Incident 1: Killer Queen (Part 1)

“Who is that?”

“New transfer maybe? I haven’t seen her before?”

“Wow, that face is intense!"

“She looks like a punk rocker or something. Is she actually serious about attending here?”

Tsubaki ignored the whispers as she strode purposefully through the hallway; a girl on a mission. ‘2-A should be right up ahead.’ She lingered outside the classroom door for a moment. ‘Here goes nothing. Sis. Mama.’ She rubbed the heart charm on her necklace for good luck before sliding the door open. “Oh, are you our new student?” A young, doe-eyed teacher smiled at her from the front of the room. Tsubaki nodded as she walked over to the woman. “That would be me!” The milling students eyed Tsubaki with curiosity. “Perfect timing! We’re just about to start. Do you want to introduce yourself?” “Yes, please. I enrolled in a prestigious middle school as a transfer student, so I should at least try to make a good first impression if I want to be successful, right Sensei?” The teacher looked at her approvingly. “What a wonderful attitude! Exactly right, Miss... Moto?” She squinted at the papers on her desk. “Correct. And you would be...?” Tsubaki inquired politely as the students began gravitating towards their seats. “Ah, I’m Tesni-Sensei. I'm your homeroom teacher. It’s nice to meet you.” The educator gave her an angelic smile. “I hope you enjoy your time at our school. Everyone is kind and it’s a great place to learn. I’m sure you’ll settle in just fine.” Tesni turned and walked to the podium. ‘She really means it. She’s young, but she has the personality to be a teacher.’ Tsubaki noted.

“Good morning, kids!” Tesni called enthusiastically. A chorus of prompt replies answered her. “Before we get started, we have something special! A new student will be joining us starting today! She worked hard to get in on scholarship during her second year of middle school, so I expect you all to respect her and be on your best behavior! None of that clique-y stuff that the other classes do, am I clear?” For a moment, their teacher looked much older and more experienced. As soon as the class responded in the affirmative, it passed and she returned to looking like she could be the students’ sister. “Alright! I’ll let you take it from here, okay dear?” She waved Tsubaki over.

Tsubaki centered herself in front of the classroom and folded her hands politely. “Thank you. My name is Tsubaki Moto and I’m a 7th grader like the rest of you. Like Tesni-Sensei said, I worked hard to get here at an uncommon time. I genuinely want to be here because I value my education and my future. I didn’t just try to enter a prestigious Tokyo school on a whim. I put in the work.” She paused. “Maybe it’s a bit too frank, but I believe in being honest and putting all my cards on the table. In any case, I’d like to not be treated like low class trash.” She touched her hand to her collarbone in a firm gesture, glaring out intently at the desks. “I lost my family in an accident a few months ago and it made me seriously rethink my life. Things can change in an instant, so why shouldn’t I go for the things I want while I have a chance? I want to become a teacher one day and I want to attend the exclusive Tokyo Teacher Training University after high school. To do that, I need to set myself on the right track now, so that’s why I’m here.” She dropped the intense act and adopted a relaxed air, smiling gently.

“I know that’s a bit heavy, but I wanted to start off on the right foot and throw down the gauntlet, so to speak. I’m genuinely glad to be here and look forward to being a part of your class.” She did a polite bow and got a rousing chorus of applause. While the students had initially looked shocked when she’d made it clear she wouldn’t tolerate any of their crap, they’d quickly been swayed by how polished and mature her speech was. ‘I was right, sis.’ She thought as Tesni handed her the books she’d need and assigned her a desk.

“Tsu! Why do you have to be so harsh? Would it kill you to be a little less blunt and let people down gently?” ‘Hana was always on me about that. I never understood the point. If I don't want to play with another kid, go on a date with someone, or entertain an adult’s intrusive questions, I shouldn’t have to. If they’re a decent person, my no should be enough without any sugar coating. She was always able to get things done by being charming, but that was never my style.’ She gave a wistful smile at the memory; letting her new classmates believe it was for them and had nothing hiding behind it.

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“Are you sure we can sit with you? You look like you’re deep in that book.” Tsubaki shook her head and gentle set the book on her lap. “It’s fine. I can always read after school, so I should use this time to get to know people.” It was true, but she’d still preferred to eat lunch alone. ‘Image is everything.’ She snarked at herself as the three girls pulled their desks into a circle with hers. ‘It’s weird how natural playing a part like an actor can feel sometimes. Guess even someone like me can learn.’ She looked at the girls; she hadn’t caught their names. ‘Pigtails, glasses, and... she has some short hair! So, tomboy, I guess.’ Not like their names mattered anyway. They were just her classmates, after all; a prop for her current role as the bright, personable transfer student.

“So, d-do you like to read, Tsubaki-San?” Glasses asked timidly. Tsubaki smiled and picked up her chopsticks. “Yes. Kind of a lame hobby, right? Makes me seem like a one-note teacher's pet. But my brain tends to bounce around, and it’s hard to start paying attention again after a period of having nothing to focus on. It helps me stay relaxed and regulated if I read in my down time. Not to mention, I enjoy it.” “In that case, you think you’re gonna join the light reading club?” Pigtails asked, leaning over her desk. “Maybe? I know it’s a requirement to join a club, but I haven’t made it that far.” Tsubaki admitted. “I just got to Tokyo and moved into my student apartment two days.”

Mentally, Tsubaki took note. ‘Light reading club, huh? That sounds like a good choice. For obvious reasons, I can’t pick anything that will take up substantial time since I already have so few hours to dedicate to doing my schoolwork and keeping up my cover.’ And her explanation about reading keeping her mind active and distracted was true, though not in the way she’d explained it. ‘A little extra escapism never hurt.’

“Oh, so do you live in the student dorms on campus, then?” Tomboy inquired. Tsubaki laughed. “Nah, I’m a scholarship student! Do I look like I have that sort of money?” She took a bite of her lunch, demonstrating how little the question bothered her. “With so many students coming to Tokyo to attend school, there’s apartment complexes that cater to them. My place is small and cheap but, all things considered, it’s five stars for a student apartment. With my studies and stuff, it’s not like I’ll be spending a ton of time there, anyway, right?” The four girls chatted as they ate their lunches, and Tsubaki politely answered their nosey questions. Surprisingly, she didn’t mind. The three were a pleasant enough distraction, at least.

“Aren’t you, like, embarrassed, acting like the perfect student when you look like that?” A high pitched voice asked smugly. Tsubaki turned to her right. A girl was sitting with her knees crossed; her smirking mouth propped up by the manicured hand under her chin. “What?” Tsubaki asked. “I don’t get it.” The girl leaned forward and Tsubaki saw that she was wearing flashy, gaudy pink jewelry and make-up that conspicuously clashed with her blue and red school uniform. ‘That fluffy pale-blue cardigan in place of the blazer, the knee socks with lace and those platform dress shoes...everything about her screams spoiled brat. And try hard. Ugh, one of those divas!’ Tsubaki hated girls who put too much effort into making themselves feminine and noticeable. There was nothing wrong with being girly, but at a certain point it became gaudy and cheap with some people.

“I mean your outfit, dear. I know that the school allows some freedom to personalize our uniforms-.” She tugged on one of the red bow clips in her bleached hair. “But aren’t you concerned that yours makes you look, shall we say, like a bit of a delinquent?” Tsubaki felt a twinge of pointless annoyance. Unlike the overdressed poodle in front of her, she was wearing the school's red plaid skirt, white sailor top and red neck bow without any frills. Plain black socks and normal white and red indoor shoes. She hadn’t even bothered with the blue jacket. Tsubaki tilted her head in curosity as she continued eating. “No? Why would I think that? I’m wearing a normal school uniform like everyone else, aren’t I? I know most people wear a jacket, but the principle said it wasn’t mandatory if I had the top and skirt and it’s uncomfortable." 'She’s just trying to get a rise out of you. Why, I have no idea. Someone who looks like a walking billboard has quite the audacity to act like you dress weird.’

“Well, yes, I supposed that’s true.” The blond conceded. “But when added to your overall...aesthetic...” Tsubaki squared her shoulders; she knew where this was going now. Her waist-length red and black hair was natural, but it and its inherently spikey flow looked did look like the style someone in a band would have. Piling on to that, her dark, slanted eyes and hard-set mouth gave her a bad case of resting bitch face. She was typically accused of either looking like a hooligan or a bully. ‘Oh for the love of...I like my hair the way it is, so I shouldn’t have to change it, and I can’t help the face I was born with!’ Tsubaki rolled her eyes. “Ah yes, the aesthetic of my...natural...hair...and....face...” She spoke each word slowly and deliberately, glaring at the other girl. ‘Bring it! Say it to my face, coward!’

Moments passed as Tsubaki waited for the girl to fire back. “Wait, what?” the highly styled eyebrows pushed together. “So, you’re not wearing makeup, then?” The tone of genuine confusion and surprise caught Tsubaki off guard. “And your hair isn’t dyed?” “Nope, my natural color. And style. I’m not into doing much with my hair.” “But your lips! That shade has to be some sort of dark purple lipstick, right?” “Au Natural.” The girl bounced up and slammed her hands down on Tsubaki’s desk. “You’re seriously going to tell me your eyes just sit like that?! No liner, no shadowing, no nothing?!” Tsubaki bent over laughing. Apparently, this gawker’s issue with her was even pettier than she thought.

“Seriously, why are you so concerned about my beauty routine? I’ve never been into make up or that stuff. Not my thing and, anyway, I’m here to study! No time for that crap!” She waved the whole thing off. “Do you want to sit with us?” The blond dragged her desk over next to Tsubaki’s. Immediately, something started buzzing at the back of Tsubaki’s skull. “I can’t believe that you just look like this naturally! Do you have a skin care routine or something, at least? You have to be doing something! What’s your secret?” The girl looked at her intensely. “Nope. Nothing special. But I didn’t catch your name.” “I’m Emiri Todoro, but you can just call me Emi!” The girl flashed a double peace sign.

“Emi, hmm?” As Tsubaki repeated the name, something about it felt odd on her lips

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“A 27-year-old office worker has been identified as the murder victim found this morning. The victim was found deceased by a bus driver when he arrived at the bus stop at six am. Officers report that the victim left her apartment at five-fifty am to catch the bus like she did every morning and was caught on camera walking down the road at five-fifty five, leaving a window of just five minutes for the crime to have occurred in. While the details are too graphic to share publicly, the police have confirmed that mutilation marks on the body match that of the others, marking the fifteenth victim in the last two months in what is now being dubbed the beauty queen killer case.”

“Creepy,” Tsubaki mused at the tv as she stirred her cup noodles. "Hell of a time for there to be a serial killer on the loose." Her cellphone vibrated on the table. Eating with one hand, Tsubaki attempted to text using her non-dominated hand.

Yasu: Hi Tsu-Chan! How was it?

Tsubaki: Good I guess. People are normal. Classes are boring. My homeroom teacher is nice I guess.

Yasu: lol blunt as always, I see 😊

Tsubaki rolled her eyes.

Tsubaki: You know I don’t give a crap about the school It’s convenient, that’s all

Yasu: I miss you. I really want to come see you.

Tsubaki: Don’t even! You have school and the restaurant and your grandparents need you. I’m fine Yas-Chan. Really. I don’t need you worrying about me.

Yasu: ...Fine 🙁jerk!

Yasu: So, how's THAT going?

Tsubaki leaned back and studied the special news report flashing on the tv as she messily shoveled noodles into her mouth.

Tsubaki: I think I might have found 2 leads to work