Dominoe effect Interview

The editor still could not believe what was happening. He was being interviewed alongside other members of the team behind Yowie Hunt on the daytime news. Best of all was that the reception was positive, though it was mostly being directed at Shiruka.

"So Shiruka, tell us about this drama. What possessed you to make it so terrible?" a female news anchor named Riho Amanuma asked.

"Well, I was crunched by the editor to make a television drama in time for the fall season. Naturally, I was pissed and gave him my shittiest work," Shiruka smirked.

"So the context of this show is that you were mad at your boss for overworking you?"

"Yes. You could say I'm Richelieu forcing my editor Roux to experience the shit of Yowie Hunt."

"So Roux was intended to be your editor?"

"Yes, that's why I made him suffer so much. That's also why "Spoilers" I added in that final question in the last episode. My boss answered in a similar way, which is why I'm now at a far more luxurious publishing company instead of his."

"So Mr.Editor, is it true your forcing of Shiruka sensei to overwork is what ultimately led to the creation of Yowie Hunt?" Riho glaringly asked.

"Yes, it was thanks to that hard work that my company ended up producing a profitable masterpiece," the editor smiled.

"The Ministry of Labor will probably wish to have a word with you."

The editor hung is head in defeat as the Riho resumed her interview with Shiruka.

"Do you also have some beef with Mamoru Daigoro-san?"

"Not really, but since our precious editor wanted a show staring him really badly, I decided to have the hot looking guy wear an ugly kangaroo suit for nearly the whole thing."

"That suit was really hot!" Mamoru complained.

"Probably because you were doing so many intense scenes, you ended up sweating more. I'd say this was by far your most intense role to date, but you did an amazing job. I'd say you easily proved you're more than just a guy with good looks. Definitely consider doing some voice acting," Shiruka smiled.

"I guess you're right. Well, I guess it worked out well.  I was worried at first, but hearing you, the snarky writer offer genuine praise, it really means a lot so thanks. And wouldn't you know it, I actually have been starting to get lots of requests to do voice acting, " Mamoru laughed.

"See, told you people would like hearing his voice," Shiruka smirked at the editor.

"Some of the episodes contained lots of references to old movies, video games, and internet videos, care to explain those?" Riho asked.

"Sure. It was basically me browsing the internet and saying, "Hey, I should base an episode around this." I have no ill will towards those being referenced, I just decided to throw more of a homage to them in order to increase the quality of the show."

"Indeed, many praised the references you made."

Niles then suddenly burst onto the set in Dumbee mode.

"G'day Japan! Ready to hunt for some yaoi Yowies?" he smiled at the camera.

"So what made you go with Dumbee?" the anchor asked Shiruka.

"Simple, he's meant to draw you in. Ironically, he's presented as dumb, but actually has some street smarts. Had Roux respected him a little more, perhaps he could have- Oh apologies, I'm heading into spoiler territory again."

Everyone laughed as Niles continued to smile in place.

"Well that's all the time we have. Thanks for coming on the show," Riho smiled.

"And also Grouping of ghosts' second to last volume is available now!" Shiruka smiled.

Niles' smile began to turn into a scowl as the production crew tried to rush him off the set.

"Don't ya wanna interview me? The star of the show?" Niles asked.

"Apologies, but we've got a tight schedule. Besides, we already interviewed the star, Daigoro, and the author, Shiruka," a production team member stated.

Niles enviously glared as Shiruka happily chatted with the female news anchor.  As he walked out into the hall, he came face to face with the owner of the news station.

"So, you are Mr. Thorndyke?" the owner asked.

"You got that right, mate," Niles smirked.

"Very well, as we discussed, my condition for allowing you to come here is to take out a thorn in my side..."

Niles smile grew wider as he heard the details.

"Well aren't you a good investor putting all your stocks on me. I'll be done in a jiffy," Niles smirked.

                                                                           ...

"You're looking for references for a mystery series?" Riho asked.

"Yes, got any good stories?" Shiruka asked.

"Actually I do. But, it'd be better to talk someplace a little more private," Riho said with a serious expression.

                                                                        ...

As Dumbee walked down the hall, he passed by a group of high schoolers touring the station for a school trip.

"G'Day mates! Welcome to the television station. I'm Drop Bear Dumbee. Where do ya wanna go?" Niles smiled.

"Do you have a knife on you?" a girl with long magenta hair asked.

"Yeah, I gotta knife, biggest one they'd let me bring through customs," Niles smiled as he pulled out a realistic looking Australian knife.

The girl skeptically gazed at it, while her classmates gawked in amazement.

"Want an autograph? I gotta make it quick though, so pull out something and I'll sign it," Dumbee smiled.

Many students whipped out something to sign. Most notably, was the girl who asked about the knife. After autographing everything, Niles put his pen away and walked down the hall. Unaware, that he was being followed.

                                                                               ...

Shiruka met with Riho privately in a room.

"Considering you asked to meet me in private, I assume their might be some non-fiction elements to this," Shiruka smiled.

"Well that's a mystery writer for you," the anchor giggled.

"Technically I haven't written anything yet, but I guess some of my other works have some mystery elements so I guess you could say I'm a mystery writer."

"Anyway, if you're asking about interesting cases you could use for your mystery novel, there were a few instances where the higher ups refused to let us report on certain things. At the threat of "Severe legal action + immediate termination", we were dissuaded from reporting on..."

Shiruka's expression grew more concerned the more he heard. Suddenly, they heard the door open.

"Hey! they said I could get an interview here! Wait a moment, this is dark like a cave, maybe there's a Yowie working in here," Niles smiled as he waltzed inside.

He quickly ran up to Shiruka and Riho before they could hide.

"Oh Dumbee, nice to see you. Not sure who told you about the interview. I'm actually just chatting with Amanuma-san about something for my upcoming work," Shiruka stated.

Niles began sniffing the air and walked in between the two.

"Seems like you two were discussing something big. The woman's been sweating like crazy," he smiled.

"Oh, it was nothing, just a little sweat from the tension," Riho nervously laughed.

"Nah, your just scared cause you told him something you shouldn't have," Niles glared as he whipped out his knife and slashed Riho's throat.

He dodged the blood as Shiruka stared in shock. Before Shiruka could react though, Niles plunged the knife into his throat. Shiruka gasped for air, as he fell to the floor.

"Dammit, I can't pull it out..." Shiruka thought as he died.

Niles smiled as he gazed over his handiwork. He then glanced toward the door as the owner of the TV station walked in.

"Well done. You wore gloves and didn't even get a speck of blood on you. That's an expert survival master for you. I'll have your interview on once we go on air again," the owner smiled.

As Niles walked out, he gazed at the door across the hall.

"Don't remember that being open," he muttered as he approached it.

"Ah! Mr. Dumbee, we've been looking for you! You're due for your interview!" a staff member yelled.

"Crikey Mate! I better hurry!" Niles smiled as he ran after the aide.

The magenta-haired girl hiding in the room Niles was staring at, let out a sigh of relief. She exited and stared into the room where the owner was.

"You never should have looked too deeply into Illumous," the owner scoffed as he gazed over the female anchor's body.

"Illumous!?" the magenta-haired girl thought as her eyes went wide. She quickly whipped out her camera and took a picture of the TV station owner before making a break for it.

On February 29th 2000 Nobuto "Shiruka" Shiragiku and Riho Amanuma were killed. The case was eventually painted as Shiruka killing Amanuma before himself for an odd publicity stunt by corrupt agents. The magenta-haired girl who witnessed the murder and had photo evidence, vowed to bring the truth to light. This would be the start of Fuka Kirika's underground journalist career.

As for Shiruka, this isn't the end for him. Resurrecting him as a ghost with perks is easy for me. But I think I'll have him come back 7 years later in 2007. Things will be much more interesting then. Muwahahahahaha.