MYSTERY II: My lady, Kira.

Pearly pristine walls and gold plated flowers. The Japanese style mansion had everything one could desire, a poster of inked ningyo hung on the wall, while two family passed down katana were seated there. The heiress of the Kanzaki family sat in her seat, reading through provided documents on the young shaman boy, a brow raised on her face as she licked her cherry lips with intrigue.

“Saqib, what do you think of this young shaman?”

The brunet curls of his hair tickled his temple, something made his usually soulful eyes go cold when he met with her mischievous eyes. “My lady, Kira. I'm afraid I don't have much of an opinion about him to give you. You already know everything there is to know about him.” His eyes fell to the papers in her hands. Kira tilted her head to the side, a crooked smile and wide eyes that bored into his soul. Saqib did not falter. “Don't be so stiff, Saqib. You are acting all distant with me again. Have I angered you?” Her tone was one that of a playful one, however it didn't budge a hair on Saqib's hair.

With his hands behind his back and his back straightened, Saqib stood confidently. Kira Kanzaki, 33 years old, a kind older sister and a worthy heiress to her family. She was a ruthless woman who jokes around even in the most dire moment, someone who could be much more infuriating than her younger brother, after finding out the things that Kira had been hiding, Saqib couldn't help but show a crack in his facade- the anger that boiled in his veins. However, Kira found it to be most amusing, that was just the kind of woman Kira was.

That's the kind of woman I am in love with.

A spec of emotions slipped through Saqib's eyes, he frowned and clenched his fists tighter. “Yukio Manabe told you that Hiroshi would be there, that he might have a weapon with him but you still let the young master wander off there without any guards. You didn't take any action until I called you.. I fail to understand your motives here, my lady.” Kira threw her head back, laughing hysterically as if Saqib had said the joke of the century. Even though she laughed like a maniac at his very valid concerns, Saqib could see the resemblance. The same mole under their eyes, a small nose and naturally red hair- both Kaito and Kira had these foxlike smiles, mischievous yet adorable.

“You already know the reason, so why bother asking?” Kira’s smile shined in the dark of the room, she leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed over her chest. While today was customary to wear black, Kira had worn a fitted white shirt and black gloves. “I'm not messing around, Kaito could've gotten hurt, Kira.” Saqib gritted his teeth together, flexing his jaw. Kira’s pretentious delight finally faltered and she threw a fountain pen sat before her. The nip of the pen grazed Saqib's cheek before passing him. A trickle of red slid down his cheek.

As if they had exchanged places, Kira glared at Saqib with icy eyes while Saqib's lips finally curved at the corner, amused.

“That's lady Kira to you. Watch the way you speak to me, Saqib. I am the heiress and you are just a servant under me. You are to not question my actions and simply follow them blindly.” Kira made her statement loud and clear, Saqib resisted the urge to poke further. He knew the reason why Kira was sensitive about being called by her title. After all, it was his only weapon against her. “And you forget that I do not follow the heiress, I am the young master’s loyal servant, devoted only to him. I live for him and I will die for him. That was precisely the only reason you didn't lock me away, despite the danger I pose, my lady.”

Kira bit her lower lip, seething fury she had not expected to feel. Taking in a deep breath, she schooled her expression. “Life is not a hat trick. No guard was sent to secure Kaito because I couldn't afford the involvement of the Kanzaki family. The police were involved to send a message to the public, that yes, the Kanzaki family is innocent. Yukio Manabe may have helped us out in finding the whereabouts but I couldn't afford the involvement of the Manabe family any further, I needed the police and public attention to keep them out.” She took a pause between reveal of her intention, reaching out her hand to Saqib, keeping it afloat in air.. “Besides, you were there. I wasn't worried about Kaito.”

What about me?

However those words never reached Kira. Saqib had no place- he had no right to ask such questions. Saqib exhaled an exhausted breath, his gaze finally softening. “I understand, my lady. But please don't leave me in the blind next time. I would be more prepared if you let me know in advance.” Kira’s glare also softened as she nodded.

Knock knock

Saqib stepped to the side as the door opened, the four made their way to towards the heiress. Kaito, a groggy Hikari, a composed Kaname and a cautious Yukio greeted the heiress.

The guillotine they had entered of their own volition would have a hefty price to pay. Kaname's eyes fell on the ink painting on the wall, his nose scrunched up, something had shifted within him, Yukio could tell just by looking at him. The heiress smiled at the group, as delightful as it was, how Yukio found it a match for a place filled with mourners.

“Welcome. I've been waiting for you guys.” Kira welcomed them with an open arm. While the others reached to stand before the heiress, Kaname found himself fixed in front of the ningyo ink poster. “Thank you for taking care of me while I was passed out.” Yukio was crude but he still had basic manners. Kira giggled in awe. “Of course. Anything for my baby cousin.”

There was a pause in the room- a pause in Kaname. He turned his head to watch the group, none was astonished or remotely surprised. He couldn't help but scoff. “I guess I was the only one who didn't know.”

What am I even doing here?

Kaname mumbled to himself but his words reached the ears of the heiress. “Of course you didn't. This is not public information, Hikari only knows because she is a childhood friend of Kaito's.” Kaname simply nodded, admiring the ningyo made out of ink. They chatted, exchanging greetings and pleasantries. Kaname waited, waited and waited- until it was finally his turn. “Why did you make me do the ceremony?” He didn't bite his words, Hikari was slightly surprised at the change in Kaname's demeanor. She had known him to be a soft and kind person after all.

The gramophone played the note of waltz no.2, echoing the violins and lyrics, filling in the silence. Kira did not get offended, she maintained a composed smile. “Because you are the last witness of the Layla case. The only person who didn't blame the yokai for her murder... aside from her son.”

Yukio fell silent, as if the tune of the waltz had consumed his ability to speak. Kaname's frown deepened. “Because it was a murder. It was a human, has always been. However you…” he trailed off, Saqib's fist clenched behind his back, unsure of his lady’s intention. Hikari, confused though she was, she did not like seeing Kaname like this-... She was in no position to take sides, Kira was like a sister to her.

“Me what?” She urged him playfully, curious to see how sharp Kaname was. He side glanced the ningyo painting again. “You are not human.”

There it was , a simple yet straightforward statement, a claim so certain that everyone was left speechless in the room. Not seconds after, Kira’s laugh echoed in the room once again, not in a mocking manner but– “I'm impressed!” Saqib sighed, shaking his head in disapproval as he caressed his temple.

Confused, Kaname raised a curious brown. Kira got of her chair, circled around her desk to stand in front Kaname, she spoke in her most impressed voice.

“Tell me young shaman, do you wish to make deal with the deal?”