Hello! I hope you enjoy this chapter. Just gonna leave it at that. The rest speaks for itself. ;)

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The next morning, I woke up, going to my kitchen. School hadn't been in session for a week. Police were still commonly seen around the area, but nothing ever came up again.

That didn't stop anything, though. Even looking at the phone made me think of calling the twins. No one could guess what they felt after what they found out the day before.

They all must hate me. I frowned to myself and dressed up for the day.

One thing I didn't expect to see when I stepped out was Maiko. “Ritsuko, I was so worried!” She immediately put her arms around me. I did tense up, but I put my arms around her. “I’m so sorry, Ritsuko. It was my fault for what happened-”

“It's okay, Maiko. Don't blame yourself.” Maiko put her face up to me, “But I accidentally-” she pointed at her wrist. I chuckled, “It's fine. I don't blame you for what happened. It may be a change of plans, but I'm sure we can still go on.”

Maiko smiled, “I like the sound of that.” I patted her head, “So do I.”

She suddenly gasped and pulled me to her apartment, “Akito's in here if you wanna see him.” I chuckled nervously at her,  “Well, I kinda already talked to him last night.” She gave me a look, as if knowing. “I heard something about that. Did you two actually kiss? Akito never confirmed if you did or not.”

I folded my arms, “I won't tell.” Maiko smirked, “Ahh, I knew it!!” She shook me senseless as she gripped my shoulders. “You two did kiss!” I looked to my left, only to see Ms. Ikeda, a neighbor, look at us with a suspicious look on her face.

No one was supposed to know about that. Sadly, Maiko probably let half of the people at the complex know. Maiko took her hands off of me and we both offered nervous smiles to Ms. Ikeda.

The woman simply shook her head, chuckling as she walked away. “Okay, I’m gonna go say hi to him and that's it.” I huffed a breath out and stepped in. Maiko stared as I stepped in, slipping my shoes off and going to his door.

Quickly, I knocked. “Come in.” I heard Akito's upbeat and wide-awake voice. I opened the door, “Hi, Akito.”

Akito almost fell off his bed, scissors in hand. “Whoa, be careful there.” I cautioned. He shrugged, “It’s not the first time I would've hurt myself with scissors.” I chuckled, looking at the dozens of pictures scattered on the floor and on the bed. There were a few picture frames, some empty and some with a picture already in them

“Nice picture framing you got going on here.” Akito set the picture and scissors down, “Thanks. How did you sleep?” I grinned at him, “Good. I was just making sure you were okay.” He nodded, “I'm fine.”

“So this isn't weird?” I questioned, sitting down beside him. Akito looked at me strangely, “Why would it be?” I fumbled with my hands, “Well, I don't know. I just thought it would be because of what happened last night.”

He shook his head, “Of course not. Just because we.. Like each other, doesn't mean it should be awkward between us. To be honest, I kind of feel like I can trust you more now. Not that I didn't before, I mean-”

I broke into laughter and he blushed, “So much for trying to sound cool. Are you fine with this? Do we have to call ourselves anything? I don't really know how these things work.”

“Don't ask me either.” I raised my hands in defeat. “I've never had any relationships like this before.” Akito shrugged, “Then I guess we'll just have to learn as we go.”

It was so comfortable and secure with him. I trusted him with everything I was now that we knew what we felt toward each other. It was like a new way to open ourselves up. I nodded, “I guess so.”

I had to go to the store to buy a few things for my apartment. Maiko had disappeared to someplace I didn't know. I even looked through the bakery to see she was fine, but then I heard her upstairs. “Where are you going, Ritsuko?”

“Just to get some things. I'll be right back, okay?” Maiko beamed, “Great, I wanna take you in the bakery to try something I made, so don't stay out too long.” I chuckled, “Trust me, I won't.”

At the store, I stayed secluded as much as I could. I didn't feel good in public like this now that probably the whole village knew my real identity. I wished I didn't even have to go out.

My mind still tried to come up with a solution on what to do next. Now that the cursed ones knew, would they gladly accept me and let me heal them, or would they be too spiteful?

I guessed I would have to talk with Akito and Maiko after I got back. They were there for me when I needed them, now I needed to accept that they were there. Those two were the only ones I could trust anyways.

I was going up to pay for the things when I suddenly froze at the sight of two familiar girls paying for their things at the counter. “Will that be all, ladies?”

“Yes, we suppose so.” Alexandra replied in a polite way. I hid behind one of the aisles, looking at them from a safe distance. The twins had their backs turned, but I was able to spot an interesting product they were purchasing; matches. There was also a small container of something that looked like gasoline, which alarmed me. Were they going to attempt arson?

“Thank you.” Rosalina murmured to the woman as she took the change and bagged what seemed to bewire or a cord of some kind. What would they buy that for?

I sneaked up closer to them, hearing Alexandra mention something quietly to Rosalina as they paused at the door. “No. You know we can't go there with it yet. We need to take these things to him.” She lifted the bag at Alexandra.

I gulped tightly, sweating nervously in response to this. Who is him?

“But I just want to make sure that he's okay.” Alexandra insisted, “I don't want to put him in harm's way.” Rosalina sighed, “Don't be silly. Dominic doesn't even give you a chance. Why should you care about him like that so much? We'll just drop the things off and leave it at that.”

Alexandra looked down in shame. “But what if he does love me after this? This is all for him.” Rosalina stepped out the door, “Nonsense. Let's go now.”

Alexandra raised her head, looking determined on one single thing. What could that thing be? Could it be her almost obsessive interest for Dominic, or something else? What if Dominic was him?

This was it. I needed to catch the girls in the act so I could confirm my theory. I needed to get to Dominic's house to catch them. It would all be over like that.

The pay phone was just right there. I could call Maiko and tell her about this. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. The twins were right there about to show me the proof I needed. I could tell Akito and Maiko later.

Quickly, I put the things was about to buy back in their places and left the store. If I was correct, the twins would be going to Dominic”s house to leave those suspicious things for him and whatever he was planning.

Could he be trying to commit arson? That was the only thing that could be reasonably explained by those objects that the twins bought.

I arrived at Dominic's house as quickly as I could, but I found no sign of the twins there. I even looked through the window to check, but Dominic was in there with Kira. She talked to him about something that didn't seem so important to him while he quietly played his piano.

His face was gloomy and deep in thought as he played. I wouldn't blame him for it after he found out about me the previous night.

So if I was wrong, where would the twins go? Maybe they were working with someone I didn't know. Of course not! I almost literally hit myself for thinking like that. My senses told me it was one of the three men that were cursed. I couldn't just suddenly be wrong after all this time.

I bit my lip, leaning against the building and sighing. Just when I thought I was alone, a voice questioned, “Ritsuko?”

I gasped audibly, turning around toward where the voice came from. The sight of Alexandra's thin figure made me unsure of what to do. “Why are you here?” She asked, slowly making her way closer to me.

I gulped, “Uh, Alexandra, hi. I-I was actually just going to see Dominic.” Alexandra mused, “Strange that you would watch him from the window there, isn't it?” she pointed at it.

Darn it, she got me. I kept myself composed, however, and answered, “I wasn't particularly doing that. I just don't know what to say because of what happened. I don't know what he'll say to me since-”

“Since you lied to us?” Alexandra asked quite coldly. “You're lying again, I can tell.” I defended, “No, I'm not. I seriously went here to talk to him.”

“Don't believe anything she says, Alexandra.” Rosalina's voice warned. I gasped, turning my head to her. “Rosalina.” She still had that same face from all the other times. Blank expression, narrowed eyes. I was sick of it. “Most of the stuff that comes out of that pretty little mouth is lies.”

I seethed under my lips and looked to Alexandra. “Come on. Alexandra, you know I'm not like that.” I looked over my shoulder to the window and stepped out of its view. “You were watching him, Ritsuko. I saw you.” She gave me a look that told me she no longer trusted me.

“I thought I could trust you, Ritsuko. You said that Dominic and I belong together, right?” Alexandra asked with a frown. “I even helped you with your own romantic issues with Akito. Or was that just a lie to cover up your true feelings?” I scowled at the thought of it. Never in a million years would I ever have any romantic attraction to Dominic. She thought I wanted him?

“Alexandra, listen, you got this all wrong-”

“No, you listen here, you little slut!” She grabbed my wrist tightly, making me yelp. “Slut?” Alexandra growled, “I know all about your act. Your stupid fake lie. You didn't want to heal me because you wanted to heal Dominic first. Then you could appear like his blessed savior and seduce him with your pretty face and your smart way of speaking.”

I thought this was an elaborate plan that she thought I had. She must have had a lot of time with herself or something. She got closer to me and hissed, “That's not gonna happen, because he's mine! I've worked too hard for some flirt like you to step in and take him. I'll make him mine. I'll make you regret you ever tried to mess with me, Ritsuko Akiyama!”

I had never felt so threatened by Alexandra before. She was furious with me for something I didn't even do or plan. She suddenly had a crazy look in her eyes that told me she would try to kill me. I had no choice but to reach into my pocket for the small knife Akito gave me, but was stopped.

“Alexandra, it's alright.” Rosalina came by her side and patted her shoulder. Alexandra loosened her grip on my wrist. “We'll make sure she pays for the cruel deeds she's done to us all.” She gave me a malevolent smile as she glanced at me.

Alexandra nodded affirmingly as she let go of me. Rosalina stroked a piece of my hair and murmured to me, “Just be sure to watch your back, Ritsuko.” She traced the figure of the mark of the flower on the back of my hand. I saw her mark glowing bright red when she touched me.

Nervous, I pulled my hand away and put my back against the house. Rosalina simply blinked at me and walked away. Alexandra followed closely, glaring at me threateningly.

They did it. They did all these crimes, it's definitely them!! I put my hands to my head and whimpered. It was all so clear. They just showed me what they really are. They were capable of murdering people brutally like that. They were the only ones who could.

I needed to get to the apartment and tell Akito about this. It would be up to him and Maiko on what we do with this information. I practically ran off to the apartments, bursting through the door.

Maiko stood up from the desk, holding some papers in her hand. “Oh, hi, Ritsuko. Are you gonna try that thing that I made?” I shook my head at her, “Maiko, I need to talk with you and Akito up in my apartment.”

Maiko immediately caught on, understanding why I looked worried. “Oh. Okay, I'll see if Akito's done with his chore. I nodded, going up the stairs to my apartment. I took my coat off and took off my shoes, stepping into my house shoes. I decided to make some tea so I went into the kitchen and prepared some water. That's when I heard something unusual.

“Wait! That can't be! I swear, I never had that!!” Akito's voice came through the door as multiple footsteps went around the hall. “Akito!” I heard Maiko shout. “What are you doing?”

“Sorry, Miss. But we just got the proof we need.” A deep, gruff voice stated. I gulped, running to my door. I hear police sirens outside the building. Was Akito in trouble?

I grabbed the doorknob and turned it, swinging it open. Dozens of police officers were in the hallway. Maiko ran after two that were handcuffing Akito's wrists. “What's happening?!” I asked.

A female officer got in front of me, blocking me from getting any closer. “We apologize, Miss. But we have just caught the murderer of Crysolia with proof.”

My eyes widened and I looked over her shoulder. “No, Akito isn't him! You have to wrong person!!” Maiko went over to me, “That's what I'm saying!” Mr. Tanaka tried to reason with the police.

Michael suddenly appeared behind the other officers. He shook his head at me, “I saw him right now through his window. He had the bloody cloak and everything.” I looked to Maiko and she gasped. “What?”

A young police held up a bag with a black bloodied hood. In his other hand, he held another bag, but with the mask. Painted streams of black went all the way down from the giant, dark eyes while the side of it was splattered with dried red blood. The same mask I saw in my nightmare, the same mask that the cloaked figure wore that night at the twins’ house, it was the same one.

Maiko stared in disbelief, “No! He couldn't have! He didn't do it!” Mr. Tanaka went behind Maiko. “Maiko, calm down.”

A police answered, “But we did find this in his room. The boy was right when he called us.” Maiko and I both looked to Michael who shrugged.

“Ritsuko! I swear, I didn't do it!!” Akito exclaimed, causing me to turn. I couldn't believe myself for actually thinking he might have lied to me, but I knew better. “I know, Akito, I know.” I sniffled. Maiko and Mr. Tanaka went up to him. She gulped, “It’s okay, Akito. Papa and I will find a way to get you out of jail.”

Akito frowned. “Okay.” Mr. Tanaka warned him, “Don't resist them. Don't say anything, we'll be there in a bit.” Akito nodded. I went up to him, “Akito, what do I do?”

He replied, “Calm down, Ritsuko. Get my camera. I took some pictures that should prove to them that I didn't do it. I'll be alright.” I nodded, whimpering. “Take care of yourself, please.”

The police took him away downstairs. Mr. Tanaka followed as Maiko and I stepped back. Maiko walked to Michael and asked, “You lied, didn't you?”

“What?”

“You lied about seeing Akito with those things! He never killed anybody!” Maiko cried out. “Why did you lie to the police about them?” Michael argued, “What do you mean? They did find the things in his room, didn't they?”

I couldn't find myself to care or even intervene their argument. I went to their apartment and went into Akito's room. The door to his closet was open and the printed pictures were still on his bed. I picked some off the ground before they were ruined and I put them on his dresser.

His camera was right next to his photo album, seeming to be off. I carefully turned it on and went to its memory. I hoped I could find photo proof that he wasn't the murderer. It couldn't be him. He was there when Mr. Hagiwara was hit by the car. He was right next to me the whole time Rin's performance was. He had to have taken a picture of something.

I scrolled down its gallery even to months before when I found an interesting picture.

It was a picture of the moon above a short building. It was dim below where the floor was, but I could make it out enough to see a person in a black cloak on the very corner of it. The date showed that this picture was taken on the night Emily was found dead. Akito had been out taking pictures, and this one image proved that he wasn't near the place Emily had been found until later when he came back.

I eagerly skipped ahead to some more images. I tried to remember the night I went to the Koizumi's house to spend the night. I could testify to Akito always being with me and Maiko the whole time at the performance.

There was a clip recorded on the night I did spend the night with the twins. Maiko was in it. I played it and turned the volume up. Maiko leaned into the camera and chuckled, “Ritsuko, I hope I can show you this video soon.” She giggled, looking back. “Akito and I are about to go to sleep, but he just told me something really interesting.”

“He said he really thinks you're pretty and he hopes you're safe. He really likes you, y’know. He hides it and he always holds back what he really means, but I know what he does mean. I know he'll catch me if I tell it to you personally, so I'm just gonna keep this video in his camera. The twins won't answer the phone at all, so you guys are probably asleep.”

“Maiko! Come in and pick up your toothbrush!” Akito called from a distance. Maiko put the camera down and looked back, “Okay! Coming!” She looked back to the camera and winked, “Bye!”

Well, that was definitely going to be something I wouldn't want to show to the police or anyone for that matter, but it was proof. This was the only thing I could use as proof to save Akito. He was there for me always, but now I had to be there for him.

I skimmed through a few more things, actually catching a picture of Koji on the road before the car came in. He was showing the Hagiwara family and Kyoko those pictures.

That was also proof. I sighed, turning the camera off and running out of the room. “Maiko! Mr. Tanaka!! I got proof that Akito didn't commit any crimes!”

Maiko and Mr. Tanaka came running in. “Really?” Maiko asked. I held up his camera. “He got some interesting pictures on the days when the murders occurred. Nothing proves that he did do anything bad. It only shows that he had nothing to do with it.

Mr. Tanaka smiled, “Oh, that's so great to hear! We need to take it to the police immediately! Before anything happens!”

I nodded. “I'm going to get my coat and we can go to the station.” Maiko nodded, “Well then, let's go save Akito!”

Mr. Tanaka rushed to grab a coat and put on some shoes while I got ready. Maiko just pulled a jacket over herself and hurried downstairs before us.

Minutes later, the three of us went to the police station. It was already getting quite dark outside, but we didn't care about it too much. Nobody was out, really.

When we made it to the police station, my body shivered in excitement. Maiko panted, putting her hand on the door handle. “Okay, let's go.” She sighed heavily, letting me and Mr. Tanaka go through first. Suddenly, my heart stopped.

Blood. Blood everywhere. Splattered on the desk, smeared in the wall, spilled on the floor. Police corpses were thrown everywhere. Slaughtered, dismembered, disembodied pieces. Organs and intestines were in every place. It smelled horrible.

Maiko voiced a high pitched gasp. There was no sign of an alive police officer at all. Every officer seemed to be dead. Mr. Tanaka was as pale as he could be. His eyes were wide in horror as Maiko shrieked loudly. I looked forward, stopping to notice that there was someone still alive.

A girl in a black dress with long dark hair stood, back turned to us. Her dress was soaked in the red fluid, holding a sharp bloody axe in her hand, which had a satin glove on it. She turned her head slowly to us, face covered by a white mask that seemed to have the characteristics of a cat painted on. Deep yellow eyes and a big sharp-toothed smile decorated the mask.

She let out a psychotic giggle when suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. I began to look back when something hit my head hard. I instantly felt the ground below me slip and my vision became blurry. I couldn't even yelp before my body hit the ground and everything went black.

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Things are getting more intense! This is where things really get crazy. Just wait till next chapter is published. I can't wait! Thanks for the support and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!