The Big Book Of Amaguji

That Illuminated Thing In The Distance Called Secrecy

Korekiyo remembered the times her eyes lit up at the sight of sharp objects.

Knives, daggers, blades, etc. had a special place in her heart. Korekiyo had a knack for anything rough, but never had an obsession like her. Even for a twelve-year-old, her perseverance was daunting.

Their parents were so kind as to give her a collection of padded knives for Christmas. Months and months of her chasing him with the frightening blades was ingrained into his memory.

As he grew older and more submissive, his worst fear and slight admiration combined to be a hideous amalgamation that she could control so effortlessly.

Then, one day, manipulation and kindness combined to create something just as ugly.

Bless Mr. and Mrs. Shinguji's unknowing souls when they obliviously agreed on giving Miya a small vat of acid for a 'science project' when she was in college.

Poor, poor Kanen Tsuumaki, who thought that she was his first love, but in reality, it was his last. Even with those slits on your arm, you still saw whatever light snuffed out in her soul years ago.

And last but not least, Godspeed to the adventurer who is the only one that can unlock her pawn's secrets, and so, so much more.

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It was the evening when Rantaro returned. The autumn leaves matched the dimming sunlight that fell into the distance. He had never since such an enchanting sight from Hope's Peak.

A short figure accompanied him by the entrance way, not to see the sight, however;

"Ran-chan! Where have you been?"

Oh no.

Kokichi had his arms crossed behind his back as a big, vexatious grin cut its way into his face.

"I was out for the day. Don't worry about it." He waved his hand to dismiss the conversation before Kokichi got on his tip toes and got closer to his face.

Rantaro backed away from instinct, knowing how easily Kokichi can see through his lie.

"Hmmm~... okay then! I'm gonna bother Shuichi then, later!"

Rantaro flinched slightly before Kokichi left, almost forgetting to ask Shuichi to examine the razor blades but then realizing it was too late in the day to do anything anyways. He steadily walked to his room across the hall.

He slid his hand under his bed to find a decorative gift box he got downtown. He was careful not to cut himself with the thin blades when he placed them into the box. It was a shame he had to use it to hide something potentially incriminating.

His heart almost jumped out of his mouth when he heard the door open, and even more so when he saw Korekiyo standing under the door frame.

He rapidly stood up and kicked the box under the bed, pushing an 'innocent', welcoming smile on his face.

Korekiyo's heart was pounding. Was he bothering him? Was he planning a trip? He didn't want to disturb anything.

"Are you, perhaps, doing something currently?" He sounded shakier than he intended. Rantaro was probably doing something and this was a waste of time.

"No, no it's cool. Come in." He continuously waved his hand forward to beckon him.

He sat on the bed while his visitor accompanied him.

"So, what's up?"

Korekiyo intertwined his fingers, thumbs sticking out.

"I just wanted to say that you don't have to come over. Sister is rather antsy with people who are around me. I don't want you to be a subject to that."

His tone was uncertain with a hint of his usual indifferent one. He had never, ever heard uncertainty from Korekiyo before. At most, Rantaro only heard melancholy, even then for only brief moments.

It was almost like Korekiyo wanted him to opt out.

"Well, if it's so bad, I wouldn't want you to experience that alone, " he chuckled halfheartedly, seeing that it wasn't making anyone feel better, " she seems nice also."

"... That is an overstatement."

"I know. Family members never get along perfectly. I'm still not on good terms with some of my sisters, but it's part of the experience, y'know? Even with your seemingly close knitted relationship, there would be disagreements."

There was a moment of silence between them before Rantaro spoke again.

"But I'm more of a family man, not an emotional and riveting speech man, so don't take my advice."

"I was planning as such."

"Hey," from staring out the window and back at Korekiyo occasionally to having his full attention took Korekiyo back quite a bit. A constant stream of consideration and scrutiny from one of the only two humans that cared about him was... disorienting.

He didn't mean to let that show on his limited features, however by the way Rantaro moved away from him.

"Oh sor-"

"No, don't apologize. It's not a matter that is important anyways," he sits up from the bed and heads towards the door, turning his head to the still on edge boy, "but I still hope you reconsider."

Korekiyo closed the door without another word, leaving Rantaro with a sad taste in his mouth. He bit his lip with his upper teeth in his misplaced empathy, innocently thinking that Korekiyo had a falling out with his sister.

His heart beat for him. Not for his initial assumption;

but knowing that there was something he couldn't tell him.

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"I told you Rantaro was acting weird," Kokichi whispered as he pressed his ear closer to the cold metal. The both of them could barely fit into the vent, but at least they weren't falling through it.

"Yeah, he does sound strange. Isn't this kind of intrusive, though?" Shuichi had his notepad in hand, taking whatever little things he could at the moment.

"Meh, who cares? I do this everyday, it's not hurting anyone." He shrugged and returned to his previous position.

"I can ask him on my own time. This really isn't necessary."

"Yes it is! Don't you want to know what secrets Rantaro has?" His lavender eyes sparkled as he exclaimed this.

"Not really, unless he tells me directly."

Kokichi crosses his arms and pouts, "Fine then! Find his secrets yourself!"

Shuichi moved aside to let him pass as he stayed in place in the abandoned vent system, dangerous curiosity filling his psyche.

Well, maybe snooping a little bit won't hurt.

And a day or two away from Tsuumaki case would be exactly what he needed.