PUZZLE 2: THE PULLING TREES - ACT 4
I carefully place a bunch of multicolored flowers in the vase on the bedside table and prop them up.
I then face Maiden, sleeping on the hospital bed.
A part of me wishes she would just wake up and see what I'm doing for her… but at the same time, I wish she would just lie there in peace.
I sigh.
Just looking at her feels draining. It's time to leave this darkened room.
I step outside, and Yaeko remains on the bench beside me, flicking through today's newspaper.
I close the room's door behind me, and lean on it.
She's not the only one who can read minds.
"You think I'm a monster, don't you?"
"Of course," she casually replies. "You did nearly kill my operative?"
I feel my shoulders tense up. "Are you gonna report me?"
"Are you tell on me for hitting you?"
I look away from her.
In the corner of my eye, I see Yaeko put her newspaper down and face me. "I'm… sorry for my violence," she solemnly concedes. "You did what you had to do. You're…stronger than me."
I'm taken aback by her admission. "I… wasn't doing it to show off-"
Yaeko suddenly rises to her feet and tosses the paper on the bench. "Come on, sister. Let's go grab a coffee."
She starts walking away. I take a final look at Maiden through the window in the door, then I quickly catch up with the detective.
⧗⧗⧗
The coffee shop around me is surprisingly modern for an obligatory hospital addition. The tables are made of solid oak, the walls are decorated with abstract art, and there are huge real green plants potted here and there.
Yaeko brings over two cappuccinos to my table, then sits opposite me.
"Don't worry about Maiden," says Yaeko.
"Huh? Don't worry?"
"Yeah. I'll give her some time off, book her in with a psychiatrist, then she'll recover in time. Everything's cool."
My eyes narrow as I watch her nonchalantly stir her coffee. "Yaeko," I begin with a deepened voice. "You saw what that Angel did. We have to take her out."
Yaeko takes out her spoon, slowly takes a sip of her coffee, and calmly lands her mug. "Akemi, do you even know what it's like to kill someone? You're an academic, not an assassin. Don't kid yourself."
"The previous attack she made was successful," I blankly reply. "She'll do it again."
Yaeko's clenches her mug. "Stop it," she quietly commands, looking away. "I don't wanna hear about your quest for vengeance. If you do something stupid, don't tell me about it."
"Sure. She's as good as gone, anyway," I confidently declare. "She knew which trees to tie Maiden to… but so what if she's a horology whizz? It's not like she can outsmart me."
Yaeko nearly coughs on her coffee before raising her eyebrow at me. "Huh? Jeez, Akemi. Humility's not your strong suit, huh?"
It takes a few moments, but I eventually realise what she's saying.
I inch my head closer to the detective. "What do you mean?"
Yaeko crosses her arms and smirks. "Oh, come on, Akemi. I only hired you as your deductions around Asaya were correct, not because you're some queen of horology!"
"Huh?" I exclaim in astonishment. "Is there… an horology student who's better than me?"
"Yeah, of course there is." Her head tilts in puzzlement. "I… thought you knew."
I stare at her, confused and shocked.
"Why are you looking at me like that, sister? It's Jun."
My eyes quickly widen, then I look away just as fast.
Jun? No way… Not that child!
But then again, she didn't snore when I found her in my apartment, plus she stole her blanket from my bedroom. She must have seen my research board, then pretended to sleep on my couch.
She also must have been pretending to sleep next to me when I phoned Yaeko from the hospital. She had confirmation that we'd found the puzzle with her own coordinates, then spied on me when I stayed at Maiden's apartment.
There's a very real chance that she's…
⧗⧗⧗
"Mmm, hmm! These muffins are delicious, Akemi!"
I smile at her. "Thanks, Jun."
As she scoffs the blueberry muffins at my low table in her pajamas, I turn around and eye the box wrapped in pink gift wrapper on my sofa.
"Can I open my present now?" I ask.
"Sure!" Jun enthusiastically responds, barely able to get out her words with all that dough in her mouth. "Get ready for a big surpriiiiise!"
I stand up and walk over to the box. I then stop, look up at my modern black and white clock on the wall, and stare at it as time slowly moves on.
TICK! TOCK! TICK! TOCK!
After a few minutes, I turn around to a now silent Jun. The drugs in her muffins had taken effect, and she's now asleep on the table.
I'll be honest, this sleepover wasn't so bad. I actually enjoyed watching the horror movie and eating the snacks in my pajamas with Jun.
I'm starting to feel bad about my next step.
Better move fast before I change my mind!
I undo the red ribbon on the present and take off the wrapping paper, revealing a black cardboard box. I slowly open it, and my breathing quickens.
Just as I thought. Jun wasn't kidding before!
I pick up the pistol, and inspect it.
Yeah. It's the real thing.
I take out the silencer from the box and twist it onto the front of the gun. I then take out the bullet cartridge, check that the bullets inside are real, then push it into the gun. I pull back the top slide.
CHICK, CHICK!
I slowly turn to face Jun.
The sight I'm seeing would normally be freakish to most people out, but not to me.
Her eyes are now wide open, looking dead as the night, staring at me whilst her chin rests on the low table.
She's too drugged up to move. She must be using every ounce of energy she has to keep her attention on me.
I aim my gun at her head. "Jun, what you did to Maiden was unforgivable. It's time for you to reap what you've sewn."
Just before I pull the trigger, her eyes quickly dart to the side. I hesitate, then slowly look to where she's looking.
Huh? Is there something else in the gun box?
I walk over to it, and I see an envelope in there.
I chose to ignore it at first, but she's wanting me to open it. I suppose I should entertain her last wish.
I put the gun down, then pick up the envelope. I stare at the square of pink paper in my hand, with my name and the outline of a heart hand-written on the front. I turn it over, and there's a red rubber seal on the fold.
Jeez…
What the hell is this?
