Killer Queen Beyond the Grave

Chapter 1

'Mori-Mori-Mori-Mori Morioh Cho Radio!'

The radio played softly in the background as Gracyn prepared breakfast for both her and her husband. her laptop was open on the kitchen counter, displaying her upcoming book about Morioh's infamous serial killer, Yoshikage Kira. In college, she majored in Criminal Justice with a minor in Creative Writing. Gracyn had always dreamed of becoming a best selling crime author. Her idea of writing about Yoshikage Kira is what initially brought her to Morioh, but only as a trip. It wasn't until she met the people who gave her a reason to stay here.

- Five Years Ago: Gracyn's POV -

I sat down in a chair outside of a nice little cafe in the town of Morioh, Japan. Ever since high school, I dreamed of physically being in the place where one of the world's most infamous serial killers grew up. I spent a lot of time researching his past, but was always confused on how they never found any bodies and there were many unsolved questions I had. I began to tap my pen against my notebook, staring at the blank sheet of paper, wondering how I would begin my book. Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me.

"Are you another manga artist." I turned around to see a man of average height, with hair that was slicked sideways and was green. "No sir, I am currently trying to write a novel." He motioned towards the empty seat besides me. "May I?" He asked. I nodded, wondering why this man is talking to me. "What kind of novel are you writing?" He looked down to see my blank sheet of paper. "Doesn't seem like you have much there." He chuckled. I blushed with embarrassment.

"I- I'm writing about Yoshikage Kira." I stammered. This man was intimidating. His slight grin turned into a frown. "Why would anyone waste their time writing about a sad excuse of a person?" I felt myself go beet red. "I've always been interested in true crime, but it wasn't until I studied Kira that I actually became infatuated with this story. I've never been left with so many questions because of a crime." He nodded and stood up, motioning for me to do the same.

"You're lucky you met me, miss..." "Gracyn, Gracyn Evans." I stood up to face the man. "Well, Miss Evans, my name is Rohan Kishibe, and I, along others, are the reason why that man is now dead." My eyes widened. No where in the countless articles I've read mentioned the people who killed Yoshikage. I really just thought he was shot by police. "Now come with me, I have a few people I'd like you to meet."

As Gracyn silently ate her breakfast, knowing her husband was spending his time upstairs doing his hair as always, a knock broke the silence. When Gracyn opened the door, the figure of a man with the biggest grin, accompanied by a shorter man, who had a kind smile stood on the doorsteps. "Okuyasu, Koichi, what a surprise, come on in!" Gracyn opened the door wide for the two men to come inside. "Josuke is still doing his hair upstairs, but I can fix you both a plate of eggs and pancakes if you'd like."

"Gracyn, I am starving, thank you for that offer, I would love some." Okuyasu laughed. "Koichi, I'm sure Yukako fed you plenty this morning." Gracyn laughed. "What can I say? She's always put my needs first." Koichi scratched the back of his neck. 

Koichi had been married to Yukako since they turned twenty. They were high school sweethearts, and from what Gracyn had heard about their past, Yukako had been head over heels for Koichi ever since they were sixteen and did all she could for her husband. Okuaysu on the other hand, was not married. He had dates occasionally, but nothing ever stuck. He had confided with Gracyn many times how he always wanted someone special in his life, but he couldn't seem to fit with anyone. This made Gracyn upset, as she had known Okuyasu since she moved to Morioh, and he had the biggest heart. She knew very few women in the world would ever be good enough for one of her best friends. Besides, it always was slightly unsettling when Josuke would have his friends over and Okuyasu would always be the oddball of the group. At least he could live the bachelor's life alongside their other friend Rohan, who never really showed much interest in women, instead, putting all of his time and effort into writing his extremely successful mangas. 

Okuyasu took the seat and observed the computer screen while Gracyn prepared Okuyasu his breakfast. "Oi, Gracyn! Is this that book you've been writing since you moved here? It's looking real good as from what I can see." Gracyn sat the plate of food in front of her friend and closed her laptop. "Well, Okuyasu, be happy for what you've just read, I'm letting no one see what I've been writing. Even Josuke hasn't seen it." Okuyasu gaped his mouth in shock. "Gracyn, what the hell! This book is only being written because of us! We're literally the story! How could you not let us read it?" Gracyn frowned at Okuyasu's outburst. "I know you guys are, I've just always been extremely private about my writing, I only want my editor to see any unfinished work. Besides, this book has been in the making for five years, and with it being all about everyone, I want to make it perfect before I give you all the opportunity to read it."

Okuyasu sighed. "I understand that. Sorry for invading your privacy." Gracyn gave a sympathetic smile to her friend. "It's okay, now please eat your breakfast. Okuyasu obliged  happily. 

As Okuyasu ate his breakfast, Koichi and Gracyn conversed with one another. "So Koichi, what brings y'all over here?" Koichi's face lit up. "I guess Josuke hasn't told you yet." Gracyn's face displayed a puzzled look. "Told me what?" Koichi scratched his neck, which he always did when he was uncomfortable. "Well, if he hasn't told you yet, I guess there's a reason for that. He'll probably tell you when he comes down."  Almost as if it was on cue, a pair of footsteps made their way downstairs.

"Well, good morning everyone. Was I really up there that long? Josuke laughed and planted a kiss on his wife's mouth and sat down beside her. Gracyn laughed. "Sweetheart, you're always working on your hair for longer than you anticipate." Josuke gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry, you know me and my hair." Okuyasu had just finished inhaling his last bite of his pancake when he chimed in. "Josuke, I've known you ever since we were sixteen, we all  know about you and your hair." Josuke just shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

Gracyn couldn't stand her confusion any longer. "Hey, Koichi said him and Okuyasu were here for a reason, but they wouldn't tell me. Something about it having to be you to tell me?" Josuke's face lit up, just as Koichi's did earlier. "Yes! I wanted it to be a surprise, but I guess since they're already here, I might as well tell you. I have someone for you to meet!" "There's someone in Morioh I haven't met yet?" Gracyn was even more puzzled then before. She thought she had gotten to know everyone in town. "Who?" "Well, he should be arriving around noon, and we've made plans to meet up at Trattoria Trussardi." Gracyn began to feel herself becoming more inpatient. "Josuke, who am I meeting?" Josuke shot glances at his two best friends then back to his wife.

"Jotaro Kujo."