Chaos (2)

Chaos (2)

~~~~

Nothing is going according to plan…

Yuuki-san and Technician-san either don't know or just won't tell me…

How saddening… My friends are so cruel…

…

I stare at the side door leading back into the gym.

How many people have I killed thus far?

I wonder why, but sometimes I have a feeling that someone is watching me.

I look up into the sky.

They say that the sky's your limit. But humans have gone further and into space so I guess that quote isn't very accurate.

There's this ever growing nagging feeling at the back of my mind telling me to stop. I used to have an answer as to 'stop what?' but now it just sits there like a parasite feeding and growing.

For a small moment I thought I saw a small speck of light.

Rub. Rub.

Haa… I must be going crazy with the lack of sleep I'm getting…

*

*

*

"Catalyst's location has been found!?"

"Yes Nomura-san. An anonymous tip has just come in."

"Is there any way to verify this information?"

"We could ask for governmental satellite usage; however, the process could take weeks… So unless there is another way I'm afraid not…"

Shit!

At this point this might be our last saving grace. A hail mary.

"Alright, gather all of our elites and send them to the location provided!"

"Nomura-san!?"

"I'll take full responsibility! Send them over ASAP!"

"Y-Yes!!"

God damn it…

I promised Yuuki-kun that I would find him.

I need to get out of this hospital for now.

I grabbed my belongings and tried to get out.

"Nomura-san!? You need to stay in bed. Your injuries need to heal, please stay in bed."

"I can't. Something has just come up, please let me go. I need to go."

"...I see… You may leave then but please come back for a full recovery."

"I will, thank you."

I rushed to my car and turned on the ignition.

An elementary school?

*

*

*

I don't get it.

Why am I here? I was taken by Catalyst… more specifically a person named Sora.

Another lateral thinking game was carried out.

The theme being where we were heading. The location.

How much more did she know? What was the relationship between Kazami Tazuru and my sister?

However, all those questions could wait. My top priority should be to escape or at least find some form of protection.

I can't trust a murderer with my own safety.

Once the game had ended I saw just how big of an operation Catalyst had made.

There were about a dozen soldiers moving about.

"Who is this little girl…?"

"Hmm? Although your 'form' is different, the air around you doesn't change, huh?"

"This little girl is Technician. A… partner of sorts."

"What!?"

An accomplice!? How have I never heard about her though?

"...They called me here with money. Besides that I came to 'meet' with you."

"I see…"

What's going on?

"I think this is a good enough time to explain our plan now. Is that alright Kazami Tazuru-sama?"

"Yes."

"We will hide in this gym for a week then we'll head for Italy."

Across the world!?

"I… Italy?"

"Isn't that nice Otohito-kun? It seems you'll travel overseas~"

"Thanks to the fact that the management of this school is one of our own, we asked him to start the winter break early. After flying to Italy we will relocate to a base in Florence."

"Is that all? Surely that is not all you have to say correct?"

"You're right Kazami Tazuru-sama, the main topic starts here."

"We have already rescued Figuremaker and both of the Displayer brothers but we will find the other copycats and ask them to leave with us to Italy."

"So you're gathering all of the copycats. Wonderful."

"For now please have some rest."

If Kazami Tazuru escapes abroad… and all the copycats go alongside her… what kind of hell would the world come to?

"I suppose now is an ok time."

"?"

"An ok time for what?"

"I need to give a few words of gratitude to Catalyst."

I watched as she walked up to the podium.

"...When I finished killing eighty-nine people"

"I thought that I had done everything that I needed to do."

"And that there was no point in living any longer."

"But before I turned myself in, I was approached with a plan."

"The plan for a jailbreak made by you, Catalyst."

"?"

"I was very excited, that became my new purpose in life."

What is this?

"Only one thing was necessary."

What is this feeling?

"An unshakeable will."

Something… something is wrong…

"Justice to one person is evil to another."

"This speech… It has no substance." It was the ramblings of a madman.

"A speech doesn't need substance. If it appeals to the people's emotion then it's successful."

"Just based on their reactions, her speech is quite effective."

What does Technician-san mean by that?

I looked around me. Everywhere I saw tears of joy scattered onto the floor making it wet.

"Maybe that's her goal."

"Goal?"

"Yes… goal. Stopping Catalysts movement."

"You should turn around, they're coming."'

*

*

*

I had long seen the movements of the police. I didn't care because of the fact that today or perhaps soon enough I would have my answers.

How creative. But who had alerted the police? It couldn't have been 'Kazami-san' or Yuuki-kun.

Then… Technician?

But for what reason?

…

I'll figure it out later. For now I should watch what happens.

I had left the gym for quite a while now. I had binoculars that one of the members of Catalyst had given me along with some snacks. I had been on a tree quite some distance away from the school itself.

Some events played out.

The police breached the gym with Nomura-san being injured.

Yuuki-kun received something from Technician-san and 'she' left.

Eventually 'Kazami-san' was going to sacrifice herself to free Yuuki-kun from the leader's hands.

In the end this stitched up group of lunatic cultists eventually all died because of the police's efforts.

That's all I guess.

How fun?

As I was about to put another chip into my mouth I stopped.

Maybe deep inside I knew that this was all wrong. But I kept going. I went and did many things that are considered 'evil' with common moral standards.

As I kept having deep thoughts the police eventually left. I headed down from my tree and started walking to the nearest train station.

Crunch!

Hmm…

"Kyah!!!"

"Get off of me!!!"

This is rare… this hasn't happened to me in a while…

In an alley I saw a man harassing or I guess attempted sexual assault towards a woman. No wait… Is that a highschooler?

The highschooler saw me.

"Please help me!!"

"Huh? Who are you supposed to be? Her boyfriend?"

"Hmm… Why should I answer that?"

I saw him getting angry. Is he drunk?

"Hey punk. I'm just going to say this but you better leave now."

"I don't want to though?"

"Ha… hahaha!! These young punks these days… No ounce of respect for their elders whatsoever."

"Come here…"

Is this guy dumb? Monologuing? I guess being drunk really does make you seem crazy.

"I don't want to?"

"I said… Come here you brat!!!"

Too loud…

The highschooler was just standing still… She was still trapped by this old man.

"Alright…"

"Good…"

"Oi… kneel down and take some hits for me will you?"

This is human? I mean at this point what even is the difference between an animal and a human?

Well… I'll get my answer soon enough.

I took out my pocket knife that I carry around.

"Kneel!!!"

I rushed at him. These types of people are either too cocky or too arrogant. Isn't that the same thing?

"W-Wa!!"

I stabbed him in the neck. By the time he realized that he was dying he couldn't even do anything.

"Ha… haha…"

Thump.

He died.

That's how easy it was for humans to die. It was always fascinating just how humans were so fragile.

"Ah right. You were here as well aren't you."

"Kyah!!! I-I won't tell anyone… P-Please let me go…"

"Hmm… Tell me your name and address."

"E-Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Tell me or the other option is to die."

"M-My name is A-Amano Hana. I live at XXX street."

"Ok. By the way I have quite the connections if you report me to the police just know that your life will turn into hell."

I've done my good deed of the day.

I turned back and left. I dropped my chips on the floor when rushing towards that middle aged man so I picked them back up and headed for the train station once again.

I eventually reached my apartment and slept through the night.

*

*

*

Several days had passed since my kidnapping incident. In the end I never found out why I was kidnapped and I didn't want to know either.

Asagao-san had called me out. We had a long chat about a plan. The plan we made will prove my theory.

I don't get it…

I'm missing something…

I know that I'm missing something but what?

I had already opened the photograph that Technician-san gave me. It was a photo of my sister and Kazami Tazuru openly showing affection.

That explained everything. From the disappearance of my sister to everything up till now. It all starts to make sense.

Before this meeting with Asagao-san I asked him about files of Kazami Tazuru and at first he seemed uncomfortable that someone not in a governmental position was asking for such sensitive information but he eventually gave me the limit to what he could give me.

Now I have a deduction. I will confirm it with Kazami-san.

"Hello Yuuki-kun~ Nice to meet you again. This new prison cell is quite nice wouldn't you agree~?"

"I'm not here for games. I only have one question."

"Hmm~? Go ahead, I'm in a good mood today."

"How did Technician-san help you?"

"..."

"Are you not going to answer?"

"...He did a lot of things. He was someone who could do many things… Most notably was the fact that he could do anything to the human body. He was a specialist… so to say."

"...Does that answer your question?"

"...I think that's enough."

"Now then. Today I'm not here for a Copycat crime. Rather I have a deduction to make."

"Will you listen to this deduction by Kazami Tazuru?"

"Hmm~. Go right ahead."

This will most likely be the final time.

"You are not Kazami Tazuru."

"What makes you say that?"

"First off, Kazami Tazuru has no citizenship, no residency, no insurance, nor a license."

"You were an unknown killer before turning yourself in."

"That's right. Using information only I would know that is, details of past cases, as proof. I was finally recognized as Kazami Tazuru."

"That's my point."

"To put it another way, that's the ONLY way to prove that you are Kazami Tazuru."

"Hmm~"

"But what about my face? Didn't Catalyst recognize me as Kazami Tazuru through my appearance?"

"You said it right before we started this. This is most likely the work of Technician the specialist of the human body. I remember you said that Technician's 'form' had changed, that is enough proof to confirm my words."

"The idea that the specialist of the human body changing your appearance to Kazami Tazuru's is not impossible."

"Half a year ago Asagao-san suddenly took me to prison in order to speak with Kazami Tazuru. In exchange, you made a deal that I could get information about copycat killers."

"Therein lies the greatest point of uncertainty and ne of the few clues that could reveal the full story."

"Why did Kazami Tazuru choose me?"

"We only have one thing in common. Yuuki Koto, my older sister."

"It seems that Kazami Tazuru liked nee-san's dimples."

"That's right, we were very close. Maybe that's why I chose Koto's younger brother to be my speaking partner?"

"That's what I thought at first too, but that's wrong."

"Yuuki Koto is alive. That was the first piece of information I heard from you."

"Then why isn't she beside Kazami Tazuru, an important person to her?"

"Technician-san gave me something that allowed me to learn more about my sister."

I took out the sheet of paper that confirmed my theory and unfolded it. I then pressed it towards her. A picture that showed both my sister and Kazami Tazuru sitting on a bench and hugging each other intimately.

"I have a question for you. Did Kazami Tazuru love Koto nee-san?"

"...I loved her… From the bottom of my heart."

"Hah… Isn't there something you're still not telling me?"

My hands were pressed on the glass wall that separated the two of us.

"Please… tell me…"

"...Are you my older sister? Are you Yuuki Koto?"

I could see a slight hinge of reminiscence before fading away in her eyes.

"A sister who disappeared for ten years suddenly wants to see her younger brother? Not only that, but to pretend that she's a mass murderer? Does that kind of love even exist between siblings?"

Asagao-san's role starts from here.

"A foolish question."

His hand was on my shoulder.

"To find his sister Otohito-kun went as far as to speak with a mass murderer. I definitely agree that she might think of her younger brother much the same way."

"I could tell… I could tell where you were trying to lead me now…"

"You were trying to stop me from being a copycat. That's why you lead me on a path opposite from Kazami Tazuru, right?"

I started reaching into my right pocket bringing out a small flip knife.

"That's why, right now."

"I'll become a murderer."

I swiftly stabbed Asagao-san right in the stomach.

The unpleasant smell started to leak out from the wound and his mouth.

"OTOHITO-KUN!!!" I heard Kazami-san from behind me banging on the glass wall.

"...O-Oto-hito-kun this wasn't the plan…!"

"I'm sorry to get to the truth I had to fool you too."

I twisted the knife to inflict even more pain.

"Ah… GAH!!!"

"STOP IT!!"

"OTOHITO-KUN!!"

"When I was a hostage I learned something. You listen to threats…"

She had said that she would commit suicide if the leader of Catalyst didn't let go of me.

"I can become your blackmail material…" I took out my knife.

"ANSWER M1!! ARE YOU MY SISTER!?

I stabbed Asagao-san again in the stomach. More blood started spilling from his mouth more than ever before.

"URK!!"

"STOP IT!! OTOHITO-KUN!!"

"I AM TAZURU!! NOT YUUKI KOTO!! YOUR ACTIONS RIGHT NOW ARE POINTLESS!!"

"It's alright. I won't let my innocent sister stand on death row alone."

My hand now covered in blood reached out to the desperate Kazami-san… no my sister.

"I'll be joining you soon…"

"...I won't leave you alone, nee-san…"

I could feel my pupils dilate as I tried to reach for her.

"Asagao-san… Goodbye."

I raised the knife with both of my hands and right as I was about to pierce Asagao-san's neck.

"Yes, you're right!! It's just as you say!!"

There was only about a mere centimeter from my knife meeting Asagao-san's neck.

"...Asagao-san, we're good now."

"...I didn't think it would actually go so well."

Asagao-san opened his suit and took out the blood bags that were leaking from a small pouch that contained blood bags.

"Don't tell me, everything up to now was…"

"When you were about to stab my neck I really got nervous for a moment."

"I made sure to stop in time."

"...Even so you've become frighteningly unreadable now."

"But we got her."

We did.

"...Yes"

"There's no way of talking yourself out of this one."

This time.

Just this once.

It's my win.

"Yeah… spot on." Her entire personality that she's shown thus far has crumbled down.

"I'm Yuuki Koto, not Kazami Tazuru."

I'm sorry nee-san for making you look so tired but this was for your own good.

.

.

.

"There was only one regret I had left as Yuuki Koto."

"Even for a little bit, I wanted to see my little brother."

"I wanted to talk to him, guide him down the path towards a healthy life."

I could see the amount of stress this was causing Asagao-san.

"...In other words you are Yuuki Koto. We've been talking to a fake Kazami Tazuru this whole time… and the real Kazami Tazuru is still somewhere out there, is that right?"

"Even I don't know where she is since she hasn't contacted me at all this entire time…"

"I'll catch her."

"I will catch Kazami Tazuru and save you."

"Kazami Tazuru is an important person to you. But in the same way, you're just as important to me, nee-san. Mom, dad, Fumi, even now, everyone is waiting for you."

"The one who should be getting the death penalty isn't you. It's Kazami Tazuru."

Our last opponent will be…

The root of it all!!

The real Kazami Tazuru!

"That's right. And I'll be supporting you as well."

"Asagao-san…"

"The correct person should be given the correct punishment. Without this principle, the law couldn't exist. And if the law fails, the country goes with it."

"To catch the real thing, we need the person who's been talking with the 'Kazami Tazuru' in front of us, your help is needed."

Asagao-san continued while raising his clenched fist.

"You're not some random, helpless person, we'll catch Kazami Tazuru."

I bumped it with my own.

"...Right!"