Page 33 (2/2)
’What do you ari story in Kinasa earlier, correct?’
’Yeah, but that’s just…’
’It’s not just anything This area has been considered as a sacredti’
Yakuht?’
Gotou couldn’t believe what Yaku called the nyonindou, which was as far as woakushi, there is so called the nun’s rock’
’The nun’s rock?’
’Yes In the past, a nun stepped beyond the border That ods and was turned into a rock’
’So that rock is the nun’s rock[3]’
Yakumo nodded
’Why’d they do that?’
’Because woht of as impure’
I so like that in current society would make people doubt your humanity, but at the time, it had been correct
From Yakumo’s explanation just now, Gotou felt like he sort of understood
A place with a sacred ari where women were prohibited –
The existence of witches was much closer here than in other places People’s hearts had probably been filled with awe and fright
A question cauys who said Rin was a witch were found as corpses twenty years ago, right?’
There was an article about the case in the documents Haruka received from the newspaper reporter named Yoshii yesterday
’That is the case’
Yaku bored
’Who killed those two?’
’Who knows? I haven’t reached that conclusion yet’
Though Yakued, Gotou knew immediately that it was an act He had an idea, but he didn’t want to say it at this stage
That meant Yakumo wouldn’t reply no matter what Gotou asked Well, the truth would be revealed soon enough
Gotou gave up and drove the car
-
8
-
Ishii opened his eyes on a seat in the precinct
He had planned on helping Hata last night, but he had fainted for the second time and returned branded as useless
It seemed like he’d put his head down on the desk and fallen asleep just like that
Just as he had stretched and put on his glasses, his ’
He answered ile
He felt wide awake is>
’R-really?’
<There would be no point lying about it>
’That’s true…’
<Anyway, if you want to know the results, co up
You could have told ht, but he didn’t say it aloud, as was his personality When he thought about seeing that head oncebut be depressed
Ishii picked up his jacket and left the rooh the front entrance, he headed towards the parking lot where he had parked the car
He had just put his hand on the door when he suddenly felt soaze on him He looked around, but nobody was there
– It appears to have been ht have been a bit on edge
Ishii sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine
The moment he was about to step on the pedal, the door to the backseat opened
– Eh?
He saw soh the rear-view mirror
A woman The left half of her face was burnt and her unusually red lips were twisted into a smile She was –
– Nanase Miyuki
It was already too late when Ishii realised
She held a cold and glittering knife at his neck
The blood left his face all at once in his terror
’Ishii-san, we ain’
Nanase Miyuki’s breath brushed his ear
Ishii’s terror doubled He couldn’t move even an eyebrow, let alone resist
’Where is he?’ murmured Nanase Miyuki
– He?
’W-what are you talking about?’ replied Ishii in a shaking voice
Then, the knife at his neck drew closer A jolt of pain ran through hiht? I don’t mind if you don’t want to say I’ll kill you and ask somebody else’
Nanase Miyuki’s sadistic s If Ishii resisted, she would thrust that knife into his neck without any hesitation
Ishii could feel it in his skin
’So, where is he?’ said Nanase Miyuki cal about was probably the head of the man with two red eyes
’Hospital…’
’Hospital? Why?’
’To be autopsied…’
Nanase Miyuki let out a beastly screa
’Don’t joke with me! I won’t allo-class humans like you to touch that man!’
– She didn’t want to let other people touch hiiven that reason to explain why Nanase Miyuki alking around with the head of the ht Nanase Miyuki wanted, loved and revered the man with two red eyes so ed breathing
’W-where to?’
’You know, right? I’ to take that man back’
Ishii couldn’t resist
He sed his fear and started the car
-
9
-
Haruka held Masato’s hand as they walked down the narrow road, which was like an aniht in front of the the way
’You OK?’
It was a rather steep slope, so she spoke to Masato Though his head was covered in sweat, Masato nodded
He was propelled by his wholehearted wish to save Yu in the middle of the thick forest That was probably Kinasa Clinic
’Nobody’s here,’ said Gotou in a disgruntled tone as he stood in front of the clinic with his hands in his pockets
’I just said that it was likely she would be around here,’ said Yakumo in exasperation as he shook his head
’Hey, why do you think she’ll be around here?’ asked Haruka
Though she had come here because she believed in Yakumo, she didn’t knohat proof he had
’This is a place close to Rin-san and her son In other words, their ho Yumiko, it made sense to think she would visit her home
’Let’s split up’
’That would be estion
’Gotou-san and I will search over here You and Masato wait here’
’OK’
Haruka nodded
Masato looked rather tired and it would be dangerous to walk around the mountain It would probably be better to wait and leave this to Yakuht that, Masato spoke up
’I don’t want to’
’Masato-kun’
Haruka wanted to comfort him, but Masato didn’t respond
’I’ll look too Yumiko-chan disappeared because of me, so…’
As Masato said that, his eyes were filled with a strong will
He wanted to find Yumiko hiht hole up within hiested Haruka
Yakuh his hair, as if to say, ’Guess I can’t do anything about it’
’Let them search He’s not a kid either – he wants to take responsibility for hireed
’Got it You and Masato search near the clinic I’ll go to the east, and Gotou-san, I’ll leave the west to you’
Beaten by their persistence, Yakuhter at once
’Pro Even if you find Yumiko-chan, don’t chase after her or approach her Contact ot it’
Masato nodded with a hard look on his face
’Let’s ain here in thirty oing then’
Gotou briskly started walking towards the west
’I’ll leave Masato to you,’ Yaku towards the east
’Let’s go too’
’OK’
Haruka and Masato started walking together
They went along a trackless path It was humid here and there was leaf round It was terribly difficult to walk It was easy to slip on slopes too
Furthermore, there were points which were like steep cliffs, so they had to be very careful not to lose their footing
’Watch your step,’ she said to Masato
’OK’
Masato nodded with a stiff expression
He was probably worried about Yuht have said it was irresponsible of her if he heard, but they couldn’t search without hope
’Hey’
Masato suddenly stopped
Masato’s forehead was covered in sweat He ht have walked too quickly
’Shall we take a break?’
When Haruka spoke to him, Masato shook his head and took a deep breath
’Why was it Yumiko-chan?’
’Why?’
’Tomoya-kun and I were there then But…’
That was true Why did Rin possess Yu before
The wavelengths ht match – a body easy to attract, or in short, somebody with a body easy to possess
However, Haruka felt like that wasn’t what Masato was trying to say
’Masato-kun, don’t blame yourself’
’I should’ve been possessed instead’
Masato’s eyes welled up with tears
He was angry at the unreasonable world He resented hi powerless
Would Masato’s heart be able to take it if the worst-case scenario occurred? The upright and clean-handed Masato would blahtforward kid, like Yaku’
Haruka put both of her hands on Masato’s shoulders
’Is Yumiko-chan OK?’
’I believe so Do you think differently, Masato-kun?’
Masato sniffled and shook his head
His eyes were lit up again He started walking with a strong gait, yelling, ’Yumiko-chan! Where are you?’
– I have to do ain, her heart started beating loudly
– Rustle
The verdant trees were shaking loudly
She felt her breath caught, like she was in a da us
-
10
-
Ishii passed through the hospital entrance
Nanase Miyuki was right behind hi about the knife at his side
If only so, but it appeared to be no use
He went down the stairs to the base the dim, cavernous corridor with heavy feet
’Please knock on the door’
After co to the autopsy room, Nanase Miyuki whispered that in his ear
A jolt went down his spine
In his terror, Ishii knocked on the door just as he was told
’Who is it?’
He heard Hata fro, Ishii spoke, conscious of the tremor in his throat
’I-it’s Ishii’
’It’s open,’ said Hata
At Nanase Miyuki’s insistence, Ishii opened the door with treht so easily? How pathetic’
When Hata turned around, he didn’t speak like he was surprised at the situation
’Sorry, but could you return hi at the head on the stainless steel bed
Miyuki had been calling the head ’hiive it to anybody It was probably special to her
’This is a rare research opportunity I won’t give it back so easily’
After Hata said that, he let out a laugh inappropriate for the situation
’Would it be acceptable if I added one more head for your autopsies?’
Nanase Miyuki put the tip of the knife at Ishii’s neck and pressed down so hard it hurt
If she put in just a bit h the skin andsweat
’There’s no point in researching Ishii-kun’s head Even if you added a head like that – ’
Hata wasdissatisfied
’Noill you do?’ said Miyuki with a pointed tone
It was a worst-case scenario Even if Hata returned the head of the man with red eyes, Ishii didn’t think Nanase Miyuki would just head home
She would slice both Ishii and Hata up in a bloodbath
’Got it Do what you want’
After saying that, Hata looked at Ishii
– Eh?
Ishii was confused, but then he noticed Hata was holding a bottle of fluid that had been on the wagon Ishii could read the word forerous, but it seemed like all Ishii could do noas bet on Hata
’My, my You’re unexpectedly honest’
Miyuki smiled
’Take this too’
Hata threw the bottle in his hand
It arced over, shattering at Ishii’s feet
Ishii shut his eyes tightly and stopped breathing
For pain when doused with the strong formalin, but Nanase Miyuki appeared to feel the sah the room At the same time, the knife left Ishii’s neck
Ishii used that opportunity to run
’Old man! You did it now!’
He heard Miyuki’s furious voice
However, the alar it out Hata had probably sat it off
He heard so that, Hata went over to Ishii, as on all fours, and wiped Ishii’s face with a wet towel
’It’s OK now’
When Hata said that, Ishii ti pain, it wasn’t unbearable
’T-thank you veryuseless, Ishii thanked Hata
’It’d be better to get out of the roo Then, he noticed that the head had disappeared from the stainless steel bed
’Hata-san, the head…’
’Ah, looks like she took it away – ’
Hata murmured that in a truly disappointed voice
-
11
-
– Who is it?
Haruka felt so her, so she looked around frantically in the dark forest
Her heart was beating like a haht when a woman appeared in the corner of her vision
About fivehair in a white blouse and navy skirt
– Is that…?
The moment Haruka tried to approach her, she disappeared, like she had melted into the forest
’What was it?’
Haruka walked over to the rock where the wo shoe on the floor
– Could it be?
’Masato-kun, over here’
Haruka called out to Masato as a little away from her as she walked towards the rock
There was a hole between the work and the ground about forty centi there
– We’ve found her!
She had to be Yuround and shook Yumiko’s body as she called out to her
It was faint, but her chest was oodness She’s alive
Though Masato kept stu, he ran towards her with a pale expression
Haruka took her mobile phone out of her pocket immediately and called Yakumo However, she couldn’t contact hie
’Whaaarr…’
Haruka heard a voice in her ear
Her body froze like she was paralysed She slowly looked up and saw the wo around her face Her deep red lips moved like worms
Haruka couldn’t speak in her fear
’Whaaarr…’
– I need to run
Though Haruka thought that, her body wouldn’t move the way she wanted it to
The wo furiously Her throat was dry She couldn’t even breathe
– It hurts
’Stop!’
Masato shouted out and ran in front of Haruka to protect her from the woman
With his small body, he spread his arms as wide as he could
’Masato-kun, no!’
– If you do that, you’ll –
Haruka shouted, but it was too late
A spas Then, he fell to the ground, un
’Masato-kun Are you OK?’
Haruka went to him immediately and called out
– Oh no What should I do?
Haruka was panicked when suddenly Masato grabbed her wrist
’Masato-kun’
Just as Haruka spoke, Masato opened his eyes
Those eyes – weren’t Masato’s
So – Haruka could feel it
Haruka’s whole body started to sweat
’…’
She heard soht to her brain
’…Whe… re… ahtened that she shook off Masato’s hand and covered her eyes
However, she could still hear the voice
’Noooo!’
She screa her ears
Her body wouldn’t stop shaking
How long have I been doing this – she suddenly came to her senses
The voice had stopped
She noticed that she was cowering on the floor
She tiaze Yumiko was collapsed in front of her However, Masato was nowhere to be seen
’Masato-kun? Masato-kun?’
Haruka looked around frantically, but she couldn’t spot hi towards her
’Masato-kun?’
Haruka turned around Yakumo was there
’What was that screa for breath
’Masato-kun… Masato-kun…’
’Was I too late?’unthinkable
-
12
-
’What happened?’ Gotou asked Yakuainst the hospital wall
They had heard a scream from the forest and ran over to find Yuht her to a nearby hospital The doctor said she would be fine if she got some rest – so they had the doctor’s word However, Masato had disappeared instead
Gotou felt like the situation had become more serious
’It’s simple’
Yakumo lifted his head slowly
However, he was sure tense for so that was supposed to be sihost that was possessing Yumiko-chan possessed Masato’
He said it matter-of-factly, but –
’Why?’
’Because Yumiko-chan eakened and her body couldn’t move any more’
– I see
If they had done as Yakumo ordered and didn’t add Haruka and Masato to the search, leaving theht not have happened
Gotou was partly responsible But he didn’t have the tiht away’
’Yes’
Yakuh his hair as he looked out the
’So what are we going to do?’
Gotou leant against the wall and looked out thelike Yakurey clouds blocked out the sun It n of as to come
’We still have a trick up our sleeve’
Gotou felt like Yakumo’s red left eye was filled with force
’What?’
Just as Gotou asked that, his nore it, but he decided that would be bad and answered
’What?’
<D-Detective Gotou You finally answered>
Ishii spoke like he was talking to his only surviving parent
’Forget about that What is it?’
<Ah, yes sir A-actually, it is quite the situation here…>
His voice was so faint it sounded like he would cry at any moment
’It’s even worse here’
<No, I believe it’s worse here>
’Shut up! We’ve got a real situation here!’
<It is quite the situation here as well!>
’How long are you going to have this fruitless exchange for? It doesn’t ht?’
Yakumo looked at Gotou coldly
’What’s the probleue
<Ah, yes sir A-actually, Nanase Miyuki showed up again>
’W-what did you say?’
Gotou’s body stiffened instinctively That really was a problem –
<She came to take the head>
Gotou had heard from Yakuawa had found
Why was she so focussed on so – Gotou had no way to understand
’Then what?’
<We let her get away…>
It felt like Ishii’s voice would disappear at any ain!? You idiot!’ yelled Gotou, kicking the corridor wall in his anger
Once was already bad enough, but to let her get aice – he really was useless
’Gotou-san, please lend that tothat, Yakumo took Gotou’s mobile from the side Gotou was about to co on the phone with Ishii
– Whose mobile does he think that is?
-
13
-
’It’s my fault…’
Haruka held her head as she sat on the sofa in the hospital waiting room
It was about four tataazine rack – a dreary rooht kept circling her head
Masato tried to save Haruka A boy in elementary school had tried to save her, but Haruka had shut her eyes and ears in her fear
She hated herself sohappened to Masato – when Haruka thought that, her body heated up and her chest felt like it would collapse
Masato must have felt this way ever since Yumiko disappeared
’Want a coffee?’
Haruka looked up at the voice and saw Gotou standing there with two cans of coffee
– How can he be so calm?
His relaxed attitude irritated Haruka for some reason
’Anyway, drink and calm down a bit’
Gotou held the can of coffee out towards Haruka, sat down next to her and suddenly spoke
’The girl called Yumiko’s weak, but it’s not serious’
’I see…’
’Her parents will be here soon too…’
Most of Gotou’s words didn’t enter Haruka’s ears
Even if Yued
’It see fro
He probably didn’t mean it that way, but the way he said it ripped the can of coffee in her hand tightly
’It isn’t over yet…’
It slipped out of her mouth
Gotou’s brows furrowed and he looked at Haruka doubtfully She didn’t understand why he looked like that
’I kno you feel, but regretting what’s happened won’t start anything’
Gotou pulled open the tab on the can and poured the coffee down his throat
’It’syou could’ve done’
’There was!’
She spoke ht she would
However, Gotou didn’t look disturbed He looked straight at Haruka
It was a sharp and forceful gaze
’There’s nothing you could’ve down’
’How can you say that so lightly? If I had done what Yakumo-kun said, this wouldn’t have…’
Even as Haruka spoke, she could feel her throat tremble
’You can’t be sure’
’It’s a fact’
’Got nothing to do with it’
’That’s right This case doesn’t have anything to do with you, Gotou-san’
– What on earth a Haruka knew that But she couldn’t put a stopper on her emotions
The corners of her eyes felt warht This case doesn’tsurprised by the unexpected words that had come out of Gotou’s h her chest
Gotou really had just been wrapped up in this case against his will this tiht he had wanted to help But –
’To say it outright, I don’t care about the truth of the case at all It’ll be enough for h Gotou looked like he felt aard, he said it clearly
I –
’A?’
Haruka shook her head at the question
Then, the tears that had welled up in her eyes ca down her cheeks
’Then lift your head We don’t have the tiret what’s happened’
Haruka nodded at Gotou’s words, sniffled and lifted her head
’So you say sos soh he was running a hand through his hair and seemed annoyed, his red left eye was unusually sharp
’Yakuht at Haruka and snorted
’If you want to blame anyone, blame me’
’Eh?’
’No matter what you said, I shouldn’t have added Masato to the search’
’That’s…’
’There’ll be no end to it if we talk about things we should have done then The past is past’
– That’s right
’Then we’ll work for the best outcome now That’s the best and only method for us now,’ declared Yakumo Then, he handed a mobile phone to Gotou
Both Yaku about what to do next, but Haruka had been stuck there, looking behind her
When she thought about that, she felt so eht on fire
– We have to go forward
’Well, we’re all on the sao search’
Gotou stood up after finishing his can of coffee
’Do you have any idea as to where he went?’ asked Haruka, wiping away her tears
’Of course not,’ replied Gotou in a proud town, hand at his waist
Going w