Chapter 9
A Missing Arm?
I wake up on the couch, and I realize I fell asleep waiting on him to get back, or at least to hear from him or something, but... Nothing.
But when I wake up, Len is standing in the kitchen, dropping a newspaper on the table.
I jump up and rush over to him, pausing in the doorway.
Oh my gosh... His arm...
He's wearing a black trench coat, and as he sees me enter, I realize that one sleeve is hanging loose. Did he... Did he lose his arm?
I freeze, my breath catching in my throat. "I- I'm so... I'm so sorry!" I cry, tears filling my eyes. "I can't believe it... I am so, so sorry!" I can't control myself, I cost him his arm... I can't believe I...
He doesn't reply, staring at me, looking somewhat dazed.
"You lost your arm, didn't you?" I ask, and he suddenly smiles.
"That's a long story. I just got back, I'm exhausted, so I'm going to bed." He says, and I realize it's not even morning yet.
"How... How can you smile? It's all my fault you got hit by that car, I'm so sorry!" I apologize again, stepping in front of him.
Suddenly, I realize something. The newspaper headline...
Detective Gakupo, investigating Rin, Len's assistant, was found dead late last night.
The now-deceased detective was stabbed to death, having several wounds in both the chest and stomach.
The man was undercover, investigating Rin, who was suspected of the murder of both Luka and the missing person Kaito.
Both were detectives, both investigating Len...
I don't read the rest, looking up at Len in surprise.
His face shows something that looks almost crazy... His eyes are wide and his mouth an ever-smile, it seems like it will never stop.
"Len?" I ask, taking a step back.
He laughs, suddenly, the same wild laughter I've heard from him twice. "Who is the culprit?" He asks, stepping forward and tilting my head up by my chin.
I stare at him in shock, my mouth dropping slightly from surprise. "W- What?"
"You know the answer to the question, don't you? Who is the culprit?" He demands, dropping my chin and running his fingers through his hair. "The first mystery, is why he was alone in his room, drinking a poisoned bottle of wine." He says, his eyes holding a far-away look as he begins to pace. "The reason is simple, at that point in time... He was destined to die."
"Len...?" Is he admitting to the crimes? He can't be, that would mean...
"So who is the culprit? You know the answer to that question, because you saw the scene with your own eyes." He states, stopping with his back turned towards me.
I watch him, keeping my face blank.
"Even if you don't say the answer, I will answer it for you... The way this crime will end." He spins around, his eyes wild. "The second mystery is, why did they fall into the ocean, and was the culprit really who I accused?" He asks.
I remain silent as he steps in front of me. His eyes are insane, and I begin to feel fearful.
He resumes pacing, and I take out the knife. It has dried blood on the blade... He doesn't realize this, and continues talking.
"The fatal mistake in my plan... Was the other detective that was dragged into this." He states, not looking at me, staring at the floor. Which detective? Me? Luka? Kaito, or Gakupo?
Suddenly, he whirls around and hits the knife from my hand. It clatters to the floor, and I stare into his eyes. "So, who is the culprit?" Calm down, Len.
I glance at the newspaper, realizing something. I grasp the empty sleeve of his coat and pull it hard, ripping the coat from his body.
The coat drops to the floor, and I stare at him. His arm, the 'missing', arm, is there.
Covered in dried blood. He holds his arms out in front of him, comparing the bloody arm to the other. "Come, say the name of the person in front of you, say my name!" He commands, the smile still on his face. It's as if this is nothing to him, as if he doesn't care. "I really didn't want you to find out, I will give you this chance, if you want to run away then run away quickly!" He commands, and I don't move.
He holds out the bloody hand to me, smiling kindly. "So, who is the culprit?" He asks, again, and I smile. "There may be more than one answer to that question."
I just look at him, then I smile. "There were actually two wine glasses, weren't there?" I ask, already knowing the answer. He doesn't reply, smiling. "Even if he hadn't died from poison, he would've eventually died by the knife, right?" I ask, not expecting an answer. "I've only thought that everything you said was a lie, were you really the detective in that crime?" I point at him, my face falling into a frown now. "The atrocious culprit is..." I frown deeper. "Not you."
He doesn't reply, watching me in curiosity, that smile still on his face.
"That arm that you saved me with... Was used to play the piano, if I had known that, would I have still taken the job?" I ask aloud, more to myself than to him.
I sigh. "If I person who can solve this riddle appears, I will trap them inside this story." I state, picking the knife up from the ground and twirling it in my fingers. "I killed them, Len. For you."
"Why?" He asks, the smile still on his face.
"I knew all along it was you. I was... I was trying to find proof, at first. But after a while... I realized that... I wanted you to be free." I whisper the last part, blushing and turning away. "Luka... Luka was an accident, she had proof that it was you in the boat case, you see? She had proof! I couldn't let her do it, let her turn you in, so I... I killed her." I smile, meeting his eyes again. "But Kaito? He found her proof, and was going to turn you in, too! So I had to get rid of them both! I had to, or you'd be caught." I shake my head. "I didn't mean too, I was so against murder, and then... I was a murderer. But I had reason! You told me everyone has a reason, right? Even if it's still wrong."
He smiles at me, ever-on.
"I knew it was you after seeing the proof. But now..." Now I'm a murderer, for you. What are you going to do about it, Len? What?
I suppose he could kill me, and get rid of the evidence. Then he'd be free. As long as he's free... I guess... I motion to the coffee table, where the folder holding the proof is. "Take it, okay? Whatever you do, there's the proof..."
"Why would you do all this?" He asks, obviously amused.
I lower my eyes to the floor, turning my face away from him. "I..." I can't finish it, even though it's true. I love you.
Instead of replying, he takes a step closer, tilting my head back. His eyes meet mine, and for a split second, I feel like I'm about to cry. Everything I've done, I've done it for him, and yet... I can't say what I really feel.
But before I have the chance, he presses his lips to mine, and kisses me. His bloody arm wraps around my waist, and his other grasps my hand.
After a few seconds, he pulls back. My lips tingle... "I love you, Rin, I killed her for you." He states. "He was your waiter at the coffee shop, and saw you with Luka. I couldn't let that happen."
"I love you too." I state, quietly.
Welcome to our world.
No comments:
Post a Comment