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…

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.

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: 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!

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?

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.

????: Damn, did I lose…

(A squawkling of crows signifies that this person didn’t lose whatever he was trying to lose…)

(…as the darkness clears slightly, we can see this is obviously late night…)

(…and Kensuke Aida, the most recently cleared suspect, is making a run for it…)

Kensuke: Shit…I just get this horrid feeling something is after me…

(Kensuke cradles the camera around his neck…)

Kensuke: Is it because of this? I mean…I could…

(In the distance, we can see someone with the familiar green camera shining in the bushes.)

Kensuke: No way…it can’t be…I said I was sorry but…

(Suddenly a divebomb of birds causes Kensuke to cower…which is the perfect opening…)

Kensuke: …bloody vermin! I don’t need this to be another Hitchcock…thr…

(Kensuke gulps as he feels someone’s breath against the back of his neck…he turns slowly…)

Kensuke: Oh sh…

*

(The detectives are about to get a real wake up call about what this game is about…literally.)

Satoshi: This seems familiar…

(Satoshi puts on a white shirt as the bishie is up and answers the phone…)

Satosh: Hello, Detective Satoshi Hiwaratari here…

Satoshi: I guess…we need to call a taxi though…

Satoshi: Why?

(A pause…)

Satoshi: I see. Thanks.

(Satoshi puts the phone down…)

Triela: What was that?

Hinata: Hiwatari-kun?

(Shot of the all night assassin and the waterfall washing ninja up, not exactly awake, but they are the best bets in this sort of situation. Satoshi also makes that conclusion…plus the fact that no-one else is up yet.)

Satoshi: Ladies, bear with me a moment…

*

(Shot of Hinata covering her eyes as Triela puts a hand on her shoulder, after all, they both saw Kensuke alive and well a couple of days ago. Now, at a crime scene of just outside Marine Park in the grasslands, the archeologist/photographer has been murdered…)

Satoshi: That was brutal.

(Shot of the body – at first no obvious damage seems to have been recorded, but Satoshi is…well…Satoshi. He makes a quick note before people take the body away…)

Satoshi: It looks like something crushed his throat.

Triela: His throat?

Satoshi: (nods) His expression and the huge bruise swollen shows someone crushed his throat, whether with a weapon…or their bare hands…

(The three are a bit nervous, but begin setting up the crime scene. Out of nowhere…)

Unknown voice: Hey, you made it!

(Shot of a red suited, blue shirted, crazy tie wearing, crazier afro wearing man entering the fray.)

Triela: And you are?

(Cue the voice…)

Nabeshin: It’s Nabeshin! And I’m your new lead investigator…

Hinata: S-started a bit early?

Nabeshin: Yeah….that and Tsuyoshi didn’t want to get up.

(Three detectives nearly facefault…but considering how tired they are, they don’t bother…)

Nabeshin: I’ll see you guys tomorrow, I’m heading off to see if I can get the forensics from this.

Satoshi: We’ll join you.

Nabeshin: (shakes his head) No…you go back. If you came along, god knows what we’d do for an inquiry tomorrow…

(This time, they DO facefault…)

Nabeshin: …seriously, get back and try to get some sleep – I’m sure a search party has already been called for you guys back home…

*

(Shot of pretty much everyone asleep…^_^…actually, I lied. Kotone is up and is confused she’s sleeping alone, so she’d downstairs with a glass of milk, as Triela, Hinata and Satoshi enter.)

Kotone: I saw the note…but wake us up before I worry that my roommate has got missing!

Hinata: (sweatdrops – she’s getting more like Aoi the day) Kotone-chan…

Satoshi: Is anyone else up?

Kotone: I bumped into Aya – she seemed to wake up after Triela had gone, but I told her I’d wait up and she went back to bed….

Satoshi: O.K. Well, Kotone…not sure you’re the best person for us to tell you this…

(Triela and Hinata look down…)

*

Kotone: Kensuke…is dead?

(Satoshi nods…)

Kotone: B-but he was cleared…and we saw him…

Triela: He’s died Kotone. This killer, or someone else got a hold of him and crushed his throat…we think.

Satoshi: That’s the most logical…

(Kotone nearly collapses…)

Kotone: T-This is a game…right…

Hinata: Kotone-chan…

(Hinata kneels down and hugs Kotone. Triela and Satoshi remain silent as Kotone is stunned into silence…)

*

(Opening shot of the HQ…)

Triela: Aya, are you O.K?

Aya: (inside) Yes…nearly done.

Triela: Well, I can smell the soup – it looks like it’s Japanese today.

Aya: (inside) Is Shiine-chan cooking?

Triela: No, he’s…well…resting up I guess.

(Aya opens the door, wearing casual gals wear with the faux nails included. Both girls look in the direction of the young wizard’s room…)

Aya: I feel so guilty at one point, but at the same time…

Triela: …disappointed, because in the end we felt Miyabi was a better person for here.

Aya: I dread to see what Ban has up for us…

Triela: His reign of terror ends for the time being, but the interesting thing is who Miyabi picks.

Aya: Gee…I never thought about that…you think you could?

Triela: Possibly…I was her roommate so considering that Mizuki picked you and Kurz picked Ban it’s a strong possibility. At least this way I can kill without actually doing the dirty deed myself.

Aya: You scare me…

Triela: Mission accomplished.

Aya: And…are you O.K?

(Triela sighs…)

Triela: Last night isn’t that unusual for me, except finding the bodies is not exactly my job.

Aya: Again, you scare me…

Triela: I think it was mostly that it was someone we saw recently, and we felt he didn’t have anything to do with the case now he had been cleared. Clearly, that wasn’t the case…but the thing that I’m wondering now is why?

Aya: There is obviously a reason…

Triela: …but what? I’m sure that’s what we’ve got to work out otherwise Hinata, Satoshi and I would have been at the hospital already. But then this weird guy who seems to be our next investigator with an afro appeared…

(Shot of the two girls heading downstairs, as the HQ gets less and less per day…)

(The Japanese cooking is courtesy of Kotone Himekawa and Fai D. Flowright. Indeed, Shiine seems still out of it after his killer’s game experience, and Fai, who seems to be second choice cook is picking up Japanese cuisine from Kotone…)

Kotone: It’s just fairly basic…grilled fish, miso soup and rice with some seaweed.

Fai: Light foods in the morning…or are we too used to Shiine’s delicious if heavy food…

Kotone: I don’t think it matters, considering people will just eat what’s on the plate…

Fai: …that’s IF they get up…it seems that we have a few snoozy heads upstairs…

Kotone: (sweatdrops) Well…a few of them had a bit of an interesting night last night…

(Cut shots of Hinata and then Satoshi (yes, Satoshi) collapsed in their rooms, still sleeping. Yep, he’s still a kid despite his IQ. Triela is just inhuman…^_^)

Negi: What happened then?

Triela: I think it’s best if we tell everyone once we get everyone up – Satoshi and Hinata aren’t here and they were there as much as I was.

Aya: How’s Shiine-chan?

Negi: (shakes his head) Kind of out of it – I didn’t even want to move him – I will if he doesn’t get up in half an hour but…I think the fact that in the second vote half of the group did vote for him ahead of Miyabi…

(Both girls feel guilty…)

Aya: Negi…

(Negi leaves briefly, Triela in particularly feels bad considering what happened during a problem Triela had (see last episodes INSIDE HQ). Suddenly, Hinata staggers down the stairs…)

Hinata: (yawning and still half-asleep) Kurenai-sensei, is it time for training?

(The guilt seems to vanish away…)

Aya/Triela: CUTE!!!

(Hinata doesn’t seem to realise how being half-asleep is a nail in the cuteness department, and doesn’t realise the amount of horror she really is in…^_^)

*

…but 15 minutes later, Shiine-chan finally emerges. The rest of the team have awoken and already finishing off breakfast. Keep in mind that the lead investigator arrives at 10am, Shiine sleeping in wasn’t the best idea…

…but considering what happened last night, it was the only thing he felt he needed to.

(Shot of Shiine-chan entering the kitchen where Ban is washing up…)

Ban: Damn, the almighty Ban-sama doing the dishes…

Shiine: Oh nuts…

(Ban turns to see Shiine…)

Ban: Hey kid, breakfast was kinda light but there’s some instant miso and some rice balls there – Kotone was kind enough to leave you leftovers…

(Shiine pretends he doesn’t hear that and gulps it’s down. He gets some milk…)

Ban: Just hurry up, the new one is going to be here any minutes – in fact, speak with scary boy, that cyborg and your ninja girlfriend…

(Shiine nearly spits out his milk at that last comment…)

Shiine: (coughing) W-what?

Ban: (smirking at Shiine’s discomfort) Apparently, they had a little encounter in the middle of the night, and someone met their maker at the hands of our mystery killer.

Shiine: What?

Ban: I think they should tell you more…

*

Satoshi: …that’s what happened.

Shiine: So…Kensuke has been killed.

Hinata: It…wasn’t very nice, seeing it like that…

Satoshi: I think we have to get used to this, I think the killer is beginning to send us a message.

(Shot of all the detectives in row, with Satoshi, Hinata and Triela in the middle explaining to front and back everything. In the front are Negi, Shiine and Aya, whilst in the back are Ban, Fai and Kotone. With 9 detectives left, the chairs are nice and even…unlike the feelings inside the detectives at times.)

Kotone: Considering the way you think it happened, who could have done it?

Satoshi: Tough. Pressure in the throat, could have been caused by a weapon…my first intuition is Touji…he has a link with Kensuke and I feel…his throat may have been crushed by a simple punch.

Triela: And considering his steel fist…

Kotone: That’s good logic. However, it seems simple.

Ban: Hence why we’re waiting for this guy and hopefully with the forensics report.

Nabeshin: And here he is!!!

(Whilst Satoshi, Hinata and Triela have already met the great one known as Nabeshin, the others are quite taken by his bizarre attire. However, despite him being from Excel Saga/Puni Puni Poemy, he does have smarts to make that large afro, and he’s brought in to make things a little different for the detectives…)

Nabeshin: Now now, don’t be all so excited…I’m just doing my job as leading you guys into tales of death and destruction…my forte if you will.

(Nabeshin’s words don’t exactly give much assurance or confidence in the remaining 9 detectives…)

Nabeshin: However, a few of you who managed to gain the ability of ‘waking up in the middle of the night’ have already had a busy morning…but there is no sleep ins as this is big.

(Nabeshin breathes for air – hey, even fabricated parts of the director’s imagination need to breathe…)

Nabeshin: Kensuke Aida has been murdered. That may not seem to help much initially, after all, he was cleared as a suspect last night. However, why did someone kill him is a mystery within a mystery…and that is something we are intending to solve. First of all…it has been confirmed that he was killed when his throat was crushed. We are not sure how – something most likely hit him in the throat full force causing instant asphyxiation. But with what? And how? That’s what we need to find out…

(Nabeshin pauses before looking at the video screen…)

Nabeshin: …but first, we need to nominate a team leader. That will be decided by the now deceased Miyabi Kagurazaki. Roll VT…

(A shot of the TV screen widening as Miyabi’s mature, yet still very attractive face, reveals who is the next Team Leader.)

Miyabi: Should I not return from the killer’s game tonight I shall nominate Satoshi Hiwatari for team leader, as I believe there is no-one better suited for the job, and it’s time he gets the recognition he deserves.

(A surprise choice or not? Either way, it’s an interesting one. Satoshi is very neutral when it comes to the remaining detectives, and reading his face isn’t easy, so who does he hold a grudge against if anyone? No matter…Satoshi calmly makes his way down to the leader’s chair, as the reaction from the remaining detectives is indifferent…)

Nabeshin: Satoshi, your first job will be to elect a team to search the crime scene for any clues or anything you recognise to link with his death. Follow up on as much as you can guys, with another murder on the books, this is slowly becoming nerve-wracking for everyone involved…but don’t let me stop you. Satoshi?

(A few sweatdrop, but Satoshi calmly stands up and names his first team. There are three teams, two of three and one of two…)

Satoshi: I pick Triela, Negi…and Ban.

(Ban raises his eyes slightly at the pairing, as Triela and Negi smile at each other, after all, Negi has been a big help to Triela recently (see Inside HQ 3). Satoshi also smiles.)

Nabeshin: One down, two to go…last night, as I’m sure you are aware, Jet and Yomi were both arrested – Jet on possible accessory to murder, and Yomi to commit the murder…well…here’s the thing. Last night, we got a call from Jerry, head of Kaleido Police, and they managed to confirm that last night Yomi was actually freed after they confirmed that the amount that was paid into her account…went through a hack.

(A gasp…)

Nabeshin: Yes, someone hacked into her account and deposted the money there. Now, it still could have been Yomi…however with no evidence showing Yomi went into the account to make the deposit through transcations, we cannot have her arrested…so she was released…

Ban: …so…she…

Nabeshin: (nods) She could have done it. HOWEVER, Jet was actually still in jail at the time of Kensuke’s murder…so he couldn’t have done it. But does that mean he’s cleared? No…because we are looking as much for Kalos’ murderer…it was never said it is the same person. So, Team 2, Satoshi…name three more please.

Satoshi: (thinks) Kotone…Aya…and Fai.

(Another interesting team, as Kotone and Aya nod and Fai grins.)

Nabeshin: You guys are going to go to speak to Jet in jail, and also learn more about the scrambled code from the officers. We need to still speak to Yomi, so I suggest you guys do that as well.

Nabeshin: Two down one to go. Team 3 is a default with the two remaining members of the team.

(Shot of Shiine, who still seems a little depressed…but then he realises the only remaining teammate is Hinata. Shiine smiles slightly as Hinata turns away a little red.)

Nabeshin: Your inquiry is different. Tamahome has been very upset with your roles in interrogating him…and that’s a perfect reason to do so. Why is he so agigated?

(Nabeshin gets a small box and opens it. What appears to be a little microchip is there, something neither child is that aware of. In fact, very few of the detectives would be…)

Nabeshin: This is a bug, designed by myself of course, which can track someone’s movements via satellite. I want you guys to somehow put this bug on Tama so we can track him, to see if there is more than meets the eye with his shouts of rage.

Shiine: We have to put the bug ON him?

Nabeshin: You go deaf after last night kid? That’s what I said!

(The two seem kind of nervous as Nabeshin hands Shiine the bug.)

Nabeshin: Well guys and girls – and in Aya’s case, gals…

(Aya nods in approval…)

Nabeshin: …let’s move it!

(The teams begin to move, as Satoshi casually looks around them, all of them under the wire already…)

(Shot of Ban heading into the van (once again he can’t drive…thank the kamis…) as he waits for Negi and Triela to arrive…)

Ban: Man, this sucks…babysitting again…O.K, so they are slightly above the normal for kids but still…

(Shot of Triela chuckling behind the van…)

Triela: As if we can’t hear him!

(Negi giggles as the two head to join Ban, whilst in the second team…)

Aya: Been wanting to team with you again Kotone-chan, hopefully we can make things a little easier considering what Fai had to go through last time…

Fai: Please don’t remind me…Shiine-chan and Miyabi-san were mean!!!

Aya: (sweatdrops) And he’s now the oldest person here…and he’s probably the least mature…

Kotone: Now Aya-chan, we need to work together…and we have to deal with Jet as well so not exactly the easiest thing in the world, and I wouldn’t say Yomi is in the best of moods…

(And they aren’t the only ones concerned about who they have to interview…)

Shiine: …I come back from a killer’s game, only now to be facing a not very happy man named Taka, or Tama…oh whatever, and he is probably after our blood…and we have to put this thing on him…

Hinata: Shiine-chan, please…don’t make this as bad as it already is…I know you’re upset…but…don’t make the same thing happen last night happen again…

Shiine: (shakes his head) I won’t Hinata-san, whether it is failing, playing a killer’s game or arguing…

Hinata: (nods) Come on then…

(Shiine follows as three teams get ready for another days betrayal and mistrust…and that’s just the suspects, never mind each other…)

*

(Shot of three people in rather intriguing wear as they make their way into the hospital…)

Ban: I hate this.

Triela: White not your colour Ban?

Ban: Not like this!

(Shot of the three in their forensic suits, allowing them to avoid any contact with anything that could be constituted as evidence. However, this is very important considering they are dealing with a dead body…)

(Shot of Negi getting instructions from a receptionist who points them in the right direction. Triela leads the pack as the three head into a room…)

(…where a cloth has just been put over the now deceased Kensuke Aida. Our cameo for the doctor role is Matsumoto from Sensei No Ojikan.)

Matsumoto: (on the phone) O.K…I have to call you back Mika-sensei…bye. (puts phone down) Ah, you must be the detectives.

Triela: That’s right…and I believe we have something to look into.

Matsumoto: I’d say so. Follow me gentlemen and the lady.

(The three head off as they look around where Matsumoto is, and there seems to be a number of belongings inside a plastic bag. Ban immediately notices something of interest…)

Ban: A camera?

Matsumoto: (nods) Along with his work as an archeologist he was also an avid photographer.

Ban: Really?

Matsumoto: We have some jewellery – there is blood on there, but we’ve already tested it and it’s Aida-san’s. The death was caused by his throat being completely crushed and being unable to breathe.

Negi: Any idea how it happened?

Matsumoto: It’s the funny thing…it looks like an imprint of the bruise looks like a circle…not quite a fist mark, but close enough. It’s really hard to say what killed him…

(Ban collects the goodies…)

(The three are about to head out…but as they do…)

*

(…we’ll get back to that. Anyway, we now switch to Team 2 and their not so looking forward to inquiry with Jet Black. Jet maybe innocent of Kensuke’s murder, but I wouldn’t say he’s innocent yet. The query here is to explain more of the situation with the bounty…and also about Yomi as well…who is under suspicion of both murders…)

Jerry: …and so here he is. Just be careful – he’s not exactly been the most polite inmate we’ve had here.

Aya: Thank you Mr. Policeman.

Jerry: Not again…

(Jerry leaves as the two girls along with Fai head over to Jet’s cell. Aya already witnessed Jet’s arrest yesterday so she knows all. Kotone and Fai are not so sure to say the least…)

Jet: …you.

Aya: Yes, it’s me Mr. Black.

Jet: At least that light haired punk isn’t with you…asks too many questions. But I guess that’s what you are here for as well right…

Aya: Mr Black…what Satoshi said yesterday was true as you are indeed a possible accessory to murder. Now, what we found out last night was that the person that was arrested…

Jet: Mizuhara. Yeah, she was here…but she was released on lack of evidence…apart from the fact the money was in the bitch’ account.

Aya: There was possible evidence of her account being hacked into – that’s why we are still looking into it.

Jet: Bah…who would want to hack into someone’s account?

Kotone: I believe possibly…to frame someone for the murder?

(Jet looks…)

Jet: Actually that makes sense – Ed seems to like doing that…she’s untraceable but it seems annoying the times we have to fix her ‘practical jokes…’.

Fai: Oh boy…

Aya: Anyway Mr Black, we need to know everything we can about the bounty and also who you believe could be a possibility for taking it…and anything else about possibly a hack job…

(Jet thinks…)

Jet: Well, seriously, I do think Yomi could have done it – she at the time was very desperate. She had been fired from her job and was on the slow end of being drunk. Well…a drunken stupor combined with money involved seems like a decent motive for murder…plus it was the bastard that originally got her fired in the first place…

Aya: That’s true – but I believe you know that there are people that need money as badly…for reasons you know well enough yourself.

(Jet rubs his cybernetic arm…)

Jet: Yeah…I guess. The Suzuharas would undoubtedly have a motive – both financial to fix Touji up, and emotional because Kalos bastardized them in the first place.

Kotone: I thought you was close with Touji?

Jet: I am…but that doesn’t mean I want to be put down for murder when I didn’t. Hey, when I’ve got a gun to my head, I prefer to get out alive if you know what I mean.

Aya: Financial motives…wouldn’t a lot of people be interested in that?

Jet: I guess…greed itself is a motive as huge as the ocean, but it’s a two for one deal so to speak. I mean, the cook girls…Hikari obviously for her husband, and that okonomiyaki one…she is probably the person surprisingly most adapt for murder, more so than myself or Tamahome.

Kotone: Ukyo? Do you think so?

Jet: In a way…but a hacker? I doubt it…

Aya: I’m not distinguishing if Yomi’s account was hacked by the killer…I mean…do you know who would be a good hacker?

(Jet again thinks…Aya’s method seems to work a lot better than Satoshi’s for some reason…then again, Jet seems to soften up sometimes with teenage girls…)

Jet: Well…the Hoshinos. Definitely. Ruri and Haley are evil geniuses when it comes to this sort of stuff…hell, along with Yomi and Chiriko, they were the ones which helped decipher the Evan Virus…

(This is news…)

Jet: …and helped fix me without being blackmailed by Kalos.

Kotone: (whispers) Did the Hoshinos perhaps tell this to Kalos or something?

Aya: (whispers) Doubtful…considering the way he treated them, unless it was another form of blackmail.

Jet: And there’s that Anna girl…she’s…different. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had some skills in hacking. She’s from the future and that stuff…I mean so’s Ruri and Touji and Haley…it just seems so convenient…

Aya: So in other words…could have been pretty much anybody…

Jet: Yeah.

Fai: Is that it ladies?

Aya: (nods) I think so. We need to speak to Yomi so we’d best be on our way.

Jet: Hey, do you know when I’m getting out of here?

Aya: Ummm…

Fai: (pushes the two girls) Time to go!!

(Jet, at that point, returns back to the grumble self as they leave, to go find Yomi and see her side of the story…but another unhappy man is going to be dealt with by two youngsters…not exactly the best inquiry they could have hoped for…)

* * * *

(Shot of the beach where Tamahome resides…already they’ve bothered him in two inquiries, is he that big of a suspect? The investigators certainly think so…however, the shot of the muscular Taka on the beach practising kata, it’s not exactly a sight that the two youngsters are willing to face…or are they?)

Shiine: O.K…how are we going to handle…that…

(Shiine gulps as Tamahome notices the van, looks in frustration and sneers. He stops his kata…)

Tamahome: (calling) For kami’s sake, what do you guys want n…

(Shiine gulps looking petrified…indeed, it seems what he said on relying on Hinata might be the case…but it’s not like Hinata is the most confidence detective either…)

(…this could be bad.)

Shiine: Um…Tamahome…we’re…

Hinata: (whispering) Give me the bug…

Shiine: Huh?

Hinata: Quickly!

(The surprising urgency of the girl forces Shiine to hand it over. Hinata now steps out of the van – this is the first time Tamahome has met Shiine, so he seems to have the advantage, whilst Hinata was with him during the interview with him and Chiriko yesterday. Triela did most of the intimidating then…but now…)

Shiine: Pleased to me you Tamahome-san, we haven’t met but my name is Shiine, but you can just call me Shiine-chan…

Tamahome: No games. I’ve said everything I know…and I’d appreciate it if you left me alone…

Shiine: We need to speak to you though…it’s important…

Tamahome: I’m not g…

Hinata: Tamahome-san?

(Tamahome pauses slightly – this time remembering the effect of chakra from their previous inquiry…)

Hinata: We came actually to apologise to you…we…we haven’t been taking your details sorry and we want to apologise.

(Shiine seems open mouthed…as in a ‘WTF?’ moment, as Tamahome seems confused by this type of inquiry…)

Tamahome: Apologise? Am I innocent?

(Hinata pauses…)

Hinata: I-I can’t reveal that – but we know that there are some things we didn’t see before…so I’m sorry!

(Hinata bows, which catches both Shiine and Tamahome off guard. Tamahome’s anger melts slightly…)

Tamahome: Well…er…that’s fine, but what is it you want then?

Shiine: Um…

Hinata: I wanted…t-to…

Tamahome: Yeah?

Hinata: …spar with you!!!

(Shiine and Tamahome facefaults – fortunately we don’t have another Tamahome fangirl in the midst. But what is Hinata up to?)

Shiine: H-Hinata-san? What is this?

Hinata: B-but I need to practice with different types of styles whilst I’m here – Negi-kun’s Chinese martial arts are unique but they are more modern…Tamahome-san’s is ancient style, it would be a unique way to adapt…besides…I’m sure he wouldn’t mind v-venting a little frustration ou…

Tamahome: (embarrassed) W-well, I wouldn’t be lying if I didn’t agree…but…you? You’re a little girl…I-I couldn’t?

Hinata: I don’t mean to hurt each other!

(Hinata takes off her jacket, revealing her trademark black ninja jumpsuit. Suddenly, her voice changes from upbeat and shy, to low and almost siniser…)

Hinata: Ikamasu. (Let’s go.)

(Shiine seems stunned, as does Tamahome…but the large Chinese man goes into a relaxed martial arts pose…)

Tamahome: If you’re sure…is this a way to say we’re sorry?

Shiine: I guess…

(Shiine can’t read Hinata’s expression…what is she up to?)

* * * *

(…and speaking of what people are up to?)

Seta: Why can’t I see him?

Ban: I never thought wanted to see the dead body of your colleague would have been something you wanted to see Seta.

(Shot of Seta Noriyasu, who of course up until this morning was working with Kensuke…and to say he’s in a state of surprise rather than a state of disbelief is an understatement…)

Seta: Kensuke was my friend…I feel I should have a right to see him!

Negi: I’ll ask…

(Negi leaves as Triela and Ban are left with Seta. This is a key issue as Seta will ask a question. Do they do what he says or let things be?)

Triela: Negi will see if you can get permission as long as you don’t mind waiting here.

Seta: Yeah…of course. I-I’m just so in shock over the situation that I don’t know what I’m doing.

Ban: I think we can understand.

Triela: Mr. Noriyasu, we are investigating everything about what happened to Kensuke, and to see if there is a link to his death to Kalos’ death.

Seta: I hope not…especially hope not this is a chain of events.

Ban: We intend to make sure it isn’t.

(Seta nods as Negi pops his face back in…)

Negi: Matsumoto-sensei says it’s O.K – come in Seta-san!

(Seta nods and follows the child teacher in. Seta nods to Matsumoto as he looks at Kensuke’s shocked face.)

Seta: Rest in peace my friend.

(He shuts his eyes, and then seems to be figetting. He appears to be looking for something…)

Seta: Um…this sounds really nasty considering the circumstances…but…did Kensuke bring in a camera?

(Ban’s eyebrows raise slightly at that…)

Matsumoto: Well…

Triela: (interrupting) Not as we know, but why do you ask?

Seta: Well…it was kind of my property and as sick as it sounds, it was very valuable and important in terms of research. I hate to ask, but…

Ban: No, he didn’t bring a camera in – the only evidence we have are of clothes.

(Seta thinks for a moment…)

Seta: O.K…well…I have to sort this out. (sighs) And I guess Suzuhara-kun will need to know…he already has enough troubles…

Negi: That would be Touji right?

(Seta nods…)

Seta: Kensuke and him were best friends. Geez, first the virus, then refusal to save him, then I fail to get the currency and now this…poor guy…

(Seta leaves as Ban smirks…)

Ban: Thanks for the hint.

Negi: We need to get back and get this evidence developed.

Ban: Right.

(The three head off, thanks Matsumoto-sensei before they leave, as a new piece of evidence is boggling in their minds…)

*

(…whilst an upset young lady from Azumanga Daioh is obviously not enjoying being labelled a murderess.)

Kotone: Not good…

(Some journalists have already got the word out that Yomi could have been the killer and she’s bordered herself up in her clinic. The hubbub isn’t something the three really want, but they don’t really have much choice…)

Aya: Let’s see if we can get in there.

(Aya leads the way as the journalists are forcing poor Yomi to cower in fear, worse when the detectives come here…)

Journalist 1: Hey, aren’t they three of the detectives?

Journalist 2: Right, let’s see what they have to say, and then they can go and speak to Yomi!

Journalist 3: Back off, we’ll have the real scoop!

(The horde passes over to the detectives, and Kotone who isn’t exactly a fan of journalists (because they usually hang over Aoi and she gets jealous…seriously…:P) backs off slightly. Fai steps forward to take control.)

Fai: Now now, I think this is a trife unnecessary, we are just here to see what Yomi can say…

J1: Is it true that Yomi committed the murder of Kalos?

J2: She was released from lack of evidence, yet we have record that someone else has died, can you explain?

J3: Was a bounty put on Kalos’ head?

Fai: Oh boy…

Aya: Ladies and gentlemen, please…we are just here to talk to Yomi to find out what she knows, if you please…

(No dice…the journalists are asking 10 a penny questions…but fortunately, an exterminator arrives…)

May: GRAND SCREW JUMP!

(On roller skates, May Wong appears. The not so traditional Chinese girl jump, three-quarter spins THROUGH the sea of evil, causing them to split.)

May: WILL YOU GUYS KNOCK IT OFF? IT’S BAD ENOUGH YOU ARE SURROUNDING KALEIDO STAGE EVERY WAKING MOMENT OF YOUR PATHETIC LIVES!!!

J2: Miss Wong, what are you doing here?

May: TO TRY AND SHUT YOU GUYS UP!!!

Aya: Quick, let’s go…

(The three run forward. The journalists are about to follow, but May grabs a bottle of…something.)

May: This better work…

(May throws the bottle down, somersaults backwards and the bottle smashes. Out comes what appears to be small spore particles which are promptly inhaled by the journalists. Within seconds, their bodies have changed from a rushing stampede…to a slow numb…)

J1: Wh-at-ha-pp-en-ed?

J2: We-ve-be-en-st-un-ned…

Aya: Thank you May!

May: Don’t thank me, th…

(May shuts her mouth in time…)

Kotone: Huh?

May: Never mind…SUPER RUN AWAY!!!

(May roller blades back to Kaleido Stage…how did she do that? Or did someone help her?)

Fai: Hmmm….May-may seems awfully in a hurry.

Kotone: I thank her…but what was that about?

Aya: Let’s worry about that later…for now…

(Aya gently knocks…)

Aya: Miss Mizuhara, it’s Aya Hoshino from the detectives. We’ve stopped the journalists, and all we want to do is ask a few questions…that’s all…

Yomi: (inside) Go away! They haunted me with questions about something I didn’t have a clue about, and only let me go with ‘lack of evidence!’

Kotone: Yomi-san…we are only here to try and clarify something Jet said, and what you can tell us…we believe someone did frame you, but we need some help in this…and you were the victim of this right?

(Yomi pauses inside…)

Fai: Come on, we’ll be quick…

(The door slides open slightly as Yomi gulps in nervousness…)

Yomi: Please…don’t be like everyone else…please…listen to me…

(The three detectives look in, almost smirk at the journalists before stepping in…unaware of May’s concerned look back at them…)

*

Yomi: …so you know for certain that some bastard not only hacked into my account, they deposited a bounty from Jet in there, attempting to frame me for murder.

Kotone: That’s the basic consensus, yes.

Yomi: (sighs) Those guys on there were basically grilling me so much and all they got was the same answer.

Aya: Mizuhara-san, we need to believe if anyone had a grudge against you…

Yomi: …apart from Tomo? Gah, I nearly slapped her in that cell…

Aya: (sweatdrops) Apart from her. Is there anybody that might hold a grudge against you who would do this?

(Yomi has to have a good think…)

Yomi: To be honest, my life has been such a turnaround the moment Kalos somehow got me fired that I probably pissed off a number of people during one of my drunken escapades.

Kotone: But anyone in particular?

Yomi: Well…not enough to do that…unless…someone skilled enough could do that. And with my work with Chiriko, the only person I can think of is Ruri.

Kotone: Ruri?

Yomi: (nods) We call her Ruri-ruri, but she’s the only person I know who has the skill to hack and do something like that. But the problem is, I always got along with her…so why…unless…

Fai: …she wanted to frame someone?

Yomi: But…why me? I’ve never done anything to her…w-why…

(Yomi breaks down.)

Fai: I think we should go.

Kotone: Thank you.

(The three step out…)

Kotone: I think we should contact HQ. See if we can get a search on Ruri’s place.

(Aya does so…as Satoshi answers…)

(It takes a few minutes, but Sato-kun comes back…)

(The two hang up as Aya nods…)

Aya: We’ve got the nod of approval, let’s go.

(The three leave…)

*

(They run…and so does a young ninja, facing up against a master martial artist…)

Shiine: Hinata-san, please! I don’t know what you are doing, but this is insane!

(Shiine, who is very worried, is trying (and failing) to convince Hinata this is not quite on the ‘good idea’ list. However, Hinata is not listening and instead has assumed her fighting pose. Tamahome himself looks a little unsure, considering a) his opponent is a female and b) she’s nearly 10 year younger.)

Tamahome: Listen kid, I’m not pissed enough that I want to hurt you…so please d…

(Too late. Hinata makes the first move…and Tamahome’s eyes widen…as within a second, an open palm is aimed for his chest…)

Tamahome: Fast…

(Tamahome ducks, puts a hand on the floor and sweeps Hinata’s legs from her…)

Tamahome: Heh…nearly but not qu…what?

(‘Hinata’ turns into a piece of wood as the real Hinata emerges behind the bushin clone and aims a kick. Tamahome blocks, but the power forces him back.)

(Cue the open mouth of Shiine-chan as Tamahome realises this is serious…)

Tamahome: Well…you weren’t the detective I would have liked to vent frustration out of…but I guess I don’t have much choice.

(Hinata doesn’t say anything, just assumes her martial arts pose again. Tamahome this time makes the attack, keep an eye for that clone trick, and strikes three times rapidly with his fists. Hinata blocks well, but a swift kick catches her in the gut. The young girl winces as she steps back and gasps a bit of air.)

(Tamahome doesn’t let her rest and aims another sweep kick. Hinata backflips and goes for a sweep. Tamahome’s leg strength holds him up and let’s her hit, but Hinata jumps into a dragon punch move and Tamahome is forced to bridge back. Hinata follows with an elbow smash and aims her open hand Jyuken strike directly at Taka’s chest.)

(Tamahome, sensing the chi-esque power that chakra eminates, rolls out of the way quickly and jumps to his feet.)

Tamahome: Not letting you hit me with that…

(Tamahome begins to run, aiming his trademark Phoenix punch move (the one that killed Nakago) against Hinata’s guard. Suddenly, Hinata lunges forward and grabs Tamahome. She’s obviously no match for Tama in strength, and instead goes for leverage by reversing back.)

(Tamahome manages to get his balance before Hinata throws him, and aims a fist to her skull. Hinata catches it whilst on the floor…)

Hinata: T-That’s enough…

Tamahome: Yeah…

(The two stand up, both a little out of breath…)

Tamahome: I’m sorry…I did go all out there…hurting a little girl…even if she is a ninja…

Hinata: N-No, it’s O.K…it’s what I wanted – I just hope you felt a bit better Tamahome-san.

Tamahome: Yeah…I guess…but please, there better not be any questions…

Hinata: No – that will be all…

Tamahome: Oh…you’re pretty good…thanks…been a while since I got a workout like that…

(Tamahome leaves as Shiine runs up to her…)

Shiine: Are you nuts? What was the purpose of that?

(Hinata smiles…)

Hinata: What was our inquiry Shiine-chan?

Shiine: It was to…

(Suddenly, baka Shiine realise EXACTLY what she was up to…)

Shiine: Y-you mean…

(Hinata nods.)

Hinata: When I went from the reverse throw, I put the bug in his pocket. Hopefully, we can get enough information from there…

(Shiine smiles…)

Shiine: Hinata-san…that was brilliant!

(Shiine hugs Hinata, much to the ninjas embarassment. Shiine realises a second what he’s doing, and he let’s go…much to his embarrassment.)

Shiine: Erm…sorry…

Hinata: N-no, it’s O.K…

(The two slowly leave…)

Satoshi: Team 2 are currently doing a bit more in their inquiry – they are following up from a couple of interviews and are now going to visit the Hoshinos.

Shiine: Ruri and Haley?

Hinata: Hope they’ll be O.K…

Satoshi: I’m sure they’ll be fine – I think if she refused them they’ll be looking at an arrest warrant – withholding information, whether it is to clear themselves, others or trying to avoid being caught with the hand in the proverbial cookie jar.

Shiine: …and Team 1?

Satoshi: Ban has gone for a power nap, Triela is in the exercise room and Negi is in the library – they’ve collected an interesting piece of evidence and we hope to get the information for tonight or tomorrow morning.

Hinata: What was it?

Satoshi: Kensuke’s camera – and interestingly, Seta was after it as well and came in soon after they got to forensics.

(Shot of Negi entering the room with what appears to be an onigiri (rice ball) in his hand (cue Fruits Baskets jokes) and he smiles at his two friends.)

Negi: Welcome back.

Shiine: Nice to be back.

Hinata: (bows) Glad to be of service…

Negi: (a little embarrassed) Well, I think we should relax…er…Shiine-chan, are you O.K?

Shiine: (confused) Huh? Why do you ask?

(Negi is about to say something, but stops and smiles.)

Negi: No, it’s O.K. Anyway, I need your help – Asuna-san has bought the ‘Love Hina RPG’ and I need to see if I can help her through some parts – can you see if you can help me?

(Shot of Negi’s ‘book’ – actually a Game FAQ…^_^)

Shiine: (sweatdrops) Oh boy…

Hinata: (also sweatdrops) Negi-kun…

(Now we get to see if Kotone, Aya and Fai can manage to get past Ruri’s defences. The Hoshino’s orphanage has again a few kids scampering around, and this time seems wide open…and also…)

(…a much less threatening Ruri, sitting down and typing on a laptop. She has one of those rare smiles which just make Ruri, as she nods to one of the orphans.)

Ruri: Peace is a bliss.

(Ruri suddenly notices the three detectives, and if anything, her look changes dramatically. Worse, whilst the three detectives she first met were kids, these three are young adults…which makes her opinion less trustworthy.)

Ruri: Oh.

Aya: Miss Hoshino?

Ruri: Mrs Hoshino.

(Aya grits her teeth as she has a new least favourite suspect, Kotone fortunately goes into pick up the pieces…)

Kotone: Mrs Hoshino, we are sorry to bother you, but we need to speak to you about something important…

Ruri: I have nothing to say to you…

Aya: It’s important…we are desperately trying to find the creator of this crime. However, our role is also to clear people linked, and we need to ask something of you to see if we can clear you…

(Ruri puts her laptop down)

Ruri: Well…clear me.

Fai: Ruri-ruri isn’t being very sociable…

Ruri: If I get cracks like that, I can just trap you like I did with your more excitable friends…

Aya: Mrs Hoshino…all we ask is if we can find out if we can track some details to confirm you were working at home from your computer at the time of the crime.

(Both Kotone look at Aya momentarily, but then realise what she is planning. They nod in unison as Ruri looks a little suspicious…)

Ruri: You believe if you can confirm I was working at home that you can clear me.

Aya: I believe so.

Kotone: And from your laptop as well…

Ruri: That’s being a bit…

Haley: Ruri!!!

(Haley comes running in from the orphanage doors. Ruri’s eyes soften slightly as Haley speaks…)

Haley: Ruri…please…they are trying to help you. We want to make sure we had nothing to do with that bastard…

(Keeping in mind BOTH Hoshinos are a suspect, Aya’s questioning continue…)

Aya: Is it O.K if we can search here? We of course know about your underground system, and we need to see if we can gather all databases to make sure we can clear you.

(Ruri seems a little stunned…)

Ruri: You…want ALL our systems? You do realise how important they are?

Kotone: How about if we say we can return them tonight?

(Ruri thinks a moment…looks at her laptop and back at the detectives.)

Ruri: You won’t leave will you?

Aya: (stern) We have a search warrant because of this, so even if you refuse, you can’t, unless you want to turn it to an arrest warrant…

(Aya’s confidence is surprising, as the mousy former mole girl is gaining in confidence in levels Ran and Miyu would be proud of…)

(…and whulst Ruri could beat any of these three in a staring contest, she simply shuts down her laptop.)

Ruri: Haley, help them get the computers into the van – as long as they bring them by tonight…

(They’ve now got a deadline…tough…but is that enough?)

(Shot of Haley apologising as the detectives are having to struggle their way in getting the CPUs and putting them into the back of the van. Ruri-chan remains stone faced as they are doing that…well…almost…)

Ruri: Idiots.

*

Fai: Phew, that was tough!

Ban: You’re talking about the inquiry?

Fai: No…carrying those to the van…

(Shot of Ban and Triela along with Satoshi joining Aya and Kotone with Fai in hooking up the computers in the evidence room. Satoshi himself is good enough to hook these things up…)

Satoshi: I’ve already called Nabeshin up about this and he’s going to come down with a computer expert to see if we can trace and find the information tonight – we have to return it then. Might be a busy night.

Fai: Huh, why?

Satoshi: Well, Shiine and Hinata managed to get the bug on Tamahome.

(Ban seems surprised…)

Ban: How the hell?

Satoshi: (bluntly) Simple. Tamahome beat up Hinata.

Kotone: WHAT?!!!

(Satoshi smiles…)

Satoshi: Well, actually it was a way to get the bug on him…and it worked. See?

(We can see that there is laboured breathing in a sound file showing on the main workstation. And occassionally muttering and the odd ‘DAMN, THAT GIRL HITS HARD…’ as Kotone chuckles, Aya just shakes her head.)

Fai: Where are the chibis?

Triela: They are busy discovering that putting Shinobu as a healer in the back row is a lot more effective – she doesn’t keep dying all the time.

(….)

Ban: O…K…

Kotone: (sighs) I honestly thought she was hurt…

Satoshi: (to himself) Caring so much can be a person’s downfall…

Kotone: Huh?

Satoshi: (smiles) Never mind. I think we need to wait until Nabeshin gets here, so I think it’s quiet time until then.

Fai: O.K!

(Kotone immediately heads to the game room, as Aya shakes her head and follows her. Triela just smirks as Ban goes to the kitchen…)

Ban: I bet Ginji is in so much agony about the fact I’m eating more than just bread and water…without the bread…

Fai: More Gin-chan…he must suffer so much…with Ban-pan as his partner…

Ban: I HEARD THAT!

(Fai goes to bother his new Kuro-pin, as Satoshi shakes his head wondering what he really got in for when he started this game…)

(Satoshi continues works as Triela watches for a moment, before leaving…)

* * * *

(Indeed, at 6, where the team would normally have a team meeting around this time, Nabeshin has come with an old favourite in terms of hacking…don’t worry, it’s not Shirase.)

Taro: Ah…this feels familiar…

(Shot of an older Taro (Serial Experimental Lain), he did this job 4 years ago when MG1 was working. He was the 14 year old player who liked hitting on girls, and nothing real more (well…O.K, there was that ONE time…). He’s now a bit older…mature though…)

Taro: All I said was if she had a free killer’s game tonight?

Fai: Kotone-chan has got a bite on her…

Taro: Makes it more fun…

Fai: Word of advice – if you see Aya-chan, try it. Then you see two younger girls heading towards you…RUN.

Taro: Got it.

(Taro hides the slap mark that seems to match Nabeshin’s…)

Nabeshin: I only said ‘stewardess’ cutely…

(Guess he never learned his lesson either. Fortunately, what Taro lacks in Nabe-powers, he more than makes up in computer skills…)

Taro: O.K, so these are the high powered CPUs.

Satoshi: (nods) They’ve already been hooked up, but basically we need to find out whether any of these were used on November 5^th at 8pm confirming if either Hoshino was actually at home during that time…and also if any activity recent or past of any hacking has come through on these systems.

Taro: (sounding bored) That all? I was hoping for a challenge…I’ll be done in a hour, tops.

(Satoshi’s eyes widen…)

Satoshi: Just an hour?

Taro: (nods) Compared to hacking into the Wired, Genom or the University Satellite, this is nothing.

(How Taro can access Genom or the US when they are so far in the future is unknown, but anyway, the technophile begins his work as Satoshi nods.)

Satoshi: I guess we can have that meeting now…

Nabeshin: Cool…I may join you guys in a bit with a report on what this guy is doing.

(Satoshi nods as he heads off…)

*

(…as he leads the discussions of the day.)

Satoshi: Today was very prosperious by all accounts. We’ll start with Team 1 who confirmed why Kensuke died, but also found a few other things of notice.

Ban: Indeed – the main item we discovered was a camera – not all that unusual in itself…but made more interesting by the fact that Seta was interested in recovering it.

Triela: We believe someone wanted to finish off Kensuke with possibly evidence on the camera, but before he or she could remove it, he or she may have been disturbed by something and didn’t take it with them.

Negi: Which means that makes Seta’s interest in it seem possibly more than just collecting items for an old friend.

Satoshi: I see…interesting, and I might add, all possibly correct observations. Team 2 certainly went out of their way with a bit of heavy labour as well.

Kotone: We were everywhere!

(A few chuckles from the team…)

Aya: Seriously, we first spoke with Jet – who gave us a few ideas, then we met Yomi who gave us more ideas, and they all seemed to link with Ruri and Haley. So after we got the O.K from Satoshi-kun and Nabeshin-san…

(An afro dude sneezes downstairs…)

Aya: …we managed to get a warrant to search the Hoshinos, and got altogether 5 computers and 1 laptop to study, to see if there was any hacking involved.

Fai: A few other people were put under the microscope, like the Suzuharas, Ucchan, Hikari-chan and Anna-chan, but it all seems to focus on those two.

Satoshi: Indeed, that’s why hopefully by the time this meeting is over, we’ll have some more clues to see if the Hoshinos were involved in that – keep in mind also we know that Ruri was keeping tabs on Kensuke.

(A few seem to have forgotten that…but yes, in episode 1, Negi, Shiine and Hinata discovered that Ruri was keeping an eye on a few people – one being Kalos…and Kensuke was another. This brings this new evidence a bit more interesting for the remaining detectives…)

Satoshi: Lastly, Team 3 were in the wars…

Shiine: No, I was on the sidelines…trust me, I never even considering what she was up to!

Kotone: Yeah, Sato-kun scared me when he told me that…

Hinata: G-guys…

(A few laugh…)

Shiine: Basically, using Tamahome’s anger to her advantage, she almost goaded him into a fight, and she managed to get the bug on him there.

Satoshi: Yes. Actually, that’s something I need to tell you…Nabeshin said something about this and I checked just before I came up…and listen to this…

(Satoshi puts a speaker on the desk and plays something…it’s laboured breathing, but a mild ring interrupts that. A few steps and then…)

(Cuts off for a moment…)

(Eyes raise. Yep, the same Mia that was chased away by Tamahome and the same Mia he denies having a relationship with, and the same Mia who almost outrightingly said that Tamahome killed Kalos…)

Satoshi: So…he’s meeting Mia tonight.

Ban: Oh boy…

(At this point, we see Nabeshin knock the door…)

Nabeshin: Everyone O.K? Not interrupting?

Satoshi: No sir, we were just wrapping up.

Nabeshin: Good…so were we. I think we need to have a talk because we are going to be busy tonight…

(A few sigh, but after hearing that they almost expected it. Nabeshin leads the motley crew as they prepare for their first night inquiries of the season…faces range from the excited Triela to the nervous Negi, to the smug Ban to the concerned Aya.)

(Looks like the game is truly beginning…)

* * * *

(Shot of Nabeshin with the 9 remaining detectives looking with earnest at the big afro-man.)

Nabeshin: O.K guys and girls…er…gals…er…oh whatever! We’ve got some interesting information. First of all, the Hoshinos.

(The eagle eyed and ears detectives listen in…)

Nabeshin: O.K, out of the CPUs, we discovered that 3 of them were working at the time of the murder, but according to Taro, they seemed to be in consent working automatically. The other two were down…and the only evidence of someone working at the time of the murder was on the laptop, with Haley working on a presentation to present to the courts. However, of course, that doesn’t put him off the hook…as a laptop can be moved around…so we are still touching this with kid gloves so to speak.

(The team nod…)

Nabeshin: Secondly, hacking is what indeed has been used on all 5 of those CPUs, however interestingly enough there is no trace of a recent transaction which can prove that they were the ones that could have framed Yomi. BUT…

(Nabeshin pauses with a grin…)

Nabeshin: …Taro DID discover the makings of a parasite bomb, a delayed virus that can be implimented at any time of their choosing – it has the ability to make an instant hack job for whatever purposes and for whatever reasoning. In other words, it’s an instant hell raiser. So, they could have set it up 3 months, 3 years ago!!! It’s still a possibility…

Satoshi: Interesting.

Nabeshin: Indeed. So we are going to keep an eye on little miss blue eyes and friends. That same bug used very well today, and we’ll get to that in a moment…

(Nabeshin reveals a similar device in his hand…)

Nabeshin: Taro has implanted this on Ruri’s laptop – it’s too risky to do on her other systems, but this is mobile. We can keep an eye and an ear out on what they are planning…if anything. Of course we have to return these anyway, so I suggest we do…for our benefit as well as hers.

(A few smiles break out, surprisingly from Aya, who seems to want to slap her surname namesake…)

Nabeshin: Secondly, thanks to a successful work from Team 3, well done by the way…

(Hinata blushes…)

Nabeshin: …now we can confirm there IS something going on between Tamahome and Mia. So we are going to track them as well – a team will use this chip to listen into their conversation, and one team will listen in. The third team will be taking and listening in on the Hoshinos.

(Nabeshin smiles…)

Nabeshin: Obviously Team 2 will do the Hoshinos, Team 3…you have the choice. However, keep in mind we have to do a bit of a disguise job…

Shiine: He’d probably recognise us quite well…does he know all of Team 1?

Negi: He knows me…and we have to see if we can get close.

Ban: He could still have the bug on him…

Nabeshin: (shakes his head) Nope. He’s changed his clothes – we’ll do a bit of disguise work if we need to, but one team will have to listen in. So Shiine-chan, Hinata…what do you want to do?

(It doesn’t take too long for them to decide…)

Hinata: We’ll be in disguise.

Shiine: Are you sure Hinata-san?

Hinata: (nods) I can do a transforming jutsu, and you can change into an animal right?

Shiine: Of course!!!

Nabeshin: (sweatdrops) Well…that was easy…

(A few laugh but it quickly becomes all business again…)

Nabeshin: O.K, Kotone, Aya, Fai…you guys head back to the Hoshinos and return their stuff, and then stay out of sight and listen into anything which could be useful. Satoshi and I will be at base whilst we listen into anything as well. As for you guys, Ban, Triela and Negi, you will wait in your van with a transmitter and hopefully listening in to a successful bug plant in towards Tamahome and Mia.

Shiine: (sweatdrops) No pressure huh?

Triela: You did it once already sweetie, so don’t get down.

(Shiine perks up as he smiles. Nabeshin claps his hands to get everyone’s attention…)

Nabeshin: O.K ladies and gentlemen, Ban excluded of course…

Ban: WHAT?

Nabeshin: …we shall head off straight away – considering Tamahome is meeting with Mia in about half an hour, we’d best get some skates on. Shiine-chan, Hinata, get a good disguise out of your repertoire and everyone else be on standby.

(Shot of Satoshi, who looks kind of disappointed, like he wants in on the action. The majority however, look incredibly nervous, especially Shiine-chan. However, this is what the game is really about…so let’s get to it…)

*

(It’s a bit of a drive, and even worse for the three, the art of carrying the things back inside isn’t pleasant…)

Haley: I’m sorry about this…

Fai: It’s O.K Haley-kun…but…

Kotone: (struggling) I’ve not got Aoi’s strength…how can she deal with this sort of thing all the time?

Aya: Ran…could probably handle this…

Fai: Need help ladies?

Haley: (sweatdrops) I don’t think you’ve got room to talk…

(Fai is just as slow as the two girls, so he, as Haley said is in no room to talk. Ruri is outside their orphanage, watching and not saying anything.)

Ruri: At least you kept your word.

Fai: Now now, we do that well Ruri-Ruri…

(Ruri flinches…fortunately her namesake saves the day…)

Aya: Not now Fai, we just came here to return everything to the Hoshinos and head back. It was fine guys, we just needed to confirm everything, and it was fine – nothing to worry about.

(Ruri doesn’t react, but a simple nod seems to be enough.)

Haley: Geez…Ruri, let’s just get these back in and sort them out in the morning.

Kotone: We hope we haven’t been too much trouble…

Haley: Oh no, we understand right Ruri?

(The pale blunette nods once as she goes back in, probably to watch Karin and see if Anju was really based on her design…^_^)

Haley: Thank you very much.

Fai: You’re welcome.

(Haley heads in and the three head back to the van. They move out to just out of sight…and turn their headsets on.)

*

(The restaurant is a very suave and sophisticated affair…something that with the possible exception of Triela has had very little experience with. However, as two vans await in the car park…we have a shot of inside one where Ban, Negi and Triela hope for some luck and skill from their teammates…)

Ban: …so they’ve got to somehow get this chip onto Tamahome?

Triela: Well, not on him but near him – like on a table or a chair. I must admit though, this plan they thought up could backfire or work spectacularly.

Negi: I know…it just…seems weird…

Triela: I suggest you refrain from that Negi. We have a descendant from a German witch, a wizard/teacher and a girl training in assassination and firearms with cybernetic materials.

Negi: Fair point…

Ban: Still…makes you wonder how things may turn when she gets older…

(Shot of double bandage marks on either side of Ban’s head, courtesy of Negi’s wand and Triela’s elbow…)

Triela: Lolicon.

Ban: J-Joking…

*

(Shot of inside the restaurant, where we can see Tamahome is already there. Suddenly, a young lady around 18 or so, possibly older enters wearing what appears to be a purple dress…)

Porter: Excuse me madam, do you have a reservation?

Lady: Y-Yes, I am under the name of Nabeshin, under the MG Party…

(The porter looks at the notes and nods…)

Porter: That’s fine, go ahead – we’ll be taking your order shortly.

Lady: R-Right.

(The lady moves forward as a voice comes from a sleeve on her dress…)

Shiine: Are we in?

Lady: We’re in…time for Plan B…

(The ‘lady’ flashes her eyes with the familiar veins of the Hyuugas as obviously we realise what the plan is. The lady is obviously Hinata (who has transformed into a replica of Kurenai-sensei, and dressed up by someone who obviously has some fashion sense…whilst as for Shiine…)

(…as they pass Tamahome’s table, he scampers out in squirrel form, making sure no-one sees him, and presses himself with the chip in his hands. He places it on the floor and makes himself as invisible as possible.)

(On a table, Hinata has an earpiece in to listen into the conversation and also to report anything to both Shiine-chan and Team 1 (Shiine also has an earpiece, but he’s got to be careful because it’s not meant for squirrel ears…and he doesn’t want anyone to hear any conversation.))

(Fortunately, they don’t have to wait too long as soon, and after a brief conversation with the porter, Mia Guillem enters the room, dressed in a sapphire and ruby sparkling dress. Tamahome notices her immediately and looks down slightly. Mia however quickly moves by.)

Mia: O.K…we’re here, let’s talk.

Tamahome: It’s not like I’ve got much of an option…those detectives are tailing me and I’m not liking it. If you hadn’t said…

Mia: It was heat in the moment!

(Shot of Hinata at the back as she quiet speaks…)

*

Hinata: Are you O.K?

Shiine-chan: That piece was loud…

Hinata: You did great…

(Absent-mindingly, Hinata pets Shiine on the head. Shiine turns red as he scampers into Hinata’s pocket. Before anyone can heckle her to order, Hinata steps out and apologises to the staff and say no-one is coming for their meeting…)

*

(…as outside…)

Hinata: (gasps) I was going to die with embarrassment…

(Hinata transforms into her regular self, as does Shiine-chan. Negi hugs both of them.)

Negi: That was great guys!

Triela: Inside quick! They could still see us!

(The three shoot back in as Ban keeps an eye out…not the evil one…)

Ban: No, it’s good. We’re clear.

Triela: I think we can head back with a good conscience now.

Shiine: And a bed would be nice…

Triela: Yeah, that as well.

Hinata: I think…I used a bit too much chakra…

(Hinata nearly collapses, but Negi catches her…)

Ban: I thought it wasn’t difficult…

Hinata: It isn’t…holding onto that form is…

Negi: Come on Hinata-san…

(Shiine and Hinata head to their van, both exhausted, whilst Ban, Negi and Triela smile at a job well done.)

Triela: Come on guys, let’s go brag.

Ban: That’s something I can agree with!

Negi: (to himself) Kawaii…

Triela: Hmm? What was that Negi?

Negi: N-NOTHING!

*

(As Hinata sneezes in the other van, two other cute girls are trying their hardest not to fall asleep, as their inquiry is a lot more tedious, more so with Fai not exactly someone who enjoys boredom…)

Fai: What is going on…

Aya: Patience Fai-san.

Fai: But Kotone-chan has already beaten me at Janken, Old Maid and Othello…

Aya: This is where I point out she has some psychic powers…

Fai: Oh yeah!

(Aya and Kotone nearly facefault, but fortunately, they only wait about 10 minutes before their patience is rewarded…)

(Immediately, Aya is on alert hearing those names. Kotone and Fai soon following in listening in…)

(Aya and Kotone have to hold in their giggles, and make a mental note to tell that to Shiine-chan…)

(The three in the van now seem interested…)

Kotone: What was that?

Fai: Did they break the chip?

(Aya begins fiddling with her transmitter, but only static comes. It suggests it died out.)

Fai: Nuts…

Kotone: I don’t think that was a disaster – there is a league with those four…plus…what did Ruri say?

Aya: Tenkawa-san…

Kotone: (nods) That’s someone new into the equation. What’s that about?

Fai: I guess we’ll find that out. For the moment…shall we go?

Aya: I dunno…

Fai: It won’t get fixed now, besides, all work and no play makes Aya-chan worse than a tanned gal…

(Aya veins slightly, but smiles…)

Aya: Very well – that is pretty much something Ran would say anyway. Come on.

(The three head off, as a decent job from them as well we hope, as the HQ beckons…and sleep as well…)

* * * *

Shiine: Anna-san isn’t mad at me now?

Kotone: We thought you’d be happy about that…

Ban: Heh, well, the kid did well here – it was certainly an interesting night. That and Tamahome is still being a lying bast…

Triela: Ban…

Ban: Sorry…forget there are kids here…violent ones yes…

Triela: You deserved those…don’t turn into Kurz here…

Ban: Yes ma’am…

(Satoshi plots as the night is not young, and bed is certainly the next agenda…)

* * * *

Shiine: (humming to himself) I’m the adorable genius Shiine-chan…

(Shot of a pan with oil as rice and soy sauce are added. Shot of Ban, Aya and Triela watching…)

Ban: Geez…he’s back to being energetic…not sure that’s a good or a bad thing…

Aya: I’d say having that in your youth is a good thing…maybe some of us should appreciate that…

Ban: What does…

Triela: Not now guys…

(Looks like Ban and Aya still don’t have any love lost for each other after the way Ban eliminated Miyabi…but downstairs, Negi is in deep thought as he looks at his role book…)

Negi: Did it really bother me as much as it did…it shouldn’t but…

(Shot of Kotone and Hinata entering the room…Negi puts his book away in a hurry as the two girls sit down.)

Kotone: …it’s a bit frustrating to be honest…I’ve talked with Aya-chan a lot about it and…

Hinata: (nods) If you feel that way, then sure…though I thought Ban would have been more Aya’s target…

Kotone: I guess revenge isn’t always in the mind of everyone…Aya proved that with not going for Miyabi when she was team leader. But…

Hinata: Kotone-chan, whatever you think…I’ll be on your side…

(Kotone smiles…)

Kotone: Thanks Hinata-chan…

(Shot of the straggler going downstairs, one Fai D. Flowright…)

Fai: (yawning) Morning all…(sniffs the air)…what smells good?

Kotone: Shiine-chan’s cooking again…it’s like he’s been purified…

Fai: That’s good…Negi-kun? Anything wrong?

(Negi looks up as he puts his smile on…)

Negi: Everything is alright Fai-san…just…thinking…

Fai: Don’t do it too much, the rest of us have to catch up you know…

Negi: (sweatdrops) Fai-san…

(Fai heads into the kitchen as Kotone and Hinata follow. Negi pauses for a moment, before following them more so…as Satoshi, silently from the back, just watches with a smile on his morose face…)

* * * *

Fai: Ah, much better…

Ban: You can tell the cooking is good when the emotions of the chef are back to best…

Shiine-chan: Well, thank you…

Kotone: So…how do we follow through from last night?

Satoshi: Well, we know about the relationship between the Hoshinos and the Church, also that Tamahome was having an affair with Mia. I’m almost certainly sure they will have a say within everything…

Nabeshin: Close, but no afro!

(Nabeshin appears out of nowhere, surprising the heck out of the majority of the detectives.)

Nabeshin: It’s Nabeshin, calling in for the morning report! And what a report it is – to the good boys and girls of the three teams, a very well done to a splendid tracking last night.

(A few affirmative murmurs is the best the afro-dude can get out of them, but hey, we’ll let them off. Tonight, another one of this group of 9 will be eliminated…)

Nabeshin: You are right Satoshi, we are going to focus slightly on that, but we’ve got something a bit bigger. You remember the camera that you guys got back yesterday?

(Negi, Ban and Triela nod…)

Nabeshin: Well, we got back the photos from the film this morning…and shall we say there is some interesting stuff. I’ve confiscated some of the more…er…risque material…it’s not for kids’ eyes and not relevent to the case…

(A few sweatdrop…)

Nabeshin: …but there were some interesting photos in relation to the remaining suspects. Take a gander at these.

(Nabeshin shoots up a projector, where 7 photos stare at them. A few open mouths greet GDW (Great Director Watanabe) as the photos indeed certainly seem to think Kensuke has something on a few suspects…and the following is shown…)

• Photos of Tamahome and Mia escaping Kaleido Stage together despite their poor attempts at disguise.
• A signed document showing by Duplica for something, though can’t tell what.
• Picture of Ruri in an office – it looks familiar…
• Picture of Anna and Ruri heading towards an airport – on closer inspection Anna is clutching Tenchi’s hand…
• Touji punching someone in a rage, drunken or not is hard to tell…
• Shot of Seta and Yomi looking over some Aztec gold…
• Lastly, shot of Ukyo dealing with some loan sharks…

Nabeshin: Not only that…looks like the killer got something else in there…

(Nabeshin tosses two photographs in front of the desk…one says WILL OF THE WISP and the other says THE WILL OF THE WAY.

Nabeshin: Two former theatres – rivals – that were abandoned after Kaleido Stage took over their turf. However, considering the rumors of them being haunted…would be perfect for a killer’s game…

(The group gulp – tonight, two of them will be having that honour…but first things first…)

Nabeshin: With what you did last night, I think because he loves us so much…that, and we’ve got evidence now of their relationship, Tamahome is going to be a focus. However, I want to focus on the Suzuharas as well…this picture is worth a thousand words.

(Nabeshin sighs..)

Nabeshin: Lastly, we don’t have much of a choice with this one – we have a press conference set up, where we need to see if we can get the paparazzi to be of some assistance, so we need to explain the investigation to them, though as little revealed would be the better. So…

(Nabeshin looks around…)

Nabeshin: Team 1, Ban, Negi and Triela…you guys head over to the Suzuharas. Explain what that picture was about and what led to it. Any other information you can confirm or find would be nice as well – we’ve been quiet with them for a couple of days…don’t let them get too comfy.

Ban: (cracks knuckles) Not a problem.

Negi: Mido-san…

Triela: Agreed.

Negi: (sweatdrops) Triela-san…

Nabeshin: Next…team two. You guys are going to follow up on what you listened to last night and confront Tamahome. Get him to explain everything up until now and get what you can from hm.

(Kotone, Aya and Fai (Team 2) nod…)

Nabeshin: It also seems that Kensuke knew about the affair…all these pictures…could they have been the reason why it was led to his death? Well…it something to keep in mind. Lastly, Team 3…the conference is ready to be set up for 11. I suggest you guys get your skates on and get ready for some tough questions…

(Team 3 (Shiine and Hinata) look nervous…not quite their expertise…)

Nabeshin: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to flavour country – don’t let the door hit your rear on the way out…

Satoshi: Nice analogy.

Nabeshin: I try.

(A few more sweatdrops…but as they start to move, insecurity windles in the minds of a few people…)

* * * *

Ban: We can handle this cyber punk…

Triela: I AM in earshot you know Ban.

Ban: Er…not you…I meant Touji. He thinks he’s a hard ass, well, I’m on the ‘take no you know what’ side of the fence, so…

Negi: Is that Japanese?

Triela: I think it’s Ban-glish.

Ban: Very funny…

Negi: But does that mean we have to speak to both Suzuharas?

Triela: That’s true – Hikari might be able to shed more light on this situation, Touji isn’t exactly one that screamed ‘calm and reserved’ to you.

Ban: Well…maybe this might be more interesting…

Triela: She’s married.

Ban: Damn.

*

Kotone: I think if we can handle Tamahome…

Aya: Don’t worry, he’s handsome…but he’s not Otohata-kun…

Kotone: Well…he is handsome…but my heart…well…

Aya: (nudges Kotone) Ah….

Fai: Kotone-chan kawaiii!!!

Kotone: (blushing like mad) No, this isn’t the time! As long as we can make Tamahome non threatening, we should be O.K…but we don’t really have a fighter here in case things get bad…

Fai: Ow, you hurt me…

Kotone: No offence Fai…

Fai: None taken…it was true after all…

(More sweatdropping…)

* * * *

(…as strength turns into weakness.)

Hinata: Sp-speaking out…it’s not exactly something I like…K-Kiba-kun is much better at that than me…

Shiine: Don’t worry Hinata-san! I relied on you this time, so it’s your turn…I’m going to make up for what you did to me yesterday!

Hinata: (smiling) Thank you Shiine-chan.

Shiine: (Lee like thumbs up) No problem!

(The three teams have three very different inquiries…but can they get back with all their strength?)

* * * *

(Shot as Negi is the first to escape the van…as Ban exits, he gets a cigarette, steps away from the kids and sighs…)

Ban: No matter how many times I see it…I’m amazed at this tump.

(The ‘dump’ that Ban refers to is in reference to the Suzuhara’s apartment – certainly not the glitz and glamour that Ban may have thought when he was considering LA…fortunately Triela, who is more used to the slums she has seen when she has past some of the more richer styles of life in Italy, is quick to focus on the ‘mission…’)

Triela: O.K then guys, we’ve got to use this photo as evidence against Touji and why and what’s it is about. We’ve got three people who can stop him if necessary…just don’t rip that metal arm off Ban…

Ban: Hey, do I look like I’ve got a scar on my eye?

(As FMA fans gets the reference and everyone else looks confused, Negi politely knocks the door…)

Negi: Suzuhara-san?

(A couple more knocks, and it seems that no-one is in.)

Negi: No one in?

Triela: Could do with Hinata’s eye technique here…

Ban: Can I kick the door down?

Triela: No, we w…

(Slowly, the door opens, as a very nervous looking Hikari answers…)

Hikari: Y-you guys…

Negi: Hikari-san…we need to speak with you…it’s important.

Hikari: H-Have you seen T-Touji?

(The three are surprised with Hikari’s quivering voice – a strong young lady and the voice of reason (and the class) many a time in Evangelion, this is very out of character for her.)

Triela: No…is he here?

(Almost a sigh of relief escapes Hikari’s lips…)

Hikari: No…that’s O.K. He’s still out…I guess…I’m nervous of what he could do considering…

Ban: …that we are about.

Negi: Yet you don’t seem to…

Hikari: (shakes her head) I’m scared of being implimented, but I do understand the rigours of this sort of work…whether I like being involved in it is another matter.

Triela: Can we come in then?

(Hikari seems to step back for a moment…but…well…)

Negi: Please?

(…the Negi effect is too unstoppable. Hikari smiles slightly…)

Hikari: Sure.

(Triela nudges Negi as Ban realises he may have actually hooked onto the perfect team…whether he likes it or not…)

* * * *

(The beach seems to be familiar detective’s territory, whether Tamahome is a prime suspect or not isn’t the issue, but the recent affair which is now out in the open with the detectives is now a book to discover with Tamahome…yes, book and Tamahome…)

Kotone: I feel like we’ve been stalking him…

Fai: We have, haven’t we?

Aya: I don’t think this is the time to joke…I just hope that Hinata-chan and Shiine-chan did enough in their inquiry to at least calm him down enough for us to get close to him…

(Shot of Tamahome just exiting shaking his head…)

Tamahome: If it’s not a couple of kids, it’s three young adults trying to take me for a ride…

Aya: Sukanami-san, we know a couple of our colleagues spoke to you…

Tamahome: Yeah…tell her I’m going to talk to their supervisior for bodily harm and take it from her pay packet…

Fai: Hmmm…what were those bandages for we saw last night?

Tamahome: Eep.

Fai: (smiles) Now we’re settled?

Tamahome: I guess…

Kotone: Tamahome-san…we have come across something we need to desperately talk about…and it is something involving you…so please…

Tamahome: Geez…you guys have been watching me like a hawk. You haven’t got a bug on me or something?

(A triple sweatdrop…)

* * * *

(Elsewhere, modern news isn’t something that either detective in Team 3 are familiar with...)

Shiine: Oh boy…

(Shot of a arranged area, where we can see members of Kaleido Star there, namely Mia, Cathy, Sora, Leon and also Jerry of the police is there as well. In the distance, Sora spots the two kids…)

Sora: Police-san, are they…

(Jerry looks ahead as Shiine does a freeze effect motion…)

Shiine: Eep…they spotted us…

Jerry: Oi! You two, over here!

Shiine: Hinata-san, we’ve been spotted…let’s get this over with…(pause)…Hinata-san?

(Shot of Hinata, who looks nervous as heck…)

Hinata: I’m…I’m not good at this…

(Shiine pouts a little and grabs Hinata’s hand…)

Shiine: Listen, I said that this time you can rely on me right? I meant it! We’re going to do this, and then we’re going to pass and I can forget what happened two nights ago…and…I don’t want to go out there again…

Hinata: Shiine-chan…

Shiine: Now come on!

(Shiine (literally) drags Hinata to the conference, and the unfriendly face of Leon doesn’t exactly give Hinata or Shiine-chan the best confidence in the world…)

Shiine: So…

Jerry: We’ll set up here – Sora, Mia and Cathy will be here to make sure that questions on Kaleido Stage will be affected by them. And Leon…well…he’s here to make sure things are kept in order.

Shiine: How?

Jerry: He glares at them.

(Shiine and Hinata sweatdrop…)

* * * *

Adam’s answer to the ‘best girl of Eva debate’ is a little nervous. Fortunately, she seems more relaxed now that Touji isn’t near, plus Negi himself seems to have the effect of a purifier anyway. Hikari tries to put her best face forward to speak to the detectives.

Hikari: O.K…what is it you need to talk about? Did you need to speak to Touji?

Ban: We would have liked to…but maybe it’s better this way.

(Triela hands Hikari the photograph of Touji punching someone in a drunken rage…)

Hikari: Oh no…

Triela: Mrs Yagami-Suzuhara, we found this picture among the belongings of the now deceased…Kensuke Aida.

(Hikari gulps…)

Hikari: I knew it…

Triela: Hmm?

Hikari: Touji got some news last night…and he wouldn’t tell me who it was from or what it was about. He hasn’t come back…and now I know why…

Ban: You didn’t know?

(Hikari shakes her head…)

Hikari: I didn’t have a clue. Touji just got up…left…and…

(Hikari kneels down, shocked and upset. Triela stands up and goes near her as Hikari seems to cry a little…they let her get it out of her system before Ban speaks up.)

Hikari: Mrs Suzuhara, we do need to speak to you about this – does this have…

(Hikari nods…)

Hikari: Yes…that was basically caused by a drunken rage a few weeks ago before Kalos was killed. Everytime something upsets him like this, the same routine…drink…fight…nearly kill someone…spend time in jail…

Ban: Almost sounds like you are used to it…

(Hikari remains silent…)

Hikari: …he’s been…upset a lot.

Triela: Why?

Hikari: What do you think?

Negi: I guess the betrayal…the virus…the…well…I don’t want to go further knowing it may upset you Hikari-san…

(Hikari doesn’t say anything…she just nods…)

Hikari: I’ve been working alone for a while on nights…crying…trying to make things a little better…if it wasn’t for Shinobu-chan and Uc-chan I don’t know where I had been.

(Negi and Triela nod…but Ban interrupts, wondering something in what Hikari said…)

Ban: Alone most nights? Doing what?

Hikari: Planning work…paper work…phoning suppliers to get demand…we are barely getting by at the moment, but my plan was to get a loan to help pay for Touji’s arm…but with the circumstances as they are…it’s impossible…I can’t make the repayments.

Ban: Were you doing this on November 5^th as well?

(Hikari pauses…Triela and Negi turn in shock to Ban for a moment…before realise what he’s planning…)

(…Hikari gulps.)

Ban: You were alone weren’t you…Touji wasn’t outside was he?

Hikari: Well…he was…he was outside! Just…

(Ban was about to Jagan her, but the word ‘just’ makes his stop…as Hikari begins to explain.)

Hikari: …just…I don’t know if we was outside in the garden, outside in a bar…or…well…I…

(Hikari breaks down and cries. Negi and Triela on each side immediately put an arm around her as the former class rep cries her eyes out…)

Hikari: (crying) I…I’m the worst…suspecting my own husband…b-but..every…everything…

Negi: Shh…Hikari-san, please…

Triela: It’s O.K…let it all out.

(Ban begins taking notes as they let Hikari calm down. It’s obvious she is as concerned about Touji being innocent…as she is in him being possibly guilty…)

Ban: Hikari…can you confirm you were inside this house at the time of the murder of Kalos.

(Hikari wipes her eyes and nods…)

Ban: Have you got any proof or evidence that may concern this?

(Hikari thinks…and nods.)

Hikari: Yes. Yesterday morning…I got my phone bill. If I remember…I was calling one of my suppliers, ‘Diamond Daydreams.’ I can confirm that and if you want to contact them…

(As Triela gets the details, Ban checks the phone bill…and indeed.)

(This is a confirmed phone bill from the phone companies to Hikari’s house…and if they can get in touch with DD, then they have an alibi for Hikari.)

Negi: Are you worried about Touji? We could…

Hikari: (shakes her head) No, it’s fine. These moments are what I need now…it felt good to get that out. Just…don’t tell him that I s…

Triela: Wouldn’t dream of it my dear.

Ban: I think we should check this out. Hikari, we may want to speak to you again, but a very big thanks.

Hikari: (nods) You’re welcome.

(The three leave, as an upset, yet more relaxed than she expected Hikari looks at them leave, as Triela is the first to…)

Triela: Ban…you rock.

Ban: (smiles) Remember, not just about the guilty…

Negi: (finishing) …but finding the innocent.

Ban: Hey, you guys aren’t the only ones who need to kick ass in this case – the almighty Ban-sama needs to show what he can do!

Triela: Well Ban-sama I think you certainly did that.

Ban: Hai, Ban-sama!

(Ban’s eyes turn into waterfall fountains…)

Ban: AT LAST, SOMEONE HAS CALLED ME BAN-SAMA! GINJI, LISTEN WHEREVER YOU ARE!!!!

(As an electric idiot sneezes, and realises he can’t be an idiot because he’s caught a cold…we cut to Team 2, where a similar revelation is about to catch Tamahome off guard…)

* * * *

Tamahome: You’re…

Aya: It’s true Tamahome-san. We’ve got evidence which proves that you’ve lied…

Fai: …again…

Aya: …this time about the fact that you were having a relationship with Mia. Not only do we have evidence that you met her last night at a certain restaurant…

Tamahome: How the…

Kotone: You admit it then?

(Tamahome covers his mouth as the trap works, but a trap works even better with evidence…which they of course have…)

Aya: Plus…the recently deceased Kensuke Aida…he managed to capture this…

(A quick shot of the photographs proving the affair…and of course therefore that Kensuke knew about it is worth a million words to Tamahome…)

Tamahome: That…bastard…

Aya: So can you tell me…what this means Tamahome-san? Are you ready to speak more?

(Tamahome’s veins bulge out…)

Tamahome: And to think I was actually beginning to not get pissed off at you…though…Kensuke…I didn’t know that…well…he…

Kotone: Seriously?

Tamahome: Well…I didn’t really know him…but he knew about this…and well…

Fai: Tamahome-san, are you sure…

Tamahome: OF COURSE! I’M NOT LYING ABOUT THIS…

Kotone: But…you do admit you have been lying…

(Tamahome stops, realising he can’t deny this…)

Aya: Tamahome-san, you do realise that lying to the police is constitute to withholding evidence – a very serious crime considering that we now have to deal with 2 murders…

(Aya’s professional stance is certainly surprising to Tamahome, as he doesn’t seem to get angry at them…all he does is slam his fist into the ground.)

Tamahome: Dammit…Mia…

Kotone: You are married aren’t you?

(Tamahome nods…)

Tamahome: The affair…it was something…that I didn’t want to admit for obvious reasons. I certainly didn’t instigate it…I suggest to talk to Mia about it…I don’t want to…yet…

Kotone: Why not?

Tamahome: Why do you think? I just get the feeling any member of the press can catch a model cheating on a famous wife – it would be worldwide news…

(Tamahome sighs…)

Tamahome: …the only thing I know in relation to what just happened – is that Seta was the only person I know who could have know about the relationship…

(The three are confused…)

Fai: Seta-san?

Tamahome: I’ve done business with him a few times – on planes to China, as despite it’s changes I’m familiar with it and he does a lot of business there. From what I remember, I probably did tell him about the affair…

Kotone: Why?

Tamahome: No reason…just a merry laugh and a lot of Chinese wine.

(The two girls sweatdrops as Fai gets a knowing grin…)

Tamahome: But if Kensuke knew about it, the only way I think he could have found out and took this photo was through Seta. That bastard…

Kotone: Well…

Aya: Have you anything else to say?

Tamahome: I will…when I’m ready. For now…please leave me alone. I know what you’re thinking and unless you are going to arrest me…

Fai: We’re not going to…you’d beat us up first!

(Aya veins slightly as Tamahome shakes his head…)

Tamahome: No…that would get in more trouble. I’m sure Mia would probably say more if you want to speak to her…

(Eventually, the three realise they aren’t going to get much further, though Aya looks like she wants to continue…as they leave, she makes her thoughts known…)

(The three trudge off, as another incident is about to blow into complete fear…)

* * * *

(Shot of Shiine and Hinata along with the Kaleido Team, including said girl Mia, looking rather uncomfortable. Sora is designators confidence builder with the nervous Hinata, as Shiine-chan just…well…he admires Sora…^_^)

Sora: Just relax, this is going to be tough on all of us…

Hinata: (nods) Hai.

Shiine: Let’s go Hinata-san!

(Jerry stands up as the paparazzi begin ready to shoot questions at the two youngest detectives. Time for a Chromus cameo checkii! How many can you recognise?)

Kino: (standing on a motorcy…sorry, motorad) World Traveller’s Press…only going to be here 3 days though…can you confirm how far you are in this case?

(Class rep in training Shiine-chan speaks…)

Shiine: We originally confirmed there was a number of people that were under investigation – and since then we have narrowed down the hunt for Kalos’ murder to some select people.

Kino: Can you confirm who these are?

Shiine: I’m afraid I can’t at this time, but I can rest assure we are definitely looking into these people and with recent events occuring, we are stepping up.

Fakir: World Arts - would this imply the recent passing of one Kensuke Aida?

Shiine: We are obviously aware of the circumstances, and some evidence showing on Kensuke is a vital clue to both his murder and the murder of Kalos.

Ringo: Ringo Seto – World Culture – as a fellow idol in the world, why do you think something would kill Kalos?

Hinata: We-we believe there are several motives involved, personal…financial…possible blackmail…but we don’t want to speculate until more evidence is coming in…

Bulma: Miss Guillem, what do you think of the situation, especially considering a speculative relationship with…

Mia: Please not here…

Bulma: What, I wasn’t saying anything…so you do admit to…

Shiine: Excuse me…we are here to discuss Kalos’ murder, and NOT interfere with the private lives of the people of Kaleido Stage. They’ve been through enough…

Yolei: Yes, but…

(A Byakugan shimmers through the crowd…)

Hinata: (surprisingly stern) Please…

(A shuffle through the crowd – as Hinata’s scary face technique works as well as it did in Pokemon…actually probably a lot better…)

Tomari: School Reports, Tomari-chan here! Despite what you said, we do have key names – the relationship with the church, Anna Respighi and Tenchi Masaki, the problems with the orphanage with Ruri and Haley Hoshino, the illness to Touji Suzuhara and the initial destruction of the life of Yomi Mizuhara…we heard a rumour about a bounty as well…so…

Shiine: (sweatdrops) Figures the youngest would have the hardest question…

Hinata: Whilst you may be correct in your assumptions, and yes, we have spoken to various people…but we cannot confirm if your…suspicions…are correct…

Mao: World Sports here – to Cathy-san, can you confirm the status of Kaleido Stage at present time?

Cathy: We can confirm that we will be making an announcement on the current status of Kaleido Stage, Kalos’ death meant obvious problems, however we’ve had interest in possibly buying it out for a new beginning so to speak, and we already have interest from one serious offer.

Mao: Can you confirm it?

Cathy: Alas, I can’t at the moment, but an announcement will be made shortly.

Tomoyo: World Costumes – do you think the possibly acquisition of Kaleido Stage from its owner is a possible motive for murder?

Shiine: Whether it is or it isn’t is irrelevant. If it is, I am sure that Kaleido Stage will be helping us as much as possible, especially to find this murderer and put him or her to justice.

(Suddenly, Leon moves forward…)

Leon: I’ve had enough of this. I believe it is time for us to be moving on.

Jerry: I agree – I think no further questions is at hand.

(Of course, that’s the cue for the journalists to flash and ask a million questions at the same time…and also the cue for Leon to this time do his famous death glare…)

(…to use baseball terms, instant shut-out.)

Shiine: S-scary…

Sora: You guys did fine!

Shiine: Thanks Naegino-san…

Sora: Oh…and…well…(blushes)…didn’t realise you were that close…

(Shiine looks confused, until he looks down.)

Shiine: Eeeeppp!!!

(He STILL has a grip on Hinata’s hand – which neither of them seemed to realise. Hinata realises and blushes like mad.)

Shiine: S-s-sorry Hinata-san!!!

Hinata: N-n-no, it’s O.K…it calmed me down…I-I needed that. Thank you Sh-Shiine-chan…

(Sora smiles as Mia doesn’t look too happy, as Cathy just watches the group run away…)

Cathy: Spawn…I hope you guys do catch this guy or girl…just to keep them away for the wrong reasons…

(As the two youngsters return on a job which could have been hell on earth for them which in the end didn’t turn out too bad…)

* * * *

(…they, along with the rest of the team get some interesting news from Satoshi.)

Ban: Tch – and I was hoping we’d get an easy day after last night…

Satoshi: Not quite. You see Nabeshin decided we need to follow up on what the Hoshinos were talking about with Anna and Tenchi. We need to send a couple of teams over to their places.

Aya: So, who is going where?

Satoshi: We need one to stay here.

(Satoshi looks over at the teams, thinks a little…before smirking slightly.)

Satoshi: Shiine-chan…you go to the Church.

Shiine: HUH?!!!

Satoshi: (Smirks) I think you want to apologise to Anna, isn’t that right?

(Shiine turns red…)

Shiine: W-w-well, s-s-since you put it that way…

Negi: Oh boy…

(Satoshi looks over at Negi…)

Satoshi: Whilst if we send Team 2 again, they will definitely suspect something. A nice change of pace, so if Aya, if you guys don’t mind staying, we’ll send out Ban, Negi and Triela to deal with that.

(Aya seems a bit confused for a moment, but nods.)

Aya: Fine Sato-kun.

(Satoshi winces slightly at the name, but quickly continues on…)

Satoshi: I hope this will be it. I think is a good time to remind everyone a game is still playing, and tonight we take a stage further. Tonight, I will make a tough choice, and whoever I pick, I hope they don’t hold it against me…

(Satoshi words quickly realise that he’s right – tonight, the 4^th killer’s game will be played, and 9 will become 8. They are being wittled down a moment at a time, and they realise they will have to vote for someone else tonight. A few nervous glances come around the group before Satoshi’s self-doubt fully works, he interrupts again.)

Satoshi: Go out, and make sure you don’t make me pick you. Stay here, and make sure you don’t make me pick you.

(Big Brother has been watching…and the group are officially screwed…)

* * * *

(After the bug device trick from last night, it looks like Ruri and Haley are getting paid another visit…)

Ban: …so this Ruri has a technique to shield people in…

Negi: Hai…she made myself, Shiine-chan and Hinata-san trapped and we couldn’t break out of it…

Triela: No easy task Ban, two wizards and a ninja…

Ban: Hmm…whether my snakebite would be enough…dammit…self-doubt…

(Negi knocks the door, as it opens quickly, as it seems quiet in the orphanage. Haley is the first person they see…he notices Negi, and seems to cringe slightly…)

Haley: Oh please…what do you want…

Negi: We need to speak with you and Ruri-san if it is not too much trouble.

Triela: We have something to speak to you about your relationship with Anna Respighi and Tenchi Masaki…

(Haley gulps…)

Ban: I think the lady said, ‘let us in now – we have important things to discuss.’ Clear?

(Haley gulps again…)

Haley: Clear.

(The two younger members aren’t sure what to make of that little burst of intimidation, but it helped get them in, so they aren’t complaining. Meanwhile…)

*

Shiine: …last time I was here, Anna-san was scary! She looks so beautiful…but then..she looked like she was going to crush me…

Hinata: Didn’t they say she’d forgiven you…

Shiine: I know…I know…but I just feel nervous.

(Shiine puffs out his chest…)

Shiine: …but I know I must face my fears! I will apologise to her, man to…er…athlete?

Hinata: Good enough…I think…

(Hinata knocks on the door…)

(…and is opened by Anna…)

Anna: Huh…(notices Hinata)…why hello there, and…huh?

(Hinata is trying not to facefault, but the closed eyes and sweatdrop shows she is having great difficulty, as Shiine is hiding behind her, trying to avoid eye contact…)

(Anna looks confused…but then realises…)

Anna: Oh right…er…sorry about that…my dark side isn’t something I like to really show…sorry you got the brunt of that…

Shiine: No, it’s my fault! We shouldn’t have gone into the church without your permission…

Tenchi: Indeed.

(Shot of a very handsome looking Tenchi in a yukata. In his hand is a polished sword…immediately, Hinata looks at it with interest, remembering how Kalos possibly died…)

Hinata: Masaki-san, we do apologise for this, and what we have dealt you with in the past, but we do need to ask you something quite important…regarding something to do with the Hoshino.

(Tenchi pauses, before nodding…)

Tenchi: Very well, at least you have manners…come on.

(Anna, Hinata and Shiine head inside the church, as it is more than manners they will be looked upon…)

*

(Shot of Ban, Negi and Triela inside the orphagae. Haley seems to have one of the kids who look like extras from Kiddy Grade (and you wondered about the name of the orphanage) sleeping on a sofa, interestingly enough…no sign of Ruri…)

Triela: Is Ruri here?

Haley: Ruri? She’s…well…she isn’t here. She’s been trying to sort out if our permission on base of the appeal we had against Kalos has been cleared.

Ban: I thought his death wo…

Haley: Yeah…so did we. However, I guess you guys are the only ones suspecting us.

(Negi looks a little guilty, but the other two have their poker faces on…)

Haley: SO…we’re on a provisional licence. We can operate, but we can’t go outside the boundaries of the state for the time being. Which if you know how the orphanage system works, is kinda pointless.

Triela: I can understand.

(Possible orphan Triela sighs slightly as her past is probably the least known of the GSG – Negi again seems intrigued, but back to the inquiry…)

Ban: So, we were wondering about your relationship with the Hoshinos. We believe the 4 of you involved, yourself, Ruri, Tenchi and Anna have some relationship together, and a certain amount of time was devoted to stopping Kalos in his schemes…

Haley: Yes…I’m sure you know who he was blackmailing us with his work in trying to be part of Anna’s and Tenchi’s scheme…

*

Anna: …and because they were part of it, they got dragged into the mud along with us because of our relationship.

(A switch around as we go to Team 3…)

Tenchi: We were giving people a chance to live out their dreams, without question, without reason, without asking. And Kalos was the main protagonist with his ethicial BS…

Anna: Tenchi…

(Tenchi quietens down – remembering what Shiine saw plus the photo indicates more than just a business partnership between the two…)

Tenchi: Sorry…but if you think we would work together in…

*

Haley: …plotting to murder Kalos? Trust me, we are too smart to put our futures on the line…Kalos was someone who said we were unethicial, when he was making sure no-else got the chance to get the cure for the Evan virus – the cure patented by Yomi and Chiriko with our help!!!

Ban: Your help?

Haley: (nods) Yes…it’s an electronic method which Ruri made the initial patent – however she isn’t a medical doctor, and she needed people who worked with the human body in relation to her field…

*

Anna: …Yomi and Chi-chan…sorry…Chiriko…they were the two who knew more about this than anyone – and they were able to take Ruri’s initial patent into something useable. But just before they were able to make a true patent of it…

*

Haley: …Kalos stole the patent. Someone got wind of our plans…and he quickly managed to make a patent. We couldn’t do anything, as the first person who made the patent has the rights…even if we confirmed we had the plans, he could claim that we stole them from him.

Ban: So…then Jet…

Haley: Jet was able to purchase it from him as a cure…the Suzuhara’s weren’t so lucky. They were too trusting of Kalos…

*

Tenchi: …and he backstabbed them. Bas…

(Anna squeezes Tenchi’s hand. The Masaki clenches his teeth and slowly calms down…)

Tenchi: Anyway…yes…we may be angry, but we are not murderers.

Hinata: Masaki-san, you spoke with them last night about everything right?

Haley: You…you bugged us!

Triela: I’m afraid so.

(Haley steps back…instant untrusting…)

Haley: You…heard our conversation…

Ban: We just need the truth. Did you, or did you not, plot anything with those two to bring down Kalos?

Haley: No…we met once before the ‘event’ and we spoke of how to deal with him…but killing him was never uttered by us…or anyone else we know…

*

Anna: …it seems a bit dirty to do that to the Hoshinos.

Shiine: Trust us Anna-san, Ruri can take care of herself…beside…I think we owed her one after what she did to us on that first inquiry…

Anna: O.K…

Tenchi: It’s true…I certainly wanted to.

Anna/Hinata: Huh?

Tenchi: Wanted is different to ‘doing.’ He made us suffer with his sueing…his implications with the Suzuharas…and my grandfather…

Anna: Well…he did make sure we couldn’t get out of the country…

Tenchi: …but no. The only thing I can remember that night is basically going out in a rage and I went somewhere…but…

Shiine: …but…

Tenchi: …for the life of me I can’t remember. I think I was searching for you…

(Anna blushes…)

Anna: I did say sorry…I was back there all the time in the waterfall, before I decided to take a long sabatical for a few days…

Tenchi: Yes, how worried sick I was! I’ve lost almost everything else…I-I couldn’t…

(Tenchi’s fists hit the ground as he looks ready to cry…)

Tenchi: It’s…just…not fair…

(Anna hugs Tenchi…)

Anna: …I think you guys better go for the moment…

(Shiine nods as Hinata steps up…)

Hinata: Thank you very much Respighi-san…

(Anna nods as the two youngster begin to leave…)

*

Haley: …what worries we have when we are trying to do good, and all this is thrown on our faces…

Negi: We understand, but we need to get to the bottom of this…

Haley: The only thing I can tell you is that…well…this probably isn’t good…but me and Ruri seperated after we left Tenchi and Anna…and I headed back here…Ruri came home…

Ban: When?!!!

Haley: (gulping) Um…let’s see…

Negi: Haley-san, are you hiding something?

Haley: N-no, I just can’t rem…

Triela: I believe you can.

(Triela snaps her fingers…as Ban lifts his glasses up…)

Ban: Jagen!!!

*

(1 minute later…)

Ban: Ready to talk?

(Haley in one minute has experienced more fears than he has uncovered in a personal lifetime. He gulps as Ban’s 1 minute dream means he is pretty much quivering…)

Haley: (gulps) S-she got here…a couple of h-hours after I came back.

Negi: When was that?

Haley: (shouting and crying) AT 10 O’CLOCK O.K? HAPPY?!!!!

Ban: Indeed. I’d say our job is done now.

(The three stand up and leave, as Haley being sobbing. As they leave, we see the faint aura of a certain lady come up the pathway, but they don’t see her as they leave via the van.)

Ruri: Idiots…

(Who she is referring to isn’t cleared…but anyway…)

*

Fai: So…Ruri-ruri is now a definite suspect…

Ban: Indeed…her husband of all people put her in the dirt – considering the bit of paper on the first day, I’m sensing that one of those two did it at first.

Triela: Are you sure you should be giving your philosophies to everyone?

Ban: It doesn’t matter…I’m still gonna win anyway.

Triela: I admire your confidence…or is that ego…

Fai: Ego Triela-chan. Ban-pan needs it removed…

Triela: Right, Doctor Negi…

Negi: Why me?!

(As Ban and Negi both fear for their lives…)

Kotone: So…Tenchi has a sword…

Hinata: (nods) So it impliments both of them more than I believe…the murder weapon is pretty much the main issue, and from what I recognised…

Aya: ..more stab than blast.

(Hinata nods, as Shiine looks around…)

Shiine: I’m…getting nervous again…

Kotone: About tonight?

(Shiine nods…he should be nervous, considering the votes last time…Aya turns slightly…)

Aya: …well…there is someone I felt we should eliminate now. It’s not Shiine-chan before you ask…

(Shiine seems relieved but Kotone certainly seems surprised…)

Kotone: Really?

Aya: (nods) I mentioned it last time, and I think today confirms it.

Hinata: But who?

Shiine: Ban?

(Aya shakes her head…Shiine and Hinata join the surprised brigade…)

Shiine: Then who?

(Aya smiles….)

Aya: Well…

*

(Shot of Satoshi looking around as the plotters go around, ready to spread rumours…O.K, they aren’t that bad, but he’s making notes…)

Satoshi: Don’t think I didn’t realise what you have done…you’re good…but I’m better.

(Satoshi seems to have his eyes focused on one of his fellow detectives to be led to the slaughter…)

Satoshi: I’ll make sure you truly understand what the game is about tonight.

*

Ban: So, what to do?

Fai: You killing me tonight?

Ban: Keep it up and I will…

Fai: Well…I don’t know who I’m picking…anyone you suggest?

Ban: I like your reasoning. Well, it really depends who passes. If we pass, then I’ve got one choice I am going for, and another as a back up plan.

Fai: Well who?

(Ban smirks…)

Ban: Well…

(Fai’s eyes light up a bit surprised…)

*

Negi: Are you alright Triela-san?

Triela: Yeah…it’s not as bad as it was before…thanks to you.

(Refer to the last episode of Inside HQ for what was wrong and why Negi-kun is involved…)

Negi: You’re welcome.

Triela: So…what are you going to do?

Negi: My heart wants to go for Ban if we don’t pass…but…whether I like him or not, he is really good at this.

Triela: Who else?

Negi: Well…I don’t wish to vote for Hinata-san or Shiine-chan at this time…so it would be either Aya-san, Fai-san or Kotone-san.

Triela: Hmmm…

Negi: Aya-san helped me a lot when I was nearly eliminated and upset…I just can’t vote for her…

Triela: So…Kotone…or Fai…

(Negi nods…)

Negi: One is a fellow wizard, and the other was a lady who helped me as well during hard inquiries. I’d say Kotone is the better investigator…but Fai is easier to eliminate later…

(Negi sighs…)

Negi: This is bad…I’m developing strategies.

(Triela puts an arm around him…)

Triela: That’s the game sweetie.

(Negi nods, obviously not enjoying this…but realising it’s a necessity.)

Triela: Come on…I’ll get some tea and cake – it’s the best thing of heaven…and I think we need it now. I’ll get Hinata and Shiine-chan as well if you want a good talk.

(Negi nods…)

*

(The prelude to the inevitable elimination…the team sit in front of the judgem jury and executioner, Satoshi Hiwatari.)

Satoshi: …so today, we’ve had basically, everything and anything. We have a confrontation with Tamahome, a confirmation from Hikari, and a press conference which didn’t destroy the foundations of which we are based from.

(A few look confused at that comment, fortunately Satoshi just continues on…)

Satoshi: Nabeshin and I got in touch with the phone companies, and we managed to trace the phone call. Indeed, it was from her home number and it was definitely Hikari’s voice.

Aya: So…she’s cleared?

Satoshi: Indeed.

(Big break – another suspect cleared. Hikari Yagami-Suzuhara.)

Satoshi: We also have a few un-concrete alibis in Tenchi, Anna, the Hoshinos, specifically Ruri and Tamahome.

Kotone: I think he’s had enough of us…

Satoshi: Tough. We are going to continue to be on his tail – I believe he’s a prime suspect myself.

(A few note that…Satoshi looks quizzical…)

Fai: (shrugs) Anything you say Satoshi seems gospel to us.

Satoshi: Really? Mental note…from now on, lie like crazy.

(Sweatdrops…)

Aya: Developing a sense of humour?

Satoshi: I guess…Harada-younger always tells me to ‘lighten up’ now. Anyway…

(Satoshi seems to want to veer from the suspect, though Aya and Kotone are looking with interest…fortunately for Sato-kun, he does veer them away.)

Satoshi: The press conference, obviously people were being suspected, but I believe that you didn’t give anything away to give people a huge link, and at the same time, gave enough information to satisfy them.

Shiine: Sora-tachi were a big help…we wouldn’t have made it without them.

Satoshi: Well…let’s see…we’ve cleared Hikari, Kensuke…well…both ways…

(A few shudder)

Satoshi: Akari…and Shinobu. Now, before tonight, which none of us are looking forward to, including me…we have 3 people gone, and a quarter through the game. So, I want serious answers…

(Satoshi looks at them…)

Satoshi: Who did it?

(Everyone looks at each other a bit surprised at the question…)

Satoshi: I think it’s fair we all give an honest opinion. I don’t want reasons…just names. I’ve said mine…in all seriousness. I think Tamahome did it.

(Satoshi looks at Ban…)

Satoshi: Ban?

(Ban seems a bit stumped…)

Ban: Geez…I guess never thought about it that much…

Satoshi: Which is why I’m giving you the chance to do so now – and focus on the game as much as each other. So Ban…

(Ban does a Shikamaru like thinking stance before breathing out…)

Ban: Fine – she’s falling out of the radar a bit, but Ukyo – I think she has the skill and motive and hiding behind the main motives. That picture we saw as well…

Satoshi: Fai?

Fai: Tamahome – I agree sato-kun.

Satoshi: Kotone?

Kotone: Um…I suspect…Ruri.

Satoshi: Ruri?

Kotone: (nods) Today – Haley seemed to even think it was her from what I heard...

Satoshi: Interesting…Aya?

Aya: I’m was thinking Tamahome…but after Kensuke’s death…I think Seta might have done it.

(A few are surprised at Aya’s choice…)

Satoshi: Hinata?

Hinata: Um…Touji. He had nothing to lose…

Satoshi: Triela?

Triela: (nods) I think so as well – Touji.

Satoshi: Negi?

Negi: I’ve suspected Tenchi for a while…she seems like an outsider but he’s part of a link motive, and he has the weapon skills…

Satoshi: And Shiine-chan?

Shiine: She’ll hate me for real if she heard me…but I actually do think Anna did it. Strong motive, and possible love/hate thing means she could be angry enough…

Satoshi: Right. Keep those thoughts of your choices and everyone elses, and beginning thinking more. Tonight, one of us won’t get that chance.

(The group leaves, pondering Satoshi’s words…)

*

(The dreaded vote alooms. The afro wonder known as Nabeshin steps up, as he has the first duty to pass one team, who are then exempt from being chosen in the first vote. However, that won’t save them if Satoshi picks one of them as anybody can be nominated for whatever reason.)

Nabeshin: We’ve been busy little bees haven’t we?

Satoshi: Just a bit.

Nabeshin: Indeed…however, busy matters not without success. So now to rate the teams…at least…before I congratulate on the clearing of Hikari Yagami-Suzuhara who is now innocent…

(Nabeshin smiles…)

Nabeshin: …but I wonder…is the killer feeling sorry for you with this…

(Nabeshin shows what appears to be a mini-com…but he presses a button…)

Nabeshin: It came from a scrambled line, but if this true, we can also clear Haley Hoshino of the crime.

(Another cleared suspect, courtesy of the killer? The team are surprised considering they focused a fair bit on Haley this time…but for now, it’s rating time!)

(Shot of Team 1 (Ban, Negi, Triela) first up for grabs. Them and team 2 will be scored individually, added together and divided by 3 to get the team average. Team 3 will be divided by 2. Whoever gets the best average score wins – and all the teams did pretty well.)

Nabeshin: Summary for Team 1 – Jet was spoken to, discussed when Kensuke died, you got the key clue – the camera and refused to show Seta. You managed to get the information directly and recorded when the bug was planted on Tamahome, whilst today you managed to clear Hikari.

(The team smiles…)

Nabeshin: Very good overall. But was it good enough? Let’s see…

(Pictures of Ban, Negi and Triela appear, and then chibi-Nabeshin’s appear, each one marking a point. For example, 9 Chibi-directors appears in front on Ban…)

(The team are pretty pleased with that, Ban in particular. However, the other two teams didn’t have a shabby day either so…)

Nabeshin: Next was Team 2 – an interview with Yomi who was hacked in – you then linked that with Ruri, who we confirmed has been definitely been more of a hacker at late…but to that is not yet confirmed, though we do know thanks to that and your night work that she was working with Anna and Tenchi. Today, you followed up on Tamahome admitting that he had a relationship with Mia…though you didn’t follow though in my opinion well enough when he was avoiding the issue.

(Aya looks a little angry at that…)

Nabeshin: So on that…

(Fai is smiling…though his eyes are closed in vein like. Aya seems peed off, not a normal emotion for her…)

Nabeshin: O.K, that means Team 3 – Shiine-chan and Hinata…you need to score better overall than 8.3 to avoid the initial vote.

(Shiine and Hinata get ready for the best…or the worst…)

Nabeshin: First day, an ingenious idea managed to get Tamahome tracked, which the two of you used your natural abilities to follow up on and get Tamahome caught and learn about his affair. Today, you had to suffer through a press conference and also follow up with Anna and Tenchi…not bad, though I can sense the nervousness during the conference. Still, overall, not to be sniffed at. But is it good enough?

(Shot of Team 1 looking as intently at the score board as Team 3. It soon reveals…and one team looks disappointed as the other looks elated.)

(Shiine looks depressed – his weakness at the start cost his team a possible pass. Ban smiles broadly, as Triela and Negi give a smile and a high five. However, congratulations soon become possible commiserations…)

Nabeshin: So, this means that Ban, Negi and Triela, you guys are safe from the first vote. This means that Kotone, Aya, Fai, Shiine-chan and Hinata are the people who can be voted for. And we get straight into it without any possible plotting. I will allow Hinata to go first this time…so all of you, start to worry.

(Indeed they do, Aya looks a bit concerned, whilst so does Shiine. Even Fai looks worried…and he should as…)

*

Nabeshin: …unlucky weren’t you?

Hinata: (nods) I think I should have been there more for Shiine-chan really considering what he went through…

Nabeshin: I wouldn’t worry about it yet…but who will be worried after you cast your vote?

(Hinata puts her hand to one of the pictures and Nabeshin nods)

Nabeshin: Not too surprising.

Hinata: I think I don’t really have any problems with anybody I can vote for, but I think the verdict showed the skill – so I choose Fai.

*

(on the other hand…)

Shiine: …well, I can’t vote for Fai. He’s someone who actually respects me as a fellow wizard. And if I voted for Hinata-san, she’d never forgive me…and if I vote for Kotone-san…Hinata-san would never forgive me…

Nabeshin: (afro sweatdrop) Nice logic of voting…so out of process of elimination your vote goes to…

Shiine: (nods) Aya-san. I do feel she is getting strong as a contestant though, so I guess I’m playing more tactical than I thought.

*

Fai: …it’s hard to judge, but I just feel bad about picking one of my teammates!

Nabeshin: The logic, once again, thrown out the window…

Fai: So, just on that, I pick Hinata-chan. She’s much stronger than people see, and if people don’t pick up on that, she’ll destroy us.

(One vote for Fai, Hinata and Aya so far…but whilst Fai may not like voting for his fellow teammates…)

*

(…they have no such qualms…)

Aya: …he really annoyed me with just how useless he was at times, and when he did speak, it was like it was always with a stupid comment.

Nabeshin: The lady doth protest too much…

Aya: I’m sorry…but the only person I could think of voting for is Fai.

*

Kotone: It’s Fai I’m afraid. I refuse to vote for Hinata or Aya now…and Shiine-chan was depressed enough before. I’m glad he’s doing better, so it’s Fai. He really hasn’t been a good detective since the start, basically relying on others…

Nabeshin: Bitter words from a lovely lady…

*

(With Fai 3 votes to 1, he needs these three people to vote for either Aya or Hinata…fortunately, he gets a good start…)

(…from Ban of all people.)

Ban: Meh – I think she was a little pissed off at me last time, well, she can’t do anything about it. I can.

Nabeshin: Again…logic…

Ban: Huh?

Nabeshin: Never mind. So your vote is…

Ban: (nods) Aya.

*

Triela: …I think she’s had me on the back of her mind and sees me as a threat. I’m almost certain she voted for me before…so I guess, a little bit of payback.

Nabeshin: The focus of a trained killer…I like it.

Triela: Thanks…I think.

Nabeshin: So…

Triela: Yeah, my final answer is Aya.

*

(Three to three! It’s all down to Negi-bozu)

Negi: This is very tough, especially considering our circumstances…but from what I saw today, I have no other choice.

Nabeshin: So…thinking young man. And your thoughts will choose to go to…

(Negi opens his mouth…)

*

(…and we cut to Nabeshin comes down with the results. Yes, I’m making you wait a few more lines, I’m as evil as the killer…^_^)

Nabeshin: The results of the vote have come.

(The 5 elligible suspects are shown on the screen…Nabeshin presses a button.)

Nabeshin: And the first person to play the killer’s game is…

(A few minor seconds before the results flash up…and it’s…)

Nabeshin: Fai D. Flowright – you are playing your first killer’s game.

(Fai still smiles…)

Fai: Right, right…

(Votes as follows;)

AYA (3) BAN, TRIELA, SHIINE

(Aya seems a little surprised but at the same time relieved. Fai don’t look too bad, but now…)

(…all eyes are on Satoshi. Nabeshin turns to the D N Angel entrant.)

Nabeshin: Satoshi, you are used to this – speak to your peers, and tell who you are taking out to play the killer’s game…and why.

(Satoshi stands up, the calmest person in the game looks around with a neutral look on his face. Finally, he takes a deep breath and makes his choice…)

Satoshi: I’ve looked through the work today and yesterday. I was looking for things not necessary to make an excuse who to vote for. I was looking for talent. I was looking for someone who really was playing the game – but not an obvious target. Someone who was playing well and going under the radar because of his or her performance.

(Satoshi paces around…)

Satoshi: Yet, at times, this person can be the sneakiest among us. This was prove on Day 1’s inquiry, where she even fooled her partner.

(The she and partner makes a few people’s eye go open…as everyone realises who he’s picking. Especially…)

Satoshi: So…as both at times a weak point, and at others the strongest in the game, I will vote tactically, and vote for Hinata Hyuuga to play the killer’s game.

(You can hear the shock of air being released…Hinata looks stunned…)

Nabeshin: Wow…O.K, sit down.

(Satoshi does, as a few, not only Hinata, but Kotone, Negi, Shiine and even Ban look stunned…Triela seems neutral whilst Aya looks confused, looking back and forth at Hinata and Satoshi.)

Nabeshin: I have these…

(From his mighty afro, Nabeshin pulls two envelopes (a chibi-Shin falls off) and holds them out.)

Nabeshin: One of these has the Will of the Wisp as the location. The other has the Will of the Way. One of these has a vital clue, the other, the killer.

(Nabeshin holds them out)

Nabeshin: Ladies first.

(Hinata nervously moves forward and he takes the one on the right. Fai leans up and takes the other one.)

Nabeshin: Please open the envelope and state your destiny…I mean destination…

(Hinata is first)

Hinata: I…sorry…I-I’m going to the Will Of The Way.

Nabeshin: Which means…Fai…can you confirm…

Fai: Yep…I’m at the Will Of The Wisp.

Nabeshin: Good luck, lady and gent, ninja and wizard – it doesn’t matter. I won’t see you again…but these guys will see one of you back…

(Nabeshin leaves – as a few look at Satoshi…but he calmly leaves as well and heads upstairs.)

Ban: That…was unexpected.

Triela: A cold chill went through I think…

(They look at Fai and Hinata, two differing emotions, one calm, the other shivering…)

Fai: Ah well…Fai done bad…

Aya: Fai…

Fai: (shakes his head) If you voted for me or not, I don’t want to know. I’m more disappointed than I look…but…all it is is another dark night in a strange world for me…I’m kinda used to it.

Shiine: Hinata-san…

Hinata: D-did he know?

(Shot of Kotone looking guilty…)

Kotone: Hinata-chan, I’m sorry! I didn’t think he knew!

Hinata: He…he must have done…he’s not stupid…

Kotone: Now…if you go…

(Kotone has a guilty conscience effect…Hinata actually smiles slightly and puts her smaller hand on Kotone’s shoulder…)

Hinata: Don’t…blame yourself.

(Kotone nods, though unable to look at her in the face. Shiine sighs…)

Shiine: Fai-san…I think we need to get some hot chocolate before you go…

*

Satoshi: …it’s entirely my choice.

Triela: I understand that, and I’m fine whatever anyway. I just wondering if all this is some sort of plan for you to win…

Satoshi: More like for any of us. It seems like we’ve enjoyed voting off the weak links or the ones that annoy us. And that’s the problem. The likely chance of those actually winning are near 0.

Triela: Well, Ban is pretty smart.

Satoshi: There are exceptions. But I think people should begin to realise that it’s better to vote off your friends…rather than your enemies.

(Triela seems to understand…)

Triela: Doesn’t mean I have to like it does it?

Satoshi: Of course not…who said I did either?

(Satoshi turns as Triela looks confused at that comment…)

Triela: Weird.

*

Aya: The fact three people voted for me is quite worrying to be honest…

Kotone: I think Satoshi may be more right than we think – maybe people are considering who they can vote for which is a threat…

Aya: I see that…but…I do wish they would admit it.

(Aya looks at Kotone…)

Aya: You di…

Kotone: N-no!!! I voted for Fai like you said!

Aya: So…did us two, Hinata and Shiine vote for Fai…well, or Negi…two of those three voted for Fai…and I doubt either boy would vote for Hinata…so that leaves Ban…Triela…and Fai…one of them voted for Hinata…probably Ban…

Kotone: We can’t really speculate…

*

Shiine: …no, I won’t mind if you return Fai-san!

(Shot of Shiine being a bit apologetic, ironic considering he didn’t even vote for Fai…)

Fai: But…

Shiine: …but…I don’t really want to see Hinata-san fall either…

Fai: Shiine-chan, you’re a good boy. You deserve to get far really…it’s not like I’m not used to deception, far from it…but I came here for it to be a bit of fun…

Shiine: Fun?

Fai: Sure, why not? Travelling to different worlds is my speciality after all, and this added a bit more convience to it…and hey, I come back and I enjoy more of the same. I don’t…and well…it was meant to be.

Shiine: Fai-san…

(Fai ruffles Shiine’s hair…)

Fai: Anyway, I need to find Ban-ban again…it may be the last chance I get to annoy him…

(Fai walks off as Shiine sighs and begins making hot chocolate…)

*

(…unaware of something outside which would certainly interest him.)

Ban: (smoking) Damn…Fai going would probably be easier for me…but…it would also probably be the only person who was on my side gone…

(Ban sits down as he takes in the cool night air…before hearing some familiar noises…)

Ban: Hmm…that isn’t…

(Shot of in the distance, we see a very upset Hinata hitting a tree with her feets and hands – needless to say, the pain is high, but she doesn’t seem to care…tears were in her eyes BEFORE this anyway…)

Negi: HINATA-SAN, STOP IT!

(Shot of Negi who has rushed outside, obviously seeing this (similar to the incident with Triela the other day) and runs up to the distressed kuniochi.)

Hinata: I D-DON’T WANT TO GO…N-NOT YET!

(A fist slams, making her knuckles bleed as Negi rushes over, he seems ready to cry as well…)

Negi: YOU DON’T HAVE TO, JUST COME BACK…

(Hinata continues to cry, as her foot seems to snap against the tree. She squeals in pain and steps back as Negi catches her from behind…)

Negi: Hinata-san…

(Hinata turns around, and despite being about 3 inches taller than Negi, collapses and cries on his chest…)

Hinata: D-does Satoshi-kun n-not l-like me? I-I didn’t want to go u-until I p-proved myself to N-Naruto-kun and everyone…

Negi: Hinata-san…

Hinata: …b-but it l-looks like I’m going to disappoint everyone again…

Negi: No, you’re not! Because you haven’t disappointed me, or anyone else!

(Negi’s firm tone surprises Hinata, as Negi, in full teacher mode, speaks up.)

Negi: You’ve done really well so far Hinata-san, remember with you, me and Shiine-chan, we beat Satoshi that day remember? And the reason, didn’t he say you’re a threat? He’s not voting you off like the others in the past because they were weak or annoying…you scare him!

(Hinata is a tad surprised on scaring anything or anyone, but Negi-kun continues…)

Negi: You are coming back, and you are going to show him just how scary you can be!!

(Hinata’s looks up at Negi’s cute face, Negi suddenly realises the position they are in…as does Hinata…)

Negi/Hinata: EEP!

(They start to separate…but Hinata stops it…)

Negi: H-Hinata-san…

Hinata: (wipes her eyes) Thank you Negi-kun.

(Hinata gives a brief, but sweet hug to Negi, who again seems to realise the uncanny similarities between her and Nodoka. In the distance, Ban’s cigarette drops from his mouth…)

Ban: I may vomit…but damn if that isn’t the cutest thing I’ve seen…

*

(It’s time for the next killer’s game. We cut to small shots of Fai first…)

Fai: You’ll miss me right Ban-pyon?

Ban: Those names hell no…but damn, it will be boring without you…

Fai: You know, that as close as a friendly comment that you’ve made to me since this game.

Ban: Enjoy it, you won’t get another one…

Fai: Aw, Ban mean…

(As for Hinata…)

Kotone: You’ll come back right?

(Shot of Kotone wrapping bandages around Hinata’s hand and foot…)

Kotone: The last thing the killer’s wants is a wounded target…but please, be careful, and come back safely…

Hinata: And…if I don’t?

(Kotone looks silent…)

Kotone: Please come back…

Hinata: Kotone-chan…

(Hinata gets her second hug of the episode as Kotone’s warmth makes her want to cry again…)

Hinata: T-thank you Kotone-chan…I-I want to come back…

Kotone: Not want…will.

(Hinata nods…)

*

(First Fai is ready to go to the Will of the Wisp. He looks at a few of then, some look guiltier than anothers…)

Fai: Well, once again, off to another place…you’d think I’d be used to it now…

Shiine: Good luck Fai-san!

Fai: Thanks…

Aya: For the record, we are sorry no matter what happens…

(Fai nods as he gets a handshake from Ban and one from Shiine and Satoshi. Triela mock hits him on the shoulder and Negi bows in respect. Fai says a ‘good luck’ to Hinata before heading out…)

(…and getting his ride.)

Fai: O.K…

(Shot of Ranma ½’s Shampoo in her trademark bicycle…attached with side car…)

Shampoo: You stupid wizard – get in…

Fai: (confused) On a bicycle?

Shampoo: Just do what Shampoo tell you!

(Fai scratches his head, but does as he’s told…as soon as he does, he realises…)

(…just why a bike when an amazon Chinese warrior is the most effect form of transport – it’s fast and cheap.)

Fai: WHOOOAA!

(Back at HQ, Hinata looks a bit embarrassed…)

Hinata: Um…I-I’m not sure what to say…but if I d-do go now, I’ll say thank you…to everyone who made me welcome…

Triela: Yeah, be damned if you don’t return and I can’t dress you up!

Hinata: Triela-san!!!

(A few laugh as Triela is the first to give a Hinata a hug, soon followed by Kotone and then Aya. Shiine is next, though he’s quite embarrassed…)

Shiine: H-Hinata-san…um…

Hinata: H-hai…

(Shiine goes for the handshake, but turns into a hug. Both participants’ faces are bright red. Negi also looked embarrassed, but he too gets hugged. Hinata turns once…)

(…and surprisingly gets a thumbs up from Ban. Hinata smiles, glancing at Satoshi, before heading out…)

(…and her ride is almost as unusual…)

Kiki: I hope you’ve got good control!

(Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service is our broom expert, or lack of (we couldn’t get one of the Chacha’s girls in yet..) as Hinata nervously straddles on…)

Kiki: Don’t worry, this time I’m sure I can deliver you on time…my rate with people onboard is mostly good…

(Needless to say, Hinata’s panic goes into overdrive…)

*

Ban: Gah – I dunno. Kids today…it doesn’t matter to me…just I get the room myself if Fai goes.

(Aya looks slightly annoyed by that, but then realises…)

Aya: I’ve got no room to do anything…I could have eliminated him.

Kotone: Aya-chan…

Aya: (sighs) I know, and I still will prefer if Hinata comes back. But…the guilt that I’ve done with everyone, it hits you hard when you’re the cause of it. Though some things I won’t feel guilty for…

(Shot of Satoshi watching the window…)

Negi: Satoshi-kun…

Satoshi: Yes?

Negi: I’m just saying this…if Hinata comes back, she’s not going to hold a grudge against you…but…I just might if she doesn’t come back.

(Satoshi nods once…)

Satoshi: I understand. Though I suggest you play with your head Negi, as intelligent as it is, rather than your heart.

(Triela is the first one to notice sounds outside…)

Triela: Is that…

(The recovery van which always picks up the winner of the KG delivers outside the house. The lights turn blue so we can’t tell who it is…)

(…those considering the height difference, it isn’t difficult as those double doors open.)

(And as they do…)

(…smiles hit the majority of the team.)

Ban: Welcome back kiddo.

(Hinata Hyuuga returns to HQ, a little shaken, but not scarred…Kotone almost immediately hugs her as that snaps her out of that…)

Kotone: You did it! You did it!

Hinata: I-I guess I did…

Triela: Oh, don’t hog her Kotone-chan…come here sweetie!

(A smile finally comes onto Hinata’s face as she laughs slightly as Triela’s affection takes over as the group take over…)

Negi: Hey…

Hinata: Hey…

(Shiine looks confused as the two seems to shy away and look embarrassed, fortunately he quickly joins as Ban and Satoshi look on.)

Ban: Mission failed then…

Satoshi: (nods) But…this makes things much more interesting.

(As Hinata shows the sword which she got from the KG, Satoshi says a line I’ve used in every MG fic…and he smiles.)

Satoshi: Now the game begins.

(Hinata is fussed over like a grandchild at a grandparent’s first Xmas. Fai D. Flowright however has moved onto another world…)

*

*

Oh man, this is getting good!

I must admit torturing the detectives is extremely fun –angst isn’t my style at times but man I enjoyed this – it gets even more fun later on, the next two chapters in particular.

Well, a third of the detectives gone, and we say goodbye to Fai! Sorry Tsubasa fans, and trust me, I’m one of them – Fai was just there to aid comic relief and be a fun character to write. Trust me, any scene with Fai and Ban was a joy to write – and actually he lasted a lot longer than he had any right to be, mainly because he’s so fun to write I couldn’t kill him off straight away.

Quite a few developments of the relationships as well – and I think people can spot one of my trademarks slowly developing, but we’ll focus on that later. Needless to say though, Satoshi is certainly playing the game and knows who to really focus on and his emotions have been put to the back burner. It failed this time, but it shows how dangerous this guy is.

Also, this chapter shows the first real crossover with Inside HQ. Two key events are mentioned here which aren’t in Chapter 3 – Negi helping Triela after her problems with her medicine and also Kotone and Hinata using Hinata’s Byakugan to spy on Satoshi’s answers. Read Inside HQ as much as this, it can give you good hints to various partnerships and indeed, eliminations in the future.

Now, a few more points;

The fight between Tamahome and Hinata showcased a different sort of Hinata. This was inspired by her role in the Bikouchou arc filler (I know it’s a filler, but it was pretty damn good) and also in the 4^th Naruto Gamecube Game. You can unlock a version of her which is ‘Unleashed.’ And she’s evil! :P

Onigiri in relation to Fruits Basket is a testimony to the greatness that is Tohru Honda, who in one episode, was labelled as an onigiri during a child’s game called Fruits Basket, and of course, was never called up, as an onigiri doesn’t belong in a Fruits Basket. She’s all probably my second favourite anime female now after Sora Naegino (Kaleido Star) – yep, Ruri is gone (actually 4^th thanks to the goddess that is Eri Sachikawa from School Rumble) off the top – Tohru is one part Belldandy, and another part Yurika – sweet, ditzy, funny, hardworking, sometimes smart, sometimes stupid. Overall though she is a healer with them, and one of the hardest things in this fic was not including her in MG3. The main reason is that I would really struggle to find a way of eliminating Tohru for personal preferences, as well as real reasoning (she not smart enough to be a threat, but is too well likeable for anyone to vote her off). As for any other characters of Furuba…well, the curse should be enough. (That, and if I sent Momiji or Kisa to a killer’s game, I’d probably get a few hundred killing e-mails…^_^)

I mention the show ‘Karin’ during the Hoshinos inquiry. Karin is one of the few anime I’m enjoying at the moment on fansub. It’s basically a comedy vampire show, Karin is a female vampire, who is odd in the fact she can survive in sunlight, and she actually produces blood, and when she bites someone (she’s attracted to people who are unhappy) she injects blood rather than drains it. The joke here is Karin’s little sister Anju looks and acts just like Ruri-Ruri…which automatically made her my favourite character. ^_^

GDW is in reference to obviously GTO, aka, Great Teacher Onizuka. It is the initials Nabeshin gives himself in the Excel Saga spin-off Puni Puni Poemy, and it does stand for Great Director Watanabe. Sadly, not even Brett Weaver’s voice of Nabeshin can save this show…as frankly, it’s terrible. They tried to make ep26 of Excel Saga for an hour…and failed miserably.

The reference to a scar around Ban’s eye when Triela warns him not to rip Touji’s metal arm off is an obvious reference to Full Metal Alchemist, one of the few series that actually lives up to it’s popularity and hype. Scar + Metal Arm (Edward Elric) = Instant call to Winry. Nuff said.

Tamahome and a book…well, if you don’t know what I’m talking about, watch more Fushigi Yuugi. I’m NOT spoiling that.

The supplier, ‘Diamond Daydreams’ is actually a reference of a series I’m interested in picking up, it’s the name of a series following a series of romance tale (reminds me – Adam, I WILL BE LOOKING FOR SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY NOW). I’ve only watched the ep I got from Newtype, but there is a struggling fishmarket there, I guess Hikari would be looking to see if she could get a good deal there…

With Fai riding with Shampoo, the phrase ‘roasting chesnuts on an open fire’ also comes from Ranma, the translation to Ranma’s speed punch technique, the ‘Gactutenshi Amaguriken…’

In order of cameos during the press conference:

Kino – Kino’s Journey – one of the few series not only do Adam and I agree on it’s brilliance, it’s a show that I glanced at first, then on episode two, I was drawn in, and by episode 3 I was captivated. I’ve now bought the thinpack and enjoying the dub (Kelly Cousins last ADV performance as Kino is brilliant, whilst Cynthia Martinez as Hermes has the right amount of humour and sarcasm as the motorad) as much as the Japanese. Brilliant stuff which I found even better than Lain and Paranoia Agent. One of two new series in my top 10, the other being…

Fakir – Princess Tutu – it’s official. Most of my favourite anime use unusual themes as a benchmark and make it wonderful. Kaleido Star (circus), Princess Nine (baseball), Kino’s Journey (travelling) and now Princess Tutu (ballet). Fakir is a character a la Kaleido Star’s May Wong – a character I detested to start but now all out adore. This asshole had a reason for being an asshole, and now with some humanity and his friendship to Ahiru (Duck) – it is so sweet. The show however is gorgeous, beautiful, tear jerking (Luci Christian wasn’t the only one crying), deep, sweet, strong and everything in between. The ballet motif actually enhances it’s brilliance, I can’t say enough good things about this.

Ringo – Angelic Layer – the idol of the Layer, Ringo is one of many characters which are making me wonder if I should lose my religious faith in blunettes and now go on the blonde track. Eri and Sarah from School Rumble recently just enhance that philosophy…damn them…

Bulma – DBZ – Probably my first (and last) DBZ reference in a long while.

Yolei – Digimon – Mole cameo. Yay!

Tomari – Kashimashi (Girls Meets Girl) – another rare fansub I’m enjoying at the moment – Tomari is the tough girl in between Hazumu and Yasuna in this unique romantic comedy – unique because all three characters are female…but even more unique that the lead character (Hazumu) was originally male! One quick alien sex change later, and Hazumu embraces his feminity which she pretty much had when she was a he. A lot of space cases in this but it’s good fun, and some surprisingly deep moments. Enjoyable little series.

Mao – Princess 9 – The former judo expert turned catcher for the Kisaragi Nine, Mao has a reserved personality despite her huge frame. Still, she reminds me of Satsuki from Negima, a character in the background with a large frame (though Satsuki isn’t as large as Mao) but a great heart and a lovable character. Also, her last name is Daidouji, which quickly falls onto…

Tomoyo – CCS – I really hope I don’t have to explain this one. ^_^

So until next time!