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…

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…

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: 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: Fai’s already up? Man…I must be dead…

(Ban’s sea urchin style hair (seriously) is given the once over as he looks in the mirror…)

Ban: Still handsome…but now what do I do? Considering Kurz last night, am I screwed?

(Outside, Kurz’s dismissal is not a depressing topic, as two people in particular are relieved of his passing…)

Kotone: I can honestly say I enjoyed sleeping last night…

Negi: It seems a bit cruel though Kotone-san…

Kotone: Negi-kun, considering he was trying to make sure you played last night…

Negi: I-I know…but…

Kotone: Negi, you must realise that through all this, this is a game, and we have to go forward if we are going to try and win this.

Negi: (nods) Of course.

Kotone: Of course, it didn’t help that the person I wanted to go was a perverted as...

Shiine: MORNING ALL!

(Shiine-chan interrupts just in time before we see Kotone swear, as he, for once, hasn’t donned the apron.)

Shiine: Why so gloomy Negi? We’re here, we’re safe, we are a step closer to winning, and breakfast is done!

Negi: Yeah…

Kotone: Who cooked?

Shiine-chan: Fai-san did! He said ‘it was the least he could do after last night.’

Kotone: (scratched her head) What did that mean?

Shiine-chan: (shrugs) Fai-san wouldn’t explain it to me either…

*

(Inside the kitchen, two people ignore Fai’s singing as they show why they are seen as the two to beat…)

Miyabi: It’s Kalos’ funeral today, so I expect that we will be seeing that.

Satoshi: Indeed – who is there and who isn’t will probably be a big issue.

Fai: Tea done!

Miyabi: Maybe we should discuss this elsewhere? (We can see a vein appear on Miyabi’s forehead…)

Satoshi: Perhaps, we’ll go into the interrogation room.

(The two head there, but are surprised because they aren’t alone…)

Triela: …pinpointing the suspect and not putting a bullet in their brains isn’t exactly something I’m used to…but hey, if I win will be enough bribes for Section 1 to deal with…

Hinata: And I thought we had it tough…

Triela: You do – you do have guns…

Hinata: We do have throwing weapons though…

Triela: (put her hand on her face) I can’t take you anywhere can I?

Satoshi: Crowded?

Miyabi: Trust me, the best ways of how to disembalm a suspect isn’t the best way I like to speak about a case….

(Elsewhere, outside Aya is catching the breeze, wondering if the repuctions were similar to what happened when she was considering Miyabi for the vote…)

Aya: So…Ban returned…does that mean I could be in trouble? It depends I guess what Kurz does…but…

(She flicks out her cell phone…)

Aya: Ran…Miyu….Rei…

(Just as Aya is about to go into a flashback, we’re saved by the young man at the start of the episode heading towards the house…)

Young man: Excuse me miss, is this the Headquarters for the detectives trying to solve the murder of Kalos?

(Aya smiles at the young man)

Aya: Yes it is, and who are you?

(The man beams out a smile…)

Aya: I’m Tsuyoshi Sakaki, and I’m your new lead investigator!!!

(Aya does the ‘dot dot dot’ motion in her skull, before answering…)

Aya: Why am I surprised? There’s a 10 year old wizard/teacher, a 13 year old warlock, a 13 year old ninja and a 13 year old assassin living here…come on in!

Tsuyoshi: Thank you!

*

Ban: (groans) Another brat? You are kidding me?

(Tsuyoshi’s eyes flare up…and lifts one of the desks in anger…)

Tsuyoshi: WHAT WAS THAT?

Ban: NOTHING!!!

Fai: Banpan, have you learned nothing?!

(But Tsuyoshi seems ready to go nuts…if not for divine intervention…)

Kotone: Hinata-chan, chop him on the head!

Hinata: W-What?

Kotone: Do it!

(Hinata seems a bit nervous…but nods as Kotone’s psychic energies at it’s play here…and Hinata’s Jyuken chops him gently on top of the head…)

(…and Tsuyoshi passes out as Triela catches the flying desk.)

Satoshi: O.K…can someone explain this?

*

Tsuyoshi: …and so, I was able to get on here as the lead investigator for episode 3. I’ve already been briefed by Miyazawa-san and Dexter-san so I won’t be a bother…unless you get me angry…

Ban: Geez…this guy is almost as bad as when Ginji gets pissed off…

(Tsuyoshi is now sitting at where both Yukino and Giselle were sitting as the head of authority. Tsuyoshi may not be as scary as those two (O.K, so he can be) but it seems like he’s got the attention of everyone present…)

Tsuyoshi: Well, I can see we are two people short, which means that someone was eliminated last night…and from what I remember of everyone here, that was Kurz Weber I believe…

(A few nods and a smile from Kotone is all that is needed to confirm that. Tsuyoshi continues on.)

Tsuyoshi: If that is the case, the first order of business is to nominate a new Team Leader. So we need to listen to see who Kurz picked to go back if he became another victim of the killer. So without further ado…

(Tsuyoshi presses a button as a video flares up. For the last time in the serious, the blonde mug of Kurz’ appears…)

(Ban seems to be shocked…as indeed do quite a few of the others, especially Aya…)

Tsuyoshi: Ah, Mr Mido, if you please take your spot at the front here please…

(With Tsuyoshi now once again becoming non-threatening, Ban, whilst cautious, goes to the front. It seems like a worst case scenario though for a number of the detectives, judging by their nervous looks…)

Tsuyoshi: Right…our first order of business…the killer clue that your leader brought back with him last night.

(Tsuyoshi brings up the rather heavy looking object, an object looking similar to the Millenium Eye from Yu-Gi-Oh, only much larger. Definitely Egyptian in origin, this seems to have baffled most of the detectives…)

Tsuyoshi: Now, to be blunt…we don’t have a clue what this is. However, it’s obviously something related to the case…and is there somebody here who could help us?

Negi: Seta-san.

Tsuyoshi: (nods) Yes – Seta Noriyasu is a master of Egyptian archeology, so he would be a logical guess to find out what this is. We’ll get to that in a moment, but first of all, there is another important matter today right?

Miyabi: (nods) Kalos’ funeral.

Tsuyoshi: Very good Miyabi-san. Ban, your first task is this. I want you to nominate three people to visit the funeral – find out who turns up there, any other clues linking to the crime, whatever you can grab, bag. Ban, go ahead.

(Ban looks over the group before deciding on…)

Ban: Fai…Miyabi…Shiine-chan.

(A bit of a surprise first pick from Ban, as he goes with his roomate, the oldest and the warlock. So Team 1 will be Fai, Miyabi and Shiine.)

Tsuyoshi: You guys good luck. The second team will be focusing on the killer clue. I want this team to go and find Seta, and see what he says about this item. It could be invaluable as a link to our killer. Ban, if you please?

(Ban smiles…)

Ban: Kotone…Hinata…and Triela.

(An all girl group as Team 2 is Kotone, Hinata and Triela.)

Tsuyoshi: Which means by default Team 3 will be Satoshi, Aya and Negi. What they will do is visit a suspect who has various links with people, considering what we know now she might be worth a revisit. You guys will be visiting Ukyo Kuonji. Learn any links now that we know now about people like Yomi, Jet, Tamahome, anybody.

(So to summarise, Team 1 (Fai/Miyabi/Shiine) will go to Kalos’ funeral, Team 2 (Kotone/Hinata/Triela) will head off to Seta’s, and Team 3 (Satoshi/Aya/Negi) have a date with Ucchan. So…)

Fai: A funeral…not exactly the best thing for having a good time…at least we have Miyabi-san here again!

Miyabi: I trust you trust my judgement then?

Shiine-chan: We trust everyone here, just some more than others…

Miyabi: Can I trust you then?

(Shiine nods…)

Shiine-chan: As long as you don’t turn into a mutt when it’s convenient…

(Fai chuckles as Miyabi looks confused…)

*

Triela: I’ve got you guys in my grasp, and now there is no way to escape me…

Kotone: Very funny Triela-chan, and don’t scare Hinata like that…

Hinata: I wasn’t! Well…

(Triela laughs…)

Triela: It’s O.K ladies, we’re gonna kick behind now, and make sure we don’t get left behind the others. Besides, I could only tease Shiine-chan in the last team…

Kotone: Oh great…we’re officially finished Hinata-chan.

Triela: That manager attitude isn’t as cute Kotone-chan…

(Hinata chuckles as Triela slaps her arms around the two roomates as elsewhere…)

*

Aya: Now I know how Miyabi felt being under the eye…

Negi: Aya-san, I think you helped me last time, so don’t worry…we’ll make sure the same happens here.

(Aya smiles…)

Aya: Thanks Negi-kun. Besides….

(She turns as the MVD (Most Valued Detective) Satoshi appears, ready for action…)

Aya: …I think we’ll be fine.

Satoshi: Well, shall we go?

(Aya and Negi nod as the three step into the relevant van…and begin their latest inquiries…)

*

(The van stops outside as private sectors mean not an easy place to enter without an invitation. Fortunately, the ID is enough for Fai-tachi as they enter.)

(At Kaleido Stage, a lot of recognisable faces from the Stage are there. Along with main star Sora Naegino and fiance Sarah, we see legendary diva Layla Hamilton, May Wong, Leon Oswald, Yuri Killian, Mia Guillem, Anna Hart, Rosetta Passel, and even Marion and Jonathan crying in the corner.)

(However, locating suspects that gave a damn about Kalos isn’t easy…as they find out when they look through everyone….)

Fai: This is where we could do with a psychic here…

Shiine: Kotone-san is on another team, we have to make do…

Miyabi: Considering the etiquitte of the situation, we’d better make ourselves comfortable. This could take a while.

(Indeed, interviewing people is probably not the best idea at a funeral (Sarah who recognises Miyabi and Fai, already seems agitated) – however, there is one suspect near the back who is watching with interest…)

???????: Interesting…

(…and another, waiting in the wings…)

????: I have to go now…

* * * *

(Shot of Kotone greeting Pedro at the gate as the three shift themselves in, Triela carrying the rather bulky killer’s clue which Ban recovered last night…)

Kotone: Let’s see, is Seta-san in?

Hinata: Over there?

(Hinata points to a few bulky workers in a hole, and a very out of place looking Seta and Kensuke at a table looking at some plans…)

Kensuke: …but it seems out of place.

Seta: I know, but with Kalos gone, it makes things a lot freer to explore. If we are going to save your friend…

Kensuke: Sometimes I wonder…he’s gotten so bitter recently, that even Hikari seems to get bellowed out…

Kotone: (smiling) Excuse me?

(Kensuke nearly jumps out of his skin as Kotone’s beaming smile catching him off guard. Seta isn’t quite caught off guard though…)

Seta: Why it’s the young lady from yesterday…and these…different detectives? Friends?

Kotone: Both.

Triela: The names Triela Mr. Noriyasu, and the girl there is Hinata. We’re young but we’re strong.

Hinata: N-Nice to meet you…

Seta: (smiles) Charming. But something tells me not to mess with you guys.

Triela: You’re good.

Seta: Anyway, is this a follow up from yesterday?

Kotone: Kind of Seta-san…we need your advice on something and if it’s O.K…can both you and Kensuke come with us?

Kensuke: Me too?

Kotone: It’s something that both of you have experience in, so any help would be greatly appreciated…

Hinata: Please…

(Kensuke nods, as the 5 of them head off to discuss Egyptian architecture…)

* * * *

(It’s early morning at Ucchans, and the breakfast okonomiyaki is already grilling…fortunately, the three here have more resolve than certain other members of the group…)

(Aya opens the doors…)

Aya: Excuse me?

(A waiter steps forward – it’s not Konatsu but someone who fooled a couple of ninjas in a leg of AR3…)

Go: (Pretear) Welcome to Ucchans, can I offer you a seat?

(Satoshi shows the ID)

Satoshi: Actually, we just need to speak with Miss Kuonji, if that is alright with you.

Go: Hmm…not quite the house special…

Ukyo: I HEARD THAT!!!

(Ukyo steps up, her Takahashi temper flaring up as Go fears for his life…fortunately with customers and three detectives looking at her, she manages to calm down…)

Ukyo: Fine…table 7…

Go: Hai!

(As Go counts his luck, Ukyo removes her apron and looks ahead at the three detectives…)

Ukyo: So what brings you here then? Found the rat that toasted Kalos? I’d thought you’d be at the funeral…

Satoshi: We’ve got some people there, but we’ve found some things that we’d like to see if you can clarify for us Miss Kuonji.

Ukyo: Right…well, if you don’t mind waiting sugar, I’ll get through some orders and get a quick break, and then I’ll speak to ya…

(They have to wait…hopefully they kept some room after breakfast…)

* * * *

(…but first…)

(Fai, Miyabi and Shiine-chan stick out like a sore thumb mainly because of their non-funeral attire, and despite the occasional glance from Miyabi, they don’t seem to find anyone of detective interest, though of course the KS members would warrant questioning…)

(The priest goes forward as he begins to say a few words…)

Priest: …he was man of power…of principles…of respect. Kalos was an enigma and yet a clarity of the world, the likes haven’t been seen more…and most likely won’t see again.

(You can here a faint sobbing from the crowd as a coffin is lowered into the ground. No suspects in view as of yet as the ground swallows the last remains of the deceased Kalos…)

Priest: May he rest in peace.

(The priest turns…and suddenly steps back, and nearly falls into the grave…)

Priest: W-who are you?!

(The clouds go dark on cue, as rain seems to begin to aim for the ground. A thunder clap hits…and a silhouette is shown…)

(The thunder lights up the beautiful features of the girl which has spooked the priest. Long flowing hair now, this girl is one of the most famous in my line of reality works – originally facing Akane Tendo in Mole Anime Edition 2, she became a front runner narrowly losing to Kano Miyazawa in the original Murder Game…)

(…ladies and gentlemen, the final suspect, Anna Respighi.)

Miyabi: That’s…

(Anna jumps down over the coffin as the crowd seem stunned.)

Anna: I take leave from here…to get away from this…only to hear lies and deceit even in the church. And he had the gall to try and destroy me?!!!

Priest: Blasphemy! Your work was not of the Holy Grail, but of the deviant masses that inhabit your…

(Anna, quick as a flash is behind the priest, a chop like motion to the back of the neck in place…)

Anna: Forgive me father, for I may sin – in the eyes of my friends Kris Kristopher and Akari Kanzaki…

(Anna looks ahead as a few of the members of Kaleido Stage are shaking their heads and mouthing ‘No!’)

Anna: …not to mention the members that he helped make careers of, some of them my good friends…I will let this continue. But not out of respect, but out of pity…

(Anna runs off as immediately Shiine is told to follow her…Miyabi is about to as well, but…)

???????: Well, Anna-chan certainly made an entrance – wish I had that same luxury…

(A few turn to that comment made…Duplica.)

Fai: Hmmm…Miss Imite?

Duplica: Yep, that’s my name, don’t wear it out. I guess this became a real spectacle then?

Miyabi: True…but we’ve got Shiine trying to chase Anna, and I guess we need to speak to you as well.

Duplica: Why am I here huh?

Miyabi: That…and other things as well…

*

(As fast as Anna is, Shiine-chan is no slouch when he’s on a broom…)

Shiine: Stop Anna-san! We need to speak to you!

(Anna…stops abruptly, as human bodies need time to rest – magic booms don’t. Out of breath, and worse, she’s crying, Anna needs time to get her head back together…)

Shiine-chan: Anna-san…it is Anna Respighi-san right?

(Anna looks at the eyes of Shiine-chan…and it’s the first time Shiine stares at the face of a tearful Cosmo Beauty candidate…)

Shiine: (blushes) P-Pretty…

(Anna wipes off her tears, as she coughs a little…)

Anna: S-sorry back there…I was just a little upset…

Shiine: Take your time – the names Shiine, but call me Shiine-chan. I’m one of the detectives here investigating a case…

(Anna looks at the face of Shiine, who turns slightly so he can’t be called a womaniser in front of Chacha’s eyes…)

Anna: So young…yet so strong. Maybe I should lead by your example…

Shiine: We have reason to believe that you could have reasoning to warrant a problematic situation with a man named Kalos…a man that was killed on November the 5^th at approximately 8pm.

Anna: (nods) I know where this going…

Shiine: Anna-san, can you confirm where you was on the night in question?

(Anna rubs her eyes quickly before slowly answering…)

Anna: I was back at the Church…I probably was…I can’t remember much it’s been a blur these last couple of days…

Shiine: Go on.

Anna: …but I was in the waterfall I’m sure in the grounds behind the church, doing some waterfall cleansing…

(Shiine briefly thinks about that…but stops before he gets a nosebleed. Fortunately, his concentration resumes and he continues the questioning…)

Shiine: Have you…well…um…got any witnesses?

(Anna seems to realise what he meant and turns, her red face a give away…but she shakes her head.)

Anna: No I’m afraid…I know it’s not much of an alibi…but that it is. After that…well…

Shiine: …you left home for the last few days.

(Anna seems a bit surprised by that…)

Anna: How did you know?

Shiine: We’ve already spoken to Tenchi…he reported you missing.

(Anna seems to be red again…but this time a little less embarrassed…)

Anna: Oh…right. Well…it’s true. I left the church, mainly to avoid the scandal – and went over to my friend Kris Kristopher, who helped found this church…and stayed with her for a couple of days…I needed to remove all the sins from my body and mind.

(Shiine’s interest perks up…)

Anna: …no, I didn’t do that. The sins were based on my own life that I felt I screwed up with messing with people within my church. People like Chiriko…people like Shinobu…people like Ukyo…I felt I carried their burden and needed to wash it away…

Shiine: You couldn’t leave the country could you?

Anna: (nods) No…Kris lives in the US in Alabama. She actually came from the Moon but felt it was too much hassle to commute between here and the moon…especially when Kanzaki-san is here…

Shiine: Why is that?

Anna: (embarrassed blush) N-N-Never mind…it’s nothing to do with t-th-this anyway…

(Shiine seems confused for a moment…)

Anna: Anyway, I think I caused a spectacle there…I need to apologise to Tenchi…but…but I’m not sure if he’ll want me back…

Shiine: I think that will do for now…Anna-san, we may speak to you again, but I think you have more pressing matters now…

(Anna nods, as she looks in the direction of the Returners Church…)

Anna: Thank you Shiine-kun.

Shiine: Please…call me Shiine-chan.

Anna: (smiles) Shiine-chan.

(Shiine turns quickly to avoid a blush/nosebleed sensation coming along…Anna runs off as Shiine turns shyly as her retreating figure gets smaller and smaller…)

(We’ll let Shiine worry about his inner torment…back at the funeral…)

* * * *

Miyabi: …you seem to be the only person other than the people working at Kaleido Stage that we recognise.

Duplica: Oh, you know me…my face is in the television every now and then…

Fai: I don’t think that’s what she meant Imite-san…

Duplica: Oh poo…

(Miyabi isn’t waning for Duplica’s ‘ditz’ act, and quickly begins asking questions…)

Miyabi: Miss Imite, why did you come here to Kalos’ funeral? I would have thought you wouldn’t have exactly been a first choice invite?

Duplica: True…but I felt I owed it to my friends over there before my injury. It has been a while since I had seen them…call it a family reunion if you will…they were my only family for a while…before Kalos ruined it…

Fai: Family important to you?

(Duplica stares at Fai with that cold glare she gave Kensuke a couple of days ago…)

Duplica: Never really had one…always been a loner. I’m an orphan guys…

Miyabi: Oh…I’m sorry to hear about that.

Duplica: (shrugs) Don’t be…it’s kind of the way of life I stuck with…

Fai: Imite-san, we are trying to find who made Kalos in this buried state…

Duplica: I already told you guys last time…well…not you guys, but that cute kid, that playboy and that beauty where I was at the time of the murder…

(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.

Miyabi: Oh…we didn’t check that out…

Fai: That was because Giselle probably didn’t want to risk the chance she was innocent…

Miyabi: Did Negi and them forget about it?

Fai: Wouldn’t surprise me. Negi was kind of in the dumps the last couple of days and Kotone was scared…or pissed off…at Kurz…

Duplica: AHEM!

(The two quickly turn back at attention…)

Duplica: Well…no matter. Here’s my personal number which gets through to my agent Rei Sagami – seems to have a natural talent – rather than the company. I was in a meeting conversation with him.

Fai: Thank you.

Duplica: And now I must dash like the pani chibi teacher.

(Duplica bows as she begins to move, but as she does, three random men follow her. She seems to flow in conversation…)

Miyabi: Well…we wait for Shiine-chan now…

Fai: I hope he got some good luck.

(Shiine is fairly quick as he heads back with a broom in tow and a smile on his face…)

Shiine: Miyabi-san, Fai-san, are you done?

Fai: We’re done. You?

Shiine: (nods) Got some details on why Anna was missing and her alibi…it certainly makes her suspicious…but…

(Shiine has the Chacha goofy grin with hearts over him…)

Fai: Hmmm…maybe Kurz wasn’t as bad as we thought…

Miyabi: Yes…quite…

*

(A shot of badly made tea (apparently they can’t afford any good day to satisfy three girls (they just scrapped it with one last time…) as they begin to see if they can question Seta about the killer clue…)

Triela: During one of our inquiries, one of our members found an item which we believe is something to do with Egyptian archeology. It definnitely resembles an Egyptian artifact.

Seta: Really?

Kotone: So if it is O.K Seta-san, we need to see if we can ask for your help…and Kensuke’s too, if either of you would know what this is…

Kensuke: Sure…

(Hinata opens the bag and manages to lift the item in question. The Millenium Eye look a like but much larger certainly makes Kensuke look intrigued, but Seta looks absolutely stunned…which Hinata immediately notices.)

Hinata: Seta-san…what’s wrong?

(The two girls and Kensuke also look at Seta, whose face has become a twisted face of shock.)

Triela: Mr Noriyasu?

Seta: Well…er…you girls aren’t going to believe this…but it’s actually…mine.

(Triela’s eyes light up…)

Triela: Yours?

(Seta nods)

Kensuke: What is it sensei? I’ve never seen this…

Seta: You wouldn’t have lad. This is a rare item that I keep under lock and key, and as far as I would know…no-one would have known about it. Actually, I’m wondering what the heck you guys are doing with it?

Kotone: Where did you keep this?

Seta: In a safe out back…I’ll show you…

(The three girls, Kensuke and Seta head off as the girls are very interested in what this is about…)

*

(Seta heads to what appears to be his base – it’s like a little temple on it’s own, but all that is there is a workdesk and a safe at the back. The safe is quite large though as Seta kindly asks the girls and Kensuke just to wait outside whilst he does the combination…)

Kotone: So you didn’t know about this Kensuke?

Kensuke: Not a clue…if I knew what it was I would have recognised it. I can’t even remember Seta having such an item before…

Triela: (inquisitive) Really…

(But before Kensuke can speak further, a sound of surprise echoes from the temple…)

Hinata: Seta-san?

(The ninja is the first in the room as the others follow quickly, as Seta looks a bit confused…)

Kensuke: What’s wrong sensei?

Seta: Well…I went to do the combination…but as I grab the code locker…

(He motions to the now open safe, mostly full…but…)

Seta: …it was already open. And it must have been for several days now without me realising it.

Kensuke: Seriously?

Seta: Well, I haven’t put anything in it for a few weeks…so someone must have broke in…

Triela: Someone knowing the combination…

Seta: Doubt it for two reasons. One – only I know the combination and two…

(Seta makes a motion to the lock, which is not exactly in to forgive a pirate show, one piece…)

Seta: …it was definitely forced apart. I never really bothered with alarms so someone got in here and broke apart the safe…

Kensuke: Is anything else missing?

(Seta scratches his head…)

Seta: That’s the thing…the only thing missing is the item the detectives have, called The Third Eye.

Triela: The third eye?

(Seta nods)

Seta: It’s an item from ancient Egypt which had the ability to predict the future – the answers to those who is worthy of it. However, I just collected it as a valuable piece for experts to look at and just left it there.

Hinata: When did you get it?

Seta: (thinks) About a month ago – it happened on my last expedition whilst I was looking for help for Kensuke’s friend Touji. This happened after Kalos and his goons arrested me for suspected theft, but I was quickly discharged and managed to resume my discoveries.

Kotone: So who do you think broke in?

Seta: I’m not sure…whoever did it did a real job on it – not really professional but strong enough to destroy it. Not sure how – by force, explosive, I’m not sure…

Triela: I’d say it was forced open. If it was done by a bullet or by a bomb there would be fragments of damage on the floor or around the walls…

Hinata: …and considering the thickness of the safe, I doubt a bladed item to pry it open would be useful either.

(Kotone sweatdrops…)

Seta: Well anyway…I’m not sure how you guys got it…but I’m glad you have. So…can I have it back please?

(Uh oh…the girls looks a bit worried. Seta has just given them some key information and they have a possible vital clue…however Seta has asked for them to return it…)

(…fortunately, Triela is quick on the ball.)

Triela: I’m sorry Mr Noriyasu, but I believe we need to keep a hold of it for the time being.

Seta: (surprised) Why is that?

Triela: Because sir, we believe this is evidence used and left by the killer who was searching for this item. We need to keep a hold of it in case after what you’ve told us if it indeed does have a relevance to the case.

Seta: (disappointed) You honestly think this has some significance to the murder case?

Triela: I believe so.

(Seta looks disappointed, but relents.)

Seta: Fine, can you just inform me once you have finished your inquiries and I can pick it up?

Kotone: We’ll be happy to deliver it back to you personally if possible sir.

Seta: I guess that’s as good as I can get for the moment right?

Hinata: I’m afraid so…

(Seta nods as the girls put the Third Eye back in their evidence bag…)

Kensuke: So why would the killer of Kalos want this?

Hinata: We don’t know if the killer took it though…it might be something unrelated…but whilst on the tracks and looking for some clues we found this, so we wonder if the two things are connected…

Kensuke: I see…

Kotone: Is that all ladies?

Triela: I think so. Are we done?

Hinata: We’re done.

(Seta thanks them for their journey and the girls leave…but are now very suspicious of Seta…)

(As a trio of girls head back to base…)

*

(…a duo of genius boys and a genius girl begin to investigate what Ukyo has to do with a few suspects…)

Ukyo: They think I had something to do with this bounty?

Satoshi: Keep in mind I’m not assuming anything…I’m just repeating what Sukanami said…

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.

Satoshi: …it seems a few of your friends are quite informed with your skills as a martial arts Miss Kuonji, so we do need to speak to you.

Ukyo: Friends? Huh…I won’t guess who they are, but sugar, you are surely barking up the wrong side of Osaka…

(Actually, she’d probably be surprised if she was told they were Shinobu and Chiriko…but we continue…)

Ukyo: Tamahome, or Taka, or whatever name he’s calling himself these days…is a lying little scumbag. He basically thinks with his good looks and his work he can get away with anything…

Negi: Do you have any problems with Tamahome-san then Kuonji-san?

Ukyo: Not really…and to be honest, bit ticked off he’d insinuate this in me…

Aya: …but we are not sure if there was even any bounty in the first place.

Ukyo: Sugar, when times are hard…I don’t go looking on websites for the latest hit…that’s Jet’s job. When things get hard, I work through them, I don’t look for dirty money…

Satoshi: Very well. So do you think why Tamahome did think you would have done this?

Ukyo: Probably to led you young un’s astray possibly. He’s been seeing that Mia girl and he doesn’t want you to look into that as a possible motive…

Satoshi: Mia?

Negi: (whispers) It was a girl we saw running away saying that Tamahome killed Kalos when we spoke to him…

Aya: Mia?

Ukyo: Listen…whatever alibi that guy has – ignore it. He never works on late model shoots – heck, his publicity stunts only go until 6pm at the latest – if you look on…hold it…

(Ukyo rummages around some stuff below her grill, scavenging something before reappearing…)

Ukyo: Here ya go sugar.

(Satoshi reads something…)

Ukyo: That story there shows that Kalos broke the news that he and their head writer Mia were seeing each other – problem is, Tamahome is married back in Japan with his wife Miaka.

(Satoshi reads the article as Negi and Aya look too…)

Ukyo: I don’t think he appreciated that…neither did his wife apparently…but that’s not all.

(Ukyo now gets what seems to be a telephone directory. She flicks through it a while before getting to something…)

Ukyo: Eureka! Here ya go cutie-pie.

(Negi blushes as Ukyo seems to now become more friendly, plus he can read English perfectly fine as he looks at the ‘MODELS’ section of the directory…)

Negi: (quoting) Top rated Chinese model Taka Sukanami accepting applications each day, every day from 6am to 6pm – no earlier, no later. Call now on…

Aya: I think that’s pretty concrete.

(So…did Taka lie? He said he had a photo shoot and even gave them his details. So, whilst Team 1 have to follow up on Duplica, Team 3 have to follow up on Tamahome…both moments that Negi feels a bit guilty for now…)

Aya: So…we have a pair of liars then…

(Satoshi nods as he sees the PC in the back, which we assume is Ukyo’s room.)

Aya: Do you mind if we take this newspaper for evidence Kuonji-san?

Ukyo: Go ahead sugar.

(Aya nods…)

Satoshi: I think that will do Miss Kuonji. We may wish to follow up on this if possible, so we may come calling again.

Ukyo: I’ll have a squid okonomiyaki waiting for you sugar…especially you cutie.

Negi: (blushes) T-Thank you…

Ukyo: Anytime sugar.

(The three leave as Ukyo quickly opens shop as business as usual for her…but with all three teams definitely making ways on suspicion, with Anna, Duplica, Seta, Kensuke, Ukyo and even Tamahome getting a second look…it suggests that they have enough to work with for the moment…)

* * * *

(Team 3 are the last to return to base, and Satoshi immediately heads back to the evidence room with the newspaper and also the clipping of Tamahome’s model agency, as Negi quickly begins to make amends for his mistakes which almost got him sent out to play a killer’s game last time…)

Negi: O.K…we need to call Tamahome-san’s agency….plus we need to find Imite-san’s agency as well…

Miyabi: No need Negi.

(Miyabi is sitting there, speaking with Negi as Ban who seems to got off the phone with someone…)

Ban: Hey kid. I know you weren’t in the best of circumstances, but we got a bit lucky today.

Miyabi: We found Imite-san at the funeral, and she gave us some more information in regards to her alibi.

Negi: Ah…(a bit disappointed….)…what did you find?

Miyabi: Imite-san said that you had some information, and then gave us a link to her agent.

Negi: So she’s innocent?

(Ban smiles…)

Ban: Nope.

(Negi seems surprised)

Negi: Really?

Ban: We spoke with Rei Sagami, her agent. He confirmed he was her agent and yes, he had a meeting with her at the time of the murder. In fact, he called her at 8 to pick her up…and do you know what he got?

Negi: What?

Ban: An answering machine.

Negi: Right…

(Negi begins to explain what they found out about Tamahome as well, as Fai enters…)

Fai: We’re doing well right at the funeral – and now we’re just getting everything linked together…

Negi: Where’s Shiine-chan?

Fai: (chuckles) He’s gone to his room…I think his meeting with Respighi-san was a little too much for him…

Negi: (blushes) Oh right…

Ban: Team 2 is back as well…they’re outside of course, but they seemed to have a good day as well as they managed to get some key information of the killer clue…

(Outside, Triela has a paintball gun, she’s getting a little rusty but in a similar situation to Rally Vincent in Roomies 3, isn’t obviously allowed her trademark Czech rifle or handgun, so she has to make do with a subsitute…)

(…but she has to hold up for a second…)

Triela: Damn…not now…

(She looks into her bag and gets something…what appears to be a tranquilliser – or something that is needed to keep her conditioning necessary…but minimum.)

Triela: My shooting seems a little off…do I really need this? Maybe I should hold off…but if I don’t I could be really screwed…but this seems almost like cheating…

(Triela puts her knees up and sits down…)

Triela: Damn…sometimes I wish I could be home…Henrietta…Hillshire-san…

Hinata: Triela-san?

(Triela turns around and is promptly lightly hit on top of her head by Hinata…)

Triela: What?

Kotone: You weren’t on your guard there…that’s unlike you…

Hinata: Something wrong Triela-san?

(Triela looks at the two girls behind her…puts away the drug she was going to use…and smiles…she breathes deeply.)

Triela: No…it’s fine.

(Triela stands up, looks at both them and lightly bops Hinata on the head…)

Triela: (smiles) Now you were caught off guard…

Hinata: (smiles) I guess…

Triela: Come on ladies…I heard the vehicle get back so Negi-kun and company are back…so let’s greet them.

(Triela, Hinata and Kotone head inside as Triela keeps her conditioning out of sight…)

(Back inside, Lead Investigator Ban is already making plans for the killer’s game tomorrow night…)

Ban: Hinata…she admitted to voting for me, but at least she had the balls to do that. Aya…she nearly killed me last night, but I guess it kind of brought me to my senses…am I a revenge guy?

(Ban absent mindingly twirls a pen around…)

Ban: Fai…he may be annoying as hell…but he did save my rear in a way…hmmm…I was going to vote for Miyabi last time but the idea of Negi came…and completely backfired.

(As he does this, someone enters the room…)

Ban: Kotone…she seems more relaxed now…then there is Triela…she’s a wise ass firecracker…Shiine-chan…he’s a damn good cook…what else can I say…

Satoshi: And what about me?

Ban: Well, you’re…

(Ban nearly freaks out as the being also known as Krad disturbs his inner plotting…though it wasn’t like he was keeping quiet about it…)

Ban: Haven’t you heard of knocking?

Satoshi: Yes, but where is the fun in that when you can here people plotting away…

Ban: Gack…you guys are sneakier than I take you for…

Satoshi: I get a lot of practice. But it’s not like I’m going to make you fall in any decision you take tomorrow night, after all it’s your choice…and you have to make it.

(Satoshi pauses as he’s about to leave…)

Satoshi: And for the record, use your heart and your head before you make a choice.

(He leaves as Ban stares like a matching sea urchin for his head…)

Ban: Damn, he’s scary…could I use that as a reason to eliminate him…or just being a plain old smart-ass?!!

(As Ban’s inner demon begins to work overtime…)

* * * *

(…IT’S TEA TIME…AND ON THE MENU…)

(A firework explodes above the headquarters, as first on the alert is Miyabi…)

Miyabi: What was that? Taeko-san’s latest creation?

Satoshi: (adjusting his glasses) Not quite…

(The firework above is certainly unique. First of all, it’s only in red and second of all…pretty words are hanging from it…)

Miyabi: And there we have the next two locations.

(By now, most of the detectives have got out and seen it…)

Fai: This killer has some imagination…

Aya: Shall we go back in?

(The team do…unaware that they are being watched…and it’s almost noticed…)

Kotone: Hinata-chan, let’s go…

Hinata: Huh…oh…right…

* * * *

(Back Inside HQ, they finish up another Shiine-chan special…something he seems to have stolen from two suspects out there…)

Shiine: Japanese and Italian!!!

Negi: Courtesy of Kuonji-san and Maehara-san!!!

Shiine: Negi, you weren’t supposed to tell them!

(A few laughs, as indeed what is being served is spaghetti and okonomiyaki, trademark dishes of said suspects. Whilst the banter is light, the food isn’t…and it isn’t long before the suspects are on the stuffed side.)

(However, whilst a number retire for recreation…)

Fai: I’ll beat you this time Triela!

Triela: At Halo against a gunslinger? You’re dreaming!

(…others return to the case…)

Satoshi: This evidence shows that Ukyo obviously knew something about Tamahome, but is it to further suspect him…or her…

Miyabi: That sir, is the question.

(…and other still, just try and relax before the first meeting which Ban will take in a bit…)

Shiine: I’m glad Kotone and Hinata are doing the washing up…I’m so tired after today…Respighi san made my heart race when I was catching up to her…

Negi: In more ways than one?

Shiine: You’re becoming evil in this company Negi-kun…

Negi: (smiles) Sorry…it’s just…after the last two days I needed a bit of relaxation. I just avoiding being eliminated and now things seem to look a little up, as working with Aya-san and Niwa-san really helped my confidence.

Shiine: Yes, but we don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow night with Ban-san?

Negi: (nods) I know…he doesn’t seem to like us that much…

Shiine: He’s just jealous that us ‘kids’ have abilities superior to him…he’s a type that hates having to lose, and his ego gets in the way of his potential…

Negi: Well…what happens, happens…we just got to make sure we get on his good side before tomorrow night…

(Shiine-chan nods as we cut to Aya waiting outside the door with a smile on her pretty face…)

Aya: Looks like Negi-kun is back to normal…

(Aya waits for a moment and sighs…)

Aya: …but now I’m feeling depressed.

(Lastly, Kotone puts the last of the dishes away as she sighs at the screams of anguish from Fai getting his ass wasted on Halo 2 by Triela…)

Kotone: I’m not sure…but the aura of this game changed…and not just with Kurz going…its just like…the aura of everyone here is good…but it’s ready to explode at a moment’s notice…

Hinata: (nods) It’s similar to sensing ki – the aura of everyone in this house is different…powerful…manipulative…strong…weak…concern…

(Hinata puts her hands to her now recovered heart…)

Hinata: …warm…

Kotone: (smiles) It is very oxymoronic isn’t it?

Hinata: Mmm!

Kotone: Come on…before Shiine-chan realises that his perfect dishes aren’t so perfect! That kid is such a perfectionist…

Hinata: Really? I’d wish I could follow to such a level…

Kotone: (chuckles under her breath) I’m sure he’d be happy to teach you…

Hinata: (confused) Hmmm?

Kotone: Nothing!

* * * *

(The meeting of the minds…for better or worse…is first done without Tsuyoshi in the dark room upstairs where the fates are determined every second day. Here, they speak about who they suspect the most now they’ve met all the detectives and from today’s inquiries…)

Ban: O.K, so Shiine, Miyabi and Fai…only two suspects were at the funeral, and in different ways, they were very vocal about the situation.

Miyabi: Indeed. Fai and myself spoke to Duplica at the funeral and she continued to give us an alibi…which we have now since found out is false.

Ban: Indeed. We’ll follow that up with something Team 3 found out, whilst back with Team 1, I believe Shiine-chan spoke with an elusive missing suspect…

Shiine: (nods) Indeed. Anna Respighi-san. She was the girl that Tenchi said was missing the last few days – she said that she was missing because she fled over to her friend’s place needing to get away from the problems she had been suffered from Kalos.

Ban: She didn’t have a real alibi right?

Shiine: Not really…but I don’t think she did it. She seems…I dunno…too innocent…

Ban: Kid…let me give you a lesson I know from personal experience. The beautiful ones are always the ones that are strongest…and usually most deadly.

Shiine: Um…I do kind of know that from experience…*to himself* Chacha’s magic is scarier than anything at times…

Ban: Rrrrrright. Anyway, the young ladies of Team 2, I hear you had an interesting experience when finding out about the killer clue.

Triela: Indeedy. Seta was able to recognise it, and even says the item, called the Third Eye, is actually an artificat which belonged to him.

Kotone: But the thing was, it came from his safe…and apparently, he didn’t realise it had been broken into and stolen.

Hinata: It was also forcibly opened…not sure how as of yet, but believe it wasn’t by any kind of firearm or melting equipment…

Ban: Not combination?

Triela: Seta said he was the only person who knew the combo…we are suspicious of Kensuke though as a possibility who knew the combination…

Ban: Mmm…and what of Team 3?

Satoshi: Yes, whilst speaking to Ukyo Kuonji, she believes Taka’s alibi is incorrect as he wouldn’t work under that night…plus she also believes according to a newspaper article…

Aya: …which she conviently had waiting for us…

Satoshi: …Tamahome WAS seeing the girl that Negi saw…

Negi: …Mia Gulliem.

Ban: Indeed. I called the agency and asked if Tamahome was booked the night in question and the agent on the phone confirmed that he has never took a booking after 6pm in all the months she has known him.

Fai: My, my…we’ve got a few liars in the family then…

Negi: But Kuonji-san seemed deliberately putting off out of her favour…she still consider her a suspect considering the bounty motive that seems to be floating around…

* * * *

Tsuyoshi: …money is a strong motive. You’ve discussed the bounty, and suggest that it would be more of a motive for Ukyo than Tamahome, but you believe there is something more personal in this.

Satoshi: Ukyo has a personal motive of revenge against Kalos ruining a close friendship…but this may be more of a financial motive against her as well.

Tsuyoshi: And do you believe Jet would have not known about the bounty?

Triela: Considering the logic, I doubt it.

Tsuyoshi: Indeed…I think we may need to return to him, but who else would benefit the most from taking the bounty.

Negi: I think the Suzuhara’s certainly…Yomi possibly?

Tsuyoshi: I’d certainly agree with those. Personal motives, we’ve met everyone. Anna certainly was very distraught during the funeral and certainly was screwed over by Kalos…Duplica on the other hand seems to focus on a different revenge based motive…Kalos trying to end her living in a way…but why was she the only other person at the funeral? I feel there is more to this…that could have possibly been dug out there and then.

(A subtle dig it seems there…but we’ll get to that later.)

Tsuyoshi: As for the killer clue, Seta claims it was broken into…but we are not sure how, what with and why. Seta could have done it himself and try and set someone else up…but what is so important about this third eye? Well…it’s back in the evidence room and we are examining it. Hopefully, we can get back to you tomorrow…plus we are still trying to contact the Gulf of Mexico because whilst Seta’s alibi failed…there is something there we are trying to establish but we are working with the authorities to deal with it.

(The team seem interested but that’s all for now…)

*

(Later that night, we see Aya speaking with someone downstairs…)

Aya: You can tell he’s going to go for it…

????: And you think he’ll listen to me?

(The voice is very distinctive – it’s obviously Negi.)

Negi: Miyabi-san was just as nervous as you are now Aya-san…

Aya: I guess…

Negi: So it doesn’t mean that it’s concrete…

(Aya gets a glass of water - it’s around 9.30pm, and whilst none of the detectives are asleep yet, a number of them have returned to their rooms for rest and revision. Aya however, has been quite lonely since Mizuki left her 3 days ago…so of course she’d go for the boy that makes every teenage girl go all shotacon…^_^)

Aya: Well…if we pass tomorrow, I’ll feel a little better about it…

Negi: Why don’t you just speak to Ban?

(Aya is a bit surprised…)

Aya: Well…

Negi: Miyabi-san spoke to you didn’t she…that was one of the main reasons why she probably didn’t vote for you despite Mizuki leaving…

Aya: I just feel Ban is a lot more…well…stubborn than I am.

Negi: How do you know? We don’t really know that much about each other really apart from what we see on the outside, and what we are portrayed…just see where you stand before you do anything rash…

(Negi picks up a glass of milk…hey, he’s still only 10 years old…)

Aya: I…I see…

Negi: (smiles) Aya-san, just believe in yourself. Your friends back home will do…and I’m sure we do here as well.

(Negi pats her on the shoulder and leaves as Aya looks on outside, where the stars are brightening by the second…)

Aya: Am I being a mole again?

(But just outside, a certain someone smoking smiles lightly…)

Ban: Heh…

* * * *

(Downstairs, many of the elder statespeople of the group are enjoying another drink (with Fai making sure not to drink TOO much, whilst old pro Miyabi calmly sips some wine) as Ban, who doesn’t drink, contemplates outside…)

Ban: Am I being ignorant…or am I not seeing what other people see of me…or what I see of them?

(A noise just off screen is heard by Ban, as he lifts his trademark sunglasses off for a moment…yep, even in darkness those shades are there…but they’re some damn cool shades…)

Ban: But with such noisy brats out there…what are they doing anyway?

(Ban takes a smoke for a moment…contemplating why kids are up this late…)

(…and stares in shock…)

Negi: SAGITTA MAGICA…UNA LUCIS!!!

(A straight forward energy spell, unchanted, put Hinata on the back foot, as it seems Negi is getting serious. Triela, Kotone and Shiine-chan are all on the backfoot, dragged out by Triela in case it gets a bit dangerous…)

Triela: Training like this every day…I know how that feels…but this…wow…straight out of European fairy tales…no offence Shiine-chan.

Shiine: (scratches his head) Eh?

(Hinata somersaults onto a tree as she spins on the tree breaking a branch. She throws two kunai at Negi, who deflects it with his wind barrier spell.)

Negi: RASTEL MAGISTAL…

(Hinata runs in with a Jyuken combo…)

Negi: (thinking) Those hurt…quickly…what…

(On instinct…)

Negi: (Latin) KEVOINTOI AOTPANOATW OE TELLEW…

(Hinata briefly pauses, going for her variation of the Shuggohakke, but…)

Negi: … (RUNS FORWARD AND HITS AN ELBOW STRIKE)…THOUSAND MASTER COMBO…

(Negi then brings forth his open hand in an energy bolt, and strikes down into the ground with a pillar of energy…)

Negi: AIOE TYKOE!!!!

(An explosion of energy connects, as the three bystanders are shocked…actually 4 considering Ban just saw that…and his cigarette dropped from his mouth….)

Kotone: NEGI! That was overkill!!!

Triela: Negi, I’m surprised at you!!! That was a bit too strong…I thought you guys were toning it down…

(Shiine looks stunned…even he can’t contemplate the double whammy of Negi’s true magic power and Hinata being ground into the dust…)

Kotone: Hinata-chan are you al…

Triela: Wa…

Negi: (smiles) Hinata-san, you’re O.K right?

(Shot of the dust clearing, as Hinata, clear from the dust…disembles the chakra surrounding her.)

Shiine: W-W-W-What?!!!

Hinata: (bows) Thank you very much Negi-kun!!

Triela: Did I miss something?

Negi: Hinata-san was trying to learn one of her moves, called a ‘Kaiten’. A defensive technique, which she modified in one of her other moves…but it looks like after turning up the power, she was able to do it…

(Suddenly, a rustle catches them off guard, as five pairs of eyes turn to see a stunned Ban there…)

Ban: Er….hi…

Kotone: (smiles) Should we set the dogs on him?

Ban: (to himself) A Jagan would be useful here…but geez…

(Ban retires gracefully as the younger member have a chuckle at Midos’ expense, but it seems like they too decide to retire for the night as Negi and Hinata’s training was on the powerful side…)

* * * *

(It’s the middle of the night, and all was asleep…with Fai sleeping on the sofa after failing to beat Miyabi at a drink a thon…Ban is on his own and wide awake…)

Ban: Hmm…maybe those kids are more dangerous than some of the others…maybe I should focus on them…as enemies…or allies?

(He looks at the others…)

Ban: They are all more dangerous than I thought…Aya…still feel pissed off but…

(He looks to the empty bed neck to him…)

Ban: Fai…damn he’s a pain in the ass, but he kinda saved mine in a way. As for Miyabi and Satoshi…they seem too smart NOT to be deemed a threat, and their uptight attitudes is a perfect reason to vote them off…

(Ban sighs…)

Ban: Damn, things just got more difficult…

* * * *