Free Web NovelChapter 490: Arc 6, Chapter 106: Back to Business
"I do have another request though, if you don’t mind me asking," Ben continued, facing the brunette.
"Coming to my house while gangs are chasing you isn’t enough?" she sassed.
"Sorry, yeah. I need your help to find Clyde. He’s somewhere in the city. I didn’t even know he was coming over here, but he’s not come to talk to me. Please, if there’s anyone that’s gonna find him before he gets himself-" he bit his own tongue. "It’s you."
Fumeko crossed her arms, "And where do you suppose we start?"
"I... don’t know," he shrugged and sighed. "But we need him in the party, he’s super useful, I mean his accuracy stats are off the charts; he could pin a fly to a wall from a thousand yards out."
’That’s all he cares about?’ "Look, I’m only considering it cause you’re Jotou’s friend, but I don’t think tracking down a grown man who clearly isn’t missing is my main priority right now."
"I," he strained the word. "I just need to talk to him and..." he sorrowfully whispered. He straightened up, "I get it. I’ll try to find him myself, but you need help with Jotou and the little dude, right?"
"I didn’t say no," Fumeko corrected.
"Wait, you will find Clyde!?" Ben jerked forward.
Fumeko cocked her head to side, "I can’t promise you anything. If he doesn’t wanna be found, it’s not gonna be easy."
"But you’re the detective for the job! Sweet!" he pumped his fist.
"We can clean up the dishes later I guess," Fumeko spoke to the other three.
"Actually, I think you should go with Crispy and we can hold down the fort," Asobi chimed in.
"What? Why?" the brunette winced an eye.
Hotaru’s ears spiked, "Yeah, why?"
The magician poked a wand under her chin and looked to the ceiling, "I don’t know, I think it’s for the best. Some of us could definitely use the rest," she said to no one in particular. "But Meko’ll be fine and we need answers.
Meko’s the best at finding an answer and any of us are... We can just work off of what Meko tells us later. And without Jotou, Crispy’s really powerful and can defend her if some fight breaks out.
It’s just a bunch of people with guns; I’d rather have Stella with us, in case something else happens," she explained.
"That’s... reasonable." ’What is up with her today...?’ Fumeko looked at Ben, "If it’s all the same to you."
"Yeah, that works. I got your back," he pointed with finger guns whilst balancing the bracers in his arms.
"Blessed be thy venture; may thou uncover the dastardly hoodlums’ scheme," Tiffany wished.
Hotaru gave a breath of disapproval, "Fine, just be safe." Her nails dug into the base of her palms.
"Yeah, yeah," Fumeko walked out the door, and Ben shut it behind her.
"Alright," Ben put on the bracers and they reactivated to their prior state. He rubbed his hands together, "Fumeko Namora’s joined the party; this team-up’s gonna kick some ass! Let’s go find Clyde," he cheered.
"I’m more interested in the gangs and you can point me in the direction of them."
"Wha- Dude, I thought we were-"
"Finding the gangs that are after you will lead to where Clyde is. He’s clearly on the same trail as you were. What did the piece of paper he shot say exactly?"
"Aha! I grabbed it this time," he had taken it out of his pocket before putting the gauntlets on, and handed it to the brunette.
Fumeko read it out. "Them."
"The cult, right?"
"Obviously. But then why did he shoot Green-Fillet Johnes? I’d assume he knew they were intending to work with the cult. In Burnetrout, even intending to collude with the cult can carry the death penalty. That sentiment’s the same whether South End or North."
"So... Clyde has a better idea of the gangs and how to find the cult already?"
"Maybe; maybe not. He’s on the path and probably knows more than us, but how deep he’s in, I can’t say," Fumeko handed the paper back to Ben. "You said they were hunting you?"
Ben looked around the neighbourhood, where morning mist still drifted along the roads. "Not anymore, I guess. I can point you to where Green-Fillet Johnes’s body is though."
"You said reinforcements came. I’m willing to bet that the place’s been cleaned."
Ben paused, looking around aimlessly. "What do we do now?"
"Running into a gang and demanding information’s easier said than done. But someone might be able to get us into contact with a gangster and we can follow that thread; it’s a bit safer."
Ben snapped his fingers, "That reporter chick!"
"She’s most likely home, but... Alicia doesn’t sell out her sources." ’Would Alicia give away her informant considering the circumstances?’ "We can try, but if it doesn’t work, there’s someone better," Fumeko walked ahead.
"Let’s get this quest started," Ben walked along. "With your shadowy rogue-skills and my absolute heat, ain’t nothing stopping this duo baby!"
"I don’t have my magic," Fumeko continued along without glancing back.
"Wait, what? Fuck!"
_
Two knocks at the door of the apartment of a reporter. ...And another two... ...And a couple more.
"Maybe she’s not home? Man, I miss text. Oh yeah! Can’t you send her a- Never mind," Ben uttered. ƒrēewebnovel.com
’Good, he’s learning to correct his own stupidity.’ Fumeko gave it another two knocks, "I can hear her inside."
In the next moment, the locks clicked and Alicia answered the door. She wore a loose pair of leggings and a t-shirt that was slightly worn-out by the collar, to where a pink strap could be seen underneath.
"Would you look at that; can’t shout out who’s knockin’ or anything?" the weary expression of the woman brightened up by an inch at the lips.
"Can’t say you’re coming to the door?" the detective retorted.
"Suppose you’re right ’bout that little detective," Alicia opened the door wider. "Come in, come in- Hold up, who’s this handsome fella?"
"Seriously? I’m the Scorching Inferno!" he flexed as bits of flame streaked from the gauntlets.
"Ohh, I see the face now. Used t’the armour that’s all. Well, welcome t’my humble abode, can’t tell the last time a man came in, but make yourself comfy," Alicia let them in.
’Did she scramble to put on clothes?’ Fumeko scanned the lightly ruffle strands of pink and faded blue in the woman’s light brown hair, as well as the low posture and the shuffle of her feet.
Despite her demeanour, her home was spick and span—or at least as the same as when Fumeko last saw it. "Have you been to work?"
"Oh not since the funeral," she walked to the stove and already grabbed the kettle. "Been meaning to, but," her pink eyes darted around her apartment. "House could use a spring cleaning innit," she shrugged.
Ben brows were wrinkled as he asked, "Who’s funeral? The detective?"
Fumeko scoffed and looked up at him, "Yeah, he’s on Mason Island."
"I’ve just been gone for like over a day," he threw his arms out. "Why that soon?"
"Mrs Aetherton said there’d be a funeral for the public, so it’s nice to have a private one," the brunette replied.
"Everything’s moving awful quick innit?" Alicia’s voice croaked as she sighed and threw a spoonful of tea leaves into the water she began to boil.
"We did come here for a reason," the detective stated.
The reporter smiled to her left sombrely, "T’check on little ol’ me? I’m flattered~"
Fumeko was about to reply, but a hand landed on her shoulder.
Ben whispered to her, "Maybe we should stay for a bit? I mean, look at her."
Fumeko glanced over as Alicia gawked at the flame of her stove and the boiling water of the kettle; she still had the spoon and canister in her hands.
"I kinda feel bad," he continued. "We’re not in that much of a rush, right?"
’...’ "Depends on how long we think Jotou and my sister have. But fine," Fumeko hushed back.
The two took a seat while Alicia prepared tea and brought it over with some milk and sugar by the side; they all took their share. Alicia set her cup down after a sip, "So Scorching Inferno, why’re you here with the infamous detective?
Didn’t think you’d wanna see me that badly again~ Hmh," she whined and looked down at herself. "I’m not even dressed up or anything, can’t y’give a girl a heads-up little detective?"
’It’s either grief or desperation at this point.’
"That’s not, why I’m, here at all," Ben, who was sat next to her, awkwardly replied. "Uh, Fumeko doesn’t have her magic and she needs a guardian, so," he gestured at himself.
Fumeko gave a slow side-eyed glare. "Sure."
Alicia hummed, "It’s good t’have protection- Oi! Did I hear that right!?" her eyes went wide. She adjusted her glasses, "No magic, what happened?"
"If I knew, I’d have it back already." ’It’s obviously to do with seeing my dad’s... That’s when my affinity got fucked. I know the cause and the exact moment it happened; it doesn’t help me fix it—unless my dad comes back to life.’
"Sorry t’hear that, but that’s a bit of’a problem, no?"
"That I can’t continue with the case? It’s not gonna stop me," her determined eyes pierced against the doubter.
"I was just implying that it gave you an edge, that’s all little detective, you don’t need t’stare me t’death-"
...
...
...
"Sorry," all the cheer disappeared. Alicia pursed her lips and slipped a hand under her glasses to palm her face.
Fumeko’s glare faded; her eyes darted to the carpet. "Don’t be. I’d rather not be pitied by anyone for the next however many weeks."
The reporter rested her head on a fist and gazed at the brunette for a bit. She smiled a little, "Y’know, I didn’t believe y’were adopted when I met you."
"Thank you?"
"Still can’t though," Alicia shook her head. "You’re just like him in so many ways. Except the," she gestured with a hand hovering higher and then wider. She brushed it off with a wave, "Oh y’know what I mean—not physically."
"People keep saying that. I don’t think it’s as true as people think," Fumeko replied.
"That’s because you haven’t seen him when you’re not in the room. Oh, what do I know innit~ There’s just a lot’of connections."
"It seems like you’re grieving more than her. How’ve you been doing?" Ben spoke.
Alicia sighed and slanted to the side to rest her head on Ben’s chest, "It’s been a lot. Not every day an idol like him dies. I really really looked up to him."
Ben’s eyes widened and he was suddenly acutely aware of where his arms were—more so not knowing where to put them, especially with the bracers that were pulsing red.
"I did too once..." Fumeko uttered whilst eyeing the bizarre sight before her.
"Really? I’m still not over the first time I met him," Alicia replied with a soft smile. Ben finally placed his arm along the cushions, provoking the reporter to rest her head easier. "I came from North Hestover, after the great fire fried everything.
Couldn’t get into a school for a couple’of years. But then luckily, I got accepted into Brumley’s Grammar School up in Kalmia Borough. Ngh. Lucky’s a word I suppose. Place was crowded with new students after the fire.
There was this prick of’a headteacher—liked t’play it strict with the rules. Oddly though, he was a lot more ’observant’ of’the girls. Tell us off if the uniform wasn’t the right shape and size and all that.
Sometimes detention was private, one-on-one. Didn’t take a’lot a guesses t’know he was a nonce. Most of us knew; some came out red-arsed and crying.
What were we gonna do, who were we gonna tell? Half the kids’ there got no parents. Times were tense; we were lucky t’get a school. No clue what the other teachers were doing, I’m assuming they knew.
Half a year in, I got called in—can’t even remember f’what. Couple’a mates said if you just do what he said, everything would be fine. I’ll never forget that day...
I was sitting right across from him, probably looking scared outta my mind. Before he even got a word out, the door busted open," she said with a bright smile. "Thought it was the pigs or something.
Nope. Just some burly rogue of a man in his late-20s, who eyed the headteacher like a lion that caught an elk. He said that cause the headteacher got ties to the cult, he was awarded the death penalty. He said it right then and there, all cool-like.
No one else was behind him, he just walked in, grabbed the headteacher by the collar and slammed his head onto the desk, right in front of me!" she so glibly chirped to herself. "Then with that same glare y’got he said,
_Year 965, Kalmia Borough, Dolpool_
"Get out of here kid," the man who busted in growled, with his arm pinning down the headmaster by the neck.
The young girl with pink eyes, gulped and skedaddled after freezing for a few seconds. However, she simply ran around the corner of the door and curiously peeked in on the scene. After-school students around the vicinity, took notice.
"L-l-listen, I can get-" "CRACK!" "GHRR! VGRH!!!" the headmaster’s jaw cracked to the side as the man clobbered the side of his face into the wood. He groaned and only could let out a low scream.
"I didn’t ask anything you rat-bastard," the man pulled his bruised fist away.
"You’re the! You’re the!" the headmaster panted out through blood-soaked teeth.
"Namora," Kazuo lifted the headmaster up and slammed him against the bookcases behind him. "Kazuo Namora!" he dragged the headmaster’s face against the shelves, thudding his nose onto each. "You’re gonna remember that name.
When they ask who got you, YOU’RE GONNA REMEMBER THAT NAME!" he hurled the headmaster onto the floor like a ragdoll.
Kazuo’s eyes were wide-open with rage, "You’re not getting the noose that easily. You’re gonna go to them," Kazuo grabbed the chair. "You’re gonna go to the fucking pigs yourself after your meeting and turn yourself in.
Cause those impotent assholes can’t do shit," Kazuo raised the chair up high and- "BASHHH!!" -smashed it into the headmaster’s back whilst he screamed out in pain. "You think the cult’s the only reason I’m here?
You think I don’t know the shit you’ve been pulling in this school you cunt? Pay off as many bastards as you want. YOU CAN NEVER ESCAPE THE TRUTH!" the crumbled pieces of chair flew across the room. More students were crowded around the schoolgirl with pink eyes, all of them gawking at the brutal display.
"Death’s too good for scum like you," Kazuo got onto his knees, clenching his fists. He turned the headmaster to face him, "Good, you’re still conscious."
He launched his fist straight into his face, breaking the headmaster’s nose and breaking off a tooth. "Even the schools around here are corrupt!?" "Bash!" "Even the kids aren’t safe!?" "BAsH!" You’re fucked! Fucked in the head!" "BasH!"
"I’ve had it with this damned country. This city’s FUCKED as it is without animals like you running around!" "BASH!"
...
Kazuo got up from the man that was beaten to within an inch of his life. He stood tall and broad, breathing out the adrenaline. His clenched fists were soaked with blood and his knuckles were lightly split open.
He stared at the headmaster’s disfigured face and continued to inhale, then exhale. His glare side-eyed the students piling up near the door, who all flinched or backed up as they saw him looking—all except the girl with pink eyes, who marvelled at the whole scene with wide eyes.
Kazuo looked back down and shook his head a little. He grabbed and hoisted the barely conscious headmaster over his shoulder with a single grip.
He walked out of the office with the brutalized headmaster over his shoulder as the students made way, gossiping and chattering. "Go home. You didn’t see anything," Kazuo announced as he walked past.
_Present Day_
-and a year later, he solved the cult case and got the title," Alicia had teared-up slightly as she told the story with glee. Her head had fallen further down to rest on Ben’s stomach, where she found much more comfort to lie upon.
"Yeah, I think you’ve overembellished a few details there." ’More like a lot; as if dad would ever do that much, he barely ever swore. If that’s all true, it only proves I’m less like dad. ... ...?’
"As always little detective, I report the truth, and I can definitely say that’s what happened," Alicia proudly stated.
"What happened to the school?" Ben asked, blushing a bright red the entire time.
"Got shut down. I went to another school in Narcissus and never visited again. Of course, I never really introduced myself to him until six or so years ago; after I got my job and he rescued me again from a gang infiltration gone wrong.
I bet he probably doesn’t even remember me from oh so long ago~ I looked well different back then."
"I’d bet against you," Fumeko exhaled.
Alicia hummed and gave two pats to Ben’s belly, "Sorry, this is nice."
"I-I don’t mind," Ben gulped.
"Trust me, you don’t want him. But speaking of gangs," Fumeko spoke. "That’s actually why we came here."
Alicia smiled and sat up, "You’re making more sense now~" Both Ben and Fumeko then conveyed all their information to the reporter, in hopes for her aid.
Alicia flicked a finger against the metal of the bracers, "Hm. Thought it was just a’part of your outfit." She sighed and crossed her arms, "Let’s see~ Green-Fillet Johnes’s dead. The Black Ladybug Boys were the ones with it and the information got out.
Lots’of rats in their line of work, so who’s saying what, is a hoopla t’figure out. Y’got any better descriptions on the ones chasing you?"
Ben squinted in thought, "Uh... No. I was busy running and dodging bullets."
"Then sorry hot stuff, can’t really help you much."
"If you don’t know, can you at least point us to anyone you’ve associated with within the gangs? We can take it from there," Fumeko stated.
Alicia’s head cocked to one side, "Y’know I can’t do that."
"Even on this occasion? He’s dead Alicia, and my sister and Jotou are still with them," the brunette had daggers in her eyes. "Can’t you make one exception?"
Alicia sighed and looked around. "I’m gonna be honest with you detective, this isn’t a day’s work—all of it, everything y’wanna do."
"I don’t care how long it takes," Fumeko glared.
"Alright, alright. I can’t sell them out, but I can investigate myself. At least let me start tomorrow, I’m emotionally knackered," the reporter bargained.
"Fine. Can you at least tell me where I can find Rosemary Cheshire?"
"Her? Here I was thinking I was someone special~"
"For what it’s worth, you are special Alicia," her voice softened. "And no matter what my dad thought of you, I really appreciate you. You’re someone I know for a fact that I can count on."
As she said that, a tiny speck, no bigger than a grain of salt... For a split-second, a sliver of mulberry shadow glimmered in her right iris. Not that herself or anyone around her even noticed...
