Great Detective of Love (Wattpad Prize 2014)

KaitoSide10

“Kaito, where’s Irene?” My friends started to ask me again as I walked into the class.

“I don’t know,” was what I could answer them since the day Irene started to absent. It was already a week since she presented in the class. I never thought that after that night, she disappeared, just like that. I didn’t even meet her, even though we were just living next to each other.

But now that I finally sorted out the puzzle to solve the mystery, even though I haven’t put it all together, because I’m still not sure about the truth. It was much easier to figure these matters out now since I made Reiko mad, and at last, we broke up because I wanted too.

As usual, I would sit down on my seat and laid down my head on my table. Since I sorted out the mystery, I couldn’t even concentrate in my class; moreover Irene was nowhere to be seen now. I didn’t know what to do now. I really… really… what should I do now? Should I just… ask Irene about all these… acting she made?

Talking about acting, maybe Ashimura knew something about her, since he suddenly disappeared too. All of these sudden events just made my mind in chaotic state. Since there’s no Irene, I couldn’t see any apparition of Ayako lookalike in her room or house anymore. Maybe I was right, or maybe I was wrong. The only answer left is: ask Irene herself. But how? I couldn’t find her.

“Kaito-kun,” suddenly a voice called me from behind. I turned around; it was Asami. “I couldn’t stand looking at you like this, but… even though this should be a secret, I’ll tell you something about Irene-”

“Nani? Quick, tell me. What is it?” I asked, swiftly as I heard Irene’s name. Asami looked around, and sat down on the chair behind me.

“Huh… Since Irene came here, she always said something like ‘just think that I’m Ayako, don’t worry’… Well, I do really like be friends with her, but it’s getting weirder when suddenly she knew all about me. It’s like I’m actually talking with Ayako herself.”

“When was that?”

“Just a few days before she disappeared. I mean, I could feel that Ayako was there, sitting and chatting with me.”

“Well it’s not just you. I’m feeling the same thing too,” I sighed. “Suddenly she disappeared, as if she was afraid that something will be revealed. I didn’t even see her in her house. How well did she hide herself?”

“Oh really? But last night…” Asami stopped, as my brows furrowed at her. “I caught a glimpse of her.”

“Where? Did you stop her?”

“I saw her under the large tree, at the wide park. You know? The park that, according to Ayako, both of you have always been to together. And no, I didn’t because it was dark, and I was afraid if it wasn’t her. But then, I recognised her messenger bag.”

“She’s in Kyoto? What is she up to? Why did she leave us just like that, and went to that tree during night time?”

“Chotto matte… last night her hair…”

“What’s with her hair now?” I watched Asami closing her eyes, trying to recall the last night event.

“It was black!” Now that was odd. “And it was straightened too! Just like Ayako’s! Last night I thought I saw Ayako with Irene’s bag!”

“Are you really sure it was Irene?! Or Ayako?!”

“Oh man, I’m really confused now, too Kaito! This is just insane! It couldn’t be Ayako’s ghost, could they?” Asami cried, rubbing her head. I patted her shoulder, trying to calm her down. Oh Irene, what are you trying to do?

“I’ll have the answer soon, Asami. And we both are going to find it out.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Mum! I need to go out!”

“Okay sweetie! Don’t take a long time!” my mum replied, just right before I closed the door behind. I zipped up my coat and started to walk. I really need a walk to sort out my jumbled mind.

On the very first day Irene was here, she really reminded me of Ayako. Her story about her heart… was it true? The way she packed up my lunch box, why did it have to be the same as Ayako? This is too impossible to be concluded as coincidences, because it was just way too obvious.

“Hmph! I need something to eat now,” I whispered, as the lights that I knew were coming from the Ha-mo-ni supermarket came into my sight. “Oh this place…” My mind started to flash back on the day when I accompanied Ayako shopping, and when she was attacked by Ashimura.

I entered the market, and went to the drinks section first and grabbed a small bottle of cola. Then I went to the bread section, looking for my favorite peanut butter bun.

“Nee Kaito-kun. This one. How could you didn’t see it? It’s right in front of you.” Suddenly a familiar voice said next to me. I turned around, and I never expected to see her here. My expression was surprise, but all she could do was just smile, like nothing has ever happened.

“Irene?!” I shrieked. She just smiled at me again. I started to observe her hair, which was impossible since she tightened her jacket hood on her head, and it seemed like she tied her hair into a bun. She also wore a fashion spectacle, which really not-so-her style. “How did you know my favourite?”

“Oh… I was just… guessing…” she stuttered, picking up a cheese bun from the shelf. “Since… you’re not… looking at it…”

“Where have you been?” I swiftly asked, thinking that she might want to avoid that question. “You left-”

“I was just… trying to relieve my mind,” she cut in, hastily. “I think I’m leaving soon.”

“What?!” She looked down; her earlier smile was replaced with the sadder one. “Hey, what’re you talking about?”

“I don’t know. I’m feeling like I'm going to leave sooner-” I cut her off, by hugging her.

“No you won’t!” I whispered into her ear. “And, you know what? I have a feeling,” slowly I leaned closer to her ear. “That I’ll always be with you… Watashi no tomodachi, Ayako-chan.”