The Color Red

Going to School

Akoi's POV

Great. Just great. I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I agreed to help the MWPSB. 

"Now, Ms. Akoi, we need some more information." That bastard Ginoza moved his glasses up his nose and glared at me. "What occurred here?"

"You should already know. You're the ones investigating it." I sucked on a cherry lollipop.

His frown got deeper as he glared at me. "Just answer the question."

"Well...you might wanna cover the ears of the children for this part." I looked at the red head behind him. He frowned and stuck out his tongue. The tall one next to him chuckled.

"We're not getting anywhere. We'll try again tomorrow." Four-Eyes stood up so quick, his chair slammed against the wall. "Take her to her room."

"Now this is a dungeon?"

"You just have to learn how to work with him." The tall guy followed me out the door and down the hallway. Akane fell into step with us on our trek to God knows where. The constant hum of electricity was the soundtrack of the otherwise silent building.

"Um...when he said room...where exactly is that?" I looked over to the chick.

"You'll be next to Mr. Kougami."

"And that's located...?"

"Around this corner." Kougami's deep voice directed my attention to a pair of black doors in front of us. "Home sweet home."

"It's bigger than I expected."

Akane's POV

Once Akoi was settled into her room, Kougami and I headed off to the lab. We had more research to do, now that we have an actual witness.

"She's definitely going to be a handful." Kougami took a drag off his cigarette and opened the door to the office. Kagari and Ginoza were already in the room ahead of us, the latter typing away at his computer. 

"How is she?" Ginoza glanced over the top of his glasses.

"Fine." I answered while taking my seat. A security camera had been placed in the room the girl was staying in, and now showed her settling down for a nap. She hesitated, then looked right at the lens of the camera. "I don't think she appreciates being watched, though." A finger flipped towards us as the screen went dark.

"Dammit." Kagari crossed his arms. "Now how am I supposed to check out her bra size?"

His inspector smacked the back of his head at his rude comment as Ginoza glared daggers into him. "You can figure it out the same way you figured out what happened to criminals."

"Sorry, boss."

In the meantime, we had another case to solve, so Akoi would have to wait a moment. Recently, there had been girls disappearing from a private school out of Sybil's access. We would have to go in the usual way. I sighed and rolled back in my chair, heading to the door. 

"Take the girl with you." Ginoza said as he passed me in the hall. His tone left no room for questioning.

"So...you guys are babysitters?" The red head laughed. "Wow. Ko watching little kids...never thought I'd see the day."

Kougami didn't react, as usual, and headed to his hallway. We were presented with a napping Akoi when the door opened. "Whaa?"

"You are to come with us." I stepped forward.

"Man. This could be an alien invasion." The girl giggled. "Your voice is so monotone. Like: You. Are. To. Come. With. Us. Man, what did they do? Steal your soul or something?"

"Or something." Kougami uttered with his deep voice. Silence followed as Akoi finally reached the door. "Come on. We don't have long."

"For what?

"An investigation."

"Cool. Are you going to shoot somebody?"

"Probably not."

"That's lame." Akoi stuck her tongue out and looked out the window of the car we got in. "What does that have to do with me?"

"You are coming with us to ensure your safety." I answered this time.

"I'm not a damsel in distress."

"Never said you were."

"Humph." Nothing more was said as we sped off. Just fine with me. Inspector Ginoza summoned my attention through the comm device on my wrist. After telling him our location, we turned into the parking lot of the school amidst the stares of the female students. Fear was obvious here. 

"What's going on?"

"Who are they?"

"Are they going to find my sister?"

"I want to go home!" This last statement caused a girl to start crying hysterically.

"Jeez." Akoi muttered. "What a buzz kill. For a moment, I thought we were celebrities." 

"Please be polite." I led the way to the office. "These people are very traumatized."

Akoi snorted. "Like these rich brats know what the meaning of fear is. Brats." Inspector Ginoza glared at her as he joined us as he addressed a question to Kougami.

"Do you think you can access the security cameras?"

My partner nodded and headed off to find a computer. I was assigned with questioning the students who were close to the victims in one of the empty classrooms. The information we gathered was bleak and unhelpful. Most of the girls were crying too hard to speak, while others simply didn't know anything. Akoi had left to wander around. 

I just hope she doesn't get into trouble.

Kougami's POV

Dammit. Why the hell am I stuck with this girl? Akoi had entered the room and looked around. Did she not have someone else to pester?

"Yo, Mistah Ko," she grinned. "Can I use ya Dominatah?"

"No. I'm busy. Go play somewhere else."

"I'm not a kid, asshole."

"Obviously."

She glared at me, and jumped when the audio from the computer in front of me burst to life. The screen was a bit hard to see from the glare of the sun behind us, but we didn't need it to know what was happening. I noticed a look of sheer terror and panic on the face of Akoi.

"Are you okay?"

"Who is that? I thought he was gone!" Her chest heaved and her hands shook. Her Psycho Pass jumped from 15 to 489. 

"Do you know who it is?" I paused the feed and turned to face her. Akoi backed away from me, her Psycho Pass getting higher. 

500

523

550

578

She needed to calm down before all Dominators took aim and obliterated her. I slowly raised my empty hands and stepped forward. "It's okay. What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" 

Ginoza had entered the room at this moment, his shoes tapping against the shiny tile floor. "What's going on here?"

"I'M NOT GOING BACK!" Akoi's eyes had changed to a dark brown. Her Psycho Pass was off the charts. Nobody had ever been as high as her. 

700

715

746

What happened next, I wouldn't know. Something red launched out and slammed into me. My world went dark and it all ended.