(It’s the 6^th day, and the Lord shall say…)

Ban: GET YOUR DRUNKEN ASS OFF THE COUCH!

(…O.K…maybe not…)

Fai: (slightly hungover) Uh…Miyabi-san is a real pro at this…

Ban: (sighs) Come on…

(Ban picks him up by the scruff of the neck and throws him up the stairs…)

Ban: Get some clean clothes and make less of an example of yourself…

Fai: Right, right…

(Ban heads into the main room, where pretty much everyone is either already hard at work…or just waiting for breakfast…O.K both. It seems Shiine-chan and Kotone are today’s cooks, as everyone else bar Fai is in the room and already into the case…)

Negi: …so if Seta, Tamahome and Duplica don’t have alibis, did they deliberately lie?

Hinata: I think they didn’t expect us to follow up so quickly…Duplica is the one I’m concerned about the most…because it almost like she expected to think we knew her alibi was wrong and already had a well prepared one straight away…

Negi: …and Seta-san lack of knowledge about his missing artefact seems too convenient…

Hinata: Maybe there is more than one person involved in this…

(Ban looks over at Aya…working with Triela and Kotone at the moment.)

Triela: …you see, if they only met Anna that one day, she was missing for a few days supposedly, but we don’t have a strong alibi for her. I think she may have been fooling around with Shiine-chan to get him off her back…

Aya: …but wouldn’t that be the same case with ones like Touji and Tenchi. None of them have good alibis, and seem to focus their attention on other suspects like Yomi and Ruri.

Kotone: It’s basically who we consider from our own observations rather than everyone’s elses on who we think is most suspicious.

(Lastly, we see Shiine-chan coming in downstairs, where he joins Negi and Hinata…whilst Satoshi, sans Kurz, is definitely a loner now…but that works to his advantage, because a glance at his notes suggests extremely detailed visions of motives, weapon, alibis, etc. He is definitely (but not surprisingly) the most into the game…)

Ban: Here we are…all ready and working so hard already…and back there…

(Ban shakes his head…)

(Ban takes his seat, as it isn’t long before Tsuyoshi makes his mark…)

* * * *

Tsuyoshi: I see you are all dilligently working hard…

(A blank stare greets the boy…good job it wasn’t Ban’s otherwise…)

Tsuyoshi: O.K…let’s recap. We’ve been going round in circles around this bounty situation recently, with Tamahome saying one thing, Jet another, and Ukyo further still. Well, today we are going to get to the bottom of it…plus follow up on a return from a suspect after a few days.

(Tsuyoshi first looks at Team 1, Shiine, Miyabi and Fai.)

Tsuyoshi: You guys met Anna yesterday, so I want you to focus on her. I want you to go back to the church and see if you can find anything interesting now that she has returned. Keep in mind that Tenchi is there as well, so there could be duel theories we could work here…just keep in mind to make sure both of them aren’t in the same theory…

(Tsuyoshi now looks over at Team 2, Kotone, Hinata and Triela.)

Tsuyoshi: You ladies are going to deal with Tamahome – conflicting stories revolving around Ukyo and Tamahome. Today we’ve managed to confirm that he is off duty today and is actually on a training work round with a friend of his…one you should be familiar with…Chiriko.

(This makes Chiriko so far the only person we’ve seen in every episode possibly…a dark horse of a suspect sure, but what about Tamahome? We know he’s lied…Chiriko also possibly as we don’t know if he was on a meeting on that night…so they have to be careful.)

Tsuyoshi: I want you to confirm about their alibis and follow up on what Ukyo said. Keep in mind what Chiriko said…he seemed to have visited the Hoshinos on the time of the murder but says they weren’t in. So I suggest just gathering as much evidence as possible…

(Finally, Tsuyoshi looks around team 3…Negi, Aya and Satoshi.)

Tsuyoshi: As for you three…I want you to follow up on the theory that Jet was lying about the bounty, especially as we are trying to track down with correspondence with the police about the information about the bounty payment have been paid into an encoded account. Speak to him, and see if you can learn anything more…

Tsuyoshi: I think I can say that suspecting everyone and trusting no-one is a pre-requisite in this game…but I can safely conclude that also applies to each other, as well as the suspects. Believe me, I know…

(Someone literally speaking with experience there…)

Tsuyoshi: Remember, tonight…two of you will be playing again…so just keep that in mind whilst you are on your enquiries. Off you go.

(Three teams nervously shuffle themselves out of their desks and what-not, as Tsuyoshi’s words echo in their minds…)

Shiine: He certainly likes to intimidate doesn’t he?

Miyabi: He’s just a teenager who has power…it won’t last forever so he’s making the most of it whilst he can.

Fai: So, we go find your new lady friend again, looking forward to it Shiine-chan?

Shiine: (tomato style) SHE ISN’T! *very quickly* CHACHASANIHAVENOTSINNED…CHACHASANIHAVENOTSINNED…

Fai: (sweatdrops) Rightily…

*

Kotone: …he seems nice enough, and he’s very handsome…but he gives an aura of being a bit of a con artist…what we seem to know seems to match that initial feeling of him…

Triela: Well, if he’s like this and he gets a bit edgey…*cracks knuckles*…I’m up for some new target practice today.

Hinata: Triela-san…

Triela: (smiles) Joking, joking!

*

Satoshi: …if Jet was lying about the bounty, then his first option is that he took it. But that seems too obvious if he was the killer…

Aya: Sometimes simple logic is deductive. Whoever killed him took the bounty.

Negi: I just get the feeling it’s never that easy…

Satoshi: Trust me…it isn’t…especially considering the cases I usually get…

* * * *

(A visit to here was one of the first major inquiries they had to deal with on Day 2 – it was here they learned of Tenchi being here and of Anna being missing since the night of the murder. Now they return, and whilst the Church doors are open…)

Shiine: Hello? Anna-san?

Miyabi: Tenchi?

Fai: Anyone home?

(…no-one seems to be here.)

Fai: Well, I guess is always open to the public…

Miyabi: I guess we have a look around. Shiine, can you keep an eye out on anyone coming?

(Shiine looks a tad surprised at that…but nods.)

Shiine: O.K.

(Fai and Miyabi have a look, as Shiine heads outside and heads to the roof courtesy of his broom…he’s a little miffed…)

* * * *

(…Tamahome is going to be used to this considering his occupation…being surrounded by girls. Problem is, not one of them is going to swoon at him.)

(Now Chiriko on the other hand…)

Chiriko: …you seem to be off your game Tamahome-san, what’s wrong?

Tamahome: It’s just that those detectives were around me the other day…and they seemed to seem concerned about seeing Mia run from me…I just hope that…

Chiriko: Don’t look now…

(Tamahome turns as a van pulls out of Chiriko’s shrine – it seems the two were using the outside area like a dojo, and for once, Chiriko seemed to be winning as Tamahome certainly seems to have a lot on his mind. But that only adds to it, as a van of detectives is not high on the agenda for the Suzaku warrior…)

Tamahome: Oh great…who is it this time?

(Kotone steps out first…as Tama recognises her, but the other two are strangers to him…and whilst Chiriko recognises Triela, Hinata is a stranger to him as well…)

Tamahome: Some new faces then?

Chiriko: Suddenly getting a flashback…

Tamahome: Why?

Chiriko: Rika…

Tamahome: It’s over my friend…Kalos screwed everything up…and we’re going to let them know about it…they are only little girls…we can stop them in their tracks…

Chiriko: Er…Tamahome-san…

(Tamahome storms up as the girls immediately are not so warmly greeted by the model…)

Tamahome: Look, you’ve already bothered me…I gave you what you wanted to know…

Triela: (steps forward) No you didn’t. Triela, detective…

Kotone: You know me Tamahome-san, Kotone. And the other girl is Hinata…

Hinata: (bowing) N-Nice to meet you.

(Tamahome is momentarily taken off guard but quickly recovers…)

Tamahome: O.K fine, but I did tell you everything I knew…

Triela: As I said, you didn’t. You didn’t tell…oh I don’t know…the truth perhaps?

Tamahome: What th…

Triela: I believe we should have a little talk. Hinata, you’re with me. Kotone, is it O.K if you speak with Chiriko there?

Kotone: Sure, but why?

Triela: I’d think he’d be a little less threatening if a cyborg and a ninja did the questions to this macho man…(all smiles)…wouldn’t you agree Tamahome-sir?

(Tamahome looks at them…)

Tamahome: You’re bluffing…

(Triela grabs one of Tamahome’s arms…)

Triela: I’ll let you decide.

(She squeezes slightly…anyone seen Battle Athlete’s Victory? Well, in one episode we see Jessie lightly squeeze Ling-Pha’s arm…similar situation and…)

Tamahome: OWWWWWWWWW!

(…similar result.)

Tamahome: What are you…

Triela: Just telling the truth…unlike you. Now if you please…

(Triela’s ‘intriguing’ way of interrogating seems to have worked. Kotone and Chiriko seem to be in a two way fight on who wishes to apologise first…)

Chiriko: I apologise for my hot headed friend…

Kotone: Really? I was going to say that…

(The two chuckle slightly…)

Chiriko: So what is this about?

Kotone: Well, it was mainly about something we needed to confirm with Tamahome, but if it’s O.K I need to speak to you as well.

Chiriko: O.K, sure.

(The differing opinions of the two suspects are obvious…)

(The girls deal with a couple of bishounen…)

* * * *

(…whilst Team 3 deal with Murder Game 3’s equivilent to an oyaji…and yes, Nakamura just sneezed off stage…)

Satoshi: Jet’s outback?

(Shot of the guardian of the scrapyard, Alphonse from Full Metal Alchemist…)

Alphonse: Yeah, he’s just doing some tunes up on his arm – you can go see him…

Aya: Thank you.

(They head in…Negi already feeling uneasy and put a little bit of wind magic around the three as Jet is using a screwdriver to tune up his bionic arm…)

Jet: Damn screws…

Satoshi: Not us I hope?

(Jet turns, a little surprised…)

Jet: Well…not really…though you certainly surprised the heck out of me…

Aya: Sorry Mr Kur…I mean Black…sorry force of habit?

All: Huh?

Negi: Anyway, we’ve followed up on what you said a couple of days of go and we feel we need to establish something even further.

Jet: (a bit defensive) But I said what I needed to say…

Satoshi: …but some new information has come to light, and we need your help in sorting it out so to speak.

Jet: Erm…O.K…sure…so…

* * * *

(Back at the church, whilst Shiine-chan is still being a bit pouty, Fai and Miyabi explore the church…)

Fai: This gives you kind of a guilty feeling doesn’t it…

Miyabi: Exploring a holy ground without notice? I certainly think so…but we know that we must…

(Various things are looked at, but very few signifance to the murder if any at all. Nothing seemingly suspicious…)

(…at the phone, where they found their first major clue two episodes back confirming Touji was lying about not knowing Kalos is dead…we see the red light flash again. Miyabi decides to see if lightning strikes twice…)

Miyabi: That was…

Fai: Hikari-chan.

(Miyabi nods as she plays the second message…)

(The message ends as Miyabi writes that down…)

Fai: Let’s keep looking…

(As they do…outside, Shiine notices something in the distance…)

Shiine: Huh?

(Shiine stands up as in the back of the church, there is a garden, and indeed, what Anna said was true, there is a beautiful waterfall on the back there. However, next to it is not quite as poetic an image, a graveyard. It seems small especially when compared to the church where Kalos was buried, but that’s not the issue. What is…)

Shiine: That’s Anna-san…and Tenchi-san!

(Indeed, Anna and Tenchi (both in black clothes, Tenchi looking rather dashing in a black yukata) are kneeling in front of a grave. Shiine looks back at the church…)

Shiine: I should tell Fai-san and Miyabi-san…

(He begins to move…but stops…)

Shiine: Wait…they’ve got things to do and they wanted me out here…so…

(Shiine looks on…)

Shiine: This is my duty.

(Shiine flies off on his broom, heading over to where Anna and Tenchi are…)

*

(Inside Chiriko’s living quarters, Kotone shows that she seems more than capable at the art of tea ceremony…)

Kotone: …so why would such a gentle man like you store all this?

(It seems like along with his tradition, we notice that several weapons are stored at the back. Kotone quickly picked on this, and seems to think that the murder weapon may have come here…so she’s focusing on this…)

Chiriko: It’s a business I was running considering my martial arts pedigree thanks to Tamahome-san. I did it also to make sure that I could protect Rika.

Kotone: Rika? That’s the girl…

Chiriko: (nods) …that I WAS married too, until Kalos stopped that. But…I’m not a vindictive man Kotone-san.

Kotone: Well…have you sold or rented out any weapons recently?

Chiriko: Oh, of course. I get a few deals done every week – it’s not obviously my main business, but from mainland China, it’s quite easily to get the newest weapons in, for traditional…and I guess…for not so traditional uses.

Kotone: Any ones in the last week or month?

Chiriko: Sure…why?

Kotone: I just want to have a look at the receipts if possible.

(Chiriko seems a little suspicious, but succumbs to the power of the detective and allows her to follow. Meanwhile…)

*

Tamahome: …so that tramp says that I was lying and now thinks that I do have something to do with Kalos’ death?!

Triela: We didn’t say that. All we said is that Ukyo told us and we confirmed that you don’t work with the agency after 6pm.

(Tamahome pauses…)

Tamahome: O.K…fine, I lied. It’s hard to keep appointments in check, but with everything about the rumours about me and Mia, my wife back home trying to get in touch and me not wanting to explain the situation…

Hinata: But is there a situation to speak of?

Tamahome: Of course not! I love Miaka – why would I have an affair? Mia swings both ways anyway…

Triela: What?!

(Hinata turns around red as a tomato as Tamahome realises may not be the best thing to say to two 13 year old girls even if they are detectives…)

Tamahome: Erm…ignore that.

Triela: (recovering) No wait…what did you mean by that, and how did you know that?

Tamahome: It doesn’t ma…

Hinata: It does.

(A sense of overflowing chakra seems to make both arguers silent for a moment…but Tamahome sighs and relents.)

Tamahome: Fine…from what I understand is that Mia is just this drama queen who was trying to get some publicity for Kaleido Stage, to perhaps be seen with a model when in reality she’s with that Anna girl from Kaleido Stage…

Triela: Anna? Is that Respighi?

Tamahome: (shakes his head) No…Anna Hart, one of their performers. Maybe you should ask them about it…so I lied…it was to get people off my back from this non-existent relationship – Mia is just blowing it all out of proportion.

Hinata: But what about you…where were you then if you are admitting that you weren’t at the agency at the time of the murder?

(Tamahome once again is in the spotlight, and he’s not enjoying it…)

Tamahome: Well…to be honest…I’m not sure.

Triela: You’re not sure, or are you reluctant to tell us…

Tamahome: Hey, just because I didn’t know where I was doesn’t mean I did the deed…

Triela: Again, we did not suggest that.

Hinata: Triela…

(Hinata takes over for a moment as arguing isn’t going to get anywhere…so let’s try classic good cop/bad cop…)

Triela: Baka author.

Hinata: ANYWAY…

(Brief pause until Hinata gets the courage to speak…)

Hinata: Is there some other reason why you can’t tell us?

(Tamahome looks a little hot, his brow is sweating under the pressure…but he remains as strong as he looks…)

Tamahome: Sorry…I generally don’t know where I was, I was at a meeting for a while before the time with a few people…but after that…

Hinata: Who did you speak with?

Tamahome: I’m not sure…the only thing I can remember is that bitch Ukyo trying to say something about this bounty some guy bought up and that Kanzaki calling me for something…

Hinata: So these newspaper headings…

Tamahome: Yeah, all fabricated. Kuonji is just trying to implicate me.

Hinata: Fine, that is fine.

Triela: Huh?

Hinata: We forgive you for making you be like this Tamahome-san, we may get in touch with you in a while…so thank you.

Tamahome: (very surprised by the change of fortune and attitude) Er…yeah sure. Thanks.

(The two leave…as Triela is confused…)

Triela: Why did you do that Hinata-chan?

Hinata: He’s hiding something…but he won’t tell us. It’s best to think that we don’t suspect him whilst he’s thinking about what to do. He’ll panic…and I’m sure we’ll able to find what he is hiding…

Triela: So you think he is hiding something?

Hinata: (nods) Maybe not the murder, but there is something about what he did that night that he doesn’t want to reveal. We’ll let me be on his own with his thoughts for now…I’m sure we’ll be able to find out further down the road when he’s ready to talk.

(Triela smiles and wraps her arms around Hinata from behind, surprising the ninja girl…)

Triela: Damn it girl, you’re a real sneak.

(Hinata smiles, CUE THE LINE!!!)

Hinata: No…I’m a ninja.

(YES…er, anyway…)

* * * *

Kotone: …so these are receipts for various weapons over the last month or so…

Chiriko: Yes, it seemed to be a bit busier in some ways – the items are quite expensive…and with me trying to help out problems with…well…my marriage…and also Miss Yomi…

Kotone: How is she now?

Chiriko: She seems to be doing better now she has her own place and clinic…but I’m afraid she’ll relapse…she kind of turned to alcohol after she was fired…damn that Kalos…sorry, I can’t speak good will of him even after his death…

Kotone: Understandable…but you do realise why I’m here…

(Chiriko nods…)

Kotone: O.K, then let’s see…

(Kotone remembers what Ban and Hinata talked about the wounds involved, and looks for weapons of the ilk – blades, swords, knifes, etc. It seems the only bladed weapons Chiriko sells are quality Chinese swords…and of the last month, there are two receipts…)

Kotone: So Tamahome bought a sword in the last month…

Chiriko: (nods) Yes, he’s one of my regular customers. Tenchi usually is as well, but he didn’t get anything last month…

Kotone: Tenchi? He uses swords?

Chiriko: (nods) He’s very good with them.

Kotone: Interesting…

(The second purchase however seems surprising…)

Kotone: Seta-san?

Chiriko: (nods again) I remember that one, it was a very expensive work, light in weight but strong in steel – it was an artificat from the 4 Gods War which belonged to the emperor Hotohori back in ancient China…

Kotone: You sound like you know from experience…

(Chiriko chuckles embarrassingly…)

Kotone: Do you mind if I can have a copy of these receipts?

Chiriko: Sure…but are you thinking…

Kotone: I’m not, but I need to cover all bases if you know what I mean.

Chiriko: I guess…

(Kotone does her part, as the three girls later meet up heading back to the van…)

*

Triela: Tamahome is very nervous of us now…mind you, it could have been a full scale war if Hinata-chan didn’t interrupt us…

Kotone: It’s official…you’re hot headed Triela-san.

Triela: What was that Kotone?

Kotone: Nothing!!!

Hinata: Now now…we’ve got what I believe we came for – we’ve got information from Tamahome-san in links with that Ukyo was telling the truth but at the same time he believes she’s just trying to make him look more suspicious.

Triela: To be honest, it’s making everyone look more suspicious…

Kotone: Well, let’s get back and see if Ban is getting more suspicious…

Triela: You’ve gotten more evil since Kurz left…

Kotone: (smiles) I know, it’s great.

(The girls laugh as they head back, whilst with Jet, the team are about to get some really important and shocking information…)

* * * *

Jet: …you think I lied?

Satoshi: No, however we do know that there indeed was a bounty put on the Big Shot website…

*FLASHBACK*

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…

Negi: You told me two days ago that you checked all the bounty sites and there was no bounty on Kalos, yet just a few hours before the murder there was one…and you didn’t know about it?

Jet: Hey, anon bounties are usually taboo – it’s not like I look for them, they are usually rather dodgy to be perfectly honest.

Satoshi: But we do know that a bounty was made, and the murder has been on the news, yet as far as we know no-one has collected it…

Jet: Listen, you want to check my account, fine. But I certainly didn’t do anything with that bounty.

Aya: So YOU DID know there was a bounty.

(Damn…caught. Jet, despite him being an intimidating chap and probably weighing as much as Satoshi, Aya and Negi combined, is now the one cowering slightly…)

Jet: O.K fine! I knew about it…that’s it.

Satoshi: Are you sure?

Jet: Yes!

Negi: But didn’t you say that if you saw that Kalos had a bounty, you would be there?

(Negi’s memory is a scary thing…even worse when you are a murder suspect…)

Jet: That was just a figure of speech, I didn’t mean anything by that!

Satoshi: Mr Black, are you aware that is a crime to lie to the police – it is testiment to perjury.

Aya: So if you want us to make sure we get off your back, I suggest you tell us the truth, otherwise…

Satoshi: Negi, a demonstration please.

Negi: This is embarrassing…

(Negi raises his wand from wandspace (hey, he can’t carry it around on inquiries all the time) and chants a spell. Jet is forced back slightly as papers surround him from Negi’s wind magic.)

Jet: Damn…almost as bad as Ed…

Satoshi: So, want to tell us everything?

Jet: Fine, fine dammit. You’re right, I knew about the bounty…but I didn’t do anything about it. Do you know why?

Aya: Why?

Jet: Because…

(dramatic pause)

Jet…I put up the bounty.

(Stunned silence…)

Aya: You did?

(Jet nods…)

Jet: I was saved thanks to my own work as a bounty hunter, but the Suzuharas didn’t have that luxury thanks to Kalos. So I put up the bounty thanks to my savings from my various bounties. However, as far as I’m aware it was never collected.

Aya: That means someone could have done it without knowledge of it…so more personal than…

Satoshi: Mr Jet Black, I’m afraid we have to arrest you under accessory to possible murder.

Jet: What?!

Negi: If he caused Kalos’ death, directly or indirectly, we need to make sure that everything is correct.

Jet: Hey wait…

(Before Jet can protest, Negi chants and traps Jet in a chain of wind which Sakura Kinomoto would be proud of. Aya calls Ban…)

Aya: Ban…can you get a police squad around to the scrapyard please? We’ve made an arrest…

Ban: Sure…but it’s good timing you called because…

(As Aya listens, Jet is groaning about his rights and wanting a lawyer…but Satoshi’s eyes seem enough to shut him up. When Aya finishes up the call, she turns.)

Aya: Er…guys…

Satoshi: Yes?

Aya: This may be quite difficult to say now but…

Negi: Hmm?

Aya: Well..someone has apparently collected the bounty.

(Cue the jaws dropping…)

* * * *

(…the police squad take Jet away, but Jerry has the three detectives in the back of the car…)

Jerry: Yes, we managed to get a note saying the bounty has been taken…who knew it was from Jet of all people?

Aya: Yes, but do you know whose account it is?

Jerry: That’s the problem – it’s all scrambled. If we can get the account number and sort code we can trace the bank, and then you guys can contact them to see whose account it is.

Satoshi: That’s a start…come on.

* * * *

(Back at the church, we cut to Shiine-chan, who is standing outside as Anna and Tenchi stand up after being in front of a grave…who we now see is a gravestone with the name of YOSHO MASAKI, aka Tenchi’s grandfather.)

Tenchi: …I’m glad you came back for this Anna – my grandfather’s ashes were flown here and got today. It’s all I can do at the moment.

(Tenchi turns to the girl, whose tears are flowing for the second time in two days…)

Tenchi: You didn’t have to leave…I didn’t blame you. Ruri didn’t either…

Anna: I know…but the fact that he died just made it worse…it makes it seem I was guilty of it and trying to make everyone suffer back home…that’s why I had to return…

Shiine: Anna-san…

(The two, a little spooked, see the young warlock, as Anna rubs her eyes…)

Anna: Shiine…chan was it?

(Shiine seems ecstatic for a moment that someone added the –chan suffix to him straight away, but quickly recovers…)

Shiine: Yes, Anna-san…I’m sorry to interrupt but I saw you and just needed to speak with you another moment.

Tenchi: I’m sorry…it’s kind of a hard moment…

Anna: No it’s O.K.

Tenchi: Anna…

(Anna looks at Tenchi with those puppy dog eyes…Tenchi backs slightly but he succumbs…)

Shiine: Is this…

Tenchi: Yes, my grandfather. He died back in Japan…but I wasn’t allowed to return back because of Kalos. He made it sure after the problems with the Church that neither myself nor Anna were allowed to leave the country.

Shiine-chan: (to himself) So that’s what Miyabi, Fai and Hinata found when they visited the airport.

Tenchi: It isn’t fair…

Anna: Well…I kind of got a bit of revenge at the funeral…

Tenchi: The trouble is, it doesn’t feel better even after Kalos’ death…not to mention Ayeka sending me these ashes…

(Anna seems uncomfortable…)

Anna: I guess…that would mean that could return home now…

(Tenchi shakes his head)

Tenchi: I can’t…not like this…

(Shiine seems confused…but then the two begin to walk out of the graveyard.)

Anna: Shiine-chan, we’re heading back to the church – we’ll talk there…

(Shiine nods…but then remembers something…)

Shiine: No…

* * * *

Fai: …those messages seem to be the only real clue further on here…

Miyabi: Really?

Fai: It’s clean as a whistle.

Miyabi: Shall we head back then…Shiine-chan is probably…

Tenchi: WHAT IS THIS?!!!

(Tenchi looks on as Fai and Miyabi look like the kids with their hands caught in the cookie jar. Shiine looks incredibly guilty and Anna looking furious…)

Tenchi: WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE?

Fai: Um…searching?

(Miyabi gives him a ‘are you an idiot’ look, but notices Shiine for the first time. Miyabi’s face looks red from anger, but nothing compared to…)

Tenchi: This is a church open to the public yes, but I can’t believe detectives don’t have the common decency to…

Anna: Tenchi…let me.

(Anna walks up, her aura seems to have changed. Shiine looks in particular to be shocked…the beautiful gentle lady he met at the funeral has turned into a dark maiden of destruction…)

Anna: You trying to destroy the image of us even further? Implying us in a case which has already destroyed me and others as far as we can reach?

Miyabi: Respighi-san…we are here simply to find out if there is anything that can confirm whether you are as much as being innocent as if you are being guilty…

Anna: Then you found nothing. So please leave.

Fai: Kyah…sc…

(A glare from Anna shuts Fai up pretty damn quick. Even Tenchi seems frozen in fear…)

Anna: Shiine-chan, did you know they were here?

Shiine: Um…yes…but I didn’t know…

Anna: Save the excuses. And I had you down as a nice young man, but you’re as sneaky and as disgusting as the rest of them…

(As Shiine’s heart breaks, Anna walks up and clutches Tenchi’s hand…)

Anna: You’re still here? Go!

Miyabi: (sighs) Fine, we were just going. Come on Fai.

(Fai nearly has to be dragged out as he and Miyabi head out. Shiine is still stunned but Tenchi snaps him out of it…)

Tenchi: You better go kid…

(Shiine finally gets the message and scampers out. As they leave, Anna collapses in tears again…)

Anna: Why…why does it show…

* * * *

(…but outside, another scare is happening…)

Miyabi: WHY DIDN’T YOU WARN US THEY WERE COMING? THAT’S WHY YOU WERE ON LOOKOUT!

(Shiine seems upset and doesn’t want to speak…)

Fai: Now, now…Miyabi-san, this isn’t going to help…

Miyabi: Stay out of this Fai. Shiine, do you realise what you have done?

(Shiine looks up, a bit dazed and tears under his eyes…and he speaks.)

Shiine: All I did was notice they were at the graveyard and felt it was a good idea to speak to them…

Miyabi: But it wasn’t! And it’s cost us…

Shiine: WELL, HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU WERE LEFT OUTSIDE NOT DOING THE WORK?

Miyabi: Shiine…

Shiine: I COULD HAVE JUST DONE JUST A GOOD JOB…HOW MUCH DID YOU FIND IN THERE MIYABI-SAN?

Miyabi: We found some messages on the phone linking them with the Hoshinos…

Shiine: And anything we didn’t already know?!!

Fai: Shiine-chan…Miyabi-san…

Miyabi/Shiine: BACK OFF FAI!!!

Fai: (backs off) Scary…

Miyabi: Listen, it was your responsibility to keep guard for us and you failed!

Shiine: Well, how would you feel if the adults made the kids look like we weren’t needed?

Miyabi: Well, maybe you shouldn’t act like such a kid then!

Shiine: Really?! If I remember I’m the only person who has passed both inquiries on the days – how many have you and Fai-san passed?

(That catches Miyabi off guard…because Shiine has a point. He passed the first two days with Negi and Hinata, and the second two with Ban, Satoshi and Triela. Neither Miyabi or Fai have as of yet passed one. Granted, Miyabi has only been in one inquiry, but it is still a shot to her ego…)

Shiine: Listen…I was at fault. Fine, I accept it…but it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t disregarded me as you did. I’m going to head to the van and I’m heading back. I’m not going to listen to this…

(Shiine does, as Miyabi, stern but in thought ponders this…)

(Team 1 haven’t returned yet, but whilst Team 2 have been there a while, they are enjoying a new enquiry courtesy of Team 3 as they begin some tracking…)

Ban: So…you’ve got a scrambled code here…damn…where’s Makubex when you need him?

(Shot of Satoshi on the workstation doing some e-mails by the looks of things…)

Satoshi: If we can get the trace of the details that Jerry gave us, we could make a second possible arrest.

Kotone: I know…I can’t believe you guys got Jet to confess that. That was brilliant!

(Satoshi shows a rare smile, whilst Aya runs back…)

Aya: I’ve called Tsuyoshi-kun, the authorities have been notified and they will be giving you a scrambler which you can use to try and crack the code with the instructions supplied.

Triela: (cracks knuckles) Hacking…sounds like my kind of thing.

Negi: Triela-san…they meant hacking into computers, not your type…

Triela: Oh poo.

Hinata: So…what do we do?

Satoshi: For now…we wait.

(Fortunately, they don’t need to wait too long thanks to Tsuyoshi working overtime…as Ban gets the e-mail with the attachment, and the most computer literate of the team (in fact all of Team 3 in Satoshi, Aya and Negi) begin to look through it…)

Satoshi: Pretty standard scrambling device – but we need to attach the file that we got from Jerry.

(Negi puts in the disc, confirming the scrambled code of the account that the bounty payment was put in…)

Hinata: So…you de-scramble this code…

Kotone: …then they will trace the number through the list of documents of banks that Jerry gave us.

Satoshi: It’s an 8 digit account number and a 6 digit sortcode. We break through and then we trace the name of who the account is under…

Aya: Score!

(Two digits have arrived on the sort code as Aya cheers. She and Satoshi seem to be enjoying this in a weird sort of way, as it brings them a possible step to success…)

Triela: So, whoever we find here, they did it?

Satoshi: It probably isn’t as easy as that…the fact the code is scrambled is warrant enough that all may not be means the eye…

Triela: Hmm?

Aya: Basically, if someone scrambled the code, they hacked into the system to find it. It doesn’t mean whoever’s code this is did it – although considering the circumstances, it is quite probable.

Negi: Elementary my dear Aya!

(A quick giggle at Negi’s worst impression of Sherlock Holmes however leads to more time in de-scrambling the code. Fortunately, with Satoshi on the team, nothing is impossible…)

Satoshi: Right, sort code is 314192…account number so far 6504…

Negi: 4 digits to go…

(Negi has taken over from Aya as she takes a quick break…still no sign yet of Team 1 as Hinata, Triela and Kotone come back with tea and biscuits for all…even Satoshi is quite appreciative of them…)

Satoshi: Thank you ladies.

Kotone: You’re welcome!

(However, all they can really do is watch at the moment, as the two young men try and finish the code…with two digits left, Satoshi finally switches over to Aya…)

Aya: How come?

Satoshi: I think I’ve done everything I need to – just finish it off Aya, you can do it.

Aya: (smiles) Right!

(Indeed, Aya and Negi finish off the decoding, now showing as 65043929 for the account number and 314192 for the sort code.)

Negi: So now we trace the numbers?

Satoshi: Let’s see if what Jerry gave us gives us the golden goose…

(Holy Alliteration Krad-man! Satoshi inputs the CD-Rom with all the banks details showing up with all the various accounts in LA. Now it’s a matter of patience…)

(…aw screw that. Let’s just forward on…)

*

Satoshi: There we go.

(A match with the number hits an account on a Saltway Post Office Account…and the name…)

Negi: No way…

Aya: I don’t believe it…

(Neither do the three girls behind them. Satoshi and Triela seem to be the most surprised…)

Satoshi: Expect the unexpected huh…those she seemed linked with almost everything…it still…

Triela: Never mind that, what do we do?

Satoshi: Call Tsuyoshi and arrange a police squad, we’ve got an arrest to do. Aya, Negi…we’ll head out and arrange to meet at her place.

(So it’s a female…but who?)

(Soon, a squad team heads across as Satoshi-tachi head out themselves, with the girls staying behind.)

Hinata: Is it a real surprise?

Triela: I guess not…she seemed smart enough, but still…I met her the other day and she oozed maturity…it just kinda shocked me.

Kotone: I hope it doesn’t shock her seeing this…

*

Tsuyoshi: This is shocking…

Aya: You’re telling us…

Jerry: (knocking on the door) Open up…

(pause for effect)

Jerry: …Miss Mizuhara!

(Yomi, in casual clothing, opens the door…and seems as stunned as the detectives are that such a huge gathering has come to bid her welcome…well, not quite…)

Yomi: Forgive me if I’m asking too much…BUT WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!!

Jerry: Miss Mizuhara, I’m arresting you on suspicion for the murder of Kaleido Stage owner Kalos.

(Yomi’s face looks like thinking Tomo has actually got anywhere in the world…ironically, Tomo is actually there, probably enjoying every moment of this…)

Tomo: Ha ha, Yomi got busted!

(One glare from Satoshi is enough to shut her up…if only it was that simple…)

(Jerry reads her the rights, whilst Yomi has a complete ‘WTF’ look…at least until Satoshi explains…)

Satoshi: Miss Mizuhara, on the night of the murder, we don’t as you told us have a concrete alibi for you. Well, we found out on said night, that a bounty was made to kill Kalos…and that bounty was collected…in YOUR account.

Yomi: W-w-what?

Satoshi: I feel we’ll be needed to speak to you soon, but these gentlemen will be your chaparones for the evening. Good day to you.

(Yomi is stunned, and near tears. However, despite Negi and Aya not exactly sure what is happening, then turn with Satoshi and Tsuyoshi and begin to head back to HQ…)

(Team 3 return…and find almost as bad a scene back home…)

Negi: Hinata-san, what’s happened?

Hinata: Um…well…

(Hinata begins explaining to Negi, whilst Aya and Satoshi take the approach of what they do best…investigating.)

Aya: ..so Miyabi-san and Shiine-chan haven’t been speaking to each other.

(Fai seems to be in a rare solemn mood…)

Fai: Hai Aya-chan. Shiine basically in Miyabi’s eyes cost us a chance of passing by bringing in Anna and Tenchi, rather than warning us they were coming. But on the other hand, Shiine felt badly done by Miyabi who he felt she was basically condensending him as a child…

Satoshi: So Miyabi was basically making him do nothing when he wanted do.

Fai: I guess…more like he felt he had a point to prove…and hit it on the head for me and Miyabi…

Negi: (calling out) Where’s Shiine-chan?

Fai: He’s upstairs Negi-kun, see if you can get him out…

Hinata: …please, not other joke about needing someone to make dinner…

Fai: Hinata-chan, you are ruining my fun…

(Hinata actually looks rather upset from this…meanwhile Miyabi seems content in the study, as Kotone and Triela try and talk her out of this sillyness…)

*

Kotone: Miyabi-san, this isn’t like you – why are you being so off-standish towards Shiine-chan?

Miyabi: Because I don’t tolerate mistakes, especially when they could have been so easily avoided.

Triela: Oh come on…how was he supposed to take that? He felt like you were discarding him!

Miyabi: How he interpreted that was his own wishes…all I did was simply gave him a job…an easy job. And he didn’t do it.

Triela: (pointing out something) But didn’t he find out the information about the ashes at the graveyard?

Miyabi: But Fai and I found out about the meeting.

Kotone: So you’re even then…

Miyabi: He’s being the stubborn one.

(Kotone and Triela give her the ‘pot calling the kettle black’ look as upstairs, Negi and Hinata try to comfort Shiine…)

*

Shiine: (crying) I know…I know it was my fault…but if Miyabi-san hadn’t been so stand-offish…

Negi: We know, we know…she didn’t mean it like that…

Shiine: …but it felt like that to me…I know I made a mistake, but they weren’t exactly being brilliant either…and I found out more on a motive for Tenchi…

Hinata: Shiine-chan…

(Shiine collapses as Hinata finds herself in the unusual position of being hugged by Shiine, who is crying his eyes out. Hinata turns red for a moment…but surprisingly, returns it…in a comforting way. Negi goes round and puts his hand on Shiine’s shoulder…)

Negi: For the record Shiine-chan, we’re with you. Right Hinata-san?

Hinata: (slow) M-Mmm..

(Shiine releases his death grip (seriously, Hinata had to breathe out) and wipes away the tears…)

Shiine: Gomen nasai Hinata-san…I’ve ruined your jacket…

(Hinata tries hard not to laugh…)

Hinata: N-no, that’s O.K Shiine-chan. So now what?

Negi: I guess we just wait for later tonight. It’s not like you and Miyabi didn’t make spectacles of each other…we’ve just got to see what we can do…

Shiine: I guess…

Negi: Anyway, I suggest you come down with us…AND DON’T GO INTO THE KITCHEN!!! Kotone, Fai and Triela are making dinner so you can just relax…

Shiine: B-but…

Hinata: Shiine-chan, you’re not in the best state of mind at the moment. Just come down, explain to everyone and hope for the best.

(Shiine looks into the eyes (or tries to in Hinata’s case) of his two friends before nodding…)

Shiine: Thank you.

Negi: (smiles at his roommate) You’re welcome.

Hinata: Let’s go.

(The three head down, as chaos has gone down to a middling effect of waves…)

* * * *

Ban: …so Yomi is now arrested, along with Jet?

Satoshi: Yes – we’ve got one on accessory to murder, and one as the possible murderer.

Ban: Good stuff…and heck, any chaos back here makes the game more fun as well!

Satoshi: You are so enjoying all this backstabbing and intrigue…

Ban: (honest) Yeah, what’s your point?

Satoshi: That officially makes you the most honest person in Murder Game history.

Ban: Yosha! Take that Misao Amano!

(Satoshi comes damn close to sweatdropping but doesn’t. As the main focus is now on later tonight…and the fact that a couple of detectives made them look like the fools of the game doesn’t necessarily make this decision any easier…)

Aya: I don’t think we should look at this incident as a way to see who we should vote for. We don’t know yet who has passed or failed…so…

Kotone: I know…it’s just that…well…I don’t know who else I could really vote for.

Triela: Yep, no easy picks like Kurz this time.

Kotone: Please…you almost remind me he was here 2 days ago.

Aya: (sweatdrops) Kotone-chan is a vindictive person isn’t she?

Triela: Well…we’ve got our first of two meetings coming up…and I wonder if we’ll taste any more of Shiine-chan’s great cooking…

Kotone: Ours wasn’t that bad!

Triela: I think Henrietta cooks better than me…and trust me, that isn’t saying much…ironically, Fai’s work saved my rear for that…

Aya: (smiles) I don’t think saying that in context with Shiine-chan is really a good thing though.

Triela: True…

*

Miyabi: Satoshi…

(Satoshi looks at Miyabi, who seems a little concerned…)

Satoshi: Yes Miyabi?

Miyabi: What do you think of the situation tonight…was what happened out there a bit too much?

Satoshi: I’d say so to be honest. Any time you make a situation worse than it appears it puts a big bullseye on your chest. Trust me, I know.

(Miyabi (wisely) decides to follow on that and just continues on what she was speaking out…)

Miyabi: So…what we said…

Satoshi: Miyabi, I’m not going to go over who I thought who was right and who was wrong. Frankly, I believe you and Shiine have your own ideas and know better than anyone else. But I’m going to vote for whoever I deemed the person who is right to be voted for, whether it is you, Shiine, or anybody else here.

Miyabi: I see.

Satoshi: And I suggest you do the same.

(Satoshi leaves, as Miyabi ponders…)

Miyabi: I know I was right…so…why…why do I feel so wrong?

* * * *

Ban: …the one thing that seemed to be interesting from what Fai told me was Anna’s complete change of character.

Fai: She seemed like the idea of an innocent girl…but she became scary at the drop of a hat.

Ban: Could she be murderous?

Shiine: Well…I’m not sure…well…

Ban: Kid…admit it. She could be a crazed killer and you don’t have a clue about it…

(Shiine reluctantly nods…)

Ban: As for Tenchi, well the one thing that came out of this was a focus on his motive and his relationship with the Hoshinos. I get the feeling we’ll be speaking to them again…hopefully Ruri will be a bit more talkative than last time…

Negi: And doesn’t have protection barriers up…

Ban: (sweatdrops) Yeah, that too. And it seems that Tamahome and Ukyo are trying to frame each other, but we have arrested Jet and Yomi on accessory and possible murder, thanks to you guys…but seriously…Yomi?

Satoshi: I’m not confirming this as concrete. The way the code was scrambled suggests someone wanted to hide it…Yomi possibly…but maybe to divert the attention away from the reality…

Ban: So you think someone somehow framed Yomi?

Aya: I wouldn’t be surprised. There are people here with IQ’s on your wavelength Satoshi-kun.

Satoshi: She’s right…that’s why this case is more interesting than I expected…I can’t put my finger on who has done it yet, even after knowing about all the suspects.

Ban: Not to mention the possible murder weapon?

Triela: Yes…it seems a possibility that the murder weapon may have belonged to Chiriko, and the fact he sold a sword to both Tamahome and Seta is a possible link to a murder weapon. This is just early days, but we do feel there has to be some sort of link between the bishounen boys.

Kotone: We need to see if we can establish a link with the weapon with Chiriko…I don’t think he did it…but I do believe someone with a link with him has…

Hinata: Yomi?

Kotone: (nods) Don’t count out the obvious.

(Ban nods as he looks around, none of them wanting to look him in the eye…partly because that Jagan is worse than Itachi’s Sharingan, but secondly…because they might worry that direct eye contact may make him want to eliminate them…)

* * * *

(Shot of Tsuyoshi in the drive, ready to deliver the death sentence…as inside, cut shots of Ban, then of Miyabi, Shiine, then Fai. Then ones of Negi, Hinata, Kotone and Triela…looking on in concern, and then of Satoshi and Aya…looking on in interest.)

(Let the killer game begin…)

*

(The young man from Kodacha greets the 10 detectives…after tonight, just 9 will remain.)

Tsuyoshi: Today was quite busy wasn’t it for all of you…and today and yesterday will decide a salvation for a brief moment for one team…and possibly destruction for everyone else. So, let’s not beat around the bush…let’s get on with this and make it less painful for everyone.

(That seems to get the appreciative nod from everyone, as Tsuyoshi starts on a rather distressed Team 1. Even Fai isn’t his usual genki self…)

Tsuyoshi: It’s hard when investigation to not realise what type of direction. And both times, it seems you were caught off guard by Anna. First of all, Shiine-chan…you didn’t continue on speaking to her, considering what she told was good, it may seem enough, but following up on suspects is always an important issue…never get distracted.

(Shiine now feels bluer than Anna’s hair…but Tsuyoshi isn’t finished…and if Miyabi is feeling a little smug…)

Tsuyoshi: …but you weren’t the only one. Miyabi and Fai…you just let Duplica intimidate you and let them continue as they went away. Surely, considering she was the only suspect paying her suspects, there may have been something going on? Her alibi was fake remember…well…fortunately, I managed to get a little more information.

(Tsuyoshi adjusts his glasses as he reads something out…)

Tsuyoshi: Recently, after Duplica left the hospital, and the morning after Kalos’ murder, Duplica has made it her business…to make an attempted takeover and buy out of Kaleido Stage.

(Shiine gasps as everyone there is stunned…)

Tsuyoshi: (smiles) Yep…revenge a motive? Maybe…but financial removal of a rival? Definitely. Considering the number of people who have suffered from Kalos…maybe she’s a guardian angel?

(Tsuyoshi brings forward a new motive for Duplica: the young ditto master seems to be interested in buying out Kaleido Stage. Did she kill to remove the previous owner in the guise of a revenge plot?)

Tsuyoshi: As for day 2…well…I don’t think I need to say anything further. I think that whilst you did O.K as far as information, miscommunication caused a mini riot…both against Anna and Tenchi…and yourselves.

(Shiine looks embarrassed…Miyabi is stern, whilst Fai has a poker face. Tsuyoshi gives the verdict.)

Tsuyoshi: I cast upon thee your token efforts.

(Tsuyoshi rates the three as follows…)

(Shiine’s score is officially the lowest of the season so far…and I think it’s safe to say that his outburst of being the only person to have passed all his inquiries is now over…)

Tsuyoshi: Move on to the ladies of Team 2.

(Obviously this is now a two horse race…so who will pip the other to the post?)

Tsuyoshi: You guys did a good job overall – first day, a bit of good work allowed you to go to Seta and not only did you establish the killer clue, but you found out that it was supposedly stolen. Not to mention you refused to buck into pressure and you kept a hold of a vital clue. We also know what the item is – The Third Eye – a supposed Egyptian artefact which has the key to predict the future…

(Tsuyoshi gathers something up…)

Tsuyoshi: …speaking of which, we were following up on Seta’s alibi last night and this morning. It’s true that he wasn’t at the Gulf on the time of the murder…but on video evidence sent by the GOM…we found something interesting.

(Tsuyoshi presses a button as a video flares up…the time is on 05/11/05 at 7.56pm – GULF OF MEXICO.)

(Shot of some people loading something up…but in the corner, there is someone signing something on the side…why is this important?)

Tsuyoshi: If we zoom in here…

(Tsuyoshi does so…as he does, the face is very clear…those freckles and glasses give it away.)

Kotone: That’s Kensuke!!!

(Indeed…Kensuke Aida seems to be the one at the Gulf…not Seta.)

Hinata: Does this mean…

(Tsuyoshi nods…)

Tsuyoshi: Yep, Kensuke is cleared.

Tsuyoshi: So, with Kensuke cleared…we’ve now got today…and now we focused on Chiriko and Tamahome, as following up on something Team 3 found out yesterday, but we’ll get to that in a moment. You guys put the sweat on Tamahome as there is some reason that he won’t reveal where he was at the time of the murder…and at the same token managed to find out a possible murder weapon…Chiriko being a quick hand, but is he connected with the murder? It’s something we need to elaborate on…good pressing ladies.

(Tsuyoshi gives the girls a smile – before giving them his marks…)

Tsuyoshi: So…did Team 3 manage to beat that? Let’s find out…

(Shot of Aya, Negi and Satoshi awaiting their fate…)

Tsuyoshi: First of all, with Tamahome accusing Ukyo, Ukyo accused him right back. You managed to discover evidence…and you were certainly more than suspicious of her, wondering why she had such evidence awaiting for you. Curiosity can kill the cat, but suspicion gives you more questions…which in turn can give you more answers.

(Tsuyoshi smiles further…)

Tsuyoshi: Today however, was a real turning point. Some superb work. First of all, with Jet. You managed to get him to admit he was lying about not knowing about the bounty – what’s even better is you managed to make him confess he put it up. And even better…you followed up on that when Ban called you about the bounty being claimed…and managed to trace the number after some good work from all three of you…

(You can see Negi smiling a good smile after a bad two days in the last episode…)

Tsuyoshi: …and from that, we have Koyomi Mizuhara in custody, as the bounty payment was traced into her account. The possibly she killed Kalos and collected the bounty is certainly a strong possibility…but we do have suspicions as I’m sure you are aware.

(Tsuyoshi nods over to the computer…)

Tsuyoshi: We know the code was scrambled, and believe the system where these confidential details were kept was hacked into. We are not ruling out the possibility of this being a frame job, but we need to find more information…plus speaking to Jet and Yomi will be a top priority. But very well done guys…

(Satoshi adjusts his glasses with a wry smile as Aya looks as lively as she has ever been. Tsuyoshi gives the verdict…have they beaten team shoujo?)

Tsuyoshi: Satoshi Niwa, Negi Springfield and Aya Hoshino…you have escaped the initial vote – congratulations.

(No-one is more relieved than Negi…whose heart was in his mouth a few nights ago. This makes it the second time both he and Satoshi have passed. It’s also Aya’s first pass as well, so she seems quite happy as well.)

(Nearby, the girls are disappointed – they did well, but Satoshi was too good today. However, Miyabi, Shiine and Fai knew what was coming…and look in dread. After one maho-shounen nearly bit the bullet last time, will another one avoid getting blasted away?)

Tsuyoshi: I guess you guys know what’s coming. It’s the third killer’s game…and for this one, two people will play it for the first time.

(For those who lost count…Kurz played twice and is gone, Mizuki once and is gone and Ban played once…but he can’t play this time as he is Team Leader…so indeed, two people who haven’t played the killer’s game will be making their debut on the deathfloor…)

Tsuyoshi: I wish you luck, if Team 1 can come first…starting with Miyabi please.

Fai: Talk about the worst timing…

(The Tsubasa Chronicles representative is the first to walk the stairs to destiny…or death….)

(…a shot of everyone else says the story…)

* * * *

Tsuyoshi: Fai…you were in between the main problem of the episode today. Where does this lead you?

Fai: In between a rock and a hard place…

Tsuyoshi: (pause) A better answer than I expected…so you’ve got the choice. Vote for a teammate or for one of three ladies. What is it to be?

Fai: Well…I don’t really want to be in the middle of further arguments…so I’m going to be a coward.

(Fai votes…)

Fai: I’m neutral, and I’ll vote for Hinata.

Tsuyoshi: Any reason?

Fai: She’s the weakest of…well…everyone else from the scores…logic bad…brain…

Tsuyoshi: ..worse. But hey, go fetch the next victim.

Fai: Hai hai!

(Fai does his vote…as the next two votes however are on the more obvious side…)

*

Tsuyoshi: …for some reason…

(Shot of Miyabi voting for Shiine)

Tsuyoshi: …this wasn’t surprising…

(…and then of Shiine voting for Miyabi…O.K, let’s get to the more interesting votes.)

*

Triela: So…who do I pick?

Tsuyoshi: I can’t decide that for you.

Triela: I know…I was just asking. Problem is Miyabi is my roomate…and Shiine is a friend of mine.

(Triela thinks…and smiles.)

Triela: Got it.

(Triela also uses unique logic…)

Triela: I’ll vote for Fai!

(Tsuyoshi’s head connects with desk…so far, we have 1 vote each for Fai, Hinata, Miyabi and Shiine.)

Tsuyoshi: Next please…

*

Tsuyoshi: …you sure Hinata-san?

(The ninja nods, as she presses her vote…Miyabi.)

Hinata: I just felt that she was a little out of order…I do feel she condescends the younger members slightly when she should know better…

Tsuyoshi: …that, and you want to protect Shiine.

Hinata: (nods) I guess…

*

Kotone: …I can see that having Shiine-chan and Miyabi-san in the same household could be a problem…but Miyabi-san is strong. She can be strict, but she is a role model that we can follow…we need her experience. Shiine-chan is sweet though…so…

(Kotone sighs…)

Kotone: No reason…but I’m voting for Fai.

*

(It’s 2 votes for Fai and Miyabi surprisingly. 1 for Hinata and Shiine. It’s down to Team 3.)

(We’ll start with the MVD in Satoshi.)

Tsuyoshi: …do you think that anyone can challenge you in this game?

Satoshi: It doesn’t matter how good you are at the game, if you don’t get the respect of your colleagues, it will cost you. I believe I have done enough to avoid being eliminated, but I can never be sure.

Tsuyoshi: And who hasn’t warranted enough respect?

Satoshi: I will vote for the one person who seems to believe he has everyone on his side…and doesn’t.

(Satoshi votes…for Shiine-chan.)

*

(Negi’s vote is fairly obvious…)

Negi: No reason…but I’m protecting my friend, and considering I do believe she is trying to be more of a teacher than I am…

(Negi votes for Miyabi. That puts her on 3…Fai and Shiine have 2 each with Hinata with 1. It all rests on Aya’s vote if we have a tie or not…)

*

Tsuyoshi: (blushing) This is hard speaking to someone named Aya…

Aya: Why?

Tsuyoshi: (embarrassed) N-N-no reason!

Aya: (smiles) Well…this is hard as well. I have to vote for someone…and I know that a few people have been causing problems…but…

Tsuyoshi: …but…

(Aya makes the vote…)

Aya: Experience over youth…

(Aya votes…for Shiine.)

*

(Tsuyoshi returns downstairs where 9 nervous detectives and one team leader await the verdict of the vote.)

Tsuyoshi: The results have been cast on the initial vote for the killer’s game.

(Tsuyoshi presses a button…)

Tsuyoshi: And we have a tie…between Miyabi-san and Shiine-chan.

(Both somehow seem surprised, and yet at the same time, not surprised, as the votes are shown.)

FAI (2) TRIELA, KOTONE

HINATA (1) FAI

(It’s an even vote, Fai looks a little surprised and Hinata seems very worried…but either way, it means that they have to revote…)

Tsuyoshi: That means we need to have a revote. I’ll need everyone to take another slip and make another vote, but this time between just Shiine and Miyabi. I’m coming round with a hat and we’ll do this Survivor style. So put your vote into the hat as I come round.

(The 9 look, realising how tough this is going to be. Triela in particular seems particular concerned…)

(…Fai and Kotone’s votes are just as important, or will one of the others change their minds?)

(Shot of Satoshi’s eyes as he casually puts it in, very different to Negi’s face who has turned white…)

(…it isn’t long as Tsuyoshi gets the votes around, the only person even remotely calm is Ban. Tsuyoshi does indeed do the voting this time survivor style…by revealing them one at a time.)

Tsuyoshi: MIYABI.

(Miyabi nods.)

Tsuyoshi: SHIINE.

(Shiine gulps)

Tsuyoshi: The next vote is for SHIINE-CHAN. AND ANOTHER FOR SHIINE-CHAN.

(Not good for the warlock…)

Tsuyoshi: One for MIYABI-SAN. And another for SHIINE-CHAN. If he gets one more vote, he is the first to play the killer’s game.

(Tsuyoshi reads the next vote…)

Tsuyoshi: (sighs) …and indeed, it is Shiine-chan who is the first to go.

(Shiine is stunned…and very nervous and worried. Who voted for him?)

(Of course we’re going to find out!!!)

MIYABI (4) NEGI, HINATA, SHIINE, FAI

(So Fai went against Miyabi, but Triela and Kotone went for Shiine? Wow…)

Tsuyoshi: So the warlock is the first to be spell cast…into the killer’s domain, but what about the second?

(Tsuyoshi turns to Ban.)

Tsuyoshi: Mr Mido…it’s all yours.

(Ban stands up as he looks over…he has a choice of all 8, so Satoshi, Aya and Negi now can become nervous…)

Ban: (smiling) Thanks guys, you made this guy’s vote a hell of a lot easier. Because my pick is simple…if two people are fighting, the easiest way to stop it? Get rid of one of them! And with Shiine out…Miyabi, you’re playing as well. Simple as that.

(Miyabi…who thought she was off the hook, has suddenly just been reeled back in. Ban’s smile doesn’t leave his face, as indeed, the feuding pair are about to be separated…for good.)

Tsuyoshi: Miyabi…Shiine…I have hear two envelopes. One leads to THE JACK BARRON STAND UP BAR. The other leads to THE FALLING CURTAINS.

(Tsuyoshi holds them out to Miyabi.)

Tsuyoshi: Ladies first.

(Miyabi nervously picks one…Tsuyoshi throws the second to an absolutely petrified Shiine-chan.)

Miyabi: (opening it) I’m heading to the Falling Curtains.

Tsuyoshi: Shiine-chan, if you can confirm.

(The warlock opens it…)

Shiine: Yes…I’m…I’m going to the Jack Barron Stand Up Bar.

Tsuyoshi: I think good luck is in order…because you sure as heck will need it…a good night to you all.

(Tsuyoshi leaves as Miyabi and Shiine can at least live up to the fact they won’t butt heads anymore…but one just won’t be living in this game anymore…)

*

Shiine: Who voted for…I just…5 people…I’m 99% sure it wasn’t Negi or Hinata…but that means 5 others out of Fai, Kotone, Triela, Satoshi and Aya did…

(Shiine seems to be in a state of working out (as well as shock) as Negi, outside their room is tempted to knock…but doesn’t.)

Negi: I don’t know what to say…who would have voted for him then…is it because Miyabi-san is the better person?

(Around the corner, Triela shakes her head…)

Triela: Dammit…

(Meanwhile however, Kotone’s guilt trip isn’t as secretive…)

Hinata: …y-y-y-y-you voted for him?!!!

(Kotone nods back inside their room…)

Hinata: But why?

Kotone: …it was hard, but I simply felt that he wasn’t contributing as much to the team as Miyabi-san. I know you like him a lot Hinata-chan…

Hinata: Kotone-chan…

Kotone: …but at this stage, I’m thinking with my head this time…maybe I can vote for my heart…but this time, I couldn’t….

(Hinata looks very upset…what about though is not 100% sure…)

Kotone: Please…don’t tell Shiine-chan…

(Hinata realising just how cut-throat this game is now…but nods.)

*

Satoshi: I would say it was plan worked…but Ban ruined it.

(Miyabi looks pissed…)

Miyabi: He had some other reason – this was just a convenient excuse.

Satoshi: Of course it was. He saw you as a threat, and your little façade with Shiine made it an easy reason to go for you.

Miyabi: I hate it when you say everything so bluntly.

Satoshi: Thank you.

Aya: (calling) Miyabi-san?

(Miyabi turns as Aya goes forward…)

Aya: I’m sorry this had to happen…it felt so awkward…

Miyabi: Did you vote for me?

Aya: (shakes) No, I initially voted for Fai…and then voted for Shiine-chan. I believe without you here, the egos of certain people will fold – I guess…my own discipline hit hard there…

(Aya actually seems to look sad…)

(Just behind the door, Fai is listening in…hearing every word…)

Fai: My my…when the mice are away, the cats will play…

Ban: Indeed.

(Ban lights up a cigarette before about to step outside…)

Fai: Your plan going well Ban-pan?

(Ban exhales a cloud of smoke…)

Ban: I’ll let you know about a second after the killer’s game ends…

(Ban goes outside…)

*

Negi: Hey.

Shiine: (nods) Hey.

Negi: Come back you hear?

(Shiine nods…)

Shiine: On one hand, leaving now would make me feel better to be away from this and to see Chacha-san again…

(He turns as he looks downstairs, where people are gathering to get him and Miyabi set up…)

Shiine: …but part of me wants to come back, to show that I can be the real winner of this game and not someone who should be cast away just because the adults said so.

Negi: (smiles) Go for it.

(Shiine nods and shakes Negi’s hand…as he heads down the corridor with Negi heading in, he pauses outside Kotone and Hinata’s room…)

Shiine: No…I won’t ask…

(As he moved down, a voice inside…)

Hinata: …O.K, he’s gone…you can go now.

Kotone: Thank you Hinata-chan…

(Kotone leaves, making sure Shiine is out of eyesight…as Hinata recovers from her Byakugan…and simple shakes her head…)

* * * *

(We cut to the outside where two taxis are already waiting. Miyabi and Shiine have both packed and are ready to leave…)

Shiine: …whether I agreed with what you said or not is irrelevent…the fact that we won’t see each other again means I don’t want to leave with a bad taste in my mouth.

Miyabi: Likewise.

Shiine: So I will wish you good luck…

Miyabi: …likewise…

Shiine: …but still hope I can prove you wrong.

(Shiine leaves as Miyabi shakes her head as Shiine is the first ready to leave…)

(Shiine seems a bit uneasy considering he’s not sure who voted for him, indeed, the atmosphere is very tense to say the least…Triela is the first to come up and hug the young warlock…)

Triela: Good luck…

Shiine: Thanks Triela-san…

(…as Triela tries hard not to feel guilty about her vote, Kotone is really having difficulty doing so. Fortunately, Negi and Hinata cover for her by standing forward to shake the hand of the warlock…)

Shiine: Negi…thanks. Hinata-san…um…

Hinata: (smiles) Return safely Shiine-chan.

(Shiine gulps, as he realised something there…but then he realises his ride is waiting for him. Kotone looks lead to say something…but stops. Ban, on the side, gives Shiine a thumbs up.)

Ban: Good luck out there kid.

(Shiine seems surprised…Ban is the last person he expected to get a welcome. In fact, when Fai also gives him best wishes...he is very surprised...and definitely suspicious.)

(However that will have to wait…)

Oshige: Shiine-chan? Here’s your ride!

(AR3 recruit Oshige (Full Moon) is our next ride as on the other side, we can see a second taxi with another familiar face…)

Oshige: Come on young un…let’s meet destiny…

Shiine: Death’s door…not wanting to see it…

Oshige: Agreed…I’ve had enough of that considering my main client…

(As Shiine waves goodbye, Miyabi steps forward…)

Miyabi: It’s time to face the music.

(Quite literally…considering the other half of AR3’s Full Moon team Wakayoji is waiting in the other vehicle. However, Miyabi has to say her goodbyes…)

Triela: …I hate sleeping alone, so please come back…

(Triela ends a hug with Miyabi, which surprised the older woman, but she accepts it anyway. Satoshi shakes hands with his partner…)

Satoshi: Come back…we dominate from here in. Don’t…

Miyabi: That won’t come into my mind.

(Miyabi steps past him as Kotone bows…as Aya shakes her hand.)

Aya: Miyabi-san, return fast. We need to keep those boys in line!

(Miyabi stiffles a chuckle…)

Miyabi: Very well…

(This time, it’s Negi and Hinata who feel guilty…but one who doesn’t is Ban. Miyabi delivers a parting glare before leaving. The Getbackers representative delivers a nasty smirk before lighting a cigarette…)

(…outside Wakayoji greets the Ai Yori Aoshi guardian.)

Wakayoji: Madam, where to?

Miyabi: Either to victory…or defeat.

Wakayoji: The Falling Curtain on that road?

Miyabi: If you must.

(Miyabi not making much conversation as she heads back…as soon as she leaves, almost a huge sigh of relief is released over most of the remaining detectives…)

Kotone: That…was hard to look into their eyes…

Triela: At one point today, we all voted for one of those two…and whoever returns it’s not going to be comfortable.

(Satoshi adjusts his glasses…)

Satoshi: The true game has begun – this is the start of who is really playing, and who are just pawns.

* * * *

Oshige: …so you’re not sure who voted for you?

Shiine: Considering the second vote was 5 to 4…at least one of the people I considered to be close with voted for me. If I say that Satoshi, Aya and Miyabi definitely voted for me…and possibly Fai as well, that means someone from Negi, Hinata, Kotone and Triela voted for me as well…and I believe it was probably either Kotone or Triela…

(Wrong Shiine-chan…it was both.)

Shiine: If I do return…I’m not going to feel like I’m in the same team anymore. I just hope those who stuck with me there will stick with me now.

Oshige: Liven up Shiine-chan. You can always say that if you return you beat a lady twice your age…

Shiine: And if I lose?

Oshige: Then you won’t be able to admit it!!!

(Shiine sweatdrops…)

* * * *

Wakayoji: …are you nervous?

Miyabi: Not nervous. Just focused. Focused on returning there, getting the clue and giving a big victory grin to Ban Mido.

Wakayoji: So losing isn’t in your vocabulary?

Miyabi: Not this time. No way.

Wakayoji: I see. Good luck.

(Two contrasting approaches to the killer’s game…but no matter what approach, the only thing absolute sure is that someone is going out…and not coming back…)

* * * *

(Decaying flesh…blood smears over the lower end of the wall…not what you’d expect upmarket. However, with a large hole in the lower half, easy enough for Shiine to go through, he correctly deduces that this is the way in for detectives on their way to death row…)

Ban: No matter of age, we are all waiting with trepidation for this…

Aya: I don’t know what will happen no matter who comes back…

Satoshi: Nerves. Anarchy. Pessimism. Optimism. It’s not sure whatever the result…

(As Sato says this, we notice that a van is moving up…it’s hard to see who has returned as well…and for once Hinata isn’t using her Byakugan so even she doesn’t want to know who it is…)

Negi: Everyone, someone has come back…

(We can see Kotone and Triela exitting the kitchen, both with mugs of cocoa, Fai then exits with two…)

Fai: This one is for whoever returns…

(Negi nods as the lights dim blue. The nervousness of the last part of the killer’s game is ready to be concluded…)

(…the double doors open. As soon as the shadow shows, it’s easy to see who has returned. So is it Shiine-chan…or Miyabi-san?)

(The shadow emerges…)

Negi: Yes!!!!

Hinata: (excited) Welcome back!!!

(That enough clues? Oh fine…let’s confirm it.)

Shiine: (all smiles) Good to be back!!

(Shiine gets a hug from Hinata…his face all red as the ninja tries hard not to cry. Negi also hugs him as the others applaud, whether meaning it or half heartedly. Triela chuckles…)

Triela: Damn…now I can’t sleep…

(Kotone smiles…but you can see the guilt on her face. Fai pats him on the shoulder as Satoshi shakes his head…but he’s got a small smile.)

(Ban however is all grins.)

Ban: Good job out there kid.

(Aya…however, isn’t too pleased. Not maybe with Shiine returning…but with Ban’s attitude and with Miyabi going…she maybe thankful she didn’t go as she was expecting to, but still…)

(…shot of Shiine-chan with a small plastic bag containing the killer clue. It seems to be something small covered in blood…)

Shiine: Wasn’t a real problem…apart from the parts I got scared of…

(A few laugh as they ask about his story. To hear more, turn to Inside HQ…but for now…)

* * * *

And another one down!

Man, it’s been 2 years since I wrote one of these, and I now am slowly getting back into the groove, but man it’s difficult. My 56 pages of notes alone with clues, links, suspects, death, alibis, etc – it’s like my head is getting ready to explode with all this information.

Ah Miyabi. Always the most under-appreciated character in AYA – mainly because she’s so much older than the others and seems to be put to the back wall, but her role in the story is extremely important because without her, the others wouldn’t exist. Strict but fair, this mature woman rules the lives of Aoi-tachi under her watchful eye, and without her, Kaoru and Aoi’s relationship would have been screwed from the moment Tina walked in their doors.

I confess to liking Miyabi a lot…she can be quite a fun character especially when Uzume is plaguing her, or if Tina gets her usual self. It’s a shame she seems out of place, because she does get her moments. Sadly, her elimination was spurned from the fact of one error, plus one evil Ban Mido getting what he wanted.

So who is next under the noose? It’s going to be a goody the next one…so look out.

A few Chromo-chan checkii ntoes…

Duplica’s quick reference as she must dash like a pani teacher is in reference to of course, Pani Poni Dash, one of my favourite most recent series on fansub at the moment. Azumanga Daioh on crack is the best explanation I can give to it…hilarious. Altogether

now…BEEEEECCCCCCCKKKKKKKYYYYYY!!!

Aya’s reference to being a mole, believe it or not, isn’t some seiyuu reference or in-joke referring to past reality games. It is in fact based on…shock horror…the fact that she IS considered a mole…in a love horroscope, they are compared to different animals, and the shy, reserved and hard to speak up Aya is certainly mole like, though with Miyu and Ran around, it doesn’t last too long…only if Rei Otohata is brought up…

Ah, the oyaji joke. Nakamura is in fact referring to Gen Nakamura from Sensei No Ojikan, who is similar in one way only to Osaka from AzuDai that no-one calls him by his real name and rather his nickname ‘oyaji’ or ‘old man.’ He’s one of the main reasons I enjoyed SnO even when most of the jokes were recycled, as the old man never got old, so to speak.

Another Jet Black – Kuroi reference, as Aya answer Kuroi instead out of Black out of habit…

Tsuyoshi being embarrassed talking to Aya is another obvious reference – his girlfriend in Kodocha has the same first name.

O.K, that’s it for another episode, tune in next month when I realise that everyone knows the killer is really Duplica diguised as everyone else…^_^…ta ta for now!