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The burnished dark sky, already scathed in silvery-white trail from the previous pummeling of a few shells, broke open as another group of bomblets - now in large numbers, came skidding down. Two or three pieces of whatever that thing is, hits the shore face, far away from where Isshiki and Alice were standing.
It caused the underbrush damp ground underneath them to rumble really violently enough to be thrown off their feets. With a lump forming on his throat, threatening to spill over from the dread of not being able to run with his already badly injured feet, Isshiki helplessly grasped a stray shrub to lean over a tree nearby.
The muggy bark of the large tree was pressed against his back, tingling his nape with the raw chill despite being covered by the cheap raincoat. Isshiki didn’t know if it was the wetness of the tree or that of his sweat buildup from nervousness. Everything around him was getting too translucid now that the fog eased a bit, only increasing his anxiety.
Times like this, he’d wish he was blind. Unaware. The stress from being hyperaware of his surroundings, which he rarely did, was something he couldn’t manage or brush away, especially if it concerned a person’s safety. Despite not being competent, he’d ache to do something, anything , about it if it meant to help the person. Which meant taking a bullet when he attempted to snap Ron from his killing hypnosis when the latter realized how Mylo tried to emotionally lure him back at the Cruise ship case. Or a close shave from getting impaled while jumping to save Alissa when Alice attempted to kill her back at the BLUE academy.
But this case was different. Here, in the middle of a showered thicket with the only known dirt path which led to the clock chairs was demolished from the ‘asteroid hit’. Plus the pile-up of trees snapped off the stumps from the impact made the task of walking over them impossible.
How was he supposed to take this girl to the port to safety just like he promised?
“A cluster bomb. Developed by the Hunting Aircraft to be used by the Royal Air Force. BL755 model equipped with a radar specifically.” Alice finally spoke spiritlessly, her face having a touch of seriousness before succumbing into a mellow tone, almost a somber one. Anyone could guess that she was feeling guilty.
The breeze wafted through her blonde bangs as she looked up at the now night sky over the creak in the rooftop of tree crowns on top of the forested path.
Isshiki let out a short shaky breath, craning his neck up to follow Alice’ gaze to the height.
Pointing at the sky, she continued. “This was used as an explosive anti-tank for the Falklands war before getting removed from the service following the CCM treaty.”
A wry smile escaped her lips as she mused. “Judging from its appearance, my ancestor have been right about the UK's force not being the one to follow a silly treaty and throw away their precious submunition.”
He mutters in confusion. “W-what? A submunition? Like in..” He let out a short gasp as it struck him. “…this place is a weapon testing area?”
He looked up again quickly as if to confirm if what he was seeing right now was actually fucking shells being dropped by some military aircraft carrier. The clusters illuminating the night sky looked beautiful, if not deadly.
Alice only nodded slowly in response, equally as distracted watching the first shell crash far away, exploding.
“Sorry Isshiki-san.” She turned to look at him. He saw her pupils filling with the light from the bright shells crashing down nearby. Even with the ground quaking, she let out her words concise and clear. “I just kind of feel guilty for letting you here.”
One of the shells crashed on the neatly laid mahogany decks right in front of Ron.
He shuttered as he instinctively stepped back from the fuming mess. The burning scent of wood and gunpowder almost immediately tingled into his nose. He didn’t know if it was just an olfactory hallucination due to his inconsiderable consternation or actual scent of burning.
The port was half ruined. Or at least, to the path of ruining.
He looked at the path in front of him. Sharp wooden stakes stuck out while leaving a large hole which exposed the seawater underneath on where the foundation of the dock was built. The small tides which were acting up due to the previously bad weather, did little to extinguish the flames on the destroyed wood.
By pure instinct, Winter lunged to grab his raincoat in a desperate attempt to pull him back from the harm’s way. “Kamonohashi-! Arrgh!?” She drew back as a ratting pain shot up her abdomen which made her bend over, gasping for breath.
Everything fell silent as if Ron’s ears were blocked.
This can’t be possible, right? Didn’t Toto promise he’ll be fine and back? No… goddammit. He didn’t promise he’ll be back but did say he’ll bring Alice to safety.
B-but he did give him that stupid reassuring smile which said ‘Don't worry’. Knowing that idiot, he doesn’t mean that. No, no, no. What’s he doing now!? He’s simply mulling aimlessly while frozen in one place. Yes , he thought. Toto is alive. We have been through a lot and that guy is stubborn as a mule when it comes to somehow surviving any calamity.
That terrible stroke of luck which lets his partner stay alive should last on him for a while. Please let it last.
Ron finally felt the non-existent ice melting off his leg. He looked around. The path beside him suffered less damage. If he did the trick of using the floating planks as a leverage while jumping in water to float back to the shore, while risking all the problems relating the shark infested waters, he might be able to make it to the land. Then he can run across the beached coastline and enter the forestland through an unaffected path and search for Toto.
Surely the damage isn't that bad, right?
Another explosion rumbled inside the forest as if to contradict his statement.
Ron grits his teeth. It’s now or never. He went to the edge, preparing to jump.
“Stop it! What are you doing!? Are you- ARE YOU TRYING TO DIE!?” Winter yelled at him while clutching her wound tightly. “We need to get going! These people need immediate medical attention!”
Her words fell into deaf ears as he jumped down, the water sloshing around him in rings.
Wiping away the saltwater, Ron looked at her. “Winter.” He coughed out some water. He spoke imperatively. “I’m going to go look for them. Wait here. Please.”
Winter looked at Ron’s face at the sentence. He looked… frantic. Like someone who was a footing away from the end of the world; His world. His whole fucking world.
But there was also a stubborn glint of undeniable hope in his eyes. Hope that he can make it to his partner right in time, whether it is possible or not.
Winter clenched her teeth tight from the dilemma. “You- are you even seeing this? There doesn’t seem to be a possibility that they...” The words simply died on her throat.
“I trust my partner. He’ll be fine. I’m definitely sure he is. So is Alice.”
He then swam with difficulty to the shore as the tides ragged the waters.
Delusional or not, he was going back home with Toto. They have been through a lot together and will continue.
The smell of burning wood still lingered though.
Ron has been walking for 30 minutes now.
If swimming across the moderately violent waters didn’t prove to be a difficult task, walking on the soft sand of the beach did.
He has to encircle the whole island from the edge to enter through a safe opening. He completed the quarter of the coastline by far.
The soft sand under his shoes wasn't making it any easier for him to carry his heavy and aching body. The cold only made the pain morbidly worse.
He should have told Winter to get going without him afterall. Perhaps she left without him already.
Maybe he should head back to safety. At least he’ll make it out alive. Perhaps Toto must be already-
He slapped his cheeks rather harshly, just enough stinging to let him snap out of the growing paranoia.
How could he even dare to imagine that? Is his gnawing dread messing with his brain.
He came this far alone to get Toto. Toto must be suffering more than him now.
No matter how unnerved he felt, he needed to make sure Toto was alright. Hell, he’d even carry him to safety if he couldn’t walk properly, which Ron was sure he did as he was limping back then.
The cold was really making him hallucinate as he could almost hear someone calling his name behind him. Some loud voices were muffled by the wind. Wait…
He glanced to his side almost immediately. A roofed boat, likely a currach, buoyant on the sea. One of the inhabitants jumped off the boat immediately as the boat neared the safe distance where the water was shallow.
“RON!”
The voice and the tuft of lavender hair over the man’s head was familiar even from a distance.
Ron's mouth was agape. The usually frivolous BLUE instructor waved his arms strenuously to draw the detective’s attention.
“How did you…?”
Spitz dashed towards Ron, placing his hands on the latter’s either shoulders. “You look fine, I-”. The lavender-haired man’s expression turned serious. He kept his statement short and to the point. “Because of Knight. But let’s talk about that later. You’re looking for someone.”
His eyes were stinging. Must be from saltwater entering the eyes. The paranoia halved just from the appearance of his friend.
“Right. Toto. And Alice. We’re looking for them.” Ron broke free of Spitz’ grasp, turning back to the island with a determined expression.
“The survivors are on the boat at the port, which is at the opposite of this island. The dock is damaged. I need you to go—”
He was cut off by the shriek of a man in a boat who wore a plastic hat, whom Ron immediately deduced is the owner of the boat. The man was snapping at another man on the boat - Kei - in a foreign language. Judging by the man’s expression, he was afraid and was angry, possibly on being brought to a weapons testing island.
Kei hurriedly approached the gunnel of the boat, shouting at Ron frenziedly. “Ron-senpai! He had a tense expression, a real contrast to his normal schooled expression. “Whatever you’re doing, make it quick! This guy is turning back now!”
The island was still dangerous as a few explosions still tore inside the thicklet. The sailor cursed as he reached the motor.
“H-hold on, okay?” Ron whacked his brain to formulate any possible plan, no matter how impulsive driven it may be. “Okay, okay. Drive to the port like I said and transfer everyone there to this boat and head back. I’ll go get Toto and board the boat at the port—”
“Like hell you’re going alone! I’m coming with you, you self-sufficient bastard! How far will that mentality take you, huh!?”
As much as Ron wanted to fire back a response, he couldn’t deny the usefulness of the aid offered by the best tracker who saved his ass back at the Auberge incident. He could help but smile wearily. After this ordeal, he’ll have to thank Spitz wholeheartedly. It felt a bit relieving knowing that someone like him has his back.
“I’m coming too!” Another person jumped down from the boat. Knight almost stumbled on the water before making it to the beached shore. Ron’s momentary surprise gave way to a frown and he was about to say something before Kei barked at the teen, clenching the edges.
His voice had a touch of concern as well as a mix of frustration and tension. “Oh, you aren’t! Get back here, you brat-!”
“Let Spitz-sensei wait at the boat at the port once Kei-san sets off with others.” Dusting his knees, Knight looked straight at Ron’s eyes. His words were short and pitchy. “I’ll accompany you for the search.”
Spitz wanted to say something in response but he looked at Ron. Good. They both were thinking about the same thing.
Knight made an absolutely good point. As much as Ron didn’t want to drag a kid into this mess, especially the one who had been missing for days, he didn’t want to compromise his attempt at rescuing. The time was running out.
Tilting his head to the direction of the thicket, he ran towards it, silently motioning Knight to follow.
The blond followed the detective speedily in response, disappearing into the forest.
Isshiki regained his consciousness slowly as he shot awake from another rumble ripping the ground. The shells were definitely hitting nearby.
Shakily getting up as elbowed the ground, he found himself a bit far away from the path where he swore he thought he was standing a moment ago. Oh. So he was blown away by the impact.
Judging by his body clock, he was certain he was out for at least half an hour. Dread started soaking his weak heart. He was late, huh?
A sharp pain seared across his ankle which caused him to momentarily halt attempting to get up. Lifting his head, he tried looking at his feet with what little strength he had. He groaned. Great. Just great. Not only was his feet unresponsive, his entire right leg felt numb. As if it was detached from his body. Just to make sure that it’s not actually torn off, he looked at it again.
Alice. In the distance Isshiki saw the girl on the floor. Her body looked still with her hair sprawled on the ground. Is she—
“Alice!” Isshiki called out with alarm, helplessly crawling to her with trepidation. Taking her limp arm, he searched for a pulse.
She was alive. At least for now. Probably hit her head and blacked out.
He turned her head, his eyes searchingly scanning her head to check for any head trauma.
Sighing, he looked up at the night sky. It was no longer bright from the clusters of bomblets dashing down. Only the residue remained. That didn’t mean the explosions weren’t raging in full force around them.
The crowns of trees surrounding the path were burning. The fire slowly but surely spread around, causing the weaker shrubs and branches to fall down continuously, risking the possibility of running under them.
This wasn’t how he wanted his life to end. At least, this wasn’t the time he wanted his life to end.
He wasn’t one to make plans. Especially not life goals. He just let his fate take the lead to row him to a normal and safer life. The first time he risked his peaceful trail was when he decided to join the police academy.
Initially not because he has a strong sense of justice. Because it paid well. So he thought. With his grandmother’s aging condition, he had to make sure he provided her with his stable income, just like how she provided for her when his parents… well, left.
Speaking of his grandmother. He wondered what she was doing right now. Probably knitting and watching some corny serials. A smile drew up his lips. If he was back home , he’d go right into her arms and gladly listen to her nagging.
“Ay, ay, what’s with this hideous outfit, Toto? Isn’t the police department paying you well enough to buy better clothes?” The aged lady in a plain kimono patted her grandson’s shoulder as she carped over his taste of clothing. Ever since Isshiki moved to the city, he has been wearing clothes with no prints (according to his grandmother) like how he did when he was a kid.
Isshiki laughed nervously in response, rubbing the back of his neck. “People will make fun of me if I continue wearing that kind of stuff at this age, grandma.” He winced at the memory of the neon green overalls which his grandmother gifted on his eighteenth birthday. That thing had a print of a cactus with some dude’s face (what sort of design is that?). In order to not disappoint her, he wore that thing on a tour with his grandmother, successfully resulting in embarrassing himself 100% in front of all passerbys.
“Yeah, no.” Toto muttered, placing some souvenirs. His grandmother loved knick-knacks. She’d tell how it let her experience the ‘other part of the world’ when she was stuck at home from illness which deteriorated her overall mobility.
She was so excited when he returned from the U.K. from his ‘work trip’. Isshiki cherished this person’s smile when her eyes scanningly ran through the things Isshiki brought for her.
“Are you sure you brought all this for me? Didn’t these cost a lot? Toto, it doesn’t matter if you don't unnecessarily spend on getting me souvenirs.” His grandmother’s eyes turn somber but she smiles. “I- it doesn’t matter. My lifespan isn’t increasing anymore. But I want you to enjoy—”
“I love shopping for these kinds of things you know, grandma?” Isshiki sat beside her on the tatami mat. Holding her hand, he continued “So I’m basically enjoying it.”
He grins as he shows a thumbs up. “So consider it my happiness.”
The older lady scoffs as she scoots closer, ruffling her giggling grandson’s fluffy hair. “Flaunting money, huh? What did I tell you about responsible saving, huh?”
Her hand now started slowly carding through his hair soothingly. She knew he was upset whenever her ‘life expectancy’ was mentioned. She was aware that Isshiki wouldn’t handle her… approaching demise well. As much as she didn’t mind dying, it’d tug to the strings of the heart thinking that she’d be leaving this boy, no, this young man, all alone in this world at one point.
Nor did she want to leave him. No matter how selfish it sounds, she sometimes adds about her own wellbeing too whenever she prays to God for his grandson.
At one point, she thought of searching for a potential spouse for Isshiki. Someone who would keep him company, not someone who’d use him at the expense of just having kids or living with his money. She’d occasionally enquire about his grandson if he had caught the eye of any desirable lady, which of course, earned a flustered and bewildered look from the latter. Sigh. He’s just like his grandfather; a creak without a paddle when it comes to women.
But she stopped when she realized that Isshiki was doing better these days. He told her once in a phone call on how he was working with a man who apparently was a talented private detective. He sounded so happy when he narrated the tales of each case he solved with the guy, the joy that he got being considered useful at last and providing justice.
This boy was no longer someone who deemed himself as useless and unwanted. He was now not that child who cried a lot back then, saying mum and dad didn’t want him. What Isshiki didn’t know back then was that at the other side of the phone, his grandmother wore a glad expression.
Perhaps, after all, he really didn’t need a spouse when he got those awesome friends who loved him and worried for him. That gave the old lady some relief. My dear will be fine.
“ACK!” Breathing heavily, Isshiki grimaced as his second attempt at trying to get up proved to be in vain.
He was screwed.
But he promised Ron, didn’t he?
Getting up finally—while biting back the pain, he carried the unconscious girl on his back. This isn’t a place to die. Isshiki muttered to himself. This isn’t my end. We’re making it—
CRASH
Another explosion, a few meters from him, made him fall back and drop her to the side—to the deep slope which led to a shallow sink hole. Alice, who just now groggily awoke, stared at Isshiki helplessly in shock while trying to comprehend her situation.
Isshiki could no longer catch a glimpse of her due to the thick bushes and darkness of night.
The only thing he could make out in the dark was the starry night sky engulfing the black fumes rising up.
The ‘asteroid shower' wasn't over after all.
“Should we split up?” Knight finally asked after the five minutes of frivolous running alongside the detective, who looked paler by each passing minute.
There is no hope, Ron. Give up. JUST GIVE UP—
His trail of thoughts were interrupted by a hand grabbing his arm. Knight looked at him grimly. They didn’t utter a word to each other the whole time. Just some actions and indications whenever an explosion occurred nearby. “Kamonohashi-san, I’m talking to you.”
“Just... what do you want?” Ron ran his hand through his face as a shaky breath of frustration escaped his lips. “You can go back to the same path we came back to the boat if you’re not feeling up for it.”
Knight stared at him incredulously. Was this person just so deep in the waters that he didn’t even listen to what he just said? “No, no! That’s not what I wanted to say!”
He pointed in the opposite direction, deep into the thicket. “If we go like this, there’s no way we’re finding them.”
“That’s risky. You’re staying with me,’ Ron now frowned. This guy already had the record, actually two records, of getting himself into a mess when he went alone.
That response earned a scoff from the blond. “Kamonohashi-san, weren’t you the one who said you wanted to find Isshiki-san?” Looking up at the sky tensely, as if dreading another explosion, he added. “Please. We might be able to cover this area quicker and locate them sooner.”
Ron clenched his fists. He had a point. They might as well perish with this island if they go like this. No time for safety when two people’ lives are at stake. Besides, Toto went to search for the most notorious criminal. Who knows when Alice will change her mind and harm him. The thought just made Ron shutter. Or worse, he’s unconscious and Alice might have finally just ended herself.
“Fine, but firstly,” He looked at the teen. Knight is oddly obedient, if not more compliant. Besides Ron wasn’t exactly sure what his intentions are now, after everything that happened. “Why are you helping me exactly?”
The question made Knight jittery as he averted his eyes. “I, uh…” Ron raised his eyebrow. He needed to make sure Knight meant no harm. “This may seem too much but I-”
“I just wanted to make up for my totally unwarranted actions.”
The guy looked at Ron with almost pleading eyes. He sounded regretful. “You can really trust me, Kamonohashi-san. Consider this a payment for causing you and Isshiki-san trouble. Especially Isshiki-san.” He chewed on his lower lip as if to lower the gnawing guilt. “This is much I can do.”
Ron had no intention of being mad at Knight. Even if he was a bit angry at the latter throwing away his future carelessly due to this injured pride, he understood where he was coming from. A kid who excelled in everything like he was supposed to due to his lineage. A simple flaw, even a minor sign of weakness, might have made him question his whole competence due to the sense of perfection ingrained into him.
“Go.”
“Yea— Huh ?”
“I trust you to be safe.”
Knight blinked in surprise, staring at the taller man in disbelief. Ron stepped ahead. He glanced back at the teen with a serious expression. “If you don’t find anything even after 10 minutes, return on the same path you came and follow the trail to the port and,” He added. “In case you find them, even any one of them, take them and run to the port. I’ll be fine.”
“Uh… alright. But—” Knight scratching his cheek in hesitation. Should he ask this? Why not ask away? He averts his eyes, not wanting to see the older detective’s expression. I’ll ask, no harm in doing that. “What if I found Alice?”
“Then accompany her back to the port—”
“Do I have to? Why should we— why? ” Knight couldn’t realize his own voice was rising. “She took a lot of lives mercilessly. Isn’t it justified that we just get going after finding Isshiki-san and leave her here?”
“You still have that mentality, huh?”
He grabbed the teen’s hoodie string, pulling him close to his face. That pissed off expression worn by Ron was enough to shut Knight up. “There is a reason why To— my partner went after her to save her. Because he knows that it isn’t the detective's job to deliver a verdict to a criminal. We, as homicide detectives, are tasked to neutralize a crime so that they won’t harm anyone anymore, WE AREN’T THE ONES GIVING PUNISHMENTS TO THOSE WHO DESERVE IT! We…”
The grip loosened. “Our job is to provide relief to those affected by it. Which can only be done by uncovering the truth—deductions. Leave the job of killing or whatever it’s supposed to be to the court.”
It was the truth. No matter how much they deserve it, Ron never wants the culprit dead. This was the sole reason why he gave up being a detective at one point after getting expelled. What’s the use of letting a culprit die? So that they could have a quick escape from paying the price of taking a life? No one who kills someone, especially for selfish gains, deserves to die. They instead should live a long and painful life ahead and be made to regret while in jail. Because the life they took was someone’s precious—someone’s lover, friend, parent, or child. That’s what Ron wants him to understand.
‘If Ron really had killed people during the Blood Field Trip incident, he would've stopped trying to become a detective.’ Isshiki’s voice echoed.
“We would be hypocrites if we killed the culprit. It doesn’t make us any different from the murderer we apprehended. It is also called a form of killing for gain—the same principle any murderer applies.”
Knight was still. He looked at Ron with bewilderment. “I…”
Letting out the breath he didn’t realize had been holding, he let slip a soft mumble. “...you’re right.”
Something tugged to Ron’s heart. There he goes snapping at the latter again. He couldn’t help it. Toto is still nowhere to be seen. He’d done a better job than to explain to this kid.
“Sorry, okay?” He pats Knight’s shoulder, as if dusting away whatever upset he harboured. “Let’s get going, yeah? Watch out for your steps, alright?”
The blond nodded before scurrying off to the opposite side, parting the thick bushes before he was out of sight.
Ron takes a deep breath. Time to scan this side of the forest. Ignoring the fog and his own trembling body, he set out, taking the first step—
CRASH.
He darted his head to the direction where Knight headed to. In the dark, pitch-black smoke arose. That direction!! W-was that —dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, nononono—
“Another… one ?”
Knight escaped whatever the fuck was that by a close shave.
The floor was slanting and slippery from the rain so he slid himself into what seemed like the forest’s sinkhole, which had its ground overlaid. by the wild growth of shrubs and fern.
Rubbing his arm, which probably got scrapped, he got up. Looking up, he saw the tall trees surrounding the place like a stakewall. In the middle of it, the night sky stretched out.
The good news? The sinkhole doesn’t seem to be that deep; he can climb his way up and get over with it. The bad news? Knight really wished he brought a torch from the boat because it was so damn dark here.
The only source of light was the moon—which wasn’t enough to guarantee that he probably won’t trip down and shatter his bones while climbing out.
Frustrated, he kicked aimlessly on the tall grass. A few specks of light emerged. The fireflies slowly floated up, as though mocking him for getting into this mess.
“Hngh…”
His body froze involuntarily at the sob. His eyes darted across the expanse, trying to figure out the source of the voice. Was there someone else here too?
Then he had sight of long blond hair emerging from the tall grass.
“Alice…”
Rubbing her head, she groggily looked around. It seemed like she was unconscious. Her violet eyes slowly met that of Knight’s.
Knight visibly stiffened as if he witnessed a wild animal baring its teeth at him. He felt like throwing up.
Here, before him, stands the person who messed up his life in every way possible. Naturally, he would have just run away—
But Alice' s eyes held no light. She dully looked at him. Opening her mouth to speak, she tried getting up, but to no avail.
“Aagh… ugh… m-m-my leg…”
A deep and nauseatingly long laceration was visible on her left leg. The blood reflected the moonlight, letting Knight get a clear look at it. There is no way she’s able to move an inch.
Her face twisted into a painful grimace as she breathed heavily. “Why a-are you here… oh.. Haha.. right,” She chuckles dryly but with no malice. “I’m the one who gave you the coordinates… yeah right… Didn’t know you had it in you… Harming yourself just to get that?”
In all honesty, Knight wanted to walk away and just let her die. She manipulated him into almost attempting murder! She—she leaked it to the media which caused his father to resign, and put his family in shame! And now that he is thinking about it, she brutally killed his principal, the one who believed in him and his classmates—which included that annoying, terribly annoying Alissa’s closest friend! And he had the gale to side with the one who took his classma— friend! It was only a surprise that Alissa didn’t beat the crap out of him or at least punch his face for what he did. Gosh, he didn’t know he was angry at himself or at Alice now.
‘We would be hypocrites if we killed the culprit. It doesn’t make us any different from the murderer we apprehended.’
He paused panicking as he remembered that. That was what Ron said, right ?
‘It is also called a form of killing for gain—the same principle any murderer applies.’
Letting out a shaky breath, she addressed him.
“Y’know, since I’m already dying, do something to fasten it already—”
“No”
“No?”
Taking heavy steps closer to the girl, he looked down at her. Alice couldn’t make out his expression in the dark so she squinted her eyes to get a closer look at the latter and—he grabbed her arm and yanked her up to her feet.
Sudden pressure on her leg from being made to stand up on the bad leg earned a scream from Alice. “Ugh- AHHHHH! Fuck, that HURTS, HURTS!”
“I know, I know, alright?” He draped her arms over her shoulder from behind as he lowered himself a bit. “Just get on my back.”
“Huh?” She looked at him in bafflement. Why? “...why?”
“Why what?” Knight looked at the blonde from the corner of his eyes with a mask of indifference. “You can’t walk, right? That’s why I’m carrying you. The port is not really far away; the direction of the moon can help us deter—”
“I know that much! I meant… just why are you helping me?”
“Because you have to live long enough to understand empathy and human worth.” He sighs. “Which I admit I also lack. But I now understand that it is not something supposed to be prefixed by someone’s lineage or hell, nor even by parents.”
He kept a steady hold on Alice as she weakly climbed on his back. He grits his teeth in pain but goes on. “I was stupid to realize that the reason I wanted to be a detective wasn’t because I wanted to give people justice, but because I wanted to please my family—my father.”
“And I’m pretty sure you feel the same way as me, right? You thought what you were doing would please a special someone, whether they’re alive or not. But in reality, if that person was here now, they would surely reprimand you for doing this.” He chuckled wearily. “Or at least, I’m certain my father would have reprimanded me. Heh…”
The entire time Alice was silent. He could almost feel her flabbergasted expression even if he couldn’t see her face.
“That's...” Her eyes started stinging familiarly again. What’s up with these detectives saying shit to make me cry, Alice thought. Why, though? Why—
“Baby, remember when Mama said baby has to take revenge for mama?” Sophie cards her child’s sparse blond hair. Through the oxygen mask which went turbid to clear and then back to dense again from each breath, Alice could catch a glimpse of a movement on her weak mother’s mouth—slightly turning up into a small and mellow smile.
“You know, sometimes, just sometimes, Mama wonders…” She looked at the window idly which displayed a quiet and windy morning. “..whether it’s the right thing for me to say all these things to you. After all, it’s my problem, isn’t it?”
The wind chime on the window clinked as a calm gush of the wind entered. “Human qualities of a person aren’t honestly determined by their lineage. Just because their whole bloodline was evil, doesn’t mean the descendant has to adapt to it and become evil by default.”
She looked down at Alice—her cooing baby in her arms and booped her scrunched up nose. “While I do want my revenge, I’d actually prefer if you get away from all these chaos and delusions and live your own life at peace.”
“Be happy in your own safe way, ‘kay?” Sophie grins.
Oh right.
Mama wanted her to live a peaceful life.
“She did say that.” Alice mumbled to herself as she let herself be carried in a piggyback by Knight, who now got out of the forested sinkhole with great difficulty. He sucked in a deep breath, trying his best to ignore the pain on his back as he walked.
This is fine , he thought. We’ll make it out alive.
“For the love of God,” He groaned. “Please don’t even think of squirming as my back, as you know, is messed up thanks to you.”
Alice totally didn’t feel guilty. “Alright.” She totally didn’t. Nope, nope, nu-uh—
Tears started dripping down her face as she made a weak attempt to laugh.
Calm down, Ron , he thought to himself. Judging by the time Knight left, his speed and the location where the bomblet exploded, he deduced that the kid should be fine. He is good.
Avoiding the wet puddles, he continued. There wasn’t enough time. There can be a possibility of another cluster of submunition crashing again.
Toto should be nearby. He has a knack for approaching danger. He just knows it. The Toto he knew would somehow manage to determine a location where he is at. Honestly, that’s how smart Toto is.
He just have to head to the point where the latest explosion and—
“Ron…? RON!”
Immediately he felt like a huge pile lifted from his heart.Turning his body quickly to the source of the sound, he got to see his partner finally, finally .
“Toto? TOTO!?” Ron felt incredulous and extremely relieved. The cold suddenly lessened. “Oh gosh, Toto—!”
Toto emerged from the back of a tree, leaning heavily to it. His raincoat was a bit tattered which revealed his limp. Somehow, his limp looked worse than before.
Gritting his teeth to suppress the pain, Toto called out to the messy haired detective while pointing in the other direction. “R-Ron, Alice is—”
“Knight headed there. He should have found her by now.” With careful footing, Ron made his way to Toto whilst trying to avoid the slippery soft mud and thick shrubs.
Toto let out an audible sigh, dropping his head, “Oh right, Knight— wait, Knight !? How did he—”
A snapping sound of wood caused Toto to look up immediately. Ron was busy watching his footing while trying to get to him.
The upper part of the tall tree was slowly slanting down and immediately tumbled down with a SNAP!
“W-wait—WATCH OUT, RON!”
His partner’s sudden loud intervention only made Ron look up with surprise. The previous explosion caused the top to fall off. “Wha—”
Lunging at him with all his strength, Toto elbowed his partner, just strong enough to push him out of the way.
After hitting his back to another tree, Ron clenched his abdomen, right where he was elbowed. He snapped his eyes open.
The reason why he was pushed away.
His face paled as he mechanically lifted his head, dreading the sight before him.
Toto lied on the ground. His face or head didn’t look injured. Okay, he didn’t at least smash his head by the tree. But the tree fell somewhere else.
In the moonlight, he couldn't make out Toto’s lower body. Nope, he definitely wouldn’t as the whole head of the tree fell on his legs.
Stumbling, Ron got and approached the guy. His hand, which was shaking violently, reached Toto's brown hair, which earned a flinch and then a groan from the other.
“Urgh…”
“Hold on, okay?” He started looking here and there, trying to make sense of the situation. “I’ll pull you out. Try to wriggle your legs to free yourself meanwhile.”
“—Ron.”
“You’ll make it out of here. I promise, okay, okay ?” Toto is fine. He really is.
“God, Ron just—”
“A-and don’t worry! I’m here, aren’t I?” There must be some medical equipment at the boat so when I get you there, I’ll—”
“RON! That’s enough.” Toto clenched his teeth angrily, his vision swimming. His voice then goes soft. “ Please , okay?”
“Please what , Toto?” Ron started sounding hoarse.
I know what he’s thinking but I just don’t want to hear it. I might rip off my ears if I hear it and just pretend I heard nothing. I don’t want to acknowledge the hard truth. I —
Toto lifted his arms slowly, taking Ron’s face in his hands. “I know you mean well but…” His arms started feeling heavy. He tried his best to smile confidently, hopefully, but nothing came. “I-I can’t feel my legs any longer, Ron. They’re—”
Trapped and torn.
Taking a look at the area, even an idiot could figure out that he can’t be pulled out unless the tree is lifted. But Ron couldn’t. He refused to think that way.
You saved my life and were ready to give up your own life for me. Why did you do it again? Why can’t I repay you no matter how much I try, Toto?
Ron blankly looked at Toto’s teary face. “I’m not ready.”
“What are you not ready for? Heh..” He grins with pain. “What are you, a big baby? You’ll be fine.”
“I’m not ready to live without you.”
He clenched his partner’s warm hands tightly. Even after getting his lower body crushed, his partner’s warm hands were a huge contrast to his clammy and cold palm.
“You’ll be fine.” Toto repeated hollowly.
“I will not.” Suddenly Ron looked scared, deep in thought. “That’s right. I can’t lose you, Toto. I’m extremely selfish. I want to stay with you.”
“ No .”
“H-huh?” He looked like a child who had been denied something. Toto gazed at him solemnly. “All this is for you to be a detective so you can do people good. All these cases we’ve been through… all these were your hard work to reach what you wished so desperately!”
Ron shouted. “And right now, my only desperate wish is to stay with you!”
The other looked so terrified that it tugged Toto’s heart. So this is why his grandmother dreads dying? Toto finally understood. He’ll have to give this dumbass some hard love.
“Others are waiting for you at the port, right?”
Ron momentarily stiffened. “That..”
“You’re only putting yourself and others at risk by lamenting over here.”
Run Ron. You have so much to do with your life.
“You’re only delaying the rescue operations.”
You have many cases waiting to be solved.
Ron laughed dryly. “Hah… you bastard,” He got up, letting the tears—oh, he was crying already?—drip down idly. “You’re playing dirty here.”
That earned a scoff and a faint smirk from his partner. “Haven’t I always..” His words slurred as his head fell limp to the side.
Zero movement. Zero pulse.
Ron crouched down, nudging Toto’s cheek. He was so warm that someone might mistake him for a sleeping man.
His partner’s eyes reflected no light. Even a dead fish would reflect more than him. Heh . Isn’t that what Toto first said when they met?
What a cruel irony.
“Should we get going, Knight?” Spitz uneasily glanced at his watch and then at the expanse of sea before him from the boat. He drummed his fingers at the wheel.
“Kamonohashi-san did say he’ll come.” He replied, though hesitant. It has been quite a while, right? Or at least that’s what he thought. Perhaps it was just the anxiety of anticipating another explosion.
The creak of the wood got both of their attention. Placing a hand on the edge, Ron entered finally.
Except that he was alone.
“Sorry for wasting your time. Let’s go.” That tone sounded almost unfamiliar.
Spitz blinked his eyes, gaping before letting out. “Ron, didn’t you find Tototo—”
“I did find him.”
The air suddenly felt heavy on the deck.
There was no verbal explanation needed on what happened as Ron’s silence made it clear.
Starting the motors, the boat headed out with a roar.
It was still dark. The sky looked pretty because of no light pollution. Actually, it looked so pretty, minus the bitter cold. There was no way Ron was going to forget this night.
After all, this was what Toto saw when he drew his last breath.
He'll will be fine though. That's what his partner said.