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VOLUME 9 – THE SPIRIT OF SALVATION file 03: salvation
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1
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Haruka cleaned herself up reasonably and flew out of her rooed a taxi, told the driver her destination and leant back on the seat
She felt a sense of déjà vu as she watched the city’s nightscape pass by through theCome to think of it, she had looked out a taxilike this when Isshin had been stabbed too
– No
Haruka cleared that thought out of her head
She couldn’t think bad thoughts ‘It’ll definitely be OK!’ Haruka told herself that and ot off the taxi in front of the hospital After gathering herself, she hurriedly went to the waiting roo on the bench
His head looked injured, as it was bound by gauze The gauze was a bit ith blood
’Are you all right?’ asked Haruka Gotou looked up
’Sorry I was there, but…’
’More i?’
Haruka spoke over Gotou
Gotou glanced at the back of the waiting roo with a nuaze as he stopped talking and walked towards the?’
Haruka quickly finished her greeting and asked Ishii for more inforlasses with his fingertip and began his explanation
’From the situation, it seeun and then hit Detective Gotou with so like a rod to make him faint And then, that person took Yakumo-shi away – is what I think’
’Why was I the only one as hit?’ said Gotou with a frown, looking like he was bearing with the pain
’I think the culprit was probably using a stun gun that could not be used quickly in succession’
’So they didn’t expect there to be two people,’ Gotou said bitterly
’We are currently checking the security caht be recorded on the a white hakarily
’Jikoukoushinkaito their base Yakue into the rubbish bin and stood up
’Please wait’
Haruka called out to Gotou before he could leave
’What?’
’Actually, I had a phone call from somebody who is likely the culprit’
’What?’
’What did you say?’
Gotou and Ishii expressed their surprise simultaneously
Haruka explained in detail about the mysterious call she had received froahara’s Sea of Trees in this situation’
Gotou scratched his chin
Haruka felt the same way If Yakumo’s abduction was related to this series of cases it was likely that the forest in question was Aokigahara’s Sea of Trees
The culprit had also said that a corpse had been found there
’This is definitely a trap,’ objected Ishii
Haruka had thought that too If the person who had called was the person who had abducted Yakumo, there was no reason for the to just tell her without asking for anything, they wouldn’t have needed to abduct Yakunore it’
’That’s true,’ agreed Gotou
’But there is also that video,’ continued Ishii
’What video?’ asked Gotou
’Actually… in the video the young ahara took, that man… there was the man with two red eyes So…’
’Even if it is a trap, I won’t be able to relax until I go!’ declared Gotou
’B-but…’
’You go check out that religious group I’ too!’
Haruka called out to Gotou, who had been about to leave
’You can’t It’s dangerous’
Ishii grabbed her arm, but Haruka shook his hand away
She couldn’t just wait silently when all this was happening
’You’re going to co around
’Yes’
Haruka looked right at Gotou
Just as Gotou said, she planned to go no o!’
’Yes,’ replied Haruka She followed Gotou out
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2
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– They’re gone
Ishii watched Gotou and Haruka leave in a daze
Perhaps he should have stopped them, but for some reason, he couldn’t No matter what he said, he probably wouldn’t have been able to stop the two of the bonds
All Ishii could do noas hope they would be safe
’Ishii’
Ishii turned around at the voice and saw Miyagawa
’What is it?’
’We’ve got the pictures froaent to the security room behind the reception
It was a small three-tatami room There was one desk and a folded futon by it for naps On top of the desk, there were three awa asked theas he used the keyboard Then, he pointed at the monitor in the centre
’This one’
Ishii peered at thein the courtyard Since there was no sound, he couldn’t tell what they were talking about
After a while, Ishii saw a shadow appear behind Yakumo
White hakaendo The un into Yakumo’s shoulder
Yakuht there
Gotou noticed souard, but the person in white quickly hit Gotou with a hexagonal bar
It only took a endo clothes went out of the frame After that, a car caot out of the driver’s seat It was probably the same person as the one earlier
He picked Yakuot into the driver’s seat and drove away
’That was efficient’
That was how Ishii felt
He didn’t even pay attention to Gotou It was clear that his goal was to abduct Yakuawa Then, he said to the guard, ’Could you show us the video again?’
The security guard silently rewound the video as told Miyagawa put his face close to the screen
’Stop!’
He spoke up when the car cauard stopped the video Miyagaas probably trying to check the car’s licence plate
Ishii also went up close to the monitor to see
However, it was no use The nu tape They had no way to see it
He h cri
It was true that they couldn’t see the nu else It was –
’Could you enlarge this portion?’
Ishii pointed at the chest of the e will be fuzzy,’ said the guard, enlarging the photo
Ishii could see the word Jikoukoushinkai on the black sash
’So it’s really that religious group…’ said Miyagaho seemed to have sensed Ishii’s intentions
’Yes’
’Ishii, let’s go’
’Yes sir,’ Ishii responded loudly Then, he left the security rooawa
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3
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’It’s fine We’ll find hi the Mini Cooper, to Haruka in the passenger seat
Rather than encouraging her, it wasstrong
She probably would have been half in tears in the past, but she was different now
’What’s so a?’
After Haruka said that, Gotou realised that he was s back’
’On what?’
’When I firstthat case with the university’s deserted building, right?’
’It was’
Haruka’s expression softened just slightly, perhaps as she thought back on the incident as well
’I thought you were a pretty weak girl at the time’
Back then, Haruka had looked like she would cry at any ain afterwards during a nu every ti sorry for the victi weakness froo forward even as she cried
And now, even though she s Maybe she’d decided that she wouldn’t cry until she found Yakuain, she wasn’t just a weak girl who cried all the time
That was probably why Yaku the past tense?’
Haruka puffed out her cheeks, as if in anger
"Cause you’ve changed’
’Is that so?’
Haruka ht not really feel it herself, but Gotou could tell, as an observer
Haruka had definitely changed fro it, there’s no doubt about it’
’Hed, Haruka-chan’
’Eh?’
’Yakue because they love each other’
Gotou had started thinking that way recently
’Somehow, that doesn’t really sound like you, Gotou-san’
’Really?’ said Gotou, playing du, Gotou hi Yakumo and Haruka, he had found the path he was supposed to take
It wasn’t just Gotou Atsuko, Nao and Ishii had changed too
These people who had all been lacking soether, hurt each other at tiood thing That hy –
’Let’s find Yakumo no matter what’
’Yes’
Haruka responded with a smile
There was not even an atom of doubt there Yaku to put the pedal to the metal’
Gotou stepped firmly on the pedal If he went quickly, they would probably reach Aokigahara’s Sea of Trees in two hours
For Haruka’s sake and his own, he would definitely bring Yakumo back
Gotou reaffirmed his resolve
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4
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’This is a bit creepy,’ said Ishii without thinking
The Jikoukoushinkai base was outside of town and was so quiet it was eerie
It seemed like they had renovated an old teht it would be That awa, hands in his pockets
To be honest, Ishii was afraid of going inside, but strangely, he didn’t think about running away
With determination, Ishii reached out to press the intercorabbed Ishii’s arm
’What is it?’
’Is it OK not to call for reinforceht Ishii back to reality
’Reinforcements?’
’Reinforceht about calling for reinforcements
They had no decisive evidence at this point Even if they called reinforcements, they wouldn’t be able to search the place
’You’ve changed,’ said Miyagahile laughing
’I’ve changed?’
’Yeah Just a little in the past, you’d’ve been the one who suggested calling for reinforceawa said that, Ishii felt like it was true
Yakumo’s role had been to frantically step on the brakes when Gotou was running wild No, that was an excuse – Ishii just hadn’t had confidence in his actions That hy he would want reinforceher ups
Mysteriously though, he didn’t feel like that right now
’Shall I call for reinforce that he should at least ask
’Just us two is enough’
Miyagawa smirked and puffed out his chest
’Yes,’ replied Ishii If they got orders from above, they would just be slowed down Soutsy actions Especially since Yakuht now
Ishii reached out and pressed the intercom button
<Hello, who may you be?>
There was a response iht I am Ishii of the Setamachi precinct’
<The police?>
’Actually, we are investigating a certain case… We would just like to consult you…’
<Does it have to be today?>
It was already past ht Perhaps this response was normal
’Yes It has to be today’
Then, the interco if it was OK
’Do you think they’ll let us in?’ asked Miyagawa
’No, I think they’ll refuse,’ said Ishii
If Yakumo’s abduction was related to Jikoukoushinkai, there was no way they’d let theh the intercoain to unwell, was already asleep
After that, no matter how Ishii pressed the interco to do now?’ said Miyagaith a sigh
The past Ishii would probably have retreated, but –
’Miyagawa’
’What?’
’This wall looks cliawa’s eyes ide
’You serious?’
’Yes’
’If people find out we did this, we’re finished’
Ishii knew Miyagaas right, but –
’However, if we don’t, and the person who abducted Yakuroup, on’t be able to undo this,’ Ishii replied
For so
’You’ve really changed You’re beco more and more like Gotou’
’Is that so?’
To be honest, Ishii didn’t really feel that way
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5
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After Makoto returned to the office, she decided to research Jikoukoushinkai again
She was concerned about Yakue anything She would believe that Ishii and Gotou would bring hi on what to do next
That was the conclusion Makoto had come to –
When Gotou contacted her, her plans had fallen through, but Makoto had a theory She was going to confirise for calling at night’
<What, it’s you again?>
Takizaas acting curt, but it was his usual attitude
’I’ about the red-eyed ht?’
<Yeah, hiht, but there was definitely soht
’I know that itated
It was very difficult to explain who the–
’He’s already dead’
<So he’s a ghost…>
Takizaasn’t that surprised
A newspaper journalist had to acknowledge the existence of ghosts even if they didn’t want to They didn’t proclaihosts while gathering infor I wanted to check’
<What?>
’It’s about the group called Jikoukoushinkai…’
<Yeah>
’It seems that the base used to be in Yamanashi’
<Seems like it>
’I want to know of ay rumours about the location’
<Why do you want to know?>
It made sense for Takizawa to have this question
However, this was extremely important to prove Makoto’s theory
’Jikoukoushinkai o’
<If I remember correctly, yeah>
’Why did they suddenly expand… I think that’s the key to solving this case’
<I don’t really get it, but fine I’ll look into it for you>
’Thank you veryup
Jikoukoushinkai had been ishi Kyouka, and Hiyahara’s Sea of Trees
The group had suddenly o and expanded That perfectly matched the time when she appeared
She – that is, Nanase Miyuki
Makoto felt a chill run down her spine just fro the na with the weight on his back
’Just a biton Ishii’s back, reached out to try to grab the top of the wall, but it wasn’t going well
– This is no good
Ishii’s arht
Just as he thought that, his back was hit with an irab the curb
Ishii couldn’t bear that force and fell flat on the asphalt
’Oi, Ishii Hurry,’ said Miyagawa, reaching towards him from the top of the wall
’Ah, yes’
Ishii bore with the pain in his back as he grabbed Miyagawa’s hand
With good tiawa pulled Ishii aled to hold on
Then, they clirounds
However, Ishii didn’t absorb the i his nose
He felt the hot pain start spreading
– This is the worst
Ishii had started to regret their atteo’
At Miyagawa’s rushing, Ishii started walking, stooped over and holding his nose
The prehts on in the roo to do?’
’What shall we do?’ replied Ishii
Miyagawa put his head in his hands, exasperated
Though it was good that they had et in, to be honest, Ishii didn’t knohat to do next
’You can’t have no plan’
’I-I apologise’
’Anyway, let’s go take a look at places which reed Ishii
Miyagawa pushed Ishii’s head
’You’re all talk, aren’t you?’
– He was happy
It was the first tiawa had hit hie, but it felt like they were closer – like Miyagawa had acknowledged hi to yourself for?’
’I-I’m sorry’
Ishii hurriedlyup ahead’
Miyagawa pointed at a building that looked like a te that was connected to it by a corridor
’Yes’
’Doesn’t it look suspicious?’
’It does,’ agreed Ishii He and Miyagawa nodded at each other and slowly advanced
They kept their heads low so that people wouldn’t notice, so it took the ti in?’ said Miyagawa, crouching with his back to the wall
Ishii had looked at the building as he came up to it There were bars on theIt didn’t look like they could get in
It h the front
As Ishii said that, Miyagawa looked towards the front door
’No, it’s locked,’ Miyagawa said quietly, o to the back?’
’Looks like we’ll have to,’ agreed Miyagawa
They went to the back of the detached building with their backs still to the wall
The backfortunately didn’t have bars The light was even on
’It seems like we can look in froht
’It feels kind of like we’re thieves’
’Wha?’
Miyagawa cocked his head
’Ah, I was just thinking that thieves have it tough’
’Don’t be stupid Let’s go,’ Miyagawa reprimanded
’Ah, yes sir’
It was true that this wasn’t the tis like that
Ishii moved to look inside, but it was no use The as too high up
’Ishii, act as a stool,’ said Miyagawa
’Ehh!?’
Ishii let out a loud voice without thinking He hurriedly covered his ise But… Earlier, I was the stool, so…’
To be honest, his back still hurt He wasn’t sure he could be a stool again Perhaps Miyagawa sensed Ishii’s inner feelings as he gru it,’ and kneeled on the floor
Thank goodness – though Ishii thought that, he felt aard about stepping on his boss’s back
’Hurry up,’ said Miyagawa Ishii gathered hiawa’s back
He slowly reached up to peer inside
It was a small tatami room In the centre, there was a woishi Kyouka
However, she see
– What is that?
Perhaps she had sensed Ishii, as she slowly lifted her head
There was no life in her face Her eyes weren’t focussed Herout
– That’s just like…
’What are you doing there?’
Suddenly, Ishii heard a voice and turned around
A man in a mountain priest’s clothes had stuck his head out the temple’s
– Oh no They noticed us
Iawa’s body shook underneath hiround
He started coughing froot up while bearing with the pain and hurriedly ran after Miyagawa’s back
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7
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– Dark Complete dark
Yakumo’s consciousness wandered a dark forest
The despair of the spirits in this forest was ined
Some were betrayed by friends, and others by the family they lived –
Some did not even have people who could betray them – those who had spent their lives alone
– They weren’t even able to find salvation by dying
Yakumo heard a voice He couldn’t see him, but Yakuritted his teeth together and denied it
– What isn’t true?
– They must have had hope
– Where?
Yakuht away
Had the people who died in this forest really had hope?
Nobody had reached out to help Even if they continued to live, their suffering would have just continued
– This is the true nature of humanity Do you understand the true reason they were led to their deaths?
– The true reason?
– Hope
– Why?
– Because humans have hope, they despair Because they believe, they are betrayed
– That’s not true!
– There is nothing untrue about it You understand too, don’t you?
– It’s not true It’s not true It’s not true
Yaku aith the current
Yaku Without hope, they wouldn’t have despaired The faint hope that people hold could make them suffer
It had been that way for the doctor naht be able to revive his dead daughter
It was the saht future with his lover That hen that dream was trampled on, he hadn’t been able to stop himself
That wasn’t all There had been a man who had tried to become somebody else There had been a woman anted the love of a family
Because they had hoped, they had tasted despair
– If you say it is untrue, can you save them?
– Save?
– Can you save all the spirits in this forest?
– I… can’t I can’t save them
Yakumo felt painfully hoerless he was
There was no way to save the countless number of spirits in their despair, since Yaku that he had been protecting in his heart cracked loudly
What had he been trying to protect up until now? Where had he been trying to go?
If he hoped, all that lay ahead of hiled, there was no way he could escape the current
If that was the case, then it would have been better if there had been no hope in the first place
If there was nothing there, there was nothing to lose
– Ah, I’ sed by the darkness
Yakuer had the will to resist it
Rather, he even felt it pleasant
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8
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The car ran along Highway 139 –
The road that went across the Sea of Trees had no streetlights It was like a dark tunnel
– Yakumo is in this forest
Haruka believed that Her hand enveloped the necklace with the red stone that was hanging from her neck
’It was around here’
Gotou turned the wheel to drive onto nu a bit further
About fifteen ahara’s Sea of Trees ide It would be impossible to search the whole area with just the two of the on the call Haruka had received and decided to search the area near the corpse
After Haruka got off the car, she felt the cold wind blowing
They were high up, and the wind blen the ht Go time?’
Gotou held a torch up and walked forward
Haruka followed hih she had only taken a step forward, she had a bad feeling The air felt suddenly heavier
Perhaps it was because she knew this forest was faht?’
Gotou turned around
’Yes,’ replied Haruka with a nod
She couldn’t stop If she didn’t go forward, she couldn’t find Yakuround, it was very difficult to walk She went farther and farther in through the cypress trees
’I wonder why the perp kidnapped Yakumo…’ said Gotou
’I don’t know, but…’
’What?’
’Perhaps it was because Yakumo-kun understood the core of the case’
That hat Haruka thought
When she parted with Yakumo on the road, Haruka had felt faintly that Yakuh the structure of the case –
’And so the perp kidnapped so in the way,’ said Gotou to hio out of their way to kidnap hiet rid of somebody And I don’t knohy they went out of their way to call you’
Haruka cocked her head at that
Why had the culprit told her that Yaku her to find the person they’d abducted
’Well, no point thinking about it now First, we need to find Yakuh the forest silently again
Haruka had thought it was cold at first, but her back eaty, perhaps because she alking
– I wonder what the people who ca
That thought crossed Haruka’s mind
Gotou was here now, but the people who committed suicide must have walked this forest alone Perhaps that reconfirmed their solitariness
And then, they died without anyone knowing There was only deep despair there
’No’
Haruka shook her head
She cleared her head and continued walking silently
’It should’ve been around here…’
Gotou stopped and took a look at theit up
However, no matter how he looked at the map, it probably wouldn’t be much use in the dark forest They could only walk forward and judge by distance
’Shall we split up and search?’ suggested Haruka
Gotou’s face clearly hardened
’Don’t be stupid If we split up in this forest, it’d be a disaster’
’But…’
’Should be just a bit o’