Part 19: May 15 - May 17: Why The Team Shuns Standard Investigation

-Junes Theme-


Dude, take a breath!
Oh, then does that make this our special headquarters?
Yes! Exactly! Nicely put, Yukiko.
Special headquarters...Hmm, that does have a nice ring to it.

-Deduction-

Anyways, as for what was on last night...
Who was that?
I saw it too! I couldn't get a good view of the person's face, but it was a guy, wasn't it?

> You told everyone that you saw someone who looked like a high schooler.

So that's how I looked on TV...Hm? Wait a moment. Didn't all the victims have one thing in common? That they were females with ties to the first incident?
That's what we thought...
But we still don't know who exactly we saw.
In my case, the image on the Midnight Channel changed after I was kidnapped, right?
Yeah, the screen got clear all of a sudden and the program looked like some low-budget TV show. Come to think of it, maybe Teddie was right. Maybe we were seeing the other Yukiko from that world.
But last night, we couldn't clearly see whoever it was. Could that mean...he isn't inside the TV yet? If so, then...
He's still safe for now.
Uh-huh, I think that's safe to assume.
If we can figure out who he is, can we prevent him from being taken?
Yeah...And if all goes well, we might catch the killer in the bargain.
*sigh* But to do that, we need to know who the latest Midnight Channel star is...
I hate to say it, but I guess we'll have to wait another night and see what happens.
Ahehehem...Well, that means if my deductions are correct...
Though the image was hard to make out, and we can't say for sure who it was, it was definitely a young male. But if that's the case, it goes entirely against our prior assumptions...Since we cannot identify the person at this time, we have no choice but to wait and see what happens!
That's exactly what we just said.
Shut up!
*chuckle*
Heehee, aha, ahahahaha! You're so funny, Chie! Ahahaha, oh no! M-My funny bone...!
Not again...
S-Sorry, heeheehee!
This is how Yukiko really is, huh...Who'd have thought?
By the way, about that guy we saw? I get the feeling I've seen him before. Pretty recently, too...
Oh, you too? Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing since last night.
Well, let's check out the TV again tonight and think about it more tomorrow.
Heehee...
Grrr, when are you gonna stop that, you crazy hyena!?
Ahahaha! That's a good one, Chie!



-Who's There?-



> The image is unfocused...But you feel like you've seen him before.


It might be Kanji Tatsumi.
Yeah, I think so too.
I knew I saw him somewhere! It was on TV! He was on that special report! He's one scary dude. He was even yelling at the camera to "Get bent!"
Alright, so we finally have a lead. Let's all get together tomorrow, okay?
Oh, I almost forgot. It's kinda off-subject, but as long as you're on the line, mind if I ask something? It's something I've been meaning to ask for a while. So...what do you think about Yukiko and Chie? I mean, let's not mince words: Which one's your type?


Both.

> You told Yosuke that you don't have a particular preference in girls.

Haha, seriously? Well, you get a better chance that way! Hey, but don't worry. This is just between you and me. Okay, see you tomorrow.

> Yosuke hung up.



-Deduction-


Kanji Tatsumi, huh? He definitely didn't look like the social type.
Now there's an understatement. Isn't he really scary? Did you see the news special the other day?
Yeah, I saw it.
You mean the special on biker gangs? I watched it too.
He wasn't like that when he was younger, though...
You know him, Yukiko?
Uh-huh, but we haven't talked to each other in a long time. His family runs a textile shop, and we've been a customer of theirs for many years. So I speak with Kanji-kun's mother from time to time. Oh, why don't we go there now? We might be able to talk to him in person.
Sounds good. At the very least, we can ask if anything strange has come up lately. I wouldn't want to run into him in a dark alley, but I'm pretty sure he won't fly off the handle at his family's store.
Alright, then let's get going.
If things get rough, we're counting on you guys!

> You decided to go to Kanji Tatsumi's house to have a chat with him.


Shop owner: Ah, Yuki-chan. It's so nice to see you.


Shop owner: I'm sorry that I couldn't help more.
It's all right; you've given me plenty to think about. Thank you.


I 'unno. Never seen him before.
Shop owner: Yuki-chan, you're as lovely as always. Your features are starting to remind me of your mother when she was young. How can I help you today? Are you out shopping with your friends?
Oh, um, well...actually...
Hey, this scarf--I've seen this somewhere before...

-Who's There?-


Oh! It was that place! Inside the TV!
That's right! That room with those faceless posters. Then it's that announcer's...
Shop owner: Are you acquaintances of Ms. Yamano?
Uh, well, kinda. Um...Did Ms. Yamano happen to have a scarf like this?
Shop owner: Yes, it was a special order she placed. She actually ordered a pair, but in the end, she said she only wanted the women's scarf. It left us with no choice but to sell this one separately.
Oh man...There IS a connection to the first case! What are we gonna do?
H-How should I know?
Doorbell: *BING BONG*
Deliveryman: Hello! Delivery here for the Tatsumis.
Shop owner: Oh, I'll be right there. I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me.
Oh, it's okay. We should get going.
I'll come again, Ma'am.
Shop owner: Is that so? Well, then please say hello to your mother for me.
It really is connected to the first case after all...But it's just a scarf. Would the killer target someone just because of that? Dammit, what's going on?
C'mon, let's talk outside.


Wha--Quick, hide!


Shhh! I can't hear what they're saying!

> You eavesdropped on Kanji's conversation with the boy...


Huh? S-School? 'Course I'm going to school.
Then I'll meet you at the gates after school tomorrow.


He's a guy...and I'm a guy...But he's interested in me...?











Such yells! This is clearly one bad mamma jamma who doesn't even give a hoot.

-Deduction-

The one on TV last night was definitely Kanji-kun.
Yeah...And I just realized something. Remember the common points we were talking about? His mom fits the pattern. She's a woman, and she knew Ms. Yamano.
But it was her son who appeared on TV...So what does that mean?
Kanji's a target.
Yeah, that's what it seemed like based on the TV image. But his mother fits the pattern more than he does.
Oh...Maybe it's similar to my case. If you think about it, my mother fit the victim profile more than I did.
She was the one who dealt directly with Ms. Yamano...but I was the one who was targeted.
Does that mean it'll be the kid again, instead of the mother?
But if that's true, then the killer's motive makes no sense at all. It'd have nothing to do with silencing witnesses or revenge or anything.
Y'think we're on the wrong track? Maybe even the first case had nothing to do with grudges or revenge...Or is there some kinda secret in the textile shop itself?
Argh! I'm totally lost!
But we can't ignore this.
Hmmm...Why don't we just go ahead and ask Kanji himself? We could at least see if anything odd's happened lately. He scares the wits out of me, but...
Hey, wasn't Kanji making plans with that weird kid a moment ago? Something about meeting up at school.
I heard he's been skipping school ever since the new year started. Doesn't that seem a little suspicious?
Yeah, something did seem weird.
It's suspicious, all right. There's something funny going on here...I can sense it.
"Sense?" You sound like Teddie. Still, we might find some clues.
Alright. Let's try staking out both Kanji and his family's store. We definitely don't want the killer getting ahead of us. That being said...Yukiko, can I have your cell number?
Hey...Was this your plan all along?
Uh, no? I got everybody's phone number except for hers.
And the Y section of my address book needs some filling out.
*sigh* While we're on the subject, could you stop calling me at night just to tell dirty jokes? You really sound like a pervert.
H-Hey! I'm trying to have a conversation with Yukiko here!
Oh, that reminds me--I need to buy tofu on my way home.
Whoa...She didn't hear a word I said.
Okay then, the stakeout is set for tomorrow.
Hmm...Stakeouts...Tailing people...
Whoo, I'm getting goosebumps!

> You decided to stake out Kanji and the textile shop tomorrow.



> You should rest early today to get ready for tomorrow...



-Deduction-


Yes, Ma'am! Visual ID confirmed! Target arrived in-zone near the end of his mess break, with mother-issued rations in hand. Current status: In the bathroom, fixing his hair. The target was acting nervous. I left my position before he had a chance to pick on me!
I wonder what kind of plans they made...It didn't seem like he knew that boy very well.
Well, I think there's something more subtle--
Oh, he's here!


No, I-I just got here too...


Anyways! We gotta hurry after them or we'll lose them!
Okay...Then let's split up into two groups. One team will follow Kanji, and the other will stake out the shop.



You're stuck with Yukiko here. If you pick Yosuke, Chie says she doesn't want to face Kanji without a boy as backup, and if you pick her, she says she doesn't trust Yosuke not to perv on Yukiko or something.
Sure...that's fine with me.
Oh man, they're almost out of sight! C'mon, Yosuke!
So, I'm pairing up with Chie...? Eh, okay. Alright! We'll need to pretend we're on a date to make it look natural!
Not in a million years! There'll be no need for that if we stay out of sight. Sheesh...Let's hurry up and go!


Oh...U-Um, that leaves us in charge of staking out the textile shop.
So...shall we?


Everything seems fine at the shop. I hope it stays that way. Do you think the culprit will come...?
No worries, I'll protect you.
"Just don't ask who will protect me. That's sort of up in the air, still."
Huh...? O-Okay...Thanks.
...I'm counting on you.
It would be scary if the culprit did show up...
But if they do, I'll do what I can to help you catch them. You all saved my life...I don't want to be the only one doing nothing.
I mean...I'm sure there's something I can do...
Oh, sorry.
I went on and on without realizing...I-I guess I'm a little nervous. I've never chatted with a boy my age like this before. Chie, of course, has no problem getting along with guys because of her personality...But I think she's had more fun hanging out with you and Yosuke lately.
...The same is true for me.

> You sense Yukiko's gratitude and affection...

-Strength of Heart-





The High Priestess is The Magician's feminine counterpart--quite literally the Yin to its Yang. Signifies contemplation, passivity, potential, and the unconscious. That J and B are common symbols to see on this card--they stand for Jachin and Boaz, the two bronze pillars that stood at the entrance to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.







The astute reader may begin to detect a theme here.

> You exchanged cell numbers with Yukiko. There seems to be no change over at the shop. You spoke with Yukiko about many different things...




Yeah...We definitely stand out.
No, I mean THEM! I get this weird feeling about them.
Weird? What about them's weird?
Umm...I don't know how to put it. Maybe it's just my imagination...
Hey, how do you think the others are doing?
Beats me. For all we know, he's hitting on Yukiko as we speak.
Yeaaaah, no. He's not like you.
Yukiko doesn't seem to be interested in that stuff anyway.
Wait--are you saying he's interested in her?
Huh!? Uh...I...wouldn't know...We don't really talk about that kinda stuff...Hahahaha.
Now I'm even more suspicious! You know something, don't you?
I-I seriously don't know! It's not like we've been hanging out that long, haha...

-Zone Time-


Oh, well, you see...We're...We're just two crazy lovebirds!
Whaddya mean bird!?
Play along, birdbrain!
Didn't I see you guys yesterday?
A-Ahahahaha...! C-C'mon, it just so happened that we were walking behind you guys. Pure coincidence! Hey! Our houses are just over that way, so we'll be going now...
Um, look, we weren't planning on getting in you guys' way, and there's nothing strange about it, either...
S-Strange!?
Why can't you keep your big mouth shut!?




Hey! Are you listening, dammit!? It seriously ain't like that!


There was nowhere to hide.
Well...let's wait here a little longer. Maybe Kanji-kun will come home.
Yeah...


You're those stupid lovebirds I just saw!
We are not a couple!
Why are you assholes followin' me around!? Dammit, what the hell's going on!?
*sigh* I ain't sayin' this is you guys' fault, but...Dammit! *sigh*
Hey, uh...mind if we ask you something? Has anything strange happened to you lately?
Huh? Strange? What's this "strange" stuff, huh!?? Are you saying that I'm strange!?
Huh? N-No, I didn't mean--!
You shitheads better get the hell out of my face, or I'm taking you down!
Wha--!? Wait, why!?
I look like I'm joking!?



WHAM.



> You ran away from Kanji as fast as your legs would carry you...


Well, nothing happened today, so I guess everything's okay...But it's already been a few days since he appeared on the Midnight Channel.
If this is anything like Yukiko's case, it'll happen soon.
Then we can't let our guard down...I think we should come back tomorrow to check up on him.
Looks like we got no choice.
Let's go home. I'm wiped...



> You're tired from everything that happened today. You should return to your room and rest...Your phone is ringing.


Um, Kanji-kun seems to be missing! I had some calls to make for the inn, so I called the textile shop as well. When I spoke to Kanji-kun's mother...
She told me that he left the house and hasn't returned since. She did say that this happens all the time, but...what do you think?
This sounds bad.
I think so, too. He could be...
It's going to rain again tonight. Maybe the Midnight Channel will come on. Then we'll know for sure if something happened to Kanji-kun or not. I'll make sure to check out the TV at midnight...Talk to you later.

> Yukiko hung up. You need to watch the Midnight Channel...

-Who's There?-

> There's something on the screen. The image is clear and sharp.


Tonight, I'll introduce a superb site for those searching for sublime love that surpasses the separation of the sexes! I'm your host, Kanji Tatsumi, serving you this scandalously special sneak-in report! Goodness gracious, just imagine the things that might happen to me there! Ooooh! Well then, let's get this show on the road! Tootaloo!





Right down to the birthmark and everything!



> Yosuke's too flustered to get his point across.

Calm down.
But that was completely over the top!
Though...It really was Kanji. Dammit...We guessed right, but he still slipped through our fingers.
If only we'd held our ground and stayed there a little longer...*sigh*
In any case, that place that was behind him...What do you think it is? A "superb site for those searching for sublime love?" I just don't get it!
Anyways...We'd better hurry and come up with a plan tomorrow!

> You decided to go to bed.