殺人者
SATSUJINSHA
by 江島ひとみ

August 22, 2002

Chapter One
Prominence

On a Monday morning in downtown Akihabara, congested roads and sidewalks alike would be not be an unusual sight in this portion of Tokyo. Tall buildings and skyscrapers would reign the city with their supreme heights, and in the very heart of the district, the huge clock looming above one of its main street intersections would tick at half-past seven. Everyday the wide screen just below it would feature the daily news, and this morning, the image of a female newscaster reporting.

"Discovered dead in his car last night is Mr. Takeda Satoshi, one of the six major stockholders of the multimillion enterprise, Matsui Freight. The scene of the crime was believed to have occurred at the Matsui Tower in Shinjuku at approximately 10:30 in the evening, shortly just after his departure from work..."

At the crowded intersection below, a young, brown-haired girl looked up at the screen above her. She was a high school student, just happening to cross the street with her friends, when she saw the news report on the screen.

"Authorities assume Mr. Takeda's death is the fourth assassination that has occurred since last month, when the murder of three other successful businessmen became a chain of unsolved murders in the Tokyo locale..."

"Akemi, do you mind? We're crossing the street," Her red-haired companion whispered to the unmoving girl. "We're blocking the way."

"Oh, sorry," The girl named Akemi blinked, removing her gaze from the screen and quickly continuing on her way.

By the time they had arrived at the other side of the street, one of the girls paused in front of a magazine stand along the way and pursed her lips in interest.

"Ooh, the latest issue of Leila is out," The red-haired girl named Akane said, picking up a magazine from the rack. "Hey, special edition! Wait a minute, I'm going to buy this..."

After purchasing, they then continued on their way as the girl immediately began scanning the pages. Pausing at the sidewalk as they waited for the stoplight down another crossing, the brown-haired girl named Akemi had only kept herself busy reading a nearby billboard ad when her two other friends began reading behind Akane's back in piqued interest.

"I knew Kurokawa Tomoki would make it to the list," Akane nodded in agreement. "He has a new movie coming up, right? He was so hot in the trailer! Did you guys see it already?"

"No, really?" Her black-haired companion said with raised eyebrows as she returned her gaze to the magazine in the girl's hands again. "He only ranked number 9 though..."

"What's that?" Akemi creased her forehead, glancing at the publication as the stoplight changed and the crowd began to disperse with them.

"Leila magazine's got a special this month," Her other ebony-haired friend answered. "On the present fifteen most eligible bachelors in Japan."

"Oh," Akemi blinked rather disinterestedly. "I see."

"Who got number one?" The black-haired girl named Yukari said, trying to overlook the rest of the page as they continued walking.

"... Ryuuzaki Takeshi?" Akane said aloud, creasing her forehead. "Who's this guy? I've heard his name from somewhere before."

"Wow, he looks really hot," Yukari's eyes slightly widened at the picture. "Hey, isn't he the guy that's being linked with that actress Matsumoto Mika...?"

"Yeah, and I know he's also like the son of this really rich man," The ebony-haired girl named Tsubame murmured, putting a finger to her chin in thought.

"Oh yeah, the Ryuuzakis!" Yukari nodded. "Aren't they one of the richest families in the country?"

Akemi shortly glanced at her watch and frowned. "Guys, I think we should hurry up a bit. We'll be late soon."

"What's first subject today?" Akane listlessly asked, flipping to the next page of her magazine.

"Chemistry," Yukari answered. "Did you do your assignment?"

"What?!" Akane suddenly exclaimed, snapping the publication shut. "There's an assignment?! Did you do yours?!"

"Of course," Yukari blinked with a shrug, then rolled her eyes at her. "Let me guess. You didn't."

"Oh crap!" Akane lividly looked at the watches on their wrists. "What time is it?"

"You've got fifteen minutes," Akemi idly said.

Without another word, the red-haired girl suddenly made a run for it, the outline of their school already forming past the long lane of blooming, cherry blossom trees before them. The rest of the girls simply laughed at Akane's fast disappearing figure as they proceeded on their way to class.

xoxoxo

"I can't believe it! I just failed another test!"

Groaning as she closed the door to her locker with a loud shut, Akane dejectedly leaned to the wall and crossed her arms, brooding over her recent misfortune.

"You really seem unlucky today," Yukari shook her head. "And you just had to copy the wrong assignment earlier too."

"I know, this day is jinxed," Akane sighed as the four of them continued on their way down the noisy corridor later that lunchbreak. "Hey Tsubame, stop reading that and make me feel better."

"Oh, sorry," Tsubame blinked, looking up from the same magazine in her hands. "This article kept me hooked."

As Akane continued complaining about her bad luck that day, Akemi shifted her gaze to the window and looked outside. The sun was high in the sky as she heard the crack of a bat from the ongoing baseball practice below. It was a Tuesday tomorrow, and she'd have to attend one the following day too. With an inward sigh, she had only continued walking with her friends when a small group of girls approached them from the other end of the hallway.

"Hey Yanagisawa, is that yours?" One of the girls approached Tsubame. "Is that a new issue?"

"It's mine," Akane spoke up with a smile. "They've got a special edition this month, so I bought it. Just today, actually."

"Nice," The other girls giggled, looking at the publication in Tsubame's hands. "Can we see it for a while?"

"Sure," Tsubame offered, handing them the magazine. It was still currently on the page featuring the most eligible men in the country.

"Oh my God! Kurokawa Tomoki!" One of the girls squealed. "You know, I voted for him here since I knew the polls could determine the final list for this one."

"Who got number one?"

"Ryuuzaki Takeshi? Wasn't he the ex of that model Ami...?"

"Too bad for her. He looks really cute..."

"Doesn't he?" Yukari grinned. "He's a new discovery for me, this Ryuuzaki guy."

"Yeah, you're right. He's really good-looking..."

"A new eye candy!"

As the rest of the girls continued giggling, the brown-haired lass disinterestedly looked outside the window again. Unlike most of her peers, Akemi barely had any interest with boys, whether it was with a celebrity or even a crush at school. This often caused her to be picked on by her friends, calling her a "cold fish", but she simply had better things to do than to fuss around with the opposite sex.

Inwardly sighing to herself, Akemi shook her head as she continued on her way with the girls. Today was going to be another day.

xoxoxo

Later that day during PE class, Akemi could hear her own breathing as she began to pick up on her feet, her fast, mahogany eyes spotting the coveted, soccer ball from a distance. She collided with her teammates and opponents alike in her pursuit, the ball only drawing nearer when a careless kick sent it rolling closer to her favor. With a determined narrow of her eyes, she raised her leg and kicked with all the strength and accuracy she could muster in an attempt to send it to the goalkeeper at the other side, but missed the net only by a few inches as it landed on the neighboring baseball field instead.

"Darn," Akemi muttered, scratching her head.

"Time out!" The teacher bellowed as she ushered the students to assemble before her with a shrill whistle. "Morisato! Get that ball!"

"Hai!" The brown-haired lass winced, quickly sprinting to the bordering baseball field. Upon arriving at the other side, she had only begun approaching the ball, still rather breathless, when a light-haired lad in a baseball uniform suddenly appeared and picked it up.

"Uh, excuse me!" Akemi called out, coming up to the man who was now retreating away with the ball in his hand. The young man then turned around to look at the caller behind him.

"Oi, Akemi," The lad raised his eyebrows in faint surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm supposed to get that ball back," Akemi blinked, pointing at the soccer ball in his hand. "Can I have it now?"

A small smile crept to the man's lips.

"No way," he smirked, facing her completely and raising his hand from her reach. "This is mine now."

"Give it back, Makoto," Akemi snarled, narrowing her eyes. "That's not yours."

"I bet you kicked this ball, didn't you?" The man named Makoto grinned, raising his hand higher when Akemi tried jumping for the ball in his grasp. "You sloppy girl."

"Shut up!" she groaned, gritting her teeth. "Give it back! I'm in a hurry!"

"I don't care," he laughed. "Die trying."

"Damn it, Makoto!" The lass put her hands to her hips in irritation. "Sensei will get mad at me!"

"Hey, what's going on in here?" A tall, dark-haired man walked into the scene, emerging behind the two from the other side of the field.

"Hey, Ryuuichi," Makoto grinned wider. "I was just dealing with my baka girlfriend here."

"I am not a baka!" Akemi exclaimed. "And I am not your girlfriend!"

"Sure," The dark-haired lad named Ryuuichi drawled, smirking as he noticed the ball in Makoto's hand. "Give it back to her, ass."

He then effortlessly reached for the ball in Makoto's grasp and gave it back to the girl.

"Here you go," Ryuuichi smiled, ochre eyes dancing with curiosity at her. "Just be more careful next time, okay?"

"Hey thanks, Matsuzawa," Akemi smiled, holding the ball in her hands. "Sorry about that."

"No problem! So does that mean you can go out with me now?" The taller man immediately offered with a big, hopeful smile. "I'm free this Saturday."

"Ass!" Makoto immediately slapped Ryuuichi at the back of the head, sending the latter wincing in pain. "I knew it!"

"What the hell did you do that for?!" The man spat out angrily. "I was just asking!"

"Ah, about that..." Akemi uneasily smiled as the two began loudly bickering at each other. "Um, I don't think I can. I hope you don't mind..."

"No problem," Ryuuichi flashed her another smile, but narrowed his eyes at the man beside him as he rubbed his head with a scowl.

"Oh, and by the way," The girl turned around again, glancing at Makoto before heading back. "You haven't returned my comic books in three weeks. Just thought I'd remind you."

"Oh, right," Makoto blinked, sheepishly grinning. "I'll come over to return them later."

"Okay," she shrugged, turning on her heel as she left for the soccer field without another word.

"Man, how can you crash her place just like that?" Ryuuichi muttered as the girl left. "Borrowing her manga and all..."

"Just happened to know her seventeen years before you, chum," Makoto grinned, patting the man on the back as he headed to the locker rooms to change.

xoxoxo

"Oi, Yukari. Do you still plan to return that to me?"

Taking a sip of the chocolate shake in her hands, Akemi had only been watching the scenery outside her window later that afternoon when she averted her gaze to an annoyed Akane, who was seated from across the table. They were currently enjoying a few drinks at the local coffee shop downtown, a frequent hobby they used to do after school.

"I'll be done in a minute," Yukari muttered, halfway through sipping on the straw of her milkshake.

"Seriously, you guys have been at that all day," Akemi lightly sighed in her seat. "What is up with that anyway?"

"This special they've got on the bachelors is really something," Yukari fervently said, Tsubame nodding eagerly beside her. "You should read this too! But later when I'm done."

"And that's my magazine, if you haven't forgotten," Akane scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Give that to me already. I haven't even finished reading it yet."

"Hey, this guy's really got it going for him," Yukari murmured, completely ignoring the girl as she remained reading the magazine in front of her. "25 years old, Marketing AVP of one of the biggest shipping companies in the country..."

"I know, he's quite something, isn't he?" Tsubame nodded again, taking a small sip of her latté. "Pretty accomplished and all at such a young age."

"And look at all these other companies his family owns," Yukari stared at the article. "No wonder he ranked number one in the list."

"Please, I don't even know who that guy is," Akane snapped in annoyance as the waiter finally came and served her ordered slice of crepe. "Nobody beats my Kurokawa Tomoki."

"Hey, I didn't even know anything about this Ryuuzaki guy either," Yukari raised her eyebrows. "I just thought he was some rich elite dude who hooked up with a lot of famous girls. I didn't even know he looked so good!"

"Really good," Tsubame giggled.

"Give me that," Akane spat out, immediately snatching the magazine from Yukari, who loudly protested in response. Akemi then saw a glimpse of the man, clad in a business suit, from an informally taken photograph that dominated the page. His hair was a sandy blonde, but he possessed the most striking pair of eyes she had ever seen—a stunning shade of deep purple—on his undeniably handsome face. With a thoughtful purse of her lips, Akemi was no longer surprised why this guy seemed to be nothing but the talk of whoever got to see the damned thing.

"I still think Kurokawa Tomoki is hotter," Akane haughtily muttered, yet her gaze lingered on the picture of the blonde man.

"Whatever you guys say," Akemi jadedly sighed, sipping on her milkshake again as she returned her idle gaze to the window.

xoxoxo

Flipping on the pages of her textbook as she scanned her notes, Akemi had only begun tapping her pen on her notebook later that evening in the living room of their home when she looked up as her older sister sat on the long couch beside her.

"You should do that in your room," The young woman said, turning on the television. "Has my show started yet?"

"Nope," Akemi pouted as her sister momentarily changed the channel to the evening news. When the woman returned to the kitchens, the brown-haired lass brought her gaze back to her notes, deciding to proceed with question number five of her homework.

"As for other news, the merging of Fukuda Cargo and Ryuuzaki Navigation was officially announced in a press conference in Shinjuku today..."

"We're very glad that the merging was successfully able to take place," A clear, male voice sent Akemi looking up from her assignment. There he was, the handsome face of Ryuuzaki Takeshi on her very screen as cameras furiously flashed before him. "We're looking forward to our future endeavors with Fukuda Cargo and we are thankful to finally have them with us..."

Her sister then returned from the kitchens, a bowl of potato chips in her hand as she placed it on the table beside Akemi's books.

"Call me when my show starts," The woman said, leaving again. "I'll just finish cleaning up with the dishes."

"Okay," The brown-haired lass muttered, absentmindedly grabbing for a chip as she continued looking at the young, blonde man that remained on her screen.

"The most eligible bachelor, huh."

xoxoxo

Looking at her schedule pasted at the back of her locker door, Akemi took out her History book the following Tuesday morning in school. Balancing her Trigonometry book on her other arm, she had only closed her locker when three guys approached her down the hallway.

"Hey Morisato," One of them began with a grin. "Need any help with that?"

"Hey Nagano," she smiled at the three of them. "It's okay. It's just books."

"You sure? That one looks pretty heavy."

"Yeah, you aren't having a hard time?"

"I'm fine, guys," Akemi laughed, slowly making their way past them. "I have arms too, you know."

The three men merely grinned at her and waved, the girl smiling in return as she proceeded down the corridor on her way to class. Students would greet her a good morning along the way, a usual routine she had come to know everyday at school. The brown-haired lass was rather well-known for her pretty face and amicable nature, and as a top student in her class and a versatile team player, she had become one of the more popular students around campus. This too, was at the ridicule of her companions and even her bestfriend Makoto, who called her a "little miss popular" to her amused irritation.

"Ohayou, Morisato," Her classmates greeted her by the time she had arrived at her room and made it to her desk.

"Morning, guys," she smiled as she placed her books under her compartment.

"Ohayou, Akemi," An auburn-haired lass suddenly made her way over to her desk. "How many other people have greeted you today besides me?"

"Good morning to you too, Michie," Akemi laughed. "And you know I don't count."

"You should count it," The girl named Michie grinned. "Deki and I speculate by the time you reach this classroom, half of the school has already beaten us to it."

"That's a nice speculation," she smiled, shaking her head. "I should give you guys something better to do."

"Please do," Michie closed one eye, crossing her arms over her head. "We're bored out of our wits here."

"Ohayou, Akemi-san," A young man with sapphire blue eyes approached beside Michie. "Is Kitamura-san bothering you again?"

"That's so mean, Deki," The auburn-haired lass pouted. "I was just telling her about our little observation on greeting counts."

"Ah, sou desu ne," The man named Hideki smiled. "We think it's quite the achievement, see."

"I can't believe you guys," Akemi laughed in amusement. "Now I feel responsible for your welfare."

"And the pressure increases," Michie winked, grinning wider.

The first period teacher finally arrived, the students rising from their seats as Michie daintily skipped off her desk and made her way back to her chair. Akemi merely shook her head once more, smiling as Hideki calmly settled on the table beside her.

xoxoxo

"Tell him I can't go. I have a meeting today."

Tilting his chair gently as he looked at the window of his wide office, a young, blonde-haired man in a business suit held his cellphone closer to his ear as he crossed his legs in his seat.

"Yes, I know, but I'm busy," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I have a conference in half an hour."

Standing up and putting a hand inside his pocket, the man slowly walked to the clear, glass window. He kept his gaze at the city thirty-eight floors below him as he listened to the caller on the other line.

"Alright, I understand," The man sighed. "Thank you."

Ending the call, he toyed around with the mobile device in his hand for a few, quiet moments as he continued glimpsing at the scenery before him. He had only kept himself busy watching a yellow taxicab stuck in late afternoon traffic when he heard a soft knock on his door.

"Ryuuzaki-sama, the meeting is about to begin," His secretary said, stepping inside the room. "Katsuragi-sama is now expecting you."

"Has the client arrived?"

"Yes, sir, everyone has arrived."

"Does Hiroshi really need me there?" He creased his eyebrows, a faintly weary look on his young face. "I don't think I will be necessary."

"But, Ryuuzaki-sama," The woman hesitated. "Katsuragi-sama has personally asked for you to be there..."

"Aya, all I'll do there is sit anyway. It won't make a difference whether I am there or not," The man sighed. "I'm going out today. Tell him I'm not coming."

"But, Ryuuzaki-sama..."

"It'll be fine, Aya," he calmly said, placing his cellphone on his desk. "Don't worry, I'll explain for him later."

His secretary could only stare at him in despair when he waved a hand to dismiss her and disappeared to an adjoining room of his office.

xoxoxo

Staring at the draining water at his feet as he put a hand on the marble wall, Takeshi closed his eyes and felt the warmth seep within him as endless drops of water rained on his body. He combed his hands over his hair and silently indulged a bit more in the relaxing heat before turning off the glass faucet and stepping out of the shower.

Wearing nothing more than the towel around his waist, Takeshi reentered the room. Handsomely decorated in maroon, Bradbury walls and ashen-colored wool carpets, it would've been hardly called a room in its size and furnishings. From across the bed he stared at his reflection from the mirror of his ebony cabinet before his gaze fell on the picture frame on his bedside table. It was the photograph of a beautiful woman with long, blonde hair and sea-blue eyes, the mere sight of it bringing a gentle smile to his lips.

Standing up, Takeshi wordlessly threw his towel over the bed and prepared to change.

xoxoxo

Tapping his fingers patiently on the steering wheel of his Corvette, Takeshi pushed back the dark glasses obscuring his eyes. Idly waiting for the traffic light above him to change, he merely observed the long line of pedestrians that crossed the street before him.

It didn’t take long before the signals changed and Takeshi proceeded the car on its way. He was headed to a place he didn't really know, but as long as he could escape from everything else, anywhere would do. The city, with its tall buildings, cars and crowds, only reminded him of long, dreary meetings and his bothersome seniors at work. Having lived this kind of life for the last twenty-five years, Ryuuzaki Takeshi didn't agonize any more for a break than he ever had in his entire life, despite knowing he was only wishing for the impossible.

Finding himself breaking away from the busy, urban scenery a few minutes later, Takeshi sighed tiredly to himself as the beautiful sight of flowering, cherry blossom trees showered petals past his window and to the sakura-covered road ahead.

xoxoxo

"Strike one!"

The catcher returned the missed ball back to the pitcher as the batter prepared herself once more for the next hit. With a raised leg and an outstretched arm, the pitcher gave one fast throw, and the batter failed to hit the ball again.

"Strike two!"

Akemi could only purse her lips as she thoughtfully looked at the padded glove in her hand. It was later that afternoon and she had stayed after class for baseball practice. She was an outfielder today, which was a big break for herself since she was usually the batter for most of the games. She was thankful she wouldn't end up as dirty and smelly today, and with the current batter new to the team and all she could just stand here doing nothing for the next half-hour...

There was a loud crack and the next thing she knew, the girl beside her was shouting, "Akemi-san! The ball!"

"Huh?" The brown-haired lass suddenly blinked in surprise. "What?"

Trailing her gaze from the glove in her hand and to the sky where the ball was now flying in the air, Akemi immediately broke into a run as she kept her gaze unwavering from the rapidly descending ball. Akemi outstretched her arm up with all her might and attempted to catch it, until...

The girl groaned as her face hit the field screen.

"Out!" The coach shouted, the other team cheering as the grinning batter sprinted on her way to a home run. "Morisato! Get that ball back!"

"Hai...!" Akemi winced in pain as she hastily dragged her way out of the field and to the main campus.

xoxoxo

Takeshi was only about to continue on his way when his cellphone began to ring. Fumbling for the bag placed on the passenger seat beside him, he creased his eyebrows when he couldn't grope for the mobile device. He temporarily averted his gaze from the road in front of him to look for his cellphone, silently wondering where in the world he had placed it.

Gasping faintly, Akemi tiredly groaned to herself and placed her hands to her knees when she saw the baseball lying quietly in the middle of the road. She couldn't believe she had just traveled all the way here, past the entrance gates of the school and to the open road ahead. Who would've thought that stupid ball could go so far? Surely that batter wasn't angry, was she?

With a halfhearted sigh upon catching her breath, Akemi heaved herself up, sprinting to the middle of the road to get the ball.

Takeshi could only let out a low scowl when he finally found his cellphone, only to find out it was his senior calling him again. With a disapproving shake of his head, he reluctantly answered the call, returning his gaze to the road in front of him. He had only placed his phone close to his ear when he realized the last second a girl was now only inches away from his car.

to be continued