Chapter 4

???

"I believe we should take this opportunity to introduce ourselves to our guest." "I will start us off. Everyone has taken to calling me Gabriel Sandoval." "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance"

Kira

"The pleasure's all mine."

I stiffened, realizing belatedly I could've been making a better impression of myself. Gabriel Sandoval next turned to his servant.

Gabriel

"My hard-working butler and the chef of tonight's excellent banquet, Sebastian."

Sebastian

"It is a pleasure to meet you."

Sebastian gave me a formal bow.

Kira

"The pleasure is mine."

A butler named Sebastian? How typical is that? ...Except that I recognize your accent, "Sebastian." (

You're Japanese, and I'm willing to bet "Sebastian" isn't your real name.

Gabriel

"It occurs to me we haven't heard your name yet." "I'd be pleased to know it."

I guess there is no harm in that.

Kira

"I'm...Kira."

???

"That's such a pretty name."

The man with the angel's face, sitting across from me, was the first to reply.

???

"I wasn't expecting someone like you to turn up here. I hope we can be friends." "I'm Vincent Vaclavik. I'm a painter. It's nice to meet you.

Kira

"It's nice to meet you too"

Vincent

"And this is my little brother. Go on, Theo, introduce yourself."

"Vincent" nodded at his brother.

Theo

"Theo Vaclavik. I'm an art dealer. Don't confuse me with Vincent."

Kira

"I'll do my best"

Confuse you two? Not likely. Although I would have pinned you for the older brother. Maybe it's his attitude, but Vincent doesn't strike me as the oldest child.

Theo

"My introduction's over. So don't expect to get anything else from me."

He opened a pocket-watch and tapped the back, tap-tap-tap, as if to say, "I've got things to do." What's his hurry? Goodness, is he the opposite of his brother or what? I looked to the next in line. Sitting to the right of Theo was Newt. I hadn't met Newt's eyes for a moment before he looked away from me again. Will you just look at me? I don't bite. If he could've curled up into a ball so small that he disappeared completely, I was certain he would have.

???

I'm Isaac. Isaac Nakamura." "I study physics."

Kira

"Oh, so your name's Isaac? Nice to meet you."

Is he a student? Maybe Cambridge. He's got that South English accent. Just then, I heard one of the windows rising. To my surprise, someone was coming in from outside! I didn't need to hear him speak to know he was Japanese. The man waved at us.

???

"Well, well, would you look at that? I'm a little late, aren't I?...In we go."

He'd just about crossed the windowsill when his sleeve got caught. He pulled at it comically. Ineffectually so. He's wearing an old Taisho-style kimono in the middle of Paris? And he came in through the window? Where do I START with him?

Issac

"...God's Truth, can't you use a door?"

???

"And keep everyone waiting? No, no, the window was much faster."

He smiled, hooked like a fish on the window, but looking as if nothing about that was strange. I was still staring when he freed himself. His eyes fell on me.

???

"Oh, hello there, young one. Why, I'm happy to see you here. How's dinner?"

Kira

"It's…good."

???

"Isn't it? Well, Sebas-kun made it and you wouldn't believe how fast his cooking gets gobbled up."

He nonchalantly took the seat next to Isaac, who immediately slid away from him.

Gabriel

"You arrived just in time. We were all introducing ourselves to our guest."

???

"You'd like me to introduce myself?" "I'm Okitomo Dezaki, just a poor writer struggling to make his way in the world.

Kira

"Okitomo Dezaki. The writer. Okay."

I rubbed my temples. How was my champagne glass doing?...Empty. Now I feel bad. I should have introduced myself as Marie Antoinette. No, Queen Himiko? looked back at the "Vaclavik" brothers. It was "Vincent" who had started this weird chain of nonsense names. Yet he had the most innocent smile. Who are these people? I mean REALLY. This must be for one of those reality-segments they run on morning TV. "Surprise! You've traveled back in time!" They get actors. Everyone sees how panicked the guests get. They laugh...But they need my written permission for that. Besides, why rent out such a grand mansion for a variety skit? And in Paris? That didn't make any sense at all. Now regretted drinking the champagne. Had there been something in it? Never mind. Who's next. Surprise me. Skipping several empty chairs brought us to the coldly beautiful pianist. "Wolfie." That's what the flirt had called him. At the very least, this can't be a joke because this one would never play along.

???

"Milo White. Composer."

Kira

"...Hello, Milo."

It was strange that the man who hated parties would join in on this silly game. Oh, and lest we forget the flirt.

???

"I do believe I'm next!" "I'm Arthur Coleman. Mystery writer." "And don't call me Sir, just Arthur. As long as I get to call you Kira."

I wasn't going to grace that with an answer. Now, I believe that HE's capable of saying anything to anyone if he thought it could get his foot in the door. But would they all be lying to me? No, not lying. They're pseudonyms then...They have to be. They're celebrities or dignitaries, and they're giving me fake names to keep their real identities secret. Or something.

Gabriel

"I believe that leaves you."

Sandoval's velvet voice arrested my fancies. Only one man was left. My protector. He wanted me to get out of here. He promised to answer my questions as soon as we were gone. For some reason, I'd instantly trusted him. More than anyone else here. Would he lie to me too? My dark-haired savior looked at me with those eyes that hid nothing and said.

???

"Nicholas. Nicholas Brooks." "...I'm a soldier."