Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

Chapter 2

VOLUME 6 – TO THE LIMITS OF DESPAIR (1)

file 02: fluctuation (yin) (TRANSLATION NOTES)

1

– I can’t believe it .

Haruka dressed herself hurriedly, left the flat and rushed into a cab .

Even after she told the driver the address, it felt unreal, like she was watching a television drama .

The city scenery passing her by in the window that should have been familiar also looked like something from a different world .

Her fingers were trembling slightly .

– Why did this happen?

<Isshin-san was stabbed and taken to the hospital . >

When Ishii told her that, all she could say was ‘Is that so?’ because she hadn’t known what to reply since it was so unexpected .

How was his condition? Why did something like this happen? And who did it?

She had many questions, but at that moment, all of them flew out of her head .

– This is a dream .

She thought that many times . Even now, as she rode in the cab, she still wondered if she would wake up .

There was no reason for Isshin to be stabbed .

He was the sort of person who others would be grateful for rather than begrudge .

– Then why?

Haruka clasped her hands together and just prayed that Isshin would be all right .

When she got to the bed, Isshin would be lying on the bed and smile, saying, 'I’m fine . It’s just a graze . ’ Then, Yakumo would complain, saying, 'Uncle, you shouldn’t scare people like that . ’

– Right . That’s how it’ll go . Please let it go that way .

The more Haruka wished, the more the uneasiness in her heart grew .

Finally, the cab arrived at the hospital entrance .

It was the hospital she had visited with Yakumo and Isshin today . She hadn’t thought she would return like this .

Haruka paid the driver the fare and got off the cab to go into the hospital’s night entrance .

She went through the passage and stepped into the dim and quiet lobby .

She saw people sitting next to each other on the bench in the corridor .

It was Gotou and Nao .

Gotou had his head hung low, and his shirt was dyed deep red .

Nao was hugging her knees as she sat .

– This really isn’t a dream .

'Detective Gotou . ’

Haruka put strength into her body and called out to Gotou .

Gotou slowly looked up .

His usual hearty demeanour was gone – he looked like he could die at any moment .

'Oh, it’s you, Haruka-chan?’ replied Gotou, raising his right hand .

Nao looked up as well .

Her eyes were filled with tears, but she was biting her lip to keep them from falling .

It hurt to look at her trying to act strong .

'Nao-chan, you OK?’ said Haruka, sitting down next to her .

Nao’s face was red from holding in her emotions .

'You can cry,’ said Gotou, patting Nao on the head .

With that, Nao flew towards Haruka .

Haruka accepted Nao and hugged her tightly .

Nao sobbed, shoulders shaking . Haruka’s shirt was wet with Nao’s tears .

Haruka gently rubbed Nao’s back .

'It’s fine . It’ll be fine,’ murmured Haruka, hugging Nao more tightly .

Since Haruka hadn’t heard the situation, there was no evidence behind those words, but all they could do now was believe in them .

After crying for a while, Nao calmed down .

Finally, she wiped her tears and sat back down on the bench, hugging her knees .

'Damn, what a strong girl,’ said Gotou was a wry smile .

'It’s true . Nao-chan is a strong girl,’ agreed Haruka .

'This girl was there too . She was crying because of what happened, and I told her not to . Then, she completely stopped and had held it in until now . ’

Gotou appeared to be regretting what he said .

'Nao-chan, you did well . ’

Haruka patted Nao’s hair and gripped her hand .

Nao gripped Haruka’s hand too .

It was a small but very strong hand .

'How is Isshin-san’s condition?’

Haruka said the thing highest up on her mind .

'Still in surgery . I don’t know anything either . ’

Gotou gave a vague response .

However, from looking at the blood on his shirt, Haruka could easily imagine that the situation wasn’t good .

– But it’ll be fine . Isshin-san won’t die so easily . ’

'Where’s Yakumo-kun?’

She’d thought he’d be here first, but she didn’t see him .

'Ishii went to pick him up . ’

'I see…’ murmured Haruka, looking at her feet .

After that, nobody spoke .

The silence made it feel like even time was in a stupor .

I wonder how much time has passed –

The sound of footsteps echoed through the lobby .

Haruka looked up .

Yakumo was there, like he had come out of the darkness .

He didn’t appear rushed . He walked slowly, like he was checking every step .

'Yakumo-kun…’

Haruka stood up and called out to him .

However, she didn’t know what to say next, so she shut her mouth .

Yakumo walked up to them with a blank expression and patted Nao lightly on the head .

Though his mouth didn’t open, it looked like the two of them, who were facing each other, were saying something to each other .

'How’s Uncle?’ said Yakumo to nobody in particular .

'In surgery . He lost consciousness, but he was breathing,’ explained Gotou in a plain tone .

'Is that so?’

Yakumo said just that and then fell silent .

'I’m sorry that happened while I was there . ’

Gotou stood up and bowed deeply towards Yakumo .

However, Yakumo made no response, as if he hadn’t heard anything . It was like his spirit had left him .

Ishii returned, a little late .

'How is the situation?’

Ishii ran in and spoke in an inappropriately loud voice .

'Quiet!’ said Gotou . He put a cigarette in his mouth and sat on the bench .

Haruka wanted to say something to Ishii, who looked confused, but she couldn’t bring herself up to it .

Haruka silently looked down again .

'Are you relatives?’

After a while, a man in a green operating gown spoke to them .

His oval face looked exhausted . He was so pale somebody might suspect he was a patient .

'I am the doctor on duty, Sakakibara . ’

The man in the operating gown gave his name .

A nurse was behind him . It was Furukawa, the nurse who had shown the around the hospital for the ghost sighting .

'Oi! How’s his condition?’

Gotou was the first to speak .

Yakumo was standing and looking forward, like he had been before .

'He escaped death, but he hasn’t woken up yet . We cannot say anything for certain until we observe his condition for longer . ’

'Is he OK?’

Gotou stood up forcefully .

'We don’t know . At this stage, he cannot breathe automatically,’ said Sakakibara quickly, perhaps disturbed by Gotou’s fierceness .

'What do you mean, you don’t know!? Aren’t you supposed to be a doctor?’

Gotou gripped Sakakibara by the collar and shook him threateningly .

'Please calm down . ’

Furukawa stepped between them to try to stop him, but she was thrust away .

'Shut up! If anything happens to him, I’ll kill you instead!’ threatened Gotou further .

Things couldn’t keep going like this . Haruka stood up to stop Gotou, but Yakumo spoke up before she could .

'Gotou-san, please stop . ’

Though he didn’t speak loudly, that one sentence made everyone stop moving .

Gotou lost his force, like a balloon leaking air, and he let go of Sakakibara’s collar .

Yakumo bowed towards Sakakibara, saying, 'I apologise . ’

'Anyway, the patient will be moved to the ICU . At this stage, we cannot allow visits, but you can look from outisde .

'I will show you the way,’ said Furukawa .

'Damn it!’

Gotou kicked the bench, letting his anger out at something since it had nowhere to go . The loud noise reverberated through the loudly .

Yakumo’s murmur blended into the sound .

– I couldn’t save anyone this time either .

2

– I couldn’t save him, even though I was right there .

Gotou’s anger was directed towards his own weak-mindedness .

The anger couldn’t have been settled by kicking a bench . He knew that, but if he hadn’t done it, he might have collapsed .

Gotou’s life operated like this .

– I won’t let anyone be killed . I won’t let anyone die .

He had come so far believing that, but those thoughts never reached the whole way .

He saw Yakumo and the others walking down the corridor, led by the nurse .

However, Gotou didn’t feel like following them .

He was frozen in the corridor like he had become a rock .

– Even though I vowed to protect him no matter what, I couldn’t do anything .

He felt close to despair as the strength left his body .

He looked at his palms – they were dyed dark red with Isshin’s blood .

'Damn it . ’

Regretting wouldn’t turn back the clock, but he still couldn’t help but think about it .

– Why did I leave Isshin by himself?

'It isn’t your fault, Detective Gotou,’ said Ishii, looking like he might start crying at any moment .

The trite consolation made Gotou even angrier .

'Then whose fault is it?’

'Eh?’

Ishii stepped back when Gotou glared at him .

'If it’s not my fault, whose is it?’

'That’s…’

Ishii looked frightened, but Gotou approached him more .

'Is it your fault?’

'I…’

'Who? Whose fault is it?’

'No… I…’

'Tell me!’ yelled Gotou, lifting Ishii by his shirt .

Normally, Ishii would have shrieked, but his mouth turned into a hard line and he took Gotou’s anger head-on .

'That’s right . It’s my fault . ’

Ishii’s shoulders shook . There were tears in his eyes .

– Don’t make that face .

'You…’

Though Gotou said that, he felt his anger rapidly dissipating .

Ishii was suffering himself because he felt responsible, but he had still spoken to Gotou in his consideration .

Gotou hadn’t thought he’d need a weak man like Ishii to be considerate of him .

– What am I doing?

He felt very small for blaming himself and stopping .

He could regret as much as he wanted later, but there were other things he had to do now .

'If I had noticed something in the temple, Isshin-san wouldn’t have been stabbed . It was my fault . Everything was my fault . ’

Ishii’s face was wet with tears as he spoke pleadingly .

'Don’t cry!’

Gotou hit Ishii’s head .

It felt like something had been woken from its sleep .

– There are things I still have to do .

He remembered .

He needed to reveal the truth of the case and make Miyuki pay for it . That wasn’t all .

– I’ll leave Yakumo and Nao in your care then .

Isshin’s words came up in Gotou’s head .

– He left Yakumo and Nao to me .

When Gotou thought that, he was stirred up by a strong force .

'It wouldn’t have mattered if somebody like you were there or not . ’

Gotou let go of Ishii and clicked his tongue .

Ishii staggered backwards .

'What are you spacing out for?’

Gotou hit Ishii’s head again .

At first, Ishii shrugged in pain, but when he looked at Gotou, his expression became brighter immediately .

'I-I apologise . ’

'There are things we’ve still got to do . We’ll regret later . ’

Gotou said that to Ishii, but the words were actually also directed to himself .

It wasn’t like him to regret the past and think about questions with no answers . He’d move, move and move .

– That’s the sort of guy I am .

'Yes sir . ’

Ishii stood up straight .

He’d never live down letting Ishii notice the important things before him .

Gotou hit Ishii once more .

'We’re going . ’

Gotou spoke up loudly and then he started walking after Yakumo .

3

Haruka walked down the corridor, holding Nao’s hand .

More than being considerate of Nao, it felt like Haruka would lose herself if she didn’t hold onto somebody .

She looked at Yakumo, walking ahead of them .

His back wasn’t crying or angry .

– Yakumo’s empty shell .

It wasn’t an exaggeration – Haruka really felt that way .

Finally, they reached the ICU with Furukawa’s guidance .

Through a thick glass, Haruka could see Isshin lying on a bed .

Machines such as an ECG and EEG surrounded him, their many cords and tubes stretching over Isshin’s body .

A respirator covered his mouth and nose, so Haruka couldn’t see his face clearly .

Sakakibara and a number of nurses kept going in and out . It appeared that they were working hard to treat him .

Nao’s eyes were completely red as she pressed herself against the glass to look through it .

The difficult reality that was happening in front of her eyes –

Haruka’s chest hurt when she saw Nao accepting that and bearing it .

– Does Nao have any relatives besides Isshin?

That question suddenly came up in Haruka’s head .

Nao wasn’t old enough to live on her own . On top of that, she was deaf .

'How’s his condition?’

A voice interrupted Haruka’s thoughts .

She turned around to see Gotou standing there . Ishii was behind him .

'We cannot make any predictions yet . ’

Furukawa spoke instead of Haruka .

'You better not die . ’

Gotou said that threateningly to Isshin through the glass .

'Isshin-san won’t die and leave Nao-chan behind,’ said Haruka, clutching Nao’s hand .

Nao nodded in response .

When Gotou saw that, he seemed to become determined and he patted Nao’s head with a nod .

'Hey, Yakumo . ’

Gotou looked at Yakumo .

Yakumo slowly raised his pale face . Though he didn’t respond, Gotou continued .

'I’ll take care of Nao . ’

Haruka’s eyes went wide at those unexpected words as she looked at Gotou .

Even Yakumo appeared surprised . He gaped at Gotou .

'I’ll leave Nao in your care – that’s what Isshin said to me . ’

Gotou scratched his head awkwardly and sat in front of Nao .

'Hey . That’s OK, right?’

Gotou turned a gentle smile that Haruka had never seen before towards Nao as he asked for her agreement .

Nao nodded, though Haruka didn’t know if she heard the words .

Gotou patted Nao’s head and then stood up .

He had to stay firm . Though Gotou didn’t say that aloud, Haruka felt that from Gotou .

'Yakumo . You don’t have any complaints either, right?’

Yakumo nodded silently at Gotou’s question .

Yakumo was always calmer than anybody and distant no matter where or when, but right now, he was like a piece of glass that would break if you touched it .

– Can I do anything at a time like this?

Haruka thought about it, but she couldn’t find an answer .

'I would like to discuss the patient with a relative…’

Sakakibara came out of the ICU and called out to them .

Yakumo silently nodded .

'Would you come to the first-floor examination room? Let’s talk there . ’

After Sakakibara said that, he looked at all of them, bowed and then stuck his hands in the pocket of his white coat before walking down the corridor .

Even after Sakakibara left, Yakumo just looked down the corridor .

As if something was there –

Haruka looked down the corridor as well .

– What’s that?

She was so surprised she couldn’t speak .

A girl stood there .

Only her face was enveloped in a black shadow, as if it were dyed with ink .

– She isn’t from this world .

Haruka felt that immediately . She could see through the girl .

Perhaps that’s the ghost in the rumour that’s spreading through the hospital –

That girl opened her mouth .

’… die… soon… too…’

With the noise, Haruka couldn’t clearly hear what she said .

Finally, the girl disappeared, as if she had been swallowed by the darkness .

Nao looked at Yakumo questioningly .

She might have heard something .

'Yakumo-kun . That…’

Though Haruka spoke to him, there was no response from Yakumo .

Yakumo took out the black contact lens in his left eye .

Yakumo’s vivid red left eye was exposed .

'This…’

After murmuring that, Yakumo dropped his contact lens to the floor and stepped on it .

Crack –

The sound of the lens breaking sounded incredibly loud to Haruka .

'Yakumo-kun…’

Yakumo was clearly acting strange .

– Yakumo’s going to disappear .

Haruka spoke up in her uneasiness .

'Take care of Nao for me,’ muttered Yakumo . Then, he walked towards the darkness down the corridor .

– You’re OK, right, Yakumo?

Haruka murmured that in her heart .

4

Gotou was driving the car .

He looked at the rear-view mirror and saw Haruka and Nao sitting in the backseat .

They seemed afraid of something .

'OK?’ said Gotou, turning around after stopping the car at the red light .

– Is what OK?

He had just been trying to put them at ease, but even he thought it was a stupid question .

However, Haruka seemed to understand Gotou’s feelings and showed him a smile .

'Yes . ’

Though she had a stiff smile instead of her usual bright one, it made him feel a bit better .

'I see…’

Gotou said just that and started the car .

'Er… is it all right not to say anything to your wife?’ asked Haruka, sounding concerned .

'It’s not a big deal . ’

Gotou shrugged with a smile .

However, the truth was that Gotou had no idea how his wife Atsuko would react .

There was no time to make a fuss about it – would be his excuse .

It wouldn’t be the first time he used it .

– When did that start?

He found the answer to that immediately .

It was when Atsuko had had a miscarriage . Because of that, she could no longer bear children .

– Sorry .

Atsuko had said that to Gotou as an apology .

– Why are you apologising? Having no children isn’t a big deal . I’m fine as long as I have you .

That was what Gotou had really felt .

However, for some reason, he hadn’t said it aloud .

At the time, all Gotou had done was nod silently .

– Idiot!

Gotou had yelled that at himself, but he just couldn’t honestly express his feelings .

After that, the number of conversations he had with his wife rapidly lessened .

'What a stupid man…’

He unconsciously spoke aloud .

'Eh?’ said Haruka .

'Nothing,’ responded Gotou with a wry smile . Then, he parked his car in the parking lot for the police residence, where he lived .

'We’re here . ’

Gotou turned off the engine and got off the car . Then, he looked up at the fourth-floor window for his flat .

The light was on .

It was always like this . No matter how late Gotou returned, the light would still be on .

When his relationship with Atsuko began, he had once mentioned that lonely it was living alone and returning to a dark room .

Now that he thought about it, it had implicitly suggested that he wanted to marry her .

Atsuko still hadn’t forgotten that conversation – she always kept the light on .

'OK, let’s go,’ said Gotou, waiting for Haruka and Nao to get off the car .

He didn’t know how Atsuko would react, but there was no point grumbling now .

Determined, Gotou went through the entrance, took the elevator up to the fourth floor and stood in front of the door to his flat .

He never pressed the intercom button .

Whether Atsuko was asleep or awake, he’d unlock the door with his own key and go inside . However, today, the situation was different .

Gotou took a deep breath and pressed the intercom button .

Soon there was a sound and the door opened .

Atsuko didn’t look surprised even after seeing Haruka and Nao at Gotou’s side .

'Oh, what is it?’ said Atsuko without any delay .

'We’re taking care of this girl for the next little while,’ said Gotou quickly, pulling Nao towards him .

For some reason, his hand was shaking .

'OK,’ said Atsuko, crouching to greet Nao with a smile .

Nao smiled back .

Even though it was an unreasonable request, Atsuko just accepted it, without asking anything . Though Gotou felt grateful to her, he didn’t know how to express it .

This wasn’t the first time for that either .

He was always grateful to Atsuko, but he never said anything . That had become natural for him .

Despite that, Atsuko never asked for a divorce .

– Why does she stay with me?

Sometimes Gotou wondered about that .

What was fun about being with somebody like him who never considered the home like him? Wouldn’t Atsuko have preferred a different life?

Gotou didn’t have the courage to ask .

'I’m going back to the precinct now . Ask Haruka-chan for the details . ’

'Eh?’

Haruka sounded confused, but Gotou pretended not to hear and left to escape .

– Why am I running?

He didn’t know .

After he reached the elevator, his feet suddenly stopped and turned around .

It looked like Atsuko and the others had already gone inside – he couldn’t see them .

– What am I doing?

Gotou clicked his tongue and went into the elevator .

5

After Ishii returned to the precinct, he sank into his chair .

– I couldn’t do anything .

That sense of helplessness made him feel even more exhausted .

The image of Isshin bleeding on the floor kept flashing in front of his eyes .

I should have been able to save him . But –

Interrupting Ishii’s thoughts, which were becoming increasingly negative, his mobile phone rang . The number on the display was Hijikata Makoto’s .

'Hello, Ishii speaking . ’

Ishii answered the phone with a heavy heart .

<The situation has become serious . >

That was the first thing Makoto said .

Makoto, who was a newspaper reporter, had probably heard that Isshin had been stabbed .

'Yes…’

Ishii gave a flat reply .

<Are you all right?>

Makoto’s worried voice reverberated in Ishii’s weakened heart .

'It’s my fault…’

He hadn’t planned on saying it, but he’d let it out of his mouth before he noticed .

The first impression Ishii had of Makoto was fear .

However, after a number of cases, he had come to know her and that impression had changed greatly .

Makoto was somebody who could be attentive of others . During the last case, Makoto had been the one who held out her hand towards Ishii, who had lost his way .

<What’s wrong?>

Makoto spoke in a gentle voice .

'I was at the scene . I was guarding Isshin-san, but…’

<Ishii-san…>

'That’s why everything’s my fault . ’

<That’s not true!>

Makoto let out a loud voice on the other side of the phone .

'Eh?’

<If anybody is responsible, it’s the culprit . Don’t you think so?>

'Yes,’ replied Ishii, pressured by Makoto’s forceful tone .

<Let’s work our hardest to arrest the culprit . I’ll help as well . >

'I understand . Thank you very much . ’

After saying his thanks, Ishii hung up .

He felt like his spirits were just a bit refreshed .

Just as Makoto said, I have to work my hardest to arrest the culprit now – Ishii felt like he had cleared his mind .

Just as Ishii turned back to the desk with a fresh mind, the door opened .

'You were back?’

Miyagawa came into the room .

Though he didn’t say anything, there was regret on his face .

– If I’d put out more guards .

His thoughts were clear on his face .

'Yes sir . ’

'Then where’s Gotou?’ asked Miyagawa, looking at the chair across from Ishii .

'He returned to the official residence . ’

'Hm?’

Miyagawa frowned . He looked dubious .

'E-er, um… He took in the victim’s daughter, so…’

Ishii quickly gave an explanation . Miyagawa’s frown deepened .

When Gotou said he would take Nao in, Ishii had been surprised too . He hadn’t thought Gotou would say that .

However, now that he thought about it, it was like Gotou .

Gotou was more soft-hearted than anyone . He wasn’t somebody who could refuse when asked to do something .

'Gotou took in the victim’s doctor?’

'Yes . The victim, Saitou Isshin-san, said he would leave the rest to Detective Gotou…’

'I see…’

Miyagawa looked up at the ceiling with great feeling and lit a cigarette .

The smoke slowly rose .

'Right . I almost forgot something important . ’

After a silence, Miyagawa threw a file onto the desk .

'What is this?’

'The background of the guard on duty during the interview . ’

'Ah,’ said Ishii in understanding .

The guard had been silently when Miyuki announced that she was going to kill somebody . Gotou had said it was suspicious and asked Miyagawa to look into his background .

Ishii flipped through the pages and looked at the documents .

Yamamura Mikio . Twenty-six years old . After graduating high school, he passed the examination to become a guard and took that on as his job .

'Ah!’

Ishii had been disappointed, but he unconsciously spoke up when he saw the address .

'What?’

Miyagawa probably felt something . His eyes were sharp .

'It’s Yamamura’s address . ’

'Address?’

'Yes . It’s 〇〇 . On the map…’

Ishii searched through his drawer, took out an atlas and spread it out on the desk .

He flipped through the pages to find〇〇 .

'Here,’ said Ishii, pointing at a spot on the map .

Right then, Miyagawa’s expression completely changed .

'That’s where Nanase Miyuki’s case occurred fifteen years ago…’

Tension ran across Miyagawa’s face .

The place Yamamura lived and the place Miyuki lived were only a hundred metres apart, though the town names were different .

Though Ishii had no idea what that meant, he couldn’t write it off as just a coincidence .

'Perhaps Nanase Miyuki and Yamamura might have interacted when they were younger . ’

By saying that aloud, Ishii became agitated .

He adjusted the position of his glasses with his finger and looked at the map again .

Their ages were close, so it was very possible .

If he imagined a bit further, he couldn’t deny the possibility that they had kept in contact even after the incident fifteen years ago .

'We can’t say anything with just this . It might just be a coincidence,’ growled Miyagawa, scratching his chin .

'Right…’

Ishii had no reply to that .

When he thought about it more, it was too hasty to think that Yamamura might be a conspirator just because he lived close by .

'But it’s too good to ignore . ’

Miyagawa smirked at Ishii .

Ishii had been withering, but that was enough to make him swell up .

'Yes sir . ’

'All right . I’ll look into Yamamura some more in the detective department . You and Gotou can look into other lines for me . ’

'Other lines?’

'Any trivial thing is fine . Look into what happened at the scene again . ’

'Yes sir . ’

They had been at the scene .

Did we miss something – by looking into their memories again, they might be able to make new discoveries .

'I’m counting on you . ’

Miyagawa picked up the documents and left the room .

– I’m counting on you .

The last thing Miyagawa said circled in Ishii’s mind .

Ishii had virtually never been counted on to do something in his life before . The exhilaration he had never felt before naturally brought a smile to his face .

6

Yakumo left the hospital through the night exit .

His body was heavy .

It felt like he would sink into the floor if he stopped even shortly .

Where should I head – without the answer to that question, Yakumo started walking .

He treaded along the asphalt road .

The sound of the passing cars was discomfiting .

He wanted to stifle his five stimulating senses and go to a world with nobody in it .

However, no such place existed .

No matter how much he ran, he would not be able to escape .

When Sakakibara informed him of Isshin’s condition, he could not possibly accept it . He wanted to believe it wasn’t the case .

– Why did this happen?

In Yakumo’s heart, rather than pondering over that question, he thought about how it was his fault that Isshin was in this situation .

Before he noticed, he had reached an empty lot .

It had originally been a building – but now it had been demolished, its rubble left behind .

– I should have died here .

Fifteen years ago, Yakumo’s own mother strangled him here and brought him near death .

However, he did not die .

To put it correctly, he was saved by one man .

– If I had died then .

That thought had passed Yakumo’s head countless times .

It is not as if I resent anybody . But perhaps I would have been happier if I had not existed – he would think that way .

He had seen the lives and deaths of many people up until now .

He had thought that he would become accustomed to it, but the wounds they carved into him grew deeper each day .

If he had died then, he would not have lost the people important to him .

He might not have suffered this way .

Naturally, he had experienced happiness in his life, but he felt that it had come together with the unhappiness of others .

My own cursed existence continues to make those around me unhappy –

Yakumo looked up at the sky .

The moon was out .

Its pale light was dazzling .

'What should I do?’

Nobody answered his question .

Yakumo started walking again in pursue of that answer .

He passed the shopping street in front of the train station and silently climbed the slope up to the university .

He finally reached the university .

In the moonlight, the lone school building stood like a gravestone .

Yakumo went around the back to the prefabricated building in Building B .

He opened the door to the <Movie Research Circle> and the very end of the first floor and stepped inside .

It was a dreary room, furnished with only a table, a refrigerator and a sleeping bag, but he had many memories here .

He had not had any memories until a year and a half ago .

However, her existence had made memories in this inhuman place .

Like being submerged in lukewarm water, he had even felt like his own existence had been recognised .

– That is a delusion .

He heard a voice .

Yakumo was uncertain as to whether it was his own inner voice or somebody else’s .

– Your red left eye is cursed . It makes everyone around you unhappy .

'Then what should I do?’

Yakumo looked up at the sky and asked that question to nobody in particular .

– The fleeting illusion of being loved will make you suffer .

'This voice…’

Yakumo realised the voice was not his inner one but that of a third party .

This voice’s owner was outside the room .

Yakumo immediately flew out of the room to look around .

However, all that was there was a pitch-black darkness .

7

Haruka woke up with a gasp .

Her hands were clammy with sweat .

She must have had an incredible nightmare, but she couldn’t remember what happened in it .

Nothing was clear . It was like her brain was refusing to accept what was happening .

Haruka was lying on top of a beige sofa .

Wind blew in from the window, moving the white lace curtain .

She didn’t recognise the room .

– Where am I?

Haruka slowly sat up .

'Are you all right? It seems like you’ve had quite the nightmare . ’

She heard someone’s voice .

Haruka looked up to see a woman come into the room .

She looked to be in her late thirties . Her almond eyes seemed a bit strict, but she was a beautiful woman with a tidy air .

Haruka finally realised where she was when she saw this woman’s face .

She was Gotou’s wife, Atsuko .

When Haruka remembered that, the memories of last night came afresh to her mind .

Haruka couldn’t leave Nao alone when she looked so anxious, so she had come with her .

Gotou told Atsuko that they would be taking care of Nao for a while and left without explaining the details .

However, Atsuko hadn’t thought anything of it despite that .

– Welcome .

She had taken Haruka and Nao into her home with a smile, prepared a futon and kept busy until Nao fell asleep .

Once things calmed down, Haruka explained what had happened up until now .

It had taken longer than she thought it would . Gotou didn’t seem to have explained anything about the case yet, so Haruka had had to start from everyone’s relationships .

It seemed like Haruka had fallen asleep in her exhaustion .

To be honest, she wasn’t even sure how much she had explained .

'I’m sorry . It looks like I fell asleep . ’

'Oh, don’t worry about it . ’

'How much did I explain?’

'You were kind enough to explain to the end,’ said Atsuko, sticking up her thumb .

'I see… I’m sorry . ’

'Ah, that’s right . You’ll eat breakfast, won’t you?’

Atsuko wiped her hands on her blue apron and tied up her hair as she said that .

From just their faces, it felt like Beauty and the Beast, but her brisk way of talking was very similar to Gotou’s .

They really are married – Haruka felt strangely touched by that .

'No, I’m sorry for staying so long . I should go soon…’ said Haruka quickly, getting up .

'That’s no good . ’

'Eh?’

'I’ve already made it, so you have to take responsibility . ’

If Atsuko said that much, Haruka couldn’t refuse .

'I really am sorry . ’

Haruka bowed her head .

Atsuko put a hand on her waist and looked at Haruka like she thought her mysterious .

'What a strange girl . Why are you apologising?’

'Even if you ask me… why…’

She didn’t have a reason .

Apologising had always been her habit .

'Taking things on yourself, blaming yourself and apologising . ’

– That’s tedious .

Atsuko’s words had that echo to them .

Haruka couldn’t deny it . She knew she took things on herself .

'That might be the case…’

'If you blame yourself for everything, you’ll end up like my husband,’ said Atsuko, sticking out her tongue .

When Haruka saw that, she couldn’t help but laugh .

'Is Gotou-san also like that?’

'He is . Even though I’m not concerned about it myself, he’ll say “Sorry” with a grumpy face . ’

'Really?’

'Like an idiot, isn’t he?’

'That’s…’

'If he’s worried, he can just say it aloud . Little things like this don’t surprise me anymore,’ said Atsuko .

It was true that Gotou did tend to take things on by himself . Now that Haruka thought about it, Isshin was the same too . The worst of them was Yakumo .

Without saying anything to anyone, he took everything on . Even if he suffered, he wouldn’t talk to anybody .

They might have all gathered because of their similarities .

'Honestly . What’s so fun about taking everything on yourself?’

Haruka felt like there was a bit of a shadow on Atsuko’s face as she said that .

– She wants them to understand each other .

Haruka felt that when she looked at Atsuko’s profile .

Happy things, sad things and painful things – she wanted to share them with the person she loved, but he wouldn’t say anything, taking everything on by himself .

He might not have wanted to trouble her, but that wasn’t what she wanted .

'I’m sorry . ’

'See, you’re apologising again . ’

Atsuko made an angry face .

'I am . ’

Haruka smiled wryly .

'Women have to be reliable, especially during troubling times . Men just complain and don’t do anything at all . ’

Atsuko snorted .

Even though so many things were happening, Atsuko wasn’t bothered at all .

Perhaps she had always been a strong woman, or maybe she had become stronger from living with Gotou, but it appeared that she wasn’t too concerned about the matter this time either .

'That’s right . ’

Haruka nodded .

'Anyway, at times like this, let’s work together and do our best,’ said Atsuko, gripping Haruka’s hand . Atsuko’s hand was a bit cold .

'Yes . ’

Haruka felt a bit better after talking to Atsuko .

8

’T-that’s ridiculous!’ yelled Gotou, unable to understand the reality in front of him .

Ishii leapt up in surprise from his seat across from Gotou .

Miyagawa, who had spoken up first, just glared at Gotou with his arms crossed .

Gotou could tell Miyagawa wasn’t joking from seeing his eyes, but he just couldn’t accept what Miyagawa said .

In the report that Miyagawa brought in this morning, there was something Gotou had to be surprised by .

– The fingerprints on the knife Isshin was stabbed with were a perfect match with Nanase Miyuki’s .

'Are they really Miyuki’s fingerprints? There must have been a mistake,’ said Gotou again, unable to accept it .

'They’re the fingerprints we got when she was arrested . No doubt about it,’ said Miyagawa flatly .

– What the hell is going on?

Though he was surprised, if the fingerprints matched, there was no doubt about it .

'Let’s arrest Nanase Miyuki right now . ’

Gotou stood up forcefully .

'Can’t do that,’ said Miyagawa, shaking his eye .

'Why not? It’s simple!’

Gotou slammed his fist into the desk as he said that .

He didn’t understand why they were hesitating .

'Did you forget? Miyuki has a cast-iron alibi . ’

'A crime from within the detention centre is impossible… is what you mean then,’ added Ishii .

– I forgot the most crucial point .

Miyuki was being held in the detention house . It’d be understandable if Miyuki had escaped the detention house and gone to stab Isshin .

However, that wasn’t the case . Miyuki was still in the detention house now .

'Er… Would it be possible for her to have left once and returned?’

'How?’

'By walking through walls, she…’

Before Ishii could finish speaking, Gotou dropped his fist on Ishii’s head .

'It’s not as simple as heading home . ’

By saying it aloud, Gotou accepted the fact and felt horror .

How the hell did Miyuki stab Isshin from the detention house – as long as that puzzle remained unsolved, they couldn’t arrest her .

– Damn it .

Gotou clicked his tongue .

'Haven’t we got anything?’

Gotou gritted his teeth .

'If Yakumo-shi were here…’ said Ishii while scratching his head .

– That’s right . Yakumo might be able to solve this puzzle .

Gotou recalled how Yakumo had looked last night .

Yakumo had been like an empty shell then . There was no life in his face, and his eyes had been hollow – it was like he hadn’t been there .

Gotou had found some time to call him, but Yakumo hadn’t answered .

'He’d be no help right now,’ said Gotou, disappointed .

'I don’t know if this’ll help, but…’

Miyagawa spoke up, brushing away the stagnant mood .

'What is it?’

'Looks like there was a bit of a fuss at the detention house yesterday . ’

'Fuss?’

'Yeah . Nanase Miyuki was coughing up blood in her room and then told a guard that she’d just killed somebody . ’

'Killed somebody…’

Gotou had thought it might be a breakthrough, but he felt even more confused .

What Miyuki said to the guard last night had to be affirming that she’d killed Isshin at a distance .

'Ah! I see! So that’s how it is! Detective Gotou!’ yelled Ishii, suddenly standing up .

'What? You’re so noisy . ’

Gotou was immediately suspicious, what with Ishii’s wrong guess earlier .

Ishii’s reasoning was always off . Gotou would regret it if he took Ishii too seriously – he always talked about things that made no sense like magic .

'Chief Miyagawa . How was Miyuki after she coughed up blood?’ asked Ishii agitatedly, fixing the position of his glasses even though they weren’t off .

'She was taken to the infirmary . ’

'I see . I see . So that really is the case . Do you know when she was taken to the infirmary?’

Ishii wriggled as he continued asking questions .

'Past six in the evening . She rested in the infirmary for a night and was brought back to her room in the morning . ’

'Just as I thought!’

Ishii clapped his hands together and smiled triumphantly .

'What’s just as you thought?’ asked Gotou while glaring at Ishii .

Having only one person understand made Gotou strangely irritated .

'At the time of the crime, Nanase Miyuki was not in her room . ’

'What about it?’

Gotou was becoming even more confused about why Ishii was so agitated .

'Nanase Miyuki was taken to the infirmary past six in the evening . Saitou Isshin-san was stabbed at nine in at night . That’s a three-hour delay . ’

'I see . That’s a good point . ’

It seemed like Miyagawa also understood what Ishii was trying to say – he was smirking .

However, Gotou still didn’t understand .

'What are you talking about?’

'After she was taken to the infirmary, she escaped the detention room, stabbed Saitou Isshin-san and returned . ’

Ishii was shaking in excitement .

'She couldn’t get out so easily . ’

'It would be possible if she had an accomplice . ’

'Accomplice?’

'Yes . The man named Yamamura we discussed last night . ’

Gotou finally understood when he heard the name .

Yamamura was the guard who had been silently watching as Miyuki gave her advance notice of murder .

'I see . ’

Gotou clapped his hands together in understanding .

It’d be difficult to escape from her room, but it might have been possible from the infirmary .

That was well done for Ishii . This was possible .

'Miyagawa-san, I have a request . ’

'I get it . Questioning at the detention house, right? I’ll get permission,’ responded Miyagawa, clapping Gotou on the shoulder .

– He’s reliable as usual .

'Ishii! We’re going!’

Gotou grabbed his jacket while he said that and ran out the room .

9

– I can’t breathe .

Ishii sat in the chair in the visiting room of the detention house as he wiped the sweat on his forehead with his sleeve .

He’d corner Miyuki and reveal her trick when he got out of the precinct – that was what he had thought, but now that the meeting with Miyuki was actually looming, that thought left his head, and he just had the impulse to run .

He had planned on cornering her, but he felt like they were the ones who had actually been cornered .

'How long do we have to wait?’

Sitting next to Ishii, Gotou was unable to hide his irritation – he had been bouncing his knee for a while now .

Ishii had never seen Gotou with a stiffer expression than the one he had now .

– Can we really win against her?

That question came up in Ishii’s head .

Finally, the door on the opposite side of the glass opened and Miyuki came in .

The man who brought her in was the same as last time – Yamamura .

Ishii and Gotou thought that he was an accomplice .

Miyuki sat down gracefully with the tips of her lips turned up into a smile .

When Ishii saw that, a jolt went down his spine .

Normally, a smile would comfort a person, but Miyuki’s didn’t .

It was cold, insidious and full of malice . It agitated the anxiety at the bottom of a person’s heart .

'What’s so funny?’ said Gotou, glaring at Miyuki .

Though Gotou didn’t yell, his voice shook the bottom of Ishii’s stomach . It oozed with irrepressible anger .

'You don’t know?’

Miyuki licked her lips .

'What?’

'Isn’t it obvious that I’m happy?’

'What did you say?’

'My plan succeeded . ’

Miyuki crossed her legs and looked at them scornfully .

– She’s challenging us .

That was how Ishii felt .

'Too bad for you . Isshin’s still alive . ’

Gotou leant forward, bringing his face close to the glass .

Gotou’s and Miyuki’s gazes met .

Ishii gulped as he watched them .

'Oh, is that so? I should’ve stabbed him deeper,’ said Miyuki with a dissatisfied pout .

'What did you say!?’

Gotou stood up, unable to control himself .

However, if he got riled up here, they would just be going along with Miyuki’s plan .

'Excuse me . ’

Ishii repressed his fear and interrupted the conversation .

'From what you just said, we can determine that you admit your crime against Isshin-san . ’

'Yup,’ agreed Miyuki readily .

'You admit it then . ’

'Of course . I’m the one who stabbed Saitou Isshin . There were fingerprints, right?’

'Why do you know that?’ interrupted Gotou harshly .

Gotou’s question made sense . Information was limited in the detention house . There was no way for Miyuki to know that fingerprints were analysed from the weapon .

Furthermore, because of its importance, the information about the analysed fingerprints wasn’t even released to the press .

'I wonder?’

Miyuki’s gaze was close to a glare .

She was probably trying to provoke them .

'Perhaps you had an accomplice in the police?’

Ishii said the first thing that came to mind .

'Ishii-san, you really are interesting . ’

Miyuki laughed with shaking shoulders .

'Of course not!’ said Gotou with a red face, before dropping his fist on Ishii’s head .

'Ack . ’

Ishii bit down the urge to yell from the pain .

'Gotou-san, you’re not imaginative enough . ’

Gotou’s eyes went wide at Miyuki’s words .

'What?’

'Just as Ishii-san said, I might have an accomplice in the police . ’

'Don’t be ridiculous!’ yelled Gotou, slamming his hand against the protective glass .

Ishii half-stood up from surprise, but Miyuki just kept sitting with the same smile on her face .

'Why not check for yourself?’

Miyuki crossed her stretched out legs again as she said that .

'What the hell did you say!?’

Gotou yelled even louder as he hit the glass again and again .

– Oh no . We’re completely at her pace .

’D-Detective Gotou, please calm down . ’

Ishii grabbed Gotou’s arm .

'Calm down? It’s your fault for saying something unnecessary!“

Gotou hit Ishii’s head .

'But I just…’

'Don’t talk back . ’

Gotou hit Ishii once more .

'You really are an interesting combo . ’

Miyuki covered her mouth with a hand and started laughing .

'What’s so funny?’ said Gotou threateningly, but Miyuki still didn’t stop laughing .

'Isn’t it funny? It’s like watching a comedy show . ’

'Who’s a comedy show? I’ve always been a detective . ’

Miyuki snorted at Gotou’s claim .

'If you’re a detective, you should understand why I know about the prints on the knife . ’

Ishii finally solved the puzzle when he heard Miyuki’s words .

'You left the fingerprints on the knife on purpose,’ said Ishii, looking straight at Miyuki’s eyes .

It seemed that Ishii had lost his reasoning ability after being played with by Miyuki .

'That’s right . I gripped the knife with my bare hand . ’

Miyuki licked her full lips .

She had gripped the knife with her bare hand . It was natural that her fingerprints had been lifted .

But the question was –

'Why? Why did you leave your fingerprints on purpose?’

'Because you wouldn’t have acknowledged that I did it otherwise, right?’ said Miyuki jokingly .

'That’s true, but…’

'When magicians teleport coins, they sign it with the magic, yes? It’s the same thing . ’

Miyuki said that with no hesitation .

'Fingerprints were found on the knife . You’ve confessed . You better be prepared, 'cause I’m getting an arrest warrant now,’ threated Gotou .

However, it appeared to have no effect on Miyuki . She had the same smile on her face as she had had before .

'I wonder if you’ll be able to do that?’

Miyuki narrowed her eyes and stuck out her chin .

'What do you mean?’

Gotou raised an eyebrow .

'Exactly what I said . There certainly were fingerprints on the weapon . I also confessed . But at the time of the crime, I was inside the detention house . I wonder what decision the police will come to then?’

Miyuki’s words were heavy on Ishii’s heart .

Miyuki had confessed that she stabbed Isshin, and her fingerprints had been found on the weapon .

However, she had an iron-clad alibi – she had been held in the detention house .

If they didn’t have decisive evidence that she had left the detention house at that time, she couldn’t be arrested for assault against Saitou Isshin .

At first glance, it seemed like a game they couldn’t win, but their chances of success weren’t zero .

– There’s an unaccounted time .

She had had a spasm and been taken to the infirmary at the time of the crime .

– What happened then?

If they could find out, they could break Miyuki’s iron-clad alibi .

'It’s time . ’

The guard, Yamamura, suddenly announced the end of their interview .

Unfortunately, she was the accused, currently in detention . They could only meet her under the rules of the detention house .

'Please bring Yakumo-kun the next time you come,’ said Miyuki as she stood up .

'What did you say?’

'I want to see Yakumo-kun suffering . ’

'Don’t tell me you stabbed Isshin to make Yakumo suffer?’ said Gotou, sounding almost hesitant .

'That’s right . ’

As Miyuki replied, she spread her two hands why .

'Then why didn’t you attack Yakumo directly?’

'There’s no point to that, right? It’s not like I want to kill Yakumo-kun . ’

'You don’t want to kill him?’

Gotou’s brow furrowed . He didn’t understand . That was how he looked .

However, Ishii understood what Miyuki was thinking .

Her goal wasn’t to take Yakumo’s life . She wanted to smile scornfully as she made him suffer – to watch as he submitted to her .

Miyuki had said this when she announced that she would kill Saitou Isshin .

– I can’t kill Yakumo-kun .

I hadn’t understood then, but is this what she meant –

– What an unbelievable sadist .

Ishii felt afraid of Miyuki all over again .

'That’s why you should bring Yakumo-kun next time . ’

'What’s your purpose in making Yakumo suffer?’ asked Gotou, stuck to the glass .

'I just want that person to understand that I’m better than he is . ’

When Miyuki said 'that person’, she probably meant Yakumo’s father, the man with two red eyes .

Fifteen years ago – Miyuki, who had brutally murdered her own family, went to live with the man with two eyes .

She had come to love and respect him as a father, or perhaps as a man . However, no matter how Miyuki tried, she just couldn’t win against Yakumo .

The emotion eddying within Miyuki was probably a dark flame of jealousy .

'Just for that…’ said Gotou, almost in a gasp .

Miyuki had been about to leave the room, but when she heard those words, her complexion completely changed and she whirled around .

'Just for that, you say? That’s everything to me!’

'What…’

'No matter how much I love him, whenever that person opens his mouth, it’s Yakumo, Yakumo, Yakumo! I’m sick of it! Is being related by blood so great? Is having a red eye that important?’

Miyuki stuck to the glass like a spider as she screamed .

Even Yamamura the guard must have been panicked as he pinned Miyuki’s arms behind her back and pulled her away from the glass .

While Yamamura pulled her away, Miyuki started laughing aloud, as if she found something funny .

Her laughs were maniacal .

Even after Miyuki disappeared through the door, her laughter wouldn’t leave Ishii’s ears .

To show off her existence .

She had stabbed Isshin for that sole reason .

– Terrifying . Truly, she’s terrifying .

10

Haruka sat next to Nao on the bench in the hospital waiting room .

Nao’s legs were shaking as she stared at the floor .

It was the first time Haruka had seen Nao so dispirited .

– I can’t do anything for her .

All Haruka could do was hold Nao’s hand silently .

'Sorry for the wait . ’

Atsuko ran back to them .

She had gone to check at the reception whether Isshin was allowed visitors .

'How was it?’ asked Haruka as she stood up .

'They said that he’s still unconscious, but we can go into meet him . ’

Nao looked up at Atsuko’s words .

Nao couldn’t hear . Instead, she excelled at reading the atmosphere .

'Ah!’

Nao raised her voice .

– I want to see him anyway .

To Haruka, that was what it sounded like Nao was saying .

'Then shall we go?’

Atsuko crouched in front of Nao with a wide smile on her face .

Nao was led into smiling back .

It was mysterious how they looked like a real mother and child this way .

Atsuko took Nao’s hand and started walking . Haruka followed after them .

'I’m really glad that you’re here, Atsuko-san,’ said Haruka honestly .

She had been saved by Atsuko’s brightness and energy since last night . If Haruka had been by herself, she probably would only have been able to hang her head next to Nao .

'Oh, you flatter me . ’

'It isn’t flattery . ’

'I’m glad that the two of you are here too . ’

'Eh?’

Haruka was confused by the unexpected answer .

'Don’t worry about it,’ said Atsuko with a shrug .

Meanwhile, they arrived at the ICU .

Haruka recalled the scene from last night and was hesitant to step inside .

'Let’s go then . ’

Atsuko led the way . After disinfecting her hands and putting on a mask, she stepped into the ICU .

– She really is strong .

Haruka followed after Atsuko .

Isshin was lying on the bed, like he had been yesterday .

There was an intravenous tube in his arm and an artificial respirator attached to him . Cords stretched over his body for various machines, such as the ECG and the EEG .

Though visits were allowed now, that didn’t mean Isshin was better . Haruka was forced to feel that anew .

Perhaps they shouldn’t have brought Nao .

Right as Haruka thought that, Nao let go of Atsuko’s hand and walked up to Isshin .

Then, she took Isshin’s hand .

As Nao held onto Isshin’s hand, she was – smiling .

'Ah, ah . ’

Nao spoke in excited tones, as if urging Isshin to do something .

Haruka and Atsuko looked at each other . Then, they walked up to Isshin, brought in by the voice .

Nao gripped Haruka’s wrist and brought it to Isshin’s hand .

Haruka’s fingers brushed Isshin’s hand .

– He’s warm .

Haruka felt the words Nao was trying to say with her body .

He’s still warm . That meant Isshin was still alive . Nao must have been trying to say that .

'Isn’t that great?’

Atsuko hugged Nao’s shoulders from behind her . Nao nodded in response .

– That’s right . Isshin is still alive .

Since it was him, he would definitely wake up randomly and say 'I’m sorry for worrying you’ with a smile .

Having a hopeful perspective made her heart brighter .

Just as Haruka let out a sigh of relief, she was assaulted by the feeling of something sinking in her stomach .

– What?

She looked about and spotted a girl standing in the corridor through the window .

The girl wore a red dress and had long hair . Her face was dark, as if smeared in ink .

The same girl I saw in the corridor last night –

She was probably the ghost that was said to appear around the hospital .

– When… are you going to die…

Rather than in her eardrum, the voice went straight to her head .

It was probably the girl’s voice .

Haruka recalled the rumour that the hospital was in a fuss over . The people whom the girl asked this question all died .

Haruka looked at Isshin .

– I can’t accept that .

'Ah!’

Suddenly, Nao yelled loudly .

Her two hands were in fists . It looked like she was shaking in anger . Her eyes were on the ghost of the girl in the corridor .

– Can Nao see her?

As if answering Haruka’s question, Nao ran out into the corridor .

'What’s wrong?’ called out Atsuko in concern .

'Ah, that’s…’

Unable to explain well, Haruka also ran out into the corridor to follow Nao .

The ghost of the girl from earlier had already disappeared .

Nao was looking around frantically in the place where the girl had been standing .

Though I can’t explain it, something incredibly awful is going to happen – that premonition alone whirled about in Haruka’s head .

11

After Gotou left the visiting room, Ishii stood up as well and they walked to the infirmary .

A guard led them down the dreary corridor .

Every ten metres, there was a steel door . The guard unlocked each with a key and fingerprint, and they continued onwards .

They turned into many similar corridors, so Gotou had no idea of where he even was .

Under such strict defence, it wouldn’t be easy to escape . Gotou felt that anew .

After about ten minutes, they finally arrived at the infirmary .

Though it was a rather complicated process in getting here, the inside of the infirmary was made unexpectedly like a regular hospital examination room .

'Please sit . ’

Urged by the white-haired doctor who was waiting, Gotou and Ishii sat on round chairs .

'I’m from the precinct . My name’s Gotou . ’

Gotou showed his police IC to the white-haired man .

'My name is Komatsu . I’m the medical officer . ’

Komatsu fished through the desk drawer and took out a dirty business card .

While accepting it, Gotou looked once more at Komatsu’s face . He was probably about fifty years old . He had a long thin face and looked like he had a nervous personality .

'I’d like to get straight to the point and ask you about last night . ’

'If it’s something I know,’ said Komatsu . He spoke in a very prudent manner, appropriate for a doctor .

'Tell me in detail about when Nanase Miyuki was brought in . ’

'Even if you ask me to tell you in detail…’

Komatsu’s attitude seemed like a refusal towards Gotou’s question .

Gotou kept his irritation in check .

Normally, police wouldn’t be able to ask around the detention house like this .

When Gotou thought about Miyagawa, who’d gone through so much to make the necessary arrangements, he decided it would be a bad idea to make a fuss .

'What were her symptoms?’ asked Gotou after clearing his throat .

'She was convulsing and vomiting blood . She underwent much examination, but there weren’t any abnormalities, besides the increase in white blood cells . It probably came from stress . ’

Miyuki hadn’t looked stressed to Gotou .

'It wasn’t an act . ’

Gotou didn’t accept what the medical officer said, but he didn’t dare to say that aloud . Instead, he asked another question .

'Wasn’t there anything else that caught your attention?’

'Hm, even if you ask that…’

Komatsu looked sullen as he ran a hand through his white hair .

It didn’t seem like he wanted to cooperate with the investigation at all . It felt like every time Gotou’s bones would slowly break every time he asked a question .

While Gotou was pondering, Ishii interrupted: 'Excuse me . ’

'When Nanase Miyuki was brought here, what time was it exactly?’

Behind Ishii’s glasses, his eyes were glittering more brightly than usual .

– I’ll try letting Ishii talk for a bit .

Gotou crossed his arms and focussed on watching Komatsu’s movements .

'It was probably past six,’ replied Komatsu, looking up at the ceiling as he searched his memories .

'Then when did she return to her room?’

'I think it was around seven this morning . ’

'I see . ’

Ishii fixed the position of his glasses with his finger .

There was almost a thirteen-hour gap . With that, it would be possible for Miyuki to stab Isshin and return, as Ishii had said before .

'What treatment did she undergo?’

'We took a blood sample, put her on a drip and let her sleep there . ’

Komatsu pointed at the beds in the back of the room .

There were four beds in total . Each was divided from the room with a curtain .

'Were you the only person who administered treatment?’

'I was the only one here, so yes . ’

Perhaps Komatsu felt like he was under suspicion, because his expression became stiff in a twinkle . ’

'Was there a guard in the infirmary?’

Ishii continued his questions in a disinterested manner .

'Nobody was in the infirmary . Guards circle the corridors . ’

'Then the only person here was you . ’

'Yes, but… what’re you trying to say?’

Komatsu’s tone changed .

'There are partition curtains around the beds . ’

'Yeah . ’

'How frequently did you look inside?’

'How would I remember that… What are you really saying? If you’ve got something you want to say, just say it clearly . ’

Komatsu’s voice was ragged; perhaps he couldn’t restrain it any longer .

– Well done, Ishii .

They might be able to get something unexpectedly good .

Gotou turned an expectant gaze towards Ishii . When Ishii noticed, he nodded .

'In short, it was possible for Nanase Miyuki to have escaped your gaze, left the room, stabbed Saitou Isshin and returned – that is what I want to say . ’

'Are you serious?’

Komatsu snorted scornfully .

'Of course . ’

'That’s idiotic . ’

Komatsu sho