2025-09-02: Left Behind
- Cutscene: Left Behind
- Cast: Niko Kirisaki
- Where: Hirasaka Police Station, Hirasaka Ward
- OOC Date: 2025-09-02
- IC Date: July 4th, 2012 (Dark Hour)
- Summary: Niko decides it's visitor hour for Shinjiro, at the one hour when no one can object. Only to find he's already gone, but she doesn't leave entirely empty-handed.
Some say that the police never sleeps. Hogwash, of course. Even if there's always a light on at the police station, the police will pretend to be asleep whenever it suits them. Especially in Sumaru.
Besides... there is this one particular hour every night, where even that light won't be on. Which, as it happens, doesn't always guarantee there's no activity happening inside.
A shadow (lowercase s) steps into the confinement area, and begins to slowly make its way to the far end. At first the only things heard are its footsteps, then a series of brief, high-pitched rasps echoes as long nails scratch past each bar they pass. Until, finally, a voice follows, its normal speaking volume seeming much louder without any other sources of sound in the area.
"Shiiin-chaaan..."
Niko Kirisaki sports her usual carefree grin, unconcerned entirely by a little breaking and entering. It's for a good cause, after all. Well. Maybe not good good. But she wanted to do this, so she volunteered. However, when she gets to the final cell, and finds it occupied by nothing but a coffin, her face scrunches up in disappointment.
"Oh, what? You escaped on your own already? Didn't even stick around a full day? Way to suddenly start doing the smart thing." She sighs, and shakes her head. "You're not avoiding me, are you?" She pauses, even though no one is around who could possibly answer her. "Naaah, I know. You wouldn't do that. You're too nice for your own good. And here I was gonna steal you a blanket, too. Oh well."
She leans against the wall, and stares up at ceiling. Now what? It's good if people are figuring out how to help themselves, but she was really hoping she'd be getting to help with that tonight. She does so enjoy helping. Looks like this was a waste of time. Unless... A smile creeps back onto her face.
"Now, the question iiis... did you remember to clean up after yourself?"
The evidence room isn't any harder to crack. And look at her being all subtle about it too, actually using lockpicking tools. They'll just think they forgot to lock it, never even know anyone was in here! Though they might wonder how something went missing... if she finds any of the items she thinks she might.
Sure enough, no need to even start going through boxes, she just has to look over to the desk to see that they didn't finish properly processing Shinjiro's belongings yet. Looks like he was smart enough to take his Evoker at least, but that small film canister is unmistakable.
"Oh Shin-chan, that's no good. You shouldn't have let them take this. Jin's going to be so annoyed with you if he finds out."
She snatches the suppressants off the desk and slips them into her jacket pocket.
"If he finds out. Thank me later, okay~?"
Back in the reception area, Niko heads straight for the exit... only to pause, and turn. Staring at the coffin behind the desk, wearing an unreadable expression. Slowly, wordlessly, she walks back over, to the back of the desk, and places a hand on what ordinary people would find an unsettling sight.
A chuckle escapes her, thinking back to when Chidori taught her this trick. 'You're full of shit,' are the exact words she used back then. But, as it turns out... it's not only possible, but really easy, to reveal the face of the person within the coffin to you.
"I see dead people~"
Yes, of course she has to say that. Every single time she does this. You have to get your fun where you can.
"So, sleepyhead..." All the mirth abruptly drains out of her voice, only ice remaining by the time she adds, "...Was it you?"
Revenge is such an easy thing. All it takes is to be aware of a person's location during the Dark Hour, and pop this coffin-shaped bubble of theirs. She knows how it's done. She could do it right now. She could throw this guy to the Shadows, and she would feel absolutely nothing.
...But that's the problem, isn't it? It only feels good when you know they deserve it. There's no point if you're not gonna feel anything. Just another meaningless act in a meaningless world. So she steps back, leaving the coffin be.
"Better not find out it was you," she adds, before her casual bearing returns, and she saunters back over to the exit. Once more, she pauses briefly, not turning this time.
"Lucky you." She takes a breath, and steps out into the green-tinted streets. "You get to keep not realizing the truth."