Chapter Text
September 09, 2019
"No"
"Wait a minute Ramuda let me explain-"
"I'm not coming back Ichiro"
Ramuda struggles to keep the door close as the man behind it keeps banging and calling out his name.
It was around nine in the morning when I, with my stupidity and eyes laced with sleep had accidentally walked in on something I wish I never had.
The chain lock clatters with what I assume to be an attempt of entry by the stranger on the other side of which Ramuda's short figure did absolutely nothing to prevent.
In less than thirty seconds the said stranger had entered our apartment, door (and doorframe alike) on the floor in splinters. He's a man I'm sure I had seen before but couldn't quite put my finger on. Raven black hair framed his uniquely mismatched eyes, which are, by the way, seem to be completely surprised by his own doing.
Ramuda, who practically flew off after the black-haired man had broken our door, is strewn on the floor clearly agitated, clenching his head and mumbling profanities.
And I still dumbfounded.
"Uh...Good Morning?"
"This is anything but a good morning, Dice" he replied with venom seething from his teeth.
"Yeah...should I call the police?"
"Ah, there's no need" Mister pretty eyes replies as he flips his ID and badge in front of me.
"Dumbass he's the police" My pink-haired roommate mutters as he heads to the kitchen, presumably to avoid the 'police'.
I turn my attention to the identification he had presented to me. It looks legitimate at a glance but from experience, I know from experience to give him the benefit of a doubt.
"Yamada Ichiro, a detective?"
"Yeah, of sorts. I'm sorry for the door, I'll make sure to replace it when I can"
"No worries, it will be uh... a nice change of scenery"
Ramuda, catching on to my suspicion, bellows from the kitchen, probably composing himself.
"He's the real deal Dice~ Don't even bother!"
I tense, now confirmed of his identity. I haven't been this near to a police officer in five years.
Yamada continued to overstay the 'hospitality' he was given and enters the kitchen without any second thoughts.
The kitchen wasn't that big, and if I tried hard enough, I could probably touch both walls with my arms stretched, so you can probably imagine how awkward it was with three people cramped in such a small space. Not to mention Ramuda is in that mood again.
Yes, that mood, the one where you're unsure whether he's being eccentric or he's being eccentric and planning your murder behind your back.
Yamada stares at the steaming cup of coffee that he had just brought down from his lips.
"You didn't put anything in this did you?"
"Just milk! I'm not in the mood to poison you right now"
"Reassuring" Yamada said as he took another sip.
Ramuda takes his own cup and leans against the kitchen counter, eyes evidently avoiding the detective in the room.
"You know I don't like unannounced visitors Ichiro... So you better have a good explanation for your visit or you'll regret stepping a foot in here~"
"Reassuring, really" Yamada commented in between his nervous laughter.
When the detective finally caught wind that Ramuda isn't joking the slightest, and really I don't know why he assumed Ramuda would still be bluffing after all that, but when he did, his expression immediately changes to one more appropriate of his title.
He brings out a manila envelope and emptied its contents, three folders, complete with a bunch of assorted photos and separate, neatly stapled files, most likely classified police information.
"Does something particularly stand out to you?"
Ramuda's manicured fingers scan through the pages. Though he appears uninterested, the momentary gleam in his cerulean eyes said otherwise.
"What about it?" He replies, tossing the files haphazardly back onto the table.
The detective then turns his attention to me, as if to tell me something.
Ah, he probably wants to say something to Ramuda in private.
"He stays here. He won't speak a word, right Dice?" Ramuda interferes before a Yamada could utter a single word.
"Yeah...not a word" I reply, trying to match the amount of exuberance he's giving off by making a zipper gesture on my mouth albeit awkwardly.
"Alright, alright, you and your purple-haired men..." he mutters the latter part a little quieter, which only irked Ramuda further.
"I'd watch your pretty little neck if I were you~"
The detective only coughs in response.
"Well? Doesn't it look awfully familiar?"
"To what? I'd say you're just paranoid"
Naturally I have no idea what they're talking about and while I am curious, of course it would be rude to just straight up ask when obviously one of them don't even want me here.
But then again, A little peek never hurt anyone.
The two of them continue their conversation, engrossed on the topic at hand and I, stealing glances at the files scattered across the dining table.
Shockingly, two of the case are nothing but the old boring cases of murder with the exception of an unclear suspect and most probably and unclear motive as well. The pattern of the victims being persons of the male gender in high positions may or may not be noteworthy as well.
However, the third one is what really caught my eye since, naturally, it's he same type of crime I specialize in.
Illegal hacking.
It's not the only thing I do, it's just that hacking is relatively easier to do than, say breaking in a government establishment and taking classified files without leaving physical evidence. Compared to that, hacking's just like taking a potato chip from a bag of chips, no one would notice if you just take a piece and even if they did it would probably too late.
Strange enough, none of the cases seem to be connected, at least at first, because if that isn't the case there wouldn't be a point of going through all the trouble to bug an ordinary private detective like Ramuda.
The table shakes with a fierce tremor, almost spilling my half consumed coffee in my face, effectively bringing me back from my daze.
Whatever they've been discussing the past ten minutes came to an abrupt end as soon as Ramuda brought his hand down grim-faced. Yamada, who finally gets the message leaves with an unreadable expression on his face.
I look at my roommate, unsure what to say.
"Hey Dice?"
"Yeah?"
"What do you think of Ichiro-kun?"
Okay that's one question I wasn't expecting.
I stare off into the ceiling's blank whites, thinking of something sensible to say.
"Uh, he's pretty..."
"Pretty what?"
"Dedicated to his work I guess? Maybe a bit enthusiastic, he's got a lot of energy for a police detective that's for sure"
"True, but you know what?"
Ramuda pauses, a mischievous glint in his normally juvenile-looking eyes.
"Ichiro knows how to get people interested in anything, seriously he could've been anything but a boring old detective. He's done his job well and I applaud him for that but I really hate him now"
"I'm so sorry but you kinda lost me there"
He traces the rim of his mug playfully, then pouts.
"Wasn't it suspicious he just left one of files here?"
And he's right, there it is, resting under Yamada's barely touched cup of coffee.
"Seriously! He could have been more subtle about it but let's see if I'm right..."
I scoot over to his side, curious to see which file the detective had left behind.
"The hacking one..."
My roommate raises a brow at my comment.
Ah shit.
"I didn't mean to I swear. It was just in my line of sight y'know"
To my confusion, he just laughs and continues flipping back and forth through the limited pages as if looking for something specific.
After a minute of nothing but the sound of paper being flipped, A small detail catches my attention in which I immediately make Ramuda aware of.
"Hold on, there's something written there"
On the fifth page is a skeptical note with the numbers 09-02-19 written in hasty handwriting.
At first it would seem like nothing but a note for the investigation, as there are countless spread across the whole file, but something about it stood out from the rest.
And apparently Ramuda seems to think so as well.
Five hours had passed since the detective's morning visit, the sun high in sky with it's sweltering heat. I was sprawled lazily on the couch, in nothing but my boxers and a white shirt I got from a thrift shop, where by the doorless...door, Gentaro, enters curiously in all his sleeved glory.
How on earth he pulls that off without catching a heat stroke is beyond me.
"I would knock but it seems like I don't need to"
Yumeno Gentaro, a colleague of both ours. He's known Ramuda more than I have and has more experience it this field of work more than I ever will.
Ramuda had called him in after we found out about the note, saying that we were to investigate on something. What exactly that was, he didn't say, but then again most of the things he does or say isn't crystal clear. Maybe it's just his personality, but either way I don't mind as long as it answers the question at the end, which is frustrating at times but is usually the case.
Enter, Gentaro, who is basically a toned down clone of Ramuda, both are eccentric in their own ways, have very questionable backgrounds and have charms unique to themselves. Besides that, everything else is different, from the way they obtain and digest information to the way they approach cases, which thanks to them, eventually gets solved.
Because of that we've lasted longer than most private detectives and received more substantial cases than your average cat hunting.
Well, there is one more thing though.
We don't exactly do things legally here.
"Ramudaaa, Gen's here!"
Once Ramuda entered the living room, the mood takes a more serious turn and everyone reaches a mutual understanding.
We usually pick our cases, rather, Ramuda does, if it doesn't pique his interest then you're just wasting your breath, we're not going to take it no matter how much you try or pay...sadly.
Occasionally though, Ramuda will actively investigate on a case on his own accord then rope us in. These are usually the most unique and exciting ones because we aren't restrained by the client's terms and we can do whatever we want, and how we want.
Turns out this is another one of those cases.
After Ramuda had finished filling Gentaro on the events earlier, he discusses the plan with both of us.
"Alright~ assuming no one's backing out, I'm going to give you two a fair warning"
Ramuda's blue eyes seem to glow under the shadow of his bangs. He looks at the two of us sternly before proceeding.
"Unlike all the other stunts we've pulled before this one by far is the most risky. I'd be very cautious if I were you, metropolitan police aren't to be taken lightly"
His words echo in my head as Gentaro and I make our way into the establishment, complete with disguise and equipment.
"If it was risky then why didn't he come with us? He probably knows about this place more than we do" I whisper to no one in particular.
My partner, who is busy checking the perimeter replies in a hushed tone "Ramuda's reasoning is peculiar at times but it always had brought us the results we need, needless to say thinking about it is just a waste of energy"
I can't really argue with that logic so we proceed deeper into the maze of corridors, passing by swarms of policemen who know nothing of the moles in their lair. I must say it's easier than stealthily sneaking in at wee hours but indeed riskier like he said.
We reach our destination in no time, the elevator dings at the fourth floor, its doors opening to a dimly lit corridor. My lungs almost collapse as I breath in a large gulp of air, field work is never my thing and I don't think it will ever be.
I spare a glance Gentaro, who contrary to my anxious state is completely composed and waiting for me to get my shit together.
He eyes the area from our position, which fortunately seems to be devoid of any life.
I drop the fake briefcase I've been holding all this time. If Ramuda's correct, there would be around five cameras in the floor that needs to be disabled so that we do our 'duties' freely.
There's also the time to think about, someone ought to do rounds to check security and whatnot. When that happens, escaping without a trace would be virtually impossible.
Without wasting another second, I flick open the case, revealing a multitude of tools to bypass security. After a few tweaks in the system here and there, I finally gain access to the security footage which I swiftly tamper with in a way it would rewind the past minute continuously until we're done.
I give Gentaro a thumbs up, signalling that he can check the perimeter more thoroughly while I continue to manipulate other security measures that would hinder and limit our movements.
Once everything is checked, the office is all that's left.
"Can you get through it?"
I scratch my head, bringing out one of the tools from the case before replying "I have to, it's harder to crack than the rest though, can you keep watch?"
Gentaro nods and goes in the other direction without another word, leaving me to my own devices, literally.
The door is guarded by a passcode and a keycard lock, which is what I meant by 'harder to crack'. To get in, I need to emulate the exact signals a keycard would give as well as hack the passcode, otherwise it might trigger an alarm, which is the last thing we want.
It's a nice try, but not impossible.
As the light indicator on the lock turns green, a soft click can be heard as the door cracks opens ever so slightly.
"Bingo"
Sorry Detective Yamada, Lady Luck is on my side today.
"How much longer?"
"Chill down Gen, I'm almost there"
There is nothing more satisfying than hearing the rapid clacking noises of the keyboard while living off on the thrill of a gamble.
Will we get caught?
Possibly.
Do I want to get caught?
Hell no.
Just the thought of duping the police, one of the most 'secured' places you can think of, and getting away with it is pure ecstasy. I'm willing to bet they won't even notice for at least two or three days, a week if they're dumb.
The time ticks away while Gentaro's perfectly postured figure, teeters over the 'briefcase' showing camera feeds all over the building, completely focused and unmoving.
"Dice"
"I said-"
"Isn't it suspicious?"
My hands hover on the keyboard for a split second at his inquiry. Gentaro's instincts are scarily accurate, and if he says something is off then something must be off.
"Isn't what suspicious?"
"How easy everything has been so far"
"I almost shit my pants acting like a goody-good cop at the front desk, what do you mean everything's been easy so far?"
I could see Gentaro pacing around the room, chin resting on his hand deep in thought.
"Coincidentally this is also the first time Ramuda didn't come with us on his 'handpicked missions'"
My fingers start to falter at the speed of my typing. The stress of time and Gentaro's troubling analyses bearing weight on my mind.
"Seriously? After you told me it's a waste of energy to rationalize Ramuda's decisions? It's kind of too late for that"
He doesn't respond, in fact I think he stops his relentless pacing after that.
My eyes, still glued to the screen in front of me, takes a quick glance at my silent partner who's expression, now that I am able to see with complete focus, seemed to reach a troubled conclusion as his gaze meets mine.
At that split second, the all too familiar sound of an error rings loudly in the room absent of all noise.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
"What's wrong?" Gentaro strides calmly despite the anxiety he expressed earlier.
"The system rejected the code I was using to get in and set off an alarm" I reply in between the string of frantic typing and the cold sweat dipping down my forehead.
The thrill of a gamble no longer lingers, now replaced by a decisive battle against time.
"Then let's get out of here before security comes"
"You go ahead and find an escape route I'll just-"
"Dice, there's no time we have to go, now"
His hands grip my collar in an attempt to pull me away from the screen. There wouldn't be a point to this if I didn't take at least one bit of information so I resisted, brushing off his hand a bit rougher than I intended to while my frantic fingers in sync with the lines of code appearing on the screen.
I can hear Gentaro click his tongue in annoyance, snapping his head to the surveillance screens displaying security responding to the alarm. He then yanks my arm without another word, more forcefully than he did with my collar, thankfully, just after the copied files were transferred to my device.
I unplugged it hastily, grabbing the briefcase and followed the clearly irked Gentaro out of the room and into the corridor.
We rushed into the fire exit, spiralling down its long flight of stairs until we reach the ground floor, where we stop to catch our breaths.
"There's two things that could be behind that door" Gentaro says softly in between his heavy breathing.
"Ramuda, with our getaway vehicle-"
"Which we both know is very unlikely"
"So that leaves us with-"
The unmistakable click of heels can be heard, echoing against the empty walls of the fire exit, slow but steadily approaching, eventually revealing itself from the covers of the dimly lit corridor.
Pretty mismatched red and green eyes.
Heh, so that was his plan after all.