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Keiko was 15 years old, at her second year in Hope’s Peak. The ultimates were supposed to start training for the future in their second year: once a week, students would go out into the real world and serve with their ultimate. And for Keiko Naegi, that meant going to investigate crime scenes.
She had done this for 3 years, and most cases were under her mother. However, this was a case Keiko would investigate on her own, along with The Ultimate Criminologist, Aki Tanaka, and under the additional supervision of Suihici Saihara.
Kyoko was always proud of her daughter. She understood that there was a large amount of talent behind her, but independance was always a slight problem for Keiko. Not that her mom was always there, but it could feel overbearing to Keiko at times.
They both compromised, to which Keiko would just text updates to Kyoko (rarely, it was more of “mom, im going to xyz place”, and Kyoko traced her location.
Kyoko knew Keiko had an investigation today. She worked in her future foundation office, when her phone began to buzz. She thought it was Makoto, but It was 2 in the afternoon. Why would any of her family members call her at this time?
The screen read “Keiko.” That was troublesome.
lMakoto was the headmaster, and mostly assisted Keiko first whenever needed. This was troublesome, as Keiko never called her while she was at work. If she was sick, she usually toughened out or had Makoto take her home. Better yet, she never called during a case.
Kyoko’s mind raced as she picked up the phone.
“What’s wrong?” Kyoko asked immediately.
“Mom…can you pick me up…?” Keiko’s voice shaked.
‘Uh oh.’ Kyoko thought. “Of course. Where are you located?” She immediately arose from her desk and gathered her things quickly.
While Kyoko scurried, Keiko told her mother: “I’m at the warehouse…on Necter street…The one that closed down a while ago.”
Kyoko never panicked, but this was something to panic over. “Keiko, are you okay? I need to talk to someone really quick.”
“I will…” Keiko muttered. She put her phone on mute, as she trembled. ‘She’s gonna be so upset with me…’ Keiko mumbled. She trusted her mother with every aspect of her life, but she’d never truly messed up in a case.
“I don’t know your mother that well, but why would she be upset?” Aki asked her.
“Well, I didn’t really get any evidence…”
“No, you got the perfect amount. And, I think Kazuki Tengan is getting pictures that fit as well. You’ll be okay, I trained under your mother..she definitely wouldn’t have gotten mad in the slightest for that. Speaking of which, how far is she?”
Keiko looked at the tracking app on her phone. “About 5 minutes…”
“Okay, we’ll just wait for Kazuki then. He’ll give you additional evidence.” Shuichi continued. It definitely upset Keiko with those words.
They continued to wait outside. Kyoko pulled up in her black Honda CRV near where they were. Keiko walked towards the car, both Aki and Shihichi waving goodbye.
Kyoko examined her daughter as she was getting in, noticing her hand was cut up severely with glass shards in it. She gasped at the sight, her stomach twisting into knots.
“Keiko. I need you to explain the details of the incident.” Kyoko asked, calmly. She started to drive, not with any rush or hurry. Her calmness had an effect on Keiko, calming her down as well.
“Uhm..okay. So I was in the building, looking for evidence…and it was a warehouse. The warehouse was open and empty…we thought it was safe for us, as the ‘culprit’ was there…
I went into an empty room which was dark…having been mislead for evidence…I was then met with the ‘culprit’.
…I tried to get away, and he ended up punching me in the jaw. After pushing and shoving him to get him away from me, he broke a window. He pushed me into the remaining glass shards…only my hand was affected though…I escaped as Shihara found me in time…” Keiko maneged to tell her mother. She had calmed down at this point, now her only wavering tone from how shaken he was.
“He only punched you and pushed your hand into the glass, right?” Kyoko glanced at Keiko, who showed no signs of lying. Keiko nodded.
“Wait, what do you mean by ‘culprit’?” Kyoko’s tone wavered in suprise.
“It wasn’t even the right person…he did get arrested for assault on an officer and being the accomplice…”
“Well, it’s a step in the right direction. It happens, Keiko.” Kyoko reassured, noting how glossed her daughter’s eyes were.
“Will I have to testify because of this..?”
“I’m not sure. Personally, I’ve only been assulted a minor amount of times in a case. I’ve never had to testify, so you should be good.”
“But does it add charges…?”
“No. It’s separate, and it’s only if you feel as if you need to press charges. Only charges relevant to the police are added, like fleeing from a crime scene. You technically arn’t in that catagory.” A moment of silence fell over them.
“Why do you ask?” Kyoko’s voice wavered with curiosity.
“Just curious. I don’t want to testify as a victim..but, I don’t know..I just don’t want to be involved in the case.”
“Don’t worry, I hear and feel you. That’s what happened to my hands, and I know how scared you are currently. It’s weird to have to testify against who assaulted you, especially without getting any emotions in the way.” Kyoko was never good and assureance nor comforting..and somehow her daughter thought that was the best thing in the world.
“Oh, and yes, my hand’s arn’t a birthmark. I’ll explain to you later, probably on the car ride home.” Kyoko added. They were across town from their house, and it would be a long time given the state of Keiko.
Another wave of silence fell over the duo. “I’m going to call your father and explain that we’ll be home late.” Kyoko told Keiko, finding his name on the car-phone hook up. She then pressed the call button.
Kyoko rarely called him after work, only if it was a ‘stay because somethings happened.’ Makoto picked up the phone. “Hello, Kyoko. What’s up?”
“I’m taking Keiko to urgent care as she had an incident with her detective work. She’s okay, she just needs treatment for an injury. I’ll explain later, I’ll try to text you when we leave.”
“Oh, okay! I’ll get started on dinner, I’ll see you later. Bye.” Makoto told her, his voice remaining calm.
“Bye.” Keiko loved her parents. Her favorite aspect had to be the fact that they could remain calm in any situation, and would never overreact. They still cared, but they would never panic more than her about her own problems.
Kyoko pulled into a parking space in the urgent care parking lot. They both exited the car and went in.
——-
Keiko layed on her stomach atop of her bed. Her freshly wrapped hand streched out on the bed, with an ice pack on her bicep. She put her previously punched jaw on it.
Kyoko entered the room, and sat at the edge of her bed. Keiko seemed to be on her phone, putting evidence from her phone to her laptop. She seemed to be gloomy, as her facial expression reflected that.
“How are you feeling?” Kyoko asked her daughter. Since getting home from urgent care, Keiko got increasingly more upset. She wasn’t the most talkative: but at dinner, she didn’t talk at all.
“I’m fine.” Keiko mumbled grumply.
“I don’t mean to pry, but that was not reassuring in the slightest.”
They sat in silence. Yes, Keiko had Kyoko’s personality with no emotion damage, but things like this still happened. Keiko hated opening up. Kyoko was fully aware of this as well. She sat in Keiko’s presence as she worked.
Keiko shut her laptop. “What happenes if I don’t find the right person? This all seems impossible.”
“It’s only day one, Keiko. Be patient, it’s not impossible.”
Kyoko put a hand on Keiko’s back. “You found the body, and all things accompanied by it. I don’t see a problem. Infact, you know that the perpetrator usually isnt caught right then and there. If you collected most things, you’re going to be fine. Just keep driving solutions as you find more persons of interest. It’s pretty late, so I recommend you start getting ready for bed.”
Keiko reluctantly agreed. She was already so tired, and sleep was necessary in this moment. She gave the ice pack to her mother, who was exiting the room.
———
“I feel like such a bad mother.” Kyoko told Makoto as the pair was getting in the bed about to sleep.
“Why?” Makoto’s head turned to Kyoko’s.
“I could have done something to protect her…I just feel horrible. I think she views me as upset with her.” Kyoko could feel tears welling in her eyes.
“Honestly, there’s really nothing you could have done. She’s had cases before, and these things just happen.” Makoto reassured, noting that Kyoko could burst into tears at any moment. She never played when it came to Keiko.
“Kyoko…She’s okay,” Makoto continued,” She has you to support her physically and emotionally. Her hands will heal, and you’re supporting her in her scars. She’s always known that you’re there for her whenever she needs you, kyoko. You are the best mother ever, and Keiko is sure of it.” Makoto assured her, wiping any falling tears with his thumb. He then kissed her forehead.