(Landing on the runway, 12 tired detectives make their way down. Let’s reintroduce them to you one more time.)

(Magic shounen number one, SHIINE from AKAZUKIN CHACHA)

(Psychic bishoujo, KOTONE HIMEKAWA from TO HEART: REMEMBER MY MEMORIES)

(American AS Pilot and sniper, KURZ WEBER from FULL METAL PANIC)

(Kogal and top ranking student, AYA HOSHINO from SUPERGALS!)

(World traveller and escapist, FAI D. FLOWRIGHT from TSUBASA CHRONICLE)

(Frequent bat utilist and girlfriend of doujinishi artist, MIZUKI TAKASE from COMIC PARTY)

(Magic shounen number two and school teacher of 31 girls, NEGI SPRINGFIELD from MAHOU SENSEI NEGIMA!)

(Tough ass young lady, cyborg and mother hen in one, TRIELA from GUNSLINGER GIRL)

(Retriever and descandant of a German Witch, BAN MIDO from GETBACKERS)

(Kawaii little ninja not from Akazukin Chacha or Shinobuden, HINATA HYUUGA from NARUTO)

(Real life detective at age 14, SATOSHI HIK…HIWATARI from DN ANGEL)

(And finally, guardian of the Sakuraba estate, MIYABI KAGURAZAKI from AI YORI AOSHI)

Triela: Memo: LUMIERE ADOPTION INSTITUTE – OWNED BY THE HOSHINOS, HALEY AND RURI HOSHINO – UNDER ACCORDANCE TO THE RIGHTS ACT ON BEHALF OF THE CHURCH OF THE RETURNERS TO COUNTERSUE KALOS RIAM’S CHARGES OF INVOLVEMENT IN PERVERSING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE…

Kotone: Is that it Triela-chan?

Triela: Sure is Kotone-chan. It seems these ‘Hoshinos’ are not on Kalos’ Xmas list…correction…was…

(Triela is right. The first two suspects are unwittingly unveiled. Ruri and Haley Hoshino to be exact. And others are possibly involved…and also, that was it because…)

Aya: Looks like it was torn as well…

Satoshi: So there is more…perhaps it would reveal more if we could somehow find that…though wouldn’t be surprised if it was burning away somewhere.

Triela: So, we find out whose these Hoshinos are?

Aya: And what this church as well is about…it’s seems like a link.

May: ….Touji Suzuhara.

* * * *

Charlotte: …Chiriko Sasaki.

* * * *

Judy: …Ukyo Kuonji.

Negi: Right, let’s see…

(Negi clicks the first file…which says the following…it’s in English, but Negi is fluent so no problem there.)

Negi: Appeal towards the closure of the American Branch of the Returners – Counterappeal towards Anna Respighi and Tenchi Masaki.

(One down…)

Negi: Appeal towards the Lumiere Institute for the Adopted…in conjuction with the American Branch of the Returners – In conjuction with withdrawl over shares from the Athletic Committee of Antarctica…

Negi: A lot here…

(At this point Shiine and Hinata are behind Negi. The child teacher gives a nod to his fellow detectives as more information comes…)

Negi: Complaints towards the deceased and towards Ukyo Kuonji and Shinobu Maehara for illegal conduct towards in retrospect from the Church of the Returners – towards Hikari Yagami, Jet Black, Kensuke Aida and Seta Noriyasu for unnecessary involvement involving affaris of the deceased and Akari Kanzaki and Taka Sukanami as an accessory to said affairs.

Shiine: Um…I guess he has issues…

Hinata: (correcting) Had.

Shiine: Right.

Negi: Hold it…one more…

(The final click…)

Negi: Against the deceased, a court order towards insurance fraud in retrospect towards Child’s Toy Productions, in response to one of their actors in Kaleido Stage, Duplica Imite. Also report of a complaint and fail for unfair dismissal of Koyomi Mizuhara.

Shiine: Wow.

Negi: I think that’s a lot of people…I think Miyabi-san and Satoshi-san need to know…

Hinata: (nods) Negi-kun, we know how Kalos died…

Ban: I think that will do. We’ve got one more place to go to…

Mizuki: Bye bye!

(They leave as Chiriko waves goodbye to them…underneath his arms however was a call sheet, confirming when he was out…and 2 nights ago on the 5^th November, there is no marking under 8pm…which means if his story is true, there should be a marking there…)

Akari: …but I didn’t. I stopped, turned around…and worked my frustration on the field.

Triela: Worked?

(Akari nods)

Akari: I basically was running most of the night on here, basically until I could collapse…

Aya: Anyone verify that?

(Akari shakes her head)

Akari: No…but if you want an alibi, check that out.

(She points skyward, where on the track and field stadium, we can see a skyloft, and there…)

Akari: There are cameras directed at this field – I can guarantee if you can talk to the organisers they’ll give you a tape of me being there at the time of the you know what…

Satoshi: You confident?

Akari: Yes.

Satoshi: Why?

Akari: They carried me back after I collapsed…

(Almost a sweatdrop, (but to be honest, only Aya probably would have) the four nod as they head up to ask about CCTV footage…)

Negi: It’s like a mothership!

Shiine: What’s on it?

Negi: Me.

(Negi (the only one of the three with any real experience with computers) looks on, as the World-esque system is showing – it seems there’s a lot of information, but of course, they can’t break the password…but they don’t need it.)

(The CD-Roms marked TRACK: TAMAHOME, TRACK: KENSUKE, TRACK: TENCHI…should be enough, especially, with one key one staring at them in the face like an Eric Stuart mole clue…)

(TRACK: KALOS)

Haley: Stop!

(Shiine turns)

Shiine: Tell us what this is about Mr. Hoshino.

(Haley gulps, but again, despite the obvious age and height difference, they are still giving an intimidating aura. He relents.)

Haley: Information…we have the ability to track people if we need to – people that maybe linked with our causes…

Shiine: These people may be linked with the case.

Negi: Hoshino-san, can we borrow these – this could be very useful in helping and establishing people in the case…

Haley: I can’t…Ruri will…

Hinata: Hoshino-san, please…

(Haley realises he can’t win. He relents…again…)

Haley: O.K.

Shiine: Yosha!

(The first shot is a limousine appearing outside the HQ…)

(…an elderly gentleman opens the door as a beautiful young lady steps out. She’s got a briefcase, dressed in a plain white suit with a miniskirt. Her walk shows she has class, but the most unusual item on her attire…)

(…is a set of 6 red and white round objects attached to her briefcase.)

???????: So, this is where I get to boss round a few paupers and prince-less princesses?

(…yep, it’s someone from Pokemon. For those who know me, I’ve famously used Pokemon characters in my early fanfictions, with two females in particular. One of them is a suspect. The other…)

* * * *

(…well, we’ll let those who don’t know who I’m talking about suffer for a moment, because inside, Aya isn’t taking Mizuki’s defeat to heart (pun intended) as she, indeed, is speaking with Miyabi in the investigation room…)

Miyabi: …files are in there, keep the white board as is unless we need to add more information…

Aya: O.K, I should be O.K with the workstation…

(It seems Aya is preparing for a stint as team leader – perhaps pre-umptious, but her roommate ‘died’ last night, so it wouldn’t be a surprise. In the kitchen, Shiine and Negi are making breakfast again, whilst Kurz, survivor of last night’s killers game, greets everyone….)

Kurz: (yawns) Morning beautiful Japanese girls…

Fai: There are men here too Kurz-kun…

Triela: And I’m not Japanese…

Kurz: (yawns) Exactly.

Triela: Don’t make me send you to join Mizuki…

(Kurz isn’t intimidated…actually, he’s rather pissed off…)

(Kurz joins his roomate Ban, who is in a conflict with Hinata about who is the strongest in the house…)

Ban: That’s it! Gotcha!

Hinata: Counter!

Kotone: Come on Hinata-chan!

Ban: (sweatdrop) Biased much? Oh damn…

(Shot of them playing Guilty Gear Isuka…^_^…more in Inside HQ, but a few minutes later, they are rudely interrupted…)

*KNOCK*

Fai: Someone’s at the door?

Satoshi: I’ve got it.

(Satoshi, appearing out of nowhere, would freak anyone out…but not Fai. He doesn’t get freaked out. However, the person that greets Satoshi is someone who isn’t easily freaked out…)

(…and Shiine gets hearts in his eyes…)

Shiine: Wow!

???????: Chin up boy, I’m not into minors.

(We look up at the sleek raven headed girl now in view, now older, similar in looks to Rei Hino (not that’s a bad thing) – this girl should be familiar to a few of you. If not, she is the older, wiser, but still bitchy Giselle Dexter (Pokemon) – infamous valedictorian of Pokemon Tech, all round know it all and bishoujo extraordinare. Just don’t go onto her bad side…)

Satoshi: And you are?

Giselle: I would go into my usual intro, but we don’t have time. The names Giselle, Giselle Dexter, and I’m your lead investigator for the next two days.

Satoshi: Fine.

Giselle: You could give me more of a reaction than that boy…

(Whilst we go into discussion 10475 on how Satoshi is a yaoi fangirls dream, Negi quickly rallys the troops (and having to drag Shiine-chan out before he burns the eggs)…)

Giselle: No, it’s O.K. Have breakfast first, I need to set up…oh, and I like my eggs over easy…

(Negi facefaults…)

* * * *

(…so they start the meeting a bit later thanks to Giselle’s metabolism. However, she is still an interesting choice of Investigator considering…yes, you can see how some of the others reacted to her in Inside HQ (Ban pokes Kurz trying to wonder why he has a bandaid on the back of the head, as he knows it wasn’t for trying to peep on Kotone in the shower…someone locked the door on the outside when Ban got up…) but for now, she’s all business.)

Giselle: O.K then ladies and gentlemen, and I know for some of you that’s a term I use lightly…

(A few scowl, hazard a guess who Giselle is on about and you win a cookie, but anyway…)

Giselle: …but I’m here to lead you onto this case for the next 2 days.

(Giselle lifts up a clipboard)

Giselle: Miyazawa-san has given me what you guys know and I’ve been briefed up to date, so I know as much as you, perhaps more. However, the first order of business is the killer’s game last night.

(Giselle picks up a bag)

Giselle: Inside here is what Kurz over there found when he survived the killer’s game. We’ll discuss the contents in a moment, however, Mizuki Takase was killed last night…so…

(Giselle reveals the old school element as a television flares up.)

Giselle: …last night, Mizuki, along with Kurz, made a video last will and testament. On this tape, Mizuki will declare who she wishes to be the next Team Leader, and, like Miyabi last night, will be inelligible to play the killer’s game…and also have the choice of sending someone out to play the killer’s game.

(Miyabi nods, having to make that choice so early wasn’t exactly high on her ‘must do’ list, but did she did, and she, in effect, ‘killed’ Mizuki.)

Giselle: So, without further ado…

(Giselle presses play…and the last sight (unfortunately) of Mizuki in MG3 is on this tape. The Comic Party bishoujo appears and speaks…)

(Aya blushes as Kotone nods and smiles. Fai pats her on the back as Giselle nods)

Giselle: I’d say that’s a good choice. Aya, get down here – your butt belongs in the Team Leader seat. You will make the rules now – making the teams will be the first, but before we do that…

(Giselle brings out the item that Kurz brought back from the killer’s game, it appears to be a map of some sort…)

Giselle: This is what Kurz brought back last night – it’s a map of all things. However, there are 4 places circled.

(A close up of the map shows locations towards four specific locations, they are Cairo, Ulan Bator, Paris, Osaka and their current location, Los Angeles.)

Giselle: So…our killer has been travelling…or has he or she?

(Silence as Giselle give a satisfied little smirk…she continues though…)

Giselle: I think we need to check this out. Suggestions?

Satoshi: The airport?

(Giselle nods)

Giselle: As to be expected from you Satoshi-kun…(shudders)…why does that bring back memories?

(Giselle recovers quickly enough…)

Giselle: Anyway, that’s what one team will be doing, but we found out a bit about some other suspects yesterday as well. Let’s see…anyone care to elaborate on anybody we need to speak to?

Negi: Ruri-san? She refused to let us speak to her after we got the information from Haley-san?

Giselle: Good Joe-junior. Anybody else?

Satoshi: I’d say if we can find Anna – she’s missing since the day of the murder.

Giselle: Possibly if she has returned back to the church, anyone else?

Shine: The stuff found on the discs? The people linked with Ruri-san?

(Giselle smiles, Shiine blushes)

Giselle: That’s the answer. Yesterday, you guys got the discs, and we found that Ruri was tracking a few people…and also…we know that one person lied about something, right?

Aya: Yes. Touji.

Giselle: Touji – yep, that punk. He lied to you guys saying he didn’t know that Kalos was dead, and yet, we know from an answering machine which Tenchi confirmed that he did know he was dead. So, I’ve got three things I want you guys to do.

(Giselle breathes in…)

Giselle: Team 1 will be finding out about two suspects that were linked with those discs, and find out what the heck is so important about them which requires a girl like Ruri to keep track of them. Namely, Kensuke Aida and…

(Giselle does a sigh like a girl in love, before realising she’s is getting odd looks…)

Giselle: …sorry…and…(sighs again)…Taka Sukanami.

(Yep, another Tamahome fangirl. But seriously, Kensuke and Taka (Tamahome) are two guys who Ruri has been keeping tabs on…and we need to find out why. So…)

Giselle: Aya, make a team that can do this.

(Aya looks over the rabble in the crowd, takes a moment to think before nodding, and then speaking.)

Aya: Kotone, Kurz…and Negi.

(Interesting team. Kurz seems happy, Kotone a bit concerned, and Negi sighs. Giselle chuckles briefly, before speaking again…)

Giselle: Right, as a team didn’t leave their phone on yesterday…

(You can hear Ban’s skull collide with desk…)

Giselle: …we need to investigate Touji about why he lied. So Team 2 will be speaking to him, and hearing his explanation. Aya?

(Aya doesn’t hesitate this time.)

Aya: Team of 4 – Ban, Triela, Satoshi and Shiine-chan.

(Another interesting team – Ban seems fairly happy, Triela sighs, Satoshi is indifferent, and Shiine-chan seems disappointed…)

Giselle: Right, that leaves Team 3 being Miyabi on her first performance into the field, along with Hinata and Fai.

(The two ladies look indifferent, Fai is just his usual Shigure smiling self.)

Giselle: You three will be heading out to the airport – find out anything which links these places to any times during, after, at, or before the murder. There must be a link, otherwise the killer wouldn’t do this. Find out what it is, and take it from there.

Giselle: O.K, you have your teams, you have your orders, so why am I still speaking to you? Get on with it!

(A quick and hurried ‘yes ma’am’ gets through as Giselle sighs, but soon, the 10 detectives on duty today are scurrying about, their emotions ranging from Miyabi’s energetic smiling to Negi’s looks of concern. The three teams are very different to the ones from yesterday, consisting of intelligence vs. energy vs. youth. Youth won that round, but today, the mix and match system suggests it’s anyones game…)

* * * *

Kurz: …I’m going to make sure I do my job right – I’ve got energy, motivation…

(Kotone hides behind Negi, keep in mind Kotone is about 8 inches taller than Negi…)

Kurz: …not that.

Negi: As long we work together well Kurz-san, we pass, we’re happy! Kotone-san, you agree?

(Kotone nods…)

Kotone: Y-yes…

Kurz: (sighs) I’m so pathetically misunderstood…

(We’ll ignore WHY he’s ‘misunderstood’ as we cut over to Team 2…)

*

Ban: I wish they’d let me drive!

Satoshi: I’m glad they don’t – we saw your driving.

Ban: That was Ginji going all SD on me!

Triela: Send him over to us next time you see each other…

Ban: Really, you’ll train him?

Triela: Nah, he’ll make a nice paperweight/fighting dummy for Claes.

Ban: Even better…

Shiine: Are we going to be O.K?

Triela: Don’t worry Shiine-chan, we won’t let him drive.

Shiine: (sweatdrops) That’s not what I meant…

(As Shiine antagonises, Fai sympathises…)

*

Fai: …Mizuki-chan went for her friend, simple. But Aya-chan indeed made some strange picks.

Miyabi: I guess she’s just trying to see who can work best together in these sort of circumstances – and who can keep their egos in check.

Fai: Ban-pan is in trouble then!

Hinata: Um…let’s work together well…

(Fai pats Hinata on the head…)

Fai: Of course Sakura-chan!

(Hinata cringes…)

Fai: Sorry, force of habit…joking Hinata-chan!

(Hinata quietly says ‘please don’t joke about that…’)

Giselle: Are you planning strategy or revenge?

(Aya thinks for moment before replying…)

Aya: Both.

* * * *

(So, we see all the teams start off their second line of inquiries, and like before, there are specific things they need to achieve so that the Lead Investigator can give them good scores. SO…)

(…shot of Team 1 heading to what appears to be an outskirts of Los Angeles, but as they drive in, all they see is sand. Lots of sands…and a few caravans, and what appears to be diggers…)

Kurz: What’s this?

Negi: It’s an archeologists dig…

Kotone: This is where we have to follow our inquiries?

Negi: I guess so…is this where we find Kensuke-san or Taka-san?

PASS/FAIL: LEARN ABOUT KENSUKES WORK WITH ANOTHER SUSPECT AND TAKA’S LINK WITH A SUSPECT AND ANY POSSIBLE MOTIVE -PLUS ALSO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR SOMEONE ELSE BREAKING THE LAW…

(Negi is out first, followed by Kotone and then Kurz. The three head into the world of archeologists – and are quickly stopped by an onsite foreman.)

Pedro: (Strong Hispanic accent) Sirs, I’m afraid you cannot cross here…

(As Excel Saga’s Pedro makes his cameo, Negi reveals the badge.)

Negi: We here to try and investigate someone who make have a link to a certain crime which happened recently. Is this there we would find Kensuke Aida-san or Taka Sukanami-san?

???????: Someone call my name boss?

Pedro: Kensuke-san, these investigators want to speak to you!

(The man who looks up, in his early 20s now, is one third of the three stooges from Evangelion (we’ve already met Touji and thankfully Shinji doesn’t turn up) Kensuke Aida. Upon hearing the word ‘investigators’ he stops, but does continue (probably eyeing up Kotone). He’s got scruffy ginger hair, glasses, freckles, and has a camera dangling around his neck. However, he seems to be working well in the digs, judging from the sand on his shirt.)

Kensuke: Is this important? Seta-san will be back soon and we need to make sure we keep on schedule?

Negi: Seta-san? As in Seta Noriyasu-san?

Kensuke: Yes, you need to speak to him as well?

Kurz: Maybe, but for the moment we need to speak to you. (Looks around) Look, is there anywhere we can speak privately?

(Kurz sighs but looks on…)

Kensuke: Boss, do you mind if I take them to the caravan?

Pedro: Si, Pedro does not mind.

Kensuke: Well, lady and gents, if you don’t mind…

(The three follow Kensuke, as they’ve got a few things they need to find out…)

* * * *

(Shot of four beings that probably shouldn’t belong in the same van, but hey, they are – as Triela is the first to spot moving slower, before Ban confirms…)

Ban: Yep, that dump is where that bastard lives.

Triela: Whoa, what happened?

Satoshi: Kalos did, I assumed. He seems to be linked with these suspects in some way of affecting lives.

Shine: So, we have to follow up on what happened yesterday? What did?

Ban: Don’t ask…we just sucked. Now, we make up for it…because I don’t have that damn Fai in my ear all the time!

(As Fai sneezes in the other van, the four pull up, as Hikari, looking out the window, sighs and shakes her head…)

(The four step out as Satoshi leads the group (much to Ban’s grumbling) – however Ban does make a quick warning…)

Ban: Guys, just be careful. This guy…he doesn’t like us much, and he’s strong. Not as strong as myself and probably Triela, but…

Hikari: You’re right….he wouldn’t be happy.

(The sight of the girl nearly scare the crap out of Ban and Shiine, but Hikari’s stone face means she isn’t interested in any hi-jinx…)

Hikari: However, he isn’t here. So what do you want?

Satoshi: Mrs Suzuhara I presume?

(Hikari looks at Satoshi, who is then flanked by Triela…looking at two people younger than herself (and Shiine just behind them) doesn’t seem to impress Hikari.)

Hikari: As a former class representative, why are you two, old enough only for middle school, interviewing me?

Triela: (thrusts the badge in her face) Because we say so. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen any 14 year olds do extraordinary things before?

(Hikari thinks for a moment…)

Hikari: Fair point.

(Hikari turns to go in…)

Hikari: Well, you want to come in right?

(A bit of relief is said, though Hikari obviously doesn’t still look happy…but there are in – the question is, what can they do today which they couldn’t do yesterday?)

* * * *

(Meanwhile, Miyabi, tasting her first chance as a detective, is enjoying the wind blowing through her hair…)

Miyabi: If only I had a watermelon here…

(O.K, AYA joke, but that aside, Fai is the one who realises first that they are slowing up…)

Fai: Ah, ladies, I think we’re here!

(Hinata joins Miyabi and Fai watching as they approach Los Angeles International Airport – and it’s on the busy side.)

Fai: We have to find something in that?

Hinata: I think this is a task that requires patience…

Miyabi: I think we’re O.K.

(True, they seem to be three of the more level-headed members groups (though in Fai’s case, it could be classified as disinterest, in Hinata, shyness, and Miyabi in sterness…but anyway…)

Fai: Hinata-chan, can you break through this?

Hinata: My B-Byagukan can’t break through crowds, just see through them!

Miyabi: Everyone, just remain calm…

(As the three get lost in the crowd…)

* * * *

(Indeed, it seems like Kensuke’s only reason to agree to speak with the detectives…)

Kensuke: Is that O.K Himekawa-san?

Kotone: (nods) Yes.

(…is to hit on Kotone. Kurz does a ‘why didn’t he think of that?’ as Kotone has a nice cup of tea in a proper cup, whilst the other two have paper cups with dishwater for tea in there…Negi doesn’t seem to mind (he’s British – bad tea is a way of life) but fortunately, it’s Kotone who actually uses this to her advantage…)

Kotone: Um…Aida-san?

Kensuke: Call me Kensuke.

Kotone: Hai…Kensuke-san, we’re sorry about this but we need to speak with you regarding a certain issue that occurred on the 5^th November.

(Kensuke sighs)

Kensuke: I kinda figured. This is about Kalos’ death isn’t it?

Kurz: You’re right Kensuke, and we need to confirm a few things…

Negi: …if that’s O.K.

Kensuke: I guess…

Kotone: Kensuke, can you tell us what relationship, if any, did you have with Kalos?

Kensuke: Nothing much – he was basically one of the guys funding our research. However, it kind of screwed over when he was infiltrating some of our research for his own benefit.

Kurz: Such as?

Kensuke: Gold. Artificats. Ancient Treasure. Anything that Kalos had an interest on, he’d try to weasel his way into it…especially if it involved stopping someone else.

Kotone: What do you mean?

Kensuke: (sigh) We had a problem when we were searching for something that could be of help to a friend of mine, Touji Suzuhara.

(Kurz, who has met Touji already, makes a note before Kensuke continues…)

Kensuke: Basically, Kalos screwed him over a deal where they put money into his ‘business’ and it was money needs to save Touji from his limbs.

Kurz: Limbs?

Kensuke: His metal ones. You see, a while ago, there was a new virus caused by the internet – a bug which affects metallic objects. Nothing devastating you think…but when it affects people who have metal limbs…

(Kurz nods…realising that a motive is slowly forming…)

Kensuke: What happened is that Kalos was a majority shareholder which apparently went bust…what really happened was that he was using other people to throw in their money and Kalos got out of it before it went completely bankrupt.

(Kensuke takes a drink of tea before continuing…)

Kensuke: Hikari had some money left from a prize which she used to pay for the operation in the first place, but it went bust. However, Kalos managed to get out of the deal before losing any money himself, making him the hate figure of many.

Kurz: I can see the way the Suzuharas are living know…I think I now know why.

Kensuke: Trust me…Weber-san was it?

(Kurz nods)

Kensuke: I admit…both he and I…we have every reason to hate Kalos, but killing him won’t have helped them any body. I was for example, was communicating with Seta-san on Nov 5^th about work around Mexico…

(They note this as Kensuke pauses…)

Kensuke: On the other hand…

(They listen in…)

Kensuke: I figure the people at the church…that lucky dog Tenchi…

(Kensuke goes all heart eyes for a moment…)

Kensuke: …and that beautiful Respighi girl…they…and that lovely Ruri-Ruri and Haley Hoshino…plus those two cute cook girls would have benefited from his death.

Kotone: Cook girls?

Kensuke: Ukyo Kuonji and Shinobu Maehara. One is shy and one is violent, but both of them would have really wanted to…

(Suddenly, outside the caravan (and keep in mind, that up until this point, they haven’t spoken about his involvement (or Ruri’s) with the discs) a sound of a motorcycle approaches…)

Kensuke: What’s that? Seta-san doesn’t have a motorcycle?

(Kensuke heads out – with no choice, the detectives follow him…)

* * * *

(The three K’s and Negi step out as a cycle at first is stopped by Pedro…but suddenly Pedro steps aside, and looks a bit nervous…)

Kotone: Who is that?

Kensuke: I don’t know, but it had to be someone with a pa…

(Suddenly as the figure gets closer, Kensuke’s eyes open wider…)

Kensuke: Wait…it’s not…

(The cycle stops as Kensuke steps back. The detectives look on with interest at this newcomer…)

(…and it soon is apparent this new arrival is a different type of intimidating as she gets off the motorcycle, supporting a look similar to Priss Asagiri from BGC2040.)

Female: Kensuke…you still around? Where’s Seta-san?

Kensuke: He’s not around…but what are you doing here?

Female: Looking for answers – but hey…

(The female turns to the three detectives looking on with interest.)

Female: Who are these guys?

Kensuke: They are investigation the recent…um…unpleasantness…

(The female raises her eyebrow slightly, before moving to remove her cycle helmet…)

Female: Oh…well, guess I can speak to them…I have this hunch that they would find me sooner than later…

(The girl removes her motorcycle helmet, revealing a mop of green hair splattering across her head, but revealing a rather pretty face as her crystal coloured eyes hits the faces of the three detectives…)

Kurz: Pretty…

Kotone: She’s a bit young for you…

Kurz: And?

Female: Please say you two are going to make up for first impressions, because he didn’t impress me.

Negi: Sorry….um…

(Noticing Negi, the girl smiles.)

Female: That’s more like it…the names Duplica. Duplica Imite.

(Yep, we’ve got Giselle here, and so of course, we need to get her arch nemesis in there. Duplica Imite, a master of disguise and the use of the pokemon Ditto, was last scene as a 11 year old girl – 4 years later, she’s still the youngest suspect…something which the detectives may should have picked upon considering what just happened…but she mostly has a friendly personality. At least…until recently…)

Duplica: And you guys are?

Negi: Negi Springfield, Imite-san!

Duplica: So cute! You’re a detective little un?

(Negi blushes…)

Negi: H-Hai, Imite-san!

Kurz: Gah, you’re worse than me…

Duplica: (sarcastic) Yeah right. And your name Playboy-san?

Kurz: Hey!

Kotone: Kurz…

(Kurz sighs)

Kurz: Kurz Weber, sniper of love, nice to meet you…

Duplica: Get ready to be shot down loverboy…

(She turns to Kotone…)

Duplica: And who is the elegant young lady?

Kotone: K-Kotone Himekawa! (bows) Nice to meet you!

Duplica: Hey, the less formalities the better. And so, how come you guys are grilling Aida over there?

Kensuke: They weren’t! They were just asking some questions, and we were finishing up when we heard the bike, and another thing Ditzy…

(Before he finishes, Duplica is in her face as quick as Yuki does to Kyo…)

Duplica: (scary) Say that again…

(Kensuke gulps as the three detectives step back…)

Negi: Fast…

(Duplica turns and is back to being a cute ditz…^_^)

Duplica: Sorry you had to see that, I don’t like it unless a few people call me that – Chi-chan is O.K, Akari-chan as well…Rosetta-chan…

(Duplica shakes her head…)

Duplica: Sorry…just trying to get back into the friendship groove…I lost a lot of time because of an injury…

(Negi, remembering what they found a few days ago, quickly steps in…)

Negi: Was that because of an incident at Kaleido Stage?

(Duplica’s eyes grow slightly…but she smiles.)

Duplica: Yep, pretty good Negi-kun. I think we should speak a bit more private…

(She turns…)

Duplica: Aida, I’m borrowing your tent for the moment. You don’t mind…RIGHT?

(Kensuke looks ahead and nods…)

Kensuke: I-I don’t mind….

(Duplica puts her arms around Kotone and Negi, leading them in…but Kurz eyes her for a moment before following…)

(Back at HQ, Giselle sneezes…)

* * * *

*

(Inside the house, it’s as cosy as it can be as Hikari isn’t too happy about entertaining 4 guest, fortunately, another Hikari (Satoshi) is all business…)

Satoshi: O.K, we were just starting out yesterday, but we have some new information that we need to run through, especially in what your husband told my colleagues yesterday.

Hikari: You don’t beat about the bush do you…

Satoshi: Sorry, but there is something important. Yesterday, your husband told us he didn’t know that Kalos was dead.

Hikari: Yes?

Satoshi: Well, forgive me, but we’ve spoken to Tenchi Masaki, who your husband called yesterday morning, and I quote, your husband basically said something on the lines of ‘well, the bastard is dead now so it’s doesn’t matter now?’

(Triela is trying hard not to giggle with the fact that Satoshi said that with a straight face…Hikari on the other hand looks terrified…)

Hikari: He…said that?

Satoshi: Yes…you didn’t know?

Hikari: (shakes her head) No…I didn’t…

Triela: You didn’t know he made a phone call to the Church of the Returners, knowing that Kalos was murdererd?

Hikari: I DIDN’T KNOW!

(Hikari breaks down slightly as tears drop. Shine goes over, as Ban looks on…)

Hikari: I seriously didn’t know! If Touji knew about anything, it’s the first I knew about it!

Shine: Hikari-san, can you confirm where you was at the time of the phone call then? Around 10am yesterday morning?

Hikari: In the morning? Well, I was out for the moment I know sweeping some leaves and I came in, because then that man there and some others spoke to me and my husband.

Ban: I do have a name you know.

Touji: AND IT’S MUD IF YOU DON’T GET OUT!

(Suddenly, Touji enters and he’s demanding why they are harrassing his wife…)

Touji: WHY ARE YOU GUYS HERE’S AGAIN?!

Triela: Suzuhara-san, please calm down. We were following up on some evidence from yesterday…

Touji: SO WHY IS SHE IN TEARS? I DON’T CARE IF THERE ARE KIDS HERE, YOU GUYS ARE OUT OF HERE!

Triela: (Eri-chan like sly smile) Eh? You want to try something sir? Be warned – I won’t fight…unless I have to defend.

Touji: LIKE IT WOULD TAKE 5 SECONDS TO WIPE YOUR ASS TO THE FLOOR! (Touji’s metal arm flares…)

(…Triela doesn’t. She’s as cool as ice.)

Triela: Hmm…well…this won’t end nicely. However, I don’t want to end it like this…

Ban: We won’t Triela.

(Ban steps forward in front of Touji. Ban is half a foot taller than Touji, and Touji backs down a little…but still seems pissed.)

Ban: Touji, I suggest that the best way to look in this situation is to take a nap…

(Ban lifts his sunglasses up…)

Ban: …and have a pleasant…

(A quick flare of his eyes…)

Ban: …dream.

(Suddenly, Touji stops. Visions of the Eva which crushed his arm and leg flow, the class rep visit in hospital, his sister hurt in the initial Eva attack, the fixing of his legs, Kalos’ face…his face…his face…)

Ban: Just one minute.

(Touji looks up…and sees Ban looking at him with a cocky look…)

Ban: Did you have a good dream?

(Touji is on the couch now as Triela is on one side, and Shine on the other. With Satoshi opposite him, he’s got nowhere to move.)

Satoshi: Calmed down well enough?

(Touji gulps and nods…)

Satoshi: Now then…

* * * *

(Now then, we change over to Team 3, who have managed to get inside the airport, and after some excellent use of a skill…)

Miyabi: I believe this police pass and this VIP card allows me to investigate this further…

Manager: (gulps) Yes ma’am!

Hinata: Miyabi-san, sugoi…

Fai: Miyabi-san, scaaarrryyy….

Miyabi: Control centre…so how far do we need to look in…

Fai: If we just lapse in with each of the suspects and link with any flights in the recent months, we should be O.K.

Miyabi: Right…Hinata, can you check these and Fai, you check these…I’ll do these…

Hinata: Right.

(Miyabi organises quickly as each of them gets a few suspects, and begin looking through search engines – normally it would be impossible to get through, but policepeople and Sakuraba VIP = instant win…)

(Fai and Hinata begin searching, linking suspects with any recent plane trips. And they are smartly trying to link them with the places revealed on the killer clue…)

Miyabi: O.K…let’s try this Chika-san in male clothing…Chiriko…hmm, even the name is similar…

(And the list of trips and amount of pages she has to navigate is hard, especially to link to the trips. Miyabi is a computer whizz, and it’s hard for her…)

(…so to newbies Fai and Hinata…)

Hinata: Umm…

Fai: Just do it slowly Hinata-chan, we’ve got all the time in the world…

Miyabi: (sighs) Stop hiding your own slow pace…

Fai: Ah, she got me…

(We’ll leave them to it…as they have a lot of navigate…)

* * * *

(…and we return to Team 1, as Negi, Kurz and Kotone begin speaking with Duplica. Kurz is watching in case Kensuke (or anyone else) is listening in. Inside, Kotone and Negi begin the interview…)

Negi: Imite-san…

Duplica: Call me Duplica.

Negi: Duplica-san, we need to establish something. We need to find out where you were on the evening of November 5^th, preferably at around 8pm.

(This time, Negi also has a good cup of tea, even Kurz does as he’s doing what he does best, keep guard.)

Duplica: I know you need to speak with people, but why do you think I would want Kalos dead?

Kotone: We need to establish people that have some sort of link, and we believe you do…Duplica-san?

(Duplica sips a cup of tea…)

Duplica: You’d be right.

(Negi and Kotone sit up…)

Duplica: I need to take you back to several months ago…basically, I was a performer at Kaleido Stage, something I’ve wanted to do for around 2 years. I’m a travelling actress and performer, and Kaleido Stage is the big thing in America.

Kotone: So you were working for Kalos before his death?

Duplica: No…I was working for Kalos before I broke my leg.

Kurz: Ah…

Negi: Sorry…

(Duplica shrugs it off…)

Duplica: Don’t be. So I was out for 3 months…however, there was something odd about the way I was injured.

Negi: Odd?

Duplica: Well, the way the rope collapsed during a basic move – I’m barely 100 pounds in weight, it wouldn’t have collapsed from weight, and with Rosetta supporting me, there is no way I would have fallen. No…I suspects…sabotage.

Kotone: So…

(Duplica nods)

Duplica: I made a friend in the hospital, Yomi Mizuhara. She let me on a few things, and seemed intrigued with something on my case. So I did a little investigating of my own…it seems that Kalos had some pretty big insurance deal with my company Child’s Toy.

Negi: Insurance deal?

Kurz: So…in other words, Kalos and this company of yours, they had some injury deal that they collected if you got hurt?

Duplica: Not THEY. Just Kalos.

Kotone: So you think Kalos did something to your act which caused your injury?

Duplica: I know so. If it wasn’t for Sora and Yomi, I could have been a lot worse. However, I confronted him once day and he pretty much dissed me…saying that there was only room for one Japanese star. I know that was bu…

(She stops, seeing Negi’s innocent face…)

Duplica: …not the truth. I knew the insurance fraud, but whether he collected is unknown, but I admit that if it wasn’t the fact she had a lot of friends at Kaleido she would be glad the bastard is dead.

(Kotone is stunned…)

Duplica: But I wouldn’t do such a thing.

Kotone: Where were you then at the time?

(Duplica throws something at Kotone…)

Duplica: That’s my company. They can confirm I was talking with them at a production meeting at the time of the murder.

(Suddenly, Kurz gives a nudge…)

Kurz: Guys, that Aida guy is coming…

(Duplica scowls…)

Duplica: If Seta-san sees me here, I’m in trouble. I’d better go.

(Duplica steps out and puts her motorcycle helmet on and heads on her bike…)

Duplica: See you guys round…

(Duplica heads off into the distance, as Kensuke looks at them…)

Kensuke: Don’t trust her guys. Her name gives it away, she a master of duplicity.

Kurz: Yeah. I think I can see that. With that body I’d say she’s at least 20…

Kensuke: SERIOUSLY!

(Kurz steps back as Kensuke’s panicy face doesn’t do them any favours…)

Kensuke: She’s a sly, intelligent demon! She’s got something more in Kaleido Stage than just an actress…but I don’t know what…that, and she’s brilliant in manipulating people – she’s got something more, but…

Kotone: Kensuke-san, leave it to us…

Negi: Right, we’ll see if her story checks out…

(Kensuke gulps as the detectives start to move out…but the detectives don’t realise the mistake they’ve made, because not only do they leave Duplica (who is underage driving), they don’t question Kensuke with their inquiry, the link with Ruri.)

(The three now have to head off to interview Tamahome…)

* * * *

(…as Touji is literally being given the eye by Ban…)

Shiine-chan: So…we got from Tenchi that you called him yesterday morning and quoted that message. So, can you explain why you lied to my fellow detectives yesterday when you said you didn’t know that Kalos was dead?

(In the background, Hikari is panicky, but Triela is making sure she doesn’t get near him…Hikari is crying and shouting slightly, but Triela’s strength (physical and mental) is enough for the moment to hold her back…)

Touji: Ah…

(Touji coughs but against Ban, Shiine and Satoshi (one strongman, one wizard and one angel incarnate), he hasn’t got much of a chance…)

Touji: (sighs) Fine. I knew Kalos was dead. Doesn’t mean I did anything.

Satoshi: That’s not what we asked.

Shiine: Where were you on November 5^th, 8pm around Suzuhara-san?

Touji: Here.

(In the back…)

Hikari: Touji…please….

Triela: Hikari, we can’t let you get near this…

Hikari: But he didn’t…

Triela: Shh, shh…

(As Triela is playing the calming effect (yes, ironic but also quite truthful – she’s the person who kills the most but is also the mother hen) Touji scoffs at Ban’s suggestion that it isn’t exactly the best alibi in the world…)

Touji: It doesn’t matter…you’ll just believe what you want…

Satoshi: That’s not true, we believe what people tell us. It’s up to us if we decide to follow on it.

Touji: Well believe this pretty boy. It’s true I told Tenchi…but who told me?

Shiine: Someone told you that Kalos was dead?

Touji: Hell yeah. If you need to blame someone, blame doctor-girl.

Shiine: Doctor girl?

Satoshi: Koyomi Mizuhara, I assume.

Touji: (sarcastic) Give the kid a prize.

(Background)

Triela: (listening in) Mrs Suzuhara, how is this Miss Mizuhara linked with you and Kalos?

Hikari: Yomi? She’s…she’s my best friend.

Triela: Your best friend?

Hikari: In the life we’ve been having, we need one. When we were in the midst of fixing Touji’s problem…the Evan Virus…

(Triela begins taking notes…)

Hikari: …she was the doctor who was going to save us. She had a great personality…I loved her…

Triela: You’re using the past tense…

(Hikari nods)

Hikari: Yeah…she was doing some work to help us…(bitter)…and of course, Kalos didn’t appreciate anyone helping anybody unless it was us. So, he made some story which somehow got Yomi fired…

Triela: (interested) He got her fired?

*

Ban: Where she know?

Touji: Dunno. She’s been outta whack since the night he died…but the only other person who may know about her is…

*

Hikari: Chi-chan…I mean Chiriko. He was the other person along with Yomi who was going to work with us to heal Touji.

*

(Shot of the team leaving the household, looking fairly pleased with themselves…)

Ban: So we’ve got to track that scholar kid again?

Triela: Hey, more power to us…

Shiine: Well, we’ve got what we wanted, and does that mean we have to visit Chiriko now?

Satoshi: I believe that’s what…

(Before Satoshi gets his thoughts in (we’d be here forever if that was the case), the phone rings. Ban, remembering to turn the phone on this time, answer.)

Ban: Getbackers here, we have a near 100% recovery rate, video games, cars, serial killers, we get them back at a discount price…

Satoshi: Baka…

(Shiine and Triela giggle but the conversation quickly turns serious…)

Ban: Aya…what’s that?

(A few moments pause before Ban nods…)

Ban: Right, O.K. No, we’ll take it…thanks.

(Ban hangs up)

Ban: Change of plan kids.

Satoshi: I resent that.

Ban: Er…sorry.

Triela: (cracking her knuckles) Shiine-chan, shall we teach Ban what ‘kids’ can do when they are angry?

Shiine: (equally rubbing his hands with magical energy) I must insist Triela-san.

Ban: (gulps) Right, forgot about the whole ‘the kids are more powerful than the adults’ thing. Anyway, we’ve got a cute blue haired girl(authorsTM) to visit.

Shiine: Either Hinata’s joining us on the team…

Triela: My my Shiine-chan…got a crush?

(Shiine blushes, Satoshi ignores, Ban sweatdrops…)

Ban: …or we’re visiting the Maehara girl. Aya called, and she wants us to visit her patteserie. She’s got some info to tell.

Satoshi: Let’s move.

Triela: Let’s go lovaboy…

Shiine: Forgive Chacha-san, for I have sinned…

(The group of 4 very not similar people head back into the van, as Touji watches them go…)

*

(Back to Team 1 (Team 3 are still researching, we’ll return back to them soon) as they head over to where Taka Sukanami lives…just off shore the seaside off Kaleido Star, it seems like a nice place to relax…but I don’t think anybody can relax considering the circumstances…)

(…and worse considering…)

Kurz: You sure about that kid?

Negi: (nods) I think Duplica put us off our game…we may not have done that inquiry right?

Kotone: Why?

Negi: Well, Giselle said that we had to focus on Kensuke…and the link with Ruri we found?

Kurz: Yeah…

Negi: Well, did we ever say anything about that to Kensuke?

Kurz: Er…can’t remember…

Kotone: Sorry Negi-kun…

Negi: Well…we have to make sure this time…

(Whilst Kensuke was fawning over Kotone, what’s the odds it’s the other way round with Taka-kun…er…that sounds kinda bad considering…)

(…but then things get REAL bad as they arrive…)

(Outside the door, someone goes down the steps of the summer home…a stunning girl with orange hair, slim figure in a simple white outfit runs down, as the team don’t get out of the van quick enough to really stop her. Then…)

Tamahome: Mia!

(…to a very handsome young man, build well, messy haircut, blue eyes, handsome face and a Chinese look, but more ancient Chinese…yep, it’s Tamahome (Taka Sukanami) – the bishounen extraordinare from Fushigi Yuugi. He seems really upset as the girl (Mia) is in the distance. He starts to run…)

Kurz: Stop him!

(Negi quick springs to action…)

Negi: Rastel Magistal…

(A circle of wind encircles him…)

Negi: Imertus spiritus requiem!

(Tamahome is caught by a blast of wind and floors him. Tamahome gets up, curses slightly (Kotone covers Negi’s ears first…why? She knew what he was going to say beforehand…^_^))

Tamahome: What was that?

Kurz: A way to stop you my handsome friend.

Tamahome: And who the hell are you?

(Kotone and Kurz both show the badge…yes, the BADGE. Suspects tremble over the power of THE BADGE.)

Tamahome: Oh no…

(Tamahome peers around seeing Negi dust himself off before his magic sti…I mean wand (DAMN YOU AMV HELL 3 AND JOSEPH KLEMM!)…)

Tamahome: Even him?

Kurz: ESPECIALLY him.

Kotone: Sukanami-san? We need to speak to you concerning some recent events, which I’m sure you’re probably aware of.

(Tamahome sighs…)

Tamahome: Yes, so what do you want?

Kurz: A word or three.

Tamahome: O.K…

Negi: Can we come in?

(Tamahome pauses for a moment, before agreeing…)

Tamahome: Sure.

*

Negi: We need to establish some things Sukanami-san…

Kurz: Like who was that cute girl that ran by?

(You can see the facefault appear from Negi, however Tamahome seems genuinely concerned about the question….)

Tamahome: Mia. One of Kalos’ workers…well, I guess a former Kalos’ worker. I don’t know if anyone is taking over yet…but I guess she’s upset, and I received the blunt of that anger. And then some.

Kurz: Why would that be?

Tamahome: Well…Kalos was trying to insinuate that we had an affair. Thought it would be ‘good for business’ if his head writer was having a relationship with me…

(Kotone is the first to notice all the model esque works around in forms of newspaper articles and posters…)

Kotone: So are you a model or an actor then?

Tamahome: Model young lady – I work in Japan, but the business in America is very good. Problem is I have a well known lady as a wife back home…ah…never mind…

(Taka sighs)

Tamahome: Anyway, Mia was upset…and suggests that I HAD killed Kalos…

Negi: Why would she think that?

(Taka shrugs)

Tamahome: Frustration…I dunno. Mia gets kinda hyper at times…

Negi: Well…sorry about that Sukanami-san, but we’ve got to ask you some things…do you know a girl name Ruri Hoshino?

(When Ruri’s name is mentioned…Tamahome pauses…)

Tamahome: Ruri-chan?

Kotone: You know her?

(Another pauses…but he answers…)

Tamahome: Yes…pretty young lady…married, but works tireleslly as an adoption martyr. However, she seemed to try and get me to get involved…something about changing my surname to my wifes to avoid the scandal…it seemed kind of stupid, but others have done it…

Kotone: Anything else you have in connection with Hoshino-san?

Tamahome: Not that I’m aware of…unless there are any more nasty rumours that my wife might kill me about…well, apart from that rumour…

Kotone: What rumour?

Tamahome: There was a rumour when a few of us were talking in one of the bars, that someone was…well…putting a bounty on Kalos.

Kurz: A bounty?

Tamahome: Yeah…and I guess a few people were thinking if I would get involved…

(Tamahome realises the looks of the detectives faces suggest something else, so he coughs and continues…)

Tamahome: …yeah, I’m a martial artist. But I only attack to defend myself and others. Besides, I’ve got an alibi…plus whilst I may not know who put up the bounty…I may know how might have taken it.

(Tamahome hands the detectives a card over)

Tamahome: On the 5^th on that night, I was working at the time at a late night photo shoot at Rook Model Agency, so the managers and the phone records there can prove it.

Kurz: Confident aren’t we?

Tamahome: I always am. As for the real rat…I suggest you head over to a certain okonomiyaki restaurant.

(A quick moment of pause…and the team nods.)

Kotone: O.K, that’s it I think.

(They turn to leave…but Negi, being British, probably watched a lot of old detective shows so…)

Negi: (turning around) Oh, there’s just one more thing…

Kurz: How’d this kid go Columbo on us?

Negi: Tamahome-san, is there anybody that you know who would certainly be interested in this bounty if it was true?

Tamahome: Money – half the country. I’ve said Ukyo already…she would have both the ability and the reasoings. However, in the direct vicinity, Touji definitely – add more incentive. Yomi, she was having problems…but the person I’d suggest most of all…would be Jet Black.

Kurz: Jet?

Tamahome: He’s a money hunter…or more precise, a professional bounty hunter. It’s no motive for him, it’s just a day in the office.

Kurz: Right…

Negi: I think that will be enough for now Sukanami-san. Thank you very much.

(The three do turn around as Tamahome first looks to where they are heading back to the van, and then he looks in the direction where Mia ran away…)

Tamahome: Damn…

* * * *

(A quaint little café, it’s a nice little place where you can eat good European or Japanese food, where sweet and sour collide for a simple delight. And our little chef is perhaps the most unusual suspect for the detectives…she’s completely different than you’d expect for a cold blooded killer…)

Shinobu: (million door kawaii smile) Hai, I hope you enjoy it!

(Ban, Shiine and even Triela are red from 19 year old Shinobu Maehara, now looking more and more like the older and stunning girl we see at the end of Love Hina Vol. 14. Luckily, token yaoi boy Satoshi is there to bring everyone out of it and continue with the investigation…)

(…even if he is doing it with a mouthful of Shinobu Spaghetti and some iced buns…^_^)

Satoshi: Miss Maehara, I understand you wanted to speak with us regarding this case.

(Satoshi’s manner isn’t exactly welcoming to Shinobu…and she seems to go into the shy routine we know very well from the blunette Hinatasou resident…)

Shinobu: Um…well…

Ban: (She’s too innocent…)

Shiine: (She nervous…how can she…)

Triela: (It might be a trick…hold on…)

(Triela puts a hand on Satoshi’s shoulder, as his questioning is just getting nervous response…)

Triela: Satoshi…let me try.

(Satoshi’s eyes raise, but he relents. Triela steps into the frame as she begins speaking…)

Triela: Hello there, do you think it might be better to talk to someone who actually knows how girls feel?

Shinobu: Um…

Triela: Triela.

Shinobu: Triela-san…I called to just confirm some things so…

Triela: O.K…

(After a few seconds, Triela turns to the three males…)

Triela: Watch the shop guys, girl talk here.

Ban/Shiine: WHAT?!!!

(Satoshi chuckles…but Triela goes into the backroom where she and Shinobu have a little interview…)

*

Shinobu: I apologise for making you do this…

Triela: It’s O.K…weird…I’m what, 6 years younger and I’m doing the comforting?

(Shinobu giggles)

Shinobu: Well, I do apologise but I felt I needed to speak with you before you did get to speak with me, because I knew that I would be.

Triela: So, what did you want to speak to us about?

Shinobu: (nods) I knew I could be implicated with the crimes, so I needed to get some things off my chest. You see…myself, Ucchan and Hikari-san are all involved in food businesses…rivals, but on friendly terms you see…

Triela: Whose Ucchan?

Shinobu: Ukyo-san!

Triela: Ah.

Shinobu: Kalos never really liked us, as we drove customers towards us rather than his overpriced vendors at Kaleido Stage. But anyway, the time of the murder, Ukyo called her and almost insinuated that I…well…

Triela: Do something to Kalos?

Shinobu: (nodding) That O could do something to Kalos because of what he’s done in our businesses

(Shinobu starts to cry. Triela looks at her stone faced, but at the same time, it gives a kind aura…)

Triela: Shinobu…I understand this is tough, but you wanted to speak to us, and I’m here to listen, so take your time and explain.

(She allows a few moments for Shinobu to recover. Outside, Satoshi is watching, impressed.)

Triela: So…what happened?

Shinobu: It all went to hell.

Triela: What do you mean?

Shinobu: It…all went to hell because of a stupid mistake I made…

Triela: A mistake? What ‘mistake?’

Shinobu: (wipes a few more tears) The Church.

Triela: The Church? The one where Tenchi Misaki resides?

(Shinobu nods)

Shinobu: The fact that is that I went to the Church of the Returners to change…

Triela: Change? Change what…

(Shinobu pauses before answering…)

Shinobu: My name.

Triela: Your name?

Shinobu: The church is a privately run work, and it cuts some corners and changes some rules for benefit. But it also makes wishes or fantasies come true...in a way. You see…

(You can tell that telling this story is tough for Shinobu, but she soldiers on…)

Shinobu: I have someone…that I love back home…but can’t have as he is with another. So this is the next best thing for me…and…because of this…

(Shinobu’s voice turns a bitter tone…)

Shinobu: …and because of Kalos’ fleshing out of the perperators of this unethical view of the world, two of my best friends, Keitaro Urashima-sempai and Naru Urashima-sempai were really upset and disappointed with me…

Triela: Is this Urashima…

(Shinobu nods)

Shinobu: I cried myself to sleep every night…until that day.

Triela: The day he died?

(Shinobu nods)

Shinobu: On that day…

(Dramatic pause as the men outside listen in…)

Triela: Yes?

Shinobu: I…

(Heart beats get louder and then…)

Shinobu: …manages to talk to then…

(A crash outside…)

Shinobu: What was that?

Triela: That was the sound of three men facefaulting at a response they didn’t expect. Continue.

Shinobu: (nodding) That night, reflecting on everything, I had a really long talk with them over the phone.

(Like a shark, Triela interrupts…)

Triela: What time was that?

Shinobu: It was between 7.50 in the evening to about half past 8.

Triela: Was it from a mobile or from home?

Shinobu: It was from here.

(Triela nods)

Shinobu: I was so sorry about it, and they seemed very understanding…I will return myself back to normal now…and whilst I love my sempai, I won’t ever get in the way for him again…

Triela: Very commendable Miss Maehara. Is there anything else you need to do?

Shinobu: No…I needed to explain that before you got too involved.

Triela: Thank you.

(Shinobu bows as Triela smiles and gives Shinobu a small hug, before heading outside…)

Triela: Did you get that boys?

Satoshi: Yes. Ban and Shiine were too busy rubbing their heads after falling just though…

(Ban and Shiine-chan struggle up…)

Ban: I hate those moments!

Triela: Well here’s a moment for you, we need to track up Shinobu’s records on her phone, and see if we can confirm she was speaking to the Urashima’s on an international call basis at the time of the murder.

Satoshi: If she’s telling the truth, she’s cleared, if not…

Shiine: Let’s find out, I’ll call Aya!

(Shiine does so, as they need a bit of research…and speaking of research…)

* * * *

(Been a while, but that’s because they’ve been through some thorough tracking – each suspect with flights from as far back as a year in Miyabi’s case…)

Fai: I think that’s everyone…

Miyabi: Got the printouts and photocopies?

Fai: As many as we can hold…

Miyabi: Not good enough…

Fai: I’m joking! Hinata-chan got them all…

Hinata: Miyabi-san, I think this one seems to be a good lead…

(Miyabi goes over and checks out what Hinata is looking through – it seemed that she was doing the reading whilst Fai and Miyabi were tracking everything. However, Miyabi nods…)

Miyabi: That’s good. Yep, we’ll use that.

(Miyabi puts whatever Hinata was reading onto a smaller pile in a briefcase (Miyabi’s?). However, let’s flashback to see what they’ve been looking at…

*

Miyabi: That’s a good start…

Fai: You got something Miyabi-san?

Miyabi: Look…Paris trip from Kaleido Stage, involving Rosetta Passel, Sora Naegino and May Wong. Three of those circus girls.

Fai: But they’re travellers anyway right?

Miyabi: True, but look at this.

(A closer look suggests someone else on the same flight…)

Fai: Koyomi Mizuhara…

Miyabi: One of the suspects…on the same flight to Paris.

Fai: Oh my…

Hinata: Miyabi-san!!!

(Miyabi goes over to a struggling computer illiterate ninja as she is struggling…so Miyabi suggests a comprimise…)

* * * *

Hinata: I don’t mind studying…but not on Sakura’s level…

(Shot of Hinata doing the reading checking whilst Fai and Miyabi continue the research…)

*

Fai: Eureka!

Miyabi: What you got?

(Fai prints it off as Miyabi glances through and nods…)

Miyabi: Seta Noriyasu…2 months ago…Trip to Cairo?

Fai: Not just that…CANCELLED on joint trip with Touji Suzuhara…

Miyabi: So Touji was planned to go with Seta to Cairo? But why?

Fai: I know he’s an archeologist but…

Miyabi: Any link at this early stage works, go for it.

* * * *

Fai: Jet over to Mong…er…nah.

Miyabi: Wait a moment…

(Miyabi checks what Fai has got on, and nods…)

Miyabi: Ulan Bator. That’s one of them.

Fai: Seriously?

Miyabi: A familiar name and a familiar place.

(Shot of the name on the heading…one Jet Black.)

Fai: What was he doing on the outskirts of the outback?

Miyabi: Considering his job description, I can hazard a guess…

Hinata: Miyabi-san…

(Miyabi looks over at Hinata’s scanning through some print outs, as the other two research, with so many details to go through, they can’t read them all, so the computer illetrate Hinata-chan is going through it. Whilst her Byagukan may not be that useful here, she’s still got a keen eye…)

Hinata: It seems a lot of the suspects have had flights to and from Japan to Los Angeles…

Miyabi: Understandable.

Hinata: But this one…

(Hinata points at one…namely suspect Tenchi Masaki.)

Hinata: Tenchi-san’s flight is…different…

Miyabi: Why?

Hinata: There wasn’t one.

Miyabi: When was that?

Hinata: Just last month…and I have a feeling that this isn’t the other one…

*

(It takes a while but Hinata’s theory comes true, with help from Fai…)

Fai: Cancelled flights – well, with Tenchi-kun already stopped because of leaving the country...

Miyabi: Hopefully Hinata-san can get us the information from the crew…

(Hinata dashes back, as slightly out of breath, she quickly gets what they want to hear…)

Hinata: Tenchi-san had a few problems because the church was under scrunity after a lawsuit on immorality was put on him from Kalos…

Fai: And didn’t we know that Anna-chan has gone missing?

Miyabi: More than that…Fai, look at your screen…

(Fai does, and realises he has Anna’s fine on record…)

Fai: My my…

Miyabi: Is that…

(Hinata looks over the file she had on Tenchi and nods…)

Hinata: The same time…

Fai: So they were travelling together and both forbidden to leave the country…

Miyabi: Well, they were working partners…

Fai: …but just that?

(Hinata hides her head all red as we fast forward an hour or two, because it’s takes a while before the last bit of information they needed to find is confirmed…)

*

Fai: Ah, another lovely young lady seems to have had a cancelled flight…

Miyabi: Who?

Fai: Ruri-ruri – not to Japan or any of those killer places, but just might be something of interest as it was during the same time that Anna-chan and Tenchi-kun were also cancelled.

Hinata: Haley-kun did say something about how they were being held up because of something Kalos was doing…

MiyabiL The flights that Anna, Ruri and Tenchi were cancelled because of police orders…

Fai: Oh my, a surprise and a bit.

Miyabi: I think may need to have a talk with them.

Fai: Not to mention as well as wondering where these three locations figure in with Yomi, Seta and Jet.

Miyabi: Wait…there is someone else we’ve forgot…

Fai: We’ve went through all the suspects haven’t we?

Miyabi: Indeed, but Hinata, you’ve still got those flight sheets involving Kaleido Star right?

Hinata: Hai, but why?

Miyabi: There is someone we HAVE forgot…

*

Fai: Duplica-chan wasn’t on any flights as a single, but possibly as a member of Kaleido Stage?

Miyabi: Yes, but not just that. I want to know where Kalos has been in the last few months.

(It takes a few moments, but Miyabi’s grin soon resembles that of a Cheshire Cat…)

Miyabi: Yep, it seems like they were planning a world tour with visits to these countries. And look at this.

(SHOT – TRIPLE ILLUSION ACT WITH ROSETTA PASSEL, MAY WONG AND DUPLICA IMITE CANCELLED DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL INJURIES TO MISS IMITE…)

Miyabi: So she was part of the tour…

HinataL And Kalos was part of that…except…

Miyabi: Except what?

Hinata: Well…it says that Kaleido Stage was making a world tour…but…

Fai: But?

Hinata: It says that the tour was paid under KS Productions…but Kalos paid to these 4 places SPECIFICALLY on his OWN account…

(Miyabi and Fai look at it…stunned…)

Fai: She’s right.

Miyabi: So Kalos went alone – there must be a link with these motives.

Fai: Time to have a word with a few of these people…

* * * *

(The three leave the airport, seemingly happy on a job well done…)

Fai: See, now you have a technological edge over your other ninjas!

Hinata: (blushing) F-Fai-san, I don’t think that will help…

(Fai’s friendly banter gets a smile out of Miyabi…)

Miyabi: I miss home – energy of Tina-san and Chika-san is so familiar and the shyness and beauty of Aoi-sama…

(But as they head back from the airport, all the detectives are greeted with a new message on their phone…)

Miyabi: What’s this?

(The text on their phone is simple…but at the same time chilling…)

(THE AZTEC ART MUSEUM - THE MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ARCHETICTURE. Coming out 2 play?)

Miyabi: This killer is getting on my nerves…

*

Fai: We’re home!

Ban: Damn, and I was hoping the killer had abducted you…

Fai: Ban-pan is mean…

Ban: (facefaults) You…

Miyabi: Not here.

Triela: Yes, I think we’ve all got a love letter from the killer…as in several letters in this message…

Ban: And this romantic date will be the first…and last for one of us.

Hinata: Where’s everyone?

(Satoshi, pulling the Hakoto come out of nowhere™ trick, emerges from the darkness…pun intended.)

Satoshi: Negi has gone to his room – he seems a bit upset because he thinks he didn’t do too well. Kotone is helping Shiine to make some lunch – we’ve had some snacks but I think a good meal is what everyone needs.

(A rumble from Fai’s stomach confirms that…)

Triela: As for Kurz…he’s still feeling sore because he got rejected by a 15 year old girl…

Miyabi: Why am I not surprised?

Ban: Kurz…my man…keep your hormones in check…

*

Shiine-chan: (singing to himself) I am the wizard Shii-nechan, and that mutt can go to hell! I’ll be the one with Chacha-san…

(Shiine will discuss his relationship more with Chacha in HQ, but fortunately he’s interrupted by Kotone…)

Kotone: The sauce is ready Shiine-chan!

Shiine-chan: H-ai!

Hinata: (distant) It’s just so different…these cultures…I don’t know what to expect…

Triela: (distant) I believe the term is ‘expect everything, trust nothing…’

Satoshi: I thought it was ‘suspect everyone, trust no-one…’

Triela: Same thing.

Ban: Well, despite everything, we did good today…so Aya…

Fai: Hey, where is Aya-chan?

*

(Shot of Aya upstairs with Negi…another HQ bit shows what Negi’s state when they returned back, but Aya is playing Asuna’s role here…only not as violent…)

Aya: Negi-kun, you know how good you are…you don’t need to be such a perfectionist…

Negi: I know Aya-san, and considering the amount I do to imrpove, I expect this. But…to forgot our inquiry?

Aya: Kotone-chan and Kurz-kun seem fine with it…

Negi: But…I’m still worried…

Aya: Negi, I’m no leader, yet I was nominated based on friendship. Sometimes brains isn’t everything…trust me. I only got there because of my harsh parents and insistent studying – I’m not a genius like you…

(Negi looks up as Aya tells her story…)

Aya: …but I met my friends…my first real friends in a long time, in Aya and Miyu…as well as Yuya…and (blushing slightly) Rei…

(Aya looks up with a smile…)

Aya: They gave me strength, despite everything I’ve been and done up until this point. They forgave my mistakes, changed who I was, and were my harshest critics at the same time.

(Negi sits up as Aya smiles…)

Aya: Those people down here…they may see a mistake and capitalise on it…but don’t jeopardise what people genuinely think of you Negi-kun.

Negi: Aya-san…

(Aya taps Negi’s hand before turning to leave…)

Aya: Shall we go Negi-kun?

(Negi nods with a smile on his Momiji like baby-face.)

Negi: Hai!

*

(The first one of two team meetings, this one sans Giselle, is intriguing as whilst Miyabi certainly is leadership material, how does the most timid (and self-confessed mole (though not as a mole in how much of us anime reality fans might think) fit into the situation?)

Aya: …so you got information from Touji, which links in slightly with what you said Miyabi-san?

Satoshi: Indeed – I think this Yomi needs to be a focus. Not only does she link in with the killer clue according to Team 3, but also she is linked with Touji Suzuhara, and according to Hikari, has a possible motive – both financially and emotionally.

Aya: If Yomi is a focus…

Kurz: (interrupting) No way – she’s not the killing type. I think the façade of Duplica is more warrant of suspicion. We didn’t get to focus on Kensuke or Seta thanks to her…she’s hiding something.

Aya: Kurz-kun…um…

Ban: (interrupting more) Listen, we know what you think – but this is what we know at the moment. Is she more dangerous than Touji or Tenchi? At the moment I wouldn’t think so..

Triela: But you wouldn’t think someone like Ruri is dangerous either…

Aya: Guys…

Fai: But they met Shinobu-chan, how can anyone say she’s dangerous?

Kotone: Um…everyone…

(A slamming on the table interrupts EVERYONE…)

Miyabi: Minna-san, it’s worthwile that you want to speak, but has the common decency to let our assembled leader to push her voice forward rather than having the manners of the wild boar.

(Miyabi’s scary face™ puts everyone in their place. Aya sighs with relief, Negi looks around and Hinata hides her face (so no-one can see her giggling…))

(Aya gives a thanks to Miyabi and they continue…)

*

(…but none of that crap happens when a certain girl joins them downstairs at 8pm sharp…)

Giselle: SO…you survived that day – well, maybe I might respect some of you…maybe…

Triela: Never a good sign…

Giselle: Ha ha miss cy-girl. Anyway…I want to talk to you guys about your inquiries anyway.

(A glare at Kurz, Negi and Kotone (in row 1) immediately puts a cold sweat on all three of them…)

Giselle: Well, well, girl, kid and pervert – I shall repeat to you what I said at the beginning of the day.

(Giselle coughs before continuing, Negi in particular knowing what is coming…)

Giselle: Team 1 will be finding out about two suspects that were linked with those discs, and find out what the heck is so important about them which requires a girl like Ruri to keep track of them. Namely, Kensuke Aida and Taka Sukanami.

(Giselle examines each of them with a death glare before continuing…)

Giselle: You spoke to Kensuke, interrogated him briefly…and I was waiting for the word Ruri to come…and waited…and waited…and then, a certain green haired bi…person came and ruined everything. And you fell for it completely.

Kurz: We were just interviewing her as well! We forgot the inquiry maybe with Kensuke, but we made up with Taka!

Giselle: (smirked) Didn’t you even realise you could have arrested Duplica?

(The three looks stunned for a moment…)

Negi: Giselle-san, how old is Imite-san?

Giselle: (smirks) 3 years younger than me…making her 15. Under the age to be driving.

(The team realise that was what they had to notice in their inquiry…)

Giselle: Fortunately, we caught up with her…sadly, she was just cautioned and her cycle reposessed. Plus, she paid bail for herself pretty quick for a 15 year old…damn her…won’t ever get her revenge…

(Whilst they wonder what the heck she is on about, she resumes her acid tongue…)

Giselle: You made up for it somewhat when you found Taka, and you know now there is something going on with a relationship with Kaleido Stage, Kalos’ company, and specifically one of it’s workers in Mia Guillem. He’s got a potential alibi, and a new possible motive linked with a possible bounty posted on Kalos. We’re looking into this and will get back to you as soon as possible…but negligance is no benefit for incompetence.

(The three realise this lady isn’t as forgiving as Yukino…yes, there is someone scarier than Yukinon…)

Giselle: Team 2, consisting of the detective, the sarcastic cy-girl, the getbacker and the perverted warlock…

Shiine: Hey!

Giselle: (ignoring) Whilst Ban wouldn’t have liked returning to that place, you did take a cue from Hinata yesterday when she used her unique abilities to get the information you wanted, and Ban used his unique Jagen to disable Touji as the situation was getting heated. Triela was ready and calm in that situation as well, so I have to say, that was impressive.

(Ban’s ego got an injection of high as Giselle continues her self-assessment…)

Giselle: Aya then got some info to you which you took quick advantage of, and again, you made use of your team – this time letting Triela calm down a seemingly male scared Shinobu and managing to get a motive, but at the same time, a possible alibi. Once again, we are checking that one as we speak, and will get back to you. Looks like you guys done good today.

(Triela smiles brightly, Satoshi just has a gentle smile, whilst Shiine-chan has a full grin…despite the perverted warlock comment…)

Giselle: So yesterdays Team 3 have had a mixed day so far, so what of today’s Team 3, which include the former leader on her debut, the lazy wizard and Miss I’m shy therefore I can kick ass?

(No-one rises to the bait as Giselle sighs…)

Giselle: That’s no fun. Oh well…

(She looks at her notes…)

Giselle: You guys had a long day didn’t you – but that was good. You stayed until you got as much information as you could on each of the suspects, linking with the killer clue, and even stuff that isn’t linked with the killer clue. Yomi was mentioned, like with Touji’s team, Jet, another link with Taka earlier, as well as links with Seta, Touji and the unusual cancellations of Ruri, Tenchi and Anna. Perseverance gets it’s own reward, and you three got plenty of it. Well done.

(That’s it? No insults…not that they wanted them…but…it’s Giselle! Nonetheless, Miyabi is more than satisfied with her debut performance, Fai is happy he’s not shouted at, whilst Hinata meekly smiles…)

Giselle: Because of this, we have a lot of links that we can follow up on – but we have to worry about that tomorrow, as the killer decided to give us a text of death to say the least, and that is another reason why everyone should have to worry tomorrow, as two more people will be having their head on the preverable guillotine.

(Giselle twirls around in a supposed elegant exit…)

Giselle: Don’t disappoint tomorrow if you want to remain here.

(Giselle leaves, as a verbal, if not emotional sigh of relief exits the room with her…)

(We get a little more discussion about the aftermath of Giselle’s brutalisation, but late at night, the rooms are far from quiet…)

Ban: So you were chewed out by a prep girl? Big deal – that Miyabi thinks she’s all that! If Aya was a bit more assertive…

Kurz: I know I’m screwed – working with two kids doesn’t help no matter how cute Kotone-chan is…

Ban: Well, we’re screwed if Miyabi’s team passes…Fai and Hinata aren’t a threat…though I’m a bit pissed Hinata voted for me before…

Kurz: But…

Ban: No…Miyabi is our focus – as much as she is a bitch, she’s too strong and smart as a leader to not be a threat. My power may get me into trouble, but if we can take the heat off someone else...

Kurz: Negi is someone we could do that to…

Ban: We do that…and we are totally screwed.

Kurz: Why?

Ban: In case you didn’t realise, this game is one part skill, one part smarts, and two parts popularity. And I’d say Negi beats us on that alone…Miyabi…she’s an easier target.

Kurz: Damn…

Ban: We’ll focus on the kids later…right now…Sakuraba bitch is ours…

*

Miyabi: …if someone is talking ill will with Aoi-sama…

Triela: Don’t let it get to you – you were sticking up for Aya, and those blockheads don’t get it…

Miyabi: You did it as well.

Triela: Gah…

Miyabi: Look, it’s just me – I can’t tolerate bad manners when someone is trying their hardest…

Triela: Just lighten up a little…you can always get revenge tomorrow night…

Miyabi: (sigh) I just get the feeling that either way I’m going out. I don’t think Aya has forgiven me this morning even when I explained why I pick Mizuki…

Triela: Ah…

Miyabi: I just hope that Fai and Hinata don’t let me down…I’ve enjoyed working with them, even if Fai is a bit hectic and Hinata is shy…

Triela: You got a cute girl and a cute guy as partners – better than the over loveless magician, the cold guy and the blockhead…

*

Shiine: Giselle was mean!

Negi: I think I know that…I’ve met mean girls before…but they always seem to have some good side to them…

Shiine: I’ll introduce you to Marine-san…maybe you’ll think different then…(lovey duvey)…but CHACHA-SAN, MY CHACHA-SAN (depressed) what is that Riiya-mutt doing without me there…

Negi: (sighs) Lovesick…then again…

(He takes a picture of a number of the girls – the main ones (i.e Asuna, Konoka, Nodoka, Setsuna, Kufei, Yue and Asakura…)

Negi: …maybe I’m homesick now…I never thought in such a short time I would miss there and call it my home….but tomorrow…

(Negi looks outside…)

Negi: …I don’t intend to go home early.

*

Kotone: It’s not been a couple of good days…I couldn’t have seen that coming…

Hinata: If Miyabi-san wasn’t there…

Kotone: Negi-kun is sweet and smart, but he can’t hold the team at his age – Kurz always makes me nervous…

Hinata: (shudders) I understand…

Kotone: The fact he returned and Mizuki left didn’t sit well…but you’re still here Hinata-chan…and Aya-san feels a little alone, maybe that’s why the guys were quick to get over her…even Triela-san…

Hinata: (nods) It isn’t fair…but we know fair isn’t what this is about…whether we like it or not…

Kotone: I know…(looks outside)…Aoi-chan…

Hinata: Practice?

(Kotone nods)

Kotone: I need something to take it off my mind…

*

Satoshi: Plenty to think about tonight – more people, more motives. How’s Miyabi treating you?

Fai: She’s tough but fair…makes me enjoy the detective work…well…almost…

Satoshi: Do you think you can win?

Fai: It’s not up to me whether I can win or not, it’s up to everyone in reality…Sato-kun, you’re so good at this…but despite being the best, you won’t win if people think you’re too strong.

Satoshi: I know…there is nothing I can do about that though. Once people knew what I did, I couldn’t have done anything even if I wanted to.

Fai: So you want to look like a target?

Satoshi: I never said that…I’m just seeing if I can make others bigger targets.

Fai: Sato-kun is evvvilll…

Satoshi: (smiling) Maybe I am…

*

(Alone, Aya Hoshino looks at the list of 11 detectives, she seems to be listing them in order of popularity in terms of just being popular of course, intelligence, strength, charm, skill and friendship…)

Aya: You may misunderstand me…ignore me…but a reminder if you can hear it…

(Aya smiles)

Aya: I’m the one with the ability to decide if you want to stay…

(She stabs someone’s name with a pencil)

Aya: …and you do not.

* * * *

(9.45am)

(It’s early morning, and most of the detectives are already ready for Giselle’s latest set of inquiries, with the exception of Kotone and Fai who are washing up.)

(Inside the evidence room, we see Aya watching everyone – as Miyabi is organising what appears to be a plan of action for today, Shiine-chan and Negi talking friendly, possibly discussing what to do for day despite being in the same teams, whilst Ban and Kurz drink coffee.)

(Outside, clearly see Hinata doing what seems to be some morning training with Triela giving pointers. Satoshi is also watching them, though from afar, and also seems to be taking notes…we’ll see what their real thoughts are in HQ, but for now, Aya seems to be ready to strike like the proverbial snake later tonight…)

*

(10.00am)

(Everyone is back, including Hinata and Triela after a quick fountain wash (Hinata actually bleeding from the lip and Triela looking really apologetic) – as Giselle slides in (professionally of course) as she surveys the filth…or as we call them, the detectives.)

Giselle: Well, after a nights of beauty sleep…not like I need it…

(Trademark Giselle barb starts the day, I’m sure though Kotone and Aya would have something to say about that…but anyway…)

Giselle: So tonight, we lose one more of you. Downsizing is nasty, but always necessary. So just make sure you aren’t one of them. As you know, one team will pass and avoid the group vote…but that doesn’t mean you are safe, as Hoshino-san here can easily end your dreams as quickly as Kagurasaki-san did last time.

(Miyabi seems to still feel a little guilty, especially considering that was said in front of Mizuki’s best friend of the detectives, the current Team Leader Aya….of course, that’s what Giselle wants, to make everyone uncomfortable, but let’s move on…)

Giselle: So to make sure you don’t suffer, I suggest you get your act together.

(Giselle warning over, she gets to business…)

Giselle: Team 1, you screwed up yesterday. Today, you are going to revisit Kensuke and this time ask him about the link he has with Ruri. Get what you can. After that, find Jet Black. He’s our next suspect on our hit list, as we need to focus on what Tamahome said, as well as the information that he, indeed, was linked to one of these places found on the killer clue.

(Shot of Negi’s look of determination (Ayaka would have a field day seeing Negi-sensei like this), Kotone looking a little less nervous and a lot more focused. Kurz also is in serious mode too, prepared for battle…)

Giselle: It seems failure can be a medicine after all…not that I’d be used to it…

(The author coughs the word ‘liar’ out)

Giselle: Team 2…got your revenge on Touji, but the Suzuharas were certainly seeming to shift the blame on one Yomi Mizuhara…though they may have a point considering she took a trip to Paris, one of the locations of the killer clue…so you four are going to speak to a girl who certainly isn’t more attractive than I am…

Ban: I think we’ll be the judge of that right Shiine-chan?

Shiine: Hai!

Triela: (slaps her forehead) Baka baka.

Giselle: (pissed) You want me to automatically fail you? (returns to normal) Anyway, find the doctor-girl and speak to her. She hasn’t been in the best state of mind though, so be careful.

Giselle: That leaves you three, serious, lazy and…er…erm…

(Giselle sighs)

Giselle: Fine, she’s cute. Happy?

(A few nods from the group as Giselle redirects…)

Giselle: You did the airport work, so let’s avoid the other suspects for the moment and focus on Kaleido Stage. I want you to link with what you found out with Kalos, as he was travelling around in all of these locations in that world tour. So, who closer than his colleagues? Go there and go scare them…

Giselle: I’ve finished. You still here? Get going!

(The teams split, either scared of Giselle or eager to work…probably both…)

* * * *

Negi: We’re going to be O.K right?

Kotone: I think so…

Kurz: Nah, we’ll be brilliant. We’ll just totally kick rear for this inquiry and the other two teams will fail miserably that we win from behind…

Negi: Someone with Miyabi-san and Satoshi-san I don’t think that will happen…

Kurz: Negative Negi, we don’t like that! Come on!!!

(Kurz’ pep talk seems more intimidating than energising, but…what the heck works…)

*

Satoshi: …you saw how Negi looked when Giselle laid into the team. We just need to make sure we stay above Miyabi’s team.

Ban: That’s no problem. Fai sucks, Hinata’s pretty good, but only really when she’s with her own age – Miyabi seems to intimidate them into doing what the hell she wants…

Triela: *coughs* Potcallingkettle…

Ban: What was that?

Triela: Sorry, bad cheese today, I think Shiine-chan overcooked it…

Shiine-chan: But Triela-san, you had plain toast…

Triela: (sweetly) Sh-in-e-chan…

Shiine-chan: DRIVE QUICKLY!!!!

*

Miyabi: If we keep this up, we’ll manage to advance easily. Fai-san, Hinata-san, are you prepared to be strong?

Hinata: H-hai…Miyabi-san…

Fai: My my, as long as we keep up with Miyabi-san, we have no worries, right?

Miyabi: Erm…yes…quite. Anyway…

*

(The three teams have three very different inquiries but all have the same goal – avoid the dread vote. Aya is a wildcard as she watches them go – she gets the choice of picking any one of the 11. Who will it be? Miyabi for eliminating her friend? Kurz, for his playboy way? Satoshi, for being damn scary? Ban, as he’s an arrogance asshole? Negi, who strives for perfection? Shiine-chan, the chibi pervert in disguise? Hinata, shy and insecure? Triela, boisterous and too strong? Kotone, nervous and hasn’t shown her potential? Or Fai, lazy and a chick following the leader? She will decide their fate…)

*

(It’s true, they’re nervous as they believe they aren’t going to pass this inquiries, after Giselle told them off last time out. So they need to try and get top marks here – so it’s back to the site…)

Negi: Kotone-chan, take the lead…

Kotone: Why?

Kurz: Simple…he likes you.

Kotone: And that’s the reason why I don’t want to do it…

(They move up into the site, get by Pedro and Kensuke isn’t too pleased to see them, as they are following up…but there is another reason why Kotone is taking the lead…)

*

Kensuke: I thought I dealt with you guys yesterday….

Kotone: (sweetly) But Duplica-chan interrupted us and we never got to finish our inquiry. So if you don’t mind…

(Kensuke melts like heated butter…)

Kensuke: Oh sure…would…

Kotone: I’d like green tea with honey, Negi kun wants to know if you have Earl Grey, and Kurz just wants anything that doesn’t come from an American coffee machine.

Kurz/Negi/Kensuke: WHAT?

*

Ban: …Yomi is a bit of a needle in a haystack? Rich bitch didn’t tell us where she was and our driver is as lost as we are!!!! I might as well take i…

Shiine/Triela: NO!!!

Ban: You guys are kids and you still ruin my fun!!!

Satoshi: It’s seems Miss Mizuhara has no specific residence. She was staying with various friends when Kalos fired her it seems. I suggest we…

(Indeed, a visit to Yomi is hard because she doesn’t seem to have a specific residence – however, after a bit of patience…)

Ban: DAMN IT!

(Ban nearly kicks the door of the hospital where she used to work, as they don’t have much information…I said patience, not patients…)

Satoshi: They gave us the location of the housing society, maybe she’s registered there now so what else can we do?

(After a fair drive, they find her located in a small clinic home which she seems to have opened herself recently…)

Ban: This is it?

Shiine: This is where a doctor lives?

Triela: She’s been on hard time Shiine-chan – I guess this is what she can do, but hey, a clinic is a start.

Satoshi: Now let’s see if she’s actually here…

(Satoshi knocks on the door…)

Satoshi: Koyomi Mizuhara?

Yomi: (muffled) Who is it?

Satoshi: I’m Satoshi Hiwatari, detective. I’m here with my three fellow detectives, Ban Mido, Triela and Shiine….

Shine: Ahem…

Satoshi: (sighs) Sorry, Shiine-chan…anyway, we need to speak to you quite urgently – there are some really pressing matters which happened recently and we need to speak to you.

(The door slowly opens…)

Yomi: …well, aren’t we cute?

(Koyomi Mizuhara (AZUMANGA DAIOH) is the next suspect that greets the detectives. A tall lady, her trademark glasses are still there, but she’s traded her school uniform and stocking for a white doctors coat hanging around her body. She seems happy, but from the prologue, she wasn’t like this before…so…)

Yomi: You’re detectives? Wow…so young and yet mature…except for the glasses guy there.

Ban: At least she knows I’m not a kid…

Yomi: He’s got ‘immature brat’ written on it…

Ban: (stewing in anger) Lo…

(Triela elbows him)

Triela: Not now…

(Ban continues to stew, but she relents as Satoshi continues…)

Satoshi: If it’s O.K Miss Mizuhara, can we speak to you as it is a pressing matter and you’re testimony could be very vital…

(Yomi gets a moment of pause and suspicion, but relents.)

Yomi: Fine, you look reliable enough. Come on.

(Yomi enters the clinic with the four detectives following…is Yomi a pleasant yet sarcastic person…or a killer in disguise?)

*

(Kaleido Stage…where it all began a few days ago…and where Team 3 now continue on…except…)

Fai: Oh dear…

(…not exactly, as Kaleido Stage is on the closed for business side, considering their owner is currently…well…deceased…)

Miyabi: I wonder if anyone is going to take over?

(Suddenly, Hinata notices something…)

Hinata: Miyabi-san, there’s movement over there…inside…

Miyabi: People inside?

Fai: Open for business?

Hinata: I don’t know…

Miyabi: Then…we’ll have to get closer…

(They move forward, are initially stopped by police, but thanks to their passes and Jerry recognising Hinata, they escape the van and move ahead…)

Woman: Hold it!!!

(A beautiful woman (in her early 30s – similar to Miyabi) with blond hair stops them…)

Woman: NO-ONE CAN COME H…

(Miyabi shows the badge of doom…)

Miyabi: Ma’am, we’re detectives. We’re here to investigate Kalos’ death.

(The woman pauses, wipes a few tears…before speaking…)

Woman: Sorry…I didn’t know. It’s been bad, as you can imagine…

Fai: Ma’am, who are you?

Woman: Sarah, I’m Kalos’ fiance.

*

(Finally, Kotone begins to show some of those managerial skills that made Aoi Matsuraba the Female Extreme Champion (and also bring in one of the sweetest friendships in anime, screw Akari/Hiroyuki, Aoi/Kotone owns you!) by taking the lead over Negi and Kurz. Of course, being a psychic helps a little as well…)

Kotone: We discovered a piece of evidence that may link you with Ruri Hoshino. Would you care to explain?

Kensuke: Um…I’m not sure…

Kurz: That turn of nervousness isn’t good…

Negi: Aida-san, you need to tell us something if you don’t want to be implimented in the crime.

Kotone: The waves predict there is a link…but you’re not letting me look in. So please…

(Kotone, her pale blue hair, that pretty face, and that tracksuit sweats with pleading puppydog eyes…Kensuke hasn’t got a friggin’ chance…)

Kensuke: I don’t know per say, but I do know that, whilst working as an architect in co-illation with Seta-san, I also work as a freelance photographer…and let’s just say I’ve got a few ideas of Ruri’s work within the agency…but why she would keep tabs on me, I have no idea…

Kotone: I don’t remember saying that…

(Kensuke stumbles, realising he said something that means that he KNOWS that Ruri is keeping tabs on him.)

Negi: Aida-san, please…

(Kensuke shakes his head…)

Kensuke: O.K…look…I’m a good friend of the Suzuharas, and Ruri was working with Tenchi and Anna towards their marriage, and Ruri was sort of a go-between considering their current circumstances. But…well…I guess maybe she was nervous if I had certain other information which linked her with Kalos, or something else after the whole agency problems…

Kurz: Is that it?

Kensuke: I’m…I’m sure…

Kurz: You don’t seem sure to me…

Kensuke: That’s because I don’t really know!

Negi: Kurz, please…

Kotone: O.K, that’s fine.

Kurz/Negi: Huh?

Kotone: Pleasure to doing business with you Kensuke-kun – we may be seeing you soon…

Kensuke: Not so sure if the feeling is mutual…unless it’s just you Kotone-chan…

Negi: Note to self, never put Kotone-san and Aya-san in the same team…

Kotone: And if there are three girls?

Kurz: Not sure…we don’t know if he’s got the lolicon thing or the older woman thing…

(Kensuke sweatdrops mightily as they leave…and Kotone explains the early leave…)

Kurz: His mind is a blank?

Kotone: (nods) Feelings of nervousness without the information – Kensuke couldn’t tell us anything because he was muddled up and nervous, but also because he doesn’t honestly seem to have any real concrete information.

Negi: Which means Ruri has something more…

Kotone: It could be something to do with his work as a photographer, maybe he caught Ruri doing something she wanted to keep secret…like an affair or something…

Kurz: Seriously?

Negi: It’s better than anything else we have – come on, we’ve now got to find Jet Black-san.

Kotone: Right!

(The three enter the van…)

(As the trio are leaving…something makes them stop…)

Kurz: Not again…

(No, no motorcycle, this time…but rather a speeding jeep…)

(…that somehow jumps and turns upside down! The three’s eyes bug out, but soon common sense to save people hits Negi and Kotone, with Kurz really wishing Arm Slaves were allowed…)

Negi: Rastel Magistal…

Kotone: Come on…

(Psychic and wind powers combined lower the jeep to the floor with a soft touch…in fact, it might be the lightest landing that this suspect has had…)

????: Force of habit…reaching for the bandages…

Kurz: Excuse me?

????: Oh forgive me sir, just a minor slip-up…

Negi: And you are?

(The man (as if you didn’t know who it was) emerges from the upside down jeep. No trademark cut on the forehead, but his white lab coat is still there as is his glasses, and gentle, yet at the same time, fierce, demeanour…)

Seta: Seta Noriyasu. (LOVE HINA)

(Why has Kotone changed so much? Read Inside HQ to find out…but for now, we head off to Team 2 territory…)

* * * *

(If you have read the prologue, Yomi seems a lot better than we last saw her, as she is helping the injured in the privacy of her own wake. She isn’t too minding about the detectives either, so at the moment, she seems to be the favourite suspect of the bunch (especially the males)…plus…)

Yomi: So you want to see if I bumped off Kalos huh?

(…she is straight to the point.)

Shiine: We checked with some police records when whoever killed Kalos left a list of names of people who it could have been, and if we’re not being too nosy Mizuhara-san, Kalos seemed to have some involvement with your previous job…

Yomi: (nods) Yes, I worked at the Los Angeles COE Hospital near Kaleido Stage, working with Kate Jerrison, a famed doctor whose married to one of the police officers there. Yes, to say that I wasn’t a flavour of the months to Kalos is an understatement.

(Yomi puts down a cup of tea to explain…)

Yomi: I was a doctor who was working on something called the Evan virus for a time which was something Kalos had apparently invested heavily into…

(That’s news…the team notice this knowing does this link with the previous information from Touji…but remember, they are thinking she had something to do with the murder…)

Yomi: …and I don’t think he wanted anyone to help others…unless it was him and he made a profit from it. Business first, heart later.

Ban: So you were perhaps trying to help in something which Kalos didn’t want help with?

Yomi: There is that…but there is something else. I was also the doctor that was main doctor for Duplica’s injury when a stunt went badly wrong at Kaleido Stage.

Triela: Duplica?

Yomi: An actress working on the stage before she was injured badly in a routine performance. Checking the records whilst she was in the hospital, I came upon some pecularities…

Ban: Pecularities? The injury or something else?

Yomi: Most definitely something else. As in…how much she was being insured…

Triela: I thought it was standard practice in dangerous professions?

Ban: Know from experience?

(Triela lightly elbows Ban, but Yomi is all serious…)

Yomi: It is standard practice, but the fact was that Duplica Insurance company was an independent one named Child’s Toy, who as far as I know, had no link with Kaleido Stage in any way, shape or form. But…whilst I was investigating it, Kalos somehow found out, pulled some strings…and fired my ass.

(Satoshi finally speaks up…seemingly letting his other detectives go into duty surprisingly…)

Satoshi: You said you were in link with working with the Suzuharas in their fight against their problems. From an early inquiry, we found that someone else other than Kalos was also involved in trying to sort out a cure…

Yomi: (nodding) That would be Chiy…I mean Chi-chan. Force of habit.

Satoshi: Chiriko.

Yomi: Yep…but Kalos has his ways of making to get the dirt on anyone getting in his way…and to do it to someone like Chiriko…

(Yomi clutches her fist…)

Yomi: Scumbag.

Ban: I take it his death hasn’t shed too many tears in your eyes…

Yomi: (sarcastic) Yes, his death has caused many a strain to my wallet, a pain towards my friend and untouched agony in recovering my life…

Ban: Just asking.

Yomi: (sighs) No, I’m sorry. I’ve only just managed to get this place open after a lot of hard work…I guess I’m on edge that I’m finally getting somewhere in life after all this crap…

Shiine: Um…could I ask you something?

Yomi: Sure sweetie.

Shiine: We…we do need to know where you were around 8pm on November 5^th, if that’s allright…

Ban: Don’t be scared…

(Yomi just laughs and ruffles Shiine-chan’s hair…)

Yomi: Now aren’t we cute? But don’t be scared…I know it’s what you have to do.

(Yomi stands up to put her tea back as she explains her alibi…)

Yomi: I remember coming back at night after a talk with a few people…and I was a bit drunk. So…

Satoshi: So?

Yomi: …I don’t remember.

(You would normally see a facefault here, but considering the seriousness of the nature, we don’t get it. In fact, what we do get is looks of concern…from all parties concerned.)

Satoshi: That’s not much of an alibi Miss Mizuhara.

Yomi: Trust me, I’m not happy about it either, but I’ll get back to you on that. I’m a smart woman and was on a good amount before isn’t stupid to spend all at once. Once my bearings are back, I’ll contact you.

(The detectives don’t seem to be too convinced, but that seems to be the best they can go for…but as they do…a knock on the door interrupts them…)

Male voice: Mizuhara-san?

(Ban recognises the voice immediately…)

Ban: Chiriko.

(Yomi seems concerned to speak with him with the detectives are here. Satoshi immediately notices it and smiles.)

Satoshi: It’s O.K Miss Mizuhara, you may invite him.

(Yomi realises the situation…but sighs.)

Yomi: Chiriko, come in – but be warned, we have company.

(Chiriko enters…all smiles.)

Chiriko: I just needed to see this…oh.

(His smiles are all gone once he sees Ban, and makes a conclusion with the others…)

Chiriko: Did I interrupt?

Satoshi: Not at all – in fact…

* * * *

(Sarah is rightfully upset, considering everything that has happened to her fiance, and three very different detectives won’t exactly help…they have to see if they can get as much information from Kaleido Stage as possible. However, Sarah’s condition isn’t really the best way for straight talking like Miyabi…)

Sarah: This isn’t the best time…we are sorting things out for tomorrow’s funeral…

Miyabi: But I thought this is a good time and an idea for you to help us catch Kalos’ killer…

Sarah: Who cares, he’s dead!

Miyabi: Excuse me…

Fai: Miyabi-san, she’s not in the best frame of mind. I think we can speak with others right?

Miyabi: But everyone needs to…

Sarah: Listen, I ca…

Hinata: Sarah-san?

(Sarah seems ready to be angry, but seems to notice Hinata for the first time as she speaks softly…)

Hinata: I can understand the agony and pain when your life is turned away…when you are rejected…and loved ones vanish anyway…

(Not strictly true…but not strictly false either…)

Hinata: …so that’s why we are here, you can be at ease – and the best to do so is to make sure that the person who did this can be made to justice. So please…can’t you help myself and my friends?

(Sarah wipes her eyes…)

Sarah: This is really hard for me you know?

Hinata: (nods) Take your time Sarah-san.

(Hinata kneels down as Sarah tries to control herself. Miyabi and Fai look on, and close in, trying not to intimidate her.)

Hinata: Are you O.K Sarah-san?

(Sarah nods)

Sarah: It’s been bad – considering how many people wanted Kalos’ blood…but I never expected it to happen.

Miyabi: So you knew what relationship Kalos had around here?

Sarah: I never agreed with all his methods…but I still loved him.

Miyabi: And we’re here to make sure we get revenge for that. And so, we have come across something you may be able to help us with.

(Miyabi brings out the map…)

Miyabi: On one of our inquiries, we located this map, which we believe may have been left behind by the killer…and several locations have been marked. And we believe that Kalos had a link with these, apart from a world tour of Kaleido Stage.

Fai: So madam, if you don’t mind, we’d like to see if you can lighten our minds and help us…

(Sarah wipes her eyes and has a quick look at the map…she notices Paris…)

Sarah: Paris? Well, Rosetta visits there frequently, as does Leon…

Miyabi: We were more interested in various people we believe might have reasoned to have caused harm to Kalos.

Sarah: Like?

Miyabi: You tell us.

(Sarah looks a little mad, but Hinata defuses the situation…)

Hinata: Is there anybody that you feel you believe had a real motive more than others…

(Sarah has to think, and then anger pours up again…)

Sarah: That Mizuhara girl. She was a real bitch who seemed to want to destroy us…she was stalking poor Rosetta many a time, drunk or not, trying to get her to blow the whistle on Kalos many a time!!! And now, she seems to have got her life on track whilst Kalos’ has ended? How wrong is that?

(Fai seems to cough the word ‘hypocrite’ but not too loudly…as Hinata gives him a Byakugan eye which could have melted him…fortunately, Sarah didn’t notice and continues…)

Fai: And of course, she was trying to get her to speak about her best friend, Duplica. Damn the nerve…

Hinata: Duplica?

Miyabi: Why her?

Sarah: She was the sister that Rosetta didn’t have – she loves Sora like an older sister, but Duplica was her roomate, and the one true friend she ever had. It hit Rosetta hard when Duplica was injured, and people like Yomi saying Kalos was the cause with a fraudant insurance claim or some crap like that…

Miyabi: That explains Rosetta’s reaction when Mizuki tried to interview her…

Sarah: Oh, it’s all lies. Whatever story she or whoever concucted up to insinuate Kalos caused that injury is false, the injury was simply an accident…but oh no. Yomi wouldn’t believe her, so it caused such a pressure that she followed Rosetta to Paris one time, and Kalos managed to finally get her off her tail by forcing Yomi to leave under harrassment.

Hinata: (quietly) I thought she was fired for other reasons…

Sarah: (not hearing Hinata) She seemed to turn psychotic for a period after that, and I wouldn’t be too surprised if she…if she…

Miyabi: Well, we’ve got a location tracker about someone named Seta-san…

*

(And speaking of Seta-san, back to Team 1…)

Seta: My my, I’m sorry about that…I must get those brakes fixed…

Kensuke: Seta-san, you’ve been saying that for months…and we’re still here…

Seta: My bad.

Kensuke: Seta-san, these three are investigators in the recent…(coughs)…events of the Kaleido Stage.

Seta: These youngsters?

Negi: We are young sir, but we have great strength and pride and skill in our work…

Seta: My, the spirit of one so young! I’m impressed…

(Obvious Akamatsu comparisons aside, it isn’t long before they begin to add a bonus in interrogating Seta…)

Kurz: …and that’s the situation.

Seta: Really? I had no idea…I was off working on the Gulf of Mexico over the last few days – you saw me off right Kensuke?

Kensuke: Yes sir.

Kotone: When was that?

Seta: About…I’d say…about 7pm on Saturday night?

Kensuke: November 5^th in other words.

Kurz: Can anyone vouch for that?

(Seta thinks…)

Seta: I guess someone at the docks or the excavation workers can – you’ll have to get in touch with their authorities…

(So, potential alibi…however Negi points out something that Team 3 found out, and, like any chibi genius (Becky vs. Chiyo-chan – FIGHT!!!), Negi manages to catch him off guard…)

Negi: Seta-san, if it’s O.K, can we ask you why you were taking a trip to Cairo not long prior to the events?

Seta: Of course…it was an excavation tour – it was a tour that Kensuke came along with…we were on the search of Aztec gold, and also for any links to help cure something.

Kurz: Cure?

Kensuke: The Evan virus…the same thing that my friend Touji is suffering from.

Seta: Yep – I have a young friend named Su, who seems like an expert in this trade, and followed a link from her connections from Mormal. However, as I was getting hot on the trail, somebody managed to frame me for actually being an art thief wanted from Mormal…again…

Kotone: Again?

Seta: (sweatdrops) Long story…don’t ask.

Kurz: We might…but carry on.

Seta: Thanks to this problem…I was prisoned, but fortunately, my friend and Returners Church member, Anna Respighi bailed me out.

(Kensuke gets hearts in his eyes for a moment, which gets Kurz interested…)

Seta: By the way, how is the church doing? Are they still in trouble?

Kensuke: Since Kalos died, they seem to be getting back into work…but…rumour is…Anna is missing.

Seta: (concerned) Missing?

(Seta shakes his head…)

Seta: Sorry, lost a train of thought…anyway, was there anything else you needed?

Kurz: Is that all?

Kotone: I think that’s fine…we need to be somewhere else, plus Seta gave us some good information…

(The three bid their goodbyes, as now, it’s time to plug the bounty…)

* * * *

(…or at least, would be…if someone else wasn’t so sure that Seta has something to hide…)

Sarah: …he was always jealous of Kalos’ success – he’s just pinning up the fact that he was arrested on Kalos.

Miyabi: But you said that Seta was confirmed innocent of all charges?

Sarah: Only because of lack of evidence…that, and that conniving two faced bitch Anna is a pretty good attornee when she needs to be…

Hinata: So…why was he jealous?

(Sarah seems to calm down a little before continuing…)

Sarah: Seta is a day to day worker as an archeologist and a teacher…Kalos is…I mean…was…a multi-millionaire.

(Tears form for a moment as Sarah tries to speak without breaking down…)

Sarah: Seta had tried to say that Kalos’ made a scam to screw many people trying to invest in the virus – and then Kalos pulled out stating it was a fake, whilst others lost money.

Hinata: What? You mean…

Fai: Remember, Touji said that Hikari-chan had…

(Sarah realises what she has said and puts her hands over her mouth…)

Miyabi: I think you need to tell us a bit more.

Sarah: I’ve already said too much…

Fai: With-holding evidence which could be used a motive against your fiance? I thought you’d want to tell us everything…

Hinata: Kalos…was he putting this under his own name…to sell perhaps?

Sarah: It was supposed to be a darn fake! That’s what he said…

Miyabi: A fake?

(The trio pause for a moment, and nod.)

Hinata: Sarah-san, that’s fine. We won’t ask you anything else on that…

Fai: …but is there anybody else that we need to know about in link with Kalos’ travels?

Miyabi: We need to know if another known traveller, Jet Black, had any connection with Kalos…

(Sarah looks fairly nervous when Jet’s name is dealt out of the deck so to speak…)

Miyabi: Sarah-san, please…we need to track down any link we have with the suspects and Kalos, and from a clue we’ve found, this could be very important.

(Miyabi steps forward to look Sarah straight in the eyes…)

Miyabi: Sarah-san…about Jet Black…

(Sarah’s apple bobs in her throat…)

Sarah: There…was a rumour…

Fai: A rumour?

(Sarah nods)

Sarah: A rumour….that Mr Black…well…that...

(Sarah cries a little)

Sarah: …that sometime on the night of the murder, SOMEONE made a bounty for Kalos…

(This is news – the rumours escalate and whilst the information from Taka seems to correspond with this…)

Sarah: I suggest you guys check with the police…they’ll know…but I’m scared…in case…whoever did this…

Hinata: We understand.

Fai: Thank you for your time Sarah.

(Sarah is quiet as the trio leave…Miyabi nods…)

Miyabi: Let’s follow her lead, if the motive was money, then…

Fai: We’ve got a large round up of people to speak to!

(The three head off…as Team 2 also have a double take…literally…to take information from Yomi and from Chiriko…)

* * * *

Chiriko: …so you’ve been getting into your research…

Satoshi: Indeed, and it seems Miss Mizuhara is as well.

Ban: Chiriko was it?

Chiriko: Yeah?

Ban: Something was bothering me when we spoke to you last…I noticed something before but didn’t get the chance to speak to you…

Triela: (under her breath) Liar.

Ban: (ignoring) We were speaking to you, and there was something I noticed to try and check your alibi. However, before I could ask you, we were gone. Now, apparently, it seems that you said…er…where were you…on the night in question?

Chiriko: Do you really have to ask this in someone elses…

Satoshi: I’m afraid he does.

Chiriko: (sigh) As I said…I was on a late night case to try and help someone out – that’s all, as a scholar and physician, I’m used to these things.

Ban: But when I saw your checksheet…I didn’t notice any logs or notes on the time in question.

(Chiriko sighs)

Chiriko: Does that automatically mean I’m guilty then?

Shiine: Of course not! However, we need to clarify why it wasn’t, and if someone can vouch for you…

Chiriko: I guess…

Yomi: (calling) Tea’s ready…

Satoshi: Thank you Miss Mizuhara – if you don’t mind, we just need to finish up outside…

(Shot of the four detectives outside, with Chiriko…it seems they don’t want to divulge too much information in the listening ears of another suspect…the young veteran Satoshi showing his knowledge…)

Chiriko: I don’t know why I didn’t log the sheet…but it was a rush job…and I guess I was in a hurry. You don’t need a concrete alibi to be innocent right?

Satoshi: True.

Triela: So can anyone confirm this?

(Chiriko shakes his head…)

Triela: How come?

Chiriko: When I got to the place…no-one was there.

Ban: Who…who were you visiting?

(Chiriko shakes his head…before answering.)

Chiriko: The Hoshinos.

(Stunned silence…)

Ban: Right, thank you. Triela…Shiine…can you speak to Yomi inside? I think Chiriko has a few things he needs to say…

(A quick split up before we get to the last part of what everyone doing…)

* * * *

(Despite Jet being a bounty hunter by trade, Jet isn’t exactly living in the lifestyle as the detectives may have invisioned – as from their notes, he’s actually living and working at the scrapyard, where he’s definitely getting some muscle burned…)

(Shot of Jet, along with another known couple of strongmen…)

Jet: Keep it up guys!

(Shot of Harima and Hanai from School Rumble, another apology for not using the greatest male character in anime in MG3…)

(…but whilst I digress, Team 1 (Negi, Kotone and Kurz) drive up…needing to finalise their inquiries for the day…)

Jet: Ah…(covers eyes)…who is that?

(As the three exit the van, the large figure of Jet is something different, even to Kurz.)

Jet: Who are you guys?

(Negi, a bit cautiously, shows his badge…as Jet looks…well…surprised…)

Jet: You squirts are detectives?

Kurz: Hey, I’m not a squirt!

(Jet looks down at Kurz…literally. There is about 7 inches difference…)

Jet: Yeah…right.

Kotone: Mr. Black…

(As I wonder why I should have actually not put Aya as TL and interview Mr. Black…she’s had enough experience…)

Jet: Yes, can’t you see I’m busy…I know you guys are detectives…

(As Harima runs away hearing of law enforcement…the three manage to get to talk to Jet to a point that they can ask him questions…)

*

Jet: Sorry for the snub…but let’s just say, I would have preferred it if it was ‘later’ than ‘sooner’ when you got to speak to me…

(Jet has some coffee as the other three sit on a bench, trying to interview the veteran bounty hunter…)

Kurz: Why is that?

Jet: Whether you know or not…I’m a bounty hunter. And considering what happened…I have a hunch what you guys want to ask about…

Negi: (nods) It’s about the recent murder of Kaleido Stage owner, Kalos.

Jet: (nods) Indeed, and I would be a prime suspect.

Kotone: We didn’t say that…

Jet: (smiles) Young lady, I can tell what people are thinking.

Kotone: (smiles) What a coincidence, so can I…

(The two pause, and chuckle, as Kotone seems to have broken the ice…but Jet decides to break their hopes…)

Jet: Cute…but I’m afraid you’re barking up the wrong tree. You see, I would only go after anybody if there was a bounty on anyone…and trust me, if someone would have put a bounty on Kalos, I would have been there like a shot.

Negi: So…no-one put a bounty on Kalos?

Jet: (shakes his head) Sorry kid, I check the bounty websites every day and I would have noticed.

Kotone: You said you would have been there like a shot?

Jet: Maybe…I could have helped Touji get his life to together…(fiddles with his cyber arm)…I should know about it…but not just that.

Negi: Mmmm?

Jet: He just likes to screw with people’s lifes – hunter I may be, but I’ve got a heart. He had a head…filled with thoughts on cash, and cash only.

Kurz: Death AFTER Dishonour huh?

Jet: I guess you could say that…whoever did it obviously had that thought in mind…

Kotone: Well…we do have something we want to ask you about Mr. Black? It’s concerning a link we have with whoever did kill Kalos…we have something which does tie in with yourself?

Jet: You serious?

Negi: Nothing much…but we were looking towards flights where Kalos was involved in the last few months…and we noticed you made a location to Ulan Bator during said period.

Jet: Ah…why the heck Kalos would be involving in a desert trip I have no idea but…

Kurz: We just need to confirm what you were doing there and we’ll be pretty much on our way.

Jet: (slaps his hands together) Fine. One of my few friends here other than my fellow virus victim Touji, is a lovely young lady named Koyomi Mizuhara. Her face is pretty but her tongue is vicious. A strong girl.

Kotone: (to herself) Yomi…she seems to be linking with everything…(out loud) Why Yomi with this?

Jet: Basically, she said that she was trying to see if there was any work within this conspiracy theory.

Kurz: Conspiracy theory?

Jet: With Kalos in trying to stop the shares or whatever they are…so I went over to Ulan where I spoke to someone who had been cured of the Evan virus along with himself…a chap by the name of Edward Elric…

(Sorry, had to have an FMA reference here – I’ve got Naruto in, so had to get two of the other big three…screw Inuyasha though…)

Jet: Basically, he was explaining about a device similar to an item called the Philosopher’s Stone…a gem…able to rearrange DNA and remove all illness, destruction…but also the ability to link with the human flesh.

Kurz: In other words, about another cure.

Jet: Exactly. I was able to afford the damn thing which Kalos seems to now hang over everyone’s heads, but this was different to when I was cured but the Suzuhara’s couldn’t because of Kalos’ scheme. This version was obviously a lot more affordable, but the person who made the patent wasn’t known. And…

Kotone: And?

Jet: …and…there was a rumor that Kalos discovered the patent, and THAT was the item in his shares scheme.

(The detectives are quiet for a moment before Jet interrupts them…)

Jet: Is that enough?

(The three make a rough nod and gesture and agree…)

Negi: Yes, that will do for now Jet-san. Thank you very much!

Jet: (smiles) Take care now.

(The three make their leave…)

* * * *

Yomi: …it’s literally a blank. I left the meeting…and that’s it.

Triela: So…there is no recollection what happened to you at the time of the murder?

Yomi: Trust me Triela, this is the last thing I want as well…it will come back to me, but the combination of alcohol, moving and getting my life back together has taken it’s toll…

Shiine: O.K, well…

(Just outside…)

Ban: So…this meeting was in connection with a lot of people?

Chiriko: (nods) Yomi was extremely depressed…I would almost say murderous…but I don’t think she is capable of that…

Satoshi: So who was involved in these meetings?

Chiriko: (shrugs) Pretty much everyone who had a problem with Kalos. Myself, Tamahome, Yomi, Duplica, Akari…some of these people are REALLY strong as well…Tamahome would have problems against a lot of these…

Ban: Like?

Chiriko: Jet is strong…so’s Duplica – she’s just returned from injury though…Anna-san and Tenchi-san…Touji’s power with that arm…and there’s Ruri…

Satoshi: Ruri?

Chiriko: Ruri-san…she has this ability to seemingly install fear into you…her ability to control mind and matter…she’s a beautiful fairy in the night, but she’s also a vampire…

(At a certain Mahora school, Eva-chan takes offense…)

Chiriko: …who could take life, if she cared to. And Ukyo? She’s REALLY strong…arm herself with a spatula and she’s deadly.

Ban: Paul could probably use someone like her then…a spatula ninja!

Satoshi: You’ve got no right to say that Mr. Quarter German installed with Jagan Snakebite…

Ban: Quiet Angel boy.

(Chiriko chuckles for a moment but returns to being serious…)

Chiriko: I say almost everyone who had a grudge was, in one way or another, connected with a meeting a few hours before the murder…I would agree that the killer was at that meeting.

Ban: That means we’ve got a lot of searching to do…

(The 4 call it a day and thank both Yomi and Chiriko…but back at the police station, Team 3 is following up on Sarah’s story…and was Jet lying therefore to Team 1?)

* * * *

Jerry: So…you want to look to see if any bounties were made this way or on our system?

Fai: If you would not mind Police-san?

Jerry: (sighs) Don’t say that…only Sora can…

(Miyabi and Fai wisely use the system whilst Hinata stands guard – this isn’t exactly information you want spread door to door…)

Jerry: Here we are…BIG SHOT USA.

Miyabi: This?

Jerry: This is the main site where bounty hunters over America look for the latest details and acquisitions – you can make withdrawls, put deposits and send payments through this site as well.

(The familiar Big Shot theme tune comes up (looks like in fanfiction world, they AREN’T cancelled) as they look at recent bounties…and initial look suggests that nope, none were made on Kalos…)

(…but never underestimate how good Miyabi can be.)

Miyabi: Look, all these are by known licencers right? Are there any marked under unanoymous?

Jerry: Well…sure…but those are kind of hard to dictate, because so few trust these…

Miyabi: Where are they?

Fai: Miyabi-san…I’m almost afraid to ask where and how you know this…

(Miyabi’s thinking is a godsend though…because there are 4 bounties made on the anon list…and lo and behold…)

Miyabi: There we go.

(Shot of the PC: ANON BOUNTY – 25 MILLION DOLLARS – FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF KALOS, AKA, OWNER OF KALEIDO STAGE. HAS BEEN KNOWN TO DESTROY HUMAN LIVES, FROM A PERSON WHO CARES. It later says PAYMENT MADE TO ACCOUNT ONCE DETAILS OF KALOS’ MURDER HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.)

Miyabi: Well…it’s all over the news.

Fai: So…someone’s account may…

Miyabi: But it’s still open…so no-one has apparently collected the bounty…or has it…

Fai: Then…

(Miyabi nods.)

Miyabi: Hinata, let’s go!

(The three head off…with some intriguing new information…)

*

(Finally, all three teams return after an exhausting day at the office…)

Miyabi: And to think I came here to escape paperwork…

(Shot of Miyabi with Satoshi and Aya inside the evidence room – looking through the paperwork they collected on Day 3 with all the airport details.)

Aya: My first impression is that our killer is there, considering the killer clue…but is it an early double bluff?

Satoshi: The killer I don’t think has shown his or her true colours yet. This is a good start, and considering all these alibis we’re checking in, we should have a few innocent as well. With just Akari innocent at the moment, it doesn’t make things easier.

Miyabi: How come we are the only ones in here?

Aya: I think there are a few tired and hungry people – let Shiine-chan and Hinata off, they’re cooking tonight – but I guess today was a bit too much.

Miyabi: Actually, I do kind of understand. Anybody want coffee?

Negi: Here you go Miyabi-san!

(Miyabi turns around to see Negi with three cups of coffee and tea.)

Satoshi: Did Kotone mind read us or something?

Kotone: Yep!

(Hiding behind Negi, Kotone-chan chuckles as Aya sweatdrops, but has to smile.)

Aya: I bet she knows the killer as well and she’s just hiding it from everyone…

Kotone: Yep, I’m the mole.

(Negi chuckles as outside, Ban and Kurz have a manly discussion…)

Ban: DAMMIT, THAT’S NOT FAIR!

Kurz: I told you May so owns Millia!

Ban: Gah, you’ll pay for that!

(Er…when I meant manly discussion, I meant ‘arguing over video games’, with Triela and Fai watching with interest…)

Fai: Ban-pan is getting mad…

Ban: AND YOU’RE NOT HELPING WIZARD-BOY!

Fai: Kya…scary…

Triela: They should be trying to discuss and work out what will happen tonight…instead, they are using this as an excuse to vote each other out…

Fai: Can you read people’s minds as well Triela-chan?

Triela: Nah, I just blow them up.

Fai: Actually…Triela is now more scary…

(In the kitchen, Shiine-chan preparing a hotpot, whilst Hinata is making onigiri…)

Shiine: Mmm…this is good…My master Dorothy would have a field day…I wonder how many times she has gone down Seravy-san’s house for food already?

(He checked over where Hinata is making…interesting…onigiri…and not like Tohru Honda style, more like…)

Shiine: Those are unique Hinata-san, are they resembling anything?

(Hinata nearly jumps when Shiine speaks, but recovers…)

Hinata: N-no…

Shiine: (blushes at Hinata’s surprised look but also recovers) Well, they look good – get the table set please Hinata-san?

Hinata: H-hai.

(We cut to the onigiri with orange wafer items sticking out of their ‘heads’…)

* * * *

Miyabi: (drinking a bit of wine) This bread is really good Shiine-chan…

(Even Miyabi is getting into the spirit adding the ‘chan’ to Shiine, as he proudly looks on at his food as the meat and soup pot is being devoured, especially to people like Ban who always wonder where their next meal is coming from…)

Shiine: (proud look) Eh-hem.

Hinata: Sugoi, Shiine-chan.

(Shiine now reverted to the embarrassed look with the hand on the head of the back of the head.)

Triela: Now, why does he change that look so easily…ah ha.

Shiine: TRIELA-SAN!

(Shiine shrinks into embarrassment as the group laugh, trying not to mention the upcoming doom awaiting them…)

Ban: Seriously man, this is good…I would hire you as the Getbackers chef, but I don’t think we’d be able to afford this…

Fai: But aren’t you the Getbackers service, with a near 100% recovery rate?

(Ban goes into a state of depression…)

Ban: The god of luck and money never seems to be on our side…

Aya: (sweatdrops) Ban-san…

Triela: Negi, aren’t you hungry?

Negi: I…I guess I’m nervous – I don’t seem to have much of an appetite…

Kotone: Oh Negi-kun…

Kurz: Can I have his share then?

(A few more laughs, as mostly everyone is enjoying themselves…possibly bar Satoshi, who remains very quiet throughout, observing each detective closely with those keen eyes of his…)

* * * *

(…but soon after the meal, it is back to mindless backstabbing and thoughts of revenge…)

Kurz: Still go with Miyabi?

Ban: Not sure…part of me wants to kick Fai’s annoying and lazy ass to the curve, and another because I know Hinata voted for me last time…

Kurz: You have some vengeful demons picking on a 13 year old girl…

Ban: …that could kick everyone’s ass…apart from mine of course…

Kurz: (sweatdrops) …and some egotistical demons as well…

Ban: O.K fine…I’ll see if we can find out what the others are doing and who they seem to be voting for…geez…I wish I had monkey-boy’s hearing abilities now…

(Shido, back in Getbackers world, sneezes…)

*

(…but elsewhere, concern is growing…)

Kotone: I just don’t want him to go…it seems he feels he failed us all, and it’s only making other people aware of it…

Hinata: (striking a punching bag) I don’t want him to go either…he’s really nice…someone I trust as much as you Kotone-san…

Kotone: (smiles) I could tell.

(Hinata shakes her head as she aims a kick…)

(…at a sneaking Triela strike to sneak attack…or glomp…this is Triela after all…)

Triela: (blocking the kick) You’ve got eyes in the back of your head…

(I guess that’s kind of true considering but anyways…)

Triela: So you think Negi is being picked upon because he felt he was dissapointing you?

Kotone: He wasn’t…but Kurz seems to try and insinuate it…*shudders* and he keeps trying to convince me…or hit on me…

Triela: (cracks knuckles) Want me to just plain hit him?

Hinata: Triela-san…

Triela: (waves her off) Joking, joking…I think we know how we can deal with this problem…

Negi: (distant) Everyone!!!

Triela: (smiles) That’s if we want to keep our kawaii teacher with us.

(Kotone and Aoi…damn, I mean Hinata…nod as Negi runs up to join them on their daily routine…unknowing (or knowing) of their plan?)

* * * *

Miyabi: So…what do you think?

Satoshi: I think Aya is definitely more than capable of actually thinking with her head than her heart…

Miyabi: I hope so.

Satoshi: So, have you got a choice?

(Miyabi nods)

Miyabi: I just pick the person I believe has the least ability, that’s all for the time being.

Satoshi: Make sure you play the game before too long – otherwise you may be left behind.

Miyabi: I would say the same thing to you. We have 4 kids playing outside, two men plotting and being idiotic, and well…I don’t have a clue what Fai is about to be honest.

Satoshi: And Shiine-chan?

(Miyabi sips wine again…)

Miyabi: He’s the cook. Enough said.

Satoshi: (close to a sweatdrop) Right…

* * * *

(In the kitchen, Shiine and Fai are cleaning up, as Fai in particular is trying to see if he can listen in to any people they are trying to focus on…)

Fai: Shiine-chan, are you ready to make some blood?

(Shiine splutters)

Shiine: W-What do you mean Fai-san?

Fai: Well, we have to choose someone to pick on – so who is it?

Shiine: I…well…

Fai: Keeping secret eh Shiine-chan?

Shiine: No…well…yes…

Fai: (chuckling) Well, that’s understandable. However, I suggest that your friend needs to be careful…

Shiine: Huh?

(Fai walks off, as Shiine wonders what the heck he was on about…)

Shiine: Maybe it’s time for a Shiine-chan hensin(transform)…

(Shiine transforms into his prarie dog form and scampers out…)

* * * *

Fai: …I’m only doing this because Shiine-chan is not going to do it, and he’s an easy target considering his depression…nice kid though.

Kurz: I never thought you’d be doing this…

Ban: Maybe he realises I’ll target his ass…

Fai: I’m surprised though…

Ban: Yeah. I had my eye on Miyabi, but I think she’s got more strength – and if her team passes then…

Fai: Hai, hai. But there are 10 of us…and I don’t see Shiine-chan, Triela-chan, Hinata-chan or Kotone-chan going for this…

Kurz: Maybe I can sweet talk Kotone…

Ban: Maybe you shouldn’t…

Fai: Well…that leaves Miyabi-san and Satoshi-kun…

Kurz: I’ll talk to Satoshi – he recognises that Negi is a threat and can you talk to Miyabi?

Fai: Sure…but that leaves that we need to hope that Negi-tachi don’t vote for the same person…

(Outside, Shiine-prarie dog gulps…and scampers off…)

* * * *

Shiine: …and that’s what I heard…

(Negi looks stunned…)

Negi: I guess I brought it on myself but…

Triela: Say that again Negi and I’ll make sure you’re playing…

Hinata: But what do we do?

Shiine: Well, they are trying to get Satoshi and Miyabi to vote on their side and then try to make sure we don’t vote for the same person…

Triela: I suggest if Team 2 pass, we vote for Kurz, and if Team 3 pass, we vote for Ban.

Kotone: What about Fai?

Triela: (shakes her head) Fai is expendable, he’s not going to win – however, as arrogant as they are, both Ban and Kurz, particular Ban, are pretty smart at this game. Their achilles heel is a good reason to eliminate them as a potential strong threat.

Hinata: T-that means we need to get Miyabi-san or Satoshi-kun on our side…

Triela: True…Hinata, you were with Miyabi, so try and talk to her…Shiine…you try Satoshi.

Shiine: Eh, why me?

Triela: We don’t want Negi to ask about this…and I think he’d prefer to speak with you…don’t ask me why…

Shiine: (sweatdrops) Thanks but…

Hinata: Please?

(Shiine gulps…the bishoujo sparks around Kotone, Hinata and Triela are enough to hit the poor young pup in the heart…)

Shiine: H-Hai…

*

Fai: …and that’s why we feel Negi-kun isn’t in the mind of the game at the moment…

(Miyabi is reading a book and drinking coffee as Fai pleaded his case…)

Miyabi: Hmmm…but why are you asking me Fai-san? I believe we all have our own choices and agendas…

Fai: Yes…but it’s only going to be worse for the younger…

Miyabi: …on that logic, does that mean I can pick Shiine-chan, Hinata-san and Triela-san as well?

Fai: I was never good at logic.

Miyabi: But I agree that his mind hasn’t been in the game…I’ll certainly consider it…

Fai: That will be fine.

(Fai leaves as Miyabi shakes her head and takes another sip…)

Miyabi: The game is coming to a destructive start…isn’t that right Hinata-san…

(Hinata emerges from the corner after her spying mission is no match for Miyabi’s managerial senses…)

Miyabi: Do you have something to ask me as well?

(Hinata is about to speak…but shakes her head…)

Hinata: If I did, it would mean I would be begging right? I…I don’t want to resort to that…if someone…

(She pauses for the right words…)

Hinata: …I admire back home saw me, I’d never hear the end of it, and the disappointment in my heart would be too much to bear…

Miyabi: So…will you protect the one here then?

(Hinata turns red every so slightly, but nods…)

Miyabi: That will be enough then.

(Hinata nods, bows and leaves. Miyabi smiles…)

Miyabi: Shame Chika-san isn’t here, she would have made some great friends here.

*

Satoshi: So you want me to join you in trying to eliminate Negi, assuming if he’s up for the vote?

Kurz: Look, we know we blew it, and he’s taking it hard. Kotone saved our asses today, but we’re still going to get voted on…and his mind isn’t on the case now, so it might be best for all…

Satoshi: You do have a point.

Kurz: (smiles) The smart ones know everything.

Satoshi: However, keep in mind this is my decision…

Shiine: Kurz? Satoshi?

(Shiine-chan makes his presence known as the two look like the proverbial hand in the cookie jar…)

Kurz: (feigning ignorance) Why Shiine-chan, what are you doing here?

Shiine: (also feigning ignorance) Nothing much…just cleaning up…Fai left me out to dry and had to talk to the girls outside regarding some things about the game…

Kurz: Well, can you be quick please?

Satoshi: No, I believe that’s fine. I will take my leave – good luck tonight, Kurz…Shiine-chan.

(Satoshi leaves as Shiine sighs…)

Shiine: Damn…

Kurz: What was that?

Shiine: Nothing…

*

Ban: So…

Kurz: Not sure…Shiine came in and interrupted us before I could confirm if Satoshi is on board…

Ban: Well, I tried to see if I could get one of the kids to vote for someone different…problem is that they seemed to be all busy…Kotone, Triela and Negi were outside training, Shiine left the kitchen before I could catch him and Hinata seems to have vanished…

Fai: My my…we just have to rely on a bit of luck then Ban-chan…

Ban: (veins) Don’t make me change my choice…

Fai: Well, it’s all we can hope for right?

(Outside in the opposite room…)

(Outside the rooms in total…)

Aya: So…this is how it’s going to be played then…

(It’s time. Giselle emerges from her crypt as she joins the 11 detectives for the second Killer’s Game.)

Giselle: Here I am…like the poison ivy…beautiful but deadly. As I’m going to be partly responsible for one of you to meet your maker. But…which one I wonder?

(Giselle walks around them slowly with that rich girl grins…all she’s missing is the ojou-sama laugh…)

Giselle: But first of all…I think there is some information we need to decipher for you, as we had to check out a couple of alibis. First of all, one archeologist named Seta Noriyasu.

(Giselle picks up some paper…)

Giselle: What he said was true, and we can confirm Seta arrived in Mexico…

(Giselle evilly adds a pause…)

Giselle: …arounnd 13 hours after the murder. So he could still have done it.

(Scratch one immediate alibi for one Love Hina character…)

Giselle: However, when checking out Shinobu’s, they made a trace to Internationals and made a phone call to Hinatasou, where indeed, at the time of the murder, actually for 45 minutes, from an IS phone at LA Airport, Shinobu was indeed, calling the Urashimas…

(Giselle smiles…)

Giselle: Yep, you guys can be happy. Shinobu Maehara is innocent.

Giselle: So we can cross her off the suspects lists to join Akari Kanzaki as innocent.

(On the mugshots page which hosts all 16 suspects, Shinobu’s is now greyed out along with Akari’s. However, there are still 14 suspects to go, 8 guys and 6 girls to go…)

Giselle: O.K, now its time for decision time – who is safe from the first vote. Well, let’s go through everything, starting with Team 1.

(Negi, Kotone and Kurz are obviously not sure what to go on…but know their first day will effect everything.)

Giselle: I have to mark you guys out of 10 on your performance, which…sadly…whilst strong in determination, was weak in getting results. Whilst making up on Day 2, you didn’t following an inquiry correctly and didn’t notice a suspect breaking the law…so I mark you as follows…

Giselle: Kotone…I will mark you out for a good day so don’t take it to heart…yes, bad joke…

(Kotone nods)

Giselle: Next…Team 2.

(Ban, Shiine, Triela and Satoshi all await this…for different reasons of course…)

Giselle: Overall, very good. Your contribution was all revolved around good speaking and using certain skills to difuse certain situations. Ban on Day 1 for example to stop Touji causing violent bloodshed, whilst Triela’s way of talking with Shinobu managed to clear her from your inquiries. Today, you managed to separate Yomi and Chiriko, get clear information on them…Yomi we know doesn’t have an alibi to speak of as of yet, and Chiriko confirmed he went to the Hoshinos on the night of the murder…it doesn’t give him a clear alibi, but at the same time he claims that they weren’t there when he was going to visit them. So that’s a good focus. So…the scores are as follows…

Giselle: So far, Team 2 is ahead, but what about Team 3? Did you do enough to beat them?

(Shot of Fai, Hinata and Miyabi who like Team 2, are nervous about what happens next…and again, for different reasons…)

(…in the front row, the only calm one is Aya…who seems to be midly enjoying this…who would have thought?)

Giselle: A good effort definitely, had to deal with the killer clue at Kaleido Stage, a bounty, a bounty hunter and a distraught fiance. You got some decent information, that you know a bounty has been made, but unusually, not collected…also that several suspects had connections with the places discussed in the killer clue – Yomi in particular seems to be a link with everyone in these line of inquiries today and yesterday. However, what happens…happens, and this is how I rated you.

(A deep breath…)

(You can see the relief and smiles on Ban and Shiine’s faces, Triela grins whilst Satoshi just adjusts his glasses…)

Giselle: In the end, the nod goes to Team 2 – because their overall contribution was better, and whilst Satoshi was the bones of the team, Triela, Shine and Ban all helped out with their own skills more so that Team 3, who relyed a lot on Miyabi, and whilst Hinata and Fai did help out, didn’t stand out as much as Triela did for example.

(Giselle smiles as she finalises the verdict…)

Giselle: That means the vote which will come up now will consist of the fact that you can’t vote for Ban, Satoshi, Shiine-chan and Triela. However, 6 others can be chosen…and you can chose any reason for their dismissal. However, after the person is chosen…the Team Leader, Aya…will then pick the second person to play the killer’s game…where I will give the envelopes out to one of the killer’s locations…so…

(Giselle smirks…)

Giselle: Oh…there is one more thing…one that wasn’t mentioned last time…to help the Team Leader pick who they want to look at, they have been watching actions recorded both on your inquiries and in the house.

(A few raised eyebrows…)

Giselle: Aya…hope you found enough blood to make a decision, because when I get back, I’m sure some of it will be spilled.

(Giselle heads up…)

Giselle: Ban, you first. I’ll call you one at a time…

(Ban stands up, as this tense Killer’s Vote begins…)

* * * *

Giselle: Right Mr. Getbacker, you see the names of your fellow detectives there, the ones greyed out are your colleagues in your successful inquiries in the past two days. Your job is simple, pick one of the remaining 7 lit ones out of Fai, Hinata, Kotone, Kurz, Miyabi and Negi.

Ban: Very well.

(It doesn’t take long for his pick.)

Giselle: Cuteness doesn’t always work then…

Ban: Very. Negi Springfield is a very intelligent young man, no question about it, but…of all the young people on the team, he seems to feel the worst about the case, particularly of failure, and I feel it could effect the team overall – so I think it’s best that he goes now.

Giselle: Very well, call up Satoshi now.

Ban: Will do.

*

Giselle: Interesting…you cave into peer pressure easily?

Satoshi: No…I just agreed.

Giselle: So you as well?

Satoshi: Yes…Negi Springfield. For the fact that yes, he seemed weak this time…but I know he will be a threat if he remains in the game for too long – his intelligence is the closest to mine, and he certainly will play the game well once used to it.

*

(On the other hand…loyalty is as dangerous as treachery at times…)

Shiine: No…I stand by my vote.

Giselle: So you’re going for the easy target?

Shiine: I wouldn’t say that…but he went out two days ago because of his ways, and I will stick by that here for the same reasons.

Giselle: So Kurz Weber then?

Shiine: (nods) It is Giselle-san.

*

Giselle: Heh, not surprised really.

Triela: Let’s see, I can vote for one of 6 people…two who I adore, one who is funny, one who is sweet, one who is serious and one who is…to be frank…a jerk.

Giselle: You are going on personality rather than ability?

Triela: I’ll worry about that part later – right now I’d rather be in a comfortable environment…he’s not making it comfortable.

Giselle: Didn’t think he was lolicon but…

Triela: (sighs) Never mind. I’m voting for Kurz.

*

(2 to 2 at the moment…next two votes are obvious…)

Kurz: I’m going with Negi…

*

Negi: Kurz-san I’m afraid.

(3 each…as next, a character that has rose in my estimation of favourite bishoujos after watching To Heart – Remember my Memories…)

*

Giselle: So…he’s been bothering you that much?

(Kotone nods)

Kotone: I did have someone I love at one point, but I knew that another was always destined for him. Now, there is someone who is always with me, who I care about and love more than anyone…and he’s making it incredibly uncomfortable…

Giselle: Trust me, I’m not a saint…but I totally agree with you here.

(Kotone presses Kurz with a little bit of satisfaction…)

*

Team 3 is last up as this is literally a two person race now…and one neither of them would like to win…)

Fai: He’s a cute kid…but he’s down for the moment…I don’t want him to be out, but I have to for the sake of the team…

Giselle: Personally, I reckon it is the sake of your own safety, but who am I to judge character?

(Fai presses Negi…)

*

Hinata: …he doesn’t understand the feelings of everyone here, and he is making people nervous…myself included…

Giselle: So you didn’t forgive him after the shower incident…

Hinata: H-how…

Giselle: Kid, we get all the notes from the previous investigator, but don’t worry your cute little head. So…I guess this one’s easy.

(Hinata nods and presses Kurz…)

*

(Finally, Miyabi.)

Giselle: So Miyabi-san, how is your first taste of detective life then?

Miyabi: It was very good – it showed what I could do in the outside world, and hopefully a couple of young people with me managed to get as much out of it as I did.

Giselle: Right. Well, small talk over, big decision now. Last time, you made the decision to vote out Mizuki. What will you do here and will it be another effect making decision, considering you are the last person to vote…

(Miyabi nods..)

Miyabi: I don’t regret my decision last time…and I won’t here. I do judge on first instincts…Kaoru-dono will know full well of that back home…but when time goes on, you know who is worthwhile and who isn’t.

(Miyabi calms presses someone…)

Miyabi: …and I definetly know who isn’t.

*

(Downstairs, all is tense, in fact, when Giselle enters, she’s the calmest one of the bunch as now Aya has her eyes in expectation…)

Giselle: I have the results of the second vote. Last time, Kurz Weber played the killer’s game via this vote and came back. Has he done enough to be safe for this time?

(Giselle goes to the workstation and presses a few buttons. The 6 elligible detectives for the vote are shown…)

Giselle: The first person…to be playing…the Killer’s Game…

(Shot of Kurz…)

Giselle: …will be…

(…shot of Negi…)

(…and the results flash…)

Giselle: (smiles) Once again…Kurz Weber.

Kurz: What?

(Negi sighs with relief, but the votes are clear.)

NEGI (4) – BAN, SATOSHI, KURZ, FAI

Ban: (snaps his fingers) Knew should have gone for Miyabi…

(Kurz is in shock, and knows one of Satoshi and Miyabi went against for vote…)

Giselle: Well, Kurz..you’re the first victim…but who is the second?

(Gisele turns to Aya…)

Giselle: Aya…to quote a certain fool around here, the stage is yours. So go ahead.

(Aya nods and stands up…)

Aya: Today, I had the chance to watch everyone grows as detectives, knowing that two nights ago, my friend Mizuki was eliminated. And it hurt, to be honest, and I’m not a vengeful person…but I did feel it…the need to get back…

(Looks at Miyabi…who is trying to avoid her glance…unsuccessfully I might add…)

Aya: However, as the days went on, I realised that a decision must be made on personal preference, whether on ability, personality or both. Miyabi did that on ability, and whilst I might not have liked it, today I respected her ability as a leader and a detective. So I won’t get revenge as I first thought.

(Miyabi smiles slightly…)

Aya: However, watching activities today…people didn’t realise the power a team leader has – and watching plotting and otherwise, strengths and weaknesses of people. And today resulted in one of the worst reasonings to try and eliminate someone…not because of being weak…or thinking he failed…but because he is young.

(A small ripple hits through the crowd…)

Aya: Negi-kun, I told you yesterday to ignore failure and make it stronger, you did that…but others didn’t notice, and said that ‘he’s the youngest, he’ll feel the effects badly later on…’ Tell that to Kano Miyazawa and Misao Amano…yeah, I’ve done my homework…

(Pause as Aya speaks again…)

Aya: When I learned of that, it made me sick to my stomach, and I’m glad that the attempt failed and one of the conspirators fell to it. However, I’m not going to let them all off…so I’m choosing Ban Mido to play the Killer’s Game.

(Ban’s head nearly hits his desk as Kurz realises their intended short-lived partnership is REALLY going to be short-lived…)

Giselle: So, you two…you are playing the killers’ game…so it’s time for the envelopes.

(Giselle holds two gold envelopes, one containing the words THE AZTEC ART MUSEUM - the other containing the words THE MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ARCHETICTURE. One of them leads to the games second killer clue – the other…an early exit from the game.)

Giselle: Kurz…if you please…

(Kurz sighs and stands up. He goes up and picks an envelope. Giselle casually tosses the other one to Ban.)

Kurz: Fine…I’ve got The Museum of Egyptian Archetecture.

Giselle: Ban…

Ban: I’ve got The Aztec Art Museum.

Giselle: Good luck, and may the best asshole win.

Ban: Thanks for the confidence boost…

Giselle: Sorry, just being honest…

*

Ban: DAMMIT!

(Ban nearly punches the mirror in anger in the bathroom…)

Ban: How the hell am I going to explain to Paul if I don’t come back that I can’t pay the damn tab!!!

Fai: Ban-pan…

Ban: Damn, I don’t even have the power to get mad at you…I’m mad at Aya…at everyone…

Fai: Ban-pan…that’s the reason WHY you were picked.

Ban: (looks at Fai) What do you mean?

Fai: Ban-pan, you’re intelligent, powerful, skilled and more capable in this game than pretty much everyone bar Satoshi. However, your attitude makes people afraid of you, they think you’re conceited, arrogant and as Giselle said…an as…

Ban: Fine, fine I get it. I’ve got an ego, fine – O.K. It works back home, I figured it would work here!

Fai: It did…in terms of surviving, but remember, you almost went a few days ago and whilst you survived the vote, Aya-chan voted based on who she felt was the worst for team morale, not in terms of skill…

(Ban, for the first time, actually listens to Fai…)

Ban: Shit…I was so used to doing this back with Ginji and the others, I never realised how it affected everyone…

Fai: Winning is everything to you Ban…but it’s not going to happen if you don’t realise that the key to winning isn’t just being good…but making sure that in everyone’s eyes you are a good person. Kurz is the same…except he thinks with his di…

Ban: I GET IT! So basically, I survive, realise what the others think of me before scheming.

Fai: (nods) Aya found out because she’s smart – if you can avoid that…

Ban: I never thought I’d say this…but thanks.

Fai: Anytime Ban-pan…now, go out and don’t get killed…

Ban: (sweatdrops) Thanks for the vote of confidence…

*

Kurz: Again? What did I do wrong?

Satoshi: I’d say you annoyed the females in this house once too many in my estimation.

Kurz: I was good!!!

Satoshi: Do you mind if I get a recorded conversation in your sleep of what you’d say you’d do to Kotone?

Kurz: Er…I’m not even going to answer that creepy line…

Satoshi: Mine or yours?

Kurz: Oh fine…well at least I know any plans later for me or Ban to backstab each other will not happen.

Satoshi: I’m sure tere will be plenty more backstabbing, as long as you come back alive.

Kurz: You are way too creepy for a 14 year old…

Satoshi: Fine, see if I welcome you back from the Killer’s Game.

Kurz: If that’s the reward, then maybe I won’t. Now if it’s a hug or a kiss from Kotone…

* * * *

Kotone: It’s taking all my control not to use my powers on him…

(Shot of Kotone using Hinata as a pillow, as she seems a bit more relieved though not completely fine as Kurz is heading off…)

Triela: Why don’t you sue him for sexual harrassment?

Kotone: Verbal than physical. He’s just being a pest, I thought it was funny at first but now he seems to focus on me…which needless to say isn’t a pleasant thing…

Hinata: So if he returns?

Kotone: Then I will make his life a miserable hell…

*

Shiine: That was close right Negi?

Negi: (nods) Aya said to not worry about it, but I did, and people were taking advantage of it…

Shiine: Well we know one of those big oafs are going…

Negi: (nods) And that leaves what to do next tomorrow…

Shiine: (puts a hand on his shoulder) As they say, tomorrow is another day, and I suggest to worry about it then.

(Negi nods…)

*

Miyabi: So…you don’t regret it?

Aya: I could ask you the same thing…

(Miyabi and Aya share a quiet moment just before death row is initiated…)

Miyabi: I don’t. I know you’re happy about it as well so no need to hide it.

Aya: (nods) I couldn’t let him suffer because of self-doubt and others getting caught in it. Besides, I guess I have more of a soft spot for cute kids than I do for men who only think of themselves…

Miyabi: As for me…silence is sometimes stronger than sound – I felt that respect hitting when Hinata came to me rather when Fai was trying to convince to me.

Aya: It hits hard this game doesn’t it…and Miyabi…I guess I can say sorry to you now.

Miyabi: (nods) I know…I’m glad your mind spotted any idea of revenge, even though I never hated Mizuki.

Aya: (nods) I know…just…I don’t know if whoever returns will have that same idea…

*

(Ban and Kurz are all packed and ready to go…)

Ban: Well Kurz, this is it. I would say I’ll miss you but…

Kurz: Geh, just don’t shit yourself out there…

Ban: I won’t…but I guess you’d be used to it already…

Kurz: Why…

(Kurz huffs as the others are waiting to see them off. A taxi, contains a new driver this time…)

Mirielle: Are you the victim?

Kurz: Thanks for that…

(Former suspect Mirielle (Noir) is the driver for this…Kurz would normally be overjoyed at a beautiful Causcian blonde escorting him…but the situation involved (and Mirielle could really send him to his death) isn’t the best, so he simply walks out…)

Kurz: Nice leave huh?

Miyabi: I suggest you leave that attitude away if you do come back.

Kurz: Sure…

(Just as he’s about to leave, Kotone steps in his way…)

Kurz: Kotone-chan, you’re here to set me away?

Kotone: Yes…but if you do come back, I suggest you distance yourself from me…otherwise I won’t be able to control myself.

Kurz: Control…you mean…

(Suddenly Kotone’s golden eye flashes with anger as Kurz steps back at the coldness of the glare…her eyes flashes momentarilly…)

Kotone: Otherwise…I won’t be able to control myself from making your life worse than Aoi-chan’s punches…

Kurz: Um…how bad is that?

Kotone: 216kg worth…of power.

Kurz: That’s…bad.

(Kurz escapes as Kotone’s fuming face tells it all…Ban, just behind, is amazed…)

Ban: Kotone-chan, for what it’s worth, I didn’t know…

Kotone: I know…

Ban: Guys…I’m not happy about this…but I promise…if I return, I won’t be the same guy…keep that in mind if you think this will make me down…

(Ban leaves quietly as 9 other detectives watch them vanish as Ban’s gets collected by what appears to be a space variation of a taxi…)

Rinna: Rinna-chan to pick you up!

(Ban sweatdrops…)

Ban: Great, could be going to meet my maker and a kid is here to escort me…

(Rinna Katsumatsuri (STELLVIA) the future equivilent to Chiyo-chan (seriously – see Stellvia manga vol.1 for a little tribute to Azuma-sensei’s work) is also similar to Ruri as a navigator and driver, so unlike Duplica, she won’t be arrested…^_^…)

*

Mirielle: So you haven’t exactly endeared yourself to your fellow teammates?

Kurz: I guess…but I don’t know after seeing Kotone’s face if I want to return…

Mirielle: Defeat is the worst thing you can do…redemption is what you need to look for…

Kurz: Considering this is my second time playing they’ve already got an idea of what they think I’m like…

Mirielle: Well then, when you return, make sure you can prove that isn’t the case.

Kurz: When I return?

Mirielle: I don’t govern ALL death…

(Inside HQ has all the info you need to know about Kurz’s harassment – but for now, let’s see if he lives long enough for Kotone to make his life a living hell…)

*

Ban: You can barely see over the wheel, want me to drive?

Rinna: I was given instructions to forbid anyone else to drive ESPECIALLY the one known as Ban Mido…

Ban: Geez…even in death, they won’t let me have any fun…

Rinna: Oh, you’re not going to die! If you were, why would they let me be with you…I’m like the angel of luck?!

(Rinna narrowly avoids a curve…)

Ban: Luck? Maybe…but of what variety…

*

(Kurz is the first who escapes the taxi, following the map on the back of the envelope. Remember, at the end of this path will either be a clue or the killer…)

Kurz: So…Egyptian architecture…

(Shot of the sphynx shaped cross crest with pyramid archs on either side…)

Kurz: Cute.

(As he steps forward, an explosion of fire hits the archs as Kurz steps back…)

Kurz: Not…cute…

(The door of the museum opens in a sliding motion as Kurz looks on and watches the map…)

Kurz: O.K…you’ve done this once…show everyone what you can do…

*

THE AZTEC ART MUSEUM - BAN

(Ban, escapes the van, as he looks at the museum, which is smaller than Kurz’s location…)

Ban: Darn, and no Ginji to explain the prosperities of Leonard Da Vinci…not like he’d understand it anyway…

(Ban notices the destroyed gargoyles on the outside…kicks one of them aside, and casually steps forward…)

(…and then a HUGE light forces him to step back…)

Ban: Damn…

(…Ban adjusts his sunglasses…and steps casually in…)

*

(The sight of coffins, mummies and skeletons isn’t the most welcoming sight for the AS pilot…but it’s long like he doesn’t see enough scary things…)

Kurz: O.K…where to go…

(The arrows flash, clearly marked both on the map and also in the darkness of the museum…)

Kurz: Let’s see…

(Kurz moves towards a staircase, which leads down…into the crypt so to speak…)

(…it spookily opens…)

Kurz: Oh for gods sake…

(As he moves forward, a skeleton falls down and a sercofagus opens…)

Kurz: Crap…

(Kurz, undettered, moves down…)

*

(Ban on the other hand…)

Ban: Get this stuff off me!

(Someone has given him the red paint treatment…yeah right…try blood…as the moment he stepped in, he was drenched in the red stuff, and now is battling cobwebs, trying to follow directions from his map, not realising that someone has left a trail for him to follow…)

Ban: (vomits) The stench…this is blood isn’t it…whoever did this is one sick bastard…

(Ban moves towards what looks like a golden arch, and just as he is about to past it, the two ‘knights’ nearby move as their swords cross…)

Ban: Shit…for goodness sake!!!

(Ban shoves one of the knights and moves forward…)

*

(Kurz is moving deeper and deeper as various portraits greet his way as torches light up…)

Kurz: Nice greeting…

(Kurz moves fast as he coming across an archway…where labelled in blood in a fork to an arrow on the right…’COMING OUT TO PLAY?’)

Kurz: Do you think they won’t mind if I went left instead?

(A blast of thunder answers that on cue…)

Kurz: Didn’t think so…

(Kurz more gingerly moves to the right…)

*

(In the Aztec museum, Ban isn’t having much luck from the gods…)

Ban: Gold…all this gold…and I can’t take it with me…

(Ban is literally into his arms full of gold dust as the map has let him to a hall where he has to swim past it, where at the end of the room, this time to the left, marked in gold are the words ‘You live or your life?’)

Ban: Stop this f****** riddles!

(Ban pushes his way through before slamming his fist over the ‘killer’ message…he storms to the left…)

Ban: I swear…I get through this…I will do something I never thought I would do...

(Ban pauses for breath…)

Ban: …I’ll listen to Fai.

*

(Kurz follows the bloody trail towards a final arch, where a mummified door awaits. Kurz, already a pissed off, simply kicks it down.)

Kurz: All right…now what?

(Darkness. Nothing but darkness. Kurz looks around…)

Kurz: What the…

*

(The gold light slow dims as Ban enters another door, as the end of the pathway doesn’t become clearer…it becomes duller…)

Ban: I…don’t like where this is going…

(He does go…and go…and go…)

*

(Someone begins sneaking to one of the two macho not-so gentlemen…and is able to give them a real rude awakening…)

Kurz: What…

*

Ban: No w…

*

(It’s a nervous time for the remaining detectives, as neither guy was well liked…but is it time for…)

Hinata: They’re here!

(Outside, the lights of a van flash as the detectives try to lurch over to see who it is…)

Negi: Any preferences?

(They all look at Kotone…who is watching the door with energetic eyes…)

Miyabi: Well…

(The double doors open…)

(…and…)

Ban: Hey…this is not like what I expected!

(See Kotone hugging Ban as an applause starts for Ban Mido as Ban chuckles…)

Ban: Lesser of two evil eh Kotone?

(Kotone nods still hugging Ban…)

Kotone: Thank you…

Ban: Anytime.

(Inside a bag Ban has got what we assume is the second killer clue…it looks rather weighty…but we get to that in Inside HQ and the next episode…)

(…because we know that Ban has survived, and Kurz Weber will haunt Kotone…but in this case…it’s quite literal.)

*

NEXT EPISODE

• Anna Respighi makes her debut after being missing for 4 days, but what side does this prime suspect take? Her sweet…or dark side?
• It’s Kalos’ funeral – and will anyone come to actual their respects? And how does the killer clue link with Seta?
• A murder weapon is possibly found – and the bounty mystery is solved – so why is Yomi the one the finger is being pointed at?
• And who will Kurz pick as Team Leader? Is it safe to go into the shower now? And who of course, is the third victim of the killer’s glove…

* * * *

I think this episode showcased two things. One…the fact that most of the characters now have been introduced, and two…the real insecurities that all the characters (detectives) have. Kotone with Kurz, Miyabi with Aya, Negi with himself…

Kurz was never going to be anything much more than cannon fodder…pun intended. The first two were the only ones that I determined to be eliminated quickly, whereas everyone else I switched around more times than a Chelsea rotation system. Kurz is a fun character, and to be honest, the way he was written seems that he was misunderstand and then cast away. However, Kotone’s uneasiness around Kurz is illustrated more in HQ which in a way, will show why he was eliminated. Forgive me FMP fans, but where vicious girls like Kaname and Melissa aren’t there, he felt he had a chance to be the flirty twit. However, Hinata smashed his ass already, and Kotone isn’t exactly a lightweight either…not to mention the REAL reason Miyabi eliminated him…(see HQ)

So now, 2 down and 10 to go…so let’s go through the ep for my obsure references shall we?

Giselle shuddering when she says ‘Satoshi-kun…’ I think you probably know the joke, but basically, Satoshi is the Japanese name for Ash Ketchum – no wonder Giselle seems horrified adding the kun suffix to Satoshi…

Heh – Joe-junior to Negi – well, if Giselle could like a younger boy like Joe, no reason why she couldn’t be the latest Negi fangirl…but hey, she’s just Giselle, so I let her off with just that.

Would Hinata be the jealous type? I don’t know, but that joke that Fai calls her Sakura-chan (in reference of course to Sakura from Tsubasa) is an interesting play if Sakura did get interested in Naruto, or indeed if she knows Naruto’s crush on Sakura gets more serious, then…kunoichi fight! And as impartial referee, I would make sure it was fair and square *coughsHINATAKICKHERASScoughs*

For those unfamiliar with my previous fanfiction, the bitchy Giselle vs. the sneaky Duplica was a familiar rivalry in both Animole and Pokevivor. In both of theme, Duplica came out on top, so here, Giselle gets a little bit of revenge. Heh heh…

The joke of Satoshi interview Hikari is of course, *DNANGEL SPOILER* is that his real surname is Hikari – the family of art protectors against the Niwas.

Kotone falling for Taka-kun? Hard joke to understand, but To Heart 2 is now out on fansub. Watch one episode and you understand…

The Hatoko coming out of nowhere™ trick is a reference to 5 year old prodigy Hatoko Kobayashi (Angelic Layer) seemingly appearing out of nowhere in many an episode (and earns the lovely line from Monica Rial in a commentary (SHE CAME OUT OF HIS BUTT!) before asking Misakichi to kick her…^_^…Monica, you evil woman. :P)

Yomi having to pause when saying Chi-chan…rather than another cute young character with ‘Chi’ in front of it…and no personocoms allowed…it is a force of habit.

Becky vs. Chiyo-chan – the duel of chibi kawaii geniuses! I really hope I don’t need to explain who Chiyo-chan is, Becky refers to the OMEGI KAWAII teacher from Pani Poni Dash – you could see a teacher duel if you add Negi and Mika-sensei, but they are no match for the PIGTAILS OF DOOM!!!

My wish for Aya to have interview Jet is of course a reference to Tatsuki Kuroi, or Machida Black – I’m sure Jet’s personality is slightly different to Kuroi’s…but hey…

So until next crime!