Files scattered around my glass desk in my living room as I was skimming every information of Saimoto's. Like i'm solving an unknown case, I felt motivated when i'm doing something since it's like a training for me as well of becoming a lawyer.
I have no absolute up against with it. Not when it's the exact thing I need to improve my knowledge upon solving cases.
I've been studying his files and I didn't even have the slightest of sleep, I didnt let distraction take over me, not this time. My professor had inform us that there will be no classes for us since they're taking care of the upcoming foundation day although he had left us few works to do in asynchronous.
It isn't that hard since we just had to do identification yet ten paragraphs in it.
I still have a lot of time to do it since it isn't that hard for me, It will take probably just fifthy minutes to do so? Yeah, I still have a ton to take a nap or so. My gaze examined the file i'm holding-skimming every details in it.
CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
NAME: SAIMOTO | LAST NAME: KUJISA
OCCUPATION: Public Information Officer Administration
DATE OF DEATH: SEPTEMBER 26, 20XX |
TIME OF DEATH: 3:47 P.M.
September 26.
The day when the last anniversary of the school had happened, a coincidence? yes? Perhaps. I noticed the time of death of his, I squinted my eyes lightly to have a clear look since the fonts is quite small.
It is where the dance program had started in mid-minutes, just when the right time everyone was so busy back then. Who had the nerve to..to just kill innocent people out of their lack of reasoning? Are they out of their mind? Are they abnormal than I am? Maybe or maybe not. Having zero knowledge upon a killer's psychology behavioral of intending murdering people out of insanity. With any causes they committed, It still lacks validation of trying to prejudices their crimes when they knew themselves they have choices to make.
Not picking a choice is already a choice. Killing people with mere reason is already a choice. There's always a choice to pick and go for it.
I gritted my teeth out of irritation building inside me, my breathing become heavy and I happened to stop gathering the files i'm holding and just dropped it on the glass desk. That's for today. I let out a worn sigh, out of exhaustion.
I leaned my back against the soft fabric of the couch, resting my body as I placed my forearm above my forehead. It got me thinking.
...I almost forgot that this is not an ordinary school like they dreamed of.
I did my breathing exercise to calm myself down, three, four, five, It always worked for me whenever I'm this stressed over something. Stress? Was it the actual reason? Stress or angry, Evelynn? Said the voice lingers my head.
Angry? Me angry? I'm not able to feel those strange emotions, it's beyond my vocabulary. I was told not to feel those weird emotions that will distract me, I was trained not to feel it. I looked over the clock that's hanging on my wall; 9:03 am, I stared at it blankly. Before getting up from the couch as I walked towards my bedroom, leaving those scattered document files on my glass desk.
I did a quick change, I don't have to take a shower since I took a half bath awhile ago to keep my spirit awake. I couldn't afford dozing off and it seemed like taking a quick bath had payed off. Tying my hair into a messy ponytail and put on a loosen white shirt long-sleeves polo and a bow, I don't have to wear our full uniform since there's no classes up until for few days, wearing a decent fit is acceptable.
I approached my body mirror to see what I look like before going out, I reached for my nude pink channel lipstick on my vanity desk. I parted my mouth a bit to put some lipstick on my lips, so it wouldn't look a little pale. After wearing it-pressing my lips together before creating a small sound that came from my lips as it smacked together. I take back what I said.
I placed my channel lipstick on its place again, once i'm contented using it, I walked out of my bedroom to get to my main door. I kneeled down to put my shoes on aside my shoes stock placed on the corner of my doorframe. After I wore my shoes on I immediately left my dorm.
I don't have any plans for today but to finish my left loads of work that my professor gave me. Though, there's something in me of wanting to find out who murdered Kujisa Saimoto, I had finished analyzing his files awhile go in my dorm.
September 26. 3:47 pm.
It engraved my mind and I couldn't do anything about it other than keep solving it until I find out who's the executioner man. The executioner man. A voice appeared in the back of my mind. The executioner man. The executioner man. I closed my eyes shut and placed my hand over my head, getting a little dizzy now. The executioner man. The executioner man. The executioner man!
"One caramel Macchiato with three shots of espresso for Evelynn Vivian!" Shaking my head to snap out of my zone after I heard my name being called by the barista, trying to push the thoughts away that could distract. Had to make sure that I could focus, I had to be concentrated, I can't afford distraction.
My feet got up from my seat, approaching the counter. The barista placed the latte that I ordered infront of me before thanking me with a smile on their face while I stared at them before bowing my head a bit, getting awkward by a simple social interaction between humans. I had payed for it after I ordered so it wouldn't be hassle.
The counter yelled. "One black coffee for Nicholas!"
I frown by the mention of a familiar name. It's not him, right? Right? It's probably another guy, probably another guy, another guy with a same name as him. I was about to leave the counter when I felt a towering figure behind me, nervousness ran through my veins and the worst part is...I could senses familiarity from their presence.
I had never wished anything to God so hard like this, I wish he wouldn't notice me, I wish he wouldn't notice me. It's like i'm praying for good not to be seen. I wish he wouldn't notice me, I wish he wouldn't notice me. I spotted a man on the corner of my eyes in a black blazer layering the white long sleeves shirt; He's standing beside me, reaching for his order as for his other hand is in his pocket like his usual posture.
My brows rose up when our eyes met, he didn't even looked surprised not a bit. It feels like our time had stopped as if our surroundings become quiet dead, and it felt like eternity as we were looking straight into each other.
I grunts under my breath, "God, how unlucky can I be." I saw how his gaze darted to me, with his brows creased, probably questioning himself inside his head. I made my mouth shut as soon as I realize that he maybe heard what I said.
"Why are you in distress in the morning?" I scrunched my nose after raising a brow at his idiotic question. He doesnt know why or he's just acting to get a reaction from me? He already knew!
"Because I see you everywhere." I exclaimed, my voice getting pitched high, irritably. I had a grip of myself not to get the best of me since I wasn't taught that way-being learn in a young age not to outbursts my weird emotions, just like what father discipline me.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Zamien pursues, his word of response being sardonic hiding it with a stoic expression on his face.
My eyes sparkled in irritation, glaring at him. "The latter,"
His brow lift as he turned his gaze to the cashier, paying for his drink before turning to me again. "Of course it's a good thing." His lips playing-stopping the urge to smile.
And I grunts, rolling my eyes at his words. The two workers in the front watching us fights like cat and mouse and I didn't pay attention to them except for the man who's standing right next to me, with his annoying presence of appearance that I hate!
"No wonder I hate you to guts." I hissed at him, getting the best of me.
I saw a glimpse of his little smirk in his lips, as he nibbled on the bottom of his lip. "Oh yeah?"
He then grins. "If you keep lying straight to my face like that, I have no choice but to shut that pretty mouth full with lies of yours." He taunted-making me caught off guard, his body turning to me fully with a cup in his hand.
I scoff, words rolled off my tongue - provoking him to edge. "As if you have the possibilities to do that." A mocking smile crooked up my lips, my eyes filled with challenges.
"I do, I'm willing to." He took a step closer to me, and I had the urge to walk away but my feet were glued on my spot. "If you let me, of course." He added to scare me even more, my eyes flickering open-absolute nervous upon that. I could feel my blood boiling in my veins. I could feel the lump forming in my throat, making me hard to swallow.
My voice hissed. "This is why I do not like you at all."
"Why is that?" His head tilted to the side, few strand of his hair falling down his forehead.
With all mighty, I said with honesty. "I like everyone here except you."
A cocky smile twitched up his lips which makes me annoyed as hell-just by talking to him furthermore. I heard a low sigh escape his lips before he tsk'ed me. "I hate everyone here, except you."
His eyes remain fixed on me, and this time I didn't even catch a phrase of mockery in his tone, I have no idea if he's telling the truth or not. And with that being said in such a clear state-admitting to me as if it's that easy to say all that like there's no problem or an issue upon hating the little bit of me.
"Yeah, right." I watched how his brows frown as he looked down at me, I saw how his mouth opened but no words came out, as if he's hesitant, as though he's stopping himself to say a word to me
Before he did, "I am very serious, Valeria." With a serious expression plastered on his face, his voice were firm to hear. Even the workers in front had step away aside from the order line, in order not to hear our conversation.
I almost believe him, as in almost but I pushed whatever those things away from me-not wanting to mess my mind. "You don't seems so capable of taking everything serious." I rolled my eyes at him as a way of bidding my goodbye, and immediately left with my latte in my hand.
"What a joke," I utter to myself, completely doubting him. As if I believe a single word he said? Clicking my tongue out of annoyance before taking a sip on the lid cup of my latte. No way. Not wanting to be bought by the thought of that, I was planning to stay at the mini cafe next to the new establishment inside our university-but seeing him there makes my blood boil to the core.
I would rather leave than to stay there knowing that the Devil is there which is I hate to see.
I took a deep breath, three, four, five, to calm myself down. I gripped on the strap of my bag hanging my shoulder before taking another sip of my latte. Walking inside the field-the wind blew on my face; feeling the cold breeze hit my skin, few loose strand of my hair fanned away as I walked in the campus to walk around to ease my mind.
"Evelynn!" Someone yelled my name from afar, I paused on my spot as I looked over my shoulder to see who was calling me, out of nowhere. A blonde looking woman happily ran towards me as she wave her arm to caught my attention or to see if I can see her from steps away.
I get to see her face clearer when she is infront of me with a sweet smile plastered her dangerous face, a face of a demon who's in a disguise as a cupid.
"Ashianna," I greeted her with a warm smile as she's infront of me, she gave me a hug, a tight hug that I begged her to let me go. The laughters of ours filled both of each other's surrounding, I haven't seen this woman for weeks! I missed this sweet cake so much.
"Vivi, oh my god, I missed you!" She jumped like a little girl as she hold my hands whilst here I am, chuckling from her actions and sweetness. These weird emotions. Ashianna is one of the person who knew my illness, about me going to a therapist every weekend, my dream, what I hate, what I love, what I dislike and like. That goes the same for me.
"I missed you more, Ash." I teased. Ashianna rolled her eyes at me, jokingly. This girl has the weirdest yet sweet personality and humor among us, we've been friends for years now ever since senior high started.
"How have you been these days?" I asked her while drinking my coffee.
"All good, though i'm drown of works! Our professor kept pushing us to do presentation about those popular business company in france!" She complained which is not new for me. "And oh my, I have a lot of things to catch up with you, you know. Insert Reighvien!"
I nodded my head as a signal that I was listening to her rants all that, she had stopped talking before asking, "hey, how's your cases?"
I thought for a second, some of them are good, few of them are hella bad and I couldn't complain about it. "All settled, I can survive." I joked, a small faint of smile formed my lips to assure her. Her eyes went down to my lips and I saw how her eyebrows rose up all the way that forehead lifted before I saw how her expression frown.
"What's up?" I got curious due to the expression she's making. Her eyes glanced up at me, stiffening a smile on her full cupid lips as she shook her head as a response, but I know something is wrong, something is wrong and I don't know what it is, And I couldn't do anything to change it.
"By the way, are you updated of the current situation happening with the GSC?" She blurted out, breaking the silence.
GSC were a short-term for Gemstone Supreme Councils, and they were all like a hawks leaving in a shadow without any publication appearance of them, aside with the one I knew. The Council President. Even so, upon sudden mention of the almighty USC's it made me intrigued out of curiosity.
I frown by her question, heard what? She was able to detect the right words on my mind after she signaled me to come closer to her, only when it comes to gossiping about people we knew.
I leaned closer to her, ready to hear all her hidden gossips. "There's currently an on-going issue at the Supreme Student Council's." She whispered and at that moment a small trick of curiositystrike me in a good spot. My brows rose up by the sudden mention of the GSC, Including him?
"It seemed like the Council secretary had been in sort of an accident, that's probably why they're stressing out." She went further more and all I do is listen to Ashianna, wanting to know about this 'little issue' of the perfect Supreme Councils.
"How did you know?" I asked with my brows knitted, having no absolute idea upon the issue. Ashianna shrugged her shoulders, innocently. She wasn't sure of the story she heard from somewhere but that information is probably spreading fastly but quietly.
No one want to overcome to the Supreme Students, they never want to cross the lines, they never want to encounter them, all due to the past. A dirty past.
"No one have no idea of the recent troubles of their situation, and I trust you enough that you won't tell a living soul. I don't want either if us to get in trouble in no time." She reminded me, utterly. Probably worried that anyone would hear us or the Councils Government itself.
I didn't try to ask furthermore question even though I knew myself I wanted to hear more of the issues in their palms. It was rarely for the GSC to have a pressuring situation align with them.
"Well, They made it look like an inconvenience accident so the real situation would be covered up. It's confidential, I am have no idea about it neither." Ashianna clicked her tongue, raising her index finger in air before proceeding, "Anyway, Are you free this weekend?" Her brow arched, waiting for my response and wishing that she'll get a different word of response this time.
"I can't go, you know?"
"I can't go, you know?" She repeated after me, while mocking the words. She immediately let out a groan by my old trick of response, she knew I was gonna say that! I mean-yeah, I also do whenever avoiding an events but still.
I narrowed my eyes at her flaming eyes before I let out a sigh. "I'll check my schedule." I rolled my eyes at her, she had me, she had me this time, she knew I couldn't turn her down.
A giggle escaped through her lips, knowing I couldn't resist her! She doesn't even buy my excuses no more.
"I'll sent you the location, okay!" Ashianna blow me a kiss to tease me, and I flicked the invisible hearts she blown coming my direction. She chuckled before bading her good bye to me and so did I.
She still have a lot of things to do, so I'll give her time, I'm also occupied by my own loads of work which is understandable. We'll just see each other in weekend.
Currently, it's twelve-ten o'clock and I had already submitted all the works that I needed to be done with. I'm staying at a near café that is quite popular around the university.
The sun is still rising and I have nothing to do but to scan the documents of Saimoto Kujisa, clearly there is no evidence in his files but i'll make it.
I'm sure i'll have it then and now. I have to. I have to know who's the culprit. I have to know why he appeared in my dream, I have to know who is 'the executioner man' is, I have to know why he's asking for my help. The decision of mine is made, I have to know the real cause of his death.
"Evelynn?"
I snapped out of my zone, being brought to reality again. I've been zoning out of lack of concentration and I couldn't help it to be stopped. I looked over my shoulder, seeing a blonde man with curly locks standing beside me about to tap me, again.
"Huh-" I was a bit startled by the presence of him, a son of a politician. "You good?" He asked me before sitting besides me without telling him so.
I looked at him before nodding my head. "Yes, I'm fine, Duke." I said.
"You've been drowning yourself in works lately, have some fun!" He exclaimed, smiling. I arched a brow at him, knowing this student of a political science and a son of a politician has got me thinking over and over. He also happened to be my flings.
And I never liked the way he always come to me whenever he's high, I liked the attention but never the person.
"And what kind of fun are you offering, Duke?" I tested him, flipping over the page of the book article i'm reading. I wasn't serious on dating people, I can't feel genuine feelings that humans do so that's why I stay in flirtations.
"No strings attached, you know what I mean." He pushed to conclusions-winking at me, flirtatiously.
Raising both of his hands in air as if he's surrendering, he probably saw the creased expression on my face.
"What? You want me to be your Fuck Buddy?" I asked with utterly disgusted, my brows knitted together while I stared at him.
I saw how duke's adams apple moved as he swallowed his own saliva while looking at me, fluttering his eyelashes, unable to reply. I shut the book closed, causing a noise that it made him flinch.
"Stay this close to me, and i'll kill you." I threaten with seriousness.
This guy doesn't understand me, he doesn't know me fully, he doesn't know if i'm being serious or not, he doesn't know what i'm capable to do unlike Nicholas.
Though Duke is capable of fighting against me, politically and physically, although he won't because he knew a woman like me isn't afraid of backing down. Even though a son of a dirty politician isn't scared of anything and he's aware of it, I'll pull strings if it's mean winning against him.
Nevertheless, if I have to ruin his reputation, I goddamn will.
"Do I have to be that close to get killed?" He teased with mockery, tilting his head to the side. "We all know, no one can stand against me." Duke rested his head back on the chair, spreading his arms behind his head. So confident, huh?
"How far can you go?" I asked him, challenging him as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Long enough, you can bet the supreme president's name." He replied, forming a teasing grin on his lips, getting cocky now.
Hearing the sudden mention of the council's president made me paused for a minute, narrowing my gaze at him, menacingly.
Stooping this low, huh.
Even if I bet the entire council's names, you won't get a chance to stood against me. In relation or not, even if it's about political aware, you'll eventually lose to me. I vowed it.
"Evelynn, wait up!" Duke tried to catch up with me. I already packed up my things seconds ago and left that guy at the cafe without even speaking while he keep bragging about his achievements that lead in fights, and now he's here following my tail? How iconic that is?
I ignored Duke and continue on walking, walking away from him so I could be alone! God, won't I ever get a peace moment at least? Just thinking about that in every situation that i'm always in is too useless for me to even seek for that peace i'm longing to achieve. Disliking that I have a couple of people surrounding me, trying to bother me in any way.
"Evelynn!" Duke called out, and I paused and stopped on my spot as I took time to calm myself, three, four, five, three, four, five. I need to get a grip of myself not exploding from annoyances.
People keep testing me, I can't let myself get into over something that awaken my nerves,
I am not allowed to feel things. I need it control it, I need it control it, I need it control it, I need it control it, need to control it, to control it, control it.
I'm barely living.
He breathed before pausing to take a deep breath. "Hey, Evelynn, did you feel insulted? I came off too insensitive, I was only joking. Geez."
I looked up over my shoulder, seeing Duke catching his breath as he held my shoulder to prevent me from walking away. "Do not call me by my name."
Duke took a brief moment to catch his breath, raising his hand as an apology before saying, "I was kidding! I didn't mean to offend you about the whole 'FuBu' thing." He widened his eyes just to get his humor but I didn't, I don't feel going along with his idiotic behavior he's showing me. My gaze glared as my brows knitted, trying to question his mannerisms he's showing.
"None taken, Sanchez." I said, formally, before brushing his hand off my shoulder. I saw how Duke pressed his lips together the moment I preference to call him by his Last name, knowing that I am much of a formal person with people inside the University. "Is that all?" I arch a brow.
Duke gulped on his throat as he closed his eyes to think of something to say to me, probably that. "Okay, I apologize, Valeria." He licked his lips after opening his eyes again. "With all that, Are you free? free this weekend so that I could repay for the rudeness i've done awhile ago?" And he was careful with his choice of words-so I wouldn't take it offensively, or so.
"I'm not available," I narrowed my eyes at him. "Go look for someone who's not busy for you. I don't make times for other people." I added, rejecting him, a little straight-forward. Being so nonchalant of the entire situation.
Though I didn't accept his small apology. Watching his brows creased along with the frown on his expression, he didnt expect my response.
I began to walk off-leaving Duke standing there, I didn't look back anymore to see if he already walked away, It's better to keep going than looking back.
I had finished my day full with a boring event, though I had finished tons of my works so i don't need to cram no more. Just two years left to move up in Law school, to achieve my dreams, to brag my dreams to Father.
So that, he'll finally notice me and so that he'll finally acknowledge me; Acknowledge my hard works, and validate my achievements.
It must be good, huh?
I shook my head as I snapped back to reality, my gaze averted to notice two girls with a white hydrating facemask all over their faces with little designs while standing with their arms crossed over their chest along with that soft smile and grumpy look each on their faces.
"You keep zoning out lately, what's up?" Reighvien spoke with a blunt tone yet concern one.
"Right?" Ashianna joined, "She's probably distracted due to load of works she has!" She grin wide, teasing me.
Right, these two called me if they could come over to my dorm even though our dorm is literally one floor apart! Now we're having a sleepover since our classes are suspended for three days because of the upcoming events the university is preparing.
"For your information, I already finished all of it. How about you?" I rolled my eyes at Ashianna as I backfired and she scoffed in annoyance, while Reighvien chuckled upon her.
"Tss.." Ashianna clicked her tongue with a mimicking face before massaging her face with her fingers above the facemask.
"Why do you still have that lipstick on?" Reighvien asked, out of nowhere. Now once she asked anything, Ashianna snapped her head towards my direction to check it to get her curiosity filled.
My brows knitted, touching my lips with my two fingers. Ashianna and Reighvien glanced at each other to exchange looks before looking at me, darting their gaze on my lips, which I creeped out. "Why? what's wrong with it?" I muttered, arching a brow, softly.
Ashianna pressed her lips together, thinking how to respond while Reighvien placed her index finger over her lips, unable to reply as well.
Their gazes met together, communicating through eye contact while i'm here confused. They're acting weird which is unusual.
"Nothing, it looks great on you!" Ashianna blurted out, chuckling in an awkward yet sarcastic way. I glared at her, not convinced at all. And she just smiled sweetly at me to be convinced though there's a hidden meaning on that smile!
I know these women. Reighvien pouted her lips in a way, nodding her head; agreeing.
"I'm not joking! It looks good!" Ashianna rolled her eyes, realizing that i'm doubting her compliment. A scoff escape throughout my lips, not buying what she said.
"Whatever, feel yourself in here." I said. They both become a hyper animals once I gave them permission to do whatever they want they will act like this!
This isn't even new for me, the two started to walk around and eventually look for some wine in my bar side and foods in my refrigerator.
Which I let them.
Boredom, boredom washed over me. I put my hair in a messy bun and averted my gaze on the clock hanging my white wall. Six-thirty-seven in evening. Too early for me to sleep, plus my sleep schedule is fucked up than I am; And I wouldn't be surprised for a law student like me to have a broken body clock when the only causes of it was the major itself.
I heard the stove being turned by Reighvien, I looked over my right to see them collecting kitchen essentials; planning to cook.
"What are you guys cooking?" I asked, getting up from the couch as I walked over to the kitchen counter. "Should we just order food online?" Leaning my chin on the back of my hand.
"I'd prefer not to, I don't want to order online!" Ashianna disagree, in a disgust way. I rolled my eyes at her, this dramatic queen!
"Homemade steak." Reighvien reply, a little late, volunteering to cook for us.
"Their foods are always cold whenever they deliver it!" Ashianna complained, which is not true so I couldn't argue more.
"Agree," Reighvien and I said, nodding our head. "Do you have fries, V?" Ashianna asked, checking the refrigerator.
"Yeah, in the freezer." I said, leaving them be. I was minding my own business on the couch, watching whatever comes out in TV when all of the sudden, I heard a knock, knock, knock, knock, three times a row.
I checked those two if they heard it as well but they were just busily cooking our food. So, I got up from my feet to check it out. Don't.
Do not open it. Don't, don't, don't, dont, don't dont, do not. Do not open it. I paused, frozen in place. I gathered all my thoughts to focus, to concentrate, to ignore the voices in my mind. But God, I can't help but not to listen.
Why? I asked my own mind.
Executioner Man, the executioner man.
I immediately snapped out of my zone, all my systems began to be nervous. You can say I often hear things, see things, like i'm not normal...but I am. I'm normal, I'm normal, I'm normal, I am normal.
My feet started to walk its own; controlling my body until it reached my door, my wooden door. I took a second to take a short breath before it started knocking again, enough for me to hear.
I have no choice but to open the door, my hand become clammy as I spun the knob before opening the door, a little wide. Expecting a man drenched in bloods with a knife. A cold wind entered inside my dorm right after I welcomed something that I shouldn't have.
I frown. No, this isn't-
My own mind betrayed me. My gaze narrowed up, I was expecting the person who were knocking will be the original form of the Devil himself; The executioner man to haunt me, but no, It's nothing like that, the devil isn't anything like that.
It wasn't the man with crimsons in his body or the God has casted out long centuries-with long horns, or at least a tail. He has a fair yet pale skin tone, that gives much charm and with fade eyebags under his eyes along with a faded scar on the side of his eyebrow and a light scratch on his cheekbone that I caused. And not only that, He also has a dark black hair that is styled in a way to expose his forehead; A little slicked, with that menacing pitch grey brown eyes.
I stood frozen in my spot, my eyes widened a little being caught off guard by his presence.
What is he doing here?! My eyes landed down his body, noticing the clothes he's wearing. Balenciaga. A minimal black long sleeves polo of Balenciaga that cost probably thousands along with a skinny neck-tie, a navy blue pants that matches his top, few strands of his hair hanging on his forehead.
No words can describe the man infront of me as he stared down at me with those eyes.
I frown before taking a step outside my dorm before closing it behind me, afraid that my friends will see the Supreme President infront of my dorm. I don't know what he's planning to, but I could make sure that it isn't much to tolerate at all.