Entry 25

"It all started a few months ago," Ichiro began. "During that time I was...a spy..."

"A shinobi," Shirleigh stated.

"Really?" Juniper exclaimed unable to contain her surprise.

Ichiro gave a curt nod before continuing.

"I had received orders to retrieve the princess's tiara in an attempt to incite anarchy against the monarchy. As you know, the current people of Japan have decided that it is time to move on from a monarchical system to something that represents the American government. The people want their voices to be heard and to have a say in who leads the country.

"The theft of the tiara was supposed to serve as fuel to the fire as we were going to reveal it in a live broadcast to rile up the citizens. But...my mission ended in failure. I had made it into the palace and into the princess's chambers, you see. But when we thought the royal family was attending to matters elsewhere within, their movements seemed to change suddenly and I was caught by the princess when she returned to her room.

"I had never been caught before, let alone spotted, so I was quite shocked to know that someone had seen me. But what took me by surprise even more was the fact that she didn't panic as one would when they found an intruder. She just...stared at me. It was one of those moments where I thought that if maybe I remained still enough, I'd become invisible, you know? But then she suddenly said something..."

"What did she say?" Shirleigh asked.

"She said my name," Ichiro responded his eyebrows drawn together. "What was stranger is that it was my shinobi name. Akame."

"Could have been a coincidence. 'Akame' translates to 'red eye'," Shirleigh explained to Juniper. "Your eyes are of a striking red colour."

"But that's the thing," Ichiro continued. "She couldn't see my eyes. The masks I wore always covered my eyes since they were my most distinct feature. I was always careful to keep them concealed."

Juniper had leaned so far across the table that she may as well have been lying atop it. She had only ever heard of shinobi and ninjas through the television shows she watched as a child and only ever thought that they were something beyond her reach. Listening to Ichiro's story awoke that long-forgotten childlike wonder. After all, how often does one meet a real shinobi face-to-face like this?

Shirleigh placed a hand on Juniper's shoulder dragging her back into her chair. Juniper gave a fake cough and composed herself placing her hands on her lap and giving Ichiro her full attention.

"And you have never met each other before?"

Ichiro shook his head.

"Hmm," Shirleigh leaned back in her chair closing her eyes. "Continue."

"After failing to retrieve the tiara, I had no choice but to leave empty-handed. So I headed for the escape route my clan had put together but another one had sabotaged it..."

"Explosives."

Ichiro nodded, his left hand reaching for his right arm.

"After recovering from the incident, I decided that it was time for a change of pace. So rather than lurking in the shadows, I stand in the spotlight and interact with others in ways I was unable to when I was shinobi. But now I think she has figured out how I am and she has been following me around," he chuckled to himself. "To be honest, I don't think I should have come to you. There's a good chance she knows I'm here."

Ichiro rose from his place at the table to leave.

"I'm a bit hurt."

 Ichiro paused at the sound of Shirleigh's voice.

"You shouldn't lie to people. And you shouldn't leave out crucial details," she said. "Especially to someone who wishes to assist you."

Ichiro remained still for a moment before his shoulders shook with laughter. He took a deep breath and sank back into his chair.

"I should have known better than to try and hide anything from you," he admitted.

Juniper glanced between the two, somewhat lost when it came to the conversation.

"You have it, don't you?"

As if to confirm her suspicions, Ichiro removed an intricate crown from his backpack and placed it atop his jet-black hair. He rested his head in his hand and gave a sly smile.

"The princess's tiara!" Juniper exclaimed.

"You realise that is a national treasure in your possession?"

"That was the whole point, no?" Ichiro sat up straight, the tiara lopsided on his head. "It looks better on me, doesn't it?"

It was true that the rubies in the tiara brought out the colour of Ichiro's eyes but Shielrigh's expression said that she was the least interested in his looks.

"How did it come to be in your possession?"

"Uh, well..." Ichiro became noticeably flustered and slid down his chair, leaving only the top half of his head visible above the table. "Is that really necessary?"

"So it's true then."

"What's true?" Juniper asked.

Shirleigh did not turn to look at her partner but smiled deviously as she stared down the flustered man across the table.

"He slept with the princess of Japan."

"What?!" Juniper covered her mouth in shock.

"Shirleigh!" Ichiro had completely disappeared underneath the table.

Shirleigh had burst into uproarious laughter much to Juniper's surprise. Her eyes lingered on her partner as she caught her breath and seemingly wiped a tear from her eye. Her coffee-coloured hair fell over her shoulders and she lifted her eyelids. Her icy blue eyes smiled even after her lips had ceased doing so.

"You realise that the situation you are in is your own doing."

Ichiro peeked over the edge of the table but avoided direct eye contact.

"But, the part about her seeing me for the first time and knowing my name was true though."

"Hmm," Shirleigh closed her eyes. "It would appear so."

Silence fell over the table. Shirleigh's eyes remained shut, her arms crossed in a pensive manner. Juniper couldn't help her eyes from lingering on the cerulean fingers of Ichiro's right hand and when she realised that she must have been staring, she cleared her throat, drawing her partner's attention.

"Oh, um," Juniper tucked some of her ginger hair behind her ear, her pearl earring swaying at the motion. "I believe he may be awaiting your decision."

Shirleigh turned to Ichiro who was obviously trying to make it seem like he was waiting patiently when the exact opposite was true. He held the tiara in his hands moving it so that the little sunlight that filtered in through the curtains bounced off the jewels creating a kaleidoscope of colour on his face and the walls. His eyes which were just barely visible behind his charcoal bangs were filled with genuine worry.

"She's harmed people," Shirleigh stated.

Ichiro remained silent but it was more than enough confirmation.

"What? But why would she do something like that?" Juniper wondered. "She is a member of a royal family, why would she start hurting people? If she had discovered that her tiara had been stolen, why not inform her family or the officials?"

"This has become a rather annoying recurrence."

"Hm?"

"I have officially decided to render you my assistance," Shirleigh said, rising from her seat. "You have a performance coming up soon, no?"

"I-I do," Ichiro rose from his place at the table. "But I was thinking about cancelling it in fear that she might show up and hurt someone again..."

"Don't. That is exactly what we need."

"Shirleigh!" Juniper gave a chastising look.

"Not the part about her hurting people, obviously. We need to draw her out and if she has visited each one of his concerts, she is certain to show at this one as well. A simple bait and lure tactic."

Juniper sighed and smiled but hers was nothing compared to the one plastered on their client's face.

"Thank you, Shirleigh!" Ichiro gave a deep bow. "I knew I could come to you for help, even if we aren't as close anymore. I definitely owe you one."

"I have yet to do anything."

"But I know that you'll succeed."

With that, their mysterious yet straightforward client took hold of his belongings and made for the door. Juniper went with him to see him out while Shirleigh watched from where she stood, a rather introspective expression on her features.

"It was nice meeting you, Juniper," Ichiro said, adjusting the bag on his shoulder. I haven't known you for long, but it's good to know that someone nice like you is staying with Shirleigh."

"Oh, right," Juniper's face warmed up just a bit, but it was enough for her to notice and direct her thoughts elsewhere. "You know Shirleigh pretty well. If you don't mind me asking, how did you meet?"

"Hmm..." Ichiro crossed his arms. "I don't think it's my place to tell you if she hasn't, sorry."

"Oh, right, that makes sense..."

"We dated when we were younger."

He's telling me anyway?! Juniper thought to herself.

"Wait...huh?"

Juniper's jaw dropped in complete shock as she and Ichiro stood at the top of the staircase. Such a huge revelation as this could not have rendered her as surprised as she was at this very moment.

"You seem rather stunned," Ichiro laughed.

"It's just— Shirleigh does not come across as someone— I never would have thought someone like her would have had such relationships..."

"Yeah, well," Ichiro gazed down the stairs, his mind wandering to a different time and place. "She was a lot different back then."

Before she could ask any more questions, specifically about the accident that took his arm, he smiled and waved before descending the staircase. She slowly followed behind him and stood in the entryway of the Palace watching as he climbed into a cab and was taken away.

Juniper turned back into the Palace where she caught a glimpse of Mr Hudson watching her. He averted his gaze to the papers on the desk before him as if to avoid eye contact, to no avail, however.

"Mr Hudson?"

Juniper approached the desk and Mr Hudson's shoulders tensed up.

"Do you know anything about him? Ichiro Adler?"

"I can't say that I am unfamiliar," he fidgeted with his spectacles. "Did you have questions about him?"

"Is it true that he and Shirleigh dated?"

A coughing fit suddenly overcame Mr Hudson, much to Juniper's concern.

"Are you alright?" she asked, intending to jump the desk. "Do you need some water?"

He waved his hand in front of his face as he composed himself. He stood up straight and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Strands of his hair had fallen out of place and hung in front of his lenses.

"I am fine, there is no need to worry," he told her. "As for your question, I believe that would be better directed at Shirleigh herself."

"I know..." Juniper twiddled her thumbs. "But she...I feel like she is not the type to like conversations such as these...'girl talk' and the like. Especially if it's about someone she has already gotten over. But even more than that, I feel that if she wanted to tell me about her past, she would tell me herself. I feel as though if I ask about it, it would prevent her from speaking of it."

"Then maybe it would be best not to ask," Mr Hudson suggested. "Assuming that he brought you a case, there is a good chance that she may open up to you about her past relationship with him."

"I suppose you're right..."

The two of them exchanged smiles and Juniper made her way back to the flat where her partner awaited her return.

"Ah! You again!"

When Juniper had returned to the flat, she found Shirleigh speaking to someone with distinctive purple hair.

"Oh, you and Walker are already acquainted?" Shirleigh asked.

"Walker?" Juniper stared at the person in the room who gave her a greeting nod. "We met briefly during the Manor of Cerulean case. They were the one who gave me the letter I passed on to you."

"'Manor of Cerulean'?" Shirleigh echoed.

"Ah, sorry," Juniper twirled a strand of her bangs. "That is what I have called the Drebber murder case since the house was..."

"Hm. I may have to give it a read."

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing," Shirleigh extended an arm toward Walker. "As I have mentioned before, this is Walker. They and the rest are my eyes and ears in places I am not."

"'The rest'?" Juniper wondered.

"Walker is a part of a travelling garage band known as 'The Irregulars'. They provide me with information from the places they visit which helps me immensely given that I am merely one person. This way, it is as if I am in more than one place at the same time."

 Juniper wanted to make a remark about Shirleigh having friends but felt it wasn't the right time to do so. Instead, she smiled and waved at Walker.

"Sorry for not introducing myself before," they said, their voice monotone. "I was very busy at the moment."

"No worries," Juniper said. "It is nice to meet you properly this time around. What brings you here?"

"Walker is going to help us with the case," Shirleigh answered.

"Really?"

"It just so happens that The Irregulars are the opening act for the concert," Shirleigh explained. "So they will already be in the venue and we will be going with them as a part of the band."

"Wh-what? As a part of the band?" Juniper stammered. "But I don't know how to play any instruments."

"You'll be fine," Shirleigh told her. "We will make it seem like you had an accident regarding your leg that prevents you from going up on stage. This way you can monitor the backstage area and you won't have to worry about performing."

"Something about that just doesn't feel right..." Juniper muttered.

"The concert's in a few days time," Walker mentioned. "Our band is more of the rock variety, it'd be best if you wore something fitting of the vibe."

"Vibe...?"

"Alright then, I'll see you two later. Agur."

Walker left the flat finally leaving the companions alone once more. Juniper stared out into the hallway before closing the door, secluding her and her partner from the outside world.

"They occasionally visit and tend to stay a couple of nights when they're in town, so you may see them from time to time."

Juniper nodded watching how her partner moved about the room. She watched as Shirleigh approached one of the bookshelves and removed a familiar tome, sticking her nose in the pages. One of her long arms hung by her side and one could see just how tall and slender she was. One could easily mistake her for being frail but Juniper knew that she was a strong individual. But the more noticeable thing was how the circles under her eyes seemed to have darkened. 

"Shirleigh?"

Silence.

"Shirleigh," said Juniper in a firmer tone.

"Hm?"

"Are you doing alright? You know, after..."

"Mhm."

"You can talk to me whenever you need to get something off your chest."

Silence again.

"It's been a pretty tiring day and it's getting late," Juniper stretched. "I believe it'd be best if you got some rest. I shall wind down myself."

As the sun was setting outside the window, Juniper made her way to the bathroom for a shower and some much-needed self-care. Shirleigh, on the other hand, remained in the living room. She closed the book and made her way back to the work table where she reviewed the cypher she had decoded that morning. It was clear that the death of Jade Moriarty had taken its toll on Shirleigh but her methods would not allow her to grieve her death properly. If something like that is bottled up inside, who knows what would happen?

Only time will tell.