Otomedori-4

Inside the police station, Kazuki was ushered into a room where Officer Nakamura and another officer were waiting. The other officer, who appeared to be in a higher position based on his demeanour and the respect Nakamura showed him, greeted Kazuki with a serious expression.

"Good to see you again, Kazuki," Officer Nakamura began, gesturing for him to take a seat. "This is Chief Inspector Takeda. He's overseeing the investigation."

Kazuki nodded politely. "Good morning, Chief Inspector."

Chief Inspector Takeda, a stern-looking man in his late fifties with greying hair and a no-nonsense attitude, studied Kazuki for a moment before speaking. "Morning, Kazuki. I've been briefed on your involvement in this case. First, let me commend you for your bravery and the invaluable evidence you've provided."

"Thank you, sir," Kazuki replied with a calm expression.

Takeda leaned forward, placing his hands on the table. "We've made substantial progress based on the evidence you gave us. However, there are a few critical points we need to address, and we believe you can help us tie up these loose ends."

Kazuki glanced at Officer Nakamura, who nodded encouragingly. "I'll do whatever I can to help, sir."

Takeda opened a folder on the table, revealing documents and photographs. "First, almost every one of the old men involved in these crimes has been found paralyzed. This happened last night, the same night you provided the evidence. Can you explain how this occurred?"

Kazuki took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "I don't think that I will be able to explain it to you, sir, and even if I did, you might not believe my words."

"Oh?" Takeda looked at him with a curious gaze. "Now I want to know what you have in store for us that we wouldn't believe."

Before replying, Kazuki turned to look at the other officer and, as if understanding his gaze, Nakamura nodded with a smile.

Kazuki took a deep breath before speaking. "I wasn't the only one who was collecting the documents of their crimes, sir."

"Someone helped you?" Takeda's eyes narrowed but a look of understanding appeared on his face. "Some things are starting to make sense now..."

"He didn't help me, sir. He simply didn't wish to show his face at the police station," Kazuki seriously said. "When I reached that teacher's home, I saw him inside the teacher's bedroom with multiple needles in his hands. He had inserted some of them inside the teacher's legs as well..."

"Acupuncture..." Takeda mumbled under his breath. "It's no wonder we didn't understand how their legs got paralyzed all of a sudden."

"After seeing me, he gave me the pen drives as well as the other documents and told me to hand them over to the police station," Kazuki said. "Sir, he was even carrying a real sword on his back..."

"What??" Takeda's eyes widened in shock and surprise at his words. "Are you sure?"

If someone like that is carrying a real sword, it would mean that the civilians are in danger.

"Yes, he cut a lock in front of me, and he seemed very skilful with it." Kazuki nodded. "I couldn't see his face as it was covered in a mask, but I did hear him talking to a guy on the phone."

"Who?" Takeda asked with a narrowed gaze.

"Xiao Yan," Kazuki replied. "He seems to be calling him brother."

After hearing his words, both officers fell into deep thoughts while Kazuki on the other hand was talking to the Star system.

'Delete all the footage of me when I came to my house that night,' he mentally ordered. 'They won't suspect me, but it's better to be safe than sorry.'

Takeda finally broke the silence. "Kazuki, this changes things. We'll need to look into this masked man and his connection to Xiao Yan. But your cooperation and the information you've provided are invaluable."

Kazuki nodded. "I'm just glad I could help, sir."

As Kazuki stood to leave, Chief Inspector Takeda extended his hand. "Thank you again, Kazuki. Your actions have been invaluable in bringing these criminals to justice."

Officer Nakamura chimed in, "Before you go, Kazuki, we'd like to ask for your bank details."

Kazuki paused, looking puzzled. "Why do you need my bank details, sir?"

Takeda smiled warmly. "The government wishes to reward the person who has helped us dismantle such a large network of criminals. It's a token of appreciation for your bravery and service."

Kazuki hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I'll provide my details."

He scribbled down his bank information and handed it over to Nakamura. "Thank you, sir."

"You've earned it, Kazuki," Nakamura said, patting him on the shoulder. "We appreciate everything you've done."

Kazuki left the police station, feeling a mixture of relief and satisfaction. He flagged down a taxi and gave the driver his address, leaning back in the seat as he reflected on the whirlwind of events.

As the taxi drove through the busy streets of Tokyo, Kazuki's thoughts drifted to his little sister and Otome, who were probably still at the park. He smiled, looking forward to spending the rest of the day with them.

When he arrived home, he paid the taxi driver and stepped out, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air.

Kazuki then made his way to the park where he had left Rinka and Otome. He spotted them sitting on a blanket under a large cherry blossom tree, their faces lighting up when they saw him approaching.

As soon as he reached them, Rinka and Otome bombarded him with questions.

"Onii-chan, where did you go?" Rinka asked, her eyes wide with concern.

"Kazuki-kun, is everything alright?" Otome added, her voice filled with worry.

Kazuki raised his hands in a calming gesture. "I'll explain everything once we get back home. But for now, let's enjoy this small picnic together. It's a beautiful day, and we shouldn't waste it."

Rinka and Otome exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Kazuki sat down on the blanket, and they resumed their picnic.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with laughter, light-hearted conversation, and the joy of each other's company.

They played card games, shared snacks, and reminisced about happier times. Kazuki found himself relaxing, the tension from the morning's events slowly ebbing away.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the park, Kazuki gathered their belongings, and the trio walked back while chatting and laughing.

When they reached the house, Otome hesitated at the doorway.

"Thanks for inviting me, but I should probably head home," She said, glancing at her watch. "It's getting late."

"Come on, Otome-chan," Kazuki said, gently pulling her by the arm much to her shyness. "Stay for dinner. We hardly get to spend time together like this."

Seeing his movements, Rinka glared at Otome but decided to support her elder brother. "Yes, please stay! We can make something special together, and it'll be fun."

Otome bit her lip, looking uncertain. "I don't know. I don't want to intrude..."

"You're not intruding at all!" Rinka insisted irritation could be felt in her tone.

Kazuki added, "We insist. Besides, it's too late to go home on an empty stomach."

Otome glanced at the sibling who wanted her to stay and then nodded. "Only if I help in making dinner."

"Deal!" Rinka exclaimed, grabbing Otome's hand and leading her to the kitchen. "Let's see what we can whip up."

As they entered the kitchen, Kazuki began assigning tasks. "Rinka, you handle the vegetables. Otome, can you set the table and get the ingredients ready? I'll take care of the main dish."

Otome rolled up her sleeves, smiling. "You got it, chef!"

The kitchen buzzed with activity and laughter as they worked together. Rinka expertly chopped vegetables, her movements swift and precise. Otome set the table with a practised hand, occasionally stealing a glance at the siblings, feeling a warm sense of belonging.

Kazuki, meanwhile, worked on preparing the main dish, his focus and determination evident. He occasionally glanced over at the girls, a smile playing on his lips as he watched them interact.

Even though Rinka didn't like her to sacrifice her time with her elder brother, she still needed a good friend and that happens to be Otome.

No matter how much she dislikes the pink-haired girl for trying to steal her elder brother, she still gets along with her pretty well especially after she opened up about her suffering with him.

As the aromas of their cooking filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, Otome felt her earlier hesitation melt away. She realised how much she enjoyed these moments with Kazuki and Rinka, and how grateful she was to be a part of their lives.

Once the dinner was ready, they served it on the dining table, the spread looking impressive and appetising. They sat down and began to eat, enjoying the fruits of their labour. The meal was filled with light-hearted conversation and playful teasing, the earlier tension forgotten.

As they finished their meal, Otome leaned back in her chair, a contented smile on her face. "I'm really glad I stayed. This was wonderful."

Rinka beamed. "We're glad you stayed too, Otome-chan. It wouldn't have been the same without you."

Kazuki nodded in agreement. "Definitely. You're always welcome here, anytime."

Otome felt a warmth in her chest, her earlier doubts now completely dispelled. "Thank you, both of you. I feel so lucky to have friends like you."

"You're not just a friend," Kazuki said, reaching out to squeeze Otome's hand. "You're family."

His words made her entire face turn crimson red in embarrassment much to the jealousy of the little girl.

Rinka still smiled, albeit a little forceful. "Exactly. Now, how about we clean up and then relax for a bit?"

The three of them quickly cleared the table and washed the dishes, working together seamlessly.

With all that done, Otome quickly prepared tea for the three of them before joining the siblings in the living room. They settled down, but both girls had serious expressions on their faces, clearly eager to ask Kazuki some important questions.

"Can you tell us now where you went in the morning, Kazuki-kun?" Otome asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Rinka remained silent, but her serious expression mirrored Otome's.

Kazuki took a deep breath. "Do you remember the news you showed us this morning?"

"The crime syndicate one...?" Otome asked, a bit confused by his question.

"I was the one who gave the evidence to the police," Kazuki revealed, his tone serious. "And the senior officer called me in to discuss the details further."

"Wait, what?" Otome looked at him in shock. "You? But how?"

Right now, the entire country is buzzing with the news, and everyone knows about the person who exposed these criminals. To think that person was sitting right in front of her was unbelievable.

Hearing Otome's question, Rinka flinched slightly and lowered her eyes.

Kazuki noticed and decided to keep his explanation simple, avoiding any mention of Rinka's suffering. "I noticed an old man following a little girl in the park. He didn't look like someone with good intentions, so I decided to investigate. I ended up sneaking into his house at night and found the evidence there. When I realised what I had, I went straight to the police."

Otome's eyes widened with admiration and shock. "Kazuki-kun, that's incredibly brave... and dangerous. I can't believe you did that."

Rinka looked up, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and sadness. "Onii-chan, you did all that... for those girls?" She of course knew that it was for her but she still asked.

Kazuki nodded. "I couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Those men needed to be stopped."

Otome leaned forward, her eyes shining with tears. "Kazuki-kun, you're a hero. Those girls, their families... Everyone owes you so much."

Kazuki shook his head. "I just did what anyone should do. Those men were monsters, and they needed to be brought to justice."

Rinka squeezed his hand, her voice soft. "Thank you, Onii-chan. For everything."

As someone who had been harmed by those old men since she was a kid, it felt great to hear that they wouldn't be able to do the same to other children.

Otome wiped away a tear and managed a smile. "I am sure everyone would want to thank you right now."

Kazuki smiled at them and then glanced at the clock on the wall. "I think it's time to call it a day."

Seeing the time, Otome quickly stood up with an anxious expression. "My grandma is going to be very angry with me for being so late."

Otome turned to look at the siblings and smiled. "I will take my leave now. Thanks for inviting me to have such a wonderful day."

"I'll drop you." Kazuki got up from his seat. "It's not wise to walk alone at night."

"I'll head back to my room, Onii-chan..." Rinka mumbled and began to walk toward her room on the first floor.

"Can you wait here for a moment?" Saying that Kazuki followed behind his little sister, drawing an amused smile from Otome.

Kazuki grabbed Rinka's hand and held it tightly. "I am here for you, Rinka."

"I know..." Rinka mumbled, her eyes beginning to moisten, but she held herself. "It feels so weird to have your support all of a sudden."

"Forgive me for not being there when you needed me the most..." Kazuki spoke, his voice laced with self-loathing. "If I had only seen your pain earlier, you wouldn't have had to suffer so much because of me..."

"It's not your fault, Onii-chan. I am the one to blame for not telling you about this earlier..." Rinka's hold tightened as memories of the first day entered her mind. "B-But it would have been nice if you were there to help me, Onii-chan. I felt so scared, so sad when I kept shouting your name and you weren't there to help me..."

"I wish I had been there, Rinka..." Kazuki mumbled, an angry expression on his face. "If I had been, I would have killed all of them."

Rinka hugged her brother tightly. "But you're here now, and that's what matters."

Kazuki nodded, holding her close. "You're right. I'll always be here for you now."

The siblings then walked into her room.

Kazuki then gently tucked Rinka into bed, smoothing the blanket over her. "Goodnight, Rinka," he whispered, bending down to kiss her forehead.

Rinka smiled, her eyes closing as she settled into her pillow. "Goodnight, Onii-chan."

As she drifted off to sleep, Kazuki softly mumbled, "From tomorrow, everything will be alright. I'll fix everything tonight."

He quietly left her room, making sure not to wake her, and headed downstairs to the living room where Otome was waiting.

Otome looked up as he entered, concern etched on her face. "Is she okay?"

Kazuki nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "She will be. Thank you for staying, Otome-chan. Let's go; I'll walk you home."

Otome smiled softly, sensing his resolve. "Alright, Kazuki-kun. Let's go."

They stepped out into the night, walking together in comfortable silence. The cool air was refreshing, and the quiet allowed Kazuki to gather his thoughts.

When they reached Otome's house, she turned to him with a grateful expression. "Thank you for everything today, Kazuki-kun. You really are amazing."

Kazuki shook his head modestly. "Just doing what I have to do."

Her expression suddenly changed, and her eyes filled with anger. Before he could ask what was wrong, she suddenly hugged him tightly.

Startled, Kazuki asked softly, "Otome-chan, what's wrong?"

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. "You don't need to do this again, Kazuki-kun. You might not think much of your own life, but I care for you. If something had happened to you that night, I don't know how I would be able to live."

Kazuki felt a pang of guilt and gently wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry, Otome-chan. I didn't mean to make you worry. I promise it won't happen again."

He then kissed her forehead gently. "Get some good sleep, okay? Tomorrow, everything will be fine."

Otome nodded, trying to smile through her tears. "Okay. Goodnight, Kazuki-kun."

"Goodnight, Otome-chan," he replied, watching as she walked into her house.

Once he was sure she was safely inside, a serious expression settled on Kazuki's face. Determined, he turned and made his way to the park—the park where the tragedy had first struck his sister. His mind raced with thoughts of what he needed to do next.

'Star, are you ready?' Kazuki asked.

Are you sure you're doing this? You will be left with only 2000 Star points after doing this.

'I am ready.' Kazuki mentally replied and then closed his eyes when he reached the park.

"Come forth, my sword..."