Saihara's POV:

I could hear my father still downstairs, he was getting annoyed again with my Uncle for his lack of involvement in this citys police force.

Because he's busy trying to solve a case I should have months ago...

I once again searched my files on DICE, some were still barebone all things considered and I was scared about time running out on the statute of secrecy.

Because if I can at least prove he faked his identity...then everything else about this case would need to be reconsidered.

After all, who is going to want to listen to the half baked theory of a high schooler?

All the files and information I could gather on the substitute however were vague at best. He went to supposedly a four year institution but no where on his resume could I see it.

As for his name, which Ouma never mentioned to me, was Hitoshi Tateyama, but when I searched for old social media profiles I never could find any records.

It was if he didn't exist, the only photos remaining of him were found in a corner of a yearbook.

His hair didn't even seem to be his natural color at that, a dark green but the more I compared it it to his eyebrows it was clear his hair used to be a much darker color.

So why...why would any school hire him? There must have been better candidates for a substitute teacher position, and I doubt Aunt Jin even knew who would be replacing her, so how...

...

Did he have bigger connections than I thought? I knew the police must have been involved to even present a false case of suicide...but the school as well?

If it was just to get rid of pranksters why not just expell them? Most of DICE were from lower class families, and only Otome seemed to have a powerful family. So if anything they could have just expelled the rest and given her some form of suspension if they were scared of losing face...

So why kill them? Why allow themselves to have such a dark reputations and financial burden rebuilding the school and handling the press after their deaths?

*DING*

The sudden sound jolted me from my thoughts as I opened my phone. Hoping to hear from Ouma after what had happened. I really ruined things didn't I?

1 New Email

From: Danuja Aito

Hey Saihara you wanted information on Takura right? Well this might sound dumb but I found his laptop and some old emails from him and his friend Fujioka.

I feel like a bit of an ass cause of last time. I didn't mean to get angry or upset like that.

It's just that I barely even remember my brother, and I wish I did. So seeing one of his friends like that...I don't know I just got annoyed that he couldn't have been saved too.

Yeah the more I read this the more like an asshole I seem.

I don't need to see Ouma, don't think I even want to. Just want to give you the photocopies I made if you want/need them.

So...yeah. Send me a message back I guess.

-Danuja

Emails? I paused considering the offer as I looked at my board....I'll see what it is at least. If it makes the case seem more messy then I'll set it to the side. Worst case scenario, I'll have something for Ouma.

...

I kind of understand where he's coming from though...that kid is so young still...he's only three years younger than his brother though at this point...

At least I can remember Chiasa even if I miss her...he doesn't even get that...but still...

I can't blame Ouma when he probably misses her more than I ever did.

~♤~♡~◇~♧~

I looked at my watch wondering if I had arrived at the right time, he was over thirty minutes late.

Hopefully this wasn't a set up...but I was the one who suggested a public place, a cafe, so if anything they can't kidnap me.

Kiibo knows where I am too in case something goes wrong. I'm overreacting...just need to...

"Uhh...hi" a nervous voice called as I looked up at Danuja.

Oh

"Uhm...sorry I was late...I had something going on" he apologized. I could see a large bandaid on his neck that he kept trying to cover up with a scarf.

Oh...

Aito fidgeted around nervous, "Yeah here's the copies I promised you...so if that's all then I'll just go-"

"Wait" I quickly interrupted. "Just...look I just wanted to tell you...I understand, I lost my cousin the day your brother...so we're in similar situations" I told him reassuringly.

"But you two are friends" he argued, "doesn't mean you can't be. I only met Ouma this year, probably the same as you. So it isn't impossible, all it would take is some work learning sign language, he doesn't hold any grudges towards you" I assured him.

He didn't say anything, instead just a small nod. That was the only thing I really could do though, extend the offer.

As he turned away from me, already giving me the file I realized something, "wait!" I quickly called out.

"Was...was there anything else on that laptop?" I asked carefully, he paused for a bit, "locked files, I could probably hack into them or something...theres a few weird looking ones though...think some videos..." he muttered.

"Do...do you think you could open them for me?" I asked "I would be willing to pay you if you want" I quickly added. He shook his head, "I'll just do it as an apology gift" he told me as he put on some headphones and raised his hoodie, walking out of the cafe.

I then turned my attention back to the file, quickly paid for my drink, and headed home.

~-~-~

January 1st

Takura:

Happy New Year! Happy Winter Season of Anime! :D

Genkei:

Course you got excited over that, so what's your club doing to celebrate?

Takura:

Not sure yet. We're really bad at making group chats

Genkei:

Like with DICE?

Takura:

EXACTLY AS DICE, somehow we always forget someone when adding them it's a nightmare.

Genkei:

lol

Takura:

Don't laugh at my suffering >:[

Genkei:

I can't stop sorry

Takura:

You're the worst! >:0

Genkei:

You know it *smirk*

Takura:

...

Did you really type out smirk?

Genkei:

...maybe

Takura:

You're such a dork XD

Genkei:

That's rich coming from you

Takura:

Wooooooooooow

Genkei:

I'm kidding, I'm kidding

Genkei:

Tak?

Takura:

Sorry Mom needed me. I have to do stuff. See you at school.

Genkei:

K

February 4th

Takura:

Remind me never to go to a birthday party again.

Genkei:

Ha why? Did something happen at Aito's?

Takura:

Little kids scare me, they locked me in a closet:(

Genkei:

PFEHHWHZHSUEE XD

Takura:

Thank you for your support -_-

Genkei:

Only someone like you can have this happen to them xD

Takura:

My parents and the brats parents aren't coming back for an hour ;(

Genkei:

Why didn't you call Kokichi to save you then? Doesn't he have level 100 lock picking?

Takura:

He's at the dentist :/

Genkei:

Rip

Takura:

Come and help me already! >:[

Genkei:

Oki I'll come save you :D

Takura:

You better!

February 7th

Genkei:

Can I spend the night at yours?

Takura:

Why?

Genkei:

I just need an answer.

Takura:

I don't know, my parents don't really like you remember? And it's already late...sorry I don't think I can.

Takura:

You're not in trouble right?

Takura:

Genkei?!

Genkei:

Sorry hard to get a signal.

Takura:

It's something serious isn't it?

Genkei:

It's fine I'll work something out :D

Takura:

I'm leaving my bedroom window unlocked.

Genkei:

Why?

Takura:

Just come over already idiot -_-

Genkei:

Thanks :D

Takura:

You BETTER explain when you get here!

February 14th

Takura:

Hey where did you go? When I woke up you were already gone?

Takura:

Genkei you never explained why you needed to come here.

Takura:

Genkei it's already lunch and you haven't responded

Takura:

Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry.

Takura:

Least let me know if you're ok.

Takura:
Midnight now. Guess I might see you at school tomorrow.

March 2nd

Takura:

I can't wait for summer :D

Genkei:

Well that's random.

Takura:

It's true though! I don't want to do all this studying anymore! It feels like no matter how hard I try I'm still the worst!

Genkei:

Hey you could be like me and not try at all

Takura:

No thank you 0-0

I wanna live XD

Genkei:

Suit yourself.

Takura:

Anyways what should we do for spring? I wanna plan something cool for once!

Genkei:

Like what? A movie night? You know what happened last time when all you picked was Pokemon movies

Takura:

I still have nightmares.

Genkei:

Is that you being overdramatic?

Takura:

....no

Genkei:

I'll protect you from the pomeranian from now on then :D

Takura:

Really?

Genkei:

Yup, I'm a hero.

Takura:

I wouldn't say that...

Genkei:

BETRAYAL! I saved you from the closet ;[

Takura:

Still don't know...

Genkei:

So mean XD

March 13th

Genkei:

Why?

Genkei:
Why did you try to do it?

Genkei:
Why did you do that?!

Genkei:

TAKURA!

Genkei:
A

Genkei:
N

Genkei:
S

Genkei:
W

Genkei:
E

Genkei:
R

Genkei:
Takura what's wrong? Please just tell me, I can help! I want to help you!

Genkei:

At least tell me you won't try that again!

Genkei:

Takura please don't do that please, I can't lose you in my life so please answer.

Genkei:

Don't leave me.

Takura:

You wouldn't understand

Genkei:

TRY me

Takura:

You were born beautiful

Genkei:

What does that have to do with anything?!

Takura:

I WASN'T! I do everything to try and change that but everyday I wake up I'm still that fat greasy little pig and I HATE that

Takura:

Is it to much to ask for?! Is it to much to ask to wake up no longer looking like this?! That I can wake up and not have to hate myself?!

Takura:

See you're not even responding. You could never understand this feeling.

Genkei:

Park

Takura:

What?

Genkei:

Meet me at the park near your house

Takura:

It's 10:30

Genkei:

Already on my way, wait for me.

Takura:

It won't help.

Genkei:

Let me at least try.

Takura:

Fine

March 14th

Takura:

Thanks.

Genkei:

For what?

Takura:

Last night. I was really at a low point, but you somehow made me laugh.

Genkei:

What're friends for?

Takura:

Are you going to tell the rest though? About what I did? Please don't they really don't need to know.

Genkei:
Yes they do. But I won't tell them.

Takur:

THANK YOU

Genkei:

You will.

Takura:
What the fuck makes you think I would do that?

Genkei:
Let me finish my ominous texts -.-

Genkei:

When you're READY you will tell them, gonna be honest though most probably figured it out at this point bout the disorder.

Takura:

They do?

Genkei:

Yeah, sorry.

Takura:
So you really won't tell them?

Genkei:

I won't, unless you want me to or you do something again.

Takura:
Ok.

Genkei:
Just watch out for yourself ok?

Takura:
I'll try.

Genkei:
You WILL

Takura:
I will try

Genkei:
Why do you do this to me?

Takura:
XD

March 19th

Takura:

Who isn't single?! I'm not single! Who actually planned a confession- NOT me but I still got one! Take that Mirai I won't be single till the day I die you spawn of satan!

Genkei:

Uhhhh

Takura:

Oh shoot wrong person, hi

Genkei:

I thought we agreed we weren't telling DICE yet?

Takura:

But Mirai is bullying me about having thousands of husbandos

Genkei:

I mean you can always just respond that she's single

Takura:

I can but I wanna see her smug little face get shattered >:D

Genkei:

That would be funny

Takura:

So can I tell her?

Genkei:

Can you wait till after the school festival?

Takura:
Ok, but why?

Genkei:

Because I wanna have a date before Nao and Tsuki die from a shipping overdose

Takura:

Pffft ok

Genkei:

Thanks honey

Takura:

Are you trying to give me a pet name?

Genkei:

Let me have this

Takura:

Only if you win me something at the festival

Genkei:

Deal. Don't worry I'm a pro at this

Takura:

Sure you are

Genkei:

Tak!

Takura:

I'm not sorry XD

April 2nd

Takura:

Genkei are you ok? You weren't at school today, and all of last week you've been acting different. I know you're getting my calls so please just tell me.

Takura:
Its not fair if I'm the only one who has to say something if I feel bad.

Genkei:
I just have a lot right now, it's fine don't worry about it. I'll be back in school soon.

Takura:
What is it then?

Genkei:
You don't need to know I already pretty much solved it.

Takura:
Don't do this to me.

Genkei:
Do what?

Takura:
Act like everythings fine when it probably isn't, I want to help you too. So please just say something

Takura:
Or at least promise you will come to me when you're feeling sad or depressed too so we can get through it together, that's what you made me promise at the park so its only fair you make that same promise to me.

Genkei:

It is huh?

Genkei:
Truth is I'm not at home right now. My parents do really bad things, and I got kicked out of my house last night

Takura:

What the hell?! Why didn't you come to school and tell me? I could have let you stay at mine!

Genkei:
We both know your parents hate me. You know with me looking like a druggie

Takura:
I could have snuck you in.

Genkei:
Aito would snitch like he did last time, he's a little kid he can't keep a secret to save his life

Takura:
Any other member of DICE? Wait are you still out there right now? Because it's raining real bad.

Genkei:
I don't like admitting to this already with you, and yeah I am.

Takura:
Can we switch to calling?

Genkei:
Why?

Takura:
Cause I'm going out to find you dummy

Genkei:
Absolutely not

Takura:
Absolutely yes

Genkei:
Why are you doing this?

Takura:
Because I care. Oh and our adopted octopus plush son can't lose his dad

Genkei:

Can't argue with that.

April 21st

Takura:

Can we go to the arcade?

Genkei:

Sure wanna grab some food while we're out?

Takura:

No thanks not hungry

Genkei:

So it seems first donation to the lying jar is you huh?

Takura:

What

Genkei:
Well it's like a swear jar instead since I can't stop cussing to save my life it's for every time I say a lie. Thought we could do it together and then use the money to I don't know get DICE a gift bag or something

Takura:
I didn't lie though

Genkei:
So was it the bitch? Or just the normal anxiety?

Takura:
What?

Genkei:
I've known you since preschool I know when you're lying at this point

Takura:
How?

Genkei:
Mochi. You're obsessed with it, especially when we were kids. So everytime you say no to it while continue to stare at it like some poor kicked dog I know somethings up

Takura:
Do I really do that?

Genkei:
Among other signs.

Takura:
Like what?

Genkei:
I'm not telling! Otherwise you'll stop doing them and I won't be able to tell.

Takura:
It's my Mom

Genkei:
So do I get the gun or the bazooka?

Takura:
Neither she's my Mom.

Genkei:
So the bazooka?

Takura:
She had her boss come over for dinner, she scared my dad and me and we ended up having to clean up the whole house in a rush and she made us dress up. She was really mad at me because my older fancy clothes don't fit anymore.

Genkei:
BURN THE WITCH! Aren't those clothes from when you were in elementary school? Of COURSE they don't fit anymore!

Takura:
She's right though, I've been getting chubbier and even though I love DICE every time I see them eating fast food the smell makes me want to throw up

Genkei:
Let's find something else for you then, something healthy but actually let's you not starve to death

Takura:
You don't have to.

Genkei:
Nah it's fine, honestly I'm considering going vegetarian lately

Takura:

The hair wasn't enough to make people call you a hippie?

Genkei:
I don't look like a hippie

Takura:
Does everyone have a manbun?

Genkei:
So about that arcade trip-

Takura:
See you in a few then.

April 28th

Genkei:
Let's run away

Takura:
Wtf

Genkei:
I mean think about it, you hate your family, I hate mine, let's just run away.

Takura:
First off I don't hate them, second we can't get jobs, and third where would we even go?

Genkei:
Anywhere sweetie

Takura:
Sounds nice, problem is I want to keep going to school with DICE

Genkei:

Oh yeah those guys

Takura:

'Those guys'

Genkei:
It was a joke

Takura:
Yeah right

Genkei:
Ok but when we finish school let's just run away ok?

Takura:
That I can agree with, but I have Aito.

Genkei:
We'll take him with us

Takura:
That just sounds like a bad idea

Genkei:
Come on we'll figure out the details when it's time, I don't want to die in this small town anymore where everyone hates you ok? I'm sure in the city people would approve more of our relationship to!

Takura:
That does sound nice huh?

Genkei:
Doesn't it? Doesn't have to be now just one day we get outta here together

Takura:
Ok :D

Genkei:
:D

April 30th

Takura:
Genkei are you ok?!

Takura:
Everything happened so fast last night and I didn't know what to do I'm so sorry

Takura:
Genkei I'm sorry

Takura:
Genkei I don't know if you're getting these but just wanted to let you know everyone else is safe. When we find the bastard who did that to you he's gonna die alright? Murder rule be dammned

Takura:
Genkei I love you please be ok

May 1st

Genkei:
Wow you spammed me

Takura:
It's not my fault you were in the hospital!

Genkei:
My poor innocent eye ;(

Takura:
Don't joke about that

Genkei:
I'll be fine Tak I told you

Takura:
That evil man is still out there

Genkei:
Isn't as evil as the sub. Seriously he reducted points for me getting the date wrong the sadist

Takura:
Really?

Genkei:
Yes! He is evil! Oh my gosh it was the sub all along! He is the root of all evil!

Takura:
Those tests are evil

Genkei:
Welp that was a quickly solved mystery no need to brag I scored a 7 on the IQ test

Takura:
Shut up XD

Genkei:
Oh how the tables have turned

May 19th

Takura:
Getting party/prank set up! See you soon :D

End of Messages