It has been a few days after the fire incident. The police still has no ideas about the Arson. I got out of the hospital yesterday December 11 2027. My body was completely stable and I was able to do the things like work and such. Riko was of course happy about my recovery and was jumping and clapping from thrill. But I don't have the knowledge about Yuri's whereabouts
Riko just won her 31th case today. I still can't believe that a remarkable woman have fallen for a Doctor like me, she is also wearing her tailored black blazer and black high heels, she was stunning. We ate at a certain restaurant celebrating my recovery and her case.
"Is it tasty?" asked she
"Yeah it is. You're still remarkable when it comes to courtrooms" said I
"Come on. Don't be like that, I'm still human and I will never matched the intellect of The Queen of Prosecutors herself. She is my hero"
"I think you're catching up"
She laughed and so am I. She was a lovely woman. A face that a man might die for.
"Still can't get over the fire huh?"
"Yeah it was genuinely traumatizing"
"Well. You don't have to worry about it. You're safe now"
"Yeah, thanks Riko. I just don't' know what happen to Yuri after that"
"Maybe he's safe somewhere. After all, you were just right next to him when the fire appeared. And it didn't even burned your face since Yuri covered you"
"Wait. He did?"
"Yeah. His back must've burned but I heard that the Doctors said that there are no fatal injuries on him or something"
"Okay. Thank you. Why didn't you tell me sooner"
"I just forgot to tell you since I was focus on my case at that time"
The food was eaten and I was cleaning my mouth and hands. As I was doing it, I feel a vibrate on my legs. It was my phone
I picked up the phone and turned it on and it says 'Unknown Number'
I didn't hesitate to answer it since scammers aren't even that dangerous now. And I heard a familiar voice.
"Hello Naoto House" says the caller
It was very familiar. Wait is this Yuri?
"Yuri? Is that you?"
"Of course. You don't recognize my voice?"
"Thank god! Where have you been?"
"From the hospital of course. I didn't see you there. But I deduced that you were the first since I was the one who covered you in that fire"
"I need to see you right now bro. See if you're okay"
"I'm at Kichijōji if you remember before that fire"
"Okay send me the address"
As he send the address to me. I feel nothing but thrilled to see that my companion is okay. As I stare to my phone I quickly glance at Riko.
"Is that him" asked she calmly
"Yeah. He's okay"
"See. I told you. I guess I 'm gonna see your Sherlock Holmes now huh Watson?"
"Yeah. I think you two will get along. You're both remarkable"
We fetch a cab on the way to Kichijōji. And me and Riko talked about things and stuff and laughed.
We arrived at the address and it was an apartment. We went upstairs and look for the room 21B. We found it and knocked on the door.
"Yuri? Are you there? Yuri?" I asked while knocking on the door
The door opened and I saw him in a suit, tuxedo suit perhaps but I saw something strange. His arms and hands is fully covered with bandages. But his eyes was bright and glad. He is smiling when he saw us.
"Naoto! You're here! And madam, nice to meet you" said he extending his hand for a hand shake
"I'm Riko Ayanokoji. Naoto's girlfriend" she replied and they shook hands
"Nice to meet you Riko. I'm Yuri Rizuna, I presume Naoto told you about me"
"Yeah. Quite often actually"
"Is that so? How is it being a lawyer?"
"How did you know I was a lawyer?"
"It's obvious of what you're right now. Tailored blazer and high heels, classic lawyer clothing"
"You really are sharp!"
"No. I'm just improving. So Naoto how is your life together with this beautiful woman?"
"Oh you know. It's fun that we're together, we rarely hang out since work has been blocking between us. How are you after the fire by the way? I'm so worried!"
"Have no worries on me Naoto. I am completely safe and I thank God himself for saving me. I retired from being a psychologist and started my business as a Private Eye since I want to investigate about the fire that happened and I am going to catch the Arsonist"
Yuri showed at the back of where he is sitting is a table. Full of documents and pictures and papers.
"Here are my progress"
"Still the same huh?"
"Yep"
"Still religious?"
"Yep. Just like you"
The conversation continue for few more hours. We laughed and ate once again and then drank tea. It was 7pm and I thought of going home since me and Riko have work tomorrow.
"Yuri. Thank you for hospitality and we had so much fun with you" says Riko
"No problem Madam."
He led us to the door. But when we got near we heard a knock. It was very short, Yuri quickly opened the door and we saw nothing, Yuri decided to look outside but there was no one there. We saw a paper on the floor outside and we picked it up. It was a letter, Yuri opened it and read the following.
"Dear Detective Rizuna,
"I would like to invite you to my party right now tonight. Don't mind taking your colleagues Dr. Naoto and Ms. Riko, they are invited as well. I hope I see you soon and I want to see your remarkable skills. There is a car waiting for you outside and he will take you there.
Truly yours
???"
What? They want us to go? Why? Who is that? I hope it's someone kind.
"I guess you two have to go as well." Said Yuri
"I guess we have to" I replied
We went downstairs and look for the car. We saw one and it was a long and black one. A limousine perhaps. We went inside and we took off. The trip lasted 45 minutes and we eventually arrived. We went outside and what I saw literally blew me away, the house was large and made by wood, almost as if this wasn't even japan anymore. We knocked on the door and when it opened, I saw a man, maybe in his 30's and has a monocle in his left eye.
"Excuse me? Who might you guys be?" the man asked calmly
"I am Detective Yuri Rizuna and this is Dr. Naoto and the lawyer Ms. Riko."
"I see. You must've received the invitation then. I am Yuto Ozaki, I am the assistant of the owner of this house. Please come."
We went inside and when I saw the inside the mansion I was beyond surprised of what I saw. The light were bright with two chandeliers on top and 2 stairs both connected to the same floor.
"The other guests are at the party room. Please right this way." Said the gentlemen Yuto while extending his hand to the left.
We came to that direction and we saw many people in there, 6 people in total. 3 women and 3 men. The 2 women were sitting at a gray couch on the left and the other was standing. The 3 men are standing in the right side all of them holding a wine glass filled with red wine.
"Does anyone saw Master Takuya Takahashi?" said Yuto
The guests look at each other and asked each other about the owner's whereabouts until we heard a voice.
"I'm right here Yuto" a voice from behind said
We look from our backs and we saw a man wearing a purple suit, wearing a glasses and quite tall actually. He is also stunning at least in my opinion, he might attract many women with just a single gaze.
"Master, the other guests have arrived. This is detective Yuri Rizuna and his colleagues Dr. Naoto House and Ms. Riko Ayanokoji." Said Yuto
"I see. Welcome to my house! I am Takuya Takahashi! I invite you here with the other 5 guests to make a party about the outstanding people in japan.
"I have observed that you guys are also outstanding and intellectual so I invited you here to celebrate with me"
"For what?" asked Yuri
"Just to have a little fun. It is my desire to invite intellectual people to my household and hold a party for them"
We sat on the couch and we saw some persons beside us and we decided to talk. Beside us are the 3 women, one was wearing a black and long dress, one was wearing striped t-shirt and one was wearing a tailored suit as well same as Riko, all of them are pretty but of course I have my own now.
"Hi! I'm Narumi Tsubaki! Nice to meet you Naoto and Riko!" said the woman with black dress
"Hi I'm Naomi Yuzaki! Said the woman wearing stripe
"And I'm Risa Amane" said the Tailored one
We shook hands but I quickly stood up with Yuri went to the 3 men, leaving Riko with the women in the couch.
"Hey fellas!" called Yuri
The 3 men looked at us with curiosity. One on of them was wearing a lab coat I don't know why and he was tanned, one of them was in a suit with a gold watch in his right hand and one was in long blue sleeves and there is no other detail for him since he was pretty much normal, but they're all charismatic as well.
"Wait. Makoto?" asked Yuri while pointing to the man in lab coat
"Yo! Yuri! How are you man?" said the man
They shook hands as they smile to each other like old allies reunite once again.
"Oh, I forgot to mention, this is Naoto House my colleague" said Yuri
"How do you do sir?" said I as I extend my hand for a handshake
We shook hands and his hand was soft as ever like a man with a peace on his mind, a man with precision.
"Oh this is Sora Kobayashi and this is Yusuke Nagasawa" said Makoto
"Hi! I'm Sora Kobayashi" said the man in long sleeves
"And I am Yusuke Nagasawa" said the wealthy one
We were there chatting, laughing and talking about our personal lives for at least an hour until Mr. Takuya raised his glass and tapped it with his spoon a few times. He said some few things about the hope of nothing bad happening in this house and hope they have a good night.
We rose our glass and we celebrated. We ate and drank wine in there. Mr. Takuya went upstairs to his study to do some few things to his mind and we were just there talking.
A few of them went upstairs to their own rooms and went to sleep and it was only Us. Yuri, Riko, Me and Makoto. The place was silent and we didn't think twice and cleaned all of the mess at the party room and proceeded to go upstairs. Until we heard a noise from there. It was a knock
We quickly went upstairs and ran as fast as we could and we saw the young Naomi banging on the door repeatedly.
"What's wrong?" asked Makoto
"Mr. Takuya, I keep knocking on the door but he wouldn't answer" Ms. Naomi said
We didn't hesitate and 3 of us. Yuri, Makoto and I with our strength pushed the door down. We opened the door and it was dark. Yuri turned the lights on and what we saw completely shocked us. We saw the man Takuya himself lying lifelessly on the ground with a pool of blood and a single blade in his back. The bookshelves were messy and there is a broken glass on the ground and wine spilling as well.
We went inside and we investigate but Yuri quickly noticed something
"Hey! You!" said he while he looked at the window hallway
He ran as fast as he could leaving 3 of us with the body. Makoto quickly checked the pulse and he was already dead. Makoto and Riko searched for some clues while I stare at the body, trying determine the cause of death. The death of course was from a stab and it was precise and calculated.
As I look more on the body I saw Takuya's eye wide opened and his mouth as well due to the shock. It must be that the killer attacked him by surprise. Many people have gathered outside the room and they were all shocked. Yuri came back as well completely lost of breath
"Dang it! I didn't catch him!" cried he
"Who was it?" asked I
"It must be the culprit but when I chased him he completely disappeared"
"That's impossible!" cried Risa
"There is no such thing as impossible Ms. Risa" said Yuri
Yuri went inside the room and began to low down to his knees and investigate the man.
"Cause of death?" asked he
"From a stab wound and the time was just 5 minutes before we arrive" I explained
"Then that man must be the culprit"
Yuri began to search as well around the room with the two and looked around. Riko found a book. It looks like a Karate Lesson Book and she opened it
"I found one!" Riko screamed
"What is it?" asked Yuri
"It's a note. A dying message maybe?"
Yuri took the paper and began to scan it very carefully. His eyes were wide as he fully observed the paper. Then he quickly leaves with the paper.
"Wait!" I said "What is the dying message?"
Yuri walked close to me and showed me the paper. It was very messy and very gritty for the font.
"It Must Be Done"
'It must be done'? What does the mean?
Yuri quickly leaved the room and went to the party room. Then Mr. Yuto arrived at the scene.
"Oh my! Master Takuya!" cried he
He came to the body and looked at it carefully. He has tears as well falling from his eyes.
Makoto and Riko quickly leaved the room and warned the others. Riko ordered them to stay in the party room as soon as possible. The people leaved the scene leaving me and Yuto in the room.
"He was a good man" cried he
"I'm sorry" said I
"Thank you. Please leave me…"
"Understood"
I walked out of the room and looked at the window hallway on the left where Yuri saw the man. I saw small dirt on the frame. I don't why. I quickly went downstairs to see the others and I saw Makoto and Riko talking with the 5 people sitting in the couch.
"What's going on?" asked I
"We're here to keep an eye on them. Some of them might be an accomplice" said Makoto
"An accomplice?"
"Yeah. Somehow the victim and the culprit fought it's either the culprit has accomplice or the culprit was a good fighter"
I stared down at the 5 people staring at each other quietly with fear and suspense.
"Everyone!" said Riko "Stay where you are. One of you seems to be an accomplice with the culprit"
"That's absurd! You're accusing us!" cried Yusuke
"Calm down Yusuke. It's just a theory" said Narumi
"How could I calm down?! They're accusing us!! How could I be an accomplice?!"
"How do we know you're not the accomplice?" asked Sora
"What?"
"I mean. There is many possibilities that one of us is indeed the accomplice. How can we know it's not you?"
"You little!"
The two men stared at each other. Yusuke grabbed Sots by the collar and his face was completely mad and his hands were completely tied to the collar. While Sora smiled at him. Two men are challenging themselves.
"Enough!" a voice screamed
We turned to the direction and we saw Yuto standing. His fist was firm and his jaw was clenched. His eye brows were near each other and he breathes completely fast.
"I know one of you killed master! And I'm going to find who it is!" screamed he
He quickly went upstairs with his footsteps loud and intimidating. The guests was shocked their eyes wide for what they just saw and heard, even us. Then a thunderstruck was heard and it started to rain heavily. Unfortunately we can't call the police now due to that heavy rain so we have to solve this case on our own.
Yuri then arrived at went to us. He was standing still looking at the 5-no-observing them.
"I think we got what we wanted here. You all could go back to your rooms now and we'll talk about this when the rain stopped" said he
The crowd looked at each other and they continue to went upstairs quietly. Every doors were shut and it was all soundless and quiet.
"The culprit couldn't have gone too far. We'll talk about this" said he
Just after Yuri said that we already heard another sound. It was rumbling almost as if a wild animal has entered the room. We quickly ran again and it was just the first door we encountered just beside the room of the dead man.
We couldn't opened the door and we started banging it with our fist so loud. 3 people went outside their rooms to investigate.
"Hey! Open this door!" screamed Yuri
Yuri didn't hesitate and kicked the door as hard as he could. The door opened and we saw the man Yuto himself, his eyes and mouth wide open, his back leaned against the wall with some blood on his clothes. At the edge of the room we saw young Sora with blood in his clothes as well and was breathing heavily and beside him was a cracked wooden wall, it was small but it's enough for a human to crawl in.
"The killer went through in here" said Sora while pointing at the hole.
Yuri quickly looked in there but no one was there. Yuri pointed at something.
"Guys look! Footprints!" said he
We went there and we looked and the grass has footprints of dirt in it but it was all scrambled and it was everywhere almost as if the man went around the circles. Yuri once again ordered us to gather all of the people as fast as possible
We went downstairs and once again they're all in the couch. Makoto took care of Sora's wounds and he was now feeling well. Some people are in there towels and robe.
"Ugh. My stomach hurts!" cried Risa
"Why?" asked I
"I don't know"
"Say, Mr. Sora. Why were you at that room at the time?" asked I
"I was just checking up on Yuto. I was a former therapist"
"A therapist?"
"Yeah. Also Yuto asked for my consult and when we were talking the wall suddenly break and I saw a man. I couldn't see his face since it was covered in a ski mask and he quickly ran to the door and locked it. We fought him but he successfully killed Mr. Yuto. I will never forgive him!" said he while tears coming from his eyes
"Ms. Naomi, why are you on your robe and towel?"
"Of course. Isn't it obvious? I took a shower"
"Ugh my pants are dirty!" cried Yusuke.
I just nodded and Yuri then went to the party room.
"Naoto, Riko. Come with me. Makoto keep an eye on them" said he
Makoto nodded and we quickly went upstairs. Yuri stopped at the center and said
"Remember all of the rooms" said he calmly and steady
We were at the center of every each room. 2 on the left and 2 on the right and the center has a window where Yuri saw the man running away.
"Let's take a look at the first room" said he
We went in there and we saw once again the body of Takuya.
"The culprit fought the victim and successfully killed him. He then left the note in that Karate book and went to that window" said he while pointing to the window I've mentioned
"The culprit escaped there but the thing is. How come that person didn't noticed him going through that window?"
"You mean?" I asked
"Yeah. Ms. Naomi"
Yuri then went to the room in front of the room we just entered. We followed him and it was full of boxes and things. A ladder on the left and filled with books and boxes everywhere. Yuri knelt one knee and inspect the ladder.
"I got it! Now I get it! I know who is the accomplice!" said he with determination
"Is it… that person?" I asked
"Yeah"
"What about Yuto? What was their motive of killing him?" asked Riko
"Probably that Yuto knew who the accomplice is."
"Well then. We better hurry up since many of them doesn't feel well anymore." Said I
"What?"
"Ms. Risa's stomach isn't well and Sora is wounded."
Yuri quickly change expressions and turned his back on us and inspect every folder. It was very messy and Yuri was almost buried by the folders and files.
"Now I get it. Now I know." Said he
"What is it?" asked Riko
"Riko, Naoto. Tell the 5 people there is no need of waiting. I will perform my deduction show. Here and now." He said calmly while he turned around
We looked at each other for a second and I saw in his eyes was determination and confidence.
We turned and went but Yuri had one more question.
"Say Naoto. Where was he looking at while he recall about what happened?"
"You mean?"
"Yeah"
"As far as I remember he was looking to the left."
As I said those words his smile became more wide.
We went to the party room and we now talked about what Yuri ordered us.
"Listen everyone! Yuri will now explain to us his deductions and solve this case." Said I
"He already solved the case?" asked Yusuke
"Yeah"
Yuri then arrived with determination in his eyes as he looked towards us and the 5 people in the couch.
"So. Let's start over. Takuya was found dead in his study in a pool of blood then I saw a man outside who is seemed to be the culprit, while chasing the culprit he suddenly disappeared. Then, Yuto was targeted as well and fought the killer with Mr. Sora. Am I correct?"
We nodded as we listen to his words every each of them.
"The culprit was already in the victim's study when the murder happened, we found Ms. Naomi knocking on the door repeatedly. Then we found the man.
"As I look to that window again I saw some dirt on the window, it seems that the culprit went in and out from there.
"So how come you didn't saw the culprit get out Ms. Naomi when you're were continuously knocking on Takuya's door since the very beginning?"
All of the eyes looked at Ms. Naomi as she looked on the ground shocked and guilty
"You mean Ms. Naomi is the accomplice?!" Mr. Yusuke cried
"No. Not just her." Said Yuri very steady and calm
Every person in the room were shocked and gasped. As they looked at Yuri with their eyes wide. Even us.
"You see. In this case there is no such thing as accomplice from the very beginning. It was only team. The culprit is not one of you. It could only be done." Said Yuri.
The tension between the 5 people and Yuri became more and more intense.
"By all of you!" said he
"What? That's impossible I fought the killer! I was trying to save Mr. Yuto!" said Sora
"Allow me to explain my deduction. First at least 2 people fought Mr. Takuya then one of them went outside the room and the other went outside the house through the window.
"While I was distracted about chasing the culprit the other used a ladder to help the culprit to climb their way up once again using the window they used for the exit.
"Then the other 3 gathered so that that person wouldn't be noticed by anyone climbing and going inside. That's why the culprit disappeared.
"It's not impossible that two people were involved of this case since Takuya was practicing Karate. The clue is in the book Ms. Riko discovered earlier.
"Then, Mr. Sora went to the room with some few people to kill Mr. Yuto. During the thunderstorm, one of the culprits timed the sound of the breaking wood and the loud thunderstorm so that it will go unnoticed while the others use it as their escape route. I know you were lying since when you're trying to recall about what happened in that incident you were looking to the left, you weren't recalling, you were lying!. That's my deduction." Said he very loud and confident.
"What are you talking about? This is ridiculous! Do you have any evidence? If we're all indeed the culprit, what is our motive?" cried Risa
"For the evidence there are 3 things. First is the fingerprints, second the dirty and wet clothes, and third is the blood and wounds." Makoto said
"What?!"
"Yeah and the motive is in here." Said Yuri while holding a huge file.
Yuri dropped the file on the table for all of the people to notice.
"In this file is all of your personal information. All your secrets, mistakes and pain."
Then Mr. Yusuke came in and lunged at Yuri while pointing a blade on his neck.
"You will never solve this case!" cried Yusuke
Then Makoto grabbed his arm very firmly and calmly said
"Unfortunately, this is already a game over for all of you." Said he
He then turned to me-no-behind me and I saw some men maybe 5 or 6. They were all holding guns aiming at the culprits, their clothes were wet, well not that wet.
"Put your hands up now!" screamed the man in front.
Mr. Yusuke then puts his hand up and dropped the blade to the floor. Yuri then walked up.
"I've called the police in case something like this would happen. It's nice that they timed it, thank you!"
All of the police gathered and arrested all 5 people. The inspector thanked Yuri for solving the case and us as well. We were outside the mansion and we were just there quiet, until I heard Makoto and Yuri whispering.
"She is a woman isn't she?" asked Makoto in a low and whisper tone
"Yeah. She is indeed!" said Yuri
"Hey, who are you guys talking about?" asked I
Yuri pulled his phone and showed me and Riko the photo. It was a woman in ginger hair, wearing glasses and braces. She was pretty as well.
"Who's that?" asked Riko
"You'll know her someday. But hey thank you for your cooperation Mr. Naoto and Ms. Riko" said Yuri and bowed at us.
"Where are you headed now?" asked I
"Me and Makoto will visit her and we would investigate about the arsonist. Thank you once again… Until we meet again." Said he raising his hand and waving
We fortunately split up watching both of us separate. And then I turned my look at Riko who was smiling, softly and holding my hand. That alone makes me comfort even if a murder happened just a while ago.
This is my second case with Yuri Rizuna. This was a remarkable one. 5 people who just wants justice from a man blackmailing them. In the end, who was truly right?
CASE CLOSED
END OF SECOND CHAPTER