So, if I understand you kids correctly… you were at the scene of the murder the moment it happened?" the police officer asked.
"Yes, we were fighting the group of delinquents like we've explained to you a million times already," Hiro said in a very annoyed manner.
The police officer got up and sighed.
"Okay kids, I've had enough of this," he said.
Hiro looked at him in shock, while Hinto seemed to expect this reaction and stayed silent.
"What!?" Hiro said.
"You guys are telling me you two fought a whole group of students—some of them armed and older!?" the officer asked.
"We're telling the truth… I know it sounds kind of crazy, but we're not your average high school kids," Hiro said as he sighed.
"I should inform both your parents about this. What a waste of time. Have you both lost your minds!?" the officer said.
"Don't bother," Hinto said as he got up.
As Hinto was heading to the door, someone opened it and walked in.
"What is this I hear about two high school kids fighting?" Koibito said.
"These two kids are making a false report, so I was just setting them straight, Detective!" the officer said.
"Koibito…" Hinto said.
"Hinto!?" Koibito responded.
"You know him, sir!?" the officer said.
Hiro was also shocked and didn't understand what was going on.
"Yes, he's…" Hinto said.
"I'm the boy's guardian," Koibito said.
The officer and Hiro looked at them with the most shocked expressions.
"HUH!?" the officer and Hiro said
Back at the school
"The mask of a dragon? What the heck!?" Taka said.
Meanwhile, Nikko's heart was beating so hard she felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. She was about to fall.
Nikko was picturing that night all over again—how she walked up to the window and saw Aunty Ame lying on the floor, bleeding.
She looked toward the car with fear in her eyes as she saw a masked person looking in her direction.
"NIKKO!"
She heard, and snapped back to reality.
"Yes!?" she answered.
"Are you alright?" Rika asked.
"Yes… I'm okay," she said.
"Let's all remain calm and think of our next course of action," Hakuho said.
But Nikko ignored him. "I need to go warn Hinto before it's too late," she said.
As Nikko started to walk away, Kazuo grabbed her arm.
"No, I will go. They're in this situation because of me…" Kazuo said.
"We can't let you go alone, Kazuo," Nikko said.
"Even though I don't like you, Kazuo, I have to agree with Nikko," Taka said.
"You mean just like you were about to do with us?" Kazuo replied.
Nikko remained silent and looked at the floor.
Kazuo said, "It's okay, Nikko… I get it."
"You do?" Nikko said.
"Yes. Hinto would probably do the same for you. But this isn't the moment to do foolish things… even if it's out of love," Kazuo said.
Nikko got really shy and kept silent.
Rika's face turned red and annoyed. She looked in a different direction and said, "Agreed."
Taka stood there, envious as always.
Hakuho patted his back.
"It's settled. Let's go," Kazuo said.
"Yes," the whole group responded.
At the police station
"We were at the scene before the murder of Haruto. When we fought the guy and the other delinquents, they were fine. A bit beat up, but that's about it—very much alive," Hinto said.
"And then I saw the news of his death," he added.
"Yes, and we simply came to report what happened before all that," Hiro said.
"Aah… that situation was nothing more than gang violence. A drug deal gone wrong!" Koibito said.
"That can't be true… he was bad, but I don't believe Haruto would stoop so low as to sell drugs," Hiro said.
"We have records of him being involved with criminals, so it wouldn't be too far off," Koibito replied.
"With criminals… you mean the Kokuja?" Hinto asked.
"That's something for the police to investigate, not some high school kids," Koibito said.
"But sir, we thi—" Hiro began.
"I've heard enough. It's best if you go home and let the adults handle this investigation," Koibito said, cutting him off.
"…Let's go, Hiro," Hinto said.
"But…" Hiro responded.
"You heard him," Hinto said as he walked out of the room.
Hiro followed right after him and—
WHAAAAM
—he slammed the door behind him.
Koibito stood there and sighed.
Hundreds of meters away from the police station
As the group approached, Kazuo thought to himself:
"I should be doing this alone. No one has to help me repay my debt to Hinto. If he gets hurt, I could never forgive myself!"
Kazuo stopped and clenched his fists.
"Are you okay, Kazuo?" Hakuho asked.
The rest looked at him, confused.
Kazuo suddenly started to run.
Nikko, shocked, started to run after him.
"What's wrong with this dude!?" Taka said.
As Nikko passed him, he called out, "Nikko, wait!"
She ignored him and breezed past.
Rika started to run and shouted, "Taka, you coward, come on!"
Taka sighed.
Hakuho dropped his cookie and started running too.
"Aaagh!" Taka groaned and started running as well.
Hinto and Hiro had just exited the police station.
"HINTO!" Kazuo yelled as he saw Hinto walking out.
"Hinto... you're all right," Nikko thought, smiling when she saw Hinto.
"Kazuo!?" Hinto said, shocked.
"Hinto, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!" Kazuo kept yelling.
"Haha, Kazuo is crazy, huh?" Hinto smiled.
A motorcycle whirred out of an alley at high speed—heading straight toward Kazuo—and the passenger on the back was holding a baseball bat.
Nikko noticed the bat and screamed, "KAZUO, WATCH OUT!"
But her voice was drowned out by the roar of the engine.
"OH NO!" Hinto yelled when he saw the bat and started running toward Kazuo.
"SHIT!" Hiro yelled as he ran as well.
"KAZUO, BEHIND YOU!" Hinto yelled.
"KAZUO, WATCH OUT!" Hiro yelled, waving his arms.
"HINTOOO, I'M SO—"
*PING!*
…
Hinto's eyes were wide open.
Everyone stood there, shocked.
Kazuo hit the ground…
He had been struck by a baseball bat—swung by the passenger on the motorcycle.
As he lay there, Nikko grabbed her face, picturing the scene of Ame lying on the floor, and she freaked out and collapsed.
No one knew what to do, except scream his name:
"KAZUO!"
Chapter End - Fallen Angel