A/N: Walks in five months later with a PSL hey guys what's up.

Chapter 18 - Aftermath

Irina Jelavic's hips swayed walking down the poorly-lit linoleum hallway. Her heels echoed in the near-empty building. Security guards gave her a nod as she sauntered by, her skirt was a little too short and just a tad bit too tight. Her blouse was nearly popping at the seams and just a little bit too sheer. She waved to an officer as she passed by, showing off her perfectly manicured nails. Irina felt a sliver of satisfaction as the man ever so slightly reacted.

She wasn't even supposed to be walking down the halls of the Ministry of Defense without an escort. It shouldn't matter that she was the Minister's wife, especially in the face of heightened security. But, on the other hand, she was the Minister's wife. No one was going to tell her no.

Especially not with this lipstick and this hair.

Her husband was in his office, fielding hundreds of questions from the media, the government, and the public regarding the current situation. He rarely had more than a minute to himself nowadays. The perfect situation for a lonely wife.

Irina ran her fingers through her hair, adjusting her outfit to look just disheveled enough. She powdered blush on, just enough to give her that intoxicated look. The coast is clear. She stepped forward, controlling how each foot landed on the linoleum carefully. Her destination was in sight. The office of Sakubara Mokichi. Right about now, he should be on the phone with Karasuma, discussing something that absolutely has to be done now. The phone call should be ending very shortly, if Karasuma was following her schedule.

She stumbled into the wall, her heels loudly clacking against the tile. She let out a bubbly giggle. Irina slammed her hand against the wall, pretending to stabilize herself.

"Oh no~ I think I may've twisted my ankle," she said, taking her heel off. She stumbled forward (and wouldn't admit that some of those were real stumbles), her hand landing on the doorknob to Sakubara's office. She twisted it, falling into the room. "Oompf!"

She rubbed her head, mussing up her perfect hair. The man stood up, concerned and somewhat confused. "Karasuma-san?" he said.

"Ohh~ How did I end up here?" she asked, swaying on her feet as she stood back up. Sakubara's brows were furrowed. Before she knew it he was at her side, helping her up. He placed her carefully into a chair.

"Karasuma-san, aren't you supposed to be with your husband?" She scowled.

"I was going to surprise him. He's been working so hard, y'know? But he snuffed me like I was just some low-level employee! I'm his wife! I should be more respected than that, y'know?" She ran her fingers through her hair, clearing stray strands from her face. She rubbed her eyes, smearing her mascara over her cheekbones.

"I…uh, I'm sorry, Karasuma-san?" he said, perplexed. She played with her gold hair, watching how his eyes carefully followed her fingers. He's already falling for it, and he doesn't even know it yet.

"Our marriage is in shambles," she choked out, "I just wanted to surprise him, but he doesn't even appreciate me!" A few tears fell from her eyes, mussing up her carefully done make-up even more. Sakubara sat there awkwardly, unsure of how to act.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Karasuma-san." He sat forward. "Look, why don't I call your husband and he can help you sort yourself out." Sakubara reached for the phone, but Irina's hands were over his in an instant.

"No, no, he shouldn't see me like this," she insisted, sniffling, "I'm a hot mess and all he's going to do is scold me and tell me that I should be doing this or that." She sniffed again, rubbing her eyes. Sakubara reluctantly pulled away. He sat back awkwardly, trying to find words to comfort her. He's inexperienced with women. She rubbed her eyes, smearing her mascara even further. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this. I'm usually more composed than this, but after everything I haven't seen him in so long. I just want him to touch me, y'know? Kiss me, hug me, all that."

"R-right," Sakubara stuttered. Irina sat back and crossed her legs, her tight skirt inching up her thigh. "I-I'm sorry to hear that, Karasuma-san." She sniffled. "A-are you sure you don't want me to call your husband?"

"No, no, please don't do that!" she begged, wiping away a tear. "I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. I'm such a hot mess."

"Not at all, Karasuma-san," he assured, his eyes darting between her face and her exposed thighs. "I-if your husband can't see how great you are, then he must be blind."

She sniffled, "You're so sweet, Sakubara-kun. Please, call me Irina."

"Alright, Irina," he said, testing out her foreign name, "Like I was saying, you're a beautiful woman and a wonderful mother. If Karasuma-sama can't see that, then he doesn't deserve you." He held out a handkerchief. "Take this." She wiped her eyes dry, the dark mascara staining the white fabric.

"Thank you."

"Why don't you clean yourself up and go home?"

"Y-yeah," she said. Sakubara stood up, offering her a hand.

"Come on, I can escort you out." She took his hand, holding it tightly. She stumbled forward, falling into his chest. His arms wrapped around her, gently keeping her steady.

"Oof! I'm sorry," she said, not making a move to get out of his arms. She caressed his shoulders. "You're so strong," she added quietly.

"Irina-san?" The blonde woman looked into his eyes.

"You can just call me Irina," she whispered huskily. She held his head as they locked lips. Her tongue snaked into his mouth, licking and exploring him. 20 hit. She sucked his bottom lip, stretching and biting. 40 hit. His knees were becoming weak as he fell under her spell. 60 hit. He weakly tried to push her away, but she was stronger and he was overcome with budding lust. 80 hit. It was time for her to go in for the kill, her hand dragging through his hair. 100 hit. KO. She pulled away, leaving him breathless and wanting so much more.

"I-Irina."

"Maybe I don't have to leave so soon," she said breathily. She pulled off her blazer, stepping backwards against the door.

"W-we can't. Your husband is my boss!"

"He doesn't have to know." The deadbolt clicked into place. She sauntered towards him, her hips swaying just enough to catch his eye. She wrapped her arms around him, her breasts against his chest. She took his mouth, taking away the last of his hesitation. "Why don't you sit on that chair there? I have some tricks up my sleeve." He eagerly sat back on the armchair. She straddled his lap, rocking gently against him.

"I-Irina."

"I'm only getting started," she purred, leaning in closer to whisper into his ear. "Why don't you close your eyes?" He eagerly complied.

Irina stood up, the disgust palpable in her eyes. Men were so easy to break when you knew what buttons to push. She stepped away, rustling through her bag. She pulled out the one thing she needed: rope.

"Irina?" he called curiously.

"Keep your eyes closed, it's a surprise~" she sing-songed. Irina walked behind the chair, leaning over him. Her breasts pressed against his head. She let her hands roam up and down his chest a few times. He tapped his legs impatiently, clearly hoping for something quicker. "Sakubara-kun~" She took his arms, pulling them behind her. "Do you want to try something…interesting?"

"Y-yeah," he said. She tied the rope around his wrists, carefully and expertly knotting it.

"Spread your legs out," she requested, stepping back.

"O-okay."

"Trust me," she whispered breathily into his ear, "This'll be fun." She tied each leg to the chair, marveling at how easy this all was. It had been a long time since she had seen men so easily seduced by her feminine wiles. There was something about this return to her roots that thrilled her. Finally, with each leg secured to the office chair, she stood up. "Are you ready for the main event?"

"Yeah," he affirmed eagerly.

"Well then," she said, her voice lowering, "I need something from you." The knife slid easily out of her thigh holster. Before Sakubara could even blink, the blade sat against his throat.

"Wha—?!" he exclaimed, eyes shooting open.

"I need you to tell me everything you know about Asano Gakushuu."

Isogai Yuuma watched from the other side of the glass as the man – Shinozaki – slowly woke from his drug-induced slumber. Kurahashi and their team had brought him in about twelve hours ago. Whatever concoction Okuda had given them was strong. Perhaps it was for the best.

"What do you think Asano saw in him?" Kataoka wondered aloud.

"Easy to manipulate?" Maehara suggested, "The dude doesn't look like he has any spine to speak of. Asano probably waved some cash in front of his face and dude was kissing his feet."

"Are we even going to get anything useful from him?" Karma asked, "He probably hasn't even seen Asano."

"But even if he hasn't at least we still have a lead," Isogai reminded, "If nothing else, we have a new contact."

"Unless his direct commander is Sakubara, which is entirely possible," Kataoka said, "Hopefully Irina can get something out of him."

"Which she will," Karma said confidently, "If there's anyone that can do anything, it's a bitch." Isogai wished he shared Karma's confidence. There was a nagging doubt at the back of his mind that something would go wrong. This whole situation had given a heightened sense of paranoia and fear that he couldn't quite shake. His husband standing by his side had only given him some relief from his fitful sleep and nightmares.

Shinozaki groaned, startling the group into silence. Other than a few moans and a couple odd mumbles, he hadn't stirred as heavily as he was now. Isogai's heart pounded against his chest. It was time.

Karma opened the door, strolling in as if he wasn't a wanted criminal accused of aiding and abetting a terrorist and traitor. He sat in the dark corner of the room, unnecessarily adding drama to the whole situation. Isogai rolled his eyes.

"Drama queen," Kataoka muttered. Isogai agreed.

Shinozaki slowly stirred, his head lolling from side-to-side. Isogai vaguely wondered what the side effects of this unknown drug were. It almost looked like he had a bad hangover.

"Aoi," he muttered, his eyes fluttering opening. "Wha-?" he moaned, apparently taking stock of his situation and location for the first time. "Where am I?" Karma was silent, almost blending into the background despite his ridiculous red hair. Shinozaki attempted to move and found his body restrained by a makeshift combo of rope and chicken wire. He sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"He's not struggling much," Kataoka muttered.

"He's probably still groggy," Isogai said.

"Ugh," he moaned, "Not again." Not again?! "Last night must've been wild. I wonder where Hinano-chan went…"

Isogai wasn't the only one dumbfounded by his reaction. Maehara's jaw had dropped and Kataoka looked very disapproving. Karma hadn't reacted in the slightest.

"Alright, Hinano-Chan!" he called, "You can let me go now! I get it!" He struggled against his bindings. "I mean, unless you wanna do some of that stuff we did last night!" Isogai raised an eyebrow. "Ugh, I guess she'll come back later." He glanced around the room, his eyes glazing over the dark corner that contained Karma. "Man, where did we end up? This doesn't look like it'd be her room…"

At least he was right on that account. They had repurposed an office near the shooting range. It had a window, but, as they discovered very early on, it had some serious blind spots. It was a perfect interrogation room.

"Man, what even happened last night…?" Shinozaki wondered aloud. "God, this whole thing is so weird."

"It wouldn't be the first weird situation you've found yourself in," Karma said, practically emerging from the shadows. Isogai was a little mad it worked so well. Shinozaki's eyes grew wide. "Isn't that right, Kaoru-kun?"

"You're-!"

"Devilishly handsome? A wanted criminal? All of the above? You wouldn't be wrong." Karma leaned forward, his face inches from Shinozaki. "But I suppose you would know all about that, wouldn't you, Kaoru-kun? After all, weren't you involved in all of this from the beginning?" His voice grew low, like a growl. "I wonder what your motives were, Kaoru-kun? Did you actually think you were doing good? Perhaps it was more than that. Perhaps you were offered something?" Karma drew closer to Shinozaki, whose face had grown more horrified with every ticking second. "Money?" Karma drew back. "Power?" He stood straight. "Sex?"

"Wha—What's going on? I thought—I thought you were on the run. How…?"

"Kurahashi Hinano is a friend of ours," he explained, sitting back, "She had you in the palm of her hands." Shinozaki's eyes were wide, his body frozen. Isogai's careful eyes watched him, taking in every detail of Shinozaki's reaction. The finger twitches, the ever-widening eyes, the way his muscles tensed beneath his clothes.

"I-I don't understand."

"You didn't do drugs, you were drugged," he said flatly. Shinozaki slowly tilted his head up to meet Karma's eyes.

"What do you want?" he whispered, his voice quivering.

"Answers, Kaoru-kun, answers." Karma twirled a knife around his fingers, the blade glistening against the harsh light of the makeshift interrogation room. Shinozaki's eyes followed the blade, enamored and fearful of it. "What is your involvement with Asano Gakushuu?"

"I don't know who that is," he said quickly, "Please, I'm being honest." Karma's eyes narrowed. The blade of the knife glinted in the light as it slowed in Karma's fingers.

"You wouldn't be lying to me, would you?" Karma asked, his voice harsh in the quiet of the room. Isogai held his breath and their side of the glass stilled.

"No! I swear! I don't know who that is! Please don't hurt me!" Shinozaki begged, his voice shrill and panicked. His bound feet desperately pushed against the floor, trying to get as far away from the knife as he could. Karma looked contemplative for a moment, his eyes narrowed.

The knife moved in an instant, swiping against the tender skin of his cheek. Blood trickled down his cheeks, contrasting against his already pale skin. He let out a strangled scream. Isogai had to avert his eyes, the sight becoming too much for him. Maehara's hand fell on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. Yet Isogai couldn't bring himself to relax.

"I swear! I don't know anything! I only worked for Sakubara!"

"You're lying," Karma accused.

"I'm not! I swear!"

"Do you know how much blood a human can lose before they fall unconscious?" Karma's malicious grin made the man squirm in his seat. "I know I certainly don't." Shinozaki let out another strangled cry as the knife swiped against his arm.

"Look," Kataoka whispered, "Karma's not doing so well." Isogai drew his eyes back to the disturbing scene. He looked closer. Sweat was dripping down Karma's forehead and behind his malicious mask were pleading eyes. Karma was banking on this ending soon.

"Shit," Maehara swore, "I knew we shouldn't have let him go in. He can't handle this." Isogai's eyes flickered to the spot where he knew Karma's bullet wound lay. Was it under too much strain? Would he start bleeding again? There was no way he was even remotely healed by now. A dark realization pulled at Isogai's heart.

One of them would have to step in if he didn't break soon.

It couldn't be Nagisa. He was too busy tending to something else.

"Who else could've done this?" Okano reasoned, "He's the only one with the constitution for this kind of thing." Isogai could see the worry in her eyes. She knew that the situation was going south and fast.

"I swear! I-I'm telling the truth!" Karma's legs wobbled beneath him.

Isogai's mind worked frantically, weighing the situation. If Karma collapsed, or showed weakness, it could be Shinozaki's opportunity to attempt escape (he wouldn't be able to get out, that much was obvious), and it would make everything just that much harder for them. Someone needed to step in before Shinozaki's fear of them was lost.

"He's playin' us like fools," Terasaka growled, clenching his fists.

"What do you mean?" Okano asked.

"Look at him. He knows somethin', watch his face whenever Karma turns around."

And so Isogai did. He looked with eyes sharper and clearer than they had ever been. With every tease, swipe and movement, Shinozaki appeared earnest and fearful. But as Karma drew back, Isogai could see the hint of a smile dust Shinozaki's lips. Isogai went cold.

Did he really just think this was a game?

Indignant, cold fury filled Isogai's heart. Memories of that which he had lost flashed in his mind's eye. How dare he? Isogai focused on the scene before him, as Karma weakened with every ongoing minute. Someone had to do something.

Isogai scanned the small crowd watching the proceedings. Kataoka couldn't do it, she'd lose herself before he broke. Maehara could put up an act, but his heart was too kind to be effective. Okano was a likely candidate, but was hardly an intimidating figure. Maybe Kayano? But she was across the building. Terasaka had no subtlety. Okajima would just make a fool of himself and Itona had been disconnected from everything lately. Isogai closed his eyes, a strange calm overcoming him as the process of elimination illuminated his way.

"I'm going in," Isogai declared. Four faces turned towards him.

"Yuuma?" Maehara questioned quietly, his hand squeezing his husband's shoulder.

"We don't have time to let this keep going." He gestured to Karma. "He's hiding it well, but he's becoming worse and worse by the second." Karma's steady arm was beginning to shake. He needed to leave and soon. Okuda and Takebayashi would be angry if they saw Karma going against their direct orders to rest, Isogai thought wryly. "He shouldn't stay in there much longer."

"Do you think you can handle it?" Kataoka asked, concern flashing her in eyes. Isogai closed his eyes.

"I don't know," he admitted, "But I'm going to try." He pulled away from his husband's touch, hoping that the lingering warmth would give him strength.

Out of eyeshot of everyone, Isogai took a deep breath. He did his best to tame his hair, which had become wild in days they had spent on the run. His eye bags sat prominently against his pale skin. Wow, Isogai thought to himself. I really look like a criminal.

He pushed the door to the room open, his resolve strong. Karma turned towards him, surprised.

"Isogai."

"Karma," Isogai greeted, "Why don't you let me speak with our guest?" Karma stood up.

"Very well," he said, offering Isogai the bloodied knife. Isogai took it silently, internally reeling as the warm blood dripped onto his hands. Karma closed the door behind him, leaving nothing but Isogai and the strained cries of the man in front of them. Isogai took a seat across from him, his mind racing to think of what he should do. Shinozaki was taking deep breaths, trying to will away the pain.

Although Shinozaki faced the ground, Isogai could still see a hint of that infuriating smile that hid what he really knew. Isogai observed him, every single movement and every single strangled breath.

"Who…who are you?" Shinozaki asked, "Please…please! I don't know anything! Let me go and I won't tell anyone what happened!"

Isogai crossed his legs, intertwining his fingers as he leaned forward. The words were out of his mouth before he could even think.

"Does your wife know you're cheating on her?" Shinozaki froze, his mouth agape.

"W-What the hell are you talking about? I'm not seeing anyone, let alone married."

"That's interesting," Isogai said, "Given that you have a tan line on your left hand that perfectly mimics a wedding ring." Shinozaki was frozen, his eyes glancing down at his left hand. "It's almost as if it hasn't worn off from a vacation you took not too long ago. It's almost as if you've failed to update your online profile so that people, just like my colleague Kurahashi, can contact you like she did."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about."

"Aoi is her name, isn't it?" Shinozaki was silent, but his eyes widened. Isogai felt a strange satisfaction that his guess was correct. When he had come in, they had speculated on why he was whispering about colors, but if it were a name… "We found it odd you were whispering her name when we dragged you in. Some hidden guilt there?"

"S-she's not..."

"Let me explain your situation to you, Shinozaki-kun," Isogai interrupted, "Right now you are in an isolated part of Japan, far from any phones, computers or televisions. Your lovely wife is probably incredibly worried about you, but no police or military is going to find you, we can assure you of this." Isogai paused, allowing his words to sink in. "What my colleague failed to disclose is that you aren't the only one we have here. Shortly, your superior, Sakubara is going to be joining us." Isogai twirled the bloodied knife that Karma gave him in his fingers. Shinozaki carefully watched every movement. Isogai slammed the knife onto the table.

"I don't need this, Shinozaki. You know why? Because I'm going to give you an out. You give me the information I need and you'll walk. Your wife will know nothing of your infidelity, you will simply be returning from a long business trip. You will return to your life like nothing ever happened." Isogai sat forward. "If you don't, then you will die here and your body will be found rotting in a bog." He lowered his voice, enunciating each and every word. "We will get the information we need. Make no mistake about that."

Isogai stood up, the scrape of the chair against the concrete echoing in the silent room. "This offer is only good once, I hope for your sake you make the right choice."

His shoes clacked against the ground as he turned towards the door. Isogai's clenched fist loosened as the weight of the situation hit him. His resolve stood strong, even as his hand trembled. As his fingers touched the doorknob, there was a cry behind him.

"W-wait!" Isogai stilled, turning around. Shinozaki couldn't hold his head up, although it was clear he had been defeated. "I'll tell you everything I know." Isogai pulled together his rapidly deteriorating cruel persona.

"Who do you work for?"

"Officially, Sakubara. But…" Shinozaki went quiet as he fought to find his words, "But…I've caught…glimpses. And I've overheard names." Isogai stood still, not daring to make a move, lest he break the mood.

"Names? What names?"

"I've heard Asano named, but only a few times. I didn't even know he was the top man." Isogai let out a breath, this confirmed at least one of their theories. Asano hid behind his network, allowing them to work mostly autonomously.

"And the other names?" he asked harshly.

"I've only heard it a few times, so I can't quite remember, but it was something like Akira…Arata…Atushi?"

"Araki?" Isogai prompted, breathless. Long forgotten high school memories flashed in his mind's eye. Memories of hard-fought bets and tests. Competing for the top score in social studies across the third year middle schoolers. Tense passings in the hallway.

"That's it," Shinozaki confirmed weakly, "That's him. Sakubara speaks with him frequently, that much I know. I don't know what they talk about or what they do, but I know they meet."

"Are there any other names?" Isogai asked, "You said that you knew a few."

"Sho, I think it is, or Shi?"

"Seo?" An arrogant young man came to mind, one that had been determined to take the top spot in English. Behind the door, Isogai wondered how his husband was feeling. Seo had made a point to humiliate him in their youth.

"Yes. That's all I know. Please."

"What has Sakubara made you do?"

"He only recruited me a few months ago. I've only been passing him information about new members of the Ministry and low-level classified secrets. I don't know what he's been doing with them."

"What kind of secrets?" Isogai pressed, "This will be my last question and we will let you go. I promise." Shinozaki gulped.

"Stuff about when diplomats are in town and their security details. Whenever I can get my hands on policy decisions, I also give him them. That's all I do, I promise." Isogai stared at him for a long moment. He was certain that Shinozaki was holding back something, but he doubted it mattered. They had gotten the information they needed.

Araki Teppei and Seo Tomoya. Two of the five virtuosos.

Isogai wished he could say that he was surprised.

"Thank you, Shinozaki-san," Isogai said, giving the man one last look back, "Someone will be with you shortly."

He pulled at the door, his persona cracking with every inch. He felt tired and ready to collapse. Those twenty minutes had drained him of his energy. As soon as the door behind him closed, strong arms wrapped around him.

"Yuuma, holy shit," Maehara said, "That was amazing." Isogai pulled Maehara's lips onto his, the familiar gesture comforting and energizing.

"I didn't know you could do that!" Okano said, "We got exactly what we needed!"

"I'm impressed," Karma agreed coolly.

"I'm a little turned on," Maehara added. Isogai let out a bark of laughter.

"We can save that for later," he joked, pulling away from his husband and intertwining their fingers. "So what do we do now?" Karma had an odd look on his face.

"Why don't you go let Nagisa and them know?" he suggested, "And I'll take care of some last minute business over here." Isogai nodded, a sinking feeling in his stomach.

As they walked away together, with Maehara rubbing reassuring circles on the top of his hand and Kataoka making light conversation, Isogai couldn't take his mind off of what was happening.

If Karma's suspicious activity didn't confirm it, the gunshot and the strangled scream did.

"Kimura Masayoshi is dead," Nagisa muttered under his breath for what felt like the 100th time. Hayami's heart panged for him, even when her own was engulfed in sadness. Chiba was next to her, holding her close like he could lose her at any moment. The others were silent, unable to speak.

She had been close, and the sound of the gunshot was seared into her mind.

The gunshot echoed through the precinct.

Investigators, administrators and officers alike were on their feet in a moment, the worst thoughts already crossing their minds. Hayami was frozen, shock and realization slamming her all at once.

That came from Kurofuji's office.

With that single thought in her mind, she was the first to move. Even her husband, who wasn't far away, hadn't escaped his shock yet. Her heavy legs carried her to the office, the sound of feet pounding against the linoleum followed closely behind as officers regained memory of their training.

Hayami grew colder as she drew closer. The bullet had gone through the wooden door, leaving a clear bullethole. Drops of blood dripped down from the hole, created from the sheer force of the exit wound.

It ended up not being her who opened the door, but a fellow officer of the law coming to investigate. It was her, however, who saw the body of her friend and colleague, limp and disfigured on the ground like a ragdoll. It was her who saw the pool of blood beneath his blown away head.

It was her who looked directly into the eyes of the man who had murdered her friend and saw someone who knew what he had done and who knew who she was.

She had never felt so lost before.

A choked sob burst from Kurahashi's mouth as her fragile and worn spirit finally broke under the news. Hayami closed her eyes, hoping to keep away the tears that threatened to run down her face. She hadn't had time to mourn, ever since she locked eyes with Kurofuji, she had her feet to the ground.

But here, in the quiet of perhaps the only true safe space she knew, her emotions threatened to overcome her. Chiba's hand on her waist was comforting and familiar.

The silence was thick and palpable as people fell into shock and mourning. If the whole fugitive thing hadn't made the situation feel real, this certainly did. It was one thing to cling to hope while on the run and in a safe house, it was another to know that your friend was in a morgue somewhere because you had pissed off the wrong people.

"He's dead," Nagisa repeated, his eyes cloudy and unfocused. Hayami's heart panged for him. All of his years working in assassination had left him lonely. She knew how damaging it was to work in such a stressful environment for long periods of time. He must've thought about death—his death—almost every day. No matter how noble the cause, his "career" wasn't the kind that left people mentally stable. Even veteran police officers needed help sometimes.

She was doubtful he had any support systems in his life. Somehow, that thought only saddened her more.

"Nagisa —" Kayano started, but his movement silenced her.

"No, Kaede, let me say this." She frowned, but sat back nonetheless. "In my line of work, people die all the time." Heads slowly turned up towards him. "I've attended the funerals of people who I have worked with, for those that are lucky enough to get a funeral. But…that never makes it easier. Knowing that they lived in the darkest parts of society, fighting for even just a second to make their lives easier. Knowing that I would probably be next." Kataoka reached out and squeezed his hand. He flinched at the contact, but slowly relaxed into the touch. Nagisa bowed his head.

"If…if he hadn't become involved with me," he started.

"Don't," Nakamura said firmly, "Don't play with what-ifs, Nagisa. That only leads to a spiral."

"He helped of his own free will," Isogai continued, quietly, "As did we. We knew the potential consequences walking into this. You shouldn't beat yourself up about this."

"This isn't about you," Karma said harshly. Nagisa flinched at the implied accusation. Hayami was surprised, she hadn't thought that Karma would be willing to snap at Nagisa like that. "Kimura is dead, and yes, he's dead because he was working with you. But he's an adult who wanted to help you, even knowing the consequences. The least you can do is honor his memory." Nagisa looked as though he had been slapped.

Hayami wondered if anyone had talked back to him like that in the past eight years.

Nagisa closed his eyes, soaking in Karma's words. Finally, he spoke, "You're right. I'm sorry, everyone, I was being selfish." Nagisa stood up. "Kimura was a good guy, and he doesn't deserve his memory to be tarnished." He took a deep breath. "It's not easy, but we need to remember Kimura as he was. A good guy, with a great heart." Hayami stood a bit straighter as Nagisa stood up. His tear stained face stood bright. "I know we don't have drinks, but let's make a toast. To Kimura Masayoshi!"

"To Kimura Masayoshi!" the room chorused.

Even in the absence of drinks, a proper speech and a proper occasion, Hayami couldn't help but feel that Kimura couldn't have had a better send-off. They couldn't dwell. They needed to keep moving forward.

Hey guys, sorry about the total radio silence for a few months. Without going in too much detail, not long after I posted the last chapter, I had to suddenly move and I had a crazy busy summer. Things are calming down now and I should have more time to devote to this fic. Don't worry, I fully intend to finish this fic.