Mirror X~

-You were aware of that this is not your property? The cuffs close locking his hands in place. Limits their movement of freedom.

-Yeah. Young boy rolls his eyes.

-Yet you chose to steal this. A second cop states.

-Yeah, yeah, what’s your point?

-By law, we are to arrest you in possession of stolen evidence contrary to the murder of Chisato Kada.

-When...murdered? He almost coughs.

-Surprised there? The policeman gives an amused, mocking glance. As they all say, anything you say here can be used against you in the court of law. Those Americans come up with some catchy lines...

-If you think I murdered that bitch, it’s—

-We hear this all the time. Get in. The cop shoves him in the jail cell of the car. Young boy says not a word. The door shuts the light away.

He glares.

Another cop enters the car. The silence shatters. Flashing lights spin and strike his eyes several times. Red and blue. Red and blue. Red and blue. All become a dizzy blur.

-I want to speak to my parents to get a lawyer.

-After we notify them you’re arrested.

-Tanaka!

-What is it?

-All over the house. Junk. Those drugs lying around.

The sweaty policeman turns around in his seat.

-A motive we found then? He laughs. Ari spits and lands in the peace officer’s balding hair.

-Damn teenagers never learn.

Young boy hears the radio go off.

-Over and out. 2:18AM.

Minoko wakes and stares at the dark mirror.

Morning sun blooms early today. Messy hair falls in front of her face. She groans for a moment.

I just washed this mop yesterday, she thinks to herself pulling several bits of dandruff. Maybe it is my bed sheets. Her hands run against the soft covers.

Yes, that must be it.

She stands and maintains her balance, takes hair clips from the table and places it neatly in her hair. A full hearted sigh. Where could the boy have gone to now? It was not her place to check where he is, but a bit of her wants to know.

-What is the matter? Ever seen a dead body before? The detective mocks. The boy ignores him and stares at the body like trapped within a trance. Drug dealing, gang fights, strip clubs opened illegally to minors. He has never seen a dead body. A mutilated face.

She was once a beautiful girl. Black, long hair, always wore blue or red contacts because the Japanese brown was so boring. Scars on her body might hint rape or assault but the haunting eyes.

Haunting eyes will pierce his. The source of the blow to her life lies in her heart. Ari looks away. It is enough to absorb.

-A murderer can’t look at his own work? The detective laughs.

-I didn’t kill her.

-What were you doing at her house then? The inquisitor questions. A middle-aged man in his mid-forties, hair slightly balding, and eyes that feel like they can read all truth in lies.

-Looking to find something else to take. I didn’t kill her.

-What were you searching for to take?

-Bastard, I didn’t kill her. He snaps again. A harsh, rebellious tone.

-Who do you think killed her? The inquisitor’s eyes narrow. Suspicion draws nearer, closer.

-I don’t care if you place me under arrest. You have the wrong guy. I don’t know who killed her.

-Sir, who do you think killed her? The stoic man repeats his question.

-It’s only a suspicion. The boy’s voice lowers. Most of us know him by Tashiro Itami.

Cram school is expected to be as boring as the many other classes. Minoko sits down and watches other people walk in. She is the third to arrive out of forty. The class will start in ten minutes.

No one comes until the last five minutes, she sighs and takes out her materials that will be needed. Binder. Pencils. Calculator. Japanese-English dictionary. The room becomes a little more chatty. About half of the class is here now. No sign of Yosai or Sadao.

What am I thinking? She questions herself and looks down. To expect them to sit next to me? What happened the other day meant nothing.

A third of the class is now in. Three more minutes until class starts. The teacher is not in.

-Minoko. Her head jerks up the moment she wishes to rest. Hi.

This must be a wishful dream, she thinks to herself.

-Hello. She replies.

-May I sit? Yosai asks. She nods quickly and moves aside. Sadao is ditching today.

Sadao never ditches. She glances at him. He looks awfully pale, she realizes. What am I doing? What does he want with me now? I have had too many emotional roller coasters within the past three days. Reminder, he has never talked to me for the past thousand years of my life. So why now?

-Did you find it?

-What?

-The necklace.

-Nope. He says with a hint of temper. His foot kicks the edge of the table. Can’t even find my sister, either.

What? She asks herself. He does not respond to her blank look of confusion. It must not be too serious. Perhaps she took off like I would...

-Talked to Ari lately? He asks.

-No, I haven’t.

-That asshole. He grumbles. Minoko winces and looks away. She does not say a word. First the necklace, now her. I bet.

-What happened to your sister?

-You deaf? He snaps. She looks away flustered. She’s gone missing.

Minoko looks back with a startled look.

-Yes, that’s right. He hasn’t bragged to you about any sort of victory or anything? Yosai glares. An accusing glare. Pointing fingers far too quickly.

-No, he has not. The quiet girl shakes her head. I’m sorry.

The teacher comes in and yells for the class to settle down. Yosai does not say a word. They do not talk for the rest of the day. He leaves without a word leaving her only to wonder what is happening.