here?" she asks, holding out the strap of her bag.


    - My mother is still in the bathroom, but my father is at work. It seems there are several cases today¡­


    - Tetazo''s police force never have breaks, it seems, hihi!


    Deshya sighs.


    - Since it¡¯s known to be very fair and competent, it sometimes has to help certain countries, like Shiru or Venniers... Anyway!


    Deshya resumes a straight pose and asks her about her visit. Before Aya can answer, Pera emerges from the toilet, the sound of the flush still audible, and approaches her two daughters.


    - Oh, isn''t that Farho¨¹''s daughter!" says Pera, drying her hands on her blue pajamas.


    - Hello, Deshya''s mom!


    Aya waves one hand in front of her, the other still on the bag''s strap.


    - To what do we owe your visit?" asks the red-haired woman.


    - Ah, actually¡­


    She gets rid of her bag, pulling it off her back, to search it, lowering her gaze.


    - I''m not staying very long, but I came to offer you... this!


    Aya then takes scraps of paper out of her bag and offers them to the family in front of her.


    - VIP tickets for the opening day of the "FEDER" hotel!


    The tickets are golden and brilliantly reflect the rays of the sun, which has just passed its zenith. Pera catches them with illuminated eyes and thanks Aya without further ado.


    - My darling told me about Korone, the new addition to the family, so I easily convinced my father to add one for her!


    - Oooh, can I go to the hotel?! That big hotel they were talking about on TV?!


    Korone hops on the spot and asks Pera to give her one: she wants to hold a VIP ticket! The redhead accepts and Korone thanks her with a big smile.


    - That''s really nice of you!" says Pera, addressing Aya.


    - Yes, that''s super nice!" admits Deshya with a smile.


    Aya closes her bag by placing it on her back again and returns their smile.


    - Don''t worry, you''re good friends! Of course you are! Will you all be able to come?


    Pera nods and Deshya tells her there will be no worries. Korone is happy that this is possible, but then asks if Gatito will have the opportunity to come, as he often has work to do.


    - Ah, about Gatito, he was hired by my own father to watch the hotel. We''ve never really had any worries, but this way he can come too, and there''s a trusted policeman at the hotel. Admittedly, it''s a hotel in Teuhl, not Tetazo, but the Teuhl police force is quite small and always accepts help from Tetazo," explains Aya.


    - Oh, is that so? My husband didn''t tell me about this job¡­


    - I guess he wanted to surprise us!" Korone surmised.


    - Probably.


    Pera smiles, thinking that this is just like her husband.


    - Is Maruno coming?" asks Deshya, interested.


    Aya nods, but touches her own mouth with her index finger.


    - I went to see him just before you did and gave him his ticket and those for his parents, but he told me they couldn''t come because of work, kissed me quickly on the forehead and then shut himself up at home. I thought he''d be happy to see me, but he seemed to be in a hurry.


    - Really? Well, the last time you came to his house as a surprise, he sent me a voicemail right afterwards, shouting about how happy he''d been..." recalls Deshya.


    She''d had the sound on full blast and everyone in the house could hear her while she was in the living room and her parents in the kitchen. Since then, she''s always been careful to turn the sound down when listening to anything, voice or video. Aya shrugs.


    - I''m sure he wasn''t feeling very well, but it''s not too serious. Anyway, I''m planning to invite him to our place after the hotel, so I''m sure he''ll be happy!


    - Oh, that''s right, September 24¡­


    - It''s opening day, I can''t wait!" Korone lets out.


    Deshya looks down at her little sister and smiles.


    - That''s not what I was talking about, but yes, it''s true.


    - Is there anything else going on that day?" asks Korone.


    However, Deshya looks at Aya and they both giggle. Korone doesn''t understand, but her curiosity forces her to press the issue. Deshya tells her what she''s talking about and Korone opens her mouth wide.


    - Ooooh!!!


    Deshya asks Aya if Saturday went well for them and she quickly explains what they did, the series they watched and that they both played cards. After 5 long minutes of explanation without the slightest pause, Aya takes out her phone to look at the time and admits that she has to go and see another friend before going home, so she greets the Oveja family on her way back to the car, where her mother is waiting for her, having just called her. Pera closes the door behind her and takes the ticket back from Korone, telling her she''ll put them away somewhere to make sure they don''t get lost. The little girl accepts and Deshya takes out her own phone, staring at it for long seconds. She finally decides to call Maruno to see if he''s feeling well, but receives no answer. This worries her slightly, but she figures he must be resting or busy doing something else. It''s also possible that his phone is much further away, which can happen. So she climbs the stairs without thinking about it any further, taking off her hood.


    - ¡­


    Maruno''s phone has just vibrated, but he hasn''t been allowed to touch it, let alone answer it. He would have liked to know who called him, although he assumes it was Aya, his girlfriend, but he has to respect the orders of the hooded person standing right next to him: without their authorization, he can''t answer anyone''s call. Sending a message is forbidden unless an exception is made, in which case the person must see the message and check that nothing coded has been written in the words or phrases. In short, Maruno is totally controlled. Even when he goes to the toilet, he has to be monitored. There are no cameras inside ¡ª which Maruno doubts anyway ¡ª and the person won''t follow him there, but the boy can''t take his time and will be searched directly afterwards to make sure he has no hidden papers or anything. Since Maruno''s toilet has no windows or holes, he''s allowed to go in without being too closely watched. Maruno sighs, sitting on his sofa, looking at the golden ticket Aya has passed him. He would have liked to have to go with his parents, but that won''t be possible. After all, on September 24, when the FEDER hotel opens its doors for the first time¡ª


    - Don''t make such a face, Maruno.


    The person speaks after long minutes of silence. They do nothing special except check that Maruno isn''t doing anything stupid, arms crossed and sitting on a wooden chair.


    - Maybe your parents aren''t there for you right now, but the three of us are watching over you, so you mustn''t feel lonely, must you?


    Maruno frowns. What he had learned yesterday had greatly disturbed him, since it prevented him from hoping to have a moment to himself and alert anyone:


    He is supervised by three people.


    The other two are completely unknown to Maruno. This person will stay by Maruno''s side for as long as possible, although they may have to leave for work or family reasons, as they cannot disappear for several days without giving a valid reason. When this person is no longer at Maruno''s side for several minutes or hours, he will be watched over by the other two people he doesn''t know, nor has seen yet. It seems that one of them has even been hired to keep an eye on Maruno all night long, making sure he doesn''t try anything around 4 or 5 in the morning. When he realized that he was being held by this person, Maruno had still been confident in his chances of warning anyone, but given all the precautions taken by this person, it would seem that he can abandon the idea of communicating with anyone. Nevertheless, acting alone is also impossible without risking his parents'' lives and his own. If he dies, it doesn''t mean that Aya will no longer be this person''s target, so sacrificing himself isn''t even a choice. The reason so many precautions are being taken is the one given by the person last night:


    - Because you''re a genius from the school of Tetazo.


    Maruno had laughed and admitted that it was an exaggerated title offered by the students at her school, that it was more normal than we thought, but this hadn''t convinced the person at all. They had told him that not only did they not believe him, but even if it turned out to be true, there was still the problem of one of his friends: ''Deshya Oveja''. Maruno frowned, but immediately understood why the person had just said that. Maruno didn''t reply to this comment, and the person added that she would soon understand his situation, especially as she had recently solved a case with ''Minos Kiyon'', even helping him to discover the truth behind the codes posted on Sleeping Little Beauty. In short, the person holding Maruno and wishing for Aya Deroom''s death would rather not have her intervene, which could spoil the plans. Even without her, the person is convinced that Maruno isn''t such an ordinary boy and might think of a plan to warn his friends of what''s going on. Given that Deshya''s father is a popular police inspector in Tetazo, if he comes to investigate this case... The person would rather it never happened. So Maruno sits silently on the sofa in his living room, the curtains closed and letting in very little sunlight, staring at the object in his hands.


    A black pistol. A real one.


    It''s currently unloaded to prevent him shooting the person next to him, although that wouldn''t really help him: the other two people watching him will deal directly with Maruno''s parents and then run away, as requested. The person is so self-confident that he won''t even withhold such information from the boy they are keeping at home. Nevertheless, Maruno wouldn''t do such a thing: sure, it would probably save Aya, but his parents would perish, something he didn''t want to happen. What''s more, Maruno has no desire to shoot anyone, let alone kill or cause serious injury. If he can get away with it without having to use violence, he''d be happy to do so, even if he''d have to do it himself¡­. though, his situation is so complex that he''s not so convinced about that... The weapon in his hands is a fairly basic pistol, but one he knows the name of, to be used in the death of Aya Deroom, the girlfriend he loves so much. The plan enunciated by the person next to him was strangely simple:


    On Saturday September 24, during the inauguration party for the "FEDER" hotel, Maruno will lure Aya to follow him into the men''s or women''s toilets, and put a bullet through her heart, several if need be.


    The reason he has to kill her there is that there''s a surveillance camera planted there in advance to check that Maruno is really doing as she''s told. It can''t be tampered with and only the person and their two colleagues will be able to view it, so Maruno can''t even hope to play with the video. What''s more, he should be safe in the bathroom if he chooses the right moment. He needs to kill her as quickly as possible and get away undetected, even though Maruno knows it''ll be easy to figure out that he''s the one who shot her. However, even if this happens and he is arrested, the person has told him that he will be able to confess the truth to the police and be released from his bonds. The person will flee, their goal accomplished, and let Maruno''s parents out of the dark room. Maruno still doesn''t like it, especially as there''s nothing to say that the person is not lying, but he has no choice but to listen and obey.


    - Say.


    Maruno breaks the long silence and turns his gaze to the person next to him without moving his head.


    - Is this really all I have to do? Does the plan stop there?" he asks.


    The person doesn''t answer right away, so Maruno thinks he won''t get any answer, but to his surprise¡ª


    - You take care of Aya Deroom, I''ll take care of her parents. As I told you, I want you to kill her after Farho¨¹ finishes his little ''speech'' as he often does. Aya''s father and mother will meet their end a little after their daughter, don''t worry... Of course, if you want to shout in the hall, during the party, that someone is forcing you to kill Aya and that her parents are in danger, I''ll kill yours straight away. After all, bombs are placed all over the room... With a single button, I can remove the soul from their bodies without even being near them.


    Maruno grits his teeth and the person sitting on the wooden chair doesn''t even smile, keeping their concentration on the boy in front of them.


    - So it''s the whole family that''s threatened... But why are they being targeted by this person? And why¡­


    Just as he was thinking angrily, a bell rang. The person hurriedly got up and left the room, deactivating the mechanism that allowed them to speak in a different voice. Maruno watches them leave, observing their clothes, seeing the bulge in their sweater. The person passes into another room without speaking too loudly, avoiding being overheard by the boy they are holding. Maruno would like to go and listen to the conversation to learn more about the person and hear their real voice, but he''s being monitored by a camera ¡ª or several ¡ª placed in this living room, so if he dares to move without being authorized to do so... It''s when he looks up that he notices the surveillance camera hidden behind the living room chandelier, but he prefers not to stare at it for too long. He places the pistol on the table in front of him and grits his teeth. He remains in thought, waiting for the person to return. A few moments later, they return to the living room, having once again activated the mechanism that allows her to speak in an unrecognizable robotic voice.


    - I have to take care of some business, so I have to go. You''re under constant surveillance, so don''t do anything stupid. If you have to go to the bathroom, you go now while I''m here, otherwise you wait until I come back, period. If you dare to do anything¡ª


    - I know.


    Maruno puts both feet up on the table and sighs.


    - I don''t need to go to the bathroom, I''ll wait, but I won''t piss on myself if you don''t come back soon.


    - Tsk. Talking like that when you''re almost like a hostage... I don''t have time for this.


    The person is clearly unhappy with Maruno''s behavior, but doesn''t want to bother with his disrespect and heads into the kitchen. A minute later, the person places two 50cl bottles of water in front of him, along with some food that''s best eaten cold, and tells him they should be back soon. Maruno nods and closes his eyes, having no choice in the matter. The person takes the pistol from their gloved hands, but doesn''t put it away anywhere, admitting they''ll take it with them in case he tries anything foolish. Maruno admits he couldn''t possibly do that, but the person doesn''t retaliate and takes the gun no matter what.


    - After all, I don''t want to see my parents die.


    This is what the boy says to the adult, who then leaves the living room, leaving Maruno''s surveillance to the people watching him from the surveillance cameras in the living room. Even if he can see one clearly, he doubts that there''s only one inside this room. Maruno notices that his phone is nowhere to be found, which means that the person confiscated it at the same time with gun... Maruno sighs and grabs the TV remote, turning it on and watching the live news channel.


    The sun beams down to start the new day on Monday September 19. It''s still early and some adults are still asleep, but most children and teenagers are already on buses, trains or in the street, heading off to school for this new week. The girl in the dark fox sweater chatting with her pink-haired best friend and her other white haired friend yawns.


    - Did you sleep badly?" asks Frie.


    - Not really, but it took me a while to fall asleep, as I was watching the Minos Kiyon interview with Korone..." admits Deshya.


    - Ah, I looked around a bit, but I didn''t see everything!" blurts Amora." He was talking about the investigation into the man he still hasn''t caught, right?


    Deshya approves and holds onto the two straps of her bag.


    - The interview was longer because we saw other police officers who chatted a bit, but even though I was planning to leave long before it was over, Korone really wanted to see everything... She said she might get a clue from their discussions.


    - Isn''t she like... 8?" asks Frie, surprised.


    - Ahah, that''s... That''s Korone, shall we say.


    Deshya has no other way of explaining it. Frie doesn''t quite understand, but Amora asks directly if Korone has understood anything. Nevertheless, Deshya shakes her head and admits that she herself hasn''t found a clue, which doesn''t surprise her.


    - Eeeh, so you and Korone watched yesterday''s live interview!


    A boy with black hair, mostly hidden by a ''NY'' cap, arrives from the alley next door. The three friends watch him, and Amora gives a big smile.


    - Ah! Hi, Raiji!


    The boy wears the same clothes he had on during Deshya Oveja''s kidnapping, when he had to carry the money on the train to the kidnappers. It was also on this day that he met Korone, even before she became Deshya''s adopted sister.


    - Are you all right?" she asked.


    - A little tired like you, for the same reason," he replies.


    He crashes into the girls'' group, but they don''t mind. Raiji and Frie don''t know each other as well as they know Amora, but they''re far from being on bad terms. The four of them chat together, talking about the Sleeping Little Beauty case or their weekend, as well as last night''s interview with Minos and the policemen. When they all arrive at the school, they notice that, once again, a cluster of students has formed at the entrance. Deshya sighs in anticipation, certain in her mind that they''re all there for a reason¡­


    - Deshya! Why didn''t you say anything when we asked you for information, eh?!


    - Did you intend to hide that you were on a case with Minos Kiyon, the great detective?!


    - Even I couldn''t know...?


    Complaints echo through the group, which annoys Deshya. She explains to them that she couldn''t say anything at the time, since if the general public were to learn that detectives were on the case, especially someone like Minos, then the culprits might have changed their ways, which would have ruined everything. The students complain that they''re not snitches, but Deshya shakes her head and just asks them to pass, having neither the time nor the inclination to bother with such pointless conversation. This doesn''t please the students very much, but they understand that they have no choice and don''t insist any longer. Some don''t give up, but Deshya offers them no answer.


    - Is this how celebrities feel? I feel sorry for them," Deshya thinks.


    When the girl with the fox sweater arrives in the playground, she is quickly greeted by another girl with white hair, the latter longer than Frie''s.


    - Hello, Deshya.


    Beautiful, radiant brown eyes and feminine clothes that show very little skin, the girl gently waves her hand in front of her. Amora, Raiji and Frie make their way through the crowd of students, who disperse with sadness and disappointment.


    - Hi, Lam," Deshya replies.


    - In a few weeks, you''re going to be a real Belium celebrity, if this keeps up!" says Lam.


    - You''re talking nonsense¡­


    - I think it''s possible too.


    It''s Raiji who admits this with a smile.


    - You investigated with Minos Kiyon and he even said he was impressed by your talent, which is no mean feat. When we type your first name on the internet, we find you very quickly!" he says.


    - I''ve seen one or two discussions on Twatter, even one that''s been seen by a lot of people," says Frie.


    Deshya is embarrassed and doesn''t know what to say to them, especially as deep down she knows she''s becoming more and more famous. September''s still not over and her popularity has multiplied by... a lot. She''s still a long way from being a "famous" girl like the likes of Minos or Ayumi, but she can''t hide her face any longer: if this continues, as they say, in a few months'' time, she''ll become much more popular.


    - I hope you''ll talk about us, if it happens!


    A male voice rings out. The group turns towards the two dark-skinned boys. One of the brothers is wearing a cap he almost never takes off, while the other doesn''t hide his shaved head. The one who spoke is the older brother.


    - Isn''t that Abdoul Ferino~?" smiled Raiji.


    - Hey, it''s Raiji!


    Their fists clash amicably and Raiji does this with Minoru too, Abdoul''s little brother. Lam greets the boy and they chat together, while Frie approaches Deshya gently.


    - Deshya, I wanted to ask you quickly¡­


    - What''s up?


    - Can you tell me exactly where you bought your fox tail?


    Deshya blinks and gives a teasing smile.


    - Oh, would you like a fox tail like me~?


    She taps her with her elbow in a mocking tone and Frie blushes.


    - F-For the record, it''s not even for me, but I''m ashamed to ask...!


    - Hm, then for whom?


    - You know, our furry friend¡­


    - Ah!


    Deshya opens her mouth wide and the rest of the group turns to face them. Frie blushes even harder and Deshya apologizes before whispering to her friend that she''ll tell her when she gets home today. The white haired girl thanks her and returns to Amora''s side. Scanning the surroundings, Deshya notices two more of her friends out of the corner of her eye, both sitting on their usual benches. Deshya apologizes and greets her group of friends, who say goodbye. The half-fox girl walks quickly to the bench, where her two friends also notice her.


    - Isn''t our vixen getting famous?" teases Tessa.


    - I''m not known yet..." admits Deshya.


    - Oh, hi, Deshya.


    Unlike Tessa, Maruno shows no energy, no desire to really talk. Deshya blinks at her, but Tessa sighs and crosses her legs.


    - Leave him alone, he looks sick..." she said.


    - Is it true?" asks Deshya.


    Maruno scratches his cheek.


    - I''m not feeling well, and I seem to have caught a cold on the way home from Aya''s..." he confesses.


    - Eh... She told me about your two days together. She can''t wait for the next time you see her.


    - ¡­


    But Maruno says nothing. Deshya is surprised, since normally he''d talk about her a lot more, sometimes even forgetting that his friends are at his side. Tessa almost hit him the day he cut her off mid-sentence to talk about the smell of Aya''s hair after a shower... Deshya remembers well: she too wants to brag about the smell of Tessa''s hair¡­


    - I hope you make a speedy recovery, then!" smiled Deshya.


    - Hm, thank you. I hope so, too. I used up most of my energy seeing Aya and considering I''m a bit sick, it doesn''t help....


    Deshya is now sitting next to Tessa, the latter admiring Twatter on her phone.


    - I don''t know how you use up your energy with her, but I''m sure you can''t last two rounds.


    - H-Huh?


    Tessa smiles and Deshya laughs, but Maruno sighs with a smile, reluctant to laugh too. However, he has a good reason for not being able to find the "sufficient joy" to enjoy it as usual¡­


    Sooner than they thought, after a short conversation, the school bell rings in the playground. The three friends stand up together and greet each other before going to class, Tessa following Deshya, Maruno going the other way. The boy stops in mid-stride and glances quickly at his two friends, but quickly leaves again, not uttering a single word.


    Like a normal Monday, the pupils work seriously, listening to their teacher or sometimes laughing at the stupidity of a classmate. The sun never hides its beautiful rays and few clouds surface in the blue sky, prompting Deshya and her friends to eat outside. Unfortunately, Amora hasn''t brought any food, and neither has Raiji, so they go outside to buy some, which they are allowed to do thanks to their parents'' agreement, so Deshya devours his toast alongside Lam, Abdoul, his little brother and three other friends from his class. Maruno sits alone, staring at the sky, while Tessa sits with a friend from the class above her, who repeated a year last year. After a hearty midday meal, they return to class and continue working until the end of the school day.


    - Want to grab a snack on the way? There''s a candy store that''s reopened, so it''d be cool to check it out!


    Amora chats with Deshya, but there are several of them in their group of friends.


    - Lam has asked me to go and there will be several of us!" admits Amora.


    Her energy is contagious and Deshya would normally have accepted, but¡ª


    - Not today, sorry," Deshya apologizes.


    - Eeeh?


    - I''m not too hungry, so it would be a waste¡­


    - Oh, I see.


    Amora is clearly disappointed: her expression doesn''t lie. Deshya apologizes again, but her best friend promises it''s nothing serious, which reassures the redheaded girl.


    For his part, Maruno returns home, silent on the road, not even admiring the landscape that lies before him. Not only does he know it by heart, but he''s not in the right frame of mind to enjoy the beauty of the city of Tetazo. He doesn''t listen to any music, since he''s not allowed to use his phone no matter what, and his mind is elsewhere¡­


    - That''s good.


    Maruno frowns and turns his face to see a hooded figure coming up beside him. They are hooded, but since most of their face is hidden by the hood, it would be hard to notice. Maruno would like to smile teasingly as he utters his next sentence, but he can''t even manage it.


    - Daring to come up to me on the street... You''re that confident, huh?


    This brings a smile to the face of the person who can''t help but chuckle in their robotic voice. Maruno would love to shout for help, given that some passers-by are in the same street as him, but that would put him in danger, as well as his two moms who are being held... he doesn''t know where. So he prefers to keep quiet and not provoke the person who has arrived out of nowhere.


    - From what my two colleagues have told me, you haven''t tried anything strange, you haven''t said anything that could be a code, and it looks like you''ve managed to lie perfectly to your two... genius friends.


    - Hmph. I have so many thoughts in my head that I can''t concentrate on what I''m being told, I have to avoid my friends as much as possible and since I''m going to have to kill my own girlfriend, I can''t feel happy. I feel sorry for myself.


    Maruno tucks his hands into his trouser pockets and clicks his tongue against his teeth.


    - If I don''t get my act together soon, I''m sure Tessa or Deshya, or both of them, will realize that something''s wrong. As much as I''d like to help them, now I have to do everything I can to hide the truth... I can''t hide it, I don''t like it.


    He sighs.


    - Well, I have to make sure I stay in my place until my parents are released. After that, I''ll do everything I can to find out who you are and see you rot in jail," he dares to blurt out to the person next to him.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    - Hey. You''ve got bite even when you''re in a weak position. They say young people today are weak and chicken, but some of you have a mind of steel.


    - I''m just me.


    With a tiny smile, Maruno says this short phrase. He continues on his way silently, accompanied by the person who remains at his side.


    Arriving at Maruno''s, he opens the door with his key and discards his bag with a sigh. No sooner had he arrived than he turned back to the person.


    - I forgot to ask, but I hope my parents are well fed or looked after, eh?" he drops, eyes squinting.


    The person walks past the teenager in the corridor and into the living room, answering his question when they''re both there.


    - I''ve been planning this for a while, you know. Cameras all over your house, a special place to hold your parents and a plan, however simple, to get rid of the Deroom family when their hotel opens its doors for the first time. If I let your parents die while you can check on their condition live, it would ruin everything, since you''d have no reason to listen to me, and given your personality, you''re bound to warn the police or your friends, even if it means dying," explains the person.


    - A long sentence to say a simple "Yes".


    - I like people with teeth, but don''t overdo it, you mutt.


    Maruno clicks his tongue again before sitting down on the sofa in his living room.


    - Am I allowed to see my parents for a few moments?


    - Only if you apologize for your behavior.


    - ...forgive me.


    - There we are. That''s more like it.


    The person turns on his laptop and a few moments later, he turns it towards Maruno, allowing him to see the image of his two mothers who are on their side, but in the same room. They''re not attached to each other, but they''ve moved since last time, and despite the less-than perfect quality of the camera, he notices that they''re still moving. This time, they''re not sleeping, but they''re not doing much, as if they''re waiting for... something. Maybe someone will come and save them. Perhaps their inevitable end. Perhaps something else. Maruno smiles and touches the screen with his right palm, eyes reflecting the image of his parents.


    - Forgive me for being so weak, mothers¡­


    He closes his eyes and sighs before standing up.


    - That''ll do. Thank you for your time.


    He thanks the person before asking permission to go and get something to eat, which the adult readily accepts. So Maruno goes for a snack ¡ª choosing vanilla ice cream ¡ª and eats it while staring at the ceiling, having little else to do.


    - You''re back later than expected, honey!


    Deshya''s mother greets her daughter in the kitchen. The teenager removes her hood and lets her fox ears breathe after a long day at school.


    - Ah, sorry, I took my time," she admits apologetically." What''s for the supper?


    - Not much. I''m thinking of going shopping tomorrow. Anything special you want?


    Deshya thinks it over and says she''ll write it on the shopping list, which pleases her mother. Korone greets her sister, sitting on one of the kitchen chairs. Deshya approaches her and asks if she''s all right, to which the little girl replies "Yes" with a big smile. She asks her the same question and Deshya nods before fetching a soy yogurt from the fridge


    - Ah, also!


    Deshya grabs a spoon from the drawer before remembering what to tell her parents ¡ª even if her father is still at work ¡ª and Korone.


    - Tomorrow I''ll go to school a little early," she warns." I''m off to see Tessa.


    - Oh, I see," her mother blurts out, not knowing what to say.


    - Love date?" asks Korone, her eyes filled with hope.


    However, Deshya chuckles and sighs right afterwards, bowing her head as she sits down next to her little sister.


    - I wish it was, believe me, but it¡¯s not that¡­


    - Why, then?" asks Korone, a little disappointed.


    - Maruno seems to be ill, so we''re going to surprise him!" admits Deshya.


    - Eeeh?!


    - I hope he gets better," says Pera.


    Deshya nods again and starts eating her yogurt, chatting a little with her family. When she has finished her snack, she goes up to her room with Korone. The two of them chat until the evening, when Gatito yells from the first floor that supper is ready. The two sisters hurry down the stairs and into the kitchen in a matter of seconds. Sometimes Deshya arrives several minutes later, when she''s chatting with friends or playing chess, even against a computer. When they''re at the table, Gatito starts talking.


    - We had a bit of a problem today..." he admits.


    - Which one?" asks her red-haired daughter, interested.


    - Drug merchants we''ve been hunting for a while, discovered a little further north in Tetazo.


    - Oh, you''ve been put on the case?" questions his wife.


    Gatito shoves his food into his mouth and answers after swallowing.


    - When it''s a case of illegal goods, it''s often Karine who takes care of it, but I''ve also been sent there with a few colleagues so that we can arrest them," he admits.


    - So what? Did you manage to lock them up?" asks Deshya.


    - Not all of them; that''s what Hanoka believes, anyway.


    - Was Hanoka there too?


    Gatito nods and Korone asks if ''Hanoka'' is the pink haired detective she met at the ''Beleza Verde'' hotel. Deshya nods before thinking back: they''ve only seen each other once, but Deshya wondered if they''d ever be put on a case again. She may have been wrong about the identity of the culprit, but she had shown a certain intelligence, since she had understood the murder trick at the same time as Deshya. Deshya thinks about it, but of all the police detectives she knows, the two women ¡ª Hanoka and Mariah ¡ª seem to be the most gifted. Of course, Sammy is far from stupid, but he''s slower and sometimes doesn''t think about certain details. She doesn''t want to put him down, but she finds it amusing that women seem more... ''intelligent''. Of course, Deshya sees Sammy as a good detective: she''s just been faster than him on the cases where they''ve been together. The girl hopes to see Hanoka again soon, since she liked her.


    After dinner, Deshya puts the dishes away and goes upstairs with the rest of her family. She and Korone brush their teeth before going to their bedroom, chatting together and at around 10pm, Deshya turns off the light, goes to bed and falls asleep with her sister, the latter enjoying the softness of Deshya''s fox tail.


    - Here I am!


    The girl Deshya is addressing opens her left eye and looks at her friend, who approaches her, breathing rapidly.


    - Looks like ya''ve been running.


    Deshya nods and the hooded girl uncrosses her arms, approaching her friend.


    - I''m surprised it''s the time we agreed on. I expected ya to arrive later, without being mean.


    Deshya sighs heavily and catches her breath before smiling broadly.


    - I set an alarm to make sure I got up in time! Well, it woke up my little sister, but she just... went back to sleep.


    - It''s true that she doesn''t have school yet," thinks the girl as she removes her hood.


    She shakes her purple hair and shows off her beauty to the one who ''secretly'' loves her.


    - Well, I''ve only been here for 5 minutes, so everything''s fine," smiles Tessa.


    Deshya lets out a nod before correctly placing the bag back on her back.


    - Won''t little sunshine feel bad going to school on his own?" asked Tessa, touching the strap of his satchel.


    - I warned her last night and she said she doesn''t mind, since she plans to pick up Alec on the way.


    - Ah, okay. Perfect, then.


    Tessa smiles.


    - Let''s get Maruno''s present ready, shall we?


    Deshya nods and smiles back.


    As usual, Maruno arrives at the school in the dispersed crowd of students getting ready for class. However, unlike most of the time, Maruno shows no smile or joy at being here. Sure, he''s never loved school so much that he feels happy when he arrives here, but he''s never made such a face. He releases a quick glance behind him, then scans the surroundings with speed, but eventually sighs as he lowers his shoulders, continuing on his way. He heads for the bench where he always sits and notices that Tessa is already there. What surprises him is to see Deshya beside him, chatting quietly with the girl she''s got a crush on. Maruno moves more quickly towards it with an astonished look and stops in front of the bench.


    - Ah, Maruno!


    - Hey!


    The two girls smile as they greet him. Maruno does the same and swallows.


    - Would they have understood my situation...?" he wonders, hope in his eyes.


    If Deshya is here early, it''s highly likely that this is the case, otherwise she would have come a little later, accompanied by Amora and probably Lam or even Raiji, her new friend. Tessa tells him she has something for him in her bag and Maruno squints, getting a smile back on his face¡­


    - Here''s a present!


    But she offers him a box of doughnuts.


    - Donuts?" he asks in astonishment.


    Tessa nods, continuing to hand him the doughnut packet.


    - Don''t worry, the box is still closed and hasn''t been touched, in case you think I''ve put anything in it," Tessa reassures her.


    Maruno doesn''t know how to react to this surprise gift.


    - ... B-But... Why?


    Deshya and Tessa blink before staring at each other. Seconds pass and the girl in the fox sweater tilts her head to the right.


    - What do you mean, why?


    - You feel sick and you don''t look your best, so you''d think you''d enjoy it," admits Tessa.


    Maruno remains motionless, standing in front of them, but eventually smiles, blowing his nose in amusement. He grabs the box of donuts and sits down next to Tessa.


    - It''s true that my head''s a little foggy. Thank you, Tessa. Thank you, Deshya.


    - You''re welcome! It was Tessa who thought of it!" admits Deshya with a smile.


    Maruno looks at the box of donuts, but as Tessa said, there''s nothing special on it. No hanging notes, no holes where she could have hidden something inside, nothing strange: just an untouched box of donuts.


    - 6 donuts... I''ll eat one on the way home," says Maruno.


    - Enjoy!


    Tessa pats her on the shoulder and Maruno looks forward to a taste. The two girls are happy to oblige and chat until class starts.


    In the middle of a math lesson, Maruno is analyzing his class, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. He can afford to be unfocused for the time being, given that the subject the teacher is talking about is already known to him by rote. Scanning the classroom, Maruno notices a hidden camera, almost invisible without really looking for it, on top of a metal shelf. Maruno doesn''t see another one, but given this person''s level of preparation, he suspects it''s the only camera in the room. So he sighs and turns his gaze back to his work.


    - Even cameras in the classroom... They really don''t want any risks, do they? However, they''re not that smart.


    Maruno squints.


    - It would have been much smarter for them to force me to commit the crime by holding me in their bonds much later, a day before the "FEDER" hotel opened... I guess this person wasn''t convinced I''d accept, so they wanted to make sure that if I refused, they could find someone else? So they really want Aya and her parents dead that day... Why?


    However, as much as he''d like to think about it, he doesn''t have the chance: an index card is placed in front of him. The teacher explains to the students, as he passes around each bench, that it''s a surprise test on the math subject they''ve learned so far. Maruno observes the sheet, looking at its contents and questions before smiling.


    - I know the answers to all the questions... A 10/10.


    He begins to write quickly and confidently as the teacher gives them the green light, smiling. A few minutes later, he returns the form to the teacher, who thanks him. Maruno turns his head and observes the landscape through the classroom windows, a pensive look on his face. He wonders if everything''s going to be alright... if he''ll manage to save everyone. His own parents, Aya''s parents and his girlfriend herself. The problem he faces with this hope¡­


    - My own abilities.


    A lack of self-confidence ¡ª or rather, he''s CONVINCED he''s less gifted than his two companions, Deshya Oveja and Tessa Merossa. They are more intelligent and observant than he. That his ''genius'' is less impressive than theirs. If it were one of them in this situation, he''s sure they''d find a way out much faster... but he doesn''t know. He''s too scared. His emotions have a lot to do with it. He doesn''t want to take that gun in his hands... Of course, no one would want to shoot the person they love, but Maruno has no idea how to get out of this on his own. Maybe Deshya, the one who can solve complicated criminal cases, or Tessa, the cold-blooded one with the eyes of a bird of prey, would know¡­


    However, Maruno won''t give up. Even the moment he aims that gun at Aya, if that happens, he won''t give up.


    He plans to save everyone. Even if his situation is perplexing, he''ll make sure no one dies. On his own or with the help of others.


    - Thanks again for the donuts!


    Maruno greets his two friends and takes the train home. He looks at the box of donuts in his hands, but decides not to open it for a very specific reason. When he gets home, he realizes that he was right not to touch it.


    - I see you didn''t open the box of donuts. You assumed that if you did, I''d think there was something hidden on it or in it, right?


    The person greets Maruno with folded arms, speaking to him without so much as a hello. The boy closes the front door behind him and then hands the box of doughnuts to the person, discarding his jacket.


    - Do I need to be searched too?" asks Maruno, already preparing to have to give away all his clothes.


    - My two men have been keeping a close eye on you and you seem calm, so this won''t be necessary. What''s more, they told me you put the box in your bag and haven''t touched it since, except briefly on the train.


    - They followed me on the train too, didn''t they?


    This strangely doesn''t surprise him and he shrugs as he continues on his way, entering the living room with the person analyzing the box of donuts. They sit down in her chair and look at the labels, check to see if any words have been changed or erased to form a code and finally check inside the box... but there are only six different tasty donuts. Nothing strange. So the person gives the box back to Maruno, agreeing to let him eat them. Maruno reluctantly thanks them and looks at the donuts, wondering which one to eat.


    - I still think it''s pointless to check its content," admits Maruno. I''m the one who should be giving them something, not the other way around. Since I''ve never explained my situation, they couldn''t possibly offer me anything that would help me, could they?


    Maruno asks this question as he grabs a chocolate glazed donut, the most basic of the six. He hands the box to the person to put away somewhere, and the adult lets out a disgruntled noise.


    - You never know with you three. I didn''t prepare all this just to screw up in the middle of the road!


    - We''re still just kids..." says Maruno, biting into his doughnut.


    - Yeah, kids who solve crimes, rescue people from a train holding bombs and even work with Minos Kiyon. Kids!


    - You''re talking about Deshya and Tessa. I haven''t done anything that impressive.


    Maruno savors the taste of the donut with joy. The person returns to the living room and rests his back on the wall, arms crossed.


    - I prefer to be wary of sleeping dogs.


    - Good mentality.


    Maruno smiles as he places his feet on the table, thanking Deshya and Tessa again in his mind. It''s impossible for him even to hide what he''s feeling and the beginnings of tears form in his eyes, a lump in his throat. He does his best not to cry and the person next to him sneers. He frowns and turns to the adult.


    - No need to cry about it, Maruno," they say." You''re just going to kill your girlfriend you''ve known for a few months. Just exorcize a girl who comes from a family of demons.


    Maruno gritted his teeth and fixed the person with an enraged stare, but the adult simply shrugged. Maruno wants to retort and let his rage become words... but he finally sighs and continues eating his donut without stopping squinting, annoyed. Just then, the doorbell rings in the house. The person frowns and Maruno doesn''t hide his surprise.


    - Hey, who''s at the door?


    It''s the person who''s asking this, but they are not addressing Maruno: they are speaking into the little microphone hanging from her clothes.


    - She''s just a... little-fille," confesses the woman.


    - ¡­


    The person looks at Maruno before turning their back.


    - I''ll stay in the kitchen while you talk to her, but don''t take your time and¡ª


    - I know, I know, if I try anything, my parents die, blah blah blah. It''s okay, it''s okay.


    Maruno finishes his donut and rises from the sofa, heading down the corridor with one hand in his trouser pocket. He approaches the front door and opens it, wondering who might have rang the bell, hoping it might be Tessa or Deshya¡­


    - Hewwoooo!


    But it''s a girl with long, snow-clear white hair, a cute smile and a radiant expression who presents herself to him.


    - Ko-Korone?! What are you doing here?!


    The Oveja family''s adopted little sister giggles, both hands behind her back. Maruno shakes his head.


    - Wait, wait, how do you even know where I live, actually??


    The person listening to their conversation squints, wondering if this ''Korone'' isn''t the granddaughter Gatito kept after the two bus murders¡­


    - Well, big sister told me you weren''t feeling your best, so I thought I''d give you a present too! Pera brought me here by car, as she had a bit of time, hihi!


    She waves both hands behind her back.


    - Pera stayed in the car because she wants us to leave quickly, so I''m giving you a present too!


    Korone finally takes his hands off his back and hands something to Maruno: his gift.


    - I hope you feel better, Mr. Handsome!


    A beautiful, simple necklace with an "M" as a pendant.


    The boy in front of the little takes his time observing the necklace before picking it up gently and slowly, watching it with wide eyes. Korone quickly explains that she saw it in a shop window and, seeing that it looked quality without being too expensive, she asked Deshya if she could buy it as a gift for him, from her. Deshya had wanted to pay with a bit of her 10,000 euros for Korone, but Pera agreed to buy it herself, finding it very sweet of them. Maruno holds it firmly in her hand before giving a magnificent smile.


    - Thank you. Really.


    - You''re welcome!" says Korone." Well, I''ve seen Mr Handsome''s girlfriend, but can I see Mr Handsome''s parents?


    The person listening to the conversation from the kitchen frowned, but Maruno replied directly to the little girl, while bending down:


    - Sorry sweetie, but my parents are still at work.


    - Maaaaw, will I ever see them?


    Maruno opens his mouth, but quickly regains his smile before nodding.


    - Of course you will.


    - I can''t wait! Take care, mister handsome! Feel better!!


    Korone waves her right hand and walks away from the house, which Maruno finds extremely cute. The boy thanks her by waving back. He returns home, closing the door behind him, admiring the necklace Korone has just given him. Admittedly, it''s a simple design, but the little girl''s intention pleases him enormously, and what''s more, it''s really pretty.


    - Let me see that.


    Maruno, who had been smiling until now, squints. The person reaches out, forcing Maruno to pass them the collar. He hesitates, but sighs, realizing he has no choice. The person watches him, frowning.


    - I was afraid when she asked you about your parents¡­


    - She''s just a little girl! Besides, like I was going to tell her anything. I promised I wouldn''t say one word about it.


    Maruno crosses his arms after saying this, but he doesn''t seem to convince the adult in front of him. Noticing that there are no transmitters, microphones or anything else on the necklace, he returns it to Maruno without adding anything. The boy smiles again and places it around his neck, observing him happily.


    - It''s beautiful... Thanks again, Korone.


    - I gave the gift to Mr. Handsome!


    Korone is now home, greeting her older sister who has just come down the hall.


    - Did he like it?


    - He seemed to like it a lot!


    - Eeeh, perfect, then! That''s very nice of you, Korone.


    Deshya strokes her hair before they both go into the kitchen. Their parents are already there, sitting with food in front of them, and much later, at around 10pm again, the two girls fall asleep together.


    The next day, the black-haired boy sighs, sitting on his usual bench. He can hear Deshya and Tessa chatting with Amora, Lam and Raiji, including Frie, however, Maruno can''t quite concentrate on what''s being said because he''s thinking too much about-


    - I want to see baby again. I want to take her in my arms. To kiss her. To sleep with her. I''m fed up... I don''t even know if I''ll be able to save her, and what''s more, I can barely talk to her anymore. I have to come up with lame excuses like "Oh sorry, I fall asleep quickly and rest a lot to recover! Lol!". What a shitty situation.


    He sighs again and puts his head between his hands. His friends aren''t even coming to talk to him this morning, and he didn''t sleep well: he had nightmares of Aya''s death at his own hands, having shot a pistol into her heart. The days seem long and endless, and yet Saturday is coming... He wishes it had never come. To be able to die by committing suicide and go back in time like in ''Back Cat Time''. Nevertheless, he doesn''t even want to attempt such foolishness, since it''s not fiction. The school bell rings and Maruno stands up with his head down, ignoring Deshya and Tessa''s friendly gestures, really wanting time to stop once and for all.


    He doesn''t want Saturday to happen.


    Hours later, at around 2.25pm, Maruno is playing solitaire with little amusement. He would have preferred to do something else, but since his movements are very limited and he''s watched by the person who stays next to him all the time, he prefers simply to play cards on his own. He could have watched TV, but he doesn''t feel like laughing at cartoons. As he picks up a card, something unexpected happens:


    A howl from outside.


    Maruno frowns, the same reaction as the person at his side rises to their feet. It''s a woman who''s just screamed, but it didn''t sound like she was in pain, more like¡ª


    - "Arrest her"...?


    That''s what Maruno thinks he heard. The person brings the microphone in the folds of his clothes closer to his mouth.


    - Oi, what''s going on?" they ask.


    A few seconds passed without any response, which greatly impatient the person, but finally, the woman she had hired gave her explanation.


    - A woman seems to be chasing a thief... No, a thief? I couldn''t say.


    The person squints¡ª


    ¡ª but at the same time, they receive a call.


    They grab their phone before walking away, insisting to Maruno that he must stay in the living room. He squints, but nods as he sits back down on the sofa. Barely a few seconds pass when the person returns to the living room.


    - I''ll be away for a while.


    - Hm, okay.


    Maruno nods again and continues to play, taking no further interest in the person''s movements. The latter ran out of the house. It''s only later that they return, going to rest in Maruno''s parents'' bedroom. A few hours later, they both go to sleep.


    After an uninteresting Thursday, Friday September 23 arrives. On this day¡ª


    - Tomorrow evening, the "FEDER"will finally open its doors! Its inauguration day will only be for VIP members and guests invited for the occasion, but on social networks, many are already talking about it!


    A woman with short chestnut hair speaks excitedly. The man with the camera moves slowly, following the journalist as she stands close to the hotel, its vastness visible behind her.


    - I''m standing in front of this huge hotel. 55 floors, 265 meters high and a top floor taller than the others, it''s now one of the largest buildings in the country, but above all the tallest hotel, surpassing even Bexel''s "Deus Naturae"!


    The woman makes no secret of her excitement, though she keeps as much of her seriousness as possible. She continues to walk down the street before running into someone, even if it''s not by chance.


    - "Farho¨¹ Deroom", the man behind this hotel and current director of the "Lordly" company, agreed to tell us a little about this hotel! Hello, Farho¨¹.


    He''s a rather tall man, but looks friendly. His black, curly hair resembles that of ''Dash Tarway'', but without the coloring. However, he''s much less muscular and his skin is even darker.


    - Hello and nice to meet you.


    His voice is calm and composed.


    - You said you''d tell us a little about the hotel and its opening day. What do you have planned for this great day?" asks the woman, now pointing the large microphone at the man.


    - To be honest with you, we don''t have a lot of activities planned. As usual, my wife and I will do a bit of talking on stage, toasting guests and thanking them for coming, but otherwise, we''ve only got one thing special planned. We''re planning some activities once the hotel is open to the public, especially as it will be possible to order a room as early as next week!


    Farho¨¹''s voice doesn''t hide his own excitement: this is a project that started years ago and is finally seeing the light of day, finished. How can he calm down when tomorrow, the "FEDER" hotel will receive its first guests?


    - Will it be possible to see the interior live?


    - We''re not planning any live broadcasts, but videos or streams of our VIP guests are not forbidden. Of course, we ask that you don''t start filming all of our guests, floors and all that, but during the speech and toast, any stream or video is welcome!


    - Great to hear that!


    - However, I''m ready to talk about the surprise we have planned for tomorrow.


    Farho¨¹ smiles as he crosses his arms.


    - After the speeches and the party on the hotel''s top floor, we''ll give one of our guests the chance to win a 212-hp, carbon-fiber "Sprinter" motorcycle.


    - Really?! Does this mean that "Sprinter" is one of the hotel''s sponsors?


    Farho¨¹ nods with a smile.


    - They have agreed to offer us one of their latest bikes for the win in a prize draw. Of course, since there will also be children among the guests, if one of them wins the prize, we''ll offer the motorcycle to their parent, or if they''re not interested, we''ll start again and offer them something special, something else, like sweets or ''Lechien'' chocolate," explains Farho¨¹.


    - That''s really exciting and nice of you! You seem really happy with the construction of this hotel.


    - This is indeed the case.


    - How will you get the bike down, if I may ask?


    - The hotel has several elevators, but one of them is different in that it''s larger and allows the transportation of both heavy and large objects. It''s nothing special, but we''ll take the bike down from this elevator, simple as that.


    The woman listens attentively and Farho¨¹ speaks without stuttering, without forking his tongue or hesitating over his words, as if he''d prepared this interview in advance. She tells him how exciting it is to find out, and how much she''s looking forward to tomorrow. Farho¨¹ makes no secret of the fact that they''re going to do a light show on the hotel walls, but says no more about it for the moment.


    - Is it possible to know a little more about the VIP guests?" asks the journalist.


    - We''ll have some pretty important people from all over the country, even one or other of the surrounding countries! There will also be friends from our family, whether mine, my wife''s or my daughter''s.


    The journalist continues to speak, although it is clear that the interview is coming to an end. The image of the woman and Farho¨¹ chatting together can be seen on the TV of someone eating cereal in front of the screen, sitting on a rather old sofa.


    - A great day for you, eh?


    They whisper words full of¡ª


    - A great day of misfortune, yes.


    ¡ª hatred.


    - Even the worst day for you, family of demons.


    The person starts laughing, even spilling a little milk from the bowl over themself. They know that tomorrow, that famous Saturday, should be a day of celebration... will become the end of the Deroom family.


    By their own hands and those of Maruno, their daughter''s boyfriend.


    The person continues to giggle as they finish their cereal and then gets dressed, leaving their house to get ready for work. They can''t wait for tomorrow. They really can¡¯t wait.


    - Ah... Ah¡­


    Maruno sighs heavily as he arrives at school: the bell is already ringing. He woke up a little too late and almost missed his bus, since this time he decided not to take the train. Tetazo is far from being a small town and there''s a special train for short journeys that he always takes, but since he woke up too late, he couldn''t get on: he''d already left. Maruno would have liked to have a chat with his friends, but he realizes that he''ll have to wait until lunchtime to get his chance, his opportunity to talk to them.


    Unlike the other days when he''d managed to concentrate without too much trouble, this time Maruno was struggling. Tomorrow is fast approaching and if he can''t find a way to save Aya, then... Then¡­


    - I can''t try to change the gun without him noticing, and warning Aya is impossible... I might be able to try during tomorrow''s speech, but even if I do that... What, then? I''ll be able to save Aya and maybe her parents, but mine will be killed.


    And that''s not an option in his eyes. Saving everyone is a necessity. He wonders what will happen if he''s so stressed that he can''t shoot Aya, if he can''t find another way... If he can''t do it, what will happen? Will he get a second chance? He shakes his head: he''s sure that won''t happen. If Aya does manage to escape, she''ll probably tell her parents and everyone else. Even if Maruno could explain the situation, trust will be broken. Being her boyfriend will no longer be an option. The love between them will disappear ¡ª Aya will even be afraid of him. He doesn''t want that... Maruno¡ª


    - Here are the results of the tests you took on Tuesday. The math teacher snaps Maruno out of his thoughts and he opens his eyes wide. He looks at the teacher, who gives him back his worksheet, and the boy observes his result. A few seconds pass and he finally smiles. The girl on the next bench asks her friend if he got any good points, pointing to her own form: she got a 9.5/10. Maruno keeps his smile and congratulates her before tapping his own sheet.


    - A 10/10 thanks to some great friends.


    The girl blinks, unsure if she has understood the meaning of his words. Noticing the lack of understanding in the girl''s eyes, Maruno rubs his hair.


    - I''ve studied a bit with friends before, for this subject, that''s what I mean," he admits.


    The girl says she sees and Maruno continues to look at his sheet before putting it away, happy.


    The end-of-school bell rang in the school buildings. Maruno quickly stows his bag before bolting out of the classroom, running up the stairs and finally arriving at the playground. As he sets foot on the playground, a redheaded girl comes up to him and waves.


    - We didn''t see you, Maruno!" said Deshya.


    - That''s because the kid sleeps too much.


    Tessa comes up behind Deshya, hands in her pockets and gum in her mouth. The boy turns to them and smiles.


    - At least I''ve recovered," he admits.


    - Ya¡¯re not sick anymore?" asks Tessa.


    The three of them walk into the playground and Maruno nods, reassuring Deshya.


    - What did you get on the pop quiz?" asks the girl. We both got 10/10, so¡ª


    - The same!


    Maruno cuts Deshya off, sticking out his tongue.


    - I''m a member of the Incorporated Foxes, aren''t I? If I didn''t get 10/10 on a test like that, it would be sad. Less sad than if it were Tessa who didn''t get a 10/10, given that she failed her class year twice.


    Tessa frowns.


    - Aaah? You did once too.


    - Yes, but not twice.


    - Don''t worry, I''ll laugh at ya if ya fail this year.


    - Ah?!


    Maruno starts bickering with Tessa, and Deshya shakes her head and laughs: that''s just like them. They continue on their way together until they reach a certain intersection where the three friends separate. Moments later, a girl with long pink hair came up behind Deshya.


    - D-Deshya!


    The redheaded girl turns around and asks what''s going on. Amora catches her breath before smiling, shaking her fists in front of her.


    - Say, say, do you want to come and sleep at my place this time?!" she asks. My parents really want to see you again! I''m planning to invite Frie and Alec next time!


    Deshya gently strokes her best friend''s hair before letting out an "Excuse me".


    - Since I''m going to the FEDER hotel tomorrow with my parents and all, I''d rather sleep at home. But can I come to your place on Sunday and we''ll go to school together on Monday?


    - Oooh, you''re really going! Well, there''s nothing we can do¡­ And okay, but we won''t be able to spend that much time together, so...!


    - To make it up to you, I''ll sleep with you on Monday, Tuesday and even Wednesday if you like?


    - A-And your sister? What about your family?


    Deshya thinks about it and suggests that Korone sleep with them too. Amora agrees and tells her she''ll ask her parents if it''s possible, to which Deshya replies that she''ll do the same. They greet each other before their paths separate, Amora returning to where she came from, where one of her many friends is waiting for her. The pink-haired girl turns to admire Deshya one last time, but is surprised to note that she is not taking the usual route home. Nevertheless, Amora shrugs her shoulders and apologizes to her friend.


    It''s not long before evening falls on Tetazo and the land of Belium. However, despite the ticking clock, life doesn''t stop: it''s a Friday, so people take the opportunity to party or sleep in later. Sure, some people go to work on Saturdays, and there are schools and private lessons on weekends, but that doesn''t stop the majority of people, young and old, from having fun on the weekend. In one of Tetazo''s many houses¡ª


    - That''s a good boy.


    - ¡­


    Maruno would have liked to have fun and chat with Aya in the evening, but he''s forced to stay in front of the TV looking annoyed and bored, congratulated by the person holding him back.


    - You didn''t say anything to anyone, you didn''t do anything strange and you always made sure that no one could understand your situation. I promise, tomorrow will pass quickly. One bullet is enough.


    Maruno grits his teeth, unable to concentrate on the cartoon on TV, and finally turns his gaze to the adult.


    - There''s no guarantee that your plan will work..." says Maruno scornfully.


    - Ahah, your parents are still where they belong and no one seems to have figured out anything. I''m not afraid about it. You should be afraid for your girlfriend and her parents, ahahah!!!


    The adult starts laughing, their voice still robotic, and Maruno hesitates to raise his voice, but prefers to keep calm: there''s no point getting angry. The adult admires the pistol Maruno will use to end Aya''s life.


    - In any case, I''ve already told you which toilets to go to, and you''ll get a signal to confirm that no one is there," the person explains. We''ll check with the cameras that Aya is dead, and given where she''s placed, it''s impossible to hide Aya''s body in a blind spot unless you kill her in a stall, but I''ve already told you that won''t do.


    - How can I pretend to kill her without warning her, anyway?" ask Maruno.


    - Hey. You never know.


    They hadn''t seen each other all week, and he''d hardly spoken to her once by message ¡ª only "Good morning" and "Good night". Aya admitted to him that she was sad to see him speak so little, but it made the person laugh, so they forbade Maruno to reply any longer.


    - I''ll make you rot in jail.


    That''s what Maruno thought again and again. Getting in the way of their relationship, forcing him to kill his own girlfriend... If Maruno could, he''d have already grabbed a bat and fought them, even if he came to lose. He didn''t want to kill the adult or anything, but to make them understand how Maruno felt. However, that wasn''t possible and he had to stay put, acting and obeying as a


    doggie.


    - In any case, you''d better kill her, otherwise¡ª


    - I know, you don''t have to tell me every day.


    Maruno sighs, waving his hand. The person smiles as they look at the television and murmurs:


    - And I''m going to get rid of her parents... that family of demons.


    Sounds of excitement all coming from the same girl. White hair bouncing, cut into a ponytail, and a pink dress she wore two weeks ago now. Her adoptive mother giggles, telling her to calm down, but Korone keeps bouncing on the spot, happy. It''s the same dress she had on when they went to Colin and Mona Furas¡¯ wedding anniversary party. Deshya arrives in the bathroom, dressed in the same fox hooded dress, orange with black stars, and smiles to see her little sister skipping on the spot.


    - She can''t seem to hide her contentment," jokes Deshya.


    - I can''t wait to see the big hotel!" admits Korone.


    - We''re all looking forward to it, Korone," smiles Pera.


    Deshya can''t hide it either, but she can''t wait to see what it looks like from the inside. She''s happy to be able to go there thanks to the tickets Aya gave her, and wonders how beautiful her interior will be.


    - Your father''s already in the car, so let''s not delay any longer!" drops Pera as she stands up, having finished styling Korone''s hair.


    The two girls nod and Korone takes Pera''s hand in hers. They then go down to the first floor, put their feet up and leave the house, greeting their dog ''N¨¦ro'', who barks as if to say goodbye. Pera grabs a key from the front door and locks it behind her, heading for the car where her husband is waiting. Deshya and Korone go to the back of the car and Pera sits down next to her husband, who is at the wheel, before they all set off in the direction of the "FEDER" hotel.


    At around 7.15pm, they all arrive there together. Korone comes out first, followed by Deshya, Pera and finally Gatito. Together, they gaze at the immensity of the hotel: a beauty that also soars into the heavens. FEDER" is inscribed on the walls, and neon lights illuminate the top of the hotel with beautiful colors. The design is modern, but because of its size, it''s impossible to be too original. Just looking at the hotel''s fairly flat roof, Deshya feels a certain vertigo.


    - The roof is designed so that several helicopters can land on it. Can you imagine?" says Gatito, advancing towards the huge building.


    - Woah!


    With her big eyes, Korone admired the hotel, wondering how it had come to be built. She''d seen information about it when she was still living with her former adoptive parents, but hadn''t taken much interest in it ¡ª something she currently regrets. She intends to look at the progress of this huge building on the internet, especially as the parking lot around it is also huge, yet not very full. Most of the cars parked there prove the wealth of their buyers. With makes you wouldn''t find on almost any road, and almost futuristic cars everywhere, Korone doesn''t know where to put her gaze, so amazed is she by everything. Deshya takes her hand and tells her they''re going to the hotel now, which excites the little girl even more. The family walks across the parking lot as they approach the hotel. The hotel seems to slowly grow larger with each step they take towards it, which impresses Deshya. A total of 7 years to construct such a building... She can''t imagine all the work that went into it to create it.


    From here, the girl with the fox-like attributes can observe the top floor and notice that it''s completely glazed, which surprises her greatly. Doesn''t the 55th floor have any bedrooms? What''s more, the roof above is clearly made of a very resistant material, although she couldn''t say which one yet. The family finally arrives at the front doors, made of a material that imitates gold, with armored glass. A red carpet has already been laid in front of the doors and throughout the entrance hall. Some plants welcome guests and Deshya notices others arriving behind them. With Korone, she passes the entrance doors opened by Gatito and admires the interior: a gigantic entrance hall. Deshya immediately understands that the first floor is bigger than any of the upper floors, but this doesn''t really surprise her. Compared to the ''Beleza Verde'', the lobby is larger and more magnificent, although Deshya suspects that she shouldn''t equate the two, given that they are quite different hotels in their structure. What''s more, one isn''t even 15 stories high, while the other is 55... In short, there''s no comparison. The family display their tickets into the women at the entrance and immediately afterwards, they are allowed into the hotel. A little further on, in front of the elevators, Gatito notices colleagues or friends, so they go to greet them. Pera and the two girls go too, even if Deshya doesn''t know many people¡­


    - Oh, Dash!


    The man blinks before turning back to the redheaded girl.


    - Oh, isn''t that Deshya?


    Korone in turn greets the receptionist from the Tetazo police. Unlike most of the time, he''s in short clothes and doesn''t hide his muscular body, this time he''s in much fancier attire. Gatito speaks to him quickly, but since his two daughters are already chatting with him, he prefers not to bother them. Deshya notices one or other member of the police force, but for the other guests who are still on the first floor, she doesn''t recognize them at all. She suspects that the majority of the hotel''s guests are currently on the top floor, where they''re all due to gather at 8.15pm. Deshya and Korone stop their discussion with Dash when he goes to see Mariah, and the next second¡ª


    - Oh, Deshya!


    The girl in the fox dress turns to the girl who just called her, but she doesn''t need to see her to know whose voice it is:


    - Aya!


    - Miss so pretty is here!


    With such class on her body, Aya Deroom approaches the two girls with a smile. Aya puffs out her cheeks as she looks at Korone.


    - Still calling me Mrs. Pretty? That''s because Maruno is mister handsome, isn''t it?¡± she asks.


    Korone nods excitedly and Aya touches her mouth with her index finger before smiling.


    - I like it!


    This doesn''t surprise Deshya, who smiles. Aya asks if they''d like a ''private and special'' guided tour from her, given that she''s been to this hotel many times before, even during its construction, and Deshya looks down at


    Korone.


    - Do you want to?" asks Deshya.


    As she''d suspected, Korone nodded again and again, threatening to drop her own head in his excitement. Deshya laughs and strokes her hair before accepting Aya''s proposal. They warn Gatito and Pera before following Aya closely. The dark-skinned girl explains that they''ll take the elevators on the other side, as climbing all the steps would be far too long and exhausting.


    - Where''s Maruno?" wonders Deshya.


    - He told me he''d be coming around 8pm, just before the ceremony starts!" replies Aya directly.


    Korone asks what they''re going to visit, and the ''guide'' explains that she''s simply going to show them a floor in the middle of the hotel so they can see what kind of building it is. Except for one or two floors that have a billiard room, a caf¨¦ or even activities a little more for adults, most are the same, except for the first floor and the top floor. Aya presses the elevator, which quickly arrives to pick them up.


    - I''m still amazed that Mr. Handsome''s girlfriend comes from such a rich family!" Korone admits as she enters the elevator.


    Aya giggles before pressing the button for floor ''23''.


    - Before my father, it was my grandfather who ran Lordly. It was after he died of lung cancer that dad became manager," explains Aya.


    - Your mother''s like a headmistress too, isn''t she?" asks Deshya.


    The elevator doors close just as Aya nods.


    - They both look after different parts of the company. Finally, as far as I know, my father is more into Lordly management himself and my mother more into sponsors, employee quality of life and also the economy. My father has to travel a lot more than my mother, so I see him less often, but he can afford to take some time off sometimes and let one of his friends manage things a bit, which mom doesn''t really like," she explains.


    - And what kind of company is it exactly?" asks Korone, interested.


    - In building construction generally, but we have many different brands. One is an automotive group, we also have a shampoo and cosmetics brand. For example, Bexel airport was built by Lordly. I also know there''s a world-famous toy brand that we own, but the name¡­


    - Isn''t it ''Cherish''?


    Aya nods at Deshya''s words. Korone asks what exactly this is, and her older sister looks down at her.


    - A toy brand that deals mainly in animal plush toys, animal figurines or even animal board games. They are the ¡®MINALAS'' competitors, even if some say that ''Cherish'' is inferior in terms of quality.


    - My father told me he''d like to change ''Cherish''s'' policy as they concentrate mainly on plush, so the rest is of a slightly lower quality. Ah, here we are.


    The elevator finally stops, its doors open and the three of them step out to see the floor. The corridor is far from narrow, but allows no more than three people next to each other: in short, a little more than enough for two carts to pass next to each other. The carpet on the floor is warmly colored, with tiger patterns running the length of it. The doors are all made of beautiful wood, and the overall ambience of the floor is perfectly warm and lively. The wall and ceiling paint, the inlaid light bulbs and the carpet make the corridor very friendly and pleasant.


    - Let''s do it fast, then we have to get to the top!" says Aya.


    On the way, she continues to talk to her friend and adopted little sister.


    - Dad says he''d like me to take over the company with Maruno if we''re married," she confesses." I said it was too soon for us to think about it, but he''d rather I think about it too soon than too late.


    - Would that be your style?


    - I don''t know much about it, and giving orders doesn''t really appeal to me... Baby is the kind of person who can be strict, but my dad has already admitted to having doubts about his leadership skills, as he might be a bit too relaxed.


    - It''s true that it''s impossible to be a good manager without knowing how to be tough. You just need the right balance.


    Aya nods as she walks down the corridor, happy to show the two girls around. Korone listens to their conversation, but is mainly focused on the corridor.


    - So I said I didn''t know yet whether I''d accept, but Dad explained that he''d said the same thing before, so he believes in me. My mom doesn''t care much about all that, as there are a lot of people who want to run the company, but dad prefers it to be someone he trusts a lot.


    - Does he trust your boyfriend that much?" asks Korone." Since he said he''d be willing to be your manager if you''re married.


    - Maruno is a sweetheart, how can you not trust him?


    Korone seems to see flowers appearing all around her in her good mood, which makes her smile. Deshya imitates the little girl''s expression as she continues to walk down the corridor.


    A few minutes later, the three of them climb to the top floor to see its grandeur and beauty: a huge room with glass walls. Only the ceiling is made of a much stronger, sturdier and thicker material, as it must be able to support several helicopters at once. In front of the three girls, just over a hundred people are chatting, having fun and playing together. Some are having a drink, others are enjoying the food, and a minority are sitting in their corners admiring their phones or analyzing the room. Korone asks Deshya if she can climb on her shoulders, which the girl accepts, and she observes the whole room. Thin, round tables are everywhere, long tables filled with good food on the sides. At the far end, a stage far more beautiful than the one at the Furas villa awaits nothing more than the arrival of Farho¨¹ and Minerva for their speech. Korone turns her head around, a big smile on her face, trying to find someone she knows. An incredibly handsome man with long hair and a friendly expression approaches the three girls, offering them a drink he''s holding on his tray: they''re alcohol free. He even calls Aya ''Madame'', which astonishes Korone. The dark-skinned girl happily accepts the drink and Deshya takes one for herself. Korone and herself, thanking the man who nodded kindly before continuing on her way. Deshya tastes the drink and finds it very tasty, but she can''t tell what it is. She wants to ask Aya, but Korone lets out a long ''Aaaah'' before pointing to the right.


    - R¨¦my, we''re going over there!


    - Ouch!


    Korone uses her free hand to gently tug on one of Deshya''s ears, making sure not to hurt her too much, and guides her big sister where she wants to go.


    - Did you know that Alfredo Linguini is the man the mouse is controlling? R¨¦my, that''s the mouse''s name.


    - Whatever!


    Deshya sighs and agrees to follow her, asking her not to pull on her ear again. Some of the guests watch the three girls go by, either because Aya Deroom is in the small group, or because Korone is on Deshya''s shoulders, or because the ''fox-eared detective'' is here. However, no one comes to bother them. Deshya quickly realizes who Korone has seen when she comes across three people chatting together. The white-haired woman turns her head towards them before smiling.


    - Ah, isn''t that our adorable detective and her little sister?


    - Good evening, Annie!


    Korone waves a hand with a big smile, which greatly pleases the lady who imitates her. Aya asks who she is and Deshya gently turns her face towards her.


    - A very competent police doctor," admits Deshya.


    - Almost every time I get a call, I run into Deshya these days! We already met at a hotel last time, do you think it''ll happen again?


    - It wasn''t the last time, but the penultimate time," smiles Deshya.


    - Ah, that''s right! There was the matter of the invisible shot at the Furas. What am I thinking?


    - That''s because Annie drinks alcohol!


    - Ahah, it''s not true!


    Annie shows Korone her drink before going ''Tching !" as she gently touched the granddaughter''s glass with her own.


    - I''ve got the same drink as you," she confesses. I''m here in case anything happens, so I''m not allowed to drink to keep my skills at their peak.


    - It''s true that it''s forbidden for police officers to drink alcohol most of the time, because if they''re called out on an emergency, they have to be prepared at all times," says Deshya.


    Annie nods and admits it''s true. They continue chatting when Aya''s attention is drawn to the right¡ª


    - Ah, how sweet!


    She sets her glass down on the small table next to the doctor and runs through the crowd of people. Korone asks Deshya if they can go and see mister handsome and she agrees, asking her to stop patting her head, but Korone continues, laughing. Annie greets them and Deshya waves gently as she moves towards Aya and Maruno.


    - Darling!


    - Hey, baby.


    Maruno smiles at his girlfriend and then notices Deshya and her little sister approaching.


    - Hey, you two.


    - How''s mister handsome?!" asks Korone before taking the last of his drink.


    - I''ve been better, but I''m fine," he admits.


    - It''s true that you don''t look your best," remarks Aya.


    Maruno is dressed smartly and his hair is beautifully styled, but his girlfriend notices that he looks a little¡­ sad. However, Maruno explains that he''s just had a bad night''s sleep because of a neighborhood dog that hasn''t stopped barking outside.


    - What about you, honey? You seem to be sweating a bit more than usual," remarks Maruno.


    - It''s nothing, we walked a lot.


    - Your girlfriend is slow!" joked Korone.


    - Hehe¡­


    Aya scratches her cheek and Deshya smiles, but doesn''t reply to their discussion. Maruno sighs and shakes his head before telling them he''ll see if he can get a drink. The three girls watch him go, heads bowed.


    - ¡­


    - ¡­


    - ¡­


    They say nothing. Korone scans the surroundings silently, while Aya keeps her eyelids lowered as she watches her boyfriend take a drink.


    - Toilets!


    The two girls turn to Korone, who is watching Deshya with wide eyes.


    - I want to go to the bathroom¡­


    Deshya nods and takes her hand, apologizing to Aya. The girl greets them before Maruno returns to her side.


    - Sorry to be so... I guess, in a bad mood?" he apologizes.


    - I hope you get better soon," Aya wished with a smile.


    Maruno returns her smile and promises to do his best, which greatly reassures Aya. They chat for a while before¡ª


    - Here we are!


    Two people take to the stage in the large room. One is a dark-skinned man in a smart suit and tie, but nothing special. The woman next to him, the one he''s married to, has a much more beautiful, sparkling dress. The contrast between the two could make anyone laugh. Everyone in the room knows who they are:


    - I am ''Farho¨¹ Deroom'' and this is my wife, ''Minerva Tandae''!


    It depends on the woman, but not all choose to take their husband''s surname when they marry. This is the case for Deshya, Aya and even Maruno''s parents, for example, unlike Mona Furas. The woman with the long, embroidered and decorated hair greets the crowd of applauding guests. Some film or even stream the event, their phones in the air.


    - Thank you all again for joining us on this great day. It''s taken us a long time to bring you this hotel, but it''s finally here!


    Shouts ring out and Maruno grabs his girlfriend by the shoulder, which pleases her enormously, the other hand holding her glass of juice.


    - As you know, the "FEDER" hotel is a project for which required a lot of corrections and adjustments, but it was worth it. The largest hotel in Belium, one of the largest in the world!


    Farho¨¹ shows his usual energy by raising a fist in the air as a sign of victory, which many of the guests react to ¡ª even Aya, who imitates him with a giggle. Maruno finds this very cute and smiles, but looking at his girlfriend, he can''t think of anything else but the pistol in his pocket, hidden and patient from use. He doesn''t want to think about it, but when their talk comes to an end... Then¡­


    - We''ll explain a little later how the bike will be drawn, but it''s waiting patiently behind the curtains on this stage," explains Farho¨¹." Before that, let''s enjoy the party and the atmosphere!


    Most of the guests raise their glasses in cheers, and Maruno does the same, but without raising his voice.


    - Let''s enjoy it the most we can, yeah¡­


    That''s what he thinks as he holds his girlfriend a little tighter against him, his eyes squinting.


    - I''m really moved that we''ve finally completed a hotel like this. All this money invested, all this time spent in its honor... "FEDER" is a new debut for us, the "Lordly" company!


    One person brings two glasses for Farho¨¹ and Minerva and Deshya returns with Korone.


    - You missed a good part of the speech!" drops Aya, almost pouting.


    - We could hear from the corridor," admits Deshya with a small smile.


    Maruno looks at them, but doesn''t pay them much attention.


    - We''ll soon be toasting this hotel and this new beginning for our company! Seven years of construction, but well worth it!


    The shouts echo even louder through the crowd, but Deshya''s ears can still take it.


    - In about 15 to 20 minutes, we''ll draw for the 212- horsepower motorcycle that awaits you! The Sprinter!" says Minerva.


    - Oh, is it that early already?" says Aya, surprised.


    Maruno was about to smile, but a voice sounded in the earpiece hidden on him.


    - No one in the bathroom. Now you go.


    The voice of the person inside. Maruno''s heart misses a beat. His hand trembles gently, but he quickly recovers: he has no time to lose. Hesitating is not even possible.


    - Say, Aya¡­


    He turns his face to him in a whisper. His girlfriend admires him with a smile, questioning him with her eyes.


    - Can I have a quick word with you in the bathroom...?" he asks, his tone uncertain.


    - Oh? Sure. Besides, I want to tell you something, too.


    So Aya nods and apologizes to Deshya and little Korone. Maruno is surprised that she wants to talk to him, but he assumes he''ll understand why soon enough, although it stresses him out a little. The two girls wave smilingly, watching them leave the room together.


    - I wonder who''ll win the bike!" says Korone.


    - I don''t really want to drive one and my parents wouldn''t need one, so it won''t be us.


    - I''ll drive the bike!


    - Oi¡­


    Aya and Maruno walk down the corridor, but their facial expressions are completely different. Aya is cheerful and humming, while Maruno sweats and swallows sometimes with difficulty, unable to think of anything but the silenced pistol in his pocket. He''s ready to fire, and has four bullets in case one isn''t enough. However, Maruno has no intention of missing¡­


    A single bullet through the heart. Where Maruno is for Aya.


    Maruno asks if it''s possible to have a quick word in the boys'' toilets, since no one''s in there, and Aya agrees without a fuss. She enters first and Maruno checks that no one is really there, but the voice in the earpiece assures him that they are. He closes the door behind him and turns to see the surveillance camera in the toilet, which is hugely illegal in Tetazo... However, it''s well hidden, given its small size. He would have liked to warn Aya''s family of what''s going on, but losing his parents isn''t an option... He''d like to back out or have the option of giving up... but that''s just not an option. He''s come too far.


    - So, darling, can I say what I want first?" asks Aya, with her back to her boyfriend.


    Maruno swallows loudly and finally nods. Aya slowly lowers her head... and turns to face him.


    - Happy 5 months, my love!


    And in her hands is a stuffed toy that looks just like Maruno.


    The boy is transfixed, big, wide eyes admiring what she''s offering him. She''s not far from him, and her smile is so radiant that turning off the lights wouldn''t change the brightness of the room. She''s clearly a self-made stuffed animal, and not her first try. The hair is made of black threads that are tied in the back, like Maruno''s current hairstyle. It''s a clearly human plush with flexible hands and feet: in short, it''s possible to make it sit up without worry. Her big eyes are green and she''s an extremely cute plush, designed with love and care.


    - I had to start over 5 times, but I''m proud of myself.


    Maruno remained frozen in front of her, unable to utter a single word. He continues to stare at the cuddly toy that looks just like him, his heart beating wildly. The beauty of his girlfriend smiling, her hands outstretched towards him and her emotions radiating from her body... All he wants to do is grab that plushie, thanking her a thousand times, kissing and hugging her afterwards. He just wants to¡ª


    - Stop taking your time. Kill her.


    Maruno blinks once and gently opens her mouth in surprise. Her eyelids droop.


    - Don''t you love the present, darling...?" she asks.


    Maruno wants to nod, wants to shout that he loves it¡ª


    ¡ª but all he does is cry.


    Tears roll down his cheeks and it''s impossible for him to stop them. Aya blinks, as if confused, her hands returning to her body and the stuffed toy now against her chest.


    - B-Babe¡­


    Maruno continues to cry before touching the thing in his pocket, then clutching it with pain. He doesn''t want her to see him like this, but he can''t help it.


    At the same time, he pulled out his pistol, aiming at Aya.


    - ¡­


    The girl says nothing, a look of surprise on her face. She takes one step back, then two.


    - They are forcing me... Sorry... They are forcing me¡­


    His words are almost incomprehensible because of the lump in his throat. The tears flow again and again. He trembles and aims for Aya''s heart, not feeling able to shoot.


    - Now. You have five seconds maximum.


    The person''s horrific voice rang out again in his earpiece and Maruno tried to smile... but it was impossible.


    - I love you.


    At the same time, he shot her through the heart.


    Aya opens her eyes wide and backs up to the opposite wall of the toilet, touching her chest as she trembles. She almost lets go of the stuffed toy, but she holds it firmly against her and looks at the palm of her left hand, the one that was touching her chest where her heart is.


    A bloody hand.


    She falls to the ground and tries to speak, but collapses to the floor. Before closing her eyes, she hugs the stuffed toy with a smile¡­


    And then nothing.


    Silence. Maruno doesn''t even manage to apologize again and again. Nothing happens. The sound of the gun had been even quieter than expected. The person says nothing, not even a ''Congratulations'' or a ''It''s over''. Nothing. The pistol hits the floor and Maruno wakes up before scanning his surroundings, trembling, tears streaming even more profusely down his face. He grabs the gun he''s dropped and hides it under his clothes before running off, fleeing the scene of the crime through gritted teeth, his mind so confused and foggy that he himself doesn''t know what he''s thinking. As he must out of obligation, he returns to the great hall, drying his tears, but they continue to flow anyway. He would have liked to take Aya''s cuddly toy and hug her back, but that''s not possible. He must obey orders. He must save his parents, whatever the cost. Maruno must accept that it''s really almost over. The plan went according to plan.


    Aya was shot.


    So he returns to the great hall unnoticed, continuing to dry his tears, but his emotions are too strong.


    - He''s crying... He''s crying, ahah... Ahahah¡­


    In the large room, the person watching Maruno smiles broadly. He speaks rapidly into the microphone in the folds of his clothes and¡ª


    - I confirm that Aya was shot. She''s as good as dead.


    At first, the person doesn''t react¡­


    Before giving an even bigger smile.


    The joy they feel is one he never thought they''d know before. However, they''ll be able to let their heart beat with joy entirely when they have confirmation that their plan has gone all the way, so they turns to the stage with eyes filled with hope and hatred.


    - Let''s drink our toast before we start all of this!" says Farho¨¹, raising his glass.


    - Come on... Come on... Let''s get it over with...!!!! Demons!!!!Aya is already dead, and he''s sure their plan won''t get in the way: Maruno is forbidden to warn anyone. When Aya''s parents die, he''ll be free of his bonds, but he''ll regret his actions, his silence and his incompetence for the rest of his life! Maruno will have to pay for daring to date the daughter of such demons! Farho¨¹ and Minerva start drinking their champagne, and the guests do the same.


    And the sound of glass shattering on the floor.


    The person opens their eyes wide ¡ª as does Farho¨¹. The latter holds his throat with a horrified, pained expression, his wife beside him trembling. The dark skinned man falls to his knees on the stage floor holding his throat, unable even to scream as the guests look on in terror: even Maruno trembles at the sight. However, there is one smiling person in the room:


    - I did it... I did¡­


    The person smiles broadly and Farho¨¹ drops onto the stage, his wife beside him collapsing in turn.


    And the crowd of guests screams in fear... panic settling in on the top floor of the "FEDER" hotel.


    (1/2)

 SP1 - [In The Heart] (Case SPECIAL1) [2/2]

    (2/2)


    - Yes, that''s right. Yes. Good.


    A man hangs up the phone and turns to the woman, who squints.


    - A job?


    - You''ll be surprised, but someone wants us to look after a teenager called... ''Maruno Uffite''.


    The woman squints, removes her cigarette from her mouth and doesn''t hide her almost disgust.


    - Such a ridiculous job...?


    - Apparently, he''s very good friends with Deshya Oveja. You know, the girl who''s starting to make a name for herself in Tetazo.


    The woman shrugs and throws her cigarette through the car window.


    - I have no idea and I don''t care. You turned down the offer, I hope?


    - We''re very well paid, though," admits the blue-eyed man. He asks us just to keep an eye on the cameras hidden everywhere and make sure he''s not trying to warn anyone. We''ll get more information and the job only lasts a whole week.


    The woman isn''t entirely unconvinced, arms crossed, but she finally sighs.


    - How much do we earn for this crap?


    - A total of 15K gross each.


    -15,000 euros???


    - Yeah.


    - It''s enormous.


    - Our customer admits that he has enough money to afford it and doesn''t really care if he lives or dies after this, so money is of little importance to him.


    The woman still hesitates, but now that she knows the ridiculous amount for such a simple job, she smiles and takes her lipstick out of her bag. She puts some on her mouth, looking at herself in the mirror, and then turns her face towards her companion.


    - I want more information about the job. When do we start?


    The man gives a quick nod.


    - If all goes well, we start in three days.


    The man grabs his phone and smiles.


    - Starting Saturday September 17.


    Maruno is restrained in his living room, having no choice but to obey the person''s orders. He ponders his situation, but there''s nothing he can do on his own.


    - So it''s the whole family that''s under threat... But why are they being targeted by this person? And why¡­


    He wonders why he''s the one who has to get rid of Aya: wouldn''t it be better to do it himself? Would it be simple for this person to do it themself? Nevertheless, as he pondered this point, a ringing sound woke him from his thoughts. The person who had been standing next to him suddenly stood up, hurrying out of the room. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Maruno observes the departing person attentively.


    - A bulge in their clothes, in their back barely higher than their pelvis. Something is in the back pocket of their pants and sticks out enough to form this bulge. If it''s an object in their pants, it must be a gun. Another gun when this person has another gun for me to use as a murder weapon?


    Maruno thinks quickly before turning his gaze to the pistol still in his hands.


    - This type of pistol is an ''FNP-9'' model with a silencer added. Since 2002, it has been the model used by the police in Tetazo, Shiru and most towns in the south, as opposed to the Glock 17 in towns to the north and the HK 9mm, which is mainly used by Bexel and one or other of the surrounding towns.


    Maruno squints and wants to smile:


    - This person keeps a pistol on his person, which must be of the same type as the one in my hand. Even if this is not the case, getting hold of an FNP-9 legally is impossible, and it''s unlikely to be bought illegally, since they''re hardly to be found on the market here. Even if for some reason this person did manage to get hold of such a gun, there are easier and cheaper ones to buy. In brief¡ª


    The person returns to the living room, their robotic voice activated again.


    - I have to take care of some business, so I have to go. You''re under constant surveillance, so don''t do anything stupid. If you have to go to the bathroom, you go now while I''m here, otherwise you wait until I come back, period. If you dare to do anything¡ª


    - I know.


    Maruno puts both feet up on the table and sighs.


    - I don''t need to go to the bathroom, I''ll wait, but I won''t piss on myself if you don''t come back soon.


    - Tsk. Talking like that when you''re almost like a hostage... I don''t have time for this.


    The person doesn''t hide their displeasure before walking away, leaving Maruno all alone in the living room. The boy quickly turns on the TV and selects the channel which is almost always live or police and detective cases are broadcast throughout Belium.


    - ... north of Tetazo, drug dealers were haggling when a local man spotted them from the window of his apartment. The police are already on their way to catch the dealers, who seem to have fled a short time ago!


    A man speaks into his microphone, comfortably seated in his studio, but he''s not visible: the images are those captured on a police helicopter, showing the streets of northern Tetazo, not far from where Maruno is. The boy looks at the TV without showing the slightest emotion, but inwardly, it''s a toothy grin he''s making.


    - I was right.


    Maruno squints.


    - A police officer.


    It was easy to guess ¡ª almost too easy. If this person worked somewhere else, it would have been much more complicated to guess.


    - Given his build, he must be a man. Most of his form is hidden behind his clothes, but he must be over 1m80 tall, which is quite rare for a woman. What''s more, even though his voice prevents me from guessing his gender, it sounds more like a man''s way of talking. Finally, from what little I can observe, his hips and pelvis don''t resemble those of a woman... Even without that, from the shoulders, I can be more or less convinced it''s a man.


    He''d like to find out even more about this man, but without being able to move from his living room or even his house, he can''t do anything. He plans to watch TV and try to catch a glimpse of the policemen about to show up, but he''s afraid that even with that, he''ll never be able to discover the man''s identity. Even if he did, what would be the point? What could he do? Warn Deshya so she can tell her father? If they act too quickly, both his mothers will probably die... Besides, there are two other people watching him, so arresting the person holding him wouldn''t be enough.


    - Whatever happens, I''ve got plenty of time before Saturday: they''re acting far too early. However, they seem to be watching me from all sides... It''s quite possible that even the school has cameras installed. If it''s a police officer and the people watching me are in the spy business, I''ve got little chance of fooling them. Warning Deshya or Tessa with a code is going to be complicated if I get listened to h24 and if I''m being physically watched at school, whispering won''t help, nor will writing a letter to warn them of my situation. I could write one in class and slip it into Deshya or Tessa''s school bag without being seen, but first I''ll check whether I''m being watched that much or not: safety is very important to me.


    And Maruno knows it. He doesn''t want to underestimate his opponents, and if they understand his masquerade, then he''s certain his parents are going to be killed outright. Unfortunately, he''s not in a game, so he can''t risk anything by telling himself it''s going to be alright... That''s just not an option for him. He has to save Aya, her parents and his own two mothers from death. This can''t be done on his own, so tomorrow he must find a way to warn Deshya or Tessa - preferably her friend in the fox outfits, since her father is a policeman and she has police connections. The sooner he can warn her, the more time they''ll have to find a solution and stop this assassination plot. So he has to think of a way to warn Deshya, even Tessa if necessary, without being seen, noticed or heard by the people watching him¡­


    It''s a matter of life and death for Maruno.


    The next day, the end of an unhappy weekend and the return of classes. Monday opens its arms to Maruno with its radiant sunshine, but it''s far from enough to comfort him. He has an idea of the profession of the person holding him, as well as his gender, including that he''s been called in on the drug case, but learning more on his own is going to be very complex. Students enter the playground around Maruno, himself heading over there, but he pays no attention to anyone. He''s managed to sleep tonight, but all he''s done is dream about his girlfriend''s death and his total defeat. Even if killing Aya seems to be the only way to save his parents, Maruno has no faith in the hooded man''s words. Even if he succeeds in the plan, there''s no guarantee that his two mothers won''t die at the same time as the man flees, leaving no trace behind. Since he never lets go of his gloves and avoids touching anything in Maruno''s house, it''s going to be next to impossible to discover any leads there. Even if the police are looking everywhere, Maruno doesn''t believe the cameras will be left there... Killing Aya isn''t a solution for him anyway: he wouldn''t dare put a bullet through her heart, since he only wants to do that with his own love. With these thoughts in mind, he continues on his way to the playground. He notices that on the bench ''special for the Incorporated Foxes'', Tessa is already sitting, looking at her phone. As he does almost every morning, Maruno walks over, holding his bag, the other hand in his pocket. As he moves towards it, he casts a quick glance behind him, scanning his surroundings. At the same time, he sees¡ª


    - ¡­


    ¡ª flicker. Rays reflecting off a glass surface or a surface that can reflect. Maruno squints and continues on to the bench.


    - It''s on a roof... Binoculars? There are two of them watching me, so it''s possible that one is checking from outside and another is much closer to me. The one on the roof must be listening in on my conversations thanks to the microphones they''ve placed on me, while the other must surely be closer to check that I''m not giving anything strange to anyone. As long as I can''t know where I''m being watched from, I can''t allow myself to give Deshya any paper, or write any," Maruno thinks.


    Before reaching the bench, he looks at his clothes.


    - I''ve got two microphones on me in case one of them stops working... If I break one of them and pretend I didn''t do it on purpose, I''m convinced the man holding me back will see it straight away as me trying to find a way to get rid of the microphones so I can warn Deshya in a whisper, since she has super hearing... I can''t do anything that won''t get me a ''GAME OVER'' instantly, so it''s better that I play it safe than risk anything to warn Deshya or even Tessa.


    He sits on the bench next to his friend... who just doesn''t react.


    - Hey, Tessa.


    He finally greets her and she waves her hand at him, chewing what is probably chewing gum. Maruno blinks before smiling.


    - Too focused on your phone to talk to me?


    She nods and Maruno sighs.


    - Probably looking at pictures of naked girls, huh¡­


    - Huuuuuh?


    Slowly and menacingly, Tessa turns her head towards Maruno, eyebrows furrowed. Maruno sticks out his tongue, but this doesn''t greatly amuse the girl, who switches off her phone.


    - I was just watching the news, why would I look at pictures of naked girls, eh?" she blurts out in a rather aggressive tone.


    Maruno opens his eyes a little wider, but keeps a rather similar expression. The reason for this¡ª


    ¡ª An opportunity has arisen.


    - The news? Are they talking about the drug deal in north Tetazo?" he asks.


    Tessa puts her phone away and crosses her arms.


    - Ah, I heard about it yesterday, but I wasn''t watching it, no.


    - I quickly saw it on TV, but it didn''t really interest me, so I changed channels," Maruno admits. Did it go well in the end?


    - All I saw was that the culprits were arrested by the police, not far from where they were dealing. What a bunch of assholes, being seen by a civilian.


    Tessa shakes her head, as if disappointed that they''re incompetents.


    - Shouldn''t you be happy...?" wonders Maruno, hesitating to laugh.


    He''d like to know more about the case, ask which police officers caught the culprits and anything else he can think of, but he''s afraid that if he insists on this too long, the people listening to him ¡ª probably including the policeman holding him back ¡ª will come to understand that Maruno knows too much. The boy decides to change the subject by talking about the amusement park that''s closing in the south of the country, not wanting to discuss the "FEDER" hotel. Tessa admits she doesn''t give a damn and Maruno sighs with annoyance.


    - I know she''s like that, but I want to hit her sometimes..." thinks Maruno.


    He wonders just how a girl as cute, friendly and sometimes excitable as Deshya can love a girl so... ''dontcareaboutanything''. Sure, she''s cool and Maruno knows very well that she''s a beautiful girl with a tomboyish side, but he doesn''t quite understand Deshya. Nevertheless, it''s not for him to judge his friend''s feelings. Besides, since Tessa is much ''gentler'' with Deshya, he can understand her feeling such emotions. While he''s deep in thought, a faint smile on his face, a tree leaf flies to his feet. Maruno catches it before observing it attentively, his gaze fixed on it. He remembers the times he spent with his parents in the forest near his home, the time he went on a date with Aya in Teuhl Nature Park or even the time he visited southern Inakunia. So many good memories that he wants to keep with him forever... If he loses his parents, or even Aya, then how will he be able to smile when he thinks back on it all? How can he live happily with such a weight on his heart?


    - How are you?


    Tessa squints at the question, noticing his gaze fixed on the tree leaf. Maruno nods and lets the leaf fall to the ground.


    - I was just thinking about my girlfriend," he confesses.


    - You saw each other over the weekend, right?


    - Friday and Saturday, yup.


    Maruno''s smile is tired, but it''s real. Tessa stares at him blankly, wanting to ask if he''s really all right, but Maruno starts humming a tune as he stares ahead, his eyes lost in the horizon. Tessa listens with a faintly open mouth, but she herself remains silent. Maruno finally stops and turns to his friend.


    - A-Ah sorry, it''s just¡ª


    - Nah, don''t worry.


    Tessa shrugs and at the same time, Deshya comes towards them both.


    After their discussion, the class bell rang and they all headed for their classrooms, Deshya and Tessa together, Maruno going the other way.


    - Hey, Deshya.


    Without turning her head, still looking ahead, Tessa addresses her friend. Deshya nods, watching her.


    - After class, we need to have a quick talk, just the two of us. The abandoned bus stop near the school. Without anyone knowing. No one at all.


    Deshya''s face shows confusion and Deshya has no idea how to interpret this request, but she doesn''t reply. She doesn''t ask for more information and simply gives an acquiescence, which pleases Tessa, who shows it with a smile.


    And, as expected, Deshya joins Tessa discreetly, not having confessed to anyone about the meeting between them. Tessa sits on the rusty metal seat, which won''t support more than one person on it. She turns her gaze to her fox friend, who must have reluctantly refused to accompany Amora.


    - What do you want to talk about?" asks Deshya.


    The place where they meet is dilapidated. The glass where advertisements normally show is shattered, slashes of graffiti still visible on the pieces that survived. The roof has been painted over so much that it looks like a sick rainbow has thrown up on it, while the two seats are in such bad shape that they''re not even visible. Deshya wouldn''t dare sit on it, unlike her friend who isn''t afraid of it collapsing under her weight. Admittedly, it''s far from heavy, but the rest of the seat looks neither comfortable nor capable of holding even a simple baseball bag.


    - It''s about Maruno," says Tessa.


    - Oh? What, about his illness? Tessa squints.


    - Do you really think he''s sick, our little genius?


    Tessa''s words pierce Deshya''s body at once. She squints in turn and Tessa rises from the metal seat, which has lost its yellow color.


    - At first, I thought maybe his date with Aya didn''t go so well. Maybe he''d had a fight with her, or a serious conversation had taken place between the two of them, so I didn''t want to be a bitch and insist. On the other hand, I''m convinced it''s something else now," she explains.


    - I saw Aya yesterday and she told me things had gone really well, but he''s shut himself up in his house really quickly and doesn''t seem to respond to calls or most of the messages we send him," admits Deshya. I don''t think he''s just sick, but that''s none of my business.


    - I think we''ll soon be in business.


    - What do you mean?


    Deshya is increasingly intrigued by Tessa''s words. She wonders whether she''s saying all this for a good reason or simply because she''s worried about her friend... However, she''ll soon understand why Tessa is acting this way and has called her here.


    - We were having a quiet chat when he started humming a tune.


    - Ah? That''s normal, isn''t it?


    Tessa hums along to the music before opening one eye, repeating part of the chorus. Deshya opens her eyes wide.


    - T-That''s...


    Tessa nods.


    - ABBA''s ''S.O.S''.


    One of Deshya''s father''s favorite tunes, one she can recite ? by heart. The girl in the fox sweater lowers her head, eyes squinting and a confused expression on her face.


    - When I recognized the music, I analyzed Maruno a little more and noticed a strange fold in his collar, like a little bump. It''s highly likely that he has a microphone attached to him," admits Tessa.


    - Speaking of which, on the way to school, I noticed something shiny on the roof across the street... Is it possible we''re watching it? Wait, but why?


    Deshya rubs her chin, remembering the glitter on the roof opposite the school. Is someone watching him?


    - Should we go and talk to him about it?" asks Deshya, unsure of what to do.


    However, Tessa refuses directly, shaking her head.


    - If Maruno had to hum a tune hoping I''d understand what was going on, I think going to see him would be the worst idea. If he''s not responding much by way of messages or even calls, he needs to be watched very closely. If what you saw on the roof is the reflection of light against glass, it might even look like binoculars or something," she explains.


    - If he has a microphone on him, then someone listens to him constantly. Why do that?


    It''s a question that even Tessa doesn''t know the answer to, one that only Maruno should.


    - He could even have slipped me a piece of paper to try and make a Morse code, but he must assume that the slightest risky move puts him in danger," Tessa thinks.


    - In short, it''s impossible to communicate with him without the one that watches him understanding what we do¡­


    Desha scratches her hair through her hood, not feeling very well. This would explain Maruno''s reaction when Aya arrived and¡ª


    - Wait¡­


    Tessa turns to Deshya as she speaks.


    - Maruno told Aya that her parents wouldn''t be able to make it this Saturday... Could¡ª


    - Are his parents in danger?


    Deshya nods and Tessa grits her teeth.


    - Both her moms are nice, too... Shit.


    Tessa lowers her head in thought. They both understand that asking Maruno directly what''s wrong with him isn''t possible. Trying to speak in code would be too dangerous if even the boy didn''t dare. Trying to slip him a piece of paper in his clothes could be very complex, although Deshya figures he mustn''t be watched in the bathroom, so it''s not impossible. However, even if she did this and it worked, how would she get a response from him? She could talk to Raiji, who would join him in the bathroom at some point and give them the paper afterwards, which wouldn''t be a stupid plan, but what if we keep a close eye on him? What if they notice Deshya giving him a piece of paper? She might even think further and wonder what would happen if Maruno was even being watched in the bathroom, or even forbidden to go there except at home? Deshya doesn''t want to act paranoid, but if even Maruno doesn''t dare do anything other than hum a tune that might not be understood, then she''d rather imagine the worst. As she ponders, Tessa chuckles. Deshya blinks and asks her what''s so funny.


    - I have an idea, but it''s a little... crazy. I don''t know if it''ll be accepted.


    - Which one?


    Tessa explains quickly and Deshya listens attentively before bowing her head in reflection, smiling in turn.


    - It''s not stupid... We''ll have to see with her if we can do it¡­


    - Maybe we should talk to your father about it," suggests Tessa. If he does, then¡ª


    - No, I''d rather not.


    Tessa is surprised by the girl''s refusal, but accepts it with a shrug.


    - Even though my father must have nothing to do with it, if I explain to him what''s going on before we even understand the truth, I''m afraid he''ll act a little hastily or even tell the police. However, if Maruno is really being watched so effectively, it''s not strange to think that someone from the police might be involved in the case, don''t you think?" asks Deshya.


    - Impossible to say. Shall we do what I said, then?


    Deshya thinks about it a little longer, but finally agrees. Tessa suggests that the two of them meet tomorrow around 7 a.m., when school opens, so that they have time to talk it over and not be spotted by anyone. Deshya agrees and tells her that they should pretend they want to give Maruno a present to make him feel better.


    - If someone is watching him so closely, it''s highly likely that he''ll rummage through the doughnuts thinking there''s something hidden inside or written on them. When he notices that this isn''t the case, he''ll be reassured to see that we haven''t actually understood anything, which may lower his guard," explains Deshya.


    Tessa listens with ears wide open and ends up smiling.


    - Hey, ya''re not changing, are ya?


    - What do you mean?


    The confused fox-girl tilts her head, looking so cute that even Tessa can''t help wanting to stroke her head. However, she restrains herself and exits the bus stop.


    - Making a plan that plays on other people''s psychology. Thinking outside the box... and that''s why you''re better than me.


    Tessa keeps her smile and moves away from Deshya, waving her hand above her.


    - Let''s do it this way then, Deshya!


    The girl in the fox sweater isn''t sure she understands, but she eventually smiles back and nods.


    - See you tomorrow!


    And with that, Deshya took her turn, running for home.


    Moments after Maruno returns home, accompanied by the person who is holding him in his bonds¡ª


    - Am I allowed to see my parents for a few moments?


    - Only if you apologize for your behavior.


    - ¡­ forgive me.


    - There we are. That''s more like it.


    The person turned on his laptop and a few moments later, he turned it towards Maruno, allowing him to see the image of his two mothers who were on their side, but in the same room. Although he really wanted to see them and check on their condition, he was more interested in quickly analyzing the room they were in. Unfortunately, there are almost no clues as to where they''re locked. There are no windows and the room is almost completely empty, so it could be anywhere. If there were boxes coming from one company or another, then perhaps he could have had a more precise search area, but here... They could be held in Tetazo or in the next town, or even in Bexel if need be: it''s impossible to know. If he learns the person''s identity, it''s possible to search all the places that concern him and find this piece, but if not¡­


    - I didn''t dare do more than hum ''S.O.S'' to Tessa, but I hope she''ll understand. If she brings it up with Deshya, then it would be perfect, but since I was hesitating to hum the music, I don''t know if it was quite clear..." thinks Maruno, losing more and more hope about this little plan he thought up on the spot.


    What''s more, now that he thinks about it, it''s possible that Tessa will come and send him a message to see what''s going on. However, if she did such a thing, the person would understand that Maruno was trying to warn her that he was in danger or in a complex situation, which would spoil everything. He has no idea if he''d get a second chance, especially if Tessa receives no response, he''s sure she''ll understand straight away that something serious is going on and will speak to Deshya about it and both will seek to deal with the matter. This would be horrific at the moment and would put his parents in danger, as the person will no longer agree to use Maruno for the plan. However, he wants to be the one in charge of shooting Aya, because if it''s someone else, there''s a good chance they won''t be able to find a solution and so really come to kill the girl. If it''s Maruno, he can hope to come up with a plan to save everyone... that too with the help of the other two members of the ''Incorporated Foxes''.


    - It looks like it''s in a cellar, but that''s all I know from looking at the camera," says Maruno.


    Noticing that no matter what, he won''t be able to get the slightest clue as to where his two mothers are retained, he decides there''s no point in staring at the screen and just resting his palm on it.


    - Forgive me for being so weak, mothers¡­


    The fact that he can''t find a solution on his own while his girlfriend, his family and his own parents are in danger makes him sad, so he apologizes. He blames himself for his lack of intelligence, unlike his two friends. He wishes he were better, but that''s easier said than done. Maybe he''s too hard on himself, but he really means it: he''s really sad about his own abilities. However, even as he tells himself this, even if he''s not happy with himself, he has to give everything to keep fighting to save everyone. He has to believe in Tessa. He has to believe in himself. If he lets himself be affected too much by the situation and crumbles under the pressure, then that will be the end. He doesn''t think he''ll be able to find a way to save Aya or his parents, or his two mothers who are being held who knows where.


    So he has to hold his head high and do his best to show that the title he''s given at school isn''t one without a reason.


    After the snack, Deshya goes up to her room with Korone. The white-haired girl climbs onto the room''s comfortable bed, but the fox-eared teenager sits down on her desk chair in front of her computer. She turns it on, enters her password and checks the messages that may have been sent to her.


    - Wuuh¡­


    She lets out a sound almost of disgust and Korone asks her what''s going on. Deshya sighs, lowering her head.


    - Since the Minos affair, lots of people have been following me or mentioning me... Well, nothing spectacular, but yesterday I had already replied to some and now I''m back to ''99+'' notifications on Twatter¡­


    - My big sister is famous!


    - I don''t even have 2,000 subscribers, though..." admits Deshya.


    - It¡¯s already good! You''re only going to get bigger!


    Deshya doesn''t doubt that Korone is right, but she''s amazed all the same. It''s obviously mostly Minos that people are talking about, but it''s already Monday, so talk of Sleeping Little Beauty has started to dwindle. A YaTubeur who Deshya likes very much said he was planning to make a video about it and even contacted him yesterday to get some details, but Deshya will talk to him more about it this Wednesday evening, from what has been said. Even Minos agreed to talk it over with him and explain the process of arriving at the answers. Deshya answers some of the messages while her little sister plays with the big fox toy on her bed.


    - Big sister, can I ask you something?


    In her usual cute, childlike voice, she asks him this question. Without turning around, tapping the noisy keys on her keyboard, Deshya tells her that she can, of course.


    - What''s going on with Maruno?


    This time, a less childish, almost mature voice is heard. Deshya sends her message before freezing in front of her computer. Two seconds pass before the girl does a half-turn in her chair, looking at the granddaughter who no longer has a smile on her face, sitting between the two hind legs of the fox sitting on the bed.


    - What do you mean?" asks Deshya, squinting.


    - I don''t think Mr. Handsome is just sick or out of shape. Besides, Tessa doesn''t seem the type to give gifts to anyone, especially for a reason like this," Korone admits.


    Deshya blinks before laughing.


    - Ahahah, do you really see Tessa like that?!" bantered Deshya.


    - I''ve never met the lady that big-sister is in love with, but from what you''ve said about her and what I saw during the poker game, I''d say she''s far from mean, but she''s not so thoughtful or worried that she''d want to give a friend a present just because he''s a bit ill. He''s still going to school, after all. Besides, going to school around 7 a.m. just for that seems a bit much, especially since I know you don''t like getting up too early.


    Deshya listens silently before shaking her head.


    - Not only is she smart, she''s quick to understand people... Are you sure you''re 8, Korone?


    The granddaughter releases an amused, but also... teasing look, one that a granddaughter her age would probably never do.


    - I don''t know much about myself, but I do know that I''m about 8 years old, yes," Korone assures us.


    - For all we know, you''ve got amnesia like me and you''ve actually taken a drug like Conan.


    - Conan?


    Deshya quickly explains what she''s talking about before Korone laughs, promising it''s not that ¡ª although in reality, she can''t be so sure. However, Deshya knows that this discussion will lead nowhere and so gets up from her chair before sitting down next to her little sister.


    - Put simply, Maruno is probably in danger and being watched by someone or several people, but Tessa figured out what''s going on when he hummed a tune called ''S.O.S''. It''s unlikely that this is just a coincidence on Maruno''s part, especially as he looks really out of sorts. Tessa has a plan to try to ask him what''s wrong, which is why I''m going to see her tomorrow," she finally confessed.


    - Can I help?" asks Korone.


    Deshya didn''t think long before offering her answer:


    - No, I''m sorry. I don''t see how you could help and on top of all that, contacting him is impossible without putting him in even more danger. I still haven''t discussed it with my father for a good reason¡­


    - Then maybe I can find some information for you.


    Deshya squints at her little sister, asking her to elaborate. She quickly explains what she can do and Deshya thinks about it, staring at the wall in front of her, wondering if it''s a good idea. If Korone does it, nothing will seem strange... Deshya nods and accepts, which pleases Korone greatly.


    - Then I''ll have to buy a little present for Mr. Handsome," Korone admits. Besides, I''ve always wanted to make him one, because I like him.


    - But you''ve only met him once..." smiled Deshya.


    - Which just goes to show how cool he really is!


    And Deshya can''t argue with that. She laughs and tells her that there''s a small jewelry store nearby, so maybe a bracelet or necklace might be nice. Korone tells her big sister that she''ll ask Pera tomorrow to buy something not too expensive and give it to Maruno, which Deshya accepts.


    A little later, they talk about it again, both in their pajamas, and before going to sleep, Deshya replies to one or other of the messages. Hoping for the best, they fall asleep together. And the next morning, Tuesday September 20, as planned, Deshya and Tessa meet in front of the school, which has just been opened. They talk together for a few moments and¡ª


    - Let''s get Maruno''s present ready, shall we?


    Deshya nods with a smile.


    - A gift he won''t see coming, will he?" drops Deshya.


    Tessa nods in agreement. Before they head inside the school, Tessa pats the bag on her back.


    - I''ve bought doughnuts to pretend we really bought her a present," she confesses.


    - He likes doughnuts, so this will please him," smiles Deshya.


    So they step inside the school, both ready to meet a certain person who is necessary for Tessa''s plan. Without her agreement, this simply isn''t possible, and they''ll have to find something else. Walking inside the buildings, past very few students and teachers, Deshya remembers what her father and her sister told her last night about Tessa and laughs softly as she thinks about it. Her crush turns her gaze to her and asks what''s going on.


    - Ah, sorry, it''s just that I remembered what Korone told me yesterday," Deshya admits.


    - What did she tell you?


    - I told her about the plan since she really wanted to know and understood that we weren''t seeing this morning just for a present, and she told me that you weren''t the type to give presents to others for so little, ahah!


    Tessa blinks and looks as best she can at the bag on her back, surprised. However, she smiles back.


    - Eeeh, she''s only seen me once and she can deduce something like that? Or did you tell her I was like that?" teases Tessa.


    - Aaah? No, although I don''t think she''s wrong, I didn''t tell her that!" admits Deshya.


    - Well, she''s not entirely wrong, but if you were to get sick again, I''m sure I could make you a present.


    Tessa drops this without embarrassment, now inside the school buildings. Deshya, for her part, blushes softly, but maybe that''s why she''s really started to like Tessa: her almost ''different'' behavior unlike the others. In fact, Deshya has always found Tessa very cool, beautiful and gives off a ''masculine'' air when she wants to. She''s no pushover and knows how to fight, but also how to defend her friends when necessary. Very teasing and fun, she can sometimes have a slightly violent side, often vulgar, but that doesn''t make her mean or aggressive. Tessa isn''t really affectionate or even ''clingy'' with others... but Deshya has always received ''another favor'' from her. Tessa is more protective, friendly and almost ''affective'' with her. Last school year, Deshya asked her why Tessa acted this way with her unlike the others, to which the girl replied:


    - Why not? You''re my cute little fox.


    Although Deshya can''t pinpoint a specific moment when she fell in love with her, she knows that the way Tessa spoke to her currently touched her. Deshya has long known she''s bisexual, but she''s always preferred girls who have a more ''masculine'' side to them, so Tessa is perfect. Plus, since Tessa always comes across as kind and friendly, it''s helped sway her heart even more towards her side. It''s been a while since she''s understood his feelings for her, but she still hasn''t been able to muster up the courage for him. Nevertheless, Deshya feels more and more capable of doing so, given that she managed to kiss him on the mouth after the poker game, even though she put it down to a ''bet''. Deshya suspects that Tessa already has her doubts on the subject. Deshya would have less trouble confessing to her if there wasn''t a certain point to consider:


    Herself.


    Her fox-like attributes, to be clearer. If she goes out with Tessa, keeping the truth from her won''t be possible. In fact, if they''re dating, Deshya won''t agree to keep the truth from her. If they sleep together, she doesn''t want to have to keep her sweater on, and even if Deshya dares to lie during her relationship, then that would be rather toxic. Nevertheless, she''s still afraid of what might happen then. Will she get killed to find out the truth? She''s not a member of her family, unlike Korone who''s their adopted little sister, so¡­


    - After all, Korone hasn''t been killed before, even though she''s known the truth about my attributes since we met..." thinks Deshya.


    Unfortunately, that''s not enough for her, so she continues to play it safe. However, whatever happens, Deshya knows she''ll have to admit her feelings to her at some point. If they manage to go out together ¡ª which Deshya doesn''t really believe in, since she must not be Tessa''s type ¡ª so Deshya will tell her the whole truth. For her fox attributes, what really happened during her 5-month disappearance and why she''s lying to everyone except her family about her attributes. She doesn''t know how Tessa will react, but if she takes it badly or is disappointed, then Deshya can only accept that it''s her fault.


    - Hey, Deshya.


    The girl with the fox-like attributes blinks and turns to Tessa, who touches her shoulder.


    - We''re in front of her office. Daydreaming?


    - A-Ah, sorry, I was just thinking about stuff.


    - Hm.


    Tessa shrugs before knocking on the office door. A female voice tells them to enter, which Tessa does directly. Deshya follows and closes the door behind her.


    - Oh, Tessa and Deshya!" blurts out the blue-eyed woman, ''Kana Koweni''.


    - Good morning, Director," greeted Deshya.


    - I swear not to be too long, but we need your help.


    Tessa doesn''t beat about the bush, avoiding even asking her how she''s doing, standing in front of the desk. The director questions her with her eyes, waiting to hear more.


    - It''s something really important," admits Tessa.


    - Very important, in fact," corrects Deshya.


    Tessa nods and Kana sinks into her seat, legs crossed.


    - Am I listening?" she blurts out.


    Tessa quickly explains what she''d like Kana to do, but at first the headmistress is far from convinced. Deshya admits that they can''t really explain what''s going on, but that it''s really important; moreover, Deshya promises to confess the truth to the headmistress if something really goes wrong with Maruno. Kana watches them carefully, listening to their attempts to convince her, and finally decides¡­


    - I don''t mind, but if this is a joke, I promise you it won''t be a little punishment for either of you.


    Deshya and Tessa look at each other with a smile before thanking the manager several times. So they talk together and lean over the computer, explaining what to do, and a little later Deshya and Tessa exit the headmistress''s office, thanking her one last time. Kana picks up her phone and dials the number of the teacher she needs to call, having to explain the situation to him quickly, and smiles as she sees the door close.


    - These young people¡­


    She would never have accepted if it had been anyone else. However, Deshya is a very serious student, and if Tessa shows such concern for someone, then Kana can only believe her. She''s certainly a headmistress who knows that her students can make jokes that are far from funny, but she''s willing to believe them, a big confidence for the three members of the Incorporated Foxes.


    When Maruno is in class, he notices the hidden camera on the shelf behind him. He thinks to himself how careful the people holding him back, including the two others watching him, have been, and they don''t want to give Maruno any chance of getting away with it. If they go so far as to place cameras in the school, he doesn''t even want to hope that the toilets are out of their reach... If they can watch him from everywhere, then he can give up finding a way to warn Tessa and Deshya: he just has to hope that Tessa has understood his¡­ humming. He could try it with Deshya, especially since they gave him donuts, that probably means they haven''t figured out his situation yet. If Tessa hasn''t understood the humming, he has to hope Deshya can... He could try humming ''Help!'' by the Beatles, but he doesn''t know her as well on ''S.O.S''.... His thoughts are interrupted when the teacher places a test sheet in front of him. He looks at the contents and finally smiles, confident.


    - I know the answers to all the questions... A 10/10.


    Because this is not a test sheet.


    He assumes that all the other students have a real surprise test, but reading what''s written on the sheet, Maruno understands that he''s actually underestimated Tessa. Not only has she understood his ''S.O.S'' message, she''s also realized that he can''t say anything and is being watched by someone.


    Because on this sheet, which is constructed as a test sheet, there are no normal questions.


    What it says on it, in place of questions, is this:


    "I understood about your ''S.O.S'' message and even though I don''t know what''s going on, Deshya noticed someone with binoculars on the roof opposite and I saw about the microphone in the top of your clothes.We don''t know what''s going on, but we''re already assuming that your parents are in danger, and you are too. We''ve spoken to the headmistress, who''s agreed to make a form like this just for you.As if it were a real test, write down everything you know and everything that''s going on, and we''ll try to help you as much as we can from our side. Also, three questions:Should we notify Deshya''s father? In short, the police?Do you know who''s holding you back? Or people? A group? Everything you know about it.And finally, why? As well as your parents'' situation. Good luck."


    If he could, he''d take the sheet and get up from the table, shouting "THANK YOU, HOLY SHIT!!!", but doing that would be the worst possible idea ¡ª not only because they''d realize something was strange, but his teacher would yell at him. So he writes down everything he can on the sheet, feeling extremely reassured, just hoping that the camera won''t be able to see through his answers, which would mean the end of this operation, but also the death of his parents.


    However, with his back bent over the paper as he writes, it''s impossible for the camera behind him to see what he''s written. He sometimes thinks out loud to make it look like he''s taking a real pop quiz, stopping to pretend he''s reading the questions, but he wonders if the people behind his ''capture'' might suspect that he''s writing on an index card that isn''t actually a test. All the other students are taking a real one, and it''s hard to believe that they''d suspect that this teacher would do such a thing, probably under orders from the headmistress. If that''s the case, then Maruno will accept that he just can''t do anything about the person holding him back. However, he won''t let anyone kill his girlfriend, his family, let alone his own parents. They''ve been kind enough to accommodate a boy like him, so he''s going to make sure they stay alive.


    Maruno will do whatever it takes to protect them.


    Admittedly, in his position, he has to rely on others, but is that a real problem? In fact, he sees this as a strength. Nothing forces him to act alone. He has nothing to prove to anyone, especially in a situation like this: it''s not a game. On the card, he quickly explains his situation, and that he''s convinced he''s a man who works for the police, probably from Tetazo, who was put on the case for this Sunday''s drug merchandise. He also explains that all his movements are being monitored and that their aim is to force him to murder his girlfriend, Aya Deroom, and that both his parents will also die this Saturday, September 24, the opening day of the "FEDER" hotel. Finally, he explains that it''s far too risky to actively protect Aya or to hang around her, given that the person might figure out what''s going on. He suspects they weren''t planning to, but prefers to warn him. So he returns his form to the teacher, feeling much more reassured than he did yesterday or even this morning. Now he had to hope they''d find the culprit, and a way to stop him from killing his parents and Aya. In fact, he wrote a ''P.S.'' at the end of the form, asking them to do just one thing.


    Something he really wants to do with all his heart.


    As Maruno drives home, two people watch him discreetly, both in a rather handsome and spacious car. They are silent, watching Maruno drive home using his keys. The little girl sits back down on the seat and turns on her phone, opening her message app, where she currently has only three people: ¡®Big Sister'', ''Gatito Bear'' and ''Pera Beauty''. She opens the last message she received, from Deshya.


    - From what big sister sent me, Maruno said that the culprit holding him is a policeman who was on the drug merchandise case," explains Korone.


    - And why is that?


    - It seems that he was called at the same time as the police started to deal with the merchandise. He has an ''FNP-9'' pistol which he must use to kill his girlfriend, and given that the man hides another pistol in his trouser pocket or belt, he suspects he''s a policeman.


    Gatito remains silent, his eyes squinting. He doesn''t want to take Maruno''s words lightly, since he''s well aware that he''s far from stupid, but he doubts that a policeman could really act like this. They''re busy most of the time, and what''s more, they''ve all promised to serve justice ¡ª so holding a poor boy to force him to murder his girlfriend? Gatito prefers to believe that he''s just mistaken and that it''s all just a bad coincidence. However, he doesn''t want to rule out this possibility and so keeps quiet, waiting to find out who the man really is ¡ª if that really is his gender ¡ª who must be at Maruno''s house right now. Korone leaves her phone on the car seat before opening the door, telling Gatito that she''s going to give the necklace to Maruno. The man nods, making sure that it''s well hidden and can''t be seen by anyone else ¡ª or at any rate, that his identity could not be discovered. So Korone gets out of the car and runs happily towards Maruno''s house, scanning the surroundings with nothing but her eyes. As expected, she rings the doorbell, chats quickly with Maruno while offering her the necklace, and checks that her parents aren''t home. When she''s convinced, she greets Maruno and says she''s going back to the car after lying that it was Pera who brought her here: if it really is a policeman holding Maruno and he''s listening in on their conversation, he''d better not think it was Gatito, the police inspector, who drove her here. She gets into the car and fastens her seatbelt straight away. Gatito turns on the ignition and they drive off, not wanting to take too long. Before the inspector can ask any questions, Korone speaks.


    - I noticed one person watching me from a car and another on the street, sitting on a bench," Korone says.


    - Are you sure they''re watching the house?" asks Gatito.


    - The woman in the car spoke quickly into the folds of her clothes, so she was probably chatting with the person who must be at Maruno''s house. I didn''t get a good look at her because of the tinted windows. As for the man, he looked several times in Maruno''s direction when I spoke to him. I quickly checked when I gave him the necklace, so if Maruno''s telling the truth, then he''s definitely being watched by two people who stay by his side.


    They already knew there was someone in the house, but at least Korone was more or less certain that there were indeed only two other people watching him. It was possible that a third was lurking, but Korone didn''t notice anyone strange, or any other eyes on her. Nevertheless, there''s nothing to say that this isn''t the case, so she prefers to remain on her guard. On the way, Gatito thinks out loud:


    - Should we contact members of the station?


    Korone answers directly, arms folded:


    - Maruno wrote that it looks like the person can kill their parents in one shot, so it''s possible that someone is where their parents are being held, maybe even that the room is domed.


    Gatito admits that it makes sense.


    - Besides, without knowing who it is, would it be wise to talk about it with members of the police?" she asks.


    - Although I still find it hard to believe it''s a member of the police, you''re not wrong. There''s no need to rush¡­ Hey, wait!


    Gatito frowns and glances sharply at his adopted daughter.


    - Am I being corrected by my own adopted daughter, who is also still a child?!" he shouts.


    Korone smiles.


    - Children are there to correct adult mistakes, aren''t they?


    Gatito sighs and looks at the road ahead with tired eyes.


    - I understand how Sammy felt when my daughter was kidnapped..." he says.


    Korone chuckles, placing both hands in front of her mouth.


    When they return home, the family sits around the dining room table.


    - So it looks like our suspicions were well-founded," admits Deshya.


    - So Maruno is being held by someone and watched over by people..." says Pera, saddened by this knowledge.


    Deshya decided to explain the situation to his parents so that Korone could drive over to Maruno''s house and check if there really were people watching him there, just in case Tessa''s plan didn''t work out. Fortunately, Kana Koweni, their school principal, was sympathetic enough to agree. Then she and Gatito talked it over on the phone, but Deshya confessed that she was going to send them the picture of the card by message. She decided to send it to Korone, since she was going to Maruno''s with her father, but she would have no problem sending it to Gatito. Pera had also learned the truth from her daughter, by message, so they sat around the table to discuss it quickly.


    - It seems to be so that he can murder Aya. The man seems intent on killing Aya''s parents himself, but Maruno doesn''t know how, even if it will be during the hotel''s inauguration day " FEDER ", admits Deshya.


    - It wouldn''t be impossible to warn the Deroom family, but since Maruno''s parents are being held somewhere still unknown, it''s best to act as if we don''t know anything yet," explains Gatito. It''s possible that the man is from the police, and until we know his identity, I''m not going to talk about it with anyone to avoid problems. Well, we can take Sammy and Dash off the suspect list, since Sammy was with his wife on vacation and Dash hasn''t left her post for the last three days, apart from late at night, and neither have most of the women.


    - Not all of them?" asks Pera.


    - Although Maruno seems to be convinced that he''s a policeman, there''s nothing to say it''s not a disguise. The gun in the pocket of the person holding him could still be a weapon to defend himself or threaten Maruno in case he decides to rebel. Well, if the person has an FNP-9, I think I have to accept that he''s a policeman, but for now, I''d rather take all possibilities into account.


    Pera nods, understanding the situation, and Deshya speaks in turn.


    - I''ve got my own ideas for saving Aya, but without knowing how he''s going to get rid of his parents, I can''t do anything about it. We''ve got until Friday to find out who''s responsible and get on with it, since Saturday is D-Day for the culprit. I''ll send an answer back to Maruno the day the tests are returned, even if Tessa has the sheet at home for the time being.


    - Do you really have no idea how the culprit intends to take the lives of Aya''s parents?" asks Pera.


    - Probably with poison," admits Korone. That''s what I wanted to ask.


    The little girl turns to Gatito.


    - Aren''t Tetazo''s police officers going to be in charge of hotel security this Saturday?


    The red-haired man nods and Korone touches her chin.


    - It''s possible that the culprit is taking advantage of his own position to approach the Deroom family, or even the food or drink, to add poison. Killing them with a pistol in the room would be very foolish, given that he could be quickly arrested and given his actions so far, it doesn''t look like he wants to be caught¡­


    - Nothing says so," admits Deshya.


    Korone looks at her older sister, who has just crossed her legs.


    - Maybe after this operation, he won''t care about being arrested. Maybe he''s already thinking about suicide..." says Deshya. On the other hand, I agree with Korone that he''s probably not going to use his pistol to shoot Aya''s parents, but something quieter. No, rather, discreet, I should say.


    Gatito nods and admits that it''s highly likely, but that they''ll have to be very careful about everything that goes on in the hotel. If they can discover the identity of the person holding Maruno, as well as the two others who have their eye on them, then keeping an eye on them won''t be too complex. The red-haired man gets up from the table and heads into the small office between the kitchen and the lobby without explaining what he''s going to do, but no one replies. He quickly returns with a pencil and a sheet of paper before writing on it on the counter. The next moment, he sits back in his chair and places the paper on the table, showing it to everyone. Deshya and Korone lean over and can read:


    - Hanoka Atege.


    - Karine Shineki.


    - Gatito Oveja.


    - Axel Lymenn.


    - Craig Steur.


    - Ash Gordie.


    - Nilal S¨¹hez.


    The three of them quickly understand what this little list means, but Gatito explains it anyway.


    - There were seven of us on the case ¡ª at that time, anyway. I think we can take Hanoka and Karine off the list, including myself, so it must be either Axel, Craig, Ash or Nilal.


    - And who are all four of them?" asks Deshya.


    - Axel and Craig are both police officers who deal mainly with drug cases or even protection. Craig is a bit newer than Axel, but they both do a good job," explains Gatito. Axel doesn''t talk much about his family, but I know he has a daughter. As for Craig, he keeps his cousin at home, but since he often works, it''s impossible to ask him about Craig, I think. Ash comes from the canine brigade and lives with his wife and two sons, and for Nilal, he''s a police officer who works mainly with drugs and illegal goods.


    - Asking for alibis would be pointless, given that the culprit can tell his family or friends that he has to work..." thinks Pera out loud.


    Gatito nods and scratches his hair.


    - On the other hand, if Maruno is convinced that he really is a policeman working in the area and has a muscular build, then all four of them are suspects. Nilal and Axel arrived a little earlier than Ash or Craig, but given that they both live in northern Tetazo, that''s not surprising. This way, I won''t be able to tell who the culprit might be.


    Deshya would have liked a direct answer, but she suspected it wasn''t going to be as simple as that. She went to talk, but Korone spoke first.


    - What if Gatito takes care of finding the culprit, while big sister and I take care of making sure Miss so pretty and her family doesn''t die?" suggests Korone.


    Gatito accepts rather quickly, but then frowns.


    - Who do you think you are, Korone?


    The little girl sticks her little tongue out of her mouth while staring at the muscular man.


    - For a little sweetie who comes from a family of geniuses. It''s your fault I''m smart now!


    - Even before we adopted you, you were too smart for your age..." smiled Deshya, a bead of sweat on her forehead.


    Korone''s words are understood by all, but even Korone tells herself that what she''s just said ¡ª which is a lie that almost anyone would understand ¡ª doesn''t mean much... but she just shrugs, not caring at all.


    The next day, after class¡ª


    A woman screams down the street from Maruno Uffite''s house.


    The boy and the person holding him back both don''t know what''s going on, especially since the scream wasn''t weak. The adult asks his colleagues what''s going on.


    - A woman seems to be chasing a thief... No, a thief? I couldn''t say.


    That''s the answer the person gets. Before they can answer anything... she gets a call. They excuse herself and goes into another room to avoid being overheard by Maruno, and answers the call.


    - What is it?" asks the man.


    - I''m chasing a guilty man!!!" blurts the woman through the walkie-talkie. Meet me on Boar Street in northern Tetazo!!!


    The man hesitates to accept, but since he''s quite close, and refusing when he shouldn''t be doing anything would perhaps be suspicious: his job requires him to accept. So he answers on the walkie-talkie that he''s on his way and heads into the living room, activating his voice changer once again.


    - I''ll be away for a while.


    - Hm, okay.


    Maruno nods again and continues to play, taking no further interest in the person''s movements. The latter then runs out of the house, but changes her clothes on the way out, also removing her balaclava.


    15 minutes later, a total of 8 people were standing next to each other. Hanoka, the woman who called for help over the walkie-talkie, has since caught her breath. They are located in the dead-end of a street, the ¡®Rue des Sangliers¡¯, which is its name. Hanoka sighs.


    - The culprit must be nearby!" she admits.


    - Do you know anything about her looks?" asks Craig.


    - It might help," admits Nilal.


    - Do you know anything about the thief?¡± Axel asks.


    - What''s actually happened?" questions Ash.


    Karine squints, hands on hips.


    - Oi, oi, don''t ask all your questions at once, you!" she shouts.


    - It doesn''t matter..." says Sammy with a smile.


    - I guess, but I want to find that thief!" enthused Hanoka.


    - Let''s look for two by two," suggests Gatito.


    Hanoka nods and the red-haired man steps out into the street.


    - I''m going with Nilal to the houses painted blue. Karine, you go with Axel to search the large garden of the house at the far end. Hanoka and Craig, the houses to the right. Finally, Sammy and Ash, you stick around to make sure no one escapes. It''s a dead end, so you should be able to find it! We''re off!


    - Yes, Inspector!


    The eight people run or stay at their posts, focused and confident of catching the thief Hanoka has chased¡­


    ... but no results.


    - Where the hell is she?" Karine asks aggressively.


    She taps the ground with her right foot, arms crossed and a look of rage in her eyes. Sammy tries to calm her down, but as he''d expected, it only annoys her more. Hanoka turns to the four stragglers, squinting.


    - What took you four so long, eh?!" says Hanoka, also annoyed.


    The 1.84m tall man, with black hair that hasn''t lost its color yet, answers first.


    - I''ve just come from far away," admits Axel. Well, I live in the north, but I had to get dressed and get here... It''s not next door either.


    Then the 1.81m tall, blond-haired, blue-eyed police officer explains himself.


    - I didn''t think anyone would call me now, so I was in my underwear," says Craig. I also had to get dressed, sorry.


    Then it''s the 1.82m man from the canine brigade with chestnut hair who speaks.


    - I had to take the car and it took me a while..." explains Ash.


    Finally, the man who deals mainly and solely in drugs or illegal goods, the one with black hair, 1m87 and darker skin¡­


    - I was with my family," admits Nilal. My son didn''t want me to leave, so I had to calm him down.


    Hanoka sighs and turns back towards the dead-end.


    - Well, I don''t know where she ran off to, but¡­


    - What happened exactly?" asks Karine.


    - I was a little further away when I saw that someone came running out of a house. The woman who lived there shouted after her, so I followed," explains Hanoka. She was carrying a backpack and her long black hair was swaying behind her back, especially as it was clear from her shape that she was a woman.


    - Maybe we could find out more by talking to the woman?" suggests Craig.


    - I''ll talk to him and Gatito, and get back to you if there''s any news.


    They all accept and ask what they have to do. Hanoka admits that she would like Karine and Sammy stick around to make sure the thief doesn''t come out of hiding, which they accept. Gatito tells the other four men that they can go home, and Hanoka apologizes for their displacement. However, they all say it''s no problem, so they all go their separate ways. Gatito and Hanoka leave together, while Sammy and Karine stay behind.


    All four of them... squinting.


    - That''s all it was... I was scared," thinks the person holding Maruno.


    He doesn''t like having to leave Maruno''s house, since at any moment he could find a way to do something behind her back, but he assumes he''s so well supervised that trying anything is far too risky. He really won''t hesitate to kill his parents if she has to, so Maruno had better take him seriously. He''s going back into the house when¡ª


    - Can you come to the next street? We might have found something!


    The voice of ''Gatito Oveja'' comes over the walkie talkie. The man about to enter Maruno''s house catches it and grits his teeth, but accepts and says he''s on his way. He had completely forgotten to deactivate it! If this had happened while he was in the same room as Maruno, he would have recognized Gatito''s voice and probably understood that he was a Tetazo policeman... Luckily, the inspector called him before he got in. So he runs in the opposite direction from where he''s just arrived, checking that nobody sees him. He even asks the two people watching Maruno if anyone is around, but they admit that apart from Gatito and the woman who was chasing the thief, no one is. This reassures the man who leaves.


    However, a smile appears on a certain girl''s face.


    - So it was you¡­


    A few minutes later, Gatito returns to the car and turns his face directly towards the granddaughter, who has not removed her smile. Korone, arms crossed, keeps her gaze fixed ahead.


    - So, do you know who it is?" asks Gatito.


    Korone nods.


    - Like the Spanish motorcycle racer¡­


    She turns her gaze to Gatito.


    - It''s ''Axel''.


    The black-haired police officer, the one who''s been on the force for some time now, is the identity of the man holding Maruno. Gatito sighs and looks down, saddened that the culprit is actually a member of the police force.


    - So it''s him, eh... Wait, what do you mean, ''Spanish motorcycle speed racer''?!" then shouts Gatito.


    - I''m the one who told him!


    Suddenly, a woman pokes her head out from the back of the car. Her smile is cute and her black hair with pink streaks sways in her excited movement.


    - Ah, Mariah.


    - Axel Pons, son of Alfonso Sito Pons, a rider who has been active since 2008. He doesn''t have as good a track record as his father, but¡ª


    - Nah, okay, but I don''t care. There are better-known Axels than that, aren''t there?


    - I like motorcycles," Mariah admits.


    She crosses her arms and pouts that what she''s saying is of little interest to Gatito, but the man just sighs and starts the engine. The reason Mariah is in the back seat is simple: she''s the one who played the part of the thief Hanoka was chasing, all to lure the four culprits into the corner.


    - Hanoka told Nilal that it''s possible I had something to do with the drug deal the other day, so he came," Mariah says, putting on her belt. Well, it wasn''t him anyway, and I''d have been surprised if it had been.


    - Why?" asks Korone.


    - Because if we''re to believe what Maruno said and where he lives, it would be complex for Nilal to move from one place to another. Axel is much closer to here, so he can get back home pretty quickly. Besides, Nilal may be muscular, but he''s not the type to talk much, and with all due respect to him, I don''t think he''d even think of putting cameras around. Plus, from what I know about him, he''s the type to adore the ''Lordly'' company because they''ve built a swimming pool in the north of the country where his nephews often go.


    - But that doesn''t excuse the fact that it could have been him," says Gatito as he starts the car.


    - Well, whatever. We know it''s Axel, but I knew it was him even before we confirmed it.


    The police inspector frowns.


    - How could you know?" he asks.


    - When I was listening to the conversations in the car with Korone, we heard him ask if Hanoka knew anything about the thief. However, Hanoka never said anything about a thief and didn''t even mention the gender in the first place.


    - So that proved he was around!" Korone continues to explain. He said he wasn''t near here, that''s why he took his time, but if that was really the case, he could never have known she was a thief. Even if we assume he suspected she was a thief or a burglar, he directly gendered her as a woman, so we understood it was him.


    Mariah nods before playing with the balaclava she has used.


    - Well, it was a good idea to call the suspects one by one while Korone checked the house. A minute between each call, with you calling Axel first, then Karine for Craig, Sammy for Ash and finally, Hanoka for Nilal. Your excuses were perfect, so we can be sure that Axel is the culprit," she says.


    Korone claps her hands.


    - It was a good plan from big sister!" she admits.


    - I feel like the police are being beaten by my daughter¡­ or even MY daughters," says Gatito.


    - Maaaw, don''t say that! Korone is just an 8-year-old girl, so she can be as smart as she wants, she can''t do the job of a policewoman. Deshya has more experience and all that, but I don''t think she''s ready for such a job. Well, give her time and maybe she''ll even make it into the Top 10 smartest detectives in the world~?


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    - Ah, I don''t believe that. She''s smart, yeah, but she''s not in the same league as Minos, Ayumi or even Kira, right? Yeah, no.


    Mariah isn''t necessarily surprised that Gatito knows so many detective names, but she giggles anyway. Gatito blushes and sighs.


    - What do we do now? Stopping it cold is risky, I suppose..." he said.


    Mariah nods.


    - As Maruno and Korone have said, there are two people watching him, and I was able to confirm this during my run and when I discreetly escaped without being noticed. Well, I didn''t think to check who was coming out of Maruno''s house and I could have directly confirmed the identity of the person inside, but I didn''t want to risk being seen. The thing is, there''s nothing to say that the other two people watching Maruno can''t get rid of his parents themselves or carry on with the plan as planned. As Maruno said, if they''re going to look for someone else to murder Aya and her family, it''s going to be more complex to know what they plan to do and when.


    - It''s true that now we know when they plan to do it and even how... A bullet in the heart, eh?


    Gatito frowns, annoyed: why would Axel want to do such a thing? What''s his goal? And above all, why use Maruno to carry out such a... horrible plan?


    - Unfortunately, there''s nothing to say that there aren''t other people involved in this murder, and I think there must be someone watching Maruno''s parents to give them something to eat and drink, so acting too quickly is dangerous. If we can rescue her parents, then we can act," Mariah admits.


    - So what do you suggest?


    - We catch them on Saturday, the same day they''re supposed to be killed. Besides, you did see what Maruno asked for in ''P.S.'' on his sheet, didn''t you?


    Gatito can''t forget this... However, he wonders if it''s too dangerous. Looking at the road ahead, he squints, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter in his hands. As he drives along, Korone pulls out her own phone and starts reading what Deshya has sent her: her ''plan''. Gatito listens attentively, and when Korone has finished reciting it, he sighs heavily. Mariah admits that she''s reassured that all will be well, then, but that''s not the case for Gatito.


    - ¡­


    He feels... a bad ¡®feeling¡¯. He doesn''t know exactly what it is, but he doesn''t like it.


    - Mariah!


    - Yes, Korone?


    - You''re pretty good at running away, aren''t you!


    - Hehe, that''s my specialty!


    Mariah strikes a proud pose, and the two girls start to laugh, but Gatito remains focused on the road, his eyes frowning... all the while thinking about this bad premonition. As if¡­


    As if Aya was in grave danger. That in the end... this story was going to end badly.


    Maruno is now in class, on the last day of school before a well-earned weekend, unable to concentrate on what the teacher is saying. He''s far too deep in thought, wondering how tomorrow evening will go: even with everything he said in the sheet he handed back to the teacher, which was inevitably sent to Deshya and Tessa right afterwards, he doesn''t know how to stop Aya from being killed. Even if they can find out where his parents are being held¡­


    - Here are the results of the tests you took on Tuesday.


    The teacher snapped Maruno out of his thoughts, then placed the ''test sheet'' in front of the boy. He looks at it without further ado, opening his eyes wide¡­


    Because he received a reply from Deshya and Tessa.


    They quickly explain to them what they have done, and that they have discovered the identity of the person holding him. In addition, they were able to confirm that there are two other people keeping a close eye on him and other things, and that they will respect what he wrote in the ''P.S.''. Maruno reads everything that''s been said and smiles, telling himself that he has nothing more to fear. That he can be completely reassured and smile.


    That he has incredible friends.


    The girl on the next bench asks him what point he got after giving hers. Maruno congratulates her on her result and taps his own sheet, telling her with a smile:


    - A 10/10 thanks to some great friends.


    Seeing the questioning and confusion on the girl''s face, he finds an excuse to explain what he meant, but the truth of his words must remain in his thoughts, since he''s being closely watched. Besides, she''ll never understand what he means.


    - This survey is a 10/10 thanks to you, Tessa, Deshya¡­


    Maruno can''t help but smile. He can breathe, but he still has to be on his guard. Sure, they found out who did it, and with everything they said right afterwards, he''s not afraid of what''s going to happen, but there''s no guarantee that it will go perfectly... nothing says that this person doesn''t have a backup plan. Besides¡­


    He''s still afraid for Aya.


    After refusing to sleep at Amora''s, Deshya continues on her way home... but in reality, she takes a turn that doesn''t lead to her house. Amora notices this, but just shrugs her shoulders. Deshya continues to walk quietly, the bag on her back, and eventually she comes upon¡ª


    - I''m here," smiles Deshya.


    The girl sits on a low wall, arms crossed, smiling as she turns her face to her friend.


    - Ready for a little detour?" asks Tessa.


    Deshya stops in front of her and nods. Tessa rises from her low wall and the two of them walk side by side, heading over there.


    For his part, Gatito talks to some trusted policemen, including Hanoka, Karine and even Mariah, about coming to the hotel tomorrow to look after and catch a dangerous man: ''Axel Lymenn''. He explains the situation and what has been said with Deshya and others, including that he has Farho¨¹ Deroom''s agreement to invite them.


    - Obviously, don''t tell anyone else," says Gatito. Absolutely no one, really.


    They all nod and Mariah smiles, arms folded. Hanoka drops a quick glance at Karine, but she says nothing. Then she looks at Gatito and frowns.


    - ¡­


    She notices his expression. While the plan offered seems to be effective and without too many flaws, Gatito doesn''t seem... at ease. It''s not that he''s not convinced, rather¡­


    - I still feel this stress..." he thinks, almost about to bite his thumb.


    The more he thinks about it, the more he wonders if he shouldn''t do something on his own... Even talk it over with Deshya if necessary. If he doesn''t listen to his own instincts and concerns, he''s afraid something terrible might happen tomorrow. He may not be very close to Aya, but they are good friends of his parents and whatever happens, she remains a friend of Deshya''s. The girlfriend of a close friend of his own daughter. A life no matter what.


    - No, calm down.


    Gatito takes a deep breath before rising from his chair. The policemen leave one by one, but Hanoka gives the inspector one last look before going off to Mariah''s side, who grabs him by the shoulder with a smile.


    - Let''s quickly review the plan.


    Maruno sits on his sofa, legs up on the small table in front, and turns his face towards the person who has just spoken, who is therefore ''Axel Lymenn'', a police officer from Tetazo station.


    - You take the gun with you, which has a very effective silencer on it, and hide it in your pants. I''ve already confirmed that they won''t search people except for certain bags, so they won''t catch you," explains the person.


    - He probably got this confirmation by talking to the staff, using his status as a policeman to his advantage," thinks Maruno.


    - It''s already loaded and you already know how to use a pistol, so I don''t think I need to go into that detail again. When I''m sure there''s nobody in the men''s room on the right-hand side of the top floor, you take your girlfriend there, just after Farho¨¹ Deroom''s speech, and shoot her a bullet in the heart. You have several bullets, so even if you miss once, you''ll succeed afterwards. Even if it''s because of stress, if you don''t manage to kill her or just wound her, I''ll consider it a failure on purpose and get rid of your parents. Well, since you''ve been so good and nobody seems to know about your situation, I think you''ll be fine, genius.


    In a few hours, Maruno will have to shoot his girlfriend in the heart. Even with the plans he received from Deshya¡­


    Shooting Aya is inevitable.


    - ...let''s get it over with.


    The person squints and Maruno stares at him with intense rage.


    - I know exactly what I have to do. You''ll free my parents and we''ll never cross paths again from now on. So let''s get this over with as quickly as possible.


    His expression and tone are aggressive and far from respectful, but the man nods with a smile.


    - Yeah, as you say, Maruno.


    A few hours later, Deshya arrives at the "FEDER" hotel with her family. She can''t help but marvel at the beauty and grandeur of the building: 55 floors, it''s immense! Despite what''s about to happen today, she can''t wait to see the top floor and be allowed to see a little more of the hotel. To be invited to such a place is a real honor: she''ll have to thank Aya and her family again for allowing them to be here. She quickly notices that there are several policemen already here... including ''Axel Lymenn'', the culprit they''re going to catch today. She''d like to go up to him and insult him, but doing such a thing would be a terrible mistake on her part, so she stays pretty calm and enjoys herself as if nothing had happened. She then meets Aya, who comes over to talk to her, offering to show her around the hotel with Korone. Naturally, both girls accept and follow Maruno''s girlfriend. At about the same time, Gatito receives a call and apologizes. He moves away from the guests and his wife before picking up the phone.


    - What is it, Mariah?" he asks, making sure no one can hear him.


    - It''s okay here, Gatito.


    Gatito smiles and turns back to the group still on the first floor, but stares mainly at Axel, the police officer.


    - Perfect. Thank you for your time.


    And he hangs up directly before putting his phone away.


    A little later, Maruno arrived in front of the hotel, all alone, his VIP ticket in his hand. He swallows loudly before entering the huge building. He looks back down at the pistol hidden under his clothes. He''s made sure it can''t be seen, but in any case, since the police already know what''s going to happen today, he won''t have a problem no matter what. Despite the preparations, despite everything that''s been said and done¡­


    Maruno is always afraid. Afraid for his girlfriend.


    However, he swallows this fear and enters the building, showing his ticket to the woman in the lobby. He takes the elevator, noticing that he''s sweating, so he wipes his forehead with his hand. He begins to regret his decision a little, but at the same time... He shakes his head and takes a long breath, trying to regain his composure, but it''s harder than he thought.


    And just a few minutes later, he shot her. A bullet to the heart.


    He fled the scene, crying, and put away the pistol in his pants, returning to the large room as requested. Axel has confirmation that Aya has indeed been shot ¡ª and thus perished ¡ª which makes him very happy... but now Aya''s parents must perish. They both see their drink... before Farho¨¹''s glass shatters against the floor. Deshya opens his eyes wide and the police begin to stir, Axel smiling impossibly.


    His plan had worked¡­


    And the director of "Lordly" falls to his knees on the ground, a look of pain on his face.


    - At last!


    Axel hadn''t been confident about his plan at first, but he''d managed to stay positive and brave. He''d spent weeks preparing cameras and screens so that Maruno could be monitored and prevented from doing anything stupid. He''d paid dearly for two people to follow his orders ¡ª quality spies. Axel had succeeded in his revenge... The guests all start to get agitated, unable to understand what''s going on, as well as hundreds ¡ª no, thousands ¡ª of people on the internet watching the streams broadcast on the internet who don''t understand what''s going on. The guests will start to flee


    - CAAAAALM!!!


    ¡ª but all of a sudden, the deep, almost aggressive voice of a man sounds in the place. The guests almost all freeze and Gatito climbs onto the stage with his daughter before she stops in front of the bodies of Farho¨¹ and Minerva. Axel takes a step back, but is still smiling ear to ear.


    - They''ll check out how he died, figure out that there''s poison in the drinks and look for the culprit, at which point¡ª


    - You''re going to look like everyone else, aren''t you?


    Axel blinks and turns his face towards a smiling little white-haired girl. The policeman asks her what she''s just said, and Korone points to the scene, from where¡ª


    - That''s what you''d like, isn''t it¡­


    And Farho¨¹ stands up, smiling.


    - ¡ª Axel Lymenn?


    The policeman freezes in place, his eyes wide, his smile just gone. Immediately afterwards, his wife stands up, sighing.


    - You could have been more careful with your glass, darling!" she said.


    Farho¨¹ scratches his hair.


    - A-Ahah, sorry... but I really wanted to play the game all the way. You know, that everyone believes in it!


    Not only on Axel''s face, but on that of all the guests, confusion is visible ¡ª palpable, even. The muscular man has no idea what''s going on, and Gatito rubs his eyes.


    - Go ahead.


    And Axel is surrounded by policemen, all aiming pistols at him.


    - DROP YOUR GUN!!!" they shout.


    Axel quickly complies, not understanding what''s going on, and Korone picks him up, thanking him as he runs off, offering him to Annie who strokes his hair. Axel looks around in confusion, bewildered by what''s happening. Minerva approaches her husband, tying her tie again. Axel scans the surroundings and stops, noticing that not only is the woman who works with him arrested, but so is the man.


    - W-What is¡ª


    - Ahahah!!


    Feminine laughter rings out in the large room and a woman jumps onto one of the tables before the lights hit her. She waves her black and pink hair and smiles, pointing at Gatito.


    - As I promised, as I told you, we''ve also arrested the two people who work for him, ahha!" drops Mariah, a teasing look on her face.


    - No need to make a scene, I thought you..." sighs Gatito.


    - Hm. There are still live streams, you know? I can''t miss this chance to shine~!


    She again waves her hair in a sexy way as she jumps off the table. Axel takes a step back, but the policemen hold their pistols even tighter, making it clear that another gesture could mean great danger for him.


    - W-What''s going on...?" asks Axel.


    Farho¨¹ passes the microphone to the girl next to him, who steps onto the stage.


    - What''s going on is that you''re an idiot.


    Axel opens his eyes wide again and turns to the stage where Farho¨¹ and Minerva should have died... but are all up and about. The red-haired girl in the fox dress jumps up on a table with her microphone and squints at Axel.


    - You thought everything was going well for you, but since Monday, we''ve known that Maruno was in danger. It wasn''t until Tuesday that we understood everything, and by Wednesday we already knew who was behind the hooded man. Well, Maruno already knew that it was a police officer who was involved in the drug trade as early as Sunday," explains Deshya.


    Axel can''t say anything, the shock too strong for him to dare speak. Maruno''s head is still down, tears in her eyes, but they''ve stopped flowing


    - You probably didn''t notice, but Maruno hummed ABBA''s ''S.O.S'' when we were on the bench on Monday, which made Tessa Merossa realize that he was in danger. Then, the next day, we asked our director to prepare a special sheet with questions to make Maruno understand that we knew he needed help, so she made up the story of a surprise test so it wouldn''t seem strange. Well, Maruno will have to take another surprise test to make up for the fact that he didn''t do it like everyone else, but given his situation, that makes sense," continues Deshya.


    Kana Koweni, the director she''s talking about, looks at one of the streams and smiles.


    - I guess I was right to believe them..." she thinks.


    Tessa also watches one of the live streams with her parents and lets out a smile.


    - Calling me by my last name so people know it''s me¡­ Thanks, eh," she thought.


    Deshya frowns.


    - We were able to retrieve his test sheet with everything he''d told us, so we could research all the potential suspects.


    - T-Then, the thief¡­


    - It was me~!


    Mariah takes to the stage with Hanoka, who is grabbed by the two hands of her detective friend.


    - We just lured out the four potential suspects and then called you back one by one while Gatito was staking out Maruno''s house~!" explains Mariah with a smile.


    - That was Deshya''s plan, though," admits Hanoka.


    - Give us some credit, roh!


    Hanoka starts laughing, while Mariah pouts, but Gatito sighs that this really isn''t a time for laughter. However, seeing that no one is listening to him ¡ª not even Farho¨¹ and Minerva ¡ª he prefers to give up.


    - Oh, also.


    He asks Deshya to take the microphone, which she happily accepts. She tosses it to him before he taps it and speaks.


    - We''ve already rescued Maruno''s parents, so there''s no point in trying to push the button for them ; no need to detonate the bombs, Axel," he said.


    - A-Ah?!!


    Axel screams, widening his eyes.


    - Karine''s team was on the case, and even though we didn''t have many clues, Sammy worked all Wednesday and Thursday to try and figure out where you might have kept them. Well, he worked so hard that he pulled an all-nighter on Wednesday, so we owe him a lot of credit.


    Hanoka had explained to Deshya that Sammy had gone to ask hundreds of people in Tetazo and the surrounding towns if they''d seen Axel, while asking them not to say anything. He deserves his rest, because thanks to him, there''s no longer any risk.


    - Well, Karine and the others have already picked up Maruno''s parents, who are currently in hospital to check they''re all right, and the bombs have been deactivated. If you don''t believe us, there''s still a team out there so we can get your fingerprints off the bombs, so we have evidence against you," finishes Gatito, tossing the microphone back to his daughter.


    Axel is so shocked that his body doesn''t even tremble. Silence returns to the great hall, hundreds and hundreds of messages are sent per second on the live streams as Korone rejoins her big sister.


    And then a laugh can be heard.


    All eyes turn to the boy who has just dried his eyes and approaches Axel, passing between two policemen who form a circle around the dark-haired officer.


    - I''d understood by Sunday that you were a policeman, a man, and that you were on the drug case... You''d lose from then on... Even before, really.


    Maruno looks up at him, her cheeks still wet, but an almost naughty smile on her face. Axel clenches his fists and grits his teeth.


    - How... How Farho¨¹ and Minerva are still alive ?!!!" yells Axel.


    He hesitates to take a step forward in his anger, but holds back.


    - I didn''t even say how I was going to kill them!!!" he rants.


    - No need.


    Deshya''s voice came over the loudspeakers again. Axel stares at her with wide eyes.


    - As soon as we knew who the person behind the attempted assassination of the Deroom family was, and that the two people with her, so you, were disguised as Teuhl policemen, all we had to do was check their movements. When my little sister noticed that one of them, the woman to be more exact, discreetly left the room, we followed her, pretending we were going to the toilet.


    Korone jumps on the table and grabs Deshya''s microphone.


    - When we saw that Miss had gone into the kitchen, we just made sure to talk to the cooks afterwards and threw away the poisoned drinks!" admits Korone.


    - Instead, we''ve put them aside and they''re being monitored for analysis, but we already know there''s poison in them," admits Deshya.


    Korone nods and Hanoka asks for the microphone. Deshya passes it to her and begins to speak in turn.


    - Well, I had my eye on all three of you, and since we already knew you were planning to kill them, we''d never have let Farho¨¹ or Minerva drink or eat anything that didn''t present a risk," she admits. Deshya and Korone were quicker, but I would have taken care of it myself, otherwise. Ah, also.


    She turns to the Deroom family, who greet Axel.


    - I''m the one who asked them to put on an act so you''d think you''d made it. I mean, I asked because¡ª


    - I DON''T¡­ I DON''T CARE!!!


    Axel screams, shaking his head, before flashing a monstrous, sharp-toothed grin.


    - You talk, you talk, but I STILL... I STILL SUCCEED A PART OF THE PLAN, AHAHAHAH!!!!


    The policemen frown, as do Farho¨¹ and Deroom. Axel continues to laugh, shaking his head, before pointing at Maruno with a mischievous grin.


    - HE KILLED HIS OWN GIRLFRIEND!!! YOUR DAUGHTER IS DEAD!!! SHOT THROUGH THE HEART!!! IT''S CERTAIN, AHAHAH, IT''S CERTAIN!!! HE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHANGE THE BULLETS IN TIME AND WE WERE LOOKING THROUGH THE CAMERA!!! THE CAMERA HAS NEVER BEEN CHANGED AND AHAHAHAH, AHAHAHAH I''M SURE SHE''S DEAD!!!! AYA IS STILL DEAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!


    Axel laughs so hard that tears well up in his eyes. The whole crowd of guests looks at him, and the silence is broken only by his horrible laughter. Maruno stares at him with sad eyes, while Korone frowns at him. Finally, Maruno gently opens his mouth¡ª


    - Are you stupid or what?


    ¡ª and drops these words, tilting his head.


    Axel blinks and lets a ''Huh...?'' come out of his mouth before someone sighs.


    - I thought it would stain the teddy bear¡­


    Aya arrives at Maruno''s side, observing the cuddly toy in her hands.


    Axel''s eyes are wide open and his expression is one of shock and incomprehension. Amazement, even terror in his gaze, he stares at Aya Deroom without being able to move a muscle. Her clothes are indeed bloody where Maruno fired, after all.


    - Y¡­


    Axel finally shakes his head.


    - BUT WE SEE YOU DIE... THROUGH THE CAMERA?!" screams Axel. IT WASN''T TAMPERED WITH, I''M SURE!


    - No need to go that far.


    Axel turns his face sharply towards the stage, but it''s the girl still on the table who''s speaking. She steps down from the table to join her father and the two police detectives, Korone following right behind.


    - Yesterday after school, this Friday, I joined Tessa to go to Aya''s house and have a quick word with her," Deshya confesses. If the police came to protect her, or even people like me, it would have been suspicious, so we did something much simpler.


    Deshya comes to the front of the stage and smiles.


    - With my father''s approval, we just made her wear a bullet-proof vest!


    Axel is motionless, frozen by his own emotions. Maruno asks Aya if she''s feeling better and confesses that the bulletproof vest had been heavy, which had bothered him.


    - Obviously, we made sure that Maruno could shoot without risking actually killing or injuring her," Deshya said, nodding blankly.


    - Y-You''ve got to be kidding me¡­


    These are the only words Axel can pronounce.


    - Since shooting the bag directly would have splatter fake blood everywhere, it wouldn''t have looked like real death, so my darling little sister here stayed outside the toilet, waited for Maruno to shoot and then pressed a little button that gently popped the blood bag that was a little lower than where Maruno shot. Then Aya touched her chest to show that she had blood on her hands, which was obviously fake, and to make it look as if she was dead. Of course, in case you were still looking at the camera, we asked Aya to stay down until Dash and Annie could see her, get rid of the vest, check that she was okay, both psychologically and physically, and then come back here.


    As she speaks, Deshya gently strokes her little sister''s hair and, as she finishes her sentence, she lets out a quick glance towards ''Bibi Derumi'', the Tetazo police psychologist, who greets her from across the room, right next to Annie Terru. Axel turns his face slowly, almost robotically, towards Maruno.


    - B-But then... W-Why was he crying?" he asked. I-it was far too real for it to be... fake, n-no...?


    Talking was now difficult for him. Everything he had prepared was crumbling before his eyes. Everyone was watching him, he was surrounded by policemen pointing guns at him, and people all over the world could even see what was going on because of the live streams.


    He can''t even hope to hide.


    - You wouldn''t understand," replies Maruno, crossing his arms.


    Standing right next to his girlfriend, he blurts out these words with contempt in his eyes. Axel grits his teeth, barking and insisting that he wants to know why he cried like that. He asks Deshya if Maruno didn''t know about this plan and that he really thought he was going to have to kill Aya, but before Deshya can reply, Maruno speaks up.


    - Nah, it was written in the paper Deshya and Tessa gave me.


    - THEN¡ª


    - Someone like you wouldn''t understand.


    - A-Ah...?


    Maruno uncrosses his arms and pulls Aya close to him with one hand, staring at Axel with intense anger.


    - I wasn''t crying because I was sad about killing her. In fact, I wasn''t even crying from sadness.


    Axel opens his eyes wide again, his legs trembling.


    - I cried with joy because I didn''t expect to get such a cute gift from her. I cried tears of joy because I have the best girlfriend in the whole world. I cried tears of joy because I thanked life for making me cross paths with my sweetie.


    He then makes no secret of the contempt and disgust he feels for Axel, clearly showing it on his face.


    - A man like you can''t understand such feelings.


    Axel is stunned, his mouth gaping and impossible to close. He stares at Maruno, oblivious to the rest around him. Deshya lowers the microphone in his hand and passes it to Hanoka before approaching Aya and the others, apologizing to the confused guests in the crowd.


    - B-But¡­


    Axel trembled even more than before. He shakes his head gently, still staring at Maruno, but he doesn''t even dare look her straight in the eye any more.


    - If you even knew... where your parents were... why did you go there?" he asks. If¡­


    - If we could have rescued them by Thursday, or even Friday, we could have taken care of you then, right?


    Maruno cuts him off as he finishes his sentence, asking if that''s what it is. Alex nods with difficulty, as if the roles have now been reversed. In reality, it''s not even that: it''s worse.


    Because never before had Maruno felt such a strong sense of despair.


    - It''s because of what I wrote in my ''P.S.'' in the card I returned to Deshya and Tessa on Tuesday," he confesses.


    - H-How did...?


    Axel looks like he could collapse at any moment. The police remain on guard and continue to aim their pistols at him, although they should only fire if he dares to draw another weapon, which seems unlikely. Maruno strokes his girlfriend''s hair in silence, but eventually¡­


    He smiled broadly. A mischievous expression on his face.


    - I wanted you to think you were victorious all the way.


    - That you thought everything had gone according to plan, as if you''d succeeded in everything you''d set out to do.


    - That you come to smile thinking you were above the summit of victory, like this....


    - I could send you deeper into the darkness. Into the deepest abyss possible.


    - And that before sending you to prison¡­


    - Send you to hell.Maruno makes an ''L'' with his right thumb and forefinger and then aims at the man''s chest with a smile.


    - You asked me to put a bullet in my girlfriend''s heart, so I decided to change targets.


    And he raises his hand, as if he had just shot the man.


    - In the heart, a bullet of utter disappointment.


    And with that, Axel drops to his knees, eyes as wide open as ever, mouth gaping but not yet shut. Aya claps her hands and blushes, telling her boyfriend she thinks he''s so cool and stylish. Maruno scratches her hair and Deshya comes up beside the couple, but she says nothing to them.


    - Say¡­


    Deshya passes by them and approaches Axel, but not close enough for him to reach him.


    - Why all this?" asks Deshya.


    - I have to admit that holding back on Saturday gave me too much time to prepare. It was stupid," admits Maruno.


    - What I really wanted to know was why you forced Maruno to kill Aya¡­


    Deshya smiles faintly as she looks at Maruno, but turns her attention back to Axel. Farho¨¹ grabs the microphone, but says nothing for the moment. Time passes in silence, while other people are filming or streaming what''s happening in the hotel. Axel looks up slowly at Aya before smiling.


    - Because I couldn''t kill her myself..." he confesses. She reminds me too much of my own daughter... She was the same age, too.


    - It''s true that my father told me he had a daughter," says Deshya.


    - But why me, eh?" let out Maruno, feeling his anger rising up inside him.


    - ¡­


    He waits for an answer and honestly hopes to receive one, but noticing the silence that continues without showing any sign of stopping, he sighs and shrugs. However¡ª


    - I wanted Aya''s boyfriend to kill her... because that''s what happened to my own daughter.


    Deshya, Maruno and Aya squinted, but some of the people too. The culprit doesn''t speak loudly and not everyone can hear him, but some guests in the crowd get close with their phones to film or stream what''s being said.


    - What do you mean?" asks Aya, confused.


    Axel is still on the floor, sighing. No matter what he says, Maruno will never forgive him. Whatever the reason, he''ll always be a man he''s happy to have sent to hell and hopes with all his heart that he''ll rot in jail. No mercy for someone like him.


    - Before I became a police officer, I worked for a small company that went completely under when ''Lordly'' cut it off... I became a policeman after a while, but I hardly had any money left for my daughter, let alone myself. What''s more, since I was no longer working for ''Lordly'', my daughter''s boyfriend, whose parents and himself both work for the company, left her for that reason, sending her into a spiral of despair... before she committed suicide in her bedroom, just a few days after I became a policeman," explains Axel.


    Everyone around him is listening to his story, the policemen looking at each other, waiting for the order to grab him and put him in handcuffs. True, he may no longer have a weapon on him and the bombs are deactivated, but that doesn''t mean he can''t try something dangerous.


    - Seeing as ''Lordly'' had cut ties with the company where I worked for no reason, I... I wanted revenge. Give them all my rage and sadness and make them suffer a similar fate.


    Deshya grits his teeth and clenches his fists, a reaction similar to Maruno''s. He wants to shout at her that this isn''t a valid reason, but before he can even let out a word, Aya moves towards Axel, although she makes Deshya stop her from getting too close.


    - You came from the ''Murzet'' company, the ones that went bankrupt and were in the business of creating milkshakes, isn''t it?" asks Aya.


    Axel blinks and looks up at the girl before nodding gently.


    - My father decided to cut ties with them because of their lack of respect for their workers. They weren''t paid enough or treated well. If you tell us who your daughter''s boyfriend was, I''m sure my parents would even agree to fire him if he didn''t have a valid excuse.


    Aya keeps a kind, cute and sweet look on her face, talking with a man who manipulated her boyfriend and even wanted to kill her parents, as well. than herself. Although she felt anger for him and she''d felt sad for Maruno, she''d rather not get excited or angry when he''s caught.


    - What you''re doing doesn''t have to make your daughter happy.


    Axel watches him with wide eyes, tears appearing in them, Aya''s reflection clearly visible in his irises. Deshya stays by her friend''s side just in case, but from the guilty man''s expression, she assumes he''ll just cry and accept that everything he''s done has been nonsense.


    But Axel grits his teeth and gets angry.


    - YOU CAN''T UNDERSTAND ME, DEMON!!!


    He shouted angrily and Maruno forced Aya back, Deshya also moving away from the circle. The policemen don''t wait for orders and go to grab Axel, but at the same time, the latter presses something in his pocket before he is overpowered by the policemen.


    An explosion sounded, followed directly by a power failure.


    - Wha... What''s going on?!" a man shouts.


    - A power cut?!" says one woman.


    - I-it was an explosion we heard, wasn''t it...?" says another guest, feeling uncomfortable.


    Axel starts laughing like a maniac as the cops yell at him to shut up, placing him in handcuffs, and the two people who''ve been hired by Axel turn their gazes all around.


    - What''s going on?" shouts the woman.


    Even the man, her colleague, doesn''t understand.


    At the same time, new sounds of explosions resound.


    This time, however, a violent tremor hits the hotel. Some guests even lose their balance, catching themselves on other people or simply falling to the floor. Gatito raises Korone with a frown: the police already know what''s going on.


    - Call rescue helicopters immediately!!!" he yells. Not just one, but as many as possible!!!!


    At the same time as his orders, explosions sounded again and the hotel shook with a shudder, even more violently, going so far as to knock plates off numerous tables. Maruno catches up with Aya and Deshya keeps her balance, staring fiercely at Axel.


    - Don''t tell me he had a backup plan just in case...?!!!" she screams inwardly.


    Without giving anyone time to come to their senses, new bombs explode on the floors below, and from outside, fire engulfs certain floors, the furious flames showing themselves to the entire city. Windows explode and shards of glass are dropped by gravity, crashing to the ground with an infernal crash. Some people in their cars stop and passers-by all back away, fear in their eyes. Inside the hotel, on the top floor, guests start screaming, shouting and crying. Some children do the same, frightened, and Farho¨¹ grabs the microphone that has fallen before speaking into it:


    - ALL ON THE ROOF!!!" he shouts.


    It seems the only solution: the elevators are far too risky and everyone understands that it''s the floors below that have just exploded. Gatito takes the microphone in turn and repeats Farho¨¹''s words, adding that they have no time to think and that helicopters are coming to get them. Since the Tetazo and Teuhl police stations aren''t far away, they shouldn''t take too long to arrive, even if they don''t have many helicopters. There are around 120 VIP guests at this party, and most of Belium''s police helicopters can only accommodate between 10 and 12 people. With children, it could be 15 or even 16. If the hotel can hold out long enough, then all should be well. On the internet, people who are still on the streams are asking what''s going on, not all sure whether this is another prank or the truth. However, given the general panic and the people crying and screaming, some shouting for help, few think it''s a joke. Guests scramble upstairs, some thinking only of their own survival, and Deshya grabs Korone in the process. Another row of bombs explodes, causing the hotel to shake even harder, a shiver of horror running through its structure. Grabbed by two policemen who force him forward, already handcuffed, Axel continues to laugh as he cries.


    - I knew that maybe everything was going to go wrong, ahahah!!! There are bombs on several floors, ahahah!! The 4th, the 7th, the 10th, the 15th, the 16th, the 18th, the 20th!!! Ahahah, ahahahah!!!


    - SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!


    Maruno runs down the stairs and yells at him, wanting to hit him with his fist, but to avoid creating even more trouble, he flees like everyone else, avoiding being pushed or jostled by anyone. Aya is not so lucky, being in a crowd of guests in total panic, and even gets shaken so hard that she drops Maruno''s stuffed toy; it slipped from her hands and rolled around the room. Aya catches it quickly, but just as she does, another series of bombs goes off, shaking the hotel even more violently, this time even tilting it gently. Aya holds her stuffed toy firmly in her arms, but guests fall towards her and push her unintentionally, sending her tumbling against a table where she loses consciousness. However, her cuddly toy remains in her arms and Aya slips a little further away, forgotten by all in the concussion.


    Everyone is now on the roof. Children with their parents or families are picked up first by the helicopters, which always manage to stay low to the roof, unable to risk landing on the hotel, which is now leaning to the east. Fortunately, there are enough helicopters to rescue a good majority of the guests, the last arriving to collect members of the police and more important people. Gatito requested that Deshya and Korone go in helicopters as soon as possible, but like Maruno, they refused and said they''d go last with Gatito. As one of the helicopters takes off, more bombs ring out in the lower part of the hotel and Gatito almost falls on his butt. He turns to Axel with an enraged look on his face.


    - How many fucking bombs are left?!" he shouts.


    However, Axel doesn''t respond and looks at the ground with a smile, but there''s no life left in his eyes. Gatito clicks his tongue and asks on his walkie-talkie how much time is left before the next helicopters arrive, but they can already see them coming. The last guests are rescued, leaving only the Deroom family, Maruno, the policemen including Deshya and Korone. Farho¨¹ and Minerva go up first with their daughter''s boyfriend, accompanied by Hanoka, Mariah, Annie and other policemen. Finally, for the last helicopter, Deshya climbs in with Korone in her arms, her father right beside her. The girl with the fox-like attributes holds back her hood so it doesn''t fall off and sighs with relief, even though she feels dreadful shivers run through her. Wondering how Maruno is doing, she turns her face towards the other helicopter as it flies away¡­


    Seeing a screaming Maruno trying to get out a policeman holding him back.


    Even Aya''s parents look frightened. Deshya frowns and quickly turns her face to Gatito as their helicopter prepares to take off.


    - Aya did get into a helicopter, didn''t she?!" shouts Deshya.


    The noise of the propellers prevents Gatito from hearing properly, but he manages to find out what his daughter has just told him.


    - I didn''t see it, but I guess with the kids at first?!" her father yells back.


    Deshya feels her heart miss a beat. She turns back to Maruno, who is reaching out towards the hotel and trying to read her lips¡ª


    "SHE''S STILL OUT THERE!!!"


    ¡ª is what Deshya can understand.


    - !!!!!!


    Deshya opens her eyes even wider. She feels her heart stop even more. Is it possible that Aya has been jostled into concussion and panic? Perhaps she fell when one of the bombs exploded? Whatever happens, if Maruno yells such a thing, if he dares to show such an expression¡ª


    ¡ª then he''s telling the truth.


    And Deshya jumps out of the helicopter in mid-air.


    - D-Deshya?!!!


    Her father yells at her, but Deshya doesn''t hear him. She rolls to the ground, puts her hood back on and runs at full speed across the hotel, which is leaning further and further over, her heart beating wildly.


    - Aya!!!


    She can only think of her. She violently knocks on the door leading to the top floor and fans down the stairs as fast as she can. She finally arrives in the large room¡ª


    ¡ª where she finds an unconscious Aya.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide and screams her name as she races towards her. She brakes in front of her and forces her to wake up, calling and shaking her. A few seconds pass before Aya finally opens her eyes with a grunt, but she notices Deshya and asks what''s going on. Deshya sighs with relief, but when the hotel lets out a pained moan as she leans over further, Deshya shakes her head and yells at her that they don''t have time to argue!!! Aya opens her eyes wide in turn: she remembers that she was knocked unconscious when she fell over the edge of a table!


    - A-Ah!! We''ve gotta get up there fast!!!" shouts Aya.


    However, Deshya grits her teeth: with the building leaning the way it is, threatening to collapse at any moment, the chances of a helicopter recovering them are almost nil. Taking an elevator is impossible, and going downstairs by staircase would be pointless, given that not only did she not have such good weather ahead of her, she had also seen fire escaping from the floors below. Deshya rushed to save Aya, but... But¡­


    - S-Sorry¡­


    Deshya blinks and turns to the crying girl. She tightly embraces the stuffed toy she''s made herself, whimpering, eyes closed and sadness on her face.


    - If I hadn''t... If I were stronger... Sorry¡­


    She apologizes, understanding the situation they both find themselves in. She cries that she wished it hadn''t ended this way, but Deshya grits her teeth and forces Aya to her feet with an enraged expression.


    - NEVER!!!


    - E-Eh?


    Aya blinks, her eyes glistening with salty tears. Deshya lets go of Aya and shakes her head violently.


    - I will never let you die! You are far too important to me! You''re way too important to Maruno!!! You care about him too, so don''t give up and go celebrate your 5 months together!!!


    Aya is immobilized, the sound of shattering glass failing even to startle her. She stares at Deshya, who grabs Aya''s wrist and frowns, a fiery determination emanating from her body.


    - If you die here, if you die at all, Maruno is going to be sad!!! He''ll go back to the way he was, he''ll be depressed, so we''ll survive!!!


    Aya opens her eyes wide and finally nods, determination in her eyes in turn. She looks at her stuffed toy and smiles.


    - I''ve still got too much to live to die!" cries Aya.


    Deshya smiles too and tells her that''s what we have to tell ourselves, but right now she''s wondering how to get out of this. Is going back to the roof and hoping they''ll be rescued the best idea? Maybe they can¡ª


    - Big sister!!!


    Deshya snaps out of her thoughts when she hears a girl screaming as she runs towards her: it''s Korone. What''s more, she''s carrying some kind of bag on her back, holding both straps as she sweats.


    - Korone?! What are you¡ª


    - There''s no time!" shouts Korone.


    Her voice is so authoritative that Deshya can''t even reply. She pulls the bag off her back and throws it at her older sister, who knows exactly what it is.


    - A¡­


    - You forgot to bring a parachute, so I''m bringing it to you!" shouts Korone.


    However, even with that, it''s not clear how to escape from here... Jumping from a window using the parachute is far too risky, and there are three of them for one parachute... What''s more, with the hotel about to collapse, they can''t just strap themselves to each other, go to the roof and jump off, hoping it''ll work... They have to get away from the building before they can use the parachute, and what''s more, the three of them have to be together. If Deshya had thought of it and caught it, she could have passed it on to Aya in the hope that she''d manage on her own, while she looked for a way out on her own, but with Korone added... Given her size and build, it''s only natural that she couldn''t pick up more than one. Deshya scans the surroundings quickly, not having a second to lose, when she sees the thing emerging from the stage curtains:


    - The bike!


    Deshya runs towards her, placing the parachute on her back and tying her down. The hotel begins to tilt even more to the east, but Aya catches Korone before she falls. Tables and furniture all slide away, and the infernal sound of the hotel''s death echoes through the room.


    - Aya, Korone! Find a rope or anything that can tie you up with resistance!!!" shouts Deshya as she leaps onto the stage.


    The two girls nod and run in opposite directions. Korone approaches her older sister to see if she can use the rope that is used to open the curtains while Deshya analyzes the bike. She blinks and turns to Korone.


    - How did you manage to land so safely?! You jumped after me!" cries Deshya.


    - I landed on the parachute I had put over me, but I admit it hurt," explains Korone.


    Deshya shrugged, thinking that it made sense, but she couldn''t waste time arguing anyway: they had to get out quickly. If the hotel collapses before they can escape, all three of them will probably die... The parachute will never work if they''re still in the room, or if the hotel falls on them. Aya returns with a long rope she found in a toolbox further on, and Deshya smiles: this is their one and only chance.


    - I''m live in front of the "FEDER" hotel, which is about to collapse. We still don''t know what happened!


    A helicopter flies slowly around the huge building, which is threatening to collapse at any moment. The last bombs have just exploded on the 20th floor, and the police have already asked the surrounding area to flee as quickly as possible.


    - The damage this fall will cause is unimaginable!" cries the journalist.


    The TV station''s helicopter continues to circle the building, making sure not to get too close so as not to risk their own lives. And inside the same building¡ª


    - I don''t want to die!" cries Aya, tears welling up in her eyes.


    - We''re not going to die, I promise!" replies Deshya.


    Deshya attaches herself firmly to Aya with the rope, even hurting her stomach, and makes sure Korone is securely fastened too. Korone is tied to Aya herself at the front of the bike. Deshya has room to reach the handlebars with her hands, but she''s not in the best position to drive. However, she owns the parachute and although she could have placed it on Aya, they were running out of time and Deshya was afraid that Aya would be too frightened to activate it.


    - Let''s get out of here!" shouts Deshya.


    She suddenly turns on the motorcycle, which makes a hell of a noise. Deshya knows it''s risky, and she''s only ridden a motorcycle with her father once, but this is their only chance. What''s more, Deshya has confidence in herself. So she starts riding as fast as she can out of the room, the hotel''s wailing getting more and more horrible and shrill. With the bike, she rolls down the corridor to the top floor and down the stairs beyond, making sure she doesn''t fall and keeping as much speed as possible. Although Deshya would have loved to carry out her plan on the top floor, because of the walls between the main room and the narrow corridors that surround them, as well as the need to enter one of the many glassed-in rooms to get out, she would never have been able to gain enough speed. Doing it on the roof is just as complex, given that she would have had to mount the motorcycle and there''s no guarantee that they would have had enough momentum. Deshya smashes through the door separating the corridor from the stairwell, rolling into it, and starts to run down the corridor towards where the hotel falls. However, she''s not that stupid and turns left before going through the glass, continuing to drive while maintaining a certain speed. She goes as fast as she can and the hotel shakes, telling the three girls that it will collapse in a few seconds at most and Deshya frowns, teeth gritting.


    - Just a little longer, my FEDER!!!" she shouts in her own thoughts.


    She turns left again, this time heading for the opposite side from where the hotel intends to fall. The glass in front of them is still whole, but Deshya continues to charge forward as fast as she can and yells at Aya and Korone to protect themselves as best they can, which they do. Deshya screams with courage and lets go¡ª


    - HERE WE GO!!!


    ¡ª before exploding the motorcycle window.


    The helicopter notices what has just happened and points the camera directly at the motorcycle that has just left the hotel.


    - THERE ARE PEOPLE THERE?!!!" screams the woman.


    The bike continues to fly forward, but soon gravity catches it in its bonds. Aya starts to cry and Korone grits her teeth, avoiding biting his own tongue, and Deshya shakes her head.


    - One!!


    Spectators watching the live feed from home are all shocked by what they see; some even get up from their seats.


    - Two!!!


    Deshya couldn''t care less that her hood is no longer in place: it''s a matter of life and death for them.


    - Three!!!!!!


    And with that, she let go of the bike, kicked it with both feet and let herself fall a few meters before activating the parachute.


    The helicopters that are still there ¡ª including those carrying Maruno, Gatito and the journalists ¡ª can all see the scene. All eyes are stunned and filled with almost indescribable feelings. The hotel lets out a final sigh before collapsing with a horrific crash, all its glass panes exploding one after the other, its structures decomposing and cabling separating with electrical noise. The hotel falls towards the city, crushing the houses like the fall of a giant. Deshya tries to control the parachute as best she can, but the hotel''s fall and the fact that there are three of them send her reeling, unable to steer exactly where they''re going. Aya continues to cry, holding Korone tightly, the black-haired girl holding Maruno''s stuffed toy in her hands, the one made by herself, and all three continue to fall towards the ground, but without any risk. The live cameras film both the three girls parachuting and the hotel that has just collapsed and died on the ground in Teuhl, creating a disaster never seen before in this town ¡ª one of the worst in the whole country, in fact.


    - A-Aaaaah!


    Deshya screams as they are about to land and falls straight into the parking fountain. She immediately undoes the parachute and the rope by sticking her head out of the water, fanning her lungs and dilated pupils. Deshya asks directly how Aya and Korone are doing, but the only answer she receives from them is¡ª


    A hug as she jumped on him, making her fall back into the fountain.


    The parachute flies off a little further, leaving the cameras to film the scene. Most of the rescue helicopters land in the parking lot, on the west side, to avoid any problems.


    - Deshyaaaa!!!" cries Aya, shaking her friend in her hug.


    - I was scared too!!!" cries Korone, having just started to cry.


    Deshya puts her hood back on properly, tears in her eyes and now stroking the two girls'' heads.


    - Ahah, I was scared too..." admits Deshya, never wanting to feel such a thing again in her entire life.


    The uncertainty of being able to survive and protect people important to her: a horrible feeling. What''s more, at any moment, the hotel would collapse too soon. The parachute wasn''t working. Maybe their plan with the motorcycle turned out to be useless. However, all three are still alive, so she can weep with relief. Weep with joy, knowing that neither Aya nor Korone are alive or mortally wounded. She stands up with them, talking to them, and just as she does, someone starts running towards the three girls. The boy jumps on Deshya in turn, knocking her back into the fountain. Aya protects Korone from the splash and they both blink to see Maruno cuddling Deshya and crying.


    - Thank you!!! Thank you with all my heart, Deshya!!!" he lets out.


    Deshya pokes her head out of the water and laughs, hesitating to say ''You''re welcome''.


    - I wanted to rescue Aya too, when I noticed she was still there, but they wouldn''t let me!" he explains.


    - How did you know I was still in the hotel?¡± Aya asks, surprised.


    Maruno continues to embrace Deshya before agreeing to let her go, turning to his girlfriend.


    - When your parents asked where you were, someone in the helicopter asked if they were talking about the dark-skinned girl with light blue eyes. She confessed to them that she saw you knocked out in the room, but she was too afraid for her own life to come looking for you. I almost hit her!" explains Maruno, before taking her in his arms.


    Deshya shakes her head and Korone approaches her, smiling. Both watch as the two lovers embrace, both in tears.


    - Sorry for being so lame... so useless, so... so¡­


    However, Aya pats his chest with a blush, shaking her head.


    - You''re the best of all boyfriends. Don''t say that.


    Korone discreetly returns the stuffed toy to her, even though it''s wet from the fountain water, and Aya hands it to Maruno.


    - So happy 5 months, my love!" she says with a smile.


    Maruno grabs the stuffed toy and looks at it from all sides, still crying, happy as he''s never been before. He thanks her several times before telling her that her present will arrive tomorrow, which pleases Aya greatly. Maruno finally grabs Aya''s cheeks¡ª


    ¡ª and kisses her on the mouth, closing her eyes.


    Aya closes them in turn and drops into the fountain with him.


    - Ouhlala!" lets out Korone, placing both hands in front of his own mouth, blushing. The lovies are smooching!


    Deshya laughs at Korone''s remark before noticing that someone else is approaching her¡ª


    ¡ª before tackling her, knocking her into the fountain once more.


    Korone closes one eye and gets splashed even more. She turns around and notices that Deshya has just fallen into the water.


    - Dad!!!" she cries, her eyes scrunching up.


    He grabs her by the dress, making sure the hood doesn''t fall off, and stares at her with intense rage.


    - I notice my daughter has, I don''t know... SUICIDAL TENDENCIES?!!" he yells.


    Deshya closes both eyes, from the pain caused by her scream, and fidgets in her hand.


    - But sorry, I wasn''t going to let Aya die!!!" she defends herself.


    - Tsk. Suicidal no matter what. What would you have done if Korone, who is also suicidal it seems, hadn''t brought a parachute, eh?!


    Deshya opens her eyes and looks at her little sister, who has since dried her tears, big eyes watching the scene. She smiles, amused by their family argument, but Deshya ends up smiling back, albeit provoked by different emotions.


    - You saved us, it''s true. Thank you, Korone. Hey, no, little sister.


    - I won''t let Deshya, I mean, big sister, die!


    Korone gives her a kiss on the forehead, giggling, which amuses Deshya. Gatito sighs and lets his red-haired daughter land on the ground¡­


    Before taking her in his arms.


    - I know you saved her because she''s important to you and Maruno, but you''re important to me, you know," says Gatito. You''re going to kill me if this goes on.


    Deshya blinks and takes her father in her arms in turn, apologizing.


    - I don''t want to let anyone die... but I promise I''ll always come back alive, no matter what.


    It''s not an answer that pleases Gatito perfectly, but he accepts it gladly. He rubs his eyes before turning away, sighing with relief.


    - You''re really my daughter: a weirdo.


    - Hehehe.


    Deshya scratches the back of her head and notices that Aya and Maruno have emerged from the fountain, chatting together. However, their conversation quickly comes to a halt when Farho¨¹ and Minerva embrace their daughter and her boyfriend. Deshya smiles as she watches them, telling herself that this is the best possible ending. Nevertheless, thinking about it, she turns back to Gatito and asks if everyone really is safe.


    - I''ve received five reports of injuries, but no fatalities. There''s nothing to say that no one was visiting the hotel or didn''t manage to escape in time, but I''d be surprised," admits Gatito. We''ll have a more precise answer in the coming days.


    - I really hope it stays at 5 wounded..." says Deshya.


    His father nods in agreement, and in turn observes the Deroom family and Maruno. The latter lets his girlfriend cry with his parents and approaches Deshya.


    - I''ll have to thank Tessa for everything she''s done," says Maruno. I''m glad she understood my call for help¡­


    - Hey, she''s strong, our Tessa," smiled Deshya.


    Maruno nods before turning to Gatito and bowing to him.


    - Thanks also to the police. Without all of you¡ª


    - I didn''t do much. It was mostly Deshya''s crush, her little sister and herself who did everything. Well, you should also congratulate Sammy, who managed to find out where your parents were being held. Otherwise, we might have had to be more violent with Axel¡­


    Gatito looks back at the destroyed building behind them, where the many jets of water from the firefighters'' hoses are trying to extinguish the raging fire.


    - Well, considering what happened, the police were completely useless. They should have put him in handcuffs straight away, so the explosives wouldn''t have¡ª


    - It''s not your fault.


    Gatito turns to Hanoka, who approaches them.


    - Even though he activated them with a button, the bombs were programmed to go off at a certain time ¡ª 9:30 p.m. to be precise.


    - So whatever happens¡ª


    - Axel agreed to talk, mocking us, saying he might have deactivated the bombs if all had gone well, but I don''t think we should trust him. Even though the police and ''Lordly'' will surely be insulted by everyone on the internet and in the media, he was perfectly prepared. However, that doesn''t change the fact that we should have seen this possibility, but he had already hidden them months ago.


    - Such a high level of preparation to hold Maruno back a week too soon¡­


    Mariah approaches them all in turn and sighs.


    - He probably took the trust too far. If he''d held Maruno back much later, he wouldn''t have had time to warn anyone, or let the police find out who the real culprit was.


    - Well, I would have found it anyway.


    All the adults, including Deshya and Korone, turn to Maruno, who places both hands behind his head.


    - I''ll have found a way to get by no matter what. Because me too¡­


    Maruno smiled.


    - I''m a genius.


    Mariah starts laughing and strokes his head, telling him that in any case, it didn''t happen. Maruno admits he prefers it that way and then turns to Gatito.


    - For my parents¡­


    - They''re in Tetazo hospital, the ¡®Marc D¨¦poret¡¯ hospital. They''re both fine, according to the message they sent me, but they''d prefer to keep them in until tomorrow.


    - I can see that. I''ll go and see them tomorrow or Monday, then. I''ll stay at Aya''s so we can rest a bit, because... Rah, what a shitty week.


    Maruno sighs and shakes his head, turning to Deshya.


    - When it''s not you in a case, it''s me. You gave me your disease!" shouts Maruno.


    - Ah. Ah. Ah.


    Deshya makes no secret of the fact that this doesn''t make her laugh, and Maruno apologizes with a chuckle, promising her that he''s not serious and just wants to think about something else. He returns to his girlfriend, thanking them and hugging the stuffed toy he loves so much ¡ª even though he''ll have to dry it off now. The two police detectives walk away, saying they''ll see how everything''s going, but as they walk, they glance sharply at Deshya with a smile, thinking exactly the same thing:


    - The fox-eared detective, eh...~?


    Gatito sighs again and admits that Pera has called him a good thirty times, so he''s going to answer. Deshya nods and Korone tugs at the sleeve of her older sister''s dress.


    - Say, say, look! Look what''s in the fountain, big sister!


    Deshya blinks and leans in¡­


    When Korone jumps on her, forcing her into the water AGAIN.


    - Why?!" cries Deshya.


    - Because you''re stupid!


    - S-Stupid?


    Korone nods.


    - We almost saw your fox ears during the fall!" admits Korone.


    - Eh. I was careful to keep my hood up, although I admit I was more focused on my own life and yours¡­


    - Hihi, don''t worry, you deserve to be in the water!


    Deshya sighs and shrugs, admitting it''s true, which amuses Korone who''s wading into the fountain. Deshya asks her to stop, as it''s splashing her, but Korone continues, so she grumbles and starts chasing her. The granddaughter laughs as she runs away.


    For her part, Tessa turns off the TV while eating a bowl of cereal, chewing the chocolate chips with glee.


    - So... cool.


    Tessa can''t believe what she saw: Deshya flying out of the hotel on a motorcycle that was falling over. Of course, she suspects that this was a matter of life and death and not just fun, but Tessa found it¡­ INCREDIBLE. Despite this, she felt something that had never happened before.


    ¡ª her heart had stopped. A real fear for someone.


    - ¡­


    However, Tessa shrugs and tells herself that deep down, it doesn''t matter to her, so she continues to eat her cereal while turning on her phone and then plays a game of 2048.


    Deshya returns home to her mother''s cries, hugging her two daughters and shouting that she''d been scared. Gatito rests in his chair, noticing that everyone is talking about the hotel incident, but also about what happened with Deshya in the end. It''s all the rage on social networks, and a man who smokes is squinting at the news.


    - Our adorable fox is at it again, isn''t he?


    This man¡ª


    ''Dem''.


    He puts down his phone and sighs, looking out of his bedroom window, eyebrows furrowed.


    - If she goes on like this... If people notice that she really is a girl with fox-like attributes....


    Dem'' throws his cigarette from his thumb, sending it into the ashtray without even returning his gaze to it. He knows his boss likes Deshya to become more popular, but even she has to understand the risks.


    - Deshya... Oveja.


    While Deshya sleeps, all the internet chatter is about her and the "FEDER" hotel over and over again, non-stop. Deshya still doesn''t know it, but this affair she''s been part of¡ª


    ¡ª will bring her face to face with a terrible person.

 48 -?The Most Popular Number Of Them All?(CASE10)

    <hr>


    In the early hours of Saturday, September 24, almost every TV channels are talking about only one thing: the "FEDER" hotel, several floors of which have just exploded. Most of the content seen on TV is live footage of the event, or even talking over another live broadcast. Some are by professional journalists, others filmed by amateurs on their phones or tablets. One is even by one of the hotel''s VIP guests, filming from the helicopter where he was rescued. Screams of frightened children can be heard, but the person watching the news from their sofa while eating ice cream is currently watching the ''ITB1'' TV channel, where a blonde-haired female journalist is talking, behind the hotel which threatens to collapse at any moment. It''s a terrible event, and one that''s bound to be destructive for the town of Teuhl... The person really hopes that the inhabitants were able to escape in time, although the hotel still manages to stay standing, which is nothing short of a miracle. The person watching the television doesn''t even want to imagine how maniacal, psychopathic and horrible the culprit is to dare to do such a thing. Is it just one person behind the hotel explosion? Or several? For the moment, they can''t find out... The person continues to eat their ice cream when they open their eyes wide.


    A motorcycle leaves the hotel.


    It''s not clear at first, but the person isn''t the only one to notice: the camera quickly zooms in on what''s happening. The person was right: it''s a motorcycle that has just left the hotel. They can see... three people ? Three girls, one smaller and younger than the other two, but surely just teenagers. As they tumble down... the girl in the fox sweater yanks open the parachute. The person behind the TV screen can''t believe what they are seeing. The reporter talks about what she can quickly see, and the camera does its best to follow what''s happening, as the hotel collapses on the town of Teuhl.


    A few minutes later, the person is sitting in front of his desk, staring at his laptop. The discussions are almost exclusively about the "FEDER" hotel, but also about what happened with the three girls on the motorcycle. More quickly than expected, the person finds the identity of the girl in the fox sweater:


    - Deshya... Oveja.


    Now that they know such a thing, the person quickly types in the girl''s first and last name on the internet and notices that she''s a teenager living in Tetazo, a girl who''s been renamed¡ª


    - The fox-eared detective, hmmm¡­


    The reason for this nickname is that since the beginning of September, she has managed to solve several police cases. Her first would have been about the death of a man in his home, killed by his own daughter, although the reasons were not given.


    - I''d heard about the train..." the person thinks aloud.


    The one on the train where bombs had been planted ¡ª it seems this girl was there too. Two more deaths on a bus, then a case of a baby kidnapping, a locked room in a hotel, a murder at a party and¡ª


    - ...!


    The person opens their eyes wide and gives a big, toothy grin.


    - Minos... Kiyon.


    A case with the so-called best detective in all Belium ¡ª the country where this person also happens to be. They can''t believe they missed out on this case with Minos, a detective they know very well... They should have paid more attention, even if they were busy during that time. They sigh and turn in their chair, thinking. They finally decide to look a little more into the achievements of this famous ''Deshya Oveja'' and learn more. They look at the investigations she has solved, as well as the murder methods.


    - This girl figured it all out even before the police did...? Not always, it seems, but¡­


    The person smiles again before closing their laptop and turning to their calendar. They still have time, but should they already be writing...? However, the way she so bravely used her motorcycle to get out of that hotel, saving the lives of her adopted little sister and the Deroom girl, who would seem to be her friends... The person had watched the interview that was given right after what happened, having missed it on TV, since they''d been far too excited to find out who this girl was. They''d never have believed it was a teenager like that¡­


    - Ah, I feel like it... What if I had fun with her?


    The person is actually a man with blond hair. He smiles again before grabbing a piece of paper, opening the drawer and grabbing a fountain pen. Without further ado, he starts writing with a look of... amusement on his face.


    He had admired what he had seen on television. He had been surprised and shocked. Saving two girls without knowing if it would work, risking her life to try and protect the ones she loves¡­


    This man wants to meet her... more than anything.


    So he writes.


    CHAPTER 48


    ?The Most Popular Number Of Them All?


    The school bell rings at Tetazo secondary school. The students are looking forward to the end of the day, but it''s not just because classes end here ¡ª it''s also thanks to¡ª


    - The weekend!


    The students are delighted. Classes have started to be really informative and demand students'' attention, in contrast to the start of the year which had been more friendly and quiet. Pupils who don''t like school feel this ''boredom'' of being in class, making them dream of the weekend and of vacation as soon as they leave home for school ¡ª some even think about it before going to sleep. It''s September 30, 2022, a sunny Friday with few clouds in the azure skies.


    It''s been almost a week since the incident at the "FEDER" hotel, and the rise in popularity of a certain girl. A teenage girl with distinctive features, though these are really only known to a handful of people ¡ª although in reality, perhaps there are more people who know than this girl thinks. She doesn''t know it yet, but people are watching her from the shadows: ''Dem'' and ''Hari'' are watching her, ''Bura'' and ''Titi'' may be in the same group, and two other men ¡ª if one of them isn''t precisely one of the four mentioned above ¡ª were at the Furas party, the one with the beard having a strange connection with this girl''s younger sister.


    Deshya Oveja is her identity.


    Thanks to the action she performed during the hotel collapse, returning there to save ''Aya Deroom'', she received many messages on Twatter and people shared this feat on many different networks. The Deroom family thanked Deshya, promising to offer them anything they wanted from their company, even going so far as to offer them free house building as long as it didn''t exceed a certain budget. The Deroom family and the Oveja family were already friends before, but the debt she owes them has increased, strengthening that bond. Of course, ''Maruno Uffite'', Aya''s boyfriend, respects Deshya even more than before, although he already saw her as a best friend and an incredible person. Deshya didn''t gain popularity to the point of being called ''famous'' or having her own Wiki page on the internet, but more and more people in Belium were getting to know her.


    "Fox-eared detective". It''s a title she''s been given and enjoys. The reason for her rise in popularity is actually not only because of the motorcycle exploit, but also because of the deductions she offered during the arrest of ''Axel Lymenn''. That added up with her few solved cases and her involvement in the ''Sleeping Little Beauty'' one with Minos Kiyon... Deshy had passed 15K followers on Twatter last night and didn''t really know how to react. As much as she loved this rise in popularity ¡ª and her ego loved it even more. But she has to be careful too: no one can find out that she''s a girl with fox-like attributes. Not only for their safety, but for hers too. If anyone were to learn that she was such a girl, many people would want her for themselves. After all, Deshya is probably a unique girl in this world. She hasn''t put out of her mind the theory that she might not be the only one, but it''s impossible for her to confirm it at the moment, with so little information about herself or the ''group'' behind these attributes. Perhaps this mutation is due to something else: Deshya can''t say. However, whatever happens, if people all over the world find out that Deshya is really a girl with fox-like attributes, then that''s going to put her in danger: the people who are going to want such a girl are creeps who are not going to be ¡®gentle¡¯ ¡ª they wouldn¡¯t with normal girls ¡ª, but also scientists who are going to do experiments on her, without her consent or a care about how she feels. Deshya isn''t naive: she knows that people would use any means possible to ''collect'' her. If men even rape normal women, then a girl with fox ears... She doesn''t even want to think about it. Despite all this, she remains happy with her rise in popularity and just enjoys it, telling herself that as long as she''s careful, no one will learn the truth. Sure, Korone managed to deduce it even before she was adopted ¡ª even before she was protected by her family, really ¡ª but Deshya can''t see her as anything other than a real genius, so it doesn''t matter. Her parents are the only ones who know ¡ª at least, still alive. In fact, when Deshya was found on the street by his father and mother, they went to see a certain doctor to learn more about his fox attributes, which didn''t really offer them any more answers.


    However, that same doctor committed suicide the very next day, in his own home... although Deshya continues to believe that this was no accident and in fact murder.


    She would have liked to go back in time and warn him of the danger, or even have the opportunity to check out the crime scene, but this is simply not possible. Admittedly, now that she''s a girl with fox-like attributes, she''s beginning to wonder whether the "impossible" really exists, but she''d always suspected that one day, humans with animal attributes would come to exist... Only, not so soon and not in such a¡­ strange way. She doesn''t know why she has amnesia for the 5 months since her kidnapping, or why she''s on the loose, but for the moment, she doesn''t want to focus too much on that: September was exhausting for her, and since the "FEDER" affair, she''s managed to rest and receive flowers from all sides on social networks. She''s delighted that she was able to save Aya ¡ª and her parents, thanks to the help of Tessa, Korone and the police ¡ª and that no one died as a result of the incident. There were only a total of 9 injuries, 3 of them serious, but nothing fatal. However, despite this relief, the town of Teuhl was partially destroyed as a result of the hotel''s fall... In addition to this¡ª


    - Deshya!


    The fox-eared girl turns her face towards her best friend, who waves her hand.


    - Are you all right?" asks Amora.


    Deshya nods with a smile.


    - I was just thinking about the hotel business¡­


    - Forget it! I''ve been through a week of stress because of this, rahlala....


    Maruno, standing right next to Deshya on her left, sighs. The girl in the fox sweater, between two of her best friends, smiles apologetically. It''s true that Maruno is the one who must have suffered the most, given that he was held back at home and had been tasked with killing his own girlfriend, the girl he loved the most. If this wasn''t horrible enough, his parents had been kidnapped and threatened with death if he didn''t listen to the orders of the person who had held her. Fortunately, all ended well with no casualties.


    - Are you going to see your little sweetie again soon?" asks Amora, looking at Maruno.


    - I was able to stay with her and her family last weekend, but since I didn''t get to see my parents much, I''d rather stay with my two moms for the weekend," he replies. What''s more, Aya is planning to do something tomorrow, so¡­


    - Eeeh, I see!


    Amora smiles as she listens, and Deshya remains silent. From what she''d heard from Maruno himself, both her mothers were feeling fine, but they''d still been traumatized by what had happened. Of course, it was nobody''s fault except the culprit, Axel Lymenn, but they could have blamed the Deroom family if they''d wanted to; something they didn''t do, fortunately. They''re a wealthy family with many enemies, so it''s understandable to be a little afraid of them, but Maruno''s parents don''t seem to have changed their minds despite their kidnapping. This reassures Deshya: if Maruno could no longer see Aya, she doesn''t even want to imagine what he''d dare to do... He might even run away.


    - Isn''t Tessa coming with us?" asks Amora, addressing Deshya.


    The three of them make their way down the street, almost no schoolchildren visible in the vicinity. Although it''s a Friday, the quietness of the surroundings is almost eerie.


    - She went straight home, so I guess she had something to do," replies Deshya.


    - Eeeh, I''m sure she would have loved the cat bar!


    Deshya nods, but eventually shrugs.


    - As much as she''d love to, can you see Tessa in a cat bar?" asks Deshya.


    - Tessa is cool, but she also likes cutie things!! That''s why she loves you so much, isn''t iiiiit?


    Amora''s question made Deshya blush, and she slowly squinted, unable to hide her embarrassment behind false anger.


    - Tessa doesn''t like me like that¡­


    - Eh.


    The two girls turn to the boy who has just let out this noise of unknown meaning. Deshya asks him what it means and Maruno smiles.


    - She likes to tease everyone to the point of being mean, even aggressive, but she''ll even cuddle you. Are you sure you shouldn''t just confess your love to her?" says Maruno.


    - A-Are you serious?


    Maruno nods without hesitation and Amora admits it would be cool of her. The girl in the fox sweater looks ahead, puffing out her cheeks, playing with them as she holds her bag in one hand. Finally, she answers¡ª


    - But maybe she sees me as a really good friend... You know, like Amora sees me?


    - But Amora''s like that with almost everyone!" says Maruno. She''s even more so with you because you''re her best friend, but Tessa isn''t like that with anyone, even her parents!


    - He''s right!" admits the girl with the long pink hair.


    Deshya knows they''re not wrong, but is it enough to find the courage to confess to Tessa? Deshya doesn''t want to be disappointed if she takes a rake, nor does she want her relationship to change¡­


    - You know, Deshyshy¡­


    Deshya turns her face to her, questioning her with her eyes.


    - I know you''re afraid Tessa will say no, but if you never ask, don''t you think you''ll regret it? Besides, even if Tessa is almost a delinquent, sometimes she''s still a girl with a heart of gold," she tells him.


    - You don''t have to worry about her sexual orientation, she''s definitely bi," Maruno tells him without hesitation.


    - How could you possibly know that?" asks Deshya, shocked.


    Maruno smiles and the three of them wait at a traffic light, currently set for cars, with few inhabitants in the vicinity.


    - We played ''Truth or Dare'' this Wednesday, online, with two ¡ª three other friends. When I asked Tessa if she liked chicks, he said she''d even go out with a trans man or woman if she had to.


    - Oh, she''s pansexual, then?


    Maruno nods.


    - Afterwards, I knew it beforehand. It wasn''t certain, but Tessa doesn''t really hide her attraction to the female body," he says. When I talked to her about Aya and her own desires... Well, you know, she told me a bit about herself and how she could get excited just with a woman''s body.


    Maruno gives a petty smile as he watches Deshya.


    - I''m sure you''d be her type~!


    - ¡­


    Deshya blushed even more, but didn''t reply. She could ask him to stop teasing her like that, but if he''s right, then¡­


    - Ah, I''ve got an idea!


    Amora punches her fist. The three of them cross the road when the cars stop at the red light.


    - We''ve got a school trip coming up! You know, a class trip!


    - Do you want her to confess over there?" asks Maruno.


    - Wouldn''t that be perfect?


    - ¡­


    Once again, Deshya remains silent. Amora notices the embarrassed look on her best friend''s face and smiles, lowering her head gently.


    - I''m sorry. I''m sorry. You do what you want, but if you wait too long, you can miss your chances, you know¡­


    - I believe you, but¡­


    Deshya shakes her head gently before raising it, looking ahead.


    - I just think Tessa would be the type to confess straight away if she came to crush on someone or fall in love," admits Deshya.


    - But Tessa can be the kind of person who wants to date someone she really likes but doesn''t yet love, you know.


    Maruno talks in his turn.


    - She could try a relationship with you if she really likes you a lot and see if her heart explodes with love in the middle of a relationship. Sure, it may not work out, but it''s better to try than to regret never having confessed. If you wait and wait, maybe Tessa will be interested in someone else someday.


    Maruno correctly places his school bag on his back before finishing his sentence.


    - People who stay in love with the same person without being a couple for several years without being interested in someone else along the way are either desperate, lying or very special people.


    - And those who don''t stay in love for long with someone they''re in a relationship with are either people who''ve been abused by their partners, or they''re dirty shits!" says Amora.


    Her two friends blink with astonishment painted on their faces: it''s rare to hear Amora say the slightest swear word or show such irritation. The pink-haired girl quickly regains her smile.


    - But Maruno''s right!" she says. If you wait too long, you''ll regret it! Especially if you don''t say anything yourself, maybe Tessa will just think you''re not interested in her!


    - I still asked her to kiss me as a bet..." thinks Deshya.


    The two friends next to her know this detail very well, since she didn''t hide it ¡ª well, basically, only Amora knew, but she told Maruno ¡ª and so should think about it: after all, it''s one of the reasons Deshya doesn''t dare confess. She mentions it quickly and Maruno shrugs.


    - Tessa would have gotten naked in front of you or done pole dancing as a bet," he said.


    - I''m sure she didn''t take that kiss as seriously as you did..." admits Amora.


    Maruno nods at Deshya''s words and the latter sighs.


    - What if she thinks I''m straight...?" asks the girl in the fox sweater.


    Neither of her two friends responds, and they arrive in front of the cat bar. Before entering, Amora puts a hand on her best friend''s shoulder.


    - Deshyshy.


    - Yes¡­?


    - Everyone knows you''re bisexual," Amora blurts out.


    - When you passed your year last year, it looked like you were kissing on the mouth," smiles Maruno.


    - I-It was on the cheek! I was just happy!


    Amora''s shouting attracts the attention of some passers-by, forcing Deshya to tell her two friends to come in.


    - I... I get it!!


    She sighs as she enters the building and quickly regains her composure. The man at the cash register, much further back in the restaurant, greets the three teenagers. Since Maruno''s parents are friends with this man, he goes to say hello first, placing his bag on the empty table next to them. Deshya and Amora sit down. The redheaded girl scans the interior of the bar: a total of sixteen tables, each with four chairs, except two which have six. One of them has already been taken, a silent family eating ice cream and watching the cats. Another, the one with four chairs, is being used by two young adults, probably on a first date, given the look on their faces. Amora admires the place and sees one of the cats sleeping on someone''s jacket, very close to the bar''s large glass window. Three others are sleeping in a special place for them, hung on the wall a little higher up. Even if she jumped, Amora couldn''t reach this little ''house'' with her hand. Wooden bars are nailed into the wall to allow the cats to climb up, although this is not enough space for more than four or even five of them at a time. The place is quiet and a little music is played in the baffle hanging in the right-hand corner of the restaurant. The counter is at the far end of the room, although a little further on, another area is visible from where they''re sitting.


    - What do you think it is over there?" asks Amora.


    - Probably where they feed the cats and right next door, the kitchen," Deshya explains briefly.


    - Ah, that''s clever!


    Amora smiles and notices one of the cats pass by her, but she doesn''t dare pet it.


    - I don''t know the rules, now that I think about it...


    Amora admits as she scratches her cheek. Maruno sits down next to Deshya and replies to the girl without needing to look at the map.


    - If you want to pet a cat, you have to disinfect your hands," admits Maruno.


    - That''s why there''s disinfectant here!" says Amora.


    Deshya had already noticed it, in the middle of the table. It could be removed while they were eating, but they would have to put it back before they left. Deshya decides not to touch it. Maruno nods at Amora''s words.


    - Otherwise, you can pet the cats without worry, as long as you do that," he says.


    - And the other rules?


    - No feeding the cats, which goes without saying. If you want to take a photo of a cat, even if it''s asleep, it''s without a flash.


    - It''s because it can upset them, isn''t it?" asks Amora.


    - They''ll have red eyes in your photo too," smiles Deshya.


    - Oh, clever!


    Deshya grabs the card and looks at the food. Meanwhile, Maruno continues with the rules, seeing that Amora seems so interested.


    - If a cat is asleep, it must not be disturbed, so no petting. Loud noises are also forbidden. If a cat wants to leave, you leave it, so we don''t hold any back. Finally, don''t carry a cat. Of course, you mustn''t hurt them or be intolerable to other customers, but that goes without saying¡­


    - I wasn''t going to do anything like that! I''ll pet one afterwards, hihi!


    Amora can''t wait and waddles over. Deshya offers her the card and Maruno turns to her with another petty look.


    - Here, our ''genius'', could you tell us all the breeds of cat we see here?" he asks.


    Deshya blinks at him and sticks out her tongue.


    - If you can''t, then¡ª


    - One Turkish Angora, two Cymrics, one Siberian, the one sleeping on the jacket, one American Bobtail and two Kuril Bobtails.


    Maruno doesn''t hide his shock and goes to retort, but a cat emerges from his room and Deshya discreetly points at it.


    - A Neva Masquerade.


    - ¡­


    - How can you tell the difference between an American Bobtail and a Kuril?" asks Amora, also surprised.


    - Face shape and Kuril Bobtails can have medium length hair, whereas American Bobtails are always short. Anyway, I could be wrong at any time, but I don''t think I am.


    Her two friends simply prefer not to say anything. Amora changes the subject directly.


    - Speaking of the class trip, are you looking forward to it?


    Maruno looks at the card in turn, but nods. Deshya replies that she''s sure it''s going to be great fun, but rubs her chin.


    - On the other hand, it''s already soon... It''s from October 10 to 14, isn''t it?


    Amora nods.


    - Isn''t it super early...? I mean, we''ve barely been at school a month and we''re already going on a week-long school trip?" asks Deshya.


    - It''s always like that with the majority of Belium schools, from the 4th year onwards," answers Maruno,putting down the menu card, having finally decided what he was going to have.¡± It''s the same for 5th and 6th grade. Plus, we''re still going to have to study the places a bit for geo and history classes, so it''s not like it''s a vacation.


    Maruno raises his hand and a woman approaches them. They give their order and she asks them to wait a few minutes before the desserts arrive.


    - How are Aya and her family doing?" asks Amora. You know, since the hotel business.


    - Baby is fine, honestly, but his parents are in a difficult situation," he replies sincerely.


    - I''ve seen it..." admits Deshya.


    - It''s because of the destruction of the hotel, I suppose?


    Maruno nods with a sigh, watching a sleeping cat as he talks.


    - If they show their noses outside, they are bombarded with questions from journalists and paparazzi. When I went to Aya''s house, I went out to run some errands for them and still had to run fast so they wouldn''t grab me by the collar to answer them. It seems to have calmed down this week, but going out is almost impossible for them. Aya has to go to school by bus, instead of being driven.


    - Oh, that bad...?" says Amora, sadly.


    - Yeah. Facing the public is complicated, because even though it''s not technically their fault, the people of Teuhl want to sue Lordly. Right now, I don''t know how it''s going to go, but Axel has made no secret of the fact that he''s the culprit behind all this, so I guess Lordly will be fine. However, they''ve lost so much money I can''t even imagine.


    - Building the hotel, getting sponsors, advertising and all that... only to end up with a destroyed hotel on the first day¡­


    Deshya blurts this out, imagining that they also have to deal with the funds for the destroyed houses, especially as it seems that the hotel crashed into a park. Even if the damage was lighter than some think, it was still a catastrophe.


    - They talked a lot this Sunday though, didn''t they?" asks Amora, remembering the NEWS that talked about it.


    - They responded as best they could, but it doesn''t seem to have been enough to calm some people down," replies Maruno. Some people still say it''s their fault, that they should have checked beforehand and all that¡­


    - Axel made sure to install everything in places that were almost impossible to find. He was well prepared," admits Deshya.


    She was almost impressed, but she didn''t like giving any credit to a human monster like him. His rage had completely blinded him and he deserved no compliments, nor anyone who should speak of him in the future: she hoped he would rot in prison without the slightest recognition. A name that would quickly be lost to history. However, this event with the "FEDER" hotel falling on the first day of its construction, which should have been the biggest hotel in Belium and one of the highest in the whole world... It wouldn''t be forgotten quickly. The whole world knows what happened that day, after all.


    - I saw that this Monday the Tetazo and Teuhl police held a press conference, but I must confess I didn''t watch it. Is your father all right? Not too harassed?" asks Maruno.


    Deshya shakes her head.


    - He talked a lot with the Teuhl and Tetazo police chiefs, as well as Hanoka a little, but he wasn''t bothered for long. On Monday, he was also bombarded with questions, but it seems to have calmed down to the point where no journalist showed his face yesterday," she replies.


    - That''s good... I was afraid that even the Tetazo police force would take a beating.


    - It''s mostly the Teuhl police!" says Amora. It happened in their town, after all.


    - But Tetazo''s police was on it too. I could have been criticized too, but nothing happened to me.


    Deshya had been told about this ''planned arrest'', after all. Maruno bows his head as he listens to them, which intrigues Amora, but Deshya understands straight away why he looks so ''sad'': if Maruno hadn''t asked to arrest Axel so late, maybe this would never have happened. Certainly, the bombs had been planted in advance, and even if Axel had been taken to court beforehand, they would have exploded when the time came ¡ª he can''t do anything but feel guilty about it all. Deshya says nothing to him, since she''s already spoken to him, assuring him that it''s all Axel''s fault in any case. If they wanted to place the blame on someone else, then it would be the ''Lordly'' company who hadn''t properly checked every nook and cranny of the hotel beforehand. They were criticized for this several times during the police press conference, as well as questions and answers from Aya''s parents. Of course, it''s not just Farho¨¹ and Minerva who are criticized, but Lordly in general.


    - Anyway, even with all this, the Lordly company remains on their feet and have promised to be much more careful in the future. They''ve lost a few sponsors, connections and a lot of money, but they''re still quite rich and not hated by everyone either," adds Maruno, raising his head.


    - The Prime Minister also spoke of the damage done by the destruction of the hotel, as well as the repairs planned in the city," explains Deshya, addressing Amora.


    - Did the king mention it too?" she asks.


    - He shook hands with the people of Teuhl and chatted a bit there, but otherwise nothing.


    Maruno replies with a quick glance at the waking cat, leaving the customer''s jacket alone.


    - Doesn''t he say anything special? It''s a disaster, so I thought¡­


    - It''s not the king''s nor the queen''s job," Maruno replies. It''s the Prime Minister''s job.


    - Eeeh, I see¡­


    Shortly afterwards, the dishes ordered by the three teenagers arrive. For the smiling boy, it''s a blueberry pancake with two scoops of ice cream on top, both vanilla. On top, strawberry icing is silhouetted like a cat''s head. For Deshya, a simple banana milkshake. Finally, Amora decided on a salted butter caramel coulis, wishing to indulge herself this weekend. Everyone paid their own way, as planned, although Maruno had wanted to offer them the desserts as a thank-you. Thanks to Deshya for what she did last week and rescuing Aya; thanks to Amora for always being so friendly to everyone around her. They don''t say much to each other while they eat: they just enjoy the calm of the bar, the soft melody coming out of the baffle, the restful atmosphere and the cute cats that gracefully decorate the place. Deshya hadn''t really thought about it, but she thought that this kind of moment had been impossible for her since the beginning of September, with all the investigations she encounters on the way, but in reality, she''s living well. Admittedly, she had to see a psychologist because her mind had gone that night, as well as the stress all this is causing her, but since meeting Bibi and adopting Korone, she''s been fine. She still worries sometimes about her adopted little sister, but if she believes the words of the man who spoke to her, then she should be safe with them. Speaking of that man, Deshya continues to wonder if he has anything to do with her fox attributes... It''s obviously an almost fanciful theory, but given that Deshya already thinks Korone has something to do with her... However, it''s impossible to confirm with certainty just yet: she hopes that one day, she''ll have the answers to her questions.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    - But I mustn''t forget that I''m a 16-year-old girl... As Bibi told me.


    Her psychologist is right: she''s just a teenager with a highly functioning brain. Whether she really is what they say is a ''genius'' or just a girl who''s a little smarter than the rest of us, she''ll never know. On the average, this doesn''t change the fact that she has to enjoy life, her friends and family. Not live in constant fear or try to ''steal'' police work. She''s not a private detective yet, and running to investigations can''t be a good idea. Of course, Deshya wants to find the answers to her questions as quickly as possible, but what''s the point in rushing if you don''t know where to start? If they can discover the identity of the man with the sniper rifle or the man in the eagle hood, maybe... But for now, until she or Korone regain their memories, she''d better make the most of her life.


    - What''s more, I''m really feeling better.


    The ''dark thoughts'' she had when confronted by the woman who had kidnapped ''Byron Elrick'' have not reappeared since. This is thanks to Bibi, but also to her friends and family. Her father, mother little-sister, Amora, Tessa, Maruno, etc. etc. Her life continues to be quite hectic, but this week has been very quiet. She also notices that Sundays are rarely hectic, which actually pleases her: the next day, which is Monday, she has to go back to school, so she''d rather not get tired. Even with her growing popularity, even with her vast knowledge and incredible points, she still has to go to school like a normal girl.


    - Yes¡­


    A normal girl.


    A little later, barely ten minutes after their desserts have presented themselves to them, all three are enjoying their digestion. Maruno happily observes the cats in their ''little home'' on the wall, Amora strokes one of them as it eats its kibble from a bowl close by ¡ª and of course, she''s disinfected her hands beforehand ¡ª while Deshya thinks about everything and nothing, occasionally admiring one cat or another. She''s always been fond of this kind of bar, especially as she''s very fond of cats. Cute little creatures that can be real monsters. She''s just as fond of sheep or foxes, and dogs too, but cats... How could she not adore them?


    - Come to think of it, did you see Sunday''s news?


    Maruno asks this question as he turns to Deshya, intriguing Amora too, who stops petting the cat as it continues to eat from its bowl.


    - I''m not talking about "FEDER", but about the other thing.


    The pink-haired girl doesn''t understand what he means by that, especially since most TV channels or social networks were talking about it, but the red-haired one nods without the slightest hesitation.


    - I suppose? Deshya squints.


    - XIII?


    Pronounced ''thirteen'' (13), this name alone sends shivers down Amora''s spine. Deshya looks at her and her best friend apologizes, waving her hands. Maruno nods without smiling.


    - Yeah, him.


    - I saw that he was at it again, yes. After that, most of the discussions were about ''FEDER'' or other things going on in the world, so I confess I wasn''t that interested,


    Deshya told him.


    - What happened with him?" asks Amora, interested.


    Maruno turns to her pink-haired friend.


    - As expected, he defied the Izambar police to arrest him, but ended up killing three men. All three were pedophiles.


    - Beh.


    A sound of disgust resounded from Deshya''s throat.


    - They didn''t manage to stop him, as we suspected," continues Maruno.


    - Are we ever going to catch this serial criminal... Amora asks, then sighs as she lowers her head.


    Deshya observes her best friend without smiling. They''ve talked about this criminal before, so she knows his opinion of him very well.


    On the ''legendary criminal''.


    - Nah. He''s been around for over 10 years, but no one''s managed to catch him yet," admits Maruno.


    - He''s so hard to catch him...?" asks the sad Amora.


    Deshya knows very well that her best friend hates this man. A criminal who never stops committing crimes, having already killed at least 1,000 people in his lifetime. Almost nothing is known about him, apart from his self-appointed nickname: ''XIII''. 13'' in Roman numerals.


    - It''s bad enough that sometimes the police don''t even understand how the murders were committed... Plus, it seems he always manages to escape because he has planned everything in advance. I think they say he''s¡­


    - A superhuman.


    Deshya cuts Maruno off with crossed arms.


    - He continues to defy police and detectives here and there, mostly in Tetazo, but also in neighboring countries like Ferouz," continues Deshya.


    Always warning where he''s going to kill and when, always disguising himself and always having fun checking to see if the police or detectives can figure out his tricks. The legendary criminal... XIII, eh.


    She knows him perfectly well: anyone interested in detectives or the police has heard of him. He''s not just a criminal who''s known in Tetazo, but all over the world. Some books are references to him. A series has been made where the protagonist is literally ''XIII'' and some of his most incredible murders are recounted ¡ª a season 2 was even announced at the end of May last year, this one to be released in early 2023. He''s not even dead or caught yet, and people are already calling him a legend.


    - The serial criminal with the most murders to his credit... Do we know the exact number of victims he has?" asks Amora.


    Her tone is much more serious than usual. Deshya and Maruno can understand her: how can you talk about such a monster with a smile on your face? Deshya opens her mouth, knowing the answer:


    - Since his last three victims... A total of 1347 victims. All dead. Seven survivors, one still in a coma.


    Once again, Amora feels an unpleasant chill run through her. This criminal is clearly the one who has committed the most murders in his life ¡ª well, as a serial criminal. Still active, plaguing the scene for over 10 years, defying the authorities again and again. He''s such a sought-after criminal that catching him would make anyone rich for life. Recognition that surely surpasses comprehension. Unimaginable notoriety. Even government forces can''t catch him. Called ''superhuman'' by many, even ''divine'', XIII is a man who seems untouchable, unattainable, almost fictitious.


    - The three victims are pedophiles who worked together and it seems they committed more than five rapes between them," continues Maruno, although disgusted to talk about them. It made... As always, it made people happy.


    And yet, despite being a wanted criminal the world over, with an as yet unknown identity, this is his specialty.


    - How can we be happy about this¡­


    XIII is currently a person adored by a large part of the world''s population. Considered a ''hero'' by some.


    - He only kills garbage, after all¡­


    Maruno''s answer clearly explains the reason for this adoration: XIII specializes in killing only horrible people. Rapists, other criminals, people in corruption, first-rate liars, marriage swindlers or swindlers of any kind, con artists... In short, only horrible people. It''s ironic, given that XIII himself kills humans, but even if nobody knows who he really is, three things are certain:


    Firstly, XIII is a man. This is certain and confirmed, there''s no doubt about it. If this information turns out to be false, then the whole world will explode, Deshya has no doubt.


    Secondly, XIII always marks a particular ''XIII'' on or next to the victims. This can be directly on the body, inscribed on the floor or even on a piece of paper. What''s more, XIII will always confirm that he has committed the crimes on his own ''Twatter'', which is followed by almost three million people. If anyone tries to impersonate him, XIII will deny it outright.


    Thirdly, XIII only kills people who are ''trash''. XIII would never agree to end the life of someone who doesn''t ''deserve to be sent to hell''.


    People can say what they want about XIII and his actions, that''s the truth. There is a wiki with all XIII''s victims and sometimes short information, sometimes long on these: none of them are ''good people''. Of course, how do you know who''s ''good'' and who''s ''bad''? It''s a question often asked when talking about this legendary criminal, but most people agree on one thing: those who get killed by XIII are clearly ''bad people''.


    - Even if he only kills ''garbage'', he shouldn''t be on the loose!" says Amora, sad to know that he''s still at large.


    Deshya has long known how much her best friend hates this man, and with good reason: a killer is still a killer, even if he kills horrible people. Nobody will deny that the world would be a better place without ''bad people'', but that doesn''t justify these crimes; that''s what Amora thinks and will always say. Maruno, however, sees things a little differently.


    - I can''t say I like him, but I have to admit I''m a little more mixed," he replies. I obviously want him arrested, but he only kills people who are really assholes, after all¡­


    - I don''t think it deserves to be seen as ''good''! He''s still a killer who gets his kicks from these crimes!


    Deshya listens attentively and silently, understanding both points of view. She hadn''t intended to offer her opinion, but her two friends turned to her.


    - What do you think?!


    Deshya blinks and scratches her cheek.


    - It''s undeniable that I want him behind bars forever, and that I don''t really like him, but¡­


    - Are you mixed like Maruno?" asks Amora.


    However, Deshya doesn''t know how to answer. In fact, she''s never really asked herself the question... She''s annoyed when she hears that he''s still at it and managing to escape the hands of the police and great detectives like ''Minos Kiyon'', but at the same time, she''s always amazed at his many tricks and tips for these crimes. He''s killed again and again, but always seems to have new plans. Figuring out who XIII is disguised as isn''t easy, and even if some of these murders are frighteningly similar, understanding him on the spot is borderline impossible. He''s still a criminal, and however intelligent he may be, Deshya can''t see him as an ''idol'', let alone a ''hero'' of society, but Deshya has never felt any ''hatred'' for him, unlike Amora. But what to say to her best friend? Deshya wasn''t sure. That''s why, with a shrug, she tells them she''ll have to think about it some more, which is an honest answer on her part. They both accept it, having no other choice in any case. Thinking of something, Amora smiles and looks at her best friend


    - One day, XIII may ask you to be a detective and try to stop him~" she teases.


    - Ahah!


    Deshya laughed and waved a hand in front of her face.


    - Me? When he challenges a detective, it''s someone of the stature of Minos, Ayumi or even Rina!" says Deshya.¡± I think it''s highly unlikely that he''ll choose me, ahah!


    - But if you continue to grow in popularity¡­


    Maruno''s words strike at her heart first, but Deshya continues to deny the possibility, shaking her head as she closes her eyes. Amora laughs in turn, before something else pops into her head.


    - I was wondering... Do we agree that XIII always warns in advance where he plans to crack down by sending letters to the police and detectives he appoints, if he does?


    - That''s right," agrees Deshya.


    - Wouldn''t it be possible to just not go or cancel the event?" she asks.


    Amora thinks this would be a good idea, but unfortunately Deshya shakes her head.


    - Even if it''s not stupid, it''s been tried before. Even if the police or detectives called don''t intervene, XIII will kill his targets; it''ll just be a lot easier for him. Besides, as far as I know, he always acts as if the police are around, since they can hide in civvies, so that doesn''t stop him. As for your other plan, there was a time when he was planning to murder someone at a teenage girl''s party. It was the girl''s father, who manipulated many women at once. The police forbade the party to take place, which seemed to be perfect, but XIII didn''t like it and simply killed his victim the next day. Since he never says who his victims are, the police can''t protect everyone, and even if they could, XIII would find the perfect moment to act.


    - A big baby¡­


    It''s an attempt at an insult on Amora''s part, but it''s seen as cute by her best friend. Maruno starts laughing and the cat eating her kibble calmly walks away. Amora giggles and turns her face to Deshya again.


    - Come to think of it, you''re friends with Minos now, so couldn''t you ask him a bit more about XIII? They''ve faced each other a few times, haven''t they¡­¡± she asks.


    - I wouldn''t say we''re friends either..." admits Deshya.


    - You could ask more of him!" says Maruno. As far as I know, Minos really wants to stop XIII and he''s always managed to guess how the murder was committed that very day!


    - It''s true that sometimes the police or the detective don''t understand until the next day or much later, but Minos even manages to find out what XIII''s disguise is¡­


    That''s what Deshya thinks out loud. However, noticing that she''s digressing from Amora''s question, she shakes her head gently and looks at her best friend.


    - ...well, why not?


    - Will you tell me what he said?!


    - I want to know too!


    - A-Ah, but I''m not promising anything! Minos is often busy and I don''t talk to him much, as I don''t want to bother him¡­


    - After the "FEDER" affair, you did say something, didn''t you?


    She nods.


    - He checked up on me and congratulated me on all this, although he almost scolded me for my temerity¡­


    - Korone¡¯s your little sister and Minos your big brother¡­ Deshya''s family is growing.


    Amora smiled as she said these words, nodding in agreement.


    - Tessa has to become Deshya''s wife, then I have to become the cousin. After that, it''ll be perfect¡­


    - ... Ahahah!


    Deshya can''t help laughing at Amora''s words, although she''s careful not to disturb the cats or the other guests. As if it were contagious, Maruno and Amora imitate her, and the three of them laugh around their own table.


    A few minutes later, when Deshya and Maruno had also petted a cat while chatting, the three of them decided to leave the cat bar and go home.


    Amora and Deshya thank Maruno for the invitation and he promises that they''ll do it again, which they accept without the slightest concern. On the way home, the two best friends talk about everything and anything, but their paths diverge rather quickly and instead of taking a bus, Deshya decides to walk home. The weather is still fine, with few clouds and fresh air. A few cars or locals, but the atmosphere is calm and Deshya doesn''t have to put up with children shouting in the street. No one to bother her. A very good start to the weekend ahead. Nevertheless, she knows that an investigation could turn up at any moment. That peace and quiet may suddenly come to an end. That she would once again have to watch a murder unfold before her eyes. Maybe someone will die right next to her, on the road. A road accident? Even something worse, more sinister¡ª


    - Hey, hey, what are you thinking, Deshya?" she thinks, shocked out of her wits.


    She doesn''t know why she thinks this way. She assumes it''s because of all the investigations that have fallen into her lap, but is that a reason to be paranoid? She sighs and continues on her way, thinking of something else.


    Fortunately, nothing happens until she arrives home. She is greeted by her dog and pats him for a few moments before discarding her shoes. Looking into the hallway mirror, Deshya stares at her own face for a few brief seconds, but it seems like an eternity.


    She smiles.


    Admittedly, it seems a haphazard, almost pointless detail, but she touches her face before withdrawing that very smile, an almost shocked look crossing her face. She''s not sad that she''s smiling, rather the opposite: did she smile like that before? Yes, when she''s with friends or family, or when she''s out and something fun happens, even when she''s watching ''Waffie'' or other streamers. However, she doesn''t remember looking so happy long minutes after something good has happened.


    - ¡­


    She doesn''t know why she''s thinking about all this. Except for the few weeks, even months, after she''d returned home with her fox attributes, she''d always felt happy. Yet, when she thinks about it, was she smiling so often, this month? Even before?


    - Big sister!


    Deshya turns her face towards her granddaughter as she emerges from the office, where she can still hear her mother tapping away on the laptop keyboard.


    - What are you doing?


    - Say, Korone.


    - Yes ?


    - When we first met, I often smiled?


    - ¡­


    Deshya goes to apologize for her question, but Korone only smiles.


    - Yes, you seemed happy. But since you''ve been crying about the Elrick affair, you seem to have let yourself go more.


    Korone flashes her teeth in an even happier smile.


    - I''m glad to get to know the real Deshya, and not the one who hides part of herself unintentionally.


    Deshya opened her eyes wide, not having a word to say to that. She hadn''t thought about it, but it''s true that she used to be more reserved... Admittedly, less so with Amora, but in general... Deshya smiles in turn and strokes Korone''s hair before kissing her on the top of her head.


    - So do I.


    She then turns and pulls off her fox sweater, heading for the kitchen. Pera leaves the office, having just finished her sentence, and approaches her daughter.


    - How was school, darling?


    - Perfect! We went to a cat bar with Maruno and Amora," she replies.


    - Oh, I hope you ate well.


    Deshya quickly explains what she ordered and what the atmosphere was like there. It''s clear that her mother is happy to hear her talk about it all. Korone takes a drink of water while the girl talks to her mother. The German shepherd comes into the kitchen without making a sound, despite its size, and Deshya shakes her hair when she has finished talking.


    - It''s a good thing journalists don''t come to our house, when I think about it..." says Deshya.


    - It''s true that if they see you with your fox ears¡­


    Pera knows exactly what her daughter means: this is the only place where she can let them breathe, so if even at home she has to keep her sweater on¡­


    - Oh, also! I washed your red sweater, if you like," said her mother. I''m also mending your dress, but I''m thinking of making another one, while I''m at it.


    - Oh, but I like it.


    - I want to make a better one!


    Her mother shows a certain enthusiasm that Deshya can''t break or refute, so she lets it infect her and she nods with a big smile.


    - Can''t wait to see what wonderful outfit you''ll create!


    - You should become a professional seamstress!" says Korone, approaching them.


    Pera starts laughing, saying that this is quite exaggerated, but Korone insists. Deshya has to admit that her mother is really good at making beautiful sweaters. She loves their design and honestly wouldn''t be surprised if a lot of people were interested in them. She knows that her friend furry really likes her black sweater, for example. Deshya took out her phone to look at the time and remembered Amora''s ''proposal'' about calling Minos. Would he answer? Would he be bothered by her call? She hesitated, but finally gave a weak nod and apologized to her mother and little sister. She moves away, her hand trembling, still unsure of daring to call him: what if he''s busy? She can''t bother him with a subject so¡­


    - If worst comes to worst, so be it!


    She plucks up her courage and presses the call button as she climbs the stairs, the phone to the side of her mouth. Admittedly, her ear is higher up, but she can hear just fine this way, so she has no worries about doing this. When the person on the other side of the line is speaking very softly, she sometimes puts the phone in front of her ear to listen and then in front of her mouth to talk back. Here, there''s no need to do this. The ringing continues, so she assumes Minos is busy, but just at the end¡ª


    - Yes, Deshya?


    An answer. This surprises Deshya, who takes a second to find the words.


    - A-Ah, Minos! I hope I''m not... Not disturbing?


    - Not at all, ahah! I was just watching a series and wondering how such a writer could be hired professionally. I read better on Wattpad.


    - Is it? Is it that bad?


    - I feel like I''m reading something that''s been thought up without love, without care and inspired by a little bit of everything and nothing, hoping that it will pass. What''s more, it''s so intent on attracting the attention of certain minorities that it becomes too obvious and ruins everything... It''s good when it''s well done, it''s bad when it''s badly done¡­!


    - I''d like to say, it¡¯s logical¡­


    - Well, anyway. Are you calling for a reason?


    - A-Ah, it''s not that I''m not interested in what you''re saying, I just expected you not to answer!


    She doesn''t want to seem cold to him, so she tries to defend herself, which makes the man on the other side of the line laugh.


    - I didn''t think so either way, ahah! Anyway, talking to you will be more interesting than this... thing, anyway.


    - What are you looking at?


    - Take almost any current series that''s commissioned by ''you-know-who'' and you''ve got your answer.


    - ... Honestly, understandable.


    The two laugh before Deshya reveals the reason for her call.


    - In fact, we were talking about ''XIII'' with Amora and Maruno and they said I might be able to talk to you about it to find out more... It''s true that I''m a bit curious about him too.


    For a moment, silence. No answer from Minos. Deshya is afraid she''s said something wrong, so she goes to apologize, but Minos speaks immediately afterwards.


    - Sorry, I was drinking my water! About our dear, horrible XIII, eh? Well, most of what we know about him is no secret, so I must confess I don''t really know what else to tell you... ? Even if I don''t know you perfectly, I''m convinced you know a lot about him, don''t you?


    - Most of what is said in public, yes, but¡­


    - Want to know how our meetings are going? Eeeh, would you be interested in being called by him and trying to stop him from killing anyone in time, Deshya~?


    Minos'' teasing laugh embarrasses her, but not in a bad way. Blushing softly, she shakes her head, though it''s no use.


    - It''s-it''s not that! Yes, I''d like that, but no! I was just curious¡­


    - I''m teasing you, don''t worry, ahah! Hmmm¡­


    Deshya can hear Minos crashing against the back of his seat, probably the one made of leather.


    - Well, ''XIII'' is someone who always prepares himself enormously. If you can''t fool him, I suppose you can''t even hope to argue with him. He''s also the type who loves deductions, but is quickly disappointed if you''re wrong, although you can''t really use that against him... Anyway.


    Deshya listens attentively, standing with his back against the wall of the corridor on the second floor of his house.


    - It''s someone you think you can catch with ten police officers around, but in reality, you should have had some a hundred. Without being prepared for him, it''s impossible to know how he kills his targets. Hoping to stop him from killing anyone and finding his disguise in time is also almost impossible... For example! At one point, he had someone fall on me to make me think he was disguised as that person, but it was just a trick to distract me from his real disguise! Not only does he use tricks for his murders and assassinations, but he also creates them for his disguises! He''s a real rat, but he''s good at what he does.


    - When I see the number of his victims and yet he continues to defy the police and detectives¡­


    - Right? He''s superhuman. Inhuman, I''d go so far as to say. After all, he''s a man who takes pleasure in creating spectacles of these murders, in a sense.


    Something Deshya was already aware of: there''s a reason he defies the police and detectives every time he has a target in his sights. However, Deshya still wants to ask:


    - Is it possible that he wants to be arrested or that he likes the risk above all?


    Minos ponders his question, but soon enough answers:


    - Quite possible, but nobody knows his real identity. I''ve looked and looked, but the face he''s showing is a fake, it''s already been proven. Anyway, we don''t know if it''s a wig, a very sophisticated disguise or that in everyday life he wears another disguise, but it''s even possible that he''s ''invisible'' to society and hides all the time. But then again, he''s extremely intelligent, always comes prepared and even seems to have very good technology, so it''s not impossible that he''s a rich man in real life. He can also steal all this stuff, so we have no clue who he is. He makes almost no mistakes, and some of his crimes are borderline perfect. He''s not an adversary to underestimate, even if he were to come down with the flu.


    - ... I see.


    If even the great Minos Kiyon speaks of XIII in this way, then Deshya can only believe him and be afraid of such an ''enemy of detectives''. However, she has no reason to be afraid of being his next victim: she has done nothing to deserve being called a piece of trash. In fact, she considers the opposite to be true. Their discussion doesn''t last much longer, although Minos asks again how she''s doing. After this confirmation, he returns to his series ¡ª although he admits to regretting it ¡ª and Deshya picks up the phone with a smile. She didn''t necessarily learn anything new, but chatting with one of her favorite detectives was a great pleasure. What''s more, knowing what he thinks about a legendary criminal like XIII oddly pleased her. After all, horrible as he is, he''s still a man adored by many and truly a living legend. It''s rather strange that he''s so adored by some, but the fact that he kills people who are only ''deserving of death'' means that he''s seen as a hero, a real vigilante by some. However, Deshya finds it hard to see it that way. Does such a ''noble'' title have the merit of being a criminal...? On this question, which she can''t answer directly, she goes up to her room.


    In the evening, the three female members of the Oveja family are all at the table, dinner already served. They ate earlier than planned, but Gatito was due to arrive at any moment. Deshya quickly recounted what she had discussed with Minos on the phone, but then changed the subject to what she had learned at school.


    It''s during this very discussion that the kitchen door opens abruptly, an angry man coming into the kitchen.


    - H-Honey?


    Pera rises from her chair and notices Gatito angrily approaching the table. At first, Deshya is afraid that it''s something stupid on her part, but she can''t see what she would have done. However, Gatito raises his hand in front of her¡­


    Before throwing an envelope in front of her.


    His rage isn''t directed at his daughter directly, but it seems to concern her. Deshya blinks, incomprehension all over her face. Pera asks what''s going on, and Korone observes the envelope carefully. There''s no stamp or anything special written on it. Just a blank with no writing, no signature, no nothing. Korone goes to touch it to see if there''s anything written on the back, but Gatito finally speaks.


    - It''s not possible!" he said. It''s... I don''t accept this!


    - What''s going on, honey?


    Pera touches his arm, trying to calm him down, but the muscular man seems to be really angry. Deshya admires the envelope before taking it and turning it over.


    ¡°For Deshya Oveja¡±


    That''s all it says, in small, clear red ink. Nothing more. The envelope hasn''t been opened yet, so Deshya wonders if its contents are really what''s making her father so enraged.


    - Can I open it?" asks Deshya, completely forgetting about her dish, which is cooling on its side.


    - ... Yeah.


    In a cold tone, his father replies with an acquiescence.


    - After all, it''s for you.


    Deshya tears off the top of the envelope, taking care not to damage the letter inside, and then takes it out. She doesn''t yet know what she''ll find inside, or why it''s upsetting her father so much, but she''s strangely eager to find out. So she takes out the letter and reads it silently at first.


    Her eyes widen to near maximum.


    Pera and Korone take a closer look, but even Gatito imitates them. The letter reads as follows:


    "Dear Deshya,


    You, the Fox-Eared Detective. Your act of rescue during the fall of the FEDER Hotel was nothing short of remarkable. From what I can gather, you acted with the simple aim of saving a dear friend of yours that is the daughter of the Lordly Company. It seems that your little sister has shown just as much courage, and I can only congratulate you. You are both charming humans, especially from what I have seen of you, Deshya.


    I have been watching your exploits, your deductions, your... genius, if I may say so. You seem to be a detective who is breaking out of her shell, but not out of it yet. However, you interest me. You made me feel something incredible that day.


    I, ''XIII'', propose to try and stop me this Saturday, October 1st, during the wedding of ''Rosaline Monneige''. I intend to take care of the demons waiting there. A similar letter has already been sent to the police in Li¨¨re, where this same wedding will take place. If you would like more information, you will find it attached to the back of this letter.


    I know I am late to the party, but I hesitated to send such a challenge to a teenage girl. However, I want to see for myself your so-called ''genius''. If your parents do not agree or the police consider my request too risky, I will accept it. Otherwise, I look forward to seeing if you can stop me in time ¡ª or simply try to understand my own genius.


    XIII.¡±


    A letter offered by the legendary criminal, ''XIII''. His basic signature is visible at the end of the letter: an ''X'' with elongated bars curving to the right, including three ''I''s inside this ''curve'' of the ''X''. Quite different from the ''challenge letter'' that was made by ''Lam Douce'', this time it''s a far more incredible letter. Important. Almost unreal.


    Deshya may be about to have a close encounter with a terrible man... A legendary criminal.

 49 -?Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Long Live The Bride and Groom?(CASE10)

    <hr>


    Deshya can''t believe her eyes. The letter she''s just read seems unreal, yet it''s real. She holds it in her immobile hands, her wide eyes devouring it for as long as they can, as if thinking that any moment now, this letter will turn out to be a dream or a joke. Nevertheless, as she pinches her own cheek, she quickly realizes that she''s wide awake. That she''s not currently in bed, dreaming all because of the discussion she had with Maruno and Amora this afternoon.


    That ''XIII'' really invited her.


    However, she slowly turns her head to the right, looking her father straight in the eye.


    - This... This isn''t a joke, is it?


    If her father was just acting and messing with her, she thinks she might go so far as to cry about it. Despite this hesitant side of her, she doesn''t see her father making such a joke, or why he would.


    - It''s real," confirms Gatito. The Li¨¨re police contacted us to discuss the letter.


    Normally, ''XIII'' sends his letters a little earlier, but this time it looks like he was later. The police don''t know if there''s a reason behind it or not.


    Deshya smiles.


    - From what I know, ''XIII'' prepares everything so much that sometimes he has to abandon plans and so sometimes he sends his letters a day before, or even the same day, because he''s certain of succeeding only then," she says.


    Gatito sighs and crosses his arms.


    - That''s just what this police detective said¡­


    - O-Oh! T-That''s right, if I''m on an XIII investigation and it''s in Li¨¨re, t-then¡­


    Her eyes light up. Even without looking directly at her, what she feels takes up so much space in her heart that her energy radiates throughout the room. Her enthusiasm is such that her mouth can''t close, a big smile on her face.


    - Did he... did he really choose me?


    - It looks like it''s because big sister is solving a lot of cases and what happened at the hotel," says Korone.


    - You''re way more popular than you were at the beginning of the month, I must say," says Pera.


    Deshya''s mother is certainly happy about it, she just doesn''t know how to feel about the letter. She can now understand why her husband arrived upset, since he doesn''t want his daughter to be involved in such a dangerous affair either. XIII'' is known as a maniac who only kills ''society''s scum'', sometimes having to resort to dangerous ways to escape or kill his victims. Pera isn''t really interested in finding out more about such a man, but she knows him well, as do the majority of people on this world, no matter what continent they''re on. Some describe him as ''Satan in the flesh'', others as a ''living God''. Of course, Pera can only find such a person inhuman, trying to bang the hammer of justice herself instead of letting the police act.


    - The ceremony starts tomorrow around 1.45pm, it seems..." Deshya thinks aloud, observing the back of the letter.


    Hanging from the letter are details of where to go and a card given by the bride and groom, presumably stolen by ''XIII''. Gatito lets out a sound of displeasure.


    - How dare he involve a 16-year-old girl in these murders, damn it....


    Deshya turns to him again: she can understand him. She''s only a teenager, clearly not yet an adult, so to be invited to what was probably going to be a murder scene... Deshya can only understand how her father feels. She''d like to jump up and down and ask him if she can go, but acting in this way is surely not optimal, nor correct when she thinks of how her parents feel; only, she really wants to go.


    - I''d refuse to let you go, but¡­


    Before Deshya can even find the words, her father speaks. Gatito sighs again, clearly annoyed.


    - I think you''ll have no choice but to go.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide, but is more confused than anything else. Pera and Korone also show surprise on their faces, both thinking he would simply refuse without asking.


    - Why?" asks Gatito''s wife.


    The dishes continue to cool, but nobody remembers them, really: all their attention is focused on this unexpected letter. Gatito grunts as he sits in his place, looking his daughter straight in the eye.


    - I''ve never really been on an ''XIII'' case myself, but any policeman knows what''s going on with this nutcase. From what the Li¨¨re police have told us, Deshya seems to be the only detective invited by ''XIII''. Whether she goes or not, the Li¨¨re police are clearly going to be there, trying to catch ''XIII'' before he commits his murders; at least prevent him from killing anyone," he explains.¡± Even if Deshya doesn''t go, it doesn''t change the fact that ''XIII'' is going to do whatever it takes. I suppose Deshya knows that, but¡ª


    - ¡®XIII¡¯ will kill its victims come what may, even if the event is canceled.


    Gatito nods and sighs, observing the empty plate in front of him.


    - We could try to protect everyone with one or two policemen per person, but that would require far too many personnel, and we couldn''t do it indefinitely. What''s more, ''XIII'' is the kind of man who can take on armed men single-handedly¡­


    - How could he do that?" asks Korone.


    Strangely enough, the granddaughter feels she knows a bit about XIII, even though she''s never seen a single article about him on the Internet. In a vague way, she can see who he is, but she expects to learn more tonight or tomorrow: she''s intrigued.


    - I''m not sure, but from what I hear, he''s agile like you wouldn''t believe," replies Gatito.¡± I don''t really know how strong he is, but I guess he must not be a professional boxer or anything¡­


    However, with everything he''d heard and everything that''s been said about XIII, it''s hard not to believe that he''s simply ''superhuman''. There are serial killers with more than fifty victims to their name, and they''ve been at it for years, if not decades, but none of them enjoy defying the police and detectives at every turn. On one occasion, he even went live a few minutes after his victim''s murder!


    - Eeeeh¡­


    Korone is strangely intrigued by this man, but on the other hand, is it really so bizarre? A criminal like this is bound to attract anyone''s attention, after all¡­


    - Why shouldn''t I have the choice to go, then?" asks Deshya, still not having her answer.


    Gatito looks up at her, his boredom and anger palpable.


    - Li¨¨re''s chief of police is currently counting on you to help catch him," he explains.¡± Although I don''t really know why he seemed to trust you so much, I can only believe that he thinks you could be an asset.


    - But you''re her father, can you still refuse?" asks Pera, shocked.


    - Our station chief, who happens to be my boss, would like to know the outcome of such a... ''meeting'' would be.


    It shocked everyone. Gatito had been shocked to hear his boss confess that he would be interested in this and that there would be no danger to Deshya. Gatito can understand: XIII never hurts detectives, policemen or anyone who isn''t his target. Sure, he can sedate or render unconscious people who can help him with his plans, but he''s never used anyone as a hostage, let alone seriously injured anyone who isn''t his victim. What''s more¡ª


    - I won''t be in danger, Dad!


    Deshya smiles broadly.


    - XIII doesn''t hurt detectives, let alone children. Since he''s clearly an adult, he never disguises himself as a child or teenager, since he can''t change size either.


    - Does he only dress up as people of the same size?" asks Korone, even though she thinks she already knows the answer.


    This time it''s Gatito who answers.


    - No, he can dress up as someone smaller, but then he has to bend his knees. You''d think this would be directly noticeable, but it depends on the clothes he''s wearing and whether or not there''s a crowd.


    - It''s true that if there are a lot of people, then it''s complicated to check that!" says Korone, suspecting this answer.


    - ¡­


    Gatito turns his gaze to his red-haired daughter, noticing that despite all this, she keeps rereading the letter with a joyful expression. He knows very well that she''s not a ''fanatic'' of ''XIII'' or that she thinks he''s a ''good'' man, or even a ''God'' as some claim, but that she''s just happy to have been recognized by a ''living legend''. To have been chosen by ''XIII'' himself, the criminal with the most victims to his name.


    - Even if I hate him¡­


    Deshya blinks and looks at her father. He''s just muttered a few words, but even with her more developed hearing, she hasn''t understood what he''s said. He''s still got that angry look on his face, but she gets the impression he''s feeling something else from that rage. It''s not fear for his daughter''s safety, but rather¡­


    - Sadness?


    She has no idea why he seems to feel such emotion, but asking him would probably be pointless. Besides, Korone speaks directly afterwards.


    - So what will big sister have to do if she goes? asks the granddaughter.


    - Usually, ''XIII'' suggests that the police and detectives try to stop him before he commits his act, as it amuses him to see them try in vain, but most of the time, the police and detectives are just trying to figure out what ''XIII''s'' disguise is," explains Gatito.¡± He never kills his victims simply by poisoning them or sticking a knife in their body, but often uses tricks. Tricks, that is.


    Gatito sighs again.


    - This freak gets a kick out of watching detectives, police or otherwise, searching and searching while he watches them from his disguise. If they manage to find something fast enough, he simply listens to them, if not, he leaves before we can even find out what his false identity was," he explains.


    - So, depending on the detective''s performance, he may or may not invite them back. The majority of detectives in the ''Top 10 Best Detectives'' are invited, but some others disappointed ''XIII'', who didn''t hesitate to criticize them on her Twatter, never having invited them again unless they improve," adds Deshya.


    - He''s... special.


    They can only agree with Pera''s words. Even if most people say that ''XIII''s'' aim is simply to rid this world of garbage, some still wonder if he''s just interested in the adrenaline of knowing whether the police will manage to figure it out in time or not. Whether he''ll finally be caught or not. Many theories exist on the internet: a bunch of them straight out of the wildest fantasies. Nobody really knows how ''XIII'' thinks, especially as his identity remains unknown the world over, but one thing is certain: he has fun defying detectives and the police. He''s happy when they understand quickly enough, pleased when they manage to deduce correctly even later, sad and disappointed when one of his tricks isn''t solved. Maybe he''s a psychopath who justifies his murders by only killing ''garbage'', maybe he''s a very sentimental man who wants to clean up this world in his own way: for now, no one could say for sure. What is certain is that he doesn''t hesitate to kill.


    - Still, I''m glad he considers me worthy of being the detective trying to stop him this time..." smiled Deshya as she folded the letter.


    She then places it in front of her, clenching a fist as she shows a certain determination.


    - But I don''t want you to get it wrong, Dad. ¡®XIII¡¯ is still a criminal in any case, so I want to stop him. I know I probably won''t be able to, but I want to try. I even want to stop him from killing anyone, figure out what his disguise is in time.


    She knows it''s borderline naive to think that way, but if she just tells herself she won''t make it, then it''s clearly going to be impossible. If she thinks she can do it, then she''s allowing herself to be in a world where there''s a chance, however small, that this should happen. Besides, if she''s invited by such a criminal, then she wants to succeed in impressing him. For that, it''s more a question of ego than anything else. Gatito can only sigh as she hears her daughter''s naive determination and fills her plate with supper, then gets up to warm it.


    - I know you won''t necessarily be in danger, but seeing murders over and over again..." her father blurts out as he heads for the microwave.


    - I''m almost used to it by now!" she admits.


    - That''s the problem!


    Deshya tucks the letter into the torn envelope and smiles gently.


    - Afterwards, it''s true that it still affects me. Don''t worry, crimes don''t amuse me. I''m still human that way.


    Gatito turns on the microwave and sets it to heat the dish for a minute. He turns and looks at his daughter with a half-open mouth, but quickly closes it. It''s precisely one of his fears, that Deshya will one day see murder almost as a game. That she would no longer be affected by death. That she''ll lose her human side. Gatito has heard people say that police officers no longer feel anything when they see corpses and crimes, but this is far from the truth. Police officers, doctors, surgeons... Even when they see the dead almost every day, they still feel disgust and sadness. Perhaps we can say that they get used to it, but that doesn''t mean they''re no longer affected by death.


    It''s naive to think like that.


    However, Gatito is aware that some people no longer feel anything towards her. That some detectives are almost happy to have a case on hand, given that they can start deducing the culprit and either have fun or be able to earn money afterwards. Gatito has this very fear in him: that his own daughter will one day become like that. Clearly, she''s far from that stage and he knows her well, but he can''t remove that fear from his heart. On top of all that, he wants her to live as normal a teenage life as possible. Isn''t she the one who wants to be a ''normal'' girl? Would a ''normal'' girl go as a detective on an ''XIII'' case? In reality, Gatito is happy that she''s not what''s considered ''normal'', but he still wants her to stay away from murder and affairs, especially in her teenage years. She still needs to build herself up, gain maturity and experience in life... However, Deshya is clearly smarter than average. It''s almost impossible to deny her genius, so whatever happens, Gatito has to accept that her life has already taken a certain turn. She still manages to chat quietly with her friends, continues to act like a ''human'' teenage girl, feels various emotions, can cry or be scared. She''s still human, and more importantly, she''s still his daughter.


    So Gatito has to learn to trust him as much as possible without restricting his freedom.


    - ... I''ll let you go on two conditions.


    At the same moment, the microwave rings behind him. He opens it and picks up his plate, returning to the table. Pera goes next, warming Korone''s dish. Deshya listens attentively to his father; his fox ears point to the ceiling.


    - First of all, I''m going with you. As a police inspector, I have the right. Although I''ve only been on XIII cases as a reinforcement or on the side, there''s no reason why I shouldn''t be accepted.


    - But it''s in Li¨¨re, will you really be able to?" asks Deshya.


    - In any case, I''m still a policeman. I''ll talk to my boss and the boss of the Li¨¨re station after dinner, but they''re unlikely to refuse.


    - I''d rather you came in any case, so okay!


    Even if he doesn''t show it, it makes Gatito happy.


    - And secondly, you stay as respectful as possible there. I mean, it''s a wedding. Sure, ''XIII'' will probably ruin it by killing someone, but it''s still. a. wedding.


    - Who do you think I am?


    - For the girl who had fun messing around with the Blushark family when she made her deduction?


    - ... Well, okay, but that was something else! I''ll be respectful!


    Gatito nods before starting to eat. Korone rises from her chair.


    - And I can¡ª


    - Not the place for an 8-year-old girl.


    - Maaaw, but I¡ª


    - No.


    - ... Okiiii¡­


    Korone sits down disappointedly in her chair. Deshya chuckles, promising her little sister that she''ll explain what happened there when she gets back. Korone thanks her with a big smile and just then, her plate comes back in front of her, offered from Pera''s gentle hand.


    - If we''re going to Li¨¨re, then I''m going to meet "that famous police detective"~! I can''t wait!


    Even if it''s a case of ''XIII'', a fearsome and even appalling criminal, Deshya can only feel anticipation and joy. Even if she suspects she won''t be able to stop ''XIII'' herself, she hopes with all her heart she can prevent him from killing anyone. Find his disguise before he steals a life at a wedding. On a day that''s going to be unique for both groom and bride.


    She promises to do her best tomorrow.


    CHAPTER 49


    ?Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Long Live The Bride and Groom?


    The first day of October finally sees the light. After a long month of September, filled with the unexpected, drama and joy, the second month of autumn opens its arms to the whole world. The day has not yet dawned, but some people already are ¡ª like these two men chatting in an office lit by the light of a lamp hanging from the ceiling.


    - Do the bride, groom and guests know?


    The man asking the question is in his late forties, but you wouldn''t know it by looking at his face. Standing in front of the other man''s desk, he asks his question with both hands in the pockets of his fur sweater. It''s very early in the morning, so the air outside is chilly. Plus, it''s his usual style, one he sometimes uses even in summer. His medium-length hair is dyed gray and his green eyes are under long black lashes, his normally natural hair color. With thick eyebrows and a face that''s strangely still quite young, without the slightest wrinkle, as well as decorations on his ears, this man could almost be misconstrued as a delinquent ¡ª but the truth is quite different.


    - The bride and groom know. They trust the police, but they''re not afraid for themselves, because they think they don''t deserve to be targeted by ''XIII''," confesses the other man.


    The one sitting down has a different physique. At least 10 years older, soon to be in his fifties, short black hair neatly combed over his head, the wrinkles don''t hide the passage of time on his face. His physique is less imposing than that of the man in front of him, but his expression, his eyes and his air alone earn the respect of almost anyone facing him. He looks authoritative and cool, his bulging eyes show great experience in his work, and his clothes don''t hide his taste in style. Sitting normally in his chair, he looks at the man in front of him with a laptop turned on to his left, although he''s not touching it at the moment.


    - However, they are asking for police protection. They''ve been planning this wedding for years and they don''t want it to be ruined by this criminal," he continues.


    - Understandable. Is the team going there aware of this?


    - That goes without saying. Even without their request, we wouldn''t have acted otherwise. Our men will attend the wedding and make sure no one acts strangely. Unfortunately, we''re not allowed to check each person one by one to make sure it''s not a disguise prepared by ''XIII'', so we''ll have to rely on his observation and that of Deshya Oveja, the detective who was called in by ''XIII'' himself.


    The office is rather large and decorated ¡ª trophies, medals and more ¡ª can be found on the wall opposite the window, all displayed on polished wooden shelves. Behind the seated man, paintings decorate the desk, along with childlike drawings of him. Although one might think that these are the work of his children, the lack of rings around his finger and the fact that he has never been married are enough to suggest that this is not the case.


    - Calling a teenager... Are we really doing the right thing by letting her go to the crime scene?" asks the gray-haired man.


    The other man slowly turns his head towards his laptop screen, still no smile on his square face.


    - If she''s called by ''XIII'', it''s because she must have caught his eye. I''m sure it''s not just because of her heroic act in Teuhl, during the ''FEDER'' hotel fire, but also because she started solving case after case during the month of September,¡± he explains.¡± It seems that even ''Minos Kiyon'' is interested in her. It''s not just anyone.


    - But Tom, ''XIII'' and Minos are¡ª


    - Don''t call me ''Tom'' when we''re at work, Jogo! I''m your boss.


    ¡®Tom Spidernest'', age 49. A dark-haired man with brown eyes, boss of the Li¨¨re¡¯s police.


    ¡®Jogo Takenaka'', 39 years old. A gray-haired, green eyed man, inspector of the Li¨¨re police force.


    They''re not alone in the police building, but this discussion can only be heard by the speakers themselves. It''s not a secret conversation: Jogo just wanted to have a quick chat with Tom about what''s going to happen this afternoon.


    - We would have had to cancel the wedding anyway," admits Jogo.¡± Without criticizing little Deshya or our police, I doubt very much that it won''t end up spoiled because of ''XIII''.


    - Shinpei and I doubt that the reason ''XIII'' sent his letters so late was precisely to prevent us from canceling the wedding. Even if canceling an event won''t prevent him from killing his targets, it would have been better if they''d celebrated the big day some other time. This is not possible when we have the notice 24 hours in advance. What''s more, the bride and groom wouldn''t have agreed, given that they''d already postponed the date once due to a venue problem.


    - Tsk.


    Clearly, Jogo isn''t happy about this: marriage is very important to him. Not only has ''XIII'' called in a teenage girl as a detective, he''s also going to ruin such a joyous and important event in the lives of men and women.


    - Do we already have a list of potential victims?" asks Jogo.


    - They have a total of 136 guests and they''re going to a restaurant afterwards, so there''s nothing to say that their target isn''t a member of the staff there," he explains. We''ve tried to find out more about each guest and those who work at the restaurant, but no precise list is produced. We just don''t have the time.


    - Do we know how many victims he intends to commit?


    - All we know is that it won''t be just one victim, given the plural used. Otherwise, we know nothing.


    Tom frowns at the man standing in front of him.


    - Jogo, why all the questions? This is not your field. You''re not going to take part in this demon hunt," Tom says, a touch of hostility in his voice.


    Jogo shrugs gently.


    - I''m interested in him, like most people, like any self respecting policeman," he replies with sincerity. We''re going to have a teenage girl in this case... She''ll probably rack her brains trying to figure it out, but it''ll be futile.


    - You don''t believe in her chances?


    - She''s only a teenager, I repeat. I don''t mind her being clever, but I''ll only believe in her genius if she can figure out his tricks then. It amazes me that you believe in her so much.


    - ¡­


    Tom doesn''t respond to Jogo''s ''mockery''. He prefers to keep a straight face and frown.


    - Shouldn''t you be preparing yourself for an investigation that''s going to prove complicated? Perhaps instead of taking an unnecessary interest in ''XIII'' and Deshya, you should be looking after your own areas?


    Tom''s tone was much more aggressive, as if announcing that if this discussion were to go any further, he intended to bite.


    - This group has announced it''s going to crack down tomorrow, right? So get ready, because failure¡ª


    - I know.


    Jogo turns around and frowns in turn.


    - We too have people who go on and on like ''XIII'', like untouchables¡­


    In a house, snuggled quietly in her sheets¡ª


    ¡ª Pera wakes up in a sweat, getting up with trembling eyes.


    Hyperventilating and sweating, the redheaded woman stares into space. She knows full well what just happened... and she hates it. She hates it. She''s clearly going to have a bad day from now on. Not only is she going to feel anxiety about her daughter going to meet a serial killer, but she''s not going to be able to get those images out of her head for the day. Pera trembles and is about to cry, but a hand settles on her shoulder.


    - I''m... here¡­


    In a tired, half-asleep voice, her husband speaks to her. Pera slowly turns her gaze to the left, but in this darkness, she can only see a dark silhouette beside her. He''s snuggled up in the comforter too, after all. Pera closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before nodding weakly.


    - It''s... R-Right.


    - It''s that nightmare again, isn''t it...?


    - ... Yes," Pera finally admits, having no reason to lie to him.


    She goes to bed again, but doesn''t know if she''ll get back to sleep, especially as it''s already nearly 6am. True, it''s a Saturday and they can rest later, but she''s planning to prepare a good breakfast to give her daughter strength and courage. She closes her eyes again, having managed not to let the tears fall, and prays that the images of that nightmare won''t haunt her all day¡­


    The sun is higher in the sky. In a beautifully decorated and colorful room, a woman with very long blond hair, hanging a little lower than her pelvis, happily observes herself in a large mirror, her face beaming with happiness and anticipation for the day ahead. Beautiful clothes on her body, white and pure like the snow of the finest winters, long and already dragging on the floor. A tender dress, which must have cost well over three hundred euros, and a soft crown of flowers on her hair. A beautiful woman with bright, clear green eyes, shining with her many feelings.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    - I can''t wait~!


    How could she not be: she''s getting married today, after all.


    - You''re so beautiful, my Rosaline!


    A woman stands behind her, styling her hair and checking that her clothes are perfect. With short black hair and eyes the same color as her best friend''s, she''s 11 centimeters taller than her without losing her cuteness. They look taller than they really are, thanks to their stiletto heels. Rosaline''s smile is one that could rival the brilliance of the sun, and her eyes could burst into sweet tears of joy at any moment. However, she''s holding them back for now and will let them run down her soft cheeks when the time comes. She has no idea how she''ll stand the pressure as she walks the carpet towards her husband, where he''ll be waiting to put the ring on her finger. Her family, her friends and her husband''s friends will all be watching her during this big moment ¡ª no, they will be watching THEM. After all, they''ve already been married at the commune, but she wants to prove to God and everyone around her her bond of love by doing it in church too.


    - I''m sure your husband will think you''re beautiful!" said Kiara, her best friend, in a pleasant voice.


    - I''m sure of it too!


    No sooner had Kiara finished her sentence than a male voice rang out as the door opened. Rosaline recognized her immediately and tried to hide behind Kiara''s body, who was stretching her arms to the maximum left and right, frowning.


    - Hey, th¡¯husband! You can¡¯t see what your wife looks like yet!" shouts Kiara.


    The man places a hand in front of his mouth before turning around, letting out a surprised but also amused ''Oops''.


    - I''d forgotten about that," he confesses. Sorry, darling.


    - No problem.


    Rosaline makes sure she doesn''t look at her husband, ''Sam Strife'', either: she wants the surprise when she arrives in the church. The woman wants her eyes to sparkle the very moment she lays eyes on him. After all, even though he''s a very kind, friendly and gentle man, he rarely dresses with class, so she wants to enjoy the moment. Even at fancy restaurants, he can come in almost ordinary clothes. She doesn''t blame him at all, since she doesn''t care, but it''s because it''s rare that she wants to take advantage of it. Even if the husband doesn''t enter t h e room, another woman does. With her medium-length chestnut hair and radiant brown eyes, the woman makes no secret of her ''powerful'' side: one look is enough to understand that her strength surpasses that of ''average'' men.


    - I can, me, right?" she asks with a smile.


    - Don''t spoil anything for me, okay?" drops Sam with a smile.


    - Don''t worry, I won''t tell you! Some guests have already arrived, so go and say hello!


    - I''m off!


    This authoritative woman needs no introduction to the two inside the room: ''Kelly Berbece'', Sam''s childhood best friend. A woman with a suave Ferouz accent and hair that never goes past the bottom of her shoulders, muscles in her arms and a bit of pec concealed by her fine clothes, she inspires respect and authority.


    - You''re so cute, Rosa''!" she says.


    - Thank you¡­


    Rosaline blushed: it''s rare that Kelly compliments her. She''s far from being a mean or even vulgar woman, but she''s not the type to congratulate anyone or even flatter the people around her, friends or not. Admittedly, this is a very special day for her best friend and for Rosaline, who is also a dear friend to her, but she wasn''t expecting a compliment from him¡­


    - I can''t believe my best buddy is finally getting married¡­


    - You say that like he''s 40, Kelly," smiles Kiara. We''re all still in our twenties, even if we''re closing in on thirty a little too fast for my taste.


    - Except for me.


    A new voice rang out, this time male. Kelly turns, squinting, and sees the man in the suit and tie standing in the corner of the doorway, his back to the doorframe. Although it''s thin, he''s holding on to it no matter what.


    - Already in my thirties, fast approaching my 31st birthday," he says.


    Kiara smiled as she looked at him.


    - Isn''t that our Rampo?


    ¡®Rampo Cention''. Short, neatly coiffed blond hair and piercing blue eyes, slightly taller than the average man in this country, as well as a cow-ring jewel in his nose. His style could just as easily please as disgust people, although his expression and air are clearly due to his desire to pick up women; anyone can understand this by observing him. Kelly sighs when she sees him.


    - Is this place one of the wonders of the world, with how everyone is coming here?" she asks.


    - I just wanted to congratulate the bride before the ceremony started. You know I''ll only be here for the aperitif and the restaurant, as I have to do something quick while you''re getting married under your ''famous God''.


    Kelly frowns.


    - I know you''re not religious, but¡ª


    - I didn''t mean to be rude. I''m glad my buddy''s best friend is getting married.


    - Thank you," Rosaline says softly.


    Is it because of the upcoming wedding or the presence of this man that she feels so awkward? She''d find it hard to say, but she thinks it''s both that make her unable to speak more strongly.


    - Well, then¡­


    Wrinkling his eyes, Rampo gives a petty smile.


    - I hope ''XIII'' won''t spoil your fun~!


    - Rampo!


    Kelly yells at her and before they can fight, Kiara comes between them and asks them to calm down.


    - He''s right, though¡­


    Rosaline lets out these words before looking at herself in the mirror.


    - I don''t think my darling or I will be targeted. Besides, I trust the police to catch him in time.


    Rosaline clenched both fists, a determined look on her face.


    - Today is the happiest day of my entire life. I won''t let a stupid criminal spoil my joy.


    You can almost see Rosaline''s emotions creating a wave of warmth around her, so happy and determined is she to have a wonderful day. She doesn''t know why ''XIII'' chose such a day to commit his crime, especially since she''s certain that she and her husband have done nothing to deserve being considered ''society''s trash''. Seeing that Rosaline is unperturbed by these words, Rampo lets out a "Tch" before turning around and leaving the room.


    - Well, I hope for your sake that all goes well.


    Kelly glares at him: Rampo''s tone is so ironic that she feels insulted. Kiara asks him to calm down and then tells him she''ll have a word with him: after all, Rampo is a friend of hers and the reason he''s here.


    - Print a fist on his face if you have to!" says Kelly, leaving the room in turn, but going to the other side of the corridor.


    Kiara apologizes to Rosaline, who smiles.


    - I can finish my hair by myself. Thank you all so much! Anyway, Dad''s on his way.


    Kiara smiles and closes the door behind her, running after Rampo. The latter has his hands in his pocket, a bored look on his face. Kiara arrives next to him and sighs.


    - You really needed to talk to her like that?


    Rampo squints.


    - You don''t give a shit, do you?


    Kiara doesn''t reply, watching Rampo''s smile return to his face.


    - When Rosaline and her hubby get a good night''s sleep tonight drinking our ''specially prepared champagne'', we''ll be creating incriminating photos to ruin their perfect lives and earn money from them, so don''t act like you don''t give a shit about this chick, Kiiiara.


    His smile has become a horrible, malicious one that makes the man look ugly. His eyes are crinkled with the toxicity of his heart and stare intently at the woman who opens her mouth¡ª


    ¡ª but ended up smiling broadly, a totally different look now on her face.


    - Eeeh, but it''s funny that she thinks I love her like that~!


    They looked like two completely different people. Their expressions are horrifying, as if transformed into the kind of inhumanity that no living being should be capable of. The malice in them can be felt and even emanates from their bodies; standing close to them would be very unpleasant. Giggles resound from their dry throats, their irises losing their beautiful clarity to let a veil of darkness settle over them. No one can observe them from there, and so much the better. Who''d want to watch two monsters like them? Or rather¡ª


    - ¡­


    ¡ª two trashes.


    Because on the other side of the corridor, a man is watching them with squinted eyes, his gray irises piercing the truth of their hearts. Though in reality¡­


    ¡®XIII'' already knew very well how Kiara and Rampo really are for a few weeks now.


    The numerous discussions between guests create a convivial background noise. The families and friends of the bride and groom converse together, the church is slowly but surely filling up. It''s nearly 3:30 p.m. and the sun is still shining happily in the sky, letting its rays illuminate this beautiful day. The groom, Sam Strife, is already inside the church with his mother, the priest preparing for the ceremony. A little further on, in the almost full parking lot, a parking lot quietly at the back of the lot. The car''s engine stops and its front doors open. A girl steps into the parking lot and takes a good look at the church beyond the stone steps. A man stands next to her after closing the car, imitating his daughter before nodding.


    - Let''s go," said Gatito.


    - Hm," Deshya replies simply.


    Dressed in a red and black sweater with white stripes, the hood already on her head and black and orange shoes, the girl walks up to her father''s side. She''s wearing gray pants and has decided that for once, she''s going to wear this sweater: she really likes it. The word ''FOX'' is written on both pockets, and unlike her blue sweater, a pull-tab runs through the middle of the garment. Like any sweater she wears, the material on the fox ears of the garment is lighter and clearer, allowing her to hear well despite the garment over her ears. Admittedly, even without it, she could hear well, but since it adds style and is nothing but an advantage, her mother decides to always do it when she designs a sweater. The one she''s wearing now is her mom''s newest: it was barely made at the end of last school year. Although she doesn''t wear it often, it''s simply because she loves her other two sweaters so much, and not for any other reason. However, she had missed wearing this one, and finds it has a style that deserves to be worn only for certain occasions... like this one. Her first encounter with XIII, whether it''s her last or not, deserves just such a sweater. She feels comfortable inside, and even if it''s on the verge of being too big for her, having the sleeves continue down to her hands gives it a cute air she can''t help but love. Deshya has always preferred to be considered ''cute'' rather than ''beautiful'', even though everyone tells her she''s both. Well, there are some people who think her style is strange and that wearing a fox sweater makes her just plain weird, nothing more, but Deshya doesn''t care what these people think. She climbs the stairs alongside her father, who is dressed in smart clothes.


    - Is it really okay to go to a wedding in... an outfit like that?


    Deshya asks as she pulls on part of her sweater, addressing her father. The latter replies without turning his gaze towards her, continuing to climb the remaining steps.


    - We have no choice, and since we''re staying in the background, no one will mind," he admits. The bride and groom, the priest and the police have already been told that you''re coming and that you''ll be wearing something like this, don''t worry.


    - Hm, okay¡­


    She fully believes her father, but she can''t talk any more than that: the stress of her first meeting with ''XIII'' is blocking her throat. Not only is she afraid of not being ''smart'' enough to figure out his costume before he even kills, but she''s also afraid of disappointing him if she has to figure out the ruse used during the murder. After all, even Minos Kiyon ¡ª or Kira Miname, considered the best detective in the whole world ¡ª can''t stop XIII''s murders. When he has several targets in his sights, they may be able to prevent him from killing more than one or two people, but this is not always the case. What''s more, if, after a murder, the police decide to send everyone home with close protection, ''XIII'' will kill the rest of his victims when he can, so there''s little point; such is the dangerousness of this serial killer. A man who seems to be able to do whatever he wants without knowing any limits, having no one in this world who can catch or stop him. It''s sad to think, but when you consider that he''s been at it all this time, making a mockery of the police, it''s hard to be optimistic about him. Some people criticize the police for not being able to catch him, but Deshya knows that people who think like that are just idiots.


    - ¡­


    Looking at the church, Deshya''s first question was: why would ''XIII'' kill during such an event? However, she quickly answered herself: he''s a criminal. A serial killer. A murderer. Even if he only kills garbage, he''s still a horrible man. Why should he care if someone marries? Why should he refuse to kill when there''s a wedding going on? Deshya remembers very well that he once raged at birthday parties, even once at a cinema full of children: ''XIII'' is a criminal. Deshya must never forget this fact, must never see such a person in a positive light. Maybe he''s justifying his bloodlust behind the murder of ''waste'', maybe he''s really trying to be a vigilante, maybe he''s just totally insane, maybe there''s something even more incomprehensible in his head. However, even if he says all this to himself, it doesn''t change the fact that he''s still a murderer. Even if he comes to repent of his crimes, he will never be forgiven by the police or society. The death penalty was abolished on July 10, 1996 in Belium, so if ''XIII'' i s finally caught, he''ll simply rot in prison for the rest of his life. On the internet, some people are wondering whether ''XIII'' won''t somehow manage to get out of prison, given how he manages to elude the hands of the police and authorities, but the world government ¡ª yes, world ¡ª is already prepared for this with a cell that surpasses all others in terms of security. A place built for none other than the greatest criminal the world has ever known, ''XIII''. No one has ever seen this cell, nor knows anything about it, but Deshya understands very well why: if ''XIII'' were to know what to expect if he was arrested, it would give him more chance to prepare. Perhaps this is an unnecessary thought if the cell really is the most ''secure in the whole world'', but Deshya can only understand their desire to stay within the security zone. If ''XIII'' is caught, but manages to escape afterwards, she can''t imagine the ruckus it will create all over the world.


    - You take care of yourself and try not to stand out too much, okay?


    Her father asks her this question as he arrives at the small crowd of guests in front of the church. It''s made up of a few members of both the bride and groom''s families, as well as one or other of the men chatting away together. Deshya feels like an impostor here, because of her clothes and her lack of connection with the bride and groom. Deshya has no idea who they are, but she remains happy for them: the wedding is a magical moment in her eyes. Admittedly, she''s heard many people say that it''s precisely at marriage that men show their true nature or that it''s the beginning of decline, but she wants to continue believing that this is only for the minority of people or women who choose their husbands badly. Nevertheless, Deshya is too young to say so with confidence, so she never gives her opinion out loud on marriage. The aesthetics please her immensely, however: she can''t imagine how happy she''d be to see Tessa in a wedding outfit... even a masculine one, honestly. As Deshya enters the church, she can''t help about not ignoring the many eyes on her: some judge her, others are surprised, still others are joyful or almost admiring. The reason is simple: not all the guests know that ''XIII'' intends to act today. Some do, at which point they must realize that the girl in the fox sweater is the detective who was challenged by the legendary criminal. They may also know who she is from the "FEDER" hotel affair, since much has been said about her heroic deed. Even though she gained a lot of popularity that day and was often talked about, it calmed down during the week: people change subjects so quickly, it''s amazing. Nevertheless, Deshya remains happy with all the messages she has received and continues to acquire. Deshya sits first in the right-hand row. Her father sits next to her, on her left, and observes the church. Rather large, with magnificent stained glass windows, it resembles the image one might have of the interior of a rather normal church, but far from banal. It''s quite similar to the place where he and his wife were married a few years earlier, although it''s bigger here. He can also see that the hall is ? full: with the guests outside, there''s hardly any room left.


    - It''s a good thing the bride and groom agreed to let us come here for free," Deshya says softly, addressing her father.


    After accepting the challenge from ''XIII'' and discussing it with the Li¨¨re police, the station chief in Li¨¨re discussed it with the bride and groom, and they accepted. Naturally, they were happy to do so, especially as it seems that Rosaline likes Deshya and has known her since her affair with ''Minos Kiyon'', as she is a big fan of his. Deshya can''t wait to see what the bride looks like, especially as it seems her dress is one made especially for her. Thinking of Li¨¨re, Deshya looks back at her father to ask him the following question:


    - It''s true I didn''t ask, but what''s the Li¨¨re police force like?


    A normal question: even though Deshya knew a lot about detectives, she''d never been too interested in the police in other places. Even before she started solving cases, since the beginning of September, she didn''t even know exactly how it worked... Like the different areas, factions and sections, all that... The way the police are written in works of fiction is sometimes different, so Deshya has always had trouble telling the difference from reality. Gatito opens his mouth to reply.


    - They''re competent, but stricter than Tetazo''s police force. That''s not to say that Li¨¨re surpasses Tetazo, but it''s an equally respectable police force with highly skilled detectives, inspectors, agents and members who take their work very seriously.


    Deshya blinks before turning her gaze to the right, where a woman stands, a smile on her face. In fact, it was she who had just answered the teenager''s question, not letting Deshya''s father get a word in edgewise.


    - Who... Who are you?" asks Deshya, surprised.


    She''s a woman with medium-length black hair, a fringe that stops just above her eyes so her view isn''t spoiled. The same hair flows upwards or sideways at the end, with a rebellious streak running from the middle of her head. Her blue eyes are mesmerizing, embedded in a face that doesn''t lie about the woman''s age. She''s clearly younger than Annie, but she must be Gatito''s age. Deshya can see several earrings on both ears, the one on her lobe a different color than the others. Her clothes are turquoise, and the one on her torso is fastened with a single dark button a little lower than her breasts, which are hidden by a light-blue garment she''s wearing underneath her other garment. A simple necklace with a pink heart pendant is attached to her neck, hanging down to the beginning of her ribcage. She is a beautiful, mature woman with a face as friendly as it is authoritative. She turns her gaze to Deshya, keeping her smile in place.


    - Forgive my rudeness, I''ve intruded on your conversation without consent.


    She apologizes by bowing her head, but doesn''t really move her body. Deshya and Gatito look at her before the woman continues to speak.


    - My name is ''Ei Anisato'', nice to meet you. It''s just a coincidence that we find ourselves next to each other, Deshya, but I''m glad.


    - Do you know me?


    - If she spoke that way about the Li¨¨re police, then¡­


    Gatito thinks out loud and Ei quickly confirms his inner theory:


    - I''m a police inspector in Li¨¨re. I deal with murders and arsons, but also with ''XIII'' cases. That is, when he dares to tarnish our beautiful city with blood, or if another city needs reinforcements.


    Deshya doesn''t recognize her at a glance, but she totally believes her: when talking about an ''XIII'' case, it''s often the chosen detective or that police detective who speaks or is seen on TV, not the other police officers or detectives. However, Deshya asks herself the following question, which she decides to drop right away:


    - You often work with ''Shinpei Kioru'', then...!


    A name she can only say with excitement and beaming eyes. Ei notices the enthusiasm of the girl in the fox sweater and chuckles heartily, an amused smile on her face.


    - He''s got a lot of fans, our Shinpei!" she says, amused. That''s right, though. Our fields are the same and it''s rare for him to be put on an investigation without me. He should be thanking me!


    Her sentence is followed by an almost infectious, feminine laugh. Her eyes closed and a hand in front of her mouth, she seems to be letting her ''cute'' side come out at the moment.


    - O-Oooh! He''s really here today, isn''t he?¡± Deshya asks, stars in her eyes.


    - The bride is an acquaintance of his, so he''s currently staying with her in case ''XIII'' has decided to hide as her father or is in the vicinity," confesses Ei. He''ll stay hidden for the duration of the ceremony, but you''ll see him sooner or later. We don''t know whether ''XIII'' intends to act during the ceremony or during the restaurant, or even one and then the other¡­


    Deshya had also thought about it, but she can''t believe he''d kill first at the church and then at the restaurant: she''s convinced it''ll be during one moment or the other. But when? If he''s going to disguise himself as someone during the ceremony, it must be a priest or one of the bride and groom, or even one of the people at the front. Simply killing with a pistol isn''t his style, and in any case, here he''ll be directly noticed. Although ''XIII'' is a genius at escaping and could probably get away with even just standing up during the ceremony and shooting someone, he''s not the kind of man to want to put on such a... ''boring'' show. What''s more, he must realize that, despite his uncommon ability to escape, there are limits to what he can and can''t do. He can''t disappear or teleport either, so a certain limit exists in this world.


    He''s only human, like the rest of them.


    - Also, Deshya.


    Ei speaks as she crosses her arms, noticing that soon the ceremony will begin: the last guests arrive in the church to take their seats.


    - I know it may be too late, but you can always turn back and go home. You don''t need to be here.


    - I don''t... need to be here..." Deshya repeats, astonished.


    - You don''t have to deal with a criminal like that. You can simply ignore his letter and enjoy your weekend.


    The woman smiles calmly at the end of the sentence and looks at Deshya, her gaze lowered. Gatito looks at her too, wondering what she''s going to say to that. Deshya slowly turns her gaze to Ei before squinting.


    - But I refuse!


    - What?


    Ei blinks and Deshya keeps her gaze fixed on her.


    - One of my favorite things that I, Deshya Oveja, love to do is to say ''no'' to someone who thinks they''re strong.


    Deshya kept her pose, motionless, the two adults next to her having no idea what to say. Time passes with no response... before Deshya sits up normally again, scratching her cheek and blushing.


    - I was able to say it, hihi¡­


    - What are you talking about, Deshya..." sighed her father.


    Deshya chuckles before shaking her head, turning to Ei and offering a more serious response.


    - I''ll face this challenge. Even if I can''t stop him from killing anyone, even if I can''t stop him, I want to prove to him that choosing me as his detective was a big mistake: because I''m not an opponent to be underestimated.


    Ei can''t hide her surprise. However, it is not only because what Deshya has just said is surprising, but¡­


    - "I will face... this challenge...".


    Ei repeats these words with shock and closes one eye, as if she''s just suffered. Gatito asks her if she''s all right and Ei smiles again, apologetically.


    - Forgive me, the wound on my right thigh... Sometimes it hurts. Don''t worry about it.


    Deshya wants to ask her what she means by her wound, but her father taps her on the shoulder with his forefinger in front of her mouth, signaling that she must be quiet: the ceremony is about to begin. Deshya nods and remains calm, leaving this question in the corner of her mind, although it''s likely she''ll soon forget it. Deshya swallows loudly one last time, keeping her calm: at any moment, ''XIII'' is acting during the ceremony¡­


    ... but fortunately for everyone, that doesn''t happen.


    To be honest, the ceremony even went perfectly. The bride couldn''t contain her tears of joy at the end, which spilled over to her man when they put the rings on. Deshya felt their joy and is certain that they love each other wholeheartedly: how could they be the victims of ''XIII''? He''s killed couples and even married people before, but now they seem to be in love made of honey and joy; a sweet man and a sweet woman. Deshya enjoyed the moment, being happy for them while keeping his guard up, but nothing strange happened. They all walked to the restaurant, which was close to a lake and 10 minutes from the church, and walked alongside her father. Ei joined Shinpei Kioru in greeting Gatito and Deshya, asking them to be careful anyway: ''XIII'' is a criminal far from being like the others. The teenager promised to do her best, which pleased Ei. However, despite her excitement and self-confidence, Deshya can''t help but fear what''s about to happen. XIII'' hasn''t acted during the whole ceremony, which means he''ll be on the rampage during the meal, if not before or after. In any case, the reason Ei is with this detective policeman is to prepare herself for what''s to come. Deshya also needs to concentrate on finding out what ''XIII''s'' disguise is as quickly as possible, as she can''t allow him to act.


    - ¡®XIII'' isn''t just anyone, is he?


    Deshya knows this... and that''s why she doubts her ability to stop her first murder. Of course, she wants to be confident, but Deshya is still quite ''new'' in this field and, in the end, whatever she wants to think, she really is just a teenager with a more ''gifted'' than average brain, surpassing that of many adults. However, that doesn''t mean she can consider herself on the same level as other geniuses, like ''Ayumi Steel'' or ''Minos Kiyon''. She still lacks maturity, experience and other things she herself doesn''t know about. ¡®XIII'' kills his targets more than 99.6% of the time, and she could count on her fingers the number of times his disguise was spotted before he even started killing. He''s a gifted serial killer, far too gifted, in fact. She''s still unaware of who his victims will be, but she hopes with all her heart that they''ll manage to stop him first, however unlikely that may be. Deshya knows full well that having this ''fear'' inside her means that ''XIII'' has already won part of the confrontation, but Deshya only sees this as ''respect'' for her opponent; proof that she really does see him as someone gifted, powerful and above her level. She prefers to be realistic, without telling herself she''s going to lose. Deshya will do anything to succeed, even if it means she has to figure out today how to ''XIII'' to use her wiles. Gatito glances sharply at his daughter before sighing, watching ahead. He''s sure that if his daughter succeeds in impressing ''XIII'' today, there''ll be no turning back to a normal life... In reality, Gatito thinks the line was crossed long ago... but there had still been a glimmer of hope.


    From now on, he''ll have to accept that his daughter has entered a complicated world. A world... of murder, business, insecurity¡­


    A detective''s world.

 50 -?Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Futile Search?(CASE10)

    <hr>


    The crowd of guests heads for the restaurant directly after the wedding ceremony. Cheerful noises, chatter and exclamations resound from the agglomeration of people. As the restaurant is not far from the church, everyone decides to go on foot or on wheels - after all, two of the guests are in wheelchairs. Although the bride and groom could have traveled by car, they decided to chat with family and friends. They''re not disturbing anyone, since they''re on a path away from the road, even if Deshya notices one or two passers-by who don''t bother them. If she''s not mistaken, one of them even congratulated them. Unlike Tetazo, Li¨¨re is a much greener city, filled with countryside here and there ¡ª just like where they all are. Deshya knows exactly where they''re heading: towards Lake Mille Feux. A name given to it thanks to a legend handed down from generation to generation, although Deshya doesn''t know much about it... She could ask Shinpei about this legend, but she mainly wants to find out what it''s all about and focus on the case in front of her: it''s possible that ''XIII'' will try to act when they go to the restaurant. This is not an impossibility. Besides, the police are currently busy checking that everyone is well and behaving. During the whole ceremony, nothing happened, so it''s certain that the hour when ''XIII'' will crack down is drawing ever nearer... Deshya is feeling anxious: will they succeed in preventing her from killing anyone? That would be ideal ¡ª although stopping him would be the best possible end to the day. However, Deshya doesn''t quite believe it: there''s a reason why he kills again and again in defiance of the police, yet never once ends up behind bars... A reason why it''s impossible to track him down even by tracing his messages on the web. A good reason why he''s considered a living legend, the ''Legendary Criminal''. The ''Zeus'' or ''Lucifer'' of this generation. He''s no mere fraud playing the ''bad guy''. Everyone knows it. Anyone who underestimates him is a fool, naive and delusional behind his screen, thinking that life is simpler than you think. Even without liking the police, it''s impossible to deny that they''re doing everything in their power to stop him. The number of plans they''ve created, the different ways they''ve prevented him from escaping... XIII'' is just really a superhuman ¡ª inhuman. However, Deshya herself is not entirely human; well, she isn''t any more. Perhaps she''s the only one who can stop him from continuing his crimes, in which case...? She quickly shakes her head: this is idiotic. She''s here as a detective to try and save ''XIII''''s targets before she succumbs to his blade or poison, not to stop him. She''s just a 16-year-old who''s a little faster than she should be, but her muscular strength isn''t very... Well, let''s just say that while she''s far from weak, she''s no match for ''XIII''. When he showed up ¡ª although even his ''real head'' is really a disguise or cosmetic surgery ¡ª his body was far from muscle-free. What''s more, he''s necessarily an adult, given that he''s been acting for over a decade: Deshya doesn''t want to face a monster like him. If someone has to fight ''XIII'', she''ll leave it to the Li¨¨re police or her father¡­


    It''s now 5pm. Two women open the doors of the "AzureView" restaurant, located on the shores of Lake Mille Feux. Guests enter one after the other, some police officers remain outside, and although the atmosphere is always jovial¡­


    The time for the first ''XIII'' murder approaches.


    CHAPTER 50


    ?Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Futile Search?


    The restaurant has three floors: the first floor where the main, gigantic dining room is located, with the entrance doors to this floor being those used by guests. It is also on the first floor, you can go out into the garden, eat on the large terrace or even admire the magnificent ceiling decorated with numerous frescoes. Just above, another dining room with a large balcony ¡ª which can be reserved ¡ª and various wall decorations, mostly paintings or photographs of the lake. It''s a little less impressive than the room below, but the view is much better from the large body of water. The second floor is quite different: it''s actually the restaurant''s roof. Accessible via a tiny hill beside it ¡ª which is more of a rise from the ground ¡ª or from the interior staircases, this is where the majority of guests head for, given that this same roof is where people can enjoy their appetizers. What''s more, the scenery here is magnificent: an all encompassing view of the lake and, a little further on, the possibility of admiring part of the village beyond the water or on the other side, as well as looking out over the garden or terrace from a gentle angle. The garden isn''t huge, given that the lake is actually right next to it, but it extends quite far, given that the AzureView property is wide enough. It''s a reservation-only restaurant that commands a certain price, but that goes without saying, given the beauty of the place. The building itself is new, modern and fits in well with the theme of nature and the shimmering, pure-blue lake next door. On the roof of the restaurant, pre-prepared umbrellas with tables where appetizer dishes will appear appeal to the guests all chatting together. It''s impossible for all the guests to get to the roof without the complexity of taking every single step without jostling the other, but fortunately it''s possible to stay on the tiny hill next door and still be close to the festive atmosphere. Deshya and Gatito are on the roof, but Ei and other policemen remain on the hill. Deshya also notices that the bride and groom are there too, but she has no doubt that they''ll be arriving for the aperitif. Since the food hasn''t arrived yet, Deshya walks over to the edge of the roof and rests both arms on the rail, admiring the beautiful view before her. Even though she''s originally from this country, certain landscapes continue to impress her... She can''t even imagine the absolute beauty of the places they call ''wonders of the world''. Of course, she''s seen photos and videos of such places on the Internet, but that''s quite different from actually being there.


    - It''s a beautiful lake, isn''t it?


    Her father asks her. Deshya can only nod with a smile.


    - It looks very pure," she remarks.


    - It''s a much-respected lake in Li¨¨re, and swimming is forbidden. Even if some people come and take a boat ride in it, you need a reservation and it''s often regulated. What''s more, fishing is completely forbidden. It is said that it was here that the current king proposed to the queen.


    - Really?


    Gatito shrugs.


    - Go figure. Rumors or truth, I don''t think we can really ask¡­


    Deshya smiles as she thinks about it: she would be honored to have the opportunity to speak with the King, Queen or even Princess of Belium, but this is most likely impossible: even people like her father can''t get close to them. Admittedly, Gatito is just a police inspector from one of the many towns in the great country of Belium, but that doesn''t change the fact that if he can''t, then she can''t either. Despite her rise in popularity, becoming famous or an influencer won''t change a thing: we''re talking about the royalty of a country. Maybe ''Minos Kiyon'' has already had a chance to talk to them, but she doubts it very much... That''s how high up they are in society. Deshya sighs softly, smiling.


    - Why am I even thinking about this?


    An unanswerable question: this is how her brain works. She switches from one subject to another as soon as a link is formed, that''s just the way it is. It''s not really a problem, but sometimes it creates cacophony in her head. As far as she knows, Amora sometimes thinks this way, but in an even more... exaggerated way. This doesn''t surprise Deshya at all. While she''s thinking about it all, enjoying the scenery before her, the aperitifs arrive. She looks back, her ''snout'' having just caught the whiff of sausage and cheese. Before going, Gatito touches her shoulder.


    - Don''t forget what we came here to do," he said simply.


    Deshya nods.


    - I''ll be careful with my surroundings. I promise.


    So Gatito lets go of her shoulder and watches her leave for the aperitifs, sighing.


    - You say that, but all you could see in your eyes was food¡­


    Nevertheless, he understands his daughter: not only She must be hungry, but on top of that, it''s impossible to do anything at the moment. XIII'' is the kind of person who only puts on a disguise when she has to, and plays her characters perfectly. What''s more, there are so many guests on the roof and hillside next door, including some in the garden, that it would be impossible for him to discover her identity without making a big mistake. The police are already on the case in any case, and he''s convinced that Deshya is on her guard, observing her surroundings while enjoying the moment. Gatito takes one last look at the lake behind him before joining his daughter for some aperitifs.


    - When I think of disguises¡­


    Gatito thought that his daughter would have great difficulty disguising herself as anyone else, given that her fox tail is gigantic: it''s about 1m40 long! Even her fox ears, except when flattened, would be difficult to hide. It''s just a random thought he has at the time, but it makes him realize just how much he''s just... getting used to. When Deshya had been found, he had been reassured and moved. However, the days and weeks ahead were also about incomprehension: his daughter wasn''t entirely human anymore, after all. He remembered seeing fictional characters with cat ears that were popular in certain communities, but Gatito never thought it would become a reality ¡ª especially not with his daughter. He hadn''t been used to it, and even though he''d never been disgusted by his daughter, sometimes he found it hard to know how to react. Should he find this normal or forever abnormal, without judging his daughter? After all, she''d never asked for this... Admittedly, Deshya had confessed to him that she''d once dreamed of being an animal-girl, but since she knew nothing about the reality of her condition, it had distressed him more than anything else. It seemed as if Deshya''s attributes would forever create a hollow in their family and in Deshya''s heart.


    But he was wrong.


    He got used to it. Pera got used to it. Deshya herself is used to it and even happy about it. Sure, lots of problems arise with her attributes, but she likes to touch her own fox tail. She finds herself very cute when she looks in the mirror. She loves being able to run a little faster and even be more attentive in general thanks to her senses... Deshya would just love to admit it to more people, have Amora rub her face on it knowing the truth or be scratched between the two ears ¡ª admittedly, Gatito doesn''t quite understand these desires, but he doesn''t necessarily judge her: he''s glad she doesn''t hate herself. That she doesn''t want to rip them off, or that she no longer cries knowing she''s a girl with fox ears and a fox tail. In fact, she doesn''t even want to go back: she''s happy the way she is.


    The only question now is whether she can tell her friends without putting them in danger.


    That''s the only problem at the moment. If she has confirmation that she can share her ''secret'' without worry with the likes of Amora, Tessa or even Maruno, then Deshya will feel even better about herself. Gatito tries to make her understand that the doctor''s death had really been a suicide, but he understands why she doubted: a coincidence far too ''coincidental''. What''s more, some of the files were missing¡­


    All about Deshya.


    Gatito tries to reassure her that there''s nothing to be afraid of, but he knows this is hypocritical on his part: because he himself is afraid for his daughter. Because they still don''t know anything about who genetically modified her ¡ª or "the thing" behind it: her fox-like attributes. Because at any moment, anyone outside their family who learns the truth will be killed in turn.


    Because they''re in the unknown.


    - I love cheese like this!


    Gatito turns his gaze towards his daughter: she is simply devouring a piece of bread with cheese, a small sausage in her other hand. While they are surrounded by guests, none of them pay any attention to her fox tail, which can''t help but wag from left to right, a sign of the happiness Deshya is currently feeling. While she could be constantly worrying about her surroundings, wondering if she''s going to be abducted again some day, she goes on living with a smile on her face. Sure, she seems to have opened up a bit more since meeting Bibi and Korone, but even before that, she never let paranoia get the better of her. She continues to live with a smile on her face, and despite what''s happened, she doesn''t get hung up on the truth every day. Her daughter remains herself and lives as she sees fit.


    And maybe that''s why he decides not to overprotect her.


    Sure, maybe he should pick her up every time she leaves school. Not let her stay out too late. Watch her when he can. Maybe even hire someone to look after her when he and his mother can''t... but he refuses. He hesitated to do it after the case in which she was abducted, but it was far from being the same thing. Gatito installed a GPS in her phone after that incident ¡ª with his daughter''s consent, of course ¡ª and doesn''t necessarily intend to go any further... at least for now. He wants to let his daughter experience freedom and doesn''t want to over-protect her, removing the wings from her back or preventing them from spreading. Some might say he''s a bad father or doesn''t care enough, but that''s far from the case: when he comes home from work, he sometimes just hopes to find his daughter smiling, at the table or in her room. When he''s at work, he wonders if she''s all right. He could protect her even more, but Deshya is now a big girl who loves her freedom. He knows that people take him for a stern, strict, even cold man, but if they knew how he is with his daughter... maybe they''d change their minds.


    - Y¡¯u wan¡¯ to eat?


    His daughter hands him a piece of bread with blue cheese, the redhead''s favorite. He smiles and nods as he grabs it, then puts it in his mouth and chews it with pleasure. He''s sure he''s doing the right thing: he did protect Deshya until she was 15, but she was never in danger until September. Nevertheless, this is due to his involvement in business, not to whoever is behind his fox attributes. Although he''ll continue to be afraid for the rest of his life, this is normal: he''s her father, so of course he''ll worry about his beloved daughter.


    - Isn''t that our fox-eared detective?


    As the two eat around guests, some move aside to let a man pass. Deshya and Gatito turn their faces to the right to observe him, and soon both recognize him - in fact, the girl had recognized the voice instantly. As the man approaches them, Deshya''s heart begins to beat faster and with a swift swallow, she finishes what''s in her mouth and turns her body towards him.


    - S... Shinpei!!


    ¡®Shinpei Kioru'', the police detective from Li¨¨re, who is involved in most of the investigations opposite ''XIII''.


    Private detectives are generally more popular than police detectives because they can accept a much wider range of requests, but some police detectives are very popular: Shinpei Kioru is just such a detective. 1m80 tall, the man''s dark hair is medium-length and half-done correctly, but forms a recognizable cut, and his eyes are bright green. With a long beige suit over his body, similar to those worn by detectives in TV series or fiction, as well as a t-shirt and dark pants fastened by a belt, including shoes of a similar color, the man is impossible to miss, especially for Deshya. A police detective sometimes seen in interviews on television or on the Internet, the man sometimes nicknamed ''He Who Will Conquer Legend'', Shinpei Kioru. Although she''s not as big a fan of his as ''Minos Kiyon'' or ''Kira Miname'', he''s still a detective she''s always wanted to meet and listen to his many tales of ''XIII''. In one case, he even managed to handcuff ''XIII'' just before he escaped, but it wasn''t enough due to the clumsiness of one of the police men. As far as Deshya knows, this same man was dismissed the next day, but Shinpei confessed that he had blundered too, because in reality, ''XIII'' would have managed to escape in time in any case. A humble, kind man with a beautiful smile and who''s in his mid-thirties¡­


    - S-Shinpei!


    - That''s me, ahah. Looks like you''re excited to meet me?


    His voice is calm and soft, his tone friendly and cheerful. Despite the situation they find themselves in, he keeps his usual expression, and seeing him in person is clearly different from seeing him on TV.


    - Of course you are! You''re a popular detective and I like you a lot! I''ve even read your book three times!


    - Ah, ''Miracles Of The Thirteen Cases''? I''m proud of it, if I do say so myself.


    He bows like a butler, holding the stockings of his long jacket, which amuses Deshya. Some of the guests around them watch them talk: Shinpei is someone famous, after all. Some still don''t know about the arrival of ''XIII'', but it looks like it won''t be long before it''s spread to everyone here... Gatito shakes his head.


    - Why are all the detectives I meet so unserious...?" he wonders.


    He''s thinking mainly of Mariah. Obviously, this is some kind of joke Gatito is playing on himself, but on the other hand, he wonders if it isn''t actually true... However, he would never dare criticize a detective like Shinpei: he knows his way around ''XIII'' cases. If he dares to be relaxed, it''s surely for a good reason. Whether it''s because he knows he''s not going to take direct action, or because he''s actually keeping a close eye on his surroundings.


    - I really liked it!


    - I''m glad you did," he admits.


    Gatito had forgotten that Shinpei always speaks rather slowly, even during interviews. Seeing him in person is rather strange: it''s their first meeting too, just like Deshya.


    - So you''re the famous fox-eared detective? Pleased to meet you.


    He takes her hand and drops a kiss. Then he rises to his feet, gently and elegantly shaking her hand in front of him.


    - My name is ''Shinpei Kioru'', a police detective from Liere. I hope we can prevent ''XIII'' from killing anyone, so I''m counting on your help to stop him in time.


    Even though he speaks softly, every word is articulated to perfection. His voice is pleasant to listen to, and Deshya''s eyes light up with a new star with every passing second. That a renowned detective like him should speak to her in such a polite manner, addressing her in the form of "sir" and even elevating her to a higher level than his own, makes her want to leap into the air and express her joy. However, not only would she not dare act like that in front of, there''s also a bunch of guests around them, including her father, and besides, this place is probably going to become a murder scene, so she can''t afford it. She swallows back all her excitement and bows to him.


    - I''m counting on you too!" she replies.


    Her father had expected a more ''excited'' reaction from his daughter, but he''s happy to see that she''s growing up little by little. If she was the same as she was during the Blusharks'' explosive kitchen affair, he can''t imagine her reaction here... While entering this new world, she''s learning to be more mature.


    Between the world of normality and the world of detectives.


    Between the world of youth and adulthood.


    Between the world of immaturity and maturity.


    Two worlds, both on earth, yet as different as heaven and hell.


    - In any case, young lady, we must be careful. ¡®XIII'' could already be here, and it''s certain that he has a plan to eliminate his targets... Unfortunately, we don''t know who that could be.


    He whispers his phrases to Deshya before stepping aside with a smile.


    - I''ll leave you to keep an eye on this place with one of my colleagues. In the meantime, we''ll check with Ei and Mohammed to make sure there''s nothing set up around here," he says, waving his hand.


    - I-I''ll do my best!


    Deshya shakes her head rapidly and holds back her hood, having almost made the world''s worst mistake. Gatito asks her to calm down and she apologizes, but her heart can''t slow down its beating: meeting Shinpei Kioru is like a dream... Admittedly, less ''incredible'' than when she met Minos, but she now has the impression that she can make friends ¡ª or at least get to know ¡ª people she''s been admiring for a few months, if not years! She''s delighted to meet them, and hopes to be able to talk to them even more, but she wonders if she''ll even get to meet ''Kira Miname'', the greatest detective of this era ¡ª well, the one that still is alive. Nevertheless, she takes a deep breath and inhales while squinting her eyes.


    - On a more serious note, ''XIII'' will be making his move in the next few minutes, if not hours. It''s unthinkable to think that he''s not already disguised as someone¡­


    Even if it''s easy to escape along the path they''ve taken and hide in the forest, there''s a large plain in between. Otherwise, on the other side, there''s the lake. If he''s planning a boat or something, Shinpei and his team are bound to find it before ''XIII'' can use it. He works mostly on his own ¡ª indeed, always on his own, really ¡ª so Deshya doesn''t see a helicopter coming to pick him up from the skies... He doesn''t have many options for escaping from here, so the reverse is also true: arriving from nowhere is unlikely. True, there are still a few guests due to arrive in the next few minutes, but they''ll probably be checked by the Li¨¨re police. This hadn''t been possible with everyone during the ceremony, although from what Ei had quickly said when it was over, they''d been able to make sure that some people weren''t ''XIII''; just not all. However, they hadn''t come across ''XIII''s'' disguise... Either that meant he''d been lucky, or he hadn''t intended to disguise himself before coming here. This means one of two things: either ''XIII'' is disguised as a member of the restaurant staff, or he''s been waiting here and intends to disguise himself as a specific guest, perhaps by knocking him out and hiding him somewhere. It''s also possible that he''s pretending to be a guest who was already here, given the number of people at the restaurant: it''s impossible for them to remember them all, so if an imposter appears out of nowhere, Deshya is convinced there''s little chance of them noticing him. Maybe the bride and groom will understand, figuring that they didn''t invite him, but the chances of them noticing this random person in a line of guests are pretty slim... From her knowledge of ''XIII'', she''d go out on a limb and bet that he''s already disguised as someone. It''s also possible that he''s swapped places with someone he fell asleep with at the church, just after the ceremony. Given that it''s not really possible to check on everyone in advance, he could have indulged in this. Nevertheless, there a r e far too many people here: she can''t discover ''XIII''s'' identity just like that. He could be disguised as a woman or a man. What''s certain is that he never disguises himself as a detective, so he can''t be ''Shinpei''. He could even disguise himself as ''Ei'' or his father, ''Gatito'', but Deshya is certain that''s not the case.


    - But I can''t rule out the possibility... My father can''t be ''XIII'' unless he''s replaced him first thing in the morning, as soon as he gets out of bed, but given our conversations so far, I don''t think ''XIII'' could imitate him to that extent. Ei could be ''XIII'' too, but... well, it''s rare for him to dress up as a policeman, so he must be either a guest, a waiter or a cook.


    He can also be disguised as one of the bride and groom. What also needs to be taken into account is the choice about who he decided to target today? Given the letter he sent her and the one she read, which was received by the Li¨¨re police, he intends to kill more than just one person... but how many? Two? Three? Or even four? It''s very rare for there to be more than four, but she remembers the case where he killed an entire group of 16 people. Admittedly, that had been a different story, but it''s not impossible... Here, it''s unlikely he''d resort to such a technique: he wouldn''t harm an innocent person, unless it was to put them to sleep quietly or with a Taser. Admittedly, this could be considered violence towards others, but most of the time, it''s with a sedative. In short, Deshya has to be on her guard at all times, no matter what, and wary of anyone in this place. Whether it''s someone chatting with her, greeting her, avoiding her or even not in her field of vision. Deshya is facing ''XIII'', the most gifted criminal in probably the whole of history, so even if she has to think of an impossible plan, she has to believe it''s possible. It amuses her to think of this, since it''s something Mariah told her.


    - ¡®It''s by thinking the impossible is impossible that we drown in an impossible situation''...


    From what she remembers, it wasn''t actually Mariah who invented this quote, but someone close to her ¡ª male or female. In the situation Deshya finds herself in, she has to keep this police detective''s words in her head: it''s entirely possible that ''XIII'' has thought of a plan so complex that it would be impossible to come up with without thinking of the most crazy one possible. What''s more, ''XIII'' rarely leaves any evidence behind, the only evidence being the removal of his mask ¡ª something he does himself when he realizes he can no longer defend himself. If caught, even with his extraordinary abilities, it would be impossible for him to escape, after all¡­


    The party goes on. A few minutes after the discussion between Shinpei and Deshya, waiters and waitresses arrive on the roof with new appetizers. Everyone is dressed warmly, but not too warmly: the air is chilly, especially on the roof. Deshya has no doubt that the interior of the restaurant will be the perfect temperature. Ei, Shinpei and other policemen continue to search for any mechanism or anything around the hotel, although some have remained on the restaurant roof in case ''XIII'' shows up or commits his first crime. Deshya is currently chatting quietly with her father, both of them on guard, when¡ª


    - A-Ah!


    A woman screams in surprise and falls forward, jostling a man and then Deshya. Fortunately for them, what she''s carrying is only pieces of bread and not drinks, which would have stained the clothes of several guests. Attention turns to the woman who has just fallen, holding her head. Gatito walks over to her and helps her up along with his daughter, asking if she''s okay. She nods.


    - I... I think I''ve been tripped..." she confesses.


    Deshya frowns and scans the surroundings in front of her, but there are far too many guests everywhere. If what she says is true, then¡­


    - Did ''XIII'' trip her up? Why did...?


    However, the other theory is that this woman herself is ''XIII''... but seeing as she takes back her dish apologetically, quickly leaving in shame, Deshya wouldn''t understand why she''d be ''XIII'' in disguise. Deshya takes a quick look at her clothes, but nothing seems to be attached.


    - Is everything all right?


    Deshya turns her face towards another woman who has just approached her: it''s the bride, Rosaline. Her long white clothes are magnificent and her face is soft, her hair silky. She''s a sublime woman, yet she''s the same height as Deshya, perhaps a little shorter. The girl with the fox-like attributes wonders more and more whether she''s the one who''s or simply all the women in Belium who are small... well, most of them.


    - I''m fine," admits Deshya.


    - Mina should have been more careful¡­


    - Mina?


    Rosaline nods and leaves the two waiters who have approached to pick up the few pieces of bread that have been left on the floor. Unfortunately, they''ll have no other purpose than to be devoured by ducks or pigeons¡­


    - Yes, she''s ''Mina Matze''. She''s been working here for a while and it''s thanks to her that we were able to reserve the restaurant for ourselves. At least, she''s the one who suggested it," explains Rosaline with a smile. She''s a distracted and embarrassed woman, but she''s nice¡­ She''ll probably apologize again and again, so try to reassure her, ahah.


    - It''s okay, my clothes aren''t stained or damaged," Deshya told her.


    Gatito remains silent, letting his daughter talk with the bride, analyzing her surroundings. Perhaps this is just a chance event that needs no concern on his part, but if she really has been pushed or tripped over someone''s foot, it''s not impossible to think that this is the work of ''XIII'' himself. However, if that''s the case, then he must know ''why'' he did such a thing... If it had been aimed for Mina to run into Deshya, then he would have preferred to choose a waiter with drinks, rather than one with bread. Gatito quickly turns his gaze to his daughter, who is still chatting with the bride, and sighs inwardly.


    - It''s not my place to act like a detective, anyway.


    He has no doubt that everything he''s thinking now has already been thought through by Deshya at the very moment it all happened. If ''XIII'' is the one who bumped into the waitress or is disguised as her, then he''s making far too much of himself for someone who still hasn''t committed a crime, all for, it would seem, no reason at all... So he prefers not to think about it any further, finding it simply an unnecessary waste of time.


    A good thirty minutes later, the guests were gradually entering the restaurant: the appetizers had been devoured by the guests. Some of them have decided to save room for the appetizer, main course and dessert that''s about to arrive, especially as no one knows about the meals in advance ¡ª except the bride and groom and the cooks, of course. When Deshya arrives in the main hall on the first floor, she takes another look around. It''s huge, with large tables everywhere, some round, others rectangular. Guests have already started to sit where they like, usually alongside family or friends. Only one table has been reserved in advance, where Deshya can see several people she recognizes: Shinpei Kioru, Ei Anisato, even the bride and groom, Rosaline Monneige and Sam Strife. During the conversation she had with Rosaline, it seems that they''re going to keep their own surnames, but that''s no sign of a rift between the two of them: Rosaline is just holding on to her family name since the death of her mother. Deshya wonders whether, when she marries, she''ll take the other''s name or not... If she can date Tessa and live by her side for life, she still thinks she''ll keep her surname... After all, for years it hasn''t been necessary to take the man''s surname and they can choose, even in a gay marriage. With these thoughts, Deshya approaches the table reserved with her father, since they can both go there too. Before taking her seat, Deshya thinks of an amusing question and hesitates to ask it, but when Shinpei notices her staring at him, he asks what it is. Deshya scratches her cheek, blushing.


    - A-Ah, even though it''s a bit of a joke, I was wondering....


    She speaks softly enough that not everyone can hear her. Next to Shinpei is a darker-skinned man whom she doesn''t know, but she really likes his black dreadlocked hair. The woman on the detective''s right is, of course, Ei Anisato, Li¨¨re''s police inspector.


    - To join the police force, is one of the requirements to be handsome or sexy?" asks Deshya, embarrassed by such a question.


    Gatito has heard her and can''t help but quickly chuckle at such a question, but Shinpei laughs without hesitation at the two amused policemen next to him. The two newlyweds and guests at the table turn to them, wondering what happened. Shinpei winks at Deshya.


    - If that''s the case, then you''ll be accepted straight away," he replies simply.


    Deshya blushed even more, going to sit down with a happy smile. Gatito would like to tell her not to ask such questions, but he prefers to keep quiet and remains amused, surprised by what she has dared to say. When he thinks about it himself, the majority of policemen in Belium are really handsome and sexy. Of course, that''s not to say that this isn''t the case in other countries. Some have a more ''imposing'' side, like the chief of the Li¨¨re station. However, that''s just a detail produced by chance, nothing more... Besides, beauty is subjective.


    - I haven''t introduced you, but this girl is ''Deshya Oveja''!" speaks Rosaline.


    The wife pats the shoulder of the woman to her left, her husband just to her left.


    - Deshya, this is ''Kiara Gommon'', my best friend for just under a year! Well, she''s not my only best friend, but I adore her!


    Deshya observes the woman with the short brown hair before greeting her with a smile. Kiara does the same, gently waving her hand in front of her.


    - Right next to him is ''Kelly Berbece'', my husband¡¯s best friend!


    - I saw the NEWS live. Super Rock ''N Roll, but super dangerous, what you did," smiles Kelly.¡± But I like it. I love it.


    - T-Thank you¡­


    Deshya is embarrassed, but her answering that way was mainly because she hadn''t tried to be "Rock ''N Roll" or stylish: it had been the only means of survival for the three of them... Even if she didn''t admit it to the others, she had been on the verge of bursting into tears inside the hotel when she''d ridden away on the motorcycle, given that if luck hadn''t been on their side, the building would have collapsed all too soon, taking the lives of three girls that day. She cried tears of joy when they reached the fountain, safe and sound, but who could judge her for that?


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    - Where is Rampo?" asks Rosaline, noticing that he''s not at the table.


    - He said he''d come and eat after the entree," explains Kiara.


    - Rampo?" asks Gatito.


    The bride turns to Deshya''s father.


    - He''s a friend of Kiara''s. He''s very teasing and sometimes a bit cold, but he has a good side," admits Rosaline.


    Kiara wants to laugh when she hears this, because she knows the truth: Rampo is a real scumbag. If anyone is going to be the target of ''XIII'' today, it''s going to be him. Well, Kiara can''t deny that she herself isn''t perfect, but what she does is only for the money and the opportunity to have a little fun with Sam''s beautiful body, nothing else: she doesn''t think she''s ''society''s trash''.


    - Oh, I see.


    Rosaline is not necessarily saddened by this, and enjoys the music echoing through the room, gently moving her body from side to side. In the kitchen, meanwhile, the cooks are hard at work with the waiters ready to zigzag between all the tables, as usual. This time it''s for a special event and the atmosphere is different, as it''s a wedding.


    The appetizer is delicious. Deshya devours it without hesitation, her belly dancing with joy inside her body, her taste buds happy and her nose embracing the good smell. Even if her reason for being here is to prevent ''XIII'' from committing any crime, she''s actually happy to be able to eat something so good... It was so delicious. If she ever comes to Li¨¨re again, she hopes to return to this restaurant! She''s sure her mother or Korone would love the view, the atmosphere and the food. She can''t wait to find out what dish and then what dessert will be served! However, like Shinpei, she remains on her guard in case anyone is killed... ''XIII'' is bound to be around. Unless he''s decided not to come today ¡ª which is a possibility already removed from his mind ¡ª he''ll soon be cracking down, that''s for sure... Time goes by more and more and yet, no sign of this criminal... Deshya can only find this strange. Is he waiting for something? How will he kill? It''s unlikely that he''d decide to shoot anyone in this room, as he''d be spotted straight away, and besides, ''XIII'' very rarely acts without guile. Added to all this, it''s their first meeting: ''XIII'' is bound to offer Deshya a complex investigation. However, even if she''s interested to know what ''XIII'' has planned, she doesn''t want to find out: she wants to stop him from killing anyone. Even if they''re bad people, that doesn''t give ''XIII'' ¡ª or anyone, really ¡ª permission to kill them. Whether it was Koinu Blushark who killed her father or Daniel Teri who killed Ben Tharen, they had no right to do so. Certainly, the victims weren''t good people ¡ª or at least, they hadn''t acted in the best of ways.


    ¡ª But that''s no reason to steal someone''s life! Deshya thinks so, and will think so for the rest of his life.


    - I have to go to the bathroom, I apologize.


    While the girl with the fox-like attributes is in her thoughts, a woman rises from her chair: it''s Kiara. However, before she can step forward, Shinpei asks her to stay put.


    - I''m just going to the¡ª


    - That''s not the point. We still don''t know who the targets of ''XIII'' are. If it''s you, then you''ll be invulnerable away from us," Shinpei cuts her off. Ei, you go with him.


    - Sure.


    Kiara frowns.


    - I understand your concern, but I refuse, even for my own safety, to be watched while I relieve myself," she admits.


    - She''ll stay right outside the bathroom door. Policemen are outside and watching all around, so if ''XIII'' wants to get away, it''s either by beating Ei, not an easy thing to do, or make sure she''s not spotted by anyone outside the restaurant. She''ll just keep an eye on things by coming with you.


    Kiara sighs and shrugs, realizing that she has no choice in the matter: so she accepts. Ei gets up from her chair and apologizes to Gatito, with whom she was chatting about their work, and joins Kiara without further ado. Not even four seconds pass before another woman stands up. This time, it''s¡ª


    - I''m going to have a quick smoke outside!" says Kelly.


    The woman with medium-length chestnut hair speaks. Shinpei asks another policeman to follow her and he accepts. Deshya would have thought it was the man with the dreadlocks who would be chosen, but Shinpei doesn''t offer. Is it possible that he''s not an agent, but someone else, then...? She doesn''t bother to ask and watches Kelly walk away with the other policeman.


    - Do you want me to come with you?" asks Rosaline, turning around.


    Kelly stops and looks at the bride with question marks in her eyes.


    - If there are more of us, ''XIII'' is less likely to appear," admits Rosaline.


    - Not good. Besides, as cold as I am, I don''t see myself as his target.


    She shrugs her shoulders and continues on her way alongside the policeman, leaving the room with its lively, festive atmosphere. Most of the guests had finished their appetizers, with some still taking their time or unable to eat everything. It has to be said that the aperitifs had already filled some people''s bellies... Deshya used to be that kind of person. She''s careful now, and if there are any appetizers left over, she takes them and eats them in front of a movie, a series or a stream. She''s already gained a kilo or two as a result, but she''s far from overweight, let alone obese, so she can afford it. If she ever has to give up her daily sport, then that''s another matter, but with gymnastics and her long walks to and from home, she should be able to keep her figure. In any case, she doesn''t mind putting on a little fat: she just thinks it''s cuter, whether it''s on a girl or a boy. However, that doesn''t mean it''s ugly otherwise: Aya is rather slim, with thin thighs, but she''s still very cute. Deshya just prefers a little more ''squishy'', like Frie or Tessa ¡ª even Mariah!


    The minutes pass quickly enough when Ei and Kiara return together from the bathroom. Kelly and the other policeman are still not back, but it''s normal that smoking takes longer than¡ª


    - We''ve got a problem.


    This is what Ei confesses as soon as she arrives at the table, whispering to Shinpei and Deshya. Gatito frowns, but before he can ask for details, this town''s police detective does. The other guests at the table are intrigued by what''s being said, especially as Kiara seems to be bothered. Nevertheless, Ei makes sure that their conversation is not overheard by everyone, but only by those who need to know.


    - It seems that Mina, the waitress, has been kidnapped.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide, but Shinpei and Gatito squint theirs.


    - Situation," says the police detective calmly.


    - I was in front of the toilet as planned when Kiara came in. However, fearing that ''XIII'' was already waiting for her there, I entered the room to check that all was well. I didn''t even have time to check a single cabin before someone knocked me out from behind. Kiara quickly woke me up, but she explained that Mina had been kidnapped.


    The policemen and detectives listen attentively. Shinpei turns to Kiara, who steps forward when she notices everyone staring at her.


    - How do you know?" asks Shinpei.


    - I-I heard a strange noise when I was in my cabin¡­ Then I quickly heard a woman''s scream and¡­


    - Was it Mina?


    Impatient, Deshya asks the question. Kiara nods with insecurity and a lack of confidence. Ei slammed her fist down hard on her palm, but it seemed more like a way of hurting herself than anything else.


    - I didn''t pay enough attention. If this leads to Mina''s death, then¡ª


    - Until that happens, it''s best to just sit back and concentrate on the present and prevent it from happening.


    Shinpei rises at his words and gently pats Ei''s shoulder.


    - We face ''XIII''. We have to see him as a monster, while, us, we are only human.


    He steps forward, asking the policemen, including Gatito and Deshya, to stand up in turn, and lets out a weak smile.


    - But unfortunately for him, we''re capable of exterminating a monster. So let''s do our best again.


    Stars appear in Deshya''s eyes: she recognizes Shinpei perfectly here. A man who greatly respects the intelligence of criminals and the people around him, understanding that he can even be below them... but he will never give up. He''ll always go beyond his limits if he has to. An opponent like ''XIII'' is almost impossible to catch, but Shinpei believes it''s possible every day. He doesn''t get depressed; he keeps telling himself it''s going to happen. Maybe that''s why he''s the man sent on almost every ''XIII'' case¡­


    - W-What''s going on?


    As half of the table where the bride and groom are seated stands up, the guests stop chatting to each other to observe them. What''s more, even Rosaline and Sam got up.


    - Is it ''XIII''? Has he ever killed anyone?!" asks one of the guests.


    - I knew it! XIII'' is here!


    - Ro... Rosaline, it''s not that, is it?!


    All of a sudden, the guests start to panic. Nothing is explained yet, and yet they let their fantasies bother them. Sure, they''re right about ''XIII''s'' actions, but it creates unnecessary panic. Some of the guests are also reluctant to get up, and Deshya looks at them, remembering what happened during the unstoppable train affair or even during the Furas¡¯ party... If they all start getting restless, it''s going to make the search more complicated. However, the situation is different to that of the train, but at the same time, Deshya wonders if it isn''t similar: letting someone leave here is too risky. As long as ''XIII''''s targets are at the party, they can at least know where ''XIII'' is, and the cops are there to be able to stop him killing or even catch him afterwards. If the target(s) return home, it will be impossible to protect them without knowing their identity. This is also why ''XIII'' is so dangerous: unless he''s stopped in his tracks from killing his target at the very place of his challenge, he''ll get rid of his target no matter what. Whether he''s a civilian, a person of some importance to society, the head of a major corporation or even the rich and powerful, ''XIII'' is always on the move: he will never give up. The only targets of this criminal who have survived are because the police or detective managed to prevent ''XIII'' from killing them with a plan or by directly understanding the disguise employed, but this is so rare that one can almost say it never happened; a sad thing to think. At least they know it''s possible to rescue their targets... and that''s by ''defeating'' ''XIII'' at his own game on the very day, at the very place of the ''challenge''. Of course, this is easier said than done, given that ''XIII'' almost never makes a mistake and plans everything in advance. When he sends the letter, the methods of escape, the disguises, the research into the personalities he''s going to imitate, etc... He''s a real demon.


    - Please calm down.


    In his polite tone and calm, slow voice, Shinpei speaks. He speaks loudly enough for most of the guests to hear him, and like magic, they all calm down. Shinpei thanks them before continuing:


    - We can''t waste any time, so I''ll ask you to stay put and check your surroundings. I can promise you that you''re in no danger, as the targets of ''XIII'' have already been identified and alerted.


    Deshya is shocked: this is clearly a lie on his part.


    - However, I won''t deny that he''s here. If you''re a fan of his, please don''t create a useless ruckus. The opposite is also true. I understand that you''re probably scared or unsure if you''re going to be his target, but I can promise you that none of you, dear guests, are. Stay in your seats and enjoy your meal while we stop him. What''s more, we have confirmation that his current target isn''t dead yet, so it''s possible we''ll get this over with without a hitch. Thank you for your time.


    Shinpei bows gently and as if he''s just put a spell on the room, everyone calms down and the friendly atmosphere returns. Deshya doesn''t know if it''s their trust in Shinpei or that it''s common knowledge that ''XIII'' doesn''t harm anyone except his targets, but she assumes it''s both. What''s more, some of them seem delighted to hear that this criminal is around... Deshya observes Shinpei, who smiles as he feels her attention focused on him.


    - Sometimes you have to lie to calm people down. It''s impossible to live without lies, after all.


    The way he said it intrigued Deshya, especially as he seemed to have glanced at either Ei or the dark-skinned man behind him. However, she ignores it and just thinks about the train affair. At this point, Annie had also lied to the passengers about the vehicle''s missed stops. Deshya must have used such a lie in turn, but in reality, she would never have dared to tell the truth... as it would have created a monster mess. Anyway, Deshya completely agrees with the police detective and just nods. Before going to look for them, Shinpei asks the bride and groom what they''re doing, but they admit they want to look too. Kiara says the same. Shinpei would have liked to refuse, but since time is against them, he just agrees, hurrying from the room with the policemen and them all. As they arrive outside, they are quickly greeted by a woman who turns to them in astonishment.


    - What are you doing...?" asks Kelly.


    The smell of cigarettes is noticed by anyone, even if the woman isn''t smoking. Near her, the policeman assigned to watch and protect her is on guard, but as he sees the group arriving, he relaxes.


    - What''s going on?


    The policeman asks the same question as Kelly.


    - Has anyone come out since?" asks Shinpei, not answering their question.


    The policeman nods.


    - I didn''t see anyone," admits Kelly.


    - She hasn''t moved from here either," adds the policeman.


    In short, the possibility of ''XIII'' being disguised as Kelly drops to almost 100%. Shinpei turns his head towards the building before shoving his hands into the pockets of his long beige coat.


    - It seems that ''XIII''¡¯s first target was Mina Matze, the waitress at this restaurant," he confesses.¡± Ei was knocked out in the bathroom and Mina was abducted at that point, if Kiara is to be believed.


    - But how did he get out?" asks Gatito. Weren''t there any other policemen at the front door of the WC?


    - We''ll have to go and check, but there must be a small window. However... Anyway, we don''t have time to chat any longer. We''re all looking together to see where she might be. Despite what I said in the restaurant, the chances of Mina still being alive are almost zero.


    In fact, they all understood this from the moment they learned that Mina had been kidnapped. If ''XIII'' puts his hand on his target, then saving her is impossible; Shinpei can speak from experience.


    - Ei, you go with Nathan and Kiara. Deshya, with your father and Rosaline. Sam comes with me and Martin, and Mohammed with Jean together. If Kelly wants to follow us, go with the two of them, otherwise go straight back to the restaurant.


    - I don''t know what''s going on, but Mina is too nice a woman to be targeted by ''XIII''. If he dares touch her¡­


    She cracks her knuckles with an angry look on her face: she doesn''t need to finish her sentence for everyone to understand what she meant. In any case, the intention is understood by all. The policeman calling himself ''Martin'' returns to them and confirms that no one else is in the ladies'' or men''s rooms'' toilets at the moment, so the teams start running to look for Mina.


    For Deshya, Gatito and Rosaline, the search was fruitless. They check the rise in the ground, the roof and a little further on, but nothing. Gatito prefers to stay by his daughter''s side in case she discovers something and is attacked by ''XIII'', even though he''s never done such a thing, and Rosaline isn''t comfortable being alone, as she''s beginning to think she could be the next victim. If a kind, shy woman like Mina can be taken as a target, then she begins to hesitate about what she''s learned about this ''legendary criminal''.


    As for Shinpei''s team, they go to look around the lake¡­ unfortunately, nothing at all. Sam Strife, the groom, asks if it''s possible they''re still inside, but Shinpei explains that there are still cops inside who know the cause, since Shinpei quickly explained on the walkie-talkie as he left the restaurant. Sam scratches his head, not remembering when he did it, but fully believes him. Mohammed''s side... again, no results. They don''t even really know what they''re looking for: ''XIII'' often uses tricks to kill his victims, so what would he be doing so far from the restaurant?  Perhaps he''s planning something a little way from the building to create a ruse? This has happened before, so they can''t rule it out. They never know in advance what the ''theme'' of the ruse is going to be, after all... nor how he intends to kill his target(s): with a gun? With a knife? Poison? Other? They can''t know that right now. If he''s still inside, he''ll probably get caught by the cops who are still there, so he must well and truly be outside¡­


    And finally, on the side of Ei''s team, the three of them bypass the restaurant. It''s the police inspector who seems the most stressed of the three, clearly because she blames herself: if she hadn''t been knocked out from behind, she wouldn''t have let ''XIII'' act. If she''d been more careful, then they could have stopped her ¡ª at least, prevented him from acting. Now, ''Mina Matze'' is going to be killed by his hands, and they don''t even know what disguise he''s borrowed. Kiara stops behind them, but Ei notices him a few seconds later.


    - What are you doing, Kiara?!" shouts Ei.


    - ¡­


    The woman is standing in front of a container ¡ª a dark green garbage can that can be opened by lifting the large lid attached to the back. Kiara raises her eyes to the building''s small window.


    The toilet window.


    Ei notices her and frowns as she runs towards Kiara.


    - Is it possible...?!


    The other policeman, Nathan, approaches when he sees Ei running towards Kiara. Kiara places both hands on the lid.


    - Mina is someone I really like, so¡­


    Although Kiara plans to execute a ''horrible'' plan tonight against Rosaline, her friendship with Mina is real ¡ª it''s not the same thing at all. If Mina is the real target of ''XIII'', she doesn''t understand why.


    - I want to find it!


    Kiara and Ei both lift the lid of the container, hoping to find Mina''s body still alive... but, unfortunately¡­


    All they find is garbage. Nothing else.


    Ei sighs in disappointment, but before closing the lid, she checks under the garbage. However, it is impossible to hide a body in there, so they close the container and Kiara clenches both fists.


    - ¡­


    She says nothing, an angry look on her face. Ei pats her on the shoulder, promising that they''ll find her. Kiara nods softly and, without further ado, Ei and Nathan continue their active search, Kiara again looking out the window of the ladies'' room.


    Unfortunately, after about 15 minutes of intensive searching, nothing is found. Not a mechanism hidden by ''XIII'', not the living or lifeless body of ''Mina Matze'', nothing. No one. Gatito knocks against the restaurant wall, gnashing his teeth.


    - Where did they go...?" he wonders, eyes squinting.


    - Is it possible that ''Mina'' is actually ''XIII''?" asks Rosaline.


    Both Oveja turn towards her, but Deshya answers first.


    - It''s not impossible, especially since it fell on me during the aperitifs... After that, I don''t see why ''XIII'' would do such a thing, given that when I looked in my hood, my two pockets and shook my clothes, nothing fell out, so I don''t think he''d have put anything on me.


    - ¡­


    Rosaline reflects and Gatito sighs.


    - There''s no point in looking any further, I reckon. They''re either much further away, another team has found them, or they''re still inside. I think we''d better get back to the restaurant," he suggests.


    He looks at his daughter and the bride, seeking their approval, and rightly so, they nod. Deshya sees no point in going any further than this, since there''s no reason for ''XIII'' to take his victim to a remote location: he likes the spectacle, showing others the fate he inflicts on sinners, the refuse of this society. If they were to dispose of the body too far away, it would be pointless. True, it would be less risky, but ''XIII'' isn''t the type to play it safe every time. If he did, then maybe he''d be literally untraceable every time... Maybe.


    - No, surely not," thought Deshya.


    After all, if they can''t catch him when he plays the risk card, she doesn''t even want to imagine when he prefers safety. With his talents for disguise, stealth and evasion, including his intelligence and what appears to be a knowledge of people''s true nature, he could perhaps go so far as to commit hundreds of murders a year, many more than he already does. He would be such a serious threat that he wouldn''t even be considered a serial killer anymore, but probably something even stronger, maybe even a new term... Deshya doesn''t even want to imagine ''XIII'' acting like that, because it could be even more horrible. Some say that as long as he''s killing the ''trash'' of society, everything''s fine, but what if he were to lose his mind and choose his targets almost at random? No one would be safe, even at home. It would create an era of terror that would probably require an unimaginable number of police forces and other groups, associations and probably even gifted assassins themselves to stop him. Deshya wants to believe she''s exaggerating, but ''XIII'' really is that much of a superhuman... She hopes she''s wrong, but given that he still hasn''t been caught, she can only think she''s right... As the three return to the restaurant, they bump into Shinpei, Sam and Martin. The two grooms talk uneasily together, Shinpei with Deshya and Gatito.


    - No results on your side either?" asks the dark haired man.


    They both nod and Shinpei observes the restaurant''s front door.


    - I don''t know where he went, but chances are he''s still inside. Maybe he pretended to pick up Mina''s voice to force us outside... I''m already amazed that he dared to knock Ei out when he''s the type who doesn''t necessarily hurt police officers. That means he had to in order to carry out his plan... So he had to hide in one of the cabins," explains Shinpei.


    Deshya thought the same thing.


    - What about the other teams?" asks Gatito.


    - I asked on my walkie-talkie on the way back to the restaurant, but it looks like everything''s been searched to no avail. They''re all coming back too.


    - Say, Shinpei¡­


    Deshya attracts the attention of the detective, who shakes his head gently, listening.


    - Do we know how ''XIII'' chooses its targets? Well, apart from the fact that they''re always ''garbage''," she asks.


    - Honestly, that''s a question I unfortunately don''t know the answer to. Even with access to police files, he doesn''t necessarily kill other criminals or people who have committed crimes such as rape, theft or assault of any kind. Sometimes he kills people who have done mischievous things or are planning to do mischievous things, but how would he know that? I don''t know. Nobody knows but himself.


    Shinpei touches his chin.


    - Although ''XIII'' always acts alone when he kills, there''s nothing to say he doesn''t work with others. Maybe he asks some of his fanatics who are normal people in society to report who might or might not be ''trash'' and then checks it out, or maybe ''XIII'' himself is a normal person. Given his professional disguises, we think he''s working with someone in the business. We''re still looking into how ''XIII'' can produce money for certain mechanisms in his plans, and how he can act so freely, but... It¡¯s impossible to know.


    Shinpei shrugs.


    - It''s also possible that he changed his real face into the one we all know from someone he then killed. He may have acted outside Belium, but at this point, there''s not much we can really do. In fact, whatever happens, until we know the real identity of ''XIII'' or whether his face is a mask, cosmetic surgery or something else, it''s going to be complicated to start anywhere.


    - I... I see¡­


    Deshya totally understands what the police detective is saying... and it frightens her. How can someone like ''XIII'' exist?!


    - Let''s go back," says Gatito.


    Deshya nods and they all head inside together, with Gatito and the other policeman checking the back of the two grooms, protecting them just in case. When they arrive in the large hall, where everyone has finished eating, the guests turn to the policemen who have just returned. Just behind them, the other two teams return, but Shinpei doesn''t pay them any immediate attention.


    - Ah, they''re back!" says one of the guests.


    - Did you see anything strange?" asks Shinpei.


    - Shinpei¡­


    Ei tries to get the detective''s attention, but since one of the guests is answering his question, he doesn''t hear her.


    - Nothing at all," admits someone.


    - ¡­


    Shinpei looks down and the bride and groom are escorted by Gatito and the other policeman to their table. Ei wants to talk to Shinpei again, insisting a little more, but he walks on thinking, lost in thought. The woman sighs and touches his shoulder, admitting that it''s important, but it''s at the same time that a woman is talking to the bride and groom.


    - Who were you looking for?" she asks.


    - Mina, the waitress," Rosaline admits.


    She doesn''t know if she had the right to say it, so she freezes, but Gatito reassures her that it''s okay. However¡ª


    - Ah? But she was here?


    - ¡­


    The policemen stop, even the bride and groom and Deshya. The latter frowns and quickly approaches the woman.


    - I-Is that right?!


    The woman looks at the other guests on her table and they all nod in agreement. A teenager Deshya''s age speaks next.


    - She''s come to serve the next table. She must be in the kitchen looking for another dish.


    Deshya opens his eyes wide and Shinpei turns around. At that very moment¡ª


    ¡ª Mina is there, with a dish in her hand.


    The two detectives run towards her, Ei following close behind. Gatito and the other policeman seat the two


    by standing next to them.


    - What''s going on...?" wonders Tetazo''s inspector.


    What''s more, as he watched their teams, he noticed something... strange. Even worrying.


    - Where?


    He doesn''t see this person anywhere.


    - Where have you been?!" asks Shinpei, approaching Mina.


    The woman blinks, but before she can respond, a scream rings out. Deshya and Shinpei suddenly turn towards the large table where they were all eating: it''s Rosaline who has just let out that scream.


    - What''s going on?!" shouts Ei.


    - I-It''s¡­


    Rosaline holds up her phone, trembling. A few seconds earlier, the mood in the room had been rather light, despite the presence of ''XIII'' in the vicinity; now it''s tense. The guests are all focused on Rosaline. Gatito looks at his phone and opens his eyes wide.


    - K-Kiara... just texted me... saying she''s on the roof!!!


    That''s what Rosaline shouts, her voice cracking under the pressure. Ei directly orders some of the police to go without further delay. Shinpei follows her and orders Deshya to stay here with Mohammed in case something happens here. Gatito and the other policeman scan the surroundings in case this is just a way of distracting them from the room. The male policeman had noticed before Shinpei: ''Kiara'' wasn''t with them. This is exactly what Ei wanted to talk about, but Shinpei had been far too deep in his thoughts. Deshya bites her thumb: what does it all mean? Was ''Kiara'' ''XIII'' in disguise? If so, why lie about Mina by sending them all out? After all, even Kiara joined them in the search, so... She looks through the restaurant windows with a frown, trying to figure out what''s going on. If ''XIII'' really was disguised as ''Kiara'', then where exactly was ''Kiara''? Sure, Ei was knocked out, but there''s no way he could have come out of the bathroom, hidden the woman somewhere and then come back, disguised herself and woken Ei without being noticed. Kiara herself wasn''t found in the bathroom either, so... it doesn''t make sense. What''s more likely is that ''XIII'' imitated Mina''s voice to send everyone outside, did something inside with her disguise and somehow lured ''Kiara'' to the roof. However, she still can''t be sure: there''s always a chance that the message from ¡®Kiara'' be a fake, because if she really did face ''XIII'', would she have time to warn Rosaline? It''s all too strange¡­


    - HELP!!!!


    A scream rings out. It''s perfectly audible from the first floor, thanks to the room''s open windows: it''s actually coming from outside. Deshya opens her eyes wide, still fixed on the outside, when another scream rings out in the distance another time, but one who doesn''t utter a word. In full view of the guests, the police and the bride and groom¡­


    A woman crashes to the terrace floor, losing her life with the sound of shattering bones.

 51 -?Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Suspects of Being XIII?(CASE10)

    <hr>


    ¡®Rosaline Monneige'' and ''Sam Strife'' are getting married in a church on October 1, 2022, having invited over 100 guests for what will be one of their best days ever. Added to this number, however, are Li¨¨re police officers Deshya and Gatito Oveja... as well as ''XIII'', the legendary criminal. A monstrous man who has been on the rampage for over 10 years, shamelessly defying the police and yet has never been caught. He kills relentlessly, but only people who are ''society''s scum''. The greatest serial killer in history... and yet a criminal that many people love. There are fan clubs for him, accounts dedicated only to this notorious killer, people trying to figure out where he''ll act next, etc... etc....


    And just so, this same criminal has sent a letter of defiance to ''Deshya Oveja'', the fox-eared detective. A letter that seems to come from nowhere, that has no reason to be sent to her home, but in reality, it''s because he admired her gesture during the collapse of the ''FEDER'' hotel. Having seen her on the television, live during the NEWS, he decided to challenge her for the first time and check out what she''s worth, since he''d researched more information about her and learned that she''s something of a ''new detective''. It was thanks to this that Deshya was invited to Rosaline and Sam''s wedding, here as the detective chosen by ''XIII'' himself. Gatito has followed her because he doesn''t accept her going to ''confront'' such a criminal on her own, acting almost as Deshya''s bodyguard more than her father, currently. There, Deshya and Gatito first meet ''Ei Anisato'', the Li¨¨re police inspector who has been sent on the case. Soon afterwards, the world''s most popular police detective shows his face to Deshya''s face: ''Shinpei Kioru'', the man often seen during investigations against ''XIII'' in Belium. After a few discussions together and aperitifs devoured by the guests, they all go to the ground floor of the "AzureView", the name of the restaurant located right next to Li¨¨re''s magnificent lake ¡ª Lake ''Mille Feux''. Nothing has happened yet, and most of the guests don''t yet know that ''XIII'' is planning to kill anyone at this party... but it''s when Ei and Kiara return from the bathroom that everything changes:


    ¡®Mina Matze'' seems to have been kidnapped by this criminal.


    Panic broke out in the room, but was quickly brought under control by Shinpei. From what they learn, when Kiara went to the bathroom, Ei also went in to check that ''XIII'' wasn''t hidden in a stall or somewhere else, but she was knocked out from behind. Kiara then heard ''Mina Matze'' let out a muffled scream... In short, a complicated situation. They all go outside to look for any trace of the waitress, while other policemen stay inside to catch ''XIII'' if he dares show up with Mina inside, but nothing is found. However, when Deshya and the others return inside... they learn that, in reality, Mina is still there.


    And it''s just after this that a message is sent to Rosaline from Kiara''s phone... the latter asking her for help, currently on the roof. Shinpei and other policemen go in, leaving Deshya in the hall with Mohammed and all the guests, including the bride and groom.


    Then a cry rang out: Kiara''s.


    Followed by his fall to the terrace floor.


    CHAPTER 51


    ?Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Suspects of Being XIII?


    for her: for all the policemen who are also there. One person has just died... They failed to stop ''XIII'' from committing his crime. Far from her first, but Deshya wishes it hadn''t happened. Before long, the girl is running towards the terrace to the cries of terror from the guests. The policemen try to calm the situation as best they can, while behind Deshya, the dark-skinned man with the first name of ''Mohammed'' runs after her. The teenager quickly opened the French window and braked before the horrible sight before her: Kiara''s corpse, eyes closed, but opening them would be pointless, since they''d have no desire left in them... Almost too restful an air, broken bones and blood dripping from her body, creating a crimson puddle that dulls the terrace. Before Deshya could think anything of it, Mohammed gave her an apologetic push and crouched down.


    - Mohammed!


    He looks up quickly, and Deshya does the same, stepping forward to notice that the man who has just shouted is none other than¡ª


    - Did you find ''XIII'', Shinpei?!" asks Mohammed.


    The police detective is leaning over the roof, another policeman also showing his head at his side. Unfortunately, Shinpei lets them know that ''XIII'' hasn''t been caught. Mohammed lets out a "Tch" as he lowers his head, checking Kiara''s condition. Of course, he''s certain that she''s dead, but he still has to analyze her.


    - She died instantly... She hadn''t been killed before," Mohammed remarks. Head trauma and broken vertebrae, two bumps on the skull¡­


    Deshya leaves Mohammed to check on the body and turns to look inside the restaurant from the terrace windows. She can hear people panicking, but it seems to her that calm is gradually returning, with policemen ¡ª including her father ¡ª forcing them to sit down or forbidding them to leave. What surprises Deshya is that some people... are taking pictures. Illuminated expressions, even happy ones. Eyes full of stars and happiness. Admiration, thanks for being in the same place as ''XIII''. To have witnessed one of his crimes live, to be part of this ''incredible'' event.


    It disgusts Deshya.


    Someone has just died, but they don''t care. What matters to them is taking pictures, showing that they were there, sharing this information with their friends and posting them on their social networks. It''s happened before that crowds of people come to a crime scene after someone has posted on their wall what happened and where ''XIII'' is now, ruining several investigations. The guests who were taking photos were stopped by the police, going by confiscating their phones ; although Deshya isn''t sure this is allowed. However, she understands: if they publish their photos on the internet and a mass of people find out about it and head here, then the chances of catching ''XIII'' or understanding the case will drop to 0%. That can''t happen.


    - How can you laugh like that at a crime¡­


    Deshya knows she dared to have fun by offering her deduction to the Blushark family, but she would never have laughed in front of the victim, nor could she have joked about Miro''s death. He may have dared to sexually harass her daughter, but to laugh like that at a crime is something she can''t imagine. It''s horrible. It''s disgusting. Deshya is both shocked and unsurprised to see them react this way. Certainly, ''XIII'' is around. Certainly, they are experiencing something ''incredible'', being in the same place as this legendary criminal.


    But can they laugh about it? To react like that? To take photos of a woman who has just died in front of their eyes?


    Sometimes, Deshya wonders if social networks aren''t the product of Satan himself.


    - Deshya.


    She snaps out of her thoughts when Shinpei comes back to her, side by side with Ei and two other policemen who are going to help their own inside the restaurant.


    - It would appear that Kiara was really on the roof..." the police detective blurts out.


    - Are you thinking what I''m thinking?" asks Deshya.


    Shinpei stares straight into her eyes. Deshya''s gaze is ablaze with rage and sadness. He understands her: they couldn''t stop ''XIII'' in time. They can offer all the excuses in the world, but it won''t change a thing: ''Kiara Gommon'' has just lost her life. Given Mohammed''s behavior, Shinpei has no doubt that she really has joined the world of the dead, so they, mortals, will be unable to bring her back to this earth. They can only blame their own incompetence and do their best to catch ''XIII'' ¡ª or at least prevent her from killing any more. Afterwards, they haven''t forgotten: he intends to get rid of more than just one victim, as evidenced by the use of the plural in his letter.


    - What do you mean?


    - On the ''disguise'' of ''XIII''...


    Shinpei squinted and nodded: he''d already solved 75% of the case. Strangely enough, it hadn''t been complicated, but the remaining 25% prevented him from understanding how the murder had really worked. He asks Mohammed for a brief summary of the victim''s condition, and Deshya immediately understands that he''s a Li¨¨re police doctor, similar to what Annie is to Tetazo. The man with the dreadlocks and the long coat stands up and nods


    - There''s no doubt she died in the fall. Given her condition and the bumps on her head, I''d say she was knocked unconscious before being thrown," he explains.


    - So ''XIII'' used a fake voice for the victim''s scream?" asks Ei, annoyed.


    - It''s not impossible, if he didn''t want her to struggle," says Shinpei. However, never mind, carry on.


    Mohammed nods again and asks a policeman to help him move the body from here.


    - We''ll send it to forensics to see if we can find anything more on her or inside her.


    - So she fell to her death¡­


    Shinpei and Deshya begin to think: this means that part of their theory is now impossible. They''re more or less convinced of ''XIII''s'' disguise, but that''s far from enough to solve this case... What''s more, even if they understand how it was done, the most important thing is still unanswered: what ''skin'' has this criminal now slipped into?


    - It''s certain that he''s still out there," finishes Shinpei. He probably hasn''t taken care of his second victim yet, and even if he has, he''ll want to enjoy the show by judging the police and Deshya¡­


    - ¡®XIII'' is going to stay and see if we can figure it out today or if we''re going to take longer, right?" confirms the teenager in the fox sweater.


    Shinpei nods.


    - No doubt about it. If our theory is right, though¡­


    Shinpei doesn''t really like what he''s thinking about right now. It''s also possible that ''XIII'' no longer disguises himself in person and waits for the right moment to act, as he has done many times before: he prepares a disguise, uses it for a murder or two, then finishes his ''show'' without needing to hide under a false identity. However, if this is the case, then he must be hidden somewhere in the vicinity or in the restaurant building.


    - Say, Shinpei¡­


    Deshya speaks while looking inside the ground floor, where peace and quiet have finally returned.


    - Were we right to listen to Kiara?


    It''s a question Ei also asks herself. She looks down, her eyes saddened: if she''d been more attentive... If she hadn''t let herself be knocked out¡­


    Then... maybe Kiara would still be alive.


    - If we''d stayed inside, then¡ª


    - You''re wrong, Deshya.


    The teenager blinks and turns her face towards Shinpei. He, too, is looking inside the building, hands behind his back.


    - You''re thinking that if we hadn''t listened to her, if we''d stayed on our guard longer, we could have prevented this murder, but that''s not true. Of course, we shouldn''t believe everything we''re told, because it could be ''XIII'' in disguise, but not believing anything is also the worst idea, and it means you''re letting ''XIII'' win over your heart, but also your mind. If Mina had really been kidnapped, then what we had done could have saved her. What''s more, if we had checked around, we might have found a disguise hidden by ''XIII'' himself, a mechanism or anything that could have given us an advantage. I still don''t know where he hid Kiara, or how he got to the roof with her undetected, but we''ll find out. Besides, there were policemen inside anyway, so it''s not as if we''d been fools. We took a risk looking around, but this time it was no use. Maybe in a future investigation, we''ll save a life with it. ¡®XIII'' is still considered superhuman, and that''s not wrong. Even if you treat him like a God, never forget, Lady Deshya.


    Shinpei smiled as he looked at her, without turning his face away.


    - It is with our faith that we create the gods. Without it, they are nothing but dust.


    Deshya listens attentively, mouth agape. Shinpei moves towards the restaurant and the teenager looks at him without moving, her hands having loosened. Ei sighs beside her and smiles back.


    - He always finds the words, doesn''t he?" says Ei.


    Mohammed, standing next to her, nods in agreement.


    - Well, he''s right.


    He looks down at Deshya.


    - If you didn''t understand what he meant, he¡ª


    - Yes, I understand.


    Deshya smiles too and gently pulls the hood down over her head.


    - If we see ''XIII'' as a god, then we will continue to be beneath him. If we see him as a perfect being, then we''re just kidding ourselves about an important detail.


    Deshya totally agrees with Shinpei:


    - Superhuman or inhuman, he remains human. He''s an imperfect being, a man who will make mistakes. Someone we can beat.


    Deshya returned to the restaurant with her confidence restored, leaving Ei and Mohammed on the terrace. The two policemen look at each other and chuckle.


    - She''s an interesting girl, isn''t she?" says Ei with amusement.


    - Sixteen, eh? Kids these days seem to be a lot better than adults these days.


    - Don''t say that.


    - I mean it!


    They laugh together before they too go back inside, quickly regaining their seriousness: they are at a crime scene. They''re facing ''XIII'', a criminal they want to stop. Someone has just died in front of a hundred people, during a wedding party that should have been the best day of their lives¡­


    But Rosaline is crying.


    - W-Why is she¡­


    Sam holds her in his arms, trying to comfort her, both protected by Gatito and another policeman. Shinpei bites his thumb as he looks around... and that''s when he notices a certain someone. Without even waiting a second, he runs up to him and grabs his arm.


    - Where have you been all this time?


    With his back against the wall and a semi-tracaded look on his face, Rampo flinches and shakes his head.


    - Wha-What?" he asks.


    - We looked for ''Mina'' and then Kiara died without you being around and now, all of a sudden, you''re here...?


    - ¡­


    Rampo answers nothing, teeth clenched. He pushes Shinpei and Ei intervenes directly, but the detective tells him it''s not necessary. Deshya looks at them from a little further away, eyes squinting.


    - I''d almost forgotten about him..." she thinks.


    Rampo should have come to eat with them all, but from what she remembers¡ª


    - I said I''d come after the entrance, didn''t I?" says Rampo. It''s normal that I wasn''t there.


    - ¡­


    However, neither Shinpei nor Ei are really convinced. Seeing their gaze fixed intently on him, the man clenches a fist and almost growls.


    - You think I''m XIII, don''t you? I wanted to come here, but when Kiara called me, I went back outside, waited, but nothing! So I figured it was a joke on her part, or maybe ''XIII'' pretended to be Kiara, so I came back!


    He lets out another ''Tch'' at the end of his sentence, turning his gaze and frowning. Shinpei goes to ask him for more information, but his ear picks up a conversation going on behind him, although he can''t hear what''s being said. It''s a man talking to his wife downstairs, watching the policemen. Seeing that the detective has turned his gaze towards the two of them, they freeze and stop talking.


    - What''s going on...?" asks Shinpei.


    The two look at each other before the man stares at Rampo.


    - It''s just... We saw him coming out of the building, so¡­


    - He must be telling the truth.


    Rampo smiles.


    - Ah, well, you see? So, let go of me!


    He passes between the policemen angrily and strides over to the large table, his hands in his pockets. Ei frowns.


    - Can he be ''XIII''?" she asks.


    - No idea," confesses Shinpei. Deshya and I think he was disguised as someone else, but... He seems really upset by the situation, maybe he''s saddened by Kiara''s death too and sees us as incompetent. We should ask the alibi of the bride and groom, including Kelly. There''s nothing to say that any of them, during our search, weren''t disguised as ''XIII'' and managed to escape for a few moments to put us on the wrong path.


    - Speaking of which¡­


    Ei speaks softly into Shinpei''s ear.


    - Kiara suddenly disappeared when she was with us. I don''t know if she was called up to the roof or if she was ''XIII'' in disguise, but¡­


    She doesn''t finish her sentence, but Shinpei understands exactly what she means. If what she says is true, then the theory he shares with Deshya must be true. However, this doesn''t really help them: sure, they understand part of the ''XIII'' plan he used to be able to kill Kiara, but they have absolutely no idea who he''s disguised as, or who his next victim is. In all likelihood, even if they do solve the woman''s murder, it''s not going to do them any good. Anyone here could be ''XIII''s'' next victim, so they find themselves in a complex situation, but Shinpei isn''t sweating it: when they face this serial killer, it happens almost every time. He has to keep calm and check that the people ''important'' to the wedding are still themselves, and not ''XIII'' in disguise. Shinpei is certain that Deshya is still herself, since replicating such a fox tail can''t be easy. Admittedly, ''XIII'' had chosen him in advance, so he could have planned such a disguise, but even with that aside, ''XIII'' can''t be the teenager: he never hides in the skin of the detective he calls. After all, what''s the point: if he does, the detective won''t be able to solve the case... Shinpei gets close to the bride and groom and apologizes, asking for their alibis, which are listened to by the policemen around, including Deshya herself.


    - O-Our... Wait, you think it could be us?!


    Sam doesn''t hide his anger and frowns, scanning the policemen near them. However, Ei asks him directly to calm down.


    - I understand how you feel, but we''re dealing with ''XIII''. Anyone here could be, even me.


    She tugs hard at her cheek, turning it red, and then lets go, emitting a faint sound of pain.


    - As you can see, I''m not. We have neither the time nor the right to do such a thing on everyone, so we prefer to quickly ask for your alibi. If it doesn''t match reality, you''re bound to be ''XIII''. Well, that''s not much use, but¡ª


    - It''s better than nothing, I understand¡­


    Sam sighs and gently grabs his wife, the latter having managed to stop her tears.


    - We were here, as you saw... We didn''t move, so if either of us is really ''XIII'', it''s been a little while," he explains.


    - I can confirm that," agrees Gatito.


    Tetazo''s police inspector agrees: he was beside them most of the time, even keeping an eye on them while calming the other guests. He doesn''t believe that either of them could be ''XIII'', but as Ei has rightly said, they''re facing this legendary criminal: anything is possible. He has no doubts about his daughter, but he mustn''t forget that ''XIII'' is the type to think like whoever he''s disguising, even if nobody can hear him. He does everything to become the identity he personifies.


    - This notorious criminal who only kills trash... My balls.


    Gatito tries to leave his anger inside, but it''s hard not to show it on her face. Deshya notices and squints, but prefers not to say anything.


    - And you, Mina?


    Shinpei turns his head, staring at the waitress who is tensing up.


    - M-Me?" she asks, pointing at herself.


    - Exactly. You tripped over Deshya during the appetizers, you were nowhere to be seen when Kiara and Ei came to tell us about your disappearance and¡ª


    - W-Wait!


    Mina shakes her head.


    - Is it my fault?! I was here, serving the guests! I served table 17, didn''t I?


    She turns to the table she''s talking about, and the guests seated there confirm that this was indeed the case.


    - She went back to the kitchen right afterwards, but she was definitely there," admits the girl with the long blue hair.


    Shinpei lets the time pass without speaking... but he finally sighs.


    - It''s true. It''s true. It seems that what I do is useless anyway¡­


    He turns his gaze to Deshya, who nods in agreement. Shinpei sighs as he tucks his hands into the pockets of his long jacket: trying to find ''XIII'' at the moment would be pointless and impossible. If they could, it would probably prevent him from killing his next victim or victims, but without a clue, it would be pointless. Except for Rampo, every ''important'' person at this wedding has an ''alibi'' that proves they were here during the murder... Rampo himself was seen by a couple at the restaurant, so unless they''re lying for some reason¡­


    - What''s more, that''s without taking into account the hundred or so guests who are here, as well as the rest of the restaurant staff," Shinpei thinks.


    If ''XIII'' disguised himself as someone ''random'' among the guests, then he could disappear without necessarily being noticed. They could also check that no one ''extra'' or ''uninvited'' is in the restaurant, but knowing ''XIII'', he wouldn''t do something so... stupid and risky. Deshya approached him, Mohammed and Ei at their side.


    - What do we do?" asks Deshya.


    - First, we need to know how Kiara got to the roof," Shinpei says.


    - She just ran away from our group, it''s not complex..." admits Ei.


    Shinpei shakes his head.


    - Deshya and I are certain that the Kiara at your side was ''XIII'', Ei.


    - A-Ah? But¡ª


    - Exactly, I don''t know how he managed to move Kiara. One could also believe that Kiara was a fan of ''XIII'' and agreed to join him on the roof for some reason, but it''s so unlikely that I''d rather not follow that lead. If ''XIII'' was disguised as Kiara, then the real Kiara had to be somewhere, didn''t she?


    The four of them nod and Gatito approaches them to listen.


    - To start with, check the ladies'' toilets," Shinpei orders. ¡®XIII'' is the type to use fairly similar methods for these various crimes, so it''s possible he''ll use a similar ruse for his next target. If we can figure it out now, it''s possible to be one step ahead of him.


    They all nod again, and Shinpei turns his gaze to the red-haired teenager.


    - With Ei, check inside the ladies'' toilets. Mohammed, you stay in the corridor to make sure no one goes in. Gatito, if you can continue to keep an eye on our two grooms, as well as on the rest of the guests... Of course, alongside our men.


    The red-haired man accepts, glancing at Rosaline, who has managed to stop her tears. He can only understand her sadness, for losing such a dear friend¡­


    - ¡­


    Gatito turns directly to Shinpei, preferring to concentrate on the investigation rather than thinking about superfluous things.


    - I''m going to check outside the toilets to see if I can find anything. I''ll warn the policemen watching the area around the lake and the restaurant to be extra careful," concludes Shinpei.


    At the end of the detective''s words, they all head where they need to go. Mina, Rosaline, Sam, Rampo and even Kelly watch them, all with a different look on their faces. Kelly sighs.


    - They didn''t even tell me my alibi... Have they forgotten me or what?" she blurts out as she sits down beside the bride and groom.


    Gatito watches him out of the corner of his eye, but doesn''t respond to his words. He then admires his daughter leaving, putting on gloves ¡ª the ones Mariah gave him.


    - It''s true that she always keeps them in her pockets now..." he thinks.


    It''s normal, after all: she''s now something of an apprentice detective, one who is indirectly drawn to investigations and vice versa. It''s possible that tomorrow she''ll come across another murder, be called in by Minos or even hear that one of her classmates has just been abducted or has disappeared. It''s not Deshya''s fault, but fate... luck, life itself, that has decided it. Belium may be a beautiful country with a highly competent police force, but it''s also a place where cases come to light a little too often. Nevertheless, as a detective, Gatito knows very well that there are more investigations than the general public might think. If only people knew how common crimes were¡­


    For their part, Deshya and Ei enter the ladies'' room, making sure no one is still there. Mohammed promises not to let anyone through for the time being, especially as there are other, smaller toilets upstairs if they really have to. They thank him and Deshya takes a quick look around. It''s a basic but clean toilet, with three different sinks, a mirror above each one, and a total of 6 cubicles next to each other. There''s a small area below and a larger one above, so it''s possible to move from one to the other by climbing the walls of the cubicles. As for what''s underneath, that''s not possible ¡ª not even Korone could do it. Deshya clenches and unclenches her gloved hands before opening one of the cabins with attention to look inside. A clean toilet with a roll of white paper... nothing else.


    - Kiara went into cabin number 5," Ei explained.


    Deshya nods and opens the door to this particular cabin, but nothing special is found. The scroll has hardly been used and Deshya can see no traces of combat or defense, nor any message. The inside of the jar is clean and the latch is in good condition.


    - I''ll check the other cabins," Ei tells him.


    Deshya looks at her and notices her pained expression: she must continue to blame herself for letting ''XIII'' catch and kill Kiara. Deshya doesn''t think it''s her fault, but she can understand her: she was in charge of protecting the woman who ended up being murdered. She can only consider herself at fault. Deshya would like to tell her not to see it that way, but it won''t help, so she concentrates on her task: finding out how ''XIII'' could have killed Kiara in such a way.


    - Anyway, it''s all very ''XIII''.


    He could have simply killed Kiara in the bathroom and fled, and that would have been more than enough. His target would still have been eliminated without anyone knowing what ''XIII''s'' disguise was... and yet he still decided to disguise himself as her and risk not being able to finish Kiara off. He has decided to take the more complicated route, all because he loves spectacle and trickery. Although ''XIII'' only kills society''s ''trash'', it''s hard not to believe that he''s having fun making the police and detectives go round in circles... Is it because it''s entertaining for him, or because he hates the police and detectives? Yet he does them as little harm as possible... True, here he knocked out Ei, but¡ª


    - Nothing in the other cabins," admits Ei.


    Deshya shakes her head: she''s still thinking about superfluous things. She checks the inside of hers, but... nothing.


    - The same," replies the teenager quickly.


    She sighs and looks around the room again before her attention is drawn to something. She looks up and Ei stands next to the girl.


    - I thought about it too, but¡­


    Both look at the room''s rectangular, open window. It''s not very big, but Deshya is more or less convinced of one thing:


    - I think I''ll be able to go to the other side.


    The window is wide enough for a person without too many muscles to get through. For its height, anyone of slim build could also go outside without too much trouble. What''s more, the window isn''t very high, but to reach it, you still have to stretch your arms upwards, grab the edge underneath and then cross it... something that anyone without strength wouldn''t be able to do. The window isn''t very high either, given that Deshya can reach it by jumping: it''s about 1m90 off the ground. So it''s possible that some people could see outside from inside... Is this really practical? However, Deshya prefers not to ask such questions and just looks out... to see Shinpei smiling.


    - I was also wondering about this window," he admits. With my looks, I think it would be complicated to pass, but a girl like you surely could. However, forgive my question¡­


    Shinpei approaches the wall where the window is, watched by Deshya''s two big eyes.


    - You''re a girl with a rather athletic physique and far from overweight, but I can say that you still have a developed shape. Kiara had a similar body, so I wonder¡ª


    - Even with my breasts and pelvis... I can try.


    Deshya was a little embarrassed by Shinpei''s question, but she understood why he''d asked: Kiara had a physique quite similar to his, but was a little taller. If Deshya could pass for it, so could Kiara. However, even she doesn''t know if this window is really a question that needs to be answered.


    - Don''t force yourself, though," Shinpei told her.


    She shakes her head and gives it a try, even if she has to hold back her hood as well.


    - You don''t want to pull your fox tail, if you try this?¡± Ei asks from inside.


    - If only I could..." Deshya sighs inwardly.


    However, it doesn''t work like that. If she had the ability to make her attributes disappear whenever she wanted, her life would be a lot simpler... She forces her arms a little and more easily than expected, she makes it outside. She notices the container underneath her and jumps up a little more, right next to Shinpei. She holds back her hood so that it doesn''t reveal her ears and shakes her head.


    - It looks like it''s possible," admits Deshya.


    She rubs her body and the detective beside her asks if she''s hurt herself. She cracks her shoulder as she observes the small window in front of her.


    - It''s not very pleasant, but it''s okay..." admits Deshya. Getting back inside from here is easy by climbing onto the container, it seems.


    Shinpei nods.


    - Is there anything in these garbage cans?" asks Deshya.


    - I didn''t find anything inside. There''s nothing but uninteresting garbage with a big blanket on the side. It''s possible that a homeless person is sleeping inside¡­


    Deshya looks inside and wonders, but¡ª


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.- Ah, I''ve already looked inside.


    Ei''s head shows through the window. Shinpei looks up and squints.


    - When we went looking for Mina? She nods.


    - Kiara opened the lid and looked inside, but found nothing. Naturally, I took my turn looking, even moving the garbage around, but I couldn''t find a trace of anyone''s body. Since there are no garbage bags inside, I didn''t even look any further," she replies.


    - I see, so it was Kiara who looked inside¡­


    - Honestly, even if I missed it, I''d probably have checked on the way back. I have to admit that being knocked out mentally disturbed me, I¡­


    - Ei. I know you blame yourself a lot, but if you let things like this affect your heart, it''s going to spill over into your work. If you miss once, do better next time. We''re not perfect, and what''s more, our opponent is ''XIII''.


    - ... Good.


    Ei just nods and his head disappears from the open window. Shinpei rubs his chin as he stares at the container.


    - So the chances of Kiara''s body being here are very low, if not zero," he remarks.


    - Especially as there was no one in the toilet when we left, so the timing was too short for ''XIII'' to get her from inside to outside.


    - Hm.


    There''s no room in the back to hide a body, and if Ei also checked inside, then Kiara simply wasn''t there. So... where could ''XIII'' have hidden his victim''s body? Had he knocked it out somewhere else? Or did he...


    - Are we wrong?" asks Deshya.


    However, Shinpei doesn''t respond. Of course, it''s public knowledge that ''XIII'' works alone and doesn''t ask for help with these murders, but something that is less well known is that sometimes¡­


    Ordinary people help ''XIII'' succeed in his plans. So if Kiara¡­


    After checking the outside a little more, unfortunately nothing is found. They all return together to the ground floor restaurant, with a police officer stationed in the corridor between the great hall and the toilets, just in case. What''s more, at the end of this corridor is the kitchen too: in short, if anything happens, he should see it.


    - Huuuuuh?!


    As they reach the main hall, they hear a man shouting. Shinpei and Deshya turn towards the concussion and notice a policeman in front¡­


    - Calm down, Rampo!


    It''s Sam who shouts this. He''s still where he belongs, by his wife''s side, but he still decides to step in with his words.


    - And you, stop forcing it like that!


    Sam drops this sentence with a frown, staring at the swallowing policeman. Shinpei approaches first and asks what''s going on, with Deshya stopping next to her father.


    - They keep saying I''m ''XIII''!" grumbles Rampo, pointing at the policeman. I''ve already pulled on my cheek to prove I''m not his disguise, but they keep forcing it!


    - Is this really how you intend to catch him?¡± Sam asks, clearly not happy about the situation.


    - Don''t raise your voice," insists Gatito, placing a hand on his shoulder.


    Even Rosaline asks him to calm down. Sam sits down again, clicking his tongue against his teeth, arms folded. Shinpei watches him do it before turning to the policeman.


    - Why do you insist?" asks the detective.


    - B-But could it really be someone else...? If we stop it now, then the chances of catching it¡ª


    - Naive.


    Shinpei shakes his head.


    - Hoping to catch ''XIII'' in this way is futile. Even if you were to find the right person, without setting a trap, you''d never be able to stop him from running away.


    - But at least we could stop him from killing more people, don''t you think?" asks the policeman, gradually crumbling under all the stares turned his way.


    - True, but if you fix your attention on just one person, you''ll lose sight of what''s going on around you. ¡®XIII'' disguises are sometimes strong enough that they appear to be real skin when pulled on, so you should always either be certain that the person is ''XIII'', or take several people at once.


    Deshya knows why this second solution is no good:


    - If they start wanting to check everyone out, then ''XIII'' is bound to flee the scene, figuring that he''ll be caught in the end. While this may be a good way to stop him from killing, in reality it''s totally unnecessary.


    Contrary to what a lot of people think, the police don''t have the right to do whatever they want: searching someone is not necessarily authorized, even if they''re police. They have to ask permission from the person concerned, who has every right to refuse ¡ª all that does is make him more suspicious, but that''s not enough to arrest him justifiably. If Ei orders the police to search and check that no one is a disguise, anyone can refuse and with right; it would take a warrant or special authorization to have the right to do so even ''without the consent of the person concerned''. In short, this is not necessarily useful, and what''s more, Deshya knows it''s been tried before: ''XIII'' quickly escapes, often killing his other victim(s) without using any ruse, complaining about the inability of the police. It''s for this very reason that he refuses to send his police to certain cities... and that he so much enjoys confronting Shinpei.


    - In short, stop your nonsense. I''m sorry, Sir Rampo.


    The dark-haired detective bows before joining Deshya and Gatito''s sides.


    - But isn''t it possible that ''XIII'' is disguised as Rampo?" asks the red-haired man.


    Shinpei remains standing and gently turns his face behind him.


    - It''s not impossible, but he''s far too suspicious for ''XIII'' to disguise himself as him. However, it''s worth keeping a close eye on him.


    - Is it possible that he''s just underestimating Deshya?


    That''s the question Ei asks as she approaches them. Nevertheless, Shinpei shakes his head.


    - She may be a teenager who''s only recently been thrust into the spotlight, but ''XIII'' doesn''t underestimate anyone, even someone who would be considered an idiot. You know that, Ei.


    - I know, but I prefer to take that possibility into account too," she admits.


    - I don''t think he underestimates me," says Deshya. If he dares to do such a stupid thing, then I hope he enjoys rotting in prison.


    Deshya''s confident smile is adored by Shinpei, who giggles. Ei returns the teenager''s smile and looks up at Gatito.


    - You have a very interesting daughter, you know?" she blurts out.


    - Bold, a little arrogant and special, but I wouldn''t change her for anyone else.


    Gatito rubs the top of Deshya''s hood, the latter blushing under his father''s compliment. The people around them admire them happily, but the fact that they''re all in the same place as ''XIII'' prevents them from fully enjoying the moment. While they''re chatting, the waitress called ''Mina Matze'' approaches the table.


    - Would you like a drink?" she asks. You work hard, so¡­


    She doesn''t show too much embarrassment unlike before, but it''s audible in her voice that she''s not totally at ease either. Shinpei turns to her.


    - It''s true that I won''t say no. I''m tempted to drink while I think. Nothing alcoholic, of course.


    They all say what they''d like to have, Deshya taking a simple orange juice. As Mina returns to the kitchen, some of the guests start talking a little louder than the others:


    - Say, are we going to get our dish?


    - It''s true that if we have to stay here¡­


    - I don''t know if I''ll be able to eat after what I''ve seen¡­


    - Anyway, we''ve all got to stay here, so let''s get on with it.


    Immediately afterwards, guests'' complaints and requests begin to resound from every corner of the room. A cacophony begins. The policemen try to calm the people, who begin to raise their voices, but another one quickly echoes:


    - Sorry!


    A woman gets up from her chair, bows and apologizes to everyone.


    - Maybe I should have postponed this wedding, but not only did I not want to have lost your time, plus I was really hoping that ''XIII'' would be caught first. I''ve been naive and foolish. Sorry about that.


    It''s Rosaline who apologizes to everyone, managing to silence the entire room with her words alone. Sam wants to touch her shoulder and tell her it''s her fault too, but Rosaline looks up directly afterwards.


    - Even though Kiara has been killed, as you''ve seen, I still want to go ahead with this wedding! We can''t leave just yet, so let''s leave it to the police and believe in them. I know it will be almost impossible for you not to think about what has happened and probably will happen soon, but I would like this day to be as beautiful as possible... Please!


    Once again, she bows to everyone. The guests talk to each other, creating a background noise that''s strangely not as unbearable as expected. The policemen look at each other, with only Deshya and Shinpei smiling. The black-haired detective sighs with a chuckle and catches Ei''s eye.


    - Do you allow it?" he asks.


    - As far as I''m concerned, she''s right," replies the woman. There''s no point in just panicking in the room, and if we don''t let anyone leave, then everything will be fine. I''m going to double the attention of the police officers already outside by posting some of them in front of certain exits. The one at the back of the kitchen, the windows of the toilets, even¡­ the terrace, front doors and roof. We should have done that by now, I think.


    - The problem is that we won''t have many people inside at that point. If we don''t, we''ll have to call in all the police who are stationed even further away, and if ''XIII'' manages to get away, we''ll never know where he''s gone.


    - Let''s mix the two.


    She goes into a little more detail about her proposal and Shinpei admits that it''s clever. She nods and passes between the tables to warn the police, putting her walkie-talkie in front of her mouth. Gatito, who has been listening to their conversation, addresses Shinpei.


    - Ei is the inspector and you''re the detective, but I kind of feel like it''s the other way around sometimes," he admits.


    Deshya understands what her father means: when he''s with Sammy, for example, it''s Gatito who gives orders or accepts Sammy''s proposals, not the other way round. During the hotel affair, Hanoka had a rather similar relationship with Karine, although this detective here is a little more ''independent'' ¡ª even worse is Mariah. Deshya has only met them once as ''lead detective'', but she doesn''t forget that Mariah was still one of the policemen who caught the murderers during the Sleeping Little Beauty case. Still, she''s a police detective, not an agent, inspector or anything like that. Deshya doesn''t know whether the police are just less strict than she''d previously thought, or whether she''s simply met some police officers with rather extravagant personalities.


    - I mean, Mariah did make one hell of an entrance that day¡­


    How could she forget such a thing? Her attention is redirected to Shinpei, who answers Gatito.


    - Ei is stricter than you think, and though she sometimes asks for my opinion, it''s only because she trusts my judgment. However, she''s clearly the inspector and I''m the detective. We''re on an ''XIII'' case, so she sometimes prefers to rely on me rather than her own judgment, since I have more experience.


    - You haven''t always worked together, then?" asks Deshya, interested.


    - ¡­


    Shinpei didn''t answer directly, his gaze distant. Eventually, however, he tells her:


    - I''ve been a police detective for almost eleven years. I started working on the ''XIII'' cases seven years ago. I''ve been working with Ei for two years now, at the beginning of 2020.


    For the first time, Shinpei neither smiles nor is neutral... but seems nostalgic.


    - I miss Devon.


    The tone of his voice has changed from one calm and melodious to one distorted by sadness. Shinpei doesn''t sound angry or enraged ¡ª just saddened. Neither Deshya nor Gatito dare ask for more details on the subject, and seeing Shinpei''s gaze drift off into the distance, the teenager decides to change the subject, even with the curiosity that inwardly demands she ask him about that famous ''Devon''.


    - I know this may be a silly question, but I was wondering how ''XIII'' is always running. I mean, he''s been acting for about fourteen years, right?


    Shinpei blinks and, seeing that Deshya has just changed the subject, smiles.


    - Thank you.


    His smile comes back, his expression much more like the Shinpei she knows.


    - To be honest with you, it''s because ''XIII'' is always prepared for almost anything. Even when we use helicopters to check where he is and all that, ''XIII'' sometimes prepares escape routes in advance, so if we can''t find them before he uses them, he''s bound to manage to get away. He often prepares smoke bombs and the like, and more, his physical abilities, agility and all that goes with it are top-notch. Should he decide to convert to a physical sport, he could turn professional in a matter of months.


    Shinpei sighs.


    - We have the authority to shoot him if we have to, even kill him if we have to, you know.


    - K-Kill him?!


    Gatito places his hands in front of his daughter''s mouth, who has just screamed. She purses her lips and a few people look at her, but they quickly return to their occupation. Deshya sighs as her father removes his hands and apologizes.


    - Is it true?" asks Deshya in confirmation.


    Shinpei nods.


    - Of course, although ''XIII'' is a criminal who will never get out of prison if caught, I refused to use such a method to finish him off. Any policeman can pull out a gun and shoot him in the heart if they want to, but I refuse to let us become criminals ourselves. Even if it means he''ll be on the loose for weeks, months or years to come, I don''t care.


    Shinpei turns his gaze to Gatito.


    - I suppose you have the green light too?


    - The order came from Belium''s chief of police, so we have nothing to say. Our chief in Tetazo asks that we don''t use such manners, however," replies Gatito honestly.


    - Understandable. Ours agrees and has already asked me to consider using more extreme means against such a criminal, but... Maybe that''s just my weakness: I don''t want to hurt anyone.


    Shinpei sighs again.


    - I''m probably a naive man, but I want to catch ''XIII'' without having to shoot him. I don''t mind putting him to sleep, but we''ve already tried using special smoke. It''s still a method we intend to use, but we''ve already failed several times.


    Deshya vividly remembers the case against ''XIII'' last year during a concert. They used such a method when they learned that ''XIII'' was disguised as one of the musicians, but they ended up putting innocent people to sleep, which created a controversy on the internet. Of course, the police force that used this method was one of the southern cities of Belium, not Li¨¨re: Deshya doesn''t see Shinpei using this method, involving civilians in the process.


    - We''ll catch him one day, but I know how terrifying ''XIII'' is. He escapes again and again like it''s no big deal... Until the day his identity is truly revealed, I''ll spend the rest of my life wondering who he really is. Who he really is.


    The determination of this police detective is palpable. Deshya and Gatito understand, however: a man of such skill, talent and cunning can''t be just anyone. The chances of him being simply homeless or penniless are so low as to be considered zero. For the moment, however, there are no convincing leads, so they can only hope to catch him or wait for a big mistake on his part.


    The minutes passed without any progress being made on the case, as the sun continued to shine high in the sky. However, it''s clear that it will soon be setting into the horizon, needing to rest too. The interior of the ''AzureView'' restaurant has since calmed down and the food is on offer, but not everyone is eating: some still have the image of the woman with the first name of ''Kiara'' crashing into the terrace floor, after all. Others are afraid of being poisoned in the food offered to them, but not everyone is so frightened: it would be impossible for ''XIII'' to know what dish is going to be served to his victim. He could serve it himself or order the waiter to give the dish to X or Y, but two policemen ¡ª one of whom is ''Mohammed Breizan'' ¡ª are just checking the kitchen, so no one could try to make one strange gesture. Deshya and Gatito are chatting to the bride and groom. A waiter comes to offer them new drinks and they thank him.


    - Hey, so you like wine too?" asks Sam.


    Gatito nods.


    - We have a hut with a multitude of bottles," he confesses. As a child, my Deshya often wanted to taste, so we had to be careful¡­


    Deshya pouts.


    - It''s not my fault, you often drank it while eating raclette, and since I love raclette, I was tempted.


    - And to think that now you''re not interested in alcohol at all.


    - It''s true!


    They all chuckle together and Rampo sighs with relief as he finishes his drink.


    - And you, Gatito, what kind of wine do you like?


    As they speak, Shinpei approaches them to see what they''re talking about.


    - Hm, my favorite wine, eh..


    Gatito thinks for a long time, but no answer comes to mind. Deshya knows very well that he and his mother drink a different wine every time, although it''s clear that it''s not ros¨¦ that they prefer, but rather red or white ¡ª depending on the occasion, the guests and the dish they''re eating.


    - I don''t really know," the inspector finally admits.¡± What about you, Shinpei?


    - My favorite wine? Well¡ª


    - A-Ah!


    Rampo lets out this soft cry as he stands up, scratching the back of his head.


    - Will you wait for me? I really need to go to the loo¡­


    - Martin, can you follow him?


    Shinpei turns to the policeman watching their table. He accepts with a silent nod and accompanies Rampo to the bathroom, leaving the small group to chat amongst themselves.


    - And do you have any idea who ''XIII'' might be?" asks Rosaline.


    The bride speaks to Shinpei, but also to Deshya. At the same time, the two detectives wave their heads with disappointment.


    - There are far too many guests and some are getting small, so they might have been replaced before. There''s also the possibility that it could be a policeman or even a cook or waiter from the restaurant. Of course, it''s impossible to rule out the possibility that ''XIII'' is disguised as a woman," Shinpei begins.


    - If our first theory is right, we don''t yet know who ''XIII'' might be," Deshya goes on to say.¡± Nor do we know who his next target might be. Any ideas?


    The bride and groom look at each other for a few moments, but Sam finally answers.


    - I don''t want to speak ill of anyone, but Rampo himself isn''t always... let''s say, a nice person. I don''t know if he''s really someone who could be considered ''garbage'', but seeing as Kiara was targeted... It''s always strange: she seemed to be an incredible woman.


    - After that, even if Mina is a very nice woman, she had a difficult past where she had to steal. No, I don''t like talking about people like that.


    Rosaline looks down, saddened to think such things. Shinpei tells her that it''s all right and totally normal to think like that, especially as they need to find potential targets for ''XIII''. Deshya wonders why he killed Kiara in the first place. What did she do wrong? Since even her best friend didn''t seem to know the reason why ''XIII'' had killed her, she must have had some part of her hidden from everyone... but then, how did this criminal know the truth? She couldn''t imagine a man as busy as him just hanging out with Kiara in his spare time by sheer coincidence¡­


    - If Rampo is a potential victim, can''t we believe that ''XIII'' is disguised as him?" asks Gatito.


    Shinpei turns his face to the inspector with a serious expression.


    - I checked for myself that Rampo wasn''t a disguise, but it isn''t," he admits. I looked just before we all sat down to eat, given the concussion, but as expected, it''s not the case. If ''XIII'' is watching us from somewhere, it must be someone else.


    - But we can''t be ''XIII'', can we?" asks Rosaline as she grabs both her husband''s shoulders, gently hiding behind him.


    - It''s unlikely, but I can''t rule it out. If he really was disguised as Kiara, then¡­


    Shinpei can''t forget the ¡°superhuman¡± abilities of ''XIII''. He already knows that thanks to a mechanism he has around his neck, he can imitate anyone''s voice ¡ª or rather, it helps him imitate her. Shinpei doesn''t know how this technology works, but it certainly does, given that in a case where ''XIII'' was almost caught, they were able to see the strange necklace he had around his neck. Since then, Shinpei has been convinced that it''s thanks to this that he can give the illusion of having the voice of the person he''s disguising... He may be an ''inhuman'' man, but it''s impossible to believe that he can imitate anyone''s voice with such precision. However, if such technology exists, then Shinpei hopes it will never see the light of day in the commercial world. Artificial intelligence is already advancing far too fast, so¡ª


    - Here, sorry!


    Shinpei wakes from his thoughts and sees Rampo return to his seat, grabbing his empty glass. Martin'', the policeman the detective sent to follow Rampo, is also here.


    - So, we were talking about Shinpei''s favorite wine?" asks Rampo.


    The dark-haired detective nods and rubs his chin.


    - I really like Chateau Margaux 2009..." replies Shinpei thoughtfully.


    - I-Isn¡¯t it a wine that''s, like, 1,200 euros...?" says an astonished Rampo.


    - It''s not the most expensive one I''ve ever been offered.


    - Sorry, eh¡­


    They all start laughing together: the atmosphere in the room is relaxed and pleasant for the moment... but how long will it last?


    Just over 15 minutes later, Rampo stands up again, an unpleasant expression on his face.


    - I have to go to the bathroom again... It''s like my body doesn''t like me, fuck¡­


    He asks Martin if he can accompany him again, and the policeman turns to Shinpei, who offers his agreement with a slight nod. So off they go quickly, with Rampo seemingly in a real hurry. Shinpei, Deshya and Gatito squint.


    - Is it possible she''s been offered a laxative?" asks the red-haired man.


    - Anyway, going to the toilet so quickly... He''s had a lot to drink, but unless he has a bladder or prostate infection, it seems strange to me," admits Shinpei.


    Deshya doesn''t say anything, but she thinks the same: it''s abnormal. However, if she is to believe Shinpei''s words¡­ Rampo can''t be ''XIII'' and besides, nothing strange happened in the bathroom ¡ª that''s what Martin told them, anyway. However, there''s nothing to say that something strange didn''t happen there... or that the waiter who offered them the drinks didn''t serve Rampo a laxative or medicine that forces Rampo to go to the toilet more often.


    - In any case, none of us seem to have ingested any," remarks Deshya.


    This means that Rampo must have been the target. If so¡ª


    - Say, is¡ª


    However, before she can finish her sentence, she hears a conversation behind her. With the background noise of the guests all chatting together, it''s hard to hear one in particular, but given the word she hears in the sentence, she turns back to them.


    - Yeah, I swear, I saw Rampo with someone else.


    These are two women chatting together. With their well coiffed hair, gorgeous outfits and make-up all over their faces, they''re talking together without worrying whether anyone can hear them or not.


    - Huuuuh? The guy with the blond hair?


    - Yes! The police are interested in him, aren''t they? Well, I didn''t realize it was him, but¡ª


    - S-Say!


    The two women are startled when they see the girl in the fox sweater approach them, gently banging the table with both hands. Shinpei, Gatito and the bride and groom watch, intrigued.


    - When did you see it?!" asks Deshya, making no secret of the fact that she''s in a hurry.


    The blue-eyed woman blinks at them before putting down her fork.


    - Oh, you''re the kid who plays detective? What''s with the fox getup, huh?


    - Who cares? Please answer me!


    - Tch.


    The woman is clearly unhappy to be spoken to in this way, but when she sees Shinpei approach in turn, her expression changes directly.


    - Forgive her, this is important. You said you saw Rampo with someone, is that right?


    She blushes softly and twirls a few strands of her wavy hair around her index finger.


    - That''s right... Forgive me for... Forgive me for not¡­ to not have talked about it before..." she says.


    Deshya sighs as she agrees to talk to Shinpei, who has probably been under her spell for some time, but she understands that she has been insistent and a little aggressive.


    - Before Kiara was killed, I saw Rampo with someone else walking down the corridor, you know, where the toilets are and all that," she continues.


    - Sorry?


    Shinpei frowns. The woman starts waving her hand.


    - It wasn''t Kiara with him, ahah! It was also a man, but I can''t remember who it was. He wasn''t blond and didn''t look like ''XIII'', but I''m sure they were both chatting!


    - But Rampo didn''t mention that, did he?


    Deshya frowns in turn: this is starting to look very strange. Is it possible that this time¡­


    - Here are your drinks!


    A waitress approaches the next table: it''s Mina Matze. She notices Deshya watching her and blinks, but they say nothing to each other. The woman who answered Shinpei''s question tries to get him to talk to her, but it''s clear that the detective''s mind is elsewhere.


    - If... Wait... Would Rampo have¡­


    He bites his thumb, thinking he understands something. However, that wouldn''t explain everything that had happened.


    - D-Did I...?


    Suddenly, the restaurant''s pleasant atmosphere changes. Gradually, but quickly, rumors start to spread.


    - Is it really...?


    Deshya turns to the front of the restaurant, where people are all chatting amongst themselves, and squints. Immediately after¡ª


    - S-Shinpei!


    Li¨¨re''s police doctor, Mohammed Breizan, approaches them, while Ei runs in the opposite direction.


    - Rampo just shouted from the toilet...!


    Deshya runs straight away, followed by Shinpei and Gatito, who demand to know nothing. Shinpei orders three policemen to protect the bride and groom and to make sure that nothing happens.


    Mohammed follows immediately afterwards. The guests in the room begin to panic.


    ¡ª others let out cries of joy when they realize that ''XIII'' has probably done it again.


    - Was Rampo really the next target?!" wondered Shinpei as he reached the corridor.


    They notice Ei standing in front of the men''s toilet, but she still hasn''t entered. Deshya quickly puts on her gloves and Shinpei follows suit, both entering the men''s room. Gatito wants to tell his daughter that she''s not allowed to go in there, since it''s for men, but if a crime has just occurred, then it doesn''t really matter.


    - H-Here¡­


    A man is already inside: it''s ''Martin'', the man in charge of ''Rampo''s'' protection, pointing to the closed cabin. Shinpei opens it and there¡ª


    ¡ª Rampo''s lifeless body is visible, sitting on the pot, blood running down his torso.


    A stab in the heart. Eyes wide open, but no soul behind, a mouth half-open, but with no scream coming out. Deshya grits her teeth and thinks directly of something, so she jumps to the window and looks out.


    And here¡ª


    - !!!


    The policeman outside, making sure no one could escape or get in from the window... is lying unconscious on the floor.

 52 -?Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Our Deduction?(CASE10)

    <hr>


    ''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: Li¨¨re 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 Li¨¨re police explaining that he intends to get rid of some of his targets during the wedding ¡ª or during the party that follows ¡ª 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 Li¨¨re 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 Li¨¨re, ''Mohammed Breizan'', a doctor with dreadlocks, as well as ''Shinpei Kioru,'' a world-famous police detective: he too comes from Li¨¨re, but can often be found during cases against ''XIII''. Although he hasn''t caught him yet, he''s one of ¡ª if not THE ¡ª 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 ¡ª unless, in reality, the two policemen outside are dead ¡ª 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¡ª


    - 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 ¡ª or after ¡ª 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¡ª


    - 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 ¡ª or two, rarely ¡ª 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 ¡ª 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 ¡ª 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'' ¡ª 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 Math¨¦o.


    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¡ª


    - 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 Math¨¦o, 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 ¡ª the desserts haven''t been served and the dance party afterwards is still to be prepared ¡ª 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.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    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 ¡ª 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¡ª


    ¡ª 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 ¡ª 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 ¡ª including the roof ¡ª in case they find anything interesting.


    - Inspector Ei, nothing was discovered outside," admits the policeman.


    - I see. No trace of ''XIII'' who fled or¡ª


    - 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 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 ¡ª 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 ¡ª let alone this young teenager ¡ª 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 Li¨¨re. 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¡ª


    - 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¡ª well, ''XIII''?

 53 -?Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Conclusion of a Challenge?(CASE10)

    <hr>


    October has barely begun when a letter is sent to the police station in Li¨¨re, a country to the east of Belium. It''s here that ''XIII'', the legendary criminal who''s been on the loose for over a decade, is about to appear. Again and again, he defies the police and numerous detectives from all over the world ¡ª especially Belium ¡ª and yet he has never been caught. There have been times when they''ve come close, but ''XIII'' continues to kill without changing his methods'': defying the police and perhaps one or other private detective, rightly warns the police by letter where and when he intends to get rid of his targets, and also continues to eliminate only the ''scum'' of society. After all, ''XIII'' keeps eliminating only ''horrible'' people with corrupted hearts. It''s for this very reason that part of the world loves ''XIII'' enormously. Some see him as a true vigilante, others as an idol. Some see him as God, others as Satan. Opinions are mixed and divided, even creating conflict in some relationships.


    This time it was Deshya who was chosen by ''XIII''. Thanks to her performance during the ''FEDER'' hotel affair, she was spotted by this legendary criminal, who wanted to challenge her for the first time. After her father''s agreement ¡ª especially as both the Li¨¨re and Tetazo police chiefs requested that Deshya go ¡ª she was able to accept ''XIII''s'' "offer" and go to the wedding of ''Rosaline Monneige'' and ''Sam Strife'': it was then and there that the murders were to be committed. Deshya also meets ''Ei Anisato'', a detective in Li¨¨re, ''Shinpei Kioru'', a world-famous police detective who is often placed on ''XIII'' cases and who also comes from Li¨¨re, and ''Mohammed Breizan'', a local police doctor with black dreadlocks. It''s with them that Deshya hopes to stop ''XIII'' today ¡ª at least prevent him from killing anyone ¡ª including her father, who stayed by her side¡­


    Unfortunately, ''Kiara Gommon'', the bride''s best friend, is killed. This happens after the wedding ceremony, when all the guests are at the ''AzureView'' restaurant. After sending a message to Rosaline, telling her that she needs help on the roof, Kiara lands with a crash on the terrace, visible to all the guests from the large windows. French windows on the first floor. Mohammed quickly confirms that she did indeed die on impact, falling from the roof. They know that ''XIII'' hasn''t finished with the murders, as he''s been using the plural in his letters.


    And it was only a little later that ''Rampo Cention'' was killed in the men''s toilet. What''s more, the two policemen behind the men''s and women''s toilets are found asleep by a special dart, fired from the gun they found much further away. Deshya eventually concludes that ''XIII'' has run away out of disappointment with the performance of the police and herself, the detective chosen by ''XIII'' for this investigation. However, before leaving and accepting her lack of smartness, she asks ''Mina Matze'', one of the waitresses at the ''AzureView'' restaurant, to quickly search the kitchen in the hope of finding a clue as to where Kiara had been hidden. She accepts without too much trouble and accompanies him there. Deshya begins to search a little here and there before Shinpei arrives in turn. After a short chat between the two of them, Deshya changes the meaning of her smile and turns to Mina.


    - Isn''t that right, Mina¡ª well, ''XIII''?


    CHAPTER 53


    ?Legendary Criminel VS Deshya: First Meeting ; Conclusion of a Challenge?


    - ... S-Sorry?


    Mina blinks at the ginger-hair girl, confusion legible in her eyes.


    - Me... ''XIII''?


    Deshya nods and Shinpei locks the door behind him with a sigh.


    - You fooled me, Deshya Oveja.


    He lets go of these words before returning with a smile on his face, one amused and happy.


    - However, I''m delighted. I was honestly afraid you''d been pressured.


    - Ahah, surely not.


    Deshya shakes her head and takes a step back, watching Mina with her blue eyes.


    - I have a goal in life that will surely be even more complex than understanding the tricks of ''XIII''.


    That''s right: find out why she looks the way she does. Where her fox ears and tail come from. Who''s behind these attributes? Where was she during the 5 months she was missing? Why was she released? What caused her amnesia. Is the death ¡ª the "suicide" ¡ª of the doctor who analyzed her related to her attributes or a coincidence¡­?


    Everything to do with her ''new identity''. Her appearance in this new World.


    Learning the truth is bound to be complex. Even if not actively, she''s been searching for over two years to find out what happened. She wants to know if she can confess the truth to her friends, or if she should keep the secret under her sweater. To know whether Korone is connected to her story or not. To understand everything that revolves around her.


    And all this is more complicated than solving a single murder.


    The mystery she wants to solve is her own.


    - Your goal...?


    Shinpei asks intriguingly, but Mina just squints without replying. Deshya runs a hand over her forehead to remove the few hairs in front of her eyes and shakes her head gently.


    - Whatever. I wasn''t lying: I think I can be disappointing sometimes. I don''t know if I deserve the rank of genius, but I''ll make sure I do.


    She points at Mina with her index finger, raising her thumb... as if she were making a pistol. A gesture made by ''Maruno Uffite'' when he spoke with the man who tried to murder the Deroom family.


    - But I''m going to accept it today. Maybe I''ll start to believe it.


    She shows her white teeth to the woman in front of her or rather, the man disguising himself as a waitress.


    - I accept today that I am Deshya Oveja, the fox eared detective, but also a genius. One who has understood your tricks, God of all Criminals.


    She raises her index finger, pretending to pull, imitating the sound of his mouth.


    - And who shot on your disguise to reveal the reality.


    - ¡­


    Mina continues to remain silent, having stopped swinging her feet. Shinpei remains standing by the doors, arms crossed, but looking at Deshya.


    - Well, Deshya.


    - Ahah, sorry... I couldn''t be as stylish as my friend¡­


    She thought of the words he''d hurled at ''Axel Lymenn'' that day, when he''d confessed to her that he wanted to send her to hell before it was prison, but she hadn''t managed to speak in such an ''unbelievable'' way as he had.


    However¡ª


    - I''m telling the truth. I don''t want to get a big head, I don''t want to be someone who overestimates myself, but maybe if I accept that deep down I''m a genius for my age, that maybe I can outdo police detectives or adult private investigators, then I''ll get better. So¡­


    Then perhaps she''ll understand the truth of her attributes one day. It''s not by stooping or refusing to mount the podium offered to her that she''ll succeed in reaching the heavens. Reach the truths that are even higher, that seem as distant as the stars as small as a pixel in the vault of heaven. What''s more, she''s proud of herself right now, because she''s certain of one thing:


    - I understand your tricks, your disguises, your lies, ''XIII''. Don''t underestimate me," she says.


    Mina frowns as she stares at the girl in front of her, but eventually sighs as she turns her face to Shinpei.


    - And you''re following her?" she asks.¡± ''XIII'' is surely around or has fled, and yet you remain in this kitchen listening to this girl.


    - You say she''s just a girl, but she was chosen by you, by ''XIII'' as the private investigator on this case. You''d never invite someone you didn''t consider a good adversary.


    Shinpei smiled as he looked at Deshya.


    - She may be a teenager, but it seems that her mind works perfectly. She understood before I did, and I''m ashamed of my performance.


    Mina is about to stand up and speak, but Shinpei forces her to remain seated. She frowns.


    - Why are you so sure of yourselves that I''m ''XIII''?" she asks.¡± Are you idiots?


    - For a woman described as cute, shy and almost too passive by Rosaline, you sure show some bite," teases the dark-haired detective.


    - I don''t mind being passive and not getting angry very often, but I do have the right to defend myself, don''t I...?


    - That goes without saying.


    Shinpei approves, crossing his arms, unable to reply to this. Deshya sits down on the table behind her, making sure not to crush anything she shouldn''t, ensures that her fluffy fox tail isn''t flattened by her own pelvis and then speaks again.


    - Anyway, we can find out whether I''m right or not simply by searching you... as well as proving that you weakly flinch your knees to walk. That way, you look smaller.


    - You talk a lot, but can I ask why?¡± asks the waitress.¡± Besides, you told everyone he ran away.


    - Don''t play dumb.


    Deshya shakes her head as if in disbelief; perhaps a sign of disappointment at this ''woman''s'' futile resistance?


    - You understand very well now that I pretended to be disappointed, sad and even depressed only so I could be alone with you here ¡ª well, Shinpei understood my sign, so¡­


    - Not only did I understand your sign, come to think of it, I also think I know how it all happened. If ''XIII'' is Mina... Then I think I''ll be able to deduce everything in turn," Shinpei cuts her off.


    The detective was proud to have understood, but he was even prouder of Deshya for having done so before him. He''s astonished too, but he hadn''t underestimated Deshya for a second: that''s why he''d been so astonished when she offered her ''deduction'' to the room. If that had really been what she''d believed, that she''d succumbed to the pressure of the situation, then he''d have considered having overestimated her; here, she was proving him wrong. Even with what he thought of her, he even thinks he dared to underestimate her. Successfully luring ''XIII'' here by playing an act of borderline perfection, even deceiving her father¡­ Shinpei wouldn''t dare to doubt her competence ever again. All he wants to know now is how she thinks the murders happened. Maybe she''s come to the conclusion that ''XIII'' is Mina and she''s got it right, but she doesn''t have the right plan for the murders in her head. That she''s arrived at the answer by taking the wrong paths, using decoys. He doesn''t think so, but he''s waiting to hear the truth from the redheaded teenager.


    - ... Uuuh¡­


    Mina sighs and shakes her head.


    - If you''re so sure I''m ''XIII'', then do I at least have the right to know why you think so? How could the murders have been committed if I were this criminal''s disguise?" asks the waitress.¡± Do I have the right to learn the answers, or do you want to jump on me, rip the skin off my face and hope it''s a disguise?


    Deshya doesn''t know if it''s boredom or amusement she hears in ''Mina''s'' voice, but if she''s right and it''s ''XIII'' in disguise, then she''s sure he''s amused and probably happy to know that Deshya hasn''t given up. That she''s played him. However, she knows there''s ''something'' missing from her words: her deduction. Her reasoning. The truth of this case. Of these two murders. Deshya turns her face to Shinpei, who shrugs.


    - If we''re right and the woman next to us is ''XIII'', jumping on her to try and catch her won''t do any good. Finally, he''ll just run away without having the answers to these questions, which will disappoint him.


    Shinpei therefore gives Deshya permission to talk about her reasoning for having arrived at the answer that ''XIII'' is disguised as ''Mina Matze''. Of course, Shinpei wants to know if they''ve both understood the same thing, but buying time works in their favor. Even if Mina doesn''t seem to be on her guard, Shinpei knows that the very moment he lunges at her, she''ll make an easy escape. Shinpei isn''t very muscular or strong, so if this ''waitress'' really is ''XIII'', he''ll never be able to keep ¡®her¡¯ in his embrace. If it were Ei instead, then it would be something else. Either way, buying a little time is to their advantage.


    - That''s fine by me," Deshya says with a faint smile.


    Still sitting in front of ''XIII'', she agrees to reveal her deduction. Despite her rather confident and teasing air, she''s actually happy that Shinpei and ''XIII'' are letting her talk. She''s so proud of having understood, so she would have been so sad if she couldn''t ''take pleasure'' in this way.


    - First, you make sure that ''Mina Matze'', the waitress you disguise, can''t come to the party. Since she had to work here for the food and all that, she couldn''t come to the wedding ceremony, so you stayed here and helped the others. You knew very well that the police officers weren''t just going to suspect the guests, but also the restaurant staff, however, that didn''t matter to you, given what you had planned.


    Mina listens attentively, her gaze fixed on the girl''s face, her arms crossed.


    - Your whole plan took place here, at the restaurant, so you didn''t have to prepare anything during the ceremony. It''s sweet of you to let them get married in peace.


    Deshya teases ''XIII'' by taking on a slightly more childish voice, wagging her fox tail back and forth to taunt him. Shinpei doesn''t know if it''s because she knows that ''XIII'' never hurts detectives or if she just wants to let off steam, but he''s rather surprised to see her acting this way. However, Shinpei can''t deny that he''s already taunted ''XIII'' in this way... a few times. However, it''s not really his style, but when he''s very happy with his plan or his own intelligence, he can let that side come out.


    - Disguised as Mina, the waitress, you spot me, make sure you bring bread because if it''s drinks or anything that stains, it would really look strange and I''d have to change, which was exactly what you didn''t want me to do. You come across me and obviously I''ll make sure you haven''t placed anything inside my hood or anywhere else like in my pockets. But¡­


    Deshya smiles and shakes his head.


    - But then, I guess you''re not just a genius at disguises¡­


    She fiddles in her hair before grabbing something and ends up showing it to the two adults in front of her in her open palm.


    - Looks like you''re a genius at hiding little microphones in other people''s hair.


    This was what Shinpei had understood from Deshya''s sign: ''XIII'' had hidden such a thing on her. She''d checked her sweater after Mina had fallen on her, but Deshya hadn''t thought to check her hair. It was by chance that she''d felt it while thinking, rubbing bits of her hair. Thanks to this, she was able to understand the ruses behind Rampo''s murder, and this ''unlocked the truth'' of Kiara''s murder. That''s how she also assumed that ''XIII'' was Mina. The latter sighs again, a faint smile on her face.


    - Someone forced me to stumble and I fell on you, Deshya. I''m sure it was ''XIII'' who did it for¡ª


    - Yes, so that in case I find this microphone, I would think it was you who did it. If I hadn''t found it now, but on my way home, then I would have thought of you, "Mina Matze", and maybe I would have realized too late that ''XIII'' was still hidden as her. In fact, this case would have been solved no matter what and we would have understood that one of your disguises was ''Mina''? After all, I''m sure that the real ''Mina Matze'' is fine at home, and that you''ve hidden her in her cellar, on her bed or in a cupboard, tying her up so that she can''t tell anyone she''s still there. You were probably going to tell the police the truth after you left tonight, weren''t you?


    - ¡­


    Mina says nothing.


    - Today was just a test. A test to get a better idea of my skills. Would I have been able to understand in time, after you revealed yourself as ''Mina Matze'', or would I have been blocked? Could I have solved the case before Shinpei or after? You got to know me through the FEDER hotel case and the fact that I solved murders and a kidnapping in September, but that wasn''t enough to keep up with your tricks. However, sorry, ''XIII''.


    She smiles broadly.


    - You''ve just made me realize that I really am a genius. Not one who can''t get any better, but one who''s just going to get even better.


    Mina opened her eyes wide, but quickly squinted.


    - I can see you are getting a really big ego..." laughs "Mina" gently.


    - Nothing at all. If I get a 10/10 on a test, does saying I was good mean I''m getting a big ego? If I manage to score several goals during a soccer match and say I''ve been very useful to the team, does that mean I consider myself superior to the others? I''m just facing reality.


    She crosses her legs.


    - I used to have trouble with the word ''genius'', even though I accept it better than Tessa or Maruno, but now I can only think that, deep down, I am. Thank you for allowing me to accept myself as such, ''XIII''.


    - Still saying I''m ''XIII'', but if you think I''m this criminal just for that, then sorry, but you''re just an idiot who''s been manipulated.


    Mina smiles in turn, having not moved from her seat, still seated next to Shinpei, who prepares to press the button on her walkie-talkie in an instant if need be. Mina crosses her arms, shaking her head in amusement.


    - I hope it''s not just that, your deduction. Otherwise¡­


    Deshya waves her hand in front of her.


    - This is just the beginning. If I thought you were ''XIII'' just for that, then I''d feel pathetic. I''m not that stupid.


    She therefore resumes her deduction.


    - You continue to act like ''Mina Matze'' until your first victim, ''Kiara Gommon'', goes to the toilet. You must have put something in her drink to force her to go to the bathroom quickly, as you were waiting in the ladies'' room at the time. You put Kiara to sleep by knocking her out, but since Ei had also come to check on her, you had to do the same with her. However, this wasn''t a bad thing for you.


    - I saw Kiara following you on the search. How could it have been me? Besides, when she fell from the roof, I was in the restaurant on the first floor with all of you," Mina defends herself.


    - These are your tricks.


    Deshya almost cuts her off, starting her sentence right at the end of Mina''s. Deshya continues.


    - You hide your Mina disguise in the ladies'' toilets, probably somewhere you''ve prepared in advance, or in one of the tanks emptied in advance. I have to admit I can''t say it like that, but we''re bound to find a possible place to hide this disguise. Anyway... You disguised yourself as Kiara then.


    - It''s not possible," admits Mina.


    She laughs softly before showing her teeth behind her big smile.


    - I''ve been following your story a bit and it seems that Kiara wasn''t in the bathroom, nor was anyone else. How could I have done it, if it''s really me ''XIII''?


    - May I respond, Lady Deshya?


    Shinpei asks her as she watches, and the girl nods, a little embarrassed: that this detective known to all should ask such permission... Does she really deserve such respect?


    - Honestly, you threw us for a loop. Well done, ''XIII''," says Shinpei, turning his face to the waitress.


    - I beg your pardon?


    Shinpei smiles.


    - With Ei asleep inside the toilet, you didn''t have to worry about anyone seeing you. There''s always the possibility that another woman might come into the bathroom and see your ruse, but I''m sure you would have found a way out. After putting on Kiara''s disguise, you did something simple: you took her out of the bathroom window, dropping her into the container outside. Of course, you had opened the lid beforehand and there was a blanket placed there on purpose, preventing Kiara from smelling or being covered in garbage.


    - Disappointing¡­


    Mina sighs and uncrosses her arms, frowning.


    - Even if it seems logical, didn''t you police look inside during the search?" she asks.¡± From what I hear, Kiara looked inside and Ei checked at the same time. Are you saying I made it disappear or that the cover was an invisibility cloak? And what, I got it from Albus Dumbledore?


    She laughs at the two detectives beside her, but it''s no use: it''s clear from watching them that they''re totally convinced of what they''re saying.


    - No, of course not. It''s even simpler," admits Shinpei.


    He smiled softly.


    - Disguised as Kiara, you made sure no one could see and quickly passed Kiara to the other side again, sending her into women''s toilets.


    Mina frowns, but Shinpei doesn''t stop.


    - ¡®XIII'' is known for having great strength, so if luck was on your side, then you weren''t seen by anyone. No one was in the bathroom at the time, so you could execute your plan without worry. What''s more, if anyone had to go to the bathroom, you were certain that the police would have forced them into the upstairs one, since we wouldn''t have wanted anyone in the ground-floor one. After all, we didn''t want anyone polluting the ladies'' toilets, since we had to look for clues and leads. If anyone else went into the toilets after Mina''s supposed disappearance, then that would have been a problem for us. Anyway, with this certainty in mind, you sent Kiara back into the toilet, quickly closed the lid and then pretended to look inside to prove to Ei and the other policeman that nobody was in there. In this way, the possibility of Kiara being ''XIII'' becomes impossible, given that nobody saw Kiara coming out of the ladies'' room when Ei passed out.


    - You pretended to hear Mina screaming so that you could continue with your plan and disperse everyone a little, but it was mainly to save time. In reality, even if we''d all stayed inside, you could have carried on with your plan without too much trouble. Above all, you made sure that the ladies'' toilets became a place inaccessible to anyone and you sent Kiara back there to continue your plan," adds Deshya.¡± You returned to the bathroom through the corridor, making sure no one saw you, after leaving Ei''s group, and continued with your plan. Given the size of the window, I don''t think someone as muscular and wide as ''XIII'' could get through it, so you had no choice but to take the corridor in a hurry. A risky plan, but with so many policemen around, if you were just going to place Kiara in the garbage cans, run to look for her and kill her on the roof, it''s certain that someone would have seen you and your ruse wouldn''t have worked.


    Deshya sighs, but keeps smiling.


    - You''re so intent on creating complex, intricate situations to solve when you could kill your victims without a single trick behind it and no one would be able to stop you. You''re crazy.


    - ¡­


    Mina answers nothing, Shinpei listening in. Noticing that she''s spoken so much, Deshya apologizes to the detective and lets her speak, but he smiles as he confesses that he wants to hear the rest of her mouth. She blushes embarrassedly, but clears her throat and continues.


    - In fact, one of the policemen said he heard a noise just before you and Ei came out of the bathroom. The lid of the container also slammed shut on its own with the impact of Kiara''s unconscious body in the trash can. What''s more, I asked Mohammed for confirmation, but there are traces of waste on his clothes.


    - He didn''t tell me..." Shinpei says disappointedly.


    - Sorry, I had to pretend not to understand to lure ''XIII'' here without him suspecting anything¡­


    She scratches her cheek as she speaks, a gesture that seems to be almost a tic for her. Shinpei smiles: he''d understood her ''plan'' when she signaled that she had a microphone on her. He could say he''s ashamed, but given this girl''s intelligence and abilities, he can only take it for granted.


    - That''s all very well, but¡­


    Mina speaks again.


    - Let''s pretend all of this is right... and then what? I''m with Kiara in the bathroom, which is great, but what''s next? If she''d been found dead there, I can understand you thinking that, but she was thrown off the roof and died instantly, wasn''t she? Nobody saw her or me in the corridor, did they? No one who carried a body outside in their arms? Are you going to tell me I threw Kiara through the window again?


    - No need.


    - I beg your pardon?


    - That was the most complicated thing to solve.


    Deshya continued to stare "Mina" straight in the eyes.


    - Where was ''XIII'' now? Still disguised as Kiara? Then someone would have seen him. Did he really take yet another disguise? He couldn''t have taken on a dozen disguises, could he? So many questions¡­


    Deshya sighs at the end of his sentence.


    - In addition, Rampo was seen with a man, the two of them chatting as they left the restaurant. A policeman stationed outside also appears to have seen them.


    - So I thought it was Rampo and ''XIII'', both working hand in hand to get rid of Kiara," confesses Shinpei.


    - ¡­


    Mina remains silent, waiting to find out what they''re going to conclude about all this.


    - Actually, I forgot one step. Before you even go back to the bathroom... Ah. Ahah.


    Deshya shakes her head.


    - It was so complex. Seeing Mina in the room, quietly serving a table and right next to us when Kiara died. You really are a weirdo, XIII.


    Deshya stares intensely into "Mina''s" eyes, a look as annoyed and annoyed as it is amused.


    - You woke up the woman you locked in the kitchen after you put Mina''s disguise on her and you probably spoke to her in her boss''s voice, didn''t you?


    - !


    Mina shows an annoyed expression in turn, one hand tightening.


    - You probably asked her to stop resting or loafing, prevented her from understanding the situation and forced her to act quickly. That way, she''d work fast and hopefully no one would say her first name, since few people know her identity. If you make sure she doesn''t serve anyone who knows her and might call her ''Mina'', then all would be well.


    - Why not use Mina herself directly, then?" asks the waitress.


    - Because unlike the other woman you used, who''s probably still on the reserve further down the road, bringing her here, making her work normally and without her saying anything is complicated. You could have threatened her and forced her to work with you, creating your ''alibi'', but that''s not your style. You get rid of your garbage and avoid hurting, threatening or doing anything bad to anyone else, right?


    - ¡­


    - Then you go back to the bathroom, join Kiara and shortly afterwards wake her up.


    - Hey, hey!


    Mina hits the table beneath her.


    - This is ridiculous!" she yells.¡± If I were to wake her up, then¡ª


    - You''re really good, XIII.


    Shinpei cuts off "Mina" in her sentence and smiles.


    - Put a disguise on a waitress to create your alibi... and use the same technique on Kiara.


    - !!


    Mina opens her eyes wide and Shinpei squints.


    - You disguised as ''Rampo'' and Kiara as the chestnut-haired man nobody knows. It wasn''t you that man, it was Kiara!


    - What... What are you talking about?


    - You can stop pretending. You''re enjoying yourself, aren''t you?" asks Shinpei.


    - ¡­


    Deshya uncrosses her legs to the other side, her gaze not fleeing "Mina''s" face.


    - It''s more or less the same process as with the waitress who''s a fake Mina, but differently. It must have been you who called Rampo further on, although I don''t know how, and used his identity to wake Kiara up and tell her that she''s in danger or that the police have called her. I don''t know what you said to manipulate her, but pretending to be Rampo, she followed you without a care in the world. If you''d taken her in your arms and walked out of the restaurant, even disguised as a man, we''d have understood straight away. With the two of you talking normally, it''s more complex to understand.


    - You really think so?


    - Of course. That would explain why Rampo was seen in the hallway with another man no one had recognized, the same man the policeman seems to have seen outside the ladies'' room. Well, he saw brown hair inside, so it''s safe to assume you were disguised as this man just in case.


    - Nonsense.


    Mina sighs and shakes her head.


    - So I would have taken Kiara up to the roof pretending to be Rampo? Wouldn''t a policeman have seen us?


    - Everyone was focused on Mina''s disappearance, and the outside security wasn''t good enough. I''m disappointed with our performance on that," admits Shinpei.


    - ... Still!


    Mina grits her teeth.


    - And if you had spoken with the woman disguised as ''Mina'', she who was supposed to have disappeared, you would have understood the ruse straight away, wouldn''t you?!


    - The message.


    - What?


    Mina blinks at Deshya, who has just spoken. She pulls out her own phone and shows the microphone she''s kept in her hand.


    - We went to get ''Mina''. Deshya squints again, clenching her fist.


    - Since you were listening in, you knew we were going to talk to ''Mina'', so you sent the message to Rosaline to stop us.


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    Shinpei realized this too late. If he had made the connection between the two events, perhaps he could have understood Kiara''s murder from A to Z beforehand. However, it could have been a coincidence, and besides, how could he have thought of it when the situation was so complicated? He can''t blame himself, although he feels he''s a bit behind the times today. He can''t always be at the top of his game, but he''s still disappointed. Fortunately, Deshya is there.


    - I would have understood anyway, but maybe a little after everyone else had left..." thinks Shinpei.


    He has no doubts about that. He has confidence in his own abilities and his intelligence is above average, as he well knows. His problem is that he sometimes misses certain almost invisible details... Something Deshya seems to know how to do very well. This is surely his strength.


    - So we couldn''t talk to Mina, and since we thought she was the real Mina, we took her out of the list of suspects when we saw Kiara die in front of our eyes while she was still in the restaurant with us. Afterwards, you put her back to sleep, her part played. I don''t know what route you took back inside, but I''m convinced that''s how Kiara''s murder happened. You stunned Kiara on the roof to stop her letting off steam, then pushed her off the roof as you fled. You also used your voice to shout for help and scream when she fell, although I confess I don''t necessarily know why. Was it to draw our attention outside or to make us think she was still awake?


    Mina didn''t answer right away, but eventually sighed heavily... finally dropping a smile.


    - I did it to make fun of her. So that ''Rampo'', who was further away, could hear her¡­


    "Mina" places a hand on her face¡­


    And rips it off in front of the detectives, showing its real face: a man with blond hair.


    - Because she was a piece of shit," concludes ''XIII''.


    No longer denying the truth, he shows his true face to the detectives, with Deshya speechless. However, she quickly shakes her head and returns to her serious, smiling self.


    - I knew it.


    - I have to admit I had a lot of fun acting, but it didn''t seem to do any good after all," the blond man let out.¡± May I ask how I killed ''Rampo'', then~?


    He licks his lips and smiles, staring at Deshya in a peculiar way. It¡¯s not like a creepy way, but rather... as if he''s ready to laugh with joy. It''s a peculiar look, but it doesn''t disturb Deshya, who speaks directly, accepting ''XIII''s'' ''request''.


    - You''re back as Mina and you already know what happened, so you can stay on the first floor. Since the police had to talk to the cooks and waiters, you had a little more room to hide the fake ''Mina'' in the storeroom or somewhere nearby. What''s more, since the kitchen is large and you can get in through the back too, you don''t even have to be seen by everyone.


    - I came in through the back, I admit it," says ''XIII''.¡± If I came through here and a cook saw me with the woman I was using to make it look like ''Mina'' was in the restaurant, I don''t think I could have stayed here.


    He''s not ashamed to talk about it, with an amused expression on his face. The scene is almost unreal: ''XIII'' still has the waitress outfit on, chatting quietly with ''Shinpei Kioru'', a detective who''s doing everything to stop him, and ''Deshya Oveja'', a 16-year-old girl in a fox sweater who''d never dreamed she''d be here just a few weeks before. No, even the day before yesterday, she wouldn''t have believed she could be here.


    - Somehow, you get ''Rampo'' to drink or eat a laxative or medicine that forces him to go to the bathroom, you wait for him there and when Rampo goes to the pot, you knock him out. You don''t kill him, but you make sure he can''t make a sound.


    - Hm, hm, and then~? You''re going to say I disguised myself as Rampo and joined you, then? How do you explain that there was no one in his cabin?" asks XIII.


    He looks almost like a child who wants to know what''s going to happen next, yet he knows exactly what''s going to happen next. Deshya has the feeling that if she makes the slightest mistake in her deduction, she''ll be beheaded by ''XIII'' in an instant... Disappointing him isn''t going to upset her to the point where he''ll kill her, she knows, but that''s the impression she''s getting right now.


    - The Rampo who joined us was clearly you. At first, I couldn''t believe it, since you continued the conversation directly, as if it were still the real Rampo, but when I realized that you could hear everything we were saying through the microphone in my hair, it was simple to understand. That microphone... how powerful is it?" asks Deshya.


    - I could hear Rampo properly from where you were, so I''m proud of it. Well, even if I ask you to give it back, you won''t, so I''ll have to buy some more," replies XIII.


    Deshya tucks it away in her pocket as she sticks out her tongue, letting him know he''s right: she''s not going to give it back. She doubts there''ll be any fingerprints or anything on it, especially since if Deshya hadn''t noticed it now, she''d surely have seen it in the mirror as she brushed her teeth tonight or showered before bed. She has no doubt that Korone would have noticed it too.


    - And how do you explain Rampo disappearing~?¡± asks ''XIII''.


    - It''s as simple as that: you put it in the cabin next door. You made sure the door was closed and all you had to do was get in through the top, it''s not like it''s a locked room either.


    - Eeeh¡­


    - You came back as ''Rampo'', stayed a while and pretended you had a big errand to run, making us think you might have ingested some laxative. Quickly, you moved ''Rampo'' back into the cabin where he should have been, woke him up, killed him with a knife through the heart, making sure we understood that he was still awake when it happened, moved back into the other cabin, you put on a man''s disguise and emerge from the bathroom as if you were a sick person. Then you change back into your ''Mina'' disguise and make your way back to the great hall without ''Mina'' seeming to have disappeared. Of course, before leaving the bathroom, you put ''Rampo''s'' howl of pain that we''ve heard as a ringtone on his phone, make sure it''s on vibrate, put it between his two legs that you''ve spread and make sure he''s this close to falling into the toilet tank if he''s shaking. You probably unlocked his phone with your finger while he was still unconscious, or after you''d killed him, since fingerprint detection still works a bit after someone''s dead. You call him a little later, making sure that it''s not too late for Mohammed to understand that the murder took place several minutes ago, and the phone falls into the water, rendering it unusable and so you can''t tell that he was called just before, nor that the ringtone has been reprogrammed to be his scream. The latter is surely one you''ve prepared in advance too, isn''t it, ''XIII''?


    She speaks again and again, each word lighting up a new star in the criminal''s eyes.


    - Of course, you also put the cops outside to sleep to make it look like you got out, but that was futile," adds Shinpei.¡± What''s more, you let yourself be lured here by Deshya''s acting¡­


    - Ahahah!!


    ¡®XIII'' starts laughing and stands up clapping, taking a step closer to the teenager and looking at her without stopping laughing. Shinpei frowns and touches the walkie-talkie, but ''XIII'' waves a hand in the air.


    - There''s no point in calling in the troops of police outside the door and behind the kitchen, my friend Shinpei," says ''XIII''.


    - !!!


    The detective grits his teeth.


    - Is he suspecting it or does he knows...?" he wonders.


    ¡®XIII'' admires the girl in front of him, who is beginning to feel the pressure of his presence, but continues to act as if she has the upper hand. She knows very well that this is not the case, but she''s also certain that this criminal isn''t going to do anything to her.


    - Deshya... Oveja, eh?


    - This is me.


    - I''m impressed. I didn''t expect this much. Not this quickly.


    ¡®XIII'' chuckles before sticking out his tongue.


    - I can''t wait to see you again, little fox.


    With that, Shinpei quickly grabs his walkie-talkie and orders all the policemen directly into the kitchen. The doors slam shut and ''XIII'' turns around, smiling.


    - You''ll never be able to catch me without hurting me, Shinpei Kioru.


    - !


    And suddenly, smoke pours out of ''XIII''s'' body, blinding everyone in the room.


    - ?!!


    The policemen rush towards ''XIII'', not sure where he is yet, Deshya jumping off the table to join Shinpei, avoiding being attacked by mistake. The smoke gradually disappears, as the policemen hold their pistols in their hands, searching for ''XIII'' with their eyes. When the smoke has cleared¡­


    The criminal is no longer visible.


    - Maybe he''s disguised as one of you!" shouts Shinpei.


    He grabs his walkie-talkie and frowns.


    - Ei! Did ''XIII'' or anyone else just leave the restaurant?!


    The inspector checking from the roof observes the surroundings, but¡­


    - No one seems to have come out. Can you confirm this?


    She addresses all the other police officers watching outside, but no one responds positively.


    Shinpei grits his teeth: ''XIII'' is one of the policemen in front of them.


    However¡ª


    - S-Shinpei!


    A policeman runs outside with his walkie-talkie in hand, shouting inside.


    - ¡®XIII'' is seen outside! He''s running west towards the lake!


    - Confirm it! You stay here!


    The detective first shouts into his walkie-talkie before addressing the policemen in front of him. Deshya stays by his side, scanning the kitchen to see if she can find anything with her eyes. However, she can''t see anything... No disguise on the floor that he would have thrown away to replace it with that of a policeman. Besides, how could he have done it in such a short space of time? He may be a ''god'' in disguise, but it seems almost... impossible. He''s no ''Kaito Kid'' either.


    A few minutes later, ''XIII''''s escape was confirmed by several policemen, as well as Ei herself. The policemen who were in the kitchen were all searched and their skins gently pulled to check it wasn''t a disguise, but unfortunately¡­


    - ¡®XIII'' ran away. Tsk!


    Ei clicks her tongue and crosses her arms. Shinpei and Mohammed are sitting next to her, but unlike the woman, they show a slightly less disappointed, not annoyed, expression.


    - He escapes again and again..." says the doctor.


    - Even luring him into the kitchen didn''t do any good, it seems," smiled Shinpei, looking at Deshya.¡± It wasn''t a bad plan at all, he was just one step ahead of us.


    Exactly: a secret passage leading outside had been dug into the floor, hidden by one of the kitchen''s many tiles. He escaped through it quickly, the view of the police and the two detectives obscured by the smoke. If they''d had more time on their hands, they''d surely have checked the interior of the restaurant from top to bottom, just to make sure this kind of plan wasn''t possible.


    - Is that why he sent his letter so late...?" wondered Deshya


    It would make sense. She sighed and sat down beside the bride and groom. The room is almost empty of guests, with one or two who have agreed to stay to reassure Rosaline and Sam.


    - It wasn''t the worst wedding, but I must admit¡­


    Rosaline scratches her cheek.


    - If I wasn''t so happy to finally be Sam''s wife, I think I''d have burst into tears. On the other hand, Kiara... Rampo¡­


    Escaping from the kitchen, ''XIII'' left an envelope on the table where Deshya had been sitting: the one that explained the reason for the two murders. Kiara and Rampo were working together to try to lull the bride and groom to sleep tonight and rape them while taking compromising photos. Afterwards, they planned to blackmail them by demanding money, or else they''d show the photos to their partner. An evil plan. However, it seems there''s more to it than just this plan: Kiara had already harassed several boys at college by pretending to agree to go out with them or have sex with them, then saying it was without consent. Rampo would have heard this girl''s rumors and decided to make money by manipulating people around them thanks to Kiara''s intelligence and acting. In short, ''garbage'', as ''XIII'' so aptly puts it. Rosaline and Sam were very saddened to hear the news, but they feel they''ve had a narrow escape.


    - Is it wrong to say that we were almost lucky that Kiara and Rampo died...?" asks Rosaline, her eyes showing only sadness and shame.


    No one answers, but Gatito finally speaks up.


    - Even the worst waste doesn''t deserve the incinerator. It can always be recycled. But it''s understandable that we''re glad to be rid of it.


    Rosaline looks at him attentively... and finally smiles. Deshya pats his father''s ribs with a teasing smile.


    - Will you be writing poems soon?


    - Shut up. We''re going home. Both of us.


    Gatito grabs his daughter by the sweater and lifts her from her chair, taking her in one arm as if she were just a bag. She struggles, moaning in embarrassment, but Shinpei just laughs.


    - We''ll meet again one day, Lady Deshya.


    The girl opens her eyes wide and turns her head towards the detective, who smiles at her.


    - Our dear ''XIII'' seemed to like you. If we don''t succeed in catching him in the next few weeks... Perhaps he will contact you again. I''m sure we''ll meet again," he says.


    - Next time, we won''t let him get away.


    - That goes without saying.


    He nods politely. Gatito places his daughter on the floor and pats her head.


    - I''ll be waiting in the car.


    He leaves her to chat for a while before walking away, hiding his hands in his pockets, and exits the room. Deshya smiles, but quickly turns her face back to the Li¨¨re policemen.


    - Thanks for everything, anyway," says Deshya.


    - We''ve done nothing to deserve such an honor. Thanks to you for understanding his tricks before I did," smiled Shinpei.


    - I''ve been pretty bad..." sighs Ei.¡± Next time, I won''t let you knock me out!


    - Still on about it, Ei?" chuckles Mohammed.


    - Without it, maybe we could have saved the victims!


    They all start laughing together, Sam watching them with a small smile.


    - You can laugh in spite of what happened¡­


    - Don''t get us wrong: we''re not trying to be rude. The investigation is now over, and if we''re not joking about such a tragedy, there''s nothing to say that our hearts won''t sink," replies Shinpei, turning her gaze towards him.


    Deshya fully understands what he means and thinks the same. She can''t just let herself be affected by every murder she comes across. In just one month, she''s already come across a lot of investigations. Unless she''s been very unlucky for no reason, one thing is certain: she''s going to come across murders again. Kidnappings. Maybe worse, maybe ''cuter'' or ''quieter'' mysteries. She doesn''t know if it''s life that''s decided to have fun with her or if she was always destined to become a ''detective'', but Deshya will solve whatever comes her way: because she''s the genie with the fox ears. Just as she thought before, she needs to improve again and again to eventually find out the truth about her fox-like attributes.


    - Maybe I''ll have to start looking into it a bit more from now on..." she thinks.


    She lives her life as a normal teenager ¡ª or at least she tries to -- but at the moment, it seems that life isn''t accepting her. The murders that have fallen into her lap aren''t the only reason she feels this way: Korone''s arrival in her life also plays a big part. Whoever was the man who abducted her to talk to her... must also be connected with her; with Deshya. If she can find the slightest lead on him, manage to talk to him or find out his identity... Plus, she''s also thinking about the man in the eagle hood who seems to be the one who killed the man with the sniper who almost shot Korone.


    - Sounds like the perfect time to finally learn the truth, doesn''t it?


    She raises her face to the ceiling, as if talking to a higher entity. She smiles, squinting softly, and clenches her fists.


    - Deshya?


    The girl looks down apologetically.


    - I was thinking about something, sorry," she addresses Ei.


    - No problem at all. I hope this experience doesn''t traumatize you.


    She shakes her head.


    - I have two incredible parents, a great little sister and great friends if I need to cry. I also have a psychologist I can count on. I''ll be fine.


    - That puts my mind at rest," smiles Shinpei.


    - Same here, I''m glad. Honestly, I hope that if we meet again, it won''t be at a crime scene.


    - Considering how lucky I am at the moment, I think it will be!


    She giggles to herself, but this amuses the policemen in front of her, as well as the bride and groom. She greets them, but Gatito comes back into the room unannounced.


    - Dad?


    He walks past her and arrives in front of Shinpei. He goes to question him about his action, but the red haired man offers¡ª


    - An envelope?


    - It was on the windscreen of my car.


    Shinpei looks at it and opens his eyes wide. Ei and Mohammed leaned in before squinting.


    - T-This is...!


    Deshya and the bride and groom are intrigued, as are the few guests who have stayed behind. Shinpei opens it, checks inside before shaking his head and blowing his nose.


    - This ''XIII''... He''ll never change.


    He sighs and offers the envelope to the bride and groom.


    - For you two.


    - U-Us?" asks Sam, surprised.


    Deshya advances towards the bride and groom, curious to know what the letter contains. However, Gatito takes her by the arm and forces her to follow him. She sulks at first, but seeing the lit-up, emotional expressions on the bride and groom''s faces, Deshya calms down and just follows her father out of the restaurant.


    - ... This envelope, is it¡ª


    - It''s from ''XIII''. It says it''s his way of apologizing for ruining their wedding.


    - ¡­


    - There was a sum twice as high as what the wedding had cost them. On the back of the envelope, he wrote ''Use it for an even more sublime wedding, representative of your love''. What an idiot... He pisses me off.


    Gatito clenches his fists and Deshya closes one eye, her arm crushed by her father''s hand, and he apologizes by letting go of her. He sighs and heads for the car silently, his eyes showing an anger Deshya couldn''t understand even if she saw them. Watching her father''s back, she smiles.


    - A criminal who gives away so much money and apologizes for ruining the party...? ¡®XIII''... Hmph.


    She smiles with a soft chuckle, turning back to the ''AzureView'' restaurant just behind her.


    - I hope they can have the best possible wedding.


    With these thoughts, she runs to catch up with her father, reaching the car. He starts it up after they''ve both fastened their seatbelts, and drives off. At first, there''s total silence, not even a sound from the radio, but eventually Gatito speaks up:


    - Honey, too¡­


    - Yes ?


    She turns her face to him, expecting him to talk about the case, but quickly realizes she''s mistaken.


    - Your mother... Your mother had a nightmare today. If you could stay with her for a while before going to bed, that would be very nice of you.


    - ¡­


    Deshya answers nothing. Gatito continues driving without moving his gaze from the road, having finished his sentence.


    - ... Say, Dad... Why does Mom have nightmares?


    - ¡­


    - Why is it that when she does it, she doesn''t do well?


    - ......


    - Is it... my fault? Because I''m a fox? Nightmares of when I¡ª


    - No, but it''s nothing.


    - ¡ª got¡­


    Gatito cuts her off, clenching his hands on the steering wheel.


    - It''s not because of you, I promise. She''s better than before, but she... she keeps having these nightmares.


    - Why can''t I know what happened, Dad...? Why can''t I?


    - ¡­


    Gatito sighs softly.


    - It''s not that you can''t know, it''s that I''d prefer your mother to forget... If you were to know the truth, then... I don''t know, knowing won''t help her get better. It''s nothing, it''s in the past. It must be forgotten. Yes, we''d all better forget it.


    - ... ?


    However, Deshya doesn''t get any more answers. She doesn''t insist and looks out of her car window, while the sun has already set on the horizon.


    On her way home, Deshya is greeted by her dog and her little sister, followed by her mother, who admits she was getting worried when her husband didn''t answer. While taking off his shoes, the red-haired man apologizes.


    - I was concentrating on the road when you called me..." he admits.


    - It''s all right! Did everything go well? Tell me about it around the table!


    Fortunately, it seems that Pera is in a better mood than expected. Gatito wonders why, but deep down it reassures him: if even when she''s having these nightmares, she can feel good, then he can only be pleased. He doesn''t ask her about it, just reminds her what she''s been having nightmares about, and walks down the corridor, watching little Korone walking ahead of him.


    - Maybe having Korone helps...?" he wonders.


    It''s not that Pera doesn''t love Deshya enough; quite the opposite, in fact. However, Deshya can''t stay at home all day, unlike Korone, who doesn''t go to school ¡ª at least not yet. Pera adores her daughter, as Gatito well knows: it''s rare to see her sad when Deshya is at home, after all. She may be more tired or lacking in energy, but not depressed like she is when no one''s around. Because of his work, Gatito can''t be with his wife as much as he''d like, either. That doesn''t mean he''s not there enough for her either, just that sometimes he''d like to go home and be able to spend time with her. He can''t help it, and changing jobs isn''t something he wants to do, so he just accepts it: that''s the way the adult world is.


    - Did you manage to catch ''XIII''?" asks Pera, sitting down.


    They all settle into their chairs and look at the cold dish that has been prepared by the redheaded woman. They quickly help themselves, Korone confessing that she helped a little, which makes her proud. Gatito strokes her hair and admits he can''t wait to taste it, which makes the little girl smile even more.


    - I could understand ''XIII''s'' tricks, but unfortunately, we couldn''t catch him," Deshya admits. At least, it seems I lived up to his expectations, but he killed both his victims¡­


    She would have preferred to save them, but unfortunately that would have been very complex. Even knowing the link between Kiara and Rampo, there''s nothing to say that ''XIII'' would have targeted both of them. So Deshya begins to tell a little about the beginning of the affair while eating with her family. She continues to talk, recounting one detail or another that doesn''t necessarily concern the affair itself, such as the beauty of the bride and groom, her meeting with Shinpei Kioru or even Ei Anisato, as well as the sublime view of Lake Mille Feux from the AzureView.


    - So we didn''t know it at the time, but the woman who went to the bathroom was the first target of ''XIII''!" explains Deshya.¡± She was Rosaline''s best friend, but given what we''ve learned about her, including the evidence provided about her activities... She wasn''t very nice. I don''t want to speak ill of the dead, but a¡­


    - Real garbage!" says Korone.


    - Ahah, yes.


    - Oh? And ''XIII'' killed her in the bathroom, then?" asks Pera, bringing the fork close to her mouth.


    The girl shakes her head.


    - XIII'' knocked out ''Ei'', the inspector, inside, and dragged the body of Kiara, the victim, through the roof.


    The sound of a fork falling on a plate.


    Deshya looks with confusion at her mother-


    - ... K-Ki... Kiara...?


    She, having her eyes wide open.


    Gatito grits his teeth as he stands up: he hadn''t thought of that! Korone blinks, confused. Deshya doesn''t understand either, and Pera shakes her head.


    - R-Red¡­


    - Honey!


    Gatito approaches Pera and pats her shoulder, but makes sure not to shake her. The woman shakes her head even more.


    - S-Stop... D-Don¡¯t¡­


    - Deshya, get me a cold towel!


    - W-What?


    - Come on!


    - A-All right!


    Without understanding what was going on, she complied. Korone''s eyes are filled with incomprehension, and she can see the terror on of Pera¡¯s face.


    - STOP!!!!


    And she screams, holding her head, tears pouring out.


    - Find your truth, the only truth, your only truth¡­


    A certain man sings from the top of a building, sitting on the edge with a parachute on his back. The town of Li¨¨re is presented to him in all its splendor, the urban lights painting a magnificent picture.


    - Then you will be able to seek what you really want¡­


    The man''s blond hair dances calmly in the night breeze.


    - Everyday can be a hellish day... or one where angels cry of joy. Eh.


    The man smiles and squints, looking ahead with a rather amused expression. With few clouds in the sky and twinkling stars in every corner, the beauty of the night is impossible to deny. A crescent moon, showing its third to the world, shines above the man ¡ª from ''XIII''.


    - It was fun today. Shinpei was a bit tough with himself, since he''d probably have figured it out in time too. Anyway... Deshya was so interesting.


    He cracks his neck.


    - He''s always so nice, saying he wants to catch me without using violent means. One day, he''ll understand that he has no choice. That the only way to stop a monster is with violence... even if it means killing me.


    He chuckles again as he thinks about it before standing up and turning around, not using his parachute: he''d thought he''d need it to flee, but it seems he''s managed to avoid all the policemen. Now all he had to do was get home. Before descending from the roof through the door, he gazes up at the starry sky with a smile.


    - I can''t wait to see you again, fox-eared detective... Yes, because¡­


    He shakes his head as he opens the door, an expression that only he can understand.


    - Because you are you, Deshya Oveja.

 54 -?The New Dark Rumor Shared on Social Medias?(CASE11)

    <hr>


    The sound of birds is accompanied by the sound of footsteps on the leafy ground. The forest is not clearly visible, as the camera moves from left to right ¡ª proof of the young man''s lack of professionalism. However, this is not the most important thing for him... nor for the young woman at his side. They move forward unhesitatingly between the trees, both silent, but the camera on the black-shelled phone is still filming. This is no mistake: if something were to happen before they got there, they''d rather be able to capture it on camera than let the opportunity pass them by. Usually, they walk hand in hand, but this time, since they both have a camera in their grip, they walk right next to each other. Before long, they arrive at the place they''ve been looking for, one they found a few days ago. They look at each other and nod, determination mixed with courage and a touch of fear. After swallowing hard, the young man, who must hardly be 20, raises his camera and films himself with the young woman at his side who is clearly his girlfriend. The lack of a ring around the finger, or any trace of one, makes it clear that they are not married.


    - Hello or good evening, we are ''Cl¨¦rine''!


    In cheerful, friendly voices, they introduce themselves to the camera. The name is a play on the couple''s first names: Cl¨¦ment''s ''Cl¨¦'' and Maurine''s ''Rine''. The young man has very short chestnut hair, while the young woman has longer blond hair, but it doesn''t reach past her shoulder blades. Since it''s curly, it looks like it''s shorter than it really is.


    - Today, we want to show you a place we came across not long ago!


    He then turns his camera forward, showing the building in front of him.


    And the video continues. The young couple talk to each other, comment on the interior and visit with their flashlights in their hands. Since they''re filming for ''TikTok'', they can''t afford to make the video too long, for fear that people won''t be interested, or that they''ll leave when they notice it''s too long. For the time being, they visit, not really having any more information than those who watch, even if for the time being, no one can view their video, since it''s not live. They both say one or two jokes, but it''s not because they''re having fun: it''s just to lighten the mood around them. Without the light of their flashlight, it would be pitch black.


    - There are a lot of insects here..." admits Cl¨¦ment, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.


    The humidity, lack of fresh air and empty, crumbling rooms don''t help ¡ª the cobwebs and faint sounds of crawling insects even less. They''re both reluctant to leave, but they really want to show this interior for their TikTok channel: they''ve promised that every Wednesday, they''ll make videos like this.


    - S-Say, how about a live show?" suggests Maurine.¡± If people look at us and talk to us, we''d go... Well, we''d be less scared, don''t you think?


    Her boyfriend considers her proposal, but it doesn''t take long for him to nod in agreement and launch a live show fairly quickly. Their channel isn''t the most popular on the site, but they still have a total of 350,000 subscribers, so within a minute of launching the live show, thousands of people are already watching.


    - H-Hey, it''s Cl¨¦rine! We''re in an abandoned building, as promised, but it''s pretty... creepy.


    They watch the commentaries and chat a little with the spectators, which makes them feel more at home in this strange, ruined place. They continue to walk and visit the many rooms, managing to let out one or two laughs, these echoing between the dark walls of the building.


    - Oh, this room has a closed door!" Maurine remarks.


    She points at it with her flashlight and Cl¨¦ment asks if they want to see inside. The spectators in the comments are all excited and insist that they go in, so they agree, putting their fears aside. Maurine pushes the door open, but it only moves a few centimeters despite the force she applies. Contrary to what you might think, Maurine is the strongest of the couple, given that she works out every day and even took up women''s boxing when she was younger, although she has since stopped, so Cl¨¦ment lets her get on with it. However, seeing that she''s having trouble with this door, Cl¨¦ment decides to help her without leaving his phone out. Although it takes some time, they finally manage to open the door, which lets out an infernal noise that would shatter the ears of even the most fragile. They both tense up, closing their eyes in pain from the horrible creaking noise. Then they peer into the room¡ª


    - !!!


    Their eyes open wide. Breathless. Their hearts miss a beat.


    In front of them, a corpse.


    - !!!! AAAAAH!!!!


    And while screaming in fear, they run off together, both in tears and leaving the audience confused.


    CHAPTER 54


    ?The New Dark Rumor Shared on Social Medias?


    - The video on "TikTok" that caused a stir on the Internet has been removed by its creators, "Cl¨¦ment Salno" and "Maurine Creyl".


    - Some believe that the video, which was live, was a fake, a tasteless production. It would seem that a corpse can be seen in the back of a dark room, illuminated only by their flashlight, but given the rapid movement of the camera, it''s impossible to be sure.


    * Hey, did y¡¯all see that the live that was quickly deleted? Some say it wasn''t Cl¨¦ment and Maurine who deleted it, but the government itself


    * Wat? Its hella shit lmaoooo they sayd themself that its them who delited it


    * bro, learn to write. Besides, this conspiracy shit is bullshit. The whole thing was fake. Ridiculous staging.


    * I agree with you, @Terk44. We''re talking about TikTok here. You know, the app where people thought mirrors were another world.


    * The egg and paper experiment? Don¡¯t make me remember that, how stupid¡­


    * Your talking a lot for nothing, arent you?* Personally, I don''t give a damn about your writing.


    * I dont give a damn bout this RATIO!!!!!!


    - ... Impossible to read serious conversations on this site¡­


    The boy at the computer sighs, tapping his desk with his right index finger. His head resting on his fist, he looks at his screen with a sigh. He wanted to know more about the ''Cl¨¦rine'' live show, but since it''s been deleted and it''s impossible to find the entire video anywhere, he can''t hope to see what was filmed again. However, the boy was able to see the beginning, and thanks to this¡ª


    - ... Eh.


    He looks at his calendar and observes the date.


    - It''s the weekend, but Monday¡­


    He chuckles and turns around in his desk chair, standing up and then jumping into bed, looking up at the ceiling.


    - Maybe it could be fun, if they accept?


    Monday 3rd October has been underway for a few hours now, but the streets are crowded with teenagers on their way to school. The sun isn''t shining brightly, and the sky is taking on a slightly duller hue, announcing to the inhabitants of planet earth that autumn has been well and truly underway for over a week. The air is getting cooler, the leaves on the trees are already showing more orange hues and the girls are already changing their style, short skirts no longer being an option if they don''t want to suffer from the cold. Of course, some people don''t need to change clothes, like this girl in the black and orange sweater.


    - But you''re the best!


    Her best friend, the one with the long pink hair, is wearing warmer clothes than usual, including a sweater she hasn''t zipped up. It''s fleece and pale pink, but it suits her perfectly, even though she''s not the type to wear it often.


    - A-Ahah, it''s nothing..." says her best friend, the one with the red hair.


    - Nothing?!


    Amora can''t believe what she''s hearing from her best friend. She shakes her head.


    - What do you mean, nothing?! You''ve managed to understand the tricks of ''XIII'', haven''t you!


    Deshya hadn''t even had to tell her what had happened for her to find out: on Sunday, October 02, the day after Rosaline''s wedding and her first ''face-to-face'' encounter with ''XIII'', the legendary criminal, the TV stations were talking about what had happened. With the ''FEDER'' hotel affair, the discussion wasn''t the main topic of the news and the internet, especially with the death of a singer much loved by young people, but the ''XIII'' case still attracted a lot of attention. Shinpei has chatted a bit with Ei and ''Tom Spidernest'', Li¨¨re''s station chief, and obviously talked about ''Deshya Oveja'', aka the fox-eared detective. ¡®XIII¡¯ himself congratulated Deshya on his Twatter¡­


    And now it has already reached 40,000 subscribers.


    - You''re becoming more and more of a star!" says Amora. I bet by the end of the year you''ll already have 150,000 subscribers!


    Deshya smiles, but doesn''t reply: maybe Amora is right. She''s sure that when she gets home, she''ll have even more subscribers. People will know what her Twatter is, that she sometimes posts this and that, and eventually, she''ll become "famous". Her identity will no longer be a drop in the ocean, but one in a glass. If this doesn''t stop, she''ll become not just a star in the sky, but the moon itself. Of course, she doesn''t want to get ahead of herself, but knowing that she''s becoming more and more popular... How could she not be happy? Of course, she has to be careful that popularity is a double-edged sword, and what''s more, she always has to hide the fact that she''s a real fox-girl from people, but she doesn''t expect to become as popular as a TV star, Valentino Rossi or even Minos Kiyon. In short, she shouldn''t be afraid of paparazzi coming to bother her and take pictures at her place. However, if that were to happen... then she can no longer feel safe. It''s because of this fear that even though she loves becoming more popular, she wonders if she shouldn''t be careful. For now, she doesn''t have to worry, but if she''s questioned... if people try to pull off her hood for a laugh¡­


    - After all, I already go through this sometimes at school, ahah....


    The teenagers her age at school sometimes tease her like this, trying to pull on her fox tail or take off her hood, but some just don''t like her style. Out of jealousy or because they find it embarrassing, they want to tease her any way they can, or get her to stop walking around like that. Not only does she like her style, she can''t even pull it off if she can... Besides, if people were to learn the truth, she''s sure they''d criticize her even more: being a "fox-girl" would be ''inhuman'' to some, after all. They''d call her ''furry'' and other names she doesn''t even want to think about¡­


    - I don''t need to worry about that... yet.


    How long will she be able to believe that all will be well? She doesn''t know, but she doesn''t want to think about that future, however near or far it may be. For now, she needs to concentrate on the present and only the present.


    - Anyway, if you keep this up, maybe you''ll meet your favorite detective? You know, ''Kira Miname''!" says Amora.


    The two best friends walk together down the quiet street. A few students are near them, but they say nothing, talking amongst themselves or complaining about the new week ahead.


    - I''ve already met ''Minos Kiyon'', so I hope so, but¡­


    Deshya scratches her cheek.


    - Kira is more the type to work all over the world, not just in Belium. Even if ''XIII'', the ''FEDER'' hotel case and the fact that Minos mentioned me are big things, I don''t think it''s enough to attract the attention of the best detective in the whole world.


    Deshya thinks that honestly, especially as Kira is not the type to reach out to others, unlike Minos. If she can meet him in real life one day, it would be as much an honor as Minos, but can she hope for that day to come? Can she gain enough notoriety to be lucky enough to be on a case with him?


    - Be optimistic!" says Amora, a smile on her face.¡± You already thought you''d never meet Minos in your entire life, except maybe quickly at a convention, and yet you have his private number!


    Deshya can''t help looking at her sweater pocket, where her phone remains. Even though Deshya wants to tell Amora that it''s all naivete ¡ª something she would have done before ¡ª she prefers to smile and let Amora''s cheerful side contaminate her: she''s right, after all. So many things have happened that she never thought possible. Meeting Minos isn''t the only thing that''s happened to her either.


    - So I believe in it!" admits Deshya.


    - ... Hihi.


    Amora giggles cutely.


    - I prefer Deshya like this.


    - What do you mean?


    Deshya blinks, confused. Amora tucks her hair back properly before explaining her thoughts.


    - Even though you''ve always been really nice to me and accepting, I think you''re... more you these days? A bit after you made friends with Raiji, really. More since you had a chance to chat with Bibi and met Korone. I feel like you''re glowing more.


    Deshya answers nothing, her eyes riveted on her best friend with the colorful hair. She thinks of the moment when she looked in the mirror and said to herself that her smile was more present and ''real'' than before... That unlike before, she feels like... She doesn''t know how to express it, but Deshya feels, as Amora has just said... that she''s more "herself".


    - ... I''m sure it is," Deshya finally admits.¡± Before, I could get tired of your energy, because you have too much and I couldn''t always keep up, but lately... I really needed to pour out what was in my heart and let go, I guess.


    Deshya wonders if it''s really only because she''s been able to chat with Korone and Bibi. Even if she''s happy to have a little sister now, that''s not the reason she manages to smile more often or accepts Amora''s energy much more, so what is it? Nor is it because she''s starting to solve crimes, so...?


    - You know, Deshya, it''s strange to say, but¡­


    Amora places both hands behind her back and continues to smile, looking straight ahead.


    - Since this month, I feel like you''re just happier. Despite everything that''s going on, even though you''ve almost died twice already... It''s like you''re tasting life more.


    Deshya opens her eyes wide.


    - ...that''s it.


    She hadn''t even noticed, but Amora was right. Deshya had begun to believe that it was thanks to the kiss with Tessa after the poker game, but it wasn''t even that.


    Deshya had simply stopped locking herself in.


    She had never been much of a social butterfly. Deshya was the type to spend time with her friends and chat with them. However, she didn''t really talk to others about what was on her mind. Unconsciously, as she found herself more into investigations, she began to confess a lot more to her friends ¡ª especially Amora. With Bibi, her psychologist, and Korone, her new little sister, she can not only pour out what''s on her mind, but also reveal a lot more about herself. Even if it''s not related to the investigations, Deshya has started to open up a lot more and taste life a lot more.


    - Do you¡­


    The cause of all this is because she''s... less afraid?


    - ¡­


    Before she can answer this question, a handful of students run up to them. As Deshya suspected, they''ve come to ask her about the case against ''XIII''. Deshya can afford to tell them, but since it''s a Monday morning, she simply doesn''t have the energy to respond to all their excitement. Amora is amused by the excitement around them, but seeing Deshya''s bored and tired look, she clears her throat.


    - She''ll tell you about it later if she has to!" says Amora.


    - Are you her manager now?" teased one of the boys.


    - I''m her best friend AND manager!


    - A-Ah? Since when?


    - Deshya, hire me as manager.


    - If you want.


    - I''ve been her manager since now!


    - ¡­


    The students look at each other, some confused, others amused by the girl''s behavior. Deshya can''t help but giggle and stops walking.


    - I know you''re interested, but can we talk about it another time? It''s morning, it''s Monday¡­


    - It''s precisely because it''s a Monday morning that we want to know!" admits one of the girls.¡± We''ll have a better start to the day.


    - What do you even want to know? Shinpei said everything about the affair..." Deshya replies, already resuming her walk.


    This time, it''s another girl who answers.


    - How does it feel to see ''XIII'' in real life?


    Deshya had intended not to reply and to arrive at school ignoring them, but since Amora''s joke had put her in a better mood, she agreed to talk a little.


    - It was strange, especially knowing that he was disguised among us. His talent for disguise was no joke, and I couldn''t believe my eyes that he was really that woman.


    His long clothes made it impossible to see his weakly bent knees, allowing him to appear smaller than he really was. His whole plan of disguising conscious people and counting on the chance that they wouldn''t fry themselves... Deshya still can''t believe the ''madness'' of this criminal. He''s not ''XIII'' for nothing.


    - But weren''t you scared?


    - Not really," replies Deshya with a shrug.¡± Since I was invited as a detective, there was no reason for him to hit me, knock me out or even kill me. ¡®XIII'' is a very principled guy, so I was sure nothing bad would happen to me.


    - Eeeh, I''d have been scared to death!" admits a boy with short chestnut hair.¡± Even knowing that, I would have been afraid he''d target me because I''d done something wrong!


    - You cheated on your ex.


    - What?! That''s not even true, I don''t have an ex!! I''ve never dated anyone!


    - Imagine admitting it in front of everyone, bleeeh.


    The boy sticks out his tongue with one eye closed and everyone ¡ª including Amora ¡ª laughs, the other boy lowering his head and blushing in shame. Deshya laughs, but soon another student asks him a question.


    - How did you feel when you found out you were going to be put on a case like this?


    - ¡­


    Deshya thinks about it for a few moments, but since her answer comes from the heart, it doesn''t really require much thought.


    - I was strangely happy. I could hardly wait. It was as if, after Minos had approved of my intelligence, it was now ''XIII'' who was doing it. Since he promised we''d see each other again, I suppose he likes me... I can''t let myself get too big-headed, and I''d hate to be pretentious, but I must admit it made me realize that maybe I really am a genius¡­


    - You see? We''ve been telling you for a long time, you three just have to accept it!


    It''s the boy who''s been teasing the other who shouts this. Soon after, the others join in.


    - You bet! You''ve got incredible points, you solve investigations that almost no-one else would, and you do it in record time, and you know stuff that''s sooo random!


    - Even though Tessa and Maruno have repeated a year, we know it''s not because they''re stupid! They''re too smart and all that! Especially Tessa!


    - Maruno is a bg* ¡ª a beautiful genius.


    (* ¡°bg¡± in french means ¡®handsome guy¡¯ ; I wasn¡¯t able to really fit the joke in english, so I keep it that way.)


    - Don''t fall for his charm, he''s already got a girlfriend.


    - I''ll prove to him that I''m better!


    - Huuuuuh?!


    The two start arguing in the crowd and without warning, the cheerful discussions become... incomprehensible. Laughter erupts everywhere, the girl verbally brawls with the boy and Amora listens in amusement. Deshya sighs heavily, but since she''s already arrived at the entrance to the playground, she figures she''ll soon be able to relax. Unlike the other times, she doesn''t meet any other friends when she arrives at school. She doesn''t see Lam, Abdoul or Raiji around, let alone Alec or Frie. What''s more, neither Tessa nor Maruno is on the usual bench. Seeing no one else, Deshya walks into the courtyard alongside Amora, the crowd of students dispersed because of the outbreak of fighting, as well as Deshya''s lack of interest in responding to them any longer. The two best friends don''t speak immediately, but when Amora sees Deshya''s somewhat worried expression, she asks her what''s going on. The redheaded girl apologizes, promising it''s nothing.


    - ...but I still wonder¡­


    She thinks again about what happened on Saturday. Not the investigation against ''XIII'', or Ei''s injury or the strange thing Shinpei said about missing ''Devon'', but what happened afterwards ¡ª about her mother¡­


    Pera is in the hayloft beside her two daughters, her tears stopped and her composure restored. However, when Gatito returns to the room, she stands up and bows gently.


    - S-Sorry¡­


    - It''s nothing. It''s nothing. Are you going to rest now?


    She nods.


    - I''d rather... I''m not going to be able to concentrate tonight, so... So I''m thinking of reading a bit or going straight to sleep. Either way, tomorrow I''d like to get up... to chat with friends on the Internet," she admits.


    Gatito nods in agreement and goes into the bedroom with her, leaving the two girls on the sofa for the time being.


    - ... She reacted to the word ''Kiara'', didn''t she, big sister?


    - ... Yep.


    Deshya confirms Korone''s thought by looking ahead, her eyes observing the void. The white-haired girl lets her legs sway gently, lowering her head.


    - ... You really don''t know what''s wrong with your mom?


    - I don''t know, unfortunately. Dad promised me it wasn''t because of my disappearance, and seeing as she reacted to the name ''Kiara'', I totally believe him. Anyway, she''d already been under a lot of stress because of my kidnapping when I came back, but this is getting better, so¡­


    So she''s sure that''s not what she nightmares about, nor the reason she''s sometimes sad during the day. Her father seemed to know that she shouldn''t have said ''Kiara'', but unfortunately he hadn''t thought of it in time. Deshya doesn''t think the victim in this case is related to Pera, so it must be another ''Kiara''... Not the most common first name, but far from being as original as ''Deshya'' or ''Gatito''. In short, she doesn''t think she''ll find any information about Pera''s ''Kiara'' by Googling it.


    - Why react like that?" wondered Deshya.¡± What''s happened to this ''Kiara'' to make her scream...


    - Red... Stop... Kiara¡­


    Korone repeats the words she heard Pera say at dinner. Deshya also wonders what it all means. Red'' can mean so many things that it''s impossible to think of anything in particular, while ''Stop'' is far too vague to understand. Could this Kiara have... done something to her mother?


    - Don''t bother her.


    While they''re both deep in thought, Gatito comes back and stops beside them, not bothering to sit down.


    - It''s possible that even tomorrow she''ll struggle to get well, so if possible, stay with her. If you have too much to do Deshya, then¡ª


    - My homework alone will take me five minutes maximum, I already know the subject," she admits.¡± In any case, spending time with my mom is not an ordeal for me ¡ª quite the opposite.


    - I want to spend time with Pera! In fact, I already spend most of my time with Pera!" Korone grins.


    Gatito lets one smile decorate his face and blows out his nose, pleased with what he hears.


    - Two girls who are too smart and too special, but two good girls. Thank you for your time.


    - Will you be busy tomorrow?" asks Korone, blushing softly at the man''s compliment.


    - We had two murders at the end of August that are still unsolved, and since I was on the case, they want me to follow up on a certain lead we have.


    - I''ll come and help you!


    Korone sticks out her tongue gently, but it''s clear she means it. Gatito stares at her for a few seconds, then sighs, shaking his head.


    - I appreciate the enthusiasm, but no, I''ll be fine¡­


    - Then ask your daughter, Deshyshy!


    - The crime scene isn''t exactly the same as it used to be, and even with photos, it won''t help. Anyway, no, Korone.


    - Maaaw, I just want to help!


    She crosses her arms, pouting, but Gatito smiles again and strokes her hair.


    - I know you''re mostly trying to cheer me up with jokes, but I''m fine. I''ve been seeing your mother like this for a while now.


    - ...but¡­


    - No buts, don''t worry. She''ll get over this depression in no time. A shrink comes to see her sometimes, every month or so, and she assures me that she''s getting better, albeit gradually. At some point, she''ll overcome this inner fear and¡­


    Gatito closes his mouth and turns his gaze weakly to the left, no longer watching his two daughters. Pausing in his sentence, he clenches his fist, something that Korone and Deshya notice, but say nothing about.


    - ... I hope you will never come across¡­


    - ... ?


    Gatito, once again, doesn''t finish his sentence, and finally sighs.


    - No matter. Don''t mention it to your mother and try to be there for her tomorrow when I come home from work, I''ll go for a little walk with her in the village.


    - Okiiiie.


    - Okay, no worries.


    The two girls approve and Gatito walks out of the room, leaving them together on the sofa.


    - ... Red... Stop... Kiara......


    - What''s on your mind, Deshyshy?


    The redheaded girl turns her face to her best friend and apologizes for her lack of attention. She confesses that she was just thinking about her mother''s crisis and Amora lowers her gaze weakly.


    - Oh yes, that¡­


    The girl in the fox sweater didn''t hide the truth from her and discussed it a little in her voice yesterday morning, as it bothered Deshya. What''s more, there was no need to hide it: Amora had already been to her best friend''s house several times and had therefore already noticed Pera''s ''depressed'' state. When Amora decided to ask Deshya what was going on, the latter agreed to tell her the truth, even if in the end it wasn''t much: after all, Deshya doesn''t really know what''s going on with her mother, which is still true. Even though she has two new clues ¡ª the first name ''Kiara'' and the word ''Red,'' including ''Stop'' ¡ª it''s not enough to understand anything. What''s more, Deshya doesn''t want to start sticking her nose where she shouldn''t: it wouldn''t be respectful of her. Deshya continues to talk with Amora until the bell rings, going to class and noticing that Tessa and Maruno are chatting with a small group of upperclassmen a little further on.


    Classes run smoothly. Deshya hands in her homework, along with everyone else who has done it in class ¡ª even those who don''t necessarily like to work. They start with the ''French'' class, which tells them about several novelists of the 1900s and their influence on French literature, a subject that doesn''t interest everyone, but which intrigues Deshya a lot. Even though she knows all the names pronounced by the teacher, she still learns more about their lives.


    Then comes the ''Religion'' or ''Morale'' class. As always, the teacher is very energetic ¡ª though nowhere near Amora''s level ¡ª and talks about her experiences in life. Like most of the time, she doesn''t talk about any particular subject and just wants the students to understand certain experiences they''ll have as adults, which some of them don''t care about at all. However, she''s well-respected at school and most of the classes love her, so everyone listens to her and interacts with her. What Deshya really appreciates about Tetazo High School is that most students are respectful of teachers and listen to them. Some subjects are less interesting, more complex, or the teachers talk about them in a way that''s less interesting. But this is rare. Deshya doesn''t have to be afraid of troublemakers in the classroom ¡ª except when the teachers aren''t there ¡ª and therefore doesn''t have to go through hell in the classroom.


    After ''Religion'' comes ''Geography''. Since they''re in 4th grade, they no longer talk too much about all the cities of Belium, but go a little further and even talk, albeit briefly, about geopolitics. This time, they discuss the continent of Inakunia and the city of the horrific situation it currently finds itself in. Although it should calm down in the coming weeks, the political corruption and murder of the 13 young people in the bar by a terrorist organization has created a real monster ruckus down there. The organization has been arrested, but given that they were shot by the police, some locals have revolted. Even if they talk about it in geography class, they can''t come to a conclusion today, as the subject is too long, too vast and the students are asking questions. However, Deshya loves learning more about the world like this. She may be a ''genius'', but she doesn''t know everything about everything, and the world of politics is so complex that there''s always more to know.


    After the playground, it''s two hours of ''Science''. They talk about space, supernovas and gamma rays, interesting but rather frightening things. Knowing that, at any moment, their planet could be eradicated by such a ray without anyone being able to react... The odds are so slim that it should never happen ¡ª at least, not in the next few hundred years ¡ª but at any moment, it could¡­ be possible. However, if it were to happen, no one would know and there would be no survivors. They focus mainly on supernovas, but also talk a little about the next exploration on Mars.


    After all that, it''s lunchtime at last. Deshya walks alongside Lam and Amora, but as she descends the stairs, a boy approaches them.


    - Yo, Deshya, can we talk a little bit?" he asks.


    With messy black hair and ''NY'' clothes, it''s ''Raiji Harmony'' who comes to address her. Deshya looks at him and asks what it''s about, but he drops her a wink and promises to explain in a few moments. Deshya looks at Lam and Amora who tell her to go, so she accepts. Her two friends head for the cafeteria, while Deshya follows Raiji into the playground.


    - I just want to talk to you three about something!" he confesses.


    - The three of us? You''re talking about¡ª


    Before she finishes her sentence, she sees who Raiji is talking about: Tessa and Maruno are both on a bench, chatting to each other. The girl with the long purple hair and pink streaks is eating a large baguette, while Maruno is devouring a cold salad of fruit, ham and mozzarella balls. Their bags are at their feet, and when they notice the arrival of Raiji and Deshya, they stop chattering and turn to them


    - Ah, Deshya''s here!" remarks Maruno.


    - We didn''t wait for you to eat," admits Tessa, biting into her chopstick.


    - I can see that..." says Raiji with a smirk.


    - I was going to wait for you, but Tessa wouldn''t let me," Maruno told them, food in her mouth.


    - Am I allowed not to really believe you?


    Maruno starts laughing with Raiji, and Deshya sits down next to Tessa, taking out a lunch box from her bag. The purple-haired girl leans into it, curious to know what''s inside, but as she expected... simple cheese toast. Deshya questions her with her eyes.


    - What''s wrong?" she asks.


    - Nothing, I was just wondering if you were going to bring out any special toast," admits Tessa.


    - Oh? Why?


    - I''m curious for no reason. Don''t look!


    Tessa bites into her wand and Raiji clears his throat, standing before them. The three ''geniuses of Tetazo'' look up at him, waiting to see why they have been called here. Even though Raiji is friends with Deshya, he doesn''t know Maruno and Tessa that well, after all.


    - Sorry to take up your lunchtime like this, but I wanted to talk about it as quickly as possible, hm hm!


    - Ya think you''re Barack Obama, talking like that?¡± !Tessa asks, her gaze fixed on him.¡± Tell us quickly what ya want so I can sigh, say ya''ve wasted our time and I''d rather watch a frog eat a grasshopper than hear ya talk.


    Tessa bites into her wand again, everyone looking at her with surprise ¡ª rather, shock. She turns her face towards them all.


    - Wha¡¯?


    - I-It was uncalled for..." admits Deshya.


    - I didn''t sleep well because I played too much last night. One of the people I was playing with broke my ovaries talking for nothing, so I''m bitter. I only half apologize for this," replies Tessa.


    - ... O-Okay¡­


    Raiji''s enthusiasm seems to evaporate from his body, along with his upright pose, which destroys itself. Deshya and Maruno wave their hands, asking him to continue without paying attention to Tessa''s words, which he can¡¯t really do. He finally sighs and speaks.


    - Anyway, I just wanted to talk quickly about something I saw on the internet and wanted to ask you if you''d like to come along. Sorry to take up your time again¡­


    - You''re not bothering us!" admits Maruno, shoving the fruit into his bowl.¡± Besides, it''s fun to eat outside. Often, Deshya stays with Amora, Tessa on her side and me the same, or with buddies, so it''s cool to be all three ¡ª well, four, with you ¡ª together.


    - I couldn''t agree more!" admits Deshya.


    - I approve," Tessa said simply.


    Raiji smiled, regaining some of his enthusiasm.


    - Perfect, then! Anyway, I''ll keep it short. I don''t know if you''ve seen the famous rumor that some people are sharing on social networks, but for the time being ?


    - Rumor?" asks Tessa, now intrigued.


    He approves with a quick nod of his head.


    - With a live broadcast from the ''Cl¨¦rine'' channel on TikTok.


    - Ah, TikTok... I don''t feel like eating anymore," Maruno admits with a sigh.


    - No, I didn''t see, what are you talking about?" asks Deshya.


    - Same here. TikTok doesn''t interest me at all.


    - Honestly, the same," says Raiji," but a friend of mine saw part of the live show and she told me it was horrible. If you haven''t seen it, I''ll sum it up very quickly.


    Raiji cleared his throat again, placing a fist in front of his mouth.


    - Basically, a couple of young adults who go by the name ''Cl¨¦rine'' on their TikTok promised to go to abandoned places sometimes to make videos of them. However, as the place they had gone to scared them, they started a live and there, in a room where the door was hard to open, it seems they discovered a corpse, which was also the reason the smell was pretty foul," he explains.¡± However, due to the camera''s rapid movement and the lack of light at the time, this same corpse was not really visible.


    - It can''t all be fake?" asks Maruno.


    - That''s what most people think, but given their reaction and the fact that they''ve deleted the live feed and aren''t talking about it at all, some people are still wondering about the veracity of their discovery.


    - Let me guess¡­


    Tessa swallows the piece of wand in her hand and waves the rest at Raiji.


    - Ya want us to check if there''s a body out there, don''t you?


    - ... Eh, caught¡­


    Deshya blinks in astonishment and turns to Raiji, who was looking at Tessa.


    - Really? But when was the live show launched? Besides, it''s probably just a way of getting attention¡­


    - I''m not saying otherwise, but I think it would be interesting to check it out! I wasn''t able to see it live myself, but it seems that those who did think it''s true!


    - Why would ya want us to check it out, huh? Besides, I don''t know when all this happened, but I bet everybody''s been there, so if there''s a body... it was found.


    Tessa snatches the last butt end of her wand with her ferocious teeth, chewing hard as if trying to intimidate Raiji. The latter shakes his head.


    - No, I don''t think anyone''s been there.


    - Why?" asks Deshya.


    - The location was not revealed to anyone. Even though the live feed can''t be found, ''Cl¨¦rine'' has posted what happened before, when they were heading to the location. However, we see nothing but the forest floor, a bit of the building and hear them talking, so we don''t know where they''re headed. What''s more, even if we know who they are, there''s nothing to say they didn''t go to the other side of the country to film, given that they both like to travel around Belium and other countries.


    - Do you want us to try and find out which forest they went to? We may be smart, but right now¡­


    Maruno says what Tessa and Deshya are thinking, but Raiji quickly shakes his head again.


    - No, there''s no need for that, I already know where it is!


    - ... Huh?


    Tessa tilts her head to the right, almost touching her bench-mate''s hood.


    - How could ya know that?


    - The sound of birds.


    - ...?


    The three friends question him with their eyes and Raiji smiles.


    - The crested tit.


    - Wait¡­


    Maruno rubs his eyes, waving a hand in front of him.


    - Are you telling us that you recognized the sound of one of the birds on the video and that you know where it is, so...?" he asks.


    Raiji smiled broadly.


    - Yuh-uh!


    - But birds like that can be found anywhere, can''t they?" asks Tessa, not knowing much about the subject.


    - Crested tits aren''t really sociable and you don''t see them much, except in coniferous forests," explains Deshya.


    Raiji approves, crossing his arms with a clearly proud look on his face.


    - Yuup! I searched a bit online and I was right: that''s the sound of this bird. After a bit more research, I learned that there aren''t many places in Belium where you can observe them. However, there are several forests, so I had to look around a bit... I soon found the place, though.


    - How did you do it?" asks Deshya, intrigued.


    - In the north of Sl¨¦ron, there is a rather large coniferous forest. In researching the area, I learned from a friend who lives there that there''s an abandoned building in the middle of the area, although nobody really goes there because there''s not much to see. However, he confessed to me that it''s very possible that Cl¨¦ment and Maurine, the couple I was telling you about, went there.


    - ... And if it''s not there?


    - Low chance. I''m convinced it''s there.


    - Ah, I see. Can''t we see the video, then?" asks Tessa, having just finished her wand.


    Raiji shakes his head.


    - It''s been removed from their TikTok, they don''t reply to any posts about it, and what''s more, if anyone tries to put it back online, it''s deleted straight away. Some say the government is preventing it from being published again, but maybe that''s going too far, don''t you think?" he replies.


    However, the three members of the Associated Foxes don''t respond. Raiji remains silent, but finally sits down next to Maruno, taking out his lunch in turn. Deshya turns to the two boys, tilting his head forward.


    - What if it''s not there?


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.- ... Then it''ll be a fun adventure, won''t it?" says Raiji, with a little hesitation in his voice.


    - ¡­


    - ¡­


    - Do ya really wanna go?" asks Tessa, chin on her right fist.


    The question remained unanswered for a few moments, but Maruno spoke first.


    - I have no problem with that. I''ve got nothing to do today and even if my parents ask me to be careful, if I''m with you three, I''m not too scared. Raiji is a madman who did everything he could to save Deshya.


    - A-Ah?!


    - Tessa''s the kind of girl who''d smash the shit out of anyone who messed with us.


    - Lol.


    - And Deshya is far from weak.


    - I confess!


    - Anyway, it should be fine, if we go. However, you just want us to check if there really is a corpse? And why that?


    Raiji munches on his toast, but answers despite his mouth full.


    - If there really is a corpse, maybe it''s murder, right? If so, maybe people like you can figure out what happened.


    - ... S-Seriously? That''s your reason?" asks Deshya.


    - Yep.


    - ... Well, if we find a corpse there, we''ll just have to call the Sl¨¦ron police.


    - Is the Sl¨¦ron police force not... weak enough? Well, they''re often helped by Lamur''s or Shiru''s, aren''t they?" asks Maruno.


    - Yup, right," admits Tessa.¡± My mom goes there a lot for work, and when she got involved in a robbery, it was the Shiru police who got involved.


    - Eeeh, I see¡­


    - That doesn''t change the fact that we''ll have to call the police if there really is a corpse there. For now, let''s assume that it''s just a tasteless attention-grabbing prank, and that nothing special is going on.


    Deshya crosses her arms as she says this.


    - Although I don''t think we all need to go together, we promised Lam we''d hang out more often, right?


    - Ya don''t need a promise for the three of us to be togethar," admits Tessa, rummaging around inside her own bag.¡± It''s just that she''s opened our eyes to the fact that we''re not really together anymor¡¯, or at least we''re not solving much of anything, the three of us.


    - I mean, we shouldn''t be sticking our noses into police and criminal matters and all that..." says Maruno.


    - I heard a baby talking. Can you imagine that, Deshya?


    - I''m not a baby!


    - Weeeeh, weeeeeeh!!


    Tessa starts mocking Maruno by pretending to cry, which makes Raiji laugh. Deshya shakes her head, puffing in amusement. Despite Tessa''s teasing, Deshya is currently thinking along the same lines as Maruno... Yet she comes across criminal cases or they attract her. Sure, she''s the one who went to see what was going on in the ''Beleza Verde'' hotel, but she''s not the one who wanted to solve the case of ''XIII'' or ''Sleeping Little Beauty''. Thinking of that site, Deshya remembers that it was also started by a rumor on the internet¡­ However, it turned out to be a terrorist organization behind it. The subject of this site has already been lost in the millions of conversations on the internet, even though a rather popular video saw the light of day on ''Sleeping Little Beauty'' last weekend. She didn''t watch it, but it seems that her first name was mentioned two or three times in it, although it was mostly Minos Kiyon who was mentioned in it. Deshya can understand: he''s the one who solved most of the case. Even without Deshya''s help, he would have figured it all out in time, as the girl knows perfectly well.


    - Anyway, I''m fine with it," admits Tessa.


    - No worries with me too," Deshya finally replies.


    - Perfect!" says Raiji.¡± The four of us can hang out together, it''s great!


    - I don''t know if hanging out together looking for a corpse in a dark place in a forest we don''t know is the best activity in the world..." sighs Maruno.


    Tessa agrees, and the four of them continue chatting until the end of the lunch break, when classes resume.


    For all, classes end at 3:25 p.m. with the optional 2-hour Spanish course for class 4B. After greeting Amora, Deshya heads for the small group that has formed outside the school. Joining Raiji, Tessa and Maruno, Deshya correctly puts her bag back on her back and tells them she''s ready. Maruno asks if she''s told Amora where they''re going, but she replies that she hasn''t said anything yet, in case it''s best to keep it all a secret. Amora is certainly her best friend, but there''s no need to tell her every detail. Deshya thinks that even if she''s going out with a boy or a girl, she''s not going to tell him everything... With that, the four of them head for Tetazo station to catch the train to Sl¨¦ron. Admittedly, Sl¨¦ron is the town just north of Tetazo and they could all walk there without any problem, but they prefer to take the train as they all have a subscription and, what''s more, it''s to the north that they have to go, where the forest to which they want to go also continues within Lamur''s borders. So they board a train and head off together.


    - The journey will take thirty minutes, as the train has to stop a little before," explains Raiji.


    The boy sits next to Maruno, Deshya next to Tessa. The latter pulls back the hood of her ''NOMOR KINGS'' sweater and shakes out her hair, scanning the surroundings.


    - As long as this train isn''t bombed, the ride should be fun," she says.


    It''s hard to know whether she''s saying this seriously or just joking. Unlike Frie, Amora or even Deshya, Tessa wasn''t greatly affected by the situation they all found themselves in, during the unstoppable train affair. That''s not to say she wasn''t afraid for her life or the lives of others, but it''s clear that she wasn''t traumatized ¡ª not in the slightest. She was also the calmest person on the train, along with Annie, who has been a policewoman for years. That says a lot about this girl''s mind¡­


    - I don''t think so," admits Maruno.¡± In any case, if it does happen, we''ll arrest the criminal right away!


    - You''re going to jinx us..." sighs Deshya.


    Raiji chuckles as he hears them talking and then looks out of the train window, where the landscape is slowly beginning to move.


    - It''s impressive that you can talk about all this so calmly¡­


    - What d¡¯ya mean?" asks Tessa.


    - Well, you ended up on a bombed-out train, Deshya was kidnapped and nearly killed, and Maruno had to endure a whole week being watched and held against his will, with his girlfriend and one of his best friends nearly dying in a hotel... Especially you, Deshya, I don''t know how you go on living this... quietly.


    Deshya says nothing, especially since Raiji doesn''t even know the truth about her 5-month disappearance. Maruno and Tessa look at Raiji and then turn to the girl in the fox sweater, thinking that deep down, he''s right... Noticing the looks on her face, Deshya smiles.


    - Let''s just say I''m getting better. Anyway, as long as no one around me dies, everything''s fine, right?


    She scratches the side of her sweater, but her answer doesn''t suit anyone. Deshya is well aware of this and looks down with a smile.


    - Well, my life is full of surprises and I feel like wherever I go there''s an investigation waiting for me, but at least life has already proved me wrong..." she confesses.¡± I''ve been mostly quiet after the ''FEDER'' hotel case, and during the week of ''Sleeping Little Beauty'' I''ve felt really good, especially as I''ve met one of my idols. My life isn''t horrible and I even have Korone by my side now, so I have no reason to suffer, isn''t it?


    This time, her answer is convincing and comes from the heart. Seeing the expression on Deshya''s face gradually take on a rather unpleasant air, Tessa crosses her legs and closes her eyes.


    - I don''t know if you know, but if a bomb goes off not far from you, or something explosive, one of the things to do is open your mouth wide," she blurts out without warning.


    - Really? Why?" asks Maruno.


    Tessa points to her own right ear with her index finger, one eye now open.


    - So that the pressure of the explosion doesn''t shatter your eardrums, but also so that your lungs don''t get compressed in the shock wave. Of course, plugging your ears protects your eardrums, but since it doesn''t prevent the excess pressure from escaping, it''s not enough. What''s more, without opening your mouth, you can damage your lungs as I said, and blood vessels can explode, resulting in suffocation which is probably fatal.


    - Eeeh, I believe you. Did you two know about this?


    Maruno and Deshya agree.


    - My mother used to work in explosives," Maruno explains succinctly.


    - My father is a police inspector," Deshya says simply.


    However, she feels that this information is only good to know for her lungs: protecting her eardrums would be much more complex, given that putting her hands in front wouldn''t be entirely helpful. Besides, given that her ears are more fragile than those of humans... She wasn''t sure how it would go. However, despite the few explosions in the hotel, her ears weren''t damaged. To be said, the bombs were much lower than where she was, but it was still an explosion.


    - I still have to learn to be at your level..." expresses Raiji, rubbing his chin.


    - You don''t have to be on our level," admits Tessa, keeping her eyes closed and her hands behind her head.¡± We''re a trio, we don''t need to become a squad.


    - I want to be smarter!


    - Whatever you say!


    Tessa smiles, showing her teeth, but quickly returns to a neutral expression. Raiji turns to Deshya.


    - And you, do you have something like Tessa to say? I want to learn more!


    - L-Like this? Hmmm¡­


    Deshya thinks hard, but eventually came up with something.


    - That the largest mountain known to man comes from an asteroid called ''Vesta'', and that it is twenty-two kilometers; in other words, three times bigger than Mount Everest?


    - Aaah, I already knew that!


    - A-Ah, so... the sunrise on Mars is blue?


    - Why?


    - Because the majority of red waves are filtered out, the sun appears blue. This is due to the particles in Mars'' atmosphere, which are generally CO2 and iron-rich dust. That''s also why the sky over there looks red.


    - Something I didn''t know! And you, Maruno, do you have a fact like that to share?


    - We''re not in school anymore, and yet we''re taking a surprise test¡­


    Maruno scratches the top of his head, thinking in turn.


    - Um... It''s thanks to Jennifer Lopez that we have Google Image...?" he offers, unsure of what else to say.


    - W-What?


    Raiji is completely confused by what he''s just heard, but even Deshya and Tessa don''t know if he''s serious or just said something really stupid.


    - Don''t look at me like I just lied! It''s because of her particular dress during the 2000 Grammys, so many people were looking for her picture that they decided to add Google Image! I''m not lying, you can check on the internet.


    Maruno crosses his arms and Tessa opens both eyes, albeit faintly.


    - We''ve gone from me giving real advice to nobody giving a damn¡­


    - Arf, my heart! It''s not something anyone cares about! Right, Raiji? Deshya?!


    - Oh no, I appreciate it!" admits Raiji with a smile.


    - I like learning things like that," replies Deshya.


    - In your shitty face, Tessa!


    - If we don''t find a corpse there, I''ll make sure there is one.


    She closes her eyes again.


    - Of course, I''m talking about ya, Maruno.


    - What are you gonna do when my girlfriend''s crying her eyes out? You like her, Aya, don''t you?


    - I want to tease you, but you''re so much in love that even with my bad mood, I don''t want to make fun of your couple.


    She crosses her arms and continues to rest, her head against the seat.


    A few minutes later, the four of them arrive at Sl¨¦ron station. They quickly head for the main street and follow Raiji, since he''s the one who knows where this famous forest is. They''re still not sure he''s right, but they trust him ¡ª especially Deshya. As they said earlier, even if this trail leads nowhere, at least they''ll have had some fun hanging out together. Admittedly, other activities might have been preferable, but as long as they can spend time together, who cares?


    Six minutes later, they were in front of a coniferous forest, just as Raiji had told them. There are no houses left around them, and they find themselves on a long path leading into the forest. They are walking along it when they notice something ahead of them.


    Four adults.


    Three men and a woman, to be exact. They''re all chatting away, but the group of teenagers aren''t really paying attention. However, Deshya''s canine ears pick up their conversation.


    - Do you even know where it is?" asks the woman with a tone of boredom in her voice, but mostly friendly and calm.


    - It''s in the forest, I think in the center..." admits the man beside her.


    - If not, we''ll go and find it. The forest isn''t as big as you think," says the other, standing close to them, opposite the woman.


    - The ruined building is there, for sure!" says the other.


    His cry is heard by all, and the teenagers turn to the group just behind them. Noticing their gesture in chorus, the adults watch the teenagers in turn.


    - What?" asks one of the men.¡± Would you like something?


    - You mentioned a ruined building... Are you here because of the ''Cl¨¦rine'' video?" asks Raiji, his eyes wide.


    - W-Wait, you too?


    The woman gently pushes the man in front of her and approaches the group of teenagers.


    - Are you here because of this video?" she asks.


    If they don''t answer, she intends to keep on asking until she gets a sincere answer: they can feel it. Deshya is the one who speaks up.


    - Yes, that''s exactly where we''re going.


    - Do you know where it is?


    The black-haired man walks over to the group and puts his phone in his pocket. Raiji is the one who nods.


    - I asked an acquaintance who lives not far from here," he replies with sincerity. Anyway, you just have to go a little deeper into the forest and the building can be found quickly. It''s not like it''s hidden or anything.


    - See, I told you so!" smiles another man.¡± You gotta trust me.


    - We don''t really know each other and I didn''t want to get lost¡­


    - Getting lost in the Sl¨¦ron forest? It''s not a desert or the Amazon rainforest, is it! Retrace your steps or go straight ahead and in thirty minutes max you''ll be back in town.


    - ¡­


    The dark-haired man prefers not to answer, turning his attention back to the group of teenagers.


    - It looks like we''re all going to the same place.


    The four adults are now in front of the four teenagers and vice versa. Tessa has part of her head hidden under her hood, as does Deshya ¡ª as usual. One of the three men decides to break the sun by pointing at himself.


    - My name is ''Rayan Silvagre'', good evening! I wasn''t expecting to run into other people going to see the abandoned building that was in Cl¨¦ment and Maurine''s video, especially teenagers!


    With a normal build, dressed in nothing special, with colors of little saturation, including mountain boots, the man had black hair rather short on his head. However, he''s not the man who came forward to chat with the teenagers. His light-brown eyes show a certain childlike side, and a few wrinkles here and there prove that he''s already past thirty, but clearly hasn''t reached forty. On his right ear, a small jewel decorates the lobe, but none on the left. This is a man who cannot be considered incredibly handsome, but is by no means ugly.


    - What are ya doin¡¯ here?" asks Tessa, half interested in this group of adults.


    Rayan replies without the slightest hesitation in his voice.


    - Like the three with me, we''re videographers for ''TikTok'' too! My channel is only followed by a little over a thousand people, but I don''t mind growing too fast, as I just want to visit strange places for fun. Whether it''s abandoned places, so-called haunted houses or even ruined buildings, I''ll take it! I plan to visit the park said to be home to a ghost in northern Izambar one day!


    His enthusiasm is palpable and his childlike smile almost contagious, even if Tessa maintains a neutral air throughout. However, she listens attentively to what he says and drops sharp glances at the other adults.


    - How did you find the place...?" asks Deshya.


    - Ah, we''re not all together. For example, I don''t really know the three behind me, but I think it''s worth a shot for them too. Well, except those two, who are a couple.


    He points with his thumb at the other dark-haired man currently holding his wife''s hand ¡ª Deshya can see their rings.


    - Personally, I understood that the place was here because I was watching the live show and I knew that the building was in this forest, since I live not far from here, but above all because when I was younger, I had already seen it when coming to this forest. Well, I never went in, since my parents forbade me to visit a dangerous, dark and almost scary place like this, so I never really forgot it. Well, it was in a corner of my mind, anyway, heh.


    He rubs the back of his neck with a somewhat embarrassed smile, blushing faintly. What Tessa and Maruno take from this is that the building must have been abandoned for some time, if it was also here and in this state when this man was younger. They don''t really know if it was ten, twenty or even more years ago, but who cares: it''s information that interests them. Deshya and Raiji understand it too, but they''re a little more focused on the man''s story. The girl in the fox sweater has her attention drawn to the key-ring she sees attached to the man''s bag.


    - A chess piece?


    To be more exact, a white pawn. Rayan touches it with a smile.


    - I''m a ''national master'' of chess and the game that enabled me to achieve such a title was thanks to a move with my white pawn, so I keep it as a good luck charm. I keep all the chess pieces, both black and white, in my bag in case I get the chance to play against someone I meet in a bar, on a terrace or wherever.


    - Eeeh¡­


    Deshya opens her mouth wide in awe. Even if this title doesn''t seem to be the most prestigious, it''s not that easy to achieve. You need a certain level of chess, have been playing for a while and understand the game well. Even if it''s not as impressive as a grandmaster, it would be a shame to underestimate the title of national master.


    - I see! It''s great!" said Deshya sincerely.


    She really enjoys chess, after all. Rayan nods with a big smile, clearly happy to hear her say so. Realizing that this presentation is over, the woman then takes the floor.


    - I''m ''L¨¦a Lotus''!" she introduces herself.¡± As Rayan says, that little man next to me is my own man, ''Marc R¨¦ti''!


    - Oh, Reti?


    Deshya smiled, amused by the family name. After the other man had mentioned chess¡­


    - Hm, as Rayan also said, we''re both videographers for TikTok, but we clearly don''t have the popularity of ''Cl¨¦rine'', to be honest¡­


    She admits it with embarrassment under the gaze not only of the teenagers, but also of the three other adults at her side. Her chestnut-colored hair flows elegantly to the end of her shoulders, streaming like a calm waterfall. Her few curls add beauty to her already existing charm, with oddly reassuring light-blue eyes. Her face is wrinkle-free, but to think she''s not close to thirty would be naive. With earrings that dangle from lobes, long black eyelashes and an appreciable, yet inconspicuous figure behind her long clothes, it''s clear to anyone around her ¡ª especially her man ¡ª that she''s a beautiful woman. Some might say she''d look better with longer hair, but that depends on taste.


    - Also, Rayan, we''ll have to play a game later!" says the woman''s husband.


    This man with fairly short black hair is also an undeniable beauty. His dark green eyes are charming, and his eyelashes are the same length as his wife''s. He wears fairly sturdy shoes, yet is clad only in shorts and a t-shirt that makes you think it''s still summer. Unlike L¨¦a or Rayan, there are no earrings visible, nor any holes to put them in, but it seems that he has a tattoo on his right shoulder, but it''s not entirely visible. Like the huge tattoo on Tessa''s left arm, invisible because of her sweater, it appears to be made of a beautiful black, but the teens are unable to tell what it''s supposed to be.


    - We''ll make one!" agrees Rayan.


    - How did you find this place?" asks Raiji, addressing the chestnut-haired woman.


    - Oh, us? It''s with the sound of birds! We were lucky enough to see the video being replayed, and since my mother adores birds, she recognized their song straight away!


    - Oh, just like us!


    Raiji quickly explains that this is how he realized it was here, which impresses the woman, but she continues her explanation.


    - What''s more, since I know Cl¨¦ment and Maurine from the school I went to, despite our age difference, I know they don''t live far from Sl¨¦ron, so I figured they''d probably come here. When I spoke to my husband''s brother, he told us that there was indeed a place like the one on their video, so we tried our luck by coming here, but we didn''t know exactly where to go in the forest, so we hesitated to wander between the trees hoping to find the abandoned building¡­


    - I went with my wife as it would be better if we filmed together, especially as we want to prove that this story about the corpse is false!" explains the man, turning his attention back to the conversation.¡± And then¡­


    Ashamed, he lowered his gaze.


    - I can¡¯t lie, we hope to find something very interesting, because if we can prove that there really is a corpse here or something intriguing¡­


    - Ya will gain in popularity, won''t ya?" asks Tessa.


    They both nod awkwardly, but Tessa doesn''t think they need to act like this: it''s not a problem to try to gain popularity like this. They''re not hiding it either, so she doesn''t see the problem with any of this. The last man introduces himself, although he doesn''t seem as enthusiastic as the other three.


    - My name''s ''Balthazar Kriken'', and I live in the next village. I''m not into chess like them, but more into music.


    - I don''t really know anything about chess neither..." admits L¨¦a.


    - Well, like the other two guys," Balthazar corrects himself.¡± I''m also a videographer, but I''m starting a new channel on TikTok, as my old one wasn''t working too well. I gave up for a while, but now that I''ve found this place, I figure I can make a good start, if I can prove or disprove that there''s a corpse here. I won''t hide the fact that I''m here mainly to gain popularity, but that''s how it works, with social networks.


    Something no one would deny. The oldest of the group, his shaved beard already growing back, with a fluffy mustache that appears under a rather large nose. His blond hair is only slightly shorter than the woman''s chestnut, but it''s far from styled. It''s clear that he takes good care of it, but no comb has been run through his locks ¡ª that''s also a certainty. His dark brown eyes don''t have too much life in them, but they''re not aggressive either, just slightly menacing. Despite all this and the lack of enthusiasm in his voice, Balthazar, at first glance, doesn''t seem like a bad person. His long-sleeved t-shirt is half-hidden by the black sweater on his body, with dark brown pants and black and red shoes shod on his feet. His style is almost too ''young'' for someone like him, probably 37 or 38. However, it still suits him.


    - Since I live nearby, I know the place. I heard about it from my sister this weekend, and since I was busy yesterday, I couldn''t make it, so I decided to come today after work. I came across the three of them chatting together," Balthazar finishes, pointing to the group of adults next to him with a wave of his chin.


    The woman takes out her phone, observes the time, and then looks up at the teenagers.


    - Anyway, what about you?


    Quickly, everyone introduces themselves in turn, with Deshya last. Then the woman asks what they''re doing here. Raiji is the one who comes to answer her question.


    - We''d like to know if there really is a corpse here or not," admits Raiji.¡± We''re not videographers like you, though.


    - Ah, I see.


    She stretches before taking out her phone.


    - Why don''t we get going? It''s cool to talk, but we shouldn''t arrive and leave too late either.


    They all nod and so they enter the forest. Raiji is the one acting as ''leader'', in front of everyone, as he knows exactly where to go. Admittedly, he''s never been here before and only knows that the abandoned building is in this forest thanks to an acquaintance, but since she quickly explained how to get to the place he''s looking for, he''ll have no trouble finding the building.


    The sound of their footsteps is clearly audible in the forest: leaves and twigs crunch under their shoes. The view is magnificent, especially now that autumn has begun, and the ambient temperature is pleasant. Tessa is beside Maruno and Deshya, while the four adults are together, the married couple holding hands. Balthazar takes one or two photos of nature, a smile now on his face. L¨¦a is already filming a little of the surroundings, while Raiji hums softly to a tune he listened to a lot yesterday¡¯s evening. What''s more, he''s happy: being able to go rumor-hunting like this, especially with Deshya, Maruno and Tessa, he loves it! At first, he''d thought Deshya wouldn''t agree, let alone Tessa, but he''s glad to see he was wrong about that. Birdsong is music to their ears, some wild animals quickly show themselves on tree bark or behind bushes, but quickly flee. The ambient noise of the forest, the warm atmosphere and the landscape of the green and gradually orange forest make the walk more than pleasant. Deshya occasionally looks at Tessa''s hand at her side, but taking it from her is beyond her abilities. Admittedly, she doesn''t think Tessa would mind, given that she''s agreed to kiss her without a care in the world, but Deshya would die of joy if she could hold her hand... She hopes that one day this will happen, but that day is surely not soon.


    - ¡­


    She''s thinking about the school trip that''s coming up soon: next week, in fact. Amora has suggested she confess her love there, but is that wise? Can she really do it? If Tessa doesn''t feel the same way as she does, Deshya will have to endure the rest of the trip, by her side, unable to really ''escape'' because of the shame and sadness... Plus, Deshya is afraid of rejection. She doesn''t want to keep her feelings inside her indefinitely, but she''d rather never get a ''Sorry, it''s not reciprocated'' and never admit it than feel her heart break in her chest. At some point, however, she intended to tell him the truth... whether on this school trip or later, she couldn''t wait months and months.


    - Oh!


    Raiji lets out a startled noise and everyone looks up to observe ahead. The black-haired boy runs through the bushes and the seven others follow close behind. Before long, they arrive at the famous building they''re all looking for.


    - Here it is!


    Ruins of an old building that clearly wasn''t a house.


    The building stands up well, but the roof isn''t very high. In fact, it could be completely missed on an early morning walk, given all the surrounding trees and its puny height. The main entrance no longer has any doors at all, and broken glass serves as an unattractive decoration in the holes of the building. From here, the interior is entirely dark, contrasting strangely with the bright autumn colors of the forest. Tessa takes two steps closer to Deshya.


    - Tessa?


    - Just in case.


    The girl squints, turning her face discreetly towards the adults.


    - There''s nothing to say that any or all of them are bad people," she says.¡± We''d better watch out.


    Deshya blushes softly, but approves and her hand trembles, but once again, she simply can''t catch Tessa''s hand. Raiji approaches them both, leaving Maruno to observe the building with the adults.


    - Need my protection too~?" he asks with a teasing smile.


    - You''ll be our decoy if we have to run.


    - I-I''m just a guinea pig or something..." says Raiji.¡± No wonder I''m still single¡­


    - Don''t let Tessa''s teasing get to you like that, Raiji!" chuckles Deshya.¡± She''s just teasing you, so that means she likes you. You know, who loves well chastises as well!


    - Nyes, I believe you.


    Tessa doesn''t confirm what Deshya has just said, but it''s precisely this lack of response that proves her right. Raiji shakes both hands, smoke rising from his nose.


    - We''ll be able to prove whether a corpse is really in the premises or not!" he says excitedly.


    - You''re really energetic for a guy who might see a horrible sight in this building," Tessa says.¡± I thought it was strange that I didn''t feel so bad about seeing people die on the train, but you¡­


    - It''s probably a prank and we won''t find anything, so¡­


    Raiji shrugs, which surprises Deshya.


    - You''re not more certain than that? But, when considering what you said at school¡­


    - Yes, it''s possible, but on second thought, I don''t think we''ll find much. However, we''ll be able to disprove that there''s a corpse there, and hey, it¡¯s perfect! It''s a good project too, ahah!


    Raiji turns back to the building and observes, but Tessa frowns.


    - Just because we won''t find a body doesn''t mean there wasn''t one there..." she thinks.


    Deshya thinks the same, and deep down, Raiji isn''t so naive as to believe it''s not possible. However, they''d rather not think about such fantasies without seeing the inside of the building.


    - Is it true you didn''t feel bad when you saw the corpses on the train?" asks Deshya, addressing the girl next to her.


    Tessa lowered her gaze without moving her head, but quickly raised it again.


    - They were strangers to me, so I couldn''t have felt that bad. Afterwards, maybe I''m exaggerating... I just don''t think I was as sensitive as Annie or you," she replies sincerely.


    - ... I see, it''s okay, I understand!


    - ... Hm.


    Tessa gives a discreet nod and then watches Maruno walk back towards them.


    - So, what''s this building all about?


    The two girls shrug, and when all three turn to Raiji, he replies that he doesn''t know. However, one of the adults approaches them, photographing the spot with his phone, and explains what he knows:


    - It''s an old laboratory that was used in the 1990s, but was closed in the early 2000s. I think around 2002, but I can''t say for sure¡­


    - Why a laboratory in the forest? Plus, it looks... small, for a laboratory," asks Maruno.


    - I don''t really know any more than that, you''d have to ask some of the people from Sl¨¦ron who''ve been here a long time. If I''m not talking nonsense, it was a laboratory doing research on their own, not really belonging to any particular firm, but go figure. On the other hand, I can assure you that the laboratory is bigger than you think, given that most of its floors are actually in the ground.


    - You know a lot, Rayan," admits Marc.


    The two men look at each other for a few moments, but finally Rayan smiles again.


    - I used to come here when I was younger and my father told me a bit about it, but I didn''t listen too well, as I don''t remember all the details¡­


    While the adults talk amongst themselves, with the teenagers listening in, Deshya stares intently at the piece of laboratory she can see on the surface of the earth. While admiring it, she wonders:


    - Was I in a place like this when I was abducted...?


    It''s a question that crosses her mind, but one that will stay with her from now on. Had she been in a laboratory to be experimented on? After all, she had to be taken care of, to keep her alive. When she returned to her parents, she was still in good health, lacking little ¡ª if a little thirsty ¡ª and contrary to what one might think, nothing was wrong with her body. Her fox ears and tail were well integrated into her, not being rejected by her body itself. The doctor she went to even admitted that this was normally impossible. Deshya had asked if it really was, given that you can transplant a vagina or a penis onto the other sex, but the doctor admitted that it wasn''t the same thing at all. Deshya also wondered how her body could accept such ''foreign bodies'', especially as a human isn''t supposed to be able to hold such attributes... Surely it would be possible to graft ears and a tail without too much trouble, but for these to work so perfectly? This is worthy of science fiction. Maybe years from now ¡ª tens, hundreds or more ¡ª this will be totally normal and no longer astonish anyone, but in their time and age, it''s only possible in the dreams of those who''d really like to have animal attributes.


    - ... Am I... unique?


    She wants an answer to this question. Is she the only person with animal attributes? Is there a girl or boy in the world with a cat''s tail and ears? A dog''s? Maybe even attributes of birds, fish or insects like a mosquito or even a cockroach? She thinks perhaps too far, but since she knows what she is, Deshya wonders what is really science fiction and what is reality¡­


    - Shall we?


    Tessa taps her arm with her elbow and suggests they go inside. She accepts, but before they all go in, they get ready. Marc and L¨¦a are already filming the ruined building with their phones upright, Balthazar is holding his horizontally, also capturing the vegetation, while Rayan hasn''t taken it out yet. However, he grabs a flashlight and twirls it in his hand.


    - Do you have flashlights?" he asks.


    Raiji takes four out of his bag: he''d planned it. Each of his friends receives one, with Raiji himself keeping one and also waving it in his hand, albeit more awkwardly than Rayan.


    - We''ve got everything we need!" said the dark haired boy.


    - Ahah, perfect!


    - I have one too," admits Balthazar.


    - We have a perfect app for that on our phones, no need," admits L¨¦a.


    Her husband nods in agreement, and noticing that they''re all ready for their ''exploration'', they approach the entrance to the building. Before entering, however, Marc asks if they''re all going together, or if they''re going in groups of two or three.


    - I suggest the four of us stay and the four of you stay," Tessa quickly replies.


    - Is it really the best solution? Like, is it really... ''safe''?" asks Marc.


    - I''ve got nothing against you, but we don''t know each other. Yes, we might be safer with adults, but I think we know how to defend ourselves and look after ourselves, especially as we have quite different goals. If we stay together, then all eight of us stay together, but we''ll take longer to find stuff and if one of us is horrible, we''re all in trouble together.


    - ... Young people these days..." sighs Rayan.


    He turns on his flashlight and shrugs.


    - You can do what you like, but I''m fine with bands like that. After that, we''re not in Scooby-Doo looking for a ghost, separating isn''t going to kill us, so who cares. Just don''t disturb other people''s videos and everything''s fine.


    - So that''s how it''s done?" asks L¨¦a.


    They all approve, and so enter the dark building, the teenage group to the left, the adult group to the right. Quickly, they come across staircases leading to the floors below, as well as an elevator whose shaft is nowhere to be seen, probably deep down in the dark abyss they can see from the first floor.


    - Why don''t we visit the first floor of the building first?" suggests Raiji.


    - I''d rather start with the worst, so the bottom, especially since I bet that''s where your Clementine or whatever was," replies Tessa, already turning back towards the stairs.


    Even if the elevator shaft wasn''t destroyed, the lack of electricity would prevent them from using it. With no choice but to climb down the marble steps, they all descend together, flashlights in hand. Maruno is the only one filming the scene, in case something happens or they need proof to show the others. Deshya keeps her phone in her hands to take photos and send them to her father at any moment, but she doesn''t know if 4G will work in the depths of this laboratory.


    Their footsteps echo against the dark, dilapidated walls. Pieces of marble, stone and glass litter the floor, some crushed by their footsteps. Apart from their flashlight, there is no light in this laboratory. The bulbs are either blown, broken or removed. The long corridor doesn''t even show its end, a fog of darkness waiting for them at the far end. Pieces they can see left and right are often generally similar, rarely interesting and no longer have much furniture: thugs must have squatted on the premises and ''borrowed'' ¡ª in short, stolen ¡ª what was left of the place. Deshya inwardly wondered whether a homeless person might be living there, but she didn''t hope so: if they came to disturb him, who knows what he might do to defend himself... However, with Maruno, Raiji and especially Tessa by her side, she doesn¡¯t need to be too afraid... Though, the darkness of the place, the strangeness of the rooms which are repetitive and the walls with scratched and decayed paint don''t make the place... friendly, let alone reassuring. She doesn''t want to run away right away, but she''d rather not be there at all. At least Tessa and the others are by her side.


    - Nothing yet. We can''t even tell what kind of lab it is..." said Maruno, looking inside a room that was still empty.


    - Yeah¡­


    Raiji sighed, scratching the back of his head.


    - I don''t expect we''ll find much anyway, most of the stuff here must have been taken before they closed the lab or people must have come in and stolen everything," he admits.


    - I think so too," says Tessa, stepping up to Deshya''s side.


    The latter jumps over a door almost not damaged on the ground, its life and purpose extinguished from it. Nothing here makes you want to stay, with the smell of decay, mixed with piss and something else indescribable entering their nostrils ¡ª unpleasant is too weak a word to express the feeling. The cobwebs are an oddly cheerful decoration in such a place. A few insects crawl along the ground, but none of the four has any reason to be afraid of them, although at any moment, a larger animal may appear. Moving forward, they reach the end of the corridor, where more stairs are visible.


    - I guess we''ll have to go deeper into the laboratory..." sighs Maruno.


    - There are still three rooms here," remarks Raiji.


    So they go to see what they can find, but this time it''s not just empty rooms: a few pieces of furniture have remained. Deshya walks over to one of them alone, noticing that it''s a perfectly normal desk, its wood having lost its beauty and its drawers impossible to open, facing the floor. A frame can be seen on the opposite wall, still intact, with a photo of a woman next to a smiling man. Given that the photo is in black and white, as well as dusty, Deshya can''t really tell who her two people are, but a note is legible next to it:


    "Thank you all! - Lisa 1997"


    Deshya assumes that ''Lisa'' is the woman she can see in the photo... However, to inscribe this by scratching into the wall? If the laboratory really closed its doors around 2002, then this message came into being while the place was still active. Deshya wonders if this is really allowed¡­ Given the date, the chances of someone writing this later are slim. Deshya scans the surroundings, admiring the ceiling too, hoping to find something.


    - Aaah!


    Suddenly, a scream rang out ¡ª Raiji''s. Deshya frowns and runs out of the room, quickly making her way to where she sees her three friends and asks what''s going on. She looks first at Tessa, the latter staring straight ahead with squinted eyes. Not only is the smell unbreathable, the atmosphere here is frightful and terrifying. The look on Tessa''s face is one of disgust, but also... a kind of ''fear''. Strong concern. Deshya turns her face and flashlight to her right, inside the room¡­


    ¡ª and open your eyes wide.


    - W-Wh¡­


    The room is completely empty... except for one thing.


    They found their corpse. However¡­


    The corpse has a hole in its belly, and its eyes are missing from their sockets. The size of the corpse, its build¡­


    It was a young boy. Probably twelve years old. But that wasn''t the worst of it.


    - What the fuck...?" blurts out Tessa.


    In fact, a dozen corpses with holes in them lie before them in this filthy room.

 55 -?The Corpses In The Dark Corners of the Building?(CASE11)

    <hr>


    The four teenagers were presented with a truly horrifying sight. Just one corpse with a hole in it would be horrifying enough, but there are a dozen or so in the whole room. The corpulence varies, with some clearly the bodies of children or young teenagers, others more adult. What''s undeniable is that there are no old people in the room. The sight is too gruesome for them to check any further, but from what little Deshya has been able to observe, each corpse has holes in several parts of their bodies, with the one in front of them having one in his torso and missing eyes. Even though she''s used to seeing dead people, all she can do now is turn her gaze with wide-open eyes, a gaping mouth and rapid breathing ¡ª hyperventilation, more like. In fact, Tessa''s the only one in the group who''s ''calm'' ¡ª and even then, the word isn''t precise. Rather, she''s ''the calmest'' of the group, but is clearly shocked, her body trembling. The smell of the room, the fact that it was beneath the surface of the earth and in an abandoned building, dark and very much not reassuring ; Tessa even wonders if she''d rather be back on the train that had bombs on it than here. However, seeing the horrified expressions of her three friends, she swallows loudly and catches her breath, closing her eyes and therefore not observing the corpse for the moment. Her flashlight trembles in her hand as she continues to illuminate the corpse in front of them all. The reason why Raiji screamed like that is no secret to them now... The fact that he didn''t scream louder is even surprising, since it''s quite possible that Tessa herself couldn''t hold it in her ribcage. The boy gradually calms down, Maruno making sure he''s all right, while Deshya discreetly observes Tessa. The latter clutches the flashlight tightly in her hand and calms down in turn, slowly opening her eyes.


    They land on the corpse in front of her, but she also sees the others.


    - ¡­


    The smell seems to increase in intensity with each passing second. Is it an impression or reality? Impossible to confirm. Tessa takes a deep breath, horrible as it is, and exhales before taking a step forward. The sound echoes around the dark room, alerting the other three teenagers to her act of courage. Deshya is the one who dares to turn towards her, the corner of her eyes taking in the corpses.


    - Tessa, you don''t have to¡ª


    - I know, but I''m probably the only one who can stand to be near it. Gross¡­


    She plugs her nose as she approaches, her hand trembling again, so the light from her lamp shivers, as if she herself is afraid of what she''s seeing. However, Tessa refuses to look away: they''ve come here to verify the authenticity of this famous couple''s ''live'' on TikTok, so now that they understand that this wasn''t just an attention-grabbing charade, Tessa wants to know what''s going on. This isn''t just a corpse that''s fallen to the unfortunate fate of a blade that''s slit her throat or stabbed her in the back or heart: this is literally a body full of holes, with missing eyes and a mouth wide open, as if the soul that was there before is still trying to scream out its pain that no one else could understand. Although Tessa is the kind of person who doesn''t let what she sees affect her, what she sees before her isn''t the work of a model or special effects. It''s a horrible sight, made worse not only by the stench of the corpses, but also by the other bodies in the room. She turns her gaze to observe the others, noticing that each corpse is ''different'': the holes are not in the same places. Some still have their eyes, but half their skulls are missing ¡ª Tessa doesn''t even want to check if their brains are still where they should be. What''s even worse than you might think is the fact that...


    Some of the dead are clearly children, something far too horrible for Tessa to think about any longer. She currently has no idea what has happened here, whether it''s the work of a criminal with an inhuman mind or whether it''s something else even more horrific that they''ve stumbled upon, but one thing is certain: whatever happens, whatever the reason for it all... Tessa doesn''t think they should have stumbled upon it. Whether today or tomorrow¡ª


    Or ever.


    CHAPTER 55


    ?The Corpses In The Dark Corners of the Building?


    - ¡­ It''s horrible.


    Tessa finally turns around, having had enough of watching such a gory and inhuman spectacle, and returns to the side of her two friends and her new ''acquaintance''. Raiji has since calmed down and Maruno no longer needs to hold him. Except for Deshya, they all have their hands holding their nostrils, the smell absolutely unbearable. The reason why the girl in the fox sweater doesn''t do it isn''t a sign of strength: she''s just so shocked by what they''ve found here that she doesn''t even think about the smell of death, rot and probably the pain the victims must have felt manifesting itself in physical form.


    - T-Then...?" asks Maruno, looking at Tessa, his voice trembling.


    - ... They all have holes in different places. They''ve all been dead for a few months, although I can''t say exactly how long. In any case, it''s clear that when we were in the summer holidays, the bodies were already here. I''m sure they were.


    - So that''s what they saw...?" questions Raiji, thinking again of Cl¨¦ment and Maurine.


    If that''s the case, then none of them would dare criticize them for their leaks and even the removal of the video from social networks ¡ª or the slightest publication of that same video by anyone else. Just thinking about it must make them nauseous. Nevertheless, if this is what they really saw ¡ª which is more than likely ¡ª then¡­


    - They should have called the police or something..." Tessa thinks aloud.


    Deshya agrees with her, but they must have been so frightened that such a thought didn''t enter their minds. However, they should have done so a little later, when they could have calmed down... If the corpses are still here, they can easily guess that the couple didn''t actually contact the authorities to take care of them¡­


    - But with so much media on the net, wouldn''t the police be looking for more?" asks Raiji.


    Maruno shakes his head, but before answering, he asks if they can at least get away from this disgusting room. Unsurprisingly, there''s general agreement, and the four of them move off in chorus, with a brisk walk that approaches a run.


    - Even if it''s the subject of internet intrigue, a video like this can easily be faked. Sure, it''s a live one, but if the police start worrying about such things, I think they''d not only have too much work to do, they''d have leads that lead nowhere and could just sigh that people on the internet like to lie too much for attention, likes and all that," replies Maruno, removing his hand from his nostrils.


    Deshya agrees: her father would never take a live feed from two TikTok ''amateurs'' seriously, even with a visible so-called ''corpse'' ¡ª if the blur Raiji was talking about could correspond to such a word ¡ª on it. If the couple had reported what they had seen by giving the address or location of where they went, then that''s another story: however, it''s clear that they didn''t, so except for people who are naive or want to check that the live feed isn''t a ''scam'', nobody would be looking to find out the truth beyond the few discussions that can be found on the net. Now that they know the truth¡­


    - We should contact the police right away..." says Deshya.


    Once again, unsurprisingly, it''s an agreement between all the teenagers. Deshya squints softly, still walking alongside her three friends: why so many corpses in one place? Given that the building is not only abandoned, but also complicated to find and far too ''scary'' and nonreassuring for anyone to want to go inside, it''s understandable that someone who''s killed someone would come and hide the corpse here, if they think burying it isn''t a good solution... However, there are a good dozen of them, which is worrying. What''s more, she wonders why the corpses are only to be found in this room, but she remembers that there used to be a door that was difficult to open, but that fell down when Cl¨¦ment and Maurine came here during their live show on TikTok ¡ª at least, that''s what Raiji told them. Given that no corpses were found in any of the other rooms ¡ª not on this floor, at least ¡ª it''s therefore possible that¡ª


    - !!


    Deshya opens her eyes wide, stops her step and turns around sharply, breathless. Raiji is the first to notice and stops in his turn, noticing that his friend has just turned around her flashlight down the corridor, barely illuminating the wall opposite them. Since he can only watch her back, Raiji can''t see the look of fright on Deshya''s face. The other two members of the Incorporated Foxes stop in their turn.


    - What''s going on, Deshya?" asks Maruno.


    - Have you seen a ghost?" teases Tessa.


    - ... I don''t know.


    Deshya''s answer took her friends by surprise. They all look down the corridor, aiming their flashlights, but see absolutely nothing. They can see the stairs leading to the floor above and the one below, but only dimly... Nothing else. There''s nothing special about the wall, the few cobwebs are still in place, and it''s still an unpleasant darkness before them.


    Nevertheless, Deshya is certain about something.


    - Are you shivering, Deshya...?" asked Maruno.


    It''s a rhetorical question: the girl in the fox sweater doesn''t hide her shivers. This is not caused by the cold of the place, this building having, obviously, no particular insulation. It''s so dark and unwelcoming that the ambience itself cools the place down. The reason why Deshya has turned this way is as follows:


    - I thought... I was being watched. Maybe it was WE who were being watched.


    A more than unpleasant feeling, especially in such a¡­ disconcerting place. Deshya now feels a sense of discomfort, perhaps stemming from a feeling itself that comes from the ambience of the place, perhaps from a simple paranoia that doesn''t mean anything. Even though it''s possible to get upstairs from the stairs at the end of the corridor, and so it''s not impossible that someone has actually been watching them, she simply prefers to tell herself that she''s been dreaming for her own mental state.


    - If I want to call, we''ll have to do it upstairs," admits Raiji, looking at his phone.¡± Here, it''s like there are waves that prevent me from even calling anyone.


    - It''s strange... It''s an abandoned place, but would there be such a mechanism around?" wonders Maruno.¡± We''re not six feet underground either, so I doubt the fact that we''re below the surface would prevent you from calling¡­


    - ¡­


    Deshya says nothing, still shivering, dropping one or other keen glance behind her. The girl no longer has the impression that they''re being watched, but she doesn''t know what''s going on and can''t stay still. Noticing Deshya''s discomfort, Tessa slowed her pace to stand beside her.


    - !


    Deshya was startled, as she hadn''t seen Tessa move to her side, but she was surprised by the gesture of the girl she ''secretly'' loved.


    Tessa just took her hand.


    - There''s nobody around, don''t worry. We''ll get rid of him anyway," Tessa reassures her.


    The purple-haired girl keeps Deshya''s hand firmly in hers, suggesting she move upstairs without delay. Deshya doesn''t move, but it''s no longer because of fear: she''s just frozen by her emotions ¡ª yet they''re clearly burning through her body. Holding Tessa''s hand in hers like this gives her butterflies in the stomach: so it''s not just a ''honeyed'' expression, but a real feeling. She blushes and doesn''t care about what''s going on around them: Deshya almost forgets about the corpses she saw a few minutes earlier. Tessa tells her again that they''d better get upstairs quickly, so Deshya approves with an awkward nod, enjoying the feel of Tessa''s warm hand in hers. It''s when she can be this close to the one she loves that Deshya regrets not having the courage to confess her love... because if Tessa was to accept, then she could go further than just touching her hand. Sure, she''d already kissed him on the lips ¡ª and it was probably one of the best things she''d ever experienced ¡ª but in the end, it wasn''t a kiss of love, but a simple pledge. For Deshya, it was more than that, but since it wasn''t ''passionate'' on either side, the girl mostly wanted... more. To kiss Tessa not just longer, but lovingly ¡ª on both sides. It sounds like a big ask like the world, but if Deshya manages to date Tessa, then it will be as common as asking for water or salt at the table. It will remain as special as meeting and admiring a golden bee or seeing a total penumbral eclipse, but yet, something that can happen almost whenever you want it to. Deshya has never been able to experience this, since she''s never had a boyfriend or girlfriend, but she hopes she''ll be able to experience it with Tessa... Tessa''s hand is so comfortable¡­


    - AAAAH!!!


    But unfortunately, reality catches up with them.


    All four teenagers open their eyes wide at the same time, but quickly, understanding that this scream is not of fear, but of pain, they frown. Tessa withdraws her hand and runs to Deshya''s side, the latter snapping out of her ''thoughts of love''. Maruno is the first to run up the stairs: the scream comes from the floor just above, it''s a certainty. They didn''t know who had screamed, but one thing was certain: it wasn''t ''Lea Lotus'', since the scream was far too low for it to have come from her female voice. Raiji is right behind Maruno, followed by the two girls in the group. The four of them arrive upstairs, but unfortunately they don''t really know where to go: they don''t know exactly where the source of the scream is coming from. Tessa suggests they split up to find the place where the man screamed, but this isn''t necessary: they see Lea running down the corridor to their left. Without asking any questions, without a word, the teenagers run after her and join her, but she stops in front of a room, where two other men are, before she screams in terror. The teenagers quickly arrive and look inside the room¡ª


    - !!


    - H-Hey, are you kidding me?!


    Before them, a new corpse. But this one doesn''t have a hole in it, or died a few months ago¡­


    It''s the body of ''Rayan Silvagre'' that presents itself to them this time.


    With a knife in his belly, a hand holding the weapon as if he''d been trying to pull it out and a look of horror on his face, a sign that he was indeed conscious before he died, the scene is horrifying. His blood, still warm, flows from the wound, creating a tiny puddle beneath him. Even without hearing the scream, and even without being smarter than the average person, anyone could tell that the crime had been committed not long ago... This is anything but hard to guess. The scream they all heard... came from this man.


    - We heard the scream... like, 50 seconds ago?" thinks Deshya, one fist clenched.


    Once again, a murder presented itself to her. October had begun with two crimes committed by ''XIII'', but she already suspected that saving them would have been complex, if not impossible. This time, however, she''s only here for ''fun'', to spend time with three of her friends, as ''special'' as this activity is. It should simply have been a search for the truth, but the scene was worse than expected¡­


    And now a crime has been committed. Right over their heads.


    Rayan''s wide-open eyes show no life, and even if by some miracle he''s still alive, by the time an ambulance can get to this forest, he''ll have succumbed to his injuries. The three adults standing next to the teenagers are also shocked, terrified expressions on their faces, but Balthazar is the first to react.


    - H-Hey, man...?


    He took a step forward, but a hand got in the way. The girl who raised her arm like that grits her teeth.


    - Don''t go any further¡­


    - H-Huh?


    - Don''t go any further!" shouts Deshya.


    Everyone turns to her. The girl in the fox sweater has an annoyed expression on her face, staring at the corpse a few steps away from her, in the back of this room. Unlike the floor just below, where they were, the first floor of the abandoned laboratory is much brighter, so lamps are not necessary. This is due to the many windows in the place, the majority of which are missing their panes. Thanks to this, they can get a good look inside the room where the man with the first name ''Rayan'' was killed: rather empty, though with the remains of some furniture, including a desk, and tools lying on the floor. What''s more, although for the moment only the teenagers have been able to see it, two corpses like those found downstairs are to be found in the left-hand corner of the place, hidden rather ineffectively behind some sort of rubbish bags. Despite the fact that this disguise is borderline ridiculous, it''s actually a relief: they can only see the corpses'' heads and upper torsos, preventing them from seeing much more than that. Unfortunately, the woman''s body ¡ª given that the other must be that of a young man ¡ª is missing much of its skull, which is... vomit-inducing. Deshya is certain that if Amora, Frie or even Abdoul had come here, they''d never have been able to restrain themselves from vomiting all over the floor, though understandably so. Deshya''s glad she didn''t invite anyone else on this expedition to this abandoned building... What''s got her so worked up is not just the fact that a murder has just been committed, but that it''s STILL one¡­


    AGAIN one where she is.


    - Wherever I go, I''m going to run into stuff or something...?


    She knows this isn''t true and that there are days when nothing happens, but that''s usually when she''s staying at school or at home. Deshya has been to Amora''s, to a bar terrace with her friends or even to a fast-food restaurant without anything happening, so she can hope not to run into business at every place she meets, but the fact that a murder has just been committed... She doesn''t know what to think. Should she think again that she''s cursed, or accept that she''s just an extremely unlucky girl?


    - If I play the lottery, will I win the jackpot...?


    After all, bad luck is just luck, which offers more malus than benefit. However, this is no time for jokes: Deshya moves towards the body in turning on her heels, staring at the adults with her piercing eyes.


    - No one at the scene.


    In an authoritative tone, she utters these words. Tessa steps forward in turn, Raiji turning around to make sure the adults aren''t doing anything suspicious. All three are confused, looking at each other, with Lea drying her eyes and trying to calm herself in her man''s arms. Meanwhile, Maruno frowns after another glance at the corpses on the left.


    - What if¡­


    Thinking of all he''s seen, he wonders if the reality of these corpses might not be¡­


    - But if that''s the case, then¡­


    It''s dangerous. Very dangerous. Maruno hopes he''s wrong, but there''s a good chance it is what he thinks. He turns to the three adults and frowns.


    - In any case, it''s unlikely that Rayan committed suicide or that someone came in from the outside to kill him. Anyway¡­


    One of the three remaining people must be the culprit. There''s also the possibility that two of them are the murderers... even all three together. However, Maruno prefers to think that this is not the case, because otherwise, they''re all in a situation where survival is unlikely. Even with Deshya''s abilities, Tessa''s aggressiveness and Raiji''s ''sporty'' side, they can dream of doing anything against several adults, even if it''s two. Is calling the police in the face of one or more potential culprits a good idea? Deshya can probably flee from here and, without worry, lose track of the adults, but Maruno doesn''t totally believe in his own abilities. He doesn''t know about Raiji and Tessa isn''t necessarily the fastest girl he knows, so if one of them has a gun¡­


    - The murder weapon is a knife, and it''s still inside the victim''s stomach, but there''s nothing to say that the culprit doesn''t have something else on him. Using a pistol would have been far too risky and noisy, especially as it would have been easy to find. On the other hand¡­


    Why was Rayan killed? Deshya, Tessa and Raiji are also wondering, especially as the four of them don''t know each other ¡ª except for L¨¦a and Marc, who are both married. So there would have been no reason for one of them to kill the other... unless the fact that they don''t know each other is a lie. Anyway, Rayan lied about that, but so did at least one other person. Raiji thinks again of his theory about the corpses and starts to think of something else, but can he afford to go into such theories? For now, he''d rather see what Deshya and Tessa conclude, both close to the body. Deshya wears Mariah''s gloves, while Tessa keeps hers in her pockets, so as not to touch anything with her bare hands, observing the surroundings from a standing position, unlike her friend who was kneeling. They have already confirmed the death of ''Rayan Silvagre'', inevitably from a knife in the stomach. He couldn''t have died on the spot, so when he was stabbed, he screamed, and then the culprit had to either knock him out to silence him, or keep his hand over his mouth to muffle his scream. However, as Deshya is not a doctor and cannot observe the whole body properly, she cannot confirm anything further. While looking at the corpse, Tessa scans the surroundings and quickly notices something just in front of the victim''s hand resting on the floor.


    - Hey, Deshya.


    - Hm?


    The redhead turns her face towards Tessa and then follows her gaze to stumble upon... something. She blinks and reaches out for it, but refrains from grabbing it, not wanting to touch the crime scene: she needs to pollute it as little as possible for when the police arrive.


    - A black knight...?


    A chess piece lies there, in front of the victim''s hand. It''s highly likely that he himself placed it there... but for what reason? In reality, Deshya can think of only two: either he had it in his hand and it fell there when he dropped dead, either¡ª


    - ... A ''dying message''.


    Deshya whispers it and Tessa nods in agreement: a message before death, describing the victim. The girl with the long purple hair looks back at the adults, who seem to be getting agitated by the unpleasant atmosphere of the place. Tessa even gets the impression that they''re going to run away at any moment, and unfortunately, there''s nothing they can do about it. Balthazar doesn''t seem to be incredibly muscular, so Tessa could probably beat him in a fight, but he''s still an adult and she''s only just entered the ''mature'' age. Lea must be a pretty fragile woman and Marc... she doesn''t really know. However, that''s not the point: if they start running when they want to escape, chasing them won''t do any good. Besides, they already know who they are, so all they have to do is tell the police. Even if the police don''t trust them and think they''re just teenagers playing detective, Deshya will just have to tell Gatito ¡ª or even Minos, if the situation calls for it. For the time being, however, she needs to concentrate on this black knight: what does he mean? She knows he''s a chess player who could easily beat her, given his rank, but this isn''t the piece he had on his keyring... Besides, his bag is still behind his back and unopened, so it''s impossible for the piece to have fallen there by chance. Perhaps he kept the coin in his hands to play with, as a stress reliever, which would mean there''s no reason to worry about it, but Tessa doesn''t believe it: it''s again her instinct that tells her it''s important. As always, the same instinct she always follows and which is almost never wrong, one which has helped her to believe more in her own abilities... The last time it ''woke up'' in this way was precisely during the affair of the unstoppable train. Deshya, too, seems interested in this chess piece, especially as there are no other clues around. However, something else catches her eye. She looks closer at the victim¡­


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    - !


    She opens her eyes wide and Deshya notices ''that thing'' at the same time. Maruno can see that his two friends have found something interesting, but he can''t tell from here. Impatience rising in his brain, Balthazar lets out a cry of boredom before taking out his phone, not hiding his irritation.


    - Raaah, at worst, who cares? We call the police and¡ª


    - SURELY NOT!


    The scream echoes around the room, forcing Deshya to hold her ears and tense up, a gesture no one notices: everyone turns to the other girl who has just screamed. Tessa approaches Raiji, Maruno and the adults with violent steps.


    - Don''t call the police.


    - W-Wait, are you kidding me¡ª


    Before he could finish his sentence, Tessa lifted the thing she''d retrieved from the body to show everyone, having no need to let Deshya see it : the latter has already seen it.


    - W-What is¡­


    Raiji frowns.


    It''s a piece of paper with writing on it:


    "Call the police and I''ll kill you all".


    It''s handwritten and quick, but legible enough to understand each letter. A shiver runs through everyone and Tessa lowers the letter, her eyes staring at everyone at once.


    - If the person dared to kill the victim while we were all here, I''d rather take this letter seriously," she admits.


    - Tsk, so what?


    Balthazar takes his phone in hand and turns it on.


    - If we all stay together, he won''t be able to do anything, that''s criminal," he says, preparing to write down the police number.


    However, before he could do so, Raiji caught his phone with one swift hand, preventing him from calling anyone using his mobile. Balthazar clenches his fists and yells at him, but the couple ask him to calm down by restraining him, before Raiji squints at the man.


    - I don''t know what you''re thinking, but at any moment, the criminal has a gun or something in his hands!" the teenager shouts.¡± If you want to die like an idiot, then be my guest, but don''t involve us in your stupidity!!!


    The other three teenagers blink, surprised by Raiji''s words, but in total agreement with him. The boy returns the phone to Balthazar with a sigh, turning to Tessa.


    - You didn''t find any clues on the body...?" he asks.


    Deshya returns to their side and shakes her head. Tessa says nothing: it''s best they don''t talk about the black rider, which could be a ''secret'', coded message from the victim before his death. Since they''re both certain that the culprit is one of the three adults in front of them, it''s best not to talk about it in front of the adults. They can do it with the teenagers, but certainly not with Marc, L¨¦a and Balthazar.


    - So what do we do?" asks Marc, holding his wife''s hand firmly in his own.


    - Do we just run off and leave the body here?" suggests L¨¦a.


    - Even if we try to act selfishly and out of fear, I don''t know if the culprit will let us escape as we wish. He''ll probably take one of us hostage and ask everyone to come back, since we can easily call the police from home," replies Maruno.¡± I think the best we can do... I''ve no idea, really.


    - All sticking together, I suppose...?


    Marc''s proposal seemed perfect, but Deshya shook her head.


    - There''s something else written on the back of the paper," she says.


    - A-Ah?


    Tessa agrees with what Deshya has just said and reads the very sentence she can:


    - "Say nothing to anyone, tell absolutely no one about this place and put all your phones in the victim''s bag". That''s what it says.


    The words are a little more complicated to read, given that the culprit had to write in a hurry, but it''s certain that he did it before killing the victim: he''d never have had the time otherwise. This proves that he must have been thinking about the plan today, which means¡­


    - ¡­


    Tessa silently observes again the three adults standing just behind Maruno and Raiji. The latter sighs.


    - He wants us to put our phones in the bag so we can''t call anyone, I guess...?" he says.


    - Probably to erase our data too, since we took photos," says Tessa.¡± I''ve got a few videos on my phone, anyway.


    In fact, only Tessa took a few videos and photos in case the scene had changed by the time the police arrived. The chances of this happening are all too slim, but Tessa is one to take precautions. What''s more, even without it, it''s always better to have evidence of the sort, even if in reality it''s easy to retouch photos and create horrific scenes like the ones they saw there. Of course, not everyone can do this.


    - What do we do...?" asks L¨¦a, looking at her husband.


    - Should we really be afraid of this paper and tell ourselves that if we don''t listen to it, we''ll be in deep shit?¡± Balthazar asks them, looking at his phone.


    - Would you rather not trust it and just get us killed or something...?" sighs Tessa, not being able to believe what she''s hearing from this man.


    They all turn to the victim''s unopened bag, which is still behind his back. Maruno scratches his hair.


    - Do we really have to put our cell phones in them?" he wonders.¡± Wouldn''t we rather put them on the floor?


    - But if we don''t respect what he said¡­


    - Yes, but if we touch the bag and all that... We''ll pollute the crime scene. Plus, it''s going to be tricky to get them in there.


    They ask each other, but eventually agree: Maruno starts by putting his phone in front of the victim, sighing.


    - My poor phone¡­


    They put them down one by one: nobody wants to risk their lives in this place. They came here to find a ''so called'' body that two people from TikTok had observed, but now they''re in a complex situation with one of them having been killed by... someone. It''s certain to be one of the three adults, but who? As Marc puts on his phone, they notice that Raiji hasn''t moved from his spot.


    - What are you doing?" asks Marc.


    - What do you mean?


    - Go put your phone on and let''s get out of here..." sighs Balthazar.


    - I don''t have my phone with me.


    Raiji''s confession ¡ª if you can call it that ¡ª shocks everyone, even the three teenagers. L¨¦a stares at him without moving for a few moments before shaking her head.


    - He-Hey, are you kidding? Don''t be a sissy!" he said.


    - As she says, don''t be a coward!


    The three adults all agree with each other. Raiji scratches his cheek and turns to Maruno.


    - B-Bro, I don''t think they believe me..." says Maruno.


    - ¡­


    The other dark-haired, green-eyed boy, the one dating ''Aya Deroom¡¯, answers nothing. The adults turn to Maruno and he bows gently.


    - Please believe him, he really doesn''t have his phone," he finally says.


    - Whaaaat?" says Marc.¡± Like, really?


    Tessa finally nods.


    - He''s not the type to take his phone with him because his parents don''t give a damn about him, he doesn''t have any girlfriend and his friends never talk to him first, so he doesn''t take his phone with him," she says.


    Raiji turns his face towards her, an expression as pained as it is annoyed crossing his face, but he only sighs.


    - Yeah, yeah... Anyway, I don''t have my phone, sorry. I can go buy one to put in the pile, but¡ª


    - Whatever! What do we do now...?


    The pile of phones in the room smells rotten, dead and all mixed with mold. It''s also highly likely that some thugs have come to do their little errands not far from here, given the smell of piss emanating from a little further away. Raiji chats quickly with Tessa¡­


    While one of the three adults stares intently at him, eyebrows furrowed.


    Tessa suddenly turns back to the older group, but none of them is acting strangely. She squints her eyes, but Maruno calls her name, so she turns her attention to him.


    - So what do we do?" he asks.


    - Do you have any ideas, Deshya? Cause I don''t know," replies Tessa.


    She turns to the girl in the fox sweater, who taps her chin.


    - Hmmm, as much as splitting up is a very bad idea in general, I don''t think staying all together is actually what we want to do," she replies.¡± If we''re all together, it''s going to annoy the criminal, since he''s bound to want the phones back and probably to get rid of them¡­


    - Can''t we all just leave?" asks L¨¦a, rubbing her arms.¡± I''m beginning to hate this place more and more, and staying right next to a corpse... It''s dark, unpleasantly cold and I hate the smell!


    - Besides, if we don''t have our phones anymore, there''s no reason for the criminal to bother us, is there?" asks Balthazar.


    Marc agrees with them both, but Deshya shakes her head.


    - Then again, if we leave, one of us is bound to be taken hostage all of a sudden. Even though I''m pretty fast and Tessa''s pretty strong, if the culprit has a gun, I can only imagine the worst... Until we get instructions, I think it''s best not to leave too far away to avoid incurring their wrath. As long as we don''t get smart, we shouldn''t have any worries.


    Deshya''s words are convincing and no one dares to reply ¡ª rather, no one has any reason to. Maruno takes two steps closer to her red-haired friend.


    - Given that we know in any case that one of the three adults is the culprit, shouldn''t we quickly ask them for their alibis? I mean, I''m surprised Rayan died when we said we''d do two teams of four..." suggests Maruno, giving the adults an intense look.


    Deshya agrees, especially as she also wonders why Rayan was separated from the group. Besides, even if they don''t know who the culprit is, it''s wise to figure that either the three adults are the criminals, or one of them¡­ but then, nobody was with anybody. After all, if Marc stayed with his girlfriend, then Balthazar must be the culprit. If this man stayed with the other man or woman, then either Lea or Marc must be the culprit. If they can identify the culprit now, they can attack at once, without warning, and with Deshya''s speed or Tessa''s strength, the chances of stopping him in time, before he can draw a weapon, be it blade or pistol, will be pretty high. However, Deshya doesn''t think it''s that simple¡­


    - Wait, I was keeping this to myself, but...


    Marc waves his hand in front of him, an expression of confusion presenting itself to the teenagers.


    - What are you actually doing? You prevent us from going to the crime scene, but you go without hesitation. You order us this and that, but you''re the little ones around here! Just who do you think you are...?


    A natural question, one also asked by his wife and the other blond-haired man. The teenagers remain silent at first, but soon Maruno chuckles before putting a hand on Deshya''s hooded head.


    - I guess you don''t know who this small girl here is, then!" he blurts out.


    - Small...?


    Raiji in turn puts a hand on Deshya''s head, a happy look on his face.


    - This lassie is not just anyone!


    - La-Lassie...?


    Tessa nudges the two boys with a sigh and asks them to be a little more serious, removing their hands from Deshya''s head. Tessa takes the girl''s wrist, raising it and frowning as she stares at the adults.


    - This chick is the ''Fox-Eared Detective'', capiche? The one who helped Minos Kiyon with a case, the one who continue to surpass da police itself, the one who drove a motorcycle into the "FEDER" hotel and the one who understood the tricks of ''XIII'' this week-end! Don''t you dare underestimate her.


    - A-Ahah, h-hiii¡­


    Deshya gently waves her free hand with an embarrassed smile, blushing from the same embarrassment she''s currently feeling. Raiji sulks weakly at Tessa, telling her that she''s the one acting like an idiot this time, but the girl ignores him completely. The adults all stare at the girl in the fox sweater.


    - Ah, was that her on the bike? I heard about it quickly, but I must admit I haven''t watched the news much..." says Marc.¡± I''m more from the north, and since there''s always horrible news on the internet and TV¡­


    - We don''t really watch television, the two of us," says L¨¦a.¡± But I''ve heard of her! I really don''t like ''XIII'', so I didn''t pay much attention to her exploits... On the other hand, is she famous enough to be called by a criminal like him? You''re like fourteen or fifteen, right?


    - Six. teen.


    - A-Ah, sorry¡­


    L¨¦a scratches her cheek apologetically, a pouting Deshya in front of her: when she introduced herself, she said her age, though!!! Nevertheless, she doesn''t grumble about it and prefers to keep her complaint inside her, this being no time for whining over so little.


    - Okay, okay..." says Balthazar. Alibi or not, we''re all in deep shit¡­


    - Anyway, tell us. These three geniuses are the type to notice the smallest detail that no one would miss, so maybe they''ll figure out who the culprit is just by talking about it?


    Raiji brings the three members of the Renards Associ¨¦s to his side and smiles broadly. Balthazar sighs and shrugs.


    - We were looking at the different rooms when Rayan told us he wanted to film a bit on his own. We tried to hold him back, but he wouldn''t listen. A little later, personally, I went off to take a piss, but when I got back to where we all were, there was nobody there," he explains.


    The woman is the next to speak.


    - It''s because while we were visiting the rooms, we found a corpse very... well... w-with holes and I got scared, so I wanted to run away¡­


    She speaks with shame and stutters, ducking her eyes as she speaks. If what she''s saying is true, then it means there are already two ¡ª if not more ¡ª in the room where ''Rayan Silvagre'' was killed... Deshya wonders if there are even more bodies on the lower floors of the laboratory? She doesn''t even want to go and check.


    - And I froze on the spot when I saw the body, and when I managed to move my muscles, I looked for my wife," explains Marc.¡± I didn''t find her until a little after we''d all heard Rayan''s scream, though... I should have filmed it, then I''d have had proof!


    He clicks his tongue against his teeth, but his expression isn''t really one of anger, more of boredom. Whether it''s because he has no way of proving his innocence or because he didn''t take video of what he saw in the room, they don''t know ¡ª it doesn''t really matter either way. What the teenagers take away is that they can''t conclude anything from their ''alibis'', even if they now understand why they weren''t together. But neither does it answer their inner question: why was Rayan killed? If he had come here with someone he knew, he would have had no reason to lie about their affair.


    - ¡­ unless¡­


    Tessa squints, thinking again of the corpses and their condition, but wonders if she can afford to think of such a theory. In any case, this isn''t going to get them out of this mess by wondering WHY Rayan was killed, so Tessa prefers to focus on what they''re going to do now, not on that famous ''reason''.


    - Since one of you has to be the culprit... I suggest the four of us stay together," says Maruno, making it clear that he''s talking about his friends.


    - The four of you stay together, but, what about us?" asks Balthazar.


    - Stay together if you prefer, but it''s more risky. Otherwise, split up and we''ll wait until we can all go home without risking death... Otherwise, even if it''s risky to say that here and now, we''ll just run away from here and never mind our phones: our lives count more," Raiji replied.


    - After that, I don''t know if the criminal will let us... I think we''ll take a look inside the laboratory until we know what we''re going to do," says Deshya.


    Marc scratches his hair.


    - So we split into two groups, wait for the culprit who''s one of the three of us to take our phones and authorize us to leave one way or another, and that''s... it?" he asks.


    - I don''t know what else you want to do," admits the redhead with a shrug.¡± If we run away at once and on all sides, I''m sure the criminal will take one of us hostage, probably one of the four of us teens, and we''ll have no choice but to come back having pissed him off or abandon our friend who''s probably going to get killed. I don''t know about you, but I''m not looking for anyone''s life to be taken. Even without knowing Rayan, the fact that he''s dead is already too much.


    Everyone agrees on this, and soon they all approve this ''plan'': Deshya, Tessa, Maruno and Raiji go their own way, staying together, and Marc, L¨¦a and Balthazar do the same on their own. They all stay on the first floor, although Tessa admits she''d like to see what''s upstairs, and they all promise not to flee ¡ª not while the situation is so uncertain. Walking in opposite directions, Maruno turns her face to the two girls.


    - Are we sure this is the best solution?" he asks.¡± I wonder if we''re really doing the right thing¡­


    - Honestly, since the criminal is coming from the three adults, I''d rather not really stay with them. We wouldn''t be able to stop all three of them on our own, and if we tried, there''s a good chance we''d just get killed or knocked out before we succeeded. I know it''s a bit selfish, but I''d rather that if one of us dies, it''s one of the other three, not one of you.


    She tucks her hands into the pockets of her sweater and chews the air for a brief second before continuing.


    - Anyway, there''s not much we can do but wait and hope¡­


    No one dares say anything. The sight of the bodies with the holes in them and the corpse of ''Rayan Silvagre'' are ingrained in their minds... How could they forget, especially so quickly? In reality, Deshya hasn''t forgotten a single corpse she''s seen, and that doesn''t just apply to September this year, but for much longer. Even if some of the police investigations she''s been able to follow a little more closely with her father are a little fuzzier in her head, she remembers every corpse well. Admittedly, this isn''t actually much, given that her father doesn''t want his daughter to see such a sight, but it happened whether he wanted it to or not... Taking into account Deshya''s very good memory, it''s normal that she remembers it so well, especially as it''s shocking and even terrifying. It''s almost amusing for her to think that the most ''important'' part of her life has been completely removed from her memory... or at least, her brain can''t seem to remember it. It''s ironic... but so strange that it actually frightens Deshya.


    - I think the criminal will soon take back the phones and make us understand that we can leave afterwards," says Maruno.


    Deshya and Tessa nod in agreement, but Raiji, who has been silent all this time, clenches his fists and says, "I can''t believe it¡±, keeping his head down.


    - ¡­


    He finally stops, to the astonishment of his friends, who are also putting a stop to their walk.


    - ... It''s too naive.


    Raiji lets out these words with clenched fists, not hiding the emotions he''s currently feeling.


    - What are you talking about?" asks Tessa.


    - That''s so naive!


    Raiji suddenly turns and starts running down the corridor, leaving the three teenagers behind.


    - R-Raiji?!


    However, he doesn''t stop and runs. He takes a quick turn to the left and continues, this before arriving in an empty room where Raiji pulls out his phone and turns it on, teeth gritted.


    - ¡­


    Without further ado, he dials his code and then goes to ''Phone'' so he can call the police. He''s managed to keep his phone, so he needs to get to it quickly, as the ''culprit'' must still be with the other two adults.


    However, a figure approaches Raiji silently from behind, and in one swift movement raises the knife in their hand, aiming at the teenager''s back.

 56 -?Dark Secrets of The Abandoned Laboratory?(CASE11)

    <hr>


    During the ''commotion'' caused by Raiji, the latter having run off in a huff shouting that it''s all far too naive, one of the three adults observed the scene from their hiding place, making sure they weren''t being watched. Noticing that Raiji is running away from the group at full speed, the figure smiles broadly and starts trotting down the other corridor, unable to pass by the group of teenagers who are bound to set off in search of him without further delay. Given their familiarity with the area, they know they can pass Raiji quickly and before the other three teenagers by taking the right-hand corridor, a shortcut made possible by a large hole in the wall. Without having to stop or get stuck in the same hole, they manage to reach the other corridor as planned, even if their clothes get dirty from the dust on the floor and the remaining debris. In any case, they''ll just have to lie and say they fell, or that while walking through one of the rooms, they accidentally bumped into a wall ¡ª they''ll think of it later. The person has managed to find a good excuse for the other two adults to run away quickly, promising to come back soon, so they have to get rid of Raiji quickly: after all, they''re sure he''s still got his phone on him. With this in mind, they have to take it from him, stop him from calling the police and, as quickly as possible, get the other phones. The fact that they didn''t put them in the bag is a problem, but on the other hand, it was all to the good for this person: with the body of ''Rayan'', the man they killed, already stiffened, they don''t really know how she could have taken the bag with them without having to cut the straps. The only thing that bothers her is that she''ll have to stow all the phones in her own bag, but as soon as that''s done, they''ll just have to flee the scene without the slightest hesitation, leaving this laboratory they know pretty well. The teenagers were a bit of a problem for her, but after all, they''re only children. The presence of ''Deshya Oveja'' is a problem, given her intelligence, but it seems that she hasn''t yet managed to discover her identity and therefore doesn''t need to be too afraid of being discovered. Although this person will have a hard time defending themself against the accusations they''re going to take for Raiji''s murder, they don''t really have a choice: they have to steal his phone as soon as possible! So they take their knife out of their pocket ¡ª since they didn''t think to take a pistol or any other remote weapon, which is what the teenagers think ¡ª and first checks that Raiji can''t see them behind him. Fortunately for the criminal, the boy is too focused on his phone, probably dialing the police, so they approach him without making a sound, raises the knife high and aims it at Raiji''s back, intending to wound him severely ¡ª killing him isn''t even a problem for them.


    CHAPTER 56


    ?Dark Secrets of The Abandoned Laboratory?


    - Idiot.


    However, Raiji drops the word without even turning around, causing the criminal to open their eyes wide.


    At the same time, someone grabs their arm.


    With a strength that proves experience and exercise, the girl who has grabbed the culprit¡¯s right arm, the one holding the knife, forces the criminal back a step and with a flick of the wrist, makes the adult drop the sharpened knife. The girl pushes the weapon backwards, sending it to the front of the room, and just then, another girl catches it with a sigh, stooping towards the knife. The adult closes one eye, their arm pulled in such a way that they can''t move it. The feeling that it''s about to be ripped from their body is really unpleasant and they are quickly sent to the ground with a precise kick, preventing them from grabbing the other knife he has in their bag or defending themself in any way. The boy in front of the adult keeps his phone on, but bows his head.


    - What did you think... It would have been too easy if I was that stupid, wouldn''t it¡­


    Raiji turns back to the adult, part of his face illuminated by the light from the phone. In the same room, the only window has been barricaded with old wooden planks, clumsily nailed together and letting in the thin rays of the sun, which still hasn''t set. The man can therefore see a certain part of Raiji''s face, the latter smiling with a touch of ''malevolence'' in it.


    - Our little ''Balthazar Kriken''?


    Raiji blurts out the man''s identity in a tone as amused as it is happy and proud. Balthazar, the criminal who almost stabbed the boy in the back, opens his eyes wide: from the way Raiji speaks, the way he acts and the way he didn''t even have to turn around to realize he was in the room, Balthazar immediately understands that he''s simply fallen into a trap. His eyes closed suddenly, the light from Raiji''s flashlight assaulting his retinas. The girl who is still holding Balthazar by placing her hand on her back is the long, purple-haired ''Tessa Merossa'', making sure the adult can''t try anything. Maruno Uffite'' arrives in the room in her turn, passing by ''Deshya Oveja'' who is holding the weapon she picked up observing her.


    - It''s not just a simple kitchen knife, in any case..." she remarks.


    Balthazar grits his teeth, trying to escape Tessa''s grip, but when he tries to struggle, the girl above him punches him ¡ª without it being too violent ¡ª to make him understand that his gestures are useless. With a grunt, Balthazar stops moving, biting his lower lip. Maruno looks around, but seeing nothing to bind Balthazar, he excuses himself by quickly fetching a rope: he saw one in front of the building when they entered, so it won''t take too long to get it. Raiji looks at his phone and moves a little away from Tessa and Balthazar, tapping the numbers on his screen.


    - I''ll call the police, will you be alright, Tessa?" he asks.


    - Yup, he doesn''t look too talented so I won''t have too much trouble holding him back.


    - Perfect.


    Raiji leaves the room, putting the phone to his ear, passing Deshya without saying a word. The girl watches the boy walk down the corridor waiting to be answered, his other hand in his trouser pocket. Deshya may not have noticed it before, but Raiji always keeps the same headset around his neck, yet this one has no wires attached. Is it a Bluetooth headset? He''s never asked her, especially as she never sees him with it on his head. Amora should know too, but that''s a question she''ll ask later, having something else to do for now. In the dimly-lit room, the adult stands still, gritting his teeth, silent and surely waiting for Tessa to break her concentration for a moment, but unfortunately for him, he doesn''t know this girl very well: if she has to stay focused on what she''s doing for an hour, then he''ll have no problem with that. Tessa isn''t the type to underestimate others in a situation like this, so Deshya isn''t worried that he''ll manage to get back up. Noticing that she still has the knife in her hands, the latter gloved, she tucks it away in a pocket of her satchel, thinking that she mustn''t forget it, since it could be useful evidence for the police. Immediately afterwards, Maruno returns with a long rope ¡ª enough to tie up the adult ¡ª and Deshya helps her, along with Tessa, to tie up ''Balthazar'', the man who nearly killed Raiji... but also the culprit behind the murder of ''Rayan Silvagre''.


    - ¡­


    Balthazar is then raised on his buttocks, sitting at the back of the room, lit by Maruno and Deshya''s flashlights. Tessa pats her hands to remove the bit of dust on them and turns to her two friends.


    - Is Raiji still calling the police?" she asks.


    Just as she asked her question, the teenager in question returned, putting his phone away in his pocket.


    - It''s done," he says.


    - What did they say?" asks Tessa.


    Raiji takes out his flashlight, but doesn''t turn it on and simply plays with it in his hands.


    - Two policemen should be here in ten minutes," he replies.


    - What da hell...?


    In a faint but audible voice, thanks mainly to the echoing interior of the room, the bound adult speaks, his eyes fixed on the four friends in front of him. Not only can boredom and anger be read on the anger, a hint of another emotion, one complex to grasp, is in his eyes. What surprises Tessa without shocking her is his lack of fear, fright or concern about the oncoming police. Even if it''s impossible to be certain that the other two adults, the videographer couple, aren''t also criminals helping Balthazar, the odds of such a thing are very weak, so none of the teenagers are afraid of such a possibility. Tessa wonders if it''s possible that someone else who would work with this criminal is here, but she doesn''t believe it either. It''s not impossible, just unlikely.


    - What do you mean?" asks Raiji, stopping to play with the flashlight in his hands.


    - I made sure to get here super-quick, taking an even shorter route than the corridor you were on..." says Balthazar.¡± Did you come to his rescue so quickly or¡ª


    - Are ya stupid or what?


    Raiji scratches his hair.


    - Did you think I was stupid enough to run around this abandoned lab because I''d think my friends were naive? In that case, you''re the naive one.


    - Besides, we knew you were the culprit," admits Deshya.¡± We already knew that before.


    - B-Before...?


    This time, Balthazar shows some astonishment on his face, shocked to learn this. Deshya nods and points a finger at him.


    - Even if it was only later that we were convinced, you''ve always been the most suspicious and bizarre of the three," she replies in part.


    - B¡¯cause I was alone, unlike da other couple th¡¯re?


    Maruno shakes his head.


    - Nah, it wasn''t that.


    - So what?" asks Balthazar, losing patience.


    He''s in a situation where he can''t really afford to act in this way, but that''s what he does in every case ¡ª is it a matter of experience, because he knows he can''t do anything in every case, or that he wants to provoke them, only he would know. Deshya replies:


    - Because you were holding your phone in landscape mode.


    - ... S-Sorry...?


    This one answer makes Balthazar unable to stop blinking in incomprehension, having no idea what this has to do with the way he held his phone and him being ''suspicious''. Seeing that he doesn''t understand, Raiji decides to explain, showing him his own phone.


    - Since you wanted to film for ''TikTok'', you should film vertically instead. It''s more of a vertical thing, since that''s the only way you can view the stuff on this app. Even if you weren''t filming yet, let''s make it up, you''d have the reflex to do it anyway, just in case.


    Raiji shrugs.


    - Well, unlike the other three around me, it''s not something I noticed and even if I had, it wouldn''t have shocked me.


    - The difference between geniuses and little idiots, it seems," teased Tessa.


    - It''s just that it wouldn''t have meant anything anyway¡­


    He''s not necessarily offended, but perhaps Tessa''s words stung his heart all the same. Balthazar sighs heavily, closing his eyes.


    - What a shitty reason, but at da same time... I und¡¯rstand. Fuck, I hadn''t thought of that," he said.


    - If you''d just said you wanted to start a channel on TikTok, but didn''t know anything about it, that would have been an unnecessary detail to take into account, I think," Deshya tells him.¡± Well, anyway, it wasn''t enough to point the finger at you when we were thinking of a culprit for the murder of ''Rayan'', but I must admit that I thought of you instead and wondered if it was possible.


    - No one really had a proper ''alibi'' and given that we were in the basement, we could only hope to understand the ''Dying Message'' of the dead man you planted.


    - ¡­


    The man squints.


    - What, that chess piece?" he asks.¡± I saw him take som¡¯thing out of his bag in those last moments, but I thought it was a s¡¯mple lucky charm¡­


    The teenagers all nod at the same time.


    - We were right: this knight is indeed his ''Dying Message''," says Maruno.


    - I''m glad I understood, hm, hm," smiled Raiji.


    - Ya''re f¡¯cking kidding me, right?!


    Balthazar doesn''t lower his voice, which echoes throughout the room. Despite his unbearableness, Deshya doesn''t need to hold her ears this time, even if his deep voice is unpleasant ¡ª the fact that it''s resonating like this doesn''t help. Tessa shakes her head.


    - Nah, it''s really a ''Dying Message'' pointing out that you''re the criminal.


    - How, eh?" asks Balthazar.


    The teenagers look at each other, wondering if they even want to admit it to her. However, Deshya ends up speaking first, really wanting to give the explanation. It''s probably a matter of ego and pride, but she''s fine with it: they have to wait for the police and Tessa is a little further back than they are, making sure no one comes to help Balthazar. The chances of him being accompanied remain so low as to approach 0, but they''re still chances¡­


    - Given that it''s a black knight, it could have meant ''Marc R¨¦ti'', as his surname is literally an ''opening'' of chess, which, moreover, begins with the movement of a horse, albeit a white one," explains Deshya.


    - On the other hand, even if afterwards, Marc would have done everything to catch him or remove him from there, perhaps approaching the body and asking if he was all right, thus stealing the chess piece to remove the only clue leading to him," adds Maruno.


    - Even without that, if it was about him, I don''t know why she bothered taking a coin out of her purse instead of her key ring," admits Tessa, looking to the left of the corridor.


    - So for me, it couldn''t have been Marc, as he would surely have had time to pick up the chess piece as he approached the body. Leaving it there would have been too risky, especially as he knows his way around a chessboard, which is what we heard before entering the laboratory," says Raiji.


    - So if it''s not him, it''s me, eh?" shouts Balthazar again.


    Tessa shakes her head, but Raiji continues to speak.


    - Given the ''L''-shaped movement of a knight, you''d think it represented the first letter of ''Lea Lotus''s first and last name, which wouldn''t have been silly, but given her reaction to the body and the fact that she''d probably still have understood it was a ''Dying Message'', I''ve taken her off my list of suspects, so I thought of you.


    - It''s stupid," admits Balthazar.¡± Removing a suspect from his list for such a stupid reason¡­


    - Eh, I''d say we were more or less convinced it was you, seeing as you didn''t seem to know anything at all about the subject of ''TikTok'' despite what you said, and besides, for us, the ''Dying Message'' was something else a bit more complex, making sure nobody understood it," Maruno admits with a shrug.


    - Which one, then? Are you going to tell me there''s a famous knight called Balthazar?!


    Maruno shakes his head and points at the man in front of him.


    - ¡®Balthazar Kriken'', hence ''B.K¡¯. ''Black Knight''. B.K. That''s what he meant.


    - We often use English terms, even when playing against people who speak French*," admits Deshya.¡± Even if it looked like the ''L'' in ''L¨¦a Lotus'', I was betting on you too. Well, coming with your husband, which I suppose is true, isn''t the best idea when you want to kill someone¡­


    (* Quick remember that this Case was thought of and written in French at first. I removed a little bit of these dialogues to make it clearer and easier to read.)


    - It could have been thought of on the spot and not in advance, but I have to admit that when I thought of this place, I thought it might have been premeditated," admits Maruno.


    - What da ya mean? What is¡ª


    - I bet it, Balthazar.


    Maruno frowns.


    - The corpses here are victims of illegal organ transplants, right? You kill them and take their good quality organs and sell them illegally, which is why there are bodies of children, teenagers and young adults in particular, hm?


    No response from Balthazar. In fact, the four teenagers think that ¡ª yes, even Raiji. Tessa was the first to theorize it with Deshya, but Maruno quickly understood it later ¡ª the same goes for Raiji. If they''re right, then this is a reason beyond disgust itself. In some countries, these are practices that are used by the government itself, given the lack of organ donors within the country, but Belium has no such concerns ¡ª in any case, nothing public is known on the subject. Who knows what goes on in the darkness of a country, a nation? If something wants to be hidden, there''s always a way to do it; we just have to understand that some people will seek the truth even if it leads to their own demise. Still without offering the slightest answer, the man stares at the teenagers with a gaze of embers, of violent fire. Raiji sighs.


    - Anyway, I''m glad you fell into my trap..." he says.


    - I didn''t hear ya talking to each oth¡¯r. How did ya know it was all a trap on his part?


    Balthazar addresses the other three teenagers, completely ignoring the petty smile on Raiji''s face. The one who answers is Maruno, but his response is the same for all three.


    - Even without knowing too much about Raiji and his mental abilities, I know he''s far from stupid and still intelligent. He would never have lied like that about his phone if there wasn''t a reason, then I understood that he wanted to trick the criminal into chasing him, the only one who always had his cell phone on him. When he started to run after we''d spoken, which was also an impromptu discussion designed to authorize Raiji to act in case we were being eavesdropped on, the three of us immediately understood that we''d been right.


    - Plus, I gave Deshya a quick wink, but it looks like all three of them understood," smiled Raiji.


    - It was dangerous... You like danger, don''t you?" drops Deshya, crossing her arms.


    - Hey, as long as it works, it works.


    - What if it doesn''t work?


    - Then I''m an asshole.


    - ... You like to live dangerously, I like that.


    Tessa pats Raiji on the back and he starts to giggle, as the man looks on in amazement. Balthazar finally bows his head in despair, but smiles back.


    - ... When did ya find out ¡®bout the corpses?" he asks.


    - Honestly, holes like this, missing organs and all, there aren''t 30 million different reasons," admits Tessa, the only one who dared approach.¡± Even if it could have been the lair of a criminal with a sick mind, there was a better chance that this was the place to harvest organs illegally.


    - ... Eh. If only that shitty video hadn''t seen the light of day... We''d cl¡¯sed the door prop¡¯rly and the other bodies were generally well hidden, but they had to ruin everything¡­


    - It''s true that there were other corpses in other rooms.


    Balthazar keeps his head down, but his eyes are wide open.


    - Basically, we move them when we can, but we had a pretty big ord¡¯r not long ago, last week. By da time we got ready to clear ev¡¯rything out, the other couple of assholes came in and made a mess. We made sure da video was quickly removed and couldn''t be uploaded, but it looks like some geniuses managed to find the place... What a bad luck.


    Balthazar now speaks in a different tone, a little calmer and with all signs of anger gone from his voice.


    - So this place¡­


    - Da laboratory stopped in 2002, and it was in 2008 that we decided to use it to harvest organs illegally," admits Balthazar, as if his heart wanted to empty everything he knew.¡± I started working in 2020, but I know this bus¡¯ness hasn''t been around since yesterday


    - ¡­


    The four teenagers look at each other, but Tessa continues to check the corridor: however, no one is coming. She wonders where the other two adults have gone... She hopes they''re safe and sound.


    - It''s horrible..." admits Deshya.


    - I know.


    Balthazar looks up at last, a tiny smile on his face, which doesn''t seem to bear any malice in its bosom.


    - It''s just a mis¡¯rable job that pays really well. When ya''re someone like me, who doesn''t know how to do anything except complain about not knowing how to do anything, ya don''t have much choice," he admits.


    - ... Where are the other two?" asks Raiji.


    - I just said I had to check on ya quickly and promised to come back. They b¡¯lieved me like idiots, but I''d have knocked them out anyway. I offered to run away in da meantime, because I didn''t care about them as long as I had the phones. I had no choice but to prevent ya from contacting the police while I was here.


    - You could have run, couldn''t you?" asks Tessa, squinting.


    He approves, but retorts:


    - It didn''t matter if I was here or not, as my fingerprints would have been found in sev¡¯ral places, because if I''d worn gloves all the time, y¡¯all would have understood, I think. B¡¯sides, we were going to get rid of the bodies today, which is why I was in the area.


    - And why did you kill Rayan?" asks Deshya, noticing that Balthazar doesn''t hesitate to reveal the truth.


    - We know he''s already been here and actually seen da bodies, which is why some of the rooms no longer had their barricades. He just wanted to take advantage of what he knew to film and get ¡®ven more s¡¯bscribers I bet, so I wanted to get rid of him today as we were watching him. If he''d come tomorrow, I wouldn''t have had to kill him.


    - ...it''s horrible.


    He shrugs.


    - I don''t like killing, but ya don''t have to b¡¯lieve me. I''ve got orders from high-ups and I respect them.


    - High-ups?


    Maruno tilts his head and this time Balthazar doesn''t respond directly. What''s more, the couple return to them, asking if everything''s all right. Tessa greets them, promising them it''s all right, while Raiji heads towards them in turn. He explains the situation in the corridor, preferring them not to enter the room, and the bound man stares at Deshya.


    - ... So ya''re da girl who''s making a name for herself and is crazy enough to jump out of a hotel on a motorcycle, huh? I could never beat s¡¯meone like you," he says.


    - What do you mean?" she asks, surprised that he''s actually talking to her.


    - You just remind me of my daughter, who dared to go go-karting at full speed when she was only ten. She still lives like she knows she''s gonna die tomorrow, like she''s invisible. I bet ya''re the same, lil¡¯ detective.


    - ¡­


    - ... I''d advise ya to watch out.


    - ?


    Deshya frowns and Balthazar smiles at her. Maruno listens to their conversation, no longer interested in Raiji and Tessa''s explanations, observing the bound man.


    - Want to know who I work for? I can tell ya.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    - Why say so much?" asks Deshya, suspiciously.


    - It''s not like I really love what I do, and honestly, as weird as it is, being able to say what''s on my mind to s¡¯meone who''s not from the police makes me happy. Don''t try to und¡¯rstand.


    Even if she really can''t know how he feels, she has a touch of sympathy with the thought: she''d like to tell the others about her fox attributes too, but she can''t. In fact, she''d almost go so far as to be happy to confess it to someone who isn''t an acquaintance of hers, but at least so that someone in this world, other than her family and probably those who did this to her, knows the truth. When Deshya confessed the whole truth to Korone, she was so... happy. Maybe even being able to confess it to someone made her open up a little more in general ¡ª she thinks back to what Amora told her this morning. Could this also be linked to her ''slight change''?


    - ... I want to know. Why be so careful?


    - ... Section 3.


    The man keeps his gaze fixed on Deshya.


    - "Le Majeur" ¡ª in short, Section 3. The one that deals mainly with da human b¡¯dy, slave merchandise and ev¡¯rything else that affects da French nations.


    - W-What?


    - We''re also da ones who are som¡¯times in charge of recruiting certain people to work for da Sections. I''m more of a stooge in the business of harv¡¯sting human organs and othar comp¡¯nents for sale.


    - Wh-What are you... talking about?


    Balthazar smiled, continuing his explanations as if he couldn''t hear the girl.


    - A total of five Sections.


    He frowns.


    - Da five fingers of the hand. Da 5 Sections are the ''5 Fingers'', and I come from Section 3, da Majeur.


    - ¡­


    Deshya still doesn''t understand what he means, or which ''group'' he''s talking about. However, in her chest, her heart can''t help but beat faster. Although it would surely be too good to be true, she wonders if what he''s talking about... wouldn''t be¡­


    - I''m not a high up, so I don''t really know any more, except that each Section name is a finger name, with Section 1 being da lil¡¯ finger. However, each Section name has a diff¡¯rent language d¡¯pending on their function," Balthazar continues to explain, his head half raised.


    - ¡­


    - I know it must be a lot of information all at once. Som¡¯times we sell it all to da Dark Web.


    - T-The Dark Web?


    Deshya repeats what she''s just heard, with Maruno frowning behind her, surprised at what he''s just heard. Balthazar nods and the girl in the fox sweater clenches a fist.


    - But... It''s a group called the 5 Fingers, the place you work for?


    - Da Hand. Da Arm and then da Body.


    - H-H... Huh?


    Balthazar smiles.


    - Da Hand is what groups tog¡¯ther all 5 Fingers and controls its entirety. Da Arm is what controls da Sections and is a big d¡¯main. Finally, da Body is what ya all know, but which is a mystery to ya all.


    Police voices echo down the hall and Tessa can even see them. The two married adults turn around and Raiji tells them that the culprit is here. Noticing that their conversation is coming to an end, Balthazar decides to wrap things up quickly. With a smile, he speaks to Deshya with a smile that is mysterious: is he amused, annoyed or feeling something else? Deshya can''t tell.


    And then Balthazar said to her:


    - Da Body is what ya call da ''black market'', Deshya. Da Arm is the best-known division of the same black market... the ''EFE''.


    - !!!


    Deshya opens her eyes wide ¡ª same reaction as Maruno.


    - Ya''re a brave girl who''ll go far in life, I''m sure, but don''t get mixed up in every business ya come across, ''Deshya Oveja''. This is not a game: avoid such dangers.


    - ... Should I take this as a threat?


    The police arrive close to the room, but before they can get there, Balthazar manages to answer her briefly:


    - I have no reason to stop ya, I''m da one who screwed up. Let''s just say, if ya get into their business... I hope ya''re ready to die.


    The police arrive in the room and Tessa shows them the culprit. The couple and the teenagers quickly explain what happened, although Deshya is mute overall, thinking about what was said. Balthazar confesses to his crime, and the police call a few colleagues to come to the murder scene and verify the veracity of the youngsters'' accounts of the corpses with holes in them. They all leave the building and ''Balthazar Kriken'' ¡ª if this identity is a real one ¡ª is led away by the police, his hands tied at the back by handcuffs. Obviously, the rope has been removed from his body. He turns and looks at Deshya again, smiling.


    - Never repeat what I''ve told to anyone. Well... ya two.


    He also addresses Maruno, who answers nothing, but Deshya remains equally silent. So the man disappears behind the trunks of the forest, accompanied by the two policemen. Others arrive to enter the abandoned laboratory, while the couple remain with the teenagers to explain once again what happened. They have already retrieved their phones ¡ª the culprit''s was taken away by the policemen ¡ª and Tessa looks at the clock, but quickly turns her attention to Deshya.


    - What did ya talk about inside?" she asks.


    - ¡­ Nothing.


    She raises her head and looks back at her friends.


    - Nothing at all.


    - ¡­


    She''s well aware that this lie doesn''t convince Tessa at all, but she''d really rather not say anything: what''s the point? Besides, if Balthazar hasn''t said anything stupid ¡ª which, strangely enough, she doubts very much he has ¡ª then this really is a dangerous subject... one she doesn''t really want to get any closer to. She then turns her face to Maruno, who nods, as if he can read her mind: it''s best they keep quiet on this subject with anyone. Deshya could talk it over with her father... but in the end, she doesn''t really want to go any further in this search. Because the little she knows¡­


    It is preferable not to confront or touch the black market.


    Plus¡­


    - EFE¡­


    An abbreviation she knows well. It''s actually the best-known division of the black market.


    ¡®Everything For Everyone''.


    It makes up most of the markets and sells a lot on the Dark Web, a place she prefers to stay well away from. She doesn''t even want to think about what''s out there¡­ Generally speaking, people who dare to go there will say that, apart from the odd child pornography or illegal sales site, there''s nothing of interest. However, this is sheer naivety: the real part of the Dark Web to be avoided is well hidden, where only those with nothing left to lose or who have lost all sanity can venture. Anyone who goes there for a ''laugh'' will surely be hunted down, attacked, kidnapped... or even killed. Deshya shudders at the thought. The black market is simply an underground market where you can buy things that are illegal or impossible to find elsewhere, but it''s not as ''horrible'' as some people think.


    At least, that''s what they think.


    - ¡­


    Maruno also heard the term EFE ¡ª the division that is the real ''cancer'' of the black market. Markets that also sell slaves, human or animal parts, even illicit and completely illegal drugs. It''s also at the EFE that products that can''t be found on any other market, or that wouldn''t be sold on any other market, that have yet to see the light of day other than in factories or laboratories are purchasable, albeit at prices that not everyone can afford. Even with Deshya''s 10,000 euros, she can only dream of buying such things.


    - ... It''s a good thing he was alone," thinks Maruno.


    He''s obviously talking about the criminal in this case. The fact that he dared to talk so much also surprised her, but Maruno didn''t feel he was lying... He just seemed to want to say what he couldn''t tell anyone else. Maybe he knew that now that he''d been caught by the police, his life was over... Maybe he wasn''t even going to confess to anything about the truth of the bodies.


    - On the other hand... I''d never heard the other terms.


    The ''Sections'', the ''5 Fingers'', the Arm,... It was all new to him ¡ª surely these were terms used only over there or by the biggest connoisseurs. Maruno is very intrigued, but for his own safety, he prefers not to search the Internet any further. The best thing for him to do would be to put all this to one side, abandoning any unnecessary indiscretion. What''s more, since he''s involved in such an affair, there''s a good chance they''ll be under surveillance soon, so Maruno prefers to pretend he knows nothing about anything ¡ª same thought as Deshya.


    And so it''s about two hours later, after taking the train again, that everyone returns home, hoping to rest for the evening and not sleep with nightmares about such a¡­ horrifying spectacle.


    ***************************************************************


    Keyboard keys are tapped rapidly, one after the other. It''s a melody more akin to cacophony, music unbearable to any ears ¡ª yet this is how they work. It''s a small office, and yet a total of twenty people are writing on their computers, doing research or simply doing what they need to do. Tasks are orders, that''s all they have to remember. Sometimes the place is quieter, quieter and even the flies don''t make a sound, but some days the orchestra of employees plays its nonchalant, repetitive melody. Some people would like to make a living working only on a computer, but no one would dare call this one of their dreams. The payments aren''t necessarily attractive, the time some tasks require overtime ¡ª which is rarely paid ¡ª and even with a few windows open, the size of their computer screens, the smell inside the room resembles that of a teenager who smokes and doesn''t take care of himself. Candy scraps, cans and the odd extinguished, half-burnt cigarette lie on the floor. Maybe the only advantage of being here is that they''re mostly free, but that''s also a flaw for those who don''t want to not work in an unpleasant odor. Since each of them has two screens ¡ª which is the limit of luxury for a place like this ¡ª they watch videos, listen to podcasts or even enjoy one series or another. They''ve all got their headphones on, some with earphones not even worth €5, and can''t necessarily hear the noise of other keyboards. Strangely enough, few of them are simply listening to music. One of the men who works here ¡ª there''s not the slightest trace of a woman here ¡ª even watches a film with subtitles in his own language. Indeed, most of the people working in this office don''t even speak French, or rather, the bare minimum required to be hired. Here, a woman passes through the narrow corridor from the front to the back of the office, wearing a secretary''s outfit. Given the lack of female visibility in such a place, the few men lucky enough to get a glimpse of her don''t hesitate to check her out, even though her clothes mean that her curves are not clearly visible. Her black hair doesn''t even reach her shoulders, and the glasses she wears are rectangular: it''s as if she''s doing her utmost to appear as ''clich¨¦'' a secretary as possible. Despite the age creeping over her skin, she''s still quite beautiful, and thanks to her heels, she looks a little taller than she should. However, this is not something she needs: she''s almost 1m80 without such shoes. She finally reaches the end of the corridor, opens the door and takes the elevator, which is off-limits to men working on computers. In this building, the floors below are all the same, with computers on all sides and narrow desks, but she doesn''t want to have any fun visiting them all: because the smell spoils her appetite, the noise shatters her eardrums and the stares make her feel uncomfortable. She can''t even imagine such a¡­ ridiculous life. She climbs the elevator shaft and presses the highest number, ''8''. A few seconds later, she reaches the floor and exits the elevator, looking to her right, where a sign explains that the stairs between floors 5 and 8 are not to be used, given the accident that occurred there.


    A man who committed suicide.


    Even though they''ll be able to go the next day, the majority of people - not to say all but 3 ¡ª take the elevator in any case. This same woman, who is clearly a secretary, hates taking the stairs, especially when she''s wearing heels. She makes her way down the colorless corridor and eventually reaches a new door with blue paint, a shade that matches the place where they work. The woman with the short black hair knocks, waits and just after, a man comes to open it. Unlike those downstairs, he looks good, healthy and even happy. With a smile, he greets her, asks how she''s doing and even offers her a bottle of water. Since she''s just passing through, she thanks him for his kindness and heads to the back of the room, passing all the men and women who work here. This room is much larger, more spacious, and the smell is hardly there at all: it''s even pleasant, with a hint of lavender and another flower she doesn''t recognize. Here, there is a prohibition to smoke or to pollute the room, although this is often unavoidable, which is why cleaning ladies are hired to clean the floor every day ¡ª between 1am and 4am to be precise. Finally arriving at the end of the room, the woman stops in front of a new door, completely blue ¡ª same tone as the one the other is wearing ¡ª and knocks on it again before pronouncing her first name:


    - It''s ''Joanna''.


    Quickly, a voice sounds from inside, authorizing her to enter. So she does, turns the handle and closes the door behind him directly, approaching the desk where the chair has her back to it, with a person inside looking out from the place''s large windows. The secretary, whose first name is Joanna, places a file on the desk, pushes it gently forward and bows politely, even though the person sitting in the chair can''t see her, even in the faint reflection of the windows.


    - Madame.


    In a serious voice; with a straight back; with an admiring but neutral gaze; with a professionalism that exudes experience. The secretary speaks to the woman still seated in her chair, a glass of soft alcohol in her left hand.


    - I''m here to give you a quick report," says Joanna.


    - I''m listening," replies the woman quickly.


    Without further ado, the secretary speaks, starting by correctly placing her rectangular glasses back on her nose.


    - Our employee ''Balthazar Kriken'' was arrested one hour and forty-two minutes ago, in the north of Sl¨¦ron, during his mission to get rid of the man who knew a little too much about our AC-41 location.


    - The laboratory where we harvest organs for transplants and sell them on the market and on the Dark Web?


    - Exactly.


    - Why was he arrested? How come?


    - From what one of our employees reported, he managed to get rid of the target, but the people who were there discovered that he was the criminal and framed him. He''s currently at the Sl¨¦ron police station, and even if we can get him back, I think¡ª


    - No, don''t. We need to be as inconspicuous as possible. Have the police started investigating the corpses?


    - Yes, ma''am. It seems that the people there don''t really know what''s going on and have simply explained what they''ve seen. It''s more or less certain that they didn''t go all the way down to the lowest basement of the laboratory, so they didn''t find the entire corpses. Tonight, we''ll get rid of them, but we can''t collect the corpses on the other floors, otherwise it''ll look too suspicious.


    - Did Balthazar tell them about us?


    - Apparently not. A member of Section 2 is at the police station making sure he doesn''t dare say anything about cooperating with us. We know all about his family in any case, so if he dares reveal anything¡­


    - Good.


    The woman in the chair slowly turns her glass of liquor before taking a small, but hardly any, sip. She enjoys the taste, texture and warmth in her mouth before swallowing.


    - There must be no corpses left in this laboratory below floor -4.


    - Floors -5 and -6 are already planned, but we''ll need more staff for -4," admits Joanna.


    - I don''t care, we can''t risk any more. There''s already a chance that the police will understand all this, so we''ll have to keep a low profile and make excuses if the need arises.


    The woman puts the glass behind her and rises from her chair.


    - I''ll be looking for a new place to extract organs for those who request them. A wealthy woman working in the field of justice has made a special request for a liver from a girl aged between 7 and 8; we only have two weeks ahead of us. The deal has already been struck.


    - We''ll have plenty of time.


    - Of course. Thank you for the report... However.


    The woman gently turns her face back.


    - What had happened there to trap him? Wasn''t he supposed to be alone with that man? I mean, our Balthazar with our dear man who knew far too much.


    Joanna keeps a straight pose and approves.


    - It seems that a couple of videographers were there too, but they didn''t film enough to put anything on the internet ¡ª we''re keeping an eye on them for now, but it''ll only be for a short week. Besides, the police don''t allow it to be published, so we don''t have to worry about that. As for the ''trap'', it seems that... four teenagers were there and caught Balthazar.


    The woman in the long coat squints gently.


    - Teenagers?


    - Four students from Tetazo high school. ''Raiji Harmony'', a boy from a modest family, ''Maruno Uffite'', Aya Deroom''s current boyfriend, ''Tessa Merossa'', nothing special about her, as well as¡­


    Joanna swallowed before pronouncing her identity:


    - ¡®Deshya Oveja'', the fox-eared detective.


    The woman in front of the windows opens her mouth, but no sound comes out. Time passes without a word being spoken, so Joanna decides to continue quickly.


    - It would also appear that this famous ''Tessa Merossa'' took part in Axel Lymenn''s arrest along with Maruno.


    - I know the story. Deshya, Tessa, Maruno... I don''t know about this Raiji, but¡­


    The woman again admires the scenery observable from the clean windows, but nothing is appreciable: a gray city view, where the night lights have not yet been switched on. The sky is getting darker, but the stars don''t show their brilliance ¡ª in any case, pollution will prevent them from observing the beauty of a starry night.


    - ... So I guess it''s because of ''Deshya Oveja'' that our Balthazar has been arrested?


    - We don''t have enough information on this.


    - Did Balthazar say anything about us?


    - Unlikely, since he''s the type who doesn''t talk much.


    - Would she or her friends have understood the link between the corpses and the black market?


    - Impossible to say. We can keep an eye on her, but¡ª


    - Not at all useful.


    The woman refuses directly. She speaks without hurrying, doesn''t make the slightest useless gesture, and only her long white hair with red streaks moves lively.


    - Given her intelligence, it''s likely that she''s understood, but the black market is so poorly documented and unknown to the public that I don''t think there''s any reason for us to worry," admits the long-haired woman. We have no reason to bother her.


    - ... Are you saying this because of the customers who have come to see us?


    - ¡­


    The woman doesn''t answer, but she finally smiles softly, showing her sharp teeth under her blue lipstick mouth.


    - We''re powerful, Joanna, but some people have the upper hand. Even without their demands, I don''t want to monitor a teenage girl. Let her live in peace... for now.


    The woman turns back to Joanna as she walks through her office. Each step is followed by a more oppressive one, one that seems slower; it''s like a melody created by her presence. Her long jacket swings from left to right, a gesture followed by her long hair, which easily reaches her pelvis. She stops in front of her secretary: their heights are almost similar, even if the secretary''s heels give her the impression of being only slightly taller.


    - It would seem that some people are wondering if she isn''t a real girl with fox-like attributes, but that''s just the beginning. Her popularity has only grown and grown since the ''Sleeping Little Beauty'' affair, so it''s possible that at the end of this year or next, we''ll be getting some... peculiar requests.


    - ... Forgive my rudeness, Director, but we have no right to kidnap a teenage girl¡ª


    - Don''t worry, I''m not proposing any such thing. We may be part of the EFE and therefore part of the black market, but we have certain rules in place. However, it is possible that we are being paid heavily to learn the truth about this Deshya. With such people coming to us and asking for such conditions, as well as this girl who doesn''t want to show what''s under her sweater¡­


    - Is it really possible that she''s... semi-human?


    Joanna''s question amuses the woman, who can''t help but smile.


    - That would be science fiction, maybe even fantasy. However, with them around¡­


    The Director turns around and smiles broadly as she admires the outside.


    - We live in a world that is moving faster than we ever thought possible. When I was still little, we thought flying cars would exist today, but even if we don''t have such a thing, we have something even better. Perhaps the conquest of space will be known to our grandchildren, can you imagine that, Joanna?


    - I can''t, Directrice.


    The woman steps forward with her hands behind her back, walks around her desk and carefully watches the city lights come on one by one.


    - We won''t do anything to her, we''ve signed a contract with conditions that prevent us from doing so, and even without that, we have no right to kidnap a teenage girl in this way. Our slaves and ''victims'' are not mere inhabitants, but forgotten lives, after all.


    The Director cracks her fingers, hands hidden behind black gloves with blue logos on the back.


    - However, this girl, Deshya Oveja, often seems to end up in investigations and trouble. If at some point she should die, or the contract is no longer to our advantage¡­


    The woman smiles broadly.


    This woman who is the Director of Section 3 ¡ª


    ¡ª the North Director of the Majeur, one of the 5 Fingers of the black market.


    - Then I''ll be happy to get that girl''s body for us.