Chapter 7

Interval One “I don’t know how to say this, but with that one—Teardrop—something’s always bothered me about her.” Jim placed his hand on his chin and cocked his head as the conversation reached a pause. “She’s so introverted, yet oddly aggressive. You don’t normally kiss to lord it over someone.” “Exciting, right? Made my heart pound.” “You’re so… Anyway, I didn’t ask to hear about your pillow talk at the end there.” “The song was really good. It convinced me that feelings of the heart aren’t just a cliché.” Norman nodded and shot Jim an unsettling grin, making him recoil slightly. “Good grief… I’m saddened by Mary’s death, too. She had great taste in clothes.” “…You knew each other?” “She was famous in high society. We used to talk fashion.” Jim shook his head as he looked over the documents in front of him, speaking with disgust. “The culprit—her young lover—was sooo sloppy. Killing his mistress and staying in the mansion without trying to run or hide? He could have done a better job of it.” “It was that he couldn’t do a better job, I think.” “True. As far as Unlaw go, he was a small fry—just Category One,” Jim said. “I don’t really need an explanation.” “But you’ve put me in the mood to explain.” It was Norman’s turn to direct a flat stare at Jim. Relishing that stare, Jim went on. “Unlaw have disparities in strength. After awakening as an Unlaw, their Category is assigned depending on that strength.” Jim raised his index finger. “Do you remember my specialty, Norman?” “What was it again, Types of Unlaw?” “Categories! I’d like you to remember that,” Jim grumbled but quickly recovered his good humor. “I have no interest in Category Ones. They’re not even full monsters yet. Onto the next one.” He flipped to the next file. There were photos of Eltiel, a city alleyway and one more thing: Corpses. Five murder victims scattered on the roadside. “Category Two is a bit more interesting.” “We’ll have to disagree there.” “I rarely agree with you on anything.” Jim smiled wryly. “At Category Two, their abilities stabilize to a degree. The difference from Category One is they give their ability a name, explaining what kind of being they are and what their ability can do.” For example, in Shizuku Teardrop’s case… Type of being: A flower that sheds tears and creates ripples in others’ minds. Ability: Resonate with people’s hearts and cause countless echoes. Hence, Tear Blossom, Echo Howling. “They’re close to the superpowers or magic everyone imagines. I digress, but the names of their abilities, like Hellhound and Tear Blossom, are also used as code names. With its full name, Tear Blossom, Echo Howling, the meaning becomes multifaceted and provides more stability.” “There’s also Jewel and Fairy.” “Let’s not get lost in the details.” “They’re important.” “Fine! Next, tell me about Siriusflame!” He pulled out the picture of Eltiel from the documents and held it in front of Norman. “The Helkart Street serial slasher case. The victims had nothing in common except that they were all terribly mutilated. Now! Let me hear it! You were the one in charge of Hellhound. What did you think of this case?” “Let’s see…” Norman stared vacantly up at the ceiling. “This case can be summed up in a word: justice.”