Shinrei Tantei Yakumo – ANOTHER FILES Vol 1 Chapter 3

ANOTHER FILES – THE TREE OF DECEIT
file 03: the tree of deceit

1

Haruka stood with Yakumo in front of Mai’s hospital room.

– Let’s go see her again.

After receiving Makoto’s report, Yakumo made that suggestion, but Haruka didn’t understand why.

‘What are we going to do when we see her?’

'There’s something I want to confirm,’ replied Yakumo, running a hand through his messy hair.

'What do you plan on confirming?’

'You’ll know when you see it,’ said Yakumo expressionlessly. He probably wouldn’t say anything even if Haruka pressed further.

Haruka gave up and knocked on the door.

There was no response. When she opened the door, she saw Mai lying on the bed.

Though her eyes were open, they weren’t focussed.

She looked a bit more tired than she had yesterday. Haruka wanted to save her somehow, but she had no way to do that.

Yakumo slowly walked up to the bed and sat on the round chair beside it.

Haruka watched while holding her breath.

'Kosaka… Yukari-san, yes…?’

In response to Yakumo’s murmur, Mai turned to look at Yakumo.

'A… h…’

It sounded like it hurt Mai to speak.

'You know the man named Mochizuki Toshiki-san, don’t you.’

The moment Yakumo said that name, Mai’s eyes flew open. She pulled her body up and reached out towards Yakumo.

Her hands gripped Yakumo’s neck.

'Yakumo-kun!’

Haruka tried to run out to him, but Yakumo stopped her.

Mai’s hands dug into Yakumo’s neck. Even in that situation, Yakumo just looked at Mai without faltering.

'I’m not Mochizuki Toshiki-san,’ said Yakumo, though his breath sounded constricted.

'Ur… gh…’

Mai sounded like she was suffering.

'You understand this as well, don’t you? Killing me won’t dispel your grudge,’ Yakumo said quietly.

Mai let go of his neck.

'Are you OK?’ asked Haruka.

'Don’t worry about it,’ Yakumo replied, but the hands’ imprints remained on his neck.

Haruka felt anew the resolve Yakumo had upon facing this case.

After a silence, Yakumo brought his face close to Mai’s eyes and murmured, 'I want to ask you something. What happened that day?’

Mai’s dry lips moved slightly.

'I… was betrayed…’ replied Mai. No, to be correct, it was Yukari, the spirit possessing Mai.

'Who were you betrayed by?’ asked Yakumo.

'That… man…’

'Mochizuki-san?’

Mai’s breathing was ragged.

'I… was always… waiting… For that man… that… but…’

'He didn’t come.’

'I… loved… but… that man…’

'Somebody else came to the shrine that day, correct?’ said Yakumo. Like he had known from the start.

'That… monkey…’

'What did you do afterwards?’

'From behind… Agh…’

'Somebody pushed you from behind so that you fell down the stone stairs.’

'Aaaaahh!’

Mai let out a beastly howl.

Her hair flung about as she flailed her arms and legs wildly.

’M-Mai.’

Haruka couldn’t stop herself from approaching to try to calm Mai down, but Yakumo stopped her.

'Stop.’

'Why? Mai is…’

'She’ll possess you,’ Yakumo said in a harsh tone, pushing Haruka aside.

Haruka couldn’t do anything even though she was watching her friend suffer. She was mortified by her powerlessness.

Yakumo turned towards Mai again and asked, 'Who pushed you?’

Mai suddenly stopped moving.

A groan came out of her throat as she glared at Yakumo.

A chill ran down Haruka’s spine.

It felt like a strong hatred was spilling out from Mai’s bloodshot eyes.

'I’ll… kill you…’

After saying that, Mai lost her strength and collapsed.

'Mai.’

'It’s fine. She just fainted,’ said Yakumo.

When Haruka looked at Yakumo, she saw that his forehead was covered in sweat. His brow was furrowed like he was in pain.

'A-are you OK?’ asked Haruka.

Yakumo leant against the wall, brushed back his fringe and looked up at the ceiling.

'Yeah. It was a bit intense.’

'Intense?’

'Her emotions.’

'By her, do you mean Yukari-san?’

'Yeah. She has an incredibly strong hatred.’

Haruka could tell that too.

'Why is she so full of hatred?’

Yakumo left the hospital room, escaping Haruka’s questioning.

'W-wait.’

Haruka hurriedly ran after Yakumo.

Yakumo stood with his back against the wall in the corridor in front of the hospital room.

He had his arms crossed with a difficult expression on his face.

'As I thought, she… Kosaka Yukari-san didn’t die in an accident…’

'Eh? Really?’ said Haruka in surprise.

'Yeah. This is a fully-fledged murder case.’

'Which is why she hates the person who killed her…’

'Well, that’s how it is.’

'Who on earth is it?’ asked Haruka.

Yakumo’s expression twisted, like he was withstanding pain.

'It’d be easy if I knew.’

Yakumo started walking.

'Wait.’

Haruka went right after him.

She could tell from looking at Yakumo’s back.

Yakumo probably knew who killed Yukari, but he didn’t want to say it right now.

– Who on earth could it be?

While Haruka was thinking, the words Yakumo said earlier came up in her head.

– Because Ishii-san is a main player.

'There’s no way.’

Haruka hurriedly wiped that unfortunate thought out of her head.

2

Ishii and Gotou sat at a table in a cafe.

They were waiting for Yuuko.

Gotou blew out smoke in irritation. Ishii had nothing to do so he just looked at the clock on the wall.

When he stared at it, it felt like time had turned back.

That day – Ishii had been in this cafe with Mochizuki.

Mochizuki had handed Ishii something and asked him to deliver it to somebody at the shrine with the tree of deceit.

No, Mochizuki hadn’t asked. He had ordered.

Ishii hadn’t been able to refuse.

The relationship between Ishii and Mochizuki had been an absolute one, of master and servant.

Of course Mochizuki had been the master. Ishii had to do what he said. If he didn’t, he didn’t even want to think about how he’d be treated.

Ishii had gone to the shrine as he was told –

The events that came afterwards flashed through his head like a revolving lantern.

– No. I don’t want to remember.

He frantically tried to push the memories away, but it was no use. They were his own memories. No matter how he tried to refuse them, he couldn’t erase them.

'I…’

'Shut up!’

Gotou’s fist came down on him.

The impact brought Ishii back to his senses.

His palms were clammy with sweat.

'I-I’m sorry.’

After Ishii apologised, the cafe door opened and Yuuko showed up.

She arrived twenty minutes later than the appointed time.

'I sincerely apologise for the wait.’

Yuuko greeted them. There were shadows under her eyes. She looked a step more tired than she had yesterday.

'No, not at all. Please sit down.’

Ishii urged her to sit opposite them. Yuuko sat down.

Ishii called the waiter and ordered coffee for three.

'Today, we called you out because we want to check something with you,’ said Gotou after the waiter brought them coffee.

'What is it?’ asked Yuuko in a faint voice.

'You said you didn’t know the suspect, Matsuda, right?’

Gotou pressed his cigarette out in the ashtray and looked at Yuuko.

Under that intimidating gaze, Yuuko’s expression stiffened.

'I did say that. I’d never seen him before that day.’

'That’s strange. His daughter’s at your hospital.’

'Eh?’

'Matsuda Misaki… You know her, right?’

'That person’s Misaki-chan’s…’

Yuuko looked genuinely surprised.

'Yeah. He’s Matsuda Misaki’s father.’

'That’s…’

Yuuko had a complex expression on her face.

'You said a man you didn’t know suddenly assaulted your fiancé, but that’s a lie, right?’

'It isn’t. I’ve never met Misaki-chan’s father.’

'Don’t play dumb! You knew Matsuda, right?’ Gotou said threateningly.

Yuuko’s shoulders jolted up.

Ishii knew that Gotou was irritated, but if he intimidated Yuuko this way, she wouldn’t be able to say the things she wanted to.

After Ishii calmed Gotou slightly, he turned towards Yuuko.

'I’m sorry. Are you all right?’ asked Ishii.

Yuuko nodded.

'You talked to Matsuda-san using the hospital phone, yes?’

'I did?’

Yuuko’s eyes were wide open.

'During your work hours, somebody called Matsuda-san from the hospital.’

Ishii placed the piece of paper with the call log on the table.

Yuuko took it and looked at it carefully.

'I don’t know. Anybody can use the phone at the nurse station. It doesn’t have to be me.’

'But you’re the only person who was working during all these times.’

'That’s not definite. Somebody might have worked on their day off and used it.’

'Don’t try to fool me. It’ll be obvious who used the phone if we check the security camera footage for the nurse station,’ Gotou cut in.

'I really don’t know,’ said Yuuko, sounding like she would cry.

'Matsuda said he fell for you. Weren’t you in a relationship? And then Mochizuki got in the way,’ said Gotou as a final blow.

'Please don’t just say whatever you want!’

Yuuko hit the table, making her emotions apparent.

'Tell the truth.’

Gotou still didn’t back down.

'What are you saying? I loved Toshiki-san. No – I still love him now.’

'I can’t believe that. We’ve got proof. What sort of relationship did you have with Matsuda?’

'Stop already!’ Yuuko shouted again, with tears in her eyes.

It was probably not from sadness but from anger and mortification.

'Then talk honestly.’

'The person I loved was killed, but I’m even being treated like I was complicit… I…’

She didn’t say anything else.

Yuuko covered her face with her hands and went silent.

He sniffling echoed through the cafe.

Even Gotou looked away awkwardly.

She isn’t lying – Ishii didn’t have proof, but he felt that.

In any case, asking her anything else about the matter probably wouldn’t get them any information.

'Are you all right?’

Ishii held a handkerchief out towards Yuuko.

However, Yuuko didn’t take it. She took a handkerchief out of her own bag and wiped her tears.

She didn’t want sympathy from the police. It was like she was saying that.

Ishii waited for Yuuko to stop crying before speaking. 'Yuuko-san, we understand that you loved Mochizuki-san. Er… Would it be all right to ask you another question?’

After wiping her tears with a handkerchief, Yuuko looked up. She didn’t respond, but Ishii took that as a yes.

'I want to ask about your older sister.’

When Ishii asked that, Yuuko’s eyes went wide open in surprise.

'My sister?’

'Yes. Your sister was dating Mochizuki-san before she passed away, correct?’

Yuuko didn’t respond.

Ishii continued.

'Did you know that?’

Ishii saw Yuuko’s hands tighten into fists as she looked down.

This wasn’t a question from Ishii and Gotou.

Yakumo had told Gotou to ask it. He had said that the situation would change depending on the response.

Ishii knew the answer without hearing it.

Of course Ishii knew about Mochizuki and Yukari’s relationship, but all the people in the grade did too. Even some of the teachers knew.

They’d gone to each other’s houses, so Yuuko, Yukari’s little sister, must have known.

'Did you know?’ asked Gotou in irritation, perhaps annoyed by Yuuko’s silence.

Yuuko lifted her head just slightly.

Her eyes were filled with a darkness like hatred.

’… with that.’

Yuuko’s faint voice didn’t reach Ishii’s ears.

'What did you say?’

'This incident has nothing to do with that,’ spat out Yuuko.

Her forceful tone made Ishii falter for a moment.

'No, well, yes, but…’

'Then why are you asking?’

'No, that’s…’

'I’m sick of this already. Please allow me to head home.’

Yuuko stood up and tried to leave the cafe.

However, Gotou stood in front of her to stop her.

'We’re not done asking questions yet.’

Gotou grabbed Yuuko’s wrist.

'Please let go of me,’ Yuuko protested.

The waiter looked at them suspiciously.

Unlike Ishii, who was worried that the waiter might report them to the police, Gotou continued talking without a care.

'I won’t let go tell you answer.’

'My sister’s unrelated to this, isn’t she?’

'Then you can respond, right?’

Yuuko’s emotions reached their boiling point as she shouted, 'Yes, I knew!’

’…’

Ishii gulped under that pressure.

'I knew. My sister brought Toshiki-san home a number of times. So…’

'So you approached him while knowing?’ asked Gotou, glaring at Yuuko sharply.

'Is there a problem with that?’

'That’s…’

'That person placed flowers at the shrine every year on my sister’s death anniversary. I always watched him. Even though it wasn’t his fault that my sister died, he continued placing flowers for ten years.’

'So you fell for him because of that kindness of his,’ said Gotou sarcastically.

'That’s enough, right? I’m going home.’

Yuuko pushed Gotou away and left the shop.

Ishii didn’t feel like going after her. It looked like Gotou felt the same way, as he sat down with a click of his tongue.

'Damn. What was that…’ grumbled Gotou.

'Ah…’

All Ishii could do was give that listless reply.

After a while, Gotou said, 'Hey, Ishii.’

'Yes?’

'What sort of woman was that Yukari, who died ten years ago?’

'I don’t really know,’ Ishii replied vaguely.

'You were in the same class, right?’

'Yes, but… we weren’t very close…’

'Useless.’

Gotou smacked Ishii’s head.

'I-I apologise.’

Ishii smiled bitterly.

– It was a lie.

He knew Yukari well.

With a gorgeous appearance, the male students had all yearned for her.

For Yukari to date the class leader, Mochizuki, had been a natural development.

A god couple that anybody would envy – but it had been different for Ishii.

Mochizuki and Yukari had been the worst couple. The two of them hadn’t treated Ishii like he was human.

Once, he had picked up a pen Yukari dropped.

Normally, people would have said thank you, but she hadn’t responded that way. Instead, she had falsely accused him of stealing her pen.

After that, Mochizuki had punched him countless times.

Yukari had laughed while watching Ishii in pain.

It had been a daily cycle.

Ishii had hated the two of them.

– I want to kill them.

It was inevitable that Ishii felt that way.

It had been the same on that day too.

When Yukari looked at him scornfully, a black emotion had exploded in the bottom of Ishii’s heart.

– I.

Interrupting Ishii’s thoughts, Gotou’s mobile rang.

It was probably Yakumo.

'We’re going.’

After Gotou’s call ended, he stood up.

'Eh? Where to?’

'You’ll know if you come.’

Gotou left the cafe briskly.

Ishii hurriedly tried to go after him, but then he remembered that they hadn’t paid and went to the register.

After Ishii finished paying, the waiter said to him quietly, 'What an unpleasant woman.’

'Yes?’

'Getting angry when she was the one two-timing – she’s not a good woman. It’d be better if you quickly forgot about her.’

It seemed like the waiter had completely misunderstood.

Ishii was about to deny it when Gotou yelled, 'Hurry up!’ Ishii left the shop with a vague smile.

3

Haruka and Yakumo went to the shrine where the incident had occurred.

From the elevated ground, they could see the whole town.

The sun was low in the sky, dying the town a vivid orange. It was a beautiful place. When they looked out like this, it didn’t seem like a murder scene at all.

'Hey, what are you going to do here?’ Haruka asked Yakumo.

After leaving the hospital where Mai was, they had come here, but Haruka hadn’t been able to get the reason why out of Yakumo.

Yakumo put a hand on the cedar tree that was cordoned off with a Shinto enclosing rope and closed his eyes.

It was he was feeling its pulse.

Only this cedar tree, called the tree of deceit, knew what had happened here.

It seemed mysterious when Haruka thought that.

'I want to ask something,’ said Yakumo, turning around.

'Whom do you want to ask?’

'The victim, of course.’

'Eh?’

Haruka was surprised, but Yakumo was calm.

With a blank expression, he walked straight towards the shrine.

'So you were here.’

Yakumo stopped right in front of the shrine.

Haruka couldn’t see anything, but Yakumo could probably see him. The spirit of the man named Mochizuki, who had been killed her - a ghost – was probably –

Haruka held her breath and watched.

'I have something I want to ask,’ said Yakumo. There was no response, but it was just that Haruka couldn’t hear it. Yakumo’s ear probably heard somebody’s voice.

'What happened ten years ago?’

Haruka had been sure Yakumo would ask about the current case.

If Yakumo was going out of his way to talk about the incident ten years ago, it probably had a great deal to do with the case.

The wind blew –

The tree of deceit rustled, like it was pleading something.

'So Ishii-san really…’

When Yakumo said that, his shoulders slumping, Haruka reacted sensitively.

'What do you mean?’

'Keep quiet for now,’ Yakumo said, cutting her down.

Haruka couldn’t do anything but keep her mouth shut.

However, she couldn’t erase her questions. From Yakumo’s tone, Ishii was very involved with the current case.

There was no way that he was the culprit. Haruka wanted to think that, but part of her couldn’t declare it.

He had clearly been strange ever since the incident occurred.

Haruka didn’t have any evidence, but it felt like he was hiding something important.

'I finally see it…’ said Yakumo, interrupting Haruka’s thoughts.

Haruka looked at Yakumo, who turned around and slowly started walking towards her.

'What did you see?’

'who’s lying and who’s telling the truth – I see it now.’

Yakumo looked at the tree of deceit.

'Who’s lying?’ asked Haruka.

Yakumo’s eyes narrowed as he smirked.

'People’s memories are vague.’

'Vague?’

'Yes. Perhaps it would be better to call them subjective.’

Haruka didn’t understand what Yakumo wanted to say at all.

'What do you mean?’

'For example, if you were talking about a memory with a friend.’

'OK.’

'At times like that, don’t the experiences you talk about differ sometimes?’

'Come to think of it…’

Haruka had experienced that a number of times.

When she talked with a friend about a day they went out together, she’d say it’d been sunny when her friend would say it’d been cloudy.

Haruka would think they’d gone with five people, but her friend would say there’d been four.

Even though they’d experienced the same event, the colours of clothes, hairstyles – small details like that would change.

'That occurs because people’s memories are subjective.’

'That so?’

'Though it seems like you remember everything, you only cut and paste the things you want. With the passing of time, those memories warp further.’

'Why?’

'Every time you remember a memory, you add emotion to it.’

'Emotion?’

'Correct. You could call it a wish. People forget the unpleasant and only accept the things they want.’

'But then the memory wouldn’t make sense.’

'Exactly. That’s why people unconsciously alter their memories.’

'But…’

'You’ve altered your memories too, with your sister.’

'Urgh.’

Haruka couldn’t breathe for a moment when Yakumo suddenly brought up her sister.

'Because of your feeling of guilt, you decided that your sister hated you. As a result, even though it was an accident, you even thought you had killed her, right?’

'That’s…’

Haruka couldn’t deny it. She had done so.

That had shut away the enjoyable memories she’d had with her sister.

Haruka got the gist of what Yakumo was trying to say, but there was another problem with the current case.

'Then who’s lying?’ asked Haruka.

Yakumo sighed in exasperation.

'Probably only this tree knows.’

Yakumo looked at the tree of deceit.

At some point, it had grown dark, and the tree of deceit also had a different appearance than it had had at noon.

'What do you mean?’

Evading Haruka’s question, Yakumo briskly started walking away.

– Honestly.

Haruka pouted, but she went after Yakumo.

4

'Sorry to bother.’

Gotou opened the door to Meisei University’s Movie Research Circle, which Yakumo used as his secret hideaway.

'It looks like nobody’s here,’ said Ishii as he peered inside.

Even though Gotou had come all the way here, they couldn’t do anything if he wasn’t here.

'Where’s he loitering?’ said Gotou with a sigh.

– Maybe I’ll come back later.

Gotou had just thought that and turned around when he saw Yakumo. Haruka was next to him.

'If you stand there with your large body, you’ll get in the way.’

Yakumo looked at Gotou coldly.

'What? Were you following us?’

'Please let off with the idiocy. What good would doing that do me?’

'What did you say!?’

'Calm down. Your body won’t be able to bear it if you take everything Yakumo-kun says seriously.’

Haruka was the one who cut in.

'Right.’

It was true that responding properly to this quibbling man would be stupid.

'Anyway, please decide whether you want to go in or leave.’

Yakumo ran a hand through his messy hair.

'I’m obviously going in,’ declared Gotou, stepping into the room.

He sat with Ishii and Yakumo and Haruka sat opposite them.

'So how was it?’ said Yakumo the moment they’d settled down.

Even though he was the one who asked, he yawned, seeming bored. Gotou didn’t like his attitude, but he could tell that complaining would just get him a painful retort.

'About Yuuko…’

Gotou cleared his throat and started explaining.

Her response when he’d pressed her about contacting Matsuda, and when he’d asked about her sister Kosaka Yukari and Mochizuki Toshiki. He spoke in as much detail as possible.

After Gotou finished explaining, for a while, Yakumo put his index finger to his brow and seemed to be thinking.

'So she isn’t conscious of it…’ said Yakumo after a long silence.

'What do you mean?’ Gotou asked immediately.

'I can’t answer right now.’

'What?’

'You don’t have to understand. Since I do,’ said Yakumo calmly.

However, Gotou couldn’t keep calm.

'You do? So you know the culprit?’

'Well, so far as it goes,’ said Yakumo quietly, scratching the tip of his nose.

'Who’s the culprit? Tell me!’

'I don’t want to,’ Yakumo replied immediately.

'What?’

'Did you not hear me? I said I didn’t want to.’

'You screwing with me?’

'No. I am completely serious.’

'Then why won’t you tell me!?’

Gotou grabbed Yakumo by the collar in his agitation.

However, Yakumo still looked unaffected.

'Detective Gotou, please calm down.’

Ishii was the one who interrupted, looking like he might cry at any moment.

'Like I could keep calm.’

'I understand how you feel, but…’

'Shut up!’

Gotou hit Ishii’s head.

Gotou felt bad about Ishii, but turning his temper towards him seemed to have helped Gotou calm down.

'Why won’t you tell me who the culprit is even though you know?’ asked Gotou again, sitting back down on the chair.

'In this case, breaking through to the truth isn’t enough.’

'What?’

Revealing the truth was the end of a case, not just with this one.

'The order in which the mysteries are solved is important.’

'Order? What are you talking about?’

Haruka spoke before Gotou could.

'Is our goal to find out who killed Mochizuki-san?’

Haruka said, 'Ah!’ It seemed like she understood everything from that sentence.

'We need to save Mai, who’s been possessed by a ghost,’ said Haruka to confirm.

'Exactly.’

'So you don’t care about our case?’

Gotou frowned.

For Yakumo and Haruka, maybe it was more important to save the girl who was possessed by a ghost. But for Gotou, it was crucial that he find out the culprit.

'I didn’t say that.’

Yakumo shook his head in exasperation.

'What?’

'In order to save the woman who has been possessed by a ghost, it is necessary to solve the case you’re chasing, Gotou-san. It’s just that giving up the culprit reckless won’t work.’

'It won’t work?’

'It won’t. I said this earlier, but to solve both of these problems, the order that we solve the mysteries is important.’

'The order, eh…’ muttered Gotou, putting his chin in his hand.

'If we get the order wrong, we won’t be able to bring out the truth.’

After saying that, Yakumo smirked.

He was the only one who understood. It was always that way for Yakumo. The attitude annoyed Gotou, but he couldn’t go back after coming this far.

'So what order would be good?’

'Before that, there is something I want to confirm.’

'What?’ asked Gotou.

Yakumo slowly stood up.

'Ishii-san, would you come with me?’

’M-me…?’

Ishii’s eyes went wide at Yakumo’s words.

5

Ishii took the stone steps to the shrine.

He couldn’t see his feet because it was so dark. His feet felt as heavy as weights as he took one step at a time.

He stopped and looked up at Yakumo’s back, a little ahead of him.

Gotou had said he’d come too, but Yakumo stopped him.

Ishii didn’t know what he was thinking. No, that wasn’t true. He really did know. That was why his feet felt heavy.

'What is it?’ said Yakumo.

Ishii came back to his senses.

'No, it’s nothing.’

Ishii smiled wryly and started climbing the steps again.

When he reached the shrine, he was a bit out of breath.

The shrine was creepy at night.

The town that spread before his eyes was lit up beautifully, but the shrine was enveloped in darkness, like it had fallen into a hole.

Yakumo went up to the large cedar tree called the tree of deceit and placed a hand on the trunk.

He looked somewhat like a loving Virgin Mary.

'Er… Why did you bring me here?’ asked Ishii towards Yakumo’s back.

Yakumo slowly turned around and looked at Ishii.

He had his black contact lens hiding it now, but for a moment, it looked to Ishii like Yakumo’s left eye had flashed red.

Ishii couldn’t bear that pressure and looked away.

'There’s something I want to ask you, Ishii-san,’ said Yakumo.

'Why did you need to go to the shrine to do that?’ asked Ishii, still looking at his feet.

He knew the answer. It was because Yakumo was going to ask something that would have been difficult to ask in front of Gotou and Haruka.

'I want to know about your past, Ishii-san.’

'My past…’

'Yes.’

'My past isn’t interesting.’

Ishii laughed bitterly.

'That isn’t it.’

'Then what is it?’

'Ishii-san.’

Yakumo’s eyes narrowed.

Like clairvoyant eyes that could see to the bottom of his heart –

'What is it?’

'Ten years ago – what happened here?’

The direct question pierced Ishii’s chest.

Yakumo really did know everything. Ishii knew it’d be easier for him to confess, but his heart still fought back.

'I don’t know what…’

Ishii tried to ask as calmly as he could, but he still couldn’t stop his voice and hands from shaking.

Yakumo wouldn’t be fooled by something like this.

They had gone through so many cases together, so Ishii knew that well.

'Then let’s change the question.’

Yakumo walked towards Ishii.

Still frozen, Ishii gulped and held his breath.

'Glasses monkey.’

Ishii couldn’t believe his ears.

'I-I…’

'Mochizuki-san called you that, Ishii-san.’

'I-I don’t understand.’

'You don’t need to hide it. Mochizuki-san bullied you during high school, right?’

’T-that’s not…’

'You don’t have to hold back any more.’

Yakumo put a hand on Ishii’s shoulder. He had an expression on his face that was gentler than Ishii had ever seen before.

Ishii heard something fall off in his heart.

'It was awful…’

Even though he had tolerated it for so long, but once he said it aloud, he couldn’t stop his mouth from moving.

'Even though I hadn’t done anything, every time he saw me, he’d say I was an eyesore, punch me and kick me. He treated me like a slave. No, slaves had it better. He didn’t even think of me as human,’ said Ishii, everything gushing out of him.

'Did you not say you didn’t like it?’ said Yakumo.

That sentence amplified Ishii’s anger.

People who had never been bullied always said that.

You were bullied because you didn’t assert yourself. If you were cooperative, you wouldn’t have been left out –

'Please don’t say that so easily. If I resisted, I would have been treated even worse. The people around me just ridiculed me too – nobody helped. No matter how painful and frustrating was, all I could do was bear it.’

'Ishii-san…’

'All I could do was wait for the storm to pass.’

'Kosaka Yukari-san, who died ten years ago, was also one of your bullies, correct, Ishii-san?’

Yakumo’s quiet words made Ishii freeze.

He hadn’t thought that Yakumo knew that much.

'Urgh…’

'You don’t have to hide it any more.’

'I…’

'Just like you say, Ishii-san, keeping quiet and tolerating the situation wouldn’t make it worse, but on the contrary, it also can’t change the situation.’

'I know…’

'That’s why it’s time to change it,’ Yakumo said quietly.

'It’s too late to do anything now. The past can’t change.’

'No, it can.’

'Eh?’

Ishii looked up with surprise.

'Please think about Makoto-san.’
’..’

'She faced her painful past and changed it.’

– Now, I think of it as a good experience.

The words Makoto said in the cafe ran through Ishii’s head.

Perhaps it was because she had faced her own past that she could think that way.

– Could I do the same thing?

'I hated those two from the bottom of my heart,’ said Ishii, before he’d even noticed he was talking.

Just as Yakumo had theorised, Yukari had also been one of Ishii’s bullies. She and Mochizuki had scorned and tyrranised him together.

It was agony going to school.

What are they going to do to me today – he had lived in fear. It didn’t feel like he had been living.

He had even thought about dying.

He had also thought about killing them.

Even if it had just been playing around for them, it had been different for Ishii. There was a scar in his heart that could never be erased.

He had almost forgotten. No, he had tried to forget.

And yet –

'Ishii-san, could you tell me what happened here ten years ago?’ Yakumo said gently.

Under that earnest gaze, Ishii was resigned. He couldn’t hide it any more.

'That day ten years ago – I was about to go home after class,’ Ishii said quietly.

Standing in front of him, Yakumo nodded to urge Ishii to continue.

'After going through the school gates, Mochizuki called out to me.’

Mochizuki had been different than usual that day.

'He took me to a cafe.’

The cafe with the wall clock.

'Just the two of you?’ asked Yakumo.

Ishii nodded and continued his explanation.

'Yes. He handed an envelope to me and told me to give it to somebody.’

'To whom?’

'He didn’t tell me then. He just said that I would know if I went…’

Ishii had had a bad feeling since hat moment.

However, he hadn’t been able to refuse. That was how strong Mochizuki’s will had been.

'What was inside the envelope?’

'I didn’t know then. He threatened me, saying he would kill me if I opened it…’

It wasn’t a lie. Ishii had found out what was inside afterwards.

'So then what did you do, Ishii-san?’ Yakumo said expressionlessly.

Ishii swallowed and continued.

'Just as he told me, I walked here…’

The scenery then flashed through Ishii’s mind vividly.

He had gone to the shrine in the evening and a woman had been standing in front of the tree of deceit. Just where Yakumo was standing now.

Somebody that Ishii knew.

– You’ll know if you go.

Ishii understood the meaning of Mochizuki’s words then.

'Kosaka Yukari-san was there then,’ said Yakumo.

He already knows that much – though Ishii was surprised, he nodded.

'Just as Mochizuki told me, I handed the envelope to Yukari-san.’

'And then what did she do?’

'She took the contents of the envelope out and went completely pale. Then, she yelled, asking why he didn’t come.’

The envelope had had ten-odd ten thousand yen bills and an envelope.

Ishii had understood everything then.

There had been a rumour that Yukari was pregnant. Of course, it was Mochizuki’s child.

Mochizuki had probably handed Ishii a letter saying they would break up and money for an abortion. He had probably thought that meeting Yukari directly would have caused trouble.

He had probably asked Ishii because he didn’t want other people to know. He had known that Ishii wouldn’t say anything.

An awful man – is what Ishii had thought.

However, Ishii hadn’t been able to say that. He had just stood there.

'Then what did Yukari-san do?’

Yakumo’s eyes narrowed.

– I don’t want to say what comes next.

But contrary to his will, his mouth moved.

'She cursed at me… You’re not human. You’re a glasses monkey… She threw rocks at me…’

Ishii gripped his hands into tight fists. His body shook.

Even though ten years had passed, the humiliation he had felt then came back to him like it had happened yesterday.

'She even told me to die…’

'That’s awful. Even though it didn’t have anything to do with you, Ishii-san.’

Exactly. It didn’t have anything to do with Ishii. But still –

'Why did she have to say that much?’

Yakumo didn’t answer Ishii’s question.

Ishii knew that Yakumo had no way of answering, but the anger and hatred that welled up within him couldn’t be restrained.

'After she had cursed me plenty, she thrust the envelope towards me and tried to leave the shrine… I… was so frustrated…’

Ishii looked at his hands.

His hands were trembling.

'Then what happened?’ asked Yakumo.

Ishii looked at him.

'I don’t really know. Before I knew it, I had run out of the shrine…’

'Ishii-san…’

'Perhaps I… her…’

'Ishii-san.’

'The person who pushed Yukari-san off the steps – it might have been me…’

'Ishii-san!’ said Yakumo, cutting in.

However, Ishii’s emotions continued to run wild.

'No, that has to be it! I pushed her!’

'You didn’t.’

'What do you mean, I didn’t? I can still feel it in my hands!’

'You can’t let yourself be overwhelmed.’

'I was frustrated! I hated those two! I thought about killing them countless times!’

'Please calm down.’

'I’m not a glasses monkey! I’m human! I’m Ishii Yuutarou!’ screamed Ishii, his body twisting.

Then, all the strength left him and he fell to his knees.

Tears spilled out.

Why do only I have to suffer like this – Ishii had lived like this, shutting away that suppressed emotion.

That emotion had exploded on that day ten years ago.

That had birthed a new darkness and had made Ishii suffer all this time.

'I know.’

A kind voice reached Ishii’s ears and made him look up.

Yakumo was crouching in front of him with a gentle smile.

'I know that you’re you, Ishii-san.’

'I…’

'It’s the same for me. People treated me like a monster because of my red left eye. Even though I was a human, like them…’

There was a shadow in Yakumo’s eyes.

His red left eye, which could see the spirits of the dead – something different from others. That would have been a target for bullying.

– It was the same for him too.

Just from realising that, Ishii’s heart felt a bit lighter.

'Let’s stop trawling up the past,’ said Yakumo as he held a hand out towards Ishii.

'I-I…’

'Ishii-san, you aren’t a glasses monkey. You’re a human being – a detective now. Correct?’

'Y-yes…’

It was just as Yakumo said. He had to face the case without running away, as a detective.

With determination, Ishii took Yakumo’s hand.

6

'Yakumo-kun and Ishii-san aren’t back yet,’ said Haruka.

Gotou looked up. 'Yeah.’

'I wonder what they’re doing.’

Haruka had thought that Yakumo would be right back after taking Ishii out with him, but it had already been more than an hour.

It made her want to know what they were doing, since they were taking so long.

'Who knows,’ said Gotou, sounding discouraged as he crossed his arms.

'I wonder if Ishii-san is related to the case,’ Haruka said without really any meaning behind it, but that moment, Gotou glared at her.

'Of course not.’

His voiced sounded filled with a strong will.

Yakumo wouldn’t call Ishii out if he wasn’t related to the case. Gotou had to know that too.

He probably wanted to believe in Ishii anyway.

'Of course,’ replied Haruka with a wry smile.

'Ishii’s a guy whose redeeming feature is his cowardice. He couldn’t hurt anybody.’

Gotou’s words made Haruka’s chest feel hot.

No matter what Gotou said, he had a great love for Ishii.

Ishii probably always followed Gotou no matter how much Gotou hit him because it was from an upside-down love rather than bullying.

'Well, in any case, there’s no point thinking about it. All we can do is wait.’

Gotou stretched.

'It’s because you always leave things up to others that you never grow.’

Yakumo came in while complaining.

He seemed very annoyed as he ran a hand through his messy hair.

'Eh? Where’s Ishii-san?’ asked Haruka.

Since Yakumo was back, Haruka had thought Ishii would be with him, but he was nowhere to be seen.

'He went back first,’ said Yakumo, looking away slightly.

'What? We were waiting…’ grumbled Gotou, taking out his mobile.

'Who are you going to call?’ asked Yakumo as he sat down.

'Obviously Ishii.’

'Please don’t.’

'Why not?’ said Gotou sulkily.

'Please let him be alone today. Ishii-san is suffering too.’

As Yakumo said that, his eyes seemed somewhat sad.

'What do you mean?’ asked Gotou.

'You’ll find out tomorrow,’ said Yakumo quietly, putting his chin in his hand.

What did he talk about with Ishii – Haruka was curious, but she couldn’t ask.

'Honestly, everyone’s just…’ said Gotou in his dissatisfaction, putting his mobile in his pocket and standing up.

Yakumo stopped him.

'I have a request, Gotou-san.’

'What?’

'I want you to bring Matsuda-san, the suspect, and Yuuko-san, the victim’s fiancée, to that shrine tomorrow.’

'Why?’

Gotou sat back down with his brow furrowed.

'You really are an idiot, Gotou-san.’

'What did you say!?’

'We’re ending the case.’

Yakumo’s words made Gotou’s eyes go wide.

'Sounds like you understand everything.’

'Yes, I do.’

'Explain what you mean!’

In contrast to Gotou’s agitation, Yakumo was calm. He put his fingers in his ears to complain about the noise.

'Anyone’d want to speak up after hearing that. What do you mean?’

'Please don’t be in such a rush. You’ll understand everything – ’

'Got it. I’ll do something about it,’ said Gotou with a snort. Just as he was about to leave the room, he stopped with his hand on the door.

'Hey, Yakumo.’

'What is it?’

'Is Ishii… related to the case?’

'Yes.’

'He’d never kill somebody.’

Gotou turned around and looked at Yakumo with a strong gaze.

'I know.’

'Then…’

'It’s fine. Gotou-san, you can just believe,’ interrupted Yakumo.

For a while, Gotou just looked straight at Yakumo, but then he finally said 'Got it’ in a quiet voice and left.

Yakumo sighed as he watched Gotou leave.

He appeared considerably tired.

'Hey, what happened?’ asked Haruka, knowing there would be no response.

Yakumo glanced at Haruka and ran a hand through his hair.

'A number of things.’

'A number?’

'You people are so hasty. You’ll understand tomorrow.’

Yakumo put a finger to his brow.

'I’ll really find out tomorrow?’

'Yes.’

'OK.’

'There’s something I want you to help out with too.’

Yakumo smirked.

When Haruka saw that smirk, she had a terribly bad feeling –

7

– It’s heavy.

Ishii felt like he was being crushed under the weight of his past. Even after Yakumo had left, Ishii hadn’t been able to leave the shrine.

He leant against the tree of deceit and held his head.

'Glasses monkey.’

He heard a voice from nowhere in particular.

When Ishii lifted his head, he saw Mochizuki in front of him.

His white shirt was dyed red. But still, he was smiling in a carefree manner.

'Mochizuki…’

It felt like the name was strangled out of Ishii’s throat.

Had Mochizuki’s spirit appeared in front of him, or was it an illusion from his heart? Ishii couldn’t decide.

'Add a “-san” to that. You’re acting cheeky for a glasses monkey.’

'I…’

'What? Can’t hear you.’

'I-I’m not a glasses monkey… I’m Detective Ishii Yuutarou…’

'Don’t make me laugh. You can’t even do anything on your own.’

’T-that’s not…’

'What’s not true? You’re still terrified of me, right? Freaking out on your own and curling up in a corner.’

It was just as Mochizuki said.

He was a coward who couldn’t do anything on his own. There was no way that this would make it possible for him to face the incident. Ishii lost his strength, sat on the ground and held his head.

It was so quiet it was uncanny.

– I want to disappear.

Ishii had that wish. If he disappeared, he would be able to escape from this unpleasantness.

'Ishii-san.’

Amid Ishii’s confusion, he heard a voice.

He looked up and saw Makoto standing there, panting.

'Makoto-san… Why are you…’ said Ishii in surprise.

Makoto smiled.

'I heard from Yakumo-kun that you were here.’

'Yakumo-shi told you that?’

Why did Yakumo tell Makoto where Ishii was? And why did Makoto come here?

Ishii couldn’t find the answers to those questions.

'I heard most of the story from Yakumo-kun,’ said Makoto. She lowered her long eyelashes, seeming sorrowful.

'I see…’

'Ishii-san, you suffered a lot as well.’

Eh?’

'I said this before, right? That I was bullied.’

Makoto shrugged.

Come to think of it, they had talked about that in the cafe.

'I’m envious of you, Makoto-san,’ said Ishii without thinking.

'Envious?’

'Yes.’

'Why?’

'Even though something so painful happened in the past, you managed to overcome that. Whereas I…’

Ishii’s memories swung him about – he still lived while dragging his past behind him.

If he could cut them away, it would probably be easier, but he just couldn’t do it.

'Ishii-san, you’re too kind,’ said Makoto with a smile. Ishii couldn’t accept them honestly.

'I’m not kind. I’m just a coward.’

'It’s the same thing.’

'It isn’t.’

To Ishii, Makoto’s words sounded like mere consolation.

Kindness and cowardice were falsely similar. He didn’t have any kindness.

As proof of that, he had lived with strong hatred this whole time. If he were a kind person, he would probably have forgiven them with no hatred.

'It’s the same thing. Ishii-san, it’s because you’re too kind that you can’t blame anybody. That’s why you blame yourself.’

'That isn’t it. I just didn’t say it aloud. I blamed Mochizuki. I hated him. I even wanted to kill him.’

'But you didn’t kill him.’

In contrast to Ishii’s agitation, Makoto was calm.

'No… I might have killed him.’

'Eh?’

'On that day ten years ago, I pushed Yukari-san down the stone steps in my hatred!’ yelled Ishii. His heart – his body – it felt like they were breaking into pieces.

He felt that he was vile and filthy.

Yet Makoto still smiled at him.

It made Ishii feel perplexed.

'Ishii-san, you didn’t push her down the stone steps.’

'How can you know that?

Makoto hadn’t been there. There was no way for her to know.

'I know. Ishii-san, you couldn’t kill anybody.’

'But I hated her.’

'Everyone feels hatred, but there’s a line between those who act on it and those who don’t.’

'A line…’

'Yes. Ishii-san, you aren’t somebody who could cross that line.’

'But I can still feel it in my hands…’

Ishii looked at his hands.

'Is that the truth?’

Makoto gripped Ishii’s hands, enveloping them.

Her hands were a bit cold, but Ishii felt the bottom of his heart grow warm.

'Urgh…’

'Didn’t you just tell yourself that?’

'Just tell myself…’

'That’s what Yakumo-kun said too.’

'Yakumo-shi did?’

'Yes. He said that you blamed yourself so much that you even deluded yourself into thinking that you killed Yukari-san ten years ago…’

'B-but…’

'In order to solve the curse of the past, you have to face the incident. So… Let’s stand.’

Ishii stood up, led by Makoto.

– I can’t run. No. I’ll stop running.

In Ishii’s chest, something like determination welled up within.

8

'Where are you planning on going?’

As Gotou drove the car, Matsuda called out from the backseat.

Matsuda had been acting tough ever since his arrest, but it looked like even he was troubled.

'The shrine where the incident occurred,’ replied Gotou curtly.

'The shrine?’

'Yeah.’

'What are you planning on doing?’

Gotou didn’t have the answer to that.

He’d brought Matsuda out on the pretext of inspecting the scene, but it was actually on Yakumo’s request. He hadn’t heard the details, but –

'To end the case.’

That was what Yakumo had said.

All he could do now was believe in Yakumo’s words.

'To end the case?’

'Yeah.’

'The case is already over. I killed Mochizuki. Nothing more, nothing less.’

Matsuda’s wide open eyes seemed to be filled with a strong well.

– Ah, these eyes.

Gotou understood the true nature of the unease he’d felt from Matsuda.

Matsuda had testified to assaulting and stabbing Mochizuki for his money.

However, when Gotou looked at Matsuda’s straight eyes, it seemed incredibly haphazard. Matsuda didn’t seem like somebody who would kill someone.

That was why Gotou was troubled and irritated.

'The case isn’t over yet.’

'It’s over.’

'You can say that, but the case isn’t over 'til I say it is.’

'You’re persistent.’

Matsuda looked in exasperation at the car’s low ceiling.

'For a detective, being persistent is praise.’

'Detectives, eh… You don’t look like a detective to me.’

'What do I look like?’

'Who knows. I wonder…’

After saying that, Matsuda bit his lip.

Then, he shut his mouth and sat still, like he had become a stone statue.

Gotou focussed on driving.

He would stop thinking for now. Yakumo would lead him to the truth soon.

After a while, the car reached the stone steps at the bottom of the shrine.

They would walk now.

Gotou got out of the driver’s seat, opened the back door and told Matsuda to get out.

Matsuda sighed and got out of the backseat.

'We’re going.’

Gotou urged Matsuda to climb the stone steps.

For just a moment, Matsuda looked up at the sky. He narrowed his eyes, like he thought the sun was bright. His expression looked sad to Gotou.

Gotou climbed the stone steps with Matsuda.

His footsteps were heavy, but Gotou continued climbing, believing that the truth was ahead.

'Gotou-san, you’re late.’

Gotou heard a voice as he arrived at the shrine.

He saw Yakumo standing in front of the tree of deceit.

His eyes were sleepy as usual as he ran a hand through his messy hair.

'Shut up. I had a lot to prepare too.’

'It takes you this much time to prepare because of your inefficiency.’

'I don’t need to hear that from you!’

'I can hear you even if you don’t speak that loudly.’

Yakumo stuck his fingers in his ears to complain about the noise.

Yakumo always did this, but Gotou was still annoyed by the brat.

'Who’s that?’

Matsuda looked openly suspicious.

– How should I explain?

Ignoring Gotou’s wavering, Yakumo walked straight towards Matsuda.

'You’re Matsuda-san, yes? It’s nice to meet you. My name is Saitou Yakumo.’

Yakumo greeted Matsuda politely.

'You a detective too?’ asked Matsuda, seeming confused.

Yakumo smiled innocently in response.

'No, I’m not a detective. I’m just a student,’ Yakumo said nonchalantly.

’S-student?’

Matsuda looked even more confused.

'Yes.’

'What is this?’

Matsuda looked at Gotou for an explanation.

– I’m screwed.

While Gotou was trying to think of an excuse, he spotted somebody climbing the stone steps.

It was Ishii and Yuuko.

When Matsuda saw Yuuko, his expression hardened at once.

On the other hand, Yuuko’s eyes went so wide that Gotou thought they might fall out. Her hands flew to her mouth in shock.

'W-why is that person here?’ Yuuko asked Ishii.

'Ah, no, that’s… Er…’

Ishii faltered, unable to explain properly.

'I gathered you here,’ said Yakumo in a clear voice.

'That person is the criminal who killed Toshiki-san.’

Yuuko turned her anger towards Yakumo.

'I know.’

Yakumo was calm.

'Then why are you doing this?’

'Of course, it is to end the case.’

'The case is over. What are you saying now?’ interrupted Matsuda.

In response, the corners of Yakumo’s lips turned up in a carefree smirk.

'It isn’t over. Matsuda-san, you know that too, don’t you?’

'W-what?’

'We are going to end the case now.’

After saying that, Yakumo took the black contact lens out of his left eye and lifted his head.

'Y-your eye’s red….’ said Matsuda in a shaking voice, when the deep red left eye turned towards him.

It wasn’t just Matsuda who was surprised. Though Yuuko didn’t say anything aloud, her hands were at her mouth and her eyes were wide open.

'Don’t fuss,’ said Gotou, cutting Matsuda down. He looked at Yakumo.

Whether he was used to this reaction or suppression his emotions, Yakumo’s expression was the same as always.

'My left eye isn’t just red,’ said Yakumo in a flat voice.

'W-what?’

Matsuda frowned.

'My left eye can see the spirits of the dead – that is, ghosts.’

'Eh?’ said Yuuko in surprise.

'Idiotic. Ghosts? You planning on putting on an exorcism here or something?’ said Matsuda scornfully.

'Shut up for a bit,’ said Gotou.

'It looks like he is here too now,’ said Yakumo after a silence, turning towards the tree of deceit.

'He?’

Yuuko cocked her head.

'Mochizuki Toshiki-san.’

'Eh? But he’s…’

'I said this earlier. I can see the spirits of the dead.’

'Is T-Toshiki-san really here?’ said Yuuko pleadingly.

'Yes.’

'Where? Toshiki-san, where are you?’

Yuuko seemed to believe Yakumo. She looked around frantically for her dead lover as she called out.

It hurt to watch her.

'Please calm down.’

Ishii couldn’t bear it and soothed Yuuko.

Gotou looked at Matsuda. His brow was wrinkled – he looked troubled.

He was probably confused by the unexpected development.

'Now, everyone is here.’

Yakumo slowly looked at everyone.

'What are you going to do?’

Matsuda glared at Yakumo. Yakumo wasn’t a guy who’d be frightened by something of that level. He looked at Matsuda expressionlessly.

'Please don’t make me keep saying this. I’m going to end the case.’

'I said that the case is over.’

'Then there’s nothing to be frightened of. Please look there.’

'W-what?’

'Did you not hear me? I said you can just look there.’

They looked at each other, their gazes letting off sparks.

After a while, Matsuda was the first to look away.

Yakumo nodded in satisfaction.

9

'So how are you planning on ending it?’ Gotou asked Yakumo once everything had calmed down.

At this stage, Gotou couldn’t see how they could get out of this mess.

'There is something that needs to be made clear first.’

Yakumo held up his index finger.

'What?’ asked Gotou, leaning forward.

Yakumo probably already knew the truth behind the case.

'Is it the person who’s lying?’ interrupted Ishii, sounding agitated.

'Nobody’s lying. The case is already over.’

Matsuda kicked the ground in his irritation.

That moment, Yakumo glared at Matsuda. Even Gotou found the glare scary enough to make a chill run down his spine.

'It appears it really would be better to start with you.’

Yakumo turned to face Matsuda.

'What are you saying?’

'It’s because you change your testimony that things are such a mess.’

'I haven’t changed my testimony,’ denied Matsuda, but for some reason, there was no power to his words.

'What did Matsuda-san say to Yuuko-san when he was arrested?’

Yakumo looked at Gotou.

Gotou was able to remember the answer immediately.