Chapter 22: Outcome

(At the school cafeteria, the four of them that is Kaaru, Hiro, Eito and Yuuto were all seated, having their lunch. Eito was seen reading as he wasn't eating his food that was in front of him while the rest were)

YUUTO: Eito don't you do something rather than reading? You get distracted with books so easily.

EITO: I find it unique (without looking at him but staring at the book as he flips a page)

YUUTO: Whatever, all these philosophers can't just keep their eyes away from it.

(Eito couldn't take it anymore on Yuuto who was distracting him as he shuts the door and said)

EITO: Well I guess you don't know the reason. If you want to read a book, you must understand an idea that the book says and if you have the knowledge then you can be able to understand.

YUUTO: Sometimes seeing people reading books is kind of annoying.

(Eito was surprised in hearing what Yuuto said while his right eyes were narrowed and his right eyebrow was shaking in irritation)

EITO: Is that what you think.

KAARU: Is okay, Eito. Yuuto don't know what he is saying...

EITO: (Didn't listen to Kaaru and said this to Yuuto) If you want to know the important of our generation today, it is in a book. The study of animals, humans and plants are all written in a science book.

YUUTO: Reading a book really aches me at times.

EITO: That is why you don't focus on it. Have knowledge, get attention to one particular book rather than going to another page.

YUUTO: Well Kaaru sees it interesting. Do you find book interesting?

KAARU: Yeah of course.

HIRO: I find it the same but sometimes complicated.

YUUTO: Looks like you all are on Eito's side.

KAARU: So what do you do if you don't read?

YUUTO: I do nothing. Having a drink, going around with my phone and call someone if I'm bored, that's it.

(Then Kaaru's phone started to ring as he brings his phone out)

YUUTO: See just like I said.

(Kaaru sees that the person is Tan, who is calling. So he stays a distance away from his friends and he picks it up)

KAARU: Hello (He said while changing his voice to a deep one)

TAN: XO, we got big problem and I may need your help for this.

KAARU: What's it?

TAN: A supermarket was attacked few hours ago. Meet me at Takayi lane.

KAARU: On it. (He ended the call and went back to them. He sat down to eat while having a thought) I don't want to leave now. School will be closed in the next few hours, hope I'll make it after that. (Then he continues to eat)

(Three hours later, Kaaru went to the see the incident while police were investigating it. Kaaru who wore his XO mask saw Tan with a lady.)

KAARU: Mr. Tan.

TAN: You came late.

KAARU: I know. I had some stuffs to do that's why. So what really happened?

LADY: We don't know but eye witnesses said that the market was attacked by group of criminals. Police are trying their best to investigate their hideout but haven't find anything. But luckily, the people inside were able to find their way out. No record of deaths and injured persons.

TAN: I know that's why we have to track who these people are before they try something like this to the other stores. Good thing, there's always a good news.

KAARU: Um... Tan. Who is she?

YU: Detective Yu Masayoshi, one of Tan's subordinates.

KAARU: Subordinates. So Tan is higher than her. Wait did there's more. (He said while having it as a thought) Oh it's nice meeting you.

YU: Thank you.

KAARU: No eye witnesses here?

YU: (She looked round and saw a man sitting outside while touching his head as he felt a bit scared) I think we have one. (They saw him while turning to him)

(A minutes later, after hearing the story from the man...)

TAN: Wait I don't understand, you killed one of the criminal with a gun. Where did you get the gun?

MAN: It was from him. He mistaken fell his gun without knowing, so I took it.

YU: And for that he tried to attack him and you shot him.

MAN: That's all I can do to defend myself.

TAN: You may follow us to SDIA for some questions. Even though what you did was self defense. We still need you to custody.

MAN: Such I don't have issues with that. Can I call my wife first to tell her what had happened here?

YU: Yeah sure.

TAN: But wait, where's the dead body?

(To Kaaru, he wasn't with Tan and Yu. So he was seen looking at the dead body which was inside the long bag. He opened it and to his surprised, he sees the symbol of a tree which was painted blue and remember the symbol of those two assassins that tried to attack him after Yuuto save him. Hope you can remember it in chapter two?)

(He quickly zipped it back and went inside the supermarket to find anything suspicious. The inside were messed up as items were seen scattered on the floor. He noticed that some of the goods were few while he thought whether they also stole some of them. He continues to go every corner of the place as he suddenly saw a blue shinning object, something like a diamond. He picks it and looks at it closely and surprisedly, he looks up and saw some people trapped an icebreg. He was shocked as he melt down the ice gradually using the heat of his palm and he did it as people were coughing, they were three men who were seen on security outfits)

KAARU: Are you guys alright?

1ST MAN: Yes.

KAARU: Can you tell me what really happened?

2ND MAN: I can't say but after those men ran away carrying boxes with them, a someone on a mask saw us as he froze us.

KAARU: I see. Come on, we are taking you guys home.

3RD MAN: Thank you.

Kaaru heads back to when Tan and Yu were with the three men)

TAN: Hey take this man to the HQ. We need him to custody (He said while grabbing the man and gave him to a policeman, who was close to his police car)

POLICEMAN: Okay sir. (He said while standing attention)

TAN: Make sure he doesn't spend more than a minutes. Understand! (He ordered to make sure the policeman will hear him)

POLICEMAN: Yes sir. (He said as he puts the man inside the car)

TAN: I will be back with him shortly.

POLICEMAN: Oh...okay sir. (He said as he drove off)

TAN: Hey XO, where have you been? And who are this people? (He aid while seeing him)

KAARU: Detective Tan, see if you know this. (Throws the diamond to him and he caught it without seeing it)

TAN: Huh, what's this? (Looks at it)

KAARU: Something I found inside. It must be an ice. And for this men, an ice manipulator froze them and they were trapped in an icebreg.

TAN: What! Okay I'll do that and why are you giving it to me. I don't know what's it.

KAARU: You are a detective and I'm just...a hero. You can have time to figure it out.

TAN: Okay, I will see what I can do. Maybe I can show it to the chief.

KAARU: Better. I want you to take this men to their homes.

TAN: Okay.

YU: XO, we may organized a meeting with the chief for this ongoing investigation.

KAARU: Okay, I'll meet you guys there later. (As he flies in the air)

[At the Kagawa's residence]

(Kaaru was seen eating as he puts on the television while the news was shown)

NEWSCASTER: "Just about three hours ago, group of criminals invaded Taki supermarket as they stole some valuables goods like food items. The Special Detectives and Investigators Agency are trying their best in tackling those criminals and also doing their best on this ongoing investigation..."

KAARU: Doing their best? They can't be so quick in working on that investigation.

JUNRI: To you, working with the SDIA is not good?

KAARU: I don't know if I like it or not but I rather join. (She started to laugh as he looked at her surprisedly) Huh what's so funny?

JUNRI: You don't even know if you will like to join, you are just after your salary.

KAARU: Yeah I guess that's reason (he then made a smile)

JUNRI: I will be going out today, Kaaru.

KAARU: Where? (And he had a thought) Oh no, I guess I'm late.

(One hour later, members of the SDIA were having a conference meeting. Kaaru who was on mask to hide his identity was seen seated while having a thought on what he saw in the incident; the criminal)

KAARU: (Thought) I don't understand. What that an Aok? I don't get it, why will they steal items in a supermarket. That's doesn't make sense. Whatever the SDIA are going to do, I don't want them to be in danger because of this. I have to think of something...

USHIKI: So do any of you know what's this? (He said while showing them the diamond)

(No one answered him while they also don't know)

KAARU: Geez, this is surprising. (While having this as a thought)

YU: Things are getting weird since the manipulators are getting worst. Who knows what will happen in the future.

USHIKI: I just want to know how the investigation will be like?

SUZUKI: Don't worry chief, I and XO will investigate it not less than a month.

KAARU: What! Not less than a month (He said as he looked at her) What it's her. I saw her last after I fought the gunmen leader while saving the little girl. (While having it as a thought)

USHIKI: Now I know what to do.

KAARU: Huh.

USHIKI: It's time for start our duties to bring public safety to the city. Suzuki and XO will work on the records of all the suspected criminals. Tan and Yu will be on investigation. Kaori and Seizo let me see if you two can analysis where this thing is gotten from (He said while giving them the diamond)

KAORI: We will see about it, chief.

USHIKI: Omura.

OMURA: Sir.

USHIKI: You can join Koji if you two find anything suspicious.

OMURA: But chief I was supposed to work with Suzuki since we have been partners for a long time.

USHIKI: But Suzuki wants to work with XO. Is it that right, Suzuki?

SUZUKI: Yes chief.

USHIKI: What about you, XO?

KAARU: Well it's fine to me, even though if I'm working alone.

SUZUKI: Working alone. Is that how you are? (She said while Omura looked at XO with an annoying look)

(After the discussion of their ongoing investigation, the meeting was held to close as they all dismissed. Kaaru saw Tan stepping out of the conference room with Yu and he saw them as he left. Later, he walks round the building)

KAARU: (Thought) This is my first time staying long here. I hope Junri isn't back from her friend's place. She told me she will stay there for four hours. So I can spend my time here.

(He had a message on his phone from Tan saying "Suzuki will like to see you" so he replied back "I'll be there")

KAARU: Oh shit, I forgot to ask where her office is. (As he realized it. So he decided to meet the receptionist) Excuse me do you know where Suzuki office is. (He said and Omura was shocked to hear that from him, who was seated on a chair drinking a juice from the straw)

LADY: Is down the lobby, then go by your right.

KAARU: Thank you (He said as he left and Omura followed him at his back till he reached at Suzuki's door of her office and...)

OMURA: Hey.

KAARU: Oh hey, you must be Omura. Detective Tan told me everything about you. (He said while bringing his hand for an handshake)

OMURA: (Looked at his hand while while refusing to shake him) Yeah it's nice meeting you. So Suzuki called you, right?

KAARU: Yeah, actually we are working. Remember the chief assigned everyone. But I kind of hooked up on that name...what's the name of your partner you are working again?

OMURA: Koji (He said with a bored tone)

KAARU: Yes, Koji. I remember I used to have a school friend back in my days that used to bear that name...

OMURA: It's enough. I don't want you to tell me stories.

KAARU: It's okay. Maybe I'm wasting your time. So why are you here?

OMURA: Mhmm (He said while not knowing what to say. He wanted to warn him not to follow her since he is her partner, so he decided to...) I just wanted to say hi to you, that's all.

KAARU: Oh really (while he was surprised)

OMURA: Maybe later, I will talk to you. I better start my duties.

KAARU: Okay, See ya.

(Omura didn't say anything while he left with an irritated look. Then Kaaru opened the door and sees Suzuki standing while drinking a coffee as she looked at the window. She was seen on black suit that is, white sleeve, black tie and black skinny trouser)

KAARU: Um... Suzuki.

SUZUKI: (Turned back and saw him) Oh XO. Glad you came and what took you so long?

KAARU: Omura stopped by to say hi.

SUZUKI: Omura. (While she was confused)

KAARU: Yes.

SUZUKI: Okay that aside. Do take a sit. (She dropped her coffee on the table as she took a seat)

KAARU: (He sat down and said) You have a big office.

SUZUKI: Thank you but the office is not specially for me.

KAARU: And who owns it? (He said while confused)

SUZUKI: Team Tan.

KAARU: Huh (while he was confused)

SUZUKI: The chief divided the detectives in this organization into six unit and Team Tan is one of them making us four in numbers: me, Yu Masayoshi and Omura.

KAARU: I see. You all are Tan's subordinates.

SUZUKI: Yeah.

KAARU: So... do you have any plan about this case?

SUZUKI: There's no criminal record about who they are.

KAARU: You don't need to know, they are the Aoks. (He said while having it as a thought)

SUZUKI: But I bet Kaori and Seizo can handle it.

KAARU: You mean those guys who are making research on that diamond?

SUZUKI: Yeah. You really remember their names. Maybe time to time, you will know all everybody faces.

KAARU: (Chuckles) Yeah.

SUZUKI: Well--

(Before Suzuki could finished what she was saying, Seizo came in while he opened the door)

SUZUKI: Can't you knock you! (She said irritated)

SEIZO: I apologize for this, but there is something I'll like to show you.

(Det. Seizo is a tall man, has shaved grey hair and was seen on black suit, has a brown eyes)

SUZUKI: Why can't you tell the chief?

SEIZO: It's actually from XO.

KAARU: Okay (He said as he got up from his chair)

SUZUKI: Let me come with you too

SEIZO: The name's Seizo. It's nice meeting you.

KAARU: Thanks. So where are we going?

SEIZO: It's something about the diamond. It was really surprising.

(So they went in a lab while they opened the door and sees Kaori sitting on a chair and a man on a lab coat looking through the microscope)

SUZUKI: Doctor Muto (She surprisedly said)

MUTO: Oh hey Suzuki. How are you doing?

(Doctor Muto is a doctor who works at the SDIA. The man was seen a bit old with wrinkles round his face and his hands. He has grey hair which was spiky and also grey mustache)

SUZUKI: You call him to help you out. (She said while looking at Seizo)

SEIZO: It wasn't me. It was Kaori's idea.

KAORI: So what, we all should be cracking our heads?

SUZUKI: This isn't necessary.

KAORI: I went up to doctor who wasn't doing anything to help me out with some analysis, so he did. Unlike Seizo who insisted in selling it.

SEIZO: Man, you shouldn't have tell them. (He said while he turned to them, making a comical defeated face while staring at them)

KAORI: Hey you said you wanted to make big money out of it.

SUZUKI: Don't worry I wouldn't tell the chief. So doctor, what do you got?

MUTO: Well it appears that the ice the person possess is likely to be really strong.

KAARU: Ice? I don't understand.

MUTO: Let me tell you this. Manipulators all have stages of strength that is shown in percentage from 10 to 100. Currently every manipulators is now set on 50%. In other words, if he activates his powers to the fullest, he can be in 70% to 80%. So the ice manipulator is in 60%.

KAORI: Well that's weird. We all thought it was a diamond.

SUZUKI: But I don't understand. Since it's an ice, why didn't it melt till now. We have been with it for more than six hours.

MUTO: Let me explain. Water as we see is the most common substance when it is freezed it turn to ice 0°C. Why the ice didn't melt because it is in strong state with the help of his mania, making it stronger that even an hammer can't break it.

SEIZO: Let me try that (He said as he drops the ice on the ground and started to march it to see if it breaks but it didn't) What da... (He said surprisedly)

MUTO: Be careful if you don't want to break your bones.

SEIZO: What? Bones (he said astonished as he stopped)

KAARU: So doctor, is that why he is in sixty percent stronger?

MUTO: Yes.

KAARU: Well leave it to me. You know me, I can stop him.

MUTO: Well if you know your stage of strength.

KAARU: Oh...that's true. But anyway, let me do this alone. (He said while using his thumb to point at his chest, smiling under his mask)

To be continued...