Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Satsuki-March 31, 1989. Sunday

Would writing in a diary be, I dunno, dorky? I mean, the only people I see having diaries are the people getting shoved into lockers. But whatever, I'm doing this on a frickin whim anyway. who cares. Probably might forget about this after tomorrow

Anyway, tomorrow school is starting and honestly..Time flies, like crazy. Not to sound like those old people reminiscing on their memories, but jeez. I remember Togo, delinquent kid from last year, he sang to some girl beneath her balcony like in those movies! It was middle school and all- plus they broke up after 2 weeks- but its just crazy how some people turn out after a couple of years. Hopefully I'm not like that, some worn out hag on the street.... Actually, I doubt it, dads rich. Dad will always support me, right? gotta end this early dad is calling me, future me, I'm not that weird righ

-Unfinished and cut off Diary Entry

April 2, 1989. Tuesday

Cherry blossoms bloomed, the entryway of Akedemi covered in grass and weed from that storm that happened at midnight. As the black haired girl stepped onto the school premises, a sigh left her mouth, her back slumped as the dread washed in. Second day of school, and they're gonna have to clean. The Headmasters priority was not the students- but more of the schools reputation. Beneath that nice face of his laid a tired and gloomy man who just wanted his paycheck by the end of the week. Satsuki gripped the edges of her white and red skirt, not having the patience for any of this.

The girls hair swaying in the wind as another girl sprung right in front of her, Shinako Bunzai, her supposed "friend". Though Satsuki could read people like a book, and she knew Shinako really couldnt care for her as a person. People know people, people have connections. And Satsuki has connections to Sonoko Sakanoue, a popular young detective. Satsuki and Sonoko were best friends, practically intertwined. And Shinako wanted in, even if only just for Sonoko.

"You saw that blog by Sonoko-san, right?! Cmon, ask her for more details!"

Shinako jumped slightly, holding Satsuki's shoulders. The aggravated girl forced a smile, her dimples more apparent on her cheeks.

"Yeah yeah, I did..Il ask, dont worry- just get off me!-"

Shinako backed off, but her estaticness remained the same. Satsuki was getting tired of this girl, all she talked about was Sonoko, Sonoko, Sonoko, and most of all: Sonoko Sakanoue. It was getting difficult to have patience with her Sonoko rambling, she was like a boycrazy girl except with poor Sonoko.

"I won't see her in a while..Cuz shes on some family business..Or I dunno, just something along those lines. She never specified."

The Sonoko-sessed girl's smile dropped down, clearly having some high hopes. She just nodded and sprinted away, slightly tripping because of the slippery entryway covered in weed and leaves. Satsuki let out a breath she didn't realize she held, and continued to walk. Staring down at the messy entryway, before bumping into what felt like a stiff statue. 

"Mm-"

Satsuki looked up to see a tall man with stubble on his chin, a 5 o' clock shadow, if you will. Holy crap, was he your stereotypical detective. Hat, coat, and everything. As well as that face that just looked like he had a stick shoved up his ass. The man's arms were crossed and his eyebrows were furrowed as he just looked down at Satsuki like she was a piece of crap on the sidewalk. 

"Can we have a moment, please? I'd like to ask some questions. About Sumire Saitozaki.."

Satsuki felt her heartbeat sky rocket as she looked up at the man in awe. He was your average detective! Satsuki couldnt believe her eyes, and neither could the man as she stared up at him like an idiot. But a small smile graced his face, in amusement. His amusement stemming from the fact he always used to look at his idols like that when he was younger, feeling a kindred spirit.

"If you'll excuse me, let's head over somewhere else. It'd be better if no one hears this."

The man in the fedora gave a soft gesture, one of her to follow him to the corner right behind the gate. Satsuki had a gut feeling she'd be in trouble for not doing her student council duties, but that was the least of her worries at the moment..

Satsuki followed the man to the corner, he pulled out a pen and notepad, clicking the retractable pen more than needed. Before scribbling something down, she couldnt exactly tell what.

Leaned against the wall, she took a moment to just..Admire him. God damn it, Satsuki felt like Shinako at this moment. But she can't help but understand where shes coming from..Cool badass detective, how can you not look up to that? Or shes just weird, probably both of those. The man in the coat noted the look Satsuki gave him, and just pushed it to the back of his mind.

"Your name, please?"

"Satsuki Kimura."

"You're a part of the student council, correct?..Guessing from your uniform."

"Definitely."

"Where were you on the death of Saitozaki-shi? And or, yeasterday? Around your cleaning time."

"Outside, near the garden next to the incinerator."

"Saw anything suspicious, stood out?"

"Aishi-san carrying a bag, and Tunesu-san asking everyone around us what she was doing.."

"...I see, please, tell me everything. Every detail you can remember."

"Tunesu-san walked around asking everyone if they knew where Aishi-san was, then Aishi-san came from the back exit holding a bag and put it in the incinerator to burn. Tunesu-san talked with Aishi-san, but I couldnt tell what they said. Then they went different ways. The delinquents were there too, but they didn't care."

"..Okay..Anything else?"

" ...Are you really a detective?"

"Journalist, more or so."

"Basically a detective."

"Why does this matter?.."

"Can you be my dad?"

"Yeah, no."

Satsuki smiled, enjoying this dumb banter. Her hands unconsciously moving behind her back to nervously fidget with her fingers. This journalist man couldn't help but grin at this fangirl, quickly snapping back to a serious attitude. Satsuki heard footsteps approaching behind her, but something in her heart told her to tune it out.

"The names Ryoma Yoshikawa, if you see anything remotely out of the ordinary, you know where to find me."

The man walked away and started to interrogate other students, and those footsteps from behind Satsuki finally got her attention. She looked back to see a boy with blond platinum hair, his blue eyes making her want to squeeze something. In an affectionate way, of course. Satsuki couldnt tell if her affection for him was platonic or not..She was still figuring that part out.

"Kimura-san, your duties?"

"O-oh, right.."

A blush heated her face, feeling her cheeks grow in temperature. Satsuki ran along into the school building, looking around at everyone. The delinquents, those snobby rich girls, the drama kids, the cooking kids giving out so much sugar to give someone diabetes at 8 in the morning...The school air hitting her, feeling her mascara crumble away just at the second of stepping into this building. All the teachers were hyping everyone up, even if that was supposed to be yeasterday. The gym teacher playing the radio, "More Than a Woman" by Bee Gees playing, Satsuki was always fond of western things, so that helped brighten her mood just a bit. The school filled with more people as everyone came rushing in, some students yelling and not being able to control their volume, some others walking to slow in the hallways, and gross couples kissing near the cleaning closet.

Satsuki had a feeling this year was going to be hell.

Chapter Text

April 2, 1989. Tuesday

Around late evening, barely ticking to 6:30, The Journalist drags his feet down the sidewalk of downtown, subconsciously avoiding the cracks. His coat unbuttoned and his tie a bit crooked. Walking over to "Happy Trails Bar", a cozy spot near an alley. His curious gaze landing on all the advertisements and billboards, ads for jobs, shops, businesses, and other miscellaneous things. Though, none of it mattered. All he wanted was to wash all this stress away, even if he was normally a calm man. He needed to blow this steam away, hopefully leave the night with a smile and a new acquaintance.

The Journalist opened the door and the bells jingled, the normal bartender at the time greeting him with a smile. Pretty crazy, if you ask him. This place can be a bit...Controversial, since there's always some crazy scenes happening right when he pushes through the threshold and enters the bar.

The man sat down at a quiet booth at the bar, something had to be up this gloomy day. Its never this run down, is there an event he didn't hear of? But The Journalist couldnt really mind, he didn't care if there were people or not. The stereo was as mellow as ever, and the tables as rusted as it has been. The Journalist is not a guy for change, surprises are not his thing. (Please, warn the poor guy before you do anything rash.) So the familiarity calmed him. Until...The peace was interrupted with an even more familiar, cheerful voice.

"Ryoma-kunnn! Hello-hello!"

In entered the Famous Jirou Kimura, a famous detective for solving some of the worlds most difficult cases. For how much of a big deal he was, he couldnt get more carefree. His black hair complimenting his dark-red jacket, he sure had good fashion taste. The Journalist held his drink up in a greeting back.

"Hey Kimura-sensei, you're happy today."

"You know I am! Guess who just got a cool new car~~! The Toyota Century, to be exact."

Jirou slid into the booth at the corner, his red eyes sparkling with pride. Pretty impressive car, for the time. Though, The Journalist knew this celebrity wasn't here to just chat, he always had some favor to ask. But Jirou was so nice, his heart couldnt possibly decline. He was a freaking celebrity, who turns down a celebrity? The Journalist has known Jirou for half of his life, Jirou was his mentor. Probably explains how hes so good at his job. Yet there was some envy in his heart, on how he could never be as famous as Jirou..But no, he was doing it to save others lives, not for fame! The Journalist bit the inside of his cheek to stop these thoughts, Jirou was a good guy. He just happens to be lucky with wealth and fame.. though he was worried, fame can make the kindest people absolute assholes, hopefully this dosent happen to his ex-mentor and teacher.

"Ryo-chan, old time pal, I've got a favor to ask of ya."

knew it..

"actually, before I ask this..I've gotta confirm something. You're investigating that death at Akedemi High, right? Local fancy school?"

The Journalist was just about to confirm, before he wondered. How the hell did he know? Its not like hes there everyday, Jirou is ALMOST the busiest man on the planet. Almost, he uses the rest of his time to not finish left-over work, but to get drunk and totally wasted. Jirou wouldn't have time to figure out where he was, The Journalist just mentally smacked himself from how vocal he is on his actions, and his whole goal is to be more reserved.. This poor Journalist had the habit of being a blabber mouth and accidentally oversharing. 

"how'd you know?"

"Ahh. people know people, stuff gets around easily. Anyway- anyway, check this. My sweet daughter goes to that school. And she wants to be a detective just like her old man, sweet, right? Sooo...Think you can just bring her along with you? Just let her do the whole questioning and find suspects around the school, surely you can do all the looking-at-the-crime scene sorta stuff..Heard those killings were gorey."

He grimaced, bringing a highschooler along with him would be risky. But, he and Jirou did that exact same thing.. They did meet eachother around that time, and Jirou always brought him around when he investigated that one crime about those two guys going killing people all around town. He didn't come out THAT traumatized.. The Journalist kept weighing all the possibilities, and drawbacks..

The Journalist pondered, I mean..Well he isnt a bad teacher, is he? Sure he can appear to be a bit stoic, but its just people piss him off easily. Every conversation he has ends on a bad note and hes always humiliated..Always finding a way to ruin the mood somehow. Explaining how hes also a blabbermouth, revealing info to the wrong people at times. Plus, if she's anything like Jirou, shes gotta be somehow tolerable. The Journalist had to get some background information in order to see if he really wants to do this. Imagine tutoring a complete dumbass.

"Well..How does she act..? What's her personality? Give me some info here."

Jirou scrambled through his pockets in his pants and took his his wallet, in was a half ripped picture of him and his daughter on one side. The other ripped half was supposed to have his wife..Wait, what happened between them? The Journalist didn't exactly want to bring that up. The Journalist knew Jirou's wife, she was very good at mathematics, and hell, had the power to be the next Einstein. Jirou was practically obsessed with her! Always rambling on about how lucky he was to be with such a smart woman. God, life can change too fast for his taste.

The Journalist leaned into the photo. It was a girl with black hair, a couple of natural red streaks just like her dad. And she had her father's red eyes as well. She could be his carbon copy if it wasnt for the gender. He smirked and huffed a bit.

"Well isnt she her father's daughter. She looks just like you, Kimura-sensei!"

Saying the name "Kimura" kicked in his memory. Where ELSE did he hear that name other than Jirou, that whole article named after him? No, no...Where did he- oh yes. That little odd girl in the morning. No way. No freaking way. She was a total dork, atleast in his eyes she was. A little dorky student council dorky dork. His mouth parted to say something, yet nothing came out. He had to ask Jirou more, before he gets sidetracked.

"Okay, I see..How else is she like?"

"Well..She's a bit quiet at first, but shes sweet. Really. Nicest girl you'll meet. She's totally smart and has a knack for reading people! Trust me, Satsuki-chan can get past even MY best lies. I think she has the talent, her potential is strong, Ryo-chan. And coming from me, thats pretty impressive."

The man talked with his hands as he explained his daughter. Satsuki...Huh. Yup, thats the girl. She seemed nice, maybe The Journalist was being a bit too hard on her. Getting recognition from the Jirou Kimura himself is like a trophy to any detective trying to make it big in this crime world. Or its just the fact she was his daughter, he was giving her a free pass.

Well that whole questionnaire session went fucking well. They drank too much and the conversation went from a serious offer to drunk and stupid blabbering. It turned 9 o'clock and The Journalist had to get going. Jirou couldn't just leave like this, all intoxicated and flustered. That's against his whole motto. He let a sigh out his face and pat Jirou on the back, his face red.

"I'll get ya home, dont worry."

Holy shit this was a horrible idea. Drunk driving, good for you, Mr. Journalist. Well, this was the 80s, it was a lot more accepted. The two men staggered down the same sidewalk they took to get here. The Journalist's hat was taken off and held in his hands, making small motions with it as he spoke.

"We gotta get you in that car 'fore the paparazzi start snapping photos.."

"Man, why you park so far away..God."

The Journalist's strides grew longer, stuffing his hands in his pockets after putting his hat back on. Extremely crooked, by the way.

"more of an excuse for me to get some steps in, needa stay fit.."

"...hmph, you should've considered if we got wasted, you wouldn't have wanted to park this far."

"Too bad!"

Chapter Text

April 5th, 1989. Friday

Seeing as the year is still young and no one wants to be here, the Student Council has to do something about everyone's weariness. 

The old lights were dimmed, the yellowish tint brought a sence of calmness to the room. The sudden sound of papers being straightened clashed onto the table, seemed Tanaami has some steam to let go of.

"Kaichou-san, you good? You look..angrier, then usual." Ken Kyonashima leaned into the head of the table, where Reiichi Tanaami was sat down, a cold expression plastered onto his face like always, except this one was a bit more intimidating.

"No, actually. The Headmaster has some stupid rule that all the club-less students have to be in a club."

"Ohh, 'cuz of those...things going on after school. Because of the uhm..qual é a palavra... the shenanigans all the go-home club students did?"

Joselina shifted in her seat, stutters and struggles came from her broken English. Ken's view kept shifting to Satsuki's empty seat..Was she late? Even more stress on Reiichi's plate.

Reiichi just nodded to Joselina's confirmation. His eyes kept glancing onto the same paper over and over again. The turntable in the back adding a bit of a calming ambiance to this stressful atmosphere, yet even The Beatles singing about a yellow submarine wasn't enough to make Reiichi crack a smile. 

"..Stupid Debate Club.. "

The platinum haired boy sighed and slightly gripped the stack of papers held together by a paperclip.

"Give me a break. All this paperwork for some obsolete club. I bet none of those idiots are gonna fucking debate!"

The members fell into silence, Satsuki would've be here to calm him down. But shes somewhere, only God knows where!  The president took in a another, deeper sigh, as Ken prepared to listen to some lengthy rant about all this.

"Fuuuckkkk.." Reiichi leaned back and groaned uncharacteristically. That old facade of his slowly crumbling. "Debate Club, now that assembly on Monday?" His words turned into mummers, a bit inaudible.

"Like last year when that stupid Aragaki kept..Oh my goddd.. My dad is going be there and if I can't hold everyone together I will get yelled at! 

The room fell silent for a moment, as Ken and Joselina didn't know how to sympathize with his problems, specifically his cruel father. His dad expecting him to be some human robot, it was sick. That's what was on everyone's mind, til-

"Ohaaaa! Hey every-..Tanaami-kaichou?"

Reiichi looked up, his eyebrows relaxing from their furrowed state, even if just the tiniest bit. The distraction somewhat helping

"Ah, Kimura-san. Where were you...?"

"Had to stay after a class to talk with my homeroom teacher.. Apologies.."

The girl bowed for a split second before sitting down at her chair, feeling the tension in the room, not wanting to question it.

"..Assembly next week, right?"

"Some guest speaker will be there too, plus we have to go up there now and actually talk instead of just standing on the sidelines."

Ken smiled a bit from the change of topic as he reminded everyone with a calm tone, Reiichi just stayed quiet. Joselle was skimming through the little vinyl collection they had for what to play next.

At the reminder, Satsuki's posture stiffened.

"You know I HATE speaking in public..

Satsuki emphasized "hate" with a louder tone

"Can I just go up there and say like two wordssss.." A whine left her unenthusiastic mouth.

"No."

The president of the council shook his head.

"I think im gonna have to be way more harder on everyone this year! If im going down: so are the rest of you!"

Joselle glared up at him.

"How fair of you, presidente."

April 5th, 1989. Except in the late evening.

The sun was setting and the cherry trees were fully blooming, a nice view. Though Reiichi wasn't feeling as pretty as those beautiful sakura petals were feeling. School bag thrown over his shoulder, he left late after school and approached his house. Even better, his father was home early.

His footsteps got louder as he stepped onto the main entrance of his mansion, so beautiful yet he hated coming home everyday. Hopefully his dad wouldn't be in a crappy mood today.

Reiichi searched his bag and fiddled with the keys, before shoving the large door open with his elbow. That slightly hurt.

"...Im home..!!"

Before he was able to even take another step, he was met with his father. A disappointed face, mixed with anger, and his right foot tapping.

"Reiichi. What is this."

The man shoved a test score into his face, 76% written on the right hand corner. Reiichi backed his head away just from being shoved a paper in his face, but quickly had to regain some sense.

"..B-."

"Not an A+."

His face was stern as always, and he reeked of fancy-model cologne. Reiichi kept getting more and more nervous as he could already predict everything the guy in front of him was about to say.

"You've been slacking off lately. Reiichi listen here-"

Reiichi flinched just a centimeter as his father slapped him hard on the face and yanked him by the ear to pull him closer.

"235 days, aka 5,640 hours- AKA 338,400 minutes until you graduate Highschool. do you not realize how little time you have left?! And your scores are like THIS..Haven't I taught you better?!"

The boy was quiet for a moment before coldly responding.

"This was just the first time, father-"

"And it better be the last."

He spoke in a very hushed but extremely aggresive tone.

"Don't. Let me see this shit coming home next quarter. Got it? You're lucky I dont want to waste my breath to deal with you accordingly today, rather save my energy for the meeting I will be having in a couple of hours. Go and study that damn subject till you can recite it like your life depended on it.

Reiichi took in a short breath, looking down as his father shoved him away and finally letting go.

"Yes, father.."

There was a short moment of silence as Reiichi just stood in defeat, before his dad screamed.

"GO!!!!"

Another quiet "Yes, father" left Reiichi's mouth before speedwalking to his room. His mother watching the commotion from the kitchen with a worried expression. The boy stepped into his room. Staring at all the paperworks, textbooks, musical instruments, multiple awards lined up in an organized manner. All the tapes that kids would usually have that would be things like cartoons or movies, we're just educational tutoring videos or something to contribute to his learning. Reiichi took a look at the room he worked so hard for, yet despised, and slowly shut the door behind him, the door knob had medals hung to it. The metal hitting the wood with a noisy clink. The boy went over to his bed, and collapsed.

April 8th, 1989. Monday

"As I told you all, we will be having an assembly right after lunch, so look forward to that."

The class all had noises of disappointment and slight aggravation.

"Huhhh? No one told us this!" One girl in the back yelled out.

"Sensei, can I like, just not?" Another student lazily brought his hand up and just stared at anywhere but the teacher.

The woman infront of the class just slammed her hand onto the podium.

"We will be having a very nice guest visiting who will be giving a beautiful speech! No skipping, no dozing off, and most of all: NO STUPID CRAP! Hear me, Aragaki?"

A purple haired boy, commonly associated with the delinquents, just laughed right in the teachers face.

"yeah, yeah, gotcha."

Daisaku Aragaki just leaned back, getting all of himself on the desk behind him, the poor student who sat there clearly uncomfortable.

As the day passed, Reiichi was way more focused in class, if that was humanly possible. His hands cramping and his eyes focused on the teachers half-assed teaching by writing down the notes in full detail. The rest of his class either asleep, talking, eating, or staring into space.