|The case files of Araki Shoya

-a month ago

The room was bright, it's only light source being the two main floursecent bulbs that radiated every colour on the rainbow. It hung from the wall, on each corner of this spacious room. It served as a soothing distraction. One the poor man desperately needed. The towering figure rolled up his sleeves, unfastening his watch and placing his chair in front of hers.

She hung her coat on the suspendible chair and smiled innocently, even as the man, as hostile as his body gesture was, didn't shift his gaze even for a moment.

It was as though he was in the midst of a national level threat.

"It's been a whole year, you still look as dilligent as ever."

"Cut the crap, Fujisaki!!!"

"There's no reason to be hostile. I don't think any sane person would willingly respond to a summon from the Superintendent General of Tokyo just to mess around. Apparently, I'm a suspect?" she crossed her leg, visibly irritated.

"By now, I shouldn't expect any better from you."

"You're the one that brings me here even though I always tell you I would rather talk to the cutie. Take some responsibility."

"You should take some responsibility!! Do you understand that these cases are essentially a stain on this prefecture's record. How many times have I told you. You're much too reckless."

"I think my hands are clean. What are we really doing here? If it’s an interrogation, I won’t speak without my lawyer. If not, then I want to end this friendly chat and meet some new recruits. Being an instructor isn't easy, I'll tell you that."

"Training people to be a national embarrassment sure must be tough."

"That's rude. You know, for all the nonsense we have to take from government lapdogs like you, we still do an awful lot for everyone, especially those in your prefecture, sir. It's precisely due to that slap in the face that I prefer talking to your secretary. The last time, I bet you were pulling your grey hair out..."

"The last time I had you here we had six people dead!!” he slammed his hands on his thighs, his wrinkles a thousand times more visible with every word he spoke.

“The feeling's mutual. I much prefer dealing with your secretary. She is human.”

"Get to the point, small fry."

He paused. His reflection seemed further away from him as words escaped him.

"You see, Mr General, if you think we beat an impossible case the last time then you wouldn't like what I'm about to say. First and foremost, what did the autopsy say?"

*sigh*

"Sure you need to know? you sound confident." he effectively calmed himself, his focus back to its previous sharpness.

"I'm always confident. Enlighten me. What did the autopsy say?"

"It came out inconclusive."

"Hah, you mean clean."

"I'll push for another one."

"Isn't that abuse of power?"

"Not in this case.The results are off. I suspect foul play."

"....of course you do. that's why I'm here. To tell you your claims are false."

"The surveillance footage says otherwise."

"Oh?? Which surveillance footage did you get your grubby hands on?"

"We have a series of videos tracing from his office to the main bridge."

"I must say, I'm extremely disappointed. Coming here was a waste of time. I need my bike now."

"Why do you insist on burdening the rest of us. Not only my district but all over the country. You have political immunity, that much is true. But still...whose side are you truly on?"

"Oh?? No pressure from me and you're already losing conviction. To answer you, I'm on the side of truth. I'm leaving. "

"Before you make false conclusions, I will advise you to examine the footage."

"I can do that?"

"Rare exception."

"Too bad. I don't need to. You can peruse it as much as you want though. It’s as worthless as a promise from a serial cheater."

"You might be big, but you don’t understand how many people you trample on for the sake of ambition. You're in for a rude awakening. We know for sure one of your people is involved. They always are. The next time, you will need a lawyer."

2 weeks ago

Meeting rooms were a permanent routine at this point. And each and every single time, she had a few good things to say. Perhaps it was out of habit or perhaps that was really all she had to focus on.

Another unofficial interrogation was underway but given the one behind this summon, she had her guard lowered.

"Lovely meeting you here, Ichika. Or should I say Miss Inspector General."

"I should be saying that. Bar that other incident, we barely get the chance to talk, Miss Fujisaki." her radiant smile often clashed with her words. She was young and brimming with ambition. A rare gem in the forces. Not only due to her capabilities but her ability to handle the head of the FISF with ease.

"Surely that means I've been good."

"Unfortunately it doesn't. I was posted outside tokyo for quite a bit of time. A few things to sort here and there. All I can say is compared to here, it's been really peaceful."

"Bet you're right."

"Anyway, from now on, I've been assigned to stick around tokyo a lot more. Pretty sure it’s because of a purple haired trouble maker."

"You forgot to add pretty.”

“Careful there.”

“It's your bald headed boss that's the main cause."

"So we're saying the same thing. Good. Contrary to what Mr Arai says, I believe you're quite a reasonable woman...As long as the other person is on the same wavelength." she nodded her head while observing the sheets of paper spread across the table.

"Well, this is all we have against you on this case."

"Finally given up?"

"If there's anything you know about me, I don't fight losing battles. It's a waste of everyone's time." she stuck her hands up in a gesture of surrender.

"Told him."

"He's gotten this far due to his doggedness but sometimes...he can be a sore loser.”

She sighed sharply “Sheesh, even I'm hungry to one up you one of these days but not like this. Ambitious but maybe a bit too ambitious."

"He really came fully prepared to go to court too. Isn't that cute? Well, the autopsy was a bust. He was simply relying on key witnesses and his precious video footage to push this through."

"I want to give him his flowers for being thorough with what he was given.. but...."

"I told him the claims were nonsense."

"Well not necessarily, it's just that you need to count the odds of escaping said crime. You're an expert at that."

"You're government officials but most times it feels like you're fighting the system you created rather than me."

"The new system? maybe. It's a nightmare."

"Says the person that was involved in emotionally manipulating the victim's family. If you actually cared about the victim, you would know that this is all rather pointless and bothersome for his family."

"All he did was go through the facts with the parents of the deceased. If they wished to pursue legal action or not, we wouldn't push. Besides, didn't you get through to them already?"

"Not before but after your boss sunk his teeth in, thinking he had a strong case."

“I see.”

“The victim’s family never pursued legal action.Quite the opposite really. They were quite eager to drop the case. The land owner and relative of the apparition also maintained the same stance. The one you all are willfully oblivious to.”

“Geez, you don’t need to rub it in my face.”

"Say, do you honestly believe that there was an apparition that Araki was involved with?"

"On one hand, if I didn't believe, I wouldn't be working here. But then on other, no proof of that can be seen."

"There is. You saw the belongings in the house."

"No proof."

"Testimonies from colleagues. Why would he say and I quote..'My girlfriend's waiting for me at home.'"

"No proof."

“His own family claiming he was already married? Her name was also well known.”

“No proof.”

"That's why you can never beat me. You're too rigid and refuse to bend to the rules."

 "They're constantly changing. Requiring autopsy for paranormal cases might be illegal in the near future for all I know. These things don't matter for the most part. The outcome is what we're all after."

"You really shouldn't be saying that. Well, I wonder whether he was too ashamed to face me afterwards?"

"Another case down south that required a joint task force. Apparently, he's in charge of the team."

"I see. What a busy guy." she chuckled.

"We're not done yet. Knowing the type of person you're dealing with. Why choose to provoke him even further?"

"Oh yeah. I did call him small fry."

*Sighhhhhh*

"Haha… big fish small pond. Isn't that what it is?"

"I'll lose half my life-span if I stay here in the middle of whatever you two have going on."

 "It's nothing really. Would you say it keeps the mind sharper?"

"No, I wouldn't."

"I find it funny that most times it's people with the lack of power that always want to make the important changes."

"It's a bit cute, but then I'll also call it delusional. Especially when everyone at the top is not bothered about anything."

"Let's forget about all that. The main reason I actually came here wasn't just to taunt or catch up."

"I'm all ears."

"From what I understand, you're on course for another promotion. The deputy commissioner of Japan if I’m not mistaken."

"I wish. So you know this much. Yet you still called Mr Arai my boss. Well, I guess it depends."

"How's it going? Isn't it stressful dealing with every prefecture's headache. In terms of probability, you're most likely to be affected by politics. Your career trajectory is certainly not normal."

"Well, you're not exactly wrong. I mean, the higher I climb, the more my determination wanes. However, I believe I'm simply lucky to have this position."

"I personally think the Paranormal Counterstrike Force has a star in their ranks."

 "Enough with the flattery. you want me to join you, yeah? Why on earth would I do that."

 "The freedom to change the world the way you see it."

"Huh?"

"The FISF is not a one man show. I am...was the head but even then again, I think of it as a family business in a way. No matter how desperate I may be, I never forget to let the others shine in the best way they know how to."

She snapped her fingers while pointing directly to her.

"You are not suited to taking orders. You're more suited to making the orders instead. You can sidestep all the headaches of playing second fiddle to the already established pillars of the government and approach them as an equal and perhaps a rival."

"Haha, you talk big. One of the things I like about you."

"I know what you want, that's all. Truth is, you love peace but at the same time wish to change the current system. I would simply help you with that."

"Why would you help change a system you already benefit from?”

“That’s a good question actually. This current system doesn’t do much for me..”

“You mean enough.”

“Perhaps you’re right. It would be really handy if we had a more proactive role. If you join my side, I’ll open your eyes…or rather..I’ll show you the world the way I see it.”

“I would consider your offer."

"Brilliant. Normally I'll say take your time but not at the moment. We're in dire need of your services as the Chief of public relations. Don't keep me waiting, Ichika Ori."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be in touch. I'll discuss this with my husband."

"You're married?"

"Yup. Three years and happily married."

"Well what can I say. Do what you must. Just let me know your answer."