-In 2023, not all parents hold their children to traditional standards for love and marriage, but modern lifestyles are still not always accepted. Especially not when your younger sibling is getting married first and your parents are practically jum...
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After Tanaka's call, you and Hinata rush over to the hospital where, just as he had promised, he meets you right at the front entrance.
"Hey, Tanaka, thanks for doing this," you smile as you give him a quick hug.
"No problem, Y/N. I know how much you want to see him and he asked for both of you guys, too, so it's only right," he shrugs. "Did you guys get some rest like I asked?"
You and Hinata exchange a look for a second, a move that Tanaka thankfully doesn't think much of.
"We had some food and took it pretty easy, I'd say," Hinata smiles.
Took it easy? You think to yourself. Is he trying to insinuate something?
Nevertheless, Tanaka accepts Hinata's answer and begins leading you through the security office and front desk of the hospital. He tells you that Sawamura's not really supposed to have visitors, but he'll do his best to let you guys stay in there for a little while.
When you get just outside Sawamura's room, Tanaka stops and turns around. "There's one more thing," he begins with a straight face. "Daichi can't stop muttering about the case. He wants to get out of bed so badly and do something, but he's not allowed to leave. Under no circumstances can either of you help him out of bed. Got it?"
"I understand," you nod.
Tanaka then lets you in and immediately you see what he's talking about. Sawamura's arms are strapped down to the table and he's muttering quietly up at the ceiling like a psych patient.
"Sawamura?" you call his name quietly as you approach him. "How you holding up?"
In one swift motion, he turns his head to the side staring straight at you. His eyes go wide and he struggles against the restraints. "Y/N!" he shouts. "Help me out. We need to go finish this!"
"You mean the case?" you ask, feigning ignorance.
"Yes, of course the fucking case! What else would I be talking about?!" he shouts back at you. "C'mon, Y/N, let me out!"
"I'm sorry, Sawamura," you sigh as you pet the top of his head softly. "You got hurt. You need to stay here."
Then, in another fast motion, Sawamura attempts his restraints again. Hinata then steps forward and grabs your free hand.
"Sorry, Daichi, but it's doctor's orders. You need to get better before you go out again," Hinata adds, causing Sawamura to spiral again and mutter something incoherent to himself.
"Fine, then can the two of you help me?!" he pleads. "Please, Y/N, finish this. If we wait too long he'll flee!"
"You mean Adam?" you ask, looking down at Hinata's hand in yours.
"Yes! He's working with Fuyuko. Who knows how many bodies they have left behind! Bring them both to justice, Y/N!" he continues to beg.
"Six, actually," Tanaka interrupts, leaning against the back wall and stealing everyone's attention. "Including that guy the hikers found, they've killed six."
"How do you-"
"Matched with their face and names on their wedding certificate, I was able to locate previous name changes they had. I looked into their old cases and started to piece everything together. That's what I was doing this whole time. They've killed six people and every time it was chalked up as a mafia case and went cold from there."
"Jesus, Tanaka, when the hell were you gonna tell us that?!" Sawamura sighs and finally relaxes a bit. "Now I really need to-"
"No you don't," Tanaka shakes his head as he pushes himself off the wall and steps closer to you three. "Y/N. Hinata. I was hoping the two of you would help turn Adam in."
"Us? You know I'm a teacher, right? I know my mom and brother have similar careers but I don't think I inherited whatever those traits are," you shake your head.
"Yeah and I plan events," Hinata agrees. "We have no training. We can't just go after some serial killer!"
"Please," Sawamura begs for the umpteenth time. "We're so close."
"Then what if I sweeten the pot?" Tanaka begins vaguely.
"Meaning?" you hum back, a bit more intrigued.
"I suppose we could make a deal. I'll get you that no-fault divorce and annulment all for you if you help," he explains.
"And what about Hinata?" you ask.
"Mm, I'm pretty sure that's what he wants, too," Tanaka grins. "Right, bud?"
"As long as Y/N's in, I will be, too," he answers, looking over at you.
"God dammit," you groan. "Fine. I'll help. But if I die doing this I better already be divorced!"
"Yes ma'am," Tanaka nods. "I'll start working on it the second you both leave."
"So, uh, leave where?" Hinata then asks. "What are we supposed to do exactly?"
Tanaka quietly reaches into his back pocket and tosses you a phone. When you catch it, it lights up and you find a picture of Sawamua and Fuyuko on the cover.
"That's Fuyuko's. Take it and do what you need to," Tanaka nods.
"Isn't this evidence?! Can't we get in trouble for having it?!" you ask him.
"Not when I've got a dupe already waiting," he smiles back. "I'm glad you two rested up because you've got a long night ahead of you.
"Thanks, Tanaka," you smile sarcastically as you reach your hand down to Hinata's. "We'll figure something out, I suppose."
After saying your goodbyes to Sawamura, you and Hinata leave the hospital and walk back to the car. Once you sit down, you let out a sigh and look over at him nervously.
"Now what?" you ask worriedly.
"I guess we use the phone to lure Adam somewhere," he shrugs.
"Right, 'cause it'll be that simple," you groan. Any shred of hope you had has now completely disappeared.
"Hey," Hinata calls softly as he leans closer to you. You look over at him as he lifts his hand to your cheek. "It's gonna be alright, Y/N. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, okay?"
"But what if something happens to you, Shoyo," you sigh. "I don't think I can really do this."
"You can," he corrects you. "I know you can."
"But I'm not like my brother or my mom. I'm not built for this kind of thing."
"All you need is your strong moral character and honesty. You have common sense. You can stay cool in a stressful situation, and you have the drive to help yourself and your family. If that's not enough then I don't know what is, Y/N. You have everything you need to see this through to the end. And just so we're clear, I believe in you."
With that, Hinata places a kiss upon your lips so soft you nearly tear up at the sweet moment. How did you ever almost let him get away?
"Okay," you nod when he pulls back. "I'm ready to do this."
