Shin2 Dan: Chapter 44: Unmask (Conclusion)
“Shida-san! Shida-san!”
Kamiki’s anxious voice behind her, calling out to her, but Shida didn’t care about anything anymore She run with all her might, as if afraid of Kamiki catching up, or was it because she’s afraid that her past will catch up. But not noticing the crack on the ground, she tripped and fell. She stays like that, with tears streaming down on her face.
“Shida-san!” Kamiki finally catches up to her and worriedly trying to help her stand up.
“Leave me alone!” Shida pushed his hands away, refusing his help.
“Shida-san, I’m sure that’s not what Ryo really mean.” Kamiki fell onto his knee beside her.
“No, Yamachan hates me! He hates me!” Shida cries.
“He doesn’t hate you.” Kamiki tries to calm the girl down.
“No, he hates me! It’s my fault.”
Kamiki didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what he can say to calm her down. All he could do is pats her head gently. His actions must have been effective as her wailing gradually slowed down to a rhythm sobs.
Shida looks up at him, then slowly and quietly, “Kamiki-kun, you are the only one I can turn to. Even though I’d been with him for all my life, I don’t understand him at all.”
“That’s not true.”
“No, I know inside my heart.” Shida said through her sobs, “Even though you only came for a few months, you know more of what he is thinking than me. He never tells me anything anymore. At times, I feel so helpless. It’s like I’m not a part of his life anymore.”
“Shida-san...” Kamiki begins but then thought about Shin 2 dan, about all the cases that they have been through, his voice trailed off.
“He changed ever since that day when Yuto-kun disappeared. Even though the change was really subtle, I gradually noticed. And before I knew it, he had shut himself away from me.”
“Everyone has their own secrets.” After the casual words have been uttered, Kamiki suddenly thought of Fukuda. Her cool and indifferent character in front of everyone, her stern expression whenever he said something wrong, her bright smile whenever they have their after mission party, her hurt eyes when she talked about Tsutsumi-san, and her tearful expression that day.
“Everything happened because of me. Everything was my fault.” Tears begin flowing out of Shida’s big eyes once again. She grabs Kamiki’s shoulder and pulls him closer in an embrace.
Surprised at her actions, the boy could only utters, “Shida-san...”
“Let me borrow your shoulder for a bit.” With these words, the girl begins to break into quiet sobs. Kamiki slowly encloses his arms around her and gently caress her back.
The midnight moon shone on them as they stay like that for a while. Unbeknown to them, not so far away, four eyes are watching their every move.
“What an interesting predicament.” The girl smiles weakly and turns to the boy with interest, “Don’t you think so? Ryo?”
Yamada stares at them silently, his face wears a blank expression, but his eyes are saying otherwise. Without another thought, he quietly turns and leaves.
“Why don’t you just be true to yourself?” Fukuda sighs and shakes her head. Turning back at the couple, she adds quietly before following the boy, “I’m happy for you Ryu.”
...
After that... Well after that, the police was called to the scene. With Nukuzumi and the three kidnappers, now tied up, left at the scene of the crime, they decided to confess everything. There were some police questionings but perhaps due to the shock she’s received from Yamada, Shida decided to not press charge. As for Fukuda, well, she was the first one to declare that she need to leave the vicinity the minute she hears the wailing of the police siren, quickly explain to everyone that her guardians would worry, especially Kei.
With Shida still clinging on his arm, Kamiki decided to take her home; meanwhile Yamada pulled Fukuda along with him despite her protests.
“You can’t do that!” Yamada said while Fukuda yelled at him that she want to go home.
“And why not?”
“We told your guardians that you’re sleeping over at Kamiki’s house.” Yamada explained with a sullen face.
“What? Then where can I sleep? At the headquarter?”
“If you like.” Yamada shrugs, but suddenly remember something, “But we still have an unfinished party at Kamiki’s apartment.”
“You’re thinking of partying now?” Fukuda gives him an eye, “And the host isn’t even home, what are we going to do there? Sit and stare at each other?”
“Of course not! Another person is still waiting.” Then he added, “For us.”
“Is it Satomi-chan?” Fukuda asked suspiciously.
“Yes, it’s her!” Yamada lied and pulled her along.
When they are in front of the door to Kamiki’s apartment, Yamada rings the door bell while Fukuda looks at him suspiciously. Minutes later, the door flung open, and stood in the door way was a man, Tsutsumi Shinichi. He turns to Yamada, then Fukuda as she stares in shock. Then he wraps his big arms around her tightly.
“Mayuko!” Tsutsumi exclaimed, “You’re alright, I’m so glad. I’m so glad.”
“Let me go!” Fukuda said as she tries to wiggles her way out, but it was no use, his arms refused to let go. She turns to Yamada for help, but the boy just sighs and then a sad smile.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” The man said, “It’s all my fault! I’m sorry.” And then he continues to chant those same words again and again.
“What? Let me go? I don’t know you! Pervert!” But no matter what ever word she throws at him, the man desists her struggle. It was until she noticed her shoulder is wet that she finally stops resisting. He is crying. Her heart softens.
He pulled her apart, and then gently wipes her face with his big fingers, and this time, Fukuda realizes that she too was crying along with him.
“I’m sorry Mayuko.” Tsutsumi said, “It was all my fault. If I haven’t left you then...”
“It IS your fault!” Fukuda yelled.
“Yes, it’s all my fault.”
“If you didn’t left us then I won’t be all alone for so long.” Fukuda wailed, “If you didn’t left then... then Mama wouldn’t have to die.”
Hearing this, the man pulls her close again as she sobs onto his shirt. He gently strokes her head affectionately. His heart is heavy at the news of his most beloved’s death. He didn’t know. He really didn’t know until this moment.
“If you didn’t left us then... then...” Fukuda hiccups, but the man shushes her.
“It’s alright now.” Tsutsumi cooed, “I’m here. It’s my fault. Blame me all you want. Curse me for an eternity. It is my fault.”
Fukuda didn’t say anything else, except the sound of her crying, mixed with the sound of him crying. Yamada watches them awkwardly, then turns away.
After both of them stop crying as their tears are no more, the man pulls her apart.
“You’ve grown since I last saw you.” He said as he wipes her face with the sleeves of his shirt, “Well, I haven’t seen you since you’re 4, or was it 5?”
“Five.”
“Oh yes, that’s right.” Tsutsumi smiles, “I know you can’t forgive me, but is it alright if I can see you again?”
Fukuda looks at him intently, “I’ll never forgive you for what you did.”
“Oh.” Tsutsumi has on a sad expression.
Fukuda’s gaze turns downward, “But, I guess, it’s ok once in a while.” Perhaps it was because the long day have wears her out physically and emotionally, or perhaps she really did forgive him, but she realized that she didn’t really hate him as much as she thought. At least, he’s not the most hated person in her life.
“Really?” Tsutsumi exclaimed happily, while Fukuda shyly nodded. He gives her a big hug. Pulling apart, he grins, “I’m so glad! We need to catch up on a lot of things.” He pulls her inside the small apartment, but Fukuda shakes her head. Tsutsumi gives her a questioning eye, wondering if she still angry.
“Not today.” Fukuda simply said.
“Why not?”
“I need to go back to school.”
“What? What for?” Yamada asked. His presence was almost forgotten from the heartwarming reunion.
Turning to him, Fukuda said with a reassuring smile as she was reminded of her promise, “I have some unfinished business to take care of.”
----------------
Author's Notes: I can't tell you how glad I am that this arc is under 10 chapters. TT v TT;; Ok, I cheated, but who cares. It is under 10 chapters and that made me so happy. The ending is lame... but it's under 10 chapters. ^^;;
I hope you've enjoyed this arc, and I hope it will answers some of the questions from the beginning to the series. The next arc will be the last and I have to wrap everything up. So be sure to ask questions if there are still things you're not clear about, since in my mind, almost everything made sense, but it might not for readers. D: (fail on my part)
Next arc is the ending arc. (*w*) See you in a few months. XDD;;
Kamiki’s anxious voice behind her, calling out to her, but Shida didn’t care about anything anymore She run with all her might, as if afraid of Kamiki catching up, or was it because she’s afraid that her past will catch up. But not noticing the crack on the ground, she tripped and fell. She stays like that, with tears streaming down on her face.
“Shida-san!” Kamiki finally catches up to her and worriedly trying to help her stand up.
“Leave me alone!” Shida pushed his hands away, refusing his help.
“Shida-san, I’m sure that’s not what Ryo really mean.” Kamiki fell onto his knee beside her.
“No, Yamachan hates me! He hates me!” Shida cries.
“He doesn’t hate you.” Kamiki tries to calm the girl down.
“No, he hates me! It’s my fault.”
Kamiki didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what he can say to calm her down. All he could do is pats her head gently. His actions must have been effective as her wailing gradually slowed down to a rhythm sobs.
Shida looks up at him, then slowly and quietly, “Kamiki-kun, you are the only one I can turn to. Even though I’d been with him for all my life, I don’t understand him at all.”
“That’s not true.”
“No, I know inside my heart.” Shida said through her sobs, “Even though you only came for a few months, you know more of what he is thinking than me. He never tells me anything anymore. At times, I feel so helpless. It’s like I’m not a part of his life anymore.”
“Shida-san...” Kamiki begins but then thought about Shin 2 dan, about all the cases that they have been through, his voice trailed off.
“He changed ever since that day when Yuto-kun disappeared. Even though the change was really subtle, I gradually noticed. And before I knew it, he had shut himself away from me.”
“Everyone has their own secrets.” After the casual words have been uttered, Kamiki suddenly thought of Fukuda. Her cool and indifferent character in front of everyone, her stern expression whenever he said something wrong, her bright smile whenever they have their after mission party, her hurt eyes when she talked about Tsutsumi-san, and her tearful expression that day.
“Everything happened because of me. Everything was my fault.” Tears begin flowing out of Shida’s big eyes once again. She grabs Kamiki’s shoulder and pulls him closer in an embrace.
Surprised at her actions, the boy could only utters, “Shida-san...”
“Let me borrow your shoulder for a bit.” With these words, the girl begins to break into quiet sobs. Kamiki slowly encloses his arms around her and gently caress her back.
The midnight moon shone on them as they stay like that for a while. Unbeknown to them, not so far away, four eyes are watching their every move.
“What an interesting predicament.” The girl smiles weakly and turns to the boy with interest, “Don’t you think so? Ryo?”
Yamada stares at them silently, his face wears a blank expression, but his eyes are saying otherwise. Without another thought, he quietly turns and leaves.
“Why don’t you just be true to yourself?” Fukuda sighs and shakes her head. Turning back at the couple, she adds quietly before following the boy, “I’m happy for you Ryu.”
...
After that... Well after that, the police was called to the scene. With Nukuzumi and the three kidnappers, now tied up, left at the scene of the crime, they decided to confess everything. There were some police questionings but perhaps due to the shock she’s received from Yamada, Shida decided to not press charge. As for Fukuda, well, she was the first one to declare that she need to leave the vicinity the minute she hears the wailing of the police siren, quickly explain to everyone that her guardians would worry, especially Kei.
With Shida still clinging on his arm, Kamiki decided to take her home; meanwhile Yamada pulled Fukuda along with him despite her protests.
“You can’t do that!” Yamada said while Fukuda yelled at him that she want to go home.
“And why not?”
“We told your guardians that you’re sleeping over at Kamiki’s house.” Yamada explained with a sullen face.
“What? Then where can I sleep? At the headquarter?”
“If you like.” Yamada shrugs, but suddenly remember something, “But we still have an unfinished party at Kamiki’s apartment.”
“You’re thinking of partying now?” Fukuda gives him an eye, “And the host isn’t even home, what are we going to do there? Sit and stare at each other?”
“Of course not! Another person is still waiting.” Then he added, “For us.”
“Is it Satomi-chan?” Fukuda asked suspiciously.
“Yes, it’s her!” Yamada lied and pulled her along.
When they are in front of the door to Kamiki’s apartment, Yamada rings the door bell while Fukuda looks at him suspiciously. Minutes later, the door flung open, and stood in the door way was a man, Tsutsumi Shinichi. He turns to Yamada, then Fukuda as she stares in shock. Then he wraps his big arms around her tightly.
“Mayuko!” Tsutsumi exclaimed, “You’re alright, I’m so glad. I’m so glad.”
“Let me go!” Fukuda said as she tries to wiggles her way out, but it was no use, his arms refused to let go. She turns to Yamada for help, but the boy just sighs and then a sad smile.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” The man said, “It’s all my fault! I’m sorry.” And then he continues to chant those same words again and again.
“What? Let me go? I don’t know you! Pervert!” But no matter what ever word she throws at him, the man desists her struggle. It was until she noticed her shoulder is wet that she finally stops resisting. He is crying. Her heart softens.
He pulled her apart, and then gently wipes her face with his big fingers, and this time, Fukuda realizes that she too was crying along with him.
“I’m sorry Mayuko.” Tsutsumi said, “It was all my fault. If I haven’t left you then...”
“It IS your fault!” Fukuda yelled.
“Yes, it’s all my fault.”
“If you didn’t left us then I won’t be all alone for so long.” Fukuda wailed, “If you didn’t left then... then Mama wouldn’t have to die.”
Hearing this, the man pulls her close again as she sobs onto his shirt. He gently strokes her head affectionately. His heart is heavy at the news of his most beloved’s death. He didn’t know. He really didn’t know until this moment.
“If you didn’t left us then... then...” Fukuda hiccups, but the man shushes her.
“It’s alright now.” Tsutsumi cooed, “I’m here. It’s my fault. Blame me all you want. Curse me for an eternity. It is my fault.”
Fukuda didn’t say anything else, except the sound of her crying, mixed with the sound of him crying. Yamada watches them awkwardly, then turns away.
After both of them stop crying as their tears are no more, the man pulls her apart.
“You’ve grown since I last saw you.” He said as he wipes her face with the sleeves of his shirt, “Well, I haven’t seen you since you’re 4, or was it 5?”
“Five.”
“Oh yes, that’s right.” Tsutsumi smiles, “I know you can’t forgive me, but is it alright if I can see you again?”
Fukuda looks at him intently, “I’ll never forgive you for what you did.”
“Oh.” Tsutsumi has on a sad expression.
Fukuda’s gaze turns downward, “But, I guess, it’s ok once in a while.” Perhaps it was because the long day have wears her out physically and emotionally, or perhaps she really did forgive him, but she realized that she didn’t really hate him as much as she thought. At least, he’s not the most hated person in her life.
“Really?” Tsutsumi exclaimed happily, while Fukuda shyly nodded. He gives her a big hug. Pulling apart, he grins, “I’m so glad! We need to catch up on a lot of things.” He pulls her inside the small apartment, but Fukuda shakes her head. Tsutsumi gives her a questioning eye, wondering if she still angry.
“Not today.” Fukuda simply said.
“Why not?”
“I need to go back to school.”
“What? What for?” Yamada asked. His presence was almost forgotten from the heartwarming reunion.
Turning to him, Fukuda said with a reassuring smile as she was reminded of her promise, “I have some unfinished business to take care of.”
----------------
Author's Notes: I can't tell you how glad I am that this arc is under 10 chapters. TT v TT;; Ok, I cheated, but who cares. It is under 10 chapters and that made me so happy. The ending is lame... but it's under 10 chapters. ^^;;
I hope you've enjoyed this arc, and I hope it will answers some of the questions from the beginning to the series. The next arc will be the last and I have to wrap everything up. So be sure to ask questions if there are still things you're not clear about, since in my mind, almost everything made sense, but it might not for readers. D: (fail on my part)
Next arc is the ending arc. (*w*) See you in a few months. XDD;;