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VOLUME 8 – THE VANISHED SPIRIT epilogue

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Like an e

Though a week had passed since the incident, he still hadn’t been able to get back on his feet

After the lied to carry Youko out

However, she had already stopped breathing

– I couldn’t save her

Ishii’s regret had a left a deep scar in his chest

If he had noticed Youko’s cry for help earlier, she wouldn’t have lost her life

– She had planned on dying froht have really been thinking that way, but that didn’t ation afterwards, it was proven that Yakuh there was still the interference with a public servant in the execution of their duties, the situation was taken into account and it beca circumstances

There was a non-indictment for Gotou too, but there was a disciplinary dise, he hadn’t just helped a suspect escape – he’d even used violence against a police office It couldn’t be overlooked

Ishii understood that But still, he didn’t accept it

Nor a disciplinary dismissal as well, but Gotou hadn’t let that happened – he’d taken all the bla to settle down as quickly as possibly too, so they dealt with the situation by saying that Gotou had ran off alone and that Ishii hadn’t been involved

‘I was never suited for detective work,’ Gotou had said with a laugh

But as he going to do now – it didn’t see in particular

Ishii didn’t kno the Unsolved Cases Special Investigation Roo to be without Gotou either

It would be difficult for Ishii to continue alone The Unsolved Cases Special Investigation Roo shafted to another division

It was a barren room with just two desks and no s, but it was still full of Ishii’s memories

He had first met Gotou in this room

He had been involved in many cases after that – the time had flown by

He would be truly unhappy about the place where he had so lasses, rubbed his arms and wiped the tears that had welled up in his eyes

However, there was a silver lining in the case

It was Hatsune, Minahter who had been raised by Seidou Minami’s mother, Tamae, had taken her in

Tarandchild appeared

Taetic – like a different person’s

She would definitely treat Hatsune well And Hatsune would probably have her own life, rather than being heron Ishii’s mind

Nanase Miyuki had suddenly disappeared from the collapsed limestone cave

– She’s still alive

Ishii was sure of it They would ain soon

What would he be able to do then, by hi came to mind

’Detective Gotou, it really is impossible for me on my own’

Ishii’s shoulders drooped as he aas standing in the door with a cardboard box in both hands

’C-Chief Miyagawa! W-why…’

Ishii stood up instinctively

’You haven’t heard?’

’Eh?’

’Don’t just say "Eh" I was deawa fumbled for words aardly

Ishii had an idea of what he was trying to say

’Could it be that you were transferred to the Unsolved Cases Special Investigation Rooaith a sigh

Though Ishii was happy that the Unsolved Cases Special Investigation Roo

’What’s with that displeased look on your face!?’

Miyagawa glared

’Ah, no, that isn’t…’

Even while Ishii replied, he couldn’t clear away his anxiety about the future

– That felt good

That was the first feeling Gotou had after receiving his punishret after a couple of days, but he didn’t

He realised anew that he hadn’t been suited for being in the organisation in the first place

He had been nervous about how Atsuko would react when he explained, but she was more nonchalant than Gotou had been

’I don’t like the police anyway’

She said the saht she had just said that to encourage Gotou, but it looked like she’d s cal troubled or worried

As ahis wife look after him, but Gotou decided for now to honestly depend on her

’If you drive without paying attention, you’ll get into an accident’

Gotou came back to reality when Yakuht in front of him was red and hurriedly stepped on the brakes

’Isn’t that dangerous?’ said Haruka with a dissatisfied frown as she sat in the backseat

– Man Who do these two think kept theht it, but he didn’t say it aloud

Though a lot had happened, he was just happy that they were all OK and together

Of course it was the case for Yakumo, but Haruka was like family to Gotou too

Family wasn’t just made up of blood ties

Even without theht that

’Gotou-san, what do you plan to do from now on?’ said Yakumo

Even Yakumo, who always spoke so hatefully, seemed to be concerned

It wasn’t like Gotou had no plans at all about the future

’I’ a business’

’What is it?’ said Haruka, sounding very interested as she leant forward

’Work that can be done by an ex-police officer is li,’ interrupted Yaku’s probably on the ency’

’Oh, you’re going to be a detective?’

’Right And a detective specialising in spiritual cases, at that’