Ace Attorney Investigations: Haunting Memories

Chapter Nine

February 29 12:10pm

Nava Research Center ~ Kotoko Minani's POV

I knew that Miss Detective and me were going to find that evidence! We'd prove that other mean lady wrong!

"Okay!" I said as we'd gained enough distance between us and them. "Let's look for-"

I was cut off when I noticed that Miss Detective was busy gazing out of the window, slowly rubbing her hand which I was just holding. A small expression of pain was visible on her face.

"Um, are you okay?" I asked uneasily. She hesitated, not giving me an answer until she turned to face me, a forced smile on her lips. "I'm fine," she replied. "Just fine."

I didn't believe her, but I didn't want to make her mad, so I left her to her own devices and skipped away. Investigating was so much fun!

I looked everywhere: under the desks, in drawers, behind computers. But there was nothing to be found! I thought that until I saw a tiny metal grate over a gap in the wall. It's the kind of thing nasty rats crawl into, but who cares?! I threw off the grate and went in.

I could handle being in such a tiny vent, being so small myself, so I looked around. If the bad guy went this way, then maybe he left behind a few wood chips! I'd have to be careful not to get any splinters...

I'd been crawling for about ten minutes before I found a gap and came to a sudden drop. I fell out of the air vent and collapsed into a pile of cloths and fabrics, so the landing wasn't too bad. But what would they be doing here?

"Miss Detective?" I called out, my voice echoing in the darkness. "Nagisa? Wh-where are you...?"

I began to tremble as I didn't get an answer. It was also freezing wherever I had landed, so I buried myself deeper into the fabrics in a failed attempt to find warmth. I bit my lip to stop any kind of tears from falling. Darn it, Kotoko! You're supposed to be strong like Kitoka and Daddy! Kitoka's always telling you to not start crying if you're scared! He-

"K-Kotoko...?!"

I looked up when I heard my name. My tears dried instantly as I recognised the person; I'd know that dark blue sheen in his hair any day. "K-Kitoka!" I exclaimed, rushing forward to hug him. "Kitokaaaaaa!"

"Hey, hey, it's okay..." Kitoka whispered, patting my pink hair gently. "Let's get out of here..."

I took his hand and let him guide me out of the creepy place. I didn't even question why he was there. We eventually came out at the back of the big science building: I guessed that we had been underground for some reason. I turned to my older brother with a smile of gratitude.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, eyebrow slightly raised. "There's a murder investigation going on right now, you know."

"I know! I'm helping!" I told him. "All the people here are really nice! Well, maybe except Ms. Dakota. She scares me a little. But... what are you doing here? Are you helping too?"

"Huh...? Oh, uh... no." Kitoka shook his head slowly. "I just wanted to check up on you. I'd heard you were helping with the investigation, so..."

I smiled: my big brother was so considerate! "Well, thanks for helping me out, big bro! See you later!"

He looked like he wanted to object, but I didn't give him the oppportunity to. I ran back into the building and looked around for Miss Detective. It didn't take me long to find her as her voice calling my name echoed throughout the room. "Kotoko! Where are you, Kotoko?"

"Boo!" I cried, jumping out at her. I failed in scaring her, but I did see a mixture of shock and relief on her expression. "Where have you been?" she asked with concern. "I looked all over for you!"

I explained the whole thing to her, especially the part about me finding that area and Kitoka coming to help me.

"Hang on." she said, cutting me off. "Your older brother was here? Why?"

"He said he didn't know I was here helping you guys, so he came by to check up on me." I explained, only to loudly gasp a few seconds later. "Wait! That... makes no sense!"

"You're right, it doesn't.." Miss Detective muttered, a frown on her face. I couldn't help but frown with her; what was going on...?!

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Kotoko what have I told you about crawling into suspicious air vents and coming across suspicious rooms I thought you agreed to never do that again gdi child-

AceAttorneyFan over and out!